Blog O' Ram

Trust in GOD and NOT God Men!

2010-03-06T10:51:00.000-08:00

I am deeply wounded today by watching the videos on the recent scandals that happened on the so called 'spiritual gurus' or swamis. The list is getting longer... Kalki in Chittore, Saraswathi Baba in Delhi, Nityananda in Bangalore, Dayanand Pandey in Delhi and many many more. The list goes on as you google, youtube or bing. Looking at all of the news most of the time today, my own sentiments and faith is questioned now? Doubt and suspicion is at its peak? Satya Sai Baba who I follow is still in ambiguity in my mind. Sai Baba told me once in response to my question "What should I do to have immense faith in you?". Satya Sai Baba answered to me "Love me as you love your mother and wife." For that matter if I love anyone like I love my mother and wife, I will have immense faith. In Indian culture it is a common saying "Athidhi devo bhave, Acharya devobhave etc etc etc." It is also very common to say thanks in gratitude for help someone did by saying "You have come like God, or God sent!". Before going to Puttaparthi for Satya Sai Baba, I used to tease Sai Baba's photo in our Commerce Tuition Center. "Hello Meshaaru! Good evening!". Later when I returned from Puttaparthi after seeing Satya Sai Baba for first time, my best friend Rajesh asked me a question. "Ram do you think Sai Baba is God?". I told him, Yes!. "Because, when a person does small help, we will show immense gratitude and say "You are like God, you helped me". Sai Baba is doing great service to humanity with his hospitals and water supply project etc. Definitely he has divinity", is what I said. This is very common specially in India, in reference to doctors in expressing gratitude, they say, "You have saved my life like God!" Upon continuity with the same person, "like God" will eventually change to "You are God!" Read on...!

Seeing God in everything is spirituality. But making everyone God is non-spiritual. It is time for introspection of my own faith, belief in the so called "God men!" of today and their contemporaries.

The Hindu scriptures do say that there is God in everyone and everything. But, that I guess is interpreted in a different manner thinking that everyone is God. God is in everyone. God is everything. God is Endless. God has no definition. God is (Sthanuvu) meaning, static and beyond expansion. NO! Everyone is not God! So, when a persona like Gauthama Buddha, who attained enlightenment becomes one with God then becomes God! When this state is achieved, one is beyond wealth or world. The so called God men of the present time, are NOT GODs as they are failing the basic test of renunciation and are so vulnerable to temptation. They are the ones who try to attain God, but are unsuccessful in their attempts to do so. In their endeavors to attain God, they are deriving great benefits of immense spiritual knowledge, which when comes to preaching few are able to carry out successfully to a certain time or extent. When the final test of practice, many of them or maybe all of them are failing to pass the practical test of TRUE renunciation. As there is a dearth of people who take nothing but only the 'so called' spiritual path. In comparison to the population of earth, the percentage is very low. With the rise in the problems and changing scenarios around the world, people are facing more problems or at-least feeling more it. These people turn to God for help. In the process of turning to God for help they are looking for miracles to happen. In doing so, they are choosing a path with immense faith that they will get help from these spiritually learned. So, they cling to one or multiple of such organizations or institution that they believe will help them in taking a spiritual path. As they are going with an expectation, the initial steps are extravagant and attractive. But, going deeper, these institutions are misleading the people, as they already know that the ones who have committed to the organization will strive in their own pursuit to spirituality. These people are vulnerable to situations of exploitation. And in majority of the cases, money, power and wealth plays a key role as these organizations are lobby for huge business contacts. Most of them who benefit because of the contacts they gained through these organizations, would not mind to part with the small portion of their profits in the name of donations. Or would not mind to "Invest" when they see a potential to grow their own contacts and business. The funds are freely flowing. To give of a very recent example, an acquaint of mine, who started a new business recently, was happy to get a temple poojari as his first client. It is because he is confident that the poojari will surely get him lot of contacts as there will be many number of people who will be coming to the temple. So, the poojari is actually paying only the cost for getting his work done, and this business is OK to forego the profit for the benefit of getting more clients reference from Poojari. This is a classic case, I guess now.

Regarding the foreigners, that are flocking in numbers. Yes, they too are coming to India only to seek spiritual awakening. Because, the world recognizes India as the land of spirituality and culture. When the foreigners come to India with a hope, some of them do get enlightened again by the spiritual discourses and talks given by these so called 'God men'. They would only get a portion of it, and change a portion of themselves. But there is the other portion within them which is their original themselves because of their origin or whatever. They can't and will not forsake completely what they originally are that too in a short span of time. But, because of the power of the 'Truth' in the scriptures they are amazed and see real benefits. At the same time they will not change themselves completely, but there will come a major transformation. In the process there is also an exchange and culmination of cultures. For which, I have no comments now, as it is another topic all together. The foreigners who are coming are coming for the spiritual awakening are mesmerized by the mantras of Hare Rama and Hare Krishna as they are truly powerful. At the same-time holding on to the mantra all through the life is equally challenging and a test in itself. Those who are able to derive benefits of Indian spirituality are able and willing to donate whatever it is. These true test for these so called "God men" comes to play. Some of them get invites to foreign lands and they make trips to foreign lands too in the name of spiritual healing or spreading the message and end up falling prey to the temptations.

And the so called 'God men' who are also vulnerable are not able to gain control on themselves when they are put to test. They want to acquire more and quick funds in dollars and get more followers and be more of everything. In this pursuit, the so called "God men" will fail themselves and remain as a 'man' or worse not emerge out as devil or evil. Scriptures have warned initially that anyone who takes up the path of spirituality should stick to it, else the punishments for failing will be severe to the extent of becoming devils. So, these so called 'God men' failed turn out to be devils and demons. So truly.

The fundamental flaw is in thinking that these spiritually learned people are Gods. The person who learned the Vedas, Puranas or the Great Epics like Bhagawat Gita or Ramayan or Bhagwatham are have only mastered a subject, preached through their good communication skills and are able to 'Sell' their spiritual knowledge. The flaw from the Guru's is when they are selling this knowledge rather than distributing it free of cost. If you see, the ones who have actually written these Epics and Hindu Scriptures left it free to the community for a better living. Still the real 'Truth' in Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads and the like holds good. The flaw is not in the scriptures, but in the people who learn and interpret them and preach their false interpretation to others.

Though the scriptures mentioned that a Guru is required to easily attain the spiritual path they have never mentioned that one cannot attained spiritual path individually. By having a Guru you may seek clarification of some complex spiritual thoughts or seek a reference or direction to take the spiritual path. If the Guru is TRULY a RIGHTEOUS person, then

Yes it is true even to this day and moment and forever the Guru Mantra,
"Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Gurudevo Maheswarah
Guru saakshaath prambrahma, Tasmai Sri Guravenamaha."

This is valid upon a condition that Guru is Truly Guru. One great sign of a True Guru is renunciation. Guru's need no wealth, no followers, no money and no bodily pleasure. A true Guru needs no sex. If the so called 'God men' self proclaimed Gods, need to be true Gurus, then they should be passing this test of renunciation and be able to take Truly Sanyasam. These people are failing on their path towards becoming Gurus. They haven't attained the True Guru stature. But with the population and the benefits of improved marketing skills, with advantages of communication and technology, they are gaining popularity falsely, very quickly and prematurely. So early in fact that they themselves are prone to be vulnerabilities of temptation towards wealth, pleasure, money and sex. These so called God men are themselves falling prey to the false admiration and false worship. The biggest reason could be because they are also getting paid in return which is beyond the comprehension to those so called 'God Men'. They just are getting carried away to the heights only to have a free fall flat form those immense heights.

Definitely, everyone has something good to say. But, I feel not to be obsessed about a person who master the holy scriptures and consider him as God. It is just like a degree in any specialization like math, science, computers or management. Spirituality is another degree and a person who masters this will be able to provide solutions to life in general. Because, the Hindu scriptures have answers to all questions. Because, very few individuals take this as specialization and as their life, say the number is like one in Million. And the population is so huge these days, that you can find a gathering at every single event even at a flop show. With the advancement of technology and communications, the message can spread across the whole wide world the very same moment, live so to say. These people who attained these spiritual degrees will be able to attract huge crowds with their spiritual knowledge. It is not in the person, but it is that spirit of India and Hindu scriptures that anyone who learns and masters these scriptures can attract any number of people. At the same time, the scripture also says that anyone who learns this scriptures should also put it into practice, which even more difficult. When putting it into practice there will be several challenges. The truly learned Gurus should resist to all kinds of temptations every moment, always, continuously and forever. The moment they succumb to these temptations, these Gurus are falling prey to them and failing to pass the tests to attain their true spiritual state of being and continue being Guru!

In these testing and tiring times, should I keep my faith un-shattering, have blind faith or should I be practical and open my eyes if at all I have been keeping them closed all these years. Should I accept the reality and move on to a better state.

Yes, I guess the right thing do is NOT to trust so called Spiritual Gurus / Swamiji to an extent of "Nava Vidha Bhakti". Get to the true meaning that God is in every one, so knowing God is knowing ones own self. Looking inwards and if you want to practice "Navavidha Bhakti" then do it to ones own self , even the final stage is "surrendering oneself to ones own self" and NOT falsely to the so called "God men". Stop encouraging the concept of "God men" and look at these people as "Servants to God". They only have to fulfill their duty and they are to serve humanity with their spiritual work. They are NOT Gods and some of them are not even as good as human.

At the end of this blog, all said and done, I am no longer hurt. I am happy for knowing these incidents. It helped me to think more and get the deeper meaning and value of Hindu Scriptures and Culture. There is no flaw in the scriptures. The flaw is only in those who are unable to strictly follow the scriptures. I have no faith in God Men now. I have renewed faith in God and Spirituality.

Coffee ~ My Private Affair!

2010-02-17T17:16:00.000-08:00

I enjoy having coffee very much. Coffee is something without which, it is difficult to live life conveniently. Maybe because it is a habit or a feeling or whatever it is. Coffee definitely gives me wonderful feelings, it brings back great memories, great ideas and thoughts, genuine happiness, rejuvenates energy. Overall Coffee makes me feel like a Man! Yes! Just like how they say having cigarette makes people feel like a man, Coffee gives me that kind of a feeling, grown up, adult, independent. To say it in style, "I felt like a Man!" I felt like writing about coffee because it is a private affair to me. Coffee is very personal to me. I enjoy it for my own self. It is an experience that is worthy of blogging, though it would not reflect the completeness of my private affair with coffee.

I love the taste that lingers after having a nice coffee. I love to sing the songs of advertisements like the Colgate, Thumbsup, Limca, Hutch etc. In that list ads that I love, the coffee ads which I love are embedded all over this post.

I like the many coffee ads.
"Manchi ruchi gala udayam kotta sunrise..."
In Telugu song goes like this...
"మంచి రుచి గల ఉదయం కొత్త సన్ రైజ్.." meaning "A good morning taste... new Sunrise..."
In Hindi song goes like this...
"जीवन में अप्पकी नया सन राइज..." meaning "In your life.. new Sunrise..."

The quote that greatly appeal to me and I live by it.
"Men like Chocolate and Coffee should always be rich."

The coffee brands I love are
Chennai Filter Coffee at Saravana Bhavan
Bru Coffee
Nescafe
Starbucks Capachino
Starbucks Cold Coffee
Cafe Coffee Day
Barista Coffee
Tim Hortons double double
Tim Hortons Cafe Mocha
Coffee at Tirumal from the small vendors
Coffee tastes amazing in Puttaparthi Canteen
College Coffee
Srinivas Coffe Powder
Nescafe Classic

Favorite Coffee shops, that I can remember of the mind now
Dunkin's coffee shop in Middletown, Connecticut near Balaji Temple
Amethyst in Chennai
Coffee Day at Isphani Center in Chennai

Come alive to great moments... Nescafe....

So now those great moments with Coffee that come alive always...

Like the ad "जीवन में अप्पकी नया सन राइज..." I always have a coffee between 10 and 11 AM for second time on weekends, because, we finish the work to some extent and want to take a break or get rejuvenated for the rest of the day. It is remember so well that I always used to ask Swapna to give me coffee for second cup of the day on Sunday mornings around 10.30 AM, after I come from the fish and vegetables market. She would give it to me before she starts the heavy Sunday cooking.

Another fond memory, is when I am with my brothers, my Mom will definitely give coffee to Ajay, Vinod and myself when we are together be it morning or afternoon. Ajay rarely drinks coffee though. We do a lot of chit chatting while sipping coffee. Really wonderful moments.

Swapna and I went to Mc Donald's for breakfast near Niagara Falls, and had complimentary, introductory, promotional free coffee during breakfast on her birthday Sep 9!

Preparing at Amethyst, in Chennai along with my Polaris Colleagues for Best Young Managers Competition conducted by All India Management Association!

Pot Coffee at Dolphin hotel during our MBA College days along with my friends.

Coffee at the Vizag railway station along with my buddies during many times in teenage.

I used to spend time at Amethyst alone while Swapna went for delivery, reading books and working on my laptop at the coffee shop. I got into a wonderful coffee culture.

The precious moments I used to spend with my mentor Sriram, while I used to take coffee breaks at Polaris Spencers Plaza office.

Weekend Coffee with mini tiffin Saravanan Bhavan while I was a bachelor.

These days, when I chat with my online friend Vivek, I tell him that "It's Coffee with Vivek" and he says "Tea with Ram" because he drinks Tea.

Coffee I have at my desk when I don't have time to sit and eat breakfast at coffee shop because of an early morning meeting. I love such busy weekdays.

I remember, when Swapna and I were making our home after our US return to Hyderabad, we carefully decorated our home. And in between, I used to drink lot of coffees. Sweet Memories.

Enjoyed the coffee, I had with all my MBA gang sitting on the wall opposite to Dr. LB college or at Sai Ram parlor near my house at Eenadu in Vizag.

During our bachelor outing to Araku Vally in Vizag on a stormy day. We stopped while going uphill on bikes due to lack of visibility of even 2 meters distance. That time we were all wet wet wet and cold. We had a very nice hot coffee on the road side with cigarettes for those who smoke. It was good fun.

Now a days, my coffee conversations with my team members and clients is a norm. We go to Tim Hortons for discussions and conversations over coffee.

There are many such exotic moments I have while drinking coffee each and every day. I am running out of my memory and words to get them all here.

How I got used to Coffee...? It all started with taste for drops of coffee. Coffee is for adults at my home. During my childhood, I remember I was in 1st standard, when I always wanted to drink coffee because all the adults were drinking. Until, I am in first standard, I don't remember, but I guess even if I asked they never gave me. But, I do remember insisting and crying for coffee. Then, my mom used to dip her finger in coffee that she is drinking and put a drop on my tongue to taste. That way, she used to get rid of me and my persuasion to drink coffee. That is the beginning of my taste towards coffee. Sooner or later, I moved from milk, Bornvita, Horlicks to Coffee. I used to like coffee very much because the coffee my mom used to make is very strong and also sweet. So, I had a strong taste for coffee and also have a sweet tooth. Hence, my taste towards coffee developed. I liked coffee with such sweetness maybe, but now I reduced from extreme sweetness to low sweetness and should eventually move to no sugar, no sweetness coffee.

The maximum coffees I drank in a day of 24 hours was maybe 12 cups, if I remember correctly. The maximum days I lived without coffee for entire day, after I got used to drinking coffee every day, was I guess 2 days maximum.

Sip the coffee... lick the cream... mmmmmmmm........

I do feel a bit of inconvenience when I don't have coffee. The worst coffee I ever tasted was the one which I prepared. Forgetfully I added salt instead of sugar. I gulped it and realized it was Yack!! I don't like black coffee when compared to coffee with milk. But, i guess eventually I will like black coffee too. Like how I like coffee with less sugar now. But for sure, I will NOT like coffee with salt. LOL ;-)

Coffee tastes really good after having masala dosa, or dosa with a spicy chutney, poori curry etc during breakfst. It tastes wonderful immediately after having Upma as breakfast.
The time when I used to be in Java Training at Intelligroup, I guess I had 10 to 12 cups of coffees from machine because it was free. Within a week from then I stopped drinking readymade machine coffee at work place. Later, I used to have coffee from prepared from the stove or filtered. The other time I remember having loads of coffee was during the wedding of my friend Vamsi's sister. I remember we were involved in the wedding arrangements and so as bechelors we freaked and did nights out. That day I remember having around 10 to 12 of cups of coffee just for the sake of it. Coffee goes will with Pakodi or bajji on a rainy day or at the beach in India.

The favorite coffee cups / mugs among the many I have are, A coffee mug given by Polaris for 'Get up, Get Noticed!" competition at Polaris. A Red Nescafe cup which I still have in India. You can see the coffee cup in this ad below. Enjoy the ad song.

There are numerous best moments with coffee that I experienced over and over again. It is more of a good morning feeling, or a hot coffee in cold weather, or having roadside coffee when in journey early morning on a long drive, in the chillness of Tirumala hill, while I am alone thinking for myself during weekends and many many more.

After marriage, I really loved and experienced the situation in this advertisement. It touched my life because, this ad used to come when Swapna and I were in Chennai and we were expecting Srimaye. It was so much to the context that time and we enjoyed every moment and continue to do so.

My coffee consumption, stats on how much I consumed and I will consume over a life time.

Every day 1 cup of coffee for sure.
Monthly I consume 100 grams of Coffee.
Annually I consume 1200 grams of Coffee.
Since I started at the age of 5 years, I must have consumed 37, 200 grams or 82 lbs of Coffee.
In my lifetime, probably I will consume 84,000grams or 185 lbs of Coffee.

I must have spent around $50 per annum only on coffee powder and so far I must have spent $1550. In a lifetime, I maybe spending $3750, around Rs. 1,61,250 Indian Rupees. :-) These stats and costs are ball park figures and do not account for coffee that I buy etc. Though a very very rough estimate, rather a guesstimate this is very interesting. :-)

Enjoy the lyrics of the Nescafe ad song... Open Up... the singer is Shunza

You can be rich With no money to spend,
You can do everything When you understand…

You can be mother When you are a man,
Open up… You know that you can…

Open your eyes Open your mind
Open your thoughts Don't stay behind…

Open up, open up… Open up, open up…
Nescafe.

The key is inside you To open your mind,
You know what is out there Your heart can't be blind…

Open your eyes And open your mind
Open your thoughts Don't stay behind…

Open your eyes Open your mind
Open your thoughts Don't stay behind…

Open up, open up… Open up, open up…
Nescafe.

Erase all the borders And start in your head.
Open your mind To thoughts seldom said…

Open your eyes And open your mind
Open your thoughts Don't stay behind…

Open up, open up… Open up, open up…
Open up, open up… Nescafe.

Finally, it is not that I am ending it, because it is never ending. It is open ended.

So, Open up Open up...

A shower of positive energy...!

2010-02-05T19:26:00.000-08:00

This day has been a wonderful day! Very unique in its own way, I am not sure if this is an effect of the planetary position for a Capricorn. Is it a result of consistent effort, a coincidence.
Whatever it is, it is worth blogging.

This morning, I woke up with a very positive vibe, dreaming about Tirumala and my favorite Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy, the Kaliyuga Avatar of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu.

I had a wonderful coffee, sent some very positive official notes to offshore teams.

I went to the train station, a colleague of mine said, "Ram looking like a hero, very stylish with all that muffler etc." I smiled. The fact is that I wear the same muffler atleast every alternate day, then why is it only today. I am at my best dressing every day, because fashion is one of my passions too. My Friday dressing to work is always well though and well noticed. And a compliment on Friday dressing happened to me many times. Today's compliment is different because of the series of events that happened though out the day.

Then I was at work, and there is an email from Dan Demers, the client manager, worldwide project team to solve puzzle that is partially work related. It read as, "Kudos to those who solve this simple puzzle!". I always will be the person to participate in such kind of things, for that matter any kind of competition, though I know, I have no clue of it. Just to give you an example, I participated in Quiz competitions, while I very well know, my General Knowledge is Zilch! What is the point in going! I learnt to face failure! I learnt my weaknesses! I gained confidence and strength! I am not ashamed to lose, but proud to participate!

I am not ashamed to lose, but I am proud to participate! ~ Ram
(A caption that evolved on the fly.)

Having said this, coming back to the mornings puzzle on email. Already couple of people responded with their answers in lightening speed. I was sure they were wrong. And, I am sure it is a simple puzzle yet tricky. Then I worked on the puzzle, was confident that I should be able to solve it. But due to the other official emails that caught my attention, I did not focus on this puzzle. I left it half way and an hour passed. By then, few guys have responded, and it was fun seeing the responses. I worked on it and sent the answers, and there comes the response, "Kudos goes to Ram!" Here is the actual extract of the email.

"Kudos goes to Ram! Others who replied before (and after) Ram, please look to Ram as a problem solving role model. Others who failed to reply, look to those who replied as email management role models and Ram as both an email management and problem solving role model." ~ Dan

Coming to this appreciation, it is more than what is required appreciation for solving this simple puzzle. Why is that? Maybe it is because of the consistent performance evaluated by the client, the positive re-enforcement that is observed over a period of time by the client, or the much awaited and long due ones that are combined into this day. I do not know for sure. But this happened and I am Happy.

Following the email trails, I have seen thank you notes which, I received from my team members. This is because, I manged to get nominations for Polaris Hall of Fame, from the client for my team members.

My Friday's are usually with less meetings as I would prefer to relax at office, after four week days of intensive meetings and hectic hours, loads of work at office. Suddenly, my desk phone rang, and I responded without watching the displayed number. I was pleasantly surprised by beloved wife, Swapna. She called me to my desk number to say 'I LOVE YOU!". I was all relaxed at work, so had a good chat with Swapna and Srimaye untill some other colleague called me. I swapped the call only to tell that I will join the meeting in 10 minutes, finished the call with Swapna "aaraam se..." and got back to work.

As I skipped breakfast today, I was hungry and went for an early lunch. Early to me is 12noon, as my lunch time is usually between 1.30 and 2.30. Sometimes it would be even as late as 3 or 4pm. (Yes, I get into workaholic tendency often). I walked down the subway, to TD Center Food Court. The choice was between Indian, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Thai apart from the regular Subway, Mac Donald's, Pizza etc. I chose to eat Thai food which, pleasantly reminded me of my wonderful bachelorhood days at Singapore. I went to Thai eatery, to the counter and ordered Combo 2, which is Fried Rice, Golden Chicken and Bean Sprouts. Whenever I order in Canada, i have this feeling (maybe I am wrong) that their servings are really small for the price they charge. Today, I felt that the servings were extra large. I savored and relished the meal.

Work in the afternoon, went at really rapid pace and suddenly, I completed many things. I was delighted. Then in the evening, came home, I was hungry and so had Dosa for snacks. The Green Chutney which Swapna made was delicious. I completed writing Ramakoti for the day. I have the habit to watch porn, and today I didn't feel like watching it.

While checking my emails, I have seen a message that came from Facebook friend, Vipul. Vipul and I are online friends on Orkut for a couple of years now and also talked over the phone a couple of times. The basic connect happened on Orkut as both of us are born on January 11th. We both wish each other on our Birthday. It is kind of interesting, unique and funny to say "Thank You!, Wish You The Same!" for a Birthday wish. In school, I remember, there was my classmate called Rajitha who was born on Jan 11th. Then there is my uncle "Murthi Chinnanna Garu" from Bhimavaram, who is born on January 11th. More on birthdays later.

Now, coming back to the facebook, This was Vipul's message on facebook.
"Vipul Prakash Pandey problem with life : (1) when I am serious about it , its in a jolly mood and in a world of her own . & (2) when I am in a jolly mood , it expects me to be the most serious of all those in this world ....... fish me , darn me , ........ HELL was THE right place .... all INCOMING no OUTGOING ..... phew ..... introducing people.... a finally all broken VP."

I have responded to his message on the wall this morning.

"Ram Kumar Samantula: This is true of everyone.... the paradox of life. When a person is born, he cries and the world around smiles. When a person dies, he smiles (assume peace) and the world around cries. So, you are living life in true sense. All you need to be is Great VP and not broken VP! Broken doesn't suit you!! ;-) On the lighter side, Hell is where you have all your friends...! Either way its fun!!"

For those who know Telugu, these are the lines of the song "nenu puttanu, ee lokam edchindhi, neenu edchaanu, ee lokam navvidhi..." from ANR's movie Devadasu (I guess).

In the evening, when I checked his response, I was amazed and wondered again to myself, whatz happening today. This is Vipul's response.

Vipul Prakash Pandey: ram ..... i am astounded ..... bro ... was searching for such an audacious reply with THAT positive vibe .... people say its friendship .....i say its LOVE ..... hats off bro ..... HAIL U MAN !

Again, Vipul's reaction amazed me, particularly, it is again happening today.

After this was done, I was chatting with another orkut friend, Vivek. Vivek and I are friends for past one year or so. Our connect is through ISKON and the vibes of the chants

"Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Krishna, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare"

We started to chat and Vivek, shared his personal concern regarding his career progression with me. We chatted on at length, by the end of it, he started off with a "Renewed Spirit"!

Another positive thing today is this blog itself. It has been quite sometime that I have written a blog and I am cherishing these moments and this day.

Life is Living Loving Learning and Laughing!!

8 Things That Billionaires Do ~ Robin Sharma

2010-01-24T18:41:00.000-08:00

A gist from Robin's 22 minute segment on 8 Things that Billionaires Do.

PPPs => Peak Performance Protocals

1. Dream
2. Learning
3. Cause

Celebrate Your Parents!

Celebrate The People You Love!!

Don't get stuck in the past, spend time in the future!

Always be dreaming!

Solitary fantasy can transform into a million realities!

Learning is anti-dote to self-stagnation

Push your envelop.

Move into your discomfort zone and keep learning and growing!

Best of the Best take time to read!

Best entrepreneurs build coaches!

Find a cause that is bigger than your life and dedicate your life to it!

Having a Mission and Work towards it!

Spend time in quite, writing a journal and climbing towards success.

Don't get Addicted to Business!

Staggering amount of focus!

Genius know a little of few things extremely well!

Focus!

Vocation!

Work in the realm of the talents!

Work makes them really happy!!

Doing work they are making a living!!!

Secrets of success is to live life in your own terms!

To thyself be true!! ~ Shakespeare

There will never be a better you than you ~ Warren Buffet

Don't lose yourself on the way to the top!! ~ Jack Welsh

Pause for a few moments in your life and rethink your life!

3 Spheres:
Working in the realm of talents.
Work makes them happy.
Doing work they can make a living out of it.

Read the most noble lives of people who walked the planet!

Change starts of small!!

8 Things That Billionaires Do!!

1. Clarity of Vision: Clarity of focus; Obsessed about their vision;
Staggeringly clear of their vision;

Stop being busy and start being productive.

Shift from being busy to achieving results ~ Peter Drucker

2. Number one asset you can bring to your business energy: They have the game days and then they pull back to recharge, renew and refuel.
High performance cycle and pull back to recharge / refuel.
Energy is Key.

3. Relationship Best Communicators: Build relationships; Focus on relationships and money will follow;

4. Innovators: Make today better than yesterday.
Continuous / consistent improvement

5. Operations:
Institutionalized processes; Consistency;

6. Real economy is your inner feeling.
Strong mindset of Champion Rich is a state of mind:
Prosperity is a birthright!

7. Huge executionists:
90 second rule is to seize the opportunity.
Keep promises and honor commitments.

8. Legacy:
Doing deeds which are much longer than you live.

Leadership and Success is one word Transformation.

Potential unexpressed turns to pain!

Think Of Your Legacy and Play at Your Best!!

ये वोह बंधन है जो कभी टूट नहीं सकता

2009-11-09T19:19:00.000-08:00

A time when extreme joy is overshadowed by loneliness. A time I have see profound change within me and around the world which already existed. Only on this day, I have realized the change that already existed.

Today, is a very important day in my life as we are celebrating House Warming Ceremony at 50-44-1, P&T Colony, Seetammadhara, Visakhapatnam - 530013, Andhra Pradesh, India. The idea of renovating our house was parked for more than 10 years, If I remember correctly. Or probably it was my Dad's dream to renovate the home. Definitely, the force behind this idea coming into action is my beloved mother. She is the biggest influence on any major decision that has a significantly positive effect in the lives of me and my brothers. The idea started getting into action around September 2007 I guess. After taking a lot of resistance, twists and turns the idea got into action. When I returned from US, I had taken a good look of it while it was under construction and have participated in the Ganapathi Homam and placing of the Main Entrance Doors "Mukha Dwaram". It was sheer joy to be a part of that festivity. From the time, I came to Canada, during my conversations to India, most of the talk has been around the construction status of the house. Mom used to give me a detailed progress on how things are happening, how Vinod and Ajay are putting their best foot forward inspite of lot of difficulties etc.

On this day, 9th Nov 2009, the House warming ceremony is celebrated. I really was excited to hear all the auspicious music, the way the whole home is decorated with flowers, green mango tree leaves and banana stems and leaves. It all is so sacred and lively as much as I can imagine and much more than that. The house is named as Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Nilayam.

Hearing all this over the phone, I felt really delighted. As I am in Canada, I really missed all the good joy and fun. Suddenly, a kind of gloom overtook my joy. I started feeling lonely and was very disappointed for missing all this fun. Lot of questions raised in my mind.

What is important in life?
Why did I miss such a wonderful event in life?
Why is Srimaye, Swapna and myself who are an integral part of this so far away from the joy of house warming?
Why did I not decide to attend this House warming ceremony?
When Swapna and Srimaye stay abroad, taking all the pains, why is it that they missed this festivity in the family which they are very much an integral part of?
Why is it that my brothers or mom did not feel that they should wait until I participate in the house warming ceremony, come what may?
If my Daddy was alive, will he agree to do the house warming ceremony without me attending to it?
Is it that I did not go and I am putting the blame on someone else for missing the ceremony?

So many questions, leading questions raised in my mind... that I was almost absent minded at work today. I managed to complete my work and reached home. I realized it is all in my own hands, my own decisions, my own thoughts, my own actions and my own deeds. So, at the end of the day, I have found answers within myself. I am neither sad nor over excited. I am just the way I am, Happy!!

I was constantly remember this song "Yeh jo desh hai tera, swadesh hai tera..." from SRK's film Swadesh. From the time I have seen this film, it has been my favorite song and will continue to be. I love the lyrics of this song and it is an apt time for a dedication of this song my own self. I love myself more than anyone for it always helps me in loving others. Sing.....

ये जो देस है तेरा , स्वदेस है तेरा , तुझे है पुकारा
ये वोह बंधन है जो कभी टूट नहीं सकता !!

मिटटी की जो खुशबू , तू कैसे भूलाएगा
तू चाहे कहीं जाए , तू लौट के आएगा
नई नई राहों में, दबी दबी आहों में
खोये खोये दिलसे तेरे, कोई ये कहेगा

ये जो देस है तेरा , स्वदेस है तेरा , तुझे है पुकारा
ये वोह बंधन है जो कभी टूट नहीं सकता !!

हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म ....

तुझसे ज़िन्दगी , है ये कह रही
सब तोह पालिया , अब है क्या कमी
यूँ तोह सारे सुख है बरसे
पर दूर तू है अपने घरसे
आ लौट चल तू अब दीवाने
जहाँ कोई तोह तुझे अपना माने
आवाज़ दे तुझे बुलाएं , वही देस

ये जो देस है तेरा , स्वदेस है तेरा , तुझे है पुकारा
ये वोह बंधन है जो कभी टूट नहीं सकता !!
हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म ....

ये पल है वही , जिस में है छुपी
कोई एक सदी , साड़ी ज़िन्दगी
तू न पूछ रास्ते में काहे
आए हैं इस तरह दो राहें
तू ही तोह है राह जो सुझाए
तू ही तोह है अब जो ये बताये
चाहे तोह कीस दिशा में जाए वही

ये जो देस है तेरा , स्वदेस है तेरा , तुझे है पुकारा
ये वोह बंधन है जो कभी टूट नहीं सकता !!

हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म ....

For those who would love to watch the video of this song... here you go...

Lyrics of the song Yeh jo des hai tera in English transliteration...

Ye jo des hai tera, swades hai tera, tujhe hai pukaaraâ€¦
Ye woh bandhan hai jo kabhi toot nahin sakta) -2

Mitti ki jo khushboo, tu kaise bhoolaayega
Tu chaahe kahin jaaye, tu laut ke aayega
Nayi nayi raahon mein, dabi dabi aahon mein
Khoye khoye dilse tere, koyi ye kahega
Ye jo des hai tera, swades hai tera, tujhe hai pukaara
Ye woh bandhan hai jo kabhi toot nahin sakta

(Hmmâ€¦hmmâ€¦hmmâ€¦hmmâ€¦hmmâ€¦)
Tujhse zindagi, hai ye keh rahi
Sab toh paa liya, ab hai kya kami
Yun toh saare sukh hai barse
Par door tu hai apne gharse
Aa laut chal tu ab diwaane
Jahaan koyi toh tujhe apna maane
Awaaz de tujhe bulaane, wahi des
Ye jo des hai tera, swades hai tera, tujhe hai pukaara
Ye woh bandhan hai jo kabhi toot nahin sakta
(Hmmâ€¦hmmâ€¦hmmâ€¦hmmâ€¦hmmâ€¦)

Ye pal hai wahi, jis mein hai chhupi
Koyi ek sadi, saari zindagi
Tu na poochh raaste mein kaahe
Aaye hain is tarha do raahein
Tu hi toh hai raah jo sujhaaye
Tu hi toh hai ab jo ye bataaye
Chaahe toh kis disha mein jaaye wahi des
Ye jo des hai tera, swades hai tera, tujhe hai pukaara
Ye woh bandhan hai jo kabhi toot nahin sakta
Hmmâ€¦hmmâ€¦hmmâ€¦

Absence of God's Presence

2009-10-21T21:42:00.000-07:00

On the sunday July 3rd 2004, in Hindu newspaper there was a very interesting Sashi Tharror column on Albert Einstein. I was just imagining, how one would be looking when you hold a pipe in your mouth on The photo of Einsteine was amazing with a pipe. I don't smoke but I definitely would love to smoke it from a pipe. Just imagining, on a European holiday. Undoubtedly, very graceful and revered in style with the pipe in mouth, those sparkling eyes, deep thoughts and warm smiles. Wish I could draw this picture of myself. Coming back, to the article, at the end of this column on Einstein, there was a statement made by Einstein upon learning the death of Mahatma Gandhiji which states "generations to come may scarce believe that such a one as this, in flesh and blood, walked upon this earth". I was wondering, how far they think. Here is another interesting piece which talks of philosophy and Einstein.

Begin Article:

Title: Feeling is Believing

The professor of a university challenged his students with this question. "Did God create everything that exists?" A student answered bravely, "Yes, he did".

The professor then asked, "If God created everything, then he created evil. Since evil exists (as noticed by our own actions), so God is evil. The student couldn't respond to that statement causing the professor to
conclude that he had "proved" that "belief in God" was a fairy tale, and therefore worthless.

Another student raised his hand and asked the professor, "May I pose a question? " "Of course" answered the professor.

The young student stood up and asked : "Professor does Cold exists?"

The professor answered, "What kind of question is that?...Of course the cold exists... haven't you ever been cold?"

The young student answered, "In fact sir, Cold does not exist. According to the laws of Physics, what we consider cold, in fact is the absence of heat. Anything is able to be studied as long as it transmits energy (heat). Absolute Zero is the total absence of heat, but cold does not exist. What we have done is create a term to describe how we feel if we don't have body heat or we are not hot."

"And, does Dark exist?", he continued. The professor answered "Of course". This time the student responded, "Again you're wrong,Sir. Darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in fact simply the absence of light. Light can be studied, darkness can not. Darkness cannot be broken down. A simple ray of light tears the darkness and illuminates the surface where the! light beam finishes. Dark is a term that we humans have created to describe what happens when there's lack of light."

Finally, the student asked the professor, "Sir, does evil exist?" The professor replied, "Of course it exists, as I mentioned at the beginning, we see violations, crimes and violence anywhere in the world, and those things are evil."

The student responded, "Sir, Evil does not exist. Just as in the previous cases, Evil is a term which man has created to describe the result of the absence of God's presence in the hearts of man.

After this, the professor bowed down his head, and didn't answer back.
The young man's name was ALBERT EINSTEIN

End Article:

A Prayer in Silence

2009-10-21T21:22:00.000-07:00

A Condolence Letter to A Guru!!

I have never seen you so gloomy। You are experiencing
deep distress and I really cannot imagine how you would be feeling. I
am sure; It is the greatest loss to anyone to lose a mother. (I am
only guessing it after seeing you.) I could see only one thing in
your eyes. Deep sorrow. I have never seen so much sorrow in your
eyes looks like they have dried out of tears. Swamy, do not hold your
sorrow or keep it to yourself. Cry your heart out and let the sorrow
in you get exhausted. There can be no greater loss than this.

I could see absolute calmness in you. The calmness as serene as a
lake early in the morning. Get yourself a renewed energy. There is
divinity in you, which you have transmitted to many souls. Your mom
may not be present in the same form. You can always use your
highest connecting power;
you can connect to your mom anytime you want.
She will appear to you in forms that you wish to see her. Show your
smiling face to her and lift her soul to peace. You have all that
divine power. Give it to your family. You are an embodiment
of pristine divinity. Go to a Carnatic classical concert. Get
connected to her and be always happy. And I am sure that your
happiness will give her soul all the ultimate peace, which
pen-ultimately will give you the bliss.

There are many forms in which, I see you, My Lord.

A quote:
And He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His
own, and the joy we share in our time of prayer.

I pray to the Lord that I should be readily connected and available to
you at times whenever you need me.

सदा आपके सेवा में!!

Srimaye's First Day At PlaySchool

2009-10-01T19:44:00.000-07:00

On this day, 1st of October 2009, Srimaye enrolled into the playschool for the first time ever. Another series of great moments, wonderful days in the lives of Swapna and myself, which only Srimaye could bring and no one else for the uniqueness of her being our first child.

Swapna and I have been planning for this for more than months, but I actually haven't really done anything untill today. Prior to this big day, Swapna did inquire on when the admissions would happen, which school in the neighborhood is better etc.
In deciding upon the school, our choice was to put her in a school which would give her a holistic education rather than just ABCs or 123s. I wanted Srimaye to pick her communication skills and other soft skills which be with her for ever. Swapna went on finding about schools in the neighborhood that are good in whatever parameters she herself is convinced of. Public schools were ruled out as Srimaye will have to be four years to get into kindergarten and for preschool in public schools one of the parents have to accompany. Obviously, it was not our choice simply because it would steal the little rather very little personal time which Swapna gets. There was another school around 20 minutes away from home, The Royal Montessori which, in Swapna's inquiry turned out to be best school in the neighborhood. Knowing the weather conditions and also considering the duration of 20 minutes walk specially during winter times, we felt it was not feasible. The next option we had was the school which is adjacent to our apartment block right across the street. This is the "Kougar Kitten Playschool". This playschool is in the premises of "TL Kennedy Secondary School" run by Peel District School Board. The school is pretty good in large campus, which also has a huge football ground. Its single story building spread wide in vicinity with long corridors.

Srimaye's School Address:
Kougar Kitten Playschool
3100, Hurontario Street
Mississauga, Ontario - L5B 1N7
CANADA.

The school name wtih Kitten is so apt for the little Srimaye, who resembles cub from the family of tigres, with her very playful attitude, charming eyes, cute smile and adorable face. She radiates divine beauty and God's magnificence. DDD (Dad describing Daughter) would always be exaggerating to the world while it is always understating to Dads' themselves. I guess no dad is an exception to this.

Early morning Srimaye is the first to get up. As I have taken off from office for the morning session, I decided to wake-up late. Swapna did not get out of the bed though she was awake. So Srimaye was the one who got ready first in the home, this morning. She was all dressed in her pink full pants, sleeves pullover white in color with multi color thin pencil strips on it. She has worn her hood jacket and white shoes. We three had breakfast and as usual Srimaye was slow in eating. We searched for Srimaye's school bag and found her travel bag. So we decided to take it for the day. I payed to Godess Saraswathi on behalf of Srimaye. Ofcourse, Srimaye got her Aksharabhyasam performed Saraswathi temple in Basara. Before starting to school, Srimaye wanted to take her large dressed mamma teddy bear soft toy to preschool along with her. Swapna persuaded to leave the bear at home while Srimaye insisted. Srimaye, was given a choice of either going to school or playing with teaddy bear. She wisely has chosen to go to school. She put her back pack on and we all walked down to the school. Weather outside is cool and is just about to get chill in a couple of weeks. Though it was definitely cool, we could manage with one jacket or sweater. While crossing the road, we have see lots of parents dropping kids at the bus station, where the public school bus will pick up and drop off the kids. The school bus passed away and we crossed the road. I guess Srimaye felt it very cold, so she complained her legs were aching. So, I carried her untill we were near to Srimaye's pre-school. Then all three of us walked into the school. It was all emply and silent corridors as the secondary school kids are already in their classes. So, we walked and entered into to the play school section. It was a huge square room with yellow walls and very bright room indeed. Very vibrant with light and joy of kids playing and walking around. There is an inflow of parents coming and dropping kids off at the play school. There is a lady, busy greeting the kids and parents, taking registrations and doing many things same time with ease. She is Mrs. Gail Wrobel, Preschool teacher, Early Childhood Educator. Mrs. Wrobel, has given us a registration form to fill and submit. She showed Srimaye's cupboard and place to keep her things. She placed a name card "Asritha" back of Srimaye's shirt, this way she would recognize all kids. Seems to be very well experienced with all kinds of kids. We submitted the forms and got Srimaye enrolled. Mrs. Wrobel explained how they would teach the kids about different things in school. The whole of this week, they would teach the letter M and the sounds related to it "mmmmmmmm....". She mentioned that we should be showing the kind where ever and ask her to say the letters and sounds for instance in a grocery store, Mmmmm.... Milk, Mmmmm.... Meat etc. She also mentioned that they would teach personal hygiene, toilet procedures etiquette etc. Mrs. Wroble explained that parents have to get some homework done by the kid, so that the kid get accustomed to doing things. For example holding a pencil, and when doing the homework, parents should correct the kid. I thought to myself, that Mrs. Wrobel is underestimating Asritha, as she thinks that Srimaye doesn't know how to hold a pencil. I did not care to tell her, as I would want the teacher Mrs. Wrobel should be able to figure that out from the students. All said, Mrs. Wroble is a wonderful teacher. Srimaye was busy with her teacher and cared less to say by to us. We were happy for it, because few kids were crying as the parents let them at school. Today was also the birthday of one of the kids in Srimaye's class. I also got worried a little because some of the kids were already showing symptoms of flue. I chose not to pay too much attention to it. While we watched Srimaye from the pane on the door, Srimaye is already busy with her teacher, she went into toys room and got herself a toy shopping cart and a Dora soft toy. Swapna and I smiled wondering why she picked the shopping cart. Did we acquaint her so much with shopping? Lots of laughter!!
Wondering how days have gone by so fast and our daughter is already attending school, while both of us still feel that we are kind of newly wed. Swapna and I went for medical tests and we were somewhat early. So there was not much wait time. So, Swapna managed to finish the tests early and we walked out of the medical lab. Then we went to a hair stylist and got my hair done. Swapna liked the new look and I liked it very much. After coming to Canada, this is the first time, I felt it was a very decent and classy look that the stylist did. Earlier, I went to different saloons and I really did not like the way they cut my hair. Today, the style was impressive and so I tipped the stylist 30% and told him that I liked the hair cut. The stylist was delighted! Swapna said, you made his day, he looked very happy. And you are looking cool with this new hair style. Swapna felt like having coffee and everything suddenly became romantic. Romance is in the air, we felt like we were honeymoon couple, having nothing to do, but to just romance around in the cool weather. We walked holding each other talking. At one instance, a passer by stared at my office tag which was hanging over my pocket from my belt. I felt we were like a college students who bunked college to freak around. I tried not to hide my office card several times though I was on leave in the morning session. It was really pleasant spending time with Swapna. We continued our walk to Tim Horton's and ordered for some breakfast and coffee which we deliberately shared to make it more romantic than the combination cool weather and hot coffee. We walked slowly back to home and by then it was 11AM. We had spent time at home till 11.30AM.

Srimaye's school timings are from 8.45 AM to 11.45 AM.

So, at 11.30, Swapna went to pick Srimaye from school while i have take a bus to get back to my office. At work, I participated in the "United Way" campaign, to be a volunteer in collecting donations within Citi, for the various upbringing of the under developed and various other hundreds of welfare organization that are under the umbrella of United Way. Had a tuna sandwich and grilled turkey sandwich with orange juice for lunch. Then work went at a good pace, maybe because of the magic of spending the whole morning with Swapna. Returned late from office to home at around 10PM.

Swapna told me over the phone, that Srimaye's first day is wonderful. The teacher gave a feedback on Srimaye that Srimaye is very social and talkative. They would ask people to talk, but they never do while, Asritha is very good that way. Teacher also gave her some homework to complete. :-)

While blogging this, I also remember that Swapna wants Srimaye to be called as Asritha. So, with this enrollment into school, Srimaye is also being called as Asritha. And one of dream's (Swapna's) dream come true. :-) As of me, I am very happy for spending the day with Swapna, being there for Srimaye's first day at school, it was all just perfect because of God's Grace that is showered upon us.

While reading the book, You Can Win by Shiv Khera, I read this Lincoln’s Letter to his Son’s Teacher as part of that book. It is one of those many many writings, poems, phrases etc list of things that have touched my heart. I waited since then, to share it again to the world in my own terms on the day when my kid goes to school. I am delighted to write this blog on this day. I will sign-off this journal with Lincoln’s Letter to his Son’s Teacher. Enjoy!!

Lincoln’s Letter to his Son’s Teacher

He will have to learn, I know,
that all men are not just,
all men are not true.
But teach him also that
for every scoundrel there is a hero;
that for every selfish Politician,
there is a dedicated leader…
Teach him for every enemy there is a friend,

Steer him away from envy,
if you can,
teach him the secret of
quiet laughter.

Let him learn early that
the bullies are the easiest to lick…
Teach him, if you can,
the wonder of books…
But also give him quiet time
to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
bees in the sun,
and the flowers on a green hillside.

In the school teach him
it is far honourable to fail
than to cheat…
Teach him to have faith
in his own ideas,
even if everyone tells him
they are wrong…
Teach him to be gentle
with gentle people,
and tough with the tough.

Try to give my son
the strength not to follow the crowd
when everyone is getting on the band wagon…
Teach him to listen to all men…
but teach him also to filter
all he hears on a screen of truth,
and take only the good
that comes through.

Teach him if you can,
how to laugh when he is sad…
Teach him there is no shame in tears,
Teach him to scoff at cynics
and to beware of too much sweetness…
Teach him to sell his brawn
and brain to the highest bidders
but never to put a price-tag
on his heart and soul.

Teach him to close his ears
to a howling mob
and to stand and fight
if he thinks he’s right.
Treat him gently,
but do not cuddle him,
because only the test
of fire makes fine steel.

Let him have the courage
to be impatient…
let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always
to have sublime faith in himself,
because then he will have
sublime faith in mankind.

This is a big order,
but see what you can do…
He is such a fine little fellow,
my son!

~ Abraham Lincoln ~
(The 16^th President of the United States of America 1861 – 1965)

Soup For The Soul

2009-09-27T06:03:00.001-07:00

The excerpts from #1 New York Times Best Seller "Chicken Soup For The Soul" written and compiled by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen. Not sure why it has to be Chicken soup for the soul, ignoring the so called vegetarians. I would prefer it as "Soup for the Soul" if it has to be named like that to include the so called "vegetarian souls". And in the first instance the title sounds catchy but doesn't actually makes any sense. Soul is beyond taste and soul is beyond hunger and nourishment or whatever it is. Soul exists even if humans don't exist. Soul has no impact on your deeds or actions. Soul is never good or bad. Soul is a Soul and no equivalent to it. The book is definitely very interesting. Enjoy the gist of it for my perspective.

We know everything we need to know to end the needless emotional suffering that many people currently experience. High self-esteem and personal effectiveness is available to anyone willing to take the time to pursue it.

LOVE

The day will come when, after harnessing space, the winds the tides and gravitation, we shall harness for God the energies of LOVE. And on that day, for the second time in the history of the world, we shall have discovered fire. ~ Tielbard de Chardin

Love: The One Creative Force

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting. ~ Mother Teresa.

The simple truth every teacher or professor should teach or profess is Love.

All one remembers is LOVE

Tell the ones you love, 'I LOVE YOU!'

Heart Song: Ability to express Love is biggest strength.

Don't bug me! Hug me!!

A heart for a Hug!

Unconditional Love!

Simple way to make a difference in live of others is Give a Hug!!

We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.

Make every day a Hugs Day!

Hugging is healthy. It helps the body's immune system, it keeps you healthier, it cures depression, it reduces stress, it induces sleep, it's invigorating, it's rejuvenating, it has no unpleasant side effects, and hugging is nothing less than a miracle drug. Hugging is natural, low energy consumption, high energy yield and, of course fully returnable.

Hugging is practically perfect.

Who you are makes a difference

The most incredible thing is to give recognition.

Don't stop contributing because there are simply too many. Make a difference to each one individually one at a time.

It is more blessed to give...

Be Courageous

Tell the people who work for you, what good job they are doing

Influence Happy Attitude directly or indirectly

Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. ~ Martin Luther Kind. Jr.

A small act of kindness can save life!

Smile at each other - it doesn't matter who it is - and that will help you to grow up in greater love for each other. ~ Mother Teresa.

Smile - the unaffected, unplanned, natural connection between people

Smile is a spark that jumps across the gap between two hearts, two human souls

Love is an example of the magic moment that two souls recognize each other

Underneath all the layers we construct to protect ourselves, our dignity, our titles, our degrees, our status and our need to be seen in certain ways - underneath all that , remains that authentic, essential self. I'm not afraid to call it the soul

Healing Power: Rub hands together vigorously, separate them by two inches and feel the healing energy. The pair them off with a partner to feel the healing energy emanating from one to another. Everyone has healing energy and healing potential.

Appreciate with gratitude, the seemingly simple day to day activities your family does for you unconditionally.

Don't lose sight of your dreams and ambitions

All of us are walking around with some kind of birthday card we would like to give - some personal expression of joy, creativity or aliveness that we are hiding under our shirt.

Carpe Diem! Seize the day!!

Win with the power of sincere intention to make life extraordinary.

Confront with an aspiration to fully express your heart and your resistance to face the insecurity of emotional nakedness.

I felt more satisfied and at peace with myself than I had in a long time....
I needed to learn to open my heart and give love without requiring anything return.

Fear is excitement without breath ~ Fritz Perls

Do it trembling if you must, but do it ~ Emmet Fox

The dynamics that are required to make any relationship work: Just keep putting your love out there.

Just keep putting your love out there. We believe that we are hurt when we don't receive love. But that is not what hurts us. Our pain comes when we do not give love. We are born to love. You might say that we are divinely created love machines. We function most powerfully when we are giving love. Truth is, our well being is dependent on our giving love.

Aikido is the art of reconciliation. Whoever has the mind to fight has broken his connection with the universe.

ELICIT WISDOM

Slow down and smell the roses.

This moment is all that you have to make a difference in life

The goals we set for ourselves can be attained through faith in ourselves and trust in others, despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Trust your intuition and accept the guidance of others who may have greater insight

Live with awareness of life and compassion for others

Slow down and take the time to really see. Take a moment to see what is going on around you right now, right where you are. You may be missing something wonderful.

Interview with elderly and the terminally ill do not report that people have regret for the things they have done but rather people talk about the things they regret not having done.

I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.
I'd relax. I would limber up.
I would be sillier than i have been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously.
I would take more chances.
I would take more trips.
I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice creams and less beans.
I would perhaps have more actual troubles but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I'm one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day.
One after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day, I'd live in my moments. Just moments!! ~ Nadine Stair (Age:85)

The touch of the Master's Hand changes the worth of everything.

The Master comes and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the Master's hand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Money and fame don't automatically make people happy. It has to come from within.

Alchemist Book Review

2009-09-24T04:21:00.000-07:00

Here is a review of the book "the
alchemist" which I have written for a book review contest in Polaris.
And it is adjudged the best and I got the first prize. Thought I
should share the review with you guys.

Bard's B'day Book Review Contest Entry Form

Name of the Book : THE ALCHEMIST

Topic : Fiction, Inspirational & Transformational

Book’s Theme : A magical fable about following your dream

“ When a person really desires something all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream”. To find our "Personal Myth" and our mission on Earth is the way to find "God", meaning happiness, fulfillment, and the ultimate purpose of creation.

Dreams, symbols, signs and adventure follow the reader like the echoes of the ancient wise masters’ voices in “The Alchemist”, a masterpiece that combines an atmosphere of medieval mysticism with the song of the desert. With this symbolic art piece Coelho state that we should not avoid our destinies, and urges people to follow their dreams, because to find our "Personal Myth" and our mission on Earth is the way to find "God", meaning happiness, fulfillment, and the ultimate purpose of creation.

The novel tells the tale of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who has a dream and the courage to follow it. After listening to "the signs" the boy ventures in his personal journey of exploration and self-discovery, symbolically searching for a hidden treasure located near the pyramids in Egypt. In his journey, Santiago sees the greatness of the world, and meets all kinds of exciting people like kings, a merchant, the camel driver who were "teachers without realizing it" and alchemists. Through the journey, he discovers that "treasure lies where your heart belongs", and that the treasure was the journey itself, the discoveries he made, and the wisdom he acquired.

It tells you that everything is possible as long as you really want it to happen. That may sound like an oversimplified version of new-age philosophy and mysticism, but as Coelho states "simple things are the most valuable and only wise people appreciate them". It suggests that those who do not have the courage to follow their " Personal Myth" are doomed to a life of emptiness, misery, and un-fulfillment. Fear of failure seems to be the greatest obstacle to happiness. This is where Coelho really captures the drama of man, who sacrifices fulfillment to conformity, who knows he can achieve greatness but denies to do so, and ends up living a life of void. It is interesting to see that Coelho presents the person who denies to follow his dream as the person who denies to see God, and that "every happy person carries God within him". However, only few people choose to follow the road that has been made for them, and find God while searching for their destiny, and their mission on earth. What is certain is that the symbolism of the text is a parallel to the symbolism and the symbolic language of alchemism, and similarly the symbolism of dreams is presented as " God's language". It is also symbolic that Santiago finds his soul mate, and the secrets of wisdom in the wilderness of the desert. In the desert, Santiago meets his "twin-soul" and discovers that love is the core of existence and creation. As Coelho explains, when we love, we always try to improve ourselves, and that's when everything is possible". The novel skillfully combines words of wisdom, philosophy, and simplicity of meaning and language, which makes it particularly readable and accounts for relating to one's own self.

“The Alchemist", is an exciting novel that bursts with optimism. The Alchemist is interesting, memorable, entertaining, instructive, inspirational and majorly transformational.

It is interesting because it tells people what they want to hear, or rather it tells them that what they wish for but never thought possible could even be probable.

It is memorable as we can reflect, connect and discover ourselves while reading the book. It can be applied to our own lives.

It is entertaining as it takes you through a journey in the desert. It touches the heart of those earnestly seeking its own destiny on the journey of life.

It is instructive and inspirational because it teaches you the wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens, signs and symbols along life’s path while following your dreams. It gives the wisdom that “when something evolves, everything around that thing evolves as well”. The subject of love inspires a beautiful lyricism in Coelho's writing: "I love you because the whole universe conspired for me to come close to you."

It is most of all transformational because “it is about penetrating to the Soul of the World, and discovering the treasure that has been reserved for you.”

After reading The Alchemist, no person will be the same once they understand God's language. In the book Coelho says that Alchemist makes Alchemist. It helps you realize your mentors, "the Kings", who appear in one form or another, in the form of a solutions or a good idea. Everyone who understands this book will definitely pass the legacy and it continues. It is endless. The book continues to transform lives. It makes those who exist to live. Live your dreams.

Like Santiago, we are all in search of treasure, to find the meaning and purpose of our lives. We constantly make our lives better. The Alchemist makes you understand that there is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve! “The fear of failure.“ It says, “ When a person really desires something all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream”. This book reveals the distance between you and yourself. To find the treasure that lies within you, obstacles and problems are those clues that helps you to discover and realize your destiny. So let’s begin the journey.

Alchemist resolves the conflict between love and ambition strikingly. It say’s “When we love, we always strive to become better persons”. “True love never stops you from realizing your life’s goal”. This tale is inspiring, creative and captivating. It gives you a deep insight into the universal soul / force that provides you help to realize your dream when you ask for it earnestly and work for it passionately. It states that there is one great truth on this planet: whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It’s your mission on earth.” We only limit ourselves. Only we place limitations on us. Dare to explore your life’s mission, to run after your dreams. For, today’s dreams are tomorrow’s realities. Paul Coelho’s writing is easy and simple yet posses the power to inspire and change your life forever reminding us “Don’t forget to follow your destiny through to its conclusion”. It is an ordinary fable revealing extra ordinary truths. If life is like a journey then the book “The Alchemist” is a real signpost to reach your destiny. After all, “To realize one’s destiny is a person’s real obligation”. The book is like an elixir and helps in reading signs and teaches the language that doesn’t depend on words. “If I can learn to understand this language without words, I can learn to understand the world”. The language of God. “To understand this one needs to find a man who understands this language. An Alchemist”. A Mentor who helps to understand that “intuition is really a sudden immersion of the soul into the universal current of life, where the histories of all people are connected, and we are able to know everything, because it’s all written there. I can now read the signs and learnt God's language. In the process “We make a lot of detours, but we’re always heading for the same destination.” Experience the magic of The Alchemist that helps you find a mentor and transforms the student into a seeker, a manager into a leader and a pessimist into an optimist. To some of the questions like “Why do they make things so complicated?” It provides answers “so that those who have the responsibility for understanding can understand. It’s only those who are persistent, and willing to study things deeply, who achieve the Master Work.” The Alchemist taught “the most important part of the language that all the world spoke – the language that everyone on earth was capable of understanding in their heart. It was love. Something older than humanity. Something that exerted the same force whenever two pairs of eyes met”. A smile, “and that was certainly an omen – the omen he had been awaiting, without even knowing he was, for all his life”. It propels one to test the limits that one sets for oneself. “The world is only the visible aspect of God. And that what alchemy does is to bring spiritual perfection into contact with the material plane.” “Your eyes show the strength of your soul.” Dare! For the universe is there to conspire with you to realize your destiny. “The secret is here in the present. If you pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it.” It reminds “no project is complete until its objective has been achieved.” The Alchemist is magical and it puts a lasting smile on the face by the end of it. “Life attracts life, life really is generous to those who pursue their destiny.” The book has life in it.

To all the questions like

Has a book ever changed your life?

Has a book raised your consciousness?

Has a book changed the way you feel?

Has a book encouraged you to do something?

There is only one answer and the answers is, Yes!

For those who understand the language of the world, The Alchemist is magical and puts a lasting smile on the face. :-)

Straight from the heart...!

2009-06-30T03:19:00.000-07:00

I watched the movie 'Straight' Vinay Patakh. So to say, I am very fond of Vinay Pathak's movies for the reason that they are off-beat, real-life stories and mostly and only for multiplex movie goers. I like all of his movies that I watched. Dasvidhaniyan, Bheja Fry, Oh My God, Mixed Doubles This particular movie 'Straight' is regarding a man who is desperate to get married and is utterly confused on his sexuality. Along the story line there is a built in comedy track which runs in parallel just like any other Vinay Patakh's movie.

Apart from the story line there is a character Kamlesh who plays the role of a cook with a great talent for making people laugh in his acts. With this he makes Pinu (Vinay Pathak) come out of his complexities and take life easy. And laugh at the happenings in retrospect, which were once the most difficult times for Pinu. This is what is most appealing about the movie to me.

Many of the times this has been the case with me and there are so many of such small things which I always recollect and laugh to myself or share the lighter moments with people around. It has always given me a feeling of life being wonderful not just to myself but to those who I share this with. I thought these are good to get on to my blog now and soon. This is the kind of 'just for laughs' or 'college commedy' there are several instance which I would always love to share and have shared with many of my friends....

So here comes the lines Straight from the heart....

The Only slap Mom gave me...
At my age of 12 , I was playing with my elder brother. We had a running race in which, we need to touch start from one point, touch a Post Box at the end of the road and then come back to the starting point. My elder brother was leading and I was running behind him. While he touched the postbox and just started to return, I just couldn't control my speed and crashed into him straight head on. Two of my teeth went into my brothers head. The funny part is, If my brother was not there for me, I would have rammed into the post box. Thanks to my brother he saved me.

When we went to the doctor, the doctor asked me what is the matter?
I said my teeth are broken.
What happened?
I crashed into my brother and the teeth hit his head and broke.
The doctor said, OK you go wait in the waiting room and call your brother in. It sounded like GET OUT! LOL :-)

The electric shock during the preparation of a science exhibition model. As most of us know, in school all of us must have participated in science exhibition at-least in school level competition. In preparation for this, I did a very simple experiment, the water heater. I removed the leads from a couple of Eveready battries and connected them to a + and - wires. Now it is all ready for testing. I dipped the leads in a bowl of water. As the switch board was not reachable for me, I asked my brother to help me to plug the wires. Then he plugged them in and the switch has to be turned on. Just then it struck my mind that I am holding a steel bowl. So I said... WAIT!! This is a steel bowl, I may get a shock. Let me bring a plate. I ran as fast as I can, brought a plate, placed the bowl in the plate. Then I told my brother, OK, One, Two, Three, Now! ~!@#$%^&*()_+ mmmmmmmmm..........yyyyyyyyy.......ooooooooooo........eeeeeeeeeeeee...
I think my brother switched the connection off again. Thank God! He saved my life.
I realized I brought a steel plate. :-) LOL. My mom screamed from the other room... "you will kill yourself, stop the non-sense of your experiments!". That's the end of my interest in science as a subject. I really can not forget how much my brother and I rolled and laughed at my foolishness in bringing a steel plate to insulate a steel bowl.

Sorry for the interruption... Julie...
The first pet every I know in my home is the bitch named Julie at my home in Vizag. This is a very very Faithful and a cool country breed and is very powerful and intelligent. It is a pit everyone in the home is fond of. For those you know, there was a time when the street dogs were plenty and the municipality guys use to come at periodic intervals captive the street dogs and I guess they were mercy killed. I remember a time when the street dogs used to have gang wars and each gang used to have no less than 20 to 30 dogs. It used to be quite a dreadful fight and sight. Literally, 'Dog eat Dog' days for dogs. That time any pets having a home are really the blessed animals and so used to be Lords of Dogs. If I were to interpret the language of dogs, then may be Julie was one of the kind princess and had a really tough dogs trying to impress it and fight for getting into a relationship with Julie. One afternoon it so happened that I was going to the backyard of my house and I saw a nice white hound taking Julie for a jolly ride (you know what I mean). Both of them were quite in the middle of it. I didn't know what to do. All I know (at that time as a kid) is that I should protect Julie. So, I took a wicket went towards them slowly and banged right in the middle. Before hitting them do remember the faces and eyes of that dog and Julie even to this day. Both of the dogs ran apart and did not revolt against me. Had the dog revolted against me, I would have been a "kukka chaavu" as I was really a kid studying 2nd or 3rd standard. Least did I realized I am interrupting their love. I regret even to this day. Julie, Sorry for the interruption.

There are many such stories I would love to narrate all through my life. Will do them as and when I find time. This is for my own self.

Most people think that I am a very serious guy. That's because they don't know me at all. Those who know me well know that I am one of the most jovial and hilarious person to be with.

Celebrate Festival of Smiles!!

2009-04-18T12:36:00.000-07:00

When there is a festival of lights, festival of colors which bring so much of delight, I felt why not a Festival of Smiles! for a Global Delight!!

Dedicating this day to THE MAN OF MULTI-MILLION SMILES!!

Your smile is Auspecious, Adorable, Attractive & Altruistic
Your smile is Bright, Beautiful, Boylike, Blissful & Blessing
Your smile is charming, childlike, Capitivating & Celebration
Your smile is Demonstrative, Delightful & Divine
Your smile is Enriching, Enthralling, Energizing, Enthusiastic & Enterprising
Your smile is Fun, Flashy, Friendly, Fascinating & Festivity
Your smile is Genuine, Glorious, Gorgeous, Great, Gratifying & Gifting
Your smile is Healthy, Healing, Happiness, Homely, Heartful & Heavenly
Your smile is Inspiring, Incessant & Inveigle
Your smile is Joyful, Jazzy & Jubilant
Your smile is Kind, Kempt & Kingly
Your smile is Lavish, Lively, Lovely & Lasting
Your smile is Miraculous, Mischevious, Marvelous & Multi-million$
Your smile is Nice, Naughty & Natural
Your smile is Outsmarting, Outstanding & Outshining
Your smile is Pleasing, Peaceful, Passionate, Princely & Priceless
Your smile is Quick, Quietening & Quenching
Your smile is Rhapsodic, Relieving, Revelling & Ravishing
Your smile is Sexy, stylish, Soothing, Sprited, Sacred & Surprizing
Your smile is Terrific, Touching, Transforming & Triumphing
Your smile is Unforgetable, Unfathomable, Undaunted & Upmarked
Your smile is Vibrant, Vitalizing & Vivifying
Your smile is Warm, wonderful, Winning & Wallowing
Your smile is eXamplary, eXotism & eXperiential
Your smile is Youthful, Yankee & Yummy
Your smile is Zealous, Zenithal & Zooming

I celebrate the Festival of Smiles on this day, 19th April every year, for the past 5 years!!

Come join me in celebrating The Festival of Smiles, on this day every year, by keeping a
Smile at all times!

I didn't realize, I had one of the best smile in the world, untill I read:
Confucius says "The Best smile in the world is of that of a person who has all his front teeth broken and is smiling"!

Best Wishes at All Times!
Ramji

Places I visited

2009-01-22T13:27:00.000-08:00

Places I visited:

Hyderabad

Mumabi

Chennai

Bangalore

New Delhi

Agra

Jaipur

Mysore

Visakhapatnam

Vijayawada

Bhimavaram

Rajahmundry

Palakol

Srisailam

Shiridi

Tirumala

Bhadrachalam

Kothagudem

Madurai

Palani

Kanchipuram

Pune

Pandaripuram

Triayambakeshwar

Sripuram

Mantralayam

USA:
Los Angeles, Irvine, San Jose, San Francisco, Hollywood, Malibu etc in California

Boston, Northboro etc in Masachussats

Milford, Stamford etc., in Connecticut

New York City

King of Prussia in Pennselveniya

Niagara

Jersey City, Edison, Woodbridge etc., New Jersey

Niagara Falls, Toronto, Mississauga in Canada

Singapore:

Indonesia: Jakarta

Landed:
Taipai
Tokyo
Hong Kong
Wisconsin
Washington DC
Kuwait
Frankfurt
London

Celebraties I have seen or met

2009-01-22T13:03:00.001-08:00

God Men:
Sai Baba in Puttaparthy

Pandit Ravi Shankar: Music and healing concert in Music Acadamy Chennai.

Sports:

Tennis:
Federer vs Djakovich, watched 1st Semifinal US Open 2008 in New York. Had a spare ticket and no one to go along with me.

Nadal vs Murray watched 2nd Semifinal US Open 2008 in New York

Venus Williams vs Serena Williams. Opening match of US Open 2007 in New York

Cricket:
Indian Cricket Team 2006: I have seen Sachin Tendulkar, Dohni, Harbajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, Rahul Dravid etc. at Hyderabad Airport

Sunil Gavaskar, Sadanad Vishwanath, Krish Shrikanth in various occassions

Vivian Richards, Curtly Ambrose, Coutney Walsh, Richie Richirdson etc from West Indian Cricket team at Vizag stadium in 1992

Film Personalities

Chirunjeevi at Puttaparthi

Pavan Kalyan (Traveled and interacted with him).

Nagababu at a restaurant

Venkatesh at the airport

Raghuvaran at a hotel

Kota Srinivasa Rao at a function

Brahmanandam: Interacted with him in a restaurant

Rajsekhar: Interacted with him in a restaurant

Tamil Comedian at a disco in Chennai

Sarath Kumar and Radhika at Hyderabad airpot

Naresh during a shooting in Vizag near my school.

Madhavan in Chennai airport

Vinod Kumar during a shooting

Boys Film Heros: Other than Siddharth in Bikes and Barrells in Chennai

Mohanlal: Joel and I were having drinks at Copper Chimney in Chennai. Mohanlal was having drinks in the same restaurant.

Paruchuri Goplakrishna: Often visits a producer in the same apartment block where we lived in Hyderabad

Allu Ramalingayya: At Peddamma Talli temple in Hyderabad

MS Raju: Mega Film Producer lived in the same building.

Captain Prabakar: In Chennai during elections in 2006

Nepolian: Tamil actor and politician is my neighbor in Chennai

K Vishwanath: Film director at a coffee shop in Hyderabad

Hollywood star Steven Segal at Puttaparthi

Political Personalities

Chandra Babu Naidu in Hyderabad Public Gardens during a IT Exhibition inaugaration

TN Seshan: I saw him at Malibu temple in US.

PN Sangma: Interacted with him while he was lobbying in Delhi University

Kapil Sibal: At Shivam in Chennai

Shivraj Patil: At Shivam in Chennai

Music:

A R Rehman: Have interacted with him in Delhi Airport

Janet Jackson: At US Open 2007

M Balamurali Krishna:

Bombay Sisters

Unni Krishnan

Shankar Mahadevan: He was the entertainer on Polaris Day 2006

Yesudas

OS Arun

S P Balasubramanyam: Met him several times.

I missed these world famous peronalities:

Mother Teressa: Mother Teressa visited visakhapatnam and most of my classmates went to see her. I did not go, as I wanted to play. After seeing the pictures of my friends and cousin with her, I regretted for not going to visit Mother Teressa.

MS Subba Lakshmi: I wanted to see her a lot as I am a staunch fan and a devotee of her Divine Voice. She lived in Kotturpuram and I lived in the same colony. But I did not know that she lived in Kotturpuram, untill I saw it in the news paper, after her death.

People I would definitely want to meet:

Vijay Mallya

Lallu Prasad Yadav

Dream Darshan of Swamy

2008-09-29T15:19:00.000-07:00

I am blessed to have Swamy's Darshan early this morning. I often get dreams and I am fortunate and blessed to have God's come into my dreams. These dreams are really great Darshans of Gods, and an experience of God Himself.

I was sitting in Prashanthi Nilayam in the center beside the door of bhjana room and opposite to the interview room. For those who have been to Prashanthi Nilayam, can easily understand the place which I am mentioning. Swamy walked and came out from the Bhajan room and I was just beside the entrance door. He looked at me and noticed the Shiridi Sai Baba Paarayanam Book I was holding with me. Then Swamy asked me to read a chapter from Shiridi Sai Satcharitra. I opened the book and asked him which chapter should I read while I prepared to read the first chapter. Modati chapter nunchi chadava mantaaraa? I was squatting / sitting on the ground and Swamy was standing beside me in Orange dress in Divine Radiance. Then Swamy bent and sat beside me on like in a position which is not sitting and not kneeling.
He flipped the pages in Sai Sat Charitra and pointed out to a chapter in the book, "ఇందిలో శ్రీరాముని గురించి వుంటుంది... అది చదువు... అని పేజీలు తిప్పుతూ, ఇదిగో... ఇది... అని చెప్పారు". ఆ మాట చెప్తూ, ఇంకా పేజీలు తిప్పారు. తిప్పి అ పుస్తకం లో నేను దాసుకున్న, ఫోటో చూసారు. ఆ ఫోటో శ్రీకృష్ణుడి ది., The picture is very unique picture of Lord Srikrishna. The entire picture is of Lord Krishna in very light blue and whitish figure with all ornaments in gold and a murali. When it comes down to the feet, the feet are of Swamy resting on a Lotus. Swamy admired Lord Krishna and said that, "ఎంత బాగున్నాడు శ్రీ కృష్ణుడు... చాల బాగున్నది కదా...!" అన్నారు. The illusion effect is very beautiful. Then I answered, "ఈ ఫోటో మా అమ్మగారు నాకు ఇచ్చారు" అని. స్వామి, చాలా బాగున్నది అని, he stood up and he was waving and circling his hand to create veebhoothi. I was just putting my hands together, preparing myself for Swamy's Grace to receive Veebhuthi. Then I woke up from dream. I did not see if Swamy has put Veebhuthi in my hands or not. I have seen him creating it for me. His Divine Darshan and Grace is still in awe for me. The Darshan of Swamy which I got is really amazing and so very real. I can't believe myself of the reality in a state of Super Consiousness and such a close Darshan of Swamy. I could experience joy in my heart during Swamy's darshan.

I am blessed to have such a Darshan of Sri Satya Sai Baba when I am physically so far away from Puttaparthi. There are several experiences of Swamy in my life. I would want to narrate all my experiences with Swamy here in my blog.

I also would want to naarate my experiences with Bhakti, Divinity and Darshans of Gods.

Ah! I see a happy man there...

2008-09-26T12:37:00.000-07:00

For some internal competition at Polaris, I presented this true story. I am surprised to see it on the Polaris HUM website.

http://www.connectathum.com/relationship_stories/happy_man_there.html

Read on...

Ah! I see a happy man there...

One day, a bunch of guys walked out of the conference room after a business meeting. These guys are from a prospective client and are accompanied by some from within the organization. Besides the conference room, along the pathway there are several work locations. One of the associates who returned from an onsite assignment, was standing and discussing with his colleague at one of the locations on the pathway. This associate though not connected to the client visit, just smiled at the clients team while they were passing by. One of the visitors from the clients team paused and said, "Ah! I see a happy man there! That's when everyone realized what was missing and everyone around smiled. The visitor asked "What's your name...?"

A very short conversation happened and the guys moved on. We are one family, and when someone is visiting the organization, it is like they are visiting our place. This being the case, if we do not smile at our guests who visit our place, it is not a pleasant scene. A smile to the visitors from client teams be it at the lift or pathways or at the bays can make a difference. It creates positive influence of happy people which reflects a happy organization. Happiness is a state of mind not state of affairs and a smile can build a lasting affair between the company and the customer. A warm smile be it to the security, the receptionist, to the team members, to other associates and to the clients, this man always has a smile for everyone. Probably, he is the man of multi-million smiles.

A genuine smile can take you many miles...

Ram K Samantula, Chennai

Popularity and Personal Power

2008-09-24T05:52:00.000-07:00

A retrospect of one of the books which has great influence on my life. This book has been of great help to me during the tough times in my teens. It is a great book and am fascinated by the simple definitions of Popularity and Personal Power. Read the gist of the book.

Your way to Popularity and Personal Power by James Bender and Lee Grahm

Key to Success: "One must understand and like oneself before one can possibly understand and care for others. More important than intelligence or ability is the art of getting along with people" says James Bender.

1. The New way to Popularity and Personal Power

Popularity and Personal Power are Simple to define and difficult to achieve.

What is Popularity?
Popularity is the ability to make people like and respect you.

What is Personal Power?
The ability to make people do what you want.

If you don't like yourself, you can't like other people; and if you don't like other people, they can't like you.

Too many intelligent people suffer from too little self-esteem

Read carefully and apply wisely

Your state of health colors your behavior towards other people. And conversely, your behavior towards other people colors your state of health.

Fundamentals of good human relationships by methods that are scientifically sound.

Journal O Ram

2008-09-16T19:33:00.000-07:00

I am very happy for achieving a goal in life. Specially for achieving a spiritual goal.

It is with the divine blessing of Sri Shiridi Sai Baba, that the book Sri SaiNadha Charitaamrutam is not available online. This book is a daily paaraayana grandham. Please use this book for Shiridi Sai baba's daily paarayanam. This is a very easy to read telugu version and a short and consised version among the several Shiridi Sai Charitaamrutams. You can read it by clicking the link below.

Shirid Sai Paaraayanam

Another spiritual milestone today is to complete 50000 times of "శ్రీరామ" in my journey towards "రామకోటి". Long way to go, covering the backlog for 14th Sep., 08 and again catching up with the daily write up.

Journal O Ram

2008-09-09T09:35:00.000-07:00

Today, I got a wonderful dream. I was in a big fort which is like a tourist place. In that I was seeing the fort. And in the fort there is a very big Golden "pallaki". And on the pallaki there are big golden idols of Lord Sriram and Sita Ammavaaru sitting on a golden throne. Pattabhishekam Sriram and Sitamma in all glory and grandeur. Someone prompted that, Sita amma varu nijamga indulone uregaaru. The dream was so clean and clear that I got a very very beautiful Darshan of Pattabhishekam SitaRamulu. I can never forget this dream in my life.

The idols are so beautiful and fully in Gold, this is the first time I have see such beautiful Lord Sriram and Sita Amma Varu Gracefully sitting on the throne.

Then I went around and adjecent to this is Hanuman temple with Hanuman on a big wall. I offered Namaskaram to Lord Hanuman. The poojari placed "shata gopuram" on my head and he also gave me "theertham" three times and I drank it.

Yesterday before going to bed, I was talking with Swapna and she told me that she was returning from Hauman temple while I called her. Probably, that's the reason why, I got such a wonderful dream.

Jai Sriram!

*******************

The world is progressing to the begining
~ Ramji ~

Journal O Ram

2008-09-03T15:05:00.000-07:00

A highly spiritual day.

Happy Vinayakachavithi!

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008 is a day filled with high spiritual rituals and has been intensely satisfying "వినాయక చవితి" auspicious day for me.

Offered 40 times Ganesha Ashtakam to Lord Sri Maha Ganapathi at home
Offered Jaggery, couple of bananas, an apple and an orange as phalahaaram naivedyam
Prepared Gulab Jamoons and offered to Lord Ganesh as an alternative to "Undralla" Prasadam
Have offered a New White Shirt and PMBOK book to seek blessings of Lord Ganesh

It is a great feeling, actually I was not sure if after my studies, I have continued to place books at Lord Vigneshwara during Vinayaka Chavithi. Today, it struck my mind and I thought of making it a point for Srimaye to seek Lord Maha Ganapathi's blessings by placing books during Vinayaka Chavithi.

I listened to all the Ganesha songs I have in my devotional collection. It is almost 11 hours of non stop devotional music on Lord Maha Ganapthi. I am amazed by the collection and the wonderful rendering of various artists. The best part it covers most of Lord Ganesha Stotrams, to name a few.

Vaakunda Nalla Manunda..... Prabho Ganapathe song by OS Arun from the album Divine Classic of OS Arun
Mudakaratma Modakam by MS Subbalakshmi in album series, Balaji Pancharatna Mala
Ganesha the great album by Times Music
Vishwa Vinayaka album by Times Music redered by Shankar Mahadevan and SPB.
Ganapathi by various artists
Vinayaka Chavithi, Old classic film in Telugu
Vaatapi Ganapathim song clasical rendition by Yesu Das and many many more.

My very very favorites at all times are:
Ganesha Pancha Ratnam (Mudakaratma Modakam) rendered by MS Subbalakshmi.
Vaakunda Nalla Manunda rendered by OS Arun.
Gananayakaya Gana Daivataaya by Shankar Mahadevan
Vaataapi Gana Varthimpaje by Ghantasaala in Vinyaka Chavithi telugu movie.
Vaatapi Gana Varthimpaje rendition in classical style by Yesudas

My divine experiences with Lord Ganesha in my life.

I had a dream sometime ago. The dream was while I was working in Hyderabad, if I remember correctly. It was like this. In the dream I was a kid maybe studying 1st standard in school. I was at the entrance gate of our Lalitha Nagar home where, we lived in a rented house for some time. I still remember the fond memories in that house. And diagonally opposite to the house, there was a Ganapathi temple. The speciality of this temple is that the entrance of the temple is like an elephant head. I was really fascinated by watching it as a kid and really used to feel some vibrations while I walk through the entrance, the mouth of the elephant into the temple. Coming back to the dream, in the dream it was a Vinayaka Chavithi day. I was a kid standing at the entrance gate of the compound of my house. Then I saw Lord Ganesh beautifullly dressed in "Peetambaram" yellow dress, with a pink colored "khanduva" adorned with jewels, golden crown and in all divine glory. It was a situation as if Lord Ganesha is visiting all homes in which, people are worshipping him. Then I immediately, ran across the road and caught The Lord's hand by his two fingers with both of my hands. The he looked at me and I told him "మా ఇంటికి రండి.... అదే మా ఇల్లు..." With a very pleasant smile Lord Ganesha walked with me towards my home. I was amazed by this dream and cherish it all my lifetime. And I always look forward for such wonderful dreams.
Another important experience of Lord Ganesha was, when I was studying my degree. During 1992-1995 and onwards. During this period, Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple was newly built near Eenadu. This is less than 4 minutes walk from my home in Vizag. So, I used to go to this Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka temple every day in the evening and spend very personal time with Lord Ganesha. As the temple was newly built, it was quite and very peaceful. The Lords Ganesha's idol is also very cute and I have a very friendly relation with this Lord. So, it used to be like visiting a friend every day in the evening. There is not a day when that goes without going to this temple, when I was in Vizag. As the temple was very new, there were not many people who used to visit the temple. This was to my advantage and that was one of the very reason that it have given me a very very personal feeling of My Lord Ganesha. Even the temple "Archaka" was new and young man that time. So, he eventually became a good friend of mine and used to offer Haarathi to the Lord Ganesha daily when I go. During those days, I used to speak of anything and everything with Lord Ganesha. Sometimes I used to sit for almost an hour before Lord Ganesha. Specially, during summers when there is powercut, I used to go to the temple and sit there before the God. During this time the temple is normally with very very few people. At the same time, The Beauty of the Darshan of Lord Ganesha at this time was really mind blowing. I can even to this day, close my eyes and recollect the Darshan images of Sri Varasiddhi Vinaya Swamy. As it was powercut time in the evening, most of the places were dark or with minimum lighting. The temple has "deepams" lightes in the santum alone and rest of the surroundings are dark. So, there is only one thing which you can see, and that is Lord Varasiddhi Vinayaka. The Lord by then has completed the evening Abhishekam and is in a very casual and simple decoration with a white cloth, white lillies, nicely decorated Naamam, flowers on his trunk, a Silver "keereetam", few flowers around the idol, a broken coconut, a couple of bananas, Pooja bell, Incense sticks giving nice perfume to Lord. This Darshan is my favourite, because there is no other distraction in your mind. All the surroundings are dark as you cannot see anything even if you want to see and hence no distraction. All one can see is Lord Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka in the small Deepam. It is such a focused attention that one gains, it almost is like one is in meditation. Most importantly, with very few people or no one around in the temple at that time, it used to be a very personal and very very pleasant Darshan of Lord Ganesh. The connection with Lord Ganesha was very intense and it gave a great delight and personal satisfaction. The toughest times seemed to be very easy after a conversation with Lord Ganesha. Like this I continued to visit the temple during my B.Com and MBA days. If there were any days in which, I could not make it to the temple while it was open, I used to make sure even if it is late in the night that I go to the temple and offer my prayers to Varasiddhi Vigneshwara from outside. One good thing about this temple is that the temple gates are Iron Grill gates, so I was fortunate to get darshan of Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Swamy temple even if the temple was closed. During my MBA study days, I remember my friends used to wait for me outside of the temple for a long time. Later, they started waiting at my home as that was convenient for them and it also gives me the time I require for myself. After certain days, it became a ritual for me to go via the temple for anything and everything. If I go to college, movie, travel, exam or where ever I go, I used to drive by the temple and go. I used to get the "Abhiskeam" performed to Lord Ganesha. The Archaka who was there used to really perform a very elaborate "Abhiskeham" and it was very satisfying pooja. Initally, the "Archaka" used to perform Sahasra Naamam, Abhishekam and any special pooja very elaborately without any rush or hurry. The New Year pooja used to be very very beautiful. I remember getting the New Year Special pooja performed in 1996. It was a great delight for me and a very memorable New Year Midnight Pooja. A really wonderful and memorable experience. It was rare to get such opportunity. As years passed by, lot of people have astounding faith in Lord Varasiddhi Vinayaka Swamy and the temple gathered lot of crowds. The "Archaka" too started to shorten and rush the poojas. It was a bit commercialized for maintainence of the temple and improving it. And I have moved out of Vizag in the later years. So, now I make sure, I visit Lord Ganesha temple and perform pooja whenever I visit Vizag. Lord Varasiddhi Vinayak is like my best friend. He is always with me. So, I keep Sri VaraSiddhi Vinayaka Swamy photo at my office desk whereever I work or go. Even today while I am writing this, Lord Varasiddhi Vinayak Swamy photo is on the Corner table lamp in my home here in USA. Lord Ganasha has accompanied me at all times from the time I got His darshan first time in Vizag. I am very thankful to Lord Ganesh and Pray for His Blessing to be showered upon me at all times. I offer my prostration at His Divine feet.
"శ్రీ వరసిద్ధి వినాయక స్వామి వారి పాదములకు శతకోటి అభివందనములు"

I am fortunate to have a picture of the Lord saved with me, which I have taken in 2000. For those who would like to take the Darshan of Lord Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Swamy you can get it right here. The same picture is on top of the page too.

Lord Maha Ganapathi at the entrance of Puttaparthi Prashanti Nilayam is one idol of Lord in which I have very divine experience. My belief, trust and faith is always highest at Lord Maha Ganapathi in Puttaparthi for my unbelieveable experience time and again. I heard from one of Sathya Sai Baba devotees, that if one wishes anything and perform 40 pradakshinalu (ప్రదక్షణలు) . There are several times I wished for many things and peformed pradakshinalu (ప్రదక్షణలు) and every time all my wishes got fulfilled. I have immense faith in Lord Maha Ganapathi at Puttaparthi. Specially, because of Sai Baba Darshan and Paada Namaskaaram which I got on Jan 11th, My birthday, in the year 1996 on the sports day of Sai Educational institutes. It was a very memorable and divine experience, which, I will write during my divine experiences with "Sai Baba."

During my stay in Chennai, every monday evening I used to visit Kapaleeshwar Temple in Mylapore. I used to offer a coconut to Ganesha. In Chennai, it is very typical style of breaking the coconut at a particular designated place. That too it is not in the Andhra style of breaking the coconut. In Chennai, the coconut is banged hard to the floor. The harder one hits, the more pieces it breaks into. So, I used to hit it real hard and sometimes my hand used to ache. Sometime the coconut hits the ground on the tail said and it not even used to crack interestingly. So, I had to hit it again. The point is that, I used to offer coconut every Monday evening at Kapaleeswar temple to Lord Maha Ganapathi and I used to sit in the temple and mediate for few minutes.
During my stay in Singapore in 2003, I used to live in Tangling Halt in a paying guest accommodation. In that very apartment complex vicinity, there was a big and very famous Maha Ganapathi temple. I used to visit this temple during weekends. It is a very delightful and eventful temple. The archaka at the temple suggested that I offer a coconut to Lord Ganesha every Monday. It will remove any obstacles in my life and it will also conferr blessings of Lord Maha Ganapathi. From then onwards, I offer a coconut to Lord Ganesha on Mondays. This is also the Maha Ganapathi Temple where, I did my "జన్మనైకి ఒక శివరాత్రి" by performing "ఉపవాసం & జాగారం" for the whole day and night of Sivaraatri. Early morning the following day after Siva Raatri, I participated in the 4AM pooja to Maha Ganapathi till 6am. Had the prasadams at the temple and have broken my fasting the following day of Sivaraatri. In chennai I maintained it as a ritual to offer coconut to Lord Ganasha.. After coming to USA, there is a deviation to the ritual for which, I need find a possibile way out.

There are many many such diving experiences of Lord Vigneshwara at many of the temples and also at home which I cherish and keep them as dear to my heart.

I am just recollecting many of the wonderful Lord Vigneshwara temples which I have visited in my life time. They are:

Sri Vara Siddhi Vinayaka Swamy Temple near Eenadu in Visakhapatnam
Sri Sampath Vinayaka Swamy Temple near Uplands in Visakhapatnam
Sri Vijaya Ganapathi Temple on Akkayyapalem Road in Visakhapatnam
Sri Vana Vinayaka Swamy Temple near ICWAI bhavan in Visakhapatnam
Sri Maha Lakshmi Ganapathi Temple in Seethammapeta junction in Visakhapatnam
Sri Ganapathi Temple near my house in Lalitha Nagar in Visakhapatnam
Sri Siddhi Vinayaka in Kaanipaakam near Tirupathi
Sri Maha Ganapathi in Puttaparthi
Sri Maha Ganapathi Temple in Attapur at Hyderabad
Sri Maha Ganapathi Temple at Ashta Lakshmi Temple in Hyderabad
Sri Maha Ganapathi Temple near Secunderabad Station in Hyderabad
Sri Vigneshwara Swamy Temple at Kapaleeswara Swamy Temple in Chennai
Sri Maha Ganapathi in Madhya Kailash in Chennai
Sri Hanuma Ganapathi (Sakthi & Buddhi) at Madhya Kailash in Chennai.
Sri Siddhi Vinayaka Temple in Mumbai
Sri Maha Ganapathi temple in Tangling Halt Road in Singapore
Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapathi Temple in Flushings in New York city
Sri Maha Ganapthi Vigraham in Satyanarayana Swamy temple in Middle Town Connecticut.
There are also several very very big Ganapathi Idols which I have seen at Sri Kalahasthi, Sri Sailam, Madhurai, Palani, Thiruvannamalai, Draksharamam, Arasavalli,

Achievement

2008-09-02T04:41:00.000-07:00

To me an achievement would be to motivate someone. The most satisfying thing would be to know that it worked for them, specially when they come back and tell me. To put it in the words of a friend who mentioned it to me very recently.

"and one more thanks for the motivation on my interview day
that was good booster actually"

Jouranal O Ram

2008-08-31T17:51:00.000-07:00

Focused Energy leads to achievement of Purposeful Goals!!

Leaders Believe and the rest have interest!

Asritha Srimaye as Chinni Krishna

2008-08-25T12:05:00.000-07:00

Sunday, August 24th 2008.

The world is celebrating Sri Krishna Jama Ashtami. Asritha Srima adorns Chinni Krishna Avataram.

Rara chinnanna, raarori chinnavaada raara muddulaada
raarori balakrishna raaraa... krishna raa raa... balakrishna raa raa...

Krishna Nee begane baaro.... krishna nee begane baaro...

Journal O Ram

2008-08-15T12:41:00.000-07:00

Happy Independence Day!

Freedom is one of the things which I love. I love my Independence. I celebrate Independence Day in my own my way. My grand father was a Police Officer. So, there were so many values which I received from him. That's why I always keep remember him and keep referring to him when there is a context. Some of the values I can out-rightly list is self-discipline, discipline, punctuality, patriotism, spirituality, travel, joint-family living, family values, respect for elders, fearlessness etc etc etc. Before, I mention how he influenced my life, I must give a little background. Our home "Sri Venkateswara Nilayam" at 50-44-1, P&T Colony, Seetammadhara, Visakhapatnam - 530013 is has 3 large bed rooms, veranda, hall, dining room, kitchen and pooja room. A big car shed good enough for indoor cricket. A huge terrace with space enough to hold a wedding reception. There were 2 water storing tanks above the ground and one huge overhead water tank. All this has relevance at a later point in this journal. A block behind my home is a big play ground.

Discipline / Self-discipline:
When it is comes to discipline, I mean every one among the kids has to get up early in the morning and recite Sri Venkateswara Suprabatham. It has become a natural for all the kids (I was in my 1st standard at school) to brush teeth, take bath on their own, get dressed up, 'definitely' polish ones own shoes, clean and pressed clothes. When we go on tours, everyone must carry at least one luggage and he is responsible for the luggage till the end of the journey. Even the youngest kid is responsible may be for a water bottle or a pillow to carry it. All were so well tuned that everyone used to pick one luggage without a need for continuous instructions.
Shoes are kept at a designated place. Everyone has to fold his bed sheet and place it at a designated place.

Punctuality:
In the childhood days, I remember 6pm to 8 pm was definitely reading time. 8pm to 9pm is definitely dinner time. 9pm to 10pm is fun, chatting, music, tv or whatever before going to bed.
There used to be a routine schedule which was followed without even being aware that it is followed. Never late to school. We used to be in train station well in advance to comfortably catch the train without any rush.

In between, I have lost track of this value and the results have been terrible. I remember, we missing train, or catching the train while it is running when I am first time taking Swapna to Chennai after my wedding, going almost an hour late to train station to receive my mom in Chennai, going 3 hours late to the airport to receive Swapna and Srimaye when they came first time to USA, missing so many time lines.

Now, the important thing is to retain the value called "Punctuality!"

Health:
Once in three months all the kids have to get a dose of 'Aavadham' for cleaning the stomach. That would really be a fun and run weekend. Fun to catch the guy to give him a dose. Then the guys run to the restroom, for the whole of morning session. Then for lunch it will be rasam, mutton curry and rice. Unforgetable! It definitely cleans the whole stomach.
Applying oil to the hair and keeping it clean and combed. That brings a strong nourishment to the roots of hair and gives it a strong texture. Fruits for the season are definitely part of the family daily meals. Indeed is a wonderful way to live life.

Frequent indigestion, loss of hair, laziness and other side effects for not having a balanced diet and maintaining health.

Now, the important thing is to be aware health and become health conscious. Fit body can be maintained with healthy food. Applying oil to hair is key to keep the hair roots strong and healthy. It also prevents any headaches that are likely by cooling the head.

Patriotism:

I heard one saying which, I am not sure of the source. It says, in a family if there are three boy kids, the eldest is to protect the home and manage the family by staying at home. The elder is to get out of home earn money, get food and wealth to the home. The youngest is to protect the nation. That is the kind of contribution from each of the family towards nation and it is an unstated commitment. If it were not so, then I don't thing India would have achieved freedom. And imagine, even women equally participated in the freedom struggle. The patriotic spirit is unimaginable. With the population issue in India, now there is little chance of having three kids at home and on the contrary, the protection of the one kid (boy or a girl) is at the highest risk for terrorism, accidents, illness or whatever the reason.

As he was a retired police officer, in our drawing room, we used to have huge framed pictures of
Mahatma Gandhi - Father of the Nation
Dr. Rajendra Prasad - First President of India
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishna - First
Motilal Nehru - First Prime Minister of India
Dr. Subash Chandrabose - Freedom Fighter

I think it is very fortunate to be grown along with Grand Parents. Any body who is grown up in a joint family will have a fortune of values, which otherwise can not be obtained. Leave alone a joint family, a single family itself is not able to keep tightly integrated to live together. In the modern world, the families are disintegrated. And this is becoming more unavoidable situation. Husband, Wife and Children of the same family find it impossible to live in the same home together for reasons of education, work, earnings, business or what ever be the case. So, it is like best of the worst when one is to have the same family integrated and live together in the same home.

Freedom is not in doing whatever we like.
Freedom is in doing what is right with a strong will to do it, whatever be the case.
Freedom unlimited is best experienced in abundance and when the limitless boundaries are kept in mind and discipline in maintained.
Freedom is very personal to ones own self, yet the restrictions would come into play when one the freedom of others is intruded.

Journal O Ram

2008-08-13T21:11:00.000-07:00

Song of the day
Om namaste bolo... from the movie Ready.

Swapna has shared this song with me. It is wonderful music and I specially liked the lyrics. It is simply a great dance number and I can imagine Swana and Srimaye how they both would entertain me with their dance. I love to dance with them. I am just thinking of how wonderfully they dance for "my hump" song which, another great dance number.

If you are nterested in watching the song... scroll down.

Lyrics of the song Om Namaste Bolo... written by Ramajogayya Sastry.
From the Movie: Ready
Music by Devi Sriprasad; Singer(s): Divya, Neeraj Sridhar

Om Namaste Bolo Baby Om Namaste Bolo
Dilme Dash Putte Party Timelo,,
Om Namaste Bolo Baba Om Namaste Bolo
Neeto Partner Avuta Pretty Crime Lo,,
Pillo Pillo Pillo Naa Pillow Lanti Pillo
Morning Coffee Avutava Naa Manly Chetullo
Hello Hello Hello Chepesta Nee Kallo
Tutty Frutty Avuta Ne Pedaalalo,,
Laila Andhala ATM La Any Time Muddichela
Nuvvunte Chale Kissu Banku La,,,
Hoyila Love Ade Pentium La
Muddane Museum La
Plus Avuta Neeku Blank Checkkula,,,

Sidney Shildon Fiction Nunchi Shirley Poy Entry Daaka,,
A to Z Ennenno Crazy Books Chadivane
Etta Uriche Literature Pichekkinche Okko Feature
Neelone Choosane Choostu Statue Ayyane,,
Hey Trendy Trendy Trendy Ne Made In Paris Bandhi
3D Loni Body Language By Heart Chesesuko,,,
Chubby Chubby Chubby Naa Chubby Cheekse Pindi
Noppantunna Pappilenno Panchuko,,,
Namaste ||

Hot And Sour Soup Vi Nuvve
Salt And Pepper Nenavutale
Candle Light Dinner Lo Neeku Company Nene,,,
Robin Hood La Vachestane Beauty Mottam Dochestane
Nuvvante Padi Chache Naato Panchukuntane,,
Thanda Thanda Thanda Nerpistava Fanda Magic Edo Choopistava Harry Potter La,,,
Thoda Thoda Thoda Chesestale Theda
Nee Edo Meter Speed Ey Peridentala,,,

Om Namaste||

Om Namaste!! from Ram

Journal O Ram

2008-08-04T13:05:00.000-07:00

Never give advise or suggestion to anyone voluntarily!

Beware of people who frown-up people who act innocent!

"Babies are a buzz on the blogger!!"

So on blogs where babies are a buzz, in life Srimaye is the fizz. She is amazing and really a darling of hearts. I miss Srimaye so much.

Regarding Dreams:

Infact, dreams have a very significant place in my life, specially Divine Dreams I dream of by God's grace. Interestingly enough, to enhance the importance of dreams in my life, my wife's name is "Swapna". Swapna is a very sweet (మధురం) person. Having said that, I must say that Swapna is a "Sweet Dream" in my life. Having Swapna with me in my life, I always have a very "Sweet Dream" with me.

Journal O Ram

2008-08-03T00:08:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,
Firstly, Happy Friendship Day! No one can stop thinking of friends, specially when one comes to know / hear that it is friendship day. 1st Sunday of August. However brighter and better the future, they always say "Good old days!" I still have to figure out why it is so?

I am good here and in the phase of the forced bachelorhood. Enjoying it! I understand that all of us are busy in our own way and our own world. As we belong to the same planet, let us make sure we do not become alien. Though busy with the routine here, I definitely miss all you guys. It feels good when I connect to you guys sometimes on phone or sometimes on chat or sometimes with occasional jottings like this.

Have fun!

Happy Friendship day!
Ramji

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An article I received as chain email, on History of Time which is interesting to me.

A Brief History of Time - The Real One!

Modern man is in a dire predicament. Living a day-to-day existence, he always thinks about the `now', the `today' and perhaps the `tomorrow'- but can hardly bring himself up to anything in the distant future or the distant past. Living in tiny cocoons of time, he has little knowledge or appreciation of recent history, not to speak of ancient history. Tightening his time- cocoon is the present-day European-influenced notion that human civilization itself is worth studying only after itgot `modernized' in the last 4 centuries. And the Semitic religions(Judaism, Christianity and Islam) have added their part by treating the advent of their masters as the worthy beginning of any serious study of the world. (One Christian saint went as far as to mention that Creation itself happened only recently in 4004 BC.). Thus man tightens his time cocoons and suffocates himself.In contrast to this normal view of humanity, is the modern view of scientists (such as Stephen Hawking, Carl Sagan and many others) in which the universe is conjectured to have passed through many millions,perhaps billions of years in existence. This brings in a tiny ray of light into the otherwise narrow notions of Time held by contemporary man. In striking contrast to both the above groups of people are the Bhagavathothamas who incessantly serve the lotus feet of Lakshmi and Narayana. In them there arises a Total Illumination, called para-gnana,by which the Truth of the Totality of Existence is revealed as a fruit in one's own palm. One such Bhagavathothama, who intimately knew Time as well as its Master, is the sage Vyasa, to whom all of us owe our very breath. He too has written a "Brief History of Time" - but this one, unlike its secular counterpart, is supremely Real and has the sole intention of generating in the hearts of listeners, parama-bhakti, supreme devotion to Mahavishnu. The merciful sage has written about Time and its Ruler in many of his Sookthis, one of which is Srimad Bhagavatha Purana. Here is a brief summary of Vyasa's wisdom on Time culled from thatdelightful text.
1) We are currently living in Kali Yuga, the fourth of Yugas, which is constituted of 4,32,000 years.
2) Twice the duration of Kali Yuga, that is, 8,64,000 years make up the third Yuga, Dwapara Yuga.
3) Thrice the duration of Kali, that is, 12,96,000 years form the second Yuga, Threta Yuga.
4) Four times the duration of Kali, that is, 17,28,000 years go intothe first Yuga, Sathya Yuga or Kritha Yuga.
5) These four Yugas put together constitute one Chathur Yuga,which is 43,20,000 years (43.2 lakh years or 4.32 million years).
6) One thousand such Chathur Yugas constitute one day for Brahma which is 4,32,00,00,000 years (432 crore years or 4.32 billion years). A dayof Brahma is called a Kalpa.
7) At the end of a day of Brahma, there is a Pralaya called Naimittika Pralaya meaning Occassional Dissolution, in which the whole universeis dissolved into the elemental condition and Narayana reclines on Adi Sesha. This Yoganidhra of Ranganatha is considered the night-timeof Brahma, who is said to sleep or take rest in Emberumaan.
8) The night-time of Brahma, that is, Perumal's Yoganidhra, continues for the same duration as a day-time of Brahma, i.e., for 4.32 billionyears.
9) One full day of Brahma (day-time + night-time) therefore comes to8.64 billion years.
10) At the close of Brahma's night, Padmanabha rises from Adi Seshaand recreates the universe (Shristi) starting with the same Brahma and thus another Kalpa follows.
11) One year of Brahma is constituted of 360 Brahma days (or 360Kalpas) which totals up to 3,110,400,000,000 years (3.11 trillionyears).
12) 50 such years of Brahma constitute a Parardha (half-life) forBrahma which boggles the mind at 155,520,000,000,000 human years(155.5 trillion years).
13) 2 such Parardhas constitute a lifetime for Brahma and comprises311,040,000, 000,000 human years (311 trillion human years). Alifetime of Brahma is called a Maha Kalpa.
14) At the end of a Maha Kalpa, that is, at the end of Brahma's lifetime, Narayana, the Kaalaswarupi, engages in Prakritha Pralaya, Total Cosmic Dissolution, in which the whole universe including the elements are dissolved in Vasudeva.
15) At the close of this Cosmic Night, Sriman Narayana initiates a new Maha Kalpa by recreating the universe along with a new Brahma.
16) The Supreme Being, Narayana, has created an INFINITE number of such Maha Kalpas in the past. Hence there is no absolute beginning for creation.

The Maha Kalpa is the highest unit of time for even Brahma. It comes to 311 trillion human years. To give an idea about how this stupendous amount of time relates to the Supreme Being Vasudeva, sage Vyasa, at first, remarks that it is the time that "Mahavishnu takes to wink His eyes". But he quickly admits that even this analogy is imperfect, for Narayana is the Eternal Being, Narayana is that Infinity in whose fear even Time functions.

Such, then, is Time. Such, then, is Time's Master. Thus ends Vyasa'sBrief History of Time.

There are also accounts of Sandhis or intermediate periods mentioned in some texts. Already blown out by the stupendosity of Time, they have not been included here.

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Another interesting article I found, which is funny and the on that is to my interest God.

IS GOD THERE?

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair and his beard cut as always. He started to have a good conversation with the barber who attended him. They talked about so many things on various subjects. Suddenly, they touched the subject of God. The barber said: "Look man, I don't believe that God exists as you say so." "Why do you say that?", asked the client."Well, it's so easy; you just have to go out in the street to realize that God does not exist. Oh, tell me, if God existed, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't think of a God who permits all of these things." The client heard it but kept quiet. The barber finished his job and the client went out of the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with a long hair and beard (it seems that it had been a long time since he had his cut and he looked so untidy). The client entered the barbershop again and said to the barber: " You know what? Barbers do not exist." "How come they don't exist?" asked the barber. "Well I am here and I am a barber." "No!",the client exclaimed. "They don't exist because if they did there would be no people with long hair and beard like that man who walks in the street." "Ah, barbers do exist, what happens is that people do not come to me." "Exactly!"affirmed the client. "That's the point. God does exist, what happens is people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Journal O Ram

2008-08-02T11:39:00.001-07:00

BALANCE IS A JOURNEY NOT A DESTINATION

Lot of people talk about work life balance. I think, work is part of life. So, it is not that you are balancing between work and life. It is that you are balancing life itself. When we say balancing life it includes balancing work, family, health, wealth, prosperity, progress, safety, risk and the whole host of things we can think of. I think it is all put together to give a holistic view of Life.

How do we balance.
We can balance by doing many things at the same time focusing on one thing at a time. How is that possible. It is natural for humans. For instance, we do multiple things naturally, breath, think, see, listen, act, react etc. If you notice all these are running in parallel. But at any point in time there is a focus on one particular activity. For instance, during Pranayama, your focus is on breathing. When you are exercising, your focus is on the physical strength of the body part you are working on. When you are eating you are focused on your food. When you are watching a movie you focus on the movie, synchronizing the voice and visual.

There by, to balance the several things in life, one need to have patience to start, act and complete the activity. For instance, when you want to bring balance by spending time with your family, spend it with the primary focus on family. In the modern work culture, work from home is part of life. So, when one is working from home, the focus should be on work, though you may have a reason to work from home and that becomes the second priority. Similarly, if you are handling an important role in an organization and can not be away from work activities. Or if nature of your work demands your attention most of the time, then when you are on a vacation, one must be available to attend and preferable make arrangements for backup. So, that only minimal attention or minimal or no time of your vacation is used for work. This way, one is focused on vacation and thoroughly enjoying the vacation. At the same time, when one is back to work after vacation, the focus is again at work. This leads to prioritizing the tasks at hand.

When it comes to prioritizing, it needs a lot of discipline. It reminds me of our school days. during our schooling, we have 7 sujbects.
Telugu (Prose and Poetry)
Hindi (Prose and Poetry)
English (Prose, Poetry and Non-detail)
Social (History, Geography, Economics and Civics)
Science (Physics, Chemistry and Biology)
Mathematics and
Moral Science.
Apart from this we also have one PT (Physical Training and not play time) period per week.
We also have one SUPW (I don't remember the abbreviation for this). The abbrreviation as I Rajesh reminds me is that it is Students yoUthful Productivity Work. I know it is a fun period on Friday afternoon last period. It is for singing, music and fun activities.

We have 7 periods in a day with 4 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon. There is a lunch break, there are morning interval and evening interval, each coming after two consecutive periods.

Exams used to be 1st Unit Test, 2nd Unit test, Quarterly, 3rd Unit test, Half Yearly, 4th Unit Test and Final exams. All this in just 9 months with three months in a year, overall going for vacation.

There are also school events like sports day, teachers day, children's day, inter school competitions, picnics too.

Imagine, as kids each one of us did it for 10 years achieving so much in the time span in a very systematic way. And if you ask, majority of the people would say that "school days are the most enjoyable days or the best days in life!" Think of it, why is it so??

It is because we balanced life in the most efficient way and thus we enjoyed every moment of it and we relish on those memories for a life time.

When one is able to continuously prioritize the tasks / activities balance is possible. Balance is like slow cooking or like delivering a baby. It requires the due time that is needed to achieve balance. It is a continuous process or rather a never ending process because balancing life is required all through ones life. Balancing life is for a life time. It is a journey and not a destination. If that is the case, then where are the results / fruits in Balancing life. The fruits / results in balancing life are in that very instant. They are in each and every moment one balances life. And according to me, those are the moments, in which one is actually living life.

Balance is enjoyment!
Balance is results!
Balance is completeness!
Balance is Living!
Balance is Life!

Idea:
Like I mentioned sometime earlier in one of my previous, Idea of "Rama Koti". Because it is difficult in our busy life style, my friend Sridhar has given an idea we can do nama smarana instead of writing "Rama Koti". As it is said that in Kaliyuga, people can attain salvation through Nama Smaranam. That is great idea infact. Later I saw in one of the orkut groups on Lord Srirama that there are some messages which say lets us write Rama koti. And everyone contributes in their own way to Ramakoti. I remember participating sometime earlier also in such messages of writing Ramakoti. Suddenly it struck my mind that, why should I not write Ramakoti in my own blog. Great! It just struck my mind. Here I am starting Ramakoti on my blog. I am excited about it because I love to type faster. It is type writing Rama Koti. The modern way of writing Ramakoti. It also gives me great feeling for the auspicious endeavor.
I will write it in Telugu as google provides me this option to write in telugu and the label will be ramakoti. Lot of people, I have seen in the recent times have written as Jai Sriram, Jai Jai Sriram etc. If I am not wrong, while building the Varadhi, vanaras have engraved the name శ్రీరామ on the stones and have dropped them in the water. Because of the power of this name శ్రీరామ the stones started to float in the ocean thus making the bridge. Such is the power of taraka nama శ్రీరామ. The word as I have seen Ramakoti written by my Grand mother and Grand father is శ్రీరామ. So, I will use the same word శ్రీరామ. I will write it on my devotional site.

Jorunal O Ram

2008-08-01T09:10:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to self check and evaluate on how I am able to manage my life and myself, I have tracked some activities which I felt need attention. So, I tracked my activities for in the month of July. And it is not a surprise that the results are pathetic. If you see the score sheet, out of 31 times, I could perform task 1 is only 10 times whatever be the conditions, time lines etc. In an idealistic scenario I should have done Task 1 for 31 times in July while I did it only 10 times in a realistic scenario. So is the case with counts of other activities. The statistics below.

TASK	JULY (31)
Task 1	10
Task 2	5
Task 3	13
Task 4	6
Task 5	6
Task 6	15
Task 7	5
Task 8	4
Task 9	1
Task 10	NA

Now, this has become an awakening statistics. So, that I keep my activities, tasks or objectives realistic, practical and achievable. Hence, I move forward with my tracking for August. I am waiting for the scores at the end of August.

The lessons from July, I think are:
Balance is the key
Realistic goals
More commitment and dedication towards the goals
Do not make false assumptions
Do not restrict the mind for innumerable possibilities

Most importantly, if you one needs to make a choice between a) to go for it or b) not to go for it, choose to "Go for it!". For instance, one of these days, I wanted to go to the gym. Time was already 9pm on a weekday. So, I was really thinking if I should go for it or not go for it. I looked out of the window and it was dark and I did not see anyone around. I thought it was too late. Then, I anyway had to go out to drop the trash. So, I eventually chose to go to the gym while I dump the trash. And when I was at the gym, I was astonished at the number people that are working out at that hour in the gym. It was maybe a little less than the peak hour. And there is a 60 years old lady who has her skin and muscles sagged due to old age. And she is working out
on the biceps machine with a 10lbs weight. I admired her commitment to health and felt greatly motivated. At the same time, I felt ashamed for thinking of not going to the gym. Anyone, who is lazy, please go to the gym and see with your own eyes how people are working towards a healthy life. You will be inspired to keep yourself healthy. Good Luck!

Key words:
Single minded determination
Focus to complete

The four C's which Rajesh once told me:
Confidence
Commitment
I will update the other two later. Not able to recollect.
C??
C??
Yes, I got the one of the two. (After a weekdays. Today is 7th, while the original post is on 1st.)
Conviction
Now what is the one which is remaining.
C??

I got this other C. Rajesh reminded me that it is Courage. (Updated this on 31st August 2008).

Spell check:

Adrenalin
Adrenalin
Adrenalin
Adrenalin
Adrenalin
Adrenalin
Adrenalin
Adrenalin
Adrenalin
Adrenalin

Journal O Ram

2008-07-29T10:18:00.000-07:00

TOP 10 MOST WANTED PROFILES AT POLARIS

In Polaris, when the organization started an internal wiki, to encourage and drive the users to the wiki site a contest was conducted for the best profiles on wiki. The contest was in 5 to 6 rounds. My profile was in the first round of the top 10 profiles rather "most wanted profiles". It was good fun. I enjoyed the fun because the fun was in running the race rather than in winning the race. Ofcourse winning is undoubtedly wonderful. I have great self-satisfaction in the creation of this profile though it was not voted the best. If you ask me from what I saw from all of the profiles I am sure that mine is definitely the best profile. "I AM THE BEST!" Check it out!

Ram K Samantula

From Polaris-wiki

Life is Living, Loving, Learning and Laughing!

Name: Ram K Samantula
Fondly known as: Ramji, Ram
Date of birth: 11th Jan, 1974
Sun sign: Capricorn
Compatible sunsigns: Compatible Sun Sign? The rising, shining and smiling one; highly compatible with all sun signs
Designation: Senior Manager
Role: Corporate BCP Coordinator
Responsibilities: Responsible for implementing BCP for all identified projects at all locations of Polaris. Conduct BCP awareness sessions, workshops and facilitate in project BCP preparation and testing. Instrumental in organization wide awareness of BCP.
Email: ramkumar.mohan@polaris.co.in
(My email id is different from my actual full name. Thanks to Lotus Notes team for adding my father's name in my email id.
It reminds me of my Dad always, "thoda senti hogaya", I miss Him a lot
Contact: 098842 95114 (24X7)
Work Location: Though the base station is at 3502 Foundation, Navalur, My job demands to work from all locations, as I interact for BCP activities with Project Teams, HR, SEPG, Sales, Nalanda, Admin and IT at all locations of Polaris in all the cities within India. Onsite it's virtual presence. If there is a team left out, let me know, together we will make it. ;-) Oh! I am loving it!
About Polaris: Live Your Dream!
Team: Always in the Winning Team
Awards: 'Best Young Manager', TISCO Trophy Award Winner representing Polaris at The National Competition for Young Managers from All India Managment Association
Awarded "50 Years of Freedom" Independence Scholarship from NIIT
"Best Employee of The Month" at Sierra Atlantic.
Whole host of wins at several competitions at school, college, university and zonal levels in sports and cultural activities.
Topics: Music, Devotion, Bhajans, Software, Banking, Management, Venture Capital, Investment Banking, Business Continuity, Discos, Dancing and Page 3 lifestyle
Qualification & Experience: I will forward my 5 page resume upon request :-) Feel free to ask.

My Spouse: Swapna (Dream Girl...)

Dream Girl...dream Girl...

किसी शायर की ग़ज़ल, dream-girl
किसी झील का कंवल, dream-girl...

Dream Girl...dream Girl...

About Us: We studied in the same school, we are from the same area and same city Vizag. And the surprise is that we don't know each other until we got engaged. It's an arranged marriage. :-) Actually, I prefer it to be called as "Marriage Love" because we are in love after marriage, unlike in "love marriage" where love is before marriage. As long as Love is in your life, it doesn't matter if it's Love Marriage or Marriage Love. It is my opinion and you don't have to agree with me. ;-) Married on 10th August, 2005.
My Kid: Ashrita Srimaye

About The Little Angel: Swapna and I are blessed with this little angel on Sunday, 18th June 2006. On this day of the year 2006, the world celebrated "Fathers' Day!", I became a Father on Fathers' Day. That's what I call as "God's Gift". Srimaye is called as Ashritha, Srimaye, Princy, Bangaru Talli, Sri MahaLakshmi, Chinni Munni, Tingiri Bingiri, Ukkul Bukkul and many more to come, I just go crazy for her. She is 9 months now, crawling, uttering little words and is getting her first tooth. :-)


God's Gift	Ummmmm...	Choo Chweet...

Daily Worship: Lord Sri Maha Vishnu (Prana Daivam)
Family God: Lord Sri Venkateswara (Kula Daivam)
Favourite God: Lord Sriram (Ishta Daivam)
My Idol: My Swamy (Lord Sriram)
I can't resist: Temptation ;-)
I can speak: "My Mind"
My passion: My Dreams (...zzzzzz ... sleep less, dream more)
My crowing glory (any spl talent): "Utna scene nahi hai..." :-)
Most happiest moment: Now (Every moment I breath in health)
Fav screen star: Uh... (I like real life stars...)
My strenghts: Persistance and Prayers
I Enjoy: Modelling, Dancing, Worshipping, Working, Work-out and Winning
I believe in: Power of Prayer, Connecting Power and Personal Power
Books: Ramayan, Mahabharat as it is, Sai Satcharitra, Sri Vishnu Sahasra Naamam, Bhikshu Geetam, Alchemist, Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, You Can Win, etc etc etc.
Fond of: Family & Friends
Hobbies: Meditation, Gardening, Aquarium, Thyagaraja Kritis, Cooking, Masti & Dosti, Fashion & Interior Designing, Traveling, Visiting Historic and Holy Places, Massages
One Liner: "Jack of All Trades, Master of All Trades"
Leadership: "Follow Yourself, Others will Follow You"
Inspiration Sparks: Lord Sriram, My Grandfather (A Police Officer), Swamy Vivekananda, Adi Sankaracharya, Ratan Tata, Abdul Kalam, Laloo Prasad Yadav, Mother Teresa, Gandhiji, Howard Hughs, Benjman Fraklin, Vijay Mallya
My Motivation: My Mom, My Spouse, My Brothers and My Coach
Follower of: Bhagwan Sri Satya Sai Baba
Partying: On Demand
Quote: "Men like Chocolate and Coffee should always be Rich"
Channels: I keep browsing various channels from Aastha, ETV, Gemini, Zoom, History, Discovery, Animal Planet, All Music Channels, NDTV Profit, BBC, CNN, Sanskar, DD, FTV (I spend very little time before TV, seriously and that's why I wanna watch as many channels as possible) :-)
Catch me if you can: Monday evening at Kapaleeshwar temple, Sunday morning at Royapetta fish & vegetable market, Daily during the day at any of the Polaris locations within

India

, and at Lord Sriram temple at the end of the day.

More About Myself: If your "dil maange more..." then read this "dil se re, dil se re..."

Born & brought up in the Steel City Vizag a port with a natural harbour, I completed my schooling from KG to PG at Vizag. I grew up in a joint family of a dozen members (6 adults and 6 kids). All preparations & purchases were made in multiples of dozen. Count is easy, isn't it? :-) In the family tree, our family was like a cricket team with 11 people and one extra-special, I. I am the youngest at home, so the star of home. Values obtained from family are punctuality, self-discipline, worship, travel and celebration.

I started my professional career in the twin cities Hyderabad and Secunderabad, travelled to USA, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia. I have friends across the globe and I cherish their true friendship. I appreciate different cultures while retaining my traditional roots.

A big achievement in life is going on a bicycle from Vizag to Puttaparti (1200 KMS) with a group of 135 Satya Sai Devotees on a Spiritual trip for one week. During the day we cycled from 5AM to 5PM. In the evenings it used to be Seva in villages through distribution of food and clothing.

I start the day with devotional songs, day passes through all genres of music & songs and ends with a situational song. Music is the spice of life. I like to sport an urban look and dress to the occasion. I get high at Discos and Bhajans. Offering a Thyagaraja Kriti or Bhadrachala Ramadasu Kirtana to Lord Sriram is fulfilling to me. I like children. I like to live my life, be in love and continue to learn, smile and laugh.

Bottom line "Happiness to me is state of mind and not state of affairs".

Note: This is the information as is from the Polaris wiki as of 2007. Any changes to information here is intentionally not updated to retain originality.

Pavan Kalyan, prakkana nenu...

2008-07-28T10:35:00.000-07:00

"Pavan Kalyan, prakkana nenu..."

I was at the Hyderabad domestic airport, waiting to catch a flight to Chennai on 18th April, 2005 at 7.30am. I was sitting in the waiting hall after completing the security check. I sat at a place where I can see people coming in. After sometime, when I raised my head, I saw Pavan Kalyan walking in. He is in a green pullover and blue jeans with big black boots and a backpack. He is really tall and cool. Just like he walks on the screen with his head bent forward slightly,
a swagger in a walk with not so big steps and at a cool pace. Then to find a place he raises his eyes without raising his head fully. It is just like on the screen how he watches for the threat from any danger from villains. It is that kind of a look he has. The eyes reflect lot of self-confidence and strength. His eyes observe and record many things at one glance. He found a row to the sidewall on the rear and sat in the first seat of that single empty row to the wall. There is no one in that row and there are also not many people at the rear of the hall. Then I turned around and noticed that he was alone watching around, thinking or maybe just sitting.

I thought for few minutes, If I would be bothering him early in the morning. I also thought that, now that he is alone, it will also be a good time pass for him if I can make a sensible conversation.

While reading this please imagine Pavan Kalyan's mannerisms as the way you see him on the screen. He is a very friendly guy for an intelligent conversation and very natural. He is just the way you see him on screen. "Cool"!!!

Then I went to where he sat and started on a cheerful note.

RKS: Hi, Srirama Navami Subhakankshalu!!!

PK: Oh! Eeroju Srirama Navama? Naaku teliyadu. With a braod smile
and eyebrows raised.

RKS: Yeah! Eeroju Srirama Navami.

PK: Thank you and same to you with a warm smile.

RKS: Can I take one picture of you please?

PK: Sure. (He naturally gave a very nice still.)

RKS: I clicked one picture with my Samsung D410. Wow!!!
And said one picture with you.

PK: Sure, he removed the backpack from the chair beside him and
placed it on the floor and made room for me to sit.

RKS: I said thank you and told him, I can show this to all my friends
and say like the movie dialogue, "Pavan Kalyan, pakkana nenu."

PK: He gave a wonderfully big smile for that.

RKS: Then I clicked and the picture did not come properly.

PK: That's ok, "flight lo air hostess teestundhi le, meeru chennai
kada veltunnaru".

RKS: OK, that will be great.

RKS: I work in Polaris at Chennai, though I am from Hyderabad.

PK: Polaris, ekkada choosanu… (the mannerisms are same as that you
watch on the screen… very natural)

RKS: Yeah, just Airport ki vastunte, left lo vastundi Polaris.

PK: Annh choosanu.

RKS: Ninna maa friend vaalla father sashti poorthi attend ayyamu. S
P Balasubramanya is a best friend of my friends father. They were
talking about 40 years of their friendship and the function was filled
with all friends. It was more like a friendship day celebration than
anything else. We had great fun.

PK: SPB gara. OK

RKS: meeku childhood friends vunnara, and do you meet them? Someone
like a bench mate in class?

PK: Leru. Ante ekkada vunnaro teliyadu. Aa taruvata eppudu contact
kooda cheyya ledu. I did not study at one place. And also, by then I
am brother of a celebrity. So I was ragged a bit. I do not have fond
memories at school to keep them.

RKS: Meeru vizag lo vundevaru kada?

PK: Yeah, konni rojulu akkada vunnanu. And also, I only completed my
Intermediate, so not much of college life.

RKS: Oh OK. Are you going to Chennai for a shooting?

PK: Ledu personal pani meeda veltunnanu. Meeru emi chestu vuntaru.

RKS: My friends, my brothers and myself are big fans of you and all
your brothers.

PK: Another great broad smile and he said Thank you bending little forward.

RKS: What is your next movie?

PK: Inka emi ledu, ante peru petta ledu.

RKS: Who is the heroine?

PK: Inka decide kaa ledu.

RKS: mee interview on TV lo choosanu, howz your baby?

PK: He is fine. Chaala rojula kritam aiy vuntundhi.

RKS: Yeah, Pongal ki anukuntaanu. (looks like he did not give any
interview recently). Then, mee screen meeda mannerisms chaala
baguntaayi. Specially, aa kallu chootoo pariseelistu vunte…. Ippudu
kodataadu raa annattu vuntaayi… chaala baaguntundhi…

PK: Neenu generally screen meeda act cheyyanu, natural gaa vuntaanu.

RKS: That's great. (And then I see another mannerism where his
right hand goes behind the neck as if he adjusts his hair. You can
see this mannerism in most of the movies before a fight. Typical
Pavan Kalyan's style.)
What is your time pass? Free time lo emi chestu vuntaaru?

PK: I practice Violin. I am learning classical music now.

RKS: Interesting, I am also learning Carnatic classical singing. Who
is your guru?

PK: He is a person from Tirupati. He teaches me Violin.

RKS: Myself being in IT, the stress levels are high. It really give
a great relaxation to learn classical singing.

PK. True. What you do should be different from your profession.
Andhuke neenu Violin practice chestunnanu. I got into classical
music. It gives a deep sense of relaxation.

RKS: Tyagaraja Kirtanalu nerchu kunnappudu, I see, chaala mandiki
vaati ardhamulu kooda teliyadu. For instance, "paraatpara" ante
sreshtula lo srestudu ani ardham. Ee maata manamu chaala saarlu vini
vuntaamu, kaani daani ardhamu chaala mandiki teliyadu. That's why I
got a Telugu dictionary for myself.

PK: Avunu, chaala vaatiki manaku ardhamulu teliyadu. Manaku vaati
meanings kooda teliyadu and vaatini manamu ippudu vaadamu kooda. Ee
classical baaga practice vundaali.

RKS: Yeah, I like Einstene said "Genius is one percent inspiration
and ninety nine percent perspiration"

PK: No, Einstene kaadu, Thomas Alwa Edison cheppadu adi.

In the meantime, Sankardada MBBS music director Devi Sri Prasad vacchi
Pavan Kalyan ki Good morning Pavan Sir, chennai veltunnanu, akkada
kalustaanu ani wishes cheppi vellaru.

RKS: Oh OK. Inka vere emi chestu vuntaaru meeru?

PK: Nenu chaala aalochistu vuntaanu. Mind gurunchi ekkuvaga
aalochistu vuntaanu. Chinnappudu naaku scientist avvali ani vundedhi.
Neenu actor ayyanu. Neenu mind capacity emity, entavaraku mind
vellagaladu, mind ki limits emiti ani alochistu vuntaanu. Mind ni
study chyyatamu ante naaku chaala interesting ga vuntundhi. Left
brain, right brain concept kaakunda inkaa deep ga think chestu
vuntaanu. I read some books on that also.

RKS: Have you read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It is very
interesting and is to your tastes.

PK: Yeah, nenu chadivaanu. Actually very interesting author. Nenu
oka saari, Paulo Coelho website ki velli oka email pampinchaanu.
Anukokunda, authoer aayana response pampinchaadu. Luckily, ala aa
thread build ayyindi. Adi entaga ayyindhi ante, aa author mammalni
atani country ki rammani invite chesaru. Naaku shootings valla neenu
vella ledu. Renu maatram vellindhi and aayana two days host chesaru.
It was really very interesting. Inko book "Warrior of light" kooda
naaku chaala ishtamu.

In the mean time there was an announcement for boarding the flight.
Pavan Kalyan got up and picked his backpack. I got up and we walked
towards the ticket check. Pavan Kalyan was before me he finished with
the ticket check and waited for me. I was totally delighted for his
modesty. He has no reason to wait. Still he waited until, I
completed my ticket check and joined him. He looked very tall and is
wearing nice big brown boots. He has a very cool look.

RKS: What is the book you said, I will read it?

PK: "Warrior of light" kooda chadivaanu. It is a very good book.

RKS: Nenu chaduvutaanu. I really appreciate the way you are.
Generally, I know people who say, what if he is a film hero, who
cares? I do not wanna go and talk to him or ask for an autograph? I
do not know why people have such big egos to approach a Star. All
said and done He is a Hero.

PK: Just looked and did not say anything. He was listening.

RKS: Once it so happened that I met the Hero Venkatesh at Chennai
airport. A couple of other guys came from somewhere and started
putting critics, stating that "Hey Venkatesh, you are getting grey
beard, you are getting old." Least do these people realize that
"after all, these film heroes are also human beings." And these two guys
who comment on Venkatesh, think of themselves as if they are real time heroes.

PK: "You should see the inside of the person and not the outside!"
That is most important.

Then we reached the flight and airhostess said Good Morning. PK
entered the flight and sat in the 3rd row window seat of business
class, obviously. I sat in the second row of the Economy class. I
thought I would go and talk to him one the flight takes off. No
sooner the flight took off, time flew too and we reached Chennai. I
did not have the opportunity to get into the business class as
breakfast is being serverd. After the flight landed off, I thought of
calling Pavan Kalyan to wait so that I would take a photograph with
him. Then again, I thought it would be too much to ask for him to
wait. I saw him going in the business class bus and another guy
talking to him in the bus.

I was happy that I could spend almost 35 to 45 minutes with Pavan
Kalyan. And I am sure that this conversation between us will be
memorable for both Pavan Kalyan and myself too. Next time when I meet
Pavan Kalyan, I can always remind him of this conversation and can
easily continue to befriend him.

I do not know what people think of Pavan Kalyan. To my understanding,
he is very intelligent, speaks wonderful English with no grammatical
mistakes. He likes intellectual conversations. He is very friendly
and approachable if only you can make the conversation interesting for
him. He is a great listener, thinks a lot and loves to experiment.
In his conversations, he has nice messages for all of us. He is a
wonderful human being. If you watch him outside, you will see that
most of his mannerisms on screen are natural. He is very natual on
screen because he is the same in real life too. He is an Icon for the
Youth of Andhra Pradesh.

Personal Energy Management

2008-07-28T09:18:00.000-07:00

A very interesting program I watched on NDTV long time ago. A gist of it.

Program: One life to Love on NDTV
Topic: Personal Energy Management

Like how very little is done on Personal Time Management, there is very little attention to Personal Energy Management. There are various factors, which deplete or replenish your energy levels. What you eat has a great effect on your energy levels. It either depletes or replenishes your energy.

Energy Zappers:
Intake of sugar gets you on high very quickly and crashes you very quickly. So a cut down on sugar intake can give you balance of energy levels. Most of us have processed food, from attas to oils. Intake of fats contents depletes energy. Alcohol has no nutritional value and will zap energy.

The powerful energy sources can be wholesome food. Vegetables, Lintels, whole grains, pulses.
Indian foods are good wholesome value and are heavy. So intake should be balanced and quantity controlled. Fruits and yogurt for lunch are good for energy. Start eating on how you feel like. Be aware of what you eat. Awareness is power. Minor changes on diet can make huge difference in energy levels rising. It increases your vitality. Rather than dragging through the day, vitality makes you skip through the day.

High energy levels make one mentally alert and physically energetic. Even 5 minutes of right exercise can significantly raise your energy levels. What are the energy blockers?
Unhappiness, hurt feelings, disillusion, hate, anger, pain etc., can be blockers of energy

What makes energy levels flow and raise?
To get invoked and involved is one thing. Do something for yourself. The more the involvement the more are the energy levels. Reading, knowing and talking about something is good. Doing it makes increase your energy levels. Doing is more important. End of the day, doing what is important will increase your energy levels. It brings life force and vitality. Work the body and calm the mind. Fundamentally discipline starts inside out. The traditional disciplines like Yoga, Tai-Chi (Pronounced Tie Chee is an ancient Chinese discipline that integrates mind, body, and spirit.) can be good for increasing energy levels. These are good as they have a process of doing things slowly. Doing things slowly gives you silence. By doing these slowly, silence is forced within you. While doing these you participate yet you also observe. This builds a deep reservoir of strength within.

Good is no longer good enough. The secret to great energy levels is to recharge your energy every time before it is depleted.

Accurate breathing replenishes energy naturally. Most people do not breathe properly and are not aware of breathing techniques. When one is taking breath he/she is breathing life. So breathe properly and amply. Take in as much air as you can. Build on it to have a reservoir of
energy. Breathing is vital in vitalizing you vivacity. Create a space for yourself in a room with lots of sunlight. Sunlight essentially raises energy levels.

Water is another important factor for balanced energy levels. Lot of people does not have the threshold for thirst. Most of us get involved in activities that we do not realize the thirst. Thirst zaps energy levels. Water replenishes energy. Six to eight glasses of water daily is essential
for the body. At the same time urination at intervals will release all the impurities.

Not just refueling energy, we also need to watch for energy leaks. Technology is a major cause of energy leak due to radiations. Observe the IT professionals.

Extreme self-care is required if you have to do personal energy management. Personal Energy Management is essential for us, to be vibrantly well.

End Program:

Journal O Ram

2008-07-28T07:15:00.003-07:00

Personal Energy Management is one concept which interested me very much. A very interesting program I watched on NDTV long time ago. A gist of it.

Program: One life to Love on NDTV
Topic: Personal Energy Management

Like how very little is done on Personal Time Management, there is very little attention to Personal Energy Management. There are various factors, which deplete or replenish your energy levels. What you eat has a great effect on your energy levels. It either depletes or replenishes your energy.

Energy Zappers:
Intake of sugar gets you on high very quickly and crashes you very quickly. So a cut down on sugar intake can give you balance of energy levels. Most of us have processed food, from attas to oils. Intake of fats contents depletes energy. Alcohol has no nutritional value and will zap energy.

The powerful energy sources can be wholesome food. Vegetables, Lintels, whole grains, pulses. Indian foods are good wholesome value and are heavy. So intake should be balanced and quantity controlled. Fruits and yogurt for lunch are good for energy. Start eating on how you feel like. Be aware of what you eat. Awareness is power. Minor changes on diet can make huge difference in energy levels rising. It increases your vitality. Rather than dragging through the day, vitality makes you skip through the day.

High energy levels make one mentally alert and physically energetic. Even 5 minutes of right exercise can significantly raise your energy levels. What are the energy blockers? Unhappiness, hurt feelings, disillusion, hate, anger, pain etc., can be blockers of energy

What makes energy levels flow and raise?
To get invoked and involved is one thing. Do something for yourself. The more the involvement the more are the energy levels. Reading, knowing and talking about something is good. Doing it makes increase your energy levels. Doing is more important. End of the day, doing what is important will increase your energy levels. It brings life force and vitality. Work the body and calm the mind. Fundamentally discipline starts inside out. The traditional disciplines like Yoga, Tai-Chi (Pronounced Tie Chee is an ancient Chinese discipline that integrates mind, body, and spirit.) can be good for increasing energy levels. These are good as they have a process of doing things slowly. Doing things slowly gives you silence. By doing these slowly, silence is forced within you. While doing these you participate yet you also observe. This builds a deep reservoir of strength within.

Good is no longer good enough. The secret to great energy levels is to recharge your energy every time before it is depleted.

Accurate breathing replenishes energy naturally. Most people do not breathe properly and are not aware of breathing techniques. When one is taking breath he/she is breathing life. So breathe properly and amply. Take in as much air as you can. Build on it to have a reservoir of energy. Breathing is vital in vitalizing you vivacity. Create a space for yourself in a room with lots of sunlight. Sunlight essentially raises energy levels.

Water is another important factor for balanced energy levels. Lot of people does not have the threshold for thirst. Most of us get involved in activities that we do not realize the thirst. Thirst zaps energy levels. Water replenishes energy. Six to eight glasses of water daily is essential for the body. At the same time urination at intervals will release all the impurities.

Not just refueling energy, we also need to watch for energy leaks. Technology is a major cause of energy leak due to radiations. Observe the IT professionals.

Extreme self-care is required if you have to do personal energy management. Personal Energy Management is essential for us, to be vibrantly well.

End Program:

Song of the day: BUDDHA BAR DEEPAK CHOPRA FEAT. DEMI MOORE - DESIRE

Quotes:
Good is no longer good enough.

During a contest on writing a book review at Polaris Software Lab, I won the first prize for the review I wrote on one of my most favorite books The Alchemist. Here is a video of the gist of it which I found on the internet. Below the video is my own review on book
THE ALCHEMIST - A fable about following your dream!
by Paulo Coelho

My Review on the book The Alchemist:

The Alchemist
A Fable About Following Your Dream
by Paulo Coelho

Dreams, symbols, signs, and adventure follow the reader like echoes of ancient wise voices in "The Alchemist", a novel that combines an atmosphere of Medieval mysticism with the song of the desert. With this symbolic masterpiece Coelho states that we should not avoid our destinies. And it urges people to follow their dreams, because to find our "Personal Myth" and our mission on Earth is the way to find "God", meaning happiness, fulfillment, and the ultimate purpose of creation. The novel tells the tale of Santiago, a boy who has a dream and the courage to follow it. After listening to "the signs" the boy ventures in his personal, Ulysses-like journey of exploration and self-discovery, symbolically searching for a hidden treasure located near the pyramids in Egypt. When he decides to go, his father's only advice is "Travel the world until you see that our castle is the greatest, and our women the most beautiful". In his journey, Santiago sees the greatness of the world, and meets all kinds of exciting people like kings and alchemists. However, by the end of the novel, he discovers that "treasure lies where your heart belongs", and that the treasure was the journey itself, the discoveries he made, and the wisdom he acquired. "The Alchemist", is an exciting novel that bursts with optimism; it is the kind of novel that tells you that everything is possible as long as you really want it to happen. That may sound like an oversimplified version of new-age philosophy and mysticism, but as Coelho states "simple things are the most valuable and only wise people appreciate them". As the alchemist himself says, when he appears to Santiago in the form of an old king "when you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true". This is the core of the novel's philosophy and a motif that echoes behind Coelho's writing all through "The Alchemist". And isn't it true that the whole of humankind desperately wants to believe the old king when he says that the greatest lie in the world is that at some point we lose the ability to control our lives, and become the pawns of fate. Perhaps this is the secret of Coelho's success: that he tells people what they want to hear, or rather that he tells them that what they wish for but never thought possible could even be probable.

Coelho also suggests that those who do not have the courage to follow their " Personal Myth", are doomed to a life of emptiness, misery, and unfulfillment. Fear of failure seems to be the greatest obstacle to happiness. As the old crystal-seller tragically confesses: "I am afraid that great disappointment awaits me, and so I prefer to dream". This is where Coelho really captures the drama of man, who sacrifices fulfillment to conformity, who knows he can achieve greatness but denies to do so, and ends up living a life of void. It is interesting to see that Coelho presents the person who denies to follow his dream as the person who denies to see God, and that "every happy person carries God within him". However, only few people choose to follow the road that has been made for them, and find God while searching for their destiny, and their mission on earth. Consequently, is Coelho suggesting that the alchemists found God while searching for the elixir of life and the philosopher's stone? What is certain is that the symbolism of the text is a parallel to the symbolism and the symbolic language of alchemism, and similarly the symbolism of dreams is presented as " God's language". It is also symbolic that Santiago finds his soul-mate, and the secrets of wisdom in the wilderness of the desert. The "wilderness" is a symbol that has been used by many great writers e.g.. Austen in "Mansfield Park", and Shakespeare in "King Lear". In the desert, Santiago meets his "twin-soul" and discovers that love is the core of existence and creation. As Coelho explains, when we love, we always try to improve ourselves, and that's when everything is possible. The subject of love inspires a beautiful lyricism in Coelho's writing: "I love you because the whole universe conspired for me to come close to you." "The Alchemist" is a novel that may appeal to everybody, because we can all identify with Santiago: all of us have dreams, and are dying for somebody to tell us that they may come true. The novel skillfully combines words of wisdom, philosophy, and simplicity of meaning and language, which makes it particularly readable and accounts for its bestselling status.

End of the review of The Alchemist.

Another very important corner is this place on the web which has Daily Motivational quotes. The URL is greatday.com/index.html. It has a right now presentation, which is a positive pause in anyones life who visits it. Most importantly, if helps you to pause and reflect upon yourself. The url is positivepause.com Here is the video from Youtube.

Journal O Ram

2008-07-27T08:23:00.001-07:00

Health is something really important and most of the times we don't give it the needed attention. In one of the Business Today magazines sometime ago, there was a section Treadmill. Its regarding working out. I felt is more important than interesting. Here is a gist of it.

Begin column:
You're 35 (plus or minus a few years). You're successful as hell. You made VP in record time and you cruise into your corner office every day that feels good. You're on top of the world and you have only one person to thank for that: yourself. Hundreds of executives on the fast track find it easy to sacrifice fitness on their way to success at work. When your work schedule is crammed, workouts can often take the backseat. It's easiest excuse in the world: "I'm so
busy; I can't find time to work out." But then, if you're smart you would have realized early on that fitness is as important to career progression as anything else.

In any case, the lack of access to gyms or long working hours shouldn't be a deterrent to exercising, at least not if you accord the same priority to workout as you do to that review meetings at workplace.

The bottom line: You can exercise without going to a gym or having access to expensive equipment or weights. Remember, where there's a will there's a way.
End of column:

I keep revisiting this column just to keep myself motivated to keep fit and keep my exercise regime ongoing. So, it is Gym Time for the day.

Song of the day:
Yeh jo desh hai mera... from the movie Swadesh. I like the song for hazaar reasons... few of them are because it is quite an emotional which you can deeply relate to real life. The music is amazing, the depth in the voice, most importantly the shehnai which goes all through the song by Ustad Bismillah Khan, then there is also continuous grunt kind of thing which goes in the background of the song. Overall I love this song. Ofcourse, the other song i like from the movie is Yuhin chela chal raahi... Today's song of the day is Yeh jo desh hai mera... which you can watch on youtube at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1pvXSBK4Pc

Quotes:
From the book, "Peace In A Restless World". The last lines of the book read like this. "Only if there is peace inside will it radiate outside. Your peaceful light will touch others and it will continue to spread like rippling waves. Only then is lasting peace possible."

For my interest in quotes (not stock quotes :-) I have this habit to keep all those quotes, phrases, poems, literature which has an influence or impact in my life.

Here is a poem, which I read for the first time at one of the doctor's clinic long time ago. I just cried for it raised my faith on that occasion because, I realized in those few minutes, how very true this is in my life. In fact, could be for anyones life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Poem: The Footprints of God
Author: Ken Brown, 1984

The Footprints of God

In the deepest sleep one night I dreamed
That on the beach I walked.
God was by my side each step
And quietly we talked.
Then on the sky my life was flashed;
The visions all serene.
Two sets of footprints in the sand
Were there in every scene.
But then I noticed in some scenes
Of suffering, pain and strife...
Just a single set of footprints
At the worst times in my life.
"God...you said you'd stay by me
In good times and in bad...
Why then did you leave me
Each time my life was sad?"
"My precious child", God answered,
"When your life had pain, I knew,
The single set of footprints
Were the times I carried you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Inspiration in different forms:

These are greatest inspiration for me at all times. Apart from them, there are many many more people who have inspired me in different ways at different points in time. The list would be too big even to just name each of them. Thanks A Ton to each one of them.
"ఎందఱో మహానుభావులు అందరికీ వందనములు..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There has been a chain of emails which we keep receiving which are these chain emails. While majority of them do not appeal to the majority, there are few which are significant in one way or there other. Here is one such thing, which I got it from one of those chain emails and i like it.

24 Things to Always Remember. . . and One Thing to Never Forget

Your presence is a present to the world.
You're unique and one of a kind.
Your life can be what you want it to be.
Take the days just one at a time.

Count your blessings, not your troubles.
You'll make it through whatever comes along.
Within you are so many answers.
Understand, have courage, be strong.

Don't put limits on yourself.
So many dreams are waiting to be realized.
Decisions are too important to leave to chance.
Reach for your peak, your goal, and your prize.

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.
The longer one carries a problem, the heavier it gets.
Don't take things too seriously.
Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

Remember that a little love goes a long way.
Remember that a lot . . . goes forever.
Remember that friendship is a wise investment.
Life's treasures are people . . . together.

Realize that it's never too late.
Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
Have health and hope and happiness.
Take the time to wish upon a star.

And don't ever forget . . .
For even a day . . .
How very special you are.

Love All –Serve All
~BABA~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Journal O Ram

2008-07-26T06:26:00.000-07:00

This morning after my pooja, it suddenly struck my mind and I jotted these line for myself. I think these are very personal to me and help in personal management.

పూజ శ్రద్ధతో చెయ్యాలి, భక్తీ పరవశమైవుండాలి
భక్తుడు రమిస్తువుండాలి, భజన నిర్విరామంగాచెయ్యాలి !!

పిలుపు ఆర్తితో పిలవాలి, చూపు ప్రేమతో చూడాలి
పలుకు ప్రీతితోపలకాలి, చేతలు నిస్వార్ధంగావుండాలి !!

కాపురం హాయిగా చేయాలి, కార్యం దీక్షతో సాధించాలి
పని పూర్తిగాచేయాలి, పాట మధురంగాపాడాలి !!

పెద్దలయందు గురవం వుండాలి, పిల్లలయందు అభిమానము వుండాలి
భార్యయెడల ఆప్యాయత వుండాలి, తల్లిదన్ద్రులయెడల భక్తీ వుండాలి !!

మనిషి ఆత్మగౌరవంతో వుండాలి, మనసు నిలకడగా వుండాలి
మాట హద్దులులలో వుండాలి, మేధస్సు హద్డులుమీరి వుండాలి !!

This is what I could write spontaneously. This is not what I invented, this is what I have heard or read or maybe I know. But I never ever have seen them as Life Principles which is preached in Hinduism. More on Hinduism later. Maybe if I think, I would be able to add some more lines. Maybe that will be more an act of trying to fit something may not be so good. Actually, if you come to think of it, anything which comes first to mind will be a great. All that comes later is secondary. It is said that, while taking few exams or doing a self-examination or self evaluation, the first thing that comes to mind is the right answer or it is what you actually are. If you think in detail you may add judgment (I got the spelling of Judgment correct). By adding judgment you try to put in what is right rather than what is the fact. That's why, it is said that intuition is correct most of the times. Do you agree? Is intuition correct most of the times? It is debatable. Think of it!!

Spell check:
Intuition
Intuition
Intuition
Intuition
Intuition
Intuition
Intuition
Intuition
Intuition
Intuition

Vocab:
Intuition means a direct perception of truth, fact, etc., independent of any reasoning process; immediate apprehension.

a.	an immediate cognition of an object not inferred or determined by a previous cognition of the same object.

b.	any object or truth so discerned.

c.	pure, untaught, non-inferential knowledge.

In philosophy, the power of obtaining knowledge that cannot be acquired either by inference or observation, by reason or experience. As such, intuition is thought of as an original, independent source of knowledge, since it is designed to account for just those kinds of knowledge that other sources do not provide. Knowledge of necessary truths and of moral principles is sometimes explained in this way.

A sentence: When intuition comes in my way of decision making, I trust in Power of God and make a decision and stick to it with Faith. As I strongly believe that Intuition is human and Faith is Divine!

Philosophy is one subject of my personal interest. The other subjects I would like to dwell on would be Innovation, Management, Psychology and Languages. More details on topics coming in future.

Journal O Ram

2008-07-25T06:17:00.000-07:00

A mantra that will help in my personal management.

A Mantra for life!
I heard this mantra earlier. But have never taken the essence of it. Today is an enlightening day that way as I actually listened to it and have taken it for life. In Shirdi Sai Charitra, Sai says that, "గురువు అనుగ్రహము లేనిదే ఏ కార్యము సాధించలేము అని. జ్ఞాన భోధ చేసే వారిని గీతను బోధించిన సాక్షాత్తు శ్రీ కృష్ణుని గానే భావించాలి అని చెప్పారు." And I got this Guru Mantram from the Sri Mahalakshmi album from Times Music. One classic album to keep for all collectors of devotional music. It is a very divine vibration.

గురుర్ మంత్రం:
ధ్యాన మూలం గురుర్ మూర్తి
పూజ మూలం గురుర్ పాదం
మంత్ర మూలం గురుర్ వాక్యం
మోక్ష మూలం గురుర్ కృప
ఓం శ్రీగురువే నమః !!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
English:
Dhyana moolam gurur moorthi
pooja moolam gurur padam
mantra moolam gurur vaakyam
moksha moolam gurur krupa!
Om Sriguruve namaha!!

Meaning:
The source of Dhyana (Meditation) is Guru's form.
The source of Worship is Guru's feet.
The source of Mantra is Guru's words.
The source of Moksha (Heaven) is Guru's blessing!
Prostrations to Sri Guru!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Idea:
I got this idea early in the morning, to listen to one (ప్రవచనము) discourse a day from శ్రీమద్రామాయణము, శ్రీమద్ భాగవతము, భగవత్ గీత.
Srimad Ramayanam was written by Valmiki in Sanskrit and a number of other poets wrote it in telugu. Srimad Bhagavatam was written by Veda Vyasa in Sanskrit. Later it was written by Potanamartya in Telugu. Bhagavat Gita was written by .... in Sanskrit and it was translated by Nannaya, Tikkana and Yerrana into Telugu.

Idea:
While offering my prayers, today I have also another idea which originated from శ్రీమద్ భాగవతం discourse which I listened on July 4th, the American Independence day. In the pravachanam it is said that "విష్ణు మూర్తి కి వందనమన్న చందనమ్మ చాల ప్రీతీ". Having know this, I have decided to offer chandanam to Lord Srimaha Vishnu.

Idea:
Create a separate blogspot for PMP and PgMP. As the Objective is to achieve PgMP name the blogspot as PgMP O' Ram which adds to my strength, interest and passion in Program Management. PMP is only a step toward PgMP. Hence the name PgMP O' Ram. For reference to the subject of Project Management or PMP certification go to the blogsopt PgMP O' Ram. The blog is named PgMP O' Ram because the object is to become a Program Management Professional. And PMP is only a step or a intermediate goal towards PgMP. Hence the name PgMP O Ram is apt.
http://pgmporamji.blogspot.com/

Idea:
I want to improve upon my vocabulary and my spellings. Idea is to capture the words that have a punch and put them on my blog.
For spellings the label will be spell check. Interestingly I will write the word 10 times here to memorize it.
For the effective words I would use the label as Vocab.

For the Thygaraja Kriti kaana kaana ruchira... "కాన కాన రుఛిర కనక వసన" see the blog spot
http://bhaktioramji.blogspot.com/

Spell check for the day.
Label
Label
Label
Label
Label
Label
Label
Label
Label
Label

Judgment
Judgment
Judgment
Judgment
Judgment
Judgment
Judgment
Judgment
Judgment
Judgment

Vocab:
Specificity
Specificity
Specificity
Specificity
Specificity
Specificity
Specificity
Specificity
Specificity
Specificity

Specificity means the quality or state of being specific.

Sentence: During planning, the project scope is defined and described with greater specificity because more information about the project is know.

Commensurate
Commensurate
Commensurate
Commensurate
Commensurate
Commensurate
Commensurate
Commensurate
Commensurate
Commensurate

Commensurate means proportionate, adequate, having the same measure, of equal extent duration.

Sentence: Each project requires careful balance of tools, data sources, methodologies, processes and procedures, and other factors to ensure that the effort expended on scoping activities is commensurate with the project's size.

Journal O Ram

2008-07-24T10:06:00.000-07:00

Song of the day:
Endaro Mahaanubhaavulu... which is one of the Thyagaraja Pancha Ratna Kritis, is a wonderful composition in Sriragam, Aadi taalam. Greatly recited by many of the accomplished artists. Among them the one recited by Maharajapuram Santhanam and his disciples is very ABCD... (Accurate, Beautiful, Classical and Divine).

The lyrics is availble at the bhakti blogspot. http://bhaktioramji.blogspot.com/

The day is good and pleasant. I woke in the morning and saw the down pour of the rain on my window pane. I like to watch rain and like to get drenched in the rain if that is the choice. And having coffee while it is raining is personally an very relaxing feeling. It brings pleasant thought to the mind. I like to connect to the nature a lot.

Vinod left to Hyderabad home from Newark Airport in NJ. It was a wonderful feeling while he was at home. We have spent most of the time at home during the couple of days he was at my Milford home. It was a very homely feeling and a feeling of being at home in India. Sometimes, I am missing all family members, friends and India a lot. It is very rare, but very very rarely, I feel it very lonely. So, I keep myself busy going to the gym, blogging, music, worship, PMP preparation, client search etc. Had a personal chat with Swapna and I miss Srimaye and Swapna a lot. In fact, these things keep me so busy that I don't have time to think of anything else. When I am busy with this personal stuff, I get so engrossed in them that time just flies away. I keep wonder, how the days have gone by. I have sent with Vinod to handover Wedding Anniversary gift to Swapna.

I enjoyed the egg fried rice which I prepared here. I wonder how easy it is to cook here in the US with the availability of the cut and mixed vegetables. In the night it was a simple mean, though the timing was midnight for dinner, which is odd and unhealthy. I am happy for having been to the gym today for 45 minutes workout. Feels great about ones own body.

The good thing today is that I collated, segregated and organized all my music collection into on folder. I named it "My Entertainment" and has folders organized by languages and as logically as is easy to retrieve. I wondered with the huge Devotional Collection I have collected now. Probably one which is very self satisfying encompassing all Gods. There are also (ప్రవచనములు) discourses of Ramayana, Bhagawat Gita and Bhagwatam. The next step from my end is to action on them listening to them. May be on pravachanam a day. Should be good idea.

Idea:
I like to visit the wonderful scenic locals of Paderu, Selaru, Bhimili, Araku valley etc. I have this idea to explore the beauty of locales around my home town Visakhapatnam. It is actually very scenic and beautiful.

I remember Swapna giving me a suggestion that I should not be writing too much of my personal things or day to day activities here. I think I liked the idea. I was thinking about it. Then I think, I enjoy the small things in life very much. So, I have to write them on the blog. I liked the idea because it really stops me from just swaying away into the smaller things and there by helps me in not to lose the focus on big things in life, the more important ones. I liked the suggestion and so will try to balance between the smaller things I enjoy in life and at the same time not to lose focus on the more important things in life.

Interpretation of dreams.
This morning it was a first time a saw this kind of a dream. I saw a lady dressed in red and I did not see the face or anything except for the red dress worn by a woman. I searched the internet to see what is the interpretation of this dream. It goes like this.
"Red is an active, affective colour, full of passion and emotion. It is also the colour of blood and fire. A softer red is a symbol of love, mercy and compassion. When intense, red can also indicate hatred. A red dress in a dream would be a sign of strong sexual desire. But red also means sin, rage and the devil. Dark red is a symbol of passion, greed, energy and anger. Light red stands for warmth and affection. Red can mean luck, joy, happiness, energy, action, but also hate, blood, greed, irritability and will power."

On Wednesday 23rd July, I also had a morning dream in which, I saw cartons or crates filled with eggs. I see the interpretation of it like this from the internet.
To see a crate of eggs, denotes that you will engage in profitable speculations. Eggs are symbolic of something new and fragile. They represent life and development in its earliest forms and, as such, the possibilities are limitless. At times, eggs can represent captivity or entrapment. Carl Jung said that eggs represent our captive souls. Therefore, the egg in your dream may very well represent you in the most profound sense. Are you trapped in a shell or did you break out of it and are now free to soar?

Anniversary Love

2008-07-24T09:45:00.000-07:00

I received a Wedding Anniversary greeting card in advance from Swapna.

Anniversary Love
For my husband

To my dearest love
Some things
shall always remain ETERNAL
and ever charming,
like, your healing touch, a sweet
LITTLE surprise to
bring a twinkle in my eyes, and
the gift of LOVE,
that you have given all through.

My HUSBAND
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

It is strange how, Swapna and I are far away during our wedding anniversary. First anniversary, she was in Vizag for delivary, 2nd anniversary I was in Mumbai on official trip if I remember correctly. Third Anniversary, I am here in the US and she is back in India. She sent the anniversary greeting cards with my brother who visited me in USA.

Thank You Swapna
I Love You!!

Journal O Ram

2008-07-23T15:16:00.000-07:00

I have a dream to visit the Wonders of the world. The list keeps changing time and again. And surprisingly there are so many variants of the 7 wonders of the world. The ones in bold letters are the ones which I have visited.

The new 7 Wonders of the world.

The Pyramid at Chichén Itzá (before 800 A.D.) Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Christ Redeemer (1931) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Roman Colosseum (70 - 82 A.D.) Rome, Italy
The Taj Mahal (1630 A.D.) Agra, India
The Great Wall of China (220 B.C and 1368 - 1644 A.D.) China
Petra (9 B.C. - 40 A.D.), Jordan
Machu Picchu (1460-1470), Peru

Typically representative of the seven greatest wonders of the Medieval world:

Stonehenge
Colosseum
Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
Great Wall of China
Porcelain Tower of Nanjing
Hagia Sophia
Leaning Tower of Pisa

Other sites included on such lists:

Taj Mahal
Cairo Citadel
Ely Cathedral
Cluny Abbey

Seven wonders of ancient world

Great Pyramid of Giza
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Statue of Zeus at Olympia
Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus
Colossus of Rhodes
Lighthouse of Alexandria

Seven Natural wonders of the world

Grand Canyon
Great Barrier Reef
Harbour of Rio de Janeiro
Mount Everest
Aurora
Parícutin volcano
Victoria Falls

Seven wonders of under water world

Palau
Belize Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef
Deep-Sea Vents
Galápagos Islands
Lake Baikal
Northern Red Sea

Seven wonders of industrial world

SS Great Eastern
Bell Rock Lighthouse
Brooklyn Bridge
London sewerage system
First Transcontinental Railroad
Panama Canal
Hoover Dam

Man-made travel wonders

Giza pyramid complex
Great Wall of China
Taj Mahal
Machu Picchu
Bali
Angkor Wat
Forbidden City
Bagan Temples & Pagodas
Karnak Temple
Teotihuacán

Natural travel wonders

Serengeti Migration
Galápagos Islands
Grand Canyon
Iguazu Falls
Amazon Rainforest
Ngorongoro Crater
Great Barrier Reef
Victoria Falls
Bora Bora
Cappadocia

B'hive

2008-07-23T14:42:00.000-07:00

I named this to be b'hive as it aptly represents all the B's that belong to me.

BlackBerry Storm

Blogspots...
http://bhaktioramji.blogspot.com/ and

http://blogoramji.blogspot.com/

Bajaj Pulsar DTSi

http://www.bajajauto.com/pulsar/

Blackberry Pearl

http://www.blackberrypearl.com/

BrAun 360 Complete

http://braun.factoryoutletstore.com/

BVLGARI BLV - Pure Homme

http://www.bulgari.com/splash.php

Journal O Ram

2008-07-19T16:32:00.000-07:00

A day with PMP sessions for 8 hours split as 10am to 2 pm morning and 2.30pm to 6.30pm in the afternoon on Saturday 19th April 2008. It was a very nice session. I was wondering, how I am able to concentrate on the subject. Earlier I was so much lost in my thoughts and day dreams. I guess I was not at all attentive or sensitive to the sourroundings. Now, I feel I am more focused and am able to listen, grasp, concentrate and understand the subjects. Basically, regained my mind to concentrate and focus on the activity on hand.

Idea:
I got this idea to post my PMP study stuff on the blog. Basically it adds value to my Project Management and Program Management database.

I dialed Sridhar's mobile. Sridhar is my cousin in New Delhi. From a very long time, I want to speak to Prabha Aunty (Sridhar's mom). So, today I dialed to Sridhar's mobile and there was no response. Got to try again.

I have to finish with a loads of activities like washing clothes, pressing clothes, cleaning the home, arranging things, prepare for Vinod's arrival to pick him up from Newark airport. Get Dosa batter ready for tomorrow.

By the way, this morning is quite an awakening on one of the weired habits I have. It is that I keep Gods books along with me when I sleep. And on bed, people just don't sleep, they also do a lot of things. I got a dream which is very weired, with which I woke up. I think the significance of it or the meaning if I could think of is to avoid placing God's books on Bed while I sleep. Swapna told me many times not to keep God's books on the bed. But I did not care much. After today's dream, I could relate on how God feels when I keep His's books on the bed while I am sleeping on the bed. While, I am writing this blog, I also have made my mind to keep God's books neatly arranged. An extension of it is that I should keep all the rooms very clean. I have this very bad habit of spreading all my papers, things, stuff all over the table, bed or the floor. Now, at this moment when I see the tea table, it feels very untidy to me with all the papers, books, fruits plate, used glass, bills, keys everything spread out. So ugly. I made up my mind that cleanliness to the core. I should keep my home spic and span.

Journal O Ram

2008-07-19T16:27:00.000-07:00

A day with Shirdi Sai Baba.

Friday 18th July, 2008 is Guru Pournami and I am glad I have spent my entire day in worshiping Shirdi Sai Baba.

Song of the day is Ghana shyama sundara... from Shirdi Sai Baba's morning aarathi. It is a very soothing and a reflection of true morning pleasantness.

My day started at 5AM with a wake up call from Swapna. I kept on snoozing the the alarm 4am till 5am. Then I woke up with a call from Swapna. B 5.30am I started Seja Aarathi. I was not sure what to offer in the morning for Prasadam to Sai Baba. I opened the fridge and probably it opened my mind. It struck me that I should be offering to God, what I will be having myself. So, I offered morning milk with cereals as prasadam. I liked the idea and felt happy for it. It is very self-satisfying. I lighted two lamps for the morning Aarthi.

Swapna told me one very good thing, which I think I know but never followed. May be I never thought it was so important. She told me to light the lamps only after washing and cleaning the lamps which were lighted the previous day. So, I made it a habit to light the lamps only after washing and cleaning them. It is a nice fresh feeling which is good.

Kakda Aarathi
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7607750608382043911&q=&hl=en

Then I chatted to India and was on some phone calls. Listened to the album on Shirdi Sai Mahima on the website telugu.

http://www.telugufm.com/modules/music/MovieDetail.aspx?mid=10475

I snoozed it from 12noon to 12.30 in the afternoon for half an hour. I was thinking what should be offered for lunch as prasadam to Sai Baba. Then, the lines from Shirdi Sai SatCharitra suddenly struck my mind. In Sai Charitra, Sai used to go to fetch "bhikshannam" daily. Then he used to mix all the "bikshannam" and then have it as food. Baba never used to care of the taste of food and he left taste itself. Whereas, when he cooks food and offers it to his devotees, he always cooked and served very tasty food. Keeping this in mind, I offered Roti, rice, rasam, tomato capsicum curry and curd in one plate. Then I started the Madhyana Aarthi. I have lit one lamp for the Madhyana Aarthi.

Madhyana Aarthi
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7607750608382043911&q=&hl=en

After the Madhyana Aarthi, I have taken the Sai Baba's prasadam. Keeping in mind Sai Satcharitra, I decided to mix all the items roti, rice, capsicum tomato curry, rasam and curd all together and eat it. First the feeling was not so comfortable and I was not sure if I will like it or will I be able to have it. Thinking of this, I mixed all the items as one, and then had the first "muddha". It was not at all bad like the way I imagined. Then from the second "muddha" I started liking it. And by the time I realized, the plate is empty. I at all the food within no time and with no other thought. I enjoyed it and it really was a great self-satisfaction.

After lunch, I started reading Shirid Sai Baba Parayanam book. This book is a weekly parayanam book comprising of chapters for each day from Thursday to Wednesday. So, I started and finished four chapters from for the days Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 6pm. By then my mobile alarm started ringing for the Dhooop Aarthi.

During the pooja and Aarathi time today I am wearing a traditional red kurta, cream colored dhoti from FabIndia and Sri Venkateswara Swamy Uttariyam for the day. I was wearing it on and off as I wanted to wear it during the Pooja time only, so that it is fresh and clean.

The lamps were washed and then lighted the two lamps freshly for Dhoop Haarthi. The chakly snack was offered to Baba for evening as Prasadam. I am not sure if it is right or wrong. I know it is a heartfelt offering with no second thoughts.

Dhoop Aarthi
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3388136045302108037&q=&hl=en

After completing the Dhoop Aarthi, I completed the remaining three chapters for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before 9.30 PM. So, I refreshed myself, got into the traditional clothes. Five lamps were lighted in the pancha aarathi lamp. Offered five varities of fruits. Cherries, Grapes, Apples, Plums and Avocado fruits and Seja Aarathi started. Seja Aarathi is my favourite aarathi because I am so used to offering the Aarathi to Shirdi Sai Baba that every week, I used to go to Padmarao Nagar Shirdi Sai Baba temple in Hyderabad on Thursdays specially for seja aarathi. It was a very unforgettable experience. I used to drive almost 10 to 12 kms to attend this Aarathi from 9.30pm to 9.45pm. By attending it regularly, I also am benefited to recite the Aarthi without seeing the book. It is truly a divine experience to attend Shirdi Sai Seja Aarathi.

Seja Aarthi
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3749351276537734134&q=&hl=en

Then I talked to home and felt good about the whole day. Upon reflection of Sai Satcharitra, I felt that I should be doing some of the things which, Baba advised to His Devotees. Some things like reading Guru Charitra 108 times, Esyavasya Upanishad, Rajaram mantra, Srirama Vijayam and the like. I plan to make a list of all Baba's advices to His devotees and try to execute them one by one.

I talked to Krishnaji and Deepthi Vadhina. They told me that they plan to have a Bhajan at their home on Saturday evening 19th July 2008. So, I requested him to offer Laddu to Sri Sacchidananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj. He gladly accepted and said that he will offer it to the Lord and distribute it to the Bhakta's when they visit. I wish to attend the Bhajan. I like and I enjoy Bhajans a lot. I used to attend to a lot of Satya Sai Baba bhajans at Vizag Mandiram, Sundaram in Chennai, Shivam in Hyderabad. I have to visit Satyam in Mumbai. I love to attend these Bhajans. They take me to a very personal and eternal world where I really feel I am floating or flying in divinity. It is an experience in itself.

Srimaye told me so many cute little golden words like "Naanaa bagunnara...", 'tiffin tinnara...", " dosa tintaara...", "teeskostaanu...", "neenu raagi tineshanu..." etc etc. Srimaye is adorable. Mom went from Bhimavaram to Vizag. Swapna received mom at the station and I am very happy for that. Mom stayed with Srimaye and Swapna at Swapna's place and the the following day they all went along with Ajay et al.., to paapi kondalu a pilgrimage place to which they go by a boat across river Godavari. This is also show in the movie Godavari. It is wonderful locale and I am sure they all will enjoy it.

Journal O Ram

2008-07-14T12:01:00.001-07:00

The song of the day today is "Mattu vadalaraa... niddura mattu vadalarr... mattulona padite gammattuga chittauduvu ra..." from the movie Srikrishna Pandaveeyam Telugu movie released in 1966, music by P V Raju. It is the context when Bhima is appointed to guard the house made of Lead in which the Pandavas along with Draupadhi and Kunti reside during their vanavaasam.

At that point, Bhima does not realize the threat that the Pandavas have as he is not aware that the house in which they are asked to live is make out of Lead. While guarding so, he will fall asleep. Then Lord Sri Krishna appears into the scene and alerts Bheema through this song. The Vendanta which Lord has said withstands the test time. Be it in Dwapar Yuga or Kali Yuga.

You can view the song on youtube at this location.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOKNHjBbnz8

The lyrics of the song is wonderful with a great message and speaks lot of Vedanta.

అపాయంబు దాటడానికి ఉపాయంబు కావాలి
అంధకారం అలమినపుడు వెలుతురుకి వెదకాలి
ముందు చూపు లేనివాడు ఎందులకు కొరగాడు
సోమరిఅయి కునుకువాడు సూక్ష్మమ్ము గ్రహించలేదు!

మత్తు వదలరా నిద్దుర మత్తు వదలరా
ఆ మత్తులోన పడితే గమ్మత్తుగా చిత్తుధువు రా...
మత్తు వదలరా నిద్దుర మత్తు వదలరా ....

జీవితమున సగభాగము నిద్దురకే సరిపోవును
మిగిలిన ఆ సగభాగము చిత్తసుద్ధి లేకపోవు
అతినిద్రాలోలుడు తెలివి లేని మూర్ఖుడు
పరమార్ధం గానలేకే వ్యర్ధంగా చెడతాడు...

మత్తు వదలరా నిద్దుర మత్తు వదలరా

సాగినంత కాలము నా అంతవాడు లేడందురు
సాగకపోతే ఊరక తతికిల పడిపోవుదురు
ఖండ బలముతోనే ఘనకార్యము సాధించలేరు
బుద్ధి బలము తోడైతే విజయమ్ము వారించ గలరు

మత్తు వదలరా నిద్దుర మత్తు వదలరా

చుట్టు ముట్టు ఆపదలను మాట్టుబెట్ట బూనుమురా
పిరికితనము కట్టిపెట్టి ధైర్యము చేపట్టుమురా
కర్తవ్యమ్ నీవంతు కాపాడుట నావంతు
చెప్పటమే నాధర్మం, వినకపోతే నీ ఖర్మం...

మత్తు వదలరా నిద్దుర మత్తు వదలరా
ఆ మత్తులోన పడితే గమ్మత్తుగా చిత్తుధువు రా...
మత్తు వదలరా నిద్దుర మత్తు వదలరా ....

English Transliteration:

Apaayambu daatadaaniki upaayambu kaavali
andhakaaram amaminapudu veluthurukai vedhakali
munduchoopu leni vaadu endunaku koragaadu
somari ai kunuku vaadu sookshmamuni grahincha ledu.

Mattu vadalaraa niddura mattu vadalaraa
aa mattulona padithe gammatthuga chittaudhuvu raa...
Mattu vadalaraa niddura mattu vadalaraa...

Jeevithamuna sagabhaagamu niddurake saripoovunu
migilini aa sagabhaagamu chitta suddhi lekapovi
athinidraloludu thelivi leni moorkhudu, athinidraloludu thelivi leni moorkhudu
paramardham gaanaleke, vyardhamga chedataadu...

Mattu vadalaraa niddura mattu vadalaraa...

saaginantha kaalamu naa antha vaadu ledandhuru
saagakapothe thathikila padi povudhuru
khanda balamu thone ghanakaaryamu saadhinchaleru
buddhi balamu thodaithe vijayammu varincha galaru

Mattu vadalaraa niddura mattu vadalaraa

chuttu muttu aapadhalanu maattu cheya boonumura...
pirikitanamu kattipetti dhairyamu chepattumuraa...
kartavyam neevanthu, kaapaaduta naavanthu...
cheppatame naadharmam, vinakapote nee karmam.

Mattu vadalaraa niddura mattu vadalaraa
aa mattulona padithe gammatthuga chittaudhuvu raa...
Mattu vadalaraa niddura mattu vadalaraa...

Meaning:

To over come the threats one needs to have a plan.
When darkness is spreading search for the light
One who does not have foresight can not go anywhere
One who lazily dozes off can not identify the obvious.

Forgo dizziness, Forgo sleepiness
If you fall into that sleepiness you will surprisingly be defeated

In life, half the time goes in sleeping.
Rest of the half of the life, doesn't have purity of heart.
One who oversleeps is a stupid who doesn't have intelligence.
Can't see the ultimate meaning of life and wastefully goes awry

So long as one goes, one claims to be the best
When it gets tough, one just falls apart in distress
With physical strength alone you can't achieve great accomplishments
When the power of the mind accompanies, Victory can be embraced.

Aim to eliminate the threats that surround you
Shred your fears and behold bravery
Duty is your part, to save is my part.
To tell is my responsibility, if you do not listen it is your fate.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Courtesy: I came to know of this song from my friend Sridhar's mom. She once mentioned to me about this song and how much she likes this song. After listening to this, I was happy to get to know of such a wonderful song. More so because it speaks of so much of Vedanta.

Journal O Ram

2008-07-13T19:53:00.000-07:00

Song of the day today is "manujudai putti, manujuni sevinchi anudinamuna dukkhamandanela..." another classical Annamacharya Sankirtana

I like the lines...
"Juttedu kadupukai chorani chootlu chocchi...
pattedu kootikai bratimaali...
puttina chotike porali mansu batti...
pattila pattamu vadalanrudu gaana..."

which means...
"to fill a small stomach going around all sorts of places pleading for little food...
strive towards the place where you have come from,
with strong determination you hold on to that path."

Idea:
It is very important to track the progress of any goal, aim or project. It helps to bring back to track in case of any deviations. I have to track my actions to cultivate some good habits. The idea is to actually cultivate the habit of keeping track of things.

Actions cultivate to habits if practiced with self discipline and commitment.
I am trying to build some habits like daily workout etc. Lets see how the idea executes. This reminds me of some of Polaris' terms like "Execution Excellence", "Good to Great". Polaris is the organization which I presently work with. I joined Polaris at Chennai location on 1st Dec 2003. I have enjoyed my stint at Polaris and have several achievements and wonderful moments of success at work place. I cherish some of the greatest moments at Polaris. More on the work life at Polaris later in a different context.

Journal O Ram

2008-07-12T05:24:00.001-07:00

Song of the day today is a rendition of Annamachrya Kriti "Satyam Gyanam Anantam Nityam Anaakaaram Bhuvanaakaaram..." by MS Subbalakshmi. I miss those wonderful evenings when I used to drive all the way from Royapetta home to Besant Nagar Indira Women's hostel during the Music Festival Season (Dec - Jan). It is a bliss to attend the live and lively performance of the accomplished artistes. A "satsang" and an amalgamation of music and divinity. Purely Blissful experience.

Today at 10am the PMP session beings Introductory class / con call. Hopefully I will complete it this time. Yes, I flunked the first time. Reason, I did not prepare. Why? Because I was a lazy bum! The session was OK or maybe good. On the sample test I scored 80% (26 upon 30). No big deal as it is not even one percent closer to the actual exam.

After finishing with the PMP session, I cooked rice and dal. It was tasting good but was a little too sticky. No choice but to have the food. I returned the call to Krishnaji and Joel. It was good fun as I had a long chat with Joel. Joel and I have good laugh during our conversation as we have a similar frequency for jokes. So is the case when I speak with my friend Praveen. I also talked to Joel's elder brother Danny who is in Miniapolis now at Joel's place. Danny told me that he remembers me as a kid only, when I taught him how to play Chess. I was amazed that I taught Chess to someone. It was very good to know that he remembers it. I felt happy. Had a good laughter time and conversation with Joel.

My elder brother Vinod arrived in Los Angeles Airport on his Business trip for two weeks. I talked to him over the phone and I am happy that he arrived. I get to see him here in USA. Now Vinod is in LA at Krishnaji and Deepthi Vadhina's house. Krishnaji and Deepthi Vadhina are renowned to be very good hosts. Their hospitality is appreciable in spite of their busy lives. An inspiration. Their home has good interior and well maintained. I like the duplex style of their house and the wood finish to the hall, the wall color light and well ventilated and most importantly they have Heavenly Sai Baba photo placed rightly while climbing up the stairway.

Is this the beginning of the end, or the end of the beginning? This was the question of my little sister Deepthi, on her Orkut profile. I have personal interest in these life questions, doubts and quotes and always try to answer or find answers in a better way. To the question,
Is this the beginning of the end, or the end of the beginning? my answer is
There is no beginning or ending, it is only that sometimes it is a Pause in the continuation!

Another quote on Deepthi's profile is:
Your Future Depends on Dreams - So go to sleep
I would like to put it this way:
Your Future Depends on Dreams you fulfil - So wake up!

Your Future Depends on Dreams - So go to sleep....
If your dreams are not fulfilled - there is no Future...
If there is no Future, you won't get sleep
To sleep well, you need to get your dreams fulfilled...
Your future depends on Dreams you fulfill... so Wakeup!
Deepthi, My Sweet Little Sister!!

Some of the personal B's which are very personal to me start with,
My Biwi is on top of the list because I love her a lot. She is a wonderful person and showers lots of Love to my daughter Srimaye and myself. I will write in detail about Swapna and Srimaye in another context. Presently, Swapna and Srimaye are in Shirdi along with mom, attayyagaru, ajay, vadhinas, akka, Ramakanth bavagaru and all kids. They are enjoying the pilgrimage along with the family as it is Swapna and Srimaye's first visit to Shirdi and first Darshan of Sai Baba in Shirdi. I am happy to receive a phone call from Swapna that Srimaye and Swapna had a wonderful Darsha of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba and Srimaye is offered

Achievement of the day today is that I have started my Bhakti Cult through this blog titled Bhakti O' Ramji at the location http://bhaktioramji.blogspot.com/
It is one of my greatest achievements in life as this is one of those form or paths to my childhood dream to start a Bhakti Cult. I am blessed to take the first step towards My Lord Srimaha Vishnu.

And now the rest in the list follow as starting again:
My Beti
My Biwi
My Blog
My Blackberry Pearl
My Bigger city life (New York, SFO, LA, Singapore, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderbad) as of now
My Bajaj Pulsar DTSi Bike
More and more best of B's to add to life
My B.. what next?

Journal O Ram

2008-07-10T19:16:00.000-07:00

This a journal of my life simply the daily activities, events and happenings as is. I enjoy pretty simple things in life. I enjoy myself very much. I like the independence of life and love my freedom. So today this blog is a good way of getting my urge to write, which I always have in me. I like letter writing, I have a love for language, like to 'Think in English", like to understand the intricacies of Telugu language. Telugu being my mother tongue. I love to learn new languages Spanish, Sanskrit for now.

Song of the day today is Dil se re from the movie Dil Se. I love this song the way AR Rehman's music starts and the beat in the back ground that goes all along the song and amazing distant voice of AR Rehman which goes like 'ek suraj nikhla tha....' Overall I love this song... one of my favourite songs.

I enjoy cooking. And today I prepared Chicken curry. Thanks to my beloved wife Swapna for motivating and in fact persuading me to have chicken. Without her explaining the recipe to me, I would not have cooked tomato chicken curry so deliciously. It is amazing in taste and smell and I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch. So, I will have the same for my dinner as I have this curry saved for my dinner too. From what Swapna told me... the preparation goes like this.

Recipe:
Start heating little oil in the pan. Add cut onions, salt, chillies,
Take the chicken, cut into small pieces wash and put it in a bowl. Add little bit Indian masala, salt, chillies powder, corrieander powder and curd to these pieces and mix them well in the bowl. Keep it aside. Get tomatoes, green pepper cut into small pieces.
Once the onions turn golden brown color, add cut tomatoes, green pepper it. Keep the flame more than medium. Then after five to seven minutes, add the marinated chicken pieces. Mix them well with the already cooking ingredients. Ensure that the flame is above medium. Let it cook for 10 minutes and then mix the ingredients so that it doesn't get burnt. Ensure that the flame is right, put it in simmer. Please use some common sense. LOL ;-) After 10 or 15 minutes enjoy the feast of tomato chicken with hot rice or roti.

Courtesy for the recipe: Swapna

The greatest feeling of today is that I started this Blog O' Ram http://blogoramji.blogspot.com/
which gives me a great sense of achievement today.

Blissful Blogging!

Om Vigneshwaraya Namaha

2008-07-10T18:30:00.000-07:00

Om Sri Varasiddhi Vinayakaya Namaha!

My first ever blog in my life. So, being an Indian by birth & blood, heart & soul I offer my prayers to Lord Ganesha. As Ganesha is the Lord who is worshiped before one starts anything for the reason that he removes any obstacles that come in between to successfully complete any activity. That's why Lord Ganesh is called Vigneshwara meaning the Lord who removes obstacles (Vignas).

Now, I would like to post on my blog regarding life which to me is living, loving, learning and laughing. Primarily, i will try and categorize them into topics as Philosophy mythology, worship, India Scriptures etc as on group. Professional ones as Program Management, Project Management etc into another group. Cooking, Games etc into another group. This just on the fly if I brainstorm for now.

Some of the B's which are very personal to my are My Blog, My Blackberry Pearl, My Bigger Cities life for what I can recollect as of now. More and more best of B's to add to life.

Blissful Blogging!