Trust in GOD and NOT God Men!

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!

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...!

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!!

ये वोह बंधन है जो कभी टूट नहीं सकता

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 pukaara…
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

(Hmm…hmm…hmm…hmm…hmm…)
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
(Hmm…hmm…hmm…hmm…hmm…)

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
Hmm…hmm…hmm…

Straight from the heart...!

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.

Journal O Ram

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

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 ~

Jouranal O Ram

Focused Energy leads to achievement of Purposeful Goals!!

Leaders Believe and the rest have interest!

Journal O Ram

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

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

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.

Anniversary Love

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!!