Shraadha - Begins Today

The 15 day long rituals in worship of our ancestors Shraadha or ‘Pitrapaksh’ begins today-ending on 11th October. This is a good time to feed at least one hungry person and the birds some rice and milk. Too many Why’s, What’,what for’s are not really necessary. All the same if answers are sought a little reading on the subject will help. In any case lovingly feeding hungry souls can never be a bad idea nor can worshipful remembrance of ancestors.

It is recommended that new ventures , new purchases not be made during this period. You will notice the decrease in number of releases of Bollywood films or for that matter announcements/mahurats for new ones. Perhaps those who most strictly adhere to this rule is our Bollywood fraternity. ‘Why risk it’ perhaps their inner dialogue. For non believers this is simply meant to be time of the year when we should concentrate our energies and prayers for those departed souls who have played a role in our life. Our karma here may help them forward in their journey. Its the spirit world, proof of its prevalence surrounds us if we only care to notice. We take the prevalence of the remote and its functions for granted , yet are hugely skeptical of Indian rituals. .isnt the underlying principle similar?

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Amarnath Shiva Lingam Melts Completely

An image of The Amarnath Cave and the Lingam as it is ordinarily.

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Kaveetaa Kaul

Do we consider ourselves deuteragonists? Second most important in the Great Drama of Life? Or are we pretending to be so, out of ignorance? Or merely acting out our misconceptions? Or waiting for the veil of illusion to lift and expose that which lay behind was in fact a mirror of what lay hidden inside, Pure, Timeless, Intelligence, Deathless, Beingless, All Knowing…

In an unprecedented first, the Shiv Lingam at the holy cave of Amarnath in Kashmir has melted completely (completely in the title meant to emphasise ‘total dissolution’.. without an iota of doubt) creating a wave of disappointment in the lakh or so pilgrims gathered in Pahalgam en route Amarnath. July 1st, the first day of the pilgrimage and there was no lingam in the cave, as validated by the shrine authorities.

Does this mean therefore that Lord Shiva has deserted his abode?

In Memoriam-Shraadha

Lifes most memorable moments are often those spent in the company of a dear one who has imperceptibly left an indelible mark in our journey. When they are snatched away by death”s steely clasp, we are left behind to mourn and grieve, not just for their death but what died within us in ther loss.

Whilst tainting every joyous occasion with suffering in remembrance is not advisable, our sages therefore in their wisdom, appointed a certain time of the year to honour them. This period of 16 days which ended today, is known as ‘Shraadh’ or Pitrapaksh” . It is recommended that new ventures, business, or clothing not be bought during the length of Shraadha.

Om Ganeshaya Namaha

Hinduism is quintessentially said to be a religion of millions of Gods.

A Reminder: Gitanjali- Rabindranath Tagore

The plaintiffness of Tagore, almost a century old, has not lost its meaning. Have we gained nothing or is there nothing to gain?

from Gitanjali

My Guide- Gautama The Buddha

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful.

What we think, we become.

Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.

The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.

An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind.

Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds.

To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent.

Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world.

Anger will never disappear so long as thoughts of resentment are cherished in the mind. Anger will disappear just as soon as thoughts of resentment are forgotten.

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned.

–Buddha