While treading the tedious, tormenting forests, following her husband’s steps, and even subsequently, the horrible incidents of her last day in the Palace would have been haunting Sita. But, in captivity under the simsupa tree in the the Asoka grove of Ravana, her nightmare might have been the day of kidnapping by the demon king … Read more
Maharaja Swathi Thirunal died at the young age of 33, but his achievement within that short span of life was amazing. His musical achievements were on par with that of the musical trinities. He composed over 400 classical music compositions in both Carnatic and Hindustani style. He learned many languages, encouraged musicians and other … Read more
Man is born selfish and I can’t be an exception. Close to Kalpathy Shivan kovil, Kshipraprasada Ganapathy is there. A few yards away Mandakara Mahaganapathy dwells. But, my practice has been rush to Chathapuram, crack a coconut before God and come out after darisanam with the satisfaction that all the obstacles on the path to … Read more
. I don’t claim to have a sadhu or sanyasi as my Guru, though I respect many honest and holy personalities. As an ordinary person, for me, Guru is transmitter of knowledge. Transmitter, according to me can be a living or non living being, even an experience. Like others, for me too, my parents were … Read more
The word ‘Shivaratri’ brings to my mind my Bhavani Periammai, a short, frail figure, wrapped in a white cloth extended to cover her shaven head too, crossing the Kalpathy River with a grass mat tugged in her arm pit, with empty stomach but elevated bakthi feelings, going to the Shiva temple for worship … Read more
Saranagati or Prapatti or total, absolute, unconditional surrender to the Supreme God, means Mahavishnu and his consort Mahalakshmy, is the core principle of devotion as per the Sri SampradAya of RamAnjacharya. ‘Na Dharma Nishthosmi Na Cha Atmavedi Na BhaktimansTvat Charanaravinde | Akinchanonanyagati Sharanyam Tvat Padamoolam Sharanam Prapadye ||’ I know neither Dharmam nor Dyanam, righteousness … Read more
While treading the tedious, tormenting forests, following her husband’s steps, and even subsequently, the horrible incidents of her last day in the Palace would have been haunting Sita. But, in captivity under the simsupa tree in the the Asoka grove of Ravana, her nightmare might have been the day of kidnapping by the demon … Read more
After mentioning that he was Rama’s messenger and that Rama was eager to secure her from her imprisonment and was fully capable of it, the great Hanuman talks about Lakshmana. लक्ष्मणः च महातेजा भर्तुः ते अनुचरः प्रियः | कृतवान् शोक सम्तप्तः शिरसा ते अभिवादनम् || ५-३४-४ ‘The follower and favorite brother of your husband, the … Read more
Part 1 This is Ramayana mAsam in my native land of Kerala. When the Sun god moves behind the Western ghats to do Sandhya, the great AdyaAtma RAmAyanam hymn, scented by the sacred Name of Rama in every line, overflows from most of the houses. I’m attempting to join the devotees in my own humble … Read more
“Uncle wine or scotch?” enquires affectionately our host, an young doctor, our family friend, noticing me shivering from cold, despite it being fully protected from top to toe. The car was warm, the house I entered into was warm but the short exposure in between to the biting ( -7 degree C ) was horrible. … Read more