Your God, my God and Bhagwad Gita!!

I am born in a Punjabi Brahmin family and raised among lots of religious rituals and lived a certain way of life as per our family traditions. Being in Punjab, culturally we have also imbibed going to Dargahs and Gurudwaras as an accepted norm of worship. It was never seen as a separate thing.  When we moved to Jalandhar, there was a Church close by and we did go there every now and then and my parents never stopped us. I remember even bringing rosaries and small cross pendants home. I even wore them sometime. No one objected.

Today at the ISCKON temple during discourse on Gita, they spoke about Jesus, the son of God. I was amused because some Christians and Muslims I know would never go inside a temple and never ever eat the prasad offered in temples. I wonder if the Muslim clergy and Christian preachers ever quoted goodness from Hinduism...say Bhagwad Gita for instance.

My daughter told me about Advent and said that she wanted to go to church this month. Of course she can and she did. I still go to church and dargahs and kneel down and bow my head. Its not difficult at all. My God is everywhere because my prayers are answered any where. It is this belief and strong faith that is embedded in my being a Hindu. My religion and perhaps the sanskars given to me by my mother has always kept me rooted to my Hindu roots and yet given me the freedom to explore life's goodness in other religions as well. It does not scare me to enter the Church, Mosque, Gurudwara or a Buddhist Gompa or sharing prasad or any sacred thread. Nothing can shake me from my roots, that is the strength of my sanskars.  That is how it should be. Isn't it?

If 'God is one' then he should be the same and He should be everywhere. So where is the conflict?  The conflict is in our underdeveloped minds. The conflicts stems from poor knowledge and even poorer assimilation of that knowledge.  An open mind reaches out, seeks and imbibes and the freedom to explore gets one many answers. During one of the courses at ISCKON I met two Parsi ladies who too were attending the course. I was surprised when I heard that, and very subtly I found that they have attended another one before that 6 day course. They both felt that the knowledge in Bhagwad Gita is so profound that it is applicable to any one's life beyond the confines of religion and nationality. I was mesmerized just the way when I read 'The Journey Home', the autobiographical book by Radhanath Swami who was born a Jew, raised with Christian boys, travelled through Islamic nations and who eventually found his eternal love in the gullies of Vrindavan.

The beauty of any religion is not how it keeps you bound but how it liberates you to accept just about anyone with love, compassion and respect.

I have just taken a small step in understanding myself through this divine knowledge of Bhagwad Gita. Take a small step, reach out for this book and discover the richness of its content and its relevance in the present times. Its not for nothing that Modi ji has been gifting this book to every head of state he has been meeting.  All the self help books in the world and motivational volumes would weigh lighter than the wealth of knowledge that is hidden in Bhagwad Gita.

A tea shop owner couple who have visited 16 countries, one dream destination left

A tea shop owner couple who have visited 16 countries, one dream destination left

To A Potty Reader

Are you a potty reader? Chances are you are. Then you must read this quickie.

Western Commode is perhaps the worst invention of mankind. Imagine what is so naturally done in a squat is being done in a 'sitting on chair' like position. Most people today suffer digestive tract problems and this very well could be a reason. The waste is not completely expelled from the colon and belly is partially filled at any time. They keep trying various digestive churnas (powders) and pills but keep missing the valid reason for it.

Many people take reading material to their 'comfort zone' and spend hours reading sitting on the commode. Many read their newspapers in the loo. Many have created a small corner for books in the loo. I too once was one of them.  I heard of a gentleman who took tea cups (one after the other) in the loo because he could not relieve himself for hour and half. So he kept sitting there with a book and tea.

Guys, human mind is not equipped to handle two things in one moment, so either one clears or one reads.  In any case if one is really feeling the urgency and the pressure, the job is done in a few minutes. There is hardly any time to sit with the book. Won't it be nice to allot a few minutes to cleanse your internal organs with concentration? Then you can sit in a better place and environment to enjoy what you read. Makes more sense?

Its amazing how life has changed. There was a time when even if a book fell on the ground we would pick it up and touch it to the forehead. For we were taught its importance and it was 'Vidya'..it was a gift from God. Sadly it can not be said about the newspapers today anyway and may be most often people read trash in the privacy of their loos. Now people take their laptops and tablets to continue working in their shittiest time. Oh man! Has it increased productivity? On the contrary it is a cause of 'pain in the but' literally.

None of us is so busy or such a workaholic that we can not spare few moments for that 'Potty Business' because nothing relieves better than that. You will agree to that. Leave your books, newspapers, laptops, tablets and smart phones OUTSIDE your loo....and chant "oh shit, oh shit' only in the privacy of your loo and not through out the day !!! :)

Sanskrit..ization..WHY NOT?

I studied #Russian language in the university and I was surprised to see its similarity to #Sanskrit. The grammar is almost same. Many words too have roots in #Sanskrit. So is #German. Many languages have evolved from #Sanskrit. Its a root language or as they say the mother language. Anybody knowing #Sanskrit will find it extremely easy to understand other languages. I do not understand the hullabaloo about it being introduced in schools as a compulsory language. It may seem like a bitter medicine to begin with but it will do lot of good to our nation. There is wealth of knowledge in our ancient scriptures, be it sciences or pure arts. If the text are not read by the future scientists, architects, doctors, engineers and artists how will they ever understand what has been gifted to them. The knowledge needs to be comprehended, understood and applied in the society for its betterment. Sanskrit should be made mandatory for medical students, architecture and engineering students. They should be made to study ancient scripture too as a part of the curriculum. The difference between #Sanskrit and English is same as Homemade wholesome food and fast food. If we want true nourishment to our brains we must take lessons in #Sanskrit.

 In any case students can learn foreign languages at various other institutions such as Max Mueller Bhawan and Alliance Francaise.

DhongiBaba.com

Mumbai locals...our life line..our tried tested way to get anywhere on time..almost a second home to millions who spend at least 4 hours on these trains everyday. In the coaches marked with posters.. fresh, torn, scratched, removed. Have you spared a moment to ask..What is this? Why is this? Who is doing it? Do you like it? Does it mean anything to you? Take a quick look at the following pictures and answer some questions. It has been bothering me for many years. Now that Modi ji has started #swacchh Bharat Abhyaan...these questions may seem relevant to many of us. Together we may find a solution and get things corrected.

Unorganized Advertising.. Is it Free?

This is how Mumbai Locals look inside..

Most trains have these advertisements pasted with glue. At places these are scratched out leaving dirty glue marks.  Most of these advertisements are placed randomly and just about anywhere. So perhaps these are unorganized ads pasted by the night operators during the rest hours at night. I can not fathom Railways getting paid for littering the trains. This is a public property and even Railway authorities have no right to spoil it. The trains appear ugly inside and railway authorities are accountable.

Dirtiest and sickest advertisements in Mumbai locals

I asked some people in the trains that do they read these advertisements. College students and working girls said "NO".. They said they have seen it but they ignore these. Do they like it? "No"  But no one seems to bother about it. Why these are there in the first place?

If Railways are getting revenue from these regressive, sick ads.. do they also get compensation for spoiling the seating with glue (possibly a rotten quality, that leaves ugly repulsive marks on seats)

                                            Sabhi samasyaon ka hal ya  sab se badi samasya..??

 

Sabhi jagah se nirash mata-bahne ek bar avashya phone karein...

What the heck?

In the following poster and in many others I have noticed that women are specifically the targets in these posters.  That is why these posters are on seats, sides, ceiling, backrests ...just about everywhere in the ladies compartments of local trains. Do women in particular pay heed to this? One elderly lady said that yes she had once called these numbers but no one picked up the phone. So, these ads are directed at gullible women. If one notices carefully, these ads are probably of one and the same baba or a gang of babas. Now the questions which arise are..

1. How are these permitted?  These are regressive, sexist ads directed at gullible people.
2. Can't railways provide the same space.. (so much of it) to regular advertisers and revenue generated could be used for the betterment of the commuters?
3. Is it so difficult to nab these people and punish them? Their addresses and phone numbers can be used to locate them and fine could be collected per poster for damaging the public property and for displaying illegal ads.
4. If these are paid ads then railway authorities should be asked.. is it how they are ruining the public transport? Couldn't there be a better way and better advertisements?

Think about it. Share it... Broadcast it. Take it from here and lets get to travel in some decent looking trains and not some filthy coaches with stupid posters of these Dhongi tantrik babas.. We owe it to the society. If anyone can tell me the way to go.. we will take it to the concerned authorities.

Fauj ki Daaru

(Written in a lighter vein and is not directed at any one person.. बहुत लोग दिल पे ले सकते हैं। Please know you are not the only one.. :) Enjoy..Happy Diwali.


आर्मी? आप आर्मी में हैं?
मेरे husband.
पहले क्यों नहीं बताया, अरे वह आप से एक काम है।  कुछ चाहिए।
क्या दारु ? एक  स्वाभाविक प्रश्न मेरे मुंह से निकल गया।
अरे हाँ.. एक तो फ़ौज की दारु बहुत सस्ती मिलती है और दूसरा बहुत pure  होती है.  उन्होंने justify kiya..

Well, फौजी की बेटी हूँ, फौजी की बीवी हूँ,, और फ़ौज के दारु के बारे में यह सुनते सुनते उम्र बीत गयी.  नहीं मैं किसी को जज नहीं कर रही पर सच मानिये फ़ौज से जुड़े होने का जो मान एक फौजी परिवार को कभी मिलता था वह अब सस्ती शराब में बह गया। हमारी ख़ासियत यही रह गयी. यह सच है कि एक जनरल ने तो ट्रक भर दारू बेची शायद इसी वजह से दारु फ़ौज की पहचान सी हो गई है.

मैं कभी पीती नहीं थी, पर पति शौक से पीते थे और उनके दोस्त भी और सोशल पार्टीज में फ़ौज में दारु बहुत आम और सहज सी बात है इसलिए हम ने भी बढ़िया से बढ़िया क्रिस्टल के गिलास इकट्ठा कर लिए थे। We faujis actually drink in style. Beer tumblers, mugs, Champagne, Whiskey, Wine glasses, crystal decanters in various shapes and ice pale were part of my Opera crystal collection. Even the choicest bottle openers, cork openers and tongs are a collectors delight and so is my husbands collection of daaru.

Ladies do drink socially and I am not averse to it. Its just that I never felt like but when people pester a lot I ask for Champagne and only few would have it. होगा भी तो सिर्फ मेरे लिए शैम्पेन खोलने के लिए दिल चाहिए.  आधी प्रॉब्लेम तो ऐसे ख़त्म हो जाती है. Once a senior officer actually got after me to drink Vodka and I told him, "Main bina piye logon ki aisee taisee kar deti hoon, aap ne Vodka pila ke apni karvani hai kya." Well he had actually pissed me on many occasions सो मुझ से रहा नहीं गया। The youngsters (young officers) told me in the party "Ma'am sahi diya". What ever ... I tell the same to my husband daaru pila ke kya poochna chahte ho.. aise bata deti hoon..kisi ke baap se darti hoon kya.

चलिए हम ने शुरू भी नहीं की और शादी के दस साल बाद पति ने भी छोड़ दी. अब हम अपने क्रिस्टल के गिलासों में दूध और लस्सी और पानी पीते हैं।  दुःख तो होता है पर ठीक है.  वैसे भी आज कल लोग अधिकतर ड्रिंक्स जैसे ब्रीज़र्स और बियर बोतल से ही पी लेते हैं। वैसे आप को एक बात बताऊँ न ता फौजी दारु कोटा अनलिमिटेड है और न ही फ्री.  आज कल पहले की तरह पीने वाले भी नहीं बचे.  फ़ौज में अब बहुत कम अफसर दारु पीते हैं और लुढ़कने वाले  तो बिलकुल नहीं दिखते जैसे हमे बचपन में दीखते थे।  अलबत्ता औरतों के तौर तरीके बदले हैं और वोदका, बियर और ब्रीज़र्स लेडीज में काफी लोकप्रिय हो गए हैं. और उन्ही में से कुछ लुढ़कने वालों की कमी भी पूरी कर देती हैं. अधिकतर लेडीज बिना पिए डांस फ्लोर पर पैर नहीं रख पाती इसलिए पीती है.  सो लगभग उनके पति का कोटा पूरा हो ही जाता होगा। हमारे जैसों का कोटा दोस्तों के वास्ते हो जाता है।  अब जिनको यह बात मालूम है वह दोस्त रिश्तेदार इसका फायदा ले लेते हैं।  इतना तो दोस्तों के लिए बनता है. पर कभी कभी भलाई भी मुसीबत बन जाती है.  हमारे एक बहुत नज़दीकी दोस्त जो पीने के शौक़ीन थे हमारे कोटे के चलते इतना पीने लगे कि लिवर जवाब दे बैठा।  हमें इतना अफ़सोस पहले कभी नहीं हुआ।

पीते नहीं तो क्या, पिला देते हैं … थोड़ी थोड़ी। . वह ग़ज़ल है न.… महंगी हुई शराब की थोड़ी थोड़ी पिया करो. हम कहते हैं कि सस्ती भी ले लो जनाब, पर थोड़ी थोड़ी पिया करो… न हो जाये लिवर ख़राब, थोड़ी थोड़ी पिया करो।
P.S  I will edit the portion written in English and perhaps write it again later... in Hindi. Due to bad internet I had typed in English.. Just finished this at the Airport before my flight... Posting it right away.. dekh lena.. typos. :)

हम तो चौपालिये हो गये

जैसे एक शराबी मयख़ाने में सकूँ पाता है एक लेखक चौपाल या बैठक में, जहाँ उसके जैसे सुनने सुनाने वाले मिलें। पिछली बार, जब पहली बार चौपाल में पहुँचे, तब से हम तो चौपालिये हो गये। आज किसी ने पूछा कि समन्दर का किनारा छोड़ कर इतनी दूर धूल फाँकने क्यों आ जाते हो? अरे इसी नशे के कारण। एक विचित्र जीव होता है लेखक जो अपनी ही दुनिया में रहता है। ठीक उस शराबी की तरह.। अपनी ही तरह के लोग… बच्चों जैसे। शब्दों से खेलने वाले, कुछ अपने आप से बातें करने वाले पागल, किसी रूह को यार कहने वाले… बड़े अजीब होते हैं यह लोग। पिछली दफ़ा पाँच घण्टे कैसे बीते पता ही नहीं चला।  कुछ लोगो ने कहा, "अब तक की सबसे बढ़िया चौपाल थी" और हमारी पहली। क्या इत्तिफ़ाक़ है न। आज दूसरी बार फिर से मज़ा आ गया . संस्मरणों की चौपाल में कुछ ने गुदगुदाया और कुछ ने तह दर तह जा कर पुरानी यादों को कुरेद कर रख दिया.  किसी की रेल यात्रा थी और कोयला मेरी आँखों में चला गय।,  पगली मैं बहुत रोई.

फिर एक व्यंग्यकार ने इतना हँसाया कि शिकायतें दूर हो गयी. एकाद्शी के पावन दिन पर जीवन की कई सच्चाइयों का पता चला। चौपाल में जा कर अपने ही जैसे लोगों से मिल कर महसूस होता है मुझ जैसी मैं ही नहीं मुझसे बरसों पहले इस दुनिया में आये हुए लोग भी है। यही एहसास मेरी रूह को सकूँ देता है…