Let there be calamities!

vipadaḥ santu tāḥ śaśvat

tatra tatra jagad-guro

bhavato darśanaḿ yat syād

apunar bhava-darśanam

I wish that all those calamities would happen again and again so that we could see You again and again, for seeing You means that we will no longer see repeated births and deaths: Queen Kunti to Lord Krishna (Srimad Bhagavatam: 1.8.25)

Materially conditioned our mind and body resists pain and sufferings. Be it mental or physical, we hate to suffer and sufferings are always prayed to be kept at bay. Yet like it or not, like waves on the shore, sufferings keep on coming back to us on and on.

Surprising here in the verse quoted, a lady, queen to be precise, is asking for more sufferings. But why?

Hard to perceive yet true, sufferings have certain magical values.

We all seek glories and yearn to bask in our laurels. We all seek to become bigger than the biggest and richer than the richest. But for sure no one wishes for sufferings, worst still pay the bill for our dreams.

I'm no exception. But ain't "happiness and success" quite like the damsels of yore, whom everybody desired but none could keep for long, while sorrows like honest friend who are rarely honored yet never leaves you alone.
Lets reflect...

Often when our wardrobes get cluttered, we let it get more so; believing one day soon we are gonna clean them up.

Similarly often our greed and desires starts piling up and we let ourselves gorge into the momentary trap; believing one day we will start our austerity measures and clear it up.
And so for the one last time, let the indulgence begin!

But do we always do what we promise? Particularly the ones we make to ourselves.

Thus when our desires override what we deserve and ego overcasts the mind, comes the inevitable fall.

Imagine opening a wardrobe and piles of clothes falling back to your face. At that time whether you want it or not you have to put things in order.

Sufferings too, are just those times when our cluttered inner-self gets time to clear the cobweb of illusion, which we had failed to do ourselves in the first place, and get back to the track of life firmly grounded to the earth.

Believe it or not, everything happens for a reason. Worry not if the night is long, dark and cold - When winter is here, can spring be far behind?

The Elixir of Life

Ocimum Sanctum

Ocimum Sanctum, the scientific name itself reveals the sanctum sanctorum status this herb or TULSI, as it is known popularly in Indian subcontinent, holds. Though short in stature, this tiny herb is literally a box full of benedictions, considering the numerous medicinal benefits it bestows upon mankind.

Unlike other magical herbs which are found mostly in the womb of Himalayas, “Tulsi” can be seen in most of the houses and temples in the Indian subcontinent and is easy accessible. This however contradicts one of the popular beliefs that most of the valuable things in life are either inaccessible or difficult to achieve.

Known for its extraordinary healing and prophylactic power, you can either chew its leaves directly or drink its decoction or apply its paste or simply smell its aroma, it will heal you in certain ways for sure.

Both the leaves and seeds of Tulsi are mucilaginous which prevent and cure several respiratory disorders. Apart from clearing bronchial tubes it also cures sore throat. In case of acute trouble take it with honey and ginger and you will start feeling better instantly, given its astringent taste.

If you are suffering from any heart ailment, chew 12 leaves of tulsi, twice a day; it will not only strengthen your heart, but will also purify blood and reduce blood cholesterol. Tulsi also strengthens the functioning of kidney and if regularly taken, it can even expel renal stones.

It also maintains dental health, fights bad breath and is very effective for ulcer and oral infections. If massaged on the gums, it can cure pyorrhoea and other teeth disorders. Its paste can cure insect stings or bites along with several skin diseases. 2 drops of tulsi juice into the eyes daily at bedtime can effectively cure sore eyes and other related troubles.

In short, Tulsi balances different processes in the body, and in addition is also considered to be an adaptogen, a nerve tonic, a stress reliever and a memory booster. Given its life saving effects and its potency against even chronic food poisoning it is regarded as an "elixir of life" in Ayurveda and thus goes the title!

Although scriptures don’t sanction commercial usage of this free gift from nature, it strongly recommends nurturing it in the house. In Vedic culture, Tulsi is revered as God’s spouse and symbolizes purity. It is worshiped by circum-ambulation and watering it which in Upanishad, is known to alleviate poverty and promote prosperity, longevity and happiness. Well ain't that obvious! The healthier you are, the more you prosper! 

Krishna Tulsi

Rama Tulsi

Two varieties of Tulsi are found over the world. One with light green leaves and larger size while another with dark green leaves. Given the tonal resemblance of Tulsi’s variety with two of Lord’s incarnations, the darker version is called “Krishna” Tulsi while the lighter one is known as “Rama” Tulsi. Although often mentioned as holy basil, it shouldn’t be confused with basil which has smoother and glossier leaves and is widely used for culinary purpose, in pasta for instance.

Tulsi are easy to grow in tropical and temperate belts however it becomes extremely difficult in the polar region. Green houses or internal lighting is recommended in such regions. Apart from sunlight, it also needs daily watering. As it grows, it spreads very fast and forms manjaries (flower-seeds). Each manjary contains almost 250+ seeds and each of them compete for its own nutrients affecting the plant’s general health. It is thus recommended to clip them off between the two small leaves at the bottom of the manjary, every time the manjary dries and turns brown. Another manjary will grow therein and the leaves will continue to grow. This will keep the Tulsi healthy and ensure thick and bushy growth.

The Taste of a Mango

Once upon a time, there were three scholars who always loved to explore the complexities of this world. Everyday they used to sit under a mango tree and discuss issues far and wide.

One sunny day while discussing, they saw a big, ripe, juicy mango hanging from one of the branches. Seeing it, all three of them expressed their desire of savoring it. Soon they all started discussing about the mango, its taste and different ways of eating it.


Incidentally as they were discussing about the mango, one bird came and sat on the branch bearing that mango. It was quite windy and after a while the as the bird flew, the branch shook and the mango fell straight to the ground.

Mango hanging from a branch

Delighted with their luck, they all rose to pick it up contemplating how to eat it.

Just at that moment, one scholar said "What do you think caused the mango to fall?"

"Oh, it was the wind." one of them said.

"No, it was the bird that shook the branch" argued the other.

The third one reasoned "Well, no it was the weight of the mango and the gravity of the earth"

At this all three of them began arguing. Each one explained with their own mastery, their own theory of how the mango fell. Soon they became so engrossed in their argument that they entirely forgot about the mango.

A little boy was passing by. He saw the three big men arguing and the huge, ripe, juicy mango lying on the ground. He felt what a royal waste and said in a whisper "Never-mind, I will have it". He went straight to it, picked it up and gave one big bite. It was one of the most delicious mango he had ever had. Soon he delightfully devoured his feast. Once done, he threw the seed there and left.

Quite some time later as the three scholars realized what had happened, all they had was- "the stony reminiscence of a luscious mango", they all had missed to relish!

Aren't we all at certain point of time like the three scholars entangled in our own world of complexities? If you really want to do something, just do it!

Stay Simple, Stay foolish!!!

Keep Pushing

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Push!
One day he decided to work and prayed hard to Lord to ask what he should do?
Happy with his prayer, Lord appeared in form of a voice from his heart and asked him to go and push the large boulder on the way up the hill.
Happy to the core, he went to the hill and saw the huge boulder. Inspired and motivated, he started pushing it.
He pushed it with all his strength but the boulder didn't flinch even an inch.
He tried for hours nothing happened. He tried for days and months yet the boulder was still at the same place where he started, it simply refused to move!

Frustrated as he could be, he thought may be it wasn't the good Lord, may be it was Satan, who had tricked him. He stopped and started praying again.

Lord again appeared and spoke from his heart "Keep pushing!"
With regenerated faith, he again tried for months. But with each passing day of his "Sisyphean" labor, his faith kept dwindling.

Now he was determined to pray hard till Lord actually appeared before him and answered him. And so he started!
Happy with his faith and effort, Lord finally appeared before him.

On seeing him, Push asked "Holy Lord, was that really you who spoke through my heart?"
Lord smiled and said "Yes!"
"And so You wanted me to push the boulder?"
Lord again smiled and said "Yes"

"But O Good Lord, I had been pushing it with all my might for days and months together, but look it didn't even move a bit."
What a terrible waste of effort and How useless I have been!, Push thought

This time Lord had to move beyond his monosyllabic replies.
And He said "Push, I had only asked you to push. I didn't want you to move the boulder.
If I really had to move it I could have done it long time ago.
But look at yourself, See how much you have changed.
Look at the muscle that you have developed in the process."

Push looked at himself. True indeed, he was no longer weak but  a strong muscular youth. Overwhelmed with delight, he raised his eyes, but the Lord disappeared just then.

Aren't we all somewhere somewhat similar to what Push had been through, until we realize we have "grown wings" that we never knew existed in the process of a seemingly futile task!

Keep Pushing...

The Cobbler and the Priest

Once upon a time, a messenger of God visited a village.

There he met a priest, who was very pious and did all good works befitting a priest but with a scintilla of pride in his being pious. Sure of getting liberated in this lifetime, he asked the messenger to know from the Supreme Lord, how many days are left for him to attain liberation. The messenger smiled and went ahead!

Then he met a cobbler, busy in his daily, seemingly menial, work. When he saw the messenger, he considered his shoe mending job that he had been doing all this life albeit with his faith in the Supreme. He asked the messenger to inquire, how many lifetimes are left before he attains his liberation. The messenger smiles again and left.

When the messenger met the Supreme Lord, he delivered the respective queries. The Supreme Lord answered "Tell the priest, he has a thousand lifetimes left, but the Cobbler is in his final"

The messenger was bemused. He thought the Supreme Lord might have jumbled the two. But the Lord affirmed.

When he went back to the priest, he was furious. He said, you must be joking. Tell me what was Supreme Lord doing while you met him? The messenger said, he was trying to pass an elephant through the eye of a needle. On hearing this the preist laughed in disbelief. I knew you never ever visited him. The messenger went ahead.

When he met the cobbler, he was unnerved. He asked, tell me what miracle was the Lord performing when you met him?  The messenger said, he was trying to pass an elephant through the eye of a needle. On hearing this the Cobbler smiled and sung glories of God.

The messenger asked, so do you believe what you heard?

He replied, "Do you see the huge Banyan Tree, under the shade of which I'm working? Did you notice the size of the fruit it bears? And do you see the tiny seeds that it holds?  When the Lord can make this tiny seed grow into this huge tree, imagine what he might not be able to do?"

The messenger got the message. Its all in the Faith. The faith of the priest was marred with pride contrary to the cobbler whose was firm and without doubt!