Age is an Attitude

Few days back, a friend of mine said "Budhapa aa gaya" (old age has come) over some issue. I was so surprised to see such words coming from a person in her late twenties. What we believe happens so people should be careful in putting negative affirmations.

On the other hand we have example of  people like Baba Ramdev (with 50+ age) whose stamina can easily put even young people to shame. We also have countless examples of people with 100+ age completing a full marathon of 42kms.

It seems that "Age is not in numbers" but its an attitude.  People may have aged body but may have enthusiasm of a young boy and the opposite is also possible.

Inspired by Vedanta, I always take notice of whatever affirmations I am making and try to keep enthusiasm alive. Yoga certainly helps a lot in this regard . Was invited for a dinner on tuesday night in one corner of the city. My friends were amazed when I decided to return back on skates and covered a distance of around 20 kms  to return home. Solo night skating was an amazing experience and it being  on banks of River mainz was a meditative experience.

Vedanta says that a powerful mind can achieve whatever it wants and even the physical world is believed to be an expansion of mind. Glory to mother India and it's saints that they have given the world a tool in form of yoga to understand and overcome the mind and not merely to stay fit.

#Cogitations.

Hanuman ji : The greatest devotee of Shri Rama

Today is the birth anniversary of greatest devotee of Bhagwan Rama, Lord Hanuman. Hanuman Ji although is a devotee of Bhagwan Rama but his identification with Sri Rama is so complete, that he is worshipped as God along with Rama.

Vedantins know the world to be more mental than physical. It can also be seen in the practical world that whatever you think or cogitate on, you become that. If one harbours positive thoughts, one will have a positive outlook in life and vice versa if one has negative thoughts.

Birth anniversary of the Bhakt Shiromani (Chief among devotees) Hanuman Ji gives an opportunity to reflect on his qualities today. Let's reflect on some of his qualities, please add more in comments if you wish

Hanuman ji has incredible onepointedness and dispassion when he is working. When he was given the task of finding the whereabouts of mother Sita, he did not take rest nor was attracted to temptations on the way. He even refused the hospitality of mount Mandar and exclaimed

राम काज करे बिना मोहे कहाँ विश्राम ।
"I can take rest until I have completed the task of Rama".

Hanuman ji totally effaced his ego and his life was dedicated for the service of Rama. In the service of Lord Rama, Lord Hanuman discovered his absolute identity. His life is epitome of complete selflessness.

Lord Hanuman had forgotten about his own strength and was reminded of his own strength by Jamwant. But when he remembered it, Hanuman ji was unstoppable. He even lifted the mountain and saved the life of Lakshman and crossed the ocean with a jump. We also need to remember our potential and divinity like Hanuman ji.

If we can have workers like lord Hanuman who can work with the tenacity , one pointedness and selflessness of Hanuman, dream of #VishwaGuru Bharat is not far.

Today we at Frankfurt celebrated Hanuman jayanti with satsang of Lord Rama. Enjoy the bhajan Sri Ram jai Raam , Jai Jai Raam

#HanumanJayanti

Mahavir : The Greatest warrior

Today is the birth anniversary of a great saint of India, Bhagwan Mahavira. Vira means a great warrior and Maha-vira  means the greatest warrior. Bhagwan Mahavira although never fought a battle and advocated non injury, but is rightly termed as the greatest warrior. As a  person who conquers external enemy can be great but one who conquers internal enemies like Kama (Desire), Krodha(Anger) , Lobha (Greed), Moha (Attachment)  , Mada (pride) and Matsarya (Jealousy) is truly greatest. 

While Bhagwan Mahavira conquered the greatest and almost unsurmountable enemy that is the mind and found the final purpose of human life. King Alexander the great who (almost) conquered all outside enemies did not die contented and made a wish on deathbed that it should be known to the world that Alexander could not carry anything and his palms were kept open in grave.

However devotees like Mirabai, Tukaram and Jnanadeva while leaving the body were supremely contented.

Mirabai remarked too

Janam janam ki punji paayi, Jag me sabhi khovaayo, Paayoji maine raam ratan dhan paayo.

 I have found a treasure of lifetimes and an imperishable wealth.

 Saint Tukaram and Saint Jnandeva too had the same experience. Jesus christ even at the cross could bless people and this shows a glimpse to the mind of a saint.

The ancient Indian text Bhagwad Gita also speaks of conquering the mind and Prophet Rama also gave the same message to Vibhishana (Vibhishana Gita) in the Ramcharitmanas. If each and everyone in the world makes an endeavour to conquer the mind rather than the outside world, world will have long lasting peace as India could have for few centuries. The peaceful environment resulted in great successes in art and architecture, language, Science and technology and music.

Meditation is thus good not only for the person who practices it but for the entire world as it promotes peaceful coexistence. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji, the founder of Art of living is himself coming to Frankfurt and its an amazing opportunity to learn meditation from the master himself. Join us for an evening of meditation on April 24th. 

#SriSrinFFM 

Cutting the branch on which one is sitting -The Kalidas mistake

When i was young, i read the story of Kalidas. Few wise men were searching for a supreme fool for their mission of  taking revenge against a princess. They saw Kalidas cutting the branch on which he was sitting and their search ended, through stratagem they got Kaildas married to the princess. Princess, on realising that she has been cheated, insulted Kalidas. Kalidas thus resolved to learn sanskrit grammar, later found great success and is often referred to as shakespeare of the east. 

I remember, that as a child, i laughed a lot on imagining Kalidas cutting the branch on which he was sitting. Its a common sense not to cut the branch of the tree on which one is sitting. However today i find many people doing the same to our society and country. Lets have a look at some issues.

Recently some people with vested interests were shouting "Bharat tere Tukde honge" and some political leaders and libtards (retarded liberals) in their desire to score political points supported their "right to speak" . Well even constitutionally speaking"right to speech" is not absolute and is limited by national security , moreover do you imagine getting free speech if these vested interests succeed in their mission of breaking India ? . Do you know the status of Freedom of speech in Afghanistan or Pakistan ? Well i hold "right to speech" in very high regard but also know that its limited by "India First" and if we are supporting free speech of "Azadi Gang", we are doing the mistake of "Cutting the branch on which we are sitting". 

Whenever i find politicians dividing us on basis of caste and creed, fomenting anger between communities, dividing us as Brahmins, dalits, maratha , patidar, jat etc just for votes. When i see journalists doing the task of putting caste issues even in car accidents with headlines like " Dalit car hit by Brahmin car " or "Ilyaraja awarded because he is Dalit" etc. I am reminded of the kalidas episode. It is also a fact that some ISI agents funded by Pakistan, are adding fuel to this fire along with Naxalism.  Hence in the interest of India, we should always remember that Indian constitution which is the supreme document for governing the country, makes no distinction among castes. We should educate people and not foment anger. On a personal front, if we look down upon other caste or even consider oneself as lower and not just higher, we are doing the mistake that Kalidas was doing. 

Also whenever i see that people are keeping some religion even above their country and are saying " P***stan Zindabad* it shocks me to the core. Indian people and constitution has given equal importance to every religion and inplace of being grateful people are chanting victory to a country where most hindus have been converted by deceit and threat since 1947. If your political leader/friends does not speaks against such behaviour and you still support them, you are unknowingly doing the same mistake which Kalidas did in past. Today a person was killed just for Tiranga yatra, future can be more bleak. Support a government which can ensure that no hateful teachings are taught to vulnerable kid.

We share the same tree, hence if you find anyone cutting the tree, please do educate. 

Netaji Subhash Chandra bose - Ek Parichay

पुण्य भूमि यह भारत माता देवों को भी है प्यारी 

राम बुद्ध नानक जन्मे और बसते शंकर त्रिपुरारी ।

मनुज रूप में देव यहाँ पर ध्यान लगाने आते हैं 

यश वैभव धन का मोह त्याग , मोक्ष्य यहां पर पाते हैं।

हानि लाभ सब काल चक्र है सौभाग्य न सब दिन रहता है 

आओ काल आगे देखें भारत का भाग्य क्या कहता है ।

मन के बंधन से भी स्वतंत्र था होना जिसने सिखलाया 

उसके तन को भी बांध लिया हे काल दृश्य क्या दिखलाया। 

मुक्ति दात्री थी जो माँ था जिसका वैभव अविनाशी 

हाय समय कैसा आया वो बनी मुक्ति की अभिलाषी ।

अंग्रेजों के अत्याचारों से भारतपुत्र थे जब शोषित 

इस 'सोने की चिड़िया' के धन से अंग्रेज हुए पूरे पोषित ।

हीरा मोती सोना चांदी भारत का सब लूट लिया 

और शाशन करने के हेतु धर्म जात में फूट किया ।

था बंटा हुआ भारत अपना घनघोर निराशा छाई थी 

था विश्व गुरु ये राष्ट्र कभी ऐसी तो न परछाई थी ।

घनघोर अंधेरे को चीरता जैसे सूरज का प्रकाश 

भटके भारत को राह दिखाने आये नेताजी सुभाष ।

थे प्रखर बुद्धि के ये स्वामी ऊंचा  पद पाकर ठुकराया 

यश वैभव छोड़ संग्राम चुना है राष्ट्र समर्पित ये काया । 

दिल्ली चलो तुम , मुझे खून दो , तुमको दूंगा आज़ादी ।

बिगुल बज रहा विश्व युद्ध का , अवसर की हो न बर्बादी 

बोले गांधी अभी शांत रहो अंग्रेज़ प्रसन्न हो जाएंगे ।

विश्व युद्ध के बाद ही  भारत को सौंप हमें जाएंगे ।

बोले सुभाष की पहले भी मिला था एक ऐसा सपना 

किन्तु विश्व युद्ध बाद हुआ जालियां वाला बाग अपना । 

एक बार धोखा खाये तो केवल विश्वास  जाता है

बार बार धोखा खाये तो नर  मूर्ख कहलाता है ।

अंग्रेजी शाशन को ये स्वर कभी रास न आते थे ।

अतः सुभाष कारागार में स्वयं को अधिकतर पाते थे ।

कैद नहीं हो सकता जैसे हवा पानी और प्रकाश

अंग्रेजों को चकमा देके बर्लिन पहुंचे सुभाष ।

कहा सुभाष ने अंग्रेज़ी बल भारत के सैनिक पर इतराता है 

और भारत क्या है और कहाँ ये सैनिक समझ न पाता है ।

अन्य देश से मनवाकर स्वतंत्र सरकार बनाऊँगा

है मित्र कौन और कौन है शत्रु ये भेद में समझाऊंगा ।

'दिल्ली चलो' इस नारे से नेताजी भरते फौज में जोश 

आज़ाद हिंद रेडियो के स्वर से भारत भी सुनता उदघोष।

जर्मनी ने जब रूस पर भीषण हमला करवाया 

सुभाष मन ने इस कार्य को भारत हित में न पााया ।

बाधाओं से टकराने पर जो पुरुष धीर न खोता है 

चट्टानों से टकराने पर भी मार्ग नए पिरोता है ।

आज़ाद हिंद फौज को फिर सिंगापुर में बनवाया 

एक मार्ग अवरुद्ध हुआ तो दूजा  माँ ने खुलवाया ।

धर्म जाति के बंधन  छोड़  भारत को जिसने जीया था 

ऐसी अनुपम फौज बनी जिसे सुभाष ने सीया था ।

युद्ध हुआ बढ़ी सेना इम्फाल में झंडा फहराया 

आज़ाद हिंद फौज का डर अंग्रेज़ के मन में गहराया ।

युद्ध हुआ जापान हारा हाय छूट गया  यह भी अवसर ।

लेकिन भारत स्वाभिमान का का झुका नहीं कभी सर ।

अंग्रेज़ी शासन ने जब आज़ाद हिन्द फौज को तड़पाया ।

तब बच्चा बच्चा भारत का इनके समर्थन मेें आया ।

लाल किले पर दी जाने वाली थी जब इन लोगों को फांसी 

सेना ने विद्रोह किया और  बंद करवाई यह गुुस्ताखी। 

भय मुक्त हुए भारत वासी अब हम  और न यहाँ रह पाएंगे 

थके हारे अंग्रेज़  बोले कि अब बहुत जल्द ही जायेंगे ।

उन्नीस सौ सैंतालीस  को भारत तब स्वतंत  हुआ ।

और बहुत शीघ्र फिर अपना भारत पूरा गणतंत्र हुआ ।

अंग्रेज़ी मंत्री से पूछा , क्यों छोड़ा भारत में प्रवास 

बोले कई छोटे कारण , एक बड़ा कारण सुभाष ।

दिया मौत को चकमा और 'गुमनाम' रखा अपना आवास

आज तक कोई जान ना पाया , कहाँ गए आखिर सुभाष ।

शायद माता को मुक्त कर पूरी देखी हो हर आशा 

सन्यासी बनकर मोक्ष्य पानें  की  पूरी अंतिम अभिलाषा 

अंतरिक्ष इस कविता से आज ये बतलाता है 

उस भारत भक्त के जीवन का आज स्मरण कराता है ।

यदि सुुुभाष को जीना है तो जाति धर्म बंधन तोड़ो 

सब भेदों को भूल कर राष्ट्र प्रेम से दिल जोड़ो । 

जब भारत का बच्चा बच्चा सुभाष बन जायेगा ।

तब विश्व गुरु प्यारा भारत पुनः फिर बन जायेगा। 

Rally For River - An initiative to save our rivers

#RallyforRivers

Today i accompanied the #RallyforRiver team in greater noida and gave multiple intro talks in buses and people around. Autowallahs looking for customers, contacted me asking where i wanted to go, i told i want you to Rally for rivers :). This initiative was to generate awareness for the dwindling water flow in Indian rivers.

The water flow in Indian rivers has reduced over the years and this is specially true for the peninsular rivers. Our life depends on water and while we want excellent education and amenities for our kids, most of us pay not much attention to the environment around. Rising population and dwindling water resources are panacea for a future havoc.

Its high time, we need to plant trees which will lead to seeding and regulate rainfall across the country. This will ensure our sustainable existence on planet earth.

Please plant trees on your land and also ask the government to plant on public land. You can give a miss call on 8000980009 which will serve as your vote prodding the government to take plantation more seriously.

Full support and gratitude to Sadhguru Jaggi vasudev for the vision and efforts of his volunteers.

https://youtu.be/OQCiULlQhJQ

Bahubali 2 : The conclusion

Bahubali 2: The conclusion is a fantabulous movie and expectedly it has become the biggest Indian blockbuster of all times. Bahubali is unique because after a long time some movie has portrayed the beauty and richness of Indian culture. Story of Bahubali is engaging and graphics are simply marvelous and i am not surprised to hear that Bahubali might cross the 2000 crore earning mark unheard till date by any Indian movie.

SS Rajamauli garu has painstakingly given his best and come up with this gem. Even youths of my age have gone crazy like a teenager for Bahubali and in the hall where i watched the movie there were extra chairs to increase the capacity.

Bahubali 2 will have following positive repercussions.

1. Women empowerment : It portrays women in strong and powerful roles. The age old patriarchal mindset is gradually diluted with such picturisations.

2. National Integration : It has brought North India and south India closer. Prabhas aka Bahubali is my favourite actor and SS Rajamauli ji my favourite director now. Infact i messaged my friend from Andhra to ask what Sahore Bahubali means :)

3. Tourism : Portrays India in a very positive manner to the western audience and proudly portrays the cultural heritage and values. Certainly many will be curious to visit India.

4. Values : Gandhi ji credited his values to the stories like Mahabharata, Ramayan and Raja Harischandra that he read in his childhood. Bahubali 2 extolls virtues and hence gives our kids a right direction. Bollywood lately has even produced biographies of criminals and underworld dons, this is certainly not desirable from values perspective.

and many more...

I wish success to S. S. Rajamouli garu and his team. His decision to make Mahabharata is exciting me. If it can even match the level of Bahubali (film), i am sure Rajamauli garu will become immortal in India. More power to you SS Rajamauli ji.

Sahore Bahubali..!!