Vishukkani - a sign for the times ahead

A festive day is celebrated with all its pomp and splendor, but as the time moves forward, the significance of the customs and traditions or the practices turn out to be just a ritual. Is Vishu just remembered for the kaineettam and kani. What is the significance of these practices. The question should linger in our minds, so that we can tell the posterity, the vision our forefathers had for our lives, year after year. If you look at the south Asian calenders, it is a very special day.

• Rongali Bihu the Assamese New Year
• Bwisagu the Bodo New Year in Assam
• Thingyan  the Burmese New Year 
• Tuluva New Year, Bisu , Edmyaar 1 or Bisu Changrandi the Kodava New Year in Karnataka
• Chol Chnam Thmey  the Khmer New Year in Cambodia
• Songkan / Pi Mai Lao  the Lao New Year
• Maha Vishuva Sankranti the Oriya New Year in Odisha
• Bikram Samwat / Vaishak Ek the Nepali New Year
• Baisakhi the Punjabi New Year in India and the punjab province in Pakistan
• Aluth Avurudda  the Sinhalese New Year in Sri Lanka
• Tamizh Puthandu the Tamil New Year in Tamil Nadu
• Songkran the Thai New Year
• Maithili New Year, or Jude Shital (Mithila)
• West Bengal New Year called Pohela Boishakh

So what is so special about this day. 

Astronomical and Astrological significance

It is the day following the transit of Sun into Aries (Mesha Sankramana) in the zodiac. Stars

are divided into many regions of different sizes, each called a constellation, Aries being one of them. Connecting all bright stars in a constellation with lines, different images in the shape of animals and objects are formed. People named each constellation according to its shape. The International Astronomical Union divided the sky into 88 constellations with precise boundaries, making every star belonging to a particular constellation.

Seen from Earth, the sun moves slowly in the Celestial Sphere and passes through constellations, forming a large circle for a year. This circle is called Ecliptic. The Ecliptic is divided into twelve equal portions (each equivalent to 30 degrees); each portion was named after the closest constellation. All these twelve portions were called Ecliptic Constellations, according to which western horoscope theories developed.

The astrologists divide a year is into 12 periods, during each period the sun being in a constellation area. So everyone has a corresponding zodiacal sign according to the period his / her birthday lies in. The 12 signs are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. People believe that different signs of the zodiac present different characteristics and talents. So Aries being the first has a significance and though the western thought of having a new year in January was only for convenience but in reality March April remains the time when the new year is born. Hence Aries is the first Zodiac sign and the entry of sun into that constellation has its significance of the birth of a new cycle in zodiac.

The Vishukkani

The most important event in Vishu is the Vishukkani, which literally means "the first thing seen on the day of Vishu after waking up". The Vishukkani consists of a ritual arrangement of auspicious articles intended to signify prosperity, including rice, fruits and vegetables, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, yellow flowers called konna (Cassia fistula), holy texts and coins, usually in the prayer room of the house. This is arranged the night before Vishu and is the first sight seen on Vishu. The old tradition specifies the items as follows

• Ari or nellu (Rice) - wishing the person who sees it to have a year filled with ample food for survival
• kay - raw fruits - alerting the person about the untoward incidents and to be aware of them and knowing that when it is handled properly with happiness, it will not be unbearable
• kani - ripe fruits - the pleasures of life, that's what the fruits signify
• Pazhaya panam - old coins and medallions remind us of the past and our culture
• puthu panam - new coins and currencies signify the earnings for the year
• dhanyam - pulses signify the richness in out lives
• ratnam - the precious stones signify the special moments or achievements to be attained in the coming year
• aranmula kannadi - the special mirror signifies reflection of well being and prosperity
• grantham - holy texts signify divine grace throughout the year
• vishu kodi - or the new dress signifies the luxuries in life
• varikka chakka (Jackfruit) - symbolizes the life as such. Hard and thorny exterior with lots of fibre inside but when you reach the ripe fruit it is very tasty. Hence it signifies the life and times ahead.

The Vishukaineettam

The coin or money given as a gift for Vishu has two meanings. One is the year long prosperity and it also reminds us who the head of the family is and the age old tradition of giving the workers new dress and grains for them to have a great year ahead.

There is a lot more to say about Vishu and other celebrations. But keeping it short I wish you a great year ahead. Happy Vishu ... 

Adhaar Abhishek - An Experience – A Spiritual Treatment

Every trip is an eye opener for those who want to open their eyes. Our trip to Palitana was a similar one. Received an invitation to a very special function that was happening after 40 years "The Giriraj Abhishek" or also called the "Adhaar Abhishek". On my return, one person asked me a very strange question, that made me think and so I blog my thoughts, experience and learning here. Pardon me for the length but the every word means more to me.

He asked me"You are not a Jain, nor are you from Gujarat or North India – A south Indian. What brings you to the Shathrunjay Hills in Palitana and what was your experience".

 About Palitana

Before narrating my experience let me give you an idea about this historical and holy village in Bhavnagar District of Gujarat called Palitana. In 2014, Palitana became the first city on the world to be legally vegetarian. Associated with Jain legends and history, Dainty, the first of the Jain tirthankaras, is said to have meditated and given sermon on the Shatrunjaya hill, where the Palitana temples were later constructed. A princely state, founded in 1194, Palitana was one of the major states in Saurashtra. In 1656, Shah Jahan's son Murad Baksh, the then Governor of Gujarat, granted the village of Palitana to the prominent Jain merchant Shantidas Jhaveri. The management of the temples was assigned to the Anandji Kalyanji Trust in 1730.

Palitana is the world’s only mountain that has more about 863 marble carved temples. The Palitana temples and whole mountain are considered the most sacred thirth (pilgrimage place) by the Jain community, and is the world's largest Temple Complex. There are more than 3000 temples located on the Shatrunjaya hills. The main temple on top of the hill, Dada Ni Tuke, is dedicated to 1st tirthankar lord Adinath or Rishabdeva. It is said that 23 tirthankaras, except Neminatha, sanctified the hill by their visits. On the top the Shatrunjai Hill, also known as the Pundarikgiri is a cluster of Jain temples, built by generations of Jains over a period of 900 years, from the 11th century onwards. The temples are managed by the Anandji Kalyanji Trust associated with the Kasturbhai Lalbhai group. From the foot of the hill to the top there are 3,800 and odd stone steps cut to facilitate climbing.

The temples are exquisitely carved in marble, veritable prayers in stone. To an observer, these appear to be ivory miniatures when seen from a distance. Created by master craftsmen, the most important temple is that of the first teerthankara, Shri Adishwar - The Dada Ni Tuke. It has ornate architectural motifs, though in its overall plan it is simpler than the Choumukh. Other notable temples are those of Kumarpal, Vimalshah and Sampriti Raja. Kumarpal Solanki, a great Jain patron, probably built the earliest temple. The temples date from 11th to the 20th century.

Every devout Jain aspires to climb to the top of the mountain at least once in his lifetime,

because of its sanctity. Not just the temples on the Hill are sacred, but as per Jain Scriptures entire Hill is sacred right from top to bottom. The journey is arduous. The walk up the stone stairway sewn into the mountain face takes about an hour and a half. For those unable or unaccustomed to the strain, doli as the sling-chairs are called, are available. The code for the climbers is stringent, in keeping with the rigors of the Jain faith. Food must neither be eaten nor carried on the way. The descent must begin before it is evening, for no soul can remain atop the sacred mountain during the night.

The Journey

We reached Mumbai and our welcome at the Railway station was warm. The Kurla station had a platform full of believers getting geared up for this holy trip. I barely understood the

importance at the start of the trip, except for the idea that the trip was a special one. Lunch was being served with all kinds of vegetarian dishes and sweets at the counters, there was festivities with brass band and stage with eminent people to flag the train off, registration counters were thronged by people getting their ID's and accommodation details. The train was a dedicated special train only for the group. That itself added attraction to my trip, as it was a chartered train exclusively for the yathra. Bhajans, people greeting each other, bags being allocated, catering services, photographers and VIP presence made added color to the gala start. The journey was an experience in itself and there was more to it.

The food

We reached our coach and we were informed that food will be served and that was a special exposure to Gujarati / Jain food. Little did I know about the customs and tradition, though I had heard from here and there about the food habits and lifestyle. The time a Strict Jain is allowed to have food is restricted to the time between the dawn and the dusk - the anastamita or anthai vow of not eating after sunset. My first exposure to Jainism and the lifestyle.

Jain vegetarian diet, should be one of the most rigorous forms of spiritually-motivated diet on the Indian subcontinent and beyond. The Jain cuisine is completely vegetarian and also excludes onions, potatoes, brinjals, garlic and additionally may exclude root vegetables, similar to the shojin-ryori Buddhist cuisine of Japan. The diet - truly satvic. Some of the dishes I remember having are the Dal Dhokli, Khichu, Kachori, Puri, Bhakri, Khakra and the like. I should thank Mr. Nitin Shah and Mr. Nitin Doshi - the organizers and Kailash Caterers from Mumbai, who made the cuisine a memorable one.

The lifestyle

Every act by which a person directly or indirectly supports killing or injury is seen as act of violence (himsa), which creates harmful reaction karma. The aim of ahimsa is to prevent the accumulation of such karma. Jains believe nonviolence is the most essential religious duty for everyone (ahinsa paramo dharma, a statement often inscribed on Jain temples). It is an indispensable condition for liberation from the cycle of reincarnation - moksha, which is the ultimate goal of all Jain activities. The thorough ways of applying nonviolence to everyday activities, and especially to food, shapes their entire lives and is the most significant hallmark of Jain identity.

Jains go out of their way so as not to hurt even small insects and other tiny animals, because they believe that harm caused by carelessness is as reprehensible as harm caused by deliberate action. Hence they take great pains to make sure that no minuscule animals are injured by the preparation of their meals and in the process of eating and drinking. Traditionally Jains have been prohibited from drinking unfiltered water. In the past, when step wells were used for the water source, the cloth used for filtering was reversed, and some filtered water poured over it to return the organisms to the original body of water. This practice of jivani or bilchavani is no longer possible because of the use of pipes for water supply. But I saw almost everyone in the village filter tap water in the traditional fashion with cloth filters and a few even with bottled drinking water.

A scientific look into the diet and lifestyle reveals vegan diet with easily digestible carbohydrates with food prepared fresh and disinfected by the sun's UV rays and making sure, there is least possibility of infection by a clean lifestyle. Giving the guts a rest by not eating at night ensures sound sleep and better health. But many do not look into the scientific aspects of our customs and traditions.

The Destination

The chartered train was received with pomp and splendor at the Palitana Station. I noticed a singer, who would sing along with the track played on record and brass band accompanying him with the speakers and other equipments on a cart. It was a new experience from then on. Reached the dharmasala, where the lifestyle mentioned was strictly followed. The walls bearing the code of conduct, not allowing food inside the dharmasala in the evening and the simple lifestyle with a worship hall in it. Every corner had beautifully carved and ornate structures - The derasars. The place seemed full of the Jain temples, cows on the road, and a simple village feel. As you walk past the streets of palitana, you are sure to see many monks and ascetics walking by.

Varghodo

The day before the Giriraj abhishek, the whole village and people from different parts of the

world who have come to Palitana witnessed a grand procession - The Varghodo. A customary procession similar to the groom’s arrival for a marriage in the Indian style. As the name suggest it is the procession of the groom’s horse. In marriages the groom's family members invite the people from whole village and all the relatives. The groom sits on the horse and travels through main streets of whole village. He is accompanied by friends, relatives and the people from the village. They have musical bands with them during "Varghodo". During the "Varghodo" process the friends and mostly young people play special kind of dance called "Ras-dandia". But here the procession was for the arrival of water in special pots from the rivers in India. People were invited for the abhishek and danced their ways through the streets to take the hundreds of pots to one place and sanctify it for the abhishek. Chariots, horses, camels, dandia dancers, young and old all were a part of this celebration. Varghodo at Palitana was an exhilarating experience.

The Climb

Every step in the mountain is supposed to be holy and I thought I wouldn’t be able to make it. So a doli was arranged. When the journey was about to start, the doli which was arranged for me was broken. So I said let me give it a try and if I was not able to make it then would rely on the doli. I started climbing and one of the doli carriers kept his hand on my spine and said would support me in the climb. I climbed with ease and saw the morning sun rise in the mountains above the Shetrunji river. The climb was more exciting to me as every step gave me the strength to move forward. 3.5 kilometers and the 3800 steps. With faith you ask the mountain to move and it moves says the bible. And I felt the same climbing the mountain.

The Abhishek

As per the principles of Jainism, “ Adhaar Abhishek ” removes impurity & brings serenity,

tranquility & piousness all around. It is believed that many years ago (Approximately 40 years ago), famine in Gujarat was prevented by carrying out “Adhaar Abhishek” on all the Jain temples of Shree Shatrunjay Mountain of Palitana, in Gujarat. Besides, the objective of this ceremony is to create purity of atmosphere and to create unity, harmony & peace among the people of whole world, thereby re-establishing religious empire of Lord Mahavir, leading to cleansing of every soul & provide strength to repel attacks on mankind, country, culture & religion. Pure holy water from 108 rivers, 1008 wells as well as ponds etc. was being collected for this ceremony, in addition to roots & branches of trees, flowers etc with chandana powder (Vasakshep) added to the waters to make it holy.

• Prayers are offered to the main deity
• Then the athmaraksha vajra panjar stotra is recited.
• Three sets of sandal and floral offerings are done at the right big toe of the deity after praying to the sun and gurus, this is called the kusumanjali. After three sets of kusumanjali, starts the abhishek as per the tradition. And in between the abhishek, kusumanjali is performed.
• The first abhishek is with swarnachoorn - with gold, fragrant flowers, sandal wood paste, and holy water
• The second abhishek is with pancharatnachoorna - with pearl, gold, silver, copper, coral, flowers, leaves
• The third abhishek is the kayachoorn - with extracts from peepar, peepal(Bo tree or Ficus Religiosa), sarsado (Shirish, Vagai or also called womans tongue), umbaro (Cluster fig), vad (Banyan), champa (Ashoka Tree), aasopalav (Deodar), aambo (Mango tree), jamboon (Black plum or njaaval), bakul (Bullet wood tree), arjun (Tropical or Malabar Almond Tree), paadal (Piper longum), kesudo (Flame of the forest or parrot tree), daadam (Coral wood tree), naarangi (Orange tree) and holy water
• The fourth abhishek is with mangalmruththika - with soil from eight spots which are sifted and mixed- from ivory, rishab sankh (conch) dust, sand from mountain peaks, from sunrise points, from the point of union of rivers, from river beds, from holy places
• The fifth abhishek is with panchamruth or panchagavya - Milk, curd, clarified butter, sugar and water.
• The sixth abhishek is with shathamoolika - with extracts from 100 medical ingredients or 21 medicinal plants – sahadevi (Ash coloured fleabane), shathavari (Asparagus), kumaari (Indian chaste tree), vaalo, big and small ringini, madhur shikha, ankol (Poison Devil Tree), shaalvani, gandhnoli, mahaanoli, shankholi, lakshmanaa, aajokojo, thohaar, thulsi, maruodamno, gaalo, koobi, sarpankho, rajahansi, peelavaani
• The seventh abhishek is with kushtaadi pradhamaashtakavarg - with eight extracts of uplot (Kath), lodhoo, deodar (Himalayan Cedar), khoraasani kaj, dharoneeli, jetimadh, maradaa shinghi and varanaa
• The eight abhishek is with patajjyaadi dvithiyaashtakavarg - with extracts from medha, mahameda, veaukand, kankol, kheerkandh, jeevak, rushabak, nakhi-mahaanakhi
• The pooja is also done with three mudras - garuda mudra, muktaashakthi mudra and parameshti mudra
• The ninth abhishek is sadoushadi snaan - with extracts of priyangu, vaths, kankeli, rasaal, pathra bhallaath, ilaayarchi, taj (Cinnamon), vishnukranthaa, ahipravaal, lavang  (Clove)and mayurshikha
• The tenth abhishekh is sarvaushadi snaan - sugandhoushadi sahasramoolika sarvoushadi  - with haldi, khoraasani, suvaa, vaalo, modh, priyangu (An evergreen flowering plant found in the western ghats), chadilo, vansakhi gaath, sadkyooro, uplot, sukhad, ilaayarchi, lavang (clove), taj (Cinnamon), thamaalpathra, jaavathri, jayphal (The husk and seed of nutmeg), naagkesar, marachkankol, vardhaaro, aasangh, vadiaushadi, agar, solaaras, pathraj, chad, nakhla, ghaula, aashikali, moormansi, jataamansi, sahasramooli and amber with water.
• The eleventh abhishekh is pushpasnaan - with sevanti (Chrysanthemum), chameli (Jasmine), mogra, rose, juhi, damara (Tulsi), and other flowers in water
• The twelfth abhishek is Gandhasnaan - with extracts from kesar (Saffron), sukhad, agar, baraas, kasthuri, gorochandan, ratnanjali, kacho, hinglok, marach kankol, and gold leafs or alternatively shilajit, uplot, sukhad, vaas, kapoor is used.
• The thirteenth abhishek is vaasasnaan - with extracts from chandan (sandal), kesar (Saffron), and baraas paste also known as vaaskhshep or vaasachoorna in water
• The fourteenth abhishek is ksheerchandan snaan- with extracts from sukhad (Sandal wood tree) and milk in water
• The fifteenth abhishek is Kesar Sharkara snaan - a mix of kesar (Saffron) and sugar in water is used.
• After the 15th abhishek there is an important ritual of chandra darshan and soorya darshan. This is a special ritual which is performed during the occasion of anjan shalaaka. Each idol is given a glimpse of dreaming the sun and the moon made in gold and a special mantra is recited. The darshan of the sun and moon is also given to married women.
• The sixteenth abhishek is Theerthodak snaan- It is the mix of the holy waters from holy places.
• The seventeenth abhishek is Karpoora snaan - with water mixed with camphor
• The eighteenth abhishek is Kesar kasthoorika chandan - with a mix of kesar (Saffron), kasthoori (musk) and sandal in water.
• And five abhishek on the Gurumoorthi is done with gold, pancharal choorna, panchamruth or panchagavya, sadoushadi and theerthjal is done and also five abhishek for the gods and goddesses are done with panchamruth and sarvoushadi.
• The shataprakari pooja completes the adhaar abhishek in which pooja is done with water, sandal, flowers, dhoop (Incense), deep (Lamp), akshath (Sanctified rice grains), naivedya (Cooked food), fruits and mangal arathi and kusumanjali.

The whole function atop the hill ended by noon and coming back to the foothills I found people washing the legs and giving offerings as a token of respect who got the chance to be there and perform the Adhaar abhishek. The experience taught me more, being able to touch the ingredients with one’s own hands while the Abhishek is performed gives you strength and the vigor to take your life forward in good health. Abhishek was done on over 26000 idols in the Giriraj at the same time on March 14, 2015.

The Answer

The answer to the question the person asked me can be summed up in one line - divinely ordained occasion to be able to perform the Adhaar Abhishek was a blessing from Shri Aadinathji himself. I feel I learnt more and wanted to share it with the world and that’s the reason I was there. If ever the adhaar abhishek happens at Palitana in future and you are invited for the same, make it a point you are there as very few get a chance to be a part of it.

Having the chance to handle all these herbs and minerals during the abhishek, after climbing the mountain empty stomach, is a treatment in itself. Strange are the ways our forefathers envisaged how we can have a healthy life. Even this tradition of adhaar abhishek is a blessing in disguise.

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My research on the subject was based on Wikipedia, books at the Jain Library in Manshanti in Palitana, The online Jain Library, from people themselves and last but not the least my own experience. 

I have tried to find the ingredients and give the names of many, but some are local names and can't be traced easily. Please bear with me for the same.

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Thanks again to Mr. Nitin Mansukhlal Shah for inviting us.

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More pictures on my facebook page: Link to the album

A Book called "Life"

Some of us read books and some of us don't. But it’s a fact of life that we all write a book in our lifetime which is called the Book of Life or a Book called Life. A well lived life turns out to be a best seller in the shelves. We have all heard the idiom

Take a leaf out of someone's book

Fig. to behave or to do something in a way that someone else would. 

But have you given a thought about the book of someone, or rather one’s own book. I would like to refer to it as the Book called "Life". This blog looks into that book.

As we are born, we are gifted with an unseen book. The book has a few lines written on every page, which we can read only when we reach the page. Those are the words of god. We call it fate, destiny and in myriad ways. But those are the situations or phases in our life which is a gift from God himself. That’s why we refer to today as "Present". I would like to phrase it as Gods Guidelines to live our day. We write the blank portion of the page and those are our actions. We write in our own ways and that’s what is called freewill. We can choose what we write on the blank portion of our page for that day. How we take the book forward is in our hands.

There comes a time when you have to choose between

turning the page and closing the book.

–Josh Jameson

But the sad plight is that we try to write on pages for the coming days. That’s when things go wrong. We write something on tomorrow’s page, where the first line by God doesn't match and we tend to strike it and try to rewrite it. When we write, we should make sure; there are no misspelled words or wrong usages. That will make the page look shabby and we would be disappointed to see it. Just think of the situation, where we would not be happy to show the page to anyone. But God sees those pages. Just like a father who feels sad, looking at a badly written copy of his kid, we tend to disappoint Him too.

Each events of success in life would become a chapter and get indexed. So all that we strive for in our life and the small achievements that we make also gets written in an Index in Golden letters. A book with many successes adds chapters to the book and becomes a structured book. Pleasure to read and each chapter would be a story. So the more we strive for success, the more would be chapters in the wonderful book called Life.

All the associations and friendship we make become reference points in our book. We are all a part of a big book as these characters in our book have their own books too. Also think of what another person would be writing about us in his book. When we contribute to the success of someone else, his book will have a chapter, and we would be the good character in the chapter. All the bad things will end up casting ourselves as a villain in someone else’s book. Acts hurting someone else or jeopardizing their writing will end up showing us in bad light. I am sure no one wants to be a bad guy in someone else’s book. But acts of kindness, goodness and the like would leave as a contributor in the book. Being in the list of contributors in someone else’s book is always desirable.

A good novel tells us the truth about its hero; 

but a bad novel tells us the truth about its author.

–Gilbert K. Chesterton

And there is a reason behind writing this book called life. We live our life, filling these pages each day. When we die, we write the last few lines and conclude the book. Probably, this is the mythological book which would be added to the library of Chitragupt. The book of life should be the bestseller and inspire others to write a better book. What we leave behind for the future is a book, which can be useful or become guidance to someone else. A well written book, with examples of life situations and how it was well written, is still one of the best sellers called "The Holy Bible".

Great books help you understand, and they help you feel understood.

–John Green

The question remains that would every book be read by someone. Reading the pages of the book called life and see to it that it was and is well written, makes it even better. When the book is completed, or the life's mission on earth is complete, we leave behind a book to be read by your children. They should feel proud, happy and excited when they read the book. They should never look at it as a trash magazine or a novel not worth reading or sharing.

Make it a rule never to give a child a book you would not read yourself.

–George Bernard Shaw

Many of us leave the page blank as it is. The opportunities given to us or the situations we are in, we just leave it as it is. Such a book will never be an attractive one. So each moment we spend in our day is a word added to the book. Making it interesting to read and leave it for others to read and to pick a leaf out of the book would be the goal to be achieved. 

I leave you to think about your book of "Life" with a few quotes by great minds, who left behind or are in the process of leaving behind a great book, theirs, in style.

You know you’ve read a good book when you turn the last page 

and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.

–Paul Sweeney

I think of life as a good book. 

The further you get into it, 

the more it begins to make sense.

–Harold Kushner

A great book should leave you with many experiences, 

and slightly exhausted at the end. 

You live several lives while reading.

–William Styron

Some books leave us free and some books make us free.

–Ralph Waldo Emerson

Books are like mirrors: if a fool looks in, 

you cannot expect a genius to look out.

–J.K. Rowling

If there is a book that you want to read, 

but it hasn’t been written yet, 

you must be the one to write it.

–Toni Morrison

A good book has no ending.

–R.D. Cumming

Last but not the least, there is a title to every book. Let me know in your feedback, what would be the name of your book !!!

7 effective attitudes

I happened to see a post by a regionally known public figure about her visit to a fashion pageant. The way they enjoyed at the venue was very evident. Then came the age old attitude problem. After they have got whatever they want from the event, or the place where the event was held, the abuse starts. The way the post ended was to where they were heading to. The regional town where they belong. The abuse was about the way the north Indians celebrate Diwali and the traffic issues. That was when the bulb in a cloud shaped dialogue bubble lit up above my head. Did they mean to say where they were heading to was free from traffic woes. Was the place free from pollution of all sorts. The answer was affirmatively an oxymoron-ic NO.

The problem with many of us is the use and throw attitude. People from the Gulf work sectors, start abusing their home town as soon as they land. But will they stop there. No. As soon as the vacation is over they will start writing articles, poems and works of art and give long discourses about how they miss their home land. "Nostalgia".

The best thing we need now is to clear this concept in our head and start loving what we have and strive for the better. For that, we need to understand some of the common attitude problems we have:

1. "Akarapacha" or the Mirage effect

When we are comfortable, we tend to complain about the discomforts in life, but as soon as a person with the same discomforts approach you, you are in murky waters. Lets face it, we need to save ourselves first and then others, a lesson learnt from my air travel, when the hostess gives the security brief :First put on your own mask and then help others. Refraining from such lengthy discussions about discomforts will help us save time and money. So think about it !!!

2. Born Critics effect

Criticizing someone is now become a better pass time than face book or whatsapp. You might even think what I am blogging right now is also a criticism. I agree. But this is also a self appraisal or evaluation. We tend to point at someone else with ease and never look at our own mistakes. We are all born politicians in such cases. So think about it !!!

3. Encyclopedia effect

More than iPhone or iPad, we would be hearing "I Know", "I Think" and "I told you" so from a lot of people. In which case these I's should have done something to prevent it. If they have done it then they have the right to say the golden words. Person who would not have even thought about cricket would be giving lectures on how Indian team should have played to win. A person who wouldn't dare to take pains to think of serving the society would give discourses on social change. Lets face it .... you know it better.

4. The anti-money syndrome

The more we see people getting successful around us, the common statement would be I know how he became rich. Cheating ....or it would be all negatives about the person. If we know how to do that wont we be in his position. That question would bring about the common answer, I would like to be poor and straightforward. But the answer beats the purpose and will come to a point where a big exclamation mark would rise about the listeners head, then why the gossip about the successful person. Living ones own life has become out of fashion.

5. The Switch Off Mode

When Sathyarthi won a Nobel Prize Indians know about him. How many of us know Sundarlal Bahuguna, , Shobeendran Sir, Father Gabriel Chiramel or Daya Bai. The Chipko movement started by Sundarlal Bahuguna believed in falling themselves before the trees - No Nobel. Shobeendran Sir lives for the environment - No one cares to know about him except his students and those who know him. Fr. Gabriel Chiramel has a species of snails named after him - No Nobel Prize. Mercy Mathew - A woman who walks out of the comforts of her home and lives to make the lives of the aborigines of our land, better just gets the name Daya Bai and no accolades from those who celebrate Malala. But thanks to the terror groups Malala is the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner, enjoying the luxuries of UK now. There are so many around us, who give up their lives for the betterment of the world. Selfless is a word just made for them. We need to speak for them, as we should be proud about what they do and what we cannot do. At least stand for them. Sathyarthi was never honored by our people till date. Just because a crowd celebrates someone, don't start ringing bells for them, think and support the cause. Switch Off mode in us just allows us to like what others like. There used to be something called - "Individuality". Think about it if you get time supporting the someone who do things for themselves alone and still paint a rosy picture.

6. Follow the trend effect

What is liked by us is what we should like. This is an after effect of the Switch off mode or the blind followers trend. Think of setting trends and be an example to the world. I was asked by a client to say a word in a commercial in a wrong way. When I refused, the explanation I got was that the client wants it that way as the listeners or the end users know the wrong way of saying it. At least we need to make an effort to change the way we look at things. Learn to see the right and wrong as right and wrong and not what the masses believe is right.

7. Careless mode

After reading all this I don't want a like or accolades but want you to wake up from the age old slumber filled with glorious dreams of attitudinal fallacies. Reading all this and caring for nothing, will leave us in the same lurch. We are all perpetually in the careless mode ... Think about it !!!

Now enough of thinking. ACT on it....

Words of wisdom for a lifetime

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An Interview with A. R. Rahman from the yesteryears

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And if at all you need to define Love ...

Love - As simple as it is the world revolves around love. Roses, chocolates, gifts, valentine’s day, mother’s day, father’s day, family day and many more. But do we really understand what love means or what it could mean. Stop the thought at this juncture and look back in your life. Thousands of quotes, poems, stories, books, cards, movies and much more will come to your mind. But let’s not restrict ourselves to those thoughts. Let’s get to the basics as should be done. 

I searched for the definition of love in dictionaries and here is what I found

love (noun)

noun: love; plural noun: loves

an intense feeling of deep affection.

synonyms: deep affection, fondness, tenderness, warmth, intimacy, attachment, endearment; compassion, care, caring, regard, solicitude, concern,  

friendliness, friendship, kindness, charity, goodwill, sympathy, kindliness, altruism, unselfishness, philanthropy, benevolence, fellow feeling, humanity

relationship, love affair, romance, liaison, affair of the heart, amour

a deep romantic or sexual attachment to someone.

synonyms: become infatuated with, give/lose one's heart to; a personified figure of love, often represented as Cupid.

a great interest and pleasure in something.

synonyms: liking of/for, enjoyment of, appreciation of/for, taste for, delight for/in, relish of, passion for, zeal for, appetite for, zest for, enthusiasm for,  

keenness for, fondness for, soft spot for, weakness for, bent for, proclivity for, inclination for, disposition for, partiality for, predilection for, penchant for 

affectionate greetings conveyed to someone on one's behalf.

synonyms: best wishes, regards, good wishes, greetings, kind/kindest regards 

a formula for ending an affectionate letter.

a person or thing that one loves.

synonyms: beloved, loved one, love of one's life, dear, dearest, dear one, darling, sweetheart, sweet, angel, honey; 

(in tennis, squash, and some other sports) a score of zero; nil.

Origin

Old English lufu, of Germanic origin; from an Indo-European root shared by Sanskrit lubhyati ‘desires,’ Latin libet ‘it is pleasing,’ libido ‘desire,’ also by leave  

and lief.

But these definitions does not express the true feelings and I continued my search for more information about love. If you think why I want more information the answer is simple. These definitions do not apply to the Divine Love, as we cannot say God had an intense feeling of deep affection or he had a romantic attachment nor was he playing a game of tennis or squash. Then why do we say God is Love. So we need to search for more.

Then I searched for the meaning of true love and I happened to read an article about love in a health section of howstuffworks.com website. And this is what it  

said:

"Love means never having to say you're sorry," or so the famous line from the movie Love Story goes. But when asked to define what true love is, even the experts have to pause and think. Perhaps it's because true love has different meanings for different people. Dr. Neder defines true love as caring about the health, well-being and happiness of another person to a greater degree than your own health, well-being and happiness. "When you carefully consider your words, thoughts and actions, and specifically how they will benefit that other person," says Dr. Neder, "you're in love."

Now that again put me in dilemma as the meaning gave a thought that this is not a definition which will suit divinity, as many people get sick and hence would not hold true if God loves us. And the definition does not hold true as many people in this world are not happy either. So the search deepens. In the same article Dr. Northrup had a different definition.

"True love comes from the "fourth chakra" and is easily recognized as unconditional support."

This would be true if it was involving only humans. But Love is something beyond animate and inanimate objects and also spiritual. So let me borrow just one word from it and that would be "unconditional".

Many articles say that defining love is a complex procedure. But if that is so then why is it that the world talks about love in poems, songs, stories, interpersonal relationships, spirituality and almost anything. So I have an idea that it has to be something much more basic and simpler. So the search continues.

In Buddhism, you are advised not to have desire as it is the cause of misery. So definitely Love is not just a desire. In Greco Roman thought there are many kinds of love like selflessness, friendship, parental love and so on. Same is the case with thoughts from other parts of the world. I should not negate the thoughts from around the world and should understand what is common in them. Which specifies that love can be towards anyone, anything or a group of animate or inanimate objects too. Is it just a feeling or emotion, the answer is No, as we experience love. So love is directional for sure as it is towards someone or something. The next phase of the search in religious texts as the definition has to encompass the spiritual world too.

Agape: In the New Testament, agapē is charitable, selfless, altruistic, and unconditional. It is parental love, seen as creating goodness in the world; it is the way God is seen to love humanity, and it is seen as the kind of love that Christians aspire to have for one another.

Phileo: Also used in the New Testament, phileo is a human response to something that is found to be delightful. Also known as "brotherly love."

Two other words for love in the Greek language, eros (sexual love) and storge (child-to-parent love), were never used in the New Testament.

Christians believe that to Love God with all your heart, mind, and strength and Love your neighbor as yourself are the two most important things in life (the greatest commandment of the Jewish Torah, according to Jesus; cf. Gospel of Mark chapter 12, verses 28–34). Saint Augustine summarized this when he wrote: 

 "Love God, and do as thou wilt."

The Apostle Paul glorified love as the most important virtue of all. Describing love in the famous poem in 1 Corinthians, he wrote, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres." (1 Cor. 13:4–7, NIV)

The Apostle John wrote, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:16–17, NIV) John also wrote, "Dear friends, let us love one another for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." (1 John 4:7–8, NIV)

In Judaism I found more:

The commandment to love other people is given in the Torah, which states, "Love your neighbor like yourself" (Leviticus 19:18). The Torah's commandment to love God "with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might" (Deuteronomy 6:5) is taken by the Mishnah (a central text of the Jewish oral law) to refer to good deeds, willingness to sacrifice one's life rather than commit certain serious transgressions, willingness to sacrifice all of one's possessions, and being grateful to the Lord despite adversity (tractate Berachoth 9:5). Rabbinic literature differs as to how this love can be developed, e.g., by contemplating divine deeds or witnessing the marvels of nature. As for love between marital partners, this is deemed an essential ingredient to life: "See life with the wife you love" (Ecclesiastes 9:9). The biblical book Song of Solomon is considered a romantically phrased metaphor of love between God and his people, but in its plain reading, reads like a love song. The 20th-century Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler is frequently quoted as defining love from the Jewish point of view as "giving without expecting to take" (from his Michtav me-Eliyahu, Vol. 1).

In Islam the beginning of the Holy Quran itself mentions about God and Love:

Love encompasses the Islamic view of life as universal brotherhood that applies to all who hold faith. Amongst the 99 names of God (Allah), there is the name Al-Wadud, or "the Loving One," which is found in Surah [Quran 11:90] as well as Surah [Quran 85:14]. God is also referenced at the beginning of every chapter in the Qur'an as Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim, or the "Most Compassionate" and the "Most Merciful", indicating that nobody is more loving, compassionate and benevolent than God. The Qur'an refers to God as being "full of loving kindness."

In Hinduism the mention of love has been at different levels, each having a different meaning. The mention of the Karuna, Kama, Prema, Bhakti and so on. Love is a bit of all these or a combination of all these. The search starts simplifying here. As the understanding of all the above, we can see that 

Love is: A virtue, unconditional, not bound by human feelings like fear or hate, not having expectations or desires, can be towards anyone or anything, forgiving and thankful. The search for the true meaning will continue and I am sure you will search for answers too, as there lays the true human nature of defying  anything and everything anyone says, which lead me to this search too. But I, for the time being would put all these together and define Love. With the  definition of love as I understand, I tried putting it in most of the cases I know and it is a befitting answer. So I feel more satisfied. The definition stands true for Impersonal, Personal, Interpersonal, Spiritual and attraction towards animate or inanimate objects too.

Love - it is the unconditional virtue with no sign of fear or expectations from anyone, anything or any group animate or inanimate, and the gratitude towards them or it. And "Trust" is a bye product of this virtue.

For once, my writing has a lot of I and not we, the reason is simple. When you read this article, the worlds should be for the "I" in you to read. So with Love the submission of "I" or the ego happens and remember "I" is in Sin, Filth, Dirt, Fickle .... and so on. Lets spread love with an understanding and search for more from the universe.