Da, Da, Da

Puzzled what does the title "Da, Da, Da" mean??
For some children it might mean DaDaDa - grandpa, DaDa - father, TaTa (DaDa) - adieu or bye
Similarly living beings of three qualities had three different meanings for this syllable "Da". So what does it mean to them??

You know Prajapati?? He is the Creator of all living beings - Brahma. His children were the Devas - who reside in Heaven, Men - who reside in Earth and Demon (Asuraas) - who reside underworld. Devas lived all their life by enjoying in pleasures and recreations. Though they were immersed in sensual pleasures, they did not find contentment in it. People who live on earth, earned grains and wealth by their hard work. They slogged all their life but were not satisfied with their wealth. Demons made their living by killing other people for their purpose and thought they were the most powerful. Yet, they feel dissatisfied in the bottom of their hearts.

All of them decided to pray to Prajapati and seek a solution from him for their yearning. Prajapati meditated a while and told them, "Da" and asked them to tell him after a while, what it meant for them. (Sages and Saints used to just utter a word and it would mean a lot. Only when we contemplate on that we could understand the meaning.)

They all immersed in thinking what does "Da" mean to them. Devas thought that it should mean "Dama" which means to control their senses. They knew that they have been over-enjoying all these years and should start learn to gain control over it.
People living on earth discussed about the syllable "Da" and found that it should mean "Dan" which means giving away or doing charity. They thought they were hoarding all their wealth all these days, which created a sense of discontentment in them, so for them "Da" meant "Dan".
Demons or Asuraas delved into deep thinking of what "Da" meant for them.They are the one who misuses their power to kill innocent people and make living with that. They thought they lacked the feel of "Daya" or compassion which made them feel bad for their doings. So for them "Da" meant "Daya".

After their contemplation, they went to Prajapati and told him the meaning they found by uttering "Da". When they all heard others meanings to "Da" they were surprised. Prajapati then told, "All three of you are right and they apply to you. So practice what you found as the meaning of "Da" and you will be happy and satisfied after that".

So kids, think what "Da" means to you!
All of us might have different thoughts about it, let's pay attention to our hearts and find satisfaction in our lives.

There is a famous song called "Maithreem Bhajata" sung by Dr. M.S.Subbulakshmi in UN organization. This song was written by pontiff of Kanchipuram SriSankara Mutt Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal, in which he calls for universal brotherhood and explains the meaning of this "Da" in the song.
Lyrics:
Maithreem Bhajatha Akila Hrith Jeththreem - Serve with Friendship and Humility, which will conquer the Hearts of Everyone.
Atmavat Eva Paraan api pashyata - Look upon others similar to yourself.
Yuddham Tyajata - Renounce War
Spardhaam Tyajata - Renounce unnecessary Competition for Power
Tyajata Pareshwa akrama aakramanam - Give up Aggression on others' properties which is wrong
Jananee Prthivee Kaamadughaastey - Mother Earth is wide enough and ready to give us all we desire like a Kaamadenu
JanakO Deva: Sakala Dayaalu: - God, Our Father, is very Compassionate to All
Daamyata - So, Restrain yourself
Datta - So, Donate your wealth to others
Dayathvam - So, Be Kind to others
Janathaa: - Oh People of the World
Sreyo Bhooyaath Sakala Janaanaam - May All People of this World be Happy and Prosperous.
Sreyo Bhooyaath Sakala Janaanaam - May All People of this World be Happy and Prosperous.
Sreyo Bhooyaath Sakala Janaanaam - May All People of this World be Happy and Prosperous.

Listen to this song 

And also I found this interesting picture story from youtube which children would like to see,

Story line: From Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
Lyric Courtesy: http://maithreembhajatha.blogspot.com/2005/10/shreyo-bhooyaath-sakala-janaanaam.html

Chatrapathi Shivaji and his great escape

We all have been listening stories from our parents and grandparents, and also telling stories to our kids. Have you ever thought if there is any story which moulded your personality??

Today we will listen to the story of a boy who turned into a great Kshatriya (warrior). This boy's thoughts and deeds are greatly influenced as he listened to his mother's stories during childhood. He is none other than Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj and it was his mother Jijabai who cultivated morals and ethics to him by telling him stories from Ramayana, Mahabarata, and other saints and kings. These stories kindled him the flame of freedom and made him to take oath for Swarajya.
Shivaji Maharaj was well known for his cleverness and planning. Once Shivaji Maharaj wanted some wealth for his kingdom and looted Surat, a place under the control of Aurangazeb's kingdom. This made Aurangazeb very angry and he wanted to tactically attack Shivaji. So he thought of a plan. He decided that he should send a 'Lion' to overpower this lion. He chose for task the King, Raja Jayasimha (incidentally, 'Simha' means a lion.) Jayasimha was a great warrior and also a clever general. Though he is mighty, it was a shame that he was subservient to a foreigner who was ruling the land! Jayasimha proceeded south with his large army. He won over the Sultan of Bijapur to his side. The battle against Shivaji began. All of a sudden Shivaji wrote a letter to Jayasimha informing him that he would agree to a friendly compromise. What was more, he met Jayasimha and told him that he would remain loyal to the Badshah at Delhi.

All were baffled on Shivaji's sudden peace agreement and bowing down to Badshah. Many thought -that there lay behind this some secret plan. It is possible that Shivaji had planned to go to Delhi on the pretext of serving the Badshah as a dependent and then to put an end to the life of Aurangzeb in a direct encounter. This was perhaps a venture of greater heroism and sharper strategy than ever before in his life. Accordingly, Shivaji proceeded to meet the Emperor, Aurangzeb. His son Sambhaji also accompanied him. At home, in the land of freedom, all were filled with great anxiety.

Shivaji reached Agra in order to meet Aurangzeb. The latter too was equally tactful. He did not allow Shivaji to be near him and bid him stay at a distance in the court besides Aurangazeb's servants. His insult was a great disappointment to Shivaji's hopes.  Aurangzeb did not , keep the promise that he would treat him with respect. Naturally Shivaji was greatly enraged. Ignoring Aurangzeb he left the court.

Aurangzeb was not such a fool as to let an enemy who had come within his reach escape easily. So Shivaji was now in great danger. He ordered Shivaji to be imprisoned and to be executed also.

In spite of the gravity of the situation Shivaji did not lose heart. At this critical hour his intellect and his courage shone more brightly and he made some plans. Suddenly Shivaji took ill and his health became worse. Shivaji begged Aurangzeb to allow his Maratha soldiers to return back. Aurangzeb felt relieved and permitted them to go. Shivaji began distributing sweets to the Fakirs, mendicants and ascetics of the town hoping that his illness may be cured. He began sending gifts also to the wealthy in the town. Aurangzeb permitted all these and did not have any doubts. No Vaidya or Hakim could improve Shivaji's condition. The day of Shivaji's execution had been fixed. On the previous day Shivaji's illness grew very serious, and he lost consciousness.

As usual the baskets that would carry the sweets were brought in. Shivaji who was lying on his sickbed suddenly jumped into one of the baskets and so did his son Sambhaji. Immediately the servants put on the lids and carried the baskets away.

The sentries who had been examining the baskets were convinced by long custom that they contained nothing but sweets. Polad Khan, the chief of sentries though checked some baskets, did not chance upon checking the baskets hiding Shivaji and Sambhaji. That was by the grace of Goddess Bhavani. He must have meant 'Let him live' when he said, 'Let the baskets go.'

Inside the prison where Shivaji had been lying a little while before, a friend of Shivaji by name Hiroji lay down. He put on the royal ring, which Shivaji had given him. He lay down, with his hand, which showed this ring thrust out. The rest of the body had been covered with the blanket.  The day to execute Shivaji came and the 'Shivaji' who was lying there got up and covered the place with pillows and blankets. Putting on his usual clothes, he came out and announced to thesentries that the condition of Shivaji was very serious and that it was a matter of a few hours for Shivaji. He said he- was going to bring some medicine. So saying he went out. He went away and did not return. Inside, on the couch, lay the huddled imitation of Shivaji. Outside the prison the sentries stood with swords drawn.

As the day for execution dawned Polad Khan came in. There was a strange silence and he grew suspicious. When he saw no movement in Shivaji's body, he thought he might have died and pulled the blanket. He was shocked to see just the bare bed and the pillows! Shivaji had disappeared. You can imagine the feelings of Polad Khan, and more important still, of Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb at once ordered his army to capture Shivaji and the army set out in all directions.

By this time Shivaji and Sambhaji had already mounted the horses that were kept in readiness for them and proceeded south. They dashed away at great speed. On the way they were sheltered comfortably in the Maths established by Swami Samarth Ramdas.

Shivaji and Sambhaji dressed in the robes of a 'sanyasi' reached Raigadh. For a while even his mother Jijabai could not recognize her son. Later, she was happy to learn their escape and safe return. When the news of Shivaji's escape from Agra reached the ears of his enemies in the south, they were all speechless and helpless. Not just that Shivaji's fame spread all over India. Shivaji had thrown dust into the eyes of the greatest schemer and politician like Aurangzeb and had escaped from the latter's capital.

Indeed this story is very interesting as we listen to it. Shivaji Maharaj's clever and excellent planning mind could be seen very well from this story.
June 13th marked the coronation day of Shivaji Maharaj. Let us all take with us the great qualities Shivaji Maharaj displayed in his life, the same way as he took it from the stories told by his mother Jijabai.

Let us now listen to a song by Sant Samartha Ramadas on Shivaji.

Story Courtesy: Story from our 5th standard english book.
Song Courtesy: Song referred by Ajey Gotkhindikar

"What is within is seen outside"

After a very long time, I attended a guest lecture today on "Responsible Capitalism" by Edward Freeman in Tampere. Few minutes after the lecture began, I had a reminiscence feeling of the days when I used to listen to Bhagavat Geetha lectures in the Kamaraj auditorium, Chennai by Sunandaji from Vedanta Institute.

"Responsible Capitalism" and "Bhagavat Geetha" are they related someway?? What made me reminiscent over Bhagavat Geetha discourse on a "Responsible Capitalism" lecture? Because of the lines Dr.Freeman told, "All the business are for a purpose, if it focuses on the purpose, money and profit will follow".
I vividly remember the voice of Sunandaji telling Krishna's words for Arjuna, "All our lives are for a purpose. Hey Arjuna, do your duties which you are ought to, rest will be taken care of".

Those lines of Freeman can raise many arguments and debates, which is for sure worth a discussion. However, I liked the ideas and the ways he discussed it in a short span of duration. His confidence and belief over the Responsible Capitalism can be seen on the way he carried his talks. He narrated it as a new story and wanted all of us to share it with our circle of people and let everyone talk about this: Be responsible as you do your business. He did not criticize about businesses making profits, but commented that businesses do need to make profit for their existence in the first place. What he emphasized instead is, that making profits alone should not be the objective of a business. Quite contradictory to one of my professors who used to say, "Doing Business finally boils down to making money!"

Anyways, I enjoyed the lecture and an unexpected interesting conversation I had with two others during snack time. Both of them are Finns, one being an elderly person (with up-to-date knowledge about India) and another being a middle-aged man. The discussion went around the lecture topic and all of us agreed that the lecture was a brief overview and triggered an interest towards the subject, while at the same time spurred many questions. The middle-aged man aspires to start a business soon and we had a discussion about his views on making his future business being "responsible".

Also when we chatted about reputed companies being responsible and less responsible, the middle-aged man casually stated that "Being responsible comes from within and can be seen outside". Yes, his simple statement strike me a truth: "You are seen outside as what you are inside". This applies to individuals and organizations as well.. Whatever good ethics we want to have, comes within ourselves. Yet it is also true that people and companies are not always good as seen outside. However, the real face can be seen one day or the other! There are many good examples for this, like the Satyam Computers scam in India.

Our discussion went on and we departed acknowledging each of us for our wonderful discussion. My take away from this is,
"What is within is seen outside" - one day or the other. So, let us think good and do good and be good, as far we can.

Importance of making right choices

Last weeks we saw that we should believe that our small efforts will make a difference and also we could put tremendous efforts to accomplish big tasks.
Adding to this, it is also important to understand that not all tasks can be achieved merely by one person's efforts and we would be in need of help from our friends and family to accomplish a task. This week we can listen to a story emphasizing the ethics one need to possess when approaching others for help and how to make a choice.

This incident happened in our Epic Mahabharatham. The war between Gauravas and Pandavas had been declared. Duryodhana being the head of Gauravas started gathering support for his army and one day approached Krishna. When he went to Krishna's home, he found him sleeping and so he sat near his head.

Later after sometime Arjuna also came to Krishna's home to ask for his support for Pandavas. When he found Krishna sleeping, he humbly sat near his foot and both waited patiently till Krishna woke up.

Krishna woke up from his nap and saw Arjuna first and enquired about his welfare. Arjuna told ,"Krishna, we want your support for us during the Gurukshetra war". Then he saw Duryodhana sitting behind him and enquired about his welfare as well. Duryodhana replied, "Krishna, I came first and we want your support for us during the war".

Though  Duryodhana had come first to meet Krishna, Krishna saw Arjuna first. So he replied that he would accept both their requests and gave them a choice and divided his sainya (army) into two: 10000 Yadhuviras who are equal to him in valour on one side and Krishna alone on the other side. And, Krishna told that he will not take any arms but can just be the Rathasarathi (charioteer).

Then, he asked Arjuna first for his choice, as he was younger than Duryodhana. This is because, according to Sruti Vakya, younger one should be given precedence over older person. Arjuna had firm faith on Krishna that he did not want anyone else except Krishna and so he replied, " Let only You be on our side and we would be blessed".

Duryodhana was so happy hearing it and immediately replied, "I am happy to have your 10,000 Yadhuviras" and thought Arjuna should be a fool to reject a wonderful choice offered to him on a platter.

But from the complete story of Mahabharatham, we could understand that how the presence of Krishna influences the victory of Pandavas.
Though the army and valorous soldiers are important in a war, Arjuna chose Krishna instead of 10,000 Yadhuviras, because he knew that Krishna was an embodiment of grace, astute mind, philosopher and guide. And, that Krishna's presence on their army would have magnanimous effect than Krishna's mighty army.

When we want to accomplish some tasks in our lives and are in need of help or have a choice to make, take sometime to understand the capability of the person or choice. People like Duryodhana may laugh or criticize at us for our decision, but if we believe the Divine Grace to be on our choice, proceed with that.
The presence of Divine Grace will help us accomplish our goal.

Also one has to learn the quality of Vinayam (being humble) at all times, like what Arjuna did in this story.

PS: I could not think of any song that would relate to this story. If you have any songs that would relate or kinda suits this story, please share.

The guiding verse of my life

I listened to a discourse by Sri Muralidhara Swamigal and the Bhagavat Geetha shloka he mentioned in that simply elucidates how we need to do our actions and practices which will lead us to live peacefully.

The shloka is from Chapter 12 Bhakthi Yoga, verse 12,

If you understand Tamil language, please do listen to his explanation for this shloka, below.

And for those who does not understand Tamil, I tried to summarize below what he had mentioned.
"We have been brought up with our tradition & cultural values since our childhood which is good. But we should make efforts to know the reasoning behind it, which will guide us when we are baffled by those non-believers. It is not enough to have this reasoning as a knowledge alone, but we need to put that into consistent practice through which we will develop 'dhyana' or meditation: meditate on our practices. Once we start doing practising this for years, unknowingly we might be proud of ourselves. The ego comes into picture and will slowly become our master. Thus inorder to avoid pride taking over us, we need to submit all our efforts to God saying, its only through His grace, I am able to do all these activities consistently. This 'bhava' or emotion will humble ourselves and prevent from pride taking over. Once we get into this state, we will remain peacefully all through our life: during happiness and sorrow."

So in short he tells us, it is good to practise our values, and even more good is to know the reason behind it which guide us when we are baffled by others, and even more good is continuing the knowledge and practice consistently and the best would be to offer all our efforts to God which will lead to ultimate Peace at all times.

I strongly recommend people to listen to his discourse if you understand Tamil, for my summarization on his view is limited to my understanding. And I am sure, everyone of us will take different interpretations from his talks. If you have any other thoughts that you could imbibe from his talk, please do share with me here.

Each shloka of Bhagavat Geetha sends us a message on the good ways of leading our life and to handle our situations. I consider this shloka to be a guiding verse of my life in doing my activities daily.

Put efforts as big as to descent Holy Ganga

In the last story we could realize that even smallest of our thoughtful acts will make a difference. But let us not stop ourselves by doing small worthy acts, when we could do the most mighty and demanding tasks.
Have you heard the term "Bhagiratha Prayathana"? (Bhagiratha's endeavours). Listen to his story which brought this term into existence.

Bhagiratha was a valiant King of Ayodhya and son of King Dhilipa. When his ancestor Sagara performed an yagna, he came to know that the ashes of his sixty thousand sons were lying on Patala Loka (nether world) and only by washing them with Holy Ganga water will they reach heaven.

Sagara and other kings in his lineage could not bring Ganga river with their tapas. Later during Bhagiratha's reign, he made a resolution that he would bring the souls of his ancestors rest in peace, by washing their ashes with Ganga water.

In order to bring Holy Ganga river to earth, he handed over his kingdom to his ministers and went to the Himalayas to do Tapas (penance). He carried out a strict Tapas towards Lord Brahma. He carried his Tapas for many years amidst hot summer with his bare legs bearing the heat and standing over freezing lake during cold winter. Years passed on and it was more than 1000 years he continued his severe Tapas. During his initial days, he used to take food once in a day, which slowly reduced to once in a week, once in a month and finally he made his living by drawing energy from air.

One day, Lord Brahma was pleased with his Tapas, gave him darshan and asked his wish. Bhagiratha bowed before him and requested him to grant a boon so that Holy Ganga river would come to earth and he could wash his ancestors ashes with Ganga water. Lord Brahma was happy hearing to it and granted him the boon and told that the earth would not bear the force of Ganga river's descent. So asked him to do Tapas towards Lord Siva, for he could help in bringing Ganga river to earth.

Continue Tapas again towards Siva?? This would definitely deter normal people but not Bhagiratha. He continued the Tapas towards Lord Siva with the same zeal for the resolution he had taken. Few years of his austere Tapas made Lord Siva to appear before him and he consented to his wish of bearing the force of Ganga river's descent in his head. Thus by Lord Brahma's boon, Ganga river flowed over Lord Siva's head.

The Ganga being proud of her strength, had in her mind, that Lord Siva might not be able to bear her water force. Lord Siva sensed her thought and taught her a lesson by holding her onto his head inside his Jada mudi (matted hair). The Ganga river could not come out of Lord Siva's matted hair and Ganga river felt guilty of her arrogance. However, seeing this Bhagiratha got worried and pleaded Siva to bestow on him by His grace. Lord Siva then let Ganga flow to earth in seven separate streams. Three of which flowed west and three east, and the last one followed Bhagiratha.

As the Holy Ganga followed Bhagiratha, they travelled near Jahnu maharishi's ashram (hermit). Ganga as she flowed became mischievous and destroyed Jahnu maharishi's yagna peedam (sacrificial stand). Jahnu maharishi got angry because of her mischievous act and drank her completely in a gulp. Yet again, Bhagiratha was struck in making his resolution happening. But Bhagiratha was not a normal person to be grief-stricken with these situations. He pleaded Jahnu maharishi and requested to grace him to fulfill his resolution. So Jahnu maharishi released Ganga through his ears (and so Ganga river is also known as Jaahnavi - daughter of Jahnu maharishi as he released her like a child from a mother's womb).

Bhagiratha atlast washed away his ancestor's ashes with Holy Ganga water and made their souls rest in peace in heaven. As Bhagiratha with his Tapas brought Holy Ganga to earth, River Ganga is also known as "Bhagirathi".

This story of Bhagiratha shows the perseverance one has to be equipped with, when making a resolution come true. Besides perseverance, Bhagiratha did not get deter when he faced hindrances at many situations.
Thus came the term "Bhagiratha Prayatana" emphasizing that our efforts towards a difficult goal should be big and to be done with never-give up attitude.

Source: This story was told by Viswamitra to the kids Rama and Lakshmana, when he took them to the forest to protect his Yagna, in Ramayana. (www.ramayanam.in)


We are to be blessed to take a bath in the Holy Ganga river, but for now, let us drench ourselves in listening to this Ganga Arti.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy00PwV_qWU

Ever thought about ample free time?

Yes, I had thought about it during my childhood days.. When I study during my school & college days for mid-term tests and exams, my mind used to go behind various interesting things; starting from TV shows, eating delicacies, learning new sports or skills, vacation with relatives to the more "useful" ones reading general books, quiz books, going to library and many more, except concentrating on the course subject. I would try hard to side out those thoughts and concentrate on the subject. I would tell myself that let me do all those things during my holidays after exams. And, yes as the exams gets completed and with the whole 2 months of holidays in front of me, I get completely immersed in playing, watching TV and other things and completely forget my thoughts on "Useful holidays ideas" ;-)

Our school & college days is entirely different from our current working life. But, "I" am the same person now, as I was during my school & college days.. When I am my completely busy with my work assignments, I used to get many more ideas of improving my C skills, learning new technical concepts, try out some hobbies etc.. But now... what happens when I have ample free time?? My mind is not inclined to do those preferred free time activities. I have to agree, that during initial days when I was free to do anything, my mind did support me in doing many things.. But as days goes on, it slowly started being sluggish. I have to cheer myself and prevent from getting distracted often, and make a list of "to-dos" and keep an eye to be on track. Otherwise I am sure I will get lost during this ample free time. I am sure, if I practise this activity regulary, it will help me in continuing those preferred free time activities even during my busy working times.

This makes me wonder, how would it be getting a 2 months holiday every year as we would get during our school days? Perhaps, we all might turn into hobbysists and know more on what we like and can do by ourselves..
Have you ever been in times when you had ample free time after slogging sometime on your work? Pour in your thoughts & experiences at those times.