Friday, May 13, 2011

Small act will make a difference

From this week for few more weeks, we can listen to stories conveying the qualities one need to possess while doing our activities.

Kids are excited and interested about animals. This week we can listen to the story of a bird called Jatayu. This story is from Ramayanam happened during “Aaranya Kandam” (when Rama, Sita and Lakshmana lived in the forest).

In brief, Rama went in search of the golden deer which Sita was interested in and Lakshmana followed him as Sita wanted him to help Rama who might be in trouble. When Sita was alone in their hermit, Ravana came there disguised as a sage and abducted her. He took her forcefully and placed her in his chariot and started flying in the air. Sita did not expect this sudden attack and was crying all the while asking for help. Jatayu an old vulture was sleeping under a tree and heard some feeble voice of a lady. Jatayu is the bird whose life was once saved by King Dasaratha, father of Lord Rama.

Jatayu on hearing the feeble cry of a lady, opened his eyes and could see a chariot flying in the air with a demon carrying an innocent lady. Sita yelled all the way as,
“Oh Rama, Oh Lakshmana come and save me”.
These words made Jatayu to react swiftly as he could recognize that it should be Sita, wife of Rama, asking for help. As Jatayu was old and resting for a long time, he could not fly high and fast. But as he hears the cries of Sita, he mustered energy and flew near Ravana’s chariot. Seeing Jatayu coming for her rescue, Sita yelled at Ravana saying
“Oh Ravana, see even this old vulture could not withstand your ill-behvaiour and coming to rescue me”.

Jatayu now understood that the demon was none other than Ravana and told him,
“Oh demon king, it is not a rightful act to abduct Sita, the wife of Rama. Please leave her and I can return her to Rama, otherwise it is sure that you will not escape from Rama’s arrows”.
On hearing these words from Jatayu, Ravana replied
“Hey poor bird, though you are weak and senile, you are not afraid of me and speaking against me. Go away from here otherwise I have to kill you and proceed with my wish!”
Albeit his oldness, Jatayu wanted to save Sita from the cruel hands of Ravana and hence started attacking him with his long wings. Ravana got hurt by Jatayu’s fluttering wings and became furious.

While Ravana took his sword and aimed at Jatayu’s wings, Sita prevented him from aiming at Jatayu. Jatayu continuously hurted Ravana by fluttering his wings and piercing with his beak. Though Jatayu cannot match Ravana’s powers, he fought a good battle with Ravana. Finally, Ravana cut Jatayu’s wings and pierced the sword into his flesh. Jatayu cried aloud out of pain and fell down. Jatayu felt bad that he could not save Sita who is like his daughter. Ravana then flew away with Sita in his chariot.

Few days later, Rama and Lakshmana were roaming around the forest in search of Sita and found a big old bird lying around. They thought that the bird had died, but as they came nearer, they could hear groaning sound from the bird. It was none other than Jatayu. When Rama touched Jatayu, the bird could realize that it is Rama’s touch and uttered, “Oh Rama, I am Jatayu, a vulture who was given life once by your father Dasaratha. Sita was abducted by Ravana and even though I fought with him to rescue her, I cannot succeed. He broke my wings and flew away with Sita towards south direction. You will find her soon and will be happy with her”. Saying these words, Jatayu died on Rama’s lap. Rama became very sad to lose Jatayu who is like a second father to him. He performed the last rites of Jatayu, thinking that he did not get the chance to do last rites for his own father. Atleast he could do for Jatayu who is equivalent to his father. As per Jatayu’s words, they started in search of Sita in the South direction.

Though Jatayu was weak and old, did not fail to put efforts in rescuing Sita. He knew that Ravana is more powerful than him, but still he fought with him. He knew his fight will not succeed but only the fight made him know that it was only Ravana who abducted Sita and took her towards south direction. Jatayu held his final breath to utter those words to Rama which would help him in finding Sita.

Though Jatayu played a small role, it was only him who told Rama about Ravana abducting Sita and they flew towards South. That made the difference in Rama’s and Lakshmana’s search for Sita, otherwise they would have been wandering the forest not knowing Sita's whereabouts. Jatayu’s actions displays that though we might be weak, or less skilled, or under-privileged, our every single act will make a difference, if we believe in what we do.

Another important qualtiy that can be observed from all our moral stories is to first try to solve the problem by smooth, non-violent means, if that is not possible, then try other means which is also emphasized in this story by Jatayu (when he first asked Ravana to leave Sita).
 Here is a Bharathiyar song I am reminded when I think about birds..
It is sung by Bombay Jayasree in album “Atma - soul”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XC7MjGF2mw

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Transformation!!!


I was going on a walk along with my son to a park nearby, and he exclaimed "ahh" and pointed to a butterfly. This might be the first time he sees the butterfly and yes, spring is already here in Finland (though a bit late this year). This is the third summer for us to be here in Finland and I have to say that this place is entirely different during each season. Anyone who visited this place during winter would not believe how shiny and green it is during summer. The autumn is a delight to watch with trees having different colored leaves and within 2 weeks during late autumn the trees stand tall without any leaves decorating it. Needless to say about the long snow-capped winter - a beauty in itself.

The butterflies and the flowers near our home along the roadside make me wonder, where they were during peak snow-capped winter season. I still do not know if the butterflies would migrate from other far off places(can they fly so far?!) or were they taking rest all these days?(hmm, nay that might not the case).
And, the flower plants I am sure are buried underneath the snow. The wonderful fact is that these plants are not dead, but they are just dormant. They withhold their life, preparing and waiting for the right time to blossom. The moment when the sun starts shining and the place getting warmer, they immediately start blossoming. They send a message to us that, during tough times, if we withhold our life and prepare and wait for an opportunity, we can blossom the moment sun shines in our life through an opportunity! And for sure sun will shine in all our lives after a dark winter.

All the four seasons are completely different in Finland and a real experience. I am sure my words cannot explain it, neither are my photos. But, just to explode your imagination about the seasons, here are some of my photos.

Snowy winter

Trees and plants covered with snow












Plants blossom as spring dawns
Trees are beautiful with fresh green leaves coming up

















Picturesque summer


Sought after summer!



Autumn colors the leaves!
Road-side filled with leaves during autumn













And the cycle just continues like our lives...

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Dukrin Karane, Dukrin Karane

Wondering what does the title refer to?
Before explaining about the title, let us know the significance of May 8th,2011 which is JagadGuru Adi Shankaracharya's Janmadina (birthday). Within a short period of his lifetime, he has given a strong message to us through his various shlokas and song compositions. In remembrance of our great Guru, here is a story behind one of his greatest compositions "Bhaja Govindam" also known as "Moha Mudgara".

During his stay on Kashikshetram (Varanasi), one day on his way back to Ashram (hermit) after having bath in Ganges, he heard a student intently repeating "Dukrin Karane, Dukrin Karane, Dukrin Karane" and was trying to memorize a Sanskrit grammar sutra (rules). The student was a youth who was about to finish his studies and going to start his career. Adi Sankara on hearing him cramming the Sanskrit Grammar sutra, felt pity for him and his ignorance. On that moment, he thought "Of what use would the cramming bring in the student's life? It might help him get a good career, but if he gets satisfied with that, he would fail to realise his purpose of life and repeats the birth-death cycle". On that very moment, he composed the song "Bhaja Govindam" and elucidates the real purpose of our life.
Ofcourse in order to make our living we need to study hard, work and learn more to grow in our life. However he emphasize in that song, while these things are required to run our life, they do not help us in realizing our purpose of life. All of us are born for a purpose, which would be known to us only when we seek towards that.
On his Janmadina, let us pray and seek his blessings to make us realize our purpose of life and help us in achieving it.

Here is the soulful rendition of "Bhaja Govindam" by our great M.S.Subbulakshmi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4FUQxn4CnY

Friday, May 6, 2011

Practise Shreddha and Steadfastness - II

As promised last week, here is another story of a small boy who was steadfast in his thought and pursued his efforts with Shreddha.
Once upon a time, there was a person by name Vajashrava who wished to accumulate punyam by giving away alms to the poor. So he arranged for a big yaagam and at the end of it planned to give alms to the poor. He asked his servants to get weakest and old cows from his yard. He had a small son by name Nachiketa who was observing that. He could see that those cows are old enough to give milk, neither they can be used for farming nor can be used for other purposes.

Nachiketa is a boy who is well versed in Shastras and possess staunch faith on them. He learns humbly from his Guru and pursues his orders with utmost sincerity. On seeing his father's actions, he was reminded of the Shastra knowledge he learnt, where it is mentioned that "One must always give away good things to others and the gifts a person give should be useful to others. Also, those things that are  liked by us should be given to others, which will subdue our sense of attachment."

So he told his father "Father, why are you giving old and weak cows to poor people? Those cows are not going to be of any useful to them. Though you think it as a way to acquire punyam(virtue), it is in fact papam(sin), to give such gifts to poor people. Please do not do that". Vajashrava replied "My son you are of small age and so you cannot understand these acts of the world. If I give away all the healthy cows of mine, how will I earn money and livelihood in the future. So let me continue doing this daanam(charity)". Worried Nachiketa thought for a while and told "Father, Shastras also mention, that children are the greatest wealth of a parent. You can give away me and get punyam. To whom will you give me?"

Vajashrava was busy in his work and did not heed his words. Nachiketa kept asking him repeatedly "To whom will you give me"? Vajashrava got angry and told "Go away, I give you to Yama". Nachiketa took these words seriously and in order to adhere to his father's words started his way to meet Yama, Lord of Death.

With his streadfast faith and shastra abhyas (practice), he crossed the Vaitarani nadi, which great sages find difficult to cross and reached Yamaloka. While he reached the doors of Yamaloka, he came to know that Yama Dharmaraaja was not in Yamaloka and waited behind the doors. After three days, Yama Dharmaraaja on his return to Yamaloka saw the small boy waiting behind his doors for three days without food and water. He felt bad for not serving his guest with due honor. He along with his wife Yami, welcomed him, provided him a seat and gave him food and water. He then spoke to him "My son, I am very sorry for keeping you wait behind my doors without any food or water. I was failed to perform my duties towards a guest and hence to cleanse my papam (sin) please ask three boons from me".

Nachiketa was happy to hear those words from Yama Darmaraaja himself and asked, "My father would be angry on me, because I left him in order to keep up his words. So please grant me the first boon that my father should not be angry on my return and should be always happy" . Dharmaraaja was happy to hear his self-less wish and then asked for the other two.

Nachiketa continued "I would like to be blessed with Vigyanam (scientific knowledge) by you". "Granted" told Dharmaraaja. Nachiketa then continued "Shastras say that a man is reborn again and again like a crop being grown and harvested. But those who attain Atmagyana are able to cross over this cycle. So can you teach me the ways to attain Atmagyana". Dharmaraaja was taken away on hearing this third boon and hesitated for a while as Atmagyana can be taught to only befitting people. So Dharamaraaja replied "My son, you are of small age and not in a position to learn that. You can ask any other things like health, kingship of this world, unparalleled  wealth etc". However Nachiketa remained steadfast in his desire to learn Atmagyana and uttered "I am not interested in anything else other than learning Atmagyana verily from you, Dharmaraaja".

On seeing Nachiketa's unshakable faith, he started teaching him Atmagyana. This story is from Katho Upanishad where Dharmaraaja teaches Nachiketa the ways to attain Atmagyana.

This story reveals steadfast faith and efforts with shreddha will surely yeild success. This story also emphasizes the way guests have to be treated and also the bhava (intention or mindstate) behind giving alms to the poor. As mentioned here, we should give those things that will be useful to others.

On a careful read of Dhruva and Nachiketa's story, we could find that both boys when confronted with rejection of their desire and thought, did not react with despair. They in turn provided the due respect for their parents and elders and at the same time tried other good ways to pursue their desires and thoughts.
This is an important quality to be cultivated to our children; not to despair or react badly during rejection, but to evolve as a person with integrity and find other ways to achieve their desire.


This story of Nachiketa is also referenced in this story: http://meinall.blogspot.com/2011/04/implied-meaning-of-lord-krishnas-pranks.html

Having listened to the story of small boy Nachiketa, we can enjoy this small boy's beautiful rendition of carnatic krithi "Pibare Ramarasam" by Sadasiva Brahmendra.



Pibare Rama Rasam

By Sadashiva Brahmendrar

Ragam Aahir Bhairavi, Thala AAdhi
Pallavi
Pibare rama rasam, rasane Pibare Rama Rasam

Charanam
1. Doorikrutha pathaka samsargam,
pooritha nana vidha phala vargam.
2. Janana marana bhaya shoka vidhooram,
Sakala shastra nigamagama saram
3. Pariplalitha sarasija garbhandam,
Parama pavithree krutha pasandam.
4. Sudha paramashrama ashrama githam,
Shuka shaunaka kaushika mukha peetam

English Translation
Pallavi
Drink the nectar of Rama, Oh connoisseur, Drink the nectar of Rama.
Charanam
1. Which removes the society of sinners
And fills you up with the fruits of many types.
2. Which removes the fear and sorrow of death and birth,
And which is the essence of all holy books including Vedas.
3. Which is the egg that looks after Lord Brahma,
And which makes you extremely pure.
4. Which is the pure music of sages in their Ashram,
And which can be heard from the face of,
Sages like Shuka, Shaunaka and Kaushika.

Story references: http://www.celextel.org/
http://www.moralstories.wordpress.com/

Lyrics courtesy: http://www.celextel.org/






Sunday, May 1, 2011

Our Visit To Tallinn

It was a wonderful trip to Tallinn during the Easter long weekend. It was planned by us in a short notice, however things fall in place by God's blessings. The entire trip was enjoyable as they were sunny days and so a great salutations to Lord Surya (Sun God).
We started on April 22nd morning from Tampere and by the time we reach the harbour of Linda Line it was around 10.30 AM. Our ferry is at 12 and it started drizzling which slowly turned to rain showers. I was praying Lord Surya to bless our trip with sunny days and yes, he answered it. The rains were only during our ferry travel and by the time we reach Tallinn it was sunny. Barathraam enjoyed the ferry travel. We took a taxi to our guest house which was cheaper when compared to Tallinn. We stayed at Valge Villa and the hosts are very cordial. The rooms were good with small, well-equipped kitchen except for the kreeech sound from the wooden floors.
We refreshed ourselves and set out to have a look at the city. Tallinn has good public transport by buses, trolley bus (running on electric lines) and trams and also has good frequency even during easter weekend. It is cheaper to take one/two or 3 days tickets rather than single travel tickets. We got it at R-Kiosks. We took trolley bus 3 and get down at Vabaduse Valjak. We visited the Old town, the famous Toompea Castle and the Russian church (we found it good to visit church on Good Friday). Its worthy to mention that those streets and the place is a mixture of ancient heritage with a modern outlook. To my surprise we saw some Indian restaurants too in the middle of the Freedom Square. Need to say, that there is a large crowd of people at Tallinn in every corner we saw, seams like a real tourist destination. Tourist books speak about a place called Katharina Kaik as a famous passage and we paid a visit there.. (Wonder whats it?? Namma oor santhu (The narrow street in our places!) ). I read that Rottermann square is a place for cheap shopping and we went there. But to my disappointment I found eveything to be as costly as in Finland. It may be because Estonia has adopted Euro as its currency from 1st Jan, 2011. We then got the trolley bus and reached our guest house.

The next morning, as we woke up the sun shined brightly and we got ready to visit Tallinn Zoo. I was hoping that Barathraam will enjoy it as he has started recognizing animals and birds. We took the trolley bus connection 3 from our Tedre bus stop to Vabaduse Valjak  and then got to the other side and took trolley bus number 6 and got down at Zoo. We were happy to see many children entering along with us.  The Zoo was really nice with many different collections of birds, tiget, lion, fishes, elephant, deer and also strange species like Kangaroos, Polar Bear etc. It did has a vast open space for a variety of sheeps and goats. Barathraam got tired in the mid and slept while we covered most of the species and thought of giving some rest to our legs.
Whenever I visit Zoo, I get a guilty feeling on our human approach towards animals. Though we give enough space for the animals to roam, it cannot be matched to the space given to it by Nature. I really felt bad on seeing a big Polar bear walking exactly on the same path again and again within a fenced area. If a living being is constrained within walls it will surely lose its originality.


Then we thought of getting some details about the museums in the tourist information centre and visited Viru Keskus, the shopping centre in the town center. We decided to pay visit to the science museums for family and kids. It had few exhibits on science principles, the 4D movie and some journey in black. We did not visit 4D movie and the journey in black. But otherwise, there was not much to see in the museum when compared to science museums in India. I personally felt that the entrance fee is a bit costlier for the exhibits in the museum. We then returned back to our cage.

Next day, we planned to visit the open air museum ROCCA AL MARE which had many special events for the Easter on that day. From the map we found it to be just opposite side of Zoo and got down in the same stop as we did the day before. But we could not locate the place easily and after we enquiries we came to know that it is in a road parallel to the zoo and we had to walk 20 minutes to that place from Zoo stop. When you plan to visit that place, see the correct route from the map. We were surprised to see the number of cars and people entering the museum and thought it should be a special day there. As we stepped in, we were welcomed by trade fairs from rural communities. All products starting from soaps, chocolates, breads and toys to clothes and crafts. We were surprised to observe Barathraam not willing to come away from a shop selling wooden cars and wanted to have it. This was the first time he demanded something to be bought for him and I am sure it will continue from now. We then saw traditional village houses which had rooms for cattles and livestock. I was amazed to see a room with a bed and a cradle, almost similar to "thottil" (cradle in Tamil). The picture of it is here. It reminded me that different cultures have similar traditions during the course of time. There was another example for it in the museum. It was the water juice coming from the birch tree. A passer-by mentioned that during Spring, the birch tree absorbs water from the ground and pumps to the whole part of the tree and by having a hole in the stem will let some water juice coming out. We all could taste that, which ofcourse is full of health benefits (like our palm water taken from palm tree.)











We ate food prepared by us and then saw some village games played during Spring in Estonian culture. I also got planted two plants with the help of the village girls there. It was a nice Spring festival and we could enjoy the Estonian traditional way in a true sense. In the evening we met our friend Venki and his friend. We all went to the Kadriorg lake, but we could not visit the palace as it was closed already. We took Barathraam to the park there and he enjoyed playing there a lot and did not want to come out of it. Somehow we persuaded him to take him away from there.

Next and the last day, we went to the botanical garden. We took bus no 34A (also 38) from Viru Keskus and got down at Kloostrimetsa. The botanical garden was big and hosted many plant varieties. Rock garden welcomed us and I could see people planting flower plants. We went to the "Green House" which was very big. We could see most of the flower varieties, plants, trees and cactus family. It was a real bliss to be there, for its a long time since I saw such a green place.. (Yes, we were in Finland watching snow all these days!!)
I am surprised to see coconut, palm and banana tree there. They had some groups from the schools and an instructor explained all of the trees and their collections. We talked to the instructor and could see that the instructor is part of ISKCON and she bid adieu to us saying "Hare Krishna". Barathraam enjoyed seeing the plants and also having his hand in the soil. Below are some photos from the "Green House".

Banana tree
A cactus family (Mother, Father and their younger ones).

This plant is named "Krishnae" and is found in India, Himalayas!



Doesn't this plant look like having two eyes, two long ears and a big mouth?
This is how they give sunlight to the plants during winter. They have artificial sunlight and air circulation conducive for the plants growth.




Flowers planted outside


And, Here is our little Barathraam enjoying the Nature.

On the whole, it was a leisure trip enjoyable with the blessings of God.

If you want any details about visiting Tallinn, I can give my two cents.