Warrier's Collage May 12, 2021

Welcome to Warrier's COLLAGE Wednesday MAY 12, 2021 Ramayana and Mahabharata: An interesting debate https://youtu.be/PoSIhO-hYC8 (Link Courtesy: Prem Anand Kannur Kerala) Good Morning Nice Day M G Warrier M Satsangam with Panchapagesan Acharyasya Upasana: Service to the preceptor Gita XIII Slokas 7 to 11........GNANI having 20 qualities Acharya is He who imparts knowledge, teaches good precepts. Living with such a teacher and devoutly striving every way with Body, Speech and Mind to bring him happiness, making obeisance to him, obeying his commands, fulfilling his wishes—all this Is included in Acharyopasana. This is an essential ingredient of a spiritual seeker. It is he who approaches his Guru for Self-realization .. The Guru showers him with knowledge, love, and other benefits. There is nothing that the student can give in return because the Guru wants nothing. The student therefore contents himself merely extending whatever service he can render to the Guru.... However he develops a sense of gratitude for all that he receives... His mind becomes calm. Consequently, he is more receptive to the knowledge imparted by the Guru... Know that by prostration, by question and by service to the wise, they, who have realized the truth, will instruct you in wisdom....verse 34 Chapter IV.. Selfless service is one of the fundamental spiritual practices. And this practice starts with clearing our indebtedness. Of all the indebtedness the greatest is that which we owe to the Guru for the priceless knowledge imparted to us... Thus service to the Guru stands out as one of the most important qualities to be acquired. V T Panchapagesan A Interaction 1) A P Ramadurai Cheñnai After reading the Monetary Policy article in the current issue of The Global ANALYST: Impressive. We live in hope. No government (barring one) could have foreseen the tail spin state of economy caused by the devastating pandemic. All comments by media on the state of economy and Covid management are being "wise after the event". Has anyone actually come forward with pragmatic solutions?-one can see only blame games all around. RBI and GOI may need practical suggestions from abundant talent from outside. No ego should come in the way of asking. Perhaps you might initiate action in this regard. “Sometimes, the best haste is made slowly.” is most aptly mentioned. Maybe inevitable. Let’s hope sincere and down to earth ideas flow in from scholars, media etc. instead of “I told you-- you could have—ifs and buts”. If I sound crude or blunt-sorry-can’t help it. Maybe my untrained mind sees lacunas which ought to be plugged. I am perhaps mentally severely affected by universal inability to act. May your contributions continue forever! (Many Thanks 🙏-Warrier) 2) H D Sharma* Shakespeare accepts a jab Very nice conversation between nurse and Shakrspeare enumerating almost all the great plays of William Shakespeare. Thanks. H D Sharma *Group mail 3) K Ramasubramanian Mumbai Yes. Mr. Chahal is a war hero. His response to attack COVID is praiseworthy Congratulations to Mr Chahal B Charukesi Ramadurai writes about "Modern retellings of the Mahabharata and the Ramayana" https://asia.nikkei.com/Life-Arts/Life/Indian-epics-get-a-feminist-makeover Excerpts: "There are two great epics that Indians (Hindus) love and revere, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Both of them are stories of kings and kingdoms, momentous wars and the eventual victory of good over evil. Even as these epics were passed down the ages through oral traditions of storytelling -- as dramas and discourses, as well as bedtime stories by mothers and grandmothers -- the broad stories remain largely unchanged. The minor variations may reflect the sympathies of the various original authors, but there is no doubt these sympathies lay entirely with the male protagonists. The masculine point of view is constant, unflinching, and sings praises of the hero's valor and virtues. The women are side characters, put there to move the story along while staying in the shadow of their men, content to be mere pawns in the larger game of power and greed." C Readers' Contribution 1) Coincidence: V Babusenan Thiruvananthapuram Hard-core critics are reluctant to acknowledge Somerset Maugham as one among the best English novelists, although they are willing to accept that his novels are excellent portrayals of life. More or less similar is the position of Muttathu Varkey in the gallery of Malayalam novelists. His novels are true reflections of the lives of hardworking lower middle class Christian families in central Travancore, in the earlier decades of the last century. When one of his popular novels 'Inapraavukal' (Dove Couple) was about to be filmed in1965, he was very particular that the songs in the film should be penned by Vayalar. Three poets in those days enriched Malayalam films with beautiful lyrics. They were P Bhaskaran, Vayalar Ramavarma and O N V Kurup. Varkey knew that, because of Vayalar's love of the bottle, his wish would not be fulfilled unless he was with the poet. So he took him to the Premier Lodge in Trichur. A word about the Premier Lodge. It is close to the well-known Swaraj Round, the circular thoroughfare with the Vadakkunnathan temple (the 'Pooram' temple) as its centre and just across the road is one of the best vegetarian hotels in Kerala. In the sixties and seventies, it was the favourite haven of famous literary figures like Thakazhi, Mundasseri, Basheer, Kesavadev, Ponkunnam Varkey, Pottekkat, et al, mainly because of its proximity to the Kerala Sahitya Academy. The legendary Chief Minister of Kerala, K.Karunakaran, was a frequent visitor of the Lodge in his trade union days. His main attraction was its meeting hall. I will be doing injustice to the Lodge if I do not mention its connection with RBI. Swaraj Round, being another Wall Street-three commercial bank head offices and many branches of other banks were situated there-some team or other from the inspection wing of RBI would be staying there in all seasons. It is said that the banks engaged someone nearabout to watch and report if anyone, decently dressed, emerged from the lodge with a brown leather bag in his hand. I cannot, however, guarantee its veracity. To this lodge Muttathu Varkey brought Vayalar Ramavarma, the lyricist. They talked and talked till 2 a m in the night. Then Vayalar asked: "What for you have brought me here?" Varkey explained: "It is too late now," said the poet. "Still you may narrate the situation of one of the songs." Varkey obliged. They parted for the night to meet again on the next day around 10 in the morning. Varkey came to Vayalar's room at 10 next morning but found, to his dismay, that the bird had flown out of the cage. Moni, the lodge attendant, was cleaning the room. He directed the novelist's attention to a sheet of paper on the table kept under a glass paperweight and said: "Vayalar Saar kept that paper for you, Saar." That sheet of paper contained one of the best songs in the annals of Malayalam films. Years later, sitting in my room in the Premier Lodge, I completed the drafting of the last chapter of my book on Bertrand Russell. In my great joy and much greater relief, I gave fifty rupees to the same Moni who brought me tea. He asked for the provocation and I said: "Moni, just now took place a most important event in my life. "And then I explained. Moni said with a smile: "Do you know ,Saar?.This is the very room where Vayalar Saar wrote the song for Varkey Saar." He corroborated what Muttathu Varkey himself wrote about the episode. It may be a matter of sheer coincidence for you, venerable readers. But, for me, it is something slightly more than that. How? That I do not know. 2) Life's Journey* "I am in the next compartment" Every year young Kiran's parents took him to his grandmother's house for the summer break, and they would return home on the same train after two weeks. Then one day Kiran told his parents : ′′ I'm grown up now; what if I go to grandma's house alone this year ?" After a brief discussion his parents agreed. Here they are standing at the railway station greeting him happy journey and giving him one last tip through the window, as Kiran continues to repeat : ′′ I know, you've already told me so many times...!" Train is about to leave and father whispers : ′′My son, if you suddenly feel bad or scared, this is for you!" And he slips something into his pocket. Now the boy is all alone, sitting in the train, without his parents, for the first time... He looks at the scenery through the window that scrolls.. Around him strangers hustle, make noise, enter and exit the compartment. he begins to get that feeling that he is alone.. One person even gives him a sad look... So this boy is feeling more uncomfortable. And now he starts getting scared. His stomach starts hurting and heart starts to beat a little faster as if trying to match the speed of the train. He lowers his head, snuggles in a corner of the seat, tears rise to his eyes. At that point he remembers his father putting something in his pocket. With a trembling hand he seeks to grop this piece of paper, he opens it : "Son, don't worry, I am in the next compartment..." A smile, ray of confidence amid an unimagined wave of hope rises in his face and with his head lifted high broad smile he is super comfortable amidst strangers. Reflection This is how, it is in life... When God sent us in this world, all by ourselves, He has also slipped a note in our pocket, I AM TRAVELLING WITH YOU, So just don't panic, don't be depressed, it will only affect your physical & mental health. In these uncertain times where the world is fighting to survive there is someone in the other compartment for u and u could be in a compartment that someone is banking on. Have faith GOD IS ALWAYS WITH US throughout our journey. 🙏 *Forward received from R Jayakumar via Group mail D From here and there 1) Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/nurturing-self-compassion/202103/is-mental-health-crisis-the-next-pandemic 2) See the difference*: Between two seas As you probably recall, the Dead Sea is really a Lake, not a sea. It’s so high in salt content that the human body can float easily. The salt in the Dead Sea is as high as 35% - almost 10 times the normal ocean water. And all that saltiness has meant that there is no life at all in the Dead Sea. No fish. No vegetation. No sea animals. Nothing lives in the Dead Sea. And hence the name: Dead Sea. The other Sea is the Sea of Galilee. It happen that the Sea of Galilee is just north of the Dead Sea. Both the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea receive their water from river Jordan. And yet, they are very, very different. Unlike the Dead Sea, the Sea of Galilee is pretty, resplendent with rich, colourful marine life. There are lots of plants. And lots of fish too. In fact, the Sea of Galilee is home to over twenty different types of fishes. Same region, same source of water, and yet while one sea is full of life, the other is dead. How come? Here’s apparently why. The River Jordan flows into the Sea of Galilee and then flows out. The water simply passes through the Sea of Galilee in and then out - and that keeps the sea healthy and vibrant, teeming with marine life. But the Dead Sea is way below the main sea level that it has no outlet. The water flows in from the river Jordan, but does not flow out. There are no outlet streams. It is estimated that over 7 million tons of water evaporate from the Dead Sea every day. Leaving it salty, too full of minerals and unfit for any marine life. So the Dead Sea takes water from the River Jordan, and holds it. It does not give. The result? No life at all. Mind you, the sea of Galilee does not discriminate. It's gives off its water freely to the open sea this is what keeps it fresh and alive. This is what our dying world needs most today. Moral Think about it. Life is not just about getting. It's about giving. We all need to be a bit like the Sea of Galilee. We are fortunate to have wealth, knowledge, love and respect. But if we don't learn to give, we could all end up like the Dead Sea. The love and the respect, the wealth and the knowledge could all evaporate like the water in the Dead Sea. If we get the Dead Sea mentality of merely taking in more water, more money, more everything, the results can be disastrous. Nature communicates to us all the time and this is one perfect example ! In the sea of your own life, make outlets; many outlets. For love, peace, happiness, joy and everything else you get in your life, make sure you don't just get; give as well. Open the taps and you'll open the floodgates to happiness. Make it a habit to share and you will experience the richness of life. Happy Morning. Keep Smiling. *Forward received from A Chandramauleeswaran E Blogs & Links 1) Fake News https://madrascourier.com/opinion/fake-news-propaganda-infodemics/ 2) Footprints in the sand* http://www.sapphyr.net/largegems/footprints.htm *Link Courtesy: C V Subbaraman Mysuru 3) School Economy https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/readersblog/thoughtstothink/covid-19-school-economy-31743/ Excerpts: "Non-payment of fees has disturbed the entire system of schools and educational institutes. This issue is more serious in our state i.e., Maharashtra as the number of Public Schools (CBSE/ State-aided) are less as compared to other states. Private Unaided schools which absolutely run-on students’ fees are affected the most. We all proudly say School buildings are closed but education has not…. but how long these private schools will be able to continue the noble cause of educating our kids without funds is really a big question…?" F 1) Pedru Jokes* Piso Pedru means Mad Peter in Konkani. On the occasion of World Laughter Day, here is Pedru for you. Pedru went to a bank to open a S.B. A/C. After seeing the Form he went to Delhi for filling it up. You know why? Form said: 'Fill Up In Capital.' Pedru standing below a tube light with open mouth. Why? Because his doctor advised him: 'Today's dinner should be light !' On romantic date Pedru's girl friend asks him: 'Darling ! On our engagement will you give me a ring?' He said: 'Sure ! What's your phone no.?' Pedru found the answer to the most difficult question ever. What will come first, chicken or egg? what ever u order first will come first. Teacher told all students to write an essay on a cricket match. All were busy writing except Pedru. He wrote:'Due To Rain, No Match!' What does Pedru do after taking a Xerox? He will compare it with the original for any spelling mistakes. Pedru & wife buy coffee in a shop. Pedru : Drink quickly before it gets cold. Wife: Why? Pedru : Hot coffee $5 and cold coffee $10. What happens when Pedrus wife delivers twins???? He does not sleep whole night, thinking who is the father of second child... Manager asked Pedru at an interview. Can you spell a word that has more letters in it? Pedru : P-O-S-T-B-O-X. After returning back from a foreign trip, Pedru asked his wife, Do I look like a foreigner? Wife: No! Why? Pedru : In London a lady asked me Are you a foreigner? Lecturer: write a note on Gandhi Jayanthi Pedru writes, "Gandhi was a great man, but I don't know who is Jayanthi. Interviewer: just imagine you are on the 3rd floor, it caught fire and how will you escape? Pedru: its simple. I will stop my imagination!!! Pedru : My mobile bill how much? Call centre girl: sir, just dial 123 to know your current bill status Pedru: Stupid, not CURRENT BILL my MOBILE BILL. Friend: I got a brand new Ford IKON for my wife! Pedru: Wow!!! That's an unbelievable exchange offer!!! Teacher: "What is common between JESUS, KRISHNA , RAM, GANDHI and BUDHA?" Pedru: "All are born on government holidays...!!! Sir: What is difference between Orange and Apple? Pedru : Color of Orange is ORANGE, but color of Apple is not APPLE Happy World Laughter Day.. *Forward received from Sudha Warrier Mumbai G Quotes about Life's Journey https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/journey-quotes Like: "The journey is never ending. There's always gonna be growth, improvement, adversity; you just gotta take it all in and do what's right, continue to grow, continue to live in the moment." Antonio Brown