Warrier's COLLAGE August 17, 2021

Welcome to Warrier's COLLAGE On Tuesday August 17, 2021 Sadhana Panchakam* : Shankaracharya https://youtu.be/WTHc0KNN_sA *40 steps to Salvation : https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/information/story/sadhana-panchakam-spiritual-stairs-to-heaven-1766284-2021-02-05 (See H3 for a list of 40 steps suggested for a disciplined life.) Good Morning Feeling good, finding that many readers are finding Collage useful in different ways. Though not able to share all "feedback", readers are aware that I am responding to responses, sometimes personally. Nice Day M G Warrier M 134 A Select Messages 1) Dr Prabha and A P Ramadurai Cheñnai “You name it, I elaborate on it” : That is Vathsala. A Walking Encyclopedia. The saying goes that the pen is mightier than the sword but Vathsala (She is our long time friend, so I need not suffix Madam to her name) is a person who is literally proving that the computer is mightier than anything else. Vast knowledge on various subjects and the zeal to share it with others make her extra special. These sharing and caring qualities have helped her overcome many a crisis. Born in a big family and wedded into a joint family, I can well imagine how she would have managed all problems and crises at home and office efficiently. I am not a skilled writer like Shri Nallasivan but definitely feel happy to express my views about her in the Collage Anniversary issue. Writing skill on various subjects is there in her every breath. We both wish this should continue till her last breath and give her peace and mental satisfaction. Prabha Ramadurai 2) T V Janardhana Warrier Thalassery The concept of "Indian Tricolour" - about Thillaiyadi Valliammai who had been blessed by great Mahatma 🙏 feel proud and grateful to respected Madam Vathsala Jayaraman for sharing with Collage this valuable information, that too during celebration of 75th Independence Day of our great Nation. 🌹🌹 3) S K Gupta Panchkula History unfolding before our eyes. Tricolour comes up at Hari Parbat in Srinagar Kashmir downtown. This is the story of how common people of J&K worked with CRPF and Indian Army to erect Tiranga overlooking entire Srinagar-S K Gupta The above text was not my own contribution. I had merely forwarded the same along with the news report, which was received by me in some other group. Thanks and regards S K Gupta Panchkula (Ok : "It was reported in the Media";-Warrier) 4) C V Subbaraman Mysuru Begging Begging is honourable choice, if we have options to beg, borrow or steal. In the colonial era, it was the normal practice to use the phrase, "I beg to remain, Sir, your most obedient servant, ......." in ordinary applications for any favour including in a simple application for casual leave! Besides, the phrase " I beg to submit" is a normal expression in any petition or even in making a submission before the Hon'ble courts. (Continued at H1) B a) Society : Solar Power https://www.thebetterindia.com/260510/zero-power-bill-mumbai-society-solar-electricity-oorjan/amp/ Excerpts : "Dheeraj Dreams Building No 1* CHSL and Building No 3 CHSL, which are massive residential societies situated in Bhandup west, off LBS Marg in Mumbai, decided to adopt solar energy in 2018 to power shared amenities like their lifts, water pumps, parking area and other shared common spaces. Facilitating their transition to solar energy was Oorjan Cleantech, a technology and finance-enabled distributed solar company founded in November 2014 offering renewable energy solutions to residential, commercial and industrial consumers. “We have installed solar power capacity worth 310 KWp (kilowatt peak) in Building No.1 and 3, which generates about a combined 4,50,000 units of electricity annually (1 KWp of Solar panel generates about 4 units in a day), and saves about Rs 58 lakh a year in electricity costs,” claims Gautam Das, Co-founder and CEO of Oorjan Cleantech, speaking to The Better India." (*Where we're staying now-Warrier) b) Bonus : Poem https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/readersblog/aksharanekha/darkened-sky-36301/ Darkened sky Rohini Suresh Kanmaney One wrong action of yours, Got her scarred for life, Scar, not visible on the exterior, But carved in the depths of her mind, Causing her pain and agony, She screamed so loud but her voices went unheard, Weary of fighting each day with her conscience, She lay there and let it happen, Watching the white sky go grey above her. (Posted online comments : ' good beginning keep writing on different subjects which stir your thoughts b+ve' M G Warrier) C Book Review : Why England Slept https://www.taoyue.com/books/why-england-slept.html Not the conventional story of appeasement The book is also revealing for the contemporary attitudes that it addresses. Kennedy devotes a great deal of time to debunk the conventional wisdom about the appeasement of Hitler at Munich. He explains that he is not a Chamberlain apologist, as leaders must be held responsible for their actions, but he also points out the uncomfortable truth that Britain was in no shape to refuse Germany’s demands. A particularly persuasive section on p. 185 explains: “The great trouble was that few could think of England except as the Mighty Britain of the nineteenth century ... People in America, filled with the myth of Britain’s invincibility through the centuries, could not understand Chamberlain’s desperate efforts to avert a war.” Kennedy incorporates military budget figures, giving the reader a startlingly frank glance at the inaccuracies of myth — the world-spanning Royal Navy only has a slight budgetary advantage over the British Army, and even in 1936 the German military budget dwarfs those of Britain and France combined. Kennedy further drives home the point by noting that Britain’s national income was already only a fraction of America’s by 1936. There is a tendency in history books to credit the Second World War with the decline of imperialism and the rise of the two superpowers, but Kennedy’s analysis of prewar Britain demonstrates how vulnerable she already was prior to the war. The time was ripe for America’s rise, and if World War II hadn’t taken place, then surely some other event would have served as the catalyst for the end of Empire. Munich has passed into history as the ugliest example of appeasement — if the democracies had shown strength then, the argument goes, Hitler would have backed down. It is enlightening to read a different argument from a book published in 1940. Confront Hitler in 1938 and perhaps lose the ensuing war, but confront him in 1939 from a position of greater strength and stand a chance of stalling Nazi Germany just long enough for the Soviet Union and United States to bludgeon the Axis Powers into submission through their combined industrial might. In this reading, Munich was not a lesson about appeasement, but rather about preparedness (or deterrence, if you like). “Brave little England” was little not in the land area of Empire she controlled, but in comparison to the rearmed German juggernaut that she confronted. Kennedy also presents an interesting if somewhat superficial analysis of the deficiencies of British industry — namely, that it wasn’t suited to mass production, unlike German and American factories. In the end, it was production more than technical superiority that won the war. (It's interesting to read and understand the perceptions of later world leaders about pre-War England -Warrier) D Reader's Contribution 1) Vathsala Jayaraman I Children have settled abroad Now a days most of the families are in this dilemma,the decision could be either quest for knowledge, career prospects or peer pressure. Some youngsters vouchsafe that they were sent out by the parents for gaining prestige and status and they themselves were not inclined to go out. The result is the same. The parents know pretty well that birds will fly out of their nests one day as they had come out of their homes one day. Old order changeth yielding place to new. II Empty Nest Syndrome* *See II at H2 E Psychology : Avoid Drama in Your Life https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-flux/202108/5-ways-avoid-drama-in-your-life Focus on your own life. Your own life should be most important to you. It's essential for your own well-being and growth to take care of your own business first and foremost. The more you do that, the less time you have to care about other people's business. Some of us believe that being a good human means that you need to sacrifice your time and effort in order to help others. That's true to some degree—it's important to care for other people and what happens to them. But never at the expense of yourself and your own well-being." F Leisure Food for Job* A highly successful MD of MNC was going home in his car when he saw two men along the roadside eating grass. Disturbed by the sight, he ordered his driver to stop and got out to investigate. He asked one man- "Why are you eating grass?" "We don't have any money for food," the poor man replied. "We have to eat grass." "Well, then, you can come with me to my house and I'll feed you" the MD said. "But sir, I have a wife and two children with me. They are over there, under that tree". "Bring them along," the MD replied. Turning to the other poor man he stated, "You come with us also." The second man, in a pitiful voice then said, "But sir, I also have a wife and three children with me!" "Bring them all, as well," the MD answered. They all entered the car, which was no easy task, even for a car as large as it was. One of the poor fellows turned to the MD and said, "Sir, you are too kind. Thank you for taking all of us with you." The MD replied, "Glad to do it. You'll really love my place; the grass is almost 1 meter high...!" Lesson : Never trust Higher Management. They will go to any extreme to get their job done. And there is none like a KIND Management. Dedicated to all corporate employees. *Received from K P V Karunakaran Mumbai G Quotes on Crisis https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/crisis-quotes Like : "When written in Chinese, the word 'crisis' is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity. John F. Kennedy (John Fitzgerald Kennedy, often referred to by his initials JFK, was an American politician who served as the 35th president of the United States from 1961 until his assassination near the end of his third year in office.) H 1) Continued from A4 When humanity has moved far away from the years of oppression, subjugation and medieval expressions of any language and now considers dignity and self respect as essentials of fundamental status, should such expressions be continued with any sense of honour? Even the practice of "Uncha vritti" cannot be called "begging" in the popular parlance. It is a dignified way of securing food for one's sustenance. This is intended to kill ego. Similar is the seeking of food by a Brahmachaari by uttering "Bhavathi, Bhikshaam Dehi". Brahmachaaris from even rich families used to seek such food. These seekers would not seek food more than what is needed for the day. Tomorrow is another fresh day. They do not seek food for a rainy day either. Such seekers do not indulge in excesses in anything and do not cultivate or practise bad habits like indulging in drinking or smoking or taking narcotic drugs........ .when we a beggar to whom we had occasionally been giving alms was one day found smoking, we stopped the alms to him. Begging has its own limitations. King Yudhishtira was boasting that he was daily feeding more than ten thousand persons. This was on the other hand highly reprehensible for a benevolent ruler like Mahaabali, who considered that this was the result of misrule by the King Yudhishtira, whom he considered a sinner. Those who are convicted with death sentence "beg for mercy". One who begs has to take what is given. Beggars cannot be choosers. Should not this concept change, because even beggars have the right to be respected? What is given has to be given without diminishing the beggar's basic human dignity. The giver's dignity and honour are enhanced when the beggar happens to be the Lord - as in the case of Krishna, Vaamna or Indra- and all the more when the intentions of such begging are well known to the donors. Subbaraman 2) Continued from D1 Even then why do parents feel? Are they not educated and matured enough to understand the simple fact from lesser human beings, the birds?Because we are not birds, we are bundles of emotions.As long as this universe remains, change will be there, emotions will be there.Matured advices will be fast springing up from nook and corner.This is the way the world works. There is yet another prospective ,not from the view of the emotional mother but from the general perspective of 'ageing'. Nearly 90 percent of seniors aged 60 plus want to stay in their own homes as they age, this is often referred to as “ageing in place”. Many of us have heard this from parents in India “I’ve lived here 40 years. No other place will seem like home”. The fact is “ageing in place” is a universal phenomenon. The foremost reason seems to be the confidence of being independent,which they have inculcated in their children living far away. Upto 21 years I lived in a joint family set up of nearly 25 members. From 21 to 55 I lived with my family along with mother-in-law.Children got educated and married and settled abroad.We had so many occasions to visit foreign countries.For the past 6 months, as a survivor of the family I am living alone. I have learnt to treat this not as 'empty nest' or loneliness but as solitude A few years back I read a poem in Hindi 'Akelaapan Vs Ekkaanth', A beautiful poem.I treat the poem as Gita ot Bible. I furnish hereunder the rough translation. Loneliness is the biggest punishment in this world! And Solitude is the biggest gift/blessing!! These words appear so similar; Yet cannot be more apart,like haeven and hell. Loneliness is suffering; Solitude is relaxing! Loneliness is fear; Solitude is Shanthi/peace! Till we look for solace in the outer world We will experience Loneliness! Once we look for it within ourselves, We experience Solitude! This life is a journey from Loneliness to Solitude! A journey in which the path is us, The traveller also is us and So is the Destination!1! Vathsala Jayaraman II Empty Nest Syndrome There were days when my home used to be filled with laughter, arguments, fights, jokes and loads of mischief. Books used to be strewn all over the home..You can't even find the pairs of shoes together.On many occasions my husband had been about to start to office with two different varieties of slippers. Pens and books all over, and clothes messing the rooms, thrown on the beds. and I used to shout at them to tidy up their mess. In the morning: One will wake up and say: Appa, I can't find a certain book ... I can't find my sticker tilakam or hair band. And the other one will say: Amma, where's my homework,I forgot to complete my homework. Everyone used to ask about something missing. My son used to be very confident that Amma can find any hide out. " take care of your stuff, be responsible, you have to grow up; I won't go with u to your university ! Come Deepavali, my son would fire all the crackers immediately and take one by one from his sister's share.My daughter would gladly give away every thing. Come birth day.We have never even remembered our birth days. My son was a voracious reader.he would get Rs 300/ from my husband and purchase valuable books.My daughter would read books from his collection and get a fine dress for her. I used to prepare sweet and savouries in huge quantities during Deepavali.Invariably they would take curd rice with mixture everyday. vinayaka chaturthi Day-my son took special interest in doing mothakam cups so soft.-with one condition that he should be given the same no of mothakams he prepared.On every occasion .Come March, I used to make vadams in the open terrace.My son and daughter were fond of vadam maavu with salt, chilies and lemon taste.30% of the tasty pasty maavu ( cooked rice flour)would be taken by them reducing my job to prepare vadams. How nice seeing them having a handful of vadam mavu in their hands and licking them to the last bit and take tumblers of ice water. The marina beach no more attracts us.My son was much much fond of 'merry go round' and on each occasion he chose to ride at least 4 times.He liked beach bajjis a lot. Now all the cupboards have only a few pieces of clothes in them. And what remains is the smell of memories that lingers in the air. Yesterday I was seeing the photo albums of 1985, my daughter with pattu pavadai and Davani and my son riding on horses in kashmir.How my daughter screamed when the horse took a wrong step into a deep gorge and the guide took care. Each one is special; The memories will fill the empty ache in my heart. My daughter loves filter coffee-freshly made.She would keep part of coffee beneath her lap so that it does not get cooled by fan.She would take sip by sip for 10 long mts.I used to tease her " when you grow old, you won't have time to sip coffee until it gets cold. Today there is no one to taste coffee.The vadam mavu remains untasted My son's favourite dishes are thiruvathirai kali and mixed vegetable koottu and nonbu adai. All I have now is the memory of their laughs and their mischief and their warm hugs. All cupboards are empty.No one asks me to find out misplaced things.There is no one to misplace. Today my house is clean and organized and everything is in its place, and it is calm and peaceful. But it is like a desert with no life in it. Do not become angry with your kids about the mess. One day they will leave you ,just like they left me . Every time they come to visit and they spend time with us, when they are ready to leave. They pull their bags and it is as if they tug my heart along with it. They close the door behind them and then I stand still and think of the many times I shouted them to close the doors. Here I am today, closing my own doors. Nobody opens it besides me. Each one gone to a different city or a different country. All left to find their own path in life. They have grown up and I wished that they could stay with me forever. Oh God,Take care of them wherever they are " Vathsala Jayaraman 3) Sadhana Panchakam : 40 steps to Salvation Sadhana Panchakam: 40 steps to Heaven Step 1: May you study the Vedas daily Step 2: Perform the diligent duties ordained by the Vedas Step 3: Dedicate all the actions/duties as a worship of the Lord. Step 4: Let the desire prompted activities be given up Step 5: Let the multitude of sins be uprooted Step 6: Reflect upon inherent limitation of worldly pleasures Step 7: Entertain desire for knowing the Self Step 8: As soon as the desire for Self-knowledge arises, leave the house quickly. Step 9: Seek the company of wise men Step 10: Cultivate steady devotion to the Lord. Step 11: Cultivate the qualities such as sama, dama, etc Step 12: Quickly give up for good desire-prompted actions. Step 13: Approach a wise man who is capable of unfolding the truth of Vedanta. Step 14: Serve the Sandals of the teacher daily. Step 15: Ask the teacher to unfold knowledge of Brahman that is one, that is beyond destruction Step 16: Listen properly to the mahavakyas of the Upanishads. Step 17: Analyze the meaning of the mahavakyas. Step 18: Follow the line of arguments of the sruti Step 19: Refrain from distorted reasoning Step 20: Resort to the reasoning in keeping with (the vision of) the sruti. Step 21: Entertain constantly the thought “I am Brahman”. Step 22: Give up pride at all times. Step 23: Give up the identification from Body Step 24: Avoid arguments with the wise man Step 25: May you treat the disease of hunger Step 26: Daily take the medicine of food obtained as Bhiksa Step 27: May you not crave for (ask for) tasty food. Step 28: May you be content with what is obtained as a result of Prarabdha. Step 29: May you endure all pairs of opposites: heat and cold etc. Step 30: Avoid unnecessary speech. Step 31: Maintain an attitude of happy indifference Step 32: Overlook public sympathy and censure. Step 33: May you sit in a comfortable posture quietly in solitude. Step 34: May the mind abides in Brahman. Step 35: May you see the Self, I, the fullness. Step 36: See the world as unreal (devoid of reality) in absence of the fullness (that you are) Step 37: Resolve the sanchita karma (in knowledge). Step 38: With a proper attitude, remain unattached to new karma. Step 39: Happily go through the experiences of prarabdha karma. Step 40: (After the fall of the body) abide in Brahman, the limitless