Warrier's Collage May 13, 2022 : Vanaprastham

Welcome To Warrier's COLLAGE On Friday May 13, 2022 Vanaprastham : Mohanlal Movie https://youtu.be/yQ-VRvZ5-C0 (With English subtitles) Good Morning Nice Day M G Warrier International Nurses Day 🙏 on May 12, 2022 https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/nurses-day-2022-why-is-12-may-celebrated-as-nurses-day-2961811 In 1953, Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare proposed to the erstwhile president to proclaim Nurses Day in October. However, the proposal was not approved. Following this, Frances P. Bolton, the first woman elected to Congress from Ohio, also sponsored a bill for National Nurse Week. But it was only 20 years later, in February 1974, that President Nixon announced a National Nurse Week, from May 6 to May 12 every year. With this, May 12 also began to be recognised as Nurses Day. A Messages/Responses 1) T N C Rangarajan There is a misconception that Moksha is found only after death. But this is not true. It can be achieved while being alive. It is the state where mind loses its identity and only awareness exists. This awareness is also called Bliss, Nature, God. The Upanishadic Mantra under our study occurs in the Purusha Suktam twice with slight modifications from each other. One of it reads as under: vedahametam purusham mahantam adityavarnam tamasah parastat tamevam vidvan amrita iha bhavati nanyah pantha vidyate'yanaya (20) "I have known that great Purusha (Supreme Being) who is brilliant like the sun and who is beyond all darkness. One who knows Him thus becomes immortal (even) here. There is no other path for liberation than this" https://www.esamskriti.com/e/Spirituality/Upanishads-Commentary/Svetasvatara-Upanishad-~-Chap-3-The-Highest-Reality-3.aspx 2) C V Subbaraman The English by itself is enough to create a world of contradictions and amusements and confusions by different spellings, pronunciations,grammar rules et al. But when one learns French using English alphabets, the confusions are compounded to the core as one would have to learn to pronounce words ignoring some letters or bringing in sounds of letters which do not exist in the words at all! I do not know about any other western languages. In Sanskrit, the devanagari script is one of the rare scripts where the pronounce is almost always as per the sounds of the alphabets. Yet, one has to read Panini Sutra to come across situations where while compounding words, some change in pronounciations do occur. For instance, when Hanuman and cha are compounded, it becomes Hanumaamscha and Bandhanaath Mrtyormuksheeya are combined it becomes Bandhanaanmrtyormksheeya. In good Tamizh, several words begin with the letter E even though for pronouncing the word this is not necessary: for instance, Raman is written as Iraaman and Lakshmanan as Ilakkumanan (because the letter Ksh is a later addition to the Tamil language). All languages are evolving constantly. Grammarians and linguists recommend that a word may be spelled or pronounced according to what is convenient to the tongue or pleasing to the ear. Fowler permits usage of the expression, "the number of boys are" (instead of the number of boys is) as in the former it is convenient to use plural verb immediately following the plural noun and more pleasing to the ear and easier to speak. Let us then allow the peculiarities to flourish and in them we all may cherish and find moments of merriment and amusement. Subbaraman 3) Vathsala Jayaraman Soundarya Lahari, meaning waves of beauty, consists of two parts viz. Ananda Lahari meaning waves of happiness (first 41 stanzas) and Soundarya Lahari (the next 59 stanzas). It is believed that Lord Ganesha himself has etched the Ananda Lahari on Mount Meru (Some people believe that Sage Pushpa Dhantha did the etching). It was read from there by Sage Gouda Pada who taught it to Adhi Sankara. Adhi Sankara himself added the rest of the 59 stanzas and completed it. These 100 stanzas are supposed to be the foremost among Manthra literature. It is also believed that by making suitable Yanthras and reciting particular stanzas and worshipping the Yantras almost anything can be obtained in the world. "There was a hue and cry a few years ago that it is overzealous to teach texts like Soundarya lahari to children who do understand neither Bhakthi or spirituality. It is stated that Soundarya Lahari is high voltage text of Tantra. 100 verses are not mere shlokas but mantras. Mantra is an exercise for the mind to build mental stability, concentration and will power. Tantriks have a distinct yantra for each mantra" We learnt all the shlokas when we were 12. Nothing bad has happened. Because of this controversy, musicians started tuning all the shlokas to various ragas and now we know to sing Soundarya lahari in 100 ragas. Vathsala Jayaraman B Blogs and Links 1) Book Review : The Story of the Reserve Bank of India By Rahul Bajoria https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/review-the-story-of-the-reserve-bank-of-india-by-rahul-bajoria/story-018b0iLhIUmz2tqAvPXeEP.html 2) English Addiction https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/readersblog/herbinger/spoken-english-in-india-36869/ "I as a student of English language and literature must say that I do not bother about your spoken skills in English. If you can communicate in spoken English it is good, if can’t do, then do with broken English. Never ever feel low. Remember, English is not our mother tongue therefore we cannot dream in English, nor can we think*." *(Forget dreaming and thinking, can't even cry or shout in English. I'm talking my case. Only easy thing is using some empty greetings and in emergency murmuring a couple of bad words 🙏-Warrier) C V Babusenan's Column : Snake boats and another Warrier : Ramapurath Warrier Kerala is specially blessed with waterways. Where there are waterways, there are boats and where there are boats, there will be boat races. Many of these are small, but some are mammoth and very colourful affairs in which people in large numbers take part. One of such grand races takes place annually, nearabout Onam festival, in the Pampa river in front of the Lord Krishna temple, Aranmula, in Pathanamthitta district. The boats that participate in the race are indeed very big-138 ft long-and can accommodate 100 oresmen, 15 helmsmen and 25 singers. They are built by expert carpenters as per traditional measurements and in the shape of a snake with raised hood and are, therefore, called 'snake boats'. Imagine several snake boats like this moving forward majestically along the vast sheet of the river with men all dressed in white dhoti and white headgear, systematically rowing to the tune of loud, spirited singing.What a magnificent sight that would be, making one forget oneself! That is exactly what happened to our Prime Minister Nehru when he came to inaugurate another boat race in the Punnamada lake in the Alappuzha district, in 1952.The boats were waiting for his green signal to move forward. The very sight of them thrilled him to ignore security aspect and jump into one of these boats! He was so much impressed with the cornucopia connected with the colourful boat race that, after returning to Delhi, he donated a silver image of a snake boat which has since been given every year as a rolling trophy to the winner boat of the race. The Punnamada boat race is now known as the 'Nehru Trophy boat race.' Another widely known boat race in Kerala is the Champakulam boat race for which the river Pampa plays host as in Aranmula. All these are great tourist attractions. Covid19, an Arasika of the first water, has played havoc with the snake boat races. It is interesting to note that this year's Nehru Trophy boat race was held in Ras al Khaima in order to strengthen the friendly relation between Kerala and UAE! Kindly recall that I said in the beginning that a snake boat can accommodate 25 singers. Sans these singers, the boat race loses much of its charm. Just as in a music concert the mridanga or the tabla gives rhythmic support to the singer, in a boat race, the rowers provide the rhythmic support with their long ores splashing the water in unison. The sight and sound together weave magic! The following lines are commonly heard in the boat races as part of their singing: " Aazhi makalumonnichangoru Kattilmelanneram Ezhaam malikamukalil Irunnarulum Ezhurandulaku vaazhiyaaya Thampuraan ethrayum Thazhe thantevayassyaneh Dooratthu kandu" (While sitting along with the ocean's daughter-Rukmini- on the 7th floor of the mansion, the Lord of the 14 worlds-Krishna-saw, far down below, his old schoolmate-Sudaama or kuchela.) These lines are from 'Kuchelavritham Vanchippaattu'(the story of Kuchela from the epic Bhaagavatha made into a boat song) It is in the Draavida metre 'Nathonnatha(down and up like waves) Thereby hangs a tale! A very learned, but very poor, Warrier was running an elementary school for a living in a small town by name Ramapuram near Kottayam, in the early18th century. When he happened to hear that Marthanda Varma, the king of Travancore(his own king)was at the famous Siva temple , Vaikkom, he somehow managed to submit a petition to him for financial help. He did not,however, do it directly. It was in the form of a four liner: " Mahaamateh Bhaagavathopamaanam Mahaapuraanam Bhavanam madeeyam Nokkunnavarkkokke Virakthiyundaam Ardhangalinnennoru Bhedamundu" (Oh, the great and the wise! My warriem is as old as the Bhaagavatham. Those who look at both will get detachment. The comparison ends there. Bhaagavatham is full of ardham-meaning- whereas my warriem has no ardham-wealth- at all.) The Maharaja got the meaning, but did not show it. He simply said:"When I go back, you join me in the boat.Come, if you can, with a long song in simple Malayalam which my oresmen understand. The tune has to be such that it will fill them with energy. It is a long journey. I too need something to break the boredom." Thus was born the famous Kuchelavritham Vanchipat. With a single work Ramapurathu Sankara Warrier etched deep his name in Malayalam literature! The Maharaja mutely admired him for chosing the Sudaama story which was analogous to his own (The story is too well known to recount here.) The king kept him in the capital long enough to construct a new warriem for him at Ramapuram, as Krishna did to Kuchela. 2) Bonus : Story with a moral* There was a sage who had realised the truth about himself and the world around him. Everyday he used to sit in front of the ocean and meditate. Seagulls would fly fearlessly around him and play. At times these birds even sat on his lap and shoulders. One day a small boy who came to play asked the sage : "These birds play so freely near you. Won't you catch one and give to me?" The sage agreed. After all the boy wanted only one bird and it might not be a big deal. Next day when he went to meditate on the shore, all the seagulls flew above his head; not even a single bird came near him. The birds were able to sense his intention from the waves that emanated from his body! Without own knowledge we create evil vibrations around us. This is Zen story. *Shared by Vathsala Jayaraman via Group mail. D Relevance of Vanaprastham in today's world https://www.esamskriti.com/e/Culture/Indian-Culture/Vanaprastha-Ashrama-for-the-present-Age--1.aspx The website is not copying friendly. Any portion of article is worth a glance. This was published in Prabuddha Bharatha long ago. E Media Response : M G Warrier May 12, 2022 Sane optimism This refers to the report "India has key role in filling void in global supply chains" (The Hindu Business Line, May 12). At a time when social media activists and disgruntled politicians and unemployed Ex-Bureaucrats are working overtime to spread prophecies of gloom, it is soothing and comforting to listen to balanced views coming from domestic industrial leaders like N Chandrasekaran. Let's hope his plea for focus on holistic approach to growth and views on the role of technology will be taken seriously by the policy makers. Meanwhile, one expects the prophets of doom to factor in the global comparisons made by the Tata Group Chairman quoting facts and figures while making adverse observations about the emerging India Growth Story, accepting diverse internal and external challenges. M G Warrier Mumbai F 1) Nostalgia* Going back to 1970's - Journey of nostalgic scenes for RBI friends Reserve Bank - a national and apex financial institution. Almost in all State Capitals RBI's gigantic buildings will be treated as monuments. In the same fashion, in Mumbai which is being construed as the financial institutions' hub, we have a stone building standing as the pride for Mumbai akin to the Gateway of India in the Fort area - especially building called Main Building. Getting entry into this building itself should be construed as a great luck and again to work as an employee here is a greatest opportunity. Huge iron gates with pillars like a royal fort gives a great uplifting effect to the entire area. Security Guards with guns stand on either side of the building and on the right a small entrance where there are two lifts - one exclusively for the Governor and the other for senior officials and on the left side two lifts meant for all other staff members and public. New Central Office Building which stands now just opposite to the main building also speaks volumes about the importance of the Reserve Bank of India. At the ground floor, huge banking hall partitioned with many counters duly numbered and the gathering of public makes it more important where huge gunny bags of small coins and steel trunks containing fresh currency notes are being moved within the Issue Department and Cash Department. This scene is a rare one to be seen by all. When I joined in 1969 on October 6, I saw a special queue standing with more noise and when I made a query as to why this much of rush has gathered, I was given to understand that Mahatma Gandhi centenary silver coins were being issued across the counter and everyone was given only one coin for public and there was a special counter for staff. Initially I did not take much interest in this but after few days, I realized the value of this coin. Probably this coin has become collectors' item which is now being quoted at 500 rupees. Today when I turn back the RBI building where I had spent more than 40 years of my service stepping into the first rung as a Typist and retired as the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor and this journey reminds me of the days that have rolled down and at this age of about 73 years, I feel as if I am missing those days except that I could see a mirage of those days. Before joining RBI, when I landed in Bombay on 23rd August 1967, I happened to work for two institutions - one in Insurance and the other Income Tax and in 1969 in the month of October on 2nd, my uncle who was the Manager at the Indian Bank, Matunga Branch had the opportunity of giving me a ten rupee silver coin of Mahatma Gandhi and without knowing the value I had spent it and especially giving it to a shop keeper for which I had to receive from my uncle a slap. Today I imagine what blunder I committeed and by virtue of my having been recruited in RBI, I could get 5 coins out of which I had given two to my Uncle bringing down to his memory of the incident and I am now able to give two coins more which I owe it to the Divine who was kind enough in giving an opportunity to join RBI. All said and done, Reserve Bank of India, an institution which has its own glory and the entire Fort area we used to stroll with friends. Anand Bhavan, Vihar Restaurant, Swagath, Anandhashram, Hithniketan, Mahesh Lunch Home, Akbrarallys, Flora Fountain, Pancham Puriwala, Sugarcane juice near Bombay Stationery Mart, Apna Bazar, Udupi Restaurant for full meals managed by Rama Nayak of Matunga, Moti Mahal Lassi, Parsi Bakery for Khari Biscuits, Mathura for puri bhaji, Meher Lassi/Buttermilk, Jilebi being prepared with its hot stage and a glass of milk near Mathura Hotel, West Coast Restaurant known for its Rava Dosa - these are all the places where my legs along with my friends went round and round. A restaurant known as Ananda Bhavan exclusively South Indian dishes used to be made available with a pan shop and Tamil weeklies and magazines used to be solde by one Mr Muthu and the Strand Book shop so famous - unfortunately this book shop has been sold by Mr.Pai to some one. When we go nearer to State Bank of India, there used to be a hotel known as Poornima where queue one can find to have full meals standing to take the coupon. Apart from the Main Building, we used to visit different buildings of RBI - Mercantile Bank Building, City Ice Building, World Trade Centre, White House. Amar building which is also so significant as RBI Main building which used to be connected by a concrete bridge where on third floor our canteen was accommodated. Crossing this bridge would make one to feel so proud as if we are crossing the Palk Strait - momentary feeling of excitement. Those served in RBI cannot forget all these important spots. On Saturdays, being half day, different language people used to gather in Amar Building on the third floor where they used to run their libraries. Marathi, Hindi, Punjabi, Sindhi, Tamil, Libraries used to serve as a model of united India where friends used to meet and exchange their views and used to have a lighter mood. Half day being advantageous to see movies in the nearby Cinema houses like New Excelsior, Eros,Capitol, New Empire - mostly English movies and then either go to Churchgate or VT station to take shelter at the final destination in their respective houses. Wonderful days which I thought I should bring it to the fore so that all will travel to those days forgetting the current and present stress at this matured age. Thoughts clashing thus making us weak can be turned out to be a stronger memories if we travel some 40 / 50 years back .........of course this is applicable to those who were working in 70s at the RBI - Let me try to bring back more memories in the coming days! Sreedharan Iyengar Retired P S to Governor *Shared by Ravindra Sangwai via Group mail 2) Leisure Funniest Quotes about Ageing* "The older I get, the more clearly I remember things that never happened. - Mark Twain "First you forget names, then you forget faces, then you forget to pull your zipper up, then you forget to pull your zipper down." - Leo Rosenberg "At fifty, everyone has the face he deserves." - George Orwell "At age 20, we worry about what others think of us… at age 40, we don’t care what they think of us… at age 60, we discover they haven’t been thinking of us at all." - Ann Lander "As you get older three things happen. The first is your memory goes, and I can't remember the other two." - Sir Norman Wisdom “It’s paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn’t appeal to anyone.” - Andy Rooney “Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest.” - Larry Lorenzon "I’m 59 and people call me middle-aged. How many 118-year-old men do you know?"- Barry Cryer “Old age isn’t so bad when you consider the alternative.” – Maurice Chevalier "Grandchildren don’t make a man feel old, it’s the knowledge that he’s married to a grandmother that does." - J. Norman Collie "When your friends begin to flatter you on how young you look, it’s a sure sign you’re getting old." - Mark Twain "Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician." - Anonymous *Shared by Dr T V Gopalakrishnan G Vanaprastha Ashrama https://isha.sadhguru.org/us/en/wisdom/sadhguru-spot/vanaprastha-becoming-conscious-mortality There has been this tradition in India of vanaprastha, that is, beyond a certain age, one is supposed to go into the forest and live there. This is supposed to help them die well. What is the rationale behind that? And how to take this decision in modern times? Please open the link for Sadhguru's views on this 🙏-Warrier