Temples (In the understanding of a novice)

“May God come and reside in our hearts;
May our body be the temple of God.”
--- Rig Veda

Rather than being inquisitive about the existence of god, I like to ponder about the one that helps to recognize the insensible with our senses – “Temples”.

A hindu temple is the representative of the Universe and the Inner space and its architecture merges astronomy and aesthetic geometry. Ideally, a nature’s rough cave is refined by a smoothened archetype, well made shape and deliberately rectangularized form conveying the hidden meaning of shaping the raw nature into refinement. The plan of a hindu temple is a square divided into 64 or 81 each conveying specific divinity and is oriented to face east. A temple consists of Garbhagraha, pradaksinapatha, mukhamantapa, antarala, mantapa, dhvajastambha, balipitha, and prakara.

Garbhagraha, a square with low roof , no doors or windows and a geometrically centered idol and light coming only through the front door opening.
Pradaksinapatha, a passage around the garbhagraha for circumambulation.
Mukhamantapa, yet another passage in proportion to the garbhagraha, which is sometimes used to keep the offerings on special occasions.
Antarala, a narrow passage that connects garbhagraha to the mantapa.
Mantapa, a big hall used for singing, reciting the mythological texts, dancing and for other congregational religious acts.
Dhvajastambha, a flag post made of copper or bronze in front of grabhagraha, with a flag which usually figures the vahana of the garbhagraha deity.
Balipitha, a lotus or footprint of the deity fixed near the dhvajasthambha.
Prakara, high wall with one main and three other gates in the cardinal directions.

Over the roof of the garbhagraha, there is a small tower which is usually high in North Indian Temples and low in case of south Indian temples. The main gate of Prakara has the Raja Gopuram which usually consists of odd number of stories like 3,5,7 etc. each carrying it own importance.
Three stories represent three states of mind conscious, subconscious and dreamy.
Five stories represent five senses.
Seven represent five senses along with mind and intellect.

To be continued…………..

"She is Scared"

With enormous energy and under tough competition I was trying to get in to the suburban train that was already crowded more than its capacity. My eyes were searching for the unoccupied seats in vain. I know most of the people were busily engaged in the Sumo wrestling for the meager unoccupied spaces. I could also see the blissful smiles on faces that could knock off the co passenger’s strategies to catch their 1 hour throne demonstrating “Ellorum innattu Mannar”. I had to settle near the train window. Each face reflected the emotions of different kinds. Some were drowned in their own thoughts, some were gossiping and some were still keen in noticing the probable throne and one face seemed to be more familiar.

I vaguely remember this face, the wide forehead reflecting the positive attitude, the deep set eyes reflecting the proud and observant, the sharp nose reflecting the quick temper and round head bun reflecting the middle age and responsibility. She must be disturbed by my prolonged gaze at her. I took away my eyes immediately to make her comfortable and nothing is odd about her. I squeezed my mind to identify who she is from my long term and short term memory to recall and recognize her.

Suddenly, a lightning struck my mind. I could hear “She is scared” all around me hundred times.


Way back before 10 years I was standing before her for fourth standard admission guarded by my parents. After a short interview about my family and previous school I was asked to recite a poem from third standard syllabus. “Indian Weavers” suddenly flashed my mind but I was reluctant, rather shy and afraid and decided not to open my mouth. She insisted many times but I could not come out of my shell. After a severe look from my father I had no other option but to recite the poem. I started quite well but the feel of being in the middle of teachers looking through the glasses made me stumble and jump straight to the last para. I could not even remember what I recited just then. My cognitive skills were paralyzed and I was looking in to the faces around me for the positive response. After a deep look through the glasses, she exclaimed

“She is Scared”

From then on, for 10 long years I was quoted “She is scared” whenever I make mistake irrespective of the order of magnitude. From slipping the water bottle to reduced marks in the exams I was quoted “She is scared”. Over the years the repeated quoting of “She is scared” had created an emotional trauma of being guilty before others.

“She is scared” was tormenting my mind for a long time. My mind mused and ruminated “She is scared” even after she went away from my vicinity. But after sometime something somewhere struck me. I started to rethink on the word “Scared”. All these days I was quoted “She is Scared” for the acts of being careless and irresponsible. I realized that my father had misapprehended the word “scared” for being reckless and feckless. Though I know the meaning for the word I could not think beyond the context whenever I was quoted that incident.

This might be a very funny incident, just a misapprehension of the word “Scared” for 10 long years. But why is it that I could not think beyond the context whenever I am quoted that incident? I have actually seen through the distortion of my conditioned mind and this has put a spin on to my 10 years of life and how I have perceived myself. For the 10 long years I have seen the world through the tints of my conditioned spectacle. After all the word “Scared” had made me handicapped for 10 long years.

February 1, 2019 – The World Wide Holiday

Death is indispensable to nature and evolution. Fear of death is instinctive since the nature has given us the drive to survive and so, any news or predictions that seeds the fear of death creates wide sensationalism and one of those is “The Killer Asteroid” that is due to hit the earth on Feb 1, 2019.

“The Killer Asteroid” – 2002NT7 a relatively new discovery was first observed on July 9, 2002 by the LINEAR team. It orbits the Sun every 837 days, traveling in a tilted orbit from about the distance of Mars to just within the Earth's orbit. From its brightness, astronomers estimate it is about two kilometers wide, large enough to cause continent-wide devastation on Earth and also raise a dust storm that could be a horrendous environmental disaster. If it should fall into some ocean, the tidal waves that would result could be of monumental proportions. Astronomers have given the object a rating on the so-called Palermo technical scale of threat of 0.06, making NT7 the first object to be given a positive value and it currently heads the list of our IMPACT RISK.

But this was the conclusion from the very few observations made with the invention of NT7. The odds of the asteroid hitting the earth are 1 in 100,000 which is of very low probability, but it is continuously observed for its huge size. NASA's Near Earth Object program gives the asteroid a rating of "1" on the Torino impact hazard scale one of two such scales for determining the potential risk of asteroids and other objects. That ranking means it is within the range of "events meriting careful monitoring" but not of great concern. The researchers also have the idea to use the nuclear bomb a slight nudge at just the right part of its orbit, causing it to miss us.

Life After Marriage

One day I was drawn to the foggy window which induced a stroll in the open terrace. How I long for a cloudy day, the comfort of rain, the solitude of a walk without the long grey ghost trailing behind me. Suddenly my friend questioned me with uncertainty “Are you in bad mood? Any problem at home?” But this was not the question just before marriage. My silence was usually presumed as thoughts about my guy. I could not make out why she implied my silence otherwise?

Will marriage change life? Did my life change after marriage?

I still remember the day when my mother convinced me for marriage, after a long argument about my professional qualification, career, maturity, responsibilities, duties………..etc. I had very few expectations and reservations about marriage and my mom already knew it. It took hardly a month for my mom to find the right guy. From then on, “yes”, I do find a difference but I do not know whether it could be qualified as a change.

There was a hot discussion that day about the new ring that my friend’s father bought her. My heart stopped for a moment when I suddenly remembered the ring my husband left on the table. I relaxed after bothering him over phone that it was safe in his hands.
Was I so much heedful before?
No, never had I. I still remember how I was reluctant when my mom misplaced her ear ring and was pleading me to search for it.

With usual appetite and unusual expectations I opened my lunch box to relish the self prepared “Rasam”. It tasted salty, bitter and sour, but for it was good. The first gulp I remembered my husband taking lunch, the second gulp I remembered how he is irritated about the bad taste and at the third gulp I closed my lunch box and enquired in the soothing voice about lunch over phone. “mmm….. O.K.”, meant “bad taste but I could bear it, just because the truth may hurt you.” But that hurts me more. For the first time I felt guilty about my dire cooking skills. I never bothered to enter kitchen before. I always felt cooking is boredom and tedious while kitchen is hot and odd.

Arguments are always an essential infrastructure in the office. Never could I agree with others on various issues. Each of us differ in our judgments and outlooks. I always peep in to the common issues to express my ideas and opinions and disagree with my peers to prove that they are wrong. But did I do that at home? My head often nods “yes” to the demands at home. I do not want to, rather need to prove my smartness at home. My sister in law always complains that I always flatter and comply with my mother in law. But did I do that for the sake of earning good name? No. Harsh disagreements always leave strong ravages in mind, especially with sensitive humans. Harmony of opinion is just an expression of brand loyalty, the product being my husband.

I have many instances to quote the “difference” in myself, from yearning for a call to organized room. I know my priorities, life style, preferences, likes, dislikes, longings, “food habits”…….etc have undergone a major shift for the sake of marriage. I doubt whether I lost my originality after marriage. I am trying to convince myself that this is a “normal change”.

I understand that marriage not only brings together just two individuals of different opinions and attitudes, but two lives and choices which are unique and complex, but such mergers and amalgamations have more impact on women than on men. Women find an internal and organizational takeover while men find external and financial takeover. Consequently, change is inevitable, but it is strongly influenced by beliefs, values and priorities.

May be irresponsibility at mom’s home can be excused as a privilege, but after marriage every women requires emotional and physical investment to identify and accept the “major transition” in her life. The Women after marriage does multi tasking. It could be finely defined as “Multi Personality in (Dis)order” as portrayed in “Anniyan”. She must be intimate and personal to conquer her husband’s love but at the same time she should not exile him from his nears and dears. She must be responsible and caring like a naturalized person with her in-laws at the same time she should not cross her frontiers like a regimented alien. She is the supreme deity who gives birth and nurtures the child at the same time she should not be a fiend to force her unfulfilled dreams on her children. In short she levers two sided swords each day in unusual battlefield with unlimited determination.

But why should and what for she battles in the changing battlefield with unchanged willpower?

Is it to gain money or material?

Is it for pride or fame?

No, It is the “Unconditional Love” for her husband and children. Her Family is the battle ground and she is the prominent brave warrior who hurts herself in the course of war to protect her loved ones. That’s why each of us respect her death than any one else!

The Creator

What if, I Could be one day Brahma?

Trust me; I will create shortcuts for every thing in life. Life will become very easy, but we will become very lazy.

MS excel is the inspiration for my dreams about shortcuts (for life).

Let me launch the short cuts with my magic wand.

(1) Ctrl C + Ctrl V, Copy waking up early in the morning, bathing and commuting to and from office and paste it on each day in the calendar (But it is very important that we do these promptly on the day that is copied)
(2) Ctrl C + Alt E, S “Values” in Life when we at times miss it
(3) Ctrl C + Alt E, S, “Formulas” for success whenever we take up a new venture
(4) Ctrl C + Alt E, S, “Formats” of smart dressing each day
(5) Ctrl C + Alt E, S, impressive “comments” about the accomplished goals whenever we need encouragement
(6) Ctrl C + Alt E, S, “Validation” of our views on critical issues
(7) Ctrl C + Alt E, S, peace and wealth among people in the world, “All except borders”
(8) Ctrl C + Alt E, S, “Column Width” between individuals to enjoy and nourish their freedom
(9) Ctrl C + Alt E, S, “Skip Blanks” of ignorance in innocence
(10) Ctrl C + Alt E, S, “Transpose” poverty with opportunity for vocation and food
(11) Ctrl C + Alt E, S, “Paste Links” with the precious relationships that were lost
(12) Ctrl F , find the misplaced objects in the hurried moments
(13) Ctrl H, find and replace the priceless moments that vanished due to harsh words and ruthless behavior with gentility and etiquette.
(14) Ctrl S to save our parents from death
(15) Alt F + A, life to be “Saved As” per our vision
(16) F4 to repeat the happiest moments in life.
(17) F2 to look inside the hearts of our loved ones, so as to comfort them at the time of need
(18) F9 to get the immediate results from the success formula

And now,

Ctrl + Alt + Del to log off from the creator Id.

Blossom

There he stands with no sign of recognition in his eyes. I am seeing him after 2 ½ years. Time has brought big changes in him. He has grown 2 feets by now. I still remember the day when I first saw him. It was March 9 2002, the day he was born, my sister’s child Jaysheel. When I rushed to hospital to see him he was in his deep sleep on my mother’s arm. He was covered by white turkey towel like a bud ready to blossom. When I was hurrying my mother to give the child to me, I could hear my father’s voice at high pitch from behind. After listing down all those I don’t have, including those common sense stuffs, I was asked to wash my hands and then take in charge of him. He was already showing his face as if “Don’t u know I am sleeping, u should know that I may not get a good sleep like this when I reach your age.”

Still he did not recognize me. I am pulling him my side but he is proving Newton’s third law of gravitation by pulling himself away from me. He used to be my good friend those days. I used to take care of him from bathing to taking him to doctor. He was putting 100gms weight each week. I used to observe the increasing and improving tyres in his hips and thighs. His digestion system was working at 100% capacity with manifold return on investment.
That day he was very happy about the outing plan, but he didn’t know that he was taken to dispensary for an injection. He was cool and calm until he was injected. I could see the blood rushing out of his veins. I didn’t realize that I screamed “ayyoooooo” until doctor stared at me. I smiled at him though I was cursing him inside for being rude to my child. I took Jaysheel outside to console him and myself. I was still boiling inside and getting on to my nerves, but he slowly calmed down. I placed him on my laps to find what he was doing? He smiled at me with tears in his eyes, as if, “I am OK now. I could manage. I know all this happens in life.”

Still he did not turn his face to me. He did not want to talk to me. I offered battery cell to cell phone pleading him to talk to me, but he is very strong in his “varamattein viradham”. Those days we both talk to each other in an unknown language which we alone could understand. Our conversation continued until one day when my mother shouted at me for holding him all the time. I decided that I am not going to touch him from now on nor even stay in the place where he is. I was very strong in my resolution but I didn’t know that he had already planned to break it. He started his unusual “katcheri” at 11.30pm. I was studying for my B.com exams. I once again told to myself that I am not going to turn my face to him. He continued working out his plan. My sister, father and then my mother tried to console him. But, he was my dude he never heard to them. My mother pleaded me to do something about him. I scolded him “Stupid, What’s wrong with you?” and took him from my sister. He must be happy with the way he executed the plan. He calmed down soon and went to deep sleep on my laps. Though I scolded him, I enjoyed the importance and special preference that he gave me that night.

But what happened to him now? What happened to those importance and special preference that he gave me two years back? He cannot even recognize me now. I cannot blame him for someone’s mistake. Though he disregards me, I know I still have an in depth love and affection for him and that’s motherhood.