Nataraja, The Teacher

Shiva, mostly misunderstood as The Destroyer, leaves us awestruck, when we try to conceive Him. He is the Inconceivable. We may try to understand Him, if we want to. His fierce ways have always confused every single creature including Devas, Yakshas, Asuras, and of course human beings.
His most fierce face, ever exposed to the mankind, is His Tandava as Nataraja. While I delved deep into the sea of knowledge available...I came to know that Shiva means the process of Construction to Deconstruction.

Maya is a constructed reality, a reality that depends on cultural norms and personal prejudices (Brahmand). To quote Devdutt Pattanaik "...maya is the measuring scale that values and devalues all things in Prakriti, and by doing so gives rise to Brahmanda, an individual perception of the world....it is just the way human minds perceive reality."
This constructed reality, Maya is the birthplace of Aham, Ego- that imagines itself as the creator. Shiva is the destroyer of the Aham, so that human can realize its reality, the soul. This realization is the reason of human life.
Shiva is the Teacher, who teaches the meaning of human life in two ways: As Dakshinamurti or as Nataraja.

Let us try to find out what He teaches as Nataraja and why?
Unlike other form of dances, it was enlightenment (not entertainment). Nataraja was dancing Ananda Tandava, the dance of bliss. Shiva was using poses to communicate, to stir imagination of human beings. The final pose, (see the image above) with which He freezes, was the ultimate knowledge, the wisdom of Veda.

The upraised right palm: Abhaya (which says, 'do not fear')...human beings want to control the world around them to feel secured from this fear
The left hand pointing to the left foot which is swinging in the midair: The left foot is in motion, moving round and round. This symbolizes the ever-changing Nature, the transformation of the world, the main source of all fears.

The leg and the left hand are moving towards the right side: Left side of the body is rhythm of the material world, as the rhythmic heart beats, the world goes through rhythmic changed such as seasons, tides, birth/death etc. The left side is Prakriti. The right side is Purusha, still and silent, symbolizes human's potential to stay still. This is spiritual reality. Human existence requires both sides: Purusha and Prakriti. Shiva balances Himself on his right leg, calm, comfortable. He is Ekapada.

As Nataraja, Shiva teaches a way out of fear: Do not control Nature, recognize the truth of Nature. Nothing ends forever, there is always a new beginning.

The wheel of fire: This wheel is the wheel of rebirth, the Samsara
Shiva advises to us to sit back and observe, thereby understand and realize. This realization takes away fear and brings back faith.

We forget Nature's timeless Truth: The cycle, the going away and coming back of everything. We forget that only we can destroy our "subjective reality", three worlds: "me", "mine" and "not mine". We destroy this subjective reality with our third eye of wisdom.

This is what I understood and believe.
I will come back with a new realization and more Love for Him next time…till then,
Keep the Faith.

Attitude Problem!

Not mine! :D

He he he he!! I am here to discuss the attitude problem of rickshaw pullers of Kolkata! You will say "who cares!!!" Well, I do, as I need to avail their service frequently enough! And I am sure there are women like me who use rickshaw service!

There is something very special about the way rickshaw pullers of Kolkata think and talk. Here are a few examples:

1. There is a steep slope just near the Kavi Nazrul metro station. While going back to home after obtaining enough supply of vegetable and fish from bazaar, often I take that short cut. As the road is crowded always, most of the time, I remain very cautious while crossing that slope on a rickshaw.

That day, as always, the road was very crowded, I requested the rickshaw puller to drive safe. A woman was walking at the middle of the road to avoid road side sludge created by seasonal rain. The rickshaw puller, kept on shouting, “boudi side din, boudi side din” (Sister-in-law let me pass! All young married women are universally addressed Boudi or sister-in-law here in Kolkata) without using the bell or the honk.

The lady took left side of the road, and when we crossed her, she bitterly said:“Horn dite parona?”(Why don’t you ring the bell?) The rickshaw puller gave an impromptu answer: “Keno? Mukhe bollam, bhalo laglona?” (Why? Did not like it when I asked you orally?)

The lady I am sure had nothing to say in return!

2. The grocery shop delivers packaged drinking water on regular basis. They send it on rickshaw and then the driver carries the 5 ltr. bottle up to our floor at the door step where we pay him for his labor.

That day, while picking up my son from his school, I informed the rickshaw puller that I need to get water bottle from the shop. He waited while the men at the shop placed the bottle on the rickshaw. In front of my apartment he stopped and as we stepped down, I waited for him to carry the bottle upstairs. He remained still on his seat. Finally I asked him to take that bottle to the floor, and also asked him not to worry; he would be paid for that.

He did not show any symptom of following what I said, instead he said, “Ei dhoroner kaaj ami korina! Kono jinish boye niye jaina kokhono” (I don’t do this type of work of carrying heavy things).

Then I asked: Why? Are you unwell? Or suffering from any type of inability?

He said: Na na, ami bhaloi achhi, kintu ami to mutey- mojur noi, peter daye rickshaw chalai…amar ki kono shomman nei? Taka dileo ami korina (I am not a laborer. I drive rickshaw for my bread and butter that does not mean I have no honor. Even money cannot make me do this.)

I was so very much surprised to listen to an answer such as this! But then I had no one to help me carry that bottle up to my flat. So I requested him: Ei dekho to, ami to tomake agei bollam jol nebo, tumi keno tokhon na korlena? Amar ei chheleke niye, ei bhari bottle ta oporey ki kore nebo boloto? (You did not say that you could not carry the bottle. Now, when I am alone with a small kid, how am I supposed to get this bottle to my home?)

At this argument he seemed to soften a bit. The he said: Thik ache, apnar jonno ami eta niye jachchi ajke. (Okay the, for you only I am carrying this bottle today)

He did, he carried that bottle to my doorstep. I paid him. While paying I thanked him for his help and then added: Dada, ekta kotha boli. Kono kaj chhoto noi. Ar ei kotha thik noi je apni rickshaw tanen, ar je thela gari tane tar kono shomman nei. Khete khawa shob manusher I shomman thake. Apni rickshaw- i tanun ar mathar opor bosthai tanun, jotodin nijer peter bhat jogar korte loker kachhe haat na patben, totodin apni shommanio byakti. Ei kotha mone rakhben. (Let me tell you something, when you drive a rickshaw, in no way you are much respectable than a person who carries luggage on his head for earning bread and butter. Everyone who sells labor is respectable. You will lose respect only when you start begging in front of others. Remember this.)

I was expecting a few philosophical bitter words in return…but he remained silent and went away.

Early morning, most of the rickshaw pullers read news papers, or at least listen attentively to the reader. They sit at their points and discuss local concerns, political and non-political stories, share opinions till the time they get passenger. They are conscious, well-aware, have self-esteem…but very rude because of their leftist thoughts and beliefs. I hate them at times, but I must admit, they are different from any other rickshaw pullers in India.

A Little Morning Mist, Sudden Chills…Smell of Nolen Gur in the air…Liking it in Kolkata

Winter brings a sigh of relief for Kolkatans. Summer is too long here. And people of Kolkata have divided the whole year into two seasons “Kom Gorom ar Beshi Gorom” (More hot and less hot). So, right now it’s Kom Gorom.

“Heat” is not the right word…it should be scorching, burning, boiling for the months including April, May, June, July, August, September and even October. Then comes November, and we start expecting a bit of respite….in December, finally we get it.

May be people of Kolkata take the winter literally! All those monkey caps, hand gloves, shawls and 2 sets of sweaters not actually required unless it rains in January.

You will find people less aggressive, not fighting much on intellectual issues…during winter, as you will find them start verbal argument on simple issues during the summer.

When 1 kilo of onion cost me 44/-, I was waiting to see people react bitterly. Strangely enough, I did not find many instances…apart from a few oldies faintly disagreeing on the price. Then I got it…it winter. People are chilling out here!!

It’s nice…that I do not have to get rubbed by all those sweaty, stinking bodies while travelling by metro rail for office. Men and women are less angry when they cannot capture a sit in the train J …ladies don’t pour in as much hatred while looking at the guys who unintentionally touched their body in the mob.

With Boi Mela, Shankranti, and all those fairs, music concerts, theaters, film festivals around Christmas and New Year celebrations…it’s good when it is winter : D

(Photo "Winter Morning" by Sayan)

Housewives being grouped with prostitutes, beggars and prisoners in the Census as "economically non-productive"

Yes, housewives are “economically non-productive". I cannot agree more. I simply wonder, does that category somehow able to eliminate all the differentiations amongst prostitutes, beggars, prisoners and housewives?

Or may be the statutory authorities have sensed the deepest sufferings of women in general, as marriage has been described by many great personalities in the history as "high class prostitution" for women. Also housewives with self respect may feel at times as beggars do, both categories are financially dependent. And one, who is financially not independent, of course cannot be the master of his will. So, might feel like a person who is in prison. He heh!!

No healthy society requires/wants people belonging to a group, which includes prostitutes, beggars and prisoners. Agree? Yes, we do. Housewives belong to the same group. No society requires/wants housewives. Ha ha ha....now do you agree?

To all housewives (including me, I am right now), how do you feel being economically unproductive? Unwanted by the society? Then ask yourselves, are you economically unproductive by choice? Answer is of course "No". You think you are making a great sacrifice for the sake of your family. And for the society in broader sense. Is this how you get the reward?

The call...

This song is for to all those, who added meaning to my life...but are no longer with me.

It started out as a feeling

Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word

And then that word grew louder and louder
'Til it was a battle cry

I'll come back

When you call me
No need to say goodbye

Just because everything's changing
Doesn't mean it's never
Been this way before

All you can do is try to know
Who your friends are
As you head off to the war

Pick a star on the dark horizon
And follow the light

You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say good bye

You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say good bye

Now we're back to the beginning
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget

Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
'Til they're before your eyes

You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say good bye

You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say good bye

Do we see a brahman now-a-days?

No we don't! Who is a brahman?

By birth, every man is a Shudra (an ignorant person). Through various types of disciplines (samskaras), he becomes a dwija (twice born). Through the studies of scriptures, he becomes a vipra (or a scholar). Through realization of supreme spirit (brahmajnana), he becomes a brahmin.

"Listen, Yaksha, it is neither birth nor education, nor even the study
of the Vedas. Without doubt, it is character alone that marks a Brahmin."

Yaksha Prashna,

Read the content given in the link below:

http://www.avsrinivasan.com/epics/brahmin.html

So, please tell me, have you ever seen a real Brahmin ever?

After thought....

I was just wondering, if air had colors and every gas had a unique color, then what would be the color of a sneeze, a fart, and a belch!

Ha ha ha ha....and while farting, no one can get away saying "I didn't!"

Friday, July 24, 2009

Today is a significant day for all who live in West Bengal, mainly because of two incidents, one of which took place 28 years back, and other one took place today only, though it was scheduled earlier. Today is the 29th Death Anniversary of the legendary matinee idol of Bangla film industry, Uttam Kumar. Today the private transport supported by CITU decided to keep a Chakka Bandh as a protest against government’s order to remove all the aged, pollution vomiting 19 year or more old buses and taxis from the roads.

But do not think I am going to preach against or for those private transportwalahs. Actually this second incidence incidentally caused a pregnancy of a series of thoughts in my mind. How? Well, I am going to tell you everything, but promise me that at last you will not support my husband who says (thinks loudly and I overhear) I take undue advantage of my freedom of expression. :D Even if you do, I do not mind ;-D

Because of this strike thingy, our office cab had to pick more people to office. And as a second pick up, I had more time to listen to my mobile music. When I concentrated on the line kept in bold told by Javed Akhtar….

Socha hai yeh tumne kya kabhi, socha hai….khel hai yeh kya sabhi
…….
Sannata sunayee nehi deta
Aur hawayen dikhayee nehi deti...
Socha hai kya kabhi?

I truly was fascinated by the idea “aur hawayen dikhayee nehi deti.....” par dikhayee deti to?

Bingo! Here is the unique idea, which I can sell to any Hollywood director and producer to use in their next Sci-fi flick. (I consider, Indian director and producers cannot not do justice to my high-ended, exceptionally imaginative quality of thought…Okay…this is enough of self admiration) Now cut to my idea.

Air, wind will have transparent colors…all light pastel. Think! No, don’t. Just imagine. Earth’s atmosphere (stratosphere, hemisphere) and level of pollution in that area will decide the color of the wind. The higher its goes, the brighter the pastel colors become. In other way, the more polluted the air, the paler it is.

Each type of gas will have a unique color, depending on their nature. As for example, Oxygen is green and Hydrogen is blue…Imagine, how many shades of colors we would have got in the air around us. What color should Ozone have? I leave this to your imagination.

One con of this state is that, we will not be able to see objects or figures in their original color. There will be illusions…photographers (still or moving) will not be happy about it.
No, they will not if this would have been the nature of air since the time the earth was created.
The pros of this situation is, any school pass out will know the condition of atmosphere around him. Is it very polluted? Which gas is predominant? What air are we breathing? How much of harmful gas we are inhaling….things like that. And perhaps, this would have made us more environment-conscious. The common ice breakers within two strangers would be, “The air in this area is much polluted! See it’s so pale”. “Oh God! My new born will be affected by this air! He is only 3 months old! I am going to complain about this to the pollution control police of this area! How could they be so irresponsible?” (pollution control police !!!! Yes I am definitely dreaming)

Imagine people around us, the society we live in, our ruling government, all are so conscious about their environment! The strike today would not have taken place, had the wind been colorful. But I am no activist, as you and as other people I come across everyday, I am just like another person, concerned about myself only. So I will not talk about pollution, I have not done anything to do with it.

I will just bring forth the aesthetic point of view of the wind having transparent pastel colors. Tourism would have used this as a USP. “Come to blah-blah! Watch and breathe the rainbow bright fresh air! Revive your inner self!”

Just close your eyes and imagine…

Why I do not like Shah Rukh Khan

It’s a bit confusing but will try to explain what I realized while going back home by my office bus yesterday evening. It was raining heavily outside, and my mobile FM radio was airing “Tujhmein Rub dikhta hai, yara main kya karun….” from Rab Nein Bana Di Jodi (I don’t use film name initials, like KANK etc.).

He is a passionate and romantic lover, a passionate and equally responsible, loving and caring and highly romantic husband (what else a wife can ask for!), a good father, a good son. He is just like that, a perfect man in every role he chooses, like us, but so unlike at the same time that we admire him as a good human being above all. A young girl would look for his traits in her lover; a woman would think why my husband is not like him? A mother would like her son to be like him (Think of Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum etc.). Ask me, after watching Dil Se, I was determined that I would love someone who would love me like he did love Monisha in that movie….watch his expressions in that song

Teri raahon mein uljha uljha hoon
Teri baahon mein uljha hoon
Suljhaane de hosh mujhe
Teri chaahon mein uljha hoon
Teri raahon mein uljha uljha hoon
Teri baahon mein uljha hoon
Suljhaane de hosh mujhe
Teri chaahon mein uljha hoon
Mera jeena junoon mera marna junoon
Ab iske siva nahin koi sukoon
Mera jeena junoon mera marna junoon
Ab iske siva nahin koi sukoon
Mera jeena junoon mera marna junoon
Satrangi re

The amount of passion and obsession this song required was well put in by SRK. I truly cannot imagine anyone else enacting Satrangi re…

SRK is myth. No one can be so perfect in a relationship. “Thoda hai…thode ki zaroorat hai” is the real story of every relationship. No one can deny this. Grapes are sour, so is the Maya created by SRK. Excuse me SRK fans! I know that’s what you are going to say…

I have to do so many things, but when?

Dil dhoondta hai phir wohi phoorsat ke raat din...

Today, I do not have time for the things I love doing. Like reading books, sitting idle and watching the rainfall. Enjoying the silence around me...thinking about nothing as such, painting my ideas, giving color to my thoughts.

A heart to heart talk with someone I like to talk to...
Sharing my best music and book
Sitting by a river side, alone and seeing the moon glow....
Getting lost for a while with my bi-cycle...
Talking to stranger about a common human interest...
Getting engaged in a loud Krishna prayer "Kirtana" forgetting the world outside...
Singing my favourite songs...
Writing about everything I feel and understand...
Dance and dance and dance...which I have not done for a loooooooong time now

I have to do so many things, but when?