Chronicles Of Prudence

Chronicles Of Prudence

Reviewing the book: "Manuscript found in Accra by Paulo Coelho” is going to be completely biased. It doesn’t have any plot like a fictional book. But has great deal of things to offer. Again it depends on the mentality of the reader and his level of perception of the world and his own life as such.

We broadly encounter two different kinds of people. The first category includes people who have a very casual, care-free attitude and don’t believe in much introspection. The second category comprises of people who attach profound importance to life. They are always engrossed in deep search for unraveling the mysteries as well as the miseries of life. They tend to add a pinch of wisdom to their lives to make it even more meaningful. So what might be interesting to one category may not be significant to other category. I personally feel that this book caters to a section of people who wants to explore various tempests of life with a philosophical angle.

It is not a fictional work. It is a compendium of various philosophies and deeper insights revealed in various religious scriptures. The style of writing, particularly the concise way of deliberating on different aspects is simply good.

The book is set in situation dated back to 1099 when the people in Jerusalem are dreaded with fear due to an impending war threat. This war was set to wipe out their towns and cities. The emotionally challenged people begin to grieve. A wise man Copt, allays their fears with his illuminating words of wisdom on various issues bogging them. The questions raised were diverse but had a deep emotional impact on their lives. These included a multitude of emotions that plagued them, destroying their mental peace and tranquility. The Copt listens to them carefully and delivers the words of wisdom. The aspects included Love, Fear, Defeat, Success, Friendship, Solitude, Change, Sex, Elegance, Arrogance, Beauty, Education, Loyalty, Anxiety, Death, etc.

The books talks about four invisible forces which govern the soul—Love, Death, Power and Time. It reiterates that the greatest enemies can be defeated not by a sword fight in battle field but by taking charge of our inner weapons. These weapons can embolden us and shape our personality. Almost every page seems to exude some relevance to our daily lives. The words of wisdom like pearls are peppered all over the book. It will not be an understatement to say that each page had at least one worthy quotation and have a greater implication in everyone’s life. The best part is that reader can draw close resemblances to their real life situation.  To sum up, it is a book containing several brainy quotes and perhaps each one of us might need them at some point of time or another. These beautiful sayings offer solace, instill courage and show us the way forward when we stumble in life or hit hard by unforeseen consequences.

Just to gives a bird’s eye view of the book, I want to refer to few lines ----

“Only he who gives up is defeated. Everyone else is victorious.”

“People who seek only success rarely find it, because success is not an end in itself, but a consequence.”

 

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The Grandeur Of Devoutness

 

The Grandeur of Devoutness

With ever changing social dimensions, we tend to find new definitions to the old customs and rituals. These have been part and parcel of our tradition for over thousands of years. They have been introduced to us with a very noble intention of creating some discipline and order into our disorderly and stressful life. Routine sometimes becomes boring and we are in constant search for a change. Thus festivals and religious congregations are the events devised in this process to reenergize and recreate ourselves. Most of them are celebrated to commemorate historical and mythological important occasion. These events are specially marked to honor the supernatural powers and to express our gratitude to their bountiful blessings.

Just as we moved into a new locality we wanted to explore the place. To acquaint ourselves with new surroundings and to estimate its proximity to nearest land marks. During this process we came across with an advertisement in the newspaper about a big grocery store offering a remarkable reduction prices at its inaugural sale. To avail discounts during the sale from purchasing at the place, we set out in search of the new store. Meanwhile we also found out that it is in close proximity to a famous temple. So according to the new plan we wanted to visit both the places. First we decided to visit the temple as it is popular in the locality. Hence we believed that we could easily locate it. But to our dismay it took lot of time for us first to reach the approximate location and then after repeated enquiries we could find out the place. We were forced to change our opinion as the temple was little inside. The path that leads to the temple seems to be inhabited by miscreants and anti-social forces. The entire place wore a deserted look at that hour of the day. So we cancelled our plan and went ahead with our grocery shopping.

Today accidentally while were crossing the same road we were amazed by the frenzied activity at the same place. We soon found the road teeming with people on their visit to the same temple to which we cancelled our visit. We hoped that it would be a good time to go to temple. The temple wore a festive look and it is bejeweled with several LED lights and there was huge celebration in the entire locality. The entire area is bustling with activity and the reverberating sound of the loud speakers’ added more commotion. As we were nearing the temple, we saw people being mobbed by several children and women who were desperately begging in a supposedly fashioned way. As we struggled to walk past them, we were surprised by the huge numbers of people young, old, and children from the nearest slums hijacking the whole area.

As we enquired further about directions for entry into the temple. We found out that there are two different routes to get inside the temple complex. One meant for the people who were in possession of some special designated “passes” or rather a privileged entry The word “pass” sounded so polished. But we soon discovered that few brokers along with temple authorities colluded to restrict the entry of people until visitors paid substantial amount of money, to avail passes. Other route was obviously open for the general public, free and open to all. We followed the general public. There is no designated line for them to get inside the temple. They have to walk past two lanes having make shift shops on either side displaying glittery and cheap quality products. The journey through those lanes was a big ordeal as the path was filled with several glossy plastic packing materials. The moment we step on them we are guaranteed a sure fall unless our feet are firm on the ground. We tried to carefully tread through the place to avoid any fall. Further ahead the path is littered by the ubiquitous banana peels and other organic waste. At places leaky tapes crossed our path making the place untidy and damp. Finally the long walk seemed to end and as we stepped inside the temple’s inner gate.

There are hundreds of people huddled on the corridors of the temple to have a glance at the deity. We were taken by a sudden surprise to find out that people thronging outside could have a glimpse only through windows. They have to be satisfied by this supposed glance of the Goddess lasting few seconds after all this ordeal. The inner shrine is several feet away from the window. As we managed to barge through the crowds, I had a quick peek at the supposed idol. But I could barely recognize the deity. When my husband asked if I saw the idol inside I responded in positive and told him that Lord Ganesha is bedecked with flowers. Then he managed to subdue my disappointment by managing a smile on his face and said that it is temple of a Goddess Durga.

For a while I couldn’t react. For all the trouble we underwent, I had to be satisfied with what I could manage to glance. We lately realized that it is ‘navaratras’ and those nine days are considered very auspicious and people brimming with religious fervor throng nearest temples and shrines.

My mind went back to its usual way of critical thinking again. We should have been prepared for a sure to be disappointment if we visit a temple during auspicious day/ festive occasion. Do most of us feel the sudden urge to visit these supposedly divine abodes only during festivals? Why do we seem to desert them rest of the days? Does devotion within stirs the soul only during important events? Do we get greater satisfaction in dirtying the sacred places like temples indiscriminately since it is not our own house? We can barely think of even closing eyes for a while to mediate or experience the mirth of visiting a holy place in this crowd. If we cann’t contemplate few moments on Divine, I don’t see any need to visit temple. People seem to be so fashion-conscious when it comes to personal hygiene? Why are they so delighted in making public places so filthy? Why are we so Hippocratic, we throng temples only during festivals and restore its beauty by busily painting its outer walls and repairing it for the same purpose. While the rest of the days it is a den for miscreants and trouble mongers.

Temples are sacred places. The real purpose of visiting temple is to experience peace & tranquility and above all experience the divinity and bliss. If the sole purpose is lost, it is as good as visiting any shopping mall or a market yard.

 

 

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An Energizing Interaction

An Energizing Interaction

An interaction which can open our mind gates and impose no barriers on the flow of thoughts brings a great feeling. Usually most of our interactions begin and end with matters related to family/ education/ children/ employment prospects or about some material possessions.  Today I had interacted with Smt. Kondaveeti Satyavati gaaru for almost 50 min and surprisingly none of regularly discussed topics have even propped up. It was interaction with a great difference.

She is a lady with indomitable will and energy. She has so many achievements to her credit and has the rare honor of bringing  a ray of hope in the lives of several women by setting up a special helpline” Bhoomika” for women. Her relentless and untiringly efforts have changed lives of several woman.  Just to confess, I really know very little about this adventurous woman. My deep thirst to meet a woman who is different from the people in the crowd is completely quenched. This write-up is simply a mere ensemble of feelings that shot up my mind after talking to her.  

Her attitude speaks volumes about her personality. She could speak her mind out very easily and hence conversing with her is a satisfying experience. We generally encounter people discussing about ideals and values with great respect and speaking about changes or reforms. In reality it requires lot of conviction to follow those enunciated principles practically. Above all, it is the “passion or deep love” towards an objective which is the real driving force as opined by the Satyavati Gaaru. “Actions speak louder than words” is an apt saying in her case.

Universally there is a huge gap between enumerating some principles and delivering them. To deliver something to people is act of immense love. To love without expecting anything in return is something which is becoming rarity these days.  To love everyone without any boundaries and to share love to all needs a magnanimous heart. These aspects really impressed me to the core.

I am stumbled by her deep love towards nature, feeling of belongingness to nature and a very fervent desire to restore the beauty of nature. The exceptional innocence to enjoy the hues of nature is something very unique.

Rendering selfless service is a noble deed. It is feasible only when heart is free of malice and expectations.

Pray you be endowed with indefatigable energy and strength to steer women into a newer and better world.

Kondaveeti Satyavati gaaru has been working as an editor for a feminist magazine "Bhoomika" for the past 20 years.

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Our Byzantine Web

Our Byzantine Web

Society is a delicate web and encompasses thousands of interactions taking place between people. Dynamics of the society have changed as the country has slowly progressed from one stage of economic development to another but the basic structure remained the same. Man is a social being. He can’t live in isolation and always prefers to live in groups though he might detest and protest about its influences and the pressures it exerts. Society basically functions as an interdependent entity of the individuals living therein. Our society has a close similarity to the ecosystem and by the way we form the part of the biggest global ecosystem where the existence of the ecosystem is largely structured and owes its sustenance to the interactions between the organisms existing in different strata.

India has morphed into a developing economy and reveled in the glory of economic growth till 2008.  The great European financial crisis which has dismantled economies of several nations has left its trail of destruction on ours too. Though it might sound very emphatic nonetheless we can’t deny the fact that growth has slumped and it is hovering at around 6%. These statistics no longer qualify us to maintain the status of a developing nation. There are multitudes of reasons for the poor economic performance, which of course include the incompetent government coupled with the apathy of the bureaucrats.  Keeping this numerical aside, a look at the societal structure would give a glimpse of the crucial affects we being subjected to. Consciously or unconsciously we have turned a blind eye to sudden changes in the human interactions.

People seem to be less happy and conceited with their present status and fewer people are able to engage themselves in the nation building process. On the whole the sum total effects of interactions have majorly become negative. People slowly began to lose faith in the system and this is really felt in the changing attitudes of the people. Wide spread corruption, red-tape, favoritism has changed the mood of the people. The matrix of the events which existed in a harmonious society is slowly fading out. If this negativity and dissatisfaction continues to build up, it is definitely going to have a serious effect on the soul of the nation. It is really so discomforting to learn but truly greener pastures are slowly becoming extinct. People are unable to find a gainful and commensurate employment which is the prime reason for both morale and physical discomfiture.

Just a microscopic view of the same can be felt by attitudinal changes in the younger generation. With the growing dominance of the generation who believes in three words I, Me and Myself. The impact is clearly felt by in the basic framework of our society.  A person’s misfortune is soon turning to be someone else’s opportunity.  Extreme levels of possessiveness have started showing its initial symptoms of rot gradually developing into a malaise and might take dimension of a pandemic if proper value system is not put in place. The crumbling of joint family and evolution of nuclear families has been the initial precursor of the change. The new cult of selfishness is going to be a biggest problem soon. It has just spread out it its tentacles and soon going to gulp down the whole society into its trap. Indian society is in doldrums with high rates of crime, addictions, divorce, sexual exploitation, female infanticide.

Even in face all these negativities, the only greatest hope to India is inevitably its people and the sanctity of the land. India is world’s most spiritually vibrant nation. This knowledge can offer solutions to all the malaises afflicting the nation. Nation’s soul and pride can be redressed by working out prospective solutions rather than seeking asylum in momentary illusions.

 

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Corollary Of Thoughts

Corollary Of Thoughts

Humility and gratitude are the two essential assets to revitalize man and make the humanity within alive. Noble souls are held in high regard where ever they go and they carry with them the effervescence and spread the fragrance in the society they live in. I believe men become great men when they value principles and take the little extra effort to stick to them and follow them even in trying situations.

Every human being is culmination of both good and bad. The good character is greatly developed by believing in certain principles morals and the bad which is also the inherent tendency is represented by several weaknesses in any person. In fact it is often the proportion of these two basic tendencies that determining the ultimate personality of the man.

Sometimes listening to motivating speeches is a soul stirring experience. It really enthuses us, pleads us to wake up from the deep slumber and urges to set foot forward for better action. It is always easy to get carried away by trivial things as they look so ostentatious. But to stay motivated to do good things often requires lot of self-discipline. Wish the constant urge to do something stays with us for a little longer time. If we could manage to keep that passion alive for a life time we can really create wonders. But this stupid mind is so tentative and often these noble thoughts seem to be so ephemeral they stay with us for much lesser time. Depending upon individual’s inherent tendency to stay committed and inspired these positive thoughts seems to exert their influence. Certain people who are strongly inspired can retain the passion and continue to flourish whereas men who are not so committed would waver and eventually end up without reaching the final destination. Deeper contemplation sometimes reveals how important it is to tune our mind day-in and day-out to stay inspired. It should become more of a habit.

Most of us do suffer from certain spells when we feel we are on the top of the world and nothing seems impossible in this world. Similarly at times we do experience some withdrawal symptoms when carrying out some fixed daily tasks seems to be a great task. It is all in the mind. The essence is to stay focused and determined to keep the mind as alert and active as possible. It is of course a daunting task. Certainly keeping a check on our thought process is the foundation to build our personality.

“We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live. They travel far”.                                                                       

                                                                                                                    -Swami Vivekananda

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Unfurling Rural India

Unfurling Rural India

Last week, a close encounter with the life in village has given me inkling about the current status of the people living there. The changes brought about by globalization or free markets haven’t crept into their lives at all. They are blissfully unaware of the changes, the new trends that the free trade has brought into our country. As politicians prefer to call it as “Bharat”, this Bharat has failed to catch up with the modern India and in fact development has become so sloppy there.

It is astonishing to find that the lives of the villagers have hardly changed.  They have been living under the same roof for years together; often men and cattle cuddle up in the same place. While it is so distressing to watch such encounters, it is the stark reality. The only noticeable change is the ubiquitous presence of mobile phones and dish TV connections which are so rampant in even the remotest corners. There is no change in the standard of their living. The daily routine has hardly changed for the men and women who work hard the whole day. Women seem to be busy engaged in the daily chores day long and could barely manage to employ any new tools at work.

It is really heartening to see the fate of the youth who are caught in quagmire of being unskilled, unemployed and under educated. Their energies are frittered away. Villages form the back bone of the nation. They are also the smallest governing bodies and have the history of being self sufficient. The glorious past of India refers to villages as the abode for the skilled workers and artisans who at the helm of affairs has refined and reshaped the nation. But In contrast present day youth seem to lack the direction, incentive and the motto to do something big. Their lives have become insipid. Programs or initiative to harness their energies in a creative and purposeful way might help in tackling the situation.

Indian villages no longer present the picturesque beauty of nature. They are soon transforming into dumping yards of desolate, destitute and unskilled people. The situation is still worse with complete absence of drainage system and the lack of clean drinking water. Poor sanitation together with poor accessibility to the nutritious food has further worsened the depleting health conditions of the old.  Public health care system has become out reach. Proper pediatric care is conspicuous by its absence. Most of the toddlers and children are just seen hurling mud at each other or ignorantly wallowing in the water pools undermining the necessity for proper educational facilities. My intention is not put a gloomy picture of the country side. But it is out of deep anguish about the future of the younger generation I intended to pen down my observations. Growth has become lopsided. The plush gated communities with exclusive swimming pools a quite common feature in the metros is in sharp contrast to this part of our country.

I don’t intend to convey that Urban India is a paradise. But it is a deep anguish that situation in villages is deteriorating. Villages have been the cradles for the robust growth and economy. They have been the hot seat for craftsmen; artisans who carved a niche for themselves and brought a great recognition through their unique creations.

Too many disparities and inequalities in growth and income generation are going to drain the nation’s economy. Inequalities and frustrations if they continue for a longer time would make a deep dent on the back of the country and finally vanquish the peace and harmony. This irregular distribution of the wealth and widening gap of the income levels might prove disastrous. Further the growing cultural differences as a consequence of the wealth might alienate the rich from the abject poor.

The development or welfare projects must be targeted to the masses at the lowest level. Equitable distribution of resources, wealth will even out existing differences. Empowering the youth should be the way forward and might bring some respite to the rural masses who lie grossly neglected. When progress is attained from the smaller units it will be inclusive, complete and sturdy.

 

 

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A Religious Peregrination

A Religious Peregrination

Religious feelings and sentiments have taken quantum leap and I was startled at such a change. Incidentally on our religious tour to three different places located in different set ups provided me with a glimpse of the new definition of religious sentiments. In India we find people attaching great importance to religion. Eventually the three famous temples we visited were in a village, a big town and a city respectively. Though the locations are different the template of the temples are almost the same buzzing with similar activity. Religion is a great institution and in recent past this has graduated into a money minting machine. It is in hand and glove with the tourism industry that has become quite remunerative as affordability of people has also increased. More and more people have started visiting various places of significance of late. Religious tourism as an industry is catching up and growing into the most lucrative business option. Most people visit sacred places with a benevolent cause of obtaining solace and to seek peace of mind. The sole purpose of visit is defeated, if they fail to attain the same.

My intention in writing about the religious tourism is purely personal. I deeply respect the sentiments of the people. But it is so disconcerting when certain sections of  people have started making mockery of these sentiments and trying to fleece the tourists. In general people are emotionally attached with anything connected to God. It is not out of love for the Divine but out of fear. I was just wondering whether people who embark on a pilgrimage really do have a pious feeling in their heart or do they embark on those tours with a feeling that they are getting a chance to visit one more place keeping all their religious sentiments at bay. Commercial motives of the people associated with the sacred places are changing the dimensions of religious trips.

It is really so surprising that the humble values which are instilled in the name of religion are now degraded to a new low. Highest values like devotion, firm belief, trust or humility, have just eroded down the lane. The people in charge of the temples and even the priests who are given an esteemed position I think no longer deserve any respect. Their minds have become polluted. I don’t completely blame them for their business outlook because they have to make a living out of their profession. Hence they resort to all mean tricks to exploit the sentiments of the people.

It is really horrifying to find that the feeling of God’s love is replaced by God fear. Most of the people who visit temple no longer have religious fervor. The relationship with God has become long term business understanding. Earlier when the trip to a religious place was arduous people who were really desperate about seeking the Almighty’s grace would take up the task of going through those religious journeys. But now with good connectivity and better infrastructure in place, these visits have become more a matter of prestige.

Indian society is in a precarious situation where it is unable to completely neither own its traditional past nor have risen to level to embrace the sophisticated western culture. People are mediocre and unable to decide what they want or rather don’t know the best fit.

Undoubtedly India has the world’s richest traditional heritage and a glorious past. I don’t understand why we have to revel only in past and not make any efforts to take any huge step forward. When it comes to religion this kind of ambiguity is going to lead to know where. People fear God and no longer love HIM. They give a name of devotion to this fear and bask in glory of being religious and blow their trumpets as the upholders of the rituals of the religion. But when we take a deep look, is it what the religion preaches? Different religions world over preach about the highest values and principles on which we should base our life and lead a purposeful life. Hence it is always better to look inside for a greater change and peace of mind than taking shelter in rituals. It is internal cleansing which we need to redress of our mental wounds than the outer dressings of the religious rituals. It is necessary to imbibe values of the religion first to seek happiness than taking refuge in meaningless practices.

These religious practices were introduced long time back to induce some discipline in our lives which is otherwise so deregulated. Over the years all the rituals have been simulated for our own convenience and thus they lost their significance. The best way to inculcate religious spirit is by reviving our personalities and trying to follow the practices of brotherhood, love and fairness. For most of us religion is the way of life. Being contented, truthful and honest is the best way to seek the blessings of the Divine.

 A visit to a temple or sacred places should be an act of sheer devotion towards God rather than feat of wholesome entertainment. In the present world, it would be a better idea to visit all these places with a humble idea of appreciating the culture and sanctity of our country rather than seeking some religious recourse. Ancient temples were symbols of exquisite architecture, iconic construction and the engineering skills of those periods. Their marvelous grandeur would leave us spell bound. A little change in our perception and the purpose of visit would make a lot of sense as our expectations about the place wouldn’t leave us disappointed. Since the highest religious institutions have become marketing places and even the administrators of temple are attaching less preference to maintain the sanctity of the place. It will be in the best of interest to visit them as places of greater significance or places which would entail us with the knowledge of our mythology and the veracity of our legacy. Rather than paying visit to those sacred places for some spiritual quest.

 

 

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