Quotes to Keep

Random

·    Who says Life is a Journey? I guess Journey is life!!!

·    My life is a Chess game.......

Everyone is a pawn....
Some become King, Some become Soldiers.....
Sometimes I lose Sometimes I win......
Still I am the Player.....

· Never Make Promises Which You can't keep

·  Never keep Sentiments

· Never Trust Anyone

· History Remembers Kings, not soldiers. But Soldiers win battles (king is no great, soldier is no less)

· I happened to see highly educated, virtuosos, great singers leading a pecuniary life... Trust me... Money reflects nothing

· Trust a girl who can see the seriousness behind your smile

· Too much of anything is hazardous, Eistien, Steve jobs, Ambani, Buffet couldn't lead a happy social life. Art of balancing is what we require

· Keep yourself fit. Fear comes due to lack of fitness. Dramatically courage gives you half the fitness you need.

· If one says "I can't live without someone or something" one has no reason to live anymore"

· Help someone who really needs it.

· Kill someone only if you have to.

· Never Spend Money on dresses, gadgets, garments, appearance hardly matters, not worth spending.        

·  I love travelling. I need no company when I roam. Travelling is what keeps my mind thinking, and my hand writing.

·  Live from Rags to Riches. Trust me comfortable life is what kills most of the people alive.

· Who said marriages are made in heaven? If he knew it was true, he would never be willing to reach heaven after his death.

· Tell a girl I love you, never explain why? how? when? Because she should feel the same if want your relationship to be happy.

· Never make friends, relationships with people of high standards, in wealth, education, power, or any earthly matter (Chanakya neeti)

  From The Essence of Quran by Vinoba

• God is one (Unique) if there were many gods one might have emerged as the almighty, Allah. 
• God is ever merciful, forgiving for those who do evil in ignorance. 
• Remembrance of God is important than prayer. 
• Characteristics of a Devotee 1) Surrender (Penitence) 2)Belief 3) Obedience 4) Speak the Truth     5) Perseverance 6) Humbleness 7) Giving Alms 8) Fasting 9) Modesty 10) Remembrance of Allah. 
• Don't call them "dead" if people die following the way of Allah. They are alive but you can't perceive them. 
• Feed with food the needy, orphan, prisoner for love for them. 
• Allah never accepts ones sincerity without a test, he loves persistence & perseverance. 
• Allah never tests his believers beyond their strength. 
• Do pilgrimage if possible. If you do,  no lewdness nor abuse nor angry conversation on the pilgrimage. 
• Confound not the truth with falsehood nor conceal the truth. 
• Don't preach something you don't practice.
• Call upon your lord humbly and in secret.
• Murdering a man for other then corruption and manslaughter is like murdering the whole mankind. 
• Saving a person is also like saving all mankind. 
• Raiment is to conceal your shame, something that doesn't attract evil is better.
• Let not hatred of any people seduce you to astray the path of Allah. 
• Don't covert the thing in which Allah has made some of you excel others. 
• A kind word is better than alms giving followed by an injury. 
• Don't let your left hand know what your right hand does. (Do charity in secrecy) 
• You will not attain sanctity unless you spend of that which you love.
• Squanderers are ever brothers of devil. 
• Don't slay your children because of poverty. That is great sin.
• Enter not other's homes without prior intimation. 
• In the messenger of Allah you have a good example for him, who look to Allah and the Last Day, remember Allah much. 
• The Last Day is Inevitable when Allah assigns his believers more than just heavens. 

From The Talks on The Gita by Vinoda (A Must Read) 

Chapter 1 Arjuna's Despondency 

The Ramayana and the Mahabharata are famous epics our country should ever feel proud of. Ramayana describes the ethics and the path of righteousness whereas Mahabharata describes the whole functioning of the society. Depicted by the Lengedary Veda Vyasa explains, various personalities, the weave of good and bad, God and Devil in each person like a fabric woven with black and white threads. 

Every story should have a theme or motif behind the whole picture. In Mahabharata where is the central theme? What is the central idea that Vyasa tried to convey in whole Mahabharata? That is the Gita. The Gita has nothing to do with the great war (Kurukshethra). Arjuna's state wasn't fear or sentimental. It is described as delusion. He was ever willing to slay his kith and kin and never had fear as his partner. The state of the Arjuna is described as vishadha (despair). So this chapter is called Arjuna Vishad Yoga. In general Vishad Yoga. 

Though I ain't support Arjuna on killing of his own great grand father, gurus, cousins and a lot of innocent people, moreover the methods he has adopted to achieve his ambitions, the Gita in common terms which is explained by Vinoba has a different perspective which is worth reading. 

Honesty and Straightforwardness make one worthy to follow the message given in the Gita. In fact the word Arjuna itself means "A person who is honest and straightforward in nature". 

Chapter 2: Self Knowledge and Equanimity

The Gita is like a case study in management courses, can have many interpretations where all of them are plausibly true. Some crazy people may come up with a different story as in "The Hare and The Tortoise (Win-Win Situation)" in management studies. 

Once upon a time, when madness used to prevail in this universe, gods, demons and humans went to the creator (Brahma) together to seek advice for their advancement. The terrified Brahma pronounced a single syllable "da" as the advice to once may turn out to be predicament to the other and even proclaimed that single syllable would be the advice to all of them. As nobody could fathom the fear loomed on his four faces, they started narrating their own interpretations. 

Gods said "Daman (subduing and conquering sensual pleasures)". Demons said "Daya (compassion towards others) as we are born to be cruel". Humans said "Dana (Charity and Sharing) as we are avarice in nature". The Creator applauded everyone for their keen intelligence, thinking "who knows what "Da" means anyways I am safe". 

There are 3 principles that are elucidated in this chapter. 

1. The Atman (the Self) is deathless and indivisible. 
2. The body is insignificant and transient. 
3. Swadharma must be followed. 

For every living species Swadharma comes naturally like rising and setting of the Sun. Swadharma is like one's mother. It is predetermined, one can't chose her. In fact some say that the fulfillment of Swadharma is the sole purpose behind our birth. What about people who couldn't find their swadharma? How to find what is our swadharma?  are the questions for which answers are yet to be acquired. 

One should remember that the Atman (the Self) is ever-lasting, all-pervading, imperishable unlike the feeble body. When death is inevitable why to mourn over one's death. Why does death cause grief. It doesn't mean that one has to be mean, heart-less. But true love emerges only when attachment to the body is overcome.  

Brahman is the Absolute-the Supreme Truth, the Ultimate Reality. Brahman is the supreme principle, root cause of the generation, evolution and extinction of all the species. Brahman is supposed to have 3 aspects. 1) Sat, means abiding, actual, right, self-existence essence. 2) Chit, means knowledge, perception or consciousness 3) Ananda, means happiness, bliss. Our Atman is the part of Brahman whose ultimate aim should be the merging with Brahman. Means an Atman (the Self) has to achieve the state of Sat-Chit-Ananda. 

Yoga means nothing but the art of translating the principles of life into practice. The best way to keep the principles in act is to give up the fruits of our actions. There 3 gunas (basic elements) in Sankhya Philosophy. 
1) Rajas (Principle of Passion, desire) which says I shall act only if I am going to savor the fruition. 
2) Tamas (Principle of inertia, Newton) which says I shall not act until unless I am going to savor the fruition. 
3) Sattva (Principle of Balance) which says the only possible way to balance the action and desire is to renounce the fruition. 

The whole concept behind this philosophy is to have an efficient action. A person having a desire on results loses at least a meager amount of time and concentration compared to a person having no eye on results. The latter showcase more efficiency compare to the former. A student worried about results eventually scores less than what he would have scored on the other way around. A person who just works for fun carries no pressure or panic in his mind leading to healthy living both mentally and physically. A child plays for merry gets the exercise without thinking much about it, his joy lies only in playing. If the act is your swadharma (which you are designed to do) and you do it with utmost attention by having no thoughts about the results will lead to the state of Samadhi (A Bliss).  

End of the 2nd Chapter covers a concept called Sthitaprajna, means the one who has attained unwavering wisdom. The Sthitaprajna reaches the stable state of wisdom thereby becomes immovable by any emotions, desires and senses. He knows all the fundamental principles that drives his life and stays tuned to those principles. The Sthitaprajna uses his organs for the desire-less pursuit of Swadharma.

Chapter-3: Karmayoga (Yoga Of Selfless And Desireless Action)

No desire for fruits of action is the basis for karmayoga. This chapter expounds that renunciation of fruits would result in more and more benefits to the karmayogi, who pursues his/her swadharma. It is metaphorically explained while goddess Lakshmi marries Lord Vishnu, because Lord Vishnu isn't coveting her.

Infinite benefits will be showered only if the person follows Swadharma. The bonding and sentiments he/she possesses on his/her work defines the value of the benefits. It is elucidated in the sentiments carried in: idol worship; bathing in Ganga river; A few words from the beloved one compared to few pages from another person; an unselfish farmer.

A person who is attached deeply to his work by leaving the rest to the fate, obtains the greatest laurels ever. It is also quoted by Dr. Abdul Kalam in his 'Spirit of India' by a story. Sir C.V. Raman once received a call pleading him to attend a ceremony in New Delhi to receive the highest level of honor in India "The Bharat Ratna". He humbly denies it stating that he had promised one of his students that he would review his final thesis on the same day. For C.V. Raman receiving a prestigious award while the whole nation is watching seemed trivial compare to his Swadharma.

Such a desire-less pursuit of a Karmayogi brings him/her invaluable laurels, ironically about which he/she hardly bothers.

4) Vikarma-The key to Karmayoga

....to be continued

A X'mas to Remember (2011)

             Fortunately it was a Sunday. Sunday sounds salubrious to us as it was the only weekend we get. On that day some of us go extremely crazy and adventurous. Where? How? When? are the questions never find answers on Sundays.  24th of December 2011, people in cities must be celebrating that night with candles and X'mas cakes. Despite being a jungle-lite I was planning for the usual stuff  (go to city, light a candle) till my cell-phone rang. I picked up and said "Hello". It was Harshal, one of my friends, six foot tall, fair and hefty.

Harshal: Hello Lokesh. What plans for tomorrow??

Me: Hii Harshal... Nothing dude. Perhaps to Raigarh to Church. 

Harshal: Can we go somewhere? It has been a longtime since we trekked. 

Me: Longtime?? I have been going on treks man. Covered many mountains here as well. 

Harshal: Not about you dude. Remember!!! A year ago you used to take us to hills. That was awesome. 

Me: Oh!! never been to jungle since then? 

Harshal: You take your hostel mates. Seenu has been explaining your expeditions. 

Me: Oh!! fine dude. This time you be the leader. Lead me to hills. 

Harshal: All I can do is stay tonight in your hostel and wake up early provided you wake me up. Same with Seenu here. (Chukles) 

Me: Sure. 5'0 clock tomorrow. Be ready. 

Harshal: Gotcha!! Thanks. I couldn't resist the suspense where to? 

Me: Ask seenu to get a bike. Where? you will see. Honestly, t I got no idea. 

Harshal: You are crazy dude. See you tomorrow. bye.. 

  My alarm rang exactly at 5AM on 25th of December 2011 waking me up from my dreams in a regular tune "One way One way" song in Gamyam (Telugu) movie. Just the lowest temperature for that day was occurring    nearly 5-6 degree Celsius. Everyone got ready for the adventure by 5:30 AM.  Suddenly Harshal started gaping at me.

Harshal: Don't you feel cold?

Me: I am freezing buddy. My first rule is "Never Wear Warm Clothes".

Harshal: You gonna freeze to death.

Me: I go till the brim of it :)

Sreenu: Let him get rotten in hell. Don't Bother.

Me: (A gentle Guffaw)

I was on a bike riding at 60 kmph while cold breeze was numbing almost all over my body. My hands nearly went dead couldn't hang on with the handle of the bike anymore. I thought I would lose  control. I could feel the blood coming out of my finger nails. I felt the warm blood rushing in my veins to compensate the cold wind. Both of my friends followed me without asking much questions this time. Perhaps realized the fact that asking me is as vain as asking the cold wind to warm up them.  We passed half the way. I could no longer hold the bike. My fingers almost bled. Though the pain was humiliating I never knew that would occur when you get exposed. I stepped hard on the break pulling over my bike. I was wavering my hands to and fro in simple harmonic motion with maximum possible frequency recollecting an episode from Man Vs Wild. I started thinking why haven't I felt this before though I jog wearing no warm clothes. I guess because my hands wavers producing heat while jogging which is now standstill. My friends come down to me with care and affection parking their bike just beside that of mine. 

"My hands especially palms went dead man. I can't ride  now" I screamed with pain. 

"Seems like not enough for you dude" Said Sreenu while both laughed. 

"No Problem dude. I will ride if you tell me where to go" said Harshal holding my bike's handle. 

"Last weekend a village happened to pass by while I was following birds till their nests. That village is called 'FittingPara'. It is nearby. So we keep our bikes at someone's home there. There are awesome hills nearby which we will walk to them and climb. Now just move on" I explained the plan. 

Three of us reached FittingPara. Parked our bikes at a home as decided and started advancing towards amazing hills, gleaming with the rays of sun romancing with fog. Tramping through paddy fields and bushes warmed me up spurring my senses from being passive. 

Though we didn't expect the monotony to prevail in our expedition, it occurred. A jaunt became a quest for the path that would lead to foot of the hill.  Another village just passed by in our path named Dhegaun. Village was quite pleasant, teeming with pleasing people. Villagers showed us the path that would lead to the hill we were aiming at. 

                                       

 

I premise, an attractive peak in India must have a temple to make it commercial. Perhaps some villager could have dreamed a god, ordering him to construct a temple, the peak we were planning to reach also had an unfinished temple. That temple became our target for that day. We waded through shrubs, climbed steep slopes, finally reached our destination. 

We exulted with a sense of of success, roared in elation, had limited breakfast with chiki and biscuits which Harshal carried. We started playing around with my new camera clicking all possible postures in panoramic views.  As clock ticked 11:00 AM we commenced our descend. Slowly and steadily we reached the foot . With no intention to leave the place we were marching with turtle steps towards Fittingpara (where we parked our bikes). We saw a throng of villagers were having some fun playing with catapults and sticks. "Even today we got villagers for company dude" I said. "I think they are waiting for us" Seenu replied. "What?? silly" Harshal laughed. 

One of the villagers (perhaps the leader) came forward shouting at us "Welcome you fools. We are here to welcome you to our village". "Awesome" I thought. "Are you kidding?? Tell me what the heck are you guys doing here?" I said laughing. "You think I am joking? We are waiting for you guys. In fact whole village with police patrol and jeep. Jail sweet jail is awaiting you as well." he screamed with little anger on his face.  "Situation seems serious dude." I said with others. "Serious?? you guys think this is funny? How could you guys come alone to this place without permission from villagers. We all suspected a naxal threat. Just be quite and follow us. You guys have to pay the price." he said as a few villagers surrounded us with weapons.

 

Villagers lead us to Dhegaun where we found some people peeping out of their homes, some standing along the path anticipating the presence of terrorists. Apparently, whole village was awake that day quite early and they were panicked. Our unofficial guards carried us to a jeep, with a red siren on its top to hand over us to the official guards; Cops. That moment I understood how rumors propagate. Cops carried us to the police station, followed by a formal interrogation session. Finally the most widespread way out from police worked; Bribery.

"Have you ever been to police station before?" I aksed Harshal.

"No man. You??" He replied.

"Neither do I. I will remember this day.  Do you?" I laughed.

"We all do. We are celebrity figures :P" replied Seenu smiling after recovering from the panic.

As cops didn't not provide us anymore lift once they got their prize in their hands we walked all the way to the home where we kept bikes, thereby left for our homes with little excitement blended with amusement and of course, apprehension for some.