I started writing regularly when the lockdown commenced in March 2020. It is April 2021 now, and we are staring at another lockdown. One year down the line, the situation is still the same. In some places, it has worsened. Think of yourself way back in February 2020. Did you even imagine that in a …
Read the previous part here… And Garuḍa arrived, his large body temporarily blocking out the sun, and swooping down, picked up the valiant Jīmūtavāhana with his beak and talons, and carried him away to the Malaya mountains. On the way there, the jewel that adorned Jīmūtavāhana’s crest was torn from his head, and drops of …
Read the previous part here… “Mother, I am a Vidyādhara, and I have come here to save your son. I will offer my body to the hungry Garuḍa. You can return home, and take your son with you.” The old woman wiped her tears and replied… “No, that is not possible. For you are also …
Read the previous part here… It seemed that some soldiers had brought him there, and just left. An old woman, who had followed them, stayed on, fallen at his feet, holding his leg and weeping. Jīmūtavāhana walked towards another rock closer to where they were, and hid behind it. He was curious to know what …
Read the previous part here… “And from that day, Vāsuki sends a snake to this shore every single day, and Garuḍa eats them. This heap of bones are of those very snakes who have been devoured by Garuḍa, and have accumulated over the course of time, and now resemble a small mountain…” इति मित्रावसोर् वक्त्रात् …
Read the previous part here… “The king felt happy at this suggestion and approved of the marriage, and so your brother has now gone to meet Jīmūtavāhana’s parents and discuss this with them. So let’s go back to the palace to make preparations, and let your would-be husband also return home, so that he can …
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु विष्णुमायेति शब्दिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥ yā devī sarvabhūteṣu viṣṇumāyeti śabditā ।namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ Today is the new year, the beginning of विक्रम संवत् (Vikram Samvat) 2078. And the beginning of Vasanta Navratri. I had written a whole series on Navratri, the first post of which I have …
Tomorrow is Ugādi — the first day of Chaitrā māsā, or the beginning of the new year. Largely celebrated in South India (where I am from), Maharashtra (as Gudi Padwa), Sindh (as Cheti Chand), and Manipur (as Sajibu Nongma Pānba). It is also the start of Navaratri. Unlike New Year’s day as per the Gregorian calendar, the …
Read the previous part here… As soon as she said this, she made a noose with a cloth, fastened it to a branch of the aśoka tree next to the temple, and said… “My lord Jīmūtavāhana! You are renowned in the three worlds for your compassion, yet, why haven’t you been compassionate and rescued me!” …
Read the previous part here… She then performed the arghya, offering the guests water to wash their feet and hands, and then garlanded him with sweet-smelling flowers. Jīmūtavāhana, who as already deep in love, took it off and threw it around the neck of Malayavatī. She blushed, and looked at him with loving glances, her …
