Yuga-ādi – to new beginnings!
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…
Your daily dose of Yog
The great purge…
Step 1 in reconstruction is breaking everything down first. The way you work, the way you exercise, the way you eat, sleep, read, everything. You…
Crafting a new you…
Change is the only constant – so says the cliche and every other LinkedIn profile. But it is true. And one has to keep reinventing…
Do you love what you do?
During the course of my interviews with many candidates, I come to learn of their passions outside work. They want to pursue these vocations, but…
Dino Dino cute little Dino?
My son loves dinosaurs. Until they appear on TV that is. Anyways, I never thought that toddlers would love Dinos of all things. I mean…
Questions, questions, questions…
Is there a God? Are there many Gods? Who writes our destinies? Are they even written? Or does life play out in it’s own way…
Do you believe?
Is your dream too big? Or too small? Or do you have one at all? Do they say its not going to happen, this dream…
Of the queen’s language and my own…
I had written this around a year back, and revisited it today. Recalled it because of a visit to a nearby pre-nursery that apparently teaches…
నాటు నాటు నాటు, నాటు నాటు నాటు వీర నాటు…
The whole world swings to Naatu Naatu today. We won an Oscar, finally! Well, so what? India has the biggest film industry in the world,…
On a balanced life…
அமைந்தொருபால்கோடாமை சான்றோர்க் கணி. मध्ये स्थिता तुला द्रव्यं न्यायतस्तुलयेद्यथा ।तथा निष्पक्षपातित्वं माध्यस्थं लक्षणं सताम् ॥ (११८) To be unbiased like a balanced weighing scale, is a…
To nursery or to Montessori…
Research begins again, this time after some site visits to nearby nurseries. I remember a time when there was KG1 (Kindergarten 1), KG2 and then…
Whose is wealth?
ईशावास्यमिदं सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्यां जगत् । तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथा मा गृधः कस्यस्विद्धनम् ॥ īśāvāsyamidaṃ sarvaṃ yatkiñca jagatyāṃ jagat | tena tyaktena bhuñjīthā mā gṛdhaḥ kasyasviddhanam || Isha…
Of duties and giving all up…
संन्यासस्तु महाबाहो दु:खमाप्तुमयोगत: |योगयुक्तो मुनिर्ब्रह्म नचिरेणाधिगच्छति || 6|| sannyāsas tu mahā-bāho duḥkham āptum ayogataḥyoga-yukto munir brahma na chireṇādhigachchhati Perfect renunciation (karm sanyās) is difficult to attain without…
Forever give…
धारणात् खनकस्यापि धरण्या इव नि:समा ।स्वापराधिषु या क्षान्ति: स धर्म: परमो नृणाम् ॥ To bear with those who revile us, just as the earth bears…
Life is a celebration…
Festivals are beautiful. They are fun, filled with joy, food and enjoyment. We celebrate, because life should be a celebration, with a bit of work…
Of parenting and choices…
पितृदेवातिथीपिता विद्याप्रदानेन पण्डिताग्रेसरं सुतम् ।यदि कुर्यात्सुतस्यैतत् महत् साह्यमुदीर्यते ॥ The best thing parents can do for their children is to prepare them stand foremost in…
Of trigonometry and mortgages…
Today I read a piece by Richard Branson where he spoke of applied maths, the mathematics that you need in real life. I have also…
Of falling apples and better marketing…
संयोगाभावे गुरुत्वात् पतनम् ॥५।१।७॥ Saṃyogābhāve gurutvāt patanam (5.1.7)In the absence of action, the object falls by gravity. कार्य्यविरोधि कर्म ॥१।१।१४॥ Kāryyavirodhi karma (1.1.14).Action is opposed…
Vāk shakti and the power of speech…
There have been a lot of things said about good speech, but the first phrase that comes to mind is Kabir’s famous doha – बोली एक…
On Grihastashrama…
पितृदेवातिथीनां च बन्धूनामात्मनस्तथा ।सत्कृतिर्धर्ममागेंण गृहस्थस्य वरा मता ॥ A good householder has five duties to perform – towards God, his ancestors, guests, family and himself.…
Of education and knowledge…
अकारादेव निर्यान्ति समस्तान्यक्षराणि च ।चराचरप्रपञ्चोऽय मीश्वरादेव जायते ॥ The alphabet begins with the “A” sound, so does the Universe begin with the universal consciousness. The…
Of guests and gods…
शिरीषपुष्पमाघ्राणात् म्लानं संजायते यथा ।तथाऽतिथीनां वदनं स्याद् गृहस्थे पराङ्मुखे ॥ The delicate blossom of the anicham flower withers when merely smelled; an unwelcome look is…
Of show and devotion…
यत् कृतं शुद्धमनसा स धर्म इति कथ्यते ।हच्छुद्धिरहितं कर्म केवलाडम्बरार्थकम् ॥ A mind free of impurity, is the basis of all virtue. Everything else is…
Of action and liberation…
இருள்சேர் இருவினையும் சேரா இறைவன்பொருள்சேர் புகழ்புரிந்தார் மாட்டு. Those who are content in God’s praise, are not affected by the delusions caused by good deeds and bad.…
Two sides…
The two sides of life. Witnessed on my way back home today. Stuck in a traffic jam, we realized that the cause was an accident…
Company secretary lessons for free…
Last night, I took corporate secretarial lessons from none other than Joseph Vijay, the star of the “very watchable but suspend your logic brain” Varisu.…
On interactions and spins…
I attended a meeting today. The agenda of the meeting was not very specific, and the nature of the meeting was such that I expected…
On water and worship…
துப்பார்க்குத் துப்பாய துப்பாக்கித் துப்பார்க்குத்துப்பாய தூஉம் மழை. Thuppaarkkuth Thuppaaya Thuppaakkith ThuppaarkkuthThuppaaya Thooum Mazhai (12) All food is produced because of rain, which itself is food again.…
What is self-restraint?
ज्ञातव्यं तत्वतो ज्ञात्वा संयमी यो भवेन्नर: ।महात्मनां गुणाज्ञानां कृपया स सुखी वसेत् ॥ (१२३) If one exercises self-restraint with knowledge and intent, he will be…
A bit on charity…
செய்யாமல் செய்த உதவிக்கு வையகமும்வானகமும் ஆற்றல் அரிது. Seyyaamal Seydha Udhavikku VaiyakamumVaanakamum Aatral Aridhu (101) The gift of heaven and earth is not an equivalent for help…
Of the exciting and the mundane…
I was watching a series earlier today…its a story set in 2005. What comes to your mind when you think of 2005? Surely does not…
Of Shiva and perception…
Only the most painful circumstances yield the most intense prayers. The uncertainty that lies in front of us makes us appeal to the higher consciousness…
The night of the Shiva…
Mahashivratri. The night when you stay awake, and pray to Shiva, the ultimate Yogi. A lot of questions may arise in our minds, when we…
V for victory!
यतो यतो निश्चलति मनश्चञ्चलमस्थिरम् ।ततस्ततो नियम्यैतदात्मन्येव वशं नयेत् ॥ २६ ॥ yato yato niścalatimanaś cañcalam asthiramtatas tato niyamyaitadātmany eva vaśaṁ nayet From wherever the mind…
50 shades of paneer…
It’s not enough being vegetarian. No sir. In some parts of the world, you have to specify – no meat, no fish. No chicken even.…
Of daily picks!
Rohāmrta has his daily pick. One toy, one piece of stuff – can be anything from a spoon to his car. This thing then becomes…
Of CEOs and vision…
Today, I visited one of the offices of a very famous CEO in Dubai. The business in itself is quite interesting, but even more interesting…
Of Fakes and chosen paths…
I had written this a while back, and revisited it today. Was watching Farzi on Prime (Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi) – seems inspired from…
And sometimes…
Sometimes I wonder if the world could be a better place, where people say what they mean and mean what they say… Sometimes I wonder…
Om Bhur Bhuvah…
Gaya means “Vital energies” and trayte means “protects, preserves, grants liberation, gives deliverance.” In simple words, and language Gayatri means “May the divine light of the supreme being…
Mundan was mundane – thankfully!
All’s well that not only ends well, but goes well as well. Too many wells. And too much concern over nothing. All we needed was…
Chudākarana Samskara
Chaulam is also called Cūḍākarma (चूडाकर्म) and Cūḍākaraṇam ((चूडाकरणम्) Chudakarana). Cūḍā means tuft (of hair) that is kept on the back side of the head…
Give me more!
The technology sector is apparently slowing down in the US. The threat of the looming recession, coupled with the larger threat of Artificial Intelligence wiping…
short and sweet…
चूडाकरण (Chudakarana) is one of the 16 samskārās in Sanatana Dharma. Also known as मुण्डन (Mundana), this is when the child receives his or her…
Of possessiveness and age…
Another day well spent. Today was Abhismita’s birthday, but we went to see her only in the evening, so the rest of the day was…
Of wins and experiences…
Is life all about winning? Or is it about experiencing? Yes, winning feels good, no one likes to lose, no one looks forward to losing…but…
Of points of pain and fruits that hang low…
What are your pain points? Let’s touch base and leverage synergies on this topic… Sounds familiar? While I did have such ‘pain points’ before, they…
Of company and backbiters…
The Panchatantra is such a huge treasure trove of information, not just for kids, but for adults as well. There are so many life lessons…
A day well spent…
A day well spent! Started with a his favorite breakfast, then bath, puja at home and a visit to the swanky new temple. He slept…
And just like that, two years pass…
Two years back, on the 1st of February, my life changed forever. Yes, everyone said it would. They warned me. They said that I wouldn’t…
What is friendship?
And so Laghupatakana said “Dear Hiranyaka… सतां साप्तपदं मैत्रम् इत्य् आहुर् विबुधा जनाः ।तस्मात् त्वं मित्रतां प्राप्तो वचनं मम तच् छृणु ॥ ४८ ॥ satāṃ…
Of cakes and party hats…
Children’s birthdays – always a tough one. Rohāmrta turns two in a couple of days – and we are yet to figure out what to…
Of domains and bullets…
Domains domains everywhere, and many a payment to make! I manage close to 20 domains of my own, and stuff is bound to happen. A…
Of appraisals and teams…
It’s appraisal time! Sent a form to all our employees for their annual appraisal. We do stuff a bit differently, but this initial step is…
One nation, one proud Republic!
Ah, the Indian Republic Day! The tribute at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, the parades, the tableaus, the march past…the show of strength… I remember when…
Can you create?
If you have seen Kamal Hassan’s Vikram, you would have mostly been pleasantly surprised during the wedding sequence. Yes, You Tube Tatha was there! I…
Express yourself…
One of my team members wants to write. Aha! She is interested in taking up content writing, and wanted to undertake a course. I suggested…
Of information and knowledge…
तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया |उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिन: || tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśhnena sevayāupadekṣhyanti te jñānaṁ jñāninas tattva-darśhinaḥ Srimad Bhagavad Gīta 4.34 Learn the Truth…
Fauda fauda…
Fauda Fauda! Yes, the series Season 4 that premiered this weekend on Netflix, and the fauda in our collective health since the beginning of 2022.…
Accomplishments, big or small…
The following is part of the Sādhanā series exercises. I remembered this one today since I actually accomplished quite a bit of work in the…
Of tomatoes and Artificial Intelligence…
The debate on AI refuses to die down. Was discussing the latest developments in the sector with a client today when he remarked that schools…
Time and tide, and somethings in between…
Ok, a flurry of activity on the work front, with a license a day coming in, and a new employee joining on Monday. Also, my…
Of grandiose titles and exes…
I met a gentleman today, who had two lines of qualification-related acronyms written next to his name on his business card. Not two, but two…
Of saving and losing…
A few comments on my post from yesterday – a budding poet, they say! Far from it, I just write and I’ve written many many…
Of hobbies that aren’t…
Well surprise surprise! I added to my collection today. Earlier it used to be perfume bottles, nowadays its cough syrups. Apparently this one is to…
Of tilts and heavenly journeys…
The earth is tilted on it’s axis, and this is what gives rise to the seasons. This is the reason why we do not receive…
Of Telugu movie marathons…
Ok. So I’ve fallen sick (again) and it’s the same sniff sniff and cough cough. This is fast becoming a monthly affair:( Have to work…
A birthday, and then some…
Today is Rohāmrta’s second tithi birthday. Went off eventfully, with me falling sick at the end of it:)) Anyways, here is something that I write…
Of kathas and paramparas…
All our scriptures, including the great epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata) were carried forward in an oral tradition – with Sanskrit as the medium, and hence…
Of destiny and mice…
प्राप्तव्यम् अर्थं लभते मनुष्यो देवो ऽपि तं लङ्घयितुं न शक्तः ।तस्मान् न शोचामि न विस्मयो मे यद् अस्मदीयं न हि तत् परेषाम् ॥ १११ ॥…
Of tipping points…
I got some questions from readers on my last article. Some wanted to know what to learn, so as to be prepared, others wanted specifics…
Of medical transcription and Desk-top publishing…
I was reading about the AR/VR headset that’s due for release by Apple sometime this year. A truly disruptive product, if it does even half…
A few drops, and then some…
Last year, it rained on January 3rd. This year too, but today it rained quite heavily. I just repeated what I did last year. Chill,…
A cold, cold day…
With warm, warm interactions:) I knew it was a packed day the moment I woke. At 5. But I couldn’t really get up till past…
Of steel – both actual and resolve…
Have you heard of Wootz steel? Chances are that you haven’t. Have you heard of the swords of Tipu Sultan? AHA. Well, they were made…
The lottery…
Went for a haircut after long. My barber, oh sorry, ‘hairdresser’, was in a jovial mood today. Turns out that his mom was coming for…
Think different…
We had an important milestone in our firm today. One that we prepared for, and for many months. The individual in question worked hard, and…
ah…two days already?
And two days already pass by. Do you remember what you did on the second day of 2022? or 2021? or 2020? Chances are that…
A sweet decision it is!
My first decision of the year – quit sugar. A tall order this is, considering that I have quite the sweet tooth. But the decision…
Wish you a very happy 2023!
Life is a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get… Forrest Gump “In preparing for battle I have always found that plans…
And here we are…
Tomorrow is the last day of the calendar year. Another year flies by, without us really knowing what happened.Last year it was COVID, this year…
End of the year, and then some…
Top 10 books, top 10 movies, top 10 sayings, to 10 learnings.. A lot of top 10s float around on the web, in the dying…
Of listening to music and surfing the net…
We are on a recruitment drive and so its that time of the year when I look through a lot of resumes. Most still follow…
A drop, a song, a thought and a dream…
I revisited this blogpost today. The weather in Dubai is great at the moment, light rains, drop in temperatures, and an overall good feeling. Not…
Of songs and idols…
Indian Idol Season 13. I am not a fan of reality shows, but somehow have taken a liking to this. No, not to the scripted…
A week to go!
Things get lazier as the year inches towards the 31st. Calls get postponed, people go on vacation and the holiday mood sets in. For some…
Of all the small things…
Saturday early mornings are usually spent at Hariprasad, a Kannadiga food joint nearby. As I got down from my car, I saw a man rushing…
Our last team meeting for 2022…
Today we had the year end team meeting. Reminiscing on the year gone by, and plans for the year ahead. Not just me, but all…
Of a hundred channels and a thousand memories…
Nostalgia is an odd feeling. One is nostalgic at all points in life – it’s almost as if the times that we passed by were…
Of Messi and Messy Diapers…
I know it’s a bit late in the day, but I ain’t a football fan, so its ok. The match was available for free on…
That time of the year again?
And so the COVID looms over us again. A sudden peak in China, and a few other countries registering significant numbers, all of a sudden,…
A few tips on English grammar…
Now that Wren and Martin is history, and Grammarly is in, we have slowly but surely, lost our touch with English Grammar. When you depend…
Vikram Vedha:)
This is an extract from the Vetāla series. I enjoyed compiling this and of course, reading the series again, this time the full version. You…
Of grapevine and conversing bots…
A cursory glance at Twitter trends throws light on the condition of social media today. Over 90% of those trends are bot-driven, an in-your-face attempt…
Twenty five years a lifetime…
So I interviewed someone for a senior position today. She had worked for 25 years in her last organization. In fact, that was the first…
And life comes a circle…
Am reading this intriguing book called ‘The Fourth Turning’ by Neil Howe and William Strauss. This was written in 1996, yet is very relevant not just…
Are you intelligent, or are you artificial?
As I sit down to write this post, I can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. After all, it’s not every day that someone…
Nine Nine Eight…
998. That’s the number of days of continuous blogging since I first started in March 2020. Every single day, without fail. I believe this to…
Happy birthday, SuperStar!
And today is the day when a birthday celebrates it’s Rajinikanth:) The release of a movie of Rajnikanth is a festival in itself…from the announcement,…
I, me, myself…
As with most people who are well-raised, well-educated and financially secure, Dr. Tokai only thought of himself… Men without Women, Haruki Murakami Who am I?…
How deep is deep?
So the deep cleaning was not so deep after all. Basically, a glorified wipe down, with the pièce de résistance being a machine whose claim…
Of deep clean and filthy bots…
Is deep cleaning done by maids on steroids? That’s the question I shot back when I was told that this process would take less than…
Of trying and outcomes…
And just when they were wondering where the Modi wave went, he responded with a tsunami. The best showing EVER, with 156 seats and an…
Of problems and solutions…
Solving problems. Sounds challenging and exciting right? Depends. On the problem that you claim to solve. A standard question in VC funding lingo is –…
Of messages and distances…
Thank you everyone for your suggestions and comments on my post yesterday. The community brain does help! Speaking of brains, I have recently discovered Haruki Murakami.…
A little help needed:)
I need some help from you guys. Been battling allergy symptoms for a large part of this year, and tried mostly everything. Tablets, steam, nasal…
30*30 done, what next?
And the journey goes on… We had an exciting 30 days of fitness this November, as part of the 30*30 initiative. We managed to find…
Of bits, bytes and clicks…
Ok so my router died today. One can survive without food and water nowadays, but without the internet?? You got to be kidding me. And…
Of Babils and Shanayas…
Qala was a good movie, but only for the performances of the lead pair – Tripti Dimri and Babil Khan. The direction was a bit…
Of four colors here, and four colors there…
A lot of people get in touch with me seeking jobs in the UAE. I do try to help whenever I can. But very few…
Of sand and ambition…
Tomorrow we enter the long weekend – a weekend of celebration. A celebration of a young, but ambitious nation. One that was built not on…
A looooong weekend!
Tomorrow is the last working day, before a 5-day weekend. And as usual, I am thinking of how to spend my time productively. Holidays are…
Of words and tongues…
He is nearly two and yet the only comprehensible words that come out of his mouth are Tethe and saaaa. And yes, a hit of…
Of meds and mitochondria…
I read somewhere that we have the best healthcare accessible to us – best that we as a species have ever had. But we also…
Shop till you drop…and then some
It’s Black Friday. Or Yellow Friday, or White Wednesday, or whatever color is offered in this part of the world by a particular retailer. It’s…
Entha Maraya!
How does 16 become 400? I finally saw Kantara. And loved it. For once, priests are not shown to be vile. For once, traditions are…
Of two tires and a hundred gears…
It’s the season of sport. And upsets. First comes the huge upset win of Saudi Arabia over Messi…sorry, Argentina. And today Japan won against Germany.…
Of two wheels and twenty gears…
Ok, so I am in the market for a bicycle. Not counting the last couple of times I bought one, my last serious attempt at…
A mere speck on a mere speck on a mere speck…
We are a mere speck, on a planet that is a mere speck in the solar system that is a mere speck in a galaxy…
The ancient art of eating…
A lot of posts on exercise, but not much on eating. And while eating tastes may vary, there is one commonality that does not depend…
Wakanda Forever!
A good day, a great movie and a wonderful meal. Unwinding done:) Saw Wakanda Forever – the movie should serve as a template for how…
The demise of common sense…
What if I give you colorful pieces of paper in exchange for real money, and say that you can use them to buy stuff, but…
Be a tree…
Next time you pass by a big tree, stop and observe it a bit. It probably has been standing there for many years, silent, leaves…
The good news and the bad news…
Apparently, I am leading the 30*30. That’s good news and bad news. Good because, well, I am 45 years old, the oldest in my firm…
How to free up even more time…
Did you try the steps I spoke about yesterday? If not, then do make an attempt from tomorrow. If you did, then here is part…
I have no time!
I am so busy, I don’t have time to exercise… If the above statement is you, it’s time to change it. There is some spring…
Of flat packing and new thinking…
I visited Ikea after long, many many years in fact. The route, the format was the same, the prices surprisingly lower than the last time…
Of punches and kicks…
All these days, I spoke about āsanās and a bit of prānāyāmā. Good, but generally considered soft. Today I speak of martial arts. Good, but…
Beauty and simplicity…
Beauty mostly lies in simplicity, doesn’t it? This is true for design, for speech and writing, in makeup and dressing up, and also in health…
Of cobras and poses…
Today’s āsanā is a bit difficult for beginners, and often done wrong. Would suggest that you go through some basic āsanās before trying this one…
State of motivation?
The 30*30 challenge continues, but contrary to my expectations, I lag behind my teammates. Happy in a way, but the competitor in me is awake…
Stand up for yourself, and correctly…
There are a hundred exercises to choose from when you go to a gym. Well, it isn’t even called a gym anymore. Its called a…
And then he turned 45…
45 is an odd number. Yes, odd from the number system perspective. But also odd from the perspective of life. It’s not a crossroads number…
The beauty of no-mind…
How many of you find it difficult to just sit, for around 30 minutes? By sit I don’t mean on a computer, or watching Netflix.…
Nandini vs Kundavai – Round 1
I saw Ponniyin Selvan 1 yesterday. I know some people (non-Tamil) were possibly disappointed, since they expected something on the lines of Bahubali, whereas PS1…
Ekādashi blues…
Today is Ekādashi. Vratā, but work continues, and today was a busier day than usual. But the 30*30 challenge continues, and so I took my…
Of twists and stop-gaps…
What started as a stop-gap arrangement, has now turned into a standard practice exercise routine. From the past two days, I have been taking non-essential…
A near miss!
Today started with me not being able to do the daily yog. Was held up the whole day in calls and meetings, so missed the…
The world is a village…
The world is a village, and explorers we all are… Visited Global Village after 15 years. Yes, fifteen. Actually, I never took a fancy to…
Sense of purpose…
Day 3. Was able to complete the morning and the evening routines. Good work! Brings along a small sense of achievement, and a lot of…
Watch out for Day 15!
Day 2 started well, with yog, prānāyāma and meditation. I missed the evening workout though, since there was a puja to attend. No worries, will…
Day 1 – better than anticipated!
And what a Day 1 it was! I woke up a bit later than I wanted to (courtesy Rohāmrta), but I did my yog and…
Day 1 starts tomorrow!
Tomorrow is Day 1 of the 10 Leaves 30*30. I have been lax the past couple of months, but tomorrow will get back into full…
Its ME time!
It’s ME time. For everyone in office. Here is a circular that I sent out today. Health is wealth – everyone knows that, but how…
Of Yama and sisters…
पूषन्नेकर्षे यम सूर्य प्राजापत्य व्यूह रश्मीन्समूह ।तेजः यत्ते रूपं कल्याणतमं तत्ते पश्यामि योऽसावसौ पुरुषः सोऽहमस्मि ॥ १६ ॥ pūṣannekarṣe yama sūrya prājāpatya vyūha raśmīnsamūha |tejaḥ…
Of eclipses and ancestors…
यत्त्वा॑ सूर्य॒ स्व॑र्भानु॒स्तम॒सावि॑ध्यदासु॒रः । अक्षे॑त्रवि॒द्यथा॑ मु॒ग्धो भुव॑नान्यदीधयुः ॥यत्त्वा सूर्य स्वर्भानुस्तमसाविध्यदासुरः । अक्षेत्रविद्यथा मुग्धो भुवनान्यदीधयुः ॥ yat tvā sūrya svarbhānus tamasāvidhyad āsuraḥ | akṣetravid yathā mugdho…
Happy Deepavali!
आप सब को दीपावली की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ! जय श्री लक्ष्मी माता! If you chose to celebrate in full abandon, happy Diwali to you! If you…
Naraka Chaturdashi…and Deepotsava
Deepavali is known as the Festival of lights. Arguably the most well-known festival from India, Deepavali (or Diwali) is celebrated around the world, even in the…
Of gold, silver and thought…
So, bought your gold and silver today? If you did, well done! If you didn’t, it’s not too late. Add a bit of richness to…
Dhanatrayodashi, or Dhanteras…
Did you know that today is celebrated as the National Ayurveda Day? Mostly not. We have come to associate this day with buying gold or…
you are in me, and I am in you…
“In breathing, as in everything in life, the numbers are staggering—indeed fantastical. Every time you breathe, you exhale some 25 sextillion (that’s 2.5 x 1022) molecules…
Moments made just for you…
For all you instagrammers out there, a few thoughts to ponder on:) As I lie back and watch the blue sky Clouds, shapes, a bit…
Of seasons and changes…
This is something that I wrote around a year back. Revisited it today when I had a brief discussion with someone much older than me.…
On studying one’s culture…
Ed Schein, now retired from the MIT School of Management, taught that a group’s culture can be studied in three ways: by looking at its…
Of old schools and new technology…
My school WhatsApp group has effectively served as a birthday reminder. When I joined the group, I had thought that it would work as an…
And Deepawali week begins!
Right. The biggest festival of them all is upon us. Deepavali (as I like to call it) signifies much more than what most of us…
Vibhuti Yog – Part 2
Read the previous part here… The true Advaitin is the master of the world. He does not know a good deal of his chosen subject; he knows…
Karwa Chauth…
Tis the time of the year when we jump from one festivity to another, one celebration to another. And one controversy to another. Today its…
Vibhuti Yog…
विभूति: (vibhutih)- mighty, powerful, great power आदित्यानामहं विष्णुर्ज्योतिषां रविरंशुमान् ।मरीचिर्मरुतामस्मि नक्षत्राणामहं शशी ॥ २१ ॥ ādityānām ahaṁ viṣṇurjyotiṣāṁ ravir aṁśumānmarīcir marutām asminakṣatrāṇām ahaṁ śaśī Of…
Jai Shri Mahakāl!
अवन्तिकायां विहितावतारंमुक्तिप्रदानाय च सज्जनानाम् ।अकालमृत्योः परिरक्षणार्थंवन्दे महाकालमहं सुरेशम् avantikāyāṃ vihitāvatāraṃmuktipradānāya ca sajjanānām ;akālamṛtyoḥ parirakṣaṇārthaṃvande mahākālamahaṃ sureśam द्वादशलिङ्गस्तोत्रम् dvādaśaliṅgastotramShiva Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram The first two lines of…
Are you content yet?
यश्चेमां वसुधां कृत्स्नां प्रशासेदखिलां नृपः ।तुल्याश्मकाञ्चनो यश्च स कृतार्थो न पार्थिवः ॥ yaścemāṃ vasudhāṃ kṛtsnāṃ praśāsedakhilāṃ nṛpaḥ ।tulyāśmakāñcano yaśca sa kṛtārtho na pārthivaḥ ॥ Mahabharata…
Is my syrup better than your syrup?
An odd thing I notice nowadays. One, parents (like me) trudge down to the Emergency ever so often, this time for a chest congestion. I…
Of sick toddlers and best laid plans…
A busy Navrātri, the leaving of a guest and the preparations for Deepavali. And Rohāmrta chooses this time to fall sick:) A usual cough and…
And the prep begins…
As Navratri ends, the preparation for Deepavali begins. From one journey, to another. Deepavali is the biggest celebration in India, and the beginning of a…
The inner meaning…
Read the previous part here… They fought in the skies, toe to toe, until the Devi lifted him, whirled him around and threw him to the…
A victory…once again!
Time is a Circle? Einstein’s field equations predict a universe which curves back upon itself, such that anyone traveling in a wide enough circle across the…
Victory is near…
As Navrātri draws to a close, one tries to reflect on the past nine days. Vratā is tapas, a struggle to control and fight against…
Jai Ma Durga!
Read the previous part here… The Devi smiled again. “Yes, it is true. They are very strong. But what can I do since I took that…
Of complications and allegories…
We humans are complicated. I mean, things can be simple but we tend to make them complicated. We leave things unsaid, tasks undone and people…
Oh Kolkata, where art thou…
The spirit of the Pujo is something else in Kolkata. Kolkata. The name evokes memories of history, heritage, art, food…and Durga Puja. As the flight…
What is good, and what is bad?
The concept of bad and good exists only in Western philosophy. Sanātana Dharma only speaks of action, and consequences. Every karmā, or every action, has…
The enemy within?
You can fight an enemy who is outside, but how do you fight the enemy within? Spirituality is all about knowing yourself. If you are…
The great reset…
Once you observe Ekādashi vratā regularly, Navrātri is a breeze. Conditioning one’s body to work on reduced inputs helps in times of need, but if…
Of math and life…
In mathematics, summation is the addition of a sequence of any kind of numbers, called addends or summands; the result is their sum or total. So is life – a summation of many moments that we experience. The…
The significance of number nine…
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु विष्णुमायेति शब्दिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥ yā devī sarvabhūteṣu viṣṇumāyeti śabditā ।namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ The number nine holds…
And it begins…
Tomorrow is Mahalaya, the advent of the Devi… And the day after is Navratri… As always, I will be writing a series for the next…
Of 14s and electronic q-tips…
The iPhone 14 is here, and so are the done-to-death “sell my kidney” jokes. Do I upgrade? Well, err…ummm….anyone looking for a Gold iPhone 12…
Dheena Karunakarane Nataraja…
Dheena Karunakarane Nataraja…Neelakantane… A few days back I had written about Rohāmrta’s fascination for ‘The Wheels on the Bus’, an American folk song that turned…
Om Shanti Gajodhar bhaiyya
Shri Raju Srivastava, best known for his Gajodhar bhaiyya performances, has passed. In an era where comedy is now synonymous with four-letter words and obscene…
And who am I?
Who am I? This simple question has elicited many responses over the course of the existence of humankind. And these responses have been a lot…
Forever and ever?
The question of eternal life is as old as life itself. Humankind has made great strides in life expectancy, from an average of 30 years…
Of math and human communication…
Here’s a fun fact about resending lost data: you can never be 100% certain that both people, communicating on a network where information might get…
Of culture and dinosaurs…
I’m reading a book interestingly titled “How to take over the world”, by Ryan North. I know it sounds a bit off, but it really…
September 17th, 1950
Ok, a lot of you knew this post was coming, isn’t it? Well, I don’t have to take you through the journey of the man…
An investigation, and a crime scene
Ok so I have been taking this tablet from the past three months, to control an allergy that apparently popped out of nowhere. The nose…
Preparing for Navratri
Navratri is around the corner, and I am gearing up for it by starting the salad diet from this week. The vrata calls for a…
The tale of Dantila and Gorambha!
यो ह्य् अपकर्तुम् अशक्तः कुप्यति किम् असौ नरो ऽत्र निर्लज्जः ।उत्पतितो ऽपि हि चणकः शक्तः किं भ्राष्ट्रकं भङ्क्तुम् ॥ १४३ ॥ yo hy apakartum aśaktaḥ…
Some random musings…
And we enter the season of festivals. The next one and a half months will be a roller coaster ride of fun, frolic, fasting and…
One of my favorite songs:)
Not many songs touch a chord the way this one does. Melody, classical touches and beautiful picturisation, an ode to my favorite Krishna, what else…
Crows, owls, rabbits and elephants…
“This is so funny! Of all the peacocks, swans, cuckoos, parrots, pigeons, ducks and cranes of this world – you chose an ugly owl?” He…
Happy Onam!
Asura is typically construed as evil, and is used interchangeably with Danavas, Daityas and Rākshasās, mainly because in English, they are all demons! But all…
Can you do it?
The issue is not that you are not capable of doing it…the issue is that I know you are capable but you don’t. A phrase…
Teachers, not all Gurus:)
We may remember Teachers Day as the day when we decorated the blackboard (or green board, as was in our case), and wished our teachers…
Just begin!
Had an interesting conversation with family friends today. This revolved around exploring what one is good at, and putting it out there for the world…
Of parents and walks…
I take a walk with Rohāmrta a few times a week. Not very far, just inside our community, which is pretty well spread out, and…
Workplace wellness and happiness…
A large part of performing well at work is being in the right frame of mind. We underestimate this part of our work personalities, and…
A short story…
There is an interesting story as to how Panini, the originator of Sanskrit grammar, received knowledge from Shiva. He was supposed to be the dullest…
Let’s find the Ganesha in others…
गणानां त्वा गणपतिं हवामहेकविं कवीनामुपमश्रवस्तमम् ।ज्येष्ठराजं ब्रह्मणां ब्रह्मणस्पतआ नः शृण्वन्नूतिभिः सीद सादनम् ॥ Gannaanaam Tvaa Ganna-Patim HavaamaheKavim Kaviinaam-Upama-Shravastamam |Jyessttha-Raajam Brahmannaam BrahmannaspataAa Nah Shrnnvan-Uutibhih Siida Saadanam || Among the Ganas (Group of Prayers), to you who is the Ganapati (Deva of Prayers), we offer this…
श्री गणेशाय नमः! – Shri Ganeshaya Namah!
श्री गणेशाय नमः! Shri Ganesha is among the most popular deities in the Hindu Pantheon. He is worshipped in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bali,…
Of fishes and tricks…
As the frog said, “the one with thousand tricks sat on the head of the fisherman, the one with hundred tricks is hanging by the…
Of hitting balls and falling towers…
The unthinkable happened today. Usually, on the day of an India-Pakistan encounter, nothing else matters. From news channels to social media, only one thing trends.…
The end of an era…
There may not be many who have not seen, or at least heard of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, the shows created and produced…
The choices we make…
What role does choice play in our lives? I read a book somewhere that spoke about parallel realities. Every time we are faced with a…
Acchoo…cough cough…
Falling sick is not anyone’s favorite hobby, but when I fall sick, a silver lining is the time I get to watch movies. And watch…
An extra hour?
I had written this in 2020, as part of the Sādhanā series, and I don’t think I thought it would be as relevant even today.…
And this is how much you apparently cost…
What costs US$ 168 to build? The human body, by some accounts. Actually, an episode in Nova, a science show on PBS, came up with…
Eat a frog?
Eating frogs is tough. In case you are wondering if I changed to an alternate (and alarming) diet of croakers, especially after extolling the virtues…
Old MacDonald anyone?
One of the perks (at least thinking of them this way makes it easier) of feeding toddlers is the playing of rhymes – makes it…
The after-effects:)
So yesterday was a good day – filled with fasting , celebration, food and finery. Sri Krishna took centerstage, both in our mandir at home…
A day of love, and a day to love…
Every year on this day, the post remains the same. As I mentioned yesterday, Sri Krishna Janmashtami is one day that I feel at peace.…
And the day is near…
One of my favorite times of the year is a couple of days away. श्री कृष्ण जनमाष्टमी is on Friday. It’s a bit odd- I…
A few (not so) random thoughts…
Is there a God? Are there many Gods? Who writes our destinies? Are they even written? Or does life play out in it’s own way…
The five pledges…
पाँच प्रण – Five pledges. 1. A developed Bharat. 2. Complete removal of the colonized mindset 3. Pride in our culture and civilisation 4. Ek…
India – a miracle of commonality…
Bharata, or India, is not short of a miracle in itself. While Bharatvarsha has existed for thousands of years, it has seldom functioned as a…
Of independence and spirituality…
Two important days coming up. The 75th day of our independence on the 15th, and Sri Krishna Janmashtami on the 19th. Two events that shaped…
Yugas – the chronicles of time…
The following article by David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri) is adapted from Astrology of the Seers, by David Frawley Who knows now and who can declare the…
Of rakhis and copycats…
Two movies released today. One spoke about bonds and relationships, the other is a copy of an American movie. One is a simple story about…
रक्षाबन्धनवर्णनम् – true rakshabandhan
Rākhī derives from the Sanskrit rakṣikā, a join: rakṣā protection. Raksha Bandhan is observed on the last day of the Hindu lunar calendar month of…
Of staples and scarcity…
From the past few months, there has been increased talk on food scarcity. Apparently, a very few countries in the world account for a majority…
22 and counting!
A few months back, I had written about our haul at the Olympics. Today, as the Commonwealth Games come to a close, we wrapped up…
Music Teacher
Today’s post is very short. It’s about a movie on Netflix that most of you may have missed seeing on Netflix – and it’s called…
A little something for back pain…
Most of us deal with back pain at some point in our lives. Causes of back pain are varied from chronic nerve pain, to menstrual…
Of belief in the impossible…
Another of my co-workers amazed me today. Our workplace is quite different from most. We work like a startup, even though we are well-established in…
Of information and learning…
पण्डितो अनन्तपारं किल शब्द-शास्त्रं स्वल्पं तथायुर् बहवश् च विघ्नाः ।सारं ततो ग्राह्यम् अपास्य फल्गु हंसैर् यथा क्षीरम् इवाम्बुध्यात् ॥ ६ ॥ anantapāraṃ kila śabda-śāstraṃ svalpaṃ…
Of jobs and responsibilities…
My admin assistant gave birth on Monday, the first of this month. And today she pinged me, since she wanted to complete some work that…
Of Nancy and Pelosi…
So more tensions now. Nancy Pelosi, for a brief moment in time, rode in arguably the most tracked plane in history, as she touched down…
Of tomatoes and twenty varieties…
It’s amusing when you go to a hypermarket in Dubai nowadays. When I was growing up, there was an apple, a banana, an orange, an…
Of Rishis and Sunaks…
A few months back I had written about the brain drain – where Indian Americans make huge inroads managing the world’s biggest companies, where they…
Just how much is enough?
How much can one learn in a lifetime? More importantly, how much should one learn in a lifetime? Is it worth learning so much when…
Become a doctor in err…20 days!
Of late, a lot of “Doctors” have been appearing on my LinkedIn timeline. Complete with convocation photos, a detailed thank you note and the “humbleness”…
Globali…never mind…
Globalization works…until of course, it doesn’t. The world is now one family, said everyone, until the pandemic hit. And then, in an instant, everyone was…
Da Da to Pa Pa…
Today, as Rohāmrta was saying papapapapa, I recalled the day he started to say da-da-da-da. At that time, I thought he would be reciting rhymes…
Of people who care…
I got a lovely message today. They may have felt my pain, my suffering…my hard work and that I didn’t any rest from so many…
Zzzzzzzz…..
Sleep tracking. Yes, been reading a lot about it lately. My sleep patterns have been disturbed, mostly due to a disruption of my exercise schedule.…
Of GDP and EMI and everything in between…
The 1972 book Limits to Growth, which predicted our civilisation would probably collapse some time this century, has been criticised as doomsday fantasy since it…
A year back…
A year back today, Rohāmrta had his Anna Prāshana. The first time when he was fed solid food, an important milestone in his life. I…
Of Fish and Philosophy…
A few years ago, a book called Fish! Philosophy made a err…splash in the world of workplace motivation. On a visit to Seattle in 1997, John Christensen,…
Of one stomach and two heads…
भारुण्डपक्षिकथा The story of Bhārunda, the bird Near the ocean, not so far away from here, lived a bird named Bhārunda. He had one stomach,…
Are we within the story…or is the story within us…
kya pata hum mein hai kahani, yah hai, kahani mein hum…pum parara rum… Is the story within us, or are we within the story… We…
You know the world isn’t functioning properly…
You know the world isn’t functioning properly when one has loyalty points at a clinic, and when the pharmacy has a discount sale on most…
Do you know who defeated the mighty Arjuna?
Arjuna was the most prominent warrior in the Mahabharata. The best archer in the world, with the avatar of Sri Vishnu as a guide, and…
Of kids and entertainment…
Ok, so Rohāmrta has not gone out for 4 days, since he was sick. He is fine now, but cannot say the same about his…
A few thoughts on strategy…
I read somewhere that strategy is not planning ahead. Strategy is adapting to change. The faster one adapts to change, the better the strategy. And…
Of kids and hearts…
Rohāmrta is a bit under the weather since yesterday. The normal blocked nose, a bit of cough and fever. But enough to trigger an emergency…
Of Tenali and dolls…
The great emperor Kṛṣṇadevarāya (Krishnadevaraya) had a lot of wise ministers in his court. The wisest of them was Tenali Ramakrishna. One day, a merchant came to…
Wishing you a very happy Guru Purnima!
We may remember Teachers Day as the day when we decorated the blackboard (or green board, as was in our case), and wished our teachers…
Guru, where are you?
Tomorrow is Guru Purnima. Oddly enough, not many people know it is. We do know Teachers Day, although it falls on an arbitrarily selected date,…
Creativity and gujjus…
Gujjus are known for a lot of things – but they are a bit missing in the creative field. I mean, when compared to their…
Pandharpur Wari!
The very fact that you are alive and breathing, is a cause to celebrate, isn’t it? The mesmerising moments captured at Pandharpur Wari, the annual pilgrimage to…
And am back to the mantra of all mantras…
ॐ भूर् भुवः सुवः ।तत्स॑वि॒तुर्वरेण्यंभर्गो॑ दे॒वस्य॑धीमहि ।धियो॒ यो नः प्रचो॒दया॑त् ॥ om bhūr bhuvaḥ suvaḥtatsaviturvareṇyaṃbhargo devasyadhīmahidhiyo yo naḥ prachodayāt – Rigveda 3.62.10 गायत्री छन्दसामहम् – among…
A little before you sleep…
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु निद्रारूपेण संस्थिता ।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमोनमः ।। Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu Nidra Roopen Samsithaha INamastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah II O Devi,…
He who sees me in everything…
ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम् |ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना || 24|| brahmārpaṇaṁ brahma havir brahmāgnau brahmaṇā hutambrahmaiva tena gantavyaṁ brahma-karma-samādhinā For those who are completely…
The acquisition of knowledge, begins with a single prayer…
सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि ।विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा ॥ sarasvati namastubhyaṃ varade kāmarūpiṇi .vidyārambhaṃ kariṣyāmi siddhirbhavatu me sadā .. Namaskar, O Saraswati, grantor of…
Of light and illumination…
In continuation of the series of shlokas that I have been compiling in order to teach Rohāmrta, here is the Deepa Jyothi shloka. I did…
A prayer to start a good day…
I am doing some research on teaching kids a few basics. What better than to start from one’s own culture? Here is a Sloka that…
A routine to start all routines…
I am doing some research on teaching kids a few basics. What better than to start from one’s own culture? Here is a Sloka that…
On writing…
Is writing a skill, or an art? Does it come naturally to people, or is it cultivated? In either case, how do you go about…
A bit about me…
I’m Rohit I’ve learnt a few things on my journey, that I like to share. I don’t claim to know everything, but whatever little I…
Of tangled lives and simple truths…
It’s not often that you come across a person who is all heart. As children, we all are. And then we grow up. It starts…
What is your daydream?
What is your daydream? Heard this well-written song on America’s Got Talent today – Daydream by Lily Meola. A simple song, but strikes the heart.…
Of speaking in public and then to Ted…
I haven’t given a Ted Talk as yet, but then, Ted was never around. Public speaking is not easy. There are many who speak in…
Skills skills skills!
Was just having a conversation on education and skills. The current system of education is quite new. For a large part of our existence, we…
Of writing and routines…
Yesterday’s post brought in a lot of reactions. Thankfully all were positive. Some asked about my writing, others suggested that I make a book. Well,…
A heartfelt note…
As I pen this note, I put a lot in perspective. About me, about the business, about what we do, and who we are. About…
A bit of Vetala…
When I finished my meditation in the morning, I realized that the pearl necklace was still with me. I am not a man of the…
The first sign of intelligence…
अनारम्भो हि कार्याणां प्रथमं बुद्धि-लक्षणम् ।आरब्धस्यान्त-गमनं द्वितीयं बुद्धि-लक्षणम् ॥ १२७ ॥ anārambho hi kāryāṇāṃ prathamaṃ buddhi-lakṣaṇam |ārabdhasyānta-gamanaṃ dvitīyaṃ buddhi-lakṣaṇam || 127 || The first sign of intelligence…
And more yog…
After yesterday’s article, a lot of people got in touch asking for more…Why reinvent the wheel? Here is the three part series in one mega…
COVID and more despair…
I started writing regularly when the lockdown commenced in March 2020. It is June 2022 now, and there has been a resurge of cases. A…
Of fathers and days…
At first, there was a birthday. Then came Valentines Day. Then Mothers Day. Now Fathers Day. Don’t know if there is a sisters day or…
A bit of satire in Samskritam…
किं वाससा इत्यत्र विचारणीयंवासः प्रधानं खलु योग्यतायै ।पीताम्बरं वीक्ष्य ददौ स्वकन्यांदिगम्बरं वीक्ष्य विषं समुद्रः ॥ kiM vAsasA ityatra vichAraNIyaMvAsaH pradhAnaM khalu yogyatAyai |pItAmbaraM vIkShya dadau…
Revisiting the five tantras…
महाजनस्य सम्पर्कः कस्य नोन्नति-कारकः ।पद्म-पत्र-स्थितं तोयं धत्ते मुक्ता-फल-श्रियम् ॥ ६० ॥ mahājanasya samparkaḥ kasya nonnati-kārakaḥ |padma-patra-sthitaṃ toyaṃ dhatte muktā-phala-śriyam || 60 || Who does not shine in…
On learning and knowledge…
अणुभ्यश्च महद्भ्यश्च शास्त्रेभ्यः कुशलो नरः।सर्वतः सारमादद्यात् पुष्पेभ्य इव षट्पदः।। Skilled people learn from every source, be it big or small, much like honey bees, who…
Short, and sweet:)
रोहते सायकैर् विद्धं छिन्नं रोहति चासिना ।वचो दुरुक्तं बीभत्सं न प्ररोहति वाक्-क्षतम् ॥ १११ ॥ rohate sāyakair viddhaṃ chinnaṃ rohati cāsinā |vaco duruktaṃ bībhatsaṃ na prarohati…
A bit stressful, this…
Stress is not inborn nor is it inherited it does not even exist in nature except in your own mind… Yes that same monkey mind…
On determination…
Is determination good for you? Yes and no. Depends on your type of determination, says Sri Krishna. धृत्या यया धारयते मन:प्राणेन्द्रियक्रिया: |योगेनाव्यभिचारिण्या धृति: सा पार्थ…
On commitment…
लक्ष्मीश्चन्द्रादपेयाद्वा हिमवान्वा हिमं त्यजेत्।अतीयात्सागरो वेलां न प्रतिज्ञामहं पितुः।।2.112.18।। lakṣmīścandrādapeyādvā himavānvā himaṃ tyajet।atīyātsāgaro velāṃ na pratijñāmahaṃ pituḥ॥ The Moon might lose its splendour, snow might abandon…
A moment to thank the ones on the front…
When I wrote this two years back, frontline workers were the topic of discussion. We may have never had an opportunity to realize their contribution…
Meditation – your first step
Meditation is quite a mystery for many. How do we meditate? How does it help? What are supposed to see or think about when we…
Working from home
This is what I had written a couple of years back… We all crave to spend more time with our loved ones, don’t we? Working…
Mend your relationship with nature…
Times like this are a wake-up call for many, for the collective. Everything cannot, and should not be about more work, and more profit, and…
Take it slow-er…
Take it slow(er) The past decade has been one of growth. Very good growth. Most of us think that everything has to keep going in…
Here we go again…
Prologue In early 2020, I had penned down some thoughts of mine that went on to become “Love in the times of Corona”. I would…
A history of the Gita…
The “Bhagavad Gita”: A Biography by Richard H. Davis There have been many translations of the Bhagavad Gita, which is perhaps the most famous of all Indian…
On Looking and walking…
On Looking: Eleven walks…came highly recommended. I haven’t read Alexandra Horowitz before, and the reviews on Goodreads were not the most encouraging. Nevertheless, I did…
Savitri and Satyavan…
सन्तो हि सत्येन नयन्ति सूर्यं ।सन्तो भूमिं तपसा धारयन्ति ॥सन्तो गतिर्भूतभव्यस्य राजन् ।सतां मध्येनावसीदन्ति सन्तः ॥ By the Truth the saints lead the sun; by…
Of food and language…
एकः स्वादु न भुञ्जीत एकश् चार्थान् न चिन्तयेत् ।एको न गच्छेद् अध्वानं नैकः सुप्तेषु जागृयात् ॥ ९५ ॥ ekaḥ svādu na bhuñjīta ekaś cārthān na…
Vikshepa Shakti..
Vikshepa shakti. The mind has a tendency to be restless – to constantly keep thinking of hundreds of things at once. Even when you sit…
Go watch it!
Well, I saw a movie after a long time. Ever since the birth of Rohāmrta, we haven’t really got the opportunity to step out to…
Of knowledge and flukes…
घुणाक्षर न्याय (Gunākshara Nyāya) – The maxim of the letters made by the wood worm, Ghuna. This worm bores holes in wood and in books which sometimes assume…
Do you intend to buy a car?
Have you noticed the changes in how we move around? The next generation is not big on ownership – be it houses or cars. They…
Of elevating your senses…
“As brains get larger and more complex, what goes on inside the brain gets further removed from what is happening in the environment. To see…
A name is a name, or not?
नाम्यते अभिधीयते अर्थोऽनेन इति नाम – that whose meaning encompasses the characteristics of a person, is a name. Here is something that I came across,…
Of coronas and monkeys…
COVID wanes, Monkeypox appears… For those with COVID fatigue (which is most of us), a new headache looms. 80 confirmed cases in 12 countries, and…
Doing what you enjoy, and enjoying what to do…
How important is it to enjoy what you do? It sounds like a cliche, but it is true. When you “have to do something”, you…
Of cutting edges and secrets…
Today spoke with a prospective client who is loking at deploying a ‘cutting-edge’ solution. Or so she thinks. And I know no better, since she…
Of legacies and great grandfathers…
So what is the one thing that you leave behind? Money? Nah, that would get spent, and fast. Photos and videos? – Hard disk wipe,…
On vak shakti…
Had a short discussion on vāk shakti today. There have been a lot of things said about good speech, but the first phrase that comes…
Of Air and Suvidhas…
Went to the airport to drop off my parents. Since it was their first time flying out of Dubai, I accompanied them to the checkin…
Of tables and debates…
Came across a post that I had made earlier. On debates – mostly the kinds that take place around the dinner table. Where everyone tries…
Of family visits and bittersweet moments…
Had family visit me over the past few days. Good time spent, but now it’s time to leave. Visits are often bittersweet isn’t it? The…
Are you at your very best?
We underestimate our own capabilities. And by we, I mean everyone. Without exception. I have seen this in various fields – be it martial arts, studies…
The art of doing nothing…
Ok, everyone has their lazy days. I mean everyone – even the productivity pundits have days when they just don’t feel like doing much. If…
A better way to spend your time…
Remote working, work from home, not going to a physical office… Largely absent or implemented in very few pockets, Work from Home became a common…
Of rewards and families…
I think I had written about this before, but it has gotten worse now. The clinic that me (and my family) go to, has initiated…
Of meditation and closing one’s eyes…
The west has sold meditation in a very superficial manner. Sit in this way, close your eyes and witness. And maybe an ‘Om’ or a…
Of Sat, Sang and Satsang…
सत्संगत्वे निस्संगत्वं, निस्संगत्वे निर्मोहत्वं। निर्मोहत्वे निश्चलतत्त्वं, निश्चलतत्त्वे जीवन्मुक्तिः ॥९॥ Satsaṅgatve nissaṅgatvaṃ, niḥsaṅgatve nīrmohatvam nirmohatve niścalitatvam, niścalitatve jīvanmuktiḥ from Bhaja Gōvindam, written by Jagadguru Adi Śaṅkarācārya Through good company…
Afraid of the unknown…
Status-quo bias – The tendency for people to stay committed to current situations, for fear of changing to the unknown. Status quo bias is also…
Of performance pressures…
We underestimate our own capabilities. And by we, I mean everyone. Without exception. I have seen this in various fields – be it martial arts, studies…
Of evil and perspective…
There is no good and evil, only perspectives. Mahishasura is probably the first (and only one) name that comes to mind when one speaks of…
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam…
अयंनिजःपरोवेतिगणनालघु-चेतसाम्।उदार चरितानांतु वसुधैवकुटुम्बकम्॥ ayaṃ nijaḥ paro veti gaṇanā laghu-cetasām |udāra-caritānāṃ tu vasudhaiva kuṭumbakam || 37 || This is mine, and that is yours – such thinking is…
The primordial sound…
அகர முதல எழுத்தெல்லாம் ஆதிபகவன் முதற்றே உலகு. Akara Mudhala Ezhuththellaam AadhiPakavan Mudhatre Ulaku (1) The alphabet begins with the “A” sound, so does the Universe begin…
Let’s pray!
Eid is celebrated across the Gulf today. And so we decided that it’s time to pay a visit to the divine. We have a temple…
as you think…
तस्मात् यत् पुरुषः सनसाअभिगच्छति। तत् वाचा वदति। तत् कर्मणा करोति। यत् मनसः रेतः प्रथमं आतीत्। तद् कामः अग्रे समवर्तताधि। तत् एषाअभि अनूक्ता । Whatever one…
If not you…
If I am not for myself…who will be? If I am for myself alone…who am I? If not now…when? And if not you…who? Four phrases…
Is the black belt a culmination?
A black belt in Karate is an achievement…a big achievement. Its a culmination of years of blood and sweat, of hard toil, of pain and…
The more we get, the more we want…
भोगा न भुक्ता वयमेव भुक्ताः, तपो न तप्तं वयमेव तप्ताः । कालो न यातो वयमेव याताः तृष्णा न जीर्णा वयमेव जीर्णाः ॥ bhogā na bhuktā vayameva…
What do we take with us?
नामुत्र हि सहायार्थं पिता माता च तिष्ठतः । न पुत्रदारं न ज्ञातिर्धर्मस्तिष्ठति केवलः ॥ २३९ ॥ nāmutra hi sahāyārthaṃ pitā mātā ca tiṣṭhataḥ | na putradāraṃ na jñātirdharmastiṣṭhati…
Of earth days and earth hours…
ईशावास्यमिदं सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्यां जगत् । तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथा मा गृधः कस्यस्विद्धनम् ॥ īśāvāsyamidaṃ sarvaṃ yatkiñca jagatyāṃ jagat | tena tyaktena bhuñjīthā mā gṛdhaḥ kasyasviddhanam || Īśopaniṣad…
A clue to the nature of your mind…
सत्त्वानुरूपा सर्वस्य श्रद्धा भवति भारत |श्रद्धामयोऽयं पुरुषो यो यच्छ्रद्ध: स एव स: || sattvānurūpā sarvasya śhraddhā bhavati bhārataśhraddhā-mayo ‘yaṁ puruṣho yo yach-chhraddhaḥ sa eva saḥ…
Of success and being the best…
यशोधिगन्तुं सुखलिप्सया वा मनुष्यसंख्यामतिवर्तितुं वा | निरुत्सकानामभियोगभाजां समुत्सुके वाङ्कमुपैति सिद्धिः || yashodhigantum sukhalipsayā vā manuśyasamkhyāmativartitum vā nirutsakānāmabhiyogabhājām samutsuke vānkmupaiti siddhih Kavya Prakasha Success itself is keen to…
The right desire…
सर्वं परवशं दुःखं सर्वमात्मवशं सुखम् ।एतद् विद्यात् समासेन लक्षणं सुखदुःखयोः ॥ sarvaṃ paravaśaṃ duḥkhaṃ sarvamātmavaśaṃ sukham |etad vidyāt samāsena lakṣaṇaṃ sukhaduḥkhayoḥ || Manusmriti 4.160 All that is…
No better time than now…
यदपि स्यादसमये यातो वनमसाविति ।अकालो नास्ति धर्मस्य जीविते चञ्चले सति ॥ yadapi syādasamaye yāto vanamasāviti |akālo nāsti dharmasya jīvite cañcale sati|| Buddhacarita 6.21, by Aśvaghoṣa Though…
of expectations and rewards…
उदेति सविता ताम्रस्ताम्र एवास्तमेतिच। सम्पतौ च विपत्तौ च महतामेकरूपता॥ udeti savitā tāmras tāmra evāstameti ca | saṃpattau ca vipattau ca mahatāmekarūpatā || Kavya Prakash 7.245…
Of language and potential…
अमन्त्रमक्षरं नास्ति नास्ति मूलमनौषधम् ।अयोग्यः पुरुषो नास्ति योजकस्तत्र दुर्लभः ॥ amantramakṣaraṃ nāsti nāsti mūlamanauṣadham ।ayogyaḥ puruṣo nāsti yojakastatra durlabhaḥ ॥ Samayocitapadyamālikā There is not a syllable…
Leading by example…
Work, work and more work. Work is good. But when it is Ramadan, it gets tough, given the reduced timings. Am thankful that my team…
Of mirrors and identities…
आत्मौपम्येन सर्वत्र समं पश्यति योऽर्जुन | सुखं वा यदि वा दु:खं स योगी परमो मत: || ātmaupamyena sarvatra samaṁ paśhyati yo ’rjuna sukhaṁ vā yadi…
So, who defeated the mighty Arjuna?
Arjuna was the most prominent warrior in the Mahabharata. The best archer in the world, with the avatar of Sri Vishnu as a guide, and…
Of knowledge and intelligence…
विद्या ददाति विनयं विनयाद्याति पात्रताम् । पात्रत्वाद्धनमाप्नोति धनाद्धर्मं ततः सुखम् ॥ vidyā dadāti vinayam, vinayādyāti pātratām | pātratvāddhanamāpnoti, dhanāddharmam tatah sukham || Hitopadeśa Knowledge makes…
Flower samjhe kya? Fire hu main…
Main jhukega nahi! Sher ko pakadne ke liye shikari chahiye… I hate violence…but violence likes me! Three movies have changed the game. Actually four. The…
Of drops and drops and oceans…
क्षणशः कणशश्चैव विद्यामर्थं च साधयेत् |क्षणत्यागे कुतो विद्या कणत्यागे कुतो धनम् || kṣaṇaśaḥ kaṇaśaḥ ca eva vidyām arthaṃ ca sādhayet । kṣaṇa-tyāge kutaḥ vidyā kaṇa-tyāge kutaḥ dhanam ॥…
Fifty years and counting…
50 years. That’s how long my parents have been married to each other. We sometimes cannot wrap our heads around such numbers. You know, when…
Food for thought…
Today is Ekādashi – the 11th day of a fortnight in a lunar month, as per the Hindu calendar. Since there are two fortnights, Ekādashi…
Of treasures that measure eight…
The Germans call it milchreis, the Spaniards call it arroz con leche, Malaysians pulut hitam and the Greeks call it rizogalo…any guesses? How about ‘eight treasures’? or Shola-e-zard ? Still no?…
Like the seeker, is his truth…
Why do we pray? Today, on the occasion of Ram Navami, I booked a new temple for my house. I was running out of space…
रामो द्विर्नाभिभाषते…
द्विः शरं नाभिसन्धत्ते द्विः स्थापयति नाश्रितान् ।द्विर्ददाति न चार्थिभ्यो, रामो द्विर्नाभिभाषते ॥ Rāma doesn’t aim twice, he doesn’t give refuge twice, Rāma does not give…
Of weekends and rest…
Today’s the weekend. Or what we have been calling (largely) Saturday and Sunday from the past 90-odd years. A gift from the factory-based economy. A…
When is a good time to start?
So when is a good time to start? I spoke about Tithis in my past two posts. It is said that certain tithis are not…
Of 31 and 30, and 28 as well…
Yesterday I had written about how to read a Panchāngam, or Hindu calendar. Today, we look at a few more interesting concepts. While we normally…
How to read a Hindu calendar…
Reading a Hindu calendar can be complex, especially for beginners. So here is a quick guide, just for you! Start with a Panchāngam – Drink…
Of tubes and you…
A deviation today, from the usual Navratri talk. I have been watching various “village cooking” channels over the past few months. First, there was one…
When fasting is starvation…
Fasting without feeding your spirituality is starvation. All it does is make you feel hungry the whole day and crave for food, when you should…
It’s not just a cat who loves the number nine…
Number nine (9) is the most intriguing digit of all the numbers. It is an absolute number which when multiplied by any number always reproduces…
The dawn of a new age…
Friday, April 1, 2022 Sunrise: 06:15 AMSunset: 06:39 PM Tithi: Amavasya upto 10:23 AMNakshatra: Uttara Bhadrapada upto 09:10 AMYoga: Brahma upto 08:07 AMKarana: Nagava upto 10:23 AMKarana: Kinstughna upto 10:21 PMPaksha: Krishna Paksha Weekday: ShukrawaraAmanta Month: PhalgunaPurnimanta Month: ChaitraMoonsign: MeenaSunsign: Meena Shaka Samvat: 1943 PlavaVikram Samvat: 2079 RakshasaGujarati Samvat: 2078 Pramadi Twice in a year, followers of Sanatana…
Of Sharmajis and namkeens
I started watching Sharmaji Namkeen today. Rishi Kapoor’s last movie, one that he couldn’t complete, and so Paresh Rawal stepped in to make what should…
Of fruits and attachments…
Is attachment good? By attachment, I mean attachment to anything – people, joys, pleasures, money, materialism, even attachment to spirituality… Well, the rest you may…
Mine is bigger than yours…
Something that happened today reminded of something that I had written around a couple of years back. Reproduced here below. A few years back, I…
Of slappy awards…
Ok. The slap. By the way, for a star that has made quite a few action movies, when it came to it, he wasn’t able…
Of prunes and ragi…
A few days back I spoke of OTT, mobile and in general – screen addiction. Today, I speak about food addiction. Specifically, bad food addiction.…
Of EMIs and debts that we forget…
Who isn’t familiar with the concept of EMI? This craze has driven us to over-consume and under-save, and it is only getting worse with ‘solutions’…
Three steps forward, stepping back two…
அகழ்வாரைத் தாங்கும் நிலம்போலத் தம்மைஇகழ்வார்ப் பொறுத்தல் தலை. Akazhvaaraith Thaangum Nilampolath ThammaiIkazhvaarp Poruththal Thalai (151) To bear with those who revile us, just as the earth bears…
Of OTT and zombie land…
OTT…how the world changes! When the history of cinema will be written in the future, there will be two distinct parts – before OTT and…
Of Gods and preferences…
Read Part 1 here and Part 2 here. And if you want to immerse yourself in the song, without a care in the world as…
Of correct meanings and right ones…
Yesterday, I wrote about Sojugada Soon Mallige, a soulful folk song that was beautifully sung by Ananya Bhat. As I reflected on the inner meaning…
I offer you flowers, and then some more…
Today, as I was driving, the OST of Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana (Kannada movie) was playing in the car when Sojugada started. A different rendition,…
Of buses and wheels…
The wheels on the bus go round and roundRound and roundRound and roundThe wheels on the bus go round and roundAll through the town If…
Of strangled priests and widows of railway employees…
Did you know that strozzapreti (a type of pasta) means ‘strangled priests’, or that vermicelli means ‘little worms’? Or that the Scottish word sgiomlaireachd (yes…
Of Holi changes…
I’m watching an intriguing new series on Apple TV – it’s called Severance. Set in a fictional company called Lumon Industries, the workers of Severance have…
Isn’t life a celebration?
Festivals are beautiful. They are fun, filled with joy, food and enjoyment. We celebrate, because life should be a celebration, with a bit of work…
Random thoughts on films…
Why do we watch films? Some of us watch to get entertained, others to get informed. Some watch to pass time, others to spend time…
Shyam piya mori…
Holi is usually called the “festival of colors”. But can you celebrate Holi, without these colors? As part of the countdown to Holi, a few…
Color me red…
श्याम पिया मोरी रंग दे चुनरिया । ऐसी रंग दे, के रंग नहीं छुटे ।धोभिया धोये चाहे सारी उमरिया ॥ लाल ना रंगाऊं मैं, हरी…
Discipline and consistency…
It’s been around two years since I started writing everyday. I know for sure it crossed the two year mark this month, but when? That…
Follow your heart…with a bit of brain alongside…
I took an interview today. During the course of the interview, I came to learn that the candidate’s passion was yoga, and she wanted to…
Of the not-so-small businesses
A small business is anything but small. What it lacks in size, it makes up in impact. If you think of it, prior to the…
Of cycles and bulldozers…and booze.
Tomorrow is the day that will determine India’s future for the next thirty years. Good, bad or ugly – all depends on tomorrow’s result. Twenty-four…
I’m dying to get this to you…
You know that your food kills you. Some slower than the others. The very process of eating and digestion takes us closer to the end,…
Or rights and wrongs and everything in between…
What is free speech? Is speech free, as long as you say what I think is right? Should the “bad” be allowed to speak at…
Of aims and dilemmas…
चलने ही चलने में कितना जीवन, हाय, बिता डाला!‘दूर अभी है’, पर, कहता है हर पथ बतलानेवाला,हिम्मत है न बढूँ आगे को साहस है न…
The sun shines in Malayalam…
Ok. My apologies. No Bachchan today. Try Venjaramoodu instead. For those unfamiliar with this tongue-twister of a name, you should see more Malayalam cinema. Suraj…
Of taverns and wine…
भावुकता अंगूर लता से खींच कल्पना की हाला,कवि साकी बनकर आया है भरकर कविता का प्याला,कभी न कण-भर खाली होगा लाख पिएँ, दो लाख पिएँ!पाठकगण…
Of googlies and magic…
If there was one bowler who I found enigmatic, it was Shane Warne. That first ball of the Ashes…he changed the way the world looked…
Of bullets and Shanaya…
How does one remain sane nowadays? With a war raging on one side and Shanaya Kapoor’s imminent launch in a Karan Johar wrapper? I wonder…
Of keyboards and wars…
Today’s war is not fought in the battlefield. It is fought in people’s minds. The downside of easy access to information is the promulgation of…
Om Namah Shivaya!
From the past few years, one cannot think of Mahashivratri, without thinking of Sadguru and Isha. The Mahashivratri event has now become the must-see event…
Don’t give up anything this Shivratri…
A lot of questions may arise in our minds, when we think of Shiva, and Shivratri – or the night of Shiva.
Of mitochondria and kill switches…
Do you know about Mitochondrial Eve? If you recall (or don’t) from biology class, mitochondria generate most of the chemical energy needed to power the…
Somethings to remember…
It’s good to be reminded of somethings sometimes. So today, as you wake up to birds chirping outside, and as you step into the washroom…
Of new mothers and sacrifices…
I had a couple of interviews earlier today. Both were women who had married and given up their jobs to take care of their kids.…
Of productivity and Putin…
Today was not a very productive day. When I say productive, I mean that kind – the LinkedIn motivator kind. I wake up at 4.30…
Is learning ever wasted?
Is learning ever wasted? Someone asked me this question the other day. She wanted to go for a course – short-term, around 2 weeks, and…
Of Malayalam and today…
Today is like Malayalam. That sentence did make sense, if you know what a palindrome is. 22-02-2022 is today’s date and reads the same forwards…
Of visionaries…
How does one write “visionary” in one’s own title on LinkedIn? Imagine going to a networking event and extending your hand out to someone who…
Of abilities and attitudes…
What matters more? The ability to learn, or the attitude towards learning? Some might argue that we don’t have the ability to learn anything and…
Of veggies and treadmills
Can you guess the most eaten vegetable in the United States? Well, I can safely say that whatever you guessed, was wrong. The answer, and…
My baby speaks to me!
Babies cry. Sometimes little, sometimes a lot. Sometimes when we least expect them to. And sometimes when we least want them to. As parents, we…
Of Zen stories and Kancho…
Zen stories. They bring back fond memories. Of times I spent with my master – sometimes in larger groups, other times just with the uchideshis…
Of stories and proofs…
A few days back, someone told me that they had received credible information (via WhatsApp), that Sita had not actually travelled to Lanka. The story…
Of jacks and trades…
A hectic day today. I had calls with three new clients, all of who are investment advisors, and target the retail segment. In English, you…