Precious Story

A boy was born to a couple after eleven years of marriage. They were a loving couple and the boy was the apple of their eyes. One morning, when the boy was around two years old, the husband saw a medicine  bottle open. He was late for work so he asked the wife to cap the bottle and put it in the cupboard. The mother, preoccupied in the kitchen, totally forgot the matter.

The boy saw the bottle and playfully went to it and, fascinated with its color, drank it all. It happened to be a poisonous medicine meant for adults in small dosages.When the child collapsed, the mother hurried him to the hospital, where he died.

The mother was stunned; she was terrified. How would she face her husband?

When the distraught father came to the hospital and saw the dead child, he looked at his wife and uttered just four words.What do you think those four words were?

The husband just said, “I Love You Darling”.

The husband’s totally unexpected reaction is proactive behavior. The child is dead.  He can never be brought back to life. There is no point in finding fault with the mother. Besides, if only he have taken time to put the bottle away, this would not have happened.

No point in attaching blame. She had also lost her only child. What she needed at that moment was consolation and sympathy from the husband. That is what he gave her.

Sometimes we spend time asking who is responsible or who’s to blame, whether in a relationship, in a job or with the people we know and miss out on the warmth in human relationships we could receive by giving each other support.

After all, shouldn't forgiving someone we love be the easiest thing in the world to do?

1. Treasure what you've. 

2. Don’t multiply pain, anguish and suffering by holding onto forgiveness. 

3. Let go of all your envies, jealousies, unwillingness to forgive, selfishness, and fears and you will find things are actually not as difficult as you think.

If everyone could look at life with this kind of perspective, there would be fewer problems in the world !!

Jagannathan Srinivasan's Sasthi-Abda-Poorthi

Dear All,

It gives me immense pleasure to invite you all for this special occasion of KSJ's Sashtiabdhapoorthi.

The only occasion where children can witness their own parents getting married. Is it not a divine occasion and scene? Yes of course

While it is a time to celebrate health. prosperity and longevity, I would like to share with you all, a brief history of this tradition and my views regarding the same.

Sashtiabdhapoorthi, split as Sashti (60)-Abdha(Years)-Poorthi(completion), is a Sanskrit name for a special ceremony on a person's sixtieth birthday. It has a special place in the Hindu tradition since the Hindu calendar follows a 60-year cycle. On this day, all the celestial bodies are said to align in exactly the same way they were during the birth of the individual concerned. The entire family gathers to give and seek blessings to and from the subject for continued good health and prosperity. The subject and their spouse reaffirm their wedding vows and there is a re-enactment of their wedding ceremony.

There are 60 years in a Hindu calendar cycle. Each year has a name. When a person reaches 60 years of age, such person enters the second cycle. Historically, because the husband would typically always be older than wife, Sashtiabdhapoorthi is celebrated when the husband (as opposed to the wife) turns 60.

At sixty, man had crossed only 50% of his life because the actual span of his life is 120 years according to Vedas. A 60th year, which is just half the span of time originally given to man is considered a critical period. According to the science of Hindu numerology, 6 happens to be an uneasy number and therefore 60 is a time when the ruling planet of a person may have an adverse effect on a man's life; He performs a religious Shanti, a measure undertaken to ensure good health, peace and longevity.

How does it feel to be sixty? For most of us it is conscious ageing, an increasing awareness that though the body is ephemeral the spirit on the contrary, can soar! It can take us through hitherto unexplored paths, for sixty is certainly a time when man pauses to take stock of the life gone by and to begin a new chapter in life, unfettered by professional commitments. Now he is free to answer his own inner calling for things beyond the material domain. In this frame of mind, he is equipped to combat the physical fatigue that sets in with age, to counter a certain slowness and exhaustion which overtakes those who are prepared to comprehend the implications of age. For the mentally alert, it is a time for thinking about the new options in life, a wonderful chance of using one's freedom from the daily grind in office for pleasurable and spiritually nourishing activities.

Having said that I personally feel this is an opportunity for us children to bow our heads in respect for the selfless love our parents have showered upon us over the years. The countless sacrifices just to ensure that we are not deprived of any of life's comforts can in no way be repaid. Our life & routine keep us so busy that we forget to thank those two people who have silently contributed to our growth & prosperity, holding our hands at difficult times, giving us courage to face them. Often we hurt them through our words and action, not realising the pain we inflict. I would like to express on behalf of all the children, to their beloved parents, sincere apologies & deepest gratitude on this occasion.

DUTIES OF A SON TO HIS PARENTS

• Be grateful, to thy father, for he gave thee life, and to thy mother, for she sustained thee.

• Hear the words of his mouth, for they are spoken for your good, give ear to his admonition, for it proceeds from Love.

• He has watched for your welfare, he has toiled for your cause, do honour, to his age and let not his grey hair be treated with irreverence.

• Forget neither your helpless infancy nor the forwardness of your youth, and indulge in infirmities of your aged parents, assist and support them in the DECLINE OF THEIR LIFE.

• So shall their hoary heads go down to the grave in peace, and your own children, in reverence of your example, shall repay your piety with filial Love.

• Very many years our saints have expressed ago, similar ideas. Tiruvalluvar in Tirukkural wrote: 
  "The gratefulness reciprocated by son to his father to be expressed by others in such a manner that they say-what amount of penance he had done to get such a virtuous son."

The Ritual

Sashti-Abda-poorthi-Shanti is to be performed at the end of 60th year in one's life. The following deities and great souls and rishis are propitiated and worshiped.

• Mrutyunjaya: It is desired that holy Triambaka mantra to be recited, as it is a life giving mantra. Worship Lord Siva who is all fragrance and who nourishes all beings, may he liberate us from death for the sake of immortality even as the cucumber is severed from its bondage of creeper. It is also a Moksha mantra; it is Lord Siva's mantra. It bestows long life, peace, wealth, prosperity, satisfaction and immortality. It saves one from accidents.

• Brahma: Offer obeisance to the Brahmaswarupi, the Lord of Sharada, the one who is exalted, the one who is seated on the Hamsa, the one who has four faces and the one who has Satyaloka as his abode.

• Vishnu: The well-known dhyana sloka of Vishnu Sahasranama is to be recited. He is invoked as resting on the serpent, dear to Goddess Lakshmi, and accessible to yogis in their hearts.

• Rudra: O Lord Parameswara! You are in the highest form. You have a lock of thick hair resembling dense black smoke. You bear the moon on your head Please accept the worship performed by me.

• Markandeya: O Sage son of Mrukanda Rishi, grandson of Rishyasringa, you are always meditating on Lord Shiva. I pray you.

• Navagrahas: The Sun, Angaraka, ukra, Soma (Moon), Budha, Brihaspati, Saniswara, Rahu & Kethu are propitiated. Pulses and cereals are placed along with related vastra (cloth)(appropriate and as applicable) to propitiate the Navagrahas.

• Sapata Chiranjeevins: Aswathama, mahabali, Vyasa, Hanuman, Vibheeshana, Krupa and Parasurama are worshipped.

• Ayur Devata: Worshiping daily and on special occasion like this, gives longevity.

• Samvatsara Devatas: Beginning with Prabhava and ending with Akshaya, there are 60 years. It is therefore significant that a man born on Prabhava completes his 60th year in Akshaya and re-starts at Prabhava. Thus he has seen all the years that had blessed him during his 60-year life circle.

• Nakshatra Devatas: As you are aware that there are 27 main constellations beginning with Aswini and ending with revathi. The reason for worshipping the Nakshtra Devatas is for stability and permanency.

• Ashtadikpalas are: The directions controlled by each are indicated in bracket. All the ashtadikpalas are to be worshipped for overall well being, prosperity, good health etc. They are Indra (East), Agni (Southeast), Yama (South), Nirruti (Southwest), Varuana (West), Vayu (Northwest), Kubera (North), Isanam (Northeast)-Winner of Mrityu.

• Saaptha Rishis, are: Kasyapa, Atri, Bharadwaja, Viswamitra, Gauatahama, Jamadagni, Vasishta. These great rishis are remembered on this auspicious occasion. They are the one's who has given us the prime mantras; to thank them we worship them during 60th birthday celebrations.

All these devatas, great souls and rishis are pleased by the repeated chanting of their mantras, offering pujas, homams in Agni with appropriate samits and they bless the person celebrating 60th birth day

Have, so far seen a list of devatas, great souls, rishis etc and their importance and significance. The main aspect of celebration is Kumbha or Kalasa stapanam. There are rules governing how and where these Kalasas are to be placed, and this will be guided to the householder by the Vedic scholars conducting the rituals and the sanctification process is religiously observed. The following 11-mangala dravyas are to be applied.

• Gorochana: To be applied on the heads of Husband and wife for longevity, health, fame, courage and prosperity.
• Cow's milk curd: To smear a small quantity on their foreheads. For prosperity, sweet, fragrance and comforts around forever).

• Cow's Ghee: Smear a little amount of cow's ghee on their eyelids. For brightness, good appearance and good conduct.

• Green grass: Keep little grass on their heads. For Longevity, devoid of diseases and for very strong body.

• Cow's milk: A spoonful of cow's milk should be sprinkled on their heads (for strength and longevity).

• Fruits: Touch fruits with hands.

• Flowers: Wear flowers on the heads with veneration.

• Mirror: see the faces in the mirror. For disappearance of poverty evil devatas and ugliness.

• Lighted Lamp: See the lighted lamp. Let there not be darkness, intelligence and lack of knowledge.

• Earth soil: Touch the earth brought from beneath the Tulsi plant.
• Gold: Keep a gold coin or an ornament on the head. The gold removes all sins and brings comforts.

Finally Maangalya puja is performed with chanting of mantra. Then, the wife is seated facing eastwards and the husband stand facing north. He ties the Mangaalya around the neck of his wife with the blessings of all Gods, Goddesses and Rishis. Thus the celebration comes to an auspicious end.

Women Vs Men

A Woman was out golfing one day when she hit the ball into the woods. She went into the woods to look for it and found a frog in a trap. The frog said to her, "If you release me from this trap, I will grant you three wishes."

The woman freed the frog, and the frog said, "Thank you, but I failed to mention that there was a condition to your wishes.Whatever you wish for, your husband will get times ten!"

The woman said, "That's okay."

For her first wish, she wanted to be the most beautiful woman in the world. The frog warned her, "You do realize that this wish will also make your husband the most handsome man in the world, an Adonis whom women will flock to". The woman replied, "That's okay, because I will be the most beautiful woman and he will have eyes only for me." So, KAZAM-she's the most beautiful woman in the world!

For her second wish, she wanted to be the richest woman in the world. The frog said, "That will make your husband the richest man in the world. And he will be ten times richer than you."The woman said, "That's okay, because what's mine is his and what's his is mine."So, KAZAM-she's the richest woman in the world!

The frog then inquired about her third wish, and she answered, "I'd like a mild heart attack."

Moral of the story: Women are clever. Don't mess with them.
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Attention female readers : This is the end of the joke for you. Stop here and continue feeling good...

Male readers: Please scroll down.
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The man had a heart attack ten times milder than his wife...

Moral of the story: Women think they're really smart. Let them continue to think that way and just enjoy the show

PS: If you are a woman and are still reading this; it only goes to show that women never listen!!!

Never Judge anyone so easily

A doctor entered the hospital in hurry after being called in for an urgent surgery. He answered the call asap, changed his clothes & went directly to the surgery block. He found the boy’s father pacing in the hall waiting for the doctor. 

On seeing him, the dad yelled: “Why did U take all this time to come? Don’t U know that my son’s life is in danger? Don’t U have any sense of responsibility?”

The doctor smiled & said: “I am sorry, I wasn't in the hospital & I came as fast as I could after receiving the call. And now, I wish you’d calm down so that I can do my work”

“Calm down?! What if your son was in this room right now, would you calm down? If your own son dies now what will you do??” said the father angrily.

The doctor smiled again & replied: “I will say what Job said in the Holy Book “From dust we came & to dust we return, blessed be the name of God”. Doctors cannot prolong lives. Go & intercede for your son, we will do our best by God’s grace”

“Giving advises when we’re not concerned is so easy” Murmured the father.

The surgery took some hours after which the doctor went out happy, “Thank goodness!, your son is saved!” And without waiting for the father’s reply he carried on his way running. “If U have any question, ask the nurse!!”

“Why is he so arrogant? He couldn't wait some minutes so that I ask about my son’s state”. Commented the father when seeing the nurse minutes after the doctor left.

The nurse answered, tears coming down her face: “His son died yesterday in a road accident, he was in the burial when we called him for your son’s surgery. And now that he saved your son’s life, he left running to finish his son’s burial.”

Moral - Never judge anyone. Because you never know how their life is what they’re going through

Real Beauty, Real Treasure & Real Love

“Can I see my baby?” the happy new mother asked. When the bundle was nestled in her arms and she moved the fold of cloth to look upon his tiny face, she gasped. The doctor turned quickly and looked out the tall hospital window. The baby had been born without ears. Time proved that the baby’s hearing was perfect. It was only his appearance that was marred. When he rushed home from school one day and flung himself into his mother’s arms, she sighed, knowing that his life was to be a succession of heartbreaks. He blurted out the tragedy. “A boy, a big boy … called me a freak.”

He grew up, handsome for his misfortune. A favorite with his fellow students, he might have been class president, but for that. He developed a gift, a talent for literature and music. “But you might mingle with other young people,” his mother reproved him, but felt a kindness in her heart. The boy’s father had a session with the family physician. Could nothing be done? “I believe I could graft on a pair of outer ears, if they could be procured,” the doctor decided.

Where upon the search began for a person who would make such a sacrifice for a young man. Two years went by. Then, “You are going to the hospital, Son. Mother and I have someone who will donate the ears you need. But it’s a secret,” said the father. The operation was a brilliant success, and a new person emerged. His talents blossomed into genius, and school and college became a series of triumphs. Later he married and entered the diplomatic service. “But I must know!” He urged his father, “Who gave so much for me? I could never do enough for him.”

“I do not believe you could,” said the father, “but the agreement was that you are not to know… not yet.” The years kept their profound secret, but the day did come.

One of the darkest days that a son must endure. He stood with his father over his mother’s casket. Slowly, tenderly, the father stretched forth a hand and raised the thick, reddish-brown hair to reveal that the mother had no outer ears. “Mother said she was glad she never let her hair be cut,” he whispered gently, “and nobody ever thought Mother less beautiful, did they?”

LESSON LEARNT

Real beauty lies not in the physical appearance, but in the heart. Real treasure lies not in what that can be seen, but what that cannot be seen. Real love lies not in what is done and known, but in what that is done but not known.

   

Women's Work-Life Balance

Walkathon - Women's day special @ NTT Data, Bangalore

We need you!!

We need you to listen. When we tell you about a problem, we don’t want you to jump to a solution for us. We just want to say it out loud to solve it ourselves knowing that you will support us.

We need you to talk. To raise the issue of gender. Don’t worry about saying the wrong thing. Saying the wrong thing is better than saying nothing at all. It’s the only way to start the conversation.

We need you to value our differences. Realise that we bring a different perspective and encourage us to bring our personalities to work, to not feel like we have to put on a ‘male suit.’

We need you to argue. We need you to push back against our ideas, to challenge us to do more than we think we can.

We need you to fight. We need to stand up for us, to be our allies, to be our comrades in arms. This isn't a fight between men and women; it’s a fight for equality, for what is right.  The rise of women does not equate to the demise of men.

We need you to believe in us. So we can work together as equal partners, shaping the future for the next generation.

Men, We need you.!! (voice of a woman)

You can get her love in the form of Sweet Sister, Lovely Friend, Beloved, Darling Wife, in the form of adorable Mother  & Grandmother. So, Respect HER. She gave you birth, she gives you love, she teaches you to smile to reach that extra mile, it’s the woman behind everyone..!

I call her Strong, Smart, Sensual, Caring, Giving, Surviving, Tolerant and powerful. 

I call her WOMAN! 

Just wanted to thank everyone from bottom of my heart for all things you do..!

Feel special, unique, on top of the world, it’s your day!! 

Happy Women’s Day!

The Wooden Bowl 

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.

The family ate together nightly at the dinner table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass often milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. “We must do something about grandfather,” said the son. I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor. So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the dinner table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather’s direction, he had a tear in his eye as he ate alone.

Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?” Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making the bowl for you and mama to eat.” The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day that building blocks are being laid for the child’s future.Let us all be wise builders and role models.

Take care of yourself, … and those you love, today, and everyday!, especially your parents, as they are the most precious gifts …

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