We are what we are !!

Madurai is an unique city in many ways. I am just sharing one of the unique coincidences, I came across. Of course, it has Meenakshi Amman temple which is an architectural marvel. But, how it received its name?. Mathura in the north is the Birthplace of Lord Krishna.Madura , which means a drop of nectar, in the south is the place where Lord Narayana /Vishnu took his first Avatar, Matsyavathar. According to Srimad Bhagavatam, the first Manu (Vaivaswatha Manu) was the Dravida King by name Satyavrata who saw the Lord in the form of fish in Krithamala/Vaigai River in Madurai and what follows is the story of Matsyavatar ,which is similar to that of Noah's Ark.(there is still a branch of river Vaigai by name Krithamala in Madurai( now it is a drainage)).By the by, the name Pandya literally has come from Tamil word "Pandaya"(பண்டைய ) i.e old. The first Manu is from Madurai!! ( There is an interesting corollary to this which tells that Ikshvaku dynasty are the descendants ...

Govt has many things to do. On the one hand it has to effectively curtail the spread, limit the speed, and mitigate the severity of COVID 19 pandemic and on the other it has keep the econom ic train going which is at present devoid of fuel and so slowing and sputtering.Only the direction is correct because of the Driver. The cynics always say only when India is pushed into a crisis or is it serindipity(!) ,only then it bounces back by taking up the much needed reforms. The year 1991 is a stark reminder of this.The 30 year itch is back to haunt us. Now, First things first. Health is wealth and Thiruvalluvar also says " பிணியின்மை செல்வம் விளைவின்பம் ஏமம்  அணியென்ப நாட்டிவ் வைந்து."   a nd so the citizens remaining without major diseases are an asset and an ornament for any country. But this is a prerequisite or hygiene factor or given or default option, when it comes to running a nation in today's context.However, an emerging economy like India having made r...

We are what we are.. wonderstruck at the divine beauty of our heritage! Valmiki's first sloka is an inexplicable divine wonder revealing that Inscrutable are the ways of Bhagawan. It is actually a curse which turned out to be a sloka and that carries two distinct meanings -one which is known by its explicit meaning and the other implied and divine.!! Vālmīki was going to the river Ganges for his daily ablutions. A disciple by the name Bharadvāja was carrying his clothes. On the way, they came across the Tamasa Stream. Looking at the stream, Vālmīki said to his disciple, "Look, how clear is this water, like the mind of a good man! I will bathe here today." When he was looking for a suitable place to step into the stream, he saw a crane(krouncha) couple mating. Vālmīki felt very pleased on seeing the happy birds. Suddenly, hit by an arrow, the male bird died on the spot. Filled by sorrow, its mate screamed in agony and died of shock. Vālmīki's heart melted at this p...

We continue to mouth the cliché that Exports are national priority.Exports like Agriculture will be the life blood of Indian economy. The spin-off or multiplier effects of Exports are hugely beneficial for the Economy.It creates and thrives on  Export Competitiveness Enhancers which are Quality Improvement, Cost Reduction,Delivery improvement. They enable the exporter to emerge as the winner in the global market. International market forces at free play uphold the Darwinian principle of "survival of the fittest". When the Government does its part  of the work on Infrastructure development in terms of Roads, Ports and Power Generation improvements all these provide momentum to the multiplier effect already set in motion and that cumulatively snowballs into better quality of life for the People of India. Exports contribute not only to earnings in foreign exchange but also to Employment ge...

Are we not parasites?Are you sure.We are what we are... Now Covid 19 virus is busy spreading and gobbling up everything on the way from east to west and back to east.But the funny thing is, it cannot exist and thrive without a host.That is, it is a parasite.Even though the the whole world is on its knees begging for its life, this invisible virus is wreaking havoc on humanity. Are we any different from this parasite, living on Mother Earth's resources and leaving our Mother emaciated,polluted and weakened.Are we not selfishly gnawing at our Shelter's roots that provide life and succour to all the innumerable living creatures. This Parasite Covid 19 is showing us how we shamelessly live, holding a mirror to us. Let us live a life helping others live. Let us light up others' lives. Are we in a mood to listen?Are we humanitarian any more?

We are what we are ... Many of you would have recited Vishnu Sahasranama and some of you may recite it by heart. As children , in many households in the South , we have witnessed the daily recital of Vishnu Sahasranama either individually or in groups. Some households may play the MS Subbulakshmi's divine rendering of the celestial song and listen to it devoutly. This recital of 1008 namas of Bhagawan Maha Vishnu was orginally done by Bhishma Pitamaha and it appears in Anushasana Parva in Section/Chapter 149, verses 14 to 120. This prayer praising the Purushothaman, Bhagwan Sriman Narayanan has been the subject matter of detailed commentary/ exposition (bhashya)by Adi Sankara, Sri Parasara Bhattar etc. I am not competent to write about them. But one thing in the Shasranama prayer stands out. At the end of the Shasranama, Maa Parvati asks Eswar, is there any easy way for a simpleton to recite the name of Bhagawan, as he may not be able to recite the Shasranama. Eswar obliges He...

Some time back , one of the hit Tamil movies, carried a dialogue that goes .."If what you do benefits atleast 4 people around you kindly carry on that work.." justifying all  criminal and anti-social activities like smuggling. In this garb, of delusion you can include every conceivable anti-national , anti-social activity since in any case atleast few people who support these rubbish causes out of personal grudge or grudge against a nation or society will be benefited. I am hearing somebody crying aloud " .. but at what cost or whose cost". Simply this larger question remains unanswered as it provokes awkward and embarrassing introspection for these criminals. Guided by self proclaimed righteousness the hero of the movie carries out his God father like mafia role with impunity. Few days back a tamil scholar wearing a dhoti was taking Thirukkural classes to the children of the middle school. He explained at great length the following thirukkural "ஈன்றாள் ...