Stress Of Sending Grandson To Hostel

 

Stress Of Sending Grandson To Hostel

 

“People usually are the happiest at home.”

William Shakespeare

 

To be in your children’s memories tomorrow,

you have to be in their lives today.

Barbara Johnson

 

It was  cold winter evening perhaps of December of 1993 at about 10.00 PM, we were about to sleep, when my wife told that she wants to talk to our son who was in Hostel at Tatya Sahib Kore Institute of Engineering and Technology, TKIET, as it is popularly called, Warnanagar, Kolhapur Distt, Maharashtra, doing his B.E.(Electronics): no mobile: no laptops: no SMS: no messenger: no landline in room or nearby: phone was available to students session-wise for limited period with the gate man of the hostel, its time was over: nothing could be done: told wife just to sleep and would give ring to him the next day. Something terrible: she was not ready to listen, saying again and again to do something: problem was not at our end as we were having a landline at our home in Delhi: problem was how to contact him in his hostel room. I was also slightly depressed what to do and what not to do. I gathered courage, thought of giving a tinkle to the Principal who was also staying in the same campus: Shri S. S. Santpur a very simple and humble personality but very strict disciplinarian perhaps that was need of the hour and part of the responsibilities of a Principal but an asset to all parents particularly those like us whose wards were studying far away from home. We decided to give Shri Santpur a ring: as soon as the bell at the other side rang it was picked up by Shri Santpur himself: I was little surprised and afraid too: he might refuse the request. Anyway I briefly introduced myself and simply said, “Sir, I have an emotional problem, my wife talks to her son.” He was too quick to understand and replied, “Give ring after 10 minutes: a mother would be talking to her son.” We were too pleased. Subsequently I came know from my son that Shri Santpur himself went to “Jawahar Hostel” at that hour of night and knocked at the door of room where my son was staying. He and his roommate were surprised and afraid also to see the Principal Sir, at the door at that hour. He simply told my son to accompany him and took him to his residence. He made him to sit before the landline and Sir further said, “Whenever it rings pick up the receiver.” As soon as my wife gave the ring after ten minutes it was picked up by our son and we were talking to him: mother and the son talked for a long time. What a solace, satisfaction and peace it gave to my wife: I can’t explain; thereafter she slept with peace and soon was snoring as if she had got the best of her life. How much we were grateful to Shri Santpur: all the words fell short: how much emotional wealth it give to us can’t be assessed. Long Live The Principal Shri S.S. Santpur: May God continue to bless Sir, with health, wealth and happiness.

 

Parenting is the easiest thing in the world to have an opinion about, but the hardest thing in the world to do.

                                                                                          Matt Walsh

 

Children when go out for the first time to the University: is a measure of success and that you have prepared them for such a journey: it is credit to both parents and children too. It is an aim fulfilled and start of another journey to prepare for a career in life. It immediately creates a physical void: loneliness in home and is often cured with self-consoling  by parents that this is for welfare and career of the child.

 

Another void is when the children after education decide to settle abroad for a career. In this era of family planning, when parents have two children, mostly one boy and one girl; they become absolutely lonely and that too in old age when they need company most, Whatsapp and video calls can’t fill up the gap; then the concept of family loses meaning in Indian context where even now children stay with their parents even when married. If parents are ailing, no way out have to depend on others may be paid or otherwise or move to the Old Age Home paid or charitable to live among the strangers mostly in the mess.

 

Child while joining Hostel also feels loneliness but this is taken care by his age, new environment, aim in life, studies, his curiosity to gather, a feeling that somebody is making a sacrifice for him to be here, his attitude and how he handles his exposure where he will have to decide everything himself: without parental care and decision making, and he would be meeting many new things and concept of having new is a universal killer of loneliness and stress. In fact, both the child and parents have to face the new environment, circumstances and realities.

 

Parents have long list of apprehensions and fears too: whether he would eating right and regular, whether sleeping in time, may not be in bad company and adopted bad habits, is he physically fit, is he doing his assignments, has he adjusted to new environment, circumstances, way of life under the eyes of warden and others disciplinarians who were unknown till a day before, are peers co-operative etc. Now it is test of strength of character and values the child has inherited and of endurance of the parent’s capacity in many testing ways.

 

Parents have a great responsibility to keep the child in the shadow of their love and affection and to keep him attached to the family: a great challenge in era of attractions, distractions, information technology, internet, electronics and fast communication. In my first innings, the means of communication were neither easy nor fast, so we never left a chance unavailed to talk to him: his mother had made a routine to write to him a letter every day and the local Postman was kind enough to deliver the letters promptly rather out of way, at odd hours beyond office hour simply because he acknowledged that the boy belonged to postal family, myself being an officer in the Postal Headquarters and had introduced my son to the local Postmaster and the beat Postman.

 

Another cover that was a gift to us by Lord, were the relations we had developed with one of the Professors at the college; who despite being not teaching him took every care of my son and we are still continuing those relations even after 28 years of first meeting. This was of great help through thick and thin to my son and to all those whom we sent subsequently to that Institute.

 

The strongest of bonds with the family was devotion of my son to his studies:  practicals, viva and assignments that kept him engaged: the result was no supplementaries or “supplies” – as that was called by students at that time: it was all clear eighth semester B.E completed a satisfaction of the goal having been secured.

 

Another matter that kept my son near to his studies was that we had created in him an urge for MBA. BE MBA was the most paying combination at that time and we were successful when he took admission in MBA at Pune University and cleared the same in four compulsory semesters.

 

Discipline enforced by the Institute was another feather that kept the students away from indiscipline and irregular habits. College contact numbers were freely available with nearby establishments and they were free to report to the Principal misadventures of the students. This made the students to behave in more responsible manner while being away from the Institute and helped them to accomplish for what they were away from home.

 

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.”

                                                                                        – Jim Rohn

 

He was encouraged to come home on every vacation, although travelling was not comfortable rather it was strenuous because of the size of our pocket and we full family of three also visited him as and when the occasion demanded. Whenever we visited him made a point to meet all his professors and kept a personal touch with them always.

 

Homemade sweets and Dhoda  sent to him always kept him with the family at home in Delhi. Another item which became prominent during that period were jeans from Tank Road, Delhi: perhaps these were purchased and sent for his friends also on couple of occasions. Books that were not available there were also sent from Nai Sarak Delhi. In fact, we tried to encash every opportunity to remain near the child.

 

Now it is my second inning with slightly less tension as of now have my son to take care of all the things except my emotional ones. The Lord has been very gracious to the family in wealth, health and happiness. My grandson is devoted to studies, is vegetarian and takes care of his health being a regular at gym, a person who likes to remain at home, engaged with internet purposefully and interested in meta-physics.

 

In fact hostel life is an experience, to gather which is essential and to throw away what is not required; a place of learning from life and its practicals much above the degree and books the immediate task; use of discerning gems and junk sense: time to learn decision making-its canons practically; a period to observe and adopt. It is period to learn the principle of self-denial a gem in character building and exhibiting it. Routine in life is essential for those who care for it and it is meaningless for those who do not adopt it. Hostel provides an opportunity to adopt a meaningful routine of one’s will, a gem of one’s character and a foundation stone of success in life. Time management is another jewel which has to be picked up from hostel life, made a garland and worn lifelong.   Hostel life is great gift of parents and the Lord that one gets an opportunity to spend some time in the Hostel.

 

 “Self-respect is the fruit of discipline; the sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself.”

                                                              – Abraham Joshua Heschel

 

A few hostellers misinterpret the freedom from family environment; that is miscalculation: it is period to learn to talk to your conscience the ultimate teacher, guide and philosopher that gives right direction and decision for every issue. Another thing which is important is: parents are always watching: not possible physically: intuition and supernatural communications are much faster and accurate than the internet and telecommunication. They would come to know as soon as you are on the wrong path or in trouble. So while in the hostel be your own teacher and guide on the right path. Morning in a hostel usually begins with a lie but do not do it to your own self: that is worst.  In fact, it is period of learning:

 

“What lies in our power to do, lies in our power not to do.”

                                                                                         – Aristotle

 

India was the first country in the world that introduced Hostel system in education even when the civilization in terms of modern concept was in primitive stage: the Gurukul: a residential schooling system that dates back to around 5000 BC in the Indian sub-continent: was more prevalent during the Vedic age where students were taught various subjects and about how to live a cultured and disciplined life: where both students and Gurus: the teachers: professors: principals lived in the same campus; had food in the same kitchen: students were taught in the same campus: where students built strong bonds with the teachers who were fully devoted to their cause: where best of Gurus were available. They also develop strong bonds with peers. In fact, at one stage going to Gurukul meant joining the “Kul” that is family of “Guru”.

 

Even now basic concepts are the same except that previously it was more for the Gurus to polish the students to make them more than the teachers and perfect: now it is for the students how they get themselves chiseled and polished to become diamonds of highest carat: this change is because of the journey of thought.

 

Hostel life is the best life

Which change our life style

We start the new life here

We make new friends

We enjoy the little things in our life

For one day we will look back

And realize that they were the best things ever

Happened in our life

Ananya Bihari

 

In Hostel collect gems, jewels, and pearls from your life to distribute free to others.

Stress-On The Way To Atal Tunnel

 

Stress-On The Way To Atal Tunnel

 A Skip To Rohtang Pass-13058 Feet

 

“If all difficulties were known at the outset of a long journey most of us would never start out at all.” – Dan Rather

 

Morning mist was still there on the hills, even at 12.00 O’ noon, Beas water nearby was making much noise perhaps in a hurry to reach its destination the Pong Dam also called Beas Dam: air had much more chill than expected: Sun was still in infancy: Breakfast although coming piping hot from the Hotel kitchen, somewhere in between Kullu and Manali, became cold before we could finish. Children had just completed their online coaching and assignments necessitated by Corona-Covid19-Chinese virus and we thickly dressed with at least five layers each started for a visit to 9.02 KM long, 33 Feet wide,  10,000 feet altitude world’s first at this height, Atal Tunnel- a national pride and a defence necessity to tackle both China and Pak misadventures, built under the Rohtang Pass on the Leh-Manali Highway: longing to fulfil our dream to enjoy the white blanket the nature had thrown all around in the area. Our XUV 500 was ready, full with three blankets we had not removed after reaching our Hotel Room and had lots of dry snacks and some water bottles, cold drinks and the modern paraphernalia.  We were about 56 kilometre away from the tunnel. The path appeared to be clear and it was actually upto Manali - a gem of hill stations sandwiched between the Dhauladhar Ranges and the Pir-Punjal Ranges of Himalayas. Previous night the area had 15 cm snowfall.

 

Reached the narrow city bridge that connects two sides of Manali across river Beas that has its source top the Rohtang Pass itself in Beas Kund now with a Temple also. Soon we crossed this bridge, journey started opening up itself. Traffic had increased slowly, speed reduced, it became a traffic jam but still moving inch by inch: BRO sign Boards with inconvenience caused is regretted could be seen and there were many road hawker selling potato chips and other dry snacks and water bottles at a high price. Everybody was hoping to reach the Tunnel, perhaps hoping against hope: many were happy with the jam-playing with snow, hitting each other will snow balls and clicking the scenes created by nature or themselves.  

 

A BRO vehicle staff guided  us for some time towards the tunnel and there after it disappeared by crossing the traffic from the wrong side which we did not dare: I could hear the voices inside and outside the vehicle whispering : ‘it would have been better had we returned to Manali’. It was becoming difficult to move forward; in fact it was stand still: it was getting dark and cold was increasing every minute. In the meantime all our snacks had been consumed and the cold was making us to shiver. Some local extended a helping hand in getting something to eat and my son went with him to fetch some snacks etc. He did not return for almost an hour we were slightly worried: soon he came back shivering, half his clothes wet and mud sticking here and there: brought a bundle of glucose biscuits, a white bread and butter. There was nothing more to survive: we were eating hard butter and white bread: we had not taken in life like that: shops had been closed: traffic was not moving at all: it was pitch dark: road hawker had also gone: no local Police or BRO staff to help. We had earlier heard Border Roads Organization (BRO) people saying that they would not undertake rescue operation on that day as the tourists did not heed to their advice not to move towards the tunnel: and they really did not help where we were, they were perhaps making arrangements in the tunnel itself: this was against the administrative instructions: in fact a failure of Administration that they could not stop the traffic appropriately rather they mishandled the situation: thank God there were no causalities as we know: the Lord helped: nobody perhaps needed medical help.

 

My son slowly opened up and he told that he had to go up for more than a kilometer or so to fetch snacks; all the shops were closed: he saw only one shop open and got whatever was available with the Shop. He had slipped thrice but there was nothing to worry. I could understand that had slightly hit his confidence. It was pitch dark: totally stuck: cold at its top: everybody was feeling depressed and feeling pinch of the extreme weather.

 

It was only at about 02.00 O’ Clock at night we were able to see a slight movement of the vehicles in direction back to Manali.  Our XUV500 had to be given a U turn: it was very difficult despite the fact that the air pressure in the tyres had already been reduced to increase grip on the road: it was too slippery on snow and slush: it was two steps forward one step backward and sometimes it was two steps forward and three steps backward that was most dangerous: space was too little: we were reciting Human Chalisa to invoke His blessings and help and many others were doing the same: it was really bone breaking experience. Being an experienced driver having done on my vehicle up to Badrinath, Rekang-Peo-Kalpa and Delhi-Chandigarh-Manali–Leh-Kargil-Srinagar-Jammu-Chandigarh, so I was little more confident that I would succeed, after a few attempts and slips at the steering vehicle was finally Manali bound.   

 

On way-back from Manali there was a landslide: it was all mud, road was not visible it was only the way and one car was seen having been hit by the boulder and laying in damaged condition: you would shiver from feet to head to imagine as to what would have happened to the occupants on that cold night in the Hills at that hour of the night. It was pitch dark, with mud on the road: stopping on the road was impossible and too risky: we had to continue to move: we were moving at a very slow speed with having faith on the Almighty that we would survive this ordeal. Every inch forward was a big gain: ultimately I was able to see the road: thanked the Lord and drove only seeing the dividing glittering reflecting colours on the road.

 

Suddenly noticed that XUV500 was giving warning that it had fuel only for 5 KM whereas our hotel was 8 KM. It was a big surprise how I forget to check fuel in the vehicle: in fact fuel was enough to go and comeback from the Tunnel but that had been consumed by idle running of the engine and clutch brake movement of the XUV500. What to do: no petrol pump nearby: did not want to stop on the road on that dark pitch night: somebody might hit from back: my skills guided me: increased the speed where it could be done to increase fuel efficiency: every foot covered was a gain: as soon as Hotel became faintly visible we had a sigh of relief: felt we have reached safe without any damaged and soon we were in Hotel Compound.

 

Reached our hotel back by about 05.00 hrs. in the morning next day: spending almost 17 hours on the road without reaching Atal Tunnel: I was back in the Hotel with my family: Hotel Staff continuously remained in touch with us and that provided a lot of confidence and belief. Thanked the Lord. Fact is:

 

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”― Andre Gide

 

We went straight to our room: the room blower had kept it cozy: Hotel staff had kept food in our room. It was cold but heat of the hunger made it so tasty for all of us: we enjoyed dinner before bed tea time, to our fill despite shivering, what a time, hunger, food and taste: suddenly the smile, laugh and laughter became noisy everybody laughed to his pitch perhaps it was a satisfaction of having done the impossible and reached our Hotel safe from such a horrifying experience on the road or it was acknowledgement of my driving skills or disapproval of the same I do not know: perhaps everybody was having his own reason: it was enjoyable to see everybody laughing. All of us slept right up to 11.00 hrs in the morning that recharged us all to enjoy the winter hilly weather snowfall. In fact sometimes:

 

“Travelling — it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”

                                                                                    – Ibn Battuta

 

In the afternoon we went up to Manali enjoyed walking up and down the short but clean The Mall enjoying street food and hot tea in between and also got the tattoos engraved. In the evening we spent quality time for dinner at Johnson’s café, one of the best in Manali, a few steps above the Mall: enjoyed local Trout fish a delicacy in non-veg dishes with Band in attendance: yesterday’s stress was flying away and so the negative feelings generated by the night jam ordeal. The night next gave us a good sleep and we felt:

 

“To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.”

                                  ― Freya Stark

 

In fact, travel has its own charm, information, knowledge, adventure, known, unknown, new, old, cuisine-local and routine and what not. In addition it has weather-that can change anytime from good to bad and worse and it make a known destination an unknown one.

 

     “All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveller is unaware.” ― Martin Buber

Stress Relieving Visit of a Daughter

                                                          

                                             Stress Relieving

                                            Visit of a Daughter

 

Our daughters are the most precious of our treasures, the dearest possessions of our homes and the objects of our most watchful love.

 

Margaret E. Sangster

 

“O Laddoo – you have come, good, where is “Parri”, “‘Pie Lagoon Nanu’, she is also coming Nanu, along with mummy and papa”. Laddoo is our Dohta daughter’s son nick named by his Dadi and Parri is our Dohti daughter’s daughter named as such by her Dadu. Bitiya-our Bitiya daughter, her nick name also is Bitiya: entered with her husband Karanji with all the paraphernalia usual with all those who prefer to travel by their own car - they do not travel light they carry every comfort of their home with them. This was the start of winter break for my daughter Bitiya as called at home and in in-laws also. Everybody was excited Nani (my wife), Kishu (my grandson) and Angel (my granddaughter) were more than anybody else: Nani was ready with lot of evening snacks: Pakoras, bread rolls, cakes, tea of course: which she had started cooking right from the morning, expecting arrival of Bitiya’s family from Chandigarh by evening only because of Farmers Agitation at Delhi-Haryana border. Party started with Gaggi, the Girdhari Lal of Horoscope, my son, Saru-Kuku her parents name, my daughter-in-law, Kishu and Angel and of course both of us and Bitiya’s family. My own family of ten persons was complete; bowed in thanks to the Almighty: everybody was more affectionate than the other: snacks too: every snack showed its presence prominently: they showed their love being very tasty and hot Punjabis like most. They stayed with us just for four days, but charged our energy and hope for the coming full year with their love and affection: what a quality time it was can’t be explained: but it flew away quick and fast leaving only the memories to cherish. Fourth day milky white Honda automatic was ready in the afternoon to take our pearls and jewels back to Royal Estate Zirakpur in the neighbourhood of the City Beautiful Chandigarh: where Laddo’s Dada and Dadi were waiting eagerly as if they were returning having spent a year with us. As soon as the car started moving I thanked the Lord for giving us beautiful moments and prayed for their safe return journey to their Home. They reached home safe and gave us a tinkle.

 

A daughter is a bundle of firsts that excite and delight, giggles that come from deep inside and are always contagious, everything wonderful and precious and your love for her knows no bounds.

                                                                                    Barbara Cage

 

Present is an era of small families particularly for the middle class with high literacy rate and in fact, it started with our generation in late sixties and early seventies and at present, it is perhaps at its blossom: so is with the in-laws of my daughter: they have two sons-one settled abroad and other is our son-in-law, so it is difficult for my daughter to leave her in-laws above 70+ years now for long periods. We are very excited to have my daughter’s family even for short breaks of a day or so or even flying visits of less than a day: that is reward to have a daughter.

 

A daughter’s visit is always pious, solace giving and a family re-union. In our community we consider married daughters as our Purohits - Priests, they are the firsts in all religious functions; son-in-law is first to be invited to all religious and family food invites and offerings in the name of the Lord are given to daughters and their daughters first.

 

In my childhood, my mother used to instruct us, whenever we were given new clothes to wear, first to touch them to the feet of the sister before wearing and who had no sister or sister was not present then first to touch to the pitcher full of water so that one wears that new cloth for prosperity in other words new cloth may bring prosperity to the wearer and the family. 

 

The son-in-law is the most honoured guest in marriages in his wife’s family particularly that of his brother-in-law: previously there was a custom to hand him over a pure silver “Gulabdani” which contained rose water and in a marriage procession he would sprinkle that rose water on ladies of the other side: message was that they have come to become a fragrance of the bride’s family.

 

In bereavements daughters are taken care more by her parents than anybody else can take care of them to show solidarity of her father’s family with her. It is customary with the family of Bahu to provide food on the day of demise of any member of daughter’s in-laws: perhaps to indicate that in the hour of bereavement Bahu’s parental family is standing with them solid. They are the most respected-poojniya-worship worthy persons in the family of father the Nanu.

 

When a baby son or a daughter is born to the wife of a brother, brother’s sister is given the duty of washing the breast of mother of the baby before she takes first sip from the bosom of her mother. This is sober and solemn ceremony performed one to one.

 

Fufa-father’s sister’s husband is a very special person in all Punjabi families. He is given a special consideration in all family functions: when the question of “Milanee” the grand introduction between the bride and groom’s families comes, it is customary to have small offerings from bride’s family for selected persons of groom’s side who is introduced to each other in “Milanee”; Fufa is a special person. Grooms family ensures that he gets special consideration distinctive than others.

 

Whenever there is marriage of a boy in the family of Nanu or his bigger family and a marriage procession is to start then there is a beautiful custom performed for all sons-in-laws of the family including Fufaji. All sons-in-laws are called starting with the senior most Fufa and honoured by the mother of the groom with a Tilak-a scared mark on the forehead and a small money as a token of families respects and regards.

 

When daughter’s daughter is to be married, then Nanu’s family is a special family: allowed to enter daughter’s home, after a honouring ceremony is performed at the entrance of daughter’s home, with token money and sweets given to each one coming from father’s family-“Nanke-belonging to Nana”. Mama (bride’s mother’s bother) has to perform some pious duties: like morning worship on the day of marriage (sainet) and making the bride to sit for marriage rituals- Phere and finally to make the bride sit in the “Doli” now car for going to her in-laws (Bedai). In fact, no function is complete without the participation of Mama and Nanke in the marriage rituals of daughter’s children.

 

“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes memory.”

                                                                                        – Dr. Seuss.    

 

Previously people did not take anything from daughter and her in-laws. Stricter persons did not take even the food from daughter’s house on a visit to her and when necessary they compensated her even for food and water: but now this tradition has weakened to some extent perhaps most of us have only one daughter and there is greater equality between sons and daughters but still people hesitate to allow daughter to spend on her father’s family because daughter is for giving not for taking: always to relieve her burden never to increase it.  

 

Daughters whenever they visit parents after marriage, it generally brings lot of coziness, positivity to parents’ home and a nostalgia of her childhood, adulthood, studies and the marriage of course. A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart. My Nanu-maternal grandfather was a farmer: so in portion of land he used to sow the crop in the name of one of his daughters every season as he thought that by doing so he would have a bumper harvest and it did happen: he used to share this bumper with his daughters. Now my wife also feels that by giving to daughters the wealth multiplies faster and it does.

 

It is time for daughter to share with her mother the ups and downs, difficulties and happy moments of her life in in-laws and also to discuss the problems that she is facing bring up her children. In fact, both wait for such an occasion in my native language to share “Sukh Dukh”. Although this is natural the confidence, belief, security, secrecy, and help between these two relations is supreme. Advice of the mother is that the life is filed with hard times and good times learn from everything you can: be patient: every time leaves an impression and let it is be memorial one.

 

A daughter is a bundle of firsts that excite and delight, giggles that come from deep inside and are always contagious, everything wonderful and precious and your love for her knows no bounds.  

                                                                                     Barbara Cage

 

Spending on daughters after marriage is a pleasure, perhaps the parents in a cozy corner of their heart feel that she has the right to share the wealth created by her parents yes legally true but socially most of the daughter do not enforce that right and surrender in favour of their brothers: much more than that is the blood bond we have with her, so is for great brothers leaving aside the exceptions for different reasons.

 

It is common with many families to remember their daughters on all festivals sending small gifts and some sweets to them. It is almost compulsory that daughters visit their brother on two occasions-Rakhi and Bhaya Dooz. These are bonds that keep the relations alive throughout their life.

 

Visiting daughter’s home is a different wonder. Whosoever from father’s family reaches, daughter feels crazy about how to welcome what to serve and what not to serve. All the daughters say we are happy we do not want anything from our parents, but there is lovely corner in the heart of every daughter that she keeps with great care whatever she receives from her father’s home. Parents, do care, on a visit to her, to take something of her taste and liking and also that which enhances her prestige among her in-laws and that which she can share with the family of in-laws.   

 

My mother left for her heavenly abode at the 96+, even on that day a shawl  came from her parent’s home and on the day when her ashes were collected people from my Nanu’s home came to cover the place of her cremation with another shawl and showered grains on that place to thank the Lord and wished our family be prosperous and grow always: perhaps my mother from the heaven was also expecting someone of her blood to come and say last goodbye to her; this was a great gesture after 83 years my mother had lived with my father’s family: in fact her own family which she created and nurtured well.

 

Radhi nick named from Radha, my great grandfather’s daughter, sister of my grandfather whom I heard saying Radhi perhaps he had nick named her and Buaji of my father as she was called in our family, married in about 1904 became widow a year or two thereafter as her husband died in plague epidemic, re-marriage was not prevalent in those days but she adopted a boy, son of her husband’s younger brother, whose wife had died while delivering. She spent her rest of life with her in-laws bringing up her adopted son who give her love and affection of more than of a son whom we called Chachaji not modern day uncle. We visited our Buaji and Chachaji occasionally and also on happy occasions and bereavements right up to late sixties when she Buaji left for her heavenly abode: the love, affection, nearness, and belonging she showered on us can only be experienced but not explained with words. We saw the joy bubbling out of her when we visited her without notice and she used to say “Mera Mayaka Aiya Hai” – my parent’s family has come although we were fourth generation parents. That is a daughter’s relationship with her family. The relationship continued thick with the adopted son of Buaji, right up late nineties when he also left for heavenly abode; now there is natural thinning of the visits and so the relations too, but still continuing one century+ strong: but fact is fifth and further generations are totally unaware of this relationship. This relationship gave me an insight into the financial position of our own family although an inference only that my great grandfather had a good source of income as the in-laws family of Buaji was quite solid financially and socially too.

 

When I come home, my daughter will run to the door and give me a big hug, and everything that’s happened that day just melts away.

                                                                                  Hugh Jackman

 

Time is a greater healer at the same time it is a great killer also. These relations with daughters generally get snapped almost completely after the fourth generation with exceptions here and there. That is the law of nature we have to obey. In the modern era we are more individualistic, so the relations carry no weight, it is just more of a meet and greet particularly when one shift away to the foreign lands when financial and other constraints over power, the sweetness and compulsions of relations. Any way LONG LIVE OUR DAUGHTERS and their love and affection: parents would always be hungry of.

 

Daughter is a great creation of the Lord “The Absolute”. Lord Shiva was the first to create out of Himself “Shakti” to marry her again and again in various lives and to give others a chance to have daughters who married Shiva.  

 

 Sometimes difference crop up for various reasons then it very painful as if separating nails from the flesh. Persons involved suffer this pain at emotional family level and social level: lessor the said better it is.

 

This blog is devoted to the positive side of this wonderful blood relation with the daughter, sister and Buaji (father’s sister) who leave our families in the prime of their youth to create a heaven somewhere else.

Stress at 75+

 

Stress at 75+

 

Cherish all your happy moments;

they make a fine cushion for old age.        

                                                                     Booth Tarkington

 

At about 12.00 hrs at night between 28^th and 29^th May 2019, I along with my wife were woken up by a sweet known voice, “Dadu”,“Happy Birth Day”, with that stopped the snoring of my wife and she woke with a surprise, as if some bad or good dream had been broken: the sweet voice was that of my grand-daughter, the little Angel -“Devadoot” and she really is: nick named “Angel” at home: had brought a cake of the kind we oldies like and enjoy: without cream and icing and of course two birthday candles and tons of claps, hugs, love and laughter for us. We had a nice small night-in picnic for about 15-20 minutes, full of sweetness all around, it was most wonderful time, we family of six spent that night. We had not kept

any return gift for her as usual.

 

As it clocked 1200 hrs., had birthday cake cut, whole of it was consumed and no cake facial as the young people do-perhaps a western aping and also perhaps we were old enough: children very respectful and well behaved and I told now we will get Rs.4500 more pension every month as I had crossed 75 and my commutation is restored.

 

These youngsters - grand-sons and grand-daughters bring to our lives what we had not enjoyed, perhaps longed for it, somewhere in a deep dark corner of our heart.  “They make us feel, “Count not the candles…see the lights they give”. “Count not the years, but the life you live”. It is wonderful feeling to enjoy birthday may be late in the day.

 

Although we were seven, never knew what “Happy Birth Day” was. In those days this was limited to Gods, Leaders and Celebrities, no celebration at home, school or with friends: man is born only once and not every year as at present. Fact of the matter is, I came to know of my date of birth only when I was admitted in sixth standard in Sanskrit English School. It was after marriage, I came to know this concept of “Happy Birth day”. I do not know the reason, perhaps one was families were too large when we were born and a mother in her reproductive years most of the time was carrying one, so where is the reason to celebrate birth of the previous one; while waiting for the next one: this was true of almost all the families: shifted everything to the management of the next. Every year or so “Happy Birth Day”, celebrations were there in every family with a new baby every time.

 

In India, the Union Govt. has fixed sixty years as the age of superannuation, popularly known retirement, probably keeping in view that, at present age expectancy in India is about seventy years, so that a retiree lives in peace for another 10 years. In one of the bereavement rituals, I happened to attend: the Priest said a man’s average age in Satyug was 1,00,000 years-perhaps that is the reason people do not know the birth of Hindu Trinity Barhma, Vishnu and Mahesh who belong to that era: in Tratayug it was 10,000 years, in Dawaparyug it 1000 years and in Kaliyug it is 100 Years. We are passing through Kaliyug so the maximum age is 100 year people seldom go beyond that. Perhaps that is why people say:

 

After 60 every year is His grace

After 70 every month is His grace

After 75 every week is His grace

After 80 every day is His grace

After 85 every hour is His grace

After 90 every minute is His grace

After 95 every second is His grace

After 100 grace is seldom.

 

Check up your bracket where you belong to. If 75+, take care of health and your spirituality as all other things stand settled by now: do not lengthen this list by any additions unnecessarily by any emotions or relations; not  even by money: if life goes on well no need to worry: actually it is time  to spend & relish than to save and invest.

 

Health is most important - physically and emotionally. After sixty, good health is a gift of God, it serves the individual himself, his family and well-wishers and keeps his well-earned resources safely. So no letup is desirable in this respect as the life is not a problem to be solved, it is a reality to be experienced: if you do not care experience would be unhappy.

 

Genes play their own role in physical and mental health, still fitness and maintenance to large extent can be taken care of, to remain disease and stress free. Adopt a routine for exercise, yoga, morning walk, early get up, sun bath, prayer to the Lord for good health and any other thing one has been doing so far to keep good health. One does not need a teacher at this age. You are the master of your body and know more than any other person does about you.

 

Fundamentally one should remain active and pain free. Normally it is the joints that create problems. In addition, to morning walk for a minimum of half an hour or so and light exercises as much as your body can tolerate - add some massage to your routine. Massage your knee joints for 5-7 minutes daily yourself with almond, flaxseed or sesame oil and keep your feet and lower legs in warm water as warm as one can tolerate for 7-10 minutes daily. Follow this religiously that would keep one free from joint pains, active, with better blood circulation and physically relaxed: may result in delaying or eliminate the need for knee replacement surgery altogether. Warm water bath throughout the year is another magic that relaxes with good blood circulation, free and well-oiled joints and help one to remain pain free and active. Body massage with mustard oil once a week or even a fortnight is another relaxation tonic and massage with almond oil is a luxury.

 

Diet is another source to remain healthy. At any meal, always take 10-15% less than your fill, it will keep you light and give your stomach space enough to digest. What to eat or not to eat is always a question: continue to eat what you have been for so long: restrict the quantity; veg food is always easily digestible and provides essentials in a natural way without side effects: take liquids in required quantity with lesser starch, salt and sugar. Skipping food one meal a week is another health add and a magic.

 

Many of us at this age suffer from chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, asthma etc. that require daily dose of medicine: follow what the doctor says: be regular in health check-up: do not hesitate to take food supplements as at this age system is unable to churn the essentials from the food we eat. Keep your medical policies current pay premium in time. Keep cash, policies and prescriptions always handy that would enhance your confidence level and ensure speedy recovery too. Proper diet and digestion takes care of many diseases so be careful about your diet nothing in excess always less than the hunger: flow the golden rule when hair are silvery grey.

 

Physical health has a wonderful relationship with emotions, love and relationships. Food for you cooked with love, served with love, and eaten together with love is much more nourishing and digestive: every bite is enjoyable. Ensure you eat food where people love and like to serve you than where you force your entry and they serve you as a burden.

 

Relationships and emotions they are highly inter-linked aspects of life. At this stage of life 75+, grand-children have their future before them, children have their present and we the oldies and grands have the stories to tell of our past that way we are different from our children and grand-children. Present and future are always much more important than the past with results before us. Strike a balance between present, future and past for welfare of children, provide them the maximum space and wealth of your experience positively and keep the stress away and happiness all round.

 

Relationships as commonly understood do not exist at 75+, one may have sympathies but not the relationships and empathies of the youth is now thing of past: if one still has a satisfying relationship pious and sacred that is gift of the Lord and precious one: keep it safe, sound and sacred: possibly away from the eyes of criticism and also from those who may laugh at it as many do not know what is love and what is relationship.

 

The best relationship at this age 75+ is with that of your spouse, the queen one had brought in a veil and the prince that had gone on a mare back to bring that queen: keep that relation up and up keep it too, with best of intentions and cravings for love and affections. Never miss a chance to make your spouse happy, healthy and never forget to make love may not with the intensity of yesteryears; a smile, a huge, a wonderful morning kiss with hot cup of tea or coffee, a helping hand now and then is enough to keep the flame burning red-hot.

 

Many at this age feel an urge to be with brothers and sisters, do obey your urge and relive your childhood memories like the jaggery melted on a hot scratcher and eaten together before the tea utensil gives steam and brew is ready to be served, but everybody is not that lucky. Enjoy the nostalgia. There is something natural about it; perhaps the genes clock plays the trick.

 

Relationship at this age other than your own men includes all those things which give you happiness, solace and satisfaction; do perform all such activities without any hesitation. It is not the time but the quality, richness, warmth that matters to sooth your emotional senses.

 

If you have some dreams: like visiting a place: going to a friend: meeting a relative: having a meal at particular restaurant: do not keep the desire lingering, try to fulfill the desire that would give happiness whose fragrance will linger for many days may be for weeks: be stress free, make an addition to good memories list. 

 

Spirituality the way most of know is to chant the Name of Lord, is a journey which normally starts in old age, if one is lucky enough to reach there: any age is good to start so is 75+. But what is spirituality: it is really difficult to know and understand particularly at 75+. Any how it is something being concerned with the human spirit or soul. Now what is spirit or soul: it is because of what all living bodies are living otherwise they would become a dead bodies.

 

Many people think spirituality is to meet Him: Yes that is the aim of spirituality. One must have desire, stronger desire: from the core of heart: pure and purposeless just to meet Him nothing more and nothing less. One is sure to meet Him. “Jo Mange Thakur Apne Te Soyi Soyi Deve” Guru Nanak Devji meaning whatever you ask Lord gives the same to you. So if you long for his Darshana He would certainly oblige you. Thought > Plan > Action and the Lord is with you right from the initial stage of the thought, just try and you will find him sitting very near to you.

 

Spirituality is a broad concept. In general, it includes a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves, and it typically involves a search for meaning in life. It is a universal human experience. People may describe a spiritual experience as sacred or transcendent or simply a deep sense of aliveness and a connection with Him. Others may pray or find comfort in a personal relationship with God or a higher power. Still others seek meaning through their connections to nature, art, music, performance, or simply creativity in any of its dimensions etc. Like one’s sense of purpose, personal definition of spirituality may change throughout one’s life, adapting to experiences and relationships. At this age, it is very intricate to get entangled to know what spirituality is: continue to do what you have been doing so far for a connection with Him that is the real spirituality, practical, personal and authentic too.

 

One has to continue his life style as hitherto: so do what you want to do while living with family if one is fortunate to have one or allowed to live with: many lose the family when they need they most. People suggested different ways: it is for the individual concerned to choose his own way to as how to get to the Lord. However, I suggest small and insignificant things which may help an individual to be feel His blessing and if He willed may meet Him also the way He likes and one is able to appreciate and recognize his blessings.

 

Start your day with a prayer to Him; may be in the bed itself after one wakes up or as quickly as possible thereafter but definitely before the daily routine starts. Ideally according to me one should make a prayer starting, firstly remembering the Lord with all possible names seeing His image in all places one has visited in his life so far and also remembering his ancestors, loud enough to reach his own ears should not be audible to others as the prayer is between two only-You and the Lord. Remembrance sincerely done even once with name of the Lord is enough.

 

Secondly one should thank Lord as many times as possible for all what we are and in the circumstances we are. Every person gets something never expected: the windfalls. In fact, one should continue to thank Lord for every action in daily life. Like when starting to eat food, thank the Lord for the food. My grandfather used to sprinkle a drop of tea or milk on the ground whenever he took tea or milk and one day when asked he said this is for the whole universe (Bharamand) from where we are getting all these thing: I was too young to understand what he said: now I realize that Space is biggest treasure for life on this earth.

 

Then make a sincere prayer to the Lord; Pray for “Tandroosti and Trakki” (Health and advancement), “Sukh and Shanti” (Comfort and peace), “Dhan and Daulat” (Money and possessions) for yourself and for all loved ones. Experience and research shows that the prayers made for others are heard out of turn.

 

Bring positivity in your life: what positivity is: Positivity means thinking in an optimistic way, looking for solutions, expecting good results, success, and focusing and making life happier for others and yourself also. It is a happy worry-free state of mind, which looks at the bright side of circumstances. It is not a word but an action; it is perhaps easy to say but difficult to bring in: not impossible. Small amendments are required in the life style. Learn how to listen and be patient. Develop appreciation for your surroundings, environment, circumstances, your possessions, atmosphere and action by and achievements of others. Have respect for the views, ideas, opinions, problems, difficulties, issues, raised by others, take criticism appreciably, be happy and contented with what the Lord has given, always look into the intent not into the words. Always look for solution do not stick to problem: confront them head on. It is the action that brings solutions. Whenever in interaction with others always talk for the benefit of others: when it comes to wishing, wish from the core your heart, give blessing amply and as much as one can: this would make a web and aura of positivity around you and the other person also and this would increase and brighten every time you meet that person. This change will bring people with the similar attitude to you and hence happiness all-round without any stress.

Try to get absorbed in His thoughts: what does it give: how does it taste: it is difficult to absorb in His thoughts but not impossible. First learn how to absorb in your own self and how does it taste: there are so many ways to absorb in one’ own self that is the first step to absorb in Him as He lives in us all we are His fragments. The first step is whatever you do, do it from the core of your heart with full involvement and attention. Absorb yourself in all your daily activities like enjoy walking, relish your food, enjoy every sip of tea or coffee, having a massage, even taking a bath. All such activities give you the taste of peace and enjoyment for example when one eats the food he likes most, he feels inner joy which one continues to enjoy till food is there so the duration of such enjoyment is short precisely till one is occupied by that activity: but Anand the Bliss is certainly there may be for a few minutes.

Next step is to lengthen this period of enjoyment and to find out an activity that is more mental than physical as eating food has its limitations, so that we can enjoy a little more: one may say romance and music are two such activities: obviously romance needs a large and a particular type of paraphernalia to enjoy, music does not need and it has the advantage of being anywhere, anytime with anyone. So learn how to enjoy music. Be actively involved in music: listen what you like most: listen again and again not with ears but with your mind: let your thoughts move with in depth meaning of the devotional song: feel everything is being said to Him: feel His presence; feel as if you are the person addressing the God in the song; if you have started enjoying that way you have learnt how to increase the period of enjoyment and reached the next stage of enjoyment.

 

While music, song, devotional songs, ghazals are being played many would be able to enjoy: one must learn how to enjoy music when it is not being played; music without music that is the essence of enjoyment and a way to increase the period of enjoyment. Concentrate, learn and listen again and again the song you like most and you will understand the trick of enjoying music without music.

 

The test of an enjoyment is the remembrance which it leaves behind.

                                                                          JEAN PAUL RICHTER

 

When one has learnt to enjoy music without music: that is humming coming from the soul not from the vocal cords: school teach music humming comes from inner, humming involves, absorbs, sucks: then one should try to learn how to praise Lord or chant his name without making a voice. This really needs effort, inclination, positivity, emotion, feeling, love, affection, patience and practice. Not to worry, one would succeed because He wants you to succeed.

 

Whenever visiting a religious place, take His permission before entering, it is His home: feel His presence, He is sitting inside to receive you: feel as if you have come to your Father: talk to Him like any other individual: he listens: talk to Him with undivided attention and He would respond with undivided listening. He is really that near: Slowly you may develop love to like Him and so He would for you: if you have love in first sight nothing like that. One always goes to a living God; not to an idol or a book; feel his presence and benevolence that is why He has allowed you to enter His home. All religious places are full of positivity when visiting think and think only about the Lord; leave your worries at home or give all your worries to the Lord: he will take care of everything: you have come to Almighty and Omnipresent: believe Him, He will relieve you of all the worries.

 

Remember the occasions, experience and feelings, when He met you in person through a person or an incident because that is His way and not in person: had it been so somebody would enslave Him like Ravana who wanted to take Lord Shiva with him to Lanka but failed: Lord is everybody not for some one: enjoy that pleasure of meeting Him again and again. Co-incidence is His way to remain anonymous.

 

Solitude means to be alone: for those who choose it with deliberate intent, be one's sole source of genuine pleasure. Some individuals seek solitude for discovering a more meaningful existence: in religious contexts, many preferred silence and found pleasure in their perceived uniformity with God: solitude and silence are spaces inhabited by God, and ability to recover ourselves and grow in humanity. Create a vacuum in your mind: that is the pleasure: He would be the first to enter because you have made a place for Him: Learn to enjoy solitude we have to be alone ultimately may be for a short period here; but the journey to His home is always alone and lonely.

 

Meditation: thought to be panacea for all stresses and unity with the Lord and the Nature: one may believe or not, fact remains in all the Dharmas commonly confused with religion, including the Sanatan the oldest of all Dharmas: Gods, Deities, Saints, Sages, Seers have engrossed themselves with the Lord through Meditation.  Lord Shiva, the earliest of Gods as people know Him remained engrossed in Lord Supreme for Years, Centuries, Yugs together: that way perhaps Meditation is a way to enrich yourself and reach Him, feel Him, while alive.

 

What is meditation? Can a person at 75+, attain this when he is always averse to learning and full of inertia at this age. Apparently appears impossible. But fact remains, one has lot of time and lesser involvement, it is only a bent of mind that is required to be slightly tilted towards Him. Fact is learning and creativity die only when a man dies: perhaps even at that time not because they are part of your inner conscience- the soul and not that of body which dies. Hence it is possible to do meditation even at 75+ and thereafter also. Think of your youth days when you had the climax sometimes more than once a day and sometimes at odd hours too like before going to your work place. Think of those few moments when nothing was visible and nothing was felt except your partner and the click nature gave you: both were supreme; most beautiful and pleasure giving: you wanted to retain that state as long as possible and you did try and in fact everybody tries: that is the Bliss may be short lived. Can one practically repeat those moments perhaps not physically because with age everything attains age and so become feeble. But memories always remain and one can relive if he so desires: fact is everybody wants to relive: may not admit that is separate issue: relive those memories and enjoy; away from stress and amid the happiness.

 

If you want to relive those memories you have to be alone; have to concentrate; have to travel back in time. Since physical portion is eliminated so one can substitute the Lord in place of a spouse; enjoy His company: feel His touch: love Him and chances are He would also reciprocate soon; sense He is reciprocating; the pleasure solace and satisfaction would be supreme and once felt will never go: that would be bliss; that is what meditation is. It is just a glimpse movie is yet to start.

 

How to be with the Lord that is the issue. There are thousands of the ways to reach as His names are. One such way is to recognize the greatest wonder of the world that is one is alive today: one is breathing without being aware and without effort. Recognize that wonder: the day it was given to you and the day it would be taken back from you: enjoyment lies between the two so be grateful to Him and remember Him, talk to Him and live with Him.

 

"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love."              

                                                                               Marcus Aurelius

 

I am grateful for being alive today. It is my joy and pleasure to live another wonderful day.

                                                                                 Louise Hay

 

Sit alone as comfortable as possible but remain active and alert otherwise comfort is likely to induce sleep and nothing can be done in sleep. Now concentrate on the wonder of breathing, breathing alone, nothing else. Most probably one won’t be able to concentrate as the mind is the fastest vehicle that can take you to places where actually you are not and one is not willing to go and would create a storm or say would revolt as it is being forced to concentrate only on one thing that is breathing: assure mind that you would take care of all those problems later on by writing these thoughts on a piece of paper or some other way as is convenient. Bring back concentration on breathing, slowly all the thoughts in your mind would be taken care of and it would learn to leave other things. This has to be practiced till the mind becomes your servant instead of being a master during the time you sit to enjoy concentration: one has to be at peace and harmony with himself: not any easy task: nobody has attained in one sitting our Saints and Seers meditated for years together before attaining the enlightenment. So practice sincere, persistent and as long as one can.

 

To be able to concentrate for a considerable time is essential to difficult achievement.

                                                                              -Bertrand Russell

 

For he who has no tranquility there is no concentration.              

                                                                               Bhagavad Gita

 

Another way with which all of us are familiar and adopt at home for a daily prayer to the Lord is easy to understand and perhaps implement too: normally we stand before our home temple where we have kept idols of our Lord in various forms; some people also light a flame Jyoti with crystallized butter and then perform worship for a minute or so and some do it for a longer period and perform other rituals also. Everybody adopts his own pattern. This has two important indications to concentrate one is the idol of Lord other is the Flame. One can adopt whatever he likes.

 

Take a small Idol of the Lord whom you believe: have faith as reliever of all worries or light a Candle or a Jyoti, Jot popularly called by many Indians: it is considered a symbol of presence of the Lord alive. Place either of them at eye level in a calm, clean, secluded place or a room in your home. Get up early in the morning at Amritvela when nature showers Amrit-nectar all round, anytime from 03.30 hrs. to 06.00 hrs. which has the least physical disturbances also, after washing your face and mouth at least, sit in a comfortable position if possible in a lotus position, facing east that has the benign power of rising Sun or the north that has the benign power of North Pole of earth magnet and keep a pencil and paper with you. If not possible to sit in lotus position sit in any comfortable position, remain physically active and mentally alert. Look at the idol or the candle continuously with reverence as if you are sitting before the Lord. Try to concentrate on the Lord, try to throw away all other thoughts-possibility is: you would not be allowed to do, all the problems would present themselves before you at that moment. Assure every problem to be looked into a little later and jot down obstinate ones on the piece of the paper you had kept with yourself. Continue to look at the Lord, bring back the attention again and again. Try to take image of the Lord Or Jyoti to your inside your heart, mind and soul be engrossed in that as much as possible, let there be only one thought; that of the Lord with you; let every other thing remain away; it requires lot of effort and time, practice and patience. Possibility is you would succeed. It is not one time, off on process: it is a journey continuous; enjoy it as much as you can, you have to feel Him once then Bliss continuous.

 

The fundamental is all the matter is composed of five basic elements — earth, water, fire, wind and space: this is true of earth or perhaps of some other planets in the Solar System: possibility of other elements being present on other planets and stars beyond the solar system can’t be ruled out it is perhaps true as Hindu Trinity- Brahma, Vishnu & Mahesh are beyond space and time. Space is the store-house all the energy and life on this planet and the Universe: it is the most important element of creation and when we create a space empty-vacuum no problems, no issues etc., in our mind, thinking and brain; that space is occupied immediately by energies from the space where belief is Lord resides and He does. Empty your mind, thinking and experience that flow of energy-pure and benign: you would be astonished, one would never like that flow to stop - super and superb. That is what meditation.

 

As soon as foetus has functional brain energy from the space enters that vacuum because it is thoughtless, problem less and issue less so the man is born. Nobody knows at what time this process takes place that is power supreme of the space and the Lord. Power,energy never leaves a vacuum.  

 

Fact is space is largest of all the five elements and limitless: is forceful: always in action and active: formation of stars and black-hole a continuous process as science knows. It is a home to Lord, souls and all supernatural powers, as believed by humans on the earth-perhaps somewhere else also if they exist and a home to different kinds of waves and rays a fraction of which has been discovered so far by man as radio wave, micro waves,  light wave, electro magmatic wave, ultra-violet, X-rays, gamma rays etc. Space provides man the fastest medium to travel not only around the earth but to other celestial bodies too and perhaps the fastest. Space is still unexplored; man has explored only a negligible fraction what does it more contain nobody knows.

 

As for science space has equally important place in the field of spirituality: Lord in Bhagavad Gita says that science can prove, discover and invent only what He wants science to do. That way science appears to be subordinate to spirituality and it appears logical too. So create a space in your thinking, mind and brain and then see the magic.     

 

Chanting the name of the Lord to reach Him, is a practice followed by most of the Dharmas and preached by all incarnations; is also the way of worship: this may be with beads or otherwise. Why to chant that is the question. Some chant it with voice and others are voiceless: some count others do not: counting is just for personal satisfaction: you have to chant His name always: Chants are power words and voices, they emit energy: immense, pure and benign. These have been  created by Saints, seers, sages and those who were blessed with His power by spending long periods of research and tested in practice unlimited number of times all over the world. They are the gifts to the present generation and effective in the way and manner they are chanted and repeated: may help to reach Him.

 

Chant whatever Name of the Lord you like; it would be effective in as many respects as one wants, if one is fully involved, have full faith and belief that it is cure for all his ills. If that be so, they keeps us away from all the vices at least during the time one is chanting that name and if you are fully absorbed in Him not only in His name it may eliminate all thoughts from your thinking for the time being and create a vacuum of worldly thoughts in your mind that is the aim of every meditation and Samadhi even once achieved is a bliss that seldom leaves.

 

Religious chants always create positivity in all the directions and actions. Chanting has the advantage of being performed at any time, any place or in any manner without being tied in a specific pattern or rituals. Chanting can continue throughout the day with voice or without voice: that way it is better than meditation for which one has to have separate time and space.

 

Another reason when a person is called with a loud voice the voice travels a distance and if the person happens to listen normally responds: thereafter that voice becomes part of the Universe and continue to move in the space. Similarly if your voice is listened by the Lord, He would definitely respond as the Lord is Omnipresent so is the voice created by incarnations of the Lord when they came to this earth. Lord Himself is beyond space and time.

 

Chant any name of the Lord you believe in, it becomes melodious as you start repeating it. More you do chanting more melodious it becomes and more you enjoy.

 

What is the power of Lord’s name? The process of chanting the holy name of the Lord is so powerful that by this chanting even householders can very easily gain the ultimate result achieved by persons in the renounced order. 

                                                                                                              Lord Krishna

 

75 +, age =

Health and Spirituality.

Take care and be happy.