Selfless Love : An act without expectation

Love is patient, Love is kind. But how may of us actually follow the same ? If you admire someone you will  give your best to please them. Sometimes it works out the way you have planned but often either you will be taken for granted or they you are left behind like a used doormat. Nowadays lust has replaced the word love in every other way. If I dress in something revealing with a loud make-up, yes I will be the center of attraction. Whereas if I choose to be subtle then even my own existence gets questioned. Do I really have to stoop so low just to please someone who is never going to love me back ? why do I have to let myself get exploited physically, mentally & spiritually. But not's not actually love.

They lived happily ever after. The short & sweet ending sentence for every fairy tale we have heard so far. But in real life things are a bit different. Love teaches us how to be patient, kind, being selfless etc. the bond should be so deep & strong that no storm should shake the belief & faith one has for the other. Even if you are not able to speak your partner should be able to guess your situation just by looking at your eyes. 

Moreover it's not always that you will win for what you have desire. Sometimes you have let people go. All it matter is their happiness. You burn yourself just to spread the light in their life. In my situation I have always admired each & every being who add a page of their content in my book. You can flip the pages but you can never erase what they wrote on that plain sheet of paper. 

What I have learnt so far, that love hurts, you have to sacrifice, you have to step back all just to keep others happy & safe. You can only step back & with both of your hands have to save that flame burning out, no matter how much it burns you. It's the tree laden with fruits bears the maximum stone. The rivers flows endlessly without any demand or complaint. Mother nature never failed to amaze me how patient one can be. Selfless love is a bliss.Try it life will seem more beautiful. 

Desire or just a Need

Sometime we take a pause & think about people whom we cared or still care much more then our existence. We often wish for a miracle to take away all the obstacles of our life & just like a fairy tale have a happy ending.

I wish things were that easy. There is a famous quote about friendship. A friend in "need" is a friend "indeed". "Need" ? I mean why only there has to be a need to prove friendship. I may not be available in somebody's good times but I make sure whenever they require any emotional support or if I am able to perceive they are not following the right path, I am there to help them, guide them the right path.

But nowadays as the world is becoming a competitive unit, I fail to see any individual who can think about others & doesn't carry the self-centric behavior. You are only appreciated till you are the need for the hour. Later, just like a used tissue paper you are dumped. 

"Please. help me to complete my task as the boss needs it within an hour". "Please stay over as I have my assessment tomorrow & I need to get a good grade in order to join the volley-ball team". "Please, lend me 100 dollars I need to take my girl friend for a date" etc etc. Though some of you might say, Oh ! these are just small tasks you do it for your "buddies" , But hey, I know what's going to happen next. the same set of people will deny your existence the very next moment you are through with their work. The same colleague of yours will deny your existence at the Christmas party, the same college friend would imitate you behind your back. 

Instead of being a door-mat, one needs to rise like a flower bathed in the fresh dew drops, spreading it's fragrance everywhere  & attracting the positive signs of life. Every time you can't just be a need for someone. Refrain yourself from those energy eating worms. It's good to have handful of people who really admire your skills, your behavior, who love you for who you are, who takes the initiative by sending you a short message appreciating you  & knowing about your whereabouts. Appreciate such people as they desire to have someone like you unlike others you just need you.

Gopala : Our beloved Lord

In our house we worship the infant form of Lord Krishna, also known as Bal-Gopal. We affectionately refer him as our baby Gopala ( Gopal means the one who serves the holy cows )

As per the Indian mythology it is believed,Krishna was born to Devaki and her husband, Vasudeva on  earth in the Yadava clan; a prince named Kansa (who was actually an Asura by birth) had wreaked quite a havoc. During his sister Devaki's wedding ceremony, a divine prophecy (loud voice from the sky- Akasha Vani in Samskrutam) prophesied that the 8th son of Kansa's sister Devaki would kill Kansa.
Out of affection for Devaki, Kansa did not kill her outright. He did, however, send his sister and her husband (Vasudeva) and his father King Ugrasen to prison. Lord Vishnu himself later appeared to Devaki and Vasudeva and told them that he himself would be their eighth son and kill Kansa and destroy sin in the world. In the story of Krishna, the deity is the agent of conception and also the offspring. Because of his sympathy for the earth, the almighty lord Vishnu himself descended into the womb of Devaki and was born as her son, Vaasudeva (i.e., Krishna).

Because Kansa was uncertain of which of his 8 nephews would kill him, he brutally murdered all six of the children that Devaki had already given birth to by bashing their heads in ( a horrendeous sin he was comitting). When the 8th child was born, he was the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, Lord Krishna. Vasudeva secretly carried the infant Krishna out of the prison and exchanged children with Nanda, a kinsman of Vasudeva, for his daughter. This daughter was yog maya, an incarnation of (Durga). She warned Kansa that his death had arrived in his kingdom and then disappeared. Krishna was adopted by Nanda and his wife Yasoda in Gokula

(in present-day Mathura district). Two of his other siblings also survived, Balarama (Devaki's seventh child, miraculously transferred to the womb of Rohini, Vasudeva's first wife) and Subhadra (daughter of Vasudeva and Rohini, born much later than Balarama and Krishna).



That auspicious day is celebrated as  Krishna's every year by Hindus & by the followers scattered world wide on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the month of Shraavana in the Hindu calendar.


Ever since I was a toddler, most of my time was spent in playing with idols of the divine. I have been celebrating Janamasthami for a long time. the first Janamasthami ritual was completed by me when I was 4 years old.



The current idol of our baby Gopala is 5 years old.I have painted his facial features & all the shringar ( decor) of the Lord is done by me everyday. This year too we celebrated his grand day with our family members on the auspicious day known as Janamasthami. I will share some of the pictures clicked by me ( though it's not easy to click often as you are the sole person to arrange the things & also perform the rituals ). In this blog I will just post the pictures of the celebration. This is just an attempt to share my love & care for our beloved Lord with all of you. Keep following & sharing. 

Initial preparation of the auspicious event: The decorated cradle of our baby Gopala & the holy pitcher kept for abhishekam

                                                                     


Vastra, Abhushana, Itra, Chandana : The pearl embedded cloth of the Lord, Jewellery in form of long necklace, earrings, jodhouri-haar , crown adorned with peacock feathers, perfume & Sandalwood paste

There he is: Our baby Gopala all ready for his midnight bath

Nand ke ghar anand bhayo jai kanhaiya laal ki: And after the Maha-Abhishek at midnight, the Lord is adorned with the clothes, ornaments, smeared with sandalwood paste, adorned with scented flowers like rose, jasmine along with his favorite lotus. We offered him delicacies & after singing his praises & offering the arrti we rock the cradle & finish our fast by taking the charanamrita.

  

The Chase

After biding goodbye to her friend she sunk back in the chair with a deep breath. She was staring at the empty blue sky. The hustle & bustle of the cafe didn't bothered her. She likes to live in solitude, though she did tried to open up with few of her colleagues & school friends but turns out it was a bad idea. Each time she thought she has find the perfect person to share her thought, turns out they used to mock her & pretended to empathise.

She gave everything to keep people happy & was there to support them emotionally. The only thing she desired was to receive the same amount of affection. Gradually she started to realise she was just meant to suffer the denials from her "loved ones". 

Today at the cafe she met her old colleague. At first her colleague was chatting with his own group, later when he realised she was about to leave, he dropped in to say hello. She was delighted to see her mate after a long time but later when she saw some of her other "friends" sitting in that group trying to hide themselves away from her sight, her smile disappeared for a second. The people whom she used to introduced as her loved ones to others denied to even pass a smile. She pretended as if she never saw them & started chatting with her mate. He stated due to his busy schedule he was not able to prioritise things & failed to keep in touch with her. With a smile on her face she accepted his facts & requested him to be in touch. By that time, the group was about to leave. She grabbed the book & pretended she was reading. She was merged in her own thoughts. 

That day she realised what a fool she was wasting her time for people who never appreciated her presence & only bothered to speak to her till she was needed. She was sick & tired of chasing people. She was tired to chase for the affection she was expecting from the wrong people.

All these years the imaginary expectations she had from the wrong sets of people was going to end. She realised that even if you sell your soul for someone you still will be disappointed. 

People who really care & love someone will always schedule theit time for you. For them the priority will be you no matter what the situation is. So gather yourself & stop chasing for things which are ungrateful & demonic. Don't let them suck out your positivity. Pray for everyone but never commit yourself with an imaginary relation. At the right time the right thing will happen & the right person will chase you for your love.

Fate

With the tears in her eyes she silently stood there on the threshold watching the sun go down the hill. The sky was getting dark but still one or two stars were twinkling with all their might to remove the darkness. She checked her phone again by going through the chat history. It was like a daily ritual for her to check her phone every now & then hoping to feel the warmth of love & care she has been missing since a decade.

The amount of time she has stayed late just for the sake of  getting a revert from her loved ones which ofcourse was in vain, started to reflect in form of bags developing under her eyes. Due to such behaviors she was termed as a lunatic, whore & other unpleasant adjectives coined by her "loved" ones.

Most of her contacts in her contact lists were so self-centered that not a single hello was received as a chat initiated by others.

Today she was mocked by some of the known faces who stated that people like her suffer, get exploited  & are not destined to have anyone in their life. Though she was shattered to hear such heart wrenching curses but with a smile on her face she relied "People like me don't even have a destiny ". 

Attachment or Desire

It's been along time since I have posted a new post. It's just I get drowned in the thoughts so much that I almost used to go to sleep :p Thinking about the same thing over & over again will just exhaust you mentally & physically.

Today after a deep thinking & after going through some good articles I was able to conclude a thing. That thing is whenever we like someone or something we leave a part of us in that thing. That's the reason you keep on thinking about it. And as that old saying goes, Let the thing go free, if it comes back it's yours ( Though someone may say nobody wanted it that's why it came back.....just kidding) 

I have experienced the same in  my life. And the worst part is no matter how much you are surrounded by the crowd, the person whom you barely know will be able to get the clue that something is wrong.

As for now I won't preach much as now I am all calmed down as I was having my favorite snack :p I will be back some other day with a new experience to share with all of you, till then keep smiling :) 

Inner Bliss

Woke up from a beautiful dream.So pure & enchanting feeling it was. Don't know, but was embraced by someone. I am not sure who it was but the way I was enveloped simply relieved me from all the worries, pain etc from my mind & heart. It was such a warm feeling that I have never experienced except when I sit on the banks of Ganges.  

After that warm feeling I discovered a new song which I have been playing since morning. It's true when you connect yourself with the universe, your questions are answered or you are provided with a comfortable blanket which envelopes you with love & care.

I acknowledged a wise quote long ago which stated " Whenever we cry, afterwards we feel asleep, this is the Almighty's way to comfort an individual" ( & I am not looking for any scientific reasons for this ). I agree with this statement. If we are conscious & connect ourselves with the nature/universe definitely we feel comfortable. Let me share my example, We traveled to a hill station three years ago. For me, it was like a decade I have been to hills. Anyways, we reached our destination & boy I was glad to see the view. Our camp was located in between the slope of the hills, just like a terrace farm. The weather was calm & cool. Birds were chirping, no noise of the traffic or any other sounds made by human interventions. The whole day we had some hiking activities. In the night, everyone was exhausted. It was a full moon day. After having the dinner I sneaked out from the group chat & placed myself on a rock facing the nature. Trust me I have never experienced this kind of solitude. I was about to go in a trance when I heard footsteps of someone. 

I wanted to share this feeling with all of you. Trust me the moment we make peace with yourself & surrender your though on whom you believe, everything will be taken care of. 
Most important you don't have to rely on someone or something other then yourself & the divinity. 
Just share the bliss with others for a meaningful & peaceful life.

Ignorance : A Bliss or an Excuse ?

Last two days went in a normal mode. Hence, didn't blogged though was annoyed with one of the creature I know who as usual was displaying his self-centered values. Hence, I was annoyed & it was quite late so just posted a status on one of the social application just to vent out my feelings.

I discussed with some of my near & dears that how can we overcome this feeling of annoyance. How can we manage to overcome our anger, anxiety & all ?

In a very philosophical way  they answered, just IGNORE. Yeah, like it's so easy. At my workplace when someone dear to be used to say something rude I used to feel low. When I discussed the same with my manager, he chose to take the safe path simply asking me to ignore, instead of having a counselling session & getting things sorted with the other person.

I fail to understand what kind of joy a person feels by hurting others, creating obstacles in someone's life, defaming others etc ? 

Rarely, I have seen an individual speaking something good about others. Today I visited a temple, along with me there were couple of more devotees waiting for the ceremony to start. It was like a foundation day of the temple today, hence a small ceremony was organised & a small feast was arranged for the evening. 

As it was a normal weekday the  percentage of devotees were less. Moreover, most of them promised to turn up in the evening for the feast( as usual ). The ceremony was on it's final stage when I suggested we should pray for everyone's well being & prosperity. To my utter surprise a devotee sitting next to me stated, nowadays no one follows it. Why should we be so humble ? I just smiled & ignored the statement & with all my faith on my Almighty I was able to complete the ceremony. Indeed I was relaxed & helped the other members to take the prasadam (  offerings graced by the Almighty, offered by vedic mantras & rituals ).

This is the kind of IGNORANCE I was looking for. It's not like I have got the enlightenment for the same but to an extent was able to implement it.

Ignorance in this case was rightful. I still need to implement the same in my other phases of life. Let's see how easy it will be for me to implement it. Though I try to deal with the situation rather follow the policy of ignorance everytime. As per my conclusion ignorance can be offered to a specific person with whom you don't want to be in touch at any cost. There are certain pricks in your life whom you yourself have to deal by plucking them out & ignoring their behavior towards you. Only the almighty can help them to have a fruitful life. 

One should learn to investigate, be a dealer because ignorance is not a bliss everytime.

If you have face been through the same situation or are facing it, please share with me. 

Express, Listen & Care

Nowadays we are addicted to the social applications. So do I. When I login to one of the application I see people posting things which make them happy, sad, angry etc, in short all kinds of emotions.

Even the social media has an option to determine how one feels ( as if we won't get the clue by their post ). Anyways I was going through some of the posts. I like to observe things. Some of the post were related to a particular incident where a person expresses the joy he/she has experienced on an occasion. Some expresses the feeling of betrayal, some were quotes as a short message for a specific person on how they made them feel or so. I observed if someone used to ask them why they are feeling so ( specially in case it's a sad post), the person used to deny that feeling simply stating it's just a "post".
I am not a psychiatrist, but I can clearly conclude through my experience that when a person feel low either they confine the things within themself or at times vent it through a social media, penning it down in a diary etc. The message can be in form of a quote, a short paragraph etc. ( if we talk about the virtual world ).

If I talk about my own experience. yes I have the tendency to sometimes gulp things down & sometimes I am like lets search a quote for that. But not only I express myself I also try to share the message in such a way so that people can relate to it & can overcome the same.
As usual it gets acknowledged by the people who know me & can empathise.You know what helps me to calm down is the feeling that it has been vented out.
But one needs to be careful from being to expressive on the wrong platform . Nowadays we have so many ways to blog/vlog our emotions but one needs to be wise while sharing. We live in a world where the percentage of people who actually "empathise" with your feelings are less as compared to the audience who are available in plenty.
Being expressive is fine but one needs to be wise with whom it's shared. Sometime people might take an advantage of your weakness. I have often heard that one needs to be strong a be determined, which is fine but, an individual who has a kind heart in this cruel world is the bravest of all. Often people judge others & place their verdict by simply stating one can confine it's feeling, there is no room for drama. I beg to differ from them as everyone has the right to express their feelings but it needs to be appropriate, wise & soulful.
When you get the message, understand it, show the interest, involve yourself by responding , neutralise your feeling. Trust me it will make you as well as the messenger happy or satisfied to some extent. 
Deep inside I do feel everyone has the right to express, an ear who listens ( might be a human or the omnipresent Almighty), be loved.
It's really easy to sympathise but quite difficult to walk in their shoes & walk a mile.

Exist while survive

Back after a long pause. Everyday I used to think that today I will mention the current scenario on the blog. Later, I used to be so low with energy & as I was going through some personal issues that I used to re-scheduled the things for the other day.
I tried to keep this blog anonymous so that I can vent out things without the readers knowing me. On a second thought I was like, how does it matter even if my details appears as a blogger. Hence, I switched back to the normal mode.
Once I was going through my contact available in my phone & was checking the status updated by them on a social chat application. Some status related to happiness, some were not so chirpy, people displayed their friend's picture in order to honour them on their big day like " Birthday" or "Wedding" etc.
Somehow I felt a bit low. Why ? Because in my entire life not a single person dedicated anything for me. Yet it didn't changed my behaviour for that person. Once I was unwell, one of my dear friend insisted for a birthday treat. I requested the person to wait for sometime & if possible accompany me to the doctor. Next day as usual the person failed to show up. I lost my cool. The same day we had an argument over the phone & separated our ways forever. Though I did forgive the person the other day but till date I never heard from that person. Once I was having a chat with one of my friend where I  asked why people fail to show up or never make an attempt to keep in touch with you. My friend in a simple way stated " You make the first attempt, don't wait for other". To an extent it was a sane thing to do but  practically it's just insane. I always have a bad experience with people specially making them stay in my life.

I have always prayed for their prosperity, wished to be together, fight all the odds, accept each other the way we are but alas things used to turn ugly.

I am different from others. I may not be available in their happy times but has always tried to catch them or support then whenever things are not in their favour. The only time you are remembered when there is a financial crisis or they are looking for some pleasures.

In the end, you surround yourself with darkness. Late night you are trying to get in touch with someone with whom you can vent things out but you somehow manage not to loose your dignity & just like the  day light of the next day you promise to vanquish the darkness of your life & fight back.
And it's true, you are born alone, you will die alone. No one can love you more then you yourself. We are a traveller. The things which will remain with you are honesty, ethics, morals, innocence etc. I have always noticed that if I smile & talk to an unknown person, the other respond in the same way. This is what I like the most. I will share some more of my experience in my next post.

I know this post seems to be a bit gloomy & for the meantime through one of the page of my life I have made a paper boat which will sail through this virtual river & will be shared by the readers all over the world.

Day 2 & 3 :Life is a celebration

Yes, I am guilty I didn't blog yesterday. We have a nine day celebration where we fast ( we don't consume any grains etc only survive on fruits & juice). 
I just uploaded some pictures on a social media regarding the celebrations that takes place in my home & how it feels when we indulge in spiritual acts & sacrifice ourself to the dear Almighty. 
Yes, I will share a picture with all of you. For the meantime I will end this blog & promise to be with you tomorrow. If you want you can suggest me any topic where I can also share my views on it.
Stay blessed :) keep smiling :) 

Life & Expectation

Back after a long time. Everyday I used to think today I will write a post or so but the thoughts used to remain confine in the mind. Everyone wants to be happy, loved & taken care of. But when you realise you yourself  are the source of happiness all these expectations take a back seat. In the ancient scriptures it's mentioned, whatever you do, don't expect, & it's true. Expectation does kills. In my life I always cared for my near & dears, but the things which I did wrong was, expected from wrong people, the thinking that if I do good people will behave in the same. That thinking used to make me feel weak.Today I am at a position where I trust myself but still care for others. I know what you are thinking it's a life of solitude but I would say it's all about being wise. Anyways, today I have started the blog & have promised myself everyday I will share my views of  life with you all. Till then keep smiling & stay blessed.

Rituals : Boon, Business or Hypocrisy

A temple/Shrine is a house of the Almighty!!
Nowadays, my heart aches when I just see devotees carrying huge baskets of offerings, chanting the holy names but fail to implement the things mentioned in our scriptures !!!
The best business men nowadays are the priests, only some actually care, rest are just lunatics !! 
Chanting Mantras, terrifying devotees stating your Shani is heavy, mangal is heavy & asking them for huge donations to resolve the issues (though that never gets settled) Eventually the nature does the trick !!!
The worst part is the way they maintain the deities, Bombarding heavy jewelries, stacks of chunri( Red cloth adorned with golden borders), sarees garlands , even fruit garlands. Just try to lay these things on a human, the person would suffocate to death.
The idol is made up of life-less things that's what makes them think to do such shameful acts.
It's not mandatory to have 108 things arranged for worship but in mind one is just cursing other, praying for other's illness, lust etc won't be of any good.
The Almighty is innocent, sweet, adorable. they just carve for true love & devotion. And trust me friends, when you love someone compassionately, knowing no rules, scriptures etc will still lead you to the Lord, the desireless actions which you would perform will be accepted by the almighty.
The only priest who used to cr while doing the aarti was Shree Ramkrsihna Paramhansa who loved Mother Goddess Kali like anything. He used to play, sing, eat food with the Mother Goddess & it was believed that Mother Goddess only use to eat the bhog offered by him. The locals called him mad, but once when Ramakrishna Parmhansa was irate he hit the idol with a sharp object. Immediately blood started flowing from the idol & then & theer people came to know about RamaKrishna's divine interventions were true.

Though, I was not fortunate enough to be born in that era but my heart aches when I see such Kaliyuga dark practices prevailing these days.

Let me tell you an incident which was witnessed by my family.
It was the sixth auspicious day of Chaitra(spring) navratra,  when my dad, mum & younger sister went to pay their obeisance to the mother Goddess Kali. By the time they reached the shrine the door was closed, as it was the time when the goddess is fed in the non & is put to rest ( just like an afternoon nap). Dissapointed, when they were about to leave, the priest opened the door stating " Mayer Dorshon Korben ? ( Want to see the mother goddess ? ) My family was amazed to see the priest gesture, as once the gate is closed it's not open till it's time for the evening aarti. Anyway they all prayed & thanked the priest for the same, the priest tied the holy thread on their hands ( a symbol of protection from evil spirits). When mum tried to offer him some Dakshina( money), he simply refused, that shocked them more,as normally they take & some even demand for more. Still, mum requested him to keep it as a token of love & respect. As they were about to leave he shouted " Tomra Bhog Khabe na ? " ( Won't you eat the Prasshad, food offered to the God/Goddess) They all had Khichuri & thanked the priest for his humble behavior & hospitality. A rare but an enchanting inccident. 
All these things happened in just one day, the same auspicious days of navratra where most of the temples in northern India are filled with devotees, where the priests are either busy entertaining their high-profile clients or are busy hunting the offering baskets. Shameful, I would say.

Moreover some devotees I tell you, I happen to visit Isckon temple on sunday, As it was time for the afternoon aarti we gathered in front of the Lord, A middle-aged lady out of nowhere very abusively stated " Hare Krishna HAre Krishna hatiye hatye" ( Hare Krishna Hare Krishna move) I was like maybe she is looking for something but no she anted to stand first in the row. I was like there is no need to shout mam, please stand here. And the fun begins when the priest throws the flower/garlands so that devotees can bless themselves & keep it with them. All respect, discipline goes down the drain. I simply laugh & help only the poor old aged people who are there just to get a glimpse.

I am religious, but I don't follow any specific rules, scriptures etc. Have plenty of scriptures which I read during the grand Durga-puja, Lakshmi puja but doesn't make them mandatory for my family members. 
At the end of the puja, I request my members to just grab a flower dipped in sandalwood paste( after all the Lord needs the be serve the best as I love them ) & request them to pray & offer their obeisance. 

By this blog, I just want to make the virtual readers aware that, no matter what happens don't fall for superstitions, just keep your faith on the lord. As they will be with you forever. If you make elaborate arrangements for your love that's fine but even a leaf, lighted wick( diya), water, Incense stick & bhog ( Lord's food :  fruit, home cooked dishes avoiding garlic & onion) is sufficient to please the lord. And most important  sanity, if you ever visit Kalkaji temple you will be petrified to see it's situation. Outside it's filled with  garbage & who is responsible for that ? Devotees throwing plastics, garlands, foods etc etc. Why don't they understand they are littering the Almighty's house. Simply donating 1001 rupees & coming back to your own house after doing all the mess, that won't earn you any good fruits.

I wanted to pen down many incidents but for the meantime lets keep it short.

Almighty is omnipresent, try to feel them & offer your true love & devotion for them.

Living "Life"

It may not be a path full of roses, it may seems like the clods are getting darker, your loved ones may turn their backs for you, when all the doors are closed there is only one who will always be with you no matter what happens. The Almighty who has been watching you & is always there to bestow it's mercy on you !! 

No matter what you do there will be some mortals whom you can't please, no matter how much you have given !! Don't crush your self-respect, you are strong, you are the power, no need to be diplomatic !!! Be vocal when things go wrong !!! No need to be diplomatic no matter what the world says you to be. Love yourself first & then seek for love. Try to seek love from the Almighty, as the Love received is pure, innocent & is specially for you. 

I know you might have heard these before but trust me this is something which I have personally experienced. I have loved each & every individual in my life & expected people to be happy with the same, but you know that saying, do your work(Karma) but don't expect the fruits, same goes for Love. Love but don't expect. All we need is patient listening from our loved & dear ones. A warm hug, A shoulder to cry & the eyes which can read your state of mind. 

Try not to throw dirt on others but bloom yourself so that the fragrance can disperse all over the world & snubs down the negativity. Remember, a lotus blooms in a swamp . You don't need to compete wit others. the competition is with yourself. You need to groom yourself everyday. the Almighty is the creator, you are the creation. the Almighty need to mold you into a precious Vessel. The Almighty might remove you from your comfort zone, stroke you to give you beautiful patterns, mold you into a beautiful clay pot just like a pot-maker do, so that you can proudly & divinely bear he love which the Almighty bestows, so that you can also serve the unfortunates & serve them. 
Yes, you have to  be positive, don' think bad for anyone, because you know the saying what goes around, comes around. Greet people with a smile. place you smile on others & trust me it changes the atmosphere. Never stop learning. Try to learn from everyone but positive things only. things will knock you down but surely you will get up everytime with more strength & confidence.

It's your journey, you only know how many milestones you have crossed with your sore, paining feet. No one will feel the pain for you. 
Love everyone, but expect none, change for positive not for diplomacy.
In the end we all know that We don't need a PERFECT life, all we need is a HAPPY life.

Life -a rose or a thorn ?

Another day ends. As I pass thorough the streets towards my place I noticed a small rose sapling uprooted from somewhere & thrown on the road. I picked it up & took it with me. after reaching my place I planted the sapling in small earthen pot. In the morning I watered the sapling though it was a bit crushed & had few leaves left still I was determined that it would survive. Everyday before leaving for work I used to talk to the plant just to give it a moral support. I don't know but that small act became a routine for me. I used to say "Hey buddy, You look better today. I love you. You have to live for me & for my love. You are the bravest of all". And finally the small sapling started to grow & sprouted small leaves. I was so excited that I almost cried. Tears of joy I would say & after couple of months it beared it's first bud. And finally it bloomed. I was on the seventh sky as I was eagerly waited for this day. You know why I am so attached with the plant ? It reminds me of my own life. Crushed, Shattered, Betrayed, Mocked. But still I move on. I have to bloom & bear the fruits so that I can be helpful for someone. Life is not only about satisfying our own greed. We need to be helpful as bringing a smile on others will bring internal peace to yourself. I have learnt that no matter how hard the path is, no matter who leaves you in the middle of the journey & no matter how much sacrifices you have to make in order to reach the paradise where the Lord awaits for you. Speak kind words, help those in needs, spread love &  peace. There will be good days & bad days but the only thing which needs to be constant is our faith & ethics. A rose never blooms alone, though it has thorns on it's stem but the fragrance fills the ambiance with a heavenly feeling. To get the rose one has to feel the pain of the thorn.

The unfortunate MOTHER

Again the eyes were wet today. No matter how much she tries to stop herself not to think about the past but still she breaks down & cry her heart out in silence. The word "Mother" can be defined & quoted in infinite ways. For a woman the stage of Motherhood is very crucial & enchanting. For nine months she hold a life within her & with bone breaking pain she gives birth to her child. The nine months time is crucial for the mother. She has to eat healthy, carry the weight all over & has to stay positive. And all these things are arranged by the father who takes care of the mother & fulfills the promises & the vows which he took on the wedding day. But life is not easy for a woman who has no one in her life, who has been abandoned & moreover has lost her baby during an accident while she was 4 months pregnant. All hopes & dreams came crashing through when Roxy was informed that her baby is no more. She was shattered. She tries to feel the baby bump which is not their anymore. Tears started trickling down from her eyes. When she was discharged from the hospital she straight away went to the church & with tears in her eyes she started arguing with the Lord. " I never complained when I was deprived of love from my parents, I never complained when my friends betrayed me, I never complained when my marriage broke, But today I need an explanation why you took away my baby? You knew that to be a mother was the only good news I ever had in my life but still you didn't felt sorry for me & decided to take away my happiness. I wanted to feel the soft heart beat of my baby, I wanted my baby to hold my hand through it's little fingers. I wanted to see my baby taking it's first step & referring me as Mommy. I wanted to feel the joy of giving birth. But that pain has been substituted by some other pain which can never be healed."  saying this she left the church & from that day onwards Roxy's life changed. She was not the same person again. Just like a robot she managed her  things & feelings. But deep inside she still is tender & caring. She loves going to the park, not because she loves the bright beautiful day, it's because of the kids & family coming there. She loves to see babies been carried by their parents, some of the toddlers are playing with their parents & are throwing their tantrums. She places herself on the park bench & tries to get a glimpse of the toddlers around. She hids her eyes with big sun-glasses so that no one notices the tears once she gets nostalgic. After an hour she leaves the park & visits the church where she speaks to her Lord, the only companion whom she had all through her life & prays for a bright future for all the kids out there.

UNSPOKEN WORDS

It was near evening time when I went to the terrace to water the flower pots. I went to the terrace with my coffee mug & opened the gate. After watering the flower pots I decided to relax & enjoy the coffee. The winter evenings are a bit soothing for me. And whenever I am alone I get drowned in my thoughts & get nostalgic. Sometimes I do wish that someone can get to know what I want to convey or why I am acting so strange ? Some people have the tendency to judge others by their looks, verbal speech, behavior etc. No matter how good you do for them they will still be ungrateful. There has been many instances in my life where I was like that's it I am not going to be nice to them & will take revenge but the very next moment I put on the radio & listens to a song which makes me remember the happy old times just flushes the anger away & the very next moment I am weeping like a toddler. One does feels low when things  are not in your favor, when people creates a false perception on their mind against you, when you have thousands of contacts in your phone-book but still no one calls or text to know whether you are alive or not. Yes, I have been through various instances of life where I have been shattered, exploited, betrayed & crushed. I had some people who promised to be in my happy & sad moments but to be honest I fail to remember any of them who fulfilled their promises. Once I had a face to face conversation with them they said that you are too emotional & sometimes you yourself don't take the first step to communicate. Indeed I was shocked. I was like if I don't go around mocking people, if I don't go to disco & party like them that doesn't mean I don't like to be with you. I never asked you to change for me then why do I need to follow the clauses to be you "FRIEND". When you wanted your needs to be fulfilled I did my best but when I just needed a shoulder to cry why did you ran away ? It's been quite some time sine I have been in touch with anyone. Rarely I go one the social site & upload any status. But still till date I remember each &

every individual in my prayer. I pray for their well-being, those who betrayed me I pray to the Lord to make them wise. with a deep breath I try to come out of the nostalgic feeling & try to get a glimpse of the street from my terrace. Lods of people roaming around. I see a group of people chatting, laughing, sharing hi5 to each other  in a cafe coffee shop. It brings a light smile on my face & suddenly a tear trickles down from my left eye. I turned my face away & looked up at the evening where the North star was visible now. It was the only star visible at that point of time but later on it will be accompanied with the other twinkles as the night will grow on. With the same feeling & hope I close my eyes & wish that someday there will be good times & there will be an individual whom you don't have to explain anything, that person will be able to acknowledge your pain & sorrows through your eyes itself. strange but true ....

Being a LOTUS

Time & situation won't be the same as before neither will people...It's true that nothing will stay for long but life has taught me a very good thing...Whatever be the situation, no matter how rudely people behave or they take for granted just remember you don't have to justify your position because true people will never ask for any justification & will always be with you..Even if you walk alone, just walk, if you want to sit down & cry you can cry, want to sing then just sing or dance as if no one is watching you, Just never lose your charm & morals. Because that whats makes you unique. And just remember no matter who you are, wherever you are, no mater how worse the situation is just remember the Almighty, have faith & be yourself. Try to sympathise, empathise & most important try to bring a smile on others face. For me happiness is not limited to iphone, tablet, bid mansons, gold etc. When a baby hold your finger, when you see the sun rise, when you smell a flower, when you soak your feets in the river, when you play with your pet, when you silently talk to the Lord,  when you enjoy a family dinner, when you see your kid walk for the first time, the joy a kid feels when he/she sees his/her daddy back from the army, they joy of being a mother/father.......all these feelings are just priceless.... I know sometimes it's not at ll easy to stay strong all the time & just fake a smile behind those tears. Sit down, talk to the Lord, tell the Lord about your sorrows, cry, ask for forgiveness. Trust me you will feel a bit light. Your tears can only be valued by the Lord or by someone whom Lord has saved for you.... And no matter what happens don't lose your fragrance . Remember a lotus only blooms in a swamp.....

Shakha & Pola ( Conch Bangle)

Shakha & Pola ( Auspicious Conch Jewellery) : Bengali wedding special:

Shakha & Pola are pairs of conch shell specially Shakha the white bangle is made of conch shell, crafted & polished out of conch. Shakha & Pola are a symbol of a married woman. This custom is most popular in eastern part of India.
In west bengal according to the bengali culture the Shakha & pola has a great significance. Before the actual bengali marriage day in the wee hours of very day, married women perform ritual called Dodhi Mangal in which they soak bangles made with shells in turmeric mixed water. Seven married women put shankha pola into bride’s hands. It symbolizes as seven forms of Goddess. According to the folk stories it is believed that this shankha pola custom belongs to poor fishermen because they can’t afford expensive jewelries. The bride has to wear Pola between Shankha or iron metal bangles. It is said that the iron bangle provides firmity to the relation & helps to balance the positive & negative power.

According to me this custom is another golden page of a married life. Shakha & pola are nature's blessing to the married woman. It's a naturally made shell just needs to be carved with care & patience. The Shakha though seems to be firm may get brittle if handled carelessly. Similarly in a married life the bride needs to make sure that she fulfils her responsibility without losing her charm, sensitivity & morals accompanied with auspicious thinking.
It's not mere a decor item but it's a proud for a married woman.
Traditionally whenever a married woman applied vermilion/sindur on her forehead as a symbol of being married she also applies a little vermillion on the left shakha.
Though nowadays Shakha & pola are quite expensive & not that cheap as it was before but still this wonderful tradition goes on without any hindrance.

Shubho Drishti

Bengali Wedding Special:

SHUBO DRISHTI: (Auspicious sight)

In bengali before the bride & the groom are allowed to see each other, a ritual is followed called Shubo Drishti. The bride holds a pair of betel leaf in front of her eyes. Once the priest who conducts the marriage allows them to see each other the bride removes the betel leaf & the first sight fells upon her groom. they both are supposed to stare for a couple of seconds. this ritual is accompanied by the auspicious "Ullur" & by blowing the conch shell by the audience. According to me this ritual is very auspicious & is the first step of the new journey. This ritual shows that when both the souls will be united they will only care , love & respect each other. The first glance of their respective partners indeed germinates the seed of love & gradually along with the rituals it gets developed & through the trust, care & respect the love will be nurtured in the future !!