Another Year Ends.

Another year closes today.I am not specially attached to year ends, and for me nothing special is there except that a new calender is necessary.I usually buy a date calendar in Tamil language and another sheet calendar in Malayalam language.This year I have got a bank calendar already and it is duely hung.

Today being Wednesday i go to meditation and tomorrow being 1ST and a Thurseday I go for my sitting.I thik it is good enough a start.I usually watch some channel offering entertainment for the year end.The most precious of my life is gone and it was for him that I used to wait for the year end celebrations to be over past midnight.My celebration then used to be before he goes out, with fruit bowls with custard and cakes and vadas and some soft drinks.

So the year ends and one more year starts.Let there be Happiness around and less violence in this world will be my wish for today.Of resolution I usually make none, but this year I want to continue my walking which I had left for some time now. I think I will do it.

Jayamala.

Of Ceremonial Functions.

I had attended an 80TH birthday celebration of an aunt of mine recently.The son of the aunt had arranged a number of functions for this celebration.Of these the concluding day function was Bhagavat seva.Though it was called colloqually that it was actually 'Bhagavathi" seva as the invocation was for the Devi.

I liked this pooja very much as the decoration around the lamp on which Devi is invoked was superb.Of course the format followed is usually the 'Sri Chakra' figure done with Rangoli powders or kumkum and turmeric powders with flowers in abundence with a new sari wrapped around.

I see in these functions relationships getting renewed and the underlying sense of the "we" of the family.Perhaps that is what the westerners miss when family does not get recognition there.

Jayamala.

At The Height Of Fame.

I always think that at the height of fame, human being has pride.Pride of acheivement, and a sense of fullfillment and accomplishment.Somewhere only failure teaches man to be humble.Sorrow teaches man to search for meaning and poverty teaches man to work relentlessly for success.

My recent thought about 'loss' was running somewhat like this.A very great 'loss' entitles one to know the worthlessness of all possessions.Somewhere joy is lost and we are humbled.I grieve knowing well that sustenance is only a myth and all philosophy just a medicine.A deep wound heals only if one wills it.

Jayamala.

Time Marches On.

The terrorising of Mumbai is over.Politicians are discussing how to stop it recurring again.In every news channel debates are on about what, why and how such things occur.I read about a sane writing by M.J.Akbar.It did console me that sane persons are still around.

What is religion? It is faith postulated by society to enable man to follow some discipline.For discipline is a must for the social fabric.As long as this holding together of the social fabric is achieved what other purpose does religion serve? A crutch is just to hold and walk.Why so much violence because of it?I think mankind will come with some other bonding factor than religion to hold on to now.

I admire the little things people do to save another in times of crisis.I hope time will throw up something that does not hurt anyone.

Jayamala.

An Empire In Ruins.

I had been to see the Hampi ruins and the nearby Badami caves, Aihole complex of ruins recently.It was a marvellous trip and sight.The red sandstone hills around the Vijayanagar empire ruins just speak out its glory silently.

The trip was for three days and the first day was spent at Hampi.The Hoysala architecture shows its early evolution through the stones.Oh! The boulders!!!! Just beautiful.Next day it was the Badami caves and Aihole complex.Here the architecture changes as it represents Chalukya architecture.The caves are just beautiful to say the least.Each one speaks of a story.I was wondering what would have happened in those times and what marvellous leisure and life style must have prompted the creation of such wonderful structures.To say the least, I was proud to be an Indian with so much history to be proud of.

Next day the remaining part of Kishkinda and the Anjanadri hills where Hanuman was supposed to have been born was visited.605 steps and I could do it and come back by 35 minutes.I have just posted the chariot picture at Hampi and more will follow as I write here.

Jayamala.