SENIORS: Care for them

Every living being needs food.. Your aged parents are alive and therefore, they too need it. . But that is not the only thing, they need; They need your love, affection, care and consideration .These are not very expensive. Nor time consuming . Just a casual 'bye dad, eat in time ', while you leave for your office-. you have made his day ! Say a few words about your work or politics or traffic jam, sitting close to his bed. - you have offered a sound sleep for him. How effortless it is, to make the elders happy! My father, after a hard day's work, used to go to his mom, arrange her bed,( though my mom would have already done it) and exchange a few words on topic of interest for her... 'Why is he furnishing an income and expenditure statement?" My mother used to wonder." She should know how much money I make; I am aware of the sleepless nights, she spent worrying about my future ", he would reply.

" Wear your belt, properly, dad.'' My daughter.

" Insert shirt uniformly, dad ?' My daughter in law.

Who bothers if an old man's waist belt skips a few loops or his shirt- folds sink an inch hear and there ? But such alertness of the children and anxiety to see I go out well dressed, give me contentment . While doing pradakshinam in the Guruvayaoorappan temple some time ago, my sister who accompanied me, noticed that the jarigai borders of my veshti were unaligned and admonished me , "anna, you don't even know to wear a veshti correctly." Though she was not far away from truth, I chided her for diverting her attention from the God to my cloth
Later, when I moved away from the magnetic field of attraction of the Divinity, I felt pride in my sister's consideration for me . And that is how the old minds work!

More than food, clothing and shelter, what the elders need is the feeling that they are useful, they are needed, they are not an unwanted appendix for us. The depression created by the feeling that they have no role to play in anyone's life, might even lead to suicide or wander astray, away from home. To avoid that, they have to be entrusted with some small work, which you consider, are easy and safe for them to handle. "

" Appa , please count these notes and give me the figure." You know already the value, but still give him an opportunity to count the currency you have earned. 'amma, keep my food ready, I might come back early today " You repeat the instruction already given to your wife and it is she who is going to keep the food ready. But your demand from your mom excites her; she enjoy musing your young days when you used to go home running from the school shouting, 'Amma, pasikkarathu, I am hungry"

My wife used to consult my mother every morning, 'amma, what to cook today?". The old lady would suggest some menu, the younger one might or might not go by that, the elder one never used to ask for an explanation for the change and in case there were a query, a pleasing answer would have been there.

There is a charm and challenge in raising your children. It is a much easier task to handle the elders.
And of course, elders too should treat the younger ones with affection They should deserve what they desire .

Few points for old/retired people.
(1) Never give opinion to your wards regarding buying house,dress, furniture etc. for they know very well how to manage the show...
Yes! Unless asked .
(2) If possible teach your grand children few Shlok on Lord Vinaayak, Goddess Saraswaeei etc.,.  ...only gently teach them and never force them.
(3) Volunteerly ask son, daughter-in-law whether they require any assistance in attending domestic chores..... mostly they would not like to take help from you. Even we can offer them any financial assistance if we have sufficient bank balance.
(4) Never ask them to buy you any items other than medicines.
(5) Unless asked never bring in topics like your schooling, how you struggled o bring them and all. AND never ask about their salary, bank balance liability etc.
(6) If we old people keep silence and stop asking anything from our children, they will love you.

( taken from a group as I thought to bring it your notice )

 

LORD GANESH

108 Names Of Lord Ganesha

No. Name Meaning
1 Akhurath One who has Mouse as His Charioteer
2 Alampata Ever Eternal Lord
3 Amit Incomparable Lord
4 Anantachidrupamayam Infinite and Consciousness Personified
5 Avaneesh Lord of the whole World
6 Avighna Remover of Obstacles
7 Balaganapati Beloved and Lovable Child
8 Bhalchandra Moon-Crested Lord
9 Bheema Huge and Gigantic
10 Bhupati Lord of the Gods
11 Bhuvanpati God of the Gods
12 Buddhinath God of Wisdom
13 Buddhipriya Knowledge Bestower
14 Buddhividhata God of Knowledge
15 Chaturbhuj One who has Four Arms
16 Devadeva Lord of All Lords
17 Devantakanashakarin Destroyer of Evils and Asuras
18 Devavrata One who accepts all Penances
19 Devendrashika Protector of All Gods
20 Dharmik One who gives Charity
21 Dhoomravarna Smoke-Hued Lord
22 Durja Invincible Lord
23 Dvaimatura One who has two Mothers
24 Ekaakshara He of the Single Syllable
25 Ekadanta Single-Tusked Lord
26 Ekadrishta Single-Tusked Lord
27 Eshanputra Lord Shiva's Son
28 Gadadhara One who has The Mace as His Weapon
29 Gajakarna One who has Eyes like an Elephant
30 Gajanana Elephant-Faced Lord
31 Gajananeti Elephant-Faced Lord
32 Gajavakra Trunk of The Elephant
33 Gajavaktra One who has Mouth like an Elephant
34 Ganadhakshya Lord of All Ganas (Gods)
35 Ganadhyakshina Leader of All The Celestial Bodies
36 Ganapati Lord of All Ganas (Gods)
37 Gaurisuta The Son of Gauri (Parvati)
38 Gunina One who is The Master of All Virtues
39 Haridra One who is Golden Coloured
40 Heramba Mother's Beloved Son
41 Kapila Yellowish-Brown Coloured
42 Kaveesha Master of Poets
43 Krti Lord of Music
44 Kripalu Merciful Lord
45 Krishapingaksha Yellowish-Brown Eyed
46 Kshamakaram The Place of Forgiveness
47 Kshipra One who is easy to Appease
48 Lambakarna Large-Eared Lord
49 Lambodara The Huge Bellied Lord
50 Mahabala Enormously Strong Lord
51 Mahaganapati Omnipotent and Supreme Lord
52 Maheshwaram Lord of The Universe
53 Mangalamurti All Auspicious Lord
54 Manomay Winner of Hearts
55 Mrityuanjaya Conqueror of Death
56 Mundakarama Abode of Happiness
57 Muktidaya Bestower of Eternal Bliss
58 Musikvahana One who has mouse as charioteer
59 Nadapratithishta One who Appreciates and Loves Music
60 Namasthetu Vanquisher of All Evils & Vices & Sins
61 Nandana Lord Shiva's Son
62 Nideeshwaram Giver of Wealth and Treasures
63 Omkara One who has the Form Of OM
64 Pitambara One who has Yellow-Coloured Body
65 Pramoda Lord of All Abodes
66 Prathameshwara First Among All
67 Purush The Omnipotent Personality
68 Rakta One who has Red-Coloured Body
69 Rudrapriya Beloved Of Lord Shiva
70 Sarvadevatman Acceptor of All Celestial Offerings
71 Sarvasiddhanta Bestower of Skills and Wisdom
72 Sarvatman Protector of The Universe
73 Shambhavi The Son of Parvati
74 Shashivarnam One who has a Moon like Complexion
75 Shoorpakarna Large-Eared Lord
76 Shuban All Auspicious Lord
77 Shubhagunakanan One who is The Master of All Virtues
78 Shweta One who is as Pure as the White Colour
79 Siddhidhata Bestower of Success & Accomplishments
80 Siddhipriya Bestower of Wishes and Boons
81 Siddhivinayaka Bestower of Success
82 Skandapurvaja Elder Brother of Skand (Lord Kartik)
83 Sumukha Auspicious Face
84 Sureshwaram Lord of All Lords
85 Swaroop Lover of Beauty
86 Tarun Ageless
87 Uddanda Nemesis of Evils and Vices
88 Umaputra The Son of Goddess Uma (Parvati)
89 Vakratunda Curved Trunk Lord
90 Varaganapati Bestower of Boons
91 Varaprada Granter of Wishes and Boons
92 Varadavinayaka Bestower of Success
93 Veeraganapati Heroic Lord
94 Vidyavaridhi God of Wisdom
95 Vighnahara Remover of Obstacles
96 Vignaharta Demolisher of Obstacles
97 Vighnaraja Lord of All Hindrances
98 Vighnarajendra Lord of All Obstacles
99 Vighnavinashanaya Destroyer of All Obstacles & Impediments
100 Vigneshwara Lord of All Obstacles
101 Vikat Huge and Gigantic
102 Vinayaka Lord of All
103 Vishwamukha Master of The Universe
104 Vishwaraja King of The World
105 Yagnakaya Acceptor of All Sacred & Sacrficial Offerings
106 Yashaskaram Bestower of Fame and Fortune
107 Yashvasin Beloved and Ever Popular Lord
108 Yogadhipa The Lord of Meditation

 

  GANPATIBAPA AAP SABHI KI MANOKAMNA PURI KARE!!!!!!!!!!

 

GANPATI BAPA MOURYA!!!!!

Virendra Singh NEGI

Mr. Virendra Singh Negi was our good friend almost from the beginning we landed in Ibadan , Nigeria. He paased away in November, 2010 after a brief illness of two years; lungs and urinary problems; He was a mechanical engineering graduate of Roorkee University of 1950s. He belonged to DehraDun where he had his lot of property in Karanpur and on Sahstradhara Road - worth crores of Rupees now. He was very hard working, sincere and humble person . In Ibadan, in that Match Factory where he was the Chief Engineer/Head of Technical services, was running the factory almost alone in all capacities. He had very few friends among Indian community but we had very close relationship with him.. He very affectionately cared for us. He had a son, Rajendra, two lovely daughters , Lakshmi and Rukmini; Mrs Negi was very simple and modest lady. The whole family was very nice and caring. We had lots of mutual visits to each others places.
I have been searching him through all the possible sources for years but fortunately, I found Rajendra on Linkedin social network and I was reconnected to his family  just a few days ago. I feel sorry and sad, knowing that Mr. Negi passed about two years ago.I miss him a lot. I wonder he must be passing his time in his retirement without any work.
This morning, I called Rajendra, talked to him and his mother and expressed my feelings about our friend.

SHIV

Please go to the following link to read about Lord Shiva, Shive temples, Jyotirlings, Shiv Puran , importance of Rudrakash, Rudra Abhishekam and many other aspects about HIM including more website links about HIM:

http://sushmajee.com/shiv/index-shiv.htm


and for very comprehensive stuff on religion and spirituality, visit:

www.sushmajee.com

Stories; lesson giving stories

http://sushmajee.com/stories/general/10-akbar.htm
10-Akbar and a Girl Read also   Akbar and Birbal Stories
The emperor Akbar was a very religious king. He used to sit for his Namaaz (Muslim prayer) five times daily. Once when he was traveling. It was time for his prayers, so he spread a sheet by the wayside and sat down to pray.
It so happened that a young girl had promised her lover that she would come to meet him. And the lover had said that if she did not come by a particular hour he would leave. She was late so she ran to the rendezvous point. While running to meet her lover, she stepped on the sheet on which Akbar sat in meditation. Akbar was infuriated and when she returned a few minutes later he accosted her and said in an angry voice - "Can't you see? How dare you step on this sheet?"
The girl said - "I am sorry, but I was in a hurry. I had to meet my lover, I was already late. If I did not meet him on time he would have left. While running I did not notice the sheet. But, by the way what were you doing here on this sheet spreading on the wayside?"
"I was praying ." said Akbar.
The girl said - "Then how did you know that I had stepped on the sheet? It means you were not meditating. Were you with God or were you looking at me?" REFLECTION
This story shows more devotion of the girl to her lover as she did not know that she stepped on the sheet while less devotion of Akbar who cold know who stepped on his sheet. The devotion means forgetting about everything else, becoming completely lost in one's Isht is true devotion. You cannot reach God like this. There has to be determination. Just catching hold of His feet won't get you anywhere. No one teaches a river how to merge into the ocean. It just rushes and loses itself in the latter's vastness. This too is an important achievement of life. Just as laughing and crying are inseparable parts of life similarly life is incomplete without this fusion. You have to lose yourself completely, only then shall you gain something worthwhile.

Tulsidas Pad: Surrender in the srevice of GOD

jake priya na ram vaidehi
sa chandiye koti bairi sam jadyapi param snehi
tajyo pitaprahlad vibhisan bandhu bharat mahatari
bali guru tajyo kant brajbanitani bhaye muda-mangalakaari
nae neh ram ke maniyat su-hrd su-sevya jahan laun
anjan kaha ankhi phutai bahu tak kahaun kahan laun
tulsi so sab bhanti param hit pujya pran te pyaaro
jason hoya saneh rampad eto mato hamaro 

In the devotion of God, Prahalad desreted his father, Vibhishan his brother, Bharat his mother, Bali his Guru.
People leave dearest and nearest relatives in the service of GODD; Tulsi did not mention the name of Mera who left her husband;

Born to suffer only; miseries, miseries and miseries only.

A strange but a true story of a person who was born to suffer through out her life. The story is of one of my grandmother who lived very near to us in the main big family house.
Shri Jagan Nath was the second youngest brother among the five brothers of my grandfather . He died very young even before I was born and after his death, his family  met a very tragic end. I was told that he was not smart and very active person with no means of earning.  He was not very capable or able person to do any thing meaningful. He was perhaps the poorest of all his brothers in all respects. Family gave him responsibility of attending social obligations on behalf of the family ( like attending wedding ceremonies, other functions in the community and funerals etc ).
My grandmother was born in another nearby town, Tajpur- a famous Riyast in our region. They were two sisters but with entirely different fate/destiny to live their lives.

Se was married to my grandfather while the other sister was married in a very rich and prosperous family in Bijnor.. Shri Ajit Prasad was the top most lawyer of those days in Bijnor . There is no comparison in the lives of the two sisters. One enjoyed the best of the world while the other suffered through out her life with all kinds of miseries
They had two sons, Krishan Kumar and Om Prakash ( commonly known as OMI ); all their uncles, especially my one of the grandfather, Shri  Bihari Laj ji  ( who retired as Executive Engineer, and nicely settled down in Delhi ) tried to improve them and to educate them but of no avail.  They had very poor IQ and EQ. They did not do any thing in their lives except loafing around and living on the little income they had from their property and support from the family members ( our family  was very strongly bound collective and united family, impossible now to imagine that kind of cooperation and feelings for each other in the family); They lived really in poverty and very miserable conditions; They had very little intelligence, common sense or understanding. All of them in that  family came together having  very poor destiny . My grandmother  had, perhaps the worst kind of fate , never saw any thing good in her life, very pathetic. I never saw her wearing some nice dress, eating good food etc. She struggled through out her life with poverty, starvation and all kinds of miseries.
After having two sons , she became widow at a very young age. She has to bear the responsibility of bring up her two sons alone. They tortured  her through out her life at every stage as they were born with a specific purpose to trouble her and make her life difficult and miserable. She lived in other house of the family though used to come our house on daily basis for some thing or the other. She was comfortable only with our family only.She was never free from problems/troubles. She was very nice person by her nature , very loving and affectionate and soft spoken person.  Though surrounded with all kinds of problems, I never saw her angry or disappointed. I had special consideration for her and great sympathy for her. I always had a desire in my heart if I could help her in any way. I always visited her and asking for her welfare. Her sons used to beat her to extract even the smallest thing she had and used to ask her to come us and ask for the money etc.My own family helped her in all possible way, all the time.
 I never saw her praying or worshiping, going to temple etc.as , perhaps lost her faith in God. I never saw her visiting any other person or family except our family. Almost socially isolated.
Years passed, her sons though now grown up and adults , but never came to age even to help themselves. Always bothering their mother for their needs.

Her younger sister in Bijnor who was very rich and prosperous visited  her very often and wanted to help her every possible way. But according to the social system an elder sister will never take any help from her younger sister, hence my grandmother never took any help from her. She tried to help her sons in all possible ways but of no use and it was kind of never ending.

The last part of her life is really pathetic and worth mentioning here. Baba Har Prasad ji, once came from Muzaffarnagar and scolded Dadi ji that she is the only one who has given her sons undue shelter and support and spoilt them. Let her come with him to live in Muzaffarnagar  leaving them alone behind on their fate. This way they will learn their lesson and will do something to live with out depending on her. Fed up with her situation and every day trouble from her sons, she decided to go with him to Muzaffarnagar for some time After she left they started doing some thing here and there as no options left for them., Krishna Kumar  was working in a watermelon farm as watchman , was caught by LOO ( very hot and dry air during the month of May, causing dehydration and many other ailments to the population ) and ultimately by severe Cholera suffered a terminating situation and died in a very short time , all of a sudden. Due to poor transportation and medical facilities in the town, he could not be given adequate and proper treatment. Perhaps, he could have been saved if timely help was available for him to take him to District Hospital, Bijnor. Unfortunate and helpless situation . ( Perhaps, he was not alone, in those days, how many would have died in the town with out proper or adequate medical facilities ). Dadi ji was called back immediately after his death from Muzaffarnagar , for what, just to mourn her elder son. She was terribly shocked and saddened and was broken down from this event. She was very much unhappy, angry, frustrated and disappointed with every one in the family. She had no option except to accept the fact of the life. Became very quiet and silent , after, she lost her elder son.
My grandfather, assessing the situation  thought perhaps the marriage of the younger one may bring some relief to her and a difference in her life.He  arranged the marriage of Om Prakash, the younger one with a  girl from a village in Garhwal . Our family arranged this marriage ( rather bought that girl for Rupees 5000/-, which was very common practice in those days for the rich people ) . Anandi Chachi was one of the most beautiful girl in our family. She was quite young and certainly no match with Om Prakash uncle who later never cared for her, rather never treated her as his wife, had no love, attraction or association with her. It was his incapability to give any importance to any relationship , not only to his wife. However, it gave some consolation to dadi ji in her grieved situation. She got busy in looking after her with some hope for the future. The burden of expenses, directly and indirectly came to my grandfather.
Time passed and Dadi was blessed with a grandson, very handsome boy . She forgot all the previous sufferings and got busy looking after  the child. She was very happy, satisfied and contended with this changed situation. I used to go very often to meet Dadi ji as I had great sympathy with her and she was also very affectionate to me. She was very glad whenever I visited her. Once, she asked me that I must take care of this boy and develop him. I promised her to do so and she had a trust in me. I also decided that I will do my best to bring up the boy . After a few years, when the boy was about five years old, he got very severe attack of smallpox and died with its complications ( again a case of poor medical care and facilities at home and in the town ). Dadi was shattered and I think completely exhausted with the calamities and miseries of life; tolerated the loss of her husband at her young age; tolerated the death of her adult and fully grown son and now the last hope of the beloved grandson is also gone. After the death of her son, frustrated and ill treated by her husband, Chachi ji went back her home in the hills not o come back again.. Dadi ji was left alone to bear all the sorrows and loneliness. She died soon after that. No one cared for her son , Omi after her death.  He wandered here and there and survived perhaps a few years with bare minimum resources and died in mysterious circumstances. Government did all the last rites. During his last years of life for his survival, he sold out whatever property was left after the death of his mother ( a small house, some shops etc.) .
This is the end of the family  the property and every thing . I do not understand as why GOD punished Dadi ji and that family so much that they never saw any thing good in their life except the troubles, miseries and sorrows all the time. VERY TRAGIC END. I do not understand the purpose of their coming to this world and their existence.