Kailasa Mansarovar Yatra

https://telanganatrends.com/kailas-mansarovar-yatra-the-sacred-journey-beyond-the-mind

EDGAR'S PARTY*

EDGAR'S PARTY* ================ Edgar, a 96-year-old man, says to his son: - Baby... (the child is 62). - Yes, Dad! Tell me. - I want to have a get-together with my friends and I'd like you to help me organize it. - Sure, Dad. Don't worry, I'll help. - Help me with what? - The party, Dad!!! - Ohhh yes!!! I'd already forgotten! That afternoon, the son calls his father into the kitchen and shows him a sheet of paper stuck to the refrigerator, instructing him. 1st - Serve coffee. 2nd - Serve sandwiches. 3rd - Serve soft drinks and beverages. 4th - Serve the cake. - Excellent. Now I won't have any more problems. - Thank you, my son! That afternoon, the friends arrived. None of them were under 80. Edgar, a good host, shows them the dining room and goes to the kitchen. And reads: 1st - Serve coffee. And he brings coffee to his friends. After a while of talking, Edgar, nervous, goes to the kitchen and reads again: 1st - Serve coffee. And he pours more coffee for them... It went on like this, four times. Finally, the friends leave. One of them whispers to the other as they leave the building: "Tito, did you notice? What a terrible host Edgar is... He didn't even give us coffee!!!" Tito replies: "Edgar? What are you talking about?" That night, Edgar's son returns to his father's house and is surprised to see that the sandwiches, drinks, and cake are untouched. He asks his father: "Dad. What happened?" * Edgar replies: "My son, you won't believe it!" The sons of bitches didn't come... Moral of the story: - *LET'S MEET NOW, WHILE WE STILL REMEMBER AND RECOGNIZE EACH OTHER...* Send this to your friends before you forget who they are. *HAPPY ACCUMULATED YOUTH DAY* A friend just sent it to me, but I don't remember who. 🤭🤣🤣🤣

Teacher, I’ve read so many books… but I’ve forgotten most of them. So what’s the point of reading?”

Teacher, I’ve read so many books… but I’ve forgotten most of them. So what’s the point of reading?” That was the question of a curious student to his Master. The teacher didn’t answer. He just looked at him in silence. A few days later, they were sitting by a river, suddenly, the old man said: “I’m thirsty. Bring me some water… but use that old strainer lying there on the ground.” The student looked confused. It was a ridiculous request. How could anyone bring water in a strainer full of holes? But he didn’t dare argue. He picked up the strainer and tried. Once. Twice. Over and over again… He ran faster, angled it differently, even tried covering holes with his fingers. Nothing worked. He couldn’t hold a single drop. Exhausted and frustrated, he dropped the strainer at the teacher’s feet and said: “I’m sorry. I failed. It was impossible.” The teacher looked at him kindly and said: “You didn’t fail. Look at the strainer.” The student glanced down… and noticed something. The old, dark, dirty strainer was now shining clean. The water, though it never stayed, had washed it over and over until it gleamed. The teacher continued: “That’s what reading does. It doesn’t matter if you don’t remember every detail. It doesn’t matter if the knowledge seems to slip through, like water through a strainer… Because while you read... Your mind is refreshed. Your spirit is renewed. Your ideas are oxygenated. And even if you don’t notice it right away, you’re being transformed from the inside out.” That’s the true purpose of reading. Not to fill your memory… but to cleanse and enrich your soul. (Source: Teacher Trixie's Corner)

*The Silence of the Bombs*

*The Silence of the Bombs* The poster was small, no bigger than a lunch menu, taped crookedly to the bulletin board outside the pathology lab. “Join the Caravan of Martyrs – JeM,” it read in green Urdu, a pixelated rifle printed underneath. October 27, 2025. 7:14 a.m. A third-year resident named Farooq noticed it while hunting for the duty roster. He peeled it off, folded it into his pocket, and forgot about it—until the CCTV footage landed on Inspector Vikram Rathore’s desk in Srinagar’s Rajbagh police station. Vikram was forty-one, divorced, and allergic to daylight. He watched the grainy clip on loop: a tall boy in a white coat, face half-hidden by a surgical mask, pressing the poster up with two fingers. The timestamp read 02:11 a.m. “Run facial,” Vikram told the constable. By noon they had a name: Dr. Adil Ahmad Rather, twenty-seven, Anantnag, topper in surgery, currently interning at Government Medical College. By dusk they had a locker key. Inside locker 214: one AK-47 wrapped in a blood-stained bedsheet, three magazines, and a Samsung phone sealed in a ziplock. The phone woke up with a single encrypted message still glowing: “Assets for Delhi. Prepare the doctor.” --- Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh – November 6, 11:47 p.m. Adil was finishing rounds at Famous Medicare when the lights went out. Not a power cut—something deliberate. The corridor plunged into engineered darkness. Two CRPF men in plainclothes stepped from the stairwell. “Doctor sahab, aapka phone,” one said softly. Adil’s hand trembled. The phone was already in evidence. He earned four lakh a month saving lives. Tonight, he would learn how much a life cost to take. --- Adalaj Toll Plaza, Gujarat – November 7, 3:12 a.m. A white Innova cut across three lanes and braked hard. Gujarat ATS surrounded it in seconds. Dr. Ahmed Mohiyuddin Saiyed, thirty-five, Hyderabad, MBBS plus a diploma in toxicology from a university in Wuhan, stepped out with his hands already raised. In the boot: four litres of castor oil, a hot plate, and a notebook titled “Ricin – Yield Calculations.” He had underlined the line: *One gram aerosolized = 8,000 casualties.* He never got to the gram. --- Faridabad, Haryana – November 9, 4:05 a.m. The apartment in Dhauj village smelled of wet cement and fear. Haryana STF kicked the door. Inside: 350 kilograms of ammonium nitrate in rice sacks, thirty-one digital timers blinking 00:00, twenty-three detonators labeled *Made in Turkey.* And Dr. Muzammil Shakil, assistant professor of community medicine, Al Falah University, sitting cross-legged on a prayer mat, reciting the plan like a bedtime story. “Red Fort first. Then the temples—Hindu, Sikh, Jain. RSS shakhas. Sarojini Market on Sunday. Metro at rush hour. Twenty-five soft targets. Like Bombay ’93, but bigger.” His voice cracked only once, when he said the date: 26/11/2025. Seventeen years to the day Mumbai bled. --- Lucknow – November 10, 10:00 a.m. Dr. Shaheen Shahid opened her clinic late. Patients waited for the gynaecologist who once lectured at GSVM Kanpur, who delivered triplets at 2 a.m. and still found time to pray five times. NIA women officers waited too. They found fifteen lakh rupees in cash inside a baby-diaper box, an AK-47 under the ultrasound bed, and a voice note on her phone: “Jamaat-ul-Mominat is ready, sister. The girls will drive the cars.” Shaheen did not resist. She only asked, “Can I finish my chai?” They let her. It was cold anyway. --- Delhi – November 10, 6:30 p.m. The Red Fort Metro station smelled of fried momos and panic. Commuters surged toward the yellow line. A white Hyundai i20 crawled through the chaos, hazard lights blinking like a dying heartbeat. Inside, Dr. Umar Mohammad—MBBS, Al Falah, thirty—one hand on the wheel, the other clutching a Nokia burner. The last text he sent: “They’re inside the net. Allah forgive me.” 6:52 p.m. The i20 became light. Thirteen people became memory. Twenty-three more learned what shrapnel feels like in the lungs. --- Shopian, Kashmir – November 11, 2:14 a.m. Maulvi Irfan Ahmad was folding his janamaz when the IB team breached the mosque compound. Thirty-one years old, former paramedic at GMC Srinagar, now the voice that turned stethoscopes into detonators. His Telegram channel—“Medicos for Khilafah”—had 312 members. All doctors. All silent. He looked up at the rifles and smiled like a man who had already won. “Count the bodies you saved,” he whispered. “Then count the ones you didn’t.” --- Epilogue – November 13, 2025 In a quiet room with no windows, Inspector Vikram Rathore finally slept. Fourteen hours straight. He dreamed of a notice board in Srinagar, clean and bare. No posters. No blood. Just a small handwritten note in black ink: “Thank you for noticing.” *Outside, Delhi woke to headlines that screamed failure. Inside the files, the count was different: 2,900 kilograms of explosives that never left the ground. Thirty-one timers that never ticked. Twenty-three detonators that never sparked. And thirteen graves that could have been fifty thousand.* The city argued on television. The city never heard the silence of the bombs that stayed asleep.

Why does goddess Laxmi sit near the feet of Lord Vishnu and press his legs? Is this not anti-feminism?

Why does goddess Laxmi sit near the feet of Lord Vishnu and press his legs? Is this not anti-feminism? This is a beautiful symbolic message from Hinduism. Goddess Lakshmi is in 8 forms. Dhana, dhanya, santana, Vijaya, dhairya (Veera), vidya, gaja, Adi lakshmi. In this, people are more towards only ‘Dhana lakshmi form'. Money. They become slaves to that. This is a symbolic way to show however rich, wealthy one is, how humble they should be infront of God. Sharanagathi. It doesn't matter you are a male or female. Then what is anti feminism? Lakshmi born in ‘kshirabdhi’. Has all the wealth of this world. Still, she shows how humble she is. Goddess Lakshmi is the deity of wealth, which brings ego into any soul. Lakshmi represents matter or material wealth of this world. Still, she doesn't feel ego. Remains humble. Lakshmi is also the power of embodiment of Sattvam, which is for the knowledge and submissiveness before the Lord, Moksha pradata. It is not the question of male or female and husband or wife. It is the question of God and soul. Parabrahama and soul. Any soul irrespective of it's gender is considered as female form. Surrender to God. Purusha, prakriti. Two different forms of energy. We know ‘a leaf on which all dishes are served remains grounded '. An empty leaf flies away. They don't represent our normal male and female forms. Then what about other forms of lakshmi? Aggressive feminism? Mis guided feminism? Anti males? lord Vishnu doesn't have any role at all? If anyone thinks it's about feminism. A big Pranam to them.🙏 If at all it's anti feminism, they can be happy because Vishnu stays in his inlaws place. Ksheera sagaram.Her parents house. She is samudra Raja tanaya

When you retire, companionship comes in many forms.

When you retire, companionship comes in many forms. For some, it’s the television. For others, it’s books, music, or the ever-present mobile phone. So when one fine evening your trusted VU 55-inch TV suddenly displayed nothing but vertical lines, your heart naturally skipped a beat. In panic, you shot off a late-night email to VU. Morning brought hope—and promptly took it away. Customer care politely redirected you to WhatsApp, and the WhatsApp response read like a digital condolence message: “Dear Customer, your model is 5 years old, parts are out of stock. A chargeable technician visit can be arranged. It will only cover the visit.” Meanwhile, you turned to the parallel universe of local mechanics. One quoted ₹200 for a home visit and possible ₹5,000 for parts. By late evening, two young mechanics landed up—just when you had nearly resigned yourself to the idea of replacing the TV and draining your savings a bit more than planned. They assured you they would “try their best” to save you from an unplanned expense bordering a lakh rupees. You didn’t know them—just a number stored long ago from a shop in RK Puram—and you quietly laughed at their confidence. After all, “experts” had already declared the panel dead and said it would take two days to source a new one. But these two? They opened the TV with the calm of surgeons. In minutes, the electronic card was out, and they were soldering components with the focus of neurospecialists. Tea and biscuits kept them company as they worked. Gradually, you felt they had reached the bottom of the malady. And sure enough, after assiduously putting in their best, they flipped the switch— and the TV sprang back to life, brightly flashing the latest news you had missed for 24 hours. The conundrum remains: How did the OEM throw up its hands, citing “no parts,” while these two repaired the set in one hour for ₹4,500, all the while insisting that their visiting charge would be only ₹200 if they failed? It is this jugaad, this unassuming brilliance, that keeps retired people like us afloat in an age where gadgets fail quicker than our patience. And as the young men packed their tools and slipped on their dusty sandals, they left behind more than a functioning TV. They left behind a reminder that in a world ruled by automated replies and scripted customer care, there still exist people who show up with sincerity, skill, and heart. My TV was repaired. But more importantly, so was a small part of my faith in the goodness of ordinary people. May their tribe increase—and may the light they bring into living rooms and into hearts never fade.

When you retire, companionship comes in many forms.

When you retire, companionship comes in many forms. For some, it’s the television. For others, it’s books, music, or the ever-present mobile phone. So when one fine evening your trusted VU 55-inch TV suddenly displayed nothing but vertical lines, your heart naturally skipped a beat. In panic, you shot off a late-night email to VU. Morning brought hope—and promptly took it away. Customer care politely redirected you to WhatsApp, and the WhatsApp response read like a digital condolence message: “Dear Customer, your model is 5 years old, parts are out of stock. A chargeable technician visit can be arranged. It will only cover the visit.” Meanwhile, you turned to the parallel universe of local mechanics. One quoted ₹200 for a home visit and possible ₹5,000 for parts. By late evening, two young mechanics landed up—just when you had nearly resigned yourself to the idea of replacing the TV and draining your savings a bit more than planned. They assured you they would “try their best” to save you from an unplanned expense bordering a lakh rupees. You didn’t know them—just a number stored long ago from a shop in RK Puram—and you quietly laughed at their confidence. After all, “experts” had already declared the panel dead and said it would take two days to source a new one. But these two? They opened the TV with the calm of surgeons. In minutes, the electronic card was out, and they were soldering components with the focus of neurospecialists. Tea and biscuits kept them company as they worked. Gradually, you felt they had reached the bottom of the malady. And sure enough, after assiduously putting in their best, they flipped the switch— and the TV sprang back to life, brightly flashing the latest news you had missed for 24 hours. The conundrum remains: How did the OEM throw up its hands, citing “no parts,” while these two repaired the set in one hour for ₹4,500, all the while insisting that their visiting charge would be only ₹200 if they failed? It is this jugaad, this unassuming brilliance, that keeps retired people like us afloat in an age where gadgets fail quicker than our patience. And as the young men packed their tools and slipped on their dusty sandals, they left behind more than a functioning TV. They left behind a reminder that in a world ruled by automated replies and scripted customer care, there still exist people who show up with sincerity, skill, and heart. My TV was repaired. But more importantly, so was a small part of my faith in the goodness of ordinary people. May their tribe increase—and may the light they bring into living rooms and into hearts never fade.

When I turned 65 , I sat in my favorite chair, looked back at my life, and whispered to myself,

When I turned 65 , I sat in my favorite chair, looked back at my life, and whispered to myself, “So… this is the beginning of the final stretch.” And slowly, the truths I had avoided all my life began to surface. Kids? They’re busy writing their own story. Health? Slips away faster than sand through open fingers. The government? Just headlines, promises, and numbers that never change your daily reality. Aging doesn’t hurt your body first — it hurts your illusions. So I sat down with myself and carved out a handful of bitter but necessary truths. ⸻ Kids don’t save you from loneliness Children grow, life pulls them in every direction, and you become a memory they visit when time allows. You smile… and yet something inside you remains strangely hollow. Kids bring joy — but they are not a shield against loneliness. ⸻ Health is not forever One day, the outings you once jumped into with enthusiasm feel like a marathon. You realize health was never a background character — it was the main pillar holding your life steady. ⸻ Retirement and money Retirement is not a reward — it’s a reality check. Depending on the system is like standing on thin ice. Bills grow, needs grow, prices grow… but support doesn't. ⸻ So I rebuilt my life on new rules — honest, sharp, practical rules for living with dignity. ⸻ Rule 1: Money is more reliable than anything else. Love your kids, cherish them — but don’t make them your retirement plan. Save for yourself. Even small savings create big freedom. Financial independence is dignity. ⸻ Rule 2: Your health is your real job Nothing else matters if your body refuses to cooperate. Move. Walk. Stretch. Guard your sleep like treasure. Eat cleaner. Reduce the poison disguised as sugar and salt. Illness doesn’t discriminate, but it respects those who take responsibility for themselves. ⸻ Rule 3: Create your own joy Waiting for others to make you happy is the fastest way to heartbreak. So you learn to enjoy the small things — a peaceful breakfast, a good book, music that warms the soul. When you know how to make yourself happy, loneliness loses its power. ⸻ Rule 4: Aging is not an excuse to become helpless Some people turn aging into a performance of complaints. And slowly, even those who love them start stepping away. Strength is attractive. Resilience is magnetic. People respect the ones who stay capable, not the ones who surrender. ⸻ Rule 5: Let go of the past The good old days were beautiful — yes. But they’re gone, and there is no return ticket. Clinging to the past steals the present. Life today may look different, but it still holds moments worth living. ⸻ Rule 6: Protect your peace like it’s your property Not every argument needs your voice. Not every insult needs your response. Not every relative deserves access to your emotions. Peace is expensive. Protect it from drama, negativity, and draining people — even if they're your close ones. ⸻ Rule 7: Keep learning something — anything The day you stop learning is the day you start aging. A new recipe, a new word, a new app, a new hobby — your brain needs movement just like your body does. Learning keeps you young. Stagnation makes you old. ⸻ Strength and freedom still belong to you Aging is an exam no one can take for you. You can adapt, rebuild, and rise stronger… or sit back, complain, and wait for someone to rescue you. And if .... No one comes to rescue you .... Stand up for yourself ... Because you still can.. And that single truth is enough to transform the rest of your life.

*HISTORY OF INDIAN WOMEN’S CRICKET*

*HISTORY OF INDIAN WOMEN’S CRICKET* *Did you know India’s First Girls’ Cricket Match was held in Kerala in 1914?* _It was played in *Kottayam*, thanks to an *Australian Missionary* named *Gwen Kellaway*_ Last updated: November 05, 2025 | 19:33 Jai Rai, Assistant Editor Dubai: Last week was a moment of pure Euphoria for the Indian Women’s Cricket Team as they lifted the Women’s World Cup trophy in Mumbai. Yet, few are aware that the Roots of Women’s Cricket in India trace back More than a Century — to a small town in Central Kerala. Historical records reveal that India’s first-ever girls’ cricket match was played in Kottayam, thanks to an Australian missionary named Gwen Kellaway. Arriving in Kerala in 1912 as part of the Church Mission Society, Kellaway served as the headmistress of Baker School in Kottayam. Determined to introduce girls to the sport, she organised the first match in 1914 at the Baker School Ground. The two teams consisted of 11 players each — students from Baker School and boarders from CMS College. According to Dr. Ashok Alex Philip, former principal of Peet Memorial Training College in Mavelikara and associate editor of Jnananikshepam, Kellaway even imported fabric for the players’ white uniforms from Manchester. The funds raised from these matches were used to support patients seeking treatment at a hospital in Cherthala. She also delivered popular talks titled “Pitch Talk”, addressing socially significant topics. Born in Melbourne in 1887, Kellaway was just 25 when she came to Kerala. She continued to promote women’s cricket in Kottayam until 1925, before moving to Thiruvalla to become the first principal of Vanitha Mandiram, an institution established by the Mar Thoma Church. She remained there until 1946, after which she returned to Australia. Fittingly, she named her home in the Melbourne suburb of Upwey “Mandiram.” Gwen Kellaway passed away in 1972 — leaving behind a legacy that quietly shaped the beginnings of women’s cricket in India. ♥️--------------♥️

When I turned 65 , I sat in my favorite chair, looked back at my life, and whispered to myself,

When I turned 65 , I sat in my favorite chair, looked back at my life, and whispered to myself, “So… this is the beginning of the final stretch.” And slowly, the truths I had avoided all my life began to surface. Kids? They’re busy writing their own story. Health? Slips away faster than sand through open fingers. The government? Just headlines, promises, and numbers that never change your daily reality. Aging doesn’t hurt your body first — it hurts your illusions. So I sat down with myself and carved out a handful of bitter but necessary truths. ⸻ Kids don’t save you from loneliness Children grow, life pulls them in every direction, and you become a memory they visit when time allows. You smile… and yet something inside you remains strangely hollow. Kids bring joy — but they are not a shield against loneliness. ⸻ Health is not forever One day, the outings you once jumped into with enthusiasm feel like a marathon. You realize health was never a background character — it was the main pillar holding your life steady. ⸻ Retirement and money Retirement is not a reward — it’s a reality check. Depending on the system is like standing on thin ice. Bills grow, needs grow, prices grow… but support doesn't. ⸻ So I rebuilt my life on new rules — honest, sharp, practical rules for living with dignity. ⸻ Rule 1: Money is more reliable than anything else. Love your kids, cherish them — but don’t make them your retirement plan. Save for yourself. Even small savings create big freedom. Financial independence is dignity. ⸻ Rule 2: Your health is your real job Nothing else matters if your body refuses to cooperate. Move. Walk. Stretch. Guard your sleep like treasure. Eat cleaner. Reduce the poison disguised as sugar and salt. Illness doesn’t discriminate, but it respects those who take responsibility for themselves. ⸻ Rule 3: Create your own joy Waiting for others to make you happy is the fastest way to heartbreak. So you learn to enjoy the small things — a peaceful breakfast, a good book, music that warms the soul. When you know how to make yourself happy, loneliness loses its power. ⸻ Rule 4: Aging is not an excuse to become helpless Some people turn aging into a performance of complaints. And slowly, even those who love them start stepping away. Strength is attractive. Resilience is magnetic. People respect the ones who stay capable, not the ones who surrender. ⸻ Rule 5: Let go of the past The good old days were beautiful — yes. But they’re gone, and there is no return ticket. Clinging to the past steals the present. Life today may look different, but it still holds moments worth living. ⸻ Rule 6: Protect your peace like it’s your property Not every argument needs your voice. Not every insult needs your response. Not every relative deserves access to your emotions. Peace is expensive. Protect it from drama, negativity, and draining people — even if they're your close ones. ⸻ Rule 7: Keep learning something — anything The day you stop learning is the day you start aging. A new recipe, a new word, a new app, a new hobby — your brain needs movement just like your body does. Learning keeps you young. Stagnation makes you old. ⸻ Strength and freedom still belong to you Aging is an exam no one can take for you. You can adapt, rebuild, and rise stronger… or sit back, complain, and wait for someone to rescue you. And if .... No one comes to rescue you .... Stand up for yourself ... Because you still can.. And that single truth is enough to transform the rest of your life.

What happened to Luv and Kush after Ram and Sita?

What happened to Luv and Kush after Ram and Sita? Kusha was the eldest son and he was appointed as King of Kushavati. Kusha was the one who rehabilitated Ayodhya and made it regain its former glory. His successor was named Atithi and from Kusha the Raghukula continued its reigning line of kings. Kusha was married to Naga Princess Kumudvati, sister of Naga King Kumud. He raised her to the rank of Chief Queen. Kusha got a son from her Atithi who was very skilled and intelligent young man and was jewel of both dynasties (Raghu and Naga). He was crowned as Prince Regent when Kusha left to fight a giant. Kusha killed the giant but got fatally injured. After his death, Kumudvati followed him and they reached heaven where Kusha shared throne of Indra and Kumudvati shared with Indrani (Sachi). Another name Champika is mentioned as wife of Kusha in Ananda Ramayana. Luv was appointed King of Shravasti. He also built Lavapuri (Lahore). His wife is called Sumati in Ananda Ramayana. Sources- Ananda Ramayana, Valmiki Ramayana and Raghuvansh by Kalidas

Kunti Calling Upon Other Deities

If Kunti can call upon any god for getting a child, why did she call Indra, Vaayu, Yama, She could call from Tridevas, Brahma or Shiva or Jagadish or Ganesha or other supreme gods? It wasn’t Kunti who called on the deities by her choice. Yes, the first time she was given the mantra, she in curiosity looked at the sun and tried the mantra. The result was she conceived Karna and had to abandon him. Kunti Calling Upon Other Deities Kunti was never of the idea of using the mantra. However, it was after Pandu suggested niyog, when Kunti disclosed the secret. It was Pandu who suggested to call upon the respective deities, whose specific qualities he wanted to be bestowed in his child. He first asked Kunti to summon Dharmaraj, as he wanted a son who would be the perfect heir to take care of the throne. He wanted a son who is righteous and had all the qualities of upholding the throne of Hastinapur. Pandu replied, “O beautiful one! O one with the beautiful hips! You must act today itself, in the proper way. Summon Dharma, because he is the one who partakes of what is sacred. That which is not dharma is never united with that which is dharma. O one with the beautiful hips! The worlds will now think that what we have done is dharma. There is no doubt that one who is devoted to dharma will be born into the Kuru lineage. Since he will be given by Dharma, there will never be anything that is not dharma in his mind. O sweet-smiling one! Therefore, always set dharma before you and summon him. Chapter 113, Sambhava Parva, Section 07, Mahabharat Second, he asked Kunti to summon Vayu. He wanted a son who would be the perfect support in strength and security for the King. Having obtained this virtuous son, Pandu again said, “It is said that the best thing for Kshatriyas is strength. Therefore, ask for a son who has great strength.” Having been thus addressed by her husband, she invoked Vayu for a son. Through him, she obtained the mighty-armed Bhima, whose strength was terrifying. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! As soon as this immensely strong one was born, an invisible voice was heard. “This son will be the strongest among all those who are strong.” Chapter 113, Sambhava Parva, Section 07, Mahabharat Third, he asked her to summon Indra. Before begetting Arjun, he and Kunti are mentioned to have performed austerities and penance. After this, he asked her to summon Indra, as he wanted a son with qualities of Indra, who is not only righteous and strong but a warrior who will be famous in all the three worlds. When Vrikodara was born, Pandu again began to think. “How can I obtain a supreme son who will be the best in all the worlds? This world depends on destiny and on human action. But as decreed, destiny is only obtained over a period of time. We have heard that Indra is the king and the best of the gods. He has immeasurable strength and endeavour and he is valorous and unlimited in radiance. By pleasing him with austerities, I can obtain a son who is immensely strong. The son that he will give me will be the best. I shall therefore perform the greatest of austerities in mind, deeds and speech.” Chapter 114, Sambhava Parva, Section 07, Mahabharat All three times, Kunti had no say. It was all according to Pandu's choice. He chose deities whose specific qualities he wished to see in his sons. On the other hand, in the case of Madri, she summoned Ashwini Kumars. Pandu had no say here. She knew that Kunti may not aid her use the mantra again. Hence, she summoned Ashwini Kumar to beget two kids.

Who are the two sisters of Ravana?

Who are the two sisters of Ravana? Ravan had 2 sisters The most well known sister of Ravan is Surpankha, she is Ravan’s real sister, who plays an important part in Ramayan and indirectly in abduction of Ma Sita by Ravan. Surpanakha Surpankha means 'she whose fingernails are like winnowing fans, she was also known as Meenakshi. Some also called her "Chandraṇakhā" (the one with nails like the moon).She is a Rakshasi (demoness) and was like her mom, Kaikesi. The Valmiki's Ramayan mentions her to be an ugly woman. When Shurpanakha grew up, she secretly married the Danava prince of the Kalkeya Danava clan, Vidyutjihva. The Danavas were the mortal enemies of Rakshashas , but Ravan accepted Vidyutjihva. At the time of conquering Rasatala (the underworld), Ravana killed Vidyutjihva. This caused Shurpanakha a great displeasure, and after seeing his sister's grief, Ravana asked her to roam and search for another husband. Shurpankha was captivated by the excellence and beauty of Ram in panchvati forest. She adopted a beautiful form to entice him and wanted to marry him but Lord Ram rejected her saying that he was faithful to his wife. She than approached Laxman who rejected her saying he was not worthy of her. The humiliated and envious Shurpanakha returned to her demonic form and attacked Sita , but was thwarted by Laxman, who cut off her nose. She then went to Ravan and spoke to her brother of the disgrace she had suffered. Her brother, hearing of Sita's beauty, decided to kidnap Sita. The not so known sister of Ravan is Kumbhini. Ravan and Kumbhini are half brother and sister ( From same father but different mother). Kumbhini Kumbhini’s mothers name was Puṣpotkaṭā. She was the step sister of Ravan and wedded to evil demon Madhu. She was the mother of Lavanasura who was killed by Shatrugna, the youngest sibling of Lord Ram. Sadhana

My husband has been jobless for over 2.5 years.

My husband has been jobless for over 2.5 years. He just sits with his laptop all day, does nothing around the house, and is gaining weight. I’ve lost all patience. It’s not even about money anymore — it’s hard to watch him do nothing. I have a decent job, but not enough to save. I scream out of frustration. I’m scared for my 8-year-old son. What should I do? Scared

REMEMBER THE HEROES OF REZANGLA.

REMEMBER THE HEROES OF REZANGLA. How can a man die better/ Than facing fearful odds/ For the ashes of his fathers/ And the temples of his gods? Today is Rezangla Day. A day we must never forget. It's a day when the spirit of heroism and sacrifice reached for the skies. It's a pity the Indians in general, and the Indian Army in particular dont celebrate it in a more fitting manner. One of the bitter ironies of life is that the greatest acts of heroism and valor mostly happen when the odds are hopeless and death and defeat are inevitable. Throughout history nations have always glorified such episodes in their ballads and poems, by honoring the heroes and commemorating the event. It is the common perception of these few and far in between episodes in a people’s history that forge a sense of nationhood. Why else would we celebrate the deaths of a Prithviraj Chauhan or a Tipu Sultan? Or a Porus or a Shivaji who battled great armies with little more than a handful of brave comrades and immense courage? Of course we rejoice in the triumphs of an Ashoka or Chandragupta or even an Akbar but that is about greatness and not heroism. Even if it is true that the end of history is at hand, we can be sure that the annals of heroism will never cease being written. However endless these may be, the heroic stand of C Company of the 13 Kumaon at Rezang La in 18 November 1962 will always be among the more glorious chapters. The monument that stands at Chushul asks: “How can a man die better/ Than facing fearful odds/ For the ashes of his fathers/ And the temples of his gods.” C Company was fighting for neither ashes nor temples, for they were none at Chushul. The loss of Chushul would not even have had much bearing on the ultimate defence of Ladakh. But in those dark days of 1962 Chushul became a matter of national honor. Chushul is only 15 miles from the border as the crow flies and even then had an all weather landing strip. It was the pivotal point of our frontier posts in this sector as it was astride the second route into Tibet from Leh about 120 miles further west. The road built after 1962 rises to nearly 17000 feet crossing the Ladakh range at the desolate and wind blown Chang La pass, steeply descends into Tangtse and then goes on to Chushul. Between the Chang La and Tangtse the road takes the traveler though the most beautiful scenery with matching beautiful wildlife. Golden marmots dart in and out of their holes and in the distance you can sometimes spot a snow leopard warily keeping an eye on man as it stalks Ibex on the craggy heights.. Chushul itself is at 14230 feet and is a small village in a narrow sandy valley about 25 miles long and 4 miles wide, flanked by mountains that rise to over 19000 feet. At the northern end it touches the Pangong Tso, a deep saltwater lake nearly a hundred miles long and that makes for one of natures most glorious sights. Also near Chushul is a gap in the mountains called the Spanggur Gap that leads to another beautiful lake, the Spanggur Tso that like the Pangong extends well into Chinese territory. The Chinese had built a road from Rudok in Tibet right up to the Spanggur Gap capable of carrying tanks. In the first phase of their assault on Ladakh in October 1962, the Chinese had overrun many of our major border posts on the line between Daulat Beg Oldi near the Karakorum Pass to Demchok astride the Indus on the border with Tibet. Chushul was the solitary Indian position east of the Ladakh range. Geography favored the Chinese and they were able to make a major concentration of men and material for an attack on Chushul. Till September 1962, the defence of all of Ladakh was vested with 114 Brigade commanded by Brig. TN Raina (later General and COAS). It consisted of just two infantry battalions, the 1/8 Gorkha Rifles and 5 Jat. Initially, only the Gorkhas were deployed in the Chushul sector and when the gravity of the Chinese threat began to be realized 13 Kumaon, which was at Baramula in the Kashmir Valley, was sent in to reinforce 114 Brigade. In the first week of October the 3 Himalayan (later Mountain) Division was formed for the overall defence of Ladakh and the Chushul sector was entirely left to 114 Brigade. On 26 October, 114 Brigade set up its headquarters at Chushul and braced for the inevitable Chinese attack. The newly arrived 13 Kumaon began deploying on October 24 in the lull that followed the first phase of the Chinese attack. The forward defenses of Chushul were on a series of hill features given evocative names like Gurung Hill, Gun Hill and Mugger Hill, but C Company of 13 Kumaon got Rezang La which was about 19 miles south of Chushul. Rezang La as the name suggests is a pass and is on the southeastern approach to Chushul valley. The feature was 3000 yards long and 2000 yards wide and at average height of 16000 feet. Digging defensive positions and building shelters was hard going for the men were still not acclimatized and cold wintry winds made life even more hard. At this altitude it took hours to bring a kettle to boil for tea and whatever fruit and vegetables that came were frozen hard. Let alone potatoes even oranges acquired weapon grade hardness. More than the thin air and cold the location of Rezang La had a more serious drawback. It was “crested” to Indian artillery because of an intervening feature, which meant that defenders had fight without the protective comfort of artillery. Both sides prepared feverishly, mostly within sight of each other, for the next Chinese attack. That attack came on that cold Sunday that was 18 November. Most Kumaon battalions are mixed formations made up of hill men from the Kumaon Hills, Ahirs from Haryana and Brahmins from the northern plains. 13 Kumaon was the Kumaon Regiment’s only all Ahir battalion. The Ahirs who are concentrated in the Gurgaon/Mewat region of Haryana are hardy cattlemen and farmers. When the order to move to Chushul came, its CO Lt.Col. HS Dhingra was in hospital but he cajoled the doctors into letting him go with his men. Maj. Shaitan Singh, a Rajput from Jodhpur commanded C Company of 13 Kumaon. C Company’s three platoons were numbered 7,8 and 9 and had .303 rifles with about 600 rounds per head, and between them six LMG’s, and a handful of 2 inch mortars. The Chinese infantry had 7.62 mm self loading rifles; MMG’s and LMG’s; 120 mm, 81 mm and 60 mm mortars; 132 mm rockets; and 75 mm and 57 mm recoilless guns to bust bunkers. They were much more numerous and began swarming up the gullies to assault Rezang La at 4 am, even as a light snow was falling. The Ahirs waited till the Chinese came into range and opened up with everything they had. The gullies were soon full of dead and wounded Chinese. Having failed in a frontal attack the Chinese let loose a murderous shelling. Under the cover of this intense shelling the Chinese infantry came again in swarms. C Company, now severely depleted, let them have it once again. Position after position fell fighting till the last man. C Company had 3 JCO’s and 124 other ranks with Maj. Shaitan Singh. When the smoke and din of battle cleared, only 14 survived, nine of them severely wounded. 13 Kumaon regrouped and 114 Brigade held on to Chushul. But the battalion war diary records that they were now “less our C Company.” The Chinese announced a unilateral cease-fire on 21 November but little more than what the survivors had brought back was known about C Company. In January 1963 a shepherd wandered on to Rezang La. It was as if the very last moment of battle had turned into a tableau. The freezing cold had frozen the dead in their battle positions and the snow had laid a shroud over the battlefield. Arrangements were then made to recover our dead under International Red Cross supervision. Brig Raina led the Indian party, which recorded the scene for posterity with cine and still cameras. This tableau told their countrymen what actually happened that Sunday morning. Every man had died a hero. Maj. Shaitan Singh was conferred the Param Vir Chakra. Eight more received the Vir Chakra while four others the Sena Medal. 13 Kumaon received the battle honor “Rezang La” that it wears so proudly. Few events in the annals of heroism can match this. C Company gave its all to defend Chushul, a small Ladakhi village, which for one brief moment in our history came to symbolize our national honor. At Thermopylae on 18 September 480 BC, 1200 Greeks led by King Leonides of Sparta died fighting the Persian King Xerxes’ mighty bodyguard called the Anusya or Companions. But Leonides was fighting for a great prize. In July 481 BC the Oracle of Delphi told him that in the next war with Persia either the King will die or Sparta would be destroyed. Leonides chose to die to save Sparta. But C Company willingly sacrificed itself to save a little village and that makes its sacrifice all the more glorious. That is why we must never forget Rezang La. POSTSCRIPT. There is a postscript to the Rezangla event which needs to be said. When the Indian Army team went back to Rezangla to retrieve the dead, they saw a frozen tableau. The bodies were frozen as if was the very last moment of battle. The men were at their posts frozen in action. The photo of this scene has been reproduced in countless paintings that adorn many messes of the Indian Army. One such painting is the centerpiece of the banquet hall of the Battle Honours Mess at New Delhi, where the Army hosts its spectacular formal dinner events. Some years ago a visiting PLA Chief of Staff was being hosted to a formal banquet at the Battle Honours Mess. A senior military officer overseeing the arrangements had the Rezangla painting removed lest it embarrass the visitor. I always thought this as symptomatic of our military mindset. They are unwilling to displease by being upfront. By: Mohan Guruswamy mohanguru@gmail.com

Art of Letting Go - Relish Life to the Fullest

https://telanganatrends.com/the-art-of-letting-go-relish-life-to-the-fullest-by-ravi-valluri/

Gratitude

*Sharing a beautiful writeup in gratitude of the Divine* 🙏 I did not *apply for anything*. *No one recommended me*. Yet, I was *gifted this miraculous body Without an interview, without merit; just pure grace*. *Blood flows ceaselessly from head to toe*! Every *heartbeat a silent drum of life*. I don’t know what kind of *divine technology powers this system*, but the *heart never tires, never rests until it's time to go* Two eyes, like cameras of a *thousand megapixels*, Capture the ever-changing *beauty of this world* colours , lights, emotions; all etched into memory ! A *tongue that performs ten thousand taste tests with precision*… *Skin, a living sensor, feeling heat, cold, love, pain* a miracle of sensitivity! A *voice box* that *expresses thought and emotion* through sounds of infinite variety. And *ears* that decode *every frequency from whispers of the wind to the laughter of loved ones!* And this body made of *75% water*, holds firm - no short circuit or no leakage despite millions of pores. *I stand tall, unsupported by anything*. Even rubber tyres wear out on roads but the *soles* of my feet carry me through a *lifetime* still holding strong! What an *astonishing, divine creation*! Nothing *man-made can come close*. You are the Designer, the Operator, the Sustainer. Every memory, every thought, every ounce of strength and peace - all come from You! You live within this body as the soul, the unseen presence that gives life and purpose🙏 This is Your divine play, Your masterpiece that lets me not just exist but participate in the selfless joy, the divine rhythm of Your creation🙏 Bless me with good sense and pure awareness. Let my intellect bow before Your wisdom. May I never forget—even for a moment That it is You who breathes life into me, Who walks with me, listens through me, speaks through me. Let gratitude be my constant companion. Let awe fill my every breath. This is not just a body. It is a temple of Your presence. 🙏🙏🙏 Gratitude

*A Heartwarming Story From Indian Army*

*A Heartwarming Story From Indian Army* One Grizzly Bear (Himalayan Brown Bear) family used to visit us at xxxx post in Siachen. Initially, only during nights. We started keeping food for the family. Their confidence in us developed over a period, and they even started coming during day. There was also a bear cub about an year old. It used to come with his mother, but after about 6 months, it was either deserted by the mother or got lost. Then it started roaming alone, but it had problems, since the dogs in the post wouldn't let it come close. When we saw this, we started tying the dogs. The confidence grew and it started to come close. We named him Bahadur after the Company's name- Bahadur Company. For a few days, we couldn't see Bahadur. One day, one of my posts, which used get cut off due to 60 feet of snow, reported that Bahadur is roaming around with his head stuck in a tin box. This post was about 800 metres from my Company Headquarter. I took 6 boys with me and went to rescue the bear myself. It's not that I wasn't concerned about boys safety; but I still decided to do the rescue. When we reached the place, the bear was roaming with the tin box around its head, over a cornice probably without food for last 3 days. It was making circles on the cornice. _(Cornice - An overhanging mass of hardened snow at the edge of a mountain precipice.)_ Basically, cornice is a false extension of ground made by hard snow over a period of time, and it can't take too much weight. It can break off and can lead to an Avalanche. So, it was very difficult to go closer to the bear to rescue it. I found the lightest boy from my group and briefed him to go close to the bear and tie the rope around his neck. We also tied a rope to the waist also to pull him in case the cornice breaks down. This boy was nervous to get close to the bear. After about over 3 mins, I decided to rescue the bear on my own. The bear was approached by me on my knees and I pulled him out of the cornice as quickly as possible to avoid breaking off the cornice. After bringing the bear to safety, we tied it with ropes to take it to our xxxx post, where we could release him after removing the tin box. It took almost a kind of surgery to cut the tin box without damaging the ears and neck of the bear. We gave him food and released him after taking all safety precautions. When we released him, he didn't go away for a good 3 hours. But after that it became part of my Company. Whenever we shouted his name -Bahadur, it always appeared from nowhere. It still comes to the post for food. Although the Story is very Heartwarming, please do also take a moment to appreciate the very difficult conditions and the environment the Indian Army is guarding our Borders. Furthermore, do also see and acknowledge the accommodation they are staying with bare minimum amenities. It takes a special kind of men to do this. A big Salute to the Soldiers of the Indian Army. Jai Hind!

- Marcus Aurelius.

*Everyone is Fighting Their Own Battle*. “When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: The people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly.” “They are like this because they cannot distinguish good from evil, while I have recognized the nature of both, the good as beautiful and the bad as ugly, and the nature of the wrongdoer himself as akin to my own, not of the same blood or birth, but the same mind, possessing a share of the divine.” “Therefore, I cannot be harmed by any of them, as no one can involve me in what is degrading. Nor can I be angry with my kinsman or hate him. For we were born for cooperation, like feet, like hands, like eyelids, like the rows of upper and lower teeth. To work against one another is unnatural. To feel anger at someone or turn one’s back on him—this is to work against him.” - Marcus Aurelius.

*HAPPY SENIOR CITIZENS' WEEK*

*HAPPY SENIOR CITIZENS' WEEK* *𝑴𝑰𝑵𝑰𝑴𝑰𝒁𝑬:* 1. 𝑺𝒂𝒍𝒕. 2. 𝑺𝒖𝒈𝒂𝒓. 3. 𝑩𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒓. 4. 𝑫𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒔. 5. 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒔. *𝑭𝑶𝑶𝑫 𝑵𝑬𝑬𝑫𝑬𝑫:* 1. 𝑽𝒆𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒔; 2. 𝑳𝒆𝒈𝒖𝒎𝒆𝒔; 3. 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒔; 4. 𝑵𝒖𝒕𝒔; 5. 𝑬𝒈𝒈𝒔; 6. 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒊𝒍 (O𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆, C𝒐𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒖𝒕, ...) 7. 𝑭𝒓𝒖𝒊𝒕𝒔. *𝑻𝑯𝑹𝑬𝑬 𝑻𝑯𝑰𝑵𝑮𝑺 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑺𝑯𝑶𝑼𝑳𝑫 𝑻𝑹𝒀 𝑻𝑶 𝑭𝑶𝑹𝑮𝑬𝑻:* 1. 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑨𝒈𝒆. 2. 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑷𝒂𝒔𝒕. 3. 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒔. *𝑬𝑺𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑰𝑨𝑳 𝑻𝑯𝑰𝑵𝑮𝑺 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑵𝑬𝑬𝑫 𝑻𝑶 𝑪𝑯𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑺𝑯:* 1. 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚; 2. 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑭𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔; 3. 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔; 4. 𝑨 𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆. *𝑻𝑯𝑹𝑬𝑬 𝑩𝑨𝑺𝑰𝑪 𝑻𝑯𝑰𝑵𝑮𝑺 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑵𝑬𝑬𝑫 𝑻𝑶 𝑨𝑫𝑶𝑷𝑻:* 1. 𝑨𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒔𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆 / 𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉. 2. 𝑫𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒑𝒉𝒚𝒔𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒆. 3. 𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒌 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒘𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕. *𝑺𝑰𝑿 𝑬𝑺𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑰𝑨𝑳 𝑳𝑰𝑭𝑬𝑺𝑻𝒀𝑳𝑬 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑵𝑬𝑬𝑫 𝑻𝑶 𝑷𝑹𝑨𝑪𝑻𝑰𝑪𝑬:* 1. 𝑫𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓. 2. 𝑫𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕. 3. 𝑫𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔. 4. 𝑫𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝑮𝒐𝒅. 5. 𝑵𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇.. 6. 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒚 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘 ... *𝑰𝑭 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑯𝑨𝑽𝑬 𝑭𝑹𝑰𝑬𝑵𝑫𝑺 𝑰𝑵 𝑻𝑯𝑰𝑺 𝑨𝑮𝑬 𝑹𝑨𝑵𝑮𝑬 (47-90 𝒀𝑬𝑨𝑹𝑺 PLUS), 𝑷𝑳𝑬𝑨𝑺𝑬 𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑫 𝑻𝑯𝑰𝑺 𝑻𝑶 𝑻𝑯𝑬𝑴.* 🌹HAPPY SENIOR CITIZENS' WEEK 🎉Pass to every Good Senior Citizens you know. God bless you richly🪷

Satsang Transcript (Translated to English) with @Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji – Jharsuguda, Odisha (Nov 6th, 2025) Anandam Maha Satsang

Satsang Transcript (Translated to English) with @Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji – Jharsuguda, Odisha (Nov 6th, 2025) Anandam Maha Satsang 1. The Divine Land of Odisha Jagannathji’s Dham — the sacred land that is the source of our culture — is one of the proudest places in India. Odisha, especially Utkal and Jharsuguda, has contributed so much to the nation. More than 55% of India’s aluminium comes from Jharsuguda. You are the source of all kinds of minerals — your land nourishes the country’s wealth. This is something to be proud of and grateful for. For a long time, it was your sankalpa, your deep resolve, and today, with Gurudev’s presence, that resolve is being fulfilled. I can see that you have prepared more than 8,200 kinds of dishes — such variety, such devotion! All these delicacies have been brought from across Odisha as an offering to the Divine. How beautiful! And tomorrow afternoon, the Somnath Jyotirlingam will be displayed here for everyone to seek blessings. Tomorrow evening too, the Jyotirlingam will be here — all of you can come and have darshan. --- 2. The Meaning of Jyotirlingam and the Inner Light We consider ourselves Jyotishwaroop — beings of light. Lord Buddha said, Appa Deepo Bhava — “Be a light unto yourself.” What is a Jyotirlingam? It means the soul within us is made of light. You light a lamp and cover it with a glass — how long will it burn? Only as long as there is oxygen. Similarly, if someone locks you in a glass case, you will live only as long as there is oxygen inside. Our life and the flame of the lamp are the same — both run on prana, on oxygen. That is why the soul is called Jyotishwaroop — made of pure light. Though the soul and God are invisible, their presence fills life with light — that light is visible. Every person is a source of light. To awaken that light within us is meditation. And what does awakening the light mean? It means being happy, content, and centered in life. --- 3. The Three Vows from Gurudev In today’s satsang, I want to give all of you three vows — three sankalpas to live by. 1. Plant Panchavati – Five Trees In every village, plant five trees. Three or four people can do this together. This is the sacred Panchavati, which brings spiritual and ecological balance. The five trees are: • Peepal – Vishnu (East) • Mango – Pitru (South) • Banyan – Brahma (West) • Cluster Fig (Audumbara) – Enlightenment (Center) • Neem – Shakti (North) Planting these five trees brings prosperity, balance, and divine energy to the land. 2. Meditate for 90 Days Meditate every day for 90 days continuously. Today, scientists say that if you meditate daily for 90 days, your brain changes significantly. It prevents diseases like Alzheimer’s and depression. But doing it for one or two days won’t work. Do it for 90 days and witness the transformation yourself. In the Art of Living, through Sudarshan Kriya, we have seen how deeply meditation changes the mind, body, and emotions. Even people suffering from sadness or suicidal thoughts have experienced complete healing. So meditate daily, without a break — it keeps your mind pure, strong, and full of joy. 3. Keep Humanity Alive If you see sadness on someone’s face, don’t walk past them. In your schools, colleges, offices — if you see someone who’s not smiling, stop and ask, “Why are you sad? What’s wrong?” Just talking to someone for two minutes can lift their spirits and calm their mind. This is true humanity. Humanity is to respect and care for others. This is what keeps the soul of Bharat alive. If we all do this, loneliness will disappear. In countries like America, nearly 45–47% people feel lonely — even with jobs, homes, friends, and children. They still say, “I feel empty, I feel like giving up.” That’s why we must protect this spirit of belongingness in India. Here, we share our food, our time, our hearts. --- 4. The Spirit of Odisha and Indian Culture Go to any village in Odisha — if someone has a glass of lassi, they’ll share half with you. If they have two rotis, they’ll give you one and eat the other. If two guests come, the host will feed them first before eating himself. This is the culture of our land — Atithi Devo Bhava. Even our MLA will agree — this is the pride of India. We should never let this compassion die. If anyone feels depressed or wants to give up, send them to an Art of Living teacher immediately. Tell them, “Give your pain to Gurudev, do your Kriya and meditate — everything will change.” --- 5. The Purpose of Life Life is short. How long will we live — 10 years, 20 years, 50 years? After that, everyone must go. So as long as we live, let’s create a beautiful world. That is Dharma — that which sustains life, joy, and culture. Dharma keeps energy alive and brings happiness to all. For this, remember three things: Singing, Knowledge, and Meditation. Every day — listen to some knowledge for 10–15 minutes, meditate for 20 minutes, and enjoy music. When a child is born, what does it do? It breathes, then cries, then sings! Music is the foundation of life. And Odisha — what can I say! Odisha is the heart of Indian art. Whoever comes to The Art of Living International Centre in Bangalore says — “Odisha is the center of art and beauty.” Your Pattachitra paintings are world-famous. Your Odissi dance is celebrated across the world — even in the World Culture Festival, Odissi is a highlight! Art, service, and spirituality go hand in hand. Those who take interest in art, sports, and seva never fall into sadness. --- 6. The Four Pillars of a Complete Life Just like you eat, bathe, and sleep daily — make these four part of your life: Singing, Knowledge, Meditation, and Service. If one is missing, life is incomplete. Service can be anything — gardening, cleaning, helping others — do something daily that uplifts someone else. --- 7. Cleanliness and Dharma On weekends, take an hour to clean your surroundings. If you see dirt, fix it together. We started this cleanliness campaign in 2008 from a small village called Jalna in Maharashtra. Later, when our central government launched it as the Swachh Bharat Mission in 2014, it became a national movement. When leadership and dharma unite, great work happens. True dharmic people always wish for the well-being of all. Not just “my good and others’ suffering.” To wish for everyone’s happiness — that is real Dharma. --- 8. The Somnath Jyotirlingam – A Divine Mystery Now something truly divine. From tomorrow, in Odisha, the Somnath Jyotirlingam will be displayed for darshan and blessings. A thousand years ago, when Mohammad Ghazni destroyed the original Shivling at Somnath, a few Agnihotri families from South India — heartbroken — took the fragments of that Shivling with them and preserved them. They created 11 Rudra Shivlings from those sacred fragments and kept them safe in their homes for centuries. Around 100 years ago, they met the Kanchi Shankaracharya ji. He told them, “Do not reveal this for 100 years. India will become independent, the Ram Mandir will be built, and after that, a saint named Shankar will be there in the south of India, in Bangalore. You must go and give it to him.” They waited exactly 100 years — from 1924 to 2024 — and this year, they came to us. We had never met before; they came searching. This is divine will. Even a blade of grass does not move without Shiva’s leela. --- 9. The Real Message – Go Within The main message is — go within yourself. Within you is the light of the Divine. Recognize that you are a part of God, not separate from Him. God is within you, around you, everywhere. This is the message our sages have given for centuries. Now it’s time to live it deeply and powerfully. That is the purpose of this Anandotsav — to awaken the joy within. Sing. Dance. Meditate. Serve. Be happy. --- 10. Q&A with Gurudev Question: Gurudev, many students feel anxious about their studies, friendships, and future. How can we calm the mind and stay happy when things don’t go as expected? Gurudev: See, there’s an app called Sattva App. Download it — it’s free. I’ve put different types of meditations there, in all languages including Odia. Use it every day. Meditation will settle your mind and bring clarity. Question: Gurudev, mobile phones and social media distract us all the time. Even when we try to focus, we end up scrolling for hours. How can we overcome this addiction? Gurudev: Use mobile phones wisely. You can’t say, “I’ll never use a phone,” but you can be disciplined. Every night, switch off your phone by 9 or 10 p.m. And in the morning, don’t open it till 7 or 8 a.m. Take breaks from it. Just like we fast on Ekadashi, keep a mobile fast — one day, no phone! Tell your friends, “Today is my mobile curfew.” Or go somewhere with no network. Or just forget to charge it! Question: Gurudev, what is the main purpose of life amidst all this confusion? Please guide us. Gurudev: First, know what is not the purpose of life. Being worried is not the purpose of life. Crying all your life is not the purpose. Annoying others is not the purpose. Saving lots of money and dying is not the purpose either. People work all their life, collect money, keep it in the bank — then they die, and the children fight over it! The money just keeps changing pockets. Life’s purpose is to live with joy, serve others, and spread peace. Question: Gurudev, we often think relationships should always be harmonious, but we get confused. How to look at life from that perspective? Gurudev: That’s why knowledge and meditation are necessary. Don’t get entangled. Walk the middle path — as much as you can. Be happy in what you have. Don’t think too much about “what will happen.” If you keep overthinking, you’ll get depressed. So move on, stay light, stay joyful. --- 11. Closing Message Life is short — live it fully, with awareness and compassion. Every day, nurture these four: Singing, Knowledge, Meditation, and Service. Keep the light of Dharma alive. Respect everyone, care for all beings, and remember — You are Jyotishwaroop — the light of the Divine. Let that light shine within you and through you — then joy and peace will follow naturally.

I cheated 10 years ago and my spouse doesn't know. Do I have to tell him?

I cheated 10 years ago and my spouse doesn't know. Do I have to tell him? I once watched a video tape of a US Navy Psychiatrist who had done marriage counseling to Navy Couples for 30 years. He said a Navy marriage could survive the spouse cheating……..as long as the other spouse didn’t find out about it.

A rainy night. An empty pub. A terrible jazz band.

A rainy night. An empty pub. A terrible jazz band. The singer—completely oblivious to the sparse crowd and mediocre performance—announced with pride: "Goodnight and thank you. We are the Sultans of Swing!" Mark Knopfler watched this moment of pure delusion and thought: that's beautiful. He went home that night in 1977 and wrote one of the greatest rock songs ever recorded. About mediocrity. This is South London, 1977. Mark Knopfler was 28 years old, working as a university lecturer in English, playing guitar in pubs on the side. He'd recently formed a band with his younger brother David and bassist John Illsley—a group that would eventually become Dire Straits. But that hadn't happened yet. They were just three guys playing music, hoping something would click. On this particular rainy evening, Knopfler ducked into a nearly empty pub in Deptford. He was soaked. Looking for shelter. Maybe a pint. On stage, a jazz band was playing. Not well. There were maybe five people in the audience. The band was struggling—out of tune, out of sync, clearly not professionals. Just enthusiasts. Amateurs doing their best. But here's what struck Knopfler: they didn't seem to realize how bad they were. Or maybe they did, but they didn't care. They kept playing with complete sincerity. No irony. No self-consciousness. Just pure love of music. When the set ended, the singer—drenched in unearned confidence—stepped to the microphone and announced with genuine pride: "Goodnight and thank you. We are the Sultans of Swing!" The Sultans of Swing. Not a self-deprecating joke. Not ironic. They genuinely believed they were sultans. Masters. Kings of swing. In that dingy, empty pub. Playing mediocre jazz to nobody. Knopfler was transfixed. Most people would have laughed or cringed. But Knopfler saw something else: there was dignity in that delusion. Beauty in that disconnect between self-perception and reality. Something deeply human about loving what you do even when nobody else cares. He finished his pint, left the pub, and walked through the rain back to the flat he shared with David and John Illsley in Deptford. And he started writing. Illsley remembers hearing the first version that same night. Knopfler sat with his guitar, working out chords, singing fragments of lyrics. "Check out Guitar George, he knows all the chords..." "A band is blowing Dixie double four time..." "The Sultans... of Swing..." It was rough. Incomplete. But Illsley knew immediately: "This is different. This is something." The song Knopfler was writing wasn't mocking the band he'd seen. It was celebrating them. Honoring their sincerity. Their dedication to music despite empty rooms and disinterested crowds. The narrator in "Sultans of Swing" isn't the band—it's the observer, watching them play. Admiring them. Recognizing that these guys playing "Creole" and "Dixie" in a corner of a neglected pub are somehow more real than the manufactured stars dominating radio. "You get a shiver in the dark, it's raining in the park but meantime..." That opening line captured the entire mood: rainy, forgotten, but somehow electric. Magic happening in unlikely places. But the song went through transformation. The first version Knopfler wrote was more straightforward. Good, but not the classic it would become. Then, in 1978, Knopfler bought a Fender Stratocaster—a specific model, a 1961 Strat with a distinctive sound. He picked up that guitar and suddenly heard "Sultans of Swing" differently. The chord structure changed. The groove deepened. That iconic, clean guitar tone—almost jazz-like despite being rock—emerged. He told David: "Remember that song I was fiddling with? I've completely changed the chord structure." The new version was transcendent. The guitar work was intricate but effortless-sounding. The vocals were conversational, almost spoken. The lyrics painted a vivid scene without explaining too much. It was a song about a moment most people would have forgotten. But Knopfler made it immortal. Dire Straits recorded "Sultans of Swing" and released it as a single in May 1978. And... nothing happened. It barely charted in the UK. Radio largely ignored it. The band was unknown. The song was too different—too subtle, too story-based, too guitar-focused in an era of punk and disco. They released their self-titled debut album in October 1978. Again, minimal initial impact in Britain. But then something strange happened: the Netherlands loved it. Dutch radio started playing "Sultans of Swing" heavily. The album went gold in Holland before it did anywhere else. That success caught attention in other European countries, then gradually built momentum back in the UK. By 1979, "Sultans of Swing" was climbing charts worldwide. It reached #4 in the U.S., #8 in the UK. The album eventually sold over 7 million copies globally. That terrible jazz band in a dingy Deptford pub had accidentally inspired a worldwide hit. Here's the beautiful irony: the real "Sultans of Swing"—whoever they were—probably never knew. They played that rainy night, announced their name with pride, packed up their instruments, and went home. Maybe they kept playing other pub gigs. Maybe they eventually stopped. But they almost certainly never realized that someone in the audience that night turned them into legends. Mark Knopfler has never revealed the actual band's name. He's never tracked them down or brought them on stage. The song isn't really about them specifically—it's about the universal experience of artists performing for nobody, believing in themselves despite evidence to the contrary. It's about the gap between perception and reality. About sincerity surviving disappointment. About art for art's sake, even in the least glamorous circumstances. John Illsley later said: "I suppose you could say that 'Sultans of Swing' was the song that started it all for us." He's right. That one song—inspired by one rainy night, one bad band, one delusional announcement—launched Dire Straits to international fame. They went on to become one of the biggest bands of the 1980s. "Money for Nothing." "Walk of Life." "Brothers in Arms." Global tours. Millions of albums sold. All because Mark Knopfler saw beauty where most people saw failure. The guitar solo in "Sultans of Swing" became iconic—Knopfler's clean, precise, melodic style influenced a generation of guitarists. That 1961 Stratocaster sound became his signature. But the real genius of the song isn't technical—it's emotional. It's the way it honors ordinary people doing ordinary things with extraordinary dedication. It's anti-celebrity. Anti-glamour. A hit song about not being successful, performed by a band that became massively successful because of it. The original Sultans of Swing—whoever they were—live forever now. Not because they were great musicians. But because Mark Knopfler saw them, understood them, and gave them immortality. They played to empty rooms. Knopfler made millions hear their story. They called themselves sultans as a joke, or delusion, or hope. Knopfler made it true. Somewhere, maybe those musicians are still alive. Maybe they're in their 70s now. Maybe they occasionally hear "Sultans of Swing" on the radio and wonder: was that about us? Or maybe they never made the connection. Never realized that their moment of pride—announcing their band name to five disinterested people on a rainy night in 1977—became the foundation of rock history. Either way, they won. Because Mark Knopfler didn't laugh. He listened. And he understood: there's something heroic about playing music in empty rooms. Something beautiful about believing in yourself when nobody else does. Something deeply human about calling yourself a sultan when you're clearly not. That's what "Sultans of Swing" captures. Not irony. Not mockery. Genuine affection for dreamers who keep playing despite everything. Mark Knopfler went into a pub on a rainy night in 1977. He watched mediocrity performed with pride. And he wrote a masterpiece about it. Because sometimes the most beautiful art comes from the least beautiful moments. And sometimes, against all odds, the sultans really do swing.

Did Meerabai really miraculously disappear by merging into an idol of Lord Krishna at Vrindavan?

Did Meerabai really miraculously disappear by merging into an idol of Lord Krishna at Vrindavan? Start : Meerabai- the Rajput princess was born in royal clan of Marwar (Rajasthan). As a small girl ; she was besotted by Lord Krishna Narayan. Strangely , she accepted Lord Krishna as her soul mate. She happily sang, danced and played with Krishna Soulmate : Well, her parents got her married to Bhojraj Sisodia - crown prince of Mewar . Before her marriage ; she politely told everyone about her soul mate Krishna. Everyone laughingly acknowledged it as an innocent wish of a devout adolescent. Now, she became crown princess and daughter in law of Mewar royalty. She still happily sang , danced and played with Krishna. Surrender : Well , Prince Bhojraj died in a battle with the Delhi sultanate. Soon , her father and father in law also died in battle of Khanwa against Mughal emperor Babur. Her brother in law , Vikramaditya Singh , the new ruler of Mewar and royal family treated her as an insult to their royal honor. Thus, she faced social boycott ; multiple assassination attempts and abusive behavior. She still happily sang, danced and played with Krishna. Sweet heart : She left her palace and roamed across India as a wandering mendicant After tragic death of Vikramaditya Singh ; his son the new ruler remorsefully sent a group of learned brahmins to bring her doting aunt back from Dwarka. Well, she politely asked them to let her spend a night along with her beloved Dwarkadhish. Next day; when they came to fetch her ; all they found was her white Saree wrapped around idol of Dwarkadhish. Perhaps, she eternally wanted to sing , dance and play with Krishna. Thus : “Ae Ri Mai Toh Prem Diwani Mera Dard Na Janey Koi “ : Meera (I am madly in love . Alas, no one can understand my poignancy) Perhaps : “When love is not madness, it is not love.” : Pedro Calderon de la Barca (dramatist) Salutations to epitome of pure love !

Did Meerabai really miraculously disappear by merging into an idol of Lord Krishna at Vrindavan?

Did Meerabai really miraculously disappear by merging into an idol of Lord Krishna at Vrindavan? Start : Meerabai- the Rajput princess was born in royal clan of Marwar (Rajasthan). As a small girl ; she was besotted by Lord Krishna Narayan. Strangely , she accepted Lord Krishna as her soul mate. She happily sang, danced and played with Krishna Soulmate : Well, her parents got her married to Bhojraj Sisodia - crown prince of Mewar . Before her marriage ; she politely told everyone about her soul mate Krishna. Everyone laughingly acknowledged it as an innocent wish of a devout adolescent. Now, she became crown princess and daughter in law of Mewar royalty. She still happily sang , danced and played with Krishna. Surrender : Well , Prince Bhojraj died in a battle with the Delhi sultanate. Soon , her father and father in law also died in battle of Khanwa against Mughal emperor Babur. Her brother in law , Vikramaditya Singh , the new ruler of Mewar and royal family treated her as an insult to their royal honor. Thus, she faced social boycott ; multiple assassination attempts and abusive behavior. She still happily sang, danced and played with Krishna. Sweet heart : She left her palace and roamed across India as a wandering mendicant After tragic death of Vikramaditya Singh ; his son the new ruler remorsefully sent a group of learned brahmins to bring her doting aunt back from Dwarka. Well, she politely asked them to let her spend a night along with her beloved Dwarkadhish. Next day; when they came to fetch her ; all they found was her white Saree wrapped around idol of Dwarkadhish. Perhaps, she eternally wanted to sing , dance and play with Krishna. Thus : “Ae Ri Mai Toh Prem Diwani Mera Dard Na Janey Koi “ : Meera (I am madly in love . Alas, no one can understand my poignancy) Perhaps : “When love is not madness, it is not love.” : Pedro Calderon de la Barca (dramatist) Salutations to epitome of pure love !

*Word Of Honour*

*Word Of Honour* The British prisoner asked his German captors for permission to visit his dying mother. They said yes—if he promised to come back. He did. 1916, German Prison Camp Captain Robert Campbell of the British Army had been a prisoner of war for months when the Red Cross letter arrived. It was from his family in England. His mother was dying. Campbell sat in the cold barracks at Magdeburg prison camp, holding the letter in trembling hands. Around him, fellow British officers watched in silence. They all knew what that letter meant. His mother was hundreds of miles away, across enemy lines, in a country he couldn't reach. And she was dying without him. In the trenches of WWI, death was everywhere. But this—missing your mother's death because you were locked in an enemy prison—felt like a different kind of cruelty. Campbell made a decision that seemed impossible. He would ask the Germans to let him go home. The Request Campbell wrote to the camp commandant explaining his situation. His mother was gravely ill. He was her only son. He was asking for temporary parole to see her one last time. In return, he would give his word—his solemn oath as a British officer—that he would return to captivity. To his fellow prisoners, it seemed hopeless. This was war. The Germans weren't going to release a captured enemy officer just because his mother was dying. But Campbell sent the letter anyway. The Code of Honor What modern readers often don't understand is that WWI—despite its industrialized horror—still operated under older codes of military honor, especially among officers. "Parole d'honneur"—parole of honor—was a real practice. An officer could be released temporarily if he gave his word he would return or not take up arms. His word, as a gentleman and officer, was considered binding. It was a remnant of an older, more chivalric age of warfare—one that was rapidly being destroyed by machine guns, poison gas, and trench warfare. But in 1916, it still existed. Barely. The Answer Weeks passed. Campbell heard nothing. Then, incredibly, the commandant summoned him. "Your request has been considered," the German officer said in careful English. "You may have parole to visit your mother in England." Campbell stared at him in disbelief. "But you must give your word—your solemn oath—that you will return to this camp when your visit is concluded." Campbell didn't hesitate. "You have my word." The German commandant studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "I believe you." Arrangements were made through neutral Switzerland and the Red Cross. Campbell would be escorted to the border, then allowed to travel to England. After his visit, he was expected to return the same way. If he didn't return, his fellow officers would face consequences. And his honor—the thing that defined him as an officer and a gentleman—would be destroyed forever. Going Home The journey home was surreal. Campbell traveled from Germany through neutral Switzerland, then to France, then finally across the English Channel. He went from being a prisoner—locked behind barbed wire, half-starved, watching men die of disease—to being free, traveling through his own country, seeing green fields and familiar faces. He could have disappeared. He could have reported to British military headquarters and refused to return. He would have been welcomed as a freed POW, not punished. No one would have blamed him. But he'd given his word. The Visit When Campbell reached his family home, his mother was still alive—barely. We don't know exactly what they said to each other. Those conversations were private, sacred. But we know he held her hand. We know she saw her son one last time. We know that a dying woman got to say goodbye to her child, even though there was a war happening and he was supposed to be locked in an enemy prison. She died shortly after his visit. Campbell attended her funeral. He spent time with his family. He walked the streets of his hometown as a free man. And then, as impossible as it seemed, he prepared to return to Germany. The Return Campbell's family begged him not to go back. "You've done enough," they said. "Stay here. The war will end eventually. Your mother is gone—you don't owe the Germans anything." But Campbell had made a promise. More than that, he'd staked his honor—and the trust of his fellow prisoners—on his word. If he didn't return, the Germans might never grant parole again. Other men might never get to see their dying loved ones. His fellow officers in the camp might face retribution. And he would have to live the rest of his life knowing he'd broken his oath. So Captain Robert Campbell said goodbye to his family, traveled back through France and Switzerland, crossed into Germany, and presented himself at Magdeburg prison camp. "I have returned," he told the commandant. The German officer shook his hand. "I knew you would." The Reaction When word of Campbell's return spread—both among German guards and British prisoners—it caused a sensation. German newspapers wrote about the "honorable Englishman" who kept his word. British newspapers praised him as a symbol of integrity in a war that had become increasingly brutal and dishonorable. Even in the trenches, where men were dying in muddy holes from poison gas and machine gun fire, soldiers on both sides heard about Captain Campbell. It was a reminder that honor still existed. That humanity could survive even in the worst circumstances. That some things—like a son's promise—still mattered. The Escape But here's where the story gets complicated. Campbell had promised to return from parole. He had not promised to stop trying to escape. After resuming his life as a POW, Campbell joined other British officers in planning an elaborate tunnel escape. They spent months digging, hiding dirt, bribing guards, planning routes. The escape attempt ultimately failed. Campbell and several others were caught and punished with solitary confinement. Some people saw this as hypocrisy—how could he honor his word to return, then immediately try to escape? But Campbell and his fellow officers saw no contradiction. His parole obligation ended when he returned to camp. After that, it was his duty as a soldier to try to escape and return to the fight. The Germans, surprisingly, seemed to respect this logic. He was punished for the escape attempt, but not treated as someone who'd broken his fundamental word of honor. The War Ends Campbell survived the war. When armistice was declared in November 1918, he was released and returned to England. He lived a quiet life afterward, rarely speaking publicly about his wartime experiences. But his story endured—a strange, beautiful moment of humanity in the middle of industrial slaughter. The Lesson WWI killed 20 million people. It introduced poison gas, flamethrowers, and mechanized mass murder. It destroyed empires and shattered illusions about honor and glory in war. But in the middle of all that, two enemies—a British captain and German camp authorities—made an agreement based on nothing but trust. And it held. He asked to see his dying mother. They let him go. He promised to return. He did. In a war that destroyed almost everything, honor survived—at least for one man, for one promise. Sometimes keeping your word costs you everything. Sometimes it's still worth it.

A wealthy businessman once bought a diamond the size of an egg yolk, a stone so rare it could change his fortune. But when he looked closer, his heart sank; a thin crack ran straight through it.

A wealthy businessman once bought a diamond the size of an egg yolk, a stone so rare it could change his fortune. But when he looked closer, his heart sank; a thin crack ran straight through it. Every jeweler he visited said the same thing: “Yes, it can be split into two perfect diamonds… But one wrong strike, and it becomes worthless.” No one wanted to touch it. Finally, he traveled to Amsterdam to meet an old master known for his golden hands. The master listened patiently… then called over a young apprentice sitting quietly nearby. The apprentice held the diamond in his palm, lifted a hammer, and struck it once — clean, precise, fearless. Two flawless diamonds sparkled back at them. Stunned, the businessman whispered, “How long has he worked with you?” “Three days,” the master replied. “He has no idea how valuable the diamond is… That’s why his hand didn’t tremble.” Sometimes, the only thing heavier than the risk is the fear inside your mind. Overthinking creates cracks that don’t exist. Courage — creates possibilities that didn’t exist.

**What if your boss behaved like Harmanpreet Kaur?*

**What if your boss behaved like Harmanpreet Kaur?* Sunday night, India created history — winning the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup Final. A proud moment for every Indian. A watershed moment for women’s sports. But amid all the fireworks, cheers, and tricolour celebrations, one quiet act stole the show. As the team took their victory lap, Captain Harmanpreet did something extraordinary — she invited two legends, Jhulan Goswami and Mithali Raj, both retired stalwarts, to hold the trophy and walk with the team. That single gesture defined leadership culture in its purest form. Just one simple, powerful act that said everything about who she is as a leader. Harmanpreet didn’t see them as “the past.” She saw them as the foundation — the women who made it possible for this generation to dream. And by inviting them, she set an example that didn’t reduce her stature — it multiplied it. Because only a secure leader can share the spotlight. And in doing so, she gave her team something priceless — a culture of trust, humility, and belonging. Now, let’s flip the scoreboard and talk about our workplaces. In many offices today, leaders act more like insecure captains. They downplay others’ contributions, hold back recognition, or feel threatened by anyone who could shine brighter. And then they wonder — “Why is my team not motivated?” Simple. Culture trickles down from the top. If the leader plays politics, the team plays safe. If the leader steals credit, the team stops taking ownership. If the leader can’t celebrate others, the team stops celebrating altogether. I’ve seen it too often — high-potential teams collapsing under poor leadership. Not because they lacked skill, but because they lacked psychological safety. When leaders operate from fear instead of trust, even talent turns timid. Now imagine if Harmanpreet had walked that lap with her team, trophy in hand, soaking up the glory for herself. The message would’ve been — “This is my win.” But by bringing Jhulan and Mithali in, she turned “my win” into “our legacy.” That’s how culture is built. Not through mission statements, but through moments of humility. Corporate leaders can learn a lot from that victory lap. True leaders don’t compete with their team — they complete them. They don’t chase validation — they create loyalty. They don’t fear being replaced — they build people who can replace them, and still revere them. That’s how you build cultures that last — where success isn’t a one-time event but a living tradition. As I watched Jhulan and Mithali lift that cup with tears in their eyes, one thought struck me — Leadership isn’t about holding the trophy. It’s about knowing who deserves to hold it with you. That’s how you build teams that don’t just win once — They keep winning, long after you’re gone. And in that one act, Harmanpreet didn’t just win a World Cup. She won something rarer — the hearts and respect of her team and many more like me.

The Discipline Trap

The Discipline Trap I often run into mid-career professionals who've let career success manifest in a bigger waist. They want to shed the inches while staying on track for their next jump. So they join a gym. A former colleague did exactly this in July, membership, $120/month. When I met him last week, he'd been there exactly twice. "I just don't have the discipline." I became curious & asked him: Where do you keep your gym bag? "In the closet." What time do you get home? "7pm usually" What's the first thing you do? "Play with my daughter." Where's the gym? "15 min away." So we did a Gym Failure Audit. Here's what actually needs to happen for him to hit the gym after work: Drive home after a busy day. Walk past daughter who is begging him to sit down with her. Go to the closet, fill up gym bag. Change. Get back in the car. Drive 15 minutes, find parking. Walk into gym. That's 8 decision points when he's tired. And he blames it on "discipline." Now, what if he had: packed the gym bag the night before, left it in the car,& headed straight to the gym from work. That's 2 steps instead of 8. It's the same person with the same goal BUT with a different setup. And a completely different result. I see this pattern constantly. The exec who wants to read more but keeps books on a shelf in the living room while his phone is on the nightstand. The manager who wants to think strategically but schedules herself in back-to-back meetings from 9 to 6 with no breathing room. The team lead who wants to be more present with family but carries his device to the dinner table "just in case something urgent comes up." We diagnose these as motivation problems or discipline problems or character flaws. They're not, they're design problems. When outcomes don't match goals, let's stop asking "Why don't I have more willpower?"; instead: "What needs to be true for this to happen easily?" If you're consistently failing at something, your current setup is perfectly designed to produce that failure. Your environment isn't neutral; it's either working for you or against you. So you don't need to become a different person. You just need to rearrange your surroundings. Many people spend years trying to develop the discipline to overcome a bad setup. Succesful folks spend 10 minutes fixing the setup instead. Sitting on your couch at 7pm, phone in hand, gym bag in the closet, wondering why you don't have enough discipline to work out is... well... exactly what your setup is designed to do.

Nilgiri Mountain Railway

https://telanganatrends.com/the-majestic-nilgiri-mountain-railway-a-timeless-journey-through-the-blue-hills/

Kailasa Mansarovar Yatra

https://telanganatrends.com/kailas-mansarovar-yatra-the-sacred-journey-beyond-the-mind

Once, Lord Narayana said to Goddess Lakshmi,

Once, Lord Narayana said to Goddess Lakshmi, "Devotion among people has increased so much; everyone keeps chanting 'Narayana Narayana'!" Lakshmi Devi replied, "It's not for you, but for me that their devotion has increased!" Lord Narayana said, "But people don't chant 'Lakshmi Lakshmi', do they?" To this, Goddess Lakshmi responded, "If you don't believe me, then let's test it!" Lord Narayana took the form of a Brahmin and went to a village. He knocked on the door of a house. The owner opened it and asked, "Where are you from?" Lord Narayana said, "I want to conduct a religious discourse about the divine here in your village." The owner replied, "Alright, Maharaj, you can stay at my place for as long as the discourse continues." A few villagers gathered, and all the arrangements were made. On the first day, some people came to listen. Since it was Lord Narayana himself giving the discourse, more people started attending. By the second and third day, the crowd grew even larger. Lord Narayana was pleased, thinking, "Look how devoted people are!" Goddess Lakshmi thought it was time to see what was actually happening. She took the form of an elderly woman and entered the village. One woman was locking her door to attend the discourse when the elderly woman (Lakshmi in disguise) approached her and asked, "Dear, could you give me some water?" The woman replied, "It's 3:30 PM, and I need to go to the discourse!" Goddess Lakshmi said, "Please, give me a little water; I'm very thirsty." The woman brought a pitcher of water. When the old woman drank the water and returned the pitcher, it had turned into gold! The woman was astonished; she had handed over a steel pitcher, but now it was golden! She realized that the old lady must be miraculous. Now, the woman, with folded hands, said, "Mother, you must be hungry too. Please have some food!" She thought that if the woman ate, her plate, bowl, spoon, and glass would also turn into gold. Goddess Lakshmi replied, "You go, dear. It's time for your discourse." The woman went to the gathering but shared what had happened with other women. Hearing this, many women left the ongoing discourse. The next day, the number of people attending the discourse decreased. Lord Narayana asked, "Why has the crowd reduced?" Someone replied, "A miraculous old lady has come to the village. Wherever she drinks milk, the glass turns into gold. If she eats from a plate, it also turns into gold! Because of this, people are not attending the discourse." Lord Narayana understood that Lakshmi Devi had arrived! As soon as he heard this, even the host decided to leave and went straight to Goddess Lakshmi. He said, "Mother, I was organizing the discourse for the Lord, and you didn't even visit my house!" Lakshmi Devi replied, "I was going to visit your house first! But how can I come when the storyteller (Lord Narayana) is there? He must leave first for me to arrive!" The host said, "Is that all? I will arrange a room for him at the community center right away." The host went back to Lord Narayana, who was disguised as the storyteller, and said, "Maharaj, please pack your things. We've arranged your accommodation at the community center." Lord Narayana said, "There are still 2-3 days left of the discourse. Let me stay here." The host replied, "No, no, please leave quickly! I have to accommodate another guest." Just then, Goddess Lakshmi appeared and said, "Host, please step outside. Let me deal with this!" Goddess Lakshmi then turned to Lord Narayana and said, "Lord, do you agree now?" Lord Narayana smiled and said, "Yes, Lakshmi, your influence is indeed strong. But you must also accept that you only arrived here because I, in the form of a saint, came first. Wherever a saint holds a discourse, you will surely reside there." Saying this, Lord Narayana bid farewell and returned to Vaikuntha. After the Lord left, the next day, a crowd gathered at the host's house. Everyone wanted the miraculous old woman to visit their homes one by one. But what happened next? Goddess Lakshmi told the host and the villagers, "Now I am also leaving." Everyone asked, "Why, Mother? Did we make a mistake?" Goddess Lakshmi replied, "I only reside where Narayana is present. You have driven Narayana away, so how can I stay?" And then she left.

Why did Akbar kill Birbal?

Why did Akbar kill Birbal? Birbal died because of Akbar. The Yusufzai tribes of Afghanistan began a rebellion against Mughal rule on the eastern bank of the Indus River. The soldiers sent by Akbar to crush the rebellion had been killed. Akbar sent the wise Birbal with his new army reinforcements to Attock in 1586 to help commander Jain Khan. Birbal and the army moved into a narrow pass in Swat Valley (present day Pakistan), Afghan soldiers lay in ambush in the hills were there, and they started firing shells from above. After this, in the major defeat of Akbar, Birbal and more than 8000 soldiers were killed. The saddest thing was that his body was never found. This was the biggest military loss for Akbar. It is said that he did not eat or drink anything until he was saddened by the loss of his favorite royal prince Birbal. He was very sad because due to the body of Birbal not being found, his last rites could not be performed. Akbar the Great had declared that this was his biggest tragedy since he assumed the throne.

Why is Nandi so dear to Lord Shiva?

Why is Nandi so dear to Lord Shiva? Now the question also arises that if Ravana is the biggest devotee of Shiva, then why Nandi is so dear to Mahadev. There is also an interesting story attached behind it. According to this story, when the Asuras were churning the ocean, Halahal poison emerged from the churning of the ocean. Seeing the poison, both Sur and Asura refused to drink poison, in such a situation, Mahadev himself drank that poison to protect the whole world. But while drinking poison, some drops fell on the ground, which Nandi licked. Lord Shiva was pleased to see this love and dedication of Nandi and he gave Nandi the title of his biggest devotee. In this way, along with the ride of Lord Shiva, Nandi also came to be known as his biggest devotee. Along with being a devotee of Lord Bholenath, Nandi also got the privilege of becoming his vehicle. In any Shiva temple, there is an idol of Nandi ji outside the temple and since then it is believed that he conveys the message of the

Full Transcript of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji's Kashmir Program !

Full Transcript of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji's Kashmir Program ! “Good morning everybody. Wow! Kashmir ki kaliyan khil gayi hain! (The buds of Kashmir have blossomed!) I feel so happy being here in Kashmir. The love and affection I am receiving from you all fills my heart with joy. It’s such a wonderful day that we are all here to take a pledge — that we will see that Kashmir is free from drugs. My dream has always been a society free from violence, bodies free from disease, minds free from confusion, intellects free from inhibition, and souls free from sorrow. This is the birthright of every human being. I like to see a smile on everyone’s face. I am happy — you are already smiling. That is the 'Art of Living'! --- *The Five Golden Principles of the Art of Living* Art of Living is based on five simple yet powerful principles: 1. Balance of mind. In life, we all get happy times and tough times. But in all times, keep your mind balanced. Have faith that only the best will happen to you. 2. Accept people as they are. You cannot expect everyone to be like you. Just as you want others to accept you as you are, learn to accept them as they are. You know, when you point a finger at someone, three fingers point back at you! So introspection is necessary for growth. 3. Don’t be a football of others’ opinions. We often get carried away by what others think about us. Don’t let yourself be manipulated. Be motivated, not manipulated. Be a thinker — have your own ideas, while listening to everyone. 4. Drop the past. How many of you have made mistakes? Raise your hands. Yes, everyone has! So when you make a mistake, just say, “Okay, I made a mistake — now let’s move on.” You would like others to forgive and forget your mistakes, right? Then you must also forgive and forget others’. 5. Live in the present moment. Live in the now. Have a scientific temper. Learn to question, to reason, but also to stay joyful and spontaneous. --- *Gurudev on the Modern Mind's Attention Span* You know, when I was studying in college, the class period used to be 55 minutes. The bell would ring after 55 minutes. Today, do you know what is the attention span? Thirty seconds! Are you all here? (smiles) Those sitting in the gallery, are you here? You talk to someone, but their mind is somewhere else. Right? You don’t like it when people don’t pay attention to you. So, this constant distraction, social media, and anxiety about the future — all this creates stress. “What will happen to me? What will I become?” This constant worry drains your energy. And when people lose energy, they look for escape — and that’s when they fall into drugs. --- *The Real Cause of Drug Addiction* Why do people take drugs? One, because they don’t want to live with stress. They think drugs give relief. Two, because they are not happy with normal sensory experiences — they want something higher, something more exciting. So, they seek an “altered state of consciousness.” But the tragedy is — they go in the wrong direction to find it. Those who are addicted — don’t blame them. Don’t push them away. Embrace them. Understand them. Help them. Many want to come out of it but don’t know how. That’s where we can help. The secret is in their own breath. With a few minutes of Sudarshan Kriya (taught in Basic Course of Art of Living) and meditation, a sea change happens inside. The mind becomes clear, stress disappears, and joy returns. So today, let’s take a vow — we will neither take drugs nor let anyone around us take drugs. If someone has gone into it, we’ll help them come out. --- *On Depression and Aggression* One more big issue among youth today — depression and aggression. When you see someone with a long face, don’t just pass by. Stop. Shake hands. Hug them. Ask them, “Hey, what’s wrong?” Sometimes, a two-minute conversation can save a life. In youth, energy can go in two wrong directions — aggression or depression. But this is the time to be creative, joyful, and full of enthusiasm. Let’s not waste our youth in anger or sadness. --- *The Mind and the Heart* You know, the mind always wants something new — new fashion, new gadget, new iPhone! But the heart always loves the old — old friends, old memories. Life is a combination of both — old and new. Like a tree — roots are old, shoots are new. So, keep the scientific temper of the mind, and the warmth of the heart. --- *The Great Heritage of Kashmir* I was just telling some professors earlier — when I travelled around the world, I came across a book called Spandakarika, a text of Kashmiri Shaivism. It talks about vibrations — that everything in the universe is vibration. Modern physics discovered this only recently, but it was written here in Kashmir thousands of years ago! Like how India gave the world the concept of zero — Kashmir gave the world the science of consciousness. We must own it and take pride in it. Kashmiri youth are brilliant, dynamic, and full of heart. The only obstacles are stress and small-mindedness. Let’s overcome both. --- *Questions from the Youth* Q: In a region that has seen decades of unrest, how can young people cultivate peace and resilience? Gurudev: We need to heal past wounds and move on. Meditation will help — it is not foreign to Kashmir. It is your heritage! Kashmir gave meditation to the world. It doesn’t interfere with religion. Religion is separate; spirituality is universal. Meditation sharpens the intellect, energizes the body, and brings happiness to the mind. Q: How do you see the role of Kashmiri women in peace and progress? Gurudev: Kashmiri women have great power. They influence men deeply and can bring peace to society. They can play a big role in rebuilding and healing. Q: How can Kashmiri art, language, and music be revived in modern times without losing their essence? Gurudev: We must pay attention to our art — carpets, crafts, painting, music — and take pride in them. Women can lead this revival. Q: What message would you like to give the youth of Kashmir to promote harmony? Gurudev: Travel! Travel across India and the world. When you meet people from everywhere, you realize — everyone is part of you. Life is short — there is less time to love, so why fight? Even so-called “bad” people are not bad — just misguided, misunderstood, or misfortunate. They need compassion, not condemnation. There are no outsiders. All belong to us. --- *Closing Guidance* Now tell me — how many of you have neck and shoulder pain from too much screen time? (smiles) Many of you raised your hands! Alright, I’ll show you a small exercise — it’ll relieve you instantly. Stretch your arms behind your head… turn… (Gurudev demonstrates playfully). Keep doing this every day! --- *Final Message by Gurudev* You are the light — Jyoti Svaroop — within you is the radiance of the Divine. Recognize it. Awaken it through meditation. There’s less time to love and serve, so don’t waste it in anger or stress. Serve, sing, meditate, and smile. That is the *Art of Living*.

Why is Lord Vishnu mostly in the sleeping posture, however every other god is usually seen sitting?

Why is Lord Vishnu mostly in the sleeping posture, however every other god is usually seen sitting? Yog Nidra : According to sacred texts ; Lord Vishnu undergoes Yoga Nidra for a certain time of a year. Seers and devotees believe; it is his provable way to remember Lord Shiva , his beloved deity. Many devotees believe ; Lord Sri Hari recharges himself to create; sustain and destroy world. Chaturmaas : It is known as Chaturmaas (four months) ; when all auspicious acts are forbidden. Hindu monks do not travel during this specific period and indulge in meditative prayers. Anant shesh : Lord Vishnu reclines on Anant Shesh ji - his divine serpent. Anant shesh happens to be among the greatest devotees of Lord Sri Hari Vishnu. He epitomizes Kundalini Shakti (mystical powers) and utmost devotion. Powers : Anant Shesh guards Lord Sri Hari against all form of negative energy. It also acts as couch ; cover and fan for Lord Sri Hari Vishnu. Devuthani : After four months ;Lord Sri Hari gets up from his divine sleep on Devuthani Ekadashi. Naturally, all auspicious deeds start from that day. Facts : Lord Sri Hari not only sleeps ;but sits on his couch. All deities have personal symbols -Lord Shiva’s Baghambar (tiger’ skin) ; Goddess Durga’ lion.) Each symbol in Hindu philosophy has a specific and subtle meaning. Prayer : Sri Ganeshaya Namah Jai Sita Ram Narayan Jai Sri Lakshmi Bhumi Anant Shayanam Narayan Namo Parvatipataye Har Har Mahadev Shiv Shambo