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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Initiative & Leadership ...

Got the following email from one of my contacts. 
Felt it is worth sharing with you all.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Situation:

(the specifics are gossip value, but are required to build up the story)

Last night on a dark Baner road (no road lights) closer to highway, I passed a donkey lying near the road divider. I stopped and walked back to check on the guy. Was bleeding profusely through the nose/mouth but was alive.

Cars zipping past in high speed, but nobody stopping to look at this animal. Not even the pedestrians were giving this guy a second glance. While i was standing there and figuring out a course of action, 2 people came along to see whats happening.

I put them to work to put stones to prevent cars from coming too close to the animal. I then got the red hazard warning triangle from my car and put it up.

I started making calls to vets for first aid advise (i have no exposure in treating large animals having an idea on what to give but no idea on dosages), and called in the PFA for the large animal van for a pickup to the animal farm or Jeev raksha.

By and by, about 20 people collected and stood around the animal, doing nothing really but willing to help. As one of them overheard me asking the vet for the medicine to be administered, he offered to go buy it, one person said he would pay for the entire treatment, and so it went on.

I called Sravanthi to get my kit and help me administer the drugs. We did administer the life saving drugs but it wasnt meant to be. The van arrived, but he passed away. The team helped to move him to the side, and they found the number of PMC, called them to pick up the dead body. In all this we recruited a new volunteer for Resq.

Realization:

I started this alone but I wasn't alone anymore and I didnt do anything but just stand there and do what I felt was right.

"I was ready to work on this alone. I lived my truth and support came."

Although I was very saddened that the donkey was not saved, I was amazed at how people are moved if one person looks another direction or differently.

People want to help but maybe they are just followers. Need a leader there to show them the way.

In the gang of people, several would have just been curious bystanders but several cared genuinely.

My takeaway:

"If you want to start a movement, don't look around for support, just walk in the direction of your movement truthfully, and support will come."

warm regards

Sunil Uttam

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Beginning of love ...

Got to read a good quote on the Internet.


"The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love  only the reflection of ourselves we find in them."
~Thomas Merton

Many people in love, and mainly the married couples tend to mould their spouse in a shape like theirs. Typically, they start from finding similarities in their likes and dislikes. More the match there, they feel the better would be their match as a couple for the rest of the life. But, this does not hold true for long. As the time goes, more of the differences start getting uncovered, which then starts a tussle between the couple on how much each of them succeeds in moulding the other in their own shape. Leading to dissatisfaction, frustration and stress in the relationship. And the relationship generally worsens with time and becomes a burden to carry for the rest of the life.
On the other hand, if the couple realises the fact, quoted above, earlier in the relationship (best is right from the beginning) and loves (not accepts) the other person with what s/he is, then it becomes a different story altogether. Both get their "own space" (much talked about jargon these days :). I think, everyone needs to exercise this in their lives to have a more engaging, exciting and a happier life.
Lets all have better relationships and a better Life ...

Thursday, October 21, 2010

देव तयास मिळो न मिळो रे ...

सागर पोहत बाहू बळाने ।।
नाव तयास ... मिळो न मिळो रे ॥ १ ॥

स्वयेच जो तेजोनिधी तरणी ॥
तदगृही दीप ... जळो न जळो रे ।। २ ॥

जो करी कर्म अहेतू निरंतर ॥
वेद तयास ... कळो न कळो रे ॥ ३ ॥

ओळख पटली ज्यास स्वतःची ॥
देव तयास ... मिळो न मिळो रे ॥ ४ ॥

--- कवी बोबडे

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Pasaydaan Explained !!


Pasaydaan, one of the most wonderful blessings asked to the Almighty by someone in the world !
Saint Dnyaneshwar (1275-1296 AD), who is regarded as one of the most respected saints in Maharashtra, was a great poet. At the age of mere 15 yrs, he completed the composition of "Bhavarth Deepika" better known as "Dnyaneshwari" (composed in 9000 ovis or stanzas), where he explained the sacred Hindu scripture in layman's language (Prakrit - Marathi) at that time (@1290 A.D.) prevailed in Maharashtra.
Dnyashwari is considered to be a masterpiece in Marathi literature. At the end of which Dnyaneshwar asks for the blessings of the Almighty through this Pasaydaan (9 ovis/stanzas) which is considered as the summary of Dnyaneshwari.
Here, I am just trying to put down what I could understand from this. Hope you might find it useful.
Please provide your inputs to improve on this attempt.

The Pasaydaan narration by 'Ram Shewalkar' in marathi has been hugely helpful for this English translation. This article owes a lot to him !!

1st Stanza
"Aata Vishwatmake Deve, Yene wag-yadne toshave,
Toshoni maj dyave, pasaydaan he."
Meaning
After completing the work of commenting on Bhagavad Gita through Dnyaneshwari, Dyaneshwar appeals to the Almighty, that please be pleased with this Yadna (ritual sacrifice/worship) through this litterature and shower on me your blessings. Let us see now, what he asks for in the following stanzas.

2nd Stanza
"Je khalanchi venkati sando, Taya satkarmee rati vaadho,
Bhoota paraspare pado, maitra jeevanche."
Meaning
In the first stanza itself Dnyaneshwar asks from the Almighty for the bad (khal) guys. You may think, why to ask blessings for the bad guys first, why not for the good people? But here lies the greatness of this saint. He is regarded as mother of all the people. In fact, most of the maharashtrian saints regard the God as their mother (e.g. "Vithu-mauli"). And with this first stanza in Pasaydaan itself, Dnyaneshwar's mother-hood becomes quite apparent. A mother, always cares (and loves) more for her weak (or bad) child than a strong (or good) child because she knows the good ones will definitely prevail in the world, but the bad ones will be hated by one and all; the only place where they can find love and care is their mother's womb. So, Dnyaneshwar asks for the well being of these bad children first. And more over what he asks is "Je khalanchi venkati sando". i.e. the bad or evil thoughts in the minds of these people should get destroyed. Quite interesting to note that, he doesn't ask for the destruction of these bad guys here. Then he asks that these people should get themselves more involved in the good-deeds. Again, note that he doesn't mention that they should start doing good things. He knows that however and how much a person be evil, there is always something good that resides with him. (e.g. Hitler was a good painter). Nobody is completely good or bad. If someone starts liking the good things and doing good deeds his traction towards the evil things will automatically get reduced.
In the next line he says, everyone should become close friends of each others. He involves all the living beings in this and not just the human beings.
Such a Great dream Dnyaneshwar sees for the well being of all the universe.

3rd Stanza
"Duritanche timir jaavo, vishwa-swadharma surye paho,
Jo je vanchil to te laho, pranijaat."
Meaning
Further he asks:
The darkness of all the evils/sins (evil thoughts and evil deeds) should get vanished. And the whole world should see the glowing sun of self-religion. He doesn't mention about 'A' particular religion here, as he knows all religions teach their followers the way to live the life happily for them selves and for the others. If a person follows the rules of his own religion he will do good things, will be nice to others, will be empathetic and always help others to become happy. Following the religion truly gives rise to such a glowing sun which automatically destroys all the darkness created by the evils. 
In the next line, he says that if this happens, each one in this world will get whatever he wants. Even if someone else gets that he will still fell as if he has got that, since everyone will be empathetic to the others.

4th Stanza
"Varshat sakal-mangali, ishwar-nishthanchi mandiyali,
Anwarat bhoo mandali, bhetatu boota."
Meaning
Such people mentioned in the earlier stanzas, will be found 'always' showering good things upon 'everyone'. there will be big crowds of such good people everywhere, who are true to the God/Self. 
(Everywhere, we find people who are true to the temporary or lasting things like money, good clothes, good food, good house and all, which are not permanent. They keep running after these things all their life. But never understand that the permanent thing which is there inside themselves is their being in this world. Their spirit, which is a fraction of the Almighty .. the God himself.)
Streams of such people should flow everywhere on the earth without any disruption and every living being will get benefited from them.

5th Stanza
"Chala kalptarunche aarava, chetana chintamaninche gaav,
Bolate je arnava, peeyushanche."
Meaning
Such kalp-tarus (a tree scripted in Hindu culture which fulfills all your desires) should be moving everywhere, giving people what they want. These people are like Chintamanis (a precious stone as described in Hindu culture which automatically relieves the bearer from all his worries.) and there will be colonies of such people everywhere.
These peoples' talks will be like the oceans of Peeyush or Amrut (elixir of life/immortality). They will be spreading this Amrut everywhere through their teachings and sharing their thoughts in the world. These will be like oceans which will last for ever.

6th Stanza
"Chandrame je a-lanchan, martand je taap-heen,
Te sarvahi sada sajjan, soyare hotu."
Meaning
These people will be cool and pleasant like the Moon, but will be spotless unlike the Moon itself. These people will be like the Sun in the noon, bright and glowing destroying all the darkness of the evils all over. But unlike the Sun in the noon, they will not be exhibiting the burning heat. They will be harmless to one and all. Spreading the brightest list of the Dharma (good deeds and well being) all over. 
In the next line he says, these people will be good to 'everyone' and 'all the time'. It is not like good to some set of people, neutral to some and bad to others. It is also not like, only sometimes being good to others and sometimes not. It is good to 'all' and 'all the time'. Such people would be close friends or relatives of all.

7th Stanza
"Kimbahuna sarva-sukhi, purna houni tinhi loki,
Bhaji-jo aadi-purukhi, a-khandit."
Meaning:
Thus, everyone will be enjoying all the happiness from all the three worlds (According to Hindu cosmology, the universe is divided into the three worlds: Svarga (Heaven: seven upper regions), Prithvi (earth) and Patala - the underworld and netherworld) and will be worshiping the Almighty all the time (following the rules of their self-religion off-course).

8th Stanza
"Aani granth-opjeeviye, visheshi loki iye,
Drushtadrushta vijaye, hovave ji."
Meaning
And in such a special world (which Dnyaneshwar dreams of), the good will always win over the evil.
(This meaning is incomplete, I need help in decoding this stanza further.)

9th Stanza
"Yeth, mhane shri-vishweshwarao, ha hoil daan pasavo,
Yene vari Dnyandeo, sukhiya zaala."
Meaning
On listening to this prayer from Dnaneshwar, his spiritual guru Sain Nivruttinaath (who was also his elder brother), on behalf of the Almighty said "Yes this will really happen.", "Whatever you asked for the mankind, through this Pasaydaan, will untimately come true."
Getting his nod, Dnaneshwar become happy !!

[ Soon after this at the age of 21, Dnyaneshwar entered into a permanent state of Sanjeevan Samadhi, as he felt that the mission of his life was complete.]

Friday, July 9, 2010

वाट पाही ...

राया माझा सरदार
शिवरायांच्या पदरी ।
गेला मोहिमी कधिचा
प्रिया तुझी वाट पाही ॥ १ ॥

वेढा पन्हाळी पडला
बाळ माझा अडकला ।
काळजाला थार नाही
जिजाऊ ही वाट पाही ॥ २ ॥

जणु वणवा पेटला
जीव कासावीस झाला ।
खग चातक कधिचा
पावसाची वाट पाही ॥ ३ ॥

फिरे रानोवनी माय
टिपायाला दाना-पाणी ।
कोटरांत चिव-चिव
पिलं तुझी वाट पाही ॥ ४ ॥

आंग्ल लचके तोडीती
सारा मुलुख लुटती ।
दीनवाणी हिंद माता
स्वातंत्र्याची वाट पाही ॥ ५ ॥

किती चाललो फिरलो
शिणलो परी नाही ।
वाट पंढरीची माझी
विठामाई वाट पाही ॥ ६ ॥

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

भारत बंद !

केला कुणी आज बंद
आहे नुसतीच ब्याद ।
जन मानसाच्या मनी
काय तयाचा आल्हाद ॥

काढली रे कुणी आज
सरकारची या कळ ।
बस फोडी, ट्रेन रोखी
सारा सावळा गोंधळ ॥

म्हणे आम्ही कार्यकर्ते
देशाची या चिंता वाहु ।
किती दूर गाव माझा
बस बंद कसा जाऊ ॥

झाला बंद जो यशस्वी
श्रेया साठी चढाओढ ।
जनतेच्या व्यथा लाख
त्याची कुणाला त्या चाड ॥

Monday, June 7, 2010

A family trek to Sinhgad !

Yesterday, is one of the memorable day of my life. Let me tell the complete story here.
My wife's (Shravani's) sisters Sheetal and Vasu were at my home last weekend. So, I planned to go on a picnic to Sinhgad.
We started early in the morning at around 8.30 am. My plan was to go there in my car. Reach the Sinhgad paytha (base station), have some breakfast there and then get into a cab which will drop us to the fort. Do some site seeing, have a lunch there and come back by 1-2 pm.
So, five of us, my wife Shravani, 2 year old son Adwait (Pilu) and the two sister-in-laws, started early, reached there at around 9.30, parked our car and kept waiting for a cab. There was a cab available but they had only us (4 excluding Pilu) as passengers. We waited there for almost 1 hr but they only got 2 more passengers so to start they wanted us to pay the charges for 10 ppl, which I obviously denied.
Thought of trying myself driving my car up hill, but I was not much confident as the ghat is a bit risky. It is a very narrow road and not in very good condition. Moreover, while coming down there is always traffic jam in the ghat on Sundays. I wanted to avoid any risk. So, finally we decided to go to the paytha and start a trek from there.
It was cloudy ad I thought it may rain as well and so it will be a pleasurable trek.

We had some breakfast (our favorite vada-paav) at around 10.30 am there and started the climb. The toughest part was carrying Pilu all along. As I knew he was not going to climb himself. Also the girls were not much used to trekking. But, that was ok, I thought of taking it easy and take multiple breaks on the way.
But, then suddenly the sky got clear and it became a bright sunny day. We immediately started to feel the heat. To start off, Sheetal was carrying Pilu, as I knew once I take him over he was going to stick to me only.

Sheetal, carried his as far as possible. Shravani was not in a position to carry him, and he was not friendly enough to Vasu so I had to then take him over. It was fine and we enjoyed the first half an hour of the trek. Then we take a break for 5 mins and started again. We were going slow and wherever we saw a tapari (small huts set up by the local people, where they sell nimbu pani (lime water), butter milk etc), we used to take a break, had some nimbu-pani sat there for 10 mins and then strat off afresh.
We took around 6-7 such breaks. At one hut the old lady there, offered some bhendi-bhakri to Pilu and Pilu also enjoyed that. On the way we also enjoyed gavran-mewa (karwanda).
At one place, the villager cautioned us to go by a proper road and not to try something risky and be extra adventurous.  We were anyways not in that mood :) We just were aiming to reach the top, which always looked distant :(
All the people climbing down were always used to claim "you haven't yet completed even 25/50 %, there is lot more to cover". But, we were not getting much affected by these claims as long as we were taking breaks, catching up some breath and then moving ahead. Each of us drank 3-4 glasses of lime water (apart from the water we carried in 2 large bottles) and a glass of butter milk.
There was a time, when we mistakenly chose a tough road, it was a steep climb and all of us helped each other to get over it.
Finally, at around 1.45 pm (more than 3 hours journey) we reached the fort which was a really satisfactory moment for all of us.

Then, had some lunch there (pithala bhakri), kanda bhajji, curd (matkyatala dahi), that tasted heavenly !
After the pet-pooja, we started off again roamed around the hill top, visited dev-take, Tanaji Samadhi, Tanaji Kada, Wind point and then returned back. This time we got a cab going down the hill (5 pm), reached paytha 5.30 pm and then got into our car (@6 pm) to reach home 7 pm.
The girls suffered some sun-burn, our limbs were paining but faces were smiling to have successfully completing a tough job today ! Overall a wonderful experience, we all enjoyed.

Friday, April 16, 2010

एक डबा

आठंवतय ना .. लहनपणी, शाळेमध्ये, मधल्यासुट्टीत,
तुला रोज खाऊ द्यायचो ... तोच मी तुझा डबा ॥

आई पासून चोरुन, लपुन छपुन,
स्टुलवर चढुन, हळुच माझ्यातले लाडु खायचास ॥

सहलीला तुझ्यासोबत हिंडायचो फिरायचो,
भूक लागली की लगेच तुझ्या समोर हजर असयचो ॥

मग तु मोठा झालास, ऑफीसला जायला लागलास,
तरीही लंच टाईमला, मलाचं घेऊन जायचास ॥

आता मी जुना झालो, चिरलो मोडलो,
अडगळीत पडून राहीलो, तरीही मी तुझाचं डबा ॥

मला कधी बाहेर काढशील का? माझ्यावरील धुळ झटकशील का?
तुझा सखा सोबती मी ... नको समजु फक्त एक डबा ॥

मनं वेडंपिसं होई ...

    निशा दाटली गडंद ... उशा उगवतं नाही  ।
    साऊरीची उशी माझी ... झोप लागतचं नाही ॥
मनं वेडंपिसं होई ... मनं वेडंपिसं होई ॥ १ ॥

    नांगारली माय काळी ... ढगं बरसतं नाही ।
    कीती खोल हीर खणु ... पाणी लागतचं नाही ॥
मनं वेडंपिसं होई ... मनं वेडंपिसं होई   ॥ २ ॥

     वाट पाहती उपाशी ... पिलं माझी घरट्यातं ।
      कीती सांज ही दाटली ... खोपं सापडत नाही 
मनं वेडंपिसं होई ... मनं वेडंपिसं होई ॥ ३ ॥

    दर्या सैरभैर झाला ... शिड माझं होलपटी ।
     चहुकडे जळ खोलं ... तीर दिसतचं नाही ॥
मनं वेडंपिसं होई ... मनं वेडंपिसं होई ॥ ४ ॥

    कीती अरि हे कापले .. रण संपतचं नाही  ।
     जीवं कानांमध्ये आला ... तोफ झडतचं नाही ॥
मनं वेडंपिसं होई ... मनं वेडंपिसं होई ॥ ५ ॥

    सखा सोडुनिया गेला ... अर्ध्यावाटी हा संसार ।
     कीती खाऊ मांडियला ... काऊ शिवतचं नाही  ॥
मनं वेडंपिसं होई ... मनं वेडंपिसं होई ॥ ६ ॥