Author: Natarajan

Message for the Day…”Be kind with all your kith and kin. Expand your empathy; serve others who are in need to the extent your skill and resources permit you.”

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Source: http://media.radiosai.org/

Just as the body is the house you live in, the world is the body of God. An ant biting the little finger of your foot is able to draw your full attention to the spot, and you react to that pain immediately. You must similarly feel the pain, misery, joy or elation, wherever it is present; you must make an effort to protect your countries and fellow countrymen, however remote may be the place where the suffering occurs. Be kind with all your kith and kin. Expand your empathy; serve others who are in need to the extent your skill and resources permit you. Do not fritter away your talents in profitless channels. Everyone consumes a large quantity of food, but never calculates what one does in return to the society that helped one to live! The food you eat must be transformed into service, either towards one’s best interest, or for the interests of others. You should not be a burden on others or an enemy of yourself.

Message for the Day…”Have Love towards the Lord, but do not become depressed with envy when others also love Him or get attached to Him”

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Source….http://media.radiosai.org

Samskriti, the word for culture, is derived from the word, samskara. Samskara is the dual process of removing the dust and dirt of vices and the planting of virtues. Know that envy is the stickiest dirt! You must be happy when others are happy. Rama is said to have been happy when others were happy; the Ramayana says that He was then as happy as if the event that made the other person happy had happened to Him. That is the true test. Krishna speaks of Arjuna as envy-less (An-asuya). What a great compliment! Therefore, He proposed to teach him the mysteries of spiritual discipline. Sathyabama is infamous in many stories because of her jealousy; in every instance Krishna attempts to put down this vice and teach her humility. Have Love towards the Lord, but do not become depressed with envy when others also love Him or get attached to Him.

வாரம் ஒரு கவிதை…” கண்ணால் காண்பதும் …”

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கண்ணால் காண்பதும் …
——————–
கண்ணால் காண்பதும் பொய் …காதால்
கேட்பதும் பொய்… தீர விசாரிப்பதே மெய் !
இது சான்றோர் வாக்கு !
பதவியும் பணமும் இருக்கும் வரை உன்னை சுற்றி
ஒரு கூட்டம் இருக்கும் எப்போதும் !…நீ உன் கண்ணால்
பார்த்தாலும்  அந்த கூட்டம் ஒரு பொய் !
நீ உன் காதால் கேட்டாலும் உன் புகழ் பாடும்
அந்த கூட்டத்தின் பாட்டும் ஒரு பொய்தான் !
மயங்கி விடாதே தம்பி  நீ …ஒரு பொய்யின்
அழகில் ! மதி மயங்கி உன்னை இழந்து விடாதே
ஒரு மாய வலையில் சிக்கி !
கண் கொண்டு எதை நீ பார்த்தாலும் , உன்
காதால் எதை நீ கேட்டாலும்
உன் கண்ணுக்கு தெரியாத உன் மனம் மட்டும்
சொல்லும் நீ செய்வது சரியா இல்லை தவறா என்று !
உன் மனது சொல்லும் வாக்கே மெய் வாக்கு !
கண்ணுக்கு தெரியாத உன் மனத்தின் மெய் வாக்கை
நீ காது கொடுத்து கேட்கவேண்டும் தம்பி …
கேட்டு உன் மனம் காட்டும் நல் வழியில் நீ நடந்தால்
கூட்டத்தில் ஒருவனாய் நீ இருக்க மாட்டாய் தம்பி !
உன் வீட்டையும்  நாட்டையும் நல்  வழி நடத்தும்
ஒரு நல்ல தலைவனாய் நீ மிளிர்வாய்  தம்பி !
உன் மனம் சொல்லும் மெய் வாக்கு  கேட்டு  நீ நடந்தால்
நீ சொல்லும் ஓவ்வொரு சொல்லும் ஒரு
வேத வாக்கு …அதுவே உன் செல்வாக்கு !
K.Natarajan
as appeared in http://www.dinamani.com dated 27th august 2017

Meet the Kerala family that has been creating ‘Onavillu’ for Onam for centuries …!

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The Vilayil Veedu family is the only family entrusted to make the ‘Onavillu’ that is offered to the deity at Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

For the Vilayil Veedu family at Karamana it is a busy time of the year. The family of traditional craftsmen is the only family entrusted to make the ‘Onavillu’, a ceremonial bow that is offered to the deity at Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple here as part of the annual rituals during the Onam festival season.

Their house wears a festive look, as all the five male members of the family, including a 12-year-old, immerse themselves in the task of crafting these colourful bows.

“In these bows, we paint all the avatars of Vishnu. 12 of them are offered in the temple as a part of the ritual. Nowadays, even more, numbers are being offered at the temple. They consider it holy and keep it in their pooja rooms as well,” Binukumar, one of the craftsmen from the family, told TNM.

The bow is a broad piece of wood, tapering on both sides, on which miniature paintings of the Ananthasayanam, Dasavatharam, Sreerama Pattabhishekam and the Sreekrishnaleela are portrayed.

Earlier the ‘villus’ were 3.5-4.5 feet long and 4-6 inches wide. But, now the family have introduced 1.5 feet long small bows that can be used by everyone.

The making of the Onavillu is an age-old tradition that has continued over the years from the 16th century. The family members observe a 41-day penance prior to the commencement of the work.

“We have to be pure while we make this. We are vegetarians and follow certain other norms while making it. There are certain mantras to be chanted while carving and drawing each Onavillu,” he added.

Earlier the making would take place only during the Onam season but now with people buying for their home, the craftsmen work throughout the year.

The red tassels used to adorn the ‘villu’, which is known as ‘Kunjalam’, are made by the convicts of the Central Jail at Poojappura here.

Last week the jail authorities handed over this year’s required ‘Kunjalam’ to the Vilayil family.

“Kunjalam making was started decades ago by the jail inmates. There is a weaving unit in the jail.  The Kunjalam was prepared under the guidance of the instructor. We make it as per the order given by the temple,” S Santhosh, Poojappura jail superintendent told TNM.

He also says that even the prisoners observe penance before and while weaving the Kunjalam.

“They don’t take any non-vegetarian food, make themselves clean before starting the work and also do certain prayers,” he added.

Binukumar said that at prison these ‘Kunjalams’ are made by the inmates irrespective of caste or religion. “People belonging to all religion are involved in the making of Kunjalam. Surprisingly they all observe the penance so that the Onavillu’s holiness is not lost,” he added.

The ‘villus’ are first offered to the family deity at the Valiya Veedu for three days. They are then taken to Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple on Thiru Onam day and displayed at the Natakasala before being offered to the deity.

Edited by Kannaki Deika

Source….Haritha John in http://www.thenewsminute.com

Photos : Sreekesh Raveendran Nair

Message for the Day…”Respect for the parents, who started you in life and brought you into this world to gather the vast and varied treasure of experience, is the first lesson that Dharma teaches.”

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Source: http://media.radiosai.org/

Those who are trying to build the human community on a foundation of wealth (dhana), are building on sand; those who seek to build it on the rock of righteousness (dharma) are the wise. Dharma moolam idham jagath: Righteousness and duty is the root of this world. Obey it and you are happy. The evil man is a coward, haunted by fear. He has no peace within him. Respect for the parents, who started you in life and brought you into this world to gather the vast and varied treasure of experience, is the first lesson that Dharma teaches. Gratitude is the spring which feeds that respect. It is a quality that is fast disappearing in the world today. Respect for parents, teachers, elders and the wise are all on the decline. People talk loud and long in all kinds of platforms about right conduct, love, peace, compassion, truth, etc. and these get published in the newspaper next day, and there their purpose ends. Put into practice at least a fraction of what you preach.

Message for the Day…”Desire, anger and hatred are not human qualities; they are bestial tendencies. You will become a beast if you allow these wicked qualities to overpower you”

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Source: http://media.radiosai.org/

Today people are not making proper use of their mind (mati), effort (gati), position (stiti) and wealth (sampathi), and losing the sacred energy that God has gifted. Not merely this, they are subjected to misery and grief because of evil traits like desire, anger and greed (kama, krodha and lobha). People absolutely have no control over their desires. When one desire is fulfilled, they crave for another. Anger is another evil trait which ruins. Hatred is more dangerous than anger. These give rise to many evil qualities which obstruct you from experiencing Divinity. You will also be tormented by the reflection, reaction and resound of your own evil qualities. Desire, anger and hatred are not human qualities; they are bestial tendencies. You will become a beast if you allow these wicked qualities to overpower you. Hence, constantly remind yourself that you are a human being and not a beast, and subdue these tendencies and enjoy a happy life.