This August, we bought a bigger TV as the old TV had its fair share of duty with us. The old TV is not disposed yet.
Three days back, my house help hesitatingly asked me, “Madamji, will you give me your old TV?”
I was busy cooking lunch at that time and instantly turned around to see her.
She continued, “Money no problem, Madamji! I will give you.”
I felt so touched. Yet I asked her, “How much do you think you can give?”
“I will give BD 20/-, Madamji!”
I told Balaji about her need, he agreed to give it for free. When I told her that she need not pay anything, she was happy that we consented for the TV but she said again in her broken English, “No, Madamji! Taking free anything, no good….” She repeated two more times with her big trademark smile.
I was awed. I listened.
“My husband will come and take it on 27th and will pay the money, Madamji.”
She appeared great in my eyes. In this world, we are so used to seeing people who grab every opportunity and use their tactics if they can get anything for free – even food.
This young girl has a list of problems to narrate, ranging from personal to money problems. Yet she doesn’t want anything for free.
Many appear educated in the society. In reality, only a rare few are educated. She is one.
* * * * * * *
“I am going out for lunch with kids. Are you coming with me?”
The familiar voice on my mobile surprised me. And it was a genuine invitation. Yes, it was a call from my dear friend from Abu Dhabi who gave surprise visit to us this Diwali after hearing of my illness. In fact, I was lazily roaming inside the kitchen at that time. I was elated, for it is the thought of concern that matters the most.
I am really fortunate to have such a great friend.
* * * * * * *
We three were having dinner together yesterday night. Balaji was telling me that our CBE house would become costlier to maintain as the committee has decided to strengthen the security of the Gardens but at a heavy cost.
In the midst of conversation, I told Balaji, “See…. I wanted to tell you something.’
“What?”
“I am not comfortable with the decision of putting electrical fencing.”
He was blinking…. “Where?”
“Around the compound.”
“Why?”
“Whatever it is, electricity of even minimum voltage would give shock to people.”
“Which people?”
“Whoever crosses the compound?”
“You mean thief?”
“Yes.”
Both father and son burst into laughter that I am too concerned about the thieves.
I am concerned about all those hundreds of residents and tenants no doubt. But my feeling was also genuine.
Pray no thief tresspass the compound.
* * * * * * *
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Number Two Hundred
Today evening Balaji took me to Sri Krishna Temple at Manama by surprise. He dropped me at the entrance and asked me to go & see as he could not find a parking lot. In fact, I rarely visit temples these days. I am not deliberately avoiding but just that I have no urge to go.
I was really taken aback upon seeing the huge Govardhan giri occupying majority of the open area against the big Krishna mural. The temple being managed and run by Gujarati community is well known for grand, colourful and vibrant decorations especially on special occasions. I inferred from the banner hung over there that there was some rath yatra yesterday.
My admiration and respect to all those behind this beautiful expression of devotion and sweet feat of creativity.
Jai Shree Krishna!
* * * * *
Talking of devotion, I would stand in awe in temples sometimes looking at others' explicit devotion than making effort of my own. I still wonder why I have never been inclined or inspired to learn or chant slokas/mantras. Could it be my birth defect? :)
Yet, I pray. Don't ask me what and how as my jabber cannot be heard by anyone except God. :)
* * * * *
I cannot believe that I have completed 200 posts - each one written with genuine emotions felt at the time of writing. The crowning glory is the one written 3.5 years back which is very, very dear to my heart.
I dedicate my scribbles to that one man who stole my heart in one swish and continue to do so even now. I wish to be connected / acquainted with him in every birth of mine. I fear not for my innumerable births but I fear that I should not lose sight of him in any of my births. If you know me, you would instantly know whom I am talking about. Otherwise, go here to know who he is....
http://padmaja-whispers.blogspot.com/2009/01/fond-feeling.html
I remember scribbling these few words on July 4, 2006 sitting in my sister's house in Chennai.
* * * * *
Number Two Hundred is just a small number for random ramblings. Loads of mental junk need to be offloaded here. So, stay tuned... :)
I was really taken aback upon seeing the huge Govardhan giri occupying majority of the open area against the big Krishna mural. The temple being managed and run by Gujarati community is well known for grand, colourful and vibrant decorations especially on special occasions. I inferred from the banner hung over there that there was some rath yatra yesterday.
My admiration and respect to all those behind this beautiful expression of devotion and sweet feat of creativity.
Jai Shree Krishna!
* * * * *
Talking of devotion, I would stand in awe in temples sometimes looking at others' explicit devotion than making effort of my own. I still wonder why I have never been inclined or inspired to learn or chant slokas/mantras. Could it be my birth defect? :)
Yet, I pray. Don't ask me what and how as my jabber cannot be heard by anyone except God. :)
* * * * *
I cannot believe that I have completed 200 posts - each one written with genuine emotions felt at the time of writing. The crowning glory is the one written 3.5 years back which is very, very dear to my heart.
I dedicate my scribbles to that one man who stole my heart in one swish and continue to do so even now. I wish to be connected / acquainted with him in every birth of mine. I fear not for my innumerable births but I fear that I should not lose sight of him in any of my births. If you know me, you would instantly know whom I am talking about. Otherwise, go here to know who he is....
http://padmaja-whispers.blogspot.com/2009/01/fond-feeling.html
I remember scribbling these few words on July 4, 2006 sitting in my sister's house in Chennai.
* * * * *
Number Two Hundred is just a small number for random ramblings. Loads of mental junk need to be offloaded here. So, stay tuned... :)
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Nothing matters
The hustle bustle of the day’s work was over. I was thoroughly exhausted.
As I was about to settle down for my night reading for inspiration, I was captivated by the blue & white combination that I saw from the bedroom window. Generally, Bahrain’s sky is one of the most disillusioned ones as it is rare to see stars or clouds at any point of the year. Hence it was a sight for me.
I mentally pushed aside the charms of ‘The Power of NOW’, opened the window fully and sat on a chair resting my arms on the sill. Those half an hour…
I watched the white clouds chasing something fast… no faster… I didn’t want to even get up and wear my glasses to correct my short sight as the large motion picture was clearly seen.
I turned my gaze towards the busy Exhibition Avenue, Jasmis, moving cars, people crossing the open ground…
At those rare seemingly satoric moments, there was no pain or joy, no remembrance of failures or successes, no reminders on duties or commitments, no thoughts on relationships, no fears on losing, no intellectual analysis, no expectations from anything or anybody, no worries on my imperfections, no questions on the many whys, no philosophical conclusions, no reasonings…
I became speechless.
I could not sit beyond a point. The humidity in the atmosphere and the buzzing of ACs from the neighbouring houses made me feel very hot. I closed the window and saw through the glass. I watched the chasing clouds against the stagnant blue sky and the fast moving cars on the road again.
I moved out of the window now as my mind and body were reminding me of the unbearable heat.
I switched ON the AC, picked up the book and started reading….
“The world arises when consciousness takes on shapes and forms, thought forms and material forms. Look at the million of life forms on this planet alone. In the sea, on land, in the air – and then each life form is replicated millions of times. To what end? Is someone or something playing a game, a game with form? This is what the ancient seers of India asked themselves. They saw the world as lila, a kind of divine game that God is playing. The individual life forms are obviously not very important in this game.”
I closed my eyes, finished my night prayers and dozed off to sleep in the next couple of minutes.
I felt divine in the morning.
I realise that nothing matters.
Yes. No thing really matters.
As I was about to settle down for my night reading for inspiration, I was captivated by the blue & white combination that I saw from the bedroom window. Generally, Bahrain’s sky is one of the most disillusioned ones as it is rare to see stars or clouds at any point of the year. Hence it was a sight for me.
I mentally pushed aside the charms of ‘The Power of NOW’, opened the window fully and sat on a chair resting my arms on the sill. Those half an hour…
I watched the white clouds chasing something fast… no faster… I didn’t want to even get up and wear my glasses to correct my short sight as the large motion picture was clearly seen.
I turned my gaze towards the busy Exhibition Avenue, Jasmis, moving cars, people crossing the open ground…
At those rare seemingly satoric moments, there was no pain or joy, no remembrance of failures or successes, no reminders on duties or commitments, no thoughts on relationships, no fears on losing, no intellectual analysis, no expectations from anything or anybody, no worries on my imperfections, no questions on the many whys, no philosophical conclusions, no reasonings…
I became speechless.
I could not sit beyond a point. The humidity in the atmosphere and the buzzing of ACs from the neighbouring houses made me feel very hot. I closed the window and saw through the glass. I watched the chasing clouds against the stagnant blue sky and the fast moving cars on the road again.
I moved out of the window now as my mind and body were reminding me of the unbearable heat.
I switched ON the AC, picked up the book and started reading….
“The world arises when consciousness takes on shapes and forms, thought forms and material forms. Look at the million of life forms on this planet alone. In the sea, on land, in the air – and then each life form is replicated millions of times. To what end? Is someone or something playing a game, a game with form? This is what the ancient seers of India asked themselves. They saw the world as lila, a kind of divine game that God is playing. The individual life forms are obviously not very important in this game.”
I closed my eyes, finished my night prayers and dozed off to sleep in the next couple of minutes.
I felt divine in the morning.
I realise that nothing matters.
Yes. No thing really matters.
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