Tuesday 28 October 2008

NOVEMBER 1ST-FORMATION OF ANDHRA PRADESH

It is understood, according to the records and history manuals available, that the Telugu-speaking people known as Andhras were struggling for the formation of a separate independent Andhra province since the period of British, but could not succeed. When India attained Independence on the 15th August 1947, Andhras hoped that their long-cherished desire would be realised soon. Inspite of several renewed efforts put forth by the Andhra leaders before the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the Deputy Minister Sardar Vallabhai Patel, the desire for a separate Andhra state remained as a dream itself. A delightful declaration came from the then Prime Minister Nehru on November 27th, 1947 that the government was considering formation of states on linguistic basis. Later, Nehru during his visit to Visakhapatnam stated that a commission was in the offering to examine the possibilities of linguistic states.
DHAR COMMISSION
A COMMISSION HEADED BY THE PRESIDENT OF constitutional Council S K Dhar was formed by the national government on June 17th, 1948. The Dhar Commission submitted its recommendations on December 10th, 1948 furnishing its findings to be in favour of no new state formations, on the basis of language, keeping the country’s integrity and general long-term development.
J V P COMMITTEE
The recommendations of the Dahr commission against the formation of linguistic states created heavy tremors in the country including in the Telugu speaking regions. The Congress party’s national committee received all the feed back from the regional units and felt that there was an emergency need to institute another committee on the issue with Javaharlal Nehru, VallaBhai Patel and Pattabhi Seetha Ramaiah. This committee was called J V P committee with the first letters of the members. The committee in its report submitted to the working committee of the Indian National Congress in April 1949 recommended that the creation of linguistic provinces be postponed by few years. However, it suggested that Andhra province could be formed provide the Andhras gave up their claim to the city of Madras (now Chennai). This report provoked violent reaction in Andhra, as the Telugus were not prepared to forgo their claims to the city of Madras.
Under the prevailing situation, a partition committee was formed under the Chairmanship of Kumara swami Raja, the then Chief Minister of Madras. Tanguturi Prakasam, Bezavada Gopala Reddi, Kala Venkata Rao and Neelam Sanjiva Reddy represented Andhra. The partition committee could not arrive at an agreed settlement. Prakasam disagreed with the views of other members and gave a dissenting note. The Government of India took advantage of the dissenting note of Prakasam and shelved the issue. To express the resentment of the Andhras, Swami Sitaram (Gollapudi Sitarama Sastry), felt that Gandhian policy was the right policy to achieve the state and resorted to indefinite fasting from August 15th, 1951. However, Swami gave up his 35-day fast on the 20th of September 1951 on the appeal made by Vinoba Bhave. Nothing came out of this fast except the increasing distrust of people of Andhra towards their own leaders and the Government of India.
POTTI SRI RAMULU’S FAST UNTO DEATH
Sri Potti Sri Ramulu was born in Madras in 1890. His parents were from Nellore district. Sri Ramulu had his early education in Madras and then higher studies in engineering in Bombay. He worked as an engineer in the Indian Railway. After his wife died in his 25th year, he joined Sabarmati Ashram. Gandhiji admired him for his dedicated and sincere work. In 1946, he went to Nellore and devoted his time to Harijan welfare work and propagation of Khadi and village industries. He undertook three fasts during 1946-48 for the temple entry of Harijans in Nellore.
Sri ramulu began his last fast on 19th October 1952 at Madras for a separate Andhra state and continued his fast until he died on the night of 15th December 1952. This resulted in wide spread disturbance and opened the eyes of Nehru’s Government. Thus Andhra state was formed in October 1953, which catalysed the formation of other linguistic states. On November 1, 1956 Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamilnadu, Karnataka states were formed, followed by Gujarat and Maharashtra in 1960. The formation of linguistic states is the single most important event in the history of South Indian languages, as it provided an opportunity for these languages to develop independently, each of them having a state to support.
Sri Potti Sriramulu has become Amarajeevi (immortal) for Telugus. TODAY, WE ARE CELEBRATING THE ANDHRA PRADESH FORMATION DAY, ONLY BECAUSE OF AMARAJEEVI SRI POTTI SRIRAMULU.

GLORY TO AMARAJEEVI SRI POTTI SRIRAMULU!
GLORY TO TELUGU TALLI!

Monday 27 October 2008

KARTIKA MASAM

Kartika Masam, which is the most sacred month of the year starts 0n Wednesday, October 29th, on the day which the holy bath of Kartika Snanam starts in all the sacred rivers in Bharat. It is privilege to be in India at this most auspicious time of the year. Kartika Masam ends on Thursday, November 27th.

As you all know Kartika Masam is very auspicious for both the devotees of Siva & Sri Krishna. All the temples in Andhra pradesh are already busy and lacks of people are expected nearer the start of Kartika Masam, especially places like Srisailam and TirumalaFive activities are glorified: staying awake, early morning bath, worship of Tulasi, offering lamps and performing austerities. One should practice brahmacharya, give charity, and perform homa and japa. One is advised to give up eating beans, kalami saka, patola, eggplant, meat, fish, liquor, oil massage, illicit sex, grains cooked by others. One should eat once a day havisana. One should increase ones devotional service by performing more deity worship, hearing and speaking about the Lord, by extra japa of the Lord's name, worshipping Tulasi, staying awake at night chanting, visiting holy tirthas and offering lamps to the Lord. One should worship Radha Damodara and recite the Damodarastaka daily. We need to worship both Siva especially on all Mondays and Sri Krishna especially on all Wednesdays during Kartika Masam.
It is most beneficial to do Abhisheka to Siva on Mondays and to Lord Hari on Wednesdays at least.According to Puranas, the following results are expected for items offered during Abhishekams. Cow milk-HappinessYogurt-wealthsoft sugar-destruction of sorrowHoney-RadianceSugarcane juice-MoneyVibhuti-Prosperity and removal of sinssandal water-Birth of Male childFlower water-Real estate wealthSesame oil-Avoiding accidentsRudraksha water-Supreme wealthGrape juice-Success in daily activitiesDates juice-Destruction of enemiesMango juice-Reduction of terminal diseaseAnnadanam-Increased longevity and comfortable life
If you want to read about Sri Krishna during this time, please click the link belowhttp://www.quatre-bornes.com/krishna.phpTo read about Tulasi during this time is most auspicious. Please click the link below to read.http://www.vrindavan-dham.com/vrinda/vrinda-devi.phpWe all need to recite Damodarastakam daily. Please click the link below to read Damodarastakam and its meaning in English, please click the link belowhttp://radha-madhava.blogspot.com/2007/10/sri-damodarastakam.htmlIf anybody is keen to listen instead of reading daily, please click belowhttp://pod-serve.com/audiofile/filename/4015/Kirtan_Damodar_221006.mp3

There are 4 Kartika Somavarams (Mondays) the first Monday is on November 3rd, then on November 10th, November 17th and 24th.
The first Monday of the month of Kartikam is considered very powerful. Read on to know more from the story of the Karkasa, a beautiful girl who turns to a dog and how she returns back to her beautiful body by clicking the link below

http://www.astrologyforu.com/puranas/skanda-puranam/kartika-puranam/1-power-of-kartika-somavaram.php

Those of us who want to imbibe the most during Kartika Masam should read the Kartika Puranam in English before the last day of Kartika Masam during these 4 four holy weeks by clicking the link below. It is very easy reading!

http://www.astrojyoti.com/skandapurana.htm

Kartika Purnima: Kartika Purnima falls on Thursday, November 13th and celebrated in the month of November-December is the sacred day, when the ghats of Varanasi come alive with thousands of brightly-lit earthern lamps. Visitors throng in large numbers to watch this spectacular event, famous as 'Dev Deepawali.'
To know more about this important day, please click the clink below


http://www.komilla.com/pages/KartikPurnima.html

The sacred plant, Tulasi 's marriage with Krishna took place and is being celebrated as a festival of Tulasi's wedding during Kartika Masam and this year it falls on Wednesday, November 12th. Those of you want to know more about this, please click the link below

http://www.indiadivine.org/audarya/vedic-culture/185724-tulsi-vivah-wedding-between-krsna-tulsi.html

Those who like to listen Siva songs during Kartika Masam, please click the link below

http://www.andhravilas.com/devdetailslisten.asp?cat=devsiva
Those of you who want to listen Sri Krishna devotional songs especially on Wednesdays during Kartika Masam, please click the link below

http://www.raaga.com/playerV31/index.asp?pick=67790,67791,67792,67793,67794,67795,67796&mode=3&rand=0.39311256640225295&bhcp=1

More Hindi songs on Krishna to listen during Kartika Masam, please click the link below

http://www.raaga.com/playerV31/index.asp?pick=71248,71249,71250,71251,71252,71253,71254,71255,71256,71257,71258,71259&mode=3&rand=0.9577306508408827&bhcp=1

More video clips on Sri Krishna songs by clicking the link below

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=StzOhjsKluI

Those who want Tulasi Ramayan-Rama charita Manas in Hindi, Please click the link below

http://www.raaga.com/playerV31/index.asp?pick=26452,26453,26454,26455,26456,26457,26458,26459,26460,26461,26462,26463,26464&mode=3&rand=0.8961160369731982&bhcp=1

Katika Deepam: One would wish to be in Arunachalam in Tamilnadu on Kartika Poornima to witness the glory of Kartika Deepam on Arunachala Hill, the sacred hill Swami Ramana Maharshi used to live. To know more about this important event, please click the link below

http://www.astrojyoti.com/KartikaDeepam.htm

Sunday 26 October 2008

DEEPAVALI (DIWALI)-2008

Dear Sisters & Brothers, Hope you all had a pleasant Naraka Chaturdasi especially in South india where it is considered as the main festival of Diwali. Deepavali means Row of Lights.

Om asato ma sadgamaya,Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya, Mrityor ma amritam gamaya.
Lead us from falsehood to truth; from Darkness to light; from Death to immortality and from Lethargy to Activity.

In many parts of India, it is the homecoming of King Sri Rama of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the forest. The people of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) welcomed Sri Rama by lighting rows (avali) of lamps (deepa), thus its name, Deepavali. This word, in due course, became Diwali in Hindi. But, in South Indian languages, the word did not undergo any change, and hence the festival is called Deepavali in southern India. Southern India marks it as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura.
On this Deepavali Amavasya day, apart from Lakshmi Puja, it is also the day on which Kedareswara Vratam is celebrated (Lord Siva)
Kedareshwara Vrata is an auspicious observance to be performed on Diwali Amavasya. Usually, on the day of Kedara Vratam, married women or married couple worship Lord Shiva. Kedareshwara is one of the other names of Lord Shiva.

Kedareshwara Vrata observence starts from Aswayuja Bahula Ashtami (8th day in 2nd half of the month – Aswayuja) and culmintes on Aswayuja Bahula Amavasya (the last day of the month – Aswayuja). In 2008, Kedara Vratam starts on 22nd October, Wednesday and culminates on 28th October, Tuesday.

Kedereswara Puja vidhanam

http://www.raaga.com/playerV31/index.asp?pick=39257&mode=3&rand=0.7011864777111917&bhcp=1

Please click the link above to perform Kedareswara Vratam properly with the usual rituals and Mantras which lasts for 45 minutes which may be appropriate in the evenings as it takes longer time but it is preferable to do in the morning for those it is possible. Whenever you do is not that much importance but devotion is must.
For those who would like Lakshmi Puja, please click the link and follow the procedure

http://www.diwalifestival.org/lakshmi-puja-on-diwali.html

To recite or listen Sri Lakshmi Sthotras, please clink the link below

http://www.astrojyoti.com/lakshmimp3list.htm
For more Lakshmi slokas, please click the link below
http://www.raaga.com/playerV31/index.asp?pick=67802,67803&mode=3&rand=0.9570289936388618&bhcp=1

Let us hope, we all will have a very Blissful day on this Diwali 2008 with family and friends wherever we are with the Grace of Kedareswara & Sri Maha Lakshmi.
With Love, Light & Peace to all,
Pakirareddy

Sunday 19 October 2008

MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY

MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY Dr.Kurri Pakirareddy



It was 24th June 2002, my daughter, Madhavi’s birthday. On that day, I just finished reading Mahabharat by C.Rajagopalachari, after watching Mahabharat, the epic; I recorded on tape 12 years before that on B B C television.
While reading the last pages of Ramayana by the same author, a desire arose in my mind that I should write my autobiography before I tend to forget about my childhood memories. So I started the same night before going to bed.
My first memories of myself went back, when I was 5 or 6 years of age. I was born in Mallayapalem village of Guntur taluk and district, about 12 miles from Guntur by road on the bus route from Guntur to Parchur. I vaguely remember that my parents told I that I was born on a Wednesday. The real date of birth, I do not know. It used to be with the village officer whom it happened to be our relative. When he died, it was difficult to trace. This is not uncommon in those days. At least we were fortunate in India we need to have a date of birth in our Secondary School Leaving Certificate ( SSLC). It was also necessary in those days one has to attain certain age before one leaves secondary school. That is why in India many people have an actual date of birth and also an official date of birth like the Queen of England! So my official date of birth is 1st July 1945. I also vaguely remember that I was born actually in 1944. We get what we deserve in this life.
I do remember the places, the fellow boys and girls I used to play at the age of 5 or 6 years of age. For example there used to be a neem tree in front of our house on the main road to the village where I used to spend most of time playing there with other boys and girls. I was very fortunate to have that photograph of the tree with my daughter, son and friends in the village some years ago before it was cut down as it was on the way on the main road. I was saddened not to find the tree recently. I do remember the teacher when I was in primary school in the village. I was also very fortunate to see him unexpectedly in Guntur railway station some years ago and have a photograph with him. Unfortunately I do not know his where about. I am trying various sources to trace him to honour him on my sashti purthi day in Guntur on 26th November 2005. He was a very strict teacher and I still remember the beatings that I had from him.
My parents had very little formal education. My father used to sign his name in Telugu and can read some Telugu books. He used to act in local dramas in the village. He played a role as Krishna in Kurukshetra and Gayopakyanam. My mother did not know to read and write. My parents had education of life, which is more important than formal education to survive in this world. My parents never objected whatever I wanted to do through out my life. I do remember that I used to stay with my grand parents more than with my parents at that age, their house being just opposite to ours in the same street. My grand parents used to look after me very well with love and affection. He used to be one of the gentlemen in the village in those days and people used to come to him for advice on any matters in the village. We were average family neither rich nor poor. All my primary education was in our village and appeared to join in High school directly into 7th class and my elder sister did even better joining in 8th class and she got married soon after that and that was the end of her education.
I joined in the High school in Prathipadu, about 3 miles away from our village on the way to Guntur. We used to walk to school every day up and down in all weathers even without slippers. If I say this to my children, they do not believe me. I was ten years of age at the time of my joining in to High school. There were no proper roads in those days. Some rich pupils used to go on bicycle. After a couple of years, I decided to stay in Prathipadu along with other boys in rented accommodation. We used to cook our food and curries used to come from home every day through local washerwomen. We had a wonderful time away from families and used to feel independent. We rarely went home but our parents used to visit us regularly on their way to Guntur at least once a week. We were very fortunate to have very good teachers in our High school. A noble man from our village donated our High school and it was named after him. We used to be very proud of him and his family. One teacher I used to like very much was our Telugu teacher, Devabhaktuni Rangarao garu. He was an excellent teacher and philosopher but very humble. For me he is equal to Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa and Swami Vivekananda. He lived for a short time as any other noble people. He left his mortal coil in 1971 and he was 42 at the time. He was my first spiritual guru at that young age. I was very fortunate to locate his wife, Dhanalakshmi a few years ago and got a photograph of my Guru. I am very lucky to be his pupil and devotee. If at all I have any spirituality it is only because of my reverend Guru. I was also very fortunate to have his blessings on our wedding by way of his divine hand writing in 1968. His live image is very clear in my mind. One of my friends who used to live with me at High school passed away in an accident a few years ago. He was very good friend of mine and so many good memories with him are still with me. My High school days passed very quickly and finished in 1959-60.
I joined in pre university course (PUC) in Hindu College Guntur. I lived with one of our friend from our village in their house in Guntur. It was a new experience in the college and also from village to a big town with so many activities, many new friends and many distractions as well. One friend I longed with was in my class, son of a doctor. We became very close both in the class and out side and were not able to separate and even the lecturers used to say ‘please sit apart in the class’ because we were sitting so close all the time in the front bench. We both used to buy many books for the same subject and study very hard but I was not able to get good marks in the final examination to get entrance into Medical College. My friend got very high score in all the subjects and joined in Medicine in Guntur Medical College. We both felt very sad for our separation. Good things in life can not last long I learned then. After deliberation I managed to get admission into a pre Medical course in Benaras Hindu University in Kasi. I decided to go and join in the pre Medical course and my parents readily agreed to send me without any problem. So I joined in the course in 1961. It was really an experience to go Benaras and it took a day and half by train at the age of 17. I had a wonderful time for a year going to the Ganges and to visit Lord Viswanatha temple. In those days in Benaras, we had to go physical education classes very early in the morning in biting cold and fog with only shots on the winter mornings but we used to enjoy every minute of it. Sanskrit was compulsory in those days. It was an eye opener for me and turning point in my life. There were quite a few boys and girls in our class from Andhra. No homesickness and in fact very enjoyable 12 months. At the end of the year, I passed all the subjects including Sanskrit but failed narrowly in English, which was very easy. Even if I have passed all the subjects, we have to do another examination, which is very competitive on all India basis to get entrance into 1st year Medicine. Everybody encouraged me to stay on and repeat the pre Medical course but somehow I did not fancy to repeat the course again and decided to go back to Guntur. When I was back at Guntur, my parents asked me to join in Medicine in a private Medical college by paying capitation fee. With the help of my close friend’s, father who was the professor of Medicine at Guntur Medical College, I took an introductory letter to the then Principal at Medical College, Warangal and met him. He kindly agreed to offer me a seat on paying capitation fee of 7 thousand rupees. I was in a dilemma on my way back to Guntur, and after thinking seriously, I decided not to put my parents to sell the land to pay the capitation fee and I told them that after all that I was not keen to join in Medicine and instead I wanted to join in B.Sc in Hindu College, Guntur. As I always believed we get what we deserve in this life rather than what we want, I was very content to join in B.Sc.
Those 3 years in my B.Sc in Guntur had a lovely time and met so many friends both boys and girls whom I have contact regularly even now. It never bothered me that I was not able to join in Medicine and I completely forgotten about that.
Before I go any further, I should mention one family in Prathipadu during my High school education, where I used to go their house to have food in the evening every day for at least a year if not more. They looked after me very well with affection and love. Even though it was just ordinary food, I still remember the taste of the food and their kindness to me. Unfortunately I lost contact with them, as they were elderly at that time. I still hope to meet some members of the family in my lifetime.
While at college in Guntur, I used to have my daily food from a woman who was running a mess. I still do see her in Guntur when I go for vacation. I was so grateful for her affection and love she showed me in those days.
During my college days, I met a person through one of my family friends whom I became very close. Even though we talked on the phone and by way of letter writing at times, I have not met that person for at least 35 years. I hope and pray that I will meet that person some time in my lifetime. I did rather well in my B.Sc, may be because of my maturity in life. Life is a mixture of dualities, good and bad, Pain and pleasure, day and night etc. There were times in my life in my college days that I had some financial problems. My parents never said anything against me in their lifetime. If I had any problems, it was my bad planning. There were times fortunately not many when I was not affording to eat my daily food but it never cause me any shame or sorrow. I used to think, whatever happens, it was for my own good in the long term. Everything is God’s will. The poverty never bothered me because it was only my making. Even from young age, I was fortunate to have belief in God and used to think that He is responsible for everything that happens to us. Now I know, I was wrong at that age to think like that. In fact we are responsible for our own fate. It is in our hands to make or break our life, which explains the law of Karma. But God’s grace is essential to reduce or even completely remove the effect of our bad karma. We should not blame God for our fate.
After so many years, we were fortunate to meet my close friend of Guntur Hindu College in America in 2003 after I recovered from my brain stem haemorrhage and stroke and stayed in their house for a few days. We revived all our past memories once again and enjoyed very much. We regularly in contact by phone. Here I should mention another important person in my life during my college days in Guntur who was my teacher and friend for the last 40 years. I used to go to their family and knew all of them. We used to go out together in the evenings on our bicycles almost daily and used to discuss our personal problems and used to feel a lot better after our discussions. I had so many good days with him and fortunately see each other every year when I go to India. We were privileged to have him and his wife for a couple of days in our home in Sibsey, England in May 2004. He is very fortunate to serve selfless with devotion to so many people in India. I am very proud of him to be his friend.
I passed my B.Sc in first class and applied for M.Sc in Andhra University, Waltair and also I came to know that I could apply for Medicine with my B.Sc qualification directly into 2nd year M.B.B.S. I got M.Sc admission in Botany and joined in Andhra University. Again it is a big city, big institution and with new friends. I had a wonderful time living in the hostel. I also applied for jobs after my B.Sc and I got an interview for the selection of sub inspector of Police, which my parents were not keen, so I did not go for the interview.
One day in November 1966 while I was at Andhra University, the postman delivered a brown envelop with the Government stamp on it. When I opened the letter, it was an admission to Medical College either in Guntur or Kurnool directly into 2nd year M.B.B.S but we had to write physics examination and also Biochemistry if I go to Guntur. The Sri Venkareswara University gave exemption for Bio Chemistry as we did it in our B.Sc. I was encouraged by family and friends to go to Medicine for which I was not able to get after my P UC. So I decided to go to Kurnool along with at least 10 other candidates from Andhra University, even though I come from Guntur. So again it is proved everything have its own time and some people have to wait a bit longer than others and also we get what we deserve at the end.
I joined in Kurnool Medical College in December 1966. Again it was a new experience, no friends and new challenges. I started to enjoy the course, with the satisfaction of going to become a doctor, which I wanted 5 years ago.
It was in 1968, my parents expressed a desire that I should get married foe unknown reasons. I thought about it seriously and agree to get married. The wedding took place on August 10th in 1968 in Guntur with my present wife Dhana Lakshmi. I never forget that day. I should not have got any better life partner than her. It was really a miracle and the wedding went uneventfully. I had the privilege of living with my wife in the last year of my medical student life. I used to study well than before without any distractions! How many people have got this privilege?
During my medical student life, I met a man who is somewhat like me and became very friendly and we used to discuss our personal problems and helped each other. In those days we developed an obsession to go abroad after finishing the Medical Course. We tried our best to go any where in the world to survive. At last the time has come and my friend got a posting in United Kingdom with the help of one of our common friend. After about 6 months, I also got a posting in U K with the help of my friend. I am always grateful for his help. We both used to feel that we were brothers, but good times do not last long. That is the way life is. I could not find any reason to be like that. I try my best to be the same way we used, that is all one can do. We get sound only when we clap with both hands. We wish and pray for their welfare.
Again in U K, it is a new experience, strange life, strange people, different language and culture. I came to U K towards the end of October 1974 at the age of 30 and my family joined me later. On the whole I would say we had a wonderful time. I never regretted of coming to UK. I found that there are certain things we need to learn from the people of this country. I felt my self as an individual and I can live here the way I want which is somewhat difficult to do back at home. It also helped me to get my full potential of myself. Again met so many people, some are close more than others. We Lived in Belfast most of our life about 22 years and enjoyed every minute of it. We still have so many sweet memories and some close friends. We visit them regularly and spend a week or so with them.
A desire came to my mind in 1996 to retire in England as many of our friends are in England and children might settle here eventually. I had regular contacts with my friends in England and used to come regularly to do locum jobs to keep in contact with people. Fortunately I was offered a job where I used to work on locum basis. I always had a desire to retire in the village where we are living at the moment. So we moved to England towards the end of October 1996 and settled very quickly and enjoying my work. My daughter was in London and Srinivas also got a job in England.
Children were growing very fast and started to live on their own. They felt a need for their life partners. Srinivas promised to his grand parents he will marry to a girl from India. We all went to India for 6 weeks vacation. One of the families we used to be very close while in Belfast went to India for good in 1994. We always were in touch with them and stay with them when you go to India. They helped a lot to all of our family and we are grateful for their help forever. They also helped a lot for the wedding of Srinivas in December 1998. The wedding went smoothly as planned and they are living on their own. Life is always with full of ups and downs. Otherwise life becomes dull and boring.
It was March 5th in 1999, I was at a meeting at Our Trust Head quarters and towards the end of meeting at about just after 12.00 noon, I felt a strange feeling on my left side of the body and I told one of my colleague sitting next to me to call an ambulance and I could not remember what happened after that. Apparently I had brain stem haemorrhage which resulted stroke on my left side. I was admitted in a Neurology unit in Nottingham. My wife told me that on the night I had stroke, the consultant told her that they couldn’t do much and need to be observed for 24 hours and also told her it all depends upon her luck! I am told that I was there for about 10 days and then transferred to Boston where I was working. I vaguely remember being in Nottingham Hospital. I remember a bit clear after coming to Boston and began to recover slowly. I was in Boston hospital almost 3 months. So many people kindly visited me both in Nottingham and Boston and they all were very supportive and kind towards my wife and family. We are really grateful to so many people. While I was in Hospital my wife and family were very attentive and very patient with me. It is not that easy to please a doctor patient! Our daughter Madhavi took off for 3 months unpaid leave to be with me and help her mum. She has done everything for me and being a Nurse herself she has done really a professional job. I never forget her attention and Love towards me when I needed most.
After discharge from Hospital, I felt very depressed for almost about 4 months. Being a psychiatrist my self, I knew what a depression could do. I was negative about everything and even I was not able to smile. Fortunately I began to come round gradually and spent most of my time thinking about God, reading the autobiographies of great people and listening devotional music. Slowly I got my confidence back and able to think more positive towards life. I was advised to retire on health grounds from my job, which I was not happy about but I could not do anything. I thought it was God’s will. I had to retire in May 2000 at the age of 55. I was not able to walk properly and I had to use a wheelchair. I also developed double vision and need to wear an eye patch on one eye. I continued my physiotherapy with very slow recovery.
I came to know about Arya vaidyasala in Kottakal in Kerala and I wanted to try treatment. In 2001 we went for treatment for 28 days. We enjoyed our stay there and able to stand a bit longer to shave and brush in the morning and also the walking seemed a bit better. I continued that treatment every year so far and I think it is very helpful for me. Now I feel that I am improved more than my expectation and I feel very happy if I continue the way I am. I feel I got more than I deserve and very grateful to my wife and family with God’s grace. My wife put up with me when I needed most and for her it is her salvation to serve her husband when in need. I could not ask for any more than what she has given to me. I pray to God to be my wife as long as I am born again in this world.
When we were going to Kerala for treatment in November 2001, both Madhavi and her Boy friend Hari came to our house. It seemed they like each other. I told them that I had a desire that they should get married as soon as possible because of my illness.
It was Christmas morning in 2001, when I was about to go to my massage treatment, the phone rang. It was Madhavi and Hari on the phone after midnight on Christmas Eve in England and told me that they both were engaged on Christmas Eve. I blessed them both. By the time we came back to England in January 2002, they fixed the date of their wedding and venue as well. How lucky we were and I thanked God for his grace. The wedding took place on July 21st in 2002 and everything went smoothly as planned. Hari’s father used to say; they were made for each other. How true it is.
Another family, which I knew from our village for a long time, came very close in my life. I always felt we are all one family. I feel it is bondage from previous lives and I hope and pray we will be together in the same family in future lives. Even though they live in America, we have contact almost every week and see each other as frequently as possible.
I was very fortunate to celebrate my sashti purthi (60th birth day) on 2nd July 2005 in the presence of so many of our friends and well-wishers in the sacred place of Sri Venkateswara Balaji temple near Birmingham, United Kingdom. Our family from America came with our two grand children. We had a wonderful time together for a week in Paris and London.
There are so many friends and relatives in India whom I know for a long time. So I had a desire to celebrate my sashti purthi again in Guntur in the presence of all the people and friends I know in India. So God willing we will celebrate on November 26th in 2005.
Life is beautiful and it is up to us to make it a successes or a failure. It is our entire making. We decide our fate and nobody else or not even God. God is the director and we the actors in the play obey His commands, we do our role in the play to be appreciated by the audience. What all we see, hear, eat and enjoy is god’s creation. Nothing belongs to us in this world. Even if we feel that we own something, it is only temporary. So whatever we have, be money, knowledge or anything, we need to share with other people. Then only we feel real happiness. We cannot have everything for our selves.
We are living in a rented accommodation. The owner of the house may ask us to leave at any time without much notice. We need to prepare to vacate at any moment. We do not know when the final call arrives. We must be prepared all the time to answer the final call.
What I learnt in my life is, there are three things important to achieve anything.1. Human effort: without human effort, nothing happens. 2. Everything has its time. Nothing happens until that time. Some people may have to wait longer than others and this depends upon ones previous life and actions (purva janma sukrutam) 3. God’s grace: Nothing happens without God’s grace. Again it depends upon ones own purva janma sukrutam. All the three are equally important.
We often wonder why the things happen the way they happen? Why some people always get a raw deal in their life and why the so-called bad people enjoy everything in life? There is nothing in this world explain why it happens except the Law of Karma which is one of the cardinal principle of Hinduism. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Nobody can escape from it including God.
According to the Scriptures, the main aim of human life is to attain Moksha i.e. not be born again and merge with the paramathma. I always felt it is selfish because, it is only useful for that individual and nobody else. To be honest, I do not want Moksha yet, I want to born again hopefully as human and that depends upon my previous lives and the present life. I want to be born in a family to learn Sanskrit and able to sing the glories of God and able to serve the needy, disabled and less fortunate people than I am without expecting any reward and not to hurt anybody by thought, word and action. That is my aim of life for the future!
I am grateful to God for inculcating this idea of writing my own autobiography before I tend to forget my past life.


LOKASAMATHA SUKHINO BHAVANTHU
Aum Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthi Hi

Sunday 5 October 2008

THE STORY OF MAHA SARASWATI

After Maha Kali and Maha Lakshmi in the first two charitas, now comes the last uttama charita, the best story, of our Mother.KILLING OF SUMBHA: Two brothers, Sumbha and Nisumbha, sons of Sunda and Upasunda, the well known asuras of the house of the demon, Hiranyakasipu, were engaged in severe austerities from their very boyhood and by the sheer force of their tapas, succeeded in getting an audience with Brahma, who granted them all their desires in addition to the boon (at their own request) that they would not meet death at the hands of gods or men except at the instance of a kanya, a virgin who was not born of a mother's womb, ayonija.Then, puffed up with pride and power, the brothers challenged Indra, took away his rights and privileges enjoyed in yajnas (sacrifices), displaced him from his position as king of gods, established their rule everywhere, enjoying the rights and positions of the devas. The gods assembled and, remembering the promise of the Devi to come to their help when needed, went to himalayas and offered their prayers to Her in their distress, invoking her presence and help.The Mother was moved. She made her appearance before them in a very attractive form, at once luminous, charming and graceful. The asuras were there, the leaders, messangers and the party of the demon king, Sumbha. They were infatuated by the melting beauty of her form and made overtures to her to become the spouse of their king.Many generals were sent for the purpose including Dhoomralochana, Chanda and Munda who met their fate at the hands of laughing Mother, who is therefore called Chamunda. Then came the turn of Raktabija who was so called because every drop of his blood touching the ground would produce an asura, a fighter equal to him. But without allowing a drop of blood to fall on the ground, the Mother finished with him. Then came in person Sumbha and Nisumbha, who attacked the Devi but in vain and were struck down by the Mother. Virile and vehement in her attacks single handed against Sumbha, she is referred to as Chandi or Chandika.When the work of the Devi was finishes, the gods adored her and chanted many hymns in praise of her. The Mother was pleased and once again gave her word of assurance to stand by the side of the gods in times of need and stress and also declared that she would ever be present in places where these hymns are read and used in prayers. Finally, the Devi spoke of her future incarnations.This is the divine story of Maha Sarasvati (called Sumbha damani), the goddess who presides over SATTVA, the balancing quality of universal calm amidst all activity and tribulations of external nature or in the inner existence.

Thursday 2 October 2008

THE STORY OF MAHA LAKSHMI

STORY OF MAHA LAKSHMI: In the second Charita of the Devi, Medhas narrates the story of Maha Lakshmi. Mahishasura, the buffalo faced demon, as a result of his mother Diti's austerities and penance, was born powerful, growing impetuous and endowed with a world-shaking passion for power over the Gods. Conquering the gods, he established his power in heaven. The vanquished gods, headed by Brahma, approached Siva and Vishnu for consultation.When the latter learnt the plight of gods, they got so much enraged that their wrath emitted fire; powerful lights of splendour emanated from the bodies of Siva, Vishnu, Brahma, Indra and other gods, forming a vast mass of light that took the shape of a woman, whose radiant effulgence filled the three worlds.The forceful light of each of the gods formed into a particular limb of the woman-her face was shaped by Siva, hair by Yama, her rounded breasts by Soma, waist by Indra, shoulders by Vishnu and other limbs similarly by other gods. She was also provided with the respective weapons of the gods, This is the Devi, the Goddess Maha Lakshmi, who appeared and challenged the asura with a thundering roar that shook the three worlds.A GUARANTEE TO GODS: The Gods rejoiced when she slew the asuras with her weapons and got close to Mahishasura and pressing him under her feet, thrust the trident, sula into his body. The gods regained their lost kingdom, adored the Devi and sang her glory. Highly pleased, the goddess promised to come to the rescue of the gods whenever there was a need and they were put to trouble by the asuric forces, the demons. Thus ends the second Charta, the story of Mahishasuramardhini with the title of Maha Lakshmi, the goddess who presides over RaJAS, the cosmic quality and power of all action.