Seven months break

“I want to write a book. I want a break from the business work.” I told my father with a bit of hesitation in my voice.

He raised his eyes from the papers he was screening and asked “For how long?”

“At least one year.”

“You can take seven months break only. If you are dedicated you can finish one year work easily in seven months.”

“Fine, papa. If the book doesn’t complete in seven months then can I take one or two more months break.”

“No. You have to do it in this time limit. On which topic you want to write a book?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

“To be successful, the first step is to fix your goals. Now, your long term goal is to finish this book from idea to print in seven months. You can divide this goal into immediate and short term goals. Work hard to achieve those goals. You will be able to achieve what you desire.”

When I was six years old, one day when I was not able to recite the table of seven correctly, he asked me to stand straight till I recite the tables correctly. I told me that I am feeling cold and want to sit in the quilt. But he didn’t allow me to enter the warm quilt as the warmth made me sleepy. When I recited it correctly after repetition of several times, he gave me a tight hug! That hug always reminds me of his discipline and love. 

As I had very less time, I started working on it. I decided to write a book on ‘Japa Meditation’. I framed the chapters first, and then draw a basic detail of all the chapters. I explained each and every topic in detail with witty or thought provoking examples. Illustrations were embedded in it. The most difficult work of editing of book was done with the help of my family members, friends and mentor. At last my book was published in seven months.

Yesterday, the book review of my book ‘Japa Meditation – The Easiest way to Calm the Mind’ appeared in Navbharat Times. I showed him the newspaper. The book review was written beautifully and in very simple words. With his moist eyes he hugged me tightly and said, “I am proud of you my child. You did it in the time prescribed.”

I said, “It happened because of your discipline, principals and love!” 

Dear readers, “This father’s day, I am expressing my love towards my dad by participating in the #HugYourDad activity at BlogAdda in association with Vicks.”

Soul stirring b’day celebration

I can never forget 3^rd December, 2014! What a hectic day it was!! I neither find the time to pick up the phone of my relatives and close friends who desperately wanted to wish me on my b’day nor could reply to wishes pouring in through sms. I got up late in the morning because I worked till 3 a.m. on my laptop. My boss has assigned me to organise a conference of five hundred persons and all of them were the top businessmen who would be attending that meeting.

I quickly took shower, dressed up and was in my office in just 15 minutes. May be I got ready like a robot with low battery! The function was going to begun in one and a half hour. Everything was ready except the hall which was untidy. Phew! The sweepers had not turned up! One of the staff members informed me that they were on strike. I was just about to have a heart attack then suddenly got an idea to call an emergency meeting. Everybody gave their unique but somewhat bizarre ideas to solve this not so complex problem but none of them was practically feasible. I called waiters, gardeners, helpers and peons to make the hall dust free and spotless and for that they would be paid some extra bucks.  

Money makes the world go! Not really! They all refused to clean the place because a pigeon was lying dead on the floor with its feathers scattered all over. I said confidently, “If nobody is interested in cleaning then give me the broom I will clean it. The function is going to start at the right time!” They were ashamed and regretted what they had said. At last it was cleaned and the function was organised well. All the members were happy and satisfied with the arrangements. By the end of the program, my energy was drained up in organizing, attending, meeting businessman and in solving the most unexpected problem. I was about to go home to enjoy my b’day then I received an sms from my boss.

An urgent meeting in the Ruby Hotel. Reach soon.

I was so tired how I reach there was a surprise for me! I gathered all my strength and entered the park of hotel. A huge circular stage was set on which Anushka Manchanda was singing in her melodious voice ‘Apna har din aise jiyo, jaise ki aakhari ho’. I melted down and forget for a moment that I came here to meet my boss. My fatigue evaporated. I felt refreshed. My eyes brightened. Not only my lips but my heart was also singing!

As the song ended, my eyes started searching the boss in the crowd. But I couldn’t find him. My mobile rung, it was a call from my boss. He said,“Happy B’day! Enjoy!! I hope you like the surprise!!!” Then, Anushka Manchanda started singing song, ‘Theepidika Theepidika’ in her sweet and sexy voice. Allu Arjun entered from the underground stage in a very impressive style. The beats gained pace and my heart missed a beat! His vibrant moves uplifted my spirits. I was mesmerised with his electrifying and almost impossible dance moves. His dancing prowess was bracing, stimulating and invigorating. What was a soul stirring experience it was!

“I am blogging for #MaxFreshMove activity atBlogAdda.com. Are you?

VICCO Turmeric Cream with Foam Base

“Granny, I applied the newly brought cream on my face. Now look there is an allergy reaction on my skin as my skin is ultra sensitive.” I complained. “I have to attend a college function tomorrow evening. What will I do?”

“You can cover your face like Spiderman then nobody will be able to see it.” My granny suggested with a little wink.

Although I wanted to laugh but couldn’t. And said, “Granny, please suggest something really good as the function is very important for me.”

“The market is flooded with the products which can cause harm to your skin and body. While selecting a cream for your face you should be overcautious. You should buy only those products that have Ayurvedic base like VICCO Turmeric Cream. It is the best solutions for all your problems like oily skin, pimples and blackheads. VICCO Turmeric Cream with Foam Base is a one-step-solution to all skin care problems. It’s Ayurvedic formula with microbicidal properties of turmeric which is extremely beneficial as an effective medicine for the prevention and cure of pimples, blackheads and oily skin with every wash. With the use of Vicco Turmeric Cream with Foam Base, you will come closer to the power of turmeric and Ayurveda and ward off bacteria and microbes from your skin with every wash. It also helps in preventing and curing skin infections, rashes and allergies. It helps to stop the bleeding of minor wounds and heals them, treats minor cuts and small injuries as well.”

“Where I will get it?”                  

“It is available right now at your nearest retail store. You can also purchase it online on snapdeal.com, shopclues.com, ebay.in, paytm, peopleskart.com, simply.com, bigfyda.com and shop@kartbin.com. Haven’t you seen the advertisement of VICCO Turmeric Cream on T.V. and magazines?” 

“Yes. Many times.”

“VICCO Group has emerged today as makers of the best internationally known products of the Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of natural medicines. Their various products are Vajradanti Powder, VajradantiPaste, Vajradanti SF (Sugar Free), Turmeric Skin Cream, Turmeric WSO, TurmericSkin Cream in Saving Cream Base, Narayani Cream, Turmeric Skin Cream with FoamBase which are exported to various countries like U.S.A., Canada, Mexico, Surinam, Africa, Mauritius, Fiji, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, U.A.E., Qatar, Oman, U.K., Germany, Holland, Italy, Cyprus, Srilanka, Hongkong, Singapore, Malaysia, West Indies, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, France. Moreover VICCO laboratories are the winner of Golden Globe Tiger Award.”

“What else I can do for glowing skin?”

“Drink lot of water. It will be better if the water is lukewarm. Eat fruits daily rich in Vitamin C like amla, citrus fruits and guava.” Granny looked out of the window and saw Aloe Vera plants of various sizes growing in the garden. “You can rub the juice of Aloe Vera on your face for glowing skin.”

“How pimples can be prevented?”

“Drink neem leaves juice.”

“Oh granny! It tastes terrific bitter.”

“It purifies blood and gives redness to your cheeks.”

“Tell me something easier!”

“Buy VICCO products and use them regularly to have a glowing skin free from pimples, oily skin and blackheads. You can upload your resume on their site, make your career with VICCO and earn some bucks as your pocket money this summer vacation.”

“WOW! I love you and VICCO!”  

Curved Aloe Vera

This is a very unique modification of Aloe Vera whose one part is curved and the other part is straight and normal like any other Aloe Vera. I planted this Aloe Vera in a pot a few months back in my balcony garden. From the past two weeks, a small curve at the base start erupting. The curve is growing bigger and bigger day by day. Lets see whether it remains attached with the base of plant or detached itself from the main plant or has some unique medicinal properties as compared to a normal plant!   

Coin Car

Wow! What a car! Coin and coins all over! This is amazing to see a car with coins on the whole body. Coins are pasted beautifully and delicately on the whole car. They are arranged side by side filling the space and covering the base. They give shinning appearance and unique getup to the car.

Wierd home work

Earlier, a few decades before the home work was given to children and was done by them like writing pages, solving problems, drawing diagrams and preparing models. But these days the home work is given to children by most of them is done by their mothers. The mothers will search Google, discuss with friends and relatives and still will find it difficult to do and will blame the teacher what the hell she has given. One of such suffering mother told me, "My child has got a weird assignment in Maths. He has to write the price of samosa, movie ticket, ludo, comic book and coca cola bottle in 1950 and 2015. Not only this what one can buy with Rs.4200 in 1920 and 2015?"

Dear readers, can you help her?

Poetic book review of 'Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind'

Dear readers,
You must have read a lot of book reviews but have u ever read a poetic book review? Vyomi Malik has written a poetic book review of my book 'Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind' very beautifully. Here is the link http://vyomimalik.blogspot.in/2015/06/youmakemewin-nominating-fellow-blogger.html

On her suggestion I also nominate my blog for WIN 2015. Fingers crossed! :)

From the pen of...Dr. S. N. Mathur

'From the pen of...Dr. S. N. Mathur' is the small collection of fine articles written by Dr. S. N. Mathur which was printed to publicly appreciate his writings and was gifted by his family members on his 80th birthday. This booklet contains the gems of wisdom along with anecdotes. Some of them are 'Better late than never', 'Service above the self', 'Forget and forgive' and 'This too shall pass'. The author has imparted his valuable knowledge in a very interesting way through his life's incidences and humorous happenings around him.

Although the booklet contains a good collection of anecdotes on growing old gracefully but the one I liked the most, I am sharing here. One day the author met his friend and was delighted to see him cycling even at this age. His friend said, "One day I heard some strange noise coming from the cycle. I checked the brake, lining and chain cover and reset them in a hope to correct the fault. On starting the cycling again I found that noise was still coming. Finally, I discovered that the strange noise was not coming from the cycle but from my own knees."

The back cover of booklet tells 'About the Author'.

Awakening of my Kundalini energy

With my closed eyes, repeating the mantra calmly, I was experiencing the complete darkness and not the usual vibrant and ever changing violet lights which I saw almost daily. Without worrying about the inner lights, I constantly chanted the mantra - slowly and gradually. As soon as my mind was absorbed in the mantra then I felt a sudden jerk. Was it an earthquake, hitting the Himalyan mountain range again? The jerk stopped. It didn't reappear. I ignored it and diverted my mind back to the chanting of mantra with faith. Again my mind was concentrated and absorbed in the divine nectar of the mantra. My body shook vibrantly. I opened my eyes. I saw myself shaking. At that time, my spine was not less than a reverse pendulum - swinging to and fro without stopping. My neck was oscillating like a round ball attached to a pendulum clock. Some unknown force was working which was beyond my control. The movement slowed down and stopped as if nothing has happened a minute before. 

I changed the direction of my thoughts back to mantra and felt the bliss. A spam of hotness rushed upwards, making me sweaty all over. Although I was a bit frightened and scared but I was certain that it was not an outer quake rather some inner quake. Curious to know more about the inner happenings, I once again closed my eyes and concentrated my mind on the mantra. I impatiently waited for something surprising to appear. Alas! nothing happened! 

Because of that I felt disappointed, tried to forget that the incidences. I focused my mind again on mantra; its each and every syllable with full devotion. Deeply meditating upon it, I felt as if I was immersed in the ocean of peace and serenity. All of a sudden an electric current pass through my spine. It shook me. An inner dormant energy - Kundalini was awakened! 

Combination of traditional and modern motifs

This painting has a very pleasing combination of traditional and modern motifs. The traditional motifs of trees, plants and birds are eye catchers. The modern motifs like bus, truck, car, van, jeep, scooter, cycle, motorcycle, autorikshaw, aeroplane, helicopter, multistory buildings and signal tower are drawn artistically. Automobiles motifs are amazing! The human motifs are drawn in traditional style but surprisingly they are doing modern day activities like cycling, riding a vehicle, going for shopping, taking a dog for a walk or controlling the traffic. It is really fun to spot all these things and activities in this painting.

I clicked this painting at Heritage Transport Museum, Manesar.

Beautiful gift I recieved

Today Mrs. Vandna Mathur gifted me this beautiful key ring which she brought for me from Honk Kong. She has gone there to spend her vacations with her sister. The colors of key ring are very attractive yellow, red and skyblue. I will put my house keys in it and whenever I will open the main door of my house I will remember her. 

Butterfly and honeybee

Butterfly and honeybee are drinking nectar together in these photos. It is very difficult to click the photo of a butterfly as it flies away and honey bee can sting on getting close. But I get both of them in my picture frame and they pose nicely for me. ;) These two pics I consider to be my best shoots.

Cycle Art

In this cycle art how many cycles are used? ;)

This is 675th post! :)

Jain Temple @ Tijara

I visited Jain Temple at Tijara. It is a group of three temples. In this pic one can see the idol of Chandraprabha. The beautiful stairs make this view breathtaking! This temple is so peaceful and serene that one feels like sitting in the lap of nature. In the premises of the temple a large lawn with attractive flowers and trees is well maintained.

The main temple has a huge idol in a hall with sitting arrangement for many persons who can do prayers simultaneously. The brass bell at the entrance produces a loud dong. There is a small hall where children can enjoy the moving puppets depicting stories from mythology. Outside the temple one can purchase grocery at cheaper rates and of very good quality. Unpolished dals, chickpea, pickles, papads and badi tastes superb on cooking.

The third temple is at far off place in the interior of village Tijara. There are lots of paintings describing about the Jain philosophy of life. It is a good place to visit if one has a few hours and want to go for outing near Delhi and NCR.

Goat cart

Carts are generally pulled by oxen, camel, horse, pony, donkey, large dog and male buffalo. This is the first time I saw a cart pulled by goat. Traditionally they were used in Rajasthan to carry light weight articles and small children from one place to another.

A car of difference!

I went to Heritage Transport Museum located near Manesar. This car grab my attention as I can see my so many reflections in it. Amazingly I can see myself in all the reflections, small or large.

I can be seen clearly, clicking the photo in the circle of tyre. ;)

Edible crocodiles

While walking in a market, I saw these bakery products displayed in the window of a shop. Although different shaped bread were attractive but edible crocodiles were irresistible. The crocodiles were not scary but tasty! ;) 

Road Romeo

I attended the launch party of Road Romeo. The interiors are classic and elegant with a touch of modernity which make them unique. Wooden double doors and lamps with brass valves are the main attractions. The seafoam green color used here and there makes it lively.  

I had a refreshing mojito which had a perfect blend of mint, lemon and sugar syrup and some starters with a delightful blend of Hyderabadi and Kashmiri flavors with green spicy chutney. The owners personally attended me with love and gave me momento key-ring and bouquet of flowers. Overall it was a great experience to visit Road Romeo. 

#FoodMood contest

Road Romeo, an upcoming restaurant in the heart of Delhi which has organised a Food Mood contest. The photographs of four mouth watering dishes were posted for which one has to dedicate a Bollywood song to it and the winners of the contest will be invited to the launch event of restaurant along with a friend. The pics of the dishes they posted and a Bollywood song which I dedicated were are follows:-

1. Dum ka Murgh - Dum dum deega deega, dum ka mugh tasty tasty!
2. Dum Aloo - Aaj na chodongi tuje! Dum dama dum!
3. Rogan Josh - Hosh uda deta hai mera, Rogan Josh ye hai aisa!
4. Shami Kabab - Ye shami kebab mastaana, madahosh kiye jaaye,
                                    Muze dor koye khinche, RoadRomeo ki or liye jaaye.

And yes, I am the winner! :) I will be going to attend the launch event of Road Romeo tomorrow. :))
  

Weight loss kitty

"Today we are having our weight loss kitty." Mrs. 'D' said.
"What's that? Never heard of that!" I asked.
"In this kitty every first Saturday of the month we all members gather, measure our weight and have a cup of tea with one Marie biscuit only. The person who losses the weight more in one month is the winner."
"Sounds interesting!"
"Today I ate khichadi and in the party will wear shirt and top so that I weigh less."
"You can wear bikini then you will weigh even more less." I said with a wink.

I steal the show

“Will you be going in business meeting with these grey strands on your head? My mother taunted me. She took a deep breath and said, “Top businessman from all over India will be present in the function and it is a life time opportunity for you to enhance your professional growth.”

“What should I do there is not much time left? I was busy from the past five days preparing power point presentation of our company’s products which are to be presented in the meeting.” I said.

“People will be more impressed if the presenter looks attractive. Nah!”

“I will be wearing a head gear to hide my grey hair.”

“Instead of hiding, show your beautiful long curly hair.”

“These white strands look so ugly. And I don’t want to use henna; the reddish brown colour multiplies my age many times.”

“You can try hair dye.”

“Oh no! They contain ammonia which is harmful for mucous and eyes.”

“Godrej Expert Rich Crème contains ZERO ammonia moreover it contains Aloe Vera and milk proteins. After colouring hair, Aloe Vera will provide soothing and healing effect to your sensitive scalp which is prone to irritation. It will solve your other problems by removing dead skin cells, by promoting hair growth and preventing hair fall.”

“The color of dye is so artificial that anybody can recognise from a distance that the hair is dyed.”

“Godrej products are available in seven beautiful shades. You can choose the colour according to your hair colour. You can even go for advance option for brilliant hair colours”

“I have no idea. How will I mix the colourant and developer in right proportion?

“Godrej crème comes in two pre-measured sachets. Just cut, fully squeeze and mix them. It is so easy, quick to apply and gives perfect results.”

“It will be very costly.”

“It will cost you only 30 rupees! Godrej Expert Rich Crème gives highest quality in lowest price!!”

“Unbelievable!”

I confidently presented my products in the meeting and surprisingly get several decent orders. Behind my every success in my first expert, my mother whose advice to colour my hair with Godrej Expert Rich Crème made me centre of attraction. Whether it was my GodrejExpert hair colour or my presentation skills or both but I steal the show!

Book Review of Kardaliban – A Spiritual Divinity

Kardaliban is a dark, dense and alienated forest situated in Andhra Pradesh. There are high mountains and thick forests and some parts of it are permanently shrouded in darkness. The trees are 200- 300 feet high. There are many ferocious beasts and venomous reptiles. The ant hills are 10- 15 feet high. The atmosphere of this forest is highly spiritual as it is the beloved abode of Lord Dattatreya, where his incarnations emerge in and stay in subtle form all over the space of Kardaliban. In this forest Sri Narasimha Saraswati disappeared and Swami Samartha manifested. As soon as one enters the forest, one feels the sanctity of the place. This place is full of divine waves that helps in the cleaning of one’s consciousness. The dormant spiritual powers are awakened and one experiences supreme peace, bliss, ecstasy and enlightenment. 

It is one of the holiest places of India. It is the favorite of sages, monks, friars and all such pursuers of divinity. This book tells about the divine Kardaliban Panch Parikrama which consists of a tour of five important places i.e. Vyankatesa Coast, Akkamahadevi Cave, Datta Paduka – Sri Swami Samartha Incarnation Place, Markendeya Rishi Tapo Sthali- Bilvavan and Akkamahadevi Temple. This parikrama helps one to realize the ultimate truth and facilitate one’s work on earth. It increases one’s capacity, efficiency, energy and zeal for work and opens the new path of success and removes obstacles coming in the path of fulfilling materialistic and spiritual desires. It gives all sorts of worldly and unworldly pleasures, prosperity and happiness. It gives inner joy which can only be experienced and not expressed. According to author, Lord Dattatreya opens the new path of success and removes obstacles coming in the path of fulfilling materialistic and spiritual desires. It gives all sorts of worldly and unworldly pleasures, prosperity and happiness. It gives inner calmness, peace and joy which can only be experienced and not expressed.

The book explains about this journey in great detail, Lord Dattatreya shrines across India, sixteen incarnations of Lord Dattatreya, Information about Kardaliban Seva Sangha Trust and a collection of rare Lord Dattatreya’s mantra, strota and aaratee. Photographs are very attractive and informative. This book is also available in Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Sanskrit, Telugu ad Tamil. For more information you can login to www.kardaliwan.com.

Prof. Kshitij Patukale, the author is Director Insurance Academy, Pune. He is a well known author, columnist and social worker. His writing style is simple and impressive.

In the last pages of the book there is ‘An Appeal to the Readers’ to take this book to as much readers as possible by informing one’s relatives, friends, colleagues and acquaintances about this book, sharing the information about Kardaliban with one’s friends on social networking sites, giving it to employees, giving it as gift, selling this book, distribution of book by influential people or becoming Kardaliwan Seva Parivar member. I will be donating this book to Ashish Library, Ashish Shopping Center, T.P. Scheme No. 9, Rewari, Haryana so that the members of library can read it and be benefited from the valuable information.  


Kardalivan-Ek Anubhuti by Kshitij Patukale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Kardaliban is a dark, dense and alienated forest. There are high mountains and thick forests and many ferocious beasts and venomous reptiles. The atmosphere of this forest is highly spiritual as it is the beloved abode of Lord Dattatreya, where his incarnations emerge in and stay in subtle form all over the space of Kardaliban. In this forest Sri Narasimha Saraswati disappeared and Swami Samartha manifested. This place is full of divine waves that help in the cleaning of one’s consciousness. The dormant spiritual powers are awakened and one experiences peace, ecstasy and enlightenment. It is one of the holiest places of India. This book explains about the divine Kardaliban Panch Parikrama which consists of a tour of five important places i.e. Vyankatesa Coast, Akkamahadevi Cave, Datta Paduka – Sri Swami Samartha Incarnation Place, Markendeya Rishi Tapo Sthali- Bilvavan and Akkamahadevi Temple. This parikrama helps one to realise the ultimate truth. It gives all sorts of worldly and unworldly pleasures, prosperity and happiness. It gives inner joy which can only be experienced and not expressed. This is written in a very lucid and impressive way.

View all my reviews

A date with nature!

It was always my dream to click the photos of butterflies. They used to fly away before I clicked the photo. This photo is a real surprise for me as I could spot five butterflies in this pic; three on the top flowers and two on the right below side of the photo.

I thoroughly enjoyed this date with nature!

I am feeling blessed!

I showed interest in reading 'Kardaliban - A Spiritual Divinity' by Prof. Kshitji Patukale as First Reads on Goodreads. This book is about the Holy Secret Place of Shri Dattatreya and... The Sacred Incarnation Place of Shri Akkalkot Swami Samarth. Shri Dattatreya is the incarnation of three Gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiv. On the same night I saw Bhagwan Dattatreya in my dream.

A few days later I received a mail from Goodreads that I had been selected as First Reads Lucky winner and I would receive a free copy of the book. I am feeling blessed!