God gave us the BEST!

I am following Swami Tejomayananda on Facebook. He wrote these words which I felt so true. Therefore, sharing with you.
When I prayed and did not get what I wanted, I felt sad. But God gave me the best – better than I ever dreamt of. - Swami Tejomayananda

Most of the time we prayed for materialistic things and did not get them like the way we desired. Then we feel disappointed. Time flew and after some years we realized that what God did was the best for us. He could see the future more clearly then what we could and gave the better things and options than what we have ever imagined for us. How big is God's heart! 

Colors of sky

Whenever I have time I love to watch changing colors of sky. The sky with clouds is always more interesting to observe as it changes with just a blink of my eyes. It amazed me with the variation in patterns, designs, shapes and colors. Whenever I am feeling down, the sky's changing colors give free advice that however may be the worst circumstances they will change just like the sky. Nothing is permanent! Neither happiness nor sadness!!

My videos on Youtube

Now you can watch videos shot by me on Youtube. Right now I have uploaded two videos there.
One is about the bird and its babies and other is about my childhood sewing machine toy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a6uqrQ1ttY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8vZ76wUvWo
More are coming soon. :) You can now follow me on Youtube. :)

Need a dentist

Mrs. 'P' who has just moved from Mumbai to Gurgaon said, "I posted on a networking site that 'I am having sever pain in my teeth. Please tell me about a good dentist in Gurgaon.' That site was about to seek information about maid, driver, doctor, helper, carpenter, gardner, good eating places in Gurgaon. I got overwhelming response. And surprisingly, Gurgaonites told me about 32 different dentists."
"You should give each one a chance by getting checked your each tooth with a different dentist." I chuckled. 

True colors

As soon as one gets the chance to sit on a chair, one starts showing its true colours. ;)

Teesu Flowers

I clicked this pic of beautiful red flowers while my regular evening walk. These are teesu flowers which are used to prepare natural Holi colours. The tree grab one's attention as there are only flowers and no or very few leaves during these days. Eye catching flowers and birds feeding on them are very common site during the month of March. 

Jnana Yoga

Jnana Yoga means liberation through knowledge. Knowledge is truth. And Truth is that God is everywhere and in everything. He is in all beings and all beings are in him. There is no difference between the Self and God. One can practice this with the technique of self inquiry and by asking question ‘Who am I?’ The thoughts arise as soon as ‘I’ thought arise in mind. All the thoughts are based on ‘I’ which is the root of all thoughts. If the root is pulled out then the tree dies similarly if the root thought ‘I’ is uprooted all the thoughts vanishes. Hence, seek the root ‘I’ by questioning ‘Who am I?’. Find it and remove it. The question ‘Who am I?’ is like a stick to gather the scattered wood in the bon fire and in the last the stick will itself burn. It destroys all the other thoughts and finally kills itself also.

(Excerpt from 'Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind' by Chandrika Shubham. This book is available online at amazon.in)

Obstacles in meditation

Obstacles appear in meditation somewhat like the obstacles appear while performing any other work. Whatever obstacle comes one must try one’s best to overcome it. One should never stop practice. One should not lose heart. Irregularity in practice, diet, laziness and drowsiness, useless conversation, negative emotions, ego, not finding Guru, lack of faith are some of the problems which a beginner experiences. One should keep moving further without getting distracted because of the obstacles. One should not be discouraged as the journey is very long and can’t be completed overnight.

(Excerpt from 'Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind' by Chandrika Shubham. This book is available online at amazon.in)

Karam Yoga

Every action is spiritual, if it is done without any selfishness. If there is selfishness in doing a task then it is only ‘action’ and not ‘karam yoga’. Karam yoga can be practiced by detaching oneself with the fruits of actions. If the result is not upto one’s expectation then one should not get angry, irritated or unhappy. One has to forget oneself in doing the task assigned. One has to erase the factor ‘I’ from it and has to wipe out ‘I did that work’. This is what meditation means to be completely absorbed in work without thinking about the factor ‘I’. 

(Excerpt from 'Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind' by Chandrika Shubham. This book is available online at amazon.in)

Shinni with a twist!

My friend told me the traditional recipe of shinni as mix raw flour, unboil milk, ripe bananas, grind sugar and chop fruits. I decided to give it a twist. I poured desi ghee in hot pan and roasted wheat flour in till aroma came and changed its colour to light brown. I mixed the ripe bananas and bura (grind sugar) in a separate bowl. Then added the cool wheat flour in it. Mixed them thoroughly. Added chopped apple, orange and grapes for taste and colour. The result was very delicious.
You must try it if you have a sweet tooth. 

Trick photography

These days it is very common that people click the photos with trick photography. Some try to touch the top tip of a tall building, some try to grab the sun like a ball and some try to push a tall building and some try to hold another person on the palm. The list is endless as our imagination! Here is one pic clicked by me with trick photography. Hope you all like it.

Red-whiskered bulbul

Bulbul is a very common bird in India. They are so friendly that a bird lover can feed them on his palms. Many years back, in our courtyard a bulbul used to come and sing. My mother named her 'Nayantara' and fed Marigold biscuits, its favorite on her palm to it. She sometimes gave it some bits of fruits while peeling them for the family. In fruits, it like pomegranate the most, may be that is the reason of her sweet voice.
The most common variety of bulbul seen in Northern India is red-vented bulbul. One can see them anywhere and everywhere. Many a times I have seen pic of red-whiskered bulbul in books and on net. For the first time I spotted it on top branch of a tree while walking on the path in Mughal Gardens, New Delhi. 

Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti Yoga is the easiest form of God realisation. It is a beautiful way to show love towards God. Bhakti means ‘to worship’ or ‘to be attached to God’. One cannot attain God through logic and reason but from pure faith and devotion. One yearns for God and God alone. In this form of love where there is no expectation. It purifies one’s heart. In sakam bhakti, one desires for materialistic gains and in nishkam bhakti, one desires of God and nothing in return from Him.

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind by Chandrika Shubham. This book is available online on at amazon.in) 

Acknowledgements of 'Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind'

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To my utmost surprise, I completed this book from idea to print in only seven months. This book was my dream. There are many who helped me generously in converting this dream into reality. A big thank you to all those who supported me!

I wish to thank my Ma, Sarita Saini who taught me how to hold the pencil and to write the first alphabet ‘A’. She was always with me and guided me to overcome the obstacles whenever I stop in my path. My father, Madan Lal Saini gave me a break from business so that I can devote full time to it.

Kaushal Saini, my nanaji for telling me about the power of chanting mantra. Sumitra Saini, my naniji for telling me spiritual stories in my childhood days. That interest later developed into reading spiritual books.

Specially, Neelam Prabha who motivated me from the very first day to write, gave her genuine suggestions and constant feedback. Geeta Davar, who read and critically reviewed the manuscript making it more readable and insightful. I would thank Kiran Bhatia, for adding a tinge of bhakti by improving script in Devanagari. I extend my wishful thanks to my good friends Shrimi and Paulami. Their suggestions about incorporating anecdotes here and there colored my dream with rainbow hues. 

I extend my sincere appreciations to Sanjeev Saini for drawing illustrations and Rajeev Jain for publishing this manuscript.

Foreword to 'Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind'

FOREWORD

There are several ways one can attain God. Japa is one of the simplest of them. Japa is the repetition of the mantra, mystic formula. Japa is an important anga (limb) of yoga. Lord Sri Krishna says in Srimad Bhagavad Gita “Yajnanam japa yajnosmi - among yajnas (religious practices) I am japa yajna.”

According to Swami Sivananda, “In kali yuga (dark age) the practice of japa alone can give eternal peace, bliss and immortality. Repetition of the mantra removes the dirt of the mind things such as lust, anger and greed. The mind, from which the impurities have been removed, acquires the capacity to reflect the highest spiritual truth. There is no yoga greater than japa yoga.” Japa yoga can give all siddhis (powers), bhakti (devotion) and mukti (freedom from the cycle of birth and death). Japa ultimately results in Samadhi, communion with the Lord. Japa must become a habit and must be performed with satvik (divine) bhava (feeling), purity, love and faith.

I understand Ms. Chandrika Shubham has practiced japa meditation for more than fifteen years. Consistent practice by the author herself makes this book important to read. I am sure readers will find this useful and interesting.

My best wishes on the occasion of release of the book ‘Japa Meditation – The Easiest Way to Calm Mind’. I wish all the success in this effort.

Mahendra Joshi

(Practicing Siddha Yoga from 30 years)

U.S.A.

Website - http://www.thekundaliniyoga.org

About the Author of 'Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind'

Chandrika Shubham is practicing Japa meditation from more than 15 years. She has learnt the art of meditation herself by Grace of God. She has felt the presence of God in the form of books, website, strangers, relatives and nature who has shown her the right path in the time of confusion and crisis. She considers Japa meditation to be the easiest and safest way to God realisation which any one can practice very easily and at any time. She is teaching Japa meditation from the past seven years. She explains the age old deep philosophical teachings in simple, crisp and humorous way. She tries to find out the simple solutions to complicated modern day life problems. She is the author of two books ‘Simple Vastu’ and ‘Saral Vastu’. She is an accomplished Vastushastra consultant and astrologer. Despite being a full time businesswoman, she makes time to teach Yoga in morning and evening. She loves to read, write and blog.

Cover page of 'Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind'

The cover page of 'Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind' looks like this. I want to thank Cdr Abhilash Tomy, Vivek S Patwardhan, Ajay Agarwal, Nitin Kumar, Devashish Saini and B K Chowla for praising my book so beautifully.
(This book is available at amazon.in)

The Mistress of Spices

After reading the novel 'The Mistress of Spices' by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni I decided to watch movie as well. In most of the cases where movies are based on novels the novels are far better than the movie. Same is in this case. The main attraction of movie is Aishwarya Rai who looks very pretty in sarees. The rest is just fine in the movie.
The author has explained Indian spices and their power amazingly. The description, use and power of spices are well researched. The creative and poetic style of writer keeps me absorbed in novel throughout its length. I must read for those who are interested to know about Indian spices.

No change yet different!

When I visited the society where I used to live earlier near about four years back, my neighbors comments surprised me.
"You have changed so much." Mrs. 'S' said.
"Your face has changed but your laugh is same loud and pleasing to ears." Mrs. 'F' said.
"I will not be able to recognize you if I haven't seen your photo on Facebook." Mrs. 'X' said.
"You are looking very pretty." Mrs. 'K' said.
I thought, "My face haven't changed much though they are experiencing the difference just because of my hairstyle; earlier I used to make plait and now I left my hair loose."

A bunch of flowers

Dear readers these beautiful flowers of Amaltas are for you. I thankyou for reading my posts, liking them and commenting on them. While I was busy with the publishing of my book I missed and forget to tell you that I had written more than 600 posts on my blog. This is my 616th post. I write because dear readers, you are my inspiration, you are my motivation and you are my strength. You made me successful and popular. Thanks for being a part of my blog.

Review of 'Shattered Dreams'

 I have never read a book based on Lord Ram’s life so interesting! Ramayana – The Game of Life is written by Shubha Vilas. ‘Shattered Dreams’ is the second part of this series. The first part is ‘Rise of the Sun Prince’.

‘Shattered Dreams’ is based on Ayodhya Kand and Aranya Kand. It tells that the age old saga has immediate relevance to today’s modern day life. It has uncountable wisdom gems in it which the author discovers making it’s writings more interesting, simple and lucid. Some of the points which I like are as follows:-

1. Unity without loyalty to a common goal is like cement without water to seal bricks.
2. The simplest joys of nature cannot be replaced by the complex creations of man.
3. Clouds receive salty water from ocean and return sweet water as rain. A cow eats grass and returns sweet milk. A coconut tree drinks water and returns nectar. What one receives is a debt that can be absolved by paying through selfless service.
4. Desires are like waves in an ocean. If one hits the shores, rest assured, another is on its way. Spiritual practice transforms one from ceaseless ocean of desires to the still lake of self-satisfaction.
5. When your actions boomerang as reactions, rather than wondering who threw it at you, you should wonder when you threw it.
6. Just like a river does not differentiate between two banks, a pure mind does not differentiate between what is the self’s and what is not; like the river, it is so absorbed in others’ welfare that it finds no time for self-absorption.
7. When the aim of life changes from pleasing the ego to pleasing God, it changes from egocentric to god-centric.
8. A good leader prudently stops an overdose of anger from entering his system like a healthy man consciously avoids overeating.
9. Forgiveness is the fragrance that the sandalwood tree leaves on an axe that cuts it, the stone that grinds it and in the smoke that burns it.
10. One should focus on devotion to duty rather than hankering for appreciation of result.
11. Prayer is not about approaching God for temporary solutions but approaching Him with a permanent commitment.
12. Many have the fortune of knowing what is right, but few have the guts of doing what is right.
13. Lifestyle is not so much about habits as much as it is about mindsets. Imitating habits is easy, but emulating mindsets is difficult.
14. A hero is not one who tries to surpass others, but one who strives to solve the knots in others’ lives at the cost of personal sacrifices.

This book unravels practical facts that go with every age. It tells people to adopt Ramayana in their lives. The author himself is a spiritual seeker and a motivational speaker. He teaches to apply teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, the Ramayana and other dharmic traditions in dealing with modern day life situations.

Name in print

"Thanks for reading the manuscript of 'Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way To Calm The Mind'. Thanks a lot for suggesting humorous anecdotes here and there which makes it very interesting. As a gesture of thanks I added your name in 'Acknowledgements' of my book." I said and handed a copy of the book to Mrs. 'K'.
Flipping through the pages of book, she checked her name and said, "I am seeing my name in print for the second time. First time it was on my wedding card. I do not know why you gave my name in your book. But any ways Thanks, yaar!"

Japa Meditation is available online

Dear Readers,
You can buy my book 'Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way To Calm The Mind' at amazon.in. Grab ur copy now. 
http://www.amazon.in/Japa-Meditation-Easiest-Calm-Mind/dp/9385077163/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424652245&sr=8-1&keywords=japa+meditation+chandrika+shubham

Release of my third book

Today my third book 'Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way To Calm The Mind' was released by Mr. Sanjeev Kataria, owner of S. K. Kataria and Sons and Mr. Madan, National Sales Head, S. Chand Group in Delhi World Book Fair 2015. On this occasion Dr. Rajeev Jain, owner of Vayu Publications and Dr. Devashish Saini, owner of Ross Clinics were also present. 

Invitation

Dear Readers,
You are cordially invited on the release of my book 'Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way To Calm The Mind' at Delhi World Book Fair on 20.2.15 (Friday) at 4:00 pm at Hall No. 14, Stall No. 7- 8, Near Gate No.7, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
Come one come all!
Chandrika Shubham

Mantra

Mantra is a sound, a word or a phrase which is repeated again and again. It is a powerful sound or magic vibration which creates a significant change in attitude and mind set. It helps in focusing one’s energy. Mantra japa is an indirect way to calm mind. After one thought leaves mind and another thought enters, a mantra is slipped between that gap and slowly that gap is increased by increasing the number of mantra. As one experience deeper meditation all worries and doubts evaporate, mind becomes still and feels the oneness with God and experiences supreme peace. Mantra japa is a very powerful tool to enter Samadhi.

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind by Chandrika Shubham)

Japa Meditation

Japa meditation involves focusing the mind on a certain mantra and shutting out the disturbing external stimuli. It involves the repetition of mantra which is either a single syllable or a magical group of mystic sounds. The repetition, concentration and devotion to a mantra can awaken its energy. A mantra contains the power to God realization. That power has to be grown by repetition, concentration and devotion. One day a middle aged lady told her husband that today I did only 250 grams of japa. She used to live in a village with her husband.  Her husband replied that he did half kilogram of japa. Actually, they used a rosary mala (string) to do japa. And on completion of one rosary (string) they put one grain of whole Bengal gram aside. At the end of the day they both weighed their total japa in terms of grams. They were innocent and innovated their own way of counting of rosary.

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind by Chandrika Shubham. This book is available at amazon.in)

Selection of place, time and posture for meditation

Meditation happens naturally. As sleep when comes naturally, one falls into it. Similarly meditation comes by itself. While meditating the newcomers should follow certain points in selection of place, time and posture for quick results. Mental attitude, food habits and environment counts a lot. The beginners should select the room in the North – East direction of house and should meditate while facing North. Brahmmuhrata is the best time for concentrating. The spine, neck and head should be aligned straight in a line. Sukhasana, Padmasana, Vrikshasana, Shirashasana are good postures to calm mind. While meditating, one can focus upon various centres within the body. There are seven chakras in the body on which one can concentrate. Most of the spiritual aspirants concentrate on sixth chakra – the space between the eyebrows. The object of focus is visualized in the space between the eyebrows. Some aspirants focus on Fourth chakra – the space in the central channel in the spine between the lungs at heart.

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind by Chandrika Shubham)

Relationship between mind and breathing

When mind is agitated because of anger or fear then breathing becomes shorter, shallower, fast and irregular. When mind is relaxed and calm then one breathes slowly. Mind and breathing are interrelated. If one of them is controlled then it will regulate the other automatically. For calming mind, a spiritual aspirant can practice bhastrika, kapalabhati, jalandhara bandha, uddiyana bandha, mula bandha, anuloma viloma, suryebedhe, chandrabedhe pranayamas. Pranayam has four steps poorak, antarkumbhak, rechak and bahir kumbhak which should be performed in 1:4:2:2 ratio.

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind by Chandrika Shubham)

Make mind a good friend

Mind is attracted towards the glittering of materialistic world. Mind wants to seek more and more. It is never satisfied with the sensual pleasures from the external objects. Mind trapped in the pleasure seeking from sensual objects becomes one’s biggest enemy. Mind should be trained to withdraw from sensual objects. Non attachment to sense objects leads to liberation. Thus, one’s own mind becomes one’s friend. 

The best way to make mind a good friend is to forget. Forget the body. Forget the surrounding environment. Forget the family and relatives. Forget the worries. Forget the happiness. Forget everything except absolute the Truth, God or Brahmn. Forgetting is not easy therefore mind should be engaged all the time in God’s name or mantra. Remembering God will help to forget about the pleasures and pains of this materialistic world. On forgetting this world, one attains Supreme Bliss.

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind by Chandrika Shubham)

How to concentrate mind?

Concentration is fixing of mind on one object or idea either outside or inside the body. Beginners should start concentrating on an image of deity, Om symbol or flame of a lamp etc. The image should be pleasing and should bring peace and joy to mind. It should neither create boredom nor excitement. Concentration is the first step of meditation and can work wonders.

Everybody has concentration power but its range may vary. One should strengthen mind’s capacity by various ways. A newcomer in the field of meditation must practice concentration exercises to focus the scattered rays of mind on a single point which leads to Self Realisation. There are various exercises using different techniques like focusing mind on sound, breathing, on visual image of deity or symbol. They all have one aim to concentrate mind. Tratak, category concentration, concentration on sound are some of the ways to focus it on one single point. Concentrating on breathing, concentration on sensations, observation of thoughts, emptying the mind, Hatha yoga and pranayama are various methods to control mind.

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind by Chandrika Shubham)

Meditation - A step by step process

Meditation is as essential for us as breathing, eating and sleeping. It is attained step by step. It is a matter, not of miracle, but of evolution, of growth. To master a language, a person learns alphabets first, then words, sentence formation, tense, modals etc. Mind can be focused without any effort while doing interesting things. Most of the persons find it difficult to concentrate mind on the tedious work. One can improve its power of focusing by concentrating the mind on one chore which one is doing presently. One can further strengthen the power of concentration through practice and patience. The increased focus power helps in clarifying ideas, making complex things simpler, removing confusion and enhancing efficiency and working capacity. With the result, one can accomplish more work in less time. 

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind by Chandrika Shubham)

Different ways to control mind

Every body has its own thought world. Daily near about 50,000 thoughts arise in mind. If they are negative then a person feels sad and if negativity continues for some days it leads to depression. Through the practice of japa of mantra, pranayama and yoga along with reading sacred books one can fill mind with pure and positive thoughts and eradicate impure thoughts.

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Control Mind by Chandrika Shubham)

Mind is monkey

Mind is restless, unsettled, confused, indecisive and uncontrollable. Mind jumps from one thought to another just like a monkey who jumps from one tree to another. The monkey like mind is not satisfied in the present moment. It is constantly distracted with replaying the happenings of past events or planning for the future. Focusing of mind to stay in present can be achieved by practicing meditation.

Meditation is a technique for having full control over mind by constant observation of thoughts entering the mind. It trains mind to work without getting tensed, stressed, tired and aged. It keeps the mind cheerful, peaceful, calm, serene and young as there is increase of grey matter. Most importantly it helps one to be peaceful in turbulent times.

(Excerpt from Japa Meditation - The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind by Chandrika Shubham)

Low cut dresses

Two women passed from the passage in the park wearing low cut dresses. On seeing them Mrs. 'V' commented, "I do not know what these women wants to show. The 50% population have all the same what they have."
I said, "Actually, they are worried about the rest of the 50% population." ;)

Bird house in my balcony!

Earlier in my balcony only pigeons and Indian robin came in my balcony for drinking water and eating grains and bits of food. At that time I used to place a bowl of water and some food for them. After I put bird houses in my balcony many new birds have started coming in my balcony. Some of them are bulbul, parrot, tree pie, Indian myna and crow.

To all bird lovers, my advice is to place nest boxes in the garden, balcony, courtyard and veranda to increase the movement of different species of birds in the environment.

Today my Facebook status is
Rufous treepie is having breakfast in my balcony! :)))

Tomorrow it might be your's! :)

(For buying bird house in Delhi and NCR write a mail to chandrikashubham@gmail.com)

Cover page

These days I am busy in deciding the cover page of my upcoming book on meditation. It has been written it in simple, crisp and witty manner that no one will ever find meditating a boring task. I have decided to go for a silhouette of a meditating human being on its cover page. I am finding it difficult to finalize the color of background.
Dear readers, I need your suggestions what should be the color of the background of a book on meditation? 

Made by My Mother

"Don't wear that blue color sweater, my child." A mother said.
"But Mom, I want to wear this only." The kid said and took the blue colored sweater in hands and started wearing it.
"It's left armhole is shorter than right. It will create discomfort for you while playing."
"Mom, I will adjust. I like this sweater very much because you lovingly knitted it for me. I will tell my all friends that this is 'Made by My Mother'."

My Book on Meditation

Part 1

"Will you read my book on meditation?" I asked my friend.

"Oh, that topic is so boring!" She said.

"Will you read only first chapter of my book?" I requested.

"Fine. I will." 

Part 2

"Did you read the first chapter?" I asked my friend.

"Yes, it is very gripping. I thought it will be very boring but surprisingly I found it very interesting."

"Did you laugh while reading it?"

"Yup, Four - five times."

"Will you like to read the next chapter?"

"Ya, sure."

Speed Vs Slow

Mr. ‘X’ climbed the mountain with the speedy vehicle in which his body can’t cope with the decrease in oxygen level and change in weather. Mr. ‘Y’ climbed mountain on foot so that his body can adjust to the change in weather and oxygen level.

Similarly one should walk slowly on a spiritual path so that one can cope up with the changes easily.

Happy 2015! :)

I always wonder why some people drink on the arrival of New Year? And I always ponder why can't they donate money and help the underprivileged to improve their way of life? And it always pinches me deep that most of the people spend their time in pubs rather than teaching a skill to a poor? This is our society. So, we all together have to improve it.

Happy and prosperous New Year to all of my readers! :)

Good Bye 2014

On the eve of New Year I always evaluate the year. In 2014, I became author of two books 'Simple Vastu' and 'Saral Vastu'. This is the biggest achievement of my life in this year. I am working hard to write some more books on different topics. Hope to release more books in 2015.

pK or oK

"Poster of pK was controversial." Mr. 'V' said.
"Poster of oK is even more controversial." Mr. 'B' said.
"In pK, nude Aamir Khan was holding a tape recorder."
"In oK, nude Poonam Rai is holding a small camera."

New recipe

I tried out a new recipe of sweet potato and fenugreek leaves veg. It turned out to be very delicious as sweet potato are sweet and fenugreek leaves are bitter. Both balances the taste of each other. I like this dish so much that I can't resist myself from sharing this recipe.
Ingredients :
Sweet potato (roasted) - 3 or 4
Fenugreek leaves finely chopped - 2 cups
Green chilly (chopped) - 1
Coriander powder - 1 1/2 teaspoon
Turmeric, salt, red chilly - To taste
Recipe : Peel roasted sweet potatoes and cut them in pieces. Put some oil in pan. Heat it and add cumin seeds to it. Add sweet potatoes and feenugreek leaves. Add spices and salt. Cover it and cook it on low flame for sometime. Serve hot.

Diet plan for earth worms

"In my flower pot a earth worm came in manure or along with some nursery plant from nursery. Now it has multiplied itself and given so many babies." I said.
"Wow! That's nice! Feed them red worms." Mrs. 'P' said.
"From where I can get the red worms?"
"I do not know but red worms are the best food for them. You can give grind-ed egg shell to them."
"I do not eat eggs. I have to ask some friend of mine."
"You can give tea leaves to them after preparing tea. But don't forget to wash them."
"I don't drink tea. I will ask my neighbors may be they are generous to give tea leaves for the earthworms."
"Sweet, spicy food and milk products should not be given to them." She instructed me further.
"I was thinking of giving vegetable peels to them."
"Ya. That's good for them."
"But I am bit confused whether I should give them vegetable peels in breakfast, lunch or dinner. Won't it be better if I make a diet plan for them?" I asked wittily.

Green Tikkis with green chutney

I updated this photo on my Facebook. 
Mrs. 'N' commented - Looks yummy! Write the recipe also.
I said - The main ingredient is leftover hotchpotch. Do you still want to know its recipe?
Mrs. 'N' commented - Hahaha......Lovely. It is the magic of your hands. In our region, naulakkha kabab is made with the left over of nine days.
I said - Sounds interesting. I will try it some day. The recipe of green tikki is as follows:-

Ingredients : 3 cups of left over hotchpotch
3-4 slice (Bread crumbs)
One small piece grated ginger
1/3 katori boiled peas
1/2 katori chopped coriander leaves
Coriander powder, red chilli, black pepper and salt to taste
Method : Mix them well to make dough. Grated cheese and mashed boiled potatoes are optional which can be added in the dough. You can add extra breadcrumbs to get the desired consistency. Make round balls,swallow fry them. Flatten them on tava by gently pressing them. Garnish them with chopped tomatoes, boiled chickpeas, curd and green coriander chutney. Serve hot.

"3/4" Love

Chetan Bhagat:

"5" Point Someone

"3" Mistakes of my Life

"2" States

"1" Night at a Call Centre

"½" Girlfriend

......

......Next Book:"¼" Brain ????????

Somebody else status I shared on my facebook as I find it interesting.

Mrs. 'P' commented on this status - Arre missed 3/4!!!!

I commented - 3/4 Love will be Chetan Bhagat's next novel. Story in brief - Hero falls in love. Heroine died in bomb blast. She is not present in his life but in memories. He falls in love again. His 1/4 brain is still busy in remembering her so he is only 3/4 in love with his new girl friend. 
Mrs. 'P' - Goli maro chetan bhagat ko. ;)You r better than him.:) When is your novel coming out?
I commented - Coming Soon ..........:)

Govardhan Puja 2014

"Next day to Diwali, Govardhan Deity is prepared with cow dung. I with my team shape it. Its face, hands and legs are created. We don't forget to make fingers of all the limbs. It is then decorated with khil and flowers. We worship it with milk, sweets, kadhi, bajara khichadi, puri and lots of vegetables." I explained.
"Must be an interesting experience!" Mr. 'Y' said.
"Ya. I thoroughly enjoyed doing this. With this only one thing is left that I have to do now. Fly a plane!"
"hahaha"

Things that I want to do!

"You know painting, embroidery, cooking, stitching, yoga, vasushastra, astrology and many more things. You have tried everything!" Mr. 'Y' said to me.
"Nah Nah!" I could only utter hearing my praise.
"Then prepare a list of things you have not done till now."
"I have not tried two things yet. One is have not prepared cow dung cakes and other is that I have not flied an aircraft."
"hahaha."

Diwali 2014

"What is your email id?" I asked my Facebook and evening walker friend.
"Why do you need it? She inquired as well as told her email id.
"I want to send a joke to you."
"OK. My husband has heart attack on Monday morning. Two stents has been inserted in his body through surgery. He is better now and will be discharged today."
"Oho! Do you need any help?"
"The total bill is of Rs. 10 lacs. I have paid Rs. 8 lacs. I am in short of Rs. 2 lacs. I have asked some of my relatives and friends for help. Will you be able to pay me if I fall short of some money? I need the money today itself before the discharge from the hospital."

I was driving towards the mall for Diwali shopping - for buying new clothes, purses, shoes, candles and other decorative items for my house. My purse had handsome amount of cash drawn a few hours before from ATM. I could not withdraw more amount from ATM. I couldn't withdraw cash from the banks as they were closed by now. The next day was Diwali and a bank holiday. I either could do shopping or help her.
"Ya sure." I assured her and turned my car towards the house.

A few hours later, she called me up and told the amount she was short of. I helped her. With moist eyes she hugged me and said, "You made my Diwali!"