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.