Embraced by Divine Nature

“My mobile has switched off! Oh God! How will I be able to complete the Sadhana that I was following on it?” I wondered, sitting on a bench near a chai shop. I had been told that once a Sadhana is started, one should not get up before completing it.

It was Chhoti Deepawali in 2023. I was staying at an Ashram and performing two different Sadhanas on two different mobile phones. One was a new iPhone and the other an old iPhone, and both had different network connections. The new phone received good signals within the Ashram premises, but the old one did not. Since I had to perform Surya Sadhana on my old phone, I went outside the Ashram in search of a place where it could receive a good network connection.

After wandering around for quite some time, I finally found a small tin shed belonging to a chai wala, just outside the Ashram gate. To my relief, my old mobile started receiving signals there. However, searching for a network had consumed almost all its battery.

It had rained the previous day, and almost everything around me was wet. I was wondering where to sit and perform my Sadhana when the shopkeeper kindly offered me a bench near his shop. He even wiped it with a cloth so that I could sit comfortably. I settled down and began my practice.

Unfortunately, my mobile switched off after I had completed only a couple of steps of the Sadhana on the app. This was the first time I was performing this Sadhana, and I had been practising it for barely a week. Its steps were quite elaborate and difficult to remember. I could hardly recall them all, so I had no option but to continue as much as I could from memory.

I continued chanting and doing japa without the help of my mobile. Gradually, my mind became quiet, my body grew still, and I experienced a deep sense of peace.

As I sat there in silence, something unusual happened. I felt as though I was being embraced by Mother Nature. A small bird, about the size of a bulbul, came and perched on my head! It then hopped from my head to my back, somehow managing to balance itself there. I remained still and allowed it to sit peacefully.

It was such a beautiful and unexpected moment. I felt no fear or discomfort, only a sense of peace and closeness to nature. I felt one with nature. For a while, it seemed as though the little bird and I were sharing the same stillness.

The next morning, on Deepawali, I found a place at a slightly higher level near the roadside and resumed my Surya Sadhana.

As I continued my practice, Surya Dev slowly rose between the mountains. His beautiful rays spread across the surroundings, filling the morning with warmth and light. Everything seemed to turn golden. The mountains and trees were bathed in golden sunlight, creating a breathtaking sight. I sat there, enjoying the beauty of the rising Sun and feeling as though I was sitting in the lap of Mother Nature.

A verse from the Shri Rudram came to my mind:

असौ यस्ताम्रो अरुण उत बभ्रुः सुमङ्गलः ।
ये चैनं रुद्रा अभितो दिक्षु श्रिताः सहस्रशोऽवैषां हेड ईमहे ॥ ७ ॥

Meaning:

That auspicious Divine One, who appears copper-red at first, then reddish and later golden yellow, is none other than Rudra, whose divine presence shines in the Sun. We bow to Him and pray that the anger of the countless Rudras who dwell in all directions around Him may be pacified and that their grace may prevail.

The rising Sun, with His changing hues and golden radiance, seemed to bring the words of this sacred verse alive before my eyes. I felt blessed to witness such beauty while performing my Sadhana.

Sometimes, what appears to be an obstacle turns out to be an opportunity to experience something beautiful. That Deepawali, I learnt that Sadhana does not depend on mobile phones or apps. All it needs is a sincere heart and a quiet mind.

Jai Surya Dev!

Pic : AI Generated

A Glimpse of Maa Tripurasundari's Enchanting Eyes

 

“What beautiful eyes! So enormous, so captivating! Truly, I have never seen such eyes before!”

These were the words that spontaneously arose in my heart when I had a glimpse of Maa Tripurasundari during meditation on Her Panchadashi Mantra in the early hours of 7 July 2025.

I had never witnessed eyes of such extraordinary beauty. They were exceptionally large, almost as though they held the entire universe within their gaze. Their magnificence was beyond anything I had ever seen or imagined. They reminded me of the large, expressive, almond-shaped eyes and frontal gazes depicted in Jamini Roy's paintings, yet even that comparison seemed inadequate. There was something utterly unique about them.

They were not merely beautiful; they seemed alive with divine grace. Their vastness held an indescribable charm. Their gaze seemed infinitely compassionate, and their beauty left me spellbound. I cannot say whether it was their extraordinary size, their radiance or the indescribable expression in them that touched me most. I only know that I had never seen anything so magnificent.

My heart overflowed with devotion and gratitude. I felt blessed that Maa had graciously allowed me even a fleeting glimpse of Her extraordinary eyes. I had been meditating on Her mantra, but what I received was a moment of wonder that words can scarcely capture.

How beautifully Adi Shankaracharya describes the Divine Mother's eyes in the Saundarya Lahari (Verse 49):

विशाला कल्याणी स्फुटरुचिरयोध्या कुवलयैः
कृपाधाराधारा किमपि मधुराभोगवतिका ।
अवन्ती दृष्टिस्ते बहुनगरविस्तारविजया
ध्रुवं तन्नामव्यवहरणयोग्या विजयते ॥ ४९ ॥

Meaning:

O Mother! May Your magnificent eyes ever be victorious! They are vast and beautiful, auspicious and radiant, more captivating than the blue lotuses. They shower compassion, possess an indescribable sweetness and extend with extraordinary beauty. Your divine gaze is worthy of all these glorious names.

The Bhagavad Gita (10.41) reminds us:

यद्यद्विभूतिमत्सत्त्वं श्रीमदूर्जितमेव वा ।
तत्तदेवावगच्छ त्वं मम तेजोंऽशसम्भवम् ॥

"Whatever is glorious, beautiful and magnificent in this world springs from but a spark of My splendour."

How can one describe the beauty of the Divine Mother, whose splendour is beyond the reach of ordinary words and imagination?

I do not know why Maa chose to bless me with this glimpse. I can only bow to Her with gratitude and pray that Her divine grace may always remain upon me.

Jai Maa Tripurasundari!

A Game of Hide-and-Seek

As I approached a stack of bricks during my morning walk, I noticed a little boy hiding behind it. He peeped out, looked at me, and quickly hid his face again, as though he were feeling shy. A moment later, he peeped out once more.

I smiled inwardly. Was this little stranger inviting me to play a game of hide-and-seek?

He kept looking at me, waiting for a response, but I pretended not to notice his playful gestures and continued walking.

A little further ahead, I saw the scene more clearly. The boy was enjoying chips from a freshly opened packet. His young mother stood nearby, smiling, while two labourers were busy repairing the society's boundary wall, which had collapsed after the heavy rainfall a few days earlier.

I had not been particularly enthusiastic about going for a walk that morning. Air pollution in Delhi NCR had risen, and my health was not at its best. Nevertheless, I had pushed myself to step out.

Usually, before Diwali, I look around for people who might need a little help. It has become a small personal tradition of mine. This year, however, my health had made me reluctant to undertake any such activity. I had even prayed that if God wished me to help someone, He would send the right person my way.

And there he was!

Perhaps the little boy had nothing more in mind than playing hide-and-seek with a stranger. Yet, his innocent gestures and eagerness to connect touched me. He seemed to be a child who wanted to share his happiness with whoever happened to cross his path.

I decided to bring something for him. Since nutritious food can be expensive for a labourer's family, I thought of buying some fresh fruits. I also wanted to give him a toy with a string that he could pull along and enjoy playing with.

When I returned and handed over the gifts, the little boy and his mother were equally delighted. His playful curiosity had brought me to them, and now a small gesture had brought smiles to both their faces.

I had stepped out reluctantly that morning, but returned with a heart full of joy. I had prayed for an opportunity to help someone, and perhaps God answered my prayer in the most unexpected way—not through a stranger's plea, but through a little boy's playful smile.

Pic : AI Generated 

When Diyas Brought a Smile

 

As I wondered what to do with the many decorative diyas I had bought from the roadside vendor, an opportunity to pass them on came my way.

“Would you like these decorative diyas?” I asked a housekeeping staff member who was standing with a woman holding a toddler in her lap.

The man looked towards the woman and said, “She is my wife.”

She gladly accepted two diyas from me and immediately showed them to her little one. “Look how beautiful they are!” she exclaimed.

The child first smiled and then let out a little laugh. His eyes seemed to sparkle as he looked at the beautiful diyas his mother was holding. I was amazed by how responsive such a tiny child could be. His innocent smile and laughter made this small exchange memorable.

The next day, I bought a packet of building blocks for him. However, I did not know the name of the housekeeping staff member. I enquired with his supervisor, who told me his name and informed me that he was unwell and had taken the day off. “When he returns tomorrow, I will send him to your house to collect the gift,” he assured me.

The following day, the man came to collect the packet. I showed him the gift and asked whether his child had any blocks to play with. “No,” he replied.

I told him that his little one was very intelligent and adorable. He then shared a painful part of his life with me. His first child had passed away when only a few months old. This was his second child.

I was deeply touched by his story. I blessed him, saying, “God has blessed you with such a lovely child. May he always remain happy and healthy.”

He accepted my words and the little gift with gratitude. I could see how much the gesture meant to him.

I had bought those diyas at a price much higher than their market value, without knowing whether the woman's story was entirely true. Yet, when I saw the happiness on the little child's face, I felt that at least some of those diyas had found a beautiful purpose.

I had initially wondered what to do with the extra diyas. I never imagined that they would lead me to a happy little face and a heartfelt conversation with his father. Sometimes, an unexpected little exchange can make an ordinary day memorable.

Pic : AI Generated

Double the Price After Discount

“Please buy some decorative diyas from me. I have three small children to feed, and I have to repay a loan of ₹70,000. People living in these high-rise buildings think that we are rich and earn a lot of money. But the reality is that after repaying our debts, very little is left for our own needs and our family.”

A roadside woman, holding an infant wrapped in clothes in her lap, shared her story with me. Her words carried the weight of financial worries and the responsibility of raising three young children.

I had already purchased a few decorative items from her, including a huge tray for holding water or floating candles and flowers, as well as some decorative elephants. She had approached me earlier, requesting that I buy something from her. Now, hoping to sell me more, she told me about her struggles.

“How much do these diyas cost?” I asked.

“I will tell you a genuine price,” she assured me. After offering me a discount, she quoted the price.

But there was a catch. Even after the so-called discount, the price was almost double the market rate!

For a moment, I wondered whether I should point this out to her. Yet, looking at the infant in her lap and thinking about the three children she had to feed, I decided to buy a few packets of decorative diyas. Perhaps her story was true; perhaps she had exaggerated her difficulties to make a sale. I had no way of knowing.

I was not entirely comfortable with the price, but I wanted to support her in whatever small way I could. After all, behind every roadside stall is a person trying to make a living, often without the security of a regular income.

As the saying goes, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” These words, often attributed to Aesop, remind us that even a small gesture can carry meaning.

However, as I returned home, a practical question came to mind: What would I do with so many decorative diyas? I had no real need for them, and I wondered why I had bought so many in the first place.

The story continues here.

Pic : AI Generated

Budding Picasso

Today, when my maid entered my house, I noticed that she was unusually happy, as though she had won a Nobel Prize.

“Yesterday was my son’s birthday. We celebrated it. He is now seven years old,” she told me even before I could ask what had made her so happy.

“How did you celebrate his birthday? Did you cut a cake, as people do nowadays, or celebrate in the traditional way?” I asked curiously.

“I made puri, halwa, and sabzi for him,” she replied with a smile.

As I listened to her, an idea struck me. I opened my cupboard and took out a box of colours and a drawing book.

“Does your son have colours like these? Would you like me to give them to him?” I asked.

“Of course! Please give them to me,” she replied happily.

The next day, I was eager to know whether the little boy had liked his birthday gift.

“Did your son like the colours and the drawing book?” I asked her.

She laughed as she answered, “He finished the whole book in one go! Yesterday evening, when I returned home after completing household chores in other houses, I found that he had coloured every single page. He loves drawing so much!”

Her words brought a smile to my face. What a wonderful discovery! A little boy had found something he truly loved doing, and all he needed was a few colours and a book to express himself.

Impressed by his enthusiasm, I gifted her another colouring book for her son. Perhaps the little artist would fill that one with colours, too.

Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” His words reminded me that a child’s creativity needs encouragement, not expensive toys or elaborate gifts.

Sometimes, a small gift can do more than bring momentary happiness. It can open a little window through which a child begins to explore his talents and discover the joy of creating something of his own.

I do not know whether this little boy will become an artist when he grows up, but I hope his love for drawing continues to flourish. For now, I am happy to have helped my budding Picasso find a few more colours for his world.

Pic 1: Colouring book I gifted

Pic 2: AI Generated

Two Wheels, A World of Possibilities

“Does your daughter have a bicycle?” I asked a female security guard in our residential society. I had previously gifted her daughter a schoolbag, a water bottle, a tiffin box, pencil colours, acrylic colours, sketchbooks, and drawing sheets after Navratri. This time, I wanted to give her something a little more expensive—something that would last longer and bring her joy for years to come.

“No,” she replied.

“I will buy one for her, but you must accompany me to the showroom and help select the right one. Since it is an expensive gift, I want to make sure we choose the right brand and size according to your daughter’s needs. I don’t want to spend money on something that may not suit her.”

The next day, during lunchtime, the security guard obtained permission from her supervisor and accompanied me to the bicycle showroom. Together, we selected a suitable bicycle, keeping her daughter’s wishes, the brand, and the size in mind. As I paid the bill, she remarked that it was quite expensive. I smiled and said, “If your daughter enjoys riding it and puts it to good use, every rupee will be worth it.”

A few days later, when she saw me, her face lit up as she shared the good news. Her daughter was delighted with her new bicycle and had already started enjoying rides on it. She even took her cousin along for a ride! It warmed my heart to know that a simple gift had brought so much happiness to a young girl.

Months later, the security guard shared another little piece of news. Her daughter had become confident enough to ride to the market and bring home household essentials whenever needed. The bicycle had become more than a source of recreation; it was helping her contribute to the family and become more independent.

As Albert Einstein once said, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” Though the quotation speaks metaphorically about life, a bicycle can teach a child valuable lessons in the most practical way: balance, perseverance, confidence, and the courage to move forward after a fall.

For a growing child, cycling is also an enjoyable form of physical exercise. It strengthens the body, develops coordination, and offers a sense of freedom. For a girl, particularly one who may have limited opportunities, a bicycle can open up a world of possibilities. It can help her travel short distances independently, run errands, visit friends, and explore her surroundings with greater confidence.

I had initially thought of the bicycle as a gift that would last longer than the stationery and art supplies I had given her daughter earlier. But its value turned out to be much greater than its price. It brought a smile to a child's face, encouraged her to stay active, and helped her become more independent.

A bicycle may have only two wheels, but for a child, it can carry dreams, confidence, and the joy of discovering the world independently.

Pic : AI Generated