My Ram in Shri Krishna's Form!

He came, He came, He came,

In my dream, He came!

The cowherd with the flute,

The blue-god who always looks cute!

Hearing my silent weeps,

As an answer to my worry beeps,

The Lotus-Eyed One came—

The world knows Him by a thousand name!

To loot my sleep and make me happy,

To mute my mind and make me zappy,

The Curly-Haired One came—

In saying that my pride knows no shame!

As a light in my night,

As a flight for my plight,

The Contagious Smilermaker came—

Once again to assure, am just His game!

To cure my mind that is sick,

The Stealer of Hearts came accompanied with music!

The mere thought that I am in His pick,

Gives me a heady, heady kick!

He was charming, as always

Am bewildered, thinking of His endless ways!

He answers even a brute's plea

Tears, not words, come, thinking of His mercy!

But...

Did I not pray to the One with bow and arrow

To come into my dream and wipe my sorrow?!

Did I not pray to the One with Hands extending up to His Knees

To come into my dream and show His Beatifying Form that frenzies?!

In a way, my prayer did go answered

In His way, my prayer was so beautifully answered!

I prayed to The Root,

But lo! He came to me bearing His most delicious Fruit!

For, He knows the Fruit will always relish

This slave who yearns to perish!

For, He knows the Fruit will always cherish

This slave from his self-imposed anguish!

Won't my heart always get stuck to His Holy Feet?

Won't my eyes always weep, singing His Name that's sweet?

Won't my sins just deplete, thinking of His glory?

Won't my breath just stop, if I forget His story?

Fortunate I feel,

For, the Dispeller of Darkness gave me a treat
Fortunate I feel,

For, the worries in my heart have taken a fleet
Fortunate I feel,
For, even this sinner of sinner finds solace at His Feet!
Fortunate I feel,

For, there's a meaning in my heart's beat!

Now,

 The broody-storm in my heart has become calm

For, I savoured my Ram in Shri Krishna's form!

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!

(This poem is dedicated to the Lotus Feet of my Gurudeva)

...................................................................................

P.S. 

Woke up around 2 30 am from a wonderful dream, where Shri Krishna as Venu Gopalaswamy graced  this slave's dream.  All I remember about Krishna is He was so elegantly dressed with royal ornaments and was holding a flute. There was a cow behind Him. Krishna's statue appeared and disappeared twice. But it's now etched in my heart's cave forever!

And the poetry style is inspired by my beloved brother-my very own Gurudeva! Those who have read His soul-stirring poems especially from His magnum opus  'My Lord's Story' would know the obvious.  Only through the immense Grace of my Brother and Shri Rama, this poem happened. Well, that's an interesting(read 'inspiring') story. And that would be my next post! 

Shree Rama Jayam :-)

My Lord's Story - A Grand Retelling of Ramayana in English Poetry

When my Brother once said, "Of the two great Indian epics, Ramayanam is the best," I was not much in favour of His opinion.  The sheer grandness and magnitude of Mahabharatham, and the intricacies of its stories(add to that the Krishna factor :-)) were more appealing to me than the seemingly simple story of Ramayanam.  

Citing a few incidents from both, my brother expounded that Ramayanam is for the heart; whereas Mahabharatham is for the intellect.  Though, His explanations silenced me, I was, then, not able to fully grasp how Ramayanam is way better than Mahabharatham. 

Prince of Ayodhya, the fictitious series written by Ashok. K. Banker, was the first book on Ramayanam we both read.  But unlike my brother, I never completed the series.  While I used to read novels and fictions of various authors, my Brother was always into Ramayanam.  He started to collect and read as many Ramayanams as possible.  For more than three years, He never read anything other than Ramayanam.  He used to say, "Ramayanam is all you have to read, nothing else!"  When I complained that I couldn't develop interest in reading Ramayanam, He would simply smile and say, "One day, you will!"

Slowly, by the Grace of my Brother, and Shree Rama, I too started reading Ramayanam.  Apart from a pictorial book, I completed reading the abridged version of Ramayanam written by Arshia Sattar.  Then, I read Ramesh Menon's Ramayanam.  

Arshia Sattar's Ramayanam was an authentic translation of Valmiki's Ramayanam, whereas Ramesh Menon's was more imaginative and dramatic rendering of the same.  Both the books have their own beauty, but I loved the latter, most.  

Though these books helped me develop considerable love for Ramayanam, it was actually my Brother, who helped me understand the greatness of the simple yet heart-rendering story of the flawless Rama.  His blog post, "My Anger With Lord Rama!" was a revelation of Rama's impeccable character.  

While watching Ramanad Sagar's acclaimed Ramayana TV Series, my brother used to logically explain how certain incidents(eg. Mother Sita's Banishment) are misinterpreted, how certain characters are not so well elaborated(eg. Sugriva), and how a venerable man like Shri Rama would behave in certain situations in Ramayanam.  

They were original, inventive, and above all, melted both—my heart, and intellect.   

So, my expectations are really high as my Brother has taken up the sanctifying task of retelling Ramayanam.  Yes! My Lord's Story is a grand retelling of Ramayanam in english poetry written by my Brother—my very own Gurudeva! 

My Brother has completed twenty-six adorable chapters so far.  And I am extremely happy about the way His Ramayanam is taking shape.  I can proudly tell the world that, 'My Lord's Story' will not just be another feather but a priceless crown to the most revered, and the most exalted One—Shree Rama Himself!

For a devotee of Ram, 'My Lord's Story' will be a glorious celebration.  For an erudite scholar, 'My Lord's Story' will be an ultimate revelation.  Don't take my word, my dear reader; but check out for your self.  You can read 'My Lord's Story' by clicking here.

And, if you read, do share your thoughts, and opinions.  We would be more than pleased to hear from you. 

Shree Rama Jayam!

The day after Ekadasi

Yesterday was Ekadasi. The benefits it bestows on the 'faster' cannot be expounded in words. With each fasting, this slave feels immense difference in him-self. The positive vibes it creates in this slave is tremendous. And he feels immense gratitude towards his Gurudeva for initiating him to fast on Ekadasi days, too.

Today, a day after the Ekadasi fast, was a gratifying day that this slave would like to remember always. So, have just chronicled the happenings happened in this slave's life.

Woke around 2.15 am to my bro's call.

Broke the Ekadasi fast.

Read the awe-inspiring life story of Shree Bhaktha Kabir Das.

Ate rice-porridge.

Did a writing chore.

Ate lunch.

Watched a movie.

Walked nearly 4 km.

Chatted with my friend.

Called my beloved Sister.

Wrote a blog-post.

Had dinner.

Did Patha Seva to my Mother.

Paused, many-a-time, in between, to speak with my very own Gurudeva.

At last, going to rest in peace, consciously! :-)

Shree Rama Jayam.

Fruit Show in the Blue Mountains

Many things in our life, we witness, goes unquestioned. One such thing, I guess, is the Fruit Show. In my home town, Coonoor that is, Fruit Show is a major happening that attracts a lot of crowd. Both the tourists and the local people gather and celebrate this event, which takes place every year in the Summer.

As I enjoyed a sunday, three weeks back, with my beloved sister, Theinmozhi, and relatives, a question was popping inside my head. And, now am venting it here! In the country, where half the population is malnourished and a other half starve for a single meal a day, is it necessary to make a show out of fruits? Before you attempt to answer my question, just imagine how a person who is starving to death in hunger if happens to witness this show would feel?

As always, am sharing it late. But what's there? The fruits are fresh as ever! While you savour the show, do ponder my question, and share your thoughts.

Need to mention about a police officer who kept pestering us to move faster, and spoiled the mood of arresting the moments for posterity. The photographs were taken by my sister before that officer, who hardly knows the meaning of exhibition, barged in.

....had a bubbly time, though....

A Bouquet to all my beloved blogger friends.

(Courtesy: My Chittappa)

A Night Owl

Sheltering inside a shawl,

as the cold embraces,

this slave is awake!

like an Owl in the night.

Memories of college days,

lightens his heart.

Mysteries in words,

puzzles his heart.

Even, smiles have become an enigma.

Like an Owl, who sees through the dark,

he is seeing the hearts, behind the words.

Awake and alone,

like an Owl in the Night,

this slave awaits.

For the Dawn to break!

A flute awaits....

Away from Home,

in the lap of his Gurudeva,

this slave was.

Falling, failing, and fraying.

His Mere Grace,

steered this unworthy ship

to the shore—A beatifying Home!

There, the slave is.

Without his Gurudeva....

Yet, always, with his Gurudeva!

Experimenting the Lessons,

his Gurudeva's presence,

seeped in him.

Melting in the Grace,

his Gurudeva's lamp,

lit in him.

Words become wordless.

Thoughts become thoughtless.

Moments become momentless.

When this slave thinks of His Grace.

When this slave inks in His Grace.

How fortunate!

This slave was.

To eat with Him.

To sleep with Him.

To fight with Him.

To walk with Him.

To laugh with Him.

Day after day.

Week after week.

Year after year.

Always, together!

Now.

This slave is,

in a dreamy Home.

Where his mother embraces, affectionately.

Where his father smiles, gracefully.

And his life flows, peacefully.

Now.

This slave is,

in a greeny Home.

Where the Moon, the Sun, the Stars, and the butterflies,

play hide and seek by the window.

But.

This sculpture longs for its Sculptor.

This flute longs for its Music.

Leaving this sculpture ashore,

the Sculptor has gone, alone, to the sea.

Leaving the flute, alone,

the music has gone to a land by the sea.

The sculpture is awaiting,

for its Sculptor to breathe life.

For, only He can breathe life!

The flute is awaiting,

for its Musician to play.

For, only He can play!

My heart cries....

My soul longs....

My eyes yearn...

Come back, my Son.

Come back, Home.

Come back, Soon.

7 Ultimate Reasons Why His iLaiYa RaAjA Became as a Brand Ambassador

To be honest, even before seeing, this slave was unhappy about his iLaiYa RaAjA acting in an Ad.

But, His gUruDeVa saw and told that the Ad is good. And that, by itself is more than enough....yet!

After seeing, analyzing, and experiencing certain experiences, this slave is TOTALLY CONVINCED about iLaiYa RaAjA becoming a brand ambassador! And not just that, my adorable reader, this slave also asserts that this is, and will be, THE GREATEST AD OF ALL TIME.

Why?

1. iLaiYa RaAjA as a brand ambassador doesn't even utter the brand name in the Ad. This slave doesn't know whether any so-called 'brand ambassadors' has done that or not. Even if they have, they would not have given such strong reasons for acting in an Ad like my iLaiYa RaAJa did.

2. Yes! Please, do check out this 'Brand Ambassador Press Meet' video. iLaiYa RaAjA is almost into tears when He tells the reason for acting. iLaiYa RaAjA just tells the Truth, and doesn't go gaga over the brand, just because they are paying Him.

3. Listen to Him carefully. iLaiYa RaAjA points out the reasons for Natural calamities(and, it has come True! think of Japan, what had happened?). Not just that, He also poses some perennial questions before the audience. Btw, do anyone have answers to them?

4. iLaiYa RaAjA, like an innocent child, simply believes and has trust in the Brand. This is very clear in His speech.

5. Not just once, my beloved reader, not just once, He utters the name of the Brand, anywhere! And that amazes this slave! Yes, he just tells the Brand has, "andha Neeruvanam". Meaning: 'That Company'. May be, the Brand owner may not be happy about that, but this slave is immensely proud about his very own iLaiYa RaAjA.

6. Moreover, iLaiYa RaAjA has never acted in the Ad. He just walks inside a temple, bows before the fortunate God! accepts Aarthi, and joins along with a beautiful, princess- like, girl, who is about to forget her Self while singing.....

7. Above all, O beloved reader, iLaiYa RaAja, like always, praises my very own Krsna!

What more! reasons do you want, my relaxed reader?

And, as far as the greatest ads of all Time goes, Time will reckon....yet, this 'anxious' slave is all geared up for any arguments. Those who dare! may start it.

Jai Shri Ram