Our Virtual Ashram

[Aupmanyav]

Thanks, Bhadra. The young Swamigal is talking about unenlightened people. I have already attained 'moksha' through the grace of my guru, Sri Adi Sankara.
I am a direct disciple.

 

[Bhadr]

Thanks, Bhadra. The young Swamigal is talking about unenlightened people. I have already attained 'moksha' through the grace of my guru, Sri Adi Sankara.
I am a direct disciple.

Aupji,
I didn't listen to his speech (its the Swami's debut discourse) but I heard the other Swamiji's discourse, so I thought you might want to.
And they are actually direct disciples,right from Sri Adi Shankara's sishya Sureshvaracharya(a Mimamsa proponent known as Mandana Mishra before his defeat) and Vidyaranya Swami in between (whose pupils established one of South India's most powerful kingdom,the Vijayanagara Empire) to now.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Bhadr, I cannot enjoy videos due to my listening problem. I am not comfortable with listening aid also. I generally avoid it, it is sort of unnatural. That is why I like text better.

 

[Bhadr]

Bhadr, I cannot enjoy videos due to my listening problem. I am not comfortable with listening aid also. I generally avoid it, it is sort of unnatural. That is why I like text better.

Oh! I am sorry,Aupji.I wasn't aware about this.

 

[Bhadr]

I just logged in and now the forum looks different! More buttons - like+emoji+rainbow+paint brush +++
Old format was simple and clean.
But as they say, "change is inevitable".
In a few days we'll get accustomed.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Last but one Shrāddha remains (Sarva Pitri, 8 days from now). What happened this time that due to the calendar, all shrāddhas fell on consecutive days with no break, normally there is one, and sometime two. So, six days of continuous vegetarian existence. Today is my father's shrāddha, that means the 'potato chip' day. I had them in breakfast, I will have them at tea-time and also for dinner. My grandson, so to say, poluted my Vrata. But that is OK. I know my father would not mind.

Bhadr, I like the new 'like' system. I do not see rainbow, paint brush. Oh, you mean optimistic, creative grade of likes. These all are 'like' buttons.

 

[Bhadr]

that means the 'potato chip' day. I had them in breakfast, I will have them at tea-time and also for dinner.

OMG! That's a lot of potato chips! (Haha but I wouldn't hesitate to eat them)

There was a scene in one movie,the hero asks a kid for favor and promises anything in return.You know what that kiddo says,"Sure,you have to gimme chips packets equal to my weight." Hero faints.

What do like, the Lays variety or the Hot Chips variety?
Hot Chips Stall (I don't know if they are found in your city.Potatoes slices are fried and then salted or spiced.)

Spoiler: Big Image

 

[Aupmanyav]

Lays, never. They add garlic which my family does not use. Normally it is 'Haldiram' with us, salted as well as with spiced, or fried at home. Yes, we have 'namkin bhandars', shops selling salty snacks too. Have some left, which my wife and myself will consume in the afternoon tea, since the grandsons do not like these highly spiced chips, and if my daughter-in-law does not find them. But we are going out for afternoon snacks. There is a new shop in the neighborhood, we want to try that.

 

[Bhadr]

Normally it is 'Haldiram' with us.
But we are going out for afternoon snacks. There is a new shop in the neighborhood, we want to try that.

I didn't try Haldiram's chips so far but the other namkeen and sweets varieties are good.
So how is the new shop Aupji?

 

[Aupmanyav]

Oh, got busy in other things. Some other day when the boss agrees. I will not go alone. Like any other wife-fearing husband, have never done it other than having a 'alu tikki' on my way from office to home when I was working. They used to be simply irresistible.

Sizzling hot with curd, tangy chutney, spicy chutney, sweet pea curry, onions, tomatoes on top..

 

[Bhadr]

Oh, got busy in other things. Some other day when the boss agrees. I will not go alone. Like any other wife-fearing husband, have never done it other than having a 'alu tikki' on my way from office to home when I was working.

Spoiler: Just Kiddin'

Sizzling hot with curd, tangy chutney, spicy chutney, sweet pea curry, onions, tomatoes on top..
They used to be simply irresistible.

Yummy!

 

[Aupmanyav]

Don't ask me what else is irresistible.

 

[Bhadr]

Don't ask me what else is irresistible.

Tell us now,otherwise we'll call the Boss.

 

[Aupmanyav]

In that case, the name of Lord Rama is irresistible.

 

[StarryNightshade]

I found this image of Sri Krishna as Kali Maa. I like it so much that it is my current avatar.

I know this form isn't in any shastra (I'm assuming, anyway), but I'm certain that is a regional image? My guess would be in Bengal. Have any of you heard of this form before?

 

[Aupmanyav]

One without a second, so Krishna, verily, is all, Brahman. That is not wrong (for a Vaishnava).

Not much different from the Vishvarupa of Lord Krishna in BhagawadGita in Chapter 11.

"Amī cha tvāḿ Dhṛitarāṣṭrasya putrāḥ, sarve sahaivāvani-pāla-sańghaiḥ;
Bhīṣmo Droṇaḥ sūta-putrah tathāsau, sahāsmadīyair api yodha-mukhyaiḥ.
Vaktrāṇi te tvaramāṇā viśanti, daḿṣṭrā-karālāni bhayānakāni;
kechid vilagnā daśanāntareṣu, sandṛiśyante chūrṇitair uttamāńgaiḥ." BG 11.26-27

All the sons of Dhṛitarāṣhṭra, along with their allied kings, and Bhīṣhma, Droṇa, Karṇa - and our chief soldiers also - are rushing into Your fearful mouths. And some I see trapped with heads smashed between Your teeth.

 

[Bhadr]

I found this image of Sri Krishna as Kali Maa. I like it so much that it is my current avatar.

I know this form isn't in any shastra (I'm assuming, anyway), but I'm certain that is a regional image? My guess would be in Bengal. Have any of you heard of this form before?

Hi Starry,
I found a description of Sri Kalika in the shastras,not exact but somewhat similar to the above form.

The Great Goddess Kali Herself with hundred arms...She was wearing a red garland.She had smeared red unguents over Her body.

(Then there is a description of the various attributes she holds.)

She bore a sword,skull of circular shape, conch, discus, mace, lotus......the miraculous weapons of Narayana.....Many such and other divine weapons she held in Her hand.

She was dancing,laughing and singing in a sweet voice joyously.

- Srimat Siva Mahapurana

 

[ShivaFan]

 

[Terese]

Lord Visnu sleeping on Ananta Shesha, while Sri lovingly massages His lotus feet.

Lord Krsna and Lord Balarama with the Gopas of Vrindavan

Lord Ramachandra lying down with Sita and Lakshmana massaging His feet, with Hanuman in the backdrop

 

[Aupmanyav]

Got lights affixed for Diwali to our house yesterday evening. Now do not talk about non-vegetarian stuff till two days after Diwali (after Bhai Dooj). Wife has purchased the lamps and all. Have not seen the Laxmi-Ganesha which she must have bought. Many in India are boycotting Chinese idols or crackers this Diwali for the Chinese support to Pakistan. Things will be a little costlier.