Our Virtual Ashram

[Aupmanyav]

Fiftieth anniversary of my marriage today. No celebration for which we were waiting for a long time. My daughter' mother-in-law died a week ago. Since she and her husband will not join, the celebration is off. No regrets, 'Jehi bidhi rakhe Ram, sohi bidhi rahiye' (In whatever way Lord Rama keeps you, stay in that way (do not complain)'. Accept whatever comes your way. However, I gave a small hug to my wife for being with me for that many years.

 

[Sw. Vandana Jyothi]

Fiftieth anniversary of my marriage today. No celebration for which we were waiting for a long time. My daughter' mother-in-law died a week ago. Since she and her husband will not join, the celebration is off. No regrets, 'Jehi bidhi rakhe Ram, sohi bidhi rahiye' (In whatever way Lord Rama keeps you, stay in that way (do not complain)'. Accept whatever comes your way. However, I gave a small hug to my wife for being with me for that many years.

Aupji! I've been waiting for this day but thought it was the 3rd of February! I was going to be so clever and calculated the international dateline 'n everything. I made this for you .

Love, Sassymaa

 

[Aupmanyav]

I stand corrected. Yes it is tomorrow. But I suppose one extra hug is not out of order. Can't go out of the city, have to care for my 94 year-old mother. She is having a cough bout. Can't go out. The younger grandson returns home at 2 pm and his mother is in job. Bandhan, bandhan, bandhan, that is life. No complaints. Wife has plans to go to 'Jhande wali' (a famous old Durga temple known by its flag), I do not know how will we manage that. Keep up the smile, never let life win over you. Thanks for your 'aashirwaad', Sassymaa.

 

[Vinayaka]

Congratulations Aup ... May the next 50 be as joyful as the first 50.

 

[Tabu]

Fiftieth anniversary of my marriage today. No celebration for which we were waiting for a long time. My daughter' mother-in-law died a week ago. Since she and her husband will not join, the celebration is off. No regrets, 'Jehi bidhi rakhe Ram, sohi bidhi rahiye' (In whatever way Lord Rama keeps you, stay in that way (do not complain)'. Accept whatever comes your way. However, I gave a small hug to my wife for being with me for that many years.

Lets have a virtual party , Here is a virtual cake from a real well wisher.

 

[Sw. Vandana Jyothi]

I stand corrected. Yes it is tomorrow. But I suppose one extra hug is not out of order. Can't go out of the city, have to care for my 94 year-old mother. She is having a cough bout. Can't go out. The younger grandson returns home at 2 pm and his mother is in job. Bandhan, bandhan, bandhan, that is life. No complaints. Wife has plans to go to 'Jhande wali' (a famous old Durga temple known by its flag), I do not know how will we manage that. Keep up the smile, never let life win over you. Thanks for your 'aashirwaad', Sassymaa.

Yes, extra hugs are never out of order. Some for you, some for your honey.
I so get "bandhan, bandhan, bandhan...." Aupji. The lament of the seer who has prarabdha karma to deal with. Notwithstanding that it's all show and appearance, it sure has its illusory impacts, as well. Svaha, svaha, svaha! May every obstacle be removed which has the chutzpah to get in the way of your celebration, on whichever day you choose to celebrate it!

 

[Aupmanyav]

Lets have a virtual party , Here is a virtual cake from a real well wisher.

Thanks, but I do not like cakes. Too much sugar. Could I have a Shavurma instead? Thanks again, Tabu.

 

[Aupmanyav]

So we went to the 'Jhande wali' Mother Goddess temple and the equally old Hanumn temple in Connought place and thanked the deities for enabling us to see this day with every thing in the house-hold perfectly right. It is OK if we do not have a billion dollars. After we have fed the younger grandson after he comes from the school (his maternal grandmother who stays in our old house, cannot discipline him, only my wife can), we go to our son-in-law's place to participate in the rituals for his departed mother.

 

[Tabu]

Thanks, but I do not like cakes. Too much sugar. Could I have a Shavurma instead? Thanks again, Tabu.

If its a NonVeg Shaverma , I cant be part of the party , You know Brahmakumaris are Satwik Vegetarians.
Anyways I can arrange for a Falefel Shawarma , sugar-free eggless cake , and some coconut water to detoxify.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Not something that interest me.

 

[Nyingjé Tso]

Vanakkam,

Received my name from one of the temple priest today ! Dharani it is, then.

Aum Namah Shivaya

 

[Vinayaka]

Vannakkam Dharani,

Nice name. That temple looks so much like 'at home' for me. I'm sure we'd fit right in there. I'm glad you do.

 

[Nyingjé Tso]

Vanakkam,

Oh it does ! We were 4 for the evening puja yesterday, it was royal. After that we stayed till temple closure, having darshan and having fun with the pujaris...
I mean, we can make fun of their french pronunciation if they make fun of our hindi/tamil
One is very brother-like, but the head priest is definitely the paternal type !

Aum Namah Shivaya

 

[Aupmanyav]

Received my name from one of the temple priest today ! Dharani it is, then.

Aum Namah Shivaya

That is hell of a name. Root letter 'dha'. Same as 'Dharā' (Earth), 'Dharma'. One which engenders, nourishes, sustains, forgives, is firm, is patient (Dhairya), excuses mistakes. 'Kshamāyā dhaitri' (like the earth in tolerance and forgiveness). RigVeda mentions 'Dhātr', an 'Aditya' (sun, similar to Mitra) among the sons of God Mother Aditi. May you prove true to your name.
Namah Shivaya.

 

[Vinayaka]

Vanakkam,

Oh it does ! We were 4 for the evening puja yesterday, it was royal. After that we stayed till temple closure, having darshan and having fun with the pujaris...
I mean, we can make fun of their french pronunciation if they make fun of our hindi/tamil
One is very brother-like, but the head priest is definitely the paternal type !

Aum Namah Shivaya

Didn't you have kind of a rough time the first time you visited there? Please correct my memory if I am wrong. If so, I think its a great lesson for Hindu newcomers about how a little persistence pays off.

Yes, I can have fun with the priests here too.

 

[Nyingjé Tso]

Vanakkam,

Spring is back... I think you can tell by the amount of flowers

Aum Namah Shivaya

 

[ShivaFan]

Anyone recognize which temple the Murti is from? A friend in India shared it with me by forwarding it from a Bengali to me, so probably from a temple in West Bengal but not sure. Very nice Krishna murti in a typical Bengali style.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Ah, it is height of summer here. Yesterday - 45 C.
The image is from ImageShack if you have not noticed..

 

[Islington]

It's difficult to find stuff on ShankaraNarayana... So following on FireSide's ideas to make my own stuff, I went and bought rudrakshas and tulsi to create my own mala. For the thread, I borrowed rakhi thread from my significant other ... and spent the day on it. The thread kept breaking but in the end, it was very worth the effort

 

[Aupmanyav]

Puja Mala, one that belonged to my grandfather, is being used by my 95 year old mother, will be inherited by my 70 year old wife. Small ordinary Rudraksha beads. Precious heirloom since my grandfather sort of established (the reputation of) my family.