Hands, the size of our hearts!

 கரம் கொப்பம்;

செயல் படுவோம்

Hands that worked hard

Those held together

In the thick and thin

Tight and strong

Hands that made us feel

Bond that grew

Life that flows

Happiness, they bring

Hands that made us

Fall in love

Rise from hell

Shine in togetherness

Hands that hug

With compassion

Saying it all going to be fine

Let fear go away

Hands, that size of our hearts

Small but big to give

All the love we can

Loads of warmth & care

My dose of poetry today as we just took a pic of our hands as we discussed the hearts at home

picture inspired poem....

What is Shree Saligramam sila - Lord Vishnu Saligramas?

 Shree Saligramam sila - Lord Vishnu Saligramas.

If you ever happened to have a look inside a Vaishnavite's Pooja room, you might have had a glimpse of a black stone called Saligramam being worshipped. Lord Vishnu (Krishna) Saligrama - Saligrama is also known as Saligramam sila, Saligramamam, Saligram,Salagram or Saligrama. It is usually black in color with the symbol of sudarshana chakra. The chakras can be seen both outside and inside. The Saligrama stone is not believed to be just another stone found in the nature. It is found only at Gandaki River situated high in the Himalayas in Nepal. It is believed that the chakra symbols are formed by river worms called Vajra Keeta. It is believed that these worms drill the stones, get inside and use the stones a dwelling place

Pooja at my friend Sita Lakshminarayana's residence 

Shaligram is Lord vishnu himself found only in stone form (murthy form in Kaligandaki River in Nepal). Salagrama is nothing but the shell of a Divine Insect. This Insect can be spotted in Gandaki River near Mustang district near Muktinath temple.

Saligrama sila stones are found in many colours but mostly (99 %) in black colour. White coloured ones are rare. Black colour saligram is worshipped by devotees. Red coloured Saligrama is not worshipped in homes. Saligrama sila is found with Sudarshana chakra but some Saligrama have natural golden colour marks. They are also also found in shape of Shankha, Chakra, Gada and Padma. Saligrams found within the river are supposed to be very auspicious as compared to the ones found on the banks of the river. According to Legends, Krishna ordered Vishwakarma to make Saligrama, thus it is understood that Vishwakarma resides in the Vajrakeeta which makes Saligrama..

Saligramas having one chakra is Sudarshana, where as two chakras is considered as Narayan (Lord Vishnu), three chakra saligramam is Achyut Saligrama, 4 chakra is God Janardhana Saligrama, 5 chakra is God Vaasudeva (krsna) Saligramas. According to some scripts Saligrama with 7 holes and 14 chakras is known as Ananta Padmanabha Murthy, 2 holes and 4 chakras is Narayana Murthy and so on. All the murthis have same power but only more than 12 chakra is called Ananta.

Dwarka sila is found in Dwarka river in India and is white in colour. Worshiping Dwarka sila is considered to be very auspicious and can please Lord Vishnu easily.

Abnormal sizes Saligrama should be kept in the Temples/Mutts etc. only. The size recommended for the puja in the house is smaller ones - which can be accommodated in ones closed fist and abhishekam should be performed daily.

Padhma Purnam has some rare facts about Salagrama .. Let us see those..

1) Those who worship ChakraSila / Salagrama will not be born again.

2) Dwaraka Sila and Salagrama will clear One’s Sin for the past 100 Births

3) One person who worship Salagrama and takes the Theertha Prasada, though has committed Thousand sins, will get rid all of them. Salagrama worship is capable of get rid of Bharmahathi Shapa.

4) Puniya Theerthas will get collected within 100 Yojana (Nearly 100 Ft) from the house where Salagrama Pooja is performed.

5) Salagrama worship and offerings made is manifested 100 times more than Kasi Kshetra. The House is also considered more Sacred than Kasi Kshetra.

6) Worshipping Salagrama , having Salagrama Theertha is considered equivalent to performing Million Yagas! Million Cow Dhanas(Offerings). It is also sure that the person who worship Salagrama will not have rebirth.

Generally it is said that women are not supposed to perform pooja for Salagrama.

Evil Spirits wont prevail in the area where Salagrama Pooja is performed.

Source:

https://www.facebook.com/chinthamani108/posts/shree-saligramam-sila-lord-vishnu-saligramasif-you-ever-happened-to-have-a-look-/713715521992567/

Celebrating the Suchness of Life - From the Happynesswalas- First Edition- The Art of going with the flow :-) 03 Feb 2023- At Feathers Hotel, Chennai

 AVIS and Vaani Anand never fail to inspire me and Raghu.   We have been lucky to be part of their 'Happyness Conversations'  way back in Feb 2020, where for the first time, Raghu opened up before a gathering and shared his thoughts in a very touching way.   Life can never be just a bed of roses... and AVIS and Vaani's life teaches us to be smiling irrespective of the odds of life.  

Stay blessed and count the blessings despite of a very sad financial bankruptcy.   AVIS strongly says that they are rich both emotionally and mentally and stay grounded and not to get crippled by the financial bankruptcy they are dealing with the last 16 years.  

Despite of the terrible personal circumstances, they went ahead with spreading happiness through their 'Happyness Conversations' and  Bliss Catchers and staying positive in life-disturbing crisis.   The worklessness, pennilessness and imponderables for such a long time is not easy in life.  AVIS and Vaani have lived through all these without forgetting the purpose of life spreading happiness and positivity

Remember God so  much that you are forgotten -   AVIS goes on to mention the quotes from Rumi as he takes us through several other meaningful quotes and songs from the yesteryears film music.  The lyrics that unwind and make us think through the evening, soaked in poetry and music, both Hindi and Tamil, relentlessly making you see beyond the song and stories around.  He points to many in the audiences whose stories have brought out the human courage, resilience and firm thinking to struggle through and emerge successful and here the success denote the human peace and passion than the materialistic accomplishments

"When there are ruins, be sure there is a hope of treasure" - RUMI vibrates in the hall.  The reference to the song "Yeddayum Thangum Idhyam Irundhal, Kadaisi Varukum Amaidi Irukum'' translating 'If you have a brave heart to embrace anything, you will have peace of mind till the end"  - However, we feel like questioning the reason to endure, how long and how far,  but AVIS strongly puts together the fact that "If you follow your passion, You will be at peace"  no matter whether it brings you material wealth or emotional health.    

AVIS and Vaani brings out very prominent references -  especially AVIS when he says that 'Life is No Meaning" according to OSHO,  while Joseph Campbell says 'Give Life a meaning and follow your bliss and the doors will open"

Sometimes, you just feel like going and giving them a tight hug,  for the strong message of being happy despite of the circumstances is not an easy thing to do.   AVIS and Vaani reiterates the fact that "Happiness is the ability to be non-worrying, non-suffering and non-frustrated",   Vaani goes on to tell that if you have a solution to a worry, why worry? If you do not have a solution, then also why worry? "  As by worrying the problem is not going to go.  "The pain is inevitable but suffering is optional" according to Lord Gautham Buddha.  

Ability to deal with life is happiness.  The art of going with the flow of life is not easy, but not impossible.  Vaani is all smiles, when she says 'Life is a kambath jezz hai',  the mischievous fellow.    Their faith in the Divine blessings of the universe, all gurus and Gods, especially Sai Baba who reaffirms the fact that 'Faith is the basic of Life".   The concept that 'marthaye vechavan thani uthuvan'  meaning, the one who sow the seed of the tree will water the same too;   

Acceptance is the first step to resolve problems.   The reference to the Rotta Fortune wheel was a eye-opening scenario.   You have to stand in midst of all the battles and chaos of life and fine your centre -  Says Swami Vivekananda.    Vanni and AVIS requests the audience to soak in gratitute and stop having the complaining attitute.  

STAY in STILLNESS and you will find answers, solutions and clarifications.   They speak about miracles and refer to Mary Oliver who says "Being alive amidst the broken world and every morning is a miracle"   

Be Happy to this moment.   Life will flow in its own charming way

The evening ended with loads of songs, meaningful lyrics, welcome note from Garima of Feathers Hotel to enjoy their hospitality and buffet dinner matching with Cheryl and team from Sula Wines pouring the best of wine in India for the audience to soak in wine and cherish to dine through the evening.  

Raghu and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening, meeting several of our friends, associates and also meeting new people.  Enjoyed the music that accompanied the lavish dinner buffet and lots of sparkling wine.  The day ended with the memorable pictures with our friends and the hosts.   Thank you AVIS and Vaani for the invite and amazing hospitality and spreading happiness as usual.    Three Cheers to you both for the toasts of life!!! God bless!!!

Pictures from the event:-)