The Tibetan mall in Bangalore’s Brigade road is rather disappointing. I had expected a mini version of Lhasa’s Barkhor street. Lhasa’s Barkhor street encircles Jokhang temple in the heart of Lhasa. This street is filled with numerous shops selling fascinating Tibetan craft. In contrast, this Tibetan Mall is a rundown place selling cheap apparel. I…
The End of Knowing.
I just finished a simple rice-gruel breakfast in the Ashram kitchen. I was told the Swami will meet me at 10:30 AM. I sat down on the stone bench and waited. I was eager to meet a Swami steeped in non-duality. The call came minutes later. A short walk brought me to the hall and in…
Kirtimukha, The Desireless state.
Hinduism is abundant with mythological stories. The aim of mythology is to convey a concept through stories, rituals and symbols. Mithya is the concept or idea conveyed by mythology. From mythology arises sects, religion and customs. From mithya arises several belief systems. Behind mythology and mithya is absolute reality or truth. The aim of Hinduism…
The Blue Mountain
Rising majestically at 11,000 feet stands the Neelakanth peak in the Himalayas. This peak has close association with Shiva. Neelakanta is the blue throated Shiva and the entire region is filled with his personality. The Neelakanth peaks rise dramatically over river ganga. The glaciers and eternal snow represent Jata, the matted hair locks of…
The Dengue Deluge.
That was the first time when I heard about Dengue. Dengue was considered a serious threat and reports had claimed loss of several lives. August to November is generally considered the dengue season. This is the new monsoon fever of India. The dengue mosquito breeds in stagnant water in open drains, water stored in sources…
The Land of Agastya. Part-2: The Southern Sage.
The Cosmic sound dwells in two levels, the manifest and un-manifest. The creation arises from the un-manifest. Agastya arises during the time of crisis. He does not interfere with the cosmic law nor its evolutionary activities. He intervenes when the cosmic order is disturbed and provides guidance. He is like the Batman choosing to act…
The Land of Agastya. Part-1: The Search Begins.
Part-1: The Search begins. My interest in astronomy began a decade back. It is more than just a hobby. The constellations visible in my hemisphere draws me back time after time and keeps me busy for hours. The sky has so many wonders and I am deeply drawn towards the cosmos. The cosmos will require…
A Spicy Tale
A friend recently called me to enquire about our homemade recipe for Milagai Pudi. Molagai podi as some call it, is our indispensable South Indian spice powder accompaniment for idly and dosa. Milagai Podi comes handy when you are not in a mood to prepare an elaborate sambar or chutney to go with idly and…
Meeting the Master
It was past mid-day when I reached the small temple dedicated to the guardian deity of the hills. He is Karuppusamy sporting a long moustache, his stretched right hand holding a sword and body decked with ornaments. The journey was tiring and I had trekked over five hours from the base camp. A half an…
The Mystic Mountain
It was past midnight. I was cuddled up in a cold mattress trying to sleep after a long trek. It was pitch dark in the mud house and at 20,000 feet I was gasping for breath. An invisible force was pushing me to go out in the open. I was frantically searching for my torch…
Coffee Tales
I realized it is six weeks now without a cup of coffee. My coffee intake during the past five years has been about half a cup a day. It is over a decade now since the time I shifted to drinking black coffee without sugar. It may be surprising to hear that my son who…
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