My ज्योतिर्लिंग trips

Ghrishneshwar       1985
Bhimashankar        1998 & 2017
Rameshwaram        2002
Somnath                 2016
Mahakaleshwar      2018
Omkareshwar 2018
Vishwanath ?
Kedarnath ?
Mallikarjun ?
Traimbakeshwar ?
Nageshwar ?
Vaidyanath ?

Mathura 1998
Ayodhya ? 

Suresh Shenoy - the greatest person I ever worked with

I came to know this morning that Suresh Shenoy passed away. I am shocked. I don’t have words to express my sorrow. It is hard to believe that I will never ever get an opportunity to meet him. My eyes are moist as many thoughts pass my mind. Even in this period of Wuhan coronavirus pandemic, when I have lost so many close relatives, Suresh Shenoy's passing away will hurt more than anything else. 

Suresh Shenoy was my manager for only 11 months. And yet how he touched my life!! How is it that in such a short period of time he influenced my life so much, in such a positive way. In last 15 years, I only spoke to him once (in 2016) on phone. The last I had met him was on the day of leaving i2 in 2006, when we met at a coffee shop. 

For me Suresh Shenoy was the proof of the existence of ईश्वर! And the proof that on some rare occasions ईश्वर intervenes in the lives of the men, and answers sincere prayers of a deserving भक्त. 

At the end of MBA education, while all my friends were praying for jobs in great companies, all I asked ईश्वर was a great manager to work for. And ईश्वर sent Suresh Shenoy in my life!! I had zero influence on choosing Suresh Shenoy as my manager. It was ईश्वर’s choice. And He could not have selected a greater human being and a greater professional than Suresh Shenoy. I thank ईश्वर for making people like Suresh Shenoy, and bringing them in our lives to set an example for us common mortals. 

The only real tribute to Suresh Shenoy would be to strive to become a good human being and a good professional like him. I pray that I may develop some of the great qualities that Suresh Shenoy so naturally demonstrated. I can never really become a Suresh Shenoy; not in this life. But even if I develop a small fraction of the greatness that Suresh Shenoy personified, I would consider myself as accomplished. 

PS: 

हे ईश्वर, why did you have to take him away from us to remind us of his greatness? :_(  

PPS:

I always desired to meet Suresh Shenoy sometime. I never thought something like this would happen. My wish to meet him will remain forever unfulfilled.

Swami Vivekanand Quotation Series - Day 45 (14 Feb)

He who has the slightest desire for worldly pleasures, even a shred of some such craving, will feel frightened at the thought of the path you are going to tread.

 - Swami Vivekanand
The Complete Works, Vol. 6

Swami Vivekanand Quotation Series - Day 44 (13 Feb)

Slavery is slavery. The chain of gold is quite as bad as the chain of iron.

 - Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 1

Swami Vivekanand Quotation Series - Day 43 (12 Feb)

It is not the receiver that is blessed, but it is the giver.

 - Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 1

Swami Vivekanand Quotation Series - Day 42 (11 Feb)

Never mind failures; tehy are quite natural, they are the beauty of life, these failures. What would life be without them?

 - Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 2

Swami Vivekanand Quotation Series - Day 41 (10 Feb)

Imitation, cowardly imitation, never makes for progress.

 - Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 3

Swami Vivekanand Quotation Series - Day 40 (9 Feb)

All the secret of success is there; to pay as much attention to the means as to the end.

 - Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 2

Swami Vivekanand Quotation Series - Day 39 (8 Feb)

One ounce of practice is worth twenty thousand tons of big talk.

 - Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 3

Swami Vivekanand Quotation Series - Day 38 (7 Feb)

You know little of that which is within you. For behind you is the ocean of infinite power and blessedness.

 - Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 2

Swami Vivekanand Quotation Series - Day 37 (6 Feb)

Character has to be established through a thousand stumbles.

 - Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 8

Swami Vivekanand Quotation Series - Day 36 (5 Feb)

The remedy for weakness is not brooding over weakness, but thinking of strenght.

 - Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 2

Swami Vivekanand Quotation Series - Day 35 (4 Feb)

In eating, dressing, or lying, in singing or playing, in enjoyment or disease, always manifest the highest moral courage. If you can build your character after such an ideal, then a thousand others will follow you.

 - Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 

Swami Vivekanand Quotation Series - Day 34 (3 Feb)

The more longing grows, the more will the cloud of obstacles be dispelled, and stronger will faith be established.

 - Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 

Swami Vivekanand Quotation Series - Day 33 (2 Feb)

Truth, purity and unselfishness - wherever these are present, there is no power below or above the sun to crush the possessor thereof. Equipped with these, one individual is able to face the whole universe in opposition.

 - Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 4

Swami Vivekanand Quotation Series - Day 32 (1 Feb)

Purify yourself first, and the world is bound to be purified then.

 - Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 1

Swami Vivekanand Quotation Series - Day 31 (31 Jan)

 The mind incontrolled and unguided will drag us down forever - rend us, kill us; and the mind controlled and guided will save us, free us.

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 6.

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 30

 We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded, and by which one can stand on one's own feet.

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 5

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 29

 You have to be practical in all spheres of work. The whole country has been ruined by masses of theories.

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 7

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 28

 The history of the world is that of men of faith, men of deep pure character. We need to have three things: the heart to feel, the brain to conceive, the hand to work.

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 6

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 27

 Great enterprise, boundless courage, tremendous energy, and above all, perfect obedience - these are the only traits that lead to individual and national regeneration.

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 6.

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 26

 Good motives, sincerity, and infinite love can conquer the world. One single soul possessed of these virtues can destroy the dark designs of millions of hypocrites and brutes.

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 5.

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 25

 Despondency is not religion. By being pleasant always and smiling, it takes you nearer to God.

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 4.

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 24

 The Gita is like a bouquet composed of beautiful flowers of spiritual truths collected from the Upanishads.

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 2

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 23

 All misery and pain come from attachment.

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 2

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 22

 Whatever you do sincerely is good for you. Even the least thing well done brings marvellous results; therefore let everyone do what little he can.

- Swami Vivekanand 

The Complete Works, Vol. 3

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 21

 The pleasure of the Self is what the world calls religion. The more our bliss within, the more spiritual we are. Let us not depend upon the world for pleasure.

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 8

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 20

 Stand up, be bold, be strong. Take the whole responsibility on your own shoulders, and know that you are the creator of your own destiny. All the strength and succour you want is within yourself.

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 2

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 19

 This I lay down as the first essential in all I teach: anything that brings spiritual, mental, or physical weakness, touch it not with the toes of your feet.

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 8

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 18

 You are lions, you are souls, pure, infinite, and perfect. The might of the universe is within you. Why weepest thou, my friend?

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 2

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 17

 It is fear that is the cause of our woes, and it is fearlessness that brings heaven even in a moment.

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 3

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 16

 The only test of good things is that they make us strong. Good is life, evil is death.

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 8

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 15

 Perfect sincerity, holiness, gigantic intellect, and an all-conquering will. Let only a handful of men work with these, and the whole world will be revolutionised.

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 8

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 14

 What makes you weep, my friend? In you is all power. Summon up your all-powerful nature, O mighty one, and this whole universe will lie at your feet. It is the Self alone that predominates, and not matter.

- Swami Vivekanand 

The Complete Works, Vol. 6

Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 13

 Learn obedience first. Always first learn to be a servant; and then you will be fit to be a master.
- Swami Vivekanand
The Complete Works, Vol. 3 & Vol. 6

Vivekanand जयंति

 12 January - Today is Swami Vivekanand जयंति. A million नमस्कारs to the great Swami!

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 12

 Infinite faith and strength are the only conditions of success

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 5

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 11

Sincerity of conviction and purity of motive will surely gain the day; and even a small minority, armed with these, is surely destined to prevail against all odds.

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 4

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 10

 Strength is felicity, life eternal, immortal; weakness is constant strain and misery. The is the great fact: Strength is life, weakness is death.

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 2

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 9

 Unfortunately, श्रद्धा has nearly vanished from India, and this is why we are in our present state. What makes one man great and another weak is श्रद्धा. This श्रद्धा must enter in you.

- Swami Vivekanand

Complete Works, Vol. 3

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 8 (8 Jan)

Stand up! Be bold! You are the sole and only cause.

- Swami Vivekanand

Complete Works, Vol. 3

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 7 (7 Jan)

Life is short, and the vanities of the world are transient; They alone live who live for others.

- Swami Vivekanand

Complete Works, Vol. 4

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 6 (6 Jan)

 The man who is pure, and who dares, does all things.

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 8

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 5 (5 Jan)

 Have faith in yourselves. Great convictions are the mothers of great deeds.

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 5

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 4 (4 Jan)

Be pure first and you will have power. The chaste brain has tremendous energy and gigantic will-power. Without chastity there can be no spiritual strength. Continence gives wonderful control over mankind. The spiritual leaders of men have been very continent, and this is what gave them power.

- Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 1 & Vol. 4

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 3 (3 Jan)

It is only through love, a passion for truth, and tremendous energy that all great undertakings are accomplished.

 - Swami Vivekanand

The Complete Works, Vol. 6

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 2 (2 Jan)

 Stick to truth and we shall succeed, may be slowly, but surely.

- Swami Vivekanand

Complete Works, Vol. 4

Swami Vivekanand Quotes Series - Day 1 (1 Jan)

 My ideal indeed can be put into a few words and that is: to preach unto mankind their divinity and how to make it manifest in every moment of life.

- Swami Vivekanand
Complete Works, Vol. 7

Quotes of Swami Vivekanand

 I have decided to post one quote of Swami Vivekanand every day this year. I had thought of posting it on facebook. I  stayed away from social media in December. Specifically Facebook, and Twitter. And WhatsApp as much as possible. I am feeling good about staying away from social media. I would like it to continue for more time. So instead of posting on Facebook, I would post on my blog site. 

As Ram Worships Bhagwan Shankar ....

The only good thing about the lockdown is the replaying of Ramayana and Mahabharat on Doordarshan. The kids are watching both the serials and thoroughly enjoying themselves. Unlike kids, I can’t watch all the episodes. But on & off I get to watch some episodes or parts thereof. Despite having watched and read different re-creations of Ramayana and Mahabharat, there is always something new to learn every time you watch or read Ramayana or Mahabharat.

For instance, this morning’s episode of Ramayana showed the tactics and strategies adopted by Ram and Ravana in preparation of war. As the final act of preparation, Bhagwan Ram, an incarnation of Vishnu, worshiped his आराध्य देवता, Bhagwan Shankar, to seek his blessings for success.

In the British era there was a lot of animosity between Shaivas and Vishnavas. Historically there has been no ill-will between Bhagwan Shankar & Bhagwan Vishnu, and no ill-will between those who primarily worshipped Bhagwan Shankar and those who prime diety was Bhagwan Vishnu. These divisions and the animosity were created and cultivated by the British to divide Indians.

Similarly the division between so-called Aryans & Dravidians were created by the British, and sustained by pseudo-intellectuals of independent India, who have been more British than Indian in their outlook. Peoples of this land united by Adi Shankaracharya’s travels from Kaladi in Kerala to Kandahar, to Kashmir, to Kamakhya (in today’s Assam), and back to Kanyakumari are all one as Indians/Hindus, and every other identity that we may have is inconsequential in comparison.