of driving and drivers

You can tell a lot about a person by the way (s)he drives on the road!

I was told this sometime in 1999, when I had taken a lift from Mayur Vihar to Pragati Maidan and then the gentlemen went on to talk about some of the drivers and how they were handling their vehicles on the road... It was a very interesting 30 minute discussion, and the thought has been there in my mind ever since! I notice how people handle and drive their vehicles, and map it back to how they are, including myself.

My theory is that while you are at the steering wheel, over a period of time you are driving with your sub-concious mind. This is the reason why the clutch, the gear shift, the horn, the dipper, the brake, the accelerator seem to be working together seamlessly while you become a part of the car, in a way!

And if my way of driving has to tell anything about me, it is that....

1. I have stopped rushing into a lot of things... an empty road does not mean a hard press on the gas!

2. I feel very contented with where I am, I see the road ahead and am more than willing to take the journey, and I see the rear view mirror to see the distance I have covered

3. I still get very annoyed at displays of irresponsibility and recklessness. I think Angry is a more appropriate word!

4. I am agressive in my approach

5. I do not get bothered by the surrounding noise. Even if I do, it takes a while for it to get to my head. Mostly I am involved in my own thoughts for the noise to be irritating

6. I like to give way and be patient.

7. I like to be protective and possesive of the things in my perimeter.

8. I hate being judged because of a few instances. Observations, alright! Judgements! get lost!

9. I do not mind changing pace depending on the situations... I do not have not go at the same speed always, and its ok to slow down

10. I ENJOY where I am!

Most of these seem to be hovering around the same point! interesting!

सुंदरकाण्ड – हनुमानजी का लंका को प्रस्थान

चौपाई :

जामवंत के बचन सुहाए। सुनि हनुमंत हृदय अति भाए॥
तब लगि मोहि परिखेहु तुम्ह भाई। सहि दुख कंद मूल फल खाई॥
जब लगि आवौं सीतहि देखी। होइहि काजु मोहि हरष बिसेषी॥
यह कहि नाइ सबन्हि कहुँ माथा । चलेउ हरषि हियँ धरि रघुनाथा॥

भावार्थ:-जाम्बवान् के सुंदर वचन हनुमानजी के हृदय को बहुत ही भाए। वे बोले- हे भाई! तुम लोग दुःख सहकर, कन्द-मूल-फल खाकर तब तक मेरी राह देखना जब तक मैं सीताजी को देखकर लौट न आऊँ। काम अवश्य होगा, क्योंकि मुझे बहुत ही हर्ष हो रहा है। यह कहकर और सबको मस्तक नवाकर तथा हृदय में श्री रघुनाथजी को धारण करके हनुमानजी हर्षित होकर चले

सिंधु तीर एक भूधर सुंदर। कौतुक कूदि चढ़ेउ ता ऊपर॥
बार-बार रघुबीर सँभारी। तरकेउ पवनतनय बल भारी॥
जेहिं गिरि चरन देइ हनुमंता। चलेउ सो गा पाताल तुरंता॥
जिमि अमोघ रघुपति कर बाना। एही भाँति चलेउ हनुमाना॥

भावार्थ:-समुद्र के तीर पर एक सुंदर पर्वत था। हनुमानजी अनायास ही कूदकर उसके ऊपर जा चढ़े और बार-बार श्री रघुवीर का स्मरण करके उस पर से बड़े वेग से उछले। जिस पर्वत पर हनुमानजी पैर रखकर चले, वह तुरंत ही पाताल में धँस गया। जैसे श्री रघुनाथजी का बाण चलता है, उसी तरह हनुमानजी चले

जलनिधि रघुपति दूत बिचारी। तैं मैनाक होहि श्रम हारी॥

भावार्थ:-समुद्र ने उन्हें श्री रघुनाथजी का दूत समझकर मैनाक पर्वत से कहा कि हे मैनाक! तू इनकी थकावट दूर करने वाला हो।

दोहा :
हनूमान तेहि परसा कर पुनि कीन्ह प्रनाम। राम काजु कीन्हें बिनु मोहि कहाँ बिश्राम॥

भावार्थ:-हनुमानजी ने उसे हाथ से छू दिया, फिर प्रणाम करके कहा- भाई! श्री रामचंद्रजी का काम किए बिना मुझे विश्राम कहाँ?

Afwaah!

Himess Bhai!

Weds!

Rakhi Sawant!!!

Phailaiyeee!!!!

and do tell if you would like to attend this marriage or not!

Jan Gan Man and Mile Sur Mera Tumhara!

For people who are not watching it on TV and have a decent internet connection, please see the parade live here

http://republicday.nic.in/

This will work if you have Windows Media Player or Real Player...

Enjoy some variations of the National Anthem too below... some beautiful music along with it!!!

And one of my favorite musical pieces ever, on Doordarshan

...

Out of a few things which are difficult to find, one is "closure".

Light headed

Finally the long hair days are over! back to the short smart simpler cut! I am glad I managed over 6 months of the long hair, though I did not reach the pony stage!

Feeling very light headed, and relaxed right now, while I enjoy typing while sitting in a rocking chair!

. . .

They say Charity begins at home... and I say Change does too!

Chai ki Dukaan being like a home to me and a few others that I know and some that I don't, felt like just the right place to talk about a few important things that are shaping up in the next few months!

I hope some of you remember the 30on30 campaign. For the benefit of those who do not remember or need a quick refresh here are a few highlights of 30on30

1. In Mar-Apr'09, some of my photographs were put up on sale via a blog.
Details at http://30-on-30.blogspot.com/
2. The initial aim was to raise Rs. 30000 in 30 days via the sale of these photographs
3. The campaign worked well and there were about 2500 people who visited the campaign page during these 30 days
4. We managed a total of Rs. 79000 by the end of the campaign5. We gave that money to ASK-Sankalp who promised that this would be used properly in the initiatives at Sankalp, which is a unit based out of Moradabad, UP focused on Child Rights and Education

This really encouraged me and a few more, and we thought of doing something which would be our contribution to society and change, in a more systematic and continuous way! Some of us talked at length about what could we do, and more importantly how! The good part being that none of us were skeptical about the results, or the approach or if we should do something or not!

There are lot of ideas, there is a lot to do, and there is a need of people who can support us! So if you are willing, or know someone who is willing to spend about 5-6 hours a week (dedicatedly) on some initiatives related to social issues please read on...

1. If you are just willing to spend time and spread a word about what we are doing, GREAT! we would keep you posted and look forward to your support
2. If you have a special skill like web-design, content management and editing, financial and legal knowledge, we would love to hear from you
3. If you feel you'd like to be a part of such team and can give more time than just a few hours and connect with us for a longer time, please hold on...

Give us sometime while we work some details. The intention is to keep things simple, our energies focused and mindsets positive!

Game for it?

p.s. feel free to write to Prashant @ prashantbhardwaj[at]gmail[dot]com in case you'd like to know more at this point of time, or just write a comment here!

Tea Talk

"If you are cold, tea will warm you. If you are too heated, it will cool you. If you are depressed, it will cheer you. If you are excited, it will calm you."

~Gladstone, 1865

2009 in Pictures - June

June was a travel month! (most months last year were travel months for that matter)
Me, Ma and Pa went on a three day tour of the east coast... drove around the New York City... and visited a lot of places of tourist interest!
Enjoy the photographs below!

In my shoes!

"Try and be in my shoes!"

Heard it? I am sure you must have!

I think this is a very inappropriate thing to ask, primarily because I do not remember buying shoes that did not fit! and unless someone else's shoes fit me, there are not many chances that I am going to buy them, or the idea or perspective for that matter!

Why get into someone else's shoes then? More often than not, its going to be hard walking in them!

सुंदरकाण्ड - श्लोक

This post is in continuation of the previous post on Sunderkand. This post completes the starting Shlok of the Sunder Kand.

The first part of this Shlok is devoted to Bhagwan Ram. In this Shlok, devotee asks his Bhagwaan Ram to grant complete devotion towards Him.


नान्या स्पृहा रघुपते हृदयेऽस्मदीये
सत्यं वदामि च भवानखिलान्तरात्मा
भक्तिं प्रयच्छ रघुपुंगव निर्भरां मे
कामादिदोषरहितं कुरु मानसं च

भावार्थ:-हे रघुनाथजी! मैं सत्य कहता हूँ और फिर आप सब जानते ही हैं कि मेरे हृदय में दूसरी कोई इच्छा नहीं है। हे रघुकुलश्रेष्ठ! मुझे अपनी पूर्ण भक्ति दीजिए और मेरे मन को काम आदि दोषों से रहित कीजिए

Second part of the Shlok, devotee prays Bhagwan Hanuman.

अतुलितबलधामं हेमशैलाभदेहं
दनुजवनकृशानुं ज्ञानिनामग्रगण्यम्‌
सकलगुणनिधानं वानराणामधीशं
रघुपतिप्रियभक्तं वातजातं नमामि

भावार्थ:-अतुल बल के धाम, सोने के पर्वत सुमेरु के समान कान्तियुक्त शरीर वाले, दैत्य रूपी वन को ध्वंस करने के लिए अग्नि रूप, ज्ञानियों में अग्रगण्य, संपूर्ण गुणों के निधान, वानरों के स्वामी, श्री रघुनाथजी के प्रिय भक्त पवनपुत्र श्री हनुमान्‌जी को मैं प्रणाम करता हूँ

Season's Greetings!

We just celebrated new year and Christmas and another pool of festivities is already here!!
You already know what we are talking about, don't ya? It's time for desi til-gur sweets, kites, bonfires, folklores and laughters. Here, CKD wishes everyone a very happy lohri, makar sankranti and magh bihu and pongal too!!

And as I sit here and write this greeting, a thought crosses my mind-
All these festivals are celebrated for different reasons but they all eptiomize a single spirit-
That's the spirit of sprinkling seeds of happiness and harmony around us.

And if that is the case, why restrict ourselves to just a few calendar days? :-)
We have some ideas to wave this spirit of mutual sharing in a continous fashion.... Please watch out this space for more... :-)

Till then,
Cheers!

Cha

The english word tea traces its roots to the name for tea in the Chinese Amoy Dialect: Te (pronounced tay). Cha is the Mandarin Chinese word for tea. Some countries use both. It's not unusual to hear someone in England request a "hot cup of cha".

Text copied from a Tea Calendar that I bought last year.

The year of Binary!

Today is

10 - 01 - 10

One of the few days in the year of Binary! Infact the year started with a Binary date... 01-01-10

And tomorrow happens to be another binary day!

11-01-10

catch 22

Its unfair of people to expect something from me!

Its unfair of me to expect people to not expect something from me!

सुंदरकाण्ड

In our last visit to Milwaukee, I was talking to Prashant about our childhood and the places where we grew up. The place where I grew up is a very small place. Our land lord built a small temple in his house. We used to have our daily ‘Aarti’ in the temple and Sunderkand Path on every Tuesday. Suddenly Prashant asked me if I am interested to post Sunderkand in Chai Ki Dukaan. So here I am with my first post.

मंगलाचरण

शान्तं शाश्वतमप्रमेयमनघं निर्वाणशान्तिप्रदं
ब्रह्माशम्भुफणीन्द्रसेव्यमनिशं वेदान्तवेद्यं विभुम्
रामाख्यं जगदीश्वरं सुरगुरुं मायामनुष्यं हरिं
वन्देऽहं करुणाकरं रघुवरं भूपालचूडामणिम्

भावार्थ:-शान्त, सनातन, प्रमाणों से परे, निष्पाप, मोक्षरूप परमशान्ति देने वाले, ब्रह्मा, शम्भु और शेषजी से निरंतर सेवित, वेदान्त के द्वारा जानने योग्य, सर्वव्यापक, देवताओं में सबसे बड़े, माया से मनुष्य रूप में दिखने वाले, समस्त पापों को हरने वाले, करुणा की खान, रघुकुल में श्रेष्ठ तथा राजाओं के शिरोमणि राम कहलाने वाले जगदीश्वर की मैं वंदना करता हूँ

मज़ा ही कुछ और है!!

This is dedicated to one of my favorite poets, Pandit Om Vyas Om. He wrote a poem "Maza hi kuch aur hai" and I wrote what is below!

डिब्बे और बाल्टी से नहाने का

ठिठुरते शरीर पर लिफेबोय साबुन लगाने का

ठंडा पानी लगने पर जोर से जय राम जी की जय राम जी की चिल्लाने का

मज़ा ही कुछ और है|

चलती डी टी सी में भाग कर चड़ने का

छुट्टे ना देने पर कांदुक्टोर से झगड़ने का

खिड़की से आ रही ठंडी हवा पर हथेली आपस में रगड़ने का

मज़ा ही कुछ और है|

धुंध में सामने वाली गाडी के पीछे पीछे चलने का

थोड़ी सी सड़क साफ़ होते ही फटाक से आगे निकलने का

और कोई खुद से आगे निकले तो गाली बकने का

मज़ा ही कुछ और है|

ठेले की बगल में टिक्की खाने का

गोलगप्पे में थोड़ी सौंठ डलवाने का

मिर्चा लगने पर सी सी करके चिल्लाने का

मज़ा ही कुछ और है|

रजाई में दुबके रहने का

मोबाइल फ़ोन पर सबसे छुपा कर धीरे धीरे कुछ कहने का

किसी के प्यार में थोडा सा गम सहने का

मज़ा ही कुछ और है|

देसी घी में खाना बनाने का

तंदूरी परांठे पर सफ़ेद मक्खन लगाने का

पेट भर कर खाने के बाद, बस एक और गुलाब जामुन खाने का

मज़ा ही कुछ और है|

गली के कोने वाली मार्केट में बाल कटवाने का

१० रूपये में शेव करने का

ओल्ड इसपाईस की बोतल में रखा सस्ता आफ्टर शेव लगवाने का

मज़ा ही कुछ और है|

organic की जगह herbal शेम्पू लगाने का

"over the counter " की जगह आयुर्वेदिक दवाई खाने का

बीमार पड़ने पर घर के नुस्खे आजमाने का

मज़ा ही कुछ और है|

Mother to Many!

So you have any kids?

No!

Planning for any?

No!

Can you have any?

Yes!

Still not planning?

No!

Why? Do both of you agree?

Yes, with our own reasons! He has his own, I have mine!

Hmm! And your reason is?

If I have a kid, I will probably spend everything that I earn on him/her... not that I earn too much but whatever it is it would be spent on that one child. Now if I do not have a kid of my own, I can probably use that li'il money to raise more kids outside my own family. The mouths are already here, the kids are already here... I did not bring them to this world! but they are here. I rather use my money to raise them!

Hmm...

Friends

Me and pa were walking towards the cycle repair shop to get the cycle repaired…. Moti (the street dog) was sitting at the stairs of one of the houses near ours… He usually reacts pretty quick to my whistles and calling, but today he did not… I went hear him and patted him on the head… no reactions again… instead he kept staring at me… like he was trying to figure out who I was and why was I so close to him!

And then I could literally see a bulb light up over his head! He knew who I was and it was one of most beautiful reactions to my coming back home...

Later in the evening, when I reached home after walking back from Tushar's home, he saw me again… ran unto me and kept extending his paws for me to hold… This time I pretended as if I do not know him! but he was very persistent! finally I gave in, sat down next to him, held his paw, and he suddenly stopped moving…

He was sat there with his paw in my hand and his eyes staring into space, while I was looking at his eyes wondering what he is thinking about!

...

सुबह सुबह की धुंध

दोपहर की धूप

शाम को आसमान के रंग

घर

जन्नत!!

Thought for the day!

One thing that makes moving on seem impossible, is accumulation!

Prashant Bhardwaj, 2010

Things to do in too jeero bun jeero! - 1

Do what makes the heart happy!

and try not to do it at the cost of other's happiness!

शांति पाठ - Praying for Peace!

ॐ द्यौ शान्तिरन्तरिक्ष: शांति: पृथ्वी शान्तिराप: रोशाधय: शांति: |

वनस्पतय: शंतिविश्वे देव: शांतिब्रह्म शांति: सर्व शांति: शान्तिरेव शांति: सा माँ शांतिरेधि ||

ॐ शांति: शांति: शांति: ॐ

Could not think of anything better than this to start the new year!!! Wishing 2010 brings peace to everyone!