Since the last few days, I have been trying to build upon a fantasy, which I could begin to write. There was a basic plot that was zooming in my mind, but I still had a lot of information to collect before I could even begin to set up the general story structure. In one particular instance, I wanted to find out a person in our history who was an immortal, so that I could base my one character upon it. The reason behind looking for an actual tale was that while writing I wanted to have some facts as the backbone.
I talked to my mother about this and she, having quite the knowledge of our mythological history, suggested me the name of ‘Ashwathama’. She told me that he is one of the eight immortals and that he was the beloved son of Guru Dronacharya (teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravas of Mahabharata). I had known a bit about Ashawathama, of course as the part of stories that we had enjoyed in childhood. I had also heard from one of my uncles that, he still is on earth and there is an old fort somewhere on the top of which is Lord Shiva’s temple, where Ashwathama, being an avid worshipper, daily offers flowers. About the exact things such as why he is an immortal and what happened other than that, I had no idea. So ‘Lakh dukho ki ek dawa’, I went on to Google and on to wikipedia from there. Ashwathama’s story had me amazed. And it’s tragic too. Just like Karna’s, but both of them had been on the wrong side, so how could they be helped? The whole story could be read on wikipedia.
I wonder, is there any possibility that these mythological things can be real? Even if some part of them is real then that too makes a lot of difference in the world we think we live in. Ashwathama still lives on among us according to the beliefs. Revisiting this story made me realize how rich our mythological history is.
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Amidst the dreams
I am going to write about dreams, in the literal context. Not the dreams that we want to fulfill, but the dreams that we see at night. At night, I encounter the dream world numerous times. And the strange thing is that I remember almost all of my dreams. Generally from what I have heard from other people, they don’t remember much of the dreams they see or they claim that they enjoy a dreamless sleep. I have always wanted to know what my dreams meant, how they can be interpreted. I wanted to somehow relate them to the real world. But of course, if that had been an easy task, anyone could have done it.
Jumping from the matter of dreams to the one famous personality, I know in this field, Dr. Sigmund Freud. I had heard about him and had even come across his name in many of the books that I read. I too knew that he is well known as the father of psychoanalysis. One day, just browsing through the net, I got directed to Freud’s wikepedia page. It was a fascinating read and I enjoyed it thoroughly. But now that the fire had been lit, it craved for more information. Now was an opportunity for me to know about my dreams. So, I downloaded his book ‘Interpretation of dreams’. To be frank, I was tentative at first, as I didn’t know whether it was worth reading. But yet I started and even the first few pages had me mesmerized. I have read only 8 pages and I have already got answers to some of my questions.
The subject is greatly interesting. I didn’t have much knowledge concerning this, yet it seems captivating.
Jumping from the matter of dreams to the one famous personality, I know in this field, Dr. Sigmund Freud. I had heard about him and had even come across his name in many of the books that I read. I too knew that he is well known as the father of psychoanalysis. One day, just browsing through the net, I got directed to Freud’s wikepedia page. It was a fascinating read and I enjoyed it thoroughly. But now that the fire had been lit, it craved for more information. Now was an opportunity for me to know about my dreams. So, I downloaded his book ‘Interpretation of dreams’. To be frank, I was tentative at first, as I didn’t know whether it was worth reading. But yet I started and even the first few pages had me mesmerized. I have read only 8 pages and I have already got answers to some of my questions.
The subject is greatly interesting. I didn’t have much knowledge concerning this, yet it seems captivating.
A vicious circle
Today, the numbers of vehicles in any major city of India have gone up so drastically that the resulting impact is: poisonous fumes, green house effect which in turn triggers off global warming and a huge lot of problem related to congestion.
Like everyone else, the traffic woes I have are enormous. Being in Ahmedabad is almost the same to other metro cities when it comes to issues related to traffic. On the route that I travel daily through my two-wheeler, there is one circle which is so built or I don’t know whether I should call it designed that never, (Really never) is it free of congestion. The intersection in question is called ‘Dariapur Darwaja’. I can’t really describe about the number of roads it connects as there are many. People are coming from all sides and getting stuck in between. On top of all this, there is no signal there and neither there are any traffic cops manning the situation. Daily, the transport buses, the rickshaws, cars, two-wheelers, cycle carts, tempos and what not, get stuck. It takes almost half an hour to cross that single intersection.
I just hope that the municipal corporation takes some notice of that vicious circle and at least either install a signal there or keep permanent cops there. The journey which should have taken only 40 minutes, thanks to that circle, it takes an hour. The fumes I inhale or for that matter, anybody inhales, in that half an hour can cause our health severe damage. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Like everyone else, the traffic woes I have are enormous. Being in Ahmedabad is almost the same to other metro cities when it comes to issues related to traffic. On the route that I travel daily through my two-wheeler, there is one circle which is so built or I don’t know whether I should call it designed that never, (Really never) is it free of congestion. The intersection in question is called ‘Dariapur Darwaja’. I can’t really describe about the number of roads it connects as there are many. People are coming from all sides and getting stuck in between. On top of all this, there is no signal there and neither there are any traffic cops manning the situation. Daily, the transport buses, the rickshaws, cars, two-wheelers, cycle carts, tempos and what not, get stuck. It takes almost half an hour to cross that single intersection.
I just hope that the municipal corporation takes some notice of that vicious circle and at least either install a signal there or keep permanent cops there. The journey which should have taken only 40 minutes, thanks to that circle, it takes an hour. The fumes I inhale or for that matter, anybody inhales, in that half an hour can cause our health severe damage. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Aroma touch!!!
A little try to describe a marvelous creation of nature… a flower named “Parijat”. I don’t know how many of you have actually seen this master 
piece of Almighty, but one thing is for sure if you haven’t seen it, you have missed a stunning sight!
A topic is in a way very abstract, but these eyes everyday experiences its charisma and these hands could not stop to give it a try to describe it. Parijat flowers have four to eight petals arranged above and a vibrant orange tube in a pinwheel pattern. It is also named as ‘Harsinghar’ & ‘Shefali’. (yes… Shefali means Parijat!! :) )
These flowers are highly fragrant and will definitely catch you breath if you are passing anywhere within 50 meters of radius. These flowers blossom after sunset and its floral aroma reaches to the peak from 9 to 10 PM – a time when I normally come back from walk and my respiratory system is working at its best ;-). I just can’t stop inhaling, try very hard to understand whether am I breathing in the alluring fragrance or is it taking my breadth away :). Its beauty is at its peak in moonlight. No words can describe it. It is completely mesmerizing, rather hypnotizing :).
As soon as the dawn breaks, they drop one by one and literally form a carpet of snow-white petals and orange sepals on the earth (your self won’t allow you to walk on such a beautiful carpet). Some of the flowers won’t fall on the ground and will stay on leaves. 3-4 flowers on a single leaf with orange and white color with softest cover create an awesome sight.
This flower has a divine origin and is one of the gift from “Samudra Manthan”. Although most of the flowers are offered to God directly after picking from plants, Parijat is considered to be the only flower that can be collected from the ground and offered to God. It is also used to produce perfumes and face-packs and it also owns some medicinal properties.
This flower has romantic relevance and there are many interesting stories related to it. One is related to Lord Krishna: Both his wives Satyabhama and Rukmini wanted the tree in their courtyard and quarreled over it. But Krishna planted the tree in Satyabhama’s courtyard in a way that the flowers fall in Rukmini’s courtyard.
There are many other interesting facts about it and following site caught my eye:
http://www.whitelotusaromatics.com/fragrant/parijat5.html - THE FRAGRANT HARVEST – Exploring India’s aromatic traditions (also contains info about some other great floral elements like: Heena, Mehndi, Jasmin, Sandlewood, Kewada and Mitti :) )
So if you haven’t noticed this magnum-opus of nature yet, take some time out to observe its elegant beauty. (if you don’t find its plant nearer to your place, then… well… a good friend is always welcome to my home, ;-) anytime…:-) ).
piece of Almighty, but one thing is for sure if you haven’t seen it, you have missed a stunning sight!A topic is in a way very abstract, but these eyes everyday experiences its charisma and these hands could not stop to give it a try to describe it. Parijat flowers have four to eight petals arranged above and a vibrant orange tube in a pinwheel pattern. It is also named as ‘Harsinghar’ & ‘Shefali’. (yes… Shefali means Parijat!! :) )
These flowers are highly fragrant and will definitely catch you breath if you are passing anywhere within 50 meters of radius. These flowers blossom after sunset and its floral aroma reaches to the peak from 9 to 10 PM – a time when I normally come back from walk and my respiratory system is working at its best ;-). I just can’t stop inhaling, try very hard to understand whether am I breathing in the alluring fragrance or is it taking my breadth away :). Its beauty is at its peak in moonlight. No words can describe it. It is completely mesmerizing, rather hypnotizing :).
As soon as the dawn breaks, they drop one by one and literally form a carpet of snow-white petals and orange sepals on the earth (your self won’t allow you to walk on such a beautiful carpet). Some of the flowers won’t fall on the ground and will stay on leaves. 3-4 flowers on a single leaf with orange and white color with softest cover create an awesome sight.
This flower has a divine origin and is one of the gift from “Samudra Manthan”. Although most of the flowers are offered to God directly after picking from plants, Parijat is considered to be the only flower that can be collected from the ground and offered to God. It is also used to produce perfumes and face-packs and it also owns some medicinal properties.
This flower has romantic relevance and there are many interesting stories related to it. One is related to Lord Krishna: Both his wives Satyabhama and Rukmini wanted the tree in their courtyard and quarreled over it. But Krishna planted the tree in Satyabhama’s courtyard in a way that the flowers fall in Rukmini’s courtyard.
There are many other interesting facts about it and following site caught my eye:
http://www.whitelotusaromatics.com/fragrant/parijat5.html - THE FRAGRANT HARVEST – Exploring India’s aromatic traditions (also contains info about some other great floral elements like: Heena, Mehndi, Jasmin, Sandlewood, Kewada and Mitti :) )
So if you haven’t noticed this magnum-opus of nature yet, take some time out to observe its elegant beauty. (if you don’t find its plant nearer to your place, then… well… a good friend is always welcome to my home, ;-) anytime…:-) ).
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Thol trip
As far as trips are concerned, this is the second trip I am writing about. This one was completely different, of course the last one being official. Where the last one went into the “ALRITE” category, this one was “SIMPLY MARVELLOUS”.
I ask: What is a good recipe for a successful trip? A group of friends whose mantra is “Enjoy and include everyone in that enjoyment”, people who are in a peppy, upbeat, happy mood, a mode of transportation, articles for sports in place, lotsa food and finally a good destination. And what you have in hand is a real delicacy. Ours was exactly the same.
We, a group of friends from office decided to have fun, the time incidentally being the occasion of one of us (namely Siddharth) leaving the office for greener pastures.
The place is called Thol which is a bird sanctuary on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. Due to some reason, two of our members weren’t able to make it. The night before, I just hoped that the complete plan would get implemented, as making plans is a really easy task, implementation takes effort. (Pun definitely intended, hahaha)
Two people in different cars (Gaurang and Utpal) had to collect every one of us at 6 o’ clock in the morning. By the way, there were total 9 people in effect. J Though the road was bumpy we enjoyed the ride and didn’t even know when the time passed because of our animated (so called for the mimicking and exact dialogue deliveries by Pooja and Rajesh – the rest of us: Margi, me and Gaurang were audiences, just chipping in sentences to refresh actor’s memories) discussion about - of course our day before’s “Big Picture” meeting. About the other car, I would have to ask them to write about their ride.
I was thinking of skipping some small things but then decided otherwise – our morning nashta at a nukkad and pooja’s pics with the buffalo (worth seeing) and of course the time when we stopped to admire lotuses. Pal literally thought that the fields on the other side were better to look at than the lotuses, in which case he was somewhat right. (deadly na!)
The place looked nice on the outside but Utpal (who had already visited the place once) assured us that there was more to come. Well, we were able to see a few exotic birds, complete thanks to Malhar and his keen eyesight. Otherwise I think we would have just seen some sparrows, thought them to be exotic and moved on.
As we kept on walking, we found a very beautiful and a perfect place to settle down. It was our imagination of ‘the meadow’ ;). It was completely covered with trees not a single sun’s ray penetrating the shade, with the water from the lake adding to the beauty. The place was serene, exquisite and peaceful. There, we played badminton, only a little bit of cricket for the fear of the ball getting lost in the water, that too by the guys only, ate, chattered a lot, discussed and basically had fun. At that moment of time I felt contented with what was happening.
The time for leaving drew close and while walking back to the car, we made plans to come back in a season when there would be less heat. Though we were leaving, our day was far from finished yet, plans were made to watch a movie and off we went to a nearby multiplex. The drastic difference between the nature’s world we had left and the concrete world we had entered seemed huge. Yet, I was happy that we had time to spend together, away from the hustle and bustle of city.
(This seems like a huge blog but I couldn’t help myself and I let my thoughts and words run riot)
I ask: What is a good recipe for a successful trip? A group of friends whose mantra is “Enjoy and include everyone in that enjoyment”, people who are in a peppy, upbeat, happy mood, a mode of transportation, articles for sports in place, lotsa food and finally a good destination. And what you have in hand is a real delicacy. Ours was exactly the same.
We, a group of friends from office decided to have fun, the time incidentally being the occasion of one of us (namely Siddharth) leaving the office for greener pastures.
The place is called Thol which is a bird sanctuary on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. Due to some reason, two of our members weren’t able to make it. The night before, I just hoped that the complete plan would get implemented, as making plans is a really easy task, implementation takes effort. (Pun definitely intended, hahaha)
Two people in different cars (Gaurang and Utpal) had to collect every one of us at 6 o’ clock in the morning. By the way, there were total 9 people in effect. J Though the road was bumpy we enjoyed the ride and didn’t even know when the time passed because of our animated (so called for the mimicking and exact dialogue deliveries by Pooja and Rajesh – the rest of us: Margi, me and Gaurang were audiences, just chipping in sentences to refresh actor’s memories) discussion about - of course our day before’s “Big Picture” meeting. About the other car, I would have to ask them to write about their ride.
I was thinking of skipping some small things but then decided otherwise – our morning nashta at a nukkad and pooja’s pics with the buffalo (worth seeing) and of course the time when we stopped to admire lotuses. Pal literally thought that the fields on the other side were better to look at than the lotuses, in which case he was somewhat right. (deadly na!)
The place looked nice on the outside but Utpal (who had already visited the place once) assured us that there was more to come. Well, we were able to see a few exotic birds, complete thanks to Malhar and his keen eyesight. Otherwise I think we would have just seen some sparrows, thought them to be exotic and moved on.
As we kept on walking, we found a very beautiful and a perfect place to settle down. It was our imagination of ‘the meadow’ ;). It was completely covered with trees not a single sun’s ray penetrating the shade, with the water from the lake adding to the beauty. The place was serene, exquisite and peaceful. There, we played badminton, only a little bit of cricket for the fear of the ball getting lost in the water, that too by the guys only, ate, chattered a lot, discussed and basically had fun. At that moment of time I felt contented with what was happening.
The time for leaving drew close and while walking back to the car, we made plans to come back in a season when there would be less heat. Though we were leaving, our day was far from finished yet, plans were made to watch a movie and off we went to a nearby multiplex. The drastic difference between the nature’s world we had left and the concrete world we had entered seemed huge. Yet, I was happy that we had time to spend together, away from the hustle and bustle of city.
(This seems like a huge blog but I couldn’t help myself and I let my thoughts and words run riot)
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