இயற்கை ஏங்குகிறாள் தன் நிலையை எண்ணி...

முகில் கொண்ட மேகம்
மலையோரச் சாரல்
செண்டாய் பூத்த மலர்கள்
பச்சைப்பசேலென வயல்வெளிகள்
தேகத்தை தீண்டிய தென்றல்முகில் கொண்ட மேகம்
மலையோரச் சாரல்
செண்டாய் பூத்த மலர்கள்
பச்சைப்பசேலென வயல்வெளிகள்
தேகத்தை தீண்டிய தென்றல்
விண்ணைத் தொடும் முகடு
அதை தழுவி விழும் அருவி
அது துள்ளி ஓடும் ஆறு என
எங்கே நான் - நேசித்த இயற்கை எங்கே...?

கடந்த சில தினங்களாக அறிவிக்கப்படாத மின்வெட்டும், தண்ணீர் மக்களை வாட்டி வதைக்கிறது. காடுகளிலுள்ள மரங்கள், மலைகளிலுள்ளமரங்கள் வெட்டிவீழ்த்தப்பட்டதாலும்,சுற்றுப்புறத்தின்பசுமை அழிந்ததாலும், பெய்யும் மழை குறைந்ததாலும், அதன் தாக்கத்தை இன்று நாம்கொஞ்சம் கொஞ்சமாகஉணர்கிறோம்,காணமுடிகிறது.இத்துனைமுக்கியத்துவம்வாய்த பசுமையையும்,இயற்கையையும்மனிதன்ஏதாவதுஒருசுயதேவைகளுக்காகஅழித்துக்கொண்டே இருக்கின்றான்.இதை தொடர்ந்துநான் சமீபத்தில்  படித்த கதை நினைவிற்கு வந்தது.

வானத்திலமேகம் ஒன்றுஉலாபோய்க்கொண்டிருந்தது.மேலிருந்தபடியேகீழே பூமியைபார்த்துக்கொண்டே வந்த மேகம் அங்கேவயலக்ளில் பயிர்கள் எல்லாம்பரிதாபமாய்வாடிஇருப்பதைகவனித்துகவலைகொண்டது.இன்னும்உற்றுப்பார்த்தபோதுசெடிகொடிகள்எல்லாம்தாகம்!தாகம்!தண்ணீர்!தண்ணீர்'எனகூக்குரலிடுவதுபோலஉணர்ந்தது.உடனேபயிர்செடிகொடிகளுக்குஉதவநினைத்தமேகம்நகர்ந்துபோய்க்கொண்டிருந்ததென்றலைஅழைத்து,'எப்படியாவதுஇவைகளின்உயிரைக்காப்பாற்றேன்'எனக்கேட்டுக்கொண்டது.தென்றல்அலட்சியமாய்'ஆகட்டும்பார்க்கலாம்'எனசொல்லிப்போனது.சற்றுதூரத்தில்நகர்ந்துகொண்டிருந்தநதியினைக்கேட்டது.அதுவும்,'நிற்கநேரமில்லைஎனக்குநானேஓடிக்கொண்டிருக்கிறேனே'எனப்போனது.மலையிடம்கெஞ்சவும்அது,'நான்இங்கிருந்தபடியேதான்பார்க்கமுடியும்'என்றது.பயிர்களின் பரிதாபக்குரல்மேகத்தின்காதுகளில்விழுந்துஅதுதுடித்தது."ஐயோநீர்வேண்டித்தவிக்கிறதேஎல்லாம்,யாருமேஉதவத்தயாராய்இல்லையே?"என்றுமனம்வாடியது.பிறகுஅதுவே,"உதவநினைகக்ணும்என்றால்நாமேதான்அந்தச்செயலைசெய்யத்தயாராக்ணும்"என்றுதீர்மானிக்கிறது.உடனேஅது மேலே உயர்ந்தது. குளிர்ச்சி அடைந்தது.

தன் அழகான் பஞ்சுப்பொதி உடல்கரைவதைப்பற்றிகவலைப்படாமல் பல உயிர்களைக்காப்பாற்றுகிறோம்என்னும்மகிழ்ச்சிநிறைவில்தான்கரைந்துமரணத்தை தழுவிக்கொண்டு மழையைபூமிக்குஅளித்து மறைந்தது.காற்று நீர் நிலம்நெருப்பு,ஆகாயம்என்னும்பஞ்சபூதங்கள்அடங்கியஇயற்கை,மனிதன்இல்லாமல்வாழ்ந்துவிடும்.ஆனால்மனிதனால்தான்இயற்கைஇல்லாமல்வாழமுடியாது.நாம் மேகமாய் மாறமுடியாவிட்டாலும் மனிதனாய் சின்னசின்ன செயல்களில்நமதஅக்கறைகளைஆரம்பித்துஇயற்கைவளத்தைக்காபபற்றலாமே?

Impact of Sundarakanda on my Life -Part 2

Acting with determination 

yasya tvetaani chatvaari vaanarendra yathaa tava || 5-1-198
dhR^itirdR^ishhTirmatirdaakshyaM sa karmasu na siidati |

Meaning: O best among Vanaras! Whoever has the four qualities of courage, vision, intellect and skill, all these four virtues like you, such a person will not fail in any task."

Sundarakandam deals exclusively with the achievements of Hanuman in one night in his search for the discovery of Sita. During the night, he goes through every nook and corner of Lanka. The description of the search is spread with vivid pictures of the night-life of the Rakshasas of Lanka. He overcomes obstructions without any difficulty.

Acting with determination the entire episode of Sundara Kanda takes place over a period of just 24 hours. Just imagine, in this short period Jambavan reminding Hanuman, of his boundless power, and he sets off on his mission .He stood on the Trikuta Mountain. From there he saw Ravana’s city of Lanka and  crosses the ocean, While crossing the sea ,  Hanuman is stopped by  Surasa to test his prowess , later  the sea God sends the mountain  Mainaka to provide  him rest , which he refuses and later his  shadow is caught  by  a Rakshasi  called Simhika , whom he kills and reaches Lanka.  There he meets Lanka Lakshmi who is the guardian of the city, defeats  her , enters the city  Searches and finds out Sita, reassures her, tests the power of Ravana’s army, strikes fear by burning Lanka, returns back to his comrades and delivers Sita’s message to Rama, Lakshmana and Sugriva! Not just that, he finds time to celebrate his success by drinking honey with his comrades in the delightful episode of Madhuvana!He Never give up till the end. . He overcomes obstructions without any difficulty.Hanuman in this section has been described as one for whom nothing is impossible and who is the embodiment of  faith, devotion, and loyalty to the master, fearlessness and self-confidence.

When a person have the four attributes of determination (dhruthti), farsight (dheerga dhrushti), intellect and analyticalskills (Buddi) and dexterity in execution (DhAkshyam) are present together in one , then he will never fail in his endeavours .The story points out that, success is the outcome of such an attitude.

He  ignores all the distractions -When Mount Mainaka offers him a resting place with all good intentions, Hanuman politely declines the offer and continues on his journey. However he gently explains the reasons to the mountain and retains its goodwill.Be focused towards your goal.Be polite even when you have to say no.Lesson for all is here indeed! 

Sursa (the sea serpent) comes in the way of Shri Hanuman and wants to have him as food. Shri Hanuman requests her to let him go and he will later on willingly enter her mouth. Sursa does not agrees to it and starts increasing her size and so does Shri Hanuman. Later he takes a very minute size and keeping his promise enters Sursa’s mouth and quickly comes out and escapes.

Only physical power can not help you all the time, its the intelligence too that is important

 

Similarly when he is searching for Sitadevi in Lanka, he takes in all the sights, like the grandeur of Pushpaka Vimana, Ravana’s palace, the beauty of the women, Hanuman, the Brahmachari , was happy that the sight of all these women of inner chambers of Ravana did not affect the tranquility of His mind. He reasoned out

mano hi hetuH sarveSaam indriyaaNaam pravartate || 5-11-41
shubha ashubhaasv avasthaasu tac ca me suvyavasthitam |

Hanuman says to himself  -One's mind (Manas) is the reason behind engagement in Punya and Paapa  Karyams.“Among auspicious or inauspicious states in the behavior of all senses mind is the reason. My  that mind is very steady”  and None of these wonderful things is not affected one way or the other by these sights.

It teaches me ignore all distractions and learn to say ‘no’.
(to be cont...)

Impact of Sundarakanda on my Life -Part 1

"sundare sundaro ramah sundare sundari katha

sundare sundari sita sundare sundaram vanam,

sundare sundaram kavyam sundare sundarah kapih

sundare sundaram mantram sundare kim na sundaram"

In the Sundara Kanda, Beauty is Rama, Beauty is the story; Beauty is Sita Mata, Beauty is the Asoka Vanam; Beauty is the poetry; Beauty is Maha Kapi Hanuman; Beauty is the mantra; What is there in it, which is not beautiful?

I have been reciting Sundara kandam for so many years. In certain situations where I cannot able to solve my problem; instead of just worrying and feeling helpless, the recital of sundara kanda is a great help to me to approach in a postive way. It is a treasure trove of power, while reading we can gain mental strength and spiritual support in difficult worldly situations. It gives me courage to face and overcome obstacles in life that never fail to inspire me every time.

  Sage Valmiki speaks about the achievements of Hanuman. For Hanuman nothing is impossible. His attitude always reminds us self-confidence, faith, devotion, fearlessness, and trustworthiness. The events in this chapter bring confidence and hope from all corners. This book outlines the good things one will get by reading Sundara-kanda and moreover, there are lessons to learn even on starting a new venture, planning techniques, overcoming obstacles, achieving success.

This is the most blessed Kandam or section in the whole of Ramayana and therefore it gains this unique name 'Sundara Kandam'. 'Sundaram' means beauty. Lord Hanuman's other name is 'Sundara'. In Sundara Kandam.It is the fifth section of Ramayana (the story of Lord Rama) written by Sage Valmiki and comprises of 2885 verses spread in 68 chapters. “Sundara” as we all know in the literary sense means 'beautiful' and 'Kandam' mean 'section'. The sage has called this section a “beautiful section” because: - This part of Ramayana contains poetic descriptions of several beautiful objects, places and people. Whether the poet describes, Sri Lanka, Pushpaka Vimana, The Asoka forest, The Madhu Vana, Hanuman, Sita, Rama, Ravana, or the moonrise, he goes in to poetic rapture.

Sundarakanda starts in the background where in Sri Rama and Sita have gone through relentless troubles and difficulties in terms of the abrupt cancellation of coronation, banishment to the forests , the death of father Dasaratha , the abduction of Sita;When Sita was abducted by Raavana, Rama and Lakshmana went in search of her without any clue except the strong intuition that she could be found in the southern direction. Rama also had a gut feeling that Hanuman, the minister of Sugriva, might find Sita for him. Therefore, he handed over his ring to Hanuman to give it to her on finding her. It shows light to optimism and hope. It Teaches me Believe in your self – Trust your gut feeling. 

(to be cont....)

Walking On Figure 8

One rainy day I slipped down and grill hit on my hip and my left hand got injured. But within few min I was back to normal and continued with my routine. I forgot that incident. After ten days I went for walking normally in the morning and when I was back home suddenly I felt some pain in my hip, but ignored it and continued with my work. To some extend I became unsteady and my mobility declined extremely fast. .  I misdiagnosed my wobbliness for stiff hips and so took pain killer. But I was unable to neither bear pain nor move my right leg. Unfortunately on that day no one was at home. So I remained with pain and lost my bladder control. Next day went to doctor and he suggested for xray and few more test.  In that my hip nerves had got compressed in the bone and affected my bladder nerve. So I was hospitalized and went for Traction, medicine injection. One week hospitalization was terrible. Doctor warned me so many things like…not stand for long time, not to bend, not to sit down. Whether all these conditions will apply for Ordinary Housewife? After coming from hospital the next day I started my household work with pain. somehow I managed to walk few steps in home. I can walk in a straight line, but turning that needs improvement.  When I get tired from walking, I hop like a rabbit. In the mean time I went to my native to attend function. Due to over strain once again I was not able to neither move nor walk. Seeing my trouble in walking and while sitting one of my relatives, who is a yoga teacher suggested me walking on figure 8.

I asked her what is walking on Figure 8? She told me how to walk on F8 and the benefits of F8W .The Figure-of-8 Walk (F8W) involves straight and curved paths and was designed to represent walking skill in everyday life. If walking is one of the best exercises then circle walking is a good exercise for the average to poor health person, it has all the benefits of ordinary walking plus the turning of the body, massages the muscles and organs inside the body. The figure of 8 walking exercises can be done as part of the daily exercise/fitness routine and does not need any special preparations or other exercise equipment.
 

A simple example would be to walk around a circle about 6 foot in diameter, it can get bigger or smaller and you can also walk in a figure 8. You can do it without leaving where you live, the only rule is to look to the center of the circle in its most simplified version.  We can walk around a tree or plant in their back yard or around a round rug indoors.It can be done along with specific Pranayama and breathing patterns for focused and long lasting health benefits. It is most beneficial method of walking for our health. It is just walking on the figure '8'in the length of approximately 12-16 feet width 6-8 feet. We have to walk both clockwise and anti clockwise. The 6 foot circle works good indoors and outdoors it can be any size.. Dizziness’ is probably reduced this way to, I never thought of it. Changing direction spirals the spine to and fro exercising the multifidis of the vertebrae and squeeze the body tissue increasing elimination.

Figure-of-8 Walk time correlates with gait speed, physical function, confidence in walking and movement control. Straight- and curved-path walking differs in gait characteristics and the distribution of body mass with respect to the base of support. In curved-path walking, shorter stride lengths occur for the inner leg than for the outer leg compared with straight-path walking, with the outer leg traversing a longer distance to round the curve. During curved-path walking, the body's center of mass shifts to the inner foot, with an increase in stance time for the inner foot.

For circular walking in a counterclockwise direction, medial balance is the predominant pattern for the outer foot. Walking in a clockwise direction results in balance over the lateral aspect of the inner foot, whereas for straight-path walking, balance is more equitably shared by the medial and lateral aspects of both feet .Initially I started F8 in my home for 5 min. Then gradually I increased for 10 min .I was able to lift my leg and continue my walking +F8. Unfortunately again I faced problem in same leg. In village while walking with bare foot something pricked on my right feet and as usual I ignored it. After coming from my native, it started paining and had pus formation. Doctor advised me for minor surgery, medicine, and bandage. Again   I lost my balance and had severe pain in my leg and hip. Once wound healed Again I started F8 in my home. Because I was not able to go for long walk. I put circle in my hall and walk around a circle about 6 foot in diameter.

After one month I started my walking again. Now I can walk fast. Somehow I can lift my Leg. Now I not only have lost weight but all organs are functioning properly. She said Morning and evening 15 min walking is enough. Not too fast or slow walking. It’s more useful for sugar and b.p patients. Figure of 8 Walking Exercise (F8) is a health maintenance tool which helps us to avoid and manage chronic diseases such as Heart Attacks, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, High Cholesterol and Kidney problems. In Past six months how much I suffered from pain me and God only knows. I never take any pain killer. I recovered only through My Prayers, meditation, will power and F8Whelped me .Those who saw my walking trouble few month back Now they said Wow! Now I use figure eight walk or run in my daily practice..