Ravi S. Iyer: Spiritual

Last updated on 8th Nov. 2019 As an Indian citizen and resident, my view is that India (Bharat) is for Indians of all religions as well as no religion. India today is NOT, and should NOT become, a Hindu rashtra (Hindu nation). It is a country for Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsees) and other religions as well as those who prefer not to be associated with any religion (atheists). And my deep belief is the teaching of Shirdi Sai Baba, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sai_Baba_of_Shirdi , which is "Sabka Maalik Ek". God of all (Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Zoroastrians and other religions, as well as atheists) is One! Atheists may not believe there is a God but God exists irrespective of the disbelief of atheists - that's my firm belief. I should add that in my view, Indian atheists should be completely free to be atheist, and I respect those Indian atheists who are good law-abiding citizens of India. --...

Past few days I was too busy to have a look at Chitravathi river myself, and so shared pics of it that others had put up. Yesterday (13th Oct. 2019) I went to Chitravathi river side in the afternoon and took some pics. Here's the public Google Photos album titled "Chitravathi river and check dam full of water in Puttaparthi": https://photos.app.goo.gl/WZfw2hQzQJy7kxkM6 . Given below is a pic of the album. [To open pic in larger resolution, right-click on pic followed by open link (NOT image) in new tab/window. In new tab/window you may have to click on pic to zoom in.] First I went to the bridge to Karnatakanagapalli and took some pics of Chitravathi river from it. One set of pics was towards Kalpavriksha hill/Yenumulapalli village which showed the check dam (small dam) in Chitravathi river. The other set of pics was towards Bukkapatnam. Then I went to Karnatakanagapalli side of the check dam & took some pics directly from over the check dam clearly showi...

When author of post or comment is not mentioned, it should be assumed that it is me (Ravi S. Iyer). To save time, I am usually not providing my FB post links but only contents. I am also not hyperlinking links. So readers will have to copy-paste links from this post onto a browser link box and then browse to that link. What I love about Ramana Maharishi is how straightforward his talks and answers to questions are. They have the ring of truth. He told it "like it is". Associated FB post:  https://www.facebook.com/ravi.s.iyer.7/posts/2604018016481426  shares Ramana Maharhi's Q&A. Ramana Maharshi is asked: Have you seen Shiva, Nandi and Kailas? Ramana Maharshi responds: No, never. But the Self I see every moment. [Ref: Ramana Smriti, Pg. 211, 14. ] ----- Today's (30th Sept.) The Hindu newspaper reports that (past) 12 days of rain has wiped out rainfall deficit of Anantapur district So happy news continues to come on this crucial water resource front f...

Readers may want to read my recent post on another blog: Industrial revolution from 1760 first led to better living standards in Europe & USA; Now billions in Asia benefit from it; WEF chief Brende on South Asian economy growth, https://ravisiyermisc.blogspot.com/2019/10/industrial-revolution-from-1760-first.html .

Loved watching these kids whose names are Hindu names, singing with devotion and skill, a famous Qawwali on Prophet Muhammad - Bhar do jholi meri ya Muhammad (Fill my bag, O Mumammad!): Bhar do jholi (COVER) by Maithili Thakur, Rishav Thakur and Ayachi Thakur, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHPxVouu4UM , 3 min. 47 secs, published on 13th July 2019. I think one of the great contributions of Mahatma Gandhi to modern independent India is how he encouraged religious pluralism. He was supported by some famous Muslims of India then. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abul_Kalam_Azad , is a famous freedom fighter who supported Gandhi and was education minister in independent India. Maulana Azad worked for religious harmony in India. I think it is the great and wonderful legacy of such leaders of the past that Indians in independent India (after 1947) have the freedom of religion and freedom of speech environment wherein Hindus like me have been able to get exposure t...

Why Alcohol Is the Deadliest Drug, https://www.addictioncenter.com/community/why-alcohol-is-the-deadliest-drug/ , 13th Dec. 2017 I would like to share my personal experience about alcohol. If I recall correctly, while I was studying in First Year B.Sc. in Ruia college in Bombay/Mumbai (1980-81), I did a first-aid and health related optional mini-course conducted by a doctor and supervised by a young college teacher. Even today I recall quite clearly that at the oral exam at the end of the course (after which certificates were provided), I was asked by the doctor about what was the most common poison or something on those lines. The doctor had taught well and perhaps I had heard his classes well and so I said the right answer quickly - alcohol. I recall that the doctor and my teacher were very happy with this answer particularly, and the other right answers I gave then. I think I topped that mini-course (mini) examination. I am sharing that just as a factoid rather than as a boas...

O Sheronwali Navaratri Devi Mata dandiya song & dance with Amitabh and Rekha as on-screen stars from 1979 Hindi film Suhaag, sung by Mohd. Rafi and Asha Bhosle, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV6-R_y9cNg , 5 min. 18 secs. --- Aigiri Nandini also known as Mahishasura mardini stotram (Sanskrit hymn of praise) is wonderful worship of Aadi Parashakti (I think that means ancient great divine power) as Jagadamba (I think that means mother goddess of the world/universe), as the consort of Lord Shiva (Parvati), as the destroyer of demon Mahishasura, and much more. I think in Eastern parts of India, the same goddess (Devi) is known as Durga. An extract from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durga : Durga (Sanskrit: दुर्गा, IAST: Durgā), identified as Adi Parashakti, is a principal and popular form of the Hindu Goddess.[3][4][5] She is a goddess of war, the warrior form of Parvati, whose mythology centres around combating evils and demonic forces that threaten peace, prosperity, and Dh...