On Japa-2:

By repeating the name of Krishna or Rama, a man transforms his physical body into a spiritual body - Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

On Japa (Repetition of the Holy Name)-1:

People do not know what the Name of God can do. Those who repeat it constantly alone know its power. It can purify our mind completely. The Name can take us to the summit of spiritual experience - Swami Ramdas

For Spiritual Aspirants-6:

When you are occupied with yourself, you remain away from God - a Sufi saint

Wayside Temples-4: "Sri Rathina Vinayagar Temple"

Another temple devoted to Lord Vigneswara. It is on the way to my brother's house in Sriram Nagar, Kottaiyur. Initially it was a tiny temple at an intersection. Later, by the concerted efforts of people in the area, this new temple was constructed and the idol was shifted from the original place to here. It is another temple I love to go and worship.

Wayside Temples-3: Temple of Lord Anjaneya

This tiny temple is on the Sriram Nagar-Trichy Bypass Road, Kottaiyur, just opposite to the Aavin Milk Booth. Whenever I go to the milk booth, generally I make it a point to go to the temple and pray to Lord Anjaneya.

Wayside Temples-2:

You cannot actually call this a temple. This tile with Pillayar's image on the compound wall of a house on left end of our street was probably put up by the house-owners to stop people urinating or defacting near their compound wall. It has been definitely serving that purpose. But, to me it is a temple as it reminds me of the Lord every time I pass it by. For going to the bus-stop or shops, I will have to pass by this. I love this image of Lord Vigneswara.

Wayside Temples-1:

Our street is a small one. There about five houses on each side. But it is parallel to the Karaikudi-Trichy Main Road. From the bus-stop, it is just a minute's walk. From my house, whichever way I go I have to cross a Pillayar temple. Like most Hindu deities, the elephant-faced God also have several names like Lord Vinayaga, Vigneswara and Ganapathy. As most of you may know, it is customary to begin whatever one does with a prayer to Him. For example, when one starts writing something auspicious or important, one always starts with a mark known in Tamil as "Pillayar Suzhi" which reminds one of the Lord.

Like this, one can find innumerable temples almost on every street in Tamil Nadu, tiny, very small, small and not-so-small. They play a vital role in our lives. They keep reminding us of God. When one crosses such a wayside temple, at least for a few minutes one thinks of the Lord and prays to Him. I am a firm believer in the saying, 'More things are wrought by prayer'. Further, holy thoughts purify the mind and God takes His seat in the pure mind. So anything that keeps you reminding of the Lord is very good for you and for the world.

So I plan to start a new feature, Wayside Temples. This is the first one. Here I post the picture of a temple which is on the right side of our house, near the Kottaiyur Railway Gate. As I said in the beginning, it is a temple of Lord Vigneswara.

Gems from Sri Ramakrishna-2:

Just as a boy, holding to a post or pillar, whirls around with headlong speed, without any fear of falling, so, fixing your mind upon God, perform your worldly duties, and you will be free from all dangers.

Random Thoughts-1: "Swami Vivekananda Memorial Day"

Photo of Swami Vivekananda at Vivekananda Kendra, Kunyakumari,

taken by Suri using his Canon Powershot A-590 camera

It is on this day, July 4, Swami Vivekananda attained Mahasamadhi. It also coincides with the American Independence Day.

I call myself a devotee, admirer, follower, worshipper of Swami Vivekananda. He is just 'swamiji' for his devotees. He has been a great source of inspiration for me. His writings have moulded me; but still I have to go a long way to call myself as a true devotee of swamiji.

On this day, I choose one of his great sayings and would like to dwell on it, discuss it and share with you my personal thoughts on that.

"Strength is Life, Weakness is Death.
Expansion is Life, Contraction is Death.
Love is Life, Hatred is Death."

The first line exhorts us to develop strength of mind, body and character. With strength you overcome weaknesses, don't yield to temptations, surmount obstacles however big they seem to be and face evil with courage and confidence.

The third line reminds us that without love, life is meaningless, worthless, pointless and a total waste. When we hate somebody, whether it affects the other person or not, it definitely affects us; not only that, it could destroy us; it takes us away from our goal of life.

The second line is the most beautiful to me. We all begin our life, so to say, as a dot. That dot grows into a small circle encompassing our beloved mother and father; then the circle gradually expands to include all our near and dear; people of our place, our country and our world; not only that, even plants, birds and animals; finally breaking all barriers, we become one with the universe. (We find this all-embracing love in great souls like the Buddha, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and others.) It is the goal of life, the purpose of life, fulfilment or whatever you want to call it. So if we stop or stagnate at any particular point, it is a pity, for we lose the purpose of our life; we have fallen short of the goal; if you are a believer in reincarnation like me, then we may have to take more births and continue from where we left off till we finally reach the goal.

It is 'maya' or ignorance which deludes us and distracts us from our real purpose of life. We think name and fame are the goal of life; or still worse, money and other material possessions are the goal of life; they are not. We easily forget this. Days like this are to remind us of our true goal and to goad us to seek and strive for that goal- no matter how many times we forget it or lose the battle; it may be a thousand times; still we keep on trying and never stop till we realize the goal of life.

Jai, Sri Swamiji Maharaj ki Jai!
Jai, Sri Mahamayee ki Jai!
Jai, Sri Guru Maharaj ki Jai!