A R R I V A L O F A N A N G E L
God Almighty Blessed us with a grand daughter very recently.
Into a house of all grown up adults, a Tiny Little Angel arrived in her own way, at her own time, without any hurry and without any fanfare.
It was a Wednesday. Time was the first quarter of the day, 08:48, in the morning, to be precise, and the date was the 23rd day of September, 2009. Before the First Decade of the 21st Century was over.
It was a bright and sunny day. The mother was in her advanced stage of Labour, which started some 36 hours before.. Attending Obstetrician was ready and fully prepared to welcome the Sweet Little Life into this world.
The Father was pacing the corridor up and down, outside the Labour Room, quietly and with great expectancy. And Lo, the miracle of miracles, the wonder of wonders, Happened !! A shrill cry of a new born Life resounded in the Labour Room, and in a few moments the News was announced by the Nurse, “Its a Girl !” !!!
How strange it is that Nature decides the precise moment of Birth, beating all human calculations and expectations. Its perfectly programmed and executed with a split second accuracy. Not a second this way or that way. The baby cries and the lungs start functioning. And then onwards its all automatic. The Body, however tiny it may be looks after itself with a precision that Humans can never achieve.
It was celebrations all over. The Grand Parents on either side are in joy unbounded , distributing sweets to whomsoever they come across and congratulating each other and receiving countless congratulatory phone calls from all over the Relatives / Friends Circles.
And when we go up to see the sweet little angel,she looks at each of us with wide open tiny little eyes and conveys an unspoken message of love and affection for her kith and kin in this new world she entered just a few minutes ago !
God be Praised for this Great Wonder He Created and presented her to us. Oh, God your kindness is Unique. You Alone can do this to us.
We are truly and heartily thankful to you.
Parsa V Ramachander Rao.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
P R A Y E R
Prayer. Why do we pray / Should we pray at all.
Some times I wonder as to why I pray.And also question myself whether I should pray at all.
I think I pray to thank God for all my blessings.I have the good fortune of a sound and healthy body,a contented family who are for ever satisfied with whatever I have done for them and the great fortune of an assured three square meals a day in a permanent own house.
These are not available for millions of people all around the globe.Am I not then fortunate to be among the chosen few to enjoy these benefits.Hence I feel I must be grateful to my Creator for the boons He has given me.
So I pray,basically to thank my God for these great benefits and to ask God to be Kind enough to continue these benefits for the rest of my life.
Secondly I pray for mental peace.The 40 to 60 minutes I spend in the Prayer Room take my mind away from everything else, for a personal Communion with my Creator.
True all the 60 minutes my Mind does not stay stable and it keeps on wandering all over the world.
But I try to make a sincere effort every time I pray to hold my mind.Once Yamini asked me “Dad,when I am not able to concentrate even for a few minutes what is the point in sitting in the Prayer Room just for the sake of sitting ?”.
Concentration comes out of Practice only. Yes, it is very difficult to achieve.So,you must keep trying to better your total concentration time daily,slowly.If you are able to concentrate for even just 5 minutes it’s a great achievement.
This is where the Dasa Gayathri Japam helps.Recite 10 times the Gayathri Mantram slowly,soulfully and that itself will give you immense peace of mind and will make you a steady and stable Human Being.
This should not take more than 5 minutes but if done daily without fail,protects you,guides you and keeps you on a balanced and straight path.
Once you are balanced and are on the Right Path you can lead a meaningful Life.
You do not pray to ask for favours. Still,you have to ask Only God for your wants.
Who else will you ask if you want something ? Who in this World can fulfill your desires,except God. So do ask God what you want. He will give you what you deserve.
He will also give you the strength to withstand the disappointments, when you don’t get what you have asked. That’s the beauty of God’s Power.
Similarly you should not stop praying when you fail in your efforts or are disappointed because of your setbacks or failures.
Just as Good things happen even when you did not expect them,bad things or failures also happen inspite of your prayers.
Pray only for counting your blessings,and for remaining stable and balanced in adversity and bad times.
Your Creator will always take care of you once you place your complete Trust in Him.
“When God closes a door, somewhere He opens a Window”.
( a dialogue from the film “Sound Of Music” ).
Trust In God. Trust Your Self.
Parsa Venkata Ramachander Rao.
Hyderabad. October 28,2009.
Some times I wonder as to why I pray.And also question myself whether I should pray at all.
I think I pray to thank God for all my blessings.I have the good fortune of a sound and healthy body,a contented family who are for ever satisfied with whatever I have done for them and the great fortune of an assured three square meals a day in a permanent own house.
These are not available for millions of people all around the globe.Am I not then fortunate to be among the chosen few to enjoy these benefits.Hence I feel I must be grateful to my Creator for the boons He has given me.
So I pray,basically to thank my God for these great benefits and to ask God to be Kind enough to continue these benefits for the rest of my life.
Secondly I pray for mental peace.The 40 to 60 minutes I spend in the Prayer Room take my mind away from everything else, for a personal Communion with my Creator.
True all the 60 minutes my Mind does not stay stable and it keeps on wandering all over the world.
But I try to make a sincere effort every time I pray to hold my mind.Once Yamini asked me “Dad,when I am not able to concentrate even for a few minutes what is the point in sitting in the Prayer Room just for the sake of sitting ?”.
Concentration comes out of Practice only. Yes, it is very difficult to achieve.So,you must keep trying to better your total concentration time daily,slowly.If you are able to concentrate for even just 5 minutes it’s a great achievement.
This is where the Dasa Gayathri Japam helps.Recite 10 times the Gayathri Mantram slowly,soulfully and that itself will give you immense peace of mind and will make you a steady and stable Human Being.
This should not take more than 5 minutes but if done daily without fail,protects you,guides you and keeps you on a balanced and straight path.
Once you are balanced and are on the Right Path you can lead a meaningful Life.
You do not pray to ask for favours. Still,you have to ask Only God for your wants.
Who else will you ask if you want something ? Who in this World can fulfill your desires,except God. So do ask God what you want. He will give you what you deserve.
He will also give you the strength to withstand the disappointments, when you don’t get what you have asked. That’s the beauty of God’s Power.
Similarly you should not stop praying when you fail in your efforts or are disappointed because of your setbacks or failures.
Just as Good things happen even when you did not expect them,bad things or failures also happen inspite of your prayers.
Pray only for counting your blessings,and for remaining stable and balanced in adversity and bad times.
Your Creator will always take care of you once you place your complete Trust in Him.
“When God closes a door, somewhere He opens a Window”.
( a dialogue from the film “Sound Of Music” ).
Trust In God. Trust Your Self.
Parsa Venkata Ramachander Rao.
Hyderabad. October 28,2009.
The Will to write a W I L L.
The will to write
A
W I L L.
Do you have the will or desire to write A WILL ? May be you have. May be you don’t. It is always desirable to write your Will and Last Testament (as a Will is often called). You may not necessarily lay down the methodology to distribute your Earthly belongings to your descendants or relatives. Yet there are so many things that need your concurrence on whats to be done on several matters once you are Gone for Ever.You can give concurrence only when you are alive and in sound mind.
Many people feel they are not that Rich to lay down the Inheritance options. Fine, you may have very few worldly belongings or none at all to bequeath. But always remember your dead body has to be disposed off and you may like its disposal in a certain manner. That you can spell out. Otherwise ever so many unsolicited suggestions will come forth from your kith and kin to confuse your sons while they have to sorrowfully complete the Last Rites.
One great uncle will say, in orthodox Brahamin families, that you must cremate only in the traditional wood pyre and not in an Electric Crematorium. Otherwise the Dead Soul shall not get Saswatha Swarga Loka.
An acknowledged authority in after Life Services, the Grand Old Aunty, your father’s sister will say, that you must give Dasa Daanaas,(charities), like Bhoo Daana,( donating a piece of Land) Go-Daana ( donating a Cow) and Swarna Daana(donating a Gold Coin) to relieve the Departed Soul from Earthly Bondages. And so it goes.
Now an enlightened person may realise that such myths are only to harass the survivors and rob them of as much cash as possible, in the name of Faith and Beliefs.
In which case the wise person can lay down what all he wishes to be done, after his Death. A simple cremation in a manner in which the children can best complete the solemn ceremony and doing away with these charities which the family cannot afford.
In the absence of a clear cut mandate from the departed soul, the progeny, in 9 cases out of 10, land up in Debts for the Funeral Expenses, of their beloved one. All in the name of baseless, illogical and irrational superstitions.
That’s where one can put one’s foot down and say this is the way my funeral should be. If my Soul were to Rest in Peace. While you are still alive you can do it by writing a Will. Not otherwise. It will be too late, then !!
Even the few properties you have can be distributed in the way you want. If you die intestate (that is without writing a Will), your Lawyer will tell you the Law of the Land will take its own course as per the inheritance Laws of you Religion.
So, not to worry. Your properties will go to your Progeny as per Law. If you do not have any marked choices or priorities.
There was once, a dying man, in an ICU, trying to figure out, with his wife, who was waiting at his bedside, how best to fairly and evenly distribute his bungalows in different Hill Stations. He said he would bequeath his Kodaikanal bungalow to his youngest daughter. His wife promptly vetoed the idea saying that the youngest daughter has already her own bungalow in Kodaikanal.
The man went on suggesting one alternate after another and the wife kept pace with him vetoing his wishes. Finally, totally exasperated, he yelled, in sheer disgust, “I am the one dying and trying to make a Will, not Y O U, silly woman”!
One most important task, one should never fail you perform is to provide for the safe and comfortable income for the Spouse so that he or she is always independent financially. The spouse should never land up in a situation where he or she has to stretch her / his hand out for small petty needs. Not only petty needs, but some reasonable cash flow should always be available for giving small gifts to grand children or young and / or, newly married couples who come to seek blessings.
That should be your spouse’s prerogative to give a small gift without asking anyone, however close that anyone may be.
This is possible if you make a WILL and lay down legally binding arrangements for the continuous cash flow month after month till the death of the spouse.
Making a Will is not a complicated or difficult job. Ask any Lawyer friend, and he would gladly help you. A Will need not be registered. It is sufficient if two witnesses sign on it when you have signed. Such an executed Will must be kept with a trusted close friend or relative , preferably much younger than you. The idea is, he must survive you. Not the other way !
One original can also be kept in your Bank Locker or some other equally safe place along with other financial and property documents.
Your Will can be done as you wished it, if you make a Will. It’s good to have one made. Attempt it once. You will enjoy going about the whole task. Really. No jokes.
Parsa V R Rao
A
W I L L.
Do you have the will or desire to write A WILL ? May be you have. May be you don’t. It is always desirable to write your Will and Last Testament (as a Will is often called). You may not necessarily lay down the methodology to distribute your Earthly belongings to your descendants or relatives. Yet there are so many things that need your concurrence on whats to be done on several matters once you are Gone for Ever.You can give concurrence only when you are alive and in sound mind.
Many people feel they are not that Rich to lay down the Inheritance options. Fine, you may have very few worldly belongings or none at all to bequeath. But always remember your dead body has to be disposed off and you may like its disposal in a certain manner. That you can spell out. Otherwise ever so many unsolicited suggestions will come forth from your kith and kin to confuse your sons while they have to sorrowfully complete the Last Rites.
One great uncle will say, in orthodox Brahamin families, that you must cremate only in the traditional wood pyre and not in an Electric Crematorium. Otherwise the Dead Soul shall not get Saswatha Swarga Loka.
An acknowledged authority in after Life Services, the Grand Old Aunty, your father’s sister will say, that you must give Dasa Daanaas,(charities), like Bhoo Daana,( donating a piece of Land) Go-Daana ( donating a Cow) and Swarna Daana(donating a Gold Coin) to relieve the Departed Soul from Earthly Bondages. And so it goes.
Now an enlightened person may realise that such myths are only to harass the survivors and rob them of as much cash as possible, in the name of Faith and Beliefs.
In which case the wise person can lay down what all he wishes to be done, after his Death. A simple cremation in a manner in which the children can best complete the solemn ceremony and doing away with these charities which the family cannot afford.
In the absence of a clear cut mandate from the departed soul, the progeny, in 9 cases out of 10, land up in Debts for the Funeral Expenses, of their beloved one. All in the name of baseless, illogical and irrational superstitions.
That’s where one can put one’s foot down and say this is the way my funeral should be. If my Soul were to Rest in Peace. While you are still alive you can do it by writing a Will. Not otherwise. It will be too late, then !!
Even the few properties you have can be distributed in the way you want. If you die intestate (that is without writing a Will), your Lawyer will tell you the Law of the Land will take its own course as per the inheritance Laws of you Religion.
So, not to worry. Your properties will go to your Progeny as per Law. If you do not have any marked choices or priorities.
There was once, a dying man, in an ICU, trying to figure out, with his wife, who was waiting at his bedside, how best to fairly and evenly distribute his bungalows in different Hill Stations. He said he would bequeath his Kodaikanal bungalow to his youngest daughter. His wife promptly vetoed the idea saying that the youngest daughter has already her own bungalow in Kodaikanal.
The man went on suggesting one alternate after another and the wife kept pace with him vetoing his wishes. Finally, totally exasperated, he yelled, in sheer disgust, “I am the one dying and trying to make a Will, not Y O U, silly woman”!
One most important task, one should never fail you perform is to provide for the safe and comfortable income for the Spouse so that he or she is always independent financially. The spouse should never land up in a situation where he or she has to stretch her / his hand out for small petty needs. Not only petty needs, but some reasonable cash flow should always be available for giving small gifts to grand children or young and / or, newly married couples who come to seek blessings.
That should be your spouse’s prerogative to give a small gift without asking anyone, however close that anyone may be.
This is possible if you make a WILL and lay down legally binding arrangements for the continuous cash flow month after month till the death of the spouse.
Making a Will is not a complicated or difficult job. Ask any Lawyer friend, and he would gladly help you. A Will need not be registered. It is sufficient if two witnesses sign on it when you have signed. Such an executed Will must be kept with a trusted close friend or relative , preferably much younger than you. The idea is, he must survive you. Not the other way !
One original can also be kept in your Bank Locker or some other equally safe place along with other financial and property documents.
Your Will can be done as you wished it, if you make a Will. It’s good to have one made. Attempt it once. You will enjoy going about the whole task. Really. No jokes.
Parsa V R Rao
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