A plum once said, "Just because a banana lover came by, I converted myself into a banana. Unfortunately, his taste changed after a few months and so I became an orange. When he said I was bitter I became an apple, but he went in search of grapes. Yielding to the opinions of so many people, I have changed so many times that I no more know who I am. How I wish I had remained a plum and waited for a plum lover."


Just because a group of people do not accept you as you are, there is no necessity for you to strip yourself of your originality. You need to think good of yourself, for the world takes you at your own estimate. Never stoop down in order to gain recognition. Never let go of your true self to win a relationship. In the long run, you will regret that you traded your greatest glory - your uniqueness, for momentary validation. Even Gandhi was not accepted by many people. The group that does not accept you as you is not your world.


There is a world for each one of you, where you shall reign as king /queen by just being yourself. Find that world... in fact, that world will find you.


What water can do, gasoline cannot and what copper can, gold cannot. The fragility of the ant enables it to move and the rigidity of the tree enables it to stay rooted. Everything and everybody has been designed with a proportion of uniqueness to serve a purpose that we can fulfill only by being our unique self. You as you alone can serve your purpose and I as I alone can serve my purpose. You are here to be you... just you.



There was a time in this world when a Krishna was required and he was sent; a time when a Christ was required and he was sent; a time when a Mahatma was required and he was sent; a time when a J.R.D.Tata was required and he was sent. There came a time when you were required on this planet and hence you were sent. Let us be the best we can be. Don't miss yourself and let the world not miss you.



In the history of the universe, there has been nobody like you and to the infinite of time to come, there will be no one like you. Existence should have loved you so much that it broke the mould after making you, so that another of your kind will never get repeated. You are original. You are rare. You are unique. You are a wonder. You are a masterpiece... your Master's piece. Celebrate your Uniqueness.


-- Sri Sri


Jai Gurudev!



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Five Types of Seva


There are five types of seva.

The first type of seva is when you
do not even know that you are doing seva. You do not recognize it as
seva because it is your very nature - you cannot but do it!

The second type of seva is what you do because it is needed in that
situation.

You do the third type of seva because it gives you
joy.

The fourth type is done out of your desire for merit - you
do seva expecting some benefit in the future.

And the fifth type is when you do seva just to show off, to improve
your image and to gain social or political recognition. Such seva is
simply exhausting, while the first type does not bring any tiredness at
all!

To improve the quality of your seva, regardless of where you start,
you must move up to higher levels of seva.

-Sri Sri


Jai Gurudev!!

Shruthi



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Wonderful composition!



Amazing lyrics!...

Watch it!


Jai Gurudev!

Love,
Shruthi


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We spent the weekend in the most relaxing n refreshing way. Had been on a one-day trip to Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and Mysore.
We set off early in the morning...It was quite foggy, but pleasant.



It was such a great feeling to watch the sunrise! - a perfect break from the monotonous life.
After satiating our tummies with a sumptuous breakfast on the way, we set off towards Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary.After an hour n a half's drive, we reached the sanctuary. It's a small island on the banks of river Kaveri and is rich in flora and fauna. A place where all bird lovers would love to be. The sanctuary is a nesting and breeding center for all kinds of birds. The sanctuary owes its existence to the world famous ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali who convinced the Maharaja of Mysore in 1940 to declare it as a protected area.

We began walking alongside the huge n tall trees, bamboo groves and chirping sounds of brids, wishing that we could treat our eyes, watching the numerous colorful birds!. It reminded me of the Nature walks we have on AMC's. The first of the birds we noticed were the lil cute sparrows (Gubbachhi in Kannada), which are hardly found in cities these days.



As we walked down further we caught a glimpse of the islets housing the exotic species of birds like ormorants, darters, white ibis, spoon billed storks, open billed storks, painted storks, white necked storks, egrets, herons, terns, swallows, kingfishers, sandpiper and also fruit bats. It's a sight to watch!.





We spent rest of the time getting a closer view of the birds through the camera's eye...











... and there was one crocodile 'as dead as a rock'...



After enjoying Nature's magical treat, we journeyed towards 'The City of Kings' - Mysore.
Our first visit - The Mysore Palace. It's a 'priceless treasure' and the 'pride of the city'.





I was stunned looking at the intricate designs of the palace's interiors..
The 'Kalyana Mantapa' - Marriage Hall looks magnificent with the stained glass decorated ceiling and the walls around adorned with beautiful murals. A huge chandelier dropping from the ceiling adds to the beauty of the 'mantapa'.
The 'Durbar Hall' is designed with brilliance and grandeur.
Such symmetry and uniformity in the design makes it an epitome of perfection.
Another attraction of the palace is the 'Ambavilasa', where the cabinet meetings were being held.
It looks splendid with the intricate wooden carving; worth spending time over.

The palace is an 'Architectural Wonder'!!...

We later visited the Karanji Lake...known for it's 'Walk through aviary' and a 'Butterfly park'



Got a close up view of magnificent peacocks!..



and few cute Egrets, Herons and Hornbills..




The butterfly park has around 45 species of butterflies.
Overall, we had an awesome weekend!

Jai Gurudev!

Love,

Shruthi



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Shivaratri is the day of Lord Shiva. Shiva is the lord of meditation and therefore the lord of awakening. Shiva Tatva means to be awakened. Shivratri is thus an occasion to awaken one’s self from all sorts of slumber. Shivaratri is not a night to be slept over. One should try and be up through the night. It signifies being aware of everything you have and being grateful about it. Be grateful for the happiness which leads to growth, and also for sadness which gives a depth to life. This is the right way of observing Shivaratri.

For the pious, the following method of Shiva worship is advisable – sit down in lotus posture, do some Pranayam to stabilize your breath, then indulge in Dhyana, followed by chanting of ‘Om Namah Shivaya’. It is the greatest mantra and the devout should drown himself in its Kirtan.

Shivaratri worship leads to fulfillment of a devotee’s wishes. There are certain days and time frames in a year that enhance one’s mental and spiritual faculties. In such times, whatever one wishes, materializes. Shivaratri is one such day. All this is very scientific.

Going to temples on this day is ok but you should remember that Shiva is everywhere. The meaning of Kailasa (legendary abode of Shiva in Himalayas) is celebration. So where there is happiness and celebration, Shiva is present. Whether in Sanyasa or Sansara, you can’t escape Shiva. Feeling his presence all the time is the essence of Shivaratri. That is the real Sanyasa.

No worship is complete without offering something to the deity. Shiva is a very simple lord, he is innocent – Bholanath. One just needs to offer 'bilva patra' to him. But in this simplicity is a deep message. Bel-patra offerings signify the surrender of all three aspects of one’s nature – Tamas, Rajas and Sattva.

You have to surrender the positives and negatives of your life to Shiva and become carefree! The greatest offering is your self. To offer one’s self is the key to happiness in life.

After all, why do you get sad? It is mainly because you are not able to achieve something in life. At such times you should surrender everything to the all knowing God. The greatest power is in surrender to the divine. It’s like a drop owning the ocean. If a drop remains separate, it will perish. But when it becomes the ocean, it is eternal!

-Sri Sri




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Mumbai and Poona have seen a sudden increase in teen suicides. As the two cities struggle with the tragedies, Art of Living has swung into action by launching a helpline in association with Just Dial. Only, we called it the HopeLine. It’s for anyone who needs to talk, but doesn’t have any one they can talk to about anything they wish to.

Please spread the word and let many people know about this. You may just save a life!!

Jai Gurudev!

-Shruthi



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FORGIVING OR PUNISHING . . . .

Forgiving or punishing

the terrorists

is left to God.

But,

fixing their appointment


with God

is our responsibility


- Indian Army



Updated statement for this in S/w industry...
. . .

. . . . .

. . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . .

Forgiving or punishing

the Developer

is left to Manager.


But,

fixing their appointment


with Manager

is our responsibility


-Tester


We all knew that..... but this one is damn good..

. . .

. . . . .

. . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . .


Forgiving or punishing

the Manager

is left to Client.


But,

fixing their appointment


with Client

is our responsibility


- Developer


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