True anecdotes and episodes in my real life

[rgurus]

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This is no joke. It did happen.
Are you doing consultancy work?
----------------
A few years after my retirement as an Environmental Engineer,
I met one of my friends in a eye hospital at Chennai.
After the usual mutual enquiries and yogakshema,
he asked me

" Hi, are you doing any consultancy work?"
(He was American returned. Naturally, he addressed me that way.

When I went to States for the first time, the American high culture addressing everyone Hi, Hi as though people are bullocks intrigued me very much and I felt insulted, but in due course I got used to it just like the Indian bullocks and I also started addressing every one that way which now I believe is one sure way of confirming and establishing equality among all living creatures on earth! Having become used to that, I also did not hesitate to address him as "Hi" even though I wished to address him by name but I could not recollect his name immediately)


Since it was the practice that most engineers take up consultancy job after their retirement, he asked me that question in all sincerity and meant no offence by addressing me that way. Probably he also has forgotten my name.

I replied

"Yes. I am consulting Dr so and so for my eye problem,
Dr ........ for my piles problem,
Dr ....... for my B.P,
Dr....... for my knee problem
and Dr....

" O.K, o.k, enough. I know how busy you are with your consultancy work" he said and left fearing that he might have to consult a Doctor after listening to me!

 

[rgurus]

(A real incident, totally unadulterated!)
During my college days, in one of my vacations, I went to my native village. Keeping with the then prevailing practice in our families, I wanted to pay my respects to and get the blessings from all the elderly relatives there. Accordingly I met one of my grand uncles to pay my respects to him. He was very happy to see me and offered me a cup of coffee which I politely declined saying that I never take coffee. He was surprised to know and asked me why. I said that right from the day of my birth, I have not taken coffee and I have been brought up so. ( My parents wanted to give up coffee as a mark of respect to Mahatma Gandhi, and tried their best a dozen times themselves and when they could not succeed in their efforts, ultimately decided to impose their holy wish on their children and that is how it happened.) 'What?' he remarked with a wry face, 'a stupid habit' .Then he asked me whether I will take tea and again I said 'no'. He got frustrated and asked me whether I smoke. I said no. 'How about drinks ' he asked. I gave another 'no' as a reply. I told him that I am a teetotaller. 'Nonsense' was his reaction and not satisfied with that, he passed a very caustic remark ' what the hell have you learnt in the college then?'. To put it in the language he used, it runs like this '
என்ன எளவுதாண்டா பின்னே நீ காலேஜுலே கத்துண்டே?
That was the climax of the visit.
This happened sometime in 1953 or so. It is very difficult to believe. Isn't?

 

[rgurus]

This is no joke!
When we sent a proposal to Delhi for sanction of funds for conducting seminars in our department, giving the break up details for the same such as payment to lecturers, cost of their travel and accommodation, cost of refreshments etc, we got the approval for the same from Delhi within a few days, a very rare gesture indeed! But when we saw in the sanction order an approval for an item 'SNAKES' @ Rs 10/- per candidate per day, we were flabbergasted! (snakes for Rs 10/- per candidate. It was not a bad amount at that time. But what can you get now for that paltry Rs10/- ? not even a rat!). We never made a proposal for snakes in our letter of request, but how come snakes have sneaked into our programme? While the course was on environmental health and safety, this safety aspect had nothing to do with snakes, but probably the sanctioning officer at the other end didn't think so. After intensive and prolonged efforts over phone, which was an irritating and tiresome job those days, got it confirmed from Delhi much to our relief that it was only a typographical error and what they meant was SNACKS and definitely not SNAKES! With that our worry over searching for supply of snakes to the participants, which would have been a sneaky and arduous task, was over!

 

[rgurus]

அந்த ஊர் கோவிலுக்கு அன்று கும்பாபிஷேகம். ஊர் பெரியவர்கள் பல பேர் கூடியிருந்தார்கள். பஞ்ச௧ச்சம் கட்டிய சாஸ்திர விற்பன்னர்கள் பலரும் வேத மந்திரத்தை கோஷித்தபடி கும்பாபிஷேக தீர்த்தத்தை கோபுர கலசத்தின் மீது அபிஷேகம் செய்து கொண்டிருந்தார்கள்.
அதையெல்லாம் பார்த்தபடி கீழே பக்த கோடிகள் பரவசத்தில் லயித்திருந்தார்கள்.அப்போது அமெரிக்காவிலிருந்து ஊருக்கு புதிதாக வந்த ஒரு சிறுவன் இதையெல்லாம் கண்கொட்டாமல் பார்த்தபடி தன் தாயைப்பார்த்துக் கேட்டான்: அம்மா கோபுர உச்சியில் டயாபர் அணிந்த அங்கிள்கள் என்ன செய்து கொண்டிருக்கிறார்கள் என்று ஆங்கிலத்தில். (நான் அருகில் நின்று கேட்டது).
பாவம். பச்சைக்குழந்தை விகல்பம் இல்லாமல் கேட்டது . அதைத் தவறாக எடுத்துக் கொள்ளலாமா? இருப்பினும் வந்த சிரிப்பை அடக்கிக் கொள்ள வேண்டிய நிர்ப்பந்தம்.

 

[S Narayanaswamy Iyer]

While the US-settled boy's question in English during a temple's kumbha-abishegam -- "Mummy, what on earth are the diaper-wearing uncles doing at the top of the gopuram?" -- might seem hilarious to some locals, what it signifies is not so much a giggle-smirk-occasion.

It signifies a culpable neglect of spiritual practices at home. It signifies parental crass and gross abandonment of the growing child's spiritual education. It signifies that the father, as head of the family, has never done panchaayathana-pooja or abhishegam, has never done rudra-abhishegam or saaligraama-abhishegam or vinaayaaka-abhishegam.

It signifies that neither parent has bothered to let the boy witness such poojas/abhishegams at home (or elsewhere) and explained their meanings and significance, apart from the ritual performances.

The ignorant boy's mother, in particular, is probably the guiltier parent.

As kula-sthree (or illaththu-arasi as the Tamils have it) who presumably spends more time with the son than does the father, why was not spiritual nourishment and knowledge of our practices not fed along with mother's milk? Or, was the baby fed on "formula" while the mother enjoyed the freedom to work, to socialise after work, "have fun" with friends and colleagues, as a career-minded woman, while the child, like Alice in Wonderland" just growed"?

What a monumental disgrace!

S Narayanaswamy Iyer

 

[tbs]

hi

in olden days...grand parents used to teach young children....becoz many were retired....they like timepass with grand kids too....

young couples were busy in work/ignorant tooo....this is result of modern family system...many grand parents are in old age homes..

 

[renuka]

While the US-settled boy's question in English during a temple's kumbha-abishegam -- "Mummy, what on earth are the diaper-wearing uncles doing at the top of the gopuram?" -- might seem hilarious to some locals, what it signifies is not so much a giggle-smirk-occasion.

It signifies a culpable neglect of spiritual practices at home. It signifies parental crass and gross abandonment of the growing child's spiritual education. It signifies that the father, as head of the family, has never done panchaayathana-pooja or abhishegam, has never done rudra-abhishegam or saaligraama-abhishegam or vinaayaaka-abhishegam.

It signifies that neither parent has bothered to let the boy witness such poojas/abhishegams at home (or elsewhere) and explained their meanings and significance, apart from the ritual performances.

The ignorant boy's mother, in particular, is probably the guiltier parent.

As kula-sthree (or illaththu-arasi as the Tamils have it) who presumably spends more time with the son than does the father, why was not spiritual nourishment and knowledge of our practices not fed along with mother's milk? Or, was the baby fed on "formula" while the mother enjoyed the freedom to work, to socialise after work, "have fun" with friends and colleagues, as a career-minded woman, while the child, like Alice in Wonderland" just growed"?

What a monumental disgrace!

S Narayanaswamy Iyer

OMG!!!

Its not a disgrace...its childhood innocence.

A childs sees things differently from an adult.

They speak from their hearts..as we age we lose this ability and start speaking from our mind and thats when all problems start.

 

[Vaagmi]

OMG!!!

Its not a disgrace...its childhood innocence.

A childs sees things differently from an adult.

They speak from their hearts..as we age we lose this ability and start speaking from our mind and thats when all problems start.

Dear Renukaji,

I differ.

Children observe, deduce, wonder, accept, reject or question to decide. This is the thought process. In this process the inputs picked up from their environment in which they grow teaches them what to question, how to question, how to deduce and add to knowledge etc., Finally only when the assessing, considering process fails they ask questions. This applies to all children. This is the reason children even in all their innocence do not shoot their mouth left and right. They many a time observe and then deduce and stop with that.

Parents' role is crucial and can not be dismissed lightly.

I agree with Mr. Iyer.

 

[renuka]

Dear Renukaji,

I differ.

Children observe, deduce, wonder, accept, reject or question to decide. This is the thought process. In this process the inputs picked up from their environment in which they grow teaches them what to question, how to question, how to deduce and add to knowledge etc., Finally only when the assessing, considering process fails they ask questions. This applies to all children. This is the reason children even in all their innocence do not shoot their mouth left and right. They many a time observe and then deduce and stop with that.

Parents' role is crucial and can not be dismissed lightly.

I agree with Mr. Iyer.

Dear Vaagmi Ji...you are speaking as an adult.

You could have forgotten what it is to think like a child.

Once when my son aged 4 we went to a temple..he saw Chandan paste and said ." Amma..see orange colored milk"

A few people turned around and looked at us as if wondering why my son didnt know what Chandan looked like.

Yes..he didnt know cos we only use Vibuthi at home..so I explained to him what Chandan is.

I therefore feel a childs innocent observation should not be viewed harshly.

After all even when the room is dark a rope can be mistaken for a snake and even a prim and proper sanskari adult would scream..Snake Snake and tremble in fear..can we then say his parents didnt teach him to switch on the light to see if its a snake or a rope and did not teach him to shoot his mouth left right centre screaming Snake Snake?

I think you can get the picture now.

 

[renuka]

Dear Vaagmi Ji...I disagree that a child only questions if the assesing process fails.
In 2006 I bought a car and my mum put a small idol of Shiridi Baba on the dashboard top.

My son aged 6 then removed the idol from the car after 2 days and that upset my mum.

My son placed the idol in the house altar.
My mum told him she put it in the car as a form of blessing but my son said he didnt want it in the car.

So I asked him why he didnt want it?

He said " Amma all of us are in the house when its hot..the car is parked in the sun..it gets hot...Baba will feel hot so I took him from the car and put him in the altar"

Well..I was taken aback..all of us adults only viewed the idol as an idol but my son viewed it as a living entity.

So who taught whom here?

 

[Raji Ram]

I think we can disturb Guru Sir's thread, since it is in G D forum!

Children have their own perception, which differ very much from the adults, as Renu says. (It is said that

a kid is grown up, ONLY when he /she does NOT jump into the puddles on the road, after a rain fall.)

I am reminded of a funny episode. My naughty nephew, a four year old, was sitting with us in a concert

and the singer was the maestro Madurai Mani Iyer. His style of singing differs much form the other artists

and while he renders a rAgam, the phrases will include 'tharallE lE...' instead of the usual 'thadharinanA ....'.

After listening for a few minutes, the kid asked his mom, 'indha mAmAkku yArumE kAsu tharalayA,

mommy?'. We all had to control our bursting laughter, with great difficulty!

In Guru Sir's post, probably, the kid was seeing the kumbAbhishEkam for the first time. I am glad that the

parents brought him to witness the great event.
BTW, how did he 'see' the diaper through the panchakaccham? eep:

 

[S Narayanaswamy Iyer]

Its not a disgrace...its childhood innocence. -- Dr Renuka

Problem with some over-critical women doctors is that they do not understand the English language. They are unable to comprehend that the parents are the ones being faulted, not the child they did not know how to bring up.

What a disgrace!

S Narayanaswamy Iyer

 

[Raji Ram]

This thread might be peaceful if Guru Sir requests to shift this to Literature forum! :juggle:

 

[renuka]

Its not a disgrace...its childhood innocence. -- Dr Renuka

Problem with some over-critical women doctors is that they do not understand the English language.

What a disgrace!

S Narayanaswamy Iyer

End product of education is sweetness of speech.

 

[S Narayanaswamy Iyer]

A Tamil-Brahmin couple resident for some years in US of A. He a Ph.D from UCLA Berkeley and a successful senior computer engineer; she a Ph.D from Columbia and a senior lab researcher in exotic plastics, earning more than hubby. Son only eight years old living living with grandparents in South India and just had upanayanam done.

Parents welcome son to US of A and take him to his first church wedding (Roman Catholic). "Avaalude kovilil vacchu kalyaanam; nammale kooppittirukkaa."

Before stepping into the church, boy tries to take off his shoes and socks, but mother asks him to keep them on. "Kovilukkulle cheluppaa?" asks the son. "Aamaam," says the mother, dreading what is to come.

They take their allotted seats three rows from the front. (My seat is behind them.)

Boy looks at the massive "bronzed" sculpture of Christ on Cross on the wall behind the altar before which the guests streaming in genuflect and pray.

"Aiyoh! Ean kazhugu-maraththil thongara shavathukku kumbidu podaraal?" "Chumma iruda; athu avaal theivam." Few minutes later, after inspecting crucified Christ through binoculars: "Shavathukku kaupeenam koodi illaye, ean?" "Athu appadi thaan, chumma iru."

The priests come in amply attired in vestments -- surplices, albs, skull-caps, etc.

"Enna, ivaalellaam thulukkanmaara? Thalayil motta-thoppi irukku. Pashuvai konnu thimbaala?" "Nee peshaamal konjam paathukkondu iru, pothum. Romba kelvi kekkaathe."

Priests go round to parishioners offering holy communion before the altar.

"Enna cheyyaraa?" "Avaa deivaththodu dehaththai bisket maathiri akki vizhunga kudukkara."

"Nekkum bisket pidikkum. Naan avaakitte kekkalaama?" "Nee onnum kekkavenda. Ingeye iru."

"Enna glassil chaaraayam kodukkaraa?" "Athu avaa devaiththodu rakthaththai chivappu chaaraaya roopaththil kudikkara. Appo thaan avaalodu svargaththukku avaal povaal chaththa piragu." "Avaal ellam manusha mamsaththayum manusha rakthathayum eppothum kudippaalaa?" "Nee romba kelvi kekkarai. Ithellam onga appaavidam kelu."

Boy looks around, notices the white-painted tombs lining the church walls on both sides, with statues of little praying or blessing-giving angels on top. "Enaa athellaam? Avaalodu vere saamiyaa?" "Illaidaa. Chaththaverai pothachchirukkaa athukku adiyil." "Chee! Erichchu, chaambalai odara thanneeril podalaya?" "Ithu avaalodu sampradaayam."

Groom enters church accompanied by best man and male friends. Shortly after, church organ strikes up, and bride, on father's arm, enters in shining white silk wedding dress with train held up by bridesmaids and wearing white tulle veil. Boy cannot contain himself.

"Aval mottachchi yaa? Thalaile muttaakku pottundirukkaa?" "Avalthaan kalyaana ponnu, daa. Avaa uduppu appidi thaan. Namma koora-podavaikku bathil."

Wedding rituals proceed, and priest invites groom to kiss bride, which he does. "Chee! Konjam kooda vekkam illaya avaalukku -- ellarum kaana muththam idara?" "Avaa vazhakkam athu. Onnai yaaru paarkka chollaraa?"

As the wedded pair leave the church, those waiting outside throw rice to bless the couple.

"Ippo aavathu nammalaippole akshathai podara. Nammalum podalaama?" "Athu akshathai alla. Verum arisi. Avaa sampradaayam athu. Shari, inime aavathu veetukku pokalaam. Vaa."

S Narayanaswam Iyer

 

[rgurus]

The child under reference was barely two years old or so. To attribute motive either to the child or to its parents for the innocent prank of the child is in my opinion not proper.How many children can understand at that age the religious significance or the spiritual philosophy underlying all these rituals? It has to be taken as an innocent childish prank and one should not read too much into it.

 

[rgurus]

First of sall, let me thank all those who have gone through the anecdote under reference and given their comments. I have narrated an incident that jus occurred.
The child under reference was barely two years old or so. To attribute motive either to the child or to its parents for the innocent prank of the child is in my opinion not proper.How many children can understand at that age the religious significance or the spiritual philosophy underlying all these rituals? It has to be taken as an innocent childish prank and one should not read too much into it. If you want to enjoy the innocence of the child, well and good, enjoy it ; otherwise ignore it.
With offence to none, Once again thanking all of you

 

[rgurus]

This is yet another true incident that happened and please don't read between lines:
When the story of how Vinayaka won the contest against Muruga and got the divine mango fruit was narrated to my grand daughter, who was barely 4 years old or so then, the reaction from her was that the contest was unfair and Shiva must have asked the children to share the fruit! But when told that the fruit could not be cut, because it was a divine fruit, she said that in that case, Narada should have given two fruits to Shiva and not one, and so what he had done was patently unfair!.

 

[S Narayanaswamy Iyer]

The child under reference was barely two years old. -- rgurus Veteran.

Who is trying to bluff whom, I wonder!

A one-year-plus-old child can really and truly say, ""Mummy, what on earth are the diaper-wearing uncles doing at the top of the gopuram?" ? [அம்மா கோபுர உச்சியில் டயாபர் அணிந்த அங்கிள்கள் என்ன செய்து கொண்டிருக்கிறார்கள்?]

A twenty-first century miracle? To be recorded in Guinness?

Our Puranaas do not say even Bhagavaan Lord Krishna Paramaathma at that age was so perceptive, so articulative. Nor were any of my own children or grandchildren at that age.

Why not just be honest and confess to the attempted hoax, Sri Rgurus?

S Narayanaswamy Iyer

 

[renuka]

First of sall, let me thank all those who have gone through the anecdote under reference and given their comments. I have narrated an incident that jus occurred.
The child under reference was barely two years old or so. To attribute motive either to the child or to its parents for the innocent prank of the child is in my opinion not proper.How many children can understand at that age the religious significance or the spiritual philosophy underlying all these rituals? It has to be taken as an innocent childish prank and one should not read too much into it. If you want to enjoy the innocence of the child, well and good, enjoy it ; otherwise ignore it.
With offence to none, Once again thanking all of you

Dear Sir..well said.

True..children are innocent and their playful honest from the heart speech brings delight to the heart of parents and everyone around.

Even great sages are floored by innocence of children.

 

[renuka]

The child under reference was barely two years old. -- rgurus Veteran.

Who is trying to bluff whom, I wonder!

A one-year-plus-old child can really and truly say, ""Mummy, what on earth are the diaper-wearing uncles doing at the top of the gopuram?" ? [அம்மா கோபுர உச்சியில் டயாபர் அணிந்த அங்கிள்கள் என்ன செய்து கொண்டிருக்கிறார்கள்?]

A twenty-first century miracle? To be recorded in Guinness?

Our Puranaas do not say even Bhagavaan Lord Krishna Paramaathma at that age was so perceptive, so articulative. Nor were any of my own children or grandchildren at that age.

Why not just be honest and confess to the attempted hoax, Sri Rgurus?

S Narayanaswamy Iyer

Dear Sir,

A child 2 or 3 years can be very perceptive.

From my personal experience some children are very articulate by a very young age.

It comes as no surprise and Gurus Sir narration is very well believable and there is no reason why anyone would want to narrate falsehood.

I was diplomatic yesterday with you but today I feel I can speak my mind out...in your post yesterday you did not paint a good picture of the child's mother...you wrote this :

Or, was the baby fed on "formula" while the mother enjoyed the freedom to work, to socialise after work, "have fun" with friends and colleagues, as a career-minded woman, while the child, like Alice in Wonderland" just growed"?

How well do you know the mother to imply all these?

Its totally assassinating a woman's ability of bringing up her child and god knows what else you meant in your neuronal short circuit episode.

As I believe ...its fine to disagree even on technical grounds but isn't a person innocent until proven guilty Advocate Ji?

Hope you remember this is not a court for anyone to be accused of even writing falsehood.

I can ask you "do you have evidence for all what you said"

At least if one wants to debate what Gurus Ji wrote we can call it hearsay evidence but for you? What do we say for your words?

Clearly its a case of NO Locus Standi for you.

I rest my case.

 

[rgurus]

Mr Narayanaswamy iyer,
i have not written anything wrong to boil over like this. Your outbursts over this issue are uncalled for. Understand that I am a very senior person and not a child.
There is no need for me to bluff. If you cannot understand an innocent child's prank, it is not the mistake of the child. If you are not prepared to believe, I have nothing to say. I feel extremely sorry for people like you who are bent upon finding fault over trivialities and blaming others. I appreciate your spirit and dedication to shastras. You want to show your shastraic erudition. Good. Thank you very much for the same. I agree you are great and all others are fools. I hope that will satisfy your ego.

 

[Raji Ram]

The church episode narrated (imaginary?!!) by Iyer Sir is demeaning not only the Xtian rituals but also the

bringing up of that eight year old! How can a boy of that age utter so many bad words without any decorum?

Did not his grandparents teach him how to behave in public? That too in a wedding celebration?

The post is sickening!

I appreciate the very patient reply of Guru Sir. :clap2: ........ :thumb:

 

[Raji Ram]

"Aiyoh! Ean kazhugu-maraththil thongara shavathukku kumbidu podaraal?"

"Shavathukku kaupeenam koodi illaye, ean?"

"Enna, ivaalellaam thulukkanmaara? Thalayil motta-thoppi irukku. Pashuvai konnu thimbaala?"

"Enna glassil chaaraayam kodukkaraa?"

''Avaal ellam manusha mamsaththayum manusha rakthathayum eppothum kudippaalaa?"

"Chee! Erichchu, chaambalai odara thanneeril podalaya?"

"Aval mo***chchi yaa? Thalaile muttaakku pottundirukkaa?"

"Chee! Konjam kooda vekkam illaya avaalukku -- ellarum kaana muththam idara?"

"Ippo aavathu nammalaippole akshathai podara. Nammalum podalaama?" .........

Is this the way an eight year K L B kid, brought up by his grandparents in India, talk?? :shocked:

P.S: K L B is Kerala brahmin and not tambrahm!

 

[Raji Ram]

I shall delete the above post, IF the original gets deleted!