All posts in category Quotations

MEN ARE SCOUNDRELS- ANECDOTES! (Post No.4958)

Compiled by London Swaminathan 

 

Date: 28 APRIL 2018

 

Time uploaded in London – 16-36 (British Summer Time)

 

Post No. 4958

 

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BEHAVIOUR AND EATING ANECDOTES

GEORGE CHEYNE, A SCOTCH PHYSICIAN, WHEN A PERSON WAS TALKING ABOUT THE EXCELLENCE OF HUMAN NATURE, EXCLAIMED:

“HOOT, HOOT, MAN!

HUMAN NATURE IS A ROGUE AND A SCOUNDREL, OR WHY SHOULD IT PERPETUALLY STAND IN NEED OF LAWS AND OF RELIGION”

 

XXX

 

EATING

At a certain dinner party Daniel Webster found himself preyed upon by hat type of hostess who endlessly and mercilessly worries her guests with the insistence that they are not eating enough, that possibly they do not like this or that, will they not have more, is there anything else they would prefer, and so forth.

 

“You are hardly eating a thing, Mr Webster”, she protested for the umpteenth time.

“Madam”, said Webster solemnly, “permit me to assure you that I sometimes eat more than at other times but never less”.

 

xxx

 

Time to eat!

Bishop Davidson of Winchester was once one of a party of ecclesiastics who went into dinner after a religious conference. One of the others observed in a tone of pompous self-righteousness, “This is the time to put a bridle on our appetites”.

No, returned the bishop, “this is the time to put a bit in our mouths”.

 

xxx

Why did I come to Africa?

 

“Why did I come to Africa?” Cecil Rhodes once remarked to a friend, “Well they will tell you that I came on account of my health or from love of adventure – and to some extent that may be true, but the real fact is that I could no longer stand their eternal cold mutton”.

 

xxx

Strawberries and Prunes!

In his early boarding-house days, in Kansas city, Eugene Field was invited to dine at a hospitable house where the best of everything was to be found. Some delicious strawberries were passed. Filed gazed at them longingly but shook his head.

“Why, Mr Field”, said his host in surprise, “ don’t you like strawberries?”

I dote on them.

Then why don’t you take some?

“I am afraid”, said the poet sadly, “that if I did, they would spoil my appetite for prunes”.

xxx

Charles Lamb

Thomas Hood, tempting Charles Lamb to dine with his said, “We have a hare”.

“Ad how many friends”, anxiously inquired Lamb.

 

xxx

Alfred Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock is a man notably fond of food. He is said to have once been a guest at a rather sparsely furnished dinner table, which had yielded him no more than a small portion of one thing or another amounting to a totally unsatisfactory sum. As the coffee was being brought in, his host said, “I do hope that you will soon dine here again”.

“By all means”, said Hitchcock. “Let us start now”

–Subham–

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by Tamil and Vedas on April 28, 2018  •  Permalink
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31 More Quotations from Poet Kalhana (Post No.4948)

31 More Quotations from Poet Kalhana (Post No.4948)

MAY 2018 GOOD THOUGHTS CALENDAR

 

COMPILED by London Swaminathan 

 

Date: 25 April 2018

 

Time uploaded in London –  18-05

 

Post No. 4948

 

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Kalhana was a minister in Kashmir King Harsha’s (1089-1101) Kingdom. He wrote his epic poem in Sanskrit, Rajatarangini (River of Kings). It gives the history of Kashmir. Lst month I publied 30 quotations from him. Now there are 31 more quotes from Rajatarangini of Kalahana.

 

FESTVAL DAYS:  May 10-Hanuman Jayanti (Telugu region) ; 28 Vaikasi Visakam in Tamil  temples; Agni nakshatram begins 4 ; 28 ends

 

EKADASI/ HINDU FASTING DAYS- May 11, 25

 

AMAVASYAI/ NEW MOON-  May 15

 

FULL MOON DAY/ PURNIMA- May 29
Auspicious Days in MAY -2, 4, 6, 7, 13, 20, 25, 27

 

In the past three years, hundreds of quotations are given in both Tamil and English monthly calendars in my blog. Please use them

 

May 1 Tuesday
Achievement
What cannot be accomplished by anyone who disregard s his own limbs and mind?
Such a person is capable of bold enterprise. Rajatarangini 7-1328

May 2 Wednesday
Acquaintance
Acquaintance with the use of weapons is common but a strategist is not.
7-1529

May 3 Thursday
Aim
Everyone knows how to use a dart but rarely is one aware of its aim. 7-804

May 4 Friday
Beauty
She had full breasts curved like a jar and also the excellent hips. She was the embodiment of joy in love as well as in a home.4-18

May 5 Saturday
Benefits
There is not one action of the cloud which is not beneficial to others, some plants open their blossoms, when lightning flashes through it pains the eyes, others blossom at the roar of thunder which hurts the ears. Nevertheless, the dull witted find in it no other virtue except that of giving of rain 8-1556

 

May 6 Sunday
Bravery
When a bold man, after completing his duty, is about to rest, fate imposes on him burdens of New responsibilities- 8-1791

May 7 Monday

Celebrity
Only among ordinary people a thing of surpassing merit becomes celebrity. Who can lure the attention of the mighty to such superb objects? 4-254
May 8 Tuesday
Certainty
If a tree which protect s a river bank collapse s in a flood, the creeper which lives on it, will surely follow suit.8-3250

May 9 Wednesday
Chance
What is intended for protection may, through a stroke of fate, cause destruction.-7-804

 

May 10 Thursday
Change
Providence by burning the thin grass produces the thick verdure. After a day of acute warmth, it rains.8-1790

 

 

May 11 Friday
Enmity
In spite of constant reconciliations, enmity, even though allayed, repeatedly enters the heart just as a wet garment, in spite of its being repaired, is often torn .7-384
 

May 12 Saturday
Courage
The heroic think an object attainable by courage, the timid by caution; otherwise between them there could be little difference. 6-363

May 13 Sunday
Danger
Danger causes sudden alarm but not when one in the midst of it . Water is chill when it is poured on one’s head but not when one is sunk in it.-8-1097

May 14 Monday

Death
A man will not be slain even by a stroke of  lightning before his time but one who has reached his allotted span might die even from a flower 8-531

 

May 15 Tuesday

Fortune
Fortune which merchants obtain by misappropriation of deposits, which courtesans get by deceiving their lovers, or princes through treason, is after all impermanent. 4-181

Fortune moving about unsteadily, like the lightning playing in the sky, always follow s the cloud of destiny . With whom does it abide permanently? 8-1896

When extraordinary good fortune of overwhelming glory comes to a man, retreating misfortune increases the power of its sorrows.7-795

Fate grants fortune to that person whom those who think themselves wise, persist in considering as unfit 8-491

Fortune like a prostitute daubed with a magic powder conquers even the strong minded, making them unlawful- 8-189
 

May 16 Wednesday
Defeat
Every great person finally meets with humiliating defeat just if he was a common man. Who then could proudly think I am great 8-335
May 17 Thursday

Dependence
By dependent on others, even an animal’s spirit is hurt 7-72

May 18 Friday
Destiny
Destiny can be opposite if and when jackals victoriously control a lion 8-1470
The mighty are cheated by the infirm and those who hold all might in their control, are deluded by the power less 7-959
Who else like him had his head cremated in one place and the rest of his body in another? 8-1473
May 19 Saturday

Devotion
Devotion to one’s sovereign does not change in honest men till they die 7-1322

May 20 Sunday

Diamond
The diamond is not cut by any other precious stone but on the contrary it cuts them. 4-51

 

May 21 Monday
Diplomacy
Let those who know diploma cy recommend to a different occasion either subservience or when expedient the discharge of duty. 8-691

In contentious transactions virtuous conduct is revealed by speech alone

May 22 Tuesday

Great
The great for a few favour s give much of their own. 3-276

None is great except the greedy, in doing good to others 7-502

The reputation of the great does not by any means conform to their birth place.4-41
May 23 Wednesday

Earth
The earth has been preordained for enjoyment of the valiant. 7-1288

May 24 Thursday

Equanimity
The ocean is not warmed by the submarine fire nor does it cold by the snow s of the Himalayas when they enter it. Men of unruffled mind display equanimity either in dejection or exultation 8-2666
May 25 Friday

Favour
In giving births, parents confer their only favour on their offspring but the sovereign does on all occasions 8-694

May 26 Saturday
Enterprise
In the course of daring ventures. It is not surprising if, through providence, a hundred thousand are vanquished by a single man or a single person by a hundred thousand .7-1499

May 27 Sunday
Fear
If the banks of rivers will only smell of a lion, to elephants they will seem as though they are on fire 8-3013

May 28 Monday

Fools
Fools who depend on cheap recognition and move about every where thoughtlessly like beasts deserve to be scorned. 8-215

May 29 Tuesday

Followers
The lightning of prosperity, the crane of celebrity, the thunder of boldness, and the rainbow of prowess, follow the cloud of prudence. 7-1455

 

 

May 30 Wednesday

Futility
What fragrance can a multitude of flower garlands bring to one, whose life has passed away? That is what natural beauty and glory of things mean to a fool. 4-501

May 31 Thursday

Good luck
Good luck will not be impoverished 7-1044

-SUBHAM-

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by Tamil and Vedas on April 25, 2018  •  Permalink
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TAMIL POET VALLUVAR AND WESTERN THINKERS ON RIGHT CONDUCT (Post.4914)

TAMIL POET VALLUVAR AND WESTERN THINKERS ON RIGHT CONDUCT (Post.4914)

 

WRITTEN by London Swaminathan 

 

Date: 14 April 2018

 

Time uploaded in London –  20-31 (British Summer Time)

 

Post No. 4914

 

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The greatest of the ancient Tamil poets, Tiruvalluvar had composed ten verses on right conduct or discipline. As it is the main topic in religious scriptures, we have lot of verses in religious books. But by comparing the verses with other western poets we learn that great men think alike irrespective of the race, religion and geographical location.

 

Let us compare a few verses: –

Right conduct makes one great; hence right conduct is greater than life (Tirukkural 131).

Mathew Arnold said,

Conduct is three fourths of life and its largest concern.

Dr S M Diaz, I G of Police in Tamil Nadu says,

“And that is precisely why in the National Police Academy at Hyderabad where officers of the Indian Police Service at all levels are trained, I had prominently placed the following inscription: –

No Niagara is ever turned into light and power

Until it is tunnelled and confined

No life ever grows great until It is Focussed,

Dedicated and Disciplined

According to Plato, what is to be feared in life is disgrace and not death.

 

Tiruvalluvar, author of Tirukkural says elsewhere,

Hair lost, the yak lives not.

Honour lost, noble men leave their life (Kural 969)

 

Noble men do not outlive loss of honour. The world hails their glory (970).

 

xxx

 

In another couplet, Valluvar says

Right conduct is true nobility;

The absence of it is just ignoble (Kural 133)

 

The great French dramatist Moliere said that ‘Virtue is the first title of Nobility’, while Benson and Forster would rate ‘sincerity’ and considerateness’ as the determinants of true aristocracy.

 

In Kural/couplet 134, Valluvar says,

The Brahmin who has forgotten his scriptures could read them up again;

But if he neglects right conduct he will lose his birth-right.

 

This couplet in fact is an amplification of the previous Kural 133, Moliere’s statement that ‘Birth is nothing where virtues is not” is relevant here.

S M Diaz, has given lot of comparisons from The Bible (Proverbs) for every couplet in this chapter.

 

In the couplet 140, Valluvar says

Even men of learning will be as ignorant as men,

If they do not live in tune with the world.

 

The following passage from Lord Chesterfield could be considered a felicitous alternative translation of this Kural:

“A man of the best parts and the greatest learning, if he does not know the world by his own experience and obligation, will be very absurd and consequently very unwelcome in company”.

What Indian Scholars say about conduct?

It may be sandal paste, incense or water lily or jasmine. The fragrance of good conduct has nothing superior to such perfumes – Dhammapada 4-12

 

As one acts according to one’s conduct. so does he become.

The doer of good becomes good; of evil, evil.

One become virtuous by virtuous acts.

-Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad 4.4.4

 

Do nothing to others which, if done to you , would cause you pain;  this is the sum of polity.

–Mahabharata, 5-1517

 

Forget not the good done to you;

Despise evil friends

Give not false evidence

And depart not from the truth.

Fail not to join the assembly of the learned,

Strive always to escape from the company of the lawless;

Abstain from others’ wives

Help the dying.

-Tamil Epic Silappadikaram

Conduct renders a man virtuous, a coward or her, transmuting purity into purity.

Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda, Chapter 108

 

Source books: Tirukkural Translation by S M Diaz

The Golden Treasury of Indian Quotations R N Saletore

–Subham–

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by Tamil and Vedas on April 14, 2018  •  Permalink
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30 Beautiful Quotations from Kalhana’s Rajatarangini( Post No.4856)

April 2018 ‘Good Thoughts’ Calendar

COMPILED by London Swaminathan 

 

Date: 27 MARCH 2018

 

Time uploaded in London –  17-30

 

Post No. 4856

 

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Kalhana was a minister in Kashmir King Harsha’s (1089-1101) Kingdom. He wrote his epic poem in Sanskrit, Rajatarangini (River of Kings). It gives the history of Kashmir

 

FESTVAL DAYS:  APRIL 14- TAMIL NEW YEAR DAY, 18-AKSHAYA THRUTHYAI, 29- CHITRA PURNIMA, BUDDHA PURNIMA

APRIL 1– EASTER DAY, 2-EASTER MONDAY

 

EKADASI/ HINDU FASTING DAYS- 12 and 26

 

AMAVASYAI/ NEW MOON- 15

 

FULL MOON DAY/ PURNIMA- 29
Auspicious Days in APRIL-  5, 20, 22,25, 27

 

In the past three years, hundreds of quotations are given in both Tamil and English monthly calendars in my blog. Please use them

 

April 1 Sunday

Opportunity
A lost opportunity is considered equivalent to the three worlds. RAJATARANGINI 8-2457
April 2 Monday
Opposition
By going against a stream, one cannot succeed in accomplishing a matter which takes away what comes in its wake like the current of a river 8-3010
April 3 Tuesday
Passion
In the cases of the hearts of a king, a crystal and an unchaste woman, in the absence of their constant companions, there enters a passion for another. 6-33
April 4 Wednesday
People
An enterprise if crowned with success is not equally condemned by the people for they  hardly think whether or not it was justified by its relevant conditions 7-1422

 

April 5 Thursday
Perversity
In the ways of the creator, perversity is shown indeed 8-1275


April 6 Friday
Pity
There is none, who has not a good plan but its execution is neglected. Every one may know how to use a dart but rare is one who has the aim for it. 8-1529
April 7 Saturday
Plot
Whoever devises a plot to harm others certainly ruins himself from that same plot. Fire produces smoke which blinds the eyes. After turning into a cloud, it extinguishes the very fire by its torrential rain 4-125

 

April 8 Sunday
Poet
If the poet didn’t perceive what he is to reveal to all men, what other proof would there be of his divinity 1-5

April 9 Monday
Polity
Every one is aware of polity but few know its practical application 8-1529

April 10 Tuesday
Possession
As possessions are controlled by fate, the pride of foolish people in their family greatness is vain and false 7-206


April 11 Wednesday
Promotion
No metals can break a diamond and stone dykes can withstand the waters, but against the wicked, nothing is proof 6-273
April 12 Thursday
Prosperity
Men of small merits hardly survive long in their good fortune 8-1999
April 13 Friday
Proximity
The heat of summer becomes severe when rains approach and nights darkness when the dawn is close. Likewise, when extraordinary good fortune of surpassing glory dawn s for a person, receding Ill-luck accelerates the violence of its woes. 7-795

April 14 Saturday
Prudence
What wrath recommended, prudence forbade. 8-1359
April 15 Sunday
Reality
Can a lion in a picture emulate the activities of the real one? 7-60

 


April 16 Monday
Refuge
When the dignity of honourable men is outraged by a slight which cannot be remedied, their minds are tormented. What other refuge can they have except death? 6-278
April 17 Tuesday
Refuge
What refuge other than death is possible now? To us, who have forsaken the battle, even that is not possible. 7-847
April 18 Wednesday
Regret
It is futile to regret what one has done, right or wrong. 7-502

 
April 19 Thursday
Remedy
Against sedition there is no remedy 7-913
April 20 Friday

Splendour
The splendour which clings to men who shine for a brief moment like stars, passes away like a short summer night.7-133

 

 
April 21 Saturday
Retribution
That the clouds send down on the trees rain as well as lightning is the consequence of retribution for good or evil actions of a former existence. 7-342

April 22 Sunday
Riches
The rivulets waxing powerful feed the earth at its roots from the heavens showers fall and from all sides through the mouths of the channels the water courses through, filling a tank during the rainy season. When good fortune smiles, why will not riches come in hundred ways? 7-505

 

April 23 Monday
Scruples
Those who long for the acquisition of wealth have truly no dislike for evil practices 8-1099
April 24 Tuesday
Self- respect
The renunciation of self -respect cannot be eradicated even by a sage. 7-238

April 25 Wednesday
Self -respect
Men of honour should never break the great word of keeping their self -respect. 7-329

April 26 Thursday

Spark
One who clasps a spark mistaking it for a gem only burns his fingers. 4-299

April 27 Friday
Servant
A servant not trusted at a critical moment, brings disaster on his master like a hand sword in a struggle. 7-1160
April 28 Saturday
Service
In truth the service of the kings is more dangerous than the raising of a demon, the leap over a precipice, the chewing of poison or fondling of a snake 8-2187

 

April 29 Sunday
Skill
Even a little mischief, if repeated without skill, breaks out again and again through a hundred openings just as an old piece of cloth as when stitched with a needle.
7-849
April 30 Monday
Sleep
Sleep ,like a sweet heart left me in a huff and went somewhere far away. The night, like land bestowed on an unworthy person, is not yet over. 3-181

–SUBHAM–

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by Tamil and Vedas on March 27, 2018  •  Permalink
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A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED-MANU AND VALLUVAR ON FRIENDSHIP (Post No.4852)

A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED-MANU AND VALLUVAR ON FRIENDSHIP (Post No.4852)


Written by London Swaminathan 

 

 

Date: 26 MARCH 2018

 

 

British Summer Time uploaded in London – 17-07

 

Post No. 4852

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He is a true friend who stands by one in disease, in adversity, in famine, in danger from enemies, at the royal gate and at the cremation ground.

Chanakya Niti 1-12

aature vyasane praapte durbikshe satrusankate

raajadwaare smasaane ca yasthishtati  sa bhaandhavah

 

xxx

They are the real sons who are devoted to their father, father is one who brings the offspring, a friend is one who can be trusted, a wife is one who gives happiness.

2-4

 

One should keep away from a friend who harms the mission in one’s absence, but talks sweetly when face to face. He is a jar of poison with milk in its upper portion.

2-5

 

One should not trust a bad friend, nor should repose too much of trust even in good friend lest the friend in a fit of rage were to lay bare all the secrets.

2-6

xxx

Compare these with the following couplets from Tamil Veda ‘Tirukkural’

 

Like the hand , that goes to the rescue when a garment slips, stepping into help

when a friend faces adversity, is true friendship – Kural 788

 

Friendship is not for pleasant laughter alone, but for harsh and ethical advice too

promptly given, when one swerves from the right path- Kural 784

 

A surface smile on the face is not friendship, genuine affection,

springs from the heart and lights up the face- Kural 786

 

The true friend keeps one away from the wrong path, and helps him follow the right path,

and also stands by him, if misfortune falls nevertheless – Kural 787

 

The throne of genuine friendship is found, without doubt, where two allied hearts beat,

under all circumstances, in unison and mutual support- Kural 789

 

It is wise to acquire and hold on to faultless friendships, and equally good,

to dispense with undependable friendships, even at a price- Kural 800

 

–subham–

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Wealth Accumulated by Frauds disappears after 10 Years! – Chanakya (Post No.4795)

Written by London Swaminathan 

 

Date: 28 FEBRUARY 2018

 

Time uploaded in London – 21-16

 

Post No. 4795

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Every day we read in the newspapers that the corrupt people and fraudulent people have accumulated enormous amount of money; suddenly the government take some action against them. But Chanakya and the Tamil poet Tiruvalluvar had their own strange calculations about the wealth of the frauds. Chanakya says it would disappear after 10 years. Valluvan said that it would make the corrupt people cry and then leave them. Great men think alike. Read below in their own words:-

Wealth Accumulated by Frauds disappears after 10 Years! – Chanakya (Post No.4795)

2.Chanakya Niti and Tirukkural part 2

Fate cannot be Averted

Just as a call goes to its mother even in the midst of thousands of cows, in the same way the action done follows the doer.

Chanakya Niti,13-14

What is there more potent than fate? It forestalls every expedient one may resort to for averting it- Tiruk Kural 380

 

xxx

Spring of Knowledge!

Just as one gets to subterranean water by digging with a spade, in the same way does a pupil knowledge embodied in teacher.

Chanakya Niti,13-16

The sand spring flows with water as you dig deeper. By deeper study knowledge flows – Kural 396

 

xxx

Water is Jewel

There are three jewels on the earth –water, food and wise saying. The ignorant gives the name of jewel to pieces of stone.

Chanakya Niti,14-1

Rain is instrumental in the production of good food and is itself food -Kural 12.

Duties of life cannot be performed by any person in the absence of water -Kural 20

By the continuance of rain the world is preserved in existence; it is there fore worthy to be called ambrosia – Kural 11

xxxx

King and Fire

King, fire, teacher and women, when too close, lead to destruction, when far do not serve the purpose. So they have to be approached by the middle path.

Chanakya Niti,14-11

Even like those, who desire to warm themselves before a fire, persons in the king’s service will not go too close, nor stay away too far- Kural 691

Fire burns when it is touched; does it also have the potential to burn, when it goes far away from one?- Kural 1159.

 

xxxx

Hold back your Tongue!

If you want to bring round the whole world to you with one action,

hold back your tongue from speaking ill of others

Chanakya Niti, 14-14

 

Guard your tongue, whatever else you may not guard, otherwise you wi come to grief -Kural 127

xxx

Sweet Speech

One who knows words that go well with the context, the sweet speech that goes well with his glory and anger that befits his strength is wise

Chanakya Niti,14-15

Pleasing speech of good effect is productive of righteousness and virtue- Kural 97

 

Let men of sagacity who understand the use of words study the assembly and address it with discretion- Kural 711

The learning of the scholar shall shine before an assembly if flawless scholars who know the art of words.- Kural 717

 

xxxxx

Why no Sweet Words?

 

All beings feel happy with sweet words. So one should go for them. Why is the Parsimony in sweet words?

Chanakya Niti, 16-17

When a man knows that kind words bring joy and happiness,

why should he resort to harsh words?- Kural 99

 

If you speak at all speak profitably-Kural 200

xxxx

Wealth through Unjust means

The wealth earned through unjust means stays for ten years. With the onset of eleventh year it vanishes root and branch.

Chanakya Niti,15-6

All profits, that make others weep, depart with tears. Kural 659

Another translation of Kural 659:- Wealth amassed in the midst of other people’s tears, will also go that way causing one’s own distress;

while by good actions, even if loss is sustained, final results will be beneficial.

 

xxx

Death better than Insults

 

It is better to die than to live under insult. In death, it is a momentary pain, in insult it is a daily affair

Chanakya Niti, 16-16

It is better to die with honour than be slaves of those that scorn you – Kural 967

Hair lost, the yaks live not; Honour lost, noble men leave their life – 969

 

xxx Subham xxx

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Divorce Anecdotes (Post No.4787)

Date: 26 FEBRUARY 2018

Time uploaded in London- 11-07 am

Compiled by London swaminathan

Post No. 4787

PICTURES ARE TAKEN from various sources. They may not be directly related to the article. They are only representational.

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AMERICA- HOME OF THE BRAVE

 

A large number of divorces indicate that America is still the” land of the free”, someone observed.

‘Yes’,said his friend, “but the steady level of the marriage rate shows that it is still the home of the brave”.

 

Xxx

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

When Mrs Pierre Riendeau,  79 years old, asked for a legal separation from her 86 year old husband, the judge asked how long they had been married,

“Sixty years”, she replied.

Why are you seeking a separation after all this time ?, the court asked.

Enough is enough, she said

 

Xxx

DIVORCE WITHOUT QUARREL!

 

After the manner of Hollywood’s “civilised” social practices, Lewis Brown, the writer, and his exwife appeared together at a party and listened to the announcement of their divorce by a radio commentator.

Leopold Stokowski was among the guests, and said to Browne

“It is very indecent of you to be having such a good time.

At least when my wife and I were divorced, we quarrelled”.

 

Xxx

SWEET REVENGE!

Ilka chase likes to tell the story of the aftermath of divorce from Louise Calhern. His next wife was Julia Hoyt. Miss Chase, going through a trunk, found a box of handsome, engraved cards , bearing simply the name, Mrs Louise Calhern . Feeling it is a shame that they should go to waste, she wrapped them up and sent them to her successor , with the little Note,

“Dear Julia, I hope these reach you in time”.

 

Xxxx

 

ONE HEAD ONLY!

After the death of Jane Seymour, Henry VIII had some difficulty in getting another wife. His first offer was to the Duchesses Dowager of Milan, but her answer was, she had but one head, if she had two, one should have been at his service.

 

–SUBHAM–

 

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by Tamil and Vedas on February 26, 2018  •  Permalink
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31 Quotations from the Rig Veda (Post No.4778)

Date: 23 FEBRUARY 2018

Time uploaded in London- 10-12 am

Written by London swaminathan

Post No. 4778

PICTURES ARE TAKEN from various sources. They may not be directly related to the article. They are only representational.

WARNING: PLEASE SHARE MY ARTICLES; BUT DON’T SHARE IT WITHOUT AUTHOR’S NAME AND THE BLOG NAME. BE HONEST; OTHERS WILL BE HONEST WITH YOU.

 

March 2018 Good Thoughts Calendar

 

Written by London Swaminathan 

 

Date: 23 February 2018

 

Time uploaded in London –  10-09 am

 

Post No. 4778

Pictures shown here are taken from various sources such as Facebook friends, Books, Google and newspapers; thanks. Pictures may be subject to copyright laws.

 

TEMPLE PICTURES IN THIS ARTICLE ARE TAKEN FROM LALGUDI VEDA’S POSTS.

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FESTVAL DAYS:  March 1-Holi and Masi Makam; 14- Karadaiyan Nonbu; 18-Ugadi/ New Year, also Vasantha Navaratri begins;22- Vasantha Panchami;  25- Sri Rama Navami and Shirdi Sai Baba Birth Day, Vasantha Navaratri finishes; 29- Mahavir Jayanthi; 30- Panguni Uththiram, Good Friday

 

EKADASI/ HINDU FASTING DAYS- 13 and 27

 

AMAVASYAI/ NEW MOON- 17

 

FULL MOON DAY/ PURNIMA- 1 and 31
Auspicious Days in MARCH:- 4, 5, 26, 30

 

31 beautiful quotations from the Rig Veda are in this month’s calendar. In the past three years, hundreds of quotations are given in both Tamil and English monthly calendars in my blog. Please use them

 

March 1 Thursday

Old Time Seers

Gone are the mortals who in the former ages

Beheld the flushing of the early morning

We living men now look upon her shining

Those will be born who shall hereafter see her.

RV 1-113-11

xxxx

 

March 2 Friday

Order

Firm seated are the foundations of Rita

In its lovely form are many splendid beauties

RV 4-23-9

xxx

 

March 3 Saturday

Speech

Speech hath been measured out in four divisions, the brahmans who have understanding know them.

Three kept in close concealment cause no motion; of speech, men speak only the fourth division

1-164- 45

xxx

 

March 4 Sunday

One God with Different Names

They call him Indra, Mitra, Varuna and Agni and he is heavenly noble winged Garutman,

To what is One, sages give many a title; they call it Agni, Yama, Matarisvan

1-164-46

xxx

 

March 5 Monday

Let us Unite

One and the same be your resolve, and be your minds of one accord.

United be the thoughts of all that all may happily agree

10-190-4

xxx

 

March 6 Tuesday

Achievement

The hare has swallowed the opposing razor, I have shattered with the clod the far- off mountain. The mighty ‘will’ I shall bend before the little, the calf shall grow in strength and consume the bullock.-RV 10-28(9) (power to alter the course of nature)

xxx

March 7 Wednesday

Alertness

You cherish your might like pools of water deep and full; like milch cows going well protected to the meadow, and like water brooks which reach the lake. RV 3-46(4)

xxxx

March 8 Thursday

Variation

The hands are both alike, their labour differs. The yield of sister milch- kine is unequal; Twins even differ in their strength and vigour and two, even kinsmen, differ in their bounty -10-117-9

 

xxx

 

March 9 Friday

Attraction

The horse will draw an easy car, gay hosts lure laughter and jest, the male longs for his mate’s approach and the frog is eager for the flood. RV9-113(4)

xxx

March 10 Saturday

Benevolence

He clothes all which is nude, attends to all the sick, through Him the sightless behold and cripples move about.-RV 8-79 (2)

xxx

 

 

March 11 Sunday

Company

One who eats with no partner (namely, alone) is all guilty-

RV 10-117

xxx

March 12 Monday

Comparison

Their unfathomed splendour is like the glory of the sun and their unknown greatness is like the sea. RV 7-33 (8)

xxx

March 13 Tuesday

Dice

Play not with dice, cultivate your corn land, enjoy the grain and deem that wealth sufficient. RV10-34 (13)

Others caress the wife of one whose riches the dice has coveted– RV 10-28 (4)

xxx

March 14 Wednesday

Divinity

O beauteous one, we have established our perpetual brotherhood with harmony in mother’s womb- RV 8-13 (8)

xxx

March 15 Thursday

Sorrow

As drivers of chariots avoid bad roads, let sorrows pass us by-

8-47-5

xxx

March 16 Friday

Guidance

Like two winds aging not, confluent rivers, come quick vision, like two eyes before us.  Come like two hands most helpful to the limbs, and guide us, like two feet to what is precious.- RV 2-39

xxx

March 17 Saturday

Holiness

He who is being called by us in prayer is resplendent in holiness- RV 8-44(21)

xxx

March 18 Sunday

Inaction

Surely there will come future times when brothers and sisters will perform acts unworthy of kinsfolk. -RV 10-10

xxx

March 19 Monday

Love

As wood-pine clings round a tree, another will cling to you, girt with a blessed alliance.-RV 10-13

xxxx

March 20 Tuesday

Offering

The milk is blended with the honey of the bee; come quickly hither and drink- RV 8-8 (4)

Be pleased, Song Lover, with this song; it flows abundant like the sea- RV 3-12 (5)

xxx

 

March 21 Wednesday

One

One who is all is lord of what is fixed and moving, that walk, that flies, that multi form creation – RV 3-54 (8)

xxx

March 22 Thursday

Plenty

With plenty for his true ally, the active man will gain the spoil – RV 7-42 (20)

xxx

 

March 23 Friday

Possibility

What the teeth have encompassed ,  the tongue eats –

RV 10-68 (6)

xxx

March 24 Saturday

Prayer

Show thy mercy on us once, O Gracious Lord, be like father to us- RV 10-33 (3)

xxx

March 25 Sunday

Let not the wicked rule over us – RV 10-25 (7)

xxxx

 

March 26 Monday

May we not offend against thine holy statutes, as a kind friend, O God, best of all be gracious- RV 8-113

xxx

March 27 Tuesday

God, place me in the ever-lasting, undecaying sphere wherein heaven’s  light is set and  eternal light shines- RV 9

xxxx

 

March 28 Wednesday

Relief

Raiment (clothing) is the body, food is life and healing ointment gives life.-R V 8-24

xxx

March 29 Thursday

Request

Make me immortal in that realm, where happiness transports, where joys and facilities combine and longing wishes are fulfilled.-9-113-10

xxx

March 30 Friday

Search

The Brahman seeks the worshipper, the wright (builder) seeks the cracked and the leech the maimed.

9-cxii-112

xxxx

 

March 31 Saturday

Trousseau (Bride’s clothes)

Thought was the pillow of her couch, sight, the unguent for her eyes and earth and heaven, her treasury -RV 10-85-7

 

—SUBHAM—-

 

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by Tamil and Vedas on February 23, 2018  •  Permalink
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Isavasyam Idam Sarvam Story (Post No.4752)

Date: 16 FEBRUARY 2018

 

Time uploaded in London- 20-52

 

Written by London swaminathan

 

Post No. 4752

 

PICTURES ARE TAKEN from various sources.

 

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There is a famous Upanishadic couplet saying that everything is controlled and owned by God. One should not be greedy to take other’s property.

 

There is a story to illustrate this point. There was a king who had some ego problem. He gave lot of gifts to the poets and bards and expected everyone to praise him as the Anna Data (Giver of Food). Once he called two of his beneficiaries and asked them who gave them money and everything. One of them was a sycophant and replied immediately,

Oh, My Lord, You are the one who helped me and without you people would have died of hunger.

The other person, who is a great scholar said, everything is given by God. Isavasyam Idam sarvam.

 

The king did not like this answer. He wanted to hear the praise of every one. But he did not dare to say it in public. The king wanted to teach him a lesson. He sent them home.

 

Later the king filled the inside of a big pumpkin  with costly gems and sent it to the person who praised the king. The scholar who praised god instead of the King was given two small coins. They were not of big price.

 

The person who received the pumpkin did not know what was inside and so he decided to sell the pumpkin. He was very dissatisfied with the king. At that time the scholar who got two coins was passing his house. The person with a big pumpkin told the scholar to take the pumpkin. He readily agreed and gave his two coins to him.

 

When the scholar went home, opened the pumpkin and found it was full of costly gems. Then he ran to the king and told that he got a treasure from a pumpkin. The person who sold the pumpkin was also there and he told the king that he sold it to him for two coins of lesser denomination.

 

The king realised his mistake and felt everything in the world was done by God and controlled by God. The king’s vanity was completely cured by this occurrence.

Unassisted by the hand of Providence, human endeavours are fruitless.

 

He remembered the famous first couplet of Isavasyopanishad:

 

Isavaasyamidam sarvam yathkinchajagathyaam jagath
Thena thyakthena bhunjeethaah, maa gridhah kasyaswid-dhanam

“All things of this world, the transitory, the evanescent, are enveloped by the Lord who is the real Reality of each. Therefore, they have to be used with reverent renunciation, without covetousness or greed for they belong to the Lord and not to any one person”.

 

–Subham–

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by Tamil and Vedas on February 16, 2018  •  Permalink
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Stories based on two Tamil Proverbs (Post No.4730)

Date:11 FEBRUARY 2018

 

Time uploaded in London- 15-47

 

WRITTEN by London swaminathan

 

Post No. 4730

 

PICTURES ARE TAKEN FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.

 

WARNING: PLEASE SHARE MY ARTICLES; BUT DON’T SHARE IT WITHOUT AUTHOR’S NAME AND THE BLOG NAME. BE HONEST; OTHERS WILL BE HONEST WITH YOU.

 

 

In a town in South India there was a wealthy Brahmin lady who was living alone. In those days, robbers enter the town and loot the houses. But they followed certain rules. They will only rob rich people, that too only after informing them!

 

One day this Brahmin lady also received a note saying on such and such day the house will be robbed. This lady was a clever lady. She knew that she can’t prevent them and any attempt to stop them will result in bloodshed. So she prepared the best food on the day for the robbers. The flavour of the food items travelled far away in the air in the streets. Since the town people knew about the robbers’ visit all of them shut the doors and switched off the lights.

 

This lonely lady left the door slightly open. The robbers came beating big drums and entered the house. This lady welcomed them with a smile and asked them to eat first and then continue their work. They couldn’t say no because of the excellent smell of the food. They ate to their full stomach. Before they finished eating this clever lady spread a silk saree on the floor and placed all her jewels and silk sarees on it signalling to them to take them. The juniors in the group were waiting for the orders from the chief of the robbers. When he kept quiet the junior robbers asked him whether they can lay their hands on them.

 

No, he said firmly.

There are proverbs in Tamil that you should never harm a house where you ate. They say that you should ever think about the people who gave you salt ( food). Never ever steal in the house wo gave you food. So don’t touch anything; let us go.

 

He not only left the house intact, later he gave his plundered property to that family. This is a true story, but the author who wrote it in 1916 in a bout about Bhartruhari’s Niti Sataka, did not give the place and the name of the person.

 

Black Bag floating in the River!

River Godavari in South India was in floods. Two friends Ramappan and Thimmappan went to see the floods. They were enjoying watching lot of furniture, house hold utensils and trees and animals that were washed away and floating. Suddelny Ramappan noticed a big black bag floating in the middle of the river. He pointed it out to Thinnappan and said,

“Thinnappa, go and get that black bag. It is big. It must contain something valuable; Let us share it”.

 

Thinnappan jumped into the floods without hesitating and swam towards the black bag. He grabbed it and pulled it towards him. But the bag was not a bag; it was a bear washed away by the flood. That was struggling to get a grip and so it caught hold of him. Thinnappan tried to get out but couldn’t.

 

Ramappan still thought that the floating bag was a treasure and his friend was trying hard. But at one stage he shouted to Thinnappan,

“Please come back if you can’t get hold of the bag. Come back safe”

 

Thinnappan said: No Ramappan; it is not a bag; it is a bear.

He shouted back: Leave it and come back.

I am ready to come back. But it wouldn’t allow me. I have left the bear; but the bear is not ready to leave me”.

Both of them went along the floods; Ramappan was helpless.

 

Desire is like the bear; once you catch hold of it, even if you want to get out, it wouldn’t leave you. So strong is the grip of desire!

There are lot of proverbs in Indian languages about desire.

–subham–

 

 

 

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by Tamil and Vedas on February 11, 2018  •  Permalink
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