The Official website of movie THE ANSWER a true story featuring Victor Banerjee as the revered Guru Paramhansa Yogananda and his direct disciple Swami Kriyananda. The first in its genre of an autobiographical film depicting a Guru disciple relationship, it won 17 International awards in all major categories.
Official website of movie THE ANSWER
Paramhansa Yogananda
OM
As unsurmountable a task as it is to assimilate the ocean in a bowl, is this my effort to encapsulate the Love of Paramhansa Yogananda and Swami Kriyananda and their effort to better our world through Kriya Yoga and Ananda Sangha . May Master help me and guide me through.
Ananda – meaning Bliss, the will o’ the wisp longing that is ever eluding yet ever inviting. We live our lives in the eternal quest of happiness, delusionally believing it to sprout forth from the gardens of worldly pleasure without realising that it is not transient, deceptive happiness but Bliss that the soul longs for. That ever lasting Bliss which was once rightfully ours but has been masked behind the layers of dark desires, never-ending and never gratifying either.
Decades after decades millennium after millennium we hapless souls trudge through this vortex of the world, which with its steely grip keeps us earth-bound while Satan smiles at having won each time in deluding us into believing in the reality of our existence with its saga of joys and sorrows, pain and pleasures , all the time ensnaring us in this duality.
We periodically want out, long for this crushing excruciating existence with transient and ephemeral promises of joy, that traps us , to vanish. Yet, all it takes is just a peek of another desire within reach and what vanishes instead, is this hitherto urgent need to free ourselves, now relegated into oblivion.
Yet there comes a time in the life of each one, when the veil lifts. The drama is revealed. The lack luster world is shorn thread bare once and for all, in the glorious, illuminating, divine light of the Almighty, gently waking us from this dream. Soon we realise the folly of having lived birth after birth pursuing that which does not exist.
My quest for Truth and the mystery of my existence began in the eighties.
Update: 2009 Shraadh begins on 5th September to 18th Sept in India. For USA and Canada Shraadh began yesterday 1.e. 4th Sept.
Shraadh or Pitrapaksh begins today, ending on 29th September, leading on to Navratri.
Lifes most memorable moments are often those spent in the company of a dear one who has imperceptibly left an indelible mark in our journey. When they are snatched away by death”s steely clasp, we are left behind to mourn and grieve, not just for their death but what died within us in their loss.
Whilst tainting every joyous occasion with suffering in remembrance is not advisable, our sages therefore in their wisdom, appointed a certain time of the year to honour them. This period of 16 days which begins today, is known as ‘Shraadh’ or Pitrapaksh” . It is recommended that new ventures, business, or clothing not be bought during the length of Shraadha. Instead, depending on the ‘tithi’ or day of death, according to the hindu calendar, corresponding to that day, among the 16, ceremonies involving charity be performed, in remembrance of the departed souls, as also to pray for their well-being, to whatever realm they may have progressed .
I am not a religiously ritualistic individual like most others. Yet there are certain ceremonies which seem in consonance with even a cynical questioning mind. If one day in a year be devoted to praying for those who have helped shape our lives, given it a form which has enriched us, then it is but a negligible step to repay our indebtedness to them, pray for their salvation, while at once seeking their blessings.
Tears seem just a drop of nothingness, even if arisen from the depths of a bereaved soul. (more…)
Prahlad Jani who prefers to a called ‘Mataji’..notice the red sindoor in his hair parting, tikka, ornaments and red clothes,
Watched awestruck the unfolding of a story on IBN live yesterday that informed about the presence of a Yogi in Gujarat , Prahlad Jani, who claims to have not eaten a morsel of food or drunk a sip of water since the last 70 years.
It came as no surprise though. Mention of such ‘miracle men’ in the ‘Autobiography Of A Yogi” helped. (more…)
Wow!! That is cool. To be in the number one slot worldwide on WordPress..what more could one possibly ask for ..now thats getting mushy and unecessarily emotional…sigh..
..In the lonely life of a blogger..Oh stop that crap K..we’ve heard enough of that..
Posting the link just i case you are the disbelieving, suspicious, kind..
http://www.wordpressbestblogs.com/good-times-sachiniti-is-the-1-wordpress-growing-blog-today
kyun..
Mr.Boman Kohinoor and me’
THERE IS NO LOVE GREATER THAN THE LOVE OF EATING’.. is a mantra diligently followed as well as encrypted in the menu of Britannia restaurant..
and damn gainsayers , mostly the lot obsessively watching their calories and waists, longingly, pleadingly, lurking around, not daring to venture close when you are probing the Biryani expectantly, excitedly trying to muffle the slurp. (more…)
Kaveetaa Kaul
Since I have been graciously awarded the above by Mapiprincesa , felt it would be in the propriety of things to carry it forward. Hedonism as a philosophy is highly contagious.
Although Mapiprincesa grandly made her choice from among the blogosphere globally(wow) I am nominating five bloggers from our desi sphere ..’Kyunki dil hai hindustani’. I think the under mentioned ‘roaaaaaarrrr’ well enough to be heard and applauded. They are encouraged to add the above image on to their website, nominate their ‘five’ and keep the roarrrr alive in the blogging safari. (more…)
Kaveeta Kaul
An inconspicuous presence, frail, bent, clad in the now legendary bordered white saree has shaken up the keepers of morality one more time since her earthly demise a decade ago. Mother Teresa’s letters lately released “Mother Teresa : Come Be My Light” speak of her anguish at feeling alone and Godless in a mind littered with doubt and faith faltering with disillusionment. (more…)
An image of The Amarnath Cave and the Lingam as it is ordinarily.
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Kaveetaa Kaul
Do we consider ourselves deuteragonists? Second most important in the Great Drama of Life? Or are we pretending to be so, out of ignorance? Or merely acting out our misconceptions? Or waiting for the veil of illusion to lift and expose that which lay behind was in fact a mirror of what lay hidden inside, Pure, Timeless, Intelligence, Deathless, Beingless, All Knowing…
In an unprecedented first, the Shiv Lingam at the holy cave of Amarnath in Kashmir has melted completely (completely in the title meant to emphasise ‘total dissolution’.. without an iota of doubt) creating a wave of disappointment in the lakh or so pilgrims gathered in Pahalgam en route Amarnath. July 1st, the first day of the pilgrimage and there was no lingam in the cave, as validated by the shrine authorities.
Does this mean therefore that Lord Shiva has deserted his abode? (more…)
Kaveeta Kaul
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A friend, who is also a film maker, enquired of me conspiratorially, prior to the release of the film ‘Guru’ as to what were my reactions of the promos or rather what were the expectations from the film. The pre- release buzz which surrounds a film based on rather nebulous criteria, word of mouth gossip, disgruntled colleagues, envious peers, or the plain diabolic variety of ‘industrywallahs, who revel in pulling down any effort they feel threatened by either by sheer enormity of the project or sincerity in its making, is often hugely erroneous.
Since I correspond to none of the above mentioned categories, my assessment was based (more…)
Kaveetaa Kaul
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Its the start of the year and all things bright and beautiful..hopefully. ..so thought I’d give you a few Feng shui tips, which are universal. These are valid across the board..irrespective of compass directions, which ordinarily is a factor of utmost importance .
* De-clutter: The need to rid your surroundings of dead energy, which arises out of clutter, dark corners, is paramount. You may have noticed at times that a certain area of your life is as if stagnant, or in a state of decay, decline. (more…)
“The worst illness of our time is that so many people have to suffer from not ever being loved” Princess Diana
The news of Princess Diana’s death had brought in its wake a deep sadness and nudged an inevitable questioning as to the manner in which we mortals seek the’ ever elusive’ strain of happiness. If a Princess endowed with beauty, wealth and grandeur had lived her life as if chasing a dream, an impossibility, a mirage, only to get sucked into the illusion of a ‘happily ever after’ love story, then this , if anything, is an exemplification of the fact that happiness is not a commodity, to be acquired, but a verb, to be achieved, painstakingly..A paradox in itself.
What makes Dianas story an eternal Greek tragedy however, is the report that her two sons Princes William and Harry, had invited, to the memorial service of their mother, (more…)
Kaveeta Kaul
Just back from the gym, after an hour long yoga session at home..consumed the juice of wheatgrass, home grown, (totally hubbys initiative), am on to having some fruit and then breakfast maybe after 12.oo p.m..if I am home or will carry it. Why this obsessive, manic fetish you might ask..quite right..I feel the same..Why?
The other day, 25th actually, attended a pageant for crowning Mr/Ms Body Beautiful. The judges were the pyts of Bollywood, Dia mirza, Kangana Raut, Yana Gupta, etc The contestants were fine specimens of protein shakes, eggwhite, low carb regime coupled with 3day upper body and 3 day leg workouts. Indeed fascinating. Not that I was new to it, but hey cannot boast of a 24 inch waistline anymore..( college days..yes)but do I intend to? Naah!!!.. Do I wish to have one?..Naah!!! Omigosh..my nose is growing..Ok..that was a BIG lie. I dont know of anyone who wont wish for a Marie Antoinette( 14 inch) or thereabouts. But in the final analysis, how much does it matter..really! (more…)
Kaveeta Kaul
Each language has its own unique mode of expression. Often translating , say an urdu ‘shair’ into English, results in its innate sweetness and essence diminishing by several notches. Hindi, as a language boasts of words which defy restatement of the version in its original intention.
A case in point is the word ‘MAMTA’. All efforts to capture the spectrum of emotions this word conjures up, prove futile. The closest perhaps is ‘motherhood, motherliness..which is there, but not quite.
The reason for this quest was triggered by the news of a baby, found abandoned in a train. Whats new? Eight couples, among them a Muslim and a Christian, queued up at the hospital with offers to adopt this baby. (more…)
Hey guys!! Its been a while..Lifes like that..Wifely duties beckoned beyond all since hubby was embarking on a new project on 14th..wish him luck friends..thanks
I have written a piece for Kavita Chhibbers e-mag titled:
Mumbai- Mater Civitas.
When I think of Mumbai, a sea of impressions, etched deep in my psyche, inspire a deluge of sensations, undulating like ocean waves in my mind. And yet, how does one encapsulate the soul, the essence of Mumbai in words?
Quite unabashedly, I claim that Mumbai is my ‘jaan’ (life)! Just as one doesn’t question love for one’s mother, I’d rather not analyze what it is about Mumbai that binds me to it.
And yet how can one escape history? When King Charles II of England married Princess Catherine de Braganza of Portugal in 1661, he received as part of his dowry the isles of ‘Bom Bahia’, the ‘Good Bay’. Reclaimed from the sea, these would become the modern city of Bombay. In 1995, Bombay was renamed Mumbai, after the goddess Mumba Devi.
I was born in Mumbai, have lived here for most part of my life, save the years when foreign lands beckoned. ‘Home’ however, was always one place- Mumbai. (more…)
India, the land of mystics and mysticism, snakes and snake charmers, elephants and mahouts, Maharishis and Maharajas.
While all of the above fail to make news any more and are nearly as extinct as the soon to be ‘black buck’ of Salman Khan fame..what lives on is Sati- a ritual where the widow burns herself on the funeral pyre of her husband. (more…)
Chewing on it again..
“It is not the greatness of a man’s means that makes him independent so much as the smallness of his wants”William Cobbett
I experienced this, in my first tryst with truth while living at the Yoga institute, learning Yoga sutras and asanas. Apparently it was a mandatory stay prior to the year long teachers training course, prompted by the ‘love for anything Indian’ phase. Insiduously, (more…)
Kaveetaa Kaul
Happened to read a most disturbing piece reported in BBC.
Women ‘get blame for being raped’
Distressed woman
Fewer than 6% of reported rapes result in a conviction
A third of people believe a woman is partially or completely responsible for being raped if she has behaved flirtatiously, a survey suggests.)
The Amnesty International poll of 1,000 people also found over 25% believe she is at least partly to blame if she has worn revealing clothing or been drunk.Amnesty says the “shocking” findings show government policies are failing.
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And the director of public prosecutions told the BBC the report “highlights some areas of real concern”.Ken Macdonald QC, who is in charge of prosecutions in England and Wales, spoke to BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour.
“The idea that a third of our people think that if a woman flirts she has only herself to blame if she is raped is, I think, quite shocking,” he said.
“These are jury trials. The jury is the community in the courtroom and it is reasonable to suppose the jury brings into the courtroom a lot of the attitudes we have been reading about.”
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Nothing can be traced back to male unreasonability when it comes to battle between the sexes. (more…)
“It is not the greatness of a man’s means that makes him independent so much as the smallness of his wants”
William Cobbett
I experienced this, in my first tryst with truth while living at the Yoga institute, learning Yoga sutras and asanas. Apparently it was a mandatory stay prior to the year long teachers training course, prompted by the ‘love for anything Indian’ phase. Insiduously, however, I was ‘ trained’ in more ways than just in Yoga. I had no intention of becoming a teacher, especially after the course, since I felt it unethical in teaching solely the physical aspect of yoga, when it was meant to be ideally viewed as a body-mind relationship. Instead I taught at the Institute , for a while, where the purity of tradition was maintainable. The other reason I taught there, I confess, was selfish. I had to be in shape to be credible, so it compelled me to regularise my practise.
Once there, I was surprised to discover how little it is that we actually need. Life was suddenly, uncomplicated, simple and peaceful.
The routine we were made to follow was perhaps a way of life for our ancestors.No big deal there. They would have been possibly amused at the sillinesss of us having discarded that pattern, so assiduously worked on by them, in the first place.. Arising before dawn, meditating, positively energising oneself and ones surroundings, asanas, pranayams, frugal , healthy , nutritious, vegetarian diet, spiritual ponderings, efforts to contain ones thoughts in complete awareness,bonding with fellow ‘yogis’.
It was unimaginable that we, as in product of our times,a fairly pampered lot, fairly accustomed to our taken-for-granted- luxuries, would take to this simplified version of hermit-like life with amazing adaptability. Makes one wonder at the play of genes, and their responsibility towards this ready acceptance. We might have been a rather sane species , I suspect, in our previous ‘yogi’ avatars. Or am I speaking only for myself here? 🙂
At the end of our stay, none of us wanted to leave. We had felt cocooned and safe. Our body had been nourished, de-toxified and refreshed. The soul felt rejuvenated and cleansed of the burden of seemingly impervious impurities. We were as good as new.
Having to return to the world which now seemed strange, wicked,and bereft of innocence and its appreciation, made us misfits who had been condemned to hell after having had a taste of heaven. After teary farewells, much hugging, promises of undying friendships, keep-in-touch pleadings, we were grudgingly transported back to our homes by clueless family members,who having just witnessed an overly dramatic, emotional scene, were not quite able to fathom what the hullabaloo was all about, especially since at the commencement, a couple of weeks ago, we seemed a motley group of mature adults. This transformation was understandably, unimaginable.
The question that befuddled however was ‘How does one replicate the peace of that life ‘inside’ whilst in the world outside?”
Difficult but not impossible. After years of R&D, yours truly is gifting you the kernel of ‘her experimments with truth’, tried and tested, guaranteed.
What is needed is unwavering attention to the goal and a regular self analysis. Incorporation of the basic tenets of a yogic life, as much as possible, particularly in the areas of thought processes, diet patterns and exercises. Willful avoidance of falling into the trap of the ‘dil maange more’ mentality, so cleverly advocated by our ad gurus but so detrimental to our ‘dil’.
Apart from that , blueprint of a methodical work plan. In an effort to demolishing the wisecrack ” it is so simple to be happy, but so difficult to be simple”, let us show our mettle by proving it simply wrong. Begin at the beginning and sort out seriously, a ‘things that make me happy’ list. This is as good a start as any.. If you happen to be the ‘romantic’ kind, to whom the chirping of a bird, sound of the brook, silence of the mountains, echoes in the hills, lapping of waves on a sunlit evening, is music, then things are off to great start. Read further.( Give up, if the list includes, an island in Greece, art ,as only ‘Van Gogh’ or such like)
Recommended additions to the list,open to alteration from subjective perspective, chai and pakoras on a wet ,wet day, R.D. Burmans melodies, Mirza Ghalib’s Ghazals, the first bud on your precious black rose plant, a “mama, you are my best friend ” card from your kiddo, a warm, cheery,toothless smile from an old beggar woman who you treated to Paani Puri, the koel on your windowsill, the earthy incomparable aroma of the first rain, watching your fave film cuddled in the darkness of your room,undisturbed and free to sob heartily, being blown over by random acts of kindness from complete strangers, feeding oneself guiltlessly to huge helpings of Black Forest, while feeding the music system with Kitaro and Julio, marvelling spellbound at the myriad colors of sea-life, feeling the cool of a baby’s cheek, sharing notes such as these with your fellow beings. If any or such as these ,are capable of soaring your spirits to dizzy heights of sublime bliss…you got it made. There’s nothing to worry.
Life will turn out to be as joyful as a walk, barefoot in the park.
A true Love Story
Going back into the recesses of my mind, a voice emerges. Clear and lucid. In the throes of a party. A sea of smiling faces, laughter, mirth, camaraderie, at its best. Suddenly there was silence. An announcement was made, and an expectant hush fell over. The song began. It was resonant with melody, sounded good to the ears. A little girl was watching . She froze. Shyness seemed to take over completely. But nobody noticed nor did they care. (more…)
Swami KriyanandaJanuary 8th 2012. .The chosen date for Swami Kriyanandas book launch in Mumbai of his Biography on Paramhansa Yogananda, his Guru, at the Jamshed Bhabha Auditorium, was for the Mumbai and Pune team of us devotees, a challenge of sorts. It was Swami jis first ever public discourse in Mumbai. In the current scenario of ‘brokers’ who in the garb of religiosity peddle their wares with gusto, aggressive marketing, no holds barred publicity campaign, would Swamijis underplayed, unassuming, simple personality reach across to the souls of the real spiritual seekers in Mumbai, ‘the city that never sleeps’? Would it awaken to the call of Self Realisation and Paramhansas eternal message? Would Masters earthly representative get the welcome he and our Gurus deserved?
Swami ji was content in just serving his Guru and devoting himself to spreading his teachings for the past 63 years all over the world, that he often joked ” Ananda is the best kept secret”. But it was so important that the world get to know and hear his message. Not given to histrionics and ‘celebrity endorsing’ antics, we at Ananda believed in following the ideals of our Masters. But would the world so accustomed to screaming averments understand the integrity behind such ideas? This and other such thoughts clouded our minds. There was nothing we wanted more desperately than to have a packed theatre. Nothing less than this was good enough for Swami ji. Nothing lesser than a resounding welcome by Mumbai for Swami ji was what we were praying for and working towards.
On Hindsight..Such unfounded fears and anxieties. When the Divine has ordained and has willed Swami ji to represent him, only stupendous victory can happen and will happen! Those whose hearts were open to the call of Paramhansa, responded.
What a huge success it turned out to be! It was as if the vision emblazed on or minds had taken fruition, with nigh an absence of detail. The hall was packed to capacity,.. with a spill over.. A huge television screen was placed outside the auditorium in the lobby, to enable viewing of the event for those who weren’t lucky enough to get a seat inside.
Mumbai had welcomed Swami Ji with arms wide open.
The Biography of Paramhansa Yogananda By Swami Kriyananda
A Must read for all Paramhansa lovers..hitherto unknown facts
revealed for the first time. His miracles, divinity and simplicity.
Yours truly along with Mr Narayan Swamy , a journalist devotee who had come down from Delhi just to help out with the event, were in charge of one of the book tables. Strategically placed right opposite the entrance , we were filled with enthusiasm and gratitude to see the crowds come in on a Sunday evening , expectant, ready for the experience of a lifetime.
Even before the event could begin, crowds thronged our table. (more…)
Shirin before the attack..youthful hopeful zestful
Shirin Juwale an innocent young bride who was the victim of a criminal act of the highest order, when her husband threw acid on her face , perhaps with the intention to disfigure her forever. Well he did succeed in disfiguring her face, to some extent but failed to make any lasting impact on her indomitable spirit.
Shirin today 16 surgeries later ..confident and whole.
Acid attacks need not always be from a bottle. The tongue suffices magnificently, as is evident when you further read the story of her struggle. The principal of a college, the name of which has been with held by Shirin, out of an act of kindness ( misplaced, I would think) on a request from her to speak to the students of her NGO Palash was met with ““We only want heroes to come here. Not survivors. It does not take courage to survive,” she was told” (more…)
Mr Mohan Siroya veteran journalist and friend sent me this exclusive on his experience and comments of the IFFI GOA 2010, to be published on Sachiniti.
A DETAILED ANALYTICAL REPORT FROM MOHAN SIROYA
A DETAILED ANALYTICAL REPORT FROM MOHAN SIROYA
A COMEDY OF ERRORS AND MIS-MANAGEMENT GALORE, LACK OF FESTIVAL SPIRIT AND INFERIOR QUALITY OF SELECTED FILMS FOR “CINEMA OF THE WORLD” OBSERVED FROM START TO FINISH
IFFI 2009 -Goa perhaps had come out of teething troubles as it was better organized with large number of quality films. So this year the expectations were high about the fest ,but what the delegates and media saw was a complete chaos till first 3 days .
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