All the random thoughts

In a world driven by reason, strategy, and measurable outcomes, the story of Rama from the Ramayana offers a striking counter-narrative. Rama's choices often appear illogical on the surface, yet they illuminate a deeper truth—one rooted not in reason but in Dharma. When Queen Kaikeyi asked King Dasharatha to exile Rama and crown her son Bharata, it was a move that defied logic. Every citizen of Ayodhya longed for Rama to ascend the throne. Kaikeyi's manipulation was transparent. Dasharatha was broken, Bharata would never agree to take the crown this way, and public unrest was a likely outcome. Logic dictated that Rama should stay, wait for Bharata to return, and overturn Kaikeyi's irrational demands. But Rama didn’t choose logic. He chose Dharma. As a son, his duty was to honor his father’s word—even if it was unfair or politically dangerous. Rama knew that upholding Dharma would cost him comfort, power, and perhaps the goodwill of the people. But he also knew t...

We live with the illusion of control—crafting plans, chasing passions, clinging to beliefs, loving some, hating others. Our world is a mosaic of viewpoints, pursuits, politics, and faiths. And our ego is built around our positions and possessions. Yet when death knocks, none of these seem to matter. There are moments that jolt us into this realization. A man murdered on his honeymoon. A cricket team's celebration sparks a stampede, killing 11 (how ironic !) Tourists are gunned down by militants, seemingly at random. A plane crashes—not just anywhere, but onto a hospital canteen, and spares a precious few while killing.many. Civilians die in the crossfire of conflicts they neither started nor supported. To the rational mind, it looks like chaos. But what if it's not? There must be a karmic algorithm at work—one we cannot see, let alone understand. Karma is not about punishment or reward in a simplistic sense. It’s a web of actions and consequences, entangled across time and life...

What complicates life, I believe, is not what happens to us — but the context in which we live it. Each of us walks through life carrying a story. A story shaped by our experiences, encounters, and the countless decisions we are forced to make. Over time, this story becomes our worldview. We’re led to believe we’re in control — that we shape our destiny with careful choices. But if you look closely, every decision we make is already shaped by what we’ve lived through. We’re not really in control. Yet we cling to the illusion that we are. And that’s where conflict begins — where differences in perception take root. Because each person sees the world through their own lens. Their version of reality feels right, and the more they experience, the more their belief hardens. More disagreement, more friction, and even more reinforcement of the same views. But everything changes when we step outside that context. In the presence of nature — vast, untouched, and free — things become...

When Gopanna, also known as Ramadasu, wrote: “Kaarunyalaya Bhaktavarada ninu Kannadi kaanupu Rama,” he was undoubtedly referring to experiencing Rama — our inner consciousness or Paramatma personified. It is not meant to be taken literally. When we had the darshan of Prabhu Shri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, these lines by Ramadasu came to mind. Yes, they are not meant to be taken literally, but the emotion one feels while looking at Ram Lalla is such that you can’t help but feel your sight has finally fulfilled its purpose. Personally, I couldn’t have asked for more during our entire Kumbh Mela yatra. It felt as if Mother Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati had conspired with Mahadev to grant us that incredible darshan of Prabhu Ram. There are many logistical aspects one could speak about at the Kumbh Mela — the efficiency of the Yogi administration, the commitment of all the personnel involved, the cleanliness, the cleaning workforce, the elaborate arrangements that are rarely seen in any I...

"When I started this work, I couldn’t even lift much weight. I’m poor. I don’t eat well or exercise. If I’m now able to carry 70 kg all the way to the Mandir, it’s only because of Mahadev’s blessings. I’m a nobody." It was 4:30 AM. We had completed our darshan of Mahadev the evening before, and having woken up early, I had little to do. I stepped out for a walk along the temple street when a porter approached me, offering his services to carry me either down to Gaurikund or the short distance up to Kedarnath Mandir. “I’m still fit,” I told him, smiling. “I walked up yesterday and can easily manage the downhill walk.” “Aap ko kam mein kar denge, sir. Hamara boni ho jaayega. Karlo na.” His eyes were kind, and the way he pleaded made me feel guilty for being fit enough to not need his help. “Nahin yaar,” I said gently. “Ek time aayega jab hum aapke services ke laayak ho jaayenge. Tab zaroor aapka grahak banenge.” I really didn’t know how else to say no to his sincere offer....

We had a great time driving to Ahobilam from Hyderabad. We had splendid darshans of all the nine Narasimha temples, the main temple and an exhilarating journey to the top of the Ugrastambha. The Nallamala forests looked absolutely ravishing and had every attribute to lay a trap for the visiting devotees to fall in love and possibly form notions of settling there. While everything about our trip to Ahobilam was satisfying, one question remained. Who or what is Narasimha? Why did the God appear in this strange form of half human and half lion? The story goes that the demon king, Hiranya Kashipa, had the boon of immortality unless killed by someone who doesn't fall into any of regular categories of species and at a time that doesn't qualify as day or night etc. That is if we take the story at its face value. But if one strongly believes that Hindu scriptures are loaded with symbolism, then there is always a window of opportunity to deconstruct and understand the symbol...