Of a Mantra, an Artwork, Choki Choki, size 34, and Being Indian....

In a heated conversation about a certain insignificant someone.

CnC: You have always been pushover.

Hdaran: Ya...(very nonchalantly) *a second or two pause* Eh, excuse me???

*roaring laughters*

I've come across as someone with a good sense of humour these days. I wonder why... I have never been able to spontaneously burst out with witty things to say but nevertheless it seems I have been doing so. Evidently, people seem to be laughing more often than not at the things I say. *quizzical looks*

Moving on...

This was captured at a mass-chanting of the Gayatri mantra 540 times for world peace. Held in the Ramakrishna Ashram, Penang. Was such an empowering experience to be able to my bit for the world and its betterment.

Artwork at Kopi Cine. Wonderful place to have coffee, cakes and chat...

Childhood... Remember this???

Me in a 34 size jeans from Kitschen, WOOHOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

The scene in an Indian Cash 'n' Carry... I love the smell of incense and with it a sense of belonging...

There was a tale to tell behind all of these pictures for if not one would have not bothered uploading.

The Mantra
An effort of seemingly great spiritual proportions; to gather 500 hundred people under one roof to chant the following:-

Om Bhur Bhuvah Suvah,

Tat Savitur Varenyam,

Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi,

Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat.

540 TIMES!!!! 

The meaning:

Oh God, the Protector, the basis of all life, Who is self-existent, Who is free from all pains and Whose contact frees the soul from all troubles, Who pervades the Universe and sustains all, the Creator and Energizer of the whole Universe, the Giver of happiness, Who is worthy of acceptance, the most excellent, Who is Pure and the Purifier of all, let us embrace that very God, so that He may direct our mental faculties in the right direction.

 http://www.eaglespace.com/spirit/gayatribywords.php

My interest in spirituality is attributable to one book Autobiography of a Yogi. It threw all my preconceived notions about God and everything in between mercilessly out of the window. I shall be forever grateful to the Saints, Yogis, Rishis, and Swamis of the world forever more because I was led to the Ultimate Truth. Have yet to experience the Bliss but my believes, approaching a stoic nature, shall help me get to HIM, the Creator of Everything.

The Artwork

Cookies and Cakes and I have been always full of alacrity at the sight of pastries (reasons why one should not wonder why "Cookies and Cakes"). The enthusiastic gay man (who finally came out to me a couple of months ago) once exclaimed in tones of pure joy that he has found yet another place to have, well, cakes and cookies and coffee in a quaint little setting. 

CnC: But its rather pricey though. I mean 10 to 12 bucks for a slice of cake. 

Hdaran: Its ok, if the cakes are as good as you say there are then I guess we're in for a delightful visit.

He decided, on an occasion to patronise the place, to bring along a new acquaintance, Candy Skirt. Like CnC, she reads law. Fashionable yet I always felt she could do better. Oh well, who am I to talk. 

Kopi Cine as it is called, is charming as it is welcoming. A wonderful menu with beautifully baked and simply presented cakes. Enough said. I also did adore the idea of a white sheet of paper clipped on to each table and container of crayons to work out something while having a conversation. Results of that occasion is The Artwork. Charming, absolutely charming.

Choki Choki

I was at a sundry shop belonging to one of dad's bestie when i came across this. Choki Choki!!! I was immediately drawn back to my childhood, sweet, gay memories of nothing but endless running around; carefree and ignorant...

Uncle Shan: Take la, I give u, free....

Hdaran: Thankiyiew!!! My God, I haven't had this in ages. (Used to be the only snack in between meals at one point of my life...)

Uncle Shan: Hahaha. Yala, remember how you and your brother used to come and eat them here when you were small...

Hdaran: *grins*

I miss being a child.

Size 34

One day before horror. Went out with Miss Sincere Adequacy, and tried out a pair of 34 size pants @ Kitschen and it FIT. The joy!!! After so many painful months i am a 34!!! Couldn't help but stare at it again and again.

Being Indian (Indian Cash N Carry)

When I was in KL, we (Mr. P, my Indian gang and I) used to waste our times at places where Indian shops were abundant i.e. Brickfields, Masjid India etc. Although one has to admit the severity of boredom was almost inexplicable, yours truly used to take comfort in rejoicing with the Indian'ness' of the entire scenario. Stacks of colourful sarees, rows of intricate Punjabi suits, inexhaustible sources of costume jewellery (the heavy necklaces and ear-rings Indian women adorn with sarees), bangles of every imaginable colour, pottus of every conceivable style, and Indian products of every doable use; very least to say that the list goes on. 

I drove my aunt to a 'Cash N Carry' about 5 minutes away from grandma's place a day before my birthday to get some supplies for an important religious celebration for the Hindu deity Vinayaga (the One with the Elephant Head). Incidentally, it fell on my birthday. And lo and behold the scene of that shop took me back to KL... Although the Island boasts streets lined with such similar retails I was intrigued by this one because it seemed so near my home and yet took me 400 kilometres away from it. Ah... the sweet memories of being in love and inevitably the painful ones too...

I have always told myself this. 

There is always, ALWAYS, a reason behind every single course in life. 

Be the outcomes bad;

The decisions erroneous;

Or the happenings excruciating;

It will definitely or indefinitely teach us, give us or bless us with something.

That is what we should lead ourselves to believe is important because it is then we will take everything that comes in our way in the most accepting way. When we accept and embrace the coming, the reaping is ours to take. And trust me when I say that when you reap unfortunate events in your life, you'll become the best student it creates.

"Nothing may be truly said to be 'miracle' except in the profound sense that everything is a miracle"

-Paramahansa Yogananda.