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Friday, April 24, 2026

Retelling the Classics: Kashidasi Mahabharat & Krittivasi Ramayan

 For over a decade, these blogs have been a home for the English translation of the [Kashidasi Mahabharat / Krittivasi Ramayan]. I am grateful to the thousands of readers who have used this space as a concise reference for these Bengali vernacular classics.

While this archive will remain online for those seeking a short, direct telling of the text, I am excited to announce a new project that takes this work much deeper.

Introducing: Written by Babu

At my new site: Written by Babu, I am revisiting these texts. Instead of a translation, I am now detailing the epics page-by-page and chapter-by-chapter, providing:

  • Expanded Narratives: A more immersive retelling of the stories.
  • Deep Analysis: Insights into the regional nuances of Bengali traditions.

Which site should you use?

  • Stay here if you need a quick, complete summary of the chapters.
  • Join me at Written by Babu if you want to explore the "why" behind the stories with three new detailed posts every week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday).

Thank you for being part of this journey for the last eleven years. I look forward to seeing you in our new, more detailed home.

Monday, September 01, 2025

Story of Puloma - from Mahabharata

 I have posted 2 videos from Mahabharata on Youtube on Puloma.

Puloma is a lesser known character from Mahabharata. The two videos talk about her story and how she gave birth to her son and a river. 

Sharing the links to the videos here. If you like this and content like this, do like , share and subscribe to the channel. 

 Video links:




Thursday, July 10, 2025

Why I am planning to move my Hindu Scripture Blog to Substack: Lessons in Discoverability

 As an avid researcher passionate about the ancient Indian Hindu scriptures, my goal has always been to share my findings and insights with a wider audience. When I started my blog, my initial choice was Blogger (https://kathaofdevas.blogspot.com/) – a free, familiar platform from Google itself, which seemed like a natural fit for my content.

However, after months of dedicated effort in researching and writing, it became clear that a fundamental hurdle was preventing my content from reaching its intended readers through Google Search. Despite a technically sound website, my posts were simply not being discovered by the very search engine I hoped would bring them to light.

The Blogger Experience: A Paradox of Performance and Invisibility

From a technical standpoint, my Blogger site was, by all accounts, performing exceptionally well. According to Google's own PageSpeed Insights – a tool that assesses website performance and SEO – my site consistently achieved strong scores:

  • Performance: Consistently in the high 90s (98-99) for both mobile and desktop.

  • Accessibility: A perfect 100 for both.

  • Best Practices: A perfect 100 for both.

  • SEO: A perfect 100 for both.

These scores indicated a fast, user-friendly, and highly optimized website. I was confident that my efforts in creating valuable, original research on these ancient texts would soon lead to discovery in search results.

The Unseen Wall: "General HTTP Error" and Zero Indexed Pages

Despite these excellent metrics, a critical and persistent barrier emerged within Google Search Console (GSC) – the official tool Google provides to monitor how your site performs in its search results. For months, GSC repeatedly reported that my sitemap (https://kathaofdevas.blogspot.com/sitemap.xml) "could not be read" due to a "General HTTP error."

This was a fundamental communication breakdown: Google's automated crawlers, which discover and process website content, were literally unable to fetch the sitemap file. A sitemap acts like a roadmap for search engines, guiding them to all the pages on your site. If the roadmap can't be read, new content goes undiscovered.

As a direct and persistent consequence of this error, my Blogger site registered zero indexed pages in Google Search. This meant that despite my research, my blog was invisible to anyone searching for related topics on Google. All the traffic my blog did receive came from direct links shared on social media – Google Search played no part in it.

This wasn't an issue with my content's quality, my on-page SEO efforts (how well individual pages are optimized), or even my site's speed. It was a platform-level server error, entirely outside of my control as a user. Attempts to seek resolution in community forums, while appreciated, confirmed that these were systemic issues inherent to the platform for some users, with no clear fix available from my end.

The Substack Solution: Immediate Discoverability (Planned Migration)

Facing this prolonged invisibility for my hard work, I began to explore alternative publishing platforms. I decided to try Substack, primarily known for newsletters, but also offering robust blogging capabilities. My initial tests with Substack, involving a smaller set of content, have shown a stark contrast.

Within days of setting up my Substack publication (https://writtenbybabu.substack.com/) and submitting its RSS feed (which serves as its sitemap) to Google Search Console, I saw an immediate and crucial change:

The sitemap was successfully read by Google Search Console. Crucially, pages on my Substack publication began to be "Discovered" and indexed by Google Search almost instantly. My content was finally becoming discoverable, eligible to appear in search results.

The Trade-off: Speed vs. Visibility

It's worth noting an interesting trade-off: Substack's PageSpeed scores are not as high as my Blogger site's were, with mobile performance typically in the 40s and desktop in the 60s.

While not ideal, these scores are secondary to the primary goal: getting indexed. A platform that might be slightly slower but ensures content is actually found by search engines is, for me, infinitely more valuable than a lightning-fast site that remains invisible. Substack also offers excellent features for organizing content into sections (perfect for my Hindu scripture research topics), and powerful audience-building tools.

Lessons Learned for Content Creators

My journey from Blogger's persistent indexing challenges to Substack's promising initial results has led me to a critical conclusion:

  • Technical reliability and basic discoverability (a working sitemap and successful indexing) are non-negotiable for online content. Without these fundamental elements, even the best content remains hidden from search engines.

  • While free platforms can be a great starting point, sometimes inherent, fundamental issues outside a creator's control can severely limit reach and negate efforts.

  • Always monitor your site's indexing status in Google Search Console. If you face persistent, unresolvable issues like "sitemap could not be read" errors, don't hesitate to explore alternative platforms that prioritize seamless search engine compatibility.

I am now planning to migrate my Puranas research blog to Substack soon, excited that my work can finally reach the broader audience it's intended for through search, in addition to social media.

Thank you for following my journey. You can find my latest posts at https://writtenbybabu.substack.com/.

Saturday, March 15, 2025

 I plan to post tales from the Puranas. 

Please follow on 


https://kathaofdevas.blogspot.com/

I have started posting on Markandeya Purana here



Sunday, October 31, 2021

Lakshmi Panchali Part 3

 মালক্ষ্মী করিল তথা পুনরাগমন।

Ma lokkhi korilo totha punaragaman

অচিরে হইল গৃহ শান্তি নিকেতন।
achire hilo griho shanti niketon
দৈবযােগে একদিন বৃদ্ধার আলয়ে।
debjoge ekdin briddhar alaye
উপনীত এক নারী ব্রতের সময়ে ||
upanita ek nari broter somoy
ব্রতকথা শুনি তার ভক্তি উপজিল ।
brotokotha shuni tar bhokti upajilo
লক্ষ্মীব্রত করিবারে মানস করিল ৷
lokkhibrata karibare manas korilo
স্বামী তার চিররুগ্ন অক্ষম অর্জনে।
swami tar chirarugna akkham arjane
ভিক্ষা করি যাহা পায় খায় দুইজনে।
bhikkha kori jaha paye khaye duijone
এই কথা চিন্তি নারী করিছে কামনা।
ei kotha chinti nari koriche kamona
নিরােগ স্বামীরে কর চরণে বাসনা ॥
nirog swamire kor chorone basona
ঘরে গিয়ে এয়ো লয়ে করো লক্ষ্মীব্রত ।
ghore giye eyo loye koro lokkhibroto
ভক্তিসহ সাধবী নারী পুজে বিধিমত ৷৷
bhoktisoho sadhabi nari puje bidhimoto
দেবীর কৃপায় তার দুঃখ হলাে দূর।
debir kripaye tar dukha holo dur
পতি হলাে সুস্থ দেহ ঐশ্বৰ্য্য প্রচুর ॥
poti holo shustho deho oishorjo prochur
কালক্রমে শুভদিনে জন্মিল তনয়।
kalkrome shubhdine jonmilo tonoy
সংসার হইল তার সুখের আলয় ।
songsar hoilo tar sukher aloy
দয়াময়ী লক্ষ্মীমাতা সদয় হইল।
doyamoyi lokkhimata sodoy hoilo
রূপবান পুত্র এক তাহার জন্মিল ||
rupban putra ek tahar jonmilo
এইরূপে লক্ষ্মীব্রত করে ঘরে ঘরে।
eirupe lokkhibroto kore ghore ghore
প্রচারিত হলো ক্রমে অবন্তী নগরে।।
procharito holo krome krome abanti nogore
শুন শুন এয়ােগণ এক অপূর্ব ব্যাপার
shun shun treyogon ek opurbo byapar
ব্রতের মাহাত্ম হ’ল যে ভাবে প্রচার ।
broter mahatma holo je bhabe prochar

অবন্তী নগরে এক গৃহস্থ ভবনে।
abanti nogore ek grihasta bhobone
এয়ােগণ লক্ষ্মীব্রত করে একমনে ||
treyogon lokkhi broto kore ek mone
সহসা সেখানে এলাে বণিক তনয়।
sohosa sekhane elo bonik tonoy
উপনীত হলাে তথা ব্রতের সময় ।
upanito holo totha broter somoy
ধনরত্ন আদি করি ভাই পঞ্চজন।
dhanratna adi kori bhai panchajan
পরস্পর অনুগত রয় সবর্জন ।
parampar anugata roye sarbajan
ব্রত দেখি হেলা করি সাধুর তনয়।
brot dekhi hela kori sadhur tonoy
বলে একি ব্রত, ইথে কিবা ফলােদায় ॥
bole eki brot eithe kiba folodoye
সদাগর বাক্য শুনি বলে বামাগণ।
sodagar bakka shuni bole bamagan
করি লক্ষ্মীব্রত যাতে কামনা পূরণ ॥
kori lokkhi broto jate kamana puran
পুনরায় কৃপা দৃষ্টি দেন সদাগরে |
punaraye kripa drishte den sadagare
এই ব্রত যে করিবে ধনে জনে তার।
ei broto je koribe dhone jone tar
লক্ষ্মী বরে হবে তার সােনার সংসার
lokkhi bore hobe tar sonar songsar
শুনি তাহা সদাগর বলে অহঙ্কারে
shuni taha sodagor bole ahankare
যে জন অভাবে থাকে সে পূজে উহারে ॥
je jon obhabe thake se puje uhare
সাধুর সংসার হলাে পূর্বের মতন।
sadhur songsar holo purber moton
ধনৈশ্বৰ্য ভােগ আদি যা কিছু সম্ভবে।
dhon oishorjo bhog adi ja kichu sombhobe
সবই তাে আমার আছে আর কিবা হবে৷৷
sobi to amar aache aar kiba hobe
ভাগ্যে না থাকিলে লক্ষ্মী কিবা দিবে ধন।
bhaggo na thakile lokkhi kiba dibe dhon
হেন কথা কভু আমি না শুনি কখন।
hen kotha kobhu ami na shuni kokhono
অহঙ্কার বাক্য লক্ষ্মী সহিতে না পারে
ohonkar bakka lokkhi sohite na pare
গর্বের কারণে লক্ষ্মী ছাড়িল তাহারে ||
gorber karone lokkhi chharilo tahare
অহঙ্কার বাক্য লক্ষ্মী সহিতে না পারে
ohonkar bakka lokkhi sohite na pare
গর্বের কারণে লক্ষ্মী ছাড়িল তাহারে ॥
gorber karone lokkhi chharilo tahare
ধনমদে মত্ত হয়ে লক্ষ্মী করি হেলা।
dhonmode motto hoye lokkhi kori hela
নানা রত্ন পূর্ণ তরী বাণিজ্যেতে গেলা।।
nana rotne purno tori banijjote gelo
দৈবযােগে লক্ষ্মী কোপে সহ ধনজন।
debjoge lokkhi kope soho dhonjon
সপ্ততরী জলমধ্যে হইল নিমগন ।
soptotori jolmoddhe hoilo nimgon


গৃহমধ্যে ধনৈশ্বর্য যা ছিল তাহার।
grihomoddhe dhonoishorjo ja chhilo tahar
বজ্রাঘাতে দগ্ধ হয়ে হলাে ছারখার।
brajaghate dogdho hoye holo chharkhar
দূরে গেল ভ্রাতৃভাব হলাে ভিন্ন অন্ন।
dure gelo bhratribhab holo bhinno bhinno
সােনার সংসারে তার সকলে বিপন্ন।
sonar songsar tar sokole biponno
ভিক্ষাজীবী হায়ে সবে ফিরে ঘরে ঘরে।
bhikkhajibi haye sobe phire ghore ghore
পেটের জ্বালায় ঘােরে দেশ দেশান্তরে।
peter jwalaye ghore desh deshantare
এরূপ হইল কেন বুঝিতে পারিল।।
eirup hoilo keno bujhite parilo
কেঁদে কেঁদে লক্ষ্মীস্তব করিতে লাগিল৷৷
kende kende lokkhistob korite lagilo
সদয়া হইল লক্ষ্মী তাহার উপরে।
sodoya hoilo lokkhi tahar udoye
পুনরায় কৃপা দৃষ্টি দেন সদাগরে ।
punaraye kripa drishti den sodagore
মনে মনে মা লক্ষ্মীরে করিয়া প্রণাম
mone mone ma lokkhire koriya pronam
ব্রতের সংকল্প করি আসে নিজ ধাম॥
broter sonkolpa kori ashe nija dham
লক্ষ্মীব্রত করে সাধু লয়ে বধুগণ।।
lokkhibrata kore sadhu loye bodhugon
সাধুর সংসার হলাে পূর্বের মতন |
sadhur songhsar holo purber moton
এইভাবে লক্ষ্মীব্রত মর্ত্যেতে প্রচার।
eibhabe lokkhibroto mortete prochar
সদা মনে রেখাে সবে লক্ষ্মীব্রত সার।
soddya mone rekho lokkhibroto saar
এই ব্রত যেই নারী করে একমনে।।
ei broto jei nari kore ek mone
লক্ষ্মীর কৃপায় সেই বাড়ে ধনে জনে ।
lokkhir kripyae shei bare dhone jone
করযােড় করি হাত ভক্তি যুক্ত মনে।
korojore kori hath bhokti jukto mone
করহ প্রণাম এবে যে থাক যেখানে।
koroho pronam ebe je thako jekhane
ব্রতকথা যেবা পড়ে যেবা রাখে ঘরে ।
brotokotha jeba pore jeba rakhe ghore
লক্ষ্মীর কৃপায় তার মনােবাঞ্ছা পুরে ॥
lokkhir kripaye tar monobanchhona pure
লক্ষ্মীর ব্রতের কথা বড় মধুময়।
lokkhir brotokotha boro modhumoy
প্রণাম করিয়া যাও যে যার আলয় ।
proname koriya jao je jar aaloy
লক্ষ্মী ব্রতকথা হেথা হৈল সমাপন।
lokkhi brotokotha hetha hoilo samapan
মনের আনন্দে বল লক্ষ্মীনারায়ণ।
mpner anande bolo lokkhinarayan

Monday, October 18, 2021

Lakshmi Panchali Part 2

 অবন্তী নগরে লক্ষ্মী হ’ল উপনীত।

Avanti Nagare Lokkhi holo Uponito

দেখিয়া শুনিয়া হ’ল বড়ই স্তম্ভিত।
Dekhiya shuniya holo boroi stambitho
নগরের লক্ষপতি ধনেশ্বর রায়।
Nagarer Lakkhapati Dhaneshwar Ray
অগাধ ঐশ্বর্য তার কুবেরের প্রায়।
Agadh aishorjo tar Kuberer praye
সােনার সংসার তার শূন্য হিংসা দ্বেষ।
Sonar songsar tar sonya hingsha dwesh
প্রজাগণে পালিত সে পুত্র নির্বিশেষে ৷
prajagane palita se putra nirbisheshe
এক অন্নে সাত পুত্র রাখি ধনেশ্বর।
ek anne saat putra rakhi dhaneshwar
যথাকালে সসম্মানে গেল লােকান্তর ||
jatha kale sasammane gelo lokantar
পিতার মৃত্যুর পর সপ্ত সহােদর।
pitar mrityur por sapta sahodar
হইল পৃথক অন্ন সপ্ত সহােদর ।
hoilo prithak anna sapta sahodar
ক্রমে ক্রমে লক্ষ্মীদেবী ছাড়িল সবারে।
krame krame lokkhi debi chharilo sabare
সােনার সংসার সব গেল ছারখারে।
sonar songshar sab gelo chharkhare
বৃদ্ধা ধনেশ্বর পত্নী না পারি তিষ্ঠিতে।
briddha dhaneshwar patni na pari tishtite
গহণ কাননে যায় জীবন ত্যজিতে।
gahan kanane jaye jeban tyajite
হেনকালে ছদ্মবেশে দেবী নারায়ণী।
henkale chhaddabeshe debi narayani
বন মাঝে উপনীত হলেন আপনি।
Bon maajhe uponito holen apani

মধুর বচনে দেবী জিজ্ঞাসে বৃদ্ধারে।
Madhur bachanedebi jiggashe briddhare
কিজন্য এসেছ তুমি গহণ কান্তারে ।
kijonne esecho tumi gahan kantare
কাঁদিতে কাদিতে বৃদ্ধা অতি দুঃখভরে।
kandite kandite briddha ati dukhbhare
তাহার ভাগ্যের কথা বলিল লক্ষ্মীরে।
tahar bhagger katha bolio lokkhire
সহিতে না পারি আর সংসার যাতনা।
sahite na pari aar sangsar jatana


ত্যজিব জীবন আমি করেছি বাসনা ।
Tajebi jibon ami korechi basana
লক্ষ্মীদেবী বলে শুন আমার বচন।
Lokkhidebi bole shono amar bachan
মহাপাপ আত্মহত্যা নরকে গমন।
Mahapap atmyahatya narake gaman
আমি বলি সাধবী তুমি কর লক্ষ্মীব্রত।
ami boli sadhabi tumi koro lokkhibroto
দুঃখ রবি অস্ত যাবে হবে পূবমত।
dukkha robi oste jabe hobe purbomoto
মনেতে লক্ষ্মীর মূর্তি করিয়া চিন্তন।
monete lokkhir murti koriya chintan
একমনে ব্রতকথা করিবে শ্রবণ ।
Ekmone bratakatha koribe shraban
ঘরে গিয়ে এয়াে লয়ে কর লক্ষ্মীব্রত।
ghore giye eyo loye koro lokkhibroto
যেই গৃহে লক্ষ্মীব্রত গুরুবারে হয়।
jei ghore lokkhibroto gurubare hoye
বাঁধা থকে লক্ষ্মী তথা জানিও নিশ্চয় ।
bandha thake lokkhi tatha janio nischoy
বলিতে বলিতে দেবী নিজ মূর্তি ধরি।
bolite bolite debi nija murti dhori
দরশন দিল তারে লক্ষ্মী কৃপা করি ।
darshan dilo tar lokkhi kripa kori
মূর্তি হেরি বৃদ্ধা তারে প্রণাম করিল।
murti heri briddha tare pranam korilo
আনন্দিত হয়ে বৃদ্ধা গৃহেতে ফিরিল ৷
anadita hoye briddha grihete phirilo
গৃহেতে ফিরিয়া বৃদ্ধা করিল বর্ণন।
grihete phiriya briddha korilo barnan
যেরূপে ঘটিল তার দেবী দরশন।
je rupe ghatilo tar debi darshan
ব্রতের বিধান সব বধূদের বলে ।
brater bidhan sab bahudure bole
শুনি বধুগণ ব্রত করে কৌতূহলে ॥
shuni bodhugan brata kore koutuhole
বধূগণ লয়ে বৃদ্ধা করে লক্ষ্মীব্রত।
bodhugan loye briddhan kore lokkhibrata
হিংসা দ্বেষ-স্বার্থ ভাব হৈল তিরােহিত।
hingsha dwesh swartho bhab hoilo tirohito

Friday, October 15, 2021

Lakshmi Panchali - Part 1

Due to the demands, posting the transliterated version .

I do not have a Panchali - so the lyrics had to be taken from 

Panchali

This is part 1 - I will cover the other parts over the next few weeks.


দোল পূর্ণিমার নিশি নির্মল আকাশ।

Dol Purnimar Nishi Nirmal Aakash|

ধীরে ধীরে বহিতেছে মলয় বাতাস ।।

Dheere Dheere bahiteche Malay Batash||
লক্ষ্মীদেবী বামে করি বসি নারায়ণ।

Lakshmidevi baame kori boshi Narayan|
করিতেছে নানা কথা সুখে আলাপন ||

Kariteche nana kotha sukhe alapan||
সেইকালে বীণা হস্তে নারদ মুনিবর।

Shei kaale beena haste narad munibar|
লক্ষ্মী নারায়ণে নমি কহিল বিস্তর।

Lokkhi Narayane nomi kohilo bistor|
ঋষি বলে মাগাে তব কেমন বিচার।

Rishi Bole Mago tobo kemon bichar|
সর্বদা চঞ্চলা হয়ে ফির দ্বারে দ্বার ৷

Sorboda chanchala hoye phiro dware dwar|
মর্ত্যবাসী সদা তাই ভুগিছে দুর্গতি।

Mritobashi sada tai bhugiche durgati|
ক্ষণেকের তরে তব নাহি কোথা স্থিতি।

Khoneker tore tobo naahi kotha stithi|
প্রতিদিন অন্নভাবে সবে দুঃখ পায়।

Pratidin annabhabe sobe dukkha paye|
প্রতি গৃহে অনশন জীর্ণ-শীর্ণকায় ॥

Prati grihe anshan jirna shirnakaye||
নারদের বাক্য শুনি লক্ষ্মী ঠাকুরাণী।।

Narader bakya shuni Lokkhi thakurani ||
সঘনে নিঃশ্বাস ত্যজি কহে মৃদুবাণী ।।

Soghone nishhash tyaji kahe Modhubani ||
বৃহস্পতিবারে মিলি যত এয়ােগণে।

Brihshpatibare mili joto treyogone|
বাড়িবে ঐশ্বৰ্য্য তাহে তােমার কৃপায়।

Baribe oishiorjo tahe tomar kripaye|
দুঃখ কষ্ট দূরে যাবে তােমার দয়ায় ॥

Dukkha Koshto Dure jabe tomar doyaye||
শ্রীহরির বাক্য শুনি আনন্দিত মনে।

Srihari r Bakka shuni anandita mone|
মর্তে চলিলেন লক্ষ্মী ব্রত প্রচারণে।

Morte cholinen Lakshmi brata pracharane|
অবন্তী নগরে লক্ষ্মী হ’ল উপনীত।

Abanti Nagare Lokkhi holo uponito|
দেখিয়া শুনিয়া হ’ল বড়ই স্তম্ভিত।

Dekhiya shuniya holo boroi stambhito|
নগরের লক্ষপতি ধনেশ্বর রায়।

Nagarer Lokkhopati Dhaneshwar Ray|
অগাধ ঐশ্বৰ্য্য তার কুবেরের প্রায়।

Ogadh Oishorjo tar Kuberer Pryae|
সােনার সংসার তার শূন্য হিংসা দ্বেষ ।

Sonar songsar tar shunya hingsha dwesh|
প্রজাগণে পালিত সে পুত্র নির্বিশেষে ॥

Prajagone Palito se putra nirbisheshe||
যথাকালে সসম্মানে গেল লােকান্তর ।।

Jathakale sasammane gelo lokantar||
কভুনা কাহার প্রতি আমি করি রােষ।

Kobhna kahar prati ami kori rosh|
পিতার মৃত্যুর পর সপ্ত সহােদর।

Pitar mritur por sapta sahadar|
হইল পৃথক অন্ন সপ্ত সহােদর ||

Hoilo prithak anna sapta sahadar||
নরনারী দুঃখ পায় নিজ কর্মদোষ ॥

Naranari dukkha paye nija karma dosh||
যাও তুমি ঋষির ত্রিলােক ভ্রমণে।

Jao tumi rishibar trilok bhramane|
ইহার বিধান আমি করিব যতনে ॥

Ihar bidhan ami koribo jotone||
অতঃপর চিন্তি লক্ষ্মী নারায়ণে কয়।।

aAth por Lokkhi Narayane Koye||
কিরূপে হরিব দুঃখ কই দয়াময় ।

Kirupre horibo dukkha koi doyamoy|
হরি কহে শুন সতী বচন আমার।

Hari kohe shono Sati bachan amar|
মর্ত্যধামে লক্ষ্মী ব্রত করহ প্রচার ।।।

Marta dhame Lokkhi broto koroho prochar|||

বৃহস্পতিবারে মিলি যত এয়ােগণে।

Brihaspatibare Mili joto treyogone|
সন্ধ্যাবেলা পূজার কথা শুনি ভক্তিমনে।

Sondhabela Pujar kotha shuni bhaktimone|
বাড়িবে ঐশ্বর্যা তাহে তােমার কৃপায়।।

Baribe oishorjo tahe tomar kripyae||
দুঃখ কষ্ট দূরে যাবে তােমার দয়ায় ||

Dukkha Koshto dure jabe tomar doyaye||
শ্রীহরির বাক্য শুনি আনন্দিত মনে।

SriHarir Bakkya shuni anandita mone|
মর্তে চলিলেন লক্ষ্মী ব্রত প্রচারণে ॥

Morte cholilen Lokkhi broto pracharane||

Monday, December 09, 2019

Reminiscences of San Francisco through Armistead Maupin and things like sexuality

I am not sure how it really started. Maybe because i was sick, at home and wanted to watch something.
While browsing Netflix i came across Tales of the city, the new series Ok, what the hell.
So i started watching on Friday hoping to finish the series by Sunday.
And by Saturday i had finished the season but also an episode of the original Tales of the city.
I am not going to review the series. But then all the time i was thinking, why the hell was i staying in Daly City and not in Russian Hill or Nob hill.

So this weekend has been thinking of what i could have done different if i was there now.
I was in Castro a few times but had no clue then what that meant. Now, maybe I could ecplore that area.

So maybe my thoughts and dreams would remain in my head, and i would go as society wants me (atleast the society i grew up in).

The series have got me seriously thinking on sexuality. On bisexuality. On ecploring so called forbidden avenues.

And now i am wondering if i was to explore a different side, how would i go.about it.

I hate sites where you hook up and break up. Feel like a white, reading the comments. People just saying Hi, Sex, When.

I want to explore and yet take it gently. Maybe being single helps.

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Lakshmi Panchali

I was getting multiple requests for the Panchali of Lakshmi. Below is the Translation (effort made) of the same.


The Mantra with which Lakshmi is to be worshiped is

Om Trailokaya poojite devi kamle Vishnuvallabahe
Yatha tva susthira Krushne tatha bhav matisthira
Ishwari kamla Laxmischala murti Haripriya
Padmapedmalaya sampad rama Shri padamdharini
Dwadshaitani namami Laxmisampujaya ya pathet
Sthira Laxmibhravet tasya putradimi saha

The Story

A clear full moon night of Dol (Holi) 
Sweet breeze was flowing
With Lakshmi on his left, Vishnu was sitting 
And both were talking about many things.

At that moment with a veena in his hand
Narada the sage came there
Bowing to both Lakshni and Vishnu 
He addressed them.

He said - O Mother Why this injustice.
You are always moving around
You are not stationary 
And the people on earth are suffering.

People are dying for food
They are thin and sick.
Hearing this Lakshmi
Sighed and said

I am not ever angry at anyone
People are suffering because of their actions.
O sage you go on your trip around the universe
While I try to fix this.

Then worried she said to Vishnu
How will I solve this issue.
Vishnu said - Devout wife, listen to me.
Have your tale told on earth.

On a Thursday let the women
Woship you and listen to your tale with full devotion.
They will become rich
Their sorrows will be absolved.

Happy to hear the words of Vishnu
Lakshmi left for the earth to make the tale popular.
She landed in the kingdom of Avanti
And started wondering.

There was a king Dhaneshwar Rai
He was very rich with wealth like that of Kubera.
He had no malice in his heart
And ruled his subjects like his own children.

He died leaving seven sons
After his death the seven sons separated.
They set up establishments.
Prosperity left them.

Seeing this their mother tried to get things sorted
Failing which she left for the forest to end her life.
In disguise Lakshmi 
Went to the forest and approached the lady.

In a sweet voice
She asked the old lady why she was in the forest.
Crying 
The lady started telling her tale.

I am not able to bear this life
I am planning to kill myself.
Lakshmi said Listen to me
Suicide is a grave sin.

Listen to me O lady start reading the story of Lakshmi
Your grief will be gone and all will be like before.
Thinking of the image of Lakshmi
Reading the story of Lakshmi, concentrating on it.

The house in which this takes place on a Thursday
Becomes the abode of Lakshmi.
Saying this Lakshmi showed her true self to the old lady
Seeing Lakshmi, the lady fell at Her feet and then returned to her house.

She told all her daughters in law
How she saw Lakshmi
She told them the importance of the story of Lakshmi
Hearing this all started reading the story of Lakshmi, curious to see results.

With her daughters in law, they all recited the story
And all malice vanished from there.
Lakshmi came back to the household
And the house became prosperous.

One day a lady came to the house, as by providence
When the story of Lakshmi was being recited.
Hearing the story of Lakshmi she was impressed
And wanted to recite the story herself.

Her husband was sick
And they had to survive by begging.
Thinking of this the lady wished
For her husband to be cured.

She was advised to go home and recite the story of Lakshmi
She went home and with full devotion recited the story of Lakshmi
With the blessings of Lakshmi her worries vanished
Husband was cured and regained his youth.
In time, on an auspicious day
She gave birth to a son.
The son was a handsome boy.
Thus the story of Lakshmi became popular
And word spread from person to person.
News spread out in the city of Avanti.
Listen O ladies 
How the word spread.

In the city of Avanti
In a family the ladies were reciting the story of Lakshmi.
Suddenly the son of a merchant arrived there.
And came when the story was being recited.

Seeing this he wanted to know
What would be the results of this worship.
Hearing this the ladies said
We are doing it to please Lakshmi and get what we want.
Who ever does this
Will prosper.

Hearing this the merchant said
What is the use of this for me, who has all the wealth.
If there is no luck 
Then what wealth will Lakshmi give me.

This was something Lakshmi could not bear
And she left the merchant.
All the merchant's ships which had gone for trading
All sank in the waters.

All the wealth that was in the merchant's house vanished
He was reduced to nothing.
He and his family was reduced to begging
And would roam in distant places in search of food.

Realizing his mistake 
He started praying to Lakshmi.
Lakshmi was pleased
And blessed the merchant.

Coming back home
He saw all had been restored and it was all like in the olden days.

Thus the word of Lakshmi 
Spread all over.
Remember this story all
Blessings of Lakshmi will remove all obstacles.

With folded hands
Pray to Lakshmi wherever you are.

Whoever reads this story and keep the book at home
Gets the blessings of Lakshmi.
All wishes are granted.

The story of Lakshmi is beautiful
Pray and go to your houses.
This is the end of the story of Lakshmi
With joy take the name of Lakshmi and Vishnu.



Tuesday, October 08, 2019

Another Puja

It's strange. 2 years since I posted something here.
Time goes, work increases.
What happened in the last years - I m 2 years older, had a vacation in Chennai last year, had trips to Kolkata.

Today is VijayaDashami. The day Durga goes back. This year I went around and saw a few Pujas in the city.
And this year, like all years, feeling sad. Going away of Durga reminds me of my mother. Except that Durga will be back next year.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Mahalaya 2017

The coming of Durga - the start of the annual festival of celebration of the Mother Goddess.
Unfortunately that charm is gone now.

The last time I actually went around watching the decorated Idols of Durga was in 2014. Since then, the charm of Durga Puja is gone.

Instead of joy, it brings sadness. The void deepens, sad memories come in.

And this year, there is no holiday for Puja, and I did not ask for one too.

Anyway, work up early to hear Mahalaya. With no radio at home, turned to the idiot box. Watched the decked up actresses dance as Durga. Did not find it interesting.

I find it better to listen to the recording of Mahalaya on Youtube.


Tuesday, July 11, 2017

2 years

Its been over 2 years since Ma left.

In Delhi again for the annual puja.

Was going through things and found some of Ma's things that I plan to tale away with me. Hope I remember to.

Monday, February 27, 2017

Thank you Kesar and Ola

OK. I never thought I would have to thank Ola ever. But today I got myself a Ola Auto while going to the hospital and an Ola Auto while coming back.
And Everytime I was charged 30 rupees which actually includes a surcharge of 10 rupees.
And ask a auto guy standing on the curb, and he starts from 100.
So Thank You Ola for the Auto service.
And thanks Kesar Sweets. Your jalebis and the chaats especially the dahi vadas are to die for. So thanks Kesar for letting me have a great lunch after a tiring day at the hospital. A meal of Rava Dosa, papdi chaat and dahi vada may not seem to be the best combination, but it rocked for me.

Cataract surgery

It has become a routine today. Last time I was wondering why it was taking this long.
The hospital tells you to be in between 7:30 and 8.
You come and they give you a room to be shared with some other patient.
The patient is told to get some drops, to be given 5 times in intervals of 5 minutes, in the eye that is to be operated.
After an hour someone will come check the patient's blood pressure.
Then an hour or two before they take the patient for the procedure.
After 30 minutes they will bring the patient back.
Another 30 minutes and a call to pay any outstanding amount that was not paid by the insurance company.
Post that, wait again.
In an hour a nurse will come with list of medicines.
Once that is purchased, they will discharge the patient usually after 3 hours of rest.
They will also give instructions of what the patient should not do and for how many days.
Today I am done till the 300 rupees payment, that was the amount not paid by insurance.
The rest is to follow.
I am targeting somewhere between 2 and 3, for a discharge.
And today there's the issue of getting a transport back home.
Bummer. Why did the strike have to happen now. 

Strikes and surgery

The latest strike reminds me of the strike last year. This strike too was linked with a hospital trip. This was when Dad had his accident.
The strike was for the Karnataka Tamil Nadu water problem.
The day Dad had his accident was 1st September. On 2nd September he had his surgery.
The surgery was scheduled at 9:30am. Around 10 they took Dad to the theatre and then I was called around 1, to be told that all was well.
I was then asked to come back in the evening. My brother was on his way, so I decided to go home and come back later with my brother.
So I looked for a Uber. Got one and went back home.
Spoke to the maid who said she would be coming in the afternoon.
As soon as I reached home, there was a call asking for me. It was Dad using the mobile phone of a nurse. I told him I could come back later in the bevening with my brother.
Brother came around 3 and we ordered pizza for lunch.
After the maid had finished, me and bro started for the hospital.
That was day one of the strike.
I must have been v lucky, that I had for a taxi while coming home.
There were no cabs. All off the road.
Me and bro took an auto.
We went to the ICU and saw Dad.
Then in his room. There I tried to book a cab.
I was to go back home and bro would stay back in the hospital.
So I tried to book a cab. Nothing. Did an advance Meru booking. That never came.
Finally, took an auto home.  

Taxi strikes

Been coping with this for the last few days now.
Dad's cataract surgery is there today, 27 February.
Saturday had to come for a check up.
Usually coming and going was a breeze. Just book a cab and get in.
Since Thursday, Ola and Uber have been on strike. No taxis. Meru is not on strike but to get a Meru has become a difficult thing.
Saturday, had to come out to the main road and get an auto to come for a checkup. While going back home, I got an auto at the hospital gate.
Today morning, tried booking cabs but nothing worked.
Then tried Ola auto. That actually worked. I had a auto guy come up to me.
For the first time in Bangalore, I was able to ride an auto for less than 100 rupees.
And I was able to get to the hospital in time.

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Cataract

I knew Dad has cataract in both eyes and it was something that needed to be done. The only thing is when. Then with his vision not being as it was, decided to get this done now.

So on 31st Jan got an appointment with the eye doctor at Shankara Eye Hospital. It took us four to five hours to complete the testing procedure. I got my eyes tested along with him also.

When the doctor saw dad, he said a surgery was needed. Okay - I was prepared for this.
When? Next week.

Ok - so , took the date for 06th February. They told us to come back on 04th for a 'fitness test'.

Dad told my brother and he said he will come for a week.

So on 04th morning we went for the 'fitness' test.

Dad was asking if they will ask him to do some walking etc. and I was telling him, walking's got nothing to do with eyes.

So the fitness test.

They took a blood sample to check for sugar, they took his blood pressure, and then they asked him to go for fitness.

The fitness was a machine which was scanning the eye lens to see how strong it was and thereby decide how the surgery would be performed.

Once that test was done, we went for to another room, where I had to sign a form - nomination form before surgery.

They gave us some eye drops that were to be applied till the surgery day.

On 06th, early morning reached the hospital.

Got a shared room and there we waited till Dad was called.

We had to wait for 2 hours before we got a call. Then he was wheeled in.

After 30 minutes he was brought back. All done.

Then, a wait for 3-4 hours before we were discharged with a list of medicines - eye drops.

Got a pair of dark glasses also.

Three days of no TV watching. No reading. No mobile phone handling. A week of not going out in the sun.

This week I went for a checkup and the doctor said the other eye needed to be operated on, soon.

More when that happens.



Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Attendant

More on the accident. Dad was discharged on the 10th of September. For sometime it was me and my brother taking care. But we needed someone to be there with him round the clock.
So I started looking out at agencies who would be able to supply a male attendant.
Most of the calls I made to agencies said they did not have people available. The others came, saw my dad, said they will send someone and then that was it.
Then thanks to Internet and Google, I found an agency called RightCare. They said they had a person available who would be able to come from 18th. That was the day when my brother left for Delhi.
The attendant came in the afternoon, a young boy.
He was there with us for a month.
And that was the time when my maid/ cook was also away. Her husband was having a surgery done. So I had to take charge. Juggling between working from home and office, cooking, cleaning - it was hectic.

Getting my dad on his feet was something. The first day he touched the walker, he said he was giddy. It took him a few days to get up from the bed and even stand holding the walker.
It took him over a month to get adjusted to the walker. The walker with physiotherapy helped.
The doctor told him, leave the walker. So in two months from the accident, after consulting the physiotherapist, I got a stick with four prongs. The piece that was delivered was defective. I had got it from an online store and I was told, they would refund the money.
I ordered another one, with three prongs.
When that came, Dad was reluctant to use that. Slowly, over a month, he got used to the walker and was able to get and walk about with that.
Around November, the doctor saw him and said this was going to be his last visit. Also, he asked Dad to slowly leave the walker also.

Today, Dad tries to walk around without any support, inside the house and takes the walker when we step out.
Good progress for a person who is over eighty four. Wonder what I will be like at that age.

Friday, February 10, 2017

A long time

Just realized that I had not scribbled here for a long time. Its been months actually.
It has been fairly happening, these last few months.

Dad's accident was the highlight. The problem with him is, he wants to do everything independently and not depend on anyone for anything. That is good, but then when you are over eighty, there are some things that one should not.
So, on the 1st of September, he said he would be going to the post office across the road to check his post office bank account.
For him, and also for me, across the road is over a kilometer. Its a six hundred meter walk from my apartment to the main road. Then another five hundred meters, on the road, till one reaches the footpath, which on the opposite side of the road, on which the post office is. Then from there, cross the road and get to the other side. Then you walk down into a basement, where the post office is.
What Dad says is, unlike the Delhi post office, which is big and fairly inefficient, this is very small but very efficient.
Any way, so on 01st September, he went to the post office. He went down the basement, spoke to the people. Came out. Decided to walk a bit and then cross the road. This would have been around 10 AM.

Around 11 AM I got a phone call from an unknown mobile number. I thought this was one of those telemarketers, calling for loans or credit cards. I took the call. The person asked me. I said Yes, speaking. The person said Someone wants to talk to you. I said Okay. Then I heard my Dad saying, he had fallen down on the road and was not able to walk.
I told him I would come there.
A colleague of mine came along with me. We kept looking everywhere and then saw him sitting on a chair near a car workshop. He said he was unable to get up.
There was a small hospital across the road. I went there and said I needed help as there was a patient across the road. The person was old and unable to walk, so an ambulance was needed.
The first reaction was - ambulance is a paid service. I said I will pay.
Then they said Sorry - we do not have one.
They sent two attendants with me, who had no clue who transport my father to the hospital.
I will not name the hospital but this was a bad experience.
Then with the help of people on the road, I managed to get my father in my colleague's car and get him into the hospital. From there, they put him in a wheel chair and took him to a doctor.
The doctor said it looked like a hip fracture and they would need to do X Rays.
This was the first time, I saw a simple X ray take 2 hours.
After the X Ray, the hospital head called me and said I will need to fix his hip, and he will be on his feet in three days.
This sounded a bit fishy.
So I told the person, thanks for your help but I will be discharging my father. I gave some reason that I had contacts in a different place and will take him there.
Reluctantly, the doctor agreed.
At 4 PM, I called Columbia Asia Hospital and asked for an ambulance.
In an hour the ambulance came and my father was transferred there. Good professional doctors. Nice environment.
Evening the doctor said they will have to operate on him and would be doing the pre-op tests.
A room was given. A night spent. Next day was the surgery. And also a Bangalore bandh. And also when my brother was coming. I had informed him about the accident so he caught a flight and came over.
The surgery got over and then I was called to the ICU. The surgeon said all was well and I could see my father in the evening. Hearing this, I came back to my apartment. Got a phone that my brother had landed.
While I was at home, got a call from a number. Again saying, someone wants to talk to you. This time it was my Dad asking where I was. I told him to relax and that I had come home for sometime and would be coming back after sometime.
Evening went back with my brother. He said he would stay in the room allocated (even though my father was in the recovery ICU) and I came back home.

Months have passed now and when I look back, it was hectic. I went with the flow and things somehow fell in place.
My father is recovering, slowly but steadily.

Monday, November 14, 2016

End of a project, another continues

Today the Ramayana came to an end. It has been a great experience re-reading the epic and retelling.

The vastness of Ramayana and Mahabharata can be easily compared - while the Ramayana is done, Mahabharata is just at the half way mark.