CHUCKLE THINKING

    thoughts In the past, every parent advised their sons to perform Sandhyavandana and chant the Gayatri Mantra at least 108 times (long ago, the count was often 1,008 times). As the years passed, largely because most Brahmin males pursued professions other than puja services, this number was reduced, first to 21, and now often just to 10. Many of us know that there is a prescribed procedure in the shastras (scriptures) for counting the number of times the Gayatri Mantra is chanted during Sandhyavandana. Some people may use the tips of their fingers for counting, but this method is an individual's own invention and is not an accepted custom. To clarify the correct method of counting, I have provided two images below for the benefit of all who are unfamiliar with this procedure. The following picture illustrates the method prescribed in the Rigveda Sandhyavandanam for performing Gayatri Japa, as per the Madhwa or Vaishnava Tradition. One must use their right thumb for counting...

  thoughts Growing up, I had the unique privilege of experiencing two vastly different family value systems: one deeply rooted in India and another observed during my time in the United States. This stark dichotomy immediately sparked my curiosity, leading me to explore the psychological underpinnings of these divergent cultural values. As I reflect on my journey, I realise that the unique cultural fabric of Indian families is woven into the very essence of our being—it’s a process of deep cultural conditioning. To illustrate this phenomenon, I’d like to share a personal anecdote that sheds light on the profound impact this conditioning has had on my values, beliefs, and behaviors. A Tearful Farewell at Dallas Airport I was scheduled to return to India on May 14, 2013, after staying with my daughter in the United States for several months. My grandson, having developed a strong bond with me due to the love and affection he witnessed, was heartbroken. The day of my departure from th...

    thoughts A Hilarious Glitch in Matrimonial Software Modern technology is constantly evolving, but sometimes, the results can be unintentionally hilarious. My recent experience with a matrimonial website gave me a surprising and funny glimpse into a possible future. I'm not aware that the Indian Government has officially approved same-sex marriage, which makes my question unavoidable: Is the Kannada Matrimony portal secretly promoting gay marriages? I’m not sure, but the evidence suggests it might be! I’ve included some screenshots below that validate my suspicions. I had posted the profile of a close male relative on the Kannada Matrimony portal. Since then, I’ve been receiving emails from the site periodically. I typically log in once a month or so to conduct searches, and I rarely open the emails since the gist is usually visible in the subject line. To my surprise, today I received an email stating that "Mr. N. Ravi, Ashok, and 135 others are interested in the profile....

      thoughts The Transliteration Dilemma While using the Kannada transliteration feature on my laptop, I found the typing process to be surprisingly easy and smooth-flowing. I experimented with typing English sentences using the Kannada keyboard, and the experience was wonderful—though it led to one troubling realisation. ಸರ್ಜಿ, ಎವೇರಿಥಿಂಗ್ ಇಸ್ ಪೊಸ್ಸಿಬಲ್. ಬಟ್ ಮೈ ಲಿಟ್ಟಲ್ ನೋಲೆಡ್ಜಬಲ್ ಇಂಗ್ಲಿಷ್ ಸ್ಪೆಲ್ಲಿಂಗ್ ಇಸ್ ಶುರ್ ಟು ಗೆಟ್ ಸ್ಪೋಇಲ್ಡ್. ("Sirji, everything is possible, but my limited knowledgeable English spelling is sure to get spoiled.") I realised that my memory for English spellings is absolutely bound to get corrupted when I type English words phonetically using a transliteration keyboard. To accurately generate the Kannada script for the word "knowledgeable," for example, I have to type the phonetic spelling "noledjabal." Similarly, for "Good" in "Good Morning," I have to type "gud." Loanwords and Practicality Of course, one co...

    thoughts The Importance of Traditional Attire The traditional attire of our ancestors holds a revered place in our cultural heritage. Unfortunately, the classic kachche dhoti, also known as panche, mundu, or veshti, has become a rare sight, even within temple premises in urban and semi-urban areas. The traditional kachche dhoti is now often worn more like a lungi, even by some orthodox Brahmin men, which, in my view, is still preferable to wearing modern pants. Moreover, it has been observed that some individuals even require assistance from another person to properly wear the kachche panche (ಕಚ್ಛೆ ಪಂಚೆ). Embracing the Kachche Dhoti Wearing a kachche/kachcham dhoti without assistance is surprisingly quick and effortless, taking less than a minute. To facilitate learning, I have shared a video below that demonstrates this simple process, specifically for the benefit of Brahmin community members who may be unfamiliar with this traditional way of draping the attire. It would ...

    very easy way to forget all pains 😀😃 ನೆನಪು ಕೆಲವು ಘಟನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಮರೆಯಲು ಎಷ್ಟು ಯತ್ನಿಸಿದರೂ ಮರೆಯಲಾಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಏಕೆಂದರೆ ಅಂತಹ ಘಟನೆಗಳು ನಮ್ಮ ಮನಸ್ಸಿನ ಮೇಲೆ ತೀವ್ರವಾದ ಪರಿಣಾಮ ಬೀರಿರುತ್ತವೆ. ಇಂತಹ ಘಟನೆಗಳು ಮುಖ್ಯವಾಗಿ ಎರಡು ಬಗೆಯವು ಎಂದು ನನ್ನ ಅನಿಸಿಕೆ: ಒಂದು ಅತಿ ಸಂತೋಷ ತರುವ ವಿಷಯ, ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಅತಿ ದುಃಖಕೊಡುವ ಸಂಗತಿ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ನಾನು ವಿವರಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವುದು ನನಗೆ ಅತಿಯಾದ ಬೇಸರ ಮತ್ತು ದುಃಖ ತಂದಂತಹ ಒಂದು ಘಟನೆ. ೨೦೧೦ ರಲ್ಲಿ ನನ್ನ ಜೀವನದಲ್ಲಿ ಮೊದಲ ಬಾರಿಗೆ ದವಡೆ ಹಲ್ಲು ನೋವು ಕಾಣಿಸಿಕೊಂಡಾಗ ಮನೆಯ ಸಮೀಪದ ದಂತವೈದ್ಯರ ಬಳಿ ಹೋದೆ. ನನ್ನ ಹಲ್ಲನ್ನು ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿಸುತ್ತಲೇ ಡಾಕ್ಟರ್, ನನ್ನ ಮಾಸಿಕ ಆದಾಯ ಎಷ್ಟಿರಬಹುದು ಎಂದು ಅಂದಾಜಿಸಲು ಎಲ್ಲ ರೀತಿಯ ತಂತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿದರು. ವೈದ್ಯರ ಈ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ಚಾಳಿಯನ್ನು ನಾನು ಮೊದಲೇ ಊಹಿಸಿದ್ದರಿಂದ, ಹಳೆಯ ಪ್ಯಾಂಟ್ ಮತ್ತು ಶರ್ಟ್ ಧರಿಸಿ ಕ್ಲಿನಿಕ್‌ಗೆ ಹೋಗಿದ್ದೆ. ಯಾವುದೇ ಹುಳುಕು ಕಾಣಿಸುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯಪಟ್ಟ ಡಾಕ್ಟರ್, ನಾಲ್ಕು ದಿನಗಳಿಗೆ ಆಗುವಷ್ಟು ೨೫೦mg ಆಂಟಿಬಯಾಟಿಕ್ ಮಾತ್ರೆಗಳನ್ನು ಬರೆದುಕೊಟ್ಟರು. ಪಕ್ಕದ ಮೆಡಿಕಲ್ ಶಾಪ್‌ನಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾತ್ರೆಗಳನ್ನು ಕೊಂಡು ಮನೆಗೆ ಬಂದು ನಿಟ್ಟುಸಿರು ಬಿಟ್ಟೆ. ನಾಲ್ಕು ದಿನಗಳ ನಂತರವೂ ನೋವು ಕಡಿಮೆಯಾದಂತೆ ಕಾಣಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಮತ್ತೆ ಅದೇ ಡಾಕ್ಟರ್ ಬಳಿ ಹೋದಾಗ, ಎಕ್ಸ್‌ರೇ ತೆಗೆದು ನೋಡೋಣ ಎಂದರು. ಎಕ್ಸ್‌ರೇನಲ್...

    thoughts Lately, I've noticed a proliferation of groups on social media platforms like Facebook, Telegram, and WhatsApp. Many of these are formed with noble objectives, such as providing aid to the underprivileged or promoting community welfare. This trend is certainly commendable. However, for these groups to truly succeed, members must maintain discipline and adhere to established rules and guidelines. Ultimately, the success of any group hinges on the meticulous planning, organisation, and execution of each activity. The Necessity of In-Person Engagement While technology (Facebook, WhatsApp, or Telegram) facilitates instantaneous communication, the success of any executable activity still relies on in-person meetings among group members. These face-to-face discussions are essential for reaching a common understanding and making decisions that are agreeable to the majority. The most critical aspect, however, remains the implementation and execution of the decided activit...