Shine

When the Sun Rises — The Firefly, the Moon and the Wisdom of Humility

There is a beautiful Sanskrit Subhashitam that teaches us a lesson in humility through three familiar sights in nature: a tiny firefly, the Moon and the mighty Sun.

खद्योतो द्योतते तावद्

यावन्नोदयते शशी।

उदिते तु सहस्रांशौ

न खद्योतो न चन्द्रमाः॥

Khadyoṭo dyotate tāvad

Yāvan nodãyate śaśī.

Udite tu sahasrāṁśau

Na khadyoṭo na candramāḥ.

The firefly shines as long as the Moon has not risen. But when the thousand-rayed Sun appears, neither the firefly nor even the Moon is visible in its brilliance.

Every light has its moment

Imagine a quiet night in a garden. A tiny firefly flashes its little light amidst the darkness. It may be the brightest thing we notice in that corner of the garden.

Then the Moon rises.

The firefly is still there, but its little light no longer attracts our attention. The Moon has filled the sky with its gentle radiance.

And when morning arrives, the Sun rises in all its splendour. Even the Moon, which illuminated the night, fades from our sight.

Nothing has happened to the firefly. Nothing has happened to the Moon. The only change is that a greater light has appeared.

What does this teach us?

We sometimes mistake recognition for greatness.

A student who performs exceptionally well in one classroom may discover that there are many others who know more. A talented employee may meet someone with greater experience. A person admired for knowledge may encounter a teacher whose understanding opens entirely new horizons.

These encounters should not make us feel small or inadequate. They should make us curious and eager to learn.

There is always someone from whom we can learn something.

The truly wise person does not feel threatened by another person's brilliance. Instead, he or she welcomes it.

The importance of humility

Humility does not mean denying our abilities or pretending that we have nothing to offer.

The firefly has its own beauty. Its little light is magical on a dark evening. The Moon has its own place in the night sky. The Sun has a different purpose altogether.

Each has its own splendour.

Our mistake begins when we believe that our light is the only light that matters.

We need not compete with everyone around us. We need not constantly prove that we are better, brighter or more knowledgeable than others.

We can appreciate another person's achievements without diminishing our own.

Keep learning, keep growing

The world is full of people who can teach us something. Sometimes it is a child who asks a simple question, sometimes an elderly person who shares an experience, and sometimes a complete stranger whose words make us look at life differently.

Every new encounter can expand our understanding.

The moment we believe we know everything, we stop growing. The moment we recognise how much more there is to learn, a new world opens before us.

Perhaps that is the real message of this little Sanskrit verse.

Let us be happy to shine like the firefly, graceful like the Moon, and humble enough to welcome the rising Sun.

For wisdom lies not in believing that we are the brightest, but in recognising the light in others.

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India's Eye in the Sky

How a Satellite Helps Us Understand and Protect Our Earth

Look up at the sky on a clear night. We see the Moon, stars and perhaps a few moving points of light. Some of those moving points may be satellites travelling around our planet.

But have you ever wondered what these satellites are doing up there?

Some help us communicate across continents. Some guide aircraft and ships. Some study distant planets. And some quietly watch our own Earth, collecting information that can help us protect it.

India has taken an important step in this direction with its Earth Observation Satellite, EOS-05, also known as GISAT-1A.

Launched by ISRO on 4 September 2026 aboard the GSLV-F17 rocket, EOS-05 is India's first Earth-imaging satellite designed to operate from geosynchronous orbit.

It is truly an eye in the sky!

1. What does an Earth observation satellite do?

Imagine looking at India from a very high mountain. You could see rivers, forests, fields, cities, coastlines and mountains.

Now imagine having a camera that can observe large regions of the Earth from space, repeatedly, without having to travel anywhere.

That is broadly what an Earth observation satellite does.

It collects images and other information about our planet. Scientists study these observations to understand changes taking place on land, in water and in the atmosphere.

The satellite does not simply take photographs for us to admire. Its observations can become useful information for people making important decisions.

2. Why is EOS-05 special?

Most Earth observation satellites travel in lower orbits and pass over different parts of the Earth as they move.

EOS-05 is different.

It operates from a much higher geosynchronous orbit, approximately 36,000 kilometres above Earth.

A satellite in this kind of orbit takes approximately 24 hours to complete one revolution around our planet. Its movement is synchronised with Earth's rotation, allowing it to observe a broad region repeatedly.

Think of it as a watchtower in space!

This is especially useful when scientists need frequent observations of the same region.

EOS-05 carries imaging instruments that work in visible and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. These help it gather information that ordinary human eyes cannot see.

3. How can it help ordinary people?

The real value of a satellite is not merely how far it travels or how sophisticated its instruments are. It is what we can do with the information it brings back.

For farmers

Satellite observations can help monitor agricultural land, crop conditions and changes in vegetation. Such information can support crop assessment and agricultural planning.

During floods and cyclones

When heavy rainfall causes rivers to overflow, satellite images can help authorities understand which areas are affected and how the situation is changing.

This information can support rescue planning and disaster management.

For forests and wildlife

Observations from space help scientists monitor forest cover, environmental changes and the condition of natural habitats.

For our rivers and coastlines

Satellite information can help study riverbank erosion, freshwater resources and changes along coastal regions.

For towns and cities

As cities grow, satellite images can help planners understand how land is being used and where roads, bridges and other infrastructure may be needed.

One satellite cannot solve all these problems. But the information it provides can help thousands of people working on the ground.

4. How does a satellite send information to Earth?

Have you wondered how photographs taken thousands of kilometres above us reach scientists on Earth?

The satellite uses radio communication systems to transmit the collected information to ground stations.

Computers and specialised software then process the data and turn it into useful images and maps.

Scientists study these images, compare them with earlier observations and look for changes.

A green patch may indicate vegetation. A change in the appearance of a river may reveal flooding or erosion. Differences in infrared observations can provide information about land and vegetation conditions.

What begins as a signal travelling through space becomes information that can help people on Earth.

5. Who makes all this possible?

Behind every satellite is the work of thousands of scientists, engineers, technicians and other professionals.

The rocket must be designed to carry the satellite safely into space. The satellite must withstand extreme conditions. Its instruments must function accurately. Ground stations must receive the information, and scientists must interpret it.

It is a remarkable example of teamwork.

India's space programme, led by ISRO, has steadily developed capabilities in satellite communication, navigation, weather observation and Earth imaging.

EOS-05 adds another important capability to this growing programme.

6. The bigger lesson

We often imagine space exploration as something distant from our everyday lives.

We think of astronauts, rockets, the Moon and Mars.

But some of the most valuable discoveries made possible by space technology are about the planet beneath our feet.

A satellite may help us understand why a forest is shrinking, how a river is changing, where crops are under stress or which regions need attention after a natural disaster.

It reminds us that protecting Earth requires us to understand Earth first.

And perhaps that is the most beautiful thought behind India's Eye in the Sky.

We look towards space, not merely to discover what lies beyond our planet, but also to take better care of the home we already have.

Journey.

 A banana does not necessarily need to be cut from the plant to ripen, but cutting the bunch from the plant often makes ripening easier to control and more uniform.

Let us understand why.

1. The banana is a climacteric fruit

Bananas belong to a special group of fruits called climacteric fruits. These fruits can continue to ripen after being harvested.

Other examples include:

Mangoes

Apples

Papayas

Avocados

Pears

They produce a natural plant hormone called ethylene, which triggers ripening.

2. What happens when the banana is cut?

While attached to the plant, the banana receives water and nutrients through its stalk. It continues developing, accumulating starch and reaching maturity.

When the bunch is cut:

Its connection to the mother plant is severed.

The fruit begins its post-harvest ripening process.

Ethylene production and sensitivity help trigger changes.

Starch gradually converts into sugars.

The fruit becomes softer, sweeter and more aromatic.

This is why farmers generally harvest bananas when they are mature but still green. They can then allow them to ripen at the appropriate time

.3. Does a banana really refuse to ripen on the plant?

No! This is the interesting correction.

Bananas can ripen while still attached to the plant. However, commercial growers usually harvest them green because leaving them too long can result in uneven ripening, splitting, damage from birds and insects, and reduced shelf life.

4. The little science behind the sweetness

While green When ripe

More starch More simple sugars

Firm texture Soft texture

Green peel Yellow peel

Less sweet Sweeter aroma and taste

A fascinating thought: The banana does not become sweet because it is separated from the plant. It becomes sweet because its natural ripening machinery is activated, with ethylene playing an important role.

Nature has equipped the banana with everything it needs to complete its journey from a starchy fruit to a sweet one.

 "The Banana's Journey — Why Harvesting Is Not the Same as Ripening." 

Timely action.

 There are certain situations in life where gentle persuasion does not work:

Sath san binay — Humility and gentle requests do not work with the obstinate and foolish.

Kutil san preeti — Affection does not work with those who are deceitful and crooked.

Sahaj kripan san sundar neeti — Even the finest advice and sound reasoning are wasted on someone who is inherently miserly.

The deeper lesson

There is a beautiful progression here.

Rama first chooses patience. He prays to the ocean, waits for three days and gives it every opportunity to respond. Only when his patience is met with indifference does He decide to act firmly.

This teaches us an important lesson:

Gentleness is a virtue, but gentleness does not mean helplessness. Patience is a virtue, but patience should not be mistaken for weakness.

There is a time to request, a time to reason, and a time to act decisively.

a beautiful verse on understanding the nature of people and the importance of knowing when and how to share spiritual wisdom.

मूल पद (Awadhi)

**ममता रत सन ज्ञान कहानी।

अति लोभी सन बिरति बखानी॥

क्रोधिहि सम कामिहि हरिकथा।

ऊसर बीज बएँ फल जथा॥**

English transliteration

Mamatā rata sana gyāna kahānī,

Ati lobhī sana birati bakhānī.

Krodhihi sama kāmihi Hari kathā,

Ūsara bīja baen phala jathā.

Mamatā rata sana gyāna kahānī – Explaining the wisdom of knowledge to someone deeply entangled in possessiveness and attachment is difficult.

Ati lobhī sana birati bakhānī – Preaching detachment to someone consumed by greed is equally futile.

Krodhihi sama kāmihi Hari kathā – Narrating the glories of Hari to someone dominated by anger or uncontrolled desires may have little effect.

Ūsara bīja baen phala jathā – It is like sowing seeds in barren soil and expecting them to bear fruit.

The deeper message

The verse is not saying that such people can never change. Rather, it reminds us that wisdom needs a receptive mind.

A seed may be full of life, but it needs fertile soil to grow. Similarly, even the most beautiful spiritual teaching needs a little openness, humility and willingness in the listener.

We cannot force wisdom upon anyone. Sometimes the best thing we can do is cultivate the soil of our own minds and allow goodness to grow through our actions.

A lovely thought for life: Wisdom is not merely in what we teach, but also in knowing when a heart is ready to receive it.

Wow impressive.

 Frugality Day is a day that encourages people to practise thrift, avoid unnecessary spending, reduce waste and make thoughtful use of the resources they have.

The word frugality means being economical and sensible with money and resources, without being wasteful.

It is not about being miserly or denying ourselves life's pleasures. It is about learning the difference between what we need, what we want, and what we can do without.

Frugality also extends beyond money:

Using food without wasting it.

Repairing things instead of immediately replacing them.

Reusing and recycling.

Saving water and electricity.

Buying thoughtfully rather than impulsively.

Appreciating what we already possess.

There is also an observance called World Thrift Day (World Savings Day).

Good attracts good.

 The Good We Look For — How Our Mind Learns to See the Good in Life

The more we learn to notice the good, the more goodness we begin to discover around us.

Have you ever noticed that when something worries us, our mind keeps returning to it? We remember an unpleasant conversation, replay a disappointment and sometimes allow one unhappy incident to overshadow an otherwise beautiful day.

But something equally interesting happens when we begin to look for the good.

A kind word from someone, a little act of generosity, a beautiful sunrise, a phone call from a friend, or even a bird visiting our window can suddenly make an ordinary day feel special.

Why does this happen?

There is an interesting explanation from neuroscience.

The brain learns from what we repeatedly notice

Our brain is not a fixed instrument. It is constantly adapting. It can form new connections and strengthen existing ones through experience, learning and repeated activity.

This ability is known as neuroplasticity.

Think of it as a path through a forest. The first time we walk through it, the path may be difficult to recognise. But if we walk along the same route repeatedly, it becomes clearer and easier to follow.

Our brain works in somewhat the same way.

When we repeatedly practise a skill, certain neural pathways become stronger. When we repeatedly direct our attention towards particular things, we also become better at noticing them.

If we constantly look for faults, our attention can become accustomed to finding faults.

If we consciously look for kindness, helpfulness and beauty, we become more alert to their presence.

The world around us may not have changed, but what we notice about it begins to change.

The little exercise of gratitude

Gratitude is not merely saying thank you.

It is learning to recognise the many good things that we often take for granted.

Consider an ordinary day.

The sun rises and gives us another morning.

Someone prepares a cup of coffee or tea.

A family member asks whether we have eaten.

A stranger holds the door open.

A friend remembers to call.

A tree offers shade to someone passing by.

None of these events may be extraordinary.

Yet each contains something worth appreciating.

When we pause to notice these moments, we give our attention a different direction.

Research on gratitude practices suggests that regularly recording or reflecting on positive experiences can improve aspects of emotional well-being. It does not mean that difficulties disappear, but it can help us develop a more balanced outlook.

Does looking for the good mean ignoring the bad?

Certainly not.

Life brings disappointments, illness, loss, misunderstandings and unexpected challenges. We should not pretend that everything is wonderful when it is not.

Positive thinking is not denial.

It is the ability to acknowledge what is difficult without allowing it to become the whole story.

A person who has faced a difficult day can still find comfort in a friend's kindness. Someone going through a challenging period can still appreciate a beautiful morning.

Both realities can exist together.

We need not close our eyes to the problems of life to keep our hearts open to its blessings.

A small practice that can change our day

Here is a simple exercise.

Before going to bed, recall three good things that happened during the day.

They need not be great achievements.

Perhaps you learnt something new, helped someone, enjoyed a meal, completed a task or simply had a peaceful moment.

Ask yourself:

What made me smile today?

Who made my day a little easier?

What am I grateful for today?

Do this regularly, not as a ritual to be completed mechanically, but as a gentle reminder to recognise the good that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Over time, this practice may help us become more attentive to positive experiences and less likely to overlook them.

The beautiful secret of life

There is an old saying that we see what we look for.

If we look for reasons to complain, we will find them. If we look for reasons to be grateful, we will find those too.

The difference is not necessarily in the world outside us. It is often in the attention we bring to it.

Our scriptures have always encouraged us to cultivate a mind that is calm, grateful and balanced. The Bhagavad Gita speaks repeatedly of equanimity — the ability to meet life's changing circumstances without being completely carried away by them.

Perhaps this is what we can learn from both ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience.

We cannot control every event that comes our way. We cannot ensure that every day will be happy. But we can gradually cultivate the habit of noticing what is good, appreciating what is given and responding to difficulties with greater steadiness.

The more goodness we recognise, the more goodness we discover.

And perhaps the greatest blessing is this:

We do not have to wait for life to become perfect before we begin to appreciate it.

There is already so much to be thankful for, if only we pause long enough to see it.l

Thus began lalta,s1000

 temples where a single sculpture tells a story that stays with us long after we have left.

Thirumeeyachur, near Peralam in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvarur district, is one such sacred place.

The presiding Lord here is Meganathaswami, and the Divine Mother is Lalithambikai.

The story of the Divine Mother's transformation

According to the temple's Sthala Purana, when the demon Bhandasura began troubling the Devas and sages, the Divine Mother manifested as Lalithambika to destroy him.

Mounted on the Sri Chakra chariot, she fought a great battle and vanquished the demon.

But her fierce energy did not immediately subside.

Lord Shiva lovingly guided her towards tranquillity. The temple tradition associates her transformation with her manifestation as Manonmani and her return to a peaceful, compassionate form.

It is this tender relationship between Shiva and Shakti that makes the sculpture so extraordinary.

Shiva does not overpower the Goddess. His loving gesture expresses reassurance, affection and divine understanding.

The sacred origin of Lalita Sahasranama

The temple is especially revered for its association with the Lalita Sahasranama, the thousand names of Goddess Lalita Tripurasundari.

According to the traditional account, the divine Vagdevis, the goddesses of speech, composed and sang the thousand names in praise of the Divine Mother.

The hymn begins with the beautiful invocation:

Śrī Mātā, Śrī Mahārājñī, Śrīmat Siṁhāsaneśvarī…

The Lalita Sahasranama is found in the Lalitopakhyana section of the Brahmanda Purana.

The tradition also connects its teaching to the divine conversation between Hayagriva and Sage Agastya. 

The temple is also a Paadal Petra Sthalam, praised by Tirugnana Sambandar in the Tevaram. 

The deeper message

Perhaps the most beautiful lesson of Thirumeeyachur is that strength and gentleness are not opposites.

Shakti is the infinite power of creation. Shiva represents the stillness and consciousness that embrace that power.

Together they remind us that true strength does not always express itself through action or force. Sometimes the greatest strength is the ability to bring peace.

And what better image of divine love than Shiva gently holding the face of Lalithambikai, reassuring the very Mother of the Universe?

At Thirumeeyachur, the story of a thousand divine names begins with a lesson in love.