Earliest readings

 I saw her in the theatre. I sat down beside her during the interval. It was long since I had last seen her and if someone had mentioned her name I hardly think I would have recognized her. She addressed me brightly.

“Well, it is many years since we first met. How time does fly! Do you remember the first time I saw you? You asked me to luncheon.” Did I remember? It was twenty years ago and I was living in Paris. I had a small apartment in a Latin Quarter and I was earning only just enough money to keep body and sole together. She had read a book of mine and had written to me about it. I answered, thanked her, and presently I received from her another letter saying that she was passing through Paris and would like to have a chat with me. Would I give her a little luncheon at Foyot’s? Foyot’s is a restaurant at which the French senators eat and it was so far beyond my means that I had never even thought of going there. But I was flattered and was too young to have learned to say no to a woman. I had eighty francs (gold francs) to last me the rest of the month and a decent luncheon should not cost more than fifteen. If I stopped drinking coffee for the next two weeks I could manage well enough.

I answered that I would meet my friend at Foyot’s on Thursday at half past twelve. She was not so young as I expected. She was in fact a woman of forty and she gave me the impression of having more teeth than were necessary for any practical purpose. She talked a lot, but since she seemed inclined to talk about me I was prepared to be an attentive listener.

I was startled when the menu was brought, for the prices were a good deal higher than I had expected. But she assured me. “I never eat anything for luncheon,” she said.

“Oh, don’t say that!” I answered generously.

“I never eat more than one thing. I think people eat far too much nowadays. A little fish, perhaps. I wonder if they have any salmon.”

Well, it was early in the year for salmon and it was not on the menu, but I asked the waiter if there was any. Yes, a beautiful salmon had just come in, it was the first they had had. I ordered it for my guest. The waiter asked her if she would have something while it was being cooked.

“No,” she answered. “I never eat more than one thing. Unless you have a little caviar. I never mind caviar.” My heart sank a little. I knew I could not afford caviar, but I could not very well tell her that. I told the waiter to bring caviar. For myself I chose the cheapest dish on the menu and that was a mutton chop.

“I think you are unwise to eat meat,” she said. “I don’t know how you can expect to work after eating heavy things like chops. I don’t believe in overloading my stomach.”

Then came the question of drink.

“I never drink anything for luncheon,” she said.

“Neither do I,” I answered immediately. “Except white wine,” she continued as though I had not spoken. “These French white wines are so light. They are wonderful for the digestion.” “What would you like?” I asked, hospitable, but not exactly emotional. She gave me a bright and friendly flash of her white teeth.

“My doctor will not let me drink anything but champagne.”

I imagine I turned a little pale. I ordered half a bottle. I mentioned casually that my doctor had absolutely forbidden me to drink champagne.

“What are you going to drink then?”

“Water.”

So she ate the caviar and then salmon. She talked happily of art and literature and music. But I wondered what the bill would come to. When my mutton chop arrived she took me quite seriously to task.

“I see you are in the habit of eating a heavy luncheon. I am sure it is a mistake. Why don’t you follow my example and just eat one thing? I am sure you would feel so much better for it.”

“I am only going to eat one thing,” I said as the waiter came again with the menu.

She waved him aside with an airy gesture.

“No, no, I never eat anything for luncheon. Just a bite, I never want more than that, and I eat that more as an excuse for conversation than anything else. I couldn’t possibly eat anything more - unless they had some of those great asparagus. I should be sorry to leave Paris without having some of them.”

My heart sank. I had seen them in the shops and I knew that they were horribly expensive.

“Madam wants to know if you had any of those great asparagus,” I asked the waiter.

I tried with all my might to will him to say no. A happy smile spread over his face, and he assured me that they had some so large, so tender, and so very rich, that it was a miracle.

“I am not in the least hungry,” my guest sighed, “but if you insist I don’t mind having some asparagus.” I ordered them. “Aren’t you going to have any?” “No, I never eat asparagus. I know there are people who don’t like them. The fact is, you ruin your palate by all the meat you eat.” We waited for the asparagus to be cooked. Panic seized me. It was not a question now how much money I should have left over for the rest of the month, but whether I had enough to pay the bill. It would be mortifying to find myself ten francs short and be obliged to borrow from my guest. I could not bring myself to do that. I knew exactly how much I had and if the bill came to more I made a decision that I would put my hand in my pocket and with a dramatic cry startup and say it had been stolen. Of course, it would be unfortunate if she had not money enough either to pay the bill. Then the only thing would be to leave my watch and say I would come back and pay later. The asparagus appeared. They were big, delicious and appetizing. I watched the shameless woman thrust asparagus down her throat and the smell of the melted butter hit my nose. At last she finished. “Coffee?! I said. “Yes, just an ice cream and coffee,” she answered. I was past caring now, so I ordered coffee for myself and an ice cream and coffee for her. “You know there is one thing I thoroughly believe in, “ she said, as she ate the ice-cream. One should always get up from a meal feeling one could eat a little more.” “Are you still hungry?” I asked weakly. “Oh no, I’m not hungry: you see, I don’t eat luncheon. I have a cup of coffee in the morning and then dinner but I never eat more than one thing for luncheon. I was speaking for you.” Oh, I see!” Then a terrible thing happened. While we were waiting for the coffee, the headwaiter with a pleasant smile on his false face came up to us bearing a large basket full of big peaches. They were beautiful; they had the rich tone of Italian country. But surely peaches were not in season then? God knew what they cost. “You see, you have filled your stomach with a lot of meat” – my one miserable little chop - and you can’t eat any more. But I have just had a snack and I shall enjoy a peach.” The bill came and when I paid it I found that I had only enough for a quite inadequate tip. Her eyes rested for an instant on the three francs I left for the waiter. But when I walked out of the restaurant I had the whole month before me and not a penny in my pocket. “Follow my example,” she said as we shook hands, “and never eat more than one thing for luncheon. “I will do better than that,” I answered. “I will eat nothing for dinner tonight.” “Humorist!” she cried happily, jumping into the cab. “You are quite a humorist.” But I have had my revenge at last. I do not believe that I am a vindictive man, but when the immortal gods take a hand in the matter it is pardonable to observe the result with complacency. Today she weighs one hundred and thirty-three kilograms.

William Somerset Maugham: The Luncheon

Tulasamma

 श्री तुलसी-आरती

श्री तुलसी प्रणाम

वृन्दायै तुलसी देव्यायै प्रियायै केशवस्यच।

कृष्ण भक्ती प्रदे देवी सत्य वत्यै नमो नमः।।

(1)

नमो नम: तुलसी कृष्ण प्रेयसी ।

राधा कृष्ण सेवा पाबो एई अभिलाषी ।।

(2)

जे तोमार शरण लय, तार वांछा पूर्ण हय।

कृपा करि कर तारे वृंदावनवासी।।

(3)

मोर एई अभिलाष, विलास कुन्जे दिओ वास।

नयने हेरिबो सदा, युगल-रूप राशि।।

(4)

एइ निवेदन धर, सखीर अनुगत कर।

सेवा-अधिकार दिये, कर निज दासी।।

(5)

दीन कृष्णदासे कय, एइ येन मोर हय।

श्री राधा गोविंदा प्रेमे सदा येन भासि।।

श्री तुलसी प्रदक्षिणा मंत्र

यानि कानि च पापानी ब्रह्म हत्यादिकानी च।

तानि तानि प्रणश्यन्ति प्रदक्षिणः पदे पदे ।।

श्री तुलसी-आरती हिंदी में – अर्थ के साथश्री तुलसी प्रणाम वृन्दायै तुलसी देव्यायै प्रियायै केशवस्यच। कृष्ण भक्ती प्रदे देवी सत्य वत्यै नमो नमः।।

हे  वृंदा, हे तुलसी देवी, आप भगवान केशव की प्रिया हैं, हे  कृष्णभक्ति  प्रदान करने वाली सत्यवती देवी ,आपको मेरा  बारम्बार प्रणाम है।।

(1) नमो नम: तुलसी कृष्ण प्रेयसी । राधा कृष्ण सेवा पाबो एई अभिलाषी ।।

भगवान श्रीकृष्ण की प्रियतमा  हे तुलसी देवी मैं आपको प्रणाम करता हूं।  मेरी एकमात्र इच्छा है की मैं श्री श्री राधा कृष्ण की प्रेममयी सेवा प्राप्त कर सकूं।

(2) जे तोमार शरण लय, तार वांछा पूर्ण हय। कृपा करि कर तारे वृंदावनवासी।।

जो कोई आपकी शरण लेता है उसकी मनोकामना पूर्ण होती है। उस पर अपनी कृपा करती है  और  आप उसे वृंदावनवासी बना देती हैं।

(3) मोर एई अभिलाष, विलास कुन्जे दिओ वास। नयने हेरिबो सदा, युगल-रूप राशि।।

मेरी यही अभिलाषा हैं कि आप मुझे  भी वृन्दावन के कुंजो में निवास करने की अनुमति दे। ,जिससे मैं श्री  राधाकृष्ण की सुंदर लीलाओं का सदैव दर्शन कर सकूं।

(4) एइ निवेदन धर, सखीर अनुगत कर। सेवा-अधिकार दिये, कर निज दासी।।

आपके चरणों में मेरा  यही निवेदन हैं की मुझे किसी ब्रजगोपी की अनुचरी बना दीजिए तथा सेवा का अधिकार देकर मुझे अपनी निज दासी बनने का अवसर दीजिए ।

(5) दीन कृष्णदासे कय, एइ येन मोर हय। श्री राधा गोविंदा प्रेमे सदा येन भासि।।

 अति दीन कृष्णदास आपसे प्रार्थना करता है, मैं सदा सर्वदा श्रीश्री राधागोविंदा के प्रेम में डूबा रहूं।

श्री तुलसी प्रदक्षिणा मंत्र यानि कानि च पापानी ब्रह्म हत्यादिकानी च। तानि तानि प्रणश्यन्ति प्रदक्षिणः पदे पदे ।।

श्रीमति तुलसी देवी की परिक्रमा से कदम-कदम पर किए गए सभी पाप, यहां तक ​​कि ब्राह्मण की हत्या का पाप भी नष्ट हो जाता है

तुलसी आरती करने की विधितुलसी आरती प्रतिदिन सुबह मंगला आरती के बाद तथा शाम को  संध्या आरती के पहले की जाती हैं।तुलसी आरती शुरू करने से पहले हम तुलसी महारानी को तुलसी प्रणाम मंत्र बोलकर प्रमाण करते हैं तथा इसके बाद आरती शुरू करते हैं।आरती गा लेने के बाद तुलसी महारानी की श्री तुलसी प्रदक्षिणा मंत्र बोलकर तीन बार परिक्रमा करते हैं।इसके बाद तुसली महारानी को वापस से तुलसी प्रणाम मंत्र बोल कर पंचांग प्रणाम करते हैं तथा जल अर्पण करते हैं ।सारांश

हमारे श्रील प्रभुपाद के आध्यात्मिक गुरु, श्रील भक्तिसिद्धान्त सरस्वती ठाकुर ने टिप्पणी की कि “श्रीमती तुलसी महारानी हमारी आध्यात्मिक गुरु हैं। वह श्री वृंदावन धाम की रानी हैं। उनकी कृपा से ही कोई श्री वृंदावन धाम में प्रवेश करने के योग्य हो सकता है। हम तुलसी महारानी को अपने गले में पहनते हैं, यह जानते हुए कि वह भगवान कृष्ण को बहुत प्रिय हैं। उनके प्रति हमारी निष्ठा से, हम भगवान हरि के नाम का जाप करते हैं।”

How krishna became Ram

 प्रभु की हर लीला भक्तों के लिए ही होती है। ऐसी ही एक लीला का साक्षी है तुलसी रामदर्शन स्थल। मान्यता है कि यहां संत कवि तुलसीदास के स्वाभिमान ने प्रभु के श्रीविग्रह को रूप परिवर्तन करने के लिए बाध्य कर दिया था। भक्ति की चरम अवस्था को छूने वाले संकल्प पर भगवान श्रीकृष्ण के विग्रह ने भक्त की इच्छानुसार मुरली मुकुट को उतारकर धनुष बाण धारण कर लिए थे।    

राधाकृष्ण की क्रीड़ास्थली वृंदावन के ज्ञान गुदड़ी में स्थित तुलसीराम दर्शन स्थल लगभग 445 वर्ष की प्राचीनता को समेटे है। पंडित सुरेशचंद्र शर्मा के अनुसार कालांतर में गोस्वामी तुलसीदास ब्रज की यात्रा करते हुए वृंदावन आए तो यहां सर्वत्र राधे-राधे की रट सुनकर उन्हें लगा कि शायद यहां के लोगों में भगवान श्रीराम के प्रति उतनी भक्ति नहीं है। इस पर मान्यता है तुलसीदास के मुख से तुरंत एक दोहा ‘राधा-राधा रटत हैं, आम ढाक अरु कैर। तुलसी या ब्रजभूमि में कहा राम सौं बैर।।’  

इसके बाद वे ज्ञानगुदड़ी स्थित श्रीकृृष्ण मंदिर में आए और भगवान कृष्ण के श्रीविग्रह के सम्मुख नतमस्तक हुए। यहां भक्त की व्याकुलता देख प्रभु ने भक्त की अभिलाषा के अनुरूप तत्क्षण धनुष-बाण हाथ में लेकर दर्शन दिए। तभी से दोहा प्रचलित हुआ कि ‘मुरली मुकुट दुराय कै, धरयो धनुष सर नाथ। तुलसी लखि रुचि दास की, कृष्ण भए रघुनाथ।।’  और यह स्थल तुलसी रामदर्शन स्थल के रूप में जाना जाने लगा। मंदिर परिसर में गोस्वामी तुलसीदास की भजन कुटी अपने अतीत की स्मृतियों और भजन के परमाणुओं के लिए आज भी विद्यमान है, जो उनके वृंदावन प्रवास का साक्ष्य है। 

कृष्णपदावली भी रची

ब्रज संस्कृति विश्वकोश के सहसंपादक डा. राजेश शर्मा का कहना है गोस्वामी तुलसीदास के समकालीन अविनाश ब्रह्म भट्ट ने गोस्वामीजी के चरित्र को तुलसी प्रकाश पोथी के अंतर्गत कलमबद्ध किया था। इससे ज्ञात होता है कि गोस्वामीजी विक्रम संवत 1628 में माघ शुक्ल पंचमी तिथि मंगलवार को ब्रज में आए थे। उन्हाेंने बताया कि तुलसीदासजी की भक्ति पर प्रभु के धनुष बाण हाथ में लेने का उल्लेख गोर्वधन यात्रा के दौरान भी मिलता है। तुलसीदासजी ने श्रीरामचरितमानस के लेखन का आरंभ विक्रम संवत 1631 में किया था। इससे तीन वर्ष पहले वे ब्रज यात्रा कर चुके थे। इसका प्रमाण उनके द्वारा रचित कृष्णपदावली में है। 

ब्रज में हुई थी नंददास से भेंट 

वृंदावन शोध संस्थान के निदेशक सतीश चंद्र दीक्षित ने बताया कि वल्लभकुल संप्रदाय के अंतर्गत अष्टछाप के प्रसिद्ध कवि नंददास तुलसी के चचेरे भाई थे। ब्रज यात्रा के क्रम में तुलसीदास की नंददास से भेंट हुई। 

Gudi padwa.

 Gudi Padwa is celebrated on the first day of the month of Chaitra, which synchronises with the first day of the new moon. The day signifies the beginning of the new year, the herald of spring and the harvest of rabi crops. It’s also the day when it’s believed Brahma created the universe and the sense of time, Prof. Kumool Abbi said.

Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya on this day. Many rural communities bond with Lord Siva’s dancing and congregate at Siva temples on this day. In Maharashtra, it is also the commemoration of Chhatrapati Sivaji’s victory over the Mughals.

The festival is celebrated by cleaning and decorating homes with rangolis. People start the day by having neem and jaggery believed to purify the body and signifying the acceptance of bitter sweet experiences in life.sweets are prepared and shared and it is considered auspicious to undertake new business ventures conduct vast puja and purchase new vehicles etc.

The words gudi padwa have a special significance. Padwa refers to the first day of the lunar fortnight, while gudi refers to a flag made of bamboo that is decorated with garlands of flowers, mango and need leaves, sugar crystals and an overturned silver or copper vessels. The gudi is hoisted to the right of the house.as the flag is hoisted it brings good luck, eclipsing negativity.

Surya Abhishekam.

 Ram Janmabhoomi Trust: Trials successful, ‘surya abhishek’ of Ram idol on Ram Navami

With this optomechanical system, ‘surya tilak’ of the idol will be done every year on the day of Ram Navami with minor alterations in the mirrors and lenses keeping in mind the changes in direction.

‘Surya abhishek’ of the idol of Ram Lalla at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya will be held on Ram Navami (April 17) as trials of the optomechanical system installed for the purpose were successful, functionaries of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust said.

Daily trials will still be conducted to ensure that sunrays fall at the centre of the idol’s forehead at 12 noon on April 17, it is learnt. “Sunrays will illuminate the face of Ram Lalla for straight four minutes. Teams of scientists from the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, and another institute are engaged in this work,” a trust official said.

“Two mirrors and a lens have been installed on the ground floor of the temple. Sunlight will fall on them from a mirror placed on the third floor. The rays reflected by these will form tilak on the forehead.”

Since there is no way for direct sunlight to enter the temple’s “garbha griha” or sanctum sanctorum where the idol is placed, the optomechanical equipment was installed to throw sunrays on the idol’s forehead through mirrors and lenses.

With this optomechanical system, ‘surya tilak’ of the idol will be done every year on the day of Ram Navami with minor alterations in the mirrors and lenses keeping in mind the changes in direction.

While scientists are busy making preparations for the ‘surya tilak’ to last about 4 minutes, trust officials said there will be bright light on the forehead for about 2-2.5 minutes and a faded light for the remaining time. Also, arrangements are being made to telecast the event live on Doordarshan while large LED screens will be placed at nearly 100 places across Ayodhya, they added.

g g tuladidas song.

 

Gopaala Gokula – Tulasidas

गोपाल गोकुल वल्लभे प्रिय
गोप गोसुत वल्लभं
चरनरविन्दं  अहं  भजे
भजनीय सुरमुनि दुर्लभं

घन श्यामं  काम अनेखा  छभि
लोकाभि  राम  मनोहरं
किञ्चल्क  वसन  किशोर  मूरति
भूरि गुण करुणाकरं

सिरकेकी पिञ्च विलोल कुण्डल
अरुण वनरुहा लोचनं
कुजव दंस विचित्र सब्
अङ्ग दातु भव भैय मोचनं

कच कुटिल सुन्दर तिलक ब्रु
राका मयङ्ग समानानां
अपहरण तुलसि दास
त्रास बिहसा बृन्दा काननं

gOpAla gOkula vallabhI priya gOpa gOsuta vallabham
The cowherd (gOpAla), beloved (priya) of the women (vallabhi) of gOkul, the favorite (vallabham) of the cowherds (gOpa) and children of (gOsuta) gOkul
caraNAravindam aham bhajE bhajanIya suramuni durlabham
I (aham) worship at his lotus (aravindam)-like feet (caraNa), the venerable one (bhajanIya), whom even the gods (sura) and ascetics (muni) find it difficult to attain (durlabham)
ghana shyAma kAma anEkacApi lOkAbhirAma manOharam
The one with a dark/deep (ghana) blue (SyAma) complexion, the embodiment of a multitude (anEka ca api) of desires (kAma), with an attraction (manOharam) that stems from a beauty (abhirAma) that is unsurpassed in the world (lOka)
kinjalka vasana kishOra mUrti pUri guNa karuNAkaram
One who wears garments (vasana) made of threads from lotus stalks (kinjalka), the embodiment (mUrti) of youthfulness (kiSOra), the one whose character (guNa) is without defcit (pUri) [1], the ever-compassionate one (karuNAkaram)
shira kEkapiccha vilOla kuNDala aruNa vanaruha lOcanam
Adorned with peacock feathers (kEkapiccha) on his head (Sira), and dangling (vilOla) earrings (kuNDala), with eyes (lOcanam) like the red (aruNa) lotus (vanaruha) [2]
kunjAvatamSa vicitra shubhAnga dAtu bhava bhaya mOcanam
With a crown (avataMsha) of forest flowers (kunja), with amazing (vicitra) and beautiful limbs (SubhAnga), he gives/grants (dAtu) release (mOcanam) from the fear (bhaya) of this mortal world (bhava)
kaca kuTila sundara tilakabrU-rAgamayanga samAnanam
With curly (kuTila) locks (kaca), and a beautiful (sundara) tilaka, his face (Ananam) is like (sama) the red (rAgamaya)…????
pApa haraNa tulasidAsa trAsa vihara brndakAnanam
Resident of vRndAvan (bRndakAnanam), destroyer (haraNa) of sins (pApa), who removes (vihara) the fear/anxiety (trAsa) of the poet, tulsidAs!

52 Spe ar