• November 11, 2019
• By : Bharatastro

The festive season is now over. Austere measures observed during the festivity would have brought in a sense of sanity. That provides with an opportunity to begin afresh with a clean state, without any preconditioning whatsoever. It is time now to take charge of oneself, weigh the options in hand with an open mind, and pick up the right lead. You may then be able to negotiate with the callings of emerging times in all {…}

• November 4, 2019
• By : Bharatastro

Festive season is yet not over. It ends up today with conclusion of Chath festival, observed in Bihar and the adjoining areas of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, which the migrating people have carried along almost all across. This festival is dedicated to the Sun, the prime illuminator and life giver. Subjecting themselves to austere measures, the devout make offerings in reverence, first to the setting Sun and then to the rising Sun. Unlike other festivities that {…}

• October 28, 2019
• By : Bharatastro

At the outset, I wish the valued readers a very happy Deepawali and a prosperous life during the year ahead. As the legend runs, Lord Shri Ram scored victory over demon king Ravana on 10th lunar day of Ashwin Shuklapaksha, now termed as Vijaya Dashmi, and freed Sita from latter’s captivity. He returned to Ayodhya on Kartika Krishnapaksha Amavasya. People of Ayodha decorated the whole city with earthen lamps to greet Lord Shri Ram and {…}

• October 21, 2019
• By : Bharatastro

Perception drives a being. It encompasses all aspects of our working-self. It offers us with the window-frame through which we look at issues in hand. Be they thoughts arising in mind prompted by indwelling desire trends, or for that matter how we respond to external stimuli, are all moderated by our perception. And as every being is born unique, each manifesting varying mind-trend, accordingly, our individualistic perceptions vary from person-to-person. That holds the key to {…}

• October 13, 2019
• By : Bharatastro

A worried father, concerned about his erratic son, came asking the other day: “What is in store of his destiny? When would he start behaving sensibly? He cares for his elders the least and has no sense of value. If his present attitude continues, I am afraid, he may end up a loner. If ever I try to counsel him to mend his ways, he becomes loud, and I feel embarrassed. Please suggest some remedial {…}

• October 8, 2019
• By : Bharatastro

At the outset, let me greet the valued readers on the solemn occasion of Shardeya Navaratra, dedicated to Mother Goddess Durga, the epitome of Shakti. While I was scripting this piece, an admirer of this column landed up, who confronted me with vexing questions that deserve an answer. “Sir, is there any scope for some form God in existence in the higher realms, who may selectively respond to our individualistic prayer and grant us boons? {…}

• October 1, 2019
• By : Bharatastro

Someone holding a high position in an international organisation is off and on confronted with upsetting situations at works and even on personal score for the last three years. He came asking the other day: “Why is it happening so, particularly during second half of September? It takes almost 2 months to get over the problem. Otherwise, my overall performance level is quite good. Some pundits say that my problems will continue till sadhesati exists, {…}

• September 26, 2019
• By : Bharatastro

A young graduate, having failed to taste success at many qualifying examinations for different jobs, came asking the other day in a state of desperation: “Sir, what is in store of my destiny? Any luck to get a job in near future? I have tried to put in best during the last three years, but with no luck. Suggest me some puja that may help a poor man like me secure my future.” Youngman, destiny {…}

• September 16, 2019
• By : Bharatastro

Having followed last two issues of this column, another regular reader came up with an interesting question: “Sir, you have beautifully explained how our karma sets the term for what we become due for – reward or punishment. But in our life, we do both good and bad karma. Would not the credits earned for all the good done, balance out our bad karma and relieve us from its future implications? You have also suggested {…}

• September 9, 2019
• By : Bharatastro

A regular reader of this column could not digest the observation made in the previous issue: “There is no scope for any extra-terrestrial body that would be adjudicating our Karma, and selectively granting boons in response to your prayers.” Baffled, he sought clarification: “Sir, the general perception is that we do our Karma, but the fruits of actions thereto – good or bad – is granted by God. The above statement seems to be mocking {…}