#pitamaha

[sawworld]

ウブドにて。2008年2020年とバリ島ウブドにてお世話になったケイコさん。またお会いしたい。お誕生日おめでとうございます！ #bali #ubud #tiampuhan #tiampuhanspa #pitamaha #pitamaharesort #royalpitamaha #keikomandera #keikomandera_picture_by_keikomandera #マンデラけいこ #バリ島 #ウブド #ピタマハ #チャンプアンホテル #ローヤルピタマハ https://www.instagram.com/p/Coe1ZD8yNDF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[blackknight-100]

Thank you so much for writing about Vrishasena and Arjuna. Could you please also write something about them but in an AU where Kunti tells them the truth (before the dyut sabha)? Something fluffy, please!

This ask has been sitting in my inbox for four months. I'm so sorry anon, fluff is really not my thing, but I tried. I hope you like this little thing. Previous angst version is here.

1.

It is a bitter winter morning when Arjuna finds his mother in the royal hall, prepared to sweep his world from under his feet. He huddles together with his brothers, glancing warily as the Kaurava retinue moan and complain among themselves about being summoned. Pitamaha is here as well, as are the King and the Queen, and Uncle Vidura.

“Has something happened?” the later inquires.

“We are awaiting the arrival of Angaraj,” Mother Kunti says, white knuckles wringing at her saree.

Duryodhana perks up like a hunting dog. “Why do you need him?” he demands, possessive as ever.

“I am sure Her Majesty has her reasons,” Uncle Vidura tries, but Duryodhana is on a roll.

“You keep trying to speak to him, cornering him at court and courtyard, trying to turn my friend against me! Why else would the Pandava’s mother be so interested in the man that trounced her sons? I think-���

No one manages to hear his what he thinks, because Kunti interrupts this tirade by screaming, “He is my son!”

 

2.

In hindsight, it is only meet that Karna – who is apparently his brother – gatecrashes the party halfway through Kunti’s sobbing explanation. Arjuna is reasonably sure the man has never given up the chance to barge into situations with the discretion of a charging bull. Perhaps that is why they call him Vrisha.

Much to his chagrin, Karna and his sons are immediately swept up into the Kaurava ranks even as their mother speaks of floating the baby in the river.

Duryodhana speaks right over her, like the churlish prince he is, and asks, “What took you so long?”

“The storms felled quite a few trees.” Arjuna’s newfound brother shrugs and turns to Mother Kunti with a look of abject concern. “Who is this baby in the river? Should we send out search parties? Surely, it is not right to just leave him be.”

Half the gathering stares at him. Uncle Vidura lets out a long-suffering sigh. Pitamaha smacks his forehead into a pillar. All in all, the Kuru family never fails in being predictable.

 

3.

For his own part, Karna takes the news surprisingly well, right up until Pitamaha reveals that he would now be officially part of the family and one of the contenders for the throne. This sparks a terrible debate – for all his meddling in Duryodhana’s plans, the King of Anga appears to have little interest in being king of anyplace else. Brother Yudhisthira, with all his half-divine morality, protests being a part of any contention that involves his older brother as a competitor. Uncle Vidura, who is the Pandavas biggest advocate in the Kuru court, takes this about as well as expected, which is to say: not well at all.

Arjuna has migrated to a corner to escape the shouting, rubbing his forehead to put off an oncoming headache. A figure sidles up to him and offers a small canister.

“This might help, Uncle.”

For a moment Arjuna nearly mistakes him for Karna – which should not be possible, given that his new brother is still yelling about something, and would never call him ‘uncle’ besides – but then he notices the differences. Anga’s Crown Prince is as fair as his father, but his cheeks are still adorably round, and his hair is several shades darker. He is also smiling, which is not a reaction Arjuna has ever garnered from his father, although he has seen Karna laugh often enough in his cousin’s company.

“Vrishasena, is it? Well met. What is this?”

Vrishasena bows. “Yes indeed, uncle. My greetings. This is for your headache.”

Arjuna takes the canister with raised eyebrows. Inside, there is a familiar slimy green paste. “You carry balms around?” he asks, smirking.

Vrishasena shrugs easily. “People are annoying,” he says, then winks cheekily at him and adds, “not you though. You have pretty hair.”

Arjuna’s startled laughter lasts a very long time.

 

+1.

“Father is wonderful,” Vrishasena says, nocking an arrow on his bow, “but he and mother kind of fought and now he’s upset.”

“I think he is mad at you for taking lessons from me,” Arjuna says, pressing gently down on his shoulders. “Stop being so tense, or you will miss.”

Vrishasena shrugs his shoulders and tosses his head obligingly, then stands much looser. “Nah,” he says, then releases the arrow. It pierces the swaying mango halfway through and carries it into the bushes. “He has stolen Abhimanyu, so he thinks it’s a fair deal. Besides, he likes having brothers.”

Arjuna would like to contest that, but it is true. For all his follies, Karna is astonishingly adept at micromanaging a hundred and five siblings, plus the two extras, without resorting to moralizing or murder. He’s still not ready to give up their reputation as rivals though, so all he says is, “Good shot.”

Vrishasena smirks at him. His nephew has grown quite a few inches in the months they have been away, so they are mostly eye-to-eye now.

“Just good?” Karna’s son definitely has Karna’s cockiness. “Not ‘excellent’ or ‘magnificent’ or ‘sublime’?”

“No,” Arjuna slaps him behind his head, laughing, “you do not need a bigger ego.”

“It’s not that big, uncle,” Vrishasena protests.

Arjuna laughs again. “If you stop pestering me for compliments, I will help you sneak into the kitchen. The cook is making special sweets today.”

Vrishasena pouts, thinking. “I also get to braid your hair.”

Arjuna will never understand the boy’s obsession with his hair, but who is he to deny his nephew anything, especially when he is getting a braid out of it? So, he shrugs and says, “Sure,” and off they go.

[talonabraxas]

The twelve Sun-gods (12 Adityas) and their associates

The twelve Adityas are nothing but different forms of the Sun-God Surya. In different Puranas their names are given differently. Brahma once recounted to the sages the one hundred and eight sacred names of Surya. The Brahma Purana lists these names and we reproduce them in nine groups of twelve names each.

(1) Surya, Archana, Bhagavana, Tvashta, Pusha, Arka, Savita, Ravi, Gabhastimana, Aja, Kala, Mrityu.

(2) Dhata, Prabhakara, Prithivi, Jala, Teja, Akasha, Vayu, Parayana, Soma, Brihaspati, Shukra, Budha.

(3) Angaraka, Indra, Vivasvana, Diptamshu, Shuchi, Shouri,Shanaishvara, Brahma, Vishu, Rudra, Skanda, Vaishravana.

(4) Yama, Vaidyuta, Jathara, Agni, Aindhana, Tejohapti, Dharmadhvaja, Vedakarta, Vedanga, Vedavahana, Krita, Treta.

(5) Dvapara, Kali, Sarvasurashraya, Kala, Kashtha, Muhurta, Kshapa, Yama, Kshana, Samvatsara, Ashvattha, Kalachakra.

(6) Vibhavasu, Shashvata, Purusha, Yogi, Vyaktavyakta, Sanatana, Kaladhyaksha, Prajadhyaksha, Vishvakarma, Tamonuda, Varuna, Sagara.

(7) Amsha, Jimuta, Jivana, Ariha, Bhutashraya, Bhutapati, Sarvalokanamaskrita, Shrashta, Samvartaka, Vahni, Sarvadi, Alolupa.

( 8 ) Anata, Kapila, Bhanu, Kamada, Sarvotamukha, Jaya, Vishala, Varada, Sarvabhutasevita, Mana, Suparna, Bhutadi.

(9) Shighraga, Pranadharana, Dhanvantari, Dhumaketu, Adideva, Aditinandana, Dvadashatma, Ravi, Daksha, Pita, Mata, Pitamaha.

"All these personalities are the opulent expansions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu, in the form of the sun-god. These deities take away all the sinful reactions of those who remember them each day at dawn and sunset." (Srimad Bhagavatam 12.11.45)

"Aditya"

Talon Abraxas

[sambhavami]

So, someone had asked me what would’ve happened if Bheeshma had given in and married Amba. Now, this is just a rough sketch I came up with in like an hour…but if someone wants to come up with a full-fledged, really dramatic, dynamic story…please let me know, I’d be honoured to read it! <3

First, I imagine, Vichitra ji had 0 actual power in HP, given administration of the country, post Shantanu and until Pandu, had always remained in Bheeshma's hands. Also, given the guy was not even interested enough to go pick up his own wives (I mean let Bheeshma fight, but at least he could've given them a ride!) I do not feel he would've given much importance to Amba's complaints anyway.

As to what if Bheeshma and Amba had gotten married, if we go with the version where they just get a legal sign-off but continue to live separately, then I don't think MB would be changed much...only there'd be a lot more gossip about dear old Pitamaha! :) Now the case if they got married, and actually fell in love. Even in this case, if they had a girl, nothing major would change (unless the kid turned out trans...I'd pay to read that!). Either Satyavati would still bring in Vyasa and the 3bros would be born, or the daughter's kid would be adopted into the family, like Chitrangada and Babhruvahana.

In case Bheeshma and Amba had even one boy, that would drastically alter the line of succession. I mean, given Satyavati talked Bheeshma's head off about marrying every time they were at this crossroad, I'd think she would be jumping for joy and would personally crown the kid or whatever.

Now, ideally in this case Vyasa would not come into the picture at all, and none of the next drama would happen at all. But for the sake of making it spicy, let’s consider maybe Satyavati got paranoid (can't really blame her) about having just 1-2 kids from Bheeshma, and the 3bros were born anyway.

For some time, I guess, it would have progressed the same way as it did. Dhritarashtra would still be blind, so Bheeshma would get him Gandhari, and with her would come Shakuni. Kunti would still choose Pandu (as I personally choose to believe she came to HP because she knew where Karna was and wanted to be close), and Vidur is well...Vidur. That man is untouchable!

Now, 3rd gen would complicate things. Here if Bheeshma's kid became Bheeshma part 2 and didn't have kids, then again, same as it is. If they have children, then it would depend on the birth order. Simplest resolution: this kid is oldest, Yudi is relieved to be the spare not the heir and probably just becomes an ascetic somewhere, and Shakuni doesn't get the 'in' to start poisoning Dury because Dhritu is also not the king. Honestly, probably 5Ps wouldn't even be born, given Pandu's issues, if there was already an heir, Kunti probably wouldn't bother with her boon.

Now, I believe, since Amba and Bheeshma are both pretty stand-up people, their 100% involved upbringing would surely have some positive impacts on their kid(s) and grandkid(s), so if there is a conflict, they would most probably side with the Pandavas. Although, if Bheeshma had his own kid, he would probably be more proactive about protecting the kid by paying proper attention to both Dury and Bheema's escalating conflicts and nipping it in the bud. And probably, they would think about the kingdom divide a lot sooner, and three ways instead of two.

[thereader-radhika]

തൂതപ്പുഴയുടെ ഓരത്തെ ചുവന്ന ചരൽപ്പാതയിലൂടെ താങ്ങാഭാരവും വലിച്ച് കുന്നു കയറുമ്പോൾ കരിന്തൊലി പുതച്ച പുറത്ത് ചാട്ടവാറു വീണപ്പോൾ "മകനേ, മകനേ" എന്നു വിളിച്ചു കരഞ്ഞ മഹിഷ പിതാമഹൻ, ഇത്രയും കാലങ്ങൾക്കുശേഷം ഇവിടെ ഈ അന്യമായ നഗരിയിൽ, അതിന്റെ സാന്ധ്യജ്വരത്തിലേയ്ക്ക് തുറന്നിട്ട ജാലകത്തിലൂടെ, തേജസ്വിയായി, കർമ്മ പരിണതികളുടെ ഉൾത്തലങ്ങളിലേയ്ക്ക് വീണ്ടും നോക്കുന്നത് കുഞ്ഞുണ്ണി കണ്ടു. പിതാമഹ, ഞാൻ അങ്ങയെ ഓർക്കുന്നു. അങ്ങയുടെ മുതുകിൽ വിരിച്ച കരിന്തൊലികൊണ്ട് അങ്ങ് ഒപ്പിയെടുത്ത ദുഷ്കൃതം ഞാനോർക്കുന്നു; എന്നാൽ, അന്ന് അങ്ങെനിയ്ക്ക് പകർന്നുതന്ന പൊരുൾ എന്റെ അകങ്ങളെ നിറച്ചെങ്കിലും അത് എന്നെക്കവിഞ്ഞ് ഒഴുകിപ്പരന്ന് എങ്ങോ ലയിച്ചു. അറിവില്ലാത്തവനായിത്തന്നെ ഞാൻ ഈ കാതങ്ങളത്രയും നടന്നെത്തി.

Along the red mud track by the river Tootha, hauling the unbearable load, Mahisha Pitamahan, the aged buffalo, cried out "My son, my son!" when it felt the lash of the whip on black hide. After all this time, here in the alien city, Kunjunni suddenly felt the presence of that resplendent beast. He saw the ancient one at his window which lay open to the alien city's fever, gazing into the fundamentals of metamorphosis of karma. Mahisha Pitamaha, I remember you, I remember the sin you absorbed with your black hide. But though the truth you imparted filled my heart then, it has flowed out of me again, beyond me, and is lost somewhere. And ignorant have I journeyed all these years.

- "Gurusagaram", O.V Vijayan

[demonkidpliz]

Things I learned while re-watching Star Plus Mahabharata (Part 22/many):

Lol. Bhim knows Dhrishtadyumna is incapable of killing Drona in a fair fight.

Ek hi marg hai. Cheating. Cheating is the marg.

No way was the Panchanjanya this big fr.

How does Sanjay know so much? Isn’t he like a charioteer or something?

These formations are all very complicated and unnecessary imo. 

Once the armies meet don’t the formations break?

Who is this Susharma? Is he the dodgy fellow who had the suicide corps?

Yudhisthir is…I can’t even bring myself to say it anymore. He’s being a dumbass.

Oh good, it didn’t take Krishna long to change his mind. This is what happens when you use dharma like a fucking weapon.

The only thing Bhishma cares about is the throne of Hastinapur. Good for him. Stay away from this toxic family, Bhishma. They’re not even your family!

I am amazed at Dhritarashtra. Man knows Krishna is literally God. Why did you let your sons agree to fight this battle? Surely you knew they were all going to die.

Who’s this dick trying to stab Drupad? Oh! It’s Ashwatthama!

Who kills Drupad?

Oh! I am sad to learn that Dronacharya kills him. Sad. I always shipped those two.

My man Drona really killed his Guru-bhai and would have killed his Guru-bhai’s son too.

Arjun is also flying now.

Bhim just kicking people out of the way. Is my jam.

I don’t think Pitamaha would actually kill any of his grandsons.

Side note - Starbharat’s classification on Disney+ Hotstar as a “dramedy” is sending me.

Duryodhan is also flying.

Ha, Duryodhan and Bhim trash talking is my jam.

Duryodhan’s hair game is so on point. He’s my favourite anti-hero *sings Taylor Swift*

Is there anything Yudhishtir can do?

What is this scam? Only Yudhisthir can kill Duryodhan? Isn’t Bhim Yuvraj if Yudhisthir is king? Then he should be able to kill Duryodhan who is also a Yuvraj (don’t open that can of worms, Pri).

Wtf why is Duryodhan bringing Shantanu into this? Let my horny on main man rest peacefully in his grave.

Like do we realise that none of the Mahabharata would have happened if not for Shantanu’s tharak?

This Dhritarashtra has the most slappable face I’ve ever seen in a mythology serial.

Arjun casually giving orders on the battlefield as if his brother-in-law isn’t the commander-in-chief.

I love you Pitamaha Bhishma, but now it’s time for you to die.

[bollywoodirect]

Remembering Indian Cinema's legendary music composer #RaichandBoral on his 42nd death anniversary (25/11/81). Boral is considered by music connoisseurs to be the father of Indian film music. Legendary musician #AnilBiswas referred to him as 'Bhishma Pitamaha' of Indian Cinema Music.

Boral won the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1978, the highest honour in Indian cinema. The same year, he also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, a big award for music, dance, and drama in India.

Boral worked with Pankaj Mullick at New Theatres' music department and played a big role in setting high standards for film music. He helped shape the music for Indian films for the first 20 to 30 years. He also helped start the career of the singer Saigal. Anil Biswas, another famous musician, called Boral the "Bhishma Pitamah of film music".

He started working with the Indian Broadcasting Company in 1927. In 1931, he moved to New Theatres, where he introduced playback singing in the Hindi film "Dhoop Chhaon" in 1935. This was a big change in Indian cinema. Boral worked on music for many films, both in Hindi and Bengali, directing music for around 70 to 75 films.

Rai Chand Boral passed away in 1981 when he was 78 years old. He is remembered as a very important person in the history of Indian cinema music.

[backlinks5596941]

Diwali in BALI from My Travel Journal

Travel Dates: November 2, 2024

Celebrate Diwali in the stunning paradise of Bali with this exciting 6-night package departing from BOM. Your journey begins with a round-trip flight on VietJet, including 20 kg of baggage (no meals provided).

Flight Details:

BOM to HAN: VJ910, Departure: 00:20

DPS to HAN: VJ900, Departure: 13:10

HAN to DPS: VJ997, Departure: 10:00

HAN to BOM: VJ907, Departure: 19:20

Accommodation Options:

4 Nights in Kuta: Golden Tulip Jineng or similar – Deluxe Room

2 Nights in Jimbaran: Fox Beach Hotel or similar – Deluxe Room

Pricing:

INR 75,555 per person (based on 4 passengers in an Avanza/Xenia or similar vehicle)

INR 77,500 per person (based on 2-3 passengers in an Avanza/Xenia or similar vehicle, and for 6-10 passengers in a 14-seater HiAce)

Inclusions:

Round-trip flight ticket from Mumbai on VietJet (20 kg baggage included, no meals)

Daily breakfast at the hotel/resort

Daily breakfast and dinner

Private return airport transfers

Full-day water sports (1 banana boat ride + 1 jet ski) followed by a Uluwatu Temple tour

Full-day visit to Bali Bird Park or Trans Studio (Theme Park Package) with private transfers

Full-day shopping tour followed by sunset at Tanah Lot Temple (transfer from Kuta to Jimbaran)

Full-day Ubud tour, including Tegenungan Waterfall and My Swing, with a local lunch at Taman Dedary by Royal Pitamaha

Daily supply of two 300ml water bottles during tours

Welcome garland

All tours and transfers on a private basis

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Bali, check-in, and overnight stay in Kuta.

Day 2: After breakfast, enjoy water sports at Benoa Beach, followed by a Uluwatu Temple tour. Overnight in Kuta.

Day 3: Visit Bali Bird Park or Trans Studio, then enjoy a sunset tour at Tanah Lot Temple. Overnight in Kuta/Seminyak/Nusa Dua.

Day 4: Check out from Kuta and enjoy a shopping tour, followed by sunset at Tanah Lot Temple. Overnight in Jimbaran.

Day 5: After breakfast, embark on a Ubud tour to Tegenungan Waterfall and My Swing, followed by lunch at Taman Dedary. Overnight in Jimbaran.

Day 6: Day at leisure to relax and explore. Overnight in Jimbaran.

Day 7: Departure transfer to the airport for your flight back to India.

Important Notes:

The itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions.

Bookings require guest names; reservations without names will not be honored.

Passport Submission Policy: Passport copies must be submitted 15 days prior to departure. Failure to do so will result in seat release without notice.

Name Change Request: USD 250 per person.

Payment and Cancellation Policy:

A 50% deposit is required for bookings.

Cancellations made more than 45 days before departure incur a ₹15,000 management fee.

Cancellations within 45 days will forfeit the entire advance payment.

The remaining 50% balance is due 45 days prior to departure; failure to pay will result in cancellation and forfeiture of advance payments.

Note: Hotel availability is subject to change, but similar options can be provided. Embrace the spirit of Diwali with this unique blend of cultural celebration and tropical relaxation in Bali!

[mswayambhu-blog]

EcoDredging & Flood Mitigation – The Vaidic Science Approach

Historically, tanks and lakes were an important source fulfilling Water demands of the population. Kautilya’s Arthashastra (4th century BC) gives explicit information regarding the construction of dams, canals, management of canal Water, including exemption from tax. Rules for the location of tanks were also outlined. According to the Smritis, persons who breached tanks were given the death penalty by drowning in the tank Water. – And this was a practice and norm documented 2,500 years back in our country. Even prior to that in our scriptures like Skand Puran, Matsya Puran and Padm Puran there are various hymns or Shloks dedicated towards the science of Waterbody maintenance.

Many citations can also be seen in the epics of Ramayan & Mahabharat. The entire episode of Yaksh & Yudhishthir conversation has many coded descriptions of lake salinity, lake contamination and eradication of the pollution, and it happen exactly on the bank of a lake, wherein all Pandavs go one by one in search of Water to quench their thirst and take Water to their brothers and Mother. The importance of Water and underground aquifer is again described in Mahabharat when Pitamaha Bheeshm fall down and seeks Water to drink.

Even in recent history of last 2000 thousand years, Earth dams as well as masonry dams were constructed in very large numbers, in tens of thousands, from the 2nd century to the 17th century. The dams were constructed across the same river, one below the other, as well as across its tributaries. One such series of tanks in Mysore had no fewer than 1,200 inter-dependent tanks. The total numbers of tanks in Mysore was 37,000, the largest of which had a surface of 40 sq.kms.

Thus understanding Water, its importance and maintenance of the Waterbodies have been intrinsic part of our cultural ethos and social value system since time immemorial. 

Coming to the post-independence era, as per a study, there were 43,000 tanks in Chennai which were functioning in the 19th century 10,000 tanks were in disrepair. The area irrigated from these tanks exceeded 1,415,000 hectares. While today after 75 years, we all know Chennai is almost on the verge of hitting ZERO day.

In Madhya Pradesh alone, there were 50,000 small private tanks which irrigated 262,600 hectares. According to the Survey and Settlement Records of the Government prepared in the early 1930s, there were 937 lakes, tanks and Waterbodies in Bangalore. The area of the tank-bed of these Waterbodies was 26,468 acres. But today the area lost in the tank beds is 2,500 acres, according to a preliminary survey by the Survey and Settlement and the Revenue Department. According to a report in The Times of India (5 July 2009), there were 264 lakes in 1970; now they are 84. In January 2000, the Bangalore Development Authority breached a 32-acre lake, Arakere Tank bund, to make a road. The Chikkamaranahalli tank, Malady tank, Miller tank all dried out. After the tanks dried out, their land was used for different constructions and other purposes.

Disappearing Lakes

The lake may be infilled with deposited sediment and gradually become a wetland such as a swamp or marsh. Large Water plants, typically Water weeds, accelerate this closing process significantly because they partially decompose to form peat soils that fill the shallows. Conversely, peat soils in a marsh can naturally burn and reverse this process to recreate a shallow lake resulting in a dynamic equilibrium between marsh and lake. This is significant since wildfire has been largely suppressed in the developed world over the past century. This has artificially converted many shallow lakes into emergent marshes. Turbid lakes and lakes with many plant-eating fish tend to disappear more slowly. A "disappearing" lake (barely noticeable on a human timescale) typically has extensive plant mats at the Water's edge. These become a new habitat for other plants, like peat moss when conditions are right, and animals, many of which are very rare. Gradually the lake closes and young peat may form, forming a fen. In lowland river valleys where a river can meander, the presence of peat is explained by the infilling of historical oxbow lakes. In the very last stages of succession, trees can grow in, eventually turning the wetland into a forest.

Some lakes can disappear seasonally. These are called intermittent lakes, ephemeral lakes, or seasonal lakes and can be found in karstic terrain. Karst topography is a landscape formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. It is characterized by underground drainage systems with sinkholes and caves. It has also been documented for weathering-resistant rocks, such as quartzite, given the right conditions. Subterranean drainage may limit surface Water with few to no rivers or lakes

A prime example of an intermittent lake is Lake Cerknica in Slovenia or Lag Prau Pulte in Graubünden. Other intermittent lakes are only the result of above-average precipitation in a closed, or endorheic basin, usually filling dry lake beds. This can occur in some of the driest places on earth, like Death Valley. This occurred in the spring of 2005, after unusually heavy rains. The lake did not last into the summer, and was quickly evaporated. A more commonly filled lake of this type is Sevier Lake of west-central Utah.

Sometimes a lake will disappear quickly. On 3 June 2005, in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia, a lake called Lake Beloye vanished in a matter of minutes. News sources reported that government officials theorized that this strange phenomenon may have been caused by a shift in the soil underneath the lake that allowed its Water to drain through channels leading to the Oka River.

The presence of ground permafrost is important to the persistence of some lakes. According to research published in the journal Science ("Disappearing Arctic Lakes", June 2005), thawing permafrost may explain the shrinking or disappearance of hundreds of large Arctic lakes across western Siberia. The idea here is that rising air and soil temperatures thaw permafrost, allowing the lakes to drain away into the ground.

Effects of disappearing lakes

Increased diversion for irrigated agriculture, the building of dams and reduced rainfall over the lake’s surface, are also named as contributing factors. These include a changing local climate – hitting agriculture, livelihoods and heath, increasing the salinity of the Water, destroying ecosystems and wetland habitats and increasing the chances of windblown ‘salt storms’.

According to the World Preservation Foundation one third of the world’s major rivers and lakes are drying up, and the groundWater wells for 3 billion people are being affected. The loss of rivers, lakes and underground Water reserves are impacting the livelihoods of millions of people, hitting animals, farming and electricity production, as well as threatening to exacerbate climate change further through the release of CO2 and methane. While climate change is playing a role, the building of dams, over extraction and mismanagement of Water and over-fishing are all playing a part in the disappearing of the world’s lakes and rivers.

The main cause for the drying up of the lake is believed to be drought caused by climate change impacting the inflow to the lake – resulting in a 65% reduction in Water levels. But that’s just a half knowledge. In reality, drought & floods are both two sides of the same coin. When the natural link between surface Waterbody and underground aquifer, via soil capillaries is compromised due to deposition of sludge, the after math in peak of summers is drought and the ripple effect of the same during monsoon is flood.

Life Cycle of Waterbody

Seeing the urban lakes, and doing an extensive study on the same, makes it clear that a Water body cannot disappear or die without the human intervention. A Water body has a complete ecology within, that keeps it alive, and the ecology is meant to go on and on.

The nature has planned a natural remediation of every Water body within itself, it’s cyclic and complete. Single-celled microbes do photosynthesis to release oxygen, these microbes are eaten by multi-celled planktons, which in turn are food for fishes, lobsters, shrimps and prawns, and their excreta is again ammonia, which is neutralized by single celled microbes. So the Water keeps renewing itself with this cycle and prohibits Eutrophication, Naturally.

But we humans, keep adding pollution to the Water. Starting from washing the dishes, to clothes, to animal bathing to human bathing everything happens on banks of the Water body. This pollution, gets to the bottom of the lake as sludge. The sludge does many harms to the Water body – namely, chocking of the soil capillaries, restricting the minerals cycles and the vertical movement of Water, reduction in DO (dissolved Oxygen) level by increase in the COD (chemical Oxygen demand), increasing the Water viscosity & making the color darker, and bringing up the Water level. Rising Water level and reduction of the depth of the Water body makes the Water vulnerable to vaporization, due to sun’s heat during the day.

Reduction of the DO level on the other hand starts the process of death of the Water body. It gives the right environment for the growth of disease causing anaerobic bacteria, which decomposes the contents of the Water body to release hydrogen sulphide (H2S) that causes the bad smell. So if you find any smelly Water body, understand that the death process has started.

This gives the right environment for the blue green algae (BGA) to flourish and cover the Water surface, which reduces the amount of sunlight to reach inside Water. This is the second stage of the death of the Water body. And finally, Water weeds like hyacinth grow over the surface, confirming the death of the Water body. With Water weeds on the top layer, the whole aquatic ecosystem dies.

This rapidly increases the sludge deposition process further, as the self-sustaining ecosystem is no more, thus natural remediation doesn’t happen and all dead organic material deposits in the bottom of the Water body as sludge. Thus the depth reduces and Water evaporates. Eventually, it converts to a swamp marsh land and further drying gives the low land surface, which gets acquired immediately, as it is in the center of a developed urban society. Either people make houses or roads or railway track or any other urban settlement.

Thus if you look at it, a Waterbody starts to dry from the bottom, not from the top.

The key to keep the Waterbody perennial, mitigate the threat of flood and drought, recharge the aquifer and keep the underground Water table healthy, eradicate air pollution, gain carbon credits through the blue carbon sinks, solve the sewage puzzle and make drinking & irrigation Water available – all lie in just one focused and uncompromised approach of keeping the native ecology of the wetlands in a healthy and “Alive” condition.

Consumption of the sludge deposits is therefore key step towards restoration and rejuvenation of the aqua-ecology.

Sludge & Silt

It is very important at this point to understand the difference between silt & sludge because often people use them a replaceable terms, especially in Government tenders, wherein the specifically mention the term “de-siltation”.

Sludge – is the settled deposits in the bottom of the Waterbody, of the Suspended (TSS) & Dissolved Solids (TDS) in Water, that come in with sewage or effluent discharge. The key chemical contaminants of the Water, that settles down to chock the soil capillaries and disconnect the vertical link between the surface Waterbody and the underground aquifer, disabling the natural rain Water harvesting and aquifer recharge.

Silt – on the other hand is a result of a natural phenomenon of grinding of soil in to its nano-particles format. When the soil is beneath Water, movement of Water molecules (which is always spiral, due to the bipolar structure) grinds the soil and silt gets created. This silt is required to create the soil capillaries, which is the link between surface Water and the aquifer. Therefore, SILT is a natural sediment component of soil that is there in every Waterbody, naturally building the weathered top soil suiting the aquatic ecosystem and establishing a link with the aquifer

For dredging of the Waterbody for restoration of the lake ecology, sludge has to be eradicated, not the silt. And the eradication process has to be consumption, not physical removal.

So what we need is to DE-SLUDGE the Waterbody, and NOT De-silt it. But no chemical or earthmoving equipment can differentiate between the two. Removing the weathered top soil of the Waterbody de-links it from the aqua-ecology thus it isn’t restoration, but a re-start.

Thus the mechanical or chemical approach is WRONG. The RIGHT approach is ECOLOGICAL. In nature nothing goes waste, therefore even the sludge is to be consumed, NOT removed.

The stopgap remedy

The generic solution adopted by most of the conservation bodies is mechanical dredging. Now this has its own limitations, since we are trying to solve a biological problem, mechanically.

It removes not just the organic sludge, but also digs the soil bed below. The soil surface below the Waterbody is cultured for ages to support the aquatic ecosystem, when it is mechanically removed, the soil surface below the top soil emerges as the new surface. Now this will take its own sweet time to get accustomed to the aquatic environment, that’ll elongate the time for the aqua ecosystem to stabilize.

Secondly, this is a tedious process to the dredger inside the Water body.

Thirdly, an expensive process.

The sludge mechanically removed itself becomes a problem. How and where to dispose it? Largely is used in the landfills that means there’s a big transportation cost as well.

Moreover, mechanical dredging disrupts the aqua-ecosystem, instead of helping it.

It is an energy intensive process that uses a lot of hydrocarbon / fossil fuel, therefore creates air pollution and is non eco-friendly.

The Vaidic Science Approach – Vaidic Srijan.

Ecological solution called “EcoDredging” is the MOST sustainable solution in this regard, which is an effect of “Resurrection of the native ecology of the Wetland”.

We conduct a careful study of the Waterbody for all the problems taking all aspects in to consideration like agroclimatic zone, amount of pollution coming in on regular basis, type of contamination, Water quality parameters, Waterbody features like surface area, depth, dimensions, vegetation on embankment and so on. Then the medicine is made, diluted in the fresh Water from the same agro-climatic zone and poured in the Waterbody.

This medicine gets synthesized in Water in presence of Sunlight and the resurrection of the aqua-ecology starts happening. The changes happen rapidly in the physical, chemical and biological layers through the natural process. Photosynthesis starts happening naturally and the oxygen generated within the Water is pure & natural. Moreover it is released from the bottom, thus gets dissolved completely there by increasing the DO levels multiple times. This creates the right environment for Aerobic bacteria to dwell and therefore the aerobic digestion starts to happen, eradicating the foul smell in the vicinity of the Waterbody. In the aerobic environment, the anaerobic organisms can’t survive and this keeps the Water safe from disease causing pathogens resulting into natural disinfection of the Waterbody.

Bottom line is – we enable sustainable resolution of Waterbody contamination through EcoDredging.

[livesanskrit]

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Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer.

Semmangudi Radhakrishna Srinivasa Iyer (25 July 1908 – 31 October 2003) was an Indian Carnatic vocalist. He, along with his contemporaries G.N. Balasubramaniam and Madurai Mani Iyer, are referred to as the 20th century male trinity of Carnatic music. He was the youngest recipient of the Sangeetha Kalanidhi awarded by the Music Academy in 1947 and has received many awards including Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan from the Government of India, Sangeet Natak Academy award (1953), Isai Perarignar from Government of Tamil Nadu and Kalidas Samman from Government of Madhya Pradesh. He was affectionately addressed as "Semmangudi Maama" (Semmangudi Uncle) by his disciples. He was also considered the "Pitamaha" or the grand sire of modern Carnatic Music. He was conferred with an honorary doctorate by University of Kerala in 1979.

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[baliportalnews]

Sekda Dewa Indra Apresiasi Langkah Intelektual Pelaku Usaha Spa Sikapi Pemberlakuan UU HKP3D

BALIPORTALNEWS.COM, GIANYAR - Sekretaris Daerah Provinsi Bali mengapresiasi dan mendukung langkah intelektual yang ditempuh pelaku usaha Spa & Wellness dalam menyikapi pemberlakuan Undang-Undang Nomor 1 Tahun 2022 Tentang Hubungan Keuangan antara Pemerintah Pusat dan Pemerintah Daerah (HKP3D). Langkah intelektual yang dimaksudnya itu adalah pelaksanaan seminar nasional yang mengusung tema “Implementasi Undang-Undang No 1 Tahun 2022 Dampak bagi Pelaku Usaha Spa” di The Royal Pita Maha Ubud, Rabu (31/1/2024). Lebih jauh Sekda Dewa Indra menambahkan, dalam polemik yang mengemuka terkait pemberlakuan UU HKP3D, Pemprov Bali mengambil posisi mencermati dan membaca aspirasi serta wacana yang berkembang di ruang publik. “Mencermati wacana yang berkembang, kami merumuskan dua isu. Pertama, penempatan Spa pada kelompok jasa hiburan tertentu yang dinilai tidak tepat dengan segenap argumen dan historisnya. Isu kedua adalah pengenaan tarif pajak terlalu tinggi yaitu pada kisaran 40%-75%,” urainya. Menyikapi dua hal tersebut, Pemprov Bali dan industri pariwisata menempuh jalan yang berbeda sesuai dengan ranah masing-masing. Sesuai dengan ranah yang bisa ditempuh, Pemprov Bali telah melakukan langkah strategis yaitu melalui pertemuan bersama dengan pemerintah kabupaten/kota yang melibatkan stakeholder pariwisata pada Jumat (26/1/2024). “Kami duduk bersama untuk menyelesaikan persoalan dalam koridor dan jalur regulasi. Kami melihat ada ruang dalam UU tersebut yang mengakomodir aspirasi daerah yaitu Pasal 101. Selain itu juga ada PP 35 Tahun 2023,” terangnya. Berdasarkan regulasi tersebut, seluruh pemerintah kabupaten/kota yang hadir pada pertemuan sepakat untuk tidak memberlakukan pengenaan pajak 40%-75% persen. “Pemerintah kabupaten/kota bersepakat untuk menggunakan instrumen kebijakan pemberian insentif fiskal. Mengenai besarannya, kita berikan kesempatan kepada kabupaten/kota untuk mengaturnya. Ini sesuai dengan semangat otonomi daerah,” ujarnya. Sejalan dengan upaya yang ditempuh pemerintah, Sekda Dewa Indra menghormati langkah yang ditempuh oleh pelaku usaha yaitu melalui jalur hukum yaitu mengajukan judicial review dan langkah intelektual dengan membahas polemik pada forum seminar. “Seminar ini merupakan jalur intelektual. Silahkan mengemukakan fakta sesuai dengan penalaran masing-masing. Rundingkan hal-hal yang dapat menguatkan upaya judicial review. Ini merupakan jalan terhormat yang patut diapresiasi,” paparnya. Mengakhiri arahannya, Sekda Dewa Indra berharap perjuangan ini menghasilkan sesuatu yang bermanfaat bagi kemajuan usaha Spa yang sangat mendukung sektor pariwisata. Menteri Pariwisata dan Ekonomi Kreatif RI, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno sebagai pembicara kunci dalam kegiatan tersebut memastikan bahwa pemerintah hadir untuk mendengar dan merespon tuntutan dan harapan para pelaku usaha Spa. Menurutnya, sejumlah kementerian terkait telah turun tangan menyikapi polemik ini. Disebutkan olehnya, implementasi UU HKP3D menjadi polemik karena Spa masuk kelompok jasa hiburan tertentu yang kemudian dikenakan pajak 40%-75%. Padahal mengacu pada Permenparekraf Nomor 4 Tahun 2021, Spa masuk kategori wellness tourism. Masih menurut Sandiaga Uno, Kemenkes RI juga memasukkan Spa dalam kategori industri kesehatan. Ia berharap pelaku usaha Spa jangan khawatir karena pemerintah sudah mengambil langkah dalam menyikapi polemik ini. “Bapak Presiden juga telah mengeluarkan edaran agar pengenaan pajak jangan membebani industri pariwisata yang baru pulih,” cetusnya. Sementara itu, Ketua PHRI BPD Provinsi Bali, Prof. Tjok Oka Sukawati dalam paparannya menyinggung tentang cikal bakal berkembangnya usaha Spa & Wellness di Pulau Dewata yang tak bisa dipisahkan dari keberadaan Hotel The Royal Pitamaha Ubud. Di tengah makin berkembangnya usaha Spa, tiba-tiba sektor yang lekat dengan pariwisata ini dikejutkan dengan pemberlakuan UU HKP3D. Padahal menurutnya, dalam UU Nomor 10 Tahun 2009 tentang Pariwisata, Spa tidak masuk kategori hiburan. “Spa masuk kategori usaha perawatan, tak ada satu kata pun yang menyebut hiburan. Untuk pengurusan izin, kode untuk Spa adalah jasa kesehatan dan perawatan modern holistik,” sebutnya. Lebih dari itu, fakta empiris menunjukkan, kalau makin banyak lembaga pendidikan yang menawarkan program Spa. “Ini menandakan kalau Spa jauh dari kategori hiburan,” tandasnya. Oleh karena itu, ia sangat berharap langkah judicial review yang ditempuh pelaku usaha Spa segera membuahkan hasil. Pada bagian lain, pria yang akrab disapa Cok Ace ini menyampaikan terima kasih kepada pemerintah pusat dan daerah yang merespon aspirasi pelaku usaha Spa. Seminar yang berlangsung sehari ini juga menghadirkan pembicara lainnya yaitu Guru Besar UNUD, Prof. Dr. Putu Gde Patra Sumertayasa dan Kepala Divisi Spa & Wellness Mustika Ratu, Dian V Soeryomurti. Seminar yang digelar secara hybrid melibatkan pelaku usaha Spa & Wellness dari Bali, Yogyakarta, Lombok dan sejumlah daerah. Hasil seminar ini akan menjadi bagian dari penguatan proses judicial review yang tengah ditempuh pelaku usaha Spa & Wellness.(bpn) Read the full article

[pooma-satsangam]

How to move from past memory to present peace.

தமிழில்

Swami Boomananda Tirtha

Everyone has a past and also a future. Between the past and the future lies the present. We must always be concerned with this present. Life implies interactions. In the whole field of interactions, you as an individual remain the constant factor. The other factors, namely persons, places, and events with which you interact, are various and continuously changing. The results of the interactions, whether good or bad, ultimately come to you. To solve any problem that confronts you, the factor that has to be considered and acted upon is yourself, and yourself alone.

Rather than worrying about who is good and who is bad, why not focus on the important factor that ‘it is I who suffers’? ‘Can my present sufferings be set right or not?’

All the past actions and their results are only in your memory. Understand this first. People generally complain: somebody said this, somebody did that, somebody behaved in a wrong manner. Who says so? Is it recorded in the air? Is it imprinted on the earth or water? Is it ever engraved in the sky? All these events are only in your memory. So, it is your memory that makes you suffer, not people.

The great Mahabharat war was over and Yudhishtir said: “Though you say I have gained victory in the war, I say I have lost. I have lost peace of mind. I feel miserable. I am pained to the core. Of what use is the kingdom which I have won? I shall go to the forest again to live on fruits and roots and do tapasya.” None could console him.

Finally, he was taken to Bhishm Pitamaha, who was lying on the bed of arrows awaiting his death. Bhishm said: “My dear grandson, the whole event has already taken place, and nothing can change it. It is a memory, and you are suffering from it. Listen to this truth. The present action will also become past, and it will form another memory. The new memory will overcome the past memory and just as the present memory victimises you and puts you to grief, the new memory – that you must consciously build from now on, if you listen to my words – will also begin to delight you. Therefore, my dear son, go and perform an ashvamedha yajna.”

Yudhishtir agreed. The great ashvamedha yajna required years of preparations. Being occupied with the preparations from then on and after performing it, Yudhishtir’s mind began to develop new memories based on new events, associations, and new interactions. And then, whereas the earlier memory was afflicting him, the new memory started giving the sought-after relief, freedom, and salvation. He was free of all afflictions and was able to conduct the affairs of the kingdom in peace and tranquillity till the end of his life.

Instead of being inflicted by the past memory, create a new memory. Allow some time to pass. Interact with noble people. Talk about good subjects. Go on developing new interactions, new associations. Then, you will find, the present developments will form a new memory in the hands of which you will be peaceful, prosperous, and fulfilled.

கடந்த கால நினைவிலிருந்து நிகழ்கால அமைதிக்கு எப்படி செல்வது.

சுவாமி பூமானந்த தீர்த்தர்

ஒவ்வொருவருக்கும் கடந்த காலமும் எதிர்காலமும் உண்டு. கடந்த காலத்திற்கும் எதிர்காலத்திற்கும் இடையில் நிகழ்காலம் உள்ளது. இந்த நிகழ்காலத்தில் நாம் எப்போதும் அக்கறையுடன் இருக்க வேண்டும். வாழ்க்கை என்பது தொடர்புகளை குறிக்கிறது. தொடர்புகளின் முழுத் துறையிலும், ஒரு தனிநபராக நீங்கள் நிலையான காரணியாக இருக்கிறீர்கள். பிற காரணிகள், அதாவது நீங்கள் தொடர்பு கொள்ளும் நபர்கள், இடங்கள் மற்றும் நிகழ்வுகள் பல்வேறு மற்றும் தொடர்ந்து மாறிக்கொண்டே இருக்கின்றன. தொடர்புகளின் முடிவுகள், நல்லது அல்லது கெட்டது, இறுதியில் உங்களுக்கு வரும். உங்களை எதிர்கொள்ளும் எந்தவொரு சிக்கலையும் தீர்க்க, கருத்தில் கொள்ள வேண்டிய மற்றும் செயல்பட வேண்டிய காரணி நீங்களே, நீங்கள் மட்டுமே.

யார் நல்லவர், யார் கெட்டவர் என்று கவலைப்படுவதை விட, ‘நான் பாதிக்கப்படுவது நான்தான்’ என்ற முக்கியக் காரணியில் ஏன் கவனம் செலுத்தக்கூடாது? ‘எனது தற்போதைய துன்பங்கள் சரி செய்ய முடியுமா இல்லையா?’

கடந்த கால செயல்கள் மற்றும் அவற்றின் முடிவுகள் அனைத்தும் உங்கள் நினைவில் மட்டுமே உள்ளன. இதை முதலில் புரிந்து கொள்ளுங்கள். மக்கள் பொதுவாக புகார் கூறுகிறார்கள்: யாரோ இதைச் சொன்னார்கள், யாரோ அதைச் செய்தார்கள், யாரோ தவறான முறையில் நடந்துகொண்டார்கள். அப்படி யார் சொல்வது? காற்றில் பதிவாகி உள்ளதா? பூமியிலோ அல்லது தண்ணீரிலோ பதிந்துள்ளதா? அது எப்போதாவது வானத்தில் பொறிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதா? இந்த நிகழ்வுகள் அனைத்தும் உங்கள் நினைவில் மட்டுமே உள்ளன. எனவே, உங்கள் நினைவுதான் உங்களைத் துன்பப்படுத்துகிறது, மக்கள் அல்ல.

மகாபாரதப் போர் முடிந்துவிட்டது, யுதிஷ்டிரர் கூறினார்: “போரில் நான் வெற்றி பெற்றேன் என்று நீங்கள் சொன்னாலும், நான் தோற்றுவிட்டேன் என்று சொல்கிறேன். நான் நிம்மதியை இழந்துவிட்டேன். நான் பரிதாபமாக உணர்கிறேன். நான் மனதளவில் வேதனைப்படுகிறேன். நான் வென்ற ராஜ்யத்தால் என்ன பயன்? நான் மீண்டும் காடுகளுக்குச் சென்று பழங்கள் மற்றும் வேர்களை உண்டு தபஸ்யத்தை மேற்கொள்வேன். யாராலும் அவருக்கு ஆறுதல் சொல்ல முடியவில்லை.

இறுதியாக, அவர் மரணத்திற்காகக் காத்திருந்த அம்புப் படுக்கையில் கிடந்த பீஷ்மர் பிதாமஹாவிடம் அழைத்துச் செல்லப்பட்டார். பீஷ்மர் கூறினார்: “என் அன்பான பேரனே, முழு நிகழ்வும் ஏற்கனவே நடந்து விட்டது, அதை எதுவும் மாற்ற முடியாது. இது ஒரு நினைவகம், நீங்கள் அதை அனுபவிக்கிறீர்கள். இந்த உண்மையைக் கேளுங்கள். தற்போதைய செயலும் கடந்ததாக மாறும், மேலும் அது மற்றொரு நினைவகத்தை உருவாக்கும். புதிய நினைவகம் கடந்த கால நினைவை முறியடிக்கும், தற்போதைய நினைவு உங்களைப் பலிவாங்கி, உங்களைத் துயரத்தில் ஆழ்த்துவது போல், புதிய நினைவகம் - இனிமேல் நீங்கள் உணர்வுபூர்வமாக உருவாக்க வேண்டும், நீங்கள் என் வார்த்தைகளைக் கேட்டால் - உங்களை மகிழ்விக்கத் தொடங்கும். எனவே, என் அருமை மகனே, சென்று அஸ்வமேத யாகம் செய்” என்று கூறினார்.

யுதிஷ்டிரர் ஒப்புக்கொண்டார். பெரிய அஸ்வமேத யாகத்திற்கு பல வருட ஆயத்தங்கள் தேவைப்பட்டன. அன்றிலிருந்து தயாரிப்புகளில் ஈடுபட்டு, அதைச் செய்தபின், யுதிஷ்டிரின் மனம் புதிய நிகழ்வுகள், சங்கங்கள் மற்றும் புதிய தொடர்புகளின் அடிப்படையில் புதிய ந���னைவுகளை உருவாக்கத் தொடங்கியது. பின்னர், முந்தைய நினைவு அவரைத் துன்புறுத்திக் கொண்டிருந்தாலும், புதிய நினைவகம் தேடப்பட்ட நிவாரணம், சுதந்திரம் மற்றும் இரட்சிப்பைக் கொடுக்கத் தொடங்கியது. அவர் அனைத்து துன்பங்களிலிருந்தும் விடுபட்டு, தனது வாழ்நாள் இறுதி வரை ராஜ்ய விவகாரங்களை அமைதியாகவும் அமைதியாகவும் நடத்த முடிந்தது.

கடந்த கால நினைவாற்றலால் பாதிக்கப்படாமல், புதிய நினைவகத்தை உருவாக்குங்கள். சிறிது நேரம் கடக்க அனுமதிக்கவும். உன்னதமானவர்களுடன் பழகவும். நல்ல விஷயங்களைப் பற்றி பேசுங்கள். புதிய தொடர்புகளை, புதிய சங்கங்களை வளர்த்துக் கொள்ளுங்கள். பின்னர், தற்போதைய முன்னேற்றங்கள் உங்கள் கைகளில் ஒரு புதிய நினைவகத்தை உருவாக்கும், அதில் நீங்கள் அமைதியாகவும், செழிப்பாகவும், நிறைவாகவும் இருப்பீர்கள்.

[lovesongforthedeadche]

This is what Bali sounds like

[friend-shaped-but]

Since we're all putting our "Shikhandi in the aftermath of Bheeshma's death, I thought I'd throw my hat in the ring

“I know you- you probably do not want me to say this, right after what we just did, but, my condolences. I know it was difficult for you to do that to a respected elder,”

“Oho, you know what hard is?? I want to know, really, how you can show your face to me after- Hey I was wondering, are all of your princes bred to kill ours? What's next, huh? Drishtaketu killing Shatanik? How can you feel happy after definitely killing Pitamaha?”

“Why is it my fault if he refuses to fight me? It wasn’t seventy years ago for me, Arjun! It feels like it happened yesterday. So, what do you want to know huh? Do you want to know how, with the same hands that he used to pinch your little cheeks with, he dragged me away, kicking and screaming, unable to defend myself? Loaded me onto a chariot even when I was screaming at him that I was already betrothed? What do you want me to say? ‘Sorry for killing the man who hurt me and ruined my sisters’ life?’ Tell me you wouldn’t do the same for your siblings… Tell me-”

He felt a hand on his shoulder. His wife handed him his cane, and pulled him away from the argument. An arm around him, she escorted him back to their tent. Sitting down on the bed, she laid him down so his head was pillowed on her lap.

“You don’t need to apologize for doing that,” Shalaka said quietly. “I remember when you finally opened up to me, the pain and tears in your eyes. How you said that even though it had happened ages ago, it still felt like a fresh, festering wound to you. You missed your sisters, miss them even today. And how many times have you told the story to people? I know you talked to your parents, when you were young, and your brother and sister. I know you told me and Kshatradev, and I know for a fact that Vasudev also knows. You don’t need to keep repeating it,” she stroked his hair, “You don’t have to say anything, I’ve known you for many years. I can understand you without you needing to speak,”

“I won’t- I won't be, soon enough. I have been fighting for so long, I feel tired. If I- if I die before you, can you take care of Kshatra? What is there for me now? I’ve done what I came here to do. I Don't know if I’ll be able to walk without a cane again… Somewhere, wherever they are, I hope my sisters are proud of me. You know, I see them sometimes. When I met the late king, or King Dhritarashtra, I saw them. They looked like- like my sisters. I saw them in their sons, and all I could think of was the pain that my sisters went through. Tell me, was it worth it? Taking him down after he had already ruined the lives of many, many more women than just my two sisters? Sometimes I feel I wasn’t fighting for Ambika and Ambalika, but for- for yajnaseni. I never forgot those two, I swear! I promise you I never forgot them!” Even though he’d started in a quiet voice, he had gotten frantic by the time he finished.

“Shh, shh, I know. I know, okay. I know you didn’t.” Shalaka whispered. How could he have forgotten them, when he told of their plight with the pain and turmoil of a fresh wound? How, even now, he panicked when he thought he’d forgotten an aspect of their personalities, how his mission for his sisters actually became successful. How he was so single-minded.

“You know, I’ve grown up in a militaristic kingdom. All my life, I’ve seen men who never got over grudges going to war. They never give women a chance, say we are too flighty, too emotional, but men have always been the ones who ruined kingdoms and lives with their grudges and greed. I’ve seen men less single-minded than you neglect their families and kingdoms for petty reasons. But you? You persisted. Even after what I did, you worked so hard to build a relationship with me again. I remember the days before we were married. And I remember after we’d just become parents. Even when pursuing your goal, you never forgot your family. You never forgot us. You never forgot Panchali. Or Dhrishtadyumna. The story doesn’t have to end with the hero dying. Sometimes, he can complete his mission and live happily ever after with his family,” she smiled.

“Everyone says Revenge is bad, Shalaka. Is it wrong of me to feel free, like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders?”

“No,” Shalaka said, and bent down to kiss his forehead. “Not really.”

Shalaka felt her saree grow wet. Her husband wasn't crying openly, but he didn't need to make a sound for her to know. She never stopped stroking his hair, staying quiet as he let all of the exhaustion, pain, and exhilaration he felt after today. He looked so peaceful right now.

Their son walked in. Shalaka instinctively put a finger over her lips. Glancing over the scene, he took a blanket and draped it over Shikhandi, and sat on the side of the bed. “Is he happy now, mother? He was always so sad.”

“He will be, eventually. Don’t you worry about it.”

@rishabhaa the panchalpocalypse has started!!!!!!

Day 5: Pride

Shikhandi watches Bheeshma fall with no small amount of rage. He knows what happened was according to the plan. He knows, that to win, Bheeshma must have considered him a woman. It does not sting any less.

Long before he was a girl, before he was born, a lady had walked the Earth and cursed this warrior for spurning her after ruining her life. He should feel proud to have avenged her. He only feels shame. The cousins have gathered over Bheeshma’s gory body perforated with arrows like a pincushion. They weep together, bitter enmity forgotten over dying familial blood. He feels like an intruder.

He should be satisfied, that the one who refused to acknowledge his identity lies dead. He only feels used, like the incertitude of his gender was the only reason he had been selected for this unenvious destiny, and that his destiny was a direct catalyst for his identity. He stands apart, sorrowful and pitifully angry, like a bleating goat-kid protesting against the cruelty of the butcher’s knife. His father, however, is elated, and makes little pretense of joining the mourners, electing to pridefully gaze upon a son he had once scorned. Shikhandi has nothing to say. His existence has been rendered meaningless, and not because he has fulfilled his destiny. He is no more important in this war for the elephant throne (for no woman can be avenged by widowing a million more, Draupadi’s delusions be damned) and ready to be discarded. He hopes he would die soon. Krishna gives him a melancholy smile, like he knew what he was thinking. He probably did. Shikhandi cannot bear to stay there. He turns away, and begins the long trek to camp on foot. (If he spoke some kind words to a dying soldier because he had newfound realisations about the ‘pawns’ in this game, well then, it was not like there was anyone to tell the tale.)

Tagging @sundaralekhan

[astrologerumesh]

Bhishma Ashtami on 08 February 2022

The festival of Bhishma Ashtami is one of the holiest occasions celebrated to honor the unbreakable vow of Bhishma, a renowned character in epic Mahabharata.

[backlinks5596941]

Diwali in BALI from My Travel Journal

Celebrate Diwali in the stunning paradise of Bali with this exciting 6-night package departing from BOM. Your journey begins with a round-trip flight on VietJet, including 20 kg of baggage (no meals provided).

Flight Details:

BOM to HAN: VJ910, Departure: 00:20

DPS to HAN: VJ900, Departure: 13:10

HAN to DPS: VJ997, Departure: 10:00

HAN to BOM: VJ907, Departure: 19:20

Accommodation Options:

4 Nights in Kuta: Golden Tulip Jineng or similar – Deluxe Room

2 Nights in Jimbaran: Fox Beach Hotel or similar – Deluxe Room

Pricing:

INR 75,555 per person (based on 4 passengers in an Avanza/Xenia or similar vehicle)

INR 77,500 per person (based on 2-3 passengers in an Avanza/Xenia or similar vehicle, and for 6-10 passengers in a 14-seater HiAce)

Inclusions:

Round-trip flight ticket from Mumbai on VietJet (20 kg baggage included, no meals)

Daily breakfast at the hotel/resort

Daily breakfast and dinner

Private return airport transfers

Full-day water sports (1 banana boat ride + 1 jet ski) followed by a Uluwatu Temple tour

Full-day visit to Bali Bird Park or Trans Studio (Theme Park Package) with private transfers

Full-day shopping tour followed by sunset at Tanah Lot Temple (transfer from Kuta to Jimbaran)

Full-day Ubud tour, including Tegenungan Waterfall and My Swing, with a local lunch at Taman Dedary by Royal Pitamaha

Daily supply of two 300ml water bottles during tours

Welcome garland

All tours and transfers on a private basis

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Bali, check-in, and overnight stay in Kuta.

Day 2: After breakfast, enjoy water sports at Benoa Beach, followed by a Uluwatu Temple tour. Overnight in Kuta.

Day 3: Visit Bali Bird Park or Trans Studio, then enjoy a sunset tour at Tanah Lot Temple. Overnight in Kuta/Seminyak/Nusa Dua.

Day 4: Check out from Kuta and enjoy a shopping tour, followed by sunset at Tanah Lot Temple. Overnight in Jimbaran.

Day 5: After breakfast, embark on a Ubud tour to Tegenungan Waterfall and My Swing, followed by lunch at Taman Dedary. Overnight in Jimbaran.

Day 6: Day at leisure to relax and explore. Overnight in Jimbaran.

Day 7: Departure transfer to the airport for your flight back to India.

Important Notes:

The itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions.

Bookings require guest names; reservations without names will not be honored.

Passport Submission Policy: Passport copies must be submitted 15 days prior to departure. Failure to do so will result in seat release without notice.

Name Change Request: USD 250 per person.

Payment and Cancellation Policy:

A 50% deposit is required for bookings.

Cancellations made more than 45 days before departure incur a ₹15,000 management fee.

Cancellations within 45 days will forfeit the entire advance payment.

The remaining 50% balance is due 45 days prior to departure; failure to pay will result in cancellation and forfeiture of advance payments.

Note: Hotel availability is subject to change, but similar options can be provided. Embrace the spirit of Diwali with this unique blend of cultural celebration and tropical relaxation in Bali!