Pravasi Bharatiya

NRI Anthem

Born in a dusty backstreet,  just like you,
Some time,  somehow, I flew over here.

Made my mark,  made my dough, learnt to drive on the right.

But inside me, like bucolic bacteria, grew home-sickness.

True I  was given the key to this city.  True I won patents for obscure inventions. True I found a cure for cancer.

But I still missed my sundal, that nagaswaram in the pandal, some hot prasadam at the car festival.

So I erected a replica temple. I founded my Sabha called Shabash. Imported priests, artistes and caste marks.

Call me "that NRI" . It no longer hurts. Call me a caricature in Bermudas.  I don't care.

I have arrived home. I don't need a visa for Margazhi.

Life's choices : accepting and rejecting

This brainwave of a matrix came to me this morning. We can either accept, reject or choose Life. We can accept, reject or choose God.  By Life I mean all that we see around us and all that happens to us. By God I mean the supreme Truth or Being experiencing which symbolises the ultimate experience of liberation.
Whereas accepting and rejecting are obvious terms,  choosing means making it the basic driving force of our life. Choosing means pursuing and prioritising that choice always.

So the nine types are:
Bhogi- he rejects God and Chooses Life.
Rogi- he rejects Life,  he rejects God.
Humanist- he rejects God and accepts Life.
Dharmi- he accepts God and pursues Life.

Tyagi -  he rejects Life and accepts God.
Bairagi- he rejects Life and chooses God.

Yogi- he accepts life and chooses God.
Buddha- he accepts Life, he accepts God. He is choiceless.
Sadguru- he chooses Life,  he chooses God. He lives amidst everything and integrates Life and God.

There are many states from Rogi to Sadguru. One can be pro Life and be a humanist. One can be rooted in righteousness and be a Dharmi. One can be a renunciate, Tyagi. One can move from that position towards God as a Bairagi. He can become a Buddha.

(The Buddha shown above came from Myanmar courtesy Kiran Kannappan.)

Tooth in my fries

News.au report: 

A HUMAN tooth was found in french fries sold at a McDonald’s in Japan last year, the firm said Wednesday, the latest in a series of woes involving contaminated nuggets and a chip shortage.A customer complained to the Japanese arm of the fast food giant after finding a foreign body in a serving of potatoes from an outlet in Osaka, two senior vice presidents told a press conference in Tokyo.
An independent investigation ordered by McDonald’s determined that the object was a tooth but concluded that it had not been cooked, said McDonald’s Japan senior vice president Hidehito Hishinuma.

Now I am thinking, how would a great dancer like Padma Subrahmanyam depict this with nava rasa bhava sancharis?

1. Adbhuta: This is the obvious. Imagine finding a tooth with your fries. It makes you sit back, open your eyes wide, and say, "what miracle is this, a real tooth in a real favourite of mine!"
2. Hasya: You're on your way home from the dentist, with your extracted tooth nicely wrapped up in a napkin resting in your breast pocket, and you find it in your bag of fries!!!! Surely that deserves a toothless smile. It's the tooth's way of saying good bye with due decorum.
3. Sringara: this is a bit of a stretch, but Padma will pull it off. She will show a daughter-in-law gloating over the tooth of her erstwhile tormentor, her M-I-L, duly sent away to the next world, now cringing forgiveness after making an appearance in her bag of chips. "Teaches the M-I-L right, now I can have all the good times with my man!"
4. Shanta: I am The Yogi @ McDonald’s. I stare at everything, a bag of chips, the Big Mac, a human tooth, all with the same equanimity.
5. Karuna: I call the store manager, calmly point at that tooth, and see his horror at the discovery and the pathos in his eyes as he sees his plum job saying good-bye to him, and I say, "don't, worry, I won't tell." Maximum compassion.
6. Bheebhatsa: a child finds the tooth. He says, my God, that school bully has planted this to spoil my meal...now the whole bag of chips has to be trashed....
7. Raudra: Strict Vegetarian, vadhyar types, goes into a paroxysm of anger at finding the tooth, and that means the only thing he might reasonably eat in goddamned McDonald’s is now shown to be pure Non-veg.
8. Bhaya: The girl at the counter, and this is her first day in the McDonald’s, sees the tooth coming back on a tray carried by the livid customer, demanding an explanation. Job Chuss?
9. Veera: Headline: "Famous palaeontologist discovers the missing link in a bag of fries!"

What makes the world go round?

It is the grand grand finale of the Kaun Banega Karodpati. Big B has invited the four biggest names in Indian cinema:
1. Aamir Khan
2. Salman Khan
3. Shah Rukh Khan
4. Rajnikanth

The BIG question, with the GRAND PRIZE, is going to be asked and the one with the right answer will win the GRAND PRIZE.

The question is asked in a solemn voice by Big B:
What makes the world go round? Each one has to give the answer, and in the end Big B will give the right answer. They draw lots.

The first to go is Aamir Khan.
His answer:  Planetary Motion.

The second to go is Salman Khan.

His answer: US Dollar.

The third to go is Shah Rukh Khan.
His answer: Love.

The last is Rajnikanth.
His answer: Curd Rice.

There is a deafening silence. Big B finally rolls his eyes towards Rajni and says, "Of course, ladies and gentlemen, Rajni has the right answer. He is always and forever the BEST. HE GETS THE GRAND PRIZE.

Rajni says, "Wait, macchan, no hurry. Let me explain my answer for your billion viewers., Let them understand the GREAT TRUTH.

" The world goes round no doubt following the laws of planetary motion. Aamir seems in a way  to be right. But the question is what makes the world follow planetary motion?

"Salman said, US Dollar. That also sounds quite precise. After all, everything, including all the armies of the world, all the banks of the world, all the governments of the world, all the jobs of the world, need the backing of the US Dollar. But actually, the US Dollar goes round in correct and wrong ways around the world, but why?

"Now Shah Rukh gave the text book answer. But it is actually a British conspiracy that spread the word about Love. Love is a nice thing, I myself like it quite a lot, but is that a special thing? Even if the world did not go round, it would be still there.

"Big B, your Big question for the Grand Prize is about WHAT MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND!!!????

" Now my answer is Curd Rice. Credit to KBC for having given the correct answer also as one of the options.

"You know better than anyone else that the oldest, grandest, most scientific, most powerful civilisation in the world is the TAMIL CIVILISATION.

"All cultures, languages, sciences, everything, was invented in Tamil. Even Sanskrit and English and Physics and Maths. Now the world goes round because of Tamil Culture.

"But what is the most important, key, thing in Tamil Culture? CURD RICE.

"Let me tell you the story. Sage Agasthya came down to Tamil Land and created the entire race. He made them the greatest civilisation. They were better than Asuras. They were better than Devas. But the Tamil people were very upset. They told Agasthya that the gods had got Amritha or nectar of immortality from churning the ocean. The demons had got immense power, and the biggest of all powers is the power to do Tapas. So they could thrive even without Amritha.

What about the Tamil people. They threatened Agasthya that he would be in serious trouble if he did not give them something better than Amritha.

"Sage Agasthya meditated for 1000 years. At the end of it all, he was tired and hungry. But he had the answer. It had to be CURD RICE!!!!

"Curd rice is better than Amritha. Every Tamil civilised man, woman, child and creature eats it at least twice a day. They carry it secretly on trains, planes, to schools, colleges, and even in space ships while testing them in ISRO and NASA. Google, Microsoft, Apple, NASA, everybody serves curd rice in their canteens. All airlines serve curd rice. All trains and buses stop for curd rice.

That makes Tamil people intelligent, happy, and powerful. They fly around the world. They rock wherever they go. They control science, industry, weaponry, politics, movies, music and love. They are singularly driven to achieve. And that drive comes from Curd Rice.

"Take away Curd Rice. The Tamil heroes and heroines will be powerless and witless. The world will stop going round. Period."

Thunderous applause. GRAND PRIZE. RAJNI RISES TO STRATOSPHERE, FOR A MORSEL OF CURD RICE.

Come on, #boycottPK ??????? Seriously?

The #BoycottPK on Twitter is trending big time with many Hindus offended by the "laapata" posters of Aamir, the chase after Shiva, the dismantling of Tapasvi Maharaj etc. All these are considered vandalism acts against Hinduism.

I cannot laugh beyond a point as my sides will split. Come on.

I think PK is the BIGGEST ENDORSEMENT OF

1. HINDU SENSE OF SATYAMEV JAYATE
2. KARMA THEORY
3. GOD's LILA IN ACTION
4. LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE BEYOND EARTH.

Take the following facts.

This nanga panga alien PK lands on earth to learn about us and go back.
His need to go back is only after he has understood the rich variety of life here. Do you think he came here only to smuggle out some cassette tapes, an old Pansonic 2-in-1, and two trunks full of Duracell A batteries? NO WAY.

So PK HAS TO GET MESSED UP... otherwise how will he know?


PK had to see life in Rajasthan. Some dancing cars. Some screaming news anchors. Some scheming godmen. Some scrambling in temples. Some considerate policemen who know the colour of a Gandhi 500 rupee note.
He has to fall in love.
That is the theory of HINDUISM. COME, GET EXPERIENCE. THEN GET LIBERATION. PERIOD.

PK mat dekho

You should see PK. But not after a couple of drinks (spoiler: the movie title comes from peekay).

Because as it is, the heady atmosphere of a cineplex smelling of popcorn and full of ads about gold and bank loan and OLX.com will rob you of a sense of humour to appreciate an Aamir Khan film.

Because Aamir is actually an alien amidst us, whether you know it or not and whether you see PK or not. To explain it further,  he thinks different,  acts different,  and makes movies which make a big impact by being different. He doesn't attempt anything cheap,  anything easy,  anything light. Intensely different=Aamir Khan.

Figure this:

We think God is a kind of alien and we always prefer our godmen. We would not be able to handle God. That is the symbolism of Bhagavadgita 11th chapter.

We are so confused about what's the core  of our religious values.  We therefore can't distinguish between a programme on Aastha cable channel, ''Eat Pray Love'' movie scenes, and a feel-good God mela.

In PK:
Anoushka looks like a botched alien plastic surgery job, except when she is romancing Sarfraz in that lovely picture-postcard Bruges.

And Delhi, however you shoot it, looks like a spicy chat made up of traffic snarls, trishul-sporting temples and I-just-don't-care cops. It's not any different in PK.

Takeaways:

Avatar is an alien movie. It succeeded big time. So time for PK here!

Aamir is an alien in Bollywood.

Bollywood needs themes about gods and godmen for survival.

God is an alien in our make-believe world.

We need an avatar to solve this mess called our world. PK is that avatar!

And of course we see reality only on TV News channels! So this movie also plays out through a news reality show.

Best part of PK:
A Rajasthan cameo with the delightful Sanjay Dutt, sands, camels, and pagdis and some wonderful music and dance is actually a lot of fun.

Postscript:
OK,  if I sound cryptic,  sorry.
My rating for PK ****  4/5
My reco:  MUST SEE.

Movie songs: OFFICIAL: 'PK' Full Songs JUKEBOX | Tharki Chokro…:

http://youtu.be/_q-_SPgzSXo

Don't just sit there, learn Bharatanatyam!

What looks like a designer chair is surely one,  but more than what you think.
The "No Sweat, No Sweat"  company,  who made their millions selling the Ab King Pro ("crunch with the punch") and the Sedentary Walker ("Move your legs, not your butt")  have launched this for the December season.

Every Bharatanatyam aspirant knows that the most important thing is Arre Mandi. This esoteric term means "how to sit without sitting." So a Bharatanatyam exponent will perfect over the years the posture of sitting on a non-existent chair. This is supposed to confer grace, posture, and foster the best eye contact during abhinaya. Now supposing you actually sit on a chair,  and the chair does all the foot thumping and aids in abhinaya, you have Bharatanatyam v3.0. That is the idea behind the Bharatanatyam Chair.

How this advanced design works is that you find a convenient, spacious, well ventilated, flat surface in a room and place the chair. Then you plug it into the wall socket (100-240V,50/60 Hz, 10A).
You have an iOS/Android app that links via Bluetooth 3.0 and controls the lessons.

You are led through all the key moves of the classic art form including foot movements, hand movements, eye movements, neck movements, and facial expressions.  A series of mild shocks make you squirm and stomp your feet as you sit comfortably on the chair. No need for make up,  jewellery, special costumes etc. unless you are performing in public.

The Bharatanatyam Chair has graded lessons and you can become a Master of Arts in 24 lessons. The entire system is covered by a one year warranty.
Order yours today online at USD 499.95!

Why Bhagavadgita is India's #1 scripture

I don't wish to debate the idea of making Gita India's national book. For one thing I don't understand what that status will imply. But surely I wish to tell you why I think the Gita is India's most important scripture.

To begin with,  for a scripture to be of timeless importance,  it has to have direct relevance to our lives. It has to address both ethical and social issues. It has to provide guidance for a seeker of truth. You may give the status of truth to what is scientifically validated, or spiritually experiential, or both.

Second, the scripture has to be easy to read and understand. It has to have layers of meaning which are consistent and that make sense to different readers. It has to talk not through myths and legends but through a more direct discourse.

Third,  it should have an authentic text which prevents people from disputing endlessly  for versions and interpretations.

Fourth, it should have a transformational power which rules the minds and hearts of men.

The Gita qualifies on every one of these criteria, as will be seen from a study of the work and its various commentaries. Let me add some more points.

First of all it is a direct dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna,  a warrior, standing ready to battle his enemies for his right to the kingdom, which has been taken away wrongly. His friend and guide Krishna has become his charioteer. Arjuna has sudden doubts of what's right for him to do. He gets advice from Krishna. For those confused about Gita's context for the righteous war, I suggest reading the Mahabharata first. And then Gita. Anyone who has not read either Mahabharata or the Gita seriously has no right to take part in this discussion.

Krishna gives his advice first at the level of responsibility for a warrior readied for battle for a cause he has stood for, all his life. This gives a social and ethical basis for discussing one's duty within the context of Arjuna's life situation.

But Gita quickly moves into ideas of the nature of existence and creation,  how man acquires his tendencies and propensities,  how he has to deal with conflict,  how he has to give back to life.  We may feel uncomfortable with Hindu concepts of rebirth, karma and such. But we are discussing here a scripture of this nation, and these ideas are implicit to our way of life and form the fabric of thinking for an entire civilisation. That is why both Buddha and Mahavira accepted rebirth and karma theory as the basis of their teachings also.

The concept of karma and rebirth provides a strong basis for ethics.

Now Gita does not stress image worship, ritualistic prayer and ostentatious ceremony. Very briefly, Krishna says that all duty done well is a sacrifice or offering that helps the entire circle of life. Worship is more important in spirit and attitude. Worship is not meant to be ostentatious display. In fact Krishna says it is evil and unethical to horde and display wealth. Wealth is to be treated only as a trust.

There are far reaching discussions also in the Gita about-
Discipline in habits,  day-to-day living,
Moderation in rest and recreation,
Leading by example others- especially those who look up to a man of influence,
Taking failure as a stepping stone to success,
Treating success with equanimity,
Giving to others generously,
Speaking the truth,
Contemplation and solitude for self-development,
Becoming attuned to the circle of life.

All these ideas as developed and discussed in the Gita have no mythological dimensions but are dipped in immense practicality.

Man has also to find answers and meanings in life as well as in death. Krishna deals with these aspects in a most inspiring and thought- provoking manner.

Finally Krishna also lists what's wrong- meaningless ritual, blind adherence to practice without commitment to the larger goal of life, and a dogmatic response to reality.

I don't know of any other such timeless classic in Indian civilisation. Bhagavad Gita is for me the scripture for the Hindu way of life.

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Earth shakes below the Metro. I see the Iskcon spire. I remember the prasad.The climb's worth it - such fabulous decorations! Am lost in the chant until I hear the conch.

#Unsharemyfries

Let's go to Big Mac, oh mere sathi!
Let's have a big blast,  shall we?
But you must beware
MY fries, I unshare
For it's a communion: my chips and me.

Do you want to be on the Elanir Index global map?

If you want to check out the new global index, click here:
Global Elanir Index Map

Do you want to be on the global map?
Then give me:
Date, Place, and Price of the Elanir you consumed.
Send a photo if you can, And give me your name without fail!!!

Happy Sips!

The solitary postbox

Forlorn, secluded, standing in slience.
I am a piece from the past.
The man who made me was all proud
To launch my ruddy adventure.
There was a time when many a man
In uniform strode up to me.
With reverence, courage, hope and more,
He shared his deepest thought and brightest news.
I took up the task and sent his missive far away somewhere on earth.
I was the first in a long line of soldiers who toiled on land, in air and on sea.
We tarried never, in whatever weather,
And reached the loved one or stern boss always in time.

Oh,  how the times have changed. Now all the excitement I see is traffic snarls with JCB's, cargo trucks, smart little cars and careless drivers.
I get now a fresh coat of dust every minute.
And that elusive Post-office Red touched me but several monsoons ago.
I am no more a landmark, no more a cheerful memory, no more a soldier much in the line of duty.

I am but a solitary postbox.

(photo: the postbox at the Army traffic signal in Victoria Layout).

But I know it already!

I found this picture at a website called Ideachampions which linked to this.

My ears are nowadays full of words I hear all the time from youngsters and kids, "But I know this already!"

They are JUST NOT INTERESTED in listening.

I was wondering what would have been my fate if I had been thinking like this -a bit more than I did perhaps :)

1. I would not have learnt anything about electricity. I would have been electrocuted while doing all my crazy experiments as a kid.
2. I would not have been able to understand almost any fine art, as almost everything has its own idiom and I had to learn it by careful watching and listening.
3. I had to learn all the road rules... otherwise I would have been run over.
4. I wouldn't have learnt any language.
5. I wouldn't have known how to dress properly.
6. I wouldn't have chosen the right balance in what I ate...
7. I wouldn't have gone to a doctor and had any tests. 
8. I wouldn't have been able to operate almost any gadget that I use routinely now.
9. I would have been lost on the way to work or way back home.
10. I wouldn't have wondered how to cure myself of this "I know it already" disease.

Good Morning, God!

Her "Good morning, God!"has a cheerful ring.

This one moves to the head of a long winding line descending and disappearing from here, from above the clouds, into mist and smog down to earth. It's a girl. She wishes that their much awaited picnic, since dad has an unexpected holiday, goes well and she gets ice-cream and cotton candy.

The next one moves up. He is a portly man in unkempt clothes, getting ready to run to his shop, Jayalaxmi Wines. The weekend sales were good but that Raghavendra Spirits, opened just opposite his prime location, is a worry. "Please make sure my sales increase, and I will spare no effort to rope in the college boys and teachers nearby".

The next is an IAS officer. He wants a transfer from Naxal-hit hinterland to the urban chaos where no IAS officer can ever be pulled up for non-performance, what with the din and garbage all around. Not to mention the wobbly government and coalition CM.

Then comes a school teacher. She really wishes her ward well, the one whose talent is about to be recognised by Intel for Youth Ideas.

The next is a musician. He has been praying for a prime slot in the Kutcheri circuit, and a sabha secretary has promised him the much needed break.

Then a housewife. She has already been busy making breakfast, packing everyone's lunch and ironing clothes. She is praying that the larger than life Anandi in Balika Vadhu is not falsely implicated for shop lifting.

And it goes on and on.

God looks tired. And very old. He looks much different from Michaelangelo's muscular masterpiece. More grey, more wrinkled, as he peers on the horizon. The sun never sets or rises for him. He hasn't slept a wink ever, and the constant "Good Morning, God" goes on all the time. He listens patiently, watches every face for a smile, a tear, and more importantly, honesty. He sees beyond what everyone shows on their face or in their voice. It is just that they never look at him, as they are simply engrossed in their own thoughts and the images and icons in front of them, with lamps, candles, incense and flowers.

They actually pray, but seldom believe.

WikiHow: How to increase your lung capacity

How to Increase Your Lung Capacity

• 1,958,270 views
• 122 Editors
• Edited 2 days ago

Three Methods:Increasing Lung Capacity QuicklyIncreasing Lung Capacity with Physical ExercisesIncreasing Lung Capacity with Long-Term Exercises

Many sports in today's action-packed world require you to use a vast amount of air in order to be successful. While there are ways to increase the size of your lungs, there are also many ways to increase the amount of air taken in by your lungs, and the efficiency with which they capture oxygen. Practice these exercises daily, and you are bound to see an increase in your lung capacity.

Method 1 of 3: Increasing Lung Capacity Quickly

1. 
   1
   Breathe deeply. You can increase the amount of air your lungs can absorb in a short amount of time, without a long-term investment in exercise or training equipment. The trick is breathing steadily and deeply.
   • Exhale completely and slowly. Practice it a few times before you start. Don't let any air linger in your lungs. This allows you to inhale more air on the next breath.
   • Allow your diaphragm to descend by keeping your abdominal muscles relaxed. Your abdomen will expand as your diaphragm descends, making more room around your lungs, and allowing them to fill with air.
   • Widen your arms, holding them farther away from your body, to help open up your chest.
2. 
   2
   Inhale a deep breath. You probably want to fill your lungs to about 80%-85% capacity, to give your body room to relax. You do not want to fill your lungs to full capacity if it means that your muscles tighten up and you're uncomfortable.
   • Have a friend with you, monitoring your breathing, if possible. You could pass out, in which case you'd want your friend to respond appropriately.
   • You don't need to puff your cheeks out. You want the muscles in your face to be loose and relaxed. The muscles in your stomach and diaphragm are going to be the ones working.
3. 
   3
   Splash water on your face. Do this while you're holding your breath. Scientists have figured out that splashing water on your face accelerates bradycardia, or the slowing of the heart rate, or the first phase of the mammalian diving reflex.
   • Your body is preparing to dive underwater, where it will need to regulate its heart beat effectively and pass oxygen throughout the blood in order to keep you alive.
   • Try to keep the water cold, but not icy. Icy water will trigger another reflex in your body that causes you to hyperventilate, or try to breathe quickly. Hyperventilation will hurt your ability to hold your breath for a long time.
4. 
   4
   Relax your muscles and hold your breath. Try meditating, or closing your eyes. The less energy you expend, the longer your body will be able to hold its breath.
   • Count to 100 in your head. Only focus on the number you are reciting mentally, and on your goal of reaching 100.
   • Keep a note of which number you get to until you can't hold your breath any longer. That number will be the benchmark for your next attempt.
5. 
   5
   Exhale slowly, and repeat 3-4 times. Don't let your air out too quickly. Exhale as slowly as possible, in a steady stream. Once you've practiced one repetition, do the whole exercise over starting from the beginning.
   • After 3-4 times, your lungs will be able to hold much more air than they could just twenty minutes beforehand.
   • Practicing this exercise regularly will also help train your lungs in the long term.
6. 6
   Try simple breathing exercises. You can do these exercises around the house, at your office, hanging out while watching TV, the list goes on.^[1]
   • Blowing balloons is a good method for increasing lung capacity. While you're walking, at home doing chores, or have a spare second, practice blowing up a balloon and letting it deflate. Do this over and over again; you should notice your lungs' ability to pump more air, stronger and longer.
   • Another method is to tape a long, light slip of paper (or a tissue) to the tip of your nose and try to keep it in the air by blowing it as long as possible. Time yourself and if you practice this, exercise regularly, you will be able to keep your slip of paper in the air much longer thus, increasing lung capacity.
   • Breathing exercises during everyday activities can be helpful. Breathe in for 2-20 seconds, breathe out for 10-20 seconds, and slowly increase the rate. Soon you will find yourself breathing out 45 seconds-2 minutes if you practice enough! You can easily do it while driving, sitting in the office, watching television, playing video games, doing paperwork, at the desk at school, or when you are simply bored!
   • Try hyperventilating before holding your breath. Hyperventilating simply means breathing in and out very quickly. Note: hyperventilating before diving can be dangerous because the urge to breathe can be delayed beyond the point where you pass out!

Method 2 of 3: Increasing Lung Capacity with Physical Exercises

1. 
   1
   Exercise in water. Exercising in water will add an element of resistance training to your regimen. Your body will have to work overtime to supply enough oxygen into your blood, making for a good lung workout.^[2]
   • Develop a normal stretching and weight lifting routine out of the water. Make sure that you compensate for the fact that weights will feel lighter when you have the water around you. Practice this routine for a few days until you are comfortable with everything.
   • Take it to the water. Submerge yourself up to your neck, and do the exercises while in the water. This may not seem like it is doing anything to help you at all, but don't worry. Due to the blood shifting into your chest cavity and the compression on your body, you will have to take shorter, quicker breaths whenexercising in the water. Research shows that your air capacity will be cut by up to 75% during this time, and your body will try to compensate for that. If your exercise in the water lasts long enough, and you do it regularly, your respiratory system will become more efficient, increasing your lung capacity.
2. 
   2
   Participate in rigorous cardiovascular activities. Exercising is a great way to increase lung capacity. For at least 30 minutes, push your body to exhaustion so that your lungs are working hard. This hard work will pay off in better lung capacity.^[3]
   • Try aerobics. It can surprising how much lung capacity you can develop doing short bursts of intense training.
   • Do cycling. Pepper your route with elevated climbs. Going up hills means your body needs to pump more blood to your legs; your lungs supply the oxygen to the blood.^[4]
   • Go running. Run on a padded track or treadmill to be kind to your knees and joints. Mix in sprints to make sure your lungs are working extra hard.
   • Swimming - The best sport to improve on your cardiovascular fitness. At their peak, swimmers' lungs will use oxygen three times more efficiently than an average person.
3. 
   3
   Work out at high-elevation. Working out at higher elevations is a surefire way to boost your lung strength. Higher elevation air contains less oxygen, making the workout tougher, but ultimately more rewarding, on your lungs.^[5]
   • If you're serious about increasing your lung capacity, live in high altitude for the duration of your training. At 8,000 ft (2,500 m) above sea level, the oxygen content in the air is only 74%^[6] of what it is at sea level. This means your lungs have to work harder to get as much oxygen out into your blood.
   • When you travel back down to lower-elevation, your body still has increased levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin — for up to two weeks — which means that your overall lung capacity is increased.
   • Be careful not to train too hard at high elevation, as you could develop altitude sickness.

Method 3 of 3: Increasing Lung Capacity with Long-Term Exercises

1. 
   1
   Create resistance. Your lungs will respond to training, so get some resistance training in your routine and watch your lung capacity increase.^[7]
   • Breathe in normally through your nose. Take deep breaths. Breathe out through your mouth with your lips still close together. Open them just slightly so a little bit of air can get out, and with resistance. Try and do this as often as possible. It makes the sacs in your lungs more used to having to hold air longer, stretching them out.
2. 
   2
   Breathe in more than your brain thinks you can. Your brain, of course, looks out for the safety of your body, and is averse to stretching the body's limits. But the body can do amazing things when the brain is persuaded that everything is okay. Make sure you try this.
   • For eight counts, breathe until your lungs are totally full. After each count you should be able to breathe in more.
   • For the next eight to sixteen counts, take small sips of air. Feel your belly expanding. You shouldn't feel your shoulders moving.
   • Hold your breath for a few seconds and release forcefully.
   • After you feel "empty," make a "tssssss" sound for as long as possible. (This is called tizzling, and it mimics the resistance of playing a wind instrument.)
   • Practice this periodically. When you train your brain to stretch the body's limits, your breathing intake will spike.
3. 
   3
   Play a wind instrument. Playing a wind instrument is a great way to give your lungs a regular workout and have fun making music in the balance.^[8]
   • Learn how to play a woodwind or brass instrument such as a tuba, trumpet, trombone, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, or flute. This activity will help you control breathing and expand your lung capacity to utilize all the alveoli.
   • Play in a marching band or a Drum and Bugle Corps. This activity requires more and more lung capacity utilization for your movement and playing and is quite healthy.
   • You can also learn how to sing. Singing really works the diaphragm, and can aid in continuous breathing exercises. Singers, of course, need to have really strong lungs

Tips

• You probably already know to stay away from any kind of smoking, but you should also stay away from smoke-filled environments, where you're exposed to second-hand smoke, because ETS is still a form of inhaling smoke and can decrease you lung capacity
• In a pool, position your chest as far underwater as possible and breathe through a tube. The further under water you are, the more pressure is applied to your chest, making it hard to breathe. Make sure you can keep the tube above water or you will end up with lungs full of water. Note that at even a couple of feet down it may be impossible to inhale. Don't come up with lungs full of air - exhale before you return to the surface or you risk a lung barotrauma (this can occur at 2-3 meters or more).

Warnings

• Whenever you become lightheaded, breathe normally.
• Always swim with a buddy or in a public area when you are performing breathing exercises.
• When breathing under water (for example, when SCUBA diving), stabilize your depth and never hold your breath or inhale deeply while ascending. Air expands when ascending and your lungs can rupture if you are holding your breath.

Cellphone MahAtmyA

आबालगोपगृहिता सर्वात्याज्यसाधना
वाक्-चक्रराजनिलया श्रीमतcellphoneसुंदरी 

Translation:

AbAla=from kids gOpa=to cowherds(=bumpkins), gRuhitA=possessed by and held in hand

sarvAn=by all atyAjya=cannot be given up 

sAdhanA=device

vAk-chakra=circle of talking

rAjanilayA =the almighty queen of

Srimat=resplendent

cellphone= cellphone=Mobile=Smartphone=Phablet

sundarI=beauteous lady


Meaning:

This shloka is inspired by LalithasahasranAma.

These days, everyone, from kids to geriatrics to milkmen, carry a mobile phone. They just can't give it up and part with it day and night. It is the essential space in which people now converse (people talk more words into a mobile today, every day, than to each other  through the direct medium of air). And it is a sign of beauty, as we show it off and make it rule our lives!

Milind Nayak's Painting

ನೀರ ಹನಿಯು ನಡುಗಿ ನಿಲಲು
ಹೂವು ಅದನು ಕಂಡು ನಗಲು
ತಂಪು ಗಾಳಿ ಬೀಸುತಿರಲು
ಮಂದ ರವಿಯ ಬೆಳಕು ಬರಲು
ಕುಂಚದಿಂದ ಮೂಡಿಬಂದ ಈ ಚೆಲುವ
ಮನವ ಸೆಳೆವ ಮಕರಂದ ತರುವ
ಚಿತ್ರ ದೇವರದೊ ಕಲೆಗಾರನದೋ
ಮನವ ಮರೆವ ಆಟವದೋ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಯ ನಿರಂತರ ನಾಟ್ಯವದೊ?

Real Estate

What do you do when you have some savings tucked away? Will you simply depend on investing in MF, or FD, or the equity market? But surely you won't miss the large, multi-page colour ads EVERYDAY in Bangalore newspapers about that ideal dream villa or flat!?

By the way, if you want to be a copywriter or visualizer, you should try your hand at real estate ads. There is almost nothing real or any estate (=estimate of ground reality) you need to know before you wax eloquent about a heaven in a Spanish villa located on the palm-fringed beach in Utopia, kissed constantly by blue waves, with an ozone-filled breeze and the aroma of the world's most exotic cuisine filling your nostrils as you come back from your power yoga session with the world's leading guru, all ready for some family chow.

But then we are all first and foremost dreamers. So we want to own that piece of a dream somewhere in Bangalore.

Where would that be? Somewhere, right now, in fact in many places around this garden city, there are huge JCBs clawing at the vitals of Mother Earth and uprooting trees and leveling land. Somewhere thousands are toiling day and night to erect the monument to your dream and someone else's greed. And thank God  there are some good builders too!

My piece of dream real estate is next to a holy ashram on a hill invoking the Mother Goddess. there is already a Cafe Coffee Day at the entrance to the complex. Now MTR 1924 has opened next door. 

The location is on the tree-lined road going south of Bangalore. You will find leopards and elephants from the wild on a rare occasion. Cauvery water comes in a huge pipe all along that toad.

Don't you think my dream has a real estate?

Mother's Sylvan Abode

This rain-soaked early morning,
We drove to a faraway sylvan hill.
We saw Mother in her temple,
Trees around to make our minds still.

In her discourse on full moon day,
She blessed her children everywhere.
She spoke of anger, will, and the way
To dissolve the mind, see grace and share.

Is this sylvan retreat merely stone,
What we heard, just another chant?
Or,
Will I let go of my thorny throne,
And let prayer evaporate my want?

Mother, I want to find the way.
Please help me. Come what may.

What force beats in my heart?

I got this lovely photo from friend, Kiran. He travels often, and this time was at this temple of Tarakeshwara at Hangal, built several hundred years ago in late Chalukyan style.

That triggered the muse in me:

What force beats in my heart?
What makes me ask this?

The same force that made man
Wonder about that force, long ago.

That made the Chalukyan king say,  let's build a temple.
That worked in people to break rocks and bring boulders. Wielded the chisel and hammer in an incessant cycle. Sawed, levelled, shaped, carved, and joined wood.
Made priests sing a sonorous hymn. Made the drum beat and pipe sing, to fill every fibre with a vibrancy.

That made anklets dance in joy. Colourful costumes swirl and flutter. Made children laugh and elephants trumpet.

That force. That goes on forever. That beats within me.

The cowherd knocks at Mars' door.

A cartoon in New York Times.

An Indian is always an outsider, 

in English bars, on planet Mars,

Always knocking at the door, 

Dhoti tucked up.

An insufferable interloper -

space scientist,cyber hack,

Gunga Din, or Shashi Tharoor.

Thank God all that he drinks is warm lemon juice.