Live Your Life

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Cheat

(Image Source: http://www.wickedsmileys.com)

she fell for his tears

pardoning him, yet again

he smirked, secretly

This Haiku is shared with Haiku Horizons - Weep.

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Ramayana - The Game of Life (Book 2) : Shattered Dreams - Review

Shattered Dreams is the sequel to the national bestseller, Rise of the Sun Prince, in the new spiritual and motivational series Ramayana - The Game of Life. Twelve joyful years have passed in Ayodhya since the wedding of Rama and Sita at the end of Book 1.

Now, in Shattered Dreams, Shubha Vilas narrates the riveting drama of Rama’s exile. Through tales of Rama’s unwavering and enigmatic persona, the book teaches us how to handle reversals positively; through Bharata’s actions, it teaches us to handle temptation; and through Sita’s courage, to explore beyond our comfort zone. This complicated family drama provides deep insights on how human relationships work and how they fail.

With Valmiki’s Ramayana as its guiding light, Shattered Dreams deftly entwines poetic beauty from the Kamba Ramayana and Ramacharitramanas, as well as folk philosophy from the Loka Pramana tales, to demonstrate how the ancient epic holds immediate relevance to modern life. Experience the ancient saga of the Ramayana like never before.

About the Author

Shubha Vilas, a spiritual seeker and a motivational speaker, holds a degree in engineering and law with a specialization in patent law. His leadership seminars are popular with top-level management in corporate houses. He addresses their crucial needs through thought- provoking seminars on themes such as ‘Secrets of Lasting Relationships’, ‘Soul Curry to Stop Worry’ and ‘Work–Life Balance’ to name a few.

He believes that a good teacher, no matter how knowledgeable, always sees the process of learning and teaching simultaneously as an inherent aspect of personal and spiritual growth. He also helps individuals in different parts of the world apply the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, the Ramayana and other dharmic traditions in dealing with modern- day life situations.

A mythological tale comes packed not only with a sweet fragrance of familiarity, but also that refreshing excitement of unearthing something new. Most of us are aware of the story of Ramayana, the famous epic based on the life and adventure of the divine couple – Rama and Sita. We have heard it several times, from different persons, exploring varied perspectives of the same, and forming opinions of our own, and yet, Shubha Vilas’s Ramayana – The Game Of Life series never fails to enthrall us. It’s the combination of a powerful plot and the polished story telling ability of Shubha Vilas that fetches high marks to this retelling of the Ramayana.

‘Shattered Dreams’, sequel to the ‘Rise Of The Sun Prince’, starts with heightened anxiety in the mind of Dasaratha, the ruler of Ayodhya. He has planned to pass on the kingdom to his eldest and glorious son, Rama. However, there is a strange fear lurking at the back of his mind. He tries to get rid of it, thinking he is worrying without any reason. However, when Queen Keikeyi informs him of her demands, which turn out to be cruel to the lives of Dasratha, Rama and the entire kingdom of Ayodhya, the fear finally takes shape and the king, bonded by his promise, could only curse himself and his fate.

The book follows a third person narrative style, and Shubha Vilas excels in it. The pace is perfect, neither too fast, nor too slow. It is as if the pages take the form of visual frames, playing in front of our eyes, a motion picture inscribed in ink. Such is the magic of ‘Shattered Dreams’ that the readers will tend to be hypnotized by the events, sailing with the flow, transfixed, mesmerized.

The characterization is again a strong point of this book, and hardly gives any reason to complain. Rama is the virtuous and righteous leader, well adept with the principles of Dharma, never straying from his path of duty. Sita, his wife, is his greatest support, always trying to ease Rama’s worries and willing to be with him at all times, both good and bad. Lakshmana, a loyal brother, aims to be an ideal servant to Rama, vowing to look after his safety and providing Rama and Sita every comfort that he could manage. Bharata is noble in his deeds, not accepting the throne because of his love and respect towards Rama.

There are portions in the book that have come out very beautifully. For instance, when Rama was leaving Ayodhya for his exile, the author brings about the grief in the hearts of the entire population through his brilliant use of words. His metaphors and similes provide the perfect depiction of the scene, stirring emotions within us, making us feel a part of the narration. The editing is very well done, and there are no unnecessary segments in the story. The chapters complement each other, leading to a seamless flow of the narrative.

For lovers of mythology and epics, ‘Shattered Dreams’ is a must read. Shubha Vilas deserves a pat on his back for doing his job exceedingly well, making his readers relive the epic, in an all new and brighter hue.

Title: Ramayana - The Game of Life (Book 2) : Shattered Dreams

Authors: Shubha Vilas

Publisher: Jaico Publishing House

Publication Year: 2015

Language: English

Binding: Paperback

Genre: Religious, Mythology

No. of Pages: 404

Price: Rs 350

My Rating: 4/5

A Few Leaves Whisper

(Image Source: http://magpietales.blogspot.in/2015/03/mag-262.html)

a few leaves

whisper my name

as I walk by

the shades of green

they know me

'cause here once I played

sliding down the branches

falling, and standing strong

when spring

was just another season

and not a poet's love song

This Poem is shared with Magpie Tales.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Missed

This Poem is shared with dVerse Open Link Night.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Autumn In Spring

This Poem is shared with

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Nashta With Guptaji

Who wouldn’t like to start his or her day with a healthy breakfast? As studies have shown, the first meal of the day, the breakfast, is indeed the most important one. Thus, a combination of nutrients and taste should be the ingredient to start a perfect morning.

If you are looking for that perfect nashta with lip – smacking taste and energy embedded in it, head straight over to Guptaji’s house. I came across their family, and was amazed to know that they have over a hundred different recipes for breakfast, all using Kelloggs cornflakes. Wow! Isn’t that incredible? This just sounds like the items in a menu card of a multi – star restaurant.

The best thing about Guptaji’s nashta is that there is something for everyone. There are different varieties of recipes catering to my needs and taste, and also takes the occasion in consideration. I can join with my family for Apple Cinnamon Cornflakes, brimming with a high health quotient, or go for the Homework Wala Nashta after a hard day’s work with cornflakes, cabbage and cucumber. Guptaji is an endearing personality, and has also prepared a nashta for entertainment. Cornflake Popcorn Clusters serves as a perfect nashta while watching movies with friends or family.

To start my mornings with heaps of positivity, I will choose Strawberry and Banana Cornflakes. The taste is delicious undoubtedly. However, it’s that bright colour combination of yellow (cornflakes), white (banana) and red (strawberry) that attracts me more.

And for all the chocolate lovers like me, Guptaji has something magical in store. The Walnut Cornflakes Choco Ball is a delight, and yet not sinful. It’s amazing when taste combines so seamlessly with healthy food, ‘cause then one does not need to control his or her cravings anymore. This nashta, I tell you, smells yummy and tastes heavenly. I could never have enough of it.

Anything crunchy and spicy makes my taste bud go weak. I have to resist myself to stop going for those roadside stalls regularly. However, Guptaji, the kind soul that he is, has found a perfect solution to my needs. The Chatpatti Cornflakes Chivda is that ideal snack that I would love to munch upon, anytime, everytime.

That’s not all. Guptaji surprises me with yet another item that he has on offer for nashta. He has named it Cornflake Coconut Ladoos. The yummy laddoos are a treat to watch and taste. The best thing is that I can have lots of laddoos without worrying about calories. If that’s not enticing, then what is?

Sitaphal Cornflakes is another item on the breakfast table that ensures a healthy start to the day. Cornflakes and custard apple can be an electrifying pair, and Guptaji proves that wonderfully.

Thus, I can find no reason why I shouldn’t go to Guptaji’s house for breakfast. He is warm and cordial, and with such a large variety of breakfast items to choose from, why should I even think twice?

Guptaji, here I come.

This post is inspired by Kellogg's Waale Guptaji ka Nashta.

Check the official link below:

https://www.facebook.com/anaajkanashta

I agree to ensure (to the best of my abilities and circumstances) that this blog post will remain accessible in an un-altered state for a minimum of one year.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Being Happy On International Day Of Happiness

Being happy is easy. One doesn’t have to spend anything to earn a few smiles, or a few moments of laughter. Don’t they say that the best things in life are free? What can be better than the feeling of being happy and joyous?

How can we be happy then? There are no predefined rules, no definite formula that can take us through the magic doors of happiness, and perhaps that’s what makes it all the more special. In short, one doesn’t need to do much to be happy. We have the power to be happy always, and can unleash it anywhere, anytime.

Happiness comes from simple things. I am happy when I compose a new tune on my guitar. I feel joyous when I write down a satisfying piece of article. I get delighted when I travel new places, exploring and learning about different cultures. Happiness thus comes in numerous forms.

Meeting family and relatives, and spending time with them provide me with a feeling of serenity and an ambiance of comfort that in turn leads to happiness. Success on the professional front makes me feel good about myself. Thus, we can ensure to be happy in our personal and professional lives if we learn to create a proper balance between the two.

Happiness is festivals, and India being a land of numerous cultures, there is no lack of festivities in this country. People belonging to different communities have their own moments of celebrations, and when all of them join hands together to celebrate each other’s festivals, it sums to happiness all around. I love celebrating all types of festivals with my friends and family. The revelry that comes hand in hand with festivals is what makes me happy.

I am a foodie, which means I crave for sumptuous and delicious dishes. I am a big fan of Indian and Chinese cuisines, and savouring them is what gives me ultimate delight. I love dining in restaurants, sometimes trying out new items from the Menu card that those places have on offer. I also sometimes try my hand in cooking, experimenting with new recipes that I come across on different sites on net.

And then, there is love. Fall in love, and rise in happiness, exactly what happened with me. Talking with her, my fiancée, after a hard day’s work, relieves all my tiredness and stress, and makes me feel happy. Extremely happy. Perhaps that’s what real happiness is each, feeling and caring for one other, sharing our problems and moments of success, supporting through times thick and thin, and experiencing even the smallest moments of lives by magnifying them to infinite proportions.

Let’s celebrate this International Day of Happiness with our dear ones, doing things which we love to do, and having good food complimented by Coca Cola, thus turning it into the most memorable day of our lives. Happiness comes easy, we just need to welcome it in our lives, whole heartedly.

This post is inspired by Coca-Cola International Day of Happiness.

Check the official link below:

http://CokeURL.com/96jnc

I agree to ensure (to the best of my abilities and circumstances) that this blog post will remain accessible in an un-altered state for a minimum of one year.