Mannan ke Kshan
In this Episode the book of the author, Malti Johari, that contains thought provoking one liners.

In this Episode the book of the author, Malti Johari, that contains thought provoking one liners.
This Episode contains two books of the author Malti Johari. Kavya Veethiyan are poems relating to nature, mind, God, politics, karma, and dharma. Antardhwaniyan also has some poems that reflect the inner voice of the author. Some poems relate to different emotions and also on death.
This Episode contains some thoughts of the Author, Malti Johari, in prose. These are thoughts relating to nature, behaviour of people, thoughts on characters in mythology and Indian epics like the Mahabharata and some small and big events in life.
In this Episode the Zen Haikus of Soko, Soriyu, Takuchi, Sunaw, Sukoku, Tanko, Tambo, Wakiyu, and Yaohiko have been narrated. The Zen saints say that once our work in this life is completed we move on to another life. The Master says that each person has to learn on their own, so at the time of death the Master is in peace. When death comes as a guest to my house, I am ready to welcome it with open arms. Life is a mirror and we should learn from the reflection. There are many Haikus, but in the ...
In this Episode the Zen Haikus of Rayshi, Retsu Zan, Ryokan, Saikaku, Senryu, Setsudo, Sharyu, Shei, Shokai, Shizan, Shogetsu, And Shogo have been narrated. The Zen saints at the time of death have expressed their deep understanding of life and death. They say that just as a frog hibernates and comes back, or as we change our old clothes for new, similarly in death we leave our this body and come back in another. Life is a constant change, and death is also a change. They say that just as in lif...
In this Episode the Zen Haikus of Toko, Ta Hui, Kasho, Koho Kenichi, Ikieu Sojun, Hoshin, Dokyo Etan, Ani Benon, Basui Tokuso, Derin Soto, Kenju, Kibai, Koha, Kyokusai, Kozan, Kyoshu, Masahyde, and Mokuku have been narrated. They state that there are no rules or compulsions in Zen philosophy, and even the writing of the Haikus at the time of death is not necessary. They state we have led our lives, and the student can learn from our lives while we are alive and learn by her/his own experience to...
In this Episode the Zen Haikus of Hanari, Hakun, Hakurin, Fusen, Fuwa, Gimaye, Daibi, Ensai, Enshee, Chaien, Choree, Barseiki, Basho, Baika, Shunoku Soan, Bainen, and Tosui Ankai have been narrated. The Zen saints at the time of death through their Haikus have provided the wisdom of the circle of life and death. They believe in the concept of re-birth and state that in every birth we receive the fruits of our karma of the previous births. The Haikus also provide an insight into life. They say th...
In this Episode Haikus written by Zen saints at the time of death has been narrated. It is a tradition in Zen philosophy to write a Haiku at the time of death. The Haikus of Hakuro, Hakusai, Hakuto, Hamai, Hemon, Hankai, Hokusai, Mumon Gensen, Songai Gibbon, Seagun Sai, Shumpo Soaki, Goshu, and Gozan have been translated in Hindi. The Zen saints emphasize that there is no need to follow any words said by the saints, one needs to find one's own path. They state that life goes even after death and...
In this Episode the Haikus of Soseki, Gido, Isho, and Ryushu have been narrated. One needs to be an Observer to reach in a Zen state of being. True wisdom comes from being a mere observer or witness, without the chatter of the mind. To walk on spiritual path, we need to know ourselves - who am I? To understand who we are, we need to first forget ourselves, that is, forget our ego, our separate entity, and know that we are all one. We should not discriminate against anyone. We realise that others...
In this Episode the Haikus of Tetsuan, Ryushu, Isho, Su Tung Po, and Sekiso, have been narrated. The Haikus explain that each person is unique and the way of living is also unique. The Zen Masters guide their students in their own unique ways as per their own experience. They do not teach from any scriptures or books, but teach through their experiences and their living styles. The student has to find his own path.
In this Episode Zen Haikus by Ryokan, Shiki, Hokushi, Issa, Choshu, Ryota, and Hoitsu have been narrated. Some words used in Zen Haikus have become a depiction of a certain meaning. For example, "ice" is a depiction of transparency and cleanliness, "water" is a depiction of peace and tranquility, the "moon" is a depiction of coolness and acceptance, "white flowers" are used for peace and "red flowers" for happiness, the "firefly" and the "morning glory" depicts the shortness of life, etc. The Ze...
In this Episode Haikus by different Zen Masters has been narrated. The Zen Masters whose Haikus have been narrated are: Nangaku, Chi Hsien, Kanzan, Takuan, Ikkyu, Soseki, Ryokan, and Daio. They all have said that the Zen Master is there just to help the student remain conscious and in a state of no mind. For that the Zen Master uses different methods to help the student back on track. The student has to suddenly stop, to remove his mind, and remain in that state of being.
In this Episode Haikus by Basho have been narrated. Basho was from Japan. Though he never became a Zen Master, his lifestyle was that of the Zen Masters. His poems, that is Haikus, are a reflection of his deep understanding of Zen philosophy. It is interesting to note that Zen philosophy is similar to Shiv Sutra or Vigyan Bhairav Tantra, in which Lord Shiva explains to Parvati, 112 methods of remaining alert and conscious all the time in our daily lives.
Zen philosophy is a part Buddhism. Buddha's follower, Mahakshyap's disciple, Bodhidharma, went to China to spread Buddhism. However, the Tao philosophy was already prevalent in China. So, the Zen philosophy is a mix of Taoism and Buddhism. Zen philosophy believes that the world is perfect the way it is, and we don't need to change it. We should be grateful and compassionate, and lead life playfully. Zen philosophy is about living in the present moment, to be an observer, and not to bring any tho...
This is the concluding Episode of the Kathopnishad, the dialogue between Nachiket and Yamraj. Yamraj explains to Nachiket that we need use our senses and mind to look within to know our soul. Once we understand the soul, we know that God and the soul are one and the same thing, like light and shadow, that cannot be separated. Yamraj then explains that in this life, whatever work we have done and the knowldege we have gained, through our body and mind, according to that karma, the soul needs to t...
In this second part of the Kathopnishad, the story of Nachiket and Yamraj continues. Yama tells Nachiket that even the deities (devtas) cannot understand what happens after death. He begs Nachiket to ask for something else. However, Nachiket does not agree. So, Yama offers other things to him, including all the wealth, comforts, etc. of the world, and even offers to allow him to live in Heaven for ever. But, Nachiket is not interested in any of those. He tells Yama, that he being the God of Deat...
The Kathopnishad has been been narrated over three Episodes. It is the most beautiful story of the dialogue between a young boy, Nachiket and the God of Death, Yamraj (Yama). In this Episode Nachiket goes to meet Yamraj. However, Yama was away and came back after three days. Nachiket did not eat for three days, as he could not meet Yamraj. Yama felt bad about the boy sitting outside his house without food and water. So, he grants the boy three wishes, as a penance for himself (Yama). Nachiket ex...
In this Episode the Mandookya Upanishad has been narrated. In this Upanishad the importance of the syllable "om" has been explained. It is the cosmic sound and an affirmation of the divine force. In all the Upanishads meditation by reciting "om" has been given the primary method of knowing the divine. All philosophers have used different words, such as the world and Creator of the world, birth and death, living and nonliving, etc. to explain the mysteries of the world and it's Creator. However, ...
In this Episode the Taittiriya Upanishad has been narrated. In this the student asks the Master to give him all types of knowledge and education. The Master teaches him all kinds of skills to earn money and to be able to live comfortably in the world. The student then asks him about the philosophical knowledge of getting to know God and obtaining peace and satisfaction. The Master explains to him that he needs look within, and explains the different paths to know the self. He gives him the knowl...
In this Episode, the Kain Upanishad has been narrated. The student asks the Master from where do the senses get their power or energy (like sight (from fire), touch (from wind), mind (from Indra)? The Master narrates a beautiful story in which Brahm (God) takes the form of a Yaksh (benevolent spirit) to humble the pride of the Devas (forces of natural energies). He defeats them and shows that it is Brahm who gives them their power and energies. However, the student did not understand the story t...
In this Episode Mundak Upanishad has been narrated. In this Upanishad the student asks who is that One who we need to know so that we know everything? The Master says that we need to do work because we have a mind and body. But, in all that we do, we should be a medium of that One. To be able to be a medium we need to practice meditation and go within ourselves. Then we will know the One, who is the real doer.
In this Episode the Shwetashwatar Upanishad has been narrated. In this Upanishad a few saints get together to discuss who has made this world and how to know the Creator? They came to a consensus that it is only through meditation that we can know the Creator. For meditation it is imperative that we take the help of our body and mind to be able to go deep within ourselves to realise that we are neither the body nor the mind.
In this Episode 2 Upanishads have been narrated: 1. Sarvsaar Upanishad: the student questions the master what is bondage, freedom (mukti), what is the knowldege required for knowing God, and to distinguish between illusion (maya) and reality? The master answers his questions in this Upanishad. 2. Adhyatma Upanishad: the Master explains that we think that we are our body. However, he explains that our real form is the soul within us, that does not take birth, nor does it die, cause it is always w...
Upanishads are the ancient scriptures of India. They are mainly a dialogue between the student and the teacher on life, spirituality, and answers to the questions that the student has on who is the maker of this world, why is there suffering and happiness, what happens after death, how will we know our Creator, etc.? The Upanishads do not consider God as a separate entity, but as a part of our own being. They do not mention any rituals to be followed. They state that each one of us is responsibl...
Tagore speaks about death. He says that the day death comes on my doorstep, I will give my whole self to death. He speaks to death, and asks death come and talk to him, cause he is going to meet his lover, that is , God. Tagore thanks people for all that they have given to him. He says once I die, don't feel sad and mourn my death, as I am going to meet my lover. Tagore in the end gives his final respect to God as a devotee.
Tagore says we live in happiness, but, if anyone tells us that we don't have something, then we get lost in finding that or start living in an illusion, instead of enjoying what we have. Tagore in his poem says that sometimes we love God like we love our mother. Our mother may be strict and harsh with us, but it is for our good. Just like that, even God makes us go through tough times, for our benefit.
Tagore in his poems says he loves God like a friend. He says when I look at God like a father, I am unable to pour my heart and tell him everything. But, when I consider God to be a friend, I can tell him everything. Tagore then says that I will not do yoga and will not take sanyas, because I want to enjoy the creation of God, that includes the birds, the river flowing, and all the beauty around us, including the humans around us.
Tagore explains that true lovers don't need to show what they are doing for the other, but quietly and constantly try to help or do things for their lover with no expectations in return. Tagore explains that we are never alone, as God is with us. Therefore, no matter where we go, we must remember that God is with us. He says that we get so caught up in rituals that we are unable to see the needs of others. Tagore say that when we experience God, we can see his light everywhere and find happiness...
Gurudev Tagore in his poem expresses the beauty of nature and how he found peace and happiness by dissolving himself in the beauty of nature. He says one can achieve satisfaction and happiness by giving, and emphasizes that one should give without thinking or without restrictions. Tagore urges us to stop being lazy and to awaken by following the path to God. Tagore explains that God's love is without any bandages. He therefore says that we should also love without any bondage, including the love...
Tagore in his poems says that our destiny is predetermined, and therefore there is no need to take tension about the past and the future. We need to live in the present which then opens our lives to new adventures and new learnings everyday. Tagore also prays to God in his poems to bring back the glory of India and give him courage and love for all of humanity. Tagore also relates a story in which he teaches us not to get attached to the rituals to worship God as they are not important....