A Billion Stories: February 2025

Saturday, 22 February 2025

ಕರೆದರೆ ಚ೦ದಿರ ಬರುವನೆ ಅಮ್ಮಾ ? -Prabhakar Hegde

Submitted by:
Submitted on: Sun Jan 01 2023 11:56:58 GMT+0530 (India Standard Time)
Category: Poem
Acknowledgements: This is Mine. / Original
Language: ಕನ್ನಡ/KannadaSearch Tags: ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಪದ್ಯ, Kannada children's poems
From the same creator: Prabhakar Hegde

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[category Poem, ಕನ್ನಡ/Kannada, This is Mine. / Original]

ಶಿಶು ಪ್ರಾಸಗಳು -Prabhakar Hegde

Prabhakar Hegde with Grandchildren

Submitted by: Prabhakar Hegde
Submitted on: Sun Jan 01 2023 11:56:12 GMT+0530 (India Standard Time)
Category: Poem
Acknowledgements: This is Mine. / Original
Photo Courtesy: Sahana Harekrishna
Language: ಕನ್ನಡ/KannadaSearch Tags: ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಪದ್ಯ, Kannada children's poems
From the same creator: Prabhakar Hegde

नन्हें-मुन्ने बच्चे ! तेरी मुट्ठी में क्या है ? -शैलेन्द्र

नन्हें-मुन्ने बच्चे ! तेरी मुट्ठी में क्या है ?

मुट्ठी में है तक़दीर हमारी
हमने किस्मत को वश में किया है !

भोली-भाली मतवाली आँखों में क्या है ?

आँखों में झूमे उम्मीदों की दीवाली
आने वाली दुनिया का सपना सजा है !

भीख में जो मोती मिलें, लोगे या न लोगे ?
ज़िन्दगी के आँसुओं का बोलो क्या करोगे ?

भीख में जो मोती मिलें तो भी हम न लेंगे
ज़िन्दगी के आंसुओं की माला पहिनेंगे
मुश्किलों से लड़ते-भिड़ते जीने में मज़ा है !

हमसे न छिपाओ, बच्चों ! हमें तो बताओ
आने वाली दुनिया कैसी होगी समझाओ ?

आने वाली दुनिया में सबके सर पे ताज होगा
न भूखों की भीड़ होगी, न दुखों का राज होगा
बदलेगा ज़माना, ये सितारों पे लिखा है !

नन्हें-मुन्ने बच्चे तेरी मुट्ठी में क्या है ?

मुट्ठी में है तकदीर हमारी
हमने किस्मत को वश में किया है !

-शैलेन्द्र

Editors Note: This poem was cinematized and made into a song in the film "Boot Polish". Enjoy it HERE

Submitted by: शैलेन्द्र
Submitted on: Thu Nov 08 2022 20:49:14 GMT+0530 (India Standard Time)
Category: Poem
Acknowledgements: This is a famous person's work in the public domain.
Language: हिन्दी/HindiSearch Tags: हिंदी बाल कविता, Hindi song lyrics
From the same creator: शैलेन्द्र

नन्हें-मुन्ने बच्चे ! तेरी मुट्ठी में क्या है ? -शैलेन्द्र

Thursday, 20 February 2025

नन्हें-मुन्ने बच्चे ! तेरी मुट्ठी में क्या है ? -शैलेन्द्र

We want freedom for our country... -Lal Bahadur Shastri

We want freedom for our country, but not at the expense or exploitation of others, not us to degrade other countries...I want the freedom of my country so that other countries may learn something from my free country so that the resources of my country might be utilized for the benefit of mankind.

-Lal Bahadur Shastri

Category: Quote
Acknowledgements: Non-Original work with acknowledgements
Language: English
From the same creator: Lal Bahadur Shastri

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[category Quote, English, Non-Original work with acknowledgements]

In the life of every nation... -Lal Bahadur Shastri

There comes a time in the life of every nation when it stands at the cross-roads of history and must choose which way to go. But for us there need be no difficulty or hesitation, no looking to right or left. Our way is straight and clear—the building up of a socialist democracy at home with freedom and prosperity for all, and the maintenance of world peace and friendship with all nations.

-Lal Bahadur Shastri

Category: Quote
Acknowledgements: Non-Original work with acknowledgements
Language: English
From the same creator: Lal Bahadur Shastri

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[category Quote, English, Non-Original work with acknowledgements]

Sunday, 16 February 2025

Evening tea on a Bengaluru rooftop -Divij

Evening tea on a Bengaluru rooftop

Submitted by: Divij
Submitted on: Sun Feb 16 2025 01:54:06 GMT+0530 (India Standard Time)
Category: Drawing
Acknowledgements: This is Mine. / Original
Language: English
From the same creator: Divij

सिंहः शिशुरपि... -भर्तृहरि

सिंहः शिशुरपि निपतति मदमलिनकपोलभित्तिषु गजेषु ।
प्रकृतिरियं सत्त्ववतां न खलु वयस्तेजसो हेतुः ॥
-भर्तृहरि

Kannada
ಚಿಕ್ಕ ಸಿಂಹದ ಮರಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದರೂ ಸಹ ತನ್ನೆದುರಿಗಿರುವ ಮದಭರಿತ ಆನೆಯ ಮೇಲೇರುತ್ತದೆ.
ಹೀಗಿರುವಾಗ ತೇಜಸ್ವಿಗಳ ಜ್ಞಾನಕ್ಕೆ ವಯಸ್ಸು, ಅನುಭವ ಯಾವುದೂ ಕೂಡ ಕಾರಣವಾಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲ.
-ಭರತ್ರ ಹರಿ

Hindi
एक सिंह बालक भी बिना किसी भय और झिझक के एक मद मस्त हाथी के कपोलों पर कूद कर आक्रमण कर देता है
यह पराक्रमी जीवों का स्वभाव होता है| यह उनकी आयु और शक्ति पर निर्भर नहीं करता है |
-भरत्रहरी

English
The lion even if it is just a cub, when wild elephants are seen, pounces on their hard temple region (from the front).
This is the very nature of the people who are strong. Age is not a deterring factor for the valorous men.
-Bhartrahari

Submitted by: भर्तृहरि
Submitted on: Sun Oct 06 2024 05:42:15 GMT+0530 (India Standard Time)
Category: Quote
Acknowledgements: This is common knowledge (Shloka/s)
Language: संस्कृत/SanskritSearch Tags: subhashita,सुभाषित,Sanskrit Works
From the same creator: भर्तृहरि

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[category Quote, संस्कृत/Sanskrit, This is common knowledge (Shloka/s)]

अभयं सर्वभूतेभ्यो... -विष्णुपुराणम्

अभयं सर्वभूतेभ्यो दत्त्वा यश्चरते मुनिः।
तस्यापि सर्वभूतेभ्यो न भयं विद्यते क्वचित्।।
- विष्णुपुराणम्

Kannada:
ಅಭಯಂ ಸರ್ವ ಭೂತೆಭ್ಯೋ ದತ್ತ್ವಾ ಯಶ್ಚರತೆ ಮುನಿಹಿ:।
ತಸ್ಯಾಪಿ ಸರ್ವ ಭೂತೆಭ್ಯೋ ನ ಭಯಂ ವಿದ್ಯತೇ ಕ್ವಚಿತ್ ।।
-ವಿಷ್ಣು ಪುರಾಣಂ

English:
The Sage who moves around giving protection to all the living-beings,
will not have any fear from any living-being anywhere!
- VISHNUPURĀNAM

Submitted by: विष्णुपुराणम्
Submitted on: Sun Oct 06 2024 05:36:53 GMT+0530 (India Standard Time)
Category: Quote
Acknowledgements: This is common knowledge (Shloka/s)
Language: संस्कृत/SanskritSearch Tags: subhashita,सुभाषित, Sanskrit Works
From the same creator: विष्णुपुराणम्

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[category Quote, संस्कृत/Sanskrit, This is common knowledge (Shloka/s)]

Saturday, 8 February 2025

A portrait of Dhanush (தனுஷ்): The Actor -Divij

A portrait of Dhanush (தனுஷ்): Indian Actor and Filmmaker

Submitted by: Divij
Submitted on: Fri Jan 03 2025 08:56:40 GMT+0530 (India Standard Time)
Category: Drawing
Acknowledgements: This is Mine. / Original
Language: தமிழ்/Tamil
From the same author: Divij

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[category Drawing, தமிழ்/Tamil, This is Mine. / Original]

ॐ भद्रं कर्णेभिः शृणुयाम देवाः ... -मांडुक्य उपनिषद्

ॐ भद्रं कर्णेभिः शृणुयाम देवाः ।
भद्रं पश्येमाक्षभिर्यजत्राः ।
स्थिरैरङ्गैस्तुष्टुवाग्‍ँसस्तनूभिः ।
व्यशेम देवहितं यदायुः ।

स्वस्ति न इन्द्रो वृद्धश्रवाः ।
स्वस्ति नः पूषा विश्ववेदाः ।
स्वस्ति नस्तार्क्ष्यो अरिष्टनेमिः ।
स्वस्ति नो बृहस्पतिर्दधातु ॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

Type-1 English Transliteration of Sanskrit Mantra:

Om Bhadram Karnnebhih Shrnnuyaama Devaah |
Bhadram Pashyema-Akshabhir-Yajatraah |
Sthirair-Anggais-Tushttuvaamsas-Tanoobhih |
Vyashema Deva-Hitam Yad-Aayuh |

Svasti Na Indro Vrddha-Shravaah |
Svasti Nah Poosha Vishva-Vedaah |
Svasti Nas-Taaksharyo Arishtta-Nemih |
Svasti No Brhaspatir-Dadhaatu ||
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||

Type-2 English Transliteration of Sanskrit Mantra:

oṃ bhadraṃ karṇebhiḥ śṛṇuyāma devāḥ .
bhadraṃ paśyemākṣabhiryajatrāḥ .
sthirair aṅgais tuṣṭuvāgam̐sas tanūbhiḥ .
vyaśema devahitaṃ yadāyūḥ .

svasti na indro vṛddhaśravāḥ |
svasti naḥ pūṣhā viśhvavedāḥ |
svasti nastākṣharyo ariṣhṭanemiḥ |
svasti no bṛhaspatirdadhātu ||
oṃ śhāntiḥ śhāntiḥ śhāntiḥ ||

Meaning:
1: O Devas, May we Hear with our Ears what is Auspicious,
2: May we See with our Eyes what is Auspicious,
3: With (Sense) Organs Steady and Body Praying (due to Hearing and Seeing the Auspicious) ...
4: May we Attain the Lifespan allotted by the Devas (finding fulfillment in our lives).
5: May Indra, bestow Well-Being on Us,
6: May Poosha who is All-Knowing, bestow Well-Being on Us,
7: May Tarkshaya who is a Circle of Protection, bestow Well-Being on Us,
8: May Brihaspati (also) bestow Well-Being on Us,
9: Om, Peace, Peace, Peace.

Om shAntiH shAntiH shAntiH – All prayers tend to end with these three words, which ask for freedom from obstacles to receiving the teaching. (shAnti means 'peace'.) Obstacles may arise in three ways:
1. अधिदैविक: From the gods, in the form of catastrophic and unavoidable events such as natural disasters. These are called Adhidaivika (अधिदैविक)– related to or proceeding from supernatural or divine agents.
2. अधिभौतिक: From other humans who create problems or prevent us in some way. These are called Adhibhautika (अधिभौतिक) – related to created beings.
3. आध्यात्मिक: From our own shortcomings, be it physical or mental. These are called AdhyAtmika (आध्यात्मिक) – proceeding from bodily and mental causes within oneself.Note: This Shanti (Peace) invocation appears in the Aitareya Upanishad. This ends with the prayer for protection from the Tapatrayas (Threefold miseries): Adhyatmika (Body, Mind), Adhi Bhautika (Animals, other living Beings) and Adhi Daivika ( Natural calamities like Earthquake, Flood,Tsunami, etc.) - hence the repetition of the word: śhāntiḥ (शांतिः)- 3 times.

Note: This (Shanti) peace invocation is from the Atharva Veda. This is a shanti mantra from the Mandukya Upanishad. It is also found in other Upanishads, like, Prashna and Mundaka Upanishad. It is an invocation for well-being, protection and obtaining knowledge for all and for fostering the ability in all to perceive, pickup and engage in only that which is good and utilize their time and capabilities optimally in contributing to peaceful progress of humanity.

Submitted by: मांडुक्य उपनिषद्
Submitted on: Thu Jun 17 2021 09:04:53 GMT+0530 (IST)
Category: Mantra
Acknowledgements: Ancient Wisdom
Language: संस्कृत/SanskritSearch Tags: Shanti Mantra, Mandukya Upanishad, Mantras for Peace, Peace chant, मांडुक्य उपनिषद् , Sanskrit WorksFrom the same author: मांडुक्य उपनिषद्

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[category Mantra, संस्कृत/Sanskrit, Ancient Wisdom]

ॐ वाङ् मे मनसि प्रतिष्ठिता... -ऐत्रेय उपनिषद्

ॐ वाङ् मे मनसि प्रतिष्ठिता ।
मनो मे वाचि प्रतिष्ठितम् ।
आविराविर्म एधि ।
वेदस्य म आणीस्थः ।
श्रुतं मे मा प्रहासीः ।
अनेनाधीतेनाहोरात्रान्सन्दधामि ।

ऋतं वदिष्यामि ।
सत्यं वदिष्यामि ।
तन्मामवतु ।
तद्वक्तारमवतु ।
अवतु माम् ।
अवतु वक्तारम् ।
अवतु वक्तारम् ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

-ऐत्रेय उपनिषद्

Type-1 English Transliteration of Sanskrit Mantra:

Om Vaanga Me Manasi Pratishtthitaa |
Mano Me Vaachi Pratishtthitaam |
Aavir-Aar-vir-Ma Edhi |
Vedasya Ma Aanniisthah |
Shrutam Me Maa Prahaasiih |
Anena-dhiitena-Ahoraatraan-Sandadhaami |

Ritam Vadisshyaami |
Satyam Vadisshyaami |
Tan-Maam-Avatu |
Tad-Vaktaaram-Avatu |
Avatu Maam |
Avatu Vaktaaram-m |
Avatu Vaktaaram-m |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||

Type-2 English Transliteration of Sanskrit Mantra:

oṃ vāṅg me manasi pratiṣṭhitā।
mano me vāchi pratiṣṭhitam।
āvirāvirma edhi।
vedasya ma āṇīsthaḥ।
śrutaṃ me mā prahāsīḥi
anenā-dhetenā-horātrān-sandadhāmi।

ṛtaṃ vadiṣhyāmi।
satyaṃ vadiṣhyāmi।
tanmām-avatu।
tadvaktāram-avatu।
avatu mām।
avatu vaktārām
avatu vaktāram॥
oṃ śhāntiḥ śhāntiḥ śhāntiḥ॥

English Translation of Sanskrit stanza:
1: Om, My Speech which is Established in my Mind.
2: My Mind which is Established in my Speech,
3: Manifest, Manifest, may you be,
4: (The Truths) of the Vedas embedded,
5: (The words of the Vedas) heard by me never leave me,
6: By this method, By what has been so studied, I reflect upon them over days and nights,
7: By this, I so speak (about) the Divine Law,
8: By this, I Speak (about) the Truth,
9: May that (Truth) Move Me (i.e. May I be established in that Truth),
10: May that (Truth) Move the Preceptor (i.e. May the Preceptor be established in that Truth),
11: May that (Truth) Protect Me,
12: May that (Truth) Protect the Preceptor,
13: May that (Truth) Protect the Preceptor,
14: Om, let peace prevail.

Hindi translation of the Mantra (हिंदी में मन्त्र).

मेरी वाणी मेरे मन में स्थापित हो जाए,
मेरी वाणी में मेरा मन स्थिर हो जाए,
मुझमें स्वयं प्रकट आत्मा का ज्ञान बढ़े,
वेदों के ज्ञान का अनुभव करने के लिए
मेरे मन और वाणी को आधार बनने दो,
जो है मेरे द्वारा (वेदों से) सुना हुआ केवल एक रूप नहीं है ...
लेकिन दिन-रात अध्ययन करने से जो प्राप्त होता है उसे बनाए रखा जाता है,

इस तरह मैं दिव्य सत्य के बारे में बोलता हूं,
इस तरह परम सत्य के बारे में बोलता हूं,
यह सत्य मेरी रक्षा करे,
यह सत्य गुरु की रक्षा करे (शिक्षक),
यह सत्य मेरी रक्षा करे, जो गुरु (शिक्षक) की रक्षा करे,
यह सत्य गुरु (शिक्षक) की रक्षा करे,
ओम शांतिः! शांतिः! शांतिः!

Note: This Shanti (Peace) invocation appears in the Aitareya Upanishad. This ends with the prayer for protection from the Tapatrayas (Threefold miseries): Adhyatmika (Body, Mind), Adhi Bhautika (Animals, other living Beings) and Adhi Daivika ( Natural calamities like Earthquake, Flood,Tsunami, etc.) - hence the repetition of the word: śhāntiḥ (शांतिः)- 3 times.

Submitted by: ऐत्रेय उपनिषद्
Submitted on: Thu Jun 17 2021 09:03:53 GMT+0530 (IST)
Category: Mantra
Acknowledgements: Ancient Wisdom
Language: संस्कृत/SanskritSearch Tags: Shanti Mantra, Aitareya Upanishad, Mantras for Peace, Peace chant,ऐत्रेय उपनिषद् , Sanskrit WorksFrom the same author: ऐत्रेय उपनिषद्

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[category Mantra, संस्कृत/Sanskrit, Ancient Wisdom]