Rise from Ashes

Belonging to old city of Varanasi in Northern part of India, where holy Ganges is supposed to pull off, all the sins and one attains Nirvana by just breathing out last breath of life, helps me to stay connected with my roots and fills me with unexplainable connect with the other world! This is supposed to be oldest city alive that carves destiny, in new incarnation, pulling data from karma of previous incarnation.

What is Karma?

In Hinduism it is believed that your dreams and actions, either good or bad, in this life and other previously existing states, are deciding factors, that chalk your destiny and fate in present life. Those dreams and actions are sort of blueprint, to your present life. Events happening in present life and your destiny are effect of those cause (Karma or Actions of previous life).

Karma is a belief! All the good done by you in past is returned to you with manifold abundance. Universe listens to you in its own ways. When subconsciously you want something, your wish would be answered sooner or later. A dialogue between soul (Arjuna)and Supreme(Lord Krishna)from Bhagvad Gita as stated through a verse:

“Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Faleshu Kadachana,

Ma Karma FalaHeturBhurMa Te Sango StvAkarmani”

Karma or actions are a positive lifestyle anyone can follow. Lead positive life as it comes! Act positively! Perform good action without a thought about results. It will come back to you. Do not consider yourself the cause of activities and never stop performing your duties.

What is Reincarnation?

According to Hinduism Body is destroyed after certain period of time though Soul never dies or can never be destroyed. Soul comes back to earth in the form of new person or a new body, with blueprints of earlier existing person’s karma. Soul is always present in ethereal plane, can come back to earth either through embodiment, as a new person or exist as energy till Nirvana or Moksha or complete Salvation.

My Karma, My Life : A Living Scripture?

I believe in living life, as an open book a living scripture and let Karma and actions be the words of my evangelism!

I was born in this oldest city on earth — established by Lord Shiva himself, who also allowed Ganges to flow on earth on request of King Bhagirathi. Here Ganges still flows with same speed, in the same direction, where Lord Rama, his wife Sita and brother Laxmana, crossed the river with boatman Kevata during their exile. I grew up in the same city, learned and gained knowledge about Life and Death, Destiny, Fate, Soul(Atma) and Supreme(Parmatma) and Karma and its reflections in the same life and beyond.

Varanasi is situated on the west banks of the river Ganges and also known as Benaras, Banaras or Kashi. City on one side of river lined with old buildings , temples and architecture called Ghats that survived numerous historical blows in past and still stand tall hiding stories within.

Assi Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghats are few famous Ghats. These ghats find their mention in Sacred Hindu Scriptures written thousands of years ago.

I am “Banarasi” by birth and fluent Banarasi accent comes naturally to me. Resided near Assi Ghat during early childhood years, studied and raised in Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Campus as my father was renowned faculty and administrative warden of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) hostels. Like my brother and sister, I too studied in Vidya Niketan during primary school years. Completed schooling from Hindu Girls School, Varanasi in late eighties. As a young maiden, had a dream to join Women’s college, BHU. Dream came True! Got admission in BHU Women’s College also known as Mahila Maha Vidyalaya in Hindi.

Graduated with “Chemistry” (Rasayan Shastra)Honours and earned Masters in Biochemistry (Jaiv- Rasayan Shastra) from Faculty of Science (Vigyan Sansthan), BHU.

Attending “Science Convocation ceremony” (Vigyan Deekshanta Samaroha) in newly constructed “Swatantrata Bhawan”, The Convocation Hall was ultimate event.

Earned the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and second Masters in Biochemical Engineering (Jaiv- Rasayan Abhiyantriki) from IIT, BHU in early nineties.

Prestigious BHU “gold medal” (Swarna Padak) and National JN Award for standing first in MTech is history now. Missed attending IIT- BHU convocation to the core of my heart, as shifted to Western part of Globe after marriage. I was unable to travel back during convocation due to motherhood and new phase of life.

During childhood, school bus rides, from residence in university campus to girls school in city and bus jams gave me close insights to local life, language and culture of Varanasi. Central Library, IT Library, bike rides from one Department (Vibhag) to another, classes, Labs IT -Cafeteria, lunch at campus home and evening snacks-cold drinks and ice-cream at VT, Lanketting (roaming in Lanka market adjacent to BHU, for xerox copies, buying notebooks, Paper, canvas, colors, pen and stuff), “Sahitya Kendra”famous book stall, performing prayers and darshan, before exams and after results, celebrations with friends and family with Rasogulla(famous sweet preparation in Varanasi) and Samosas- Kachauris (Varanasi special snacks), — all are un-erasable memories.

Fellow “Banarasis” and BHU students can relate, more closely.

Though, I kept visiting parents in campus, with my family and kids, till early year 2k, always missed my college life and life in Varanasi, and BHU Campus. Vishwanath Gali, Chowk, boating in Ganges, Godowlia market visits, Salwar -Kurta dress and Saree shopping with sister and mom, is making me nostalgic, as I print these lines here.

Karma : Data Drawn Precisely for me

It seems like I might have done something good and beautiful in my previous birth. Previous life blueprints and data is drawn precisely for me. I am grateful to Supreme Power for providing with all the good things in life so far in present life!

Residing near Mumukshu Bhavan (home for salvation seekers who reside at the place waiting for final call from Supreme), at Assi Ghat near Ganges, Varanasi, during early childhood days, was fascinated by globe trotters who visited Varanasi, Ganges, Saranath (Buddhist Stupa) and Ghats and hippie culture prevalent during early seventies in Varanasi.

Thankful to Almighty for providing wonderful life! Even after, carving and achieving all I wished for, never stopped my positive approach to life and positive actions 🙁 few exceptions). Supreme Power /Mother Nature/ Universe never cease to surprise me. So far have led the life My Way!

Being well aware of cycle of life and death, having heard and seen last journey chanting to Sacred Ganges, at an early age, which left a lasting impression and made me believe in philosophy of Karma and Reincarnation, I wish to re-enter the cycle after eternal journey — Banaras-Buffalo, NY-Banaras!!

“Vasansi jirnani yatha vihaya, Navani grihnati naro parani

Tatha sharirani vihaya jirnanya, nyani sanyati navani dehi”.

— Bhagavad Gita : 2.22