First Full Length Novel - Published

 

Paranormal Series - Episode 1 - Brahmarakshasa

BRAHMARAKSHASA

Brahmarakshasa Image courtesy: Tirumala Tirupati Yatra

  

Shukracharya Image Courtesy Hindu Online

Brahmarakshasa is not a subject normally discussed at any home but paranormals are topics of high interest to the world of social media. But I was forced to think about this recently.  The day after Diwali, I and my family were sitting around the dining table. Dad was sharing his memories about his childhood. He spoke extensively about the deaths of his siblings in childhood. Dad is the second child. Three of his siblings died during their early childhood due to illness. Dad said that in those days, such negative incidents sparked what would be loosely translated as "divine fact-finding missions" or "prashnam veykal" in malayalam. The family believed that there must be some reason or dosham which has triggered the loss of these children.

Dad often speaks about his "Veliachan" (Maternal Grandfather) very highly. Veliachan has made a strong impression in my Dad's mind and heart. Veliachan had no such blind beliefs but gave in to pressure from his compatriats and he agreed to have a consultation with an astrologer. The arrangements were made and an astrologer was brought. As the family lore goes, the astrologer starts the process in the evening. The astrologer asks for a lamp to be lit, throws some kavadi (shells), chants Sanskrit slokas and then finally comes up with some prophecies.

The lamp was lit and there sounded 3 loud blasts resembling firecrackers(vedi) and he immediately prophesied that there should have been 3 deaths in the family. Naturally, Veliachan disagreed immediately as he suspected that the person who brought him there could have provided the background information. Also, this astrologer's knowledge of Sanskrit was quite weak as he was making mistakes in his interpretations. He finally inferred that there was an impact of some Brahmarakshasa due to which these children lost their lives at an early age and advised the family to conduct a special pooja and do an offering of paal payasam (sweet-porridge made of milk, rice and sugar) in any Shri Krishna temple. 

Listening to this, I fully agreed with Veliachan that this was a hoax but my reasons differed with his. In the beginning, I was under the belief that if such a ritual should have been conducted, then it should have been done in a temple aligned to Mother Goddess or Lord Shiva as both the Divine Beings have direct control over such paranormal entities. But later I was inclined to correct myself as this is a Brahmarakshasa. The astrologer's inference of 3 deaths based on the 3 firecrackers felt questionable to me as temples in Kerala have strict adherence to time and discipline. This person should have come at a time when there was some ongoing special pooja in the temple and naturally firecrackers would be burst. Even though I found it hard to believe, I still could let go of this argument but how did he come to the conclusion of a Brahmarakshasa? There must be some evidence based on the being's behaviour to come to that conclusion.

So who is a Brahmarakshasa? We usually do not hear the words, "Brahma" and "Rakshasa" in the same word in today's world. As per my research there are many theories about the origin of a Brahmarakshasa. One such theory is that a Brahmin who is learned and strictly follows austerities; yet has committed sins in his life will fall into a "pret" (ghost) yoni due to his severe sins. But a Brahmarakshasa cannot be categorized as just an ordinary "pret atma". He gets the rank of a Rakshas because, this is a Brahmin who has done his studies in Vedas, is very learned and therefore a very strong being at a soul level. Unlike ordinary pretatma, a Brahmarakshasa is very powerful and holds strong abilities. Anyone born as a Brahmin but who does not follow or live as a Brahmin (like no janau ritual and does not follow the traditions of Brahmins) is considered to be just an ordinary person. Even if he has sinned, he cannot become a Brahmarakshasa on his death. 

Another belief is that any Brahmin who had an untimely death also could become a Brahmarakshasa. In this belief, an unmarried Brahmin who follows his austerities but has an untimely death is believed to become a very powerful Brahmarakshasa. This is because he has lot of goals and desires which are unfulfilled due to untimely death. Another theory is that a Brahmin is expected to impart knowledge through a shishya. Failing to do so will turn him into a Brahmarakshasa on his death. These are common beliefs in this Yuga. 

There is yet another literature on these beings. The literature on Brahmarakshas and the wisdom of Brahmarakshasa is infused into the Kaulantak Peeth tradition whose Mahaguru is Shukracharya himself. According to the Siddha Dharma, the Brahmarakshas is the first rakshasa created by Lord Brahma with pure tamas characteristics. The rakshasa learnt a lot of tamasic vidyas from Lord Shiva himself through "Guru/Shishya" sampradaay. Shukracharya learn't this from Lord Shiva and imbibed it to Kali Rakshasa. In this Siddha Dharma, the Brahmarakshas sadhana is done to attain sookshtar body. The iconography of the Brahmarakshasa mentioned as per Siddha Dharma is completely different from the popular believes in the examples mentioned above. A lot of literature on Brahmaraksha is available in "Brahma Raksha Kalpa" authored by the first Brahmarakshasa.

Brahmarakshasa - Abode and traits: Popular belief says that Brahmarakshasa identifies a Peepul tree and chooses to live there until such time they get liberated from such an existence. In Hinduism, the Peepul tree is believed to be the abode of Lord Brahma. So how does one identify if a Peepul tree is occupied by a Brahmarakshasa or by Lord Brahma?  When a Peepul tree rots from the bottom but is fresh on the top such a tree is supposed to be the abode of Brahmarakshasa. The moment the Brahmarakshasa leaves the tree, the Peepul tree will immediately catch fire or die. This reference is seen in the life history of Sant Tulsidas who inadvertently gives moksha to a Brahmarakshasa. In return, the being tells Tulsidas that only Lord Hanuman can lead him to Lord Ram. The Brahmarakshasa also informs Tulsidas that Lord Hanuman attends his Ram Katha sessions every day. The being goes so far as to help Tulsidas to identify Lord Hanuman from his audience.  

The Brahmarakshasa are reputed to be more than 7 to 8 feet tall, powerful beings with canine teeth and in some references sport the Brahmin's choti (traditional tuft of hair at the back of the head as per the Brahmin tradition). It is said that these beings are very learned and can recite Sanskrit slokas and mantras in much more purity than living human beings. They will even accompany you in your chants of the mantras, if done in their presence. They retain their original knowledge and acquire more knowledge with immense powers and special abilities. These powerful beings prefer to reside silently on Peepul trees and are never ever visible to anyone. When humans disturb their abode or malign their surroundings, they get irritated and start to trouble the humans. They are hugely powerful beings with various abilities and they can either destroy the peace or lives of humans, sometimes even consuming them or they can even grant lots of success and wealth if they are pleased. It is reputed that if you get on the wrong side of a Brahmarakshasa, then no human has sufficient powers to save you. Only the Gods can protect you from their attack. It is said a Brahmarakshasa cannot be easily killed, it can be liberated only by an equally powerful and learned Brahmana (case in point, Sant Tulsidas). There have been references to true incidents related to the presence of Brahmarakshasa at least in 2 incidents that I have heard (one from Madhya Pradesh and another from Bihar) where these beings have been disturbed and have therefore troubled the surrounding humans. There is still a lot of information that is yet to be known about these dangerous beings. All my knowledge come from people who research on this topic or the tantra saadhaks.

So why this lengthy write-up about the Brahmarakshasa? Let me come back to my father's tale in the morning. Did those children really lose their lives due to the attack of a Brahmarakshasa? No, I do not personally believe so. None of my Dad's explanations point towards any evidence of the presence of a Brahmarakshasa around the area. The children of India in those times were prone to lot of diseases thereby, many of them died an early death due to lack of knowledge and/or poor medical facilities. While I personally believe this to be the case in these children, Dad also mentioned other interesting facts. Though Veliachan did not believe in this, the family did complete the pooja and the offering in a far-away Shri Krishna temple. Dad also mentioned that in those days, there was a custom of installing "parakuttichaathan" in any new place that the people buy. Though no one in their right mind will willingly invoke and install a Brahmarakshasa around their living abodes, a parakuttichaathan is a different case. But that is a story for another day.

My First Novel - The Killer - Tentative Cover

Currently working on my full-length novel "The Killer". While working on it, I thought of a possible cover for the book. Loved this one. 
 

Book 3 - The Power of Being Yourself

 Here is another work that has come out. The book is an anthology of poems, short writeups and stories from various contributors. I entered to pen my thoughts on the 2015 deluge. This gave me the pleasure of seeing my thoughts out in print. This is the 3rd work in print format. This book has a very catchy cover. Nice. 

Poetry, Me and the World

 Finally, I gathered enough courage to participate in a competition held by a group called "S7 Poetry". They regularly hold competitions for poetry in English and Hindi languages. I sent in one of my poems "Conversations with Nature" and was pleasantly surprised to see it reach the top 100 poems in its 15th Edition. This is even more special for the poets as S7 is reputed to be a leading platform in this field according to Google Analytics. 

My other poem "My Wife and My Mistress" got published as part of an anthology "Emotional Canvas" by Hatchegg Publications. I got the author's copies along with a certificate and a medal today.

Nice feeling. :-)

Am Back

 It has been years since I visited this site. Life just happened. But decided to write something as often as possible. 

Village Life - My Neighbor Totoro

Watched "My Neighbor Totoro" the other day. 

The story starts with a Father & his 2 daughters who move to a Japanese country side and set up home there. The mother is hospitalized and the family moved to countryside so the environment will help her recovery. Their home is situated at the verge of the forest on one side & huge farms belonging to their neighbors on the other end. The whole movie spans the life of the two children for the span of 2 weeks when their mother is at home and ends with a positive note that their mother is expected back the following weekend. 

The elder daughter - Saskui, seems to be about 9 or 10 years old. She takes care of the house with her father's help. She cooks food, packs lunch & runs to school. She is also a responsible girl who takes care of her little sister but in reality she herself is a child with all the fears and insecurities of a child. A child who has to grow up quickly & be brave for her family. This is beautifully displayed in a section where there is a call from the hospital about her mother not being well & Saskui is expected to inform her father. Saskui seems tough and brave at that time. But later, she tells the grandmother (she over-sees these kids in the father's absence) that they keep saying the same thing every week and then she is dull & low in spirit for the entire day. Saskui also gets frustrated that her kid sister - Mei is not being reasonable and actually yells at her to grow up fast. 

The younger child - Mei is about 3 or 4 years old, who is happy go lucky & does not seem to go to school yet. She keeps running garden & encounters magical creatures who her father says are forest spirits. Their father teaches the children to respect the forest & its spirits and in turn they will take care of them in need. The children believe their father & thus happen to encounter Totoro, the forest spirit one day. Totoro is a large bear like creature who seems to watch over the kids & help them in need. 

The father is depicted as someone who faces lots of challenges in life but keeps a happy face & brave spirit. He is shown as a good man with very healthy approach to life & surroundings. He holds the fort in his wife's absence, guides his children towards the life path in life. But in reality he has a tough life where he travels long distance to teach at the university,  has to balance a home as a single parent due to a sick wife & seen to be someone with lot of work. 

What greatly touched me is the simple and healthy life style of the country side. It is devoid of things that we take for granted like a phone, running water. I felt that it would have been great if the farms were provided with these facilities. Only one home has an old rotary phone. people mostly travel by foot and few of them travel by carts or wagons. Farms are beautiful, food is very healthy & farm grown. There are huge trees surrounding this area with fresh streams & a river with lots of fish. Good simple minded village folks. I loved the entire atmosphere & wanted to stay in such an environment at least for sometime. 

This movie is produced by Japan's famous animation studio names Studio Ghibli. Great work by Director Hayao Miyazaki. There are other works by Miyazaki which I will be reviewing here. Totoro is simple movie but has managed to capture my heart through the story board & great art work by the animators. 

I am back to jot down few notes again. One, I am saving my sketches into my scribble pad site.  

I also need to continue to write. 

Central Library - Swindon

It took me almost close to a month to realize that this town has a library. But it took me slightly a bit more time to actually locate it and visit it. Mostly due to initial settling worries and jitters. But the moment I stepped onto the building, I fell for it. I did not last a single aisle before I actually made a bee-line to the counter to become a member. And I have not regretted a single day. Of course the library can do better in terms of non-fiction collection, especially management.

I also realized that people here must really enjoy reading. I can see people on the buses, in office during lunchtime, out in public places like tea-shops, common sitting areas in market places, immersed in a book or an e-reader device. It should say something when we get to see 3 very good book shops within 8 to 10 minutes walk away from each other.

I was also stunned to see a post office seated deep in the belly of a multi-purpose, all serving bookshop. I made a conscious decision not to venture too often into these areas as caution as it threatened to pose grave challenge to my financial stability. This, in itself, should say a lot about these shops. What was so long a habit in me, quickly degenerated into a hard-hitting vice and then just as quickly and exponentially transformed into a demoniacal addiction.

And so this library feeds and quenches my addiction. What a blessing!!! As they say, a town should never be without a good bookstore or a decent library. Otherwise it's not worth it to stay there.

A street cat named bob by James Bowen

I am in Swindon now. I was in Town Center to complete some official work like  drop in at the bank, post office etc. I actually loved the post office here. You will get everything here. I accidentally saw this book. It arrested me because it had the photo of a ginger cat on its cover. Now my kunju (pet cat) is a ginger cat. He is feral so no way this beautiful, yet he has an attitude of his own.  That's why i was attracted to this book at first.

Then as I read it I got introduce to couple of amazing beings. A relationship between man and cat that was a saving grace for both. A book worth reading about sheer will to survive. Not all of us are doled out the best opportunities in life. Some of us lose what little life offers due to arrogance, selfishness, negligence or even sheer stupidity. It can happen to the best of us. I read some where that a measure of a human is not at falling, but how he gets up, dusts himself and perseveres again.

I learnt that second chances come to humans and animals alike. This book is about one such second chance for a human and a cat, who grow on to inspire people and change their thought process. Enjoyed it thoroughly. It's worth reading.
B

Meenakshi Srinivasan - Bharatanatyam - A Breath-Taking Performance.

My mother always complains that when I start the television, I have the attention space of a gnat. Your program must have content to hold me. And then one day it happened to me. I accidently caught a bit dance recital by this marvellous artist. I caught the end of one of her 'Varnams'. I am not a 'Bharatnatyam' dancer but she arrested my remote.

 

Her 'Adavus,' 'Jatis' were a treat to watch. What held me to her performance was her 'Abhinaya'. Her ability to emote, communicate the story to her audience - amazing. Her 'Thillana' was graceful yet breath-taking. 'Mudras' - neat, complete, traditional & lovely to watch and experience. Her 'Nritya' was a magnificent confluence of body, mind, heart, soul without compromising the tradition.

 

A graceful performer, a brilliant artist and a joy to watch. Thank you Meenakshi.

The Day I stopped drinking Milk - Sudha Murthy

I love this lady. I don't remember saying that about any author in my life. I will grade this book as a compulsory on every book lover's shelf. Simple language.  Just like the simple life of the people she has tried to characterise. I feel so worthless when I read the tale of such simple souls. Great actions by unsung heroes.  Her Pond series was the best that I loved. Almost all pages in her book deeply touched me. She has ended her book with few lessons that she learnt. Nice read ma'am. Going back to the stores for more of your work. I will need to complete my collection with your full works. Thanks for all that you do & share.

The Shackles of the Warrior - Dr. Durgadoss

This is another book with a continuing tale that readers have to wait for. Quite a complicated work. The writer has definitely done a lot of research on his material before he planned his work. It is good mix of mythology, philosophy & mystery. With more to expect. Wonderful work. You have to read to understand and enjoy this book (never thought I did say this). Thanks Dr. Durgadoss. Waiting eagerly for your book 2 to understand where and what happens to this book.

Secrets of the Dark - Arka Chakrabarti

Enjoyed this book. The thought process and the progress of this work is amazing. Every character is unique. This is an entirely different world created by Arka. At the core of the work its just a murder mystery. it is the story woven around this murder, the journey towards the end of this mystery that is amazing. Some readers like the satisfaction of a complete story - a story ends at the last page. It was good reading but there is nothing more to expect. Some readers wish they had more of to read. this work ends with a promise of another tale, which is sure to please such readers. For some Writers, their tale takes more than a book to tell. This story has more to offer. Let's wait and watch.

OH!! GODS ARE ONLINE - Rashmi Kalsie & George Nixon.

This is a one time read for me, but it was interesting. Gods online. interesting thought process and concept. the trials and tribulations of today's common man and the God in play (here we have Christ, Buddha & Krishna on the good side and our old Nick to complete the negative force). The concept of Heaven & Hell and life after is also interesting. As I said, a good one time read. You will be satisfied but may not try to read this book again.

Thundergod - Ascendance of Indra - Rajiv G menon

Some books we like to read again and again. They don't seem to lose their charm. Some books are just one time reads. Thundergod.. is one such book. There are good and bad pages. makes a good one time read. will i return to it? doubtful. Yet I cannot say it is a bad work.

Tamasha in Bandargaon - Navneet Jagannathan

Very cool read. I really enjoyed the make believe world of Bandargaon. The Jwala cinema running the movie 'Kroor' ( I even like the derelict title), the sunrise apartments and its people, the servants, the chota mota chor, the odd school, the red quila rule by underworld thieves, the Jinias chai hause, coda apartments with under hand dealings, the politicians and their games etc

 

The people are those whom we see around us quite often. takes up a nice reading. enjoyed it.

Dollar Bahu & Gently falls the Bakula - Sudha Murthy

I have no idea how to describe these books that I read. It happens in everywhere around you. Especially in India.

 

Dollar Bahu: typical, enligtening work for every daughter in law and mother in law. Just shows that there are good and bad
everywhere

 

Bakula is as bakula will be. it was painful to watch shrimathi's life. But I find shrimathis in so many places.

 

So true Sudha so true. I am definitely going through your works while book hunting.

The Secret Garden - Frances Hodge Burnett

This is a book mostly people would have read as children or young adults. The book spans the life of a girl for about 6 or seven months. Her nature, life in India, her demotion as an orphan and her subsequent travel to UK. The people she meets the house and its locked up garden, its affect on her and subsequently on the people she interacts with forms the main 'skeleton of the story. The hero of the story is actually the garden, with good supporting parts played by the moor and the nature around it. The people are seen as those affected by these and the girl.

 

Very good reading. It catches speed and gives a feel good about feeling about life in general. a collector.

Chopped Green Chillies on Vanilla Ice Cream by Sam Mukherjee

Loved this book. The story is about the life and times of a boy and his 5 friends. It covers their time between 13 or 14 years right upto the time they all graduate and go off for higher studies. Every single character in this book is worth enjoying. So is every single event. It is not necessary where this story is happening. You can find most of these things anywhere round you, if you care to really look. you can relate and so you will enjoy. At least, it gave me almost the same sense of 'feel-good' that I felt whenever I read an R.K Narayan book. Definitely will be hunting down anymore works of this

author. Oh and btw, I loved the book cover too.

 

Sam Mukherjee.. Senior write in Globalom Media in Canada. Thankyou Mr. Mukherjee. For this good work. will defnitely check your works again.