Hare Krishna!

Janmashtami is round the corner again and it is refreshing to have a day off during the week. That said, the crucial question I want to bring up is how is this day meant to be spent? Another day of being glued to your laptop, picking up some random movie you can get your hands on, your Facebook profile and email continually logged in, running in the background, and if at all one gets tired of all this, bury yourself in the latest bestseller? Isn’t this what most of us do on a holiday these days?

I recollect the times when I was back in school, when there were no laptops, when TV shows weren’t addictive ( or utterly irritating ), come Janmashtami and Lord Krishna would be the prime focus of my day. All of my day’s activities would revolve around him, be it sketching his portrait, painting and cutting out paper peacock feathers, making a model of his famous “Sudarshan Chakra”, watching one of the movies on his umpteen childhood antics (Leelas),  oh, I was a huge Krishna fan back then. The evening would unquestionably be spent at the ISKCON temple near my home, the loud chants of “Hare Rama, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare…” infusing the space within and outside the temple. The ambiance built up really gave me a feeling of divinity; the Prasad was another temptation that drew me there. I craved the “lemon rice and chana” they served after the proceedings and rituals in the temple were completed. The night would witness an exhausted boy in his early teens, collapse onto his bed, with a calm, pleased look on his face, the chants still echoing in his head.

When I look at what has become of that energy-rich hope-filled kid, i feel disappointed at first. But then, I try to think of what I can actually do to experience even a part, if not all, of the hope and happiness as of earlier times.

During my first year in Delhi, this day, I visited the ISKCON temple there, with a few of my friends. As expected, it was huge, not just the temple, but also the gathering of people that day. After a few rounds of chants and watching the ceremonial dances, we returned quite pleased with the events. Sadly, I haven’t been there since. Neither have my friends. Why? Was I so bogged down with work and routine, that I could not squeeze in a few hours of mental peace and prayer? Or was it sheer laziness and indifference? Not that a visit to ISKCON was mandatory. Even a nearby temple would suffice, or even one's own room. Devotion is something that springs from within yourself. It doesn’t depend on where you are or what rituals you perform. But, then, where has this devotion in us disappeared? Indeed, most of us have forgotten what true happiness feels like. The monotony and mechanized nature of today’s lifestyle has no time for such spiritual and soul-stirring retreats. Now that I realize this, I will try my best to ensure that the now dormant aspect of my life is rekindled, and hope that this short article stirs up similar thoughts and brings about some positive change in your lifestyles too.

Happy Janmashtami.

Burn Notice

"My name is Michael Westen. I used to be a spy....", the line that goes at the start of every Burn Notice episode also befittingly concludes the series finale.

I had come across this series a few years back but though I did like it, it didn't give the feeling of an exceptional series. Probably it was because there were only three seasons out and the episodes were following a predictable pattern. However, I stumbled upon it recently again and this time it had me hooked to it bad. After Season 7, I can affirmatively say that this is one of the best spy/action series I have ever watched. Also, it is highly underrated which is one of the reasons I decided to write this post in the first place. The other reason, of course was the overwhelming feeling you have when you watch something epic and feel the need to record it.

One remarkably different aspect about this series is the set of intermittent narrations throughout the series giving rather informative tips on espionage strategies, spy gear, and often the plot build up for the following scene. The characters are fantastic and blend in realistically all through the series. Unlike many other series where there is one central and all important character with the others purely in supporting roles, this series cleverly balances the focus between all the characters making you fall in love with each of them.

Michael's character and his inner battles are powerfully displayed, more so in the final season. Though he is portrayed to be the best field operative, his mistakes and weaknesses are also shown making his character very relatable. The importance of Fiona, Sam, Jesse and his mother Madeline is repeatedly and amply displayed making each of them a crucial part of their 'family'.

The way operations are conducted by the secret service agencies are shown in poor light which is debatable, but if that is assumed, the dilemmas and fights faced by our favorite team indeed make you feel the toughness of the decisions being taken. This series, in a way, captures the psyche of a non-typical burned spy and takes you on a roller coaster ride filled with emotions, a lot of C4, blazing guns and plots of betrayal, manipulation and friendship. A must watch, by me.