Five weeks to go. . . and a small diversion.

I ran the Mumbai marathon last Sunday and completed it in a time of 5.20.  Very happy as this was my first 40km plus run in a week that averaged close a little over 90 km.  The temperature was a mild 32-33C albeit accompanied by a sharp sun setting the tone for what I should expect.  I have been pampered these lst two months by the sub-20s temperature while training in Hyderabad.  Probably, I should start my weekend back-pack runs a little late when the sun is fully up, to get a truer measure of "fatigue quotient", what?  Better late than never, as the maxim goes.

Took off late Sunday evening to HK with Nandita and Atri, for a short holiday and some work.  While there we went sightseeing to the Peak, DisneyWorld (for Atri), Po-Lin monastery (an oasis of calm near the hustle and bustle of HK) and a few other places.  We also caught up with Neha and Gaurav for dinner at this awesome restaurant called the Mask of Sichuan.  Can't thank you both enough for a fantastic choice of place and your wonderful hospitality.  Thank you so much guys, it was wonderful to have met you, god bless.

I also went to the RTP store and kitted myself out with lots of food (Hammer, Nuun, Expedition foods), some clothing accesories and a new pair of shoes, Inov-8's  Roclite 318 GTX.  These will be the shoes I wear on the main run, so a one-month break in period seemed reasonable.  Also, picked up a few pairs of Injinji moisture wicking socks to run in.

I plan to run/walk/train to about 110-120km a week for the next three weeks before I begin to taper down.  Training will be interspersed with cross training and some strength training for the back and shoulders as well as the mandatory pranayama/yoga.

Lots of final formalities as well to be undertaken - medical tests to be completed and sent, travel arrangements to be completed, visas to be obtained, et al.  The next fortnight promises to be busy busy indeed.  Good stuff!

I also intend to fill the back pack with the actual stuff I will be carrying during the race and do 3-4 dry runs over the next 2-3 weeks.  That should hopefully help me have a near accurate idea of the weight count under different combos and experiment a bit.  Will let you readers know how that stacks up as well ;-)

As you may know, I am running the AC2011 supporting the Nethaji Mercy Home in Chennai (see earlier post below).  Any contributions are gratefully acknowledged.

Closing this post with a verse from Dreamline, by Rush, one of my all time fave bands, ". . . they travel in the time of the prophets, on a desert highway straight to the heart of the sun.  Like lovers and heroes and the restless part of everyone, we're only at home when we're on the run, on the run. . . "

Best
S

A Humble Appeal, Please Read and Support

A very happy new year and a wonderful 2011 to you all!!

Sorry about the radio silence for sometime but as you will read below, I have been a bit busy working and training.  As you may know, I moved from Mumbai to Hyderabad over a year ago and I now work with primary agricultural cooperatives, farmers and rural citizens in Andhra Pradesh, India.

One of my pastimes these last few years has been long distance running, both for fitness and leisure. I am now participating in the Atacama Crossing 2011 or AC11 in short. The AC11 is a six-day six-stage race covering nearly 250 kilometres (or nearly 160 miles). It takes place in the heart of the Atacama Desert in Chile, South America. The desert itself is 15 million years old and 50 times more arid than California's Death Valley. The entire race will be held at least 1.6km (or 1 mile) above sea level. Daytime temperatures are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius/104 degrees Fahrenheit, while night-time temperatures may drop to 5 degrees Celsius/41 degrees Fahrenheit. Joining me in this race are over 120 other people from 35 countries, including just one other person from India. The entire race is self-supported which means that each individual must carry his or her own gear, food and clothing for all days in a backpack. There are just checkpoints, plenty of water (at checkpoints and campsites), tents (at the campsites at the end of each stage) and medical assistance – no other outside assistance is allowed.  For more information, please visit http://www.4deserts.com/atacamacrossing/

There are over 20 charities that will be supported through AC11 and it is in this connection that I am reaching out to you all today.

I am running AC11 to support a charity for abandoned children and orphans called the Nethaji Mercy Home, situated at Chennai in India. This charity was started by a gentleman, Mr. A Muthukumar and his wife and is a sanctuary for several children who are either orphans or abandoned by their parents.

The Nethaji Mercy Home is intended to nurture, protect and care for destitute children who are left in the streets and also children from poor and broken families. It promotes the total development of children through loving care in a homely atmosphere with adequate nutrition and healthy social interaction and education for all children till they are mature and old enough to venture out independently. For more information, please visit http://www.nethajimercyhome.org/

I humbly request you all to contribute as much as you graciously can to support the stellar service and work that Muthu and his team are engaged in. As you will all appreciate, the children need food, shelter, clothing and medical care. There are also expenses for various items including school supplies, personal hygiene and many other miscellaneous items required for the day-to-day operation of the orphanage.

Contributions can be made by Crossed Cheque or Crossed Demand Draft favouring the Nethaji Mercy Home, payable at Chennai. Please send any cheques or drafts to:

Nethaji Mercy Home
No. 12, Pandithurai Street
Kamarajpuram
Velacherry, Chennai 600042
Tamil Nadu
INDIA

If you prefer to transfer funds by wire, details are given below.  Please forward this link/post to anyone you believe would be happy to contribute to this charitable venture.

Thank you for your patient reading and also thank you very much in anticipation of your kindness and generosity. Your assistance is much appreciated.

God bless you all
Sumanth Cidambi

PS: Bank details as below.

For money transfers effected from India, please route to:
Indian Bank, Chennai, INDIA
Swift Code: IDIBINBBTSY
IFSC Code: IDIB000V013
Account Number: 474986058
Account Type: (Current Account)
Account Holder Name: Nethaji Mercy Home

For money transfers effected from the United States, please route through:
Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo), New York, United States of America
SWIFT Code: PNBPUS3N
Account Number: 2000191062434
FOR ONWARD CREDIT TO:
Indian Bank, Chennai, INDIA
Swift Code: IDIBINBBTSY
IFSC Code: IDIB000V013
Account Number: 474986058
Account Type: (Current Account)
Account Holder Name: Nethaji Mercy Home

Alternatively when transferring money from the United States of America, you can use:
Standard Chartered Bank (New York)
SWIFT Code: SCBLUS33
Account Number: 3582021188001
FOR ONWARD CREDIT TO:
Indian Bank, Chennai, INDIA
Swift Code: IDIBINBBTSY
IFSC Code: IDIB000V013
Account Number: 474986058
Account Type: (Current Account)
Account Holder Name: Nethaji Mercy Home

For money transfers effected from the United Kingdom/England, please route through:
National Westminster Bank (London)
SWIFT Code: NWBKGB2L
Account Number: 440/02/04442903
FOR ONWARD CREDIT TO:
Indian Bank, Chennai, INDIA
Swift Code: IDIBINBBTSY
IFSC Code: IDIB000V013
Account Number: 474986058
Account Type: (Current Account)
Account Holder Name: Nethaji Mercy Home

Alternatively, when transferring money from the United Kingdom/England, you can use
Standard Chartered Bank (London)
SWIFT Code: SCBLGB2L
Account Number: 0170885820
FOR ONWARD CREDIT TO:
Indian Bank, Chennai, INDIA
Swift Code: IDIBINBBTSY
IFSC Code: IDIB000V013
Account Number: 474986058
Account Type: (Current Account)
Account Holder Name: Nethaji Mercy Home

Runner's Log: 4 October 2010

Ah.  It has been a total washout in September.  The first two weeks were spent holidaying and coming back to a routine had just started when I was hit by a severe viral and flu.  This saw me on my back for almost a week and a half consuming pills of various shapes, sizes and strength.  I have been out for almost a month!!

I am better today and will be starting training again this week, albeit slowly.

Onward and upward.
S

Come September . . .

September started very well. I wanted to start running/walking with weights as well as delve more extensively into the core area. The schedule for September therefore looks somewhat like this: 
Monday: Walking/running with 6-8kg weights - easy pace 7-8km/hr - covering a distance between 13-15km (cross country course on the treadmill)
Tuesday: Warm up run of 4-5km - strength training - Wind down run, 2km
Wednesday: Repeat Monday routine
Thursday: Repeat Tuesday routine, warm up variant being cycling for 30 minutes
Friday: Easy paced run, covering a 20-25km distance
Saturday: Easy paced run. covering a 25-30km distance
Sunday: Rest
The weekly routine is accompanied by yoga and stretches, primarily for the back as well as exercises for the core, about 15-20 minutes to a session.
So against this plan, how did I stack up. I managed to run a little over 85km through the first week, about half of it with a back pack weighing about 7kg. The Friday and Saturday runs also went off nicely as planned, only I was running on a treadmill at a slight incline. The weather has been very inclement in Hyderabad with rainfall in the early morning and I am hoping it gets better this week onwards.
The second week was a washout totally as I was vacationing and out the whole week at a family wedding, a full 4-day affair!!! I will restart again today.
Nutrition during exercise comprises Hammer's Perpetuem or Sustained Energy as well as Endurolytes and my body is adapting to these quite well. Plus, water intake of about 2-3 litres during the training itself.
All told, the first fortnight has been a sort of one step forward and . . . Well, onward and upward.
More later.
S

The Overage Cynic

I was reading an article titled "Please don't cheer the loot-fest" by Chetan Bhagat in this morning's Times of India (couldn't locate the link, sorry).  In it, he argues for the boycott of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi by not "watching them . . . not going to the venues . . ." and so on.

Crap if I ever heard of anything.  It reminds me of the arguments propounded by some idiots a few years ago to boycott the purchase of petrol for a single day as a protest against rising fuel prices.  What those idiots did not realise is that the loss suffered on account of one day's missed sales will come back and bite us in the arse in the form of income taxes (or some surcharge) to help futher subsidise the three oil PSUs.  I had argued for an increase in petrol and diesel prices way back then but let me not digress. . .

As regards the CWG, a similar simplistic view point emerges before my eyes.  If the games do not make any (or even a little) money, who's going to be burdened for that further deficit.  I believe it will be the Indian citizen.

And whilst I am at it, this is also an appeal to the Times of India.  You are an almost crappy paper, saved by the writing of the likes of Messrs. Aiyar, Akbar and Dasgupta, from time to time.  Please do not waste print space on arm chair intellectuals like Bhagat.  At least, use the column inches to run a few ads.  You will make some money.

S

P.S. Am not advocating any solution, just ranting against Bhagat because I do not like him. So, there.

Runner's Log 31 July 2010

So this week was good training.  I ran a 25km circuit this morning across an interesting track - home all the way to a place called Lingampally with a turn and then onto a road that took me to the Vijaybhaskar Reddy Botanical Gardens.  Good weather and a fairly traffic free road for the most part helped a great deal.

Couple of points - the endurance levels are slowly increasing and I can feel it in terms of the distance I am able to cover without stopping for water or a breath break.  Secondly, the training tights are a real boon.  Thanks to CW-X, I do not feel uncomfortable running anymore.

So, in summary, I ran about 66km this week with a fair bit of strength and resistance training thrown in as well.

Music has been a brilliant companion - mostly rock and metal and songs themed around time and space.  Focused on running while listening to the music makes it more enjoyable.  I hardly notice the km slip by.

This coming week will be good as I will be testing an endurance fuel for continued use.   This will help me up the scale to an 80km/week level in all of August, patterned on a weekly 25-25-30 format.

More later

S

Runner's Log 24 July 2010

The last 10 days have been an on again - off again exercise.  Last Saturday, I managed to run about 29km, on what was a pretty straight road - from Home all the way to Lingampally MMTS, a quick u-turn and then upto the Vijayabhaskar Reddy botanical gardens in Kondapur.  The road was pretty much empty barring a few early morning travellers and buses.


During the week, I managed to run evenings Monday - Wednesday, clocking in about 44km so far, with a couple of days at the gym as well.  Have been off Thursday and Friday, which left me quite depressed and feeling like a sloth last night.  Running is a better high than caffeine and I go nuts without my weekly fix.


This morning has not started off well either.  It's been raining through the night and the roads are quite wet.  My usual haunt, KBR Park is also quite slushy and a bit slippery, so I gave the morning run a miss.  I am now looking forward to running later in the day, probably a short run of c20km or thereabouts, either in the open or on a treadmill.  Either way, need to get this sorted.


Next week onwards, the step up to an organised 70km per week starts in right earnest and I am confident of meeting that requirement properly.


Onwards and upwards, more later
S

The Concerts of My Livetime

Ok, so a friend of mine asked me what concerts I've attended. It set me thinking for a good day and since I was a little unoccupied, here goes. The most memorable concerts I’ve attended:

Uriah Heep - Chennai (this was in 1983 at IIT-M) and more recently in 2006 in Mumbai (review here)   Rush (30th Anniversary Tour) - Darien Lake PAC, NY (see ticket here and review here)  Eric Clapton - 2001, Los Angeles, CA   Iron Maiden - 2003, Madison Square Garden, NYC and more recently in Bangalore, IN in 2007 (the one I saw in Bangalore sucked a bit and I was saddened but well hey, "we will live to fight another day", eh)  Judas Priest - 2005, Darien Lake PAC, NY (review here)  Phish - 1998, Worcester, MA  Dream Theater - 2004, Madison Square Garden, NYC (review here)  Black Sabbath (1999 Reunion Tour with Ozzy Osbourne) - 1999, San Bernadino, CA  Dave Brubeck - 2005, Rochester, NY (review here)  Ozzy Osbourne and Korn - Ozzfest 2003 (Korn was pretty F-all)  Metallica - March 2004, San Francisco, CA  Queensryche - 2005, Darien Lake PAC, NY  John Lee Hooker - 1997, Chicago, IL  Buddy Guy - 1998, Chicago, IL and more recently Mumbai, IN (Good concert. Wifey and I loved it!!!)  Jean Luc Ponty - Bangalore, IN (forget year, played with LS)  Deep Purple - Bangalore, IN (forget year)  Pink Floyd - Bangalore, IN (forget year, smoked up at the show)  Scorpions - 2001, Bangalore, IN  Jethro Tull - 1998, Hammersmith Odeon, UK  Yes - 2002, Prague, CR  G3 - 2004, NYC (Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, John Petrucci and Neal Schon) (review here)  Ted Nugent - 2004, Rochester, NY  Journey/Foreigner (back to back) - 1997, Austin, TX  Doobie Brothers, Stevie Nicks - 2000, San Francisco, CA (This was a private party hosted by BankAm and the performance was a blast!!!)   Chick Corea - 2005, Rochester, NY   John Scofield - 2005, Rochester, NY   Zappa Plays Zappa - 2006, Royal Albert Hall, London (review here)   Remember Shakti - 2006, Mumbai, IN (complete and total balls up without parachutes is how I summarise this one - saving grace were Ustad Zakir Hussain and John McLaughlin. Selva Ganesh, welcome addition as was Mandolin Srinivas. Shankar Mahadevan was a disaster vocally, why oh why?)   Alan Parsons Project, 2007, Mumbai IN (review here)   Walter Trout and the Radicals - 2007, Mumbai, IN (review here)   Ustad Zakir Hussain and Ustad Sultan Khan - 2007, Mumbai (review here).   I enjoyed every one of these but the ones that stand out are Zappa, Rush, Clapton, Phish, Sabbath, Dream Theater, Brubeck and Hooker (in no order).

An Evening With Slain: HRC Hyderabad

Last evening found me at the Hard Rock Cafe, Hyderabad out for a late evening of fun. When I got there I did not expect to find a live gig slated for performance. The band was Bangalore-based Slain and you can find more about them here.

I ordered my customary evening drink when I am at a low-mid budget place - Vodka with soda and sprite (yeah I know, but except for the Dublin at the ITC Kakatiya and the Seasons Bar at the Taj Krishna, the rest of the places serve absolute swill in the name of single malt, I mean I would not even serve house guests some of the stuff that they carry on their shelves) together with an order of plain olives and the HRC bruschetta.

The bartender excitedly gave me a rundown about Slain and their opening for Maiden last year in Bangalore and I was like - yeah, ok we may have a show here. First track started off at 9.30 PM, accompanied by the yells and catcalls of the (under-the -circumstances) "mosh pit" crowd - a few dozen teeangers, some of whom were of indeterminate sex (and no, I was not drunk by then!!)

My impressions: Terrific fucking bass - I could not hear the hear it at first and then I sent a message across to the console to have them check the audio. The bassist, Naresh I think his name was, rocked - both on Slain's own compositions and on the covers (usual Bon Jovi, couple of Metallica and some other group I cannot remember). Loved the bass on Metallica's Enter Sandman (that has now got to be among the most ass-whipped song for today's metal bands, toppling GnR's Sweet Child o' Mine ;-) ). Anyways, not to digress, tight bass - I loved it.

Vocals: Bad. Come on man, you are influenced by several metal leads and trying to play catch up. And please do not try (what sounded to me like) a Dee Snyder-Bruce Dickenson combo, it failed to impress.

Percussion: I liked the solo bit with the keyboards accompanying it (well, admittedly, it was a very very pale version of Portnoy-Rudess, but wtf some musicians having fun, am only to happy to play along), which gave me an opportunity to appreciate the drummer. My sole gripe was on the main tracks, he was playing a laid out structure from the album track. Come on guys, that's the whole fucking point of a live gig, you are not bound by studio rules or time-to-track and all that shit. Improv a little, explore a bit - do a double hand ride or a cymbal ride or experiment a bit more with the time signatures - don't just stick with a thrash version of the ādi tālam or staccatto beats that only sound good when Lar Ulrich or Tico Torres play them.

Leads: Twin leads and both quite decent. I briefly chatted with one of the leads, Manek at half time and asked him if they would consider playing Dream Theater (after all they had the line up - leads, bass, keyboard and percussion) but he was like hmmm, lotta effort man, we play the usual covers y'know. Hmm, Ok. Just see what I said to the drummer - "improv man, improv on a live gig. You have all licence."

Keyboard: Not much to say, kept tinkling in the background and I could only hear one full piece on the accompaniment with the drum solo.

All in all, a performance garnering five and a half to six points (including a point and three quarters for onstage energy), on a ten scale. Slain are releasing a debut album sometime in August. Decent talent but a long way to go.

Cheers
S

Runner's Log - 14 July 2010

It's been almost over a month.  The last fortnight was not upto my liking.  I was ill for the most part and travelling severally so I could not keep to a schedule.  I did manage to run one long distance (25 plus km) in Bangalore which I quite enjoyed - all the way from the Forum Mall in Whitefield to Cubbon Park, off MG Road in the heart of the city.  It is one straight road (well, almost - if you were to excuse the mild curvature off Old Airport Road through to Trinity Circle).  I also bumped into a friend I had not met for almost 6-7 years during the run (he was coming opposite ways) and reconnected with him just today.  Felt good.

Recovered just two days ago from a week long spell of indigestion and general lethargy.  At the gym on Monday, struggled with the exercises and was feeling a bit giddy so I sort of took it easy.  I have a practice run coming up later this evening, roughly 12-15km so let's see what that does for me.

This week promises to be exciting - two long runs  and some fascinating yoga exercises.  Hmmm!!!

More later
S

England vs. Germany, 27 June 2010

Watched the game between England and Germany last night.  The game was a disappointment for me at various levels.

In the first place, what should have been a final clash was advanced to Stage 2.  For this, I am sorely upset with England - having seen them play like a bunch of bumblers in their Group.  If England had topped their group, it would have meant they would be advancing from the left-hand side of the grid (see here)

Being an avid follower of the EPL (and rooting for the “Gunners” there), my natural choice of team to support would have been England, or so my heart said.  My head said, Germany - because of the way I had seen them play in the group stages and for the evident fact that they had practised well with the new Jabulani ball - a key feature being its weight is almost in the higher end of the FIFA approved spectrum - they knew how to make the ball work for them.  I went with my head ahead of the game and was rooting for Germany.

The game itself was a second disappointment.  I have never seen a more inept English side, fumbling to take control and retain possession of the ball at critical moments.  The German side was simply brilliant, their passing and mechanical teamwork evident in the way they got past the English defences time and again.  It’s been proven again that the football played on the “other side of the pond” is certainly a couple of notches ahead of the EPL.  The EPL is for a bunch of overgrown schoolkids who've never really outgrown their knickers.

Finally, the third disappointment - Lampard’s “not-a-goal”.  FIFA has this to say and this as well and I politely disagree.  Take other games (read, Cricket primarily), they clearly appreciate and recognise the need for video technology, especially in crucial games such as these.  Whilst it helped Germany, it was unsportsmanlike.

I would like to believe that if England had been given the equaliser (on Lampard), the course of the game could have been altered and would not have been the linear 4-2 victory for Germany as pundits predicted.  For all we know, it could have been an English romp home but hey the cookie crumbled differently last night.

In other news Argentina beat Mexico 3:1 to set up a quarter-final clash with Germany.  Again, an outcome I am disappointed about as this is a potentially classic semi-final stand-off.  As I can't have every game play out my way,  I take solace in the fact that there is a great game ahead to watch next weekend.

Cheers

S

Runner's Log 19 June 2010

This last fortnight was very good for me training wise. I have been running on alternate days, averaging between 15-18km on the weekdays and over 20km on the Saturday runs. The idea is to continue to build “distance-endurance” and therefore I am currently not too concerned about speed. The running highlights of the fortnight were two “long” runs.

The first was in Bangalore, last week. My route was Home (Koramangala 1st block)-Koramangala Inner Ring Road-Domlur-Command Hospital-Trinity Circle-MG/Cubbon Road-Chinnaswamy Stadium-Cubbon Park-Church Street-Vellara Junction-Johnson Market-Adugodi Signal-Forum Mall-St. John's Medical College-Sarjapur Road-Aishwarya Departmental Stores-Home, a total distance of c21.73km in a little over two hours.


The second was this morning, in Hyderabad. My route was Home (Road No. 14)-Jagannath Puri temple-Road No. 45-State Gallery of Fine Arts-Inorbit Mall-Hitech City Main Road-Mumbai Road-Gachibowli-Miyapur Road-Botanical Gardens-Kothaguda-Shilparamam-Hitech City Road-Road # 36-Jubilee Hills Check Post-KBR park periphery-Home, a total distance of c29.2 km in a little under three hours.


This morning’s run was a bit more tiring than usual, primarily because (a) I was running a distance greater than 25km after a very long time, (b) zero electrolyte replacement during the run leading to a higher fatigue level and quicker burnout (mistake, I know), and (c) it was a new route for me and the road undulates like crazy at several points during the run. My hamstrings and buttocks are still sore ;-).


On the electrolytes, am waiting for the Endurolyte shipments to arrive next month, which should definitely help up the game a few notches. As for the route itself, I had driven with Atri yesterday AM and scoped the entire route I was planning to take. I recently purchased a Garmin unit, the Oregon 550 and used it to create the track with all waypoints and so on and so forth marked up. It rained quite heavily last night and the roads were wet or still water logged, so I did get a bit drenched what with the oncoming lorries spraying water on the roadsides - a definite mood dampener. All told, an experience of a kind, ha!


I have also been able to work out at the gym regularly, currently concentrating on my core, back and shoulders. It’s strange because I’ve never really appreciated resistance and strength training but I can see the benefits, having practised this for a little over a month now. The results are slowly but surely beginning to show in my running. The endurance levels are slowly improving and I am able to maintain a steady 8-9kmph pace for over two hours, without any major pain in the hamstrings, glutes or lower back.


This upcoming fortnight, I intend to add a bit of yogā and prānāyāmā to the routine. The yogā should help strengthen the back and spine and the prānāyāmā will help cool the body during the workouts.

This evening, I intend to celebrate a bit on completing the first 25km after many many months.  Nandita and I are going out to watch the ongoing FIFA world cup at a local sports bar and I'll probably have a few beers to mark this milestone.


Will write again soon. Onward and upward. . .
Cheers
S

Runner's Log 6 June 2010

It's been a great fortnight.  I have managed to run only 100km but have been able to increase my endurance levels a good notch upwards.  Also, something new for me, long runs inside - on the treadmill with a fair degree of incline - have enabled me to complete a gruelling 15m hill run yesterday, one which was quite a steep climb.

I've also started weight and resistance training - for the back and core primarily and for the chest and arms as a supplement - preparation for running with an 8-10kg backpack ;-).  Soon, I hope to be able to start running with 3-5 kilos strapped on to my back.  I can feel my core getting stronger slowly and steadily and the plank exercises have helped in great measure.

Monsoon's coming to Hyderabad, so most of the training for the next month or two will mainly be indoors. Am also looking forward, post monsoons, to a testing out a new pair of shoes - the Roclite 318GTX - as these will be my running pair for the main event.

The upcoming week promises to be exciting. . .  Have a 10 mile tomorrow, followed by some core work.  Travel mid week so the chance to run elsewhere for a good distance along a new route, although I do not much appreciate the street dogs that keep chasing me in Bangalore in the early hours of the morning.

Anyways, will post an update next week or so.

Cheers

S

Runner's Log 23 May 2010

Woke up yesterday at 4:00 AM to get ready for the first of many long runs.  The course I am training on is not high altitude - Hyderabad is situated a little under 1,800 feet above sea level - and is called the Kasu Brahmananda Reddy Park (you can google it) or KBR Park as the locals know it by.  The park has two tracks, the first is the outer track runs along its circumference and the second "inner" track.  The tracks have been created by breaking through rock.  The inner track is for the early morning walkers and is relatively flat and almost mundane to run on.  So. . .

I prefer the outer track for two reasons, first - its less crowded (especially at 4.30 AM!!!) and second and more importantly - it is almost like a mini trail that goes up and down, undulates and winds about quite a bit.  The distance, measured end-to-end is 10.4 km (if one starts at the main entrance opposite the TDP office, goes all the way up to the Jubilee Hills end and back again, it's roughly 8.2 km plus another 2.2 km on the other side).  A run anywhere between 12-15 km on this course is great for improving endurance - I've been able to knock off 30-45 seconds per km on a 1/2 M, running on plain tarmac after running here.

The running kit comprised a light running tee and shorts made of moisture wicking fabric (essential as morning temperature gets to about 28-30 C by 5.30 AM and climbs rapidly thereafter to about 35C by 7 AM). Shoes were my trusty Reebok Premium Running DMX Shear - It's everything Reebok has advertised.  I have been using these for over five years now and find them to be the best for long distance road runs with a little bit of light trail running thrown in as well.  Speed, distance, time, heart rate et al measured by another old faithful of many years - the Polar RS 400.  And for company, an iPod nano with some rock tunes.  Hydration comprised two bottles of water (one fortified with concentrated lemon juice) which I carried with me through the run and sipped off frequently.

There's two places I dread crossing on the track - the first is sort of diagonally opposite the Puri Jagannath temple at Road 12 which is a series of 50-60 steps at a steep incline.  This crossing takes my heart rate up from a stable 145-150 to nearly 180 in a span of 30-40 seconds, phew!!! The second is a cement stairwell that comes up a little ahead of Road No. 45 which has  a similar effect on my heart rate.  For those runners who are familiar with South Bombay, the uphill climb on Peddar Road near Jaslok Hospital and the closely following Kemps Corners flyover are a picnic - they start gradually and are not really in-your-face like the two I described here.  That said, there's a real sense of achievement completing these two sharp stretches and soldiering on.

The scenery is not much to brag about but includes some small stretches of frangipani and some lush greenery that I quite like, its the closest I come to running through a trail.  I finished the first 10 km lap in 1 hr 6 minutes (including a warm up walk of about 1/2 km) and was feeling a little numb but thought I'd push myself for the next lap which I completed in 48 minutes flat taking overall time to less than 2 hours.  Was surprised by a bonus - Iron Maiden's "Loneliness of a Long Distance Runner" and Metallica's "Orion" randomly looped twice on the run.  Ha!

Dead beat after this run, so stretched for nearly 20-25 minutes before I headed back home. Feet held up well although the hamstring muscles were a little chaffed but recovered well overnight.  My biggest fear was losing my toe nails again (they've chipped off and regrown over the years and there's always that irritation when the nail's busted and the underpart is exposed).  Anyways, will start taping my feet soon on the longer runs.

Today was relatively simple - a 4 km run at 10 km/hr pace followed by 10 minutes of cycling at the gym followed by an hour of stretches and yoga for the back and core.  Worked out indoors and was spared the heat and dust.

Plan to run another 16-18 km tomorrow to make the most of the early morning hot weather before the monsoons set in Hyderabad.

Cheers
S

Its (T)raining again. . .

Started proper training yesterday for yet another of my runs.  Ran about 17km in under 2 hours.  Good to know I have not lost touch (yet)!!!  Thankfully no blisters.  The route remains the same - KBR park's outer running track.  Temperature in the AM is about 27-28C while it gets to about 38-40C in the evenings. 

Note to self:  Need more hydration and electrolytes. 

More later.

So What Do I Do Now?

Firstly, thanks for all the private mails from the few people who stayed in touch this last one year. I quit my earlier employment in the mining sector in June 2009 and more recently joined a group of social entrepreneurs, based out of Hyderabad. We work with rural agricultural cooperatives across the State of Andhra Pradesh - no, we are NOT a microfinance institution.

What we do is provide last mile services to members of these agricultural cooperatives, i.e. the farmers and other members in the areas of banking, insurance and agri-procurement. We help them obtain credit - for their cropping season, Rabi or Kharif or to buy farm equipment. We help them secure insurance for themselves, to protect their crops from weather and for their farm equipment. We help them sell their produce in a timely manner for a fair price and more importantly ensure they receive their money within 2-3 days of the sale.

The Indian government has also established the regulatory framework that enables organisations such as ours to work for rural upliftment through these and other mechanisms. It is a highly satisfying experience and one that I am enjoying. The smiles of satisfied farmers says a lot about our teams and the work we collectively do.

On the personal side, I spend more time with Atri (work is not too rushed and I rarely travel like I earlier used to). I also run a lot these days, averaging 80-100 km on a good week and between 60-70 km on others.

Signing off on this one with the Farmer's Song by Neil Young.

More later
S

In the interim. . .

Short post. Have been off blogging for a while as we had a son early December 2008. Life has revolved around Atri completely and I've had to reprioritise my likes and things I wanted to do to ensure I have enough time to be a good father. Here's a short snap of the three of us (Nandita, Atri and I) at a recent vacation in Kerala. As always, Atri evinces a strong fascination for cutlery of the pokey variety. . .

Our House

Woke up at 3.45 this morning with the tune of "Our House" ringing in my head. CSN remains one of my all time faves and so here goes "Our House".

I'll light the fire
You place the flowers in the vase
That you bought today

Staring at the fire
For hours and hours
While I listen to you
Play your love songs
All night long for me
Only for me

Come to me now
And rest your head for just five minutes
Everything is done

Such a cozy room
The windows are illuminated
By the evening sunshine through them
Fiery gems for you
Only for you

Our house is a very, very, very fine house
With two cats in the yard
Life used to be so hard
Now everything is easy
'Cause of you
And our
la la lala la la la lala la la lala lala la lala lala lala la la lala la la la la la
la la lala la la la lala la la lala lala la lala lala la lala

Our house is a very, very, very fine house
With two cats in the yard
Life used to be so hard
Now everything is easy
'Cause of you
And our

I'll light the fire
While you place the flowers in the vase
That you bought today

Back after a year and a half (well almost!!)

OK, the hiatus is over. Once again, have shifted jobs and industries. Working with some people in social entrepreneurship in the area of rural cooperatives these days. More on this later.

Wordle on the Blog

I was fooling around with Jonathan Feinberg's invention [?] Wordle and applied it to the skeedamnbee. Here is the result (click on the picture to see it expanded). Good fun, what?
Cheers
S

Sarasvati

In the ṛgveda, together with divine will, is another power that manifests itself in us ― the power of inspiration, manifested as the goddess sarasvatī. The hymns to sarasvatī first make their appearance in the poetry of ṝṣi madhuccandāḥ vaiśvāmitrāḥ and give us an insight into the character of this power within us.

The richness of the vedic symbolism is again depicted here - in that of the ocean ― the chosen image of infinite and eternal existence; and that of the river ― the image of a stream of conscious being.

पावका नः सरस्वती वाजेभिः वाजिनीवती
यज्ञं वष्टु धियावसुः

pāvakā naḥ sarasvatī vājebhiḥ vājinīvatī
yajñaṁ vaṣṭu dhiyāvasuḥ

May the purifying sarasvatī, with plentiful types of plenitudes
Rich in the substance made by thoughts, desire our yajña

madhuccandāḥ first hearkens to sarasvatī to purify and remove the layers of falsehood embedded in our emotions, will and action. sarasvatī is capable of giving us everything in all possible forms and plentifully, as ascribed by the Sanskrit word, vāja ― the plenitude of all forms. She is also rich in dhiyāvasuḥ ― the substance of thought and invoked to bless our [inner] pilgrim-sacrifice.

The vedic idea was that the subconscient darkness and the ordinary life of ignorance held concealed in it all that belongs to divinity. The secret riches are recovered by destroying the powers of falsehood and ignorance.

चोदयित्री सूनृतानां चेतन्ती सुमतीनाम्
यज्ञं दधे सरस्वती

codayitrī sūnṛtānāṁ cetantī sumatīnām
yajñaṁ dadhe sarasvatī

She is the impeller of auspicious truths and the awakener of all happy thoughts
May that sarasvatī uphold the yajña

sarasvatī makes us become more conscious so that we do not turn to the paths of falsehood, creating in us right states of emotion and right movements of thought ― impelling the truth to manifest in our emotions, will and action; the vedic word, sumatīnām, especially meaning the happiness in our thoughts accompanied by a gladness in our souls.

महो अर्णः सरस्वती प्र चेतयति केतुना
धियो विश्वा वि राजति

maho arṇaḥ sarasvatī pra cetayati ketunā
dhiyo viśvā vi rājati

sarasvatī awakens the great flood [of truth] by the revelation in the consciousness
She illumines entirely all thoughts

By her constant awakening and impulsion ― collectively called ketu, or perception, sarasvatī brings into our active consciousness, the truth-consciousness itself, what the ancient vedic ṝṣi referred to as maho arṇaḥ or great ocean.

So ends the first hymn of the ṛgveda to sarasvatī, the power of inspiration.

Peace
S

The Leader of our Journey

The ṛgveda, as I believe, is the record of our human fathers, pitaro manuṣyaḥ, who have conquered immortality by the work, and having reached this goal, are invoked to assist a later mortal race in the same divine achievement. It is the great journeys – from mortality to immortality – from falsehood to the truth – that our ancestors accomplished, opening the way for their descendants.

The imagery is also very clear. The following excerpt from one of Sri Aurobindo’s works is relevant. Here he speaks about the ṛṣi vasiṣṭha who invokes the divine powers in VII.42 and VII.52 of the veda.

In the first, he sings, “Ease of travelling for Thee is the path, O agni and known to Thee from of old. . . . Seated, I call the births divine.” This path is between the home of these divine powers and our earthly mortality down which the divinities descend, through the antarikṣa, the vital regions to the earthly sacrifice and up which the sacrifice and man by the sacrifice ascends to the home of the divine. agni yokes his steeds, the flames of the divine force he represents, which bear the hero within us that performs the journey.

The 52nd hymn is more significant. It first runs – आदित्यासो अदितयः स्याम – ādityāso aditayaḥ syāma – O, sons of the infinite mother, may we become infinite beings. It goes on to say – सनेम मित्रावरुणा सनन्तो भवेम द्यावापृथिवि भवन्तः – sanema mitrāvaruṇā sananto bhavema dyāvāpṛthivi bhavantaḥ – possessing may we possess you, o mitrā and varuṇā, becoming may we become you, O heaven and earth – evidently, in the sense that we are to possess and become the infinities or children of aditi.

In this journey, it is our great friend, agni, who guides us. He is both beginning and end, leading us from the start, helping and supporting us through the journey, till we at last reach his abode. He shows us vājasya panthaṁ – the path to the plenitude; ṝtasya pantham –the path of righteousness and asuryam ā aruhat – makes us climb to greatness.

I was recently reading maṇdala 5 of the ṛgveda which contains the hymns of the atri ṛṣi. My principal affinity towards the atri ṛṣi stems from the fact that their work comprises divinising life – as our journey progresses, the states of inconscience and darkness are dispelled and give way to conscious awareness. The fourth hymn sung by ṛṣi vasuśruta invokes agni – the divine will, priest, warrior and leader of our journey and one of my own beloved deities.

त्वामग्ने वसुपतिं वसूनामभि प्र मन्दे अध्वरेषु राजन्
त्वया वजं वाजयन्तो जयेमाऽभि ष्याम पृत्सुतीर्मर्त्यानाम्

tvāmagne vasupatiṁ vasūnāmabhi pra mande adhvareṣu rājan
tvayā vajaṁ vājayanto jayemā'bhi ṣyāma pṛtsutīrmartyānām

O agni, wealth-master of riches, I direct my delight towards thee in the pilgrim-sacrifice
O king, replenishing thee may we conquer the plenitude, may we overcome the battle hosts of the mortals

हव्यवाळग्निरजरः पिता नो विभुर्विभावा सुदृशीको अस्मे
सुगार्हपत्याः समिषो दिदीह्यस्मध्रक् सं मिमीहि श्रवांसि

havyavāt agniḥ ajaraḥ pitā no vibhuḥ vibhāvā sudṛśīkaḥ asme
sugārhapatyāḥ sam iṣaḥ didīhi asmadhrak saṁ mimīhi śravāṁsi

The ageless agni, who carries the offering, is our father. He is pervasive in his being, perfect in vision and extended in light
Accomplished in works of the master of the house, blaze out your forces – form the inspirations of knowledge and turn them towards us

विशां कविं विश्पतिं मानुषीणाम् शुचिं पावकं घृतपृष्ठमग्निम्
नि होतारं विश्वविदं दधिध्वे स देवेषु वनते वार्याणि

viśāṁ kaviṁ viśpatiṁ mānuṣīṇām śuciṁ pāvakaṁ ghṛtapṛṣṭhamagnim
ni hotāraṁ viśvavidaṁ dadhidhve sa deveṣu vanate vāryāṇi

The seer, master of men, lord of the human people, pure and purifying with its back of light
Set within you, agni, as the omniscient priest of the call, he shall win our desirable things in the godheads

जुषस्वाग्न इळया सजोषा यतमानो रश्मिभिः सूर्यस्य
जुषस्व नः समिधं जातवेद आ च देवान् हविर्द्याय वक्षि

juṣasvāgna iḻayā sajoṣā yatamāno raśmibhiḥ sūryasya
juṣasva naḥ samidhaṁ jātaveda ā ca devān haviḥ adyāya vakṣi

Take pleasure in us, o agni – of one mind with ilā, the goddess of revelation, labouring with the rays of the sun
Accept with pleasure our fuel, o knower of all things born and bring the gods to us to partake in our sacrifice

जुष्टो दमूना अतिथिर्दुरोण इमं नो यज्ञमुप याहि विद्वान्
विश्वा अग्ने अभियुजो विहत्या शत्रूयतामा भरा भोजनानि

juṣṭo damūnā atithiḥ duroṇa imaṁ no yajñam upa yāhi vidvān
viśvā agne abhiyujo vihatyā śatrūyatām ā bharā bhojanāni

A cherished guest domiciled in our gated house, come to the sacrifice of ours as the knower
O agni, slaying all [hostile energies*] who assail us, bring to us the enjoyments of those who make themselves our enemy

[*all hostile energies that attack the soul of man possess certain energies which he needs and has to wrest from them in order to arrive at his perfect plenitude]

वधेन दस्युं प्र हि चातयस्व वयः कृण्वानस्तन्वे स्वायै
पिपर्षि यत् सहसस्पुत्र देवान्त्सो अग्ने पाहि नृतम वाजे अस्मान्

vadhena dasyuṁ pra hi cātayasva vayaḥ kṛṇvānaḥ tanve svāyai
piparṣi yat sahasaḥ putra devān saḥ agne pāhi nṛtama vāje asmān

Chase the destroyer from us with your blow; make a free space for growth for your own body
When, o son of force, you are carrying the gods; guard us in the plenitude, o agni, mightiest deity
वयं ते अग्न उक्थैर्विधेम वयं हव्यैः पावक भद्रशोचे
अस्मे रयिं विश्ववारं समिन्वास्मे विश्वानि द्रविणानि धेहि

vayaṁ te agna ukthaiḥ vidhema vayaṁ havyaiḥ pāvaka bhadraśoce
asme rayiṁ viśvavāraṁ saminva asme viśvāni draviṇāni dhehi

May we worship thee with our words, o agni; worship thee with our offerings, o purifier, o happy light
Bring into us the treasure in which are all desirable things; establish in us substance of every kind of riches

अस्माकमग्ने अध्वरं जुषस्व सहसः सूनो त्रिषधस्थ हव्यम्
वयं देवेषु सुकृतः स्याम शर्मणा नस्त्रिवरूथेन पाहि

asmākam agne adhvaraṁ juṣasva sahasaḥ sūno triṣadhastha havyam
vayaṁ deveṣu sukṛtaḥ syāma śarmaṇā naḥ trivarūthena pāhi

Accept our pilgrim-sacrifice, o agni; accept our offering, o son of force [and] holder of the triple worlds [of your session]
May we be doers of good deeds before the godheads; protect us with a triple armour of peace

विश्वानि नो दुर्गहा जातवेद सिन्धु न नावा दुरिताति पर्षि
अग्ने अत्रिवन्नमसा गृणानोऽस्माकं बोध्यविता तनूनाम्

viśvāni no durgahā jātaveda sindhu na nāvā durita ati parṣi
agne atrivat namasā gṛṇāno asmākaṁ bodhi avitā tanūnām

Carry us through all difficult passages, o knower of all things born; through all calamities like a ship over the ocean
O agni, voiced by us with our obeisance, even as did the [sage] atri, awake and be the guardian of our bodies

यस्त्वा हृदा कीरिणा मन्यमानोऽमर्त्यं मर्त्यो जोहवीमि
जातवेदो यशो अस्मासु धेहि प्रजाभिरग्ने अमृतत्वमश्याम्

yah tvā hṛdā kīriṇā manyamānaḥ amartyaṁ martyaḥ johavīmi
jātavedaḥ yaśaḥ asmāsu dhehi prajābhiḥ agne amṛtatvam aśyām

I think of thee with a heart that is thy singer, and mortal, I call to thee immortal
Establish the glory in us, o knower of all things born, by [the children of] my works, may I win immortality, o agni

यस्मै त्वं सुकृते जातवेद उ लोकमग्ने कृणवः स्योनम्
अश्विनं स पुत्रिणं वीरवन्तं गोमन्तं रयिं नशते स्वस्ति

yasmai tvaṁ sukṛte jātaveda u lokam agne kṛṇavaḥ syonam
aśvinaṁ sa putriṇaṁ vīravantaṁ gomantaṁ rayiṁ naśate svasti

O knower of all things born, doer of greats deeds for whom you shall make that happy other world
Reaches in peace a wealth, in which are the horses of swiftness, the ray-cows, the son and the heroes**

[**the ancient vedic symbols of the Horse, Cow, Son and Hero recur here as well. The vital powers are the motive forces that bear us on our journey and symbolised by the horse; the herds are the illuminations that come to us from the Truth, the herding rays of the sun of Light, symbolised by the cow; the sons are the new soul-formations comprising the divine personality within us; and the heroes are the mental and moral energies within us that resist the assault of ignorance, division and falsehood]

So ends a hymn to the Divinity that knows all successive births of the soul in its ascending plans of existence.

Peace
S

PS: Sri Aurobindo's writing quoted above and the poetic translation of the hymn 5.4 above (c) Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust 1998.

The Dance

See the picture in the hall
Framed in magic on the wall
Ain't it funny how it glows
What's on the inside
No one knows
What makes this picture
So inviting
To those who stand outside it

Maybe it's the dancers
Or maybe it's the dance
The dancer dances

Thousands fill the gallery
They pay their price to see a dream
They can make believe for free
Two hours' worth of fantasy
Maybe they pretend
The picture's them
Or maybe they just love
To sit and blend

Tonight the picture has no frame
Colours unleash and float away
To each and everyone of you
Tonight the spirit brings the news
You become a part of it all
Thousands turn to one in the hall

You become the dancer
And we become the dance
The dancer dances

The dancer dances
The dancer dances
And we become the dancer
And you become the dance

Let go. . . It is an indescribable feeling!!!

Peace
S

"The Dance" lyrics, copyrighted to Uriah Heep, all rights reserved.

Thought For The Day

"The purpose of fish traps is to catch fish. When the fish are caught, the traps are forgotten. The purpose of rabbit snares is to catch rabbits. When the rabbits are caught, the snares are forgotten. The purpose of words is to convey ideas. When the ideas are grasped, the words are forgotten. Where is the man who has forgotten all words. He is the one I would like to speak with." - Chuang Tse

On the Death Penalty

Justice is about equity and harmony. Revenge is simply making one feel good about oneself albeit in a petty fashion.

A death penalty imposed by any Court of Law is simply state-sponsored revenge. It does not correct or remedy. It simply adds to the waves of evil floating around us already.

I cannot, in any conscience, support the concept of capital punishment.

S

On Singular Malts

Here’s an old article of mine that for some strange reason I have never put up on the blog, although it has found its way to some other food-related sites. A curious trail of events – one of my friends, Chandrashekhar who runs http://www.sigfood.org/ landing up home with a gift hamper of two bottles of single malt – last week an archaeologist friend had come home for dinner and we were sipping some Glen Morangie – I was reading the Malt Maniac’s issue #109 at http://www.maltmaniacs.org/ just yesterday; and so I thought I’d dig this out of my hard drive and put it down on the blog. In case you are wondering what the Lagavulin bottle is doing here, read on. . .

I am a self-confessed single malt aficionado. I prefer the smoky and peaty whiskies and my travel schedule permits me the luxury of indulging in some rare malts at the whiskey bars of London and New York. Among the 80-90 plus malts that I have sampled or drunk, my personal favourites remain a select few. Here’s them then:

Laphroaig (pronounced La-froyg) Quarter Cask
My first single malt experience was with a Laphroaig 10-year and I simply loved it then. Laphroaig still remains a favourite house malt. Having had the cask strength Laphroaig as well long ago, I only recently discovered the Quarter Cask and really like it for its smoky palate and finish (the smokiness lingers). Have this with sips of cool water on the side. Its heavenly!!! Here's more on the QC from Laphroaig's site

Talisker Distiller's Edition
The 1986 Distillers Edition is probably one of the signature malts in my book. The essence of this malt is the absolutely fantastic interspersing of sherry and whisky. The sweet fruity and toffee character comes to the fore and then just as you try and get your tongue around it, is replaced by a peaty peppery edge in an oh-so smooth way. More on the Distiller's Edition tasting notes here. Definitely highly recommended.

The Macallan 1970 Vintage, 32-year old
What can I say but that it’s different. Oakey with the trademark Macallan spiciness and a nice pepper finish. This is almost a limited edition malt, so these days I usually settle for its poor country cousin equivalent, the Macallan 12-year Fine Oak. But, perchance you find the 32-year old, do not pass it up!!! I first drank this at the Salt Bar in London post a great meal at the Strada and really enjoyed it that evening.

Glenfarclas 105
At a cask strength of 60%, this is for the serious malt whisky drinker who also wishes to get a booster shot early in a session. The whisky itself seared my throat the first time I drank it and I was coughing a fair bit before I recovered. Since then, I have been particularly careful to sip it and also have some water on the side handy. A very grim whisky. Here's the tasting note from the distillery.

Bunnahabhain 12 years (pronounced Boona-hay-vun)
This 40% proof distillery bottled malt is among my recommendations for a malt beginner. It might be appropriate to add here that the Islay (pronounced eye - la) is the greatest of the whisky Islands, deep in Peat and lashed by the rain, wind and sea. The varied complex flavours in an Islay malt are often challenging to the palate. Islay malts tend to be very very peaty in character Anyways, not to digress, there is a peatyness about the Bunnahabhain that is quite faint making it a very palatable malt. Like I said, a nice introduction to the world of single malts generally. If you find it strong, please add a little water to release the flavour. Check out their website here and I recommend the flash version.

Ardbeg Still Young
There's an anecdote I was told before I was given a taste of this whisky. The Ardbeg mascot is a Jack Russell terrier called Shorty. These guys at the distillery invented Justy, Shorty's son and parallely released the latest arrival from the Ardbeg homestead, called the Ardbeg Still Young - its an almost work -in-progress whisky - in 2006 thereabouts. I quite liked the spice peat and cocoa/coffee taste of this malt. Will be sure to taste/imbibe copious quantities on future occassions that present themselves, hahahahaha!!!!

Cragganmore 1987 Distillers Edition
This is a superb Speyside whisky, finished in Ruby Port casks, giving its palate a fruity note and of course 'port'y flavour. The lingering soft smoke is perfect to start the evening off and continue onwards as well. To be enjoyed with your favorite cigar!!! Here's the tasting note on the Distiller's edition.

Lagavulin 16-Year Old (the old bottling, not the newer Port Ellen vintage)
I first read about the bottling and was wondering where I would procure a tasting when I coincidentally received this as a gift from my brother!!! Personally, I rate it as the best malt whiskey I have and drank (yes, drank) severally and one I grew to love because of it taste - really smoky, peaty and slightly salty. I learnt a peculiar phrase associated with this as well from a malt maniac - he described it as 'salmiak', possessing a salty ammoniac taste. All told, a great malt and one that I love to stock up at home. Here's the tasting note on the 16 y-o.

Caol Ila 18 years (pronounced Kaal-eea)
Very fragrant nose and highly firm palate, I also love the exceptionally smooth finish. I personally rate this my after dinner malt of choice, with a cigar in the other hand!!! I first started off with the 12 y-o and then found I quite liked the 18 y-o as well. Check this out.

Other likings include the Peat Monster from the Compass Box Distillery and the classic 18 year old bottling from the Isle of Jura.

Happy tippling.
Cheers
S

Let Auspicious Impulsions Come To Us

Over a decade ago I came across a didactic statement in a book, “Let noble thoughts come to us from all sides.” I was curious as to who the author of this statement was and finally managed to trace this to the ṛgveda, albeit to a more pristine form. This enigmatic statement was what first spurred me to start reading this ancient scripture and make the effort, as it still is, to understand what it contains.

Since that date, I have pursued the path of spiritual knowledge, to learn and understand the experiences of our human fathers and their yajña, in the hope that I will also benefit from and be able to emulate their example one day. Today I happened to reread the entire hymn that changed the course of my life so many years ago. It is a hymn of ten parts revealed to the ṛṣi gotama rāhūgaṇaḥ and I reproduce it here:

आ नो भद्राः क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वतोऽदब्धासो अपरितास उद्भिदः ।
देवा नो यथा सदमिद्वृधे असन्नप्रायुवो रक्षितारो दिवे दिवे ॥

ā no bhadrāḥ kratavo yantu viśvato'dabdhāso aparitāsa udbhidaḥ
devā no yathā sadamidvṛdhe asannaprāyuvo rakṣitāro dive dive

May auspicious impulsions come to us from all sides
Which harm no one, are unimpeded and victorious over the forces of division
May the Gods always be for our increase, never moving away from us
But always guarding us day by day

देवानां भद्रा सुमतिरृजूयतां देवानां रातिरभि नो नि वर्तताम् ।
देवानां सख्यमुप सेदिमा वयं देवा न आयुः प्र तिरन्तु जीवसे ॥

devānāṁ bhadrā sumatirṛjūyatāṁ devānāṁ rātirabhi no ni vartatām
devānāṁ sakhyamupa sedimā vayaṁ devā na āyuḥ pra tirantu jīvase

May the auspicious and right thinking of the Gods be ours
May their gifts to righteous persons be also bestowed upon us
May we attend to the friendship of the Gods
May the Gods extend our life span

तान् पूर्वया निविदा हूमहे वयं भगं मित्रमदितिं दक्षमस्रिधम् ।
अर्यमणं वरुणं सोममश्विना सरस्वती नः सुभगा मयस्करत् ॥

tān pūrvayā nividā hūmahe vayaṁ bhagaṁ mitramaditiṁ dakṣamasridham
aryamaṇaṁ varuṇaṁ somamaśvinā sarasvatī naḥ subhagā mayaskarat

With the ancient word, we call them
bhaga, mitra, aditi, the unerring dakṣa
aryamaṇ, varuṇa, soma and the aśvins
May felicitious sarasvatī grant us bliss

तन्नो वातो मयोभु वातु भेषजं तन्माता पृथिवी तत्पिता द्यौः ।
तद् ग्रावाणः सोमसुतो मयोभुवस्तद् अश्विना शृणुतं धिष्ण्या युवम् ॥

tanno vāto mayobhu vātu bheṣajaṁ tanmātā pṛthivī tatpitā dyauḥ
tad grāvāṇaḥ somasuto mayobhuvastad aśvinā śṛṇutaṁ dhiṣṇyā yuvam

May vāyu waft for us the felicitious medicaments
May Mother Earth and Father Heaven bring it
May the felicitious stones preparing the soma secure it
May the aśvins hear our call with understanding

तमीशानं जगतस्तस्थुषस्पतिं धियंजिन्वमवसे हूमहे वयम् ।
पूषा नो यथा वेदसामसद्वृधे रक्षिता पायुरदब्धः स्वस्तये ॥

tamīśānaṁ jagatastasthuṣaspatiṁ dhiyaṁjinvamavase hūmahe vayam
pūṣā no yathā vedasāmasadvṛdhe rakṣitā pāyuradabdhaḥ svastaye

The lord, the protector of all things, mobile or stationary
Who fills all with enlightened thought, him we call for protection
He, pūṣān, has been the increaser and guardian of our knowledge
May he, unobstructed, promote our welfare

स्वस्ति न इन्द्रो वृद्धश्रवाः स्वस्ति नः पूषा विश्ववेदाः ।
स्वस्ति नस्तार्क्ष्यो अरिष्टनेमि स्वस्ति नो बृहस्पतिर्दधातु ॥

svasti na indro vṛddhaśravāḥ svasti naḥ pūṣā viśvavedāḥ
svasti nastārkṣyo ariṣṭanemi svasti no bṛhaspatirdadhātu

May indra, of wide fame, promote our welfare
May pūṣān, all knower, make us prosper
May tārkṣya, with non-injuring fellies, promote our welfare
May bṛhaspati make us prosper

पृषदश्वा मरुतः पृश्निमातरः शुभंयावानो विदथेषु जग्मयः ।
अग्निजिह्वा मनवः सूरचक्षसो विश्वे नो देवा अवसा गमन्निह ॥

pṛṣadaśvā marutaḥ pṛśnimātaraḥ śubhaṁyāvāno vidatheṣu jagmayaḥ
agnijihvā manavaḥ sūracakṣaso viśve no devā avasā gamanniha

The maruts, sons of pṛśni, with deer of pure white spots
Who are of happy gait, go frequently to the place of the inner yajña where knowledge is revealed
They are the knowers radiant as the sun, with agni as their tongue
May these Gcome here for our protection

भद्रं कर्णेभिः शृणुयाम देवा भद्रं पश्येमाक्षभिर्यजत्राः ।
स्थिरैरड़्गैस्तुष्टुवांसस्तनूभिर्व्यशेम देवहितं यदायुः ॥

bhadraṁ karṇebhiḥ śṛṇuyāma devā bhadraṁ paśyemākṣabhiryajatrāḥ
sthirairaṛgaistuṣṭuvāṁsastanūbhirvyaśema devahitaṁ yadāyuḥ

O Gods, may we hear only what is auspicious
O worshipful ones, may we behold with our eyes only what is auspicious
Praising you with bodies having firm limbs
May we enjoy the god-given span of life

शतमिन्नु शरदो अन्ति देवा यत्रा नश्चक्रा जरसं तनूनाम् ।
पुत्रासो यत्र पितरो भवन्ति मा नो मध्या रीरिषतायुर्गन्तोः ॥

śataminnu śarado anti devā yatrā naścakrā jarasaṁ tanūnām
putrāso yatra pitaro bhavanti mā no madhyā rīriṣatāyurgantoḥ

May we be in your proximity for a hundred years, o Gods
Before the decay or old age strikes our bodies
Before our sons become fathers
Interrupt not the span of our life journey in the middle

अदितिर्द्यौरदितिरन्तरिक्षम् अदितिर्माता स पिता स पुत्रः ।
विश्वे देवा अदितिः पञ्च जना अदितिर्जातमदितिर्जनित्वम् ॥

aditirdyauraditirantarikṣam aditirmātā sa pitā sa putraḥ
viśve devā aditiḥ pañca janā aditirjātamaditirjanitvam

aditi is heaven, aditi is the mid-world
aditi is the mother, aditi is the father and son
She is the collectivity of all the gods, she is the five people
aditi is all that is born and what is yet to be born

The idea behind this is that the cultivation of enlightened thought dealing with the welfare of all, automatically also gives us protection. The circumstances which confront us, beneficial or otherwise, are caused by our own thoughts

Even today, when I read these verses, I continue to be inspired by their profundity. Onward and upward.

Peace
S

We Look At It But Do Not See It. . .

We look at it but do not see it;
We name this "the minute."
We listen to it but do not hear it;
We name this "the rarified."
We touch it but do not hold it;
We name this "the level and the smooth."

These three cannot be examined to the limit.
Thus they merge together as one.
“One”—there is nothing more encompassing above it,
And nothing smaller below it.
Boundless, formless! It cannot be named,
And returns to the state of no-thing.

This is called the formless form,
The substanceless image
This is called the subtle and indistinct.
Follow it and you won’t see its back;
Greet it and you won’t see its head.
Hold on to the Way of the present—
And to know the ancient beginning.
This is called the beginning of the thread of the Way.

The 10 Principles of Dharma

Dharma pertains to righteous conduct in society by a person which transcends any particular religious or spiritual system. It gives a personal road-map by which all activity should be regulated for all peoples in all societies from all times at all times.

1. Dharma is Unchanging.

The key characteristic of Dharma is that it does not change based on whims, fads or trends, but is timeless and eternal. The values of Dharma do not change as society changes. Rather it is Dharma which governs HOW societies should function at all times.

2. Dharma is Natural

Dharma is not an artificial imposition on the mind but rather the essence of man. Only by acting in a dharmic manner will man truly be at peace with himself. It is un-dharmic conduct which is imposed on us due to the dictates of our senses, mind and pressures of society.

3. Dharma is Service

Dharma is to always be performing service, whether it to be to one’s spouse, children, employer, work colleagues, customers and God. All action must be performed with a view to giving and not expecting: “All that which is not given is lost”

4. Dharma is Truth

That which is not founded on truthfulness can never stand, though it may appear to temporarily yield benefit. Accuracy, fidelity to the facts, honesty in speech and dealings, and above all the promotion of that which is right over wrong, even though it maybe unpalatable and unconventional in society must always be adhered to:

“The greatest sin of the mind is to believe something without evidence” – Thomas Huxley

5. Dharma is Responsibility

In all dealings the need to execute our duty, whether it be as a father, husband, employee or devotee, must take precedence over all other desires, whims, wants, needs and pursuit of personal gratification.

6. Dharma is Devotion

Action must not be performed grudgingly, for expectation of reward, or for one’s own sense of satisfaction. It must always be performed in a spirit of devotion, where the mere execution of the activity is the reward in itself.

7. Dharma is Gravity

Dharma is to never be frivolous and to take every second as being of supreme importance and precious for in this way we will value this life that God has given us and not waste it. Man is said to be a social animal but he must not fritter away his life like the animals for he has been endowed with the capacity for higher moral thinking. Such high thinking must always regulate our thought processes and transcend the urge to always reduce the way we see things via our basest instincts.

8. Dharma is Uninterrupted

The performance of Dharma is never impacted by considerations external to the activity being performed, but it always executed without hesitation and hindrance until it is completed.

9. Dharma is self-actualization

Man must always strive to rise to the highest level of his consciousness and come in touch with his real-self which is beyond the body and mind which are continually changing throughout one’s life. He must be at ease with his real identity as a spiritual and moral being, whose is more than simply a product of body chemistry and the society in which he was brought up. In this way all of mankind is united beyond the apparent differences which may exist due to the community and society in which one is born. This realization is real unity in diversity.

10. Dharma is Personal

Ultimately Dharma is always recognizing and acting on the basis that we and the people with whom we interact with are all unique, individual personalities who are all special in their own way. Though we are united spiritually, we are also different personalities in our own right. Recognizing this about ourselves and each other will ensure that each interaction will be supremely personal, touching, joyful and always emanating from the spontaneous recesses of the heart and not the calculations and manipulations of our mind.

May We Have The Bliss Creating Energies

आपो हि ष्ठा मयोभुवस्ता न ऊर्जे दधातन ।
महे रणाय चक्षसे ॥
यो वः शिवतमो रसस्तस्य भाजयतेह नः ।
उशतीरिव मातरः ॥
तस्मा अरं गमाम वो यस्य क्षयाय जिन्वथ ।
आपो जनयथा च नः ॥

āpo hi ṣṭhā mayobhuvastā na ūrje dadhātana
mahe raṇāya cakṣase

yo vaḥ śivatamo rasastasya bhājayateha naḥ
uśatīriva mātaraḥ

tasmā araṁ gamāma vo yasya kṣayāya jinvatha
āpo janayathā ca naḥ

May we have the bliss creating energies, may they establish in us abounding force
So that we may see the great delight

May we have here our share of your most auspicious essence
Like eager mothers (who bestor happiness on their children)

May we go readily to the abode to which you hasten us
And may the waters give us a new birth

(from the ṛgveda and the taittirīya samhitā of the yajurveda)

Peace
S