A Piece of the Moon

Pandharipur is situated on the banks of the Bhima river. The Bhima is also called the Bhivara. Nearing Pandharipur, the Bhima takes a crescent shaped turn. Hence this stretch of the river that washes the shores of Pandharipur is known as "Chandrabhaga" or "a Piece of the moon." Another story is that The Moon God (Chandra) bathed here to shake off a curse thus giving this piece of the river the name "Chandrabhaga." As in most of Hindu mythology and lore, there is no certainty in anything except in the belief that a bathe in the Chandrabhaga will wash away all one's sins.

The temple of the great devotee Pundalik stands in the midst of the Chandrabhaga River. Pundalik was the Emperor Muchkund in his earlier birth. By the blessings of Lord Sri Krishna, he was born again as the great devotee Pundalik. Lord Sree Krishna came to Pundalik's house near Pandharipur. Pundalik was serving his parents and therefore requested the Lord to wait! He placed a stone brick for Sree Krishna to stand on while waiting! And there the Lord stands to this day waiting for his devotees; to embrace them in his all-encompassing love; hands on hips and a mischeivous smile on his lips! You can see Pundalik's temple in the middle of the Chandrabhaga River in the photo.

Although we couldn't bathe in the Chandrabhaga (The river was in full flow and the current was dangerous), we sprinkled the water on our heads from the river in an act of symbolic purification.

Abhanga Amrut

Being a Jnanamargi, I have always been a bit sceptic about Bhajans and Kirthans. So I have neber truly understood the significance of the Vittal shrine in Pandharipur. All this changed as I entered the holy shrine of Panduranga Vitthala in Pandharipur on 28th September. After our Dharshan at Shirdi, we decided to visit Pandharipur. The journey takes nearly six to seven hours due south-east. We skirt Sholapur the railhead for Pandharipur. The best place to stay is at the Shri Gajanan Maharaj Dhrmashala. This well maintained and picturesque rest house is maintained by Shri Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon. A realized soul whose samadhi mandir is in Shegaon near Bhusawal in Maharashtra. I have been there with my Uncle when I spent the holidays with him at Akola.

The Gajanan Baba Rest House is pretty comfortable and they managed to find acomodation for all of us. After a quick bath to refresh ourselves, we made our way to the temple of Shri Vitthala. Fortunately there was absolutely no crowd. We simply walked straight to the sanctum sanctorum where We beheld the glorious form of the deity. Instead of attempting a description, I quote Dr. Gopal Benare's translation of Santh Tukaram's Abhang:

Beautiful is the image standing on a brick with his hands upon his hips.

On his neck is Tulsimala

On his loins a yellow silk garment

This image is my everlasting delight.

The Fish-shaped pendants sparkle in his ears

The jewel Kausthubh shines at his neck.

Tuka says:- Here is all my pleasure

I will contemplate his face with love.

I felt a similar tug in my breast as I kept gazing at the small idol of the Lordd Vitthal of Pandharipur. The image is not an intricate piece of art like the southern temple idols. Nor is it huge and impressive. Compared with many other images it looks round and primitive. But I felt that I could simply strand there immersed in this visuion of joy. I felt a lightening of my burdens; a sense of release; as if a bird had been let out of the cage.

Reluctantly, I dragged myself away from this tantalizing vision.

Investment through Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)

Here is a query from a Participant of my Finance for Non Finance Executives Program and my Response:

Dear Sir,

Greetings to you! Hope you are doing great.

Let me introduce myself first iam Sreenath, an employee of VA Tech Wabag Ltd. I've attended your training programme on 'Basics of Finance' hope you remember it.

This mail is just to get clarification from you regarding Mutual Fund, kindly spare few minutes of your busy schedule in this regard. I've started investing in Mutual Fund on your advice (bought Reliance Tax Saver Growth Fund with a lock in period of 3 years under SIP).

I came across the Mutual fund broker advising me to take SIP rather than in single time purchase of the units. Even you adviced us to go for SIP than the one time purchase of the units. Can you kindly explain how adopting SIP will be better than one time purchase of the units as the NAV value gets increased day by day (as i have a good amount of money as savings which i've planned to buy the MF but got struck with the advice to go with SIP). Also pl advice me the best peforming Mutual Funds as i've planned to buy immediately.

Your kind help in this regard will be highly appreciated.

--

With kind regards / Mit freundlichen Grüßen,

Sreenath T S

Engineer - Projects

VA TECH WABAG LIMITED,

Here is my Response:

From: Srikanth Msc [mailto:sreesri@mscindia.org]

Sent: 15 October 2010 13:14
To: 'Sreenath T S'
Subject: RE: Mutual Fund-Portfolio Advice

Dear Mr. Sreenath,

The strategy of investing through SIP is not a stand-alone strategy. It is (as the name implies) a systematic and disciplined approach to portfolio building. It has another advantage because you can average the cost of the units by buying more at lower prices for the same monthly commitment. Similarly a fixed amount SIP would automatically reduce the number of units you buy at high prices.

Remember SIP is beneficial only over longer periods like 3 to 5 years. In fact a SIP regularly maintained for five years is an unbeatable investment which will yield you high returns irrespective of market boom or depression.

Your investment in Tax Saver Units is good as a tax planning device. But it is not a great portfolio choice as Tax Saver funds generally give lesser returns than Non-tax saver diversified Equity Funds. But, Reliance Tax saver is a good choice.

In addition to SIP you can invest any lump sum surplus available in the following Mutual Funds:

Reliance Vision Fund-Retail Plan

Reliance Growth Fund-Retail Plan

HSBC Equity Fund

HDFC Equity Fund

Franklin India Blue Chip Fund

The list is my personal choice. Do go through the portfolio mix of these funds before investing. Always invest in growth option as this will build your portfolio.Further,, I suggest that you wait a little bit for the market to correct itself before investing. Sensex hovering above 20K is not a good time to commit your bulk funds. Hold on a little and invest when the market tumbles as it invariably will post Diwali.

Wish you all the best!

Do mail me for any other clarifications.

S. Srikanth

B.Com,MS (M.S.), F.C.A., F.C.S., C.I.S.A (USA)

Excellece Through Education

۞ Chief Enabling Officer ║ No.4, Balaji Avenue I Steet, T. Nagar, Chennai - 600 017 ║ Phone:4212 3501, 4212 3502; Fax:4212 3503 ║ Mobile:9840426166 ║ E-Mail: sreesri@mscindia.org ║website: www.mscindia.org ║ Blog: http://www.sreesri7h.blogspot.com ۞

Quotables

Having God in your boat does not mean that you won't face any storm but it means that no storm can sink your boat.

Quotables

Person who has ANGER needs no ENEMY.

Person who has KNOWLEDGE needs no WEALTH.

Person who has KINDNESS needs no PROTECTION.

He will surely acquire them on his own!

Drive from Pune to Shirdi

27.09.2010

Driving down from Pune to Shirdi. This time we decided to reach Pune and proceed to Shirdi. Shirdi is North West of Pune. There are two routes, one via Sangamner and the other through Ahmednagar. The road is pretty with frequent ups and downs. On either side the verdant green fields role away into the distant horizon. We crossed the river Bhima which becomes Chandrabhaga near Pandharpur; the river Velu and the Seena near Ahmednagar.

There were occasional showers and the weather was extremely pleasant for the nearly six hour drive. We stayed in a Hotel called Sai Moreshwar. They have large rooms which can accommodate upto eight people.

The Chavadi Procession

Attending Shej Aarthi at Shirdi always makes me imagine how it would have been when Baba actually walked the lanes of Shirdi and how the day would have ended at Dwaka Mayee in preparation for Baba's procession to the Chavadi nearby.Was this how the day was closed in ancient Shirdi samasthan. with Mahalsapathi and Tatya Patil taking Baba from Dwarka Mayee to the Chavadi?

Shirdi Pilgrimage

27.09.2010

Shirdi is North of Pune. Its actually nearer to go from Mumbai to Shirdi via Nashik. The road from Pune to Shirdi goes vis Ahmednagar. This is the district headquarters. Shirdi is in Ahmednagar district.

The foreword of the Sai Satcharitra begins with these words:

"Shree Sainath Maharaj came for the first time to Shirdi approximately fifty years ago. This village of Shirdi is in Kopergaon Taluka, of Ahmednagar District."

At that time, in the early 1900s, Shirdi must have been a small village with a few huts and houses around the mosque or Dwarka Mayee. Today Shirdi is a sprawling town spreading out. It is a pligrimage centre with millions of devotees thronging everywhere. They have even constructed a Mall called Sai Plaza right next to the temple!

We were lucky this time as there wasn't that much of a crowd in Shirdi. We were able to obtain a pass for the Shej Aarthi and had an extremely energizing Darshan. The Shej Aaarthi is performed at 10:30 PM at the end of the day. Aarthi Bajan is sung in unison by all and thereafter an account is given to Baba of the day's happenings!

Blessed are they who touch Shirdi soil.