Rodevra Republic

How many of you'll have heard the nightingale (bulbul) song. At some point in our lives, I am sure you have heard its singing. The red vented bulbul frequents cities as well and can be spotted on tall flowering trees and shrubbery.  Nightingales have an astonishingly rich repertoire, able to produce over 1000 different sounds. It is the best singing and most pleasant sounding bird ever, with the impressive range of sounds it can make. For this reason, it is the most celebrated bird in the word of literature and music. How many of you know the Kailash Kher song, Saiyyan is inspired by the nightingale...a nightingale couple in love? This wonderful song came through with one of the beautiful incidents that Kailash encountered at his house in Mumbai. Here is his story in his own words: “There was a nightingale around my house who would often come and sit on one of the trees, in front of my room. I like and adore nightingales a lot, and that’s why I feel, she liked me too. Nightingales...

Watch this rare footage of Ustad Allauddin Khan at his home when his shishya Pandit Ravi Shankar returned to Maihar to revisit them..; meeting with Gurumaa is truly emotional. Also glimpse of teaching and singing as they used to do. Thanks, I had almost missed the video until you commented on it. Indeed, the scenes literally brought tears in the eyes. Two equally greats of music, but here the shishya bows down with complete devotion at the feet of his Guru...an act that shows that the shisya fully  acknowledges that all that he has earned in life in terms of success, fame, is only because of his Guru. Very well filmed as well, extracting the right emotions. Thanks, I had almost missed the video until you commented on it. Indeed, the scenes literally brought tears in the eyes. Two equally greats of music, but here the shishya bows down with complete devotion at the feet of his Guru...an act that shows that the shisya fully  acknowledges that all that he has earned in life in te...

He does not have proper clothes to wear, nor does he have proper shoes, but he dances nevertheless, wanting to enjoy the moments. His shortcomings don't hold him from taking on life. We may think his situation his heartbreaking, but humour is not found in a comfortable life conditions; it is found in sadness. We find all the sad things happening in Charlie Chaplin's life funny... they are funny because they are not happening to us!

 [03/08/2022, 7:47 pm] +91 98303 75884:  Kindly read the synopsis before seeing the video clip. One minute film made by an Iraniyan film producer to create awareness regarding the problem of chronic hunger faced by the poor throughout the world. A poor father accompanied by his daughter, steals some bread from a store. As soon as he turns to go, the shopkeeper stops him. The daughter unable to understand anxiously asks the father as to what had happened. The father worried and disturbed opens his lips to apologise, but he hears the shopkeeper speaking to his daughter “My dear child, your father had forgotten to take back the change”. He then counts and places some money in the hands of the father, as if nothing has happened. The father stepping out of the shop with head bowed down in remorse and helplessness hears a voice from a customer standing in the shop, silently witnessing the scene. “Brother you have also forgotten the bag of rice that you purchased, please take this.”_...

This is a beautiful and sensitive portrayal of three ages or three generations. The child appears tearful and looks like she ran a tantrum to be with her grandmother. The mother has picked her up and left her at the door to be with her. You will notice the child's left foot on the mother's foot in the process of releasing her. The spinning wheel used by the grandmother must have been fascinating to the child, how the bundle of fibre in the hand is twisted and made into yarn.  Where three generations are involved, there is greater affinity or affection between the youngest and the oldest and this is seen here. The family is not of too significant a means and understandably the grandmother is making herself useful. There is a look of contentment on the mothers face indicating that though they may be of uncertain means (from upkeep of house), they enjoy a feeling of togetherness, that is more important for them. Wondering why the artist has chosen the spinning wheel to be part of ...

He is one of my favourite authors and moden day thinkers. He was introduced to me by my scientist daughter, when she gifted me his book, 'The Future of Humanity'.  Coming to the video in question, no doubt this brave new world is both inspiring and terrifying. It is scary to think of machines replicating not just human bodies but also the work of the human mind. With the superiority of AI, our intelligence too seems to be be ready to be outsourced to technology.  But fortunately it is not a zero sum game where there is only one winner. The potential of AI can be integrated with human capabilities to achieve optimum result. Technology can never replace human ability to imagine, anticipate, feel or replace skills like  persuasion, social understanding and empathy.  Developing these skills and investing in emotional intelligence can be the differentiators as we still remain relevant in the changing technology landscape.

 

Notwithstanding all the controversies around the movie  Laal Singh Chaddha ,  it has a gem of a song (see below) that is worth discussing. While you have the English translation in the subtitles, the deeper meaning I gather comes from the principles of  Advaita . This couplet says it all: तू आपे सवाली है, आपे ही पयम्बर है तू खुद है तमाशा भी, आपे ही कलंदर है You are the seeker, You are also the messiah You are the circus,  And also the ringmaster The next couplet is very meaningful as well: बेकार तलाशे तू, दरगाह में शिवालों में जिस यार को तू ढूंढें, वो तेरे ही अंदर है You wander in vain, In shrines and in temples The one that you seek, Is within you It further says don't let the pain and scars of separation  torment you. Isn't this what the Ashtavarka Gita says, "The one whose mind is serene, never agitated or tormented, he ever sees the Absolute Self and is thus neither gratified nor angry.". There is a common and continous refrain in the son...

It is strange that when I was a young boy I thought my life was pretty much my own and external events happening in the outside world, though seemingly important, were irrelevant.  Now have to face the bitter truth that each of us are so much part of the sway and swell of global events. Whatever we do, as individuals or as nations, deeply affects everyone else.  Our inventions have eliminated time and distance and there is is this relentless march toward an interconnected world... a world of global supply chains, instantaneous capital transfers, social media, transnational terrorist networks, climate change, mass migration, and ever-increasing complexity. I hear the world is round; it has shrunk to the size of a ball at our feet. If I was a boy, I would have nonchalantly kicked it, but now it looks ominous, a gobal predatory spectre that will control and consume me one day. I can only watch it helplessly, as if all power from me as an individual has been siphoned out.  Ex...

It may be the first day of King Charles III at office (without Mom), but what was Camilla, the Queen Consort of the United Kingdom doing? After the long wait of over 50 years, was she also as excited to assume office and in the haste failed to notice that the King's coat had skipped a button? If his intention was to look casual or disarming, he obviously overdid it. But the worst fears come from the English idiom, "to have all one's buttons (or marbles)" , where missing or skipping buttons means being mentally deficient or unstable!

 [19/09/2022, 3:10 pm] Raj Mahimkar:  Today, 19th September is the Queen's funeral. I am sure there may a lot of strong and some mixed feelings about it. If the Queen was the last symbol of our colonial legacy, not sure if with her death we can say the last vestige of our colonial influence is over. However to her credit, she never exercised her position or reminded us about Britain's colonial dominance, but was rather dignified and gracious in her approach to us. India too, diplomatically kept up to its tolerant and forgiving stance and even took the visits of British royalty with a bit of indulgence.  I believe we should let bygones be bygones... forbearance is the key. It will release us from the indignities and hurt of the past and allow us to focus on our future...with all its problems and opportunities. No better time than now to put behind the scars of colonization and bid the Queen a dignified farewell.  We have instances in history where countries like Germa...

This message brings us face to face with a morbid reality. At the back of our minds we know it, but find it difficult to come to terms. In this mood, it reminds me of the "Mera naam Joker" song,  "Kehta hai joker sara zamana", with specifically the lines:  अपने पे हँस के जग को हँसाया  बन के तमाशा मेले में आया  धक्के पे धक्का, रेले पे रेला  है भीड़ इतनी पर दिल अकेला  ग़म जब सताये, सीटी बजाना...  This is an apt response to the poignant mood. There is no time to brood, but accept the reality shown so well in the words of the song and deal with it positively...literally whistling your way away. The 'joker' has proverbially harboured many a sorrow, but conceals it under a facade of mirth.  We have so many instances in history, the classic being Charlie Chaplin. In many ways Raj Kapoor emulated his style and in "Mera naam Joker" it found complete expression. As Raju in the movie, he faces many hurdles and disappointments in matters of the heart throughout...

[16/02, 7:28 am] Sunil Mody SXHS '76: GM The Lord has created the Universe with His *Divine Presence*. Did you hear Him whisper? Look at the snow capped mountains, lush green meadows, galloping streams, beautiful flowers, starry nights and the silence of the deep woods. *He is always by our side, protecting and guiding us on a blissful path*! Good words: *galloping*, *blissful*. [16/02, 9:13 am] Rodevra:  What a brilliant truth! And so re-assuring. You have created a beautiful imagery with your words like _the snow capped mountains, lush green meadows...,_ it fills the heart with instant joy. All we need to do is hear His whisper and if we are ready for it, it becomes a blissful song and in no time we will be rapturous. If only, if only we attune ourself to hear His whisper... [20/02, 7:28 am] Sunil Mody SXHS '76:  GM When we *ponder* on the profoundly cherishable moments spent, *we will smile* at our own reflection in the mirror. It is as if *echoing* a journey full of j...

What an incredible piece of culture!  Thanks for sharing this interesting information. Was not aware of it until I read about it that the boat race is such an integral part of Kerala culture.  Traditionally each village has a boat and it is worshiped like a diety. This is evident in the launching video as well. The boat is constructed as per precise calculations as laid down in an ancient teatise. To make the boat slippery while in the water and to reduce absorption of water and thereby reduce the resistance of the hull, it is oiled with a mixture of fish oil, the ash of coconut shells, and eggs. An interesting part is the boatman's song which is sung by 25 singers who form the middle row between 64 paddlers, who are seated two to a row. They all row to the rhythm of the song. In the middle of the second half of the boat is a platform for eight people to stand from where the cantor will lead the song.  Here is a beautiful version of the song... brilliantly picturised as w...

Just to be sensitive to Nature and consider it as an integral part of our existence can help reveal its wonders and secrets that can make our lives so much better. The idea of our seperatedness with Nature is our biggest folly. But if we extend love and compassion to cover within its remit all living beings; Nature in all its perfection and beauty, we stand a chance for survival in the long run. Here is a passage from 'Alice in Wonderland' by Lewis Caroll that is a brilliant example of sensitivity to Nature in all its beauty and splendour: "I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again." Another technology innovation inspired by Nature is from humpback whales. The bumps on the leading edge of the humpback whale's flipper give it a hydrodynamic advantage. These bumps, called tubercles, make hu...

T o those of you who have heard the song, Sway , listening to L.K. singing it is a real treat. She is an accomplished singer and I would rate this rendering very high. Various singers have sung it since it was released in 1950s, Dean Martin, Julie London, Michael Bubble, but L.K. holds her own.  It is good to see L.K. in this avatar. The setting, her clean, flowing appearance in pastel, her impeccable complexion, all adds to the impact the song makes. Enjoy...

Here is Kanika Badhyopadhyaya's extremely well sung song,  Anandadhara Bohichhe Bhubane  . It is quintessential Rabindra Sangeet and her voice is eminently suitable for it. It is also very soothing and full of expression: Why confine yourself within? Why remain absorbed in self? Look around with an open mind, Forget all your trivial sorrows, Fill your empty life with love. This is in context of the earlier verse which says: A stream of joy flows through the world Its nectar spills, filling the endless sky The sun and the moon sip and relish it  It keeps the eternal flame lit Swept by its waves, the earth is fulfilled

Jeeves certainly would not have any reason to complain, as his master, Mr. Sunak, has probably a better dress sense than he would ever imagine, even to his finicky best. His suits are crafted to the highest standards of Saville Row with fabrics sourced from mills in  England and Scotland. But Jeeves would have a faint disapproving look at his master's shirts, which are not from England but bespoke shirts from an Italian brand. Also the skin tight shirts are certainly not to his liking. Coming to his trousers, he is most aghast that they finish well above the ankle. But his master just dismisses him with a wink, saying that it makes him look slick and a wee bit taller.   Much to Jeeves pleading, Mr.Sunak won't listen to Jeeves on the lapel size and his thin ties. The idea was planted in his master's mind long back that this was a clever way of making his narrow shoulders appear broader. Jeeves has a strong suspicion that it is his wife, Madam Akshata, who has planted t...

Some of you may be knowing the work of Robert Frank (b1924 - d2019), Swiss photographer and documentary film maker. He was one if the most influential photographers in mid last century, noted for his ironic, sometimes bitter social commentary. He was also known for his nuanced work on American life, presenting an 'outsiders' view. See the photograph above. Amidst the rampant consumerism of American society and race to make more money, the gnawing loneliness within could not be disregarded.    His famous quote best illustrates his thoughts, "Black and white are the colors of photography. To me, they symbolize the alternatives of hope and despair to which mankind is forever subjected."    The analogy of Hope and Despair as the two enduring human conditions can be extending in an Indian film context by film, Safar , with some of its songs. For example, see the song by Indeevar below:     _ हम थे जिनके सहारे , वो हुए ना हमारे _   _...

  Interesting talk, but more than the management idea, what attracted me was the use of the term, 'smell of the place'. Nothing is more primordial, deep rooted than the sense of smell. Neuroscience has shown the smell has a strong link to emotion and long term memory. Ever wondered why the smell of the same talcum powder we were showered with as a child (or to our children), evokes the same old memories? I recently used the old green Cinthol soap that comes in a red wrapper, which we used as children and the same childhood memories came back in a rush.    The reason is scents bypass the thalamus and go straight to the brain's smell center, known as the olfactory bulb. The olfactory bulb is directly connected to the amygdala and hippocampus (the brain's main memory center), which might explain why the smell of something can so immediately trigger a detailed memory or even intense emotion.   But why does smell get this elevated status over other senses in our brain...

There is a  Zen story where the master was teaching the king of Japan gardening. The master taught the king for three years and had asked him to create his own garden simultaneously. The king worked on the palace garden itelf and employed one thousand gardeners to implement everything to the minutest details. He got the most exotic and colourful plants, made beautiful pathways, ponds, meditation areas, rock sculptures. Everything was swept and cleaned regularly including dead leaves from the ground and even from the branches.  At the end of three years, the time for the test had come. The king visited the garden a day before the master was to come and inspect. He was satisfied and was sure the master would be very happy. Everything looked perfect and idyllic, like a picture from a fairy land. The next day the master arrived at the garden accompanied by the king and his gardeners. They waited with bated breath for signs of approval. But the master, normally a man of laughte...

Have you found your Ikigai? Living in your Ikigai is the new mantra. It is a way of life for the Japanese, but an idea the world is taking notice. Essentially it is entering a state of flow where you act as per your basic nature, what comes naturally to you. There is no studied or conscious attempt in your activity but a sense of enjoyment, of being lost in the activity where the activity dictates the action rather than a conscious mind.  Imagine an artist in the midst of his creation, or a musician in complete flow, a player on the verge of hitting a goal or Rohit at the moment he hit the final six. These are all spiritual moments where one loses oneself and reaches on to higher levels of consciousness from where the action takes place.  Ikigai is collection of these moments where one is in his essential element. Each one of us has something that drives him, a passion, a natural force that becomes his elemental nature. Any actions done in this state are magical, produce wonde...

Trust the Japanese to bring us this beautiful concept of Wabi-Sabi , which is so closely aligned to their way of life and living. It is a view of aesthetics that finds beauty in imperfection. It is accepting the natural cycle of growth, decay, and death. It is simple, slow, and uncluttered and it reveres authenticity above all.  It celebrates cracks and crevices and all the other marks that time, weather, and loving use leave behind. Through Wabi-Sabi, we learn to embrace liver spots, rust, tarnish and frayed edges, and the march of time they represent. It connotes a natural progression and the extinguished gloss of that which once sparkled. It's the understanding that beauty is fleeting. To discover Wabi-Sabi is to see the singular beauty in something that may first look decrepit and ugly. Wabi-Sabi is underplayed and modest, the kind of quiet, undeclared beauty that waits patiently to be discovered. It's a richly mellow beauty that's striking but not obvious, that you...

Warren Buffet famously said, "Know your circle of competence, and stick within it. The size of that circle is not very important; knowing its boundaries, however, is vital.”  While what he states is quite thought provoking, what he does not account is the ' illusion of competence '. What is the measure of competence and how do we know its boundaries? Very often we see investors who are self-professed ‘experts’ and by that reckoning, claim competency. In an age of incompetency, the ordinary become extraordinary. This illusion of competency is far more dangerous than acknowledged incompetence. It is dangerous because the incompetent soon develop defense mechanisms of being nice, sociable, kind, charming, basically falling in line to ensure acceptability in society. When enough people do that, the path to Idiocracy is established. Those of you who have read Ayn Rand will know how much she hated incompetence. In her own words, “I think it’s probably the only thing I do hate. B...

An example was recently given that within the diverse ecosystems of the Amazon rainforest there were certain hyperdominant tree species that were hugely successful. They made up nearly half of the rainforest after wading off competition. This example was given in the context of companies who build accumulative advantage over a period of time. By leveraging on these advantages, they win over competition and grow large and more powerful to eliminate competition. However latest research on plant ecosystems reveal a fantastic level of co-thriving between them, rather than competition. A tree’s most important means of staying connected to other trees is a “wood wide web” of soil fungi that connects vegetation in an intimate network that allows the sharing of an enormous amount of information and resources. It appears that nutrient exchange and helping neighbors in times of need is the rule, even equalizing differences in available resources between them, and this leads to the conclusion tha...

There is a thinking in many quarters that the potato and onion make a fantastic couple and often we find one cannot do without the other. In a way they are inseparable. I am assuming the husband is the potato and the wife, the onion. I know onions have the tendency to make others shed tears, but it is unfair to qualify her to be the wife for this reason alone. Like all husbands, the potato is dull, bland and boring and it requires the onion to spice things up a bit. It is her extra zing that would keep their relationship going merrily along. And their children? They must of course be the baby potatoes and the spring onions! And if you ask me, the most unlikely couple must be the lauki (bottle gourd) and suran/jimikand (yam), if not for anything else but for their totally incompatible looks and demeanor. The bottle gourd is fair, with a firm and fine complexion and quite shapely as well. The yam in contrast is rough, course with a hard, stony exterior. Again the bottle gourd is soft and...

 The Hindu scriptures have a profound metaphysical connotation of zero and infinity, which represent the totality of reality.  The Isha Upanishad in its most celebrated shloka, (Om Poornam-adah Poornam-idam...) , states: The Creation is Infinite/Absolute/ Complete by itself. Every piece of creation, arising from the Whole, from the Absolute, is also complete by itself. There is Completeness here (in us) and there (in the Creator and Creation). Taking away infinity from infinity makes no difference to infinity. Infinite cannot be finitized and therefore all differentiations which are regarded as finite appearances are in ultimate analysis infinite only.  This concept of zero is not emptiness or void‐ness but 'devoid‐ness' in the sense that Reality is devoid of all differentiations. In itself it is emptied of all manifest diversity, a quantum vacuum. All quantum phenomena arise within it and get dissolved in it, an understanding which modern Quantum Physics also endorses. E...

 To me Pi has a special significance. Just to think it as a number going up to eternity, not a digit out of place is reassuring. And what causes it? A simple relationship of the circle’s diameter to its circumference.The impossibility of squaring a circle makes Pi transcendental. The transcendental meaning of Pi implies the realization that reality does not represent the linear (conscious) or circular (unconscious) aspects as separate but rather the central relationship between both. From a holistic perspective, Pi now describes the dynamic relationship as between (unambiguous) linear and (paradoxical) circular type of understanding. Both the (line) diameter and its (circular) circumference must ultimately be reconciled as identical. This requires the contraction of the circle to a central point (where, by definition, diameter and circumference fully overlap). Thus in this sense, purely circular becomes inseparable from purely linear (where both notions imply each other), and becom...

Woh shyam kuch ajeeb thi will rank as one of the most romantic songs in Hindi film music thanks to Gulzar getting into the skin of the characters for its story adaptation and Waheeda’s understated acting.  The lead characters moving back and forth in time reminiscing about their past love is beautifully portrayed and  masterfully rendered in the lyrics as well, Woh shaam kuchh ajeeb thi, yeh shaam bhi ajeeb hai. There are deft cinematography touches as well where Rajesh Khanna as Arun reminisces of his rejected love with, Woh kal bhi paas paas thi, woh aaj bhi kareeb hai . He looks up at the Howrah bridge as the boat passes under, signifying crossing over to the present.  What stood out was the B&W cinematography by Kamal Bose, who won the Filmfare award for the Best Cinematographer. You will notice he too moves back the camera, creating more width, as if to make way for the melody to expand. Something about the music. Hemant Kumar’s Rabindra Sangeet influence cannot...

 I came across this quote a couple of days back, 'Trust cannot come unless one is honest'. In all its simplicity lies a profound truth. There is nothing that degrades the soul more than untruth, because the foundation of our existence is based on Universal Truth. With every lie, every pretence, every fakeness we are distancing ourselves from this one singular Truth. The point is, if we are seekers of Truth, how can we be untrue? Entire lives may be spent in in propagating and upholding an image of a self that is based on falsity. It is like wearing a mask, which appears so real that it becomes permanent, impossible to tear off. In this context,Trust comes at a premium, because one is dealing with a version of a person, a mask, that is steeped in untruth.  Reminds me of the story of the Emperor's New Clothes. He is being deceived into believing that he is wearing magnificent new clothes, whereas he is stark naked. He parades the town thinking he is dressed in all finery, and...

Artist Alfred Morgan (British, 1836–1924) - An Omnibus Ride to Piccadilly (Mr Gladstone Travelling with Ordinary Passengers), 1885 A work of art should in the first instance appeal to the heart and soul, it should have an overall appeal. The moment you rationalize it, it becomes an intellectual exercise that robs you of the joy of just enjoying it without any reason. But the love for art extends into trying to find something unusual or to discover something the artist particularly wishes to express. This exercise can have pleasant results, helping  in appreciating the work better. So what I see in this painting is that the central figure is obviously Mr.Gladstone (wearing the black top hat). He was an important figure having served as British Prime Minister for 12 (non-consecutive) years. His demeanor is upright  and Morgan manages to convey his position. He has an assistant with him, seated to his left. This is concluded by the fact that the assistant is holding what was call...

There was a restaurant in Japan whose elderly waiters and waitresses suffered varying degrees of memory loss. It was a 'restaurant of mistaken orders' where most of the time the orders went wrong. Of course the patrons did not mind and even considered it to be a soul enriching experience. It was one way the got to show their kindness and sense of inclusiveness to those people serving them. The people taking orders may be making mistakes, they may be imperfect in some way, but they are certainly not inadequate. You may have heard that no two snowflakes are alike. Each snowflake takes the perfect form for the maximum efficiency and effectiveness for its journey. And while the universal force of gravity gives them a shared destination, the expansive space in the air gives each snowflake the opportunity to take their own path. They are on the same journey, but each takes a different path. Along this gravity-driven journey, some snowflakes collide and damage each other, some collide...

 What would you say of a language and its people which has the same word for tomorrow and yesterday? The word in Hindi is _‘kal’._ What a brilliant conception of time that our people thought to move away from the linear passage of time to that which converges the future and the past to the present! The meaning of tomorrow or yesterday becomes known only by grammatical structure  or in context of the present.  It is the senses that tell us that time flows. The past we think of as having slipped out of existence, whereas the future is even more shadowy, its details still unformed. The “now” of our conscious awareness glides steadily onward, transforming events that were once in the unformed future into the concrete but fleeting reality of the present, which too is relegated to the fixed past. Hidden in this lies an amazing paradox. Nothing in the physical, philosophical or spiritual world corresponds to the passage of time. In fact it is seriously at odds with modern physic...

Can you name this child singer who later became one of the leading playback singers in Bollywood in the 1990s? There was a very touching incident in her life, when she was barely 11 years. Her career was planned to be launched at a function organised by the Punjab Association organised by Raj Kapoor, Pran and others. Slated to perform on 12 April 1971, tragedy struck on 11 April when her father suffered a cardiac arrest and died. She was undaunted and was encouraged by family and friends to perform at the event. She gave a performance, which impressed many. When the organiser announced after her performance that her father had died the previous day, there was not a single person in the audience who did not shed a tear. She even got a scholarship of Rs. 250 to study music. She is one of the oldest singer in terms of experience in the industry who can boast of having worked with Naushad, Madan Mohan, C. Ramchandra, Anil Biswas, S.D. Burman and Shankar Jaikishan. Not active in film playba...

Which organ in your body has capabilities that surpass all your other organs, and even rival your brain? It is the gut . A lot is happening behind the belly button. What we have in here is our second brain. You’ve probably used it countless times before; it’s just that when you did, you probably referred to it as ‘gut instinct’. New research is showing that this age-old phrase is surprisingly accurate. The second brain influences our judgment, and much else besides. Known as the Enteric Nervous System (ENS) – enteric meaning ‘to do with intestines’ – it’s an extensive network of brain-like neurons and neurotransmitters wrapped in and around our gut. It contains some 100 million neurons, more than in either the spinal cord or the peripheral nervous system. Most of the time, we’re unaware of its existence, as its prime function is what one would expect: managing digestion. Yet the presence of all that brain-like complexity is no coincidence. The ENS have the bizarre ability to work auton...

One morning, the Krishna and Uddhava went on a walk and they come across a rich man's mansion. Krishna said he was thirsty and asked Uddhava to fetch him some water from the rich man's house. Uddhava went to the house and asked for water. The man of the house invited them in, received them with respect and offered them cool refreshments. Krishna was pleased and, once they went out, he blessed the man with prosperity and even more riches.   They continued on their walk and came across a small hut, with a cow grazing in the background. Krishna again said he is thirsty and asked Uddhava to ask for water. Uddhava was suspicious that Krishna was up to his usual tricks but was reassured by Krishna that there was nothing amiss. Uddhava went and knocked on the door. An old yogi opened the door and invited them in. When Uddhava told him that his friend is thirsty, the yogi said regretfully that there was nothing in the house to offer them. Just then it occurred to the yogi that his on...