Sunday Blessings ; Chundra Lela

My blog friend Dr Elizabeth Mahlou invited me to write guests posts on her blog in Febuary. I did a series ofn prominent Indian christians who touched my life. Here is the concluding post.

Chundra Lela, A Priestess in Search of God

Chundra Lela was born in Nepal in 1840, married at seven, and became a widow when she was nine. Chundra’s father taught her to read Sanskrit and educated her as a Brahmin. When she was thirteen, Chundra began a pilgrimage to worship at India’s four great temples. After the seven years she spent visiting these holy places, Chundra was still not at peace, so she continued to visit holy places and shrines. She tried a variety of spiritual disciplines and served as a guru to other seekers.In her search for God, Chundra Lela endured much suffering and penance. She spent a long time reading and thinking about the holy scriptures. She said, "I felt that for all the outlay of money and time and for all my sufferings I had found nothing soul-satisfying. No knowledge of myself, nor yet of God for a vision of whom I had been willing to endure so much."When Chundra Lela met some Christians, she read Christian scriptures. She compared the Bible with her holy books and made a deep study of them.One day she prayed ,"O Jesus if thou art the true God, grant me a vision of Thyself." She says, "While I was still praying, my little house was full of light and a vision such as I am not able to describe. It was the Mighty and Glorious One. I fell on my face before Him and remained thus, my heart overflowing with joy. Then and there I resolved to become a Christian."Chundra professed faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized. Chundra continued her pilgrimages with a difference: she preached about Jesus. Like Saint Francis of Assisi, Chundra Lela lived by begging. The little she had, she shared.As she began to preach the message of Christ, she faced severe opposition. She was beaten several times. Once, a man approached her with a sword and threatened to cut off her head. She bared her neck and said, "I will go to God, and you will be accountable for your deed." He didn't kill her, and she went on preaching. Later he came to ask her for forgiveness, and she forgave him.Chundra Lela traveled all over India and Nepal, spreading the Gospel of Christ. Many times she would teach for hours without food or drink until people reminded her it was time to take rest and refreshment.Chundra Lela spent her last years living with a disgraced Hindu woman near a road so she could continue to preach to those who passed by. When she grew old, she sat in front of her hut and preached to those passing by. When her final illness took hold of her, her dying words were, "Four bright angels have come to take me to Jesus." Chundra Lela died on November 26, 1907.

World Cup Hockey begins today in New Delhi.

Hockey is our national sport.

And tonight is a high voltage match

between India and Pakistan

(in half an hour)

Will be cheering for India in front of the telly.

I made an Indianized version of

Roasted Moroccan Chicken with Pumpkin

Try the link

An afternoon in the sun

Bow Wow friends,

This is Sheeba.

Yesterday I was not well and cried out in pain several times

in the afternoon.

I did not eat any breakfast too

and even refused my favorite cookies.

My mistress gave

(read forced down my throat)

a Paracetamol tablet and a

herbal capsule which did

the trick and I felt much better

and even had a late supper. Miss Holly shared this nice free graphic

on BannerHaus News .

She thinks this doggie resembles me

and I agree with her whole hearted.

Thank you kindly Miss Holly.

And now I will let my mistress tell

her story about an outing at the Museum and Park.

___________

January brought cold and foggy weather

forcing us to stay indoors

to escape the biting chill.

But when the sun made a feeble appearance

occasionally , we seized the opportunity

of taking the boys (my nephews)

out to see various places of interest in the city.

One afternoon we went to see the Allahabad Museum and

Alfred Park also called Company Bagh (British Park), now renamed

Chandrashekhar Azad Park after

a freedom fighter .

Namrita outside the Museum.

We were not allowed to take photos inside.

The Allahabad Museum is one of the best kept and well maintained museums in India. The uniqueness of Allahabad Museum is that it has separate galleries dedicated and devoted to natural history exhibits, archaeological findings, art gallery and artifacts donated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The Museum, was inaugurated in the year 1947 by the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The Allahabad Museum, proudly exhibits a huge collection of displays that are scattered across a whopping 18 galleries. The beautiful items that are on display include prehistoric and Indus Valley antiquities, textiles, terracotta, stone sculpture, weapons, bronzes, seals, miniature paintings, Buddhist artefacts medieval land grants and much more. The museum also displays the documents and the personal effects of Nehru and the freedom movement.The other picturesque objects that are exhibited in the Allahabad Museum, Uttar Pradesh include beautiful stone images, lintels and intricately carved temple pillars dating from the 3rd century BC to the 12th century AD. These objects represent and portray important dynasties, both ancient and medieval. The museum also displays antiques from nearly all the well known and renowned schools of sculptures which include Mathura, Gandhara, Sarnath and Kausambi.All said and done, the most interesting and intriguing part of the display consists of the magnificent terracotta collection of this museum. The coin collection of Allahabad Museum in Allahabad in India is also brilliant. The coin collection includes Kushana and Gupta gold coins.

On top a British cannon

Mishael photographically captured a mongoose on the lawns

A lawn where people practise yoga.

Behind it is the old British Public Library.

This park was built to commemorate the visit of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, to Allahabad. It forms a quiet and refreshing tract of greenery in the heart of the city. It was later renamed in honour of Chandra Shekhar Azad, a freedom fighter who lost his life at this place during the struggle for independence. It contains a white marble canopy which was formerly a memorial to Queen Victoria.

Alfred Park is a must visit tourist destination in the city of Allahabad. Apart from the fact that Alfred Park is the largest park in Allahabad, it has historical significance as well. The park is marked by huge statue of George V and Victoria that were installed in the very center. The Park was the site for official ceremonies at the time of British that were often followed by musical performances of the Police Band. The park became famous during the Indian Freedom Struggle. This was the same place where the famous encounter between the British police and Indian revolutionary took place. Chandra Shekhar Azad had taken the vow that come what may, he will never let himself in to the hands of imperial police. Therefore he took the pseudonym 'Azad' that means 'Free' in Hindi. It happened so that Azad got cornered in the Alfred Park while he was escaping out after an act. A full unit of the then Allahabad Police cordoned the park and cut the escape route. An hour-long exchange of fire followed but when Azad found that he has only one bullet left in his pistol, he preferred to shoot himself than breaking his vow. After independence this park was renamed as Chandra Shekhar Azad Park and a bust statue of Azad has been erected where he died.

My Dad and I used to come here

regularly for our daily morning walks

when my legs were good.

I was once bitten by a feral monkey

while exercising.

I had to get a shot after that

for the sake of precaution.

Namrita and the boys in front of the marble canopy

which housed the statue of

Queen Victoria.

The central bandstand.

The gazebo like canopy over it

has also been removed.

A canine visiter snoozing in the

pleasant winter sun.

The park is spread over several acres and

accomodates the Museum, several speciality gardens,

a scientific research centre, library ,several orchards and groves,

an aviary, small vineyard, plant nurseries,

a ladies club building,a stadium,

tennis courts ,an Indian music school

and a cultural centre.

This is a grave/shrine of a Muslim mystic.

It looks rather ghostly in the foggy afternoon haze.

My Dad 's younger brother has an interesting story

about this place.

One night (when he was young)

he was taking a short cut through the park

on his bicycle. It was midnight when he passed

the grave and there was darkness everywhere.

He saw a figure in a white sari

following him rather swiftly.

It was a mysterious woman with flowing long hair.

He knew that it was not a normal thing for a woman

to take a walk in the park at midnight.

He sensed that it was a ghost or an apparition.

He somehow managed to reach the busy street

where the woman disappeared.

By the time he got home he was suffering from fright fever.

He was a young boy then.

(My uncle went to be with the Lord 10 years ago)

There is also a grave of a British army officer in the Park.

And when I came here for walks with my American lady

friend years ago we met

a Hindu man there who was

rather devoted to the grave.

He used to clean and decorate the grave

and lit candles around it.

I found that rather amusing.

Maybe he thought the soldier was a saint!

Outside the gate there were

several snack stalls.

Of course the boys were hungry

and wanted their favorite bhelpuri

and chaat.

The sugarcane man was eager to be

photographed too.

We had a lovely afternnon.

On Feb 20th I visited the Prk

again for the Horticultural Show.

I have another post for that.

Colors of Happiness

Come awhile into our garden and

enjoy the colors of happiness.

Our flowers are smiling at you.

These days I am reading a daily devotional

by Joni Earickson Tada called

"More Precious Than Silver"

It has many gems in it.

I love this quote by Peter Kreft

" The state of mind is like light:

travelling faster than matter,

yet making no sound,

no perturbation.

Pleasure is like the restless mind moving

along a line never reaching the end.

Happiness is the mind resting at the end.

Joy is the mind eternally moving

at the end

motion at a point;

the cosmic dance.

Pleasure is moving;

happiness is still;

joy is moving while still.

Pleasure is like work,

happiness is like sleep,

joy is like play.

Pleasure is like action,

happiness is like rest,

joy is like contemplation.

Pleasure is a river running to the sea,

happiness is the full , calm sea;

joy is like a great and glorious storm on the sea."

When was the last time you did something childlike out of sheer joy?

Said something childlike?

If these thoughts energize you express your delight in God in the way a child would...

Churches burnt in Punjab

A few days ago I read in the newspapers that Christian schools in the north eastern city of Shillong had complained about a school text book containing a caricature of Christ with a cigarette and beer can.They withdrew the book from their syllabus. The publish hing house apologized and recalled the objectionable books and people who returned the books got their money back.
But things were not so in Punjab. Below is a media report.
India consists of a multi religion society. We must learn to respect each other 's views and
live peacefully.Christian are soft targets as we silently bear persecution.
We are also ridiculed and mocked just as Jesus was.

A northern Indian industrial town was put under curfew today following violence over pictures caricaturing Jesus. It was lifted at 1 p.m. today [Feb. 22]. Suspected Hindu radicals reportedly attacked three churches after a general strike called by some Christians turned violent at Batala in Punjab state’s Gurdaspur district on Feb. 20. Christians were protesting posters showing the Sacred Heart of Jesus with a beer can in one hand and a cigarette in the other that had appeared in Jalandhar, another city in Punjab, earlier in the day. Father Michael Anikuzhikattil, parish priest of Gurdaspur, told UCA News that a general strike was in force in Gurdaspur district on Feb. 21. According to him, “the objectionable posters” hurt Christians, who form 25 percent of the district’s population. The priest said more than 1,000 Christians attended a meeting with the district officials earlier in the day.
."Father Peter Kavumpuram, the local diocesan spokesperson, said that as soon as the posters appeared, a Catholic delegation led by Bishop Anil Couto of Jalandhar met authorities to seek action against those responsible. The government took two days to arrest the culprits. Police yesterday [Feb. 21] arrested Pritpal Singh, an Ayurveda doctor responsible for putting up the poster. His accomplices were arrested today. Father Kavumpuram said Catholic and other established Churches, did not organize protests following the administration’s assurances. They urged people to keep calm and accept the incident as part of their Lenten penance, Father Kavumpuram added. However, other smaller Christian sects ignored the plea and organized protest marches in various parts of Gurdaspur. They met at a Methodist church in Batala and went to the local administration office to submit a memorandum. On their way, someone in the group shouted slogans against a Hindu radical group and that triggered violence. The Christian protesters looted shops and destroyed some motorcycles. Police and local people beat up this group. Then, a Hindu mob attacked two churches and burned another, all belonging to Protestant Churches. The police arrested many Christian youths. Father Kavumpuram said as soon as the Hindu radicals retaliated, leaders of the Christians protesting fled the scene. About 300 Christian youths from the affected areas attended a meeting the Catholic Church convened at Fatehgarh on Feb. 20 to take stock of the situation. Church leaders urged the youth to refrain from indulging in violence.

10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5 New Testament

Just got back

I was without my Internet connection since Tuesday and got it back today -Friday

after quite a bit of arm wrestling

figuratively speaking.

We had been getting lots of crank calls,

wackos who figured out that women always answer the phone

and many people were making wrong calls to us

mistaking our number

for the l0cal FM Radio station.

So you can imagine the nuisance.

We had to keep the phone off the hook

for most of the day

and tell everyone to call on my mobile phone.

Anyway, we asked for a new telephone number,

that took 2 days.

The new number had to be configured on my

computr and that took another 2 days,

and several phone calls to various offices.

Anyway slow and steady wins the race, so I am

back in circulation.

Friends Meet

On Wednesday 17th I went to a small

get together in my aunt 's place

held in honor of Bina and John,

old friends and church members

now settled in the US.

Bina was a science teacher in the High School my mom taught in.

She was instrumental in introducing us

to a Bible study and discipleship group

and student ministry mission.

John an ex OMer married Bina while a seminary student.

My elder sister Anjali was one of their bridesmaids.

They both were members of our church before they moved out of town. John preaching from the Psalms.

On his left is Arun who was saved in our church.

L-R Mala, Bina, Ruth, (Ruth' s parents
Rev Joseph and his wife)
Ruth is a special needs girl (actually a woman in her 30s)
she has the mind of an innocent sweet child.
She loves children and goes everyday
to help out in a pre-nursery school.


L-R Alisha aka Nishu
with her parents
my cousin Manju and her hubby Daniel.
There were many more people at the get together
unfortunately the photos did not show up.

Mala and her hubby ,my cousin Deepak.
They teach Hindi to foreigners from all
over the world.
Deepak is a thinker, author
and a very good preacher.
Both Daniel and Deepak have
a wonderful sense of humor.
Bina and John came to visit us on Thursday.


Here they are with Mom.
At the meeting they shared how the Lord healed
their marriage problems, lives
and bodies.
They don 't have health insurance in the US
and John had to go through major surgeries
which was a terrible strain on them.
Last year Bina was found with breast cancer,
she flew down to India with her (only) grown up
son and had it done.
This year' s examination showed that she is cancer free.
We rejoice with them.
This couple has been through
a lot of heartache and trouble
but today they can truly
say the Lord
put them back together.