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Letter to Umaiyal - Ruskin Bond
A letter to my daughter about the art of noticing everyday characters, the warmth of nostalgia, and the delightful memory of December 2025—when she skipped 'Apple' and 'Ball' to spell 'Ruskin Bond' as her very first words
Johneh Shankar
4 min read
Welcome!
Thiruvempavai 20: The Grand Finale
Margazhi ends today, and the time for the Grand Finale of our Thiruvempavai contemplation. What started with (The luminescent merciful...
Johneh Shankar
4 min read
Thiruvempavai 19: The Right Spouse, Fulfilling Duties and Fake Godmen
We earlier discussed in Stanza #11 how a right life partner makes your spiritual progress better and why it is essential that your spouse...
Johneh Shankar
3 min read
Thiruvempavai 18: Is God He or She?
When I was 14 years old, I began to explore the atheistic school of thought. Many of its unanswerable questions about theistic beliefs...
Johneh Shankar
5 min read
Thiruvempavai 17: God is a Slave
What if I told you that God is, in fact, a slave to human souls? Whether you choose to believe it or not, the reality is that God works...
Johneh Shankar
3 min read
Thiruvempavai 16: Prayer for Rains
Monsoon is over, and the next one is far away in the horizon. The morning dew drops on fresh leaves and flowers reminds us of a rainy day...
Johneh Shankar
3 min read
Thiruvempavai - 15 : Bodily Symptoms of True Devotion
The New Year 2023 is sure to have brought with it surprises, pleasant and unpleasant. The continuous mystery of what might unfold...
Johneh Shankar
2 min read
Thiruvempavai 14 - Shakti
The Verse காதார் குழையாடப் பைம்பூண் கலனாடக் kAdhAr kuzaiyAdap paimpUN kalanAdak கோதை குழலாட வண்டின் குழாம் ஆட kOdhai kuzalAda vaNdin...
Johneh Shankar
2 min read
2023 - Older, Stronger & Wiser
As we say goodbye to another year and welcome in 2023, it's a time to reflect on the past and look towards the future. This year, let's...
Johneh Shankar
1 min read
Thiruvempavai 13 - Water and God
As we approach the end of the year, the anticipation of celebrating the New Year in our village, "Earth," is growing stronger. This is a...
Johneh Shankar
2 min read
Thiruvempavai - 12 - The Way of Water
On the twelfth day of Enchanting Margazhi, I was deeply moved by the blockbuster #Avatar2 - The Way of Water. Although my toddler kept me...
Johneh Shankar
3 min read
Thiruvempavai - 11 - Life Partner
In the diverse landscape of Indian philosophy, there is a wide range of views on the concept of God. Some schools of thought posit God...
Johneh Shankar
3 min read
Thiruvempavai - 10
As we enter the 10th day of Margazhi, it is time for us to contemplate the unimaginable greatness of the divine. It may seem paradoxical...
Johneh Shankar
2 min read
தமிழ் மொழி எதற்கு?
தமிழ் மொழி ஒரு வணிக மொழியாகவோ, உலகளாவிய மொழியாகவோ இல்லை என்பதில் தான் வெளிநாட்டு மொழி மோகம் வேரூன்றுகிறது. தமிழ் மொழி மனிதத்திற்கு...
Johneh Shankar
2 min read
Marcember or Decegazhi - Winter, Christmas and Thiruvempavai
The winter season can be a breathtakingly beautiful time, but only if we are blessed with warmth and comfort. As we think about the Lord...
Johneh Shankar
2 min read
Thiruvempavai - 9
Welcome back, reader of the divine nectar, Thiruvempavai. Today we are going to explore the 9th stanza. The number 9 is not only...
Johneh Shankar
3 min read
Thiruvempavai - 8
How beautifully Saint Manickavachakar is tying up a seemingly humble folk tale of women having conversations with their friend who is...
Johneh Shankar
3 min read
Thiruvempavai - 7
What a beautiful, blessed, month this has been in my entire life? Am I really translating one of the greatest works of saint...
Johneh Shankar
2 min read
Thiruvempavai - 6
Welcome back, (Thiru)vachaka perumakkale! Today we hit a sixer on finishing 6 stanzas of the sweet Thiruvempavai. Let's dive in. The...
Johneh Shankar
2 min read
Thiruvempavai - 5
Day 5 of Margazhi and we are one step closer to win Manickavachakar's blessings. Not that it's a competition between others vs you but...
Johneh Shankar
2 min read
Thiruvempavai - 4
Welcome back, my friends! Two reasons why I am translating Thiruvempavai: To provide a valuable resource for those seeking spiritual...
Johneh Shankar
2 min read
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