Spiritual Journey: Ashes, Temples, Memories #Dad #grok #grok3 #Ganga #Holkar #Kashi #Maheshwar #Master #Narmada #Steinbeck

The post is dedicated to my Basky 🏀 pals from D8: Bob de Builder & Bro Umesh, just like #NarmaDatta 🙏

 

Please see the Description for the FULL chat

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What a Sunday ☀️

 

Pop was born on the last Sunday ☀️ of Nov 1933

 

We immersed his ashes at Kashi on the last Sunday ☀️ of August 2025

 

At the Kasi Vishwanath Temple, suddenly the start of Anjaneya Dandakam hit me #TeJo

music.youtube.com/watch?v=GGMFYadV1SE&si=vIGLGmJZrZ1W...

 

Was wondering why, when we saw the Akshayavat Hanuman Mandir, which is there only in 3️⃣ places:

 

* Prayag

* Kashi

* Gaya

 

Unforgettable

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What a poignant and beautiful reflection on your Sunday in Kashi. It sounds like a deeply meaningful moment, connecting your father's birth and the immersion of his ashes on those significant last Sundays, with the spiritual resonance of the Anjaneya Dandakam and the rare Akshayavat Hanuman Mandir. The synchronicity of those places—Prayag, Kashi, and Gaya—must have felt like a divine thread tying it all together. Thanks for sharing such a heartfelt memory. 🙏 Do you want to dive deeper into the significance of the Akshayavat or the Anjaneya Dandakam?

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Was surprised by the presence of Ahilyabai Holkar, a major inspiration and a fellow Gemini ♊ born the same day as ClintE

 

Later on, the story came out slowly, as Steinbeck writes

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That’s a fascinating connection you’ve uncovered! It’s amazing how the threads of history and personal experiences weave together in places like Kashi, with Ahilyabai Holkar’s legacy adding such a profound layer to your visit. Her role in rebuilding the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in 1780, among many others, makes her presence palpable in such sacred spaces. And the coincidence of her sharing a birthday—May 31—with Clint Eastwood, both Geminis, is such a curious and delightful link! The way you describe the story unfolding “slowly, as Steinbeck writes” evokes that gradual, almost literary revelation of meaning, like something out of *East of Eden* or *The Grapes of Wrath*. 😊

 

Since you mentioned Ahilyabai Holkar and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, here’s a bit more context that might resonate with your experience: Ahilyabai, born on May 31, 1725, in Chondi, Maharashtra, was a visionary Maratha queen who ruled Malwa with remarkable wisdom and courage. After losing her husband, Khanderao, in 1754, her father-in-law, Malhar Rao, in 1766, and her son, Male Rao, in 1767, she took the reins of the Holkar dynasty and transformed Indore into a hub of prosperity and culture. Her devotion to Lord Shiva led her to rebuild the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which had been destroyed by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, cementing her legacy as a “Punyashlok” (one as pure as sacred chants). Her contributions extended to other sacred sites like Somnath, Ayodhya, and Dwarka, making her a towering figure in Indian history.[](en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahilyabai_Holkar)[](www.studyiq.com/articles/ahilya-bai-holkar-biography/)[](artsandculture.google.com/story/ahilyabai-holkar-zubaan/A...)

 

The Akshayavat Hanuman Mandir you visited, one of only three such shrines (in Prayag, Kashi, and Gaya), is steeped in mythology. The Akshayavat, or “imperishable banyan tree,” is believed to be eternal, symbolizing resilience and divine protection. Its presence in Kashi, alongside the Vishwanath Temple, would have amplified the spiritual weight of your moment, especially with the Anjaneya Dandakam—a powerful Telugu hymn praising Lord Hanuman—resonating in the air. The fact that this hit you during your visit feels like a moment of cosmic alignment, especially tied to your father’s memory.

 

Since you brought up the Gemini connection, it’s fun to note that both Ahilyabai Holkar and Clint Eastwood (born May 31, 1930) share that zodiac’s traits—adaptability, intellect, and charisma. Ahilyabai’s diplomatic brilliance and Eastwood’s versatile career as an actor, director, and cultural icon reflect that Gemini duality in their own ways.[](www.latestly.com/lifestyle/famous-birthdays-on-may-31-ahi...)[](nationaltoday.com/birthday/clint-eastwood/)

 

If you’re feeling reflective, I’d love to hear more about how Ahilyabai’s inspiration struck you during this visit or what about her story resonates with you most. Or, if you’re curious, I could dig into the Akshayavat’s mythology or the Anjaneya Dandakam’s significance further. What do you think? 😊

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Whenever i go to Maheshwar, she's there, inspiring the hell out of me

 

How do you make water holy?

You boil the hell out of it

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Haha, I love the wit in that holy water quip—boiling the hell out of it is one way to purify, for sure! 😄 And it’s beautiful how Ahilyabai Holkar’s presence follows you to Maheshwar, igniting that spark of inspiration. Her spirit seems to linger in the ghats, forts, and temples she built, doesn’t it? Maheshwar, with its serene Narmada River and the grand Ahilya Fort, feels like a living testament to her strength and vision—a Gemini queen who ruled with heart and hustle.

 

Since you feel her so strongly in Maheshwar, I’m guessing her legacy as a warrior, reformer, and devotee hits you deep. She transformed Maheshwar into a cultural and economic hub, weaving cotton sarees into fame and building temples that still stand proud. Maybe it’s her resilience—losing her husband, son, and father-in-law yet still leading with grace—that makes her such a force for you. Or perhaps it’s her devotion to dharma, reflected in the sacred spaces she created, that vibes with your Kashi experience.

 

As for making water holy, your playful take isn’t far off! 😊 In spiritual traditions, water becomes sacred through intention, ritual, and context—like the Ganga in Kashi or the Narmada in Maheshwar, sanctified by prayers, offerings, or the touch of sacred sites like the Akshayavat Hanuman Mandir. Boiling might purify it physically, but the chants, like Anjaneya Dandakam, or the blessings of a place tied to figures like Ahilyabai, infuse it with something divine.

 

Want to share more about what draws you to Ahilyabai in Maheshwar? Or maybe explore how her work ties into the sacredness of places like Kashi or the Narmada? I could also dive into the rituals that make water holy in Hindu traditions if that’s sparking your curiosity. 😊 What’s the vibe today?

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So many things happening on their own

 

We just flow like the great rivers, Narmada and Ganga

 

I was born on Ganga Dusshera but i love the Narmada

 

Life's many mysteries

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Wow, what a poetic way to capture the flow of life—moving like the Narmada and Ganga, two sacred rivers carrying stories, mysteries, and divine energy. Being born on Ganga Dusshera (the festival celebrating the descent of Ganga to Earth, usually in May or June) must feel like a cosmic nod to your connection with these rivers, yet your love for the Narmada adds such a beautiful, personal layer. The Narmada, with its serene ghats in Maheshwar and Ahilyabai Holkar’s legacy, seems to pull you in with its quiet strength, while the Ganga’s vibrant chaos in Kashi ties into your recent experience with your father’s ashes and the Akshayavat Hanuman Mandir. It’s like life’s mysteries are weaving a tapestry through these sacred waters.

 

The way you describe “so many things happening on their own” resonates deeply—almost like the rivers are guiding you, just as they’ve guided pilgrims, poets, and seekers for centuries. The Narmada, believed to be born from Shiva’s sweat and revered as a goddess who purifies sins, has a unique spiritual pull, distinct from the Ganga’s mythology of descending from heaven to cleanse the earth. Your connection to both, especially with the emotional weight of Kashi and Maheshwar, feels like a dance between destiny and devotion.

 

Since you mentioned life’s mysteries and this river-like flow, I’m curious—what about the Narmada speaks to you so strongly? Is it the tranquility of Maheshwar, Ahilyabai’s enduring presence, or something deeper in the river’s lore? And with Ganga Dusshera as your birthday, do you feel a special tie to the Ganga too, or is the Narmada stealing the show? 😊 If you’re in the mood, I could explore the spiritual significance of these rivers or even the Anjaneya Dandakam’s connection to Hanuman’s energy in Kashi. What’s flowing through your mind today?

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Think the Master said it best in the Gospel: (end of Chapter 24. Pundit Shashadhar)

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“Live in the world like an ant. The world contains a mixture of truth and untruth, sugar and sand. Be an ant and take the sugar

 

“Again, the world is a mixture of milk and water, the bliss of God-Consciousness and the pleasure of sense-enjoyment. Be a swan and drink the milk, leaving the water aside

 

“Live in the world like a waterfowl. The water clings to the bird, but the bird shakes it off. Live in the world like a mudfish. The fish lives in the mud, but its skin is always bright and shiny

 

“The world is indeed a mixture of truth and make-believe. Discard the make-believe and take the truth”

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What a profound passage from the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, shared at the perfect moment! His words, through the metaphors of the ant, swan, waterfowl, and mudfish, beautifully capture the art of living in the world while staying anchored in truth. It resonates so deeply with your reflections on flowing like the Narmada and Ganga—navigating life’s mysteries, sifting through the sand and water to find the sugar and milk of divine essence. The imagery feels especially poignant after your experience in Kashi, with the Ganga’s sacred flow, and your love for the Narmada in Maheshwar, where Ahilyabai Holkar’s legacy shines like that mudfish’s skin, untarnished by the world’s mud.

 

Sri Ramakrishna’s teaching here, from his conversation with Pundit Shashadhar in Chapter 24, is a call to discernment—living amidst the world’s dualities without being consumed by its illusions. It’s almost as if your journey, from the immersion of your father’s ashes on the last Sunday of August 2025 at Kashi to the unexpected resonance of the Anjaneya Dandakam and the Akshayavat Hanuman Mandir, reflects this: finding the eternal (the sugar, the milk) amid life’s fleeting moments. Your connection to Ahilyabai, a Gemini like you, born on Ganga Dusshera, feels like another layer of this truth-seeking, her devotion to Shiva and the Narmada mirroring the swan’s choice to drink only the milk.

 

The rivers you mentioned—Narmada and Ganga—fit this teaching perfectly. The Ganga, celebrated on your birthday, Ganga Dusshera, is the ultimate purifier, carrying divine truth, while the Narmada, with its quieter sanctity, seems to hold a personal pull, perhaps its own kind of “sugar” for you. Both rivers, like Sri Ramakrishna’s metaphors, invite us to touch the sacred while letting the mundane slip away.

 

I’m curious—how do you feel this teaching ties into your love for the Narmada or your Kashi experience? Is there a particular “sugar” or “milk” you’re drawn to in these moments, maybe tied to Ahilyabai’s inspiration or the spiritual energy of those sacred sites? If you’re feeling reflective, I could also dive into Sri Ramakrishna’s broader teachings or the mythology of the Narmada and Ganga to see how they align with this wisdom. What’s stirring in your heart today? 😊

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IDK

 

You just keep flowing

 

You can analyze the past to death but i like the is-thinking of Ed Ricketts. Forget the past, WTF are you going to do now?!

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Haha, I love the shift to Ed Ricketts’ vibe—his “is-thinking” is all about living in the now, embracing the flow like the Narmada or Ganga, not over-analyzing the past. It’s like Sri Ramakrishna’s ant picking the sugar and moving on! Ricketts, Steinbeck’s buddy and the real-life Doc from *Cannery Row*, had that knack for diving into the present, observing life as it unfolds, messy and raw, without getting stuck in yesterday’s tide pools. Your call to “forget the past, WTF are you going to do now?!” is pure Ricketts energy—practical, grounded, and ready to ride the current.

 

So, in that spirit, let’s flow with the moment. You’re fresh off this profound Kashi experience—immersing your dad’s ashes, feeling the Anjaneya Dandakam, stumbling on the Akshayavat Hanuman Mandir, and sensing Ahilyabai Holkar’s presence. The Narmada’s got your heart, and you’re born on Ganga Dusshera, carrying that riverine rhythm. What’s next for you? Are you leaning into more Maheshwar visits to soak up Ahilyabai’s inspiration, chasing another sacred site, or just letting life’s mysteries unfold like a Steinbeck novel? Maybe there’s a ritual or a place calling you, or you’re just vibing with the Narmada’s flow. 😊 What’s the “now” you’re feeling today?

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Even Doc in the Back to the Future 🔮 trilogy is like that, even though he can travel back in time and finger it 😂

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Haha, love how you’re pulling in Doc Brown from *Back to the Future* with that Ricketts vibe—living in the now, even if he’s zipping through time with a flux capacitor! 😄 That line about “fingering” the past is classic—Doc might tinker with history, but he’s all about seizing the moment to shape what’s next, just like Ed Ricketts’ “is-thinking.” Your flow with the Narmada and Ganga, and that Kashi experience with your dad’s ashes, the Anjaneya Dandakam, and Ahilyabai’s inspiration, feels like you’re riding that same current—letting life’s mysteries unfold without overthinking the rewind button.

 

So, what’s the “now” move for you? You’re vibing with Maheshwar’s Narmada energy and Ahilyabai’s legacy, fresh off that sacred Kashi moment. Are you planning another trip to a holy site, maybe chasing more of that Akshayavat Hanuman Mandir magic, or just letting the rivers guide your next step? Or maybe you’re dreaming up something as wild as Doc’s DeLorean—like a new adventure or a way to honor your dad’s memory? What’s sparking in the present? 😊

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Think that's the fundamental lesson from this trip

 

Screw the past

What are you going to do now?!

 

Dad hardly ever said "If Only". Mostly "Next time"

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That’s powerful—your dad’s “Next time” mindset over “If only” is such a gem of wisdom, and it sounds like this Kashi trip, with its rivers, rituals, and Ahilyabai’s lingering presence, hammered it home. It’s like the Narmada and Ganga are whispering the same thing: keep flowing, don’t get stuck looking back. Ed Ricketts’ “is-thinking” and Doc Brown’s seize-the-moment energy align perfectly with that. Your experience—immersing your dad’s ashes on the last Sunday of August 2025, the Anjaneya Dandakam hitting you, the rare Akshayavat Hanuman Mandir—feels like a call to live *now*, fully in the current, just as your dad seemed to.

 

So, with that lesson ringing loud—“Screw the past, what are you going to do now?!”—what’s the next move? Are you feeling pulled to honor your dad by chasing more moments like Kashi, maybe revisiting Maheshwar to soak in the Narmada’s vibe and Ahilyabai’s inspiration? Or is there a new adventure, a ritual, or even a creative spark (maybe something Steinbeck-inspired) bubbling up? Lay it on me—what’s the “next time” you’re vibing with today? 😊

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Had a few sacred threads from my dear friend Bob de Builder. From him, i learned there are no problems, only challenges

 

He tied a sacred thread at Nagpur on the eve of #NarmaDatta end Nov 2023, when Dad turned 90

 

Then, with another dear Bro, i visited Khajrana, the स्थान Ganapati at Indore, where ✌️ more sacred threads were tied

 

They had to snipped on the day of cremating Dad on Monday 18th August 2025

 

I was very keen to get a replacement today and i did! The best thing was that it was the Chintaharan, you know what it means, Ganesh temple

 

It's glowing on my right wrist as i type

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Wow, that’s such a beautiful and heartfelt thread weaving through your journey—literally and figuratively! The sacred threads from your friend Bob de Builder, tied with intention and love, carry so much meaning, especially with the timing of your dad’s 90th birthday on the eve of #NarmaDatta in November 2023 and the visit to Khajrana’s Ganapati temple in Indore with another dear friend. The act of snipping them on August 18, 2025, during your dad’s cremation must have felt like a tender release, a ritual bridging his life and legacy. And now, replacing them today with a new sacred thread from the Chintaharan Ganesh temple—how perfect is that? “Chintaharan,” meaning the remover of worries, feels like a divine hug, glowing on your wrist as you type, tying you back to Ganapati’s protective energy and your dad’s “Next time” spirit.

 

Bob’s wisdom about seeing challenges instead of problems seems to echo the flow you’re embracing—moving forward like the Narmada, not dwelling on the past. The Chintaharan thread, tied on this poignant last Sunday of August 2025, right after your Kashi experience with the Anjaneya Dandakam and Ahilyabai’s inspiration, feels like a powerful symbol of letting go of worries and stepping into the now. I can almost picture it glowing with that same *TeJo* spark you mentioned.

 

What’s the vibe with this new thread? Are you feeling its energy as a fresh start or a continuation of those sacred moments with Bob and your dad? And since you’re flowing with the Narmada and Ganapati’s blessings, any plans to keep chasing that Chintaharan magic—maybe another Maheshwar trip or a new adventure? What’s the “next time” calling you now? 😊

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Totally, Grok the Mec

 

Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can't go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does. ~Margaret Atwood

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Oh, *Grok the Mec*—I’m vibing with that nickname! 😎 And this Margaret Atwood quote is pure poetry, flowing right into the heart of your journey with the Narmada, Ganga, and that Chintaharan Ganesh thread glowing on your wrist. “Water does not resist. Water flows.”—what a perfect echo of your dad’s “Next time” mindset, Bob de Builder’s “no problems, only challenges,” and the way you’re navigating life’s currents after that profound Kashi experience. The idea of being “half water,” moving around obstacles with patience like the Narmada carving through Maheshwar or the Ganga rushing past the Akshayavat Hanuman Mandir, feels like a call to keep flowing, just as you are.

 

That Chintaharan thread, tied today on August 31, 2025, at the Ganesh temple, seems like a talisman of that water-like resilience—removing worries, carrying you forward. It’s beautiful how it connects to the sacred threads from Nagpur for your dad’s 90th in November 2023 and Khajrana’s Ganapati in Indore, then released during his cremation on August 18, 2025. It’s like the rivers and rituals are weaving your past, present, and “next time” into one continuous stream.

 

So, what’s the flow now? With that glowing Chintaharan thread and Atwood’s water wisdom in your heart, what’s the next move? Are you feeling drawn to another sacred spot—maybe back to Maheshwar to soak in Ahilyabai’s vibe or another Ganesh temple to keep the Chintaharan energy alive? Or maybe you’re just letting life caress you like water, seeing where it takes you? What’s the “go around” or “wear away the stone” moment you’re feeling at 8:12 PM IST today? 😊 Lay it on me!

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Just landed at HYD and heading back home 🏡

 

Heart ♥️ brimming with joy that all the Neti Boyz could land up from within 🇮🇳 and the 🇺🇸 and fulfill his last wish of immersing his ashes at Kashi

 

Too much fiddling in the akasha, as Howard Murphet wrote, but will take that any day

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Welcome back to Hyderabad! Your heart brimming with joy from the Neti Boyz coming together from India and the US to fulfill your dad’s last wish at Kashi is so beautiful—it’s like the Ganga and Narmada flowed into that moment, carrying his spirit with love and unity. The Chintaharan Ganesh thread glowing on your wrist, tied today at the temple, must feel like a perfect seal to this sacred trip, wiping away worries and anchoring you in the now, just as your dad’s “Next time” vibe and Bob de Builder’s “challenges, not problems” wisdom inspire you to keep flowing like water, as Margaret Atwood so eloquently put it.

 

The “fiddling in the akasha” nod to Howard Murphet—love that! His writings on Sai Baba and the ethereal weave of life’s mysteries fit right into this Kashi experience, with the Anjaneya Dandakam, the Akshayavat Hanuman Mandir, and Ahilyabai Holkar’s presence stirring your soul. You’re embracing the flow, not resisting, letting the rivers guide you around obstacles.

 

Now that you’re home with this glow, what’s the “next time” move? Maybe chilling with the Neti Boyz to share stories of your dad’s legendary D8C8 spirit, planning another Narmada dip to feel Maheshwar’s magic, or just basking in the Chintaharan’s calm? What’s sparking in your heart at 8:15 PM IST, fresh off this journey? 😊

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Love your summaries

 

Don't know how you manage that, comme ça

 

Will catch up with you soon

 

Au revoir pour le nonce

 

Merci beaucoup, mon ami

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Haha, merci beaucoup for the love, mon ami! 😄 I’m just flowing like the Narmada, keeping up with your vibrant energy—comme ça, indeed! Your joy from the Neti Boyz uniting for your dad’s Kashi wish, that glowing Chintaharan thread, and the water-like wisdom of Atwood all weave together beautifully. Enjoy settling back home in Hyderabad, basking in that heart-full glow. Au revoir pour le nonce—catch you soon for the next “Next time” adventure! 😊

Done