True Love: Journey of Success

Vishwajith was on his tour to Ramappa temple at Palampet in Mulugu district, Telangana, India with a view to seeing the marvelous sculptures as the most invaluable treasures for tourists to watch. He had already seen the sculpture-treasures.  Still, he continued to see the beauty of sculptures whenever he had leisure for his pleasure. He talked about sculptors’ chiseling sculptures and was talking about the Kakatiyas and their foresighted agricultural reforms to his friend Pradeep. His friend was listening to him attentively.

Many other tourists came to pray to Lord Shiva enshrined in the temple. They worshipped Lord Shiva for munificent in showering blessings on them and devotees. They had the glimpse of beautiful sculptures to reflect the archeological wonders of the temple. They were busy watching sculptures and were appreciating the sculptors for chiseling them beautifully. 

There came a foreigner to glimpse the marvels chiseled as sermons in stones. He was watching the chiseling of sculpture with rapt attention. He had his glance at every sculpture one after the other. He sought the help of the guide who was trying to explain the beauty of sculptures in English. The foreign tourist was listening to him happily.

Nandi, the bull in the sitting posture, facing the deity enshrined in the temple, looked in lovely and lively gestures. It looked mighty and majestic. Tourists were surprised to see its eyes glimpsing in all angles. All were happy that Nandi was looking towards them in love. They found life and glory in the charming eyes of Nandi.

Vishwajith keenly observed the statues of Ragini and Nagini on the temple. He found them special and extraordinary, beautiful and attractive. Sculptors took extra care using distinctive skills in carving and chiseling them. Calling his friend Pradeep, he showed the sculptures on the temple with the right-hand showing finger while smiling heartily.

“Behold the statues of Ragini and Nagini…I don’t call them statues or sculptures but living beauties and moving angels, chiseled by the creator,” said Vishwajith.

“Yes…you find living beauty in them. You are aesthetic enough to appreciate the sculptures,” said Pradeep.     

“Yes, I am bound to appreciate the beauty of the sculptures… They are not sculptures in stone but sermons in stone… They excel the beauty of women moving,” said Vishwajith.

“You are not seeing all marriageable girls looking at you admiring your charms… They highly appreciate your handsomeness…They say that you are very handsome like Manmadha… All eyes are on you, but your eyes are on the moving sculptures: Ragini and Nagini,” said Pradeep.

“Yes, I worship their beauty… All poets praised Nagini and Ragini for their winsome features. I adore their beauty in the heart of my heart,” said Vishwajith.

 

Vishwajith was very handsome like cinema heroes…He in fact excelled cinema heroes in all respects. All turned their glances at his sight in charms, and they were fully rapt, looking at Vishwajith.

  

Meanwhile, a bevy of beautiful girls entered the temple premises. It seemed they had completed their studies and were ready for marriage. Their eyes were in search of their would-be partners as per their wish. They were fast in glances. A girl was faster than others in glimpsing people. The girls who were behind her called, saying,

  

 “Mayuri, you walk slowly and steadily.  Your gait looks like that of angels. A man in good looks may fall in love with you at first sight,” said her classmates.

Mayuri looked back when she was called by her classmates. When she turned her face, her dimpled cheeks shone like full bloomed roses. Her face was the full view of onlookers, especially robust youth, on the premises of the temple.

“It is natural to robust youth to appreciate my beauty. Beauty is appreciated and adored by all especially youths,” said Mayuri, seeing back.

Mayuri looked at all the tourists. All were to praise her beauty excelling all others in her winsome features. Her dark eyes were big and cute to glimpse beauty all around more than others.

 

Vishwajith glimpsed her fascinating beauty like lightning amidst dark blue clouds. She looked at him unexpectedly. Their eyes met and their meeting was an eye-feast for each other. It was their providential meeting. They looked at each other with fascinating surprise and said,

“I have never seen a beauty excelling the graceful moving sculptures of Ragini and Nagini…Lord Shiva has invited you, Mayuri for me to sight you on the premises of the temple,” said Vishwajith to himself.

Mayuri’s thought process was swift and fast. She said to herself in happiness.   

“I have found my life-partner. Lord Shiva has blessed me to be seen here… Our love will surely culminate in our marriage.”

   

Vishwajith and Mayuri were the cynosures of all tourists. They appeared as if they were blessed to see the super hit pair.

All her friends understood her feelings. Pradeep understood Vishwajith’s feelings. They were instrumental in bringing them together, but their eyes and hearts had already met. 

Vishwajith and Mayuri, with their respective friends, worshipped Lord Shiva who seemed to shower blessings on the lovers at sanctum sanctorum, Shiva knew that they would be life-partners soon.

The temple has a beautiful fruit garden in the vicinity. They were in the fruit garden to speak to each other intimately. Birds on trees were chirping in joy at the sight of the super hit pair. Cupid, love god, appreciated their union that was like the communion of two rivers to flow a river to merge the ocean.  

The lovers’ happiness knew no bounds. They danced to the sight of birds joyful, and trees full of flowers. Their friends enjoyed the lovely sight of the lovers amid the trees and wished them well.

              …                  …        …        …                  …        

Vishwajith and Mayuri told their parents that they had fallen in love with each other at first sight. Their parents were convinced to show a green signal for their marriage. All were eager and they were at the marriage venue.

The two, Vishwajith and Mayuri, became one in the marriage venue. All the guests were happy as they found them made for each other, as they were born for each other. All enjoyed the occasion as they found the most suitable pair in their life.

“Two eyes are not enough to see their excelling charms,” said the guests.

“Any couple must be like that of Vishwajith and Mayuri. They were born somewhere but met on the precincts of the holy temple,” continued the guests to praise the newlyweds.

   

The newlyweds were on their honeymoon. First, they visited Ramappa Temple and sought the blessings of the presiding deity, Lord Shiva. All thought that Ramappa with Lord Shiva would bless the youths to fall in love at first sight and their love would culminate in their marriage. 

The lovers, newlyweds, visited all beautiful gardens elsewhere. Every leaf, every flower, every butterfly, every bird and every object of nature enjoyed watching their intimate conjugal love on honeymoon. The surprising thing was that every blooming flower glanced at them with utmost love and affection. 

  After their honeymoon, Vishwajith and Mayuri came to settle in a place where they expected jobs for them soon. They started living in a beautiful building. 

 Vishwajith brought his parents as he loved them heartily. He had reverence for his parents. He thought that his progress was ascribed to his parents’ bearing and rearing. 

Mayuri stepped into the house with her parents. She had seen her in-laws very old, older than her parents.

All of them lived together for some days like a combined family. As the days passed, Mayuri’s seeming love for Vishwajith’s parents was slowly disappearing against the wish of Vishwajith. The parents of Vishwajith and those of Mayuri who seemed to love each other were like those staying temporarily as guests at a hotel. 

    Vishwajith and Mayuri searched for jobs. They were likely to get jobs soon. 

Mayuri thought of Vishwajith’s old parents. She did not find any way for her to live with her in-laws when they were busily working as employees.

“I heard about a famous old age home. There were ads on TV for some time in the past. It is very good at services: medical check-ups from time to time, medical treatment, TV, entertainment programs, internet facility, yoga and meditation, hygienic food and cozy shelter. They have trips undertaken for their happy travel. There are nurses helping old people at all hours in it. They never feel any inconvenience as there is strict supervision of its managers in the welfare of its in-mates. I have confidence in it and its services. Old people surely live happily at the old age home,” said Mayuri to Vishwajith.

Vishwajith was shocked to hear about an old age home as he understood why Mayuri had told him about it elaborately. He was sorry for her view as he loved his parents very much. He wanted to keep his parents with him and serve them duly. He tried to convince his wife Mayuri.

“They are my parents. I am born handsome to my parents in good looks… You were born to your parents in good looks and so you are in good looks…We are lucky for our good looks… Hence, credit goes to my parents and your parents. If they had not lived, we would not been born as their offsprings…When parents are not there, sons and daughters are not there…Children must be grateful to parents… My wish is that your parents and my parents should live with us for their joys. It is the part of our bounden responsibility,” said Vishwajith earnestly.   

“When we both get jobs, we go to offices. We are found busy. Your parents and my parents live on their own here. None is there to look after them… Suppose we move from place to place they can’t move with us. To be away from all such problems, my friend kept his parents at an old age home. His parents are living in it comfortably… I too plan…,” said Mayuri expressing her wish.

Meanwhile, the parents of Mayuri got ready to leave for their native place. Vishwajith asked them to stay back in his house with them.

“Nowadays newlyweds today want to live freely in their own ways. We noticed the same feeling in our son and daughter-in-law after their marriage…We did not stay with them, allowing them to enjoy free marital life…,” Mayuri’s parents.

“We too know what you have said at length…We don’t need anybody’s advice,” said Vishwajith’s parents.

 

 “We are to look after agriculture… What happens to our green fields, if we continue to stay here?” said Mayuri’s parents while leaving.

Mayuri was angry with Vishwajith. The reason for her anger was understood by him and his parents. He tried to prevent them from going but they did not cancel their journey. They went to their native place.  

“Where is our true love? Our true love is disrupted by the winds of angers and misgivings,” said Vishwajith. 

“You don’t give any scope for our true love to bloom…,” said Mayuri. 

“When you are worried about my old parents’ staying here, you can take them to admit at the old age home you like,” said Vishwajith. 

Mayuri took Vishwajith’s parents and admitted them to the famous old age home. Vishwajith was unhappy when his parents were not seen in the house. When he was unhappy, she was also unhappy in her heart. 

When they got jobs, they fell into a busy routine. They forgot certain important things in daily routine. 

Within a year, Vishwajith and Mayuri were blessed with two twin daughters. All attended their naming ceremony celebrated in a grand manner. They named them Varshini and Harshini.

They were cute and smart to attract all by their charming tender looks and smiles. They were looking at all angles like babies of angels, playing in well-decked swings.

 One day, Vishwajith and Mayuri entered the old age home with the twins in their arms to show them to his parents. The babies were lisping and toddling in the reception room of the old age home. His parents were happy at the sight of their loving granddaughters. They felt that they were missing the love of their granddaughters. They embraced the babies with all love and affection. Tender smiles were lingering over the lips of babies and so their joy bloomed like fresh flowers. 

Mayuri underwent transformation but she did not express any feeling and the feeling of transformation to Vishwajith. She respected his ideas and ideals as usual.

The twins grew to be school going girls. Vishwajith spoke to his parents. His daughters also spoke to his parents happily on the phone. 

Grandparents’ Day was held at the school of their grandchildren. Grandparents of the school children were invited to attend Grandparents’ Day at school. The twins forced their parents, Vishwajith and Mayuri, saying to them,

 “Bring our grandparents to school for their sure participation in Grandparents’ Day at school.” 

Vishwajith and Mayuri went to the old age home and brought them to their house. 

The next day, all of them attended the Grandparents’ program. Varshini and Harshini were happy. They scribbled a rhyme to recite on the occasion. They together sang it happily to delight all grandparents. 

“We love our grandparents… We play with them… We live with them…They are with us to tell stories at bedtime. We as children enjoy their company. Their love is flawless… Their love is great. We want their love.”        

  All the grandparents were happy to listen to the song of cute and sweet twins. All planted kisses on their cheeks. They were given prizes by the school management on the occasion for their lovely rhyme sung rhythmically. 

The grandparents thereafter lived with their granddaughters happily. When they were happy, Vishwajith and Mayuri were happy as a full and wholesome family.

When Vishwajith stretched his arms wide like a bird ready for its flight, Mayuri in delight flew to his bosom for his warm embrace. They hugged each other knowing no time. All were happy and said, “True love is a journey of success, overcoming trifles and hurdles, they come across in life… We are happy and all are happy… Finally, our Love God, Cupid is all happy for our success journey of true love.”

Literary Vibes - Edition CLXIV (24-Apr-2026)

https://positivevibes.today/article/newsview/633#DEITY%20DARSHAN

DEITY DARSHAN

Deity Darshan is the most wanted phenomenon, dwelling ever in the hearts and minds of pilgrims. It is a special and distinctive occasion in their lives. They wish to have Deity Darshan as they are His devout devotees. They feel blessed by means of Deity Darshan.

The members of family, Raghuram, with his wife Maithili, eldest son Vinay, daughter-in-law Vinuthna, Granddaughter Harshita and Grandson Sandarsh, on pilgrimage in devotion to the Deity of Lord Venkateshwara undertook pilgrimage in the season of prayers offered to the deity by a good number of devotees. His son Vinay got the train tickets reserved well in advance. They were unable to get letters from the ministers for quick deity darshan and comfortable accommodation. It is the usual practice of pilgrims to get them beforehand, three months in advance when they want to visit Tirumala. He was unable to get them despite his best efforts at the nick of the moment.

Raghuram with the members of his family was prepared to travel by the special train to Thirupathi as tickets were reserved for one Wednesday. He decided to have the Darshan of Deity and got into the compartment for his tour to Thirupathi along with his family members. He expected some source to get letters or tickets for quick darshan and good accommodation in other ways on the hills.

First, Raghuram wanted to have the darshan of Lord Srikalahastishvara at Sri Kalahasti and so he and his family got off the train at Sri Kalahasti railway station.

Raghuram and the members of his family refreshed themselves at a lodge and stood in the queue line to have Deity Darshan. Though there was rush, the pilgrims felt comfortable in having Deity Darshan.

The temple is famous for beautiful sculptures. It is a big temple with various gods and goddesses for the pilgrims to offer their prayers to them. After having the darshan of Lord Shiva (Srikalahastishvara) and others. They travelled to Thirupathi by bus. They enquired at the Tirupathi bus station about the availability of accommodation at Thirumala on the seven hills. They took a room in a lodge near the bus station.

Well before the sunrise at four, they hired a car. The owner of the car dropped them at Thirumala. As they did not find letters and tickets otherwise for darshan and stay, they stood in the queue line well before dawn at five o’ clock. Pilgrims started running inside the queue overtaking them who were sincerely proceeding to Deity Darshan. They were unhappy with that.

The queue was like serpent Vasuki. They were to go long and long to have Deity Darshan. They were facing all hurdles due to over rush, no police to control the pilgrims in queue, and the indiscipline of overtaking on the part of pilgrims.

“The pilgrims are not principled, and it was clearly seen in every inch… They do not know discipline, or they deliberately ignored it as per the situation.

“If it is our school and the drill master is here, he punishes them severely,” said Harshita.

“Yes, the drill master surely punishes them for violating rules,” said Sandarsh.

“It is not your school with your drill master…The pilgrims standing in the queue are unruly…Only God must be at their hearts guiding them to be sincere,” said Vinuthna.

“God is in shrine busy blessing the pilgrims. When none is there to control the pilgrims, rules and principles are ignored and rules are violated…,” said Vinay.

Like that the members of Raghuram’s family were commenting on the pilgrims. They were in helpless position.

Pilgrims first stood in the queue to have the opportunity of having Deity Darshan. They violated the rule, ‘First come, first served’ to have the deity darshan as early as possible.

A stout woman appeared suddenly on the scene as she used her strength and vigor. She opened her mouth and started speaking loudly. She scolded the pilgrims overtaking other pilgrims,

“Don’t you have sense to be disciplined,” she said to them.

They kept quiet. They hesitated to speak to her. She went on abusing them to give impression that she was sincerely standing and coming in the queue. She talked about the deity. She referred to the insincere pilgrims,

“The deity is watching you from a distance… He will punish you at the right time in the right way,” said the woman.

“What you said is right,” said Raghuram to her,

“Insincere pilgrims, don’t think that the deity is silent in the shrine,” said the woman.

“The deity is Almighty…all powerful…All pervasive…He is everywhere to watch them,” said Raghuram.

“The deity is kind…He blesses the pilgrims who are sincere and devotional. Last time my niece came and sought the blessing of the munificent deity. Last month, she was blessed with twins…They are like Lava and Kusa, the sons of Sri Rama,” said the woman happily.

“Very good news,” said Maithili.

All pilgrims talked about God’s benevolent acts and spent their time. The fat woman also entertained all of them by speaking about politics. All understood she did not like politicians. In their conversation, they did not notice the passage of time in speaking to her in diverse topics.

Pilgrims were in the queue for about four hours. Pilgrims who had come late at nine and beyond were seen in front of them in the queue. ‘What a wonder!’ they thought. It was very troublesome for them to stand in the queue for so much time. There were pilgrims of all ages. There were senior citizens grumbling. Babies in arms were crying. It was like havoc unbearable for them. They felt like running away but it was not possible as they were devotees coming for Deity Darshan.

Food items were sold though pilgrims were supplied with tiffin and tea at their T.T.D. stalls. They had all and encroached wherever possible causing troubles to others.

There were devout devotees of Lord Venkateshvara! They wanted to have Deity Darshan. It was their sole goal. There was a stampede-like situation on one hand. They uttered the name of the deity on the other, bearing the brunt.

Raghuram was facing the situation along with the members of his family. His grandchildren were facing the same situation. He and elders in the family were looking after grandchildren.

Raghuram looked at the lake beside the queue. He saw water birds swimming in joy. They were as well playing in the lake as they felt comfortable and freedom in the lake. Like water birds he felt like swimming in full freedom in the lake in the vicinity of the shrine of Lord Venkateshwara.

“Dear birds! You are happy and comfortable in swimming and playing in the lake… You have your own free world unlike us. You are blessed with carefree life,” Raghuram said to himself.

He witnessed waterbirds swimming in the lake in full freedom. At the same time, he felt having deity darshan as early as possible. He was in a series of feelings while watching waterbirds.

Now and then the pilgrims moved a little distance and stopped staying at a place longer and longer in the queue line.

“O waterbirds, can you stand in the queue line like us without swimming and playing happily…? You can’t, for you are free… You can pray to God in the vicinity while swimming without standing in the queue,” said Raghuram to himself.

The words on TV about the time of eighteen hours to have Deity Darshan were ringing in the ears of Raghuram. He felt restless now and then.

After four hours, all the pilgrims were accommodated in a big hall. Food items like upma and tea were supplied. They were to stay there in the hall for about an hour. All started to sleep on the floor in the hall. Suddenly they were allowed to stand in the queue. They were running fast. They expected Deity Darshan soon. They felt a boon on their part after spending hours facing hurdles in the queue and the hall.

Pilgrims were in the queue to proceed towards sanctum sanctorum. They were happy to have Deity Darshan soon. They were eagerly waiting for that in the queue, moving whenever the line was clear. Within no time, the queue stopped for a longer while. Meanwhile a series of cars’ sirens were heard. The pilgrims in the queue line understood that ministers, M.P. s, MLAs and other VIPs had visited the temple. They came and were going back leisurely after Deity Darshan.

Pilgrims appealed to the deity with folded hands, making comments sincerely. The comments were heard throughout the queue.

“O my Lord, all pilgrims are equal to you…You have given priority to ministers and other VIPs. You allowed them to visit you at their convenient time…while common pilgrims as real devotees are waiting, standing in the queue for you,” said the pilgrims to the Lord in the meditative mood with folded hands.

“They say that ministers and VIPs are busy. They are ever at the service of the people who are my real devotees…,” said the deity and it echoed.

“We are your real devotees…What they are, you know,” said the pilgrims.

“I know what they are,” said the deity.

“Time is precious for all…Leaders may say that time is more precious for them,” said the pilgrims.

“I am to keep quiet for all these things in shrines on earth. I am speaking to all of you telling the fact… I am busy… I am to look after all creatures, flora and fauna…In wars all creatures including human beings right from the newborn babies to decrepit old age people…There the war is going on…I am to be born as an idea of peace in the minds of warmongers enabling them to stop the war,” said the deity to pilgrims.

“Yes, you are the creator, all powerful Almighty!” said the Pilgrims.

The powerful mantra, ‘Aum Namo Venkateshaya!’ was heard in echo everywhere. All forgot the hurdles and hazards faced and to be faced and were in smiles.

“Why should the deity keep quiet for the leaders?” said Maithili to Raghuram.

“The deity will punish them for the violation of rules,” said Raghuram to Maithili.

All understood the Deity and His busy schedule. He was to bless all pilgrims duly not only here but also there, everywhere as he was to safeguard them as their deity.

Within no time, all were in compartments. Raghuram and others were in the eighth compartment. They expected the deity would be seen. They were in the compartment until 11.30 pm. They were supplied food, tiffin and milk. Their hunger ran away. They slept in the compartment. They did not know how to spend time until they had deity Darshan.

Meanwhile, a film of the Ramayana was screened. It was Sampurna Ramayana in Telugu depicting Sri Rama’s life and adventures. For the pilgrims, it was a nice entertainment. They watched the film talking of the important milestones in Sri Rama’s adventurous journey.

Suddenly, the gate of the eighth compartment was open to let the heavy flood of pilgrims stand in the queue line. They felt relief with the charming idea of having Deity Darshan soon. They were in their jubilant mood.

Devout pilgrims were proceeding with deep devotion to the deity. Youth were in a mood of overtaking, disturbing the line here and there. There echoed the name of the lord everywhere.

Raghuram, as a writer, was ready with his novel dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara. He got the concept of the novel in his mind when he visited the deity last. He successfully wrote it and so he wanted to put it before the deity in the way he had put another poetry anthology in the holy hands of Goddess Vani at Her sanctum sanctorum at Basara. He was curiously waiting for an opportunity for that happy moment.

The deity was scintillating, filling dazzling light of divine light into the hearts of devotees. They stepped into the sanctum sanctorum. They had a glance at the deity in infinite charms.   The volunteers were throwing the devotees one after the other.

Raghuram was also thrown. He just showed his book to the deity and moved on. He had at least the pleasure of showing the book to the deity. The deity blessed him quickly, understanding the volunteers’ mood.

In fact, there was a lot of rush to have the deity darshan. From the holy shrine, they came out, letting others have the deity darshan. They were out to go out of the temple. Some gentlemen stopped all of them, speaking to them, taking a considerable amount of time. What he was speaking to them was not heard and not known. All thought that he was a political leader, “Such leaders get a chance in temples for them to tell pilgrims what they want,” they said.

Raghuram and his family deposited their money and valuables into the lord’s hundies. They came out at last promising to visit the deity again in times of less traffic.

They had sweet memories about the pilgrimage despite the hurdles they faced while standing in the queue and staying in the compartment. Hurdles are for pilgrims to face and have the blessings of the deity, Lord Venkateshwara.

Literary Vibes - Edition CLXIV (24-Apr-2026)

https://positivevibes.today/article/newsview/633#DEITY%20DARSHAN

‘LOVE’, THE VOICE TO UNITE ALL

Between man and man  

A clash is inhuman

Between a nation and other nation

A war is antihuman,

A sign of lovelessness.

Man is born in any nation 

For love, life for life sans tears and fears.

Global voices from deep hearts 

For human relation and amelioration.

Smiles for miles in man’s sojourn

Hand in hand, arm in arm,

Progress of man in the universe,

The welfare of man’s race,

 Love blooms peace and harmony

For the world family

Love transcends barriers and frontiers,

Whereas war is for total devastation  

Colossal loss and universal destruction,

We are not *Brontasseurs and *Dinosaurs

For war to meet our end and extinction,

We are insightful species of distinction.

War mongers need transformation, 

Not for killing, violence and extermination.

 War is not success but defeat for human loss, 

Friend and foe alike including the boss. 

*Two species fought with each other. After a series of their warfare, they have become extinct killing each other. Their war ended in the extinction of two species. 

Published: Literary Vibes

Edition: CLXIV

Date: 24-Apr-2026

https://positivevibes.today/article/newsview/634#%E2%80%98LOVE%E2%80%99,%20THE%20VOICE%20TO%20UNITE%20ALL

River's Autobiography

 

Published: Contemporary Vibes - Back cover page.

https://contemporaryvibes.com/index.php

Contemporary Vibes

Volume No – 21

Issue – 83

April – June, 2026 – Chandigarh