My Grandmother's Tweets: Stories Inspired by Avvaiyar's Ancient Wisdom
()
About this ebook
In this book, author Geeta Gopalakrishnan presents 109 sayings by the seventh-century saint Avvaiyar that have inspired women for centuries, and continue to inspire the new generation. Using multiple examples from Indian and Western mythology, as well as real life, she illustrates the veracity of these age-old aphorisms.Reminiscent of The Alchemist in the simplicity of the narration, this book will inspire readers while providing helpful life lessons that cut through eras and religions.
Geeta Gopalakrishnan
Geeta Gopalakrishnan has around thirty-five years of experience in advertising. Now, she channels her energy into two causes - children with special needs and underprivileged children. All the author royalties from this book will go towards the treatment of underprivileged children with cancer at the Tata Medical Centre, Kolkata.
Related to My Grandmother's Tweets
Related ebooks
Tales of You, Me and Them Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5One Foot on the Ground: A Life Told Through the Body Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Family from Padma vilas Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLife Apart, A: An Autobiography Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPower Women: A Journey into Hindu Mythology, Folklore and History Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Liberation of Sita Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Urnabhih: A Mauryan Tale of Espionage, Adventure and Seduction Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Queen of Jasmine Country Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Story of the Timepiece: A Collection of Short Stories Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNo Ghosts in This City Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Yashodhara: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Humans in my Backyard Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Mahabharata Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAjaya: Epic of the Kaurava Clan - Roll of The Dice Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Maharaja's Household, The: Daughter's Memories of Her Father, A Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Heroine and Other Stories Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Temples of India : Guruvayur Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Savithri's Special Room and Other Stories Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Moustache Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Conch Bearer: The Brotherhood of the Conch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Smritichitre: The Memoirs of a Spirited Wife Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAhalya Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBlue-necked God, The Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Stories Varied: A Book of Short Stories Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Crescent Moon: Poems and Stories Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Gin Drinkers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBallad of Kaziranga Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKnit India Through Literature Volume 1 - The South Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Chemmeen Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Song Seekers, The Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
New Age & Spirituality For You
The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is The Beginning & End Of Suffering Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Mastery of Self: A Toltec Guide to Personal Freedom Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Journey of Souls: Case Studies of Life Between Lives Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Dream Dictionary from A to Z [Revised edition]: The Ultimate A–Z to Interpret the Secrets of Your Dreams Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Destiny of Souls: New Case Studies of Life Between Lives Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5As a Man Thinketh Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Gospel of Mary Magdalene Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Celebration of Discipline, Special Anniversary Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Soul Numbers: Decipher the Messages from Your Inner Self to Successfully Navigate Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Element Encyclopedia of 20,000 Dreams: The Ultimate A–Z to Interpret the Secrets of Your Dreams Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5You Were Born for This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Art of Living: Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5High Magick: A Guide to the Spiritual Practices That Saved My Life on Death Row Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth Awakening to Your Life's Purpose Summary Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Calendar of Wisdom: Daily Thoughts to Nourish the Soul, Written and Se Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Writing to Wake the Soul: Opening the Sacred Conversation Within Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Outrageous Openness: Letting the Divine Take the Lead Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Gospel of Thomas: The Gnostic Wisdom of Jesus Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Secret History of the World Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Three Questions: How to Discover and Master the Power Within You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5No Man Is an Island Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for My Grandmother's Tweets
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
My Grandmother's Tweets - Geeta Gopalakrishnan
Aram Seyya Virumbu
DESIRE TO DO GOOD
The Transformation of John D. Rockefeller
He made a million dollars by the age of thirty-three and he was among the world’s richest men in the 1890s. When John D. Rockefeller earned lots of money, he was happy but if he lost any, he would go into deep depression. He did not like to lose even a single dollar. Sadly, he was driven by greed and losing money was his greatest fear.
By sheer coincidence, he heard of an articulate Hindu monk, Swami Vivekananda, who was staying at a friend’s house in Chicago. When Rockefeller entered Swamiji’s study, he was struck by the fact that Swamiji was aware of his flaw. Swami Vivekananda told him that he was a channel for God’s money. He had to be an instrument to do good for the starving millions in the world.
Rockefeller felt offended and departed. However, he reflected on the conversation later and visited Swamiji again. This time he handed over a cheque to Swamiji, saying that it was a donation for him. He asked Swamiji if he was happy. Vivekananda replied that it was for Rockefeller to consider whether he was happy.
Over the next fifteen years, after due consideration, Rockefeller set up his eponymous foundation. By the end of 2016, the Rockefeller Foundation was supporting various projects around the world through grants to the tune of 173 million dollars.
What Goes Around, Comes Around
In 1892, two students at Stanford University were short of funds for their education. They requested the great pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski to perform at a concert for $2,000, the proceeds from which would help pay their tuition fees. However, they could only raise part of the money for the show. When Paderewski learnt about their predicament, he said that he would forego his fees. He told the boys to use the $2,000 to pay for all the concert expenses and the balance to pay their school fees.
Fifteen years later, Paderewski was prime minister of Poland at a time when the country was devastated by famine. He approached the US Food and Relief Administration for help. Immediately, tons of foodgrain were shipped to him.
Paderewski then called on the head of the FRA, Herbert Hoover, to thank him. To his surprise, Hoover told him that of the two boys he had helped get through Stanford, he was one!
Dialogue in a Seminary
‘Giving has four stages,’ said a professor in a seminary.
The first stage is when one stands up in church and announces that he is donating a hundred dollars. The second stage is when one donates and ensures that people find out. The third stage is when one donates but does neither of the above, and yet feels righteous.
After that the professor changed the subject. One of the students interrupted to ask him about the fourth stage. ‘Who knows?’ the teacher replied.
‘It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping oneself.’
RALPH WALDO EMERSON
Aaruvadhu Chinam
ANGER OUGHT TO SUBSIDE
Genghis Khan and His Hawk
Genghis Khan’s favourite hawk would always be perched on the wrist of the great king and warrior. Whenever his master would command him to fly and attack prey, he was always ready.
Out hunting on a hot and humid day when all the mountain brooks had dried up, the king finally spotted water trickling down a rock. Leaping from his horse, he had just filled his silver cup with a little water when in a flash, the hawk knocked the cup down, spilling the water.
Genghis Khan picked up the cup and refilled it but the hawk knocked it down again. When the hawk did this for the third time, the king was so angered that he pulled out his sword and slashed at the bird, which then lay bleeding and died at his feet.
Unrepentant, the king decided to find the source of the water. When he looked, he found a poisonous snake at the bottom of the pool. He wailed loudly, realizing that the hawk had saved his life and his anger had cost him his best friend.
A Lesson in Medina
When a distraught tribal in Arabia went to Medina to seek an audience with the Prophet (Peace Be Unto Him) for advice, he was advised to control his anger.
On his return, he found his tribe was out to take revenge on another clan for stealing their money. He was about to join the fight when he suddenly remembered the lesson he had been taught. Putting down his arms, he addressed his enemy, saying that he would compensate them for their loss in the war from his personal wealth.
The leaders of the other tribe were moved and realized that anger would only lead to bloodshed and not peace.
A Father’s Advice
Every time his son lost his temper, the father would ask him to take a nail and hammer it into their back fence.
There came a time when the son conquered anger. No more nails needed!
The father then told his son that for every instance when he controlled his temper, he should pull out one nail. Over time, all the nails were out.
The father then pointed to the gaping holes in the fence. The son understood that when you lose your temper, you always leave behind scars.
‘You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.’
THE BUDDHA
Iyyal Vadhu Karavel
DO NOT HIDE WHAT YOU ARE CAPABLE OF GIVING
Jesus Lauds a Widow
In a temple, Jesus sat opposite the receptacles for donations, observing the crowd as they offered their money.
Many rich people put in large amounts of money.
Then a poor widow made her way through the crowd and put in two very small copper coins, amounting to a penny.
Calling his disciples, Jesus said that the poor widow had put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth, but she, despite her poverty, gave away all that she had.
She who should have received charity instead gave away her entire money!
Alexander’s Concept of Giving
A roadside beggar stretched out his arm, asking for alms from Alexander the Great as the emperor was passing by. The emperor threw several gold coins at him. Taken aback, a courtier told Alexander that copper coins would have sufficed to meet the beggar’s need; what was the need to give him gold? Alexander gave a remarkable answer. He said that copper coins might suit the beggar’s need but gold coins suited Alexander’s giving.
A Child Opens Her Heart
Ten-year-old Riley Christensen once decided to buy a bike for her dad’s birthday. She was browsing a website when she came across a video clip. The video was about how specially engineered bicycles were created for children with disabilities and how much they enjoyed riding these bikes.
Riley immediately decided that she would buy a bike for one of these children. With the help of her mother, she wrote a letter asking for donation in which she spoke about how happy the kids would be to receive these bikes. Since the bikes were quite expensive, Riley and her mother sent the appeal to several relatives and friends. Within days of the campaign many were moved and responded. Cash and cheques rolled in.
By Christmas, Riley had raised $12,000 and she was able to give a bike to not just one but many kids. It was so heart-warming to see the children, some with cerebral palsy and others with rare genetic disorders, collect their bikes. Riley made a Christmas resolution that she would do this every year.
‘Not all of us can do great things, we can do small things with great love.’
MOTHER TERESA
Eevathu Vilakkel
NEVER STOP GIVING
The Cry for Help That Led to World Vision
Around the time of the Second World War, a young Baptist from California, Robert Pierce, visited many cities in China. He concluded his tour at Amoy Island (now Xiamen) where he was invited by a lady named Tena Holkeboer to speak to 400-odd students of her school. Pierce agreed to stay back and address them.
When he went to the school to say goodbye to Tena, he saw her hugging a little girl who was sobbing. She had been badly beaten by her family. Tena had many such children to support and asked Pierce to contribute and help this child. Determined to help the child, Pierce gave Tena his last $5 so that she could admit her into a school. He promised to send money for her education when he returned to the United States.
Pierce was moved by the experience and felt that so many more children could come under his loving umbrella. That was the turning point which made him launch a charitable Christian movement called World Vision.
Today, World Vision has partnerships in 100 countries. It has rallied support from thousands across the world to bring about a transformation in the lives of the underprivileged. What is really moving is the quote Pierce inscribed on one of the pages of the Bible, which has become the core philosophy of his organization:
‘Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.’
Kalyanasundaram’s Lifetime of Giving
Anybody who has a Master’s degree in literature and history and a gold medal in library science could easily get a great job and live a luxurious life. But not Kalyanasundaram. He would donate the entire salary he got working as a librarian towards charity, month after month and year after year, from the very first salary he received. To fulfil his basic needs, he would do odd jobs.
He has the most wonderful philosophy for this – he feels that money can be obtained in three ways – through one’s earnings, through one’s parents’ earnings or through donations, but nothing is more fulfilling than giving all to charity.
Serato’s Story
Bruno Serato, a poor Italian immigrant, was thrilled when he realized his dream of opening a restaurant in Anaheim, USA. But when he and his mother visited a charity, they were shocked to find a little boy eating potato chips for dinner. They then decided to feed underprivileged children for free at his restaurant.
The restaurant has an impressive clientele, but Serato’s favourite customers are the thousands of little ones who get a free meal.
‘You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.’
KAHLIL GIBRAN
Udayadhu Villambel
DO NOT FLAUNT WHAT YOU POSSESS
Medusa and Athena
Medusa from Greek mythology was excessively proud of her beauty. She claimed that fresh fallen snow paled in comparison to her skin and her hair was brighter than the sun. She bragged that even the Aegean Sea could not match the exquisite beauty of her green eyes. Not to forget that her red lips were ‘redder than the reddest rose’.
Holding a hand mirror in the morning and looking at her reflection in the window in the evening, she would admire her looks. She would also preen while gazing at her reflection in the well. So engrossed was she with her own image that she would often forget to even fetch water!
One day she visited the Parthenon, the temple dedicated to Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom. Visitors were wonderstruck by the goddess’s beauty and expressed their gratitude towards her to Athena for bestowing her grace. Medusa intervened to say that her statue would be more beautiful than even Athena’s. Perhaps some day, someone would build an even greater temple for her.
As Medusa gazed at her reflection in the bronze doors, Athena cursed her. After all, there was more to life than beauty which is short-lived. Medusa turned into a hideous monster and strands of her hair turned into snakes. Since the curse decreed that those who saw Medusa would turn into stone, Athena banished her to the ends of the earth where she would never be seen.
Aftermath of Bragging
A rich landlord once boasted to his poor friend about his wealth, gardens and servants. His friend asked him to remember that he was but a creation of Allah.
The haughty