The night before was dedicated to red Hibiscus flowers. They ended inside the fire place while praying for the solar chord, our right nostril, symbolising river Ganga; and in yogic texts known as pingala.
It was also mauni amavasya, i.e the quiet moonless night, as advised for centuries, this day must be observed in silence. Women who could not restrain themselves from speaking, fasted in exchange for words. And the ones who spoke nothing from mouths were seen talking cautiously from eyes.
There was nothing satvic about the day even though I tried to make it. And above all It ended without a moral, not that it had to. But without a story as if either it wasn’t needed or we weren’t important.
In the evening the walk became unending. It didn’t feel long but the sun had set. We went around the circular home to find more wood but instead found two calves loving like statues. Somehow they got excited and started running like jumping deers.
The once desired magic when attained, when passed over, turns to mundane. Life is only breath. And many a times, every other thing a distraction.
: ँ :

Happy Navratri 😊
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Ashok – happy Navratri too.
Aum shiva shakti shantih namah
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Remember my previous comment – in death, the breath turns into air. Everything you write is inspired by the divine, unworldly intervention. You are blessed one.
Joanna
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We are blessed ones dear Joanna, what will i do with all the blessing if i cant share with the ones i look up to. I am still waiting for the list of your favourite books 🙂 !
Narayan
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I have lost the whole lot! I wanted you to read the last paragraph of our post:
“From ancient times India defined the goals of civilisation very differently to the West. The West raised individualism, materialism, rationality, masculinity as its ideals. The great tradition of India insisted on non-violence, renunciation, the inner life, the female, as pillars of civilization. And through all the triumphs and disasters of her history, she hung on to that ideal. History is full of empires of the sword. INDIA ALONE CREATED AN EMPIRE OF THE SPIRIT. ”
Do you like this ending?
I will write about the book, I promise!
Joanna
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‘Life is only breath. And many a times, every other thing a distraction.’
Indeed! Inspiring post, as always!
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Thanks Ramya
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1. I liked reading your verse. 2. Morale not moral(third paragraph)
3. I would like to know who the girl in the picture is and who captured the picture. 4. There are beings who don’t need to breathe: divine or beyond: I assume it and I haven’t come across any: like I haven’t come across Arhats. I think I have read the name Pingala also being used for prostitutes in Purana stories: for example: Dattatreya’s twenty four teachers.
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1. Thank you 2. Thank you 3. One of the nine girls who arrived at home during previous navratra. 4. There are all kinds of beings but if they are walking on earth or even rooted, standing, they will breathe 5. Running tells me you are a fast bowler trying harder to hit like the follow through right. 5.1 Dattaguru roamed in the free world, who was prostitute and who mother, all could fly within a mind’s wink.
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3. Nine girls: thanks. I also asked about the photographer and I assume it was the same as the author of the blog post: may I ask what the name ‘Kaudaniya’ means?
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Kaudinya is a gotra coming down from the sapt-rishis.
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All of them are. Gives no information. Emptiness.
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Thats it. Good you came close, Shunyata; from where something started. Emptiness is still a word away.
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Narayan ,s articles are really interesting, full of knowledge and indicate towards nature and spirituality. I am eagerly waiting for books availability. GOD bless him a lot. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
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Over the top 🙂 glad to receive your words and blessings. And will do my best in coming time to write a book. Thank you so much.
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Yes thank you
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Thanks to you
RegardS. Nara x
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love this posttttt!
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Hey, thank you so much Brooke and Danielle. This thanks was long due as i was away in the Himalayas. Thanks for your words. Your blog is love. Love it and will soon come over and read your tales.
Narayan
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Very interesting. I see myself learning a lot from your writing and the travels you’ve undertaken. Life is only breath.. every other thing is a distraction. A sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with. We can live only in the present moment and everything else is an illusion. The past is fixed and the future only possible to influence. Breath is connection to all that is. All that lives, all that is divine and significant. It is control, it is flow, it is energising.
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Maryam, so much love to you, for these words, that with you make a sound like a string on wood. I am happy that we move ahead, in every way; reading, seeing, feeling. My gratitude to you was long overdue as i was away. With every second breath, be a deeper one.
Love
Narayan
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Poetic as always ❤️ sending love and prayers your way x
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❤️
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I love these words, as that’s all it is in the end — a breath 🙂
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It is dear friend. And my words were long due, sorry for that. I was away from internet for sometime.
Thank you
I hope you have been breathing deep. Love.
Narayan
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No need to apologise and it’s okay to stay away for a while 🙂
Yes, I continue my deep breathing, Caz 🙂
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❤️ Mee too.
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Wonderful message for all
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Thanks Wondertips !
Thank you.
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Pingback: Life is only breath. Every other thing a distraction. – Motivational Tips+Veg. Recipes Blogs
Thank you
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Great message and your last sentence, perfect: “Life is only breath. And many a times, every other thing a distraction.”
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Thanks Dalo. I remember going through your beautiful photographs of Macchu Picchu. Thanks for coming over, lovely to have you here.
Narayan
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I love your perspective Narayan. The way you write shows how much you love it. It’s something that makes the reader additive for. Keep up your amazing work as always🤩
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I am most comfortable writing dear Flower, you are intuitive 🙂 you know it. Thank you and also apologies, i was away walking somewhere in the Himalayas for all these days. I hope you are doing things happily.
Narayan
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I can definitely see that Naryan. HAHAH you are observant I guess. The pleasure is all mine to read such interesting narrative of a beautiful places. Dont appolozise. I am good and hope you are well too. Winter in coming and you are in himalayan range
Reagards Raghavasree
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Winter up here has arrived early, and i realised people, Pahadis were really waiting for it this time.
I am well and setting myself up too, for a long, winter of writing this time.
Raga, wishing you a colourful and filled with light Deepawali. Narayan
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narayankaudinya@gmail.com
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Yes, this is.
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