Author Archives: memoriesandsuch

2026 Week 04 Update

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It’s been a week since I’ve been in Bangalore. My mum finished both her cataract operations, and, by God’s grace, both her operations were completed. My sister also left yesterday, and it’s just my parents and me for a few weeks. I will stay here until she is more stable and then go home. 

Today’s quote by Greek philosopher, historian, and biographer best known for *Parallel Lives*, a series of biographies comparing Greek and Roman figures, Plutarch speaks to the profound connection between our inner world and the life we experience around us. It suggests that real change does not begin with circumstances, possessions, or external success, but with what happens within us: our mindset, values, self-understanding, and emotional maturity. When we work on ourselves inwardly, cultivating clarity, resilience, compassion, discipline, or self-belief, our actions naturally begin to shift. We make different choices. We respond rather than react. We carry ourselves with more intention. Over time, these internal changes ripple outward, influencing our relationships, work, and the opportunities we attract or create. Outer reality responds not to wishful thinking but to the way we show up in the world.

Plutarch’s insight also challenges the habit of waiting for external change before feeling different inside. Many people think they’ll feel confident once they succeed, peaceful once life calms down, or fulfilled once circumstances improve. This quote flips that logic. It argues that inner transformation comes first and that outer transformation follows as a consequence, not a cause. Importantly, this doesn’t mean we can control everything. Life remains unpredictable. But it does mean that our inner achievements—emotional growth, self-awareness, and integrity—shape how we experience whatever life brings. Two people can face the same situation and live entirely different realities, depending on what they’ve cultivated within.

Today’s motivation is something I reach out to because it is about bouncing back from setbacks. What seemed like a setback then has actually allowed something better to emerge. Life will continue to bring new experiences and changes into your life. As you move through each chapter of your life, you discover more about yourself and the ever-surprising journey of life.

In today’s teaching from the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna teaches one of the most empowering (and confronting) truths of the Gita: your mind is the single biggest factor in your rise or your fall. Not circumstances. Not luck. Not other people’s opinions. When the mind is disciplined, clear, and anchored, it becomes your biggest ally, nudging you toward growth, supporting your intentions, and strengthening your inner resilience. But when your mind is unmanaged, it pulls you into doubt, fear, procrastination, and self-sabotage.

The verse isn’t scolding; it’s encouraging. It tells you that you already possess what you need to lift yourself. You don’t need permission. You don’t need perfect conditions. You don’t need constant external validation. You just need a mind that is taught to work with you, not against you. And how does that happen? Through awareness, reflection, discipline, and small, consistent practices that slowly turn chaos into clarity. The real battle is never outside. It’s always within. And the victory is entirely possible.

This week was very busy with my sister and parents; the next few weeks should be more gentle and peaceful. And on this note, stay safe, stay happy, stay positive, and keep smiling!

In My Hands Today…

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The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World – S. Jaishankar

The decade from the 2008 global financial crisis to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic has seen a real transformation of the world order. The very nature of international relations and its rules are changing before our eyes.

For India, this means optimal relationships with all the major powers to best advance its goals. It also requires a bolder and non-reciprocal approach to its neighbourhood. A global footprint is now in the making that leverages India’s greater capability and relevance, as well as its unique diaspora. This era of global upheaval entails greater expectations from India, putting it on the path to becoming a leading power.

In The India Way, S. Jaishankar, India’s Minister of External Affairs, analyses these challenges and spells out possible policy responses. He places this thinking in the context of history and tradition, appropriate for a civilizational power that seeks to reclaim its place on the world stage.

Sacred Stones, Spaces, and Stories: Jyotirlingas Part 3 – Mallikarjuna Temple

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Situated atop the sacred Shri Shaila Mountain in the Nallamala Hills of Andhra Pradesh, the Mallikarjuna Temple in Srisailam is one of the twelve revered Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva. Unique among the Jyotirlingas, Mallikarjuna also simultaneously enshrines a Shakti Peetha, making it a rare and deeply sacred space for the worship of Shiva and his consort Parvati, worshipped here as Bhramaramba. This convergence of Shaivism and Shaktism symbolises cosmic balance and union, earning the temple the epithet Kailash of the South. For centuries, pilgrims have journeyed through dense forests and rugged hills to seek blessings from the divine pair, believing the temple to be a source of spiritual power, peace, and transformation.

The Mallikarjuna Temple brims with ancient mythic tales that illuminate its divine origins and cosmic significance. According to one legend found in the Agni Purana and Skanda Purana, a pivotal event shaped the temple’s sanctity: the reconciliation and union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati on the sacred hill of Shri Shaila.

One popular story recounts the marriage dilemma of Shiva’s sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya. When deciding which son should marry first, Shiva proposed a cosmic contest: whoever circled the universe first would win. Kartikeya rode off on his peacock mount to physically circle the world, while Ganesha circled his parents, Shiva and Parvati, symbolising the universe itself. Ganesha’s cleverness won him the first marriage, making Kartikeya angry and withdrawing to isolation.

To bring Kartikeya back, Shiva and Parvati took residence on Sri Shaila Mountain in the forms of Mallikarjuna (Shiva) and Bhramaramba (Parvati), thereby turning the hill into a sacred abode. It is believed that on new moon nights or Amavasya, Shiva appears as Mallikarjuna, and on full moon nights or Poornima, Parvati appears as Mallika, and together they await their son’s return.

Another legend suggests that Mallikarjuna is one of the three divine Shiva lingas appearing during different yugas at Srisailam, Draksharamam, and Kaleshwaram, representing his omnipresence. The name Mallikarjuna itself is derived from Mallika, meaning jasmine, believed to be the flower with which Shiva’s linga was worshipped here.

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Local tribal lore enriches the temple’s mystique as well. The Chenchu tribes, forest dwellers who historically live in the area, regard Shiva as a hunter who married a Chenchu maiden, symbolising a deep connection between nature, divinity, and humanity.

Mallikarjuna Temple stands as one of Andhra Pradesh’s oldest and most venerated religious sites, dating back over a millennium. Archaeological and inscriptional evidence traces the temple’s roots to the Satavahana dynasty (circa 2nd century CE), with subsequent expansions by dynasties including the Chalukyas, Pallavas, and Reddys. The Satavahanas left inscriptions acknowledging the temple and its hill, sanctifying it as a place of divine worship. Brief mentions appear in ancient texts, underscoring its status as a spiritual hub.

Over centuries, rulers like Prolay Verma and Anavema Reddy developed roads and mandapas or pillared halls facilitating pilgrim access into the rugged hills. The temple prospered through the classical and medieval eras, with notable contributions from the Vijayanagara Empire, which enhanced the temple complex, incorporating elaborate mandapas and gopurams or gateway towers that showcase their architectural patronage.

The temple is also historically critical because it is one of the only places in India where both a Jyotirlinga Shiva linga and a Shakti Peetha exist under one roof. As per mythology, this spot is where a part of Goddess Sati’s body (her upper lip or mukh) fell during Shiva’s cosmic dance of grief.

Philosophers and saints such as Adi Shankaracharya, Siddha Nagarjuna, and Allama Prabhu paid homage to Mallikarjuna, contributing to its stature as a center for Shaiva-Shakta theological discourse.

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Mallikarjuna Temple is an architectural marvel distinguished by the Dravidian style prevalent in South India, enhanced by the influence of the Chalukyas and Vijayanagara artisans. Set on a sprawling temple complex amidst the dense Nallamala forests, the structure features multiple gopurams or towering gateways with each gate, intricately carved with mythological scenes and divine figures, that serve as a majestic entrance, symbolising the transition from the mundane to the sacred. There are also lavishly decorated Mandapas and Sabhas or halls to host religious gatherings and rituals. The Grabhagriha or Sanctum houses the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga for Shiva and the Bhramaramba Shakti Peetha for Parvati; both are freestanding and receive individual worship. The enduring granite walls blend with the natural terrain, evoking a sense of the divine emerging from the earth itself while intricate sculptures and motifs including wall carvings narrate Shiva’s legends, goddess lore, and depictions of flora and fauna native to the region, reflecting local aesthetics. The temple complex includes a thousand lingas or Sahasra Lingas, commissioned by Lord Rama and the Pandavas, further enriching the sacred environment. The temple’s architectural design cleverly integrates with its hilly setting, with steps and courtyards guiding pilgrims upward toward the sanctum, symbolising the spiritual ascent.

Mallikarjuna Temple is alive with daily rituals and vibrant festivals that celebrate Shiva and Shakti’s cosmic dance. Daily pujas begin early morning with abhisheka, bathing the lingam with holy water, milk, honey, and other sacred substances, accompanied by Vedic chants. Devotional singing and lamp waving rituals take place at multiple times, creating an immersive sensory worship experience.

Mahashivaratri is the most important festival, characterised by all-night vigils, fasts, and spiritual discourses. The temple also celebrates Navaratri, celebrating the goddess’s power, attracting thousands from across India. Devotees participate in the ritualistic circumambulation of the temple and the Sahasra Linga complex. Local traditions by the Chenchu tribes include offerings and ecological respect rituals, highlighting nature’s role in the temple’s sanctity. The temple management facilitates feeding and accommodation for pilgrims, supported by local societies that organize cultural programs and care for the shrine.

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The journey to Mallikarjuna Temple is both a physical and spiritual pilgrimage through a lush, forested landscape teeming with biodiversity. Srisailam is connected by road and rail, with nearest major airports at Hyderabad and Kurnool. The last leg involves ascending rugged hill paths amid picturesque landscapes. The temple’s location in dense forests and hills adds a sense of seclusion and sanctity. Pilgrims often recount sensations of peace and divine presence amid chants, ringing bells, and the natural sounds of wildlife. Numerous dharamshalas or pilgrim hostels, eateries, and markets provide support to visitors, blending tradition with modern needs. Many pilgrims share stories of miraculous healing and spiritual experiences, attributing them to the temple’s cosmic energies and the mountain’s sanctity.

The Mallikarjuna Temple influences literature, music, and art, particularly in the Andhra region. The temple and its legends feature in classical Telugu and Sanskrit poetry, as well as oral folklore, which celebrates the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Devotional songs, especially during festivals, draw from regional and classical traditions, creating a rich sonic tapestry that resonates with the natural environment. The temple’s carvings influence contemporary art forms as well, inspiring devotees and artists alike. Beyond faith, the temple is a source of cultural pride for communities around Srisailam, integrating tribal heritage and mainstream Hindu traditions. The bees said to have made the temple their home, without harming worshippers, and stories of divine protection deepen the temple’s mythos within local culture.

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Today, Mallikarjuna Temple serves as both a major pilgrimage destination and a cultural heritage site. The Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Devasthanam oversees temple operations, pilgrimage infrastructure, and festivals. Significant investments in roads, accommodations, and amenities have facilitated growing visitor numbers while preserving spiritual rhythms. Mahashivaratri attracts a national and international audience, blending traditional rituals with modern event management. Ongoing restoration projects safeguard ancient structures while adapting to environmental and tourist pressures. The temple attracts devotees from diverse backgrounds, including urban and rural, domestic and overseas, reflecting its broad spiritual appeal.

The Mallikarjuna Temple at Srisailam stands as a celestial beacon embodying the cosmic harmony of Shiva and Shakti—the masculine and feminine divine principles. Its ancient legends, rich history, and mesmerising architecture invite pilgrims to a spiritual journey of devotion and discovery. Uniting primal forest landscapes with sacred stone, it affirms India’s layered cultural and religious heritage. As a vital node in the Jyotirlinga circuit and a symbol of balance between power and grace, Mallikarjuna Temple continues to inspire faith, scholarship, and awe across generations.

In My Hands Today…

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Atlas of Remote Islands: Fifty Islands I Have Never Set Foot On and Never Will – Judith Schalansky, translated by Christine Lo

There are still places on earth that are unknown. Visually stunning and uniquely designed, this wondrous book captures fifty islands that are far away in every sense-from the mainland, from people, from airports, and from holiday brochures.

Author Judith Schalansky used historic events and scientific reports as a springboard for each island, providing information on its distance from the mainland, whether its inhabited, its features, and the stories that have shaped its lore.

With stunning full-colour maps and an air of mysterious adventure, Atlas of Remote Islands is perfect for the traveller or the romantic in all of us.

Short Story: Second Chances

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The conference room on the thirty-eighth floor of the Raffles Place tower buzzed with polite conversation as executives filtered in for the quarterly review meeting. Marcus Lim straightened his tie and checked his watch. He was early, as always. The acquisition of NexaFlow had been his project from the start, and today’s meeting would finalise the partnership that could make his career.

He was scrolling through his tablet when she walked in.

The woman commanded attention without trying. Her navy blazer was perfectly tailored, accentuating curves that spoke of confidence rather than apology. Dark hair swept into an elegant chignon, framing a face that was striking in its intelligence; sharp cheekbones, full lips, and eyes that seemed to see everything. When she spoke to her assistant, her voice carried the kind of authority that came from earning respect, not demanding it.

Marcus found himself staring. She was easily the most captivating woman he’d ever seen.

“That’s Priya Kumar,” whispered his colleague, Wei Ming. “She built NexaFlow from nothing. Brilliant woman. A bit intimidating, though.”

Priya. The name suited her. Marcus watched as she took her seat at the head of the table, directly across from him. When their eyes met, he offered his most charming smile. She looked at him for a long moment, something flickering across her features, before nodding politely and turning away.

The meeting proceeded smoothly. Priya’s presentation was flawless, her responses to questions sharp and insightful. Marcus found himself genuinely impressed, not just attracted. This wasn’t just beauty and confidence; this was brilliance in action.

“Mr. Lim,” Priya’s voice cut through his thoughts. “I believe you had some concerns about our data security protocols?“

He recovered quickly, launching into his prepared questions. But throughout the discussion, he couldn’t shake the feeling that her dark eyes were studying him, measuring him against some invisible standard.

After the meeting, Marcus lingered, hoping to catch her alone.

“Ms. Kumar?” He approached with what he hoped was professional interest. “I was wondering if you’d like to grab dinner tonight. To discuss the partnership, of course.”

For just a moment, something raw and vulnerable flashed in her eyes. Then it was gone, replaced by polished professionalism.

“I don’t think that would be appropriate, Mr. Lim. All business matters can be handled during office hours.“

The rejection stung more than it should have. “Of course. Professional boundaries. I respect that.“

As he walked to his BMW in the Marina Bay Financial Centre car park, Marcus couldn’t understand why he felt like he’d failed some test he didn’t know he was taking.

Ten years earlier

Priya Raj pushed her thick glasses up her nose and clutched her textbooks tighter as she navigated the crowded NUS campus. At nineteen, she was already carrying more responsibility than most of her classmates could imagine: working two part-time jobs to help with family expenses while maintaining her first-class honours in computer science.

She’d learned to make herself invisible. It was easier that way.

“Alamak, is that the same blouse she wore yesterday?” The voice carried across the Arts Link, followed by barely suppressed laughter.

Priya’s cheeks burned, but she kept walking. The blouse was one of three she owned, all carefully maintained but obviously not from Orchard Road boutiques. She’d learned not to react to comments from Marcus Lim’s circle, the golden boys and girls who seemed to glide through university on charm and family connections.

Marcus himself had never been cruel, not directly. He simply… didn’t see her. When Professor Tan paired them for a programming project, Marcus had looked right through her as if she were furniture, immediately suggesting they meet at the coffee shop in the Science canteen where she worked, not knowing, of course, that she’d be serving him while trying to discuss their code.

“Can I get you anything else, ah?” she’d asked after bringing him his third kopi-O.

“Just working on this project with…” He’d glanced around vaguely. “Some girl from class lah. She’s supposed to be here.”

Priya had stood there in her coffee-stained uniform, textbook tucked under her arm, invisible.

Three weeks into the partnership negotiations, Marcus was no closer to understanding Priya Kumar. She was professional, brilliant, and completely unreachable. Every attempt at conversation beyond business was met with polite deflection. Every invitation was declined with perfect courtesy.

It was driving him crazy.

“You’re obsessing, bro,” Wei Ming observed over lunch at a trendy CBD restaurant. “It’s not like you. Usually, they’re all over you.”

Marcus poked at his laksa, watching the busy street through the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Singapore River. “She’s different.”

“Maybe that’s the point. Maybe she sees right through your usual charm.”

That afternoon, Marcus found himself really looking at the people around his Shenton Way office. His secretary, who always seemed nervous. The junior associates who laughed too loudly at his jokes. The cleaning auntie who hurried past him as if afraid to be noticed.

When had he stopped seeing people as individuals?

The question haunted him through another sleepless night in his Sentosa Cove penthouse.

The breakthrough came during a crisis. A cybersecurity breach at one of Lim Holdings’ subsidiary companies threatened to derail not just the NexaFlow partnership, but several other major deals. Marcus worked through the night, coordinating responses from his corner office overlooking Marina Bay, when his phone rang.

“Mr. Lim? It’s Priya Kumar. I heard about the breach. I’m sending over my team.”

“You don’t have to—“

“My reputation is tied to this partnership now. We fix this together.”

For the next eighteen hours, they worked side by side. Marcus watched Priya command her team with quiet authority, solving problems with elegant efficiency. She ordered zi char for everyone, remembered the security uncle’s name, and somehow made the crisis feel manageable.

Around dawn, they found themselves alone in the conference room, surrounded by empty coffee cups and whiteboards covered in code, the Marina Bay Sands and Singapore Flyer silhouetted against the pink sunrise beyond the windows.

“Why?” Marcus asked quietly. “Why help when I know you don’t even like me?“

Priya looked up from her laptop, fatigue softening her carefully maintained composure. “Because it was the right thing to do.”

“I feel like I know you,” he said suddenly. “Like we’ve met before.”

Her fingers stilled on the keyboard. “We have.”

“When? I would remember…“

“Would you?” Her voice was soft, almost sad. “National University of Singapore. Computer Science. Professor Tan’s Advanced Programming module.”

The pieces clicked into place with sickening clarity. The Science canteen coffee shop. The project partner he’d barely acknowledged. The girl whose name he’d never bothered to learn.

“Oh God. Priya. You’re…“

“The same person I always was.” She closed her laptop with a quiet snap. “Just visible now.”

Marcus felt like the floor had dropped away. “I was such an asshole.“

“You were twenty.” Her voice was matter-of-fact. “We all were someone different then.”

“No, I was worse than that. I was blind. I was…“

“You were a product of your environment.” Priya stood, gathering her things. “But that doesn’t mean I have to forget.”

She paused at the door. “The crisis is handled. I’ll have my legal team finalise the partnership documents. We don’t need to work together directly anymore.”

Marcus sat alone in the conference room as the sun rose over Singapore’s skyline, finally understanding why her eyes had seemed to see straight through him. She’d been measuring him against the boy who had looked right through her, and he’d been found wanting.

The question was: what was he going to do about it?

Marcus started small. He learned the names of everyone in his building: security guards, cleaning staff, and the uncle who ran the kopi tiam on the ground floor. He instituted monthly team meetings where junior associates could present ideas directly to leadership. He volunteered to mentor students at NUS, particularly those on financial assistance.

But mostly, he tried to become worthy of a second chance he wasn’t sure he’d ever get.

Two months later, he ran into Priya at a tech industry charity gala at the ArtScience Museum. She looked stunning in a midnight blue cheongsam, commanding attention in a room full of Singapore’s most influential people. Marcus approached carefully, his heart hammering.

“Priya.”

She turned, and for the first time since their reunion, her expression wasn’t guarded. “Marcus. I heard about your mentorship program.“

“Word travels fast in Singapore.”

“I fund three scholarships at NUS. I hear things.” She studied his face. “Why?”

“Because I finally realised that the world doesn’t revolve around people like me. And I wanted to do something useful with that realisation.”

They talked for an hour. Really talked. About their work, their families, their hopes for Singapore’s tech scene. When the evening ended, Marcus found the courage to ask again.

“Dinner? Not as a business meeting. As… whatever you’re comfortable with.”

Priya was quiet for so long, he thought she’d say no. Then: “There’s a place I like in Chinatown. Nothing fancy.“

“Perfect.”

The restaurant was a hole-in-the-wall zi char stall tucked away in a back alley near Tanjong Pagar, with plastic chairs and the kind of authentic Hokkien food that couldn’t be found in trendy Clarke Quay establishments. Priya had changed into jeans and a simple blouse, and Marcus had never seen her look more beautiful.

“I used to come here during university,” she said, expertly manoeuvring her chopsticks around the sweet and sour pork. “It was the only place I could afford that felt special.”

“What was it like?” Marcus asked quietly. “Uni, I mean. For you.”

Priya considered the question. “Lonely, mostly. I was so focused on survival, academically and financially, that I forgot to be young. I watched people like you having experiences I couldn’t afford, and I told myself I didn’t want them anyway.”

“I’m sorry I was part of that.”

“You weren’t cruel, Marcus. You just… existed in a different world. One where people like me didn’t matter.”

“They did matter. I was just too stupid and self-absorbed to see it.”

She smiled then, the first genuine smile she’d given him. “We were both different people then.”

“I’d like you to know the person I am now.”

“I think,” Priya said slowly, “I’d like that too.”

Their courtship was careful, deliberate. Marcus learned that Priya had built her company not just from ambition, but from a desire to create opportunities for people who’d been overlooked the way she had been. She’d hired dozens of first-generation university graduates, funded coding bootcamps in heartland communities, and quietly revolutionised the way Singapore’s tech industry thought about talent.

Priya learned that Marcus’s newfound awareness wasn’t performative. He’d restructured his company’s hiring practices, implemented blind resume reviews, and somehow managed to do it all without seeking credit or recognition.

“You’ve changed,” she told him one evening as they walked along the Marina Barrage, the city lights reflecting off the reservoir, six months into whatever they were calling their relationship.

“Not changed,” Marcus said. “Just finally became who I was supposed to be.”

“And who is that?“

He stopped walking and turned to face her. “Someone worthy of you.”

Priya’s breath caught. In the glow of the Singapore skyline, she could see the boy he’d been in the man he’d become, but this version was better, deeper, marked by empathy and genuine humility.

“I was so angry for so long,” she whispered. “At you, at everyone who made me feel invisible. I built my whole life around never being that powerless again.”

“You were never powerless, Priya. You were just surrounded by people too blind to see your strength.”

When he kissed her, it tasted like forgiveness and possibility and the kind of love that comes from truly seeing another person.

One year later

The engagement party was held at the same conference room where they’d reconnected; Priya’s idea and characteristically perfect. Their two worlds had blended seamlessly: his family’s Peranakan heritage mixing with her chosen family of employees, mentees, and the professors who’d believed in her when no one else had. The catering was a mix of their favourites, from high-end hotel fare to zi char dishes that reminded them of their roots.

Marcus found Priya on the outdoor terrace, looking out over the glittering lights of the Marina Bay area.

“Having second thoughts?” he asked, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

“About marrying you? Never.” She leaned into him. “I was just thinking about that girl in the Science canteen. How she never could have imagined this moment.”

“She deserved it even then.”

“Maybe. But she wasn’t ready for it then. Neither of us were.”

Marcus turned her in his arms. “And now?”

Priya smiled, the expression transforming her face with joy. “Now we’re exactly who we’re supposed to be.”

As they kissed under the stars, the Singapore skyline sprawling endlessly below them, it felt like the best kind of second chance; not a revision of the past, but a bold new story written by two people who had finally learned how to truly see each other.

Some love stories begin with love at first sight. The best ones, perhaps, begin with sight at first love, the moment when two people finally become visible to each other, not as they were, but as they chose to become.