Mathematics is a subject most of us would love to hate. I feel this is one subject were we find people at both the extremes. There are people who use calculators for simple calculations and at the same time there are people who use super computers to prove equations propounded by greats like Fermat. India has made a big contribution to mathematics. OK. We invented Zero. We invented chess or chaturanga as it was commonly known at that time. But this post is not about zero or chess.

I stumbled upon quite a few things and ever since my mind is always on the run. The actual credit should go to Dan Brown. After reading Da Vinci Code, I have been trying to analyze every possible symbol that I see in temples, books, fliers. This guys post on the meaning of the star of the David or Lord Muruga’s chakra was an interesting read.

Kubera Kolam.

My mom draws this floor painting called Kubera Kolam everyday in the pooja altar. She draws a 3X3 square, writes some numbers on it, keeps one rupee coins on the number, puts vermilion on the coins and finally some flowers on them.

When I asked her about the significance of it, she told me it’s called Kubera Kolam and believes that the house will never be short of money. I am not interested in her belief but now more interested in the numbers. The numbers are from 20-28. When we sum the numbers across the rows and columns they always end up in 72, which again boils down to 9 which is considered a divine number.

There is a variation to this called “The Lo Shu Square”, originated from china. This is also a 3X3 matrix that has numbers from 1 to 9. The sum of numbers across the rows and columns is always 15. If you add 19 to every number in the Lo Shu Square you get Kubera Kolam. There is also a big story to it. You can read it here.

While I was contemplating on the Kubera-kolam, something bigger hit me. I bought a new purse and while I was transferring the contents from my old purse, I saw the copper plate that I had in my purse. I bought this in kuchanoor (a sani bhagawan temple near Theni), around 8-9 years before. That time I was under the 7 and half years influence of sani and my mom insisted me to keep the copper plate in my purse. The plate has a 9X9 matrix and numbers across the cells. It’s called Sani Bhagawan Rakshai (Mandiram).

The photo looks really pathetic. It really looks like a copper plate from the 2^nd century. Here are the numbers in the plate.

Once upon a time there was a Messiah who had come to Earth. After spending a long period on Earth, he decided that he would quit. So he went on top of the mountain and told everyone present, “Listen, today I am going to quit. I am no longer a Messiah.”

Hearing this, the people were shocked. They said, “You can’t quit! If you leave us, how will we communicate with God? How can we keep in touch with Him? So you can’t do this!”

He said, “Listen, you’re a fisherman; when you get tired, you don’t go fishing. You are a manager; when you get tired, you don’t go to work. I am a Messiah, and I don’t want to do it anymore so I am quitting.”

Preethi's face was beaming with joy when she pushed the ignition switch. This was the day she was waiting for. She was with her first love. That's what the ads. said. She would have got her scooty a week before had she not insisted on getting the pink one, her favorite color. After much pleading, cajoling and threatening she managed to get her vehicle. She felt as if she owned a Harley-Davidson.

"Listen to what I say", shouted her mother. "Don't go too fast. Always wear a helmet. If you see a lorry behind just pull over. The traffic in this city is very bad. Most important, Do not compete with boys. I am going to be really worried until you come back safely". She then sent a barrage of words towards her husband for giving in to Preethi's request. Preethi pacified her mother and assured her that she would follow all the rules and behave properly.

She cruised at a minimum speed and felt as if she was in seventh heaven. Just as she turned round the corner, she saw him. Their eyes met for a brief moment. He was smartly dressed, had a clean shaven face and was good looking. Time seemed to freeze for a minute. It took a couple of seconds for her to regain her composure and by that time she had already crossed him. She wanted to look into her rear-view mirror and see what he was doing. She slowly drew herself backwards and peeked into the mirror. She was shocked. He was following her.

"Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium, Beryllium, Boron, Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, blah, blah, blah."

Monday

Hero: “Cha! What routine is this? I have to walk 3 kms. daily to work. If only I had a cycle. Life would be much easier."

Tuesday

Hero: “Look at the roads. Full of pot holes. How many times do I have to change the cycle tubes? If only I had a motorcycle. I can just cruise at the same speed without pedaling."

Wednesday

Hero: “Oh. Look at the petrol prices. Cha! Cha! Ore pollution, dust, noise. I am having lots of back pain riding this stupid two-wheeler. If only I had a car."

Thursday

Hero: “Dei saavu graki. Veetula sollitu vanthaya? Cha! Cha! No traffic sense. These pedestrians and stupid two wheelers. It’s tough to drive a car in the city. If only I had a driver."

Friday

Hero: “Driver. Slow-va ootupa. You have already had 2 accidents. This is a car not a flight. Cha! Tension. Tension. If only I can retire early."

Saturday

Doctor: "Sir. Your blood pressure is too high. You have high cholesterol. You need to exercise. I recommend you to walk minimum 3 kms daily."

Hero: :-( !!!

Sunday

Hero: Having walked hardly a few meters and panting. “Cha! If only I had ……”