tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745835619310294772024-03-13T05:39:32.299+05:30Revival of True IndiaIts time now...to revive the lost spirit, the lost glory, the lost India!Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-35193884650862099102015-01-15T12:33:00.001+05:302015-01-15T12:53:56.723+05:30Makar Sankranti<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWyZdhojIU63VpNTOAIE-crP3DC6eGD7Q6aANP8UcnFsgVsDqo53juJEzLxTk3NUJ09d-ceXHZIFlVA5rEnatwfnnL-4DL_zqKDrvJ0RHSrj1oCOUmQXk91ZkxpuoUJrAJlD-ZPbUtdSx/s1600/zodiac-calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWyZdhojIU63VpNTOAIE-crP3DC6eGD7Q6aANP8UcnFsgVsDqo53juJEzLxTk3NUJ09d-ceXHZIFlVA5rEnatwfnnL-4DL_zqKDrvJ0RHSrj1oCOUmQXk91ZkxpuoUJrAJlD-ZPbUtdSx/s1600/zodiac-calendar.jpg" height="308" width="320" /></a>Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun into Makara rashi (Capricorn) on its celestial path, and the six-month Uttarayana period(movement of the sun towards the north direction).<br />
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Sankranti means transmigration of the Sun from one Rāshi (constellation of the zodiac in Indian astronomy) to the next. Hence, there are 12 Sankrantis in a year.<br />
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There are twelve Sankrantis in a year, out of which Makar Sankraanti has been considered most important because from here begins the Uttarayana punya kaal (Uttarayana auspicious period), and Uttarayana is regarded as the period of Divinity. Although the entire year is considered auspicious, this period is considered slightly more auspicious. All festivals begin following this.<br />
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This festival is a harvest festival and is celebrated throughout India. One crop having been harvested, seeds are sown for the next crop.<br />
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While Makar Sankranti is most popular in West India, down south, the festival is known as Pongal and in the north, it is celebrated as Lohri. Uttarayan, Maghi, Khichdi are some other names of the same festival.<br />
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Til Gul Ghya ani Goad Goad Bola</h3>
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People exchange the traditional sweet Til Gul and say 'Til-gul ghya ani gud gud bola' which literally means "Have til gul and always speak sweet".<br />
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Til Gul is prepared from a mixture of Jaggery and sesame seeds.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">Makar Sankranti is a festival to forget the misunderstandings and quarrels of the past, and start speaking sweet with everyone; not just sweet words but with a pleasant and soft heart.</span><br />
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Kites</h3>
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<span style="background-color: white;">This is also a festival of Kite-flying. Colourful sky with beautiful kites can be seen in various parts of India.</span><br />
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Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-65332716167013436562014-08-29T12:16:00.001+05:302014-08-30T12:27:54.861+05:30Ganpati Bappa Morya!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Devotees chant Ganapati Bappa Morya all the time to sing the praises of Lord Ganesh. But how many of them know the meaning of the word Morya? Let us look at the three words and their meaning:<br />
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Ganpati </h4>
Ganapati (Sanskrit: गणपति; gaṇapati), a synonym for Ganesha, is a compound composed of gaṇa, meaning "group", and pati, meaning "ruler" or "lord".<br />
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(Check this: <a href="http://www.revivaloftrueindia.com/2013/09/ganesha.html">Significance of Ganesha</a> and the hidden meanings behind symbols and depictions)<br />
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Bappa </h4>
Lord/father<br />
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Morya </h4>
The word Morya refers to a famous devotee of Lord Ganesh in the fourteenth century called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morya_Gosavi" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Morya Gosavi,</a> from Chinchvad, near Pune who invoked the Lord with severe penance.<br />
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It is said that he attained siddhi (special powers and blessings) at Shree Chintamani and his son built the temple to commemorate the event. It is said that Moryaji also performed penances at Siddhi Vinayak in Ahmedabad and in Moreshwar/Mayureshwar at Moregoan where he also built the temple. This depicts the inseparable relationship between God and his devotee.<br />
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The starting of the Ashtavinayak pilgrimage is attributed to him. The words Ganapati Bappa Morya are attributed to him.</div>
Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-72922745089872636702014-08-17T14:11:00.003+05:302014-08-17T14:18:00.814+05:30Janmashtami - Birth of Lord Krishna<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The beauty in our ancient stories is that they were never made location-specific or time-specific. Ramayana or Mahabharata are not just events that happened a long time ago, they are happening everyday in our lives. The essence of these stories is eternal.</div>
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There is a deeper meaning to the story of Krishna’s birth too. Devaki symbolizes the body and Vasudev symbolizes the life force (prana). When prana rises in the body, joy (Krishna) is born. But the ego (Kamsa) tries to eliminate joy. Kamsa is Devaki’s brother which indicates that ego is born along with the body.<br />
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A person who is happy and joyful does not create trouble for anyone. It is the one who is unhappy and emotionally wounded who ends up causing disruption. Those who feel injustice has been done to them end up being unjust to others out of their hurt ego.</div>
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The biggest adversary of ego is joy. Ego cannot survive and has to bow down where there is joy and love. A person can hold a very high position in society, but he melts in front of his own little child. When the child falls ill, however strong the person is, they feel a little helpless. Ego simply melts when confronted with love, simplicity and joy. Krishna is the epitome of joy, the quintessence of simplicity and the very source of love.</div>
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Devaki’s and Vasudev’s imprisonment by Kamsa signifies that when the ego takes over, the body feels like a prison. When Krishna was born, the prison guards fell asleep. The guards here are the senses which protect the ego because they are turned outward when awake. Inner joy sprouts in us when the senses turn inwards.</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.625px;">Makhan Chor</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #636363; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;">Krishna is also known as the Makhan Chor - butter thief. Milk is the essence of nourishment and curd is a cultured form of milk. When curd is churned, butter comes up and floats on top. It is nourishing and yet light, not heavy. When our intelligence is churned, it becomes like butter. When knowledge dawns in the mind, one gets established in one’s Self. Such a person remains unattached to this world and his mind does not sink in it. Krishna stealing butter is a symbolism depicting the glory of love. So attractive is Krishna’s charm and skill that he steals the minds of even the most dispassionate.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.625px;">Significance of Peacock feather</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #636363; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Why does Krishna have the peacock feather on his head? A king is responsible for the whole society and that responsibility can become a burden, which sits on the head as the crown. But Krishna fulfills all his responsibility effortlessly, like a game. A mother never feels taking care of her children is a burden. Similarly, Krishna wears his responsibility lightly and plays his roles colorfully, just like the peacock feather on his crown.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #636363; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Krishna is the most attractive, joyful space within all of us. When there is no restlessness, worry or desire in the mind, you are able to get deep rest. And it is in deep rest that Krishna is born.</span></div>
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The message of Janamashtami is that it is time to bring a wave of joy in society. Become seriously joyful!</div>
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<small>Source: <a href="http://srisriravishankar.org/the-deeper-meaning-of-janamashtami/">http://srisriravishankar.org/the-deeper-meaning-of-janamashtami/</a></small></div>
Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-7881702238250196712014-07-09T00:01:00.000+05:302014-07-09T00:01:00.959+05:30Ashadhi Ekadashi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Today is Ashadhi Ekadashi. People from all walks of life from many parts of Maharashtra and other parts of India too, converge in Pandharpur today for a night full of prayers and songs devoted to Lord Vishnu. </div>
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One of the most popular forms of Vishnu worshipped in Maharashtra is that of Vithoba or Vitthala. The most famous temple for Vithoba is in Pandharpur. Pandharpur has thus been one of the main religious sites of Maharashtra since ancient times.</div>
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Vitth means “brick”. When Vishnu appeared in front of His devotee, His devotee was busy caring for His parents. He offered Vishnu a brick and asked Him to wait on it till he could return after attending to his parents. Vishnu stood on the brick and the whole moment was frozen in stone as an idol. </div>
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Vithoba, Vitthala is the name given to Vishnu standing on a brick waiting for His sincere devotee to return.<br />
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Pilgrims from Pandharpur have travelled far and wide from Kashi to Rameshwaram spreading this story of the devoutness of God to His devotee. Note, it is devoutness of God to devotee too and not just devoutness of the devotee to God alone.<br />
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Such a message is singular to Indian thought where it is not for the devotee to fear God but to realize divinity and live with the divine forces in a state of togetherness and mutual reverence for each other.<br />
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Vari: The Pilgrimage</h3>
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Varkari people undertake an annual pilgrimage (vari) to Pandhapur, gathering there on Ekadashi (the 11th day) of the Hindu lunar calendar month of Aashaadha (which falls sometime between late June to July in the Gregorian calendar).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhWwP32FHbvmOOXQ0pJY4cXCVUj5QA1HcQWmx-7YBc9pA2-WUa8K_evmi2SPZpzmZYgciev5zkea5AG7OGhI7aPGNr50BMIR7sqSEQW9gLq_rZ8Ctinh0dCoSANLvd3Z89sln6Jx9C0XX/s1600/Tukaram-Maharaj-Palakhi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhWwP32FHbvmOOXQ0pJY4cXCVUj5QA1HcQWmx-7YBc9pA2-WUa8K_evmi2SPZpzmZYgciev5zkea5AG7OGhI7aPGNr50BMIR7sqSEQW9gLq_rZ8Ctinh0dCoSANLvd3Z89sln6Jx9C0XX/s1600/Tukaram-Maharaj-Palakhi.jpg" height="240" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a>The pilgrims carry the palkhis (palanquins) of the saints from their places of samadhi (enlightenment or "spiritual birth").<br />
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The tradition of carrying the paduka (sandals) of the sants in a palkhi was started by the youngest son of Tukaram, Narayan Maharaj, in 1685. Further changes were brought to the pilgrimage by descendants of Tukaram in the 1820s and by Haibatraobuwa, a courtier of the Scindias. Devotees of Vithoba were holding pilgrimages prior to the 14th century.<br />
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In the present day, about 40 palkhis and their devotees from all over Maharashtra do so.</div>
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Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-45458066856184730462014-07-08T00:38:00.001+05:302014-07-11T12:32:25.819+05:30Significance of Yagyas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Q: Gurudev, what is the importance of yagna? <a href="http://www.revivaloftrueindia.com/2014/07/the-art-of-rain-making.html">I heard that if we do yagna, then even the rain comes.</a> Why don’t we do a big yagna, and finish all the bad things in the world?</b><br />
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<b>Sri Sri: </b>Have you heard about the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_effect" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">butterfly effect</a>? A butterfly, fluttering its wings in Amazons, can affect the clouds in China. It means, every little thing, affects every other little thing in the universe, in the cosmos. So, yagnas are those ancient rituals or practices that have an effect on the environment, on the collective consciousness, and on the individual mind.<br />
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To conduct yagnas, specific herbs would be collected on a specific, particular day.</div>
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Do you know cosmology is connected to agriculture? Recently, the Vivekanand Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (VYASA) Research Foundation made an experiment to see the effect of particular days, and particular times.<br />
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Do you know of Rahu Kaal? In South India, people don’t begin anything new in Rahu Kaal. This is a particular period of one and a half hour each day, at a particular time. </div>
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The scientists did a wonderful experiment to assess the impact of vaccinations given to people during Rahu Kaal. They have produced a paper on their findings, which shows that the vaccination given during Rahu Kaal does not make an impact on the body at all.</div>
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Similarly with <i>Agnihotra</i> (a ritual performed to purify the atmosphere using fire), they have found how the virus that catches on to trees can be eliminated. Now trees can become healthy, just with Agnihotra, where they put certain herbs in the fire.</div>
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So, yagnas are ancient techniques where you use different herbs and create that atmosphere using the five elements, i.e., Water, Earth, Fire, Air and Ether. The thing is, you need to have people who know how to do this correctly.</div>
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Do you know, this science was almost dying, that is why we started a school here.<br />
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In 1980, when I was touring Germany, and giving lectures in different universities; at the University of Tubingen, some people took me to their manuscript library. They said, ‘Sri Sri, see, there are so many Sanskrit manuscripts here, thousands of them. Do you have some scholars who can decode these things? We are unable to get scholars to decode; we are preserving the manuscripts.’<br />
They have maintained the manuscripts so well in Hamburg University, and in Tubingen they have filmed them. </div>
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Then I came to India and held several conferences. The scholars who knew how to read these ancient scriptures, were old, and did not want to travel. They were already in their sixties and seventies, and the youngsters had no idea about the scriptures. </div>
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Since a lot of scientific information, about Ayurveda and others was present in these scriptures, I thought we should start a school. That is when we first started the<i> Ved Vignan Maha Vidhya Peeth</i> here, to bring scholars together and give them modern education as well.</div>
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The scholars need to know English, and they need to know the ancient text as well, only then they can translate.</div>
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What I am saying here is that, this knowledge is present in every generation. If you speak about black matter, dark matter and dark energy, these ideas were present in the ancient texts as well. Unfortunately, there is nobody who can go, read, and get some clues from it.</div>
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Here, we have Dr. Hari and his wife Hema, who have been doing a lot of research. Many of you think that Ganges is a natural river. They have made many scientific evolutions to say that it is a man-made river, which flows all the way, throughout India.</div>
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So, yagnas are one such technique that is there to nullify the negative, and create positive ions in the atmosphere. Again, that needs a little revival, like Ayurveda is getting revived. In the same way, that will also happen.<br />
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<small>Source: <a href="http://www.artofliving.org/wisdom-q-a-08-feb-2013-qa1" target="_blank">http://www.artofliving.org/wisdom-q-a-08-feb-2013-qa1 </a></small><br />
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<span class="s1">In the following video, Sri Sri </span>explains the Significance of Yagyas during a satsang on July 19th 2001 in Canada.</div>
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Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-66146129697085711062014-07-08T00:22:00.003+05:302014-07-08T00:38:40.642+05:30The Art of Rain Making<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The twigs of Punarnava are offered in the Ahavaniya Fire and the resulting smoke is consecrated with the mantra, <i>Hiranya Kesho Rajaso...</i><br />
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It means that the smoke of Punarnava bellowing out along with the golden flames reaches the clouds quickly and produces such a heavy rain that even the sun rise will not be visible due to the dense coverage of the black clouds.<br />
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Up in the smoke goes the undue credit to modern science for rain-making. The Vedas had already done it.<br />
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<small>Source: The book <i>Science in Samskrit </i>by Samskrita Bharati </small></div>
Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-70423274767800523732014-04-30T19:54:00.001+05:302014-04-30T19:59:32.017+05:30Agricultural Heritage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In ancient Indian literature, <i>sutra</i> denotes a distinct type of literary composition, based on short aphoristic statements, generally using various technical terms.<br />
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This literary form was designed for concision, as the texts were intended to be memorized by students in some of the formal methods of scriptural and scientific study. So, the ancient people were certainly technology focused. Technology is nothing but the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.<br />
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Following <i>sutras</i> give us a glimpse of the rich knowledge and science discovered and practiced by our ancestors contained in the available texts as of today.<br />
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The Fine-Timing of Sow-Time</h2>
Sowing in <i>Vaishaka</i>(May) is stated to be the best; in <i>Jyeshtha</i>(June) mediocre and in <i>Ashadha</i>(July) bad and in <i>Shravana</i>(August) the worst. ||168||<br />
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It is excellent to sow seeds in hot season(April-May) for transplantation. Sowing in <i>Shravana</i>(August) is said to be bad and in <i>Bhadrapada</i>(September) the worst. ||169||<br />
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The end of Jyeshtha and the beginning of Ashadha is the menstruation period. Seeds must not be sown during this period. This saves the farmer from regret. ||170||<br />
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- Krishi-Parashara<br />
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Indications of Ground Water</h2>
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The trees which are shirt and wide, with long hanging branches and glossy leaves indicate the presence of underground water nearby, whereas trees which are hollow and dry with pale leaves indicate nonexistence of underground water nearby.</div>
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- Brihat-Samhita 54.49</div>
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If there is an anthill covered with Kusha grass to the northeast of the mountain - Ebony Tree; there will be inexhaustible water at a depth of 22 1/2 cubits between the tree and the anthill.</div>
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The appearance of a snake of the colour of the Lotus-Calyx at a depth of 5 cubits from a surface level, followed by layers of red earth and ruby indicate the presence of water. </div>
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- Brihat-Samhita 54.27, 28</div>
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Seed Collection and Upgradation</h2>
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All sorts of seeds should be procured in Magha(February) or Phalguna(March) and should then be dried well in the sun. Do not sow them directly. ||175||</div>
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- Krishi-Parashara</div>
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Weeding the Field</h2>
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Even a well-grown crop does not yield full returns if grass is not weeded out.</div>
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Crop from which grass is weeded out in <i>Shravana</i>(August) and <i>Bhadrapada</i>(September) doubles itself later.</div>
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- Krishi-Parashara (189,190)</div>
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Water retention</h2>
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In <i>Ashada</i>(July) or <i>Shravana(August), </i>the wise farmers construct small <i>bunds</i> for retaining water. If this is not done, the seed will not germinate.</div>
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If rains are scanty, an attentive farmer constructs these <i>bunds </i>in sign of cancer(June) itself. If it is done in <i>Bhadrapada</i>(September), the crop is reduced to half the quantity. If done in <i>Ashwina</i>(October), there is no hopes of returns whatsoever.</div>
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At lowlands, transplantation and manuring should not be done. Only weeding of grass is to be done.</div>
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- Krishi-Parashara (186,187,188)</div>
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Water Divining</h2>
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If in a grassless place a patch of ground is seen covered with grass or in a grassy plot, a patch is seen devoid of it, a vein of water or a treasure is to be declared to exist there.</div>
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- Brihat-Samhita 54.52</div>
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Rain Forecast</h2>
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Ants emerging(from the anthill) carrying their eggs and a sudden croaking of frogs are also indication of sudden rain.</div>
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- Krishi-Parashara (66)</div>
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Water birds drying their wings in the hot sun and crickets chirping in the sky also signify sudden rains.</div>
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- Krishi-Parashara (70)</div>
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Draining of water</h2>
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Water should be drained off from the field in the month of <i>Bhadrapada</i>(September) to keep the crop disease-free. Water sufficient only to wet the roots should be retained. ||193||</div>
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If crops are allowed to be in large quantities of water in Bhadrapada(September), They are damaged by various harmful factors depriving the farmer of a good harvest. ||194||</div>
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- Krishi-Parashara</div>
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Management of Agriculture</h2>
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"Farms yield gold if properly maintained but lead to poverty if neglected" said Parasara, the sage well versed in the sacred science of agriculture.</div>
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And so did the other sages: "Management of one's harem may be entrusted to one's father; that of the kitchen to one's mother; cattle to someone equal in status. But farms should be never left to the care of anyone other than oneself.</div>
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Agriculture, cattle, business, women and royal families, if left unattended even for a short while, perish in no time.</div>
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An agriculturist who looks after the welfare of his cattle, visits his farm daily, has the knowledge of the seasons, is careful about the seeds, and is industrious is rewarded with the harvest of all kinds and never perishes.</div>
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- Krishi-Parashara (79,81,83)</div>
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Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-35966856639817405032014-04-24T17:33:00.001+05:302014-04-24T17:37:49.794+05:30Meditation and the Thousand-headed Cobra!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If you look at the mythological pictures, you will find Mahavir sitting with a five headed cobra behind him. Or Lord Vishnu is sitting in meditation and there is a cobra behind him. Even in the pictures of Rishis, you will find a cobra with its hood open at the back. Have you seen such pictures? It is a very subtle thing!<br />
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See, when you are sitting in meditation, what is happening? Your consciousness is getting alert, opened and awakened, as though in your back ground there is a thousand headed cobra. Cobra signifies alertness.<br />
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How many of you feel a lot of alertness in the back of your head during meditation? A sort of wakefulness!<br />
So the cobra is a symbol of the energy that raises and opens up; energy which is alert and at the same time restful.<br />
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It is not that there was really a cobra at the back of their head, it is a symbol of wakefulness in the deep state of rest, and that is meditation – totally restful, wanting nothing, doing nothing, being nothing and being open, like the hood of a cobra; alert without any effort.<br />
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There are two types of descriptions for this. In one they talk about a Cobra, and in another they talk about a flower; it is like a thousand-petaled lotus, blossoming on the top of the head; on the crown chakra.<br />
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So some describe it as a flower, very delicate, and some describe it as a cobra which means alert. Both fit very well.<br />
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<small>Source: <a href="http://www.artofliving.org/et-en/meditation-and-thousand-headed-cobra">http://www.artofliving.org/et-en/meditation-and-thousand-headed-cobra</a></small></div>
Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-80117734174899379772014-04-23T16:06:00.001+05:302014-04-23T16:10:08.875+05:30Bhadrakali - The Auspicious One<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Significance of Kali standing on top of Shiva</h2>
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Kali is symbolic of enormous transformative energy; energy of destruction. When that stood on the Shiva Tattva, it became Bhadrakali, which means, the energy which only brings benevolent results. The whole thing is symbolic; it implies the energy that brings benevolent results only.<br />
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Shiva is the transcendental state; it means one who brings only benevolence and good to the world.<br />
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So when Kali, an enormous, destructive power was in rage; in that moment, Shiva came and lay down. As soon as she stepped on him, Kali’s power got controlled, channelized and became benevolent. So, even if there is destruction, it should be benevolent.<br />
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See, when you want to bring down old buildings, what do you do? You put dynamite under the building, and then the building comes down, isn't it? One destroys something, to create something new.<br />
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So to destroy for a good cause, for benevolence, is very much different from destruction out of anger, jealousy, hatred and ignorance. It is like atomic energy that is produced when an atom is destroyed. However, if the energy is not channelized or utilised properly, it can be very destructive. When it is channelized, it is used to bring electricity, light, and many comforts.<br />
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It is the same with electricity, which as such is a destructive energy. Where high-power electricity is being generated, if you get come in contact with it, then you will be destroyed in no time. But, when electricity is used for a benevolent cause, through wires and transformers, it brings the energy down, and makes it available and useful for public.<br />
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Similarly, Kali’s energy was the energy of destruction; when it opened up to destroy evil things, it was so powerful. So Shiva lay down to channelize it and make it benevolent, to protect the universe.<br />
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Shiva always does that which is good for the whole world, the whole universe; he even drank poison. There is a mythological story. When the Devas (good forces) and Asuras (daemonic forces) were churning the Ocean of Milk, what came out first was poison. When the poison came up, it was Shiva who took it and drank it. As he drank the poison, his throat became blue. So, he is called Neelakanta; the beautiful one with the blue throat. That is how the story goes in Hindu mythology.<br />
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Kali also means knowledge; knowledge of transformation. When Kali stood on auspiciousness, on the benevolence of Shiva, it brought goodness to the world. Thus, the same energy became so benevolent, and Kali then became such a benevolent blesser that she blessed the universe with knowledge. So, she is also called Bhadrakali, one who always does good.<br />
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<i>- Based on excerpts of talk by <a href="http://srisriravishankar.org/" target="_blank">Sri Sri Ravi Shankar</a></i><br />
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If you are not aware of the story, you can read it below:<br />
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The Story</h3>
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Legend has it that after defeating Mahishasura and other demons, Goddess Kali was still outraged at the Adharma on earth. She continued destroying everything before her. All living beings were foreseeing eternal doom. To escape from the wrath of Goddess Kali they approached Shiva.</div>
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To stop Goddess Kali from destroying the cosmos, Shiva went into the battlefield and lied down motionless among the corpses of demons.</div>
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Goddess Kali moved across the corpses destroying and cutting them into pieces, suddenly she found herself standing on top of a beautiful male body. For a moment she stood still and then she looked down at the body and saw it was Shiva, her husband. </div>
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When she realized she was touching her husband with her feet, Goddess Kali stretched out her tongue in shame and the destruction came to an end.</div>
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Shiva then pacified the Goddess and danced with her. Together they started creation again and made the world free of Adharma.</div>
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Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-38411288007134601662014-03-31T16:17:00.000+05:302014-03-31T16:33:24.871+05:30Marching into the New Year: April Fool!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Once upon a time, all over the world, everyone followed the same calendar; the Lunar Calendar. Even today, in Turkey and Iran, people follow the Lunar Calendar; March is the New Year.<br />
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Ancient cultures, including those of the Romans and Indian subcontinent, celebrated New Year's Day on or around April 1. It closely follows the vernal equinox (March 20th or March 21st.)<br />
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The conjunction of the earth, sun and moon coming in alignment near the vernal equinox every year – a perfectly balanced point in the earth-sun-moon system, was deemed by the ancient, knowledgeable people as an apt milestone to usher in a New Day, a New Year and new hopes.<br />
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In medieval times, much of Europe celebrated March 25, the Feast of Annunciation, as the beginning of the new year. So, March was the first month of the calendars. April the second month, May the third...November the ninth, December the tenth, January the eleventh and February the twelfth month. Know more: <a href="http://www.revivaloftrueindia.com/2014/03/12-months-and-sanskrit-connection.html">12 months and the Sanskrit connection</a><br />
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Even today, the <a href="http://www.revivaloftrueindia.com/2014/03/new-year-celebrations-in-india.html">New year in India</a> is traditionally celebrated in March-April.<br />
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In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered a new calendar (the Gregorian Calendar) to replace the old Julian Calendar. The new calendar called for New Year's Day to be celebrated Jan 1. That year, France adopted the reformed calendar and shifted New Year's day to Jan. 1.<br />
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According to a popular explanation, many people either refused to accept the new date, or did not learn about it, and continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1.<br />
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Other people began to make fun of these traditionalists, sending them on "fool's errands" or trying to trick them into believing something false. It was said that anyone who celebrates in April are fools, and that is how April 1 came to be known as Fools Day. Eventually, the practice spread throughout Europe.<br />
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<small>References:<br />
<a href="http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/holidays/p/april_fools_day.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/holidays/p/april_fools_day.htm</a><br />
<a href="http://www.infoplease.com/spot/aprilfools1.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.infoplease.com/spot/aprilfools1.html</a><small></small><br />
</small></div>
Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-47806413491035537112014-03-31T15:10:00.002+05:302014-03-31T15:16:25.084+05:30New year celebrations in India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earth, Moon and Sun in alignment near vernal Equinox – Ugadi</td></tr>
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New year is celebrated in India in various regions in March–April. India has a variety of calendars, some are lunar based, some are based on the Sun, some are luni-solar and some are Jovian i.e. Jupiter based.</div>
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The New Year system is based on the cosmos, it begins when the Sun or the Moon enter the first point of Aries.<br />
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During March/April, it is the moon that has entered, then the sun will enter the first point of Aries, which is celebrated as <i>Vaisakhi</i>, also a New Year day. So, half of India celebrates with the moon, and the other half celebrates with the sun.<br />
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In Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and many other Indian states, they celebrate the new year as per lunar calendar. <i>Ugadi</i> is the New Year in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. In Maharashtra it is known as <i>Gudi Padva</i>. This is celebrated on the first day after the new moon, which occurs closest to the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/">vernal equinox<span id="goog_2020247779"></span></a>. Since it is based on the moon it marks the New Year in a <i>Chandramana</i> calendar. Chandra is for moon and mana for measure.</div>
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Close on heels to this, is the observance of the New Year by the other communities of the land following the <i>Sauramana</i> calendar, the calendar that measures the movement of the sun.<br />
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In Kerala it is celebrated as <i>Vishu</i>, where first thing in the morning the family members are taken by the mother, to view <i>VishuKani</i>, an arrangement of flowers, fruits and a mirror – the first set of objects to be viewed on the start of a New Year.<br />
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In Tamil Nadu it is celebrated as <i>Puththandu</i>, New Year or <i>Varuda Pirappu</i>, birth of a new year. In Sri Lanka, the same day is celebrated as the Sinhala New Year, <i>Aluth Avurudda</i>.<br />
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In Orissa, it is celebrated as <i>Bisuba</i>, again coming from the root word <i>Bisu</i> or <i>Vishu</i>. In Nepal it is celebrated as <i>Biska</i>. In Bengal it is celebrated as <i>Nabo Barsho</i>.<br />
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In Assam it is <i>Bohag</i>, <i>Rangali Bihu</i>.<br />
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In Punjab, the New Year is welcomed as <i>Baisakhi</i>.<br />
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<i>Vishu, Bisuba, Biska, Bihu</i>, all come from the same root word <i>Vishu</i> which stands for equinox. <span style="color: #990000;">An equinox is when the Sun is exactly over the equator and the day and night are equal.</span><br />
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The Indian word for equator is <i><span style="color: #990000;">VisvadruttaRekha</span></i>, meaning <span style="color: #990000;">that which splits the world into two halves</span>.<br />
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The word <i>Vishu</i> thus denotes equal and a sense of balance.<br />
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This point of balance of the sun, in its annual transit, served as an ideal point to start a New Year. It was an ideal time to take a reckoning of the skies and balance oneself, one’s accounts, one’s life, one’s relations and one’s goals before embarking on the next year.<br />
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Across the land of India and also in most ancient civilizations this period, window of balanced time, came to be celebrated as the start of the new calendar year.<br />
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It was the equinox, the sun being on the equator and crossing over to the northern hemisphere. So this was the right time for the start of a New Year across the world in the Northern Hemisphere. This New Year celebration was based on the movement of the sun. It was celebrated not only in different parts of India, but in Persia too, as <i>Nowroz</i> and also in different parts of Europe in the pre-medieval days.<br />
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This shows that the people then lived in consonance with nature.<br />
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What is interesting to note here is the use of the term Ugadi for this New Year.<br />
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<i>Adi</i> is start, beginning. So <i>Yuga Adi</i> or <i>Ugadi</i>, denotes start of a <i>Yuga</i>.<br />
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Even though it denotes the start of a New Year it is not called Varsha Adi but is instead called Yuga Adi. How does one come to terms with this term, since Yuga is usually correlated with a large span of time, whereas we are only moving into the next year?<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">A Yuga is just not a long period of time as is generally thought to be.</span><br />
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The word Yuga means alignment, like in Yoga which aligns body, mind and breath. <span style="color: #990000;">Yuga is an alignment of astral bodies.</span><br />
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There are many such conjunctions, alignments that keep happening in the sky as the earth, moon and planets keep revolving around the sun, day in and day out.<br />
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Each of these alignments occur at varying frequencies ranging from 1 year to 5 years to 60 years to 360 years to 26000 years to 4,32,000 years.<br />
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Each of these alignments occur periodically and unfailingly.<br />
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Each of these alignments serve as a means to track time at different scales.<br />
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Each of these alignments is called a Yuga.<br />
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Yuga thus is a generic time unit. Depending on the scale, it denotes different alignments and different periods of time.<br />
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In the case of the New Year, a conjunction of the earth, sun and moon coming in alignment near the vernal equinox every year – a perfectly balanced point in the earth-sun-moon system, was deemed by our ancient, knowledgeable people as an apt milestone to usher in a New Day, a New Year and new hopes.<br />
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<small>(Reference: <a href="http://bharathgyanblog.wordpress.com/2014/03/31/ugadi/">http://bharathgyanblog.wordpress.com/2014/03/31/ugadi/</a>)</small><br />
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Do you know the meaning of the names of all the months? Read <a href="http://www.revivaloftrueindia.com/2014/03/12-months-and-sanskrit-connection.html">12 months and the Sanskrit connection</a> to know more.</div>
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Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-88489762917455429642014-03-31T13:55:00.001+05:302014-03-31T15:06:07.918+05:3012 months and the Sanskrit connection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Do you know the meaning of the names of all the months? The English months are not in English; they are surprisingly connected with Sanskrit. </div>
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Do you know what December means; Das means ten and Ambar means sky, so December means the tenth sky.<br />
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Nav means nine in Sanskrit. November means the ninth sky.<br />
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October means the eighth month. </div>
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Sapt means seven, amber means sky, so Saptamber became September. </div>
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August is Shasht, which means sixth; so August is the sixth month.</div>
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January is the 11th month, February is the 12th month and March which means going ahead – that is when the new year begins. That is when the Sun arrives in the first point of Aries, at the end of March.<br />
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Even today, in Afghanistan, Iran and all these countries, they celebrate March 21st as the new year day because this was the ancient vedic concept. March means new. Feb means fag end. Don’t we say, ‘Fag end’, that is February.</div>
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Why is 'March' the beginning of new year? Is there some scientific significance/explanation? In fact, in India, we celebrate the new year couple of times in a year: during March and also during the <a href="http://www.revivaloftrueindia.com/2012/11/diwali-you-must-know.html">Diwali</a> celebrations. Why twice and what is the reason? To know more, read: <a href="http://www.revivaloftrueindia.com/2014/03/new-year-celebrations-in-india.html">New year celebrations in India</a>.<br />
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7 days of week</h3>
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Each Day of the week is connected with a cosmic entity. Did you know that Monday is the Moon’s day in most of the languages around the world?</div>
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Somavãra = Monday = Lundi = Moon</div>
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Lunar or Moon makes Monday the day of the Moon.</div>
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Names of the 7 Days and the Sanskrit connection:</div>
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<li><i>Ravivãra</i>: Sunday (day of Sun; Ravi means 'Sun' in Sanskrit)</li>
<li><i>Somavãra</i>: Monday (day of Moon; Som means 'Moon' in Sanskrit)</li>
<li><i>Mañgalvãra</i>: Tuesday (day of Mars; Mangal denotes Mars in Sanskrit)</li>
<li><i>Budhavãra</i>: Wednesday (day of Mercury; Budh is the planet Mercury)</li>
<li><i>Guruvãra</i>: Thursday (day of Jupiter; Guru is the planet Jupiter)</li>
<li><i>Shukravãra</i>: Friday (day of Venus; Shukra is the planet Venus)</li>
<li><i>Shanivãra</i>: Saturday (day of Saturn; Shani is the planet Saturn)</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEp5c3em7S07VO6UxRhJ1fSeZfxVut1EPm5P0Z-htbFcWp91PevnW1AMHrlU2jZLPnwyTlEV37zIKhtqDUR-lxBdzk1gQxAw7ymRZPc9T9mz0P9mJNS0wgGZyCo7t0_7JQcjpakL5sJpL/s1600/Holi+celebrations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEp5c3em7S07VO6UxRhJ1fSeZfxVut1EPm5P0Z-htbFcWp91PevnW1AMHrlU2jZLPnwyTlEV37zIKhtqDUR-lxBdzk1gQxAw7ymRZPc9T9mz0P9mJNS0wgGZyCo7t0_7JQcjpakL5sJpL/s1600/Holi+celebrations.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a>The 'Holi' festival is a very fun-filled and popular occasion in India. People play holi with Chandan and colored water.<br />
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This festival is celebrated around early March each year. People believe that the bright colors represent energy, life and joy. Huge bonfires are also burnt in the evening and people worship the fire.<br />
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There is a famous story associated with the festival in the puranas:<br />
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(The word purana comes from the Sanskrit word 'pura nava', which means 'that which is new in the city'. It is a new way of presenting things. Puranas are full of colorful illustrations and stories. On the surface they may appear to be mere fantasy, but actually they contain subtle truths.)<br />
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An asura king, Hiranyakashyap, wanted everyone to worship him. But his son Prahalad was a devotee of Lord Narayana, the king's sworn enemy. Angry, the king wanted Holika, his sister to get rid of Prahalad. Empowered to withstand fire; Holika sat on a burning pyre holding Prahalad on her lap. But it was Holika who was burnt, Prahalad came out unharmed.<br />
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Hiranyakashyap symbolizes one who is gross. Prahalad embodies innocence, faith and bliss/joy. The spirit cannot be confined to love material only. Hiranyakashyap wanted all the joy to come from the material world. It did not happen that way. The individual jivatma cannot be bound to the material forever. It’s natural to eventually move towards Narayana, one's higher self.<br />
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Holika stands for the past burdens that try to burn Prahalad's innocence. But Prahlad, so deeply rooted in Narayana Bhakthi could burn all past impressions (sanskaras) and joy springs up with new colors. Life becomes a celebration. Burning the past, you gear up for a new beginning. Your emotions, like fire, burn you. But when there is a fountain of colors, they add charm to your life. In ignorance, emotions are a bother; in knowledge, the same emotions add colors.<br />
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Each emotion is associated with a color- Anger with red, jealousy with green, vibrancy and happiness with yellow, love with pink, vastness with blue, peace with white, sacrifice with saffron and knowledge with violet.<br />
Knowing the essence of the festival, enjoy the day with Wisdom.<br />
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<small>Reference: Based on wisdom shared on <a href="http://www.artofliving.org/in-en/holi" target="_blank">Holi</a> by <a href="http://srisriravishankar.org/" target="_blank">Sri Sri Ravi Shankar</a></small></div>
Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-59280474055056722812013-10-26T13:16:00.001+05:302013-10-26T13:30:56.825+05:30Kartikeya<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Birth of Kartikeya</b></h2>
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When the five elements governed by Lord Shiva (<i>Panch Mahabhoota</i> - Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether) united with Shakti (pure consciousness), Lord Kartikeya was born.<br />
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Shiva is called <b><i>Panchaanana</i></b> – Lord with five heads. These five heads represent the five elements in Nature. When these five elements united with the sixth: <i>Chaitanya Shakti</i> (pure consciousness), they gave birth to the <i><b>Shadaanana </b></i>(six headed), also called Lord Kartikeya.<br />
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You can understand this in terms of the Kundalini Shakti.<br />
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We have seven <i>chakras</i> (energy centers) within us. When the energy surges through the six chakras and stabilizes at the sixth chakra - the <i>Ajna</i> chakra (present in the middle of the eyebrows), it blossoms as Lord Kartikeya (symbolism of the Guru Tattva/Principle).<br />
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The <i>Ajna</i> chakra is the place of the <i>Guru Tattva</i>. It is where the <i>Guru Tattva</i> blossoms and manifests itself. And that <i>Guru Tattva</i> itself is <i>Kartikeya Tattva</i>.
Lord Shiva is the unmanifest Divinity, while Lord Kartikeya is the manifest.<br />
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Divine consorts of Lord Kartikeya</h2>
So you can think of Lord Kartikeya as symbolic of the Kundalini Shakti.<br />
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Both <i>Iccha-shakti</i> (will power) and <i>Gyan-shakti</i> (self-knowledge) come together with the Kundalini Shakti. Actually, it is more of <i>Iccha-shakti</i> and <i>Kriya-shakti</i> (power of action) which are a form of <i>Gyan-shakti</i>. So <i>Iccha-shakti</i> and <i>Kriya-shakti</i> are both parts of the same Kundalini Shakti (Kartikeya) and they are manifest as <i>Valli</i> and <i>Deivayanai</i> – the two Divine consorts of Lord Kartikeya. And Lord Kartikeya is the very embodiment of knowledge.<br />
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So <i>Kartikeya Tattva</i> simply means the <i>Guru Tattva</i>.<br />
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Lord Shiva is one of the three Gods of the <i>Trimurti</i> (Holy Trinity - Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva) represented by AUM – the primordial sound of the Creation. In AUM, the syllable ‘M’ belongs to Lord Shiva.<br />
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Kartikeya - Guru of Lord Shiva</h2>
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There is a story about Lord Kartikeya from the <i>Puranas</i>.<br />
When Kartikeya was a young child, His father, Lord Shiva asked him to go and study and receive education from Lord Brahma.<br />
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So Kartikeya went to Lord Brahma and asked him, ‘Please tell me the meaning of Om.’ Lord Brahma said, ‘First learn the alphabets! You are directly asking for the meaning of Om.’<br />
Kartikeya said, ‘No, I want to know the highest knowledge first – <i><b>Om</b></i>.’<br />
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Now Lord Brahma knew all about the alphabets, but he did not know the meaning of Om (the primordial sound).<br />
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So Kartikeya said to Lord Brahma, ‘You do not know the meaning of Om, how will you teach me? I will not study under you.’ And Kartikeya went back to his father, Lord Shiva.
Lord Brahma told Lord Shiva, ‘You alone can handle your son. I can’t handle him. If I say this, he says that. Whatever I say, he says the exact opposite of that. I won’t be able to teach him. So you decide what is best and handle him.’<br />
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Hearing this, Lord Shiva asked Kartikeya, ‘What happened son? Lord Brahma is the Creator of the entire universe. You must learn from him.’<br />
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To this Kartikeya replied, ‘Then you tell me, what is the meaning of Om?’ Hearing this, Lord Shiva smiled and said, ‘Even I don’t know.’ Kartikeya then said, ‘Then I will tell you because I know the meaning of Om.’<br />
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‘Then tell me the meaning since you know it’, said Lord Shiva.<br />
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‘I can’t tell you like this. You have to give me the place of the Guru. Only if you put me on the pedestal of the Guru can I tell you’, said Kartikeya.
Guru means he has to be on a higher position or platform. The teacher has to sit on a higher place and the student has to sit down and listen to him.<br />
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How can Lord Shiva find a seat higher than Him, for He is the highest and greatest of Gods? So then Lord Shiva lifted the young Kartikeya on to His shoulders. And then in the ear of Lord Shiva, Lord Kartikeya explained the meaning of the <i><b>Pranava Mantra</b></i> (Om).<br />
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Kartikeya explained that the entire Creation is contained in Om. The Trinity – Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are contained in Om. <i><b>Om means that everything is love</b></i> – <i>unbroken and unshakeable love is Om</i>. This is the essence and also the secret of Om that Lord Kartikeya narrated to Lord Shiva.<br />
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<b>Swaminatha</b></h3>
Upon hearing this, Goddess Parvati (Mother of Lord Kartikeya, and an incarnation of the Mother Divine) was elated and overcome with joy.<br />
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She said, ‘You have become a Guru (<i>Swami</i>) to my Lord (<i>Natha</i>)!’ Saying this she addressed her son as <i>Swaminatha</i>, and ever since Lord Kartikeya also came to be known as <i>Swaminatha</i>.<br />
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So in this way, Lord Kartikeya assumed the position of the Guru and explained the meaning of Om to Lord Shiva by sitting on his shoulder.
So the essence of the story is this – <i><b>The Guru Tattva is placed even higher than Lord Shiva Himself! </b></i><br />
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To explain this truth, this story was written in the <i>Skanda Purana. </i>So even Lord Shiva had to become a disciple of the <i>Guru Tattva</i>; so the <i>Guru Tattva</i> and <i>Kartikeya Tattva</i> are considered to be one and the same.
There is a saying, ‘<i><b>Guru Govind Dou Khade Kake Lagu Paye; Balihari Guru Apke Govind Diyo Milaye</b></i>.’<br />
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(<i>Both Guru and God stand before me, whose feet do I touch first? I bow down to my Guru first because without him I would have never been able to recognize God</i>.)
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Kartikeya as Deva Senapati </h2>
Lord Kartikeya is also called ‘<i><b>Deva Senapati</b></i>’ – the guardian and rescuer of Divine qualities.<br />
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Lord Shiva is known to give away boons easily to his devotees, even if they are to demons. He is ‘<i><b>Bhole Baba</b></i>’ (the Innocent One), so whatever boon or blessing anyone would ask for, He would instantly grant it, and then He Himself would get caught up.<br />
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All the three – Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva would bestow boons on anyone who would ask of them, and then they themselves would get caught up in their own trap. At that time it would it be Lord Kartikeya who would stand up to fight against the demons (who received such boons). That is why He was elected as the General of the Gods.
Kartikeya means the Tattva which is both - peaceful and yet very active.<br />
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Usually people who are very active are not quiet and at peace. And people who are quiet are not very active (dull). So Kartikeya Tattva is that (principle) which is both peaceful and yet very active.<br />
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Being spiritually complete and worldly-wise; having both these aspects. Dynamism and deep silence together form the Kartikeya Tattva.
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Where <i>Iccha-shakti</i> and <i>Kriya-shakti</i> are together with the <i>Gyan-shakti</i>, that is the Kartikeya Tattva. That is why it is said that owing to the presence of <i>Kriya-shakti</i>, Lord Kartikeya became the <i>Senapati</i> - General of the Army of the Gods, and He protected the Gods and Goddesses.
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<b>Kartikeya defeats Tarakasur</b></h2>
Kartikeya also defeated <i><b>Tarakasur</b></i> (a demon) in battle.<br />
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<b>Who is Tarakasur?</b><br />
<i>Tarakasur</i> is symbolism of Ego (arrogance). When one thinks, ‘I have conquered and mastered everything, I know everything’, such a state of mind is said to be denoted by <i>Tarakasur</i>.
There are some people, no matter what you tell them, they will say, ‘Yes, I already know, no need to tell me.’ They will never confess to not knowing something. They will act like they know everything.<br />
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Such a false sense of pride, such arrogance that is dismissive of everything that comes before it is a demonic quality.
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Humility, simplicity and naturalness, all these qualities get concealed when there is arrogance. So, to destroy such an ego is the job of the Kundalini Shakti that is Kartikeya. Hence, Kartikeya is the slayer of ego.
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<b>The story of Tarakasur</b><br />
Now, the story goes that <i>Taraka</i> (ego) after being defeated by Kartikeya assumed the form of a chicken or a rooster. A chicken is a symbol of weakness, lack of steadiness, lack of patience. Generally if someone is a coward they say, ‘You’re a chicken’, is it not?<br />
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So, <i>Tarakasur</i> (ego) became a chicken or rooster after being defeated by Kartikeya.
After having defeated <i>Taraka</i> (ego) in battle, Kartikeya spared his life and asked him what boon he would desire.<br />
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So <i>Taraka</i> prayed to always be at the feet of the Lord, and so Lord Kartikeya made him the emblem on His flag. This means that ego should always be kept subdued. Ego is necessary in life but it should be kept subdued.<br />
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<b>Symbolism of Kartikeya's idol</b></h2>
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If you look at the idol of Kartikeya, in one hand He carries a spear. It is also called <i><b>Vel</b></i>. It is not a trident. It is symbolic of the Kundalini Shakti.<br />
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In His other hand He carries a small flag on which there is a rooster. The rooster is a sign of the demon <i>Taraka</i>(symbolizing ego) who prayed to always stay with the Lord in the form of a small flag.<br />
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In fact, Kartikeya is also known as ‘<i><b>Muruga</b></i>’ in many parts of Tamil Nadu and other parts of South India as well.<br />
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<i>- Based on <a href="http://www.artofliving.org/guru-principle" target="_blank">knowledge talks</a> from <a href="http://www.srisriravishankar.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sri Sri Ravi Shankar</a></i></div>
Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-65269709655624463232013-10-08T14:14:00.001+05:302013-10-08T14:18:58.452+05:30Hrdayam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoeZfdPMTWt2HjH_M8RYe6cK8lDR5O4V9ZYtTCO3fyx4TUfROsQdgoXw57KVPNjuvPsOXATo7_6E1j0amvHhnGwDJhkGyKuSst427ElgYuP9s6fsoTe5pL6GC11eSLOnFJkeTIHcXXWZI/s1600/hrdayam-heart-in-sanskrit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoeZfdPMTWt2HjH_M8RYe6cK8lDR5O4V9ZYtTCO3fyx4TUfROsQdgoXw57KVPNjuvPsOXATo7_6E1j0amvHhnGwDJhkGyKuSst427ElgYuP9s6fsoTe5pL6GC11eSLOnFJkeTIHcXXWZI/s200/hrdayam-heart-in-sanskrit.jpg" width="159" /></a>Heart is that organ in our body which purifies, pumps and circulates blood.<br />
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Blood is known by the name <i>Raktha</i> in Smskrt. Raktha means nourishment, desire, red and blood. <span style="color: #990000;">Blood is also called <i>Lohini</i> in Smskrt, for, it contains <i>loha</i>, iron.</span> In the Greek language it is referred to as haem for iron. It is from the word “haem” that we get the word “haemoglobin”.<br />
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Heart - “Hrdayam”<br />
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The blood is continuously circulated in our body by our heart. The very word “heart” traces its etymological roots to the Smskrt word “hrdayam”. <span style="color: #990000;">The word <i>“hrdayam”</i> is a technical word derived from the functionality of the heart.</span><br />
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“Hrdayam” - Give, Take, Circulate<br />
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Harathi, means “to take” and from which is taken the syllable “Hr”.<br />
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Dadathi means “to give” from which is taken the syllable “da”. The word “Dhana”, meaning “donation”, comes from the same root.<br />
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Yathi, Yam means to circulate, to regulate. The activity of circulation is called Yam.<br />
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When we join the syllables, Hr + Da + Yam, we get the technically coined word “Hrdayam”, which brings to us the functioning aspect of the heart. So the word Hrdayam not only denotes the heart but also explains what the heart does.<br />
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Lets appreciate the knowledge of our ancestors who had understood the heart and given it an apt name.</div>
Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-2324341880212987532013-10-07T16:53:00.003+05:302013-10-08T12:57:50.096+05:30Navratri<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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‘Nava’ means ‘nine’ and ‘ratri’ is made up of ‘ra’ which also means ‘night’ and ‘tri’ meaning the three aspects of our life – body, mind and soul.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">There are three types of botherations or problems that may affect a person – physical, mental and spiritual. That which gives you relief from all these difficulties is ‘ratri’. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">‘Ratri’ or night relieves you of misery and brings comfort.</span> The night relaxes everybody; whether happy, unhappy or miserable, everybody goes to sleep.<br />
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Navratri is a celebration of the spirit or prana which alone can destroy mahishasura (inertia), shumbha-nishumbha (pride and shame) and madhu-kaitabh (extreme forms of craving and aversion). They are completely opposites, yet complementary.<br />
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Inertia, deeply ingrained negativities and obsessions (raktabeejasura), unreasonable logics (chanda-munda) and blurred vision (dhoomralochan) can be overcomed only by raising the level of prana and shakti, the life-force energy.<br />
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The beginning of spring and the beginning of autumn are two very important junctions of climatic and solar influence. These two periods are considered as sacred opportunities to worship the Divine Mother. Navratri thus represents the celebration of the shakti (energy). Mother Divine is the manifestation of the Divine consciousness as shakti.<br />
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This festival is devoted solely to the Mother Goddess — known variously as Durga, Bhavani, Ambika, Chandika, Gauri, Kaali, Parvati, Lalitha, Tripurasundari, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Chamundi, Mahishasuramardini and her many other manifestations.<br />
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The nine-day period of Navratri is marked by a series of Yagna and Homas. These Yagnas nullify all the misery, sorrow and pain in the world. Each day of this nine-day period has special implications. Yagnas and homas are performed accordingly.<br />
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In life, there are positive and negative qualities that affect us. <span style="color: #990000;">Navratri represents how the negativity can be conquered by the inherent positive qualities in an individual so that one emerges as a Divine being.</span> As we take nine months in our mother's womb before we are born, we take these nine days to go back to our source. These nine days are to be spent in meditation, satsang, silence and knowledge. It is a journey from the outer world of names and forms to the subtle world of energies, invoked through the various yagnas, to the innermost core of our being - the Self.<br />
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Nav durga and Dasha-Mahavidyas</h3>
The <span style="color: #990000;">energy aspect </span>of Navaratri is signified by the <span style="color: #990000;">Nav durga</span> - the nine aspects of Divine Mother. The <span style="color: #990000;">knowledge aspect</span> is celebrated as <span style="color: #990000;">Dasha mahavidya</span>.<br />
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These nine forms of manifestation are Śhailaputrī, Brahmachāriṇī, Chandraghaṇṭā, Kuṣhmāṇḍā, Skandamātā, Kātyāyanī, Kālarātrī, Mahāgaurī and Siddhidātrī; together worshipped during the Navratri festival.<br />
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The ten form of Mahavidyas are Kali, Tara, Tripura Sundari (Shodashi), Bhuvaneshvari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi and Kamala.<br />
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<i>(Each of these forms has a deeper meaning behind it which seems to be lost somewhere today. Each form of Mother Divine is associated with a story which points out to a valuable wealth of knowledge and philosophy which we will write in some other articles.)</i><br />
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Trigunas</h3>
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The Mother Divine is Prakriti (the entire creation). <span style="color: #990000;">Everything in this creation is made up of the three gunas or qualities: Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. </span><br />
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Sattva is associated with calmness, clarity of mind, enthusiasm and peace. Rajas is needed for action but often creates feverishness. Tamas is inertia and an imbalance in tamas can lead to laziness, dullness and even depression. When you handle tamas properly you move into sattva. Every being in this creation is caught in the play of the gunas. How does one come out of this cycle, and transcend these boundaries?<br />
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The first three days of Navratri are attributed to tamo guna, the next three days to rajo guna and the last three days to sattva guna. Our consciousness sails through the tamo and rajo gunas and blossoms in the sattva guna of the last three days.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">Whenever sattva dominates in life, victory follows. </span>The essence of this knowledge is honored by celebrating the tenth day as <i>Vijaydashmi.</i><br />
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First 3 days of Navratri</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatzkZzABSzUDO1naS7b5W6V52khHuAF6C-GkwA1WVkD0tQKI_vDhiM9DrSY1gogd4F5cg0xjdrLow8Y6D-T1qKmBPYJd7JErdj2arGxOFfXYFUkcG6NxsDMUtIIYzpy0JuS1bdnlu-a6v/s1600/durga-devi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatzkZzABSzUDO1naS7b5W6V52khHuAF6C-GkwA1WVkD0tQKI_vDhiM9DrSY1gogd4F5cg0xjdrLow8Y6D-T1qKmBPYJd7JErdj2arGxOFfXYFUkcG6NxsDMUtIIYzpy0JuS1bdnlu-a6v/s200/durga-devi.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #990000;">The first three days celebrate the Devi in the form of Durga.</span> Durga also means hill. A very difficult task is often described as an uphill task. In the presence of Durga, negative forces fade away. Difficulties find it difficult to exist in Her presence! The goddess is depicted as riding a lion or tiger as her mount, alluding to the aspect of courage and valor which are the essence of Devi Durga.<br />
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The Nava Durga are the nine aspects of Durga energy which act like a shield to ward off all negativities. When you have obstacles and mental blocks, just remembering these qualities of the Devi, can cure the mental blocks. Especially in the case of people suffering from anxiety, doubting oneself, doubting one’s ability, ‘lack’ consciousness, feeling threatened by enmity and negativity - simply by chanting the names of the Devis, it is like mantras that elevate your consciousness and you can become more centered, courageous and composed. This is the significance of the aspect of the Divine as Devi Durga.<br />
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The goddess is depicted as riding a lion or tiger as her mount, alluding to the aspect of courage and valour which are the essence of Devi Durga.<br />
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The Devi Durga, in Her form as Mahishasuramardhini, is the destroyer of Mahisha. The word Mahisha means buffalo which is a symbol of laziness, lethargy, and inertia. These are the qualities which impede the spiritual and material progress of an individual. The Devi is a storehouse of positive energy and any trace of laziness or inertia dissolves in Her very presence.<br />
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Second set of 3 days</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_118nnOBsfvwLyfZV4W_r2QWJQOg2w4ugJMbWMPYkQZuIecYeymndBuXQt9eUJQQJvzB50fEg7hchR1660ij4W0jNFBoy3yeQwRMN_FOln1RPgGVPquXbQsZlSmwE04uwyMpJ1Ip_9qE/s1600/goddess-Lakshmi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_118nnOBsfvwLyfZV4W_r2QWJQOg2w4ugJMbWMPYkQZuIecYeymndBuXQt9eUJQQJvzB50fEg7hchR1660ij4W0jNFBoy3yeQwRMN_FOln1RPgGVPquXbQsZlSmwE04uwyMpJ1Ip_9qE/s200/goddess-Lakshmi.jpg" width="147" /></a><span style="color: #990000;">The second set of three days honor the Devi as Lakshmi.</span> Lakshmi is goddess of wealth and prosperity. Wealth is a vital ingredient bestowed upon us for the maintenance and progress in our life.<br />
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It is much more than just having money. It means abundance in knowledge, skills and talents. Lakshmi is the energy that manifests as the complete spiritual and material well-being of a person.<br />
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Mahalakshmi denotes a great wealth, a wealth that includes the eight aspects as below:<br />
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1. <b>Adi Lakshmi</b> is the memory of the source. When we forget that we are part of the entire creation, we feel small and insecure. Adi Lakshmi is that aspect which connects us to our source, bringing strength and calmness to the mind.<br />
2. <b>Dhana Lakshmi</b> is the aspect of material wealth and<br />
3. <b>Vidya Lakshmi </b>is the aspect of knowledge, skills and talents.<br />
4. <b>Dhanya Lakshmi</b> manifests as wealth in the form of food. There is a saying ‘jaise ann, waise man’ – implying that the food we eat has a direct impact on our mind. The right amount and type of food, eaten at the right time and place affects our body and mind positively.<br />
5. <b>Santana Lakshmi</b> manifests as wealth in the form of progeny and creativity. People full of creativity, talented and skillful in the arts are bestowed with this aspect of Lakshmi.<br />
6. <b>Dhairya Lakshmi </b>manifests as wealth in the form of courage<br />
7. <b>Vijaya Lakshmi </b>is the aspect that manifests as victory.<br />
8. <b>Bhagya Lakshmi</b> is the aspect of good luck and prosperity.<br />
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Last 3 days of Navratri</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaD7ELbStVKDJ97ONnA-k27J4uay9xnGAnSCF13dCzM_i3RWVpBZ_sD5KMLCrGi8_oOhKDZ6RK8_nBVsCRt3FD4o5uL0-VDr0w-TjFSor4z8zb9SIhhd49AI5UFGWl-jJ1dHb5NEvivFW/s1600/saraswati-devi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaD7ELbStVKDJ97ONnA-k27J4uay9xnGAnSCF13dCzM_i3RWVpBZ_sD5KMLCrGi8_oOhKDZ6RK8_nBVsCRt3FD4o5uL0-VDr0w-TjFSor4z8zb9SIhhd49AI5UFGWl-jJ1dHb5NEvivFW/s200/saraswati-devi.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #990000;">The final three days are dedicated to Saraswati.</span> Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge - the one who gives the essence (sara) of the self (swa). She is often depicted as being seated on a rock. Knowledge, like a rock, is a steadfast support. It stays with us at all times. She plays the veena, a musical instrument whose mellifluous notes bring harmony and peace to the mind. Similarly, spiritual knowledge brings relaxation and celebration into ones’ life.<br />
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Goddess Saraswati is the ocean of understanding and the consciousness which vibrates with different types of learning. She is the source of spiritual light, remover of all ignorance and the source of knowledge.<br />
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Remembering names and forms of Devi</h3>
During the nine nights of Navratri, the Devi is worshiped in all Her names and forms.<br />
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The energy aspect of Navaratri is signified by the Nav durga - the nine aspects of Divine Mother. The knowledge aspect is celebrated as Dasha mahavidya.<br />
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Names have a significance. We remember a sandalwood tree by the memory of its perfume. Each name and form of the Devi refers to a specific quality or attribute of the Divine. <span style="color: #990000;">By remembering the form or by chanting the many names of Devi, we enliven those qualities in our consciousness and they manifest in us according to the need of the hour.</span><br />
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The Mother Divine is recognized not just as the brilliance of intellect (buddhi), but also the confusion (bhranti); she is not just abundance (lakshmi), she is also hunger (shudha) and thirst (trishna). Realizing this aspect of the Mother Divine in the entire creation, leads one to a deep state of Samadhi. This gives an answer to the age-old theological struggle of the Occident. Through wisdom, devotion and nishkama karma, one can attain advaita siddhi or perfection in the non-dual consciousness.<br />
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Kali is the most horrific manifestation of Nature. Nature symbolizes beauty, yet it has a horrific form. Acknowledging the duality brings a total acceptance in the mind and puts the mind at ease.<br />
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Though Navratri is celebrated as the victory of good over evil, the actual fight is not between good and evil. <span style="color: #990000;">From the Vedantic point of view, the victory is of the absolute reality over the apparent duality.</span><br />
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The three primordial gunas are considered as the feminine force of our magnificent universe. By worshiping the Mother Divine during Navratri, we harmonize the three gunas and elevate sattva in the atmosphere.<br />
The inward journey nullifies our negative karmas.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Unique Navratri Celebrations in Different Parts of India</h3>
<span style="color: #990000;">The last five days of Sharad Navratri is celebrated as Durga Puja in West Bengal, north-eastern part of India</span>. Devi Durga is shown with various weapons in her hand, riding on a lion. Lion signifies the dharma, the will power, while the weapons denote the focus and severity needed to destroy the negativity in our minds. Eighth day is traditionally Durgashtami. Exquisitely crafted and decorated life-size clay idols of the Goddess Durga depicting her slaying the demon Mahishasura are set up in temples and other places. These idols are then worshipped for five days and immersed in the river on the fifth day.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">In Western India, particularly in the state of Gujarat, Navratri is celebrated with the famous Garba and Dandiya-Raas dance. </span>Garba is a graceful form of dance, wherein women dance gracefully in circles around a pot containing a lamp. The word ‘Garba’ or ‘Garbha’ means womb, and in this context the lamp in the pot, symbolically represent life within a womb. Besides the Garba is the Dandiya dance, in which men and women participate in pairs with small, decorated bamboo sticks, called dandiyas in their hands. At the end of these dandiyas are tied tiny bells called ghungroos that make a jingling sound when the sticks hit one another. The dance has a complex rhythm. The dancers begin with a slow tempo, and go into frenzied movements, in such a manner that each person in a circle not only performs a solo dance with his own sticks, but also strikes his partner’s dandiyas in style!<br />
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The Ayudha Puja is conducted in many parts of South India on the Mahanavami (Ninth) day with much fanfare. Agricultural implements, all kinds of tools, books, musical instruments, equipments, machinery and automobiles are decorated and worshipped on this day along with the worship of Goddess Saraswathy.<br />
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The 10th day is celebrated as 'Vijaya Dashami'. It is the day of “Vidyaarambam” in Kerala, where young children are initiated into learning.<span style="color: #990000;"> In the southern city of Mysore Dussehra is celebrated with grand processions on the streets carrying Goddess Chamundi.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">In North India, Navratri is celebrated as the victory of Lord Rama over the evil king Ravana. </span>It culminates in the celebrations of the Ramlila which is enacted ceremoniously during Dussehra. The effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, are burnt to celebrate the victory of good (Rama) over evil forces on the 'Vijaya Dashami' day.<br />
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These nine days are filled with special pujas, yagnas, homas, fasting, meditations, silence, singing and dancing honoring Mother Divine, her entire creation- all forms of life, all forms of art, music and knowledge. She is worshipped as the savior of mankind from ignorance and all forms of evil.<br />
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References:<br />
<a href="http://www.artofliving.org/navratri-journey-to-source">http://www.artofliving.org/navratri-journey-to-source</a><br />
<a href="http://www.artofliving.org/in-en/various-names-and-forms-divine-mother">http://www.artofliving.org/in-en/various-names-and-forms-divine-mother</a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahavidya">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahavidya</a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navadurga">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navadurga</a></small></div>
Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-92226871141084846412013-09-30T20:07:00.005+05:302013-09-30T21:10:34.684+05:30Bhagat Singh<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1907 - 1931</td></tr>
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One of the most inspirational icons of the Indian freedom struggle and a revolutionary freedom fighter, Bhagat Singh was born on September 28, 1907 in Punjab.<br />
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Born into a Sikh family with a proud legacy of revolutionary activities against the British rule, Bhagat Singh cultivated his revolutionary zeal from a tender age.<br />
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The notorious Jalianwala Bagh Massacre in 1919 left an indelible scar on the mind of Bhagat Singh and soon he took up the membership of the youth organization Naujawan Bharat Sabha. Apart from mingling with noted revolutionaries such as Chandrasekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh worked relentlessly to garner opposition against the British.<br />
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He is often referred to as "Shaheed Bhagat Singh", the word "Shaheed" meaning "martyr". He was just 23 when he died for our country!<br />
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According to Bhagat Singh, revolution is "<i>the ultimate establishment of an order of society which may not be threatened by such breakdown, and in which the sovereignty of the proletariat should be recognized and a world federation should redeem humanity from the bondage of capitalism and misery of imperial wars.</i>"<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Lala Lajpat Rai's death and murder of Saunders</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrLFikjcU8WzrGhSNYWZDuPfzXu0ojLvAHE99pH0YXPoRrgCHjZCnysK4ehf-t7iEhA0h6fWe6OVJQHb6UJugnuE6doP8Sb3K1bycp4NUzYwChW34nagZe-9SVUzgamAu-SL-MKSiTUUs/s1600/Pamphlet_by_HSRA_after_Saunders_murder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Pamphlet by HSRA after Saunder's murder" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrLFikjcU8WzrGhSNYWZDuPfzXu0ojLvAHE99pH0YXPoRrgCHjZCnysK4ehf-t7iEhA0h6fWe6OVJQHb6UJugnuE6doP8Sb3K1bycp4NUzYwChW34nagZe-9SVUzgamAu-SL-MKSiTUUs/s320/Pamphlet_by_HSRA_after_Saunders_murder.jpg" title="Pamphlet by HSRA after Saunder's murder, signed by Balraj, the pseudo name for Chandrashekhar Azad" width="206" /></a></div>
In 1928, the British government set up the Simon Commission to report on the political situation in India. The Indian political parties boycotted the Commission, because it did not include a single Indian in its membership, and it met with country-wide protests.<br />
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When the Commission visited Lahore on 30 October 1928, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lala_Lajpat_Rai" rel="nofollow">Lala Lajpat Rai </a><span style="color: #990000;">led a non-violent protest against the Commission in a silent march, but the police responded with violence. </span>The superintendent of police, James A. Scott, ordered the police to lathi charge the protesters and personally assaulted Rai, who <span style="color: #990000;">was grievously injured</span>, later on Rai could not recover from the injury <span style="color: #990000;">and died on 17 November 1928</span>.<br />
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When the matter was raised in the British Parliament, the British Government denied any role in Rai's death. Although Bhagat Singh did not witness the event, he vowed to take revenge and joined other revolutionaries, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivaram_Rajguru" title="Shivaram Rajguru">Shivaram Rajguru</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhdev_Thapar" title="Sukhdev Thapar">Sukhdev Thapar</a>, <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandrashekhar_Azad" title="Chandrashekhar Azad">Chandrashekhar Azad</a>, in a plot to kill Scott.<br />
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However, in a case of mistaken identity, Bhagat Singh received a signal to shoot on the appearance of John P. Saunders, an Assistant Superintendent of Police. He was shot by Rajguru and Singh while leaving the District Police Headquarters in Lahore on 17 December 1928.<br />
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<h3>
1929 Assembly bomb throwing incident</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(1929)</td></tr>
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To subdue the rise of revolutionaries like Singh, the British government decided to implement the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defence_of_India_Act_1915" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Defence of India Act 1915</a> which gave the police a free hand.</div>
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On 8 April 1929, Bhagat Singh and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batukeshwar_Dutt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Batukeshwar Dutt</a> threw two bombs inside the assembly rushing from Visitor's Gallery. The smoke from the bomb filled the Hall and they shouted slogans of <i>"Inquilab Zindabad!"</i> ("<a href="http://www.revivaloftrueindia.com/2013/09/bhagat-singh.html#llr">Long Live the Revolution!</a>") and showered leaflets. The leaflet claimed that the act was done to oppose the Trade Disputes and the Public Safety Bill being presented in the Central Assembly and the death of Lala Lajapath Rai.<br />
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Subsequently they volunteered to surrender and be arrested.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Hunger strike and Lahore conspiracy case</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bhagat Singh in Prison <i>(circa 1927)</i></td></tr>
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Singh was arrested for murdering Saunders and Chanan Singh based on substantial evidence against him, including the statements of his associates, Hans Raj Vohra and Jai Gopal.<br />
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His life sentence in the Assembly Bomb case was deferred till the Saunders' case was decided. He was sent to the Mianwali jail from the Delhi jail, where <span style="color: #990000;">he witnessed discrimination between European and Indian prisoners, and led other prisoners in a hunger strike to protest this</span>.</div>
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They demanded equality in standards of food, clothing, toiletries and other hygienic necessities, as well as availability of books and a daily newspaper for the political prisoners, whom they demanded should not be forced to do manual labour or any undignified work in the jail, as detailed in their letter to the Home Member on 24 June 1929.</div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Breaking the Strike</h4>
<span style="color: #990000;">The Government tried to break the strike by placing different food items in the prison cells to test the hungry prisoners' resolve. Water pitchers were filled with milk so that either the prisoners remained thirsty or broke their strike but nobody faltered and the impasse continued. The authorities then attempted forcing food using feeding tubes into the prisoners, but were resisted.</span><br />
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Since<span style="color: #990000;"> the activities of the hunger strikers had gained popularity and attention amongst the people nationwide</span>, the government decided to advance the start of the Saunders murder trial, which was henceforth called the Lahore Conspiracy Case. In addition to charging them for the murder of Saunders, Singh and 27 other prisoners were charged with plotting a conspiracy to murder Scott and waging a war against the King. Singh, still on hunger strike, had to be carried to the court handcuffed on a stretcher: he had lost 14 pounds (6.4 kg) weight from 133 pounds (60 kg) before the strike.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Part of Bhagat Singh's statement during his trial.</h3>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #990000;"><i>If the deaf are to hear, the sound has to be very loud</i>.</span> When we dropped the bomb, it was not our intention to kill anybody. We have bombed the British Government. The British must quit India and make her free.</blockquote>
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The elimination of force at all costs is Utopian and the new movement which has arisen in the country and of whose dawn we have given a warning is inspired by the ideals which <a href="http://www.revivaloftrueindia.com/2012/11/guru-gobind-singh-ji.html" target="">Guru Gobind Singh</a> and <a href="http://www.revivaloftrueindia.com/2013/02/shivaji-maharaj.html">Shivaji</a>, Kamal Pasha and Reza Khan, Washington and Garibaldi, Lafayette and Lenin preached.</blockquote>
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The bomb was necessary to awaken England from her dreams. <span style="color: #990000;">We dropped the bomb on the floor of the assembly chamber to register our protest on behalf of those who had no other means left to give expression to their heart-rending agony. </span>Our sole purpose was to make the deaf hear and give the heedless a timely warning. Others have as keenly felt as we have done and from such seeming stillness of the sea of Indian humanity, a veritable storm is about to break out.</blockquote>
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<b>Last days</b></h3>
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In the leaflet he threw in the Central Assembly on 9 April 1929, he stated: "<i>It is easy to kill individuals but you cannot kill the ideas. Great empires crumbled, while the ideas survived.</i>" </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpoofRsUPWpGI1KsGsPT1rUN5a7oFQM_BYcPgIbBUVzTQ3MT5SNs5w6nu6zts2bqQoVTfcmBcxvSk16S8k83Q2az6Afpgx6NMK27moklBir8G5DMyWq8eSmyXMVRxhRs0dGSmBfmgTHWUK/s1600/Bhagat_Singh's_execution_Lahore_Tribune_Front_page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Front page of The Tribune announcing Bhagat Singh's execution" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpoofRsUPWpGI1KsGsPT1rUN5a7oFQM_BYcPgIbBUVzTQ3MT5SNs5w6nu6zts2bqQoVTfcmBcxvSk16S8k83Q2az6Afpgx6NMK27moklBir8G5DMyWq8eSmyXMVRxhRs0dGSmBfmgTHWUK/s400/Bhagat_Singh's_execution_Lahore_Tribune_Front_page.jpg" title="Front page of The Tribune announcing Bhagat Singh's execution" width="277" /></a>After studying the Russian Revolution, he wanted to die so that his death would inspire the youth of India which in turn will unite them to fight the British Empire.<br />
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While in prison, Singh and two others had written a letter to Lord Irwin, wherein they asked to be treated as prisoners of war and consequently to be executed by firing squad and not by hanging. </div>
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Prannath Mehta, Singh's friend, visited him in the jail on 20 March, four days before his execution, with <span style="color: #990000;">a draft letter for clemency, but he declined to sign it</span>.</div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were sentenced to death in the Lahore conspiracy case and ordered to be hanged on 24 March 1931.</span></div>
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That schedule was moved forward by 11 hours to 23 March, although Singh was not informed of this until the day arrived. Singh was hanged on 23 March 1931 at 7:30 pm in Lahore jail with his comrades Rajguru and Sukhdev. It is reported that no magistrate of the time was willing to supervise his hanging as was required by law. The execution was supervised by an honorary judge, who also signed the three death warrants as their original warrants had expired.</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<div id="llr">
Bhagat Singh on "Long Live Revolution"</div>
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[from a letter published in <i>The Tribune</i> (25 December 1929) ]<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">One should not interpret the word “Revolution” in its literal sense. Various meanings and significances are attributed to this word, according to the interests of those who use or misuse it. </span>For the established agencies of exploitation it conjures up a feeling of blood stained horror. To the revolutionaries it is a sacred phrase.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">Revolution did not necessarily involve sanguinary strife. It was not a cult of bomb and pistol.</span> They may sometimes be mere means for its achievement. No doubt they play a prominent part in some movements, but they do not — for that very reason — become one and the same thing. A rebellion is not a revolution. It may ultimately lead to that end.<br />
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The sense in which the word Revolution is used in that phrase, is the spirit, the longing for a change for the better. <span style="color: #990000;">The people generally get accustomed to the established order of things and begin to tremble at the very idea of a change. It is this lethargical spirit that needs be replaced by the revolutionary spirit.</span><br />
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Otherwise degeneration gains the upper hand and the whole humanity is led stray by the reactionary forces. Such a state of affairs leads to stagnation and paralysis in human progress.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">The spirit of Revolution should always permeate the soul of humanity</span>, so that the reactionary forces may not accumulate to check its eternal onward march. Old order should change, always and ever, yielding place to new, so that one “good” order may not corrupt the world. It is in this sense that we raise the shout “Long Live Revolution.”<br />
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References:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagat_Singh">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagat_Singh</a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Bhagat_Singh">http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Bhagat_Singh</a> </small></div>
Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-59133782829599335452013-09-13T22:24:00.001+05:302013-09-13T22:44:35.729+05:30Who first discovered the earth was round?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjfAQv_EOYLI9zfHvG0tUijaN_NUD2zar01KCqc0twDp_6fqLfN49ncktCm22BLwEWCM7h6-GpxzaUJBjwPQ01j6EjtRltLHaU8Jolw4Ybpdrw7g3RHYv-_AIkHVDkjwcLBNn2b0wAmdq/s1600/round+earth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjfAQv_EOYLI9zfHvG0tUijaN_NUD2zar01KCqc0twDp_6fqLfN49ncktCm22BLwEWCM7h6-GpxzaUJBjwPQ01j6EjtRltLHaU8Jolw4Ybpdrw7g3RHYv-_AIkHVDkjwcLBNn2b0wAmdq/s320/round+earth.jpg" width="320" /></a>One would come up with many answers. Wikipedia states: "The concept of a spherical Earth dates back to ancient Greek philosophy from around the 6th century BC.....etc." But wait!<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">The very word Bhugola for earth shows that ancient Indians knew that earth was round.</span> 'Bhu' means earth while 'Gola' means round.</div>
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This must obviously be before the word 'Bhugol' was composed which is being used in India from thousands of years.<br />
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Isn't it amazing?</div>
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Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-44167860094630333612013-09-12T23:21:00.002+05:302013-09-12T23:57:06.707+05:30Ganesha<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The whole universe is nothing but groups of atoms, groups of qualities, of different energies. Gana means group and a group cannot exist without a lord, a supreme energy which holds it together. The Lord of all these groups of atoms and energies is Ganesha.<br />
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Like the queen bee whose mere existence brings forth the honeycomb, this diverse universe in itself is enough evidence for Ganesha's presence. This universe would be in chaos if there was no supreme law governing these diverse groups of entities.<br />
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Now the question arises that why this supreme power is depicted in the form of an elephant?<br />
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Ganesha is the <a href="http://www.revivaloftrueindia.com/2013/09/ganesha.html#div1">formless Divinity</a> - encapsulated in a magnificent form, for the benefit of the devotee. He is the supreme consciousness that pervades all and brings order in this universe.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Birth of Ganesha</h2>
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We are all familiar with the story of how Ganesha became the elephant-headed God.<br />
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Parvati became dirty when she was celebrating with Shiva. When she realized this, she removed the dirt from her body and created a boy out of it. She then asked him to keep guard while she bathed. When Shiva returned, the boy did not recognize him and obstructed his passage. So Shiva chopped off the boy's head and entered.<br />
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Parvati was shocked when she saw this. She explained to Shiva that the boy was their son and pleaded with Shiva to save him at all costs.<br />
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Shiva then instructed his helpers to go and get the head of someone who was sleeping with their head pointing to the north. The helpers then got the head of an elephant, which Shiva affixed to the boy's torso and Ganesha was born!<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Got these questions?</h3>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Doesn't this story sound strange?</li>
<li>Why should Parvati have dirt on her body and so much dirt that she could make a statue out of it?</li>
<li>Didn't the all-knowing Lord Shiva recognize his own son?</li>
<li>Was Shiva, the epitome of peace, so short-tempered, egoistic and cruel that he cut off the head of his own son?</li>
<li>Couldn't Lord Shiva have a little patience and wait outside for some time?</li>
<li>An elephant's head, which itself is very big, on a small boy's body?</li>
<li>Also, Ganesha's vehicle is a mouse. So what we have is a human body on a tiny mouse, and a big elephant's head on top of it! Isn't it very strange?</li>
</ol>
<div>
This is not Ganesha's real story. There is a deeper meaning to all this.</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Ganesha - The real story</h2>
Parvati is symbolic of festive energy. Parv + Shakti = Parvati. Parv means festival or celebration in Sanskrit.<br />
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While celebrating one's mind can easily turn outward making the celebration tainted with feverishness and stress.<br />
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Parvati, the festive energy, had been separated from Shiva - peaceful, centered consciousness. Her becoming dirty signifies that celebration, without knowledge and peace, becomes Rajasik, or feverish and can takes you away from your center.<br />
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Dirt is symbolic of ignorance, and Shiva is symbolic of supreme innocence, peace and knowledge.<br />
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The boy obstructs the path of Shiva means that ignorance, which is an attribute of the head, does not recognize knowledge. However, knowledge cannot stand ignorance. This is the symbolism behind Shiva chopping off the boy's head. It is then replaced with elephant head.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Why the elephant head?</h3>
Elephant head represents both gyan shakti(power of knowledge) and karma shakti(power of actions) together.<br />
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The principle qualities of the elephant are wisdom and effortlessness. The enormous head of the elephant signifies wisdom and knowledge. Elephants don't walk around obstacles, neither are they stopped by them. They just remove them and walk ahead – signifying effortlessness. So, <span style="color: #990000;">the small head symbolizing ignorance and ego was replaced with elephant head symbolizing knowledge, wisdom, strength, effortlessness.</span><br />
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It is said, when we <a href="http://www.revivaloftrueindia.com/2013/02/pooja-what-is-puja.html" target="_blank">worship</a> Lord Ganesha these elephant qualities within us are kindled and we take on these qualities.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Other symbolisms</h3>
Ganesha's big belly represents generosity and total acceptance. He is the Lord of all kinds of groups, so He accepts everyone. He also wears a snake as a belt around the stomach, which means that He accepts you, but with the full awareness of a snake! It is an active, participative acceptance.<br />
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Ganesha's upraised hand, depicting protection, means, 'Fear not, I am with you', and his lowered hand, palm facing outwards means endless giving as well as an invitation to bow down, this is symbolic of the fact that we will all dissolve into earth one day.<br />
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Ganesha also has a single tusk which signifies one-pointedness.<br />
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Ganesha carries in His hands ‘the Ankusha’ (the goad/stick that is used to prod an elephant awake; this signifies ‘awakening’) and the ‘Paasa’ (the noose which signifies control) now with awakening a lot of energy is released which without proper guidance can go haywire.<br />
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And why does Ganesha, the elephant-headed God travel on something as small as a mouse? Isn't that so incongruous? Again there is symbolism that runs deep. The mouse snips and nibbles away at ropes that bind. The mouse is like the mantra which can cut through sheaths and sheaths of ignorance, leading to the ultimate knowledge represented by Ganesha.<br />
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Our ancient Rishis were very wise that they chose to express Divinity in terms of symbols rather than words, since words change over time, but symbols remain unchanged.<br />
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Let us keep the deep symbolism in mind as we experience the omnipresent in the form of the elephant God, yet be fully aware that Ganesha is very much within us.<br />
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<h2 id="div1" style="text-align: left;">
Ajam Nirvikalpam Niraakaaramekam</h2>
The essence of Ganesha is brought out beautifully by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adi_Shankara" target="_blank">Adi Shankara</a>. Though Ganesha is worshiped as the elephant-headed God, <span style="color: #990000;">the form (<i>swaroop</i>) is just to bring out the formless(<i>parabrahma roopa</i>) </span>.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Ajam Nirvikalpam Niraakaaramekam<br />
Neraanandhamanandham Adhvaitha Poornam<br />
Param Nirgunam Nirvisesham Nireeham<br />
ParaBrahma roopam Ganesham Bhajema.</blockquote>
This means that Ganesha(the Lord of all groups) is unborn, unchanging, formless, the one,<br />
beyond bliss and full of bliss, who is the fullness of non-duality,<br />
the supreme, devoid of qualities, without differences, and beyond desire,<br />
I worship Shri Ganesha, the Supreme Brahman personified.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Gunaatheethamanam Chidhananda roopam<br />
chidha bhasakamsarvagam gnana gamyam<br />
munidhyeyam aakasa roopam paresham<br />
paraBrahma roopam Ganesham bhajema.</blockquote>
He is the one beyond the Gunas, the embodiment of bliss consciousness,<br />
the light of consciousness, the all-pervading, who is the source, course, and goal of knowledge,<br />
whom the sages meditate upon, who is formless as Ākāsha(space), the highest Lord,<br />
I worship Shri Ganesha, the Supreme Brahman personified.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Jagath kaaranam kaaran gnana roopam<br />
suraadhim sukhadhim gunesam ganesam<br />
jagathwaapinam viswa vandhyam suresham<br />
para Brahma roopam Ganesham bhaje ma.</blockquote>
We worship Him who is the cause of the universe, the source of knowledge,<br />
the origin of the Devas, the source of happiness, the Lord of the Gunas, Shri Ganesha,<br />
who pervades the universe and is worshipped by all, the Lord of the gods,<br />
I worship Shri Ganesha, the Supreme Brahman personified<br />
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Ganesha is the same energy which is the reason for this universe. It is the energy from which everything manifests and into which everything will dissolve.<br />
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<small>References:</small><br />
<small><a href="http://www.detlef108.de/Ganeshastava.pdf">http://www.detlef108.de/Ganeshastava.pdf</a><br />
<a href="http://www.artofliving.org/symbolism-ganesha">http://www.artofliving.org/symbolism-ganesha</a></small></div>
Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-81765591762548718552013-07-03T17:08:00.000+05:302013-09-12T23:50:05.903+05:30Twin Stars : Arundhati and Vashistha<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqGPlD8cECvSU1ZKRqQEsxF0xUcwlEsSwTfLhecvigaKoQdQmpHobSbgnZEoFY_GszgXA5LUhmWNTL_iv-nN7Pz6bhrXeqKUArPJLBGU9eY7Fll0OEdtr8iz8iOdZ4-7_9_JdzT7sKzOM/s437/Arundhati-Vaistha-twin-stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqGPlD8cECvSU1ZKRqQEsxF0xUcwlEsSwTfLhecvigaKoQdQmpHobSbgnZEoFY_GszgXA5LUhmWNTL_iv-nN7Pz6bhrXeqKUArPJLBGU9eY7Fll0OEdtr8iz8iOdZ4-7_9_JdzT7sKzOM/s320/Arundhati-Vaistha-twin-stars.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twin stars observed during marriage ceremony</td></tr>
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Thousands of years ago the ancient rishis could identify two tiny spots in the sky as a twin star system. They named it Arundhati-Vasistha.<br />
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Mizar is known as Vashista and Alcor is known as Arundhati in traditional Indian astronomy.<br />
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The pair is considered to symbolize marriage. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vashistha" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vashistha</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arundhati_(mythology)" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Arundhati</a> were a married couple. <span style="color: #990000;">Arundhati and Vasistha were considered an ideal couple, symbolic of marital fulfillment and loyalty.</span><br />
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During the marriage ceremonies of Hindus, one of the ritual is the<span style="color: #990000;"> groom shows the bride the double stars of Vasishta and Arundhati</span>. <br />
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In some Hindu communities, priests conducting a wedding ceremony allude to or point out the constellation as a symbol of the closeness marriage brings to a couple.<br />
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Secret behind watching/pointing the stars</h4>
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In most twin stars system one star is stationary and other rotates around it, while <span style="color: #990000;">Arundhati and Vashishtha both rotate in synchrony</span>.<br />
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To tell that both husband and wife must do all things in sync and that <span style="color: #990000;">husband must not rotate round the wife or wife should not dance to the tune of her husband</span>, this ritual was made a part of the marriage ceremony.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Fn2iqCkaDeL62XU7lgjyNRc9rTjoLFXzhVshb1NGLuwXHyRkKm_gy4uTtj9Zj4k4PNRsRJVr5u7srcrk8Z1IRaKFn6kVlrHQUvqk5QUub868w3VLDF-Uf9ev0FTLhTi7ZY1Lv5wf6Tr-/s604/Arundhati+and+Vasistha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Fn2iqCkaDeL62XU7lgjyNRc9rTjoLFXzhVshb1NGLuwXHyRkKm_gy4uTtj9Zj4k4PNRsRJVr5u7srcrk8Z1IRaKFn6kVlrHQUvqk5QUub868w3VLDF-Uf9ev0FTLhTi7ZY1Lv5wf6Tr-/s320/Arundhati+and+Vasistha.jpg" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arundhati and Vashistha performing Yagna</td></tr>
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This is not explained in marriages although the Pandit takes the couple out and shows the twin star.<br />
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The greatness of our ancestors / scholars was that they could know that such a twin star system exists and how they rotate even without the telescope.<br />
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<b>A point to be noted</b><br />
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Women in India had a higher stature in society. Its Arundhati-Vashistha and not Vashistha-Arundhati. Women had higher respect than men.</div>
Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-42781746929151623672013-05-28T08:43:00.000+05:302013-08-26T23:12:01.850+05:30Sri Padmanabha: Lord Vishnu with lotus-sized navel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqp7eII56fmf8o6o4Zhi_5lHxvEbF9GYmYOJ01ZS6dJOh2g3lFEC1h__TyqLeCQEIo5lrDPQdsp0ORJXH7s_efK2AAY6Zn_YH5DeceTKrWzDlOw6rO47rgQp0dd0mLBJe9AKH8E35K_ajz/s320/Lord-Vishnu-Laxmi-and-Brahma.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brahma coming out of navel of Lord Vishnu" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Depiction of Sri Padmanabha (Lord Vishnu)</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333;">Based on the description in scriptures, idols and paintings of different Gods and Goddesses were developed and portrayed by our ancestors.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">The painter portrayed Lord Vishnu like this - there is a sheer sagar (ocean of milk) with a bed of snakes, on which Maha Vishnu, the lord, rests. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #990000;">Sheer sagar is the blissful mind, </span><span style="background-color: white;">the mind in which waves of contentment arise. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">The snake represents an awakened state of mind</span><span style="color: #333333;">, kundalini shakti, that is within us. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #990000;">The consciousness rests in the blissful and awakened state of mind.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;">There are three layers to it.The ocean of milk means that the environment is very balanced. Only when the environment is favorable can samadhi (deep meditation) happen. Even for the discussion of scriptures or to sit and think peacefully, one needs to be assured that the atmosphere is free from trouble. If there is a flood or earthquake around, then no one would read scriptures or talk of research and knowledge. Thus the ocean of milk represents a favorable environment. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Until the depth of knowledge is experienced, it remains on the surface. No matter how many Vedantas one reads, it is important to have a favorable environment.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">When the kundalini shakti rises, the chaitanya shakti that lies within us, the infinite and eternal reigns. From the stomach of that infinite power, a lotus comes out effortlessly, from which Brahma appeared. Thus the creative power rose from there.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">A blissful consciousness gives rise to creative power.</span><span style="color: #333333;"> The greatest of scientists came up with new inventions, only when they were in rest. It is extremely vital for researchers and those who experiment to have a favorable environment, one without noise and chaos. You cannot ask someone to do an invention in two days. Invention is not bound to time and cannot take place in an unfavorable environment.</span><br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Blue colour body</span></h3>
<span style="color: #333333;">It means that the </span><span style="color: #990000;">body is transparent as if it was not there</span><span style="color: #333333;">. Even Krishna, Shiva, Rama are depicted in blue. That doesn’t concern the physical body but inside is infinity. Whatever is infinity is represented by blue: sky is blue, ocean is blue, the great, the big, enormous depth and that bliss, that being- the soul. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;">Padmanabha</span></h3>
<span style="color: #333333;">In Sanskrit,</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><b>Padma = Lotus</b> </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><b>Nabhi = Navel</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">Padmanabha means whose navel is the size of lotus.</span><span style="color: #333333;"> Lord Vishnu is known as Sri Padmanabha.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;">The navel is also called the second brain. There are two brains in our body. One is the head and the other, the navel. It is called the solar plexus. The work that brain does is supported by the solar plexus. Half of the work is done by it. That is why when the stomach is upset, mostly there is chaos in the mind, there are a lot of thoughts in the mind.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333;">So it is said, those who practice yoga sadhana have a blossomed solar plexus. Those who don't practice yoga sadhana have a solar plexus smaller in size like that of an amlakundalini shakti is fully, it is even bigger than an orange – it is like a blossomed lotus. (Indian Gooseberry). The solar plexus grows to the size of an orange for those who do yoga sadhana and meditation.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;">Lord Vishnu is depicted lying down, and a lotus comes out of his navel, followed by Brahma. </span><span style="color: #990000;">Creation came later, first the strength to nurture was born.</span><span style="color: #333333;"> (In Hindu philosophy, Vishnu is considered to be the sustainer of the universe and Brahma is considered as the creator of the universe).</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Many people believe that God is tired after working. No, no! For God, creation is effortless. Like for a housewife, making tea is effortless – she can talk, sing and still make the tea.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span>
<small>References:<br />
<a href="http://www.artofliving.org/experiencing-infinite-highest-aim-life">http://www.artofliving.org/experiencing-infinite-highest-aim-life</a></small></div>
</div>
Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-1783559253579708482013-05-28T08:27:00.000+05:302013-05-28T08:44:28.257+05:30God is sleeping - Wake him up!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">God sleeps only in India. Here, as we know that God is sleeping, we don’t have any fear. We believe that since God is sleeping, we can get away with anything.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;">Have you ever thought about this? This is a very deep topic. God is sleeping, and you are awake. Here people follow rituals to wake up God by wishing him good morning, </span></span><span style="color: #333333;">singing Suprabhatams, </span><span style="color: #333333;">Balaji Suprabhatam, doing Devi jagran </span><span style="color: #333333;">singings, ringing bells etc. This seems so crazy, how can we wake up God? Is not it his duty to wake us up? </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;">Scholars have established this – </span><span style="color: #990000;">Humanity wakes up first and then they awaken God.</span><span style="color: #333333;"> This is a unique ritual among humans. Yet, there is something very subtle in this. </span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;">These rituals signify that:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="color: #333333;" /><i style="color: #333333;">In a stubborn individual, awaken humanness.<br />In a human being, awaken the Divinity.</i></span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Like a seed that sprouts into a bud first, and then a flower, a human being blossoms only when humanness, and Divinity is awakened.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">God is present in every cell of your body. We think God is resting because he is tired. But it is not so.</span><br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Suprabhatams</span></h3>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Suprabhatam (Sanskrit: सुप्रभातम्), </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #990000;">literally auspicious dawn</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> is a Sanskrit poem of the Suprabhatakavya genre. It is a collection of hymns or verses recited early morning to awaken the deity in Hinduism. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">It is said that as we praise something or someone, that quality starts reflecting in us. So by praising the vastness and beauty of the Supreme energy which beholds this entire creation or universe, we invoke that Consciousness in us and in our lives.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333;">Different qualities associated with different divinities are chanted. The essence of this form of worship is that the divine qualities start blossoming and reflecting in the worshipper.</span><br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Praise and Prayer</span></h3>
<span style="color: #333333;">You praise God, not for God, but for yourself. Those who do puja, don’t do it for God, but for themselves. If you praise someone, it’s not for their happiness, you do it for your own happiness.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;">Parents usually praise their 2 or 3-year-old children, however the child doesn’t understand a word of their praise. So why do they praise? To uplift themselves! Not because they expect something from the child.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333;">This is the difference between praise and prayer. </span><span style="color: #990000;">Stuti (repetition of God’s name) is that which raises our chetana (consciousness). We do stuti to raise our own consciousness, not to make God happy.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<i>(Based on knowledge talks from <a href="http://srisriravishankar.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar</a>)</i></div>
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Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-26086294312767862832013-05-21T17:52:00.000+05:302013-09-05T14:44:54.401+05:30A PM we miss - Lal Bahadur Shastri<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHukbWmyncBLo0SbuLgolh1537aoCU9eAm2_HiRNxQR-ciAwSmD9497Tv95wokkDaBWpein7ObMmW9bgWfD5VvOZLdh5W0R3WmLuO61ibjHQffTopQNz5T2fAJIQWpPCa-iD5htYkJnA0/s1600/Lal+Bahadur+Shastri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHukbWmyncBLo0SbuLgolh1537aoCU9eAm2_HiRNxQR-ciAwSmD9497Tv95wokkDaBWpein7ObMmW9bgWfD5VvOZLdh5W0R3WmLuO61ibjHQffTopQNz5T2fAJIQWpPCa-iD5htYkJnA0/s320/Lal+Bahadur+Shastri.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Lal Bahadur Shastri was the Prime Minister of India at a crucial time in India's history. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">He was in office from 9 June 1964 – 11 January 1966, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #990000;">just for 18 months as PM</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">. He died a death of conspiracy which remains hidden in history even to</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><span style="color: #333333;">day...</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #333333;">After the Chinese aggression of 1962, when India's confidence in her strength had been shaken, Pakistan was creating trouble along the borders.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #333333;">In September 1965 there was a large-scale invasion of the territory by Pakistani soldiers in the Chhamb area. War broke out all along the Cease-fire Line on the Kashmir border.In addition to this, there was the threat posed by the Chinese on the northern borders of India.</span></span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><span style="color: #333333;">Lal Bahadur Shastri faced all these problems with a will of iron. It was at this time that the country understood the greatness of Lal Bahadur Shastri. He gave full freedom to the Commander of the Army:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #990000;">'Go forward and strike'</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #333333;">Addressing the nation on 13th August 1965 Shastriji referred to Pakistan's threats and said,</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #990000;">"Force will be met with force."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #333333;">Two days later, during the celebration of Independence day, he declared from the ramparts of the Red Fort:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #990000;">"It does not matter if we are destroyed. We will fight to the last to maintain the high honor of the Indian nation and its flag."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #333333;">Just at this time another danger threatened India. China sent a letter, which said, "The Indian army has set up army equipment in Chinese territory. India should pull down this equipment. Otherwise it will have to face the wrath of China."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #333333;">China's allegations were a bundle of lies. If India removed the military equipment she would be admitting that China's charges were true. Also, that would mean India was afraid of China. Even the big nations waited breathlessly to see what Lal Bahadur would say and what India would do.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #333333;">Lal Bahadur did not take long to give a reply. The letter from China was received on the morning of 17th September 1965. He made a statement in the Parliament the same afternoon. He declared:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #990000;">"China's allegation is untrue. If China attacks India it is our firm resolve to fight for our freedom. The might of China will not deter us from defending our territorial integrity."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #333333;">India's soldiers had no fear of death and fought most splendidly and heroically. The army and the air force functioned like the two arms of a single body. The invaders were beaten. The Pakistani army could not stand against the Indian army. It was then that, for the first time, the world came to realize the supremacy of the Indian army.</span></span></div>
Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-82540356004178539002013-04-19T12:03:00.001+05:302013-09-05T14:38:16.810+05:30Ramayana - The spiritual side<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0cj1vbwuy85_YgAb0O_7WZRby4yw_Tv2bAIiaJp_cBBgEhC67H0O1T_XuJpviLhjuKmEIhI0h_cS2XFhjsFkbBhGGwjtuN-IQ_2MT9bUi8mVMZl3ruGvNI3SDKK2r2U0TGnZX5mzpznf/s1600/lord+rama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0cj1vbwuy85_YgAb0O_7WZRby4yw_Tv2bAIiaJp_cBBgEhC67H0O1T_XuJpviLhjuKmEIhI0h_cS2XFhjsFkbBhGGwjtuN-IQ_2MT9bUi8mVMZl3ruGvNI3SDKK2r2U0TGnZX5mzpznf/s320/lord+rama.jpg" title="Rama and spiritual Ramayana" width="240" /></a></div>
Though Ramayana is history, it is also an eternal phenomenon happening all the time.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">Ra means radiance, Ma means myself. Rama means ‘the light inside me’. </span><br />
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Rama
was born to Dasharath and Kousalya. Dasharath means ‘Ten Chariots’. The ten
chariots symbolize the five organs of perception (the five senses) and five
organs of knowledge and action (For instance: reproduction, legs, hands and so
on). Kousalya means ‘skill’.<br />
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Ayodhya means ‘a society in which there is no
violence’. If you skillfully observe what goes on inside the body, light dawns
inside you. That is meditation. You need some skill to relax the tension. Then
you start expanding.<br />
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You know you are here now, yet you are not. With this realization, there is a
certain lightness that comes spontaneously.<span style="color: #660000;"> Rama is when the inner light shines
through. Sita the mind/intellect was robbed by the ego, Ravana. Ravana had ten
heads. Ravana (ego) was one who wouldn’t listen to others. He was too much in
the head. Hanuman means breath. With the help of Hanuman (the breath), Sita (the
mind) was able to go back to Rama (the source).</span><br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Not that there were blue babies!</h3>
Rama is always depicted in blue colour. You know why in blue colour? It means that the body is transparent as if it was not there. He was not a blue baby, certainly! Even Krishna, Shiva are depicted in blue. That doesn’t concern the physical body but inside is infinity. Whatever is infinity is represented by blue: sky is blue, ocean is blue, the great, the big, enormous depth and that bliss, that being- the soul. The soul is never born, but still it is born when the mind and the prana and the body come together.<br />
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Ramayana happened around 7,500 years ago. It had an impact on Germany and
many other countries in Europe and Far East. Thousands of cities are named
after Rama. Cities like Rambaugh in Germany, Rome in Italy have their roots in
the word Ram. Indonesia, Bali and Japan were all influenced by Ramayana.<br />
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<i>-Based on excerpts of talks from <a href="http://www.artofliving.org/srisri" target="_blank">Sri Sri Ravi Shankar</a></i></div>
Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174583561931029477.post-65478957459744474982013-04-13T07:51:00.000+05:302013-09-05T14:45:58.090+05:30Devi/shakti lives in lemon?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It is said devi/energy/shakti lives in lemon. Lemon is associated with Mother Divine whose job is to destroy rakshasas. Lemon sustains life and destroys enemies, that is, harmful toxins, viruses, bacteria in our body.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWYtXNMjc7Iv_uS6ykwPswinUgmtBiNWpaZZRVy7Ti91xeO3GjQhAdT51rqsta3u2xlbzVdwMdwrS73G0EhbYwbo2DGVabo-hGt1lolxMHqum6wjXQIn_Fo_Imlv35iyu9wlaL6_2Flru/s1600/devi%252C+lemon+and+shakti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWYtXNMjc7Iv_uS6ykwPswinUgmtBiNWpaZZRVy7Ti91xeO3GjQhAdT51rqsta3u2xlbzVdwMdwrS73G0EhbYwbo2DGVabo-hGt1lolxMHqum6wjXQIn_Fo_Imlv35iyu9wlaL6_2Flru/s400/devi%252C+lemon+and+shakti.jpg" width="520" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>Lemon juice has more benefits that you'd ever imagine. Lemons have five per cent of citric acid, which gives it its unique taste. Rich in vitamin C, it also has vitamin B, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, proteins and carbohydrates.<br />
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Here are some benefits.<br />
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- Suffer from indigestion? Mix a few drops of lemon juice with warm water and sip on it. This is useful for treating nausea, heartburn, diarrhoea, bloating and burping.<br />
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- Since lemon is a natural antiseptic, it is great to cure skin problems. It clears your skin and also acts as an anti-ageing agent by eliminating wrinkles and blackheads.<br />
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- Have a toothache? Apply fresh lemon juice where it hurts. If you have bleeding gums, applying lemon juice can curb the bleeding and stop bad breath.<br />
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- A sore throat can be cured by gargling with lemon juice and water regularly.<br />
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- Nimbu paani is high in potassium, which controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea and reduces stress. It also cures respiratory disorders like breathing problems and asthma.</div>
Mithil Jadhavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05437573796672115747noreply@blogger.com0