Food For Thought

2011-12-06T19:31:00.001-08:00

P.natarajan.

Shri Srikanth Sharma performed the Bhagavata Sapthaham at Bhuvanespwari Hall at Pyramid Complex (Vanaprastha) situated in Vadavalli in Coimbatore. We kwent as guests of our sister for participating in reading the Bhagavatam in 7 days from 21 to 27th of Nov 2011.
Timings were observed strictly. The day started with Vishnu Sahasranama Parayanam @6.30a.m. Bhagavatham Reading commenced at 7a.m. after a small puja and sankalpam. Morning b/f from 8.15 to 9am then we resumed reading up to 12.30p.m. We had lunch by 1p.m. Bhajan by ladies was between 3.30p.m to 4p.m. Srikanth Sharma gave a discourse in the evening from 4 to 6.30p.m,giving focus to chapters read in the morning. We used to have dinner at the closing time by 8p.m in the common mess. This practice was adhered to for all the seven days. Rukmini Kalyanam was narrated by Shri S. Sharma at the concluding session of Sapthaham on 27th November.

28th Nov 2011 - we left Coimbatore by 7a.m. in Mayiladuthurai Express Train for Kumbakonam. The day journey was pleasant due to the cool weather. We checked in Hotel Rayas which is ranked as one of the best hotels in the town. In the evening we left for Govidapuram located at 13k.m. from Kumbakonam to visit Vittala-Rukmini Temple. We were there from 6.30p.m to 7.30p.m. The Temple is newly built by one SriVittal Das and looks grand in architecture, with superb mural paintings and surrounded by a vast land area. The Vittala- Rukmini idols stand majestic. There is a 'Gosala' where , we saw as many as 500 Cows , healthy looking, and munching grass - all brought from Brindavan & Govardan. Profuse incense burning all over the area makes the visitor to bow with reverence at the sight.

The next day - 29th Tue was a day to remember for us as we visited a number of temples right from 7.30a.m to 8.00p.m. Thanks to Nagaraj, the driver of the Tourist Taxi Indica. The places visited are given in the order:-

1) Nachchiar Kovil (8a.m) - Srinivasa Perumal,Thaayar and Kal( stone) Garuda.

2) Thirucherai - Saranatha Perumal &Thayar (8.30a.m)

3) Thirukanna Mangai - Bhakthavathsala perumal & Abhishekavalli Thayar (9a.m.)

4) Sikkil - Singaravelan, Navanitheeswara & Velnedungkanni Amman (10.25 a.m)

5) Porulvaithacheri - Kandaswamy Koil, Meeenakshi and Sundareswar.
Kandaswamy Idol was made before Sikkil Singaravelan and Lord Kandaswamy is believed to remove all debts & money problem . (10.40a.m)

6) Nagapattinam - 6.1 Kayarohana Swamy & Neelayadhakshi Amman (11.25a.m) - 6.2. Soundararaja Perumal & Soundaryavalli Thaayar Temple(11.40) 6.3 Nellukadai Mariamman and Ellai Amman (12 Noon).

7) Thiruvaroor was the next stop where we had lunch between 2 and 2.30p.m. at Hotel Vasan near bus stand. Thiruvaroor Thygaraja Sannidhi opens only at 6p.m. and Kamalambal at 5p.m. even though the temple is opened at 4p.m. Hence we were able to go around the temple and worship Durga where Rahukala Abhishekam was being performed between 3 & 4-30 p.m.

8) Koothanur - Maha Saraswathi Temple (4.50p.m)

9) Thila tharpana puri - where Rama did Tharpanam. He also worshipped Lord Ganesa. Ganesa appears in this temple without the Elephant's head - This Ganesa avatar was before the Conventional Ganesa with the Tusk. (5p.m)

10) Thirumaichur - Lalitha Sahasranamam arangetram was performed here.
Hayagrivar conveyed to sage agasthiyar lalita sahasranamam
Navasakthi Puja is performed every month when Utharadam Star prevails. There is a belief that the parrot seen along with the Durga Devi in the temple in the prakara carries the devotees' prarthanas(prayers) to Lalithambikai and make them happen. After worship of Lalithambkgai we can see real parrots flying in the sky above the Vimana. (5.15p.m)
http://kumbakonamtemple.wordpress.com/2009/08/26/sree-lalithambigai-temple-thirumeeyachur/

11) We traveled almost 40k.m from sl.No.10 to reach Kumbakonam.

Prathyangara Devi Temple (7.20p.m.) where Pancha Pandavas worshipped to get back their lost Kingdom and wealth.

Uppiliyappan Kovil - Uppliappa Perumal darsan at 7.30p.m.

12) Thirunageswaram (Rahu Sthalam) - Naganathar and Rahu (7.45p.m)

We reached Hotel Rayas at 8p.m. We had booked the taxi for 12hours and with Grace of Almighty we finished the tour successfully. We thanked Nagaraj ,the driver, once again with some complements.

30-11-'11 (wed) :- We kept the program of visiting Vaitheeswaran Koil for one full day as it involved good amount of travel time both ways. Starting early, we reached Vaitheeswarankoil (Angaraha Sthalam) at 8.20a.m. itself. We sent word to our regular Kannan Gurukkal with whom we have some arrangement for performing archana every month over the years. He looked after our interest. Arcanas in five sanctom sanctoriums namely Ganesa, Angarahan, MuthuKumaraswamy, Vaidyanatha swamy and Balambiga were performed. Offerings of Silver images were dropped in the hundi along with cash. Many devotees were presenting 'MAVILAKKU' with deepams before goddess Balambiga. Rama did the final rights to Jatayu in this temple and Jatayu kundam is seen before entering Vaidyanathaswamy darsan in the prakara.

We returned to Kumbakonam and went for lunch at Managalambigai Vilas inside Kumbeswarar Temple. Driver Nagaraj had earlier recommended us to try at this hotel. We nodded our head in line with this after completing the lunch.

We boarded the train later at 6.15p.m. (mysore Express) for Bangalore. Reached safe home by 6a.m on 1st Dec 2011

Details presented in this mail may pl. be read with attention to get the benefit of 'Sravanam' (narration) of the places and temples visited by us
We will be glad to hear from you regarding this. .

pn

2011-10-23T02:38:00.000-07:00

Smt Parvathy and Sri P.Natarajan.

Holy Ganga Glory Be to Thee
Divine Ganga Abode of Purity
Gushes in Speed a Sight Splendid
Ganges A Majestic and Sacred River Indeed !

Ganges Rises at Gaumuch
At the Foot of Gangothri Glacier
Daughter of Himavan-The King of Mountains
Sister to Goddess Parvathi Devi
She Flows in all the Three Worlds
Swarga, Prithivi and Patala
Hence Known as 'TRIPATHAGA'!

Raised in Heaven Above
Under the Tutelage of BRAHMA
Brought Down to Earth
By well known 'Baghiratha Prayathna'
Gets the Name as "Bhagirathi"
"MANDAKINI","JHANVI" Her other Names !!

Travels Long a Distance of 2525 KM
Sacred Are the Cities Lying in Her Banks
Allahabad, Hardwar, Gangothri and Varanasi
Where Kumbhmela Festval Takes Place
Lakhs of Devotees throng to Bathe in Ganges !!

Ganga Personified as Goddess
Worshipped by the Hindus
A Dip in Ganga means Remission of Sins
Not the Present alone but Sins of Lifetime
Ganges Liberates the Bather from Birth-Cycles !!!

River Cauveri is the Ganga of the South
Gothavari is the Ganga of Central India
Ganga Invoked in Hindu Rituals
And People pay Homage to Ancestors !!!!

Ganga the Sacred River
Comes Home in the Taps
Before Dawn only on Diwali Day
The Strong Belief Stir Everyone
To Have'Ganga-Snanam' before the Sun-Rise

Diwali the Festival of Lights
Commences Religiously with Ganges Bath
New Dresses Adorn Everyone
Exchange of Greetings and Sweets
Mark the Festival Happy, Religious and Unique !!!!!

Wishing you ' A Happy Deepavali ' !!!!!

Natarajans
B1=304 'White House' Apts.,
R.T.Nagar, Bangalore 560 032

'DIWALI GREETINGS and Ganga-Snanam' !

2011-10-23T01:44:00.000-07:00

2011-10-15T02:03:00.000-07:00

Comeuppance

2011-09-23T11:26:00.000-07:00

P.Natarajan.

As and when a wrong is committed, we do develop some bad feeling. It is something like a dirt particle eroding in the mind. We then become conscious that no one should come to notice it. So we begin to cover it up in a manner that it does not become visible to the naked eye nor get deciphered.

On the other hand, there is an easier path which somehow we tend to overlook. We can atone the wrong-doing by means of prayers. As a soap can easily washes away the dirt, prayers help in a person recovering from the feeling of sin or guilt. Otherwise we have to resort to lying or pretend as if there is no wrong committed. One mistake leads to the other and certainly two negatives can not make it positive but can only complicate matters.

Clinically speaking, washing the dirt with a medicated soap would do good instead of covering it up lest the dirt should become severe and grow as a wound and can go septic also if left unattended. When we don't clear our consciousness by not admitting the mistake, and start lying, the cumulative effect is as dangerous as the wound going septic.

Why we try to conceal the wrong doing? May be that we always like others to keep a good opinion about us or we conceal the act in some fear of punishment from the other person. Lying or pretending to be quiet soaked in fear will no way amend the wrong committed. The matter gets worse if the lie gets detected and we may have to face the comeuppance of the wrong-doing. The picture would be totally different had we admitted at the first instant itself the mistake.

It requires some amount courage of conviction and prudence to admit the truth. They act as true detergents to remove the dirt and purify the spot. We need not also be unduly anxious about the comeuppance and be prepared to face the music tomorrow.

pn

" BPOSITIVE "

2011-09-06T21:16:00.000-07:00

- P.Natarajan.

A positive attitude needs to be developed from the young age and it is equally important to pursue it with active interest for moving forward. Goal setting is essential to focus our energy and devise ways and means to achieve them.

Commitment is a generic word for being responsible and it can be classified broadly into three groups namely intellectual, emotional and financial.

A Scientist for example pursues his intellectual commitment in the research & development activities and explores means for new invention.

The emotional aspects get portrayed, say, in epics like Srimad Ramayana or Mahabharata. Sugriva and Hanuman shows commitment in friendship to SriRama and put in their best efforts to find Sita, cross the ocean and join hands with SriRama in destroying the enemy camp. The moral and spiritual commitments to the cause is displayed brilliantly here. Karna never wavered from his set mind and remained loyal to Duryodhana, even after the plea by Kunti who brought the revelation of Karna's relationship to Pandavas. One does not change one's stance to changed circumstances. A word of honor once given, there is no going back.

The financial goals need to be achieved for a business organization to remain in business and prosper. The Management can not afford to lag behind the financial commitments lest they should loose the competitive edge in the area of their business.

There are four kinds of people, those who make things happen, those who watch things to happen, those who wonder what has happened and those who do not know anything has happened. So in pursuit of excellence there is one and only mantra, that is "YOU CAN DO IT ". Any fear in this process could be termed as an illusion. It must be believed that nothing is standing in the way. Gifted are those who get to realize at very young age that in many things in life, less is more. Blessed are those who have an intelligence and good sense to seek to escape the celebrity path. Lucky are those who realize and reflect that life's greatest pleasures are simple ones.

Sometime we are caught up in who is right and who is wrong forgetting what is right or wrong. We must be sportive enough to believe that everything happens for a cause or reason. Friends, colleagues or relatives are like balloons, once you let them go, you might not get them back. Sometimes we never realize the truth till it is very late. Still better late than never. Your mind is like a parachute, it functions only when open. Have an open mind which will help in not getting into prejudices.

The law of average dictates that even after we put in 100 percent dedication and commitment, things go wrong. Believe that God has something greater for you and that is why this has happened. - pn

Versatility of the Number " 3 " described in 60 ways !

2011-03-10T05:19:00.000-08:00

P.Natarajan.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

When we begin, we begin with No1. The next number two suggests some clout and there are some questions like ' which are the two and what difference it makes and so on'. Three, as we call the next number, is versatile. When we usher in the No.' 3 ', the differences raised by number two vanish. Number three is considered as a unifying number and vibrant.

This essay discusses the versatility of Number '3' in as much as 60 ways. The reader is requested to spare time to look how the number explores in many ways.

1) Management books speak of the importance of the "Three" Visions - viz - the foresight (thinking ahead), the hind sight (examining after the event), the hunch (premonition) -

- the classic case of the growth of a business enterprise is Reliance Industries due to hunch of its founder leader Dirubai Ambani. He was greatly inspired and carried out his mind's convictions (hunch) to transform RIL from a small beginning to a mighty Enterprise.

2) ' The Three Investigators ' series authored by Robert Arthur is about the adventures of three little boys (1) Jupiter Jones, (2) Pete Cranshaw and (3) Bob Andrews who solve puzzles and mysteries in the series which is a big hit.

3) Sanskrit language specifies three Vachanas - Eka Vachana, Dwi Vachana, & Bahu Vachana (singular,dual and plural).

4) Economics teaches the difference between primary, secondary and tertiary levels of economics. Tertiary Economics is economy of third order, higher than the secondary.

5) Three Musketeers is a famous novel by Alexandre Dumas.

6) Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear belong to a 'triology' of tragedy works of Shakespeare.

7) Trimester- three months of human gestation period.

8) Tripos Speech - A Cambridge Honors Examination - List of successful candidates in it --- traceable to a custom after a B.A. known as Mr.Tripos sat on a three legged stool and disputed in the Philosophy School at Cambridge on an Ash Wednesday - his speech being called the ' Tripos Speech ' !

9) We worship Shiva who has 'Trinetra'- the third eye emits fire to destroy the evils.

10) "Triambaka" , "Trikagnikalaya" - Rudram in veda recital praises Lord Shiva in this manner. Triambakeswarar Temple which is one of 12 Jyothirlingams is in Nasik.

11) 'Trimurthi' represents the combined force of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

12) "Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswathi" - the three Goddesses are worshiped during the 9 days of 'Navarathri' festival in India.

13) Trinity means threefold, three in one, the triune God of orthodox Christian.

14) Trialogue is a dialogue between three persons.

15) Worship Mother, Father and Guru - the three as Gods.

16) 'Trident' or "Trishul" - the three edged spear is the weapon of Lord Shiva. ( Trishul is also a missile developed by Indian Ministry of Defence ).

17) Lalitha Sahasranamam spells out 'Namavalis ' like ' Triupura, Trinayana, Trijagathvandhya and Trimurthi ...in the series starting with three.

18) Mahabali was a generous king and growing in popularity. The Devas feared his supremacy and prayed to Lord Vishnu to protect them. Vishnu appeared before Mahabali disguised as Vamana, a poor brahmin and demanded three paces of land . Vishnu covered the whole of Earth with one foot, the skies with the second and crushed Mahabali to Patala with the third step. Home coming of Mahabali is celebrated as Onam (Thiruvonam) festival in Kerala.

19) Ayurveda Medicine is based on the three principles of ' Pittha, Kapha and Vayu '.

20) Have a heavy break-fast, moderate lunch and a light dinner - the 'three' for a healthy living !

21) Entertain your guest with a 'three' course servings of delicious food.

22) Three Roses ' is a brand of Tea manufactured by a reputed firm.

23) Trigeminal nerve is the fifth cranial nerve that connects the brain and the face.

24) Tricuspid Valve is located between the Right Auricle and the Right Ventricle in the human heart.

25) Walk, jog and run to maintain your slim line.

26) Study in the morning, work in the afternoon, relax in the evening and make the day useful.

27) Try, Try and Try again - at least three times for success !

28) Enjoy your travel by road, sea and air (three modes of travel ) to get a global view !

29) The opinions are of three fold - accept, oppose or be neutral.

30) Third Party insurance protects the third party other than the principals (the insurer and the insured)

31) Third rate refers to a poor quality.

32) The Trilogy movies are - Lord of the Rings, God Father, Star Wars..(to name 3 only)

33) Triple Sundae is a popular variety of ice cream.

34) Mango, ,jackfruit & banana are set of three fruits offered during puja.

35) Triennial - happening every third year.

36) Good, Better and Best - the third phase is " The Best' or ' The Super most '.

37) The World Cup-2011 - India has won, not lost till now and encountered a tie against England also ! (3-results in a game)

38) Third Umpire (TV Replay) can rule out the main umpire's decision which we are witnessing in the world Cup 2011 today.

39) Third man is a fielder between the point and slip in Cricket and a stylish hit to third man boundary is a beauty !

40) The famous Spin Trio in Indian Cricket were Bedi, Prasanna and Chandrashekar.

41) Triple Jump, Triple Chase, Triathlon are Sports events

42) Tricycle is used by children before they start riding the bicycle.

43) Lal, Bal, Pal the Swadeshi 'triumvirate' who advocated the Swadeshi movement.
(Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal resply).

44) Third World Economics is a term used to refer the developing countries, not aligned politically with the Power Blocks..

45) Triple Alliance was the league of England, Sweden and Netherlands formed against France in 1668.

46) Triode is an Electronic Valve and consists of three terminals ;- an anode, a cathode and a gate. Gate circuit is useful for many logistic applications.

47) Third Stream is a style of music having features of jazz and classical music.

48) Trinity of Carnatic Music refers to the three great composers - Saint Thyagaraja,
Muthuswamy Dikshithar & Shyama Sastry.

49) Adi Sankara , Sri Ramanuja and Sri Madhvachariar are the three Heads who propagated the Hindu religion and established the three sects namely Advaitha, Vishishtadvaita and Dwaitha resply.

50) A nuclear family consists of the Father, Mother and a child. When the child is born the family bond grows stronger.

51)' Three Idiots' is a popular Indian Movie.

52)) Time is referred as Past, Present and Future. - the three tenses in Grammar also.

53) The three rationale:- Body, Mind and Spirit or Atman - is a Philosophy.

54) Solid, liquid and Gas -are the three states of matter .

55) Saffron, White and Green - three colors of prominence occupy the Tri- color Indian National Flag -

56) A Triangle is a plane figure with three sides and three angles within it . Trigonometry is the branch of mathematics that treats the relations between the sides and angles of a Triangle.

57) Three Phase Supply are marked by RYB (Red, Yellow and Blue - the primary colors )
- widely used in Industries.

58) Triple Point is a reference point where the Solid, Liqid and Gaseous forms of a substance co-exist. For eg.: Triple Point for Water is 273.16K.

59)Tripod is anything on three feet or legs especially a stand for an instrument.

60) Tripitaka--The Buddhist Canon is traditionally divided into three parts, called
Tripitaka, which has the meaning "Three baskets", i.e. the Sutras, Sastras and the Vinaya.

[ Number '3' is described in 60 different ways - a number divisible by 3 ]

" Bye " ! ( this is also a three letter word) meaning " Let God Be With You " !!!!!!!!

pn

" A Quiz about Shivarathri which is observed today "

2011-03-01T09:58:00.000-08:00

- P.Natarajan.

Q-1) ' Mahashivarathri ' falls on which day ?

(Ans:- Tamil Month 'Masi'(Kumbha), Krishnapaksha Chathurdasi Day (Pradhosham), is observed as Mahashivarathri. People fast and keep awake whole night worshiping Lord Shiva. This year Shivarathri falls on March 02, the Wednesday.

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-Picture of the presiding Deity Shiva in the Temple in Old Airport road in Bangalore.

Q-2) Name the five Shivarathri(s) !

(Ans:- (1) Nithyashivarathri which occurs on Prodhasham day during Krishnapaksham & Suklapaksham in all the 12 months of the year . (2) Paksha Shivarathri - worship of Shiva - starting in Makara month in Krishnapaksham from Prathama to Chathurdhasi day.
(3) 'Shivarathri that occurs in every month apart from the Chathurdhasi day and which is notified in the Panchangam. (4) Yoga Shivarathri falls on Somavara or Monday when Amavasya coincides for the full day (5) Mahashivarathri which occurs in Tamil month 'Masi'.

Q-3) Describe in what ways Shiva and Number '5' are connected .

( Ans:- NO.(1) Puranas worship Shiva as having Five faces. 'Esanam, Tatpurusham, Agoram, Vamadevam, Sathyojatham are the Five Faces. Manikkavachagar says Shiva's five faces have five colours. Esanam in the center is transparent and glass like. East facing Tatpurusham is Golden, South facing Agoram is Black, North facing Vamadevam is Red, West facing Sathyojatham is White. Five Faces having Five Colors face Five directions.

No.(2) Lord Shiva dances in Five Sabhas (halls). First one is Chitrasabha in Kutralam, second Copper Sabha in Tirunelveli, third 'Rathna Sabha' in Tiruvalangadu, fourth 'Velli Ambalam' in Madurai, Gold Sabha in Thiruchitrambalam (Chidambaram)

(3)The Five Deed that belong to Shiva:
Creation, Protection, Destruction, Thriyodhanam, (concealing)& Anugraha (Compassion).

(4) The Five Puranas which are sung in Sivasannidhi are Thevaram, Thiruvachagam, Thiruvisaippa, Thiruppallandu, and Periapuranam.

(5) ' N A M A SHI VA YA' - Shiva is worshiped by chanting this name many times. People apply (1) Vibhoothi on their foreheads, (2) wear rudhraksha, (3) do Panchakshara Japa 'OHM NAMASIVAYA', (4) perform archana with Vilvam leaves, (5) recite five puranas on Mahashivarathri day.

Q-4) Do you know the mythological stories connected with Shivarathri ?

Ans:- There are 4 stories which figure in Puranas prominently.

1) A tussle arose once between Brahma and Vishnu - ' Who is superior of the two?' They both agreed that whoever finds first the head and feet of Lord Shiva and return would be the winner. The whole world trembled witnessing the fight between the Omnipotents and darkness prevailed everywhere. Lord Shiva took the form of a Jyothi which obviously has no head or feet. Brahma, Vishnu and Devas and Rishis realized the whole truth about Lord Shiva and offered worship on that day which is now observed as Mahashivarathri.

2) When Parvathi Devi playfully closed the eyes of Shiva the world plunged into utter darkness. The people wept and prayed for light. Lord Shiva brought the jyothi forward and illumined the world. That day is celebrated as Shivarathri.

3) 'Neelakanta' ( Neelagreeva in Sanskrit ) as the name refers to the incident of Shiva taking the 'Aalahala poison' that emerged when Devas and Asuras churned the 'Ksheerabdhi' by Manthra mountain with the help of Vasuki the Serpent God, with an intention to save the world from the ill-effects of the poison. The poison stayed at the throat level of Shiva, when Parvathi stopped Siva from devouring it, and Shiva's throat turned 'neela'. The Devas prayed for the safety of Lord Shiva and that day is observed as Shivarathri.

4) 'Pralaya Kalam' begins at the end of a Yuga when everything perishes leaving only Shiva and Parvathi when the latter pleads to Shiva to save the world from destruction by offering puja in 4 phased 'Kala' extensively. The world got a new life and that day when Parvathi worshiped Shiva has come to be known as 'Mahashivarathri'.

Q-5) Do you know the meaning of the word "SHIVAM " ?

Ans:- Shivam means " Prosperous or Auspicious ". Paramashivam spells elevated Success. Surya Deva, Lord Subrahmanya, Yama, Indra, Kubera, Manmatha, Agni - all came to know about the significance of Shivarathri through Nandi, the Bull God. They all observed 'vrata' and worshiped Lord Shiva on Shivarathri day to bring prosperity to the whole world.

Shivam also means 'Exalted Peace'!

Q-6) Which 'Shivalaya' in South India , is worshiped as 'Markanteyasthala' where Shiva saved Markanteya (who is a Chiranjeevi ) from the clutches of Yama?

Ans:- Thirukkadaiyur near Mayiladuthurai which place is also famous for conducting "Sashtiabdapoorthi Poorthi Kalyanam" , the 60th birthday for longevity!

Q-7) Name the place where VEERABADRAMURTHY ( Shiva )enjoys the showers after destroying Daksha and SHOWERS HIS GRACE !

Ans:-Thirparappu Falls near Cape, 40 miles from Nagerkoil is famous for its cool and copious showers. Veerabadra in the name of Mahadeva is showering his blessings here.

Q-8) What vratam (rituals) did Brahma undertake to marry Saraswathi and Vishnu to obtain "Chakrayudham" ?

Ans:- Both worshiped Lord Shiva and observed " Shivarathri Vrata " to attain their goals.

Q-9) Where did Sri Rama undertake the worship of Lord Shiva to get rid of the sins of Rama - Ravana yuddha?

Ans:- Rameswaram in South India. Rameswaram is considered as holy as Varanasi in the North and a bath in the sea and performing rituals in the sea shore at least once in a life time is aspired by religious people.

Q-10) Where is " 108 Sivalayam " ? What its significance ?

Ans:- The Temple (108 Sivalayam ) is situated in Papanasam in Thanjavur District in Tamil Nadu. The presiding deity is known as Ramalinga Swamy.

Kudamurutti River (KAVERI River at this place is called by this name) in Papanasam where Sita was playing with the sand and making small heaps. Sri Rama who saw these queried Sita whether she was making Shiva Lingams. Sita had already made 107 sand heaps looking like Shiva Lingams. Rama's inquiry proved true & the sand heaps turned into 107 real Shiva Lingams. Hanuman who was deputed to Varanasi to bring One Shiva Lingam from there finally arrived at Papanasam where Sita had already made 107 Lingams. What Hanuman brought from Varanasi came to be known as the 108th Lingam and called the 'Hanumantha Lingam '. This place is a cure for those whose horoscope suffers the adverse effect of Saturn in the 8th place (Ashtamasani) or 7.5 years of the rule of the Saturn.

Q-11) Shiva is called a Physician in this famous Temple in Tamil Nadu Name it

Ans. The place is " VAITHEESWARAN KOIL " near Chidambaram. The Shiva Deity is also known as ' VAITHEESWARAN " . The place is famous for cure for 'Angaraha - Dosha ' in the horoscope. 'Vaitheeswaran in Tamil means Doctor of Medicine.

Q-12) List some names of Shiva and Rama in one ?

Ans:- Ramalingam, Sivaraman, Ramanathan, Sivaramakrishnan, Rameswaran, Ramasubramanian, Ramdev, Ramananda, Ramasubban ...... ( Lingam, Nathan, Eswaran, Subramanian, Dev and Subban - all refer to Shiva's names )

Q-13) Where is world's tallest Statue of Lord Shiva is situated ?

Ans) It is located in Nepal, 25 k.m. east of Kathmandu and measures 108 feet from feet to head and 143feet from feet to Thirushul. (see picture above)

Q-14) Where the tallest statue of Shiva located in India ?

Murdeshwara, the tallest in India is located in Karnataka, the place is also known by the Idol's name. It is 123 feet tall and located in Bhatkal TK. in Uttara kannada District in the sea shore.. It is also considered tallest in the world measuring from feet to the head.

In Q-13, the measurement is from feet to the Thirushul, hence tallest. If the measurement is considered from feet to head, Murdeshwara is the tallest in the world.

A small piece from Rudram for reciting on the occasion of Shivarathri as the quizzing stops here:-

" Namasthe asthu Bhagavan Visweswaraya, Mahadevaya, Triambakaya, Triupuranthakaya, Trukagnikalaya, Kalgnirudrya, Neelakantaya, Mruthyunjayaya, Sarveswaraya, Sadasivaya, Sriman Mahadevaya Namaha " ( These are the names of Siva in Yajur Veda and each name bears a significant 'tatparyam'!

Ohm Namo Bhagavathe Rudraya Vishnave Mrithyurme Pahi ! ( these ending words of Rudram is a prayer meaning :- " Salutations to Lord Shiva to bless us with a long and peaceful life )

Ohm Shanthi Shanthi Shanthihi !!!!!!

pn

Spectrum Song

2011-02-24T09:54:00.000-08:00

P.Natarajan

Spectrum like a Rainbow an after image
Spectrum is not a Scam
Rainbow Exhibits a Beautiful ' VIBGYOR '
Spectrum are rays of light
Rays of Light host arrays of Frequencies
Arrays of Frequencies have varying Bands
And Bands have Many Widths
Spectrum is a generic word
Defining Frequencies of Different Band Width
Sound and Light are transmitted by waves
Spectrum in a nutshell consists of high frequency waves
50 cycles per second used in household utilities
2G Spectrum 800 to 1900Mhz are for Cellular Services
3G 2100 MHz is prevalent in Mobile and Voice Phones
2300MHz are for high speed Broad Band Wireless
'S' Band refers to 2500MHz find place in Satellite -
and in Global Mobile Broad Band Services
High Frequencies of Broad Band Constitute High Power
Power is vested with the Union Government
Like Raja (KING) Rules A Kingdom
People Rule in Democracy
Power corrupts the governance
Your Vote is the Key to elect the Govt.
Think Therefore Thrice Before You Vote !!!

pn

'Warm up Test (Quiz) ' on the day WC commences !

2011-02-18T20:05:00.000-08:00

1) What was the venue of the Inaugural WC in 1975 ? How Gavaskar became famous in the wrong way in this First WC ?

2) Outline the format of WC? (like how many overs, colour of the ball, etc...?)

3) Who captioned the winning team in the first WC and what was his outstanding contribution?

4) What was the change introduced in the 1983 WC format? Which Team spoiled the possible hatrick win in WC by West Indies ? What was the venue in 1983?

5) Who was the man of the match in 1983 Final and what was his contribution?

6) What change was introduced in the number of overs in the 4th WC in 1987 ? Which two countries sponsored the event ? Which Team won the cup for the first time ?

7) What were the changes introduced in 1992 WC ? Name the winner and runner up in 1992 Cup ?

8) Eden Gardens became infamous as a venue in 1996 - why ? Where was the final held who won the cup?

9) In the 7th WC in 1999 'Super-6' format was introduced and most of the matches took place in England. How Super-6 concept helped Australia to march into finals beating South Africa ?

10) What was the feat Sachin held in 2003 WC ? Which Team won in the finals against India and what was great about that (winning event)

11) 2007 WC, the 9th one, saw 16 teams as participants and the first two teams of the four marched into the 'Super-8'. Where this was held for the first time ? Bob Wolmar was found dead in the Hotel - What was the verdict of the Jamaican Police about his death?

12) The 10th WC takes place in India. India is in Group B of 7 while Australia who is in Group A of 7 is contesting to win the cup for the 5th time. India enters as a hot favourite. What is your view though there is a general opinion that the 10th WC is wide open.

The question No.12 is what is the cost of the World Cup? What amount the winning Team gets? How much for the runner-up? Which Team holds the record for maximum runs scored? Who holds the record for most runs? Who holds record for most hundreds and most wickets? Who holds the record for the highest Score? How many days the 10th WC last and where and when the final takes place?

Do you like to know whether your score is thrills to a centum or stops with a half century or with only some sixes and fours. In other words how you have scored in this FINAL? See for yourself please. Thank you for your valued participation or partnership in the Game of Cricket.

pn

ANSWERS:-

1) First WC's venue was England. Gavaskar played a very slow game hitting 36 runs only in 174 balls though remained not out.India lost to England by 202 runs. England scored 334 to a partly score of 132 by I. Dennis Amis scored the first 100 for England in the history of World Cup.

2) Format:- 60 overs, palayers in Traditional White Uniform, Red Ball, Game in Day only.

3) Clive Lloyd - captain of the winning West Indies Team in the first WC. At Lords Lloyd hit 102 runs in 85 balls, 12-4s, 2-6s; and clean bowled Australia's star batsman Dough Walters and won the man of the match award. Australia lost to WI by 17 runs in the first final.

4) The participating Teams were divided into two teams and league system was introduced. Each Team played twice against the others. Kapil's Devil India made history on 25-06-1983 by winning the World Cup in 1983 (183runs), thus spoiling the hatrick chance to West Indies by 43 runs. The venue England.

5) Mohinder amarnath was the Man of the Match contributing 26 runs out of India's Total 183, and took 3 wkts.

6) India and Pakistan were the sponsors of the 1987 WC. 60 overs format was brought down to 50 overs. Alan Border's Australian 11 won the cup for the first time beating England at Eden Gardens in Calcutta by 7 runs.

7) The changes in the format:- (1) Players had the option to wear colour uniform instead of the traditional White. White Balls came into being in the place of red. The matches had Day and Night schedules instead of Days only. South Africa came out of its ban of 21 years and participated for the first time in WC. The Winner of 1992 Cup was Imran's Pakistan. Runner up was South Africa. South Africa was to make 22 runs in 13 balls but rains spoilt its bid and by Dough's short method SA were to score 21 runs in 1 ball and lost miserably.

8) India encountered Sri Lanka in 1996 semis. in Eden Gardens. Sachin gave a flying start but the suceeding batsmen failed giving room to unrest in the midst of one lakh of spectators . The spectators behaved violently and the game grinded to dead stop. Sri Lanka was declared the Winner.The final was held in Lahore, pakistan. Sri Lanka won the Cup beating Aussies by 7 wkts.

9) Australia vs South Africa match ended in a historic Tie (213 runs each) in 1999 Semifinal.
But in the Super 6 league Australia was adjusted to have had a better run rate and thus the Super 6 league helped Australia to enter the final. It also won the cup at Lords beating Pak.by 8 wkts.

10) Sachin took India upto the finals in 2003. In 11 matches, Sachin scored 100 once, 50s-6times, total 673 runs, averaging 61.88, thus creating a record for maximum runs in 2003 Series. He won the man of the Series award also. australia beat India in 2003 finals and thus the event proved great to Australia as they won the cup for the third time in continuity - a hatrick.

11) The world Cup took place in West Indies for the first time in 2007. Suspense shrouded Bob Wolmer's death in a hotel room. The Jamaican police who held investigations anounced its judgement that it was a natural death and put a full stop.

12) 14 Nations and One Cup - Total Prize:-Rs.46 Crores. Winner takes: Rs.14crores, Runnerup - Rs.7Crores. India holds the higest total : 413/5; Most Runs by Tendulkar: 1796 runs, 57.93 ave.; Highest score: G.Kristen(sa):188not out.; Most Wkts: 71 in 39 matches, Best Bowling McGrath 9 (aus) 7/15 versus Nambia, Most Hundreds Ganguly 4 in 21 matches. Best Wicket Keeper GGilchrist, Most Catches Ponting.

10th WC duration: 43 days, 49 Matches, April 2 will be the final in Wankede stadium Mumbai. 'Stumpy' an elephant cartoon is the officiating symbol of 2011 World Cup which is 7 years old and is believed to be very fond of Cricket.

Now the suspense starts and may keep many fingers crossed ! Let's hope for the best!

pn

The Story about Pradhosham

2011-01-31T01:58:00.001-08:00

P.Natarajan.

Today is 17th in the Tamil Month 'Thai' or Makara and corresponds with the Krishnapaksha Thrayodhasi. It is otherwise known as 'Prodhosham'. Thai Ammavasai occurs two days from today.

There is a story about Prodhosha and Lord Siva takes the centers stage. The Devas desired to have a life that will last for ever. They approached Lord Narayana who advised them to beget nectar or Amruth from the Ksheerapthi (ocean of milk). They made use of Vasuki, the serpent as a rope to churn the ocean with the help of the Meru Mountain. Vasuki felt the pain unbearable in the process and spit 'poison'. the 'alhala poison' grew in dimension and soon became a threat to the whole world. Devas approached Lord Siva to protect them and Parvathy Devi's merciful look compelled Lord Siva to devour the entire poison that got generated in the process of churning the Ksheerapthi. Parvathi Devi rushed to lord Siva and stopped His action and the poison got stayed at the throat level. Lord Siva came to be known as 'NEELAKANTA" from that day, as the name suggests his throat became Blue in color . Lord Siva who appeared very much tired after swallowing the 'alahala poison' brought his body flat in a lying position. The Devas and Parvathy Devi feared and in order to drive away their fear, Lord Siva began the 'Thandava' dance. It was Ekadasi day when Lord Siva took the poison. He was in the lying position on Dwadasi. On Thrayodasi day , Siva commenced his Tandava Dance. It was then 'Sandhya kalam' or twilight time. This time is considered as holy and from that day on wards came to be known as 'Prodhosham' and people worship Lord Siva and Prodosha Pujas are offered to lord Siva in Temples in elaborate style.. It is believed that those who worship Siva during Prodhosha for a period of 14 years continuously will not have rebirth.

The time when Night meets the Day is known as 'Ushath' Kala or simply known as the Dawn. Usha Devi, the consort of Surya is the presiding deity at Dawn. In a similar way, the time when the Day meets the Night is known as 'Prodhosha Kalam' or simply known as 'Sandhya Kalam'. The gramatic name is 'Prathushath kalam' which in days to come came to be better known as 'Prodosham' We all know dhosham means some deficiency and Pradhosham means 'Nil Deficiency". Sani Prodhosham is considered as sacred as it was
SATURDAY when SIVA's " Sandhya Thandavam " happened !

Nandi Perumal who takes Lord Siva always on him was immensely in enjoyment to look at Sivathandavam. That is why People look at Lord Siva through the horns of Nandi Deavar. People worship Nandi with a garland of fine grass.

On Prodosha Day, people worship Hari at dawn and Siva at the time of sandhya when they recite the Panchakshara Mantra " OM Nama SIVAYA ', "OM NAMA SIVAYA' ...RPT.....

pn

PONGAL GREETINGS !

2011-01-14T00:22:00.000-08:00

Mrs.Parvathy.N & Mr.P.Natarajan.

The Advent of Uttarayana Celeberated as Makara Sankaranthi
Makara Jyothi Is Lit Also The Sun Shines Bright
Obeisance to Sun God for Good Health & Prosperity
Sweet Pongal, Sugarcanes, Flowers and Fruits as we present

We stand in prayer as ' Mangalaharthi ' is offered
The Familly Members say aloud 'PONGALO PONGAL " in a unified voice
And Wish Everyone " A Happy Pongal "

O U R P O N G A L G R E E T I N G S
T O A L L O F Y O U !!

2011-01-09T03:03:00.000-08:00

1. Thurs 24 Dep.Chennai for Bangalore by night Train

2. Fri 25 Dep.Bangalore 9A.M. Arr. Kukke Subramanya Arr.5 P.M.-340K.M. 8hrs Travel-Kukke Subramanya Temple Visit and Night Halt in Hotel.

3. Sat 26 Dep.Kukkesubramanya @ 8A.M.- Arr. Dharmasthala 10.30 A.M.- 60K.M distance. Visit Temple/ Lunch @ Temple. Leave Dharmasthala @1P.M. for Mangalore-3hrs Journey. Halt Mangalore in a Hotel. Mangala Devi, Kadri and 2 more Temple visits @ Mangalore.

4. Sun 27 Dep. Mangalore @ 7A.M. - Arrive Kateel @ 8A.M. - 30 K.M. - Dharsan @ Ambal Temple in kateel. Dep. Kateel 10 A.M. and arrive Udupi at 11A.M. Dharsan at Udupi Krishna Temple. Lunch in Temple. Dhothi/Tumbler necessary for lunch here.

Leave Udupi at 2.30p.m. for Ambalapadi-10K.M.travel- DEVI Temple. Leave Ambalpadi at 4P.M. for Pa ja ka - Visit Madhwacharyar's Home & Temple-good Coffee & Uppuma free there - Leave Pa ja ka 5.30 P.M. for Anegudda Ganesa Temple - and have dinner before proceeding to Kundapura for night halt. ( Udupi to Kundapura 60 K.M. )

5. Mon 28 Dep. Kundapura @ 6A.M. for Kollur (60 K.M.). Mookambika Amman Temple visit and Break Fast. Leave Kollur for Muruddeswar at about 11 A.M. ( 90 K.M ). Siva Temple at Sea Shore- get Lunch Coupon at the Temple -

Leave Muruddeshwar at 4p.m. for Sringeri - 3hrs journey (100K.M) - Stay at
Mutt Choultry . Darshan Sarada Devi Temple. Dinner free at Srigeri Mutt.

6. Tue 29 Sringeri Sankaracharyar Darshan / Temple and proceed to Rishyasringer Temple. Finish b/f.

Leave Sringeri 10A.M. to Horanadu - 2hrs journey ( not a good road) - Annapoorneswari Temple and Should Have Lunch ( Don't leave without having Lunch) - Rest Room Facility available - Water is good).

Leave for Bangalore 3p.m. or so - 7 to 8hrs journey.

Points to Note:-
Chennai to Mangalore by Train takes 16 hours to cover 900 K.M..
Chennai to Bangalore by Train takes 7 hours to cover 361 K.M.
The Places suggested in the Itinerary are located more or less in a straight line pattern which fact avoids detouring and to save time.
Chartered 8 seater Car or Tempo Traveller with Ac preferred
KSRTC conducts the same Tour starting Thursday Night and returns Monday Morning every week. The fare is available in the catalogue already sent c/o Neela.

The Chartered A.C. Car fare for INNOVA @ 8.75 Rupees per K.M , Rs150 bata to Driver per day.
The envisaged distance involved as per above itinerary keeping Bangalore as the Centre 1200 K.M will be close to Rs.12500.

Boarding and Lodging not included in the above estimate.

Circulated to all for taking stock of the data and for decision making.

Ambi & Parvathy.

2010-12-08T01:34:00.000-08:00

'Deepavali brings Enlightenment' !!
- P.Natarajan

Deepavali is a national festival in India and is celebrated with charisma and splendor. 'Deep' in Sanskrit means 'diyas' or small clay lamps filled with oil and Deepavali translates into 'row of lamps', or more popularly as 'Festival of Lights'. The most significant meaning is 'the awareness of inner light' as the saying of Upanishads goes 'Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya' meaning ' lead us from darkness to light'. There is something beyond the physical body which is sacred, infinite, eternal and pure called 'Atman'. Awareness of Atman dispels darkness and ignorance which brings 'ananda', bliss or enlightenment.

Deepavali falls in October-November on the day before the New Moon (Amavasya). People get up early in the morning when the lady of the house who is also a 'Graha Lakshmi' places a dash of sesame oil on the forehead of family members. Goddess Lakshmi is believed to reside in the oil and the oil bath which follows is considered equivalent to a bath in the holy Ganges river. New clothes are worn and children prostrate before the elders to seek their blessings. There is a loud festive joy and excitement everywhere with the bursting of crackers to mark the occasion. Special sweets and savories await every one for consumption and distribution.

Deepavali abounds with mythology and folklore:-

According to Vishnupuranam, it was the day Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the Ksheerasagara' (ocean of milk) during the great churning of the ocean (samudhra manthan). It is also believed that on this auspicious day Lord Vishnu married Goddess Lakshmi. Lakshmi who symbolises wealth, health and prosperity is worshipped on the occasion of Deepavali.

Srimad Bhagavatham reveals that in Treta Yuga Lord Vishnu in his fifth incarnation as 'Vamana' vanquished the demon King Mahabali and rescued Lakshmi from the prison on Deepavali day. In Karnataka, this day is celebrated as 'Balipadyami'.

The slaying of Narakasura in Dwaparayuga by Lord Krishna is the most popular legend associated with Deepavali. The demon requested Lord Krishna that the day be remembered as end of evil and resurgence of prosperity and celebrated with festive joy and happiness.' Narakachathurdasi Snanam' , the oil bath in the wee hours henceforth got associated with Deepavali.

The Epic Mahabharata unfolds that it was on Kartik Amavasya when the Pandavas reappeared from their 12 years of banishment into Hastinapura when people accorded a great and joyous welcome to them by illuminating the entire State with diyas which tradition is maintained to this day.

People of Ayodhya celebrated grandly the homecoming of Sri Rama after his killing Ravana by bursting crackers and lighting small clay lamps through out the City
.
Another folklore is how Lord Krishna saved the people of Gokula from the torrential rains. Indra, the Rain god sent down in wrath to flood the entire village. Lord Krishna lifted the Govardan Mountain with his little finger as an umbrella protecting the whole village. People offer on Diwali day the food to Lord Krishna as a thanks giving act for protecting the crops from the slaughter of rains.

Legendary King Vikramaditya known for his valour and wisdom was coronated on Diwali day.

Deepavali commemorates the enlightenment of Vardhman Mahavir which symbolises the emancipation of human spirit from earthly desires. Even today Jains celebrate "Dipalika" which translates into splendorous light of lamps in remembrance of Nirvana of Mahavira on Oct15, 527 BC on Chthurdasi of Kartika..

It is a special day for Sikhs. Their 6th religious leader Guru Hargobind who was held in Gwalior Fort by King Jahangir was freed from imprisonment. It was also on the same auspicious occasion of Deepavali when the foundation stone of the Golden Temple at Amritsar was laid in 1577A.D.

It is on Diwali, Swami Dhayananda Saraswathi attained Nirvana and became Maharishi Dayananda when he founded Aryasamaj.

In Maharashtra, the traders and business people attach importance to Diwali and perform Lakshmi Puja. The Bombay Stock Exchange performs a token bidding called " Muhurta Bidding' on this day.

In Bengal Kali Puja is observed and the city of Kolkata is lit up with grandiosity

In Goa and Konkan, effigies of Narakasura are burnt around
4 O' clock in the morning the following day symbolizing the victory of good over evil.

In Gujarat, the five days celebrations begin with presenting 'Dhanteras gifts' like silver, gold jewelry, cleansing, painting of houses and performing Hanuman puja and the second day is for worshipping Kali ( Kali Choudas ) who killed the wicked demon Raktavija
The third day is Chopda Pujan, which is very significant to the business community, when ledgers and new account books are opened offering a special prayer to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi.. The fourth day is considered auspicious and called 'Bestavarsh", the New Year'. Bha duj-the sacred bond between brother and sister is observed during Diwali celebrations in some parts of the North India.

Diwali is celebrated in different parts of the world particularly where large populations of Indian and Hindu origin reside. In USA the festival is assuming importance year after year. US Congress has given official status for Deepavali festival in 2007. Barack Obama became the first President to personally attend Diwali at the White House in 2009. The Diwali Mela in the world famous domed 'Cowboys Stadium' in Arlington, Texas boasted an attendance of one lakh people in the same year. San-Antonia became the first US city to sponsor official celebrations including fireworks display with 5000 people in attendance.

'Narakasura, Ravana, Mahabali' are all within us. Festival of Deepavali reminds us to overcome from the evils and forge ahead with a clear thinking for the good of mankind.

Deepavali Greetings to all the readers who are going through with keen interest this special bumper Deepavali edition of 'Malaicharal' magazine. .

'Sarve janaha sukino bhavanthu' .
May all be blessed with happiness and auspiciousness !

A Poem and an Article about the Festival of Lights !

2010-12-08T01:17:00.000-08:00

1)

'Diwali Spells Unity in Diversity '
-P.Natarajan

Diwali legends are many
Narakasura tale popular in South
Balipadya celebrated in Karnataka
Rama's home coming brings aananda in Ayodhya !!

Deepams and diyas brighten Deepavali
Festival of lights indeed delights every year
Savories and sweets plenty and tasty
Fire crackers fly fast the thunderous sky !!

Grand mothers act as time keepers on the day
Wake up family members in wee hours
'Narakachathurthy-Snanam' equals the bath in Ganges
People adorn new clothes to shine and smile !!

Bell ringing Lakshmi puja begins
Aroma of incense pervades the hall
People gather and sing prayers
Brings an ambiance serene and divine !!

Welcoming the newly weds a customary art
Their first Diwali abounds joy around
The Head of the family balances the budget
The Lady of the house a king-pin in the celebrations !!

Regions Places People many
Diwali celebrations vary in style
The Festival of Light is only one
Brings joy and unity year after year !!

A Happy Deepavali to all !!

2)

'Deepavali brings Enlightenment' !!
- P.Natarajan

Deepavali is a national festival in India and is celebrated with charisma and splendor. 'Deep' in Sanskrit means 'diyas' or small clay lamps filled with oil and Deepavali translates into 'row of lamps', or more popularly as 'Festival of Lights'. The most significant meaning is 'the awareness of inner light' as the saying of Upanishads goes 'Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya' meaning ' lead us from darkness to light'. There is something beyond the physical body which is sacred, infinite, eternal and pure called 'Atman'. Awareness of Atman dispels darkness and ignorance which brings 'ananda', bliss or enlightenment.

Deepavali falls in October-November on the day before the New Moon (Amavasya). People get up early in the morning when the lady of the house who is also a 'Graha Lakshmi' places a dash of sesame oil on the forehead of family members. Goddess Lakshmi is believed to reside in the oil and the oil bath which follows is considered equivalent to a bath in the holy Ganges river. New clothes are worn and children prostrate before the elders to seek their blessings. There is a loud festive joy and excitement everywhere with the bursting of crackers to mark the occasion. Special sweets and savories await every one for consumption and distribution.

Deepavali abounds with mythology and folklore:-

According to Vishnupuranam, it was the day Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the Ksheerasagara' (ocean of milk) during the great churning of the ocean (samudhra manthan). It is also believed that on this auspicious day Lord Vishnu married Goddess Lakshmi. Lakshmi who symbolises wealth, health and prosperity is worshipped on the occasion of Deepavali.

Srimad Bhagavatham reveals that in Treta Yuga Lord Vishnu in his fifth incarnation as 'Vamana' vanquished the demon King Mahabali and rescued Lakshmi from the prison on Deepavali day. In Karnataka, this day is celebrated as 'Balipadyami'.

The slaying of Narakasura in Dwaparayuga by Lord Krishna is the most popular legend associated with Deepavali. The demon requested Lord Krishna that the day be remembered as end of evil and resurgence of prosperity and celebrated with festive joy and happiness.' Narakachathurdasi Snanam' , the oil bath in the wee hours henceforth got associated with Deepavali.

The Epic Mahabharata unfolds that it was on Kartik Amavasya when the Pandavas reappeared from their 12 years of banishment into Hastinapura when people accorded a great and joyous welcome to them by illuminating the entire State with diyas which tradition is maintained to this day.

People of Ayodhya celebrated grandly the homecoming of Sri Rama after his killing Ravana by bursting crackers and lighting small clay lamps through out the City
.
Another folklore is how Lord Krishna saved the people of Gokula from the torrential rains. Indra, the Rain god sent down in wrath to flood the entire village. Lord Krishna lifted the Govardan Mountain with his little finger as an umbrella protecting the whole village. People offer on Diwali day the food to Lord Krishna as a thanks giving act for protecting the crops from the slaughter of rains.

Legendary King Vikramaditya known for his valour and wisdom was coronated on Diwali day.

Deepavali commemorates the enlightenment of Vardhman Mahavir which symbolises the emancipation of human spirit from earthly desires. Even today Jains celebrate "Dipalika" which translates into splendorous light of lamps in remembrance of Nirvana of Mahavira on Oct15, 527 BC on Chthurdasi of Kartika..

It is a special day for Sikhs. Their 6th religious leader Guru Hargobind who was held in Gwalior Fort by King Jahangir was freed from imprisonment. It was also on the same auspicious occasion of Deepavali when the foundation stone of the Golden Temple at Amritsar was laid in 1577A.D.

It is on Diwali, Swami Dhayananda Saraswathi attained Nirvana and became Maharishi Dayananda when he founded Aryasamaj.

In Maharashtra, the traders and business people attach importance to Diwali and perform Lakshmi Puja. The Bombay Stock Exchange performs a token bidding called " Muhurta Bidding' on this day.

In Bengal Kali Puja is observed and the city of Kolkata is lit up with grandiosity

In Goa and Konkan, effigies of Narakasura are burnt around
4 O' clock in the morning the following day symbolizing the victory of good over evil.

In Gujarat, the five days celebrations begin with presenting 'Dhanteras gifts' like silver, gold jewelry, cleansing, painting of houses and performing Hanuman puja and the second day is for worshipping Kali ( Kali Choudas ) who killed the wicked demon Raktavija
The third day is Chopda Pujan, which is very significant to the business community, when ledgers and new account books are opened offering a special prayer to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi.. The fourth day is considered auspicious and called 'Bestavarsh", the New Year'. Bha duj-the sacred bond between brother and sister is observed during Diwali celebrations in some parts of the North India.

Diwali is celebrated in different parts of the world particularly where large populations of Indian and Hindu origin reside. In USA the festival is assuming importance year after year. US Congress has given official status for Deepavali festival in 2007. Barack Obama became the first President to personally attend Diwali at the White House in 2009. The Diwali Mela in the world famous domed 'Cowboys Stadium' in Arlington, Texas boasted an attendance of one lakh people in the same year. San-Antonia became the first US city to sponsor official celebrations including fireworks display with 5000 people in attendance.

'Narakasura, Ravana, Mahabali' are all within us. Festival of Deepavali reminds us to overcome from the evils and forge ahead with a clear thinking for the good of mankind.

Deepavali Greetings to all the readers who are going through with keen interest this special bumper Deepavali edition of 'Malaicharal' magazine. .

'Sarve janaha sukino bhavanthu' .
May all be blessed with happiness and auspiciousness !

Happy Deepavali !

2010-11-03T09:23:00.000-07:00

Wish You have A Delightful Deepavali
May the Festival of Lights Enlighten Your Spirits
Lights up Your Joy
Brightens the Scope of your Profession
Integrate the family Union
Enliven Your Environment
Enjoy The Festival with Family and Friends
A Happy and Joyous Diwali to All of You !!

Parvathy.N & Natarajan.P.
Canton MI USA

November 5 2010

.

Significance of Vada mala aaradhanai for Anjaneya Swamy

2010-10-20T15:45:00.000-07:00

Why Vadamala aaradhana for Anjaneya Swamy ?

यत्र यत्र रघुनाथ कीर्तनम् तत्र तत्र क्रित मस्तक अन्जलिं बष्पावरी परीपूर्ण लोचनम् मारुतिं नमश्च राक्षस अंतकम्।

That wherever the deeds of Sri Rama are sung,
At all such places does Hanuman cry tears of devotion and joy,
At all such places does his presence remove the fear of demons.

Once a person hailing from North India was among the many who came to have darshan of Paramacharya of Kanchi Mutt. He was seen in hesitancy and Maha Periyava invited him to ask his doubt. The Northerner cleared his throat and said that Anjeneya Swamy is worshiped all over India but he was not able to understand why in South the people adorn Anjaneya with 'Vada-mala' made of Urud dhal mixed with pepper where as in North India they do with sweet Jangiri. He also added that he had not received a convincing answer from anybody.

Paramacharya
- was pleased to talk about Hanumanji. He began to explain first that children when they make some fuss to eat, the mother coaxes them to see the Moon outside and the child enjoys seeing the bright Moon and the cool breeze outside and finishes eating.

Similarly when Hanuman was a child, he took a liking to look at the Sun blazing in the Sky. He didn't stop with that. He went on to catch the Sun with his hand.
At the same time, 'Rahu Devatha' was also racing to catch the Sun God to eclipse the Sun. In the race between Hanuman and Rahu, Hanuman, being the son of Vayu, the Wind God (Vayuputhra) won with ease. In appreciation of Hanuman's valor, Rahu Deva sanctioned a boon in whoever worshiped Hanumanji with a food item made of urud dhal, will get relieved from 'Rahu Dosha' or that Rahu Graha will not trouble them anymore. Further the item offered to Hanumanji should be in the form of a garland or bent like a serpent which is how 'Rahu God' appears. Rahu also admitted that Urudh Dhal is his favorite cereal and food item prepared with Urudh Dhal is to his immense liking.

Paramacharya, having explained the significance of Vadamala aaradhana to Anjaneya Swamy went on to bring out the background for the differences in the culture between the people in the South and North. South India is famous for salt cultivation as North is for sugarcane. Vada is a food item made of urud dhal mainy with salt, also some pepper added for improving the taste. So people in South offer vadamala aaradhana to Anjaneya Swamy.

But the Northerners prefer sweet to salt. However Jangiri is made of mainly urud dhal only which condition satisfies the rule imposed by Rahu God.

Sugarcane grows in plenty in North only. Hence the people have developed it as a custom to worship Anjeneya Swamy with the garland of Jangiris.

The mass of people who had gathered to listen to Paramacharya, let lone the Northerner, went rapturous and fell at the feet of the Jagad Guru and the then Paramacharya of Kanchi Peetam.

pn

Pictures of Navarathri Golu in Canton MI and Denver CO

2010-10-12T07:04:00.001-07:00

Golu @ Ajay's place

Nurturing the Needs is your Nature
Akilandeshwari as we call you heart of hearts
Visalakshi we pray to have your vision
All in one as you are to us
Raksha Raksha Oh Ranganayakiye
Amba Parameswari Aadhi Parasakthium as you are
Taejovathi, Trinayana, Tiripura - these names belong to you
Himagirithanaye Hemalathe we hail you so

Golu @ Aparna's place

Remembering you by prayers is the only way for salvation
Ishwari Kamakshi- you fulfill desires by sight !!

Happy Dasara Greetings To All Of You !!

pn(s)

2010-10-12T07:04:00.000-07:00

Navarathri Special !

Nurturing the Needs is your Nature
Akilandeshwari as we call you heart of hearts
Visalakshi we pray to have your vision
All in one as you are to us
Raksha Raksha Oh Ranganayakiye
Amba Parameswari Aadhi Parasakthium Neeye
Taejovathi, Thrinayana, Thiripura - these names belong to you
Himagirithanaye Hemalathe we hail you so
Remembering you by prayers is the only way in this world
Ishwari Kamakshi- She who fulfills desires by sight !!

Happy Dasara Greetings To All Of You !!

Visiting the most famous 'Windy City' in the world !

2010-10-12T04:27:00.000-07:00

I suppose you may be aware that Chicago, the largest city in Illinois and the third most populous city in US, carry a nick name the 'Windy City'. The origin for this name emerged when Chicago was rebuilt after the great Chicago Fire in 1871 when the streets were modeled on a grid system where the wind is sucked down the 'Skyline' along the columns and rows at an average speed of 10.30 mph,'Chicago loop' what it is known as, is dense and windy and stands as a man made tunnel.

We hired a Dodge vehicle to accommodate all of us for the journey. We left Canton MI in the afternoon of July 21, 2010 and our daughter Aparna was at the wheels. The journey was smooth and we reached Chicago in little less than 6 hours and parked the vehicle in the parking lot near Navy Pier.

We first made our decision to finish dinner as we feared a long ques in "Capi's" which is a tourists' choice for its Italian cuisines. It proved to be an unique dining experience for us.

Navy Pier is 3300 ft. long on the shore of Lake Michigan. It may cost anywhere near $90 million today. It was built in 1916 @ a cost of $4.5million.
We walked along the Navy Pier relaxing the sound of waves quietly lapping on the lake shore. We rode the splendor of the giant Ferry Wheel. Next we hopped into a merry go round and Vignesh and Karthik our grand sons enjoyed the wide & speeding swing. We were in time for the fire works. Navy Pier's award winning fire works light up the sky every Wednesday and Saturday at 9.30p.m - a stunning spectacle over Lake Michigan.

We returned to Comfort Inn where we were lodged. The Inn is an unit of Choice Hotel chain in US and known for the comfort it provides.

Next day morning we had a sumptuous buffet complimentary break fast in the Inn before taking the architecture cruises from Navy Pier- a sight seeing extravaganza in Shoreline boat. The cruiser highlight more than 40 of the city's architectural masterpieces including the world's iconic skyscraper 'Sears Tower' and the tallest building in US. Incidentally it had been renamed as Willis Tower in July 2009, houses 110 story and 1450ft high.

The next important assignment on the second day was the visit to Johnshedd Indoor Aquarium. The 80 year old unit exhibits and was for sometimes the largest with 25000 fish, 5,00,000 US gallons of water and has a record of 2 million annual visitors. The Shedd features marine mammals, Pacific white-sided dolphins, belugas, green sea turtle, birds, snakes, amphibians, insects, sea otters. The aquarium boasts for different exhibits like Amazon Rising, Caribbean Reef, Waters of the World, The Occeanarium and Wild Reef. The Amazon Rising recreates a flooded forest of its river and the surrounding jungle.

'Fantasea' is a multiple animal show at the Shedd Aquarium featuring Sea-Lions, Beluga Whales, Penguins, Hawks,& Dolphins. We enjoyed watching the show. We spent the entire afternoon in the Shedd. We then drove a long distance to call on one of our close relatives who had invited us for the dinner. By the time we returned to Comfort Inn, it was nearing 11p.m.

The next day, being the last lap, we scheduled to visit the Millennium Park which trails only Navy Pier as a Chicago tourist attraction. The principal signature of Millennium Park is Jay Pritzker Pavilion, a band shell. It hosts the Cloud Gate sculpture. It is dubbed by the Chicagoans as " THE BEAN" because of its shape. The piece which is widely popular is a highly polished reflective steel sculpture that is inspired by the liquid mercury. The Bean reflects and distorts the City's Skyline. We saw again and again our reflections in the cloud like surface of the Bean. The place is a popular center for photography.

We then moved to another spot namely the Crown Fountain. The fountain is composed of a black granite reflecting pool placed between a pair of transparent glass brick towers. LEDs are used behind the brick to display videos on their inward faces. Water sprouts from the mouth of the figures when stream of water cascades over the images.

We went all the way to Mysore Woodlands for lunch and enjoyed the Indian delicacies for a change. We also searched for the 'supari' and got it packed to eat it on the way. We said 'bye bye Chicago' and started our return journey at about 4p.m. There was heavy rains on the way all along and the road became icy and slippery with low visibility. Besides there was a considerable stretch where repair works were going on. Compliments to our daughter who managed well the situations and drove safely till we reached Canton and Ajay's home at 10.30p.m. The rains did not stop even then and was continuing.

A heavy and delicious dinner awaited us which our son and daughter in law had prepared with zeal and enthusiasm.

This is all for the present. The attach files figure salient snaps and descriptions in the essay and I suppose you will enjoy viewing them in the zoom.

pn

'Things are not the same as they seem to be'

2010-10-11T13:04:00.000-07:00

Sunday, January 17, 2010

P.Natarajan.

( The essay is in three parts and please have patience to read all the thre'Things are not the same as they seem to be'e parts -)

I) We think of life in one way and it turns out to be something quite different.
Adi Sankara advocates not to get caught in this cob-web and for this he propagates a doctrine which underlines, " All things in this world are part of 'Brahmam".

Adi Sankara goes step by step to explain this philosophy. He cites some simple examples. A carpenter carves an elephant in wood.
A child views it as an elephant whereas the carpenter identifies it as a kind of wood. He will not think of it as a mere elephant.

Likewise, an ordinary man will not be able to see ' Brahmam' as he is able to see only the visual things viz. the five basic elements like Earth, Wind, Water, Fire and Akasa. In other words, 'Brahmam' gets concealed by 'Pancha - Bhoothas' for an average person.

Toys may have the shapes like vegetables, fruits, animals and so on where as the man who had made the toys knows them to be 'mud' only. We think of sugar when we taste sweets. In a similar manner, visual appearances though many in this world, it is 'Brahmam' alone that occupies what ever we behold or come in contact.

Adi Sankara has experienced the aspect of ' Brahmam' in his real life.
'Kasi Viswanatha' (Lord Siva) appeared before Adi Sankara as a 'Chandala' with four dogs. Adi Sankara commanded the 'Chandala' to make way for him to have darshan of the 'Sanctum Sanctorum'. The 'Chandala' in turn questioned Adi Sankara : " Who is to make way, is it my body or Atman ?" Adi Sankara immediately shed his ego and realised the presence of 'Brahmam' standing in front of him. He concluded that it was Lord Kasi Viswanatha Himself who appeared before him as a "Chandala".

Adi Sankara went on to compose the celebrated treatise ' Manisha Panchakam'. The last sloka of ' Manisha Panchakam' brings out the aspect of 'Brahmam' vividly. It says that Devas including Indra do enjoy the part of 'Brahmam' but it is a decimal portion of 'Brahmam' only. A true 'gnani' alone
who is in deep meditation with 'Brahmam' and who shuns his ego will be able to become one with 'Brahmam'. Adi Sankara hopes that by reading again and again this last sloka of ' Manisha Panchakam' it may dawn on ordinary person to get some awareness of his self.

II) In a lighter vein, some more examples are taken up to elaborate how words and appearances are not always the same what they seem to be:-

1) A lead pencil does not contain lead.
2) A Silk worm is not a worm.
3) India Ink is not made in India.
4) A shooting star is not a star.
5) A Turkish bath is not Turkish.

A rope lying on the floor is sometimes seen as serpent and in a mixed shades of twinkling light, it appears to be moving to convince the on looker as a real snake itself. Similarly when one sees the Sun's reflection in the water kept in a pot, can he mistake it for the real Sun ? Now the pot is broken and the water scatters and still the Sun is seen in the portion of water in every part of the broken pot. A stick when partly immersed in a jug of water appears half bent due to refraction . These are examples for illusion.

In Ramayana we know the appearance of 'Maya Sita' who appeared like Sita. Twins look alike and it is difficult to differentiate between the two. A kilogram of apples may contain 5 or 6 apples of average size and we may not be able to distinguish one from the other. We can cite many such cases which all sing in tune with the central theme of this essay.

A man goes disguised as a King or plays the role of a thief in a drama.
Does this mean the man has changed in real life too? It is not uncommon for a person to see something, perceive it as some other thing, but inform yet another thing to others about what he had seen. What we see sometimes or hear may not be true. Appearances are evasive. All these illustrations stress that it is necessary to look for the truth before accepting any version.

III) A story comes to my mind in this connection:-
Two Angels who were traveling knocked the door of a wealthy man and sought a place in his house to spend the night. There the people behaved rudely before showing at last the basement of the building for the Angels to sleep. The first Angel saw a hole in the wall at the basement and immediately started closing the hole. The other Angel looked at it strangely. She was not able to guess the reason for the first Angel's action.

The next day, the Angels knocked at the door of a person who was not so rich and asked for a place to spend the night. The people here showed due courtesy to the Angels, made inquiries about their welfare, gave them food to eat and shelter to rest with all the warmth they knew. The next day when the Angels were about to take leave, the head of the family was seen in tears. He informed that his cow which was yielding good amount of milk was dead.

Now the second Angel questioned the first for the happening. She asked why in the first case, where the people behaved with disrespect, the first Angel did good by way of closing the hole. In contrast, in the second house, where the inmates showed a lot of courtesy to them, the first Angel had caused the death of the cow. 'Why"- the second Angel insisted the first Angel for an answer.

The first Angel replied that ' THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS SAME AS THEY SEEM TO BE' !

She further clarified that she closed the hole in the wall in the first house because she was able to see a lot of gold was concealed behind the wall. She closed the hole with a purpose so that the people could never be able to locate and make use of it. They would come to know and repent for their wrong actions in due course.

In the second house, the Angel saw the messenger of Death entering the house to take away the life of the lady of the house.The first Angel saved the lady by allowing the life of the cow to be taken away. Thus she could help the man and woman to live long and bless them continued happiness in their life.

The first Angel brought out the moral from the above two episodes by saying "Things are always not the same as they seem to be ".

pn

Visiting Pittsburgh / Washington DC

2010-09-23T15:08:00.000-07:00

Natarajans, Canton MI USA.

'Suprabatham' - We say looking at our well stretched palms daily as we get up at dawn. 'Suprabatham' recital at Sri Venkateswara Temple in Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania starts at 9 a.m. by an assembled gathering. We had the good fortune to visit this hilly place and have darshan of the 'Lord of the Seven Hills' recently.

16th September saw us motoring from Canton MI to Pittsburgh. It became late evening when we reached. We got lodged in 'Marriott Court Way.' The day being Thursday and the time being evening, we made good of the opportunity to drive to Shirdi Sai Baba temple amidst a heavy downpour which is situated in close proximity to the place of our stay. Bhajans and devotional music in the most popular tune and melodious style rented the air as we entered the temple at about 8 p.m.

Shirdi Baba who was seated in a 'silver simhasana' was listening to the devotees' songs filled with a sense of surrender & total devotion. The 'Prasad' we had later proved much more than dinner in variety and in quantum & was very tasty too. It was 10.30 pm when we returned to 'Marriot'.

Sri Venkateswara Temple is located in Penn Hills, an eastern suburb of Pittsburgh. It is one of the earliest traditional Hindu Temples built in the United States in Nov 1976 with the assistance of Thirumalai Thirupati Devasthanam with a mission to provide traditional religious worship to Hindus. We found it so when we went inside the Temple on Friday morning.

It was great to see Sri Balaji and we were happier when we saw the 'Mangalaarathi'. We performed 'Satyanarayana Puja' with 'sankalpam', 'ashtotram' and read 'katha' before receiving the 'Prasad'. Since it was the week day there were very few people in the temple premises. A view of the Temple below for your eyes as "Gopura darshnam sarva papa vimochanam" :--

We then proceeded to the famous Jain Temple unmindful of getting the lunch delayed. See the panoramic view of the Jain Temple:-

We had good darshan of Saint Mahavira, Radha Krishna and other deities. We had lunch at 14.30 hours at the Udupi hotel which is the first choice for the Indian tourists. Our next stop was the Capital of USA.

We reached Washington DC by 8p.m. to stay with a friend of ours who is a Scientist and works for the Federal Govt. A palatial house with a sprawling and lush lawn surrounding it looked very attractive. Our stay was most comfortable and we enjoyed the remarkable hospitality of our hosts.

We had the sight seeing trip the next morning (18th) - most of the time was spent in awe and wonder in seeing what each section of the mighty Smithsonian Museum(s) holds. Yes, there are about 15 Museums & one need to spend at least one day per museum to do some justice. They are located in the National Mall in Washington DC., open 364 days, admission free. See picture here:-

We visited first The National Museum of Natural History (opened in 1910) which had a record visitors of 7.4 million in 2009. It has a collection of 500 million specimens. They include gems, minerals, human origin, dinosaurs, mammals, insects, ocean life, African voices, development of brain & bone in modern man. 'Hope Diamond' the second largest diamond , 'Star of Asia Sapphire' , one of the largest Sapphires in the world were at display in the geology section. The glittering Sapphire and the Diamond are presented at this moment as a feast for your eyes by the help of a photo we had captured:-

After a quick lunch in the food court we walked through an open park to look at the art works displayed there. A huge fountain where water was gushing out abundantly and to a very great height was a sight to the eyes. It is heartening to mention here that the recycled items were used as the art materials.

Next we went to the American Art Museum which was thrown open in the year 1968.

The National Gallery houses an exclusive collection of European and American Arts in two spectacular buildings. The permanent collection includes works from 13th to 20th Century. It was inspiring to witness the arts of the greats like DaVinci,
Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, Rembrandt,etc;.
There is only one oil painting of DaVinci (onlyone in the whole western hemisphere) which is worth more than 10 million US dollars. We took pictures here and uploading the same for your pleasure in this mail.

As we were looking at the works of Van Gogh, we remembered reference by Jeffrey Archer to the self portraits painted by Van Gogh in his novel 'False Impression'. Van Gogh is known to have painted two self portraits with bandaged ear. One is in Somerset House, London and the other in private hands. Although Van Gogh cut part of his left ear , following a row with Gauguin it remains as a mystery even today why his right ear is covered with a bandage in both the self portraits. Some critics say Van Gogh painted them looking at the mirror.Pl. see details about Van Gough which we collected from a frame displayed in the art Museum :-

Those who have read the novel, can recapture the engrossing tale of the missing masterpiece worth millions of US Dollars and how the Art Expert Anna Petrescu saves Van Gough's 'self-portrait with bandaged ear' not falling in the wrong hands. We have referred the theme of the novel ' False Impression' here only to highlight the value of Masterpiece Paintings and how the National Gallery in US treasures them. A section of the Art Museum is devoted to Impressionism. The entire collection is a feast for the art lovers.

National Air and Space Museum (1946) exhibits the original Air crafts. It has the largest collection of historic Space Crafts and Air-crafts in the world. It is also a research center for aviation, space flights, planetary science, Astrophysics and the likes. We touched the first rock specimen from the moon. The Museum Moon rock is one of a collection of rocks returned from the Apollo manned missions to the Moon. Visitors can touch the rock in ' The Milestones of Flight Gallery'. Wright Brothers who are considered as pioneers of Aircraft Industry, occupy a prominent place in the hall of exhibits where the original Glider Aircraft designed and manufactured by them was in display.

Our next pit stop was the National Spy Museum near China Town.We bought tickets to participate in a thrilling game of spying along with six other participants. Our task was to locate a nuclear trigger hidden in an underground hide out which would go to the hands of the terrorists. We had to pass through dark alleys, dungeons which was proving to be claustrophobic. There was no going back once you are in the game. We as a team struggled to unfold the cryptic clues, voice recordings from one stage to the other but we realized that we were not good at spying. The exercise ended with a television broadcast from the chief of Interpol who pointed out our mistakes. Though the experience was new & exciting we were happy to get out of the rat infested narrow passages after an hour to get back to normal surroundings and to breathe fresh air freely.

We walked along the Mall to the spot where people gather to have a good look of
The White House. There was a huge crowd in front of the main gate, again visitors from our motherland. We took snaps with the W.H. forming the back drop.

It was time for us to return to our place of stay. We had to catch the Metro rail from Smithsonian Metro Station. We walked the distance of one mile crossing the National Mall.

National Mall is an open area National park in the down-town of Washington DC. Its boundary consists of west of Potomac River, Constitution Gardens and the area around Lincoln Memorial and US Capitol and the long stretch to Washington Monument. You also walk through Pennsylvania Avenue and land mark Museums in the process.

Pl look here to see how tall the Washington Monument stands !

Attractions within the walking distance of the National Mall include the Library of Congress, US Supreme Court Buildings, The White House, Capitol, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, National Postal Museum, Lincoln Memorial and so on. We joined one of those 24 million visitors who walk through the National Mall Park every year. The Capitol Building comes before your eyes below:-

Further the National Mall is an attractive site for protest rallies, Presidential Inauguration parades, Earth Day Festivals,etc. It was here the famous 1963 African American Civil Rights Protest Rally took place where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the famous "I have a dream..".

We had the satisfaction of seeing most of the landmarks which are mentioned in the para above in short time during this trip to Maryland.

We reached the Metro Station on time to board the blue line & then the red line . The train journey took about 45 minutes. We then reached the parking lot where we had parked our car. We covered a long distance in a short time. Hope the ongoing Bangalore Metro will bring relief to commuters & reduce the present unimaginable road congestion.

The party at our host's place had just begun when we joined them. We came across Bangaloreans who were also invited specially for the dinner. We could exercise our tongues to talk in Kannada when our host introduced the guests to us. After an extensive outing for the whole day, you can well imagine that we enjoyed the company at the party and also had a go at the hot & sumptuous dinner prepared by our hosts with great care & love.

We left Washington at 11a.m the next day (Sunday) for Canton MI, after a good night's rest. We had four stops on the way to refresh ourselves and to comfort the baby. We reached home safe by 11.15 in the night.

We availed the opportunity to have darshan of Lord Venkataramana during our return trip also at Pittsburgh. Sri Balaji who was decorated in Gold was majestic to look at. Since it was Sunday the temple was crowded. We relished the superb lunch with items like Puliyogere, Bisibele bath, curd rice, boondi & mixture at the S.V.Temple Canteen.

With His Grace all ended well !!

Enjoy seeing a picture of 'The White House ', where US President Obama resides. !

The first two picture above show Natarajans inside S.V.Temple. P&N are seen above relaxing in the garden path near the fountain in the National Art Gallery.

Cheers! Natarajans take leave of you saying good bye and wish you could write a line in reply c/o our Yahoo Email ID. Looking forward to hear from you soon. Bye again !!

Natarajans.

pn

' The Science of Bliss ' - an ecstatic approach

2009-10-27T19:52:00.000-07:00

Monday, October 26, 2009

P.Natarajan.

What is Bliss ? The dictionary gives two meanings (i)' the highest happiness and (ii) ' the special happiness of heaven'. Shall we find some apt explanation to the question what it means to say as 'The Science of Bliss'!

Bliss can be compared scientifically to the emanating and unhindered rays of the Sun-Light. Bliss can be a state of profound spiritual satisfaction, happiness or joy. There is one more angle how the state of bliss is viewed in Hindu philosophy. Bliss is often associated with religious ideas after life.

When the sun shines onto the droplets of moisture in the Earth's atmosphere, the phenomenon causing a spectrum of light most well known as the ' Rainbow ' appears. It is also referred in mythology as "Indradhanush "- the bow of 'Devendra'. In the Physics lab, the students learn how the spectrometer is used to split the incident light into its constituent seven colours as a pattern of 'VIBGYOR'.

But to our naked eyes , we don't see the VIBGYOR, but only the predominant 'White' colour.
Likewise, the state of bliss contains different colours which include states of happiness, sorrow, gloom, anger or rage, bravery, zeal, lust, love, and so on. Like a spectrometer splits the incident beam of light, it is the 'circumstances' that make or mar the behaviour of a man. When a person does not get the required information, he gets angry. He is too pleased when someone praises him. He braves the weather to attend to important business. He is overjoyed when his little child is full of smiles. He loves his family. He fights tooth and nail to get himself free from the clutches of a disastrous situation. In short he is simply a bundle of emotions and gets easily affected by the happenings of everyday.

When the sun beam passes through the branches of a tree, it gets refracted. Under a thick green wood tree, no light gets through, shadow only remains. Under the influence of wind, the leaves of the tree move when more and more or less and less light passes through. The changing pattern of sun light under such influence of weather conditions can be compared to the circumstances leading to a change in the emotion or behaviour of a person.

Sunlight has no colours as discussed above. It is predominantly White. The state of bliss or 'Aananda ' has no colours. It is simply a state of peacefulness or can be aptly described as ' Shanti'. There is no scope for any emotion in 'Shanthi'

There are many elements and chemicals present in the sun light. When each element gets burnt,it emits a specific colour. For example, if you strike a match stick, it burns yellow. The green or red sparkler, which is nothing but a chemical element, emits corresponding green or red light only. The LPG or cooking gas burns blue. Copper Sulphate gives out a green colour. Magnesium sparkles in bluish white shade. It is a universal phenomenon that when all elements present in sun light get burnt together, we see only ' White Colour '.

Besides the other elements, it has been discovered that 'Helium' is the second most abundant element in the observable Universe. Helium due to its lightness evaporates from the gas and dust cloud and thus is relatively rare on Earth. Helium is in abundance in the Sun which is described as 'Helius' in Latin. In Astronomy the Sun is considered as heliocentric - that is the Sun is at the centre of the Universe which is opposite to 'Geocentric' of Earth. As a matter of fact, the word helium gets its birth from Sanskrit. "Heli" in Sanskrit means "SUN".

'The Science of Bliss' gets a sharp focus in understanding when we analyze the property of Helium, present in the Sun. All other elements in the Sunlight get burnt but Helium remains as it is as it is an inflammable gas. It does not undergo any change. Besides it is also a very light element. It has no weight. It is also termed as a ' Noble Gas ' . We can readily compare the state of 'BLISS' to that of 'Helium' in a similar way. Bliss has no emotions, no colors. Bliss is odorless,tasteless and non-toxic. Bliss means everlasting peace. It is considered as the 'noblest state', every human aspires for. A person feels very light in body and mind when he is peaceful. He is not agitated nor inflamed.

Traces of light pass through the branches of the tree. Likewise, traces of bliss get reflected by way of some emotions like happiness or anger or any one of the forms of 'nava-rasa'. This happens as and when a person is disturbed emotionally due to some happenings either concerning him or in the general environment. It results in losing his peace of mind. They can be called the reflections of the soul or the self.

The bright white colour of sun light symbolically represents the state of absolute peace or simply the bliss.

Doctors advise us to be careful with our diet in order to be in a state of peacefulness. The general argument that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach does not hold water, when it comes to dieting. Similarly the expression 'hair of the logic' can not be applied when you become careful with your diet. The hair of the logic describes that some people think that the best way to overcome a hangover is to have another drink. This remedy is based on the principle 'likes are cured by the likes' : in other words the cause of the problem is likely to be the cure.In the olden days, people believed that if you were bitten by a mad dog, the best antidote is to place the hair of the dog on the wound.!

Doctors advise 'NO' to salt in food to control the blood pressure. Sastras call it as ' ALAVANAM '. Lavanam means salt and alavanam means 'no salt theory'. One's passion, rage and anger will come under control and a person can look for an equilibrium position when he follows 'alavanam' in his diet . It is one of the methods adopted to reduce the weight and feel light in body and mind. In this condition, we can even forget the presence of the body as we go deep in meditation leading to a ' blissful state '.

OM SHANTI

pn

'Deepavali Greetings '

2009-10-19T02:34:00.000-07:00

P.Natarajan.

' Avali ' of Deepams bring order to ' DEEPAVALI '
The Festival of Lights exhibit the delight of ' Diwali '
Arrival of son-in-law will be the topic of importance
Presence of grand children add much fun on the day
Family get-together most awaited event for the festival !!

Women take interest comparing the new saris
Men master mind the budget on the occasion
House wives take care in preparation of ' Diwali-Delicacies'
Grand mothers set up the wake-up calls to ensure --
--'Ganga-Snanam' @ the dawn of Deepavali
Elders bless every member equally well !!

The sound of crackers dumbfounds everyone
The Chakras both on the ground and in hand circle in mirth
The beauty of sparklers none to question
It is a marvel in the hands of little children !!

Sweets and Savories go fast in distribution
Some may have to fast when consumed more
Granny gives ' Diwali - Lahium ' to all as a medicine
Deepavali indeed a gala festival of the year !!!!!!!!!!
Pleasure is ours to greet and wish you all
On the occasion of ' Deepavali '

Parvathy & Natarajan

' All Men as One ' & " Who Was He " ? !

2009-10-04T21:10:00.001-07:00

P.Natarajan.

" All Men As One " (in poem)

Truly Noble Know All Men As One
And Return with Gladness Good For Evil Done
'Ahimsa ' is the Basis of the Search for Truth
'Ahimsa' for him was in Mind, Word and Deed
His Movement was ' Sarvodaya ' ( The Welfare for All)
His Weapon Was 'Satyagraha' (' Sat ' means 'truth' ; ' Agraha ' means 'firmness')
His Ideal was Truth
Simplicity was his Breath to Live
His Passion was Peace

Born in Porbandar ( India ) as a Noble Son
Died when he was hailed as the Father of the Nation
' He..Ram ' was his last uttering as he fell-down to a bullet shot
His 140th Birth Day Today, the October 2nd 2009

Tolstoy's ' The Kingdom of God is within You '
Left abiding impressions on him
' Rama Nama ' he trusted as ' Raksha' ('Rama, the Protector')
' Ramayana ' he recited in belief
' Gita' he adored to its height
Believer in ' Samskara ' (tendencies caused by previous births)
And " Punarjanma" ( cycle of rebirth )
" Generations to come will scarce believe
That such a one as this ever in flush and blood
Walked on this earth" , so said Albert Einstein of him
Who was this " One " who always Considered -
- " All Men As One "
He was none other than ' Karamchand Gandhi '
Affectionately called as ' Bapuji '
Reverently well-known as ' Mahatma Gandhiji ' !!
He is in heaven but ' Gandhian Spirit ' lives for ever !!!!
"Jaihind , Jaihind , Jaihind " !!!

Born on October 2nd
Peace was his Passion
Truth was his triumph
Ahimsa was his 'Ayudh' (weapon)
Simplicity was his inimitable way of life
His Life Was His Message
Who Was He ?!?!

Was born as a noble son
But Became to be called
As the Father of Indian Nation
Adored as Mahatma

He was none other than
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi !!
Affectionately called as Bapuji or Gandhiji !!
Gandhian Spirit Pervades the Nation !
The Nation Remembers Gandhi
Celeberates his 140th Birth Anniversary !!
Jaihind Jaihind Jaihind !!!

pn

' What is in a Name' ? !!

2009-10-01T23:10:00.000-07:00

P.Natarajan.

The style of writing varies from person to person. There are many words available giving the same meaning. Judicious choice of the words, making use of the appropriate expressions and the unambiguous manner while conveying any idea, go a long way in making a draft interesting to the reader.

There are multiple choices available to choose from the vocabulary . The words giving the same meaning are grouped topic wise below:-

a) The Name :- What is in a Name may be a million dollar question. That is because there are many Names and they are as follows:-
Personal Name, Alias Name, Pen Name, Pet Name, Pseudonym, Family Name, Initials, Surname, Maiden Name, Nick Name.

A person is known by different names at different places. you have to click the correct ID while you search him at the web in question.

b) The moods:- The moods are many and they vary also as follows:-
alert, amazed, annoyed, astonished, bored, cheerful, confused, confident, distressed, disheartened, disillusioned, ecstatic, excited, exhausted,
fed up, hostile, irritable, lazy, lonely, moody, melancholic, merry, nostalgic, nervous, optimistic, pensive, positive,
restless, sentimental, thoughtful, touchy, triumphant, upset, void, weary

You can describe the mood selecting from the above list.

c) Thinking:- The choice of words :-
analyze, anticipate, apprehend, assume, aware, believe, calculate, categorise, conclude, dream, divine, evaluate, forget, fabricate, imagine, infer, intend, judge, know, opine, mediate, ponder, predict, presume, propose, reason, reflect, recall, remember, understand, visualize

d) Age :- Know your age from the following list :-
adolescence, adult, boy, childhood, elderly, grown up, delinquent, kid, matured, middle aged, minor, new born, nonagenarian, octogenarian, old, pensioner, teenager, sexagenarian, toddler, wrong side of 40, a foot in the grave, youth

e) Medicines:- Knowing the terms listed below, will go a long in understanding why a particular medicine is prescribed by the Doctor:-
analgesic, antibiotic, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, diaphoric, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, emetic, laxative, liniment, purgative, sedative, stimulant, styptic, tonic.

g) Sounds:- We hear so many types of sounds. They are:-
applause, bark, booing, burp, breathing, chanting, cheer, chuckle, clear one's throat, cry, gasping, groaning, grumble, grunt, hiccups, howl, hiss, hum, moan, mumble, murmur, mutter, pant, roar, scream, stammer, shout, sigh, sniff, snoring, sobbing, sucking, whisper, whistling.
I am sure either you are making or hearing these sounds almost every day as you go along the market, school or hospital zone , parks, zoo, in the gymkhana or at home when surrounded by family and guests.

Wishing you a quiet time for the time being !!

pn

" Master Mind "

2009-09-30T21:03:00.000-07:00

P.Natarajan.

Master Mind is a board game for two players that may date back 40 years or so. One player becomes the code-maker and the other code-breaker. Master Mind is also a British Quiz Show well known for the challenging questions, intimidating settings, and air of seriousness. In these games the player has to be inept and sharp in his mind to anticipate the intricate moves of the opponent and push him in a way to a state of ' house-arrest'.

'Mastering the Mind' is a vital subject and is taken up for discussion in this article:-
Consciousness of the physical body is not so important where as keeping conscious about one's mind pay a lot of dividends in life. You may be sitting in front of the monitor, but there are chances that your mind will go up to Washington or Warsaw at the same time and return. The speed of the mind is astonishing that it could fly past Washington and around and return in a matter of seconds.
It is possible to forsake everything but not possible to control the roaming thoughts in the mind.

Picture depicts a 'Mind Wheel' with thoughts roaming.
This is especially true for an average man. May be those who lead a ritualistic and disciplined life can set their mind undisturbed in some selected tasks for some time only. For example, when we eat in a restaurant, a passing thought occurs in our mind that 'home-food' would be much hygienic, tastier and economical. As we take meals regularly only at home, sometimes the thoughts would go up to 'M.T.R. Restaurant' and start tasting a hot-hot masala-dosa. Similarly When we visit places like Chennai, our mind thinks " Bangalore is certainly cooler weather-wise ".. The mind weighs or takes a posture that the other side of the shore to be always greener. In a nut-shell the mind does not stay put at one place at a or any time.

The mind has two important functions to perform. It can make one to be aware of his true self.. Second it is the same mind that also prevents one from knowing himself. The tendency to have some superiority complex arises in the mind only. A gentleman of class learns to behave politely and his mind shows no pride in getting along with people. The first enemy to a person is his mind only and he has to overcome not only its weakness but also to conquer it to become a man of success.

The psychologists are of view that it is not the body alone which cause hyper tension. A very much stressed and tensed mind is also equally responsible. On the contrary if you can develop a mind set that you feel healthy, the beautiful mind can give you a conviction that you remain healthy physically too.

Picture showing Healthy Mind leads to Healthy Body

' The mind is the master ' and a determined mind can give the direction to bring credit to oneself and to those connected with him. The simplest way would be not to put the blame on others but to blame one self.
A person can take it up as an exercise by repeatedly blaming himself standing in front of the mirror. The image in the mirror reflects your conscious mind and when it repeats the message what you utter, the egoism, egotism or ego centric nature gets driven away and a submissive nature blossoms in ' THE BEAUTIFUL MIND '. A person can always lead others from this position by his conduct and render himself in a win-win position.

Persons like Gandhi, who was very strong and determined in his mind, belong to this class. That was the secret why he had millions of followers in India and abroad..

When mind is under control, it would direct the eyes to see right things or view things as right or in its natural form. It can direct the legs to trod on the right path only. The body language of a person will show signs of submissiveness, politeness. A person who minds his words and conduct gets easily accepted by others and become automatically a leader in his neighborhood.

Tobacco was after all a bunch of green leaves before they were processed to become dry and assumed the state for ready use. Many biological, inanimate objects are subject to some special processing techniques and get preserved for longevity. The mind also need to be trained steadily in continuum in order to obtain the will power and command over it.

I need to stress here that there are three attributes that are governed by the human mind. They are " Vivekam, Vairagya and Vichakshana " in Sanskrit. The intelligence quotient or the sixth sense is what is known as ' Vivekam '. ' The power to disown or the sense of detachment is known as ' Vairagya '. ' Vichakshana ' denotes the power of discrimination. A level headed person can look at things most objectively and examine with the help of these three attributes to make his decision which will prove to be wholesome in the long run.

'The presence of mind' - a key word which is often used, is the quality to apply one's wits appropriately and judiciously at a critical moment and come over the difficulty.. The absence of mind or an absent minded personality invites trouble for himself as his thoughts are elsewhere and not on the job on hand. He may not listen to the speaker nor take due precaution before commencing the job. He remembers things under coerced conditions in retrospect that put him in a big disadvantage.

The sign boards such as " Halt & Go ", " No Smoking Zone ", " Speed Limit ", "Keep Silence", 'School or Hospital Zone', "Zodiac Sign' become necessary to caution absent minded persons even though they may happen to go to such places habitually or quite often.

Control over the mind has to be developed from early hood by systematic training. A person can become dispassionate or refuses himself to be influenced by any desire once he masters his mind. He can make an elder-ado of anything or find peace under difficult circumstances.

Some inspirational quotes by way of highlighting the salient aspects discussed above are presented below to catch your attention and for analyzing the contents in a perspective, objective and conceptual way :-

* A man sees in the world what he carries in his heart.
* No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
* People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.
* Knowledge is proud that she knows so much; Wisdom is humble that she knows no more.
* No man is free who is not master of himself.
* Discipline is the bridge between goals and achievements.
* He who can conquer himself has won a greater victory than he who conquers a city.
* The Mind is a lousy Master but a Beautiful Servant. Realize that your mind remains always beautiful.
* The wisest man has something yet to learn.
* The secret of health for both Mind & Body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.
* The function of Wisdom is to discriminate between the good and the evil.
* If our thoughts and hopes are elsewhere it is impossible to set our faces steadily toward the work required of us.
* Some make it happen, Some watch it, and Some say " What Happened" ? Be discreet. !

pn

" Pink is "Euphoria"; Pink is ' Beautiful ' "

2009-09-16T02:44:00.000-07:00

P.Natarajan

" Pink is "Euphoria"; Pink is ' Beautiful ' "

Greetings to all of you at the advent of Dasara festival and I presume this mail greets you 'in the pink'. A feeling of well being, or ' Ubhayakuchalopari' in Sanskrit is the information I am seeking by the use of the English idiom 'in the pink'. The word 'Euphoria' also points at your well being.

The word 'pink' came into use in the 17th century when a colour combination of red and white was termed 'pink'. Magenta and White, Rose and White, Orange and White - these combination also produce a pink or pinkish colour.

In 1853 when Prince of Whales visited Jaipur, the whole city was painted pink to welcome him. Prince was also tickled pink, that means he was very much entertained and pleased for the importance and regards accorded to him by the people of Jaipur. Today a good number of avenues painted in pink provide a distinctive appearance in the city. No wonder Jaipur is known as the pink city of India. Hawamahal in Jaipur is a pink sandstone palace for ladies - the facade has 953 small casements each with a balcony and the lady members stand there to watch the procession below without being noticed.

A picture of 'pink'(Courtesy : website) below will no doubt attract your attention and interest :-

The word pink finds different meanings at different places. In Thailand Pink is associated with Tuesday. People born on Tuesday find pink to be a colour of luck. Any one can wear a pink colour on Tuesday in Thai.

Pink ribbon is an international colour for breast cancer.

Pink Spider is a popular American Power Pop Band. 'Pink' is a name of a song and an American singer is also famous by his name 'Pink'.

J.K.Rowling's Harry Potter&The Order of Phoenix, Dolores Jane Um bridge wear only pink colour and has a pink office. Pink Panther series are popular cartoon films associated with the star Peter Sellers. Pink Cadillac was a hit movie in 1989 starring Clint East Wood.

Pink elephant, pink laud are alcoholic beverages while pink gin refers to a cocktail.

Pink Slip is placed in an employee's pay envelope by an employer when they decide to lay him off. Pink Collar job is taken by most women after maternity leave, when they opt to work for little money.

Chandigarh, a modern planned city of India, nestles in a picturesque settings in the foothills of Shivalik hills is called "City Beautiful" which also means Chandigarh is pink.

Women 'for peace' use pink internationally.

Any plant or flower of the caryophyllaceous genus Dianthus including carnation and
'Sweet-Williams' is known as pink. Carolina pink is known by its pink-roots. Dutch pink is a yellow lake obtained from quercitron bark.

Anything small like a 'peep of light' or 'little finger' or a 'tinkling sound' can be referred as pink.

Having a small or half shut eyes can be referred as pink-eyed. Pink also means to wink or to blink.

Fashion world simply adores Pink as the most desired colour by women in style, as it makes them look much younger. Pink is believed to be a colour of the angles. 'Pinkies' are proud as they believe to project a honest image.

Pink poses no bar for any age as men and women of all ages look graceful when they wear pink. Qualities of peace, love, romance, happiness, femininity, adoration, are portrayed in a big sense with Pink.

Pink is well accepted in interior decoration too. Good sleep goes well in pink cloloured bed
room. Holiday mood is present in pink living room. Flower vases carrying pink flowers spread a sense of fragrance as well as beauty to the guests.

Pink frock, napkin, toys surround and adorn newly born girl babies as presents. Even their bathtubs go pink at times.

Wishing you all a pink Dasara first !

pn

" True - Lies " & "Concepts of Truth "

2009-09-08T23:13:00.000-07:00

P.Natarajan.

What is truth?; what is a lie ?, what is a ' true-lie '. Let us ponder over these terms for a while for some absorbing revelations/lessons.

We all know that truth is that which is in agreement with fact or reality. Honesty, sincerity,good-faith are its other common names. A simple definition of truth is that which is opposite of lies.

" THE SUN-RISE " PICTURE ABOVE SYMBOLIZES " THE WHOLE TRUTH "

Truth and what we believe to be true is not same. People are different from each other, so are their thoughts about the same object or person. There are different ways you can look at things which possibility raises a question ' how can there be one truth'? Truth is relative.

A lie is an international violation of truth, uttered for deception. Lying with an intention to cheat can cause more harm. The lies are uttered in such a way that they sound to be true. You can term them as ' true - lies '. 'True-Lies' is an oxymoron by way of figure of speech as they combine contradictory words like the epithets ' cruel kindness, pointedly foolish, falsely true ' and so on.

In the movie ' True-Lies ', Arnold Schwarzenegger who was under terrorist captivity was given a shot of drug in order to extract or make ' AS ' to disclose some secret information. This drug gained a nick name ' Truth Serum '. But it is a misconception that truth serum will make a person to tell the truth as projected in the movie. The proper name for the drug is 'sodium pentomal' which is used as an anesthetic during surgery. It causes a few minutes of sedation, and under the influence of the drug, truth can not be extracted as a person may not lose self control to let out the truth.

Three Levels of Truth:-

They are 'Scriptural Truth' (Canon), 'Cultural Truth' and 'Conscience Truth' . These levels influence our lives every day and it is therefore necessary to understand them to avoid unnecessary sufferings.

'Law of Gravity' or 'Law of Lift' are basic absolutes and consistant that greatly impact our lives everyday. When an airplane is flying at an altitude of 35000 feet, it is the 'Law of Lift' that overcomes the 'Law of Gravity' to make it fly at that altitude. Suppose the law of lift gives up, the airplane would start falling like a rock and all of a sudden the earth below would become closer. To save from the impending disaster, the pilot would operate 'Max-Climb' control when the plane would launch forward and finally stabilize at a new height.
Thus we see absolute law or Canon truth that is consistent which powers the plane to launch forward. We experience in such circumstances the impact of scriptural or Canon peace in everyday life. 'Gita' teaches canon truth. 'God' is consistently constant, that is one thing which makes God, 'God'. When you speak the truth, you get relieved and feel light and stress is avoided happily.

Cultural truth :- Practices vary between one ethnic group and the another. There could be a culture within a culture. Behaviour patterns accepted in one group may not get accepted in the another. Behaviour is a part of attitudinal trends which assumes significance by the experience gained by the taught or thought process. Doing the same thing may be regarded as a guilt in another culture as they may term it as a 'non-truth'.

Conscience Truth :- It is something to do with the self or self governing. Conscience truth is programmed by the influence of Canon Truth and Cultural Truth. It is a conviction that is right or wrong " TO YOU ". There is a saying in the Computer Industry. When you program a Computer with 'garbage-in', what it results is
'garbage-out'. This is true for our conscience too. When a person is consumed in the womb, conscience is formed in the soul or spirit. In other words a basic set of truth is instilled by the God within the person's conscience. It can be dulled or sharpened. Devotional music, good reading, wholesome visual inputs sharpen the conscience for good where as the negative aspects of brain-storming may dull the conscience.

Concepts of truth can be understood from 'Law', "Science & Mathematics'.
We are familiar that a witness in a trial may be called upon to swear what they are about to say is ' the truth, whole truth and nothing but the truth'. The type of truth we are dealing with in law is properly governed by the definition given above viz 'conformity to fact or actuality'.

In Science or Mathematics, statements can be made about the way the world works that can be proved to be 'true' in all circumstances. The Pythagoras Theorem can be stated and proved that the square of the two adjacent sides of a right angled triangle is equal to the square of the hypotenuse. Likewise proofs, many, can be drafted to prove the LHS is equal to RHS in mathematics :-
eg. (a + b ) whole square = a square + 2 a.b + b square.

In science, experiments can be conducted to prove the 3rd law of Newton that ' for every action, there an equal and opposite reaction'.

When we move to Religion or Spirituality, we have to leave these definitions, theories behind. Look at the statement ' Do unto others , as you would have to do them unto you'. Does this statement express the truth? or does it suggest the way we should live?
Statements made from Vedas, Upanishads, Scriptures, Bible or Buddha's Sayings are accepted in general by the public. 'God Exists' is accepted as truth or as a golden rule. Here it acts as a solution to our spiritual quest what truth is.

Living in a religious way or within the borders of acceptability, enhances the moral fabric of a person's living. A mother's care for an infant is natural, similarly the son looks after the parents when they become old and physically weak.

The concept of truth from the above illustrations can also be viewed as :- " Truth is that what leads to good "

pn

' WHO IS THIS BOY " ? !! ?

2009-08-28T22:31:00.000-07:00

P.Natarajan.

1) " Who is this Boy " ?!!? - a virtual translation of the question into Tamil will bring to the fore the name " PILLAIYAR " !!

Being Ganesh Chathurthi fortnight, let us look into the glory of Lord Ganesa !

2) Gajanana- HE vanquishes Gajasura after His avatar to Parvathy and Parameswara on " Vinayaka Chathurthi Day'

3) Vigna Vinayaka - In His avatar to Varenyan and Pushpavathy, He removes all obstacles or ' Vigna'(s).

4) Vakra Thunda Ganapathy - HE is the first God - Married to Siddhi and Buddhi, creates 'Trimurthi' and asks them to perform ' Chathurthi Vratham' and thus empowers them.

5) Mayuresa Ganapathy - Parvathy and Parameswara observe ' Chathurthi Vratha' and beget Ganesa who marry Brahmaputhries Siddhi and Bhuddhi. HE kills an Asura ' Sindhu' who was in the form of 'Mayura' or 'peacock'. ' Mayura' becomes one of Ganapathy's vehicles subsequently.

6) Chintamani Ganapathy - HE presents ' Chintamani ' - the jewel to His father Abhijith, Gunavathi's husband in that Avatar.

7) Balchandra - Ganesa swallows an Asura by name Anala ( anala means fire ) at the requests of Devas. Ganesa wears ' Chandra' , the moon , on his forehead by way of cooling the heat generated within him after killing ' Anala '.

8) Ganesa - In the company of ' Gana(s)', He kills ' Bali ', the Asura and gets the name ' Ganesa '.

9) Ganapathy - Parvathy & Parameswara looks at the wall painting of an 'Elephant Couple' - Ganapathy avatar takes place who kills ' Gajasura'

10) Madhothkadar - His avatar to Athithi in response to the prayers of Kasyapa Rishi and vanqishes ' Devanthaka(s) - Naranthaka(s).

11) Dundu Ganapathy - Lord Viswanatha who resides in Varanasi Kshethra creates from the face of Uma Maheswari, the Lord Ganapathy with five faces for killing Dhurasadan.

12) Valabh Ganapathy - In response to the prayers of Parvathy & Parameshwara, Ganapathy takes avatar and marries Marichi's daughter ' Vallabh '

Note:- These 12 avatars of Ganesa are described in ' Parkava Purana' as told by Ganesa . Himself, to His brother ' Kumara' (Subhramanya).

Is Ganesa a Brahmachari or Married ? - We see Him with two wives, or One or as Bramhachari at some places. Here is the explanation:-

HE is with His consorts Siddhi and Buddhi in a place known as Anandabhuvanam. Gyana is personification of Brahmaswarupa. Vinayaka, as alone, is in this form. Buddhi is the goddess of desire.Siddhi is the goddess of ' Work-Force' or 'KRIYA'. " Gyana " when viewed as a force, can be effective only along with ' Siddhi and Buddhi". When "Srishti' or creation is taking place , Vinayaka is seen with two escorts 'Siddhi & Buddhi'.

When the ' Prapancha' is still, He takes to Himself Siddhi & Buddhi and appears 'Single', the popular term for singlehood is 'Bramhachari'.

Asuras are in the form of ' Angyana' or live in total ignorance. Vinayaka, in the form of Jyothi swaroopa or Gyana, kills them singularly.

Ganesa is thus worshipped in all the three forms as described above.

' Warm Greetings to all of you ' during this fortnight of 'Ganesa Chathurthi' !!!!

pn

' The Human Body '

2009-08-26T23:04:00.000-07:00

P.Natarajan.

The physical body stands as a wonder even to the medical world as its continuing researches prove only more of its enigma. People all around the world try to keep the body look beautiful and young but not so much to keep it healthy. There are two kinds of thinking - some take pride that their physical structure has taken a good shape while others feel sorry that their physique is becoming less attractive.

Match making or selecting the bride or groom, tend to deal more with mundane characteristics like heights and weights than the values that are held dear by the respective humans. Seldom there arises thoughts that we are not just 'physical bodies' - but with life in it and when we cease to live, even one's spouse is afraid to look at the body. Alas !, the life may depart anytime from the body without one's knowledge.

' I saw him hale and healthy yesterday evening - can't even imagine that he is no more today' - such versions are common. We also say at once ' time only could heal one's grief ' without realizing that the same ' TIME ' rules our real life. also.

Dharmaputra according to Mahabharata says that the biggest wonder he considers is that when he sees many dying, he also gets amazed that he is alive or living !

A tale goes like this - a king who got a child after long years, lost the child suddenly after a lapse of five months. The king could not bear the loss and started weeping profusely. The sage Narada who happened to come that side took pity on the king and used his prolific strength owing to his penance, to bring back the child alive. He then asked the child to look at its father weeping on the demise of the child. The child replied Narada " In which birth was I born to the king - may be that it was fate that I might have been born to him sometime - otherwise there existed no connection at all between the two'. The King realized the moral and significance of life and death. To the king, the child appeared as the father of the man. As we change our clothes, the life also roles from body to body as and when it takes new births.

The human body is made of 'pancha bhoothas' - it undergoes changes perpetually though people may not digest such changes like shrinking and darkening of the skin, hair going gray, myopia of the eyes and in general the ag(e)'ing process. It is necessary that we learn quickly to realize that it is God's gift that we possess this physical body. In other words our life rests in this body just like we take a house on rent. We do house keeping whether the house is own or rented. In a similar manner we perform exercises, go on diet, try to beget good sleep every day and so on to maintain its health.

We have least doubts that we are born as human beings owing to our good 'prarabdha' or fate. We long to perform good deeds while the body is alive with life. We should at the same time realize that there is no use of pampering with the physical body lest more we look at the body, more the worries.

We are not the creator of the body. We should learn to accept it as it is. We will have less worries. The 'sastras' emphasize that the body is only a means for an orderly living and there will be no use if we develop feelings of the kind, either to like or dislike the body. Some even think of suicides under inferiority complex or likes of that. Consider that the body is like a temple and houses the divine being inside it. Sane thoughts of this kind may take an individual to attain everlasting peace.

Many cities face intensive traffic and building over bridges to lesson its impact. Likewise, treat the physical body as a road and the mind as a over-bridge. Whenever you face problems with the physical body use the over bridge (mind) to cross the hurdles.

If there is a will, there is a way !

pn

2009-06-29T01:47:00.000-07:00

' History & Significance of Money ' !

Money is used as a medium of account, a measure of value, a standard for payment and a store of value. The money as a means of exchange should be such it can not be faked,easy to carry and be divisible into small units. Barter system was in vogue before Money became the medium of exchange.

Coin Money:-

7th Century BC was the time when coin money came into existence. Sumerians cut cone shaped shells into sections of different size and used them for purchases. The shell of the cowrie species became widely used 5000 years ago in the Middle East.

In ancient Rome, soldiers were paid in salt and our modern word ' salary ' is derived from the Latin word' salarium' which means ' salt money ' !! Since ancient times, many unusual things have been used as money. Soap, cocoa beans, drums, copper rod, teeth of whales, piece of cloth were used besides 'tea money', 'tobacco money', 'bronze money'. The heaviest coin was a 20 kg Swedish ten daler by which two cows could be bought.

Asia Minor used 'Electrum', an alloy of gold and silver with traces of copper, but it was difficult to place an exact value for this coin money. Silver rods were used in Mesopotamia as money. Bullion is gold, silver or platinum in ingot or bar forms which were used as money without reckoning to the vale of metal used there in. The ancient coins used as money can be seen in select Museums only today.

'Cuneus' is the Latin word for coins . A person who had no wealth was called ' impecunious'. In other words, the description meant that he had no coins.

Britain issued a coin to mark the first total solar eclipse of the Sun over 70 years, picturing Queen Elizabeth on one side and two birds watching the eclipse on the front side. 13th & 14th Centuries, Gold came back to use from Florence with the florin. In those days silver penny was the basic unit and 240 pennies made a pound of silver or 240 sterling. Coin made of silver was called a sterling. So this unit was called a pound sterling in U.K.

China popularized Coin Tree and Coin Sword in 18th century, which were beautiful to look at and helped in warding off evils.
Picture of a Coin Tree & Coin Sword

This practice existed in Ancient India also.

The coins in India of old years were truly fascinating in their diversity for they stood for different kingdoms, dynasties, and cultures. The Gods of Siva, Karthikeya, Budha were depicted on the coins of Gupta Empire. In Godavari regions, the coins showed elephants, lions, bulls. In Vijayanagara, Gold & Silver Coins carried the portrait of Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala-Tirupati.

7 years after India India became Republic, new decimal system was adopted -the Anna was replaced by paise, the British monarch portrait was replaced by the picture of lions in the Asoka Pillar and sheaf of corn replaced the tiger.

The New Ten Rupee Coin has released in June 2009 a new first ever bimetallic ten rupee Coin 27mm dia, weight 8grams.

Paper Money:-

China has the distinction to make use of paper money first. One of the most popular currency today is the dollar that derives the name from Thaler, a German Silver Coin.

The Rupee in India was introduced in 1835 by the British. The princely States in India used paper money in the name of 'rupiya' which became Rupee in the British rule. In fact Sher Shah introduced the Indian Currency or one rupee in the 16th century. After independence, India introduced the Bank Notes in 1949 - the first bank note was one rupee. The actual one rupee note carried the signature of the Secretary, Govt. of India, Dept. of Finance. But today the notes are issued by RBI signed by its Governor carrying a promise to pay the bearer the value of the money of the currency he possesses. They are not real paper money in the strict sense.

The largest paper note was issued in China 33 by 23 cms and was shaped like a towel.The highest value of the currency in circulation was the US$10,000. The smallest paper money in use today is Hon Kong cent. Horse Blanket is the Russian Ruble Note and called so due to its vast size.

Banking:-

Money was deposited in Temples for safety, then with money lenders. Banks developed when money became important for trade and to handle it wisely and to offer security to the public. Swiss Banks are famous for their stability and privacy and protection they give to their customers. In some accounts the depositors are known by a number and only the senior most official of the govt. knew the details of such accounts. Swiss Frank are the most secure notes for they have 18 security features in each of them. Variable ink that changes colour as the light hits it, glittering digits, a water mark register, and a water mark portrait are some of the salient security features.

Karnataka is known as the cradle of Banking in India. Seven leading Banks Vijaya Bank, Corporation Bank, Karnataka Bank, Canara Bank, Syndicate Bank, Mysore Bank ,etc. have their origin in Karnataka.

RBI plays an important role like issue of notes, transact Govt. business, controlling the volume of credit created by banks in India, in charge if prevailing bank rates and exchange rates and thus in country's development and growth.

Public Debt is what the Govt. borrows from public for ongoing plans and for development and provide services to the citizens. Taxes alone can not meet all the money the Govt. needs.

Revolutionary Trends:-

Personal banking, Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Net Banking, Electronic Clearing System, EFT, Real Time Gross Settlement System(RTGS) , Phone Banking, ATMs - all these can be termed revolutionary as well as as ingenious modes of the modern business world.

I remember the old economic definition of Money viz
" Money is that which Money does "

pn

' Our Thoughts Have Power - Harness that Power '

2009-05-25T02:40:00.000-07:00

P.Natarajan.

To begin with, a story comes in my mind which is connotative to the topic in question. A poor farmer who was undergoing problems one after another for sometime, decided to show his horoscope to an accredited astrologer. The astrologer did some calculations of the farmer's running period and was shocked to find the impending disaster that the farmer would die on the very same night. The astrologer decided not to reveal his findings and instead asked the farmer to meet him the next day. The astrologer was sure that the farmer would not be alive to meet him the next day.

The farmer , as he was returning , encountered heavy rains and thunder and ran for shelter. He went into a place which happened to be a very old 'Sivalaya'. The farmer was a staunch devotee of Lord Siva and bowed before the Lord in reverence. He was also shocked to note that the told temple was in a dilapidated condition.

The farmer closed his eyes for a while in prayer. As the rains started to pour more heavily, the farmer's thoughts ran very wild. In a sort of deep meditation, he began to think in an inspiring manner :-

'If only I had the money, I would renovate this temple in a grand manner...He was drawing a new picture or image for the Temple..., in his thoughts, he built a beautiful 'Rajagopuram', then he started to build a pure gold shield all round the temple tower, went on to erect an 'Yagasala' where he invited a large number of Vedic Priests and Acharyas who also recited the four Vedas and Upanishads. The farmer 'performed ' Kumbhabhishegam ' mentally and thus his thoughts was filtering in a noble way.

The rains stopped after a while and as the farmer opened his eyes, he saw to his horror a black cobra was about to jump over him. He made a lightning exit from the temple which also crashed down as it was no more possible to bear the onslaught of the rains in its conditions.

He went on to meet the astrologer the next day. The astrologer was doubly shocked to see him alive, but quickly came to his senses. He began to think that if a person were to come alive from the throngs of death, it could be possible astrologically only if he had built a Temple and performed Kumbhabhishega. The astrologer was blissfully unaware of the fact that the farmer had built a temple and performed kumbhabhishega in his thoughts itself.

The episode above depicts that our thoughts have power and are great source of inspiration. The mind invents and Scientists are born by their discoveries of thoughts. The World and its People are the thoughts of the great Creator. God gives lives to men and matter. The great Banian Tree is born from the seeds which looked very small and insignificant when they were planted.

Thoughts and thinking are like the processors of mind. Cognition, sentience,
consciousness, idea, imagination - all these result as a chain reaction. The biology behind the thoughts are neurons which are nothing but excitable cells. Neurons respond to stimuli and inturn send responses to the other parts of the body.

Thinking is an intelligent exertion at finding an answer to a question or a problem. It is termed as cognitive psychology or in simple words 'insight'. The central issue in philosophy of mind is its or brain's relationship with the physical body.

The Tamil Poet Bharathiyar sings:-
" ( in Tamil) Enniyya mudithal vendum ", the second line reads
" nallave ennal vendum". Bharathiyar emphasizes in these two lines that, it is essential that one should work out his thoughts into action and it is essential that the thoughts need to be wholesome and good".

The butterfly does not look beautiful in the nascent stage. The tree sheds its old leaves in sun light and regenerates new fresh and colorful leaves again.The Nature shows the way to human beings. God has planted the power of thinking in humans' minds. He need not fear of the past nor worry about the future. He can concentrate on the present for it offers many opportunities. This is known as the thory of positive thinking.

A core of rupees look small before a living legend as his thoughts can create crores after crores of wealth. As we do exercises to keep the body fit, generating good thinking serve as an exercise to keep the mind from bad thoughts. Bharathiyar sings that the thoughts which are of pure in nature make the man as God.

What is life, but an angle of vision. The maxim ' the child is the father of man' has come to stay as it is necessary to think of tomorrow or the future, not alone the present.

Our thoughts have power. Be it meditation, prayer or simply focused intention, the power of thought can change our attitudes, emotions, physical bodies, even the physical world around us. Harness that power.

A German proverb says ' the heaviest baggage for a traveller is an empty purse'. Don't you agree that this proverb is as a result of thoughts of some German Fellow. To quote Lord Tennyson ; " Knowledge Comes, But Wisdom Lingers".

pn

2009-03-19T03:19:00.000-07:00

" The Home is Heaven "

{( Note:- More of Tamil Words are used in this passage for some necessity to develop the topic. However corresponding English words are also given side by side.)}

' Veedu ' in Tamil means Home. Veedu also means 'Moksham' or 'Liberation '. Let us see how ' Veedu ' is linked to 'Moksham' .
One has to place his foot on the ' Padi (s) ' or 'Step(s)' first and cross over it to enter " Veedu ". ' Moksham' refers to lifting one's soul up for which one has to climb some steps. A staircase is also built up of steps for climbing up in a house.

The plan of a house shows " Koodam " in Tamil or ' Living Room ' at a little distance from the entry. The objective phrases like 'Kooduthal', 'Kudiyiruppu' get generated by extending the word Koodam. These words in Tamil spell out how a home is literally made by association of people. ' Live and Let Live' is the message inherent or associated with " Koodam " which therefore gets special significance as a location at home.

A person has to go through the ordeals of different stages as son, student, youth, husband, father, grand father before he gets ready for retirement from the worldly associations. ' Koodam' which is a living place in a home is thus linked to the life of a person in these different stages and ultimately for him to make his journey for ' Mukthi' or 'Moksham'.

The roof gives shelter and security . The word for ' Roof ' in Tamil is 'UCHAM' which is at an elevated level. Ucham in Tamil represents elevation. The heavens are above us like the roof. The roof is built with lots of reinforcement carefully at the time of erection. It is imperative that a person has to fulfill his obligations, lives in an orderly manner before he becomes ready for his last journey.
'Dharmam, Artham, Kamam and Moksham' are the paths available to reach emancipation. If you see the plan of a house, you will see bedroom(s), living room, hall, varandah, kitchen, etc and then the exit. These are known as ' Kakshas' or 'Sections'. Likewise, a person will have to perform varied functions which include Dharmam ( leading an orderly or dharmic life ; Artha which refers to his employment and earnings, Kama which refers to the desires and longings and finally Moksha , the final destination which he would like to seek peacefully.

There is a striking coincidence between the roof and 'Moksham'. As there is a roof over the 'home', the blue sky stands as the roof to the world. The sky is the abode of The Sun God, The Moon, The Stars, The constellation of Seven Sages ( Saptharishi Mandalam)and all Devas. God will help when men may call, for the Blue Sky bends over all. The soul ultimately reaches Devas which is referred as 'Mukthi'.

The ' Exit ' in the house shows the way for a person to leave his home once and for all. As already referred, ' Veedu' also means a place where a person rests finally and peacefully.

Thiruvalluvar brings out the philosophy about home or domestic life under the chapter called " ILLARAM" brilliantly.
Quote : Chapter 5, verses 5, 9 & 10
5) "ANBUM ARANUM UDAITHAYIN, ILVAZHKAI
PANBUM, PAYANUM ADHU "

9) " ARANENAPPATTADHE ILLVAZHKAI, AHTHUM
PIRANPAZHIPPATHU ILLAYIN NANRU "

10) " VAIATHUL VAZHVANGU VAZHBAVAN VANURAI
DEIVATHUL VAIKAPPADUM"

Verse 5 brings out :
If love and virtue in the household reign
This is of life the perfect grace and gain.

Verse 9 extols home or family life as a true virtue which will lead the person to Mukthi. The other states like bachelorhood or sainthood may attract criticism if not lived true to the words.

Verse 10 ponts out the link between home or 'Veedu' and 'Moksham', as illustrated below:-
' He who on earth has lived the conjugal state as he should live, will be placed among the Gods who dwell in the heaven.'

The opposite for 'Veedu' or home is ' Kadu' or forest. A Home is associated with people in a close knit where as 'Kadu'is devoid of people and meant for lonely persons who love solitude and want to perform penance. As Kural which is called a ' Tamil Veda ' brings out in Chapter 5, a person can attain emancipation from his home itself by leading a simple and virtuous domestic life. ' Sainthood ' is therefore not suggested in this passage.

Prayers enhance the way of life. The utterance of ' GOVINDA' nama itself is a form of surrender to God. When Dussasana seized Draupadi's clothes by force, she made a clarion call ' Oh, Krishna, protect me and don't abandon at this critical hour'.

But the Lord did not protect her. In His own words Lord Krishna explains " There is a blemish in each avatar. So also in Krishna Avatar that Draupadi was not protected immediately... but when questioned how Draupadi's robes grew resplendent and got piled up, Krishna admits that He did not protect her, but His GOVINDA Nama . Such is the power of the nama ' Govinda'.

Aandal sings in Thiruppavai, " Kurai onrum Illatha Govinda (Utterance of ' Govinda' leads to a blemishless life ')

'Govinda' literally means ' GO, WIN, & DONE ' --'Govinda'.; like the successful proclamation 'Veni,vidi, vici' of Julius Caesar on his achievement.

We can make home a heaven by singing ' Govinda Nama' !

Home is the place your heart resides
Home is the place that you decide
Home is the womb that holds the soul
Home is the place where one is whole
Be it ever so humble, there is no place like a home.

pn

' The story of Koteeswaran or Krorepathy '

2009-02-20T21:55:00.000-08:00

"Common Sense plays a vital role to beat Recession.
- P.Natarajan

'Koteeswaran' who is the hero of our story was an illiterate person. He met both ends of his wants by running a petty shop on the road side. Koteeswaran never read a news paper, nor had interest to watch TV or listen to Radio.

He had the virtue of extending a good service to all those who came to his shop for their needs. What the people liked in him most was his 'never say no' attitude. He kept sufficient stock of fast moving items also was vigilant enough to stock such items which may be required once in a way or by a few customers that too all of a sudden. As demand for common items always grow, Koteeswaran realised that his shop sold more volumes day by day and the proceeds fetched a considerable margin.

He was not avaricious. He had enough common sense to re-invest the extra margin into his own business by employing additional sales women and men and by stocking novel items with a view to attract new customers. As an illiterate person he was not knowing what is diversification nor the timing of implementing such a strategy. But he was doing exactly the same with his hunch or premonition. He acquired the vacant lying next to his shop and expanded the petty shop to an emporium which are nowadays more commonly known as ' Fab-Mals' or 'Food Worlds' or simply 'Supermarkets'.

His earnings showed a sharp rise in line with his own name. He introduced home deliveries also at no extra premium. He attained a status symbol and 'Koteeswaran' was the name in everybody's mouth for all their needs.

Koteeswaran's son who had recently graduated from college, joined his father. He had different views. He narrated that the western world was experiencing a melt down or a recession and that it had deep roots to spread into the Asian and Indian markets. He advised his dad to get prepared to meet the oncoming recession.

The man thought that his son had a brilliant education, was well read and well versed with current situations and should therefore follow his advice. He reduced the staff strength, cut off stocking novel items, changed the policy of keeping sufficient stock to minimum levels and discontinued home services. He informally told his customers the ongoing recession world over is hitting his business and he was constrained to take such precaution...

And soon business in his shop started coming down, also the profit margin. The father said to his son " Son, you are absolutely right. We are in the middle of a recession and a crisis. I am glad you warned me ahead of time".

Very soon visitors to his shop got reduced, sales dwindled and a shop which was once busy started witnessing dull moments.

Moral of the story is very clear. It is all in your mind. we fuel the recession much more than we think we do!! We confuse intelligence with judgment. Go for value based advice but make or take your own decision. Retain the belief in your people. Cut down costs and consolidate the business. Make people believe in your positive approach and in commitments you make. Give scant respect to walking encyclopedias. Know that common sense which is more uncommon is valuable. You can beat the recession anytime provided you have the right mind set.

pn.

While Nature Enchants, Nurture Regulates !

2009-02-07T01:13:00.000-08:00

Nature and Nurture can be called as two sides of a coin. The personality traits of a person can be argued to be a sum total of these two phenomenon. They wield a high influence to understand what a person is today.

The looks, traits relies upon the concept of inborn biology. They get genetically passed down. This is well known as the inheritance factor. A new born does not have a blank state of personality. It inherits the most common traits of its forefathers. Nature can be rightly called as our genetic gift.

However, whether one carries his or her inherited qualities in future depends upon certain conditions, the most important being the environment. Nurture can be debated as the cause of one's behavior as well as characteristics. Imagine the children though born in a good family is brought up in different background or environment - this can change how they turn out. A plant can get the benefit of copious water supply, air, sun light, good soil and care - its quality and growth will be appreciable where as the same plant subject to unhealthy environment like a bad soil may wither out rapidly. The society background or simply the environment is crucial to child's development, thus giving nurture a face lift in its importance over nature.

Nature which is a type of genetic endowment, forms one side of the coin ,
while nurture which determines the development of traits or personality characteristics, occupies the other side of the coin.

The argument whether it is a good soil or bad is applicable here. Our genes are important because what we have inherited is essentially the basis of what kind of person we are, but the environment can alter and develop a person even more. Nature and nurture are tied in together in many ways than one.

Studies carried out on twin brothers bring out whether hereditary is the leading factor or if it is the environment. The twins shared common interest in spicy food, were good in arithmetic, loved music. The difference they showed was in working habits and thoughts. One brother was liberal the other was traditional. They had similarities due to hereditary but differences because they grew up in two different environments.

While nature is important in acquiring the traits, it is nurture that is viewed as important in altering the acquired traits.

The concept can be extended to society also. People who have a genetic impulse group together and a society begins to exist. If you were to be away from the society and wish to be lonely, that is a genetic behaviour.
Society can send messages to other individuals and influence their trends which indicates that nature can influence nurture.

Nurture has a larger effect on us than nature. It alters the trends and builds the characteristics as we grow up. It can be summed up while nature makes us who we are, nurture cultivates our nature and regulates our being in the long time to come.

pn

' In the name of God ...'

2008-12-17T19:51:00.000-08:00

P.Natarajan.

"God Willing...."

'Ponniyin Selvan', 'Sivakamiyin Sabhatham' fame and author 'Kalki' was asked once to write about something great but in pages of small length. 'Oh, God', 'What I can do under this stipulation'-Kalki prayed. He heard a voice as if driven by an impulse within himself, 'God only helps the destitute'. Kalki decided to write about 'God' at that moment.

Yes, there are some conveniences to write in the subject of God. A word can also describe God or thousand pages perhaps also will not be able to speak about His laurels. Bound volumes of books already exist in the name of epics. Another advantage that is available is we can have a free hand or write without any restrictions about the Almighty. We can make fun also. He will not come to the ground level to fight with you or file a case seeking compensation. Why go to that extent? Even when you blame him, he is not going to counter such moves.

While talking about God, what strikes most as enigmatic is the question whether 'God exists or not...'? The question dates back from the day man appeared in this world. Whether he exists or not, he doesn't seem to interfere in the matter involving men and his affairs. Assuming he does interfere, he does on his own terms but not at the behest or invitation of mankind.

One think that is definite, he does not fulfill wishes which are wicket in nature. He grants only good wishes - but not at all times or not to every body! The Englishmen pray " May God help the Queen, May He protect our King and destroy the enemies..'. This universal prayer that exists for more than three hundred years has yielded fruit in a way or other where as when an Indian make a similar prayer ' Oh, God !, please help us to rule the country', God seems to not to hear the call.

Mankind should be grateful to God for creating them. 'Kalki' feels it would be the other way round, God should thank mankind for creating him as there are no proof that God has created the man but there arise no doubt in the theory that man has created the God. But God does not at all feel thankful to mankind for creating him where as God, no doubt, is very much anguished to see men committing misdeeds in the name of God.

It is believed that God has created the resources like mountains, rivers, grains, plants, for the survival of mankind. But question arises at the same time, why there happens volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunami es? Why cholera, plague, snakes, scorpions, exist because of Him?

There can be no other derogatory thinking that God has created the world only for the sake of man. Such a thought can be construed to be as height of arrogance. Creation of man can be considered as most insignificant in God's role. No one on earth knows the secrets of creation, neither there are men who know the secrets have ever opened their mouths.

There are certain strange habits in men. When he makes a big offer and puts the coins or notes in the great Hundi of Thirupathi Venkatachalapathy temple, he makes a prayer that his son should get a seat in the medical college. Man makes the God at this instant, as his commission agent. Sometimes a section of those who earn money through the back doors make an offer that they would put a percentage of their back door earnings in the Hundi. Does it mean that they could rest peacefully for having transfered the sins of commissions and misdeeds on God?

'Kalki', the great quick witted author, makes an appeal to the readers that never take him to be an atheist. Kalki makes an solemn assurance that he believes in the existence of God and also humbly admits that God helps those who believe in Him.

His belief in God has helped Kalki to thwart any approaches by the agents who deal in Life Insurance. Kalki sends them back with an assurance that nothing would happen to him or to his family as they all had staunch belief in God. God will help if men may call, as the blue sky bends over all. There will be some source of water from somewhere to bring up the trees once they stand planted. The agents plead to Kalki, the author not to make that kind of propaganda lest they could not make a livelihood.

Ggo gives one more boon to man. In the name of God, man can make untruth as truth. We see in civil courts, people who happen to stand in the witness stand are required ti take a pledge that in the name of God, they speak truth, only truth and nothing but truth. The good name of God is practically in good stead and comes handy and used as a tool in these occasions.

Why go to that extent? Many, amidst us, feel that it is impossible to survive or keep one's life alive, without implicit faith in God.

pn

' The Goals '

2008-11-23T21:00:00.000-08:00

As and when we make a purchase of a consumer durable item like Fridge, Washing Machine, operating instructions also accompany as a part of the sales documents. It is how the manufacturer can educate a customer to get to know the features of the machine and to run it in an efficient manner. It becomes obligatory also on his part. God, the Creator of all of us completes this duty in an architectural manner by placing a substance called "Brain" in the head, which becomes part and parcel of the anatomy of the human body.

This is the best operating instructions, God, who is in charge of 'srishti', could incorporate in a human being. It is left to the individual there after how he powers his brain by sustained learning process.

Vedas, Puranas, Dharma Sastras, Sciptures, Gita and plethora of literatures are available for an individual to grow and understand the Universe, People and their Behaviour Sciences to improve their intelligent quotient, conduct and character. They also act as a police in supervising the flow of human traffic and enable them to reach the right destination.

Bathruhari Maharaja says " I thought I knew much, but when I started learning, it dawned on me that I know nothing'. The first lesson Sastras teach is that never imagine that an individual can act in whatever fashion his mind thinks. An old folklore in Tamil starting " KAN PONA POKKILE KAL POHALAMA, kal pona pokile manam pohalama, manam pona pokkile Manithan pohalama, Manithan pona pokkile maranthu pohalama" 'unquote' , is most appropriate to pen here.

"Pravarthi Chakram"
Gita explains the significance of 'Yajna' which can be summed up in one word as "orderly life".
annat bhavanti bhutani
parjanyad anna-sambavaha
yajnat bhavati parjanyo
yajnah karma-samudbhavah (Gita 3-14) - the meaning:- annat-from grains, bhavanti bhutani-living bodies grow;; parjayat-from rains; anna-smbhavah-food grains grow; yajnat-by performing sacrifice, bhavanti prajanyo-rains are produced; yajna is born of prescribe duties.
All living bodies subsist on food grains. Rains are required to produce the crops. Rains are produced by performing Yajna. Yajana means leading a righteous life. Vedas teach how to lead a dharmic life. The Vedas get generated from Baghavan. This is termed as ' Pravarthi Chakram" or 'Cycle of Religious Living". Rituals stand as pillars and support actively the religious life.

The goal of life is to obtain peace. Should some one says he wants children, it means he will have peace through them. Similarly should some one wants position, power or money, it should be understood that those are the means for them to obtain the ultimate peace.

Vedas say the peace is within you. No need to search anywhere else. I wish to cite a story to emphasize this point. A traveller who felt thirsty found a well surrounded by some plantation. As he peeped into the well, he was surprised to look at a necklace sparkling inside the water. He forgot his thirst, jumped into the well and tried his hand to grab it. But he couldn't succeed. He came out of the well and looked at the dazzling "thing" again. He repeated the process but in vain. A sage happened to pass that side and he called him and expressed his desire to get the necklace from the well. The sage rubbed his beard in contemplation and took a stone from the ground and threw into the well. The ripples were produced in the water, the necklace appeared as if it moved in the vortex. The sage looked up and saw the necklace hanging in the branch of a tree. The traveler had seen only its reflection or image in the well. Likewise, we also search for peace elsewhere, when it is available within you. Upanishads stress that peace is within you. There is no need to go in search of happiness elsewhere when it is within you.

There are some blocks at the perception level in leading a normal life. It should be remembered that happiness does not come alone. It comes mixed with some pain. May be the pleasure may emanate as a result of materialistic possessions or as a consequence of a good deed done , but the truth remains that the happiness what comes is mixed with some traces of pain or even misery.

The second flaw is that we don't feel contended with the gains what have already been earned but look for much more. The discontentment can also arise by odious comparisons. One aways like to score more over the neighbour. For example, you may possess a well built house. But in the years to come, a sort of feeling lurks in the mind that you could have made the drawing room more spacey or built the house in a different location and so on. In short instead of comparing with those who suffer on account of not owning a home or owning a limited space, we do the other way only to get dissatisfied.

There lies another dichotomy at the perception level which can be termed as 'the dependency factor'. Do we not fall prey to the possessions what we hold? When a person gets used to travel in his own vehicle, it is but common that he feels strange to go by walk whenever the vehicle is garaged. We become slave to the habit of using the vehicle. This is known as the dependency factor. It is a common sight to see people in the upper income group to go for a stroll say in Jehu or Marina beach holding their pet dog by means of a chain. It also happens sometime later that the dog leads the same man. The lesson is that don't become a slave to any possessions.

Misery and anger result as a by product of unfulfilled desires. We get angry with those who impede or come in the way of our progress if they happen to be less fortunate than us and if they are well placed, we get angry at ourselves and feel sad. The bad effects of anger is worse than that of desires. Durvasa Rishi's anger is well known from the 'Puranas'.

Nala & Damayanthi or Dhusyantha and Sakuntala had to leave their kingdom and live in a forest and get separated later - had all happened because of the anger component in Durvasa Muni.

The route for leading a peaceful life is no doubt to lean on Godliness. Prahalad prayed to Lord Narayana that he wished to remain thinking of HIM always. God gives you a good family, good children and in short a good life. HE cures you from all diseases. Prayers cure you from the guilt feelings. HE safeguards you from the loan you owe. As we set our goals and pray, soon we may set God himself, as the goal.

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa advocates:- " Hold the God by one hand. Do your normal work with the other hand. Whenever you get the opportunity, hold HIM with both the hands. In this process HE will always remain with you in the mind."

"Science is what you know. Philosophy is what you don't know"

2008-10-29T22:42:00.000-07:00

Do you know Science takes its origin from the Latin word 'scientia' which means 'knowledge' or 'knowing'. "Scindo" is its verbal root, meaning 'split'. 'Chyati' is the word in Sanskrit, which comes from the same root, meaning 'he cuts off'. In Greek 'schizo' means, 'I split'. In English, 'rescind' means the same. In other languages French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Russian,.., the the word corresponding to 'Science' also carries the same meaning.

Science is a concerted human effort to understand the world and how it works. Nature
and its phenomenon stands as a wonder. We see with the naked eye that it exists. Johannes Kepler who is best known scientist for planetary motion considered that his three laws of planetary motion as 'heavenly harmonies'that reflected God's design for the universe. This reveals that Scientists accept there is a Creator for Nature and Nature , in its essence, reflects the Omnipotent and the Omnipresent.

Knowledge in Science is gained through research. Scientists collect data from the observable physical evidence and simulate the natural phenomenon under controlled conditions and explain what and how things work.

Let us look into some capsule news about well known Scientists which are not so much
come to light:-

1.
Vegetarians in the West were known as Pythagoreans. Pythagoras (580-520BC) whose theorem on right angled triangle is a lesson every school student learns, practiced one of the first known diets known as vegetarianism. Till the late 19th century, vegetarians in the West were known as 'Pythagoreans'

2. Hippocrates (460-377BC) was the first physician to describe the symptoms of pneumonia and epilepsy in children.

3.
Eratosthenes (276-194BC) was the first to calculate the Earth's circumference. He also calculated the length of the year as 365.25 days and invented the leap year.

4.
Sushruta, a surgeon of ancient India in the 5th century BC, is considered as the father of plastic surgery. Health according to Sushruta is a state of physical and mental well being , preserved by four bodily humours, good nutrition, proper elimination of waste products, and pleasant harmony of body and mind.

5.
Galileo was kept under house arrest until his death as he got into trouble with the church for his book 'Dialogue'. By 1638 he became totally blind and in 1642, he died in the prison @ Florence in 1642.

6.
Louis Pasteur is regarded as the father of modern bacteriology. "Pasteurisation" which is a mild and short treatment to kill microorganism, is credited with his name.

7. Upon Graham Bell's death on August2, 1922, all telephones through the United States 'stilled their ringing for one minute', in tribute to the great scientist.

8.
Edison did not learn to talk till he was four years of age. He started asking " WHY " to explain about every thing he encountered. Edison(1847-1931), always asked that question throughout his life.

9.
Albert Einstein declined the offer for the post of the second president of Israel in 1952.

10.;">Hardy-Ramanujan Number Hardy had to visit Ramanujan (1887-1920) when the latter was admitted in a hospital in England. Hardy travelled by a Taxi with the Reg.No:1729. He remarked to Ramanujan that the Taxi had a dull number. Ramanujan immediately reacted and observed that 1729 is the smallest number which can be expressed as the sum of two cubes viz 1729 = 1cube+12cubes = 9cubes+10cubes.

11.
Professor Eliot of Presidency College, Madras looked at the small boy present in his class in 1903 and asked him how old was he. 'Thirteen' was his reply. Eliot asked his 'name' and the boy's reply was ' Chandrasekhara Venkataraman' more popularly later known as C.V.Raman.

12. Homi J.Bhabba inventor of ' Bhabba scattering' phenomenon died in a pane crash at Mont Blank in 1966. Atomic Research Center was renamed as " Bhabha Atomic Research Center" after his death. bhaba Scattering is one of the most straight forward pieces of evidence supporting special theory of relativity.

Not so familiar Quotes:-

12.(1879-1955)
'Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love'- 'Albert Einstein'

13. 'Scientists are religious men because of their faith in the orderliness of the Universe' - 'Albert Einstein'

14. 'Religion, Arts, Science ennoble man's life , lift it from the sphere of mere physical existence and leads an Individual towards real freedom' - 'Albert Einstein'

15. 'How on Earth can you ever explain in terms of chemistry and physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love' - 'Albert Einstein'

16. 'Immanuel Kant':- 'Science is organised knowledge. Wisdom is organised life.

17.'Science is what you know; Philosophy is what you do not know'-'Bertrand Russel'

pn

2008-10-25T22:07:00.001-07:00

DEEPAVALI GREETINGS

Sacred & Prosperous 'Ganga-Showers' at Dawn
Entire Family Glittering In New Clothes
Burst of Crackers Amazing You Loud
Beauty of Fire-Works Bewildering to New Heights
Sweets,that too many,Affording You A Taste of Exquisite Pleasure
Rows of Wonderful Lights Cheering You Straight&Bright
Soothing Good Wishes Pouring from Dear&Near
Deepavali Brings to You Sparkles of Joys In More Ways Than One

WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY DEEPAVALI !!

2008-10-23T11:23:00.000-07:00

"An Anatomy of Anger":

This treatise talks about the psychological aspects about anger which always goes as a characteristic feature of an individual. We can not draw any line or call for common denominators to measure the aspects of anger with respect to an individual too. However the psychological aspects of anger is taken up for an overview in this essay.

(1)It can be easily understood that one's anger wields no power to alter the stand taken by the opponent. But, at the same time, it can rouse the temper of the outside source. Naturally the conditions imposed by both the angry parties will widen the already strained relationship between them.

(2) There is always scope available for a person to change his bad or unfavorable attitudes and correct himself observably in the eyes of the public. Such a change brought about by himself will receive appreciation from others. But if such an improvement is brought about by the conditional moves of the opponent and mainly due to his anger, no one will acclaim it. Further the change in the behavior of oneself brought by the anger of the other person will not last long. Instead if one can correct the other by soft counsel and persuasion, it would fetch him accredition and the result will also stand for long.

(3)We can not ignore the circumstances that may be a root cause for a person to commit the ills. Had there been a better background conditions prevailing, one might not do anything amiss. An individual can liberally view that the same offense could have been done by him also. He or she should thank God for not having encountered any mishaps that could have posed threats for them to behave angrily or commit sins.

(4)There is another way to take stock of a situation. A person need not become angry at all just because the other person is inimical. His inner conscience is aware of the fact how far his conduct is subject to criticism or ridicule. He can also presume that the other person may be angry for some wrong not done by him. He can also realize heart of hearts that the sins or wrongs actually done by him and that were not got exposed to others, were much more grave and unpardonable.

(5)In short, everyone is sailing at some fault levels or other. There it becomes imperative not to throw stones when one is living in a glass house.

(6)Sometimes there can prevail a superimposing situation in which a person has evolved himself to be beyond a normal human being and that he never commits any sin or wrong. The question that comes in mind is that can such a person become angry at others or at others' wrong doings? This question becomes redundant especially in him as he has already won over the angry elements and has become a lovable and an affectionate person. He will not get angry, instead will always approach the wrong doer with a feeling of apple of one's eyes and try to correct him to the extent possible.

(7)To sum up, 'ANGER' is an emotional state that may range from minor irritation to intense range. The physical effects of anger are well known like increased B.P., heart rates, and levels of adrenaline. A person's anger will be reflected in his body language, facial expression and at times in public acts of aggression.

(8) Anger is one of the seven cardinal sins. It becomes a predominant feeling behaviorally, cognitively and physiologically. To become angry is a conscious choice for thwarting the threat immediately from the outside sources. Sudden and intense anger is not healthy. Subdued and a deliberate anger will act as a warning sign for the bad behaviour of the opponents. Suppression of anger will lead to psychological problems. It will be wise to sprinkle water when the milk is about to boil. The milk does not get split but at the same time it is seen carefully that the milk gets boiled to the extent necessary. Attitudes of this nature is a developed trait and it will be considered as a blessing if a person has it naturally.

pn

' Navarathri Celebrations 2008'

2008-10-12T05:31:00.000-07:00

'Navarathri Celebrations 2008'

Navarathri began on Tuesday, the 30th September this year. White House Association decided to have a central function on all days from 1st October. I was called upon to perform a small Puja at the specially erected shamiana in the evening to mark the beginning of the celebrations. Shamiana had a grand look and with many rows of chairs to accommodate as many as 500 persons and more, the set up had the semblance of an auditorium. The items included film and devotional songs, fancy dress competition, skits, mimicry, speeches, Block wise competitions and so on. There were food stalls and exhibition sales put up by vendors which all gave a Temple - Festival look.
The convener of the function had included my name for giving a speech on the evening of 8th October which I came to know on that day only. I was tossing for a while which topic to speak and soon it dawned on me to speak on an appropriate subject for the occasion, namely about ‘ Goddess Sakthi ‘. I wish to give the gist of what I spoke :-

Ladies and Gentlemen,
1)“Vande Vandhaneeyanam Vandhyam Vachamadheeswareem
Kamithasesha Kalyanakalana Kalpavallikam” (Prayer to Goddess Saraswathi
2)” Khsheerasagara Sanchatham Vishnoho Pathneem Dhayamayeem
Lakhmeem Sadhaprapadhyeham Sarvasampath Samudhyathe” ( Prayer to Goddess Lakshmi
3)” Sarvamangala Mangalye Sive Sarvartha Sadhike
Saranye Thriyambighe Gowri Narayani Namosthuthe” ( Prayer to goddess Durga )
After singing the slokas , I started like this :-
‘Let me begin my talk by asking a question from the 'simple laws of motion'. What happens when we clap with both our hands? The answer is simple, “ Sabhda or Sound’ is produced. My next question to you all, “What happens to the Sound”? Does it die ?. It does not die. It stays in the atmosphere or rather I would say it dwells there. Sound and small motions always happen together. For example, as you drop a pin, the motion of the pin starts downwards and as and when it hits or touches the ground, a noise is produced and heard if the ambience is ‘pin drop silence like’. As the sound is generated, actions follow good or bad, depending upon the nature of the sound. Should noble thoughts prevail in the atmosphere, the cause can be attributed to a particular sound. In other words, we can instill good thoughts in people, by creating certain sounds. That is why TV Channels or A.I.R. telecast or broad cast ‘Suprabatham’ like “ Kousalya Supraja Rama Poorva ……” , very early in the morning. We all have assembled here to celebrate Navarathri and we sing devotional music, children appear in the stage dressed as ‘ lord Krishna , Ganesa, or Gopikas which stimulate our thinking on the Almighty. Goddess Sakthi is the chief presiding deity during Navarathri. Why we celebrate for nine days for Devi where as we celebrate one day only for the Trinity Gods. To answer this, I have to take you all to ‘ Devimahatmiyam’ which narrates about the innumerable hard ships caused by the nine Asuras or Demons namely (1)Madhu, (2) Kaidaban, (3)Mahishasuran, (4)Dhoomralochan, (5)Chandan, (6)Mundan, (7)Sumban, (8)Nisumban and (9)Rakthabheejan. They were causing a reign of terror in the Sapthalokas. Devas including the Trinity Gods faught with the Asuras but failed because the demons had obtained boons not to be killed by any gods, etc. Lord Siva realized this and came to a conclusion that ‘Goddess Sakthi’ alone could destroy them. He, being an 'Ardhanari' shook off his other half and released 'Goddess Sakthi’ from him. Other Devas followed suit and released their better halves from them. All the Sakthis generated like this in the form of a “Jyothi” fused together and the result was “Parasakthi” or a very powerful ‘Jyothiswaroopam’ appeared. Since the Devas who were men could not bring out their respective valour to destroy the Demons, now they wished the ‘Parasakthi’ to take a feminine form (opposite form of men) to kill the Asuras. That is why Goddess Kali or Gowri avatar was in a woman form. Parasakthi killed all the nine Demons. 'Mahishasura Mardhini', her one of the names , is after she destroyed the asura Mahishasuran.
This form of Jyothi answers another question why we celebrate Navarathri in night. The splendor of jyothi or Light can be appreciated in night only as the saying goes “Ghanndhakareshu eva Deepa Dharsanam” ( Light only dispels the pitch darkness). Sun God gives light in the days and Jyothi for the night. Since Devi killed nine Asuras after waging a war for nine days, Devas wished to celebrate her victory by praying her for nine days. Nava in Navarathri means nine and Rathri refers to the worship in the nine nights.

Goddess Sakthi is also called as Bhagavathi, Eswari, Parameswari, Kali or Maha Kali, Mookambigai, Ambal, ThirupuraSundari, Akilandeswari and so on. Let us now see what the roles of Goddess Sakthi are:-
Lalitha Sahasranamavali describes the roles vividly, from the very first nama viz ‘Sri Mata’. She is responsible for Srishti, Sthithi and Samhara. The second mama ‘Sri Maharagni’ means Protecor like a queen seated on a golden Throne and the third one “Srimat Simhaneswari” – she being seated on a throne of Lions indicate her role of destruction.
She is also called as “Panchakrityaparayana” which means she is in charge of FIVE roles. The first three I had just mentioned. What are the fourth and fifth?
The 270 namavali describes Sakthi as ‘Thirodhanakari” which means she is invincible. She creates the Maya. We live in a world of Maya which means we don’t really understand what is right or wrong. We create bonds and break them too. We buy something to possess at one time and later discord them. Today we boast of Lap Tops and tomorrow we desire Palm Tops. I refer all these just to bring home the power of ‘Maya or Illusion ‘.
The life will not be interesting without the effect of Maya. The changes in behavior, values, the ‘Kama, krodha, mathas’ are all remind us the “maya sakthi” and we march on in the midst of good and bad.

The Sixth role of Goddesss Sakthi is “Anugraha” which means she blesses her devotees to have the long awaited bliss or emancipation. After all every one wishes to have a peaceful end and we pray to her for the grace or some percent of her looks on us.

Now let me touch upon briefly about the forms of prayer. “ The Five Finger Prayer” get the name as we fold our both the hands and bring the hands in front of our chest.

FIVE FINGER PRAYER

1. Your thumb is nearest to you.
So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you.
They are the easiest to remember.TO PRAY FOR OUR LOVED ONES AS A "SWEET DUTY"

2. The next finger is the pointing finger.
Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal.
This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. KEEP THEM IN YOUR PRAYERS.

3.The next finger is the tallest finger, which reminds our leaders.
Pray for the national leaders, leaders in business and industry,and administrators.
These people shape our nation and guide public opinion.THEY NEED GOD'S GUIDANCE.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger.Surprising to many is fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify.It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain.THEY NEED YOUR PRAYERS DAY AND NIGHT.

5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all.Which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you" Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself.

By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective. YOU'LL BE ABLE TO PRAY FOR YOURSELF MORE EFFECTIVELY.

Upasana is serious form of prayer for which the mind needs training. I can give a simple example how to train the mind. If I show and ask you all to say the colour of a Tennis Ball, promptly your reply will be"Greenor more precisely parrot green. In case I , on the other hand, say the colour as 'Red'. you will all simply shout at me and say I have gone mad. Instead I will now ask you to imagine he colour of the tennis ball to be red. All of you will think the ball to be red, In short, you will trin your mind or make it accept to view the ball as if it were red. Upasana needs hard training and forms part of rigorous prayer.

Goddess Sakthi gets satisfied in a simple prayer and in the kaliyuga, the simplest form of prayer is ' Namasangeerthanam', Recite a few names and perceive the forms of Devi like ' Karuna Lakshmi, Karunya Lakshmi, Dhana Lakhmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Veera Lakshmi, Veerya Lakshmi, Aiswarya Lakshmi, Ashta Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, ,Jaya Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, Maha Lakshmi, Santhana Lakshmi, Sowbhagya Lakshmi, Rajarajeswari, Jagadhambige, Jagan Mata.....etc.

Visit to Sakthi Peetams like Kanchi Kamakshi, Kasi Visalakshi, Madurai Meenakshi, Nagai Neelayadhakshi, Srigeri Saradambal will make us realize her power and grace.

Goddess Sakthi, as the name denotes, is personification of Energy. We breathe energy and eat for developing physical strength. ' The Will to Live ' and having a clear conscience can be easily be termed as the by-product of the devotion and prayers. The potential energy which is a form of reserve strength which helps us to perform actions in a dynamic way are all different forms of Sakthi or Energy. In short we live or our life exists due to the her grace.

Salutations to Goddess Sakthi and it gives me a moment of joy to speak on this topic on the occasion of Navarathri". unquote.

There was a good round of applause when I finished my speech and got down from the rostrum or shamiana.

In the Block wise Competition which was held on the vijayadasami day, we from Block B1 enacted a ' Phil Harmonica Kitchen Orchestra'. As many as 12 people from our Block wore garlands of vegetables like beens, gourds. Men were in whites and women in blue bolour dress. I gave an introduction that we specialise in presenting organic archestra using Pumpkins, Melons, Gourds, Drumsticks, Pototos, Tomotos, etc, etc. We come from Sweedon, Stockholm on an invitation from WHA. Since we find vegetables cost very high, we can not afford. Instead we use novel, ingenious methods to present the organic orchestra. Our instruments are all kitchen utensils like pots, cups and spoons, and each one will give a different set of tunes. My wife acted as the chief Chef and conducted the Phil harmonica kitchen orchestra. We played symphony and exclusive orchestra. The audience appreciated the novelty in it though we did not win any prize.

Thus ended the Navarathri Celebrations at White House. We had good fun from 7p.m to 10p.m. The Dandia dance was the highlight on Mahanavami Night.

" The Religious Calendar "

2008-09-27T04:25:00.000-07:00

The period of fifteen days when the Moon is in the ascendancy is known as 'SUKLA Paksha' or the 'Full moon' period. The following fifteen days when the Moon is in the descendant is known as ' KRISHNA PAKSHA ' or 'No Moon ' period.

The days are called as ' TITHI's in Sanskrit. eg. Prathama, Dweetheeya, Thritheeya, Chaturthi, Panchami, Sashti, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami,Dasami, Ekadasi, Dwadasi, Triodasi, Chaturdasi followed by Pournami in the Full Moon Days or Amavasya in the no moon day period.

Certain Ceremonies or 'Vrathas' have connotations with the 'Tithis. Some have relevance to the 'Stars' or 'Nakshatras'. Thus the Religious Calendar follows as mentioned below:-
1) Yama Dwitheeya
2) Akshaya Tritheeya
3) Vinayaka Chaturthi

4) Rishi Panchami
6) Skanda Shashti
7) Ratha Saptami
8) Janmashtami

9) SriRama Navami, Maha Navami

10)Vijaya Dasami
11)Vaikunta Ekadasi
12)Sravana Dwadasi
13)Krishnankura Trayodasi

14)Naraka Chaturdasi

15)Chitra Pournami

The above ones are based on the 'tithis'.

II. In every Tamil Month on Purnami days, the 'Star or Nakshatra' prevailing on that day gets added as a tag to mark the importance of the day. The list follows:-

1) Chitra Purnima ( Chitrai denotes the month as well as the Star) - Chitra Gupta Puja is observed.
2) Vaikasi Visakam (Kanchi Guru Jayanthi, Buddha Purnima)
3) Aadi Pooram , Aadi 18 when Water is released for irrigation from Cauveri, Aadi Amavasai
4) Avani Avittam - Upakarmas ' Tiruvonam-Onam Festival

5) Karthigai Deepam
6) Dhanur Masya - Thiruvadirai -Arudhra Darsanam
7 Thai Pusam (Mayilai Theppam for Murugan)
8) Masi Makam (Mahamakam @ Kumbakonam once in 12 years)

9) Panguni Uthiram

III The day or ' Vaara' based:-

1) Soma Vaara - for Parameswara, Moon
2) Mangala Vaara - for Subrahmanya & Ganesha 'Angarakan
3) Budha vaara- Budha
4) Guru vaara- for Maha Vishnu
5) Sukra Vaara - for Goddesses Durga,Lakshmi, Saraswati

6) Sani Vaara - for Saniswara, Balaji

7) Bhanu Vaara -for Surya , Maariyamman

pn

' Why ' modakas' and why first puja to Lord Ganesha '

2008-09-24T08:36:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, September 24, 2008
' Why ' modakas' and why first puja to Lord Ganesha '
Worship stands on a strong ground based on rituals. The rituals, their significance, cause for enacting them -all have references from Puranas or Mythology. With this introduction, let us look into some of the rituals which are prevalent and connected with ' Ganesha Puja ' :-

Eka Dhantham Surpakarnam Gajavakthram Chathurbhujam ,
Pasankusadharam Devam Dyayeth Siddhivinayakam.

Ganesha is addressed as " Jyeshta Rajan" and " Brahmanaspathi " in the Vedas. Jyeshta Rajan means 'First Born' and Brahmanaspathi means ' presiding over all Vedas'. As Thiruvalluvar says in the very first 'Kural', " Adhibhagavan" , Ganesha is like 'a' the first letter in the alphabet. The new borns utter first, the word starting in ' akaras ' -. 'Amma' gets the pride of place in this exercise. Appa, Akka, etc., follow suit. The calf calls ' Amme.." first. The sound of the elephant is like"Omkara". Ganesha has the elephant face . Yoga Sastras address Ganesha as "Pranavaswaroopi'.

Sumuka, Ekadhantha, Kapila, Gajakarna, Lambodhara, Vikata, Vignaraja, Vinayaka, Dhoomakethu, Ganadhyaksha,Balachandra, Gajanana, Soorpakarna, Vakrathunda, Heramba, Skanthapoorvaja are the 16 names of Ganesha first invoked with a prayer that the task which is being taken up will end well.
1) Why ' modakas' and why first puja ?
Once Devas approached Lord Siva when Parvathy, Ganesha, Subhramanya were all present. They brought 'modakam' containing 'Amritham' (nector) as 'poornam' filled inside.
Siva declared that the modakam will be earned by the one who emerges first after getting rid of all sins. He also will get the first place in worship. Subhramanya climbed on his peacock vehicle to go round the worlds to have a dip in the holy waters around to get rid of the sins. Ganesha believed that by performing 'pradhikshana namaskarams' of his parents, he can get rid of all sins. So doing , he not only earned the prestigious 'modakam' but also got the merit to occupy the place as a deity in receiving the puja first.

Performing 'pradhakshanam' is equivalent to writing the word or aksharam 'OHM' by the body. Further Ganesha is in the form of 'OHMkara' as described above. Thus 'modakam' also gets its importance as ' nivedyam' to Lord Ganesha.

There is another version which says that Arundhathi realised that the 'poornam' inside the modakam represents 'nectar' and the white outer thin cover of modakam made of rice flour represents the world. She gave the modakam to Vasishta Maharishi and asked him to offer the same to Ganesha. The Lord was pleased with the thought of Arunthathi about "Ganeshaism" and granted 'jeevan-mukthi' to Vasishta and Arundhathi.
Adi Sankara brought this philosophy in his creation ' Ganesha Pancharathnam' - starting ' mudhakarata modhakam sadha vimukthi sadhakam' .which means the modhakam in the abhaya hastha of Ganesha is something like a jewel for getting emancipation (Vimukthi).

2) Why 'hitting the forehead with both the fists?'

Ravana obtained a 'Sivalinga' from Lord Siva as a reward for his severe penance. He was to install it in Sri Lanka, so that no one can vanquish him in a war. The Devas became afraid and prayed to Ganesha to stop Ravana from installing the Sivalinga. Ganesha in the guise of a 'brahmachari' appeared before Ravana. Ravana wanted to perform 'sandhya vandana'.. He could neither keep the Sivalinga' on the ground , nor carry it with him. He was helpless and requested the bramhachari Ganesha to hold the Sivalinga for a short while. Ganesha agreed but on condition that if Ravana were to delay in coming back even after the three calls from him, the Sivalinga would be kept down by Ganesha. Ravana consented to this Ganesha but could not return to the spot due to the spell of Ganesha's power. The Sivalinga was kept down by Ganesha and Ravana could not remove or take it from the ground.

He got angry and hit the bramhachari on his head three times in a fist like action. Ganesha appeared before Ravana in his real form. Realising the mistake Ravana bowed his head down and hit his forehead with the both the hands in a fist like action.

This practice exists today also since then when we recite 'Suklam Bharatharum Vishnum Sasivarnam Chathurbhujam..."

3) Why 'topikarnam'?

Gajamukasura was a demon causing disturbances to the sages in doing penance. Lord Ganesha fought with him and brought the demon to his knees. Gajamukasura prayed to the Lord that he would serve Ganesha as his vehicle in the form of a bandicoot. Ganesha was pleased with his prayer and blessed him with a boon. Gajamukasura narrated that when he was ruling his kingdom, he used to pay obeisance to Devas by performing 'topikarnam', by holding the tip of both the ears with his thumb and fore finger of his hands in a scissor like fashion and repeat the action of squatting and standing. Gajamukasuran wished that henceforth devotees of Ganesha do 'topikarnam' before the Lord. Ganesha granted this boon and this practice exists since then.

"Topikarnam' means "Thwabhyam Karna" in Sanskrit " - I listen to your Command ,Oh Lord Ganesha'

Scholars explain that by hitting the forehead in a fist like action as well as by performing ' topikarnam', we are activating the nervous system and the action stimulates flow of fresh blood to the brain. By submitting ourselves while performing these acts, we forget ourselves, forget our ego and the situation leads to peace of mind.

4)Why " Pillaiyar Suzhi " before we start writing anything?
Lord Ganesha is called as 'Ekadhantar'- has one tusk.. The story behind this is that Ganesha removed one of his tusks to kill a demon who had earlier obtained a boon that he could not be killed by any weapon like sword, bow and arrow etc. There is another story which says that Ganesha removed one of his tusks and gave it to Vyasa Maharishi for using it as a pen in response to his prayer to help him to write Mahabharath. Ganesha came to be known as 'Ekadhantha' after this episode.

Lord Ganesha is the first person to invent the letters and start writing. Until then, the transactions were only in the form of sound. He translated the sound form into a written script by showing his tusk in a bent U shape manner (Pilliyarsuzhi). Henceforth before starting to write, people pray to Ganesha to show their gratitude for giving life to the sound form by translating it to a script form.

5) Why 'Doorva' and not Tulsi for Ganesha?
'Doorva' refers to the long tender grass which is considered as superior in Ganesh-Aradhana. Once Ganesha destroyed a demon called 'Analan', by swallowing him. The demon went inside and burnt the 14 worlds situated inside Ganesha, thus causing enormous heat. Ganesha searched for Doorva Grass and wore it as a garland to nullify the heat inside. Doorva is a substance known to create heat and by the principles of two negatives make things positive, the heat was quenched. Doorva Grass is therefore used as a supreme offering in Ganesha Puja.

Why not Tulsi? Tulsi did penance for long years with a goal to marry Ganesha. But the Lord did not like it and advised Tulsi to marry Lord Vishnu. Tulsi was in no mood and compelled Ganesha. Lord Ganesha became angry and cursed Tulsi to become a plant from Ganesha also made it clear that Tulsi is not suitable for worshipping him on the daily basis except on the Vinayaka Chathurthi Day.

Likewise, Moon is not to be seen on Sukla Chathuthi days and also on Vinayaka Chathurthi Day and it is believed that those who see the Moon on these days would earn some bad name.

6)" Vignesa " removes all hurdles ( Vigna ) to his devotees for doing good, at the same time he gives Vigna and thus prevents the wicked from proceeding with their bad actions.

Vakrathunda Mahakaya Kotisurya Samaprabha !
Nirvignam Kuru Me Deva Sarvakaryeshu sarvadha !!

Ganesha Charanam Charanam Ganesha. !!

pn

Amazing is the ' Absolute Faith ' of Child Prahalad !

2008-09-17T02:12:00.000-07:00

What gives a special place to 'Narasimha Avatar' is its striking form. Child Prahalad is the architect for Narasimha Avatar to happen. Prahalad is faith personified which words can not describe to the fullest.

Total surrender to HIM will have efficacy only when a person develops total faith which task is not easy. There is a story which depicts what in its essence total fath is :.....

There lived an oil merchant long long ago, who did all jobs from 'a to z' in producing the til oil with the help of a hand set made of wood. The wood set once broke into two and he went in search of a sound tree for making a new wooden machinery for producing the oil. He selected the tree and brought four men to cut it. When he was about to do it, something fell and enveloped his feet and prayed " Oh Merchant , have mercy on me. I am a ghost who live in the tree for a long time and I don't have any other place to go". The ghost also prayed to him that it would take the responsibility to bring to his door the required quantum of Til plant with which he can produce the til oil every day. The merchant expressed his doubt by saying 'what if not'? The ghost reacted immediately that it was not a man and therefore it won't cheat like a man. The merchant believed the ghost's emphatic utterances and dropped the idea of cutting the tree.

The ghost kept up its promise and started bringing the til plant matching in quantity to that of the merchant's requirements. But it proved to be not an easy job. The ghost had to go 'helter-skelter' to search the til plant and it took almost whole day for it to do so. As a matter of fact, the ghost could never return to the old tree where it originally lived. The ghost blamed itself for the torture it was undergoing. It thought that for the sake of the tree or to save the tree from being cut, it offered the merchant to bring the til plant to his door. It appeared to the ghost that the purpose was not served once it could not get back to the tree.

The ghost decided to rest in the tree for sometime that day and was shocked to find another ghost to have taken his place in the tree. The new ghost made fun of the old by saying that it was man who usually came under the spell of a ghost but where as it was the old ghost who had come under the spell of the oil merchant. The two ghosts exchanged its plans on the pressing matter and the new ghost came forward to help the other one and said " I would kill the oil merchant, which would put an end to the whole episode ".

As the dialogue was going on between the ghosts, the oil merchant was busy in the cow-shed. He saw all the cows were brought out from the shed for giving a wash but the merchant noticed one cow which had been bought newly was left out. He shouted at the servants:- "Bring that new Ghost (he meant the new cow) also". The merchant's shout was heard by the new ghost now occupying the tree. it got terrified and came running to the oil merchant. It surrendered to the merchant saying that it would bring double the quantity of til plant what the old ghost used to fetch and prayed for its life.

The new ghost then went to the tree where the old ghost was also standing. The latter laughed at the new ghost and remarked " Where would you get time to return to the tree, as you had compromised to fetch double the quantum of til plant ".

Developing the total faith is as difficult as to fetch such an enormous quantum of til plant as promised by the new ghost.

Karma Yoga or Gnyana Yoga are difficult to practice. It does not mean that ' total surrender to God'- 'the doctrine of saranagathi'- become easy. What interferes between total surrender and man is lack of faith. It is as difficult as to fetch the til plant matching the merchant's enormous requirements.

We pray to HIM, garland the portraits of the Gods with variety of colorful flowers in the puja, offer him " Bhaksya Visesham " ( Nivedanam) and do ' Mangala Harthi '. Are we not supposed to be firm in our mind in the thought that the Lord is sitting in front and looking at the puja being performed and that HE knew what to Give. Yes that is called Faith or vehemently it could be referred as " Total Faith ".

Child Prahalad had such an admiring faith in Lord Narayana and Prahalad's faith is amazing when he, with the uttermost confidence, proclaimed to his father Hiranyakasipu " Sthambena Dhrusyathe "! (HE is seen in the Pillar ) where as Hiranyakasipu uttered to the child " Sthambe NA Dhrisyathe ". ( HE is not seen in the Pillar ) .

Child Prahalad's total faith is not only amazing but also stands as personification of what faith could be and could do in return !.

pn

" Ganesh Chathurthy Greetings " !

2008-09-04T02:52:00.000-07:00

Lord Ganesa People Pray First
Vigneswara Blesses to Overcome Hurdles
His 'Modhaka-Hastha' Protects As 'Abhaya-Hastha'
Ganapathy Stands for 'OHM' kara
Bala Ganapathy Benevolent to Bhakthas
Has big ears, short in stature, powerful in deed
Oh, Son of Maheswara and Uma's Balaka
Vathapi Ganapathiye, Sincere Prayers to You
On the Auspicious Occasion of 'Vinayaka Chathurthi'

Greeetings to All of You !!

' Unity in Diversity ' !

2008-08-05T02:06:00.000-07:00

Some idioms in English language which sound humorous are made use of in the passage what follows below in a story like manner. You can see the idioms are used within inverted commas and their meanings are written within brackets there after:-

Sheela liked novel items where as Shiva, her hubby, was in the habit of collecting odd and old relic like items what can be called as 'fuddy-duddy'(old fashioned). They exchanged frequently skirmish of wit which appeared to be 'ding dong'(loud argument) and 'claptrap' (foolish). Sheela scored over Shiva by abusing gobbledegook's items (obscure items) bore only 'humdrum' effect (boring) in the eyes of the visitors as the collections made by Shiva looked 'hotchpotch'(mixture of odd things that don't go together).

Shiva, being 'namby-pamby'(weak/sentimental), could not retaliate Sheela's 'pooh-pooh' (contemptuous) and 'hurly-burly'(intense,noisy) remarks. Shiva simply brushed them aside as 'mumbo-jumbo'(difficult to understand or non nonsensical)!!

However Shiva 'pulled his face'(an expression of disgust) at times and even went on to 'pull up' Sheela.(scolded her). At those weak moments she used to 'pull out' (withdraw) from contesting. This had a desired outcome as Shiva 'pulled his socks up' (attempted to do better). Sheela also responded in turn and 'pulled out all the stops'(made every effort)to improve matters.

Sheela and Shiva soon decided to 'pull together'(work in unity). Thus they could resist neighbors 'pulling strings' (influence)and making fun of their way of living.
They realised that harmony in life can not be disturbed when one accepts others' sentiments and appreciates their likes and dislikes.

You see the picture of a mountain below. When you are on the top, you see a big slope downward. The same slope when looked upon from the bottom, it appears to be very steep. Sheela and Shiva understood that it serves no purpose by viewing a mole as a mountain. Unity in diversity is the key for leading a harmonious life. A conviction of this kind easily make us to see the mountain valley as beautiful, colorful in Nature's bounty!

They never 'pulled a fast one'(deceive) between them. Shiva slowly 'pulled off' (manged) from the habit of buying odd and old items. They made their home beautiful and lived happily to the envy of their neighbors.

' Celestial Matter '

2008-07-18T02:40:00.000-07:00

I. 'North'- as a Direction stands unique!:-

Geographical or Terrestrial North Pole is defined as a point in the Northern Hemisphere where the Earth's axis of rotation meets the Earth's Surface. At North Pole all directions point South.

True North refers to the direction of North Pole relative to the Navigators' position. Let us not further discuss astronomy about the North but consider where 'North' as a direction plays a unique role in our day to day life !

1) We always begin with Ganapathy pooja to ward off any hurdles and after the pooja we move the symbolic Ganapathy formed out of turmeric in the direction of North and then proceed with the main function,reciting " Vakrathunda Mahakaya Koti Surya Samaprabha, Nirvignam Kuru Me Deva Sarvakaryeshu Sarvadha ".
2) The bride groom sits facing north during marriage.
3) We sit facing north while performing rituals to fore-fathers.
4) The sacred thread is worn on the left shoulder (North side) in general and for all auspicious occasions.
5) The articles used for the performance of 'homams ' are placed first in the north.
6) As and when the 'sankalpa' gets over, the 'Dharba(s)' and 'Akshadhai' are dropped in the direction of North. The preferred direction after the pooja is to go northwards.
7) The bridegroom sets forth for "Kasi (Benaras) Yatra " when he is stopped by the would be father-in-law who invites him to marry his daughter. Here the groom moves in the North where Varanasi is situated.
8) When Sradha karma is performed, we pray for their emancipation facing North as Gaya,the holy place,is situated in the North. We also walk a few steps in North.
9) When items are served in the leaf while eating, it is served in a rotation when serving ends in the North.
10) It will be ideal to sleep stretching the legs towards the North. It is hygienic also.
11) When seated in asana one leg over the other, the leg which occupies the top position should face North.
12) Holy places like Varanasi, Gaya, Mount Meru -all are situated in North direction.
13) 'Maha Meru' is in North with reference to the whole world.
14) 'The COMPASS'which is used to find the directions rotates always and points its direction towards 'North' only. Thus North becomes the reference to find other directions East, West and South.
'Sastras' propagate that all pro-active Actions initiated with a goal 'for progress' should get concluded in the direction of North.

II. Does God Exist?

This question was faced by no less aperson than Dr.Abdul Kalam from the students when once he went to South Africa.

He answered that Earth takes 24 hours to go around its axis for one rotation and takes 365 days to go around the Sun. Abdul Kalam further expounded that the SUN takes
21.5 cores of years to go around the milky galaxy. The magnitude of one Galaxy is unimaginable, let alone thousands of Galaxies that exist in the Universe.
The Satellites, Stars move around in orbits with reference to their respective Galaxies in a precise and pre-determined manner. Kalam asked the students who created all these? They were just struck by wonder.

Abdul Kalam answered we can see the SUN, without which Energy we can not survive. Like wise the Galaxies which we can not see with the naked eye are all created by God. The Universe is created by the omnipotent and omnipresent which can be no other than God!. The students applauded the Scientist for bringing the truth for realization.

III. Why 'Krishna'is blue?

Swami Vivekananda was the invited once, as guest of honor, by the Madras Law College. He had some interesting dialogue with the lawers of tomorrow. He raised a question to the audience ' Why Lord Krishana is 'Neela Megha Syamala Varna"?, in other words why HE is blue in color? In the midst of the students who were all blinking to answer, there stood one bright student Rajagopalan by name and replied 'Swamiji, are not all all-pervading Sky, the magnificent Sea, blue in colour ? Likewise Lord Krishna who is is omnipotent and WHOSE Grace protects every living beings all over is also considered to have blue complexion. Swami Vivekananda was very much pleased with Rajagopalan's convincing answer and applauded him.

This Rajagopalan is none other than the renowned and later popularly known as 'Rajaji' or "Chakravarthy Rajagopalachari".

Dr.Albert Schweitzer

2008-07-13T04:02:00.000-07:00

Touching Anecdotes from the life of Dr.Albert Schweitzer

Dr.Albert Schweitzer was born in Alsace (now part of France, then Germany) on Jan14,1875. His father was a Pastor. Schweitzer showed passion in his boyhood days for playing the organ. Later he became world's leading expert in organ making. He took his Ph.d from Strasbourg and later obtained an advanced degree in Theology.Served as a principal in a Strasbourg College. He is the author of the most famous book in Theology titled as ' The Quest for the Historical Jesus '.

Dr.Schweitzer felt a strong yearning towards a direct service to the humanity. His often repeated sermon was " We must make atonements for the terrible crimes we read of in the news papers - not only that but also for what we don't read ".

Schweitzer surprised everyone in 1905, when he was 30 , that his profession would not be theology nor philosophy but would be medicine. He declared that this activity (medicine) would not be merely talking about 'the religion of love' but actually putting it into practice. He created a sensation in the medical school " When I went to the Prof.Fehling, that time Dean, to give my name as a student, he would have liked best to hand me over to his colleague in Psychiatric Dept." He specialized in tropical medicine first and then went on to do surgery when he was 38.

Dr. married Helene Bresslan, a trained nurse. Dr. and Mrs. went to Africa and built a hospital in Lambarene which was then a part of French Congo,now Gabon in Africa. When World War I broke, as he was a German by birth, he was taken as a prisoner of war by French Army. Schweitzer had a feeling of deja vu in the prison room that he knew the room from some past experience. The mystery was solved when he remembered Vangogh's picture in his mind. He later learnt that Vangogh who was a well known artist who underwent treatment in the very same building which served as a mental institution then. Vangogh committed suicide later.

Dr.Schweitzer remarked that life should only be negated when it is for a higher value and purpose - not merely for a selfish and thoughtless action.

He became the father of a girl child called Rhena when he was 43 years old. She did not see much of her father in her early ages as the Dr. was seriously engaged in the eradication of Malaria. But when Rhena's children grew, she acquired technical lab skill and went to Africa to serve with her father in the hospital. She became the Superintendent of the hospital after the demise of her father. She served for many years and married an American doctor Dr.David Miller who volunteered in the hospital.

Dr.Albert Schweitzer's fame became increasingly wide spread over the years and people flocked to Lamberene to see him in action. Dr. remarked " Every one should find his own Lamberene ". He formulated what he liked in the words " My Life is my argument".

Dr. Schweitzer was honored in 1953, when he was 78, the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work.

Little known was Dr.'s humor. When once he went to his native place, the whole town went to the Railway Station to receive the great son of the soil. They searched him in A/C First Class, I Class, II class but not to be seen . At last they saw him getting down from the III class. " What Dr.? why III Class ?? " - was the question from every one. Schweitzer replied with a knotty smile " What to do - there is no Class IV compartment in the Train !!". He led a very simple life in service to the humanity.

Dr. Schweitzer passed away at a ripe age of 90 in September 1965. He will always be remembered for the noble deeds he carried out with a missionary zeal.

A Leaf from the lives of great men !

2008-06-21T10:05:00.000-07:00

1)Thomas Alva Edison:-(1847-1931)

' Necessity is the mother of invention ' - this maxim proved true in Edison's life. Thomas Alva Edison was much afraid of darkness. The fear provoked Edison to discover a remedy and he did rightly so by inventing the electric bulb.

Thomas Alva Edison (picture)
His friends wanted to celebrate the event and got assembled in Edison's lab. Edison assigned the job of bringing the new electric bulb to his assistant, from the ground floor to the Lab situated in the first floor. A mishap occurred in the bulb falling from the hold of the assistant and unfortunately got shattered to pieces. But the Scientist did not get perturbed. He produced one more bulb in short time and asked the same assistant again to bring it.

Edison addressed the august gathering that his assistant was very loyal and sincere in his works. If he had not assigned the job to him again, he would even die of heart burns. Edison said he was capable of making any number of bulbs. What had happened by a slip was to be ignored. The fact that his assistant brought the new bulb safely showed that Edison had the right presence of mind also had the courage of conviction.
Edison, 'known as the Wizard of the Menlo Park' is considered as one of the greatest inventors in the history of the world. He holds the world record for patents with 1093,the most ever granted to one person.

Edison's two famous quotes:-
(1) 'Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety nine perspiration '
(2) ' If we did all things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves'

2) Beethoven:-

Picture of Beethoven
The power of listening is the most important aspect in Music Composers and Singers. But the well known singer, Composer Beethoven lost the sense of hearing in his
40th year. He did not lose heart. He continued in his assignment and went on to produce four numbers of 'symphonys' which reverberated as all time great musical hits in the market and took Beethoven to great heights. The life of Beethoven stands as a classical example for ' if you have the will, you can surmount anything in life'.

3)U.V.Swaminatha Iyer.

Picture of U.V.Swaminatha Iyer
U.V.S.Iyer held high esteem for his Guru ' Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai '. Swaminatha Iyer wrote the biography of Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai and got it published. Swaminatha Iyer had such a great regards for his Guru that he felt shy to write his Guru's name in the biography. Wherever his Guru's name occurred, he used only a star symbol (*) and wrote an explanation that he felt too small and was even afraid of, writing his Guru's name.

It showed only U.V.Swaminatha Iyer's humility! He was affectionately called as " 'Tamil Thatha '.

4)Mozart:-

Child Prodigy Mozart (picture)
Mozart was a great exponent of classical music. A very young disciple asked Mozart how to compose melodious and great music. Mozart advised him to be very simple in the approach and start composing light music. The disciple questioned Mozart ' How was that he was able to compose great music even at his age of ten ?'. Mozart replied that he never went to any one when he was ten and asked how to compose great music !

Mozart was a child prodigy when he was ten itself!

5)Tenali Raman:-

Picture of the Court Jester Tenali Raman
Tenali Raman was a great Court Jester. He was one of the eight learned Pundits who all decorated the Vijayanagara Kingdom of Vikramadhithan II. Tenali Raman's "Panduranga Mahathmiyam" is recognized as one of the a master pieces in Telugu literature.

The King had a habit of testing the intelligentsia quotient of Tenali Raman. He, in one occasion, asked Tenali Raman " How many crows were there in the Town " ?. Tenali Raman did not at all hesitate to answer the King. He replied '4444' crows were in the Town. The King shot out a probing remark and asked Tenali Raman " What, if there were more " ?. Tenali Raman quipped at once that, ' Additions in crows would be due to the crows flying from near-by towns ". The King asked a rejoinder ' what if there were less crows' ?. Tenali Raman replied in no time that ' some crows from our Town must have flown to the neighboring Towns ' !

The King had a hearty laugh and admired the ready wittiness of his Court Jester. !

Science Speaks !

2008-06-16T04:17:00.000-07:00

Let me ask a riddle first !

1.0 It may happen sometime that you lose something precious or most dear to you. Naturally you will ceaselessly search to find it. Let us say you are lucky to obtain it. Now, my question to you what is the first thing you will do after finding that item? ( Pl.feel free to express )
(Answer is at the end and before going down, some material to pursue !)

2.0 Questions on ' Time '

2.1 What is Quadrennial ?
2.2 What is the period which is referred as vicennial?
2.3 Are the terms 'Olympiad' and 'Quadrennial' refer one and the same time period?
2.4 What 'diurnal' and ' semi-diurnal ' and ' perennial ' refer to?
( Answers:- @ the bottom )

3.0 The calender now in use is ' Georgian Calender ' which is a modification of 'Julian' Calender. Pope Gregory XIII introduced it in 1582 and was adopted in Scotland in 1600 and in England in 1752.

4.0 Jewish, Muslim and Chinese calenders are adopted on certain other discreet norms.

5.0 The World is divided into 24 time zones , measured in relation to 12 Noon GMT.

6.0 What Numbers are represented by the following Roman Numerals / Letters ?

L , CC , CD , D , CM , M , MM , MMX
(Ans:- in the end )

7.0 What is a 'Nitrogen Cycle' ?

The series of processes by which Nitrogen is absorbed from and returned to the atmosphere by the biological system is called the ' Nitrogen cycle '.

All living thing play a part in the nitrogen cycle. Bacteria play a double role. They can fix or combine nitrogen with oxygen to form the nitrates which are used by most living organisms. Bacteria also break or denitrify nitrates into nitrogen and oxygen.

Atmosphere is mostly composed of Nitrogen GAS. Weak Nitric Acid is in the Rain. Thus Nitrogen is atmospheric. Nitrogen fixing bacteria play its role.Organic Nitrogen arises from manures, decaying plants and materials. Nitrates are released by nitrifying bacteria. Nitratesa are taken up by the plants. Nitrogen gas is released by dentryfying bacteria into the atmosphere. This is known as the ' Nitrogen cycle '.

8.0 Geological Time Periods :-

Earth was formed from a massive cloud od dust and gas some million years ago. layers of metamorphic rocks have been since built upon its crust.The history and study of these layers describe the Geological Time.

Achaean refers to 4600-2500 million years ago.
Proterozoic : 2500-550 million years ago
Phanerozoic : 550 million years ago to the present.

Answers:-

1.0 First thing you will do is " Stop Searching " (Any other act will only be after ending the search, is it not so?)

2.0 Quadrennial : every 4 years
Vicennial : every 20 years
Olympiad and quadrennial refer to " every 4 years "

Diurnal : daily, of each day.
Semi-diurnal : twice a day.
perennial : lasting through a year or several years.

6.0 L = 50
CC = 200
CD = 400
D = 500
CM = 900
M = 1000
MM = 2000
MMX = 2010

( You can devise your own scoring pattern and compare the answers to find out your score )

" The Glow of Light "

2008-05-14T04:03:00.000-07:00

First thing in the morning in a Hindu family, a lamp is lit in the puja room and 'Suprabhatham ' is recited. A glowing lamp always stands as a witness when people take oath. In Hindu marriages, 'Agni' is considered as essential and in its presence only the tying of the knot takes place to announce the successful alliance between a man and a woman.

Lighting of lamps in Temples is considered as sacred. The story of a rat which lit a lamp in ' Vedaranyam Temple' ( Vedaranyam is near Tanjore in Tamilnadu) stands as a classical illustration. The rat, in fact, attempted to drink the oil in the lamp as it went bereft of food for quite some time and became hungry. The light which was about to be extinguished got a new life when the tip of the nose of the rat touched the wick and thus got triggered. The rat got frightened by the sudden glow of the lamp and ran away. Nevertheless, the rat had done a good and sacred act of lighting the lamp that too in a Siva Temple and thus earned the divine blessings.

The rat by virtue of this, took rebirth according to mythology, as ' Maha Bali Chakravarthi'. Further when all other demons were killed by Vishnu, Maha Bali was blessed by Vishnu as 'Chiranjeevi' and is said to live permanently in 'Patal Loka'. The outcome of a simple act of kindling a fading oil lamp in a ' Sivalaya 'is so much rewarding. One may wonder what paradise or eldorado lies ahead for good Samaritans!

During the festival days, it is a common sight that Temples are decorated with plenty of oil lamps glowing profusely. The variety, the architecture, the colour, the size, the intriguing rows both horizontal and vertical, and the myriad number, the radiance and above all the glow takes the on looker by breath !

A great significance is attached to ' Makara Jyothi ' which is seen by lakhs of devotees at Sabarimala every year on Makara Sankranti day. 'Annamalai Deepam' and 'Sarvalaya Deepam' in the month of Karthigai are celebrated with interest and devotion.

' Moksha Deepam ' is lit on the tower of the temples in reverence and for peace.

'Pavai Vilakku' represents a woman in the traditional dress, wearing attractive ornaments and holding a lamp or vilakku. Tamil Nadu is famous for Pavai Vilakku for its variety, size and decoration.

The discussion will be incomplete if I don't mention about Sun God who is worshipped as the dispeller of darkness. The Sun God lights up the whole world to awaken people. The world will be plunged in darkness and there will be no dawn in the absence of the Sun. The general saying 'Good Morning' will not also be in vogue.

When the day is hot, we search for a shade. A banyan tree with its spreading branches is a good relief. People love to gather and spend time as seated under a large banyan tree, during picnics. The light and shadow under the floor of the tree create a wonderful scene and the cool breeze when it blows will be enjoyable.

However when the leaves dance to the music of the wind, the sun light passes through the gap. This happens at random only. Likewise, the phenomenon of happiness or bliss appear in one's life now and then. It does not stay permanently. It is because of our acts which happen to be good at times and bad at some other times. Good deeds done in the past, act as a reservoir. They are instumental for removing the hurdles to let the sun rays to pass through and for the light of happiness to peep in.

What prevents the sun rays from falling is due to the interface of ' karma ' . Happiness is said to be an eternal Bliss. The key to obtain happinesss depends upon the way of life, one leads. There is fullfilment at the end of every good act performed.

One can feel the glow of the light inside as he pursues to deliver noble deeds !

Mathematics prove that God's Love is equal to 101% - pl. read on

2008-05-14T02:15:00.000-07:00

Mathematics help us to understand that God's Love is more than 100%.

This is fascinating. Be sure to go all the way to the end. Absolutely amazing! Beauty of Math!

1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn't it?

And look at this symmetry:

1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111=12345678987654321

Now, take a look at this...

101%

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?

Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?

We have all been in situations where someone wants you to GIVE OVER
100%.

How about ACHIEVING 101%?
What equals 100% in life?
Here's a little mathematical formula that might help answer these
questions:
If:A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

If:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And:

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E

11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But:

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E

1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D

12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

KNOWLEDGE GIVES YOU THE INSIGHT
HARD WORK HELPS YOU TO GAIN GROUND
ATTITUDE INVIGORATES KNOWLEDGE AND HARD WORK TO ACHIEVE RESULTS
BUT IT IS LOVE OF GOD THAT TAKES YOU TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD !!

Have a nice day & May God be with you !

Cricket by Design

2008-04-23T02:26:00.000-07:00

Monday, April 21, 2008

Twenty20 Extravaganza

1)Big Money and extravaganza go together. Whether this is true or not, Stanford University conducted a wine testing experiment very recently in which people were given bottles with range of prices from $5 to $90. According to the Boston Globe report, the subjects consistently said more expensive the wine, better was the taste. Like wise the big money involved in 20Twenty DLF-IPL is translated subconsciously into 'high value' and 'quality' in the minds of the public.

2) Lalit Modi, the chief executive and Commissioner of DLF-Indian Premier League sighed a big relief when the inauguration of the extravaganza was kicked off on
April 18, 2008 in Bangalore under frazzle-dazzle lights, laser, with dancers, cheer leaders and live music.

3) We can imagine how big will be the show in the forthcoming Beijing Olympics the 'Bird's Nest', being the main venue.

4) Let us come back to IPL. Though many watch the telecast, they still don't have answers in their finger tips. . Here are some relevant tips:-

a) DLF - I.P.L. which got started on 18 April will go up to June1, 2008. The duration is for 44 days. Some days will witness 2 matches and rest only one.

b) There are 8 Teams which will witness intense encounters. The Teams and Captains are:-

1) Kolkata Knight Riders - Saurav Gangully
2) Deccan Chargers - VVS Lax man
3) Rajasthan Royals - Shane Warne
4) Kings XI, Punjab - Yuvaraj Sing
5) Royal Challengers, Bangalore - Rahul Dravid
6) Mumbai Indians - Sachin Tendulkar
7) Chennai Super Kings - Mahendra Singh Dhoni
8) Delhi Dare Devils - Virendra Sehwag

C) One Team will play 14 matches in total, before the first semifinals. That means one team will clash with the rest of 7 teams twice. 7*2=14 matches.

d) On April 18 :- Team at sl.no. 5 clashed with Team at sl.no.1. at Bangalore.
On May 8, Same Teams will clash for the second time @ Kolkata. That means each Team will play one match in their Home Town.

e) The venue for the matches will be eight as there are 8 Teams contesting.

f) There will be 56 Matches in all plus 2 Semi Finals plus 1 Final which totals up to 59 Matches.

G) The two Semi Finals and the Final will be played in Mumbai.

k) Each player has been hired by bids at astronomical sums, pushing up Cricket's value to a 7 Star rating as compared to other sports.

l) Dhoni was pocketed by Chennai Super Kings with highest bid of $1.5 million.

m) Global News Agencies which include Reuters, AP, AFP, Getty Images Will not cover DLF due to unacceptable accreditation terms, as it stands today.

n) Cricket by design:- 20Twenty I.P.L. Games will offer a little for every body.

(1) Some bite for fast bowlers, particularly at the initial stages
(2) Some leeway for Batsmen for free strokes on second and third days.
(3) Some purchase for the Spinners on last two days.
(4) Matches will be played late evenings to enable office goers and business class to attend which will enhance large gate collections. Further, that time will be idle for players who will otherwise have to sweat hard in the sweltering heat in the day time.

But best laid plans of mice and groundsmen may go awry by gusts of sound wind, sudden shower, outbreak of frost and things like these.

It will be an enigma if I ask you to name your favourite Team. However, people may opt Teams belonging to their Regions. From the initial matches so far, Kolkata and Chennai Teams look formidable.

The Omkara

2008-04-19T18:28:00.000-07:00

The 'Omkara'- 'Sound Vibrations'

The way the World or Prapancham moves about,
its total adherence to norms and its orderliness
strike most profoundly which leaves no doubt
that there is some great Power behind this phenomenon.

The whole set of objects we see around or the sound vibrations
we hear get generated from the Almighty or Paramathma.
Sound Vibrations (AUM) appeared first in the space ( ether).
The other elements what we see today appeared next.
The sound continues to exist in Akasa or Ether after the emergence of the physical world we live in.

'Ohm' is the seed of both 'Vak' and 'Prana' which are its expresions. That is why 'Prana' and 'Vak' combine as an entity to be called as 'pranav'.The other name for 'pranav' is 'vedam'. 'A','U','M' or "AUM" is sacred syllable, pronounced as an exclamation at the beginning and end of a mantra or during the recital of Veda.

What exists in the Super Space exists in the human body
also. The 'open sky' outside the world or Akasa
exists in the heart of a human also. The yogis or saints
realize and relish the "Hirudhaya-Akasa". In this
situation, both the external and internal Akasas merge as
one when the saint is in deep meditation. The saints, at
this state, are in a position to grasp and receive the Sound
vibrations from the Ether or Akasa and present them for the
benefit of the World. The set of these Sound Vibrations come
to be known as 'VEDAS'.

The Vedas explore and expound Science. For instance,
Atharva Veda says: " PRANAM EKAM; ANYATH DWE"(Sanskrit).
Pranam refers to Oxygen and Pranam Ekam means
one atom of Oxygyn. Anyath refers to Hydrogen and dwe
means two atoms of Hydrogen. The line explicitly points
out the formula for Water is H2O: two atoms of Hydrogen
combine with one atom of Oxygen to give one molecule of Water.

Another example: Vedam quotes - " Chandramasi
krishnam " which means that the Sand in the Moon is
black in colour. If you happen to visit Birla Planetarium
in Kolkata, you will see an exhibit of sand from moon
which is black in colour.

What Vedas proclaim is authentic Science!

'Ohm' is Brahman, the Primeval Being'. "Ohm' is the medium to know, what is to be known. 'Omkara' fills the mind and consciousness to evoke the eternal self.

Since our soul is always breathing 'Ohm', by intoning 'Ohm', we put ourselves in tune with the very wellspring of our existence linking up with our in most consciousness. Intoning 'Ohm' in line with our breath while meditating, is natural!

References:-

* Vanathi Pathippagam Tamil Book titled as "Kuraionrum Illai" by Mukkur Lakshmi Narasimhacharyar.

* Internet Web browsing

'All that Exists is ONE ' - ' An Electrical Phenomenon ' !

2008-04-17T00:50:00.000-07:00

(Sri Ranganathar, Sri Rangam)

'Buddhiman' in Tamil is one who is endowed with wisdom or intelligence. Similarly 'Gunavan' is one who possesses virtues and 'Balavan' possesses valour.
Who is Bhagavan?

HE who possesses "Bhaga" is Bhagavan. Bhagam refers to six supreme qualities which include (1) Gyanam (2) Balam (3) Iswaryam (4) Veeryam (5) Sakthi (6) Thejus. The collective name for the group of these six lakshanas or qualities is 'Bhaga'. The first of Vishnu Sahasranama is 'Viswam' which means 'Bhagavan'. Vedas bring forth the presence of Bhagavan. Vedam is that which pin points 'Parabrahmam'.

( Melkottai Chengalvarayan or Thiru Narayana )

Yagas are performed by reciting Vedas. The organ of speech is tongue. There occurs an interesting conversation between the tongue and the teeth. Tongue thanks the teeth for grinding the food items so that it can taste them. But the teeth belittles the tongue that it can not come out of the teeth. In other words should a person say something wrong, the other person warns that he would break the 32 teeth. So it would be nice to remain silent and the tongue should not cross the limit or from the boundary of teeth.(mouth). Teeth says the doer is someone but someone else gets punished. This is 'Kaliyuga Dharmam'.

(Unique picture of Tirupathy Balaji)

The most effective worship in Kaliyuga is continuously reciting HIS namas. Upanishad says " EKAM VAIDAM VIBHUVA SARVAM ". This line signifies that " One Fire burns in many forms; One Sun illumines the darkness of the night; All that exists is ONE and it has taken all these Forms."

The recital of 'Vishnu Sahasranamam' was composed and initiated by Vyasa Rishi in front of Lord Krishna, which we know from the great epic Mahabharata. Though god's names can not be numbered or counted, as they are 'anantham', 1000 names of Vishnu are significant. "Charaka Samhiti" which is referred as an encyclopedia in Medicine or 'Vaidya Sastra' pronounces that 'Sravanam ' or hearing of the recital of Vishnu Sahasranamam cures all ills. Scholars describe the significance of two 'namas'(1) Narasimha and 2)Narayana with great devotion.

(Yoga Narasimha, Vijayavada)

(Yoga Narasimha believed to have been installed by Prahalad @ Melkottai)

Max Muller the renowned German Scholar describes 'Narasimha Avtar ' as an electrical phenomenon. Prahalad vehemently claimed " HE Exists " ('Asthi' in sanskrit)". Hiranyakashyap retorted 'Nasthi' or 'Doesn't exist'. The positive charge of Prahalad clashed with the negative charge as if to produce an electric charge and Narasimha Avatara happened with thunder and light in the form of a 'Jyoti-Swarupa'. It can be rightly termed as an electrical phenomenon! Electricity is Energy. The other name for Energy or Power is 'Sakthi'.
'Para Sakthi' is worshipped in temples."Sakthi-Illayel,Sivam" is a well known maxim in Tamil.

Narada advocated 'Brahma Gyanam' by reciting the name of 'Narayana, Narayana', repeatedly. 'Naram dadathi ithi Naradaha', meaning he who performs 'Pithru Tharpanam' by offering plenty of water. HE who resides in 'Naram' or 'water' ('Jale sayanam')is Narayana.

The meaning of Narayana can also be arrived by another interpretation. 'Chit-Achit' or 'Chethanam-Achethan' as a group is called "Narams". Jeevathma is endowed with 'Chit' or "wisdom". Achits are those which do not possess the sixth sense. They are 'jatams'. Chit also means those that move and achit are those who lay motionless. The abode of Narayana is in 'Narams'and hence called as Narayana.

Eating over-night rice which is kept in water, with a little salt and curd is not only tasty but has a cooling power and reduces the heat in the body. Narayana is also known as "Purana-Purusha". He who exists from time immemorial. Like old rice is consumed early in the morning, name of Narayana is recited early in the morning. Prayer heals the body and mind and those who pray with utmost devotion remain calm and collected.

The sahasranamam starts with the name " Viswam ". Viswam is Vishnu or the World (Prapancham in Sanskrit).In terms of cause and effect theory, 'Parabrahmam is the cause or the creator and the result is 'Prapancham' or the world. Who else can make this wonderful, vast surface of land, water,rocks, minerals, vegetation, animals, human beings which all live and co-exist?

Viswam also means that 'which is full'. HE has no wants. He gives only and more HE gives, the more HE has. If HE possesses everything, what we can offer to HIM? Bhagavan once asked a devotee who came to HIM to offer something HE did not have. When Bhagavan asked the devotee if he knew what it was the devotee replied that in Dwapara Yuga, Krishna was always surrounded by Gopikas who stole HIS heart. So the devotee offered his heart to the Lord. The significance is that whatever one may offer to the Lord, it should be offered with complete devotion.

The existence theory can be argued in different angles. Take the case of a pot. It didn't exist before it was made.(Piraga Bhavam) Should the pot be broken after it was made, it ceases to exist again.(Prathvamsa Bhavam). The clock is hung on the wall. You don't exist near the clock or the clock does not exist near you.(Anyonya Bhavam). Some never believe in giving or sharing what they have. In other words 'the spirit of giving ' never exists in them. (Athyantha Bhavam).

Paramatma is "Sarva - Vyapi". HE is every where at all times - Omnipresent. HE is inside as well as outside. HE is present at the bottom as well as at the top. 'Viswam' thus gives a meaning that HE is every where. HE is the whole world.

( Panduranga Vittala @ Pandaripuram)

The existence of Pot can be looked up again. The existence theory can be explained due to three causes. First cause is the raw material or resource namely the earth or mud. 2nd cause is due to the human effort of the potter. 3rd cause is the accessories needed like potter's wheel. If you consider the world as the result, Bhagavan becomes the cause. In fact HE is the cause and result for the world to exist. The name "Viswam" reveals the empathy of Cause and effect.

pn

REFERENCES:-
1) Vanathi Pathippagam book in Tamil titled " Kurai Onrum Illai " by Mukkur Lakshmi Narasimha Chariyar"

2) Lifco's Vishnusahasranama Stotram

Sri Ramanavami Quiz

2008-04-13T05:18:00.001-07:00

Thursday, April 10, 2008

"Sri Ramanavami " - ' Quiz '

Sri Ramanavami festival falls on 14th April this year, shall we turn the pages of history and go to 'Thretha Yuga ' for a simple quiz? The answers are appended at the end.

For eg: Which Rama is the brother of Krishna?---Balarama

Part -1 15*5 = 75 Marks (EACH QUESTION CARRIES 5 MARKS)

Q1.Which Rama ia an associate of Ganesa?

Q2.Which Rama is an associate of Shanmuka?

Q3.Which Rama is associated with Siva?

Q4.Which Rama has no end ?

Q5.Which Rama has the name of the serpent in the beginning ?

Q6.Which Rama has an aupicious start?

Q7.Which Rama says HE is a King?

Q8.Which Rama was coronated in the kingdom of Ayodhya?

HE is performing yaga?

Q10.Which Rama is the remover of sins?

Q11.Which Rama was a court jester?

Q12.Which Rama was a popular star?

Q13.Which Rama discovered an 'effect'?

Q14.Which name of Rama means HE is the son of Dasaratha?

Q15.Which Rama built the "White House" ?

Part - 2.

Sri Rama and No.7 are closely linked - cite as many reasons as possible. (25 Marks)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total For Part 1 & 2 :- 100 Marks_____________________________________________________________________________________

You can check your Score and Grade by comparing the Answers:-

Answers:-

Ans:-1. Ganapathi Raman

A.2. Rama Subramanian

A.3. Sivaraman /Rama Lingam

A.4. Anantha Raman ( Anantha gives the meaning of " has no end ")

A.5. Anantha Raman ( 'Anantha' is the name of the serpent 'Sesha' on whom the Lord reclines, Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple is in Trivandrum)

(Answers for questions 4&5 are same - " Anantha Rama " (same Name)}

A.6. Kalyana Raman & Sriraman

A.7. Raja Raman

A.8.Pattabhi Raman

A.9. Yagya Raman

A.10. Venkata Raman ( 'Vem' refers to great sins and 'kata' ( katayati) burning .
Lord Venkata Ramanan in Tirupathy removes all our sins).

A.11.Tenali Raman

A.12.M.G.Ramachandran

A.13. C.V.Raman. (' RAMAN EFFECT ' refers to the phenomenon of scattering of Light and for its valuable applications )

A.14. Dasaratharaman (also known as ' Dasarathi')

A.15. Shri Ram ( Shri Ram Properties is the builder of " White House " Apartments in R.T.Nagar, Bangalore-560 032)

Part - 2 . 5 Reasons Cited (Each valid reason carries 5 marks, totalling 25 Marks )1)

1) Sri RA MA CHA N DI RA - his name has seven letters

2) His Star is Punarvasu which is the 7th star starting from Aswini. His avtar was in Meena masa in Punarvasu Star

3) Sri Rama demonstrated His valour to Sugriva by striking the arrow which pierced through seven ' Mara' trees standing in a row.

4) After the event of " Vibheeshana Saranagathi ", Rama pronounced that " along with Vibheeshana, we are seven now". ( Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha, Satrugna, Guha , Sugriva and now Vibhishana)

5) Srimad Ramayana, the epic in praise of Rama comprises of seven cantos .

They are (1) Bala Canto, (2) Ayodhya Canto, (3) Aaranya Canto, (4) Kishkintha Canto, (5) Sundara Canto, (6) Yuddha canto, (7) Uttara Canto.

Valmiki, the author of the epic, presented 'Srimad Ramayana' through Lava and Kusa to Sri Rama .

Sri Rama was much pleased to hear the musical rendition of the epic by His sons .

Grade :- Your Grade : 75 Marks : First Class with Distinction; 60 Marks and above : First Class; 50 to 60 Marks : second Class; No Grade for marks below 50 .

Tamil New Year Day
13th April , 2008 is Tamil New Year's day .
and

wish every one ' A Happy Vishu ".

'Kalidasa and Bhoja Raja, the king of 'TARA'

2008-03-31T04:12:00.000-07:00

As we see dark clouds in the sky, we rush to a place of shelter since heavy downpour is likely.

A devotee asked a Pandit why Lord Vishnu is compared to the dark water bearing cloud or in other words as " Kala Megham " in Sanskrit or ' Dark Cloud' in English.
The Pandit cleared his throat first, and the devotee moved forward with increased attention as he was sure something very interesting was in the offing from the Pandit. The erudite scholar began the story of Kalidasa and Bhoja Raj. Kalidasa was the chief and distinguished poet in the Kingdom of Bhoj, 'TARA' , being its capital. The citizens of Tara were well versed in singing classical poetry.

The king knew well the talent of Kalidasa as a poet especially the innumerable ways of bringing simile in his poems. He developed a strange interest, knew not why, but he desired Kalidasa to sing the last song for him before he died. Normally the ' charama sloka' is sung only after a person is dead. Kalidasa, therefore made it clear to the king that as he was blessed by Kali Devi if he sang the song, the king 's life would come to an end immediately. Bhoja raja got angry with Kalidasa for disobeying his order and banished him from the capital of ' Tara'.

Kalidasa wandered in the city of Tara in the disguise of a hermit . But the King could not get over his strange wish. He launched a search to find Kalidasa's whereabouts and for this purpose he disguised himself as a ' Sooth Sayer ' . The king spotted the sanyasi near a mutton shop and to make sure that he was none other than Kalidasa he enquired him, " You are a Sanyasi, how come you are seen near a mutton shop , Is it not unbecoming of a true sanyasi?"

Kalidasa, impulsively reacted to the remarks of thr Sooth Sayer but unfortunately let the cat out of the bag by saying, " Where else a person can go after his banishment by the king?". On hearing this, the king became sure that he was Kalidasa only. The King decided to play a strategy to make Kalidasa to sing the last song for him. He continued the conversation with Kalidasa.

In due course Kalidasa also enquired the Sooth Sayer where from he hailed. The Sooth Sayer replied " Tara" .

Kalidasa with genuine interest in the welfare of King Bhoj enquired him for the news of Tara and whether the King Bhoj was keeping sound health. The Sooth Sayer replied ," Oh, what a calamity, Bhoj King is dead as he was unable to bear the separation from his best friend and poet Kalidasa". Kalidasa was shattered to hear the sad news about his friend and with great grief sang the ' charama sloka' in praise of the departed soul!!

" ATHYA TARA NIRATARA NIRALAMBA SARASWATHI;
PANDITHAHA KANDITHA SARVE BHOJRAJA DIVAM GATHE "
( meaning :- The Kingdom of Tara is now deserted due to the demise of Bhoj Raj. The learned poets would get punished anywhere now as Goddess Saraswathi has lost the grip and interest.)
The moment Kalidasa sang the charama sloka, the King in thedisguise of the' Sooth Sayer ' fell down on the ground and died. Kalidasa was quick to realise that it was none other than his best friend and the King himself who acted as the Sooth Sayer to hear the charama sloka from him.

Kalidasa prayed to Kali Devi to spare his friend by singing the same sloka to give the opposite meaning:-

" ATYA TARA SADHA TARA SADALAMBA SARASWATHY
PANDITHA MANDITHA SARVE BHOJ RAJA DIVAM GATHE "

Kali Devi was moved by Kalidasa's poetry and gave a new lease of life to the King but restricted it to a time of 3.75 Nazhi. ( a very short time only)

Kalidasa embraced the King and told about the short life at his disposal. King Bhoj urged to compose Kalidasa an epic and Bhoj also joined him to make it.The kavya is well known as" Bhoj Sambu " .
The epic work describes Vishnu as ' Kala Megham '.

The Pandit explained to the devotee why Kalidasa described Vishnu as ' Kala Megham '.

1) Colour:- The Cloud appears black when it is about to rain. Vishnu is also dark.
2) There is rainbow in the sky. Vishnu bears the weapon " Saranga" which is also a bow .
3) Lightning strikes as a thread in streaks. Vishnu's consort Laksmi is slender and a sparkling beauty
4) The birds in sky long for the rain from the clouds. Here devotees look for Vishnu's Grace.
5) The cloud when it showers, cools the Earth. The Grace of Vishnu helps the devotee to overcome his troubles.
The Pandit also explained why 'Rama Nama' is a Mantra.

The letter "Ra" gets emphasis in the name ' NaRAyana '. If you remove the letters "RA" in Narayana, it becomes ' Na Ayana" which means there is no Vishnu.
Similarly in the name " naMAsivaya', MA gets the emphasis. When MA is taken off, the name reads as 'na siva' which means there is no Siva. Thus RA from Narayana and MA from Namasivaya makes the mantra " RAMA " which is known as Taraka Mantra. There is a temple for " Sankara narayana" in Trinelveli district in the place called "Sankaran Koil" where the main deity is half Siva and half Narayana combined.

The list of famous devotees of Vishnu may stand long. But the names that come upmost are:-
1) King Parikshith who enjoyed hearing Vishnu Purana.
2) Sage Vyasa who sang Vishnu's greatness thru' his works.
3) Prahlada considered Vishnu as his whole life and his thoughts were always with Vishnu.
4) Laksmi was at Vishnu's feet always in service to the Lord.
5) Brugu Maharaj worshipped Vishnu with intense devotion.
6) Akrurar entertained Vishnu in an eloborate manner
7) Hanuman worshipped Rama in his heart and performed all duties for the his Lord.
8) Arjuna was Krishna's comrade and had an easy rapport with Krishna.
9) Bali Chakravarthi surrendered to Lord and sacrificed his life to keep up his word.
10). Sage Narada is the foremost of theVishnu bhaktas who popularised ' namasangeerthanam ', the simplest but most effective form of bhaktirasa .

The quote below is taken from the famous poem
' Christabel ' by Coleridge and suitably modified to fall in line with the topic:-

" Gods Will Help if Men May Call
For the Blue Sky Bends Over All. "

'The Efficacy of Nama Parayanam"

2008-03-14T04:02:00.000-07:00

Krishna narrates Gita to Arjun in Mahabharath. Bhishma narrates Vishnu Sahasranamam also in Mahabharath which is heard by Krishna himself.It always brings plesure to Krishna when HIS namavali is sung as also reciting the namavali is equivalent to performing 'yagya' according to Veda.

The efficacy of reciting ' Bhaghavan Nama' is three fold; Sri Mukkur Lakshmi Narasimmacharyar in his book " Kurai Onrum Illai' in Tamil explains as follows:-

1) " Dhrushta Phalam'
2) " Adhrista Phalam "
3) "Dhrishtadhrista Phalam"

Dhrishta Phalam refers to the direct fruit of our action. Dhrushta in sanskrit means found. Phalam means fruits of labour. For example, a student prepares well for the exam and recites Bhagavan Nama also for success in the exam. The results are announced and when he sees that he has obtained 100 out of 100, he realises
" Dhrista Phalam". It is something like 'seeing is believing'. He believed that he didn't get even one mark less was due to the prayers he did before going to the examination hall. He starts quoting Tennyson to his close friends about the efficacy of prayers 'More things are wrought by prayer than the world dreams of'.

Bhagavatham cites one instance for ' Dhrishta phalam'.
('Jami' refers to a woman of virtues and Ajami is opposite of that).
A person by name Ajamilan met an Ajami in a forest and stayed with her for a number of years and begot 10 children. At the age of 88 he was very ill & bed ridden. Ajami neglected him totally. His end was nearing and three Yama kinkaras came to fetch him. Since Ajamilan committed sin in great proportion three were sent by Yama instead of the usual two. Ajamilan shivered when they were about to come near him. He called his 10th child by name " Narayana, Narayana" who was playing nearby. God Narayana heard HIS name pronounced by Ajamilan in distress. HE immediately appeared on the spot and drove away the Kinkaras. Ajamilan wondered if Bhagavan could respond even for a single call, what benefit he could have reaped if he had been singing HIS name regularly! Ajamilan obtained 'moksha' for uttering "Narayana" in the last minute! This episode explains ' Dhrishta Phalam' ! (God comes in person to help HIS devotee-Dhrishta Phalam)

2) Next in line is ' Adhrishta Phalam ' which means help comes although God remains
away from the scene. Draupadi's case stands as a ready illustration . When she prayed to Krishna to save her modesty at the hands of Dussasana, Krishna's 'abhaya karam' made the saree to grow endlessly. Here Krishna does not appear on the scene - adhrishta palam.

3) 'Dhrishtadhrishta Palan' concept is evident in the case of 'Gajendra Moksham' episode. " Adhimoolame" was the clarion call made by the Gajendra and Lord Narayana rushed to the spot and got Gajendra released from the clutches of the crocodile which was also killed by Lord's missile.

Here Dhrishta phalam refers to Lord's response to arrive at the spot of trouble after having been called by Gajendran (direct happening) and 'Adhrishta Phalam' refers to Gajendran obtaining mukti by the Grace of Narayana in absentia. The two benefits bestowed by HIM were in union or happened simultaneously. This phenomenon is known as "Dhrishtadhrishta Phalam" !

Chanting HIS name with devotion develops concentration in self and realisation in HIM. Vishnu Sahasranamam has certain distinction and chanting the sahasra namavali yields multi dimensional effects. The first sloka explains the first eight aksharas of Gayatri mantra. The second explains the next eight and the third slokam in Sahasranamam explains the third eight aksharas of Gayatri Mantra. Gayatri is reckoned as the fifth Veda and Vishnu Sahasranamam's first three slokas contain the Gayatri Mantra.

Gayathri at dawn wears crimson colour dress and recites Rig Veda. At noon, she is dressed in White Silk and recites Yajur Veda. In the Sandhya Time, she is dressed in black raw silk and recites Sama Veda. Hence reciting Gayatri Mantra is equivalent to reciting the three vedas. By reciting thr first three slokas of Vishnu Sahasranamam, one begets at once the rich advantage of chanting the four Vedas. These facts are explained in the book " Kurai Onrum Illai" in Tamil by Mukkur Lakshmi Narasimhachariyar.

When the nama 'Govinda' is chanted the ten avatars of Vishnu get reflected as they are inherent part of that Namavali. Mukkur Lakshmi Narasimhachar explains this phenomena step by step in his book :-

'Go' means mountain and refers to'Matsya-Avatar' as the mountain was lifted by Vishnu.

'Go' also means "earth". In Varaha Avatar Vishnu redeems Bhooma Devi.

Devas,in total,propitiated Narasimha in the name of Govinda. Hence Narasimha avatar is inherent in the nama "Govinda".

Vishnu who is also Govinda sought space to cover three measures of HIS steps. Thus Govinda represents Vamana Avatar also.

Parasurama who went around the Earth is also known by the name 'Govinda ' as the word 'go' symbolises Earth,as already referred.

"Go" also means 'weapons' and Rama who obtained the weapons from the Sage Viswamitra gets the name ' Govinda '. Rama Avtar thus figures in the name of Govinda.

Balarama who drained the ocean to plough the Earth gets the name "Govinda'.

'Go' (Gowhu) refers to 'Cow' and Krishna looked after the cows in Brindavan where he grew under the most affectionate care of Yasoda. 'Govinda'thus have the connection with Krishna Avatar. Govinda also means "protector of cows"

Srinivasa or Venkata Nathan who resides in Tirumala is also 'Govinda' as Lord Venkateswara is the presiding deity in Kali yuga. HE is known in Tamil as 'Kan Kanda Deivam'.
That is why devotees perform 'Kalyana Uthsavam' to Venkatramana and seek HIS blessings to beget good rewards in the concurrent life as well as emancipation (mukti) when the end comes.

' Achutha, Anantha, Govinda, Kesava, Narayana, Madhava, Govinda, Vishno, Madhusudhana, Thrivikrama, Vamana, Sridhara, Hrishikesa, Padmanabha, Damodara are some names often recited from the Sahasra Namam.

Nama Sangeertanam is the easiest way in Kali yuga to obtain salvation.

2008-03-08T04:20:00.000-08:00

The Womens' Day is an occasion to honour women who gave us the gift of life.

Gandhiji said ' Men and women are equal but not identical '. It is true that no father desires his daughter to speak to him like his son nor his sister to behave like his brother.

A woman's uniqueness lies in her feminine quality. Ahalya, Draupadi, Sita, Tara and Mandodari are named as ' Pancha Kanyas ' (The Five Women) in puranas for the sacrifices they made to maintain the equilibirium of life.

To mark the International Womens' Day, a flag called " Ananya", is hoisted which depicts the colours of a muted rainbow, under the Indian national tricolour against a white background.The colours of rainbow signify freedom and new hopes. The other colours represent expanding horizons, new aspirations and skills and yearning for true emancipation.

A woman shows her her feminine quality when she becomes a mother. No one can ever perform the duties and exhibit love for the child like the mother. The child grows happily because of the confidence it develops in the hands of his or her mother.

Adi Sankara in his works entitled as " Mathru Panchakam " quotes :-

" Oh, mother, you happened to suffer from nausea too often after bearing me in the womb...; you had to take castor oil in a mixture of herbs to protect me in the womb...; when I was five months, you were on a bland diet without salt or chilles...; when I started my tiny movements in the seventh month, you encouraged them by foregoing sleep...; did I not cause you to faint due to the excess atmosphere of gas when I was occupying your stomoch in a growth form..; and after giving birth to me, you took such care which no words could describe and bore my wetting and let-outs..; for all such sacrifices ever since my birth till I undertook saint hood... I could probably never repay in several births also...; all I could perform is only to say my ' pranams ' at the last hour of mine..." so poignantly Adi sankara's ' Mathru- Panchakam ' describes woman hood and mother hood.

Today Indian Overseas Bank proudly announces the inauguration of " All Women Branch " @ Basavangudi, Bangalore.
and Indian Bank declares their Katpadi Branch as an " All women Branch ".

We also hear ' Women's outfits'; "Women's Organisation"; ' Women's Lib and such slogans. But does it echo loudly or is it just feeble to hear?

Why do we celebrate Womens' International Day only on 8th March ?
What about the status in the rest of 364 days ?

' Women, in your laughter, you have the Music of the Fountain of Life ".

' A woman takes birth as a baby, growsup as a daughter, a sister, a wife to a mother ; the journey of a woman ends nowhere. She enlightens the world as she is the second creator of the world around her'.

' March 8 as International Women's Day '

2008-03-08T03:27:00.000-08:00

The Women's' Day is an occasion to honour women who gave us the gift of life.

Gandhi said ' Men and women are equal but not identical '. It is true that no father desires his daughter to speak with him like his son nor his sister to behave like his brother.

A woman's uniqueness lies in her feminine quality. Ahalya, Draupadi, Seeta, Tara and Mandodari are named as ' Pancha Kanyas ' (The Five Women) in Purana's for the sacrifices they made to maintain the equilibrium of life.

To mark the International Women's' Day, a flag is hoisted which depicts the colours of a muted rainbow, under the Indian national tri colour against a white background.The colours of rainbow signify freedom and new hopes. The other colours represent expanding horizons, new aspirations and skills and yearning for true emancipation.

A woman shows her her feminine quality fully when she becomes a mother. No one can ever perform the duties and exhibits love for the child like the mother. The child grows happily because of the confidence it develops in the hands of his or her mother.

Adi Sankara in his works entitled as " mathru panchakam " quotes :-

" Oh, mother, you happened to suffer from nausea too often after bearing me in the womb...; you had to take cast or oil in a mixture of herbs to protect me in the womb...; when I was five months, you starved in a diet of no taste without salt or chill es...; when I started my tiny movements in the seventh month, you encouraged them by foregoing sleep...; did I not cause you to faint due to the excess atmosphere of gas when I was occupying your stomach in a growth form..; and after giving birth to me, you took such cares which no words could describe and bore my wetting and let-outs..; for all such sacrifices ever since my birth till I undertook saint hood... I could probably never repay in several births also...; all I could perform is only to say my ' pranams ' at the last hour of mine..." so poignantly Adi Sankara's ' Mathru- Panchagam ' describes his true feelings about women hood and mother hood especially.

We see today Indian Overseas Bank proudly announces inauguration of " All Women Branch " @ Basavangudi, Bangalore. Indian Bank declares their Katpadi Branch as an " All women Branch " today. We also hear ' Womens' outfits'; "Women's' Organisation"; ' Women's' Lib and such slogans.
But does it echo loudly or is just feeble to hear?

Why Women's International Day id on 8Th March only. What happens in the rest of 364 days ?

" Maha Sivarathri "

2008-03-02T01:14:00.000-08:00

Siva means extremely pure, auspicious. Siva is worshipped as Lingam. Mount Kailash is conceived to be in the form of a Lingam. Varanasi is the holiest among the places of pilgrimage. MahaKala ( Great Time ) is the fearsome form of Siva which destroys all things.

We shall know more about " Maha Sivarathri " .

PICTURE of KOTILINGESWARA TEMPLE IN KARNATAKA

" Ohm Nama Sivaya " " Sivaya Namaha " " Mahasivarathri " - Maha Sivarathri falls on
6th March this year.

The days which are called " Nithya-Sivarathri " are the 14 days after the new moon or full moon or they are Sukla paksha or Krishna paksha Chathurdasis that come in all the 12 months.

Sivarathri of a month is the 14th day in Krishna paksha.

Paksha Sivarathri is observed in Makara Masa (Thai) during the 13 days in Krishnapaksha when Vratham is observed and aradhana for Siva is performed.

Yoga Sivarathri happens if that full day consisting of 60 Nazhigai is a Somavara and Amavasya together.

MAHA SIVARATHRI occurs on Krishnapaksha Chathurdasi in the month of Kumbha otherwise known as Masi, the Tamil month.

There is a unique coincidence in the Avtars of Lord Siva and Vishnu. While Vishnu took the Avtar on Gokulashtami day in Dakshinayana at midnight, Lord Siva took avtar as " LINKOTHBHAVA " on the same day in Uttarayana in the next Kumbh Masa in Krishnapaksha Chathurdasi. One is Hari and the other is Haran but they are one and the same as Hari Haran.

Sivarathri's Significance:-

The Big Statue of SIVA in Bangalore on the way to the existing Airport:-

(1) Siva appeared in the form of a Linga from Jyothi-Swarupa which has no beginning or end. That day is known as MahaSivarathri

(2) Pralaya occurred on a Shivaratri day and the whole world got attached to Siva. There existed no other person on that day except Siva. .

(3) It is the MahaSivarathri day when Parvathi, after an intense worship of Siva, became a part of Siva in the form "Ardhanariswara".

(4) It is on the Mahasivarathri day Siva took the poison that came forth while churning the ocean of milk.

(5) Arjuna obtained 'Pasupathasthra" on Mahasivarathri day after undergoing penance.

(6) It is the day when Baghirath after undergoing severe penance brought Ganga to Earth. ( "Bhagiratha Prayathnam " refers to such hard fought struggles)

(7) Siva does samhara of Yama Dharma Raja to save Markandeya from the clutches of death on Mahasivarathri day.

(8) On Mahasivarathri day, Kannappan gave his eyes to Lord Siva.

(9) It is on Mahasivarathri day Lord Siva revealed HIS full form to Vishnu and Brahma who went in search of His feet circumventing the entire Universe.

The picture of Nija Linga at Somnath

Devotees fast on Mahasivarathri day, keep awake the whole night, worship Siva and visit Siva Temples chant the Panchakshara Japa " Om Nama Sivaya "

Major deities, rishis, planets, worshipped Shiva and established Shivalingas in various places.

1)Pashupatinath Lord of all living beings, located at Kathmandu, Nepal.

2)Somnath located at Prabhas Patan in Saurashtra in Gujarat.

3)Dwarka in Gujarat is home to the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga temple.

4)Mahakal, Ujjain (or Avanti) in Madhya Pradesh is home to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple.

5)Srisailam - Srisailam near Kurnool enshrines Mallikarjuna in an ancient temple architecturally and sculpturally rich.

6)Bhimashankar, in the Sahyadri range of Maharashtra, contains a Jyotirlinga shrine associated with Shiva destroying the demon Tripurasura.

7)Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh is an island in the Narmada river, home to a Jyotirlinga shrine and the Amareshwar temple.

8)Sukreswar Temple located on Sukreswar hill in Guwahati on the southern bank of Brahmaputra, with the ghat leading down to the river.

9)Uma Nanda Temple located on the Peacock island in middle of River Brahmaputra in Guwahati.

10)Kedarnath in Uttarakhand is the northernmost of the Jyotirlingas.

11)Varanasi|(Benares) in Uttar Pradesh is home to the Vishwanath Jyotirling temple.

12)Trimbakeshwar, near Nashik in Maharashtra, has a Jyotirlinga shrine located associated with the origin of the Godavari river.

13)Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga shrine, in Maharashtra, is located near the rock-cut temples of Ellora.

14)Deoghar, in the Santhal Parganas region of Jharkhand, is home to the Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga temple.

15)Ganesha worshipped Shiva at Pillayar patti (100 km from Madurai, India)
The four Vedas worshipped Shiva at Thirumaraikaadu (i.e., Vedaaranyam near Tanjore)

16)Skanda worshipped Shiva at Thiruchendur (200 km from Madurai, India)
Rama (avatar of Vishnu) worshipped Shiva in Rameswaram(India)

17)Vishnu worshipped Shiva atKanchipuram (Kachiswarar Temple)

18)Parasurama (avatar of Vishnu) worshipped Shiva at Sreesailam, Karnataka and also at Chennai (Parasurama at Lingeshwara Temple, Iyanavaram)

19)Goddess Lakshmi (wife of Vishnu) worshipped Shiva at Tirupachethi (50 km from Madurai).

20)Surya worshipped Shiva at Srivilliputhur (Vaidhyanathaar Temple 100 km from Madurai)

21)Brahma and Vishnu at Tiruvannamalai (180 km from Chennai)

22)Brahma at Vrinchipuram (155 km from Chennai, 15 km from Vellore)

23)Rahu and Ketu at Kaalahasthi (50 km from Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh, India)

24)Indra at Madurai (Soma Sundareeswar Temple)

25)The Rishi Agastya at Papanasam (100 km from Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India)

26)Goddess Parvati at Kancheepuram (Ekambeeswarar Temple, 70 km from Chennai, India)

27)Shani at Thirnallar (near Kaaraikal, Pondicherry)

28)Moongod at Thingalur (near Tanjore)

29)Shiva and Sani at Thirvidaimaruthoor (near Kumbakonam)

30)Brahma at Kumbakoonam (Kumbeeswarar, near Tanjore)

31) Ujjain Jyotirlinga shrine, in Madhya Pradesh.

32) Lord Shiva at Trilochan, is famous with name of Trilochan Mhadev Temple, 30 km from varanasi , india

33)Manjunatha-Lord of mist at Dharmasthala this one famous pilgrim of Dakshina Kannada,Karnataka.

34)Nanjundeshwara -One who has gulped nanju-pain or Halahala in his throat or
35)SriKanteshwara at Nanjangud near Mysore,Karnataka

36)AtmaLinga at Gokarna ,Karnataka.

37)Panchalingeshwara-5 Linga all of which is covered with sand but opens up at specific dates at [Talakad]] ,Karnataka.

38)Shivagange-Believed to be patalaGanga flowing by rishi Agastya worship. Bangalore, Karnataka.

39)Murudeshwara in Uttara Kannada,Karnataka.

40)Kudalasangama in Basavakalyana,Karnataka.

41)By Lava and Kusha (sons of Rama) in Kurungaleeswar temple at Koyambedu Chennai.

42)Bakreshwar and Tarakeshwar in West Bengal

43)In South India, five temples of Siva are held to be particularly important, as being manifestations of him in the five elemental substances:

(i)Tiruvannamalai, as fire

(ii)Chidambaram, as ether

(iii)Srikalahasti, as air

(iv)Tiruvanaikal, as water

(v)Conjeeveram, as earth

To conclude, a piece from RUDRA :- " namaste asthu Bhagavan, Visweswaraya, Mahadevaya, Triyambakaya, Tripurandakaya, Trikagnikalaya, Kalagnirudraya, Neelakantaya, Mrithyunjayaya, Sarveswaraya, Sadasivaya, Sriman Mahadevaya Namaha "

Lalitha Sahasranamavali

2008-02-29T20:32:00.000-08:00

Lalitha Sahasra Namavali brings forth and portrays one important attributes of Devi, in its central theme, that SHE is a ' Viswa Matha ' (934 th Namavali - Mother of the Universe ) and ' Kshethra Swarupa " (341st Namavali) meaning that HER Swarupa pervades in the entire soil of the Earth. (Omnipresence). SHE imbibes the vibration in the body or in the places (Kshethra).

We can draw examples from the names of some of the cities. Chandigarh belongs to Chandiga Devi. Simla is that of Shyamala Devi. Chennai belongs to Chennamma Devi. Kolkutta belongs to Kali Devi.

Jalander city bears the name from HER 378th namavali viz Jalandara Stitaayai Namaha - meaning salutations to SHE who is the purest of the pure.

The 341st nama ' Kshethraswarupa ' needs to be explained in detail coceptually numbering 24. Prithvi, Appu, Theyu, Vayu and Akasa are conceived as five States of matter. Ahankar, Budhi moola, Prakrith are the three broad qualifications that go with the States. Jnanendriyas and Karmendriyas are 5 nos each respectively and along with the ' Mind', these concepts number 11. The physics of Indriyas consist of 5 concepts namely Sound, Touch, Forms or Roopam, Taste or Rasam and Smell or Ghandham. These kshethras add up to 24 concepts and Devi is in command of all of them. The Five Jnanendriyas refer to cognitive senses which act as entrance doors and they are smelling, tasting, seeing, touching and hearing. The 5 Karmendriyas which act as exit doors refer to eliminating, reproducing, moving, grasping and speaking. Salutations to SHE whose blesings are needed for the orderly functioning of all Indriyas.

Maha Kavi Bharathiyar, who was a devotee of Shakti , illustrates the above facts by singing " Vande Matharam ". The poet praises and worships Devi as SHE is the mother of the world and rules over the soil in all Kshethras.

Bharathi in his "Kumbidadi pappa" song describes India's Bharath Desam as "Deiva Thirunadu" (in Tamil ) which means Devi occupies the whole India or it can mean there is a strong blend of divine aspects in India.

There is a mythological story to this background. When Devi took the avtar as Dhakshayini(598th Nama), as the daughetr of Dhaksha King, and later married Siva, she went to attend the yagnya conducted by Dhaksha. Lord Siva advised HER not to do so as Dhaksha would insult HER. It happened so and Dhakshayini wished to leave her physical form and jumped into the burning fire. HER atma got freed first as SHE is a unification of Siva and Sakthi (999th namavali 'Sivasakthirupinya') before SHE fell into the fire. Siva took the body and cursed Dhaksha for the episode.

Padmanabha alias Lord Vishnu decided to tear the body into pieces, as the existence of the body caused all the troubles.HE aimed HIS Vishnu Chakra at the body of Dhakshayini which split it into many pieces and each part fell at different places or Kshethras. Those places became to be known as '51 Sakthi Peetams '. They are Varanasi, Nepal, Kailash, Kethar, Ohmkar, Hardwar, Ujjain, Hasthinapur, kanyakubjam and Kanchi, to name a few.

One of her Sahasra namavali describes HER as "Padmanabha Sahodari" (sister of Vishnu or Padmanabha)-(280th nama) after this episode.

It is quite common for us to refer to the old articles at home as the ones used by our grand parents / father or likes of these. We refer for example that the silver plate was left by our grandmother and so on. The expressions portrays simply the family bond or ties.

Bharathiyar goes many steps ahead to describe this country as the place left behind by our forefathers after living a long and and fruitful life.

Bharathi attaches importance to our elders who lived yesteryears He enunciates this theme in the song " Enthayum thayum ..... " that the heritage of India or what India shines today is as the result of the contributions of our great grand parents and elders of yester years.

The splendour and glory of Devi is revealed in the Sahasranamavali and to cite a few of them :-

(6th namavali) :- ' Udayabhanaanu Sahasraabhaa' - SHE who glitters like thousand rising suns

(94th) :- ' Koulini ' - SHE is the unification of Siva and Sakthi

(203rd):- ' Sarvamayee' - SHE who is every where

(215th) :- ' Mahamaya' - SHE who is a great illusion

(250th) :- ' Uma ' - SHE who is in Ohm, the Pranava Mantra

(295th) :- " Ambiga' - SHE who is the mother of the world

(294th) :- ' Bhuvaneswari' - She who is the mother of the Universe

(290th):- ' Poorna " - SHE who is complete

(754th):- 'Aparna' - SHE who did meditation without even eating a leaf

(764th):- " Trigunaathmikaa " - SHE who is personification of three gunas viz Thamo(Kali); Rajo (Durga); and Satva (Parvathy)

(866th):- "Ajay' - SHE who does not have birth

(1000th);- ' Lalthambiga' - SHE is the mother and easily approachable.

Brahmandapurana is an old epic where Lalitha sahasranamavali figures as a discussions between Hayagrrva, who is an incarnation of Vishnu and Agasthya. Hayagreeva at the request of Aghastya taught him the most 1000 holy names of Lalithambiga.

A family that prays together stays together !

The Number ' 7 ' (Seven) is a wonder !!!!!!!

2008-02-16T07:21:00.001-08:00

Seven is a mystic number as big things, big names group or cling around it. Let me start with 'Ratha Sapthami' which was just observed on 13th Feb 2008. Sapthami refers to the seventh day in sukla paksha in Kumbh masa when Sun God is worshipped and it is believed the sins are washed away by taking bath in rivers. The purana states that Chamba who was born to Sri Krishna and Jambavathi was cursed by his father due to the trick played by Narada. To get rid of the sin , he embarked to Maithreyi Forest and did penance in meditation to Sun God. Surya appeared before him and asked him to take a dip in "Champa' river in Orissa near Konark. He did so and got rid of the sin. He built a temple for Sun God known as "The Black Pakoda' near Konark. He also worshipped Navagraha made out of a 'Single Stone' in "Arkakshethra". Ratha Sapthami is known for worship of sun god and a bath in a holy river - remover of all sins.

What are the other Seven(s)?

1) Seven places bestow moksha on human beings :-
Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya ( Hardwar ), Kasi, Kanchi, Avantika(Ujjain), Dwarakapuri

2) Seven Oceans:-
Lavanabdhi, Ikshu, Suravarpara, Ajay, Dadhi, Ksheera, Svadu Jala

3) Seven Mountains:_
Mahendra, Malaya, Sahyadri, Sukhiman, Rkasavan, Vindhya, Pariyatra

4) Seven Continents:-(Dvipas)
Jambu, Plaska, Salmala, Kusa, Kroncha, Saka, Puskara,

5) Seven Vanas (Forests):-
Dandakaranya, Khadanya, Champakaranya, Vedaranya, Naimisaranya, Brahmaranya, Dharmaranya

6) Seven Bhuvanas (Heavens):-
Bhuhu, Bhuvaha, Suvaha, Mahaha, Janaha, Tapaha, Satyam

7) Seven Siranjeevis :-
Aswathama, Bali, Vyasa, Hanuman, Vibhishina, Krupa, Parasurama

8) Seven Revered Women:-
Ahalya ( Goutham Rishi's Pathni ), Arundhathi (Vasishta's Pathni), Anusuya (Atri's Pathni), Savithri (Satyavan's Pathni), Janaki (Sri Rama's Pathni), Sati (dr. of Dhaksha and Siva's Pathni), Panchali (Drowpathi)

9) Seven Rishis:-
Viswamitra, Jamadagni, Bharadhvaja, Goutama, Atri, Vasishta, Kasyapa

10) Seven Colours:-
" V I B G Y O R ", violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red

11) Seven swaras:-
sa.., ri.., ga.., ma.., pa.., da.., ni

12) Seven Wonders:-
Empire State Building, The Itaipu Dam, The CN Tower, The Panama Canal, The Channel Tunnel, The North Sea Protection Works, The Golden Gate Bridge

13) Seven Natural Wonders:-
The Mount Everest, The Grant Barrier Reef, The Great Canyon, The Victoria Falls, The Harbor of Rio-de-jenero, Paruntin Valcono, The Northern Ligfhts

6 more items where no.7 reigns:-
14)7 hills of Rome
15)7 drawfs of Snow White
16)7 days of the week
17)7 pillars of wisdom
18)7 ages of man
19)7 plagues of Egypt

Significance of Sankaranti

2008-01-16T03:27:00.000-08:00

Makarasankaranthi - Uttarayanapunyakala ! Greetings To All !

Makara Sankaranthi Greetings -"Tamaso maa jyothir gamaya "

Makara Sankaranthi Greetings -"Tamaso maa jyothir gamaya "

" Ohm namo baghavathe Sri Suryanarayanaya ! "

' Samyak kranti iti Sankaranthi ' - kranti means change and sankranti means a secured change.

Sankranthi confers peace and heralds a welcome change.

The Sun is the presiding deity among the planets of solar system.The life process exists only because of the Sun. Lead me from darkness to light is the message vibrant in Sankranthi.

The Sun starts His north ward journey in His stately chariot driven by seven mighty horses and enters the ' Makara', sign of the Zodiac.

The north is considered as Himachala. Himachala symbolises a heart that is pure and cool as ice (hima) and steady as a mountain (achala).

The message directs to enquire into the truth. Sankranthi signifies internal vision.

Sankranthi is a holy day and Adi Sankara took sanyasa on this day.

It is customary to offer a mixture of jaggery and sesame (til) on this day.

Jaggery is sweet and symbolises love.

Til is also known as sneha which means friendship.

Develop harmony towards everyone is Adi Sankara's message.

"Sweet Pongal", rice cooked with milk, jaggery and ghee, is offered to Sun God on this festive day .

We rejoice in resonating " Pongalo, Pongal " and greet everyone with respect and love.

Makara Sankaranthi Greetings to all !!

New Year greetings !

2008-01-08T20:23:00.000-08:00

'A Happy New Year To All '

Days fly, months roll and the year dawns and we call it a new year! Are we not to make life simpler, but we find ourselves in a web, get more entwined in circles and find hard the way out. Here are some remedies or you can call it as old wine in a new .....

1 Auto Suggestion:-

We build castles in the air and look forward that the whole world would change for our sake. It would be wholesome if we could realise before long that this would be not only difficult but not feasible. Instead can we not change ourselves and tune our way of life to suit the neighbourhood. Don't try to correct others. Develop an attitude to accept them as they are.

2. Love-Hate Relationship

When we like something, our expectations swell. Many a time, we find that we don't get what we wished for. Frustration begins when disappointment follows. What hurts us most is that the response rate and the degree of response is not the same even from our near ones. The lesson will be what 'Geetacharya' says not to expect any results but only do our duty.

3.Increased wants lead only to increased woes :-

Wants are satiable as well as insatiable. Wants are also classified as 'necessary, comfort, luxury and the likes'. When desires increase there is no end to it. The more the wants, more the sufferings. It is something like that we find it extremely inconvenient to live without comforts. Why give room to increased wants. We can be contented with the little we have to live for the day, that is 'today', why worry about 'tomorrow'.

4. Comparisons are odious :-

It is human nature to compare one self with others . It leads nowhere. Life is a high way. We have to go long miles. It would be wise to make our ground strong and go in the right path to reach the chosen destination. Let you be the leader and set good examples than comparing with others to belittle yourselves to that of a follower!

Life is like a game of cards. The hand that dealt you is determinism, the way you play is the free will.. The harder we work, the more of success we 'll have. When we walk on the high way, 'priority-shifting' becomes mandatory, lest it should lead to a dead end. The hurdles will be cleared once we measure it with an appropriate yard stick and change the plans.

5. Have alternate plans:-

Success comes only after trials and failures act as a stepping stone for success. The alternate plans will serve as back-ups to reach the goal. The key is to strive hard.

6. Niche Strategies:-

We can't leave a footprint if we always walk on a tiptoe. A resolution, like the one on a new a year day on these lines will definitely help.
Reading gives us some place to go when we have to stay where we are. Expand the horizon of thinking by good reading and listening to good counsel from the learned and experienced.
Lead from strength to strength and avoid playing a losing game. " Look at the other way ", appreciate the snack is 90 percent fat free than as with 10 percent with fat. The right thinking will be to make the way brick by brick with the available resources.

7. Prayers :-

Prayers bring in and usher faith in oneself. Do your part with utmost faith and leave the rest to the almighty, omnipotent and omnipresent.

'The Universal Medicine'

2007-12-18T01:17:00.000-08:00

The year 2007, as it is about to end, is witnessing most disturbing events in the world's most populous country. While the case of protection of democratic rights which led to police firing in Nandigram is under criminal investigation, the Wednesday (12th) blast on Dibrugarh - Delhi Rajadhani Express points a needle of suspicion at adivasi outfit, and tennis fame Sania Mirza is in the eye of the storm over shooting in an advertisement film, what is cruel and most shocking is the shooting incident in a Gurgaon school by two school mates killing a class VIII student.

The tragedy had happened in an educational institution. Swami Vivekananda says that education is the universal medicine for all evils in the world. Education is the panacea.The goal of mankind is knowledge. The aim of education is not of facts but of values. Education stands for formation of character.

The first rule of education, in all lands is never to say anything offensive to anyone. Education is a progressive discovery of ignorance. Knowledge is not given but earned and character is not granted but cultivated. A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the students is only hammering a cold iron.

No one was ever really taught by another. Each of us has to teach himself. The external teacher offers only the suggestions which rouses the internal teacher to work, to understand things. Young students should be taught to assimilate good ideas and practise them to build character than to memorize facts and figures. Education is the manifestation of perfection already in man. Education made us what we are.

It will be pertinent to refer here what Abraham Lincoln , the 16th President of USA, says:-

A student needs to be taught that for every scoundrel, there is a hero; that for every selfish politician there is a dedicated leader.

Teach the boys that for every enemy there is a friend.

Teach him that a dollar earned is far more value than five found.

Teach him to learn to lose and also enjoy winning. Steer him away from envy if you can.

Teach the students the secret of quiet laughter.

Students should be taught in school that it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.

Lincoln advocates that students should learn to be gentle with gentle people and tough with tough. Try to give him the strength not to follow the crowd when every one is getting into the band wagon. Teach him there is no shame in tears.

Tech him gently, but do not cuddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel.

Lincoln wants the students to have sublime faith in his creator and faith in himself too, because then he will always have faith in mankind.

It is totally disheartening to notice the educated and the executive class falling prey to darker vices. These hard facts force us stop and think a while. Yes, education centered on mere book-learning and bread-winning can not be the panacea or the universal medicine.

True that today's youngsters are tomorrow's citizens, but it is equally true that the quality of the future citizens depends on today's elders, teachers and the type of education they receive.

Visit to CHICAGO, the ' world's alpha city'

2007-10-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

We were wondering whether we would be able to make a visit to Chicago which has been classified as an alpha world city as the period of our stay was nearing to a close. Our children staying in the United States leave no stone unturned with their enthusiasm and energy to show us more places and make our hearts content with joy and fulfillment.

We left by car on 4th October 2007 for Chicago, the 3rd largest city in US and the largest in the State of Illinois. Chicago is one of the ten most influential cities in the world (30 Lakh population) and we reached the wonder city within four and half hours from Michigan and were in time for lunch to join our host.

Chicago,as you may be aware, is a portage city between the Great Lakes and Mississippi river watershed and is a busy transportation hub in US. The history of Chicago is very much tied to that of Michigan lake.

Our host took us in the evening to 'swamy narayanan temple'. The temple has a mamooth architectural outlook, occupies a vast land space, gives a look of a five Star building. Puja and Mangalahathi, we saw. We took leave of our host for some time to visit another.

We had a dinner invitation from my wife's colleague's daughter and the couple are working in Chicago hospital. We spent more than 2 hours enquiring the welfare of our common friends and places to see in the city. When we returned to our host's place, it was nearing 11p.m and the secession continued till midnight with them

The next day we went to Sri Venkateswara Temple in Aurora County. The temple is well maintained and they conduct religious functions with an agenda. They had drawn up a big programme for Navarathri with Pujas, Chandi homam, etc. The priests are from South India. The deity looks exactly same as Venkataramana in Tirupathi. The place is at an elevation and Ganesa, Subhramaya, Laksmi, Andal, Anjaneya, Siva, Parvathy are the Idols we worshiped inside the 'praharam'.

We had a lunch programe with another Bangalore friend and drove straight there.
"On The Border" is a famous Mexican Restaurant in Chicago and we were entertained with a tasty and sumptuous pure vegetarian menu.

We then moved on to see the celebrated 'down-town' of Chicago. We went round the The Millennium Park and walked down the busy streets and arrived at the 'Bean'. The Bean reflects on all its facets the sky line of Chicago, an amazing sight to look at the tall structures of the windy city IN ONE BASKET OF THE 'BEAN".

We joined the shore line on an exciting journey touring the Chicago river and the architectural land marks which include East bank Club, Sears Tower (1454 feet high with 103 floor Sky Deck), Boeing, John Hancock Observatory, The Trump, Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, Chicago University, Chicago Tribune, old Post office buldg., etc. The ferry ride was for almost 2hours and it was fun filled and sensational especially with a scenic Michigan Lake on the backdrop
We visited Hancock building and went up the 95-96 floors in 65 seconds and looked at the breath taking view of Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan, gazing a stretch of several miles. Twilight was falling then, and the view of thousand and more lights was sparkling and twinkled like the beauty of stars. We went to the signature room in the Hancock Tower for refreshments and snacks at a premium.

We drove from Hancock Tower to another friend's place who had invited us to stay with them for the night and also participate in their child's first birth day party, the next day. We, four, took active part and almost played host in a supporting role and the birth day party turned out to be a big success. The food was ordered from 'Star of India' and the guests had a go at it.

Our engagement on the final day was a visit to the Asian Street, a shopping center which is mix of Commercial street, Bangalore and Mount Road, Chennai. We did some shopping buying costume jewellery's, almond, bad am, etc. Lunched at Mysore Woodlands
We took the next day's morning flight from O hare-Chicago Airport to Denver to our daughter's place.

Our daughter and son along with their better-halves had made our stay wonderful. The grand children kept us busy and the thought of returning to the place of origin makes things difficult for us as well as to the children. We can feel happy with the saying "All is well that ends well