Good Life

Prayers with Burning Desires

2014-09-08T00:05:00.002-07:00

In Sripuram,Goddess Rajarajeshwari was sitting on a Golden Throne ( rathna simhasana) with her feet immersed with crores of flowers.

Sage Thurvasar came to take darshan of Goddess.On seeing her feet covered with plentiful flowers, he asked Goddess," Which King had prayed you with crores of flowers"? He also commented that you must have definitely got happy by his act.

Goddess replied,Sage,"If you want to see how happy I felt with his act,remove the flowers and see my feet."

Thurvasar did as she said and got shocked to see pearl like boils all over her feet.

Who did this injustice to you, Mother?

How your feet got wounded, asked Thurvasar?

Goddess replied, it is Lord Indra who prayed me in this way.The blistering heat of the flowers he offered wounded my feet.

Thurvasar asked,"How flowers can be boiling, Mother"?

Goddess replied, He never offered flowers for me..With crores and crores of desires,he prayed me.On every flower he kept a desire and offered me.So they are not flowers..they are his burning desires.

Message:

Devotion and prayer mustn't be for fulfilling one's own desire.. It is an selfish act.
Pray for world's well-being and goodness of all creatures.

Bad thoughts and burning desires creates agitation in mind.
Desires can create positive energy and motivation,until it is good.But greediness and trying to hold/possess thing or a person will make our mind toxic.

So everyone must try to develop good thoughts and do good deeds to stay cool,calm and peaceful.

Your Character is your Race - Moral story

2014-09-07T03:14:00.002-07:00

This is a short story about "Senthan Amutharar" who is a great devotee of Lord Shiva.

Approximately 1200 years ago, "Senthan" lived in Chidambaran, in India.He is a woodcutter.His daily income was not much.But, inspite of that, daily he offers food strictly to one Lord Shiva devotee, before he partakes his food.

Once there was a heavy rain and he lived in utter poverty.That time a sivan-adigalar(a Lord Shiva Devotee) with dripping clothes in rain came to Senthan in hunger requesting for food.But Senthan himself was living in empty stomach for many days.

To his surprise, he had some rice flour and jaggery with him.So he happily mixed both and made it into small balls(which is called kali in Tamil) and offered him.

The delighted sivan-adigalar ate it happily with content and packed the leftover kali in a towel and took with him,

The next day, King Chola visited Lord Nataraja temple.He got shocked on seeing God's mouth smeared with kali, spilled all over the body.That night God himself came in King's dream and told proudly about Senthan's act of giving kali to him.And he also added that King could understand the greatness of Senthan in chariot festival.

The next day, thousands of people jointly tried to move the chariot but they couldn't. That time a Godly voice from sky informed 'If Senthan sing's "pallandu song" chariot will move'.Accordingly Senthan started the song saying "mannuga thillai" and at the same time chariot also started to move.King immediately felled in Senthan's feet and worshiped him.

The day Senthan offered kali to God is "Thiruvathirai" festival(also called Arudra Darisanam) which comes in Margazhi month.And that's the reason even today we are offering kali to Lord Shiva on that day.

Through Senthan God conveys "Your Character is your Race" moral to the world.

A person cannot belong to inferior/superior race, just because he/she born in a particular ethnic group.It is only his/her character which decided his race.

Ramayana

2014-05-08T13:59:00.002-07:00

Ramayana ("ayana" means journey)is a story about the Rama's journey on earth.It is one of the greatest Indian epic poem of Hinduism.It is originally written by the sage Valmiki in Sanskrit as Valmiki Ramayana.

Who is Rama?

Rama is an incarnation or(seventh) avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu.

Rama avatar is taken by the Lord Vishnu in Treta Yuga to destroy the evil forces and uphold the dharma on earth.

Now we are living in Kali Yuga.Yuga means era.Era is the time period and the length of each yuga is many billion years.In Hinduism,one yuga cycle is divided into four yugas namely Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapar Yuga and Kali Yuga.

Like cycle (summer,winter,autumn,rainy) of seasons repeat,this yuga cycle also repeats sequentially.

Rama avatar is a guidance for human beings on righteous living.

In this avatar,God himself born on earth as human being,lived and showed us how a man should live following dharma ,morals and virtues in all times of life inspite of hardship faced.

Rama is the epitome of moral excellence.He is the man of virtues.He is the embodiment of love and kindness.
Lord Rama ruled Ayodhya with justice,happiness,peace and prosperity.His rule is popularly known as Rama Rajya and even today his rule is said to be the example of the ideal rule.

Rama is referred as Maryada Purushottama which means perfect man.

He is the paradigm of t,he ideal man,ideal son,ideal brother,ideal husband,ideal king and ideal friend.

This Supreme hero(Rama's) life is written in Ramayana consisting of 24000 verses in seven kandas(books).

Seven Kandas of Ramayana

1) Bala Kanda - This book is about birth,childhood of Rama and his marriage to Sita.

2) Ayodhya Kanda - This book is about the joyous of the city and the arrangements for Rama's coronation and his exile into the forest.

3) Aranya Kanda - This book is about the Rama's life in forest and abduction of his wife Sita by Ravana.

4) Kishkindha Kanda - This book is about the Rama's meeting of Hanuman,his destruction of monkey king Vali and Sugriva's coronation as king of Kishkindha.

5) Sundara Kanda - This book is about the adventures of Hanuman and his travel to Lanka and meeting of Sita.It is the beautiful kanda in this story with happy news after the abduction of Sita.It is believed that the miseries of anyone reading "Sundara Kanda" will be removed.

6) Yuddha Kanda - This book is about the war between Rama and demon king Ravana's army,victory of Rama,Agni Pravesha of Sita to prove her chastity,Rama's Pattabhishekam.

7) Uttara Kanda - This book is about the banishment of Sita,birth of Rama's twin sons Lava and Kusha and their coronation as Ayodhya's king,Rama's depart from the world.

Reading Ramayana(Rama's life) is a guidance to live the life on the right path.

24000 verses in Ramayana and 24 syllables of Gayathri Mantra

Gayathri Mantra is a powerful mantra consisting of 24 syllables.At the beginning of every 1000 verses in Ramayana,a syllable of Gayathri Mantra is placed by the sage Valmiki.

Chanting Gayathri Mantra is a prayer to Sun God,who guides our intellect and helps us in taking right decisions.

Keeping this in mind,sage Valmiki devised Ramayana using this powerful syllables of Gayathri Mantra.

So whoever reading Ramayana will get the blessings of Sun God and would develop a good intellect which would in turn help them in taking right decisions in life.

Ramayana is a story with full of moral values and we need more intellect and God's blessings to understand the good message conveyed.

In this story Ravana because of his lust in mind,he had a bad ending.

Don't be driven by your mind's whims and fancies which may carry good and bad thoughts.Use your intellect before taking decisions.

Ravana never followed dharma and so his life became complicated and ended badly.

Life will be without complications if we follow dharma.

We cannot be 100% free from problems because there is ups and downs even in Rama's(God) life.

Everyone like Rama must learn to control their senses and use their mind with intellect without giving up dharma to win hardships in life.

It is a wonderful book with all life lessons.

Reading Ramayana brings positive changes in life and it is a very good book for pregnant women to read during pregnancy time.It is believed that reading or listening to such a high moral book will create a good positive influence on the character of the baby.

Einstein Quote about Technology

2014-03-13T04:38:00.002-07:00

Einstein Quote about Technology

Albert Einstein was a famous scientist.

He is known for

1.General Theory of Relativity
2.E = mc² (mass–energy equivalence formula ) - the world's most famous equation

Albert Einstein quotes

25 Inspiring George Bernard Shaw Quotes

2013-06-28T01:00:00.001-07:00

George Bernard Shaw (26 July 1856 – 2 November 1950) was an Irish playwright and a co-founder of the London School of Economics.He is the only person to have been awarded both a Nobel Prize in Literature (1925) and an Oscar (1938), for his contributions to literature and for his work on the film Pygmalion (adaptation of his play of the same name), respectively.

His plays include Man and Superman,Caesar and Cleopatra (1901),Androcles and the Lion (1912) and more.

George Bernard Shaw Quotes

Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.
Self-sacrifice enables us to sacrifice other people without blushing.
There is no sincerer love than the love of food.
The longer I live the more I see that I am never wrong about anything, and that all the pains that I have so humbly taken to verify my notions have only wasted my time.
It is not disbelief that is dangerous to our society; it is belief.
All great truths begin as blasphemies.
A fool's brain digests philosophy into folly, science into superstition, and art into pedantry. Hence University education.
We have no more right to consume happiness without producing it than to consume wealth without producing it.
When a thing is funny, search it for a hidden truth.
The more things a man is ashamed of, the more respectable he is.
In this world, there is always danger for those who are afraid of it.
If all economists were laid end to end, they would not reach a conclusion.
Don't try to live forever. You will not succeed.
The secret of being miserable is to have the leisure to bother about whether you are happy or not.
My way of joking is to tell the truth. It is the funniest joke in the world.
We are made wise not by recollection of our past but by responsibility for our future.
A lifetime of happiness! No man alive could bear it: it would be hell on earth.
I'm not a teacher: only a fellow-traveler of whom you asked the way. I pointed ahead; ahead of myself as well as you.
The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it.
We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing!
Happiness and beauty are by-products.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but we must take that risk because a little is as much as our biggest heads can hold.
You see things; and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say, 'Why not?'
Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh.
The reason for this, it seems is that a protein rich meal helps to better stabilize your blood sugar levels and therefore providing our body and brains with a steady source of fuel High carbohydrate meals on the other hand cause large increases and then rapid decreases in blood glucose and mental energy.

The Lion and the Mouse

2013-05-19T22:44:00.002-07:00

Once when a Lion was asleep, a little Mouse began running up and down upon him. This soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him and opened his big jaws to swallow him.

"Pardon, O King!" cried the little Mouse, "Forgive me this time. I shall never repeat it and I shall never forget your kindness. And who knows, but I may be able to do you a good turn one of these days?"

The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up his paw and let him go.

Sometime later a few hunters captured the King and tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on.

Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight in which the Lion was, ran up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts.

"Was I not right?" said the little Mouse, very happy to help the Lion.

MORAL: Little friends may prove great friends.

The Monkey and the Dolphin

2013-05-19T22:39:00.002-07:00

One day long ago, some sailors set out to sea in their sailing ship. One of them brought his pet monkey along for the long journey.

When they were far out at sea, a terrible storm overturned their ship. Everyone fell into the sea, and the monkey was sure that he would drown. Suddenly a dolphin appeared and picked him up.

They soon reached the island and the monkey came down from the dolphin’s back. The dolphin asked the monkey, “Do you know this place?”

The monkey replied, “Yes, I do. In fact, the king of the island is my best friend. Do you know that I am actually a prince?”

Knowing that no one lived on the island, the dolphin said, “Well, well, so you are a prince! Now you can be a king!” The monkey asked, “How can I be a king?”

As the dolphin started swimming away, he answered, “That is easy. As you are the only creature on this island, you will naturally be the king!”

Moral: Those who lie and boast may end up in trouble.

10 Most Popular Quotes of Buddha

2013-02-05T10:16:00.001-08:00

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha(563 B.C.) was born in a royal family and later in his life,he got enlightenment under a bodhi(peepal) tree and turned as a spiritual teacher.He was the founder of Buddhism.

Parents - King Shuddhodana(King of Kapilvastu) and Queen MahaMaya

Birth Place - Lumbini(Nepal)

Enlightened Place - Bodh Gaya (Bihar,India)

"Buddha" meaning "awakened one" or "the enlightened one."

The Buddha

10 Most Popular Quotes of Buddha

1.“A jug fills drop by drop.”

2. “An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.”

3. “All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.”

4. “A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a good man because he is a good talker.”

5. “Let them not do the slightest thing that the wise would later reprove.”

6.“No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.”

7. “There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.”

8. “The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.”

9. “Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations.”

10.“In separateness lies the world’s great misery, in compassion lies the world’s true strength.”

10 Best Time Quotes

2013-02-05T03:14:00.000-08:00

Time is success,time is life,time is love,time is everything.Time is the best teacher.Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.

10 Best Time Quotes(Persistence and Success)

Time

1.It Takes Persistence to Reach a Goal.Wherever you are,Be there totally."

2.Your persistence is your measure of faith in yourself.

3.Persistence means taking pains to overcome every obstacle, to do all that's necessary to reach your goal.

4.“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”
- Harriet Beecher Stowe

5."Success in anything seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes but don't quit. They hang on after others have let go."

6.The only people who never fail are those who never try. - Chase, Ilka.

7."All Great Achievements Require Time" - Maya Angelou

8.“History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeat.”
B. C. Forbes

9.“In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins – not through strength, but through persistence.”
Buddha

10.“Full effort is full victory.”
Mahatma Gandhi

11.“Kites rise highest against the wind – not with it!”
Winston Churchill

Success is Simple

2013-02-04T23:11:00.000-08:00

What is Success?

Success is accomplishing our goals and aims.Success is the virtual doorway opened for all.Anyone can enter it with hard work and continuous efforts.

Success

image : Search Engine People Blog's photostream

7 Best Success Quotes

1.Jonathon Winters - I couldn't wait for success, so I went ahead without it.

2.Arnold H. Glasgow Success is simple. Do what's right, the right way, at the right time.

3.We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.

4.If fortune wishes to make a man estimable, it gives him virtues; if it wishes to make him esteemed, it gives him success.

5.Malcolm S Forbes - Victory is sweetest when you've known defeat.

6.As someone wise said, "To move ahead in life you need to believe in yourself..Have conviction in your beliefs and the confidence to execute the beliefs."

7.There is no greater pleasure than being successful,Everybody wants to achieve success in everything they do.It enhances our personality and builds our confidence,and we learn to keep giving our best in everything we do."

10 Most Popular Life Quotes

2013-02-04T22:14:00.000-08:00

What is Life?

Life has no definition..It is what we see ,what we think and what we do.For someone it is simple for others it is complex.

Most Popular Song

"Life Is A Highway"

Whooo umm yeah...
Life's like a road that you travel on
When there's one day here and the next day gone
Sometimes you bend, sometimes you stand
Sometimes you turn your back to the wind
There's a world outside ev'ry darkened door
Where blues won't haunt you anymore
Where brave are free and lovers soar
Come ride with me to the distant shore
We won't hesitate
To break down the garden gate
There's not much time left today

Life is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long
If you're going my way
I wanna drive it all night long

Through all these cities and all these towns
It's in my blood and it's all around
I love you now like I loved you then
This is the road and these are the hands
From Mozambique to those Memphis nights
The Khyber Pass to Vancouver's lights

Life

Image © Copyright Steve Fareham and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Knock me down get back up again
You're in my blood
I'm not a lonely man
There's no load I can't hold
Road so rough this I know
I'll be there when the light comes in
Just tell 'em we're survivors

Gimme gimme gimme gimme yeah

There was a distance between you and I (between you and I)
A misunderstanding once
But now we look it in the eye

Ooooo...Yeah!

There ain't no load that I can't hold
Road so rough this I know
I'll be there when the light comes in
Just tell 'em we're survivors

Life is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long
If you're going my way
I wanna drive it all night long

Gimme gimme gimme gimme yeah

10 Most Popular Life Quotes

1.Stephen Kaggwa - “Try and fail, but don't fail to try.”

2.Mary Anne Radmacher - “Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow.”

3.You can't always get what you want. But if you try sometime you find. You get what you need.

4.Dale Carnegie - Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.

5.Doing your best means never stop trying. - Helen Keller.

6.Tom Hopkins -“I am not judged by the number of times I fail, but by the number of times I succeed: and the number of times I succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times I fail and keep trying.”

7.“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” Steve Jobs

8.“As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.” Bill Gates

9.“If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to meet it!” Jonathan Winters

10.“The only true wisdom is knowing that you know nothing.” Socrates

10 Best Life Quotes / Risk Quotes

2013-02-04T20:59:00.002-08:00

Risk is the probability of an unwanted event which may or may not occur.Risk may be a danger or financial risk or any other type of hazard.Risk is the part of life which we have to face and overcome boldly with positive attitude.

10 Best Life Quotes / Risk Quotes

Risk! Risk Anything!

1.Denis Waitley - Life is inherently risky. There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing.

2.Andre Gide - "Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore."

3.T.S. Eliot - Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.

4.Paul Tillich - He who risks and fails can be forgiven. He who never risks and never fails is a failure in his whole being.

5.Andre Malraux “Often the difference between a successful person and a failure is not one has better abilities or ideas, but the courage that one has to bet on one's ideas, to take a calculated risk - and to act.”

6.Jim Rohn - You have to risk going too far to discover just how far you can really go.

Risk

7.It's a great experience to take risk as a challenge,And the greater feeling is to overcome the results of the risk taken.

8.If we take challenges in life,we will learn to win,So be a sport to experiment with situations in life and you will see how easily you can become a winner.

9.Jim Rohn - If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.

10.Albert Einstein - The fear of death is the most unjustified of all fears, for there’s no risk of accident for someone who’s dead.

7 Best Motivational Quotes

2013-02-04T05:03:00.000-08:00

1.The time is always right to do what is right.
Martin Luther King

2."Develop the winning edge; small differences in your performance can lead to large differences in your results." Brian Tracy.

3.The great end of education is, to discipline rather than to furnish the mind; to train it to the use of its own powers, rather than fill it with the accumulations of others.
-- Tyron Edwards

4."The successful person has the habit of doing the things failures don't like to do. They don't like doing them either necessarily. But their disliking is subordinated to the strength of their purpose."
- E.M. Gray

Motivation

5.Determine what's most important to you in life.Put them down on paper and in your heart.Do them daily.

6.Untrained hands in the use of tools destroy what they want to build.It takes skill to use tools to achieve the result desired,whether it's tearing down an old house or building a new one.

Skepticism is a tool serving both purposes.But it must be used by a trained mind,a mind capable of disciplined thinking.Discipline is remembering what you want.

7.People Don't Plan To Fail, They Fail To Plan

Best Team Work Quotes

2013-02-03T05:03:00.000-08:00

What is Team Work?

Team Work is a work performed by a group of members(team) with a common goal or vision.

TEAM

T- Together
E- Everyone
A- Achieves
M- More

Best Team Work Quotes

The nice thing about TEAM WORK is that you always have others on your side.

Coming together is beginning,keeping together is progress.Working together is Success.

Teamwork is the ability to direct individual accomplishments towards organisational objectives.It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon objectives.

"When a team outgrows individual performance and learns team confidence,excellence becomes a reality".

Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.

Every team needs a hero, every hero needs a team.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”
― Helen Keller

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.”
― Phil Jackson

Team Work

In Organisations, home, everywhere team work is essential for miraculous achievements.

So be a part of a great team,contribute your potential,Give the best of what you have and you will see the results for yourself.

Significance of Margazhi(Tamil) Month

2012-12-16T00:56:00.001-08:00

Margazhi month is considered auspicious because in Bhagavat Geetha(Holy book of Hindus), Lord Krishna says that he will be as the "Margazhi" in that month.

Among the 12 months ,God resides in the Margazhi month.Hindus dedicate the whole margazhi month of 30 days only to God's worship and avoids keeping marriages and other functions in their home.

It is the best month to worship and get God's Blessings.

In the early morning,special poojas,prayers and bhajans will take place in temples throughout this month.

Lord Vishnu

What I can do this Margazhi month to get God's Blessings?

Early morning(Brahma Muhurtha 4AM - 6AM)) wake up, &

Visiting to the near-by temple

Reciting Thirupavai and Thiruvempaavai

Offering Naivedhya

This is the best month to make God hear our prayers.

It has been proven scientifically that the OZONE layer will be closest to the earth during the month of Marghazi,so breathing the fresh early morning air is very good for health in the margazhi month.

*Tiruppavai is a part of Divya Prabandham, comprising 4,000 verses. It composed by the Andal Nachiyar. Andal is also one among twelve azhwars. The lyrics of the Tiruppavai are considered sacred. Tiruppavai is considered equivalent to Vedas and it consist of Thirty pasurams.

Tiruppavai was composed and sung by Andal in margazhi month with an aim to attain Lord Vishnu.She also observed Pavai nombhu. Many thousands of years ago, Gopikas observed fasting to attain Lord Krishna. They meditated upon Goddess Kathyayani and observed fasting . Andal followed the same principle while she took birth in bhooloka as the daughter of Periyazhwar to attain Lord Vishnu.

Reciting Thirupavai is good in general.Particularly to get good husband Thirupavai is the best composition to recite.

*Thiruvempaavai on Lord Shiva was composed and sung by Manickavasagar. In these verses, the saint visualized himself as a Women and sung in the praise of Lord Shiva during the early hours in the Margazhi month.

Like these great people we too can get God's blessings if we follow them.

Peepal Tree

2012-12-07T10:47:00.000-08:00

Scientific Facts and its Religious Significance

Peepal Tree is considered sacred by the followers of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.It is a very large tree with long life span and it can grows upto 30 metres (98 ft) tall. Its bark is light grey, smooth and peels in patches. Its heart-shaped leaves have long, tapering tips. The slightest breeze makes them rustle. The fruit is purple when ripe. The Peepal is the earliest-known depicted tree in India: a seal discovered at Mohenjodaro, one of the cities of the Indus Valley Civilisation (c. 3000 BC - 1700 BC), shows the Peepal being worshipped. During the Vedic period, its wood was used to make fire by friction.

Common name: Peepal, Bo tree, bodhi tree, holy tree, scared fig

• Hindi: पीपल pipal • Manipuri: সনা খোঙনাঙ Sana khongnang • Marathi: पिंपळ pimpal • Tamil: அரசு aracu • Malayalam: arayal • Telugu: బోధిద్రుమము bodhi-drumamu, రావి raavi • Kannada: ಅರಳಿ arali, ಅಶ್ವತ್ಥ ashvattha • Bengali: অশ্বত্থ asbattha •Oriya: aswattha, jari • Konkani: पिंपळ pimpal • Urdu: peepal پیپل • Gujarati: પિપળો piplo • Sanskrit: अश्वत्थ ashwattha, बोधिवृक्ष bodhivriksha, प्लक्ष plaksha

Botanical name: Ficus religiosa Family: Moraceae (Mulberry family)

Peepal tree is considered as Aswatha(the tree of life).The twigs of peepal tree is used for homams.It provokes the functions of the brain, giving peace of mind.The leaves of Peepal tree is very rich in protein and the bark of the tree is used in several native medicinal drugs.

As religious belief many people circle around peepal tree for in need of children.But it is scientifically proved that the air comes from peepal trees cures uterus problems,menstrual cycle related problems.

Ashwatha literally means "Where horses stood" (ashwa + tha).Sage Shankaracharya interprets this tree as representing the the entire cosmos. 'Shwa' in Sanskrit means tomorrow. 'a' indicates negation, and 'tha' means one that stands or remains. He interprets Ashwatha to indicate "One which does not remain the same tomorrow", or the universe itself.

Ashwatha tree is quite remarkable because it grows both upwards as well as top to bottom. The branches themselves morph into roots, so even if the original tree decays and perishes, its branches underneath are young and continue to enclose the parent.

This eternal life of the the Peepal tree has inspired many Indian philosophers and Hindu thought.

Great Stories behind Peepal Tree

The Brahma Purana and the Padma Purana, relate how once, when the demons defeated the gods, Vishnu hid in the peepal. Therefore spontaneous worship to Vishnu can be offered to a peepal without needing his image or temple. The Skanda Purana Peepal Tree also considers the peepal a symbol of Vishnu. He is believed to have been born under this tree.

Some believe that the tree houses the Trimurti, the roots being Brahma, the trunk Vishnu and the leaves Shiva and worship the tree as Ashvatha virutcham. The gods are said to hold their councils under this tree and so it is associated with spiritual understanding. Ashvatha means "hORSE".Once Agnidev turned as horse and hid in the peepal.And so the tree got its name Ashwatha.

The peepal is also closely linked to Krishna. In the Bhagavad Gita, he says: "Among trees, I am the ashvatha." Krishna is believed to have died under this tree, after which the present Kali Yuga is said to have begun. According to the Skanda Purana, if one does not have a son, the peepal should be regarded as one. As long as the tree lives, the family name will continue. To cut down a peepal is considered a sin equivalent to killing a Brahmin, one of the five deadly sins or Panchapataka. According to the Skanda Purana, a person goes to hell for doing so. Some people are particular to touch the Peepal only on a Saturday. The Brahma Purana explains why, saying that Ashvatha and Peepala were two demons who harassed people. Ashvatha would take the form of a peepal and Peepala the form of a Brahmin. The fake Brahmin would advise people to touch the tree, and as soon as they did, Ashvatha would kill them. Later they were both killed by Shani. Because of his influence, it is considered safe to touch the tree on Saturdays. Lakshmi is also believed to inhabit the tree on Saturdays. Therefore it is considered auspicious to worship it then.

Women ask the tree to bless them with a son tying red thread or red cloth around its trunk or on its branches. On Amavasya, villagers perform a symbolic marriage between the neem and the peepal, which are usually grown near each other. Although this practice is not prescribed by any religious text, there are various beliefs on the significance of 'marrying' these trees. In one such belief, the fruit of the neem represents the Shivalinga and so, the male. The leaf of the peepal represents the yoni, the power of the female. The fruit of the neem is placed on a peepal leaf to depict the Shivalinga, which symbolises creation through sexual union, and so the two trees are 'married'. After the ceremony, villagers circle the trees to rid themselves of their sins.

In Buddhism

The Bodhi Tree at the Mahabodhi Temple.

The Bodhi tree and the Sri Maha Bodhi propagated from it are famous specimens of Sacred Fig. The known planting date of the tree in Sri Lanka is 288 BC which gives it the oldest verified age for any angiosperm plant.This plant is considered sacred by the followers of Buddhism, and hence the name 'Sacred Fig' was given to it. Siddhartha Gautama is referred to have been sitting underneath a Bo-Tree when he was enlightened (Bodhi), or "awakened" (Buddha). Thus, the Bo-Tree is well-known symbol for happiness, prosperity, longevity and good luck.

According to the Buddha – 'He who worships the Peepal tree will receive the same reward as if he worshiped me in person'. The Peepal tree has its own symbolic meaning of enlightenment and peace.

On new moon day and in karthigai somavaram it is good to circle the tress and worship.In Tamil Nadu,the Snake deity is kept under the tree and worshipped. For infertility and other naga doshas for marriage peepal tree can be worshipped.

Aaditya Hrudayam

2012-11-28T03:29:00.000-08:00

Aaditya Hrudayam
The Heart of Aditya (the Sun God)

Aaditya Hrudayam is a hymn associated with Aditya or the Sun God and was recited by the sage Agastya to Rama on the battlefield before fighting with Ravana. This historic hymn starts at the beginning of the duel between Rama and Ravana. Agastya teaches Rama, who is fatigued after the long battle with various warriors of Lanka, the procedure of worshiping the Sun god for strength to defeat the enemy. These verses belong to Yuddha Khanda, in the Ramayana as composed by Valmiki.

Thing to be noted is this hymn is older than the ancient epic Ramayana.

The benefits of chanting Aaditya Hrudayam daily

It is a very powerful hymn to get

+ Sharpness,tejas,intelligent

+ victory over external enemies (foes)

+ internal enemies (weaknesses such as lust, anger, jealousy etc.)

+ long life and good health, destruction of sins, dissolution of worries and anxeity, long lasting prosperity and auspicious qualities.

Aditya = the Sun God; Hridayam = that which is especially nourishing and healing for the heart.

In simple words, Aaditya Hrudayam is the worship to the Sun God.

Sun

Aaditya Hrudayam

Tato yuddhaparishraantam samare chintayaa sthitam.raavanam chaagrato dr.ushtva yuddhaaya samupasthitam.1

Rama, exhausted and about to face Ravana ready for a fresh battle was lost deep in contemplation.

Daivataishcha samaagamya drashhtumabhyaagato ranam upaagamyaa braviidraama magastyo bhagavaan rishhi. 2

The all knowing sage Agastya who had joined the Gods to witness the battle spoke to Rama thus

Raama Raama mahaabaaho shrnu guhyam sanaatanam yena sarvaanariinvatsa samare vijayishhyasi. 3

Oh Rama, mighty-armed Rama, listen to this eternal secret, which will help you destroy all your enemies in battle

Aaditya hrudayam punyam sarva shatru vinaashanam Jayaavaham japennityam akshayyam paramam shivam. 4

This holy hymn dedicated to the Sun deity will result in destroying all enemies and bring you victory and never ending supreme bliss.

Sarvamangalamaangalyam sarvapaapapranaashanam. Chintaashokaprashamanam aayurvardhanamuttama. 5

This hymn is supreme and is a guarantee of complete prosperity and is the destroyer of sin, anxiety, anguish and is the bestower of longevity.

Rashmimantam samudyantam devaasuranamaskrutam. Puujayasva vivasvantam bhaaskaram bhuvaneshvaram. 6

Worship the One, possessed of rays when he has completely risen, held in reverence by the devas and asuras, and who is the Lord of the universe by whose efflugence all else brighten.

Sarvadevaatmako hyeshha tejasvii rashmibhaavanah.Eshha devaasuraganaa.nllokaan paati gabhastibh. 7

He indeed represent the totality of all celestial beings. He is self-luminous and sustains all with his rays. He nourishes and energizes the inhabitants of all the worlds and the race of Devas and Asuras.

Eshhah brahmaa cha vishhnushcha shivah skandah prajaapati. Mahendro dhanadah kaalo yamah somo hyapaam pati. 8

He is Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Skanda, Prajapati. He is also Mahendra, kubera, kala, yama, soma and varuna.

Pitaro vasavah saadhyaa hyashvinau maruto manuh.Vaayurvahnih prajaapraana ritukartaa prabhaakarah. 9

He is the pitrs, vasus, sadhyas, aswini devas, maruts, manu, vayu, agni, prana and, being the source of all energy and light, is the maker of all the six seasons.

Aadityah savitaa suuryah khagah puushhaa gabhastimaan. Suvarnasadrsho bhaanu rvishvaretaa divaakarah. 10

He is the son of Aditi, creator of the universe, inspirer of action, transverser of the heavens. He is the sustainer, illumination of all directions, the golden hued brilliance and is the maker of the day.

Haridashvah sahasraarchih saptasaptirmariichimaan. Timironmathanah shambhustvashhtaa maartandam anshumaan. 11

He is the Omnipresent One who pervades all with countless rays. He is the power behind the seven sense organs, the dispeller of darkness, bestower of happiness and prosperity, the remover of misfortunes and is the infuser of life.

Hiranyagarbhah shishirastapano bhaaskaro ravihi Agnigarbhoaditeh putrah shankha shishiranaashanah. 12

He is the primordial being manifesting as the Trinity. He ushers in the Day and is the teacher (of Hiranyagarbha), the fire-wombed, the son of Aditi, and has a vast and supreme felicity. He is the remover of intellectual dull-headedness.

Vyomanaatha stamobhedii rig yajuh saama paaragah. Ghana vrishhti rapaam mitro vindhya viithii plavangama... 13

He is the Lord of the firmament, dispeller of darkness. Master of all the vedas, he is a friend of the waters and causes rain. HE has crossed the vindya range and sports in the Brahma Nadi.

Aatapii mandalii mrityuh pingalah sarvataapanah. Kavirvishvo mahaatejaa raktah ssarva bhavod hbhava. 14

He, whose form is circular and is colored yellow, is intensely absorbed and inflicts death. He is the destroyer of all and is the Omniscient one being exceedingly energetic sustains the universe and all action.

Nakshatra grahataaraanaam adhipo vishva bhaavanah. Tejasaamapi tejasvii dvaadashaatman namostute 15

He is the lord of stars, planets and all constellations. He is the origin of everything in the universe and is the cause of the lustre of even the brilliant ones. Salutations to Thee who is the One being manifest in the twelve forms of the Sun.

Namah puurvaaya giraye pashchimaayaadraye namah. Jyotirganaanaam pataye dinadhipataye nama. 16

Salutations to the Eastern and western mountain, Salutations to the Lord of the stellar bodies and the Lord of the Day.

Jayaaya jayabhadraaya haryashvaaya namo namah. Namo namah sahasraansha aadityaaya namo nama. 17

Salutations to the One who ordains victory and the prosperity that follows. Salutations to the one possessed of yellow steeds and to the thousand rayed Lord, and to Aditya.

Namah ugraaya viiraaya saarangaaya namo namah. Namah padma prabodhaaya maartandaaya namo nama. 18

Salutations to the Terrible one, the hero, the one that travels fast. Salutations to the one whose emergence makes the lotus blossom and to the fierce and omnipotent one.

Brahmeshaana achyuteshaaya suuryaayaadityavarchase. Bhaasvate sarvabhakshaaya raudraaya vapushhe nama. 19

Salutations to the Lord of Brahma, shiva and Achyuta, salutations to the powerful and to the effulgence in the Sun that is both the illuminator and devourer of all and is of a form that is fierce like Rudra.

Tamoghnaaya himagnaaya shatrughnaaya amitaatmane. Kritaghnahanaaya devaaya jyotishhaam pataye nama. 20

Salutations to he transcendental atman that dispels darkness, drives away all fear, and destroys all foes. Salutations also to the annihilator of the ungrateful and to the Lord of all the stellar bodies.

Tapta chaamiika raabhaaya haraye vishvakarmane. Namastamo.abhinighnaaya ruchaye lokasaakshine 21

Salutations to the Lord shining like molten gold, to the transcendental fire, the fire of supreme knowledge, the architect of the universe, destroyer of darkness and salutations again to the effulgence that is the Cosmic witness.

Naashayatyeshha vai bhuutam tadeva srijati prabhuuH. Paayatyeshha tapatyeshha varshhatyeshha gabhastibhi. 22

Salutations to the Lord who destroys everything and creates them again. Salutations to Him who by His rays consumes the waters, heats them up and sends them down as rain.

Eshha supteshhu jaagarti bhuuteshhu parinishhthitah. Eshha evaagnihotramcha phalam chaivaagnihotrinaam. 23

Salutations to the Lord who abides in the heart of all beings keeping awake when they are asleep. He is both the sacrificial fire and the fruit enjoyed by the worshippers.

Vedaashcha kratavashchaiva kratuunaam phalameva cha. Yaani krityaani lokeshhu sarva eshha ravih prabhu. 24

The Sun is verily the Lord of all action in this universe. He is verily the vedas, the sacrifices mentioned in them and the fruits obtained by performing the sacrifices.

Phala stuti

Enamaapatsu krichchhreshhu kaantaareshhu bhayeshhu cha.kiirttayanh purushhah kashchin naavasiidati raaghav. 25

Raghava, one who recites this hymn in times of danger, during an affliction or when lost in the wilderness and having fear, he will not lose heart (and become brave).

Puujayasvainamekaagro devadevam jagathpatimh. Etat.h trigunitam japtvaa yuddheshhu vijayishhyas. 26

Aaditya Hrudayam

Raghava, worship this Lord of all Gods and the Universe with one-pointed devotion. Recite this hymn thrice and you will win this battle.

Asminkshane mahaabaaho raavanam tvam vadhishhyasi. Evamuktavaa tadaa.agastyo jagaama cha yathaagatam. 27

O mighty armed one, you shall truimph over Ravana this very moment. Having spoken this, Agastya returned his original place. Raghava became free from worry after hearing this.

Etachchhritvaa mahaatejaa nashhtashoko abhavattadaa. Dhaarayaamaasa supriito raaghavah prayataatmavaan. 28

He was greatly pleased and became brave and energetic.

Aaadityam prekshya japtvaa tu param harshhamavaaptavaanh. Triraachamya shuchirbhuutvaa dhanuraadaaya viiryavaan. 29

Gazing at the sun with devotion, He recited this hymn thrice and experienced bliss.

Rraavanam prekshya hrushhtaatmaa yuddhaaya samupaagamath. Sarva yatnena mahataa vadhe tasya dhritoabhavat. 30

Purifying Himself by sipping water thrice, He took up His bow with His mighty arms. Seeing Ravana coming to fight, He put forth all his effort with a determination to destroy Ravana.

Atha ravi ravadanam nirikshyam raama Muditamanaah paramam prahrishhyamaanah. Nishicharapatisa nkshayam viditvaa Suragan amadhyagato vachastvaret. 31

Then knowing that the destruction of the lord of prowlers at night (Ravana) was near, Aditya, who was at the center of the assembly of the Gods, looked at Rama and exclaimed 'Hurry up' with great delight. Purifying Himself by sipping water thrice, He took up His bow with His mighty arms. Seeing Ravana coming to fight, He put forth all his effort with a determination to destroy Ravana. Source - Wikipedia

Deepam 2014

2012-11-22T23:25:00.000-08:00

Karthigai Deepam is the festival of lamps celebrated in Tamil Nadu (November – December).It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Tamil month of Karthigai. Different names - Malai deepam,Annamalai deepam,Vishnu deepam,Thirukarthigai. This year, Thiru Karthigai falls on 5th Dec 2014.

Karthigai Deepam - Stories for Children

Legend of Siva

Once Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma were quarrelling and claiming themselves as "greatest". In order to teach them a lesson, Lord Siva appeared before them and asked them to find out the exact location of his head and his feet. Meanwhile, he transformed himself into a huge pillar of fire. Accordingly Brahma assumed the form of a swan and moved upwards. Vishnu transformed himself into a boar and started digging deep into the earth. Even after searching for many years, they were not able to find the ends of the pillar. Accepting their defeat, they prayed to Lord Siva that the blazing pillar should establish itself as a Hill.

Then Lord Shiva takes the form of a jyothi (light of fire) on the hill of Thiruvannamali. Therefore, this festival is also known as Annamalai Deepam. Here, a special torch is lighted every year on the zenith of the hill and it is believed that Lord Shiva's jothi will be visible on this day.

Legend of Muruga

Karthigai Deepam is celebrated on the full moon day of the Karthigai month which coincides with the Krithigai Star. The month of Karthigai is of special importance to the Tamil people, which derives its name from the star “Krithigai”. It was in this month that Lord Siva created Lord Muruga from his Divine Light. Lord Muruga took the form of six babies in a lake called “Saravana Poigai.” On this day, all his six forms were united by his mother Parvathi, and he became “Arumugan” (the form with six faces). Special pujas are performed for Lord Muruga on this day. Lord Muruga is worshipped as the reigning deity of Tamil Nadu.

Deepam

During this occassion lamps are lit all over the house.The lamps are lit for a happy married life and for the well being of children in the family.

While lighting the lamp (diYa,) it is good to recite this.

"Deepam-jyothi para-brahma Deepam jyothi Janardhanaha Deepo Haratume Papam Sandhyaa deepam namo-stute"

'I prostrate to the dawn/dusk lamp whose light is Supreme Knowledge which removes the darkness of ignorance and by which all can be achieved. '

Tamil song:

'Vilakke Thiru Vilakke ....... '
விளக்கே ! திருவிளக்கே ! வேந்தன் உடன் பிறப்பே!
ஜோதி மணிவிளக்கே ஸ்ரீதேவி பொன்மணியே
அந்தி விளக்கே அலங்கார நாயகியே
காந்தி விளக்கே காமாக்ஷித் தாயாரே
பசும்பொன் விளக்கு வைத்துப் பஞ்சுத்திரி போட்டுக்
குளம்போல நெய்விட்டுக் கோலமுடன் ஏற்றி வைத்தேன்

ஏற்றினேன் நெய்விளக்கு, எந்தன் குடிவிளங்க
வைத்தேன் திருவிளக்கு மாளிகையும் தான்விளங்க
மாளிகையில் ஜோதியுள்ள மாதாவைக் கண்டுகொண்டேன்

the lamps lit symbolically represent knowledge, victory and peace. Muruga as Kumaraguru is believed to have taught the meaning of ‘OM’ to Lord Shiva. Thus the lamps lit on the day are in remembrance of sharing the ultimate knowledge of ‘OM.’ The knowledge of OM helps in enlightenment and emancipation.

Another legend associated with Karthigai Deepam is that King Bali surrendered before Lord Vishnu. King Bali attained moksha by surrendering all his wealth and himself before Lord Vishnu. Special offerings made from puffed rice and beaten rice is believed to be due to this legend.

Goddess Umadevi

In another episode, Goddess Umadevi once playfully closed the eyes of her beloved, which plunged the world into darkness. All living beings suffered in the dark. The universal mother felt for her folly and separated herself from her companion. Mother started worshipping Lord Shiva in the form of Linga to absolve herself of this sin and to reunite with him. Lord Vishnu, (or Adi Kesava Perumal, enshrined at Thiruchenkode, a unique Ardhanareeshwara temple) instructed Shakthi on the Kedara Gowri Vratam to be performed to unite with Shiva.

When she reached Kancheepuram, Lord Shiva ordered her to proceed to Thiruvannamalai and do her penance. Likewise Mother Parvathi did penance at Pavalakundru with the help of Saint Gowthama.

A demon called Makishasuran disturbed the penance of Mother Parvathi. The Mother took the form of goddess Durga Devi and destroyed him on the full moon day of the Tamil Month of Karthigai during the auspicious period of pradosham.

LORD SHIVA presented himself in the form of FIRE ATOP THE HILL and merged Goddess Parvathi on the left half of his body. This day of Supreme merger is celebrated as Karthigai Deepam. To commemorate this event, every year during the festival of Annamalai Deepam, Lord Arthanareeswaramurthi presents himself as Jyothi Swaroopa to his devotees.

Choka Panai is burnt in Shiva and Vishnu temples on this day.

The fire in choka panai symbolises destruction of impurity,bad evil and bad thoughts.It is believed that God destroy the darkness of ignorance and egoism in men and blesses them with the light of wisdom.

Lord Rama

2012-11-22T04:05:00.001-08:00

Rama sound is formed from 2 Beejaksharas (the seed syllables) Ra and Ma. "Beejakshara" means the seed syllable which stores that, which is indestructible. Akshara means that which is indestructible.The Beejaksharam "Ra" is from the Ashtakshari Mantra: "Om Namo Narayanaya" and Beejaksharam "Ma" from Panchakshari mantra "Om Namah Shivaya"

Beejaksharam is the jeevan or life force of a mantra and if we remove that then that mantra becomes useless.From Narayanaya mantra if we remove Beejaksharam "Ra" sound then it will become Na ayanaya which means not good for chanting ,moksha etc.Same applies while removing Beejaksharam "Ma" from Namah. Namah Shivaya mantra becomes Na Shivaya which means not good for Prosperity(Mangalam)The word Shiva means prosperity which however is achieved only when liberation is attained from all bondage. When Ra is removed Knowledge (Jñānam) is lost and when Ma is removed Prosperity is lost.The Beejaksharams Ra and Ma together form RAMA and Rama sound represents Knowledge and Prosperity. - JAGADGURU SWAMI SATHYANANDA SARASWATHI TIRUVADIKAL

Three times chanting this powerful mantra gives the equal effect of chanting Vishnu Sahasranama.

‘Sri Rama Rama Rameti Rame Raame Manorame;

Sahasra nama tattulyam Rama nama varanane!’

Ra means radiance, Ma means myself. Rama means ‘the light inside me’. Rama was born to Dasharath and Kousalya. Dasharath means ‘Ten Chariots’. The ten chariots symbolize the five organs of perception (the five senses) and five organs of knowledge and action (For instance: reproduction, legs, hands and so on). Kousalya means ‘skill’. Ayodhya means ‘a society in which there is no violence’. If you skillfully observe what goes on inside the body, light dawns inside you. That is meditation. You need some skill to relax the tension. Then you start expanding.

Lord Rama

You know you are here now, yet you are not. With this realization, there is a certain lightness that comes spontaneously. Rama is when the inner light shines through. Sita the mind/intellect was robbed by the ego, Ravana. Ravana had ten heads. Ravana (ego) was one who wouldn’t listen to others. He was too much in the head. Hanuman means breath. With the help of Hanuman (the breath), Sita (the mind) was able to go back to Rama (the source).
Ramayana happened around 7,500 years ago. It had an impact on Germany and many other countries in Europe and Far East. Thousands of cities are named after Rama. Cities like Rambaugh in Germany, Rome in Italy have their roots in the word Ram. Indonesia, Bali and Japan were all influenced by Ramayana. Though Ramayana is history, it is also an eternal phenomenon happening all the time. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

20 Most Popular Time Quotes

2012-11-22T03:07:00.000-08:00

Time is precious because it is irreversible.Time is a dimension in which events can be ordered from the past through the present into the future,and also the measure of durations of events and the intervals between them.

Time is success,time is life,time is love,time is everything.Time is the best teacher.Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.

Great Thoughts about Time

1. Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.Laertius Diogenes

2. Time is at once the most valuable and the most perishable of all our possessions.John Randolph

3. Time is really the only capital that any human being has, and the only thing he can’t afford to lose.Thomas Edison

4. Until we can manage time, we can manage nothing else.Peter F. Drucker

5. Lost wealth may be replaced by industry, lost knowledge by study, lost health by temperance or medicine, but lost time is gone forever.Samuel Smiles

6. Never let yesterday use up today.Richard H. Nelson

7. The time for action is now. It’s never too late to do something.Carl Sandburg

8. Whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times, it’s the only time we’ve got.Art Buchwald

9. Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.William Penn

10. Better three hours too soon, than one minute too late.William Shakespeare

11. Time is the wisest counselor of all.Pericles

Time

12. Time is the school in which we learn, time is the fire in which we burn.Delmore Schwartz

13. "Being rich is having money; being wealthy is having time."- Margaret Bonnano

14. "Regret for wasted time is more wasted time."- Mason Cooley

15. The great dividing line between success and failure can be expressed in five words: “I did not have time.”Franklin Field

16. "Time is the most precious element of human existence. The successful person knows how to put energy into time and how to draw success from time."- Denis Waitley

17. "A stone thrown at the right time is better than gold given at the wrong time."- Persian Proverb

18. Lost time is never found again. Benjamin Franklin

19. I wasted time, and now doth time waste me.WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, Richard II

20. Time is the measurer of all things, but is itself immeasurable, and the grand discloser of all things, but is itself undisclosed.CHARLES CALEB COLTON, Lacon

15 Inspirational quotes of Vivekananda

2012-11-07T02:11:00.000-08:00

Swami Vivekananda, born Narendra Nath Datta, was an Indian Hindu monk. He was a key figure in the introduction of Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the western world and was credited with raising interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion in the late 19th century.

Born: January 12, 1863, Kolkata

Died: July 4, 1902, Belur Math

Quotes and Great Thoughts of Vivekananda

Arise! Awake! And stop not till the goal is reached.

1.Each work has to pass through these stages – ridicule, opposition,
and then acceptance.Those who think ahead of their time are sure to be misunderstood.

2.If the mind is intensely eager, everything can be accomplished—mountains can be crumbled into atoms.

3.All knowledge that the world has ever received comes from the mind; the infinite library of the universe is in our own mind.

4. Stand up, be bold, be strong. Take the whole responsibility on your own shoulders, and know that you are the creator of your own destiny. All the strength and succor you want is within yourself. Therefore make your own future.

5.It is our own mental attitude which makes the world what it is for us. Our thought make things beautiful, our thoughts make things ugly. The whole world is in our own minds. Learn to see things in the proper light. First, believe in this world, that there is meaning behind everything. Everything in the world is good, is holy and beautiful. If you see something evil, think that you do not understand it in the right light. Throw the burden on yourselves!

6. Understanding human nature is the highest knowledge, and only by knowing it can we know God? It is also a fact that the knowledge of God is the highest knowledge, and only by knowing God can we understand human nature.

7. What the world wants is character. The world is in need of those whose life is one burning love, selfless.

8.The Christian is not to become a Hindu or a Buddhist, nor a Hindu or a Buddhist to become a Christian. But each must assimilate the spirit of the others and yet preserve his individuality and grow according to his own law of growth.

Vivekananda

9.I have neither father nor mother nor brothers nor sisters no friends no foes, nor home nor country - a traveller in the way of eternity - asking no other help seeking no other help but God.

10.If you want to have life, you have to die every moment for it. Life and death are only different expressions of the same thing looked at from different standpoints; they are the falling and the rising of the same wave, and the two form one whole.

11.Experience is the only teacher we have.

12.The history of the world is the history of a few men who had faith in themselves.

13.See for the highest, aim at that highest, and you shall reach the highest.

14.Things are not bettered, but we are bettered, by making changes in them.

15.Hold the ideal a thousand times, and if you fail a thousand times, make the attempt once more.

Lord Rama : Stories for children

2012-10-31T00:05:00.000-07:00

Whoever surrenders, Râma accepts

God is so merciful that He will come ten steps towards you, if you but take one step towards Him. Vibhishana , the brother of Râvana, inquired from Hanumânwhether Râma will accept his homage and take him under His protecting shade.

Vibhishana said: "I am the brother of His worst enemy, whom He has vowed to destroy; I am a member of the demonic race; I am unacquainted with the Vedas or Sastras or the rituals of the Âryans". Then Hanumân replied: "O you fool! Do you think He cares for ritual correctitude, or family status or scholarship? If so, how could He accept me, a monkey?" That settled the matter. Vibhishana was assured of grace.

Lord Rama

When he went to Râma later, He asked the elder monkeys around Him whether He could accept Vibhishana into the fold. Of course, He did not need any counsel from anyone. He was never influenced by others. But, still, just to bring them into the picture, He consulted them and made a pretence of not having made up His mind yet. When Sugriva said "no", Râmareminded him that he too had come to Him, first, giving up his elder brother! When Lakshmana said that the only treatment he deserved was to be thrown back into Lankâ, Râma said, "Yes! I am resolved to crown him as the emperor of Lankâ, after the demise of Râvana".

Whoever surrenders, Râma accepts, on the spot, without reservations. When someone suggested that Vibhishana should not be promised a throne, for, Râvana may fall at the feet of the Lord and earn pardon for his iniquity, Râma replied, "In that case, I will hold both hands of Bharata and beg him to make Vibhishana Emperor of Ayodhyâ, our ancestral domain; we both, Bharata and I, will spend our time happily in the forests".

Lord Krishna :Stories for children

2012-10-30T23:48:00.002-07:00

Selfishness will never work in matters relating to God

There is a small story in the Mahâbhârata. With a view to get Krishna on her side,Satyâbhama, one of his consorts, went to Nârada and requested him to tell her some way, a short-cut by which she can achieve her objective. Nârada knew that Satyâbhama was very selfish and that selfishness will never work in matters relating to God.

Nârada wanted to teach a lesson to Satyâbhama and said he knew of a method which would get Krishna on her side, a ritual in which she gives away her husband as a gift to someone and then buys him back by paying money, equivalent in weight to the weight of the Lord. Nârada said that Krishna will belong solely to Satyâbhama under all circumstances if she went through this ritual.

Satyâbhama was lured into the plan. Therefore, she did the ritual of gifting Krishna to Nârada and then getting Him back. In one pan of the balance, she made Krishna sit and she put all her jewels in the other pan but it was no match to the weight of Krishna. Nârada saw an excellent opportunity in the situation and told Satyâbhama that since she is not able to give gold needed to equal her husband's weight, he was taking away Krishna and that from that day, Krishna would not belong to her; He would belong to him.
In that situation, Satyâbhama thought of Rukminî and went in search of her. She found her performing Tulasî puja.

Lord Krishna

Rukminî went with a few Tulasî leaves in her hand. She was astonished to find that Satyâbhamawas trying to outweigh the Lord himself with gold. She knew that this would never be possible. She said that gold will never outweigh God and only God's Name can match Him in weight. Nârada did not agree with this and asked that since Krishna has a form which can be seen, He must be weighed against something which can also be seen.

Rukminî immediately grasped the situation and she told herself that whether it is fruit, a flower, or a leaf or even a spoon of water, if given in full faith, God will surely respond. If there is any truth in this, she expected Krishna to respond to what she was going to do and in full faith, she placed a Tulasî leaf in the other pan of the balance, uttering the name of Krishna. It is only with affection, love and pure heart that one can get God. She won.

Lord Ganesh: Stories for children

2012-10-30T22:54:00.001-07:00

Vinayaka - The leader of all

On one occasion, a competition was arranged among the gods for selecting the leader of the games (troops of demigods who are attendants of Siva). Participants had to go round the world quick and come back to the feet of Lord Siva. The gods started off on their own vehicles; the elder son of Siva also enthusiastically entered the competition. He had an elephantine head; his vehicle was a mouse! Therefore, his progress was severely handicapped: He had not proceeded far, when Narada appeared before him and asked him, "Whither are you bound?" The son was very much annoyed; he fell into a rage.

Lord Ganesh

For, what happened was a bad omen, doubly unpropitious for those going on a journey. It is inauspicious if the first person you come across when you are on a journey is lone Brahmin. Though the foremost among the Brahmins (He was the son of Brahma Himself):, Narada was a bad omen! Again it is a bad omen if you are going somewhere and someone asked, "Whither are you bound?" Narada put him that very question! Nevertheless, Narada was able to assuage his anger. He drew forth from Siva's son the cause of his predicament and his desire to win. Narada consoled him, exhorted him not to yield to despair, and advised him thus: Rama -the name-is the seed from which the gigantic tree called the universe has emanated. So, write the name on the ground, go round it once, and hurry back to Siva, claiming the prize." He did so and returned to his father. When asked how he returned so soon, he related the story of Narada and his advice. Siva appreciated the validity of Narada's counsel; the prize was awarded to the son, who was acclaimed as Gana-pati. (Master of the Ganas) and Vinaayaka (Leader of all).

The story of Food:Stories for Children

2012-10-30T01:52:00.000-07:00

Your Thoughts affect the food you cook:Stories for Children

To purify the mind and the intellect for the correct reflection of the truth, the first caution is in regard to food. Instead, this is a very serious matter of Sadhakas. There lived in Mallur, Mysore State, and a pious Brahmin who was a great scholar. He had an equally pious wife. He was always intent on Puja and Japa Dhyana and was known far and wide for his virtuous character.

One day, a sanyasin called Nityananda came to his door seeking alms; so, he was happy beyond measure. He invited the monk to take dinner with him the next day so that he might honor him with due hospitality. He hung green festoons over his doors and made elaborate arrangements for the reception. But, at the eleventh hour, physical impurity rendered his wife unfit to prepare food for the honored guest or for any one else.

Cooking

A neighbour volunteered to cook the meal and she was brought in and introduced into the kitchen. Everything went off well and all were as happy as they could be, under the circumstances. Only, the sanyasin was wrong during meals by an overpowering desire to steal the silver cup, which the host had placed near the plate.

In spite of his best efforts, the evil idea won and the sanyasin hurried to his abode with the cup hidden in the folds of his robe. He could not sleep that night, for his conscience pricked him so. He felt he had brought disgrace on his Guru and on the Rishis whom he invoked by the mantras he recited. He could not until he ran back into the Brahmin's house and, falling at his feet, restored the article with tears of repentance trickling down his cheeks. Everyone wondered how such a saint could stoop so low. Then someone suggested it might the person who cooked it transmit the fault to the food he ate.

And when they examined the history of the neighbor thy found that she was an irrepressible thief! The thieving tendency had, by subtle contact, affected the food she prepared. This is the reason why Sadhakas are advised to live on fruits and tubers only, when they reach a certain stage of spiritual achievement.

Lesson for children

Sai Baba

We should partake food with a Sathwic mind. Our ancestors recommended the offering of food to God before partaking. Food so partaken becomes "Prasad" (consecrated offering). Prayer cleanses the food of the three impurities; caused by the absence of cleanliness of the vessel, cleanliness of the food stuff, and cleanliness in the process of cooking. It is necessary to get rid of these three impurities to purify the food; for, pure food goes into the making of a pure mind. It is not possible to ensure the purity of the cooking process, since we do not know what thoughts rage in the mind of the man who prepares the food. Similarly, we cannot ensure the cleanliness of the food ingredients as we do not know whether it was acquired in a righteous way by the seller who has sold it to us. Hence, it is essential on our part to offer food to God in the form of prayer, so that these three impurities do not afflict our mind.

Prayer From Bhagavad Gita

Brahmaarpanam Brahma Havir
Brahmaagnau Brahmanaa Hutam
Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam
Brahma Karma Samaadhinaha

Aham Vaishvaanaro Bhutva
Praaninaam Dehamaashritha
Praanaapaana Samaa Yuktaha
Pachaamyannam Chatur Vidam

Harir Daatha Harir Bhoktha
Harir Annam Prajaapatih
Harir Vipra Shareerastu
Bhoonkte Bhojayathe Harih.

"The food thus offered to God is digested by 'Vaishwanara" in the digestive system. Since God exists in the form of fire as Vaishwanara, He digests the food along with the impurities. So, man will not be affected even if the impurities enter the food." - Baba

Eating outside food is not avoidable now a days.Recite this food mantra before eating and the food you eat will become prasad and kills all impurities in it.