Important Life Lessons..................... We should learn with Age.................

Important Life Lessons..................... We should learn with Age.................

We often let the little frustrations of each day stop us from appreciating life in the present moment. But, as we grow older, we learn to detach ourselves from the drama and the chaos we once engaged in. As we age, we become more humble about life and are less willing to spend our time on vain things. Now that I am over Seventy ....the following are Strictly my personal opinion....&....my personal view point.......

Age is only a number, we are only as old, as we feel, biologically one could be older or younger.....and that does not matter..... never feel or say that you are old...... Believe in yourself ...&... Believe in your Creator .....Here are some important life lessons that I have learned over 70 years.

Day-to-day frustrations are inevitable. Very rarely do we have full control of all situations. And, as stressful as it may be, what is bothering us so much today won't matter a month from now. And, with age we know this for certain.........Let go of the nonsense...... stay positive, and move forward with your life.

How perfect everything ought to be..... There is a big difference between reasonable striving and perfectionism. Perfectionism causes you unnecessary stress and anxiety, created by the superficial need to get it right. But getting lost in striving to achieve perfection prevents you from getting anything worthwhile done.......Let go of the fantasies, and the perfect moments you have made yourself believe.

The intricacies of what is in it for you, With age, you learn that you keep nothing in this life until you give it away first. This can be applied to knowledge, forgiveness, service, love, tolerance and acceptance, so on so forth. It is easy to forget that giving opens us up to grace.....and..... learn to......Give, in order to receive.

The pressure of acting immediately ,While getting things done hurriedly may seem better when we are younger, in time we come to realize the importance of slow and steady work. In addition, we often believe that the big things are what will make a difference but overlook the fact that a simple smile can brighten somebody else's day.....Remember.....You cannot plant a seed and expect it to become a flower overnight. By the same token you can not bow useless weeds and expect to grow beautiful Flowers.

Wanting expensive physical possessions.... Later in life we learn to pay less attention to physical possessions that used to seem so vital.......Remember.....The things you really want cannot be bought....but have to be attained.

Winning approval from others.... The strength of your conviction is what determines your level of personal success in the long run, not the number of people who agree with the things you do.....Follow the path that promises your heart genuine peace.

The selfish things others say and do..... If we had to take everything personally, we would be offended for the rest of our life. When you detach yourself from other people's antics you feel free....and light....Remember....The way people treat you is their KARMA.....and..... How you react is yours.

Judging others for their shortcomings.... We all have days where we are not in our best. But the older we get, the more we come to realize how vital it is to give others the break that they deserve, and hope that they too will do the same on our own bad days. Truth be told....... we never really know what someone has been through, or what they are really going through today..........Therefore......Be kind, generous, and respectful, and then be on your way.

Blaming others.... A happy person never evades responsibility or blames and points fingers at others, making excuses for their unsatisfying life. Happiness is a byproduct of your own thinking, beliefs, attitudes, character, and behavior.....&....... You alone are responsible for how your life will unfold.

The shallow relationships that make you feel more popular, While acquaintances are nice to have, and friendliness is a good quality, dedicate your time to those that matter most.......Remember......Your time is limited....and Sooner or later you want to be around the few people who make you smile for the right reasons.

Distant future possibilities.... As we age..... it becomes inevitably clear that we have more time behind us and less in front of us. As a result, the distant future gradually has less value to us on a personal level. The secret to happiness and peace is letting this moment be what it is, instead of what you think it should be. Then make the best of it.....You know...............Some people wait all day for 5 pm, all week for Friday, all year for the holidays and all their lives for happiness. Don't allow yourself to become one of these people.

Society's obsession with outer beauty.... As we get older, what we look like on the outside becomes less of an issue. The primary point of interest lies on who we have become on the inside. Eventually we come to realize that beauty has almost nothing to do with looks......

Beauty lies in how we make others feel about themselves and how we feel about ourselves.........being graceful..........&......Only with LOVE......JK

J.KANNAN, M.Com, FIATA

"WE DON'T THINK TO BREATHE

 WE BREATHE TO THINK"

The Origin.... Significance and importance of Chottanikara Bhagavathi Temple & Makam Thozhal.....& This year it is on 11th March, 2017 a most auspicious Day....

AMME NARAYANA.....DEVI NARAYANA....LAKSHI NARAYANA.....BHADRE NARAYANA.

The Chottanikkara (correction of Jyotiannakkara) Temple is a famous temple of the Hindu mother goddess Bhagavathi. The temple is located at Chottanikkara near Ernakulam in the southern Indian state of Kerala and is one of the most popular temples in the state and in terms of temple architecture, this temple stands out to be an ultimate testmonial for the ancient vishwakarma sthapathis (wooden sculpture) in sculpting this temple along with Sabarimala. Bhagawati is one of the most popular deities in the area, Chottanikkara Devi is worshipped at the temple, in three different forms: as Saraswati in the morning, draped in white; as Lakshmi at noon, draped in crimson; and as Durga in the evening, decked in blue. Lord Shiva is also worshiped at the temple. People suffering from mental illnesses commonly visit the temple, as Bhagawati is thought to cure her devotees. One should not miss the 'Guruthi Pooja' in the 'Keezhkkaavu' temple at Chottanikkara. This is a ritual done at late evening to invoke the goddess. Earlier 'Guruthi Pooja' was done only on Fridays. But nowadays, it is performed every day.

'Chottanikara Makam thozhal' is the famous religious festival temple......

The area in which the temple is situated was once a dense forest that was believed to be infested by yakshis and rakshasas.(Demons & Devils) A tribesman named Kannappan used to live in this forest. He was a devout worshipper of Kali, and would ritually sacrifice a cow to her every Friday(the day of the Goddess). One day, he found a beautiful black calf near the forest. He kidnapped the calf and took her to his altar. Just before he sacrificed the calf, tribesman's daughter Manimanga stepped in and pleaded to him to stop the sacrifice. The man loved his daughter and thus let her keep the calf as a pet. Unfortunately, Manimanga died some days later, possibly due to a snake bite. Kannappan broke into tears and decided to cremate her body. To his surprise, his daughter's corpse disappeared. A nearby priest told him the reason for such an occurrence; Kannappan used to forcibly take young calves from their mothers and sacrificed them. As punishment, he met the same fate when his daughter died. However, when the tribes man looked for the calf, he found two divine stones in its place. The priest again tells him that the stones were actually divine and that they represented the divine couple, Vishnu and Lakshmi, and to pray before these stones everyday and he would be forgiven for what he had done in the past.

Since Kannappan's death, the stones were forgotten. One day, a grass-cutter came to the forest to cut some wild grass. Since her knife was blunt, she sharpened it on what she thought was a big stone. Only it was a stone, but then it started bleeding. Horrified at what she saw, she brought the matter to the public's attention. A nearby priest was called to solve the problem. After devaprasnam, it was concluded that the stones were divine.

Another legend associated to the temple was that of the spiritual leader Shankaracharya(Adi Shankara). During the time where he lived, Adi Shankara realised that there was not a single temple in Kerala that signified the worship of goddess Saraswati. As a result, he himself went to the Chamundi hills in Karnataka and meditated for many days for the goddess to appear before him. His meditation bore fruit and before him stood the stunningly beautiful goddess, clad in white. On enquiry, he said that he would like to bring the goddess to Kerala and establish a temple dedicated to her worship. This way the people from Kerala would not have to go such far off distances to worship her, as in the case for those who were old and aged. After a lot of persuasion, the goddess agreed; she would follow him by foot wherever he went, but only on one condition. If he trusts her, then he was not allowed to look back to see if she followed him or not. If he did, then would not go any further. He agrees and they proceed walking. They were walking down the Kodachadri hills, with Shankara leading the way and goddess' anklets tinkling and letting him know that she was with him. After walking some distance, the tinkling stopped all of a sudden. Shankara waited a few moments and stole a quick look backwards to find the goddess still with him, watching him with reproach. In keeping with the condition, the goddess stopped right there. Shankara, however, was not one to give up. He apologized profusely for breaking the condition and repeatedly begged and pleaded with the goddess to go with him to Kerala. After many pleas, the goddess agrees to a compromise. From early hours of morning, she would come and appear before the devotees at the Chottanikkara temple. Then in the afternoon, she would return to the spot where she stopped. This is the spot which would turn out to be the Mookambika temple. Since then, before the doors of the main sanctum in Mookambika temple were opened, the sanctum doors of the Chottanikkara temple were opened during early morning hours in honour of worshipping goddess Saraswati, where the idol is clad in white garments.

The idol at Keezhkavu didn't come until after the temple was built. One night, a Brahmin was walking along a moonlit trail. Suddenly, he saw a beautiful woman, standing all alone. He offered to escort her home, and she agreed. On the way, he had to stop by a priest's house to whom he had to return a holy manuscript. Reluctantly, the woman agreed to wait for him outside the house. But when the priest enquired the Brahmin as to who had accompanied him at such odd hours of night, he tells the priest that a woman followed him. Sensing danger, the priest warns him that the woman could be a Yakshi (Demon). The helpless Brahmin asks the priest for help, to which the priest gives some holy stones and says that whenever he felt that the woman was near him, he had to throw the stone at the woman without turning back. This would slow her down and further increase the distance from him. Using these stones the Brahmin had to reach the chottanikkara temple lest the yakshi would not harm him. The Brahmin does so accordingly, but as he reached the steps of the temple's sanctum, the woman held him down and transformed into her true form; a blood thirsty vampire. The Brahmin calls for help, to which goddess Parvati appeared and transformed into Mahakali, an aspect representing her anger. She subdues the vampire and kills her. The goddess then went to wash herself in the pond, where the Kali idol was found hundreds of years later by Vilwamangalam of Guruvayoor.

Most of the legends associated with the temple are of tribal origin, where Mahakali is believed to protect masses during hard times. As per one of them, the famous saint Vilvamangalam installed the idol of Bhadrakali, which he unearthed from the temple tank. There are no recorded documentation on these legends.

Chottanikara Makam Thozhal Festival......

Chottanikara Makam Thozhal is an important festival celebrated at the famous Chottanikara Bhagavathy Temple in Kerala. The ritual is celebrated during the annual temple festival which falls in the month of Kumbham (February – March). It is believed that the Goddess gave darshan on Magha nakshatra to Vilwamangalam Swamiyar in her full attire with glittering clothes and ornaments with four arms in Abhayam, Shank, Chakram and Varam mudras. And hence having a darsan on the Makam nakshatra in Kumbha masam is of great importance to devotees. This year, Chottanikara Makam Thozhal is on February 11, 2017. Makom Darsanam of Chottanikara Amma between 2 pm and 8 pm is considered to be most effectual for Mangalyam (long married life) and for getting best marriage for girls.

The ritualistic bath of "Devi" in ceremonial pond in the morning at the sacred pond..... Onakkuttichira.... far on the northern side of the Temple. After this "Devi" accompanied by Lord Sastha on the back of seven caparisoned elephants march towards the "Pooraparambhu" the traditional vantage point where they remain till 11 a.m.

At the mid-day the door of Sanctum Sanctorum closes for ucha pooja. Only to re-open at 2 pm for the "Makam Darsanam" at that time Devi who appears in her sacred full-fledged splendour and glory decked in her sacred gold ornaments, precious jewellery and innumerable garlands. This is exactly the form of vision which Villwamangalam Swamiyar was believed to have had when he faced westward after the "Prathishta" (installation) of Kizhukkavu Bhagavathy, Chottanikkara Devi appears at this moment clad in glittering clothes brilliant ornaments and fine jewellery with her four arms bearing varam, Abhayam, Shank and Chakram (Offering gift and refuge) to her ardent devotees. It is fervently believed that Darsanam at this moment will result in the fulfillment of all prayers and cherished desires. It is fervently believed that those who gain Darsanam at this crucial Mithuna Lagna, will be blessed with the fulfillment of their long standing desire and prayers.

The presiding deity is known by various names like Rajarajeswari, Bhadrakali, Saraswathi, Durga and Amman. Rajarajeswari is worshipped as Saraswathi in the morning, Lakshmi in the afternoon and Durga in the evening. The temple is known for curing mental illness and diseases due to evil spirits. The patients are brought to the priest, who engages with them in some conversation. He nails a part of the hair of the patient in the temple tree, indicating that evil spirit is captured in the tree and the patients are cured off their illness. Neem leaves, lime and chillies are taken home from the temple, which are believed to ward off evil spirits.

AMME NARAYANA.....DEVI NARAYANA....LAKSHI NARAYANA.....BHADRE NARAYANA

J.KANNAN, M.Com, FIATA

"WE DON'T THINK TO BREATHE

WE BREATHE TO THINK"

Relationship Tips To Follow ........by couples....

Relationship Tips To Follow ........by couples.....A very good read...INDEED....and to implement.

Even the best of the relationships in the world requires constant and consistent work......together. Consider yourself going in the right direction, if you understand and accept the input your relationship needs.

As seen, couples tend to discover a lot of differences after they start living together. The spark during the beginning of the relationship doesn't stay forever, thus, you do whatever it takes for your partner to revive the bond you once had.

Therefore, if you are really in for a good relationship or already in one, here are some tips that will make the best of years........ for your love and life.

1. Put yourself in his shoes.

Before reacting to something your partner did wrong, put yourself in his shoes and understand why he did something you would not like or get mad at. It will not only strengthen the bond but also minimise arguments.

2. Avoid nagging.

Nobody likes a person who is constantly nagging about everything going around them. Women are known to be and said to good at nagging by nature....and its not my opinion..It becomes even more irritating if it is your partner who is doing that. Hence, avoid cribbing about little things and start talking more about the things that matter.

3. Plan little surprises.

We all expect surprises on our birthdays and anniversaries, but getting one when there is no occasion is the best feeling in the world. For an instant surprise, you can never go wrong with a nice romantic drive.

4. Start appreciating more.

Always remember that your partner has put lot of efforts efforts to make things happen for you. Even if it is for the smallest of the things that he does, gestures of gratitude would surely make the other person happy and motivated to make and bond the relationship stronger.

5. Begin and end your day by saying 'I love you'.

No matter how many times you say 'I love you', it always works like a magic and instantly makes the person feel wanted and loved.

6. Never sleep after a fight.Regardless of how badly you fought with your partner, always remember that your relationship has a value. Therefore, never sleep after a fight because stretching things makes it worse.

7. Communicate more.....& Effectively.

To maintain a healthy relationship, communication plays an important role. It not only makes your relationship strong, but also avoids unwanted arguments that can be easily solved by soft talking.

J.KANNAN, M.Com, FIATA

"WE DON'T THINK TO BREATHE
WE BREATHE TO THINK"

How to Naturally Stabilize Your Blood Sugar Levels!............

How to Naturally Stabilize Your Blood Sugar Levels!..............

Diabetes is one of the leading concerns among health professionals today, as more and more individuals fall prey to this life-long and dangerous disease. It is caused when the blood sugar levels rise to an excess, which results in a resistance to insulin. Once this happens, the diabetic individual can no longer control their blood sugar levels, and they can rise and fall with serious consequences. Yet whether you are diabetic or know someone who is, it is important to implement measures to control blood sugar levels and to stop the spread of diabetes in its tracks.

1. Consume More Dairy Products.

The protein and fat in dairy products helps blood sugar levels improve, and if the products are low in fat, it has been shown that they can also decrease the chances for developing insulin resistance.

2. Choose the Right Kind of Bread.

Avoid white flour based products at all costs! These simple carbohydrates are full of sugar that spike up your blood sugar. Instead, you should consume whole wheat or rye products that are high in fiber, protein and complex carbohydrates, which control blood glucose levels and keep you full for longer.

3. Cardamom is Great!

Cardamom is a member of the ginger family of spices and comes from Asia as well as South America. The spice is known to regulate Type II diabetes and can be sprinkled on coffee, tea, yogurt and even cereal. The spice is known to help decrease blood glucose levels by eighteen to thirty percent.

4. Maximize the Magnesium.

Magnesium is a mineral known to help prevent the onset of Type II diabetes and should be consumed as much as possible. It is best to consume natural sources of magnesium such as spinach, fish, nuts, leafy greens and avocados. All of these foods have been proven to lower the risk of diabetes and can even aid in weight loss.

5. Buckwheat.

Buckwheat is an excellent source of fiber that you may have never heard of. It also does wonders for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Buckwheat comes in the form of soba noodles, which are a delicious substitute for rice or pasta, as well as in a number of powders that can be added to baked goods or even on top of a slice of (whole wheat) bread.

6. Drink in Moderation.

Alcohol contains huge amounts of sugar, and anyone trying to watch out for their blood sugar should definitely moderate the amount of alcohol they consume. It is best to occasionally drink wine with dinner, and not after dinner when the same glass of wine could alter insulin levels in the blood.

7. Watch Fat Intake.

It is important to watch the amount of saturated fats entering the body because these can seriously increase the chances of contracting diabetes. Saturated fats are usually found in fried food and junk food as they are cooked in unhealthy oils.

8. Exercise Daily.

Getting in exercise each day is critical to maintaining normal blood sugar levels, even if it's a brisk walk in the park.

9. Laughing.

Yes, this really is one of the tips that will lower your chances of developing diabetes. It was found that those who laugh have lower blood sugar levels than those who don't laugh enough (which means that you should keep reading MY jokes!)

10. Eat Grapefruit.

Grapefruit has been proven to aid in weight loss as it affects the glucose metabolism, keeping insulin levels steady.

11. Do Resistance Training.

Building muscle mass is important for burning more glucose out of your system. Training once to twice a week could significantly aid in preventing the occurrence of diabetes.

12. Get Enough Sleep.

Sleep deprivation can affect blood sugar and insulin levels so it is important to get enough sleep each night. It is also essential to stop snoring. According to some studies, those who snore are more likely to develop diabetes (because snoring is often tied to being overweight).

13. Drink Decaf, Not Regular.

Decaffeinated coffee slows down the rate at which the intestines absorb sugars and speeds up the absorption of sugar by the muscles.

14. Eat Smaller Meals.

It is best to have a small meal and then another small meal (or a second half of the regular sized meal) later on (at half hour intervals). It is also important to eat regularly so that insulin levels don't spike, but remain stable throughout the day.

15. Learn Relaxation.

Listen to soothing music or read an interesting book, whatever you need to do to relax. Meditation and yoga can also help if they are done properly and on a regular basis.

J.KANNAN, M.Com, FIATA
"WE DON'T THINK TO BREATHE
WE BREATHE TO THINK"

 

Are There Really 33 Crore Gods in Hinduism??.......NO. NO. NO. and to KNOW the fact READ THIS.............JK

Are There Really 33 Crore Gods in Hinduism??.......NO. NO. NO. and to KNOW the fact READ THIS.............JK

According to Hindu belief there are 33 Crores Gods.....But what does it mean by 33 Crores??? Many people have a misconception that there exist 33 Crores of Gods......Contrary to the truth. In fact the word Kodi has a sanskrit meaning SUPREME .....In fact therefore the number of Hindu Gods is only 33 as Vedas reveals about Hindu Gods .....and they are..............

To start with, the Rig Veda mentions 3 Gods – Agni.... on earth,,,,,Vayu in the air and Surya in the sky. However, further in the Rig-Veda itself this number is increased to thirty-three, of which 11 are said to be on earth, 11 in heaven, and 11 in mid-air.

Yes ’33 Crore Gods’ is a highly misinterpreted fact. The term ‘trayastrimsati koti’ mentioned in Atharva Veda, Yajur Veda, and Satapatha-brahmana, was misunderstood as 33 Crores. The term koti in Sanskrit has two meaning, one is ‘supreme’ and the other is Crore. So, somewhere in translation, we missed the basic fact that Hinduism has only 33 Supreme Gods and not 33 Crore Gods.

But, who are these 33 Gods in Hinduism – What are Their Names?

According to Vedas there are 33 Devas. These Gods are separated in the following pattern :

12 + 11 + 8 + 2.............= 33

12 is the number of Adityas...... Namely......

1.Varuṇa

2.Mitra

3.Aryaman

4.Bhaga

5.Amshuman

6.Dhata

7.Indra (The head of Ādityas)

8.Savitṛ

9.Tvaṣṭṛ

10.Vishnu

11.Pūṣan

12.Surya -

11 are the number of Rudras...... Namely.......

1. Manyu

2. Manu

3. Mahinas

4., Mahan

5. Shiv.

6. Rutudhvaj ,

7. Ugrareta ,

8.Bhava ,

9.Kaal ,

10.Vamdev

11.Dhrutavrat .Their names vary in different scriptures but the number remains same.

8 are the number of Vasus and are sons born from Dharma Rishi and Vasu. namely

1. Drona

2, Pran

3. Dhruva

4. Aka

5. Agni

6. Dosha.

7. Vasu.

8.Vibhavasu.

1 is Prajapati............ the Master of Gods.............&.....The other

1 is a Supreme Ruler who is very powerful.

So....With this the number of God's in Hinduism is established to be 33 and not 33 CRORES.................

J.KANNAN, M.Com, FIATA

"WE DON'T THINK TO BREATHE

WE BREATHE TO THINK"