Greatness of Sree Gayathri Mantra........................

Sage Vishwamitra performed intense austerities to become a great sage. Indra, the king of Devas, wanted to test the qualities of the Vishwamitra, who before becoming a saint was a king. The story explains the importance and greatness of Gayatri Mantra.

Vishwamitra was born in the Kushik Dynasty. King Vishwamitra once visited the Ashram of Sage Vasishta and came to know about the holy cow Nandini in the Ashram, which had wish fulfilling power. 

King Vishwamitra felt that the cow would be more use to a king. So he asked for the cow. But Sage Vasishta said that Nandini would only leave the ashram only if she likes.

Nandini was not ready to leave. Vishwamitra and soldiers tried to take the cow away forcibly but were defeated by the powers of Nandini. An insulted Vishwamitra soon realized that spiritual powers were more powerful than a king’s commands and arrows.

Vishwamitra then abdicated his throne and took to the life of a Sanyasi. He performed intense meditations and became a powerful Rishi.

Indra was not convinced that a king can become a great saint.

So to test Vishwamitra, Indra came in disguise and asked the Sage to serve him food.

Vishwamitra happily agreed to serve food.

Indra said he wanted the food kept hot, while he was out having his bath. But Indra had no intention of coming back.

Indra stayed away thinking that it would be impossible for Vishwamitra to keep the food hot. But Vishwamitra was able to keep the food hot. Indra stayed away for years but the food was still hot as if freshly prepared.

Sage Vishwamitra knew the power of the Gayatri mantra. So he put the pot of food on is head and recited the mantra repeatedly.

That was enough to keep it hot. Indra then came to the sage and acknowledged that Vishwamitra was indeed a great sage...............................................And here goes the great Mantra and its meaning.................................................

 

 

Gayatri Mantra:

Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah

Tat

Savitur Varenyam

Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi

Dhiyo Yonah:

Prachodayat

English  meaning translation:

 

Throughout all realms of experience

‘That’

essential nature illuminating existence

is the adorable

One.

May all beings perceive through

subtle and meditative intellect

the magnificent brilliance

of enlightened awareness.

. 

Goddess Lakshmi............................

Goddess Lakshmi is also known as Chanchala or the fickle one – liable to sudden and unpredictable change. Goddess Lakshmi as Sridevi blesses devotees with fortune, power, pleasure and prosperity. When society was formed and when Asura King Bali was with the side of Dharma, Sridevi blessed him with prosperity. With Sridevi on his side, Asuras had everything in abundance including food and wealth.

But King Bali once ignored the blessing of Sridevi and declared that he has the power over the earth and he can give anything and as much he desires. Bali forgot that all his prosperity was the blessing of Sridevi. Arrogance led to the downfall of King Bali.

Later, Vishnu in the form of Vamana usurped all his wealth.

The Devas under Indra had become poor and powerless when Sridevi was with King Bali.

Sridevi fed up with the arrogance of King Bali left him and sided with Indra.

For this act, Asuras chided that Sridevi is faithless – yesterday she blessed Bali , today she is with Indra, no one knows who she will bless tomorrow. They called her Chanchala.

Goddess smiled and replied that she is not fickle but constant – She is only present where there is Dharma.

Good health, happiness, prosperity, abundance, beauty and fortune are always present where there is Dharma......................................

 

Where there is Dharam(Righteousness) there is Goddess Lakshmi and where there is Goddess Lakshmi thers is Plentiful prosperity & Peace.

Sri Ramanavami............Facts about Lord Sri Rama.......

The facts about Sri Rama..............

 

Sri Rama Navamiis being celebrated all over India on 01 April, 2012..............Hence this mail message.
The story of Shri Ramas' life was first narrated by Maharishi Valmiki in the Ramayana, which was written after Shri Rama was crowned as the king of Ayodhya. Maharishi Valmiki was a great astronomer as he has made sequential astronomical references on important dates related to the life of Shri Rama indicating the location of planets vis-a-vis zodiac constellations and the other stars (nakshatras).
 
Needless to add that similar position of planets and nakshatras is not repeated in thousands of years.
 
By entering the precise details of the planetary configuration of the important events in the life of Shri Rama as given in the Valmiki Ramayana in the software named "Planetarium" corresponding exact dates of these events according to the English calendar can be known.
 
Mr Pushkar Bhatnagar, of the Indian Revenue Service, had acquired this software from the US. It is used to predict the solar/lunar eclipses and distance and location of other planets from earth. He entered the relevant details about the planetary positions narrated by Maharishi Valmiki and obtained very interesting and convincing results, which almost determine the important dates starting from the birth of Shri Rama to the date of his coming back to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. Maharishi Valmiki has recorded in Bal Kaand, sarga 19 and shloka eight and nine (1/18/8,9), that Shri Rama was born on ninth tithi of Chaitra month when the position of different planets vis-a-vis zodiac constellations and nakshatras (visible stars) were:
 
i) Sun in Aries; ii) Saturn in Libra; iii) Jupiter in Cancer; iv) Venus in Pisces; v) Mars in Capricorn; vi) Lunar month of Chaitra; vii) Ninth day after no moon; viii) Lagna as Cancer (cancer was rising in the east); ix) Moon on the Punarvasu (Gemini constellation & Pllux star); x) Day time (around noon).
 
This data was fed into the software. The results indicated that this was exactly the location of planets/stars in the noon of January 10, 5114 BC. Thus, Shri Ram was born on January 10, 5114 BC (7121 years back). As per the Indian calendar, it was the ninth day of Shukla Paksha in Chaitra month and the time was around 12 to 1 noontime. This is exactly the time and date when Sri Ram Navmi is celebrated all over India.
 Shri Rama was born in Ayodhya. This fact can be ascertained from several books written by Indian and foreign authors before and after the birth of Christ - Valmiki Ramayana, Tulsi Ramayana, Kalidasas' Raghuvansam, Baudh and Jain literature, etc.
 
These books have narrated in great detail the location, rich architecture and beauty of Ayodhya which had many palaces and temples built all over the kingdom. Ayodhya was located on the banks of the Saryu river with Ganga and Panchal Pradesh on one side and Mithila on the other side.
 
Normally 7,000 years is a very long period during which earthquakes, storms, floods and foreign invasions change the course of rivers, destroy the towns/buildings and alter the territories. Therefore, the task of unearthing the facts is monumental.
 
The present Ayodhya has shrunk in size and the rivers have changed their course about 40 km north/south. Shri Rama went out of Ayodhya in his childhood (13th year as per Valmiki Ramayan) with Rishi Vishwamitra who lived in Tapovan (Sidhhashram). From there he went to Mithila, King Janaks' kingdom. Here, he married Sita after breaking Shiv Dhanusha.
 
Researchers have gone along the route adopted by Shri Rama as narrated in the Valmiki Ramayan and found 23 places which have memorials that commemorate the events related to the life of Shri Rama. These include :
 
Shringi Ashram,
Ramghat,
Tadka Van,
Sidhhashram,
Gautamashram,
Janakpur (now in Nepal),
Sita Kund, etc.
 
Memorials are built for great men and not for fictitious characters. Date of exile of Shri Rama: It is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayanas' Ayodhya Kand (2/4/18) that Dashratha wanted to make Shri Rama the king because Sun, Mars and Rahu had surrounded his nakshatra and normally under such planetary configuration the king dies or becomes a victim of conspiracies.
 
Dashrathas' zodiac sign was Pisces and his nakshatra was Rewati.
 
This planetary configuration was prevailing on the January 5, 5089 BC, and it was on this day that Shri Rama left Ayodhya for 14 years of exile.
Thus, he was 25 years old at that time (5114-5089).
 
There are several shlokas in Valmiki Ramayan which indicate that Shri Rama
was 25-years-old when he left Ayodhya for exile. Valmiki Ramayana refers to the solar eclipse at the time of war with Khardushan in later half of 13th year of Shri Ramsa' exile. It is also mentioned it was amavasya day and Mars was in the middle. When this data was entered, the software indicated that there was a solar eclipse on October 7, 5077 BC, (amavasya day) which could be seen from Panchvati.

 
The planetary configuration was also the same - Mars was in the middle, on one side were Venus and Mercury and on the other side were Sun and Saturn.
 
On the basis of planetary configurations described in various other chapters, the date on which Ravana was killed works out to be December 4, 5076 BC, and Shri Rama completed 14 years of exile on January 2, 5075 BC, and that day was also Navami of Shukla Paksha in Chaitra month. Thus Shri Rama had come back to Ayodhya at the age of 39 (5114-5075).
 
A colleague, Dr Ram Avtar, researched on places visited by Shri Rama during his exile, and sequentially moved to the places stated as visited by Shri Rama in the Valmiki Ramayana, starting from Ayodhya he went right upto Rameshwaram.
 
He found 195 places which still have the memorials connected to the events narrated in the Ramayana relating to the life of Shri Rama and Sita These include Tamsa Tal (Mandah), Shringverpur (Singraur), Bhardwaj Ashram (situated near Allahabad), Atri Ashram, Markandaya Ashram (Markundi), Chitrakoot, Pamakuti (on banks of Godavari), Panchvati, Sita Sarovar, Ram Kund in Triambakeshwar near Nasik, Shabari Ashram, Kishkindha (village Annagorai), Dhanushkoti and Rameshwar temple. In Valmiki Ramayan it is mentioned that Shri Rams' army constructed a bridge over the sea between Rameshwaram and Lanka.
After crossing this bridge, Shri Ramas' army had defeated Ravana. Recently,
NASA put pictures on the Internet of a man-made bridge, the ruins of which are lying submerged in Palk Strait between Rameshwaram and Sri Lanka.
 
Recently the Sri Lankan Government had expressed the desire to develop Sita Vatika as a tourist spot. Sri Lankans believe this was Ashok Vatika where Ravana had kept Sita as a prisoner (in 5076 BC). Indian history has recorded that Shri Rama belonged to the Suryavansh and he was the 64th ruler of this dynasty. The names and other relevant particulars of previous 63 kings are listed in Ayodhya ka Etihaas written about 80 years ago by Rai Bahadur Sita Ram. Professor Subhash Kak of Lousiana University, in his book, The Astronomical Code of the Rig Veda, has also listed 63 ancestors of Shri Rama who ruled over Ayodhya.
 
Sri Ramas' ancestors have been traced out as: Shri Rama, King Dashratha, King Aja, King Raghu, King Dilip and so on. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Bengal to Gujarat, everywhere people believe in the reality of Shri Ramas' existence, particularly in the tribal areas of Himachal, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and the North-East.
 
Most of the festivals celebrated in these areas revolve around the events in the life of Shri Ram and Shri Krishna.  The events and places related to the life of Shri Rama and Sita are true cultural and social heritage of every Indian irrespective of caste and creed. Therefore, it is common heritage.
 
After all, Shri Rama belonged to the period when Prophet Mohammed or Jesus Christ were not born and Muslim or Christian faiths were unknown to the world.
 
The words Hindu (resident of Hindustan) and Indian (resident of India) were synonymous. India was also known as Bharat (land of knowledge) and Aryavarta (where Aryans live) and Hindustan (land of "Hindus" - derived from word Indus). During Rama Rajya, the evils of caste system based on birth were non-existent. In fact, Maharishi Valmiki is stated to be of Shudra class (scheduled caste), still Sita lived with him as his adopted daughter after she was banished from Ayodhya.
 
Lavav and Kusha grew in his ashram as his disciples. We need to be proud of the fact that Valmiki was perhaps the first great astronomer and that his study of planetary configurations has stood the test of times. Even the latest computer softwares have corroborated his astronomical calculations, which proves that he did not commit any error.
 
Shabri is stated to be belonging to the Bheel tribe. Shri Ramas' army, which succeeded in defeating Ravana, was formed by various tribals from Central and South India.
The facts, events and all other details relating to the life of Shri Rama are the common heritage of all the Indians including scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, Muslims, Christians, etc.
 
Prophet Mohammad was born 1,400 years ago.
Jesus Christ was born 2,000 years back.
Gautam Buddha was born 2,600 years back,
whereas Rama was born 7,000 years back.
Hence, discovering the details relating to Shri Ramas' life would be lot more difficult as destruction caused by floods, earthquakes and invasions etc., would be far greater. But, should that stop our quest for learning more about our cultural heritage?
 
As Indians, let us all take pride in the fact that the Indian civilisation is the most ancient civilisation today. It is certainly more than 10,000 years old. Therefore, let us reject the story of Aryan invasion in India in 1,500 BC as motivated implantation.
 
In fact Max Mueller, who was the creator of this theory had himself rejected it.
Let us admit that during the British Rule, we were educated in the schools based on Macaulay school of thinking which believed that everything Indian was inferior and that entire "Indian literature was not worth even one book rack in England." If there were similarities in certain features of Indian people and people from Central Europe, then automatic inference drawn was that the Aryans coming from Europe invaded India and settled here.
 
No one dared of thinking in any other way. Therefore, there is urgency for the historians and all other intellectuals to stop reducing Indian history to myth.

 
There is need to gather, dig out, search, unearth and analyse all the evidences,
which would throw more light on ancient Indian civilisation and culture. There is need for the print and the electronic media to take note of these facts and create atmosphere which would motivate our young and educated youth to carry out research and unearth true facts about the ancient Indian civilisation and wisdom and would also encourage them to put across the results of their research before the people fearlessly and with a sense of pride!

Earlob piercing of a Male Child...........Its importance & significance........

Ear lobe piercing, known as Karnvedh Sanskar, is considered an important ceremony for male child in many Hindu traditions. But today most boys do not perform this ceremony. Earlier the ritual was strictly performed on the male child in many Hindu communities. Many communities even now continue this tradition. For male child the first ear pierced is the right ear. Some Hindu men are now taking up this tradition.

 

It is believed that ear piercing helps in getting rid of hysteria and other diseases. The earrings are believed to help in maintaining the flow of electric current in a human body. It is also believed that ear piercing helps in increase of brainpower. It has also been proved that ear piercing improves immunity.

The ritual is performed on odd years after the birth of the child – 3rd or 5th year.

 

Ear piercing in some regions is performed by the Goldsmith and he uses gold needle to pierce the earlobe. Gold never rusts and this is the reason for using gold needles.

Nose piercing &16 Solah Shringar of a Hindu Bride..........

Nose Piercing &.....................................

 

Nose stud or ring is worn by both married and unmarried Hindu women. The significance of the nose stud varies from region to region. As in several other rituals, there is no written code in Hinduism regarding the wearing of nose ring or nose piercing. In certain Hindu sects, a nose ring is referred as ‘Nath’ is worn during marriage and is a symbol of married woman. There are several communities in Hindu religion which does not perform nose piercing.

Several ancient classical texts are silent on the nose stud and therefore there are several theories regarding the use of nose stud in Hindu religion. Some observe that nose stud was not used during ancient times and it was introduced by invaders during the 11th century.

Another school of thought quotes ancient Ayurvedic text Sushruta Samhita (Chikitsa Sthana Chapter 19) to suggest that nose piercing was prevalent from ancient period. It is believed that the piercing of the nose near a particular node on the nostril lessens the pain during monthly menstrual cycle. Some also believe that it protects women from nasal infection. (If the piercing is related to health, then why don’t men too do it?)

Nose stud is widely worn in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu and in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, by both married and unmarried young women. It is known as ‘mookkutthi.’ In some instances, women wear nose stud on both the wings of their nose. Nose studs of Konkani brides from Goa are famous especially for its design, which are adorned with small fish or bird. Nose ring is not the preferred choice in South India.

Nose ring and nose stud are a preferred choice in North India and in several communities it is a must during marriage ceremonies. A nose ring or pin or stud can be made of gold, pearl and diamond. In some Hindu communities, the nose stud is not removed and it is a symbol of married women like sindoor and mangal sutra and is an essential part of Shodash Shringar or Solah sringar - the sixteen beautification processes of a bride.

There is no consistency in the wearing of nose stud or ring. In some region, it is worn on the left wing of the nose and in some region it is on the right. For example, a bride from Maharashtra wears it on left. In Gujarat, it is worn on the right. The size and style of nose stud also varies from region to region. The big nose ring is only worn on the marriage day. Some communities opt for small nose rings. Nose stud or ring is used in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.

There is also a kind of septum (the dividing part between two cavities) piercing, which is equally popular as nose piercing, in Nepal and in northern parts of India including Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. This nose ring is known as ‘Bulak.’ Such piercing is also practiced by in eastern India by some communities.

Nowadays, some Hindu women see nose stud as part of modern day trendy fashion jewelry. Some are also fighting against wearing of nose rings which act as an impediment in their daily activities. .................................................................And let's move on to

 

16 Solah Shringar of Indian Bride as nothing harm in knowing ritual/relegious facts/info

 

JK 

 

 

Every Bride wants to look like a princess on her Wedding Day. Solah shringar refers to the sixteen adornments of a Bride (Woman) for beautification. Solah Shringar is especially important for an Indian bride on the most significant day of her life. Different kinds of beauty rituals are associated with the wedding day. In India, the beautification of the bride consists of sixteen parts and covers almost every part of the body right from the head to the toe. The Solah Shringar ritual is said to correspond to the sixteen phases of the moon which has a negative effect on the woman’s menstrual cycle. Solah Shringar is said to nullify this effect. The term shringar is also associated with Goddess Lakshmi, who is a model wife and the representation of female beauty, good luck, prosperity and fertility.

Solah Shringar is representation feminity and our culture. The bride’s solah shringar starts from the top with her hair and ends at her toe. Solah shringar (literally meaning sixteen decorations) is traditionally marked by the sixteen items of cosmetics and jewelry. Female relatives and friends of the bride participate in the process of adorning her.

• The Shringar of the bride normally starts with the Bride wearing the wedding dress. Red colored wedding sari richly embroidered with gold threads is considered the most auspicious for Hindu weddings. However the choice can also be other bright bridal colors like maroon, gold, magenta or green and comprises of saree, lehenga and salwar kurta.
• The Brides hair is then styled and adorned with flowers and jewelry. After that makeup is done on her face. Her face is powdered, the cheeks are rouged and lipstick is applied.
• The eyes are highlighted with Kajal or kohl to make it more attractive and appealing.
• After that the Bindi which has a strong religious implication and is a sacred symbol of a married woman is put on the bride’s forehead and decorated with red and white dots around it and along the eyebrows.
• A hair accessory called Maangtika is worn on the central parting of the hair of the bride mostly made out of gold and embellished with semi precious stones, pearls or diamonds.
• The Bride is made to wear the Nose Ring making her look traditional and ethnic. This ring is made of gold with pearls or other precious gems and is worn on the left nostril and is supported by a gold chain, which extends just behind left ear.
• Ear rings adorn the ears of the bride. Since the ear rings worn by bride are quite heavy they are normally supported by a gold chain passing over the crown of the head.
• Necklaces and chains of different lengths which is usually made of gold and embellished with diamonds, pearls or other precious stones are also worn by the bride. Mangalsutra which is worn around the neck is tied by the groom during the wedding rituals.
• Baajuband or armlets are worn on the upper arms of the bride over the sari blouse.
• Mehendi is another significant shringar of the bride which is applied on the bride's hands and feet in a special pre-wedding ritual in India.
• The Bride wears bangles or bracelets made of gold, glass or other metals depending upon the custom.
• A bride wears eight rings in both her hands, which are attached with a central flower or medallion that covers the upper part of the hand called hathphulor.
• Kamarband is a beautifully designed gold or silver belt is worn around the waist of the bride studded mostly with beautiful gems. The belt not just enhances the waist area but also helps in holding the Sari or Dress in place.
• Silver anklets are worn on the ankles of the bride and toes are adorned with toe rings made of silver. The feet are also decorated. In some regions a thick red line is drawn along the outer border of the foot. In other areas, mehandi designs are applied to the feet.
• And finally itar or fragrance is applied on to the bride to keep her fresh and smelling good.
• Sindoor is applied on the central parting of the hair during the wedding ceremony.

However a lot of changes have happened to the ritual of Solah Shringar over the years as many brides prefer a minimalist look or can’t afford such jewelry. But some of these adornments make a fashion statement even now.

Read What Warren Buffet says...........................

Its all about SAFE Driving..........Please read to know

Driving is a complex, fast-paced activity. A typical driver makes 25 decisions per kilometer. Aging affects all 3 steps in the driving process: sensing, deciding and acting. 1. Sensing: Good eyesight is essential fr safe driving. You receive 85-90% of the information needed to drive through your eyes. One of the most common changes you will notice is with your vision. Here are some facts about aging and the eyes: You need more light to see At age 45 you require 4 times as much light as when you were 19 At age 60 you require 10 times as much When looking from the speedometer to the road ahead: It takes a younger driver about 2 seconds to focus A driver over 40 takes 3 seconds or more Your eyes become more sensitive to glare: At age 55 it takes 8 times longer to recover from glare than at age 16 Your ability to see the difference between colours decreases It could take you twice as long to see brake lights flash on as when you were younger Your peripheral vision or ability to see what’s happening to the sides, decreases It might take you longer to see the cyclist coming up beside your car As you age the chance of having one of these visual conditions increases: Cataracts Macular degeneration Glaucoma Your ability to focus slows down Your depth perception or judging the distance between you and an object, decreases You might have difficulty judging when it is safe to make a left turn But there are some simple steps you can take to help minimize the effect aging eyes can have on driving: Get regular eye exams Limit your driving to daytime hours Keep healthy and fit Keep headlights, mirrors, and windshields clean Hearing Hearing loss can affect your ability to hear sounds such as sirens and horns. If hearing loss is found early you can be helped through treatment, such as hearing aids and surgery. 2. Deciding: Once your eyes and ears take in information, it’s up to your brain to process it and decide what to do. Age increases the time it takes the brain to process information and makes it harder to ignore distractions. For many people, experience and good driving habits can compensate for these changes. Here are a few things you can do: Keep a safe distance behind the car in front of you Choose a route that avoids difficult turns Focus on driving: avoid distractions such as cell phones Plan your route ahead of time 3. Acting: As you age it takes longer to perform physical activities due to: Weaker muscles Reduced flexibility Conditions such as arthritis Effects of medication  TAKE CARE AND HAVE A SAFE DRIVING.

Source.................British Columbia Automobile Association

Take proper care of your finger nails..........


8 Things Your Fingernails Warn You Of ................................................

Are your fingernails healthy, or sending you a health warning?


Fingernails and disease dont go together in most minds but they should. Your fingernails can give you valuable health warnings and signal the presence of serious disease.

Take a good long look at your nails. Hold a hand level with your nose about a foot out from your face and scrutinize each one.

Look at the curves, dips, ridges, and grooves. Check out how thick or thin they are and if your nails are chipped or broken. Make a note of the color of the nail itself, the skin under it, and the skin around the nail.

Check your memory have your nails always looked like this? Changes to your fingernails and disease onset are linked, so note any new developments. With this fresh view, compare what you see with this list of eight potential fingernail health warnings.

1. Discolored nails

A healthy fingernail should be pink with a touch of pinkish white (moons) near the base. If your nails are a dull color or streaked with other colors, you may have a serious hidden health problem.

 Green nails are a sign of bacterial infection


Red streaks in your nail bed are a warning of a heart valve infection


 Blueish nails signal low oxygen levels in your blood


Dull nails mean a vitamin deficiency


 White nails may signal liver disease, such as hepatitis


 Dark stripes at the top (Terrys nails) are associated with aging and congestive heart failure

Scrub those nails clean and really look at your nail color! Given the rainbow of potential health challenges, you want to be sure you see what your fingers are saying.

2. Thick nails


Thick nails are not natural. You want your nails to be strong, but if they resemble talons or claws more than traditional nails watch out!


 Thickened nails that are otherwise normal can signal lung disease


Thick and rough-textured nails can signal a fungal infection


Thick and separated nails may mean thyroid disease or psoriasis


Unusual thickness may also be a symptom of a circulation problem

Thickening nails are a change that should tune you in to other health symptoms you may be ignoring. Also watch out for allergic reactions to new medications which can show up as suddenly thick nails!

3. Split nails

Split nails aren't just occasionally chipped or shut in doors. Instead, these nails seem to flake away in layers. Dont blame frequent hand washing or nail polish for everything, especially since:


Split nails result from folic acid, Vitamin C, and protein deficiencies


Split nails combined with a pitted nail bed (base) can signal psoriasis, which begins in nails 10% of the time according to Web MD


Split nails may result from chronic malnutrition


Watch what you eat and check the psoriasis connection to fight back and pay more attention to your health overall.

4.Concave (Spoon) nails

Spoon fingernails signal a number of internal issues. To be considered full spoons, nails will be soft and curve up, forming a dip that is often big enough to hold water. Spoon nails signal:

Iron deficiency (usually from anemia)


Hemachromatosis, a liver disorder where your body absorbs too much iron


Heart disease

Hypothyroidism


Your fingernail and health challenges go hand in hand for many people, clearing up their health issue results in their spoon nails returning back to normal.

5. Pitted nails

Small dips or holes in your nails can be a result of banging up your hands or they could be a sign that you need to look more closely at your health. Nail pitting can signal:

Psoriasis

 Connective tissue disorder

Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss


Zinc deficiency (when the pit seems to form a line across the middle of your nail)


Watch your hand to separate natural dents and dings from real, lasting pits. The first will clear up quickly, but pits linked to disease linger.

6. Ridges

Nails should have smooth surfaces with almost imperceptible lines. Obvious ridge lines are a signal that something is up with your body. Some of the most common conditions associated with heavy ridge lines are:


Iron deficiency

Inflammatory arthritis


Lupus (for red lines at the base of your nails)


Dont just buff away your ridges hear their warning!


7. Dry, brittle nails


You dont need lotion or cuticle oil. If your nails are dry and brittle, you should check your hormone levels andbacterial health.


Thyroid disease leads to brittle, dry fingernails that crack and split easily


Fungus can make nails dry or even crumbly, affecting 12% of all Americans according to the American Academy of Dermatology

Both thyroid and fungal issues take time to treat, so you wont see a difference in the look of your fingernails for a full growth cycle.

8. Clubbed nails


If you have plump skin that seems to swell around the nail, or if your nails seem to have puffed around your fingers, they are said to be clubbed. Clubbed nails can mean:

 Lung disease, especially if you already have trouble breathing


 Inflammatory bowel disease


 Liver disease

AIDS


Your fingernails wont be the only signs of these diseases, but they can provide confirmation or motivation to seek medical care.


Dont ignore your hands or the health warnings they send. Fingernails and disease are more closely related than you think check your nails often to protect your health

The Art & Way of Giving..............................

The Art & Way of Giving................................A very Good Read & to follow with limits of one's wisdom......JK


"Rivers do not drink their own water, nor do tree eat their own fruit, nor do rain clouds eat the grains reared by them. The wealth of the noble is used solely for the benefit of others!

Even after accepting that giving is good and that one must learn to give, several questions need to be answered.

The first question is: When should one give?

We all know the famous incident from Mahabharat.

Yudhisthira asks a beggar seeking alms to come the next day. On this, Bhima rejoices that Yudhisthira his brother, has conquered death! For he is sure that he will be around the next day to give. Yudhisthira gets the message.

One does not know really whether one will be there tomorrow to give!

The time to give, therefore, is now.

The next question is: 'How much to give?'


One recalls the famous incident from history.

Rana Pratap was reeling after defeat from the Moghals. He had lost his army, he had lost his wealth, and most important, he had lost hope, his will to fight. At that time, in his darkest hour, his erstwhile minister, Bhamasha, came seeking him and placed his entire fortune at the disposal of Rana Pratap. With this, Rana Pratap raised an army and lived to fight another day.

The answer to this question how much to give is:

"Give as much as one can!

The next question is: 'What to give?'

It is not only money that can be given away. It could be a flower or even a smile.

It is not how much one gives but how one gives that really matters. When you give a smile to a stranger that may be the only good thing received by him in days and weeks!


"You can give anything but you must give with all your heart!"

Next we have to answer: 'How to give?'


Coming to the manner of giving, one has to ensure that the receiver does not feel humiliated, nor the giver feels proud by giving.


In giving, follow the advice 'Let not your left hand know what your right hand gives? Charity without publicity and fanfare is the highest form of charity.'

'Give quietly!'

While giving, let not the recipient feel small or humiliated. After all, what we give never really belonged to us. We come to this world with nothing and will go with nothing. The thing gifted was only with us for a temporary period. Why then take pride in giving away something which really did not belong to us?

Give with grace and with a feeling of gratitude. "What should one feel after giving?"


We all know the story of Eklavya. When Dronacharya asked him for his right thumb as "Guru Dakshina, he unhesitatingly cut off the thumb and gave it to Dronacharya.

There is a little known sequel to this story.

Eklavya was asked whether he ever regretted the act of giving away his thumb. He replied, and the reply has to be believed to be true, as it was asked to him when he was dying.



His reply was "Yes! I regretted this only once in my life. It was when Pandavas were coming in to kill Dronacharya who was broken hearted on the false news of death of his son, Ashwathama, and had stopped fighting. It was then that I regretted the loss of my thumb. If the thumb was there, no one could have dared hurt my Guru?



The message to us is clear. Give and never regret giving!

And the last question is:

‘How much should we provide for our heirs?'

Ask yourself 'are we taking away from them the gift of work? - A source of happiness?

The answer is given by Warren Buffett:...............................................

"Leave your kids enough to do anything, but not enough to do nothing!"

International Economics.......................................

TRADITIONAL ECONOMICS* You have two cows.You sell one and buy a bull. Your herd multiplies and the economy grows. You retire on the income *INDIAN ECONOMICS*You have two cows. You worship them. * PAKISTAN ECONOMICS* You don't have any cows. You claim that the Indian cows belong to you. You ask the US for financial aid, China for military aid, Britain for warplanes, Italy for machines,Germany for technology, France for submarines, Switzerland for loans, Russia for drugs and Japan for equipment. You buy the cows with all this and claim of exploitation by the world *AMERICAN ECONOMICS* You have two cows.You sell one and force the other to produce the milk of four cows.You profess surprise when the cow drops dead. You put the blame on some nation with cows & naturally that nation will be a danger to mankind. You wage a war to save the world and grab the cows. *JAPANESE ECONOMICS* You have two cows. You re-design them so that they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk. You then create cute cartoon cow images called Cowkimon and market them worldwide.Â

Â

*CHINESE ECONOMICSÂ *Â
You have two cows. You have 300 people milking them. You claim full employment, high bovine productivity andÂ

arrest anyone reporting the actual numbers. *RUSSIAN ECONOMICS* You have two cows.Â
You count them and learn you have five cows. You count them again and learn you have 42 cows. You count them again and learn you have 17 cows. You give up counting and open another bottle of Vodka

* FRENCH ECONOMICSÂ *Â
You have two cows. You go on strike because you want three cows.Â
*GERMAN ECONOMICSÂ *

you have two cows. You re-engineer them so that they live for 100 years,Â

eat once a month and milk themselves. Â
*BRITISH ECONOMICS * You have two cows. They are both mad.Â
*ITALIAN ECONOMICS*Â You have two cows.Â
You don't know where they are.Â
You break for lunch.Â
*SWISS ECONOMICS * You have 5000 cows, none of which belong to you. You charge others for storing them.Â

Â

  Inflation as explained by a Sikh Economist to his wife......  Â

 

Dictionary....here's a distinction WITH a difference!

No English dictionary has been able to explain the difference between the two words COMPLETE and FINISHED, in a way that's easy to understand.

Some people say there is no difference between COMPLETE & FINISHED.Â

Â

I beg to differ because there is. When you marry the right woman, you are "COMPLETE". And when you marry the wrong one, you are "FINISHED"!

And when the right one catches you with the wrong one, you are .."COMPLETELY FINISHED" !!!

Enjoy the good times..............................

Enjoy the good times while they're here

And face the bad times without fear

For nothing on earth lasts forever
...
Each moment of life we must savor.

Live life and love while you may,

For this too, my dear, will pass away......................for sure

Things never to FOGET................................

Your presence, is a present to the world.

You're unique and one of a kind.

Your life can be, what you want it to be.

Take the days, just one at a time.

Count your blessings, not your troubles.

You'll make it through, whatever comes along.

Within you, are so many answers.

Understand, have courage, be strong.

Don't put limits on yourself.

So many dreams, are waiting to be realized.

Decisions are too important, to leave to chance.

Reach for your peak, your goal and your prize.

Nothing wastes more energy, than worrying.

The longer one carries a problem, the heavier it gets.

Don't take things too seriously.

Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

Remember, that a little love goes a long way.

Remember, that a lot of love goes forever.

Remember, that RELATIONSHIP is a wise investment.

Life's treasures, are people... Together.

Realize, that it's never too late.

Do ordinary things, in a extraordinary way.

Have health, hope and happiness.

Take the time, to wish upon a star.

And don't ever forget....

For even a day....

How very special you are.

Significance of Coconut..........................

 Significance of  coconut.......................................
.

Sage Vishwamitra is said to have got the first coconut tree grown on this earth by the power of his tapas, or austerities. Its hard shell inspires one to have tolerance and do hard work for attaining success. The coconut is also broken before a deity in the temple, signifying the soul's breaking out of the shell of the ego. People get strength and improved eyesight by eating its white kernel.

In India one of the most common offerings in a temple is a coconut. It is also offered on occasions like weddings, festivals, the use of a new vehicle, bridge, house etc. It is offered in the sacrificial fire whilst performing homa. The coconut is broken and placed before the Lord. It is later distributed as prasaad.

The fiber covering of the dried coconut is removed except for a tuft on the top. The marks on the coconut make it look like the head of a human being. The coconut is broken, symbolizing the breaking of the ego. The juice within, representing the inner tendencies (vaasanas) is offered along with the white kernel - the mind, to the Lord.

A mind thus purified by the touch of the Lord is used as prasaada ( a holy gift). In the traditional abhisheka ritual done in all temples and many homes, several materials are poured over the deity like milk, curd, honey, tender coconut water, sandal paste, holy ash etc. Each material has a specific significance of bestowing certain benefits on worshipers. Tender coconut water is used in abhisheka rituals since it is believed to bestow spiritual growth on the seeker.

The marks on the coconut are even thought to represent the three-eyed Lord Shiva and therefore it is considered to be a means to fulfill our desires.

Significance of form of God Shiva.................

SIGNIFICANCE OF FORM OF  GOD SHIVA:-

Shiva is the last deity of the Hindu Trinity.Lord Shiva represents the vital goodness in the form of Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram i.e.; Truth, Goodness and Beauty .Lord Shiva performs a celestial role of dissolution and recreation of the universe, that's why; he is mostly associated with the words, like destroyer and destruction Literally, Shiva is one in whom the universe "sleeps" after destruction and before the next cycle of creation. All that is born, must die. All that is produced, must disintegrate and be destroyed. This law cannot be violated. The principle that brings about this disintegration, the power behind this destruction, is Shiva.

Another explanation of his role as destroyer is that we invoke Shiva to give us the capacity to destroy all our attachments and unwanted thoughts.He destroys our imperfections in order to ensure our spiritual progress. He destroys our illusions, desires and ignorance. He destroys our evil and negative nature. He destroys our old memories, so that we can move on with the movement of time. He destroys our relationships, attachment, impurities, physical and mental wrong doings, the effects of bad karma, our passions and emotions and many things that stand between us and God as impediments to our progress and inner transformation. And in the end when we have made sufficient progress, when we are ready and prepared, and when we are willing without any inner conflict, he destroys death.

Lord Shiva is known as the ''giver god'', lord of mercy and kindness. He always protects his devotees from evil forces like lust, greed and anger. He is the most kind -hearted God who grants boons and bestows grace to his devotees. Let us try to understand Shiva from different standpoints.

From the highest standpoint, Shiva is the formless, Absolute reality . Shiva's name itself means auspiciousness. This is our own true nature.

From the cosmic standpoint, Shiva represents the Lord of the Universe - the creator, sustainer and destroyer of the world.

From the departmental standpoint, we worship Brahma for creation, Vishnu for sustenance and Shiva for destruction. Since there can be no destruction without creation and vice versa, we cannot attribute creation to one deity and destruction to the other. Our distinction between these three powers is merely to help clarify the various processes of life.

In another aspect, as a particular form that manifested on earth, Shiva is said to have appeared in numerous incarnations as an enlightened master (Guru) who teaches the knowledge of the Self to his disciples. This form is known as Dakshinamurthy.

One explanation for Ganga sitting on the head of Shiva is that we should learn to keep the head cool and win the world. This is possible only through knowledge and devotion.

On Shiva's forehead is the crescent moon and in his neck is poison. The former represents the nectar of life and the latter, death. The pair of opposites indicate that we should be able to accept pain as well as pleasure in life and that we should have inner balance and equipoise in the midst of all good and bad experiences.

The poison, kept in his neck, without being swallowed, is significant. He did not become poisonous or bitter himself. In the same way one should be able to go through all experiences of life and still abide in his own true nature, without becoming bitter.

A snake garland adorns his neck. The snake represents the mind that spits out its poison of negative thoughts. Yet if we keep the mind under perfect control, so that it is quiet within and does not agitate us or others, it will lie peacefully in meditation.

The ashes all over his body indicate that our bodies will turn to ashes one day and hence we should rise above the identification with the body even while we are living.

The three eyes of Lord Shiva suggest: the Sun is his right eye, the Moon is the left eye and fire, the third eye. Therefor he is three eyed. It is also known as the third eye located between the eye brows is the eye of wisdom while the other two represent love and justice. Thus Shiva exemplifies a good ruler who has both love and justice and also looks at this world with the vision of Knowledge that destroys all ignorance and passion.The trishula (trident), symbolizes the Lord's three fundamental powers of will (iccha), action (kriya) and knowledge (gyana).

So Shiva is the faith whereby we reach the Truth.

The damaru (drum) and its two sides separated from each other symbolizes the two entirely dissimilar states of existence, invisible and evident.The small drum of Shiva is the symbol of rhythm & sound. There is rhythm in the movement of the whole universe & sound is the musical & divine medium that comes from His words & carries revelations & the truth.

The bull, Nandi is linked with Shiva and it is considered as his vehicle. The bull symbolizes both power and ignorance. Tiger's skin makes Lord Shiva's clothing and his seat, which illustrates the idea that he is the source of potential energy during the dissolution of the universe. And it is also says that the tiger is the vehicle of Shakthi, the Goddess of all power & force. Shiva is beyond & above any kind of force. He is its master & carries the skin of the tiger as the victor of every force.

Rudraksha: On the request of the divines Lord shiva burnt the three daemon forts called tripurasura who were into disruptive activities. God burnt them without even a weapon just by the smile itself ! Three daemons in those forts who were good and devotees of the Lord came out without any harm by the Lord's Grace ! At this point of time from the Three eyes of the Lord rudrkshas came out. Since it came from the aksha (eye) of Lord rudra (a role played by the Supreme shiva), it is called rudraksha. The Rudraksha necklace worn by the lord shows that he uses his celestial powers without compromise,to maintain law and order.

Shiva lives on the Kailash mountain. There is a beautiful description of it in the 4th canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, I.E The abode known as Kailāsa is full of different herbs and vegetables, and it is sanctified by Vedic hymns and mystic yoga practice. Thus the residents of that abode are demigods by birth and have all mystic powers. Besides them there are other human beings, who are known as Kinnaras and Gandharvas and are accompanied by their beautiful wives, who are known as Apsarās, or angels.

There are many waterfalls, and in the mountains there are many beautiful caves in which the very beautiful wives of the mystics are found. On Kailash Hill there is always the rhytmical sound of the peacocks' sweet vibrations and the bees' humming. Cuckoos are always singing, and other birds whisper amongst themselves." Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.6.11-12.

In Ramacharitamanas, Tulsidas, in one verse, gives
Yasanke ca vibhati bhudarasuta

On the left side of Shiva sits the beautiful Goddess Parvati. He holds Ganga on his head.With two beautiful goddesses, one above & one beside him, He is not distracted & is meditating! Just imagine how easily, even a slight noise can distract us, when we meditate!! That is Shiva's power of concentration & meditation.

Thus Shiva is a complex god, in terms of nature and represents contradictory qualities, being the destroyer and the restorer simultaneously.

Maha Sivarathri.......An auspicious occasion..................

Maha Shivarathri. is on 20 Feb 2012.................An auspicious occasion......................................& here goes the message.

 

 

Shivaratri is one of the holiest nights of the year. It is the night dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva.

 

Lord Shiva is the one who destroys that which is old and impure, in order to make room for a new creation of that which is pure and divine. Lord Shiva annihilates our egos, our attachments and our ignorance.

 

Many fear Lord Shiva’s destructive capacity, and yet it is destruction for the purpose of regeneration. Without death, life cannot begin anew. Without the annihilation of old habits, attachments and ego, we cannot progress toward the goal of God realization.

The night of Shivratri is especially auspicious for winning the battle within ourselves – the battle between the Gods and the Demons, between right and wrong, between poison and nectar, between death and immortality. Let us use our puja, our prayers, our meditations on this night to pray for the divine intervention that within ourselves the good might vanquish the evil, that the nectar within us might emerge, rather than poison, that we too may be carried from death to immortality.

 

If we go to any important Shiva temple we will find a niche on the outer wall of the sanctum sanctorum, exactly behind the spot where the deity is installed. In that niche we can find a representation of the Lingodbhavamoorthi, a form emerging out of a Linga.

We can see neither the top half of the head nor the bottom half of the legs of that form. All the other attributes of Shiva will be found sculptured. We will also find depicted a swan in flight at the top of the Linga and a boar burrowing the earth at the bottom.

According to tradition, Brahma took the form of a swan to find out the crown of Shiva’s head and failed. Similarly, Vishnu took the form of a boar and burrowed deep into the bowels of earth to locate the feet of Shiva and failed.

 

Thus in Lingodbhavamoorthi we have a unique combination of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, impressing in our minds the Advaitic Tatva that God is One, Full and All Pervasive. Both the aspects of Ishavara with form and without form are thus depicted.

 

The glorious form of the Lingodbhavamoorthi stands out in all majesty to tell us that out of His formlessness Ishvara emerged in a form to guide the functioning of the Universe. When the static Ishvara decides to assume form, he becomes dynamic and manifests Himself in innumerable forms to fulfill His innumerable functions.

 

The Lord appears in the form of Lingodbhavamoorthi on Shivaratri to shower his grace on us. It is our duty on that day to fast(subject to one's health conditions,) keep vigil and worship him at midnight at least with one leaf of the Bilva tree.

 

 ........................................AND PLEASE LIKE TO KNOW.......................................

 

Shiva means your very self, the purest Self, your innermost core. Shiva means good or benevolent. The word ratri in Sanskrit means that which relieves you from three types of agony – ethereal, mental and material. At night everything becomes quiet and peaceful. The body gets tired and goes to sleep. ‘Shivaratri’ literally means that night which infuses the Shiva tatva or the transcendental principle to the three instruments: the body, mind and speech. 

 

Shivarathri is a celebration to not only awaken your inner space, but to radiate and express that tremendous potential energy which is inside all of us. To awaken that higher consciousness and live like Shiva! Shiva is that causeless auspicious form, whose inner space is completely awake and is living in Light and radiating this energy.

 

"AUM NAMASHIVAYA"

 

The Woman

When God created woman he was working later on the 6th day.

An angel came by and said: "Why spend so much time on that one?"

And the Lord answered:

"Have you seen all the specifications I have to meet to shape her? She must be washable, but not made of plastic, have more than 200 moving parts which all must be replaceable and she must function on all kinds of food, she must be able to embrace several kids at the same time, give a hug that can heal anything from a bruised knee to a broken heart and she must do all this with only two hands."

The angel was impressed. "Just two hands...impossible! And this is the standard model? Too much work for one day...wait until tomorrow and then complete her."

"I will not", said the Lord. "I am so close to completing this creation, which will be the favorite of my heart. She cures herself when sick and she can work 18 hours a day."

The angel came nearer and touched the woman. "But you have made her so soft, Lord."

"She is soft", said the Lord, "But I have also made her strong. You can't imagine what she can endure and overcome."

"Can she think?" the angel asked.

The Lord answered: "Not only can she think, she can reason and negotiate."

The angel touched the woman's cheek. "Lord, it seems this creation is leaking! You have put too many burdens on her."

"She is not leaking...it's a tear" the Lord corrected the angel.

"What's it for?" asked the angel.

And the Lord said, "Tears are her way of expressing grief, her doubts, her love, her loneliness, her suffering and her pride."

This made a big impression on the angel; "Lord, you are genius. You thought of everything. The woman is indeed marvelous!"

"Indeed she is! Woman has strengths that amaze man. She can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens. She holds happiness, love and opinions. She smiles when feeling like screaming. She sings when she feels like crying, cries when she is happy and laughs when she is afraid.

She fights for what she believes in. Stands up against injustice. She doesn't take "no" for an answer, when she can see a better solution. She gives herself so her family can thrive. She takes her friend to the doctor if she is afraid. Her love is unconditional.

She cries when her kids are victorious. She is happy when her friends do well. She is glad when she hears of a birth or a wedding. Her heart is broken when a next of kin or friend dies. But she finds the strength to get on with life. She knows that a kiss and a hug can heal a broken heart.

There is only one thing wrong with her…

"SHE FORGETS WHAT SHE IS WORTH."

No Wonder.............Men are Happier..........

Men Are Just Happier  What do you expect from
such simple people?

Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack.
You can be President.
You can never be pregnant.
You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
You can wear NO shirt to a water park.
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
The world is your urinal.
You never have to drive to another Petrol station because this one is just too icky.
You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Same work, more pay.
Wrinkles add character.
Wedding dress $2500.
Morning suit rental-$125.
People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
You know stuff about tanks.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
If someone forgets to invite you, He or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $4.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough..
You almost never have strap problems in public.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes..
Everything on your face stays its original colour.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life.
One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one colour for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife.
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a moustache.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.
No wonder men are happier. 'cause THEY ARE FROM  MARS

Please Read &understand the contrast between the Managers and Leaders and then decide for yourself what would "YOU LIKE TO BE"?????


Managers                                                                   Leaders.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Says "Go"                                                          Says "Let us Go"


Production oriented.                                         People oriented.


Delegates Responsibilities.                              Maintains Develops.


Shows who is wrong.                                       Shows What is Wrong.


Administers.                                                      Innovates.


A Copy                                                              The Original.


Asks "How"                                                      Asks "Why" & "What".


Drives Team Members.                                   Trains Team Members.


Imitates.                                                            Originates.


Accepts the Status-Quo.                                  Challenges the Status-Quo.


Short Term Results.                                         Long Term Vision.


Plans & Budgets.                                             Changes & Risks.


Standards.                                                         Values.


Can be appointed.                                           Should be accepted.


Talks a lot.                                                      Listens a lot.


Tells.                                                                Asks.

Presumes                                                      . Explores.


Seeks control.                                                Seeks commitment.


Orders.                                                          Challenges.


Works on.                                                    Works with


Positional Power.                                        Personal Power.


Keeps distant.                                              Makes contact.


Says what to do.                                         Shows how to do.


Demands respect.                                       Commands respect.


Works in the system.                                 Works on the system.


Gets the best out of the resources.            Organises the best resources.


System centric.                                            People centric.


Professional (IQ).                                      Emotional (IQ).


Directional.                                                Inspirational.


Systematic.                                                 Charismatic.


Have schemes.                                            Have dreams.


Says "Some thing must be done".             Says "I must do some thing."


Doing things Right.                                   Doing right things.

More transactional.                                   More transcendental.


Creates Fear.                                            Creates Confidence.


Creates resentment.                                  Breeds Enthusiasm.


Says "I"                                                    Says "We"


Fixes blame.                                           Fixes mistakes.


Knows "How"                                        Shows "How"


Drives.                                                     Leads.


Has Employees.                                      Has Followers.


People need Managers.                           People long for Leaders.


And.......................................................................


The Ultimate Leader says.......


"I did it".........whenever some thing go haywire.......says......


"We did it"......whenever something is semi good and says........


"You did it":....whenever everything go Right.