கோளறு திருப்பதிகம் : நவகிரகங்களின் பாதிப்பிலிருந்து நம்மை காக்க

திருஞான சம்பந்தர் அருளிய பதிகங்களில் , நமது இன்றைய வாழ்க்கை சூழலில் மிக மிக பயனுள்ள ஒரு பதிகம் - இந்த கோளறு பதிகம். ஈசனை மனதில் தியானித்து , அனுதினமும் இதைப் பாடி வர , நமது ஜாதகங்களில் உள்ள குறைபாடுகளும், கோசார ரீதியாக நவ கிரகங்களால் எந்த தீய பலன்கள் நிகழாமலும்  , நம்மை பாதுகாக்கும் கவசம் - இந்த பதிகம்.

ஆளுடைய பிள்ளையாரான திருஞான சம்பந்தரும், திருநாவுக்கரசரும் புண்ணியத் தலங்களை வழிபட்டபடி பயணம் சென்று கொண்டிருந்த நேரம்...

மதுரை மாநகரில் அப்போது கூன் பாண்டியனின் ஆட்சி. அவன் சமண மதத்தை தழுவியிருந்ததால் அங்கே சமணர்களின் அட்டகாசம் அளவு கடந்திருந்தது. "சைவத்தை ஒழித்துக் கட்டினால்தான் தங்களுடைய அதிகாரம் நிலைக்கும்' என்று கணக்குப் போட்டு அவர்கள் காய் நகர்த்திக் கொண்டிருந்தனர்.

ஆனால் மன்னனின் துணைவியாரான மங்கையர்க்கரசியும், அமைச்சர் குலச்சிறையும் சிவபெருமானிடம் நீங்காத பேரன்பு உடையவர்கள். "திருஞான சம்பந்தர் மதுரைக்கு ஒருமுறை வந்துவிட்டால் போதும்! சமண இருள் அகலும்; சைவ ஒளி துலங்கும்' என்று அவர்கள் எண்ணினார்கள். இதை சம்பந்தரிடம் தெரியப்படுத்த தூதுவர்களை அனுப்பினார்கள்.

சம்பந்தரும் மதுரைக்கு புறப்பட சம்மதித்தார். ஆனால் சமணர்களின் கொடுமைகளை ஏற்கனவே கண்டிருக்கும் திருநாவுக்கரசருக்கு, சம்பந்தர் அங்கே செல்வதில் விருப்பமில்லை. ""நீங்களோ வயதில் இளையவர்; சமணர்களோ சூழ்ச்சிகளே வடிவானவர்கள். போதாக்குறைக்கு நாளும், கோளும் கூட இப்போது சாதகமாக இல்லை'' என்று ஆளுடைய பிள்ளையாரிடம் அப்பர் பெருமானாகிய நாவுக்கரசர் மன்றாடினார்.

சம்பந்தர் அவரை சமாதானப்படுத்தி, ""நாளும், கோளும் நாயகனாகிய சிவபெருமானின் அடியார்களைத் துன்புறுத்தாது. நீங்கள் கவலைப்பட வேண்டாம். மதுரையம்பதியில் சைவக் கொடி பறக்க வைப்பேன்'' என்று உறுதியளித்து, "கோளறு திருப்பதிகம்' பாடினார்; சொன்னபடியே வென்று காட்டினார்.

கிரஹங்கள் தரும் துன்பங்களிலிருந்து விடுபட விரும்புகிறவர்கள் தினம்தோறும் இந்தப் பதிகத்தை, ஒருமுறையாவது பாராயணம் செய்வது அவசியம்.

பெற்றோர்கள், தங்களுடைய பிள்ளைகளுக்கு இந்தப் பதிகத்தைப் போதித்து, தினசரி இதைப் படிக்கச் சொல்ல வேண்டும்.

அதீதமான காமம், லஞ்சம், ஊழல் போன்ற தீமைகள் மலிந்து இருள் சூழ்ந்திருக்கும் இன்றைய வாழ்வில், "கோளறு திருப்பதிகம்' என்னும் தீப்பந்தத்தை தங்களுடைய வாரிசுகளின் கையில் ஒப்படைப்பது பெற்றோர்களின் முக்கியக் கடமை. இந்தப் பதிகத்தைப் பாடுவோரை கிரஹங்கள் தாக்காது. இதை நாம் சொல்லவில்லை; ஞானசம்பந்தரே சொல்லியிருக்கிறார். பாக்கியம் இருப்பவர்கள் படித்துப் பயன் பெறலாம்.

கோளறு திருப்பதிகம்

வேய் உறு தோளி பங்கன், விடம் உண்ட கண்டன்,
மிக நல்ல வீணை தடவி,
மாசு அறு திங்கள் கங்கை முடிமேல் அணிந்து, என்
உளமே புகுந்த அதனால்-
ஞாயிறு, திங்கள், செவ்வாய், புதன், வியாழம், வெள்ளி,
சனி, பாம்பு இரண்டும், உடனே
ஆசு அறும்; நல்ல நல்ல; அவை நல்ல நல்ல,
அடியார் அவர்க்கு மிகவே.

என்பொடு கொம்பொடு ஆமை இவை மார்பு இலங்க,
எருது ஏறி, ஏழை உடனே,
பொன் பொதி மத்தமாலை புனல் சூடி வந்து, என்
உளமே புகுந்த அதனால்-
ஒன்பதொடு, ஒன்றொடு, ஏழு, பதினெட்டொடு, ஆறும்,
உடன்ஆய நாள்கள் அவைதாம்,
அன்பொடு நல்லநல்ல; அவை நல்லநல்ல,
அடியார் அவர்க்கு மிகவே.

உரு வளர் பவளமேனி ஒளி நீறு அணிந்து,
உமையோடும், வெள்ளைவிடைமேல்,
முருகு அலர் கொன்றை திங்கள் முடிமேல் அணிந்து, என்
உளமே புகுந்த அதனால்-
திருமகள், கலைஅது ஊர்தி, செயமாது, பூமி,
திசை தெய்வம்ஆன பலவும்,
அரு நெதி நல்லநல்ல; அவை நல்லநல்ல,
அடியார் அவர்க்கு மிகவே.

மதிநுதல் மங்கையோடு, வடபால் இருந்து
மறை ஓதும் எங்கள் பரமன்,
நதியொடு கொன்றைமாலை முடிமேல் அணிந்து, என்
உளமே புகுந்த அதனால்-
கொதிஉறு காலன், அங்கி, நமனோடு தூதர்,
கொடுநோய்கள் ஆனபலவும்,
அதிகுணம் நல்லநல்ல; அவை நல்லநல்ல,
அடியார் அவர்க்கு மிகவே.

நஞ்சு அணி கண்டன், எந்தை, மடவாள்தனோடும்
விடை ஏறும் நங்கள் பரமன்,
துஞ்சு இருள்- வன்னி, கொன்றை, முடிமேல் அணிந்து-என்
உளமே புகுந்தஅதனால்-
வெஞ்சின அவுணரோடும், உரும்-இடியும், மின்னும்,
மிகைஆன பூதம் அவையும்,
அஞ்சிடும்; நல்ல நல்ல; அவை நல்லநல்ல,
அடியார் அவர்க்கு மிகவே.

வாள்வரிஅதள் அது ஆடை வரி கோவணத்தர்
மடவாள்தனோடும் உடன்ஆய்,
நாள்மலர் வன்னி கொன்றை நதி சூடி வந்து, என்
உளமே புகுந்த அதனால்-
கோள் அரி, உழுவையோடு, கொலை யானை, கேழல்,
கொடு நாகமோடு, கரடி,
ஆள் அரி, நல்லநல்ல; அவை நல்ல நல்ல,
அடியார் அவர்க்கு மிகவே.

செப்பு இளமுலை நல் மங்கை ஒருபாகம் ஆக
விடை ஏறு செல்வன், அடைவு ஆர்
ஒப்பு இளமதியும் அப்பும் முடிமேல் அணிந்து, என்
உளமே புகுந்த அதனால்-
வெப்பொடு, குளிரும், வாதம், மிகைஆன பித்தும்,
வினைஆன, வந்து நலியா;
அப்படி நல்லநல்ல; அவை நல்லநல்ல,
அடியார் அவர்க்கு மிகவே.

வேள் பட வழிசெய்து, அன்று, விடைமேல் இருந்து,
மடவாள்தனோடும் உடன்ஆய்,
வாள்மதி வன்னி கொன்றைமலர் சூடி வந்து, என்
உளமே புகுந்த அதனால்-
ஏழ்கடல் சூழ் இலங்கை அரையன்
தனோடும்
இடர்ஆன வந்து நலியா;
ஆழ் கடல் நல்லநல்ல; அவை நல்ல நல்ல,
அடியார் அவர்க்கு மிகவே.

பலபல வேடம் ஆகும் பரன், நாரிபாகன்,
பசு ஏறும் எங்கள் பரமன்,
சலமகளோடு எருக்கு முடிமேல் அணிந்து, என்
உளமே புகுந்த அதனால்-
மலர்மிசையோனும் மாலும் மறையோடு தேவர்
வரு காலம்ஆன பலவும்,
அலைகடல், மேரு, நல்ல; அவை நல்லநல்ல,
அடியார் அவர்க்கு மிகவே.

கொத்து அலர் குழலியோடு விசயற்கு நல்கு
குணம்ஆய வேட விகிர்தன்,
மத்தமும் மதியும் நாகம் முடிமேல் அணிந்து, என்
உளமே புகுந்த அதனால்-
புத்தரொடு அமணை வாதில் அழிவிக்கும் அண்ணல்
திருநீறு செம்மை திடமே;
அத்தகு நல்லநல்ல; அவை நல்லநல்ல,
அடியார் அவர்க்கு மிகவே.

தேன் அமர் பொழில் கொள் ஆலை
விளை செந்நெல் துன்னி,
வளர் செம்பொன் எங்கும் நிகழ,
நான்முகன் ஆதிஆய பிரமாபுரத்து
மறைஞான ஞானமுனிவன்,
தான் உறு கோளும் நாளும் அடியாரை வந்து
நலியாத வண்ணம் உரைசெய்
ஆன சொல்மாலை ஓதும் அடியார்கள், வானில்
அரசு ஆள்வர்; ஆணை நமதே.

Read more: http://www.livingextra.com/2011/12/blog-post_3464.html#ixzz1pA09TXfp

Hopes rise for viral disease victims

AGENCY FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH

Recent breakthroughs in Chikungunya research spearheaded by scientists at A*STAR’s Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) have made great strides in the battle against the infectious disease. Working in close collaborations with Singapore clinician-scientists and international researchers, Dr Lisa Ng, Principal Investigator of the Chikungunya research group at SIgN, led the team to discover a direct biomarker which serves as an early and accurate prognosis of patients who have a higher risk of the more severe form of Chikungunya fever (CHIKF). This means that doctors can now quickly and accurately identify patients at risk, facilitating a more targetted treatment and clinical care at the onset of the disease.  Chikungunya fever, caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV)1, is a mosquito-borne, infectious disease endemic to Southeast Asia and Africa. Since its re-emergence in 2005, CHIKV infection has spread to nearly 20 countries to infect millions2. Singapore, for instance, was hit twice by Chikungunya fever outbreaks in January and August 2008.  CHIKV infection is characterised by an abrupt onset of fever frequently accompanied by severe muscle and joint pains. Though most patients recover fully within a week, in severe cases, the joint pains may persist for months, or even years. For individuals with a weak immune system, the disease can result in death. With no clinically-approved vaccine or treatment for Chikungunya fever, it remains a worrying public health problem.  To devise strategies to stop CHIKV transmission, Dr Ng’s team collaborated with Professor Leo Yee Sin and Dr Angela Chow, clinician-scientists from the Communicable Disease Centre (CDC) at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, to study how the human body responds to CHIKV infection. The team conducted a comprehensive study on the antibody response against CHIKV in patients. They discovered that patients who respond to the disease at the onset with high levels of Immunoglobulin G3 (IgG3), a naturally-acquired antibody, are protected from the more severe form of Chikungunya fever, characterised by persistent joint pains. On the other hand, patients with a delayed IgG3 response generally have less acute symptoms at the start, but are more susceptible to chronic debilitating joint pains at later stage of the disease. Hence, the IgG3 antibodies serve as a specific biomarker of patients with increased risk of the severe form of the disease.  Collaborating with computational experts from A*STAR’s Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R), Dr Ng’s team also uncovered that a very small defined segment of the Chikungunya viral protein, named “E2EP3”, was able to induce the natural IgG3 protective response in preclinical models. They found that mice vaccinated with the E2EP3 peptides were protected against CHIKV with significant reduction in viral counts and joint inflammation. This finding raises hope for a new effective Chikungunya vaccine that can offer protection against Chikungunya virus in the event of an outbreak. Dr Ng said, “Long-term treatment required for the chronic joint pain in Chikungunya-infected patients places social and economic burden for both patients and the public healthcare system. We are excited that the mechanistic insights gained through our collaborative research with the local hospitals and international research partners have led to discovery of ‘new weapons’ to tackle Chikungunya more effectively.” Scientific Director of SIgN, Professor Paola Castagnoli said, “With increasing threat of Chikungunya virus infection, particularly in Asia and the Pacific region, this significant breakthrough is a step forward in enhancing our pandemic preparedness against the infectious disease. This is a testament to the successful collaborations between research scientists and clinicians in translating scientific discoveries into impactful healthcare solutions for the benefit of Singapore and beyond.” 1CHIKV, an alphavirus that is transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes, was first isolated in 1953 in Tanzania from infected patients who often developed a contorted posture owing to debilitating joint pains. The name Chikungunya means ‘that which bends up’ in the Makonde language of Southern Africa. 2http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/chikungunya/ and http://www.promedmail.org/ Editor's Note: Original news release can be found here.

Repeat caesarean cuts death risk

THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE

The study involves more than 2300 women and their babies and 14 Australian maternity hospitals. Image: Focus_on_Nature/iStockphoto A major national study led by the University of Adelaide has found that women who have had one prior caesarean can lower the risk of death and serious complications for their next baby - and themselves - by electing to have another caesarean. The study, known as the Birth After Caesarean (BAC) study, is the first of its kind in the world. It involves more than 2300 women and their babies and 14 Australian maternity hospitals. The results was published in the international journal, PLoS Medicine. The study shows that infants born to women who had a planned elective repeat caesarean had a significantly lower risk of serious complications compared with infants born to mothers who had a vaginal birth following a prior caesarean - the risk of death or serious complication for the baby is 2.4% for a planned vaginal birth, compared with 0.9% for a planned elective repeat caesarean. The mothers of these babies were also themselves less likely to experience serious complications related to birth. For example, the risk of a major haemorrhage in the mother is 2.3% for a planned vaginal birth, compared with 0.8% for a planned elective repeat caesarean. "Until now there has been a lack of high-quality evidence comparing the benefits and harms of the two planned modes of birth after previous caesarean," says the study's leader, Professor Caroline Crowther from the Australian Research Centre for the Health of Women and Babies (ARCH), part of the University of Adelaide's Robinson Institute. "The information from this study will help women, clinicians and policy makers to develop health advice and make decisions about care for women who have had a previous caesarean. "Both modes of birth have benefits and harms. However, it must be remembered that in Australia the risks for both mother and infant are very small for either mode of birth," Professor Crowther says. Caesarean section is one of the most common operations performed on childbearing women, with rates continuing to rise worldwide. Repeat caesarean births are now common in many developed nations. In Australia in 2008, more than 90,700 women gave birth by caesarean, accounting for more than 31% of all births. Of Australian women who had a previous caesarean section, 83.2% had a further caesarean for the birth of their next child. In South Australia alone, repeat caesarean births amount to 28% of the overall caesarean section rate. "We hope that future research will follow up mothers and children involved in this study, so that we can assess any longer term effects of planned mode of birth after caesarean on later maternal health, and the children's growth and development," Professor Crowther says. The BAC study is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Women's and Children's Hospital Research Foundation. The study is coordinated by researchers from the University of Adelaide's Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Discipline of Public Health; Department of Neonatal Medicine at the Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide; and the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, with collaboration from clinicians at the 14 participating maternity hospitals. The full paper is publicly available here. Editor's Note: Original news release can be found here.

New test ‘better way to save sight’

THE VISION CENTRE

Macular degeneration accounts for half of the vision loss cases in Australia, costing the nation $2.6 billion a year. Image: IvanovaInga/iStockphoto People who are losing their eyesight through aged-related macular degeneration (AMD) may soon be able to find out if a commonly used drug can help save their vision. Researchers at The Vision Centre and The Australian National University have found a new way to measure the effectiveness of the drug ranibizumab for patients suffering the ‘wet’ form of AMD and help doctors decide on the best treatment for new patients. Macular degeneration accounts for half of the vision loss cases in Australia, costing the nation $2.6 billion a year. People with Wet AMD suffer from an outgrowth of new blood vessels at the back of their eyes which invade their retinas, leading to progressive blindness. Ranibizumab is a standard treatment that shrinks the blood vessels and helps prevents any further growth. “A common test to see if the drug works involves getting the patient to look at an eye chart,” says Professor Ted Maddess, the director of The Vision Centre and one of the researchers in the study. “These responses can be subjective and less accurate partly because we’re asking the patients to use their own judgement as to whether they can see better. “A more objective method involves attaching wires to the patients’ scalp and testing their vision through the electrical responses of their brain. The downside to this test is that it takes too long to set up and doctors or optometrists usually do not have the staff or the equipment to perform it. “Our new test uses a video camera with infrared lights to watch how the pupils respond to images on an LCD screen. The little movements of the pupils help us make a map of how well each part of their retina is functioning. This provides us with a reliable objective test that does not involve contacting the eye or brain.” Using a device known as the Truefield Analyzer, developed by Prof. Maddess’ team, the researchers uses displays to provide multiple stimuli to each eye, at 44 locations in the patients’ visual field. The video of the patients’ eyes is processed by a computer to establish a record of the instantaneous response of their pupils. By watching pupil responses – and so measuring the retinal function – of patients before and after treatment, the test can quantify the amount of improvement as a result of the drug. “It wasn’t just a yes or no answer to whether the drug was working or not – we can actually track the progress of the improvement,” Prof Maddess says. The surprising finding was that the test can often be used to predict if a new patient will respond well to the drug. “An indication of good pupil response is the speed and the size of its contraction – healthy eyes have bigger responses or react quicker. We found that new patients who had good responses before their first treatment generally reacted better to the drug, and vice versa. “Testing for responses is important because Ranibizumab is a very expensive drug, and is administered by injection into the patient’s eye. With the new test, doctors can better assess how the patient will respond, and decide whether this drug is best for them. “This test holds a promising role of predicting if a treatment will work for a patient. So we hope that will assist drug development as well.” The group’s paper “Multifocal pupillography identifies Ranibizumab-induced changes in retinal function for exudative age-related macular degeneration” by Faran Sabeti, Ted Maddess, Rohan W. Essex and Andrew C. James has been published in the latest issue of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. Editor's Note: Original news release can be found here.

Gen Y to become Gen Diabetes

BAKER IDI HEART AND DIABETES INSTITUTE

In addition to a dramatic growth in type 2 diabetes, the report highlights a continuing rise in the occurrence of type 1 diabetes. Image: Lanier/iStockphoto A new national diabetes assessment released today reinforces a legacy of pandemic proportions being left for future generations – with one in three of today’s Gen Ys joining the ranks of ‘Generation D’ (Generation Diabetes) during their lifetime. This report has prompted Australia’s leading research and consumer advocacy groups to join forces and demand urgent and renewed focus on this significant challenge to the Nation’s health and economy.  As an immediate priority re-commitment to the development of a formal national action plan in keeping with the United Nations Resolution no. 61/225 on diabetes is being demanded – a strategic plan which recommends countries review and strengthen critical activities to contain the growth and burden of the disease.  “Time is of the essence because unlike other developed nations, despite agreeing with these global recommendations, Australia has failed to take comprehensive action and implement change,” notes Lewis Kaplan, Chief Executive Officer, Diabetes Australia. Diabetes: the silent pandemic and its impact on Australia, launched in Canberra today, is the latest comprehensive assessment of the disease’s rapid growth and its impact on Australians. Researched and written by Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute in partnership with Diabetes Australia, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Novo Nordisk – the report provides a sobering reminder that in just over a decade (by 2025), our fastest growing chronic disease, (type 2 diabetes) will triple in prevalence and affect three million Australians. A tragic prediction, especially given that type 2 diabetes is potentially preventable in a substantial proportion of people. In addition to this dramatic growth in type 2 diabetes, the report highlights a continuing rise in the occurrence of type 1 diabetes – particularly in very young children (aged 0-4). 1   In contrast to type 2 diabetes, type 1 is unpreventable and the cause for the rise is worryingly, unknown. Prevalence of type 1 diabetes in Australia is one of the highest in the world and is increasing by approximately three per cent annually.  The result is significantly more young children and their families are burdened with a lifelong incurable disease, requiring effective and consistent self-management to control the condition; typically multiple daily insulin injections.1     Diabetes is an even greater issue for the Indigenous population who are three times more likely to have diabetes compared to non-Indigenous Australians.1  Lead author of the report, Associate Professor Jonathan Shaw, Associate Director - Clinical Diabetes and Epidemiology, Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute states: “Our future path with diabetes is very concerning.  What is critical now is for us to take urgent responsibility and act firmly and fast to contain the significant burden our younger generations and children are set to endure. “The battle against diabetes requires concerted efforts on a number of fronts - strategies to slow down the rapidly rising number of those developing the disease and ensuring those living with diabetes are able to manage this insidious condition effectively.  We must also do everything we can to fully understand diabetes via research,” he adds. According to the Changing Diabetes Map, which displays data on people diagnosed with diabetes in different regional areas, currently half of people with diabetes are unable to bring their blood glucose down to target levels, significantly increasing their risk of complications. Commenting on this, Lewis Kaplan, Chief Executive Officer, Diabetes Australia, says: “We need sustained, nationally consistent programs to prevent, detect and manage diabetes in Australia.  While there have been many plans and strategies designed over the years, the truth is we have failed in implementing and evaluating them properly - leaving us on the brink of disaster. “The opportunity cost of doing little to stem this pandemic situation is apparent to many  - but not adequately to those who need to take hard and firm policy decisions to create healthier schools, homes, hospitals and work places,” adds Mr Kaplan.    Mike Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation comments the burden on very young children and their families is of significant concern.  “Collaborative efforts are needed to speed up research to find a cure.  Partnerships across business, government and not-for-profits are essential to this, as well as enabling those who live with diabetes to be part of enacting change for a healthier future.” The report highlights four priority areas:- Focussed, timely and integrated action - to ensure national diabetes strategies are reviewed and strengthened to reflect Australian commitments to the United Nations Resolution on diabetes. Changes in policy, legislation and attitudes - to provide an environment where healthy lifestyle choices can and will be made. Access to and availability of information, technologies and proven treatments for every person with diabetes, irrespective of their socio-economic background. Collaborative efforts that ensure research remains at the forefront of effort to find a cure. One person every five minutes (or 275 Australians a day) develops diabetes – a condition that can result in visual impairment, kidney disease or limb amputation.1  While the current estimated annual health bill for diabetes is over $6 billion (equivalent to nearly one third of the NSW health budge, this is set to increase dramatically as more people are diagnosed with the disease.1 “Prevention of type 2 diabetes is now a reality for many – but understanding how to implement the appropriate lifestyle changes for large numbers of people remains uncertain,” adds A/Prof Shaw. “Considering diabetes entirely a matter of personal responsibility will certainly fail to address this public health challenge.  A well-planned and coordinated way to reach all levels of society is now critical for the future of this country.”  Diabetes: the silent pandemic and its impact on Australia was launched today at Parliament House to the diabetes community and government representatives.  It was supported by Novo Nordisk. About diabetes1: Diabetes mellitus has become one of the most common non-communicable diseases in the world, representing one of the most challenging public health problems of the 21st century. It is a metabolic disease characterised by high blood glucose levels (hyperglycaemia) which may arise from defects in the secretion of insulin, defects in insulin action, or both. Type 2 diabetes is characterised by insulin resistance, impaired insulin secretion, or both. It is the most common form of diabetes, contributing more than 85% to the total number of people with diabetes in Australia. This type of diabetes is typically diagnosed after the age of 40. Type 2 diabetes has a strong genetic (familial) predisposition, which is unmasked by lifestyle factors including obesity and lack of exercise. Thus it is potentially preventable in a substantial proportion of people. Type 1 diabetes typically results from the autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic beta cells, the producers of insulin. As the body’s own insulin production is impaired, treatment with multiple insulin injections or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump is a necessary daily activity for survival. People who suffer from this type of diabetes have to conduct around 6 to 8 finger pricks a day to monitor their blood glucose levels. This group accounts for approximately 10% of all people with diabetes in Australia. Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age, although most cases develop amongst children, teenagers and young adults. There is currently no means of preventing or curing type 1 diabetes. Editor's Note: Original news release can be found here.

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Your Passion

 

 

 

  

Those things you love and those things you can't stand both

Point to a powerful part of you. They point to your passion.

Passion gives real power to whatever you do. Passion pushes

You in a fulfilling direction that holds true meaning for

Your life.

With passion for the goal, you'll find a way to make it

There. When passion is driving your actions, you can

Successfully work through any obstacle.

Your authentic passion is nothing to be ashamed of. For it

Connects with the very core of the beautiful and unique

Person you are.

 Let your passion come to life. The more fully you express

It, the more quickly you will move toward the fulfillment of

Your deepest desires.

 In your passion is your very own special reason why. Hold it

Close and keep it burning brightly, for in your passion is

The drive to reach your dreams.

Gift Giver

“Defeating the Rakshasas, I will give the queen, the delight of the Ikshvaku family, to Rama, just as a perfection is bestowed upon an ascetic.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 13.57) jitvā tu rākṣasān devīm ikṣvāku kula nandinīm || sampradāsyāmi rāmāyā yathā siddhim tapasvine | There are constant struggles for success, as nothing comes easily in life. If you want material prosperity, success in your ventures, peace of mind, or so many other rewards, you have to really work hard for it. As they say, “there’s no such thing as a free lunch”, so even those things handed to us don’t necessarily represent a successful completion. The spirit soul wandering the world in different forms has desires that burst forth, irrespective of whatever successes were encountered in the past. For the observing loved ones, seeing their beloved struggle is difficult. The desire is to be able to help the struggling person reach their end, to deliver them their goal. Shri Hanuman, in carrying out the mission assigned to him, had a similar desire. He had seen his beloved Rama suffer so much on account of separation from His wife, a separation which was by no means deserved. Therefore Hanuman not only worked hard to follow the orders given to him to find Rama’s wife, but he personally dreamt of being able to deliver Rama success, such is the kindness of Hanuman. The exact sentiment felt by Hanuman in this instance is a little difficult to explain, as the emotion is rooted in a very strong love. Try to imagine one of your loved ones studying very hard to pass a very difficult examination. If you could somehow be on the examination board and grant them a passing grade, how much joy would that bring you? To know that you could deliver the fruit of the results to the person working so hard, the person you care about so much, would bring you immense satisfaction. The person being helped doesn’t even have to know that you played a role in their triumph. Just knowing yourself that you did something to ease their troubles, to put a smile on their face, is enough to make the task worth it. When studying the lives of famous saints and personalities of the Vedic tradition, it is natural to wish that you could go back in time and have had played a role in helping them through personal struggles. For instance, some five thousand years ago, Lord Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, descended to earth and had intimate dealings with the gopis of Vrindavana, of whom Shrimati Radharani was the chief. Radha and Krishna represent the union of God’s energy and God. In one sense they are equal, as they both play their role in the relationship, but there is still a difference. They are distinct entities with different qualities; there is a uniqueness to their individualities. Studying Radha and Krishna in the proper mood is important because their dealings illustrate the ideal relationship one can have with God. In the constitutional position, the spirit souls, the living entities wandering through various life forms, are devotees of God. God is the energetic and His expansions represent His energy. Since they are both of the same spiritual qualities, they are inherently linked. The expansions can, however, forget about their constitutional position and their relationship with Krishna. Once forgetfulness is introduced, all sorts of other divergences take place. What does this mean exactly? To use a crude example, let’s say that we build a baseball field, perfectly suited for playing games on a regular basis. The field is populated with players who, not surprisingly, play baseball. Therefore the rules on this field all relate to America’s pastime, where the ideal objective is the competing in the game of baseball and winning. Now let’s say that one of the players deviates from their position as a baseball player. Not identifying with the game at all anymore, they decide to use their portion of the field to play lacrosse, which is another game. They then get others to follow suit. Now you have a baseball field used partially for lacrosse. Obviously, you can’t fit both games on the same field, as the lacrosse field is shaped differently and requires a lot of space, of which there is not much to go around. Now let’s say that some of the other players decide to use a portion of the field for farming, something not even related to sports. Another person erects a house on the land, while another sits in a corner and sings all day. Obviously none of these engagements follow the makeup of the field, the reason for its existence. Therefore there will be constant struggle, with each faction declaring that their system of regulation is the right one. They will write books on how to succeed in their specific ventures, and since none of the engagements are related to the field, nothing tangible can happen from following any of the recommended procedures properly. Take this same example and expand it to the largest scope possible and you get the situation in the material world. The soul is meant to be a lover of God, but as soon as that fact is forgotten, the individual pretends that life is meant to further personal sense gratification. In this area there are many different avenues of enjoyment, with the massive playing field that is the material creation divided up to accommodate the different desires. New law codes are written with respect to each venture; thus resulting in a plethora of religious systems which don’t tackle the issues of the soul, its position transcendental to matter, and its inherent link to the spiritual world, the place where God in His personal form resides. Radha and Krishna are the embodiment of religion, as their dealings illustrate how divine love operates.Devotional service, or bhakti-yoga, is the constitutional engagement resulting from the soul’s position as lover of God. The gopis of Vrindavana are the best practitioners of bhakti-yoga. To get evidence to this claim, we can go back and revisit Krishna’s time on this earth some five thousand years ago. The gopis also descended to earth to give the world a glimpse of what goes on in Goloka Vrindavana, which is considered the highest spiritual planet in the transcendental realm of Vaikuntha. What does personal and impersonal refer to? God is also present in the material world, but His presence is impersonal. This means that He is not directly involved in the day-to-day dealings of the living beings, and also His presence is difficult to realize. Brahman, the all-pervading spirit, is like the effusion of light coming off of God’s gigantic transcendental body. Just as we can tell the sun exists by the sunshine, we know that there is a God based on the presence of spirit, which is the essence of identity in every life form. The personal presence is more important because this is where transcendental mellows can be exchanged, a taste in interaction. The dealings between Krishna and the gopis show us these interactions in their purest form. During their time on earth, the gopis were cowherd women, many of whom were married and attentive to their duties in the home. Krishna chose to be raised in the farm community of Vrindavana because this is where His purest devotees resided. Since everyone in Vrindavana got Krishna’s direct association, one would think that all the inhabitants were yogis. If you’re with Krishna all the time, you must be practicing religion perfectly. This must mean that you renounced worldly life and sat in meditation all day. Just the opposite occurred actually. The residents of Vrindavana were dedicated to protecting their cows and raising them properly. Everyone was supremely God conscious, and they performed their daily work as a matter of obligation. They were more attached to dharma, or religious principles, than the results of their actions. Even the women worked. The gopis used to take care of the house and the children and still find time to churn milk products. Shrimati Radharani and her gopi friends would regularly travel to the neighboring town of Mathura to sell their yogurt and cream. Radha is the goddess of fortune, which means that she bestows benedictions upon Krishna’s devotees so that they can continue their service. The devotee doesn’t require much; just enough to remain alive and continually chant the glorious maha-mantra, “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare”. Despite the fact that Radha gives out benedictions, just hearing about how she used to sell milk products to others stirs some longings in the hearts of devotees. “If only I could have been there to buy some of the yogurt that she and the gopis were selling. I would have bought so much. In fact, I would have spent my life savings to buy as much of their yogurt and cream as possible. In this way she would be pleased, which would in turn make me happy.” These thoughts are a little irrational, as no one can go back in time. Moreover, Radha and the gopis have Krishna’s association, so they don’t require any help in selling their products. Nevertheless, the sentiments are rooted in a good place. If we love someone and we see them struggling, we wish that we could find some way to help them. This was the feeling of Shri Hanuman as well. The same Lord Krishna had descended to earth many thousands of years prior in the guise of a warrior prince named Rama. This time He abided more by the established law codes of religion, or dharma. He also had the specific task of ridding the world of the plague that was the Rakshasa king of Lanka, Ravana. To fight Ravana, Rama needed an excuse, something which would come when Ravana would take away Rama’s wife Sita Devi behind the Lord’s back. Before He could fight Ravana, Rama needed to find Sita. For this He enlisted the help of Vanaras living in the forest of Kishkindha. Hanuman was one of those Vanaras, and he had the distinction of being the most eager servant, even though he had not known Rama for very long. For the divine figures endowed with superexcellent qualities, it’s not difficult to spot God’s presence. Hanuman recognized Rama’s divine nature soon after meeting Him. Hanuman took the mission of finding Sita as his life and soul. In the above referenced verse from the Ramayana, we see Hanuman pumping himself up before the most difficult struggle in his search for Sita. Up until this point he had braved all obstacles thrown his way except one, the prospect of not succeeding. He made it into Lanka unnoticed, searched every inch of space, and still didn’t find Sita. The mental demons started to creep in, tempting Hanuman to give up. What would keep the Vanara warrior going? His love for Rama of course. In the above referenced verse we see Hanuman declaring that he will continue the search for Sita and battle any Rakshasas that try to stop him. He will find Sita and deliver her to Rama, just as an ascetic is rewarded with the fruit of his austerity. An ascetic is known by his austere lifestyle. He doesn’t do this just to punish himself. There is a siddhi, or perfection, that arrives at some point. Think of an investment bond that matures after a set amount of time. The ascetic dedicated to austerity and penance eventually reaches a point where they get their reward. Hanuman uses this analogy because Shri Rama was in the austere position of having to be separated from His wife. Imagine having the most wonderful wife in the world, someone who loved you more than any person could love anyone else. Then imagine them being taken away from you, not knowing if they are in a safe position or not. This is what Rama endured for the rest of humanity, to show that He was a human being just like everyone else, even though He wasn’t. It might have actually bothered Hanuman more to see Rama suffering in this way. Therefore he put his existence on the line to see to it that Sita and Rama were reunited. Lord Rama is God, so what can we ever give to Him? He owns everything, so nothing that we offer to Him can actually come from us. Nevertheless, the devotional attitude is one that constantly follows service to the Supreme Lord. Hanuman didn’t care whether or not Rama was God. He saw his master in pain, so he was willing to do anything to remove that suffering. Indeed, it was not his assigned mission to bring Sita home. He was told just to find her, for Rama had to rescue her to maintain the high standing of the Ikshvaku dynasty, the family of kings He was born into. Hanuman’s attitude is wonderful nonetheless, as his passion in life is to keep a smile on Rama’s face. This attitude is all he needs for success. Life in Lanka was no picnic. He had no friends to call, and no one to rely on for advice. He had his love for Rama and the details of his mission. That’s all he would need, as he would end up being a major contributor in Sita’s rescue and Ravana’s eventual demise. His eagerness to please Rama is so wonderful that Sita and her husband make sure that Hanuman always has what he needs to perform his service. Just as he is eager to deliver the fruits of success to Rama, Sita is always eager to bestow gifts upon Hanuman. Sita is the very same goddess of fortune, so no one can stop her from delivering rewards to her intended recipients. In Closing: For austerity ascetic goes to the forest, Eats very little and wears bark for dress. So that their time in difficulty not for waste, Wait for the perfection of sacrifice to taste. Shri Rama found Himself in similar position, Separated from wife, unpleasant was condition. Hanuman desired that displeasure to end, The Rakshasas of Lanka to Yamaraja to send. Wanted to deliver wife to Rama, but no need, With his sincerity, success for Hanuman guaranteed.

EIGHT POPULAR TRAITS EXCELLENT EMPLOYEES HAVE IN COMMON

8 Qualities of Remarkable Employees

Forget good to great. Here’s what makes a great employee remarkable.

Great employees are reliable, dependable, proactive, diligent, great leaders and great followers… they possess a wide range of easily-defined—but hard to find—qualities.

A few hit the next level. Some employees are remarkable, possessing qualities that may not appear on performance appraisals but nonetheless make a major impact on performance.

Here are eight qualities of remarkable employees:

1. They ignore job descriptions. The smaller the company, the more important it is that employees can think on their feet, adapt quickly to shifting priorities, and do whatever it takes, regardless of role or position, to get things done.

When a key customer’s project is in jeopardy, remarkable employees know without being told there’s a problem and jump in without being asked—even if it’s not their job.

2. They’re eccentric… The best employees are often a little different: quirky, sometimes irreverent, even delighted to be unusual. They seem slightly odd, but in a really good way. Unusual personalities shake things up, make work more fun, and transform a plain-vanilla group into a team with flair and flavor.

People who aren’t afraid to be different naturally stretch boundaries and challenge the status quo, and they often come up with the best ideas.

3. But they know when to dial it back. An unusual personality is a lot of fun… until it isn’t. When a major challenge pops up or a situation gets stressful, the best employees stop expressing their individuality and fit seamlessly into the team.

Remarkable employees know when to play and when to be serious; when to be irreverent and when to conform; and when to challenge and when to back off. It’s a tough balance to strike, but a rare few can walk that fine line with ease.

4. They publicly praise… Praise from a boss feels good. Praise from a peer feels awesome, especially when you look up to that person.

Remarkable employees recognize the contributions of others, especially in group settings where the impact of their words is even greater.

5. And they privately complain. We all want employees to bring issues forward, but some problems are better handled in private. Great employees often get more latitude to bring up controversial subjects in a group setting because their performance allows greater freedom.

Remarkable employees come to you before or after a meeting to discuss a sensitive issue, knowing that bringing it up in a group setting could set off a firestorm.

6. They speak when others won’t. Some employees are hesitant to speak up in meetings. Some are even hesitant to speak up privately.

An employee once asked me a question about potential layoffs. After the meeting I said to him, “Why did you ask about that? You already know what's going on.” He said, “I do, but a lot of other people don't, and they're afraid to ask. I thought it would help if they heard the answer from you.”

Remarkable employees have an innate feel for the issues and concerns of those around them, and step up to ask questions or raise important issues when others hesitate.

7. They like to prove others wrong. Self-motivation often springs from a desire to show that doubters are wrong. The kid without a college degree or the woman who was told she didn't have leadership potential often possess a burning desire to prove other people wrong.

Education, intelligence, talent, and skill are important, but drive is critical. Remarkable employees are driven by something deeper and more personal than just the desire to do a good job.

8. They’re always fiddling. Some people are rarely satisfied (I mean that in a good way) and are constantly tinkering with something: Reworking a timeline, adjusting a process, tweaking a workflow.

Great employees follow processes. Remarkable employees find ways to make those processes even better, not only because they are expected to… but because they just can't help it.

Jeff Haden learned much of what he knows about business and technology as he worked his way up in the manufacturing industry. Everything else he picks up fromghostwriting books for some of the smartest leaders he knows in business. @jeff_haden