Flowers For Worship Of Different Deities

Flowers form an important and integral part of a Hindu worship. Flowers are used in all Hindu poojas irrespective of whether they are carried out at home or at temples. Flowers serve as mediums to communicate to God. Furthermore, the fragrance of flowers induces devotion and sets the mood for worship. When flowers are offered to deities, there is a mechanism which functions to release divine energy into the atmosphere. Flowers attract the inherent divine or positive elements in the space and emits them through their petals, thereby charging the atmosphere with divine and positive vibrations. Different flowers are associated for the worship of different deities in Hinduism. Below mentioned are the flowers for worship of different deities according to the Hindu faith. Lord

Ganesha: Arugampul or Bermuda grass commonly found everywhere is the most auspicious offering to Lord Ganesha. Vel Erukampoo (White colour) or Calotropis Gigantea (Botanical name) is also considered as auspicious for the worship of Lord Ganesha.

Lord Shiva: It is well known to a devout Hindus that Bilva leaves are considered the most auspicious to be offered to Lord Shiva. Apart from it, Thumbai Poo (Leucas aspera), Purple orchids or Kovidaar which is also called Mandarai flowers are also recommended for the worship of Lord Shiva. Champak and Vel Erukkampoo are also offered to invoke His blessings.

Lord Vishnu: It is a commonly known fact that Tulsi (Basil leaves) leaves are considered the most auspicious to be offered to Lord Vishnu. This practice simply reminds one of Lord Krishna's statement in the Bhagavad Gita that even a small little leaf offered with total devotion is suffice to appease Him. Apart from Tulsi, Paraijata, Thechi, (Ixora coccinea), Shankhupushpam or Aparajitha (Butterfly pea - Clitoria ternatea) are also considered auspicious to be offered to Lord Vishnu. Lotus which is often compared to the eye of the Lord in scriptures and devotional works acclaiming His beauty, is no doubt an auspicious flower offering to Him.

Goddess Parvati or Devi: There are mentions of various flowers in 'Lalita Sahasranama' dedicated to Devi. She is also said to be residing in the Kadhamba groves, for which, She is acknowledged with devotion as 'Kadhambavana Vasini'. Kadamb' (Neolamarckia cadamba), Champak (Michelia champaca), Hibiscus, Punnaag or Sultan Champa, Jasmine, etc are ideal to attract the grace of Devi.

Goddess Durga: Red flowers are basically offered to Goddess Durga. Hibiscus, Thechi (Ixora coccinea), Sev Arali (Nerium indicum or Nerium oleander) are some of the most commonly used flowers for the worship of Durga.

Goddess Lakshmi: Lotus happens to be the abode of Goddess Lakshmi. Lotus is considered as sacred to be offered to Goddess Lakshmi. Thazhampoo, which is also called Ketaki or Screwpine, Thechi, Champak (Michelia champaca) and Jamanthi (Chrysanthemum - Corn Marigold) are also some flowers that invokes the Grace of the goddess of wealth.

Goddess Saraswati: As Goddess Saraswati is seated on a white lotus, the flower is offered to Her. Parijata is not to be offered to Goddess Saraswati.

Lord Subhramanya: Lotus and Sev Arali (Nerium indicum or Nerium oleander) are considered as important among the flower categories to be offered to Lord Subhramanya.

Dakshinamurthy: Considered as the 'Guru' for the Saivites, Mullai a category of the Jasmine family ushers in the blessings of Dakshinamurthy.

Hanuman: Tulsi or Basil leaves and a garland made of 'Beetle leaves' are recommended to invoke the blessings of Lord Hanuman. These flowers for worship of different deities aids in establishing a communion with one's chosen deity and invariably invokes grace.

-KS Balasingam-

பெண்களுக்கான நோய்களும் இயற்கை மருத்துவமும்

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பெண் குழந்தைகளைப் பெற்ற எல்லா அம்மாக்களுக்கும், தன் குழந்தையின் பூப்பெய்தும் பருவம் குறித்த கவலை நிச்சயம் இருக்கும். வரக்கூடாத வயதில் வந்துவிடுகிற மாதவிலக்கும் சரி, வர வேண்டிய வயதில் வராத மாதவிலக்கும் சரி... இரண்டுமே அம்மாக்களுக்குக் கவலையையும், மகள்களுக்கு இம்சையையும் தரக்கூடியவை. அதிலும் மழலை மாறாத இளம் வயதில், அதாவது 9, 10 வயதுகளில் பூப்பெய்தும் பெண் குழந்தைகள் ரொம்பவே பாவம்! தம் உடலில் நிகழ்கிற மாற்றத்தைப் புரிந்து கொள்ளக்கூடத் தெரியாமல் பெண் குழந்தைகள் ஒரு பக்கமும், அவற்றைப் புரிய வைக்க அவர்களது அம்மாக்கள் இன்னொரு பக்கமுமாகப் படும் அவஸ்தைகளை வீட்டுக்கு வீடு பார்க்கலாம்.

‘நீ இனி குழந்தை இல்லை. குமரி...’ என்பதை உணர்த்தும் அடையாளமே மாதவிலக்கின் தொடக்கம். தாய்மை என்கிற மிகப்பெரிய பொறுப்புக்கு உடலை ஆயத்தப்படுத்தும் ஆரம்பக் கட்டம் அதுதான். பூப்பெய்தும் வயதில் அந்தப் பெண்ணுக்குக் கொடுக்கப்படும் ஊட்டம்தான், அடுத்தடுத்து அவள் கடக்கப்போகிற பருவங்களுக்கு ஆதாரம். பருவமடையும் பெண் குழந்தைகளின் உடல், மன குழப்பங்களைப் போக்குவதுடன், அடுத்தடுத்து அவர்கள் கடக்கப் போகிற நிலைகளுக்கான ஆரோக்கிய அஸ்திவாரத்தை அமைத்துக் கொடுக்க வேண்டியதும் அம்மாக்களின் பொறுப்பு.

பூப்பெய்திய முதல் சில மாதங்களுக்கு மாதவிலக்கு சுழற்சியில் மாற்றங்கள் இருப்பது சகஜமே. அதிக பட்சம் ஒரு வருடத்துக்குள் அது முறைப்பட்டு விடும். ஆரோக்கியமான பெண்ணுக்கு 28 நாள்களுக்கொரு முறை மாதவிலக்கு வர வேண்டும். ரத்த சோகை, பருமன், அதீத குளிர்ச்சியான உடல்வாகு, தைராய்டு, சினைப்பை அல்லது கருப்பையில் பிரச்னைகள்... இப்படி ஏதேனும் இருந்தால்தான், அந்த சுழற்சி முறை தவறும்.
‘வரும் போது வரட்டும்’ என அலட்சியமாக விடக்கூடிய விஷயமில்லை இது. முறைதவறி வரும் மாதவிலக்கு, அக அழகு, புற அழகு என இரண்டையும் பாதிக்கும். வயதுக்கு வரும் பெண் குழந்தைகளுக்கு உளுந்தங்களி, வெந்தயக்களி, எள்ளுருண்டை போன்றவற்றைக் கொடுக்கும் பழக்கம் கிராமப் புறங்களில் இன்றும் இருக்கிறது.

பூப்பெய்தும் வயது குறைந்து வருகிற நிலையில், இந்த மாதிரி உணவுகளைக் கொடுப்பதன்மூலம், அவர்களது எலும்பு மண்டலத்தைப் பலப்படுத்த முடியும். நகரங்களில் அந்தக் கலாசாரமெல்லாம் ஏது? அதனால்தான் சின்ன வயதிலேயே கண்ணாடி போடுவது, வருடத்தின் எல்லா நாள்களிலும் தும்மல், இருமல், சைனஸ் பிரச்னை என நோய் எதிர்ப்பு சக்தி குறைபாட்டால் பாதிக்கப்படுகிறார்கள். வயதுக்கு வந்ததுமே எல்லாப் பெண்களுக்குள்ளும் ஒரு பெரிய மனுஷத்தனம் வந்து உட்கார்ந்து கொள்ளும். உடலின் மீதும், புற அழகின் மீதும் அக்கறை அதிகமாகும். ஒல்லியாக இருப்பதுதான் அழகு என்கிற நினைப்பில், உணவைத் தவிர்ப்பார்கள்.

குறிப்பாக காலை உணவு! தொடர்ந்து 3 மாதங்களுக்கு காலை உணவைத் தவிர்க்கிற பெண்களுக்கு மாதவிலக்கு சுழற்சி முறையற்றுப் போவது, ரத்தசோகை, ஹார்மோன் மாற்றங்கள் வரலாம். மூன்றே மாதங்களில் கன்னாபின்னாவென எடை எகிறும். மாதக்கணக்காக வராமலிருக்கும் ரத்தப்போக்கை வரவழைக்க, ஹார்மோன் மாத்திரைகளை எடுத்துக் கொள்வார்கள். அது மாதவிலக்கை வரச்செய்வதுடன், கூடவே சில இம்சைகளையும் இழுத்து விட்டுத்தான் போகும். உதட்டுக்கு மேலும், தாடையிலும் முடி வளர்வது, எடை அதிகரிப்பது எல்லாம் ஹார்மோன் மருந்துகளின் கைங்கர்யமே! மாதவிலக்கு சுழற்சியை முறைப்படுத்த பெண்கள் தினசரி எடுத்துக் கொள்ளும் தண்ணீரிலிருந்து, காய்கறி, பழங்கள் எல்லாவற்றுக்கும் பங்குண்டு. பப்பாளியும், அன்னாசியும் பெண்களின் மாதவிலக்கு சுழற்சியை முறைப்படுத்துபவை.

வெள்ளரி விதை அல்லது பூசணி விதையை பருவமடைந்த பெண்கள் தினம் சிறிது சாப்பிட்டு வர, ஈஸ்ட்ரோஜென் ஹார்மோன் சுரப்பு சீராகும். முருங்கைக்கீரை, முதுகெலும்பை வலுவாக்கும். தினம் மாதுளம்பழம் சாப்பிட்டு வந்தால் கர்ப்பப்பை மற்றும் சினைப்பை நோய்கள் அண்டாது. தவிர, டீன் ஏஜில் உண்டாகும் மன உளைச்சலையும், மன முரண்பாடுகளையும் போக்கும் குணம் அதற்கு உண்டு. மன பலம் இல்லாத காரணத்தினால்தான், அந்த வயதில் இனக்கவர்ச்சிகளால் ஈர்க்கப்பட்டு, காதல் எனக் குழம்பிப் போய் எதிர்காலத்தைத் தொலைத்துவிட்டு நிற்கிறார்கள் பலரும். மனச்சிக்கலையும் மாதச் சிக்கலையும் தீர்க்கும் சக்தி மாதுளைக்கு உண்டு என்கிறது சமீபத்திய ஆராய்ச்சி. பருவ வயதுப் பெண்ணின் முதல் டாக்டர் அவரது அம்மா. அவர்கள் வீட்டு கிச்சனே, கிளினிக். அம்மாவும் மகளும் இதை உணர்ந்து, புரிந்து நடந்தால் போதும்.

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உங்கள் உணவில் காளானும் இடம்பெறட்டும்!

மழைக்காலங்களில் மட்கிப்போன பொருட்களின் மீது வளரும் ஒருவகை பூஞ்சையினமாகும்.

இயற்கையாக வளரும் இவற்றை சிலர் பிடுங்கி எறிந்திடுவர். ஆனால், இந்தியா முதற்கொண்டு பல நாட்டவரால் விரும்பி உண்ணப்படும் உணவாக உள்ளது. இயற்கையாய் வளரும் காளான்களில் சில விஷமுள்ளதாகவும், சில விஷமற்றதாகவும் வளரும். விஷக் காளான்கள் துர்நாற்றம் வீசக்கூடியதாகவும், அதிக வண்ணமுடையதாகவும் இருக்கும்.

காளான் வளர்ப்பு சிறந்த வருவாய் ஈட்டித்தரும் எளிய தொழிலாக உள்ளது. இதனை தமிழ்நாட்டில் பல இடங்களில் குடிசைத் தொழிலாக மேற்கொண்டு வருகின்றனர்.

காளான் மிகுந்த சுவையுள்ளதாகவும், மிகுந்த சத்துக்கள் கொண்டதாகவும் இருப்பதோடு மிகுந்த மருத்துவப்பயன் கொண்டதாக உள்ளது. காளான் இதயத்தைக் காக்கும் அற்புத உணவாகும்.

காளான் வகைகள்:

இந்தியாவில் 8 வகையான காளான்கள் உள்ளன. இவற்றுள் மொக்குக் காளான், சிப்பிக் காளான், வைக்கோல் காளான் என்ற மூன்று வகை மட்டுமே உற்பத்தி செய்யப்படுகிறது.

காளான் மருத்துவ பயன்கள்:

காளான் இரத்தத்தில் கலந்துள்ள அதிகப்படியான கொழுப்பைக் கரைத்து இரத்தத்தைச் சுத்தப்படுத்தும் தன்மை கொண்டது. இதனால் உயர் இரத்த அழுத்தம் மற்றும் இரத்த நாளங்களின் உட்பரப்பில் உண்டாகும் கொழுப்பு அடைப்பைத் தடுக்கிறது.

காளானில் உள்ள லென்ட்டைசின் (lentysine) எரிட்டிடைனின் (eritadenin) என்ற வேதிப் பொருட்கள் இரத்தத்தில் கலந்துள்ள ட்ரை கிளிசஸ்ரைடு பாஸ்போலிட் போன்றவற்றை வெகுவாகக் குறைக்கிறது.

இதில் எரிட்டினைன் கொழுப்புப் பொருட்களை எந்தவித பாதிப்பும் இல்லாமல் இரத்தத்திலிருந்து வெளியேற்றி பிற திசுக்களுக்கு அனுப்பி உடலை சமன் செய்கிறது. இவ்வாறு உடலில் அதிகம் தேவையில்லாமல் சேரும் கொழுப்பு கட்டுப்படுகிறது.

இதனால் இரத்தம் சுத்தமடைவதுடன் இதயம் பலப்பட்டு நன்கு சீராக செயல்படுகிறது. இதயத்தை பாதுகாப்பதில் காளானின் பங்கு அதிகம்.

பொதுவாக உயர் இரத்த அழுத்தம் ஏற்படும்போது உட்புறச் செல்களில் பொட்டாசியத்தின் அளவு குறையும். வெளிப்புறச் செல்களில் உள்ள சோடியம், உட்புறமுள்ள பொட்டாசியத்திற்கு சமமாக இருக்கும். இரத்த அழுத்தத்தின் போது வெளிப்புறத்தில் சோடியம் அதிகரிப்பதால் சமநிலை மாறி உற்புறத்தில் பொட்டாசியத்தின் அளவு குறைகிறது. இதனால் இதயத்தின் செயல்பாடு மாறிவிடுகிறது.

இத்தகைய நிலையைச் சரிசெய்ய பொட்டாசியம் சத்து தேவை. அவை உணவுப்பொருட்களின் மூலம் கிடைப்பது சாலச் சிறந்தது. அந்த வகையில் பொட்டாசியம் சத்து அதிகம் உள்ள உணவு காளான்தான். 100 கிராம் காளானில் பொட்டாசியம் சத்து 447 மி.கி. உள்ளது. சோடியம் 9 மி.கி உள்ளது. எனவே இதயத்தைக் காக்க சிறந்த உணவாக காளான் உள்ளது.

மேலும் காளானில் தாமிரச்சத்து உள்ளதாகவும் கண்டறியப்பட்டுள்ளது. தாமிரச்சத்து இரத்த நாளங்களில் ஏற்படும் பாதிப்பை சீர்செய்யும்.

காளான் மூட்டு வாதம் உடையவர்களுக்கு சிறந்த நிவாரணியாகும்.

மலட்டுத்தன்மை, பெண்களுக்கு உண்டாகும் கருப்பை நோய்கள் போன்றவற்றைக் குணப்படுத்துகிறது.

தினமும் காளான் சூப் அருந்துவதால் பெண்களுக்கு உண்டாகும் மார்பகப் புற்று நோய் தடுக்கப்படுவதாக காளான் பற்றிய சமீபத்திய ஆராய்ச்சியில் கண்டுபிடித்துள்ளனர்.

100 கிராம் காளானில் 35 சதவீதம் புரதச்சத்து உள்ளது. மேலும் உடல் வளர்ச்சிக்குத் தேவையான அமினோ அமிலங்கள் உள்ளதால், குழந்தைகளின் உடல் வளர்ச்சிக்கு சிறந்த ஊட்டசத்தாக அமைகிறது.

எளிதில் சீரணமாகும் தன்மைகொண்டது.

மலச்சிக்கலைத் தீர்க்கும் தன்மை கொண்டது.

கடும் காய்ச்சலால் பாதிக்கப்பட்டு உடல் இளைத்தவர்கள் தினமும் காளான் சூப் அருந்தி வந்தால் விரைவில் உடல் தேறும்.

காளானை முட்டைகோஸ், பச்சைப் பட்டாணியுடன் சேர்த்து சமைத்து அருந்தி வந்தால் வயிற்றுப்புண், ஆசனப்புண் குணமாகும்.

காளான் தாய்ப்பாலை வற்றவைக்கும் தன்மை கொண்டதால் பாலூட்டும் பெண்கள் காளான் உண்பதைத் தவிர்ப்பது நல்லது.

Gentlegiant Karthikeyan

Health risks rise with every can of soda

The University of Western Australia

Teens who drink a can of soft drinks daily also have lower levels of 'good' cholesterol. Image: Nirt/Shutterstock Teenagers who drink more than one standard can (375g) of sugary drinks daily are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease such as heart disease or stroke in later life. New research from the Raine Study at Perth's Telethon Institute for Child Health Research (TICHR) - an affiliate of The University of Western Australia - found that teenagers who drank about a can of soft drink a day had lower levels of ‘good' cholesterol and higher levels of the ‘bad' triglyceride form of fat in their blood, regardless of whether they were overweight. Based on a combination of factors associated with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease - including weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels - these teenagers were at higher risk of developing cardio-metabolic disease later in life. The study, published in the latest edition of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, followed more than 1400 teenagers aged between 14 and 17 years from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study. Lead researcher and UWA Adjunct Senior Research Fellow Dr Gina Ambrosini conducted the analyses at Britain's MRC Human Nutrition Research in Cambridge. "It is already widely accepted that a high consumption of sugary drinks increases obesity risk in young people," Dr Ambrosini said. "What is important about this study is that excessive sugary drink consumption appears to increase risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, even in young people who are not overweight. "This study shows that greater intakes of sugary drinks may put young people on a path to the early development of risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease." The study's co-author and head of nutrition research at the Telethon Institute, UWA Adjunct Professor Wendy Oddy, said the findings also suggested parents had an important role in monitoring teenagers' sugary drink consumption. She said results from the latest Australian National Nutrition Survey found 55 per cent of all sugary drinks were consumed at home, and low-income families drank more sugary drinks and had a higher risk of obesity. "This highlights the potential for parents to influence how much sugary drink their children consume because parents are the main purchaser of food and beverages consumed at home," Professor Oddy said. "Consumption should be moderate so if kids drink a lot of sugary drinks, they should drink less.  Water is the best option, or parents should consider switching to lower sugar alternatives or diet drinks." Adjunct Professor Oddy said a better understanding of the relationship between sugary drink intake and the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in young people was required to develop public health and nutrition policies to tackle this issue. The research was funded by the National Heart Foundation and Beyond Blue Australia, with additional funding by the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Medical Research Council (UK). Editor's Note: Original news release can be found here.

Some stars won't reach old age

Monash University

Astrophysicists have found that contrary to decades of orthodoxy, stars with a high sodium content die before reaching the final, spectacular stages of life. In a study published today in Nature, an international group of researchers led by Dr Simon Campbell of the Monash Centre for Astrophysics (MoCA), used the European Southern Observatory's 'Very Large Telescope' (VLT) to observe NGC 6752, a globular cluster of stars in our galaxy, 13,000 light years from Earth. They found that 70 per cent of stars in the tightly bound group fail to reach the final red giant phase. This phase is the last stage of nuclear burning before stars form a planetary nebula, where the gas and dust emitted through copius stellar winds are colourfully illuminated by radiation from the star's naked core. Dr Campbell said the results were startling because before this, it was thought that all low-mass stars, including our Sun, would progress to this final red giant phase. "We, and other groups in the world, have modeled the entire lifetime  of these stars and all the models indicate that they pass through this phase. It turns out that the models are not accurately predicting what we have observed here," Dr Campbell said. "If it were just a small number of stars not making it to this stage, we could put it down to uncertainties in the observations or in the models, but it is a huge proportion of stars - 70 per cent, all those with high sodium content - that are following this newly observed pattern. It can not be ignored." Globular clusters, which contain about a million stars, are some of the oldest structures in the Universe, having formed shortly after the Big Bang around 14 billion years ago. These very old stars are highly homogenous in mass and age, and so are widely used as natural laboratories for constraining the computer modelling of stars. Co-author on the paper and Director of MoCA, Professor John Lattanzio, said that the sodium was a marker and unlikely to cause the stars' early death. "Although, at this stage, we don't know the causes, this finding affects our understanding of some of the oldest stars in the Universe - stars that we routinely use to  compare with our computer models to test how accurate they are," Professor Lattanzio said. The MoCA group will now observe some of the other 157 globular clusters in the Milky Way to confirm that the pattern holds. They are also working on new theoretical models to try and understand what is causing so many stars to fail to reach a stellar old age. Editor's Note: Original news release can be found here.

Baba meri raksha karna SANDEEP SONWADE,Sai Sangam Shirdi sai bhajan

படித்ததில் பிடித்தது

எடுத்த எடுப்பிலேயே உங்கள் காதலன் / கணவன் உங்கள் எல்லா எதிர் பார்ப்புகளையும் நீங்கள் சொல்லாமலேயே புரிந்து கொண்டு ,உங்களோடு நகமும் சதையுமாக இருப்பான் என்று கனவு கண்டு காலத்தை வீணடிக்காதீர்கள் . அவன்
ஆரம்பத்தில் அரைகுறையாகத்தான் இருப்பான் .ஆனால் ,நீங்கள் சளைக்காமல் பாராட்டி ,ஊக்குவித்து ,அவன் குறைகளை நாசுக்காக கையாண்டு ,அவனுடைய ஆண் ஈகோவை சேதம் செய்யாமல் ,அவனை மென்மையாக கையாண்டீர்கள் என்றால் ..., அவனால் ஆகாதது எதுவுமே இல்லை .அவன் நீங்கள் எதிர் பார்த்த குணங்கள் அனைத்தும் நிரம்பிய ஆணாக ஒருநாள் மாறி இருப்பான் .அது வரை ,ஒரு ரிங் மாஸ்டர் ஆக அலுத்துக் கொள்ளாமல் ,தனக்கு கொடுக்கப் பட்ட சிங்கத்தை மெள்ள பழக்கி ,சாகசங்களைப் புரிய பயிற்ருவிப்பது போல ,நீங்களும் 'அவன் இப்படித்தான் .அதற்காக அவனை கோபித்துக் கொள்ளக் கூடாது .குறை சொல்லிக் கொண்டே இருந்து அவனுடைய மென்மையான மனதை காயப் படுத்தக் கூடாது ' என்கிற புரிதலுடன் ,மாறாத குணங்களை எப்படி சலனமில்லாமல் ஏற்றுக் கொள்வது ..?என்று முதிர்சசியோடும் சிந்தித்தால் போதும் ....அனாவசிய சண்டை ...,சசசரவு எதுவுமே எட்டிப் பார்க்காது .அதன் பிறகு ,குடும்பத்தின் பிற உறுப்பினர்கள் ...,நண்பர்கள் நாட்டாமைகளாக வந்து நின்று நடத்தும் பஞ்சாயத்துக்களும் தேவைப் படாது .

டாக்டர் . ஷாலினி

பழைய இந்து - சீனத்து நாணயத்தாள்

பழைய இந்து - சீனத்து நாணயத்தாள். இது வெளியிடப்பட்ட ஆண்டு தெரியவில்லை. இதில் 5 என்பது தமிழ் எண்ணிலும் குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளதை காணலாம்.

தற்போது, மொரீசியசு , சிங்கப்பூர், இந்தியா, இலங்கை ஆகிய நான்கு நாடுகளின் நாணயங்களில் தமிழ் எழுத்துக்கள் பொறிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.

உலகில் ஒரே ஒரு நாடு மட்டுமே இப்பொழுதும் தமிழ் எண்களை நாணயத்தாள்களில் பயன்படுத்துகிறது. அது மொரீசியசு (Mauritius ) மட்டுமே. (தமிழ் எண்கள் ௦ - 0, ௧- 1, ௨- 2,௩- 3, ௪- 4, ௫- 5, ௬- 6, ௭- 7, ௮- 8, ௯- 9)

Ornately carved Hindola Torana at Gyraspur, Vidisha(Madhya Pradesh)

Ornately carved Hindola Torana at Gyraspur, Vidisha(Madhya Pradesh)
Dated: ~10th century CE
The remains of the entrance consist of two pillars and a beam on top of them. There is also a small ornamental beam joining the two pillars at the end. Both the beams have ornamental capitals with mythical creatures sculpted on them. On the sides of the pillars, one can see dasavathara carved out in an intricate design. There is also a sun window motif engraved on the pillars.

மாவீரன் அலெக்ஸாண்டரின் கடைசி ஆசைகள்...!

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மாவீரன் அலெக்ஸாண்டர் எல்லா நாடுகளையும் கைப்பற்றி விட்டு தாய்நாடு திரும்பும் வழியில் நோய்வாய்ப்பட்டார்.

பல மாதங்கள் ஆகியும் அவருக்கு அந்த நோய் தீரவில்லை.

சாவு தன்னை நெருங்குவதை உணர்ந்தார் அவர்.

ஒருநாள் தன்னுடைய தலைமை வீரர்களை அழைத்து,

"என்னுடைய சாவு நெருங்கி விட்டது.

எனக்கு மூன்று ஆசைகள் உள்ளன.

அவற்றை நீங்கள் கண்டிப்பாக நிறைவேற்றி வைக்க வேண்டும்" என்று கட்டளையிட்டார்.

...
அவர்களும் அவற்றை நிறைவேற்றுவதாக வாக்களித்தனர்.

முதல் விருப்பமாக,

"என்னுடைய சவப்பெட்டியை எனக்கு சிகிச்சையளித்த மருத்துவர்கள் மட்டுமே தூக்கி வர வேண்டும்."

இரண்டாவது,

'என்னைப் புதைக்கும் இடத்திற்குச் செல்லும் வழியானது நான் சம்பாதித்து வைத்த, விலைமதிப்பற்ற கற்களால் அலங்காரம் செய்யப்பட வேண்டும்."

மூன்றாவதாக,

"என் கைகள் இரண்டையும் சவப்பெட்டிக்கு வெளியில் தெரியுமாறு வைக்க வேண்டும்."

வீரர்களுக்கு இந்த ஆசைகள் வித்தியாசமாகத் தெரிந்தன.

என்ன காரணமாக இருக்கும் என்று கேட்கப் பயந்தார்கள்.

அதில் ஒருவன் தைரியமாக முன்வந்து,

"அரசே! நாங்கள் தங்கள் ஆசையைக் கண்டிப்பாக நிறைவேற்றுகிறோம்.

ஆனால்,

இதற்கான காரணத்தை தாங்கள் எங்களுக்கு விளக்க வேண்டும்" என்று கேட்க,

அலெக்ஸாண்டர் அதற்கு விளக்கமளித்தார்.

1. என்னுடைய சவப்பெட்டியை மருத்துவர்கள் தூக்கிச் செல்வதால், உலகில் உள்ள எல்லோரும் ஒரு விஷயத்தை அறிந்து கொள்வார்கள்.

மருத்துவர்களால் எந்த ஒரு நோயிலிருந்தும் ஒரு உயிரை நிரந்தரமாகக் காப்பாற்ற முடியாது.

மரணத்தை அவர்களால் நிறுத்த முடியாது.

மரணம் ஒரு நிதர்சனமான உண்மை .

2. வாழ்க்கையில் எவ்வளவு பணமும், நாடுகளும், இன்ன பிற செல்வங்களும் சம்பாதித்தாலும், அவற்றை யாரும் தன்னுடன் எடுத்துச் செல்ல முடியாது.

அது சவக்குழி வரை மட்டும்தான்..!

மனிதர்கள் வீணாக சொத்துக்கள்,செல்வங்கள் போன்றவற்றின் பின்னால் செல்ல வேண்டாம் என்பதைத் தெரியப்படுத்துவதற்காக!

3. உலகையே வென்றவன் இந்த மாவீரன் அலெக்ஸாண்டர்,

சாகும்போது கைகளில் ஒன்றுமில்லாதவனாகத்தான் இருக்கிறான் என்று அறிந்து கொள்வதற்காக..

ஆம்.நண்பர்களே,

நாமும் அப்படித்தான் நம்ம வாழ்க்கையை தற்போது வாழ்ந்து வருகின்றோம்.

நம் வாழ்க்கையே எப்போதும் பணம்,பணம்,பணம்தான்.

சதா நாம் அனைவரும் அதன் பின்னால் ஓடிக் கொண்டே இருக்கின்றோம்.

எனக்கு நேற்று இந்த அலெக்சாண்டரின் கதையை படித்துக் கொண்டு இருந்த போது எனது மனதில் இதுதான் நிழலாடியது.

நம் கவியரசு.கண்ணதாசன் அவர்களின் ஒருதிரைப்பாடல்.

அதை மறைந்த டி.எம்.எஸ்.அவர்கள் உயிரோட்டமாக பாடிஇருப்பார்.

"வீடு வரை உறவு,

வீதி வரை மனைவி,

காடு வரை பிள்ளை,

கடைசி வரை யாரோ, என்று..

என்ன அருமை நண்பர்களே,உண்மைதானே...???

Effect of the insulin plant

Costus igneus, commonly known as insulin plant in India, belongs to the family Costaceae. Consumption of the leaves are believed to lower blood glucose levels, and diabetics who consumed the leaves of this plant did report a fall in their blood glucose levels. Objectives: The present study was planned to evaluate the effect of the leaves ofCostus igeus on dexamethasone-induced hyperglycemia in male Wistar rats. Four groups of male Wistar rats (n= 6) were treated with 10 mg/kg/day of dexamethasone subcutaneously for 20 days. From day 11 to day 20, different groups received 100, 250 or 500 mg/kg/day of powdered leaves of Costus igeus in distilled water orally or Glibenclamide 500 µg/kg orally. On the 20th day, after overnight fasting, a retro-orbital puncture was performed for obtaining blood samples to estimate the fasting blood glucose level, and the same procedure was followed on the other eye 1 hour after a glucose load of 2.5 g/kg orally for estimation of post-glucose load blood glucose levels. Fasting blood sugar and postglucose load blood sugar levels were raised in the group that received dexamethasone when compared to normal controls (P < 0.001), whereas 250 and 500 mg/kg powdered leaf of Costus igeus and Glibenclamide 500 µg/kg decreased the dexamethasone-induced hyperglycemia (P < 0.01). The leaves of Costus igeus reduced the fasting and postprandial blood sugar levels, bringing them towards normal, in dexamethasone-induced hyperglycemia in rats.

How to fit 1,000 terabytes on a DVD

Min Gu, Yaoyu Cao & Zongsong Gan, Swinburne

Using nanotechnology, researchers have developed a technique to increase the data storage capacity of a DVD from a measly 4.7GB to 1,000 terabytes. Image: Nature Communications We live in a world where digital information is exploding. Some 90% of the world’s data was generated in the past two years. The obvious question is: how can we store it all? In Nature Communications today, we, along with Richard Evans from CSIRO, show how we developed a new technique to enable the data capacity of a single DVD to increase from 4.7 gigabytes up to one petabyte (1,000 terabytes). This is equivalent of 10.6 years of compressed high-definition video or 50,000 full high-definition movies. So how did we manage to achieve such a huge boost in data storage? First, we need to understand how data is stored on optical discs such as CDs and DVDs. The basics of digital storage Although optical discs are used to carry software, films, games, and private data, and have great advantages over other recording media in terms of cost, longevity and reliability, their low data storage capacity is their major limiting factor. The operation of optical data storage is rather simple. When you burn a CD, for example, the information is transformed to strings of binary digits (0s and 1s, also called bits). Each bit is then laser “burned” into the disc, using a single beam of light, in the form of dots. The storage capacity of optical discs is mainly limited by the physical dimensions of the dots. But as there’s a limit to the size of the disc as well as the size of the dots, many current methods of data storage, such as DVDs and Blu-ray discs, continue to have low level storage density. To get around this, we had to look at light’s fundamental laws. Circumnavigating Abbe’s limit In 1873, German physicist Ernst Abbe published a law that limits the width of light beams. On the basis of this law, the diameter of a spot of light, obtained by focusing a light beam through a lens, cannot be smaller than half its wavelength – around 500 nanometres (500 billionths of a metre) for visible light. And while this law plays a huge role in modern optical microscopy, it also sets up a barrier for any efforts from researchers to produce extremely small dots – in the nanometre region – to use as binary bits. In our study, we showed how to break this fundamental limit by using a two-light-beam method, with different colours, for recording onto discs instead of the conventional single-light-beam method. Both beams must abide by Abbe’s law, so they cannot produce smaller dots individually. But we gave the two beams different functions: - The first beam (red, in the figure right) has a round shape, and is used to activate the recording. We called it the writing beam - The second beam – the purple donut-shape – plays an anti-recording function, inhibiting the function of the writing beam - The two beams were then overlapped. As the second beam cancelled out the first in its donut ring, the recording process was tightly confined to the centre of the writing beam. This new technique produces an effective focal spot of nine nanometres – or one ten thousandth the diameter of a human hair. The technique, in practical terms Our work will greatly impact the development of super-compact devices as well as nanoscience and nanotechnology research. The exceptional penetration feature of light beams allow for 3D recording or fabrication, which can dramatically increase the data storage – the number of dots – on a single optical device. The technique is also cost-effective and portable, as only conventional optical and laser elements are use, and allows for the development of optical data storage with long life and low energy consumption, which could be an ideal platform for a Big Data centre. As the rate of information generated worldwide continues to accelerate, the aim of more storage capacity in compact devices will continue. Our breakthrough has put that target within our reach. Editor's Note: This article was originally published by The Conversation, here, and is licenced as Public Domain under Creative Commons. See Creative Commons - Attribution Licence.

Divyadesam - Thirumeyyam - Sri Sathyagiri Natha Perumal Temple

About the Temple & Location:

This Divyadesam is situated in Pudukottai district in Tamil Nadu. It is situated 13 Km away from Pudukkottai on the south direction. We can reach this sthalam by getting down in Thirumeyyam railway station which is found in between Pudukottai Kaaraikudi railway lane and has to travel one mile from Thriumeyyam railway station. Lots of Bus facilities are also available but there are no enough lodging facilities.

Sthlapuranam :

The Perumal who explains about "Sathyam" (or) truth can be the example for the universal slokha. "Sathya meva Jayathey". To explain and be an example for this, he stands in this sthalam as "Sathya giri Nathan".

There is no end for Sathyam (Truth) and it never sleeps and doesnt forget anything. It calculates the good and the evil actions performed by the people and according to that, all fo the souls are reached to proper destiny. If we do good and our actions lead to good thought and action, we will reach the thiruvadi (feet) of Sriman Narayanan and if we think of bad things and as a result of it, if we perform bad and evil actions, we will be going to the hell. To explain this, the perumal is found in Bogha sayanam in Kidantha kolam withought sleeping and calculatting the good / bad actions of all Aathmaas.

All the things that live in this mighty Earth are governed and watched by the Emperumaan and to explain this, the perumal is found in Nindra Kolam with the name "Sathya Moorthy" (or) "Sathya giri Nathan".

In tamil, the truth is referred with the word "Mei" and the Utsavar of this sthalam is "Meyyan" (or) "Meyyappan". The perumal is found in Anantha Sayanam and is found inside the sannadhi which is surrounded by very good sculptural and artistic work as seen in Mahabalipuram.

In older days, when Asurars where dominating the world and the Adharmam (evil) was spread along the entire world. Because of this, there was not much of Yagams and poojas were done and all the Rishis, and Devars were very much frightened about this. They could not protect the Asuras, since they get enormous powers with them. They all surrendered towards "Dharma Devathi", the godess of Dharman and pleased her that she must help them to get out this danger.

Dharma devathai replied them that she will help them out, thereby changed herself into a deer and came to this Sathya Kshetram which is also called as "Venu Vanam", since this sthalam is fully covered by Bamboo trees. The perumal came infront of Dharma Devathai and promised her that he would stay in the sthalam as "Sathya giri Nathan" and helps all the peoples and including the Rishis and Devas from Adharmam.

Once, Athri Muni and his wife Anusuya lived, who are said to be the strong believer of the Emperumaan. They were so famous for their bhakti and tapas towards the perumal and they started for doing tapas against all the Mum - Moorthies (i.e.) Sriman Naryanan, Brahma devan and Lord Shiva and their wish was as one of the hamsam of these Thriumurthies they should have their children born. All the murthies agreed and as a result as the hamsam of Sri Vishnu a child was born who is called as "Dattatreyar", as the hamsam of Lord Shiva the Moon God was born. All these 3 children's were taught with proper Vedas and mantras and were sent to do tapas by their fther, Athiri rishi. First, Durvasa Rishi went to Kailasa malai and Dattatreyar went to the foot of the Himalayas to do the tapas and the Moon god came to this Sathya giri kshetram to do the tapas against Sriman Narayanan. The perumal gave his seva as satisfied by on his tapas and asked his wish. The moon god asked that since he stays in Surya Mandalam his Vaasam (stay) should be also in Chandra Mandalam (Moons Place). For this, the perumal accepted and stayed in Chandra Mandalam also.

We can see the well stretched and huge Raja Gopuram, which is found at the entrance of the temple. This sthalam is also called as "Aadhi Ragam" and the perumal is older and big than that of the perumal found in Sri Rangam. After entering through the Raja Gopuram, we can find a big Mandapam where lots of stone carved pillars are found with beautiful paintings. Separate sannadhi for Sri Kannan, Sri Aandal, Chakrathalwar and Narasimhar are found.

After crossing this Mandapam another big mandapam by named "Maha Mandapam" is found in which the Garudan facing along the Moolaver Sannadhi is found.

Moolavar Sathya giri nathan in Nindra thriukkolam and next to this sannadhis, separate sannadhi for Uyya Vandha Naachiyaar is found.

On the western side inside the mountain, as Bogha Sayana Moorthy in Anantha Sayanam, the perumal in another thirukkolam is giving his seva and this perumal is big in structure then Sri Rangam Ranganathar. Having Aadhiseshan as the bed, the perumal gives his Kidantha Kola seva with two Thirukkaram (hands) as same as the Ranganathar found in Sri Rangam.

It is said that some Madhu Kaidapars (Amsam) came from the Ears of Sriman Naryanan of this sthalam and they tried to grab bhoomi piratti along with them. But, Aadhiseshan protested and fought with them and killed all of them by his poison. But, it was little bit worried because without getting the permission from the perumal, he did this. It stayed infront of the perumal convinced him ans as a result of this, the perumal's one hand is found towards Aadhiseshan as conveniencing him and another hand is found on his chest there by protecting the piratti.

Around this perumal, Chitraguptan, Maarkandeya Maharishi, Brahma devan and Garudan are found. Chitraguptan who assist along with Yamen, the king of Naragham (the hell) and the Maarkandeya maharishi who has got the "Sirangeevi" throne are found around the perumal to show the couts of people along with their good and evil actions performed by them. On the thiruvadi (feet) of the perumal, Bhoomi piratti and Madhu Kaidapars are found.

This temple is almost the same as that of the temple in Mahabalipuram. We can find lots of stone carved Sculptures and paintings and the perumal is found inside the mountain and it serves as the umbrella for him. Another temple by named "Keeyai Kovil" is found where a temple for Lord Shiva is found. The name of him is "Sathya gireeswarar". It is said that Mahendra pallavan had constructed this temple for both Lord Vishnu and Lord Shivan without having any racism between Saivism and Vaishnavism.

This "Thirumeyyam" is surrounded by lots of mountains and a special hill by named "Vaishnavi Durgai" hill is also found which is famous for its beauty and the Vaishnavi Durgai found inside the hill.

Moolavar and Thaayar:

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Sathya Giri Nathan. Also named as "Sathya Moorthy". He is found in Nindra (Standing) thriukkolam facing his thriumugham along the East direction. Prathyaksham for all Sathya Devar and Devadhais. The perumal gives his seva in 3 different thirukkolam. First is the Sathyamoorthy in Nindra kolam, the second as Meyyappan in Sayana and bogha kidautha kolam.

Thaayar:
The thaayar is Uyya Vandha Naachiyaar. She has her own separate sannadhi.

Utsavar:
The Utsavar of this is sthalam is Meyyappan.

Mangalasasanam:

Thirumangaialwar - 9 Paasurams.
Total - 9 Paasurams.

Pushkarani: The pushkarani (theertham) of this sthalam is Kadhamba Pushkarani and Sathya theertham. It is said, all the rivers in the country came along to this pushkarani to make the people get out of the sin and their bad thoughts. It is believed that on the month of Vaikasi on the full Moon day, all the rivers combine and merge together and they themselves get purified by the Sathya theertham.

Sthala Viruksham: (Tree)
Palaa Maram (Jackfruit tree)

Vimanam:
Sathya giri Vimaanam.

தமிழர் தோற்றம் பற்றி கருதுகோள்கள்

தமிழர் தோற்றம் பற்றி 4 கருதுகோள்கள் உள்ளன:-

தமிழர் குமரிக்கண்டத்தில் இருந்து வந்தார்கள் என்பது ஒரு கருதுகோள். பழந்தமிழர் தென் இந்தியாவின் பழங்குடிகள் என்பது இன்னொரு கருதுகோள். மூன்றாவது கருதுகோள் ஆதியில் ஆபிரிக்காவில் இருந்து அரேபிய கடல் ஊடாக தென்னிந்தியா வந்தோரின் வழித்தோன்றல்களே தமிழர் என்கிறது. தமிழர் நடு ஆசியா, வட இந்தியா நிலப்பரப்புகளில் இருந்து காலப்போக்கில் தென் இந்தியா வந்தனர் என்பது மற்றைய கருதுகோள். எப்படி இருப்பினும் தமிழினம் தொன்மை வாய்ந்த மக்கள் இனங்களில் ஒன்று.
தமிழ்நாட்டின் பல்வேறு இடங்களில், குறிப்பாக ஆதிச்ச நல்லூரில், அகழ்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்ட கிமு 1000-ஆம் ஆண்டு காலத்து புதையுண்ட மண்பாண்டங்கள் தற்காலத் தமிழ்நாட்டில் தமிழர்கள் வாழ்ந்ததற்கு சான்றாக விளங்குகின்றன. அப்புதை பொருட்களில் உள்ள குறிப்புகளும் பண்டைய தமிழ் இலக்கியங்களில் உள்ள குறிப்புகளும் ஒத்துப் போவதால், அக்கால கட்டத்தில் தென்னிந்தியாவில் தமிழர்கள் வாழ்ந்ததை இது உறுதி செய்கிறது. இவ்விடங்களில் சமீபத்தில் மேற்கொள்ளப் பட்ட அகழ்வுகளில் கிடைத்த பழைய தமிழ் எழுத்துக்கள் குறைந்தது கிமு 500-ஆம்ஆண்டைச் சேர்ந்தவையாகும். இதையும் சங்கத்தமிழ் இலக்கிய ஆதாரங்களையும் கொண்டு குமரிக்கண்டத்தில் இருந்து தமிழர் வந்தார்கள் என்று சிலர் கூறுவர்.

தமிழைப் படித்துக் கொண்டே போனால்

ஒரு பூவை எடுத்துக் கொண்டால் கூட உருவத்தையும் அதன் பருவத்தையும் காட்ட பலமொழிகளுக்குச் சொற்பஞ்சம்; தமிழில் அவ்வாறு இல்லை

1. அரும்பு - அரும்பும் நிலை

2. மொட்டு - மொட்டு விடும் நிலை

3. முகை - முகிழ்க்கும் நிலை

4. மலர் - பூ நிலை

5. அலர் - மலர்ந்த நிலை

6. வீ - வாடும் நிலை

7. செம்மல் - இறுதி நிலை

பூவிற்குத்தான் இப்படி பருவப் பெயர்கள் என்றால் இலைகளுக்கும் பல பருவங்களுக்கேற்பத் தமிழ்லி சொற்கள் வருகின்றன

1. கொழுந்து - குழந்தைப் பருவம்

2. தளிர் - இளமைப்பருவம்

3. இலை - காதற்பருவம்

4. பழுப்பு - முதுமைப்பருவம்

5. சருகு - இறுதிப்பருவம்

இந்த இலை என்ற சொல்கூட ஆல், அரசு, அத்தி, பலா, மா, வாழை போன்ற மரங்களின் இலைகளுக்கு மட்டுமே பொருந்தும். இதுவெல்லாம் ஒருபுறம் இருந்தாலும் தமிழில் சொற்களுக்குப் பஞ்சமே இல்லை. அறிவியலுக்கும் உகந்த மொழி. தமிழின் வரலாற்றிலேயே அறிவியல் இருந்திருக்கிறது.

தேனைத் தொட்டு நாக்கில் தடவிப்பார்த்தால் அடன் சுவை புரியும். தேன் கூட்டில் இருக்கும் போது அதன் சுவையை எப்படி சுவைக்க முடியும்? தமிழைப் படிக்காத தமிழர்களால் அதன் பெருமையை எவ்வாறு உணர முடியும்? சிலர் தமிழில் உள்ள சொற்கள் புரியவில்லை என்கிறார்கள். புரியும் மொழி, புரியா மொழி என எந்த மொழியிலும் இல்லை. ஒருமொழி புரியவில்லை என்றால் அந்த மொழியைச் சரியாகக் கற்கவில்லை என்றுதான் பொருள்படும். தமிழைப் படித்துக் கொண்டே போனால் அதன் கதவுகள் திறந்து கொண்டே போகும்.

Shri Goswami Tulsidas (1532 – 1623)

Shri Tulsi Das Ji was a great poet who composed the ‘Shri Ramacharita Manasa’. His boyhood was one of poverty and suffering; but yet he became a great scholar. One word spoken by his wife brought him a realization of his true goal; he became a devotee of Lord Shri Rama. And this poet-saint showed thousands of people the way to a meaningful life. ‘Tulsi Ramayana’ is a very famous and great epic of North India. It relates the story of Shri Rama. It was written by Goswami Shri Tulsi Das Ji. That is why it was popularly known as Tulsi Ramayana.

The Age Of Shri Tulsi Das Ji

Goswami Shri Tulsi Das Ji was born about 1487 and lived upto 1623. He lived for 136 years.

It was a bad period for the Followers of the Vedas. They had lost their freedom and had to struggle hard to maintain their unity. All their scriptures were in Sanskrit; so many people found them difficult to understand. As the followers of the Vedas had no freedom, it was difficult for them even to attempt to expound the ideas of their religion.Women and also some groups among the Hindus did not have equality. This state of affairs made gifted and liberal-minded poets unhappy.

Shri Ramananda was a disciple of Shri Ramanujacharya Ji, the founder of the Shri vaishnava sampradaya. He and his disciples lived in North India. He opened the doors of ‘Bhakti’ (devotion) to all and brought hope into the lives of the masses. It was at this time that Shri Ramananda spread the cult of Rama Bhakti by preaching that Rama is the protector of all people. Saint Kabirdas extolled the greatness of ‘Rama – the formless God’ saying that Ram and Rahim were not different. Thus he tried to bring about unity among the Hindus and the Muslims.

Shri Tulsi Das Ji set before the people the conception of Shri Rama as all virtuous, all powerful, the Lord of the World, and the very embodiment of the Supreme Reality (Parabrahma). He gave them the light of ‘Bhakti’ and thus dispelled the darkness of fear from their minds. Shri Rama shone as an ideal man and the protector.

Forsaken By His Own Father

Atmaram Dubey of Rajapur was a great scholar in Vedic literature and astrology. His wife was Hulasibai. They were happy in every way but had no children. They worshipped Hanuman Ji and prayed to him with devotion to bless them with a son. One auspicious day Hulasibai gave birth to a beautiful baby son.

The newborn babe started saying ‘Ram, Ram’ instead of crying. So he was given the name Rama Bola (one who said Ram). So goes a story.

Tularam was a baby of a few days when he lost his mother. His father also forsook him. People give many reasons for this. Here is one story. Pandit Dubey cast the horoscope of his son. All the planets were favorable. But the child’s star? The star was ‘Moola’. The father thought, ‘This is a bad star. It will bring me bad luck. I must go away. Otherwise I am doomed.’

He left the town once and for all. The unfortunate child was brought up by his old grand-mother. Thus Tularam lost the love and the care of both the father and the mother. He became the favorite of all his neighbors. They tended him, and played with him, gave him something to eat and blessed him.

When Tularam was able to stand on his legs, he began to go round the town begging for food. He lived on whatever he got.

In one of his songs Shri Tulsi Das Ji recalls how exceedingly difficult it was for him, as a boy, to get even four grains of gram.

After a few years his grandmother passed away. Then he became the child of the whole town. The devotees gave him to eat whatever was offered to God and that was his daily food. “The temple is my shelter. God is my father and mother,” Shri Tulsi Das Ji has said. “Hanuman Ji is my father who fed and brought me up” says Shri Tulsi Das Ji recollecting those childhood days; he then actually lived in a temple of Hanuman Ji and every day partook of the food offered to God there

The Guru

Shri Naraharidas Ji was a reputed scholar, philosopher and storyteller (he gave discourses on stories of devotion). Once he came to Rajapur. He stayed in the temple of Hanuman Ji. At the request of the people he began a series of discourses on the Ramayana.

Tularam was filled with pleasurable excitement. Discourses of this type, which blended music and literature, were a feast to him. He used to attend them every day without fail. Devotion to Rama lay like a seed in his heart; as he listened to the discourses, it began to sprout.

Every day the boy sat right in front of Shri Naraharidas Ji and listened to the’ discourse with rapt attention. and also the boy joined the general Bhajan, singing melodiously. Shri Naraharidas Ji grew interested in the lad. He saw the boy’s handsome looks, hisdelicate figure, large eyes and prominent forehead, and the bright radiant face. He recognized the mysterious power in the boy. He pitied him when be learnt that he was an orphan. One day he asked the boy. “Will you be my disciple?” Tularam touched his feet with reverence and burst into tears.

Shri Naraharidas Ji lifted him up and patted him on the back. From that day Tularam became a disciple of Pandit Shri Naraharidas Ji. In one of his songs Shri Tulsi Das Ji has said of this incident, ‘I got for my Master God Parameswara Himself in human form.’ After his discourses in Rajapur Shri Naraharidas Ji set out for another place. Tularam bowed to Lord Hanuman Ji and followed his master.

Wherever Shri Naraharidas Ji went Tularam went with him. His duty was to sing Ram Bhajan before and discourse began. He sang melodiously. The whole day was spent in studies. The master taught him various subjects like the Vedas, the Upanishads, philosophy, mythology and languages – Sanskrit and Prakrit. Bhajans were held at night. Thus they traveled far and wide for fourteen years and came to Soro in Uttar Pradesh. By that time Tularam had mastered all subjects. He was acquainted with the life of the people. He could sing much better than his master. He could not only give discourses on the Ramayana, but also compose poems. Shri Naraharidas Ji felt extremely happy at his disciples, accomplishments

Marriage And Renunciation

Tularam had attained scholarship in all branches of learning; the teacher Shri Naraharidas Ji himself arranged for his marriage. Tularam married Ratnavali, a very beautiful and accomplished daughter of a Brahmin by name Deenabandhu Pathak. Parting from his master who loved him more than a father was very painful to Tularam. Yet bound by the master’s wish and his own duty he became a householder.

Tularam had everything-good looks, youth, education, honour and a good income too. Rich people used to invite him now and then to their houses, honour him and offer him money. His wife Ratnavali was a beautiful and a virtuous girl. Tulararn loved her very much. They led a happy life. No wonder that, in his state of joy and contentment, he thought less and less about God. He loved his wife so much that for years he did not send her to her parents’ house at all.

One day Pandit Tularam went to neighboring village to give a discourse. The same day Ratnavali’s brother came to see her. Ratnavali had not as much as glanced at her parents’ house ever since her marriage; when she saw her brother she remembered her parents and began to weep. The brother in fact had come only to take her home. He comforted his sister. He said, “Come, let us go home sister, you can stay with us for a few days and come back. Mother is longing to see you”. Ratnavali loved her parents’ home so much that for a moment she decided to go. But she hesitated. She said, “My husband is not at home. How can I come without his consent? Besides he cannot bear to be without me even for a short time. Let him come home; you can talk to him about this. I too will request him. Then we can go.” But the brother argued with her and persuaded her. She locked up the house and left the key with the neighbor and said: “Please give this key to my husband when he comes home, and tell him that I am returning the day after tomorrow.” She then went with her brother.

It was dark when Pandit Tularam came home. When the neighbor gave him the key and his wife’s message, he became very angry. Without his wife the house looked bleak as a cave. Every hour his boredom grew. He lay down but could not sleep. It was past midnight. He’ decided to go to his father-in-law’s house. And he started at once.

It was the month of Shravana. The sky was heavily overcast with clouds. It was dark all around. He had just stepped out of his house when there was a heavy downpour of rain accompanied by thunder and lightning. But Tularam did not change his mind. He walked on getting wet in the rain, and came to the banks of the river Ganga. The river was in full floods. He asked the ferryman to take him across the river.

“What? You wish to cross the flood, in this rain and wind? Impossible,” said! the ferryman.

At the sight of the racing walkers of the Ganga in floods, Tularam’s heart sank. But the infatuation for his wife drove him on. He gathered courage, tucked up his dhoti firmly and jumped into the river. He swam against the current and reached the other bank. He did not stop even to wring –his clothes. He raced to his wife’s house and shouted, ‘Ratnavali, Ratnavali’.

Ratnavali wondered who could have come in such heavy rain. She opened the door and there stood Tularam! His clothes were all wet and water was dripping. He was shivering with cold. Ratnavali was amazed. She was also happy to think of his intense love for her. At the same time she pitied his condition. Could he not stay alone for one day? How foolhardy it was to swim across the river in high floods! The thought made her angry.

She said, “What can I say, my lord? Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? You have come running after me! If you had the same intense love for Shri Rama, He Himself would have appeared to you. Then you would have been saved from the cycle of births.”

These words of his wife struck Tularam like a thunderbolt. Drenched in the rain he was shivering, but now he began to perspire. His mind reeled and his heart was in turmoil. The veil of attachment that had covered his devotion was torn asunder. He went away without looking back even once.

What happened to Ratnavali after, Shri Tulsi Das Ji left her? We do not know. Shri Tulsi Das Ji has not mentioned her name anywhere in his books.

Is there another fool like me? Entangled in the love of my wife, I forgot Lord Rama and I have just wasted all my time! Never again shall I forget Shri Rama and never shall I think of woman. Shri Rama is everything to me. So resolving, Tularam became Shri Tulsi Das Ji” from that day.

What his master had been saying in his discourses came back to his mind: ‘Shri Rama is all merciful and all-powerful. He is so magnanimous that he will never forsake his devotees.’ -Well, then swill Shri Rama forsakes me? Shri Tulsi Das Ji’s, mind was made up. He now traveled to Chitrakoota. On his way he visited many holy places. He was in the company of devotees and saints.

What worry could an ascetic have? Where he halts is his town, where he rests is his home. The devotees of Rama are his relations. The earth is his bed and the sky is the roof.

Shri Tulsi Das Ji formed a brotherhood of the devotees of Rama. He sang and composed songs. He wrote books and preached to people.

Though he was learned in Sanskrit, he composed poetry in the languages the people spoke. They were only different dialects of Hindi used in North India. He wrote for the common man and not for the learned, it was in the languages actually used by the people that he gave talks and discourses glorifying Bhakti.

The Path Of Bhakti (Devotion)

‘Shri Rama is the Parabrahma. He is all-powerful. He is Purushothama (The Man Supreme). His deeds, word manners and conduct alone are the models of an ideal life. Singing hymns in His honour as his servants is the on way to attain His grace and a salvation. Knowing Him to be their master, The duty of human beings is to offer their services to Him.’ This is the sum and substance of the Bhakti cult of Shri Tulsi Das Ji.

After some time Shri Tulsi Das Ji began to think of leaving Chitrakoota. This was because he had a feeling that he would not be able to see Shri Rama there. So he went to Ayodhya, the birth place of Rama. For a long time he did ‘tapas’ (leading a very strict life, giving up all pleasures and devoting all the time to the contemplation of God) there. But even there he did not get the vision of Shri Rama. His mind was not at ease. Day by day his desire to see Shri Rama grew more and more intense.

One day it suddenly flashed to his mind that Lord Hanuman Ji’s grace ‘was essential for him to see Shri Rama. Yes. Hanuman Ji was the greatest devotee of Shri Rama. Only he could help Shri Tulsi Das Ji see Shri Rama. So the first thing was, to see Hanuman Ji

The Meeting With Lord Hanuman Ji

People say that Shri Tulsi Das Ji got the opportunity of seeing Hanuman Ji because of the help of a Brahmarakshasa (a spirit under curse).

Kashi (Banaras) is a holy place on the banks of the sacred river Ganga. The famous temple of Lord Vishweshwara is in Kashi. And it is also the home of Hindu culture. In one part of Kashi there was a temple of Hanuman Ji. Shri Tulsi Das Ji made it his home. He used to bathe in the Ganga every day and then go to the Vishweshwara temple to offer prayers; thereafter for hours he would be immerse in meditation. In the evening he gave discourses. In this way a few years passed.

One day as usual Shri Tulsi Das Ji poured water out of his vessel at the foot of a tree. As Shri Tulsi Das Ji was returning with his head bowed, suddenly a brahmarakshasa appeared before him, and saluted him.

The water was sanctified by the touch of Shri Tulsi Das Ji; it fell on the rakshasa and he was freed from a curse. Full of gratitude the liberated spirit said to Shri Tulsi Das Ji, “Please tell me, sir, what I can do for you.” There was but one wish that haunted Shri Tulsi Das Ji day and night and that was to see Shri Rama by winning the grace of Hanuman Ji.

So he said to the brahmarakshasa “Please help me to meet Lord Hanuman Ji.”

The spirit said: “An ugly old man comes to listen to your discourses in the temple every day. Probably you have not noticed him. He is the first to come and the last to go. His looks are disgusting. But he is none other than Hanuman Ji. Look for him.” So Hanuman Ji himself had been attending his discourses! Shri Tulsi Das Ji jumped with joy. In the evening Shri Tulsi Das Ji went to the discourse hall full of devotion. The ugly old man was already there in a corner. Shri Tulsi Das Ji felt like running to him, and falling at his feet and crying out, “Show me Lord Shri Rama.” But he checked himself. The discourse began.

The entire discourse that evening seemed to be meant only for that old man. All the time Shri Tulsi Das Ji’s eyes were fixed on him. The discourse concluded with Ram Bhajan; the audience dispersed. The old man also slowly got up and began to walk away. Shri Tulsi Das Ji followed him.

The old man left the main road and took a path leading to a forest. Shri Tulsi Das Ji noise lessly walked behind him, praying within himself to Hanuman Ji.

They were now in the heart of the forest. Shri Tulsi Das Ji suddenly ran up to the old man and fell at his feet, praying: “My master, please show me Shri Rama. Lord Hanuman Ji, have mercy on me.” The old man pretended to know nothing. Shaking him off he said, “What is all this? I am not Hanuman Ji. Let go of my feet.” But Shri Tulsi Das Ji persisted.

I know it all now. You are Hanuman, the trusted servant of Shri Rama. I won’t leave your feet unless you reveal your true self to me and fulfil my wish, come what will. Even death” said Shri Tulsi Das Ji. He implored and entreated him in several ways.

Then Hanuman Ji appeared in his true form and said, “Look, hide yourself behind this bush. Shri Rama and Lakshmana will come this way shortly. Then you can see them.”

There are several stories about how Shri Tulsi Das Ji saw Shri Rama and Lakshmana

Shri Tulsi Das Ji gave it the title, ‘Shri Ramacharita Manasa’.

Valmiki, the first poet, told the story of Shri Rama in his ‘Ramayana’; after him hundreds of poets have retold it in their own way. ‘Tulsi Ramayana’ is one of the most popular and venerated Ramayanas.

Many poets in Bharta Varsa were saints. They were great scholars as well as great devotees. They lived as rishis. Goswami Shri Tulsi Das Ji too was a great scholar well versed in Vedic lore.. People say that Shri Tulsi Das Ji, by virtue of his perfect devotion, was so fortunate as to meet Hanuman Ji, the renowned servant of Shri Rama. It is said Hanuman Ji helped him to see with his own eyes Shri Rama and Lakshmana. Shri Tulsi Das Ji declared: ‘Bhakti is the only way leading to God’s grace. Shri Rama is the Supreme God (Parabrahma). He is the ideal man. And he is the Lord of this world. His words and deeds themselves form the code of human conduct in this world.’

In his ‘Ramayana’ Shri Tulsi Das Ji has narrated the story of Shri Rama; he has also taught the principles of right living through different characters. The lessons taught in that work are valid to this day.

The epic gives beautiful pictures of the right relation between father and children, and of the affection among brothers. It also shows how the husband and the wife, mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, should conduct themselves. Shri Tulsi Das Ji describes the affection of a teacher for his disciples and the respect of the disciples for their teacher. But his poem is not just a moral Piece. Shri Tulsi Das Ji has narrated the story of Shri Rama in a moving and delightful way. As we read it we feel as if we see Rama, Sita and Lakshmana before our very eyes.

10 Common Habits That Damage the Kidneys

Kidney disease is one of the costliest illnesses in the world and managing kidney disease is very expensive.

Each year, lots of people die of kidney disease all over the world, and the number of people suffering from chronic renal failure, and need dialysis or kidney transplantation to stay alive keep increasing.

Statistics have it that, worldwide, more than millions patients are waiting for kidney transplants, but only a few thousands will receive transplants because of shortage of suitable organ donors.

Patients usually felt surprised when they are diagnosed of Kidney Failure.

Experts have found the explanation from your daily life habits.

Here are the top habits which lead to your kidney failure:

1. Not emptying your bladder early:
Maintaining a full bladder for a long time is a quick way of causing bladder damage. That the urine stays in the bladder for a long time can cause the bacteria breeding in urine to multiply quickly. Once the urine refluxes back to ureter and kidneys, the bacteria can result in kidney infections, then urinary tract infection, and then nephritis, even Uremia.

So, no matter how busy you are, remember to drink a lot of water and urinate regularly. Once you form the habit of holding back urine, it will ultimately damage your kidneys.

2. Not drinking enough water:
The main functions of the kidneys are to regulate erythrocyte balances and eliminate metabolic wastes in urine. If we do not drink enough water, the blood will be concentrated and the blood flow to the kidney will not be adequate, thus the function of eliminating toxins in from blood will be impaired.

3. Taking too much salt:
95% sodium we consume through food is metabolized by the kidneys. Exceeding the salt intake will make the kidneys work harder to excrete the excess salt and can lead to decreased kidney function. This excess sodium will cause water retention, causing edema. Edema usually elevates blood pressure and increases the risk of developing kidney disease. The daily salt intake should be controlled within 6g per day.

4. Not treating common infections quickly and properly:
Common infections, such as pharyngitis, tonsillitis, common cold etc, usually triggers or aggravates kidney damage. They do this by causing an acute attack of acute glomerulonephritis or chronic nephritis. So, you will see that people who get kidney disease for the first time or whose illness condition becomes worse usually present in hospitals with a history of cold or sore throat.

If after having cold, symptoms like blood in urine, swelling, headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, poor appetite appear, you should consult your doctor immediately, to assess your kidney functions, and start treatment if compromised.

5. Eating too much meat:
Eating too much meat and protein can increase the metabolic load of the kidney. For those suffering from proteinuria, meat consumption too may aggravate protein leakage, worsening renal pathological lesion.
It is suggested that protein intake should be 0.8g/kg per day. This means that a person with 50 kg should consume 40g of protein per day. Meat consumption per day should be limited within 300g.

6. Not eating enough:
This is equally as dangerous as eating too much, both of them will lead damages to your digestive organs where is full of mucosal tissues. Mucosal tissues relates closely to your immune system. This is why many kidney failure patients are diagnosed with “autoimmune kidney damages”.

7. Painkiller abuse:
The use of analgesics for a prolonged duration may reduce the flow blood and greatly affect kidney function. In addition, patients with analgesic-induced renal failure are more likely to suffer from bladder cancer.
Use analgesics only when it’s absolutely necessary, learn to rest instead of taking to the bottles. If you have been on pain killers for a long term, it’s about time you had a test to access you renal function done.

8. Missing your drugs:
Hypertension and diabetes have been shown to precipitate or accelerate kidney damage, so if you are diagnosed as having any of these disease don’t live your life in denial, USE YOUR DRUGS.
This will ultimately help control your condition while also helping to preserve your kidneys.

9. Drinking too much alcohol:
Drinking alcohol without limitation may cause the deposition of uric acid in renal tubules, causing tubular obstruction and increasing risks of kidney failure.

10. Not resting enough:
In our society, hypertension as a severe threat to life is largely due to stress. A common symptom of stress is insomnia. Blood pressure may increase by an average of 2-5mg/Hg because of insomnia. Chronically elevated blood pressure can cause damage to kidney capillaries giving rise to kidney problems. Thus, we need to develop a good attitude to life and strike a good balance between work and rest to protect your kidneys and live a healthy life.

At the early stage of kidney diseases, there are usually no the special symptoms, so lots of patients are not diagnosed until the acute attack appears or the illness condition develops into the late stage. So you should endeavor to do kidney function test from time to time to assess how healthy your kidneys are.

Never ignore the soreness of waist, swelling of the feet, changes in urine color or volume, increase in night urination, palor, high blood pressure and other such symptoms. Once found, you should go and see your doctor immediately.

Natural Remedies for High Blood Pressure

HIGH BLOOD Pressure usually doesn't cause any symptoms in the early stages. Symptoms associated with high blood pressure can include: Dizziness or dizzy spells, headache, nosebleeds.

Causes of High Blood Pressure: 1) Weight 2) Activity level 3) Tobacco use 4) Excessive Sodium intake 5) Low Potassium intake 6) Stress 7) Alcohol consumption 8) Age and Family history (regarding these two, I believe, they can influence but If your diet is Healthy then it would Not be an issue to that extent).

High blood pressure can also be caused by an underlying condition, such as kidney disease, hormonal disorders, thyroid disease (check it out!), adrenal gland disease, and the use of certain drugs, such as oral contraceptives, or herbs such as licorice.

Natural Remedies for High Blood Pressure:

1) folic acid (the list of it will be in today's other post)

2) Calcium (the list of it will be in today's other post)

3) Magnesium (Dark Leafy Greens (Spinach), Nuts and Seeds (Squash and Pumpkin Seeds), Fish (Halibut), Lentils, Whole Grains (Brown Rice), Avocado, Bananas, Dried Fruit (Figs) and so on)

4) Potassium (white beans, Dark Leafy Greens (Spinach), baked potatoes with skin, apricots, fish like salmon, Avocados, white mushrooms, bananas and so on)

5) HEALTHY Eating - we can't not to mention it here. :)

6) Exercise in Moderation (Yoga and so on)

7) Ayurvedic Medicine

8) Traditional Chinese Medicine - In this medicine, high blood pressure is often attributed to a problem with the circulation of vital energy (qi) in the body. Chinese medicine practitioners believe that depression, anger, obesity, and high intake of fatty foods are some of the causative factors.

9) Herbs and Supplements To Avoid - Licorice, Ephedra, Asian Ginseng, Rosemary essential oil.

In addition I would like to add that drinking Raw Celery juice (you can add a bit if red radish to suppress its taste) is also helps in Balancing Blood pressure. :)

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