Dr.Shyama Prasad Mukherjee-True Son of India.

Dr.SP Mukherjee.  (1901-1953)

23 June2012 was Dr.  Shyama Prasad Mukherjee’s 60th death anniversary.

He died in Srinagar where he was kept in jail and he died under mysterious circumstances.

Mookerjee founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951, after the differences with Pandit Nehru.

On the invitation of Mahatma Gandhi, Syama Prasad joined the first national Governament in August 1947.

He disagreed with the policy of the Government towards Pakistan as indicated by the Nehru-Liaqat Pact of 1950 and resigned from the Central Cabinet in April of that year.

In October, 1951, he organized  the Bhartiya Jana Sangh, and became its founder President. The rest of his life was spent in actively building up this party. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee championed the cause of integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India. He was arrested in Srinagar and died on 23rd June, 1953, while in custody. His funeral in Calcutta saw an outburst of feeling, which was unusual in shape and size. A pure and manly life was the ideal Dr. Shyama Prasad set before himself and he lived up to it. He was a nationalist to the core of his heart.

Country comes first was his watchword, and he died a martyr for the cause of the country. His death created a void in the public life of the nation as a whole and of West Bengal in particular, which is hard to fill. His services were lost to the country at a time when they were most essentially required. He was one of the few persons who could have given a lead to the intelligentsia of West Bengal in the difficult situation arising out of partition. However, his legacy will ever be fresh and will guide the political, cultural and educational activities of the nation for many years to come.

 The Post and Telegraphs Department issued a commemorative stamp in honor of this great son of India.

The Cosmic Connection.

Cosmic Connection.

The Moon, the planet Venus affect greatly the female.  Therefore while selecting a girl it is necessary to ascertain her nakshatra lunar position at birth in addition to her solar horoscope. There is close link between orbit of moon and Venus with female nature.

The planets influence our life as per the position of planets ascertained with details of birth like latitude,  place, date and time of birth GMT etc.

Every being is a Cosmic Being and there is in Him a receiving station to receive Cosmic waves and signals from the planets.  Planetary waves and signals are like ocean waves. They bring about movement tension dynamic situation in life. Each of the planet sends certain waves and signal when it occupies the house. There are twelve house and they determine the affairs of our life the planet will influence as per its position in the horoscope at the time of birth.

“As above, so Below-what is above there, is transmitted below in our brain.  Therefore it is safe to say that human mind reflects the Universe on a miniature scale. One has to liberate himself from fear pain obsession pleasure perverted into pain for attaining salvation. The liberated soul impose no limitation. He thrives on inner balance, which he has achieved through rules,restraint aasana,praanayama, prathyahar, dhaaraana penance meditation and Samadhi.  In doing so he becomes master of his own Universe.  All our sages and brahmrishis achieved salvation in this way. At this point they are no longer man. They are God living in the flesh of a man’s body.

Every year on the occasion of Maha Shiva-Ratri thousands of nanga-bava nude-hermits living in the valley of Girnar Hill come in a procession at the stroke of 12 at midnight at the temple of Bhava-nath at Junagadh to pay homage to Lord Shiva. Before coming to the temple in a procession they have a bath at the Girnar kund. Some out of them are Siddhas and have achieved the degree of salvation to some extent.  On this occasion pilgrims in lacs remain present to pay homage to Lord Shiva and  have darshana and blessing of the Siddhas.  Their one glimpse on us glorify our life.

Crime Detection. Fingerprinting.

The 21st century has witnessed tremendous change in the field of forensic science including Fingerprinting.

Fingerprints afford an infallible means of personal identification, because the ridge arrangement on every finger of every human being is unique and does not alter with growth or age.

Fingerprints serve to reveal an individual's true identity despite personal denial, assumed names, or changes in personal appearance resulting from age, disease, plastic surgery, or accident.

Fingerprints are classified by the shape and contour of individual pattern, by noting the finger position of the pattern type, and by relative size, determined by counting the ridges in loops and by tracing the ridges in whorls. The information obtained in this way is incorporated in a concise formula, which is the individual's fingerprint classification.

United States recognizes seven different types of patterns, radial loop, double loop, central pocket loop, plain arch, tented arch, plain whorl, and accidental. Whorls are usually circular or spiral in shape. Arches have a mound contour, while tented arches have a spike or steeple appearance in the centre. Loops have concentric hairpin or staple-shaped ridges and are described as radial loops slope toward the little finger side of the hand.

Latent fingerprinting involve locating, preserving, and identifying impression left by a culprit in the course of committing a crime. In latent fingerprints, the ridge structure is reproduced from sweat, oily secretions, or other substances naturally present on the culprit's fingers. Most latent prints are colorless and must therefore be developed, or made visible, before they can be preserved and compared. This is done by brushing them with various gray or black powders containing chalk or lampblack combined with other agents. The latent impressions are preserved as evidence either by photography or by lifting powdered prints on the adhesive surfaces of tape.

Other Fingerprinting techniques include the use of a sound spectrograph--a device that depicts graphically the frequency, duration, and intensity--to produce voice-graphs, or voiceprints, and the use of  DNA fingerprinting, an analysis of those regions of DNA that vary among individuals, to identify physical evidence blood, semen, hair, etc. as belonging to a suspect.

The latter test has been used in paternity testing as well as in forensics.

Observing Silence.

Importance of Observing Silence.

“Mahatma Gandhi during his lifetime, observed Monday

as the day of  silence.  He spoke nothing at all

for one day and observed silence.  He believed that keeping

himself silent was a way to bring order to the Mind.”

If circumstances required the Mahatma to convey something, he would

write it on a piece of paper. 

No talking for 24 hours is a hard job

One must have an iron will and steel determination to observe silence.

No talking is harder for regular people who are talkative. 

People are seen talking about anything and everything,

including baseball, basketball, cricket, music, movies, politics

and anything under the sky.

In reality, if one has to shut up for five minutes, it is difficult, if

not impossible. One feels the top of the head about to explode. 

People keep talking for the sake of talking so that their presence may be felt. 

One feels by talking he is in charge of the situation.  It is sort of behaving

like a police officer out in the middle of the traffic.

After passing a full day of silence, your mind will enable you to

speak the right words.  Your small words uttered in a routine way will

sound to others as a Command. Every word you speak counts.

Choose power words.

Singing is not talking.

We can sing together.

We can not talk together.

Silence is golden.

Silence is eloquent.

Too much of talking drives other people crazy. 

Do we call ourselves civilized?

We project ourselves as a miserable aimless directionless mob.

When we are together in a procession, we do not have to shout, wave,

yell and hoot at friends who are passer-by.

At a meeting we do not have to whisper and giggle and point out and wave

and laugh at our silly jokes.

And when we are together at the lunch table, it is not free-for-all

festival  to blab.  Lunch is a time to sit and be quiet and eat.

Human Mind.

The Yoga system, the Scriptures, the Rules, Restraint, Aasana, Pranayaam, Prityahaar Dhaarana, Penance Meditation and Samadhi lead to control, and steady the wandering Mind. Chanting Bhakti songs helps.

Rein the Mind. Control it. Tame it. Fix it. Tie it. Mind needs to be disciplined. It is jumping from one subject to another in a matter of seconds.  Human Mind remains continually at work.  It never stops. In sleep the sub-conscious Mind is at work.

Mind is an open piece of land. It has to be walled and confined within the boundaries of four mental walls. 

In birds half their Mind is shut when they are resting. Their one eye is seen shut. Turn by turn half the Mind gets rest as the bird shifts its eye.  We have to keep one eye closed and Mind would slow down at a half its speed.

Eyes and Mind have connection. Concentrate on your Eyes. Focus Eye-Sight on tip of your nose.  It is an auto-switch to stop the Mind running roaming around. Talk with eye-sight fixed on the tip and you will feel the magic change. It leads to concentration and qualitative outcome.

A good movie keeps you engrossed and you forget to think.  You view a game and keep your Mind engrossed in the game and you will be free. We have to keep engrossed in some activity.  Keep busy. Do not be alone. Form a group.  Do prayers.   Take a piece of paper and start writing God’s name a thousand times. Take a char-coal and do designs on the wall and feel the change. 

All our scriptures insist about Concentration.  Concentrate on one aspect.  Yoga is based on controlling the Mind and Senses through physical exercise and following the rituals to steady the Mind. 

As per Neurology report we lose 10000 grey cells every hour on account of wasteful thinking. 

It will help if you engage in menial work like gardening, lawn-mowing cooking cleaning etc.

You would be nearer to Heaven through a game of Foot-Ball than chanting  Gita with mind roaming with dream for food and sweets and sleep.

Leverage.

Leverage.

Let me find a proper place to stand. I can move the Earth by indirect equilibrium. This is leverage.

Lever is that metal bar which can lift things swiftly at a proper point. This point is leverage.

A Life spent in constant labor is life wasted.  It is an obituary notice.

It is not important what you know. It is important whom you know.

Therefore master leverage.  Find a place and stand there to move things. That is your success.

All bow to the strong and Mighty.

All bow to the Wealthy.  All bow to those with Power.

Wealth follows them.  Nothing is wrong for them.  Might is Right.

Survival of the Fittest.  This is the Law of Nature.

Jeevo  Jeevashya Bhojanam.  Big fish eat away the small ones.

In life nothing is for free, eventually you pay for it.  No turns Yes for money.

We have to re-write our education.  Where, all are rogues, you can’t afford to be gentleman.

Therefore use leverage.  You have not to move. Things have to move. Know this and world is yours.

Americans  say that US is best country in the world.  To them USA is their world. They use leverage.

Theirs’  is First World.  There is Second World-Europe, and all others are in Third World. Leverage.

Canada pampers Quebec for the last 100 years.  Quebec use leverage-the referendum.

It knows if separated it can’t survive six months.  It survives on federal grants by leverage.

This is how the cycle of life goes on and goes on till eternity. Place yourself at a spot using leverage.

We have to compete and survive in the world living with pirates. We have to survive.

None can reach you if you are smart.  

The Gayatri Mantra.

Rishi Vishvamitra is the chief worshipper of Gayatri Mantra.

The Gayatri Mantra enabled Rishi Viswamitra to use rare weapons which bowed to his will when the Mantra was repeated with faith. Through the power he attained, Viswamitra was able to create a counterpart of this Cosmos.  

The Gavatri Mantra is addressed to the energy of the Sun, Surya.

OM is the sacred salutary introduction in every mantra, shloka.

The first part of the mantra is the respectful address to the Gods of Earth Sky and Heaven.

The second part is the submission that we pray meditate upon You Gods.

The third part relates to prayer to illuminate our Mind, Heart and the Soul.

OM BHUR BHUVAHA SWAHA OM TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGHO DEVASYA DHIMAHI DHIYO YONAHA PRACHA UDAYAT 
 is revered by both Buddhists and Hindus worldwide. It is considered to be a supreme vehicle for gaining spiritual enlightenment. The longer form of the mantra activates all seven major Chakras and connects them to the seven great spiritual realms of existence.

"I invoke the Earth Plane, The Astral Plane, The Celestial Plane, The Plane of Spiritual Balance, The Plane of Human Spiritual Knowledge, The Plane of Spiritual Austerities, and The Plane of Ultimate Truth. Oh, great Spiritual Light which is the brilliance of all Divinity, we meditate upon You. Please illumine our minds." 

By chanting this mantra, Divine spiritual light and power is infused in each of the seven chakras and connects them to the Spiritual Realm. The last part infuses our mind, heart and soul with the power of the spiritual light that created the Universe.

A period of 40 days has been widely recognized as an auspicious period both in the East and the West since ancient times. A traditional way to do an extended mantra practice is to choose a number of repetitions per day, and to do that for 40 days. The mind likes to have a beginning and end to a practice, a sense of completion, such as comes with a 40 day practice. It becomes a way of life.

Om: The sacred welcome symbol
Bhur: the physical world
Bhuvah: the mental world
Suvah: the celestial, spiritual world
Thath: That; God; transcendental Paramatma
Savithur: the Sun, Creator, Preserver
Varenyam: most adorable, enchanting
Bhargo: luster, effulgence
Devasya: resplendent,supreme Lord
Dheemahi: we meditate upon
Dhiyo: the intellect,understanding
Yo: May this light
Nah: our
Prachodayath: enlighten,guide,inspire.

Goddess Gayatri is the author of this verse. She is Saraswati, Savitri and Gayatri and has five faces invoking five elements of Agni Vayu, Aakash Jal and Prithvi.

..Om Gayatrim namami….

Jain Politician Shrimad Hemchandracharya.

Shrimad Hemchandra Acharya. (1088-1173)

Born in Dhandhuka.Gujarat.

Parents:  Chachadev and Pahini.

Guru:      Acharya Devsuri.

Hema-Shabda-Anusasana is his work on emphasis on grammar and chhanda.

As per Prabhavak-charita he composed 3.5 million shloka.

"Bhavbijaskurajanana ragadayah kshaymupagata yasya; Brahma va Vishnurva haro Jino va namastasmai."

Meaning,

"I am bowing down to that god, who has destroyed the passions like attachment (Rag) and hatred (Dwesh) which are the cause of worldly life, whether he is Brahma, Vishnu, or Jina."

Hemchandra had predicted seven years earlier that Kumarpal would be the king of Gujarat.  The acharya had once saved Kumarpal's life. Therefore, Kumarpal considered Hemchandra his spiritual Guru and benefactor.

Kumarpal gave him the exceptional honor and sought his advice in the shaping of his kingdom in Gujarat. In a very short time, Gujarat became a center of non-violence, learning, and good culture at Patan.

The principal ingredients of the religion according to him are:

An ultimate distinction between "living substance" or  jiva and  a-jiva, the doctrine of anek-antavaha, or non-absolutism, the doctrine of naya, the thesis that there are many partial perspectives from which reality can be determined, none of which is, taken by itself, wholly true, but each of which is partially so,  and the doctrine of karma,  a substance, rather than a process, that links all phenomena in a chain of cause and effect.

As a consequence of their metaphysical liberalism, it developed a unique theory of seven-valued logic, according to which the three primary truth values are "true," "false," and "indefinite," and the other four values are "true and false," "true and indefinite," "false and indefinite," and "true, false, and indefinite."

Musical Arts. Qawwali.

Qawwali music originated in Persia in the 12th century. It is characterized by simple melodies, forceful rhythms, and wild improvisations intended to stir the audience into a euphoric state. The music is based upon medieval poems that reflect religious faith through images of romantic love. The qawwal memorizes these poems, and he then uses phrases and passages from different poems to create a new expression or idea. The performance is marked by passionate shouting and dancing. As in other gospel music, qawwali uses repetition and a series of emotional peaks and rests to intoxicate the audience.

Usually accompanied by tabla, harmonium, and backing vocals, the Maestro Qawwal Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan sang in a very high pitch and had a powerful and highly expressive voice. Perhaps his most exceptional qualities were his melodic creativity and legendary stamina. He had been known to perform for 10 hours.

Bollywood influenced the development of the qawwali in several ways.  The filmi qawwali also set the precedent for the showy quality that one finds in modern performances.  Another effect of the filmi qawwali was the downgrading of the religious and devotional aspect. A typical example of a filmi qawwali is "Sharam ke Kyun Sab" from the film "Chaudvin ka Chand". Female characters also participated like a duel male versus the female casting sarcasm and challenge between one another.

Solar Energy.

In monsoon we see the rain-water raining from the sky but we do not bother to see the dry rain of sun rays raining from the sky all the year round.

It is said there are 180 working days out of 365, in a year  in New York due to weather conditions.

In India one can work round the year all the 365 days if he has the will to do so.

Our Sun Shines round the year. We have no such slogan “Make Hay when the Sun Shines.”

Our country enjoys pure Sun Energy pouring down on us, streaming down on us round the year, a down-pour of golden rays a sort of dry-rain falling raining which we have to stop to hold a bucket to fill it. But we don’t.  The Sun radiation is wasted on us unless we get ready to see it and use it for our welfare.    We could be rich. We all could be rich. Most of all we could be free from worries of bread butter for our existence.

We have to attempt to base every mechanical process without exception on the free energy of the Sun.  Heating, Cooling, Cooking, Transport, Water-Pumping could be run directly or indirectly from this great source of energy of the Sun.  Even an industry can be run with this. Millions of acre of land is empty and lying vacant in many parts of the country. Let us develop them into Sun-City to run our industry.

No originality develops unless one is free of worry of lodging boarding and daily means for existence. We would be the first nation to give our people a life of freedom to enable them to devote to their choice of field of art, science sport painting anything. Work as you like. No restriction, half day, full day a week at a time, one year on and one year off different times and different kinds of work in different towns and cities in different fields you wanted. 

We would be the first country to make our youth a self-directed free fellow to pursue his course of life without fear of fees food clothes or means of subsistence.  Already countries like Brazil Iceland Switzerland have turned their focus on this vernacular development.

Lest we might be late.  Let our Youth be free and see and feel the difference.

Hindu Religion-the Gotra.

Gotra is lineage identification within caste that prohibits inter-marriage by virtue of our descent from a common ancestor. Gotra originally referred to the seven lineage sections of Maha-Rishis, who trace their derivation from Sapt-Rishi lineage, Atri, Bharadvaja, Bhrgu, Gotama, Kashyapa, Vasistha, and Vishvamitra. An eighth Gotra was added early on, the Agastya, named after the Seer intimately linked up with the spread of Vedic influence in southern India.

If you do not know your Gotra, Puranas say that you can name Kashyap Gotra as Sage Kashyap is the Originator of all human beings.  He hails all Gotras.

According to Hindu Marriage act 1955 Sec.5 (iv),  a marriage is voidable if the parties were within the degrees of prohibited relationship unless custom usage of a particular caste permits.

Therefore as a general rule:-

brother-sister,

uncle, maternal paternal with niece,

aunt, maternal paternal with nephew,

sons and daughters of brothers, sisters,

cannot marry with  each other.

Folk Dance-Gujarati Garba Dance.

Folk Dance. Gujarati Garba Dance.

In the field of Folk Dance popularity, the Garba dance from Gujarat may perhaps top the list.  Garba is the dance form popular at festival Nav-Ratra. It is a simple, joyful dance, based on a circular pattern and characterized by a sweeping action from side to side accompanied by hand clapping.

At the Dashahara festival, around September,  after the monsoon rains, girls carrying pitchers go from house to house and dance around the Garabi,that is the Dance-Pandol decorated pots containing offerings are hung in the doorways. Later they celebrate by dancing around portrait of the goddess of plenty and prosperity, Mataji Ambaji. The Garaba dances are also performed at the Holi spring festival, when many activities centre on the Krishna legends. Folk dances similar to the Garaba are performed in other parts of India, especially Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan.

Hindu Mythology-Samudra-Manthan.

The Asuras were older than their half-brothers the Gods. They acquired great possessions in the three worlds, but they did not sacrifice to each other, because they did not visit holy places, they did not acquire spiritual powers within themselves.

The Gods who did not have great possessions went on making sacrifices, went on dealing truthfully with each other, went on visiting holy places until they had greater and greater spiritual power within themselves.

The Gods and the Asuras knew that they could gain the Amrit, the nector of Life, if they churned up one of the seven oceans that, ring beyond ring, encircles the worlds. They came down to the Ocean of Milk. They took the Mountain Mandara for a churning-pole and the hundred-headed Vāsuki for a churning-rope. They wound the Vasuki around the mountain, and pulling it this way and that way they splashed and dashed the, Ocean up and down and to and fro. And the Ocean of Milk frothed and bubbled as they churned,it was supported by Lord Vishnu in the incarnation of Kurma.

For a thousand years the Gods and the Asuras churned the Ocean of Milk. All that time Vāsuki, from his hundred heads spat venom. The venom bit into the rocks and broke them up; it flowed down, destroying the worlds of Gods and men. Then all creation would have been destroyed in that flood of venom if it had not been for the act of Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva took up the venom in the bowl, stored it in his throat. His throat became blue. But by his act, the Gods achieved more spiritual powers than the Asuras.

Still they churned. Then out of the Ocean of Milk came the wish-bestowing cow, Surabhi. Gods and Asuras rejoiced at the prosperity that came with her. Then appeared the Apsaras and Asuras sported with them. The moon was churned up, and Lord Shiva took it and set it upon his forehead.

The Asuras sported with the Apsaras. The Gods, labored at the churning, and the whole Ocean of Milk foamed and bubbled. Then was churned up the gem of gems, Kaustubha, and then white Uchhaibhsravas, the best of steeds.

Now the Gods grew in strength as they labored, they grew in strength, while the Asuras abandoned themselves more and more to pleasures, and they fought amongst themselves on account of the pleasures that all of them sought. And then, seated on a lotus and holding a lotus in her hand, a lovely Goddess appeared. She went to Lord Vishnu; she cast herself on the God, and, reclining there, she delighted the Gods with the glances she bestowed on them.

Asuras, in despair because Good Fortune had gone to the side of the Gods, stood around, determined to seize by force the next good thing that came out of the churning.

And then, behold! there appeared the sage Dhanvantari, and in his hands was the bowl that held the Amrit, the nector of Life. The Asuras strove to seize it; they would drink it all themselves, or else they would fling the Amrit where Vasuki’s venom was dripping on the rocks. Almost they overpowered the Gods in their efforts to seize the Amrit. Then Lord Vishnu changed himself into a ravishing form, he switched to be Mohini. The Asuras went towards where Mohini postured for them. Even then they fought amongst each other. And the Gods took the bowl, and, sharing it, they drank from the bowl of the Amrit.

And now they were filled with such vigor that the Asuras could not overpower them.  They drove them down into hell where they became the Daityas

The Gods were triumphant and the three worlds became filled with radiance and spiritual power.       Indra, seated upon his throne, made a hymn in praise of Devi Laxmi. She granted him his wish, which was that she should never abandon the Gods.

The fourteen Jewels were taken among them as under.

Kamdhenu.                                         The Rishis.

Uchhaishravan Ashva.                        King Bali.

Airavata Elephant.                              Indra.

Jewel Kaustubhmani.                          Lord Vishnu.

Goddess Laxmi.                                  Lord Vishnu.

Divine Nector.                                               The Devatas.

Divine Apsaras.                                   The Devtas./Asuras

Sura the Wine.                                                The Asuras.

Holy Tree Parijat.                                The Yachakas.

Dhanvantary.                                      Lord Vishnu.

Poison.                                                            Lord NeelKanth. (Shiva)

Moon.                                                  Lord Shiva’s Forehead.

The Sacred Conch.                              Lord Vishnu.              

Mohini.                                                Avatar.            

Elephanta Caves.

The Elephanta island is located in Bombay, about 6 mile from Gateway of India.  

Elephanta Island has an area of 4-6 square miles, varying with the tide. In the early 16th century Portuguese navigators named the island Ilha Elefante , Elephant Island in reference to a large stone elephant that was found there; the statue was later moved to Victoria Garden, Bombay. The island's Hindi name, Gharapuri, derives from a small village at its southern end.

Elephanta's famous 8th- and 9th-century cave temples were added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1987.

Atop a large hill, they occupy some 54,800 square feet. The main temple is a long hall stretching 90 feet, carved into the rock on the walls and ceiling of the cave are rows of columns and crossbeams. The plan of the temple is such that important points are laid out in the form of a mandapa. A series of sculptured panels lining the walls of the cave portrays images from  mythology, the most celebrated of which is the 20-foot,  high Trimurti,  the famous three-headed Shiva posture in the role of destroyer, preserver, and creator emerging from a mountain.

Other sculptures depict Shiva crushing Ravana with his toe, the marriage of Shiva and Parvati, Shiva bringing the Ganges to earth by letting her flow through his hair, and Shiva as the embodiment of cosmic energy, dancing to drums.

A linga is housed in a sanctuary at the western end of the temple. When the island was ceded to the Portuguese by the Sultan of Ahmedabad in the 16th century, it ceased to be a place of worship, and the caves and sculptures were damaged by Portuguese soldiers. In the 1970s the temples were restored and preserved, and the island became a popular tourist site. 

Akshaya Tritiya.

The main legend is from Mahabharata.

When Pandavas were in exile, Lord Krishna gave Draupadi a bowl called the Akshaya Pathram.

The word Akshaya means that which never diminishes and this bowl is said to have given infinite food to the Pandavas.

This is why this day is considered to be a good time to bring home Goddess Lakshmi, in any form, gold, silver or platinum. Valuables that are acquired on this day are said to be replenished endlessly.

There is also another legend associated with the day, also known as Akha Teej, in North India.

This is celebrated as the birthday of Parshurama, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu marking the beginning of Golden Age. Parshuram is the son of Jamadagni and Renuka.

One day, when Jamadagni got angry with his wife Renuka, he commanded Parshuram to kill her.

Obeying his father's command, he killed his mother. In return, when Jamadagni offered his son a boon, he got his mother back to life.

Associated with the Mahabarata, is another story behind the origin of the day.

It was on this day that the Pandavas unearthed weapons that clinched them their victory over the Kauravas.

It is also believed that Goddess Vijaya Chamundeshwari killed an Asura on this day.

It was also on this day that Ved Vyasa, along with Lord Ganesha, is believed to have started writing the Mahabharata.

And according to the puranas, this day marks the beginning of the Treta Yuga, which is the second out of four yugas, or ages of man, in Hindu religion, following the Satya Yuga of perfect morality and preceding the Dvapara Yuga.

The most famous events in this yuga were Lord Vishnu's fifth, sixth and seventh incarnations as Vamana, Parasurama and Rama respectively

ParsuRam Jayanti.

I am proud of my Friend Colleague Prashanth for his say that every being is a cosmic being.

Cosmic energy if it is inert dormant has to be developed electrified enlarged by penance and meditation. One has to be blessed by an Idol an ideal a Guru whom he keeps worshipping while meditating and prove to be worthy of his blessing.

Dynasty of Lord Parasurama 
In the dynasty of the Ailas was a great king named Gadhi. His daughter Satyavati was chaste and beautiful. The king was approached by sage Ruchika for the hand of his daughter.

King Gadhi did want to refuse a Brahman, but at the same time did not consider him a fit match for his daughter. So he fixed a dowry for his daughter, of at least one thousand horses, brilliant as the sunshine, with one ear black and the other white. The great sage understanding the mind of the king, procured this from Varuna, the demigod of the ocean, and thus was married to Satyavati. 

Soon Satyavati and her mother both approached sage Ruchika and requested him to perform a yajna  so that they could have a son. The great sage performed the yajna and prepared two oblations, one for his wife, Satyavati and one for her mother. Since he was a Brahman, he instructed his wife to eat the oblation prepared to induce Brahmanical qualities in the child.

The oblation for the mother-in-law was prepared with Ksatriya mantra since she belonged to the ruling class. 

The mother of Satyavati thinking that the oblation for her daughter was superior to her, requested it from her daughter and ate it, while Satyavati ate the oblation prepared for her mother.

When the great sage Ruchika found out about this, he first declared that while Satyavati would have a fierce son on Ksatriya qualities, her mother would have a learned son of Brahmanical qualities. However, appeased by his remorseful wife, he later decreed that while Satyavati would have a Brahmanical son, the son of this son would be a fierce warrior. 

Thus was set the stage for the appearance of Lord Parasurama. In accordance with the decree of sage Ruchika, Satyavati had Jamadagni as a son, who was a gentle pious Brahman. The mother of Satyavati, the wife of King Gadhi had a son, who though born in a ksatriya family would later become a great Brahman rishi called Vishwamitra. 

The chaste Satyavati later became the sacred river Kausika, to purify the entire world. Her son Jamadagni married Renuka, the daughter of Renu. He had several sons headed by Vasuman. The youngest of his son was called Rama. Because of his fondness of parusa (metal chopper) as a weapon he was later called Parasurama.

Parsuram is the sixth Incarnation of lord Vishnu, belongs to the Tretayug, and is the son of Jamadagni and Renuka. He received an axe after undertaking a terrible penance to please Lord Shiva, from whom He learned the methods of warfare and other skills. Dharani is his wife an incarnation of Goddess Laxmi.

King Kartavirya Sahastr-arjuna, took away the holy cow Surbhi forcibly, and the King's sons killed Jamadagni in Parshuram's absence. Furious at their unrighteous act, He killed all sons of the King and also went on killing all corrupt Haihaya Kings and warriors on the earth 21 times.

He then conducted the Ashvamedha sacrifice, done only by sovereign Kings and gave the entire land He owned to priests who performed the sacrifice.

He is Immortal who stopped the advancing ocean back, thus saving the lands of Maharashtra - Karnataka - Kerala coastline and it is known as Parsuram Kshetra.

He has been a Guru to Bhishma, Dronacharya and later also to Karna. He taught Karna the extremely powerful Brahmastra. But He also cursed that the knowledge would be useless to Karna, predicting much in advance that Karna will join the unrighteous Duryodhana in the Kurukshetra war. Such was His love for Righteousness.

Parshuram is a martial Shraman ascetic. However, unlike all other Incarnations, Parshuram lives on earth even today. The Kalki Purana states Parshuram will be the martial guru of Sri Kalki, the 10th and final Incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is He who instructs Kalki to perform a long penance unto Shiva to receive celestial weaponry.

He created a temple of worship right after He resurfaced Kerala from the sea. He placed statues of various Deities in 108 different places and introduced martial arts to protect the temple from the evil.

Parshuram is known as an avesha avatar, in other words he was born into the soul of a man rather than by direct descent. It is for this reason that he is not widely worshiped in this format, although there are several temples dedicated to Parshuram. The majority of such temples are situated on the Indian coast.

There is a major festival known as Parshuram Jayanti that celebrates this deity. The festival takes place during April of the Western calendar, or on the third day of the bright half of the Hindu month Vaishakh. There is a giant parade and the festivities are hosted by the Brahmins resident in Jammu city.

One story that relates to this avatar involves the anger of his father Jamadagni. Based on his rage, he asked Parshuram to slay his wife Renuka, Parshuram's mother. In obedience and devotion to his father, this deed was done. However, when offered a reward for his obedience, he requested his mother be given back her life. From this story comes the recognition of this avatar with parental devotion.

Another tale tells of Kartavirya Sahashrarjun, who was a kshatrya (warrior king), murdering Parshuram's father. Due to this deed, Parshuram made a vow to obliterate all warrior kings. However, in fear the kshatrya fled the district until being urged back on the grounds that Parshuram must depart. He was then exiled to the mountain Mahendra because of his misconduct.

A third story tells of Parshuram's intention to visit Shiva. Apparently he was stopped by Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu deity en route. Parshuram responded by hurling his axe at Ganesha, who allowed it to sever a tusk as the axe had been gifted by Shiva.

he knew most of the vidyas by the age of eight and was able to converse with animals. Although there are numerous references and stories pertaining to Parshuram, his main purpose was reportedly to rid the planet of wrongness, especially formed by powerful kings who mistreated their status.

Japan-The Geisha.

Geisha girls entertain men, at parties in restaurants or tea-houses.                                                                                            The Japanese word geisha means "art person," and singing, dancing, and playing the flute.                           They excel in flower arranging, performing the tea ceremony, or calligraphy.                                             Geisha provides an atmosphere of chic and gaiety for her wealthy clientele.                                                             Geisha are dressed in traditional kimonos and delicately mannered and have a knowledge not only of the past but also of contemporary gossip.

The geisha system is thought to have emerged in the 17th century to provide a class of entertainers set apart from courtesans and prostitutes, who plied their trades respectively among the nobility and samurai. The geisha system was traditionally a form of indentured labor, although some girls, attracted by the glamour of the life, volunteered.

Usually, a girl at an early age was given by her parents for a sum of money to a geisha house, which taught, trained, fed, and clothed her for a period of years. Then she emerged into the society known as karyu-kai, the flower of the willow world  and began earning money to repay her parents' debt and her past keep.

The most sought-after geisha could command large sums from their customers. Besides providing entertainment and social companionship, geisha sometimes maintained sexual relationships with their clients.

In the 1920s there were as many as 80,000 geisha in Japan, but by the late 20th century their number had dwindled to only a few thousand, almost all confined to Tokyo and Kyoto, where they were patronized by only the wealthiest businessmen and most influential politicians. This decline in numbers was chiefly due to the easier availability of more casual forms of sex in postwar Japan; bar hostesses have taken over the geisha's role with the ordinary Japanese businessman.

When a geisha marries, she retires from the profession. If she does not marry, she usually retires as a restaurant owner, teacher of music or dance, or trainer of young geisha.

Earth Day. 22-04-2012.

Earth Day. 22-04-2012.

Joyful joyful we adore our Earth in all its wonderment
Simple gifts of nature that all join into a paradise
Now we must resolve to protect her
Show her our love throughout all time
With our gentle hand and touch
We make our home a newborn world
Now we must resolve to protect her
Show her our love throughout all time
With our gentle hand and touch
We make our home a newborn world

It is the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

1.      We have to educate ourselves.  How can we solve the problem if we don't know what the problem is? Information on green thinking, environmentalism and sustainable living is everywhere these days. Why not start with like our very own guide for How to Go Green?

2.      Transport. One of the biggest impacts we have on the planet is a direct result of the way we move ourselves around. You might consider walking, biking or using mass transit, at least a few days a week. Let the cars sleep.

3.      Energy. Many of the most effective ways to cut carbon emissions are also the cheapest. Turn lights off when you go out, install energy efficient bulbs and appliances, insulate your home, and keep an eye on consumption.

4.      Water

Every drop of tap water we use also requires energy to filter, purify and transport, and that means fossil fuel emissions. And for those of you in dryer areas, you know only too well that water is becoming an ever-scarcer resource. Fortunately it's pretty easy to do something about--install water-saving shower heads and aerators, turn the tap off when you're brushing your teeth, switch to more efficient appliances, or collect rainwater for use in the garden.

5.      Food.  More and more people are getting interested in sustainable food systems. To bring it back to basics, there are four principles that can help guide you to greener meals: eat local, eat seasonal, eat organic, and finally, eat less meat.

6.      Waste. Waste is still a big deal. Every item thrown away has taken energy and resources to manufacture and transport, and it will take even more energy and resources to process and dispose of, whether through landfill or recycling. So the old adage still rings true: reduce, reuse, recycle. And don't forget to compost!

7.      Threads. Organic cotton, and other alternative fabrics like hemp, flax or bamboo are becoming increasingly common, as are high-end fashion items from recycled materials. And then, of course, there are the trusty vintage and thrift stores  everywhere--style never goes out of fashion.

8.      Personal care. hemp-based, goat milk lip blusher may be the greenest product of its kind on the market.  Use nature organic products as beauty items.

9.      Plastic bags, bottles, plastic waste has to be recycled. Our planet, our home is being neglected. Climate change continues unabated. It seems there's a new ecological disaster happening almost daily. This Earth Day it's time to mobilize the planet from the ground up to send a message that the Earth won't wait

Jyotindra Dave-Gujarati Writer and Humorist

Humor King Gujarati Writer Jyotindra Dave.(1901-1980).

At public functions Jyotindra Dave’s funny smiling frame provoked a sense of humor and amusement. Humor is that quality of the imagination which gives to the idea an incongruous  fantastic turn, and tends to excite laughter or mirth in his narration of events in his speech or found in his expressions in his books.

Humor is a quality that makes something laughable or amusing, funny  to see the humor of the situation, which intends to induce laughter or amusement by Jyotindra Dave who was skilled at crafting humor, depending upon our ability to perceive, enjoy, or express what is amusing, comical, incongruous, or absurd.  

Jyotindra narrated humor as hāsya as one of the fine attributes of literature,emotional response which is inspired in the mind of the reader by specific description, the emotions could generate fun and laughter, while reading the description of a singular event.

Jyotindra Dave’s name is synonymous with humor wit satire and laughter found in his books.

Not that there was paucity of humor, wit and laughter-provoking writers in Gujarati literature,but Jyotindra Dave’s works were of unique healthy innocent fun that readers used to enjoy from his prose.  His ‘Rang Tarang” in six parts is one of his master-piece works that has sent entire Gujarati lovers of literature in India and abroad in peel of laughter for many decades and his wit and humor has survived him.

He was the recipient of Ranjeet-Ram Gold medal for his humor wit and fun.

There have been many other writers on this field but Jyotindra Dave has been a class by himself unparallel for the present.  Some of his other works are:

Vad ane Teta.

Ame Badhan.

Jyotindra Taranga.

Nazar-Lambi ane Tunki.

Triju Sukh.

Jibh.

Aga Khan.

The Aga Khans are the Spiritual Leader of the Ismailias and the Khoja-community.

The First Aga Khan, Hasan Ali Shah (1800-1881). The Shah of Iran had appointed  Hasan Ali Shah as the First Aga Khan, and 46^th  Imam in the year 1818, both of the posts he held  from 1818 to 1881 till his death.  After his death his son succeeded  him as the second Aga Khan.

Hasan Ali  at the relevant time was the governor of the Iran province of Kerman and was high in the favor of Shah of Iran. The title Aga Khan chief commander was granted to Aga Hasan in 1818 by the Shah. But thereafter, under the next Shah of Iran Mohammad Shah, however felt his family honor slighted and rose in revolt in 1838 but was defeated and fled to India.

He helped the British in the first Anglo-Afghan War (1839-42) and in the conquest of Sindh (1842-43) and was granted a pension. After he had settled in Bombay, he encountered some opposition from a minority of his followers, who contested the extent of his spiritual authority and in a lawsuit challenged his control over the community's funds, but he won his case in 1866.

The term Khoja is not a religious designation but a purely caste distinction that was carried over from the Hindu background of the group. Thus, there are Sunnite Khojas and Shi'ite Khojas. Other Nizari Isma'ilis share the same beliefs, practices, and even language with the Khojas. However, one cannot enter the caste except by birth.

Khojas live primarily in India and East Africa. Every province with large numbers of them has an Isma'ili council, the decisions of which are recognized as legal by the state. As Nizari Isma'ilis, Khojas are followers of the Aga Khan.