New Year History and Origin

If you look long back into the history and origin of human civilization, you’ll find the New Year being celebrated on different dates by different groups of people across the length and breadth of the globe. Celebrating January 1 as the New Year’s Day is only a matter of the last few centuries. History states that the New Year celebration is the oldest of the holidays and is believed to be first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. This New Year festivity lasted for eleven days in Babylon.Some even hold that in 153 B.C, it was the Romans who first observed the first day of January as the beginning of a New Year. But this wasn’t for any seasonal or agricultural reasons; the Romans chose it simply for civil reasons; it was the day when the newly elected consuls would assume their new positions in the Roman Empire. Prior to this, the day of the vernal equinox, March 25, was their New Year Day.

There were not any significant reforms in the calendar until 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII introduced further changes in the calendar system and finally gave shape to the today’s system of calendar calculation and division of the year. Not just that, he also reinforced January 1 as the New Year Day, its pre-Christian connotations notwithstanding. This Gregorian calendar, based on the Roman model, was soon adopted by the Catholic countries. However, it took a little time for the Reformists to follow suit. Great Britain and its American colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar in the year 1752 and before long, this came to be recognized as the official calendar in all countries over the world.

New Year has both religious and secular aspects. The Roman Catholics observe New Year Day as a day of obligation, while the rest of the Christians around the world celebrate New Year as a day of worship, followed by merry-making at night .But with gradual spread of Christianity, the church started its own way of outwitting pagan celebrations—they observed their individual religious observances for the occasions. New Year was no exception. Hence, the New Year Day is still observed as the Feast of Christ's Circumcision by some Christian denominations.

At different places around the world, different kinds of people have their own unique ways of New Year celebrations while most countries celebrate New Year on January 1, some countries like China and Iran celebrate it on different dates. The New Year celebrations of the Iranians are in March to welcome spring. Rosh Hashanah or the Jewish New Year is celebrated in late September or early October.

In India, New Year is celebrated at the beginning of each season. Diwali which is celebrated at the beginning of autumn is also known as the ‘festival of lights’. Hundreds of diyas (small handmade oil lamps) are lit in each house and firecrackers are burnt to drive away the evil and welcome the good. Baisakhi is the New Year celebration at the beginning of spring. It marks the beginning of the Hindu solar year. The festival sees a lot of merrymaking with firecrackers, wearing of new clothes, feasting and dancing.New Year customs and traditions that are followed today have their roots way back in the ancient societies. In the ancient societies, the number of harvests determined the number of New Year they had. New Year over the years has always symbolized a new beginning and the New Year customs and traditions are a result of prevalent customs and traditions of New Year across the world. If you look closely, you will notice that the customs and traditions we follow today on New Year are modified versions of these ancient practices.

The Open House, which was started by George Washington, is yet another of the New Year customs and traditions that still prevails. It is the tradition of holding a feast to which all are invited. However in the past, the custom was exploited and many people took it as an opportunity to just eat and drink as much as they could, wherever they could. So slowly people began sending invitations and only the invitees were allowed at the feast. Hence it declined to some extent, but at a few places, it is still practiced.

* Previously it was believed that the fate of the whole year could be affected by what people did on the first day of the New Year. So they celebrated a lot during the first few hours of the New Year and this custom is happily followed even today with people partying into the late hours of the night on New Year’s Eve and New Year Day. The food that people have on New Year is often symbolic too. Anything that is circular is customarily the item of choice as it is a representation of ‘the coming of the full circle’.The New Year customs and traditions have become a part of the celebrations during New Year in the United States of America as also in the rest of the world. Go ahead and enjoy the brand New Year ahead with all its fun customs and traditions.

WISH YOU ALL HAPPY NEW YEAR

A NEW YEAR DAWNS…
IT BRINGS IN
NEW ASPIRATIONS,NEW HOPES
NEW RESOLUTIONS A WHOLE NEW BEGINNING
MAY ALL YOUR DREAM COME TRUE
MAY YOU BLESSED WITH JOY ALL THROUGH
HAPPY NEW YEAR...

(COLLECTION FROM NET)

Happy Christmas

Hare Rama Hare Krishna

Team Spirit

Team spirit From last article we not only learn of the reason for the V formation of geese in flight but also learn the importance of team work that nature teaches us. This demonstrates that ‘No man is an island’. We need to not only work together but support each other to achieve a common goal. Also, working as a team, encouraging and supporting each other lets us accomplish amazing goals with much less effort.
Sharing the same direction and working as team, get us to the destination quicker and easier by helping ourselves the accomplishments are greater!
By standing in time and united beside those who are going in the same direction, the effort will be less. It will be easier to pleasing to reach the goal, every one will be inclined to accept and give help.
To share the leadership there must be mutual respect between us at the time….
Sharing the hardest problems and tasks….
Gathering our abilities and combining our facilities
Talents and resourses….
When there is courage and encouragement
The progress is greater…
A timely word of encouragement, always motivate, helps and strengthens…
It produces the best of benefits…
Let’s stay beside each other
No matter what the differences…
Specially in the time of difficulty and great challenges…
If we bond together and support each other…
If we make true the sprit of team work…
Regardless of our differences, we can rise to meet our challenge.
If we understand the real value of friendship…
If we are aware of the feeling of sharing… Life will be easier and the passing years more fulfilling...
Why can't we be like these geese?
(Ref from inspirational books)

Why do geese fly in a "V" Formation?

Why do geese fly in a V formation?

I am always good observer of nature. In Morning and evening I saw birds flying in group in 'v' formation .I always amazed to see it . While reading I understand the scientific reason and their team spirit. That I am sharing...

Most of us based on our geographical location might have seen large groups of geese migrating while flying in a V formation. Other of us might have only seen this in books or on the television. This formation can be seen when they migrate from their summer homes. You may have wondered why they choose this particular regular V-shaped formation pattern. Everything in nature was done for a particular reason even though we might not see the obvious reason for such. Nature teaches us many things, and if we could only just take some time out of our daily busy schedule to ponder, learn and understand things around us whether it is an ant, a plant, a bird, our general surrounding and so on, we would be much more wiser individuals and leaders in this world.
This article will therefore answer the question above and also quickly look at how we can learn and apply this natural phenomena to better our daily lives.So, why lines. do they fly in this particular formation? Over the years scientists have came up with theories of why migratory birds such as geese fly in a V-shaped formation. A study done sometime back also shed some light on this particular V formation. This study discovered that birds flying in a V format had lower heart rates than bird flying alone. Why? The aerodynamic V shape formation reduces the air drag (air resistance) that each bird experiences when in flight in comparison to a bird flying solo. This allows them to cover longer distance (thousands of miles) with much less effort. For example, geese can achieve a greater distance of about 70 percent when flying in groups than each flying solo, using the same amount of energy. In this formation, the bird in the lead position will experience a greater air resistance and will have to work a little harder, however, when the lead bird is tired it falls out of position and goes behind into one of the V position Another bird from behind will then quickly move forward into the leading position thus, maintaining the V formation.

The same happens for those birds in trailing positions especially those at both extreme ends of the V formation since they tire more quickly than those in the middle. This cycle continues as they travel to their destination. Thus each bird gets the opportunity and responsibility to be in the lead position as well as enjoying the middle position since less air drag is at this position. This enjoyment of less air resistance comes as a result of the birds in front creating and improving the aerodynamics of the others behind which continues along the line of V. In other words, this formation breaks up the air, which then flows over the rest of the group more easily. This means all birds benefit individually while working harmoniously as a team. Working as a team means less work for each bird because flying requires a lot of energy especially for birds traveling a very long journey. This formation therefore help migratory birds such as the geese to use their energy efficiently and effectively to achieve one goal - to reach there destination. All members of the team plays their part and mutually benefits from this. How do they keep this formation? If a bird should shift out of position then that bird will suddenly feel the air drag of going solo and quickly get back into the line of formation. This demonstrates how team work plays a very important and useful role in nature.

There are other benefits of flying in this V position. Every bird in the group fly in the field of vision all other members. This helps in keeping track of each other in the group. This also makes it conducive to the members in the group to communicate with each other while in flight. For example, if one bird should become sick or had been injured by some means such as being shot, then, that bird will fall out of formation. This will then result in two other geese falling out with the wounded goose to help and offer protection and will remain until that bird recovers or dies before rejoining the others. It is important to note also that military jets fly in this V formation for the same reasons. Each fighter pilot can see, communicate and help each other while in flight working as a team. In addition, NASCAR racecar drafts another car to reduce the air resistance on their car.
From this article we not only learn of the reason for the V formation of geese in flight but also learn the importance of team work that nature teaches us.

There is a lot we can learn from nature if we only take the time to be more observant. We need to not only work together but support each other to achieve a common goal. Also, working as a team, encouraging and supporting each other lets us accomplish amazing goals with much less effort. “No man is an island”, and we do need each other for the human race to exist. All of us have a role to play in society and the world at large - “All for one and one for all”.

Festival Of Lights..

INSPIRATIONS...

Do you know yourConfidence level?

If you are runningShort of self-confidence...

You must go through the following:


1. Some of the best music was composed
By Beethoven. He was deaf.
2. Some of the best poetry about the nature
was written by Milton. He was blind.
3. One of the greatest leader was Franklin Roosevelt.
He served from a wheel chair.
4. Graham bell invented phone. but he never made
a call to his family.Because his wife and daughter Were deaf.

Thats Life my dear friends..

Moral: TURN SCARS INTO STARS...

FAITH :

What is faith...
Once all village people decided to pray for rain.
On the day of prayer, all people gathered and
only one boy came with an Umbrella!
That's faith...

HOPE :

Winter never fail to turn into Spring..

Moral: Worries will never stay forever...
It will passby just like
winter..dont worry.

SUCCESS :

PLAN while others are playing.
STUDY while others are sleeping.
DECIDE while others are delaying.
PREPARE while others are daydreaming.
BEGIN while others are procrastinating.
WORK while others are wishing.
SAVE while others are wasting.
LISTEN while others are talking.
SMILE while others are frowning.
COMMEND while others are criticizing.
PERSIST while others are quitting.

Have a hope

THE FOUR CANDLES BURN SLOWLY. THE AMBIENCE WAS SO SOFT YOU COULD HEAR THEM TALKING

The First one said:
“I am Peace! However nobody can keep me lit. I believe I will go out.”

Its flame rapidly diminishes and goes out completely.

The Second one says:
“I am faith! Most of all, I am no longer indispensable, so it doesn’t make any sense that I stay lit any longer.”

When it finished talking, a breeze softly blew on it putting it out.

Sadly, the third candle spoke in its turn:

“I am Love! I haven’t got the strength to stay lit. People put me aside and don’t understand my importance. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them.”

And waiting no longer it goes out.


Suddenly… A child enters room and sees three candles not burning

“Why are you not burning” You are suppose to stay lit till the end.

Saying this child begins to cry.

Then the fourth candle said:

“Don’t be afraid, while I am still burning we can re-light the other candles,
I am Hope!”

With shining eyes, the child took the candle of hope and lit the other candles.

The flame of Hope should never go out from your life.. and that each of us can maintain Hope, Faith, Peace and love.

My Village

Have you ever wandered under the shadow of Sal trees,where the wind carries the scent of wild flowers,where silence is broken only by the rustling leavesand the enchanting twitter innumerable birds...

Where you have enough peace to discover your place in the overall plan of Mother Nature.The Nature Village offers an ideal retreat to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.

And that’s my small beautiful village..........SUNDARAPANDIPURAM. My village Sundarapandiapuram is a panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Sundarapandiapuram had a population of 7705. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Sundarapandiapuram has an average literacy rate of 65%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 74%, and female literacy is 56%. In Sundarapandiapuram, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

I can say my personality shaped during the formative years, here. It taught me the way of living a simple life irrespective of the money I have. It taught me to love nature. Our nature walks are conducted in breathtaking locales and allow one the chance to get away from the mundane life and enjoy the serenity of nature. The peace and quiet of the nature walks in the picturesque locales allows us to rejuvenate yourself. The soothing experience is well worth the effort and the can be quite a meditative experience. The walks allow you a chance to introspect and truly make you feel one with nature. This experience is heightened by the wealth of bird and animal life that are found near the village... Step into a new world where you will discover lush green fields with a spurt of fresh, cool air on your face in our village The natives of this fertile state practice agriculture as their chief profession, relish a carefree walk along the astonishing lakes, witness the picturesque landscapes, and indulge yourself in the culture, traditions and vivid rituals of the villages the colors of life -joy, greenery, peace, hospitability and a vibrant environment one can get a sense of the regal lifestyle and be treated in a royal manner.

Our unique nature walk lets you appreciate the full beauty of nature as our experienced naturalists tell you all the intriguing aspects of the area that you wish to discover. The walks not only help one relax in the sylvan surroundings, but also help identify the role of different plant and animal species for an all round interpretation of harmony of nature. Give your self a break where you literally stop by the wayside to smell the flowers. The hospitable village folk leave no stone unturned to bring a gleeful smile on your face. Travel the countryside and enjoy the sights with your family in a traditional bullock cart…that’s were you can really enjoy the journey. There's nothing quite as healthy and exciting as a bicycle ride through the countryside breathing in its fresh, bracing air........

Games from the Memory Chest Spinning the top - (the bey blade as we knew it!), gilli danda, marbles, hop is a whole host of games that we have forgotten how to play! Re kindles your memories and brings those old joys to life again. you can also learn and indulge in traditional arts and crafts like pottery, rangoli, garland making, basket weaving and moreâ.

Indoor games from the traditional Indian folk games like Pallankuzhi, to board games like Chess, Draughts, dominoes, caroms, ludo and more, you have an array of ways to have a great time indoors.

The entrance is typically decorated with Kolam (designs made by hand with rice powder). This tradition of drawing Kolam is a part of an age-old system. The Kolam supposedly provides food for ants and birds. Drawing big type of kolams before temple and home is a wonderful experience.

The ornaments, which are most common to this part of south India are the oddiyaanam (gold waist belt), vanki (armlet) and jimiki (eardrop The necklace of mangoes, the maangaamaalai, stunning in appearance, consists of stone-studded gold mangoes strung together with a huge pendant of encrusted peacocks. The basic jewel for a married woman is the thaali or mangalasuthra-the marriage talisman. First tied on string and then replaced by a gold chain, the important part of the thaali is the pendant, whose design is determined by the community to which the woman belongs. Besides gold chains of various designs, the gold-coin necklace, the kaasumaalai, is typical of my village.

Tirunelveli District, the penultimate southern most district of Tamil Nad, is described as a microcosm of the State. The district has diverse geographical and physical features such as lofty mountains and low plains, rivers and cascades, seacoast and thick inland forest, sandy soils and fertile alluvium, a variety of flora, fauna, and protected wild life.

The glory of Tirunelveli District is the pride of Tamils. The crawling clouds on the Western Ghats, the picturesque Pothigai hills and the Courtallam water falls are the special features which make Tirunelveli unique. The district consists of all the five geographical divisions referred to in Tamil literature. The Western Ghats form the Kurinji (Mountainous) region; the Kalakkadu and Mundanthurai forests form the Mullai (Forest) region; the lands watered by the Tamiraparani and other rivers fall under Marudham (Paddy fields); the Radhapuram sea coast is its Neithal land (coastal) and the teri land forms the Palai (desert) region. The district is dotted with centres of natural beauty, pilgrimage, architectural eminence and memorials to great warriors of Indian independence

Origin of Tamiraparani

The Tamiraparani originates from the peak of the Periya Pothigai hills of the Western Ghats above Papanasam in the Ambasamudram taluk..

The meaning and origin of the name Tamiraparani is reasoned out differentlythe meaning of the name Tamiraparani in itself is sufficiently clear, but its application in this connection is far from being self-evident. Tamara means, red, parani means parana, a tree which has leaves. Tamiraparani might, therefore mean a tree with red leaves, but, this is a strange derivation for, the name of a river and the ideas naturally suggest itself that some events or legends capable of explaining the name lies beyond........

Tenkasi is a big town in Tirunelveli District of TamilNadu. Its situated near the foothills of the Western Ghats. The famous Water Falls Coutrallam gains much popularity to the town. Tenkasi is noted for its Ulagamman Temple and its Shiva Temple. The Ulagamman temple was built by Parakrama Pandian, but was shattered by lightning. Sivanthi Adithan and others re-instated it. Now it was repainted by the same for new look

The plan, architecture and sculpture of the Visvanatha temple stand as tangible proof of the genius and skill of the later Pandya artists. They had not only preserved the ancient traditions but had added new innovative features as revealed by the Maha gopuram, the monolithic pillar sculptures and the musical pillars found in the Bali Mandapam is a gem by itself. , an awe-inspiring figure and the rare and elegant mani festation of Krishna as Madana gopalan, playing the flute and charming the world like Madana.The two sets of musical pillars found in the Tenkasi temple are another notable feature. The temple has a collection of exquisite bronzes which include the image of Parakrama Pandyan, the builder of the temple and a very impressive Kankalamurti. They prove that the artists of this region were experts in making icons also. Tenkasi (south kasi) is also famous for (saral) drizzling. May-August is a right time to enjoy the drizzling climate in Tenkasi.

Beside all this tourist favorite Coutrallam water falls is near to that district.

COURTALLAM

Kuttralam - a famous waterfall in South Tamilnadu. The river Tamaraparini rises in the Podhigai hills and flows across the rocks, becoming the Kuttralam, before flowing through the plains and emptying at the Bay Of Bengal. It is a famous health resort. Every year June to September we can enjoy the falls season. It contains lot of herbs were you would feel like having deertham of kovil....

In all, there are 4 major sections of the Kuttralam waterfall area. Kuttralam - a famous waterfall in South Tamilnadu It is an excellent health resort. The picturesque surroundings with the backdrops of cloud capped spurs of the Western Ghats lend an unusual charm to the falls. The rapturous scene of the falls gets heightened by the cool breeze that wafts during seasonal months (June to September) along with intermittent drizzle and sunlight. There are eight places where water pours down torrentially with varying velocity and force according to the height of the precipice. They are Main Falls, Five Falls, the Shenbhaga Falls, the Tiger Falls, old Courtallam Falls, Honey Falls, Orchard falls and Sitraruvi.

Visitors to this place like to have bath in these falls from dawn to dusk. One can have bath at anytime in a day and one would not get sneezing or cold as the water is said to possess medicinal qualities of the herbal plants grown in this mountain. Those suffering from rheumatic joints, chronic headache, and nerve disorder get cured by a lengthy stay at Courtallam.

And Near Ambasamudram sivasailam is my husband's place. SIVASAILAM and nandi is very famous with mythological evidence.

Here morning starts with fresh bath, thick filter coffee were we can enter a different world…is one of the best hot drinks that we can drink, then praying god for the day ahead. To see the sanidhi of the temple with diyas and fresh flowers seen near the god. This view is like a feast to our eyes. It seems as god has come in front of us n he is giving showers of blessings. But nowadays not only me, but even my kids and all young generation are missing this village life….

DON'T QUIT...!!

Last few months I had lost my smile. I used to be always remain with a frowned face…My friends asked me… Why worries? What happened to me...? They said... Have faith in God... God watched every thing in silence. I feel we are responsible for all our good and bad deeds.
For them…Whenever failure happens whenever misunderstood by people, some disease occurs in body worries happen. .because of over burden. There will be times when I become impatient because things are taking longer than I expected. When we carry our cares all the time, soon we won’t be able to carry on…By the time I try to lay on somebody’s shoulder. Then I understand I am alone and personally responsible for managing problem. So, I didn’t expect anybody else to do for me…..
If we holding a glass of water for sometimes. It doesn’t matter about the absolute weight. It heaviness depends on how long you hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it is fine. Not very heavy. If hold it for an hour , I will have ache in arm, If I hold it for a day , I need an ambulance, I will collapse. When we carry our cares all the time , soon we won’t be able to carry on. It happens with each and every failure, burden, but how I fall how fast I get up... by the question.. SO WHAT? & WHAT'S NEXT? Remembering children running race..:
People shout at me at times and even plead me telling me to quit and that I have been defeated with respect to some project or the other. Sometimes I will have the feeling I will not succeed, and just as I am to accept defeat, the memories of a race comes to my mind and my downward fall is broken. We all the girls lined up with full of hope. Each one thought that she would win the race, or at least first or second place. The girl who thought she would win, lost her step and slipped. she fell down and lost all her hope. She tried hard to catch herself. But inside voice said “GET UP AND WIN THE RACE.” The girl, she rose quickly. She had not been injured. She was just behind that’s all.
When she was so anxious to regain the position and mind faster than her legs she slipped and fell again. By the time she thought hopeless as a runner and that shouldn’t try to race. watching crowd was laughing. Again inner voice says "GET UP AND WIN THE RACE". So again jumped up and tried again. she thought ten feet we would really have to move fast. She put all her energy into it and gained about 8 or 10 feet. But in trying hard to catch up with lead again,she slipped and fell again. At last she tasted defeat. She lay there silently. A tear dropped down from her eyes.She thought there was no sense of running anymore. she had tried many times. She was out .Why even trying? She would have to live with disgrace. But then she thought about her dad. She could hear the low echo of her dad’s voice “GET UP AND WIN THE RACE”. “Get up AND TAKE YOUR PLACE”. The voice seemed to tell him that she was not meant for failure and that she should get up and win the race. So the girl rose up to run once more. She had new determination. She resolved that whether she won or lost, at least she won’t quit.
So when things seem dark and hard and difficult , the memory of my childhood race helps me in the race of my life. People laugh at me and tell me to quit and said that I am defeated, When ups and downs come in my life. I tell myself “GET UP AND WINS THE RACE”.
.I laid firm foundation with the bricks that others throw on me. Some one will love us some won’t. So what? Sometimes I will win; sometimes I will lose So What? These are tough times I am going through, but if I am going to get through it’s up to me. Ready to go? My inner voice says, "GET UP AND WIN THE RACE". THAT I always said to my self. I CAN, I WILL, I SHOULD.
Again I started my life race..... WIN OR LOSE BUT I DON’T QUIT…

MEANING OF VINAYAKA CHATURTHI

"Vakratunda MahakaayaSuryakoti Samaprabha Nirvighnam Kuru MeDevaSarva
Kaaryeshu Sarvada "

Meaning: The Lord with the curved trunk and a mighty body, who has the luster of a million suns, I pray to thee Oh Lord, to remove the obstacles from all the actions I intend to perform. Ganapati or Ganesha, the Lord of Gananas, the elephant faced God, represents the power of the Supreme Being that removes obstacles and ensures success in human endeavors. Ganesha is revered as the son of the Shiva and Parvati, and is always honored first in most worship services and rituals.Ganesha is also known as Ganapati, Vigneswara, Vinayaka, Gajamukha and Ainkaran. He is worshipped for siddhi, success in undertakings, and buddhi, intelligence. He is worshipped before any venture is started. He is also the God of education, knowledge and wisdom, literature, and the fine arts. Ganesha is also one of the five Gods the worship of whom was popularized by Adi Shankaracharya; the other four are Vishnu, Shiva, Devi and Surya. The worship of these five deities is called the pancayatana Homam. In some cases, a sixth G od, Skanda is also worshipped.The large head of an elephant symbolizes wisdom, understanding, and a discriminating intellect that one must possess to attain perfection in life. The wide mouth represents the natural human desire to enjoy life in the world. The large ears signify that a perfect person is the one who possesses a great capacity to listen to others and assimilate ideas. The trunk relates to the power of human mind, which must be strong enough to face the ups and downs of the external world and yet delicate enough to explore the subtle realms of the inner world.The two tusks denote the two aspects of the human personality, wisdom and emotion. The right tusk represents wisdom left tusk represents emotion. The broken left tusk conveys the idea that one must conquer emotions with wisdom to attain perfection
The essential purpose of the Vinayaka Chaturthi festival is to teach a person to avoid the company of bad people and cultivate the company of the good.

What does the term Ganapathi signify? ‘Ga’ means Buddhi or intellect, ‘Na’ means Jnana (Wisdom). ‘Ganapathi’ means one who is the Lord of the intellect and of wisdom. He is also the Lord of all Ganas (spiritual entities). Gunas also symbolise the senses. Ganapathi is thus the Lord of the senses. "Vigath nayakah Vinayakaha" (Vinayaka is one who is without a master above himWhat does the name "Ganapathi" signify? ‘Ga’ means Buddhi (or intellect), Na means Vignaana (wisdom). As Vighneswara is the Lord of the Intellect and Wisdom, he is called "Ganapathi".
Similarly, a common Sanskrit word to denote elephant is GAJA. Here Gajanan means elephant faced - a name for Ganapati. But the word Gaja has a much deeper connotation. GA indicates gati, the final goal towards which the entire creation is moving, whether knowingly or unknowingly. JA stands for janma, birth or origin. Hence GAJA signifies GOD from whom worlds have come out and towards whom they are progressing, to be ultimately dissolved in Him. The elephant head is thus purely symbolical.
It follows from this that what are called Ganas are parts of the human body. The individual (Vyakti) is a part of creation (Srishti). Hence, Divinity, of which the cosmos is a projection, is immanent in the human being. "Vigath nayakah Vinayakah" (Vinayaka has no master over him"). This means that Vinayaka is a totally autonomous and independent deity. He has no Lord above him. In the world, any individual or authority has someone superior above him. But Vinayaka has no overlord.
The worship of Vinayaka has been in existence from times immemorial in Bharath. The Rig Veda, the Narayanopanishad and the Thaithriya Upanishad have passages referring to Vinayaka. It is embedded also in a - Gayatri mantra :
"Thathpurushaya Vidmahe,
Vakratundaaya Dheemahi,
Thanno Danthi Prochodayaath".
This mantra indicates that Vinayaka’s Divinity is glorified in this Gayatri mantra. Hence, Ganapathi signifies an all-pervading Divine potency
Vinayaka is one who drives away all sorrows, difficulties and miseries. He is the enemy of all obstacles. He will not allow any obstacle to come in the way. He is the destroyer of obstacles. He confers happiness and peace (on his devotees). He is the master of all those powers (Buddhi and Siddhi). What is this Siddhi? When there is purity of mind, you achieve peace (which is Siddhi). Vinayaka is thus the Lord of Buddhi and Siddhi (the Intellect and Self-Realisation). Hence, every human being should acquire control over the mind. Another notable fact about Vinayaka is His Vehicle, the mouse (Mooshika). What does the mouse represent? It represents darkness, which is the symbol of ignorance. The mouse moves about in the dark. Ganapathi is regarded as controlling the darkness of ignorance.
The mouse is also known for its strong sense of smell (vasana). Based on the smell emanating from an object, the mouse finds its way to it. The inner significance of vasana in relation to humanity is the heritage of ‘vasanas’ which they bring from their previous lives. These vasanas (inherited tendencies) account for the actions of human beings in their present lives. They also signify desires. Without recognising this underlying significance of Vinayaka’s mastery over ignorance and desires, people merely wonder how a large being like Vinayaka could ride on a tiny creature like a mouse.
There is an inner meaning in worshipping Ganapathi for ten days. The idea is that each day shoThe Ganapati Upanishad identifies Lord Ganesh with the Supreme Self. Lord Ganesh represents the Pranava (AUM) which is the symbol of the Supreme Self. Taitiriya Upanishad (1.8.1.) states: "AUM ITI BRAHMAN -AUM is Brahman(GOD). AUM is all this . Nothing can be done without uttering it. This explains the practice of invokong Lord Ganesh before beginning any rite or undertaking any project.
Lord Ganesh removes all obstacles on the path of the spiritual aspirant, and bestows upon him worldly as well as spiritual success. So he is called VIGNA VINAYAKA or VIGHNESHWAR would be dedicated to acquiring control over one the sense organs (Indriyas).
GaneshEight ManifestationsThe incarnation of the Lord in the form of Vakratunda, riding a lion, is the nature of Deh-Brahma. He takes this avatar to subdue the demon Matsarya (rivalry).
The incarnation Ekdanta is of the nature of Dehi-Brahma, with a mouse for a vehicle, intended to subdue the demon Madasura (conceit).
Incarnation Mahodara is of the nature of Jnana-Brahma, to overpower the demon Mohasura (delusion).
The Gajananda incarnation is to bless the Sankhya Yogi by vanquishing the demon Lobhasura (greed).
The Lambodara incarnation is of the nature of Sattwic Shakti Brahma to subdue the demon Krodhasura (anger).
The incarnation Vikata, riding a peacock, is of the nature of Sour-Brahma, to subdue the demon Kamasura (lust).
Incarnation Vighnaraj, riding the celestial serpent Sesha, is of the nature of Vishnu-Brahma and is intended to conquer the demon Mamatasura (attachment).
The Dhumra-varna incarnation is of the nature of Shiva-Brahmato conquer the Asura Abhimaan (pride).
There is an inner meaning in worshipping Ganapathi for ten days. The idea is that each day should be dedicated to acquiring control over one the sense organs (Indriyas).

"Ganaanaam Twam Ganapathi Gam HavaamaheKavim Kaveenaam Upamasra VastamamJyeshta Raajam Brahmanaam BrahmanaspathaAanashrunvanna Oothibhi Seedha Saadanam "

Meaning: We invite You, the Lord of spiritual faith (of Lord Shiva). You are the wisest among the wise, the best to be given as a standard of comparison. You are the senior Lord, Lord of the Vedic manthras, listening to our prayers. Please visit our home with prosperous things and be seated here. courtesyvedas

THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM MAKE IT POSSIBLE.....

I had read the story the “Impossible Dream” by Art Buchwald an American humorist. He has friend who feels that the city in which he lives going from bad to worse. He blames the situation entirely on the lack of love among the people. So he sets out on the mission to bring love back in the city. the author says bring love back in the city and make this world a better place to live in by spreading unconditional love and good will. For that he wants to begin with low cadre people like from the morning we see milk man, newspaper boy, taxi drivers, bus conductors, cleaners, sweepers, construction workers, coolies etc because these people well being that will benefit the city. These strategies are to pass on love and good will from one person t another like a chain and thereby spread to the whole city. The strategy is to pass on love and good will from one person to another like a chain and thereby spread to the whole city.

This story impressed me a lot.

Nowadays what we see in the news & what we read in newspapers is all about murders, bomb blasts, and theft etc.what is lacking today??? I feel its all insecurity,lack of trust in life about others, and if you see as a whole it’s only lack of love and affection.

I feel we should also do something for humanity eg spreading love and kindness among people so that there will be peace and harmony everywhere. For that we have to give “unconditional love” to everybody and praying for others.Love is such a powerful force especially when shared.
The greatest power known to man is that of unconditional love. Through the ages, mystics, sages, singers and poets have all expressed the ballad and call to love. As humans, we have searched endlessly for the experience of love through the outer senses. Great nations have come and gone under the guise of love for their people. Religions have flourished and perished while claiming the true path to love. We, the people of this planet, may have missed the simplicity of unconditional love. . .
Simply stated, unconditional love is an unlimited way of being... Life, through unconditional love, is a wondrous adventure that excites the very core of our being and lights our path with delight.
There are so many ways to apply love in our everyday lives Practice constant acts of kindness and you bring kindness upon this planet. Forgiveness is the easiest and most powerful act of kindness you can make. Both for yourself and for others, this activity promotes unity, harmony and oneness that transmutes the old into the new. Forgiveness is a wonderful way to release the past and to love unconditionally.
. The choice is ours to create a world of joy and happiness, love and goodwill. love plays a part in our personal journey of life. We seek it in our families, relationships, careers, religions, hobbies, and even at times we look to nature itself. All the while, it is right within us ready to be given out and experience It is in the sharing and giving of love to others that we receive the same that we give. Give love and surely you will experience love itself. Express love to the world around you and the world will reflect back to you the power of love.
When we pray for the welfare of others all our petty and selfish feelings will go away and our intellect will expand.

The prayer:

May all be happy
May all be free from disease
May all realize what is good
May none be subject to misery… -anonymous

If we start considering everybody’s happiness as ours one or the other day the whole world will be full of love. We can expect to forget a word called violence. For that we should march forward patiently with perseverance and conviction only then we can reach the goal.
The most amazing thing about this change of perspective is that the more you contribute to the lives of others, the more you will receive in return.


As it’s said if you want to be happy and glad
Do a good deed everyday…
Begin the journey that changes everything. Begin the journey of unconditional love...

Today, September 5Th is celebrated INDIA-wide as Teacher’s Day. It is the birthday of the second President of India, Dr. Radha krishnan, a literary scholar and teacher. It is in his honor that today is declared as Teachers Day.
In Sanskrit a teacher is called “guru”. “Gu” means darkness and “ru” means light. So a teacher is one who leads you to light from darkness.
India has a tradition of giving a special status to teacher. The word “guru” is itself is so exalted; the place of a teacher is sometimes even ahead of God – “Guru Brahma” and “Guru Vishnu”. The teacher is next only to mother & father “mathru devo bhava”, “pithru devo bhava”, “acharya devo bhava”
The “Guru-shishya” relationship is like that between the parents and their children.
Like a father who loves his sons and daughters, the teacher should love his pupils.
Accordingly a great responsibility rests on the teacher.
To a great extent the future of students depends on their teacher. Teachers traditionally have held a position of honour and respect all over India, since time immemorial.
WHO IS A TEACHER
A stone lay on the way side,
Its black lump of hardened mass
Someone kicked it,
Someone ignored it
Another one labeled it ugly.
But none turned back to glimpse of it
It was a dirty, damp & dull, shunned by
But one! Who lovingly picked it all,
Washed it clean.
Cut it smooth
Refined it, polished it,
To a glittering diamonds
Thus the transverses of stone
From black lump to a glittering Diamond
And thus started the journey of this
Jeweller called
TEACHER
If you ever have come across one teacher in all your student life, who has changed your life and your way of thinking for the better, you have been blessed. Thankfully ,I had several such opportunities. Right from pre-primary school right up to architecture College, and then graduate school, I have benefited from teachers who have gone beyond their call of duty . But we are REMEMBERING the persons who have helped in many ways. We are thinking story writer, for writing stories, we read, The poet who wrote verses we learnt, and the artist he saw all things and then drew pictures. We remember all we met in our life and remembering those who entertain our life like singers, actors, musicians, sports man etc.
But we forgetting the one who teach to write, read and taught the letters so that we can read and write.
A TEACHER TAKES OUR HAND
OPEN OUR MINDS
TOUCH OUR HEARTS
SHAPES OUR FUTURE
Teacher taught all of us in every step to learn new things and they contributed to your progress and development in many ways About the teachers we still never think about not for a minute
.On this teachers day I wish to honour all my teacher who contributed to my progress and development.I consider education to be one of the nobler professions, akin to medicine. Teachers who spend their lives teaching kids, do more than just teach.They help mould the future of our communities, cities and countries I shall forever be thankful to all those wonderful teachers, who have enriched my life
TEACHERS ARE ORDINARY PEOPLE ENGAGED IN EXTRA ORDINARY WORKS.
HAPPY TEACHERS DAY!

Learning from creatures

Every creature has some special quality about it which can serve as examples or lessons for human to learn. Man is possibly the only creature capable of immense learning till the time he dies. His societal structure provides a unique platform for him to learn skills, tactics, techniques, words, languages, behavior, and attitudes. An intelligent human being is one who keeps learning.

The distinction between a human being and other living creatures is while all living creatures can aspire and achieve perfection it is only human being who can achieve excellence. Excellence is perfection imbibed with human qualities, devoid of selfishness.

Just a thought lets learn from god made living beings not human beings…..but living beings called animals…

In Arthashastra Chanakya also say in its own way.

Now let’s start with Ant if we keep sugar and sand it takes sugar only. So what people can do? Let’s take good things from people… Likewise we have to take good things from people.

The cock impacts four lessons. A cock wakes up call every morning and he is always ready to defend its territory. It generously offers feed to hens and the brood, and its peck its own food aggressively, claiming the share rightfully without letting any one steal it.

The crow teaches to make love in privacy, to collect things for later use, to be ever alert and not trust anyone fully. A very necessary aspect everybody has to discover in today’s world to be in.

When dog gets food, it over eats. If it does not get to eat any thing it is not worried. It just goes to sleep well. But very careful and wakes up at the slightest disturbance. Need not say, a very loyal animal may be it’s their friends or masters. So again this dog has something to teach us-Be loyal to your master and to your friends. Be brave and fight if needed.

The donkey teaches to work tirelessly be stoic and don’t complain. You will become favorite worker of your employer.

There may be many management theories on the line by different people but for a change lets discover some more practical and renowned aspects from our animal creature.

A clever man has to concentrate his attention on his goal just like crane. A Cranes eye is always fixed on its target. It plans, calculates each and every aspect the time, place, distance, angle, force required, speed and attacks.

Lion teaches us to begin it with full thrust of your power it stalks the prey and not to relax till the task is completed.

Eagle teaches us keen observation. From eagle we learn to achieve goals.

Don’t you feel teasing or hurting in name of animals, we as human being don’t deserve to do that? As we here to learn from them….

The clouds carry the purest water to earth. Do not be too simple and too straight, the smooth and straight trees have been cut down and the crooked ones stand unharmed. It teaches some times we have to be crooked.

Every creature in the world is not educated… animals, birds, trees are not educated.

Learning from our environment makes us genuine in our life.

My Independence Day thought

On 60th year of independence, one thought came to my mind. As a teacher some young students asked me a question: what the country and politicians, have done for us? Because of poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, etc... By the time I remembered the John Kennedy’s word- he had asked… the people “And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country”. (Inaugural Address, Jan 20, 1961) .This is the statement which every young seed needs to remember to make this tree i.e country grow into a strong foundation.

Why can’t we Indians remember this word and do well for the country. We are having 110 billion mind resources , why we can’t use it for our nation? I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered together ,we can see bright prosperous India.

The people will save their government, if the government itself will allow them.

WISHING YOU ALL HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

THE POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS

If we open newspaper and see, we have only negative news or very little positive news. Positive thinking is a mental and emotional attitude that focuses on the bright side of life and expects positive results. The healthy environment fosters positive relationship.

When I was focusing energy as most of us do what went wrong, were went wrong, by the time I got a book WHALE DONE!!!.... My latest reading the Power of Positive Relationships, By author Ken Blanchard.

The book was about killer whale. How the whale was trained by trainer in a positive approach. By saying redirect that energy towards in a positive approach. It takes a long time to build TRUST and FRIENDSHIP with each of whales and he has applied his experience of whale training in people’s life.

When a gruff business manager and family man, Wes Kingsley, visited SeaWorld, he marvelled at the ability of the trainers to lead huge killer whales in performing acrobatic leaps and dives. Later, talking to the chief trainer, he learned the trainers' techniques of building trust, accentuating the positive, and redirecting negative behaviour.

Whale Done! applies the principles behind training killer whales to building relationships with people. Instead of focusing on what employees, partners, friends, kids, etc. are doing wrong, the authors advocate for pointing out what people are doing right.

BUILD TRUST.
ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE IGNORE WHAT HE DID WRONG.
And important concepts to remember, THE MORE ATTENTION YOU PAY TO BEHAVIOR, THE MORE IT WILL ALSO

A simple but very powerful role to remember is, if you don’t want to encourage poor behaviour don’t spend lot of time on it. Instead we RECHANNEL the energy.
He is teaching ABCs performance-
A- ACTIVATOR
WHATEVER GETS PERFORMANCE GOING
B- BEHAVIOURTHE PERFORMANCE THAT OCCURS
C-CONSEQUENCE
YOUR RESPONSE TO THE PERFORMANCE
The redirection response describes the error or problem as soon as possible clearly and without plan.
Express your continuing trust and confidence in the person.
THE WHALEDONE! RESPONSE

*PRICE PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY
*BE SPECIFIC ABOUT WHAT THEY DID RIGHT OR ALMOST RIGHT
*SHARE YOUR POSITIVE FEELING ABOUT WHAT THEY DID
*ENCOURAGE THEM TO KEEP GOOD WORK
WHALE DONE! CATCHING PEOPLE DOING THING RIGHT.

What a great book on the power of positive relationship. It's just short and concise. We can apply the philosophy and take it into practice with not only in the workplace but in our daily life,

WHALE DONE! Only works when you’re sincere and honest. After reading this book I realized that combination and accentuating the positive could make major difference in work and family."A killer whale can be trained in positive approach why can’t people???"