Monday, December 29, 2014

The burden of hatred

   
                                   The burden of hatred

     Once a teacher asked each of his disciples to bring a bagful of potatoes with him while coming to attend his lecture. He also said that each one should write the name of the person whom he hated on each potato  so that the number of potatoes would denote the number of persons he hated . Next day all his disciples brought their bag of potatoes with them. Some had six, some eight, some ten and some had twelve or fifteen. The teacher said that they should carry the bag of potatoes with them wherever they go , even when they sleep or eat or play.  They were ordered to keep the bag with them for seven days.The students did not understand anything but that was the order of the teacher. After three or four days, the boys got disgusted with the rotten smell of the vegetables.

When seven days were over, they went to the teacher. The teacher said, " this test I gave you all to teach a lesson. When in seven days you felt the burden of potatoes and could not tolerate the foul smell, think how much load you must be carrying in your mind of the persons whom you hate. The feeling of hatred fills your mind with filth like these potatoes . So take away the negative and bad feeling of hatred. Even if you are not able to love anyone , at least don't hate him. By giving up hatred, your mind will be pure and light. You will have peace and joy."

Hatred is a negative sentiment arising out of extreme dislikes. Diversity is the nature of the world. Each one is unique. In the eyes of the creator, all are equal. In reality, Nature provides everything to all. Man does not own anything. Class differences, inferiority, superiority, all these are man' s own creation reflecting his ignorance and selfishness. So being appreciative and grateful for what you have and not feeling inferiority or superiority will not only make you happier but also provide
a gateway to more love, kindness and spiritual exploration.
Love is the real nature of all living beings. Hatred is the unnatural condition of the mind. Love is the power to forgive, to heal and to create joy and assists us to build ideal families, communities, countries and the world, honoring each other's differences and similarities.

Ancient wisdom - Six Mistakes of Man

     
                          Ancient Wisdom- Six Mistakes of Man

The great Roman orator Cicero offered  these  " Six Mistakes of Man "- six habits of thinking that keep us a prisoner of ever - shrinking patterns.

The illusion that personal gain is made up of crushing others.

The tendency to worry about things that cannot be changed or corrected.

Insisting that a thing is impossible because we cannot accomplish it.

Refusing to set aside trivial preferences.

Neglecting development and refinement of the mind, and not acquiring the habit of reading and study.

And attempting to compel others to believe and live as we do.

These are still true even today !

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Dhanteras

               
                                     Dhanteras

In many parts of India, Dipavali, a festival of lights , in fact begins on the thirteenth day (trayodashi ) of the dark fortnight ( krishnapaksha) in the month of Karttika and with the addition of Shuklapaksha dvitiya ( second day of  white fortnight ), it is spread over five days. The festival normally falls during the last part of October and early part of November. The first day that is the thirteenth day is called Dhanteras, the fourteenth day ( chaturdashi) is called Narakacaturdashi, small Diwali or choti Diwali, then the next day amavasya or the new-moon day is the Dipavali devoted to the worship of Lakshmi and Kubera, then the following day Karttika shukla pratipada, the first day of bright fortnight is known by the name Balipratipada, devoted to the worship of Bali who was pushed into the netherworld by Lord Vishnu as the incarnation of Vamana. It is also known as Govardhan puja as cattle are worshiped on this day. On this day , the artisans, workers worship the divine architect Vishvakarma , who is credited with the creation of fabulous weapons and palaces of gods. So this day is popular as Vishvakarma day.Next day, the Karttika Shukla dvitiya , known as Yama dvitiya is celebrated Bhaiyaduj According to an ancient legend, yama, the god of death and the river goddess Yamuna, were brother and sister. On this day of Karttika Shukla dvitiya, goddess Yamuna is said to have invited her brother Yama to her house for dinner and honoured him. Hence, this day has become a day of reunion of brothers and sisters. Sometimes, the sisters worship god Yama and pray to him for the longevity of their brothers. people living on the banks of the Yamuna river take bath in the river on this day.
Most of the festivals carry a significance of their own. Facts of Nature and Science are embedded in the form of anecdotes and myths associated with them and these myths account for the perpetuity of celebration of the festivals from time immemorial.Dipavali is celebrated after the rainy season. After the rains, there is outbreak of diseases due to the growth and spread of germs, moths etc. That is why cleaning, whitewashing the house, lighting lamps,bursting crackers are done to get rid of them in a natural manner.Thus attention is paid to maintaining health.
dhanteras is composed of two words, dhan meaning wealth and prosperity and teras referring to the thirteenth day ( of the month of Karttika). This day is an auspicious one to buy utensils, jewellery. a new vessel is purchased and put it at the place of worship, to be used later during the Divali days . Keeping the whole house clean and polishing of all the vessels is another feature noticed on this day. Now a days people invest and buy consumer goods. Not only idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha of varying designs, sizes and shapes, but also utensils, silver coins, gold coins, jewellery and other decorative items, electronic goods, vehicles are in high demand on the occasion of Dhanteras.

People worship Dhan Kuber, the god of wealth and prosperity,on this day and light a lamp in the night to offer prayers to him for his blessings for prosperity, well-being and protection. People light lamps at the doorstep of their houses to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth on this day. A lamp is lighted in honour of Yama, the god of death. Dhanvantari, the divine doctor is also worshipped on this day.

Stories connected with this festival-
Once Yama, the god of death asked his messengers whether they felt unhappy over taking the lives of people on the earth. They replied " Your Highness ! our work is very hard and cruel. When we take any life from the young ones untimely , we are moved by the pitiable cries of the beloved people around there and we feel helpless. Once we had to take the life of a young prince on the fourth day of his marriage. Hearing the heart-rendering cries and seeing the pitiable condition of the new bride, we felt disgusted with our work. So, please suggest a means by which the untimely death can be avoided."
At this, Yama, the Lord of death said, " Whoever lights a lamp in my honour on Dhanteras day, he will never face untimely death."
A slight variation of the same story is also given in scriptures according to which there was an astrological prediction that the son of king Hima would die on the fourth day of his marriage. After the marriage was over,the young bride of the prince put all the coins of gold and silver and her jewellery on the doors and windows of her bed-room. At the same time she lit the entire palace with lamps everywhere. When the god of death came there in the form of a serpent to take away the life of the prince, it was blinded by the light of sparkling coins, jewellery and lamps and went away as the appointed time was over.Thus a wife's presence of mind and intelligence saved her husband's life. That day became Dhanteras and got associated with the worship of Yama. On Dhanteras day, a lamp lighted on a cup full of rice is kept facing the south at the door step of the house in the evening in honour of Yama.
This day is also celebrated as the birth festival of Dhanvantari. the physician of gods, the first physician in creation, an incarnation of Vishnu, the founder-preceptor of Ayurveda. Since he brought the amrtakalasha or the pot of ambrosia out of the milky ocean, by drinking which, gods became immortal.It is also believed that that he brought a pot of elixir meaning full of medcinal herbs for the cure of the diseases of the world on this day. So doctors of Ayurveda celebrate this day by worshiping the image of Dhanvantari and distributing prasad, praying for the welfare and long and healthy life of all people.

The sequence of the festivals is significant and scientific. The first day is devoted to the worship of Yama, Dhanvantari and Kubera. It is symbolic also.
After the rains, precautions are taken to get rid of diseases caused by the spread of germs to avoid untimely suffering of the human body and prayers to Dhanvantari for a healthy long life. Prayers are the easiest means to uplift the human mind. The man begins to experience peace and happiness. Then he is inspired to strive for prosperity, so the grace of Kubera is also needed.
When the body is strong and healthy and mind is peaceful and happy, there is a tendency to celebrate and enjoy festivals. On the day of Dipavali, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and bestower of wisdom, are worshiped.
When the body is healthy and mind is peaceful, one can make effort to achieve prosperity.
It is also said that sound health is the basis and means for achievement of good deeds, prosperity, enjoyment or fulfillment of desires and also for self-realization.
Lakshmi is supposed to be fickle. Ganesha stands for wisdom. It is figurative. If wealth stays permanently in one place, there is no need for effort on the part of the man. There is movement, effort and faith in the destiny because Lakshmi is chanchala, fickle.The scriptures state that she stays only in a clean house, body and mind. Stability of wealth depends on earning and preserving by wise means only.
After Dipavali, the cattle, the real wealth of an agricultural country and tools and machinery,the main means of livelihood of people are honoured to inculcate their value in prosperity of the nation. Once prosperity is achieved, there is a natural flow of love which is manifested in the natural bond of love between brother-sister relationship on the last day, bhaiyadooj festival.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Wisdom drops

     
                         Wisdom drops


  • We don't have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people,can transform the world.
  • If we do any action, that is not geared towards a goal, we are wasting time.
  • The art of living is just the balance between work, achievement and play.
  • Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.
  • Do what you love. Love what you do.
  • Work is love made visible.
  • to begin anything, it is not word or thought or power that matters. It is the act that matters.
  • More important than the will to win is the will to prepare.
  • It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.
  • Demonstrate rather than impose discipline.
  • Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
  • The greatest thing in the world is to know how to be oneself

The power of the words

                                 The power of words



  A man is judged by his words. A man's word is his bond. The entire world moves on because of  the mutual faith in utterance of words. Words from the heart reach the heart, words from the mouth reach the ears. Words have inherent immense power to heal or wound.
The beauty is that a word is not a crystal, transparent and unchanged, it is the skin of a living thought and may vary greatly in color and content according to the circumstances and the time in which it is used.
It is believed and proved that positive thoughts from not only from oneself but also from others have healing powers. That is why the prayer, which is nothing but a group of words expressing noble thoughts in a touching manner, is considered a very effective healer.
A saint used to cure diseases ,even incurable with his kind prayers. Once a child fell ill and did not respond to medical treatment. He was taken to the saint. There was a huge crowd gathered around to witness the miracle. One of the men asked the saint,
" when all medicines have failed, will your prayer help ?'
The saint replied, " Yes. but you don't know anything."
Hearing the words of the saint, the man became red with anger. He was about to burst into action. Then the saint came near him and putting his hand on his shoulders said with a smile,
" If one word of mine has the power to make you so much angry and burst into action, can't my another kind word be equally  powerful enough to make you cool down and heal?'

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Self-effort - the royal road to success

                            Self-effort- the royal road to success




It is a belief handed over from archaic times that the planets and stars above,influence the events of man and others on the earth.
To know future is a natural curiosity of man.
The ancient sages had discovered the truths of predictive astrology through their meditations and penances and intuition . They were also in close association with nature. They minutely observed the phenomena of nature deeply and could predict the cases of earthquakes, famine and political changes because of their spiritual inclination and powers. They could also predict events in an individual's life and find good  and bad times for undertaking specific works and good and bad time and direction for travel. In ancient times astrologers were held in high esteem as they combined both a scientific bent of mind and a spiritual outlook on life as well as they themselves led a pure life of high moral standard. They preached their lore not for amassing wealth, but for giving guidance to the needy and distressed. Their aim was to remove the cause of sufferings of the people and to turn their mind towards righteousness and God. Hence a reverential attitude was towards them. It is the conviction of great sages and saints that by self-effort combined with sincere devotion to God and faith in oneself, man can rise above the influence of his environments .Astrology aided in creating positive thoughts in the mind to overcome the obstacles and work towards the goal.
Gradually some unscrupulous practices were crept into this divine science because of the malpractices of the practitioners. The famous astronomer cum astrologer Varahamihira too condemns a bad astrologer as a sinner who defiles a society. However, he plays extraordinary compliments to a worthy astrologer, who, in his view should know practically all branches of knowledge under the Sun and be a guide, philosopher and teacher to the society.
Kautilya also denounced the use of astrology in ordinary life except by the kings in the interests of the kingdom and the subjects.
Astronomy is the basis for astrology. The position of stars and planets were taken into consideration
for fixing the proper auspicious time for performance of sacrifices in those days. In fact, astrology started as a vedanga, an auxiliary of the Vedas. Later on its application  was extended to human life.
Astrology is laudable in essential things for finding out auspicious time for big events like marriage,thread-ceremony ( Upanayanam ) and others. It was used in match-making ( selecting suitable bride and bridegroom) for marriages. This was introduced more or less to bring a disciplinary order in society. But the ultimate dictum of astrology is " Where and when the mind is happy, that is the good time for starting any work ." In case of marriage also, the compatibility of minds is emphasized than anything else.
Bhaskaracharya, the famous astronomer-astrologer knew from his daughter's horoscope that his dear only daughter would face widowhead. By changing the auspicious time of her marriage ( generally fixed in consideration with horoscopes of both the boy and the girl) to one such a is time which assured her eternal prosperity with a happily married life with husband and children, the extraordinary scholar- father wanted to avert his daughter's fate of widowhood.
He set a water clock in such a manner that water dripping would stop at the assured good time indicating the time of marriage. His little daughter Lilavati unaware of the facts, looked into the waterclock out of curiosity and a pearl from her necklace fell into the beaker and accelerated the dripping of water to the earlier fixed time. Even Bhaskara with his knowledge and power could not avoid the fate of his daughter. He taught her mathematics and wrote a treatise Lilavati to immortalize her name. So we may not be able to choose the frame of our destiny. But what we put into it is ours.
To depend on astrological predictions alone, ignoring personal effort is highly dangerous in daily life. In fact facing the situations without prior knowledge is more challenging to human mind. All our performances depend totally on our minds. The mind has unlimited reserves of energy. It has to be trained in the proper direction with faith in the ultimate truth, good company and good books. With positive thoughts thus developed man can never go wrong. Because one's inner conscience is the real guide, no other external prop is needed. Thus with positive thoughts and effort we can achieve a lot in life.
Man himself is the master of his destiny. It all depends on how much energy the mind has released. Every individual is self-made. But the quantum of success depends on one's planning. One should utilize one's mind and not other's help to achieve anything in life.

There was a king who depended on his royal astrologer for everything he did. The astrologer became very haughty because of this. The people of the country were very annoyed at this. but they did not know how to explain this to the king. Once the king was going along with the astrologer to a saint to solve some problem concerning the state. On the way they met a farmer who was going with his plough and buffalo to the fields. The astrologer stopped him, " why are you going in this direction now today ? Travelling in this direction is not considered good in the light of astrology and it will not ensure success in your undertaking. You will meet with failure. Go back."
The farmer replied, " Sir! my field lies in this direction only. I go to the field in the same direction all throughout the year. Because of this self effort I am able to lead a happy and peaceful life life. I never faced any failure. Grains grow well in my field. If I start listening to your advice for doing my work, I will die of hunger. My fields will become barren."
Concealing his embarrassment and displeasure, the astrologer said, " Show me your hand. I want to know and tell you what your fate line in the palm depicts."
The farmer replied politely," Thank you sir for your kindness. He only, who avoids work, one who does not have faith in his hands and effort, spread his hand before someone. I make my destiny by my own effort.Why should I show you my hand?" Saying thus, the farmer went away with his plough and buffaloes.
This opened the eyes of the king. The king said, " Astrologer sir ! Now I do not need your advice nor do I want to go to the saint for consultation." Saying thus, the king came back. Then onward, he  started making decisions using his wisdom and discrimination. The country became prosperous and the people were very happy.

There is a saying,
               ' Time and tide wait for none.'
One should  always be alert and look for opportunity and move ahead in life.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Words of wisdom

     
                                       Words of wisdom


  Knowledge is like a garden. If it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested.

 Learning is a treasure which accompanies its owner everywhere.

There are no national frontiers to learning.

When the heart is at ease, the body is healthy.

Opportunities come but do not linger.

You can always find good elements in the misfortune that strikes you.

The key that opens is also the key it locks.

Nothing wipes your tears but your own hand.

It is the pot that boils but the dish that gets the credit.

Custom and law are sisters.

As soon as your cart is turned over, every one rushes to give you advice.

The value of somethings is apparent only when they are gone.

Scatter with one hand, gather with two.

Abundance does n't know contentment, but contentment is abundance.

If you have planted a tree you must water it too.

In this world, the wise refer only three things as precious gems, namely; Tasty drinking water, good food and precepts( good sayings). But fools refer even to ordinary stones as precious gems.

If you are going a long way, go slowly.

Great things can best be said in silence.

A good deed is the best form of prayer.

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Prosperity of a country


                                  Prosperity of a country

    The earth is not thirsty for the blood of the warriors but for the seat of man's labour.

Once a virtuous poetess visited a king and composed a poem praising him and his kingdom. She mentioned only two words.
" Let the dikes ( dykes, embankments, that is walls of mud to hold water among the crops in agricultural lands )  multiply ! "
The king could not grasp the meaning fully, asked her to explain.
She said, " If the dikes of fields are built more and high, the water level in the fields will also go up. With enough water, the paddy crop will grow tall and healthy. When they grow up like this, the yield of grains will be more. When the yield is high, people will have enough food and there will be peace. When they are healthy and peaceful, they will be happy and work hard, the country will be prosperous. This will glorify the king."
The king understood the truth that the prosperity of a kingdom and the glory of the king depended on the greening of the earth.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Amazing facts of Nature

 
                      Amazing facts of Nature


  • Birds devote much time to their hygiene, preening their feathers continually and bathing regularly. Many birds spread their wings in the Sun ( to get rid of the germs and insects sticking to their feathers and also in this process, they get the boost of vitamin D by exposure to Sunlight ). Others prefer a good dust bath, smear themselves with an ant ointment ( by rolling on ant-hill or on a group of ants) or enjoy a beer massage. Birds need not look long or far to find the beauty oil they need for their hygiene. It is just a bill's length away, secreted by a gland on their rump. Birds dip their bills in this oily substance rich in fatty acids and water up to 10 or 12 times a day and spread it on their feathers.
  • All spiders can make silk. They use it to make webs, traps, burrows and cocoons. Some spider silk is three times stronger than a steel wire of the same thickness. Spider silk can be thinner than a human hair and can stretch to twice its length. spiders make up to seven kinds of silk with their their glands in their abdomen. each kind of silk is used in a particular way, such as making traps, wrapping up prey, or providing shelter. Female spiders make a kind of silk to encase and protect their eggs. 5000 kinds of spiders build orb-shaped or circular webs. a common garden spider uses from 50 to 200 feet of silk to build an orb-shaped web about a foot across in less than an hour. An orb-web spider spins about 100 webs during its life time.Scientists today are using nanotechnology to try and make synthetic spider silk, because spider silk is super strong and stretchy.
  • Indian female elephants do not have tusks.
  • Animals like rats and squirrels keep gnawing at things because gnawing helps wear down their teeth. If they do not gnaw at things their teeth would keep on growing.
  • Dogs eat grass when they feel something is wrong with them. After eating grass, whatever is eaten and has remained in the abdomen is thrown out. They feel better after this.
  • Antarctica has more coal and iron ore are deposited beneath its ice than all the other continents combined.
  • Newts ( aquatic animals ) sometimes migrate long distances to breed. They often travel back to the pond where they grew up, finding their way by sight and smell.
  • Crocodiles shed tears. They secrete the excess salt in the body. They have to get rid of this by means of a gland near the corner of the eye.
  • Certain plants use the sea to spread their seeds. The coconut is a famous example of this. This nut itself ripens inside an even larger husk of stringy fibres( the coir) encased in a brownish leathery skin.This makes it float and when a coastal coconut palm drops a husk almost straight into the ocean, it is carried away by the currents and deposited on a distant shore, where it may grow. In this way coconut palms have spread to fringe tropical shores around the world.
  • If there is a population explosion of the microscopic pond plants algae, it can cause great harm to the other pond inhabitants by exhausting the available oxygen supplies. Without enough oxygen, the pond's plants and animals will soon die.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Needle- not the scissors

 
                            Needle- not the scissors



 Once a king came to meet a saint. He touched his feet and offered a beautiful and a precious pair of scissors to him. The pair of scissors was studded with rare diamonds and other precious gems.They dazzled the onlookers with their brilliance.
The saint had a look at the scissors and returned back the same to the king saying, " O king, thank you very much for valuable gift. But it is of no use to me. It will be better if you give me an ordinary needle as a gift."
The king said, " I do not understand your view point, my master. If you need a needle, then surely you will also need the scissors. "
The saint replied, " I do not need scissors because scissors separate things whereas needle joins them. I preach "love" to every one and my work is to join things and to bring people close to one another."

It is a symbolic way of instruction that love alone can bring unity and strength to a country.Success or achievement cannot be procured through hatred, dissension or fight. Moreover, love is the inherent quality of human nature.So the real victory and prosperity comes through love only. And this is applicable in all fields of life.

Wisdom Bytes

 
                                   Wisdom Bytes



  •  God gives, but man must open his hand.
  • Happiness does not come from doing easy work, but from the after glow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of difficult task that demanded our best.
  • One must learn by doing the thing. Though you think you know it, you have no certainty until you try.
  • Everybody exists. It is only the few who live. To live, you should have an ideal.
  • Say sweet things to your enemy, and soothing words to your friend.
  • Old age begins the day you cease to learn.
  • Ally yourself to a great cause. You may not do the cause much good, but the cause will do you a lot of good.
  • Success or achievement is not the final goal. It is the " spirit" in which you act that puts the seal of beauty upon your life.
  • Success in the long run is a measure of one's ability to turn the tasks into adventures.
  • The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much. It is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.
  • Leadership is acting when you see the need, without waiting for some one else to suggest it.
  • The best protection is an unshakable faith in the Divine Grace.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Timeless tradition

     
                                 Timeless tradition


      A recent study from the University of Pittsberg Kenneth P Dietrich school of Arts and sciences correlates the unhappy marital interaction with thicker carotid arteries and a higher risk of cardio-vascular diseases. It points out that the key to healthy heart is a happy marriage.
Human immune system needs companionship and social ties. A fundamental social connection and companionship for both men and women is marriage, and having a reasonably happy one is a major boon to health.
With the advent of psychoneuroimmunology- the study of ho emotions influence the central nervous system and immune system, the scientists have come to appreciate the system of marriage. When researchers documented the " marriage bonus " on health, they speculated how a stable home life might contribute to health and longevity.
Nutrition- Married people, especially those with children, are likely than singles to eat healthfully.
Bad habits- The social support provided by marriage helps people avoid and quit bad habits, particularly smoking,excessive drinking and overeating.
Risk-taking- This one relates to men, who, in general, take more risks than women. Compared with single men, husbands and fathers are less likely to drive race cars, skydive and engage in violent crimes and other reckless pursuits that might risk their lives.
Medical care- Finally, spouses often encourage each other to seek medical care. Loners may neglect to obtain care until diseases have progressed to the point where they are difficult to treat.
Furthermore, close social ties to spouses, friends, relatives and community organizations also enhance the immune system.

Here again the words of W. Somerset Maugham ring true,
" Tradition is a guide and not a jailor."
Because tradition asserts that a happy marriage is the solid foundation of a stable happy home and society.It is with experience and wisdom, the institution of marriage was built and nurtured throughout the world from times immemorial.
There is a beautiful saying,
' In the beginning, God made a man and a woman and set them on the earth. They looked at each other and burst out laughing. Then they traveled the earth together.'
So nature has made the union of man and woman a natural bond for their smooth travel on this earth. Their biological differences have been made complementary to each other.
The real ingredients of a happy marriage is the friendship between one man- one woman ( the same one ) built on mutual trust and love that leads to constancy and fidelity on both sides. This sharing of good and bad times makes the life happy and enjoyable.
An auspicious time, the presence of family, relatives and friends and the presence of divinity, all contribute to cementing this friendship in the form of wedding accompanied with many rites and rituals signifying rich symbolism and creating a festive atmosphere for all. The event becomes a memorable one in the life of a couple. Even Nature becomes congenial to a loving couple as is seen in the traditional blessings given to them.
' May the Sun bring you new energy by day,
 May the moon softly restore you by night,
 May the rain wash away your worries,
And the breeze blow new strength into your being,
And all of the days of your life may you walk,
Gently through the world and know its beauty.'

Friendship, this core essence of marriage is asserted in the rite of seven steps taken together by the couple around the sacrificial fire in Indian marriage.
Taking seven steps symbolizes desire for orderly prosperity. Seven is a mystical number signifying seven days of a week, seven horses ( colors) of the Sun, seven worlds starting from BhurBhuvahasvaha etc,seven sages, seven svaras of music, seven flames of fire etc.
The husband makes the wife step forward in northern direction seven steps with words, one step for grain, two for strength, three for prosperity, four for comfort, five for cattle ( that was the wealth in those days as agriculture was the main occupation ), six for things according to seasons,and the seventh for union and devotion to him( husband).Holding the bride's hand, the groom walks seven steps around the holy fire with her. Belief is that when one walks seven steps together , they become friends.
He says to his bride, " You have walked seven steps with me. You have become my companion, whereby I acquire your friendship, we shall remain together inseparable. Let's make a vow together." We shall share love, share the same food, share the strength and the same tastes.We shall be of one mind. Together we shall live, beget children and other riches."
      This ceremony is very important as marriage is regarded legally complete after this is performed.After this the bride gains the title ardhangini ( half self ). It is said,
" Of His own will God Himself divided into two portions. From the portion on the left woman emerged, from the portion on the right man emerged." So after marriage only,the man and the woman become complete
According to scriptures, a man is symbolic of knowledge. He has more opportunities to move out of the home. Through many experiences he gathers knowledge and wisdom. A woman is symbolic of devotion. With her commitment, she builds a home and ushers in harmony. Together, the two create an ideal combination.They can achieve more together than what either can individually.
It is also pointed out, that the institution of marriage is ordained by God in Atharva veda,
' O bride, that whom the protector of the universe gave to me, remain supported and nourished by me. O ye, procreating lady ! may you live hundred autumns delightfully with me as your husband.'
This shows that mutual bond bond of hearts of husband and wife is the greatest source of confidence and longevity.
In order to keep discipline in the society, it is absolutely essential that man and woman should enter into proper wedlock. Without it, woman would be reduced to the position of a raw material and saleable. To avoid this, God has ordained the institution of marriage. Vedas have even placed specific duty on kings to see that marriage of their subjects are protected. Marriage is a bond of not only this life but a bond of eternity. It is believed that a devoted wife follows the same equally devoted husband in all births to come.This chastity gives her immense power.There are stories where by virtue of the power of her chastity, wives brought their husbands from the clutches of death, even with the power of their chastity, they could seek vengeance against the rulers when injustice was done to their husband. such was the glory of a virtuous wife ! So there is no scope for any idea of divorce or remarriage of any party. Vedic marriage is not a contract, breakable at will, but a sacramental action having the sanction of religion.
Marriage perpetuates the traditions of the family.She is the helpmate of man, mother of his children.She keeps the home, comforts her husband in loneliness and weariness and nurses him when he is sick. Not only this, she expands the family of her husband. Woman is the power and strength of his family.
It is beautifully addressed to a young bride thus,
' O bride ! you are in fact queen of the whole family. You govern your father-in-law,mother-in-law brother-in-law,and sister-in-law and control the affairs of the household.'
She conquers all through her love and service. What a splendid vision !
When such are state of affairs, the wife and her husband will live in harmony, loving each other, then the house will be a heaven.
Even now this relationship of husband-wife is maintained and perpetuated in all parts of India through celebration of various annual festivals like Karva chauth, Karadaiyan nombu etc. And no religious worship is complete without equal participation of both husband and wife together. Thus the eternal bond is always kept renewed.
Most of the malaises affecting society like drug addiction, adultery, suicide, domestic violence can be nipped in the bud itself if people are made to understand the sanctity of marriage-purity of man-woman relationship. Because it is the solid base of a happy family. Family is the unit of society. When home is sweet and peaceful, the society will automatically become a healthy and prosperous one.

Many wise sayings with regard to this sacrament called marriage are eternal truths.

' Love looks not with eyes, but with the mind.'

' one should believe in marriage as in the immortality of the soul.'

'Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but of looking outward in the same direction.'

' There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people,
who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends.'
' In true marriage relation, the independence of the husband and wife is equal,the dependence mutual and their obligations reciprocal.'
It is beautifully summed up,
' In marriage do thou be wise, prefer the person before the money, virtue before beauty, the mind before the body, then thou has a wife, a friend, a companion, a second self.'

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Speech reveals the man

     
                                Speach reveals the man




  Once a king was passing through a forest  with a soldier and commander-in -chief of his army. The king felt very thirsty. His soldier went in search of water. At a distance he found a well and saw an old man offering water to the passers by. The soldier went to him and ordered -" Oh blind man ! Give me also a glass of water. Be quick !. " The blind man replied  - " I don't offer water to a foolish servant like you. Go away from here." The angry soldier returned. Hearing the words of the soldier, the commander-in -chief himself went to him and said-" Oh blind brother ! give me a glass of water quickly." The blind man replied beautifully -" It seems that you are the master of the servant who came earlier. There is dirt in the mind but you speak in sweet words outwardly. I won't give you also water." The chief went and lodged a complaint to the king. The king became more curious and himself went to the man. After greeting him he said-" Sir ! I am thirsty. My throat very dry. Will you please give me water to quench my thirst ?" The blind man offering him a seat said -"  Your Highness ! Please sit down, I will give you water now." After drinking the water the king asked the blind man -" Sir, without the eyes how did you come to know that one is just a soldier, the other as the master of the army and me as the king? "
The blind man replied - " Your Majesty ! You don't need eyes to know a person. The speech itself reveals the person."

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Mother , you are unique !

           
                                 Mother , you are unique !


          In the words of Shankara, " A son may be bad but nowhere a mother is seen bad."

        God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers.


       A mother's arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them.

        Mother is one to whom you hurry when you are in trouble.

      Children may outgrow mother's lap, but they will never outgrow her heart.

     Children are never a burden to their mother. However tender the creeper may be, still it carries big fruits like melons.


Mother is compared to the Earth, symbolic of patience, care and protection.

It is said that a mother can take care of ten children but ten children cannot take care of  one mother.

The real treasure of life is the love of mother.

She is the supreme. The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. She conquers over all by her selfless service and love.

A mother is worth a hundred school masters.

" All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel  Mother." - in the words of Abraham Lincoln.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Goddesss Lalitambika

   
                                                Goddess Lalitambika


           à¤¸िन्दूरारुण विग्रहाम्   त्रिनयनां  à¤®à¤£िक्यमौलि स्फुरत्
           à¤¤ारानायक शेखराम्  à¤¸्मित मुखीमापी न वक्षोरुहाम्  I
           à¤ªाणिभ्यामलि पूर्ण रत्न चषकं  à¤°à¤•्तोत्पलं बिभ्रतीम्
            सौम्याम्  à¤°à¤¤्नघटस्थ रक्तचरणाम्  à¤§्यायेत्  à¤ªà¤°ाम्बिकाम्  II

        अरुणाम्  à¤•à¤°ुणातरंगिताक्षी ं  à¤§ृत पाशांकुश पुष्प बाण चापा ं I
      अणिमादिभि रवृतां  à¤®à¤¯ूखैरहमित्येव विभावये भवानी ं II

     à¤§्यायेत्  à¤ªà¤¦्मासनस्थां  à¤µिकसितवदना ं  à¤ªà¤¦्मपत्रायताक्षी ं
    हेमा भा ं  à¤ªीतवस्त्रा ं  à¤•à¤°à¤•à¤²ित लसद्धेमपद्मां  à¤µà¤°ाङ्गीम् I
   à¤¸à¤°्वालङ्कारयुक्ताम्  à¤¸à¤¤à¤¤à¤®à¤­à¤¯à¤¦ां  à¤­à¤•्तनम्रां  à¤­à¤µानी ं
   à¤¶्रीविद्यां  à¤¶ान्तमूर्तिम्  à¤¸à¤•à¤²à¤¸ुरनुता ं सर्वसम्पत्प्रदात्रीम्  II

    सकुंकुमविलेपना मलिक चुम्बि कस्तूरिका ं
    समंद हसितेक्षणा ं सशर चाप पाशांकुशा ं  I
      अशेष जन मोहिनी मरु ण माल्य भूषा ं बरा ं
     à¤œà¤ªाकुसुम भासुरा ं  à¤œà¤ªà¤µिधौ स्मरेदम्बिकाम्  II

Sinduraarunavigraham trinayanaam manikyamaulisphurat

Taranayakashekharaam smitamukhim aapinavakshoruhaam

Paanibhyaam alipurnaratnacashakam raktotphalam bibhratim

Saumyaam ratnaghatastharaktacaranaam dhyaayet paraambikaam.

Arunaam karunaatarangitaakshim dhrtapaashaankushapushpabanacapaam
 Animaadibhiraavrtaam mayukhairahamityeva vibhaavaye Bhavaanim.

Dhyaayet padmaasanasthaam vikasitavadanaam padmapatraayataakshim
Hemaabhaam pitavastraam karakalitalasaddhemapadmaam varaangim
Sarvaalankaarayuktaam satatamabhayadaam bhaktanamraam Bhavaanim
Shrividyaam shaantamurtim sakalasuranutaam sarvasampatpradaatrim.

Sakumkumavilepanaam alikacumbikasturikaam
Samandahasitekshanaam sasharacaapapaashaankushaam
Asheshajanamohinimarunamaalyabhushaambaraam
Japaakusumabhaasuraam japavidhau smaredambikaam.
   
                             

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Thoughts from great minds

 
                                    Thoughts from great minds


        The person who does n't read is no better off than the person  who can't read.


       One needs only to see the way she is built to realize that woman is not intended for great mental or for great physical labour. She expatiates the guilt of life not through activity but through suffering, through the pains of child birth, caring for the child and subjection to the man, to whom she should be a patient and cheering companion. Great suffering, exertion is not for her. Her life should flow by more quietly and gently.

Research studies on stress  show that a long, healthy and happy life is the result of making contributions, of having meaningful projects that are personally exciting and contribute to and bless the lives of others. In the words of  George Bernard Shaw, " This is the true joy in life - that being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It 's a sort of splendid torch which I've got to hold up for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations."

The difference between success and failure is often five percent more effort.

Every moment of life is both a gift and a moment of choice.




   

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Points to ponder

                                         Points to ponder


No beautician ever tells you that your real beauty comes from your good thoughts within.

According to the view of a great western philosopher of nineteenth century - Because errors imbibed early are mostly ineradicable and because the reasoning faculty is the last to mature, children should not , until they are sixteen be exposed to any subject in which major errors are possible, that is to say philosophy, religion and general views of all kinds. They should be introduced only to those in which error is either impossible, as in mathematics, language, natural science, history etc, in general however only to such studies as are accessible to their age and completely comprehensible.Childhood and youth is the time for assembling data and for becoming specifically and thoroughly acquainted with individual things. Reasoning and judgement in general must remain in suspense and ultimate explanations be deferred. Since the reasoning faculty presupposes maturity and experience, it should be let alone for the time being. The impression of prejudices upon it before it is mature will damage it for ever.

No rose without a thorn, but many a thorn without rose.

You can't write, read or live fully in the present without knowing the literature of the past.

There are only two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots, the other wings.

Peace of mind comes only when your life is in harmony with true principles and values and in no other way.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Navaratri and the worship of the Goddess

                                  Navaratri and worship of Goddess

We have a rich legacy of spiritual tradition. Festivals also a form of preserving that tradition. They are in-built systems envisaged by the sages of ancient times from the point of maintaining a man's physical, mental and spiritual health as well as his social well-being. So in society, there was no case for depression or social malaise. One more striking feature of them is that they are celebrated in different seasons glorifying the Nature and honouring the natural grains obtained by harvest during that period by offering them as prasad to different gods as a token of gratitude and partaking along with others in the worship. This spirit of gratitude to nature is the key- note of all festivals.
The festivals have different aspects like vrata, tithi or parva and utsava. Vrata ' religious vow' indicates a set of rules and discipline with which one voluntarily binds oneself over a particular period of time, during which period he undertakes to maintain physical and mental purity by taking bath, wearing clean pure clothes, worshipping the deity and taking pure and simple food. This vrata is meant for the physical and mental purity , development of strong will power, cultivation of faith and love towards the god, purity of the environment and development of high and positive thinking.
Parva refers to particular date when there is conjunction of particular planets and stars and comes at a fixed time in every year of the Hindu calendar. Parva means knot or joint seen on the sugarcane. As the joints are seen at a certain equidistance on the sugarcane, so the festivals occur at equal intervals in a year. The festivals are determined from the position of stars and planets in the sky. People of ancient times always believed that specific position of planets and stars in the sky affected the life on the earth. So to overcome this, some worship  and disciplines were formulated. Utsava refers to a joyous festive occasion which naturally buys up the spirit of the participants. Participation in devotional songs and dances fosters the social ties and a sense of belongingness , thus taking care of
society's well being because all poor and rich equally participate in the worship in temples and partake offerings of food without any distinction and inhibition.
Navaratri is a major and an important festival celebrated in all parts of India. At the change of seasons, it is celebrated. Generally, the Navaratis are four.
1  From the first day to the tenth day of bright half of the month Chaitra ( March-April ).
2 From the first day to the tenth day of bright half of the month Ashadha ( June-July ).
3 From the first day to the tenth day of bright half of the month Ashwina( Sep- oct ).
4 From the first day to the tenth day of bright half of the month Magha( Dec-Jan).
Of all the four, Vasantika ( also known as shayanakhya ) in the month of Chaitra and Sharadiya ( also known as bodhanakhya ) in the month of Ashwin are the most famous and celebrated all over India. The rest are celebrated in Shakti-peethas and other temples of Shakti ( Goddess Durga ).
The scriptures declare that the worship of the Shakti during the Navaratri in the autumn season( in the month of Ashwina) confers the four goals of life namely Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha on the faithful worshipper.
Parvati tells Lord Shiva ' Whoever does the Navarati worship in the month of Aashwina with devotion, I am pleased and give him good wife, wealth, health and prosperity. Devotees with no desires for these are blessed with salvation.
Why two Navaratris are more significant ?
There is a scientific reason behind this. The Puranas describe that the months Chaitra and Ashwina are jaws of Yama( death ). Spring comes after severe winter and autumn comes after rainy season. In both seasons, inthebeginning, change of seasons bring about various diseases lke fever, cough, cold and other ailments. So to remove these or as a prevention, the worship of the Goddess , taking a few sips of water kept in the kalasha ( jug) during the worship which is sanctified by the prayers and mantras and the harvested grains taken in the simple form maintain the health of the people.
One more significant feature is that the spring festival of Navaratri is celebrated when the Sun is in the northern hemisphere and the autumnal Navaratri is celebrated when the Sun is in the southern hemisphere.
Generally,festivals like Shivaratri, Janmashtami, Ramanavami are all celebrated for a day only where as Navaratri in honour of Goddess Shakti is celebrated for nine days. There is a reason behind this. The mantra of Shakti is called Navakshari. It contains nine syllables. So nine days are celebrated as a symbolism ( one day for each syllable ). Nava means nine. Nava means new also. Newness in old tradition. when vow is observed for nine days and nine nights, it is called Navaratra. When the worship of the Goddess is done at night for ninedays, it is called Navaratri..since Goddess Durga is worshipped in her nine forms. so each day is devoted to one form.
It is believed that the Goddess foght the demon for nine days, starting from the first day of the ashwayuja month ( Sep-Oct ).On the tenth day of Vijaya Dashami, she killed the demon, putting an end to the reign of evil and terror.The celebration on this day symbolises the victory of righteousness over evil.
It is said that Lord Rama worshipped the Goddess Durga on the shore of the ocean before his fight with Ravana. Even the great warrior Arjuna set out for the battle against the Kauravas on this day after worshipping the Goddesss.
The term 'Durga " means the destructor of calamity in the form of physical, mental and spiritual evils.
Devi Purana says that the five constituent syllables of the word Durga namely, da, u,r, g, aa, are said to destroy respectively demons, obstacle, diseases, sin and fear ( da- demons, u - vigna, r - roga, ga - papa, aa - bhaya ) Durga durgatinashini.
Parvati, the power of Shiva is basically the Adi Shakti, but she is called by nine different names.

1 - First day, she is called Shailaputri. Shala means mountain, putri means daughter. She is called Shalaputri because she appeared as the daughter of the king of the mountains, the Himalayas. In this form, she is depicted as riding on an ox. She has a trident in the right hand and a lotus in her left hand. She is also called Haimavati. In this form, she became the consort of Shiva. She was Sati in her previous birth. Among the nine forms, Shailaputri has infinite power. She has great importance that is established by the fact that she is the first one to be worshipped during Navaratri. The yogis concentrate on the first plexus, Muladhara Chakra, to revitalise themselves and to awaken the Kundalini shakti. From here begins the journey to higher chakras.
Dhyana shloka for Shailaputri-

Vande vanchitalaabhaaya chandrardhakrtashekharam l
vrsharudham shuladharam shailaputrim yashasvineem ll

2    - On the second day, the Goddess is worshiped as Brahmacharini. It is in her nature and character to attain the Brahman as Shiva through penance. while a maiden, she is called Brahmacharini and also Tapah charini or Uma. She had performed rare penance on the advice of the sage Narada, when she was the daughter of Himalaya, which included years that she spent on only fruits and the years when she ate only the fallen leaves and the years when she stopped eating the leaves also.That is the reason why she is called Aparna .Amazed at the hardest penance, the gods praised her and Brahma appeared and granted her wish to be the consort of  Lord Shiva.
She has a splendidly glowing form. She has a rosary in her right hand and a kamandalu ( water jug ) in the left. The Brahmacharini form of the Devi fulfills all the desires of the devotees, Sadhakas and Yogis. On the second night Brahmacharini is worshipped and the Kundalini shakti reaches the Swadhishtana chakra. She blesses the devotees. One is enriched with penance, a sense of sacrifice, detachment, moral character and control over the self. Even during the toughest days there is no deviation from the righteous way and solemn duties.
Dhyana shloka-

Dadhaana karapadmaabhyaamakshamaalakamandalu l
Devi prasidatu mayi Brahmacharinyanuttama       ll

3  - Chandraghanta  - The pleasant half-moon is her forehead, in the shape of the lower part of the bell, so she is called Chandraghanta. Her form is very peaceful and benevolent. She has a bright golden hue. She has three eyes and ten hands with swords and other weapons , lotus in one hand and another blesses all. She rides a lion. She is ready for battle. The dreadful sound of the bell creates fear in the devils and protects the devotees.
She is worshiped on the third night. The Kundalini reaches the Manipura chakra. With her grace the yogis are able to see wonderful and divine things, listen to celestial music and smell rare sublime fragrance. She wipes out all the impurities and clears the path of the devotees. The meditation on the Goddess gives instantaneous success. The devotees are freed from fear and endowed with humility, brightness and grace and his voice gets spiritual effect, attraction and sweetness. By worshipping her, one gets wordly success and Moksha.
Dhyana shloka-

Pindajapravararuda  chandakopastrakairyuta l
Prasadam tanute mahyam chandraghanteti vishruta ll

4 - Kushmanda
With her gentle laughter, she created the egg that is the universe. She is called Kushmanda.
When there was no creation, all everywhere darkness, this goddess with her little smile created the universe. There was no universe before her. She is the Adi Shakti. She resides in the solar system and shines brightly like the Sun. Her illumination and glow are matchless. Her glow illumines each animate and inanimate thing in the universe.She has eight hands that stretches up to and covers all the eight directions. She is also famous as Ashtabhuja Devi. She holds different weapons and other things in her seven hands: Kamandalu, dhanush, bana, lotus, vessel with nectar, chakra and mace and grants all Siddhis, Riddhis and Nidhis with her eighth hand in form of japamala.
Kushmanda is worsipped on the fourth day when the Kundalini shakti ascends to Anahata chakra. She frees the devotees from all sorts of diseases and pains and adds longevity, fame, strength and health. She gives material and spiritual powers and properity.
Her vehicle is lion. Kushmanda has another meaning that is pumpkin gourd. it is offered as an offering.
Dhyana shloka-
 Sudhasampurnakalasham rudhiraplutameva ca l
Dadhana hastapadmabhyam Kushmanda shubhadastute ll

5  - Skandamata
  Sanat Kumara, also known as Skanda or Kartikeya, is the commander of the army of gods. In the Puranas, he is also called Kumara or SHaktidhara. She is his mother. So she is called Skandamata. She is a deity of fire.She is seated on a lotus with Skanda in her lap and rides a peacock. She is also called Padmasana Devi. She is completely white and glowing.
She is worshipped on the fifth day during Navaratra.   On this day, the Kundalini Shakti ascends to Vishuddhi Chakra.The Yogi in the Vishuddhi Chakra gets rid of all all outer activities and wordly desires.He is purely in the most pious and conscious state. All his wishes and desires get fulfilled and he feels perfect peace and pleasure. He is in the state of complete bliss and beatitude. A glowing divine halo appears behind his head and gives the devotee illumination.
Skandamata has four hands. She holds her son with her upper right hand and the lower right hand rises up with a lotus. Similarly, the lower left hand rises up with a lotus flower and with the upper left hand, she showers blessings.
Dhyana shloka-

Simhasanagata  nityam padmashritakaradvaya l
Shubhadastu sada devi Skandamata yashaswini ll

6  - Katyayani
To fulfil the wishes of the sage Katyayana she appeared at the hermitage of Katyayana to accomplish some rare feats for the gods like killing of the demon Mahishasura. The sage accepted her as his daughter. So she is called Katyayani.
 The Gopis of Braja worshipped Katyayani for Shri Krishna. As a result she is the presiding deity of the complete Braja region even today. She has bright golden hue. She has four hands. The right upper hand makes one fearless and lower hand blesses all. She holds a sword with the upper left hand and a lotus in the lower. She rides a lion. She is worshipped on the sixth day. On this day, the Kundalini Shakti ascends to the Agya Chakra. The Sadhaka completely surrenders to the Goddess. All the pursuits- Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha are easily achieved. His spiritual power and brightness increase.She is worshipped with all prowess, might and agility.
Dhyana shloka-

 Chandrahasojjwalakara  shardulavaravahana l
katyayani shubham dadyad devi danavaghatini ll

7 - Kalaratri
As she killed many demons and became the dark night even for Kala, she is called Kalaratri. She is black with untied hair and wears a necklace as bright as lightning. She rides a donkey, breathes out fire, holds a sword in her right hand and blesses with the other.
Kalaratri has three eyes and she is very dreadful to look at, but she is always auspicious, and hence is also called Shubhankari. So , her devotees have no cause of fear or worry.
Kalaratri is worshipped on the seventh day when the Kundalini Shakti ascends to Sahsrara Chakra. The union with the Brahman is completed.All knowledge and every power of the cosmos is showered on the devotee. He is an enlightened one.He gets Moksha and a treasure of virtues that never gets empty. It can be achieved with atmost piety and carefully following the rules of Yoga.
Dhyana shloka-

Ekaveni Japakarnapura nagna Kharastitha l
Lambosti karnikakarni tailabhyaktasharirini ll
Vamapadollasallohalatakantakabhushana l
Vardhanamurdhadhvaja krshna Kalaratrirbhayankari ll

8 - Mahagauri
In fairness, she has been compared to conch- shell, Moon, and kunda flower ( Jasmine ). Her age is eight years( asta varsha bhaved Gauri ).
In her Parvati form, she did severe penance to get Shiva as her husband.. She had grown weak and dark because of the severe penance. Lord Shiva poured  the Ganges water on her and she got her dazzling white colour back. From then on she became Mahagauri.
She wears white clothes and white ornaments. She has four hands. She holds a trident ( Trishul ) and a tambourine ( Damaru ) and assures all to fe fearless with the upper right hand. She blesses with her lower left hand.
Mahagauri rides a bull. She is an embodiment of peace and tranquility. She is worshipped on the eighth day during the nine-day worship of the Shakti. Her devotees become pure. The impiety and sin do not come near them even in future. They are safe and secure. She is easy to please and readily showers her blessings on all.
Dhyana shloka-

Shwete vrshe samaruda shwetambaradhara shucih l
Mahagauri shubham dadyanmahadevapramodada  ll

9-  Siddhidatri
Nineth form of Shakti is Siddhidatri. She is the giver of all siddhis. Because she makes one free through salvation, she is called Siddhidatri. Shiva acquired eight siddhis- Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Ishitva,and Vashitva, by worshipping Mahashakti. It is according to Markandeya Purana. Brahmavaivarta Purana mentions eighteen siddhis.

1    Anima                                 7-    Sarvakamavasayita                          13 Srshti
2 Laghima                                  8   Sarvagyatva                                      14 Samharakarana samarthya
3 Prapti                                     9   Durashravana                                    15  Amaratva
4 Prakamya                             10 Parakayapraveshana                            16 Sarvanyayakatva
5 Mahima                                11 Vaksiddhi                                            17 Bhavana
6 Ishitva, Vashitva                   12 Kalpavrkshatva                                     18 Siddhi
Lord Shiva got all these siddhis through the Goddess. Because of her grace, Shiva's half body became the Goddess. So he is famous as Ardhanaishvara.
Siddhidatri has four hands. She holds a mace in her upper right hand and in the lower left hand she has a conch. She is seated on a lotus. She rides a lion. She is worshipped on the nineth, the last day of Navaratri. The devotee gets the Paramapada ( the Highest abode ) and has nothing more to achieve or wish.
Dhyana shloka-
Siddhagandharvayakshadyairasurairamarairapi l
Sevyamana sada bhuyat siddhida  siddhidayini ll

In the term Shakti, Sha refers to aishvarya and kti means prakrama.
Aishvaryavachanah shashcha ktih prakrama eva cha l
Tatsvarupa tayordatri sa shaktih parikirtita   ll            ( Devi Bhagavatam )
Shakti is the embodiment of  prosperity and strength.So she is the giver of the two.
The Adyashakti has three powers that is what is said of Brahman. The Supreme is formless. But with a view to create' Ekoham bahu syam prajayeya' ( I am one let me become many ) he assumes three forms because of his threefold powers of Maya. He creates the universe, protects and every thing dissolves in him. This is Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra. The Shaktis are Mahasarasvati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali. The power of Brahma which creates the universe is called Mahasarasvati, the power of Vishnu, which nourishes is called Mahalakshmi and Rudrashakti, which is responsible for destruction is called Mahakali.
These actions can be viewed in two ways. one is ' historical and chronological sequence ' where in this is viwed like this- First a thing is created, then it exists and in the end gets destroyed.
These three actions can be viewed in another way also- that is from the psychological standpoint of the spiritual aspirant. In the words of Sadashivabrahmendra, ' Janiviparitakramatah', in the reverse order of creation i.e from dissolution. That is why ' Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaravati come in upasana or worship.
First the teacher removes the ignorance from the mind of the disciple , he does the work of dissolution, Rudra or Mahakali. Then whatever real knowledge is in the mind of the disciple, he nourishes it like Vishnu or Mahalakshmi. Then removing the ignorance, protecting the knowledge, he gives new instructions regarding the true knowledge which dawns, he does the work of creation, Brahma or Mahasarasvati. This is the sequence adopted in the scriptures. In Kenoupanishad, it is Uma Haimavati who imparts the knowledge to the seeker, Indra. Mother is glorified first,.' Matrudevo bhava'.  It is always a mother's compassion, love and greatness that bring prosperity to children. Feminine energy nurtures, it heals, comforts and motivates.
In Navratri, the first three days are devoted to the worship of Durga, the embodiment of Kriyashakti. The next three days are to Lakshmi, the embodiment of Icchashakti and the last days to Sarasvati, who represents Gyanashakti. When ignorance is destroyed, one gets inner strength and works. Efforts bring prosperity and one's desires get fulfilled. When he does not find peace in desires, he contemplates. Then the knowledge of the truth dawns. It leads to victory, freedom. In fact the celebration of Navaratri signifies the evolution of the soul through three ladders to its destination namely, freedom. Tamo guna, the dirt or ignorance of the mind is removed by karmayoga represented by Durga. Distractions , desires represented by Rajas brings prosperity denoted by Lakshmi. Sattva though is praised but still an obstacle in the realization of the pure-self. It is dispelled by the power of higher wisdom, which is Sarasvati. The final victory is called vijaya Dashami, the tenth day. That is the day of victory, where one masters the forces of Nature completely and one's goal is achieved. When one steps over nine, he enters into infinity. Numbers are nine only. The whole cosmos is within nine. When one transcends nine, he goes to Infinity, which is his real nature, self. The tradition of Goddess worship is reflected in the worship of young girls,and in different art forms like music, dance etc both in houses and temples.
Worship of the Goddess in various ways inculcates discipline and leads to purity of mind. Gradually the worship of the Devi enables us to go beyond the form to reach the real inner potential in us, which is formless, which is the absolute Truth, the realization of which is the purpose of human life.
Reading and recitation of Shri Lalita sahasranama, Durga saptashati, Saundaryalahari, Mukapanchashati are recommended as effective means for  the grace of the Goddess.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Disparity

 
                                        Disparity

A well-known philosopher was lecturing in a public hall. Someone asked him, " Sir ! why there is such a vast disparity between the rich and poor like between the earth and the sky." The saint - philosopher replied calmly, " No, there is no disparity at all. The division is imaginary and created by selfish, greedy and egoistic man and not by the Almighty. Only two days of hunger and a few hours of thirst is enough to erase this artificial disparity and make them equal."

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Rating Talent

     
                                    Rating Talent


Judge a person by what he is and not by how he looks. No one is perfect in this world. The external appearance is transient but the inner worth is the eternal and everlasting. In Nature, many flowers are big and attractive in color but carry no fragrance. So their attraction lasts for a while only ,whereas some flowers like jasmine are small but are so fragrant that their sweet smell spread all around and lingers for long.
Once the king Vikramaditya, strolling with the great poet Kalidasa in the garden said, " Oh great poet! You are highly talented and intelligent, but why God has not given you beautiful form in accordance with your qualities ? Kalidasa did not reply to this taunt. They returned to the palace. The poet, with the permission of the king, procured two vessels one of mud and another made of gold. He filled both the containers with the same ordinary water. After sometime the poet asked the king to drink the water from both and asked him," Your Highness ! which water is cool and soothing?" The king replied, " Dear friend, the water from the pot is cool and soothing and not water of shining gold pot. The poet explained, " Your Majesty ! Just as the coolness does not depend upon the external appearance so also the talent does not depend on the beauty or ugliness of the body."

Friday, March 14, 2014

Impact

                         Impact

The great Indian epic, The Ramayana of sage Valmiki is a practical demonstration of righteous living. It is said that Rama, the ideal man was a form of the Lord Himself, who came to earth and took human embodiment to teach the human beings how to live their lives correctly. The richness of  Indian culture depicted in the Ramayana in a sweet style strengthen us in the face of difficulty so we may act with wisdom and manage our emotions through the waves of sorrow and happiness calmly and make our life sublime. Ramayana is philosophy of being your best. This is the reason for its universal appeal. The charm of Ramayana in any form is ever fresh and new.
Once a person asked a scholar of Ramayana, " Sir, is the Ramayana real or fictitious ? "
The great man replied , " When the Ramayana was composed, I was not there. When Rama was roaming in the forest and ruling his kingdom , I am not aware of my whereabouts then. So I can't say whether it is real or fictitious. But I can tell you about the impact of its studies and moral teachings on me. I experience actual improvement in the quality of my life. I have become a better person and find my life sublime and enjoyable. If you want, you can also try."

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Each moment well spent makes a precious treasure

              Each moment well spent makes a precious treasure

It is the little that makes up a huge thing. Small droplets of water make up a vast and deep ocean. Small savings steadily accumulated become a big amount in due course. Knowledge learnt in small amounts but continuously become a treasure for man throughout his life. Time is equally precious. If every moment is spent fruitfully, life becomes fulfilling and enjoyable. It is the characteristic of a great man that he utilises even a small unit of time into a great achievement.
Mahdev Govind Ranade was an eminent judge, a distinguished scholar, freedom fighter and a social reformer of India. Once, he was travelling in a train from Calcutta to Poona . Before boarding the train, he bought a newspaper in Bangla ( language spoken in Calcutta ) and also a small pocket dictionary of Bengali to English from a bookstall at the Railway platform. His wife asked him, " when you don't know the Bangla language, why did you buy this newspaper? " Ranade replied- " In these two days of travel in the train without any disturbance, this language can be easily learnt." He paid full attention on the script of the language and its construction. With the help of the dictionary, he enjoyed reading and understanding the contents of the entire paper. Reaching Poona,he read out the entire newspaper to his wife. Such was the perseverence and mental agility of that sixty year old great man

Friday, March 7, 2014

Man and machine

                   
                      Man and machine


Once a student asked the great poet Dr. Rabindranath Tagore,  " Sir ! If you were to choose between a machine which does not make any mistake and a man who commits mistakes, whom will you prefer?"
Tagore smiled and replied, " I will prefer the man who does mistakes. Many a times  mistakes churn out  great truths and discoveries.Man can make a machine. But machine however perfect and good it maybe , it cannot produce a  human being."

We are living in the age of machines. We cannot dismiss the good that our gadgets have brought to us. Everything gets better and easier. But we have become so much dependent on the machines that most of us have somehow slipped out of the human qualities and potentials which are inherent in us.Man in the name of modernity has made his life so artificial that he himself has become a machine.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

God is one, Names are many

                     God is one, Names are many


A person went to a saint and asked him,  "  All religions have one god. Muslims have Allah, Christians have Christ, Buddhists have Buddha. But Hindus worship so many gods. Why is it so ?
The saint : " God is one but his names are many.
The man : " How is that possible ? How can God assume so many forms and names and yet be only one ?
The saint called his student who was wearing a turban ( a plain cloth rolled into a shape of a head band ).
The saint pointed to it and asked the man, " What is that ?"
The man replied, " It is a turban ( Indian term for headband or headwear ) ."
The saint asked his student to untie it , roll it and tie around his waist.
When he had done so, the saint asked the man, " what is that ?
The man :  " a waistband."
Then the saint asked his student to unroll it as full cloth and tie it around his waist allowing the cloth to cover the legs till the knees and put a question to the man -" what is it now ?"
The man - " Lungi or long skirt."
The saint said to the man - " you have seen how the same cloth acquires different names when performing different functions. So also water can be a cloud when it is in the sky, it is rain when the same falls to the earth, it is a river when it flows and it is ice when it freezes. God, too, though One is called by different names in various forms by different people ."
" Whatever we may call God or whether we recognize Him or not, it does not change God's eternal nature and identity. It is man who gives God various forms according to his perception. If we understand this truth, we can make our life more meaningful, fruitful and sublime , rather than comparing religions and questioning oneness of God and fighting for it."

Humility is the ornament of knowledge

       
                                    Humility is the ornament of knowledge

     Vikram Sarabhai was a great Indian scientist who developed the science of space and satellite in India.
 When he went to England for higher studies, he got an opportunity to learn about the latest development in the field of science. He made it a point not to miss any article or seminar which dealt with a scientific discovery or an invention. He thoroughly studied each and every topic of physics which had become his love.
Vikram was a popular student. The teachers were amazed at his brilliance and keenness of studies
Though Vikram was brilliant and ahead in studies, but he was never proud. He was always humble and behaved in a friendly manner with his fellow students.
Many a times Vikram was approached by his classmates to get their doubts cleared. He was very clear in the basic concepts of physics, he knew that if the fundamentals are clear , one may find it easier to grasp the other complex processes.
He was ready to help one. Most of the students would tell him, " You explain the things in a better manner than our lecturers, you must become a teacher, you make even complex things appear simple."
Vikram would smile at them, " My dear friends , you are making me feel embarrassed. I am not such a learned person as you think . I have got to learn still a lot more."

Monday, February 24, 2014

Nectar drops

               
                                      Nectar drops

      The misery that oppresses you lies not in your profession but in yourself ! What man in the world would not find his situation intolerable if he chooses a craft, an art, indeed any form of life, without experiencing an inner calling ? Whoever is born with a talent,or to a talent, must surely find that the most pleasing of occupations ! Everything on this earth has its difficult sides. Only some inner drive, pleasure, love  can help us overcome obstacles, prepare a path, and lift us out of the narrow circle in which others tread out their anguished, miserable existence.


Remain calm. Listen to your inner voice. Set a goal for yourself. Do at least one thing to inch toward your goal every day - even if it's writing down one sentence on a piece of paper. Opportunities will pop in places and ways you could not have imagined.


Hope for the best. Expect the worst. Life is a play. We're unrehearsed.


A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends.

Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.


Sunday, February 23, 2014

Think for a while

         
                          Think for a while


We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want.

When I go into my garden with a spade, and dig a bed, I feel such an exhilaration and health that I discover that I have been defrauding myself all this time in letting others do for me what I should have done with my own hands.

If you love something enough, it will reveal its secrets.

Young men are fitter to invent than judge, fitter for execution than for counsel, fitter for new projects than settled business.

There is as dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem.

Physical strength can never permanently withstand the impact of spiritual force.

Do you love life ? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of.

The self-reliant boy



                                  The self-reliant boy

  There was a famous singer who ruled the world of music. One day, a poor boy came to her. On being asked, the boy replied that his mother was ill and did not have money for treatment as she was the sole bread-winner of the family and as she could not go to work, she could not earn her daily wages also.
" Do you want money ? How much ? Tell me, I will give you"- said the singer.
" Thanks, I don't want to take money without doing anything. I have written a poem. Please sing that in your concert. After that whatever you consider proper, give me. That is enough."
The singer was very much impressed by the words and conduct of the boy. Next day in her concert ,she sang the poem written by the boy. The beautiful song couched in touching words of ennobling feelings set in the sentiment of pathos was so sweet and melodious that the audience were transported to a divine realm for some moments. They were so much moved by the soulful song that most of them came forward to give awards in cash and kind as a token of love to the singer. Whatever she got  the singer took and went to the boy's house and gave to him for his mother's treatment.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Pause and ponder

     
                                   Pause and ponder


God's greatest gift to you is your unlimited potential. Your greatest gift to God is to use that potential to the fullest.

Wisdom is information and knowledge that is organized , aligned and acted upon in accordance with universal principles and laws.

Most people don't get what they want in life because they don't know what they want.

There is no delight in owning anything unshared.

Every day look at a beautiful picture, read a beautiful poem, listen to some beautiful music, and if possible, say some reasonable thing.

As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.

When we give the best we have to give, the best comes back to us.

Higher aims are in themselves more valuable, even if unfulfilled, than lower ones quite attained.

The great decisions of human life have as a rule far more to do with the instincts and other mysterious unconscious factors than with conscious will and well meaning reasonableness.

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Meaningful worship

   
                                Meaningful worship

Once, two friends came across two beautiful stones near a brook. One of them stood before one stone, folded his hands, and closing his eyes started praying there. The other person thought for a while , took a chistle and engaged himself in transforming his feelings into carving out a beautiful image of  God. The unique beauty of the image attracted every one and they all admired the art of the artist. But the boy was not an artist. A pious, rich man came there and overwhelmed at the beauty of the image bought it at a high price. He constructed a big temple and installed the image for public worship. The first person and the stone remained as theywere.
  One day both the friends happened to meet and started talking about the God they adored. The first one expressed grief and the other one told him the news of his progress, expressing his happiness.
That night the souls of the two stones met each other , one expressing the foolishness of his devotee, the other one full of praise for his devotee for translating his faith effectively into action for the benefit of humanity.
Moral -  When there is a passion, a burning desire to do good for the humanity, hidden talent and creativity bloom forth. And these in turn pave way for innovation. And here in lies the joy of living.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Do you know ?

                             Do You know ?

Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.

It is said , "  Those who merely study and treat the effects of disease are like those who imagine that they can drive away the winter by brushing the snow from the door. It is not the snow that causes Winter , but the Winter that causes the snow. So all the symptoms of illness are merely expressions of chemical imbalance and disharmony within the whole person , and that it is the patient who needs treatment, not the disease.

In ancient Greek  Olympic games, the participants used to eat raw onions and apply onion juice on their body before the events. This gave them stamina and strength in competing with others.

Carrots were once ( now also ) believed to be a superfood for eyes , and pilots during the world war II    were officially encouraged to eat plenty. In the old days, anything golden was cosidered to be benefit the sight, including gazing at marigolds during the day.

Natives of  some parts of Italy used to sleep with cloves of garlic between their toes to ensure a good night 's sleep. The Victorians favored placing dill on the pillow at night. Native Americans used to eat raw onions to get a good night's sleep.

Human brain is unique. Brain will improve with age if you use it properly. People think that mental and physical abilities decline with age. Actually, the average brain can improve with age.. Our neurons are capable of making increasingly complex new connections throughout our life.

Your thumb is a very important part of your body. A bigger part of your brain is used to control it than is used to control your stomach or chest.

Oranges did not originate in Florida or California. They originated in Asia and first appeared in Southern Europe in the Middle Ages. It was the early Spanish explorers of the 16th century who brought oranges to Florida and to California. Every Spanish sailor was required by law to carry 100 orange seeds with him if he was bound for the new world.

Friday, January 31, 2014

Uplifting thoughts

                            Uplifting thoughts

 If you plan for a year, plant a seed. If for ten years, plant a tree. If for one hundred years, teach the people.

Children are lamps to be lit,
not vessels to be filled.

The son's duty to his father is to make the world ask, "  By what great austerities did he merit such a son ."

What is marriage ? Falling in love anew every day- always with the same person.

All truth goes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Then, it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self- evident.

The secret for having a successful team is to lead, rather than to manage.

In the midst of great joy do not promise anyone anything. In the midst of great anger do not answer anyone.

Worry is liking a rocking chair - there is movement, but it does not take you anywhere.

Life is like a stream. One bank is the sacred scriptures and the other is science and technology. If both banks are not firm,the water will scatter away. If both banks are firm. The stream will run its smooth course.

Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

The hall-mark of a good judgement

 
                     The hall mark of a good judgement

No doubt, knowledge of principles of law is a must for a judge. But the knowledge of human psychology brings out the best in proper judgement. Basically human beings are good. It is the wrong habits and circumstances that lead him to wrong path. So to err is human is true. The real fact is that a man may commit a crime, hide it from others, but he cannot hide it from his ever vigilant conscience. If a judge is able to tap that source, the culprit himself will come out with the truth. This is the hall-mark of a good judge. Many a times, confession of his guilt by himself reforms the guilty also.
Once a man lost a precious article. A number of people were arrested, but no one could find out exactly who the thief was. The magistrate of that city was a wise scholar. He planned a beautiful trap for the suspects. He told them, " I have a bell who can tell a thief from an honest man. It has mystical powers. If an innocent man touched the bell it would remain silent, but if the man was guilty it would ring out."
The magistrate got a normal bell placed behind a curtain and asked his assistant to smear it with ink. After some time he took the suspects to the bell and asked each one in turn to extend his hands through the curtain and touch the bell. As each man withdrew his hands, the judge examined them. Every one's hands were stained except for those of one man, who confessed to the theft under questioning. He had not dared touch  the bell for fear it would ring.
What a nice method of judgement !

Rights and Duties of Employer-Employee , A glimpse from the Sanskrit Niti shastras



 Indian culture asserts a deep underlying fundamental unity, which is profound in all types of relationship in the society. The bed rock of this unity is based on the achievement of good ( shreyas ) through mutual co-operation. It insists that every individual must be afforded the opportunity to manifest the best and unique in him.

Economically we are a co-operative concern where we give according to our capacity and take according to our needs. Duties and Rights are the two sides of the same coin. The economic prosperity depends on the cordial relationship between the Employer and the Employee. Sanskrit Niti Shastras throw valuable insights into this.

Qualities of a good employer

 The essential quality of a good master is the faculty to discern right from wrong. Other characteristics enumerated are courtesy, liberality and goodness especially when the labourer confesses a mistake.

On the otherhand, a bad employer lacking these qualities indulges in unreasonably overworking the employee in raising hopes not to be fulfilled and withholding wages in arrears.
Exploitation of labour is generally condemned. It is not right that the worker should go without recompense for his work. He should be rewarded with heart, voice and look.




Judged by these standards , employers have been classified into three groups- kind,severe and just.
A kind employer shows indulgence to his employees. He is severe who considers the virtues of his employees as faults and he is just who deals with them judiciously.

Qualities of an employee :-

The employee should do his work properly to his capacity and should not be jealous of other employees and take off the rights of others. He should not find faults in others, instead he should help them.
The basic quality expected of an employee is the utmost loyalty.
 It becomes the bounden duty of the employer to maintain the welfare of such an employee.

Keeping in mind the effiency and human nature, the employees have been classified into three kinds. Some are very slow, some are fast and some are medium. They should be assigned work and remuneration accordingly

Labour contract: wages
  The general rule in regard to wages is that the employee shall get the promised wages. Wages are to be paid for the work done, but not for work that is not done.
In case of non-payment of wages, the employer is expected to compensate by paying one tenth more to the employee or six panas ( currency of those days ) more.
For employee not doing the work after receiving the wages, the fine is twelve panas and detention till it is done.
In case, work is more done than agreed upon , he shall not make the effort vain. Wages are not to be withheld.
 Only a bad workman asks for wages in the course of the work and it is only a bad master that does not pay the labourers their wages for the work done.

  Working hours-
 For permanent employees, three hours during the day and nine hours during night are allowed for rest(for doing domestic work). For workers on daily wages, one and half hours rest during the day are allowed.
If the employee is ill for a week, his wages should not be curtailed. If ill for a long time, six months wages should be given to the employee. If the employee is on leave for a year, he may be allowed to have a substitute of his choice. The master should give the employee fifteen days a year respite from work.

Labour efficiency-

The efficiency of labour depends on a number of social and economic considerations. The workers have been divided into three classes- slow, ordinary and quick.Judged by another standard, the employees fall into three types- the best, of medium ability and the worst. The best care only for name. The second class desire both wealth and fame. The worst want only wealth.

The master should fix wages of his employees after weighing their comparative merits and qualifications scruplously. He should not assign responsibilities indiscriminately. When some one is found to be unworthy of the work entrusted to him, he should be replaced by a competent person from the apprentces who are qualified for the task.
As an officer becomes qualified for the higher and higher functions, he should be promoted in the ascending order. Shukraniti recommends the principle of rotation to prevent abuse and misuse of powers.

One of the tests of labour-efficiency mentioned is any special aptitude or skill that the employee may possess. The special attainments which gives a man his living and which are commended by others should be preserved and improved by the owner.
Another fact that accounts for labour efficiency is the workman's capacity for work, faithfulness, cheerfulness, thoroughness in work, uprightness and general contentment.
Experience also contributes to efficiency. The service of old and experienced workers should not be dispensed with unless it be for very grave faults.

The kind treatment accorded by the employers to the employees under them may go a long way to increase their efficiency.
Lastly, the efficiency of labour depends on the amount of the reward, the wages the workers get. The amount of wages was low, average or high according to the low or average or high quality of the employees' work in general. Wages were considered high if they adequately supplied food and clothing and allowed a comfortable living or ordinary or moderate if they supplied the indispensable food and clothing i.e necessaries for the employee and his dependents. Low wages maintained only one. Low wages are condemned. It is very interesting to note ' those who are paid low wages are enemies by nature. They become tools in the hands of others, they seek new opportunities and try to plunder other people.' They should be motivated to work hard and earn more.
The master should give prizes, bonus etc apart from wages.

The prosperity of the organization depended on the proper division of labour. Efficiency is the true criterion of division. A careful employer will put the right men in the right place for the success of the enterprise depends on whether workmen like ornaments are used properly.

The striking factor to be noted is the importance given to written documents in Shukraniti. The officer or employee is not to do anything without the master's written order, nor should the master command anything, great or small without written order as the written document is the best guide, for to err is human.Both the master who commands without writing and the officer who does anything without written order are thieves.

Labour union-

 The evils and problems arising between the employer and the employed were lessened in two ways- by active governmental legislation and by organization among the employees so as to safeguard their position and to stand in union against exploitation of them by the employers.

The power of these 'guilds ' were administrative and financial. The rights of appeal lay from these unions to the king's officers. Another restriction on the administrative function of these was that they were not allowed jurisdiction in certain cases like robbery and theft.
These guilds had deposits of money invested by the members to serve in times of distress. These unions had an able leader who could be relied upon and with whom these deposits may be entrusted.
These guilds acted like trade unions of modern times.

Insurance and pension=

      The deposits of the guilds served the workmen in times of distress. The general rule appears to have been that the employer was not authorised to cut off wages in times of calamity. The master should tend them in their sickness. The efficient workmen should in addition have 1/8 of their wages as bonus every year. An institution similar to a provident fund is also in evidence in Shukraniti. The employer is advised to keep with him as deposit 1/6 or 1/4 of the employee's wages and to pay 1/2 of that amount or the whole in two or three years. When the employee dies in service, his son should be offered the job with the same salary or according to his ( son's ) qualifications. At the time of retirement after forty years of service, the employee may have half his wages as pension for life and pension in some cases may be extended to the members of his family also.

Thus laying emphasis on the rapport and harmonious relations between the king and his employees, Shukra concludes that where the servants and the king both are in good order, there wealth is permanent, extensive and always in plenty.

Man is the same in all ages. Articles 23, 24 and 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaimed by the General assembly of United Nations on tenth December, 1940 echo the same principles such as the right to work under just favourable conditions, right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limltation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay, employee's right to form and join trade unions for the protection of his interests, right to a standard living adequate for the health and well being of himself and his family, including food. clothing, housing and medical care and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, old age and lack of other livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

It is very delighting and refreshing to note that the rules quoted in the Sanskrit Niti Shastras like Kautilya's Arthashastra, Shukra's Shukraniti and Hitopadesha appear to be considerably in advance of the age in which they were laid down and show many traits of modern economic ideas on the problem of labour and capital.