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Bhishma Pitamah- who made Shri Krishna to forget his promise

Posted on December 26, 2009 by Ritu

Mahabharata is probably the best piece of fiction ever written, if it did not happen in reality. And if story of mahabharat is someone’s imagination, then the writer must have got a divine gift. Here, we have an epic which is very interesting and yet it provides us so many teachings for life. In my opinion, all characters in Mahabharat are present to serve a purpose, whose presence seem to fit in effortlessly in whole scheme of things. In following paragraphs, a very important character, Devvrata Bhishma is explained.Bhishma was son of Shantanu and the river goddess Ganga. Ganga had left Shantanu after giving birth to Bhishma, because Shantanu questioned her actions when she killed her new born sons. When Shantanu fell in love with Satyavati and wanted to marry her, but Satyawati set forth some condition which were unacceptable to him, knowing this, Bhishma given his word of honour to Satyavati to remained bachelor all through his life. This was the most Bhishma(maximum) of sacrifice, which prompted the world to call him as Bhishma.Thus taking this Bhishma Pratigya, Devvrata is known as Bhishma.

The vow which made Devvrata Bhishma – even devtas (gods) showered flowers on him

His truthfulness was such that whatever he spoke came true. He knew different types of martial arts. He forced Lord Krishna to take up the wheel of Arjun’s chariot as a weapon, when he said that he will not take up any weapon during the battle of Mahabharat. Such was the skill of the great warrior, Bhishma. He was the most respected person in the kingdom of Hastinapur, and he was called Bhishma Pitamaha.

He served his step mother, then her son Vichitravirya, later his sons Pandu and Dhritarashtra as as he promised loyalty to the throne of Hastinapur. He was well aware of the weaknesses and flaws in the character of his grandsons, and could expect the tragedy that was sure to embrace the kingdom of Hastinapur. Bhishma was well aware of jealousy of Kauravas and especially Duryodhana towards Pandavas which he at times openly disapproved.

But even this righteous behavior of Bhishma was taken some tilt towards Pandavas and dislike for Kauravas. But he kept quiet as a silent suffering head of the clan, lest his reproach could be seen as his disloyalty to Hastinapur. As a silent and helpless witness Bhishma suffered all the inhumanities which was done from throne of Hastinapur. He never entertained any thought to become king of Hastinapur, or to dislodge the weak and morally selfish successor to the throne. Only Vidura, the renowned scholar of his times, understood the plight of Bhishma.

Bhishma and all other Gurus, though helpless, they served and sided with the Hastinapur as they were tied to serve the throne, but als, they found themselves on the wrong side of battleground. This question will be asked time and again, and may never get an answer as whether the loyality to throne is justified or helping the rightful? That makes Mahabharat even more fascinating read, where the most capable of warriors such as Bhishma where pited against each other, are respected and relevant to today’s times.

Bhishma forcing Krishna to take up the wheel of a chariot, despite the oath that he would not pick arms in the war — Pic: The most compelling image of Bhishma’s life where Sri Krishna was about to fight with Bhishma pitamah despite his intent of not fight this war, such was the prowess of Bhishma Pitamah.

108 names of Lord Ganesha

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Ritu

Lord Ganpati, who is the destroyer of all evils, has 108 names. Some of the popular and not so popular are listed here. He is the great Vinayaka. The most important celebrated is the Ganesha Chaturthi festival.

https://ritsin.com/ganesha-chaturthi-festival-indian-mythology.html/

Lord Ganesha

Lord Ganesha holds a special place in hindu rituals. No puja is considered complete if it is not started with worshipping Ganesha.

Lord Ganesha’ various roopas

Here are 108 names of Lord Ganesha.

Akhurath
Alampata
Amit
Anantachidrupamayam
Avaneesh
Avighna
Balaganapati
Bhalchandra
Bheema
Bhupati
Bhuvanpati
Buddhinath
Buddhipriya
Buddhividhata
Chaturbhuj
Devadeva
Devantakanashakarin
Devavrata
Devendrashika
Dharmik
Dhoomravarna
Durja
Dvaimatura
Ekaakshara
Ekadanta
Ekadrishta
Eshanputra
Gadadhara
Gajakarna
Gajanana
Gajananeti
Gajavakra
Gajavaktra
Ganadhakshya
Ganadhyakshina
Ganapati
Gaurisuta
Gunina
Haridra
Heramba
Kapila
Kaveesha
Kriti
Kripalu
Krishapingaksha
Kshamkaram
Kshipra
Lambakarna
Lambodara
Mahabala
Mahaganapati
Maheshwaram
Mangalamurti
Manomay
Mrityuanjaya
Mundakarama
Muktidaya
Musikvahana
Nadapratithishta
Namasthetu
Nandana
Nideeshwaram
Omkara
Pitambara
Pramoda
Prathameshwara
Purush
Rakta
Rudrapriya
Sarvadevatman
Sarvasiddhanta
Sarvatman
Hambhavi
Shashivarnam
Shoorpakarna
Shuban
Shubhagunakanan
Shweta
Siddhidhata
Siddhipriya
Skandapurvaja
Sumukha
Sureshwaram
Swaroop
Tarun
Uddanda
Umaputra
Vakratunda
Varaganapati
Varaprada
Varadavinayaka
Veeraganapati
Vidyavaridhi
Vighnahara
Vignaharta
Vighnaraja
Vighnarajendra
Vighnavinashanaya
Vigneshwara
Vikat
Vinayaka
Vishwamukha,
Vishwaraja,
Yagnakaya,
Yashaskaram,
Yashvasin,
Yogadhipa
Siddhivinayaka.

Why people do not look at Moon on Ganesha Chaturthi

There is an interesting story on why people do not look at Moon on the day of Ganesha Chaturthi. There is a myth associated with this festival. If someone looks at the moon on the night of Ganesha chaturthi , then he would be falsely accused. According to the legend, once Ganesha ate lots of sweets and his stomach swell and became huge. He set out at night on his mouse. His mouse saw a snake and was scared. As a result, he tumbled so Ganesha fell down and his stomach burst open. Ganesha caught hold of snake and tied it around his stomach. Moon was watching Lord Ganesha and he started laughing. Ganesha was annoyed with this behaviour of moon. He pulled out his tusk and hurled it against the moon and curse him that no one would look at him, on the day of Ganesha chaturthi. If someone does that then he will earn a bad name. Since then people refrain from looking at moon on Ganesha chaturthi festival.

Rainbow

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Ritu

Rainbow, a seven coloured arch, which is formed when sunlight passes through the droplets of moisture. A very natural phenomenon, but is a favourite component in mythology.

According to Greek mythology, rainbow is considered as a path made by messenger (iris) between earth and heaven. According to Hindu mythology, its called Indradhanush i.e. bow of God Indra (Indra is considered as a God of rain, thunder and lightning). Another mythology says it’s bow of God of love. Whereas according to Chinese mythology, a slit in sky which is sealed by a Goddess with different colours of stones. In Norse mythology it’s a bridge between home of God and humans.

Rainbows can be formed by other forms of water than rain, including dew, mist and spray. We confuse them with rainbow.

A Circumhorizontal arc, or fire rainbow, is ice-halo formed on cirrus clouds at higher altitude by ice crystals.

Circumhorizontal arc or fire rainbow

A Circumzenithal arc this is formed due to refraction of sunlight through horizontally-oriented ice crystals, generally in cirrus clouds.

Circumzenithal arc, high above the horizon

Fog bow often known as white rainbows or cloud bows because it is white in colour. This is similar to rainbow, but the small size of water droplet causes fog.

A Fog bow

Glory is much smaller than rainbow. Its a combine effect of reflection, refraction and diffraction, by the cloud of refracting water droplets towards its source. It can be seen only when the observer is in between sun and cloud of refracting water droplet.

Glory with aircraft shadow in center

Sun dog, is a kind of ice halo, a coloured patch of light on both right and left side of sun.

A bright Sun dog

Moonbow is also known as lunarbow or lunar rainbow , this is formed when the light is reflect from the surface of moon, These are faint as compared to rainbows.

Moonbow or Lunar rainbow

Tripura Sundari temple- Shakti peeth

Posted on December 9, 2009 by Ritu

Tripura Sundari temple is one among the 52 Shakti peethas in India. It is situated in ancient Udaipur, about 55 kms from Agartala. The temple was constructed in 1501 A.D. by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya. Temple consist a square type sanctum with a conical dome. This temple is one among the Sati Shakti Peeths. Sati’s right foot have fallen here. This temple houses two identical images of thedeity. The temple premise resembles a tortoise, so this temple is also called as Kurma Pitha. The idol of Maa Kali is worshipped in this temple.

The idol of Maa Kali is worshiped at the temple of Tripura Sundari in the form of ‘Soroshi‘. Inside the temple there are two identical idols of same deity made of kasti stone which is reddish black in colour. They are known as Tripura Sundari and Chhotima In Tripura. The idol of Tripura Sundari is 5 feet high, and idol of Chhotima is 2 feet high. It is believed that the idol was Chhotima was carried by king in battlefield.

This temple is also known as Kurma Pitha because it the temple premises resembles kurma i.e. tortoise. In the eastern side of the temple there is a famous Kalyan Sagar, where people feed fishes and tortoise.

Legend

The legend behind the construction of this mandir is that the king Dhanyamanikya got this message to install the goddess Tripura Sundari. Intially, the king was hesitant but this dream repeated to him again and he decided to install the goddess here. In the eastern side, there is the famous ‘Kalyan Sagar’ lake where fishes and tortoises of huge size are found and devotees feed them with “Muri” (puffed rice) and biscuits. No fishing is permitted in the Kalyan Sagar.

Important herbs – Feverfew

Posted on December 5, 2009 by Ritu

Useful herbs – Feverfew

The word “feverfew” derives from the Latin word febrifugia, meaning “fever reducer.” This herb is one of the useful herbs. The first use of this plant is documented as early as first century. Though the plant has been used as a herbal treatment to reduce fever and to treat headaches, arthritis and digestive problems, this is not supported by scientific findings.

Normally used parts of this herb are Bark, dried flowers, and leaves.

It is used in prevention of headache and migraine, it treats the cause of headache rather then simply the pain.
It is used in relieving the pain and inflammation in arthritis.
It helps to lessen stomach irritation.
It helps to ease menstrual cramps.
It can be applied externally as tincture, and is used to treat bruises.
It help to relieve fever.
It stimulate appetite.
Improves digestion and kidney function.

Legends and myths surrounding herbs – Feverfew

There is a legend about feverfew, that this herb saved the life of a person who fell off the famous temple in ancient Greece, the Parthenon. Hence, the name parthenium.

The Greek herbalist Dioscorides is believed to have treated arthritis with the herb feverfew. In 1649, Culpeper recommended feverfew for headaches and to strengthen women’s wombs. In 1772, another famous herbalist, John Hill, treated headaches. He also stated “this herb exceeds whatever else is known.”

In 1985, it was reported that extracts of feverfew inhibited the release of 2 inflammatory substances; serotonin from platelets and prostaglandin from white blood cells. Both are thought to contribute to the onset of migraine attacks and perhaps even to play a role in rheumatoid arthritis.

Nature has got a number of herbs, which help humans and animals. Feverfew is one of those herbs, which are useful to mankind.

Seven Amazing Trees

Posted on November 29, 2009 by Ritu

Seven amazing trees from all over the world.

Oak chapel

Oak chapel or Chêne chapelle is an oak tree, is a religious monument and object of pilgrimage.This is situated in Allouville–Bellefosse, France. The tree is between 800 to 1,200 years old. The hollow trunk has two chapel inside which were build in 1669. This religious monument is surrounded with spiral staircase for access.

Oak Chappel at allouville bellefosse

source : Old Trees in The Netherlands and Western Europe

Circus Tree

Axel Erlandson, an American farmer has a hobby of giving unique shapes to trees. He opened a horticulture attraction in 1947, which was named The Tree Circus.

Circus tree

Basket Tree

Different shapes of Circus Tree

Chandelier Tree

Chandelier Tree is a 315 foot (96 metre) tall coast redwood tree in Leggett, California with a 6 foot (1.83m) wide by 9 foot (2.74m) high hole cut through its base to allow a car to drive through. The hole was carved in the 1930s.

Chandelier Tree in California – One of seven amazing trees

Baobab

Also known as bottle tree, upside-down tree, and monkey bread tree, can grow up to grow up to nearly 100 feet (30 m) tall and 35 feet (11 m) wide. Baobabs store water inside the swollen trunk (up to 120,000 litres (32,000 US gal)) to endure the harsh drought conditions.

Baobab Tree at Limpopo Province, South Africa

One species, Limpopo Province, South Africa, often considered the largest example alive, has a circumference of 47 metres (150 ft) and an average diameter of 15 metres (49 ft). Carbon dating has been used to estimate the age of the specimens at approximately 6000 years.

Tea pot Baobob

Bristlecone pine

Bristlecone pine are considered as the oldest tree in the world, some living up to 5,000 years.

Methuselah, named tree is considered as the oldest tree and non-clonal organism still alive in the white mountains of eastern California, at the age of about 4,841 years, its exact location is currently undisclosed to the public as a protection against vandalism.

Bristlecone pine

Banyan tree

Banyan tree has a big canopy with ariel prop roots running from its branches to ground and covers several hectors of land, with age these roots become thick and woody and become

indistinguishable from main trunk. Buddha is believed to have achieved enlightenment under banyan tree (bodhi tree) in Bodhgaya in India.

This large banyan tree was planted in 1873,in Hawaii and now it has coveredtwo-third of an acre

Due to the complex structure of the roots and extensive branching, the banyan is extensively used for creating Bonsai.

Bonsai of Banyan Tree

Tule tree

In Spanish this tree is known as El Árbol del Tule, is located in Oaxaca a Mexican city.

This tree has the stoutest trunk in the world.This tree has the stoutest trunk in the world measuring trunk girth at 190 feet (58 m) and trunk diameter at 37 feet (11.3 m). Initially it was thought to be multiple trees, but DNA tests have proven that it is only one tree.

Arbor Del tule tree in Mexico

Closer view of tree

The tree is also known as “Tree of Life” from all the images of animals that are reputedly visible in the tree’s gnarled trunk.

Tarapeeth Temple – Sati Shakti Peeth ( Tarapith )

Posted on November 24, 2009 by Ritu

Tarapeeth (Tarapith) – Sati Shakti Peeth

Tarapeeth or Tarapith, is one of the Shakti Peeths in India. There are a number of Shakti peeths in india, which is based on the famous incident of Devi Sati giving up her life after her husband was insulted by her father, Daksha Prajapati.

TaraMaa ofTarapith is another form of Kali. She has two hands, is garlanded with snakes, is adorned in sacred threads, and has Shiva lying in her left lap sucking her breast. This temple is dedicated to the destructive aspect of Shiva, who takes the form of Kali. She requires sacrifice daily to satisfy her blood lust so every morning goats are sacrifices on the altar of the temple.The temple is busy throughout the year and is surrounded by poor who come to have free meal. This is one of the most sacred places where every year several millions of devotees come to offer worship. Tarapith is regarded as Mahapeeth and extremely holy place for all Hindus.

It is said that wherever you are in this beautiful world, whatever be you and your religion, the kindness and blessings of Maa Tara will reach you to fulfill your desires, if you are an honest and upright person. She will provide you relief from pain if any your heart and mind. This is the reason for which every year millions of devotees gathers at this place to offer Puja and prayer.

Tarapeeth is among 52 Shakti Peeth is situated on a hill top at a distance of 30 Kms towards north of Brahmapur on the south bank of river Rushikulya. This temple is 264 km from Kolkata, Tarapith is situated on the banks of the north flowing Dwarka River, in Birbhum, in West Bengal.

There are 999 steps on the front side of the hill leading to the temple and also a pucca road for vehicle on the backside of the hill facilitating devotees to reach at the Pitha. This is one among the ancient shakti peeth and is also called mahapeeth.

The Twin Goddesses Tara and Tarini are worshiped as manifestations of Adi Shakti. Two stones anthropomorphized by the addition of gold and silver ornaments and shaped as human faces represent the Goddesses Tara and Tarini as the deities of this temple. Between them are placed two beautiful brass heads known as their Chalanti Pratima or their living image.

Festivals that are celebrated here are:

1. Sankranti Mela : This festival is observed on each Sankranti day of the Hindu month.

2. Dola Purnima (Phalguna purnima) during February / March.

3. Chaitra Parba This festival is the most important of the festivals, celebrated at theTara Tarini Pitha. It is observed during each Tuesday of the month of Chaitra.

4. Basantika parba During the month chaitra i.e. March / April.

5. Chitalagi Amabasya (Srabana Amabasya) during July / August.

6. Gamha Purnima ( hrabana Purnima ) during July /August.

7. Saptapuri Amabasya during the month of Bhadraba during August.

8. Sasadiya parba on the month of Ashwina Mulastami to Dushara during September / October

9. Shyamalika puja: on Kartika Amabasya during Oct /Nov.

Another oral legend about the temple states that sage Vasistha practised austerities to Tara, but was unsuccessful, so on the advice of a divine voice, he went to meet the Buddha – an Avatar of god Vishnu – in Tibet. Buddha instructed Vasishtha to worship Tara by the left-handed Tantric worship using five forbidden things like wine and meat. During this time, Buddha had a vision of Tarapith as an ideal location for enshrining the image of Tara in a temple there. Buddha advised Vasishtha to go to Tarapith, the abode of Tara. At Tarapith, Vasishtha did penance by reciting Tara mantra (hymn) 300,000 times. Tara was pleased with Vasishtha’s penance and appeared before him. Vasishtha appealed to Tara to appear before him in the form of a mother suckling Shiva on her breast, the form that Buddha had seen in his divine vision. Tara then incarnated herself in that form before Vasishtha and turned into a stone image. Since then Tara is worshipped in the Tarapith temple in the form of a mother suckling Shiva on her breast

Honeybees sterilise their hives

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Ritu

Scientists have discovered, honeybees sterilise their hives with antimicrobial resin. In doing so, they give the whole colony a form of “social immunity”.

Although honeybee resin is known to kill a range of pathogens, this is the first time that bees themselves have been shown to utilise its properties.

The team published details of their discovery in the journal Evolution.

Honeybees in the wild nest in tree cavities. When founding a new colony, they line the entire nest interior with a thin layer of resins that they mix with wax. This mixture is known as propolis. They also use propolis to smooth surfaces in the hive, close holes or cracks in the nest, reduce the size of the entrances to keep out intruders, and to embalm intruders that they’ve killed in the hive that are too big to remove.

Honeybees store propolis, which is a mixture of wax and resin, inside their hives. A number of studies have shown that propolis has a range of antimicrobial properties, but mostly in relation to human health.

Mike Simone, a PhD student from the University of Minnesota in St Paul, US, and his supervisor Professor Marla Spivak are doing research on propolis, they have already tested the effectiveness of honeybee propolis against the HIV-1 virus. Now they want to know what propolis is doing to the bees. for this experiment they took two hives, in one the walls were lined with the resin and other was without it. they created colonies of honeybees and housed them in each hive. After one week they collected the bees born in both the hives.

Genetic tests on these 7-day-old bees showed that those growing in the resin-rich colonies had less active immune systems. The resins likely inhibited bacterial growth. Therefore the bees did not have to activate their immune systems as much.

There is also some evidence that some mammals and birds coat themselves in naturally-occurring plant resin in a bid to reduce infestations with parasites.

Lotus Temple – The Bahá’í House of Worship

Posted on November 14, 2009 by Ritu

The Bahá’í House of Worship in New Delhi, India is popularly known as Lotus Temple. This serves as a Mother Temple for Indian Subcontinent and is a prominent attraction in Delhi. This architectural marvel was completed in 10 years under the supervision of a Persian architect, Fariborz Sabha. A team of 800 engineers, technicians, workers and artisans worked together to create this architectural marvel.

This temple gives the impression of a half opened lotus flower surrounded by its leaves. Temple is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. It has 27 free-standing marble clad petals arranged in clusters of 3 to form 9 sides, and these 9 doors open into a central hall which has a capacity to accommodate 2500 people. All around the lotus are walkways with beautiful curved balustrades, bridges and stairs that surrounds the nine pools giving it a impression that a flower is floating. The shining pure white marble, the majestic dome,the petals clearly standing out creates a sense of grandeur and awe.

In India Lotus signifies purity and peace and is a representation of the manifestation of God. The ambiance of the place and the scope of meditation inside the temple and the serene surrounding is very impressive. Lotus temple has no picture, statue or image. It is open for people of all religion. Its a spot of worship, unity and peace. Peoples of all religion can gather here and worship God without denominational restriction.

This monument has won praises in numerous architectural and engineering journals for its innovative designs and it has also received many prestigious awards.

Believe me if you will sit inside the prayer hall you will get peace of mind in no time and you will forget all your worries. In every visit I personally feel more and more enchanted. When ever you come to Delhi don’t forget to visit this place and I am sure it will have a unforgettable impression on you.

Namak pare (nimki)

Posted on November 10, 2009 by Ritu

Ingredients :

All purpose flour or maida -1 cup

3/4tsp. salt

1/4 tsp carom seeds(ajwain)

2 tbsp oil

about 1/3 cup water

oil to fry

Process:

-In a bowl mix flour, salt, oil, carom seeds.

– Knead it adding little water to make firm but smooth dough, set aside for 10 min.

-Again knead them for a min. then divide them into equal parts.

-Take one ball and roll it like chappati but thicker then chappati.

– Prick it with fork so that it may not puff while frying.

– Cut them in desired shape

– Heat oil and fry them on medium heat. If you will fry them on high heat namak pare will become soft.

– Once cool you can store them in air tight container for days.