Vedic Ritual Proven Once More by Science: ‘Darbha’ grass, a natural preservative

Namaste, Hari Om,

Great Information

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/darbha-grass-a-natural-preservative/article7000098.ece

-- Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836-1886)

Suppose a thorn has pierced a man's foot. He picks up another thorn to pull out the one hurting him. After extracting the first with the help of the second, he throws both away. One should use the thorn of knowledge to pull out the thorn of ignorance, then throw away both, and realize God directly.
-- Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836-1886)

I Don't Know - muhjko malum nahi hain

I don't know what I want. I don't know what is right. I don't know what is wrong. I dont know the future. I don't know what to ask for. I don't know what to do.

All I know is that my love for you will help me in my darkest hour.

Muhjko malum nahi hain ki main kya chata hu.

Om vakratunda mahaakaaya
Kotisoorya samaprabha
Nirvighnam kuru Mae daeva
Sarvakaaryaeshu sarvadaa.

Om

-- Sama Veda, Kena Upanishad 1.3

There the eye goes not, nor words, nor mind. We know not. We cannot understand how He can be explained. He is above the known, and He is above the unknown. Thus have we heard from the ancient sages who explained this truth to us.
-- Sama Veda, Kena Upanishad 1.3

Ramana Maharshi,

Mind is consciousness which has put on limitations. You are originally unlimited and perfect. Later you take on limitations and become the mind.
-- Ramana Maharshi, (1879-1950), South Indian mystic

Room to Read Non Profit

Nice article, many of the world's problems can be solved with education.

As my guru says, Knowledge is Power. 

--------

Early marriage, illiteracy, school dropout, low wages—these are the futures that statistics would predict for the children in the countries where we work. With the proper educational resources and guidance, however, a child can reshape his or her destiny. Read their stories in our publication, Destination Literacy.

http://www.roomtoread.org/DestinationLiteracy?erid=6467114&trid=96cb54e5-aaa5-45d9-aa0a-2f89a2aebebd#smart 

-- Tirukkural 350

Attach yourself to Him who is free from all attachments. Bind yourself to that bond so all other bonds may be broken.

-- Tirukkural

Just as the Earth bears those who dig into her, it is best to bear with those who despise us.
-- Tirukkural

-- Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836-1886)

Let me tell you the truth: there is nothing wrong in your being in the world. But you must direct your mind towards God; otherwise you will not succeed. Do your duty with one hand and with the other hold to God. After the duty is over, you will hold to God with both hands.
-- Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836-1886)

-- Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh (1887-1963)

Discipline your speech. Speak the truth at all costs. Speak little. Speak sweetly. Always utter encouraging words. Never condemn, criticize or discourage. Do not raise your voice and shout at little children or subordinates.
-- Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh (1887-1963)

Making less decisions for yourself and more to help others

Namaste, Hari Om,

You are probably wondering why is there a picture of Mark Zuckerberg on my blog.

Although I do not agree with everything that Facebook represents I do agree with many of Mark's statements. Primarily his outlook on why he wears the same color shirt everyday.

It is surely wise words, think less of yourself and more for others. Why waste our energy on things we can streamline, rather than looking at a closet full of clothes, you can easily grab something and spend your mental energy on improving society or helping someone. This surely is a metaphor for life. 

Use this example in our daily lives, there are those who can feel a great impact from our minor help, a small donation or even a small compliment. Do not spend your time worrying about the small things, help others.

Excerpt from the CNN Money article below;

Why do you wear the same grey t-shirt every day?

"I really want to clear my life so that I have to make as few decisions as possible about anything except how to best serve this community," Zuckerberg said, referring to the Facebook user base.

"I'm in this really lucky position where I get to wake up every day and help serve more than a billion people, and I feel like I'm not doing my job if I spend any of my energy on things that are silly or frivolous about my life, so that way I can dedicate all of my energy towards just building the best products and services."

Source: http://money.cnn.com/2014/11/06/technology/social/facebook-zuckerberg/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

Human Rights Reports - Hindu American Foundation

http://hafsite.org/resources/human_rights_report

Released May 22, 2014:  Download the pdf here or view it online

Executive Summary: Download the pdf here

Press Release: Thousands of “Missing Girls” in Pakistan Suffer in Silence, HAF’s New Human Rights Report Urges Action

Watch the video here!

SHB Quote Nov 5, 2014

''Life can bring storms, hurricanes, earthquakes and even tornadoes. Nothing can compare to the internal storms we must face to rise'' - SHB

THE HINDUS OF INDONESIA’S MOST POPULOUS ISLAND, Java,

BY RAJIV MALIK, JAVA, INDONESIA

JAVA HAS BEEN A PART OF HINDU TRADItion since ancient times, finding first mention in theRamayana as Yawadvipa. It was one of the many places that Sugriva, ruler of the monkey kingdom of Kishkindha, sent his men to search for Lord Rama’s wife, Sita, after her abduction by Ravana. For thousands of years it has been depicted in the Ramlila dance dramas (and lately in television serials) as a huge, lushly green forested area and known as such to every Indian child.

Click the link to continue.. 

http://hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=5536

Hinduism Today's Magazine - Latest Version

http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/wfdownloads/viewcat.php?op=&cid=1

Click the link above!

Story of Nanda - the foster father of Sri Krishna (Hindu-blog.com)

Nanda was the foster father of Sri Krishna and he was the leader of the cowherds. As per the story in the Bhagavad Purana, Nanda Maharaj in his previous birth was one of the eight vasus. Due to a curse he was born as a cowherd.

Brahma had given the boon to Nanda that he will be liberated and return to his original abode when he will be born as a cowherd and would take care of the ninth avatar of Bhagvan Vishnu.

According to Shiva Purana, Nanda in one of his previous birth was a cowherd and was an ardent devotee of Shiva. Pleased with his devotion, Shiva provided him with the opportunity to look after Sri Krishna.

- Hindu-blog.com 

-- Tirukkural

The son's duty to his father is to make the world ask, "by what great austerities did he merit such a son?"
-- Tirukkural

-- Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952), Founder of Self-Realization Fellowship

Remain calm, serene, always in command of yourself. You will then find out how easy it is to get along.
-- Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952), Founder of Self-Realization Fellowship

WHAT IS “AARTI”

WHAT IS "AARTI"
Aarti is said to have descended from the Vedic concept of fire rituals, or homa. The word may also refer to the traditional Hindu devotional song that is sung during the ritual. Aarti is performed and sung to develop the highest love for God. "Aa" means "towards or to", and "rati" means "right or virtue" in Sanskrit. 
Aarti is generally performed two to five times daily and usually at the end of a Puja or Bhajan session. It is performed during almost all Hindu ceremonies and occasions. It involves the circulating of an 'Aarti plate' around a person or deity and is generally accompanied by the singing of songs in praise of that deva or person (many versions exist). In doing so, the plate itself is supposed to acquire the power of the deity. The priest circulates the plate to all those present. They cup their down-turned hands over the flame and then raise their palms to their forehead - the purificatory blessing, passed from the deva's image to the flame, has now has been passed to devotee.

The Aarti plate is generally made of metal, usually silver, bronze or copper. On it must repose a lamp made of kneaded flour, mud or metal, filled with oil or ghee. A cotton wick is put into the oil and then lighted, or camphor is burnt instead. The plate also contains flowers, incense and Akshata.

The purpose of performing Aarti is the waving of lighted wicks before the deities in a spirit of humility and gratitude, wherein faithful followers become immersed in God's divine form. It symbolizes the five elements: 1) space (Akash), 2) wind (Vayu), 3) light (Tej), 4) water (Jal), and 5) earth (Pruthvi). Communal Aarti is performed in the mandir; however, devotees also perform it in their homes.

Source: http://www.destinybharat.com/vedicsecrets.aspx

-- Sri Ramana Maharishi (1879-1950), South Indian mystic

How can one realize that which alone is real? All we need to do is to give up our habit of regarding as real that which is unreal. Reality alone will remain, and we will be That.
-- Sri Ramana Maharishi (1879-1950), South Indian mystic