-- 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

-- Atharva Veda, Kaivalya Upanishad

He is the Supreme Brahman, the Self of all, the chief foundation of this world, subtler than the subtle, eternal. That thou art; thou art That.
-- Atharva Veda, Kaivalya Upanishad

Happy Ganesh Jayanti!

http://www.hinduismtoday.com/blogs-news/hindu-press-international/bringing-clay-to-life/13852.html

HYDERABAD, INDIA, August 21, 2014 (The Hindu): Infusing life into clay statues is the artisans' skill and with awareness about use of clay statues increasing, these traditional potters are working overtime to meet the demand from devotees celebrating in their houses and mass pujas in public places in Hyderabad. Decorating Lord Ganesha statues with carcinogenic colours is a thing of the past and majority root for the clay statues.

Very nice slice show at "source."

-- Sri Chinmoy,

Life is a boomerang. It brings you back what you send out. It is a child, not an old person, who makes progress in life. If you really want to become a child, then you have to feel that there is always something to learn and that God is there to teach you.
-- Sri Chinmoy, renowned spiritual leader, author, poet, artist, musician and athlete

Beef Ten Times More Damaging to Environment Than Other Livestock

VIA HPI: Source: http://m.bbc.com/news/science-environment-28409704

http://www.hinduismtoday.com/blogs-news/hindu-press-international/beef-ten-times-more-damaging-to-environment-than-other-livestock/13768.html 

UNITED STATES, July 21, 2014 (BBC): A new study suggests that the production of beef is around 10 times more damaging to the environment than any other form of livestock. Scientists measured the environment inputs required to produce the main US sources of protein. Beef cattle need 28 times more land and 11 times more irrigation water than pork, poultry, eggs or dairy. The research has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 

The researchers developed a uniform methodology that they were able to apply to all five livestock categories and to four measures of environmental performance. As a result, beef comes out clearly as the food animal with the biggest environmental impact. As well as the effects on land and water, cattle release five times more greenhouse gas and consume six times more nitrogen than eggs or poultry. 

"The overall environmental footprint of beef is particularly large because it combines a low production efficiency with very high volume," said Prof. Mark Sutton, from the UK's Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. "The result is that the researchers estimate that over 60% of the environmental burden of livestock in the US results from beef. Although the exact numbers will be different for Europe (expecting a larger role of dairy), the overall message will be similar: Cattle dominate the livestock footprint of both Europe and US." 

Cutting down on beef can have a big environmental impact they say. But the same is not true for all livestock. 

"One can reasonably be an environmentally mindful eater, designing one's diet with its environmental impact in mind, while not resorting to exclusive reliance on plant food sources," said Prof Eshel. 

"In fact, eliminating beef, and replacing it with relatively efficiency animal-based alternatives such as eggs, can achieve an environmental improvement comparable to switching to plant food source." 

-- Atharva Veda, Kaivalya Upanishad

He is the Supreme Brahman, the Self of all, the chief foundation of this world, subtler than the subtle, eternal. That thou art; thou art That.
-- Atharva Veda, Kaivalya Upanishad

-- Maitri Upanishad

There is something beyond our mind which abides in silence within our mind. It is the supreme mystery beyond thought. Let one's mind and one's subtle body rest upon that and not rest on anything else.
-- Maitri Upanishad