Delwara Dera, charity from Ministers

Delwara Dera, charity from the Ministers

Chalukya (Solanki) Bhimdev-I (1022-1064 CE) (grand father of Siddhraj Jaysingh) was King of Gujarat. Patan was the capital and Southern Rajasthan was under his kingdom. Arbud (Abu) was under the rule of Parmaras as a feudatories of Chaulukya of Patan. When Parmara ruler Dhandhuka rebelled against Bhima-I, Bhima defeated him and appointed Vimal Shah, his minister as the Dhanpati (Governor) of Arbud (Abu).

Delwara Dera is a famous Jain pilgrimage and one of the biggest tourists destination in Mount Abu. There are five temples dedicated to Tirthankars: Adinath (Vimal Vasahi), Rishabdev, Neminath (Luna Vasahi), Pashvanath and Mahavir Swami. But two of them Vimal Vasahi and Luna Vasahi are important from the beauty of architectural perfection of white marble carving.

Vimal Vasahi Temple dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankar Adinath was built by Vimal Shah, the Minister, in 1031 CE, six year after the raid and destruction of Somnath Temple (1025) by Mahmud Ghazni. Imagine the richness of the Minister. He spent ₹18.57 crore, used 1500 sculptures and 1200 workers to build the beautiful Jain Temple. The temple carved in pure white marble. The richly carved corridors, pillars, arches, and mandaps or porticoes of the temple are amazing. The ceilings feature engraved designs of lotus-buds, petals, flowers and scenes from Jain mythology. The ornamental detail spreading over the minutely carved ceilings, doorways, pillars and panels are marvellous; presenting architectural perfection. To make the carving fine and beautiful, he had paid to the workers in gold equal to the weight of the marble powder generated by carving.

In front of the Vimal Vasahi temple, there is Hathi Shala (Elephants courtyard) of 10 beautiful neatly polished and realistically modeller marble elephants in sculpture with the members riding them and a lead sculpture of horse with rider dedicated to Vimal Sha was constructed by Prithvipal, a descendant of Vimalsha in 1147-49 As the courtyard was opened to public, and more than 850 years have passed,  3-4 riders got destroyed but without the damage to the elephants they are riding.

Another important Temple is the Luna Vasahi temple, dedicated to Lord Neminath was built in 1230 by two brothers Vastupal and Tejpal, Ministers of King Virdhaval, the Vaghela ruler of Gujarat (Dhandhuka). The story is very interesting. Both brothers came with their wives for the pilgrimage. They stayed for a night but due to fear of robbery dig a pit and put all their ornaments and wealth in it and covered it. When they opened it in the morning, they not only found their wealth but fetched 7 more pots full of rich metals from the site. They decided to build a temple in memory of their late brother Luna. The Derani and Jethani also contributed in building zarokha from the wealth received from their parental home. They spent ₹18 lakh but each one was trying to make her zarokha the best. Finally, the brothers intervened and made the two zarokhas the same. But the sculpture made two changes to identify which one is of Derani and which one is of Jethani. The statue top of the carving of Derani is little tilted towards Jethani side. Jethani zarokha has 25 elephants at the base, one more that the Derani zarokha; indirectly establishing the supremacy of the Jethani over Derani. The main hall or Rang mandap features a central dome from which hangs a big ornamental pendent featuring elaborate carving. The lotus pendent carved from one stone found place in the Grinch Book of world record.

The Navchowki features some of the most magnificent and delicate marble stone cutting work of the temple. Each of the nine ceilings here seems to exceed the others in beauty and grace. The Gudh mandap features a black marble idol of the 22nd tirthankar Neminatha.

The third important Temple is Pittalhar, was built by Bhima Shah, a minister of Sultan Begada of Ahmedabad (Gujarat). But the guide explained that it was built by Bhamasha, the Nagarsheth of Rana Pratap. The Temple remained unfinished because he had to divert the wealth to Rana Pratap for waging war with Mughals in Haldi Ghati. A massive metal statue of the first tirthankara, Rishabha Dev (Adinath), cast in five metals, is installed in the temple. The main metal used in this statue is 'Pital' (brass), hence the name 'Pittalhar'. However the guide described it a statue made from 5 metals. It weighed 4000 kg, made of 800 kg gold, 800 kg silver and rest the other three metals: brass, copper and zinc. The Shrine consists of a main garbhagriha, Gudh mandap and Navchowki. It seems that the construction of Rangmandap and the corridor was left unfinished. The old mutilated idol was replaced and installed in 1468-69 AD weighing 108 mounds (four metric tons) according to the inscription on it. The image was cast by an artist 'Deta' which is 8 ft (2.4 m). high, 5.5 ft (1.7 m). broad and the figure is 41 inches (1,000 mm) in height.

There is a three stories temple, the tallest of the shrines dedicated to Lord Parshvanath, was built by Mandlik and his family in 1458-59. On all the four faces of the sanctum on the ground floor are four big mandaps. The outer walls of the sanctum comprise beautiful sculptures in gray sandstone, depicting Dikpals, Vidhyadevis, Yakshinis, Shalabhanjukas, and other decorative sculptures. However, the guide explained that the temple was constructed by the workers as their charity from the waste and left over stones of the other two temples.

It is said that Allauddin Khalji had attacked and damaged the temples in 1311 and the Temple had gone through repairs but no major damage of destruction by enemies was found in the campus. The idols the main target of the invaders remained intact. But as part of hatredness practice, the guide did mentioned about Allauddin Khalji responsible for the damage to those four small statue riders of the elephants. As the ceilings are carved and fitted in white marble there was structural need to protect them from the weather, i.e., extreme Sun heat and heavy rainfall. Therefore, domes above were made simple, round in shape and coloured with white chalk. However, as per routine practice in India the Guide did explain that it was made simple to keep the Muslim enemies away. If all the idols, carvings, ceilings, doorways, mandapas, corridors, pillars, arches, etc, are found intact, how could one blame Alauddin Khalji to destroy 3-4 statue rider of the elephants kept in Hastishala? More likely, they were damaged by the tourists because they are open to public and we the people of India have habit to see and touch the statues and carvings. We skip generally the events of natural calamities; earthquakes, weather effects, etc, and focus more on man made calamities, the invaders so that human hatredness and division based on religion continues.

Whatever it might be, but if you haven’t seen Delwara Dera located in Mount Abu (Arbud Parvat), you have missed something major of your life. Take time, do visit and admire the art of human hands keeping fingers between the teeth.  It is one of the wonders of Indian art.

Ministers were rich those days but they used their wealth for public goods! Lol.

Punamchand
25 December 2017

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Santosh Dhan

Santosh Dhan

गोधन, गजधन, वाजिधन, और रतन धन खान।
जब आवे संतोष धन, सब धन धूरि समान॥

Poor India is survived for all these years because of this wealth of Santosh. They don’t know or understand their deprivation. We go to them and tell that they are deprived of xyz, disturb their minds and make them the unhappy force running after desires. We are increasing their Dukha by valuing more to their deprivation. Why there is unrest in life? Many people, after getting wealth, position, prestige, etc, still have complaints, still live in dissatisfaction. One can’t get all in one hand. To gain new thing, one has to leave the old one has.

चींटी चावल ले चली, बीच में मिल गई दाल।
कहत कबीरा दो ना मिले, इक ले दूजी डाल॥

We see many people are unable to leave their habits of alcohol, tobacco, running after desires in search of Sukha. The question is, is that an addiction of the object/person? Or it is an addiction of Sukha (the feeling of happiness) he/she is searching for? It is addiction of Sukha.

Sukha and Dukha are the ‘Vriti’ of the mind, and it is in propionate to each other. How much value we give to them decide their strengths to disturb us. Diamond as wealth has very high value but as carbon, no value. It is not the essentiality of life. Something in possession give pain in proportion to the value when lost.

One of our American friend couples was expressing their happiness by showing set of their Rolex watches with their price tag of $50,000. They have purchased the set on their marriage anniversary. Their happiness has value of $ 50,000. If it is lost, they will feel more Dukha compared to the person who has purchased his watch of $5 and lost. The time is the same in both the sets of watches, but the value of Sukha and Dukha are different. We cry for losing our parents but don’t cry for the death of the parents of others. Because our Vriti has valued them differently. The object, position or person in possession doesn’t give Sukha because the pain of losing it, is very much building in the back of mind.

If people are happy with what they have and see the deprived compared to them, then whole of the run will stop. Their expectations from the life will diminish. Instead of Growth Index, they will measure Happiness Index.

Expectations reduce Joy. We don’t enjoy happiness with what we have but feel unhappy with what we don’t have. भाव का सुख नहीं और अभाव का दु:ख।

Let us visit two Subhashitas.

सर्पाः पिबन्ति पवनं न च दुर्बलास्ते, शुष्कैस्तृणैः वनगजा बलिनो भवन्ति । रुक्षाशनेन मुनयः क्षपयन्ति कालम्, सन्तोष एव पुरुषस्य परं निधानम् ॥
(सर्प पवन पीकर भी दुर्बल नहि है, जंगली हाथी सूखा घास खाकर भी बलवान बनते हैं, मुनि रुखा खुराक खाकर जिंदगी निकालते हैं । संतोष हि मनुष्य का परम् खजाना है ।)

सन्तोषः परमो लाभः सत्सङ्गः परमा गतिः । विचारः परमं ज्ञानं शमो हि परमं सुखम् ॥

(संतोष परम् लाभ है, सत्संग परम् गति है, विचार परम् ज्ञान है, और शम परम् सुख है ।)

Santosh/Santushthi is the master key to resolve all the dilemmas.

Punamchand
25 November 2017

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Chitta Vriti (Chitragupta Account)

Chitta Vriti (Chitragupta Account)

“Yoga chitta vritti nirodha” is a famous sentence of Patanjali Yog Sutra. The vritis are the waves, the disturbance to the calm water of mind. They are to be subsided through the practice of Yoga (ashtang yoga) so that the mind rests in the bottom silence.

चित वृत्ति is the base of all the religious practices in the world. Indian religions believe in the theory of rebirth. Chitta (the book of Chitragupta) is our Account book that records all our experiences of life. We do all our karmas with attachment and ownership, therefore, the recording is deep and carry as balance sheets of all the lives. At the time of death the physical body is left by the subtle body (consists of mind, wisdom, chitta, ego), the chitta carry the last vriti (desire) of the past life and take rebirth with new body to fulfil that desire. It’s a cycle of millions of births and rebirths. Till the experiences or karmas recorded on Chitta are not cleared, the cycle of births and rebirths doesn’t end. The meditation of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism is the exercise to remove these recording by removing the thoughts.

There is rebirth. Birth, life and death are the experiences full of sufferings.

Why rebirth?
Because of karmas did with attachment.

What is life?
Full of sufferings.

Why suffering?
Because of Raga (lust) and Dwesha (hatred).

Why Raga and Dwesha?
Because of desires.

Why desires?
Because of thoughts.

Therefore, unless the process of thought is not broken, the cycle continues.

Dhayana is Adhyatma. Adi+Atma. To be with Atma. With observations and witnessing the thoughts, slowly the bucket full of thoughts get emptied. And if new karmas/recording are not added in the Chitta book of Accounts, the moksha/salvation/nirvan/kaivalya is attained. Freedom from the cycle of births and rebirths.

Famous Gujarati Kavi Narsinh Mehta in his Bhakti life in love of Lord Krishna sung: हरिना जन तो मुक्ति ना माँगे, माँगे जन्म जन्म अवतार रे। If someone is confident like Narsinh Mehta for continuing Bhakti Life can afford to demand rebirths, but those who want freedom can follow the path of meditation.

ध्यानं शरणं गच्छामि।

Punamchand
26 November 2017

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Addiction of Sukha

Addiction of Sukha - Happiness

Sukha and Dukha are two words around them the whole of the human race revolves. Su and Dus are the prefix of the word ‘kha’. Su means good/sufficient and Du means bad/difficult and Kha means hole/empty in Samskrit. If the axel is fitted well in the centre of the wheel, the life is good but if it is not fitted well, the ride will be bumpy. The other meaning is Su+stha, Du+stha, to stand in good or bad. 

सर्वं परवशं दु:खं सर्वम् आत्मवशं सुखम् ।(जो चीजें अपने अधिकार में नही है वह सब दु:ख है तथा जो चीज अपने अधिकार में है वह सब सुख है ।)

Why are people addicted? Are they addict of objects or addict of person ? No, they are addict of Sukha. The position, thing, possession, power, place, etc, whatever gives him/her feelings of happiness/pleasures, he/she becomes addict. 

If there is Sukha in object or person, everyone will get the same happiness from that person or thing, whoever is in possession. But it is not true. A husband is unhappy with his wife but her lover finds happiness in her. Chicken Biryani waters the mouth of a non vegetarians but create hatred amongst the vegetarians. The alcohol or tobacco doesn’t carry taste, but still people enjoy them. Therefore, happiness doesn’t lie with the person or thing but with the mental status of understanding of the happiness of the possessor. And with repetition of pleasure feelings , he/she becomes addict of the person or object. It is an addiction of Sukham/Happiness (a status on individual mind), not the object. Sukha or Dukha is a condition of the mind.

On one side, all humans are in search of Sukha, but Buddha discovered the first truth as Sarvam Dukham (the world is full of suffering/unhappiness/discomfort/deprivation/distress). The second truth is, there is cause (desire) of misery. The third truth is, it is possible to eliminate misery. The fourth truth is, there is a path to move out of misery. He suggested eightfold path of salvation. And gave a very simple method of four steps to to observe oneself: Observe the body (Kayaanu Paschana); Observe the sensations (Vedananu Paschana); Observe the flow of mind (Chittanu Paschana); Observe your true nature (Dhammanu Paschana). Four Nobel Truths and Eightfold Path (moral code of conduct, making all right: view, aim, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindedness, concentration). By ending desire, life can be liberated (freedom from rebirth).

People are after Sukha by creating noise around. But the real journey of searching happiness is from noise to silence. Mind (no mind) is silence but the thoughts are the noise. Silence bring the true nature in order, that is love, compassion and equality. All are the same, either nobody or somebody, the rays of the Almighty. 

By observing the mind, one can travel to the inner silence area and find out the source of the Sukha, the inner joy-happiness-bliss. Thereafter, he/she may not need any person or object to acquire happiness from outside. The addiction of Self is better than the addiction of others.

शब्दोके पार एक एवम् अद्वितिय शाशवत् शब्द है। 

वैखरी,मध्यमा,परा एवम् पश्यन्तिसे जो परम् है।
जो मौन शाश्वत् नाद है, स्वयं से प्रकाशित स्व है।
शून्य से सर्जनकी यात्रा प्रकृति और इश्वर निर्मित है।
हमे सर्जनसे शून्यकी तरफ यात्रा करनी है,
भ्रमसे ब्रह्मकी ओर चलना है। 

स्वयं शरणं गच्छामि। 

Punamchand

23 November 2017

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Do you fart?

Do you fart?

All creatures fart, whether humans, animals or birds. But do you count, how many times you fart in a day? Do you remember the song of Dhak dhak girl, Madhuri, ek do tin, ..... bara tera.. (1-2-3, 4-5-6-7, 8-9-10-11, 12-13)? 13 plus 1, 14 is the perfect count of farts in a day by a healthy human. 

There was a Chief Engineer Mechanical in GSRTC. All of us have developed a habit to sit in a closed AC chamber. Whenever I used to call him for some discussion, he had a habit to fart in the chamber. Others may be farting as well and it is difficult to judge who farted. But each person has different odour according to the centre of gas production in the intestines. That man was farting sulphur, the unbearable odour, as his gas centre was in the large intestine. I had to stop him calling for the meeting finally. Thereafter, I have developed a habit to keep the windows of my chamber open to get fresh air continuously in the chamber.

All of us are connected in the Ocean of Air, inhaling and exhaling from the lot. Who is away from whom? We may keep our bodies away, but the air connects us well.

Remember, farting is good for health. One should fart 14 times in a day. If not, there is something wrong with the digestive system, clean up the intestinal track. Better to fast for right number of fart. The sound and odour of the fart decides the health of individual. 

There is proverb:

धड़ाक पादम बहुत गंधम्, धडफाधडफी मध्यम;
ठूसकम ठूसकम प्राणघातम, सूरूरसूर सत्यानाशम। 

Whether Uttam, Madhyam or Kanishtha, go on farting. It us good for health. Lol 😆 

Punamchand
14 September 2017

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Two Beans of God

Two Beans of God

God is great or we are great as the human body has organs in pairs to live a long and happy healthy life. We have two eyes, two ears, two nostrils (+mouth), two lungs, two kidneys, two intestines, two testicles, two breasts, two hands, two legs, two thumbs, two toes, two sets of each finger, two thoughts, two sense of likes and dislikes, etc. To make us one, God has given us one brain, one heart and one mouth/tongue. The heart is one with a pair of chambers to supply oxygenated blood to all cells. The brain is one but with two hemispheres, governs the functions of all the organs of the body. In emergencies, there is facilities of alternatives and bypasses. 

Imagine all organs would have single, what could had been our shape and appearance? But God has made the organism bilaterally symmetrical, like a mirror image. Whether it was for expression of representation of our two makers (parents) or for better mobility or for better function of the central nerve system; one may list reasons. But the most important reason is the preciousness of life. Life has to be lived fully till the last breath. The pair doesn't mean keeping a spare but to function at optimum level so that life become safe secure and comfortable.

Let us check the kidney. 

Two beans shaped Two Kidneys are one of the important pairs of vital organs for our life. On one side Liver is our Chemical Factory that removes the poisons from the blood, the Kidneys are our Filtration Plant that removes the toxins from the blood. The nephrons of the kidney perform four processes over blood plasma: filtration, reabsorption, secretion and excretion. Via one or more of these mechanisms, the kidney participates in the control of the volume of various body fluid compartments, fluid osmolality, acid base balance, various electrolyte concentrations, and removal of toxins.

But do you know, the kidneys also carry out functions independent of the nephron. It governs three important functions related to hemoglobin, blood pressure and Vitamin D. 

Nowadays, many people are anemic. Large number of people are suffering from blood pressure and though geographically we have more sunny days but many of us suffering from Vitamin D deficiency. Somewhere, the role of kidney has been overlooked. Are our kidneys getting weaker? 

Hemoglobin in simple terms, the number of red blood cells. Hemoglobin is the protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. Red blood cells are produce in bone marrow. They start as immature cells in the bone marrow and after seven days of maturation are released into the bloodstream. But do you know, who controls the RBCs? The erythropoietin hormone produced by the kidney controls the RBC. Erythropoietin is released in response to hypoxia (low levels of oxygen at tissue level) in the renal circulation. It acts in bone marrow to stimulate the production of mature red blood cells, to maintain healthy oxygen levels in our tissues. 

Blood pressure in simple term, is an expansion of the extracellular fluid compartment, and that increase the blood pressure. Renin is an enzyme, also produced by the kidney, that plays an important role in the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone hormonal system, which helps to control blood pressure. With renin chemical messenger level elevated, hormones angiotensin II and aldosterone increase the kidney's absorption of sodium chloride, thereby expanding the extracellular fluid compartment and raising blood pressure. When renin levels are low, angiotensin II and aldosterone levels decrease, contracting the extracellular fluid compartment, and decreasing blood pressure.

Vitamin D is Vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol. The right amount of natural form of Vit D that our body makes from Sunlight (or one has to get it by taking Vitamin D supplements). It is a hormone rather than Vitamin. It is important for formation of new bones and maintenance of healthy bones and teeth. It also regulates calcium levels in the blood by helping the body to absorb calcium from food and by preventing calcium loss from the kidneys. It is suggested to supply a protective effect against multiple diseases and conditions such as cancer, type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. 

Healthy kidneys are rich with vitamin D receptors and play a major role in turning vitamin D into its active form Calcitriol that promotes intestinal absorption of calcium and renal reabsorption of phosphate. This helps balance calcium and phosphorus in our body by controlling absorption of these minerals from the food we eat and regulates parathyroid hormone (PTH). When kidneys fail, their ability to activate vitamin D is lost. Without the activated vitamin D to control calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood, PTH will try to overcompensate and go out of range.

There is unique relation between heart and kidney; an emotional reaction of grief, joy and pain. It one gets disturbed, the another too get disturbed. God has given us auto immune system. If some foreign body attacks, the hidden army comes out. But some time the foreigner takes the shape and size of the cells of the vital organs and the immune system kills the body organs by mistake. Thyroid gland death is one of such common issues amongst the women. Similarly, sometimes, the body immune system kills the kidneys. 

In ancient India, according to the Ayurveda, the kidneys were considered the beginning of the excursion channels system, the 'head' of the Mutra Srotas, receiving from all other systems, and therefore important in determining a person's health balance and temperament by the balance and mixture of the three health elements: Vata (air), Pitta (bile) and Kapha (mucus). One can check the status of once health by checking the colour, density and smell of the urine. White or pale yellow colour of urine is normal. Yellow colour of urine demand more water intake. Red urine is a sign of jaundice. Dark urine indicates  urinary track infection. Dark brown colour indicates liver disease. Bubbled urine suggests diabetes. One must see the urine every time to check the overall health of the body. Will you?

Please take care of the important two beans gift of the God for the healthy happy and long life. 

Stay blessed.

शुभम् भवतु कल्याणम्।  

Punamchand 

12 November 2017

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Padmavati Kamala and Devaldevi

Padmavati Kamala and Devaldevi

As per the tale, Padmavati was the exceptionally beautiful queen of King Ratan Sen/Singh of Chitorgarh. She was the princess of Srilanka (Shinhal Kingdom). She had a parrot friend Hudhud/Hiraman. Due to her closeness to the Parrot, when her father tried to kill the Parrot, he flew away and reached in the hand of King Ratan Sen of Chittor by two three transfer purchases. The Parrot described the beauty of Padmavati before the King Ratan Sen, who then went to Singhal Island with an army of 16000 soldiers, defeated King Gandharva Sens and married Padmavati and returned to Chittor.

His Brahmin Courtier Raghav Vyas/Chetan when fired for some reason, he went to Sultan of Delhi Alauddin Khalji's court and told him about the exceptionally beautiful queen Padmavati of King Ratan Sen. Alauddin Khalji then sieged Chittor (1303 CE) to obtain her. When they couldn't get the fort opened, a compromise was made to show the queen through mirror. But after seeing the glimpses of her beauty through mirror, Alauddin didn't want to lose her. In the name of peace treaty, he then captured Ratan Sen deceitfully and took him to Delhi and demanded Padmini in return for his release. Gora and Badal, two loyals of Ratan Sen, produced themselves as Padmavati and her female companions (700 soldiers as litres and porters) before the Sultan and rescued Ratan Sen. Gora was killed in fight but Ratan Sen and Badal returned to Chittor. Meantime, when Ratan Sen was in the imprisonment of the Sultan; Deval, the neighbour king of Kumbhalmer proposed marriage with Padmavati. But when Ratan Sen returned and knew the matter, he had a fight with Deval for the insult and both killed each other in single combat. Meanwhile, Alauddin again invaded Chittor to capture Padmavati but Padmavati and Nagamati performed Johar (self immolation) on Ratan Sen's funeral pyre. Other women also performed Johar to save their honour from the Muslim Sultan and his army.

On the contrary to this story, there is a story of Diwal Rani Khizr Khan (1315 CE) the love story of the princess of Gujarat. Gujarat was under Vaghela (Vyaghra Pallya/ village Vyaghrapalli, near Bhiloda, SK) dynasty from 1244 to 1304 CE. The capital of the kingdom was Dholka (Dhawal Kakka). During the weak regime of Solanki Kings, the Vaghela General/Samanta Lavan Prasad and his son Vir Dhawal became powerful and in 1244, Visal Dev, the son of Vir Dhawal usurped the throne. They became the de-facto ruler of Chaulukya Kingdom. Karan Dev II Vaghela was the last Hindu monarch of Gujarat (1296-1304 CE). Karna Ghelo liked Roopsundari the wife of his minister Madhav. He sent the minister away on a mission, killed his brother and abducted Roopsundari. But Roopsundari killed herself before the King ruins her virtue. Madhava, the minister, then in revenge instigated Alauddin to invade Gujarat. Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khalji invaded Gujarat, defeated Karna Vaghela in 1296 and captured his wife Kamala Devi. Karna Dev ran away to South with his child daughter Deval Devi. After 8 years of her stay in the harem of Alauddin Khalji, Kamala Devi then requested Alauddin to get her daughter Deval Devi to Delhi. Alauddin invaded Gujarat, killed Karna Dev (II) Vaghela and abducted Deval Devi who thereafter was married to Alauddin's eldest son Khizr Khan in 1308. 8 years later, in 1316, Khizr Khan was executed by his brother Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah and Deval Devi was taken into his harem. Shah then was beheaded by Khusho Khan (dhedh) (the last ruler of Khalji dynasty) in 1320 and brought Deval Devi to his harem. After few months rule, Khushro Khan was killed in the same year in 1320. Gujarat, thereafter came under Muslim rule for 500 years till it went to Marathas and then to British before independence.

Sometime, women's beauty is a liability!!!

Punamchand
5 November 2017

Disclaimer: The narrates captured from the tales, literature on screen and in books.

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Akshardham Sanatanam, Adbhutam, Adbhutam

Akshardham Sanatanam, Adbhutam Adbhutam

The amazing 'Akshardham Sanatanam', a Light & Sound Show of 15 minutes presents the journey of 25 years (1992-2017) of Akshardham Temple is an incredible immersive experience. Using the frontal 9 sections and the upper divisions of the temple into one screen and creating 3D effects is really a breathtaking blend of art, images, videos' projection-mapping, laser-lighting, soundscapes and advanced effects. It is an elevating, surreal sensory experience. Akshardham has witnessed all the seasons: the flowers of spring, showers of monsoon and may in future receive snowfall. The Bhavya Akshardham on earth and the Divya Akshardham (abode of Divya Tejomaya Satchidanand) in the sky were presented so beautifully following the description of Akshardham in the Bhajana of Swami Nishkulanand. One won't like to move when the show ends. Feel to remain in it (na kshayati iti akshar:) forever.

Akshardham was thought and willed by Brahmswaroop Yogiji Maharaj while sitting under a Banian Tree in 1970 and was conceptualised and built by Brahaswaroop Pramukh Swami Maharaj. It was inaugurated in November 1992. The creator has left the world on 13 August 2016, but his creation is the Lighthouse of his teachings for millions of BAPS followers and visitors.

Akshardham is not only a building of stones but a revival of the stone architecture of India. The art that was almost dead after the foreigners rule, got life. Few Sompura workers have been multiplied in many to revive this work of art. It is a building beyond stones, a place connect this world with that world, a inspiration place for the millions. We are our stone, chisel and sculptor. We have to build a temple within. To identify our internal enemies and remove them. Each one of us is a stone in raw form and the purpose of life is to carved out a beautiful statue out of it using the chisel of good virtues. We are the sculptor of our temple. How beautifully we make it is in our hand only. Akshardham is a place that inspires the millions to carve their own statues following good virtues of life.

The temple stood firm without a single crack during 7.7 moment magnitude scale Kutch earthquake on 26 January 2001. Instead, the team of Sadhus and Haribhaktas served the victims of earthquake in Kutch for months and provided them with food, relief materials and rehabilitation works. It didn't react to the attack of two armed attackers who killed 30 people and injured more than 80 on 24 September 2002. But see the Sthitpagyata of Bapa Pramukh Swami Maharaj, he told people "not to react". We are not judge, the judge is the God. Our happiness is in the happiness of others. We can't become happy by making others unhappy. He told to give up division of castes and creeds. We can't give pain to others. Our role is to bring happiness in others life. When a person dies, what is his caste and what is his address? All identity vanish. All are equal and are the same. The 90 seconds video of Pramukh Swami presented in the show is the summary of the teachings of BAPS. He was a great teacher, rightly described by late 11th President of India Dr Abdul Kalam. One Hindu and another Musalman, but spirituality united them together as Guru and Disciple. Dr Abdul Kalam has explained his spiritual experiences with Pramukh Swami in his book 'Transcendece'.

Feel tempted to visit the show? Hurry up. It's just 15 minutes screened on the Gandhinagar  Akshardham Mandir every evening from 6.30 to 9.00 pm at regular intervals and open till 29 October 2017.

Jai Swaminarayan.

Punamchand

25 October 2017

www.punamchand.com

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Two Highways to attain Salvation

Two Highways to attain Salvation 

There are many ways to realise the Brahman, but two ways are the highways. It is true that when the journey of the five senses ends, the journey of the Brahman begins. But to break the net of the Maya, the 6th sense of thinking has a big role to play. But after the runway is crossed, it has to be dropped too. 

The visible universe or the invisible base are the manifestations of the Brahman or the Brahman Himself but under the influence of Maya we are unable to realise the unity of Oneness. The fun of the drama will end if all the characters couldn't differentiate their roles with each other. The drama, the Samsara will end itself. 

Which are these two highways?

First, the easy one, aham brahmasmi! अहं ब्रह्मास्मि ।

Easy? We all carry I, the ego. Therefore, it is not difficult to define I. But when you apply I in all, the miracle happens. All around you become I. You, they, he, she, it, everything become I. All the Creatures, the Earth, the Sun, the Moon, the Planets, the Stars, the Galaxies, the Universes become I. Then with whom do you attach or detach? With whom do you love or hate? You will realise that all forms are you. All creators, all positions, all wealth, all joys, all sorrows, all happiness, all sufferings, everything is You, the expansion of your I only. You are the centre of the universe, and around you, it is all your creation, emerge and submerge with each of your breath. Your drop I became Ocean I. 

The only condition is to remove the I, the ego. Difficult? Lol.

The second highway is much easier. Sarvam Khalvidam Brahman. सर्वम् खल्विदं ब्रह्म ।

All around you including yourself is nothing but the Brahman himself. All the Creatures, the Earth, the Sun, the Moon, the Planets, the Stars, the Galaxies, the Universes; all are Brahman. Your drop I merges into the Ocean of All. No I exist here. All become Brahman. The Bindu (drop, I, ego) disappears and Ocean remains. 

Bindu, Sindhu, Hindu... wake up, the purpose of your life is not in Bricks but in realisation of the SELF, the Brahman, the Lord of the Universe. 

Punamchand
22 October 2017
www.punamchand.com

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Tulsi Vivah

Tulsi Vivah

Tulsi Vivah is an important festival of Hindus. All auspicious events including marriages begin from the eleventh day of bright fortnight of Kartik (Dev Uthi Ekadashi). Tulsi Vivah performed at Hindu Homes and Temples on any of these 5 days between bright Kartik ekadashi to purnima (Dev Diwali).

Tulsi (holy basil) is a great medicinal plant identified by our Rishis and placed it in front of all Hindu Homes with religious support. It's a herbal antibiotic protect us from many infections. It protects the family from germs, coughs, cold, fever and viral infections. A great medicine for oral care and respiratory disorders. Keeping in view the ultra-disinfectant and germicidal properties of this legendary herb, wise people then devised these customs to bring people into contact with this plant every day, so that they may keep safe from day-to-day infections. We the moderns, search for medicines in chemicals but our ancestors were wiser keeping them handy in form of live plants in front of the home. Not confirmed but heard that Tulsi plant prevents the snakes to come near the house.

The religious story is interesting. Vrinda, a wife of demon Jalandhar, worshipped Lord Vishnu and made her husband invincible. As usual after that, Devas were unable to defeat Jalandhar. Lord Vishnu came to their rescue, he took form of Jalandhar and violated Vrinda and destroyed her chastity. Jalandhar then was killed by Lord Shiva. When Vrinda came to know about the truth, she cursed Lord Vishnu and made him black stone (we call Shaligram) and burnt herself with her husband's funeral. She then born as Tulsi (plant) with whom Shaligram, the Lord Vishnu married.

Religious belief apart, Tulsi is one of the most effective herbs useful in curing many diseases. All of us should plant Tulsi in front of the house or those living in flats can keep it in a pot, water it everyday and keep the family safe from fever, cough, viral and any upper respiratory infections. Tea with Tulsi is a great start of the day.

And to transfer Hindu culture to next generation, do celebrate Tulsi Vivah during eleventh to fifteenth days of Bright fortnight of Kartik. This year, it will come on November 1, 2017.

Happy New Year Vikram Samvat 2074.

Punamchand
20 October 2017
www.punamchand.com

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Ishavashya

Ishavashya

ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदम् पूर्णात् पूर्णमुदच्यते |
पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ||

The hymn is a Shanti Path, appears in two main Upanishads - Ishavasyam and BrihadaaraNyakam. Both these are part of Shukla-Yajurveda. It is to attain Peace that everyone is searching for by understanding the true meaning of Jeeva, Jagata and God. A journey from Avidhya (ignorance) to Vidhya (knowledge).

The word used by the Rishi in the hymn is Purna, referring the Brahman and His manifests the material Universe. Purnam adaha (that/unmanifested), Purnam idam (this/manifested). It may be translated as infinite, but in numerical terms it kills the essence of the hymn.

"Brahman is one, not numerically, but in essence. Numerical oneness would either exclude multiplicity or would be a plural- istic and divisible oneness with the Many as its parts. That is not the unity of Brahman, which can neither be diminished nor increased, nor divided." - Maharshi Arbindo

Isha Upanishad is a koh-I-noor of the Upanishads. It is the smallest Upanishads of 18 hymns only, but sums up the Ocean of wisdom in few lines, the Spirituality of Hinduism, the purpose of life, the brotherhood of all living beings.

The first hymn of the Isha Upnishad starts with Ishavasya idam sarvam. Isha-Ishwar (the Lord of Universe) is enveloped/covered/inhabited in everything of this world of movement universe. Divinity is attached to the visible world with the word, ishavasya idam sarvam, the divine consciousness in space and time. Therefore, it allows the use of worldly matters without claiming ownership (ten tyakten bhunjitha, ma kashya sviddhanam)

HE is everywhere and present in everyone, exists by movement and would be dissolved by cessation of movement. The visible world is material one but the base of the material world is not material. The visible world founded on the unfounded HE. The motion of the visible world creates opposition of unity and multiplicity, division of time and space, ignorance of the real foundation of the unity in the Brahman. The movement of the world divides us in finiteness but the Lord (Isha) unites us in oneness of the world of infinity, the Purna.

This world, the visible, the manifestation of the Brahman, exists and ceased with movement is Purna because it is founded on the infinite Brahman. That world, the invisible, unmanifested, the foundation of the visible world is also Purna, the infinite Brahman. If this visible infinite world is taken away from the invisible infinite, infinite remains. Infinity, unbroken status is not disturbed in either of the situation. Everywhere and in everyone, HE, the Almighty, the Brahman, the infinite exists.

ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदम् पूर्णात् पूर्णमुदच्यते |
पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ||

Therefore, enjoy this world with detachment.

ॐ ईशा वास्यमिदँ सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्यां जगत् ।
तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथा मा गृधः कस्यस्विद्धनम् ।।

ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ||

Punamchand
पूर्णानंद ।
18 October 2017

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Deepawali Parva Mubarak

Deepawali Parva Mubarak

Diwali Parva has started. Hindus will celebrate Deepawali in memories of arrival of Rama in Ayodhya after winning war with Rawana. Jains will celebrate it in memories of attaining Nirvana by Mahavir Swami. Buddhist will celebrate it in memories of Samrat Ashoka accepted Buddhism. Shikhs will celebrate in memories of acquittal of Guru Hargobind from prison. 

The Parva is celebrated during the last week of Krishna Kartik (in north India) and Krishna Ashwini (in Gujarat). Dwadashi, Dhanteras (trayodashi), Kali chaudas (chaturdashi) and Deepavali (lighting lamps during the night of Amavasya). 

But more important these three days are the Sadhana Parva for millions of Indians. Three major power of the Almighty God, Vaishanavi Devi: Maha Sarasvati, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Kali (Parvati) are worshipped during the Parva. On Vag/k Baras (dwadashi), people worship the goddess of education Maha Sarasvati chanting mantra aum ऐं नम: ।. On Dhan Teras (trayodashi), people worship the goddess of money Maha Lakshmi chanting mantra aum ह्रीं श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नम: । On Krishna Chaturdashi people worship Maha Kali (Parvati-Padmavati) chanting mantra ह्रीं श्रीं महाकाल्यै नम: । Chaturdashi is the greatest night of Sadhana for the Tantriks. And on no moon night (anavasya) on Deepawali, the worship of the Almighty by lighting lamps, to remove darkness around us. 

Gujarat will celebrate it's New Year of Vikram Samvat 2074 on first day of Kartik Shukla and Bhai Duj on Krishna Shukla dwitiya. Devas will wake up on Kartik Shukla ekadashi and they will celebrate Dev Deepawali on Kartik Shukla Purnima. People in Jonsar Bavar in Uttarakhand will celebrate their Deepawali on Dev Deepawali because their farm activities rest 15 days later compared to the plains. 

Happy Deepawali and Happy New Year Vikram Samvat 2074 to all.

Punamchand
17 October 2017

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Ramayana Ballet by Muslims

Ramayana Ballet by Muslims

If Ramlila is played by Hindus is not a big news because it is a common practice for centuries. But if it is played by Muslims, surely it is a good news to share across the country. A cultural troop of 49 Muslim students of Kabumi & Faculty of Art and Design Education, University of Education Bandung, Indonesia played the Ramayana Ballet, the dance drama with gamelan orchestra in Ahmedabad on 30 September 2017. It was played in three parts: first was dialogues of Rama, Lakshman and Anoman gathered the soldiers to find out Sinta; second was dialogue of Rahwana and Sinta in the country of Alengkadirja, and the dialogue of Anuman and Sinta; and the third was the dialogue of Rama and Anoman, Anoman report of Queen Sinta. It is one of the best examples of story telling in Indonesia. Lanka was called Alengka, Sita as Smita and Hanuman as Anoman. It was such a beautiful play performed by these youths that the audience didn't move during the whole ballet. The players, their dance style, the presentation, the dangdut and tabla beat music, the costumes, the play; all were beautiful. It was interesting to note that all the actors and all actresses remained on stage during the whole play. Each one of them used to perform the dance play under the focus of light as per their turn and others were sitting in silence without any movement on the stage. Using the mask and costume some were changing their role as monkey of Rama or the soldiers of Rahwana. Alengka fire was presented so well with saffron clothes that as if it is under real fire. This art form was performed in Hindu temples in Indonesia. The Muslim girls otherwise to wear Hijab to cover their heads in the presence of adult males, performed Ramlila without Hijab. 

They sung Indonesian, Hindi sand Gujarati songs beautifully with the music of Angklung. Angklung is a musical instrument made from varying number of bamboo tubes attached to a frame. The tubes are carved to have resonant pitch when struck and are tuned to octaves, similar to American handbells. The base of the frame is held in one hand, whilst the other hand shakes the Instrument. This causes a repeating note to sound. The performers play one or more sound but altogether produce complete melodies.

The Consule General of Indonesia to India Mr. Saut Siringoringo was feeling proud explaining the religious harmony in his country. It won't be surprised to see a Muslim man named Muhammad Krishna in Indonesia. The event concluded with a tasty vegetarian Indonesian dinner to complete the feel of Indonesia in Ahmedabad.,

Ramayana and Mahabharata are the popular epics and play an important role in culture and history of Indonesia. We all look at Sri Lanka as Lanka of Ramayana, the island fortress capital of legendary demon king Ravana and try to find out Ramsetu near Dhanuskoti. But Simhala and Lanka were two different islands as per the narrations in Ramayana, Mahabharata, Shrimad Bhagvat, Markandey Purana and other books. 

Somebody referring Suryasiddhanta, checked the location of Lanka: "Situated upon the line which passes through the haunt of the demons (rakshasa) and the mountain which is the seat of the gods, are Rohitaka and Avanti, as also the adjacent lake.” It means Lanka was located on equator (no longitude, no latitude). Ceylon is 7 degree north of equator. The real Lanka was a distance 100 yojanas (1250 kms) across the ocean as described in Valmiki Ramayana (Sri Lanka is just 100 kms across the ocean). It means Lanka was placed left on the equator line of Indonesia, presently under water as part of Maldives Islands, submerged due to rise in sea water level over the years. 

The island Bali is named after famous character Bali, the King of Kishkindha, who was killed by Rama from behind to win the friendship and help of Subgriva, the younger brother of Bali. Java (Yavadwipa) has mentioned in Ramayana, where Sungriva send his men to search Sita. 

If present Bali island is accepted as the original place of Kushkindha kingdom, the entire ownership of Hanuman, Sugriva, Angad, Nal, Neel, the monkey forces; transfers to Bali and Indonesia. The facial look of the people those areas may be like monkeys, therefore, they might had been identified as monkeys. But then the place of Ayodhya also changes, because it was impossible to travel such a long distance from India to Indonesia and Maldives and return in that short span of time. 

Ramayana was a very popular epic of ancient era, therefore, it's characters and places are found all around the India Ocean. Indonesia initially inhabited by Indians Hindus and Buddhist and Japanese Buddhists and was ruled by Hindu and Buddhist kings, now is a country of Muslims but maintains proudly it's rich cultural heritage of Hinduism. Many of their names are Hindus. Many of their names of streets, roads, cross roads, buildings are Hindu. A statue of Krishnopadesam (Arjuna and Krishna are riding a chariot) was erected in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia. Hundreds of Hindu temples exist. It's great leader Sukarno's name come from Karna of Mahabharata as his father was attracted to the character of Karna. His daughter was named Meghavati. Their currency Rupiah carry picture of Ganesha. 

Indonesia meaning India. Indians must learn from Indonesia. At least the meaning of Secularism.

Punamchand

14 October 2017

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Khao (Eat) Rice

Khao Rice

Indian kitchens are the Ayush Centres of our health. The ingredients used in cooking (turmeric, coriander seeds, fenugreek seeds, black pepper, curry leaves, bay leaves, cumin seeds, black cumin, mustard seeds, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, carom seeds, black cardamom, cinnamon, cinnamon buds, fennel, garlic, ginger, nutmeg, mace, asafoetida, tamarind, garcinia, etc) are the great medicines to our good health. Each has a value, but where, when and how much to be used is an art of cooking the new generation doesn't know. 

India is predominantly a rice eater Country where more than 1100 varieties of rice are grown. There were 1.2 lakh varieties of rice in the world, of which 43,000 belonged to India. CRRI, Cuttack, Orissa has preserve 30,000 varieties. RRI, Manila is holding 83000 varieties. Now 90% of the paddy production comes from 25-30 varieties. However, tribals of India still consume 300 varieties. We the modern, are fond of refined, polished, hybrid varieties, good in look but poor in nutritional values. Our method of cooking rice is very poor. We eat more of a starch than the nutritive rice. South and East India use parboiled rice, carry more nutritional value. South Gujarat still eat roti made of rice. 

Till recent past, when India was Bharat, people used to eat unpolished rice made in home. Each house used to have kandaniyu fitted in the varanda (drawing room) and the house wife will remove the bran (it is also used as medicine, bran and rice bran oil) by preserving and nutrition value of rice using Sambelu. Have you seen Sambela dance garba in Navratri of Gujarat. Sambelas are left for Navratri dance. Sambela, home flour mill and churning curd to make butter and ghee with the help of wooden instrument (ghammar valonu) were the strength of the health of Indian family. The female folk were able to maintain the fitness of their body with better breasts (no sagging).

100 grams of rice has Starch (78 gm), Protein (8.5 gm), Fat (0.6 gm), Calcium (14 mgm), Phosphorus (18 mgm), Iron (2.6 mgm), Vitamin B (4000 national unit), Vitamin B1 (170 micro gm), Vitamin B2 (118 microgram), Nikotin Acid (3 mgm), Potassium (280 mgm), calories (118). It carries many essential Amino Acids. It is a food easy to digest. Polishing removes 15% of Protein, 85% of fat, 90% of calcium, 75% of phosphorus, 80% of thiamine, 70% of riboflavin, and 68% of niacin besides major part of minerals like iron, zinc and fibre.

Rice is a great medicine. It cures diseases of tridosha (imbalance of Vata, Pitta and Cough). It has less sodium therefore good for the patients of edema. It is called Akshat in Sanskrit, means immortal, used in all religious rituals. It has given lifeline to humans and it had played great role in controlling IMR in Asia. Rice is good for semen production, a major reason for population explosion in Asia. It is a tonic for women after delivery. Rice can give fast and instant energy. Rice increase the metabolism, aid in digestion, reduce high BP, help weight loss efforts, improve immune system, and provide protection against dysentery, cancer and heart disease.

Wisdom of Rice eaters v/v Wheat eaters always in discussion when people compare the two population. Wheat eaters have strength, while rice eaters have more stamina. Strength can lift higher weight but stamina can work for longer hours. Wheat is hard in digestion. It creates Aamdosha (indigested fluid) in the body. The gluten of wheat is causing headaches to many and it is the major contributor of cholesterol humans. Those who have weak digestion power and facing cholesterol problem can shift to rice. There are experiments to cure piles with only rice diet for a fortnight. 

The Bangalo rice of Dangs is the most flavourful variety of the State. Krishna Kamod of central Gujarat is popular variety but khichadi of Gujarat 17 is more popular in majority houses of Gujarat. Katarni rice of Jagdishpur (Bihar) can be stored for decades. I bought Katarni katta in 2005, still enjoying the taste till date. Indian Basmati, Jasmine of Thailand and Waxy of China are popular known varieties in the world. Amritsari, Sukhdas, Kaki Rekhalu of AP; Badshabhog, Prasadbhog of Assam; Ramtuli, Tulsimanjari of Bihar; Kamod, Pankhari, Jeerasar of Gujarat; Muskh Budji of J&K; Jeerakasala, Gandhakasala of Kerala; Dubraj, Adam chini, Kalimooch, Chattari, Kalikamod of MP; Ambemohar, Pankhari, Kamod Jeerasar of Maharashtra; T812, Badshahbhog of Orissa; Duniapet, Kalanamak, Tilakchandran, Sakharchini, Ramajuvain, Kanakjeera, Badshahpasand, Adanchini, Hansraj of UP; and Badshahpasand, Badshabhog, Randhuni Pagal, Kataribhog are the popular rice varieties of India. Red and Black rice are the health rice. The Khir made of black rice of Manipur is really unique.

If you celebrate 52 weeks of the year with 52 varieties of India, the heaven of Indian Cuisine is yours only. 

Punamchand

21 September 2017

NB:

1) 1/2 cup of Cabbage Juice everyday in the morning cures the colon of the intestines. 

 2) There are 3500 varieties of Brinjal and 1100 varieties of Mangoes in India.

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Jupiter transits to Libra today

Jupiter transits to Libra today 

After a year tour in Virgo, Jupiter transits to Libra at 7.59 AMfrom TODAY (12/9/17)for a period of 13 months. Libra is a sign of balance, therefore, Jupiter, the 'Jeeva' (common man) will get justice. It's 5th-7th-9th aspects over Aquarius, Aries and Gemini will benefit those born in these moon signs. People with moon sign Libra will enjoy the Gajkeshari yoga with liquidity, good relationships and pleasure cum religious tours during the year.

Rahu transited from Leo to Cancer from 21 August 2017 for 18 months, will act as an eclipse over the minds. Cancer is a house of Moon, the mind, will come under eclipse for 18 months. Rahu will dry up water from the Cancer till it moves to Gemini on 7/3/19. Rahu will impact the monsoon 2018. However, other planetary movements needs to be verified.

The transit of retrograde Mars in debilitated sign Cancer for 5 months (31/5/17 to 17/9/17) brought heavy floods and scarcity together in many areas of the country. It will transit in fire sign Leo (27/8/17 to 13/10/17), the sign of power, will make the political atmosphere hot with angarak criticism of the governments in power. It may give a kick start to many pending works and projects. People born in Moon sign Leo shall meditate daily to control their temper during the period! It's Sharad season (22/8/17 to 23/10/17), the season of diseases, beware of fevers. 

Saturn, the biggest cosmic player was retrograde, moved to Sagittarius from 26/1/17, will stay till 25 January 2020, when moves to Capricorn. During the period, it retrograde twice: 19/4/18 to 6/9/18 and 1/5/19 to 19/9/19. Saturn plays a big role in deciding the fate of many in public life. Saturn in Sagittarius, the neutral house of Jupiter, may allow Jupiter and other planets to play more role during the transit in Sagittarius. 

Shubham bhavatu kalyanam.

Punamchand
12 September 2017

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Scarecrow, the Chadiyo

Scarecrow, the Chadiyo 

I saw the village first time when I was 9 years old. The city was under curfew and control of army due to communal violence in September-October. The communal forces were not happy with the damages done to humanity in September, again put the city under fire in October. Helpless people were running away to native villages to save their lives and little belongings. 

It was a monsoon season. Away from the environment of looting, arson, violence and threat to life; when I saw the farms from the window of the train, my mind was full of green. All farms were looking attractive with green plants, trees and grasses; greenery look all around. Beautiful peacocks were singing tehuk...tehuk...the song of nature. But what are all these objects placed in the farms, looking like a human figure? I asked my mother while walking through the rail line from the station to our village. They are "Chadias", set up to scare the birds away from the field where crops are growing, so that they don't damage the crop, she explained.

Chadias... the word was familiar to me. To please my mother, when my elder brother used to tell about my playing with chawl boys, I was calling him Chadio. He was feeling happy and I was feeling scare of my mother. In school, when the teacher is late or on leave, the children play naughty naughty; freeing their energy from discipline. But when the teacher or head master come to inquire, nobody discloses the names. But one or two Chadiyas will take a chance and disclose the names before the teacher in private. It is an act of treason, an undesirable traits of character. It may be convenient for the teacher to make use of to help his own work, but it is a germ of moral habit down in young hearts. Informer develops into a big rogue in future. Smart students always identify them quickly and name them Chadiyas, the label they have to carry throughout their schooling. 

Whatever one may call them, Chadiyas, Scarecrow; they are Master of Fear. The Masters (Mother, Principal, Boss) are in need of their help to control the objects of freedom. And the Chadias can't stop because of soothing pleasure they get out of chadi and the perks they enjoy as prize from the master. 

Have you seen Chadiyas in Administration? Have you seen Chadiyas in Public Life? How can they be free from the Chadiyas? They are there because it's a human mentality. They scare the birds, and the masters feels that they have controlled the mass. The Chadiyas get rewarded with better placements and postings in the organisation. 

Scarecrow is good to keep the birds away from the growing crop! Have you seen the Scarecrows?

What is your preference? 

To become a Scarecrow?
Or to be a Free Bird?

Whatever, but, Beware of the Scarecrows!!! Lol😂 

And if you do not stake your life, You will never win life for yourself. - Schillar

Punamchand
16 September 2017

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Kutch forever

કચ્છડો બારેમાસ

Kutch is a wonderful district. People live in hardship but are always ready to work together at the time of crisis. I remember my days of Collector in Kutch. When I proposed to do deepening of Hamirsar lake (the prasadi lake, where Bhagwan Swaminarayan took holy bath) with people's contribution, starting with my one month salary, by the evening we were able to collect ₹10 lakh. We used Haribhaktas (followers of Swaminarayan) tractors, hired JCBs, and use the services of Swaminarayan Sadhus as supervisors and were able to increase the storage capacity of the lake by 1 CR litre more. The excavated earth was used in repairing the shoulders or widening of the roads. After the completion of the deepening of the lake work, Varunyag Yagya was performed and simultaneously we planned plantation of 1 lakh tree. The environment was so positive in the entire district that we had received highest rainfall of the century with 45 rainy days at some of the places. Lake Hamirsar overflowed and I was one of the fortunate Collectors to declare the day a public holiday.

Collector's meetings, parties and friendship with Army, Airforce, BSF, officers were something unique with the district, a lifetime memory. The Japanese lady Rajaram was always a great host. Late Himatsinhji, the uncle of the Maharao was a good friend of all. Maharao Pragmalji was open hearted man, but found in planning of his wealth without great outcome. Ramsingh Rathod was an enthusiastic man always ready to explain the culture of Kutch through his books. Banks in Patel chovisi (24 villages) were flooded with deposits. It is the only district of the state, that has lowest credit deposit ratio.

With 45,674 km2 area (20,000 km2 desert) 1/4th of the State is one of the best districts, I like the most. The topography, the desert, Banni, the Arabian Sea, historical places, ports, handicrafts, people, cuisine, etc, all unique.  Superb handicrafts, different castes, different embroideries: Rabari, Ahir, Mutva, Jat, Suf, kharek, paako, etc. I like the Suf embroidery the most as it is the most difficult embroidery. Each time, the craft woman has to count threads of the cloth before needling it.

And if you haven't spend an evening in open in Kutch, in summer, when the westerly winds coming from the sea crossing the ran and touching your heart and greeting with the pleasure of life, you have missed something great of the life. Evenings of Kutch are the best in the world. There is a proverb, people come weeping when come to Kutch and go weeping when leave it. It holds them in it's love forever. The language Kutchi is a dialect of Sindhi, very sweet and popular amongst the people. However, vagad (Bhachau, Rapar) speaks Gujarati.

શિયાળે સોરઠ ભલો, ઉનાળે ગુજરાત;
ચોમાસે વાગડ ભલો, કચ્છડો બારે માસ.

Kutch hearts give us the feel of the people's heart across the border. It was British and hurried partition in 73 days created the massacre of partition and made us permanent enemies.

Punamchand
2 September 2017
www.punamchand.com

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Herbs of Gandhinagar

Herbs of Gandhinagar 

"I wish I could explain your eyes, and how the sound of your voice gives me butterflies. How your smile my heart skips a beat and every time I am with you, I feel so complete".

I am in love with her since August 1979. I saw her first time in rainy season, and fall in love. Love at first sight!!! Everyday, I was gazing at her open eyed from the bus window. She was looking beautiful. She has awakened the nature lover in me. She was looking gorgeous with lots green vegetation around, lush green road sites with dense tree lines, farms full with vegetation, and all open land covered with fresh green grass giving her a charming look like an European city. Breathing in fresh air and witnessing her green view made me her lifetime lover. I wait very eagerly for the rainy season to come to see her gorgeous look. One may see many beautiful insects during monsoon but the black caterpillars, painted grasshoppers and beautiful silky rose red insects are unique, adding into the beauty of the nature. 

During rainy season, many herbs, shrubs and lata plants comes out and cover the land, road sides, fences all over. I can't recognise all of them. When I asked my officers of Monday meeting to name the ten herbs of the capital city, they stayed silent. But during the morning walk of the next morning, my wife came to my rescue. She is from village, therefore, recognise many species. She is our home vaidhya. We could recognise, list and photo nearly 81 herbs and shrubs of the city. Each herb carries medicinal value and useful to cure one or more diseases. Nature has given us health cover to protect ourselves with the help of herbs and shrubs around.

The 81 herbs and shrubs with their local names and medicinal uses are:

1. Adhedo (diuretic, stomach pain, cough, aamvat, piles, smooth delivery); 2. Aghadi bodi (cough, pitta, worms, skin problem, indigestion, insomnia); 3. Akado (Mandar): (headache, jaundice, body pain, migraine, plies, ear pain, joint edema, dama,); 4. Arani (vat dosha, edema, worms, breast milk); 5. Ardusi: (Cough, cold, asthama); 6. Ashwagandha: (vajikar-happier marriage life, anxiety, stress);

7. Bab: (arthritis, edema, diuretic); 8. Bavchi: (scabies, skin diseases, fever, edema, tridosh); 9. Ber (vitamin C, B; minerals, digestive system);

10. Bhanth: (course cereal, general care); 11. Bhangro: (cynas, cholera, sore in mouth, eye disease, hair growth, black hair, cold cough to children); 11. Bhoringani (kantkari): (bronchitis, urination, baldness); 12. Bhamaradi (cot insect); 13. Bhony Ambali ( mouth sore, diabetes, white discharge, anemia, jaundice, fever, stomach pain);

14. Chanothi: (pitta dosha, voice clarity, baldness cure, migraine, sperm production); 15. Chanakbob (kankol): (heart care, mouth sore, vatrog, blindness); 16. Chandanbatvo (chil): (animal feed, liver care, tridosh, diuretic, joint pain); 17. Chitro (kothimbi):

18. Dabhado: (sperm count, tridosh, jaundice, urination, calculus); 19. Damaro (marvo): (eczema, tinea, haemorrhoids); 20. Dhanturo (black, white): (impotency, insane, vaginal pain, hemeplagia, insane, edema); 21. Dudheli: (skin problems, boils treatment); 22. Dodi (Jivantika, kharkhodi): (rasayana, eye sight, dhatu vardhak, tridosha, vaginal prolapse); 23. Dharo (durva): (nosebleeds, menstruation, headache, vomiting, hiccups);

24. Fanj: (to make pakora, strength, heart care, aam dosha); 25. Fudino (antioxidant, immunity building,  26. Fulekiyu: (worms, urination);

27. Galjibhi (eyes disease, snake bite, cold fever, skin problem, blood purification); 28. Galgota (dipmal, marigold): (diarrhoea); 29. Galo: (age control, eye sight, dhatu vardhak, memory, tridosha, jaundice, diabetes); 30: Ganthiyu: (tinea, sores); 31. Gangeti: (boils, fever, testicles problem, sperms, scorpion bite); 32. Gilodi (gholi): (eczema, jaundice, blood purifier, dama, edema); 33. Gokharu (rasayan, kidney stone, for strength, removing heat from body, urination)

34. Jasud: 35: Jenzru: (navel lump, breast milk); 36. Jipato: (dog bite, oxen care); 

37. Kakach (kanchaki) (paediatric care, tongue cuts, worms, aamvat); 37. Kakdasingi (paediatric care, diarrhoea, asthama); 39. Kandvel (hadsankal): (bone healing, heat remover, menstruation problem, night vision problem, epilepsy); 40. Kanjaru (animal feed, diuretic for cattle and buffalo); 41. Kankodi vanjani (tridosh, asthama, worms, TB, fever, epilepsy, cynas, piles); 42. Kansaki (to prevent feticide, vaginal discharge, cough, burning urination); 43. Kantasalio (early discharge, molar pain, pregnancy, teeth worms, Scorpio bite, edema, skin problems); 44. Karen: (poisonous plant, scorpion bite); 45: Kasundaro (tinea, hiccups, bronchitis, leprocy, delivery); 46. Kharshandi (navel setting, ear pain, fever, cough); 47: Khatiluni (tridosh, headache, burning, herpes); 48. Kothimba: (boil care); 49. Kunvadio (eczema, tinea, white discharge, heat control, abscess); 50. Kukadvel (jaundice, anemia, cough, bronchitis, TB, worms, piles, hiccups); 51. Kunvar (alovira) (cosmetic, breast disease, spleen, cough, jaundice, fever);

52. Lajamani (risamani): (tridosh, blood purification, vaginal care, diarrhoea); 53. Lambdi: (tridosha, calculus, dama, indigestion);

54. Malti: (mouth disease, cough, worms, ear pain); 55. Mehandi (hina): (dandruff, fever, diabetes, lump, cold); 56.  Mindhal: (vomiting, basti, edema, gas, cold, fever); 57. Mindhi Aval: (liver care, worms, laprocy, stomach problem, skin problem, aamvat, edema, cough); 58. Mayurshikha: (heat problem, lumps, calculus); 59.  Morvel: (tridosh, blood purification, mania, heart care, worms);  60. Moth (nagarmoth): (breast disease, hiccups, night vision, jaundice) 

61. Nagod (Nirgundi): (arthritis, vat dosha, worms, throat problem, eye care, memory, edema, fistula, brightness, contraction of ovary after delivery); 62. Nari (chandvel): (dhatu vardhak, tridosha, bone healing);

63.  Panbavadi (mouth sores cure, blood purification, wound heeling); 64. Pashanbhed: (calculus, urination, diabetes); 65. Patol: (cleaning of boils, fever, undri-hair loss, worms); 66. Piludi: (rasayan, premature graying of hair);

67. Ratanjot (jasundi): (pitta, pregnancy, baldness, vaginal discharge, piles); 68. Rohis (vatrog, joint pain, cough);

69. Sahdevi (perspirative, insomnia, vaginal prolapse); 70. Samo: (cough, pitta, stomach pain); 

71. Satodi (punarnava): (edema, urination, diuretic, perspiration, cough, veins disease); 72. Shankhavali: (rasayana, mania, epilepsy, worms, life expectancy, intellect); 73. Shatavari: (rasayana, dhatu pusti, balya, intellect, eyesight, heart pains); 74. Sonvel: (tridosha, headache, pediatric care); 75. Sugandhi (green tea): (fever, perspiration, cough & cold, stomach pain); 

76. Talvan: (ear disease, cold fever, edema); 77.,Tandaljo: (liver care, menia, tridosha, diarrhoea); 78. Triparni: (dama, cough, boil);

79. Tulsi: (fever, bad breath, hiccups, tinea, night vision problem, ear infection);

80. Vasanvel (vevadi): (fistula, stomach pain, pediatric care, sperm count); 81. Vishnukanta: (piles, wound, worms, jaundice, intellect). There are many more to be added in the list.

Now, when you take a morning walk of the city, halt for awhile and try to see the green nature around. The herbs and shrubs are there to take care of your health problems. Nature cures us provided we care for her. Better to fall in love with her then to pass through a dry spell!!! Lol 😂 

Punamchand

3 September 2017

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