Monday, December 10, 2012

Rudrashtakam

Today is the last Monday of Karthika maasam.
May Lord Shiva shower HIS blessing on each one of us. Experience bliss by listening and viewing Rudrashtakam.
If you have missed from last weeks':
Siva-sthothram 
Lingashtakam 
Song on Lord Shiva
రుద్రాష్టకం 
నమామీశ మీశాన నిర్వాణ రూపం, విభుం వ్యాపకం బ్రహ్మ వేద స్వరూపం
 అజం నిర్గుణం నిర్వి కల్పం నిరీగం, చిదాకార మాకాశ వాసం భజేహం||
నమామీశ మీశాన నిర్వాణ రూపం,  విభుం వ్యాపకం బ్రహ్మ వేద స్వరూపం


నిరాకార ఓంకార మూలం పురీయం, గిరాజ్ఞాన గోతీ గభీశం గిరీశం
కరాళం మహా కాల కాలం కృపాలం, గుణాకార సంసార సారం నతోహం||

ఉషారాగ్ని సంకాశ గౌరం గభీరం, మనో భూత కోటి ప్రభాశీష హీరం
స్పురన్ మౌళి కల్లోలిని చారు గంగ, రసత్ బాల బాలేందు కంఠే భుజంగ||

జలత్ కుండలం శుభ్ర నేత్రం విశాలం,  ప్రసన్ననానం నీల కంఠం దయాలం
మృగాధీశ చర్మాబరం ముండ మాలం , ప్రియం శంఖరం సర్వ నాదం భాజానం||

ప్రచండం, ప్రకృష్టం, ప్రగల్భం, పరేశం, అఖండం, భజే, భాను, కోటి ప్రకాశం
త్రయీ శూల నిర్మూలనం శూల పాణిం, భజేహం, భావానిపతిం, భావ గమ్యం||

కాలాతీత కళ్యాణ కల్పాంత కారి:, సదా సజ్జ నానంద దాతా పురారి:
చిదానంద సందోహ మొహాపహారి,  ప్రసీద ప్రసీద ప్రభో మన్మధారి:||

నయావత్ ఉమానాద పాదార విందం, భజంతి హలోకే పరే వానారాణాం
గతావత్ సుఖం వాపి సంతాప నాశం, ప్రసీద ప్రభో సర్వ భూతాది వాసా||

నజానామి యోగం జపం నైవ పూజాం, నతోహం సదా సర్వ దాదేవ తుభ్యం
జరా జన్మ దుఃఖౌ గతా తప్య మానం,  ప్రభో పార్ధి శాపాన మామీశ శంభో||

రుద్రాష్టక మిదం ప్రోక్తం విప్రేణ హర తుష్టయే, యే పఠంతి నరా భక్త్యా తేషాం శంభు: ప్రసీదతీ||

ఇతి శ్రీ గోస్వామి తులసీదాస్ విరచిత రుద్రాష్టకం సంపూర్ణం 
Please feel free to correct me for any mistakes.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Quiz of the day (47)

I enjoy answering quiz questions. If you are like me, here is a random quiz question of the day in general knowledge for you to answer or else check back tomorrow for the answer.
The circled portion in this picture is familiar to us. We usually try to explain what this portion of our body is. What would you think this is called as?
a) Loin
b) Nape
c) Shank
d) Thorax   
Quiz of the day (46) Answer: a) fish (a branch of zoology that deals with fish. Aristotle incorporated ichthyology into formal scientific study)

Monday, December 3, 2012

Song on Lord Shiva

Today is the 3rd Monday of Karthika maasam.
During karthika maasam we perform pujas and pray to Lord Shiva. We sing or chant the slokas on the Lord.
I have been listening this tatvam (essence) of Lord Shiva written and sung by Tanikella Bharani. This song is written in telangana slang with simple words. Enjoy the essense!
Lingashtakam
Siva-sthothram

Saturday, December 1, 2012

December flower

courtesy: www.pacificbulbsociety.org
December flower - Narcissus 
Meaning - Respect, modesty, faithfullness
Hidden message - You're the only one
Symbolizes - sweetness, self-esteem, vanity 
Common name - daffodil
National flower - new year or Newroz in Kurdish culture  

"Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature."
-Gerard De Nerval

Monday, November 26, 2012

Lingashtakam

On the occasion of second Monday of Kartika maasam, here is Lingashtakam. May Lord Shiva Bless everyone with health and prosperity. Feel free to correct me if there are any typos.

In case you missed Siva-sthothram of first Monday of Karthika maasam.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thanksgiving Day!

Every day is a Thanksgiving day for everything we have.
"Pride slays thanksgiving, but an humble mind is the soil out of which thanks naturally grow. A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves."
-Henry Ward Beecher

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Quiz of the day (46)

I enjoy answering quiz questions. If you are like me, here is a random quiz question of the day in general knowledge for you to answer or else check back tomorrow for the answer.
We know the meaning of suffix "ology" as study of. I was curious to find out what would someone study if they are interested in ichythyology? Can you figure out?
a) fish
b) mollusks
c) ice
d) marine mammals
Quiz of the day (45) Answer: b) Bandi Chorr Divas (celebrates the release of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind, from imprisonment; by lighting hundreds of lamps at the Golden Temple)

Monday, November 19, 2012

Siva sthothram


Today is the first Monday of Kartika maasam. I am posting Siva sthothram, try to chant for HIS blessings. Feel free to correct me if there are any mistakes in  my entry.
 
 శివ స్తోత్రమ్   
నమో దేవాదిదేవాయ త్రినేత్రాయ మహాత్మనే /
రక్త పింగళ నేత్రాయ జటామకుట ధారిణే //
భూత భేతాళ జుష్టాయ మహా భోగోపవీతినే /
భీమాట్టహాస వక్త్రాయ కపర్ది స్థాణవే నమ: //
పూష దంత వినాశాయ భగనేత్ర హణే నమః /
భవిష్య ద్వృషచిహ్నాయ మహా భూత పతే నమ: //
భవిష్య త్త్రిపురాంతాయ తథాంధక వినాశినే /
కైలాస వరవాసాయ కరికృత్తినివాసినే //
వికరాళోర్ధ్వ కేశాయ భైరవాయ నమోనమః /
అగ్నిజ్వాలా కరాళాయ శశి మౌళిభృతే నమ: //
భవిష్య త్కృత కాపాలి వ్రతాయ పరమేష్ఠినే /
తథా దారువనధ్వంసకారిణే తిగ్మశూలినే //
కృతకంకణ భోగీంద్ర నీలకంఠ త్రిశూలినే /
ప్రచండ దండ హస్తాయ బడబాగ్ని ముఖాయ చ //
వేదాంత వేద్యాయ నమో యజ్ఞమూర్తే నమో నమ: /
దక్షయజ్ఞ వినాశాయ జగద్భయకరాయ చ //
విశ్వేశ్వరాయ దేవాయ శివ శ్శంభో భవాయ చ /
కపర్దినే కరాళాయ మహాదేవాయ తే నమ: //
ఏవం దేవై స్స్తుతశ్శంభు: రుగ్రధన్వా సనాతనః /
ఉవాచ దేవదేవో యం యత్కరోమి తదుచ్యతే //

ఇతి శ్రీవరాహపురాణాంతర్గత దేవకృతశివస్తోత్రమ్.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Quiz of the day (45)

I enjoy answering quiz questions. If you are like me, here is a random quiz question of the day in general knowledge for you to answer or else check back tomorrow for the answer.
The most significant festival of lights, Diwali, marks the victory of good over evil. Regional names vary for Diwali, what would Sikh community commonly call?
a) Choti Diwali
b) Bandi Chorr Divas
c) Dev Diwali
d) Deepavali
Quiz of the day (44) Answer: a) ants (an anthill)

Monday, November 12, 2012

Happy Deepavali!

May this DEEPAVALI fulfill all your dreams and bring happiness to your life for ever!

"Fill the Heart with the oil of love.
Place in it the wick of single-pointed mind.
Light it with the Knowledge of Truth and remove
the darkness of ignorance around you."
-Swami Swaroopananda

Thursday, November 1, 2012

November flower

November flower - Chrysanthemum
Meaning - Love and Cheerfulness
Hidden meaning - "You're a wonderful friend"
Symbolizes - cheerfulness and friendship
Other name - mum
Derived - greek "chrysos" meaning gold and "anthemon" meaning flower
"chrysanthemum city" - Chinese city Chu-Hsien
Imperial seal - Japan
Official city flower - Salinas, California; Chicago, Illinois
Wedding gift - 13th anniversary
"The plants which stand next to dwarf trees in importance with the Chinese are certainly chrysanthemums, which they manage extremely well, perhaps better than they do any other plant".
- Robert Fortune


 

Friday, October 26, 2012

Quiz of the day (44)

I enjoy answering quiz questions. If you are like me, here is a random quiz question of the day in general knowledge for you to answer or else check back tomorrow for the answer.
I am positive you have seen around your house, lawn or yard. Which insect do you think calls "formicary" as its home?
a) ants
b) bees
c) termites
d) wasps
Quiz of the day (43) Answer: b) Jackfruit (Enormous and prickly on the outside; an immense edible fruit; with nutritious seeds commonly roasted)

Monday, October 1, 2012

October flower

courtesy: soni2006.hubpages.com
October flower-Marigold
Meaning-hopefulness, winning grace
Scientific name-calendula officinalis; 
scientific meaning-throughout the months 
Hidden meaning-"You are my Divinity"
Other names-Mary's Gold; summer's bride; husbandman's dial

"When with a serious musing I behold
The graceful and obsequious marigold,
How duly every morning she displays
Her open breast, when Titan spreads his rays."
- George Wither, The Marigold

Friday, September 7, 2012

Quiz of the day (43)

I enjoy answering quiz questions. If you are like me, here is a random quiz question of the day in general knowledge for you to answer or else check back tomorrow for the answer.
We love to eat fruits irrespective of the health benefits we get from them. I am sure you have eaten all these fruits. Would you be able to figure out which one is the largest tree-borne fruit, native to India?
a) pineapple
b) jackfruit
c) coconut
d) pumpkin
Quiz of the day (42) Answer: d) white skin ( Tar-means white, zan-means skin in ape language, Mangani. Tarzan is the fictional character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs in his 1912 novel, Tarzan of the Apes and followed with 25 sequels. 41 films and many TV episodes have been produced with this character)

Saturday, September 1, 2012

September flower


September flower - Aster; Morning glory
Meaning - Love, patience and daintiness
Symbolizes – Faith, Wisdom, Valor
Qualities - strength, immunity and integration
Derived – Greek word for ‘star’
Hidden message – Take care of yourself for me
Other name – starwort

“The aster greets us as we pass
With her faint smile.”
      - A Day of the Indian Summer (l. 35)

Friday, August 31, 2012

Quiz of the day (42)

I enjoy answering quiz questions. If you are like me, here is a random quiz question of the day in general knowledge for you to answer or else check back tomorrow for the answer.
I am sure since our childhood we have seen bunch of Tarzan movies, read related books etc. What does exactly Tarzan mean in ape-language?
a) fictional character
b) powerful physique
c) ape man
d) white skin
Quiz of the day (41)  Answer: b) Mercury (In 1950s, Minamata disease was caused by mercury-contaminated waste-water that was dumped into Minamata Bay by a petrochemical plant)

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Quiz of the day (41)

I enjoy answering quiz questions. If you are like me, here is a random quiz question of the day in general knowledge for you to answer or else check back tomorrow for the answer.
Your geography knowledge may help you point out Minamata, on the map, in south Japan. But can you figure-out which element is responsible for someone who is suffering from 'Minamata' disease?
a) Copper
b) Mercury
c) Calcium
d) Manganese
Quiz of the day (40) Answer: c) Vasudeva (greater than the Greatest)

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Adhika maasam

Did you know there are 13 months in some years of the calendar?
The thirteenth month in a lunar calendar is called Adhika (extra) maasam. This additional month is not calculated by the followers of solar calendar. Lunar calendar has 354 days in a calendar year. Solar calendar has 365 days. The difference of these days is added on average once in two and half years. In states like Karnataka, Andhrapradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, etc, the adhika maasa begins on the day after amavasya day (no moon day) and ends on Amavasya day. In North India, Adhika Masa begins on the first day after pournami (Full moon day). Whereas in states like Assam, Bengal, Kerala, Tamilnadu, there is no adhika maasa for them, as they are following solar calendar. The lunar calendar completely synchronizes with the solar calendar in a period of 60 years.
Other names are Purushottama maasa (month of the Lord Vishnu), mala maasa (intercalary or month). Scriptures say that Lord Vishnu will remove all our sins during this maasa for notable noble acts.  Charity or donation given in this month have more weight-age. Religious rites performed to obtain certain material benefits or personal gains are not advised to perform. Hence auspicious functions like marriage, housewarming ceremony are not performed. This year Bhadrapada maasam i.e., from August 18 to September 16 is the Adhika Bhadrapada maasam. An important festival Vinayaka chavithi performed during this month on the fourth day after amavasya is performed in the nija or actual Bhadrapada maasam which happens on September 19th.
The next adhika maasam will be the Ashada maasam, fourth month of the Lunar year 2015-2016.
There is a story related to Adhikamaasa, it goes like this: (from http://www.sumadhwaseva.com/ )
Once Lakshmidevi asked Srihari as to how to perform the Adhika Maasa pooja and what daanaas (donations) are to be performed during Adhikamasa.
Then Srihari told her that he himself is the God for the Adhika maasa with the name Purushottama. What ever punya kaarya lika snaana, japa, homaa will bring akshaya phala. He also told that those who does not do any punya karya during Adhika Maasa will be getting daaridrya, putrashoka, etc
Those who could not do for the whole month can do it atleast on Krishna paksha Astami, navami, chaturdashi, Dwadashi, pournami, chaturdashi, etc.
Earlier there lived a brahmana by name Kaushika who was a jitendriya(one who is free from lusts). He had a son by name Maitreya who was addicted to drinking and was a kamaandha. One day Maitreya went to forest. He killed a brahmana in Sourashtra and snatched all the money with the Brahmin. Because he killed that brahmana, the whole City itself was burnt. As he got brahma hatya dosha, Maitreya was taken by Yamadoothalu and was thrown in Krimeekunda (pit full of worms). He was in the Hell for more than 10000 years. After a long period, Kaushika, the father of Maitreya came to know about the same. Kaushika searched all the shruthi – shaastraas and found a remedy for brahmahatya parihara.
He did the Vratha named Adhikamasa Vratha and donated 33 apoopas (sweet cake made of rice flour and jiggery) and his son was saved from the Hell.
As such, Adhikamasa vratha, if done with proper anusandhana(recitation of sacred texts) can remove brahma hatya dosha (negative effects of killing a Brahmin)also.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Polala Amavasya

Polala amavasya- is an important vratham dedicated to Goddess Poleramma, observed on Sravana amavasya (no moon day). Poleramma is the local deity. This vratham is mainly observed in Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Karnataka. North Indians celebrate as Pithori amavasya and Maharashtrians as Pola.
Goddess Poleramma is known as the protector of children. Every year, offering prayers to Poleramma coincides on the amavasya day and hence the vratham is called Polala amavasya. Symbolically Goddess is worshiped in the form of  “kanda mokka” (suran or yam shrub) or “kanda dumpa”(suran or yam bulb). Women perform puja and raksha thoranam (sacred thread) is also worshipped during the puja. According to vrata texts, by performing this vrata, one can safe guard their children from the clutches of death. Women tie the sacred thread to her children after reading the story about a mother who prayed Poleramma to help bring back her dead young children. For the welfare of the male children fried sweet balls of chana dal and jaggery are made, for the welfare of female children urad dal vadas are made and offered to Goddess Poleramma.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Krishnashtami!

 
Happy Krishnashtami!
May Lord Krishna give you reasons to be healthy and happy!
 
"No one should abandon duties because he sees defects in them. Every action, every activity, is surrounded by defects as a fire is surrounded by smoke."
-Krishna Quotes from The Bhagavad Gita