Siddhi Times - Vaikasi Digital Edition

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PEACE LOVE

JOY

My respect to all Divine religions of this world which spread God’s message, unconditional love, peace and make this world a place of Joy(Paradise).

OM NAMASHIVAYA! OM NAMO NARAYANAYA!!

WHO AM I to write something on Peace, Love and Joy which all miraculous creatures of the UNIVERSAL MIND or This is dedicated to His Holiness Sri GOD or NATURE or whichever name Selvam Siddhar and Hindu Temple of you like to call. Georgia & Family. We Salute to all Saints, Gurujis, Teachers, Maharshis, Sages and God/Self realised persons of this world without whom’s Teachings and Guidance our life seems to have no meaning.

This is not to find fault with GOD’s Divine Creatures. We wonder seeing,feeling, perceiving and imagining this MIRACULOUS UNIVERSE and surrender fully to HIM. As I am transformed from non-believer to a man of fully devoted to God service for the rest

world you better stop here and BE AS YOU ARE. Everybody or every creature of this miraculous God’s creation is Unique and Divine. This Universe, nOt even single atom, exists withot HIM.

of life and having some understanding of life because of the so many Guru’s divine spiritual words(read/heared) and by the Grace of GOD experiencing some real peace, having unconditional love to all creatures without judgement and Joy(bliss or happiness) going in on meditation for sometime and after getting an opportunity to write by the grace of God through Sri Selvam siddhar I started writing. If you feel that you have already achieved peace, love and joy like the many realised persons of this Siddhi Times USA 4

This is only the message of those saints and sages of the past and present as understood by me. This is not with the desire to change the world but to give sometime to change ourselves. If you have some time to GOD also you will have peace, love and joy. Read divine scriptures like The Holy Geeta,The Upanishads, the teachings of SelfRealised souls(Paramahansa Yogananda, Swami Sivananda, Sri Aurobindo and so on), The Holy Bible, The Quran and Buddha’s teaching or whichever you like to understand God and Life and where we are in this Universe or who Am I. So the credit of this writing is not mine. The Body, Mind and Intelligence of VishnuShivapriyan is fully surrendered to That Super Power which has created this Universe.

God is Love. So it is with love this VishnuShivapriyan writes . Sharing whatever you have will multiply this UNIVERSAL law.The UNIVERSAL CONSCIOSNESS has created everything with a purpose. VishnuShivapriyan purpose now in life, by the grace god, is to spread peace, unconditional love and divine Joy. Because of our ignorance we make paradise mother earth a hell to live. Ethanai Kodi Inbam thanthai Iraiva only comes to my mind.

you have in all possible ways. For every action there is equal and opposite reaction. Keeping this law in mind you decide your action in this world.

For a ignorant mind God is No where. For anintelligent mind God is Nowhere. God is everywhere and in everything, all powerfull, without beginning and end, changeless in everchanging Universe, spread in all directions endlessly, within and without and HE As you sow so you reap. If you want is smaller than an atom and bigger than peace, love and joy in this world, sow your imagined world and Universe. and show whatever peace love and joy Though VishnuShivapriyan read a

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lot of spiritual books for more than 15years, VishnuShivapriyan started meditating practically with the Mantra “OM MAMASHIVAYA “ as advised by Siddhar Sri Dharmalingam Swamigal present avtar of Siddhar Sri Kagapujandar for some days and later included Divine Mantra “ OM NAMO NARAYANAYA” with that. Everything happens according to God’s plan. He is Director of this Cosmic worldly drama and we are only actors and spectators. Within some days VishnuShivapriyan left 25 years of cigarete smoking habit withot Siddhi Times USA 6

any urge to smoke again. Now VishnuShivapriyan feels accepting life as given by God and this life itself a great wealth to relish not to mourn. VishnuShivapriyan now feel more peaceful. VishnuShivapriyan now able to have unconditional love with everybody without jealousy and judgement. My life changed from the usual materialistic life of this world to joyful spritual dedicated to God’s service life. VishnuShivapriyan got the opportunity to write as wished. VishnuShivapriyan gives below one poem written some time back in a different mode of life. ONLY GOD KNOWS I wonder why we forget the Father of the Universe; I wonder why we forget the Owner of the Universe; I wonder why we compete with one another for material things; I wonder why we forget the real Owner,the LORD; I wonder why we are

searching happiness everywhere And in everything except God who is inside us too; I wonder why we are ignorant of miraculous Creation of GOD; I wonder why our desire is endless except God’s desire; I wonder why we are not happy with what we have; I wonder when unconditional Love to the world going to spread; I wonder now Who is going to spread God’s message to the world; I wonder who knows the Answer; ONLY GOD KNOWS!!!. If you find something intersting in this will continue... MAY LOVE PEACE AND JOY PREVAIL EVERYWHERE. GOD BLESS US. VishnuShivapriyan

of heart and mind. The lotus flower represents long life, health, honor and good luck. The roots are planted in the soil of the pond or river bottom, while the leaves float on top of the water surface. The flowers are usually found on thick stems rising several centimeters above the water. The thickness of stem is about quarter of an inch and its hollow inside where air can pass through. Lotuses, prized for their serene beauty, are delightful to behold as their blossoms open on the surface of a pond. These naturally treated flowers are of different kinds and colors from white, blue, pink, red and green. Since it is produced in pure and soft water of lakes, The Lotus Flower is one of the most the qualities and the tendencies are so beautiful, ancient and deepest symbols smooth and most useful to the human body. of our planet. The lotus flower grows in muddy water and rises above the surface to bloom with remarkable beauty. At night the flower closes and sinks underwater, at dawn it rises and opens again. Untouched by the impurity, lotus symbolizes the purity

Specifically, our eyes are in need of this flower. In olden days, the Rishis and Saints used the lotus essence for their well being of eyes. In today’s world, anyone who is involved in eye strenuous jobs or activities needs to maintain their Siddhi Times USA 7

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eye health. And the best natural remedy Let it cool down for an approximate is from the most beautiful flower, lotus. hour and with a thin cloth filter, the essence of lotus can be filtered and How to prepare Lotus Essence? We have preserved in a glass container. No to collect stems of lotus and clean them colors or preservatives are needed. Use in pure water. Just 500 grams will do. one to two drops per eye on daily basis. Then collect the flower, which usually The mixture should be kept in cool, dry has more than one hundred petals per place and maximum days permitted for flower. These petals and stem of the usage will be 3 months. Using the lotus

flower portion should be dried in a essence will improve your vision health shadow region of home for a minimum and help you achieve healthy eye sight 10 days. After ascertaining the dryness, until your later years of life. cut the entire quantity in to pieces. A clean stainless steel vessel with pure water of 750 ml should be heated in a stove. The cut pieces of stem and flower dust, shall be immersed in boiling water until it is soft and condensed. Then turn of the heat. Siddhi Times USA 10

Sri Krishna led the team of cows to forest near by the river side. He played music with his flute, to control the cows and that they might not go beyond and far away. Again in the evening Sri Krishna used to play the flute music to call back cows to their sheds. Sri Krishna’s flute music touched the divinely beings like, Ramba, Urvasi, Menaka and Krishna Leela (The divinely play with Thilloththama, who gopikas) came near by t h e In Brindhaban, the time of spring season came. The peacocks presented their dance. All the trees which had lost their

leaves due to the heavy winter started to grow up. All the leaves of the trees began to spring. By this season Sri Krishna used to guide and look after the cows. He used to take food at the mid noon. All the water ponds were with water for full level. The Brindhaban appeared with green trees. The flowers began to blossom up. All the trees began to yield fruits of varieties for riping.

Brindhaban to hear the divinely music of Sri Krishna. When they listened the heavenly music of Sri Krishna they plunged themselves with unlimited pleasure. Along with them joined, Sri Naradha the great saint and Siddha Vidhyathar also enjoyed the music. The heavenly beings named ‘Gandharvas’ also immersed in the divinly music of Sri Krishna. Even the good saints whom after their fasting, had their ritual diet food and went to ‘Brindhaban’ and heared the unique music of Sri Krishna. They were pleased with pleasure. Even all kinds of birds with out closing their eye lids heared the Siddhi Times USA 11

heavenly flute music. The animals like tigers, lions and cheetas became calm and soft natured while they heared the flute music of Krishna. All the ladies of women hood in Brindaban liked SriKrishna and they were called as ‘Gopikas’.They fell in love and had the affection with Sri Krishna. The rainy season came. In that time the people, who looked after the cattles used to do a ceremony.

Sri Krishna with their lips, they made a wet sand image of ‘SriGowri’ and they followed the prayers with flowers and camphor to the Goddess ‘Sri Gowri’. When the final day for completion of the ceremony at the Banks of “River Yamuna”,

All the Gopikas went to bathe in the river Yamuna. Before that, they placed their dresses and sarees safely at the bank of Yamuna. All of them were bathing in The purpose for the ceremony was to the river, dipping their body up to the get the blessings of the Almighty for neck. the welfare of their cattle and their lively hood. The principle Goddess for By that time, Sri Krishna entered to that ceremony was named “Gowri”. the riverbank, to play with Gopikas, Sri Krishna ordered to commence that took their sarees, and climbed upon a ceremony “Kathyayani viratha. By tall tree. All the Gopikas watched this doing this ceremony, it was believed that mischievous action of Sri Krishna. It was those who had not got married would be really a clumsy scene with shy. Gopikas married soon. asked Sri Krishna, “You have taken our cloths and climbed upon that tree. We At the riverbank of ‘kalinthi’ the Gopikas are not immoral woman but Gopikas. (Female devotees) while worshipping Do you know the manners? “You your Siddhi Times USA 12

self know that you are thief of butter” we will inform about this to your parents. If you can return back the clothes we will forgive and worship you”. However, Sri Krishna denied all the request from Gopikas, who pleaded for their clothes, one Gopika came nakedly before Sri Krishna and worshipped him by raising her both hands. Lord Krishna gave her the clothes. The other Gopikas also one by one-worshipped Sri.Krishna with both hands got back thir clothes.

Sri Krishna with the Gopikas could confuse every one. But there is a sound reason behind it. Long ago there was a big forest in which the Rishis (saints) were worshipping Lord Narayana. They did severe penance. They had the presence of the Lord. Rishis enjoyed the incomparable beauty of Lord. Their inner hearts had the desires to embrace the Lord. Even in this present day the friends, family members when they come or go for out stations we use to embrace each other in respect of love.

By this playful act of Sri Krishna, it was denoting directly that one should avoid body consciousness to attain enlightment. To a common out look the conduct of

Lord blessed born them their wishes and told them that in their future births, they would born as Gopikas in Brindaban and the lord in his incornation as Sri.Krishna Siddhi Times USA 13

would grant them the opportunities. As such, Sri Krishna when played the flute the Gopikas enjoyed the tunes and submerged with the sweetness. There were so many Krishnas in formation. Each of the Gopikas was able to be with Sri Krishna individually. They were pleased to dance around sri Krishna and their boon asper their previous birth came for existence. It was purely the achievement of devotion only and nothing beyond that to be considered. One day Sri Krishna with other cowherds went deep into a forest. Sri Krishna’s colleagues told him, that they are hungry.

of the scholars. This time, wives of the scholars treated the collegeus of Sri Krishna nicely and gave the food they asked.

But one scholar came to know about this activity of his wife and her offering food to the cow herds with whom Sri Krishra accompanied. That scholar began to punish his wife through the deer’s skin by tieing her both hands and dragged her on the way to home. However, that woman did not think about any thing and worshipped Sri Krishna. By that time, a palanquin decorated with flowers came from heaven and took her to “vaigundha”, Sri Narayana’s Sri Krishna palace of heaven. told them Sri Naryana, in this forest some Brahmin scholars Sri Krishna and all explain about the are performing “Homa” (a kind of holy Almighty “Sri Maha Vishnu” only. fire). Go and ask for food. As per the words of Sri Krishna, the cowherds Then Sri Krishna told the wives of the went and asked food from the scholars. other scholars and all other scholars that, But the scholars refused to give food to “Those who surrender and worship me them because they thought Sri Krishna would not enter into the hell”. Then the should have been an ordinary person. scholars regretted about their ignorance. Hearing this, Sri Krishna again told his The Sri Krishna with his cowherds took cowherds to get food from the wives the food and ate. Siddhi Times USA 14

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Introduction Adi Shankara was born thousand years before this century. He was born in a Brahmin family, but he lost his father at the very young stage of life. His birth place is called “KALADY”, a small village situated in KERALA of SOUTH INDIA. Up to six years he was brought up by his mother. He was willing to take renunciation by that age of six itself. However, his mother refused him for Ashram life of renunciation and penance. One day, when the boy Shankara was taking bath in the river, a crocodile caught one of his legs. That information went into the ears of his mother. His mother ran to the riverbank and saw her son struggling for life. At that stage also, Sri Shankara told his mother, that if she could permit him for a life of renunciation Lord Vishnu would save my life from this crocodile. His mother had no other go. She gave permission for the boy to take slogas of philosophy. Bhaja Govindam is a renunciation. collection of poems written by Adi Shankara By surprise an elephant came into that place and his desiples, Sri Padma pathar and Sri and fought with the crocodile. The crocodile Todakachariyar. Baja Govindham plainly slipped into the river leaving the boy unhurt. explains the sorrowful and changeable nature From that time he became Sanyasi (sage/saint/ of the worldly life of people. monk). It was meant, that a person who left the earthly pleasures. But Sri Shankara promised his mother that he would come to her at the time of her last days . He traveled through out India and visited all holy places. Adi Shankara had composed and written many Sanskrit Siddhi Times USA 16

Bhaja Govindham follows with 31Slogas, worshipping Sri Vishnu in other name Sri Govindha. Sloga No.1 Oh fool, the time of death is harmful, what

Sloga No.3 Oh fool!! A young woman’s breasts and hip are made by flesh and excessive protein. Do not get infatuation or lust by looking at them! Think with patience how these forms come into vision. Control the mind by minute to minute and second to second. Think about the basic elements of those physical anatomy, then the lust and sexual feeling will not arise. Sloga No.4 In the lotus leaf, the dew drops of water in the early morning, which exists for a few seconds. Human life is impermanent. This world has strange nature. Every where Ego and Selfishness and disease appear and exist. For this destructive worldly pleasure don’t wander with hunger. Sloga No.5 When a person has ability to earn and make income, his relatives and others will love him much. When that person becomes unable is the use of learning Sanskrit grammar like to make money, wealth due to old age, his “Duklinkarane”.The Grammatical verses will relatives and others start to neglect him, and not save any one when the death occurs. they would not ask his well fare. In old age that person would fall bed-ridden due to disease. So, through the mind, through the words No one would come near to that person. and through physique worship the “Lord Govindha”. Always worship by chanting the Sloga No.6 words “Lord Govindha”. While that bird named ‘soul’ fly away from one’s physique, no body would care about Sloga No.2 that person. With whom that person shared Oh fool!! A person gets wealth through his the pleasure would get afraid to go near to that past births and contributions. Avoid strong dead body. These are temporary contacts with desire for money, wealth and property. Be close relatives and not permanent. The flower satisfied with what that comes ultimately. Do like words from them would cease. Nothing not get confused and get strong desire and in this world is eternal. become insane. The deeds of past birth have much attachment to present life. Sloga No.7 When a person born and reach to boy hood, he spends his time through playful activities. Siddhi Times USA 17

When a person attains young, he goes behind woman for pleasure. When a person attains old age, he spends his time through thinking about past with tears. These are the three stages of one’s worldly life. Even then no one spends his time about thinking of the God. No one leads his life towards the Almighty. Sloga No.8 Who is one’s son? Who is one’s wife? This world is nothing but strange trap. Where from a person comes into this world? Who are the relatives when a person has not entered into this world? Engage into that “Deep thought”! Come to realize this physique is not one’s nature! Then how this birth came? Search through philosophy. How and where this

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deep-mist that disclose the “Truth” of one’s “Self”. Sloga No.9 Have and join with the true devotees of God! Join with justful people. Then the truth and revealation will come through this attachment! Then the imaginary relations and attraction would destroy. By that time a person will achieve eternal pleasure and will be a known one to all. Even while living in this world a person will become a saint or devotee of God and attains wisdom. Then those people know and understand about the eternal pleasure.

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Meditation is a process that leads to a state of consciousness that brings serenity, clarity and bliss. Without much effort, just be as an audience and witness the mind how it acts. What are the desires that the mind is longing? What are the dreams that the mind enjoys? From the reminiscences, what is the expectation? Without giving a judgment or argument, the watching is noticed. Without coming to any conclusion about good or bad, just continue watching. In a state of watcher, the meditation in a form of witnessing is also one kind of meditation, which can be called as ‘watcher’. Siddhi Times USA 20

Just by sitting and thinking a subject or witnessing in a state of witness, the moment when the mind observes the silence is like a sky. That experience will connect the self to the sense and nerves of one’s lift, which

is exposed as a picture.

You can find the thoughts but you cannot become as thoughts. You can find your In your heart of heart i.e. in deep mind, feelings but you cannot become as a deep silence will occur. It is like a sky, feelings. You can see the dreams but you where clouds will come and go, planets like will not become as dream. Likewise, you moon will appear and disappear, stars will appear and disappear, but the sky, is stable as it is. No one can touch it or destroy it or even separate it. That is the phrase “such of inner sky”. This is the object of meditation. You have to go in and find the large sky and enjoy the expanded happiness. What ever you happen to look; you cannot be as that of what you have seen. Siddhi Times USA 21

Brahma is the creation of Hiranyakarpana. He has established a religion called ‘Yoga Smiruthi’. Saint Pathanjali has done it as theories with the experimental processes like Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Prathyakara, Tharanai, Thiana and Samathi. Likewise, the eight steps are defined as yoga. Many people think that the third step of the art of yoga (Asana) when read the yoga comes to an end. This is totally wrong.

can desire, but you cannot be as desired. You can imagine but cannot be converged as imagined. Leaving all sorts of such experiences, you have to step in, and one day all of a sudden the wonderful event will occur and what all you have seen will disappear. The future and the induction will be in your vision. That is called prophet of seer. That is the vacuum sky. Through that broad sky, the fear of us will disappear. We can find and observe the love. We can see the God and get the deathlessness. Such kind of meditation comes actually and not a givable object. Meditation cannot be added to you. This can only come to you through a basic transformation.

Controlling the actions and controlling the mind are not at all possible for anyone all of a sudden. The human body is practiced to involve in ambitions, desires and passions. This state derives to enjoy the earthly pleasure and settle with worries. So, the human body is the main one to be trained. That is why the “Asana” (physical exercise) becomes important. The Saint Pathanjali, in his writings gives the theory “Stability (Sthira), Happiness (Sugan) and exercise (Asana)”, gives the meaning that the happiness and the stability lie in Asana. The neck, the head, and back, these three to be steady in a straight line and projected perfectly. This posture is most important in Yogasana.

What is called “Yoga”? The scattered mind to be controlled and focused to a perfection that is “Yoga”. It is said in 4 stages, which Almost 5000 years back, even in Bhagavat are: Gita, the meditation is considered as a part of yoga. The vibration in life is set aside by 1. Scattered stage. meditation. In Vedas we find the originator 2. Brisklessness stage. of yoga is ‘Hiranyakarpana’. The divine 3. Confused stage. Siddhi Times USA 22

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be a male or female, which prevails makes no difference. Whether young or old, no such restrictions apply. Every one can do the ‘Thiyana’. Involving yourself you can become Gnani (A person with wisdom). The physique should have the best health and purity. The “Asana” is the first step where one should keep the body parts clean from his stomach to mouth, also, from the lower portions of stomach and abdomen. By following this habit, the diseases like piles, appendices, hernia, hydrosol, and stomachache will be cured. As we are active, through out the day, the cheeks, stomach, hands, legs, and their flushes are drawn towards earth. To balance this out, at least for a few minutes 4. Bringing to perfection-stage. of the day, let us try to focus our body to In all of the above, the essential one is be upwards. It will give lot of comfort to the important stage of, united aims to be body. To do this the practice in “asana” is in perfection. Saint Pathanjali confers most important. “Siddha Viruthi Nirothi Yoga”. This means the knowledge of developed thoughts and The mind based on thoughts where the sickness commences and that are why the its unification. feelings got the elaborative and results pressure. To avoid all ‘Vidya’ is Sanskrit language and it’s in blood these, one meaning is ‘Art’. s h o u l d practice From that art, to do 1. To frame the body (Asana-Art) ‘asana’. 2. To frame the mind (Prathyakara) 3. To frame the thoughts (Thiyuna-art) 4. The physique, mind, knowledge and all together to be brought to a stage and find the soul is called “Samathi”. Let it be any religion or any caste, let it Siddhi Times USA 24

Padmasana, Sarnanga Asana, Bujan Asana, Yogamudra and Mayura are few of many kinds. Yama explains 1.Ahimsa (No harm to living being) 2. Truth (Not telling lies-speaking the facts only) 3.Thief tendency (Stealing others property) 4. Deathlessness (Immortality) 5.Controling the senses (Control of sex desire and its ejaculations) After practicing all these things the next formalities are to be followed. 1. Purity (Clean, sacred, and faultless) 2. Penance (Constant worship forgetting the atmosphere and surroundings) 3. Theoretical study. 4. Happiness in equalized state. 5. Worship to lord. The above formulas should be stabilized and the asana (posture) should be commenced and the yoga will be regulated. Without the regularity, the art of yoga cannot be materialized in this birth. So many of the have been exploited. When you happen to do this, you are also recognized as persons with wisdom like Sri Shankara, Sir Ramanuja, Sri Viswamithra and Sri Vasista. If the yoga is followed, so many benefits and aims can be achieved.

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Pandit L.V. Sharma

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During the past issues, I was blessed well by the Almighty and Sri Swamiji Siddhar to share my ideas on Spirituality. In this issue, also I am blessed well by the Almighty and Swamiji Sri Siddhar to share my ideas on Spirituality. During the past issues, I tried to quote some examples from

ancient Siddhars and monks like Sri Adhi Sankaracharya, Acharya Ramanuja and Sri Madhvacharya. In this issue, I wish to describe the spirituality of Sikhism. The word “Sikh” itself has a very wonderful meaning. S – Sincerity I – Integrity K – Kindness H _ Humanity. The Sikhs are very famous for their sincerity. In the Army forces of India, at least 40% of the battalion will be Sikh only. They are so fond of the Nation. A progressive religion well ahead of its time when it was founded over 500 years ago, The Sikh religion today has a following of over 20 million people worldwide and is ranked as the worlds 5th largest religion. Sikhism preaches a message of devotion and remembrance of God at all times, truthful living, equality of humankind and denounces superstitions and blind rituals. Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its 10 Gurus enshrined in the Sikh Holy Book and Living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji founded Sikhism, (1469-1538). At Sultanpur, he received a vision to preach the way to enlightenment and God. He taught a strict monotheism, society of humanity. He rejected idol worship, and the oppressive Hindu concept of caste. Only according to

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the Guruji’s directions In 1801, Maharaja Ranjit Singh founded the Sikh state of Punjab in Northern India. According to a historian Vincent Smith, “The Punjab State was neither a traditional Indian territorial State and monarchy, nor merely a dictatorship of one community over another. The name of the religion means learner. It is often mispronounced ‘seek’ It should be pronounced ‘se-ikh’, with the final ‘kh’ sound like the ‘kh’ in Mikhail Gorbachev. He is responsible for the saying “There is only humanity and Spirituality. There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim or any other religion” which has since become one of the pillars of Sikhism. He taught a strict monotheism, society of humanity. He rejected idol worship, and the Hindu concept of caste. Guru Nanak and Panth (his followers) later built the first Sikh temple at Katarpur. There are nine Gurus followed by Guru Nanak. They are Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji ,Sri Guru Ramdas Ji ,Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji ,Sri Guru Har Gobind Ji , Sri Guru Har Rai Ji ,Sri Guru HarKrishan Ji ,Sri Guru Teg Bhadur Ji and Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji . A succession of nine Gurus (regarded as reincarnations of Guru Nanak) led the movement during the period from Guru Nanak’s death until 1708. At that time, the functions of the Guru passed to the Panth and to the holy text, considered the 11th Guru. Mogul emperors ruled a large area of South Asia from the 16th century until the end of the 18th century. They attempted to convert the Sikhs to Islam, but were unsuccessful. It has been said of one of the Sikh Gurus (considered by many Sikhs to have been the last guru) that “Had there been no Guru Gobind Singh, the entire country would have gotten circumcised” Siddhi Times USA 28

i.e. been converted to Islam. He fixed some rules for the Sikhs. Every female should cover the head with a cloth called “Duppatta”. Every Sikh male should have 5Ks with him. They are

and the love of God. He introduced the singing in praise of God, along with music, as a means of linking the soul of man with God. Guru Nanak had great reverence for women. He allowed them to join all religious gatherings and conferences and to sing the praises of God. He gave them their full share in religious functions.

Kesh (long hair and beard), Komb (to keep the hair clean), Katag (a ring made of gold copper or steel worn in the wrist).Kripan (a knife to be used as a life saving weapon), Katcha (dhothy worn to cover from hip to thigh and tied in a tight position). Above all these 5 Ks, they should have the 6th K, which is kindness. There are only three things to be followed compulsorily by every Sikh. They are Service (Seva), Sincerity and kindness. The teachings of Guru Nanak are very high in Spirituality.

To him, there are no barriers of race, class, caste, creed or color, which check the progress of any in reaching the goal. He realized the great truth of fellowship of religions. He preached the universal brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God to all people.

Guru Nanak was a reformer. He attacked the vicious tentacles of corruptions in society. He strongly protested against formalism and ritualism. He carried the message of peace and of love to everybody. He was very liberal in his views. He did not observe the rules of caste. He tried his level best to remove the superstitions of the people. He preached purity, justice, goodness Siddhi Times USA 29

undergo the same discipline. All human beings must live according to the will of the Lord without grumbling or murmuring. The best way to find God is to make His will your own. Be in tune with the Infinite. The first stage in making the divine will one’s own is attained through prayer for divine grace or favor. Guru Nanak attaches very great importance to prayer. He says that man without divine favor can achieve nothing. He says: “Approach God with perfect humility. Throw yourself on His mercy. Give up pride, show and egoism. Beg for His kindness and favor. Do not think of your own merits, abilities, faculties and capacities. Be prepared to die in the pursuit of His love and union with Him”. The beautiful composition of mystic poems uttered by Nanak is contained in Japji. Every Sikh sings it at daybreak. In Japji, Guru Nanak has given a vivid description of the stages through which man must pass in order to reach the final resting place or abode of eternal bliss. There are five stages or Khandas. The first is called Dharm Khand or “The Realm of Duty”. Everyone must tread the path of righteousness. Everyone will be judged according to his actions. The next stage is Gyan Khand or “The Realm of Knowledge” where the spirit of divine knowledge reigns. The aspirant does his duty with intense faith and sincerity. He has the knowledge now, that only by doing his duty in a perfect manner, he can reach the abode of bliss or the goal of life. The third stage is Sharam Khand. This is Guru Nanak points out that the road to the “The Realm of Ecstasy”. There is the spiritual abode of God is long and arduous. There are rapture here. There is beauty. The Dharma no short cuts for rich people. Everyone must has become a part of one’s own nature. It has Siddhi Times USA 30

become an ingrained habit. It is no more a pride. Remember the essence of religion. mere matter of duty or knowledge. Do not do and encourage the fauge things of selfish people. It will not lead you in the The fourth stage is Karam Khand or “The path of spirituality and godliness. However, a Realm of Power”. The God of power rules life of goodness and pure spirituality you can over this realm. The aspirant acquires power. attain all the things you need. You will have He becomes a mighty hero. He becomes a permanent place in this earth and very good invincible. The fear of death vanishes. place in the heaven after your demise. I thank the Almighty God and Swamiji Sri The fifth or the final stage is Sach Khand or Siddhar for giving me a chance to share my “The Realm of Truth”. The formless One ideas on spirituality. In the next issue, we will reigns here. Here the aspirant becomes one meet with some more thoughts on Spirituality. with God. He has attained Godhead. He has I pray the Almighty to shower its blessings on transmuted himself into Divinity. He has all of us to have a very good spiritual life. By l attained the goal of his life. He has found out these blessings, as according to our Swamiji’s his permanent resting place. Now ends the words we can lead a comfortable living. arduous journey of the soul. OM Shanthi Om Shanthi Om Shanthi. The teachings of GuruNanak are summarized as follows. Love every faith: Put away thy Siddhi Times USA 31

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During the past issues, I discussed about the various points of Vedic Astrology and planets. In this issue, I wish to discuss about some yogams, which brings a bright fortunes, and some yogams, which brings the worst future, and spoil the entire character of a human being. . I usually say,” One should be blessed before he blesses others”. The Lord Shiva has blessed me a lot. That why I am able to lead a happy comfortable life and solve the problems. Atharva Vedic Astrology is entirely different from the regular astrology practiced by the Jyothish around the world. Some of them are not even able to pay their monthly bills properly and some of them are having many health related problems. But the so called jyothish say,” come to me. I will change your life within one particular time and solve all your problems for a very nominal charge of $11 to $51. I have only one question for them. If they are able to change the living style of others for a very nominal amount of $11 to $51, why they don’t use that same power and make their own life a comfortable one? Nobody has the correct answer for this question. It is understood that their ultimate motto is only

to take away the hardearned money of the public.Thatswhy they are not able to establish themselves properly. Now let me explain about the “Yogams”. Nipuna Yogam As previously mentioned Lord Sun is the king or group leader of the planets. If he sits along with Lord Mercury, it is called as Nipuna Yogam. This is one of the best yogams to get. If anybody has this yogam in the horoscope, it is definite that the person will be a graduate. If the previously mentioned two planets combine with Lord Saturn, there are two chances of this yogam. One, the person will be holding multiple degrees and the other; the person will not even complete his high school. Why these kind of change in the combination of the same planets? Saturn is enemy to Sun. If the Sun sits in his own house or sits in exalted position, his power will be more. If Sun sits in the enemies’ house or in a debilitated position, he is powerless. However, the planets combined with him will be more powerful. than him. Therefore, the

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in mental instability also. If the Chandra is in enemy’s house this will cause mental instability. If the Mars is in enemy’s house or in debilitated position, there is a fair chance of getting blood related diseases. Athi Yogam

result will be opposite. Many parents will be much worried to see their kids in a poor condition of studies. In this situation, they have to consult a Vedic Astrologer to analyze the problems. The Vedic Astrologer uses the horoscope as a tool and finds out the reasons for the problems. He uses the “Thantras” to alter the evil benefits to good benefits. The prayer to the Atharva Yaksha and Yakshini devathas are called as rituals. By performing the rituals in a proper way, we can have the best results

If Guru (Jupiter), Budhan (Mercury) and Sukran (Venus) are positioned in the sixth, seventh & eighth houses from Chandra, either separately or together, it is called Athi Yogam. Persons with this Yogam will hold high positions in Government, Police or Armed Forces. This will also give a lot of wealth, fame and recognition in the society. {The same principles will apply to Lagna and to the Rasi (the position of Moon)} Ashta Lakshmi Yogam If Raahu is positioned in the 6th place from Lagna while Guru is positioned in 1st, 4th, 7th or 10th house; it is called Ashta Lakshmi Yogam. Life will be filled with all kind of wealth, pleasures and happiness.

Gaja Kesari Yogam

Vipareetha Raja Yogam

If Guru (Jupiter) is positioned in the 4th, 7th or 10th place from Chandra (Moon) or associated in the 1st house, it is called Gajakesari Yogam. This Yogam will award fame, long life and riches in life.

If the Lords of the 6th, 8th and 12th houses are positioned either together or independently in the 6th, 8th or 12th houses, it is called Vipareetha Rajayogam. Even if the incumbent is poor, he / she shall become rich in an unexpected moment.

Chandra Mangala Yogam Association of Chandra (Moon) and Sevvai (Angarakan - Mars) in one house, is called Chandra Mangala Yogam. This will render accumulation of land and building, fame and riches. In some instances, this may result Siddhi Times USA 34

Neecha Banga Rajayogam If a Graha is debilitated in a house and if the Lord Graha of the house where it debilitated is in his own ruling house or in its exalted house, it is called Neecha Banga Rajayogam.

In such a condition, the Neecha Graha will Sagada Yogam render all the benefits and comforts by virtue of its Raajayogam If Guru is positioned in the 8th or 12th place from Chandran, it is called Sagada Yogam. Dharma Karmathipathy Yogam This yogam will render instability, sufferings and uncertainty in the livelihood. Sufferings If the Lord Grahas of 9th and 10th houses will almost be a part of life to the incumbent. are in parivarthana, or associated in the same house or aspects each other; it is called Khemathuruma Yogam Dharma Karmathipathy Yogam. This will render fame and riches. if there is no Graha in the 12th and 2nd houses to Chandran, it is called Khemathuruma Yogam. Rusaka Yogam This will render all sufferings and strains in life and make life a miserable experience. If Sevvai (Angarakan - Mars) is positioned in “Akkanda saamraajya yogam”. first, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th or 10th house and if the house he is positioned is his ruling house or It means if the grahas related to second, 9Th. exalted house, it is called Alternatively, 11 Th. House gets supreme Rusaka Yogam. This will render might, power in the Horoscope and the Guru (Jupiter) victory against enemies, wealth, fame etc. stands in the “kendrams” or 5th. Alternatively, 10 Th. House, the concerned person gets long Bathra Yogam living, good wealth, health, excellent name, and fame. If Budhan (Mercury) is in his ruling or exalted houses and if that house is the Kendra Sthanam Vasumathi Yogam . to Lagna or Chandran, it is called Bathra If the “SUBA- GRAHAS” sits in the UBA Yogam. This will render eloquence, wealth –SAYA HOUSES, THAT IS @ 3, 6, 10, and riches, dignified appearance etc. 11 Th. HOUSES, THE CONCERNED PERSON WOULD GET VEY BIG JOB Vesi Yogam SETTLEMENT, TREMENDOUS wealth and health conditions. if there is any Graha in the second house to Sooriyan, except Chandran, Raahu and KAALA- SARPPA YOGAM. Kethu, it is called Vesi Yogam. This will If the Lagna and all the Grahas comes inside render riches and victories. If the same is in between Raaghu and Kethu, the above Yogam the horoscope of a female it is sure that, the applies. The concerned person has to undergo woman will have sexual relationship more the toughest life and he/ she has to develop than one male. Therefore, it is not good for a only by very hard work. female to have this yogam in the horoscope. The next part is CHANDRA YOGAMS (MOON YOGAMS/ BENEFITS). Let me explain a few of those yogams. Siddhi Times USA 35

DHRU-DOORAA YOGAM’. It means, If you have other Grahas immediately prior and after to the Moon / Chandra in the Raasi except surya (sun) Raaghu and Kethu. It means the concerned person would get excellent wealth, automotive, good character Etc., ANABAA YOGAM It means if any Grahas in the 12 Th. House from the Raasi that is from the Moon (Chandra), except Raaghu and Kethu. This Yogam gives excellent and great Name and Fame, very good health conditions.

good money and wealth by hard work, would be having excellent brainpower, and excellent knowledge and wisdom.

I wish each one who come to me, should be settled with all their issues, and imbalances in their life with the blessings of “Sri.Vanadurga Maathaa”. It is always my “YOGAM”(GOOD LUK) that, who ever comes to me for consulting, they approach me at the end of their problems, So it is rest assured that, by meeting me your problems comes to an end. I once again pray the almighty to bless all of us with good Yogams. I will meet you in the next SUNABAA YOGAM. . If any body has any issues with more ideas on Vedic Astrology. Grahas in the second house from the Moon except surya, raaghu, and kethu. This implies Om Shanthi Om Shanthi Om Shanthi. that, the concerned person would make very

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Saint Buddha tells that the sufferings of the man kind lies only with the desires. If he actually wins his desire and understands him self, the great fullness of wisdom he could reach. His teachings were accepted by three fourth of the people of the world. But, in his mother country, India there are no much masks of books to his importance, this message notes are prospered to fulfill that need to know about him. This message should reach all over and the people should get the usefullenus of this message.

action. Swami Vivekananda 2) Saint Buddha is not only the light for Asia but also the light for the world crores of people have obtained the usefulness through him .Ramakrishna mutt Chennai. 3) Buddhism dove to the consciousness of world and his silent approach for justice with the base of non-divulgence, there could be no comparison at all. That has touched my heart very much – Rabindra nath tagoore.

The opinions of many scholars on“Buddha”. 4) The path showed by “Buddha” will ham to be followed fight genus the destruction of 1) As a man born with very brilliant and human society – Jawaherlal Nehru pure heart. Till to this day I have found no bray upon this world. His services to the humanity 5) Saint Buddha born as a man and are very great and that there is no comparison established a religion where there is no to him. He lined as a saint with wisdom of egoism built with a complex of superiority Siddhi Times USA 37

and individualism.Humanity and love was the principles. He did it with his own accord and raised himself the questions about life and observed the result to of himself and served to the humanity –Osho – 6) No cast and community were his realigion. He stressed the need of untouchahlity and followed the way of nonviolent process and established as doctrines to be followed by the mankind – Mahatma Gandhi and Dr.Ambethkar.

achiever of the thought he wished. When a saint saw the child told that the child would be the saviour of the world. He stated that if the children happen to see the aged or the sick person or the dead body, the moment at which he would reject the earthly life. After hearing the opinion of the saint, the king arranged a garden in which all kinds of happiness could be prevailed. He brought up the child and prevented his moments with external world. In early youth hood, the marriage was also conducted.

Buddha showed the path for prosperity of the But Siddhartha’s eyes were eager to know the world world and the society. He went out side the garden and palace. He was actually wondering About 2500 years back. Buddha born as a son in to look at the beauty of the city. But, he had a Royal family of king Suddhothana. The queen to see the three events of old age, sickness and Maya Devi was his mother. His real name was death. “Siddhartha”. The meaning explains to be the Siddhi Times USA 40

He came to know that no one could escape from beings’ sixth sense should play the role of old age, sickness and death because they were acceptance. Sri Vivekananda has also pointed facts. His thoughts stimulated with the feelings out his vien about Buddha as below that way. of curiocity. “He was the first who dared to say as believe At his age of twenty nine, he departed from not because old manuscripts are produced, not the palace and arrived the city called ‘Gaya’. because it is your national belief, because you He made severe penance for six years. The have been made to beliefs from your childhood, enlightens of facts were his possession. At his but reason it, all out and after you have analysed age of thirty-five, he had the fullness of wisdom, it, then if you find that, it will do good to one siddharth then became “Buddha”. For forty- and all,believe it, live up to it and keep others five years, he walked allover and visited several to live up to it. places and explained his views and principles. His doctrines were for good people and the bad, for the rich and poor, for the educated and uneducated. He showed no partiality as men and women. He served for the uplift of humanity. With the view to spread the principles through out the world, he established an. association of saints. At his age of eighty, on one full moon day of vaishaka, at the place called ‘Kusinara’ he attained the immortality. This is called “Mahabari Nirvana”. His birth and the day of wisdom also took place in the full moon day of vaishaka (MAY-JUN) This vaisaka full moon day, granted the purity thrice to saint Buddha. His personality was just like that of the and his physique was also compact, his walking was just that of the male elephant, dark and dense hair, black with bluisheyes,beautiful mouth with pearl like teeth, charming face and with sweet voice. He ruled the hearts of people, kings and saints. He had the power in physique and the confidence in his heart and the purity and strait for wardens in action. Based either on epics or morels of the ancestors, he followed nothing; he did it with the references of what the matters observed and noticed by eyes. His teachings were based on sensitiveness of reality. Human Siddhi Times USA 41

Al-Kabir “the Great” is also one of the 99 names of God in Islam. Born in 1398 according to some accounts, Al-Kabir was one of the most interesting personalities in the history of Indian mysticism. Born in or near Benares, there is a mystery about his family background. Siddhi Times USA 42

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However, in early life he became a disciple of the celebrated Hindu ascetic, Ramananda, who brought to Northern India the religious revival which Ramanuja, the great twelfth-century reformer of Hinduism had initiated in the South. A Bhakti saint, a contemporary of Guru Nanak Dev, who sang the ideals of seeing all of humanity as one, and also the path of natural oneness with God; some even believe him to be the preceptor of Guru Nanak. His Baani is registered in the holy book of Sikhs Guru Granth Sahib. He was known to be a weaver and later became famed for scorning religious affiliation. His philosophies and ideas of loving devotion to God are expressed in metaphor and language from both the Hindu Vedanta and Bhakti streams using vernacular Hindi. Kabir is also considered one of the early northern India Sants. He was initiated by Ramananda. Siddhi Times USA 44

Kabir is associated with the Sant Mat, a loosely related group of teachers (Sanskrit: Guru) that assumed prominence in the northern part of the Indian sub-continent from about the 13th century. Their teachings are distinguished theologically by inward loving devotion to a divine principle, and socially by egalitarianism opposed to the qualitative distinctions of the Hindu caste hierarchy and to the religious differences between Hindu and Muslim. The Sants were not homogeneous, consisting mostly of these Sants’ presentation of socio-religious attitudes based on bhakti (devotion) as described a thousand years earlier in the Bhagavad Gita. Sharing as few conventions with each other as with the followers of the traditions they challenged, the Sants appear more as a diverse collection of spiritual personalities than a specific religious tradition, although they acknowledged a common spiritual root. The first generation of north Indian Sants, (which included Kabir), appeared in the region of Benares in the mid 15th century. Preceding them were two notable 13th and 14th century figures, Namdev and Ramananda. The latter, a Vaishnava ascetic, initiated Kabir, Raidas, and other Sants, according to tradition. Ramanand’s story is told differently by his lineage of “Ramanandi” monks, by other Sants preceding him, and later

by the Sikhs. What is known is that Ramananda accepted students of all castes, a fact that was contested by the orthodox Hindus of that time, and that his students formed the first generation of Sants. Philosophies of Kabirdas The basic religious principles he espouses are simple. According to Kabir, all life is interplay of two spiritual principles. One is the personal soul (Jivatma) and the other is God (Paramatma). It is Kabir’s view that salvation is the process of bringing into union these two divine principles. The social and practical manifestation of Kabir’s philosophy has rung through the ages. It represented a synthesis of Hindu and Muslim concepts. karma and reincarnation. His Hindi was From Hinduism he accepts the concept a very vernacular, straightforward kind, of reincarnation and the law of Karma. much like his philosophies. He often advocated leaving aside the Qur’an and From Islam he takes the affirmation of Vedas and to simply follow Shahaj path, the single god and the rejection of caste or the Simple/Natural Way to oneness system and idolatry. Not only has Kabir in God. He believed in the Vedantic influenced Muslims and Hindus but he concepts of atman and therefore spurned is one of the major inspirations behind the orthodox Hindu societal caste system Sikhism as well. and worship of statues, thus showing clear belief in both bhakti and sufi His greatest work is the Bijak (that is, the ideas. The major part of Kabir’s work Seedling), an idea of the fundamental one. as a Bhagat was collected by the fifth This collection of poems demonstrates Sikh guru, Guru Arjun Dev, and forms a Kabir’s own universal view of spirituality. section of the holy Sikh scripture “Guru His vocabulary is replete with ideas Granth Sahib”. According to legendary regarding Brahman and Hindu ideas of accounts Kabir and Guru Nanak had met Siddhi Times USA 45

once. While many ideas reign as to who his living influences were, the only Guru of whom he ever spoke was Ramananda, a Vaishnav saint whom Kabir claimed to have taken initiation from in the form of the “Rama” mantra. Kabir’s Poetry “The poetry of mysticism might be defined on the one hand as a temperamental reaction to the vision of Reality: on the other, as a form of prophecy. As it is the special vocation of the mystical consciousness to mediate between two orders, going out in loving adoration towards God and coming home to tell the secrets of Eternity to other men; so the artistic self-expression of this consciousness has also a double character. It is love-poetry, but lovepoetry which is often written with a missionary intention. Kabîr’s songs are of this kind: out-births at once of rapture and of charity. Written in the popular Hindi, not in the literary tongue, they were deliberately addressed—like Siddhi Times USA 46

the vernacular poetry of Jacopone da Todì and Richard Rolle—to the people rather than to the professionally religious class; and all must be struck by the constant employment in them of imagery drawn from the common life, the universal experience. It is by the simplest metaphors, by constant appeals to needs, passions, relations which all men understand--the bridegroom and bride, the guru and disciple, the pilgrim, the farmer, the migrant bird--that he drives home his intense conviction of the reality of the soul’s intercourse with the Transcendent. There are in his universe no fences between the “natural” and “supernatural” worlds; everything is a part of the creative Play of God, and therefore--even in its humblest details—capable of revealing the Player’s mind.” His poems resonate with praise for the true guru who reveals the divine through direct experience, and denounced more usual ways of attempting god-union such as chanting, austerities etc. His verses, which being illiterate he never expressed in writing, often began with some strongly worded insult to get the attention of passers-by. Kabir has enjoyed a revival of popularity over the past half century as arguably the most acceptable and understandable of the Indian Saints, with an especial influence over spiritual traditions such as that of Sant Mat and

Radha Soami. Prem Rawat (‘Maharaji’) also refers frequently to Kabir’s songs and poems as the embodiment of deep wisdom.

as Hindu or Muslim, Sufi or Bhakta. The legends surrounding his lifetime attest to his strong aversion to established religions.

O SERVANT, where dost thou seek From his poems, expressed in homely Me? metaphors and religious symbols drawn indifferently from Hindu and Lo! I am beside thee. I am neither in Mohammedan belief, it is impossible to temple nor in mosque: I am neither in say of their author that he was Brâhman Kaaba nor in Kailash: Neither am I in or Sûfî, Vedântist or Vaishnavite. He is, rites and ceremonies, nor in Yoga and as he says himself, “at once the child of renunciation. Allah and of Râm. In fact, Kabir always insisted on the concept of Koi bole Ram If thou art a true seeker, thou shalt at Ram Koi Khudai..., which means that once see Me: thou shalt meet Me in a someone may chant the Hindu name of moment of time. Kabîr says, “O Sadhu! God and someone may chant the Muslim God is the breath of all breath” name of God, but God is the one who Are you looking for me? I am in the next seat. My shoulder is against yours. You will not find me in the stupas, not in Indian shrine rooms, nor in synagogues, nor in cathedrals: not in masses, nor kirtans, not in legs winding around your own neck, nor in eating nothing but vegetables. When you really look for me, you will see me instantly You will find me in the tiniest house of time. Kabir says: Student, tell me, what is God? He is the breath inside the breath. Religious Affinity It is a fruitless endeavor, indeed one that Kabir himself disliked, to classify him Siddhi Times USA 47

made the whole world. In Kabir’s wide and rapturous vision of the universe he never loses touch with the common life. His feet are firmly planted upon earth; his lofty and passionate apprehensions are perpetually controlled by the activity of a sane and vigorous intellect, by the alert commonsense so often found in persons of real mystical genius. The constant insistence on simplicity and directness, the hatred of all abstractions and philosophizing, the Siddhi Times USA 48

ruthless criticism of external religion: these are amongst his most marked characteristics. God is the Root whence all manifestations, “material” and “spiritual,” alike proceed; and God is the only need of man--”happiness shall be yours when you come to the Root.” Hence to those who keep their eye on the “one thing needful,” denominations, creeds, ceremonies, the conclusions of philosophy, the disciplines of asceticism, are matters of comparative indifference. They represent merely the different angles from which the soul may approach that simple union with Brahma which is its goal; and are useful only insofar as they contribute to this consummation. So thorough-going is Kabîr’s eclecticism that he seems by turns Vedântist and Vaishnavite, Pantheist and Transcendentalist, Brahmin and Sûfî. In the effort to tell the truth about that ineffable apprehension, so vast and yet so near, which controls his life, he seizes and twines together--as he might have woven together contrasting threads upon his loom—symbols and ideas drawn from the most violent and conflicting philosophies and faiths. His birth and death are surrounded by legends. He grew up in a Muslim weaver family, but some say he was really son of a Brahmin widow who was adopted by a childless couple. When he died, his Hindu and Muslim followers started

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fighting about the last rites. In Maghar, his tomb or Dargah and Samadhi Mandir still stand side by side. Another legend surrounding Kabir is that shortly before death he bathed in both the river Ganges and Karmnasha to wash away both his good deeds and his sins.

coffin, they find the body is missing, in lieu of which is placed a small book in which the Hindus and Muslims wrote all his sayings that they could remember some even say a bunch of his favorite flowers were placed. The legend goes on to state that the fighting was resolved, and both groups looked upon the miracle One popular legend of his death, which is as an act of divine intervention. Kabir is even taught in schools in India (although revered as Satguru by the Kabirpanthi in more of a moral context than a historical spiritual group, based in Maghar. one), says that after his death his Muslim and Hindu devotees were fighting over his proper burial rites. The problem arose, as Muslim customs called for the burial of their dead, whereas Hindus cremated their dead. The scene is depicted as two groups fighting around his coffin one claiming that Kabir was a Hindu, and the other claiming that Kabir was a Muslim. However when they finally open Kabir’s

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shining pearls increasing the beauty. Sri Krishna accompanied other children in their play. They all went eagerly to grab some butter from the churned pots. With the maids eager to share the butter with Sri Krishna, all the children enjoyed the butter. After having the butter, Sri Krishna and the other children joined the men as they led the cows to the nearby farms for their grazing. Upanyasak, a preacher and staunch devotee of God, Sri Mahavishnu, was sharing this story with a gathering at the temple. The gathering included a thief as well. While, the rest of the gathering was listening to the story with deep interest, the thief was engrossed in his thoughts about the jewels and ornaments worn by Sri Krishna. He was keen to know the whereabouts of Sri Krishna, so he could steal the ornaments and amaze wealth. As Upanyasak ended the story, the gathering began to disperse. The thief wanting to know the whereabouts of Sri Krishna, followed Upanyasak to his home. As Upanyasak turned into a dark narrow curve, the thief shouted “Hault, you Upanyasak! I have a knife. I just want to ask you a question”. Seeing the thief with the knife, the Upanyasak got terrified and replied “Dear village man, I am just a clergy man doing my service to Lord Mahavishnu. I will be glad to answer you. What do you seek?” The thief said “I want to know where the child, Sri Krishna resides.” To this, the Upanyasak replied “He is omnipresent, and is present everywhere, even here. He exists in our breath, in air, in tree, and in everything”.

In the palace garden of King Nanda Gopal, the children were playing with the young calves and maids were milking the cows and churning the pots filled with curd, when Queen Yashoda came with her child, ‘Sri Krishna’. The child was adorned with lot of jewels and ornaments, head to toe. A beautiful long necklace studded with diamonds hung on his chest, while his waist was circled with ‘oddiyan’, a pure gold ornament. Golden bangles with Gomethaka and ruby gems adorned his wrists, with a haram with

Not willing to believe, the thief pressed “No, I want to know where the child with all those jewels and ornaments resides.” The Upanyasak continued “But, it is just a story about God. I was just sharing what I read and learnt from the scriptures.” Seeing the thief was not believing and not willing to let go, the Upanyasak thought of a way to escape, and finally said “see, it is long way, and you should be strong enough to pass through this dense jungle.”

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thief and vanished. Shrugging the danger ahead, the thief pressed for clearer directions. The Upanyasak, was determined to misguide the thief. He continued “after you head 60 miles towards east, you will see a big forest. In the middle of the forest, there is a big banyan tree, and Sri Krishna will be sitting near that tree”. Believing the Upanyasak, the thief released the Upanyasak, and began his journey towards the forest. He was determined to end his poverty by stealing the costly jewels and ornaments from Sri Krishna. The way to the forest was rough and tough, filled with thorns and sharp stones. The pain caused by the thorns and sharp stones did not stop the thief from his journey to the forest. Finally, when he came to the middle of the forest, he saw more than one banyan tree. Not knowing which banyan tree Sri Krishna sat under, the thief began walking from one tree to another, calling for Sri Krishna by shouting his name “Krishna, Krishna”. After a while, he got tired and fainted. As he opened his eyes after few minutes, he saw Sri Krishna holding him in his arms, with his head resting on Sri Krishna’s thighs. Sri Krishna was wearing all the jewels and ornaments that the thief heard in the story. Realizing Sri Krishna saved him, the thief felt guilty, and rejected the thought of stealing the ornaments. When Sri Krishna asked the thief about his intentions of wanting to meet him, the thief with a face of guilt said “Oh my great Lord, I am a thief and a sinner, who wanted to steal your ornaments. Please pardon me.” The Lord smilingly said “you came for the ornaments, and you will have them.” Saying this, the Lord handed the jewels to the

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The thief filled with guilt hit himself with his arms, and began walking towards the Upanyasak’s residence. Seeing the thief, the Upanyasak feared danger and trembled. But, the thief fell at the Upanyasak’s feet, sought forgiveness and shared the story of Lord’s grace. With the greed for wealth no longer there, the thief’s mind was filled with devotion for Sri Krishna. Repenting his sin, the thief begged the Upanyasak to take him as his attendant. Hearing the thief’s story and the grace of God to him, Upanyasak felt unfortunate that he couldn’t see the Lord with his eyes. Seeing no value in living any more, he started to tie a rope to the roof, and began to hang himself. At this critical moment, a divine voice said “Upanyasak! I recognize your service to me for so many years. Continue your service to me with this young man.” The divine voice continued “You told him you didn’t know me and emphasized it was just a story. But, he believed what you said, and risked his life to see me. You continue your duties. The time will come, and I will receive you.” The Upanyasak got overwhelmed hearing the divine voice. Recognizing that he was blessed with this because of the thief, the Upanyasak knelt before the thief with tears in his eyes. Both Upanyasak and the changed thief continued to spread the grace and kindness of the Lord all over the world.

The Boy and the Nettles

man, and entreated Venus to change her into the form of a woman. Venus consented to her request and transformed her into a beautiful damsel, so that the youth saw her and loved her, and took her home as his bride.

A BOY was stung by a Nettle. He ran home and told his Mother, saying, “Although it hurts me very much, I only touched it gently.” “That was just why it stung you,” said his Mother. “The next time you touch a Nettle, grasp it boldly, and it will be soft as silk to your hand, While the two were reclining in their chamber, and not in the least hurt you.” Whatever you Venus wishing to discover if the Cat in her change of shape had also altered her habits of do, do with all your might. life, let down a mouse in the middle of the room. The Cat, quite forgetting her present condition, started up from the couch and SOME BOYS, playing near a pond, saw a pursued the mouse, wishing to eat it. Venus number of Frogs in the water and began to was much disappointed and again caused her pelt them with stones. They killed several of to return to her former shape. them, when one of the Frogs, lifting his head Nature exceeds nurture. out of the water, cried out: “Pray stop, my boys: what is sport to you, is death to us.” One man’s pleasure A BOY put his hand into a pitcher full of may be another’s pain. filberts. He grasped as many as he could possibly hold, but when he tried to pull out his hand, he was prevented from doing so by A CAT fell in love with a handsome young the neck of the pitcher. Unwilling to lose his

The Boys and the Frogs

The Boy and the Filberts

The Cat and Venus

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filberts, and yet unable to withdraw his hand, he burst into tears and bitterly lamented his disappointment. A bystander said to him, “Be satisfied with half the quantity, and you will readily draw out your hand.” Do not attempt too much at once.

The Blind Man and the Whelp

A BLIND MAN was accustomed to distinguishing different animals by touching them with his hands. The whelp of a Wolf was brought him, with a request that he would feel it, and say what it was. He felt it, and being in doubt, said: “I do not quite know whether it is the cub of a Fox, or the whelp of a Wolf, but this I know full well. It would not be safe to admit him to the sheepfold.” Evil tendencies are shown in early life.

The Crow and the Pitcher

A CROW perishing with thirst saw a pitcher, and hoping to find water, flew to it with delight. When he reached it, he discovered to his grief that it contained so little water that he could not possibly get at it. He tried everything he could think of to reach the water, but all his efforts were in vain. At last he collected as many stones as he could carry and dropped them one by one with his beak into the pitcher, until he brought the water within his reach and thus saved his life. Necessity is the mother of invention.

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Tips to Stay Safe For Parents , and Children

your parents know and have said it’s OK.

Always wear reflective clothing at Always know where your children night. are. Never approach any house that is Put your children’s emergency not well lit. identification (name, address, phone number) on their clothes. Remember anything weird that an adult says or does to you and tell Teach your children your home your parents immediately. phone number and to how call 911 if there is an emergency. Run away from people who offer you candy or other treats or want Agree on a specific time when you to help look for their puppy or children must return home. kitten. Contact law enforcement authorities Scream, run and fight if anyone tries immediately if there is any suspicious to grab you or make you to go with or unlawful activity. them. Children

Don’t play in areas that you are unfamiliar with.

Always tell your parents where you Stay on well-lit streets and always are going. use the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, always walk facing Never enter any home without traffic. getting your parent’s permission first. Never get into any vehicle, unless Siddhi Times USA 56

had an aim to hunt the pigeons for his noon – food of the day. Hunters were of the habit to sit near a river or cascade and cook their food in fire. They could collect the dried leaves and dried sticks in the forest for the purpose to make the fire. The hunted animal or birds, they would roast it in fire and eat.

Two Pigeons and Hunter After the sun break, it was few hours passed to reach the mid day. A deep forest was there close by a mountain. Two pigeons were perched upon a branch of a tree. Leaves of the tree were thick and dense. The pigeons enjoyed the atmosphere and were sitting beside the shadow of language. Even though the pigeons, they had the lavguas. They spoke about the beauty of the forest and its surroundings. A hunter was entering into the area of the tree. He was with bow and arrow. He sat a while to enjoy the shadow of the tree. Then he happened to see the two pigeons on the branch of the tree. He

The hunter then stood up and looked the spot where the pigeons were perched. The female pigeon noticed the hunter and told to her companion about the actions of hunter. The male pigeon in reply told his companion to simply perch and proceed ahead with her conversation. The female pigeon was with fear and stated to her companion to fly up and change the position. Still the male bird was not accepting the request of the female. When the hunter took his bow, the female bird warned the male about the dangerous situation. The pigeon began to console the other bird to keep the footing firmly upon the branch of the tree. But the female bird repeatedly spoke to her companion for the immediate evacuation of the place. Now, the male bird explained about the another danger. It was a state of critical position and an Siddhi Times USA 57

eagle was making a circle in the sky and sudden divertions of mind create such watching these birds to attack at any trouble. We have to be steady, even if time. we are little bit slow, it will not matter much but will end in safety arrival. The humble birds could do no attempt to escape. The male bird told the other If one’s fate is destruction, it is to keep silence and engage with the unavoidable, but the intelligence will be prevailing position. The hunter viewed the weapon to fight out the circumstance. upon the birds and thought to attack the So, every body should be smart, active both birds in one hit. He was with the and vigilant. view to set his aim as per his thought. The eagle circling upon the tree and finding the birds were not coming out made its mind to fly down and attack. Simultaneously the hunter in a view to find the correct aim to hit the two birds at a time changed his footing position. There was a big hole on the soil near by the hunter’s foot. In his aiming attempt he fell on the pith. The aimed arrow had a false start and rushed violently to the sky where the eagle was fastly by reaching. The arrow of the hunter killed the eagle. At the same time the hunter had the big injuries and could not able to move from the pit. The pigeons breathed the freedom of air and went away with out fear. When the danger surrounds us, we have to find the way of relief by deep thought analyzing the situation involved. No kind of hasty attempt will serve the purpose. Several accidents, we see in every day’s life. All because of unplanned and Siddhi Times USA 58

Hindu Ideas For many years Dr. Graham Howe has been a student of Hindu philosophy, and it may well be true, to quote from the foreword, that “ he knows more about this field than anyone in this country.” His special interest has been in chakra (in Sanskrit “ a circle “) psychology, a form of teaching which reaches back into the dim past of Hindu thought. There are six chakras-4hat is, symbols or centres of physical and psychological energy -located at different levels of the body, such as the diaphragm, the heart, the head. A transition from a lower to a higher centreindicates the gradation from gross matter to psychical reality.

trying to comprehend Eastern ideas from the standpoint of the West. To judge from their publications, Indian psychiatrists value Western knowledge and attach little or no importance to chakra psychology. Perhaps Graham Howe’s thoughtful books may direct their attention to a neglected source of wisdom, from which, indeed, all psychiatrists can learn.

Gokuldas Nair

Howe, wisely, does not attempt the almost impossible task of condensing Eastern wisdom. His more modest intention is to show how some of the principles on which it is founded may be used in psychotherapy, with special reference to psychosomatic medicine. Unfortunately the refinement of Hindu concepts cannot always be expressed in words and so CAPITALS and small letters are introduced to distinguish shades of meaning which the’same words, making the same sound, cannot differentiate. Thus SELFLOVE and self-love are not identical. In addition certain ideas are represented by graphic signs or ideograms and by diagrams. This supplement to plain words does not make matters easier for those who find that diagrams complicate rather than simplify thought. However, any aids are welcome in Siddhi Times USA 59

Harvesting 24-hour s o l a r power

Nanoantennas, a new, more efficient method for solar power Researchers in the US at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) along with partners at Microcontinuum Inc, and Patrick Pinhero of the University of Missouri have imprinted micro antennas on flexible materials to create a solar cell that will harness energy even after the sun has set. INL researcher Steven Novack holds a plastic sheet of nanoantenna arrays, created by embossing the antenna structure and depositing a conductive metal in the pattern. Each square contains roughly 260 million Siddhi Times USA 60

antennas. Nanotechnology R&D usually occurs on the centimeter scale, but this INL-patented manufacturing process demonstrates nano-scale features can be produced on a larger scale.

eye. The sun radiates a lot of infrared energy, some of which is soaked up by the earth and later released as radiation for hours after sunset. Nanoantennas can take in energy from both sunlight and the earth’s heat, with higher Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory, efficiency than conventional solar cells. along with partners at Microcontinuum Inc. (Cambridge, MA) and Patrick Pinhero of the “I think these antennas really have the potential University of Missouri, are developing a novel to replace traditional solar panels,” says way to collect energy from the sun with a physicist Steven Novack, who spoke about the technology that could potentially cost pennies a technology in November at the National Nano yard, be imprinted on flexible materials and still Engineering Conference in Boston. draw energy after the sun has set. Taking antennas to the atomic level The new approach, which garnered two 2007 Nano50 awards, uses a special manufacturing The miniscule circuits absorb energy just like process to stamp tiny square spirals of the antenna on your television or in your cell conducting metal onto a sheet of plastic. Each phone. All antennas work by resonance, the interlocking spiral “nanoantenna” is as wide as same self-reinforcing physical phenomenon 1/25 the diameter of a human hair. that allows a high note to shatter glass. Radio and television antennas must be large because Because of their size, the nanoantennas absorb of the wavelength of energy they need to pick energy in the infrared part of the spectrum, up. In theory, making antennas that can absorb just outside the range of what is visible to the electromagnetic radiation closer to what we can

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see is simple: just engineer a smaller antenna.

with conventional solar cells to make them more efficient. “Then we thought to start An array of nanoantennas, printed in gold and from scratch,” Novack says. “We realized we imaged with a scanning electron microscope. could make the antennas into their own energy The deposited wire is roughly a thousand harvesters.” atoms thick. A flexible panel of interconnected nanoantennas may one day replace heavy, An economical alternative expensive solar panels. Commercial solar panels usually transform less that 20 percent of the usable energy that strikes But finding an efficient way to stamp out arrays them into electricity. Each cell is made of of atom-scale spirals took a number of years. “It’s silicon and doped with exotic elements to boost not that this concept is new,” Novack says, “but its efficiency. “The supply of processed silicon the boom in nanotechnology is what has really is lagging, and they only get more expensive,” made this possible.” The INL team envisions Novack says. He hopes solar nanoantennas will the antennas might one day be produced like be a more efficient and sustainable alternative. foil or plastic wrap on roll-to-roll machinery. So far, they have demonstrated the imprinting The team estimates individual nanoantennas process with six-inch circular stamps, each can absorb close to 80 percent of the available holding more than 10 million antennas. energy. The circuits themselves can be made of a number of different conducting metals, It wasn’t immediately obvious the structures and the nanoantennas can be printed on thin, might be used for solar power. At first, the flexible materials like polyethylene, a plastic researchers considered pairing the antennas that’s commonly used in bags and plastic wrap. Siddhi Times USA 62

In fact, the team first printed antennas on plastic integrated into polyester fabric. Double-sided bags used to deliver the Wall Street Journal, panels could absorb a broad spectrum of energy because they had just the right thickness. from the sun during the day, while the other side might be designed to take in the narrow By focusing on readily available materials and frequency of energy produced from the earth’s rapid manufacturing from inception, Novack radiated heat. says, the aim is to make nanoantenna arrays as cheap as inexpensive carpet. While the nanoantennas are easily manufactured, a crucial part of the process has yet to be fully Fine-tuning fine structures developed: creating a way to store or transmit the electricity. Although infrared rays create The real trick to making the solar nanoantenna an alternating current in the nanoantenna, the panels is to be able to predict their properties and frequency of the current switches back and perfect their design before printing them in the forth ten thousand billion times a second. That’s factory. While it is relatively easy to work out much too fast for electrical appliances, which the physics of one resonating antenna, complex operate on currents that oscillate only 60 times interactions start to happen when multiple a second. So the team is exploring ways to antennas are combined. When hit with the right slow that cycling down, possibly by embedding frequency of infrared light, the antennas also energy conversion devices like tiny capacitors produce high-energy electromagnetic fields that directly into the antenna structure as part of the can have unexpected effects on the materials. nanoantenna imprinting process. So the researchers are developing a computer model of resonance in the tiny structures, looking for ways to fine-tune the efficiency of an entire array by changing factors like materials and antenna shape. “The ability to model these antennas is what’s going to make us successful, because we can’t see these things,” Novack says. “They’re hard to manipulate, and small tweaks are going to make big differences.”

“At this point, these antennas are good at capturing energy, but they’re not very good at converting it,” says INL engineer Dale Kotter, “but we have very promising exploratory research under way.” Kotter and Novack are also exploring ways to transform the highfrequency alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) that can be stored in batteries. One potential candidate is high-speed rectifiers, special diodes that would sit at the center of INL researchers Dale Kotter (left), Steven each spiral antenna and convert the electricity Novack, and Judy Partin are developing flexible from AC to DC. The team has a patent pending plastic sheets of nanoantennas to collect solar on a variety of potential energy conversion energy. methods. They anticipate they are only a few years away from creating the next generation of solar energy collectors.

A charged future

One day, Novack says, these nanoantenna collectors might charge portable battery packs, coat the roofs of homes and, perhaps, even be Siddhi Times USA 63

“ANGHARAHA” which reveals information of one’s blood and the brother and sister who were born along with. Keeping the position and the star in which Mars is traveling, the predictions about, elders, youngsters, the accidents of fire, one’s anger, ill health, landed properties, the disturbances and the hurdles in married life are calculated. For all such category, the spiritual remedies and ritual practices to set the things in right way are arranged by the Vedic principles. The prayer rituals are done for the selection of life partner’s according In our past issues, the study about Sun and to their horoscope and especially the position of Moon were analyzed. In this issue, we are going the planet Lord Mars in detail about Lords Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Ragu and Kethu. their horoscope. We go to see the doctor to get relieved of sickness. Same way one goes to LORD MARS astrologer to live comfortably and peacefully Present world of scientists say that Mars is a red for the continuation of life, along with society. planet. When the astrology was known to the world In week days, Mars is ruling on Tuesday. For about 5000 years back, the saints named Mars as Siddhi Times USA 64

peaceful married life and comfort there are several birth. So Jupiter’s positions in good signs will rituals to do for Mars. lift the person for happy life. For those who are suffering, the position of Jupiter will be on 6th,, LORD MERCURY: 8th or 12th house of either Lagna or Rasi. The planet Mercury is called Budha. In week days, Wednesday is ruled by Mercury. In astrology, by Since, good grace from Jupiter will yield the observing the position of Mercury, the education, happy life, how to get the grace? It’s possible by brain power, brilliancy, and the smartness of a way of prayers and rituals which are taught while person can be found out. The reason for failure attending the class of yoga and meditation in our in any venture, exams, disturbed school days and temple, Hindu Temple of Georgia, Norcross, career, etc are dealt by Budha. In short, He is the GA. Lord for knowledge. If any one is much affected by the matter of knowledge, there are amazing The physical exercises, yoga and meditation will astrologic ways for improvement and progress. relate with brain concentration and the power of We follow certain methods of chanting the secret controlling desires. Natural way of observing self words and do the whole-hearted prayers. These activities and acquiring the power by divinely divinely rituals prayers are quite possible. are mostly done for many school going children and the elders who are not capable to control their activities in proper manner. Every one must get the practice to rectify the defects. There are several ways to get the things done in a successful manner. The Mercuric power in brain of the human permits the aim to the basic and best way for success.

One will be blessed with philosophic nature, high life with knowledge and wisdom when we do the prayers to Lord Prahaspathi. LORD VENUS Lord Venus rules the week day Friday. The effect of this planet in astronomical positions can be

LORD JUPITER The most graceful and blessing planet Jupiter, rules the day of the week Thursday. Astrology calls Him as “Prahaspathi”. A trouble free life with success and prosperity reaches to the native of horoscope in which the Jupiter will be accommodated in train to the Lagna or Rasi. The earth revolving on its axis goes around all the 12 signs of the zodiac in one day. It takes about two hours to cross from one sign to the next. The sign rising on the horizon at the time of one’s birth is the “Lagna”. The sign of occupation of moon, on that same hour and day is called “Rasi”. Total progress of the individual like status, dignity, family prestige, honor and high position are revealed well as per the star and sign in which the Jupiter moving in accordance to the time of Siddhi Times USA 65

on matrimonial life, love, affection and can also be on wind, rain, cyclonic effects. Forecasting can be done for hurricanes and tornados too. These primeval forces of Mother Nature are well appreciated and are needed for the mankind. When it exceeds the limits, we fear. For example, one glass of water when compared to ocean, the multiple and enlarged ratios, actually create fears. So, the big we see, we call it as giant. The giant gives the meaning of superhuman size and nature. Here comes the astonishment to access the God, the creator of earth, sun and stars. Even the small creatures like virus, and mosquitoes which are very small, but they do have eyes and other sensitive parts. Is it not a wonder? It is really a matter of deep thinking to reach a conclusion of the Almighty. In astrology, the job of Venus is several. As far as human being is concerned, the matter of love to child issues, all are coming to the account. Will one’s love be a successful one? Will a person get married early? What is the nature of person? What is the strength of one to give a child birth? Will one be able to secure good life mate with chastity? Is there any matter of divorce? If divorce what is the next to happen? All such things are Siddhi Times USA 66

dealt by the position of Venus. So, the rituals and pre-cautionary actions are to be conducted after a complete study of position of Venus in every horoscope. The compatibility of a male and female should also be checked for a successful married life. LORD SATURN The last of the week, Saturday is for Roman God of agriculture, Saturn. As per science, Saturn takes 30 years to make one full round around the sun. Where as earth takes only 365 days to make a circle. Saturn does it in 10,950 days. That counts to approximately 30 months to cross one zodiac sign. For the living beings, Saturn stands authority to age and life. Saturn is considered as a strict teacher. While teaching lessons, the punishment is also there for one who does wrong. Astrology tells that the fate is decided by Saturn. The position of Saturn in every body’s horoscope is deeply checked. Since He is a punisher, one and all fear for his behavior. Certain zodiac signs are very cruel and critical when the transit of Saturn happens. Such bad place will be dealt with fear for life, failure in marriage, unbearable poverty trouble, some court cases, and demotions in jobs and all kinds of losses.

and create Lunar Eclipse. This long line, infinity Such kind of sufferings may continue for 7 to infinity should also possess two edges. One is to 8 years. Some people will have miserable Ragu and other one is Kethu. (The contact with experience. This is noticed as 7½ year-Saturn. orbital points of moon) The health conditions will grow worse. Medical expenses will be heavy. Some persons may go In olden age, the life of a person who sees the mad. Some will be with fear of devils. Many crescent moon (on the waxing period-specifically persons will have to face the enemies and loose 3rd crescent) on the 1000th time from his birth their opportunities. Still further, some might be was honored. That comes to the account of 83 suffering with a peculiar type of illness related to years to 84 years of living. psychotherapy. Rahu and Ketu take about 19 months to transit With the birth time of a person and analyzing through a sign. Transit of these planets brings in the astrological positions, it’s possible to get important changes in the life of an individual. The relief from all the struggles to live with peace impact is not always negative. But the malefic and continue the life with happiness. The rituals effects can be loss and pain to the investors, to the Lord Saturn are specified in astrology. We ego clashes, verbal fights within married can adopt all such needed measures and live with couples, problems with bosses, lack of courage the piece of mind. and confidence and many more. Astrological consultation is needed to identify the various areas RAGU AND KETHU of the life which will be affected by Ragu and In astrological norms, they are defined as Kethu and get remedial solutions for mitigating shadows; if one straight line is drawn from Sun to the negative affects. Earth, once in a year or twice the moon’s transit will occur in between Sun and Earth. That day is called Solar Eclipse. Some days, between Sun and Moon, the traveling route of earth will cross Siddhi Times USA 67

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The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the “Peanuts” comic strip. You don’t have to actually answer the questions. Just read the e-mail straight through, and you’ll get the point.

Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one: 1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school. 2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time. 3. Name five people who have 1. Name the five wealthiest people taught you something worthwhile. in the world. 4. Think of a few people who have 2. Name the last five Heisman made you feel appreciated and trophy winners. special. 3. Name the last five winners of the 5. Think of five people you enjoy Miss World Contest. spending time with 4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize. Easier? 5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and The lesson: The people who make actress. a difference in your life are not the 6. Name the last decade’s worth of ones with the most credentials, the World Series winners. most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care. How did you do? The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But Gokul the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners. Siddhi Times USA 70

Love Marriage

By Arun Misra, Ph.D. Over 25 years, ago when I used to teach college, I had a two door hatchback to drive, and My wife and I were living in a small apartment in a low income housing complex in downtown Atlanta. Our life was beautiful, and our needs were few. We went places, even on long vacations, in the hatchback, with three teen age children and wife. No one

complained, except my wife occasionally, that the car was too small for five. The apartment had two bedrooms, and only one bath, consisting of a sink and tub. The mornings were kind of difficult and an exercise in continence. We didn’t know what a halfbath was! All the children were in school, using the free bus service. My wife finished college, got a job, and bought a brand new four door big expensive car, as her job was so Siddhi Times USA 71

far, only 200 yards away from home. One American dream realized!

families, and the society or village at large. It works like the US Congress, where you can vote a dissent, but once the opinions are counted, the majority I left academia, and started selling insurance, wins, the so called “family-whips” control the entire had the same hatchback with no radio and no air- affair, and the matrimony, thus can not be dissolved conditioning. I was tempted to use the new car for without a long parliamentary process. my business, but did not succeed in getting it. Next the apartment seemed too small to my wife and she This process may not be pleasant for the divorcing drove all over the town to buy a house. But, it would couples, but most of the time they give in to the take another 9 years to realize the second dream. I external pressures, and the marriage is saved. Many was so attached to my cheap place, and did not want times it may end up in an unhappy marriage being to move out, and shell-out more money, which I did carried out for the benefit of the children, as well not have. My wife went ahead and rented another as for the convenience of both sides of the family. apartment in the same cheap complex, and started But mostly it is due to the inconvenience of going living on her own with more space. I was still at the through the whole process again if one wishes to old place, with all the three children. My wife ran remarry! All this made a lot of sense to me; so I tried back and forth to cook at both places, and took care to arrange the marriages of all three of my children, of both homes. We eventually advised our son to but did not succeed in any. My two younger brothers move out and live with his mom, while I stayed at in England and India, both had “love-marriages,” the old place with our two daughters. as had our three children in USA. My brother’s family came from England for a visit, and wondered why we had two separate apartments, and not one bigger one. We explained, that the apartments bigger than ours did not exist in the low income housing complex, and we, especially me, did not want to move away. Then came, a friend’s family from Virginia to visit, and spent a weekend with us, they asked to see my wife and son, and so I took them to the other apartment. My wife got mad, and said that I should have called and asked her to come to our old place, and may be stay there, as before, for the weekend. My friends thought that we were separating, just as my wife suspected they would. But my friends, asked me anyway, “Apka Love Marriage Tha Kya?” (was yours a lovemarriage?) after seeing us at two separate places, and suspecting our marriage had dissolved.

In my case, however, things were different. In remote Bihar India, after finishing college, I came home for summer vacation. It was the 1960’s and my father said to me, “You better get a hair cut, as we will take you to get married this weekend, in a different town.” I was 19 then, had finished my Masters in Science earlier than most of the students in my age group, and was considered bright. I had lived the city life for several years, where I was now teaching college for the last couple of months. But I had no courage to ask anything of my father, or to anyone else for that matter. Hence, I got married to a 16 year old girl, from a far away place, selected through the process of an arranged marriage. People ask me, when did you first see your wife. I answer, four days after getting married! At the podium, the bride was under a veil. After the wedding we were separated, and only allowed to be with each Traditional arranged marriages, do not allow for other four days later, on an auspicious day. We are separation (living separately and eventual divorce), still together, for the last 45 years, or so, with plenty hence the question about a “love-marriage,” which of turmoil, dissensions, and heartaches. We did not is not expected to last very long anyway. Most separate, in spite of the numerous problems we have marriages in India are still arranged with the help had, as it was not a “love-marriage.” of parents and seniors on both sides of the family. Divorce is still taboo, and an exception. No one walks out of wedlock, as the decision for marriage involves numerous people from both Siddhi Times USA 72

Fruits in our Life Fruits are one of the greatest gifts Nature has bestowed on the human - kind. Fruits provide the necessary carbohydrate for energy without of course, fats. Some fruits like Figs contain starch and sugars in the form of carbo - hydrates. Most of the fruits contain 80% moisture and 20% carbohydrates. Besides Minerals and vitamins, the essential nutrients are available in fruits. Fruits cleanse the stomach and cause smooth bowel movements. These are the reasons for eating fruits as a part of regular food.

younger and live longer. Some chronic diseases can be cured by eating certain fruits. Fruits are to be eaten raw, if you want to get its full benefits. The organic acid and high quality fruit sugar in fruits provide us instant energy. That is why we see Ace Tennis players eating bananas during the breaks. Besides the seasonal fruits, fruits that are available throughout the year - like raisins, figs etc, provide instant energy and

Most of fruits contain iron, calcium and vitamin ‘C’, essential for our body, in correct proportions. Tomatoes and citrus fruits contain vitamin ‘C’ in abundance. All the yellow and red coloured fruits have high quality vitamin ‘A’. Freshly plucked fruits contain acids, minerds and vitamins that soften the chyme that reach the Intestine and help in evacuation. Therefore constipation is avoided. Toxins are expelled and the blood is purified. Disease causing germs are expelled. All parts of the body are rejuvenated. Regular fruit eaters feel Siddhi Times USA 73

2. For relief from chronic fevers:- Bananas, Figs, Lemon, Citrus fruit (Mosambi), Amla, Pumple moses. To relieve early morning fever, eat an apple. 3. For head aches - Apple, Grapes, Lemon 4. For Anaemia - Bananas, Pineapple, Mangoe, Tomato, Apple, Pears Raisins and Apples, specifically are good for curing anaemia

refreshment. When and how to eat fruits

5. For Asthma - Grapes, tigs, musk - melon, orange, Amla, Bael (Biluva) fruit.

6. For heart problems and reducing cholesterol levels - Red grapes, Pineapple, Pears, Guava, • Eat only well ripened fruits. Apple, Pumple - moses, Amla, Bananas, • Fruits are not to be cooked. Cooking removes Mangoes the carbohydrates. • Fruits are best eaten in the morning. 7. For curing frequent Urination - Amla, Java • Diabetic patients should not eat bananas in the plum (rose apple), Banana, Lemon, Guava, Figs, morning. Others can eat any variety of fruits in Apple, Bael, Tomato. the morning. • Eat one kind of fruit, at a time. For instance, in winter, Orange, apple, Pomegranate and Guava are more readily and abundantly available. Do not take all the fruits at a time. If you start with orange, stick to eating oranges only. • Fruits juices are to be consumed fresh. It kept for long time, bacteria may produce toxins in the juice. • Persons desirous of having an all fruit break fast, should consume 500 to 750 gms of one type of fruit only, at one sitting. • Patients are advised to drink fresh fruit juice only rather eating raw fruits. • After regular break fast or lunch, about 100 gms of fruit can be consumed. In total, 300 gms of fruit per day in divided quantites, can be taken. • Eating fruits every day makes a person strong. Fruits for specific purposes 1. For improved brain - function - Bananas, Grapes JuJube Fruit, Figs, Apple, Jack fruit, Mangoes, Pomegranate, Avocado and Raisins Siddhi Times USA 74

8. For purifying blood and for a glowing body Fruits along with vegetable, help fight cancer. - Jujube fruit, Apple, Jack fruit, Tomato, Peach, Box Mango “Old, Rotten and unripe fruits, fruits, damaged by 9. For Joint pains, Rheumatism - Bananas, Grapes, insects, animals, snow and sun or grown in un Pine apple, Apple, Pears - natural places and wrong seasons are unfit to eat” 10. For Leprosy - Rose apple (Javaplum), Guava, - Caraka Samhita. fruits of the banyan tree Caraka Samhita describes over 40 types of fruits, 11. For improving digestion - Pine apple, with their qualities and effects on the body. Papaya, Grapes, Rose apples, Jujube fruit, Musk - Melon. Ayurvedic advice • All fruits must be taken ripe - exception ‘Bilwa’ 12. For curing steriluty - Guava, Figs, Rose apple, (Aegle marmelos) Wood apple. • Avoid fruits that are unripe or overripe. • Out of season fruits are to be discarded 13. For strong body - Pine apple, Figs, Apple, • Fruits eaten by worms should not be eaten Pumple - moses, Raisins, Cucumber Juice. • Banana, grapes and coconut are laxative, check internal bleeding, improve voice. 14. For Blood dis orders - Rose apple, Cucumber • Pomegranate is good for heart ailments Juice, Mango, Orange, Wood apple. • Mango improves complexion. • Straw berry is diuretic and refrigerant. Credits to Dr Senthil Kumar, India Benefits of Fruits Besides energy (through the carbohydrate content), fruits provide protective minerals and vitamins and also cellulose. Fruits are practically fat free - the exceptions are olives and avocados. They vary widely in their carbohydrate content. All fruits provide some ascorbic acid (Vitamin ‘C’) but the citrus fruits are out standing as rich sources of vitamin ‘C’. One medium sized orange alone can furnish the normal adult daily requirement. Sodium, Magnesium and Potassium are present in varying quantities in most fruits. Fruits are part of the diet used to treat kidney diseases and kidney stones. Fruits are digested easily because their sugar content (glucose and Fructose) is in readily absorbable form. Like vegetable, fruits contain indigestible cellulose that furnish the luck to the stools for easy elimination. Siddhi Times USA 75