BEST WISHES! :-)

Hey All!

Have FAITH, KEEP COOL and DO YOUR BEST!

Seetha Lakshmi! :-)

SA-1

Dear Kids / Parents,

I'm sorry its taking longer as the posts I had typed got deleted, and I don't believe in going into the how and why of that! Such a waste of time! I'd just type it one lesson at a time and post it as soon as possible. So, guys, don't worry. It'll all be done by next Sunday, hopefully, by my everything, Lord Krishna's grace! Sorry for the inconvenience. !

I'm concentrating only on Hindi, as of now, English could be dealt later!

I'll also post everything on a blog called 9thSA1.blogspot.com . You can view it there too.

Everyone's friend,

Seetha Lakshmi. :-)

Gillu!

गिल्लू

बोध प्रश्न

१.  सोनजुही में लगी पीली  कली  ……। उमड़ने लगे ?

उ  बहुत समय पहले लेखिका को एक गिलहरी अधमरी हालत में मिली थी , जिसको उन्होंने बहुत प्रेम से अपने साथ रखके था।  उसके मरने के बाद उसे सोनजुही के नीचे उन्होंने दफना दिया।  अब सोनजुही में लगे पीली काली को देख उन्हे अनायास ही गिल्लू गिलहरी का स्मरण सो आया जो उसके डाली से उनके कंधे पर कूद जाता था।

२.  पाठ के आधार पर। …… कहा गया है ?

उ  पुरखों की तिथि पर यह माना जाता है कि  वे कौओं के रूप में हमारे दर्शन करने आते हैं और उन्हें अन्न एवं अन्य खाद्य पदार्थ देकर हम सम्मानित करते है , वहीँ दूसरी और वह अपनी कर्कश वाणी से हमें बहुत परेशान करता है जिस कारण वह बहुत अपमानित जीव भी है।

३  गिलहरी के घायल बच्चे का उपचार किस प्रकार किया गया है ?

उ  लेखिका को एक दिन अपने बाग़ में टहलते हुए कौवों के घोंसले से कुछ गिरा हुआ दिखाई दिया।  वह कौवों द्वारा घायल किया गिलहरी का एक छोटा बच्चा था, निर्जीव पड़ा था ।  उन्होंने रुई से उसका रक्त पोंछा , घावों पर मरहम लगाया एवं रुई की पतली बत्ती दूध में भिगोकर उसके मुंह पर रखती रहीं , पहले तो उन्हें सफलता नहीं मिली किन्तु उनकी इस सेवा से गिल्लू शीघ्र ठीक हो गया।

४  लेखिका का ध्यान। …… करता था ?

उ  लेखिका जब लिखने बैठतीं तब गिल्लू उनका ध्यान आकर्षित करने के लिए उनके पैर तक आकर तेज़ी से परदे के ऊपर और नीचे  चढ़ता रहता।  यह कार्यकलाप तब तक चलता, जब तक लेखिका स्वयं उसे पकड़ने के लिए न उठतीं।

५.   गिल्लू को मुक्त। ……   उपाय बताया ?

उ  गिल्लू के जीवन की पहली बसंत पर उसे बहुत साड़ी गिलहरियाँ घर के बाहर खेलतीं, मज़े करतीं हुई दिखाई पड़ीं।  वह अपनी नन्हीं , चमकीली आँखों से उन्हें निहारता रहता।  वह काफी उदास हो जाता था, इसलिए लेखिका ने खिड़की की जाली खोल दी ताकि वह अंडर बाहर आ जा सके।

६.  गिल्लू किन। ……। निभा रही थी

उ  लेखिका दुर्घटनाग्रस्त होने के बाद जब घर वापस आईं , तब गिल्लू अपने पंजों से उनके बाल हौले - हौले सहलाता जैसे एक माँ या परिचारिका बीमार होने पर अस्वस्थ होने पर हमारी सेवा करती है।  इस प्रकार लेखिका के बीमार होने पर गिल्लू ने परिचारिका की तरह उनकी सेवा की .

७  गिल्लू की किन .......... आ गया था ?

उ  गिलहरियों का जीवन समय केवल दो वर्षों की होती है .  जब गिल्लू का अंत समय आया , तो उसने खाना पीना छोड़ दिया।  अपने झूले से उतारकर वह लेखिका के पास बिस्तर पर लेट गया।  अपने पंजे लेखिका की ऊँगली से सटाकर चिपक गया।  उसके पंजे ठन्डे पद गए।  लेखिका के हीटर चालू करने पर भी वह हमेशा के लिए सो गया।

८  प्रभात की। …। आशय स्पष्ट कीजिए।

अर्थ:  सूरज की पहली किरण जब धार्र्टी पर पड़ी तब तक गिल्लू अपनी जीवन यात्रा समाप्त कर चुका था।

भाव :  इस संसार में जो भी जीव पैदा होता है, उसे एक दिन मरना भी पड़ता है।  यह सत्य सभी को मालूम है फिर भी किसी के जन्म लेने पर हम अत्यंत प्रसन्न होते हैं और मरने पर बहुत दुखी।  हमे अपने परिवारजन, मित्र, सगे - सम्बन्धी , यहां तक कि  पालतू पशुओं से भी बहुत लगाव हो जाता है और उनके मरने पर हम बहुत आँसू  बहाते हैं।  प्रकृति के इस नियम से कोई भी पर नहीं है। परन्तु हमारे धार्मिक आस्थानुसार हम यह मानते हैं कि  मरणोपरांत पुनर्जन्म भी है।

९.  सोनजुही के लता के। ……… जन्म होता है।

उ  गिल्लू को सोनजुही की लता से काफी लगाव था।  इसलिए उसके मरणोपरांत लेखिका ने उसी सोनजुही की लता के नीचे  उसे दफना दिया।  उनका यह मानना था कि  गिल्लू सोनजुही की पीली कली  के रूप में फिर से जन्म लेगा।



Seetha Lakshmi R. Srinivasan. :-))

Raidaas

पद की प्रत्येक पंक्ति के अंत में तुकांत शब्दों प्रयोग। ………… छांटकर लिखिए।

उ       बाती               -   राती
          मोर                -   चकोर
          धागा              -    सुहागा
          दासा            -     रैदासा
प्र  ३.   पहले पद में कुछ। …………  स्पष्ट कीजिए।

उ।     दीपक                 -              बाती
          चन्दन                 -              पानी
          घन                    -               मोर
          मोती                 -               धागा
         चाँद                  -                चकोरा

प्र  ४   दूसरे पद में कवि ने। ……। स्पष्ट कीजिए।

उ      कवि का कहना है कि  भगवान के सामान कृपालु और कोई नहीं हो सकता, जो अपने भक्तों के लिए इतना करती कर सके।  वह दिन - दुखियों और गरीबों पर दया करने वाला है।  इसीलिए कवि ने उन्हें 'गरीब - निवाजु'  कहा है।

प्र  ५  दूसरे पद की ' जाकी। ....... तुंही ढ़रै '   स्पष्ट कीजिए।

उ।    कवि का कहना है कि  भगवान के सामान कृपालु इस संसार में और कोई नहीं।  क्योंकि वह नीच (गुणों से) वक्ती को भी राजा के सामान सम्मान प्रदान करते हैं, जिससे लोग बहुत दुखी हैं , ऐसे अधमी व्यक्ति पर भी भगवान अपनी कृपा बरसाते है .

प्र  ६  रैदास ने स्वामी को किन - किन नामों से पुकारा है

उ  रैदास ने स्वामी को लाल , गरीब - निवाजु , गुसईया  आदि नामों से पुकारा है।

प्र   ७  निम्नलिखित शब्दों के प्रचलित रूप लिखिए।

उ   मोरा  - मोर
     चंद    -  चाँद
     बाती  - बत्ती
     जोती   - ज्योति
     वरै    - जलना
     घरै    - रखना
     छोती  - छुआछूत
     तुहीं  - तुमही
    गुसाइआ  - स्वामी

Seetha Lakshmi R. Srinivasan. :-)

Rakshabandhan रक्षाबंधन

🌷🍀🌷🍀🌷🍀🌷🍀🌷🍀🌷🍀🌷🍀🌷🍀🌷

नहीं चाहिए मुझको हिस्सा माँ-बाबा की दौलत में
चाहे वो कुछ भी लिख जाएँ भैया मेरे ! वसीयत में

नहीं चाहिए मुनझको झुमका चूड़ी पायल और कंगन
नहीं चाहिए अपनेपन की कीमत पर बेगानापन

मुझको नश्वर चीज़ों की दिल से कोई दरकार नहीं
संबंधों की कीमत पर कोई सुविधा स्वीकार नहीं

माँ के सारे गहने-कपड़े तुम भाभी को दे देना
बाबूजी का जो कुछ है सब ख़ुशी ख़ुशी तुम ले लेना

चाहे पूरे वर्ष कोई भी चिट्ठी-पत्री मत लिखना
मेरे स्नेह-निमंत्रण का भी चाहे मोल नहीं करना

नहीं भेजना तोहफे मुझको चाहे तीज-त्योहारों पर
पर थोडा-सा हक दे देना बाबुल के गलियारों पर

रूपया पैसा कुछ ना चाहूँ..बोले मेरी राखी है
आशीर्वाद मिले मैके से मुझको इतना काफी है

तोड़े से भी ना टूटे जो ये ऐसा मन -बंधन है
इस बंधन को सारी दुनिया कहती रक्षाबंधन है

तुम भी इस कच्चे धागे का मान ज़रा-सा रख लेना
कम से कम राखी के दिन बहना का रस्ता तक लेना।

🌷🍀🌷🍀🌷🍀🌷🍀🌷🍀🌷🍀🌷🍀🌷🍀🌷

:-)))

HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY ALL!
मित्रता दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ।

Have a wonderful day and best of luck with your tests! :-)))

Seetha Lakshmi! :-)

Sumangali prarthanai!:-))

The first time I heard it was before my marriage! Every woman just jumps into a hyperzone hearing it, especially the ones I encountered!:-)

In Hindu tradition, there are a series of samskaras starting at birth and ending with one's death. An year after a person's death, a ceremony called Shrardham / divasam meaning a day of remembrance is observed. When women die without a child or without a valid heir who could perform this or for women who didn't get married and those who died young, Sumangali Prarthanai is observed.

This is done by the mother-in law and the daughter-in-law. The daughters who are married are invited to accept the offerings! What's this OFFERING?

It is an elaborately cooked meal, consisting of rice, only certain kind of vegetables and some savouries!

A count of 5 and the odd numbers succeeding are invited and two girls under the age of 10 are included! All the ladies are invited the day before by given a pack of herbal bathing powder, henna, turmeric and kunkum (used by married women).

The next day, they are required to use the given items to take bath, wash their hair and wear a nine yard saree and attend the function.

These clothes should belong to the madi vastram category! NOW, WHAT IS MADI?

In the olden days, people were very particular about this! There was atleast one set of cloth washed, dried and kept separately, that could be used during any sacred, purifying ritual.

I recently learned that even if its a new, silk one it has to be washed, dried and kept separately!

Once the invitees arrive, they are served the meal on a plantain leaf. A separate leaf is kept in remembrance of all departed souls! Once the invitees finish their meal, they are served panakam.made of jaggery, water and other digestion aiding ingredients! One can also serve buttermilk, then comes betel leaf and nut. All these help in digestion.

Once,this part is over, the ladies are offered decorative items like kajal(for eyes), henna, comb, bangles, turmeric, bindi/kunkum! Anything that beautifies!:-)

If the daughters are unavailable due to some reasons, one can invite some other women too!

Many are quite tense and uptight during these ceremonies, turning it into a very serious issue! In my humble opinion, all those who lived with us were our mothers, grandmothers and other blood relatives! People who'd never think of hurting us! Just because they've departed doesn't turn them into mindless monsters! I personally believe they watch over us, guard us and won't punish us severely! I know, because I will be all forgiving! So, though the ceremony requires sincerity, concentration and a pure body and mind, every single thing doesn't need to be approached with such FEAR!

Everyone's friend,
Seetha Lakshmi R S. :-)

Rahim!

रहिमन धागा प्रेम का मत तोड़ो चटकाय।
टूटे से फिर ना मिले, मिले गाँठ परि  जाय।

रहीम कहते हैं कि , प्रेम का बंधन बड़ा ही नाज़ुक होता है।  रिश्तों  में एक बार खटास या किन्हीं कारणों से बात बिगड़ जाए तो रिश्तों  का फिर से सही हो पाना बहुत कठिन है , जिस तरह से धागे के टूट जाने से वह कभी नहीं मिलता और अगर मिल भी जाए तो उसमे गाँठ पड़  जाती है। 

Hi!:-))

Dear All,

Once my computer keyboard becomes alright along with me, I'll post again. But this 9th standard thing seems elusive! I've already started writing, but publish it once its ready! Also it'll be available on a different blog. The previous one needs some tidying! So 9th class ke liye,alag blog! As of now, its private, in case of any doubts or for help, mail at:

anagha2802@gmail.com!

I'm not an expert, just trying to do my bit as a mother and friend, so in All kindness, excuse my follies!

Everyone's friend,
Seetha Lakshmi! :-)))

:-)

Its been a year! Very happy to have,helped (if any?!) and make new friends teach and in turn learn too! The only thing that's bothering is I'm finding this 9th class stuff difficult :-p

Let's see how time heals my time struck mind! :-) and I'm able to help all! :-)

Everyone's friend,
Seetha Lakshmi! :-)

9th class!

My dear future Einsteins and Rabindra Naths,

This is year I find it really difficult to decode the languages, even then I'll try my best. :-) , else you all have the option of using the guide. Thank God, its NCERT hence plenty of help available in the bookstores.

Everyone's friend,
Seetha Lakshmi! :-)))

The power of a positive attitude! :-)

Dear kids as well as my friends,

It is quite easy to say, maintain a positive attitude, especially when things are not going our way! But, do remember, that one bad moment, day or let's say a phase is not worth feeling blue! Very much like the happy times, sad times end too! Just try to focus on all the positive things that you've been blessed with - family, friends, grades, a unique talent, money - whatever your pick!

You know, I myself went through lots in the past two years! That's when I started Yoga, singing, whistling and also blogging, till then I didn't know this side of me! It is also important to set certain achievable goals! That sure will keep us going! While pursuing a,new goal, don't forget what you've accomplished! A POSITIVE ATTITUDE IS A MUST IN ACHIEVING POSITIVE RESULTS!

I'll be VERY HAPPY, if my writings bring a smile on someone's face or at least gets them out of their blues, as I had no one but myself when I was down! :-)

Everyone's Friend,
Seetha Lakshmi! :-)))

सर्वम् श्री कृष्णार्पणम् !

HELLOOO! :-)

Dear kids,

Hope you all had a great vacation! I did, it was one of the most memorable ones. Sorry! Seems like I'll have to revamp my knowledge before I can start sharing it with you all - THE SMART BEINGS! Else you can just enjoy my scribblings on various topics, that are my favourites! :-)

Till then, Best of Luck in all your endeavours! :-) GO AHEAD! GIVE IT YOUR BEST SHOT! :-)))

Everyone's Friend,
Seetha Lakshmi!

Tamil New Year / Vishu Punya Kalam!:-)

My country, India, is Home to a varied and diverse culture. Most of the cultures have a lunar calendar. The New Years are based on this. Every year the Telugu and Kannada New Year Ugadi and the North Indian Vikram Samwat fall nearabout on the same day. Being a Tamilian, i'll write whatever little I know about the Tamil New Year! :-)

As a kid, I'd be surprised to see my parents celebrate two New Years. One on the 1st of Jan of the Gregorian calendar and another one on 14th or 15th of April. I just thought it was yet another festival celebrated till my 10th birthday.

Then I had the intelligence to ask it one year! :-) My Mom was only pleased to help me out. This is what she shared, it falls on the first day of the Tamil calendar. There are 12 Tamil months:
சித்திரை  Chithirai चैत्र
வைகாசி Vaigasi वैशाख
ஆனி Aani
ஆடி Aadi आषाढ
ஆவணி Aavani श्रावण
புரட்டாசி Purattasi
ஐப்பசி Ippasi
கார்த்திகை Kaarthigai कार्तिक
மார்கழி Maargazhi मार्गशीर्ष
தை Thai
மாசி Maasi माघ
பங்குனி Panguni

And the New Year starts on the first day of Chithirai. This is also known as Vishu Punya Kaalam. A day before my parents used to decorate the Puja room with a traditional kolam, place a small wood seat or manai on it, place a silver plate containing rice on it. The a mirror would be kept on it, that would be decorated with a jasmine garland and a golden necklace.

There would two halves of coconut, in two exact rounds placed before the mirror. It would be filled up with gold and silver coins. Along with these, lots of seasonal fruits and vegetables like, Jackfruit, Mango, both raw and ripe, yellow cucumber, Bananas, apples etc. would be kept. They would also place betel leaves and nuts.

A silver or brass lamp would be lit and kept burning throughout the night. The next day, i;e on the New Year, my mom would wake me up, cover my eyes with her hands and lead a very sleepy me to the Puja room. Then she'd ask me to look at the lit lamp, flowers, fruits, my reflection in the mirror, all the other things kept there and finally take the coins out and ask us to touch our eyes with them. Them she'd meticulously put them back in their place. The same routine would be repeated with every child at home.

Then everyone of us would take an oil bath, wear new clothes, touch the feet of all the elders at home. This came with an advantage. The elders would pay us some coins for a blessing, some of us would spend it and others like me, used to save it as a luck for the whole year. Then we'd all visit the nearest temple and be back just in time for a sumptuous lunch. Those were the days, when I could eat my heart out without having to worry about the CALORIES! SIGH!:-( The feast would comprise of Aviyal (kind of gravy), Sambhar, Rasam, potato curry, Appalams, Payasam and a pacchadi (chutney)!

The pachadi is really important, as it comprises six different tastes, namely, sweet, bitter, sour, spicy, salty and astringent!

We see the mirror and all the bounty, so that our lives are prosperous and filled with all positive things and attract bounty. The chutney mentioned above shows how every phase in life is in a repetitive cycle and one has to accept everything with GRACE.

If I find anything more, I'll add it here. As for now, enjoy the summer!

Everyone's friend,
Seetha Lakshmi R. Srinivasan. :-)))

Upanayanam

உ

ஸ்ரீ ராம ஜெயம்  

திருத்தணி முருகன் துணை 

 



உபநயன பிரஹ்மமோபதேச சுபமுஹூர்த்த பத்திரிகை

மஹா - ஸ்ரீ  ...................................................................... அவர்களுக்கு

அநேக  நமஸ்காரம் / ஆசீர்வாதம் / உபயக்ஷேமோபரி

நிகழும் ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ  மங்களகரமான மன்மத வருஷம் வைகாசி மாதம், 24ம் தேதி, (07-06-2015), ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை, பஞ்சமி திதி, திருவோண நக்ஷத்திரம், அமிர்த யோகம் கூடிய சுபயோக சுபதினத்தில் , உதயாதி நாழிகை காலை 7:30 மணிக்குக்கு மேல் , 11:15 மணிக்குள், (காலை 9:00 மணிக்கு மேல், 10:30 மணிக்குள் ) கடக லக்னத்தில் ,


கோவிலூர் S.கபாலீச்வரன் என்கிற என்னுடைய, பௌத்திரனும்  ,
நேம்மாரை ஸ்வர்கஸ்ரீ R .ராஜன் அவருடைய தௌஹித்திரனும்,
எனது இளைய புத்திரன்  ஸ்ரீ  K . ஸ்ரீநிவாசன் அவருடைய புத்திரனுமாகிய

சிரஞ்சீவி , S .அஷ்வின்  என்கிற ஸ்ரீ ராம சுப்ரமண்ய சர்மா விற்கு 

உபநயன பிரஹ்மோபதேசம்  செய்வதாய், ஈச்வர கிருபையை முன்னிட்டும் , காஞ்சி ஜகத்குரு சங்கராச்சார்ய சுவாமிகளின் அனுக்கிரகத்தை முன்னிட்டும், பெரியோர்களால் நிச்சயிக்கபெற்று மேற்படி சுபமுகூர்த்தம்,
ஸ்ரீ சிவயோகாம்பாள்  மினி ஹாலில் (கனரா பாங்க்  அருகில்)
3வது தெரு, போஸ்டல் காலனி, மேற்கு மாம்பலம், சென்னை - 600 033,  
 நடக்கிறபடியால் , தாங்கள், தங்கள் இஷ்டமித்திர பந்துக்களுடன், முன்னதாகவே வந்திருந்து வடுவை ஆசீர்வதித்து, எங்களையும்  கௌரவிக்கும்படி கேட்டுக்கொள்கிறேன் .

                                                                               இப்படிக்கு,

K .சுப்ரமணியன் ,                                                  S.கபாலீச்வரன்,
K.ஸ்ரீனிவாசன்   & சீதாலக்ஷ்மி ஸ்ரீனிவாசன் ,
No 5A, Jawahar Street,
Thirupathi Nagar 4th Main Road Extn,
Kolathur,Chennai - 600 099.
09949999980, 044-25561467.

HAPPINESS! :-)))) :-)))) :-)))) :-))))

HAPPINESS! WHAT IS IT? To me, it is nothing but PEACE OF MIND! Its a broad spectrum word! Peace of mind comes from:

WEALTH
HEALTH,
FAMILY,
HAVING FRIENDS,
POPULARITY,
APPRECIATION,
LOOKS,
POWER,
MATERIALSTIC POSSESSION, ......... AND SO ON ........

As a child I experienced a very  ordinary life as my father was employed in the defence services. His salary was nothing compared to what people make nowadays. Youngsters now, receive a monthly salary of what was my father's lifetime of earning! We used to live in a quarter built by the Government for the defence personnel. I didn't have a fabulous wardrobe or matching accessories to go with, something that I have now. We used to pillion ride behind my father's old bicycle. Going out was a very rare affair, movie watching was four times a month. But, no real outing! We (me and my kid brother) used to go to school by a rickshaw ( three wheeler vehicle) for a year and then by the bus!

We used to go on a vacation once a year, through the train, a 36 hour long journey from Delhi to Chennai. No A/C, we had endure the sweltering heat that was gifted upon us by the Indian summer, but we had nothing to complain. We were just HAPPY to watch the fields and trees on the either side of tracks pass by and let the air caress our face, happy to munch what our mother had packed for us, not outside food was bought! We played and interacted with the neighbourhood kids. Our games ranged from hide and seek to catching one another through the streets, climbing trees, or just building up ghost stories  with what we had overheard while the adults were talking. There was so much of interaction with the neighbourhood unlike today's kids who spend most of their time either in front of the IDIOT BOX or the Computer.    

We all live in BIG houses but our hearts have become SMALL. We possess so many materialistic things, but are not SATISFIED! We have amassed WEALTH, but are ignoring our HEALTH?! We have a beautiful FAMILY, but are unable to spend QUALITY TIME with the people we love! We have many FRIENDS, through social media or from our workplace or neighbourhood, but TRUE ONES? NOT EVEN ONE! With POPULARITY comes PRIDE, and FAKE FRIENDS, GREED AND ENVY OF OTHERS! When we do something to earn other's appreciation, it only brings DISAPPOINTMENT, as we can never live up to the EXPECTATION of others! LOOKS are something that gives us confidence and boost our EGO, but it is IMPERMANENT in nature and one has to WORK REALLY HARD to maintain that, even then, after a certain time age starts to catch up with us and one has to submit to the WAYS OF NATURE! Again, POWER is impermanent too! We will be surrounded by so many people when we have POWER and become so very lonely the moment it's GONE! MATERIALISTIC POSSESSIONS are either hard earned or handed down to us through our family, and again CANNOT be ours forever and it takes a GREAT DEAL OF INTELLIGENCE AND HARD WORK to maintain!

Anything materialistic requires EFFORT AND TIME to maintain, but also gives the beautiful 6-lettered word, i;e STRESS, And with the arrival of STRESS, our PEACE IS LOST! So, in my humble opinion, if we get attached to any of the aforementioned things, it'd just end up making us UNHAPPY! I'm not saying that one must lead the life of  a monk and stay away from the WORLD, but I think that one must work really hard to accomplish one's GOALS, but never LOSE SIGHT of where our REAL HAPPINESS lies! It is INTERNAL!

PEOPLE COME AND GO! MATERIALISTIC POSSESSIONS ARE ACQUIRED AND LOST, BUT IF ONE REMAINS OR PRACTISES DETACHED ATTACHMENT REMEMBERING THAT "CHANGE IS THE ONLY PERMANENT THING", ONE CAN BE HAPPY FOREVER!

I know many might not agree, but as far as I've seen or experienced, POEPLE WHO ARE NOT AT PEACE WITH THEMSELVES, ARE NEVER HAPPY WITH ANYTHING ELSE, THEY ARE LIKE A BOTTOMLESS PIT! NO MATTER HOW MUCH IS LOADED IN, IT NEVER GETS FULL!

Again, some of my notions may be immature, but AS I'M ON THE PROCESS OF LEARNING, PLEASE FORGIVE AND BEAR WITH ME!

Everyone's Friend,

Lakshmi! :-)))

 

LOVE! :-))))

LOVE, प्रेम ,പ്രേമം , காதல் , ప్రేమా 

पोथी पढ़ - पढ़ जग मुआ , पंडित भया न कोय। 
ढ़ाई अक्षर प्रेम के, पढ़े सो पंडित होय। - संत कबीर 

A person's education is of no use if they do not know how to love and respect others! - Saint Kabir

அன்பிலார் எல்லாம் தமக்குரியர், அன்புடையார் என்பும் உரியர் பிறர்க்கு . - திருவள்ளுவர்  திருவள்ளுவர் 

A selfish person thinks that everything and everyone is at their disposal whereas a selfless, loving person thinks everything that's theirs belongs to all!

By Thiruvalluvar the great poet / from thirukkural!

LOVE! A very interesting subject and also very diverse. Don't know what to write but will like to share what I've observed till date. I LOVE YOU! Wonderful! Magical Words! In English, LOVE is a general word and used to depict one's love for anyone from one's parents to anything one desires or connects with. In India, LOVE has different words with respect to different relations! We simply cannot go up to someone and say these words. Its considered taboo! I can say that to my parents or other close blood relatives and to my spouse but I can't say the same to any stranger, though I may be referring to a particular quality in them, when I say that!

I do know, times have changed a lot since my teenage, and youngsters nowadays can shout that in public without being ridiculed, but still a section of the society feels bad about this! My family is quite forward minded when it comes to this, as I can say "I Love so and so" as they know my love is not a romantic one and it is just said to show my like / support for that person!

But, still, I refrain from saying that in public and do that only at home. My country is culturally rich, but still there are certain rules / codes for us which would dare not break! I've fallen in love with so many people at different stages of my life. My first love happened at the age of six, when I found myself in love with a film personality, later, as I grew up, I found that I loved only his screen persona. Now I can say that I love him for many facets of his personality! :-)) There are so many people on my list, ranging from family members, friends, people in the neighbourhood, famous personalities, who held me in awe because of their interesting personalities. But they have fallen out of favour over time as I the very traits that I found interesting in the beginning didn't appeal to me later! I think this is because with every revolution around SUN, I find my ideas and ideals changing!

Love at first sight! It is so glorified in Indian cinema! :-)) Boy / Girl meets the either, opposites attract and they fall in love. I don't disapprove of this, as they say, Love Is blind, but I think Love grows and should grow with every passing year. It is mainly based on trust and mutual respect! It must be UNCONDITIONAL! In any relationship, this factor is a must! But, sadly we find it only with our mother. But, my belief is that if a person's love is TRUE, it would face anything, apart from violence and sadism. It will finally TRIUMPH into something BEAUTIFUL!

What is unconditional love?! Though, I'm not an expert, but it's been fascinating to see so many couples that I came through in my pre-martial and also now, how people hold on to each other with such faith, determination and love. Not just for physical pleasure or money, but REALLY! Its AMAZING! They fight bitterly, would seem like they're on the verge of separation, but in a few days, they're back to their normal loving selves! I personally think that all of us come from different backgrounds, raised by our parents differently, have numerous bittersweet experiences that give us an idea of how our love life should be and since we attach this baggage to ourselves, we are unable to celebrate the difference or the uniqueness of the person that we marry!

But, if we try, we will see that with each passing day we fall more and more in love with same person for a different quality of theirs. Like, from my life, I like music, its food, water and Oxygen to me, while my better half is not very enthusiastic about it! What fascinates him doesn't fascinate me at all! Everything from food, movies, ambitions, music and opinions we almost don't agree on anything, BUT STILL, over all these years of togetherness, we've learnt one thing, that to give each other some space to grow and also help in achieving each other's dreams! In case of any fight or quarrel, ranging from few hours to days together, either of us break the ice by bringing up some general topic and never let our EGO blow up our relationship!

In the early days of our marriage, because of my immature notions of LOVE, I used to wait to hear those three wonderful words I LOVE YOU", but never got it. As months passed by, and as I got to know him better, I found his motherly love for me during my pregnancy and his fatherly side when he used to advice me on certain things and a GURU as he patiently taught me certain things and a FRIEND while sharing jokes and his day at work! Then, it dawned on me that, more than saying it, it was more important to show it! As the years have passed I view him as my third child!

Love could be between so many people, need not necessarily between family members, but with one's profession, passion, pet, country, GOD or for no particular reason another person. Sometimes when, with a person, it may develop into a romantic relationship, it need not always be so and it might be just respect / admiration for a certain quality of their personality. Nevertheless, LOVE is indeed BEAUTIFUL, makes one wanted and is the only thing that makes the WORLD go round!

I might have missed on many other aspects, as I'm still on the path to learning more! So .... that's all!

Everyone's friend,

Lakshmi! :-)))

 

Karadaiyaan / Kaaradai Nonbu! :-)))

காரடையான் நோன்பு 

Karadai - adai is a flat discus shaped savoury made with crab eyed beans / लोबिया (Lobia in Hindi) காராமணி (Kaaraamani In tamil) jaggery and rice flour. Nonbu means fasting or vratham. This festival is also known as Savithri (सावित्री / சாவித்திரி / ఆవిత్రి / സാവിത്രി )Vratham. The legend has it that Savithri the princess daughter of Raja Ashvapti was born to him after he did penances / Tapasya / तपस्या to Lord Surya / Sun God / Savithr! Hence the name Savithri!

She was not only beautiful but also well versed in many other things. She was also intelligent and witty! It was this trait of hers that saved her husband's life. Like scores of other parents, hers too wanted to find a suitable life partner for her! :-)) But she expressed her desire to choose a life partner for herself. So, she along with some of her friends set out on a chariot in her search. She visited many places but at last gave away her heart to the handsome Satyavan (सत्यवान / சத்யவான் / సత్యవాన్ / സത്യവാൻ )! 

Her parents were disappointed to learn that she has chosen a hermit to marry! But further enquiries revealed that Satyavan, who was living with his parents in a humble hut in the forest was a prince and his father, King Dyumatsena, had lost his kingdom in a battle! Hence they half heartedly gave away their darling daughter in marriage to Satyavan! But Satyavan was not destined to live long. When Savitri came to know of this, she didn't run away but with her strong determination and beautiful heart, she became Satyavan's better half. She believed that it is not quantity, rather the quality of time she'd spend with her husband.

But as days went by, her heart grew fond of Satyavan and she thought of ways on regarding how to extend his life! So, she started taking up lots of vrathams and pujas for her husband's well being. And when the day came nearer, she pleaded with Satyavan to not to go to the forest. But, a dutiful son that he was, he said he had to go to provide for his parents and her. Seeing no result with the pleading, Savithri finally set out to the forest with him. Satyvan suddenly fell to the ground complaining of some dizziness and lay down on Savithri's lap. She knew his time had come! She was exasperated! Because of her austerities, she could see Lord Yama (यम / யமன் / యమధర్మరాజు / യമാധർമരാജൻ ) (The God of Death in Hindu mythology) riding his buffalo and with his pasha (Rope). As he bound Satyavan's soul in the Pasha and was about to leave, Savithri started following him!

Normally all humans are bound to Earth and no one can leave the Earth in their physical form, but Savithri could! Lord Yama was shocked beyond words, he asked her to go back to Earth immediately, but Savithri replied that she was simply being a dutiful wife and being Satyavan's better half was following him! Lord Yama explained that she couldn't come as her time had not come and choose a wish for herself. This happened three times and Lord Yama was finally defeated by the witty Savithri and he had to give back Satyavan's life. The three wishes are:

1.  Let my Father-in-law's kingdom and vision be restored!
2.  Let my parents be blessed with a hundred sons!
3.  May I be  blessed with a hundred sons!

The third boon did it, in those days, women were married only once and were devout till death and never thought of getting remarried! Hence to grant Savithri's last wish, Lord Yama had no choice but to give her back her husband's life! After this, Savithri and Sathyavan came back only to witness the parent's vision and kingdom being restored! As a token of her gratitude, Savithri performed a puja / worship to Lord Yama, offering him a savoury made of crab eyed beans and un melted butter.

Savithri is nothing short of a Goddess to all Indian women! She is an epitome of strength, devotion and undying faith! :-)))

END! 

Now, this vratham / Nonbu is taken up by a married woman to pray for the well being of her husband. It is observed at the exact moment where Magha(Maasi / மாசி  in tamil) and Falguna (பங்குனி in Tamil) month meet, i;e one ends and the other starts! On this day, women get up early, take a bath and wear the traditional wear saree (6 yards / 9 yards). Very much like Savithri, they too make a sweet and salty dish prepared with crab eyed beans along with un melted butter!

The underlying philosophy behind the adai and un melted butter is that women should be strong and unrelenting like the un melted butter at times but also display their soft heartedness when needed and not the opposite! This philosophy is something I read in a book many years ago! :-))) Women also tie a yellow coloured thread / Saradu (சரடு in tamil, सूत्रं in Sanskrit) around their neck. One of the elderly women in the family used to get it tied by her husband, the underlying faith being, that it increases the togetherness between spouses! :-)) This year the festival falls on 15th of March, 2015. I'm yet to know the exact time! :-))

All these festivals are observed to revive the old traditions and values which are slowly fading away! Besides, the aforementioned savoury is a healthy one, as it is steamed! Now, I'm not an expert in culinary art, I'm providing a link to the savoury written by my darling little sister, Mira, who has an undying passion for cooking! I'm trying to learn from her and many others like her! :-)))


http://my-hobby-lounge.blogspot.in/2013/03/nonbu-adais-sweet-as-well-as-salt.html
Everyone's friend,

Lakshmi! :-)))

 

 

TURMERIC! :-))

Turmeric, the word itself is enough to take me down memory lane. The smell is heavenly! Mom used to add it to the gravies and side dishes generously, when asked would say, "because, it kills all germs!" Yes! It does! It is an ANTISEPTIC, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, ANTI-OXIDANT, IMMUNITY BOOSTER, SKIN TONER, among many other things.

Turmeric is called हल्दी (Haldi) in Hindi, மஞ்சள் / Manjal in Tamizh, മഞ്ഞള  in (Malayalam) and పసుపు  (pasupu) in Telugu! These are the only languages I know as of now! :-)))

It is an underground stem. It has an ingredient called curcumin which gives it is healthy properties. Turmeric is bright yellow in colour. Turmeric is rich in dietary fibre, potassium, magnesium, iron and vitamin B6. A wonderful thing about it is that it is non-calorific and contains roughly about 24 calories in 1 teaspoon! :-))) It adds colour and flavour when used in cooking. Almost every housewife in India must be using it in every salty and spicy dish.

As I entered teenage, the hormone reared its ugly head and started giving me nightmares with bodily, especially facial hair. Though, my mother was always in favour of using turmeric paste, I found it too messy, time-consuming and uncomfortable and also the after pack colour that it left on the face! :-( So I happily reached out to all the hair removing creams, bleach etc. Now in my middle age, I find that mother has indeed been right, yes the process would have been slow but it would also have been less harmful!

Now turmeric is used in my country that is India in almost all auspicious functions. In south, we make little un shapely Ganeshas out of turmeric paste and worship it. In weddings, the bride and in some other cultures, the groom too is smeared with turmeric paste before taking bath or at least the water to be used is sprinkled with turmeric for the very reason that it is anti bacterial! Sometimes, the paste also contains certain other skin enhancing materials like Chandan (Sandalwood), Neem (Azadirachta Indica)! All these are very good in rectifying skin problems and sorry for repeating, anti-bacterial!

Before wearing any new dress my mother used to smear it with turmeric paste, only a little, otherwise it would've stained the cloth! Now, I understand, the reason behind that! My country is huge and lot many people live in it. Who knows how many hands might have caressed that dress before it finally landed on my lap! Hence the turmeric treatment!

In the olden days, when someone visited a person who had contracted a contagious fever / disease, they were asked to wash their feet with turmeric water before entering and after leaving the house.

Even now, in temples, turmeric / its paste is given as prashad! My country gets very hot during summer and hence people take turmeric bath to keep away sweaty odour and also to keep skin allergies at bay.

After delivering my kids, I was asked to take turmeric bath daily. I didn't understand its significance then, but as the months went by, I could see a significant change in skin tone and since then I've been a fan of turmeric. I make it a point to use it in my weekly face pack. It goes like this:

Besan / Gram Flour                          - 2 tsps.
Milk / Cream / Curd                         - 4 teaspoons
Turmeric                                           - 1 or 2 pinch (es)

Depending upon the skin type milk, cream or curd could be used. Its excellent, clears skin, removes tan and tones the skin and if used regularly gets rid of soft facial hair! :-)))

Now researchers have found that cancer is effective in curing CANCER! If a warm glass of water to which 1 teaspoon of turmeric is added, is had daily in the morning on an empty stomach, cures the body of many diseases and also detoxifies! :-))) It helps in weight - loss and other obesity related problems!
During my childhood, whenever I had cough, my mother used to give me a glass of hot milk sprinkled with turmeric, now I know it soothes the cough-suffered throat!

I see many Telugu houses and have seen some houses in my native place Tamil Nadu too, where ladies apply a coat of turmeric paste every Friday or before festivals, near the house entrance. Now I know, it prevents pests like ants, spiders etc. from entering the household! :-))) Hence, turmeric is a great PESTICIDE too!

It is used to dye clothes. Clothes especially white ones are dyed in turmeric water before weddings and other life-altering auspicious functions. It is a symbol of purity, prosperity and fertility!

In temples the idols of Gods are bathed in turmeric water, this process is called Abhishekam.

It is not to be used by pregnant women, yes maybe, but with caution, excessive use may increase the time of blood clotting, which is important in case of injuries.

Well! Everything has a POSITIVE as well as a NEGATIVE side to it. I just felt like sharing information about turmeric with my family, which comprises everyone on this planet and also give all a peek into my Kalachaaram / Culture.


SO MY VOTE GOES TO TURMERIC!

Everyone's friend,

Lakshmi! :-)))

Some pics are given below:

 

TREES! :-)))

I recently saw a house in the neighbourhood being demolished! Nothing new, as it happens quite a lot here! But, what my heart made sink was three beautiful, huge trees, mango, coconut and another fruit-bearing tree being ruthlessly cut down. Sometimes these trees are killed using a chemical! I've got nothing to complain as the place where my house has been built was an agricultural land. But, believe me, I didn't like that either. We all know the benefits that trees bestow upon us, viz. clean air, a beautiful view, shade us from the heat and fruits and provide us with many things of medicinal value.

I'm of the strong opinion that every house, bungalow or flat should have trees or at least potted plants, according to space available and convenience. But, seems like in our desire to do better than others that is to show-off, we are hell bent on making money and build huge houses. BUT! AT WHAT COST? This particular house that I'm talking about is not an old one, but only 15 or maybe 17/18 years old. I request the government authorities to kindly not allow the demolition of any building that is less than 50 years old!

What's the point in demolishing it and building a multi-storey flat or apartment in its place? This place is already rocky and the residents have been facing water shortage for a long time add to it rain woes. It might rain, might not or may be inadequate. Also, will the government provide clean, usable drinking water, once people come to reside in the newly constructed buildings?

All the RUBBISH! Its being dumped on the sidewalk / road or worst it is dumped on open plots! Because of which, mosquitoes and other disease causing germs are happy increasing their population! The early morning walkers and pedestrians suffer a lot walking on these uneven roads!

NO TREES, NO GROUNDWATER IN CASE OF RAINS, NO GREENERY! NOTHING TO SHADE US FROM THE SCORCHING HEAT!

ONLY CONCRETE JUNGLES ALL AROUND! NOTHING BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT!

SO COME, THINK & ACT! WHAT ABOUT ALL THE BIRDS, SQUIRRELS AND OTHER ARBOREAL ANIMALS THAT ARE DEPENDENT ON TREES FOR LIVING AND FOOD?!

Everyone's Friend,

Lakshmi! :-)))