It's Dussera and Diwali time. Just got curious to know more about the same. DUSSERA celebrates the victory of Good over Evil. The nine days preceding Dussera are known as Navaratri. During this period, Goddess Durga is worshipped in different forms - as Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Mahakali(3 main forms of SHAKTI). Each of these 3 forms gave rise to 3 more forms and hence they are called Nava Durga.

NAVADURGA FORMS:
Shailputri Brahmacharini Chandraghanta Kushmanda Skandamata Kaatyayani Kaalratri Mahagauri Siddhidatri

You can know more about each of these forms from this link and even this too.

Nava Durga Stuthihi(Prayer/Song) :
Pradhamaa Shailaputricha; Dwithiya Brahmacharini, Thruthiyaa Chandraghantethi Kushmandethi Chathurdhikee; Panchamaa Skandamaathethi; Shashtaa Kaatyayanethicha; Sapthamaa Kaalarathreecha; Ashtamaachaathi Bhairavee; Navamaa Sarvasiddhischaath; Navadurgaa Prakeerthithaa !!!

Dussera also means "cutting the ten heads of Ravana". The ten heads represent:
Loathing, Desire, Envy, Selfishness, Dishonesty, Obsession, Gluttony, Rage, Passion, Pride.

And, DIWALI is called the "festival of lights". Diwali is celebrated for five continuous days and each day has its significance.
The first day of Diwali is Dhanatrayodashi. During Dhanatrayodashi, lamps are lit to welcome Lakshmi. Houses are decorated and homemade sweets are offered to the Goddess.
On the second day, known as Narakachaturdashi, the victory of Lord Krishna over the evil King Narakasura is celebrated. Few lamps are lit and few crackers are burst in joy.
The third day is almost exclusively devoted to the goddess, Lakshmi. Lakshmi Pooja is done. Lamps are lit and crackers are burst in joy.
Padwa is the name commonly given to the fourth day of Diwali. It is considered an auspicious day for starting new business ventures.
On the final day of Diwali, also known as Bhai-duj, the focus is on the love felt between brothers and sisters. Gifts are exchanged and food is shared.
You can check for some more info here.

This is a forward from my friend. Felt like sharing with you all...

Three things in life once gone never come back -
   Words  Opportunity  Time
Three things in life are never sure -
  Dreams  Success  Fortune
Three things in life that make you a great person -
  Hardwork  Sincerity  Success
Three things in life are most valuable -
  Love  Self Respect  Friends
Three things in life must not be lost -
  Peace  Hope  Honesty
Three things in life that destroy a person -
  Greed  Pride  Anger
Three things in life that never last -
  Pain  Sorrow  Disappointment

Bhakti means devotion or pure love. The 9 forms include:

1. Sravanam / Hearing the glories of God.
2. Kirtanam / Singing the glories of God.
3. Smaranam / Internal meditation on the Lord's form.
4. Padasevanam / Serving His lotus feet.
5. Archanam / Worshiping(deity worship) the Lord.
6. Vandanam / Prostration to Lord(offering prayers to please God).
7. Dasyam / Servant of God.
8. Sakhyam / Friendship with the Lord.
9. Atmanivedanam / Complete surrender of the Self.

These nine modes of Bhakti help the devotee to remain constantly in touch with God. A devotee can take up any of these paths and reach the highest state.

Learnt something new today about Self-confidence vs Ego. There is a very thin line dividing the two. Let's see.

confidence : I can do the work and others also can do it.
ego : I alone can do it and nobody else can.

confidence : I always try to encourage and help others in building their confidence.
ego : I try to curb and discourage others when they try to come up in life.

confidence : I always attract people. Even the weak feel confident and elevated in my presence and get inspiration in my company.
ego : I create repulsion in the minds of people who try to avoid me because of my boastful nature.

confidence : I appreciate the success of others and share my happiness with them.
ego : I discourage and humiliate others and feel jealous of the success of others.

confidence : Everyone enjoys working with me because I am always cheerful and can mix freely with everybody.
ego : Even confidence feels an inferiority complex and feel nervous to work with me.

confidence : I always command love and respect.
ego : I always demand and expect love and respect.

confidence : I am always successful in every field of life because I can conquer the hearts of all by putting my faith and confidence in others and receive all help and cooperation from colleagues and friends.
ego : I always suffer setbacks and failures losing men and power because of my arrogant speech which adds only to my worries and tension.

confidence : My faith is in the innermost Divine Self, the source of all power and energy, and also feel the presence of Divine in everyone while dealing with them.
ego : My faith is in my mental and intellectual abilities and skills, forgetting the Divine which operates through mind and intellect out of ignorance. I apply the same standards while dealing with others. I am only aware of weaknesses and drawbacks and never realise that the perfect Divine is hidden behind these superficial appearances, which can be awakened by constant training and positive approach.

Here are few good quotes that I felt like sharing with you all.

HEALTH IS WEALTH

Money Can Buy
A Bed But Not Sleep
A House But Not Home
Food But Not Appetite
Finery But Not Beauty
Amusement But Not Happiness
Luxuries But Not Culture
Pleasure But Not Peace
Religion But Not Salvation
Books But Not Brain
Medicines But Not Health
Service But Not Love
A Woman But Not Lawful Wife
A Passport To Every Where
But Not TO Heaven!!! So, Money Should Be Secondary.

THE ESSENCE OF ALL TEACHINGS

The Best Day - Today
The Greatest Sin - Fear
The Most Expensive Indulgence - Hate
The Most Appropriate Time - Just Now
The Greatest Need - Common Sense
The Most Reliable Friend - Your Own Effort
The Greatest Mistake - Waste Of Time
The Greatest Trouble Maker - Talking Too Much
The Meanest Feeling - Jealousy
The Luckiest Person - Who Is Immersed In Work
The Easiest Thing To Do - Finding Fault
The Greatest Teacher - Experience
The Cleverest Man - One Who Does What He Thinks Right
The Most Hateful Thing - To Criticize Others
The Worst Bankrupt - The Soul That Has Lost Its Enthusiasm
The Most Difficult Thing - To Appreciate Qualities Of Others
The Essence Of All Religions - Truth, Honesty & Humbleness

IN'TENSION'

The moment you are in TENSION
You will loose your ATTENTION
Then you are in total CONFUSION
And you'll feel IRRITATION
Then you'll spoil personal RELATION
Ultimately, you won't get CO-OPERATION
Then you'll make things COMPLICATION
Then your BP may also raise CAUTION
And you may have to take MEDICATION
Instead, understand the SITUATION
And try to think about the SOLUTION
Many problems will be solved by DISCUSSION
Which will worn out better in your PROFESSION
Don't think it is my free SUGGESTION
It is only for your PREVENTION
If you understand my INTENTION
You'll never come again to TENSION !!!

Parachutes and Minds can work only when they are open.

THE WAY TO HAPPINESS

Keep your heart free
from hate,
Keep your mind free
from worry...
Lead a simple life...
Expect little...
Give much.

The richest man - the one who can give his time and attention.

My portrait of Sri Sainath Maharaj.




He is my sweet little Friend, Guru and Guide. It's already 14 years since I knew Him. I love staring at Him a lot( that might have made me draw this :-) ). It just calms my mind and gives eternal happiness. Sometimes, even tears of joy flow down. Love it, SAI. Happy Teacher's Day!!!

To control Hair Fall:

1.   Massage your scalp with raw milk thoroughly. Wash off after 1 hour. It helps in hair growth.
2.   If you boil water including Neem leaves(Vepaku) and have a bath, it will help in the growth of black and thicker hair.
3.   Including garlic in your food will lessen hair fall.
4.   Massage your hair with warm coconut oil weekly once. It helps your hair grow thicker.
5.   Mix 2 spoons pepper powder in 1/2 cup milk and apply to your head. Keep it for the whole night and have a bath early morning. This helps in reducing dandruff and hair fall.

6.   Massage, 2 spoons lemon juice with curd, gently into your scalp. Wait for 2 hours and have a bath. It promotes hair growth.
7.   Meditation for a while per day helps to reduce hair fall.
8.   Gigantic Swallowort(Mandara) oil, when applied weekly twice will help in hair growth.
9.   Applying lemon juice or onion juice in the scalp will help in hair growth.
10.  Use umbrella or a cap when you go out on a sunny day.

11.  A high protein diet with plenty of fruits, green vegetables and dairy products is a must.
12.  Drink 10-12 glass of water everyday. Exercise too will help.
13.  Laugh heartily. The reason for hair fall can also be due to tension, stress, worries, anger, constipation.
14.  Apply almond oil weekly twice to the scalp and massage. It promotes hair growth.
15.  Castor(Aamudam) oil will help in hair growth when massaged monthly once.

16.  Mix Methi powder in curd thoroughly. Apply it and wash it off after 4 hours. It promotes hair growth.
17.  Apply ground coconut to the scalp for hair growth.
18.  If hair falls while combing your hair, have cabbage juice or cabbage regularly as part of your food.
19.  Apply sour cow buttermilk to the scalp. Then wash your hair and see the difference. Your hair will shine and at the same time helps in hair growth.
20.  Apply the paste of cooked Urad dal and leave it for 2 hours. Then wash your hair. Do this weekly twice.

To control Dandruff:

1.   Massage scalp with curd and leave it for 2 hours. Then wash with warm water.
2.   Apply Neem oil to the scalp. The next day, wash your hair. This reduces dandruff.
3.   Never use other's comb. Don't use hair dye's till it is necessary.
4.   Wash your hair weekly twice.
5.    Mix 2 spoons of lemon juice with 2 spoons of coconut oil. Massage well. After 2-3 hours, wash off with warm water.
6.   Apply the paste of Fenugreek(Menthi kura). Then wash hair after an hour.

You can check for more info from these sites.
Ayurvedic stuff    Hair Care    More Tips