Eyes : The Windows to the Soul

Happen to come across something vital, for the eyes
i call it the 20-20-20 care 

Step I :-

After every 20 minutes of looking into the computer screen, turn your head and try to look at any object placed at least 20 feet away. This changes the focal length of your eyes, a must-do for the tired eyes.

Step II :-

Try and blink your eyes for 20 times in succession, to moisten them.

Step III :-

Time permitting of course, one should walk 20 paces after every 20 minutes of sitting in one particular posture. Helps blood circulation for the entire body.

Circulate among all if you care. They say that your eyes are mirrors of your soul, so do take care of them, they are priceless.

p.s : i did not own this, took it from the net -just sharing it for love
Sai Ram 

Kanum Ponggal

Today marked the 4th day of  Ponggal festival
everything went on well thru God's blessing
~Sai Ram
Hence here are some photos on the beautiful day, happened today

:)

The preparation :)

Yes! our outpouring happiness & sweet blessing :D

Our very,very yummy Ponggal  

Hanuman Jeyanthi

It's Hanuman Jayanthi today hence let me share something on him today
:)


Lord Hanuman symbolizes strength and unparalleled devotion and selfless service. He is the greatest devotee of Lord Ram. He is a Brahmachari (celibate) and humility is his hallmark. He served Sri Rama with pure love and devotion, without expecting any fruit in return. He lived to serve Sri Rama. He is the living embodiment of Ram-Nam. He was an ideal selfless worker, a true Karma Yogi who worked desirelessly and dynamically. He was a great devotee and an exceptional Brahmachari or celibate. 

He was humble, brave and wise. He possessed all the divine virtues. He did what others could not do-crossing the ocean simply by uttering Ram-Nam, burning the city of Lanka, and bringing the sanjeevini herb and restoring Lakshmana to life again. He brought Sri Rama and Lakshmana from the nether world after killing Ahiravana. 

On the day of Hanuman Jayanti devotees apply sindoor to the idol of Hanuman. There is very popular legend behind this. Once Sita ji was Appling sindhoor on her forehead and Hanuman enquired about its significance. To this Sita ji replied, that this ensured long life for her husband. Hanuman on hearing this applied sindhoor all over his body praying for the immortality of his Lord. He came before Lord Rama. When asked Hanuman replied, “It is only to please you my Lord.” Lord Rama was very pleased and by seeing his devotion, he declared that whoever applies sindoor on the body of Hanuman will get my loving devotion and I will pleased with that devotee. 

On the day of Hanuman jayanti Lord Hanuman is worshiped and offered sindoor and pan. People visit the Hanuman temple and apply the sindhoor taken from the idol of Hanuman on their forehead. It is supposed to bring good luck to them. Prasad (religious food offering) is distributed among the people. Pooja is performed and abhisheka (religious offering consisting of coconut and flowers) is done. Devotees read the Hanuman Chalisa and recite the Holy name of Lord Rama. Most of the devotees keep fast, especially those who are wrestlers and body builders.


Source : http://www.astrospeak.com/astrology/vedic-astrology/festivals/Hanuman-Jayanti/articleshow/4909591.cms


I would also like to share a wonderful work on Hanuman done by an artist , and I am inspired to do a work similar to it as well

Source : http://sketchbob.com/2010/10/09/100-sketches-of-hanuman/

next is the artwork for the day which i took about 2 days to complete

a simple work 

:)

anyway with the love & respect to Hanuman, let me call it a day

and I shall now be off to see him in the temple

Jai Ram Sri Ram,Jai Jai Ram

:)

True Offering To God

interesting excerpt taken from : http://www.godsdirectcontact.com/quanyin/htm/046/my.html

"Concentrate & meditate,no need for outer performance so much,no need to even bow to me or bow to any Buddha.If you see them inside,see the Buddhas inside, you may bow if you want to. But the Buddhas do not expect these things. They expect that you are devoted to yourself, so that you can find your inner nature and become Buddha or become one with God. Find your own glorious nature and be of help to yourself and many other beings.
That is what the Buddha expects from us"

Spoken By The Supreme Master Ching Hai, Hsihu Center, Formosa January 5, 1995 (Originally In English)

Vegetable Fajita

Since I had Fajita as my lunch today, let me share the recipe on how to make a vegetarian Fajita
indeed a healthy recipe (:
Taken from Recipe blog (vahrehvah.com)  (:

Vegetable  Fajitas

RECIPE Ingredient Name Unit Quantity Black Pepper Powder tsp 1 Cilantro/corriander leaves tbsp 1 Green Pepper number 1 medium Onion (Chopped fine) number 1 Mexican Tortillas or Chapatis number 7-8 Oil to fry red Chillies number 2 Red Pepper Chopped Julliene number 1 Salt to taste Yellow Pepper number 1 Directions | How to make Vegetable Fajitas Saute the onion and red chillies in heated oil. When onion becomes translucent, add the bell peppers. Stir well and cook until bell peppers become tender. Add salt, pepper and Cilantro leaves (finely chopped). Allow to cool. Roll the above mixture in the Mexican Tortillas or Chapatis. About 1 tbsp in each. Serve as a starter or an entire. Very Delicious and filling.

Mantra

A very beautiful story , that I came across & I wish to share it here

Ref: Mantra & the Goddess, SwaminiSri Lalitambika Devi

An old Indian tale tells of a thief whose life was transformed by the power of a mantra in which he didn't believe. Though born a brahmin,he fell in with a band of marauders. For years, he lived a life of remorseless debauchery, robbing men, women , and children alike.

One day, he dared to steal alms from a wandering saint. The saint felt compassion for the misguided man. He asked whether the thief thought that his family would be happy to share in the consequences of his actions as they were in the goods that he  brought back for them.
The man was shocked to find that his loved ones turned away at the question.

The saint then offered to initiate the thief with a mantra.
At this, the thief scoffed. " I cannot repeat a sacred sound,"he said,"because I don't believe in the sacred."

"It's alright," the saint responded. "Do you see that Mara tree?" The thief gazed at the tree with its dark foliage and graceful trunk. It was late in the afternoon, and the setting gun glinted through its branches, casting long shadows against the earth. The thief could see that the tree existed. It was no more mysterious or scared than he himself was. And it was beautiful.

"Simply repeat the name of that tree," said the saint."Mara."

This , the thief took to.As he continued on his way, he began to repeat Mara, Mara over and over again.

It's said that , in time, he sat so still and chanted the mantra for so long that an anthill grew up over him.Still, he remained unperturbed. Because he chanted steadfastly, the syllables manifested great power.

When he emerged from the anthill, the thief was glowing. He had realized that, though stealing might bring him wealth without work, other people's possessions would never satisfy him. In fact, no possessions could satisfy him. He devoted the rest of his life in service to all beings.

As he sank deeper and deeper into the space of the heart, he began to compose great hymns of joy and praise. In fact, he composed the Ramayana, the epic poem that tells the story of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and their ever-faithful servant,Hanuman.

This thief-turned-sage was the poet-saint Valmiki. As he had repeated Mara, Mara, so Valmiki had begun to chant the name Rama Rama. So he had become enlightened, and a source of truth for all.