Mars - A view from the Puranas

Mars -A view from the Puranas

On July 4 , 1997 , the Independence day of the USA, a spacecraft , Mars the pathfinder landed on nearing the planet, Mars. " Sci-fic became Sci-fact", said a scientist with NASA, in USA.
Throughout man's history no planet has inspired more awe than the Mars and the baleful glare of the Red planet in the night sky has both fascinated and frightened the man. To the ancient civilizations, it was the God of war in Greece, Rome and India. The fascination for Mars is seen in various science fictions, radio plays and movies - all involving encounters with the Red planet's denizens of various sizes, shapes and consistencies. The English novelist H . G . Well's book ' The War of the Worlds' , a dramatic account of an invasion of the earth by octopus like Martians, epitomises the mystic spell of Mars over the human beings.
Recent scientific investigations point out great similarities between the earth and Mars so much so that the scientists believe that originally Mars should have been with earth, later on it must have got separated from the earth.
hindu astrology declares Mars as Bhauma or Bhumiputra, the son of the earth.
Nomenclature - Mars is known by various names. Angaraka ( born from the limb of Shiva or born from Fire ), Bhauma ( son of the earth ), Kuja ( Ku- earth ja -born , born from the earth ) and also Mangala ( beneficial ), Lohita ( red ).
Nature - He is fiery. According to Naradiya purana , Mars is of cruel look, young, bilious , and fickle.
Form- Garuda Purana describes that the huge chariot of Mars is of the color of molten gold and is drawn by eight horses, of the filaments of a lotus and is born of fire.
World - The world of Mars is called lohita ( red). It is nine rayed and full of water.
Birth - According to Matsya Purana, all planets have originated from the rays of the Sun. Mars is the product of the Sun's ray called Samvardhana.
From the perspiration of Lord Shiva-
Puranas like Skanda, Shiva state that when Sati ( Shiva' wife ) sacrificed herself at the sacrifice of Daksha. Shiva, greatly grief stricken at the loss of his wife, started doing penance at the Kailasa mountain. Due to excess of heat produced in the body, a drop of perspiration fell down on the earth from the fore-head of Shiva. From it rose up a child, red in body, with four arms, emitting an extraordinary splendour and started weeping. The earth took the child in her lap and gave him milk and fondled him.
Lord Shiva conferred a boon on the earth that the child would be known after her name. The child would be bestower of land. Since the child was nourished by the earth, he is called Bhauma, Bhumiputra and Kuja. He worshipped Lord Shiva at Kashi and attained the status of a planet by the grace of Shiva.
The birth of Angaraka from the perspiration of Shiva is said to have taken place near Avanti ( Ujjain ), on the banks of the Shipra river. He is called Mangalanatha.
Devi Bhagavata mentions Mangala as the son of Bhumi devi ( earth ) who is the wife of Mahavishnu in his incarnation as Varaha ( Boar ).
Mars is generally identified with Kartikeya. Actually Mars was born for the benefit of the world to destroy the demon Taraka.
There is still another account of the origin of Skanda. Shiva emitted sparks of fire from his eyes, which being thrown into the lake Sharavana, became six infants, who were nursed by the wives of the sages, who are seen in the sky as the Pleiades ( Krittikas). When Parvati saw these babies, she was transported with joy and embraced all of them together so forcibly that their six bodies became one, while their six heads and twelve arms remained.
In yet another legend, Parvati gave into Agni' s keeping the foetus of her unborn son Kartikeya. While it was being carried by Agni, it fell into the Ganges. Hence Kumara is sometimes referred to as the son of Agni and Ganga. The infant was brought up by six Krittikas, hence the name Kartikeya
Kumara is known by various names such as Bhauma, Guha ( the mysterious ), Mahasena ( the great
general ), Shaktidhara (spear holder ), Sharabhu ( Thicket born ),Senapati ( commander - in - chief ).
Worship - Tuesday is sacred for Mars. When the bright fourth tithi ( chaturthi ) falls on a Tuesday, that day is very auspicious for the worship of Mars. It is called Angaraka chaturthi.
Shashti tithi ( sixth tithi )
Since Skanda was anointed as commander - in -chief on a Shashti tithi, it is a day sacred for the worship of Mars. It is said that worshipping Mars on that day, one can get wealth and son.
According to Shiva Purana, if a person worships Skanda and offers lamp etc. as gifts on Tuedays with Krttika star,he will become a clairvoyant whose utterances will always turn out to be true.
Angaraka chaturdashi - if there is fourteenth tithi on a Tuesday, worship of Mars yields more results than a hundred solar eclipses.

Navaratri and the worship of Goddess

                                  Navaratri and worship of Goddess

We have a rich legacy of spiritual tradition. Festivals also a form of preserving that tradition. They are in-built systems envisaged by the sages of ancient times from the point of maintaining a man's physical, mental and spiritual health as well as his social well-being. So in society, there was no case for depression or social malaise. One more striking feature of them is that they are celebrated in different seasons glorifying the Nature and honouring the natural grains obtained by harvest during that period by offering them as prasad to different gods as a token of gratitude and partaking along with others in the worship. This spirit of gratitude to nature is the key- note of all festivals.
The festivals have different aspects like vrata, tithi or parva and utsava. Vrata ' religious vow' indicates a set of rules and discipline with which one voluntarily binds oneself over a particular period of time, during which period he undertakes to maintain physical and mental purity by taking bath, wearing clean pure clothes, worshipping the deity and taking pure and simple food. This vrata is meant for the physical and mental purity , development of strong will power, cultivation of faith and love towards the god, purity of the environment and development of high and positive thinking.
Parva refers to particular date when there is conjunction of particular planets and stars and comes at a fixed time in every year of the Hindu calendar. Parva means knot or joint seen on the sugarcane. As the joints are seen at a certain equidistance on the sugarcane, so the festivals occur at equal intervals in a year. The festivals are determined from the position of stars and planets in the sky. People of ancient times always believed that specific position of planets and stars in the sky affected the life on the earth. So to overcome this, some worship  and disciplines were formulated. Utsava refers to a joyous festive occasion which naturally buys up the spirit of the participants. Participation in devotional songs and dances fosters the social ties and a sense of belongingness , thus taking care of
society's well being because all poor and rich equally participate in the worship in temples and partake offerings of food without any distinction and inhibition.
Navaratri is a major and an important festival celebrated in all parts of India. At the change of seasons, it is celebrated. Generally, the Navaratis are four.
1  From the first day to the tenth day of bright half of the month Chaitra ( March-April ).
2 From the first day to the tenth day of bright half of the month Ashadha ( June-July ).
3 From the first day to the tenth day of bright half of the month Ashwina( Sep- oct ).
4 From the first day to the tenth day of bright half of the month Magha( Dec-Jan).
Of all the four, Vasantika ( also known as shayanakhya ) in the month of Chaitra and Sharadiya ( also known as bodhanakhya ) in the month of Ashwin are the most famous and celebrated all over India. The rest are celebrated in Shakti-peethas and other temples of Shakti ( Goddess Durga ).
The scriptures declare that the worship of the Shakti during the Navaratri in the autumn season( in the month of Ashwina) confers the four goals of life namely Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha on the faithful worshipper.
Parvati tells Lord Shiva ' Whoever does the Navarati worship in the month of Aashwina with devotion, I am pleased and give him good wife, wealth, health and prosperity. Devotees with no desires for these are blessed with salvation.
Why two Navaratris are more significant ?
There is a scientific reason behind this. The Puranas describe that the months Chaitra and Ashwina are jaws of Yama( death ). Spring comes after severe winter and autumn comes after rainy season. In both seasons, inthebeginning, change of seasons bring about various diseases lke fever, cough, cold and other ailments. So to remove these or as a prevention, the worship of the Goddess , taking a few sips of water kept in the kalasha ( jug) during the worship which is sanctified by the prayers and mantras and the harvested grains taken in the simple form maintain the health of the people.
One more significant feature is that the spring festival of Navaratri is celebrated when the Sun is in the northern hemisphere and the autumnal Navaratri is celebrated when the Sun is in the southern hemisphere.
Generally,festivals like Shivaratri, Janmashtami, Ramanavami are all celebrated for a day only where as Navaratri in honour of Goddess Shakti is celebrated for nine days. There is a reason behind this. The mantra of Shakti is called Navakshari. It contains nine syllables. So nine days are celebrated as a symbolism ( one day for each syllable ). Nava means nine. Nava means new also. Newness in old tradition. when vow is observed for nine days and nine nights, it is called Navaratra. When the worship of the Goddess is done at night for ninedays, it is called Navaratri..since Goddess Durga is worshipped in her nine forms. so each day is devoted to one form.
It is believed that the Goddess foght the demon for nine days, starting from the first day of the ashwayuja month ( Sep-Oct ).On the tenth day of Vijaya Dashami, she killed the demon, putting an end to the reign of evil and terror.The celebration on this day symbolises the victory of righteousness over evil.
It is said that Lord Rama worshipped the Goddess Durga on the shore of the ocean before his fight with Ravana. Even the great warrior Arjuna set out for the battle against the Kauravas on this day after worshipping the Goddesss.
The term 'Durga " means the destructor of calamity in the form of physical, mental and spiritual evils.
Devi Purana says that the five constituent syllables of the word Durga namely, da, u,r, g, aa, are said to destroy respectively demons, obstacle, diseases, sin and fear ( da- demons, u - vigna, r - roga, ga - papa, aa - bhaya ) Durga durgatinashini.
Parvati, the power of Shiva is basically the Adi Shakti, but she is called by nine different names.

1 - First day, she is called Shailaputri. Shala means mountain, putri means daughter. She is called Shalaputri because she appeared as the daughter of the king of the mountains, the Himalayas. In this form, she is depicted as riding on an ox. She has a trident in the right hand and a lotus in her left hand. She is also called Haimavati. In this form, she became the consort of Shiva. She was Sati in her previous birth. Among the nine forms, Shailaputri has infinite power. She has great importance that is established by the fact that she is the first one to be worshipped during Navaratri. The yogis concentrate on the first plexus, Muladhara Chakra, to revitalise themselves and to awaken the Kundalini shakti. From here begins the journey to higher chakras.
Dhyana shloka for Shailaputri-

Vande vanchitalaabhaaya chandrardhakrtashekharam l
vrsharudham shuladharam shailaputrim yashasvineem ll

2    - On the second day, the Goddess is worshiped as Brahmacharini. It is in her nature and character to attain the Brahman as Shiva through penance. while a maiden, she is called Brahmacharini and also Tapah charini or Uma. She had performed rare penance on the advice of the sage Narada, when she was the daughter of Himalaya, which included years that she spent on only fruits and the years when she ate only the fallen leaves and the years when she stopped eating the leaves also.That is the reason why she is called Aparna .Amazed at the hardest penance, the gods praised her and Brahma appeared and granted her wish to be the consort of  Lord Shiva.
She has a splendidly glowing form. She has a rosary in her right hand and a kamandalu ( water jug ) in the left. The Brahmacharini form of the Devi fulfills all the desires of the devotees, Sadhakas and Yogis. On the second night Brahmacharini is worshipped and the Kundalini shakti reaches the Swadhishtana chakra. She blesses the devotees. One is enriched with penance, a sense of sacrifice, detachment, moral character and control over the self. Even during the toughest days there is no deviation from the righteous way and solemn duties.
Dhyana shloka-

Dadhaana karapadmaabhyaamakshamaalakamandalu l
Devi prasidatu mayi Brahmacharinyanuttama       ll

3  - Chandraghanta  - The pleasant half-moon is her forehead, in the shape of the lower part of the bell, so she is called Chandraghanta. Her form is very peaceful and benevolent. She has a bright golden hue. She has three eyes and ten hands with swords and other weapons , lotus in one hand and another blesses all. She rides a lion. She is ready for battle. The dreadful sound of the bell creates fear in the devils and protects the devotees.
She is worshiped on the third night. The Kundalini reaches the Manipura chakra. With her grace the yogis are able to see wonderful and divine things, listen to celestial music and smell rare sublime fragrance. She wipes out all the impurities and clears the path of the devotees. The meditation on the Goddess gives instantaneous success. The devotees are freed from fear and endowed with humility, brightness and grace and his voice gets spiritual effect, attraction and sweetness. By worshipping her, one gets wordly success and Moksha.
Dhyana shloka-

Pindajapravararuda  chandakopastrakairyuta l
Prasadam tanute mahyam chandraghanteti vishruta ll

4 - Kushmanda
With her gentle laughter, she created the egg that is the universe. She is called Kushmanda.
When there was no creation, all everywhere darkness, this goddess with her little smile created the universe. There was no universe before her. She is the Adi Shakti. She resides in the solar system and shines brightly like the Sun. Her illumination and glow are matchless. Her glow illumines each animate and inanimate thing in the universe.She has eight hands that stretches up to and covers all the eight directions. She is also famous as Ashtabhuja Devi. She holds different weapons and other things in her seven hands: Kamandalu, dhanush, bana, lotus, vessel with nectar, chakra and mace and grants all Siddhis, Riddhis and Nidhis with her eighth hand in form of japamala.
Kushmanda is worsipped on the fourth day when the Kundalini shakti ascends to Anahata chakra. She frees the devotees from all sorts of diseases and pains and adds longevity, fame, strength and health. She gives material and spiritual powers and properity.
Her vehicle is lion. Kushmanda has another meaning that is pumpkin gourd. it is offered as an offering.
Dhyana shloka-
 Sudhasampurnakalasham rudhiraplutameva ca l
Dadhana hastapadmabhyam Kushmanda shubhadastute ll

5  - Skandamata
  Sanat Kumara, also known as Skanda or Kartikeya, is the commander of the army of gods. In the Puranas, he is also called Kumara or SHaktidhara. She is his mother. So she is called Skandamata. She is a deity of fire.She is seated on a lotus with Skanda in her lap and rides a peacock. She is also called Padmasana Devi. She is completely white and glowing.
She is worshipped on the fifth day during Navaratra.   On this day, the Kundalini Shakti ascends to Vishuddhi Chakra.The Yogi in the Vishuddhi Chakra gets rid of all all outer activities and wordly desires.He is purely in the most pious and conscious state. All his wishes and desires get fulfilled and he feels perfect peace and pleasure. He is in the state of complete bliss and beatitude. A glowing divine halo appears behind his head and gives the devotee illumination.
Skandamata has four hands. She holds her son with her upper right hand and the lower right hand rises up with a lotus. Similarly, the lower left hand rises up with a lotus flower and with the upper left hand, she showers blessings.
Dhyana shloka-

Simhasanagata  nityam padmashritakaradvaya l
Shubhadastu sada devi Skandamata yashaswini ll

6  - Katyayani
To fulfil the wishes of the sage Katyayana she appeared at the hermitage of Katyayana to accomplish some rare feats for the gods like killing of the demon Mahishasura. The sage accepted her as his daughter. So she is called Katyayani.
 The Gopis of Braja worshipped Katyayani for Shri Krishna. As a result she is the presiding deity of the complete Braja region even today. She has bright golden hue. She has four hands. The right upper hand makes one fearless and lower hand blesses all. She holds a sword with the upper left hand and a lotus in the lower. She rides a lion. She is worshipped on the sixth day. On this day, the Kundalini Shakti ascends to the Agya Chakra. The Sadhaka completely surrenders to the Goddess. All the pursuits- Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha are easily achieved. His spiritual power and brightness increase.She is worshipped with all prowess, might and agility.
Dhyana shloka-

 Chandrahasojjwalakara  shardulavaravahana l
katyayani shubham dadyad devi danavaghatini ll

7 - Kalaratri
As she killed many demons and became the dark night even for Kala, she is called Kalaratri. She is black with untied hair and wears a necklace as bright as lightning. She rides a donkey, breathes out fire, holds a sword in her right hand and blesses with the other.
Kalaratri has three eyes and she is very dreadful to look at, but she is always auspicious, and hence is also called Shubhankari. So , her devotees have no cause of fear or worry.
Kalaratri is worshipped on the seventh day when the Kundalini Shakti ascends to Sahsrara Chakra. The union with the Brahman is completed.All knowledge and every power of the cosmos is showered on the devotee. He is an enlightened one.He gets Moksha and a treasure of virtues that never gets empty. It can be achieved with atmost piety and carefully following the rules of Yoga.
Dhyana shloka-

Ekaveni Japakarnapura nagna Kharastitha l
Lambosti karnikakarni tailabhyaktasharirini ll
Vamapadollasallohalatakantakabhushana l
Vardhanamurdhadhvaja krshna Kalaratrirbhayankari ll

8 - Mahagauri
In fairness, she has been compared to conch- shell, Moon, and kunda flower ( Jasmine ). Her age is eight years( asta varsha bhaved Gauri ).
In her Parvati form, she did severe penance to get Shiva as her husband.. She had grown weak and dark because of the severe penance. Lord Shiva poured  the Ganges water on her and she got her dazzling white colour back. From then on she became Mahagauri.
She wears white clothes and white ornaments. She has four hands. She holds a trident ( Trishul ) and a tambourine ( Damaru ) and assures all to fe fearless with the upper right hand. She blesses with her lower left hand.
Mahagauri rides a bull. She is an embodiment of peace and tranquility. She is worshipped on the eighth day during the nine-day worship of the Shakti. Her devotees become pure. The impiety and sin do not come near them even in future. They are safe and secure. She is easy to please and readily showers her blessings on all.
Dhyana shloka-

Shwete vrshe samaruda shwetambaradhara shucih l
Mahagauri shubham dadyanmahadevapramodada  ll

9-  Siddhidatri
Nineth form of Shakti is Siddhidatri. She is the giver of all siddhis. Because she makes one free through salvation, she is called Siddhidatri. Shiva acquired eight siddhis- Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Ishitva,and Vashitva, by worshipping Mahashakti. It is according to Markandeya Purana. Brahmavaivarta Purana mentions eighteen siddhis.

1    Anima                                 7-    Sarvakamavasayita                          13 Srshti
2 Laghima                                  8   Sarvagyatva                                      14 Samharakarana samarthya
3 Prapti                                     9   Durashravana                                    15  Amaratva
4 Prakamya                             10 Parakayapraveshana                            16 Sarvanyayakatva
5 Mahima                                11 Vaksiddhi                                            17 Bhavana
6 Ishitva, Vashitva                   12 Kalpavrkshatva                                     18 Siddhi
Lord Shiva got all these siddhis through the Goddess. Because of her grace, Shiva's half body became the Goddess. So he is famous as Ardhanaishvara.
Siddhidatri has four hands. She holds a mace in her upper right hand and in the lower left hand she has a conch. She is seated on a lotus. She rides a lion. She is worshipped on the nineth, the last day of Navaratri. The devotee gets the Paramapada ( the Highest abode ) and has nothing more to achieve or wish.
Dhyana shloka-
Siddhagandharvayakshadyairasurairamarairapi l
Sevyamana sada bhuyat siddhida  siddhidayini ll

In the term Shakti, Sha refers to aishvarya and kti means prakrama.
Aishvaryavachanah shashcha ktih prakrama eva cha l
Tatsvarupa tayordatri sa shaktih parikirtita   ll            ( Devi Bhagavatam )
Shakti is the embodiment of  prosperity and strength.So she is the giver of the two.
The Adyashakti has three powers that is what is said of Brahman. The Supreme is formless. But with a view to create' Ekoham bahu syam prajayeya' ( I am one let me become many ) he assumes three forms because of his threefold powers of Maya. He creates the universe, protects and every thing dissolves in him. This is Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra. The Shaktis are Mahasarasvati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali. The power of Brahma which creates the universe is called Mahasarasvati, the power of Vishnu, which nourishes is called Mahalakshmi and Rudrashakti, which is responsible for destruction is called Mahakali.
These actions can be viewed in two ways. one is ' historical and chronological sequence ' where in this is viwed like this- First a thing is created, then it exists and in the end gets destroyed.
These three actions can be viewed in another way also- that is from the psychological standpoint of the spiritual aspirant. In the words of Sadashivabrahmendra, ' Janiviparitakramatah', in the reverse order of creation i.e from dissolution. That is why ' Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaravati come in upasana or worship.
First the teacher removes the ignorance from the mind of the disciple , he does the work of dissolution, Rudra or Mahakali. Then whatever real knowledge is in the mind of the disciple, he nourishes it like Vishnu or Mahalakshmi. Then removing the ignorance, protecting the knowledge, he gives new instructions regarding the true knowledge which dawns, he does the work of creation, Brahma or Mahasarasvati. This is the sequence adopted in the scriptures. In Kenoupanishad, it is Uma Haimavati who imparts the knowledge to the seeker, Indra. Mother is glorified first,.' Matrudevo bhava'.  It is always a mother's compassion, love and greatness that bring prosperity to children. Feminine energy nurtures, it heals, comforts and motivates.
In Navratri, the first three days are devoted to the worship of Durga, the embodiment of Kriyashakti. The next three days are to Lakshmi, the embodiment of Icchashakti and the last days to Sarasvati, who represents Gyanashakti. When ignorance is destroyed, one gets inner strength and works. Efforts bring prosperity and one's desires get fulfilled. When he does not find peace in desires, he contemplates. Then the knowledge of the truth dawns. It leads to victory, freedom. In fact the celebration of Navaratri signifies the evolution of the soul through three ladders to its destination namely, freedom. Tamo guna, the dirt or ignorance of the mind is removed by karmayoga represented by Durga. Distractions , desires represented by Rajas brings prosperity denoted by Lakshmi. Sattva though is praised but still an obstacle in the realization of the pure-self. It is dispelled by the power of higher wisdom, which is Sarasvati. The final victory is called vijaya Dashami, the tenth day. That is the day of victory, where one masters the forces of Nature completely and one's goal is achieved. When one steps over nine, he enters into infinity. Numbers are nine only. The whole cosmos is within nine. When one transcends nine, he goes to Infinity, which is his real nature, self. The tradition of Goddess worship is reflected in the worship of young girls,and in different art forms like music, dance etc both in houses and temples.
Reading and recitation of Shri Lalita sahasranama, Durga saptashati, Saundaryalahari, Mukapanchashati are recommended as effective means for  the grace of the Goddess.
Worship of the Goddess inculcates discipline and leads to purity of mind. Ultimately meditation and worship of the Devi in various ways should enable us to go beyond the form to reach the real inner potential, the real strength in us, which is formless, which is the real Truth, the realization of which is the purpose of human life.

Saturn- A pauranic view

                               Saturn - A Pauranic view


 Saturn is in many ways the most fascinating of all the planets and is certainly the most sensational in appearance. It not only has nine moons, but also is surrounded by three circular rings which form a sort of frill or collar around its middle portion.
Astronomically planets exist. Astrology and religion deify them because of their profound influence on the earthly lives.
This deity seems, under different names to have always held a high place in Indan religion, by virtue of its prominence in the heavens being the biggest and the extent to which its influence is gelt upon the earth by being the slowest in motion leaving an effective impact on the yerrestrial events for a long time.
The observation of the movement of this planet to the fourth house, eighth house with reference to the location of moon in the birth chart and seven and a half period coinciding with the transit of Saturn over the moon corelating to the events on the earth must have excited the keenest curiosity amonst a childlike and inquisitive people and at the same time, the imagination was left to account for the existence of phenomena which in a non-scientific age, are altogether beyond the kuman ken. Here the Puranas serve as resource material on various issues relating to the planets. The nature and features of the planets have been delineated in a beautiful garb of stories for retention and various remedial measures have been suggested for averting the evil influence and courting the benign favour from the heavenly bodies. Thus the Puranas serve a great purpose in bridging the gap between science and practice, which is the need of the hour.
Shanaischarah -  The proper name of the planet is Shanaishchara. Shanaih means slowly, chara means moving. So slow moving planet is Saturn.
The various epithets used for Saturn are referred to in Skanda Purana thus:
Sauri  - Son of the Sun , Shanaishchara - Slow- moving,  Manda - dull or slow, Krishna - dark , Ananta - endless , Antaka - destroyer , Yama- controller, Pishanga - tawny , Chhayasuto - son of Chhaya , Babhru - reddish brown, Sthaira - steady , Pippalayanah - one whose abode is the holy fig tree . These epithet- names are enjoined to be uttered in the morning to keep away the wrath of Shani.

Padma Purana refers to other epithets of Saturn such as Grahanam Graharaja - king of the planets, Sarvamaheshwarah - supreme controller of all , Kalarupi Mahagraha - great planet in the form of time , Jatilah - wearer of matted locks, Vajra roma - possessing hair like vajra ( iron ), Danavanam bhayankarah - terrible to demons.
Son of the Sun - Sanjna, the daughter of Vishwakarma was the wife of the Sun and bore him three children , Manu Vaivasta, Yama and the goddess Yami ( The Yamuna river ). Sanjna , who was unable to bear the dazzling brilliance of Surya ( The Sun god ) ordered her maid Chhaya ( that is her own shadow or image ) to attend on her husband and went to the forest for performing penance.  The Sun taking Chhaya to be his wife Sanjna, begot by her three other children namely Savarni Manu, Shanashchara ( Saturn ) and a daughter Tapati ( Tapti river ).
Brahma Purana states that the second son of  the Sun , brother of Manu, Shanaishchara attained planethood worshiped by all.
Skanda Purana attributes to Saturn's planethood to his devotion and Lord Shiva's grace.
Most fierce and cruel - Chhaya upon one occasion being offended with Yama , the son of Sanjna on account of her ill - treatment towards her step- children , denounced an imprecation upon him, and there by let it be seen that she was not Sanjna , his mother. The Sun came to know about the actual happening and cursed Saturn, the son of Chhaya to become cruel and fierce, crooked in return of his mother's crookedness. Varaha Purana refers to this anecdote.
This legend perhaps forms the basis for the well-established astrological principle on Saturn- Sun opposition. Skanda Purana states that even great gods and demons fear his look. There is not a single being in the universe who is not oppressed by Saturn.
Saturn's downward look and lameness-
 This is referred to in the Ganapathi khanda of Brahmavaivata Purana. Saturn is depicted as a devotee of Krishna. At the behest of Shiva, Vishnu and other sages, Saturn went to bless Ganesha at his birth. Saturn stood with his eyes downward. On being asked, Saturn told the reason. Once Saturn being in meditation did not look at his wife, the daughter of Chitraratha approaching him. So she cursed Saturn that whatever he would look at directly, would be reduced to ashes.Afterwards when she knew that Saturn's action was not intentional but as he was busy in meditation, he was anaware of his surroundings, she repented her act but could not free her husband from the curse. So Saturn said to Parvati that he never looked directly at any one to avoid destruction. But when Parvati insisted that Saturn should look at her son to bless him on that festive occasion, with great hesitation, Saturn looked at the child Ganesha only to see the child's head getting cut off and flying off into Lord Krishna in Goloka and the body lying on the lap of Parvati drenched in blood. When all fainted out of grief, Vishnu reached the banks of the river Pushpabhadra and finding a king elephant with herd cut off the head of the elephant giving boons to the herd and fixed it upon the child 's body and revived it through spiritual powers. Parvati was happy to see the child alive but got angry with Saturn and cursed him that he would be devoid of a limb. The Sun, Yama, sage Kashyapa and others became furious at Parvati's behaviour as it was Parvati who insisted on Saturn's looking at the child and the fault was not of Saturn. Parvati also realized her folly and said that curse once uttered could not be taken back, so Saturn would be a little lame and blessed him with kingship among the planets, long life. to remain a peer among the yogis and with devotion to Vishnu.

Saturn and Ashwaththa
According to Brahma Purana, the worship of sacred fig tree ( Peepal ) in a specified manner is said to mitigate the rigours of the influence of Saturn in a person's horoscope and confer prosperity.
In the heaven, there were two cruel sons of Kaitabha namely Ashwaththa and Pippala. Ashwaththa used to assume the form of Fig or Peepal tree and devour the brahmins who came there to cut the twigs for sacrifice. Pippala  , assuming the form of a singer used to devour the students who came to learn the vedas from him. The number of brahmins dwindled. So the sages started doing penance and came to Saturn who was also practising penance. Saturn agreed to kill the demons on the completion of his penance without completing which he said that he was powerless in uprooting the demons. The sages , in turn offered their powers accrued from their penance to Saturn upon which Saturn went to the demon ( in the form of Peepal tree) in the guise of a brahmin. As usual the demon devoured the son of the Sun. Saturn's one direct look at inside of the stomach of the demon was enough to reduce him to ashes. Then Saturn went as a disciple to the other demon and when the demon devoured Saturn, the latter's one direct look at inside the stomach of Pippala burnt him to ashes. Agastya and other sages being pleased gave numerous boons to Saturn.  Saturn then himself said,
" Whoever touches Peepal tree on every Saturday regularly , all his undertakings will be successful and will be free from the miseries caused by Saturn."
" Whoever takes bath in Ashwaththa Tirtha, all his wishes will be fulfilled."
" Whoever after getting up in the morning on Saturday touches Ashwaththa tree ( Peepal), all his troubles from the planets will be mitigated."
Legend of Pippalada and Saturn
  This is referred to in Skanda Purana. Pippalada , a sage boy and nephew of the famous sage Yagyavalkya, a desolute without parents or any one to look after him, lived in a wretched condition in a jungle. Once sage Narada met the boy and the boy wanted to know the cause of his miseries. Narada told him that the wretched condition was due to the placement of Saturn in Lagna ( first house ) in his horoscope. The boy was very upset and became angry with Saturn. An angry look of Pippalada at Shani dropped him ( Saturn ) down the sky. Narada requested Saturn not to look straight at the boy and put back the planet in the sky and advised the boy not to anger Saturn. Narada  said that Saturn when placed in the eighth house in a horoscope tormented even the deities. Saturn in Lagna and in the second house in a horoscope are not good.
The intensity of Saturn's effulgence is referred to here in an event that took place when Saturn was a child. Saturn saw the feet of his father, the Sun, as soon as he was born and the father who came to see the new-born baby, had to cover them with a cloth. But that did not save him. He got both of his feet burnt. Hence in all idols, they are said to be even now covered with leather.
The boy felt sorry for making saturn fall from the sky and asked Narada some remedy. To this, Narada replied that planets, cows, kings and brahmins when worshipped become pleased and when insulted burn the offenders. Narada asked Pippalada to pray to Saturn. Pippalada prayed and Saturn being pleased granted a boon to the boy who requested the planet not to trouble children below sixteen years of age ( baala).
The recitation of stotra by Pippalada on Saturday in the morning, taking oil bath, placing the image of Saturn made of iron downwards in oil and bathing with the same oil, offerings of sesame and oil, gift of black cow, performing homa with the twigs of Shami tree, worship of Saturn with sesame oil and black ( dark blue ) flowers, black cloth and offering incense are mentioned as effective measures in nullifying the distress caused by Saturn as well as conferring properity.
Saturn and Rohini
 It is believed that when Saturn attacks the star Rohini, great disaster occurs. This is referred to in Skanda Purana, Padma Purana , Mahabharata etc.
When king Dasharatha was ruling his kingdom with righteousness, everything was flourishing. Once the astrologers told him that the son of the Sun ( Saturn ) , then in the end of Krththika star would break the constellation Rohini which indicated terrible drought. Drought would lead to dearth of food, then men, then the total extinction of all religious rites. Hearing this, Dasharatha became furious and obstructed the path of Saturn which was going towards Rohini and threatened to kill Saturn if he did not give up going to Rohini. Saturn was pleased with the king's concern for human welfare and valour and did not attack Rohini. The planet granted the king a boon upon which Dasharatha requested Saturn that the latter should not trouble any person who takes oil bath on Saturday.
This explanation is in support of the custom of taking oil-bath on Saturdays especially in South India. This is highly scientific.It is well-known that Saturn is karaka for diseases caused by vata ( wind ) like Rheumatism, Paralysis, diseases of joints etc. Regular oil massage keeps away these diseases.
Giving seasame seeds and iron on saturdays for a year is recommended as a remedial measure to keep away the adverse effects of transit of Saturn.
Performance of Shanti-homa with seasame, sacrificial sticks and rice-grains on Saturdays is prescribed as an antidote against the trying period of seven and a half years of Saturn's rule on any individual.
Even hearing or reading the dialogue between the king and Saturn is recommended in SkandaPurana for overcoming the evil effects of Saturn.
The same story is narrated in PadmaPurana and here Dasharatha asked Saturn to free all men, deities, demons, birds and reptiles from his shackles. Here Saturn justified the term ' graha'. It means ' to catch'. The very existence of the planets is to torment the beings and confer prosperity on them when they pray and worship the planets. So the only remedy to free from the clutches is to recite the prayer of Saturn once or twice in a day. Prayer to Saturn by Dasharatha is given in the SkandaPurana.
A very simple prayer is given in Brhat stotraratnakara thus-
Suryaputro deerghadeho vishalakshah Shivapiyah,
Mandacharah prasannatma peedam dahatu me Shainih.

May Saturn who is the son of the Sun, long-bodied, broad eyed, beloved of Shiva ( or devotee of Shiva ), slow-moving,who is joyous by nature burn my pain !
In the words sage Parashara, Saturn bestows logevity as well as prosperity. Astrologically Saturn is the unconditional taker of life also. This sums up the entire truth. Man's life on this life is determined by the fruits of his actions done in his previous birth. Saturn is the dispenser of justice. This planet's exaltation in the zodiac sign  'thula' ( scales or libra ) justifies this fact.
Since Saturn's influence on earthly life is more prominent and profound than any other planet's , most of the sufferings in life are attributed to him. But sufferings alone ennoble man by paving path way to salvation by discipling the individual. Thus Saturn, a planet of spirituality is the real deliverer of man from the miseries of birth and death also.

Relevance of devotion in Modern age

                              Relevance of devotion in Modern age


The beauty and greatness of Indian Philosophy is that it is practical. It is not only a view of life, but a way of life as well. It is highly scientific with perfect techniques explained exhaustively adopting which one can slowly develop or evolve to reach his view of life, perfection.
Scriptures mention three approaches for human salvation in realization of his own self, in tune with human temperament by way of action, way of knowledge and by way of devotion. But these ways are not independent and exclusive but inter-dependent and inter-related. Of these,devotion is supposed to be the easiest path. Action and knowledge should blend in devotion and that alone will bring the necessitated grace of the Lord for moksha.
The beauty and easiness of Bhakti lies in the fact that there the enquiry takes an outward form also and ends in the acceptance of a Supreme Being- sacchidananda, who is the originator and master of all creation, the enratured contemplation of whose majesty and attributes leads ultimately to total surrender and absorption in Him. The devotion aiding the knowledge in salvation is compared to a lamp helping the eyes at night to have a clear visibility.
History bears an eloquent testimony to importance of devotion along with knowledge. Devotion is necessary for purification of the mind. Knowledge of the truth can dawn only on pure mind. There is plethora of devotional hymns composed by Shankara, Ramanuja, Appaya Dikshita, though widely they are recognized as stalwarts of philosophy.
Devotion toGod-head has a method and a process of its own. It involves degrees of advancement wherein the infinite is more and more coprehended. This gradual advancement is recognized by our
devotional scriptures.
From the nature of the worshipped, devotion is of two types, Nirguna and Saguna. The ideal devotion is Nirguna which is marked by a desireless state of mind and a selfless and wholly dedicated spirit is  present in it. A person who has cultivated the Nirguna Bhakti does not even care for moksha. The second type is Saguna which is again devotion marked by some kind of desire on the part of the devotee. In the Bhagavad-gita, these are mentioned as arta ( afflicted ), jijnasu ( one desirous of knowledge ), artharthi ( desirous of getting some object ), and jnani (knower of the self ). The Saguna aspect is streesed for the felicitation of upasana( worship ).
Devotion is again of two kinds from the angle of devotee- Sadhya and Sadhana. Sadhya is the highest thing a devotee can aspire for. So it is alsocalled Parabhakti or Paramabhakti.
Sadhana or gauni is again of two types from the technical point of view. They are vihita (vaidhi ) and avihita or raganuga. the devotion arising according to injunctions in the scriptures is termed vaidhi. The love for God without any injunction is called raganuga.

The vaidhi bhakti has been dealt with by many teachers of bhakti who have prescribed various forms of discipline for the realization of true devotion in practical life. But the nine principal modes of self-discipline - shravanam, kirtanam, Vishnoh smaranam, padasevanam, archanam, vandanam, dasyam, sakhyam and atmanivedanam as taught in the Bhagavata is the most poetic, sublime, scientific and psychological relating to the three  aspects nama, rupa and bhava of the Lord. Later teachers add other folds such as the company of the good, observing fasts, celebrating religious festivals, going on pilgrimages, giving alms on selected days and so on.
Viewed from the above, it is very clear that the aim of devotion is to control the senses and the mind and put them on the right path, developing concentration towards a goal.
A doubt is often expressed whether devotion is relevant to modern times. Perhaps the real reason why such a question is asked is because there is a ritualistic side to devotion. It is grossly misinterpreted and misunderstood. To an ordinary man, devotion is nothing more than organizing Bhagawati jagaran on roads causing noise pollution or compelling to part with huge amount in the form of dakshina to
priests in temples and houses on religious days. This is not devotion. Taking baths at odd hours,
doing worship or going on pilgrimage at the cost of family is not devotion. Giving huge donations
pandering to the greed of the pseudo priests and causing inconvenience to the members of family is
not devotion. Like everything in the world, with the passage of time, the spirit of devotion has been lost and faddish notions clouding devotion have led to misunderstanding and misuse. Devotion need not be stagnant or fixed. It has to be reassessed in the present day context with a right to discard the irrelevent aspects and imbibe the values or spirit of it.
Today people suffer because of their disorganized life. They get crushed in the competition of the material world. Indian philosophy declares that this need not be, if the individual knows the art of diligently using hos own abilities and efficiencies. It insists that man is essentially perfect and he has within himself all the resources, ability and energy for building up a supremely successful life for himself and for others in the world. Devotion imparts the art of living by which man discovers in
himself, the equipoise to stand up tolife's situations, meeting efficiently the ever-changing world of challenges he has to meet.
Based upon the psychological facts, the physical movements in devotional ritualism are conceived. The feeling of freshness after the bath, the special loose dress of silk for prayer, the reserved prayer-corner, the burning of scented incense, the sandal wood paste on the forehead, the sparkling lamps,the decorated altar of the Lord,the hymns sung, the flowers - all these are means to conduce the correct external atmosphere to create the required mental attitude.
Offering fruits, nirajana ( waving light before the deity ), breaking cocoanut and offering it, circumambulation and other things connected with devotion are not mere actions but symbolic and convey a deep philosophic sense. Since our mental mood determines our actions, our physical attitude can induce the right memtalmood in us. By strengthening the right physical habits, training the mind becomes simpler and surer. When the mind is conquered, then the entire world is mastered. Constant awareness of the divine self within us the secret of holding the mind away from its roaming and the energies are conserved which achieve spectacular success. Divine ideals have a powerful and uplifting effect upon the mind and the man. The success of great men lies only in the healthy and powerful mind.
Japa is a yraining by which the ever dancng rays of mind are persuaded to behave with some order amd rhythm, and thereby generate in their cooeperative efforts , a sile melody of the mantra chanting. The mind becomes extremely single pointed. The results accrued through the power of concentration are clearly noticable in the world. Men who have distinguished themselves in different fields, owe their success to single pointed efforts with a tenacity of purpose, while failures in life are marked by want of concentration.
It is an experienced fact that prayer in the morning or at any time refreshes both the mind and the body.
The modern age is characterized by abnormal stress and strain. This is due to our false values and moral break up with the divine. Devotion provodes a path. Sitting quietly and meditating is nothing but the art of relaxation advised by modern psychologists. Where we keep the mind ineace, there must be center for it to hold on and that is the feet of the Lord. Thus if for at least ten minuites every day we consciously attempt to rest our mind, it can be revived from all its fatigue, and it can get recharged with all its irressistible potentialities.
Human body is the best self-repairing machine. By getting rest, the body will correct itself. There is no illness which the mind cannot shake off by thossubtle process. That is why inmodern researches, yogas and asanas are advocated to treat complicated and deep rooted diseases like high blood pressure, migraines etc.
Love is an enriching emotion. There is no grief in devotion as the object of devotion does not decay, it is imperishable. There is no hatredness as every thing is considered as play of the Lord. There is no joy or sorrow as the devotee is in supreme ecstacy because his heart is constantly dwelling in His presence. All negative qualities like desire, hatred,greed,jealousy and passion which drain our inner wealth get washed away in devotion. This sublimation in one self leads to the welfare of the society, and the world.then the earthitself will get converted into a blissful state.the saying will come true, ' Ift there is heaven, it is here,it is here, it is here.'
Human excellence can be achieved through devotion. It solves problems like the environmental pollutants such as moral ineptitude, unethical practice in private and public, lack of motivation, the psychic-emotional instability, insecurity, mistrust etc.
Many tensions and problems in society arise because of various relationships among the members. Again devotion comes to our rescue. In Bhakti, relation to God can be imagined and enjoyed in the form of God as the master, the beloved, friend or child. The hidden emotional tones are steamed out through devotion and get sublimated. Then all agitations will quieten themselves.
Through devotion values are inculcated with a positive potential to project into the other spheres of life. Devotion provides the social expressions of meeting people to renew, refresh and reinforce the relationships for better human understanding and support. In true devotion, social and moral duties can never be neglected because the world is as real as God. Love for God extends to love for all, for God in immanent in all. Bhakti then becomes the extension of love to the whole society and reaches the vedantic height of realizing God in others also. Pilgrimages are prescribed in the scriptures to inculcate the spirit of divinity in nature and there by the worship of nature, namely ecology, the most discussed subject of today. Since pilgrimage places are all over the globe, going on pilgrimage can pave way for the national and global integration.
Clash of values is common between generations. But devotion can assume new values by inculcating ethical principles like tolerance, reverence,understanding, compassion in cementing this generation gap, for bhakti many a times crosses the frontiers of age.
Many diseases are traced to diseases of the mind. Addictions to drink, drug, crime and sex are due to this only. People resort to these means to get stimulated, to get a kick when they are tired, depressed and when they feel inwardly empty. Here in the diagnosis, Bhakti can play an important role. They can be made to enjoy the nature of God through bhajans. Slowly that will result in the ultimate realization of one's own self as the source of peace and bliss.
Rama Krshna Paramahamsa classifies all human joys into three categories.
1 Vishayananda - Joy arising from sensual or organic satisfaction.
2 Bhajananda-  Joy arising from the worship of God and devotional singing His name and glory.
3 Brahmananda- Joy arising from the experience of Brahman, from the realization of God, the one infinite self in man and nature.
The first one is natural and ordinary and common to both men and animals.As such, it does not express the true glory of man. The third, on the other hand, is too high and rare and beyond the reach of most human beings. But the second is available to all. Soul-stirring music, learning, hearing or singing of it can save addicts from over dependence on harmful external supports and kicks. Bhakti or bhajan gives stimulation from within and external, undecaying, enriching intoxication. Once the addicts are intiated into the enjoyment of bhakti ( bhajan ), they will be eternally cured. They will automatically give up going for external stimulants like a child who gives up his craze for toys once he learns to enjoy the pleasures of reading books. The same senses which demand gratification from outside and degenerate man can be trained by bhakti technique and put into the service of God and humanity for there is so much good in the world to look at, to hear at, to feelat and to serve at. Gandhiji also referred to bhakti therapy and popularized it as Ramnam. Bhakti is nothing but friendship with God, counselling with God. No matter how powerful anti-drug camps and councellings turn out to be, they will never be a substitute for salutary habits which Indian philosophy offers in the form of discipline of bhakti.
Let alone the various disciplines of bhakti, the mere remembrance of God with a pure heart without doing any ritual and the great words of eternal assurances of the Lord in the Bhagavadgita, ' My devotee shall never perish,' ' I shall save you from all evils', can rekindle in a man a fresh burst of enthusiasm to meet and overcome obstacles in his chosen goal. These sentences of Lord Krishna is a sure antidote against our sagging self-confidence, shrinking dejection and gathering mental depression.
There is always the built in modernity of bhakti resulting from self-updating character. Devotion is more a way of life. It is a mental attitude This attitude will make one realize that the peace and joy are not outside but within ourselves.If this attitude is adopted everywhere including work place, there will be no stress, no strain. Everywhere there will be peace and joy, Nothing will be insurmountable.

The expert cook

   

                                 The expert cook


In olden days the main and only job of woman was to take care of the house. So expertise in cooking was considered a necessary qualification.
Shakti kumara, a merchant's son decided to find out a bride for himself and set out in the guise  of a palmist, with four pounds of quality rice bound in a cloth.

Wherever he went, the parents of marriageable daughters showed their girls to him to read their hands. And whenever Shakti kumara saw a suitable match for him, he told her, showing the bundle of rice to treat him to a good lunch with that rice . It was whole rice with husk. The girl would laugh and turn her face away thinking him to be mad.
Ultimately he entered an old big house where Gomini ( name of the girl ) lived with her parents and a servant maid.
The moment he saw Gomini, Shakti kumara knew that she was the girl he was looking for. He simply showed his bundle of rice to her. Before he could say something, Gomini signed to her maid to take the rice from Shakti kumara and asked him to take a seat in one corner of verandha swept and cleaned, giving him water to wash his feet.
Then she set to work, while Shakti watched. First she pounded the rice, kept them in Sunlight for a while and separated the husk from the rice rubbing them on the cleaned floor.
Then she called her maid and asked her to go and sell that chaff to a goldsmith who would need it for polishing his ornaments, and with that money, to buy some wood, nether wet nor dry, a small sized earthern  cooking vessel and two earthern plates.
 After the maid had done her work, Gomini threshed the rice in the mortar with a heavy pestle,sorted it with a winnowing basket and washed it thoroughly. Then making obeisance to the oven, she kindled some of the logs of wood and put the rice in boiling water. After a few minutes, she took the utensil from the cooking fire, covered it with one of the earthern plates and poured the gruel on the other plate. Then stirring the rice with a spoon, making sure that it had been well-cooked, she kept the pot upside down to dry the rice inside.
Next she sprinkled water over the half-burnt logs of wood which had by that time turned into charcoal and asked her maid to sell those charcoals in the market and buy with that money a few vegetables and a little ghee, oil, curd, salt , amalaki ( myrobalans ), tamarind and spices.
The maid went and brought the things quickly.
Then Gomini kindled the remaining logs of wood and prepared two or three dishes. After this, she placed the earthern plate with gruel on wet sand and cooling it gently with a palm leaf fan, put salt and powdered amalaki in it which added to the gruel a flavour resembling the fragrance of lotus.
Then she asked Shakti kumara through the maid to take bath, giving him oil and amalaki for his pre-bath toilet.
When Shakti came back after cool and refreshing bath, he saw a wooden seat placed on the clean floor swept and rubbed for the second time and before it the tapering portion of a plantain leaf taken from the garden. Shakti took his seat. Gomini first brought him the cool soothing gruel soup which removed his weariness and exhaustion all at once.
Then she brought two big spoons full of steaming rice, poured a little ghee over it and served the vegetable soup and another dish she had prepared.
When Shakti had finished that, she brought the third course - the remaining rice and curds spiced with pepper, cinnamon and ginger, and fragrant cool butter milk and sour gruel.She offered him water fragrant with rose petals mingled with the perfume of full-blown lotuses.
Then the maid removed the leaf and cleaned the place.
Being highly pleased , with the consent of their parents, he married that girl  according to the proper rites, and took her home.

Take care of your nature and nature will take care of you

                                  Take care of nature and nature will take care of you

The striking features of nature are its richness in variety, orderliness and rhythm. The world of nature is very varied. But still there is an order. There is no clash seen anywhere regarding shelter and food. Of all the created ones, man is supposed to be the supreme because he is credited with discrimination.

The scriptures declare that the entire outside world consisting of earth, sky, the Sun, the moon and the stars, the plant kingdom, animals and birds , the rivers and oceans was created first and then the man. The entire paraphernalia is essential for man to exist and enjoy it and lead a fruitful life. Even now man finds comfort in the lap of nature when he is tired or stressed.

Nature, and the world outside is not an inanimate thing. It is a living, pulsating organism. The great  thinkers of ancient India recognized it fully- understanding it as the cosmic form of the Infinite Reality. It is to be cultured and nourished, respected and revered. If  one approaches nature with the right attitude, he can invoke its grace and blessings to benefit humanity.

The third chapter of the Bhagavad Gita explains the ideal relationship between man and nature beautifully. The whole world of cosmic powers and natural phenomena functions instinctively in the service of all. When you cherish nature with give and take spirit in the society or the community, you shall be cherished by the natural forces in turn, and thus mutually cherishing each other you will reach the highest prosperity, peace and joy.
Man has both the qualities evil and good. There is always a constant struggle between the two. With the advent of the scientific revolution and impact of materialism, the qualities like gratitude, love, kindness tend to erode and selfishness, intolerance, greed, pride, egoism, hatred all predominate. These have brought about innumerable evil results like corruption , vulgarity etc. In spite of his conquest over nature, the wild brutal aspect of nature within him has gained upper hand clouding his glorious qualities of compassion, love, forgiveness, gratitude.
He is disharmony with himself. So he exhibits evil thoughts which emit negative waves. It is a universal law that love begets love and hatred returns hatred only with multiple times. Emitting negative thoughts rebounds on him and ultimately man himself may be wiped out from the surface of the earth.
Nature reflects man. Man's behaviour to nature and other beings is the deciding factor. In his vanity, man thinks that he is successful and that he has achieved things. Really speaking, he cannot achieve anything without the help of nature and community. These are all his gifts. He should realize this. There are innumerable stories available in literatures as to nature saved good people and showed its fury in the form of floods, fire, earth quakes etc in destroying the evil. There is an interesting story that tree went as a witness for a honest man in getting him justice. It is said that the sky, earth, trees are eternal witnesses and man cannot hide anything from them. Even birds animals all help a good person. They punish a bad one.
Rama's kingship was governed by righteousness and his rule was based on the welfare of the people.
Rama-rajya, the ideal kingdom on earth, that was the time when social harmony prevailed and people lived in peace. Because the leader was upright, loving and just. It was a golden age of golden deeds.
Rama-rajya is like Milton's version of millennium, a golden age as he expresses in ' Paradise Lost '.
Milton dreams of
New heavens, new earth, ages of endless data,
Founded in righteousness, and peace and love,
To bring forth fruits, joy and eternal bliss.
During Rama's rule, nobody was tempted to do any violence to any body. Every one was healthy and free from diseases. Trees always brought forth fruits and flowers. The rains were on time. Every one

was contented, none spoke falsehood. A man's  good conduct has such purifying effect on the entire atmosphere. All these aspects of Rama-rajya are relevant in any age.
In the same way, any one of you can conquer the universe around you,because you are the center. If you change, the world will also change. We have  forgotten all the beautiful techniques of mastering the world around, improving our country, beautifying our society with human qualities.
Revolutions or changes in the constitution will not change the world or bring peace.
The world outside is ruled by, governed by, determined by us. Each one of us is responsible for the condition of the world today. Let us change the world by changing ourselves. When man realizes oneness of life, unity of consciousness, he will never engage himself in strife or quarrel. This realization is possible  by introspection and using discrimination.
When man is in harmony with himself and the world, peace and prosperity accrue on its own. The great seers of the Vedas always declared that the movement, speech and mind of the people should be harmonious. They should try to understand each other. Their common goal should be public welfare.
What a glorious vision !

Relevance of Sanskrit

                                       Relevance of Sanskrit

The antiquity of Sanskrit is unquestionable. Since it is not spoken and understood by most of the people, it can  be considered at the most at present a dormant language still containing active elements of vitality seen in the structure, words and literatures of other languages and in prayers to various gods and in religious ceremonies observed even today.
With so many invasions and advent of modern science and civilization in India, medium of English, a foreign language, Sanskrit went into disuse. This language had never been a language of the masses, but a language of the elite class, language of the priests and astrologers and it continues to be their language to this day, but only for limited purposes.
Sanskrit is connected with scriptures and religious practices. The details of ceremonial observances, punishments of crime and expiation of sin are certainly obsolete now, though in their times they did serve a useful purpose.
To an ordinary man Sanskrit is nothing more than the stories and myths and religious conduct(out dated ) depicted in Manusmrti. The stories and myths abound in Sanskrit are symbolic and can be appreciated only when given a deep thought. So they are not properly understood as people in general are not conversant with the depth of Sanskrit language and most of the stories are  or read through translations. The real significance is lost and they do not have modern appeal. Religion, abstract detailings, obscure language and other unintelligible things appear incoherent to modern man. So Sanskrit is discarded as useless.
Generally people do not explore Hinduism as something well beyond brahmanism. Often religion is misunderstood. All misunderstandings about dharma, karma, religion arising out of ignorance , selfishness, narrow mindedness and superstitions are passed off as belonging to Sanskrit itself. Caste system gets no new look in. The real analysis in its historical perspective is not done and is misused for political purposes. Secular is used as against Sanskrit which has come to stand for religious.
 Such being the position, the question arises ' Is Sanskrit really outdated ? It is true today Sanskrit is not living as a spoken language. But is its impact on other languages of India, nay other countries, its rich culture, its vast spectrum comprising all compartments of  knowledge all waste, dead? There is not any field in which Sanskrit is not enriched. But how many people even Sanskrit persons know it ?
It is often said that a worthless man never knows the worth of the preciousness of the gem he possesses. Only a non-possessor knows the worth and yearns and tries to get it. Indians felt proud and took the credit for being the owners of Sanskrit when two decades before foreign scholars expressed the possibility of Sanskrit as a fitting language for computer. Its connection with artificial intelligence brought a fresh vigor even in non Sanskrit people to learn Sanskrit through a crash course in one month or ten days and came to be associated with it to claim honor for it.
With a view to teach the Japanese scholars correct pronounciation of Sanskrit, a Japanese library planned to bring out a Compact Disc (CD ) with Sanskrit grammar and verses. This was also planned to help Japanese people to study the Deva- Bhasha, the language of the gods.
Research centres were set up in Europe to identify problems where the Vedas would be relevant, arising from the application of Science and Technology- environmental pollution, bio- medical and bio-technical ethics and the unsustainability of consumption based growth. The project would also seek to identify elements within modern science that are related to vedic ideas on consciousness, mind, matter and time.
Now scientists support positive relationship between vegetarian diets and risk reduction for several chronic degenerative disesases. Here again we have time tested use of vegetables and diet according to climate, weather and conditions of vata, pittha, kapha so scientifically arranged in Charaka and
other samhitas . Can there be a better opportunity for fusion of tradition and modernity than this?
The scope for pilgrim tourism is enormous here as India is steeped in mysticism , yoga, meditation and religious fervour. Here again, knowledge of Sanskrit and Sanskrit literature which abounds in temple-lore such as architecture, stories of gods, symbolism of religious practices can help pilgrim tourism in taking off in a big way. Thus it will give an opportunity to eradicate the wrong conceptions about religion, religious practices as understood today.

In the national seminar organized by Bar council of India on ' Law, religion and politics', it was pointed out that though it may sound a paradox, but practicing religion in its highest and noblest conception and in the acceptance of the universality of mystic experience of all religions was the only hope to peace in an unrealistic situation. Secularism under Indian constitution is neither irreligious nor anti-religion but demands equality of all religions.In our pluralist society, it is a necessity and not a luxury. Religion cannot be eliminated. The more it is suppressed the more it aggravates the situation more so because religion and law confront each other in pluralist society. So the seminar emphasized on the need for a constitutional definition of religion rather than the abolition of it. Here again Sanskrit has a vital role to play. The word religion in English smacks too much of things external such as creed, rites, an external piety. There is no one Indian equivalent. The term ' Dharma' can be a fitting one. Dharma in its true sense is ' a way of life' and spirituality as the attempt to know and live in the highest self , the divine, the all- embracing unity and to raise life in all its parts to the divinest possible values. Now it is the right time to return to the age old ideal of India in its real amplitude.
 Sanskrit's relevance to modern times can be explored in beauty schemes also. There is a trend for herbal treatment in beauty clinics. People are moving towards indigenous ingredients for various beauty aids. Here the immortal Sanskrit has a hand to lend in and give an ethnic touch.
Hair dyes ( murdhaja raga ) have been dealt with in detail in Atharvaveda, Brhatsamhita. Navanitaka, an older work of 2 CE describes as many as eleven hair dyes recipes and refers to 46 ingredients employed in their preparation.
The Gandhayukti section of Brhatsamhita offers rich material for a chapter on the historicity of ancient Indian cosmetics. For example, a formula for obtaining 84 perfumes of the fragrance of Vakula flowers is set forth there. There is an all- purpose perfume called sarvatobhadra.there is mention of mouth- perfumes made into small tablets for chewing similar to mouth freshners of today. Scented oils ( Agni purana ), dyeing of clothes ( Brhatsamhita ), tooth -sticks ( Charaka, Sushruta ), Bath powder, Talcum powder are all enlisted in Brhatsamhita.
Sanskrit has no less contribution to Horticulture. All aspects connected with crops like preservation of seeds, grafting, manuring, diagnosis of diseases of trees and other related materials are profusely available in texts like Brhatsamhita, Krshiparashara, Abhilashitartha chintamani, Vrkshayurveda and Upavana vinoda.
To cite one example, Sesame treatment for the soil. The Sesame plants in bloom, when cut into pieces and allowed to mingle with the soil, would become an excellent green manure for the soil for further cultivation. It is also held if this Sesame crop  does not flourish in a field, nothing could be grown there with advantage. Similarly when the fruits of a tree are destroyed prematurely, it should be watered with milk that has been cooled after being boiled with horse gram, green gram, black gram, Sesame and barley. Being treated thus, it will have abundant flowers and fruits.
It is interesting to note the details on transplantation of plants from one country to another and growing three kinds of fruits on the same tree on its different branches.

A look at the Home-Science section of Sanskrit literature. It offers varied and exciting recipes such as preparation of different dals, vegetable dishes from raw  paka Banana ( kadali ), brinjal ( vrntaka ), bittergourd ( karavalli paka ), white pumpkin ( kushmanda ), lotus stalk ( kamala kanda ) and from the leaves of Neem, Lotus, Jackfruit etc. Even non- vegetarian dishes have been mentioned. Preparation of sweet dishes ( payasa ) and setting of curd are its special features.

Nature-cure ( Naturopathy ) can enrich itself with  Hydrotherapy , Chromotherapy , Solartherapy and other types of treatment scattered in Vedic and Sanskrit literature. Herbal treatment is also dealt with.

There are both explored and unexplored texts in Sanskrit on Cookery, Agriculture, Architectecture, Astronomy, Astrology, Chemistry, Aeronautics, Philosophy, Poetics, Dharma Shastra, Epigraphy, State craft, Erotics, Grammar, Lapidary science, Equestrian lore, Elephant lore, Lexicography, Mathematics, Medicine, Music, Religion, Theft and on topics like Mining, Earthquakes, Exploration of water- springs, Comets and others scattered in different Samhitas.

In any comparative study whether language, literature, law or any field of knowledge, Sanskrit can form a rich base. Many findings arrived on the basis of Sanskrit texts can startle the modern scientist. These have only scratched the surface area of rich mine of Sanskrit which has tremendous potential for research..

Further Sanskrit has a characteristic of its own - an ennobling ehical sublime idealism. That knowledge can be a panacea for all types of ailments. The humanistic appeal of qualities like love, compassion, kindness, charity. tolerance the inculcation of which form the creamy layer of Sanskrit literature can add a touch of charm, liveliness and success in any walk of life whether in family, society, business, management or anything. A knowledge of proper study of the Bhagavad Gita and Bhakti literature can impart the Art of living by which man can discover in himself the equipoise to stand up to life's situations, meeting efficiently the ever changing world of challenges he has to meet. Let alone the modern medical research findings on music, yoga, meditation as cure for diseases like Neurosis, High blood pressure, Migraine etc. Even with chanting or listening to the chanting of Vedic mantras , soul-stirring beautiful Sanskrit songs sung, yoga and meditation, the mind can be revived from all its fatigue and it can get recharged with all its irresistible potentialities. Karma and rebirth theory understood in the right perspective can instil will power and motivation and can make life meaningful.
It falls on Sanskrit knowing people to take upon themselves to prove the richness of Sanskrit in diversified fields.They should translate Sanskrit works both published and unpublished from Sanskrit into other languages both of India and other countries and works in other languages into Sanskrit to enrich it. Hindu mythologies, stories, theories like caste system, ceremonies, Samskaras should be given a proper face lift in the correct perspective through newspapers, magazines and journals.
The real parameter to judge research is its relevance to social needs. The sublime thoughts of seers and sages put down in writing thousands of years ago are not archaic remains or fossils from the cavern of the past but the facts experienced by the seers themselves.Their statements are marked by a keen desire to promote human welfare. In a culture being bombarded by the outward forces, Sanskrit provides a continuity with our glorious rich past whose motto is, ' Let the entire world be a single family ' and it should be exploited to build a better future fusing all the nations into a single family.
Now this is the time for new image. This is the time for fusion of tradition and modern. Cut flowers are beautiful. But their freshness remain for how long ? When we have the strong healthy roots, why not nurture it and get beautiful flowers which will not only make the birth soil fragrant but will make the entire atmosphere ever fragrant.

Religion, a path of discipline to spirituality as seen in the daily life of Indians

       Religion, a path of discipline to spirituality as seen in the daily life of Indians

 The socio- cultural life of people is shaped by its basic philosophy of life. For Indians, it has always been the religion. According to our ancient wisdom, religion and philosophy melt together in a common crucible, the crucible of life itself. Religion is a practical search for the Sublime, the Supreme Principle. In the first stage, the Sublime is realized in the cosmic power and later in social values. Then it is seen identical with the spiritual qualities like non- violence, love and goodness.

 Our scriptures have structured the daily life into various activities specifying their time and method. If viewed properly, we can find all our activities imbued with spiritual meaning. In the words of Swami Vivekananda ' The Hindu is a peculiar person. He does everything in a religious manner. He eats religiously, he sleeps religiously, he gets up in the morning religiously, he does good things religiously and also does bad things religiously.

Religion has three aspects: Philosophy, mythology and rituals. Philosophy deals with ultimate questions of life like the existence of God, nature of man, creation of this world, the goal of life as well as the path that leads to it. Mythology tries to bring these ideas from the dizzy heights of metaphysics to the ordinary level of understanding of common man through stories, similes and examples from day to day life. Then comes the role of rituals. Though designed to reflect the basic philosophy of life, they also help to release the energies and emotions through constructive channels, since they are action oriented.According to our scriptures, human birth is rare and the best among creation as it is alone is the means to salvation because of its discriminating power. The division of days into various tithis making them sacred to various deities and major festivals in various seasons show an organized life for the individual. The basis of all this is the fulfillment of four purusharthas namely, dharma, artha, kama and moksha. The masters of sriptures who evolved this system conceded the existence and the need to fulfill the natural instincts of a human being towards the pleasures of ' the here and the now'. Intuiting the power of these instincts, if unbridled, to create chaos and conflict in the society, they tried to regulate them through dharma, an iron frame work of a code of righteous conduct that would regulate these instincts, and allow them to be satisfied too. Controlling these instincts through dharma and by following disciplines prescribed in the scriptures, a human being can gradually transcend them, thus rising to higher spiritual aspirations.It is at this juncture that the concept of moksha ( liberation) appeals to the heart as also the spiritual disciplines needed for the same are voluntarily undertaken.

Not only the vratas and utsavas, even an ordinary day is designed exactly for this purpose of achieving the metamorphosis of the human being from mundane to the supra mundane levels.

The scriptures advise one to get up from the bed, at least one and a half hours before Sunrise, at the time known as Brahma muhurta, conducive to learning. At this hour, the sky emits a pale bluish light  or halo in the east.These bluish rays coming from the east contain a subtle awakening magnetism inspiring the brain and the body. There is one more reason also for selecting this hour for studies and prayer as this morning time is fully charged with vital energy, ozone. This living energy is what the body cells, nerves, and skin require for giving that fresh look or glow seen in good health seen on man's face. This vital energy is what the yogi requires for charging his six yogic centers or chakras during the Sandhya prayer of Gayatri.

While getting up, one is advised to look at one's palms, reciting a verse remembering the goddesses Lakshmi, Sarawati and Parvati praying that the day may dawn bringing all prosperities. Palms or hands is symbolic of work.Man's prosperity is hidden in his work or efforts only. What a beautiful way to boost self-confidence at the stating of the day !
As soon as one puts down his feet from the bed in the morning. he is expected to pray to the earth seeking pardon.What a noble concept ! The earth is like mother and should be respected.Stepping upon her is like hurting her.Apart from this, one should pray to one's deity.
It is not that we have to follow the same form.But we can modify it accordingly to our times. We can get up with a nice, positive feeling of looking forward to spend the day fruitfully with the feelings of gratitude to the Almighty for whatever He has given to us.

After getting up,with water full in mouth one should wash his eyes with splashes of water daily. This will ensure his healthy eyesight through out his life. This is stated in Garuda Purana which gives many valuable medical tips. Tooth cleaning is a must. Then morning bath is recommended for an absolute sound health. Bathing at night except under the auspices of lunar eclipses is prohibited. Bath after meals is prohibited. A morning bath either before or after the appearance of the Sun on the horizon is recommended as wholesome. Bath in the morning has a specific purpose to serve. The famous medical text by Sushruta gives the reason:
' The human body, extremely filthy within and provided with nine apertures ( openings), day and night exudes impure and unclean secretions and morning ablution is the means of bringing about its purification, each day. Morning bath imparts a cheerfulness to the mind and health and a beautiful complexion to the body.It dissipates grief and misery, bad dreams and evil thoughts .'
Modern medical experts also recommend morning showers.
Man should wear fresh clothes after bath.
Cultivation of good habits is emphasized often. Studies should be pursued every day. We should give up contact with wicked people, resort to the assembly of the good. We should do meritorious deeds day and night, remembering the unstability of everything in the world.It is beautifully said thus in Garuda purana,
' Those who had been unmindful of studies during studentship and those who have wasted their wealth during youth in pursuit of lust fall into a miserable flight during old age slighted by others and burning within like the lotuses in the winter season.'
What a beautiful practical tip !
A little study, a little virtue, a little act of charity practised each day, may serve to make the life full and woth living.
By strictly adhering to the performance of six rites every day man obtains every thing. They are- taking bath, Morning and evening prayers, recital of mantras, homa, worship of gods and hospitality to guests.
Taking food is also a sacred act. Anna is Brahman. Food contributes to the invigoration of the principles of earth, water, fire and air in the body and the essence of food, after being properly digested and assimilated in the organism, brings about a pleasurable condition to the self. So while taking food, one should feel thankful to the Lord for getting it due to His grace and pray for the continuity of the same.
Food shall not be cooked for one's own exclusively. Of the five portions of the food prepared in a household, each day, four should be respectively allotted to the use of the departed ancestors, gods, men and birds.
Greatest importance is attached to numerous injunctions and taboos about food.Light food is recommended for night.
The nature, quantity and cooking of food depend upon appetite, relish and season. food, containing a fair amount of liquid ingredients and taken neither too slowly nor too fast, is most easily digested, while heavy and too frequent meals impair digestion and health, insufficient food also weakens the body. Rest, light walks, enjoyable occupations not requiring heavy physical exercises and light sleep are beneficial for digestion.All meals should contain many ingredients of different tastes, but incompatible foods should not be included in a single meal. There is a method of serving food. Water is offered first but drunk at the end. As water represents Narayana, it is served first as it is the supreme food. Articles of sweet flavour should be taken at the starting of a meal. Things of acid and saline tastes in the middle and those of bitter, pungent and astringent flavour at the end. This order is to maintain the equilibrium of the three doshas for keeping sound health. Cold water is drunk after the meals as it counteracts the deranged pitta and helps the food in the stomach to be in a semi-liquid and easily digestible ( Sushruta ).
Regular physical exercises is one of the best methods for creating resistance to diseases and guarding against physical decay. As a general guidance, Sushruta directs that the duration of the period of exercise should be limited to half the time that brings physical exhaustion. There should be a definite time in the day for taking such exercises. Surya namaskara is the king of exercises. Such regular, adequate and proper exercise developes muscles all over the body, removes unwanted fat, improves the general appearance and complexion, gives greater digestive power, endurance,resistance to changes of temperature and resistance to diseases. It also gives the desirable mental qualities of alertness, retentive memory and sharp intelligence.
Walking serves an aid to longevity, improves digestion and bodily strength and gives sharpness to themind and senses. Strenuous walks reduce fat and check exessive secretion of kapha ( phlegm ), but fatguing walks may cause weakness and emaciation. Walking is recommended in the morning and after nightfall. A sufficient period of rest is necessary after exercise and walking, as such rest removes mental tensions and benefits the system. But sedentary habits increase accumulation of kapha and bodily fat and ultimately make the person weaker.

Evening time is the best time for prayers. Evening is marked with lighting the lamp at home. Evening dusk denotes ignorance, diseases and enemies and the lamp, the Almighty, the ultimate destroyer of all these and abode of bliss.
Recital of the most powerful Gayatri mantra, the meditation on the mysterious monosyllable 'Om', the symbolic name of the Supreme among our daily activities are important focal point for radiating healthy thoughts.
It is also mentioned that one should go to the temple of God for acquisition and preservation of his ( man's) desired objects ( Garuda purana ). Going to temple nearby and participating in Arti ( Waving of lights before the idol ) during evening surcharges one with spiritual environment. It induces serene thoughts. Now a days with one click, all types of stotras and mantras are available on i-pad, cell phone and cassettes. Listening to these will enable a man to surcharge his atmosphere with spirituality whenever wherever he needs. It is indeed a blessing to modern man to utilize such opportunities for his evolution.
Worship of Tulasi plant ( sacred basil ), Shalagrama ( a stone symbolizing Vishnu ), Shiva linga, Ashwattha tree, cow, all these reiterate the basic philosophy that divinity is present in all.
A restful sleep increases physical vigour, digestion, keenness of the senses and helps in balancing the bodily dhatus and doshas.

One should not sleep during the day and at both twilights. one should sleep only at night. at the time of going to bed, one should review one's actions done during the day and pray to god.What a beautiful finish to the end of the day !
Sleep is considered to be a nitya pralaya ( deluge ) when the individual self merges into the Supreme, giving the sleeper a taste of bliss. That is why sedatives are prescribed to induce sleep in bodily ailments. Because the proximity of the individual self to the Supreme brings about the sound health back.
Today the main cause of our malaise is our uprootedness. We are detached from our spiritual foundations which give us poise and balance. If the world is disorderly and miserable, it reflects the state of our minds.
In fact, all books on stress management, relaxation techniques give these points only in an attractive form. It is human nature to realize its valuable possession only when it is recognized and pointed out by others. Hinduism has offered one ultimate solution to all problems of life, that is 'moksha'. Since all our problems are rooted in the body-mind complex, transcending this is the ultimate solution. This will result not only in the freedom from sorrow and suffering but in positive bliss.
Our religion is a scientific one. It teaches universal truths and laws of nature just like a science. It points out that we have to make the best use of the present. What is gone is gone for good. What is future is still remote. He who acts only in the present knows no affliction.

Our rich cultural legacy has given us the pattern of activities of daily life to follow. Each activity is a stepping stone to the Supreme only making each day a pleasant, memorable and blissful one. Thus if we realize that we are not simply objects but subjects also, every day will give us a new chance, herald a new life, even a new order of society. when there is order in the nation there is peace in the world.

Principles of Management from Manusmrti

                         Principles of Management from Manusmrti


Manusmrti is a famous text on Dharma shastra and an authority on the topics dealing with society and politics and judiciary.

Many principles of effective management found in it are still valid.

Universal policy frame work for good management

The king ( CEO) should seek to acquire what he has not acquired, preserve diligently what he has acquired, augment what he has preserved, and distribute what he has augmented among worthy recipients.
These he should recognize as the four means of securing the goals of man and he should execute them properly and tirelessly every day.

Knowledge about other things in the world

He ( king, CEO) should be knowledgeable about the desirable and undesirable properties of goods ( things), the good and bad aspects of regions, the probable profit and loss of merchandise, and how best to raise farm animals. He should be well informed about the wages to be paid to employees, the different languages of people, the manner of storing goods, and the procedure of buying and selling.
Thus , he should make the utmost effort at making his assets grow in accordance with the law and diligently distribute profit to all.

Learning for CEO never stops
Learning and humility--for success
After getting up in the morning, the king should pay respects to learned brahmins who are experts in the triple veda and follow their advice. Even if he is a learned and disciplined man, he should always learn the rules of discipline fro them, for a disciplined king ( CEO) never comes to ruin.
Note- morning indicates regularity of learning from the experts- a key to success.

Management requires expertise in other subjects also
From experts in the three vedas, he should learn the triple veda, the timeless science of government, logical reasoning and philosophy of self and from the common people, commercial enterprises.
Note- Philosophy for peace or for maintaining a balanced  mind, commercial enterprises means Economics and Commerce.
Note-Triple Veda refers to Rigveda, Yajurveda and Samaveda as they deal with sacrifices and moral codes to be followed here.The Vedas are authority as they are not the creations of human beings.They are called 'Apaurusheya ' not from a man. They are the words of Almighty revealed through the sages in their deep meditation for the benefit of mankind. Having created the world and men, the Almighty gave the Vedas to follow the virtuous path leading to the highest goal in life. The dharma revealed in the Vedas is of two kinds- one characterized by action ( rites and duties ), and the other by renunciation and distinguished by knowledge and detachment. That dharma, which is meant for the stability of the world and is the direct means to both secular and spiritual welfare of living beings is the guiding light and continues to be followed by all, who aspire after the highest.
The fourth Veda Atharva Veda is different in contents.It deals with incantations of magic spells and peace. So it is not included in the trayi.


Work is worship- The only way to prosperity, new endeavours should be tried.
Indead, he (CEO) must embark on his operations repeatedly, though repeatedly exhausted; for fortune devotes herself to a man who embarks on his operations.
He must not hold himself in contempt for his past failures. He should pursue prosperity till the end, never deeming it too difficult to achieve.
All activities here depend on on divine and human dispensations. Of these, however, the divine is inscrutable. Action is possible only with respect to the human.

Need of assistants as a company is too big to be managed by a single person

Even an easy task becomes difficult when undertaken by a single person especially if he has no associates. How much harder will be a kingdom ( company ) yielding great revenue.
Qualifications of assistants or counsellors
The king should appoint seven or eight counsellors. They must be individuals who are natives of the land, well-versed in the Treatises, brave, well-accomplished and coming from illustrious families, individuals who have been thoroughly investigated.

Appointment of executives
He should also appoint officials. They must be individuals who are honest, intelligent, steadfast, and able to collect revenues properly, individuals who have been thoroughly investigated.
Note- So two types of officials- one set exclusively in the advisory capacity and the other set for executing the works.
Optimal number of persons required for the completion of the work
He should appoint as many tireless, clever and wise men as are required to carry out the works.

Decision making
After ascertining their views in the matter, first from each individually and then from all of them collectively as a group, he should do what is in his country's ( company's) best interest.
From the most distinguished and sagacious learned among them, however, the king ( CEO ) should seek the most important counsel.
Trusting him completely, he should always entrust all is affairs to him and proceed with any task only after reaching a decision jointly with him.
Ultimate authority is the contentment of mind in deciding any matter or work to be executed.
He ( CEO) should diligently engage in those activities that give him inner joy and avoid those that do not.This rule is applicable to employees also.
The ultimate root of law ( right decision in undertaking ) is the contentment of one self.


Identification with company leads to success
Company is not different from CEO
Company is the body and employees are the soul. By torturing them, CEO destroys himself .
As living beings destroy their lives by oppressing their bodies, so kings ( CEO ) too destroy their lives by oppressing their realms.
He should observe this rule always in managing his realm, for when his realm is well managed, the king ( CEO ) prospers with ease.

Self- discipline expected from CEO
He should always strive vigorously to subdue his senses.For when he has subdued his own senses, he is able to bring his people under his control.
Discipline in the company
Discipline can be maintained by someone ( CEO ) who is honest and true to his word, who acts in conformity with the rules, who has good assistants and who is wise.
Behaviour towards the staff
He ( CEO ) should always act without guile and never with guile.
He should never start a senseless fued or an argument with any one.

Campus recruitment
He ( CEO ) should pay honour to learned ones who have returned from their institution after finishing their studies, for this is the inexhaustible treasure of knowledge decreed for the kings. This is the real investment for future prosperity.
Appointment in tune with scholarship and conduct and providing facilities for retainment
After ascertaining the man's learning and conduct, he should provide him with a means of subsistence consistent with the law and protect him every way, as a father his own son.
This ensures the prosperity of the company
When such a person ( recruit ) practises the Law ( righteous work ) every day under the protection of the king ( CEO ). it augments the king's life span ( it reduces the tension of CEO ), wealth and realm.

Works and wages
Even men living far away endear themselves to the world when they stick to the activity specific to each and carry out their activities.
Non-payment of wages
When an employee who is not sick fails to perform his stipulated work out of pride, he should be fined and should not be paid his wages.
If he was sick, he should perform the work stipulated at the outset after he has recovered his health and he should receive his wages even if a very long time has elapsed.
Whether he is sick or well, if he does not have the stipulated work carried out, he should be paid his wages, even if only a small portion of the work remains undone.
Breach of contract
When a man belonging to a village, region or corporate entity enters into a contract truthfully and then breaks it out of greed, the king ( CEO ) should banish that man from his realm.

Sales representative and his qualities
He ( King or CEO ) should also appoint an envoy. The representative must be an expert in all the treatises, able to grasp a hint, gesture meaning expert in soft skills, be honest and clever and from an illustrious family ( proper or good back ground ).A man who is loyal, honest and clever. One, who has a sharp memory and knows the right time and place and who is handsome, fearless and eloquent. Such a man is recommended as a king's envoy.

Organization of the state
Governance of villages and towns
He should station well - supervised constabularies in the middle of two, three and five villages, as also in the middle of one hundred villages for the protection of his realm.
He should appoint superintendents responsible for one village, for one hundred villages, and for one thousand villages.
Note- village symbozises departments in the company.

Problem solving method-
When troubles arise in a village, if the superintendent of that village is not able to solve them, he should , in due course, report them personally to the superintendent of ten villages, and he in turn, to the superintendent of twenty villages.
The superintendent of twenty villages should report to the superintendent of a hundred villages, and he in turn, should report them personally to the superintendent of a thousand villages If unsolved, the matter should be brought to the king.

Supervision of officials-
 Their activities pertaining to the villages, as well as those undertaken by each individually should be supervised vigilantly by another loyal officer of the king.
In each city, he should appoint a general manager of all affairs, a man of high stature and endowing him with powers like a planet among the stars. the king should always supervise himself those officials personally.

The king has to follow a planned schedule from morning to night, for carrying out the works efficiently.
He should get up early in the morning and sleep on time.
He should go to bed at proper time and rise up next day morning refreshed.