LINGAM

The word lingam is a combination of two words, “lim” and “kam” and reflects the cycle of creation. “Kam” is from which all things animate and inanimate spring up at the time of creation and “lim” is that to which all things return at the time of their dissolution.

Regards,

Tirumalanath

tirumalanath@gmail.com

Status on 04/11/09 - Classical Language Status to Kannada

Kannada language is yet to get the benefits of its classical language status although it has been made than a year ago. A language with classical status gets Two International awards for eminent scholars, which goes to two Kannada scholars, a center for excellence for studies in Kannada and professional chairs on Kannada have to be created in central university under UGC.

It would be great if the government forms a department for publishing books in Kannada and be made available at cheaper prices to the common man.

I was really happy when i saw many Kannada book stalls in Bangalore Book Festival this year. If some organisation or government brings the translation of great Kannada literature into English or local languages like Telugu, Tamil, Hindi and so on, then people like me who don't know Kannada can also benefit from these great writings.

Regards,
Tirumalanath
tirumalanath@gmail.com

INSPIRING PAINTINGS ONLY

I or I can say WE don't have the ability to understand the paintings by great painters unless they or someone explain their paintings and their emotions/feelings/creativeness/sensitivity/colours and so on in their paintings. Artist in metros like Mumbai and Bangalore are coming out with their brushes and creativity to paint the public walls which are normally full of filmi posters or business advertisements. This is good sign in two ways.
1. People can see something meaningful while on drive on the roads rather than these ugly filmi
posters or business ads. The great things is that the ART which is normally under closed doors
and is available only for the selected people is thrown open to the common man. [For me,
R K Laxman - the cartoonists in all newspapers are only painters but not M F
Hussians and so on]. I am happy to see ART ON THE ROAD AVAILABLE FREELY TO THE COMMON PUBLIC.
2. Artist have the chance to display their arts to the common public and inspire them to whatever
extent they can.

What I saw on Bangalore roads were the paintings of Historical Importance, Religious places paintings and so on. Inspiring paintings will do more good. Paintings with good captions or sayings by the person or place will be more helpful.
Sad, I have not seen any paintings of Gandhiji or Dr.Ambedkar and their sayings.

Regards,
Tirumalanath
tirumalanath@gmail.com

Book: Perfect Questions Perfect Answers

Book: Perfect Questions Perfect Answers

By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust

· A man is important when he is attractive. Unless you are powerful, how can you be all-attractive?

· Our formula of God is that He is the source of everything.

· Everyone is hankering after someone because he realizes some mellow (taste, pleasure) in it.

· What is your body? This external body – that is your energy. Do you know that? Your body is made out of your energy. For example, I am eating, so I am creating some energy and therefore my body is maintained. If your energy supply is not proper, then your body becomes weak and unhealthy. Your body is made out of your energy. Similarly, this gigantic cosmic body – the universe – is made of Krsna’s energy. How can you deny it? As your body is made out of your energy, similarly the universal body must be made by somebody’s energy. That is Krsna.

· Maya – another meaning is “illusion”. So foolish persons accept the energy as the energetic. That is Maya. Just like sunshine. Sunshine enters your room. Sunshine is the energy of the sun. But because the sunshine enters your room, you cannot say that the sun has entered. You cannot say that sunshine is not the sun. Without the sun, where is the sunshine? So you cannot say that sunshine is not the sun. But at the same time, it is not the sun. It is the sun and not the sun – both. That is our philosophy.

· Man is attached to woman, and woman is attached to man. Not only in human society – in animal society also. That attachment is the basic principle of material life.

· Sex life increases the bodily concept of life.

· ISKCON movement is especially meant to enable a human being to reach the real goal of life; to go back home, back to Godhead. That is the real goal of life. Same like the water that comes from the sea forms clouds, the clouds fall down as rain, and the actual goa is to flow down the river and again enter the sea.

· No! Some knowledge will not do. You must have perfect knowledge.

· You are covered by a dress, by a shirt. When this shirt is unusable, you change it. Similarly, this body is just like a shirt and coat. When it is no longer workable, we have to change it.

· God is there in everyone’s heart. God is also within every atom. So this is the first information. And then, by the yogic process, you have to realize it.

· There are three kinds of charities – good, passionate and ignorant. Goodness is giving charity where charity must be given. And if one gives charity for some return, that is passion. And if somebody gives in charity in an improper place and time, without respect and to an unworthy person, that is ignorance.

· Devotees are neither in goodness, passion nor ignorance. They are transcendental to all these qualities.

· First make your life perfect. Then try to teach others.

· If you always keep yourself spiritually engaged, your body will act spiritually, although it is material.

· People do not know how to become happy. They do not take the standard path to become happy. They manufacture their own way. That is the difficulty.

· Don’t manufacture your ways of pleasing god.

· Material life means – when you desire to gratify your senses that is material life. And when you desire to serve God that is spiritual life.

· Suppose you are trying to do something. Due to your inexperience if you sometimes fail, that is not a fault. You are trying. There is a verse in the Bhagavatam – that if a devotee is trying his best but due to his incapability he sometimes fails, Krsna excuses him.

· The whole human life is meant for purification. A human being is not meant to labor like an ass and enjoy like a dog. Purification means coming to a higher level of consciousness.

For more information and guidance, visit http://www.iskconbangalore.org or www.folknet.in

Note – The above points are notes I have scrubbed down while reading the book “Perfect Questions Perfect Answers” written by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. I am blogging this material only to encourage the readers who see my blog to read the book and is not meant for any commercial purpose. It is just sharing information about a good book.

Regards,

Tirumalanath

tirumalanath@gmail.com

Loneliness

A major problem facing people today is grief and loneliness. The two often go together because many people grief over being lonely. Loneliness has become even more of a major issue than in the past but no one are ready to talk about it. Loneliness means not being alone; it being not yourselves as you are. Now everyone u see around with someone or the other, enjoying the company by doing something like going out, seeing movies and go for morning walks. But how many are ready to open up and discuss or talk about what they feel or think or going thru in their life. People fear to talk the truth, express what exactly they are thinking or feeling. They are also not able to tell others their problems because of the same. This is making a person to feel lonely even if he is among group of people always.
Getting on with people is same like getting on job. If you have lost a job, u may have to learn how to market yourself all over again or even relocate to a new and strange environment. Same is with the relationships. If you loose one, try to get new one.
Loneliness is not a sin. If you are lonely, don’t add feelings of guilt to your list of wounds.
Crisis always provokes change and change of this type like loosing an old friend or relationship in which u have invested a lot emotionally is very hard. But however painful it may be, change always brings new things into our life.
Hope is like an anchor that keeps us on course when we are being tossed to and fro, this way and that, by the storms of life.
Lean on yourself, trust self, be confident and rely on your own insights and understanding of relationships in your life. Recognize and acknowledge for yourselves the right and wrong things you did in that relationship.
Anyone can survive alone if you can counter those feelings with positive actions by doing things you like the most and treating yourselves well.
We can all find plenty to regret in our lives, but regret only produces more agony. When you have been hurt, the quicker you get involved in helping someone else, the better off you are going to be. Reaching out to other hurting people helps you forget about your own pains. But the most important thing is that you have to reach out to yourselves and see you don’t harm yourselves because you are feeling lonely at present.
Forgetting what happened in the past and straining forward to what lies ahead must be the goal of the hour.
Don’t be angry at anyone and don’t be angry at yourself. Do not waste your life being bitter. Depression steals a person’s energy making us apathetic and lethargic, desiring to do nothing. U have to face the truth bravely as it will have positive effect on our live.
When we look to others, expecting them to make our pain go away, we are making a mistake. First of all, people cannot give us everything we need. Second, expecting others to meet our personal needs for us places too much pressure on them also.
Not everything and every relationship in your life is over; just one part of it has ended. One relationship has passed; another can now begin - if you are willing to take action and ready to keep aside the emotional feeling out the past relationship.

Regards,
Tirumalanath
tirumalanath@gmail.com

WHY PEOPLE FEAR DEATH

It takes years of effort and sacrifice to build the relationships with other people and also make ourselves identified in the society either by our name, profession and financial position. Everyone does everything excepting something in the future. And once he comes to know or just imagine that whatever he did all throughout these years are not going to yield anything and more over he does know what he going to become and that brings the fear of death. Death takes away everything what a person have and mainly the identity of the person.
Read some books with the titles “life after death” and so on and better place to contact is Ramakrishna math.

Regards,
Tirumalanath
tirumalanath@gmail.com

Why should anyone read Bhagavad Gita daily: Beautiful Moral Story by Niskinchana Bhakta Dasa, ISKCON, Bangalore

Story:
An old Farmer lived on a farm in the mountains with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Bhagavad Gita. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could. One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa! Why do you read the Gita? What good does reading the Bhagavad Gita do? I try to read the Bhagavad Gita just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. “The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water."The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told hisgrandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!" "So you think it is useless?" The old mansaid, "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out. "Son, that's what happens when you read the Bhagavad Gita. Youmight not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Krishna in our lives. the cleansing process.

Please Chant:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare HareAnd be happy

Your's in service of Lord Krishna,
Niskinchana Bhakta Dasa
9341331074.ISKCON, Bangalore

This message is posted on my blog only to spread the message of Krishna Consciousness to the people who see my blog. I got the above story in my inbox from “Niskinchana Bhakta Dasa”, ISKCON, Bangalore. U can register on www.iskconbangalore.org for regular spiritual mails.
For spiritual guidance, Pls. contact ISKCON ashrams.

Regards,
Tirumalanath
tirumalanath.neelaiagari@gmail.com

Gandhi gave the real message of life: Obama

Barack Obama, American President who made history by getting elected as the first black President of the United States, has always seen Mahatma Gandhi as an inspiration who reminds him about the 'real message of life'.
Obama also flaunts his love to the apostle of peace by having a portrait of Mahatma at his Senate Office. "Through the power of his example and his own unshakable spirit, Gandhi inspired a people to resist oppression, sparking a revolution that freed a nation from colonial rule," the President had said. "Gandhi's significance is universal. Countless people around the world have been touched by his spirit and example. His victory in turn inspired a generation of young Americans to peacefully wipe out a system of overt oppression that had endured for a century. And more recently led to velvet revolutions in Eastern Europe and extinguished apartheid in South Africa," said Obama on his message on October 2, the birth anniversary of Gandhi.
Obama had said that he always looked to Mahatma Gandhi as an inspiration, because he embodies the kind of transformational change that can be made when ordinary people come together to do extraordinary things. "That is why his portrait hangs in my Senate office; to remind me that real results will not just come from Washington, they will come from the people," Obama, who won the historic presidential poll, had said.
He had said that while formulating his strategy to free India from the clutches of the then British rulers, Gandhi had a choice. "He (Gandhi) chose courage over fear," said Obama.


Regards,
Tirumalanath
tirumalanath.neelaiagari@gmail.com

January 02 Happy New Year 2009

Finally, Year 2008 came to end and endless circle of time has brought us again in a “NEW” year. Although we move forward into new calendar year, we face so many problems backlogging in our lives. Though every year we make resolutions for the New Year, it is same again if we look at our past few year track record. In actual sense, if we perceive it closely, the problem we are facing are those backlogs we have kept for some many years…like reducing weight, learning a hobby, visiting a place or a friend or changing some personal behavior. It is unfortunate that we plan new things but forgot to solve the old problems and behaviors.
Life without the knowledge of self comes near to the death with every rising and setting of the sun. For us, sixty-seventy of age seems to be very long but we are already into the middle of that age. We don’t know how time passes so quickly? There is no power in the world which can bring back even a second of time which is passed? So, just consider yourself, how important is our life? How important is our time which waste without moulding ourselves according to the age and the skill and maturity it brings into our life. Most of the time we spend in sense gratification, totally ignoring the realities of the life and our age - trying to be someone or somewhere and not behaving according to our age. It’s not always the age of 16 is sweet and great, every age may it be 16, 46 or 66 brings with it, the same level of joy, style, decency, romance and responsibility and that is what we are missing in our lives. Everyone wants to be and behave like a 16 year old. Think how awkward it will be for a 50 year old person to behave like a 20 year boy. Just, look around; everyone is imitating the 20 year old guys.
Few people take New Year positively; they make resolutions to overcome their bad habits like smoking, drinking, weight reduction, etc.. Out of them many people are forced to break their resolutions in few days or weeks by their weak consciousness and desire of sense-gratification. But, atleast their desire to overcome their bad habits is appreciable. They know what shortcomings they have and want to overcome them but are forced to bow down in front of their habits. Some frustrated people take a resolution to never make any resolution in their lives….
We know in our heart that certain things are bad and we should leave them but unless we remove the old bad habits or problems from our lives, whatever new year resolutions we make in our lives will not gives us the real happiness we desire for.
So, let us make a resolution for this year:
Leave old bad habits and solve all the old problems in our life on a war basis. Let us clean up all the messed up things in our life from the past, then only can we expect our future to be with happiness, success and satisfaction.


Regards,
Tirumalanath
tirumalanath@gmail.com

Vipassana

Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India's most ancient techniques of meditation. It was rediscovered by Gotama Buddha more than 2500 years ago and was taught by him as a universal remedy for universal ills. This non-sectarian technique aims for the total eradication of mental impurities and the resultant highest happiness of full liberation. Healing, not merely the curing of diseases, but the essential healing of human suffering, is its purpose.
Vipassana is a way of self-transformation through self-observation. It focuses on the deep interconnection between mind and body, which can be experienced directly by disciplined attention to the physical sensations that form the life of the body, and that continuously interconnect and condition the life of the mind. It is this observation-based, self-exploratory journey to the common root of mind and body that dissolves mental impurity, resulting in a balanced mind full of love and compassion.
The scientific laws that operate one's thoughts, feelings, judgments and sensations become clear. Through direct experience, the nature of how one grows or regresses, how one produces suffering or frees oneself from suffering is understood. Life becomes characterized by increased awareness, non-delusion, self-control and peace.

Regards,
Tirumalanath
tirumalanath.neelaiagari@gmail.com
For more information on Vipassana, see www.dhamma.org

ISKCON - Akshaya Patra in Limca Book of Records

The Akshaya Patra Foundation has found a place in the Limca Book of Records for being the largest NGO-run school meal programme. Under the programme, over 9.7 lakh children studying in over 5,700 government, government-aided schools and day care centres in 16 locations in India are fed on any given day. The programme is run by the Akshay Patra Foundation in partnership with central and respective state governments, a release said here today.
"The entry into the Limca Book of Records, comes as a recognition of Akshaya Patra& achievement in enabling needy children to receive education even as they are fed at least one wholesome meal a day,"said Madhu Pandita Das of the Foundation. Under the programme, mid-day meals are provided in Bangalore, Hubli-Dharwad, Bellary, Mangalore and Mysore in Karnataka, Jaipur, Nathdwara and Baran in Rajasthan, Vrindavan and Mathura district in UP, Puri and Nayagarh in Orissa, Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad in Gujarat and Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The programme uses centralised, automated kitchens for cooking food which is then distributed to schools. The kitchens can cook about 100,000 meals in less than five hours with least human intervention.

WHY ISCKON STARTED AKSHAYA PATRA

Every year, 2.5 million children die in India, accounting for one in five deaths in the world. More than half of these deaths could be prevented if children were well nourished. India's progress in reducing child malnutrition is very slow. The proven path to helping the poor, is by educating them. Providing food works as an important factor that encourages education; this in turn enables overall development transforming lives and communities. A hungry child cannot be expected to have an urge for education. We provide nutritious meals to about 1 million children - with a vision to encourage education amongst the poor.
Many impoverished children performed poorly in school due to short attention spans associated with extreme hunger. Other children either did not enroll in school, or dropped out at a young age choosing to seek work during the school day to earn money to feed themselves and their families. Earlier, school meals was irregular and in many places non-existent. Responding to pressure from the people, the Supreme Court of India passed an order on November 28, 2001 which mandated: "Cooked midday meal is to be provided in all the government and government-aided primary schools in all the states." Akshaya patra partakes this responsibility.

HOW MUCH A MEAL COSTS

The Akshaya Patra program is conducted in partnership with the various State Governments and Central Government. All of these governments provide a subsidy to support about 50% of the running cost of the Akshaya Patra program. The Central Government support is routed through the respective State Governments. The summary of subsidies in different states, as on November 2008, are listed below:

Karnataka Rs.1.80 for students in class 1 to 7 + 100 gms of rice per day per student.Rs.2.20 for students in class 8 to 10 + 150 gms of rice per day per student
Uttar Pradesh Rs.2.00 for students in class 1 to 5Rs.2.50 for students in class 6 to 9
Rajasthan Rs.2.00 for students in class 1 to 5 + 100 gms grainsRs.2.50 for students in class 6 to 8 + 150 gms grains
Orissa Rs.2.38 for students in class 1 to 5 + 100 gms grainsRs.2.74 for students in class 6 to 8 + 150 gms grains
Gujarat Rs.2.00 for students in class 1 to 7 + 50 gms of rice + 50 gms of wheat
Andhra Pradesh Rs.3.00 for students in class 6 to 10 + 150 gms of rice

This program is also supported by industry houses, foundations, individuals and philanthropists for the balance of the running costs (about 50%) and for setting up and maintenance of the centralized kitchen infrastructure.

If anyone are interested in helping the poor children to get nutritious food and education, pls. contact ISKCON at your place or mail to infodesk@akshayapatra.org or call the toll free number 1800 425 8622.

Note: U can personal check the quality of food and its preparation by visiting the ISKCON.


Regards,
Tirumalanath
tirumalanath.neelaiagari@gmail.com
For more information, visit www.akshayapatra.org

Archaeological Museum in Andhra Pradesh

Archaeological Museum. Kondapur (Andhra Pradesh)
The site Museum at Kondapur (Late.17.33' N 78.1'E) is located on a small hillock about one km south of the village of Kondapur in Medak District, Andhra Pradesh. The exhibits from this museums are basically retrieved from an ancient mound locally known as Kotagadda (Fort Mound) located at a distance of one km east of the museum.The site was first explored by the famous Archaeologist Mr. Henry Cousens in the early years of the 19th Century. Subsequently the Department of Archaeology of the erstwhile Hyderabad State under H.E.H. the Nizam of Hyderabad excavated this mound for a couple of seasons from 1940. A small museum was established with the excavated material over the ancient site itself which was later shifted to the present building. The museum came under the administrative control of Archaeological Survey of India in 1952.The Archaeological Museum, Kondapur houses a rich collection of minor antiquities unearthed from the digs of 1940-1942. The museum has a Central hall and two more galleries in enclosed corridors.In the main hall a good number of antiquities are displayed in wall showcases representing different facets of material culture of the early historic period such as pottery, terracotta figurines, bone and shell objects, metal objects, talismans, pendants, beads, inscribed pottery and coins etc. brick tiles, sharpening stones, moulded bricks and designed panels.In the other galleries, prehistoric tools and fossils are exhibited. Apart from these objects, a couple of sculptures, a Buddhapada, a standing image of four handed Vishnu carved on a door jamb and two inscribed storage jars are other attractive pieces in this gallery.
Entrance Fee Rs.2/- for visitors above 15 years. Museum Hours 1000 A.M. to 0500 p.m.
Free entrance to children below 15 years. Museum remain closed on Friday.

For more information, visit: http://asi.nic.in/asi_museums.asp

Archaeological Museum, Amaravati(District Guntur, Andhra Pradesh)

Amaravati (Lat. 160 34’ N, Long. 800 17’E) is situated on the right bank of the river Krishna at a distance of 35 km north of the railway station of Guntur town. It is also a center of pilgrimage, known as Amareswaram.The Amaravati school of art occupies a pre-eminent position in the history of Indian Art. With its beginning in 3rd century BC the Amaravati unfolds its chapters through the galaxy of sculptural wealth that once adorned the Mahachaitya the majestic monument of the Buddhists situated here with its history extending over a period of a millennium and a half.In the key gallery selected examples of the art traditions of Amaravati are displayed. The lotus and the purnakumbha motifs are typical of Amaravati Art expressing auspiciousness and abundance. The two drum slabs depicting the Stupas, in bas relief give a fair idea of the structure. Buddha in these panels during the early period is represented symbolically in the form of ‘Svastika’ mark on a cushioned seat over a throne (Vajrasana) under the Bodhi tree in one case and a Flaming pillar (agni skanda) in another case. Over the dome are depicted the Jatakas in low relief. The standing Buddha secured from Gummadidurru is datable to eight century AD.In second gallery one can find the life size standing image of Buddha in super human form with marks of great man (Maha Purusha Lakshana). The round panel over a cross bar depicting the episode of Rahula’s presentation to the Buddha by his father king Suddhodana is another unique piece in narration, composition and carving. Besides a few drum slabs and dome slabs depicting the worship of Stupa, Triratna, animal rows and minor antiquities like coins and beads are interesting.The exhibits in third gallery comprises a few sculptures of 2nd cent. BC including an Yakshi of Bharhut tradition, a stele with labeled panels, and a fragmentary pillar edict of Asoka. Images of Buddha from Alluru, Dharma Chakra from Lingaraja Palli, Bodhistvas, a dome slab depicting the jeweles of the Buddhist order viz. The Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha in a panel represented by a Bodhi Tree, Dharma Chakra and the Stupa worshiped by the devotees are noteworthy. The couple in round in the central showcase is a masterpiece of Amaravati Art, with full of vigour and vitality, of the Satavahana period.The full size ornate bull (nandisvara) of the Satavahana period in round is an attractive piece of art picked up from the local Amaresvara temple. The garland and bearers of a copingstone, the images of Vajrayana period, and a Jaina Tirthankara of medieval times are quite interesting in this gallery.In the courtyard, part from the model of Stupa and a part of reconstructed railing, Gautama Sddhartha’s departure from his palace. Return of the horse Kanthaka, episode of Nalagiri the royal elephant of Ajaatasatru, worship of Buddha (feet) by the lady devotees, Jataka panels of Mandhata, Chaddhanta, Vessantara and Losaka are a few attractive panels here. Earlier forms of Ganesa and Ganesani among the Yakshaganas carrying the garland. Lakshmi in earlier period and the panel showing division of the relics of Lord Buddha by the disputing princes on the coping of the railing, are a few notable pieces of art.Opening Hours : 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. Closed on – FridayEntrance Fee : Rs. 2/- per head. (Children up to 15 years free)
For more information, visit: http://asi.nic.in/asi_museums.asp

Archaeological Museum, Nagarjunakonda(District Guntur, Andhra Pradesh)

Nagarjunakonda (Lat. 16° 31' N, Long.79° 14' E) is situated in Macherla Mandal of the District Guntur. The nearest railway station is Macherla, at a distance of 24 km. The museum is situated on an island in the Nagarjunasagar dam. To reach the Island there is a jetty point at Vijayapuri, south of the Nagarjunasagar dam.Nagarjunakonda, meaning the hill of Nagarjuna, was named after the Buddhist scholar and savant Acharya Nagarjuna. It was a great religious center promoting Brahmanical and Buddhist faiths, molding the early phases of art and architecture affiliated with them. It was an extensive Buddhist establishment nourishing several sects of Buddhism that culminated into the full-fledged Mahayana pantheon. At present it is a unique island in India housing an archaeological museum and transplanted and reconstructed monuments of Nagarjunakonda valley datable to prehistoric to late medieval times endangered with the submergence under the Nagarjunasagar project.The museum established to collect, preserve and exhibit the antiquities retrieved from the excavations, is housed in a spacious structure simulating a Buddhist Vihara on plan. It is located amidst the remains of a medieval fortification, in the northern part of the island spanning about 2.5 km east-west and 1 km north-south. The museum presents precious artifacts of all cultural periods through which the valley and the region have passed. The objects displayed in five galleries include carved lime stone slabs, sculptures, inscriptions and other antiquities all assignable to 3rd-4th century AD constitute a majority of the exhibits.The key gallery is known for the master pieces of Ikshvaku art and architecture in the form of all pervading serene Buddha, well sculptured ayaka-slabs, the cross beams of ayaka-platforms capturing in all finesse the episodes of the life of the enlightened one punctuated with joyous mithunas and elegant tree nymphs, etc. A separate section with show-cases all along the wall highlights the development of human civilization in the region from Stone Age to the Megalithic period through excavated artifacts and adequate illustrations. Representative minor antiquities like terracotta and stucco figurines, seals and coins form part of the display.Two galleries located in a large hall, exhibit the decorated drum slabs, dome slabs, cornice beams and other architectural units of a stupa, a few Brahmanical sculptures besides a variety of earthen ware of the Ikshavaku and subsequent periods. The carved architectural units which once decorated the various stupas, capture the life of the Master from his birth to Mahaparinirvana passing through the events of great departure, meditation, enlightenment and preaching. The popular miracles he performed during his life time and the stories of the previous births known as Jatakas like Sasa-jataka, Champeya-jataka, Sibi-jataka, Mandhathu-jataka, etc. also form subjects of carvings. Attractive Brahmanical sculptures displayed here include Kartikeya and his consort Devasena, a Sivalinga, a unique representation of Sati and a few figures of Vidyadharas. Exquisitely carved mandapa pillars capturing joyous moods of children at play, war scenes and other secular themes, medallions showing elephants in majestic postures and an example of a drawing (hastalekha) on a slab are also exhibited. The ceramic repertoire from excavations form another aspect of display. Fashioned out of fine riverine clay and kaolin, these utilitarian household articles are wheel thrown, polished, designed, inscribed and speak of the technical and artistic excellence of the potters.Third gallery houses models of the submerged valley along with models of secular and religious edifices. On the floor of the hall is the model of the valley with its topographical environs locating over 120 excavated sites. In the wall show-cases all around, are models of important excavated sites and remains. These include Neolithic and Megalithic burials; stupas showing a variety of plan including the Mahastupa; viharas such as the Mahisasaka, Bahusrutiya and Kumaranandi-vihara; Brahmanical temples dedicated to Sarvadeva, Kartikeya, Pushpabhadrasvamin, Ashtabhujasvamin etc. and secular edifices like the amphitheatre (stadium), bathing ghat, etc.One of the galleries displays select specimens of the epigraphs, decorated architectural members and medieval sculptures. The inscriptions are written on pillars forming part of the structural complexes, sculptures, pedestals, memorial pillars and detached slabs. Mostly, the script is ornate Brahmi of 3rd-4th century AD. Majority of them are in Prakrit language and some are composed in Sanskrit. Among the exhibits the inscriptions of Vijaya Satakarni, the memorial pillar depicting king Vasishthiputra Chamtamula, ayaka pillar of Chamta Sri, the Buddhapada inscription and a Sanskrit inscription on a pillar invoking god Pushpabhadrasvamin are noteworthy. A Telugu inscription issued by king Purushottama of Orissa is also on display. The medieval sculptures on display include ornate Yoga-Narasimha, Mahishmardini, Durga, Siva and a Jaina Tirthankara seated in Yoga-posture, ranging in date from 14th-17th century AD.Opening Hours : 9.00 am to 4.00 pm. Closed on – FridayEntrance Fee : Rs. 2/- per head. (Children up to 15 years free).

For more information, visit: http://asi.nic.in/asi_museums.asp
For more information, Visit: http://asi.nic.in/asi_museums.asp
The above information has been taken from http://asi.nic.in/index.asp

Regards,
Tirumalanath
tirumalanath@gmail.com

HOW FAMOUS PLACES IN BANGALORE GOT THEIR NAMES

Marathahalli Halli in Kannada means village. A fighter aircraft named Marut had an accident in this area; So the area is called Marathahalli.

BTM Layout BTM Layout (an abbreviation of Byrasandra, Tavarekere and Madivala Layout)

Malleswaram
Malleswaram, located in the north-west of Bangalore, derives its name from the famous Kaadu Malleshwara temple.

HSR Layout Hosur Sarjapur Road Layout (popularly known as HSR Layout) is a relatively new suburb located to the south-east of Bangalore, India. The layout, which is built on land reclaimed from the Agara lake, is located between Hosur Road and Sarjapur Road. Arekere Are in Kannada means half. Kere in Kannada means a water reservoir or pond. The origin of the name "Arekere" comes comes from a water reservoir which is in the area.

Banashankari
Banashankari is a neighborhood in South Bengaluru. It gets its name from the Banashankari Amma Temple on Kanakapura Road, one of Bengaluru's oldest and most famous temples, which was constructed by Subramanya Shetty in 1915.

Basavanagudi
The name "Basavanagudi" refers to the Bull Temple that is located here. It is a monolith statue of the Nandi Bull. Basava in Kannada, the local language, means Bull and Gudi means temple. Hence, the name Basavanagudi

Basaveshwaranagar
It is named after poet-king Basaveshwara. Basaveshwaranagar is also known to have a 100 year old tree "The Big Banyan Tree - Dodda Aalada Mara" which was a home for hundreds of monkeys now a known public park in the vicinity.

Domlur
Domlur is a small township located in the eastern part of Bangalore city in India. Earlier it was known as Bhagat Singh Nagar, but for some unknown reasons, it is better known as Domlur. There is a debate over the exact meaning of Domlur. From what can be deciphered from old people living in the area, Domlur is a word derived from Tombalur, a kind of flower which is used to worship Lord Shiva. This is further supported by the inscriptions found in Chokkanathaswamy temple in Domlur, which is believed to be constructed by Cholas

Electronics City
Electronics City is an electronics industrial park spread over 332 acres (1.3 km²) in Konappana Agrahara and Doddathogur villages, just outside Bangalore, India. It houses more than a hundred industries, including IT industry leaders such as Wipro,Hewlett-Packard, Motorola, Infosys, CGI, Siemens, ITI,Satyam etc. The area is maintained by Keonics, which provides all the necessary infrastructure.

Halasuru
Halasuru formerly known as Ulsoor, is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the Indian city of Bangalore. It has a predominant Tamil speaking population and is renowned for its numerous temples and rather narrow streets.

Hebbal Once indicative of the North endpoint of the city. Though originally famous for Hebbal Lake, it is now better known for the serpentine maze of flyovers The flyover spanning a length of 6.25 kilometres over all the loops combined, is the longest flyover in India.The lake is well known for the park, the boating facility and for the bird watching opportunities.

Jayanagar
Jayanagar means - literally - "Victory City". Jayanagar was traditionally regarded as the southern end of Bangalore. The "South End Circle", wherein six roads from different areas meet, and the historic Ashoka Pillar (which was to mark the southern end of the city) bear this fact. While newer extensions have taken away this distinction from Jayanagar, it still remains one of the more southern parts of the city.

J P Nagar
The Jayaprakash Narayan Nagar ( JP Nagar ) was basically a residential area. J P Nagar is home to many prominent singers, actors and artists. Famous residents of this locality include Kannada actor and politician Ambareesh, playwright and actor Girish Karnad, former Karnataka chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and actress Tara. Jeevanbheemanagar Originally, the area was reserved for employees of LIC (Jeevan Bheema)and KPWD. Therefore the area predominantly consists of LIC quarters (types L,M,N,P) and KPWD quarters (types A,D).
Kengeri In it flows the river vrishbhavati which carries the entire sewage of bangalore in it making kengeri somewhat smelly but there is a need to manage sewage treatment properly in the Indian state of Karnataka.

Koramangala
Koramangala was not too long ago, a sought after residential locality with its wide boulevards and posh bungalows. The crime rate has increased considerably over the past few years. Though the civic authorities are trying hard to cope with the unprecedented stress of improvising the infrastructure, a lot needs to be done.

Rajajinagar
Rajajinagar got its name from Rajaji the great freedom fighter from Southern part of India. It has many schools and colleges that gives the best coaching. It boasts of having the highest number of bar and restaurants in Bangalore.

Rajarajeshwari Nagar
Rajarajeshwari Nagar received its name from the famous Rajarajeshwari Nagar temple that is located just over one kilometer from the arch.

Sadhashivnagar
Sadashivanagar is arguably the most elite and expensive neighborhood in Bangalore, India, and is fashionable among politicians, movie stars, and most of the city's millionaires who can afford homes there. As the "Beverly Hills of Bangalore," having an address in Sadashivanagar connotes a high level of prestige, success, and/or fame.

Thyagarajanagar
Thyagarajanagar is one of the oldest localities in Bangalore. It is part of Basavanagudi in South Bangalore. This area is home to several religious temples and is the only area where you can find religious songs hitting the charts everyday.

Vijayanagar
It derives its name from the Vijayanagara empire that flourished in south India during 15th and 16th centuries.Vijayanagar East is popularly known as RPC Layout (Railway Parallel Colony Layout), since this layout is along the railway track. It has been recently renamed as Hampi Nagar. Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire. Vijayanagar also houses a large Public Library, which is one of the largest in Karnataka.

Whitefield
Until the late 1980s, Whitefield was a small village which was a retirement colony for Anglo-Indians. It remains a legacy of the British rule in India. It is renowned for Sathya Sai Baba's ashram called Brindavan and as a haven for a number of multinational information technology companies.

Regards,
Tirumalanath
tirumalanath@gmail.com

Books - Power of Mind By Swami Srikantananda

Power of Mind By Swami Srikantananda
Vivekananda Institute of Human Excellence, Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad. rkmath_hyd@yahoo.com Price Rs.10/-

As your thoughts
So your mind
Sow good thoughts
Power your mind.

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Depression is not a disease
But it is only a fallen wave
In the ocean of consciousness
Only to rise again with great
Force to lift us up and up
Till we reach the shore safely.

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Thinking is not just
A process of linking words
Together to impress fools.
But a process of diving deep
Into the ocean of consciousness
In search of gems of truth
To enlighten the sinking souls.

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Let the bubbles of thoughts
Rise and fall
It matters not mind live or die.
You are the witness
Like the eternal sky
Clouds of thoughts will
Come and fly.

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He is a wise man
Who not only sees but observes
Not only observes but learns
To translate that
Learning into practice
By all means, if it
Is good to himself
And for others

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Expansion is life
Contraction is death.
Love is life
And hatred is death

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Control your tongue
Control your temper
Control your temptation
Practice meditation
That is the way
To develop concentration
Perform your duty
With dedication, devotion
Develop dexterity
While doing your actions
That is the way

To get job satisfaction
Do hard work
Be honest in efforts
Always be humble
And never be arrogant
That is the way
To achieve perfection

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Carelessness is the worst
Enemy of man,
The root cause
Of all evils. It is because of
Our carelessness that we are
Born here as mortals, though
We are immortal divinities

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Success is better than failures
Failures are also welcome
If one can learn lessons from them
But perfection is unique
Which always leads to success.
Then why not struggle to be
Perfect in whatever we do?

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You were never bad.
It was only you thought
That you were so.
Change your thought and say
‘I am good’ prove that
Through your actions
And that every moment
You are good.

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Why do you worry
That you have done wrong,
Show me a single person
Who is perfect and strong,
Now follow the right path
Don’t repeat your wrongs,
God is merciful
And will help you along

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Live with honour
Don’t care for money
A few get honour
But many get money

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Devotion and dedication,
Concentration and conviction,
Introspection and reflection,
Discrimination and renunciation,
These are the physical
And mental actions
To attain perfection and realization
Which result in peaceAnd satisfaction

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You are the creator of
Your own destiny.
Write your destiny on
The screen of your mind by
Making right use of your
Thoughts, Deeds and Words

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Extract from the books published by Ramakrishna Math. For more information, knowledge and spiritual guidance, visit Sri Ramakrishna math in ur place or visit www.sriramakrishnamath.org; and send ur doubts and queries to srkmath@vsnl.com
These writing are extracts from the books published by Sri Ramakrishna Math, only to spread awareness on Hindu Philosophy among the people who surf my blog and not intended for any commercial interests and I am solo responsible for any mistakes or wrong information and is based on my personal understanding. For more information and queries, read the books published by Sri Ramakrishna Math (https://www.sriramakrishnamath.org) and mail ur queries to "rkmblr@vsnl.net"

karmayoga

Hi,
This blog is about karma yoga.

bhagavadgita

Hi,
This blog is about bhagavad gita as I have understood reading various books.

bhagavadgita

Hi,
This blog is about bhagavad gita as I have understood reading various books.