message for the day

Message For the Day…” Let the Actions Performed by People be Sacred…”

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People experience pleasure and pain, sorrow and difficulties in this world. When they experience pleasure, they say it is due to their deservedness (prapti). When they undergo difficulties, they attribute it to their destiny. Really speaking, both pleasure and pain are the result of one’s own actions (karma). As are the feelings that drive action, so is the result (Yad bhavam tad bhavati). Every human being in this world has to perform some kind of karma. Hence let the actions (karma) performed by people be sacred. The celebration of Dasara is meant to purify the actions performed by the five senses of action and the five senses of perception (dasendriyas). Devi, who is the personification of energy, is the driving force behind all actions. Hence everyone must worship the Trinity of Durga (goddess of energy), Lakshmi (goddess of all kinds of wealth), and Saraswathi (goddess of education and intellect) during this festival of Dasara.

Sathya Sai Baba

Image of the Day….Self -Portrait…!!!

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Astrophotographer’s self-portrait

A famous shot by Ansel Adams inspired this photo by Daniel McVey.

Photo by Daniel McVey, September 2014. Visit Daniel McVey's website.

Daniel McVey in Summit County, Colorado has contributed some of the most beautiful images to our pages. He posted this one on EarthSky Facebook and wrote:

Inspired in part by a photo of Ansel Adams on his “Woody.”

Taken on a private ranch in South Park, Colorado. Green airglow visible.

 

Visit Daniel McVey on Facebook or at his website.

SOURCE::::: earth sky news

Natarajan

” இவர் பெரிய ‘பில்டர்’…உனக்கு தெரியுமா …? ”

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“ஆயிரம் கன்றுக்குட்டிகள் நடுவில் ஒரு தாய்ப்பசு

தன் கன்றை அடையாளம் கண்டுகொள்ளாதா, என்ன?

Featured Image -- 11217

(வலையில் படித்தது)

ஒரு வைதிகர், எளிய வாழ்க்கை, போதுமென்ற

மனமே பொன் செய்யும் மருந்து.

கோயில் திருப்பணிகளில் மிகவும் ஆர்வம்.

தன் கிராமத்திலுள்ள பிள்ளையார் கோயில்,

மாரியம்மன் கோயில்,சிவன் கோயில்

எல்லாவற்றுக்கும் அரும்பாடுபட்டுத்

திருப்பணிகள் செய்தார்.

பெரிய தொகை நன்கொடை கொடுப்பவர்கள் கூட

அவரிடமிருந்து ரசீது எதிர்பார்க்கமாட்டார்கள்.

அவ்வளவு சுத்தம். அவருடைய சேவையை அண்டை

கிராமத்தார்களும் பயன்படுத்திக் கொண்டார்கள்.

ஒரு வயற்காட்டில் ஒரு பெரிய சிவலிங்கம்

தன்னந்தனியாக வெயிலில் காய்ந்து, குளிரில்

நடுங்கிக் கொண்டிருந்தார். இந்த வைதிகர்

முயற்சியால் இப்போது அவர் (சிவலிங்கம்)

மழை-காற்றுக்கு அஞ்சாமல்,கருவறையில்

கோயில் கொண்டுள்ளார்.

இப்படி எத்தனையோ கோயில்கள்.

ஆனால்,வைதிகர் எந்தக் கும்பாபிஷேகத்திலும்

தன்னை முன்னிலைப்படுத்திக் கொண்டதில்லை.

கூட்டத்தில் ஒரு மூலையில் ஒண்டிக்கொண்டு நிற்பார்!

தம்பட்டமே இல்லாத இவரைப் பற்றிப்

பெரியவாளுக்கு தெரிந்திருந்தது.

‘எப்படி?’ என்றெல்லாம் கேட்கக்கூடாது.

அது சிவரகசியம்!

அந்த வைதிகர் அடிக்கடி ஸ்ரீமடத்துக்கு வருபவர் அல்லர்.

அவருக்கு ஓய்வு கிடைத்தால்தானே வெளியே போவதற்கு!

அவர் வழி அப்பர் வழி, ஆமாம். Upper வழி.

உழவாரப் பணி, கோபுரங்களில் வேலை,நாலைந்து

பையன்களை உடன் வைத்துக்கொண்டு

சந்தடி இல்லாமல் சிவத்தொண்டு செய்வார்.

ஒருதடவை பெரியவாள் தரிசனத்துக்கு வந்தார்.

பெரியவாளை வந்தனம் செய்துவிட்டு ஓரமாக

நின்றார். வழக்கமான ஊர்-பேர் விசாரணைகூடச்

செய்யவில்லை பெரியவாள்.

அந்தச் சமயத்தில் பரம பக்தர்களான பணக்காரத்

தம்பதிகள் வந்து வந்தனம் செய்துவிட்டு எழுந்தார்கள்.

பெரியவாள், தொண்டருக்கு என்ன குறிப்பு

கொடுத்தாரோ, தெரியாது.விலையுயர்ந்த

ஒரு சால்வையைக் கொண்டுவந்து தட்டில்

வைத்தார் ஓர் அணுக்கத் தொண்டர்.பெரியவாள்,

அந்தப் பணக்காரப் பக்தரை அழைத்து, அந்தச்

சால்வையை, வைதிக பக்தருக்குப் போர்த்தச்

சொன்னார்கள்.

எல்லோருக்குமே வியப்பாக இருந்தது.

இந்த வைதிகர் என்ன, அவ்வளவு பெரிய

பண்டிதரா? யாகம் செய்தவரா..?

பெரியவா பணக்காரரிடம் சொன்னார்கள்.

“இவரைப் பார்த்திருக்கிறாயோ?”

“இல்லை”

“இவர் அட்ரஸ் தெரியுமோ?”

“தெரியாது”

“எனக்குத் தெரியும்! சொல்லட்டுமா?”

(என்ன குறும்பு!)

“சாஸ்திரிகள் கேர் ஆஃப் சிவன் கோயில்!

இவர் பெரிய Builder.என்ன? பல சிவன்களுக்கு

வீடு கட்டிக் கொடுத்திருக்கிறார்…!”

பக்தர்கள் கூட்டம் நெகிழ்ந்து உருகியது.

ஒரு பத்திரிகையில்கூட இவர் புகைப்படத்தைப்

பார்த்ததில்லையே…

“இவர் சிவப்பழம்…பிரசாதத்தோட நெறய்ய

பழங்கள் கொடு…”

அறிமுகமே இல்லாத இவர், தூய சிவப்பணியாளர்

என்பது பெரியவாளுக்கு எப்படித் தெரிந்தது?.

அது எந்தவகை ஸித்தி?

ஆயிரம் கன்றுக்குட்டிகள் நடுவில் ஒரு தாய்ப்பசு

தன் கன்றை அடையாளம் கண்டுகொள்ளாதா, என்ன?

SOURCE:::: http://www.periva.proboards.com

Natarajan

Read more: http://periva.proboards.com/thread/8060/#ixzz3Eu6M6EaW

Message For the Day…” See Yourself as Your Self Unrelated To Others or Objects…”

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Arjuna entered the battlefield, fully equipped and fanatically determined to destroy his enemies. But when he took his position in the battlefield, he saw ‘my teachers’, ‘my grandfather’, ‘my kinsmen’, ‘my cousins’, etc. and he was moved so much by this sense of ‘I’ and ‘mine’ that he discarded the bow and desired to return to the forest and beg for the rest of his life, than fight the war. The ‘I’ that has really nothing to do with earthly possessions, blinded him. Lord Krishna taught Bhagavad Gita and removed this delusion (moha). The lesson for you is “Be unmoved by duality”. Let not defeat or success affect your inner calm and inner joy. See yourself as your Self unrelated to others or the objective world. When you know your real Self, you are liberated! That is Moksha. Liberation (Moksha) is not a five-star HOTEL or a deluxe resort. It is just the awareness of your reality and the rejection of all contrary conceptions.  

Sathya Sai Baba

 

” No Need for India to Knock at the Doors of Elite Space Club …” !!!

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The ‘New York Times’ Publishes Racist Comic About India’s Space

Mission

Last week, India became the first Asian nation to reach Mars, and the first in the world to do so on its first attempt.

The spacecraft called Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) in English and “Mangalyaan” or “mars craft” in Hindi was launched in November and reached the orbit on Wednesday, to much jubilation from the public.

India’s first interplanetary mission is all the more creditable because, at $72 million, Mangalyaan cost just a fraction of NASA’s $670 million Maven, and $2 billion Curiosity Rover. It also cost less than to produce the film Gravity, and at Rs.7 or 11 cents, per kilometer, cost less than the per-kilometer cost of commuting by autorickshaw in most Indian cities.

So yesterday’s New York Times’ comic by Heng, titled “India’s budget mission to Mars” seems in poor taste.

2014-09-29-racistcomic.jpg

The comic depicts a poor Indian farmer in traditional garb, accompanied by a bored-looking cow, eagerly knocking on the door of “Elite Space Club”. The two people in the elite space club drinking wine and reading about India’s mission in the papers look perturbed and hesitant to open the door. It is also worth noting that the members of the elite space club are male, white, elderly and look wealthy. Whether meant to be funny or ironic, the racial, national and classist stereotyping is apparent.

In reaching Mars, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) joins the ranks of Soviet space program, NASA and European Space Agency. It not only did so on a budget, but also battling “brain drain“. It’s a commonly lamented problem that many of the country’s brightest scientists and engineers end up working internationally, and tend to shy away from research in India, especially an area like space research, because it’s not as lucrative.

The comic strip comes at the time of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s maiden visit to the United States. Addressing a 20,000 strong crowd at Manhattan’s iconic Madison Square Garden yesterday, he emphasized India’s new role on the world stage and its growing economic clout. “When people ask if we still play with snakes in our country, I tell them that now we play with the mouse,” Mr Modi said, drawing attention to the changing stereotype of India from a nation of snake charmers to one of technical prowess.

In case the Times is wondering what interplanetary-mission-heading Indian scientists look like then here you go, this is what they look like:

2014-09-29-isroscientists.jpg

And this:

2014-09-29-isro2.jpg

And this:

2014-09-29-isro3.jpg

The male engineers are wearing Western gear, while some of the female engineers are rocking traditional silk saris, the kind usually worn on special occasions, and jasmine flowers in their hair. On regular days, they work in full suits. There are no farm animals in sight at the ISRO office. And they certainly don’t look desperate for membership into some secret elite club. In fact, their jubilance says it all.

See, there are lots of socially and economically elite people in the world — being elite is like winning the lottery. But only a handful of human beings in history can claim to have sent a spaceship to another planet. That is brilliance and merit. That is actualizing human potential and literally moving humanity forward — like inventing the wheel, or, you know, sending a spaceship to Mars. One doesn’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand that.

SOURCE::::   IN  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/  

NATARAJAN

” What a Brilliant Way to Communicate an Important Message ” !!!

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Kudos Volkswagen. What a brilliant way to communicate how risky it is to use mobile phones while driving.

 Everyone needs to see this one – WORTH SHOWING TO THE WHOLE FAMILY
This is pretty awesome, and it only takes a second!
A Hong Kong movie theater asked its patrons to leave their cellphones ON as they entered the movie house. 
Then they ran an eye opening ad produced by Volkswagen.  

Source :::: You Tube

Natarajan

Image of the Day…. Images of MARS sent by India”s MOM …

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Mars and its atmosphere, seen by MOM spacecraft

Two early images from India’s MOM spacecraft. One shows an edge of Mars, with the planet’s tenuous atmosphere above. The other shows the whole planet. Beautiful!

India's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) captured this image of the

The world applauded India last week as its maiden interplanetary spacecraft – the Mars Orbiter Mission, or MOM – achieved orbit around the Red Planet. Here are some of the first images transmitted from MOM. At top, a gorgeous shot of the limb, or edge, of Mars with the tenuous Martian atmosphere silhouetted against the blackness of space. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), India’s space agency, released this image on September 25, 2014, about a day after MOM arrived.

ISRO announced that MOM successfully entered into an orbit around planet Mars on September 24, 2014 at 7:30 a.m. India Standard Time (02:00 UTC; 20:00 EDT in the U.S. on September 23). MOM carries five instrument suite whose mission is to study the surface and atmosphere of Mars with a particular emphasis on measuring the methane in the Martian atmosphere: a key indicator of microbial life.

Image via Mars Orbiter Mission

Above is another beauty from MOM, acquired on September 28, 2014.

The Schiaparelli Basin (460 kilometers / 286 miles wide) is visible just below right, of dead center. To the left is the Meridiani Terra with Meridiani Planum where NASA’s Opportunity rover is still operating almost flawlessly after 10 years on Mars.

Oxia Palus is clearly visible as is Chryse Planitia where the Viking 1 lander touched down in July 1976 and also the Ares Vallis, where the Mars Pathfinder successfully landed in July 1997.

Syrtis Major is visible towards the right limb.

Bottom line: Here are some early images from India’s MOM spacecraft. One shows the limb of Mars, with its tenuous atmosphere above. The other shows the whole planet, with a dust storm visible in the planet’s northern hemisphere. Beautiful!

SOURCE:::: earth sky news

Natarajan

More Than ” An Apple A Day …” ….Other Benefits Of Apple one Should Know !!!

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Apples are one of the world’s most favorite fruits, and it’s easy to see why: They’re delicious, healthy and come in a variety of colors and sizes. Did you know, however, that apples are also incredibly useful? Here are 13 more uses for apples that you possibly didn’t know:
Apples
1. Migraine Relief

If you suffer from migraines, you know that it’s hard to even describe the level of pain and discomfort caused by one. Recent studies show that smelling a green apple helps relieve some of the uneasiness caused by the migraine.

2. Prevent Sugar from Crystallizing

Brown sugar is much healthier (and arguably – tastier) than white sugar. The only problem with it, is that it tends to clump and crystalize. To prevent this from happening, put a piece of apple in a small fabric pouch and put it in the same container as the sugar. The apple will absorb the moisture that causes the clumping.

3. Accelerate Ripening of Fruits

Some fruits emit a gas called Ethylene that hastens the ripening of other fruits. If you want those avocados and bananas to be ready faster, put a whole apple next to them and it will do the job!
Apples
4. Preserve Baked Goods

Bread and cakes tend to dry out quickly, even when kept in sealed containers. To prevent them from drying out, put half an apple into the container you keep the pastry in!

5. General Cleaner

Instead of using those chemical-filled industrial cleaners, why not make your own effective, antiseptic, deodorizing cleaner? Simply mix equal amounts of apple-cider vinegar and water into a spray bottle, and there you have it!

6. Natural Sweetener

Apples are an excellent replacement for sugar, as they add their unique flavor without overpowering the dish/drink. Apples contain fructose, which is healthier than white sugar and even more than artificial sweeteners! Try adding grated apples to dishes instead of sugar and you’ll be amazed!

7. Facial Mask

Apples contain a structural heteropolysaccharide called Pectin, which helps your facial skin. To use it as a mask – grate it and mix with honey, then apply the mixture to your face. Let it sit for about 15-20 minutes, then wash it off.
Apples
8. Prevent Nausea

Many people suffer from motion sickness while riding in a car, but eating a green apple can help reduce the feeling of nausea.

9. Treat Allergies

Apples contain a chemical called Quercetin, which helps the immune system limit the amount of histamines it produces during an allergic reaction. Histamines are what causes the allergic symptoms, so reducing their amount will help ease your allergies.

10. Make a Fancy Drink

In recent years, flavored vodka has become quite popular, but its price can be much higher than of regular vodka. If you fancy some apple-flavored vodka, simply follow this recipe:

  • Cut some apples and put them in a sealable jar
  • Cover the apples in vodka, seal the jar and it let sit for a few days
  • If the taste is not yet to your liking, simply let it sit until it does
Apples
11. Doggy Treats

While there are many foods you shouldn’t give your dog, apples happen to be one of the healthiest and most recommended fruits for dogs. Apples are much healthier than processed dog-treats, but be sure to avoid giving your dog the core! Apple seeds contain cyanide which is very poisonous for humans and dogs alike.

12. Flea Treatment

Apple-cider vinegar is incredibly effective at getting rid of fleas. Mix equal amounts of water and vinegar, apply it to your pet’s fur and gently massage it into the skin. The vinegar will chase away the fleas quickly and effectively.

13. Fix Over-Salted Food

If you happen to add too-much salt to a dish you’re making, just cut a few pieces of apple and put them in the pot. The apple will absorb the salt without damaging the flavor of the dish.

Source: Emily H.

Message For the Day…” Giveup Selfishness and Strive for Self Realisation…”

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Every being is suffused with love. It is only for our convenience, for our pleasure, and our own selfish purposes that we develop certain worldly relationships. Give up self­ishness and strive for self-realisation. You must enquire into yourself, “Who am I? Body, mind, intellect, chittha(memories) or ahamkara (ego)?” You are none of these. You are yourself – “I am I.” Recognise this truth. One must render selfless service. The fruit of all actions must then be sacrificed. Only a person, who denounces the fruits of all actions, deserves to be called a Yogi (renunciant). A Yogi is not one who merely sits under a tree, closes one’s eyes and meditates. Real sacrifice involves giving up your desires. Do not be narrow-minded. If you are inflicted with narrow-mindedness your whole life will become narrow. Develop broad-mindedness and cultivate selfless love.   

Sathya Sai Baba

World”s Longest Flight On Biggest Plane ….

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A380 pushing the limits

QANTAS is making aviation history today as the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the superjumbo A380, starts flying the world’s longest route — a non-stop trip lasting nearly 16 hours.

Well, it’s 14 hours 50 minutes to get from Sydney to Dallas/Fort Worth, but a longer 15 hours 30 minutes to return.

Passengers travelling on the route are now privy to the glam and size of the increasingly popular A380 with Qantas operating six direct return services per week.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce says the move reflect the airline’s history of endurance, setting records and connecting Australians to the world.

“Today, Qantas is leading the way again with the introduction of the world’s largest passenger aircraft on the world’s longest route, Sydney to Dallas/Fort Worth, with a flying time of almost 16 hours,” Mr Joyce said this morning at a media conference at Sydney Airport.

So what’s the attraction of arriving in the boot/scooting cowboy-laden city?

“Since starting on the route in 2011 the feedback from our corporate customers, especially those in the resources, technology and agricultural sectors, tells us they like flying into the Dallas hub because it gets them closer to their final destination in the US and offers great onward connections.

“The Dallas/Fort Worth service offers direct access right into the heart of the US with over 50 connections to all US major cities all within four hours, including Orlando, Boston and Houston.”

Qantas recently announced increased services to the US, and will now offer 41 services per week to North America. About half of these services are operated by A380 aircraft and the other half by B747s with A380-style interiors.

Alan Joyce at the meeting event today.

Alan Joyce at the meeting event today. Source: NewsComAu

Mr Joyce said introducing A380 services between Sydney and Dallas/Fort Worth, which is the only direct flight from Australia to inland United States, would provide enhance the customer experience and boost capacity.

“We know our customers will value the comfort of the A380 on this route,” he said. “It’s also a vote of confidence in Qantas’s business going forward.

“Not only will the A380 increase seats on the route by more than 10 per cent each week, it will also provide us with greater fuel efficiency and the range to operate the return service direct back to Sydney.

Dallas, here we come.

Dallas, here we come. Source: News Limited

“Our customers also now have the choice of four cabins to both Los Angeles and Dallas/Fort Worth as we introduce our Marc Newson designed First Class Suites on the Dallas/Fort Worth route for the first time.”

The new A380 service will also create further opportunities for both tourism and TRADE between Australia and the US.

“Dallas/Fort Worth is home to our partner American Airlines, and it’s the perfect hub for both business and leisure travellers heading in either direction across the Pacific.”

Mr Joyce said the fall in the Australian dollar actually has a positive impact on its international business.

“Sure there is always an impact in fuel prices but luckily we have seen a decrease in fuel prices of late regardless.”

 

The world’s longest flights in distance include The Sydney — Dallas/Fort Worth leg at 13,804km followed by Delta’s Johannesburg to Atlanta at 13,582km and Emirates Dubai — Los Angeles at 13,420km.

In 1989, Qantas operated the world’s longest non-stop delivery flight, when it flew a Boeing B747-400 from London to Sydney in 21 hours. Meanwhile Qantas holds the record for the longest regular commercial flight time-wise, set in 1944 from Perth to Sri Lanka.

The new flight replaces the current Boeing 747-400ER aircraft used on the route. The A380 will step up to a daily service over the 2014-2015 summer holiday season, from December 9 2014 to January 20 2015.

DFW airport is upgrading one terminal with three extra aerobridges to load passengers on the double-decker jet, while Qantas’ partner Emirates is set to begin A380 flights between DFW and Dubai from October 1.

Qantas’ existing flights between Melbourne, Dubai and London will be retimed to make room for these extra A380 services.

“This schedule change unlocks more A380 flying time that we can use on the Dallas route, and now offers four times the number of onward connections to Europe because of the new arrival time of the Melbourne flight into Dubai,” adds Qantas CEO Alan Joyce.

Qantas says the current mix of Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 flights from Sydney to Hong Kong will also face “adjustments”, although the airline hasn’t yet revealed whether the A380 will disappear from Asia entirely.

Fun flying facts:

• The Qantas A380 carries 323,000 litres of fuel, equivalent to eight backyard swimming pools.

• The Qantas A380 is fitted with a First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabin offering 484 seats, (14 First, 64 Business, 35 Premium Economy and 371 Economy).

• Qantas is the larger purchaser of Australian wines.

• The A380 delivers up to 10 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency and carbon emissions per revenue tonne kilometre, than most of today’s largest passenger jets.

• Qantas began flying to Dallas Fort Worth in May 2011 and is the only carrier to operate direct services from Australia to Dallas/Fort Worth.

The writer is flying as a guest of Qantas.Follow Melissa’s (mis)adventures to Texas on Instagram and Twitter @melissahoyer.   

Source:::: MELISSA HOYER  in news.com.au

Natarajan