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Meet Nischal Narayanam, India’s Youngest Chartered Accountant….

July 23, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

He’s the country’s youngest Chartered Accountant but he needs to wait two more years before he can enrol in the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), which needs its members to be at least 21. Nischal Narayanam is only 19 years old, but he already has a postgraduate degree in commerce from Osmania University in Hyderabad.

“The journey wasn’t easy and a tough one. But I was determined to achieve it,”Nischal told The Hindu.

Narayanam’s gifted mind was recognised early. He was eight years old when he passed several Sanskrit exams equivalent to a masters degree. By the time he was nine, he was already correcting mistakes in his father’s company balance sheet. At 10, he was the world memory champion among kids, had authored volumes of books on mathematics, and had designed and developed a mathematics laboratory. That year he won his first Guinness World Record by memorising 225 random objects in just over 12 minutes.

Nischal memorises 132 random digits as he prepares for his second Guinness World Record.

The next year he was awarded the national child award for exceptional achievement.

As he entered his teenage years, Narayanam passed the Cambridge University examination and qualified the basic level exam for becoming a CA. He also won another Guinness World Record — this time for memorising 132 digits in just a minute. Two years later, at 15, he passed the second level of the CA exam, and became the youngest mentor to a company — Nischal’s Smart Learning Solutions Pvt. Ltd — which offers tools to make learning easier.

He is listed as one of the “7 brilliant brains of the world” by the National Geographic Channel, and has his own philanthropic organisation to help kids to study at free summer camp

Source….Indrani Basu in http://www.huffingtonpost.in

Natarajan

” காஞ்சி மஹிமை ….”

July 23, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

‘கச்சி மூதூர்’ என்று சங்க இலக்கியமான ‘பெரும் பாணாற்றுப்படை‘ முதலியவற்றிலேயே சொல்லப்படும் அந்தப் புராதனமான நகரம் மகாக்ஷேத்ரம் என்பதாக மட்டுமின்றி பெரிய வித்யா ராஜதானியாகவும் இருந்திருக்கிறது.

வடக்கே காசி மாதிரி தெற்கே காஞ்சி. “சான்றோர் உடைத்து” என்று சிறப்பிக்கப்படும் ‘தொண்டை நன்னாட்டின்‘ தலைநகரம் அதுதான். “கடிகா ஸ்தானம்” எனப்படும் சமஸ்கிருத யுனிவர்சிடி இருந்த நகரம் அது. அப்பர் சுவாமிகள் “கல்வியைக் கரையில்லாத காஞ்சி மாநகர்” என்கிறார். பல மத சித்தாந்திகளும் கூடியிருந்த இடம் அது என்று ‘மணிமேகலை‘யிலிருந்து தெரிகிறது.

பௌத்தம், ஜைனம், காபாலிகம் முதலான எல்லா மதங்களும் அங்கே பிற்காலத்தில் இருந்ததென்று மகேந்திர பல்லவனின் ‘மத்த விலாஸ ப்ரஹஸன‘ நாடகத்திலிருந்து தெரிகிறது. சரித்திரத்தில் சக்கரம் ஒரு முழு சுற்றுச் சுற்றிப் பழையபடியே மறுபடி நடக்கும்போது எந்த வட்டாரத்தில் எப்படியிருந்ததோ அப்படித்தான் திரும்பவும் நடக்கும்.

அதனால் ஆசார்யாள் காலத்திலும் அங்கே பல மதங்கள் இருந்திருக்க வேண்டும். இப்போதும் பௌத்த சிற்பங்கள் பல அங்கே அகப்படுகின்றன. காஞ்சி மண்டலத்துக்குள்ளேயே இருக்கும் திருப்பருத்திக்குன்றம் ஜைனகாஞ்சி என்கிற சமண தலமாகப் பேர் பெற்றிருக்கிறது.

க்ஷேத்ரம் என்று பார்க்கும்போது, ‘ரத்ன த்ரயம்‘ என்கிற ஈச்வரன், அம்பாள், பெருமாள் ஆகிய மூன்று பேருக்கும் முக்கியமான தலமாயிருப்பது அது. எண்ணி முடியாத கோவில்கள் சகல தெய்வங்களுக்கும் அங்கே இருப்பதில் ஏகம்பம் பரமேச்வரனின் பஞ்சபூத தலங்களில் ப்ருத்வீ க்ஷேத்ரமாயிருக்கிறது.

அம்பாள் காமாக்ஷியின் காமகோஷ்டம் – ‘காமகோட்டம்‘ என்பது- அத்தனை அம்மன் சந்நிதிகளுக்கும் மூல சக்தி பீடமாயிருக்கிற பெருமாள் வரதராஜாவாக உள்ள விஷ்ணு காஞ்சியை – ‘அத்தியூர்‘ என்று வைஷ்ணவர்களின் திவ்ய தேசங்களில் சொல்வது. அதை மூன்று முக்கியமான க்ஷேத்ரங்களில் ஒன்றாகச் சொல்கிறார்கள். ரங்கமும், திருப்பதியும் மற்ற இரண்டு.

விஷ்ணு காஞ்சியைத் தற்போது சின்ன காஞ்சிபுரம் என்கிறோம். பெரிய காஞ்சிபுரம் என்பது சிவகாஞ்சி. கச்சி ஏகம்பமும் காமகோட்டமும் உள்ள இடம். ரத்ன த்ரயம் மட்டுமில்லாமல் ஷண்மத தெய்வங்களுக்குமே முக்கியமான க்ஷேத்ரம் காஞ்சி.

பிள்ளையார் கோவில்கள் இல்லாத ஊரே தமிழ்நாட்டில் கிடையாது. அப்படிக் காஞ்சிபுரத்திலும் அநேகம் உண்டு. அங்கே ஒரு பேட்டைக்கே பிள்ளையார் பாளையம் என்று பேர். காமாக்ஷி ஆலயத்திலேயே ஆறு, ஏழு விக்நேச்வர மூர்த்திகள் உண்டு.

கஞ்சி வரதர்

காஞ்சீபுரத்தில் வரதராஜா ‘பேரருளாளப் பெருமாள்‘ என்று விசேஷமாக, விளங்கிக் கொண்டிருக்கிறார். அவரைப் பற்றி ரசித்தமாக இரு சொல்லலங்கார ஹாஸ்யத் துணுக்கு இருக்கிறது.

“கஞ்சி வரதப்பா!” என்று காஞ்சீபுர வரதராஜாவை நினைத்து, வியாதியில் அவதிப்பட்டுக்கொண்டிருந்த ஒருத்தர் வாய்விட்டு அரற்றினாராம்.

பக்கத்திலே ஒரு சாப்பாட்டு ராமன் இருந்தான். அவனுக்குக் கொஞ்ச நாளாக ஜ்வரம். டாக்டர், ‘சாதம் சாப்பிடக்கூடாது. கஞ்சி வேண்டுமானால் கொஞ்சம் குடிக்கலாம்‘ என்று கண்டிப்புப் பண்ணியிருந்தார். “கஞ்சி எப்போ வரும்? எப்போ வரும்?” என்று அவன் தவித்துக் கொண்டிருந்தான்.

அதனாலே, பக்கத்திலே இருந்தவர், “கஞ்சி வரதப்பா” என்று சொன்னதை, “கஞ்சி வருகிறது அப்பா” என்று அவர் சொல்லுகிறாரென்று நினைத்துவிட்டான். ஆள் யாரும் வரக்காணோமே என்பதால், “எங்கே வரதப்பா?” என்றானாம்.

சுப்ரமண்யருக்கு குமரக் கோட்டம் என்று தனிக் கோயில் இருக்கிறது. கச்சியப்ப சிவாசாரியார் கந்த புராணம் எழுதி அரங்கேற்றியதே அங்கேதான்.

கச்சபேச்வரர் கோவிலில் சூரியன் சந்நிதியில் “மயூர சதகம்” என்று நூறு சுலோகம் கொண்ட சூரிய துதி கல்வெட்டில் பொறித்திருப்பதிலிருந்து அது ஒரு முக்கியமான சூரிய க்ஷேத்ரமாகத் தெரிகிறது.

இப்படி ஷண்மதங்களுக்கும் முக்கியம் வாய்ந்ததாகக் காஞ்சிபுரம் இருக்கிறது. ஆசார்யாளுக்கு முந்தியே அப்படியிருந்து அவர் அதனாலேயே அங்கே வந்து தங்கியிருக்கலாம். அல்லது ஷண்மத ஸ்தாபனா சார்யாளாகிய அவர் வந்து தங்கியதாலேயே அது இப்படிப் பெருமை பெற்றிருக்கலாம்.

சப்த மோக்ஷபுரிகளில் தக்ஷிணத்தில் உள்ள ஒன்றே ஒன்று காஞ்சீபுரம்தான் என்பது அதன் தலையாய சிறப்பாகும். சமய முக்கியத்துவம், வித்யா ஸ்தான முக்கியத்துவம், ராஜரீக முக்கியத்துவம், வியாபார முக்கியத்துவம் எல்லாமே அந்த ஊருக்கு இருந்ததால்தான் “நகரேஷு காஞ்சி” என்று புகழப்பட்டிருக்கிறது.

– தெய்வத்தின் குரல் ஐந்தாம் பகுதி

(ஸ்ரீ சங்கர சரிதம்)

Source….www.tamil.thehindu.com

Natarajan

” Britain Must Pay Reparations to India….”

July 23, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

British troops in Kolkata after a religious clash

At the end of May, the Oxford Union held a debate on the motion “This house believes Britain owes reparations to her former colonies”. Speakers included former Conservative MP Sir Richard Ottaway, Indian politician and writer Shashi Tharoor and British historian John Mackenzie. Shashi Tharoor’sargument in support of the motion, went viral in India after he tweeted it out from his personal account. The argument has found favour among Indians, where the subject of colonial exploitation remains a sore topic. Here he gives a summary of his views:

Indian economy

At the beginning of the 18th Century, India’s share of the world economy was 23%, as large as all of Europe put together. By the time the British departed India, it had dropped to less than 4%.

The reason was simple: India was governed for the benefit of Britain. Britain’s rise for 200 years was financed by its depredations in India.

By the end of the 19th Century, India was Britain’s biggest cash-cow, the world’s biggest purchaser of British exports and the source of highly paid employment for British civil servants – all at India’s own expense. We literally paid for our own oppression.

De-industrialisation of India

Britain’s Industrial Revolution was built on the de-industrialisation of India – the destruction of Indian textiles and their replacement by manufacturing in England, using Indian raw material and exporting the finished products back to India and the rest of the world.

The handloom weavers of Bengal had produced and exported some of the world’s most desirable fabrics, especially cheap but fine muslins, some light as “woven air”.

Britain’s response was to cut off the thumbs of Bengali weavers, break their looms and impose duties and tariffs on Indian cloth, while flooding India and the world with cheaper fabric from the new satanic steam mills of Britain.

Weavers became beggars, manufacturing collapsed; the population of Dhaka, which was once the great centre of muslin production, fell by 90%.

So instead of a great exporter of finished products, India became an importer of British ones, while its share of world exports fell from 27% to 2%.

‘Clive of India’

Lord Clive was an enigmatic figure in the history of the British Empire

Colonialists like Robert Clive bought their “rotten boroughs” in England with the proceeds of their loot in India (loot, by the way, was a Hindi word they took into their dictionaries as well as their habits), while publicly marvelling at their own self-restraint in not stealing even more than they did.

And the British had the gall to call him “Clive of India”, as if he belonged to the country, when all he really did was to ensure that much of the country belonged to him.

Bengal famine

As Britain ruthlessly exploited India, between 15 and 29 million Indians died tragically unnecessary deaths from starvation.

Four million Bengalis died in the Great Bengal Famine of 1943

The last large-scale famine to take place in India was under British rule; none has taken place since, since free democracies don’t let their people starve to death.

Some four million Bengalis died in the Great Bengal Famine of 1943 after Winston Churchill deliberately ordered the diversion of food from starving Indian civilians to well-supplied British soldiers and European stockpiles.

“The starvation of anyway underfed Bengalis is less serious than that of sturdy Greeks,” he argued.

When officers of conscience pointed out in a telegram to the prime minister the scale of the tragedy caused by his decisions, Mr Churchill’s only response was to ask peevishly “Why hasn’t Gandhi died yet?”

Myth of ‘enlightened despotism’

British imperialism had long justified itself with the pretence that it was enlightened despotism, conducted for the benefit of the governed. Mr Churchill’s inhumane conduct in 1943 gave the lie to this myth.

Hundreds of people at a public meeting were shot dead by British troops at the Jallianwala Bagh

But it had been battered for two centuries already: British imperialism had triumphed not just by conquest and deception on a grand scale, but by blowing rebels to bits from the mouths of cannons, massacring unarmed protesters at Jallianwala Bagh and upholding iniquity through institutionalised racism.

No Indian in the colonial era was ever allowed to feel British; he was always a subject, never a citizen.

Indian railways

The railways were intended to help the British get around’

The construction of the Indian Railways is often pointed to as a benefit of British rule, ignoring the obvious fact that many countries have built railways without having to be colonised to do so.

Nor were the railways laid to serve the Indian public. They were intended to help the British get around, and above all to carry Indian raw materials to the ports to be shipped to Britain.

The movement of people was incidental except when it served colonial interests; no effort was made to ensure that supply matched demand for mass transport.

In fact the Indian Railways were a big British colonial scam.

British shareholders made absurd amounts of money by investing in the railways, where the government guaranteed extravagant returns on capital, paid for by Indian taxes.

Thanks to British rapacity, a mile of Indian railways cost double that of a mile in Canada and Australia.

It was a splendid racket for the British, who made all the profits, controlled the technology and supplied all the equipment, which meant once again that the benefits went out of India.

It was a scheme described at the time as “private enterprise at public risk”. Private British enterprise, public Indian risk.

British aid

In recent years, even as the reparations debate has been growing louder, British politicians have in fact been wondering whether countries like India should even receive basic economic aid at the expense of the British taxpayer.

To begin with, the aid received is 0.4%, which is less than half of 1% of India’s GDP.

British aid, which is far from the amounts a reparation debate would throw up, is only a fraction of India’s fertiliser subsidy to farmers, which may be an appropriate metaphor for this argument.

Britons may see our love of cricket or the English language, or even parliamentary democracy, conjuring up memories of the Raj as in television series like Indian Summers, with Simla, and garden parties, and gentile Indians.

For many Indians, however, it is a history of loot, massacres, bloodshed, of the banishing of the last Mughal emperor on a bullock cart to Burma.

Indian soldiers in world wars

More than two million Indian soldiers participated in World War Two

India contributed more soldiers to British forces fighting the First World War than Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa combined.

Despite suffering recession, poverty and an influenza epidemic, India’s contributions in cash and materiel amount to £8bn ($12bn) in today’s money.

Two and a half million Indians also fought for British forces in the Second World War, by the end of which £1.25bn of Britain’s total £3bn war debt was owed to India, which was merely the tip of the iceberg that was colonial exploitation.

It still hasn’t been paid.

Return the Koh-i-Noor diamond’

Maybe Britain could kindly return the Koh-i-Noor diamond’

What’s important is not the quantum of reparations that Britain should pay, but the principle of atonement.

Two hundred years of injustice cannot be compensated for with any specific amount.

I, for one, would be happy to accept a symbolic pound a year for the next two hundred years, as a token of apology.

And maybe Britain could kindly return the Koh-i-Noor diamond to the country it was taken from!

Source…..www.bbc.com

Natarajan

Why Albert Einstein Matters ….?

July 23, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

Scientist, humanist, icon, Albert Einstein offered a lot more to the world than E=MC2, which is probably just one of the reasons why he remains one of the most enduring figures in human history.

So what lessons can we learn from a life less ordinary? Virender Kapoor tells us just that.

In his new book, Virender Kapoor looks to Albert Einstein’s life for lessons that are relevant to our lives today.

Innovation, the Einstein Way gives a brief biographical account of the scientist to introduce him to his readers and through 12 chapters, looks at some of the lessons that we could learn from a life less ordinary.

“What set Einstein apart from several others before and after him was the fact that he wasn’t just a scientist but also a humanitarian. He was a philanthropist, an outspoken critic of the war and was dead against the atom bomb, though several believe otherwise,” Kapoor says.

“Few scientists have reached the iconic status of Albert Einstein,” he adds. “And there is a lot we can learn from him.”

Kapoor is the former director of Pune’s Symbiosis Institute of Management and the founder of Management Institute for Leadership and Excellence.

He is also the author of Leadership: The Gandhi Way, A Wonderful Boss: Great People to Work With and Passion Quotient.

In an interview with Rediff.com, Virender Kapoor spells out some learnings:

What is the single most important lesson from Einstein’s life for young Indians?

Lack of resources need not be an excuse for lack of research.

Einstein honed his investigative skills as a patent officer. People would invent things and he would to approve the patent.

He didn’t have expensive labs at his disposal yet in 1909 at 26, he published four top class academic papers.

Today, we have it a lot easier, courtesy the Internet. So, really, there is no excuse to not be able to come up with innovative ideas or frankly just get ahead in life.

Saying ‘Don’t chase money’ is easier said than done. How does one put this into practice?

I don’t agree with that.

I do believe that chasing money won’t get you very far.

If you need a 3,000-rupee shirt to measure your worth, then your worth is Rs 3,000.

If you are going to measure your worth by money, you are making a big mistake.

Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

Chasing money is a sign of inferiority.

Look for self respect rather than selfies!

Follow the right kind of role models.

When APJ Abdul Kalam began his career, he wasn’t chasing the money. He ended up living in the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

If you follow your passion and beliefs, money will follow.

In the book, you’ve spoken about the importance of teamwork and collaboration. Are there any circumstances under which teamwork can be a hindrance?

There are very few circumstances when collaboration and teamwork can be a hindrance.

Writing books is one such task. It is a lonely road and you must walk it alone.

Even so there are exceptions; you have people who collaborate with co-authors or researchers who team up with their peers.

But teamwork and collaboration are essential to everyone’s existence.

It is best if one learns its importance. Respect your team members, give them due credit; don’t snatch away their moment in the sun.

You have spoken about imagination in your book and how it is possible to awaken it. For the benefit of our readers, please can you elaborate?

Well for one, start imagining; let your mind run free.

One of the best ways to spark your imagination is by reading fiction, literature and poetry.

Work with people who have a great sense of imagination and you will find that it will slowly but surely rub off on you.

Also, learn to give the task at hand everything you have; immerse yourself in the problem. And, with a little bit of imagination, you will realise that you too may have a Eureka moment, much like our very own Archimedes in a bathtub! 🙂

A lot of Einstein’s formulae are a product of situations he had imagined.

Daydreaming also contributed a lot to Einstein’s work. And it can help you too.

Give yourself a break every few hours; take a long walk; idle around… and just be!

There is a lot of wisdom to what Picasso said: Without great solitude, no serious work is possible.

So learn to get some solitude!

What made music such an important part of Einstein’s life? And what can we learn from that?

Music was an integral part of Einstein’s life.

He believed that music exists in the universe and masters such as Mozart simply plucked it from there.

And he often thought he himself did the same: pick up laws of physics from the nature around him. Which wasn’t untrue at all because laws of physics are in fact the laws of nature.

At a really basic level, music, or any hobby really, can help you expand your horizons.

It opens up gates of your imagination and inspire you to think beyond the single track that your mind may be on.

Very often, Einstein would take a break from work just to play the piano or the violin and then go back to it.

Why are the Liberal Arts so important?

A lot of our senior managers and entrepreneurs these days are graduates from IITs and IIMs. Having spent a large part of their formative years either learning engineering or management lessons, they miss out on the wonder of words and creativity.

Liberal arts help you get in touch with the softer side of humanity, where a word could mean multiple things and two and two needn’t always be four.

An education in liberal arts opens up your mind in a way tech and management education cannot.

It helps you think differently, think creatively and most importantly, think humanely.

You’ve also spoken about the importance of humour. Is it at all possible to grow a funny bone?

More yes than no.

I have a friend who is very grim on most days but the moment he finds himself surrounded by a jovial lot of people, he tends to loosen up.

So my theory is that it is possible to grow a funny bone. If you surround yourself by people who are genuinely funny, chances are you will learn to appreciate the joke too.

Einstein’s brain was supposedly differently constructed from the rest of ours — it helped the neurons travel faster — but is it possible to raise one’s IQ?

Scientifically, a high IQ is a genetic bonanza.

But people have different opinions. While your brain is hardwired to do certain things, it is possible to use it more efficiently.

Let me explain: Just because someone has a better gun, doesn’t make her/him a better shooter. In the hand of a better marksman a smaller gun can cause more damage.

Your brain is an apparatus, quite like the gun. And you are the marksman. If you can put it to good use, it will serve you well.

At the same time the human brain comes with limitations. Not everyone can be a chess grandmaster like Viswanathan Anand but with consistent efforts you can become a better chess player than you already are.

Finally, could you tell us a little about disruptive thinking and how it can help young Indians?

Disruptive thinking is what changes the world.

When people question the very basis of existing beliefs, invariably great things come out of it.

It could be something as large as Copernicus’ questioning the prevalent belief that the sun revolved around the earth or something as minor as making an omelette in a way that has never been made before.

Questioning everything all the time, invariably leads to disruptive thinking.

It is what makes entrepreneurs run successful companies or employees rising up the food chain faster than the others.

Every new idea is a result of disruptive thinking.

And it may be weird or silly even but it is what pushes you out of your comfort zone and helps change yourself, your environment and possible even the world.

Lead photograph: Arthur Sasse/Wikimedia Creative Commons

Source…..www.rediff.com

Natarajan

Life in the Most Crowded Place on the Earth ….!!!

July 22, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

Santa Cruz del Islote is a squeeze. Source: Supplied

THERE are no doctors. Electricity runs for just five hours a day. There’s no running water or sewerage system, with fresh water dropped off by the Colombian navy once every three weeks.

Welcome to Santa Cruz del Islote — and make sure you breathe in! This teeny tiny picturesque Caribbean island is insanely crowded. It’s just .012 square kilometres, but somehow 1200 people manage to inhabit it, making it four times as densely populated as Manhattan.

Located in the archipelago of San Bernardo, it lies two hours from Cartagena, Colombia. According to local legend, it was discovered about 150 years ago by a group of passing fishermen from the coastal town of Baru, 50 kilometres away.

They found something very attractive about the island — it had no mosquitoes, a rarity in the area. So they set up camp.

It’s arguably the most densely populated island on Earth. Source: Picture Media

These days, there are 90 houses, two shops, one restaurant and a school. Space is so limited that many of the structures extend onto the water, and the isle is part artificial.

And with no high-rises, everyone is squished onto the ground level.

The only empty space for people to visit is a courtyard which is half the size of a tennis court.

Life is actually quite relaxing, although cramped. Source: Supplied

Most of its residents work on nearby islands, and life here is described as peaceful, with children well-behaved and doors never locked.

“Life here is calm and delightful,” says 66-year-old Juvenal Julio, a descendant of the Islote’s founders, told the Toronto Star. “We don’t have violence, we don’t need police, we all know each other and we enjoy our days.”

Stunning. Picture: A TripAdvisor traveller Source: Supplied

Despite the lack of crime, there is a lone security guard. He’s stationed there because Colombia funds a school on the island which is attended by 80 children, and law states that there must be a guard for every school.

Not that they need it, with children described as “docile” by their teachers.

When death strikes, the bodies are taken to a neighbouring island for burial, as there’s no room for a cemetery.

But despite the squeeze, locals love the lifestyle, with one telling the Star “It’s a glorious life.”

Source….www.news.com.au

Natarajan

Message for the Day…” Prayer, Service to Others, Mutual Love and Respect will Bring Contentment and Joy in One’s Life…”

July 22, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

Sathya Sai Baba

When the Lord’s will, the needs of spiritual seekers, and the teachings of great persons produce their combined effect, the happiness of the world will be assured and undiminished. If all humanity prays together with unity for unrest, injustice, disorder, and falsehood to be transformed into peace, truth, love, and mutual service, things will certainly become better. Worrying is fruitless. There is no other way out. This is no occasion for despair. It is against the essential nature of people to plead weakness and want of strength. Therefore, giving up the search for other means, people must try prayer, service to others, and mutual love and respect. They should delay no longer; they will soon acquire contentment and joy.

– Prema Vahini, Ch 70.

” இது துவைக்கற கல் இல்லை….லிங்கம் …சிவலிங்கம் …”

July 21, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

இது துவக்கற கல் இல்லே… சிவலிங்கம்! — மகாபெரியவா

சென்னை மீனம்பாக்கம் பகுதிக்கு வரும்போதெல்லாம், பழவந்தாங்கலில் தான் முகாமிடுவார் காஞ்சி மகாபெரியவா. அப்படித் தங்குகிறபோது, அந்த ஊரின் மையத்தில் உள்ள குளத்தில் நீராடுவதை வழக்கமாகக் கொண்டிருந்தார்.

ஒருநாள்… அதிகாலைப் பொழுதில், குளத்தில் ஸ்நானம் செய்வதற்கு மகாபெரியவா வந்தபோது, அங்கே சிலர் துணி துவைத்துக் கொண் டிருந்தனர். அவர்களில் ஒருவர், அங்கேயிருந்த கல்லில் துணிகளை அடித்துத் துவைத்துக் கொண்டிருக்க, அதைக் கண்ட காஞ்சி மகான் நெக்குருகியவராய், ‘இது துவைக்கற கல் இல்லே; லிங்கம்… சிவ லிங்கம். இதுல துவைக்காதீங்கோ’ என்று சொன்னார்.

அவ்வளவுதான்… குளத்தைச் சுற்றியிருந்தவர்கள் தபதபவெனக் கூடினர்; சிவலிங்கத் திருமேனியைச் சுற்றி நின்றனர். இதையறிந்த ஊர் மக்கள் பலரும் விழுந்தடித்துக்கொண்டு, குளக்கரைக்கு வந்தனர். அடுத்து காஞ்சி மகான் என்ன சொல்லப்போகிறார் என்று அவரையே மிகுந்த பவ்யத்துடன் பார்த்துக் கொண்டிருந்தனர்.

மெள்ளக் கண்மூடியபடி இருந்த மகாபெரியவா, விறுவிறுவெனக் குளத்தில் இறங்கிக் குளித்தார். அங்கேயே ஜபத்தில் ஈடுபட்டார். பிறகு கரைக்கு வந்தவர், சிவலிங்கத்துக்கு அருகில் வந்தார். “இது அர்த்த நாரீஸ்வர சொரூபம். சின்னதா கோயில் கட்டி, அபிஷேகம் பண்ணி, புஷ்பத்தால அர்ச்சனை பண்ணுங்கோ! இந்த ஊர் இன்னும் செழிக்கப் போறது” என்று கைதூக்கி ஆசீர்வதித்துச் சென்றார்.

பெரியவாளின் திருவுளப்படி, குளத்துக்கு அருகில் சின்னதாகக் குடிசை அமைத்து, சிவலிங்க பூஜை செய்யப்பட்டது. பிறகு கோயில் வளர வளர… ஊரும் வளர்ந்தது. பழவந்தாங்கலின் ஒரு பகுதி, இன்னொரு ஊராயிற்று. அந்த ஊர் நங்கைநல்லூர் எனப்பட்டு, தற்போது நங்கநல்லூர் என அழைக்கப்படுகிறது.

சென்னை, பழவந்தாங்கல் ரயில்வே ஸ்டேஷனில் இருந்து சுமார் 1 கி.மீ. தொலைவில் உள்ளது ஸ்ரீஅர்த்தநாரீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில். காஞ்சி மகாபெரியவாள் சுட்டிக்காட்டிய இடத்தில் அற்புதமாக அமைந் திருக்கிறது ஆலயம். சுமார் 50 வருடங்களுக்கு முன்பு, பெரியவா அருளியதால் உருவான இந்தக் கோயில், இன்றைக்கு ஸ்ரீநடராஜர் சந்நிதி, பட்டீஸ்வரத்தைப் போலவே அமைந்துள்ள ஸ்ரீதுர்கை, அர்த்த நாரீஸ்வர மூர்த்தத்துக்கு இணையாக, ஸ்ரீஅர்த்தநாரீஸ்வரி திருவிக்கிரகம் எனச் சிறப்புற அமைந்துள்ளது.

பிரதோஷம், சிவராத்திரியில் நவக்கிரக ஹோமம், புஷ்ப ஊஞ்சல், சுமங்கலிகளுக்கு மஞ்சள் சரடு, வசந்த நவராத்திரி விழா, சிறப்பு ஹோமங்கள், விஜயதசமியில் சண்டி ஹோமம் என ஆலயத்தில் கொண்டாட்டங்களுக்கும் வைபவங்களுக்கும் குறைவில்லை! இன்னொரு சிறப்பு… மகாபெரியவாளின் திருநட்சத்திரமான அனுஷ நட்சத்திர நாளில் (மாதந்தோறும்) சிறப்பு பஜனைகள், ஜயந்தியின் போது பிரமாண்ட பூஜை மற்றும் பஜனைகள் ஆகியன விமரிசையாக நடைபெறுகின்றன. நங்கநல்லூருக்கு வந்து ஸ்ரீஅர்த்தநாரீஸ்வரரை வணங்குங்கள்; குருவருளும் திருவருளும் கிடைக்கப் பெறுவீர்கள்!

–நன்றி சக்தி விகடன்

Source…..www.knramesh.blogspot.in

Natarajan

What is a Kudo , as in ” Kudos to You…” ?

July 21, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

First, it should be noted that “kudos” is not the plural form of “kudo”, so a “kudo” was once technically nothing. However, because so many people in the last century, mainly in the United States, have thought kudos was plural, in some dictionaries today “kudo” is considered a valid word meaning the same thing as kudos (yet another word created via back-formation).

To answer your question, kudos in English means:

1) Praise / Accolades

2) Credit for one’s achievements

The word “kudos” comes from the Greek κῦδος (kudos), meaning “glory” or “fame”. The “-os” ending in Greek typically indicates a singular noun and is supposed to be pronounced like “-ose”, rather than “-oze”, as many Americans usually pronounce it, “koo-doze”, or as a lot of British people tend to pronounce it “-oss”, “cue-doss”.

The word made its way into English around the late 18th century / early 19th century, meaning pretty much the same thing as it means today. The first documented instance of the “singular” word “kudo” didn’t pop up until 1926.

Source….www.today i foundout .com

Natarajan

This Epic Image of Earth will Floor You….

July 21, 2015Natarajan2 Comments

NASA’s Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera captures stunning view of the entire sun-lit side of Earth.

This colour image of Earth, taken by NASA’s Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC), a four megapixel CCD camera and telescope on July 6, 2015, shows Earth as seen on July 6, 2015 from a distance of one million miles.

Clicked from 1.6 million km away in space, a NASA camera on the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) satellite has returned its first stunning view of the entire sun-lit side of Earth.

DSCOVR is equipped with the Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) that took the new photo on July 6.

EPIC captures a series of 10 different images in a variety of wavelengths, from near infrared to ultraviolet light, which can be analyzed in a number of different ways.

“Just got this new blue marble photo from @NASA. A beautiful reminder that we need to protect the only planet we have,” US President Barack Obama tweeted on his official @POTUS handle.

The images clearly show desert sand structures, river systems and complex cloud patterns on planet Earth.

“This first DSCOVR image of our planet demonstrates the unique and important benefits of Earth observation from space,” said NASA administrator Charlie Bolden in a statement.

“I want everyone to be able to see and appreciate our planet as an integrated, interacting system,” he added.

The primary objective of DSCOVR is to maintain the nation’s real-time solar wind monitoring capabilities, which are critical to the accuracy and lead time of space weather alerts and forecasts.

“DSCOVR’s observations of Earth, as well as its measurements and early warnings of space weather events caused by the sun, will help every person to monitor the ever-changing Earth, and to understand how our planet fits into its neighbourhood in the solar system, Bolden noted.

NASA will use the camera’s observations to measure ozone levels in Earth’s atmosphere and plant growth on the ground.

It will also help build maps showing the distribution of dust and volcanic ash around the globe, among other things.

“The high quality of the EPIC images exceeded all of our expectations in resolution,” said DSCOVR project scientist Adam Szabo.

“There will be a huge wealth of new data for scientists to explore,” he concluded.

Source…www.the hindu.com

Natarajan

” Healing Touch Through Your Fingers…”

July 21, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

Mudras – Healing Through Your Fingers

Most people associate yoga with a person sitting in the lotus position, hands on their knees with their forefinger and thumb touching. This positioning of the fingers is called “Mudra” and just like pressure points, this technique can affect our physical and emotional states.

Mudras

Mudras have been known in the East for thousands of years, not only in meditation or yoga, but also as part of the treatment for various physical and mental ailments. At times, people put their fingers in the mudra position without even knowing it. There are hundreds of mudra variations, which include your head, hands and body, each one helping with different ailments. This list will show you the 10 easiest mudras that you can perform everywhere and at any time – simply choose the one that corresponds to your problem and stick to it for a few days, until you feel better.

Please note that there is no need to apply pressure on your fingers. Perform these exercises with both hands simultaneously, preferably while sitting down.

1. Gyan Mudra (Knowledge)

Mudras

The tip of your forefinger touches the tip of the thumb while the rest of the fingers remain straight.

Targets: This mudra stimulates the pituitary gland, which controls your metabolism, as well as your sleep cycles. Gyan helps improve your memory, prevents insomnia, provides clarity of mind and can help in preventing dementia.

Perform for 30-45 minutes every day, or for 10-15 minutes 3 times a day.

2. Prithvi Mudra (Earth)

Mudras

The tip of the thumb touches the tip of your ring finger while the rest of the fingers remain straight.

Targets: Prithvi helps you with physical and mental weaknesses, prevents chronic lethargy, provides an energy boost and reduces the symptoms of osteoporosis. Other benefits include prevention of dryness of the skin, rashes, aging, hair loss, and even stomach ulcers.

Perform for 30-45 minutes every day, or for 10-15 minutes 3 times a day.

3. Varuna Mudra (Water)

Mudras

The tip of the pinky touches the tip of the thumb while the rest of the fingers remain straight.

Targets: Varuna helps balance your mental state, as well as your bodily fluids (it prevents dryness of the eyes, mouth, digestive system and skin). This mudra also aids in stopping cramps and constipation, as well as regulates the menstrual cycle and other hormonal irregularities in women. On top of all of these benefits, it can prevent joint degradation, anemia, and even may improve your sense of taste.

Perform for 45 minutes every day, or for 15 minutes 3 times a day. Avoid if you’re dealing with excess water retention.

4. Vayu Mudra (Air)

Mudras

The thumb holds the forefinger down while the rest of the fingers remain straight.

Targets: Vayu helps reduce stress and anxiety, as well as the intensity of your voice. It aids in decision making and impatience, shyness, unease, the hiccups, cramps, dizziness, and even Parkinson’s symptoms.

Perform for 30-45 minutes every day, or for 10-15 minutes 3 times a day.

5. Shunya Mudra (Emptiness)

Mudras

The thumb holds the middle finger down while the rest of the fingers remain straight.

Targets: Shunya is effective in cases of earaches and serves as a confidence booster. This position also prevents a feeling of emptiness, tinnitus, and even vertigo.

In cases of severe earaches, vertigo or numbness of a limb, perform this mudra until the problem is solved. Perform for 30-45 minutes every day, or for 10-15 minutes 3 times a day. Note that experts recommend stopping once the problem is over.

6. Surya Mudra (Sun)

Mudras

The thumb holds the ring finger down while the rest of the fingers remain straight.

Targets: This mudra helps reactivate the thyroid, lose weight and revitalize the digestive system. It also aids in reducing stress and anxiety while keeping you focused on your goals. Another benefit of the Surya is in keeping you warm if you’re suffering from chills.

Perform for 30-45 minutes every day, or for 10-15 minutes 3 times a day. Pay attention to your body temperature while in this position, and stop once your body starts to get too warm.

7. Prana Mudra (Life)

Mudras

The tips of the ring finger and pinky touch your thumb while the rest of the fingers remain straight.

Targets: Prana helps strengthen your mind and can boost your motivation. It also improves your eyesight, reduces tiredness and depression, and boosts the immune system.

Perform for 30-45 minutes every day, or for 10-15 minutes 3 times a day.

8. Apana Mudra (Digestion)

Mudras

The middle and ring fingers are held by the thumb.

Targets: Apana helps regulate your kidneys and intestines, thus aiding in cleaning your body from toxins and preventing constipation. Other benefits are the prevention of nausea and vomiting, as well as a burning sensation while urinating. This position is particularly useful for diabetics as it regulates blood glucose levels.

Perform for 30-45 minutes every day, or for 10-15 minutes 3 times a day.

9. Apana Vayu Mudra (Heart)

Mudras

The forefinger touches the base of the thumb while the middle and ring fingers are held by the thumb. The pinky remains straight.

Targets: Apana Vayu helps prevent heart diseases and other heart-related problems. In addition, it prevents gases and heartburn.

Perform for 30-45 minutes every day, or for 10-15 minutes 3 times a day. If you’ve experienced heart problems in the past, it is particularly recommended to practice this position daily.

10. Linga Mudra (Heat)

Mudras

Interlock your fingers while keeping the left thumb straight. Wrap the left thumb with your forefinger and right thumb, both of which should touch.

Targets: Linga helps increase body temperature and reduces phlegm and congestion. It strengthens the lungs and is particularly effective in cases of a cold, flu, sinus infections and asthma. It is also known to aid in men’s sexual virility.

It is recommended that you do not practice this mudra regularly, but rather only when you’re sick. Once the symptoms are gone, stop practicing it.

Source…www.ba-bamail.com

Natarajan