Periva's exposition of "Sri Subrahmanyaya Namaste"

In June 1961, Paramacharya was camping at Devakottai (in Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu). He was in deep penance for several weeks, not talking or even communicating by gesture. One could not know if he even heard the devotees' words. One morning, some people from nearby Ariyakkudi (‘Nagarathar’) had their darshan of Him, and in the course of their talks, it came out that Ariyakkudi Ramanuja Iyengar, the famous carnatic musician, and known simply as ‘Ariyakkudi’, was currently in Karaikkudi. To the surprise of every one, Paramacharya signaled to them, asking if they can bring Ariyakkudi over to meet Him. They agreed and left. That afternoon by three o'clock, Ariyakkudi was at the camp. He was so excited and tense, as Paramacharya had asked to meet him in the midst of his 'kashta mounam' (vow of rigorous silence). 

Is not Paramacharya known for His simplicity? So His accommodation at the camp was very simple. His room was on the garden side of a small house. Devotees had to have His darshan through a small window, after passing through dirt and bushes. May be that was His way of admonishing those of us who have grown used to the luxuries of life. On being informed that Ariyakkudi had arrived, Paramacharya signaled to bring him to the rear window. He came, and paid obeisance by falling full stretch at His feet. That was it. To every one's joy, Paramacharya opened His mouth and started talking in a torrent. 

"Heard of your receiving the Rashtrapathi award. You would have walked on a red carpet, and been honored in a gathering of eminent persons. But me, I have made you walk on stones and bush and made you sit in a dinghy room. "Why I called you is, I long have had a desire to listen to 'Shri Subrahmanyaya namasthe' rendered perfectly. On hearing you are around, the desire has re-surfaced. Perfect rendition means both the music and the lyrics (sangeetham and sahityam). Many people disfigure the words of Sanskrit and Telugu kirtanas to the extent that we wish they never sang. "The music part (swaras), the rhythm part and the 'sahitya chandas' – what is called 'chandam' in Tamil - would be given for most songs. 

The proper way to split and combine words would also be given. The musician has to take care to synchronize the music, rhythm and chandas and split and combine the words correctly so as not to spoil the meaning. The compositions of good composers definitely allow this (padham pirichu padaradhu) but many musicians simply concentrate on the music and rhythm, and ignore the meaning, sometimes leading to ridiculous meanings! 

"Even in this song 'Shri Subrahmanyaya namasthe', we have a line 'guruguhayagnana dwanta savithre'. This must be split as 'guruguhaaya agnana dwanta savithre' i.e. 'the one who is the sun for the darkness of ignorance'. Some sing it as 'guruguhaya..... gnana dwanta savitre', ' one who is the sun for the darkness of knowledge'! 

"I do not know if you sing the kriti 'Sankaracharyam' (Sri Subbarama Sastri's Sankarabharanam kriti), but Veena Dhanamma's family, Semmangudi Seenu, MS sing this. There is a line 'paramadvaita sthapana leelam' – means 'one who so easily, like a game, founded the great advaita philosophy' - it is to be sung with stress on the 'A' of 'Advaita' (Paramacharya sings this line) to give the intended meaning. If we really cared, we can, even without proper training, sing with proper meaning. Those I mentioned above also sing properly. But those who do not care, stretch the 'parama' and then sing 'dwaita sthapana leelam', converting the Advaita Acharya to Dwaita Acharya! (laughs heartily for a long time) 

"No doubt, in music, there is no Dvaita - Advaita difference. Only music is important. And music makes the mind of the singer into unison with the song - the protagonist of the song. That is why, 'Shri Subrahmanyaya namasthe' is attached to you - a Vaishnavite - or you are attached to it! I have heard you sing that song. I do not have to say anything about your musical ability; and the sahitya part too you do correctly. Which is why I have called you here. "In my dharbar there is only stones and bushes. There is no accompaniment, not even sruti. But please do sing that kriti for me, in spite of all these.” When Paramacharya stopped his torrent, Ariyakkudi was in tears. He prostrated once again, and said "there is no other prestige for me than to be asked by 'periyava' to sing, and singing for periyava. I have no words to express the magnanimity of Periyava, considering me as somebody and giving me this chance. Periyava’s grace has to fill in for the sruti and accompaniment and enable me to sing to the level I am expected to” and readied himself to begin the song. 

Paramacharya asked "the raga of this kriti is said to be Kambodhi, but the name given in books is Kambhoji, right?" When Ariyakkudi said yes, Paramacharya continued, "Many of us know Kambhojam is Cambodia (in S E Asia), and that Bharat culture had taken deep roots there. If we inferred that Kambhoji is a raga 'imported' from that place, researchers like Sambamurthy (the late Prof P Sambamurthy) disagree. Cambodians might have imported many things from us, but not we, far advanced in civilization, from them; definitely not in music, where we were much advanced whereas they had mostly folk music. 

Then why the name 'Kambhoji'? "I have a thought here - there is another place called 'Kambhojam along India's northern border. Kalidasa, no ordinary poet and quite knowledgeable too, tells Yasha to go this way and that in his 'megha sandesam' – good enough to plot a map! In his Raghuvamsam, describing Raghu's invasions and victories, he has mentioned one 'Kambhojam', beyond the Indus and along the Himalayas. From this, we deduce that, within the extended India (akand Bharat), there was one Kambhojam near the Hindukush mountains. May be our Kambodhi raga was from this place? "Many ragas are named after places, right? Sourashtram, Navarasa kannada, even Kannada, Sindhu Bhairavi, Yamuna Kalyani, like this Kambodhi might have come from Kambhojam region. 

"Researchers say ragas like Mohanam and Kambhoji have been around in most civilizations from time immemorial. Later, may be the raga was given the name of the place that 'polished' it well. 
“Kedaram is a place in the Himalayas - you know Kedarnath. Gowla – Gowda region - Bengal. We have ragas in both names, and even Kedaragowla. But all three ragas have been in South Indian music - how? May be the names came from musicans who 'specialized' in these ragas and came from those regions? 

People in general, musicians in particular, are referred to with their native places. For instance Ariyakkudi means you! From this, can we say that some of these rags - Kedaram, Gowla, Kannada, Kambhoji etc. - were popularized by musicians from these regions? "Are you interested in research into ancient music?" Ariyakkudi replied "Not much". "But you have set Tiruppavai to tune! But unlike for Devaram songs, tunes have not been specified for Tiruppavai songs, and those whose who recited, did not use a tune. Since only Brahmins have been reciting Divyaprabhandham songs, they have recited only with a kind of up-down delivery (Ethal-Irakkal prasam). “You set the tune for Tiruppavai according to your manodharma (imagination)?" 
"To the best of my little ability" replied ariyakudi. 

"But it has become the standard and accepted and sung by other vidwans as well! It seems our ancient ragas have been preserved in their original form (roopam) only in the Devaram songs. Just as the Vedas have been preserved to a note by the Vaidikas through generations, the Odhuvamurthis have preserved Devaram songs - not just the lyrics, but the tunes too. What was a service to devotion, has also been a service to music! The ragas Sankarabharanam, Neelambari, Bhairavi etc. have all been identified as different 'pann's. This list includes Sowrashtra, Kedaragowla, Kambodhi also. Kambodhi used to be called 'ThakkEsi' or something like that. Kambodhi is not a mela raga?" "No. Harikambhoji is the mela raga; Kambhoji is its janya raga" "But Kambodhi is more famous! Just like the son being more famous than the father. Some other janya ragas too are like this?" "Yes, Bhairavi is a janya raga, derived from Natabhairavi" 

"OK, you sing. I have been wasting time in useless chat preventing you from doing what you came for!" 

Ariyakkudi rendered the song "ShrI subrahmanyAya namasthE" - a rare musical feast. Even without sruti or accompaniments, it still was wholesome. Paramacharya listened to the song with full concentration, eyes closed. Then, "Only because you sang alone (no sruti/accompanists) the song came out with all its beauty. And the words were crystal clear. I say 'thrupthOsmi' (Totally satisfied). Please sing once more - you know why? I will give you the meaning line by line, you stop after every line. Not that you do not know; but let me have the pleasure of dissolving my mind in Sri Dikshitar's lyrical beauty for some more time! More over, others here can also learn the meaning and beauty behind the creations of geniuses." 
Ariyakkudi sang one more, this time line-by-line and our Paramacharya gave detailed commentry on the Dikshitar Kriti “Sri Subhramanyaya Namaste”. 

Paramacharya further tells Ariyakkudi and the gathering at large, "I'm happy to see that you, coming from a good guru-sishya parampara, are preserving good music. You must also bring up good disciples and keep the tradition going. A Brahmin, having learnt Veda, has a compulsory duty to teach atleast one more person (athyApanam). This can apply to other sastras and arts too. "One more point about musicians. You should sing the Telugu and Sanskrit kirtanas fully aware of their meaning. It is not fair to say that Tamil songs alone are enough. Great composers in this country have created hundreds of Telugu and Sanskrit songs of much musical and lyrical beauty. If we ignore them, the loss is ours. Do not defend by saying, 'I do not understand them!' - if only we desire, do we not spend time and energy on all sorts of useless things? If musicians dedicate themselves to pure music and proper rendition of words without losing the 'osandha artha visEsham', language can not be a barrier. Now that you are #1 in the music world, do your best towards this. May Subrahmanya's Grace be with you in this endeavor." 

MAHA PERIVA "P A A D H A M "

The narrator of this incidence lives in Adyar. The photograph he mentioned is still in his house and we can have a dharsan any time… Thanks to Sri Sridharan Krishnamoorthy for sharing this with us. Here is the experience narrated by Sri Ramani in his own words…

Dear All,

My grand mother an ardent devotee of Periavah used to visit Kancheepuram often when Periavah used to spend in around that place. I am talking about the period between 1957 – 1964. ( my grand mother died in 1964). She had been aspiring to get a “Periavah Paadham” for doing her daily Pooja. Whenever she requested Periavah would simply nod and never gave one to her. When others were given, somehow when her turn came nothing would be left for Him to offer one. He would simply smile and say next time.

Once it was so disappointing incident when another woman accompanied her got it, but when her turn was next there was nothing left. Seeing her disappointment on her face Periavah said, ” it is only for doing Pooja only isn’t it? You will have it “.

My grandma couldn’t digest this.

She literally came back crying , saying I don’t deserve , that is why He has not given me. Or may be our Swami kovil is not in a separate room there is no sanctity in the house and that’s why she has not given … and things like that.

Next day after doing her morning Pooja, as usual, she kept the two Parijatha flower at the bottom of the photo of Mahaperiavah dipping it in water and sticking on the glass face of the photo, as she used to do. After a Namaskaram she got up , among tears she noticed Two Paadhams having been formed in the photo, as if it is embossed. The water coming from the flower had transformed such an impression. She immediately rushed to Kanchipuram to share with Periavah.
Believe He just smiled as if he knew about it and just nodded. I am attaching the photo here . It is still there even after 50 years! You would notice the two Paadams at the bottom of the frame.

Ramani.

Parama Ousadam

Source: In the Presence of the Divine
Narratives of Experiences with Maha Periyaval - Volume 1
Translated by: Sujatha Vijayaraghavan

Periyaval returned from his bath in the river. He began to run a high fever. His body seemed to be blazing a high temperature. The doctor came and had a look. “Some milk must be taken and then the tablet,” he said.

It was ekadasi day, a day of absolute fasting. Not even a drop of water would be taken, what to say of milk?

“Neither milk nor tablet is necessary,” said Periyaval firmly.

The Manager came and literally pleaded with Periyaval. He argued, “One does not have to fast when one suffers from fever. This is after all medicine. Not food.” The last argument was the strong point in his case.

Periyaval told the attendant who was near him a in a low, quivering voice, “What the doctor prescribed was medicine. I have given myself the supreme medicine, parama ousadam.”

The Manager did not understand. Periyaval himself explained to clarify the matter.” It is said that fasting is the most supreme medicine.” 

The next morning before dawn, Periyaval got up as usual, bathed in cold water and followed it with anustana and puja as usual in his own perfect manner. The fever vanished as rapidly as it had come on. 

A thousand and eight instances can be quoted to show that Periyaval’s body functioned according to his will.

Short cut for finding Raaghu Kaalam.

Just remember the phrase: "Mother Saw Father Wearing The Turban on Sunday" for finding Raaghu Kaalam.

M(other) - 7:30 - 9:00 - Monday
Sa(w) - 9:00 - 10:30 -Saturday
F(ather) - 10:30 - 12:00 - Friday
W(earing) - 12:00 - 1:30 -Wednesday
Th(e) - 1:30 - 3:00 - Thursday
Tu(rban) - 3:00 - 4:30- Tuesday
Su(nday) - 4:30 - 6:00 - Sunday

ASSUMING THE SUNRISE IS AT 6:00 AM

Likewise in Tamil:

Thingal Sandhayile Vengaayam pudaithu virpanai seivadhu nyaayamaa?

திங்கள் சந்தையிலே வெங்காயம் புடைத்து விற்பனை செய்வது நியாயமா?

Thingal (Thi)                            - 7:30 - 9:00

Sandhayile (sani)                    - 9:00 - 10:30
vengaayam  (velli)                   - 10:30 - 12:00
pudaithu (budhan)                   - 12:00 - 1:30
virpanai  (viyazhan)                 - 1:30 - 3:00
seivathu (Sevvai)                    - 3:00 - 4:30
 nyaayamaa? (gnayiru)                  - 4:30 - 6:00 

YOU know what the SECRET to propagating roses is?

It is said to be the "potato"!
TIP: Before planting rose cuttings, push the bottom end into a small potato, which keeps the cuttings moist as they develop roots. It sounds crazy, but apparently it works really well.
Have any of you tried this?

Simple Home remedies of all types

Ants Problem:
Ants hate Cucumbers. "KEEP the skin of Cucumbers near the
Place where they are or at Ant Hole.

To Get Pure & Clean Ice :
"Boil Water first before placing in the Freezer"

To make the Mirror Shine:
"Clean with Sprite"

To remove Chewing Gum from Clothes:
"Keep the Cloth in the Freezer for One Hour"

To Whiten White Clothes:
"Soak White Clothes in hot water with a Slice of Lemon for 10 Minutes"

To give a Shine to your Hair:
"Add one Teaspoon of Vinegar to Hair, then wash Hair"

To get maximum Juice out of Lemons:
"Soak Lemons in Hot Water for One Hour, and then juice them"

To avoid smell of Cabbage while cooking:
"Keep a piece of Bread on the Cabbage in the Vessel while cooking"

To avoid Tears while cutting Onions
"Chew Gum"

To boil Potatoes quickly:
"Skin one Potato from one side only before boiling"

To remove Ink from Clothes:
"Put Toothpaste on the Ink Spots generously and let it dry completely, then wash"

To skin Sweet Potatoes quickly :
"Soak in Cold Water immediately after boiling"

To get rid of Mice or Rats:
"Sprinkle Black Pepper in places where you find Mice & Rats. They will run away"

Take Water Before Bedtime..
"About 90% of Heart Attacks occur Early in the Morning & it can
be reduced if one takes a Glass or two of Water before going
to bed at Night"

Do you hate those ugly sprouts that form on your potatoes after just a couple of weeks? It turns out an apple a day might keep those sprouts away and also help the potatoes last longer.

The apples and potatoes storage tip has also been proven by America's Test Kitchen. In their experiment, potatoes stored with an apple stayed firm and sprout-free even after eight weeks, compared to potatoes stored without an apple; they turned out "largely soft, shriveled, and sad looking." So add an apple and save your potatoes.

...................

Natural Therapy For Headaches

In about 5 mins, your headache will go.......

The nose has a left and a right side.
We use both to inhale and exhale.
Actually they are different.
You'll be able to feel the difference.

The right side represents the sun.
The left side represents the moon.

During a headache, try to close your right nose and use your left nose to breathe.
In about 5 mins, your headache will go.

If you feel tired, just reverse, close your left nose and breathe through your right nose.
After a while, you will feel your mind is refreshed.

Right side belongs to 'hot', so it gets heated up easily.
Left side belongs to 'cold'.

Most females breathe with their left noses, so they get "cooled off" faster.
Most of the guys breathe with their right noses,
they get worked up.

Do you notice, the moment you awake, which side breathes better?
Left or right ?
If left is better, you will feel tired.
So, close your left nose and use your right nose for breathing..
You will feel refreshed quickly.

Do you suffer from continual headaches?
Try out this breathing therapy.

Close your right nose and breathe through your left nose.
Your headaches will be gone.
Continued the exercise for one month.

Why not give it a try.....a natural therapy without medication. - See

FREEZING LEMONS - WHO KNEW..

FREEZING LEMONS - WHO KNEW.... 

Amazing frozen lemons. All it is.....is a frozen lemon.

Many professionals in restaurants and eateries are using or consuming
the entire lemon and nothing is wasted. How can you use the whole
lemon without waste?

Simple.. place the washed lemon in the freezer section of your
refrigerator. Once the lemon is frozen, get your grater, and shred
the whole lemon (no need to peel it) and sprinkle it on top of your
foods.

Sprinkle it to your vegetable salad, ice cream, soup, cereals,
noodles, spaghetti sauce, rice, sushi, fish dishes, whisky.... the
list is endless.

All of the foods will unexpectedly have a wonderful taste, something
that you may have never tasted before. Most likely, you only think of lemon juice and vitamin C. Not anymore.

Now that you've learned this lemon secret, you can use lemon even in instant cup noodles.

What's the major advantage of using the whole lemon other than
preventing waste and adding new taste to your dishes?

Well, you see lemon peels contain as much as 5 to 10 times more
vitamins than the lemon juice itself. And yes, that's what you've
been wasting.

But from now on, by following this simple procedure of freezing the
whole lemon, then grating it on top of your dishes, you can consume all of those nutrients and get even healthier.

It's also good that lemon peels are health rejuvenators in eradicating toxic elements in the body.

So place your washed lemon in your freezer, and then grate it on your
meal every day. It is a key to make your foods tastier and you get to
live healthier and longer! That's the lemon secret! Better late than
never, right? The surprising benefits of lemon! Lemon (Citrus) is a
miraculous product to kill cancer cells. It is 10,000 times stronger
than chemotherapy.

Why do we not know about that? Because there are laboratories
interested in making a synthetic version that will bring them huge
profits.

You can now help a friend in need by letting him/her know that lemon
juice is beneficial in preventing the disease. Its taste is pleasant
and it does not produce the horrific effects of chemotherapy.

How many people will die while this closely guarded secret is kept, so as not to jeopardize the beneficial multimillionaires large
corporations?

As you know, the lemon tree is known for its varieties of lemons and limes.

You can eat the fruit in different ways: you can eat the pulp, juice
press, prepare drinks, sorbets, pastries, etc. It is credited with
many virtues, but the most interesting is the effect it produces on
cysts and tumors. Like our page learning Petals

This plant is a proven remedy against cancers of all types. Some say
it is very useful in all variants of cancer. It is considered also as
an anti microbial spectrum against bacterial infections and fungi,
effective against internal parasites and worms, it regulates blood
pressure which is too high and an antidepressant, combats stress and nervous disorders.
The source of this information is fascinating: it comes from one of
the largest drug manufacturers in the world, says that after more than 20 laboratory tests since 1970, the extracts revealed that It
destroys
the malignant cells in 12 cancers, including colon, breast, prostate,
lung and pancreas. The compounds of this tree showed 10,000 times
better than the product Adriamycin, a drug normally used
chemotherapeutic in the world, slowing the growth of cancer cells.

And what is even more astonishing: this type of therapy with lemon
extract only destroys malignant cancer cells and it does not affect
healthy cells.

So, give those lemons a good wash, freeze them and grate them. Your
whole body will love you for it!!!!!

.KEEP POTATOES FROM SPROUTING

Do you hate those ugly sprouts that form on your potatoes after just a couple of weeks? It turns out an apple a day might keep those sprouts away and also help the potatoes last longer.

The apples and potatoes storage tip has also been proven by America's Test Kitchen. In their experiment, potatoes stored with an apple stayed firm and sprout-free even after eight weeks, compared to potatoes stored without an apple; they turned out "largely soft, shriveled, and sad looking." So add an apple and save your potatoes.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CAMOTE (SWEET POTATO)

Today, camote (SWEET POTATO) should be part of your diet even if you have more money to buy or prepare expensive dishes. Camote is the world’s healthiest food, this is according to statement of North Atlantic Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging. The (SWEET POTATO) is indeed healthy due to following reasons.

1) Superior fiber content
Sweet potatoes contain almost twice as much fiber as other types of potatoes. Contributing close to 7 grams of fiber per serving, they make an excellent starchy addition to any meal. The high fiber content gives them a "slow burning" quality. This basically means their caloric energy is used more slowly and efficiently than a low-fiber carbohydrate.

2) Good for diabetics. It helps stabilize blood sugar levels by increasing adiponectin, an important factor of insulin metabolism. It has moderate glycemic index of 50.

3) High in dietary fiber and low fat content. Good for the heart and tummy. Fibers help reduce bad cholesterol and ease bowel movement.

4) Deep colored yellow camote contains lutein and beta carotene... antioxidants to prevent rapid aging and maintain good eyesight. Eat yellow camote instead of taking eye supplement.

5) Have lots of essential minerals and vitamins. Manganese, copper, potassium, iron, Vitamin – E, C, B6, B2, and A. It's like a combination of rice and vegetables in a single package. But eating camote repeatedly is boring, have an alternate or try to mix it with other healthy foods.

6) An effective detoxifying agent. It adsorbs heavy metals and take it out of the system. Metals such as lead, arsenic and mercury accumulate in our body due to consumption of commercially processed foods. They should be taken out before harming any tissues.

Quick Cookery Tips

1. Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.. I didn't know that!

2. Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!

3. Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.

4. Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.

5. To make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.

6. Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic, and at the end of the recipe if you want a stronger taste of garlic.

7. Reheat Pizza Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

8. Easy Deviled Eggs: Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

9. Expanding Frosting: When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

10. Reheating refrigerated bread: To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

11. Newspaper weeds away: Plant your plants in the ground, work the nutrients in your soil. Then wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go, cover with mulch, and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

12. To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

13. Flexible vacuum: To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

14. Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip to eliminate static cling. It works; you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and ... Ta DA! ... Static is gone.

15. Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

16. De-fog your windshield: Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

17. Re-opening envelopes: If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Voila! It unseals easily.

18. Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.

19. Goodbye Fruit Flies: To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup an d gone forever!

20. Get Rid of Ants: Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

21. Wash your dryer filter: Did you know that cleaning your lint trap with a dryer sheet can ruin it? Dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film, but it's there. It's what is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and static free, and smell good. You know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box? Apparently that stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. This is what causes dryer units to potentially burn your house down with it! You can test it by running the lint trap under water. If the water goes through you are good. If not then you need to clean it. The best way to keep your dryer working for a long time (and to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months.

22. Drop a small object on the carpet and can't find it. Place panty hose over the end of the vacuum hose and start vacuuming. The panty hose will trap anything to large to fit through the tiny hose and keep it from getting sucked into the vacuum.

23. Wearing a skirt or dress on a windy day. Cut open a few sections on the bottom seam. slip in some heavy washers or flat weights (anything small heavy and flat will work) then sew the seam back up.

24. Need to cut some corn off the cob. Use your bundt pan. Place the ear on the opening in the center of the pan, and as you slide the knife down the ear, all the kernels will collect in the main part of the pan.

HARI OM !RESPECTFUL PRANAMS TO SAGE AGASTHIYAR

Sri Lobhamudra Agasthiyar

Sage Agasthiar is one of the most important maharishi of the Saptha Rishi Group. Sage Agasthiar is said to physically occupy a beautiful ashram in the dense forests of the Podhigai Mountain ranges(known as Podhigai Malai in Tamil), which is a part of Southern Indian Peaks. With Accordance to very Old scriptures, it is not advised to near his ashram which is suited beyond the Kalyani Water Fall) since there revolves a legend that people who tried to venture near the forest and try to get a glimpse of the sage were either strung by gargantuan bees which came from the dense jungle or some other wild animal or mishap. 
Coming back to the Sage Agasthiar, the meaning of the Sage’s name [Agasti.-- Where A-ga means a mountain, Asti, means thrower]. Agasthiar the Rishi, was born of both Gods, Mitra and Varuna, from Urvashi. Sage Agasthya is said to have created many literary works in Tamil Especially and also said to be the one of the creators of various chantings present in the Rig Veda, one among the four Vedas (Sama , Atharvana, Yajur and Rig) which is supposed to be known only by Lord Brahma. Sage Agasthiar’s star is said to be Canopus, which means 'Clear water of its impurities ' Sage Agasthiar is said to have accomplished many historical events – This story starts when one day in Thiru Kailayam -- when the divine marriage of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvathi was about to take place, every single element present in the entire universe assembled in Kailaya. Hence the weight was too much to bear for the place so it started shaking in the northern part of Kailayam and the weight started giving up. Hence it was decided that one single very Pure and powerful sole had to move to the southern part so that things would become all right.
PANCHAGAVYAM is made out of COW'S Chanam, Muttram, Milk, Curd & Ghee-- Before Upanayanam ceremony this is given to the Brahmachari (VADU) to purify him


Panchakavya or Panchgavya is a concoction prepared by mixing five products of cow. The three direct constituents are cow dung, urine, and milk; the two derived products are curd and ghee. These are mixed in proper ratio and then allowed to ferment. The mixture which is made using yeast as a fermenter, bananas, groundnut cake, and the water of tender coconut, is a potent organic pesticide and growth promoter. The Sanskrit word Panchagavya means "mixture of five products," and it has been used in traditional Indian rituals throughout history. It is also called cowpathy treatment based on products obtained from cows used in Ayurvedic medicine and of religious significance for Hindus. Panchgavya is also used as fertilizers and pesticides in agricultural operations. [1][2]
The quality standards of Panchagavya are mentioned in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. CSIR has obtained some patents regarding Panchagavya.[3]---WIKIPEDIA

Maha Periyava life incident - "After all I too am a beggar !"

It was the peak of summer. The village suffered from scarcity of water. It was a tremendous task to gather and store drinking water. We had to walk

two miles to fetch water for Periyaval's bath and anushtana.

The attendants were given one bucket of water each for their bath.

Periyaval was performing his anushtana seated under a tree a little away from the building where Sri Matam camped. A beggar and his family of

several children went from house to house and returned disappointed, not getting what they asked for. The attendants watched this .

Was the village so poor that it could not give a fistful of grain to the needy? Not at all! The people in the village were quite prosperous and could afford

to give away ,why just a fistful of grain, even a bit of silver in charity. But then this family was seeking for water ,that too drinking water! Did that mean

that there was not even one pot of water in any of the house?

Of course not. When water had to be hoarded with such difficulty how was it possible to give away a pot full? Besides who was asking for it anyway?

Not anyone important .Only a beggar family. They would come to no loss if they did not oblige this family.
Periyaval sent an attendant to fetch the family. He then instructed the attendant to give away fully, all the water stored for his anushtana . He stood

watching for long with a gracious look in his eyes as the members of the family cupped their palms together and drank the water hastily .

The visitors drank till they could drink no more and left with their hearts brimming with gratitude. In a voice loud enough for the attendants to hear , Periyava

said, "After all I too am a beggar !"

"Yes " , said a cheeky young attendant ,"Periyava lives by biksha !"

Teachings of ramana maharishi.

There is a small piece of conversation from the life of Sri Bhagavan which, as far as I am aware, has not been recorded. Though brief, it has remained very vivid in my memory.It was in 1940 that one day one of the devotees sitting in the hall raised the topic regarding the utility of reading books on religion and philosophy. In reply Sri Bhagavan said, "You wake up in the morning and look into the mirror and the mirror shows you that you have a growth and that you have to get... rid of it. You may go on looking into any number of mirrors; every mirror will tell you the same thing, but no mirror can ever shave you. You have to shave yourself. Instead of wasting time looking into mirror after mirror it is best to start shaving after having looked into the first mirror and known the truth.

"So also all books will tell you the same truth, perhaps in slightly different ways. Instead of wasting time reading book after book why not realize for yourself what was obvious from the very first book."

These words of Sri Bhagavan are pregnant with deep significance and are capable of being elaborately commented upon.

The PeriyavAL I Saw

uthor:..... bhAShyamaNi Dr. Sivaramakrishna SastrigaL, Tiruvanaikkovil
compiler:... T.S. Kothandarama Sarma
book:....... MahA PeriyavAL - Darisana AnubhavangaL vol. 2, pages 236-240
publisher:.. Vanathi Padhippaham (May 2005 Edition)

We have the pride of having lived in the time when the walking God ParamAChAryAL was living. When Sri Rama's eminence is spoken

yam cha rAmam na pashyettu yashcha rAmam na pashyati ||*

Those who Rama did not see and those who did not see Rama were both bhAgya hIna (forsaken). There were many people who had just been looking at him for hours at a stretch, considering that PeriyavAL need not talk to them, but their just looking at him was a great bhAgya. 'Periyavar's glance should fall on us. If his glance touches us, is there any act that does more pAvana (purifying) than that glance?' There were people who went and stood near him with this consideration. I have seen many who were yearning to talk him or just hear him inquire 'who are you?' and 'which place?'

On one occasion, some ten to fifteen of us were standing (in his presence). At that time Periyavar's vAk (words of advice) blossomed.

"We study Vedanta. But no one has brought it into experience. No one takes any efforts in this direction. The Brahman of our Advaita shAstram (philosophy) is of two kinds: nirguNa, saguNa (without and with attributes). NirguNa Brahman is without avayava (parts or limbs). On the same NirguNa Brahman we meditate, by bringing it into saguNa. In the form we meditate on, it would arrive (as the Devatas). It is said that there are thirty-three crores of Devatas (gods). The (same) Brahman remains anugata (inherent) in all the Devatas. If looked at in this manner, the Muslim-worshipped Allah and the Christian-worshipped Jesus are all our Brahman only! If this opinion arrives in all the religions, then there will be no fights in the world in the name of religion."

Everyone was immersed in surprise, having known about the broad-mindedness of PeriyavAL.

*** *** ***

One should not find fault with anyone.

A man is coming to Kanchipuram for the first time to have dharshan of SwamigaL. When he came by a bus he asked the man seated beside him, "I need to go to the MaTham to have darshan of SwamigaL. Which stop should I get down for that purporse?" The man said that he had no idea. This man somehow got down and arrived (at the MaTham). He went to see SwamigaL with a plate of fruits. When he went inside, he saw the same man who was seated beside him in the bus talking to SwamigaL.

This man was seething with anger. He at once complained to PeriyavvaL. PeriyavAL immediately said, "After all he did it only for your good! If he showed some place as the place for you to get down, you might be misled and delayed. Therefore you should think that he only did you good by saying that he did not know." Both the men who were listening to this advice stood ashamed.

*** *** ***

Once a devotee brought a mentally deranged boy before SwamigaL and said, "This boy has mental illness. His is not consistent in his normal behaviour. He does not even know hunger. He remains just like he is mad. You should give your anugrahA and cure him."

The reply SwamigaL gave to that was strange. "Why do you think of getting him to normalcy? It can be said that he does not have puNya or pApa (virtuous or sinful acts) in this birth. Only a person whose mental status is normal would daringly commit sins; and suffer its effects. He would have self pity when he suffers. This one does not have that status! A bhakta calls even Parameswara Pitthaa! piraisoodi (O the Crazy! who wears a crescent). Therefore it is better that he remains like this."

The man looked somewhat satisfied and took away the boy after bowing to PeriyavAL.

In much the same way, PeriyavA would reply to questions such as 'This one has defective vision; this one's ears are not capable of hearing; this one is dumb, he can't talk; should give anugrahA to these people.' His reply would be on these lines: "Does this one have no vision? Then he does not have the sins committed by the eyes. Sri Krishna gave divine eyes to Dhrita-rashtra and made him have His Visva Rupa Darshan. Is it an ordinary thing that an eyeless gets eyes and has darshan of God! Krishna Paramatma told him, 'Remain with eyes henceforth.' You know the reply he gave to that? 'I do not want to see the sinners with the eyes that have seen You. So You make me blind once again.' Therefore this one does not have the sins committed by the eyes."

"The earless will also never commit the sins done with ears. Words unfit for the ears will not fall on his ears. He will not listen to words that speak ill of great people. TirukkuraL says:

"yaathanin yaathanin neengiyaan nothal
athanin athanin ilan.

"That is, whatsoever a man has dispassion for, he won't get the distress due to that (he has renounced).

"The dumb will not commit the sin done with speech. It is due to speech that we easily earn pApa. That will not happen to this one; he can do satya vAkya paripAlanam (keeping up the words of truth). He won't get the words of blame that he lied, that he bore false witness, that he talked ill of great people. Therefore, it should be considered that it is a great bhAgya for this one to remain a dumb. If someone gives him the power of speech, then that someone will become a great sinner. If I say these things openly, some people will be unhappy with me. Therefore I would simply say, 'Remain in prosperity.'"

In this way, PeriyavAL's vision would be a tatva dRuSTi.

Gift-Giving with a Difference

For many people, whether they care to admit it or not, Christmas is about presents. Far-sighted folks will start stockpiling gifts from summer sales, whilst the ‘last minute dot coms’ will be harrying around (last minute) to find the right offering.
 

Presents are a good thing, satisfying to give and nice to receive. Yet as you go about your shopping spree this year, you should ask the question, just how much time and energy do you want to expend finding the right thing for the right person and creating endless lists for Santa?

We often bemoan that Christmas has lost its real meaning: in fact it cannot get more commercialized than it is already in most places of the world. Shops begin to display their Christmas wares at least three months before the event. Somehow, Christmas gift-giving has also lost its original purpose as a symbol of loving and caring; instead it has become a stress-inducing exercise! We give out of obligation rather than appreciation, or in order to fulfill the insatiable expectations of the kids who, under the influence of media and peer pressure only want the latest and most expensive gadgets or designer labels. The children may be happy for a few weeks (or days, or hours!) but the damage to the bank balance may last much longer.

This year make a difference in your gift giving. Buy thoughtful, uplifting and practical gifts, not just those that stand idly in the corner all year and collect dust. Practical can mean anything that helps improve, mind, body or spirit.
 

Be clear and focused as you go on your shopping blitz. The Three Kings brought with them Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh – your budget may not be in the same league, yet you can bring others much joy with a more modest but meaningful offering.
 

Create a theme for your gift-giving. Make your gifts ones that will last longer than a week, and can benefit your loved ones for a lifetime. Make them soul uplifting, nourishing and rewarding.

Giving a blanket may be snug and cozy, but why not buy personal development books and cd’s instead that will warm up the soul. Or sign up someone for hatha yoga classes which will benefit the body and uplift the spirit, rather than cinema tickets which probably won’t. Consider getting children motivated and creative with painting or modeling or with healthy outdoor pursuits instead of indoor PlayStations. Although it’s nice to receive a present in hand on Christmas day, yet try to make it small and practical and let the bigger item be more meaningful and inspirational.
 

Be mindful also to reduce the packaging material this year – boxes with colorful wrappings, ribbons, tissue paper, plastic film and the works, don’t help the environment! Make your gifts unique by wrapping presents cheaply yet beautifully using creative ideas and recyclable and environmentally friendly goods. Better still, send your friends an eco-friendly e-card telling them that your gift to them this year is a donation to a charity; a tree planted in their name; or will contribute in some way towards saving the planet.
 

What people really want at Christmas is your time, your attention and love. Remember the ones whom others often forget, give them a quick call, a visit and happy face. Stay cheerful, loving and considerate. These are the greatest gifts of all, and they don’t cost anything!

This notion of meaningful gift giving need not only apply at Christmas time but on all other occasions that gifts are exchanged. As your gift becomes a means to lift their mind, body and soul, they will be eternally grateful and this is the true sign of love and care.
 

It’s time… to be mindful of the gifts you buy this season. Make them practical, environmentally friendly, and most of all those that uplift the mind, body and soul. Reduce Santa’s list by being a creative shopper! Give the gift of your love and attention – these are the greatest gifts of all and they don’t cost anything!

Maha Periyava life incident - "After all I too am a beggar !"

It was the peak of summer. The village suffered from scarcity of water. It was a tremendous task to gather and store drinking water. We had to walk two miles to fetch water for Periyaval's bath and anushtana.

The attendants were given one bucket of water each for their bath.

Periyaval was performing his anushtana seated under a tree a little away from the building where Sri Matam camped. A beggar and his family of several children went from house to house and returned disappointed, not getting what they asked for. The attendants watched this . 

Was the village so poor that it could not give a fistful of grain to the needy? Not at all! The people in the village were quite prosperous and could afford to give away ,why just a fistful of grain, even a bit of silver in charity. But then this family was seeking for water ,that too drinking water! Did that mean that there was not even one pot of water in any of the house?

Of course not. When water had to be hoarded with such difficulty how was it possible to give away a pot full? Besides who was asking for it anyway? Not anyone important .Only a beggar family. They would come to no loss if they did not oblige this family.
Periyaval sent an attendant to fetch the family. He then instructed the attendant to give away fully, all the water stored for his anushtana . He stood watching for long with a gracious look in his eyes as the members of the family cupped their palms together and drank the water hastily . 

The visitors drank till they could drink no more and left with their hearts brimming with gratitude. In a voice loud enough for the attendants to hear , Periyava said, "After all I too am a beggar !"

"Yes " , said a cheeky young attendant ,"Periyava lives by biksha !"