Magic mantra

Every morning when I'd get into the car, to go to work, the first thing I'd do is, turn on the radio. I'd expect some melodies songs ,instead,the only thing I got to hear was, non-stop, nonsensical blabbering of the Rjs, crude , double meaning jokes, prank calls to unassuming people - which would lead to loads of abuses and countless advertisements. In fact, many of the advertisements made me feel like a complete loser, because I didn't own a golf-course facing house with swimming pool in it or I'd be subjected to sob stories of people, about how they got dumped by their bf/gf and needed advice. And, if after all this, I was lucky enough to get to listen to a song,it would be something like 'Na Mumbai ki, na Dilli ki, Pinki hai paisewallon ki '.

Though my place of work is only a 15 min drive from home, on most days, by the time I'd reach, I'd experience at least one or more these emotions - irritability, anger,distress,confusion and sometimes plain and simple disgust. It was a pretty awful way to start my day.

Sound is energy. Some of the effects of sound on the brain include, evoking emotions, triggering the release of stress chemicals and impacting the development of new neural pathways in the brain. How we use this energy is up to us.

The ancient Indians understood the importance of sound for our physical, emotional and mental well being. The Rishis developed the Vedic science of mantras, to utilise the subliminal as well as the cosmic powers of sound. A mantra is a phrase or word which is repeated over and over again. As the specific pattern of controlled wind-flow through the holes of a flute produces specific sonorous tune, likewise, the vibrations induced by the repeated rhythmic chanting of a specific mantra generate intellectual, spiritual and emotional effects on our minds.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3807963/

Significant scientific research on the demonstration and the measurement of sonic energy has been carried out in the modern age of advanced technology. This includes pioneering research in the area of ultrasonic in the USA and Germany. The applications of ultrasonic and infrasonic technology range from strategic weapons to bio-medical instruments, from brainwashing to sound therapy and from tele-communications to remote control of the spacecrafts.Having realised that the energy generated through jaap of a mantra, would be of exponential magnitude as compared to that of the atomic energy,some pioneering scientists have also begun an in-depth study of this ancient science.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2952121/

http://paper.ijcsns.org/07_book/200

808/20080825.pdf

http://www.dsvv.ac.in/…/…/2011/02/indu-mahamritunjayajap.pdf

I don't really find enough time to chant, but over the past few months, I have been playing several mantras, practically all the time ( in a soft volume) at home, while travelling and especially around kids.I wont say that the mantras will bring an end to all your miseries, but I can tell you this, that it'll give you immense peace, emotional strength and support and also a clarity of thought. When I listen to the mantras, there is a sense of well-being that I cannot explain.

Gayatri Mantra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgjpAO3CJTY
Mahamriyunjay Mantra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adyjwFgXRNY
Ganpati mantra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0ZWA8c6Gdw
Ek Onkar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbftHnxqUfk

Copper on my mind !

In school, all of us learned that 70% of our bodies are made of water. Water is one, amongst the 5 elements of nature. Water is the building block of life and every living being needs water to survive. In India, water is an object of worship since time immemorial. Most of our holy places are on the banks of river, coasts and seashores. It is an important part of our rituals. It is stored in a kalash during pujas, given as Theertha and sprinkled on devotees in temples. It is considered a as purifier, life giver and destroyer of evil. In short, water is life. And yet,we don't stop for a moment to think about the it.

The ancient Indians had guidelines, for something, that we think has no method - drinking water. They also knew something that modern science is still discovering. The importance of storing water in the right container.

My grandparents and even my parents, would drink water out of copper vessels and they insisted that it is beneficial for health. It is only now, that I am beginning to understand the science behind it !

Copper is anti bacterial : Copper is known to be oligodynamic in nature (the sterilizing effect of metals on bacteria), and can destroy bacteria very effectively. It is especially effective against E.coli and S.aureus – two bacteria that are commonly found in our environment and are known to cause severe illnesses in the human body.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3312355/

Copper is good for our brain : It stimulates our brain. Our brain works by transmitting impulses (or orders) from one neuron to another through an area known as the synapses. These neurons are covered by a sheath called the myelin sheath that acts like a sort of conductive agent – helping the flow of impulses. How does copper figure here you ask? Well, copper actually helps in the synthesis of phospholipids that are essential for the formation of these myelin sheaths.Thereby, making your brain work much faster and more efficiently. Apart from that, copper is known to have brain stimulant and anti convulsive properties (prevents seizures), that do a world of good for our brain.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24440710

Copper regulates the working of the thyroid gland: Experts say that one commonality amongst people with thyroid diseases that they usually have low levels of copper in their body. While this is most commonly seen in people with hyperthyroidism(excessive thyroid hormone), those with hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid hormone) may also suffer from this deficiency. Copper is one of the most important trace minerals the thyroid gland needs to function optimally. A lack in copper can send the functioning of the gland out of sync. So when you drink water from a copper vessel it makes up for this possible deficiency and regulates the functioning of the thyroid gland.

http://drlwilson.com/Articles/thyroid.htm

Copper helps in arthritis and inflamed joints: Copper has very potent anti-inflammatory properties. This asset is especially great to relieve aches and pains caused due to inflamed joints – like in the case of arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Apart from that, copper also has bone and immune system strengthening properties, making it the perfect remedy for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. This is where drinking water infused with copper is a great way to find relief from the aches and pains of these diseases.

http://www.copperalliance.org.uk/copper-and-society/health

There are way too many benefits of drinking water from a copper vessel to write in this post .However, its important to understand that copper can be absorbed by the body only in its natural form ie via food and water. The copper that is added in health supplements cannot be absorbed by the body properly and causes copper toxicity. Which in turn, can lead to many life threatening conditions and diseases. Also, its important to remember that water needs to be stored for at least 8 hours (preferably overnight) in a copper vessel for it to be really beneficial.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_in_health

~ Poonam Patil Kalra

The story of Ganga

The river Ganga resided in the sky ( the milky way ) and was called Akashganga. On earth, king Bhagirath wanted to revive his dead sons by washing away their sins. He prayed to Lord Bharma, who in turn asked Ganga to come to the earth (Prithvi). However, if the great river would have fallen from the sky directly, it would have destroyed the land, so Lord Shiva, stood on Mt Meru in the Himalayas and allowed it to fall from the sky to his matted locks of hair and then he slowly let her flow out of the Himalayas, onto the land and into the ocean.

My grandmother always said - Ganga is not just a river, she is a mother, a goddess and much much more. But I always wondered, what makes the Ganga so special ? It will probably take a life time to understand the mysticism of the scared river,but this article helped me begin my quest.

National Geographic and NPR did a study few years ago :

"Hollick speaks with DS Bhargava, a retired professor of hydrology, who has spent a lifetime performing experiments up and down Ganges in the plains of India. In most rivers, Bhargava says, organic material usually exhausts a river's available oxygen and starts putrefying. But in the Ganges, an unknown substance, or "X factor" that Indians refer to as a "disinfectant," acts on organic materials and bacteria and kills them. Bhargava says that the Ganges' self-purifying quality leads to oxygen levels 25 times higher than any other river in the world."

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17134270

How have we managed to pollute something so sacred is beyond me. But I really do hope we are able to clean it and bring it back to its pristine form.

This soul stirring song by Bhupen Hazarika is more relevant today than ever before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Foa2jv0sIcw

Weaves of India

For thousands of years, India is well known all over the world, for it's absolutely stunning, exquisite and intricately detailed weaving in fabrics and embroideries.They are an integral part of our culture and no festival or occasion is complete without them. Though, with passing time, there has been a change in the weaves, the patterns and designs have become even more glamorous. For the weavers, its not only a means of livelihood, they pour their hearts and souls to create such beautiful pieces of art. Be it the Pochampalli of Andhra, the fine mulmul cottons and Tussar from Bihar, the Paithanis from Maharashtra, Bandhej from Rajasthan, Patola from Gujrat, Kantha from Bengal, Chikankari from UP, the list is endless.

I think if every woman in India, introduces just one piece of these fine weaves in her wardrobe, she'll be doing her bit in preserving these truly beautiful works of art !