Country's first post office savings bank ATM in Chennai

Country's first post office savings bank ATM in Chennai

Finance Minister P Chidambaram inaugurated the Country's first post office savings bank ATM in Chennai as a part of the government's Rs 4,909 crore IT modernization scheme for the Department of Posts.

• The IT modernization scheme would cover 1.55 lakh Post offices and would be implemented by next year.
• Four more ATMs are ready for operations in Delhi and Mumbai. It is proposed to install 1,000 ATMs across the country in 2014. Another 1,800 ATMs will be added in 2015.
• Rs 700 crore has been earmarked for implementing Core Banking Solution (CBS) for Post officeSavings Bank. By March 31, 2014, a total of 700 more post offices will be covered and all 26,840 post offices will be functional under CBS in another two years.

Suka rahasyopanishad

  Suka rahasyopanishad

As the name suggests this Upanishads deals with the secret of moksha or salvation. A set of divine sages approached Brahma and make the following plea: “Hey Bhagavan kindly impart to us the mysterious Upanishadic principle”. Brahma told them about how the great sage Vedavyasa approached Lord Siva with a request once. This is what Vedavyasa conveyed to Lord Siva: “Oh, Lord! the time has come for my son Sukadeva to begin his study of Vedas. He needs to go into the rituals related to this. Thou art the Lordof all. So kindly teach me about Brahma and the Paramatatva (The ultimate principle). This was the reply of Lord Siva: “Oh great sage! if we teach your son about the eternal Parabrahma, he will discard everything in this world and will remain as an enlightened being.”

                To this Vedavyasa gave the following reply: “Oh Lord! at this auspicious time let my son become all knowing and let him attain moksha because of your blessing. Lord Siva was so pleased to understand the commitment of Vedavyasa and prepared himself to impart the secrets regarding Paramatatva.

                               

                When Suka expressed his willingness to study the secrets of ‘Tatwamasi’, ‘Prajaanam Brahma’ etc. Lord Siva divulged the following secrets:

                “I will open up ultimate secrets to you because you are a very committed student. I will teach you Rahasyopanishad which is the mystery to eternity. This Upanishad is so loftier than all the other Upanishads. This is better than the learnings and sacrifices of 100 years.

                Towards the latter part of this Upanishad we get a description about the importance of four important concepts, the understanding of which are crucial to realize the ultimate truth. These are:

“Ohm prajnaanam brahma:” (Ithareopanishad)

“Ohm aham brahmaasmi” (Brihadaaranakopanishad)

“Ohm tatwamasi” (Chandogyopanishad)

“Ohm ayamanaatma brahma:” (Mandukyopanishad)

These are called mahavaakyas (great verses).

                We get a detailed description of all the above mahavaakyas in the following slokas:

“Brahma, Indra, Devas, people, horse, cow and all such beings are the dwelling place of the same praana. That ‘prajnaanam Brahma’ resides in me, that is the meaning of ‘Ohm Prajnaanam Brahma:’. It is the same as ‘aham’ that is ‘Parabrahma’. Asmi denotes that Paramaatma and myself are the same. This super force is depicted as ‘tat’ and ‘twam’. These are words which are all inclusive. Those who don’t relalise this great truth will be flowing in the sea of darkness. Both ‘tat’ and ‘twam’ point towards Sachidananda. Stanza XV gives us some important lessons regarding the nature of education.  Knowledge will become complete only when it is imparted by a real Guru. After learning from the teacher one has to engage in deep contemplation. All other information (however big it is) is ephimeral.

                Bhagavan Siva again addresses Sukadeva: “Hey Sukadeva! Your father Veda vyasa is a great Brahmajnani. It is because I am pleased in him that I have opened my heart to you and taught this secret Upanishad. It is the Sachidaananda Brahma that is being portrayed in this. You can daily contemplate on this and become a jeevan muktha.

                The last part of this Upananishad gives us an excellent picture of the revolutionary changes that happened in the life of Sukadeva and his father Vedavyasa. After gaining immeasurable knowledge from Lord Siva Sukadeva become an enlightened one who was swimming in the ocean of eternal bliss. When he began his journey from there, as though he was immersed in the joy of the world, Vedavyas followed him calling his name. He did not answer and the response came from all the things around him. Hearing this Vyaasa realized that his son had become one with the Universe. He also followed him and attained Paramaananda or moksha himself.

Dr. Karickam

UPANISHADS OF INDIA NO. 39 - ARUNIKOPANISHAD

UPANISHADS OF INDIA NO. 38 - BHIKSHUKOPANISHAD

UPANISHADS OF INDIA NO. 37 - MANTHRIKOPANISHAD

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Matteo Renzi: Italy's New Prime Minister

Matteo Renzi: Italy's New Prime Minister

Matteo Renzi was sworn in 22 February 2014 as Italy's 56th Prime Minister, alongside his new Cabinet of 16 ministers.After the swearing-in ceremony at the presidential palace, he headed to the Italian Prime Minister's office, the Palazzo Chigi, to hold his first cabinet meeting.

• He is the youngest person (39 years) ever to be Prime Minister of the Italian state since Italy’s unification (1861)
• Half of Renzi's ministers are women, the largest proportion in Italian history. Most of the ministers are young by Italian standards, with an average age of 48.
• Renzi is nicknamed il Rottomatore  or "the demolition man" for his pugnacious style of politics.
• He was previously the Mayor of Florence from 2009 to 2014 and the President of Florence Province from 2004 to 2009.
• Giorgio Napolitano is the 11th President of Italy since 2006.
• Capital of Italy: Rome
• Currency: Euro

Australian astronomers discovered oldest known star in universe

Australian astronomers discovered oldest known star in universe

Australian  astronomers have found the oldest known star in the universe, a discovery that may help to resolve a long-standing discrepancy between observations and predictions of the Big Bang billions of years ago. The discovery was published in the journal Nature.

• The star, named SMSS J031300.36-670839.3, is estimated to be 13.6 billion years old and is much older than previous stars found in 2007 and 2013, which were believed to be 13.2 billion years old.
• The star was first spotted on January 2 in the Milky Way, 6,000 light years away from the Earth using the ANU Skymapper telescope.
• The composition of the newly-discovered star shows it was formed in the wake of a primordial star, which had a mass 60 times that of our Sun.
• This new discovery suggests early stars were much larger and would have burned more lithium than experts previously realised. The stars burn the lithium, they blow up, and do not emit much iron. This helps bring the lithium abundance into line with what the Big Bang theory predicts.

Chinese scientists developed flexible fire resistant paper

Chinese scientists developed flexible fire resistant paper

Researchers with Shanghai institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have developed anew paper which is resistant to fire.

• Even under 1,000 degrees Celsius, the paper will not burn. They made this new substance fromcalcium phosphate compound.
• This novel kind of inorganic paper is flexible and incombustible, but still feels like ordinary paper. It can be torn, folded, and destroyed by strong acid.
• It can be used for important documents – preserving them for prolonged periods of time.

UPANISHADS OF INDIA NO. 36 -- PARAMA HAMSOPANISHAD

UPANISHADS OF INDIA NO.35 -- SUKA RAHASYOPANISHAD

Kaivalya Upanishad

Kaivalya Upanishad

This is one among the prominent Upanishads of India. There is no better lesson for mukthi or salvation. It starts with the santhipata “Ohm Sahanavavathu”. This is a dialogue between Brahma and Aswalayana maharshi. The sage approaches Brahma in all humility and requests him to impart Brahma vidya. He wants to know the means by which all wise people overcome their sins of previous births and attain moksha and brahma gives him the following reply. He stresses the importance of sraddha (concentration) and Dhyana (contemplation) and Yoga in order to attain Brahmajnana. He advises him to follow the same path of great yogis. In the third stanza he gives a very important verdict.

“Na karmana na prajaya tanena

Thyage naivac amritha

Tatwa maanaswuku

Paraena naakam nihitham guhaayam

Vibrajathae yadhya thio vishandhi”

[The great truth (Paramatma) cannot be understood through wealth, children or karma. The only means for this is thyaga or sacrifice. This is the glorious path shown by the Yogis. Brahma loka is attainable only by great yogis.

            Stanza 4 prescribes the most important abhyasa (practice) towards attaining Brahma loka. It demands great learning of the ultimate truth regarding and meticulous practice of Yoga. Only such Yogis will be eligible to attain amrithatwa.

   Stanza 7 gives us all the qualifiers of the great paramaatman. In order to portray him numerous words like achinthyan, avyakthan, ananantha swaroopi, kalyanakaari, adwayan, adwiteeyan, sarvavyapi, anandachaithanyam, aroopan, amrithaswaroopan, aadhimadhyanthe viheenan, chitaanandhan, parameswaran, mukkannan, neelakantan etc are used.

            Stanza 8 clearly states that the same like Brahma, Siva, Indra, Akshara, Brahma, Prana, Agni, kalan, Bhuda, bhavya, sanathana etc. One who understands this overcomes death. One has to see the same soul in all the elements and he alone attains eternal life. The following stanzas also give a detailed description of the same line of thought.

            When we come to stanza 16 we find the philosophy of ‘Tatwamasi’ very well delineated.

“Yat param Brahma sarvaatma.

Viswasyaayatanam mahat sukshmarth sukshmataram

Nityam tatwamevatwa mevatat"

[That parabrahma which is immortal, which is beyond the eyes of even complex machines and remains the cause of anything and everything in this universe that soul which is the spirit (prana) of all creations, that is in you. That thou art”

            Stanza 19 reads as follows:

Maievasakalam jaatham

Mai sarvam prathistitham

Mai sarvam layam

Yaathi tad Brahmaadwaya asmyaham

            [Everthing orginates from me, everything resides in me and in the end everything merges in me . I am that Adya Brahma.]

            Stanza 20 to 24 depicts the resplendent God who is all powerful. We get superb picture of the qualities of Parabrahma who is beyond the reach of all. He is Chit Swaroopa. He comprehends everything even without intelligence; sees everything without eyes; hears everything without ears. He alone prescribes the Vedas. He is the creator of Vedas. All the Vedas praise Him alone. He is beyond birth and death. Sins don’t touch Him so is righteousness. He is beyond body, mind and intelligence. As per as he is concerned there is no earth, water, fire, air or sky. Only one who realizes such magnitude can attain eternal life or moksha.

                       

            The final stanza emphasis the same argument and states that one who understands the ultimate truth becomes eligible for Kaivalya mukthi.

                                                                 Dr. Karickam

KIPS KARICKAM : UKG KIDS IN ACTION

Upanishads of India No. 34 - Kaivalyopanishad

Narayanaarthava siropanishad

Narayanaarthava siropanishad

It starts with the santhimanthra ‘Ohm sahana vavathu’. The first stanza deals with the creation story. According to this Narayana is the originator of all. He contemplated on the creation of his subjects.  Then life (prana) emanated from Him followed by all indriyas and the mind. Then emerged the panchabhutas such as sky, air, sun, water and earth. Brahma, Rudra, Indra and Prajaapati also evolved out of Narayana and ultimately merge with Him.

           

            In stanza II we get a comprehensive view of the Almighty or Narayana. He is eternal. He takes the form of Brahma, Siva, Chakrarupa, Kalarupa and Dikrupa. All that are born and which are yet to be born resides in him. Everything created and to be created is in His own image. He is blemishless and beyond description. A person who realizes this truth becomes one with Him.

            One who recites the ashtaakshara mantra (Ohm Nama: Narayanaaethi) becomes free from immature death. He enjoys full life and he will be bestowed with wife, children and all wealth. In the end he attains eternal life.

            In the 4^th verse we get a picture of the nature of eternity of the soul. A yogi who meditates on omkara transcends all the boundaries of life and death.  One who recites the Ashtaakshara mantra inherits Vaikunta  Loka. The second part of this stanza underscores the advaitha philosophy. Every object is part of the Parabrahma.

            The last stanza depicts the benefits of reciting the Ashtaakshara mantra. One who chants this prayer in the morning is absolved from all the sins he has committed in the night. One who recites the prayer in the evening becomes free from all sins of the day. One who chants this prayer at noon facing the Sun frees himself from all the cardinal sins. He receives all the blessings equal to learning all the Vedas and becomes one with God. 

                               Dr. Karickam

Hamsa Upanishad

Hamsa Upanishad

    This is in the form of a dialogue between Gautaman and Sanat Sujatan. Gautaman says: “Hey Bhagavan you are the one who has grasped all knowledge and all sasthtras. Please teach me Brahmavidya or knowledge about God and Sanat Sujatan replies as follows:

   Sri Parameshwara has imparted all such knowledge to Parvathi Devi after analyzing all the Vedas. I will impart such knowledge to you. This cannot be divulged to those who are ignorant and for yogis. This is like treasure. This knowledge which deals with Hamsa or Swan (Soul) encompasses all the means for devotion and salvation (Bhakthi or Mukthi).

    This hamsa or jeeva resides in all being just as fire in the fuel or oil in the sesame seed. One who realizes this secret will transcend death.

                          Dr. Karickam

 

                

UPANISHADS OF INDIA NO. 33 -- NARAYANARTHAVASIROPANISHAD

UPANISHADS OF INDIA NO. 32 -- HAMSOPANISHAD

UPANISHADS OF INDIA : NO.31 - GARUDOPANISHAD

Garuda Upanishad

It is a simple Indra Upanishad which deals with Garuda (Eagle) and the Brahmavidya or self knowledge,  surrounding it. It is stated that this lore was first imparted by Brahma to Narada, Narada to Brihadsena, Brihadsena to Bharadwaj and Bharadwaj to the disciples of Jeevatkama. This is for the preethi(Love) of Bhagavan maha Garuda . Several chantings regarding this are given in detail. If one recites all these chantings he becomes free from all type of poisons

The last section states that one who contemplates on this brahmavidya on the new moon day will never be touched by a snake. If one teaches this to eight Brahmins he will be able to destroy poison with grass. If anyone teaches this to hundred Brahmins he can dismantle poison with his eyes. One who teaches this to 1000 Brahmins will be able to eradicate poison with his mind.

UPANISHADS OF INDIA - 30 : BRAHMABINDU UPANISHAD

Students of 10nth grade presenting a memento to the school

Students of 10nth grade presenting a memento to the school

India's only hospital for fish will open in Kochi

India's only hospital for fish will open in Kochi

The country's firsthospital for fish has been sanctioned, and will come up shortly in Kochi, Kerala.

• The hospital will be set up with Rs.5.6 million assistance from thecentral government.
• Hospital would come up under the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies. It has been named the Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory.
• The hospital will also address pollution-related problems faced by the fisheries sector.

http://www.currentaffairsonline.in

Sikkim became only Indian state to achieve 100% sanitation

Sikkim became only Indian state to achieve 100% sanitation

Sikkim has become the only state in the country to achieve 100 percent sanitation in rural and urban households, schools, sanitary complexes and Aanganwadi centres. All 6,10,577 inhabitants in Sikkim have latrines with high sanitation and hygiene standards.

World's first paperless public library opened in US

World's first paperless public library opened in US

World first Paperless public Library BiblioTech was opened in the USA State of Texas on 4 February 2014. The traditional libraries have been replaced with high-tech gadgets that cater to both adults and children.

• Instead of taking home books, registered residents of the south Texas county of Bexar - which has never had a public library or a bookstore - will be able to access over tens of thousands of titles from e-readers for free.
• The 1.5 million dollar BiblioTech currently has 600 e-readers, 200 pre-loaded enhanced e-readers for children, and 48 computer stations, 10 laptops and 40 tablets to use on-site.
• Traditional libraries require much larger load-tolerances in construction due to the weight of materials, so are more costly to build. Book collections also require environmental controls that are costly to maintain.

Jabala Upanishad

Jabala Upanishad

            This starts with the chanting of the famous Santhipata “ohm purnamata poornamidam….’ The first chapter deals with a dialogue between Brihaspati and Yajnavalkyan. Brihaspati asks: “which is the Kurukshethra of ‘Prana’? And which is the abode of Brahman in all living objects? Which is the place where God’s do all sacrifices? To this question Yajnavalkya replies as follow: Avimuktha is the place for Gods to perform sacrifices. That is the abode of Brahman in all beings also (Brahmasadanam). When a soul departs from this world Rudra Bhagavan gives it the advice of Taaraka Brahma whereby it attains moksha.

           

                        In chapter 2, we find Athrimuni appearing before Yajnavalkya with the question “how can one achieve Brahmajnana?” Yajnavalkyan replies that one has to worship that Avimuktha. One’s aatman is embeded in the Almighty. So he is the one to be worshipped.

            Then he asks the next question: “Which is that place where we find Avimuktha?” and the reply is as follows: Avimuktha resides between Varna and Nasi. Varna is the potent force which destroys all evils and Nasi eliminates all sins committed. Only one who has been bestowed with self knowledge will be able to impart knowledge about the soul to others.

We have a small third section where the disciples asks a very important question to the Guru:“ by chanting which mantra one becomes eligible to attain eternal life?. Yajnavalkyan gives the advice that one can attain moksha by reciting Satarudramantra.

Section 4 deals with a dialogue between Janakan and Yajnavalkyan about sanyasa. Janakan asks about how one can become a real sanyasi and the advice given is as follows: One has to follow the principles of Brahmachrya and pass on to the Grihasthasrama. After completing Grihastasrama one should enter into the state of Vanaprastam. From that condition one has to accept the office of a sanyasi or parivachaka. At the same time one can enter into the state of sanyasa from any of the above stages. Their ensues a detailed description of various processes of self fulfillment.

In section 5 we find a very important discussion between Aathrimuni and Yajnavalkya about a Brahmin and his doubt is that whether one can be a Brahmin without Yajnopaveetham (Holy thread) and Yajnvalkyan gives a very interesting statement that one’s soul itself is the Holy thread. He also prescribes various rituals to be followed by a genuine sanyasi.

Chapter 6 also deals with the dimensions of asceticism. It prescribes the qualifications and conditions for a sanyasi to attain nirvana (mukthi). One who excels in all the prescribed qualities become a Paramahamsa or the all knowing.  

Dr. Abraham Karickam

KIPS 10th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS AND IFHW CELEBRATIONS VALEDICTORY