Sunday, April 28, 2013

W.W.W


On the net, there is web
Philanders prowl, bewitch babes
Cunningly compassionate,
Flattering and passionate
Embolden escape
From
 Family bondage.
Beautiful words
“Angels and fairies all in you”,
Glittering flatter entangles you.
Words of ‘honey’
Loads of ‘love’
Bedazzle you.
Know,
There is honey,
But in the comb
Bees are plenty
Ready to sting.
Fly in the web
Always crushed to death.
 ****************
Love is treasure (pleasure)
The mighty (men) plunder
Surrender to crush
Life is to crash.
Person on the web
Or
Face in the book
Only words.
Deeds in the world
Declare ‘man’ or ‘mean’.
 
 

Friday, April 19, 2013

Sri Rama Navami

 
Today is Sri Rama navami. In Andhra Pradesh on this day ‘Sri Sita Rama kalyanam’ is celebrated with great piety. This marriage of Sri Rama with Sitadevi is celebrated every year in the month of Chaitra on the ninth day (shuklapaksha navami). This is the first marriage that is celebrated with piety and pompous in every temple. The marriage is regarded as state festival.  State celebrates it at Bhadrachalam Sri Rama temple. The chief minister of the state will participate in the marriage and offer the pattu vastralu (silk clothes) to the deities and ‘muthyala talambralu’ for the marriage.
Sri Sita Rama kalyanam is the only marriage in Hindu culture that is revered by all.   Only  after this celetial marriage other marriages are held in the telugu new year. This marriage is given utmost regard. This is so because Sri Rama stood for monogamy – he is respected for following ‘eka patni vratam’ (one life – one wife).
In general, in nature, we can observe that male gender is polygamous. Though we are not very sure when this institution of marriage has come into practice; all religions attach sanctity to it. In the early days of cultural evolution, polygamy was practiced by the powerful. Men of strength in a tribe could have more than one wife. In those days when polygamy had social sanction Sri Rama had stick to the principle of monogamy. He stood by his principle all along his life.
If we remember the episode of Sri Sita Rama kalyanam in Ramayana, we can realize that we do still follow the same ethos. Every Indian, born and brought up in India, to what ever religion he may belong to is aware of the story of ‘Ramayana’. Rama is the eldest son of Sri Dasharatha, the king of Ayodhya. He had learnt various kshatriya skills and had education to be the future king of Ayodhya. One day sage Vishwamitra had come to the court of the king Dasharatha and requested him to send his son Sri Rama, the future king of Ayodhya, with him to help him do yaga without any disturbance or destruction from the demons. At the time of yaga the demons - rakshasas may create havoc and Sri Rama should see to it that the yaga is performed without any disturbance and if necessary Rama had to fight and kill the demons. King Dasharatha sends his beloved son with reluctance fearing that the sage may curse him if he did not do as asked. The king thinks just like any father, that his son has no knowledge of practical application of his warfare skills, and he is too young to fight demons. Sage Vishwamitra assures safety of his son and also future benefits.
Sage Vishwamitra takes Sri Rama and his brother Laksmana along with him. On the way to his place, he teaches Sri Rama some more skills. At the time of Vishwamitra’s yaga, Sri Rama along with his brother Lakshmana successfully protects the rishis and yaga from demons. .
After the successful completion of yaga sage Vishwamitra takes his disciple Sri Rama to the ‘Sita Swayamvaram’. Sita is the daughter of king Janaka – the king of Mithila. When she had come of marriageable age king Janaka announces ‘Swayamvar’ (selection of the groom). He announces that any prince who can lift 'shiva dhanus' (Lord Shiva’s bow which is very heavy and in general cannot be lifted singly by ordinary mortal). On the specified day, princes of various kingdoms assemble. All try to lift it in vain. At last Sri Rama on the order of sage Vishwamitra attempts to lift it. He not only lifts it, but when tries to aim with it, it breaks. King Janaka announces Rama as the winner and to marry Sita. At that moment though Sita wants to garland Sri Rama, he refuses and says he can marry her only after his father gives permission. Following his guru- sage Vishwamitra’s words he had lifted the bow. But his marriage will be held only after his father and family agrees to it. A word is sent to king Dasharatha and he comes along with his family and entourage and marriage will be celebrated.
There are few things which we can realize from all this. However old children might be parents regard them as young and innocent. But under able guidance they gain knowledge and practical life skills. When confidence is gained to deal with life they are ready for marriage. A girl’s parents want to give their daughter in marriage to a capable person to take care of her and protect her. A boy always wants to marry a girl with the permission of his parents and family. Though he is selects he awaits the permission of his parents. Sri Rama who had the principle of one woman- wife, in his life, waited for his father’s permission. He did participate in the competition on the order of sage – his guru and guardian then, to show his capability. But when the question of marriage had come he simply waited for his family’s decision. Even in these modern days we see so many affairs and relationships. But when the question of marriage comes guys hide behind the parental permission. Even girls also oblige parents in this regard .Very few continue with the relation and go against the family to get married and live together.
In their married life Rama and Sita did have their problems. But they stick to the principle of monogamy. The living together in happiness and suffering, their separation and union and repeat separation do have lessons for us. 
The main principle in this marriage, I feel, is the introduction of monogamous sanctity to marriage in the days when polygamy is the rule and had social acceptance.
 
*The pic is from google images.

 

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Saturday, April 6, 2013

Hypertension


         Hypertension or high blood pressure is a disease that is silent until a complication of the disease like heart attack, stroke or renal failure occurs.  That is why it is known as silent killer.  Even in developed countries only half of the people who suffer from hypertension are aware of their condition and those who are aware only a few percent are under adequate treatment.

  Blood pressure is measured generally by an apparatus – sphygmomanometer – BP apparatus, measured as systolic and diastolic BP.  Now electronic gadgets have come with which any individual can check his/her BP.  Systolic pressure is the pressure with which heart pumps the blood and diastolic is the resistance of the vessels to the flow of blood.  Various factors affect this systolic and diastolic BP. In general in any person at any given time the blood pressure should not be more than 130/80 mm.Hg. (millimeters of mercury), 130 being systolic and 80 being diastolic BP.  When the BP crosses this it is regarded as hypertension or high BP.  What ever may be the cause it needs treatment.  In fact, present studies indicate that a person whose BP is around 130/80mm.Hg should follow life style modification (LSM) to prevent any further increase in BP.  This LSM includes restriction of salt intake to less than 5gm/day, restriction of alcohol intake, reduction in weight in case of obese individuals, regular physical exercise and following some relaxing methods like meditation and yoga.

 The causes of Hypertension are known only in about 10% of the patient.  The most important cause is kidney disease and pregnancy induced hypertension.  There are other causes like vascular (blood vessel) diseases and rarely tumors of adrenal glands.  This is called secondary hypertension, the cause may sometimes be corrected or treated and high blood pressure is brought to normal levels.  In more than 90% of cases where the cause is not known it is called essential hypertension or primary hypertension. Genetic factor contributes to a great extent and environmental factors – physical and mental wellbeing will add to it.  When the systolic BP is 140 or more and diastolic is 90 or more mm.Hg definite treatment apart from LSM is needed.  After ruling out any known causes of high BP, considering other health factors of the individual, drugs are prescribed.  Until BP comes down to 130/80mm.Hg regular follow-up weekly or fortnightly (depending on severity of hypertension) is required for adjusting appropriate dosage of appropriate drug/drugs.

  Once hypertension (HTN) is diagnosed patient is evaluated not only for the cause of HTN but also for any organ damage.  As said early, HTN itself does not present any symptom unless some organ damage has occurred.  Usually it is diagnosed when an individual goes to the doctor with some fever or nonspecific complaints.  In the initial stages patients do not want to accept that they have HTN.  Though for milder forms LSM is suggested even that is ignored that they never had any ‘BP’ in the past.  They fail to accept that though they never had it previously now they have it.  The failure of compliance of the patient leads to early organ damage and life threatening complications.

 Though all organs are affected by HTN, the vital organs that are affected and causing complications are the heart, kidney and brain.  The degree of HTN is not important, even mild forms when untreated can result in complications like renal (kidney) failure, heart attack or stroke.  Severe forms definitely lead to complication some time in future.  In India stroke is more common than heart attack in patients with HTN.

  To avoid or delay organ damage and complications it is best to take physician’s advice and be adequately treated with proper drugs to maintain BP at ‘normal’ level.  Once BP is maintained at normal level medication should be continued regularly with periodic check-up by physician to note any signs of organ damage or any change required in medication.  Generally patients once declared to have normal BP, they stop medications.  This is because of lack of understanding that the medication they are using is maintaining the BP at normal level. Once medication is stopped complications are liable to occur.  Once diagnosed and treated with drugs, continuation of medication is life long for a long life.  This is to be remembered by patients under treatment for essential/primary hypertension.  To have a disease and not using medication is being diseased.  Using treatment for the disease is being eased out of disease and maintaining almost normal healthy life.

 I wanted to write this highly simplified presentation of HTN just to make people aware of the fact that HTN is a silent killer, hence though they do not have any symptoms but diagnosed to have BP at regular health check-up must strictly follow the advice of the physician and take treatment.  There should not be delay or irregular treatment which will increase complications.  It is good for individuals to have general regular health check-up once a year after the age of 30yrs even without any obvious health problems.

I wish everyone a tension free life with proper health precautions.

Kommala Jatara


Kommala Jatara is held once in every year.  The jatara starts on the day of Holi – ‘Phalguna Pournami’ and ends on the sixth day.  On the fifth day there will be “rathotsavam” and sixth day “kalyanam” of Laxminarasimhaswamy with Neeladevi.    As more people are coming, the jatara period is extended to 15days, starting five days earlier and ending later.

Kommala is a village in Warangal situated on the road to Narsampet.  The temple is on top of rock.  The deity – Lord Laxminarasimhaswamy is situated between two rocks.  Apart from the one sculpted on the rock; there are idols of the main deity along with Sreedevi and Neeladevi for worship.  There is a story attached to this place. 

Long, long ago, a farmer in the village had bumper yield of crop.  He was alone and could not harvest it.  Then a small boy came and offered his help.  He asked for one bundle of harvest as wages.  The farmer agreed and the boy finished his job in few hours and made entire harvest a single bundle.  He then asked the farmer for some water.  The farmer went to bring water and by the time he came, the boy disappeared.  The farmer had a dream that night and Lord Laxminarasimhaswamy instructed him to build a temple on the rock where he can find him as deity.  And the temple came into existence.  Some people say there are marks of his sickle somewhere on the rock. 

I am visiting this place for more than two decades.  The jatara would start on the day of Holi.   Ritually on the first day of jatara, the rich and powerful in the nearby villages come in/with decorated bullock carts called “prabha bandlu” and encircle round the rock on which the temple is located.  As this affair being turned to be a political show of strength, causing clashes at the place, this year it was not permitted. As the jatara was held for a short period there would be heavy rush.  In the earlier years people were allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum for paid ‘archana’.  As I felt definite divine vibrations in there, and also few wishes fulfilled, my visits became regular. As years passed by, the development activity is going on and there are a lot of changes in the place and persons conducting rituals.  As the number of people visiting is increased, commercialization has crept in and the place seemed to lose its peacefulness.
These were steps for entrance previously.  Now this is for exit

Any jatara will be best opportunity for the people in surrounding villages for social outing and religious activity.  The makeshift shops offer variety of merchandise to those living in remote places.  It also offers some entertainment activity for the kids.  Visiting jatara will enhance spiritual experience.

The little boy was crying, I said, smile I will shoot.  He readily
obliged and his sister joined.
Women selling puffed rice are seen.  This is bought by all who
visit jatara and taken home as 'prasadam'

Kids and adults enjoy the ride very much
This is for kids only

These are sacred threads.  People tie around the wrist.
Varying red color kumkum is used for worship and for
bottu
 

Idols of different Gods for sale
Sweetmeat shops will be plenty and colorful sweets are sold
Kitchen utensils for sale
Girls buying trinkets
Colorful bangle shops attract many women
As we were returning this is taken from moving vehicle