Ayurveda Initiative For Global Health

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Showing posts from September 26, 2022

Gurudev, I know that you have stayed by my side when I had no one to talk to or express myself. I have not been successful at work so far and often I am unlucky. I have not been able to take things to completion. Please help me with your advice?

Question - Gurudev, I know that you have stayed by my side when I had no one to talk to or express myself. I have not been successful at work so far and often I am unlucky. I have not been able to take things to completion. Please help me with your advice? Gurudev Sri Sri - The pain or the concern that 'I have not been able to complete things' itself will take you towards completion. So just relax. If you don't feel concerned that you are not completing things, then there is a problem. But you have that concern, 'Oh, I am not completing. I want to complete. As long as that intense wish is there to complete, you don't have to worry, that will take you to completion.

Gurudev, how do Iincrease my self-worth and self-esteem?

Question - Gurudev, how do Iincrease my self-worth and self-esteem? Gurudev Sri Sri - There is no way on the planet Earth. You cannot increase your self esteem even if the Sun rises in the West and sets in the East. Even if that is possible, it is impossible to increase your self-esteem. Just accept it. My dear, if you think you don't have it and you try to have it, it is not going to work. You simply have to recognise that it is already there.

We would’ve have missed the wonderful opportunity to experience surrender, and also meet such wonderful people. In Art of Living, everything happens for a reason. Wisdom is to take out the learning’s in all of it, and move on, smarter and more skillful than before. An ordinary trip, made extraordinary by His grace.

On 18th June, 2013, Sri Sri was going to visit the BITS (one of India’s leading educational universities) campus in Goa where there would be a satsang (Vedic hymns and chants) and then He would address the students of the college. My plan was to catch a bus by noon so that I could reach Goa by 5.30 pm, attend the satsang, sing, dance, celebrate and meditate with my Guru, listen to him and meet Him in the darshan line and then catch a late night bus back to Belgaum But if everything went according to plan, it wouldn’t have been The Art of Living. What ensued as the day progressed was lots of divine comedy and chaos! On 18th morning, it was 11 am and I was not extremely sure of going. My friend Deepak kept asking me if we should go and I was trying to find every reason to say no. There would at least be 2000 people attending, thus slimming our chances to meet Sri Sri. The climate was also poor since it was monsoon season and I did not have sufficient rain gear. None of us kne...

In my overwhelmed state I told Him I want to tie it again. I tried to convey how I gave it through my uncle and how to tell Him that I want to personally tie it for you! And then I finally tied it and I was filled with such a sense of fulfilment. He smiled and blessed, the feeling of so much love and grace was worth everything.

Once I visited the Bangalore Ashram in August on Raksha Bandhan day (a festival in India where the brother promises to protect his sister throughout his life) . I had gone to meet Guruji and was eagerly looking forward to tying him a rakhi (a holy thread that the sister ties to her brother) myself. That enitre day I held on to my rakhi waiting for an opportunity but I wasn’t able to reach him or tie it to him. I was feeling a little apprehensive, but I kept telling myself it doesn’t matter; and I kept delaying passing on the rakhi, hoping that later maybe I’ll go inside his kutir or later at night I’ll get a chance. But the day passed and by evening I was quite restless to tie the rakhi to Him. In the evening we were all gathered at the Yagnashaala. Guruji was on the stage and just below the stage is a square area enclosed by a railing where some Swamijis and teachers were sitting. I was sitting right ahead just at the edge of the railing and I could see Him prominently. My...

Hibiscus sabdariffa Hindi-Lal Ambari/Patwa,Marathi-Laal ambaari/Tambdi-ambadi,Bengali-Chukar, Assamese-Chukiar Tangamora,Sanskrit-Ambasthaki,Kannada-Kempupundrike/Pulichakire,Tamil-Simaikkasuru, Telugu-Erragomguru/Ettagomgura, Malayalam-Polechi,Manipuri-Silo-sougree,Popular-Jamaica sorrel/Red sorrel/Roselle Malvaceae.Syn-H.digitatus, Sabdariffa digitata.

Hibiscus sabdariffa (Hindi-Lal Ambari/Patwa,Marathi-Laal ambaari/Tambdi-ambadi,Bengali-Chukar, Assamese-Chukiar Tangamora,Sanskrit-Ambasthaki,Kannada-Kempupundrike/Pulichakire,Tamil-Simaikkasuru, Telugu-Erragomguru/Ettagomgura, Malayalam-Polechi,Manipuri-Silo-sougree,Popular-Jamaica sorrel/Red sorrel/Roselle)Malvaceae.Syn-H.digitatus, Sabdariffa digitata.It is an annual, erect,bushy, herbaceous shrub growing upto 2.4 m tall with smooth or nearly smooth cylindrical typically red stems.Leaves are alternate,7.5-12.5 cm long, green with reddish veins and long or short petioles.Upper leaves are simple while the lower leaves are deeply 3 to 5 or even 7-lobed with toothed margins.Flowers are borne singly in the leaf axils,12.5 cm wide,yellow or buff with a rose or maroon eye.Fruit is bright red,ovoid capsule with hooked hairs having 3-4 seeds.It is native to North Africa and SE Asia but now grows in many tropical and subtropical climates.It is distributed in almost all warm countr...

Crassocephalum crepidioides Nepali-Anikale jhar, Manipuri-Terapabi,Mizo _Buarthau, Malayalam _Appuppanthadi, Popular _Thickhead/Fireweed/Redflower ragleaf Asteraceae.

Crassocephalum crepidioides (Nepali-Anikale jhar, Manipuri-Terapabi,Mizo _Buarthau, Malayalam _Appuppanthadi, Popular _Thickhead/Fireweed/Redflower ragleaf)Asteraceae. It is an erect, annual, slightly succulent little branching herb growing upto 1 m tall. Flower heads are cylindrical, green with red florets. Seeds are floating balls of numerous silky white hairs. It has antioxidant antibacterial, anti inflammatory, antidiabetic, antitumor, anticancer, purgative, laxative, insect reppelent, anticoagulant, hepatoprotective, anthelmintic, wound healing, antidiarrheal, immunomodulatory and antihyperlipidemic activities. In Bangladesh, leaf juice is taken to treat constipation and stomach disorders. In Uganda, it is used to treat AIDS and HIV. In India, Nepal and China, it is used to treat cuts, wounds and diarrhoea. It can be used in the treatment of blood coagulation due to its anticoagulant property. It is effective in the treatment of indigestion, stomachache, epilepsy, sle...

Mazus pumilus Nepali-TaapreJhaar/Maltin Jhaar, Popular-Japanese mazus/Asian mazus Scrophulariaceae

Mazus pumilus (Nepali-TaapreJhaar/Maltin Jhaar, Popular-Japanese mazus/Asian mazus)Scrophulariaceae. It is a lowlying herb found in wet grasslands and in moist wastelands. The herb has antioxidant, antibacterial, anti inflammatory, hepatoprotective, febrifuge, tonic, emnenagogue, antifungal, cardioprotective and anticancer activities. The main phytoconstituents are alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, sterols, triterpenoids, tannins and phenolic compounds. The nutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins C, B1,B3,B5,B6 and B9.Young leaves are cooked as vegetables. Consumption of this herb protects us from various chronic and neurodegenerative diseases and cancers due to the presence of good amount of phenolic compounds. The juice of the herb is used in the treatment of typhoid. The infusion of the whole plant is consumed as tonic. Ethnomedicinally, whole plant has been used as a remedy for epilepsy. It is a well known traditional medicinal plant. It is also used ...

Cleome speciosa Hindi-Suryakanta,Kannada-Kanchuwaala,Bengali-Vonmukut,Popular-Showy Spider Flower/Whiskered Spider Flower/Volantines Preciosos Cleomaceae.Syn-C.speciosisima,Gynandropsis speciosa

Cleome speciosa (Hindi-Suryakanta,Kannada-Kanchuwaala,Bengali-Vonmukut,Popular-Showy Spider Flower/Whiskered Spider Flower/Volantines Preciosos)Cleomaceae.Syn-C.speciosisima,Gynandropsis speciosa.It is a herbaceous plant with larger showy flowers..It was introduced as an ornamental plant and can be seen growing wild.It is an annual herb growing upto 1.5 m with hairless stems and leaves.Leaves are alternately arranged,elliptic leaflets are 2-16 cm long.It can flower anytime.Flowers are many,borne with an erect showy raceme at the end of the stem.It is native to Tropical America.It is sometimes harvested from the wild for its edible leaves.Leaves are cooked and eaten as a spinach. – Mukherjee Bk

Arctium lappa Hindi-Jangli kuth,Nepali-Kurya,Lahaul-Pichawag/Burdok,Zanskar-Miah,Western Himalayas-Birzung/Pitsuak, Popular-Bardana//Greater Burdock/Burdock Blood/Beggar's buttons/Clotbur/Cockle Buttons Asteraceae.Syn-A.edule,Lappa major,Lappa officinalis

Arctium lappa (Hindi-Jangli kuth,Nepali-Kurya,Lahaul-Pichawag/Burdok,Zanskar-Miah,Western Himalayas-Birzung/Pitsuak, Popular-Bardana//Greater Burdock/Burdock Blood/Beggar's buttons/Clotbur/Cockle Buttons)Asteraceae.Syn-A.edule,Lappa major,Lappa officinalis.It is a shrub growing upto 1 m tall.Its roots develop branches and can reach 45-50 cm in depth and 3-6 cm in diameter.It has a cylindrical shape,thin brown skin and the interior varies from white to yellowish white.Initially, it forms a large rosette of basal leaves as long as 0.45 m.It is characterised by its erect stems,chordate leaves and flower heads globosely arranged in clusters.In India,it occus widely in the NW Himalayas at an altitude of 1800-2800 m and is commonly found in the hilly regions of temperate forests,mostly HP (Chamba,Kullu,Kinnaur,Lahaul,Spiti) and in the Zanskar valley of Kargil,J and K.It is also found in West Asia and Europe.It has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments.Extract...

Roylea cinerea Hindi-Kararoi tila pati/Titpatti/Patkarru, Garhwali-Karui/Titpati, Jaunsari-Karanoi, Kumaoni-Kauri/Kitpatti, Punjabi-Kaur/Kauri, Himachali-Kattu, Popular-Ashy Roylea Lamiaceae. Syn-R. elegans, R. calycina, Phlomis calycina.

Roylea cinerea (Hindi-Kararoi tila pati/Titpatti/Patkarru, Garhwali-Karui/Titpati, Jaunsari-Karanoi, Kumaoni-Kauri/Kitpatti, Punjabi-Kaur/Kauri, Himachali-Kattu, Popular-Ashy Roylea)Lamiaceae. Syn-R. elegans, R. calycina, Phlomis calycina. It is a medium sized shrub growing upto 0.9-1.7 m height. Leaves are opposite, ovate, deeply crenate, upto 2.5 to 4 cm long, bitter having an upper surface hairy and gland-dotted beneath. Flowers are in axilary clusters, calyx tube cylindrical, 6-9 mm long, corolla strongly 2-lipped, upper lip entire and erect while lower lip is 3-lobed, middle lobe longest, stamens 4 in unequal pairs. Flowers are white or pink. It is found in the Himalayas from Kashmir to Nepal at altitudes of 1200-3700 m. The herb has antioxidant, anticancer, antifungal, antitumor, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antiperiodic, antiprotozoal, antimalarial, CNS depressant, anti epileptic, spasmolytic and muscle relaxant activities. Leaves decoction is used as tonic and fe...

सबके भीतर एक सुंदर व्यक्तित्व होता है। जो किसी ‌को अलग बना देता है, वह है तनाव।वह सुंदरता को ढक लेता है।

There is a beautiful human being inside everyone. What makes one different is stress that covers the beauty.- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Giving respect irrespective of who the person is, shows how wise you are.- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

विश्वास मस्तिष्क का विषय है‌ और भक्ति हृदय का। ध्यान दोनों को ज़ोरता है।

प्रेम को रहने दें। इसे कोई नाम न दें। जब आप प्रेम को एक नाम देते हैं, तो यह एक रिश्ता बन जाता है, और रिश्ता प्रेम को सीमित कर देता है।

लोगों से वैसे ही प्रेम करें जैसे वे हैं! यदि आप उन्हें प्रेम नहीं कर सकते हैं, तो कम से कम उन्हें स्वीकार करें प्रिय! और शांति से रहें!

अपने हृदय को सुरक्षित और अपने मन को स्वस्थ रखने के लिए, आपको परमात्मा से श्रेष्ठ सानिध्य नहीं मिल सकता।

In the name of dispassion, do not lose the spark of enthusiasm and interest. Keep the fire of longing for the Divine and for service to society alive..- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

लोग प्रायः अपने प्रेम की रक्षा करने के लिए और उसे बनाए रखने के लिए झूठ बोलते हैं। उन्हें डर रहता कि सच्चाई उनके प्रेम को हानि पहुँचा सकती है। लेकिन जब उन्हें विश्वास हो जाता है कि उनका प्रेम इतना दृढ़ है कि सत्य न तो उसे तोड़ सकता है और न ही कड़वाहट पैदा कर सकता है, तब सत्य की जीत होती है और प्रेम प्रकाशित हो उठता है।

Praising a fool is beneficial to society!A fool when please might stop doing harm and start doing good work. In this sense, it is wise to praise the fools who need motivation. The wise, however, will continue doing good work, because their attitude does not depend on someone's praise or blame.

मूर्ख की प्रशंसा करना समाज के लिए हितकर है! एक मूर्ख जब प्रसन्न होता है, नुकसान करना बंद करके अच्छा काम करना शुरू कर देता है। इस प्रकार उन मूर्खों की प्रशंसा करना बुद्धिमानी है जिन्हें प्रेरणा की आवश्यकता है। जबकि, बुद्धिमान लोग अच्छा काम करते रहेंगे, क्योंकि उनकी वृत्ति किसी की प्रशंसा या दोष पर निर्भर नहीं करती है।

यात्रा के हर पल का आनंद लें जैसे बच्चे करते हैं; मंजिल की प्रतीक्षा न करें।

जब ज्ञान की अग्नि में हम क्रोध और प्रतिशोद का त्याग करते हैं, तो हमारी निष्कलंक आत्मा का सौहार्द प्रकट होता है। यही सच्चा यज्ञ है।

मानवीय मूल्यों का सम्मान करना, इस ग्रह पर जीवन को एकरूपता मैं देखना अध्यात्मिकता है। अध्यात्म मानवता की पराकाष्ठा है।

Willingly going through an awkward situation will increase your comfort zone. Then no one will be able to push buttons. And you will become centred and unshakeable..- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

स्वेच्छा से एक अजीब परिस्थिति से गुजरने से आपके सुविधा छेत्र का विस्तार होगा। फिर कोई भी आपको विचलित नहीं कर पाएगा और आप केंद्रित और अचल हो जाओगे।

जागो और धीमे हो जाओ ! धीमा होने का मतलब विलंब या सुस्ती नहीं है। लेकिन अक्सर हम जीवन में जल्दी में होते हैं और आनंद लेने की हड़बड़ी जीवन के रस को लूट लेती है। इससे वर्तमान क्षण का सुख और स्वतंत्रता ख़तम होती है!

Faith and alertness, though apparently opposite in nature, are actually complementary to each other. In the absence of faith there can be no growth, and without alertness there can be no correct understanding..- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

आस्था और सतर्कता, वैसे तो स्वभाव में स्पष्ट रूप से विपरीत हैं लेकिन वास्तव में एक दूसरे के पूरक हैं। विश्वास के अभाव में कोई विकास नहीं हो सकता और सतर्कता के बिना कोई सही समझ नहीं हो सकती।

आपको पता होना चाहिए कि वैराग्य उदासीनता नहीं है, यह केवल वास्तविकता का एक व्यापक दृष्टिकोण है। वैराग्य स्रोत की ओर बढ़ना है। वैराग्य का सीधा सा अर्थ है घर वापसी का रास्ता। यह स्रोत की ओर यात्रा है, जो उत्साह का भंडार है।

अपने आसपास के लोगों के उत्थान की जिम्मेदारी लें। वही सच्चा सत्संग है!

How to not let mistakes happen through us in Life?

God knows what to grant when. You ask but also know that whatever is best will happen to you.- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Mazus pumilus ( Nepali-TaapreJhaar/Maltin Jhaar, Popular-Japanese mazus/Asian mazus Scrophulariaceae

Oxalis latifolia Hindi-Khatmitthi, Manipuri-Yensil, Nepali-Chari Amilo, Popular-Wood Sorrel/Garden pink-sorrel/Mexican oxalis/Broadleaf woodsorrel Oxalidaceae

Oxalis latifolia (Hindi-Khatmitthi, Manipuri-Yensil, Nepali-Chari Amilo, Popular-Wood Sorrel/Garden pink-sorrel/Mexican oxalis/Broadleaf woodsorrel)Oxalidaceae. It is a stemless herb found abundantly in agricultural fields, gardens, lawns, etc. It is found widely in Central and South America and South Asia. It is an edible herb and is reported to cure various diseases such as stomach disorders, paralysis, pains, inflammations, etc. It has antioxidant, antibacterial, anti inflammatory, anthelmintic, diuretic, stomachic, analgesic, astringent, styptic, antiscorbutic, antipyretic, antifungal, antidiabetic, insecticidal and anticancer activities. The phytoconstituents are carbohydrates, proteins, amino acis, alkaloids, saponins, phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, cardiac glycosides and phytosterols. – Mukherjee Bk

Plumbago zeylanica Hindi-Chitrak/Chitramol, Sanskrit-Chitra/Chitraka, Assamese-Boga agechita, Bengali-Safaid-sitarak, Oriya-Ogni, Marathi-Chitramul, Kannada-Chitramulika/Chitramula, Telugu-Chitramolam/Kodiveli, Tamil-Chita/Karimai/Chittiramoolam, Malayalam-Vellakoduveli, Punjabi-Chitra, Gujarati-Chitrakmula, Popular-White Leadwort/Plumbago/Chitraka Plumbaginaceae

Plumbago zeylanica (Hindi-Chitrak/Chitramol, Sanskrit-Chitra/Chitraka, Assamese-Boga agechita, Bengali-Safaid-sitarak, Oriya-Ogni, Marathi-Chitramul, Kannada-Chitramulika/Chitramula, Telugu-Chitramolam/Kodiveli, Tamil-Chita/Karimai/Chittiramoolam, Malayalam-Vellakoduveli, Punjabi-Chitra, Gujarati-Chitrakmula, Popular-White Leadwort/Plumbago/Chitraka)Plumbaginaceae. It is an evergreen, perennial plant with long and tuberous roots and straight stems growing upto 0.5-1.0 m. It grows throughout India especially in Bengal, UP, South India in moist places. It is distributed as a weed throughout the tropical and subtropical countries of the world. It is native to SE Asia. It is distributed throughout most of the tropics and subtropics growing from sea level upto 2000 m altitude. The leaves are simple, ovate, elliptical or oblong, 0.5-12 cm long, with a tapering base and often with a hairy margin. The flowers are white in elongate spikes and bloom round the year. Fruit is a oblong ...

Gymnema sylvestre Hindi-Gudmar/Medhashingi/Gurmar ,Sanskrit-Ajaballi/Vishani/Madhunasini, Kannada-Sannagera/Kadhasige, Tamil-Adigani/Ayagam/Kogilam, Marathi-Kavali/Bedaki, Oriya-Meshasringi Urdu-Gurmar, Popular-Small Indian Ipecacuanha Apocynaceae

Fruiting in Gymnema sylvestre (Hindi-Gudmar/Medhashingi/Gurmar ,Sanskrit-Ajaballi/Vishani/Madhunasini, Kannada-Sannagera/Kadhasige, Tamil-Adigani/Ayagam/Kogilam, Marathi-Kavali/Bedaki, Oriya-Meshasringi Urdu-Gurmar, Popular-Small Indian Ipecacuanha)Apocynaceae. The plant holds importance since ancient times and gaining popularity in the present scenario. It has gained popularity for its ability to treat diabetes for nearly two millenmia. It is a large climber. Leaves are elliptic, narrow tipped, smooth above and velvety beneath. In diabetes, a few leaves are chewed or a little amount of leaf powder be taken with honey or cow's milk. In tea form, it offers the best results. In inflammations and wounds, leaf paste is applied.In snake bites, the grounded roots in water should be drunk as well as applied on the bitten area. The herbal extract reduces body weight, blood cholesterol and triglycerides. It is a very good dietary and health supplement in food industry as health...

Thunbergia grandiflora Hindi_Neel Lata, Bengali_Neellota, Nepali _Kagphulee, Bangladeshi _Kauathuti/Nallata, Popular _Blue Trumpet Vine/Bengal Trumpet/Bengal Clock Vine Acanthaceae.

Thunbergia grandiflora (Hindi_Neel Lata, Bengali_Neellota, Nepali _Kagphulee, Bangladeshi _Kauathuti/Nallata, Popular _Blue Trumpet Vine/Bengal Trumpet/Bengal Clock Vine)Acanthaceae. It is an evergreen and perennial large climbing and twining plant growing to about 20 m. It has antioxidant, antibacterial anti inflammatory, antifungal, antipyretic, antidotal, antidiabetic, anthelmintic, hepatoprotective and anticancer activities. It is used in the treatment of blood dysentery contaract, conjunctivitis, diabetes, gout hydrocele, malaria, ophthalmia rheumatism, spermatorrhoea, stomach complaints elephantiasis, urinary bladder stones, eye diseases, paralysis, external bleeding, fractures, snake and scorpion bites. The plant is widely used as a traditional medicine especially in Thailand, Malaysia and India. – Mukherjee Bk

Bidens pilosa Hindi-Kumur/Kurei, Gujarati-Phutium, Popular-Beggar Tick/Spanish needle/Cobbler's pegs Asteraceae.

Bidens pilosa (Hindi-Kumur/Kurei, Gujarati-Phutium, Popular-Beggar Tick/Spanish needle/Cobbler's pegs)Asteraceae. It has been reported to be useful in the treatment of more than 40 diseases such as inflammations, immunological disorders, digestive problems, cancers, wounds, infectious diseases, etc. – Mukherjee Bk

Calliandra haematocephala Powder Puff/Red puff powder/Calliandra Mimodacea

Calliandra haematocephala (Powder Puff/Red puff powder/Calliandra)Mimodacea.It is a tall (1-5.4 m height),spreading, evergreen shrub or a small tree. Flowers clustered in globose heads upto 7 cm across. It is commonly found as a weed throughout India. It is grown in gardens and parks as an ornamental. It has antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti inflammatory, anticonvulsant, immunomodulatory, antiulcerogenic, gastroprotective, wound healing ,blood purifier and insecticidal activities. In Nigeria, roots are used in the treatment of hemorrhoids. Leaves and roots are antisickling. It is also used to treat gastric ulcer and infectious diseases. – Mukherjee Bk

Spermadictyon suaveolens Hindi-Ban champa/Padan hing/Hingwal, Marathi-Gidesa/Van champa/Jitasayo, Gujarati-Gidas, Nepali-Ban champa, Telugu-Erramogi/Kondomuritioli, Tribal-Ghetra/Padera, Popular-Forest Champa/Sweet-scented Spermadictyon Rubiaceae

Spermadictyon suaveolens (Hindi-Ban champa/Padan hing/Hingwal, Marathi-Gidesa/Van champa/Jitasayo, Gujarati-Gidas, Nepali-Ban champa, Telugu-Erramogi/Kondomuritioli, Tribal-Ghetra/Padera, Popular-Forest Champa/Sweet-scented Spermadictyon)Rubiaceae. Syn-Hamiltonia suaveolens, H. mysorensis, H. dulina. It is a branched shrub growing upto 1-2 m tall. Leaves are dark green, opposite, elliptic-lanceolate or ovate, narrowed at base,15-22 cm long. Flowers are bluish-purple, fragrant, corolla tube trumpet shaped. It is native to India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan. It is found in Western Ghats and Himalayas at altitudes of 70-2300 m. It is cultivated as an ornamental shrub in the gardens. It has antioxidant, antibacterial, anti inflammatory, analgesic, antifungal, antipyretic, wound healing, antitumor, cytotoxic and antidiabetic activities. Leaves are good source of proteins, fats, fibres and carbohydrates. It has high nutritive value. Hence, leaves can be used in dietary supplements...

5 ways to make your mind listen to you! | Virat Chirania | Art of Living

Gurudev, there is no logic in devotion. But sometimes when we listen to knowledge, then the mind becomes upset or restless. Then I feel like just swaying in your devotion. Can one not attain Moksha (liberation) without using the intellect?

Question - Gurudev, there is no logic in devotion. But sometimes when we listen to knowledge, then the mind becomes upset or restless. Then I feel like just swaying in your devotion. Can one not attain Moksha (liberation) without using the intellect? Gurudev Sri Sri - By asking this question, you have used your intellect and logic, isn't it. The fact that you have asked this question means you have thought it with your logic and intellect (laughter). Do you get what I am saying? Suppose someone is sleeping. If you go and ask him, 'Are you sleeping?' and he replies back saying, 'Yes I am asleep'. This is similar to your question. See, the intellect has its own place and emotion has its own place as well. Samadhi is the state of perfect balance between the two.

Gurudev, if someone is continuously speaking badly, then what should one do?

Question - Gurudev, if someone is continuously speaking badly, then what should one do? Gurudev Sri Sri - If someone is doing something continuously, then that is their nature. Can you say that every day the dog is barking? It is a dog only who can bark. You can't expect a dog to say, 'meow'. Same way, you should understand that this is their nature. If they do it continuously then you should be more relaxed. If someone does it once in a while, then you should be concerned, 'What has happened? Has this person eaten something wrong or what?' We can think about it. When someone is doing it continuously, it brings freedom to you. That is how they are. Why do you even have to worry about it? Just move on. At least the dog is in your house, and not in the neighbor's house. The dog in your home, you can at least feed him something and make him shut up. But if the neighbor's dog is crying all night and barking all day, you can't do anything with tha...

We silently prayed to our Master, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Suddenly, as though some powerful force came to our rescue and we found ourselves being pushed out of the water. This came as such a relief to both of us who were in a state of complete panic.

''If that unseen Force had not pushed us out of the flood waters, we would have surely drowned. This was nothing but a miraculous escape from death, thanks to the Master.'' says MAKRAND JADHAV, one of the leading trainers for the Art of Living's Youth Leadership Training Programme. It was a late night in August 2011 and my friend and I were driving home from Katepur Village in Latur. It was raining heavily and there was water-logging all along the route. We were driving through an incessant heavy downpour and we could barely see the road ahead of us. Suddenly, we realised that we were on a slope and the car started slipping off the road. We frantically applied the brakes and to our utter dismay, the car spiralled and did a 90 degree turn. The car started sinking as it entered a gushing water stream. For a moment it looked like a huge monster waiting to swallow us up. We lowered the windows, so that we could jump off. Suddenly, our car hit a t...

Cissus quadrangularis Hindi-Hadjora/Harjuri/Hadjod, Sanskrit-Vajravalli, Marathi-Kandeel/Harsankar, Gujarati-Vedhari, Oriya-Hadbhanga, Punjabi-Haddjor, Kannada-Sunduballi, Tamil-Perandi/Pirandei, Telugu-Nalleru, Popular-Edible Stemmed Vine/Veldt grape/Devil's backbone/Adamant creeper Vitaceae

Cissus quadrangularis (Hindi-Hadjora/Harjuri/Hadjod, Sanskrit-Vajravalli, Marathi-Kandeel/Harsankar, Gujarati-Vedhari, Oriya-Hadbhanga, Punjabi-Haddjor, Kannada-Sunduballi, Tamil-Perandi/Pirandei, Telugu-Nalleru, Popular-Edible Stemmed Vine/Veldt grape/Devil's backbone/Adamant creeper)Vitaceae.Syn-Vitis quadrangularis,Cissus tetraptera,Cissus quadrangula.It is a common perennial climber which is distributed throughout India particularly in tropical regions.The stem is square,round or flat shaped but frequently available varieties are square or round shaped.It has antioxidant, antibacterial,anti inflammatory, anticancer antiepileptic, antiarthritic, antifungal, analgesic,gastroprotective , anthelmintic,stomachic, digestive,alterative,tonic,antiscorbutic and spermopoitic activities.It is used in the treatment of complaints of back and spine,bone fractures, asthma, scurvy,mental disorder rheumatism, elephantiasis,burns and wounds, muscular pain, constipation, cardiovascula...

Rauvolfia serpentina Hindi-Sarpagandha/Chandrika, Marathi-Adakayi/Harki/Sapasanda, Gujarati-Amelpodi, Sanskrit-Chandramara/Maarayati, Bengali-Nakuli/Chandar/Sugandhanakuli, Tamil-Carpakanta/Sarpaganti, Telugu-Patala garuda/Patalagani,vMalayalam-Chivan Amalpodi, Popular-Indian snakeroot/Insanity herb/Rauvolfia root Apocynaceae

Rauvolfia serpentina (Hindi-Sarpagandha/Chandrika, Marathi-Adakayi/Harki/Sapasanda, Gujarati-Amelpodi, Sanskrit-Chandramara/Maarayati, Bengali-Nakuli/Chandar/Sugandhanakuli, Tamil-Carpakanta/Sarpaganti, Telugu-Patala garuda/Patalagani,vMalayalam-Chivan Amalpodi, Popular-Indian snakeroot/Insanity herb/Rauvolfia root)Apocynaceae.It is a climbing, evergreen, perennial shrub growing upto 60 cm with cylindrical stems.Leaves are generally found in whorls of three.The flowers are white, sometimes violet.Fruits are oval,fleshy and tiny,turning shiny purple-black on ripening.Roots are tuberous.It mostly found in moist deciduous forests at altitudes from sea level to 1200 m.It is an endangered species in many parts of India.As supply is much less than its demand,there are more chances of adulteration.It has antioxidant, antibacterial,anti inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic ,hypotensive and sedative activities.It contains phenols, alkaloids (Reserpine,serpentine,ajmaline,etc), fla...

Withania somnifera Hindi -Asgandh /Ashwagandha, Bengali -Asbagandha, Gujarati -Aksand /Asvagandha, Assamese -Asbagandha, Marathi -Ashwagandha, Oriya -Ashwagandha, Urdu -Asgand /Asgand nagori, Sanskrit -Ashvagandha /Rajgandha /Ashvakandika, Kannada -Angara beru /Sogade beru /Panneru, Malayalam -Amukkuram /Pevetti, Tamil -Amukkira, Telugu -Aswagandha, Popular -Ashwagandha /Indian ginseng /Poison gooseberry /Winter Cherry

Withania somnifera (Hindi -Asgandh /Ashwagandha, Bengali -Asbagandha, Gujarati -Aksand /Asvagandha, Assamese -Asbagandha, Marathi -Ashwagandha, Oriya -Ashwagandha, Urdu -Asgand /Asgand nagori, Sanskrit -Ashvagandha /Rajgandha /Ashvakandika, Kannada -Angara beru /Sogade beru /Panneru, Malayalam -Amukkuram /Pevetti, Tamil -Amukkira, Telugu -Aswagandha, Popular -Ashwagandha /Indian ginseng /Poison gooseberry /Winter Cherry) Solanaceae. Syn -Physalis somnifera, W. kansuensis. It is a short woody shrub of 2 feet tall. Flowers are small, greenish and fruits are red small berries. Leaves are simple, ovate, 10 cm long. It is native to the Indian Subcontinent that grows naturally in India, Afghanistan Pakistan, Spain parts of the Middle East and Africa. Within India, it is distributed in the sub-Himalayan tracts upto an altitude of 1000 m. It has antioxidant, antibacterial, anti inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, diuretic, antitumor, rejuvenating, aphrodisiac, antifungal, galac...