Ayurveda Initiative For Global Health

*Chapter 5 - The Fourth Dimension* *Day 22* Let us expand our capability. If you want to enjoy a lot of sweets, but you have diabetes you cannot do it. You should have the capability to digest it. If you demand respect you should have the capability to have it.  So our capability of experiencing the world is very limited and the ability of the senses is not unlimited. It has a limit but the desire is unlimited.  That is where imbalance happens, because we have not moved away from the objects of the senses to the senses. The first step is to come to our senses.  Once you have come to your senses, now you move further one step behind looking into the intellect. After the senses it is intellect, which boosts its ego, saying," I know it". If you think you know it the Rishi smiles and says no you don't know.  At the same, when you say I don't know, he says," Come on at some level you know it". Even if you think you don't know you can't be away...

When does the ego come into play? 1. When you don't get attention.  2. When you seem to be losing attention.  3. When you get attention. (Laughter) Ego causes heaviness, discomfort, fear, anxiety. Ego restricts your genuine expression. Ego is separateness, non-belongingness, wanting to prove and to possess.  Ego has a positive aspect as well. It is a great driving force. Ego can elevate your spirit and motivate you to do great work. Most of the rewards and recognition are there to augment the ego. Yet, you can't stand an egoistic person and get upset with them. Egotism is born out of ignorance. Rather than feeling contempt for such people, have compassion.  A deep enquiry of who you really are, brings you the realisation that there is nothing to be proved and nothing to possess. This insight elevates you to another level of existence which is beyond the ego; it leads you to the natural state you are born with.  *For God's sake don't get rid of the eg...

Question - Gurudev, How is our mind connected to the moon? Does spiritual practices like Meditation help us here in any way? Gurudev @SriSriRaviShankar ji - Though the moon only reflects the light of the sun, its energy affects the water, and the mind. This is scientifically proven, which is why when someone goes crazy, they are called lunatics. (The word lunatic is derived from the word ‘lunar’ because the mind is connected to the moon.) Ancient people did an in-depth study about how the moon affects the mind, how the moon is moving around in different constellations; how different degrees of the moon has a definite impact on the mind. That’s what they use the words ‘Tara-bal’ and‘Chandra-bal’. The moon is in one constellation for two and a half days, then it moves to the other constellation. So in two and half days there are changes in the mood of the mind. The moon has an effect on water and our body contains a lot of water. Hence on the day of Purnima or Full Moon it is...

Question - Gurudev, after wandering and feeling lost for so many years, I have found you. Please tell me where do I go ahead from here now? Gurudev @SriSriRaviShankar - See, all that wandering around has gotten you tired. So now that you are here, just relax and be happy. Once you come to my school, then you are here for good, even after you have graduated. Usually in schools when you graduate, you move out. But my school (here he refers to Art of Living) is not like that. I will not make you run around from one grade to another. This is a school that takes you all the way to your (ultimate) goal and establishes you there, so that you can be content and at rest. Just by being here you will get all that you need to reach the goal. Once you have reached your home (here meaning one’s final destination), do you ever ask where you should go from there? So now that you are home, just relax.

Pigeon pea or Tuar dal or Togari bele Did you know that Pigeon Pea, a native of Indian subcontinent, popularly known as Toor Dal or Arhar Dal or Togari bele since atleast from last 8000 years, is botanical food pulse Cajanus cajan that unites all of India from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Tripura to Gujarat? Did you know that the pigeon pea is the first seed legume plant to have its complete genome sequenced with the sequencing first accomplished by a group of 31 Indian scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research? Pigeon pea or Tuar dal or Togari bele, a perennial legume, a very drought-resistant crop, is the most popular dal or pulse in the south of India. It is a perennial legume from the Fabaceae family, its presumptive closest wild relative, is Cajanus cajanifolia that occurs in tropical deciduous woodlands and its cultivation has been documented. The name Pigeon pea originated when the pulse travelled from India to east ...

Callicarpa tomentosa or Aarati gida Did you know that Callicarpa tomentosa or Aarati gida is also known as Pandavara Batti (Pandavas’ torch), a plant  whose leaves are said to have been used as a fire torch by the Pandavas of Mahabharata during their vanavasa (exile)?  Callicarpa tomentosa or Aarati gida, a species of beautyberry plant in the family Lamiaceae, which is found in the Western Ghats in India, in Sri Lanka and Nepal. The plant’s Kannada name 'Aarati gida' is not accidental. It is so called because one can light a torch with even its fresh green leaf – a drop of oil applied on the tip of the leaf does the trick as it begins to act like a wick. The plant, , is still used in many South Indian temples like the Ayyanar temple and Bhairavar temple in Tamil Nadu. Its ancient pre-historic link is to the epic Mahabharata period of Dwapara Yuga when the Pandavas were exiled to live in forests they used this plant's leaves as a fire torch (Batti...

Dragon Fruit or Pitaya Did you know that the Dragon Fruit or Pitaya, an exotic fruit originating in Central and South America, now a commercial crop in Karnataka, is a climbing cactus known as hylocereus, a cross between a kiwi, a pear and a watermelon known for its herbal benefits? The Dragon Fruit or Pitaya of the genus Stenocereus, with leathery-like skin and prominent scaly spikes on the fruit exterior, a climbing cactus known as hylocereus, a cross between a kiwi, a pear and a watermelon, originating in Central and South America, is now grown commercially in Karnataka besides throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is an exotic fruit uniquely grown on concrete or stone pillars of different types of support frames and trellises. They come in three types - Selenicereus undatus (white-fleshed pitaya), Selenicereus costaricensis (red-fleshed pitaya), and Selenicereus megalanthus (yellow pitaya). They are a variety that is commo...

Maize or Corn – Part 1, Historical perspective   Did you know that Maize or Corn, a cereal grain originating in Souther Mexico about 10,000 years ago, now commonly grown through out the world, known in India as makka or bhutta, is depicted in stone sculpture form as seen in the Hindu temples of Central India from the 2nd century BCE in Ajanta Caves and during the Hoysala Dynasty reign (1100 to 1300 AD)? Maize or Corn, a cereal grain, originating in Southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago, and known as "Indian corn" primarily meaning maize (the staple grain of indigenous Americans), is the third most important crop after rice and wheat. Its English name, also called Mej has many Indian vernacular names such as: Yavanala in Sanskrit; Govina Jola, Mekke Jola in Kannada; Maakai or barajovar, in Hindi; Jolam in Malayalam; Makka Jolam in Tamil; and Mokka Jonna in Telugu. Its botanical name 'Zea mays' in the family of Poaceae. Maize's ancient usag...

Abutilon indicum or Indian mallow Did you know that the Abutilon indicum or Indian mallow as the name suggests found throughout tropical India as a hairy undershrub with golden yellow flowers is a herb which is commonly used in Siddha medicines? Abutilon indicum or Indian mallow of the Malvaceae family, which is a herbal plant, a valuable medicinal and ornamental plant, is grown thoughout tropical India and Sri Lanka , and also within parts of the Great Barrier Reef islands of the Coral Sea. It is commonly used in traditional Siddha medicines. The plant is sometimes gathered from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of fibre.  The plant known in English as Country-mallow, Indian abutilon, Indian mallow, has many vernacular names such as: Atibala, Kanakatika, Balika, Kanakaliks in Sanskrit; Kanghai कंंघाइ in Hindi; Tutti Tree ತುಥ್ಥಿ ಗಿಡ Mudre Gida, Srimudrigida, Harichitta, Halaugidde, Mulludurdrave, and Turave in Kannada; Petta...

Kodo Millete (pasapalum scobiculatum)  Did you know that Kodo Millete with botanical name pasapalum scobiculatum is an annual grass cultivated in the plains of India mostly in Deccan for its grains whose newly gathered grains with husks are poisonous and are used only after removing the husk? Kodo Millete with the botanical name pasapalum scobiculatum in the family of Poaceae, is a monocot tufted annual or perennial grass that grows up to 150 cm tall. It is also known as cow grass, rice grass, ditch millet, Native Paspalum, or Indian Crown Grass. Mostly cultivated in the plains of India since ancient times, for its grains; newly gathered grains with husks are poisonous; husks are removed prior to use or powdering. The millet is certainly superior to rice, gluten free and rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. It has large potential to provide nourishing food to subsistence farmers.  In Indian vernaular languages, Kodo Millete plant is known a...

Pyramid Valley, Bengaluru Did you know that the Pyramid Valley, in Kebbedoddi village near Bengaluru houses a 102 feet tall pyramid nestled in a lush green valley which is the international meditation centre promoting meditation and vegetarianism for holistic living? The Pyramid Valley, in Kebbedoddi village, off Kanakapura Road, near Bengaluru city, is a large open lush green valley, a campus spread over 24 acres where a massive 102 feet tall pyramid called the 'Maitreya-Buddha Pyramid' is built over a base of 100 feet/30 metres square. Built over a four year period, it was commissioned in 2004 under the auspices of the Pyramid Spiritual Trust (India) of the Pyramid Spiritual Societies Movement headed by Brahmarshi Patriji to function as an international meditation centre which can accommodate around 5,000 people; there is a large platform where people sit and meditate.  The pyramid is built on the architectural principles o...

Amruteshwara Temple, Annigeri Did you know that the remarkable Amriteshwar temple of the core area of Western Chalukya architectural activity is in Annigeri an important political and cultural center iduring 11th and 12the centuries?  The Amriteshwar Temple in Annigeri known for its remarble architectrue is ascribed to the legendary sthapathi (architect) Jakhanacharya. The temple is in the middle of the ancient Annigeri town.  Historical linkage of the Annigeri and the temple is traced to six inscriptions varying from 1157 to 1208 AD; the earliest is dated to 1157; the next to the west of the south gateway of the temple is dated 1189; the third is dated 1200; the fourth, which is very long, is dated 1202; the fifth on a pillar in the south gate way is dated 1207; and the sixth to the east of the south gateway is dated 1208. Annigeri as town has even an inscription dated to 1071 and then in 1161 attributed to the Kalachari Chief Bijjala ...