UPANISHAD; उपनिषद

very good details are given by Sushma jee on her website;
www.sushmajee.com
http://sushmajee.com/upanishad/index-upanishad.htm
The meaning, purpose, names of Upanishad, stories from Upanishad , Teachings of upanishad etc are given in very explicit way; some websites are given;
www.celextel.org  site lists 108 Upanishad with their contents.
www.ahwan.org  or   www.ahwan.com  click on the icon beside the "articles"

There are hundreds of Upanishad, but mainly the followings eleven are well-known.
www.celextel.org  site lists 108 Upanishad with their contents.
www.ahwan.org  or   www.ahwan.com  click on the icon beside the "articles"

Introduction-1: What are Upanishad? Meaning of Upanishad
Introduction-2: Purpose of Upanishad
Introduction-3: Names of Upanishad

Stories From Upanishad
Teachings of Upanishad
Notes - miscellaneous topics related to Upanishad
TV Serial Upanishad Gangaa

Ken Upanishad (Saam Ved)	Eeshaavaasya Upanishad (Shukla Yajur Ved)
Kath Upanishad (Krishn Yajur Ved) Complete	Prashn Upanishad (Atharv Ved)
Mundak Upanishad (Atharv Ved)  Complete	Maandookya Upanishad (Atharv Ved)
itareya Upanishad (Rig Ved)  Complete

Taittireeya Upanishad (Krishn Yajur Ved) Shwetaashwatar Upanishad (Krishn Yajur Ved)Brihadaaranyak Upanishad (Shukla Yajur Ved

PURAAN ; पुराण

very useful information about Puran is given on
www.sushmajee.com
http://sushmajee.com/hindupuraan/index-puraan.htm
following Puraan are discussed in detail;
http://sushmajee.com/hindupuraan/introduction-2.htm
1-Brahm Puraan, 2-Padm Puraan, 3-Vishnu Puraan, 4-Shiv Puraan, 5-Bhaagvat Puraan, 6-Naarad Puraan, 7-Maarkandeya Puraan, 8-Agni Puraan, 9-Bhavishya Puraan,10-Brahm Vaivart Puraan, 11-Ling Puraan, 12-Varaah Puraan, 13-Skand Puraan,14-Vaaman Puraan, 15-Koorm Puraan, 16-Matsya Puraan, 17-Garud Puraan, 18-Brahmaand Puraan, Upanishad  ;
followings are the important websites for studying puraan
Websites for Puraan
http://www.dharmicscriptures.org/scriptures.htm
http://puranastudy.bravehost.com/pur_index0/index.htm
http://is1.mum.edu/vedicreserve/
http://vedpuran.wordpress.com/download-all-ved-and-puran-pdf-hindi-free/ - download Ved Puraan here

Emotional moments of my parents

It was December, 1966 that I was leaving for Madras/Karaikal to work with electrical prospecting party of ONGC. My parents came to visit us in DehraDun.  During those days, there used to be a very few buses for Delhi from DehraDun; Bus stand was also almost on the roadside near Lakshmi talkies.Malanki was only a few months old- a loving child. My parents were very emotional on our departure to Madras, they did not like that we should go that far with our so little child; standing by the side of the bus both were crying and my father was even more emotional with his tears in his eys and crying; they were very sad as the bus left. They were supposed to catch their own train after some time from the Railway station which was near to Bus stand.
It was really a very touchy moment for me. How much love, they had for their grandson. Ofcourse, he was the first grandchild in the family . I never saw my parents so emotional before. We left for Delhi/Madras with very heavy heart.

Panch Devta; पंच देवता

Panch Devta - The Concept of Puja of Five Gods

see also; https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blogger.g?blogID=7434278182063497637#editor/target=post;postID=7489659102332793938;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=1;src=postname

Panch Devta is the concept of five gods in Hinduism. The Panch Dev that are worshipped are Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha, Shakti and Surya. The concept of Panch Devta is more popular with Hindu communities in North India. The five gods are worshipped daily in homes. Those people who worship the five gods are known as Panchopasak.

For fasting and other related rituals, the Panchopasak follows the Smarta Tradition.

Panch Dev Puja is believed to help in attaining happiness, progress and peace.

“The main purpose of Panch–Dev pooja is to give Happiness, Peace and Contentment. Good thoughts emerge in the mind and divine energy is manifested in the body and the behavior experiences a sense of freedom by which the mind is easily directed toward Bra'hmaan. The different devtas are the manifestations of Bra'hmaan who is actually unthinkable, unmanifested, unlimited and without a form. Bra'hmaan can only be known by those who are free from the worldly ties and have no expectations from society. It is very difficult to achieve such a state and to visualize the image of any person or a devta without first seeing him is all the more arduous. The same applies to BRA'HMAAN also. Thus to experience the divine (NIRAAKAR BRA'HMAAN) in the deep recesses of our mind, we have to first worship the SAKAAR BRA'HMAAN (The lord that has a name and form).

The concept of Panch Dev was developed by teachers of Santana Dharma to help common people who are not able to understand the concept of Brahman. The Panch devtas are manifestations of Brahman who is actually unthinkable, unmanifested, unlimited and without a form.

GANESH, SURYA, DEVI, SHANKAR AND VISHNU –the devotees of these 5 deities never lack anything and are sure to achieve name, fame and punya (merit) and they achieve immortality.

GANPATI

In the Indian tradition, we start everything by chanting ‘Shri Ganeshaya Namah’. In fact the word Shri Ganesh has come to replace the word ‘commence’ in our daily language. Also known as GAJANAN He is the VIGHNESHWAR (the remover of all obstacles) and the giver of RIDDHI and SIDDHI (the names of His two wives meaning prosperity, growth and accomplishments and success). Ganesh or Mangalmurti (an embodiment of auspiciousness) is the PRANAV or AUM itself.

 When we write AUM and if we were to rotate it, we can see the trunk and two eyes of Ganesh. Merely by concentrating on the idol of Ganesh, by devotion and chanting, you are sure to increase Medha (Talent) because He is the LORD OF THE SENSES.

SHANKAR

There are many names and forms of Lord Shankar and endless characteristics and to illustrate all these, one whole book can be written. There is no place in India where there are no Shiv Lings which is the main form of worshipping Him. The age old tradition of the Rishis of Ling Upaasana is mentioned in the Shrutis, Smritis and the Puranas. The idol of the Ling is an embodiment of the Shakti of Shiv which can help the devotee to realize Brahman.

 Shiv is known as Bhole Baba as He gets pleased very easily and does not hesitate to give boons. He is also known as the Lord of all Knowledge.

VISHNU

The foremost Lord in the Shrutis is Vishnu. All other forms of Vishnu are also described in the Shrutis. Lord Vishnu is a devout worshipper of Lord Shankar and so is Lord Shankar of Lord Vishnu. They are actually one. HARI HAR is also mentioned in all the scriptures. They are the two main deities to be worshipped. Lord Vishnu is YAGNA SWAROOP (yagna here means sacrifices) and Lord Shankar is TAP SWAROOP (Tap here means penance). Yagna and Tap are the basis of our culture.

MAHASHAKTI

Shrutis have praises for Shakti and Shaktiman and describe them as one and the same. The Supreme Lord manifests Himself as Param Purush and Para Shakti.

Param Purush is described as Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh and His consort Para Shakti is known as Lakshmi, Gauri and Saraswati.

Just as the different forms of the Supreme Lord are all but one form. Similarly the different forms of the Devis – Durga, Rama, Seeta, Radha are one and the same.Devi is also worshipped as the Nav Durgas. She is Shakambari and She is Brahmari. She is Kul Kundalini and Yog Maya.

SAPTSHATI is the holy tale of the Para Shakti which is described in the Markandeya Purana. The recitation of this ‘Paath’ gives Abhuday and Nishreyas (prosperity and betterment). At the altar of the Supreme Mother, our sins are pardoned. In the world, we have heard of sons being bad but we have never heard of a Bad Mother. In this Kalyug, the shastras sing the glory of GAURI and GANESH as bestower of all glories.

 SURYA

The Shastras mention ‘Aarogyam Bhaskaradichet’ meaning to seek the blessings of Lord Surya for good health. The worship of this deity can relieve one of heart disease, eye-ailments and agonies of the planets which occur in our lives. All the wishes of the devotee can be fulfilled. The shaastras mention that Lord Surya is the AATMA of the Universe and thus it is difficult to forget one’s own Aatma. The saints and the Brahmins have been worshipping Him every morning and evening. A million suns lighten up the skies and the solar system. The main deity of these many suns is Shri Narayan who is worshipped as Lord Surya. He is Para Brahman

RAVEN: Raven kee Lok Kathayein : : रैवन: रैवन की लोक कथाएँ

रैवन की लोक कथाएँ1
रैवन काले रंग का कौए की तरह का एक पक्षी होता है जो दुनिया में बहुत जगह पाया जाता है पर यह अमेरिका और कैनेडा के उत्तर पश्चिमी हिस्से में रहने वाले मूल निवासियों की लोक कथाओं का हीरो है। अमेरिका और कैनेडा की खोज से पहले अमेरिका और कैनेडा दो देश नहीं थे इसलिये रैवन की कथाओं को अमेरिका के मूल निवासियों की लोक कथा कहना ही ज़्यादा उचित होगा।
अमेरिका के मूल निवासियों में बहुत सारी जनजातियाँ थीं और इन सब में अलग अलग लोक कथाएँ थीं। रैवन की लोक कथाएँ कई जनजातियों में अपने अपने तरीके से कही सुनी जाती थीं और लोकप्रिय थीं।
आजकल रैवन कैनेडा देश के यूकोन प्रान्त और भूटान देश का राष्ट्रीय पक्षी है और भूटान देश की तो यह शाही टोपी में भी लगा हुआ है।
यह अपने काले रंग, सड़े हुए माँस खाने की आदत और कठोर आवाज की वजह से बहुत अपशकुनी माना जाता है पर फिर भी लोग इसको मारते नहीं है। अमेरिका के मूल निवासी इन्डियन्स के कायोटी की तरह से यह भी उनकी लोक कथाओं का एक मुख्य हीरो है। इसकी दुनिया बनाने वाली कहानियाँ बहुत मशहूर हैं।
इसको लोग जन्म और मौत के बीच का बिचौलिया मानते हैं क्योंकि यह सड़ा हुआ माँस खाता है इसलिये इस का रिश्ता मरे हुए लोगों और भूतों से है और क्योंकि इसने दुनिया बनाने में बहुत मदद की है इसलिये इसका रिश्ता ज़िन्दगी से भी है।
रैवन का जिक्र केवल अमेरिका और कैनेडा की लोक कथाओं में ही नहीं है बल्कि ग्रीस और रोम की दंत कथाओं में भी है। रोम की दंत कथाओं में अपोलो जो भविष्यवाणी करता है यह उनसे जुड़ा हुआ है। स्वीडन में इसको कत्ल हुए लोगों का भूत मानते हैं। इंगलैंड में कुछ ऐसा विश्वास है कि यदि रैवन "टावर औफ लंदन" से हटा दिये जायें तो इंगलैंड का राज्य ही खत्म हो जायेगा।
बाइबिल में भी इसका जिक्र कई जगहों पर आया है। टालमुड में रैवन नोआ की नाव के उन तीन जानवरों में से एक है जिन्होंने बाढ़ के समय में लैंगिक सम्बन्ध स्थापित किये थे और इसी लिये नोआ ने उसको सजा दी थी। कुरान में रैवन ने ऐडम के दो बेटे केन और एबिल में से केन को उसके कत्ल किये हुए भाई को दफनाना सिखाया। हिन्दुओं की तुलसीदास जी की लिखी हुई "रामचरित मानस" में यह कागभुशुण्डि जी के रूप में आता है और 27 प्रलय देख चुका है। उसमें यह गरुड़ जी को राम कथा सुनाता है।
प्रशान्त महासागर के उत्तर पूर्व के लोगों में रैवन की जो लोक कथाएँ कही सुनी जाती हैं उनसे पता चलता है कि वे लोग अपने वातावरण के कितने आधीन थे और उसकी कितनी इज़्ज़त करते थे। रैवन मिंक और कायोटी की तरह से कोई भी रूप ले सकता है, जानवर का या आदमी का। वह कहीं भी आ जा सकता है और उसके बारे में यह पहले से कोई भी नहीं बता सकता कि वह क्या करने वाला है। वैसे तो वह बहुत ही चालाक है लेकिन एक बार उसने एक बड़ी सीप में बन्द नंगे लोगों के ऊपर दया दिखायी थी। फिर वह अपनी चालबाजी से उनके लिये शिकार, मछली, आग, कपड़े और ऐसी ऐसी रस्में लेकर आया जो उनको भूतों और आत्माओं के असर से बचा सकती थीं। उसने प्रकृति से लड़ कर उन लोगों को काम के लायक बनाया।
रैवन की भूख बहुत ज़्यादा है और वह अपनी भूख कोई भी चाल खेल कर ही मिटाया करता है पर अक्सर वह चाल उसी पर उलटी पड़ जाती है।

STORY of great stories; The ARABIAN NIGHTS Stories

Arabian Nights - (Well known stories are  "Allaadeen",  "Alee Baabaa and Forty Thieves" and "Sindbaad the Sailor".)
There was a Sultaan (king) Shahariyaar became very disappointed with his wife's behavior while he was away, so he declared all the women unfaithful and ordered to behead his wife. He decided to marry a new virgin girl each evening and execute her next morning. Whoever did not obey his order was killed. This created a havoc in the society and so much shortage of unmarried girls.
Sultaan's Vazeer also had two daughters - Shaharzaad and Deenaarzaad. Shaharzaad was elder, very clever and beautiful. Seeing this havoc in the society, one day Shaharzaad requested her father to take the responsibility of supplying these girls to the Sultaan and then one day to supply herself to him. Vazeer was shocked to hear this. The daughter said - "Don't be afraid, I am sure that I will be able to save thousands of girls." But the father wouldn't agree for this. But at last the daughter had made him agreed upon this.
Vazeer went to the Sultaan and told him that he would bring his own daughter to him the following evening. Sultaan said in astonishment - "Are you out of mind? How could you think of this? Doesn't she know my condition?" "She knows." "Then?" "Still she insists." "Remember you will have to take her life yourself, if you refuse... I will take yours." "Sure."
In the meantime Shaharzaad asked her sister to do her a favor, she said - "Today I will be married to Sulataan. Tomorrow morning he will execute me. Before this execution, I want you help. After the marriage I will request him to take you with me, which I think he should grant. Your job is only to wake me up one hour before sunrise, and say "Sister, If you are not asleep, tell me one of your interesting stories." Then I will start telling stories. Hopefully I will save my people thus." Her sister readily agreed for this.
So her father married her to the Sultaan crying a lot. After the marriage ceremony Shaharzaad started crying. On asking why was she crying, she told the Sultaan that she was crying for her sister Deenaarzaad and she would be happy if she would be brought to her to spend the last night of her life. Her sister was immediately called and she requested her to tell a story to pass the night as she was to be executed the next morning.
According to their plan, Deenaarzaad asked her sister to tell one of her wonderful stories a little before sunrise. As it was the last night of her life. Shahazaad did not reply to her sister, rather she addressed Sultaan - "Will you please allow me to tell one story to her?" Sultaan said - "Willingly." So she started telling the story ... THEN
One story led to another and Sultaan had to leave her in the morning to listen to the remaining part of the story the next night. This continued for 1,001 night, at the end of which Shaharzaad presented him with three sons - one walking, one crawling, and one in her lap. At the end of the period the decree of the death was removed and both lived in harmony.
When it was 930th night, Shaharzaad said - "I have story about women's trickery in my mind, but I fear that it may lower my esteem in his sight, but I hope that it will not because it is a rare tale. Women are indeed mischief makers, but that should not be told or disclosed." At this Deenaarzaad said - "O sister of mine, Tell me what is in your mind, and have no fear from the King, because women are like gems, because when they fall in a jeweler's hand he keeps them for himself and leaves all beside them. He might some of them prefer over others, in this way he is like a potter, who has to put all his vessels in an oven and when he takes them out, he has to break some of them. Some of them are used by others while others are returned to be as they were." Then Sharazaad said - "Then tell us, O King, the tale of ..."
The itroduction of these great stories can be read at;
http://sushmajee.com/shishusansar/stories-arabian-nights/intro.htm

CALENDAR; Modern Calendar

History of Calendar is given on:
http://sushmajee.com/reldictionary/dictionary/page-C/calendar-history-1.htm
However a short description of modern calendar is gien below:
Modern Calendar
Today's calendar year begins in January conceivably because it's the first full month when the days start growing longer (minutes of daily sunlight increasing in the Northern Hemisphere, which includes most of the world's land and about 90% of the human population), after the Winter Solstice at the end of December. Additionally, the planet Saturn mutually ruling time and the sign of Capricorn might have something to do with the selection of January as the first month of the calendar year. The seven day week division is probably linked to ancient farmers planting by the moon's phases (seven day quarters). As to why the day officially starts at 12:00 a.m. and not sunrise, it's possibly due to the fact that after 12:00 a.m. the Sun departs from its daily nadir (in relation to the Earth) as it begins its ascent to the mid-heaven, which it reaches at Noon.
After the 1600s the Gregorian calendar was finally used throughout most of Europe and was adopted by what is now the east coast of America in the mid 1700's, before 1776, the recognized birth year of America. Greece and Russia avoided using it until the early 1900's. Japan formally implemented it in 1873, Korea in 1896, and China in 1912.

Note: Calendars in India: there are 21 different calendars in India used in different parts of India; read in detail: