THE EIGHT FACETS OF DIVINE PROSPERITY

Ashtalakhmi 

Ashtalakhmi refers to the eight revered forms of Goddess Lakshmi, each representing a unique aspect of prosperity, well-being and happiness. Together, they are worshipped to invoke a holistic sense of abundance, covering spiritual, material and intellectual prosperity. 

Adi Lakshmi: The primal form of Lakshmi represents eternal wealth, spiritual strength and the origin of all prosperity. 

Dhanya Lakshmi: She provides food, grains and nourishment, ensuring that devotees have enough to sustain their lives and the lives of others. 

Dhairya / Veer Lakshmi: The embodiment of courage, valour and strength, she grants fearlessness and resilience in overcoming challenges. 

Gaja Lakshmi: Symbolising royal power, abundance and fertility, she is often depicted with elephants. 

Santana Lakshmi: The bestower of progeny and protection of children is worshipped by those seeking blessings for family continuity and the welfare of their offspring. 

Vijaya Lakshmi: The Goddess of success and victory helps her devotees achieve triumph in their endeavours, be it in battles, competitions or day-to-day struggles. 

Vidya Lakshmi: She encourages intellectual growth, learning and education, crucial for personal and societal advancement.

Dhana Lakshmi: The Goddess of material wealth and prosperity is believed to bring abundance in terms of money and other valuable resources necessary for leading a comfortable life. 

STORY

The elephant that was captured twice 

There was a huge elephant who lived in the Vindhya Hills. He had enormous tusks that looked like the thunderbolts of heaven.

One day, the elephant was caught in an iron trap laid by an elephant catcher. The animal tried to break out of the trap for three days but failed. The elephant catcher watched him from a distance. In great suffering, the elephant opened his mouth wide and uttered a roar like thunder. Then, he exerted the force of his tusks and managed to break out of the trap. 

The hunter who was watching this from far away, climbed a tall palm tree. When the elephant passed under the tree, the hunter jumped down, aiming to land on its head. Unfortunately, he missed and landed on the ground near the elephant's feet. The elephant could have easily trodden over the hunter, but it thought that was not bravery to trample over a fallen enemy. It kindly spared the life of the hunter and made his way back into the forest. 

After the elephant had gone away, the hunter slowly got up from the ground. He was relieved to see himself alive and surprised to note that despite the fall from the palm tree, he was unhurt. He felt sorry that his attempt to capture the elephant had failed. He felt like a treasure seeker who had seen the treasure only to see it slip away from him. He decided to try again. He roamed the jungle and finally found the elephant resting under a shady tree. The hunter dug a circular ditch near that place. He covered it with green branches and leaves. 

One day, the elephant was roaming in the jungle when he came to the ditch. Due to the branches and leaves, he could not see it. As soon as he stepped on them, he fell headlong. The pit was deep, and the elephant was trapped. It remained trapped there till it died. 

The elephant died because it did not kill the cruel hunter the first time. If the elephant had put an end to him, it would not have fallen into the deep pit. However, at that time, the animal was happy just at the thought of getting back its freedom. It did not think about the root cause of the problem, the hunter, and did not do anything about him. 

The lesson for us is that when we make a mistake, we must learn from it and make sure the root cause is removed so that we don’t commit it again, as the proverb says, 'to stumble twice against the same stone is a disgrace'.

ILLUMINATING INNER SELF

Celebrating festival of lights - Diwali 

Though the festival of light is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains over their respective beliefs, Diwali generally commemorates the triumph of light over darkness or wisdom over ignorance. More than that, the festival symbolises dispelling of one's inner darkness and getting rid of negative thoughts. 

प्रसादे सर्वदु:खानां हानिरस्योपजायते|

प्रसन्नचेतसो ह्याशु बुद्धि: पर्यवतिष्ठते||

When a man attains peace, all sorrow and suffering caused by the unbalanced mind and rebellious senses come to an end. By peace and purity, the mind is soon fixed in the Self.

The above verse from the Bhagavad Gita explains that when the mind is freed from impure impulses, the aim of spiritual life is achieved. Just as in a clean mirror the reflection is perfectly clear, even so in the purified mind the Self shines forth in its own splendour and glory.

As the festival of light Diwali comes closer, we start “cleaning” every nook and cranny of of our house. 

But there’s one more aspect which we ignore. Physical cleaning is no doubt necessary, but cleansing your innerself is equally important because God resides only in pure sparkling hearts. Eliminating negative feelings, thoughts, and painful pasts brings joy, happiness, and enlightenment. Cluttered inner space creates feelings of burden and stress, similar to a cluttered house. We don’t even know what occupies that particular space until and unless we clean them both – ourselves and the house. So, Diwali is not just a festival of bursting crackers and decorating houses; it is a celebration of the divine within each individual. It is a time to reflect on one’s inner light and strive for spiritual growth. The rituals and traditions associated with Diwali help individuals connect with their spiritual selves and deepen their understanding.

In history, legends: 

Apart from the return of Lord Rama from 14-year-long Vanavas, Pandavas from 12-year exile, and Puja, there are several other legends and stories associated with the celebration of Diwali.

Here’s a look at a few of them.

Rebirth of Goddess Lakshmi: Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, holds a significant place in the celebrations of Diwali. According to the legend, there was a time when God Indra’s arrogance led Lakshmi to depart from the divine realm and take refuge in the milky ocean. Her absence plunged the world into darkness, and the gods were determined to bring her back. After churning the milky ocean (Samudra Manthan) for over thousand years, Goddess Lakshmi was eventually reborn. She emerged from the depths, seated gracefully on a magnificent lotus flower, once again bestowing her blessings of prosperity and good fortune upon the world.

Triumph over Narakasura: In the southern regions of India, the story of Lord Krishna’s triumph over demon king Narakasura has a special place in the celebrations of Diwali. Narakasura had a blessing from Lord Brahma that he could only be vanquished by the hand of his mother. Narakasura was born from earth. However, Narakasura was very sure that she would never harm him. Interestingly, his mother was reborn as Krishna’s wife, Satyabhama (incarnation of bhoodevi i.e. prithvi). When Narakasura severely injured Krishna during a battle, Satyabhama ultimately dealt the fatal blow to Narakasura. In his final moments, Narakasura requested a boon from Satyabhama that everyone should celebrate his death with colourful lights. Thus, this day is celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi - the beginning day of Diwali.

Mahavira’s Nirvana: While the previous legends come from Hindu mythology, Jains have their own reason to celebrate Diwali. Lord Mahavira, a contemporary of Gautama Buddha, reached enlightenment at the time of Diwali in the 6th century BCE, around the time of the first historical records of the festival’s observation. His achievement of nirvana serves as the primary reason why Jains celebrate Diwali.

Guru Hargobind’s release from prison: Sikhs also hold their own version of Diwali known as Bandi Chhor Divas. InSikhism, on this date, the sixteenth Guru, Guru Hargobind was released from the imprisonment of the Mughal king, Jehangir. It is also a time of year during which all Sikhs traditionally gather to receive guru blessings and has been observed as a Sikh festival since the 16th-century.

MOTHER-IN-LAW'S TONGUE

 Snake plant 🪴

Snake plant, also known as Dracaena trifasciata or Mother-in-law's Tongue, is one of the easiest plants to care for, and is great for homes and offices alike. Beyond its low-maintenance nature, it's also celebrated for its air-purifying abilities, bringing both beauty and health benefits to any space.

● Light and watering needs: Snake plants thrive in low to medium light, making them perfect for dim corners or spaces with limited sunlight. That said, avoid total darkness - no plant enjoys that! Overwatering is a common problem, as their roots are prone to rot. The key is to water sparingly, letting the soil dry out between waterings.

Depending on the climate, watering every two-four weeks is usually enough.

● Soil and fertiliser: A succulent-type soil mix works best for snake plants, as it provides good drainage and helps prevent soggy roots. These plants aren't heavy feeders and only need a little fertiliser once or twice a year, preferably during their growing season (spring to summer). A diluted liquid fertiliser is ideal.

Temperature considerations: They prefer moderate temperatures, flourishing between 15-30°C.

They're great for indoor environments but should be kept away from cold drafts.

● Common issues: If you notice yellowing or soggy leaves, it's likely due to overwatering. Make sure your pot has proper drainage, and cut back on watering to prevent root rot.

● Propagation tips: Simply cut a healthy leaf into 5-6 inch segments and plant the lower end 3-4 cm deep in soil.

After a week, water the soil, and continue watering just once a month. New roots should begin to form in one or two months.

Super tip: This plant's tolerance for low light makes it a great option for dark hallways or even bathrooms, where other plants might struggle.

Its adaptability and resilience make it a musthave for any indoor garden!

DO YOU KNOW

What is done with retired ships?

Like all machines, ships too become old and have to be retired from service. So what happens to a vessel after it has finished serving its employers?

Ships go through a process called ship-breaking. In this process, ships are disposed off by breaking down for either a source of parts, which can be sold for re-use, or the extraction of raw materials, chiefly scrap. The steel from the ship can be recycled for use in the manufacturing of new products which lowers the demand for mined iron ore and reduces energy use in the steelmaking process. Many other fittings can also be reused. 

At present, the Alang Ship Breaking Yard in Gujarat is one of the largest ship-breaking yards in the world. It has claimed to have scrapped more than half the ships of the world. 

Established in 1982-83, in the Gulf of Khambhat, in Gujarat, it consists of 153 ship-breaking yards spread over 14 kilometers along the coast and employs close to 40,000 people. Alang is currently equipped to recycle 400 to 450 ships a year. On an average it has been producing 3.5million tonnes of steel annually from recycling about 200 ships. 

Decommissioned ships are towed and beached at the shore which resembles a yard. They are then dismantled by the labourers almost manually, which is tedious and extremely hazardous, since the vessels generally carry explosive or inflammable materials like oil and gas. The bow or the front portion of the vessel is dismantled first. This provides ventilation within the vessel for dismantling the remaining hazardous parts. The materials are then sold as scrap. 

If the ship is not broken, it might be used for other purposes. Naval ships may be converted into museums or used for research. They may also be sunk as artificial reefs or as targets during naval exercises. 

JEWEL OF INDIA

"Ratan" Tata 

"I am not a person who believes in fate. I believe in hard work. "

Ratan Tata (1937 - 2024)

On October 9, 2024, Ratan Tata passed away at the age of 89, due to age related health issues in Mumbai. He was one of the most-known businessman in India. He was the former Chairman and the Chairman Emeritus of the Tata group. He was the most influential industrialist in the country and has left behind a legacy that has significantly shaped the landscape of Indian industry. Ratan Tata was an excellent leader and was known for his many acts of kindness. He helped a lot of people and had a great passion for animals. 

Who was Ratan Tata?

Ratan Tata was born on December 28, 1937, in Navsari, Gujarat to Soonoo and Naval Tata. However, he was brought up by his grandmother Navajbai R. Tata. He was born in a prominent and rich family. His great-grandfather was Jamsetji Tata, the founder of the Tata Group. 

After attending school in Bombay, Ratan Tata finished high school in New York City in 1955. He then studied at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, where he earned a B.S. (1962) in architecture before returning to India to work. 

Tata Group Leadership

 

Ratan Tata served as the Chairman of Tata Sons from 1991 to 2012 and 2016-2017. Under his leadership, the Tata Group expanded globally and diversified its business interests. Under his leadership, Tata Group also launched several successful projects, including the Tata Nano, which aimed to create an affordable car for the masses. 

He expanded the Tata Group by acquiring international companies like Jaguar Land Rover and Corus Steel. 

Giving back to society 

Ratan Tata believed in helping people and giving back to society. He has donated a lot of money to help schools, hospitals, poor people and communities. He loved animals and supported many animal welfare organisations. 

Awards

 

Ratan Tata has received numerous awards, including the Padma Bhushan in 2008 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2014, two of India’s highest civilian honours. 

Mentorship 

After retiring, he has been active in mentoring young entrepreneurs and investing in startups through Ratan Tata Trust and other initiatives. After his retirement in 2012, he played the role of an investor, mentor and guiding light for many startups. Some startups he invested in include Snapdeal, FirstCry, Ola and CureFit.

What can we learn from Ratan Tata?

There are many valuable life lessons we can learn from Ratan Tata. Here are a few lessons:

Humility: Despite his great success, Ratan Tata was known for being humble and down-to-earth. This teaches us to be grounded and respectful to everyone despite our success. 

Generosity and Giving Back: Ratan Tata has always given back to society through his numerous charitable initiatives. This shows us that true success means helping others and improving the world around us. 

Hard Work and Dedication: His success came from dedication and perseverance, showing us that effort pays off. 

Resilience: Ratan Tata also faced many challenging situations and setbacks in his career. This teaches us that we need to be determined and constantly persevere and understand that failures are a part of the journey to success. 

Integrity: Ratan Tata was well known for his honesty and strong moral values. This shows that it is always important to do the right thing, even when it's difficult. Always standing up for the right thing, ensures respect and success. 

DO YOU KNOW

How our hands work?

Our hands are complex feats of biological engineering.

The palm of the hand is made up of five bones called metacarpals. In between are the interossei muscles, and on each side of the palm are bulging muscle groups called the hypothenar (near the little finger) and the thenar (near the thumb). These work to cup the hand and to move the thumb in and out so that it can grip. The bones belonging to the fore and middle fingers don’t move much, but the ones connected to the little and ring fingers and the thumb are much more mobile.

The fingers themselves are made up of bones called phalanges – three for each finger and two for the thumb. They are connected to muscles in the forearm by tendons that run through the wrist. The flexor tendons run up on the underside through a space called the carpal tunnel – they bend the fingers. The extensor tendons come across the top of the wrist – they pull the fingers straight.

All of this movement is controlled by three nerves: the median, radial and ulnar. The median nerve supplies the thumb, the index and middle fingers, half of the ring finger and the palm of the hand. The ulnar feeds the other half of the ring finger and the little finger, and the radial looks after the thumb and the back of the hand.