NEVER LISTEN WITH A PREDETERMINED NOTION

A teacher teaching maths to seven-year-old Arnav asked him, "If i give you one apple and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have?"with in a few seconds Arnav replied confidently, " Four"!

The dismayed teacher was expecting an effortless correct answer (three). She was disappointed. ”Maybe the child did not listen properly,” she thought. She repeated, “Arnav, listen carefully.

If I give you one apple and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have?” Arnav had seen the disappointment on his teacher’s face. He calculated again on his fingers. But within him he was also searching for the answer that will make the teacher happy. His search for the answer was not for the correct one, but the one that will make his teacher happy. This time hesitatingly he replied, “Four…” The disappointment stayed on the teacher’s face.

She remembered that Arnav liked strawberries. She thought maybe he doesn’t like apples and that is making him loose focus. This time with an exaggerated excitement and twinkling in her eyes she asked, “If I give you one strawberry and one strawberry and one strawberry, then how many you will have?” Seeing the teacher happy, young Arnav calculated on his fingers again. There was no pressure on him, but a little on the teacher.

She wanted her new approach to succeed. With a hesitating smile young Arnav enquired, “Three?” The teacher now had a victorious smile. Her approach had succeeded. She wanted to congratulate herself. But one last thing remained.

Once again she asked him, “Now if I give you one apple and one apple and one more apple how many will you have?” Promptly Arnav answered, “Four!” The teacher was aghast. ”How Arnav, how?” she demanded in a little stern and irritated voice. In a voice that was low and hesitating young Arnav replied, “Because I already have one apple in my bag.”

“When someone gives you an answer that is different from what you expect don’t think they are wrong. There maybe an angle that you have not understood at all. You will have to listen and understand, but never listen with a predetermined notion.”

WHY WOMEN CRY?

A little boy asked his mother, “Why are you crying?”“Because I need to” she said.“I don’t understand,” he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, “And you never will.” Later the little boy asked his father, “Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?” “All women cry for no reason,” his dad answered carelessly.

The little boy, still wondering why women cry, finally asked the old wise scholar). “He surely knows the answer”, he thought. “Ya Scholar! Why do women cry so easily?”

The Scholar answered: “When God made the woman she had to be made so special. He made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort. He gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that comes from her children. He gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining. He gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child hurts her very badly. He gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from him to protect his heart. He gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly.

And lastly, He gave her a tear. This is hers and only hers exclusively to use whenever she needs it. She needs no reason, no explanation, its hers.”

“You see my son, the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the beauty of her face, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart – the place where love resides.”

The little boy got the answer and never asked the question again

BODY AND MIND

Once there was a rebel sufi sage. He was known for his love for freedom.
He used to go around the country singing songs of rebellion.
So the Caliph arrested him and put him in the shackles, from his neck
downward,but no one could prevent him from singing songs of freedom
After many days, the Caliph thought of meeting the sage in prison.
So he visited him and asked whether he had any trouble.
The sage said, “What troubles? I am utterly happy as I am a royal guest,
Your guest; how can troubles even touch me? I used to live in a hut but now you have put me in a palace. Thank you!”
The Caliph was amazed hearing such words. He said, “Are you joking?”
The sage said, “I can say so as I have turned life itself into a joke.”
The Caliph asked him a straight question,
“Are the chains on your hands and feet heavy and painful?”
The Sufi glanced at his chains and said, “These chains are far away from me; there is a greater distance between the chains and me.
Don’t be under the illusion that you have imprisoned me, it is my body, which you have imprisoned, not my freedom.
You cannot turn freedom into prison, because I know how to turn prison into freedom.”

VASANT PANCHAMI (SARASWATHI DEVI BIRTHDAY)

Today is “VASANT PANCHAMI”, Goddess Saraswathi Devi’s birthday.

Vasant Panchami is the festival dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning. (Deepavali is dedicated to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, and Navaratri Durga is dedicated primarily to Kali, goddess of strength, might and power.)

Vasant means, "the spring season". This is the great spring festival, falling on the fifth day of the month of Magh, the first day of spring. It is a season of inspiration and passion.

Saraswati is the consort of Lord Brahma and is the Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge. She is the personification of knowledge - arts, science and crafts. She represents Shakti, creativity and inspiration and presents herself when the weather is complacent and Nature is in its full grandeur.

Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and arts, represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. She is the mother of the Vedas and chants to her, called the 'Saraswati Vandana' often begin and end Vedic lessons.

It is believed that goddess Saraswati endows human beings with the powers of speech, wisdom and learning. She has four hands representing four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness and ego. She has sacred scriptures in one hand and a lotus – the symbol of true knowledge – in the second.

The image of Goddess Saraswati depicts her sitting on a vehicle that symbolizes her supreme power. The white swan of Saraswati symbolizes Satwa Guna (purity and discrimination), the lotus of Lakshmi the Rajas Guna and the tiger of Durga the Tamas Guna. Saraswati is shown possessing four hands and plays "Veena", an Indian string musical instrument.
Magh Sud 5 (5th day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magh) is the day of Vasant Panchami. Hindus all over the world celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm. This Panchami is also known as Saraswati Day. It is believed that this day is Saraswati’s birthday. Hindu temples are full of activities on this day.

Yellow colour is given special importance on this day. On Vasant Panchami, Saraswati is dressed in yellow garments and worshipped (with flowers etc.). Men and women try to wear yellow clothes on this day. Sweet meals of yellowish hues are exchanged with relations and friends.

On this day everyone wears a yellow cloth. It represents the ripening of the spring crops. Even the food is coloured yellow by using saffron. Spiritually, the yellow colour is a sign of prosperity; it is the colour of love.

On this day we offer special worship to the sun god, to Mother Ganga (the deity of the sacred river Ganges), and Mother Earth. They provide us the means of acquiring food and all that we need to keep alive. We express our gratitude to them by worshipping them. Hindus are ever mindful of the debt they owe to all nature. Worship of nature is extremely important to them.

Children are taught their first words on this day (as an auspicious beginning to learning). Schools, colleges etc., (places of learning) organise special worship of Saraswati. Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya laid the foundations of Kashi Hindu Vishwa Vidyalaya on Vasant Panchami. This has become a world famous top class academic institution.

The following prayer is recited on this day:

Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa shubhravastraavritha
Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara, Yaa shwetha padmaasana
Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha
Saa Maam Paatu Saraswatee Bhagavatee Nihshesha jaadyaapahaa

English Translation: "May Goddess Saraswati, who is fair like the jasmine-colored moon, and whose pure white garland is like frosty dew drops; who is adorned in radiant white attire, on whose beautiful arm rests the veena, and whose throne is a white lotus; who is surrounded and respected by the Gods, protect me. May you fully remove my lethargy, sluggishness, and ignorance."

10 TIPS FOR RAISING MORAL CHILDREN

1. Commit to Raising A Moral Child
How important is it for you to raise a moral child? It’s a crucial question to ask, because research finds that parents who feel strongly about their kids turning out morally usually succeed because they committed themselves to that effort. If you really want to raise a moral child, then make a personal commitment to raise one.

2. Be a Strong Moral Example
Parents are their children’s first and most powerful moral teachers, so make sure the moral behaviors your kids are picking up from you are ones that you want them to copy. Try to make your life a living example of good moral behavior for your child to see. Each day ask yourself: “If my child had only my behavior to watch, what example would he/she catch?” The answer is often quite telling.

3. Know Your Beliefs & Share Them
Before you can raise a moral child, you must be clear about what you believe in. Take time to think through your values then share them regularly with your child explaining why you feel the way you do. After all, your child will be hearing endless messages that counter your beliefs, so it’s essential that he/she hears about your moral standards. TV shows, movies, newspapers, and literature are filled with moral issues, so use them as opportunities to discuss your beliefs with your child.

4. Use Teachable Moments
The best teaching moments aren’t ones that are planned—they happen unexpectedly. Look for moral issues to talk about as they come up. Take advantage of those moments because they help your child develop solid moral beliefs that will help guide his behavior the rest of his life.

5. Use Discipline as a Moral Lesson
Effective discipline ensures that the child not only recognizes why her behavior was wrong but also knows what to do to make it right next time. Using the right kind of questions helps kids expand their ability to take another person’s perspective and understand the consequences of their behavior. So help your child reflect: “Was that the right thing to do? What should I do next time?” That way your child learns from his mistakes and grows morally. Remember your ultimate goal is to wean your child from your guidance so he or she acts right on his or her own.

6. Expect Moral Behavior
Studies are very clear: kids who act morally have parents who expect them to do so. It sets a standard for your child’s conduct and also lets her know in no uncertain terms what you value. Post your moral standards at home then consistently reinforce them until your child internalizes them so they become his or her rules, too.

7. Reflect on the Behaviors’ Effects
Researchers tell us one of the best moral-building practices is to point out the impact of the child’s behavior on the other person. Doing so enhances a child’s moral growth: (“See, you made her cry”) or highlight the victim’s feeling (“Now he feels bad”). The trick is to help the child really imagine what it would be like to be in the victim’s place so he or she will be more sensitive to how his or her behavior impacts others.

8. Reinforce Moral Behaviors One of the simplest ways to help kids learn new behaviors is to reinforce them as they happen. So purposely catch your child acting morally and acknowledge his or her good behavior by describing what he or she did right and why you appreciate it.

9. Prioritize Morals Daily
Kids don’t learn how to be moral from reading about it in textbooks but from doing good deeds. Encourage your child to lend a hand to make a difference in his world, and always help him or her recognize the positive effect the gesture had on the recipient. The real goal is for kids to become less and less dependent on adult guidance by incorporating moral principles into their daily lives and making them their own. That can happen only if parents emphasize the importance of the virtues over and over and their kids repeatedly practice those moral behaviors.

10. Incorporate the Golden Rule
Teach your child the Golden Rule that has guided many civilizations for centuries, “Treat others as you want to be treated.” Remind him or her to ask himself before acting, Would I want someone to treat me like that? It helps him or her think about his behavior and its consequences on others. Make the rule become your family’s over-arching moral principal

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA JAYANTHI JAN 12

Swami Vivekananda Jayanti celebrates the birthday of Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vivekananda's birthday falls on the Paush Krishna Saptami, the 7th day after the full moon day in the Hindu month of Paush. Therefore the date varies from year to year. In 2010, the date of the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda is on January 6 as per traditional Hindu calendar.

According to the English calendar or the generally used Indian Calendar, Swami Vivekananda was born on January 12, 1863. Numerous programs are organized in India and in several countries around the world on the day.

Saints of Sanatana Dharma never sought blind followers. Their sole aim was to initiate a discussion on a particular topic. They wanted each individual to arrive at a conclusion through a healthy debate and contemplation. They wanted each individual to realize his/her potential. Swami Vivekananda was one such modern saint who kindled the passion of search for knowledge in the mind of people.

The ideal way or remember or honor a saint is by understanding his/her teachings. Swami Vivekananda has given his valuable thoughts on several topics. It is for us to pick up these pearls of wisdom and contemplate apply it in our daily life. This can be done not just on his birthday but on all days of the year. ( COLLECTED FROM HINDU BLOG).

Swami Vivekananda Quotes

Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If you cannot, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way.

You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself.

When we really begin to live in the world, then we understand what is meant by brotherhood or mankind, and not before.

External nature is only internal nature writ large.

The world is the great gymnasium where we come to make ourselves strong.

Feel like Christ and you will be a Christ; feel like Buddha and you will be a Buddha. It is feeling that is the life, the strength, the vitality, without which no amount of intellectual activity can reach God.

The will is not free - it is a phenomenon bound by cause and effect - but there is something behind the will which is free.

The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be purified, and God will be in them.

There is nothing beyond God, and the sense enjoyments are simply something through which we are passing now in the hope of getting better things.

The moment I have realized God sitting in the temple of every human body, the moment I stand in reverence before every human being and see God in him -- that moment I am free from bondage, everything that binds vanishes, and I am free.

Our duty is to encourage every one in his struggle to live up to his own highest idea, and strive at the same time to make the ideal as near as possible to the Truth.

That man has reached immortality who is disturbed by nothing material.

You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.

The goal of mankind is knowledge.Now this knowledge is inherent in man. No knowledge comes from outside: it is all inside. What we say a man "knows," should, in strict psychological language, be what he "discovers" or "unveils"; what man "learns" is really what he discovers by taking the cover off his own soul, which is a mine of infinite knowledge.

If money help a man to do good to others, it is of some value; but if not, it is simply a mass of evil, and the sooner it is got rid of, the better.

All differences in this world are of degree, and not of kind, because oneness is the secret of everything.

To devote your life to the good of all and to the happiness of all is religion. Whatever you do for your own sake is not religion.

The greatest religion is to be true to your own nature. Have faith in yourselves!

The spirit is the cause of all our thoughts and body-action, and everything, but it is untouched by good or evil, pleasure or pain, heat of cold, and all the dualism of nature, although it lends its light to everything.

It is our own mental attitude which makes the world what it is for us. Our thought make things beautiful, our thoughts make things ugly. The whole world is in our own minds. Learn to see things in the proper light. First, believe in this world -- that there is meaning behind everything. Everything in the world is good, is holy and beautiful. If you see something evil, think that you are not understanding it in the right light. throw the burden on yourselves!
In one word, this ideal is that you are divine.

All the powers in the universe are already ours. It is we who have put our hands before our eyes and cry that it is dark.

THIRUPPAVAI ( 21 TO 30) WITH MEANING

21st Pasuram
Etra kalangal edhir pongi meedhalippa
Maatraadhe paal soriyum vallal perum pasukkal
Aatra padaiththaan magane arivuraay
Ootram udaiyaay periyaay ulaginil
Thotramaay ninra sudare thuyil ezhaay
Maatraar unakku vali tholaindhu un vaasar kan
Aatraadhu vandhu un adi paniyumaa pole
Potriyaam vandhom pugazhndhelor embaavaay
MEANING:-
Oh son of him, Who owned several cows, Which gave so much milk, That always the milking vessel got overflowed, Please wake up. Oh Lord, who is full of mercy, Oh Lord, who is better than the best, Oh lord, who is the light that began the world, Please wake up. Like your flock of defeated enemies, Falling at your feet in surrender, We came praising you, So that we get fame, And worship our Goddess Pavai.

22nd Pasuram
Am kan maa nyaalaththu arasar abimaana
Pangamaay vandhu nin palli kattir keezhe
Sangam iruppaar pol vandhu thalaippeydhom
Kingini vaay cheydha thaamarai poo pole
Sengan chiru chiridhe emmel vizhiyaavo
Thingalum aadhiththanum ezhundhaar pol
Am kan irandum kondu engal mel nokkudhiyel
Engal mel saabam izhindhelor embaavaay
MEANING:-
Like all the famous kings Of the wide World, that is pretty, Have crowded near your cot, After surrendering their ego, We also have come near. Will not the sight , Of your red eyes which is like the lotus Fall little by little on us? If you see us using those eyes, Which are like sun and the moon, All the curse on us will vanish, And we can worship our Goddess Pavai

23rd Pasuram
Maari malai muzhainchil manni kidandhu urangum
Seeriya singam arivutru thee vizhiththu
Veri mayir ponga eppaadum perndhu udhari
Moori nimirndhu muzhangi purappattu
Podharumaa pole nee poovaippoo vannaa un
Koyil ninru ingngane pondharuli koppudaiya
Seeriya singaasanaththu irundhu yaam vandha
Kaariyam aaraayndhu arulelor embaavaay
MEANING:-
Like the majestic lion wakes up with ire, From the mountain cave in the rainy season, Looks with fiery sight, And with deep angry sweat from all the hairs, Turns up its head with awe, And comes out making lots of din, Hey Lord , who is the colour of the blue lotus, Come from your temple to here, And sit on the majestic royal throne, And hear with compassion, For why we have come here, And help us to worship our Goddess Pavai.

24thPasuram
Anru iv ulagam alandhaay adi potri
Senrangu then ilangai setraay thiral potri
Ponra chakatam udhaiththaay pugazh potri
Kanru kunil aaverindhaay kazhal potri
Kunru kudaiyaay eduththaay gunam potri
Venru pagai kedukkum nin kaiyil vel potri
Enrenrum un sevagame eththi parai kolvaan
Inru yaam vandhom irangelor embaavaay
MEANING:-
We worship your feet which measured the world then, We worship your fame of winning over the king of Southern Lanka, We worship thine valour in breaking the ogre who came like a cart, We worship thy strength which threw the calf on the tree, We worship thine goodness in making the mountain as an umbrella , And we worship the great spear in your hand which led to your victory, We have come hear to sing always for ever your praises, And get as gift the drums to sing, And worship our Goddess Pavai.

25th Pasuram
Oruththi maganaay pirandhu or iravil
Oruththi maganaay oliththu valara
Tharikkilaan aagi thaan theengu ninaindha
Karuththai pizhaippiththu kanchan vayitril
Neruppenna ninra nedumaale!, unnai
Aruththiththu vandhom parai tharudhiyaagil
Thiruththakka selvamum sevagamum yaam paadi
Varuththamum theerndhu magizhndhelor embaavaay
MEANING:-
Being born to woman, And in the same night in hiding . You became the son of another, But this he could not tolerate, And wanted to cause more harm to you, And you great one , became , The fire in the stomach of that Kamsa , We have come here with desire for a drum, And if you give the drum to us, We would sing about thine great fame and wealth, And would end our sorrows and become happy, And worship our Goddess Pavai.

26th Pasuram
Maale! Manivannaa! Maargazhi neeraaduvaan
Melaiyaar seyvanagal venduvana kettiyel
Nyaalaththai ellaam nadunga muralvana
Paal anna vannaththu un paancha sanniyame
Polvana sankangal poy paadudaiyanave
Saala perum paraiye pallaandu isaippaare
Kola vilakke kodiye vidhaaname
Aalin ilaiyaay arulelor embaavaay
MEANING:-
Oh lord Vishnu , Oh lord who is like the blue sapphire, If you ask us what we need , In your great grace and great deeds, For our holy bath of Marghazhi, We will ask for very many conches Like the milk white conch of yours called Pancha Janya, Very many big drums whose sound can be heard everywhere, Several musicians of fame to sing “Pallandu ” Several beautiful pretty lamps, Several flags and cloths to make tents, Oh , He who sleeps on a banyan leaf at time of deluge, Please give us them all, So that we worship our Goddess Pavai.

27th Pasuram
Koodaarai vellum seer govindhaa undhannai
Paadi parai kondu yaam perum sammaanam
Naadu pugazhum parisinaal nanraaga
Choodagame thol valaiye thode sevip poove
Paadagame enranaiya palagalanum yaam anivom
Aadai uduppom adhan pinne paar choru
Mooda ney peydhu muzhangai vazhi vaara
Koodi irundhu kulirndhelor embaavaay
MEANING:-
Hey Lord Govinda, who is known for victory over enemies, After singing you we will get drums and many gifts, And after being praised by all the people, Wear we will the golden flower on our hair, Wear we will golden bracelets, Wear we will golden ear studs, Wear we would then the golden flowers on the ear, Wear we will ornaments on the legs, Wear we will pretty new dresses, Eat we will rice mixed with milk, Covering the rice fully with ghee, And with the ghee dripping from our forehands, We will be together and be happy, And worship our Goddess Pavai.

28th Pasuram
Karavaigal pin senru kaanam serndhu unbom
Arivu onrum illaadha aay kulaththu undhannai
Piravi perundhanai punniyam yaam udaiyom
Kurai onrum illaadha govindhaa undhannodu
Uravel namakku ingu ozhikka ozhiyaadhu
Ariyaadha pillaigalom anbinaal undhannai
Siru per azhaiththanamum seeri arulaadhe
Iraivaa nee thaaraay paraiyelor embaavaay
MEANING:-
Belonging to the ignorant family of cow herds, Drive we would the cattle to the forest, And there we would all eat together, But We are blessed that you are one of us.. Oh Govinda who does not have any short comings. None can ever break the ties that we have with you,Oh Lord, We are but ignorant girls, who do not know the world, And in ignorance and love we have called you by name. So please be not be angry on us, And please give us drums, Oh Lord, So that we can worship our Goddess Pavai.

29th Pasuram
Sitham siru kaale vandhu unnai seviththu un
Potraamarai adiye potrum porul kelaay
Petram meyththu unnum kulaththil pirandhu nee
Kutru Eval engalai kollaamal pogaadhu
Itrai parai kolvaan anru kaan govindhaa
Etraikkum Ezh Ezh piravikkum un thannodu
Utrome aavom unakke naam aatcheyvom
Matrai nam kaamangal maatrelor embaavaay
MEANING:-
Please hear why, In this very early dawn, We have come to worship, Your golden holy feet. You were born in our family of cow herds, And we are but there to obey your every wish, And not come to get only the drums from you,Oh Govinda. For ever and for several umpteen births, We would be only related to you, And we would be thine slaves, And so please remove all our other desires, And help us to worship Goddess Pavai.

30th Pasuram
Vanga kadal kadaindha maadhavanai kesavanai
Thingal thirumugaththu sey izhaiyaar senru irainchi
Anga parai konda aatrai ani pudhuvai
Painkamala than theriyal battar piraan kodhai-
Sanga thamizh maalai muppadhum thappaame sonna
Ingu ipparisuraippaar eerirandu maal varai thol
Sengan thirumugaththu chelva thirumaalaal
Engum thiruvarul petru inburuvar embaavaay.
MEANING:-
He who sings with out error, The thirty odes in sweet Tamil, Of the story of how the rich ladies , With faces like moon, Who worshipped and requested, The Madhava who is also Lord Kesava, Who churned the ocean of milk, For getting a drum to worship Goddess Pavai, As sung by Kodhai who is the dear daughter, Of Vishnu Chitta the bhattar, From the beautiful city of Puduvai, Will be happy and get the grace, Of our Lord Vishnu with merciful pretty eyes. And four mountain like shoulders, for ever.

THIRUPPAVAI( 11TO 20 WITH MEANING)

11th Pasuram
Kathu karavai kanangal pala karandhu
sethaar thiralazhi yachenru seru cheyyum
kutram onrilaadha kovalardham porkodiye
putha raval gul punamayile podharaai
suthaththu thozhimaar ellaarum vandhu nin
mutram pugundhu mugil vannan per paada
sitraadhe pesaadhe selva pendaatti nee
etrukku urangum porulelor embaavaay
MEANING:-
Oh daughter of the cattle baron, Who milks herds of cows, And wages war on enemies And makes his enemies loose their strength, Oh Golden tendril, Oh lass who has the mount of venus, Like the hood of the snake, Wake up and come, When your flock of friends, Have come to your courtyard, And sing of Krishna , Who has the colour of the cloud, Oh rich , rich lady, How can you neither move nor talk, And lie in deep trance, And not worship our Goddess pavai.

12th Pasuram
Kanaiththu ilam katrerumai kanrukku irangi
ninaiththu mulai vazhiye ninru paal sora
nanaiththu illam seraakkum nar chelvan thangaay
panith thalai veezha nin vaasar kadai patri
chinaththinaal then ilangai komaanai chetra
manaththukku iniyaanai paadavum nee vaay thiravaay
iniththaan ezhundhiraay eedhenna per urakkam
anaiththu illaththaarum arindhelor embaavaay
MEANING:-
Hey, sister of the rich one , who owned, The mooing she buffalo with a calf , Which took pity on the calf, And gave out plenty, Of milk to it through its udder, And made his courtyard slushy with milk, We are assembled in thine yard, In the dripping fog, And sing about Him, Who killed in anger the king of Southern Lanka , And who is very dear one, But open your mouth, you don’t.. At least wake up now, Why this very deep slumber, For people of all houses around, Have already become alert And are ready to worship our Goddess Pavai.

13th Pasuram
Pullin vaay keendaanai pollaa arakkanai
Killi kalaindhaanai keerththi mai paadi poy
Pillaigal ellaarum paavai kalambukkaar
Velli ezhundhu viyaazham urangitru
Pullum silambina kaan podhari kanninaay
Kulla kulira kudaindhu neeraadaadhe
Palli kidaththiyo! Paavaay! Nee nan naalaal
Kallam thavirndhu kalandhelor embaavaay.
MEANING:-
The lasses have reached, The place of prayer for Pavai, Singing the fame of our Lord. Who killed the ogre who came like a stork. And who cut off the heads of the bad ogre , One by one. The nevus has risen in the morn, The Jupiter has vanished from the sky, The birds are making lot of sound, Of beautiful one with wide eyes red as a flower. Without taking bath by dipping again and again, In ice cold water, Would you prefer to sleep. Oh lass, On this holy day, Do not stay aside, And come to bathe with us. And worship our Goddess Pavai.

14th Pasuram
Ungal puzhakkadai thottaththu vaaviyul
Sengazhuneer vaay negizhndhu aambal vaay koombina kaan
Sengar podi koorai venbal thavaththavar
Thangal thirukkoyil sangiduvaan podhanraar
Engalai munnam ezhuppuvaan vaaypesum
Nangaay ezhundhiraay naanaadhaay naavudaiyaay
Sangodu chakkaram endhum thadakkaiyan
Pangaya kannaanai paadelor embaavaay.
MEANING:-
In the pond in the backyard of your house. The lily in the ponds have opened, The night flowers have closed, The white toothed sages, Who wear clothes as red as, The powder of brick, Are going to their temples. To sound the conch. You who promised to wake us up, Please wake up, Are you not ashamed, You chatter box, Let us all sing about the lotus eyed one, Who has a holy conch and wheel , In his hands, And worship our Goddess Pavai.

15th Pasuram
Elle ilam kiliye innam urangudhiyo
chil enru azhaiyen min nangaiyeer podharuginren
vallai un katturaigal pande un vaay aridhum
valleergal neengale naane thaan aayiduga
ollai nee podhaay unakkenna verudaiyai
ellaarum pondhaaro pondhaar pondhu ennikkol
val aanai konraanai maatraarai maatrazhikka
vallaanai maayanai paadelor embaavaay
MEANING:-
“Hey, little bird, Are you still sleeping? ” “Don’t disturb my sleep , Lasses, I will just come”. “You are good in your speech, we know what you mean.” “You be good, but leave me alone” “Come quickly, why is it different for you?” “Have every one gone?” “Gone, think they have gone” “Please wake up and sing, Of he who killed the big elephant , Of him who can remove enmity from enemies, And of him who is the holy enchanter, And worship our Goddess Pavai.”

16th Pasuram
Naayaganaay ninra nandhagopan udaiya
koyil kaappaane! kodi thonrum thorana
vaayil kaappaane! mani kadhavam thaal thiravaay
aayar sirumiyaromukku arai parai
maayan mani vannan nennale vaay nerndhaan
thooyomaay vandhom thuyil ezha paaduvaan
vaayaal munnam munnam maatraadhe ammaa! nee
neya nilai kadhavam neekkelor embaavaay
MEANING:-
Hey , He who guards the palace of Nanda Gopa , Hey, who guards the ornamental door with flags, Please be kind to open the door with bells, For yesterday the enchanter Kannan , Has promised to give beating drums, To us the girls from the houses of cow herds. We have come after purification, To wake Him up with song, So do not talk of this and that, Hey dear man, And open the door with closed latches, So that we can worship our Goddess Pavai.

17th Pasuram
Emberumaan nandhagopaalaa ezhundhiraay
kombanaarkku ellaam kozhundhe kula vilakke
emberumaatti yasodhaay arivuraay
ambaram ooda aruththu ongi ulagu alandha
umbar komaane urangaadhu ezhundhiraay
sem por kazhaladi chelvaa baladhevaa
umbiyum neeyun urangelor embaavaay.
MEANING:-
Hey Nandagopa , who does good deeds and charity, Who gives water, cloth and food to others, Pleas wake up. Our lady Yasodha, who is the light of the homes of cow herds, She who is dear to all the ladies, Please wake up. Hey, Krishna who is the king of Gods, Who went up tearing th sky. Please wake up, and do not sleep.Hey Baladeva , who wears pure golden anklets, Please wake up along with your brother, So we can worship our Goddess Pavai.

18th Pasuram
Undhu madha kalitran odaadha thol valiyan
nandhagopan marumagale nappinnaay
kandham kamazhum kuzhali kadai thiravaay
vandhu engum kozhi azhaiththana kaan maadhavi
pandhal mel pal kaal kuyilinangal koovina kaan
pandhu aar virali un maiththunan per paada
chendhaamarai kaiyaal seeraar valai olippa
vandhu thiravaay magizhndhelor embaavaay.
MEANING:-
Hey , Who is the fair daughter in law, Of Nanda gopa , who has several elephants, And who is a great hero who never ran away from his enemies, Hey Lady Nappinnai ,who has hair surrounded by holy scent, Please be kind to open the door. The cocks are everywhere waking us up, The koels flock on the jasmine Pandals, And coo so that we all wake up, Hey Lady who happily plays ball, To help us sing your Lords fame, With your hands with tingling bangles, Please open the door with happiness, So that we can worship our Goddess Pavai.

19th Pasuram
Kuththu vilakkeriya kottu kaal kattil mel
Meththenra pancha sayanaththin mel eri
Koththalar poonguzhal nappinai kongai mel
Vaiththu kidandha malar maarbaa vaay thiravaay
Mai thadam kanninaay nee un manaalanai
Eththanai podhum thuyilezha ottaay kaan
Eththanaiyelum pirivu aatragillaayaal
Thaththuvam anru thagavelor embaavaay
MEANING:-
In the light of the oil lamp, On the ornamental four legged ivory cot, On the soft bed filled with cotton, Reclining on the busts of Nappinnai , You sleep, Oh he who has a flower like heart, Please open your mouth . She who has , wide black eyes with collyrium. We know that you will never allow him to wake up, For you can never bear to be away from Him, This is not that good, And cannot be accepted by us. Please allow us to worship our Goddess Pavai.

20th Pasuram
Muppaththu moovar amararkku mun senru
Kappam thavirkkum kaliye thuyil ezhaay
Seppam udaiyaay thiral udaiyaay setraarkku
Veppam kodukkum vimalaa thuyil ezhaay
Seppenna men mulai chevvaay chiru marungul
Nappinnai nangaay thiruve thuyil ezhaay
Ukkamum thattoliyum thandhu un manaalanai
Ippodhe emmai neeraattelor embaavaay
MEANING:-
Please wake up Oh, Lord, Who removed sorrow and fear, From the thirty three sections of Devas , Even before they approached you, Oh Lord, Who is glittering like gold, Oh Lord, who has inimitable valour, Please wake up, Oh Lady Nappinnai, Who has desirable busts like golden pots. Who has little red mouth, And who has thin narrow hips, Please wake up, Oh Goddess of wealth. Please give mirror and fan, Just now to your consort, And allow us to take bath, And thus worship our Goddess Pavai.

THIRUPPAVAI(1 TO 10 WITH MEANING)

1st pasuram
Margazhi-th thingal madhi niraindha nannaalaal
neeraada podhuveer podhumino nerizh-aiyeer
seer malgum aayppaadi selva chirumeergaal
kooervel kodum thozhilam nandhagopan kumaran
er aarndha kanni yasodhai ilam singam
kaar meni-ch-chengan kadhir madhiyam pol mukath thaan
naraayanane namakke parai tharuvaan
paaror pugazha-p-padindul-el or empaavaai
MEANING:-
In this month of Marghazhi , On this day filled with the light of moon, Come for bathing, Oh ladies who are richly dressed, And Oh ladies in rich homes of cowherds, For he with the sharp spear, He who kills his enemies without mercy, He who is the son of Nanda gopa , He who is the darling son of Yasodha , Who wore scented flower garlands, He who is a lion cub, He who is pretty in black colour, He who has small red eyes, He who has a face like the well-lit moon, And He, who is our Lord Narayana , Is going to give us big drums, So that we bathe and worship Our Goddess Pavai, In a way that the whole world sings about.

2nd Pasuram
Vaiyathu vaazhveerkaaal naamum nampaavaikku
cheyyum kirisaigal keleero paar-k-kadalul
payya-th-thuyinra parama adi paadi
ney-yunnom paalunnom naatkaale neeraadi
mai-ittu ezhuthom mala rittu naam mudiyom
seyyaadana seyyom thee kuralai senrodhom
aiyamum pichchayyum aanthanayyum kaikaatti
uyyumaaru enni uganthu- el or empaavaay.
Meaning:-
Oh, people of this world, Be pleased to hear of those penances, That we daily do for the worship of Pavai, We will sing of those holy feet, Of Him who sleeps in the ocean of milk , We will not take the very tasty ghee, We will avoid the health giving milk, We will daily bathe before the dawn, We will not wear any collyrium to the eye, We will not tie flowers in our hair, We will not do Any act that is banned, We will not talk ill of any to any one else, We will give alms and do charity, As much as we can, And do all those acts to make others free of sorrow, And worship our Goddess Pavai.

3rd pasuram

Oongi ulagalandha uththaman per paadi
naangal nam paavaikku chaatri neeraadinaal
theenginri naadellaam thingal mum maari peydhu
ongu peru sennal oodu kayal ugala
poomkuvalai podhil pori vandu kan paduppa
thengaadhe pukkirundhu seerththa mulai patri
vaanga-k-kudam niraikkum vallal perum pasukkal
neengaadha selvam niraindhelor embaavaay
Meaning:-
If we sing the praise of Him, Who grew big and measured the world , And worship our Goddess Pavai , Then would there be at least three rains a month, And the red paddy plants would grow big, And in their fields would the fish swim and play , And the spotted bees after sipping honey, To their hearts content , Would sleep in the flower themselves After having their fill, And the cows with big udder Would fill milk pots to the brim, And healthy cows and never diminishing wealth, Would fill the country, And all this I assure by worship of our Goddess Pavai.

4th Pasuram
aazhi mazhai kannaa onrum nee kai karavel
aazhi ul pukku mugandhu kodu aarthu eri
oozhi mudhalvan uruvam pol mei karuththu
paazhiy am tholudai padmanaabhan kaiyil
aazhi pol minni valampuri pol minru adhirndhu
thaazhaade saarngaam udhaitha sara mazhai pol
vaazha ulaginil peydhidaai naangalum
maargazhi neeraada magizhndu-el or em paavaai
MEANING:-
Please obey our wishes, Oh rain God who comes from the sea, Enter the sea, please, and bring water to your fill, And with zest and sound take it up, And like the God of the deluge become black, And shine like the holy wheel in the hands , Of The God Padmanabha who has powerful biceps, And make booming pleasing sounds, Like the right spiraled conch, And rain with out stop like the arrow storm, From Saranga the bow of Vishnu and descend on us, To make this world happy, And to help us take bath in month of Margahzhi, And worship our goddess Pavai.

5th Pasuram
Maayanai mannu vada madhurai maindhanai
thuoyao peruneer yamunai-t-thuraivanai
aayar kulathinil thonrum mani vilakkai
thaayai kudal vilakkam seydha dhaamodharanai
thooyomaai vandhu naam thoomalar thoovi thozhudhu
vaayinaal paadi manaththinaal sendhikka
poya pizhaiyum pugutharuvaan ninranavum
theeyinil thoosaakum seppu-el or em paavaai
MEANING:-
To Him the enchanter of all, To Him the son of Mathura in the north, To Him who played and frolicked, In the shores of holy Yamuna , To Him who is the ornamental lamp, Of the family of cow herds, And to the Damodhara who made , His mothers womb holy, We came after a holy bath, And offered pure flowers at his feet, And sang with our mouth, And brought the thoughts of him in our mind, And we were sure, That all our mistakes of the past, And all that we will do in future, Will vanish as ashes in fire, Oh, Goddess Pavai.

6th Pasuram
Pullum silambina kaan pullaraiyan koilil
vellai vili sangin peraravam kettilaiyo
pillaay ezhundhiraay pey mulai nanchundu
kalla –ch-chakatam kakakkazhi- kaalochi
vellaththaravil thuyilamarandha vithhinai
ullathuk kondu munivarkalum yogigalum
mella ezhundhu Hari enra per aravam
ullam pukundhu kulirndhul-el or em paavaai
MEANING:-
Did you not hear alternate twittering birds making loud noises, Did you not hear the loud sound of white conch, From the temple of the king of Garuda , Oh , girls please wake up, Let us hear the holy sounds of “Hari , Hari”. From the savants and sages, Calling him who drank the poisonous milk from the ghost , Him who kicked and killed the ogre of the cart , And him who sleeps on the great serpent Adi Sesha So that it goes through our mind, And make our mind cool, Oh, Goddess Pavai.

7th Pasuram
Keesu keesu enru engum aanai chaaththaan kalandhu
pesina pechcharavam kettilaiyo pey penne
kaasum pirappum kalakalappa kai perthu
vaasa narum kuzhal aaichiar maththinaal
osai padutha thayir aravam kettilayo
naayaka-p-penn pillai naaraayanan moorthy
kesavanai-p-paadavum nee ketta kidaththiyo
thesamudaiyai thirav-el or em paavaai
MEANING:-
Did you not hear , Oh slow witted girl, The twittering sound of black birds of the morn, Which sounds like a talk between them, Did you not hear the tingling sound , When the big and small coin like pendants, Rub against each other, Did you not hear the sound of vigorous pull, Of the curd churner being pulled, By the flower bedecked cow herdesses, Did you not hear the sound of twirling curd, When churned using the mixer, Oh, leader among girls, How can you sleep, When they sing the names sweetly. Of Narayana and Kesava , Oh, She who is sparkling, Be pleased to open the door, And worship our goddess Pavai.

8th Pasuram
Keezh vaanam vellendru erumai siru veedu
meyvaan paranthana kan mikkulla pillaigalum
povaan poginraarai pogaamal kaaththu unnai
koovuvaan vandhu ninrom kodhugalam udaiya
paavaai ezhundhiraai paadi-p-parai kondu
maavaai-p- pilandhaanai mallarai maattiya
dhevaadhi dhevanai chenru naam seviththaal
aavaavenru aaraayndhu arul-el or em paavaai
MEANING:-
The eastern sky has become white, The buffalos are free to walk and graze, The remaining lasses , have stopped from going, All those who wanted to go, And have come to call you, Oh girl filled with happiness, Please wake up. Let us all sing and get gifts, From Him who has killed the horse like ogre , By pulling apart his mouth, From Him who killed the wrestlers , Sent to kill him, From the Narayana, who is first among the Gods, And prostrate before him.. Please hear what we tell. And decide for yourself, And worship our Goddess Pavai

9th Pasuram
Thoomani maadathu sutrum vilakkeriya
Dhoopam kamazha thuyil anaimel kann valarum
maamaan magale mani-k-kadavam thaazh thiravaay
maameer avalai ezhuppeero un magal thaan
oomaiyo anri-ch- chevido ananthalo
Ema -p-perum thuyil mandhira pattaalo
maamaayan maadhavan vaikundhan enrenru
naaman palavum navinrelor enbaavaai
MEANING:-
Oh my uncle’s daughter , who sleeps , In the soft cotton bed, In the pearl filled Villa, Well lit from all sides,And full of the smoke of incense,Please open the ornamental door. Oh aunt, why don’t you wake her up, Is your daughter dumb or deaf , Or down right lazy, Or she is in trance of deep pleasurable sleep, Let us all call him the great enchanter, Madhavan and he who lives in Vaikunta , By several of His names, And get benefited , And worship the Goddess Pavai.

10th Pasuram
Nothu chuvarkkam puguginra ammanaay
muthamum thaaraaro vaasal thiravaadhaar
naatha thuzhaay mudi naaraayanan nammaal
potha parai tharum punniyanaal pandoru naal
koothath thin vaay veezhndha kumba karananum
thothum unakke perundhuyil thaan thandhaano
aatha anandhal udai yaay arungalame
thethamaay vandhu thiravelor embaavaay.
MEANING:-
Oh lady fine , who has entered the heaven, Due to penance done in last birth, Won’t you reply,please Won’t you open the door,please If we pray the God Narayana, Having with him the scented garland, Made of holy basil, He would give us gifts , many, He is the same who is holy in times ancient, Sent Kumbhakarna to his death , After beating him in the field of war. Did that ogre give you his sleep, Before he went off from here, Oh lass who is very lazy, Oh lass, who is like pretty jewels, Wake up from your sleep, well, And open the door. And worship the Goddess Pavai.

STARTING SLOKAS TO BE CHANT BEFORE CHANTING TIRUPPAVAI

sri sailesa dayapatram dhi-bhaktyadi gunarnavam
yatindra pravanam vande ramya jamataram munim.

laksmi natha sama rambham nadha yaamuna madyamam
asmadh acharya paryantham vande guru paramparam

yo nitya-machyuta padhambuja yugma rukma
vyamohatha shtadi tarani trunaya mene
asmat guror bhagavatosya dayaika sindhoh
ramanujasya charanau saranam prapadye

mata pita yuvatayas tanaya vibhutih
sarvam yad eva niya mena madan vayanam
adyasya nah kula pater vakulabhiramam
srimat tadanghri yugalam pranamami murdhna

bhutam sarascha mahadahvaya bhatta nadha
sribhakti sara kula-sekhara yogi vahan
bhaktanghri- renu parakala yatindra misran
srimat parankusa munim pranatosmi nityam


neeLaa thunga sthana giri thadi suptha mudhbOdhya krishnam
paaraarthyam sthvam sruthi sada siras sidhdham adhyaa bhayanthee
svOchchishtaayaam sraji nigaLidham yaabalaathkruthya bungthE
gOdhaa thasyay nama idamidham bhooya Evaasthu bhooya:

anna vayal pudhuvai aandaal arangaRku
ppannu thiruppaavai palpadhiyam -
innisayaalpaadik koduththaaL naRpaamaalai poomaalai
soodik koduththaaLaich chollu.
soodikkoduththa sudarkkodiyE !
tholpaavaipaadi aruLavalla palvaLaiyaay
naadineevEnadavaRkku ennai vidhiyenra immaa
RRamnaankadavaa vaNNamE nalgu.

"TIRUPPAVAI" NEXT PART INCLUDED IN NEXT POST

THOUGHTS FOR THE NEW YEAR

Wishing my dear ones a very cheerful morning, wish to share few reflections as we begun our first few steps of the new year. Friends, very often we wait for an auspicious moment to express our feelingsor to do something good that can make someone's day.

If the steadfastness we show in expressing our hatred or ill feeling towards otherscan be the same while we appreciate and express our love, I tell you dearsthe place we live is nothing less than a paradise.

There is nothing like a special moment, every moment is special. Try experiencing it.

It is difficult not to believe that the new year will be better than the old one! And this illusion is not wrong. Future is always good, no matter what happens. It will always give us what we need and what we want in secret. It will always bless us with right gifts. Thus in a deeper sense our belief in the New Year cannot deceive us. Let this coming year be better than all the others.

THOUGHTS FOR THE NEW YEAR

A Great deal of happiness depends upon the Kind Words and thoughts held in the heart for others.

An optimist is a person who has a smile in his heart because he has the ability to see possible success in every probable failure.

As we grow better in our hearts, so we are able to see the better qualities of others.

Being good to others is the best way to be good to yourself.

Create for yourself high ideals, then have the courage to stick by them.

Every time you try to help the less fortunate, you rise to new heights of character.

If you live a worthwhile life, it will not die at your death.

It is better to do small things well than to spend time in dreaming of big things that are never tried.

No matter what the size of the task, complete it with the same determination that you would if life's success depended upon it.

Responsibilities naturally go to the shoulders that are capable of carrying them, and success comes to the one who has learned how.

The greatest heroes are not the ones who have lived to die, but those who have died to live.

Set a worthy goal, work towards it, and accomplish it. Then set a higher one. So character is moulded and the rise and fall of nation depends upon the characters of the individuals who compose them.