Secrets of Happiness

There are two types of people in the world: those who choose to be happy and those who choose to be unhappy. Contrary to popular belief, happiness does not come from fame, fortune, other people, or material possessions. Rather, it comes from within.

The richest person in the world could be miserable while a homeless person could be right outside, smiling and content with his life. Happy people are happy because they make themselves happy, They maintain a positive outlook on life and remain at peace with themselves. Happy people have good habits that enhance their lives. They do things differently.

They are:

1.   "Don't Hold Grudges" 

2.   "Treat everyone with kindness" 

3.   "See problems as challenges"

4.   "Express gratitude for what they already have"

5.   "Dream Big"

6.   "Speak well of others" 

7.   "Never make excuses" 

8.   "Live in the present" 

9.   "Avoid social comparison"

10. "Choose friends wisely"

11. "Never seek approval from others"

 12. "Nurture social relationships"

13.  "Eat well" 

14. "Accept what cannot be changed" 

"Don't Hold Grudges" 

Holding a grudge has a lot of detrimental effects on your wellbeing, including increased depression, anxiety, and stress. why let anyone who has wronged you have power over you ? If you let go all your grudges, you'll gain a clear conscience and enough energy to enjoy the good things in life

"Treat everyone with kindness" 

It has been scientifically proven that being kind actually makes you happier. Everytime you performs a selfless act, your brain produces serotonin, a hormone that eases tension and lifts your spirits. Treating people with love, dignity, and respect allows you to build stronger relationships

"See problems as challenges"

The word "problem" is never part of a happy persons vocabulary. A problem is viewed as a drawback, a struggle, or an unstable situation while a challenge is viewed as something positive like an opportunity, a task, or a dare. Whenever you face an obstacle, try looking at it as a challenge

"Express gratitude for what they already have"

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have." you will have a deeper sense of contentment if you count your blessings instead of yearning for what you don't have.

"Dream Big"

People who get into the habot of dreaming big are more likely to accomplish their goals than those who don't/ If you dare to dream big, your mind will put itself in a focussed and positive state.

"Speak well of others" 

Begin nice feels better than being mean. As fun as gossiping is, it usually leaves you feeling guilty and resentful. Saying nice things about other people encourages you to think positive, non-judgmental thoughts.

"Never make excuses" 

Happy people don't make excuses or blame others for their own failures in life. Instead, they own up to their mistakes and, by doing so, they proactively try to change for the better

"Live in the present" 

Happy people don't dwell on the past or worry about the future. They savor the present.

"Avoid social comparison"

everyone works at his own pace, so why compare yourself to others? If you think you're better than someone else, you gain an unhealthy sense of superiority. If you think someone else is better than you, you end up feeling bad about yourself. You'll be happier if you focus on your own progress and praise others in theirs 

"Choose friends wisely" 

Misery loves company. that's why it's important to surround yourself with optimistic people who will encourage you to achieve your goals. The more positive energy you have around you, the better you will feel about yourself.

"Never seek approval from others"

Happy people don't care what others think of them. They follow their own hearts. they understand that it's impossible to please everyone. Listen to what people have to say, but never seek anyone's approval but your own.

"Nurture social relationships"

A lonely person is a miserable person. Happy people understand how important it is to have strong, healthy relationships. Always take the time to see and talk to your family, friends or significant other

"Eat well" 

Junk food makes you sluggish, and its difficult to be happy when you're in that kind of state. Everything you eat directly affects your body's ability to produce hormones, which will dictate your moods, energy, ad mental focus. Be sure to eat foods that will keep your mind and body in good shape

"Accept what cannot be changed" 

Once you accept the fact that life is not fair, you'll be more at peace with yourself. instead of obsessing over how unfair life is, just focus of what you can control and change it for the better

Compiled From BVB, 

June 15, 2013

Be Flexible Be a Winner

Life, to be meaningful, depends on how we communicate with others. The only way to communicate is to begin with a sense of humility and a willingness to change. You cannot communicate by force of will; you cannot bludgeon someone into understanding your point of view. you can only communicate by constant, resourceful, attentive, flexibility.

Often flexibility does not come naturally. Many of us follow the same patterns with numbing regularity. Some of us are so sure we are right about something that we assume mereforceful repitiotion will get us through. There is a combination of ego and inertia at work. Many times it is easiest to do exactl what we have done before. But the easiest is often the worst thing to do.

Take the example of machines. The machine with the greatest number of options, the most flexibility, will have the greatest effect. It is the same with people. the key to life is opening up as many avenues as possible, trying as many doors, using as many different approaches as it takes to solve a problem.

We should always remember that there are no resistant people, only flexible communicators who push at the wrong time and in the wrong direction. Like an Aikido master, a good communicator, instead of opposing someone's views, is flexible and resourceful enough to sense the creation of resistance, find points of agreement, align himself with them and then redirect communication in a way he wants to go.

It is important for us to remember that certain words and phrases create resistance and problems. great leaders and communicators realize this and pay close attention to words they use and the effect they have. One of the reasons for their success in persuading people to move over to their points of view is the very important fact that they appreciate that others also expect that their points of view is listened to and taken into account.

Many times two people on opposite sides of an issue do not appreciate each others point of view and in fact they are so intensely focussed on their views that they do not even hear each other. But when we listen more intently to what the other person is saying, we discover new ways to appreciate people and when the other person senses that he feels respected, he feels heard, and his immediate urgeto fight softens. there is no disagreement, and new possibilities are simultaneously introduced because no matter what the other person says, we can find something to appreciate respect and agree with.

Each one of begin our day and go out to meet people  and challenges and at the end of the day, hope to find ourselves at the winning end. It should be remembered that is precisely whom we meet,  also has left his or her home.

" The best soldier does not attack. The superior fighter succeeds without violence. The greatest conqueror wins without a struggle. the most successful manager leads without dictating. This is called intelligent non-aggressiveness. This is called mastery of men" Lao Tsu, Tao Teh King

Compiled From BVB, 

Presidents Note

Solar and Lunar based Time Systems

Astronomers in ancient India had considered solar based time as the basic system of the country. They devised the prime meridian as the great circle passing through Ujjain, Kurukshetra, Lank and Meru:-

"Yallankojjayinee Puropari Kurukshethradi Desaan Sprsaan

Sutram Meru Gatam BudhaihNigatitaa Saa Madhya Rekhaa Bhuvah"- Bhaskaracharya II

The relative positions of hour circles around the world in different continents have been identified as:

"Udayo yo Lankaayaam Soasthamyah Savithureva Siddhapure

Madhyaahno Yamakotyaam Romake dese

Ardharaatram Syaat" - Aryabhata I

When it is sunrise at Lanka, it is sun set at Siddhapura (America), midday at Yamakoti (Indonesia) and midnight at Romaka deshe (Greece).

Ujjain, the centre of astronomical studies is 75 degree, 43 min east of greenwich, was accepted as International Standard Meridian only in 1883. The local time varies with places and is valid for 7.5 degrees on either side of the concerned hour circle.

Lunar based time estimation was widely used not only in India, but also middle east and south east asian countries.India had a system to correlate it with solar based system. Many of the religious practices, including astrology are based on lunar systems of time. Stellar timing does not deviate much from solar time and it is not considered significant. Morfeover, the solar and lunar observatiobs are related to the stellar background.

A lunar month has 29.5 days and lunar year is about 354.5 days. Solar year is about 265.25 days. Solar days and months are based on angle estimation. The earths orbit around the sun is elliptic and the length of arcincluded in 30 degrees geocentric segment is varying in terms of time for the motion of earth. Since the lunar year is short by about 11 days relative to solar year, it lags by 11 days every year and this accumulates to about 33 days in three solar years. In order to keep pace with solar year, Indian astronomers allowed an unadjusted balance exceeds 30 days. This additional lunar month is called 'Aadimasa' on intercalary month. This month bares the same name as the regular month and is wedged in as the 12th month and the 13th one is the regular lunar month. Aadimasa occurs at 3 years intervals.

Due to the eccentricity of earth's orbit around the Sun, the time duration of Raasi's is not uniform. Mithuna (Gemini) Raasi is of greatest duration and is about 5 Naazhika 29 Vinaazhika, Rushaba (Taurus) and Karki (Cancer) are Raasi's of more than 5 Nazhika's.

Similarly, the Raasi's Vrschika (Scorpio), Dhanu (Saggitarius), and Makara (Capricornus), are shorter than the normal. One of them is only of 29 days. Since the lunar day (Tithi) is based on the angular gap of 12 degrees between the positions if sun and moon, its duration also varies.

Due to the above variation a lunar month may be engulfed by a solar month and vice versa. In the first case when the solar month is of 32 days, a lunar month may get embedded in that solar month. Generally it occurs during Mithuna. In that solar month a lunar month starts and completes and the next lunar month starts before the end of the month. Hence the lunar month is missing in the calendar as it is indicated in the solar month at the beginning. This omitted lunar month is called Aadimaasa and the regular lunar month follows it. In this solar month there will be two new moons. The lunar month, the Aadimasa will not have a Solar Sankramanam (Eclipse). The Aadimaasa and the one that follows are known by the same name, the first one, prefixed with Aadi and later by Nija.

Another possibility is that a solar month getting engulfed in a lunar month. This is a rare case and can occur only during the shortest solar month. So in this lunar month, there will be two solar Sankramanas (Eclipse),. Such solar month is known as Kshaya Maasa. The lunar year in which this occursm there will be two Adhimaasaas. One preceeding and the other following the kshaya maasa. The first of this is called Samsarpa which is considered inauspicious. The second adhimaasa is the normal one. Intervening Kshaya Masasa is known as Amhaspati.

A similar phenomenon can also be seen in the case of solar and lunar days. A Thithi or lunar day is generally shorter than a solar day. The calendar marks the Thithi of a solar day as the one at the beginning of the solar day. Sometimes a thithi may end immediately after the beginning of the solar day and end before the end of the solar day and another thithi starts. That thithi will be the one for the next day. hence one thithi is missing in the marking of the calendar. This thithi is called Avama thithi. Which is not onsidered suitable for religious and auspicious functions.

During a shorter solar month , sometimes a thithi may be longer than the solar day. Such a thithi is called Vridhi.

Indians also designated six seasons or Rithu's. In vedic times, we find the usage of different names for solar months corresponding to the Rithu's. A Rithu is of two months duration, the table explains the details of the Rithu's  and corresponding lunar and solar month

	Rithus	Vedic Solar Months	Lunar months
1	Vasantham (Spring) (Mid March-Mid May)	Madhu and Madhav	Caithra and Vaisakh
2	Greeshmam (Summer) (Mid May- Mid July)	Sukra and Suci	Jyeshta and Aashadha
3	Varsha (Monsoon/Rainy)	Nabha and Nabhasya	Sravana and Bhadrapada
4	Sarat (Autumn) Mid Sept-Mid Nov	Eisham and Urjam	Ashwini and Karthika
5	Hemantham (fall winter) Nov-Jan	Saham and Sahasyam	Margashistha and Pausha
6	Sisira (Winter) Nov-Feb	Tapam and Tapasyam	Magha and Phalguna

Indian calendar indicates the period of agricultural activities throughout the year. They are called Njattuvela, a practice followed  in south india. They are named after 27 Nakshathra's (Star's) commencing from Ashwini of Chaithra month every year, marking the sowing period. the Njattuvela's Makayiram and Thiruvathira are supposed to be the period of heavy monsoon in Kerala. It may be noted that Indian almanac is not merely a desk calendar, but it also incorporates the time table for agricultural and religious festivals.

Compiled BVB Journal

Dr. V B Panicker

Trikatu Churna – Benefits, Side Effects – Perfect blend of Three Spices

Trikatu Churna is a simple mixture of three Indian spices. Trikatu Churna is in powder form. It is widely used in Ayurvedic treatments and in Indian household. Trikatu Churna falls both under medicinal herbs and dietary herbs.

Trikatu churna is also known as trikatu choornam, Trikatu choorna, katutraya churna, kadutraya churna etc.Churna is a Sanskrit term meaning powder. Trikatu – Tri – means three, katu – herbs that are hot and pungent.  – overall, Triaktu powder is a fine powder mix of three spices.

Trikatu benefits – Trikatu is hot in potency. Trikatu is stimulative in nature, good for liver, spleen and pancreas. Trikatu choornam stimulates stomach to produce enzymes. Hence it helps in digestion. Trikatu is also good for respiratory system.

Traditional reference of Trikatu benefits –
Trikatu Churna is also known as Trayushana. Ushana means hot or pungent.
Deepana – it improves digestion strength.
Shleshmaghna – it balances Kahpa dosha.
Medoghna – it burns fat. Reduces cholesterol levels.
Kushta – useful in skin diseases.
Peenasa – useful in running nose, allergic rhinitis
Jayet Arochakam – relieves anorexia.
Ama – useful to relieve ama (a state of indigestion).
Meha – useful in diabetes
Gulma – useful in abdominal tumor, bloating
Galamaya – useful in throat infection and diseases.

Trikatu Side Effects –  Due to hot potency, Trikatu may worsen gastritis. May cause burning sensation in higher doses.

The Shad-Chakras (Six Chakra)

Compiled from Ayurvedic Scriptures

Effects of Abhyanga & Swedana on Skin

Layers of Skin        Components                                               Attributes

1. Epidermis             Keratocytes                            -->            Surface protection

                                Melanocytes                          -->             Colour of Skin

2. Dermis                 Blood vessels,Nerves,
                                Lymphatics, Glands                -->             Support


                                Cells -- Mast cells                 -->              Histamine

                                          Fibroblasts                  -->              Fibres

3. Sub-dermis                Sub-cutaneous fat            -->             Cushion function

Compiled from Panchakarma Therapy

Prof. R H Singh

Love Plants

1. Amalaka : Emblica officinalis 

Goose berry

Powder of goose berry impregnated with the juice of goose berry mixed with Jaggery+Honey+Ghee (Clarified Butter) taken with milk.

(Susrutha Chikithsa 26.24 also V.M. 70.8.9)
2. Ankota : Alangium salvifolium
Ankolaabaddha Vati

Parts Used: Root (Bark), Seed, Seed Oil

Dose: Root Bark decoction - 50 - 100 ml+ Root bark powder 6gms

Seed oil is used externally

(R.Y S.I, P.46)

3. Asvatta : Ficus religiosa

Fruit + Root+ Bark + and Leaf Bud of the tree cooked in Milk with added Sugar (Jaggery) and Honey

4. Bhallataka : Semecarpus anacardium

Four Bhallataka fruits cooked in 1.28 litres of Milk

(A.S.U. 50.29)

5. Girikarnika (Aparajita) : Clitorea ternata

Leaves of white aparajita cooked with milk in the mornings

(V.D 20.20)

6. Godhuma : Triticum aestivum

Wheat

Wheat flour and seeds of Kapikachu are cooked in milk, when cooled mix with Ghee and taken

(S.S.Ci 26.30)

7. Gokshura : Tribulus terresteris

a. Powders of Gokshura + Ikshuraka (10) + Satavari + Kapikachu (8)+ Nagabala + Atibala with milk in the night (V.M. 70.14)

Nagabala and atibala are varieties of Sida cordifolia

b. Gokshura cooked in milk (G.N. 2.9.58)

8. Kapikacchu : Mucuna pruriens

Powder with milk will never suffer from semen deficiencies (Su.Sam. Chi. 26.33)

9. Karkatasrungi : Pistacia integrima

The fruit mixed with milk should be taken regularly and has to be on a diet of cereals, honey and ghee.

(A. S. U 50.44)

10. Kokilaksha (Ikshuraka) : Astercantha longifolia 

Powdered Seeds of Kapikachu + Kokilaksha + Sugar (Jaggery) taken with tepid milk (Su.Su.Chi 26.33)

11. Madhuka (Yashtimadhu) : Glycyrrhiza glabra

Madhuka powder 10gm + Ghee + Honey followed by Milk

(C.S. Chi 2.3.19 ; A. S. U 50.43)

12. Maasha : Phaseolus mungo

a. Gruel made of maasha grains with ghee and milk acts as aphrodisiac (C.S. Su 2.32)

b. 40 gm Masha + Honey + Ghee followed by milk (S. S. Chi 26.29)

c. Masha Powder impregnated with Amalaki (Gooseberry Juice) added with ample honey + Ghee , followed by milk (A. S. Su 50.40)

Parts Used: Seeds

Dose: 5-10 Gms

13. Mashaparni : Teramnus labialis

Parts used : Whole plant

Dose:  decoction 50 - 100 ml

Prep: Shashtikaadi Gulika (Tablet)

14. Munjataka : Orchis latifolia

Parts used: Tuber

Dose: Powder: 3-5 gms

Prep: Godhumadhya Ghrutha

15. Mudgaparni : Phaseolus trilobus

Prep: Shashtikaadi Gulika (Tablet)

(C.S Chi 2.2.5)

16. Musali : Asparagus adscendens

a. Musali root powder combined with Gudichi (Guduchi Tinospora cordifolia) Satva + Kapikachu + Gokshura + Jaggery + Amalaka suspended in milk + Ghee (S. G 2.6.58 also B.P Ci 72. 25-2)

b. Musalyadi Choornam (Powder) (Y.R. 446)

Parts used: Root 

Dose: Powder 3-5 gm

17. Salmali Salmali malabarica

with cows milk (H. S 3.47; also VD 20.17,23)

18. Sara (Munja) : Saccharum munja

An ingredient in Brumhani gutika ( C. S. Ci 2.1.24)

19. Shashtika (A type of rice) : 

Shashtika brimhani gutika

Dose: Powder: 10-20 gms

20. Shatavari : Asparagus racemosus

a. Shatavari gutika (C.S.Ci 2.3.18)

Shatavari + Milk (V.J.S.S)

21. Sringataka Trapa natan

Var. Bispinosa

Ingredient of Apatyakara svarasa and Vrushyaghrutha (C.S.Ci 2.2.14 22)

22. Talapatri : Curculigo orchioides

Powder with Milk (V. V 4.8)

23. Tila : Sesamum indicum

Tila + Ghee + Triphala + Honey + Trikatu + Bhallataka + Jaggery all in equal quantity

(CD 50.62; also A H U 40.25)

24. Vidaari : Pueraria tuberosa

Vidari Powder impregnated with its own juice + Ghee + Honey (S.S.Ci 26.23)

25. Vrudhadaruka : Argyreia speciosa 

Ghee cooked with vrudhadaaruka root taken internally with milk (B S Striroga 174)

Compiled from Ayurvedline

Dr. A Nadkarni

Disclaimer:

This information is based on Ayurvedic scriptures only and is not intended for any treatments or should not be considered as an advice for treating your self. For any medical conditions please take advice from your GP or an Ayurvedic practitioner