MAHARAANI TARARANI: THE QUEEN OF MARATHAS

Rani Tarabai was the brave daughter-in-law of Chhatrapati Shivaji and one of the greatest medieval Monarchs India ever had.
She was born in 1675 to one of the bravest commander-in-chiefs of Shivaji's Army named Hambir Rao Mohite.

Tarabai was just 8yrs old when she was married to Shivaji's younger son, Rajaram. Mughals and Marathas were constantly at war with each other. Shivaji was crowned the ruler of the Independent Maratha Swarajya in 1674 which was established by him.

However,the great leader died in 1680&the Maratha Samrajya went into a complete&total chaos.Marathas saw some very tough times ahead. In 1689,when Raigad Fort fell to the Mughal Army of over 15000,Shivaji's first wife Saibai and his elder son Sambhaji were captured&put to death.

Sambhaji's wife and son Shahu were taken prisoners to the Mughal court. During the same battle, Shivaji's second son Rajaram(Tarabai's husband) , who was the heir to the throne now, managed to escape using a disguise. He made his way to the Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu.

Mughal General Zulfikar Khan, however, followed them to Gingee laying siege to the Gingee Fort. From 1690-1698,This was the longest siege by a Mughal Army of any Fort which stands testimony to the military and diplomatic credentials of Rani Tarabai.

MEENAKSHI AMMAN, MADURAI (TN)
#bharatmandir #navratri2021

A paadal Petra sthalam where Shiva took the form of Sundareswarar (the handsome one) and married Devi Parvati (Meenakshi).
Devi is also known by the name Angayarkanni (mother with the beautiful fish eyes).
@GunduHuDuGa

Devi Meenakshi emerged from yagna fire as a 3 year old girl when Pandyan King Malayadwaja and Kanchanamalai were praying for a child.
It is said that Devi was born with three breasts and there was a prophesy that her superfluous breast would melt away when she met her husband.

Devi ruled over Madurai and captured Indralok. She went on to capture Kailasha. When she saw Shiva, her 3rd breast disappeared and she realised that Shiva would be her consort.
The divine marriage was attended by all Devas and Sri Vishnu (as her brother) gave her hand to Shiva.

It is said that Indra found a swayambhu lingam at Kadamba Vanam. He placed it in Madurai where the kshetram stands. Here, Shiva is seen on the vehicle of Indra.
The Golden Lotus Tank is said to be the place where a golden lotus blossomed for the puja performed by Indra.

The Meenakshi Thirukalyanam festival is celebrated in the Chithirai month to mark the divine marriage of Meenakshi Amman. The festival includes a procession where Meenakshi and Sundareshwara travel in a chariot and Sri Vishnu gives away his sister in marriage to Shiva.

💥💥💥 REPORT 💥💥💥

➡️ Virus Like Particle: VLP/ SC2, and Gain Of Function. 👇

1) Virus Like Particles (VLPs) represent an emerging technology with numerous biomedical applications, such as drug delivery, or vaccine development but also, due to the double

2) gain-of-function principle (GOF), it is possible to develop, in addition to a vaccine, also a virus.

➡️The VLP particles constitute bio-synthetic nanostructures that emulate the conformation of viruses but, normally, are totally free of infectivity, unless a

3) dedicated project is developed, almost always of a military nature, in which the VLP plates are "loaded" with pathogens.

➡️ This preface is intended to explain the BIO-SYNTHETIC / ZOONOTIC “nature” of SARS CoV 2 (SC2), a chimeric RNA virus (bio-weapon class) developed in

4) the BSL3 / 4 Laboratory.

➡️ SC 2 has an “armored” membrane (M) with spyke glycoprotein (S) protuberances, whose inner core (N) hosts a highly pathogenic viral RNA.

👉But let's proceed in order ...

➡️These bio-synthetic VLP particles rely on the ability of both

5) Spike proteins (loaded with pathogens) and viral capsid proteins to penetrate cells and release their contents.

➡️The use of a container / membrane (M), achievable thanks to the use of bio-synthetic VLP particles, has allowed the construction and encapsulation of

I know the #COVID-19 numbers in India are not looking good, but here are my (not so) random thoughts on it

We have 2 options – one, rant & rail against the ‘system’ and lament how it has let us down; second, do whatever we can to avoid getting infected & if infected, minimize adverse consequences to ourselves & others. If you belong to the first, you can stop reading now

How can we avoid getting infected? There’s no magic bullet, I’m afraid. This is primarily a “stick to the basics” approach. More difficult than it sounds.

First, maintain all precautions that we know help. These include masks (whenever you are not at home and not alone), physical distancing to the extent possible, and washing hands frequently. The 3 Ws – Wear a mask, Watch your distance, Wash your hands.

Masks work, and are probably the most important precaution given our current understanding that aerosols are the predominant mechanism of spread. The best is a well-fitting N95 mask, which is now widely available & not too expensive – you could re-use them too.

Ancient Greek mathematicians and philosophers originally called the infinity symbol ‘lemniscate' meaning ‘ribbon.' This notion strives from Ouroboros, an ancient symbol depicting a serpent biting its own tail. This symbol is representative of infinity, immortality, continuity,

self-fertilisation and eternal return

the symbol derives from a religious place, which is where the spiritual and positive meanings originate from. From a spiritual perspective, eight is the number of those who have transcended the seven stages of awakening and passed through

linked to the power of resurrection and regeneration

This sign is said to also be something that lies within us, in the very basic structure of our genes since the strands of DNA is comprised of a figure of eight.

Swami Ramanujar:
Important personalities in Sri Ramanujas Life :
🌸ASURI KESHAVA SOMAYAJI-Father of Sri Ramanujar .Asuri keshava somayaji was a learned brahmana living in sriperumbudur.

🌸KANTHIMATHI-Mother of Sri Ramanuja. Kanthimathi was the sister of sri periya thirumalai nambi .
🌸SRI YAMUNACHARYA-Acharya of Sri Ramanuja.Also known as Alavandar.
🌸THIRUKOKOSHTIYUR NAMBI-Also known as Ghosti Purna.He instructed the Rahasya Traya to Sri Ramanujar.

He lived in thirukoshtiyur.
🌸THIRUKKACHI NAMBI-Kanchi purna was born in puvirunthavalli near kanchipuram and met the young ramanuja at an important time.He did the service of Lord Varadha.

🌸THIRUVARANGA PERUMAL ARAIYAR-Important acharya lived in srirangam and rendered the service of playing music for lord Sriranganatha.

🌸PERIYA THIRUMALAI NAMBI-He was the maternal uncle of Sri Ramanuja.He taught sri ramanuja about the epic of sri ramayana and other ithihaas and puranas.Served sri venkateswara at tirumala.

Do you know?

The Golden Shine on the artificial jewellery of modern times is a gift by Nagarjuna.

Now,u might be wondering,who is Nagarjuna?

Nagarjuna was the name of an ancient Indian scholar&scientist whose name is associated with the fields of Alchemy,Chemistry& Metallurgy.

He conducted a number of alchemic and Metallurgical experiments directed towards transforming base elements into Gold.
According to Eduard Sachau's Alberuni's India, Nagarjuna was termed as a Metallurgist who was born 100 yrs before Alberuni's time, who was born in 973 CE.

According to some records Nagarjuna was born in 9th century CE near Somnath,Gujarat and according to some Tibetan & Chinese sources he was born in Vidarbha,Maharashtra from where he later migrated to Deccan region.

Edward Schau quotes in his book,'They have a science similar to Alchemy and Nagarjuna is famous for this science which they call as 'Rasayana'.

Nagarjuna's book 'Rasaratnakara' is one of the earliest documented texts on Alchemy,Chemistry & Metallurgy in Sanskrit.Nagarjuna successfully discovered through his experiments the alchemy of transmutation of base metals into Gold.This was not real gold but a gold like substance.

SRI LALITHAMBIGAI, THIRUMEYACHUR (TN)
#bharatmandir #navratri2021

Kshetram where Shiva is worshipped as Meghanatha and his consort is Lalithambigai seen in Abhay mudra.
Once, a demon Pandasura was harassing the Devas who went to Devi Parashakti for protection. 
@GunduHuDuGa

Devi rose from a Yaga Gunda, mounted on the Sri Chakra Rath with the name Lalithambika, waged a war against Pandasura and destroyed him.  When her fury did not subside, Shiva asked her to go to Earth, assume the name Manonmani, perform penance and shed her fury.

Shiva blessed Devi to be Shanta nayagi. There is a sculpture here depicting Shiva pacifying Devi. If you observe closely, you can see that from your left hand side there will be a smile on Her face and if you see from your right hand side you can see anger in Her face.

Hayagriva taught the greatness of Lalitha Sahasranama to Rishi Agasthya. Pleased with his devotion, Ma Lalithambikai appeared before Agastya. He is believed to have then sung Lalita Navaratnamala in praise of Devi. He has also composed a hymn named Rahasyanamasahasram.

'Treasure Gods' - Sangha Nidhi' and 'Padma Nidhi', Tirumala, Tirupati.

------------------------------------

These are the two guards guarding the Wealth and Treasure of Lord Sri Venkateswara.

They are representatives of two treasures of Kubera, the God of Wealth.

One guard who is holding shangam (conch) on both the hands is known as Shanka Nidhi ('nidhi' means wealth).

On the other side, the guard who is holding Lotus flowers on both the hands is known as Padma nidhi.

Shangu is from the ocean which includes all types of wealth like pearls and corals.

Why shagam in his hand? Because shangam only gives the sound of 'omkaram'.

'Padmam' is the symbol of water sources in land like river, lakes, tanks etc. which is very important for all living beings.

As per the tradition, these guards are installed at the third entrance of the temple.

One enters the holy shrine after saluting the first protection threshold - Sankha Nidhi and Padma Nidhi.

SRI DURGAPARMESHWARI, KATEEL (KAR)
#bharatmandir #navratri2021

Kshetram is situated on an islet, in the middle of sacred river Nandini. Kati means Centre and Ila means Earth.
Durga Parameshawri is a powerful incarnation of Devi Parvathi.
@GunduHuDuGa

A demon, Arunasura, lived in this area. He was blessed with a boon that he could not be killed by any man, woman or by a 2 or 4-legged creature.
To end him, Parvati took the form of a beautiful woman (Mohini) and teased him to anger. Angry Arunasur tried to kill Devi Parvathi.

She turned herself into a rock. Arunasura broke the rock open to see an army of gigantic and furious bees flying towards him. Maa in the form of a bee (Brahmara) stung him to death.
Later on, Rishis worshipped Maa Brahmaramba and pleaded her to bless in her Soumya Roopa.

Owing to their prayers, Goddess Parvathi took the form of Parameshwari and stands in Kateel to bless and protect the world from the evil forces.
There is a huge rock before leading up to the shrine. It is called Rakteshwari-the rock form took by Devi before killing the demon.

Josh Waitzkin might be the most INTERESTING person alive.

He doesn't have Twitter. And he barely uses the internet.

I've compiled my favorite 5 MENTAL MODELS of his below.

THREAD...

WAITZKIN MODEL 1 - DEPTH OVER WIDTH

His life so far:

1. Chess prodigy + National champ

2. 2x world champion in Tai Chi push hands

3. The 1st black belt in Jiu-Jitsu under Marcelo Garcia (GOAT)

4. He's now in an unknown ocean town mastering surfing + advising elite investors

The Waitzkin paradox:

He's achieved more WIDTH across disciplines in 43 years than most could in 100 lives

How?

His obsession with DEPTH over WIDTH.

His life is the testimony to deep work and singular focus.

He spends 5-10 years of his life dedicated to each craft

Even when he approaches a new discipline, he goes for DEPTH within the DEPTH

E.g. Chess

Most just play countless games

Instead, Josh insists on having only 3 pieces on the board - King & Pawn vs King

He drills micro positions until he understands them from first principles

“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times” - Bruce Lee

Waitzkin's theory is that once you've understood one thing so deeply in the discipline - you understand the principles

You can then copy & paste them

Rare Vintage Painting of Lord Sri Bhu Varaha (1790).

Varaha (in Sanskrit : वराह)
is the third Avatar of Lord Vishnu, in the form of a Boar.

He appeared in order to defeat Hiranyaksha, a demon who had taken the Earth and carried it to the bottom of what is described as the cosmic ocean in the story.

The battle between Varaha and Hiranyaksha is believed to have lasted for a thousand years, which the former finally won.

Varaha carried the Earth out of the ocean between His tusks and restored it to its place in the Universe.

Vishnu married Prithvi (Bhudevi) in this avatar.

Varaha is depicted in art as either purely animal or as being anthropomorphic, having a boar's head on a man's body.

In the latter form He has four arms, two of which hold the wheel and conch-shell while the other two hold a mace, sword or lotus or make a gesture (or "mudra") of blessing.

The Earth is held between the boar's tusks.

Remembering the only 5-star general of IAF - Marshal of the 🇮🇳Air Force (MIAF) Arjan Singh on his birth anniversary 🙏

Born on April 15, 1919, in Lyallpur, Punjab, MIAF Arjan Singh was the only Indian Air Force (IAF) officer to be promoted to 5-star rank

On 15 Aug 1947, he had the unique honour of leading the flypast of over a hundred IAF aircraft over the Red Fort.

Over the years, he was promoted to Wing Commander, Air Commodore and Air Vice Marshal. During this time, Arjan Singh displayed great commitment in his work.

Arjan Singh’s crucial testing time came in 1965 when the Indian subcontinent was plunged into war.

When Pakistan declared the launch of Operation Grand Slam, Arjan Singh was called into the Defense Minister’s office, where he was requested to provide air support.

He promised the Defense Minister that he would get the forces ready in an hour and true to his word, he attacked the Pakistani forces in an hour.

Arjan Singh thwarted Ayub Khan’s plans to capture Kashmir by leading the Air Force with great valor and confidence.

In fact, Arjan Singh became the first Air Chief Marshal of the IAF. In 2002, Arjan Singh was awarded the rank of the Marshal of the Air Force by the Indian government, making him the first and the only five-star rank officer in the Indian Air Force.

Thiruvegappura Mahadeva Kshetram
#Palakkad
#KeralaTemples 🚩

Thiruvegappura Kshetram is located at Ottapalam of Palakkad district. Temple is on the banks of Thutha Puzha. Eventhough this is Shiva Kshetram, Shri Krishna & Sankaranarayanan are also worshipped with equal importance

Sthala Puranam says that, Shivalingam of Thiruvegappura Mahadeva Kshetram was brought from Himalayas by Garuda Deva.The Muhurtham for doing Prathista of Shivalingam was nearing when Garuda was bringing the Shivalingam. So, Garuda flew fast to reach on time (Vegam Parakuka).

It is also said that Paramashiva asked Garuda to fly fast (Vegam Parakkanam) and thus, the temple got  the name Thiru Vegam Para, which later became  Thiruvegappura. Thiruvegappura Mahadeva Temple is also known as Moonnumoorthy temple( temple with 3 Devas)

Three separate sree kovils for three Vigrahams, with separate Kodi Maram is very unique here. Vaikkathashtami and Sivarathri is celebrated with equal importance.

Om Namo Narayanaya
Om Nama Shivaye
🙏🕉🙏

॥ॐ॥
अस्य श्री गायत्री ध्यान श्लोक:
(gAyatri dhyAna shlOka)
• This shloka to meditate personified form of वेदमाता गायत्री was given by Bhagwaan Brahma to Sage yAgnavalkya (याज्ञवल्क्य).

• 14th shloka of गायत्री कवचम् which is taken from वशिष्ठ संहिता, goes as follows..

• मुक्ता-विद्रुम-हेम-नील धवलच्छायैर्मुखस्त्रीक्षणै:।
muktA vidruma hEma nIla dhavalachhAyaiH mukhaistrlkShaNaiH.

• युक्तामिन्दुकला-निबद्धमुकुटां तत्वार्थवर्णात्मिकाम्॥
yuktAmindukalA nibaddha makutAm tatvArtha varNAtmikam.

• गायत्रीं वरदाभयाङ्कुश कशां शुभ्रं कपालं गदाम्।
gAyatrIm vardAbhayANkusha kashAm shubhram kapAlam gadAm.

• शंखं चक्रमथारविन्दयुगलं हस्तैर्वहन्ती भजै॥
shankham chakramathArvinda yugalam hastairvahantIm bhajE.

This shloka describes the form of वेदमाता गायत्री.

• It says, "She has five faces which shine with the colours of a Pearl 'मुक्ता', Coral 'विद्रुम', Gold 'हेम्', Sapphire 'नील्', & a Diamond 'धवलम्'.

• These five faces are symbolic of the five primordial elements called पञ्चमहाभूत:' which makes up the entire existence.

• These are the elements of SPACE, FIRE, WIND, EARTH & WATER.

• All these five faces shine with three eyes 'त्रिक्षणै:'.

Neyyattinkara Krishna Kshetram
#Thiruvananthapuram
#KeralaTemples 🚩

Neyyattinkara Krishna Kshetram is considered as the Guruvayur of Trivandrum. Thrikkayyil Venna (butter) is main offering to Neyyattinkara Unnikannan. Kshetram is supposed to be built by Marthanda Varma.

Sthala Puranam says that, Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma was surrounded by his enemies, Ettuveettil Pillamar, while he was near the place where Temple is situated now. The king prayed to Padmanabhaswamy to protect him.  At that time, a small boy was seen there and he

advised the king to hide himself inside the hollow trunk of a jack fruit tree. The king was surprised to find a small boy in the forest, but agreed to the advice
Thus he was saved from the attack. When the enemies left, king tried to know about the boy, but he couldn't.

He believed that it was krishna himself who saved his life. A temple was built here, which is the present Neyyattinkara Krishna Kshetram. The jack fruit tree where  the king hid himself is now known as Ammachi Plavu. Ashtami Rohini, Vishu are very famous here

Hare Krishna
🙏🕉🙏

Andhakasuravadha Samharamurti -#story #Thread
Sculpture of Bhagwan Shiva as the destroyer of the Asura Andhaka - Cave 29,Ellora caves

Asura Andhaka hangs on to a trishula held by 6-armed Shiva.

Once Parvathi & Shiva were relaxing in the pleasant gardens of Mount Mandhara.

Bhagwan Shiva sat down there to enjoy the happiness.Parvati closed the eyes of Shiva playfully & darkness covered the whole universe.Parvati was perplexed & her palms were wet with perspiration.A few drops of her sweat mixed with sweat from Shiva’s body& fell to the ground.

From this sweat,a fierce creature was born,it started to roar.Child was born blind as Shiva's eyes were closed so was named as Andaka.Andha means darkness&also ignorance.Around the same time Asura Hiranyaksha was performing rigorous tapas Shiva for a boon of powerful son.

Bhagwan Shiva was pleased by tapas of Hiranyaksha & blessed him with darshan.Hiranyaksha asked for a powerful son,Shiva told him that he cannot have his own son,but can adopt a blind child who would become very powerful later.Shiva gave child Andaka to Hiranyaksha.

Hiranyaksha returned to his kingdom with Andaka.Later after the vadh of Hiranyaksha, Andaka is said to have lived with his cousins.He was ridiculed,so dejected Andaka went to forest.He did severe tapas for over many years towards Brahma Dev. Brahma dev appeared before him.

SRI KUMARIAMMAN, KANYAKUMARI (TN)
#bharatmandir #navratri2021

Created by Maharshi Parasurama and also one among the 108 Shakthi Peethas in the world. The name Kanyakumari stands for Kanya(Virgin) and Kumari(girl).
Devi took this form to vanquish the demon Banasura
@GunduHuDuGa

Once, Banasura(grand son of Mahabali) obtained a boon from Shiva that he could be vanquished only by a virgin.
So, Devi took the form of a kumari and started meditating with the desire to marry Shiva at Suchindram.
Pleased Shiva fixed the midnight hour for marriage with Devi.

Devarshi Narada knew that the marriage would end the chance of killing Banasura. So, he assumed the form of a cock and crowed. Shiva returned back to Suchindram thinking that it was dawn.
Angered, Devi cursed that all food and articles meant for wedding turn into sand and shells

When Banasura heard about Devi’s beauty, he tried to take her by force. Devi, then, killed him and granted the wish of Devas to remain there always protecting them.
The murti of Devi stands with a rosary in hand. Her diamond nose-ring is said to be visible even from the sea.

Once an ancient mariner mistook it for a lighthouse and sailing towards it, his ship wrecked upon the Kanya Kumari rocks. In order to prevent such a tragedy from happening again, the eastern door of the shrine is opened only on five special occasions throughout the year.

Arunajadeswarar Kshetram
#Thiruppanathal
#TamilNaduTemples 🚩

Arunajadeswarar Kovil is located in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu
Temple is one among Paadal Petra Siva Sthalam. Paramashiva is swayambhu here and worshipped as Aruna Jadeswarar & Parvati Devi, Periya Nayaki

Sthala Puranam says that, there was a devotee named Thaadagai. She used to worship Paramashiva here every day with garlands. One day while offering garland to Paramashiva, her saree slipped. She held her saree in one hand and Malai in other hand and tried to place garland to

Shivalinga, but she couldn't. Seeing his devotee in distress Mahadeva leaned his neck towards her.
Thus she was happy and placed malai to Shivalinga. From that day Shivalinga is seen in a tilted position. Eventhough many people tried to make them in order, everyone failed.

Devi wished to get Gnanopadesham from Mahadeva, She prayed at Thalavanam and thus from here got Upadesham.She is called Balambikai before the Upadesham and Brahan Nayagi or Periya Nayaki after Upadesham.

Om Nama Shivaye
🙏🕉🙏