Charanam Charanam Raghurama Lyrics

Found a really good kriti on youtube by Arunachala Kavi in ragam asaveri

Pallavi
Charanam Charanam Raghurama Nee Enna
Tarkaaththarul Parandaama

Anupallavi
Viri kadal vendhanun thiruvadi shaardanan
Melanna upachaaram aayiram namaskaram

Charanam
Matti meen ondrO dondru malladi amarpoondu
vazhakku theerka ponen idharko un manam konum
yettum rendum theriyadha thanakku thaniye kaanum
yenna pizhai seidhaalum neeye porukkavem

Surya Murthe namosthuthe - lyrics & meaning

PallaviSurya Murthe Namosthuthe Sundara Chayadhipathe

Anupallavi
Karya karanathmaka Jagat prakasaka Simha rasyadhipathe,
Arya vinutha theja sphoorthe Aarogyadhi phaladha keerthe

Charanam
Sarasa mithra , mithra , bhano , sahasra kirana, Karna soono,
Kroora papa hara krusaano , Guru guha modhitha swa bhano,
Soori janeditha Sudhitha mane, Somadhi graham shikamane,
Dheerachitha karma sakshine, divya thara sapthaswa radhine,
Sourashtrarna manthra athmane, , Sourna swaroopathmane,
Bharatheesa hari harathmane, Bhukthi mukthi vithranathmne

Translation

Pallavi
Salutations to the Sun God, the Lord of the pretty Chaya

Anupallavi
The cause of all actions, illuminator of the world, Lord of Simha Rasi,
He who gives luster to the gentlemen, He who is noted as giving health.

Charanam
Friend of Lotus, Friend, resplendent one, God with thousand rays, Father of Karna,
The fire wiping away cruel sins, He who makes Guru Guha shine,
He who is praised by the knowledgeable, the head jewel among the planets like moon,
He who is the witness of acts of brave, the holy star who rides on chariot drawn by seven horses,
He who is the soul of eight syllabled chant, He who is golden in colour,
He who is the soul of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and he who gives salvation and wealth.

How to tie saree

In my previous post, I wrote about dhotee. Here we will learn how to tie saree. A sari is an Indian subcontinental women's garment. It has been worn historically many times, being the native dress of India. There are today several types of saris and many different fashions. The main section is about 6 yards long, but don't let that frighten you! Dressing in a sari is very easy and it looks gorgeous on anybody. Here are a few steps that you can take to be sure that you dress in your sari appropriately.

1.  Determine the shoes that you plan to wear. The height of your heels is important for determining where the bottom of the sari should reach. Since some saris might be transparent, try to wear an underskirt too. The shoes should be elegant, like golden sandals
2. Hold the sari so the fall is facing towards you. The fall is a long piece of unadorned cotton.
3. Wrap the sari around your waist and tuck it in once. The pallu (decorated side) should be on the outside.
4. Wrap it around again, but don't tuck it in. Pull the pallu until it is as long as your outstretched arm when your arm is by your side. Tuck it over your shoulder.
5. Tighten the cloth and tuck it in 3 to 4 inches to the left of your belly button.
6. Pleat it. Stretch your left hand and hold the cloth with your thumb and pinkie fingers. Wind the cloth with your right hand through the thumb and pinkie holding with alternating fingers. You should end with 5-6 pleats, but you can have more if your hands are small.
7. Tuck in your pleats. It is a good idea to pin the pleats together so that they stay in place the whole day. Generally speaking, 20 centimeters below the waist is a good basis.
8. Drape the remaining fabric around yourself from left to right, and over your shoulder.
9. Secure the end portion on your shoulder with a safety pin

  Here's a video

How to tie panchakacham (dhotee)

The pancha kachcham (panja kacham or kacham) is a form of wearing the dhoti, typically worn by grihasthas (men who are married) on special occasions such as Pujas or festivals and some orthodox persons daily, during their routine Puja times. It is typically a dhoti of eight to ten square yards (according to the height and girth of the person) worn in a specific way. The steps below describe the way as according to Iyers (South Indian Brahmins).

source

1. Main and important thing is that pancha kachcham should be worn by married men and not a bachelor (It's not like a jeans or other dresses)
2. Open the 8 or 9 hands (4 - 4.5 yards )dhoti completely.
3. Hold the dhoti such that you are right down the center of the dhoti (lengthwise). Both the ends should be free and you should be holding the dhoti such that there is enough dhoti to go around you just once.
4. Wrap it around you once keeping the wrap a little tight at the stomach portion
5. Fold the dhoti a few times so that the it is held firmly at your hip.
6. Take the end that is on top (typically should be the one to your left); Starting from the end, slowly make folds of about 2 inches each (kosuval). 
7. Insert the folds into the wrap around the hip
8. Take the breadth portion of the top fold and starting from the end (so that the border coloring is visible), make similar fold
9. Insert this second set of folds on top of the previous one
10. Take the other free end of the dhoti, starting breadthwise, make similar folds.
11. Run this between your legs and bring it behind you
12. Ensure that the folds are not twisted.
13. Insert the new set of folds behind your back

For step by step pictures - read this.

Green Cutlets

A very simple Cutlet that you'll enjoy

 

 

What you’ll need – (Makes 4 big Kebabs or 8 mini kebabs)

1. Spinach – a bunch (around 25 leaves or more) [It may seem like a lot of quantity to make 4 kebabs. But when you blanch them, they reduce to 1/4 th of their size!]

2. Potato – 1 large or 2 medium

3. Peas – ½ cup boiled (I didn’t have peas so I skipped)

4. Salt – as per your taste (around 1.5 teaspoons)

5. Green Chilis – (optional) 2 – roughly chopped

6. Fresh coriander / cilantro leaves – a handful (around 4 tablespoons)

7. Mint Leaves / Pudina – 2-3 tablespoons (I just had different edible green leaves at home so I decided to use them. And they gave an amazing flavour!)

8. Ginger Garlic paste – 2 teaspoon (optional)

9. Bread Crumbs – to coat the kebabs (about ½ cup) [[ if you don’t have bread crumbs, you could use Semolina / Rava or even Cornflour ]]

10. Red Chili Powder – 1 teaspoon

11. Chaat Masala or Garam Masala – 1 teaspoon

12. Oil – 1 teaspoon per kebab for shallow fry. (Alternatively, you can deep fry)
13. Tofu / Cottage Cheese (Paneer) - 50 grams

How to proceed -

I. To make the stuffing

1. Boil, peel & mash the potatoes. I boiled them in microwave. It just took 6 minutes! :-)

2. BLANCHING THE SPINACH – To blanch the spinach, you must –

    - Wash the spinach leaves well

    - Add them to water (enough to cover the leaves) and let it boil. (Takes about 5 minutes if the water isn't pre-heated)

    - As soon as the water comes to a boil, filter out the water & transfer the leaves to ice cold water for 1-2 minutes

3. In a mixer/grinder/food processor/blender, add the ginger paste, garlic, chilis, mint & coriander leaves.

4. Grind them to a coarse paste.

5. Then squeeze the water out of the spinach and add the blanched leaves to the blender.

6. Blend/Grind well for 1 minute to get a smooth paste. Then transfer to a mixing bowl.

7. Add the boiled potatoes & mix. If using tofu or cottage cheese (paneer), mash & mix in this step.

8. Then goes the salt, red chili powder, chaat masala (or any other spice you like). Mix well. Your mixture for the Kebab is now ready! :-)

 

To make the Kebab

1. Take some mixture in your hand & give it a round shape.

2. Gently press the ball vertically to flatten it into a disk shape

3. You can then coat the kebab with bread crumbs.

4. Heat 1 teaspoon oil on a pan & add the kebabs

5. Cook on medium flame. After about 3 minutes, flip to the other side & cook for another 3 minutes! Your kebab is ready

6. To plate up, take some hot rice on a plate, arrange the hot kebabs on the rice & serve it as a Sizzler!

Purusha Suktam lyrics

The Vedic Hymns Purusha Suktam is one of the Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya. Purusha Suktam is in praise of the great Gods of Vedas is Purusha, or Lord Vishnu or Narayana Purusha Suktam Lyrics :-

Thachamyo ravrunimahe.gathum yagnaya.
Gathum Yagna pathaye.Daivee swasthi rasthu na.
Swasthir Manushebhya. Urdhwa Jigathu beshajam.
Sam no asthu dwipadhe.Sam chatush pade
Om Shanthi, shanthi, Shanthi.

1-1
Sahsra seerhaa purusha; Sahasraksha saharpath.
Sa bhoomir viswatho vruthwa.Athyathishta ddhasangulam. 
Purusha eeveda sarvam.Yad bhootam yad bhavyam.

1-2
Utha amruthathwasya eesana. Yad annena adhirohathi. 
Ethaa vaanasya mahimaa.Atho jyaaya scha purusha.

1-3
Padhosya viswa bhoothanee.Tripaadasyamrutham divi. 
Tri paddurdhwa udaith prurusha. Padhosye habha vaath puna.

1-4
Thatho vishvangvyakramath.Sasanana sane abhi. 
Tasmath virad jayatha. Virajo agni purusha.

 1-5
Sa jatho athya richyatha. Paschad bhoomi madho pura.
Yat purushena havishaa. Devaa yagna mathanvath.

1-6
Vasantho asyaasee dhajyam. Greeshma idhma saraddhavi. 
Sapthaasyasan paridhaya. Thri saptha samidha Krutha.

 1-7
Devaa yad yagnam thanvaana. Abhadhnan purusham pasum.
Tham yagnam barhisi prokshan. Purusham Jaatham agradha.

 1-8
Thena deva ayajantha. Saadhya rushayasch ye.
Tasmad yagnath sarva hutha. Sam brutham prushad ajyam.

1-9
Pasus tha aschakre vayavyaan. Aaranyaan graamyascha ye. 
Tasmad yagnath sarva hutha.Rucha saamanee jagniree.

 1-10
Chanadaa si jagnire tasmath.Yajus tasmad jaayatha.
Tasmad aswaa ajaayantha. Ye ke chobhaya tha tha.

1-11
Gavooha janjire tasmath. Tasmad gnatha ajavaya. 
Yad purusha vyadhadhu.Kathidhaa vyakalpayan.

1-12
Mukham kimsya koo bahu. Kaavuruu pada a uchyathe. 
Brahmanasya Mukham aseed.Bahu rajanya krutha.

1-13
Ooru tadasys yad vaisya.Padbhyo sudro aajayatha. 
Chandrama manaso Jatha.Chaksho surya Ajayatha.

 1-14
Mukhad Indras cha Agnis cha.Pranad Vayua aajayatha.
Nabhya aseed anthareeksham.seershno dhou samavarthatha.

1-15
Padbyam Bhoomi,, disaa srothrath.Tadha lokaa akampayan. 
Vedahametham purusham mahantham.Adhitya varna thamasathu pare,

1-16
Sarvani roopani vichinthya dheera. Namaani kruthwa abhivadan yadasthe. 
Dhaatha purasthad yamudhajahara.sacra pravidhaan pradhisascha thathra.

1-17
Thamevam vidwaan anu mrutha iha bavathi. Naanya pandha ayanaaya vidhyathe. 
Yagnena yagnam aya jantha devaa. Thaani dharmani pradhamanyasan.

1-18
Theha naakam mahimaana sachanthe.yatra poorvo saadhyaa santhi devaa. 
Adhbhyaa sambhootha pruthvyai rasascha.Viswakarmanas samavarthadhi.

 2-1
Tasyas twashtaa vidhadh drupamethi.tad purushasya viswa maajanam agre.
Vedaham etham purusham mahantham.Aadithyavarna thamasa parasthath.

 2-2
Thamevam vidwan amrutha iha bhavathi.nanya pandhaa vidhyathe ayanaaya.
Prajapathis charathi garbhe antha. Aajayamano bahudha vijaayathe.

 2-3
Tasya dheera parijananthi yonim. Mareechinaam padamicchanthi vedhasa.
Yo devebhya aathapathi. Yo devaanaam purohitha.

2-4
Poorvo yo devebhyo jatha.Namo ruchaaya brahmaye. 
Rucha brahmam janayantha.Devaa agne tadha bruvan.

2-5
Yasthaiva barahmano vidhyat. Tasya deva asaan vase. 
Hreescha the lakshmischa patnyou.Ahorathre paarswe.

 2-6
Nakshatrani roopam.Aswinou vyatham.

2-7
Ishtam manishaana.Amum manishana.Sarve manishana.

Thachamyo ravrunimahe.gathum yagnaya.
Gathum Yagna pathaye.Daivee swasthi rasthu na.
Swasthir Manushebhya. Urdhwa Jigathu beshajam.
Sam no asthu dwipadhe.Sam chatush pade
Om Shanthi, shanthi, Shanthi.

Tomato Soup

 

I usually advocate for eating fruits & vegetables in whole. I hate to see beautiful tomatoes or strawberries ground beyond recognition. But I (only) love tomato soup. I usually drink this when I'm sick and it is such a comfort during those days when you have a coughing marathon. Adding croutons to the soup makes it filling and tasty. And the best part of this soup is > Almost Zero Efforts. Boil the veggies, throw them in the blender & blend away.

ngredients
Tomatoes - 5, roughly cubed
Carrot - 1, peeled
Onion - 1 medium , peeled & chopped roughly
Salt - 1-2 teaspoons , or as per taste
Pepper - As required, optional
Butter - 1 teaspoon, optional
Water - 1 cup - 200 ml

 

Method -
1) Wash the vegetables & cut them roughly.
2) In a pressure cooker add tomatoes, carrot & onion

3) Add the water. (enough to just cover the vegetables/fruit)
4) Pressure Cook for 3-4 whistles.

Alternatively, add the tomatoes, carrot & onion to a deep bottomed pan along with the water & boil fpr around 5-10 minutes (until they are soft)
5) Remove the excess water. Let it cool down a bit
6) Add to a blender/food processor & grind till you get a smooth paste.

7) Run the mixture through a sieve. Usually, only the tomato seeds remain.

8) Add salt & pepper & mix well.

9) If the soup is too watery, add a little bit of cornflour & boil. If not, just boil the soup for a minute or two.

10) Before serving add croutons

Book review: Don't lose your mind, lose your weight

I am not the kind of person who buys books on dieting, or tries out those famous 'crash diets'.

Yet, I picked up this book. Because Rujuta is someone I am intrigued by. She is a dietician and fitness expert with a difference.

Rujuta was Anil Ambani's personal trainer at one time, and then of course went on to become even more famous. As the nutritionist who helped Kareena Kapoor her 'size zero figure'.

Like many people, I succumbed to societal pressures and tried many fad diets and all I've lost is my gullibility! Oh, and my worst enemy is was my tongue! I admit, I do dream of the day when there will be a magic pill that will stop a Cheese Pizza from evilly settling in inconvenient places.

Rujuta Diwekar

So, back to the book. It is a no nonsense, to-the-point book that will uplift your spirits (if a diet book tells you that you can eat anything you want and still lose weight, wouldn't you squeal with delight? ☺) The corner-stone of her book are the 4 principles of eating correctly, which are:-

A. Eat something within the first 10-15 minutes of waking up. ► Extension - never wake up to tea/coffee/beverage. Eat something fresh (like a fruit)

B. Eat every 2 hours and in smaller quantities. (more on portion size later..)

C. Eat more when you're more active and eat less when you're less active

D. Finish your last meal at least 2 hours prior to sleeping.

Some of the other principles she suggests -

1. Eat freshly prepared food.

2. Don't smash/juice your fruits and vegetables.

3. Eat good fats like clarified butter/ghee, cheese, cottage cheese etc.

4. Since we don't get all the required nutrients in our diet, it is a good idea to take Vitamin & Calcium supplements. But do consult an expert before you do so!

5. For a diet to work, it has to be PERSONALIZED. Generalization never works

6. Remain loyal to your genes. Eat what you have been eating all your life.

7. Eat local, think global! ☺ ☻

8. Never obsess with your weight! It is not an indicator of good health!

9. Do not blame yourself for the little slip ups. Just get back to routine.

10. Make exercise a non-negotiable part of your plan (& your LIFE!)

Here is a sample diets prescribed by her. You will have to alter it according to your convenience, taste, comfort, availability etc.

I. DIET No. 1

7.15 a.m.: 1 banana
(Breakfast, gym days) muesli + skim milk + 1 scoop whey protein
(Non-gym days) 2 egg whites + 1 slice of whole wheat toast
10 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.: A handful of peanuts
1.30 p.m.: 1 roti + vegetables + dal
3.30 p.m.: a bowl of curd
5.30 p.m.: Soy milk – any flavour
7.30 p.m.: 2 egg whites or 1 chicken breast + home made vegetable or veg salad

Alai Payuthe Kanna - Lyrics

A beautiful SONG  on Lord Krishna -

Pallavi
Alai payudhe , kanna , en manam miga Alai Payudhe,
UN Ananda mohana venu ganamathil,

Anupallavi
Nilai peyandru Kanna , shilai polave nindra,
Neram avathu ariyamale miga
Vinodhamana Murali Dhara , en manam

Charanam
Telinda nilvu patta pagal pol eriyuthe , un dikkai nokki yen iru puruvam neriyuthe,
Kanintha un venu ganam kattil varugudhe , kangal sorugi oru vidhamay varugudhe
Kaditha manathil oruthi padathai enakku alithu magizhttava,
Oru thanitta vaanathil anaithu enakku unarchi koduthu mugizhttavam
Kalai kadal alayinil kadiravan oli ena inayiru kazhal enakku alithava,
Kadari manam uruga naan azhaikkavo ,
Idara maadarudan nee kalikkavo,
Idhu thagumo , Idhu murayo, Idhu dharmam thano,,
Kuzhal oodhidum pozhudu aadidum kuzhaigal polave,
Manadu vedanai migavodu,

English Translation

Pallavi
Waves are flowing, Krishna, my mind is flowing like waves,
Hearing the pretty joyful music of your flute
.
Anupallavi
Completely upset, I stood like a rock,
Not understanding the passage of time,
Oh very peculiar holder of flute, my mind

Charanam
The clear moon light is burning me like the morning sun,
My eye brows are crunching seeing the side, where you are,
The well ripened music of your flute is coming in the air,
My eye balls are going in and I am feeling peculiar,
Are you trying to make me happy by giving the picture of some one?
Are you trying to embrace me in a lonely forest and drown me by giving me sensation?
Are you giving me dancing anklets like the waves of the sea of art which appears like the light of Sun?
Shall I cry with melting mind and destroy?
Is it all right, is it proper, and is it Dharma?
Playing flute and dancing for some time like your ear drops
When you play flute with divine joy, my mind is paining.