Prerana March 2022 Issue09

PRERANA AN INSPIRATION TO HINDU WOMEN

Happy Ugadi ISSUE 09 - 2022

e-zine

Ugadi 2022 - Issue 09

PRERANA ABOUT THE MAGAZINE We, as women, are always busy with personal and professional commitments. Our day mostly begins with household chores and continues until late evening, doing a number of routine jobs for our family and people around us. At times, it seems that we are working like machines, going on without rest. And then, without realizing, disappointment, despair, and loneliness seep in and we begin to question: 'Why am I doing all this, and for whom?' This is the time, we need to reflect and introspect. This is the time we need to as

catch up with other women around us and ask, ‘How are we all doing?'

This magazine, ‘Prerana’ is an attempt to reconnect women with each other and with our own self to find our inner ‘Prerana’, the motivation to continue working ceaselessly, but with clarity and a vision that we are moving on together to build a strong Hindu society, brick by brick, with our collective efforts, with love and enthusiasm. Let us bring out the beauty in each other, support each other, and thrive together!

WRITE TO PRERANA Have something to share? You can write about your experiences in HSS, art and craft projects, book reviews, recipes, or about any topic that appeals to you.

Not sure what to write? Each issue has articles under the titles 'American Women I admire', 'Hindu women from History', 'What inspires me', 'The book that changed my life', 'I want to share' and many others. Hope this gives you Prerana to write to us. Send in your articles, questions and comments to: prerana.feedback@gmail.com

DISCLAIMER

PREVIOUS ISSUES

The views and opinions expressed in "Prerana" are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the publisher or any member(s) of the Prerana editorial team.

Check out all the previous issues of Prerana here: https://www.hssus.org/prerana-e-zine

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) USA is a voluntary, non-profit, socio-cultural organization. It aims to organize the Hindu community in order to preserve, practice and promote Hindu ideals and values.

HSS conducts structured programs of regular athletic and academic activities to develop strong character and leadership skills in its members, and encourage maintaining Hindu cultural identity in harmony with the larger community.

Visit www.hssus.org for more information

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www.hssus.org

EDITORIAL To all our readers, The Hindu culture has both male and female forms of Devata. The most powerful aspects of life are power, food, knowledge, and wealth, for which we have goddesses. Saraswati is the Devi (goddess) of knowledge and wisdom.

सरस्वती नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि विद्यारम्भम् करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवति मे सदा । यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते रमन्ते तत्र दे वता:। यत्रैतास्तु न पूज्यन्ते सर्वास्तत्राफला: क्रिया:। My first introduction to Goddess Saraswati was in my third grade.

Every Friday, we did Saraswati pooja in the school. The idea was to get prasad, chant a Shlok, or listen to a story, and get the Goddess's blessings to be a good student. I thought Saraswati was someone who could help me to get good grades!

Growing up, I was fascinated by our Hindu philosophy and the sages. "Saraswati is the Goddess of knowledge", is a true but insufficient statement. We can appreciate that the Goddess Saraswati represents the values of our ancient ancestors: expression and creativity. Saraswati, also known as Sharada, is the ‘मूळ’ or ‘the root’ of expression. The expression for the Parameshwar is ‘Mool-maya’. Therefore Saraswati is the Mool-maya. At the core, what this means is that whatever is seen, said, expressed, which can be sensed by our five senses is because of the blessings of Saraswati. Existence at the level of thoughts and words is because of Saraswati. In spiritual studies, she is considered the reason for knowledge and wisdom.

Most Hindus perform Saraswati Puja to mark a child’s first day of school. This is because knowledge, education, and wisdom are values that are highly respected in the Hindu culture. When we perform pooja, it is not because it helps us become prosperous, it makes us a better person for ourselves and the world around us.

The third aspect of Saraswati is her ‘रूप’ - knowledge and creativity, personified in the feminine form. She emerges with a kind gaze, holding a Veena in hand, sitting on a lotus or peacock, wearing a white saree. She represents creativity, love for nature, beauty, purity of mind, and intellect.

Our ancestors included Saraswati pooja in our rituals so we could meditate on these values. May these rituals continue to remind us about our values.

Anjali Patel Shakha: Maitri Shakha, Frisco,Dallas, TX Hobbies: Travelling and exploring

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Ugadi 2022 - Issue 09

CONTENTS

हिन्दू नव वर्ष प्रतिपदा 3

Editorial - Anjali Patel

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Hindu Festival - Gudi Padwa - Maitreyee and Manasi Palkar

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A Positive Experience That Changed My Life - Sowmya Nayak

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Ancient Science Behind Menstrual Practices - Uma Sarma American Women I Admire - Muriel Siebert One woman out of 1,365 men - Rajlaxmi A

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Sister Organization Samskrita Bharati USA - Vaidehi Shukla

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Home Away from Home - Niyati Vaidya

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On the Cover - Ugadi - Prema Chauhan and Lakshmi Nayak

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PRERANA TEAM NATIONAL COORDINATORS ANJALI PATEL SUVIDHYA RANE SHRUTI PANT

EDITORS CHITRA JAVDEKAR, PH.D KANAKA TIRUMALE RICHA YADAV, PH.D DIPTI NAGRAJ

DESIGN ANJALI DESAI PRITI GADGIL DNYANADA PAWAR

www.hssus.org

CONTENTS 13

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Lekhika Sammelan - Richa Yadav, Ph.D

Cont'd ...

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Healthy Eating Back to the Roots - Lakshmi Soujanya Bugata, Ruthika Vibhakar

Book Review - Aavarana -The Veil - Anjana Kulkarni

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Pathadarshini Ramkatha - Anagha Srinivas

Yoga and Women - Manjula Madduri, Harshita B.A. - Poornima Koppar

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Book Review

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Kids Zone - Quiz Answers

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Our State of Bharat

What I have learnt From A Child - Resmi Gopakumar

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Rajasthan - Mahitha Kesamesetty

Ayurveda Ritucharya - Riya Rahul Sarolkar

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Home, a Cozy Place - Anjali Patel

Art Statement Aesthetic of Sri Ganesha - Sweta Saroj

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Book Review The Music Room - A Memoir - Gauri Kulkarni

Shloka I Grew Up With Gayatri Mantra - Gargi Vignesh Shetty

New Column

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33 Koti Devta in Hinduism - Kripa Rao, Ph.D

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Kids Zone - Earth Day - Kanaka Tirumale

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Sewa Community Outreach Feeding the Underserved - Priya Deshpande

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Hindu Women From History Rani Lakshmibai - Kashvi Aggarwal

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Next Gen Ask

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Ugadi 2022 - Issue 09

HINDU FESTIVAL

Gudi Padwa

WRITTEN BY: MAITREYEE AND MANASI PALKAR

ब्रह्मध्वज नमस्तेस्तु सर्वाभीष्ट फलप्रद: l प्राप्तेस्मिन् वत्सरे नित्यं मद्गृहे मंगलं कु रु ll Oh Brahma Dhwaj (Gudi), may we be blessed with peace, skill, stability, courage, success, health, and long life. May there be good in our lives.

Coming Chaitra Shuddh Pratipada, the Hindu society will step into the year 1943 of the Shalivahan calendar. It was this Shalivahan( शालिवाहन) who was said to have defeated the King of Shakas (शक ) by breathing life into the lifeless earthen army men who went on to win the war. Even today, Shalivahan is an ideal who increases confidence and inspires.

Some celebrate this day as ‘Gudi Padwa’. For our Sindhi families, it is ‘Cheti Chand’. It is considered to be one of the three-and-half most auspicious days of the Hindu calendar.. Some believe that this was the day on which Brahma created the universe.

This is a day that signifies victory.

After Lord Shri Ram conquered the troublesome Ravana, Shri Ram’s exile ended and he returned home. People celebrated Ram’s victory and welcomed him home with garlands and Brahma Dhwajs (Gudi) raised in every house.

On this day, we free our minds. We raise the Gudi without any bitter feelings. On this day, we proudly raise the ‘’Brahma Dhwaj’ high in the sky.

Most Hindu festivals promote good health. On this day, people shower before sunrise with neem-infused water. Prasad made with soaked chana dal, fresh neem leaves, cumin, ajwain, hing, honey, tamarind, and jaggery is distributed. On this day, ‘Panchangs’ are worshiped that accurately predict eclipses, tides, and other events for thousands of years.

This is the day to make a resolution. No matter how bad a situation may appear,, we can resolve to face it with strength, consideration, unity, and lawfulness. This is our vow.

Our heartiest wishes to you and your family on the occasion of the Hindu new year, also known as Gudi Padwa. May this new year be full of happiness, health, prosperity, and may all your wishes be fulfilled.

https://www.iasprime.com/indian-new-year-days-states-pib-current-affairs/

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Maitreyee and Manasi Palkar Shakha: Bhagatsingh Shakha,Sammamish,WA Hobbies: Maitreyee : woodwork and baking Manasi: I am an avid traveler and like to cook tasty food

www.hssus.org

A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE WRITTEN BY : SOWMYA NAYAK

Human beings are a bundle of emotions. Emotions are reactions that individuals experience in response to events or situations. Each person experiences emotions in his/her own way. For instance, a tiny tickle can make you laugh, a sad incident can make you cry, or a love for food can cause a rebellion in you! I would like to share two incidents that had stirred a rainbow of emotions and left a positive influence on me.

Motherhood Motherhood to me is about cherishing each moment of the journey. You wish you could freeze time and relive those beautiful moments over and over again. When I got married and settled down, little did my husband and I realize the joy of being parents. You go through a rollercoaster of emotions from the time your pregnancy is confirmed till your baby is born.

During pregnancy, you feel a mixed spectrum of emotions. The first ultrasound, the tiny little heartbeat, talking to your baby when alone, the first kick you felt from within - are all beautiful experiences that every mother can relate to. Being a mother can make you joyful and empowered while feeling confused and overwhelmed.

You are excited, happy, scared, stressed - all at the same time.

When my baby was born, a new life was born out of me. It was a whole marathon of tingling vibes all over my body when I held my child for the first time - something that cannot be explained in words. You are on top of the world with the biggest reward life has to offer. You make all kinds of resolutions to protect your child. Their first smile, first time calling you as mother or Amma, their first footsteps, smiling in their sleep, listening to baby gibberish fills your heart with joy. We are thankful to God for blessing us with this beautiful experience and bringing all three of us together. witness to a miracle Miracles do happen now and then, but we fail to witness almost every one of them. Think of our breathing, our heartbeat- aren't these miracles? Yes, they are, but we remember very few where we witnessed something unsaid, uncontrolled, unimaginable unfolding in front of us.

I was witness to such a miracle at Tirupati, the abode to Lord Venkatesha.

I had just been married when we visited this holy place.

Due to a miscommunication, we were stranded at

https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/spirituality/religion/tirupati-balaji

Tirumala, (the hill where the temple is located) trying to reach a person who was supposed to provide us tickets for entry into the temple. As dawn turned into dusk, our hopes were fast melting like ice under the hot sun, and we were hopelessly considering returning home without seeing the Lord. Suddenly, as though the Lord heard our prayers, a young man with his big family approached us and said that he had extra tickets and asked us to accompany him if needed. We later realized we were one short and the young man held his elder daughter in his arms to pass her off as a child and cover for the one ticket we were falling short of. For those few minutes, we were spellbound, following our hearts with no thoughts and no logic. You can imagine our joy once the guard double-counted us and asked us to move ahead. The surprise offer, the tense entry, and the intense suspense during counting, everything concluded in a supernatural, blissful experience which cannot be explained. We re-lived those ten minutes again and again on that trip, trying to recollect all that had happened. Human memory is small and volatile, and everything is forgotten with time. We wanted to cherish those moments forever.

Life amplifies everything; one plus one can not only be two, but it can also be 200 or 2000! One should choose what to amplify. Miracles do happen, and a positive mind can identify and experience them.

Sowmya Nayak Shakha: Paanchajanya Shakha - Buffalo Grove IL- Mid west Hobbies: Cooking, reading, listening to music

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Ugadi 2022 - Issue 09

ANCIENT SCIENCE BEHIND MENSTRUAL PRACTICES WRITTEN BY: UMA SARMA

I grew up in a very traditional south Indian family in Kerala, where my father used to perform “Siva puja” every morning.

During the menstruation period, I was asked not to touch, cross or come near anything that was considered pure and sacred. I would never visit temples during this time, avoid participating in anything related to “Pujas.” My mother believed that if we didn't follow these rules, our family would anger the devas (Daiva Kopam). As I grew up, I never questioned or pondered on the underlying reasons behind the rituals and traditions I was asked to follow. It was our way of life; I was completely on board and had no trouble following the rules.

Now that I am a mother of a teenager, living in the US for so many years, life has come full circle. I had to explain the biological process of menstruation and its connotations to my daughter. How do I explain all these aspects to my daughter? I needed to find the right answers.

That’s when I started listening to Sinu Joseph on YouTube. She extensively talks about the common questions that I have always wanted to ask my mother. With the help of her discussions, I have found answers to all my questions. This article brings out some of Sinu Joseph’s insights and research on menstruation. If you would like to learn more on the topic, I have shared the links and references at the end.

Based on our past experiences and lessons from our older generations, a lot of women wonder about the following questions: 1. Am I so impure during my periods that even the devatas don’t want to see me?

2. Why are menstruating women not allowed to enter temples?

3. Why are women told not to touch or receive the prasadam during their periods?

4. What is the correct way of understanding periods?

5. Why is there a restriction to chant some of the shlokas during these times? Is it because of our patriarchal society of ancestors who just came up with these random restrictions and rules?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50495320women-and-sabarimala)

Ms. Sinu Joseph explains: What is pure, we do not touch. What we do not touch, we call it a taboo. Menstruating women are so pure that they were requested not to enter the temple. This is because, when such a woman approaches a vigraha/murti (idol), the life that resides in the murti moves over to her, and the vigraha loses the life.

There is an elaborate explanation behind the rules and restrictions for women during their menstruation. Temples in Kerala and in many parts of India are constructed based on a branch of Tantra Shastra called Agama Shastra. This shastra defines how Hindu temples affect the human body. A Hindu temple is not merely a building or a structure. The idols in the temples are more than mere physical structures. Vigraha or Murti is either swayambhoo (self-manifested form) or sthapit (set up/installed) by sages like Parashuram and Agastya. Humans also install idols in the temples; during sthapana/installation of an idol, all the procedures, rituals, and techniques to install the vigraham are followed.

https://www.biographywikipedia.com/sinu-joseph/

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A temple is a physical structure built to protect the Chaitanya/positive energy of the vigraha/idol. The priests follow a series of techniques, per Agama Shastra, called the “Prana prathista,” to give prana/life to the vigraha/idol. With the daily prayers, rituals, and celebrations of people, the “Chaitanya” or the positive energy of the murti/idol increases. We cannot tamper with Cont'd ...

www.hssus.org that. It is believed that there is shakti/ vibration with positive energy present in the temple, where he/she resides. What if the “Chaitanya”/life from the vigraha comes to the woman, who visits the temple during the menstruation cycle? Women are suggested to stay at bay with temples during this time because they may not be ready to take on that heightened energy or “Chaitanya” onto themselves.

Sinu goes on to talk about six important chakras in our human body. Our native sciences as per Ayurveda and Tantra Shastra etc. explain the physical anatomy(sthula sharira) and the subtle anatomy (sukshma sharira). In our subtle body or sukshma sharira we have “nadis” which are not visible to the naked eye, and when we consider nadis joining together, those junctions are called “chakras”.

https://ayogis.com/2020/05/31/the-7-chakras-explained/

Each Chakra has different effects and controls different parts of the human body.

1. Muladhara chakra (seat of the apAna vayu or the downward force that is responsible for removal of waste and toxins, urine, blood, delivery of a baby, etc.)

2. Svadhishtana chakra (which affects the reproductive organs, fertility), 3. Manipura chakra (Pancreas and adrenal glands), 4. Anahata Chakra (related to Heart), 5. Vishuddhi chakra (at the throat, door for moksha), 6. Agya chakra (main command center, in between the eyebrows).

In our tradition, there are two paths one can follow.

Pravritti marg – path to attain material or worldly pleasures or nivritti marg – the path to attain moksha.

Manipura chakra is the highest a person can attain on the pravritti marg. At the same time, it is the stepping-stone to one who is in the path of nivritti marg. To a person on the nivritti marg, he/she gets detached from the worldly

pursuits, stops associating one’s ego when performing actions, and follows the path of moksha. Now, the goal is to realize the Anahata, Vishuddhi, and Agya Chakra which are associated with higher seats of consciousness.

During menstruation, the apAna vayu (downward force) is very active to release the bleeding. At these times, if a woman enters those temples with Muladahara chakra, Svadhishtana chakra, Manipura chakra predominating in her body, it will increase the bleeding, as the presence of the downward force would over trigger the apAna vayu. If she visits a temple where the last three chakras are active (Anahata, Vishuddhi, and Agya) instead, it will force the apana vayu to move upward; hence, women may experience severe cramps, etc. which may lead to other health conditions. This applies to the prasadam or Kumkum as well, as those too have sanctity, purity, and closeness to the prana pratishta.

There are specific temples with very active Svadishtana chakra, which are recommended to be visited for women who have fertility problems and irregular periods. For a menstruating woman, there is communication happening between the pituitary gland in Agya chakra and the uterus in Muladhara /Svadhishtana chakra- and this helps in regulating the menstruation cycle. When you don’t follow the regulations, enter an energy center, the menstruation cycle and reproductive health are disrupted. This is the reason, Sinu Joseph explains, why Hindu women are suggested not to enter the ancient temples during their menstruation.

Women are considered special by the devas, and they were chosen to have both bhakti and mukti during the same lifetime. During the menstruating period, a woman experiences the bhakti and she is given the path to attain moksha after she reaches menopause. Whereas men must follow “brahmacharya”, “celibacy” and more sadhanas to attain the same.

I hope this would have answered some of your questions as it did mine. More knowledge can be found at the following links.

References: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJdQyWeaYWU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUX9BtabQfY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02j5GBzySDI Ritu Vidya by Sinu Joseph Sat chakra Nirupana by Swami Purnananda

Uma Sarma Shakha: Abhimanyu Shakha, Schaumburg, Chicago Hobbies:Gardening, Teaching, and learning Samskritam

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Ugadi 2022 - Issue 09

AMERICAN WOMEN I ADMIRE

MURIEL SIEBERT

- One woman out of 1,365 men !

WRITTEN BY: RAJLAXMI A

These days, we hear news about stock market fluctuations, inflation, the ups and downs in the financial sector, etc. How many women know more than these headlines and have thought of digging deeper into the issue? A few years ago, I questioned myself if I cared to dig deeper into these topics.

The answer was a resounding 'NO'. Why was it a 'NO'? I spoke with a few friends, and many had similar answers. I began exploring this issue further.

Women prioritize things and are really good at it. We get involved in family matters, household chores, kids, and jobs as we want to do justice to all the duties towards our family. We try hard to justify ourselves in each of these roles and cope with our inner guilt. While we fulfill all these duties, the financial domain takes a back seat. I am not talking about financial accounting done to run the family, but about growing financial assets, investing in the stock market, and understanding the procedures and the methodologies involved.

How many of us invest in stocks? Many delegate it to men of the house. This is why stocks and investments, to a large extent, is male-dominated area. Most of the time, women want to play safe; they are risk-averse and are choosy. The good side is that women are willing to accept feedback and tend not to make the same mistakes twice.

So they can really do well.

I was very impressed by Muriel Siebert, the first woman in Finance at Wall Street in New York. She was the first woman, out of 1,365 men, to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange.

Muriel Siebert was born on 12th September 1928, in Cleveland, Ohio. Unfortunately, in 1952 her father was diagnosed with cancer, and she had to leave school early.

However, she still believed she could fulfill her dream.

During that time, the only women working on Wall Street were secretaries and support staff. Siebert wanted to do more. She changed jobs three times because she was paid less than the men doing the same work as her. She decided to buy a seat on the New York Stock Exchange.

She needed someone to sponsor her application, but the first nine men she asked told her they would not do it.

Finally, the tenth person she asked agreed to sponsor her.

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The next step was to raise enough money to afford the cost of a seat. The Stock Exchange told her that she would have to pay $445,000 and $300,000 of the price had to come from

https://rockthestreetwallstreet.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Muriel-Siebert-1080x608.jpeg

a bank. After two years, Chase Manhattan bank loaned her the money. On 28th December 1967, Siebert became the first woman to buy a seat and became a member of the New York Stock Exchange. She was the first woman to trade on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

In 1969, Siebert started Muriel Siebert & Company. For ten years, she was the only woman out of 1,365 men on the Stock Exchange. There was no bathroom for women on the 7th floor of the Exchange where she worked. So she campaigned and got one made for women. Her hard work was noticed by Governor Hugh L. Carey, and he selected her to become New York’s first female superintendent of banking in 1977.

During her tenure, she often acted boldly and controversially to launch protective measures to ensure the safety of state banks. Despite the common nationwide failures of financial institutions, not one New York State bank failed during Siebert’s term. She began her financial career as a $65 a week research trainee at Bache & Company and worked her way up through various brokerages. In 1967, she established her own firm, Muriel Siebert & Company, Inc., doing research for institutions and buying and selling financial analyses. In 1975, when members of the NYSE were first permitted to negotiate broker commissions, Siebert transformed her company into the nation’s first discount brokerage.

Cont'd ...

www.hssus.org In 1990, through Siebert's Entrepreneurial Philanthropic Program, she shared half of her firm’s profits from new profits from new securities underwriting with charities of the issuer’s choice. Siebert developed a Personal Finance Program to provide youth with financial management skills. The program is currently being taught in New York City Schools and distributed by the Council of Great City Schools. It was her hope that the program would one day be established nationally.

Siebert is an inspiration to those who want to chase their dreams, fight with injustices, and keep their hopes up. Many women have taken steps towards the upliftment of other women, and I salute them all. Siebert is one of them. She created a path for herself by overcoming different kinds of hurdles. Her willpower and "never give up" attitude is what I admire.

Rajlaxmi A Shakha: Hirkani Shaka - Portland OR - NW Hobbies: Painting/Drawing

SISTER ORGANIZATION WRITTEN BY :VAIDEHI SHUKLA

Samskrita Bharati USA is a 501-(c)-(3) non-profit organization, promoting Samskrit in the USA for the past 27 years. It is primarily dedicated to the mission of popularizing Sanskrit as a spoken language. It’s inspired

by Samskrita Bharati India. Samskrita Bharati is a volunteer-based organization and has many programs for particular interest groups.

Mission & Vision : Promote Samskritam as an everyday language and provide access to its rich and diverse repository of knowledge. Samskritam will be a preferred medium for personal enrichment and harmony in the society. Our objective is to teach Samskritam to one and all.

Activities : Samskrita Bharati promotes Samskrit among people of all ages in an interactive, fun, immersive and engaging environment. It helps teachers to improve Samskrit teaching techniques and create instructional aids in a multitude of media to make learning an easy and rewarding experience.

For children, BalaKendram where the children are learning

not only spoken or written Sanskrit but learn about Sanatan Samskriti too.

SAFL: Samskrit As a Foreign Language is a three-year online distance education program for 8 - 12 grade students (High schoolers) who wish to learn Samskritam as a Second language in their school. It is an online accredited course. Yuva Gana conducts classes and other programs for college students. For Adults Samskrita Bharati offers a distance learning program, Kathamala program, Pratidinam Samskrit lectures, camps, workshops, competitions, and other programs too.

This year Samskrit Bharati participated in India’s 75th Independence celebration. Under the Amrutobhiyanam many programs like lecture series, Bharat Bharati books reading, and learning patriotic songs are going on.

More Info: https://www.samskritabharatiusa.org/ ।। जयतु संस्कृ तम् ।। Vaidehi Shukla Shakha: Vivekananda Shakha, San Antonio, TX Hobbies: Loves to read fictions and spiritual books

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Ugadi 2022 - Issue 09

HOME AWAY FROM HOME Vistarikaship

WRITTEN BY: NIYATI VAIDYA

If you grew up going to Shakha, you must be familiar with this beautiful concept of the ‘Sangh Parivar’ which makes us part of one big family. On a number of heartwarming occasions, I have experienced the true meaning of ‘family’ when interacting with Shakha Karyakartas. My time as a Vistarika in the Seattle area was definitely one of such experiences. I was really excited about going as a Vistarika because of all the stories I had heard from Pracharaks and Vistaraks about their experiences.

When I talked to my friends about my plans of going to Seattle as a Vistarika, they all found it very strange that I didn’t know where I was going to stay or what I was going to do. Many of them even asked, “Why don’t you just book a hotel?!"

I wasn’t sure how to explain the concept of staying with unknown people as a Vistarika, so I just told them that this was just how it works!.

During my time as a Vistarika, I traveled across four different areas where we had Shakhas or some related activity and stayed with 20 different families. I never knew anyone in Seattle before I went there but felt right at home wherever I stayed. While I was there, I interacted with a number of individuals, went to several Shakhas, Vargs, and Kishore activities but when I look back, I don’t remember the things I did. My most vivid memories are of the people I met, the interactions I had with them, and how I grew through each of these interactions.

I stayed with a family where a 3-year-old spoke only in Marathi, a language I didn’t speak. Yet she called me ‘Didi’ and without seeing the language barrier, immediately made me a part of her family! I stayed with another family when an elder scolded me just like my mother would when I did something wrong in the kitchen. I stayed with yet another family where a 5th grader instantly invited me to play basketball with friends without thinking twice before asking. I also remember this family with whom I folded the laundry and laughed for two hours continuously. If these things do not give you a sense of home, I don’t know what else would.

When I got back and was telling my friends about my experience in Seattle, they asked me where I ended up staying. I told them I stayed with all these families and I had the realization that I didn’t need to know who I was going to meet or where I was going to stay before going; just knowing that they were Shakha families was enough. I knew that no matter who I stayed with, we all belonged to this big Sangh family and it tied us together with love, trust, and respect.

Niyati Vaidya Shakha: Shaurya Yuva Shakha- Houston, TX Hobbies: enjoys reading, storytelling, and playing with her nephew

ON THE COVER - UGADI The cover photo is an Adobe Photoshop image designed by Prema Chauhan and Lakshmi Nayak from Parashuram Shaka, Los Angeles, CA, Pacific Southwest Sambhag.

Yugadi is festival celebrated by Hindus across the globe. In Karnataka, Yugadi is celebrated by tying Mango leaves torana in thresholds of the houses, and houses are decorated with mango and neem leaves with colorful flowers and colorful rangoli in front of the door. A ritual of eating ‘young leaves of neem and piece of jaggery’ as prasad, representing good and part of the life.

Lakshmi likes to dance and Prema enjoys drawing, arts and crafts.

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BOOK REVIEW Aavarana(ಆವರಣ) – The Veil WRITTEN BY: ANJANA KULKARNI

Aavarana is a fictional book written by renowned Kannada novelist and Sahitya Akademi awardee, Mr. S. L. Bhyrappa. Several of his books have been translated to major Indian languages, and Aavarana is one of his most controversial books that invited heated public debates and backlash for raw, non-diplomatic take on history through the words of his protagonist. The book was translated by Sandeep Balakrishna, a columnist, and writer of the book “Tipu Sultan, the Tyrant of Mysore”, and leads IndiaFacts, an online portal that restores factual accuracy of Indian history.

The book follows the life of a woman, Lakshmi, a free-spirited and creative filmmaker who breaks ties with her staunchly Gandhian father to marry Amir, a Muslim liberalist. When promised that it is just a formality, she converts to Islam and becomes Razia to please her to-be in-laws. She soon discovers that her husband is not the progressive, liberal-minded filmmaker she thought he was. The loss of her father sets her off on a quest to uncover the skewed narratives of Hinduism and ancient Indian history as projected by the ‘liberalists’ or ‘historians’.

The book covers various topics from history on how Tipu Sultan was methodically whitewashed to be decorated as the Tiger of Mysore, how powerful Rajput kings were deceitfully attacked and if alive,

https://bookquoters.com/book/aavarana-the-veil

forced to accept slavery, how queens and woman folk who escaped Jauhar were mercilessly abused by the Muslim kings and courtiers, how the brave Shivaji Maharaj was disdained and stripped off the “ji”, how innumerable temples were destroyed and replaced with mosques as a mark of devotion for Islam, how men were castrated to be eunuchs or “Hijaras” to qualify them to be employed as staff in a “Zenana”.

If you wondered why Triple Talaq and polygamy are widely accepted, why preach to children that people from other religions are “Kafirs”, and being intolerant to other religions is considered being faithful to your own, why conversion is essential to prove love, then this is the book you must read. The book captivates and piques interest and curiosity in true, factual Indian history that has been systematically changed to please political and communal parties. The book raises pertinent and haunting questions about religion versus liberalism and highlights the importance of unshackling oneself from the bonds of false knowledge.

The book gave me compelling reasons to not believe the falsified information our textbooks and media carried. It is brilliantly written (and translated) and appeals to non-history buffs like me. “Aavarana” in Kannada means concealing the truth, and the book lifts the veil to unravel the truth. Aavarana is a cannot-put-me-down kind of book that is both enchanting and enlightening at the same time.

The book is available in Kannada and English on Amazon and other online portals. I highly recommend that you grab a copy and read it, irrespective of whether you are staunchly religious or a liberalist.

Anjana Kulkarni Shakha: Vivekananda Shakha, Hillsboro, OR Hobbies: Writer, Karaoke-singer, and Culinary Enthusiast

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Ugadi 2022 - Issue 09

YOGA AND WOMEN WRITTEN BY : MANJULA MADDURI, HARSHITA B.A, POORNIMA KOPPAR

Yoga is an art of knowing oneself and the eternal truth, which Hindu culture refers to as ‘Moksha’. To reach this blissful state of mind, we need to maintain our body just as a temple aligned with the theme of ‘a sound mind in a sound body’.

In the modern world, women contribute to various fields like medicine, education, administration, information technology, research, etc.

Women’s health is vital to shaping a healthy society. As a woman advances through multiple phases of life, from childhood to puberty and from motherhood to menopause, all of which involve biological fluctuations, she constantly works towards meeting her goals. Daily Yoga practice can help women deal with different phases of life and the changes and challenges with a calm mind.

The section below shows a few beneficiary asanas and dhyana with benefits of each. Please make sure to read the disclaimer before trying any of these asanas.

Disclaimer: This article is intended to give an overview of the benefits of Yoga for women’s health. However, it is not a guide to practice Yoga or any of the asanas mentioned above. Do not practice only with the information provided in this article. Instead, please approach a qualified Yoga Instructor who can help you according to your needs and body condition.

Baddakonasana

Upvasistha Konasana

Hamsasana

This asana helps reduce thigh fat and increases the flexibility of the hip joint. A small variation to this asana by flapping the thighs as butterfly wing activates the muscles in lower abdomen and enhances fertility.

This asana expands the cavity of Pelvic region creating space inside the uterus and ensures blood circulation. It also resolves most of the gynecological problems.

One among the advanced asanas which strengthens immunity, core muscles, biceps and triceps. In this pose most of the body weight is on the arms by leaning forward with minimal weight on toes as if we are ready to fly. This signifies detachment from the material world and spiritual balance which is the main essence of yoga.

Yoga during Menstruation Is it OK to practice Yoga during menstruation? The answer is: Think for yourself. Every woman's body is different. Our own situations can be vastly different based on the workload, environment, or family conditions. Whether it is during the menstrual cycle or otherwise, yoga can be always beneficial. You may choose to do simple asanas, pranayama, and dhyana during menstrual cycles. Few asanas can also help in relieving premenstrual pain. Although modern science approves of doing all the asanas during menstruation, Ayurveda insists on avoiding poses associated with inversions as they may increase pressure on the lower abdomen and reverse blood flow. Some women may choose to rest during this period and continue practice on completion of their menstrual cycle.

Yoga for Pregnant women

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Before getting on to the Yoga mat, pregnant women must first understand and analyze what is best for them during this crucial phase of life. Prenatal Yoga can help in relieving stress, increase chances of normal delivery, and the healthy growth of the baby. Specific Yoga poses like Devi Asana, Baddha Konasana, Adho Mukha Shawasana are a few asanas which we can name here.

Cont'd ...

www.hssus.org DHYANA A healthy mind is key to a healthy being. The practice of dhyana eases your mind and helps in improving mental health. The physical body (‘Sthula Sharira’) is connected to the subtle body (‘sukshma sharira’). Dhyana can enhance the health of the sukshma sharira The interconnection of the Sthula and Sukshma Sharira is said to take place at seven chakras in our body: Muladhara, Svadhisthana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishuddhi, Ajna and Sahasraara.

A simple technique for dhyana is outlined here: Chant ‘Omkar’ thrice, sitting as in the above picture.

Take 6-7 deep breaths.

Observe the chakras one by one from the below with Nadi Shodhana Relax by focusing on an object/Ishta Devata/Nirakaara brahma (as per your imagination)

Manjula Madduri, Harshita B.A, Poornima Koppar Shakha: Parashuram Shaka, Burbank, California - Uttar LA Hobbies: listening to music, Dancing, Reading Books

WHAT I HAVE LEARNT FROM A CHILD WRITTEN BY : RESMI GOPAKUMAR

I was always hesitant to say 'no' to people, especially if they were my teachers or someone elderly as I was afraid I might offend them or hurt their feelings. This thought stayed with me until I became a mother of two kids.

Over the years, my point of view towards this matter changed as my children started growing. They began suggesting that I needed to be more assertive and not hesitate to say 'no' to things that I did not approve of.

Here is a story that showed me that I should, at times, be assertive. It happened more than two decades ago. As part of the graduation process, my teacher was preparing certificates. I found out that she had misspelled my name on the certificate. I pointed out the mistake to her, but she was unwilling to change it. I didn't push her to change it even though it was the right thing to do. When I look back, I regret not speaking up at the right time.

Today, I am confident that if my kids were in my place, they would have fought for their rights. I have seen that my kids are not afraid to speak up about what comes into their minds. This character truly inspires me.

I have learned to be confident and be true to myself from my kids.

Resmi Gopakumar Shakha: Arjun Shakha - Sunnyvale - CA- Central Pacific Hobbies: Do Kerala murals

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Ugadi 2022 - Issue 09

AYURVEDA Ritucharya

WRITTEN BY: RIYA RAHUL SAROLKAR

युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु | युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दु:खहा || "The one, whose diet and movements are balanced, whose actions are proper, whose hours of sleeping and waking up are regular, and who follows the path of meditation, is the destroyer of pain or unhappiness."

-Bhagvad Gita, Chapter 6, Verse 17.

Our food habits and behavior (आचार विचार​) are always connected with our spirituality. Our Dharmik values give immense importance to how we live our life. Ayurved, which is also called Upaveda of Atharva Veda, always guides us to achieve good health (स्वास्थ्य​) which ultimately is needed to gain our spiritual goal. For simplicity, those guidelines were incorporated into rituals and the family traditions that we follow during different festivals throughout the year.

In my last article, I discussed the basics of ‘Ritucharya’ which is following a certain diet and some physical activities in specific seasons called ‘Ritucharya’. By doing this, we are preventing the imbalance of Doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) and avoiding sickness.

In Hindu culture, this Ritucharya is entwined with the traditions we follow during these festivals. These traditions represent guidelines to follow throughout that season. Every season has a different prominent Dosha that can be controlled by treating it with the counteracting properties of our food and activities.

It should be noted that these guidelines are based on weather patterns or seasons in India. Even though there is no ‘rainy season’ in the United States, if it is raining in your region, then you should follow the Ritucharya for the rainy season. Let’s see examples of Ritucharya and corresponding festivals:

Greeshma Ritu Period: Mid may to Mid July- summertime- Sun is intenseBody condition: Vata Dosha ++, appetite reduced Guidance: Use of-Sweet, cold, liquid, light, unctuous Food: Juice, sharbat, raw mango panha, coconut juice Activity: Take rest in the afternoon, avoid sun

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Sharad Ritu Period: Mid September-Mid November. Autumn season Body condition: Pitta ++, lower appetite Guidance: Sweet, bitter, light, and cold in properties Festival: Kojagiri Pornima Food: Milk with sugar and kesar boiled under the moon rays Avoid: Hot, bitter and astringent foods Cont'd ...

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Vasant Ritu Period: Mid March to mid May Elements: Earth ++, Air ++, kapha ++ General body condition: Increased Kapha Dosha, decreased appetite Nature: Flowering season, allergy season Guidelines: Light (easily digestible), use of pungent, astringent taste in food, exercise. Treat Kapha Dosha Avoid: Heavy, cold Festival: Yugadi/ varsha pratipada/ Hindu New year Clothes: White/ light colored cotton clothes Food: Neem+ coriander+Tamarind+Jaggery+black pepper- Some people make a drink out of it, others grind and eat.

Neem - Blood purifier, Kapha nashak,immune booster Jaggery - helps neem to reduce increased Kapha Black pepper - pungent- Kapha nashak Tamarind - because of the sour taste, acts as a catalyst to fasten the action.

Coriander - pungent- increases appetite, Krumi nashaka (helps in infections).

Hemant Ritu Period: Mid November- mid January Elements: Earth ++, Water ++, vata+ General body condition: Agni ++( digestion is good, appetite ++), personal strength is at its peak in this Rutu, skin dryness (because of cold environment, blood supply increases to core → digestion increases→ hunger ++) Nature: Blowing winds and Cold starts Guideline: Sweet, sour, salty food, heavy to digest food, warm food Avoid: Cold, dry, pungent, astringent food. Sleep during the day.

Festival: Diwali Clothes: Colorful Food: Sweets like ladoo, gujia/karanji, kheer, fried foods like chakli, fermented preparations like urad vada, idli (because of strong appetite-heavy, sweet, fermented food can be digested and and by doing that Vata Dosha is also kept under control) Activities: Exercise, Head and body massage with warm oil

Varsha Rutu Shishir Ritu Period: Mid January to mid March Elements: Aakash (space) ++ General body condition: Agni +, Kapha Dosha starts to increase, personal strength reduces Nature: Strong Blowing winds and severe Cold Guideline: sweet, sour, salty food, heavy to digest food, warm food Avoid: Cold, dry, pungent, astringent food and sleep during the day.

Festival: Makar Sankranti Clothes: Black, warm Food: Continuing the diet in Hemant Rutu.Use of sour food like navneet( homemade butter), kadhi, amsul (kokum) sar, yogurt sugar during daytime Tilgul- (Til and jaggery- unctuous and warm in properties, - -> decrease dryness, heavy to digest, still reduce Kapha) Activities: Exercise, Exposure to sun→ Sun Salutations, Head and body massage with warm oil.

Full body steam Most of us probably follow these traditions at home due to our family traditions without knowing their immense benefits.

Understanding the logic and following Ritucharya knowingly will help us keep our Doshas in balance and help avoid seasonal health issues.

Our ancient acharyas have given us individualized guidelines will help us keep our Doshas in balance and help avoid

Period: Mid July- Mid SeptemberRainy Season Body condition: Pitta ++, appetite very less Guidance: Warm, sour, salty, unctuous Food: Boiled water, soups, Dry roasted food like roasted multigrain flatbread (भाजणी थालिपीठ​) Avoid: Heavy, oily food like vada, nonvegetarian foods This is the time people follow spiritual sadhana for four months ( चातुर्मास​ ) and practice fasting (upvaas) by eating less or giving up meat.

Festival: Ekadashi, Charmaas, and important days for upwas.

seasonal health issues.

Our ancient acharyas have given us individualized guidelines to stay healthy throughout the year. According to Ayurveda, every body is unique. To follow these guidelines, we need to understand the nature, the time, and the style of our work, age, and gender. Instead of getting distracted by ‘Google Gurus’, we need to go inwards. Once we know our inner self, it becomes very easy to deal with our world. Then, it does not matter where we are: if it is India or America or anywhere else in the world.

Riya Rahul Sarolkar Shakha: Satsang Shakha, Greater Boston Vibhag MA Hobbies: would like to learn to speak in Sanskrit

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Ugadi 2022 - Issue 09

ART STATEMENT

Aesthetic of Sri Ganesha

WRITTEN BY: SWETA SAROJ

Various arts (‘kala’) have always been an integral part of the Hindu culture. For example, Chitrakala is the art of painting, Shilpkala is the art of sculpting, Batik is the art of printing on cloth, and Nrityakala is the art of dance.

Sri Ganesh presents himself in the form of paintings and sculptures in our temples since centuries ago. All Hindu temples around the world, new or old, can be expected to have sculptures or idols of Sri Ganesha.

Sri Ganesh is prominently known as ‘Vighneshwara’ and the remover of obstacles and giver of good fortune. This is the reason that many Hindus paint Sri Ganesh near the front entrance of their homes.

The Ganesh Puran, an ancient Hindu scripture, lists 108 names of Sri Ganesh, a son of Bhagwan Shiv and Parvati. Carbon dating of some of the oldest copies of the Ganesh Puran suggest its origin in the 12th -13th century. Ganesh Puran enlightens us about the birth of ‘bal’ (baby) Ganesh and stories about his youth and adulthood. It includes Ganesh aarti and bhajan, Ganesh Stuti, and Ganesh pooja rituals. In "Ganesh Sahasranama", we praise Sri Ganesh with 1000 names and attributes.

The festival of "Ganesh Chaturthi" is celebrated with great devotion in every Hindu home on the 4th day of the Bhaadrapada month of the Hindu calendar. During this festival, some Hindu families worship a Ganesh murti (idol) for eleven days and on the last day, the murti is carried in a procession to be immersed in a water body (river or lake) following family traditions.

The oldest Sri Ganesh temple in India is from the 7th century and is known as the ‘Karpaka Vinayaka Temple’ that is located in the Sivaganga district in Tamil Nadu, a southern state of India. This temple was built by kings of the ‘Pandya Dynasty’. In this temple, we find rock cut into the shape of Sri Ganesh murtis.The temple has a large colorful gopuram, with large mandapams (depicting mandala art), and elaborately decorated with frescoes or murals. The temple has Ganesh murtis that are carved and painted in various ‘mudras’ and dancing poses. The temple is a center of attraction for all the pilgrims and art students of world who arrive to sketch, paint, and photograph the temple art to discover art inspiration and ideas and to bring them to rest of the world.

As an artist, I’m connected to Sri Ganesh on a different level too: I consider Sri Ganesh to be my guiding mentor and for this reason, I have created this painting.

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Sweta Saroj Shakha: Sri Ram Shakha- Rocklin- CACP Vibhag Sacramento Hobbies: Art is my way of life to live

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SHLOKA I GREW UP WITH GAYATRI MANTRA

I’m sure that we all have heard this from our parents some time or the other about something important: “When you become parents, you’ll understand!” They are probably right.

There are things we do now that we learned by watching our elders in childhood.

Let me tell you a story. Growing up in a very liberal family, I had all the freedom and encouragement from my elders, but they also ensured that children in our family were well-rooted; and the knowledge of our culture and language was passed on to the next generation. Having my grandparents around was one of the best parts of my childhood: right from hearing stories of our parents’ childhood to the stories of various gods and goddesses and the lessons they passed on through these stories.

My Dodda (grandmom) was once tasked to teach all grandkids some shlokas and in particular the Gayatri Mantra during our summer stay at her home. Needless to say, she was more than happy. Seven Grandkids (cousins included) were on their way and she had a task at hand. How tough could it be?! After all, she had raised eight children of her own! For my Dodda, having seven grandkids for two months wasn’t a big deal. As far as the teaching went, the litmus test was Gayathri Mantra. Again, how tough could that be to master?! Gayatri mantra is a long Shloka but the few lines are repeated 108 times over and over. Grandmas can do anything! At least I’m sure that’s what she must have thought!

WRITTEN BY: GARGI VIGNESH SHETTY

Days passed into weeks and weeks into a month. At the end of the first month, we still followed the schedule as planned but we did not remember a single word of the shloka, except for the title. Dodda decided to put some pressure on us and engaged a tutor from a nearby temple to teach us every day.

In two days, the tutor left and told Dodda that he didn't think we wanted to learn.

At her wit's end, my Dodda called us all in and asked what it might take for us to learn just one shloka and to make her happy. As a joke, my elder brother said, “How about increasing our pocket money from Rs. 10 to Rs. 20 for the ones who learn it?” . My Dodda loved the idea! She not only agreed to increase our pocket money but also would allow us to stay longer at the local fair and give us extra allowance for the ice cream over the weekend. All the older kids perked up immediately and the younger ones gleamed along just seeing their elder siblings happy!

We had our Dodda write down the shloka on a piece of paper.

My oldest brother took on the responsibility of teaching us the shloka. In just two days, all seven of us were well versed with the shloka. Our elated Dodda not only doubled our allowance but also showered us with everything possible. Seeing her so happy, my brother encouraged us to surprise her by learning some more shlokas. By the end of the holidays, when our parents had come to pick us up, we had put up a tiny fifteen minutes show for them, reciting the five shlokas we had learned. We made mistakes with pronunciations and forgetting the words here and there but overall, we did a splendid job! My Dodda was so proud of us! She was surprised and became emotional. She later told us that she felt like she had won an award!

Two decades later, when I had my own kids, I felt like history was repeating. I wanted my kids to learn all things related to our culture, and the first shloka I taught to my kids was the Gayatri Mantra – something I will never forget. Seeing my kids recite the shloka, my parents (the kids' grandparents) gleamed with happiness as they were the real teachers, having us kids recite along with them every day during puja.

What we learn as kids, doesn't hold as much importance or love when we are going through the mechanics of it, especially when we are asked to learn something that may not be of our choice. Yet, the impact of what we learn as kids grows stronger and stronger as we age.

My Dodda didn’t waste any time. Right from when we landed at her doorstep, she set forth our daily schedule: our morning routine would have some writing of the Shloka followed by play time. In the evenings, she would ask us to repeat the shloka after her. Sounded pretty simple to us! We all agreed to this routine. Our ages ranged from five to fourteen and my Dodda thought we were a good set of kids.

Gargi Vignesh Shetty Shakha: Sanskriti Shakha Milwaukee, Wisconsin Hobbies: Traveling and trying new things

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Ugadi 2022 - Issue 09

KIDS ZONE

Earth Day

ACROSS

DOWN

5. Large group of trees 7. Coal, Oil and Natural gas are this type of resource 8. Our planet 9. Hindu Name for Mother Earth 10. This material is made from sand and can be recycled

1. Waste 2. Taking care of 3. Rivers, Lakes and Oceans are full of this 4. These grow in Forests 6. One of the 3Rs

Answers on Page 25

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Kanaka Tirumale Shakha: Maitri Shakha, Frisco, TX Hobbies: Reading, Travelling, Cooking & Teaching children

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HINDU WOMEN FROM HISTORY

RANI LAKSHMIBAI

WRITTEN BY: KASHVI AGGARWAL

“If defeated and killed on the field of battle, we shall surely earn eternal glory and salvation”.

Rani Lakshmibai was born on November 19, 1828, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh into a Marathi-Brahmin family. She was named Manikarnika Tambe. Her father was Moropant Tambe, and her mother was Bhagirathi Sapre. She was well educated at home. She not only learned to read and write, but her learning also included shooting, horsemanship, and fencing. As a young girl, Manikatnika was much more independent in her childhood than others of her age.

In May 1842, she was married to the Maharaja of Jhansi, Gangadhar Rao Newalkar. After her wedding, she was called Lakshmibai, in honor of the goddess Lakshmi. As the couple did not have a child, they adopted a boy and named him Damodar Rao. Shortly after, Lakshmibai gave birth to a cute boy named Anand Rao. In a short time, Gangadhar Rao started feeling unwell and passed away in his sleep.

After the king's death, the British governor-general of India refused to accept the adopted child as the royal queen’s heir to the throne. Anand Rao was too young to take the throne. The British tried to convince the queen to cede Jhansi to them, but Rani Lakshmibai did not give up her claim to the throne. One of her famous quotes is, “I shall not surrender my Jhansi” Soon she found out that Britain was coming towards Jhansi to annex it.

She began preparing for war, but before she could plan her next move, Britain's forces surrounded the fort of Jhansi, and a fierce battle began.

Rani Lakshmibai offered stiff resistance to the invading forces. She did not surrender even after her troops were overwhelmed.

She managed to escape from the fort with a small group of palace guards and headed eastward, where other rebels joined her.

Rani Lakshmibai tried to regain control of Jhansi through negotiations. When her efforts failed, she joined the Indian Rebellion of 1857, an uprising of soldiers, landowners, townspeople, and others against the British in what is now known as India’s first battle for independence.

She trained and led her own army composed of men and women, only to perish on the battlefield in June 1858. She fought hard, carrying her son Anand with her. She did not surrender even though she knew that the situation was tough. She was later killed in combat after having successfully assaulted Gwalior.

Indians hailed Rani Lakshmibai as a heroine, the British a tough enemy to fight. She gave an inspiring slogan, “If defeated and killed on the field of battle, we shall surely earn eternal glory and salvation.”

Photo Credits : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rani_of_Jhansi

Kashvi Aggarwal Shakha: Bhairavi Shakha Burnaby BC Hobbies: painting

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Ugadi 2022 - Issue 09

Lekhika Sammelan- 2022 WRITTEN BY: RICHA YADAV , PH.D

On February 2nd, 2022, a team of about 50 editors, designers, coordinators, and contributors of ‘Prerana’ from all over the USA gathered virtually to celebrate ‘Prerana’.

They graciously made a conscious effort to make the writers feel appreciated and valued for their contributions and stay inspired to keep contributing to 'Prerana'.

‘Prerana’ is an e-magazine published quarterly by HSS Sevikas. As introduced by the chief editor Chitraji, the magazine is our motivation! It is an attempt to connect us, women, the ‘Nari-shakti’ to document our impressions of the world, our knowledge, our history, to review in-depth about who we are as families, as a society, along with our traditions, and values as a valuable resource for our future generations.

After a glimpse of all the issues of the magazine, Kadambiniji Dharap was invited for her keynote address. She is the daughter of renowned Marathi writer Shivaji Savant. She herself is an accomplished writer and translator. She vociferously emphasized that writing is an excellent tool to express one’s emotions and share one’s ideas. She suggested embracing writing as a daily chore and enhancing one’s knowledge by intense reading, and continuing to learn and grow.

The virtual Sammelan started with a melodious rendition of Saraswati Vandana, ‘Hey Sharde Maa', invoking Ma Saraswati, a symbol of wisdom and education, to bless our humble offerings in the form of the magazine.

Kadambiniji also exhorted that we should think beyond, and envision the continuity of ‘Prerana’ for the years to come. She insisted on adding to the roster of women writers, editors, and designers, to carry forward the torchlight of the literary endeavors of ‘Prerana’ and make it readable for men as well.

The main agenda of the event was to meet the contributors of the magazine. By wearing colorful sarees, sharing different ‘Prerana’ covers as the Zoom virtual background, and flipping all the four issues of the magazine as a video with some melodious music in the background, the team created energy in the virtual setting.

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For the last segment of the event ‘reflections’, all the attendees were requested to give their invaluable suggestions and constructive criticism. Sevikas shared their heartfelt emotions and gratitude for the magazine and shared how it was a pleasurable experience to write for ‘Prerana’.

Cont'd ...

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The session ended with thoughtful ideas like involving Kishoris, coverage of career-related information in the magazine, going with a specific theme for at least a few issues, making it bi-monthly, and exploring the possibilities of publishing a podcast version of each issue.

The Sammelan ended on a positive note. The Prerana team is committed to honing literary skills as a social and cultural forum that reflects the amazing talent of Hindu women and taking the whole effort to the next level in the time to come!

Richa Yadav, Ph.D Shakha: Sankar Shakha, Flower Mount, TX Hobbies: Loves reading and cooking

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Ugadi 2022 - Issue 09

HEALTHY EATING

Back to The Roots

WRITTEN BY: LAKSHMI SOUJANYA BUGATA AND RUTHIKA VIBHAKAR

We live in a country with diverse cultures and foods but they are different in each state, in every household. For the longest time, Indian food received bad press outside of India. It was linked to high cholesterol, high sugar, and high carbohydrates but if you go back many decades ago, diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular, cancer, or Alzheimer's were unheard of in India. This started changing when our lifestyle started changing with time. When the gates to imports and exports opened up, people discovered processed junk food from the west. We started copying western food habits and believing in it.

In reality, through India’s traditional foods, one can discover science, taste, and health benefits and experience the power of different combinations of foods. Indian dishes use an incredible variety of spices such as cloves, cardamom, jeera, turmeric, and ginger each of which can provide some health benefits. Many western countries are now using extracts from these spices and selling them as superfoods!

Lentils

We have different kinds of lentils and pulses which are good sources of protein. We can eat different dals like Masoor, Toor, Urad, Chana, Rajma, or Chickpeas.

While preparing, we should always soak these in water for at least 14-18 hours to remove the antinutrients and make nutrients available for the body. oils

We can use cold-pressed or wood-pressed oils without heating and refining. Mustard oil, peanut oil, sesame seed oil, and coconut oil are some of the healthiest. fruits and vegetables

India’s fruits and vegetables have vibrant colors and many unique disease-fighting chemicals (phytonutrients).

Consuming different varieties of fruits and vegetables will boost immunity and prepare us for the next season.

Micro Greens & Sprouts

Sprouts and microgreens are rich in nutrients and possess antioxidants. We can use these as garnish on salads and soups.

Let’s discover our traditional foods again.

Grains

We use many grains in our cuisine. Examples are: Bajra, Jowar, Nachini ( ragi), and different kinds of rice.

The processed rice such as basmati rice gets a bad reputation for elevating sugar levels but if we eat handpounded rice, it doesn't spike the sugar levels.The culprit is not rice but the way it is processed.

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conclusion

Going back to our roots is realigning yourself with the way your ancestors lived, which is also aligning with nature.

Lakshmi Soujanya Bugata and Ruthika Vibhakar Shakha: Parashuram shaka, Burbank, CA. Hobby: Listening to music

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BOOK REVIEW

Pathadarshini Ramkatha

It is said that “reading a good book is equivalent to conversing with the finest minds”.

Pathadarshini Ramkatha, an insightful text by Kadambini Dharap translating the lectures of late Vandaneeya Mausiji alias Lakshmibai Kelkar, presents a detailed yet diverse perspective of key events of the Ramayan. The book entails multiple stories, from focusing on various versions of the Ramayan to how significant events of the Ramayan, are described in different ways in all these versions. It throws light on the younger days of Ram including the challenges he faced which formed a basis of his samskaras thereafter aiding his entire life. Further, the book delves deep into the sanctified qualities of Ram focusing on the unquestioned allegiance to his father’s words, pure and unconditional love towards his brothers, devoted responsibility as a husband, glorious reign as the king, and finally the protector of righteousness. The book also covers all the important people of Ramayan who not just aided Ram in his ultimate goal but also upheld Dharma in their own ways. The most interesting aspect of this book is the panorama of thoughts presented by different authors for the same event, depicting Mausiji’s unprejudiced literature review. The book also very subtly explains the various emotional and ethical

WRITTEN BY: ANAGHA SRINIVAS

turmoil which Ram undergoes during all the key episodes yet maintains his calm to resolve each one of them. I recall a famous comment that” Tulsidas renamed his Ramayan as Ram Charit Manas as he wanted to tell the world that the most important facet of Ramayan is Ram's character or his Charit”.

Likewise, this book does complete justice to its title by presenting us unbiased interpretations of Bhagwan Ram’s character to guide us towards an ideal life. The translation of the lectures

by Kadambini ji is delightfully simple and very appealing to read.

On a personal note, I would recommend this book to be a “must-read”. It not only enlightens us about Bhagwan Ram – his ardent followers and his superlative character but also edifies us all about the intellectual understanding, unfathomable knowledge, and greatness of Vandaneya Mausiji.

Anagha Srinivas Shakha: Dr.Anandibai Yuva Shakha, New Jersey Hobby: Singing,Traveling Reading books

KIDS ZONE

Quiz Answers

ACROSS 5. Forest 7. Nonrenewable 8. Earth 9. Bhudevi 10. Glass

DOWN 1. Garbage 2. Protecting 3. Water 4. Trees 6. Recycle

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Ugadi 2022 - Issue 09

OUR STATE OF BHARAT

Rajasthan

WRITTEN BY: MAHITHA KESAMESETTY

In this article, I would like to share the experience of my recent travels to the state of Rajasthan in Bharat. I can’t remember a trip that blew my mind so much as my two weeks in Rajasthan did, and I don’t know if I will be able to fully express my wonder, awe, and excitement in so few words. Let me give it a shot!

The literal meaning of Rajasthan is “the Land of Kings” and is the largest Indian state by area. This land is a beautiful medley of massive forts, stunning palaces, delectable cuisine, and warm people, set against the scenic backdrop of deserts, mountains, and lakes. Rajasthan is culturally diverse and divided into various regions such as Marwar, Mewar, and Shekhawati, based on the different languages and traditions. During my recent trip, I mainly traveled in the “Mewar” region located in the south-central part of Rajasthan. Mewar is synonymous with heroism, sacrifice, royalty, and honor.

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Kumbhalgarh Fort

The Kumbhalgarh Fort is located 90 kilometers from Udaipur and right in the middle of the Aravalli mountain range. The walls surrounding the fort are over 36 kilometers long, the second-longest in the world after the Great Wall of China. Its location had always been Kumbhalgarh's greatest advantage. Because it was virtually inaccessible in the 15th century, Rana Kumbha of Mewar built this great defensive fortress on a 3,500 feet high hill overlooking the approaches from Ajmer and Marwar. It was also the birthplace of one of the greatest warrior kings of Bharat - Maharana Pratap, whose defiance of the mighty Mughal empire, almost alone and unaided by the other Rajput states, constitutes a glorious saga of Rajput valor and the spirit of self-sacrifice for cherished principles.

chittorgarh fort

The Chittorgarh Fort is one of the eight sites in Rajasthan, declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Rani Padmini was a legendary 13th–14th century Rani (queen) of the Mewar kingdom who was also exceptionally beautiful. Alauddin Khalji laid siege to this fort to obtain Padmavati. After facing defeat against Khalji, before Chittor was captured, she and her companions committed Jauhar (self-immolation) thereby defeating Khalji's aim and protecting their honor. Although I had heard this story a few times, I got goosebumps when I stood at the place where she committed Jauhar – what a sacrifice to preserve one’s honor! Chittorgarh fort also has a temple of “Saint Meera Bai”, a 16th-century Hindu mystic poet and a devotee of Lord Krishna.

Cont'd ...

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udaipur

Udaipur is the City of Lakes which instantly mesmerizes you with its royal touch of forts and palaces and at the same time with the enchanting beauty of its picturesque lakes and gardens. As a south Indian, I have always been fascinated by temples since my childhood and used to believe that the best temple architecture is only to be found in the southern part of Bharat. However, this assumption of mine was proved wrong after I visited the Jagadish Temple in Udaipur. This temple has been continuously operational since 1651 and has the most beautiful temple architecture I have ever seen. Alas, if the mogul invaders had not vandalized such temples, we would have inherited more such magnificent temples across the entire country!

I feel those looking out for the remnants of our glorious past should not pass up a trip to Rajasthan.

Photo Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajasthan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udaipur https://housing.com/news/chittorgarh-fort-rajasthan/

Mahitha Kesamesetty Shakha: Srikrishna Shakha Bothell WA ,NW sambhag Hobbies: Cooking

https://www.tripsavvy.com/kumbhalgarh-fort-the-complete-guide-4580105

NEW COLUMN Home, a cozy place

WRITTEN BY: ANJALI PATEL

How many of you have grown up with stories? I feel stories make a house a home. I am not talking about reading bedtime stories from a book. I am talking about the stories passed down from generation to generation as an oral tradition. For instance, moral stories are told to explain a point, stories of great people are narrated to showcase a role model, etc.

Sharing a story is to share the learning.

Anyone can tell, and anyone can listen to stories.

Kids can share their stories with their parents. When we share our lives with others through stories, a good relationship is created between generations.

This makes bonds stronger. Parents and kids, siblings, friends, extended families- if you have not tried this yet, try to tell and listen to stories from people around you!

Stories create a connection between generations. It is important to tell stories. I believe stories don’t have age.

Anjali Patel Shakha: Maitri Shakha, Frisco,Dallas, TX Hobbies: Travelling and exploring

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Ugadi 2022 - Issue 09

BOOK REVIEW - THE MUSIC ROOM "A Memoir" By Namita Devidayal

WRITTEN BY: GAURI KULKARNI

I stumbled upon this book quite accidentally in an unlikely place - on the shelves of the Peoria Public Library, hiding in the non-fiction section! It had a gorgeous cover and a blurb by the great musician Ravi Shankar, "Fantastic! A must for every musician and music lover". Without any hesitation, I checked it out. I'm so glad I did.

"The Music Room - A Memoir" by Namita Devidayal is an absolute treat -- not just for musicians and music lovers, but for everyone with a fascination for Indian culture and traditions!

Namita was 10 years old when she reluctantly started music lessons with Dhondutai Kulkarni, the last eminent singer of the Jaipur Gharana and a disciple of two eminent vocalists: the legendary Alladiya Khan and 'Surashri' Kesarbai Kerkar.

From a cramped one-bedroom flat in the seedy Kennedy Bridge neighborhood to a spacious bungalow on Shivaji Park and then a nondescript Borivali apartment complex, Namita's unique bond with Dhondutai evolved over 25 years.

Dhondutai saw in Namita the potential to become a second Kesarbai, as Namita struggled to find the balance between a career, family, and her passion for music.

Gracefully written, this memoir left me spell-bound. Namita Devidayal gives the reader a tantalizing glimpse into the enigmatic world of Hindustani classical music - as she puts it, "a world bound in mystifying tradition and irrational obsession." The brief genealogy of classical music starting all the way from Bharat Muni to the music of the temples then moving to the royal courts followed by the Islamic or Persian influence during the Mughal dynasties and royal patronages during the pre-independence era, to the distinct Hindustani and Carnatic styles of classical music we have today - is explained beautifully and lucidly Even more interesting is the information about the music itself - the way the seven basic notes are interpreted so differently in the Western and Indian classical styles, the composition of the ragas, and the cornerstone of Indian classical music - the Gharanas and the Gurukul Parampara of teaching music! Interspersed with this history of music are the memories of Dhondutai -- her own musical journey and anecdotes about her gurus. A musical illiterate that I am, I had never heard of these musical giants; Wikipedia has left me humbled. What a wealth of information this book has given me!

Beyond the lofty world of classical music, the author touches upon social mores prevalent in Indian society – the conundrum of a Muslim Alladiya Khan claiming to be descended from a Hindu family, the stigma of being a female singer in the early 20th century, Kesarbai's struggle to establish herself, Dhondutai eschewing the traditional role of a Brahmin woman to embrace her music, the Hindu-Muslim divide - all the way to the bureaucracy and corruption of the government when Dhondutai applies for a flat in the Performing Artist quota! Adding to the local flavor, Namita Devidayal has effortlessly captured the essence of Mumbai - and then beautifully juxtaposed it with the serenity of the temples - the Dattatreya temple at Narsinhawadi and the Mahalaxmi temple at Kolhapur!

A little over 300 pages, this is not a big book, but it packs an enormous punch. Highly recommended, not just for connoisseurs of classical music!

Without a doubt, a must-read!!!

Happy reading!

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Gauri Kulkarni Shakha: Peoria Shakha, Peoria, IL Hobbies: Reading and blogging

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33 Koti Devta in Hinduism WRITTEN BY: KRIPA RAO, PH.D

The definition of religion is the common belief of believers in a God or in a group of Gods. In Hinduism, there are several revered deities (devatas). If a group of Hindu believers was asked who their Ishta Devata (favorite god) is, one is bound to get different answers from each individual. This is understandable as Hinduism encourages its followers to adopt multiple paths. So this begs the question- How many gods are there in Hinduism? I have heard that there are 33 koti (crore) Gods. Is this true? Let us explore.

The term 'koti' in Sanskrit has two meanings. One is ”type”, and the other is “crore”. A mistranslation led to the belief that Hinduism has 33 crore Gods instead of 33 Supreme Gods, The 33 supreme Vedic gods were explained by Yajnavalkya (a Vedic sage) in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. They include eight Vasus, eleven Rudras, twelve Adityas, Indra, and Prajapati.

Udaana (discharge of body impurities) Naag (burping/hiccup) Kurma (blinking) Krukara (sneezing/hunger/thirst) Devadutta (force of yawning) Dhananjaya (functioning of heart valves).

Aatma (the human soul) These are called ‘Rudras’ because, when they desert the body, it dies. I was surprised to see such detailed descriptions of the bodily functions that keep a human being alive and the respect that they beget in Hinduism.

I also found an alternative description of Rudras as the 10 life breaths and mind. These were described as Ananda (joy) Vigyana (wisdom) Manas (mind) Prana (life force) Vacha (speech) Ishana (self)

Tat-purusha Aghora Vamadeva Sadyojata Aatma(the human soul)

These definitions also suit the “Rudra” concept as the loss of any of these life breaths will render the body lifeless. Like the concept of Vasus, it struck me that the concept of Rudras was also paying homage to the processes that beget life.

https://vedapathshala.com/2020/09/26/33-vedic-gods-in-vedic-times/

Vasu (वसु) The eight Vasus are: Anil (Wind) Apas (Water) Antariksh/Dyaus (Space) Dhara (Earth)

Dhruv (Pole Star) Anal (Fire) Prabhas (Dawn/Sun) Soma (Moon)

They are called Vasus because they are the abode of all that lives. My humble interpretation of the Vasu’s is, paying homage to external elements that beget life. Translating this to rituals will include Suryanamaskar to honor the Sun, Bhoomi Pujan to Mother Earth, who bears our weight, and praying to the Moon on Karva Chauth.

RUDRA (रुद्र) After the 8 Vasus are the eleven Rudras. Rudras describe the forces living in the human body which include: Praana (the air we inhale) Apaana (the air we breathe out) Vyaana (the force that maintains body pressurecirculation of blood) Samaana (the force that maintains equal pressuredigestion)

ADITYA (आदित्य) After the 8 Vasus and 11 Rudras come the 12 Adityas. In some sources, I found the 12 Adityas to be described as the twelve months of the year. Elsewhere, they were described as Mitra (friendship) Varun (fate) Ansh (god’s share) Aryaman (nobility) Bhaag (inherited share) Daksha (rules of sacrifice, rituals, skills) Tvashtar (skill in crafting) Pushan/Ravi (prosperity) Savitra/Parjanya (power of the word) Surya/Vivasvan (social law) Vaman (cosmic law), Vishnu (divine wisdom) My personal interpretation of the Adityas is worshiping the laws of society/universe.

ASHWIN (आश्विन) The 8 Vasus, 11 Rudras, 12 Adityaas make a total of 31 koti devatas. The remaining two are described as Indra who is also known as the (all-pervading) electricity. I interpret this to Cont'd ...

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Ugadi 2022 - Issue 09

be reflective of the thunder or Vajra. Next is Prajaapati or “Yajna” which, to me, means purification of the mind, body, and soul.

So, as the reader can see- Hindu dharma has delved deep into each Kriya or process that begets life. Exploration of the concept of 33 Koti Devatas leads me to the thought that I have heard several times (source not cited)- “कण कण में ईश्वर”

Kripa Rao, Ph.D Shakha: Ardenwood (Arundhati) Shakha, Fremont, CA Hobbies: Reading, gardening, cooking, hiking

SEWA COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Feeding the Underserved

WRITTEN BY: PRIYA DESHPANDE

My mother taught me the importance of Sewa from a very young age. She used to donate food to any young girl she knew who could not afford to bring lunch every day or often went hungry. She continues to do so after so many years.

She taught me the real meaning of ‘Manav Sewa is Ishwar Sewa’.

Last year, a Sewa opportunity came to me in my community. A friend and fellow Shakha Sevika, Chandra Mehta, told me about Sewa by cooking at my local temple. The ‘Joy Of Sharing’ Foundation was looking for volunteers to cook, package, and distribute lunches every Sunday morning. On my first day, I saw about forty volunteers efficiently cooking and assembling about 1,500 meals as early as 6:30 am. Together, we made healthy and delicious vegetarian food that was enjoyed by all who benefitted from this service. Volunteers came from near and far to collect and distribute the meals.

They went to the homeless, elderly, struggling families, and women’s shelters.

Since then, I have made a continuous effort to contribute my time at least once a month. As the pandemic raged, dedicated adults and children alike came together in a safe and clean environment to cook food. The organizers took deliberate care of the volunteers by providing sanitizing supplies, tea, and snacks to keep our energy levels up throughout the day.

I am grateful for the opportunity to help those in need and will continue to serve. It is truly fulfilling to see how I can impact someone’s life by giving a few hours of my time. On the last Sunday of February, I will be taking several Karyakartas from my shakha to help. I would encourage everyone to look out for Sewa opportunities in your area.

‘No one can help everyone, but everyone can help someone!’ - Ronald Reagan Priya Deshpande Shakha: Abhimanyu Shakha- Cerritos, CA. Hobbies: Reading, Dancing

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www.hssus.org

NEXT GEN ASK Success Success is one of several key aspects of life. In my opinion, success cannot be measured using a scale.

Success is multi-dimensional: success in education, at work, in finances, in family, and in society. But then success on emotional, intellectual, and spiritual levels is also important. Usually, success is equated to material prosperity but prosperity does nothing beyond bringing you luxury and financial comfort. Material success is important but it is not everything. We still confuse success with financial success. Everyone wants to be successful and we all look at each other to find the key to success.

Instead of ‘measuring’ success, we must learn to define success. Everyone has a different definition of what success is.

I once read a small story about a fisherman and a businessman. One day a fisherman relaxed as he lay on a beautiful beach and a businessman came along walking down the beach and noticed that the fisherman was doing nothing. Seeing an idle man he remarked, “You should be working rather than lying on the beach!”

The fisherman looked up at the businessman, smiled, and replied, “Then what will happen?” To this, the businessman replied, “You will make money and you’ll be able to buy a boat, and make more and more money.” Once again the fisherman asked, “And then what will happen?” The businessman got annoyed. He said, “Oh man, Don’t you understand that you can become so rich? Once you are rich, you can retire. You can spend all the rest of your days sitting on this beach, looking at the sunset. You won’t have a care in the world!” The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, “And what do you think I’m doing right now?!”

If we define our own success in this manner, we can stay focused and not get distracted by the opinions of other people. We can define all our small and big goals and enjoy our own success as we achieve them. If we fail, we will learn and not repeat the same mistake.

We can see success or failure every day in small things. Completing any planned tasks at the end of the day is success. Doing something perfectly with all our heart in it: that too is success. We don’t need to decide if someone else is successful or not! We just need to decide our own success. Definitely, there are overachievers in every field. There are experts. If we need guidance, then we must seek it. We must strive for perfection and look at others who have made their mark for inspiration. We must strive hard to achieve, but we should never consider success as a one-dimensional thing.

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”

-Albert Einstein

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Ugadi 2022 - Issue 09

NORTH WEST

MID WEST

NORTH EAST

MID EAST

MID ATLANTIC

GREAT LAKES

PACIFIC SOUTH WEST

CENTRAL PACIFIC SOUTH WEST

SOUTH EAST

PRERANA

e-zine

AN INSPIRATION TO HINDU WOMEN

The eyes of the whole world are now turned towards this land of India for spiritual food; and India has to provide it for all the races. Here alone is the best ideal for mankind; and western scholars are now striving to understand this ideal which is enshrined in our Sanskrit literature and philosophy, and which has been the characteristic of India all through the ages.

— Swami Vivekananda

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