tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17714001704136921702024-03-08T11:04:03.734-05:00sanskriti and sanskarAbout Hindu Sanskriti and SanskaarSushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.comBlogger161125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-24976975017097104332017-01-15T18:56:00.000-05:002017-01-15T18:56:03.455-05:00Foreign Folktales in Hindi Ready-4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
About four months ago I published my last blog about the <a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2016/09/foreign-folktales-in-hindi-ready-3.html" target="_blank">"Foreign Folktales in Hindi-3"</a>.<br />
<br />
It is quite some time now, It needs now an update.<br />
The number of my folktales is continuously increasing, It has reached now from 1,100 to more than 1,200. It is a good progress, I believe. I am happy that this collection is increasing day by day,<br />
<br />
As you might be aware that my one book "Raven Ki Lok Kathayen-1" (Folktales of Raven-1) has already been published by Indra Publishing House, Bhopal, India, last year in 2016. It was sent free to many organizations, schools, people. It is still free to those who ask for it.<br />
<br />
Raven is a crow-like bird which is a very famous and important character of folktales of Native Indians of North America continent.<br />
<br />
Last month, ie in December 2016, two more books were published - "Ethiopia Ki Lok Kathayen-1" and "Ethiopia Ki Lok Kathayen-2" (Folktales of Ethiopia-1" and "Folktales of Ethiopia-2").<br />
They were published by Prabhat Prakashan, Delhi, India.<br />
<br />
I am very pleased to inform all of you that all the three books have joined the International Book Fair 2017 held in Delhi from 7th January 2017.<br />
<br />
All these books have been published under the Project "Gyan Daan" Project.<br />
Although these books are free to needy people, but it is requested that some other people, whoever can afford, should also take a pledge to donate these books to needy people.<br />
<br />
It is nor necessary to spend a lot of money on this. A very small amount is enough to start with. If you feel comfortable and satisfied with this arrangement, you can continue it in that way, or increase the number of books to be donated gradually.<br />
<br />
My suggestion is choose any number of people or children (recommended number is 5) in your neighborhood, or in your acquaintance, or at any primary or secondary school, or at any orphanage, or any children's hospital, or even at any Old Age Home and distribute any one title every month.<br />
<br />
People will read them, tell them to one another and increase the horizon of their own knowldge as well their children's and other peoples' knowledge. Since these books are in very easy spoken Hindi language, it will be easy for anyone to read and understand them.<br />
<br />
You may obtain these books by sending an e-mail to --<br />
<a href="mailto:drsapnag@yahoo.com">dkg1936@gmail.com </a><br />
<br />
Besides these titles, there are many other titles also available to people. Presently these titles are available only on CDs. I will publish the list of these books in my next blog.<br />
<br />
Please help us to extend this Project by donationg the knowledge to as many people as you can.<br />
Remember, "Gyan Daan" is the greatest Daan (donation) you can make to people. Its beauty is that the donor need not to have the knowledge himself, still he can donate it to as many people as he likes or wants or afford. So please participate in this Project, make it a success and earn some Punya.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #19007f; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; font-size: 17.388px;">To read more about these folktales please search for "Foreign Foktales in Hindi" in Labels.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="color: #19007f; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 17.388px;" /><span style="color: #19007f; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.388px;"><a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2016/09/foreign-folktales-in-hindi-ready-3.html" target="_blank">http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2016/09/foreign-folktales-in-hindi-ready-3.html </a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2016/07/foreign-folktales-in-hindi-ready-2.html" style="color: #ff00cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 17.388px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2016/07/foreign-folktales-in-hindi-ready-2.html </a><br style="color: #19007f; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 17.388px;" /><a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2015/12/foreign-folktales-in-hindi-ready-1.html" style="color: #ff00cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 17.388px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2015/12/foreign-folktales-in-hindi-ready-1.html </a></span><br />
<br style="background-color: #bbccee; color: #19007f; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 17.388px;" />
Thanks,<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #19007f; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; font-size: 17.388px;">Sushma Gupta</span><br style="color: #19007f; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 17.388px;" /><a href="http://sushmajee.com/folktales/index-folktales.htm" style="color: #ff00cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 17.388px; text-decoration: none;">http://sushmajee.com/folktales/index-folktales.htm</a></span><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/hindifolktales/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/hindifolktales/ </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-35890033998375930032016-11-11T11:03:00.000-05:002016-11-11T11:03:16.634-05:00Tulasee's Marriage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Tulasee's marriage is performed in the month of Kaarttik after Deepaavalee, on Kaarttik Shukla Ekaadashee, means Dev Uthaan or Dev Uthaanee Ekaadashee. You might have seen that mostly all Hindu households keep a Tulasee plant in their house. They water it daily twice, in the morning and in the evening, and light a Diya (lamp) at the bottom of the planr regularly.<br />
<br />
It is especially worshipped in the month of Kaarttik. In this month, normally from Sharad Poornimaa - Aashwin Maas Poornimaa. House women get up in the morning while it is still night, take bath and sit around the Tulasee plant. They worship it, light Diyaa and tell some stories of Tulasee. This they do the whole month of Kaarttik. Some women observe fast also.<br />
<br />
<b>Who is Tualsee?</b><br />
Let us see who is this Tulasee who has been give so much importance in our lives? Very few people might be knowing who is Tulasee.<br />
<br />
Once there was a Daitya (demon) named Jalandhar. He was not a very famous Daitya that is why most people do not know his name too. He had a wife who was very faithful to her husband (Pativrataa). Since she was very faithful to him he could escape from many bad Karm, so he was doing many bad Karm under the cover of her faithfulness.<br />
<br />
Many Devtaa wanted to kill him because of his atrocities but were unable to kill him because his wife's Paativrat Dharm always saved him. Therefore Devtaa went to Vishnu to help them out of his atrocities. Vishnu promised them to help them soon.<br />
<br />
<b>Vrindaa and Vishnu</b><br />
Once Jalandhar was out of his home to have a fight with Shiv Jee, that Vishnu went to his house in disguise of Jalandhar. Since Jalandhar was not to be expected back home soon, Vrindaa took it as a pleasant surprise and asked him as how he could he come home so soon. Vishnu in the guise of Jaandhar said - "I was missing you very much that is why I came home." Hearing this Vrindaa got very happy and she welcomed him heartily.<br />
<br />
Vrindaa thought he was speaking truth and he was her husband so they made love, But in this process she could make out that he was not her husband. She got very angry with the man. Since Vrindaa's Paativrat was broken now Vishnu's objective was fulfilled and Jalandhar was no more protected by his wife's Paativrat armor. So Vishnu showed her His real form.<br />
<br />
When Vrindaa came to know the real identity of the fake Jalandhar, that he was not Jalandhar but was Vishnu, she got very angry. She immediately cursed Vishnu - "You have broken my Paativrat Dharm so go and become a black stone."<br />
<br />
Vishnu readily and happily accepted her curse and immediately turned into a black stone. That black stone came to be known as "Shaaligraam" (or Shaalgraam). Vishnu said - "Since your anger was appropriate, so you cursed me; I accept your curse but since my Darshan (sighting) does not go waste so I bestow you a boon that you will become a holy plant and will be known as Tulasee without whom my food will be incomplete. I will not accept my food without you. That is why whenever any food is offered to Vishnu, a leaf of Tulasee goes with it.<br />
<br />
Besides, when I will appear as Krishn in Gokul in Kali Yug, you will grow abundantly in its nearby village of Mathuraa (UP) appearing there as Tulasee plant. That is why it will be called as Vrindaa Van (Vrindaa Forest) - based on your name and I will also live there for some time."<br />
<br />
As Vrindaa's Paativrat Dharm was broken there was no problem in killing Jalandhar.<br />
Tulasee's Raam Charit Maanas says that the same Jalandhar was born as Raavan later.<br />
<br />
So this was Tulasee. The same Tulasee is married to that black stone (Shaalgraam) or Vishnu on this day. Shaalgraam is called as Naaraayan Shilaa too.<br />
<br />
<b>Another Version</b><br />
There is another version of this story. When Vrindaa had cursed Vishnu to be a black stone, Vishnu accepted it and bestowed her with the boon that she becomes a river and that He will always live in her heart (in her waters) in the form of black stone. So Vrindaa turned into Gandakee River and Shaalgraam stones are found abundantly there in her waters.<br />
<br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://www.sushmajee.com/" target="_blank">www.sushmajee.com </a></div>
Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-28561565485415424532016-09-22T11:22:00.004-04:002016-09-22T11:22:52.778-04:00Foreign Folktales in Hindi Ready-3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last month I published my Blog "Foreign Folktales in Hindi Ready-2" in which I wrote about the largest collection of foreign folktales published in Hindi language by one person - more than 1,100 folktales.<br />
<br />
I am happy to report here that people read my Blog and asked me some questions about it. They were actually too surprised to know that how I could do it single-handedly. They were very appreciative about the work and commended it heartily. I am so much obliged to them that they commended my enthusiasm by commending my project of collecting them and then publishing them.<br />
<br />
They commended my Project also under which I want to extend the body of this literature by distributing free to the children who can read and understand even a little bit of Hindi for the benefit of increasing their knowledge through their own language.<br />
<br />
Whatever was in my hand I did it, but I do not have so much funds to get them published to distribute them freely to as many people as I plan to do so, but I still wish that this literature should reach to as many hands as possible.<br />
<br />
In the series of "Desh Videsh Ki Lok Kathayen" (Foreign Folktales in Hindi), its first book was published by Indra Publishers, Bhopal - "Raven Ki Lok Kathayen-1". It was distributed free to almost more than 1,000 children. Children were happy just with the idea that they were able to read the foreign folk literature in their own language and at least it was available to them in their own language. Their expressions were very encouraging.<br />
<br />
I wish to request to our generous people to help us to advance this project to this point so that our Hindi speaking people can also benefit from these foreign folktales reading them in their own language.<br />
<br />
It is a collectors' material also. Whosoever will collect it will appreciate his collection later as it is not even a collection but a small treasure library in itself - 1,100 foreign folktales in Hindi - they are not small in umber.<br />
<br />
Brother Grimms' collection and Andrew Lang's collections are most notable collection in English language so far. This collection largely exceeds their collections in Hindi language. To read more about these folktales please search for "Foreign Foktales in Hindi" in Labels.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2016/07/foreign-folktales-in-hindi-ready-2.html" target="_blank">http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2016/07/foreign-folktales-in-hindi-ready-2.html </a><br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2015/12/foreign-folktales-in-hindi-ready-1.html" target="_blank">http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2015/12/foreign-folktales-in-hindi-ready-1.html </a><br />
<br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.com/folktales/index-folktales.htm">http://sushmajee.com/folktales/index-folktales.htm </a></div>
Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-87221281641351816452016-07-22T18:41:00.000-04:002016-07-22T18:41:03.931-04:00Foreign Folktales in Hindi Ready-2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Till recently most foreign
folktales were available only in English language. Very few folktales have been
available in Hindi language. This project has been initiated only keeping this
in mind that foreign folktales may be available to our Hindi readers in India
and at other places.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Under
this project more than 1,100 foreign folktales have been written in Hindi after
reading from books and Internet and by hearing from people. Indian folktales
are normally available in Hindi language that is why Indian folktales have not
been included in this collection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Besides
where folktales from European countries are easily available in English, the
whole folktale literature seems to be incomplete without their mention that is
why some folktales have been included from those countries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The
following books have been prepared as e-Books (on CDs) in which more than 600
folktales have been given. These folktales are available to our Hindi readers
any time – to tell children, to be read by children and adults alike, for
reference and for research purposes, or for any other purpose the people find
useful. The rest of the folktales are also being organized under various titles
whose information will be made available at time to time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This
project does not stop at 1,100 folktales rather it is a continuous process so
expect more to come in future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Till
now no single folktale collection has been as large as this one even in English
language. The two large collectors of folktales known in Europe are: Grimm’s
Brothers and the Andrew Lang. But even their collections are also not so large
as this in Hindi language.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We
are pleased that we could collect so many folktales at one place in Hindi
language. We hope that this valuable collection will prove unique and useful to
our Hindi folktale literature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 18pt;">AFRICA</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Folktales from Western
Africa – 15 tales, 154 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Folktales from Eastern
Africa – 9 tales, 106 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Folktales from Southern
Africa – 15 tales, 146 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Folktales from Egypt – 8
tales, 126 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Folktales from Ethiopia-1
– 27 tales, 126 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Folktales from Ethiopia-2
– 23 tales, 126 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Queen of Sheba Makeda and
King Solomon – 212 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">King Solomon – 11 tales,
164 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Folktales from Nigeria-1 –
20 tales, 170 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Folktales from Nigeria-2 –
20 tales, 178 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Folktales from Ghana – 14
tales, 172 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Cunningness of Anansi
Spider – 15 tales, 112 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Cunningness of Anansi
Spider – 20 tales, 196 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Folktales from Zanzibar –
10 tales, 164 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Folktales from South
Africa – 18 tales, 194 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 18.0pt;">AMERICA, NORTH<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Folktales from North
America-1 – 12 tales, 124 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Folktales from North
America-2 – 12 tales, 120 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Folktales from Canada – 17
folktales, 112 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Folktales of Raven-1 – 20
tales, 124 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Folktales of Raven-2 – 20
tales, 126 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Folktales of Raven-3 – 3
modern tales, 126 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 18.0pt;">AMERICA, SOUTH<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Folktales from South
America – 8 tales, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 18.0pt;">ASIA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Folktales from Asia-1 – 26 tales, 196 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Folktales from China – 8 tales, 80 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">China: Myths and Legends-1 – 18 tales, 190 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">China: Myths and Legends-2 – 20 tales, 188 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Folktales from Russia – 22 tales, 264 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 18pt;">EUROPE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Folktales from Europe-2 – 22 tales, 214 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">One Story many Colors-11 – Cinderella – 20 tales, 272 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Folktales from Italy-1 – 18 tales, 194 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Folktales from Italy-2 – 16 tales, 200 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Folktales from Italy-3 – 12 tales, 200 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Folktales from Italy-4 – 21 tales, 200 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Folktales from Italy-5 – 15 tales, 210 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Folktales from Italy-6 – 18 tales, 220 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Folktales from Italy-7 – 22 tales, 230 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Folktales from Italy-8 – 13 tales, 122 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Folktales from Norse-1 – 8 tales, 148 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Folktales from Norse-2 – 11 tales, 120 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 18.0pt;">WORLD<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Christianity in Folktales – 23 tales, 258 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">One Story Many Colors-12 – Cinderella – 10 tales, 112 pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The e-Books published under the Series “Foreign Folktales in Hindi” are
available now on CD-ROMs. To obtain further information about them or a copy of
any book :<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Please Contact : </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "shusha"; font-size: 18.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><a href="mailto:drsapnag@yahoo.com">drsapnag@yahoo.com</a></span><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.com/folktales/index-folktales.htm" target="_blank">http://sushmajee.com/folktales/index-folktales.htm </a><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</div>
Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-74517683113169692402015-12-09T16:27:00.005-05:002015-12-09T16:27:42.259-05:00Foreign Folktales in Hindi Ready-1It is long long time when I wrote my last post here. What was I doing? I was trying to get my folktales which are now more than 1,100, published in the book form. Now-a-days it is very difficult to publish anything in the market. I was really surprised when in spite of talking to several publishers, no publisher got ready to publish them. Somehow I was able to pursue a publisher to publish my first book. Thanks Publisher.<br />
<br />
<b>Touch Read project</b><br />
Under my Touch Read project which is to publish "Foreign Folktales in Hindi Braille", I have been able to publish three books last year. These books were sent free of charge to more than 150 schools for Blind all over India where the students read Hindi Braille. They were published by National Association of Blind, Mumbai, India. They can still be obtained free of charge anywhere in the world by any blind person who can read Hindi Braille .<br />
<br />
These books are: <br />
(1) Folktales of Nigeria-1 (2) Folktales of Nigeria-2 (3) Folktales of Ethiopia<br />
<div>
To obtain them free Contact : <a href="mailto:touchread@yahoo.com">touchread@yahoo.com</a> or <a href="mailto:drsapnag@yahoo.com">drsapnag@yahoo.com</a> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<b>Other Books in Hindi</b><br />
To date I have written more than 1,100 foreign folktales in Hindi. In other words it is a moving library of folktales if it is taken on the computer, it is an archive, it is a treasure. I feel that it should be the largest collection of foreign folktales in Hindi all over the world. Among these 1,100 folktales, more than 400 folktales are only from African countries.<br />
<br />
As you know I have already published more than 35 books on Scribd too. Read them at -<br />
<a href="https://www.scribd.com/uploads" target="_blank">https://www.scribd.com/uploads </a><br />
<br />
I have written an article also about this in an e-magazine Garbhanal (Dec 2015 issue) which may be read at <a href="http://www.garbhanal.com/uploaded/magazine/2015-Dec-SOURCE.pdf">http://www.garbhanal.com/uploaded/magazine/2015-Dec-SOURCE.pdf</a> .<br />
<br />
For the time being, till any of the book is not published on paper, I have these folktales ready published on CDs. For the convenience of readers these folktales have been divided by countries. The following title are available for sale :-<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Folktales from Canada - 17 tales</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Folktales from China - </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">China: Myths - in 2 parts - 37 tales</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Folktales from Italy - in 9 parts - 122 tales.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Folktales from South Africa - 18 tales</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">Musical Instruments in Folktales - 15 tales</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Adventures of Tortoise - 17 tales</span><br />
<br />
See other Blogs in this series clicking on "Folktales" in label section.<br />
<br />
Write about them later<br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.com/folktales/index-folktales.htm" target="_blank">http://sushmajee.com/folktales/index-folktales.htm </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-40236076058910852062015-04-05T15:51:00.004-04:002015-04-05T15:51:40.935-04:00Foreign Folktales in Hindi-5I have posted several blogs about my efforts to document many foreign folktales written in English language to present them in Hindi language to make them available for our Hindi readers, researchers and related associations and institutions.<br />
<br />
You might have read this also that more then 700 folktales are now available in Hindi language. More than 600 folktales have been listed at my website --<br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.com/ms-ppp/text/folktales.pdf" target="_blank"><b>http://sushmajee.com/ms-ppp/text/folktales.pdf</b></a><br />
This list contains the title of the folktale in Hindi, its number of pages (in big type set good for children), the origin of its continent and the country.<br />
<br />
You might be wondering how many folktales can be read from among these 700 folktales?<br />
I have published some 31 books on Scribd, Among which 5 books are free while other books are at minimum price - just $0,99 to download them on any of your electronic devices from the following site --<br />
<a href="https://www.scribd.com/sushma_gupta_1"><b>https://www.scribd.com/sushma_gupta_1</b></a><br />
<br />
The 5 books which are free are -<br />
1. Odd Marriages - Folktales From Africa<br />
2. Stories of Justice<br />
3. Stories of Akbar Birbal-1<br />
4. Stories of Akbar Birbal-2<br />
5. Folktales from Ethiopia-1<br />
<br />
Read them and enjoy them for free.<br />
You may buy other books. They are available at a very affordable cheap price.<br />
<br />
I am really happy to publish them there for our Hindi-readers<br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.com/folktales/index-folktales.htm"><b>http://sushmajee.com/folktales/index-folktales.htm</b></a><br />
<br />Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-51986352050546575702015-04-02T12:27:00.000-04:002015-04-02T12:27:11.538-04:00Foreign Folktales in Hindi-4It has been long time when I wrote my last blog - in October 2014.<br />
Fortunately that was also about the Foreign Folktales in Hindi<br />
After that I got busy in somewhat organizing, editing and e-publishing my some foreign folktales in Hindi in book form on Scribd.<br />
<br />
During the past six months I could publish some 30 books in all. They are mostly organized by topics except a few books by countries - Canada, Ethiopia and Zanzibar (Tanzania). Of course Ethiopia and Canada's all folktales are not given there.<br />
<br />
One can go to the site below and read these books there ---<br />
<a href="https://www.scribd.com/sushma_gupta_1">https://www.scribd.com/sushma_gupta_1</a><br />
<br />
My other blogs about "Foreign Folktales in Hindi" may be read at ---<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.com/2014/10/foreign-folktales-in-hindi-3.html">http://sushmajee.blogspot.com/2014/10/foreign-folktales-in-hindi-3.html</a><br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.com/2014/09/foreign-folktales-in-hindi-2.html" target="_blank">http://sushmajee.blogspot.com/2014/09/foreign-folktales-in-hindi-2.html</a><br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.com/2014/07/foreign-folktales-in-hindi.html" target="_blank">http://sushmajee.blogspot.com/2014/07/foreign-folktales-in-hindi.html</a><br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2013/12/folktales-of-various-countries-1.html">Touch Read Project</a><br />
<br />
Under Touch Read Project, which is purely for the visually handicapped readers, three books have been published by Bombay Office so far. Others are on their way...<br />
<br />
1, Folktales from Nigeria - 1<br />
2. Folktales from Nigeria - 2<br />
3. Folktales from Ethiopia - 1<br />
<br />
They can be obtained free by any eligible reader (a visually handicapped reader of Hindi) by writing to our Marketing manager Mr DK Gupta at <br />
<br />
<a href="mailto:davendrak@hotmail.com" target="_blank">davendrak@hotmail.com</a><br />
I will be too happy to send these books to anybody who asks for them.<br />
<br />
Hope you will like these folktales and recommend them to others to read them.<br />
Spread the word as much as you can,<br />
Develop the habit of reading.<br />
Reading is good for you as it increases your knowledge,<br />
Knowledge is Power...<br />
Everybody wants Power...<br />
You must also have Power<br />
<br />
THANKS<br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.com/folktales/index-folktales.htm">http://sushmajee.com/folktales/index-folktales.htm</a><br />
<br />Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-38315428671577601912014-10-01T19:35:00.003-04:002015-03-22T08:59:34.569-04:00Foreign Folktales in Hindi-3<b>Free Folktale Books on Scribd</b><br />
A few days ago I published a <a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2014/09/foreign-folktales-in-hindi-2.html" target="_blank">blog about my new book</a> - <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/241159298/Odd-Marriages-Folktales-from-Africa" target="_blank">Odd Marriages: Folktales from Africa</a><br />
<br />
Hope you might have read it and like it. Two day ago I have published another book, on Scribd <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/241535569/Stories-of-Justice" target="_blank">"Stories of Justice"</a>. This is also a very interesting book. You will admire people who did justice in it, and you will laugh at people who did justice in it. This is also for you to read free.<br />
<br />
Doing justice is not an easy job. It is a task which has to be completed with intelligence and faithfulness. Sometimes it needs some sacrifice also.<br />
<br />
This book carries stories of justice from very ancient time to not so modern time, and<br />
from all kinds of people and animals, as how do they do justice with their subjects.<br />
These folktales and stories have been selected from all over the world - Israel, Ethiopia, Persia, India etc etc.<br />
<br />
It is really interesting to read these folktales and stories and tell them to others.<br />
You will indeed enjoy them.<br />
Happy reading...<br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://www.sushmajee.com/folktales/index-folktales.htm">www.sushmajee.com/folktales/index-folktales.htm</a><br />
<br />
<br />Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-88998424960465559362014-10-01T19:10:00.000-04:002014-10-01T19:10:23.371-04:00Modern Day Problems-3Day before yesterday I wrote about the importance of the power.<br />
Yesterday I wrote about the problems and stresses related to it.<br />
Today I am writing how our parents or ancestors were happy and contented without power.<br />
<br />
<b>In my childhood</b> -<br />
There was no power in the house. We used mustard oil lamps or kerosene oil lanterns in our houses to go around, in the kitchen and sometimes for reading too. We normally finished our studies in the daytime only. We got our water from a hand pump or from a well, as there was no tap water in the city in those days. Even well was not there in every house. However, we had a well in our house, so many people come to our well to fetch water. It was fun to watch people coming to our house with their buckets to fetch water. Rope was always there at our well so they did not need to bring their rope. For some people filling water was a project.<br />
<br />
We use firewood and coal for cooking - so no worry of gas, microwave, toaster, oven etc etc. Food was cooked twice a day - lunch and dinner. If somebody had to eat at any other time of the day, he ate only cooked kept food - no grudges. No fresh breakfast - only Paraathaa cooked the previous night with vegetable (if it was there at all) otherwise with pickles. My mother used to make many kinds of pickles. One full cupboard - of 4 planks, on each of which at least 4 big jars could be kept, was always full - with 16 jars of various kinds of pickles.<br />
<br />
Otherwise we always ate fresh, no fridge food, no freezer food. If sometime something remained, we used to give to poor people. We were happy that our food was utilized and they were happy that they got the food. What a win-win situation.<br />
<br />
Getting up in the morning was no problem. My mother and grandmother used to get up very early, so they used to wake us up. There was only one alarm clock, of about 6" diameter, in our house and the other one on my father's wrist. There was no need for us to see TIME. Our parents kept the track of the time. We used that alarm clock to see time only to go to school, so that we are not late, that is all.<br />
<br />
There was no radio, let alone TV or anything else. Only rich and educated people used to subscribe for newspaper. Why? Literacy rate was very low and people did not value the newspaper as much. Only countable magazines were there to read. Most things were spoken and heard.<br />
<br />
Whole day either school, or play, or some studies or any other activity if we ever had any. When it was about to be dark, we sat on our open air roof and talk about many things - of house, of outside, of city, of country, about history and geography. My father used to ask us many types of puzzles and questions. We gained a lots of knowledge out of them.<br />
<br />
Then at about 8.00 pm we used to have our dinner, sometimes my mother made it an hour before, sometimes she made it instantly. After taking dinner we used to lay down our beds and our father used to tell us many stories - of Raam, of Mahaabhaarat, historical, educational. And then we slept. At that time we heard many stories. I have written down many of them as "My Childhood Stories".<br />
<br />
What about in summer days? As we did not have any electricity we did not have any electric fan. We used hand fans to cool down ourselves. Everybody had hand fans on his bed. There used to be many fans lying everywhere in the house. As the summer started the hand fan sellers used to come to sell them and people used to buy them in tens for the whole summer, They were made of palm leaves. Many fans were made very beautiful - by using colored cloths, beads, golden laces etc; and all this was done in our houses too. My grandmother and mother used to beautify these hand fans. It was an art.<br />
<br />
<b>My school days - </b><br />
My school days started when I was 8. Till then we had power and tap water in our house. It was a great relief then. The whole house used to seem lighted and for water we did not have to draw water from hand pump - just turn the head of the faucet and Lo there was water flowing down heavily. It used to come 24 hours. Since power was there so we had a radio also in our house, although my father did not allow me to touch it. It was used only to .listen to news only. There were not many programs used to air in those days.<br />
<br />
This electricity was not like today also. Our room was 12 x 30 feet, and we used only 40 watt bulb in that big room and we never thought that the light was dim, rather we were happy that we could study in the night. But today even if we have 100 watt bulb in a small room, we complain of low light.<br />
<br />
I used to spend my summer vacation (2 and 1/2 months) with my maternal uncles' place. Our house was a businessman's house, so there were no modern way of living - from the view point of that time. My maternal Uncles (Maamaa) were in government service, so they lived in the modern way. We (my younger sister and myself) learned many things of modern life by living there,<br />
<br />
In short - No Power, No Problems, No Distress.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2014/09/modern-day-problems-1.html" target="_blank">Modern Day Problems-1</a><br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2014/09/modern-day-problems-2.html" target="_blank">Modern Day Problems-2</a><br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://www.sushmajee.com/" target="_blank">www.sushmajee.com </a>Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-40172848015723285142014-09-29T22:31:00.002-04:002014-10-01T19:14:15.429-04:00Modern Day Problems-2Yesterday I wrote about the importance of POWER in our everyday life of today. Its existence in our life today shows that we cannot live without it. Just think if we do not have it even for some time what will happen to our life --<br />
<br />
--We might not get up in the morning on time without the alarm clock. We are late for all our work.<br />
--No hot water, no powered toothbrush, no electric shaving -- oh what a start of the day? Without these things our mood is off and we cannot do well the whole day.<br />
--Tea or coffee on stove? Never. It will be so late if the master had to prepare on stove, so he had to leave for his office without taking it. Mood off.<br />
--Breakfast in a shop, or restaurant. More delay for work.<br />
--Without radio and TV there is no news and entertainment - what a dry start of the day...<br />
--The family has the habit of eating yogurt at lunch time. When there is no power, no yogurt, what a lunch without yogurt? The whole day is spoiled.<br />
--No TV, - no entertainment, all interesting serials are gone,<br />
--No computer - no e-mail, no home business, no homework for children, Such a useless day.<br />
--And the whole day there was no AC/fan (or heating), so either suffer in heat, or shiver in cold.<br />
-- No security system in the night - how to sleep in the night unsecured?<br />
--Next day again late waking up, late going to work and so on...<br />
<br />
The whole day - what a stressful useless day? It was never never never like this before.<br />
So the Power give us the power to be happy these days.<br />
But what if the Power is not there, then what? Only distress.<br />
<br />
But what do you think? Was it all the time like this? We did not have all these things, say 70 years ago. Then? Were we not happy? Did we have to worry about anything like today?<br />
<br />
No. There was nothing to worry about, so what would we worry about? And when there was no worry, there was no distress. Thus the life was distress free. It was a simple life.<br />
<br />
We will see it tomorrow that how we were distress free many years ago when the power was not there. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2014/09/modern-day-problems-1.html" target="_blank">Modern Day Problems-1</a><br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2014/10/modern-day-problems-3.html" target="_blank">Modern Day Problems-3</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://www.sushmajee.com/">www.sushmajee.com</a><br />
<br />
<br />Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-46988789637245449292014-09-28T09:35:00.001-04:002014-10-01T19:13:35.532-04:00Modern Day Problems-1It is difficult to list today's problems and stress related to them. The problems start since morning and perhaps do not end even after sleeping. Many times we seek their solutions in our dreams also.<br />
<br />
70 years before our parents did not have so many problems and stresses. 70 years means, I am talking about 1940s. I think more than 90% problems have arisen from POWER which may be interpreted in any way - status or position, or electricity, both are curses for life, of course unless they are used it intelligently (while it is difficult to use them). If somebody gets power (strength) he becomes arrogant, proud and tries to rule everybody. At the same time if somebody gets power (electricity) he also becomes arrogant, proud and tries to show off himself to everybody.<br />
<br />
In those days most common people did not have power, neither status nor electricity. Many people did not have status because of British Raaj, and many people did not have electricity because it was not very common in those days.<br />
<br />
With the advent of electricity people have largely depended on it. Not only since morning till evening, but also 24 X 7 we need it now. The whole day and night our heating is on in Winter and AC and fan in Summer. Our refrigerator is also always on. Leave that we often need the electricity to do anything in the night.<br />
<br />
Let us count the other uses of power - our day starts with getting up with the help of electric alarm clock, hot water in the bathroom, powered toothbrush, electric shaver etc. Come to the breakfast table - we need to grind Chutney, or sometimes spices, making tea in an electric kettle, toaster to make toasts, and cold water to drink. After the breakfast we need it to make yogurt in an electric pot, to vacuum clean the house, to run the washing machine to wash clothes. And Yeah, I forgot, during this period our radio is always on for the housewife and TV for other family members. News and entertainment are necessary for our modern day life.<br />
<br />
Now a days a variety of food items are available for all kinds of tastes. In one lunch time, sometimes 3-4 types of food have to be cooked - master of the house needs to eat say Idli and Saambhar; old parents need liquid Daal and Chapati with it, children need to eat pasta. Then why the housewife should sacrifice her desires for the family? She wants to eat Khichdi today. In this menu there is a 100% possibility that at least one or two people will have their lunch cold. Reheating? no problem. Microwave is there. Reheat the food as many times as you like and eat it.<br />
<br />
After the lunch, the house wife gets sometime to watch TV or do some computer work - for this not only electricity is required internet connection is also required. Children need to do their home work on computer. Now a days there is no life without computer. Whether you have your food or not, but you must use computer.<br />
<br />
In the evening again a similar routine resumes. Children take bath, house wife makes tea or coffee (in percolator), Housewife quickly prepares the dinner and then the most evening is spent in front of the TV or computer.<br />
<br />
At night again the fan is on, house security system is on, AC or heating is on, then only one can sleep peacefully in a house.<br />
<br />
Now in this routine where is the time for power to rest? or at what time you can live without power?<br />
So POWER is the breath of our life - of course in present times.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow I will write why our parents or ancestors did not face such problems.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2014/09/modern-day-problems-2.html" target="_blank">Modern Day problems-2</a><br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2014/10/modern-day-problems-3.html" target="_blank">Modern Day Problems-3</a><br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://www.sushmajee.com/" target="_blank">www.sushmajee.com </a>Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-46526028638351962472014-09-27T13:42:00.003-04:002015-03-22T08:59:06.512-04:00Foreign Folktales in Hindi-2This blog is being written after quite some time. I was very busy in preparing my books for Foreign Folktales in Hindi Project... Today I became a bit free, so I am with you. Sorry for this gap and I am happy to be with you again...<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>First Book on Foreign Folktales in Hindi</b><br />
I have been writing in my past blogs that I have taken up a project to write foreign folktales in Hindi language so that they can be available to our Hindi knowing people - old or children, men or women, rich or poor.<br />
<br />
I have indicated in my past blogs that my project is progressing very well and more than 600 folktales from various countries have been adapted into Hindi language. More than half of them are from African countries - Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zanzibar etc.<br />
<br />
<b>Foreign Folktales in Hindi Braille</b><br />
Till now all of these folktales were with me only. Actually most of them are still with me...<br />
<br />
Only one book, of 11 folktales from Nigeria, was published in December 2013 in Hindi Braille language under <b>Touch Read project</b> and was sent to 120 schools for the visually handicapped all over India. Two more books are ready to be published in Hindi Braille very soon, within a month or so. They will also be available to these children in these school.<br />
<br />
These books are free to all people who can read Hindi Braille. Write to procure them to<br />
Davendra Gupta - at <a href="mailto:touchread@yahoo.com">touchread@yahoo.com</a><br />
<br />
<b>Foreign Folktales in Hindi for General Readers</b><br />
I am pleased to announce that I have published my first book "Odd Marriages: Folktales from Africa" today on Scribd. You may enjoy reading it for free <br />
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/241159298/Odd-Marriages-Folktales-from-Africa" target="_blank">Odd-Marriages-Folktales-from-Africa</a><span id="goog_704493216"></span><span id="goog_704493217"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><br />
Hope you will like it.<br />
If you like it please do nor forget to give me a feedback, thanks.<br />
<br />
<b>Past blogs on Folktales --</b><br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2014/07/foreign-folktales-in-hindi.html" target="_blank">http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2014/07/foreign-folktales-in-hindi.html </a><br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.com/2014/02/folktales.html">http://sushmajee.blogspot.com/2014/02/folktales.html</a>
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.com/2013/12/folktales-of-various-countries-1.html">http://sushmajee.blogspot.com/2013/12/folktales-of-various-countries-1.html</a>
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.com/2013/12/folktales-of-various-countries-2.html">http://sushmajee.blogspot.com/2013/12/folktales-of-various-countries-2.html</a><br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://www.sushmajee.com/folktales/index-folktales.htm" target="_blank">www.sushmajee.com/folktales/index-folktales.htm </a>Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-46120605540063020542014-07-30T16:00:00.001-04:002015-03-22T09:02:23.677-04:00Foreign Folktales in Hindi<b>Translation of More Than 600 Folktales Available in Hindi</b><br />
<br />
A few months ago I wrote three blogs about the folktales which were translated from English language in Hindi to facilitate our Hindi speaking children with foreign folktales. These folktales may not be accessible to them because of many reasons -<br />
(1) maybe because they are in English language,<br />
(2) maybe the sources, such as books and other sources (theses, magazines etc) are not only unavailable to them bit they are not available even in India itself,<br />
(3) Or maybe those folktales are not even available in English as many of them have not been translated in English and still exist in their local language.<br />
<br />
Their number has now reached more than 600 - one of the greatest personal collection in the world - and it is still increasing.<br />
These folktales are not only useful for children, but also for those parents who want to tell their little children lots of stories, and for those researchers who are interested in conducting research on them.<br />
<br />
The list of these 600 folktales have been given on my website -<br />
Go to the site <a href="http://sushmajee.com/folktales/index-folktales.htm">sushmajee.com/folktales/index-folktales.htm</a> and click either on<br />
"600 folktales titles", OR<br />
"List of Folktales"<br />
<br />
The list of all these 600 folktales is given Hindi language, classified first by the continent and then by its country. Number of pages of each tale is also given there.<br />
To know more about them write to <a href="mailto:davendrak@hotmail.com">davendrak@hotmail.com</a><br />
<br />
<b>Folktales in Hindi Braille Language</b><br />
As it is clear from those blogs some of these folktales (160 folktales) are available in Hindi Braille language to our visually handicapped children and adults reading Hindi. One book "Folktales of Nigeria, Part 1" is already out of the press and has been distributed free to about 120 schools for visually handicapped children in India.<br />
<br />
Next two more books are in the process of printing -<br />
(1) Folktales of Nigeria, Part 2, and<br />
(3) Folktales from Africa, Part 1<br />
They will be out in the month of August.<br />
<br />
One more book, which is in English, is also under publication in Braille, that is<br />
"Manu's Adventures" - this book is written by Dr Sapna Gupta and contains three most wonderful and interesting stories for children about Manu - its hero.<br />
<br />
All these books will also be sent to the schools of visually handicapped people as soon they are out.<br />
Besides distributed freely, all these books will be <b>freely available</b> to any visually handicapped person, child or adult, on request <b>anywhere in the world</b>.<br />
<br />
You may please write to <a href="mailto:touchread@yahoo.com">touchread@yahoo.com</a> to procure them.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.com/2014/02/folktales.html">http://sushmajee.blogspot.com/2014/02/folktales.html</a><br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.com/2013/12/folktales-of-various-countries-1.html">http://sushmajee.blogspot.com/2013/12/folktales-of-various-countries-1.html</a><br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.com/2013/12/folktales-of-various-countries-2.html">http://sushmajee.blogspot.com/2013/12/folktales-of-various-countries-2.html</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
www.sushmajee.comSushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-7333635444805923262014-07-30T12:20:00.004-04:002014-07-30T12:20:33.704-04:00Mantra Power<b>Do Mantra have Power?</b><br />
Mantra is one word or is a group of words, such as "Hreem" or "Om Namo Bhgavatey Vaasudevaaya". They are supposed to have extraordinary immense power in their sounds which when pronounced repeatedly (Jap or Jaap) create great effects. It has a silent energy which has transformation power on the person who utters it. By Mantra a Devtaa is invoked. Chanting Mantra is like to awake a person from deep sleep.<br />
<br />
Chanting Mantra helps to get some work done or to attain Siddhi. Some people have strong belief in chanting Mantra to get their work done, while many consider it a hoax. What do you believe? Do Mantra have power? Perhaps we may not know about their failure, but at least we can know about their successes --<br />
<br />
(1) Whoever has known <a href="http://sushmajee.com/reldictionary/sketches/sketches-sant/st-shankar-1.htm" target="_blank">Shankaraachaarya Jee</a>, must be knowing that by reciting Kanakdhaaraa Stotra he rained golden Aamalaa (golden gooseberry) on an old woman's hut.<br />
--He composed Subramanyam Bhujangam at Tiruchendur and relieving himself of the effects of Black Magic.<br />
--He also composed Narasinha Stotram and escaping from the Kaapaalik.<br />
<br />
(2) <a href="http://sushmajee.com/reldictionary/sketches/sketches-sant/st-vidyaaranya.htm" target="_blank">Vidyaaranya Teerth</a> was instrumental in the formation of Vijayanagar Kingdom and how did he get money for that. He chanted Kanakdhaaraa Stotra and got the money.<br />
<br />
(3) <a href="http://sushmajee.com/reldictionary/sketches/sketches-sant/st-madhwa.htm" target="_blank">Madhwaachaarya Jee</a>, when challenged Ved and their efficacy by Buddhists took a dead plant and chanted Ved and showed it and showed it coming to life.<br />
<br />
(4) Brahmanya Teerth revived from death one Srinivaasaachaarya and got promise from him to donate the child born subsequently. That child was famous Vyaas Teerth.<br />
<br />
(5) Raaghavendra Teerth revived a village chief Desai's dead child.<br />
<br />
(6) Ragottam Teerth gave Mantra Akshdai to an uneducated Math cook known as Rotti Venkanaachaarya. On receiving it Venkannaachaarya became a very great scholar and wrote Bhaashya subsequently.<br />
<br />
(7) There was one Dwait who was the disciple of Ragottam Teerth. He always used to chant what Dwait people chant - "Agrato Narasinh cha Prishtatho Gopee Nandah Pasvaryo Asto Sasharo Raam Lakshman". And on the way he was attached by a group of thieves but they ran away because they found Raam and Lakshman protecting him.<br />
<br />
(8) Muthuswamy Deekshtar composed Amrit Karshinee in Amrit Varshinee Raag and it rained.<br />
<br />
(9) Tyaagraajaa composed Triteeyaagaradh at Tirupati and the screen moved and he was able to have Venkatraman Swamy's Darshan.<br />
<br />
(10) These two examples I am citing from a bit old times -<br />
---Poet <a href="http://sushmajee.com/reldictionary/literature/authors/mayoor.htm" target="_blank">Mayoor Bhatt</a> wrote Soorya Shatak to cure himself from Leprosy. When he recited its 6th stanza, surprisingly Sun god appeared before him and he asked him to cure him from leprosy. Then Sun god threw a ray on his body and that cured his leprosy.<br />---Another example is of the great Poet Baan Bhatt who wrote Chandee Shatak and propitiated Devee with the 6th syllable of his this Shatak to join the cut hands and feet.<br />
<br />
(11) A Jain leader Maanatungaa allowed himself with 42 chains and got locked up in a house. He then composed 44 verses of Bhaktaamar Sootra and freed himself.<br />
<br />
And there are many more examples....<br />
These examples show that Shlok and Mantra's result depends on Adhikaaree (who deserves) and his Taaratamya (wave length with the Deity)<br />
<br />
If you have any other example or your own experience please do write in the Comments section.<br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://www.sushmajee.com/">www.sushmajee.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.sushmajee/folktales/folktales-index-html" target="_blank">www,sushmajee.com/folktales/folktales-index.html</a>Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-219573469842304712014-04-30T18:16:00.001-04:002014-04-30T18:16:29.646-04:00Akshaya TriteeyaaAkshaya Triteeyaa, or Akshaya Teej, Aakhaa Teej, or Vaishaakh Teej is a very important festival of Northern India. A+Kshaya = A means no, and Kshaya means which is destroyed, thus Akshaya means which cannot be destroyed. Thus whatever is done this day is un-destroyable, imperishable, and lasts for ever, surprisingly enough whether it is a good work or a bad work. And since it is imperishable one must do all good work on this day. Because if any bad work is done on this day its fruit is also imperishable that is one should take care not to do any bad work this day.<br />
<br />
--Akshaya Triteeyaa is celebrated when the Sun and the Moon are radiant until the afternoon.<br />
--According to the astrologers Monday (Chandra Vaar, or Som Vaar) ad Rohinee Nakshatra make this day more auspicious.<br />
--Today is the day when the doors of Badaree Naath Jee opens for public.<br />
--Baanke Bihaaree Temple in Vrindaa Van also opens its doors to public on this day, otherwise the idol is covered by cloth throughout the year.<br />
<br />
--Most people keep fast, do worship, do Jaap, give alms, give donations, do austerities, take sacred baths so that they can avail their fruits for many lives.<br />
--Many people buy gold, start new ventures on this day.<br />--There is no need to see for any Muhoort to start any auspicious work today. That is why his day is called Abhujh or Sarv Siddhi Muhoort.<br />
--This day is of Vishnu, so all worship are dedicated to Vishnu - read Vishnu Sahastrnaam etc.<br />
--Since Vishnu and Shiv are not different Shiv Paarvatee are also worshiped this day<br />
<br />
Vaishaakh Teej falls on the second half of the Lunar month of Vaishaakh or Vaishaakh Shukla Teej.<br />
This year, in 2014, it is falling on 2nd May.<br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://www.sushmajee.com/">www.sushmajee.com </a>Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-65765328547791588422014-02-18T08:58:00.000-05:002014-02-18T08:58:11.184-05:00Folktales<b>Importance of Folktales</b><br />
Every society has its own folktales which are handed over from generation to generation by oral tradition. For the same reason we find many versions of the same tale because oral transmissions are never the same. It is not that every tale has many versions, but still many have. In this process many times the original version is lost and is not traceable at all until it is found in some kind of written format.<br />
<br />
Folktales are an essential part of any society and thus constitute the important part of its literature. As the prose, poetry, drama, sayings are the parts of a body of any society's literature, in the same way folktales, fairy tales etc are also its parts.<br />
<br />
About five to six centuries before the writings were very scarce and not available freely, as there was no modern paper and no modern printing press. But after that it has become much easier to record many things. And today there are many more means than ever to record anything. Now it has become a necessity to record everything and keep it for future reference and spread widely around.<br />
<br />
<b>Difficulties in Maintaining and Spreading Local Folktales</b><br />
There are some difficulties in maintaining and spreading such literature -<br />
(1) Keeping their any kind of literature for future reference is easier for educated societies, but it is not easy for those societies which have low literacy rate and little facilities for printing and storing. Thus even their own folktales are not preserved for their own children for their future.<br />
(2) Then comes the language. It is big barrier to learn about other societies' literature. To break this barrier translation is the only answer. A good translation is only possible when the person knows the two languages very well. With the limitation of other translation problems, it is necessary to understand both languages and sometimes the society.<br />
(3) It is very difficult to collect, translate and then publish folktales from Third World countries, especially from those countries whose language is less known.<br />
<br />
There are still many societies whose folktales are still not available in written form. It is very difficult to collect those tales.<br />
<br />
<b>Folktales Translated in Hindi Language</b><br />
Keeping these problems in mind I decided to translate some folktales from African countries for our Indian children. I have translated more than 300 folktales in Hindi language from various written, unwritten and printed sources of African countries.<br />
<br />
These folktales are mostly from Nigeria, Ethiopia and Tanzania including some from America, Canada, and Europe (Ireland).<br />
<br />
I was fascinated with Raven's Tales, so I have collected them separately. They are also about 40 in number.<br />
They all are waiting to be published......<br />
The collection is still growing.....<br />
<br />
<b>Objective of This Translation</b><br />
The objectives of the translation of these tales in Hindi are --<br />
(1) to give these very less known tales to our Hindi knowing children who cannot procure those societies' folk literature in any case, even in English<br />
(2) to build a body of translated foreign folktale literature in Hindi language<br />
(3) to help social researchers in conducting research in these areas<br />
<br />
Hopefully these translated stories in Hindi language will soon find their way into the hands of our Indian Hindi speaking children and into the body of our Hindi literature.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2013/12/folktales-of-various-countries-1.html">Folktales of Various Countries-1</a><br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2013/12/folktales-of-various-countries-2.html">Folktales of Various Countries-2</a><br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2013/12/folktales-of-various-countries-1.html">Touch Read Project</a><br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://www.sushmajee.com/folktales/index-folktales.htm">www.sushmajee.com/folktales/index-folktales.htm</a>Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-91502825315905262752014-02-18T08:04:00.000-05:002014-02-18T08:04:02.818-05:00Seeta's ExileRaam and Seeta are the hero and heroine of Raamaayan. Who does not know them? And this is also very well known that She went to forest twice.<br />
<br />
The first time She went with Raam when Raam was exiled for 14 years at the time of His coronation ceremony. When She insisted to go to forest with Him, Raam explained Her a lot to stay at home because of the difficulties of forest and to take care of the grieved parents, but Seetaa said - "Paraadheen Sapanehu Sukh Naaheen...." I cannot live without you so I will follow you only." And She went with Him.<br />
<br />
The second time She was especially sent to forest by the same husband Raam who first time asked Her not to accompany Him, the Lord of Tri-Lok, because of the difficulties of the forest. Who could dare to harm Her even a bit when the Lord of Tri-Lok was with Her? When a small crow tried to, then Raam released His arrow which followed him up to the limits of the Tri-Lok and on Naarad Jee's advice he had to ask His forgiveness - "Raakhi na sakahi Koi Raam ko drohee...". After forgiving him He pierced his one eye, so that till today all crows can see only from one eye.<br />
<br />
And the same Seetaa was abducted in the forest by Raakshas Raaj Raavan even when two great warriors were there to protect Her. It is shame for those to so called great warriors who could not protect a helpless woman. It took one whole year to recover Her from that Raakshas.<br />
<br />
Such Seetaa was exiled again, second time, and that also alone, without telling Her that "you are being sent to forest to be left there alone." and in the condition when all women are taken special care.<br />
<br />
Lakshman told Her this only when he reached the point where he was ordered Her to leave - in the wilderness, and wanted to come back to Ayodhyaa. He started crying and requested Her not to blame him for this action.<br />
<br />
She could not even guess as why She was left there, so She asked - "Lakshman, Why do you cry so much?" Then only Lakshman tells Her the orders of Raam. Poor Seetaa gets unconscious. When She gathers Herself She Herself tells Lakshman to go back to Ayodhyaa and wishes that no defame should come to Raam because of Her.<br />
<br />
Now why do I recall these two sensitive incidents of Seetaa's life? Because both incidents occurred just because of two very low level people - first time it was a maid-servant and second time it was a launderer.<br />
<br />
It is really an irony that such low people decided the fate of a royal family.<br />
The other irony is that<br />
(1) first time when Seetaa wanted to accompany Raam, He was trying to stop Her to accompany Him;<br />
(2) while second time Seetaa needed full love, affection and care of Raam, He Himself sent Her to forest without telling Her.<br />
(3) She was left alone to struggle with Her circumstances.<br />
Why?<br />
<br />
When first time Seetaa was asked to take a test (Agni Pareekshaa), She took it, but when She was asked the same thing second time - to prove Herself pure, She broke and went where She came from. How many times She had to pass the purity test for others?<br />
Is this the fate of a Satee woman?<br />
<br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://www.sushmajee.com/">www.sushmajee.com</a>Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-34164546568427928202014-01-14T10:51:00.001-05:002014-01-14T13:38:14.177-05:00Makar SankraantiToday is Makar Sankraanti.. Happy Makar Sankraanti to all. It always falls on 14th January. It is the only Hindu festival which is celebrated according to Christian calendar otherwise all other festivals are celebrated according to Moon calendar. <br />
<br />
It is celebrated all over India in different flavors<br />
In North in UP and in Karnaatak people call it "Khichadee" or only "Sankraanti".<br />
In Gujaraat it is celebrated as the "Kite Festival".<br />
In Panjaab it is celebrated as "Lohadee" on 13th January, a day before actual Sankraanti and on Sankraanti they donate "Khichadee" to Braahman.<br />
In Tamil Naadu and Aandhra it is called "Pongal" which is celebrated for four days. The day also coincides with the commencement of the Tamil month Thai. The day usually falls on 14th January every year.<br />
<br />
<b>What is Makar Sankraanti</b><br />
There is a Zodiac belt, of 360 degrees, around our Earth which for convenience has been divided in 12 sections.<br />
For convenience these 12 sections of 30 degrees each have been named as Aries, Taurus, Gemini etc and are called 12 Signs.<br />
The Sun takes full one year to go through this Zodiac, means all the 12 Signs.<br />
When the Sun transits from one Sign to another Sign of the Zodiac, it is called Sankraanti in Sanskrit and Hindi.<br />
Thus there are 12 Sankraanti in one year because of these 12 Signs..<br />
<br />
Although all Sankraanti are important but this particular Sankraanti, Makar Sankraanti, is the most important for us. Why is it so? Everybody knows how important the Sun is for us. And everybody knows that the Sun is static, does not move, only the Earth rotates around the Sun along with revolving on its axis also. Because of the Earth's these two movements we experience seasons and day and night respectively.<br />
<br />
Because of the Earth's position in relation to Sun, Sun always stays towards the Earth only from 23.5 degree North to 23.5 degree South to the Equator. It takes the Sun 6 months to go to 23.5 degrees South from 23.5 degrees North and the same time to come back to 23.5 degree North.<br />
<br />
23.5 degree North point is called the "Line of Cancer" (Kark Rekhaa) and the 23.5 degree South is called the "Line of Capricorn" (Makar Rekhaa). These two extreme points lie in the year on or around 14th of July, the North one when it is peak of Summer; and 14th of January, the South one when it is peak Winter. It happens so because we live in Northern Hemisphere and when the Sun is in Northern Hemisphere we get more sun rays than from the other six months. Since we get more Sun during this period we feel happy and celebrate it.<br />
<br />
It is proven that the Sun is important for us. It gives us sunshine, health, good crops, plenty of vegetation, rains etc etc. So with this system, on this day, 14th of January, the Sun starts coming to North (or Northward or Uttaraayan) from 23.5 degree South and that is why we celebrate its coming to us. So this is the reason and importance of this Sankraanti festival.<br />
<br />
Read more about it at <a href="http://sushmajee.com/vrat-festivals/festivals/sankraanti.htm">Makar Sankraanti</a> <br />
I am sure in Southern Hemisphere, especially in South Africa, in Australia, and in the southern tip of South America they must be celebrating the Kark Sankraanti in July when the Sun travels Southward.<br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://www.sushmajee.com/">www.sushmajee.com</a>Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-36004402980171558922013-12-28T06:17:00.001-05:002014-02-18T08:57:03.411-05:00Folktales of Various Countries-2In my<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2013/12/folktales-of-various-countries-1.html"> previous blog</a> I wrote that how the project of collecting folktales of various countries was started. Here I write how this project is implemented.<br />
<br />
<b>Touch Read Project</b><br />
To make them available first to our visually handicapped community I contacted National Association for the Blind in Mumbai, India and requested them to publish them in Braille script for the visually handicapped people. They were very happy to publish them.<br />
<br />
Then I established a Project "Touch Read" project under which all these stories will be published by NAB Press. Because there are too many stories, they are published under the series <b>"<a href="http://sushmajee.com/touch-read/materials-1/index-materials-1.htm">Desh Videsh ki Lok Kathayen</a>"</b>.<br />
<br />
As a consequence of these efforts its first collection "Folktales from Nigeria, Part 1" is out in Braille script under the series "Desh Videsh ki Lok Kathayen" and the project <b>"<a href="http://sushmajee.com/touch-read/index-touch-read.htm">Touch Read</a>"</b>.<br />
<br />
This title has already been sent to 98 Hindi speaking schools of India.<br />
<b>This book is available free of charge to all Hindi Braille readers. </b><br />
Interested people can write to ------- <b>touchread@yahoo.com </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Another title in the series "Desh Videsh Ki Lok Kathayen" is "Folktales of Nigeria, Part 2" is underway and will be out soon. As soon it will be out, we will inform our readers here.<br />
<br />
<b>Donations</b><br />
As this Project has been started as a help project, all donations are welcome with a lot of gratitude. Help a visually handicapped person to see the world through a book. One book takes normally around $2.00 - $2.50 to reach its reader. Your little donation will help a visually handicapped person to broaden his or her horizon through a book sitting at home.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2013/12/folktales-of-various-countries-1.html">Folktales of Various Countries-1</a><br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://www.sushmajee.com/">www.sushmajee.com</a>Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-57515372299187648112013-12-27T17:12:00.002-05:002014-02-18T08:57:30.834-05:00Folktales of Various Countries-1<b>Beginning of the Touch Read Project</b><br />
Since my childhood I had the compassion for the visually handicapped people. The first visually handicapped person I saw was my music teacher. A boy used to bring him to the music school by holding his guiding stick. Then inside the school students used to help him for everything. He was so dependent.<br />
<br />
I was only 11 years old then. When I told my mother about it, she told me that we have 5 knowledge collection senses (eyes to see, ears to hear, skin to feel, tongue to taste and speak and nose to smell). If even one of them does not work we are lost. Although all these 5 senses are important for a good living, still among them eyes, ears and tongue are the most important ones. Think of any one of them missing from your daily life, suppose you cannot see (blind), you cannot hear (deaf), or you cannot speak (dumb). It would be so frustrating.<br />
<br />
After that I had to deal with a deaf and dumb person who worked in my library as my assistant in Nigeria. Although he knew Sign language to communicate but since I did not know it so we could not communicate. Fortunately he was educated and could read and write, so we could communicate by writing. I worked with him for about 10 years. I was always sympathetic to him. I was very much touched with these two people.<br />
<br />
For a long time I wished if I could serve visually handicapped people in a meaningful way. I have always been for education. When I explored about the education of these people, I found that there were several schools around, there were libraries too for them etc etc. But I wanted to help them in my own small way.<br />
<br />
While working as a librarian in Nigeria and Ethiopia, I cam across their folktales. On searching these folktales in published form I could find only a couple of sources, and those were also not physically available there. So I started collecting them from unpublished sources - local magazines, oral sources, theses etc etc.<br />
<br />
While doing this, I thought if this material is not available even to their local population, how it could be available to others outside? The idea struck, a spark rose and produced the fire. From wherever I got I started collecting these folktales of these countries of Africa. This material is certainly very difficult to get even to educated people in other countries, let alone our common Hindi speaking people in India and abroad. So I started translating them in Hindi. Now I have more than 300 folktales from various countries.<br />
<br />
Now the question is how to make them available to their readers?<br />
<br />
Continued on <a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2013/12/folktales-of-various-countries-2.html">Folktales of Various Countries-2</a><br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://www.sushmajee.com/">www.sushmajee.com</a><br />
<br />Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-59903427852515920942013-10-22T08:31:00.002-04:002013-10-22T08:31:50.534-04:00Karavaa ChauthHindu women are very particular about the welfare of their family. They do all kinds of Poojaa, fasts, Yantra, Tantra, Yagya for it. There are several festivals in their list for this.<br />
<br />
One of such festivals is Karavaa Chauth. It always falls on Kaarttik Krishn Chaturthee. This year it is today on 22-Oct-2013. This day the married women keep fast and pray for their husband's long life. Karavaa Chauth coincides with Sankashti Chaturthee, a fasting day observed for Ganesh Jee.<br />
<br />
The fasting of Karavaa Chauth and its rituals are observed by married women for the long life of their husband, but the women who wish to marry soon, or whose marriage is getting late can also keep this fast - they pray for their early marriage.<br />
<br />
<b>How to Celebrate It</b><br />
This festival's celebration starts from the previous day. Women apply Menhdee (hina) on their hands and feet the previous day. On the day of Karavaa Chauth they wear new glass bangles, their most beautiful dresses and jewelry and get ready to do Poojaa. Pooree, Kachauree, Pakodee of wheat flour with jaggery are made. Women take out some food and sweets along with some money and offer it to their elderly women as a respect and to receive their blessings. This is called Baayanaa. Those women bless the younger women to be with their husband lifelong. The Baayanaa pot is returned keeping something in it for the welfare of that woman's children.<br />
<br />
All families have their own style of taking out this Baayanaa. Many families take out the Baayanaa of food items and sweets, or dry fruits etc. It is always accompanied with some money. It is customary to keep something else also with this food, sweets and money. People may keep some more food items, clothes or even jewelry for that woman to whom this Baayanaa is given. It is considered very auspicious and people do not normally refuse this Baayanaa because it is considered good fortune to have it.<br />
<br />
Women worship Gauree (Paarvate Jee) and Ganesh Jee in the evening this day. Their fast starts from the night before Karavaa Chauth, means after taking dinner at night they do not eat anything throughout the night also. It is auspicious to eat some sweets after dinner. For the newly married girls this is done by their mothers or mother-in-law wherever they are. This fast continues for the next day, actual Chauth day. This fast is a bit hard as the women do not drink even water until the evening Poojaa is done. Pregnant women and new mothers can take milk once or twice in the daytime. They break their water fast after their evening Poojaa and food fast only after sighting and making the offerings to the Moon god. Moon rises this day a bit late - about 9.00 pm.<br />
<br />
Several family women, or friends may do the Poojaa together in one woman's house. They change their Karavaa during the Poojaa. Karavaa Chauth story is also told and heard. If somebody is alone, she tells the story in a loud voice as it should be heard too along with telling.<br />
<br />
Karavaa Chauth is also known as Karak Chauth. Karavaa or Karak refers to the earthen pot through which water offering, known as Arghya, is made to the Moon god. Karavaa is very significant during the Poojaa and it is also given as Daan (donation) to a Braahman or any eligible married elderly woman. Compare to South Indian states, Karavaa Chauth is more popular in North Indian states.<br />
[See the <a href="http://www.drikpanchang.com/festivals/karwa-chauth/karwa-chauth-date-time.html">Karavaa Chauth Poojan</a>]<br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://www.sushmajee.com/">www.sushmajee.com</a>Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-70180577201167931732013-10-19T09:33:00.002-04:002013-10-19T09:33:42.446-04:00Kaarttik Month-2<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2013/10/kaarttik-month-1.html">Previous blog</a> was about the importance of Kaarttik Maas and activities during that month. Like Aashwin month this month is also full of festivals, so this blog is about the festivals falling in this month.<br />
<br />
<b>(1) Karavaa Chauth</b> - The month starts with Karavaa Chauth celebrated by Suhaagin (married) on Kaarttik Krishn Chauth. This day they keep fast without drinking water for the welfare and long life of their husband and take food after Poojaa and seeing the Moon. This day the Moon rises about 9.00 PM.<br />
<br />
<b>(2) Raadhaa Ashtamee or Raadhaa Jayantee</b> - On Kaarttik Krishn Ashtamee Raadhaa's birthday is celebrated.<br />
<br />
<b>(3) Ahoee Ashtamee</b> - Ahoee Ashtamee also falls on Kaarttik Krishn Ashtamee, This day women, if woman is not there or cannot keep the fast then men, keep fast for the welfare of their sons. They keep fast without drinking water and eat food in the evening after worshiping Mother Hoee and seeing stars. Whose children die just after their birth, they start eating food after seeing the Moon. It is believed that their children live by keeping this fast. On this day Moon rises very late.<br />
<br />
<b>(4) Dhan Teras</b> - Dhan Teras is celebrated on Kaarttik Krish Trayodashee. Hindu celebrate this day by Lakshmee Poojan, buying some kitchen utensil. They buy some gold or silver also to invoke Lakshmee Jee on Divaalee (celebrated on Amaavasyaa).<br />
<br />
<b>(5) Dhanvantari Jayantee</b> - This Kaarttik Krishn Trayodashee day is celebrated as the birthday of Dhanvantari Jee also. According to our Puraan he emerged from <a href="http://sushmajee.com/mahaabhaarat/mbh-notes/mbh-notes-gen/saagar-manthan.htm">Saagar Manthan</a> carrying Amrit Kalash and is the Devtaa of medicines. A lamp is lighted outside the main door to ward off untimely and unnatural death in the family.<br />
<br />
<b>(6) Narakaa Chaudas or Chhotee Divaalee</b> - Kaarttik Krishn Chaturdashee is celebrated as Narakaa Chaudas. It is believed that the doors of Hell are wide open on this day, so to prevent oneself from landing in Hell people light a lamp for Yam Raaj - the god of Death. Facing the South, take a lamp with four wicks (each facing a direction) and black Til oil (sesame seed oil) and keep it outside the house door or gate and pray to Dharm Raaj to spare the family from untimely death in the family. This day a few clay lamps are also worshiped - one for Vishnu (keep it in your Poojaa place), one for Varun Devtaa (keep it near well or water tap), one for Tulasee (keep it with Tulasee plant), one for Yam Raaj (keep it outside the house door), one for Peepal tree (keep it under Peepal or in the roots of any tree) and a few lamps (maybe 5) for our ancestors and those dead people who expect this light from mortals - from their own people or others.<br />
<br />
<b>(7) Hanumaan Jayantee</b> - It is ironical that Hanumaan Jayantee is celebrated in the year by various people at various times. Some people celebrate it on Chaitra Poornimaa. Vaayu Puraan says that he was born on this Chaudas at midnight. Both have supports by scriptures, so one can celebrate it on both days. Since he was born at midnight, the celebration should be on next day morning. People worship Hanumaan on this day (Amaavasyaa) in the morning, read Hanumaan Chaaleesaa and Sundar Kaand this day. You may <a href="http://sushmajee.com/hanumaan/index-hanumaan.htm">listen to Sundar Kaand</a> here.<br />
<br />
<b>(8) Divaalee</b> - Kaarttik Amaavasyaa is Divaalee - the main festival of Hindu, especially of Vaishya. Worship Ganesh Jee and Lakshmee Jee at night. It is celebrated by eating sweets and distributing sweets to close relatives and friends. It is believed that Lakshmee Jee comes out in the night to distribute wealth and whoever's house She finds clean and beautiful she enters that house and gives wealth. So people clean their houses, whitewash or paint their houses, cook and eat delicious food and after worshiping Her wait for Her to come to their house. They keep awake the whole night by playing cards or some other means of entertainment. New clothes are worn and lots of crackers are cracked.<br />
<br />
<b>(9) New Year and Annakoot</b> - Vaishya, traders and businessmen celebrate this day, Kaarttik Shukla Padavaa, as their New Year day. They change their account books and wish each other good for the New Year. This day is celebrated as Annakoot or Govardhan Poojaa also. This is a special festival of western UP. It is believed that Krishn saved Gokul from Indra's wrath - heavy rains for 7 consecutive days, by lifting Govardhan mountain on His left smallest finger. A huge mountain is made by cow dung and Gop, Gwaalaa, cattle are made inside it. Men worship it and as many kinds of foods as possible are cooked and distributed. Temples also distributed Prasaad.<br />
<br />
<b>(10) Yam Dwiteeyaa or Bhaiyaa Doyaj</b> - This day, Kaarttik Shukla Doyaj, is celebrated as Bhaiyaa Doyaj. Brothers go to their sister's house and sister puts Teekaa on their forehead and offers them delicious food. Brothers gives them some money or gift. It is believed that Yamee, sister of Yam, got attracted to her brother and asked for his favor, then Yam preached her about the sacred relationship of brother and sister. Tulasee Planting is also done this day. A new Tulasee plant may also be planted and is worshiped the whole Kaarttik month.<br />
<br />
<b>(11) Soorya Shashthee Vrat</b> - On Kaarttik Shukla 6th day is celebrated as Soorya Shashthee Vrat. A 3-day fast is observed and it is concluded on the 4th day.<br />
<br />
<b>(12) Gopaa Ashtamee</b> - On Kaarttik Shukla Ashtamee cows are worshiped, clothed and fed green grass and other foods. Cow donation is common on this day. Although donation of a real cow is not always necessary, only some donation towards it may also be counted as Gau Daan.<br />
<br />
<b>(13) Akshaya Navamee</b> - Kaarttik Shukla Navamee is celebrated as Akshaya Navamee. Akshaya means immortal. Whatever Punya activity is done on this day becomes immortal; it means that one will be enjoying its Punya till he gets salvation. Punya Karm include Jaap (recitation of Hari's name), Daan (donations), Sevaa (serving somebody or temple, Vrat (fasts), Deep Daan in temples or lighting lamps in home temples, Kathaa etc etc.<br />
<br />
<b>(14) Dev Uthaan Ekaadashee and Tulasee's Marriage</b> - Kaarttik Shukla Ekaadashee is Dev Uthaan Ekaadashee. Vishnu wakes up this day from His 4 months sleep. This day people keep fast, do Vishnu or His Avataar's (Raam or Krishn) Bhajan, Keertan and read scriptures. There was a Daitya named Mur. Krishn killed him, that is how He got the name Muraari (Mur+Ari). Mur went to hide in rice today that is people do not eat rice on all Ekaadashee. Tulasee is also married this day to Shaalgraam. Her marriage is performed in the same way as people marry their children. All kinds of marriage ceremonies are performed in the same way.<br />
<br />
<b>(15) Bheeshm Panchak</b> - Who cannot discipline themselves for the whole Kaarttik month, they can observe them from Kaarttik Shukla Ekaadashee to Kaarttik Poornimaa, 5 days, called Bheeshm Panchak. Keep fast on these days or eat only Saatwik food - no carrot, onions, garlic, mushroom etc. Listen to Raamaayan, Geetaa etc.<br />
<br />
<b>(16) Vaikunth Chaudas</b> - It is believed that on this day the doors of Vaikunth, the abode of Vishnu, are wide open. One should worship Vishnu and Shiv this day. Once Vishnu went to Manikarnikaa Ghaat at Kaashee, to worship Shiv. he took 1,000 lotus flowers to worship him. To test Vishnu's devotion, Shiv hid one flower. When Vishnu found that one flower was short, He thought that people call my eye a lotus eye, so let me offer my eye. As soon as He got ready to pluck His eye Shiv appeared before Him and blessed Him. He also said - "From this day, this Chaudas will be known as Vaikunth Chaudas. Whoever will worship first you and then me will go directly to Vaikunth."<br />
<br />
<b>(17) Kaarttik Poornimaa</b> - It is a very auspicious day to take bath in Gangaa River. If one cannot have access to Gangaa, he can invoke Gangaa while taking bath in home. It is also auspicious day for Satya Naaraayan Vrat Kathaa.<br />
<br />
Thus this month is also full of important festivals.<br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://www.sushmajee.com/">www.sushmajee.com</a>Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-26560154655541583832013-10-19T05:11:00.003-04:002013-10-19T05:11:55.327-04:00Kaarttik Month-1Yesterday, on October 18, 2013, was Sharad Poornimaa. Sharad Poornimaa is the most important Poornimaa of the year among the 12 Poornimaa. This was Aashwin Maas Poornimaa. Almost the whole month was of festival month. First 15 days were dedicated to our Pitri (ancestors), next 9 days were dedicated to 9 forms of Durgaa, the next day was dedicated to Raam's victory over Raavan - Dashaharaa; and this last day of the month, Poornimaa, was the most important Poornimaa of the year - Sharad Poornimaa.<br />
<br />
From today starts the holiest month of the year - Kaarttik Maas. It is the most favorite month for both Vishnu and Shiv. Vishnu who slept on Aashaadh Shukla Ekaadashee wakes up on Kaarttik Shukla Ekaadashee - after 4 months of sleep. This is the greatest thing for Vishnu Bhakt. A lot has been said in Puraan in the praise of this month. This month has been said to be the sin destroying month.<br />
<br />
Whatever Poojaa you do in this month gives great Punya (merit) to the doer, that is why one must do at least something to earn Punya, if not all, such as - Jaap of Hari's name. Snaan in Brahm Muhoort, Deep Daan (lighting lamp) in the house or a temple, fasts (any kind of fast which is possible for you), any kind of Daan (charity), daily Aamalaa or Peepal or Tulasee tree worship, lighting lamp near Tulasee plant, applying Tilak from Tulasee's soil etc are the most Punya giving actions of this month.<br />
<br />
About Snaan, Shiv Jee says to his son Kaarttikeya - "O my dear son, Taking bath in this month before sunrise is equal to taking bath in the holiest of holiest rivers, and sleeping on the ground in this month is equal to donating a piece of land to Braahman."<br />
<br />
Padm Puraan gives an interesting story about Deep Daan - Once in a temple of Vishnu, there lived a mouse who used to eat the ghee from the extinguished ghee lamps which had been offered by devotees to Him. One day when she felt hungry to eat ghee, she tried to eat the ghee from a lamp which was not yet extinguished fully. While eating ghee from the lamp, the cotton wick got stuck in her teeth. Since the ghee wick had a flame, the mouse started jumping in front of the Deity and thus died due to fire. But Vishnu accepted the jumping of that mouse with a lit ghee wick in her mouth as His Aaratee and so He liberated her - the highest goal of one's life. If somebody lights a lamp in a Vishnu temple even for a short time in the month of Kaarttik, his millions of sins acquired from million Kalp (one Kalp equals 1000 Chatur-Yug) are destroyed. This is best Punya Karm during the Kaarttik month.<br />
<br />
Next Blog about Festivals in Kaarttik Maas<br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://www.sushmajee.com/">www.sushmajee.com</a>Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-68159442855883997462013-10-18T13:22:00.001-04:002013-10-18T13:22:08.222-04:00Solomon and Jesus' CrossIn <a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2013/09/solomon-1.html">Solomon</a>, I gave you an introduction to write my blog about Solomon.<br />
Solomon was a great Jew king of his times. He was the son of David. David himself was a great king but Solomon had special grace of his God Yahweh.<br />
<br />
Are you not surprised to read this title that how Solomon who existed 1,000 years before Jesus, is connected to Jesus' cross? Let us see how he is related to him.<br />
<br />
This blog is in the continuation of <a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2013/10/solomons-temple.html">Solomon's Temple</a>. You read in Solomon's Temple that he was the first builder of temples. Since he thought that his God was only one and big, he thought to build his Temple also big. In those days there were no means to cut big pieces of wood or stones and to join them together , so Solomon prayed his God to give him something to help him build big temple for Him and He gave him a wood which could cut big, join big etc etc through a bird. It seemed to him that it was the wood of that tree which was planted in the Garden of Eden by God Himself and later cut it into many pieces when Adam and Eve did not obey Him.<br />
<br />
With the help of that wood Solomon built his big temple and when the construction of the temple was over, it was kept at some secure place where it should not be misused. When Solomon met Queen of Sheba, Queen's foot touched this piece of wood accidentally and her foot got cured. Now we proceed further from this point...<br />
<br />
The Queen of Sheba honored that wood by studding a piece of silver on it. Seeing her doing this, Solomon also did the same except that he engraved his name on that piece of silver. Later he made a rule that all future kings should do the same and by the time of Jesus 30 pieces of silver were studded on that wood. When Solomon had died, this piece of wood was kept safely in the inner room of the Temple and continued to be there till it was needed.<br />
<br />
When Judas conspired with the Temple priests to hand over Jesus to the King of Rome in exchange of 30 silver coins, at that time the Temple did not have money to give to Judas, so those priests gave these 30 pieces of silver to Judas in exchange of Jesus.<br />
<br />
On the 5th day Jesus was ordered to be prosecuted on cross. At that time, some junior priests who believed that Jesus was pure and faultless but were scared to say it outwardly, thought that on whichever wooden cross Jesus will be prosecuted that wood will become holy. Thinking thus they took out that Garden of Eden wood from the inner room of the Temple and gave it to the Roman soldiers to build the cross for Jesus. Thus the same wood, which treated Queen of Sheba's foot, was used to give salvation to the King of Kings Jesus.<br />
<br />
This story is written in Syria and Arabian books. In Ethiopia, this day is celebrated as a national festival with great pomp and show, because a piece of the same cross was brought to Ethiopia in the end of the 14th century. This festival is called Meskel and is celebrated on September 27.<br />
<br />
Is it not interesting to know?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2013/09/solomon-1.html">Solomon</a><br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2013/10/solomons-justice.html">Solomon's Justice</a><br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2013/10/solomons-throne.html">Solomon's Throne</a><br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2013/10/solomon-and-birds.html">Solomon and Birds</a><br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2013/10/solomons-temple.html">Solomon's Temple</a><br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://www.sushmajee.com/">www.sushmajee.com</a>Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1771400170413692170.post-2493331867656521872013-10-17T20:43:00.001-04:002013-10-17T20:43:17.805-04:00Solomon and BirdsIn Solomon-1, I gave you an introduction to write my blog about Solomon.<br />
Solomon was a great king of his times. He was the son of David. David himself was a great king but Solomon had special grace of his God Yahweh.<br />
<br />
Once, when he was a child, his God Yahweh asked him to ask for a boon he wished for. He asked the boon of wisdom instead of wealth, fame, and victory over his enemies. And Yahweh gave him that too which he did not ask for.<br />
<br />
<b>Solomon Knew All Languages</b><br />
Solomon not only knew the languages of birds and all kinds of animals (animals of earth, sky and water) but he also had full control over them. He used to converse with them and take work from them. In fact he had control over all the living beings of the world - not only human beings, animals and birds but also over the Jinn, angels and other invisible beings too. Here I describe you an incident in which he used a bird to call the Queen of Sheba, the Queen of Ethiopia, to him.<br />
<br />
Once Solomon called all the birds to him, so all the birds came to him, but there was one bird which did not come - that was Hoopoe bird. Solomon got very angry at this and he asked his servant Jenie to find that Hoopoe bird and bring it to him, and if he did not bring that Hoopoe, he would be bitten by worms in the desert. So Jenie went, found the bird after long time and came back to Solomon with it. The bird was trembling with fear.<br />
<br />
Solomon asked her where was she and why she did not come when he had called all the birds. She said - "If you will just listen to me why I did not come, I will be convinced that I am pardoned." "Speak." Hoopoe bird said - "Flying high I continued to fly for 3 months without eating anything just to see is there any place which is not under your rule. Flying thus I reached Athiops and met another Hoopoe. I asked him about this. He said - "This kingdom is like that where people worship Sun God and do not even know your Solomon and his God Yahweh."<br />
<br />
Hearing this I filled with rage and asked him the name of its king. He said - "This kingdom is called Sheba and here rules a maiden queen Balqis who is very beautiful." Solomon asked him - "Have you yourself seen that queen?" Hoopoe bird said - "Yes, She indeed is beautiful." Solomon then sent a letter to the queen through that Hoopoe bird. He wrote in that letter - "I rule over the whole world, including animals, birds, water animals, genie etc, so you should also come to me and accept me as your king. I will give you proper respect. If you did not come to me I will destroy your whole kingdom within a night."<br />
<br />
Hoopoe bird flew and dropped that letter in the laps of Balqis who was sitting in her court. After reading the letter she consulted her courtiers and decided that she would not go to him and let him destroy her kingdom. Then she sent 500 young boys in the guise of girls and 500 young girls in the guise of boys to him along with gold and an egg size pearl asking its meaning and a gem with a curved hole to be threaded. Since Solomon asked the Hoopoe bird to bring her reply, he came with this reply.<br />
<br />
Solomon welcomed the queen's people and did what the queen asked him to do. He said - "It is not good to send people in opposite sex clothes. He wrote this pearl is the symbol of purity. He threaded the gem by ordering one worm to go through that curved hole of the gem tying a hair in his foot.<br />
<br />
Balqis got very happy to see this and she set off to Juda to see Solomon.<br />
Such was his control over birds and worms and genie etc.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2013/09/solomon-1.html">Solomon</a><br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2013/10/solomons-justice.html">Solomon's Justice</a><br />
<a href="http://sushmajee.blogspot.ca/2013/10/solomons-throne.html">Solomon's Throne</a><br />
<br />
Sushma Gupta<br />
<a href="http://www.sushmajee.com/">www.sushmajee.com</a>Sushma Guptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418571777366462981noreply@blogger.com0