My spouse’s mood changes all the time... Is she/he BIPOLAR..?!

Bipolar affective disorder (BPAD - previously called Manic Depressive Psychosis) is a complex mood disorder characterized by the lows of depression and the highs of mania, and everything in between.  

More prevalent in the higher socioeconomic population, it is a chronic, potentially lifelong illness that needs constant care and attention.  People with BPAD are prone to mood swings, although not the circumstantial dysphoria and irritability that people usually make the mistake of attributing to the illness (as in labelling someone 'bipolar').  That is to say, the mood changes occur subtly over several days, and not dramatically within minutes. 

BPAD, to me, underscores the fact that everything in the universe is in a state of balance: too much or too little of anything is unsustainable.  

So it is with the human body and mind.  Too much of blood sugar is termed diabetic, and too little, hypoglycemic.  Too much of sadness is depressive, and too much of happiness is manic.  

BPAD often affects creative people, and patients even attribute some of their creative outbursts to the early phases of mania when thoughts are racing through the mind, and there is a restless need to create.  

Everyone experiences highs and lows of mood, but the extremes of BPAD affect quality of life and relationships, and therefore require intervention.  Indeed, if a patient develops mania, it is the family that seeks professional help because the patient lacks insight into the seriousness of his/her mental condition. 

I talk about the signs and symptoms, risks associated, and the treatment of BPAD in this video in three languages:

English: https://youtu.be/l2tpxeEiOHg

Hindi: https://youtu.be/qk4D5unqe28

Kannada: https://youtu.be/icB_KSBpDWk

Also read my review of the book on BPAD, Em and the Big Hoom.

Resources:

Background music: 7th Dimension, 

Pictures: https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8451/7996124566_5b4d08ecaf_z.jpg

Shivashadakshara Stotram

The Shivashadakshara Stotram eulogizes Lord Shiva, one of the Holy Trinity of Sanatana Dharma.  It is taken from the Rudrayamala, a pre-tantric text that elaborates upon the Kundalini Yoga.  

The beauty of the stotra lies in the fact that first syllable of each shloka collectively spells out the mantra, Om Nama Shivaya, meaning 'I bow to Lord Shiva'.  This is also why the stotra is called shadakshara, meaning six-syllabled, implying the six syllables that spell out the mantra (indicated in red in the video).  

For the meaning of each of these syllables, read the earlier post on Om Nama Shivaya.  Read and watch Lingashtakam, the octet of praise of Lord Shiva. 

Watch the video of Shivashadakshara Stotram here:

https://youtu.be/6I0genD5eWY

The transliteration into three languages (English, Hindi & Kannada) and the translation (into English) of this stotra is as follows:

Atah Shivashadakshara Stotram

अतः शिवशडक्षर स्तोत्रम

ಅತಃ ಶಿವಶಡಕ್ಷರ ಸ್ತೋತ್ರಂ

This is Shiva's six-syllabled stotra 

Omkaram bindu samyuktam nityam dhyayanti yoginaha

Kamadam mokshadam chaiva omkaraya namo namaha

ओमकारम बिन्दुसम्युक्तम नित्यम ध्यायन्ति योगिनः

कामदम मोक्ष्दम चैव ओमकाराय नमो नमः

ಓಂಕಾರಂ ಬಿಂದುಸಂಯುಕ್ತಂ ನಿತ್ಯಂ ಧ್ಯಾಯಂತಿ ಯೋಗಿನಃ

ಕಾಮದಂ ಮೋಕ್ಷದಂ ಚೖವ ಓಂಕಾರಾಯ ನಮೋ ನಮಃ

Omkara with the dot, meditated upon by the yogis

Bestower of wishes and moksha, salutations to Omkara Shiva 

Namanti rushayo deva namantyapsaraso ganaha

Nara namanti devesham nakaraya namo namaha

नमंति ऋषयो देवा नमंत्यप्सरसो गणाः

नरा नमंति देवेशम नकाराय नमो नमः

ನಮಂತಿ ಋಷಯೋ ದೆವಾ ನಮಂತ್ಯಪ್ಸರಸೋ ಗಣಾಃ

ನರಾ ನಮಂತಿ ದೆವೇಶಂ ನಕಾರಾಯ ನಮೋ ನಮಃ 

To Whom the rishis, devas, and apsaras bow reverentially

Lord of devas to Whom humans bow reverentially, salutations to nakara Shiva 

Mahadevam mahatmanam mahadhyanaparayanam

Mahapapaharam devam makaraya namo namaha

महादेवम महात्मानम महाध्यानपरायणम 

महापापहरम देवम मकाराय नमो नमः

ಮಹಾದೇವಂ ಮಹಾತ್ಮಾನಂ ಮಹಾಧ್ಯಾನಪರಾಯಣಂ

ಮಹಾಪಾಪಹರಂ ದೇವಂ ಮಕಾರಾಯ ನಮೋ ನಮಃ

The great God and Soul, the Supreme Meditator

The great Destroyer of sins, salutations to makara Shiva 

Shivam shantam jagannatham lokanugrahakarakam

Shivamekapadam nityam shikaraya namo namaha

शिवम शांतम जगन्नाथम लोकानुग्रहकारकम

शिवमेकपदम नित्यम शिकाराय नमो नमः

ಶಿವಂ ಶಾಂತಂ ಜಗನ್ನಾಥಂ ಲೋಕಾನುಗ್ರಹಕಾರಕಂ

ಶಿವಮೇಕಪದಂ ನಿತ್ಯಂ ಶಿಕಾರಾಯ ನಮೋ

Shiva is peaceful Lord of universe, He is the bestower of welfare of world

Shiva the word is eternal, salutations to shikara Shiva

Vahanam vrushabho yasya vasuki kanthabhushanam

Vame shaktidharam devam vakaraya namo namaha

वाहनम वृषभो यस्य वासुकी कंठभूषणम 

वामे शक्तिधरम देवम वकाराय नमो नमः

ವಾಹನಂ ವೃಷಭೋ ಯಸ್ಯ ವಾಸುಕೀ ಕಂಠಭೂಷಣಂ

ವಾಮೇ ಶಕ್ತಿಧರಂ ದೇವಂ ವಕಾರಾಯ ನಮೋ ನಮಃ

He who rides the bull, He who wears the serpent as garland

He who has Goddess Shakthi on his left, salutations to vakara Shiva

Yatra yatra sthito devah sarvavyapi maheshwaraha

Yo guruh sarvadevanam yakaraya namo namaha

यत्र यत्र स्थितो देवः सर्वव्यापी महेश्वरः

यो गुरुः सर्वदेवानाम यकाराय नमो नमः

ಯತ್ರ ಯತ್ರ ಸ್ಥಿತೋ ದೆವಃ ಸರ್ವವ್ಯಾಪೀ ಮಹೇಶ್ವರಃ

ಯೋ ಗುರುಃ ಸರ್ವದೇವಾನಾಂ ಯಕಾರಾಯ ನಮೋ ನಮಃ

Where the devas reside, the Great God pervades all

He is the Guru of all devas, salutations to yakara Shiva

Shadaksharamidam stotram yah pathet Shivasannidhau

Shivalokamavapnoti Shivena saha modate

शडक्षरमिदम स्तोत्रम यः पठेत शिवसन्निधौ

शिवलोकमवाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते 

ಶಡಕ್ಷರಮಿದಂ ಸ್ತೋತ್ರಂ ಯಃ ಪಠೇತ್ ಶಿವಸನ್ನಿಧೌ

ಶಿವಲೋಕಮವಾಪ್ನೋತಿ ಶಿವೇನ ಸಹ ಮೋದತೆ

Whoever chants this six-syllabled stotra, in the proximity of Shiva

Such a person will attain the Abode of Shiva, and be happy with Shiva

Iti Shri Rudrayamale Umamaheshwarasamvade Shivashadakshara Stotram sampurnam

इति श्री रुद्रयामले उमामहेश्वरसंवादे शिवशडक्षर स्तोत्रम सम्पूर्णम 

ಇತಿ ಶ್ರೀ ರುದ್ರಯಾಮಲೆ ಉಮಾಮಹೇಶ್ವರಸಂವಾದೆ ಶಿವಶಡಕ್ಷರ ಸ್ತೋತ್ರಂ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ್ಂ

Thus ends Shri Rudrayamala's Parvathi-Shiva's conversation of 

Shiva's six-syllabled stotra

Resources:
Music: Maestro Tlakaelel, Jesse Gallagher
Pictures:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Kailash_north.JPG/1200px-Kailash_north.JPG
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bb/Breathtaking_scenery_on_way_to_Amarnath_Cave.JPG
References:
Meaning:
http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Shiva_Shadakshara_Stotram
https://greenmesg.org/stotras/shiva/shiva_shadakshara_stotram.php
https://stotram.co.in/shiva-shadakshara-stotram/
http://www.stutimandal.com/poemgen.php?id=54
https://shaivam.org/scripture/Marathi/395/shiva-shadakshara-stotram
Significance: http://www.shivashakti.com/rudrayam.htm

Shri Sankata Nashana Ganesha Stotram

A stuti or stotra is a collection of shlokas recited as a eulogy of one's ishta devta (chosen deity). 

In this stotra, taken from the Narada Purana, Lord Ganesha is invoked and His blessings are sought to remove one's obstacles.  

The title, which can also be written as 'Sankashtahara Ganapathi Stotram', translates to: 'Ganesha's stotra that destroys troubles'. 

Chanting this stotra regularly is said to bestow one with health, wealth and fulfilment of wishes.

It is recommended that this stotra is chanted first thing in the morning after ablutions, facing the East, while focusing on the image/idol of Lord Ganesha with bhakti.

Also read and listen about the other Ganesha mantra in this earlier post.

https://youtu.be/KIwW2Q7_H2s

Here is the transliteration (into English, Hindi & Kannada) and translation (into English) of this stotra: 

Atah Shri Sankata Nashana Ganesha Stotram

अतः श्री संकट नाशन गणेष स्तोत्रम 

ಅತಃ ಶ್ರೀ ಸಂಕಟ ನಾಶನ ಗಣೇಶ ಸ್ತೋತ್ರಂ

This is Sankata Nashana Ganesha Stotra

Narada Uvacha

नारद उवाच 

ನಾರದ ಉವಾಚ 

Sage Narada said

Pranamya shirasa devam Gouri putram Vinayakam

Bhaktavasam smarenityam ayuh kamartha siddhaye

प्रणम्य शिरसा देवम गौरी पुत्रम विनायकम 

भक्तावसम स्मरेन्नित्यम आयुः कामार्थ सिद्धये 

ಪ್ರಣಮ್ಯ ಶಿರಸಾ ದೇವಂ ಗೌರೀ ಪುತ್ರಂ ವಿನಾಯಕಂ

ಭಕ್ತಾವಾಸಂ ಸ್ಮರೇನ್ನಿತ್ಯಂ ಆಯುಃ ಕಾಮಾರ್ಥ ಸಿದ್ಧಯೇ

Bow your head in reverence to the Son of Parvathi, Ganesha

He who lives in the devotee, He who grants long life, love and wealth

Prathamam Vakratundam cha Ekadantam dvitiyakam

Trutiyam Krushnapingaksham Gajavaktram chaturthakam

प्रथमम वक्रतुंडम च एकदंतम द्वितीयकम 

तृतीयम कृष्णपिंगाक्षम गजवक्त्रम चतुर्थकम 

ಪ್ರಥಮಂ ವಕ್ರತುಂಡಂ ಚ ಏಕದಂತಂ ದ್ವಿತೀಯಕಂ

ತೃತೀಯಂ ಕೃಷ್ಣಪಿಂಗಾಕ್ಷಂ ಗಜವಕ್ತ್ರಂ ಚತುರ್ಥಕಂ

First know Him as One with curved tusk, second as One with single tusk

Third as One with blackish-red eyes, fourth as One with face of elephant

Lambodaram panchamam cha shashtam Vikatameva cha

Saptamam Vighnarajam cha Dhumravarnam tathashtakam

लम्बोदरम पंचमम च शष्टम विकटमेव च 

सप्तमम विघ्नराजम च धूम्रवर्णम तथाश्टकम

ಲಂಬೋದರಂ ಪಂಚಮಂ ಚ ಶಷ್ಟಂ ವಿಕಟಮೇವ ಚ 

ಸಪ್ತಮಂ ವಿಘ್ನರಾಜಂ ಚ ಧೂಮ್ರವರ್ಣಂ ತಥಾಷ್ಟಕಂ

Fifth know Him as One with huge belly, sixth as One who is harsh on foes

Seventh as remover of obstacles, eighth as One who is coloured like smoke

Navamam Bhalachandram cha dashamam tu Vinayakam

Ekadasham Ganapatim dvadasham tu Gajananam

नवमम भालचंद्रम च दशमम तु विनायकम 

एकादशम गणपतिम द्वादशम तु गजाननम 

ನವಮಂ ಭಾಲಚಂದ್ರಂ ಚ ದಶಮಂ ತು ವಿನಾಯಕಂ

ಏಕಾದಶಂ ಗಣಪತಿಂ ದ್ವಾದಶಂ ತು ಗಜಾನನಂ

Ninth know Him as One with Moon on forehead, tenth as Great Leader

Eleventh as Leader of Ganas, twelfth as having countenance of elephant

Dvadashaitani namani trisandhyam yah pathenaraha

Na cha vighna bhayam tasya sarvasiddhi karam prabho

द्वादशैतानि नामानि त्रिसंध्यम यः पठेनरः

न च विघ्न भयम तस्य सर्वसिद्धि करम प्रभो 

ದ್ವಾದಶೈತಾನಿ ನಾಮಾನಿ ತ್ರಿಸಂಧ್ಯಂ ಯಃ ಪಠೇನರಹಃ

ನ ಚ ವಿಘ್ನ ಭಯಂ ತಸ್ಯ ಸರ್ವಸಿದ್ಧಿ ಕರಂ ಪ್ರಭೋ

He/she who reads these twelve names at dawn, noon and dusk

Shall not fear any obstacles, and accomplish every task

Vidyarthi labhate vidyam dhanarthi labhate dhanam

Putrarthi labhate putram moksharthi labhate gatim

विद्यार्थी लभते विद्याम धनार्थी लभते धनम 

पुत्रार्थी लभते पुत्राम मोक्षर्थी लभते गतिम

ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥೀ ಲಭತೇ ವಿದ್ಯಾಂ ಧನಾರ್ಥೀ ಲಭತೇ ಧನಂ

ಪುತ್ರಾರ್ಥೀ ಲಭತೇ ಪುತ್ರಾಂ ಮೊಕ್ಷಾರ್ಥೀ ಲಭತೇ ಗತಿಂ

Student will attain knowledge, he/she who seeks money will get wealth

He/she who seeks child will get one, he/she who seeks salvation will attain moksha

Japet Ganapati strotram shadbhirmasai phalam labhet

Samvatsarena siddhim cha labhate natra samshayaha

जपेत गणपती स्तोत्रम षड्भिर मासै फलम लभेत 

सम्वत्सरेण सिद्धिम च लभते नात्र समशयः

ಜಪೇತ್ ಗಣಪತೀ ಸ್ತೋತ್ರಂ ಷಡ್ಭಿರ್ ಮಾಸೈ ಫಲಂ ಲಭೇತ್ 

ಸಂವತ್ಸರೇಣ ಸಿದ್ಧಿಂ ಚ ಲಭತೇ ನಾತ್ರ ಸಂಶಯಹಃ

The fruits of chanting this stotra will be evident within six months

Within a year wishes will be fulfilled, no doubt

Ashtabhyo brahmanebhyashcha likhitva yah samarpayet

Tasya vidya bhavet sarva Ganeshasya prasadataha

अष्टभ्यो ब्राह्मणेभ्यश्च लिखित्वा यः समर्पयेत 

तस्य विद्या भवेत सर्वा गणेशस्य प्रसादतहः

ಅಷ್ಟಭ್ಯೋ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣೇಭ್ಯಶ್ಚ ಲಿಖಿತ್ವಾ ಯಃ ಸಮರ್ಪಯೇತ್ 

ತಸ್ಯ ವಿದ್ಯಾ ಭವೇತ್ ಸರ್ವಾ ಗಣೇಶಸ್ಯ ಪ್ರಸಾದತಹಃ

He/she who offers this stotra in writing to eight wise people

Will be blessed with knowledge by the Grace of Ganesha

Iti Shri Narada Purane Sankata Nashana Ganesha Stotram sampurnam

इति श्री नारद पुराणे संकट नाशन गणेश स्तोत्रम सम्पूर्णम 

ಇತಿ ಶ್ರೀ ನಾರದ ಪುರಾಣೇ ಸಂಕಟ ನಾಶನ ಗಣೇಶ ಸ್ತೋತ್ರಂ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ್ಂ

Thus ends Narada Purana's Sankata Nashana Ganesha stotra

Resources/references:

Picture: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Namaste_namaskar.jpg/99px-Namaste_namaskar.jpg

Background music: The Golden Present, Jesse Gallagher

Stotra:

• http://sanskritdictionary.org
• https://www.wisdomlib.org
• https://www.shabdkosh.com
• https://www.hindujagruti.org/hinduism/ganesh-names
• https://www.devshoppe.com/blogs/articles/shri-sankata-nashanam-ganapati-stotram-with-meaning
• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/astrology/mantras-chants/ganesha-stotra-chant-early-morning-for-a-healthy-prosperous-life/articleshow/75154798.cms
• https://www.hinduismoutlook.com/sankata-nashana-ganesha-stotram/

My father is always forgetting... has he got DEMENTIA?

Dementia is a neurocognitive condition that affects people over 60 years of age.  It is characterized by short-term memory loss, confusion, sleep reversal, and odd behaviour. 

Find a brief introduction to this complex condition in this video in three languages:

English: https://youtu.be/SS8upBPfsfk

Hindi: https://youtu.be/WesEr0KHM78

Kannada: https://youtu.be/QXCEdKxcnew

Find out more about dementia in an earlier article of mine that was published in Deccan Herald.  Also read about the effects of meditation on ageing.  A recommended book on end-of-life care is Being Mortal.

Resources:
Background music: Cosmology by Evocativ
Pictures: 
https://loonylabs.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/dementia.jpg?w=550&h=422
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/Alois_Alzheimer_003.jpg/220px-Alois_Alzheimer_003.jpg

How can I reduce SUICIDAL THOUGHTS?!

If you are affected by the goings on in the world or in your personal life, and are contemplating taking the extreme step, then please take a few minutes to watch this video.  

Whether it is the COVID-19 pandemic that has upended lives across the globe, or the economic crunch that each one of us is facing in its wake, there are reasons galore to feel the blues.  Even if these are not the burning issues in your life, there are always others - breakups, bereavement, failure in exams, job loss, and the leading cause for completed suicide in India: being in debt.

While this video is no panacea for all the woes that you may be facing, it is an attempt to help you change your outlook and mindset so that you consider the larger issues of life, and take a step back from making an impulsive decision.

 

How common are suicidal ideas?

What are the causes for feeling suicidal?

What are the risk factors for suicide attempt?

What should you do if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal?

What are the religious and spiritual connotations of suicide?

Find out in in this video in three languages:

English: https://youtu.be/08i4_FGRmB8

Hindi: https://youtu.be/2w346GDm79w

Kannada: https://youtu.be/Qjg98TRvt-A

Please note that the National (Indian) Suicide Helpline number is: 9152987821 or 022-25521111 (by iCall).  

If you are in and around Bengaluru, you can also reach out to the counsellors of Arpita Foundation (NGO) through their helpline: 080-23655557 (7 am to 9 pm, all days of the week).

For information on suicide care and suicide helplines, please click external link in my earlier article. 

Resources/references:

Quotes (all translations into Hindi/Kannada by me):

• Suicide is a sin... and for many points from the 'larger/spiritual issues' section of the video (also, I recommend reading the book): The Laws of the Spirit World, Khorshed Bhavnagri 
• Man is a Soul... Attributed to Sri Yukteshwar Giri, Autobiography of a Yogi, Paramahansa Yogananda
• All that we are is... Attributed to Lord Buddha, Thought Power, Swami Sivananda
• Those things that hurt... Attributed to Benjamin Franklin, In The Road Less Travelled, M. Scott Peck
• Be in the world... Osho, Autobiography of a Spiritually Incorrect Mystic
• He who has a why... Attributed to Nietzsche, Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl
• While there is life... Brief Answers to Big Questions, Stephen Hawking
• Om... I am Saakshi... Thought Power, Swami Sivananda
• Punarapi jananam... Moha Mudgara (Bhaja Govindam), Adi Shankaracharya [with Sanskrit to English translation from: bhakthi.in and sanskritdocuments.org]

Music: Sunflower Field, Mocha Music

Pictures: 

https://gamepedia.cursecdn.com/overwatch_gamepedia/thumb/8/81/Spray_McCree_Noose.png/100px-Spray_McCree_Noose.png?version=4419c49da3cea03efc5fa76c5139e1e8

http://media.pn.am/media/issue/266/075/photo/339x226_thumb_photo_266075_76f1cfd77.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/Bhisma_fight_in_Swayamvara.jpg/250px-Bhisma_fight_in_Swayamvara.jpg

http://www.indianetzone.com/photos_gallery/77/2_Battle_between_Shikhandi_and_Bhisma.jpg

https://archive.org/services/img/GarudaPuranaGitaPressGorakhpur

 

Book recommendation: Laws of the Spirit World

As I have said with other book recommendations, there are times when you do not read a book for its literary merits.  Rather, you read for the content: the message it conveys and how it will affect you.  

This is one such book.

You might have wondered to yourself, what is life?  What is the purpose of our existence?  What should our life goals be?  Why do have relationship issues?  What should we avoid doing?  How are we doing in terms of achieving our goals in the phenomenal world, and in the spiritual sense?

If so, then this book is for you.

It only requires two things of you: belief and an open mind.  You won't be able to progress much if you don't believe the source of the messages contained in this book.  Secondly, if you are the ultra-rational type, who seeks a logical explanation for every occurring, then too, this is not for you.

Apart from the answers to larger issues mentioned above, here is a sample of the some of the words of wisdom that I perused in this book - spiritual mahavakyas, if you like:

• 'Yes, God exists!'
• 'Suicide is sin.'
• 'Murder is never part of God's plan.'
• 'On Earth, wise men created marriages to safeguard children...'
• 'Nothing happens before its time - so just wait and relax...'
• 'Do not be judgmental, but use your judgment.'
• 'Choose goodness for the sake of goodness itself.'
• '... all thoughts create energy, so be aware of what energy you are creating.'
• '...hope is essential to human survival.'
• 'Positivity is a choice no matter what the situation.'
• 'Fame on Earth has absolutely no value in the spirit world.'
• 'To do God's work means to use your position of strength to help others grow.'
• 'Whatever your path, learn to view it from a spiritual perspective.'
• 'Instead of feeling great, feel grateful.'

Though it is clearly mentioned in the book that 'there is no religion in the spirit world,' I could not help noting the obvious congruence of the messages with those of the scriptures of Sanatana Dharma.  

So, here are a few that indicate this:

• It is not God, but the Law of Karma that punishes us for our misdeeds.
• One can accrue both negative and positive Karma, according to the nature of our actions.
• '...reincarnation means the same spirit being born on Earth life after life.'
• 'Take action.  Do your best and leave the rest to God.'  [To me, this is a direct vindication of the overarching message of the Bhagavad Gita: do your duty and don't worry about the results.]
• 'Yoga is wonderful for the mind, body and spirit.'
• 'To know God is to know ourselves, discover who we are, and discover His goodness within us.' [Confirms the message of spiritual unity of all living beings with Brahman, as propounded by Adi Shankaracharya's Advaita philosophy]
• 'True success is spiritual success and not earthly success.' and 'Do not think of power.  Think of spiritual strength.' and 'Lead a simple, honest, kind and selfless life.'  [underpin the importance of viveka (discrimination), vairagya (non-attachment) and nishkama seva (selfless service), that are advocated for spiritual progress in Hinduism]
• 'The things that you can see are temporary; the things that are not visible are eternal.' [indicative of maya, which is the attribute of the phenomenal world that prevents us from realising Brahman, once again, from Advaita]
• 'There will come a point when Nature itself will erase negativity.'  There is also mention of 'shift of Earth's axis' and natural disasters that will wipe away negativity caused by human vice.  [comparable to pralayas (great dissolution of creation) that end each of the four yugas (time periods) mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana]

Bear in mind the spirit communications delivering these messages are from two recently deceased Parsi gentlemen to their mother.  Just like in my other book recommendation, Many Lives, Many Masters, it is reassuring for me to know that our rishis have, over the ages, given us the message of spiritual enhancement, which is only recently being vindicated by non-Hindu thinkers/writers and through scientific studies. 

Even if you are a sceptic, it wouldn't hurt to learn through the messages conveyed in this book and put them into practice, if only to become a better human being.

Highly recommended reading from an early age, so that we know what really matters in life and over what pursuits we need to invest our time and energy during our lifetime. 

Thank you, Vispi, Ratoo, Khorshedji and Rumiji.  May you reach the highest Universe and Realm.

Image source: https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/514KGkGN84L.jpg

Mantra for meditation: Om Namah Shivaya

 ||Om Namah Shivaya||

||ॐ नमः शिवाय|| 

||ॐ ನಮಃ ಶಿವಾಯ||

This sacred mantra of Sanatana Dharma literally means: 'I bow to Thee, O Lord Shiva'.  Since Shiva is the inherent God Principle in every living being, the mantra also has a deeper meaning of, 'I bow to the Divinity within me'.

The mantra is said to be a composite of five syllables (shown as the five petalled flower in the video), each with its own significance:

Naada (Sound)	Panchamahabhutas (Five great elements)	Ishakriya (Functional aspect of Shiva)
Na	Prithvi (Earth)	Creation
Ma	Jala (Water)	Preservation
Shi	Agni (Fire)	Destruction
Va	Vayu (Air)	Concealment
Ya	(Akasha) Ether	Revelation

https://youtu.be/GQNrvnfEUSA

According to Charaka Samhita, the great Ayurvedic text, these five great elements and their variants that are present in the Universe are also present in our bodies, and vice versa.  Whatever affects these constituents, also affects the mind and body.

Therefore, the mantra is a salutation to the Lord of all elements, Lord Shiva.  It is said to help reduce one's ahamkara (ego), one's worries, and put one in a focused and positive frame of mind.  

It is recommended that one begins her/his day by chanting this mantra with the back erect.  The number 108 is considered to be a sacred number of Hinduism.  

Also read about and listen to Shivashadakshara Stotra and Lingashtakam.

References/resources:

Background music: Lord of the Dawn, Jesse Gallagher

Information: 

https://m.timesofindia.com/astrology/mantras-chants/know-the-importance-of-chanting-om-namah-shivay/amp_articleshow/75203903.cms

https://healthyayurveda.com/panchamahabhutas-the-5-great-elements/