Advantages of being a veggie

Here are some of the reasons that explain why being vegetarian is good for you , and environment and global warming can be reduced by going vegetarian.


1 Cruelty to Animals

More than 27 billion animals are killed for food every year in the U.S. alone. There are laws for pet animals like cats and dogs but no laws for other animals.


2. Your Health


Vegetarian foods provide us with all the nutrients that we need, minus the saturated fat, cholesterol, and contaminants that are found in meat, eggs, and dairy products. Plant-based diets protect us against heart disease, diabetes, obesity, strokes, and several types of cancer. Vegetarians also have stronger immune systems and, on average, live 10 years longer than meat-eaters do


3. The Environment

America’s meat addiction is poisoning and depleting our potable water, arable land, and clean air. More than half the water used in the United States goes to animal agriculture, and since farmed animals produce 130 times more excrement than the human population does, the run-off from their waste greatly pollutes our waterways

4. World Hunger

Raising animals for food is extremely inefficient—for every pound of food that they eat, only a fraction of the calories are returned in the form of edible flesh. If we stopped intensively breeding farmed animals and grew crops to feed humans instead, we would easily be able to feed every human on the planet with healthy and affordable vegetarian foods.

5. Amazing Animals

Farmed animals are no less intelligent or capable of feeling pain than are the dogs and cats we cherish as our companions. They are inquisitive, interesting individuals who value their lives, solve problems, experience fear and pain, and are capable of using tools. According to animal-behavior scientists, chickens begin learning from their mothers while they are still in their shells, pigs can play video games better than some primates can, and fish form social bonds and can remember things that they have learned for the human equivalent of 40 years.


6. More contaminated: Veggies and fruits are less contaminated then meat.

7. Less in fiber: Vegetarian diet is usually higher in fiber than an omnivore’s diet.

8. Weight Problem: Lots of fatty and greasy bits in meat that can higher your cholesterol and also make you put on weight

9. More Infections: Even after being baked in the lab at over 500 degrees Fahrenheit, diseased animal brain tissue remains infectious

10. Animal Proteins: There is a relationship between animal protein and heart disease. For example, plasma apolioprotein B is positively associated with animal-protein intake and inversely associated (lowered) with vegetable-protein intake (e.g., legumes and greens). Apolioprotein B levels correlate strongly with coronary heart disease. Unknown too many is that animal proteins have a significant effect on raising cholesterol levels as well, while plant protein lowers it.

11. Stomach cancer: A review of 15 studies showed the risk of developing stomach cancer rose by 15 to 38 percent if consumption of processed meats increased by 30 grams (1 ounce) per day, the Karolinska Institute said in a statement.

12. Processed meats: Researcher said that processed meats were often salted or smoked, or had nitrates added to them, in order to extend their shelf-life which could be connected to the increased risk of stomach cancer, the fourth most common type of cancer.

13. Blood cholesterol: Scientific studies provide evidence that much animal protein’s effect on blood cholesterol may be significant. This is one of the reasons those switching to a low fat-diet do no experience the cholesterol lowering they expect unless they also remove the low-fat animal products as well. Surprising to most people is that yes, even low-fat dairy and skinless white-meat chicken raise cholesterol. I see this regularly in my practice. Many individuals do not see the dramatic drop in cholesterol levels unless they go all the way by cutting all animal proteins from their diet.

14. Colon cancer -The consumption of chicken and fish is also linked to colon cancer. A large recent study examined the eating habits of 32,000 adults for six years and then watched the incidence of cancer for these subjects over the next six years. Those who avoided red meat but at white meat regularly had a more than 300 percent increase in colon cancer incidence. The same study showed that eating beans, peas, or lentils, at least twice a week was associated with a 50 percent lower risk than never eating these foods.

Anti Hindu Media in India

A majority of mainstream, and prominent newspapers and TV organizations are funded/owned/controlled by Christians and foreign missionaries with obvious consequences. They have been reporting and writing in a blatant partisan manner with scant regard for truth and justice for the majority community.]

NDTV is funded by Gospel of Charity organization of Spain. It supports Communists. Recently it has developed a soft corner towards Pakistan because General Musharraf, when he was the military ruler of Pakistan, had allowed only this channel to be aired in Pakistan.

The Indian CEO of this company Prannoy Roy is co-brother of Prakash Karat, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). This ‘secular' party is a big supporter of conversion and is always indulges in hate Hindu campaigns.

CPI ()M) and the other Left parties also support illegal migrants from Bangladesh to promote their vote-bank politics. They thereby, are working for a greater Bangladesh, and not for the integrity of a safe and secure India.

India Today magazine used to be the only objective national weekly that was sympathetic to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP); it has now been bought by NDTV and since that its tone has changed drastically and it has turned to Hindu bashing.


The Times Group is owned by Bennett-Coleman and Company, first owned by the British and then by Indian industrialists Jain family. Now World Christian Council does 80% of its funding and an Englishman and an Italian equally share the other 20%.

The Italian, Roberto (or Rebertio) Mindo, with a 10% stake in The Times group is a close relative of Sonia Gandhi.

CNN-IBN is 100% funded by Southern Baptist Church with branches all over the world; its main office is in the US. This church annually allocates $800 millions for promoting its channel. The media company's Indian head is Rajdeep Sardesai and his wife is Sagarika Ghosh who is the Editorial chief.

Southern Bapist Church is the largest Baptist group in the world and the largest protestant denomination in the US. It's a very powerful organization with a very large group of influential patrons in the political and economic life of America. Conversion is in their core program, no wonder CNN-IBN supports Conversion in India and campaigns against restrictions on objectionable missionary activities in tribal and backward areas of the country.

Star News is run by an Australian, who is supported by St. Peters Pontifical Church, Melbourne. This channel is another conversion sympathizer and has tried to frame Bapu Aasharamji. Bapu has reconverted many Hindus in tribal areas.

The Hindu has been recently taken over by Joshua Society based in Berne, Switzerland. Can there be any bigger deception? They are doing anti-Hindu activities under the name "The Hindu." And of course, this paper has been toeing the China line for long.

Asian Age and Deccan Chronicle are owned by a Saudi Arabian company and its Chief Editor is MJ Akbar.

And remember, Saudi Arabia with its strict Islamic Wahhabism is a big supporter of terrorist families from where 15 of the 19 hijackers of aircraft in the horrendous act of terror originated. Saudi Arabia is also the citadel of Islam and believes in world supremacy of the religion with its Wahhabism. There is no religious freedom in Saudi Arabia and woman's rights are severely restricted by its Sharia laws.

Saudi Arabia does not allow followers of other religion. With Pakistan and the UAE, Saudi Arabia was the first to recognize the radical Taliban rule in Afghanistan that had to be smashed by the American military ordered by President George W Bush during his first term. Strangely, India has close cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the promotion of Islamic education and culture in India.

By Amit Gupta

http://www.internationalopinion.com/id102.html

Unity of Man and Woman

She is Language, he is Thought
She is Prudence, he is Law
He is Reason; she is Sense
She is Duty; he is Right
He is Will; she is Wish
He is Pity; she is Gift
He is Song; she is Note
She is Fuel; he is Fire
She is Glory; he is Sun
She is Motion; he is Wind
He is Owner; she is Wealth
He is Battle ; she is Might
He is Lamp; she is Light
He is Day; she is Night
He is Justice; she is Pity
He is Channel; she is River
She is Beauty; he is Strength
She is Body; he is Soul

The sanctity of Holy Ash

The ash of any burnt object is not regarded as holy ash. Bhasma (the holy ash) is the ash from the homa (sacrificial fire) where special wood along with ghee and other herbs is offered as worship of the Lord. Or the deity is worshiped by pouring ash as abhisheka and is then distributed as bhasma.

Bhasma is generally applied on the forehead. Some apply it on certain parts of the body like the upper arms, chest etc. Some ascetics rub it all over the body. Many consume a pinch of it each time they receive it.

The word bhasma means, "that by which our sins are destroyed and the Lord is remembered". Bha implied bhartsanam ("to destroy") and sma implies smaranam ("to remember"). The application of bhasma therefore signifies destruction of the evil and remembrance of the divine. Bhasma is called vibhuti (which means "glory") as it gives glory to one who applies it and raksha (which means a source of protection) as it protects the wearer from ill health and evil, by purifying him or her.

Homa (offering of oblations into the fire with sacred chants) signifies the offering or surrender of the ego and egocentric desires into the flame of knowledge or a noble and selfless cause. The consequent ash signifies the purity of the mind, which results from such actions.

Also the fire of knowledge burns the oblation and wood signifying ignorance and inertia respectively. The ash we apply indicates that we should burn false identification with the body and become free of the limitations of birth and death. This is not to be misconstrued as a morose reminder of death but as a powerful pointer towards the fact that time and tide wait for none.

Bhasma is specially associated with Lord Shiva who applies it all over His body. Shiva devotes apply bhasma as a tripundra. When applied with a red spot at the center, the mark symbolizes Shiva-Shakti (the unity of energy and matter that creates the entire seen and unseen universe).

Bhasma has medicinal value and is used in many ayurvedic medicines. It absorbs excess moisture from the body and prevents colds and headaches. The Upanishads say that the famous Mrityunjaya mantra should be chanted whilst applying ash on the forehead.

Tryambakam yajaamahe
Sugandhim pushtivardhanam
Urvaa rukamiva bhandhanaan
Mrytyor muksheeyamaa amrutaat

"We worship the three-eyed Lord Shiva who nourishes and spread fragrance in our lives. May He free us from the shackles of sorrow, change and death – effortlessly, like the fall of a rip brinjal from its stem."

Worshiping the Earth

Samudravasane Devi ! Parvatastanamandale I
Visnupatni ! Namstubhyam padasparsam ksamasva me II

O Devi! You are wearing the ocean as a clothing on your body. The mountains are your breasts! O Consort of Visnu! I Salute you and beg your pardon for having to set foot on your body for my routine activities.

Daily prayer to Mother India

Prakritih Pancha Bhootaani,
Grahaa Lookaa Swaraastathaa |
Dishah Kaalashcha Sarveshaam,
Sadaa Kurvantu Mangalam || 2 ||

Translation:

May all these cause perpetual good to us: Nature composed of three qualities i.e., Satva, Rajas and Tamas Gunas; the five elements namely fire, water, air, earth and space; The seven notes of Music; The ten quarters and time - past, present and future.

Why we put Tilak on the forehead?

Without the worship of Sri Ganesh no work in Sanatan Dharma should begin. Likewise,no religious work should begin without a Tilak on the forehead.

Chandan or sandalpaste, Roli, Kumkum, Sindoor and Sacred Ash or Vibhuti can also be used as Tilak.

Tilak is a mark of auspiciousness. It is put on the forehead with sandal paste, sacred ashes or kumkum (red tumeric). The devotees of Siva apply sacred ashes (Bhasma) on the forehead, the devotees of Vishnu apply sandal paste (Chandan), and the worshippers of Devi or Shakti apply Kumkum, a red tumeric powder.

The scriptures say: "A forehead without a Tilak, a woman without a husband, a Mantra the meaning of which is not known while doing Japa (recitation), the head that does not bend before holy personages, a heart without mercy, a house without a well, a village without a temple, a country without a river, a society without a leader, wealth that is not given away in charity, a preceptor without a disciple, a country without justice, a king without an able minister, a woman not obedient to her husband, a well without water, a flower without smell, a soul devoid of holiness, a field without rains, an intellect without clearness, a disciple who does not consider his preceptor as a form of God, a body devoid of health, a custom (Achar) without purity, austerity devoid of fellow-feeling, speech in which truth is not the basis, a country without good people, work without wages, Sannyasa without renunciation, legs that have not performed pilgrimages, determination unaided by Viveka or discrimination, a knife which is blunt, a cow that does not give milk, a spear without a point- all these are worthy of condemnation. They exist for name´s sake only."

From this you can imagine the importance of Tilak or the sacred mark.

Tilak is applied at the Ajna Chakra, the space between the two eyebrows. It has a very cooling effect. Application of sandal paste has great medicinal value, apart from the spiritual influence. Application of sandal paste will nullify the heating effect when you concentrate and meditate at the Bhrumadhya. Tilak indicates the point at which the spiritual eye opens. Lord Siva has a third eye at the Brumadhya. When he opens the third eye, the three worlds are destroyed.

So also, when the third eye of the Jiva is opened, the three kinds of afflictions - Adhyatmika, Adhidaivika and Adhibhautika- are burnt to ashes. The three Karmas- Sanchita, Prarabdha and Agami,- and also all the sins committed in the countless previous births, are burnt. When you apply the Tilak, you mentally imagine: "I am the one non-dual Brahman free from all duality. May my eye of intuition open soon." You should remember this every time you apply a Tilak.

There are various methods of applying Tilak. Saivas apply three horizontal lines with the sacred ashes. The vaishnavas apply three vertical lines (Tripundra) on the forehead. When they apply Tilak, they say: "O Lord, protect me from the evil effects of the Trigunatmika Maya which has Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas as its binding cords."

Some Vaishnavas apply only one vertical line. Only the method of application differs, but the significance is the same in both the Vaishnavas and the Saivas.

The Tilak is used in various ways for different reasons.

Without the Tilak,Sandhya,Pooja,Deva Darshan,Tarpan and other religious activities should not be performed.

There are thirteen places on the human body where Tilak can be placed.However it is only on the forehead that it is noble.The head is the summit of the body with the brain being the axis of the entire body.

According to Hindu Astrology,Mesh Rasi or the House of Aries is on the forehead.The Lord of Mesh is Mars and His colour is Red.This is why Red Chandan and Sindoor is placed as Tilak on the forehead.

The fingers used for applying Tilak are as follows:

At the base of the little finger is Mecury,at the base of the ring-finger is Sun,at the base of the middle finger is Saturn,at the base of the index finger is Jupiter and at the base of the thumb is Venus.

Perfect peace is experienced at Sunrise,Saturn is the protector of lifespan,Jupiter represents immortality and Venus represents health.Tilak applied with the ring-finger and the thumb is very benifical.

In addition to this,the Sun represents firmness,brilliance,honour,respect and faith.These are the blessings achieved by applying Tilak with the ring-finger.Venus gives lifeforce,health,is the creator of new life,the bestower of gentility and politeness.This is achieved by applying Tilak with the thumb.

Women should use the ring-finger for applying Bindie with unbroken rice grains. Men should also use unbroken rice grains(Akshat)mixed in red chandan and apply the Tilak with the thumb.

The unbroken rice grains symbolises steadfastness and firmness of the brain and is also a symbol of peace.

It is reffered to as Deva Dhanya----grains of the Gods.