Do You Know ? ---II

1)What is Cosmic Light ?

The Cosmic Micro Wave Background Radiation (CMB) is the faint glow of light that fills the universe.It is the after glow of the Big Bang streaming through the space these last 14 billion years.It is the oldest light we can see.The light is important in the study of Cosmology because it carries the finger print of the Universe as it was at the time of its birth.

2)Why can't you tickle yourself ?

The answer lies at the back of the brain in an area called Cerebellum,which is involved in monitoring movements.When you try to tickle yourself the Cerebellum predicts the sensation and this prediction is used to cancel the response of other
brain areas to the tickle.


Compiled by BAIYU Mumbai 28 June 2009.

Valmiki Ramayan IV-----Woman's Truth Vindicated

Compiled from 'The Epic Of Rama'translated by Romesh Dutt in the book 'The Wisdom Of India'

Slow the red flames rolled asunder,God of Fire incarnate came
Holding in his radiant bosom, fair Videha's sinless dame
Not a curl upon Her tresses,not a blossom on Her brow
Not a fiber of Her mantle did with tarnished lustre glow
Witness of our sins and virtues,God of Fire Incarnate spake
Bade the sorrow stricken Rama back His sinless wife to take
"Ravan in his impious follyforced from Thee Thy faithful dame
Guarded by Her changeless virtue,Sita still remains the same
Tempted oft by female Rakshas in the dark and dismal wood
In Her woe and in Her sadness, true to Thee hath Sita stood
Courted oft by royal Ravan in the forest far and lone
True to wedded thought and virtue, Sita thought of Thee alone
Pure is She in Thought and Action, pure and stainless is thy dame
I,the witness of all actions,thus my sacred mandate speak."
Rama's fore head was unclouded and a radiance lit His eye
And His bosom heaved in gladness as He spake in accents high
"Never from the time I saw Her,in Her maiden days of youth
Have I doubted Sita's virtue, Sita's fixed and changeless truth
I have known Her ever sinless,let the world Her virtue know
For the God of Fire is witness to Her truth and changeless vow
Ravan in his pride and passionconquered not a woman's love
For the virtuous like the bright fire in their native radiance move
Ravan in his rage and folly conquered not a faithful wife
For like ray of sun unsullied ,is a righteous woman's life
Be the wide world now witness , pure and stainless is my dame
Rama shall not leave His consort till He leaves His righteous fame"
In His tears the contrite Rama clasped Her in a soft embrace
And the fond forgiving Sita in His bosom hid Her face.

Compiled by BAIYU Mumbai April 1999

Valmiki Ramayana 111 ---ORDEAL BY FIRE

Compiled from the EPIC OF RAMA ,translated by Romesh Dutt in the book Wisdom Of India.

For She dwelt in Ravan's Dwelling --Rumour clouds a woman's fame
Righteous Rama's brow was clouded,Saintly Sita spake in shame
"Wherefore spake Ye not ,my Rama,if your bosom doubts my faith
Dearer than a dark suspicion to a woman were her death.
Wherefore Rama with your forces came your vassel over the wave
To assist a fallen woman and a tainted wife to save
Wherefore with your mighty forces crossed the ocean in your pride
Risked your life in endless combats for a sin polluted bride?
Has Thou Rama all forgotten ,Sainly Janak saw my birth
Child of harvest bearing furrow, Sita sprang from Mother Earth
As a maiden true and stainless unto Thee I gave my hand
As a consort fond and faithful roved with Thee from land to land
But a woman pleadeth vainly when suspicion clouds her name
Lakshman.if Thou loveth thy Sister,light for me the funeral flame.
When the shadow of dishonour darkens a woman's life
Death alone is Friend and refuge of a true and trustful wife.
When a righteous Lord and Husband turns his cold averted eyes
Funeral flame dispels suspicion ,honour lives when woman dies "
Dark was Rama's gloomy visage and His lips were firmly sealed
And His eyes betrayed no weakness ,words disclosed no thought concealed.
Silence heaved His heart in anguish,silence drooped His tortured head
Lakshman with a throbbing bosom ,funeral pyre for Sita made
And Videha's sinless daughter prayed unto the Gods above
On Her Lord and wedded Consort cast Her dying looks of love
"If in act and thought" she uttered,"I am true unto my name
Witness of our sins and virtues may this Fire protect my fame
If a false and lying scandal brings a faithful woman shame
Witness of our sins and virtues may this fire protect my fame.
If in lifelong loving duty,I am free from sin and blame
Witness of our sins and virtues,may this fire protect my fame."
Fearless in Her faith and valour Sita stepped upon the pyre
And her form and beauty vanished circled by the clasping fire
And an anguish shocked the people like the ocean tempest tost
Old,Young, Maid and Matron wept for Sita true and lost
For bedecked in gold and splendour and in gems and rich attire
Sita vanished in the red fire of the newly lighted pyre
Rishis and the great Ghandharvas, Gods who know each secret deed
Witnessed Sita's high devotion and a woman's lofty creed
And the earth by oceangirdled with its wealth of teeming life
Witnessed deed of dauntless duty of a true and stainless life.

Compiled by BAIYU Mumbai January 1998

Valmiki Ramayana II ---- Bibishan's Departure

Compiled from THe Epic of Rama, translated by Romesh Dutt ,in the book 'Wisdom of India'.

"This to me",Bibishan answered,as with fiery comrades four
Rose in arms the wrathful Rakshah and in fury rushed before
"But I spare Thee ,Royal Ravan,angry words thy lips have passed
False and Lying and unfounded is the censure thou hast cast
True Bibishan sought thy safety,strove to save his elder's reign
Speed Thee now to thy destructionsince all counsel is in vain.
Many are thy smiling courtiers who with honeyed speech beguile
Few are they with truth and candour speak their purpose void of guile.
Blind to reason and to wisdom,Ravan seek Thy destined fate
For Thy impious lust of woman,for Thy dark unrighteous hate
Blind to danger and destruction,deaf to words of counsel given
By the flaming shafts of Rama,Thou shall die by will of heaven
"Yet ,oh Yet,my King and Elder ,let me plead with latest breath
Gainst the death of race and kinsman,gainst my Lord and brother's death
Ponder yet,my Rakshah Monarch, save Thy grace and save Thy own
Ravan part we now forever--guard Thy ancient sea girt throne."

Compiled by Baiyu Mumbai January 1998

Valmiki Ramayana I-------Bibishan's Warning

Preface ----- Quote from The Epic of Rama Translated by Ramesh Dutt compiled by self from the book 'The Wisdom of India".



Bibishan's Warning

-------------------

Twenty warriors armed and girded in the council hall arose
Thirsting for a war of vengence throwing challenge on the foes
But Bibishan deep in wisdom ,Ravan's youngest brother he
Spake the word of solemn warning ,for his eyes could farthest see
Pardon King and honoured elder,if Bibishan lifts his voice
Gainst the wishes of his warriors and the Monarch's fatal choice
Firm in faith and strong in forces Rama comes with conquering might
Vain against a righteous warrior would unrighteous Ravan fight
Think him not a common vanar who trespassed the ocean wave
Wrecked thy City,Tower and Temple and a sign and warning gave
Think him not a common Vanar who Ayodhya ruled of Yore
Crossing India's streams and mountains thunders now on Lanka's shore
What dark deed of crime or folly hath the righteous Rama done
That you stole His faithful Consort unprotected and alone
What offence or nameless insult hath the saintly Sita given
She who chained in Lanka's prison pleads in piteous tears to Heanen
Take my counsel King and Elder ,Sita to Her Lord restore
Wipe this deed of wrong and outrage,rama's righteous grace implore
Take my counsel,raksha Monarch,vain against Him is the might
Doubly armed is the Hero ,he who battles for his right
Render Sita to Her Rama ere with vengence swift and dire
He despoils over peopled Lanka with His Bow,and Brand and Fire
Render wife untoher husband ere in battle's dread array
Rama swoops upon thy empire like a falcon on its prey
Render to the Lord His consortere with blood of Rakshas slain
Rama soaks the Land of Lankato the margin of the main
Listen to my friendly counsel,though it be I stand alone
Faithful friend by fiery foreman is this Dasaratha,s son
Listen to my voice of warning,though it be I stand alone
Faithful friend by fiery foeman is this Dasarata's son
Listen to my voice of warning ,rama's shafts are true and keen
Flaming like the withering sunbeams on the summer's parched green
Listen to my soft entreaty,righteousness becomes the brave
Cherish peace and cherish Virtue and thy sons and daughters save.

Compiled by Baiyu Mumbai Jan.1998