Your Inspirational World Die/s Every Minute You Dont Read This Article: culture
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Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts

Saturday, March 14, 2020

ನಮ್ಮ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು - Bengaluru or Bangalore - Things you need to know about!

Saturday, March 14, 2020 0
ನಮ್ಮ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು - Bengaluru or Bangalore - Things you need to know about!

Namma Bengaluru means our Bengaluru in Kannada. This phrase is used to bring about a sense of unity among the residents of Bengaluru to and to instill in them the thoughts that Bengaluru is their city and they are the ones who have to support it and work together to improve the city.

ನಮ್ಮ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು - Bengaluru or Bangalore - Things you need to know about!

Bengaluru (also called Bangalore) is the capital of India's southern Karnataka state. The center of India's high-tech industry, the city is also known for its parks and nightlife. By Cubbon Park, Vidhana Soudha is a Neo-Dravidian legislative building. Former royal residences include 19th-century Bangalore Palace, modeled after England’s Windsor Castle, and Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, an 18th-century teak structure.

Population: 84.3 lakhs (2011)

State‎: ‎Karnataka

Official language‎: ‎Kannada

Area code(s)‎: ‎+91-(0)80

Founded by‎: ‎Kempe Gowda

Why is Bangalore so cool?

The main reason for Bangalore to be chill this year because it rained for nearly 2 months. whenever a place gets rains for 2 months that place will be cold during winter and hot in summer. In summer temperature in Bangalore can to go to 37℃. Annual rainfall is 850 millemeters.

Which is the hottest month in Bangalore?

The warmest month in Bengaluru is April, with an average high-temperature of 35.8°C (96.4°F) and an average low-temperature of 21.8°C (71.2°F).

Which is the coldest month in Bangalore?

The coldest month is January and the average temperature is around 15.1° Celsius.

Which is the best time to visit Bangalore?

The best time to visit Bangalore is during the winter season, i.e. October to February, when the weather is cool and pleasant. Located in the southern part of India, Bangalore experiences a moderate climate with bearable summers and winters.

Does it rain in August in Bangalore?

Bangalore Weather in August

On average August is the 3rd wettest month of the year in Bangalore with around 4.8 inches of rain making it a wet time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 9 days, although this may vary considerably.

What are the seasons in Bangalore?

Bangalore Weather

  •     Summers. As per Bangalore weather, the summer season lasts from April to June. The maximum temperature during the day rarely exceeds 33 deg C, making the summers quite mild.

  •     Winters. Winter season in Bangalore stretches on from December to February. ...

  •     Monsoon. The monsoon season in Bangalore is from June to August.

Which area is best to stay in Bangalore?

Here's our pick of the top 8 best places to stay in Bangalore for tourists.

  •     Koramangala. Located in south-east Bangalore, Koramangala is a quite a popular haunt among college students and young working professionals. ...

  •     Indiranagar. ...

  •     M.G. ...

  •     Ulsoor. ...

  •     Malleswaram. ...

  •     HSR Layout. ...

  •     Kammanahalli. ...

  •     Rajajinagar.

Which is the cheapest area in Bangalore?

Now! The Cheapest Place to Live in Bangalore

  •     Malleswaram. One of the oldest residential areas of Bangalore known for its social and cultural heritage. ...

  •     Kammanahalli. ...

  •     Basavanagudi. ...

  •     Marathahalli. ...

  •     Bellandur. ...

  •     Yelahanka. ...

  •     Hebbal. ...

  •     KR Puram.

Which is the richest area in Bangalore?

  •     Rajajinagar. Based on the listings with 99acres.com, Rajajinagar emerges as the most posh area in Bangalore with residential capital values averaging around Rs 12,370 per sq ft. ...

  •     Malleshwaram. ...

  •     Richmond Town. ...

  •     Benson Town. ...

  •     Ulsoor. ...

  •     Basavanagudi. ...

  •     Koramangala. ...

  •     Indira Nagar.

Which area is heart of Bangalore?

Bangalore lies in the southeast of the South Indian state of Karnataka. It is in the heart of the Mysore Plateau (a region of the larger Precambrian Deccan Plateau) at an average elevation of 900 m (2,953 ft). It is located at12.97°N 77.56°E and covers an area of 741 km2 (286 sq mi).

What is Bangalore famous for?

Bangalore is famous being the Silicon Valley of India, Karnataka's capital city is a well known IT hub and some of the world's major It corporations operate out of the city. Apart from MNCs, Bangalore is also home to many startups and Indian tech companies.

What should I buy from Bangalore?

Listed here are some things to buy in Bangalore.

8 Best Things to Buy In Bangalore

  •     Sandalwood Products. ...

  •     Mysore Silk Sari. ...

  •     Channapatna Wooden Toys. ...

  •     Coorg Coffee Powder. ...

  •     Mysore Pak. ...

  •     Dharwad Peda. ...

  •     Masala Cashew Nuts. ...

  •     Rosewood Inlay Work Paintings.

What is famous places in Bangalore to shop?

Here is a list of some top places in Bangalore to snap up souvenirs that are worth every penny.

  •     Varnam Store. Tourists usually tend to buy a souvenir that reflects the culture and traditions of the place they are in. ...

  •     Tarang. ...

  •     Jute Cottage. ...

  •     Prachin. ...

  •     Balaji's Antiques & Collectibles. ...

  •     Raga Arts. ...

  •     Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium.

Which is the largest lake in Bangalore?

Ulsoor

Ulsoor Lake is one of the biggest lake of Bangalore, situated on the eastern part of the city. It is also known as Halasuru Lake. It is spread of 123 acres and has a number of islands, with a 3 km shoreline. It is situated in the locality name Halasuru, near M G Road.

Is Bangalore good place to live?

Bengaluru or Bangalore city is known for its charm, luxurious modern lifestyle and the best comforts of living. People are on the lookout for luxury and comfort in every aspect of life. The Posh luxurious living is a status factor for many and they are ready to spend even if they are available in high prices.

Is Bangalore better than Delhi?

Although, from the past two years the summer temperatures have increased, but it is nothing compared to Delhi. The night life in Bangalore is any day better. Bangalore is much safer for women compared to Delhi. ... Delhi is the base for the Indian Government.

Is it safe to walk in Bangalore?

Pedestrian and Food Safety

Overall, Bangalore is a safe travel destination. However, the streets are overcrowded with vehicles and locals. ... Many of the local drivers do not stop for pedestrians unless they cannot avoid hitting them.




TOP KEYWORDS - Keyword research is a practice search engine optimization professionals - PART II

Saturday, March 14, 2020 0
TOP KEYWORDS - Keyword research is a practice search engine optimization professionals - PART II

Your SEO keywords are the keywords and phrases in your web content that make it possible for people to find your site via search engines. A website that is well optimized for search engines "speaks the same language" as its potential visitor base with keywords for SEO that help connect searchers to your site.

TOP KEYWORDS - Keyword research is a practice search engine optimization professionals
  
                                      26-50 

26    -    whatsapp

WhatsApp Messenger or simply WhatsApp is a freeware, cross-platform messaging and Voice over IP service owned by Facebook, Inc. It allows users to send text messages and voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, user locations, and other media.

27    -    roblox

Roblox is a massively multiplayer online video game and game creation system that allows users to design their own games and play a wide variety of different types of games created by other users.

28    -    weather

The Weather Channel and weather.com provide a national and local weather forecast for cities, as well as weather radar, report and hurricane coverage.

29    -    olx

OLX Group is a global online marketplace, founded in 2006 and operating in 45 countries. The OLX marketplace is a platform for buying and selling services and goods such as electronics, fashion items, furniture, household goods, cars and bikes.

30    -    переводчик

Бесплатный сервис Google позволяет мгновенно переводить слова, фразы и веб-страницы с английского на более чем 100 языков и обратно.

31    -    pinterest

Pinterest, Inc. is an American social media web and mobile application company. It operates a software system designed to enable saving and discovery of information on the World Wide Web using images and, on a smaller scale, GIFs and videos. The site was founded by Ben Silbermann, Paul Sciarra, and Evan Sharp.

32    -    paypal

PayPal is the faster, safer way to send money, make an online payment, receive money or set up a merchant account.

33    -    google drive

Google Drive is a file storage and synchronization service developed by Google. Launched on April 24, 2012, Google Drive allows users to store files on their servers, synchronize files across devices, and share files.

34    -    le bon coin

Leboncoin est le site référent de petites annonces de particulier à particulier et professionnels en France. Découvrez nos annonces voitures d'occasion, motos, ...

35    -    aliexpress

AliExpress is an online retail service based in China that is owned by the Alibaba Group. Launched in 2010, it is made up of small businesses in China and other locations, such as Singapore, that offer products to international online buyers.

36    -    face

Face.com was an Israeli technology company that developed a platform for efficient and accurate facial recognition in photos uploaded via web and mobile applications. Face.com apps and API services scanned billions of photos monthly and tagged faces in those photos, tying them to social networking information.

37    -    linkedin

LinkedIn is an American business and employment-oriented service that operates via websites and mobile apps. Founded on December 28, 2002, and launched on May 5, 2003, it is mainly used for professional networking, including employers posting jobs and job seekers posting their CVs.

38    -    news

News.com.au is an Australian news and entertainment website owned by News Corp Australia. It had 9.6 million unique readers in April 2019 and specialises in breaking national and international news as well as entertainment, sport, lifestyle, travel, technology and finance.

39    -    you

40    -    msn

MSN is a web portal and related collection of Internet services and apps for Windows and mobile devices, provided by Microsoft and launched on August 24, 1995, the same release date as Windows 95.

41    -    يوتيوب

42    -    g

43    -    traduction

Ce service gratuit de Google traduit instantanément des mots, des expressions et des pages Web du français vers plus de 100 autres langues.

44    -    google traduction

Google's free service instantly translates words, phrases, and web pages between English and over 100 other languages.

45    -    bbc news

BBC World News is an international pay television channel that is operated by BBC. The BBC is a public corporation of the UK government's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

46    -    facebook login

Create an account or log into Facebook. Connect with friends, family and other people you know. Share photos and videos, send messages and get updates.

47    -    walmart

Walmart Inc. is an American multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores, headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. The company was founded by Sam Walton in 1962 and incorporated on October 31, 1969.

48    -    speed test

Check your Internet speed in under 30 seconds. The speed test usually transfers less than 40 MB of data, but may transfer more data on fast connections.

49    -    фейсбук

50    -    twitch

Twitch is the world's leading live streaming platform for gamers and the things we love. Watch and chat now with millions of other fans from around the world.


Monday, November 25, 2019

Blessed 7 Amazing Hindu Proverbs

Monday, November 25, 2019 0
Blessed 7 Amazing Hindu Proverbs

Hindu proverbs boil down all the wisdom of that part of the world: thousands of years old and extremely rich. It’s a culture where mysticism and spirituality have always had a huge role.

proverbs on blessed 7 blospot

Hindu culture is absolutely fabulous. It’s a wonderful mix of expressions that have come from a wide range of different nations. That’s why it’s such a vastly rich culture. It’s also why you can see this in all of its different cultural manifestations, including its proverbs.


Hindu culture also has Arabic, Buddhist, British, and Portuguese influences. There are the local cultures that have shaped it too, of course. That’s why Hindu proverbs are such a multicolored display of ways to look at life. Here are seven of them.

1. Adversity in Hindu Proverbs


One of the most beautiful Hindu proverbs is about adversity. It goes like this: “There isn’t a tree in the world that the wind hasn’t shaken.” It’s such a beautiful metaphor that reminds you that no one can escape adversity. It’s completely unavoidable.


Bad times are like a wind that shakes the branches and tests their stability. What really stands out in this message is the fact that it doesn’t matter what kind of life you live, you’ll always be vulnerable to its attacks. But you shouldn’t see them as strange or unusual, because adversity is just part of life.

2. A Peaceful Heart


The topic of internal peace is one of the most common topics in Hindu proverbs. All its religions and philosophies talk a lot about this balanced state where you become calm, and come to a place of peace with yourself and the world.


That’s why there’s a Hindu proverb that goes: “A peaceful heart sees a celebration in any village.” What it means is that it all starts from within. If your spirit is peaceful, you’ll look at the outside world with a positive perspective. In the same way, internal wars will make you see everything much darker.

3. Reading and Action


Here’s what one Hindu proverb says about reading: “It is always good for the ignorant to read books. It is even better when they retain what they have read. It is better still when they have understood it. But it is best when they do all those things, and put their hands  to work.”


This time the message is about giving an equal importance to learning and taking action based on your knowledge. It sets up a scale that starts with reading. Then it moves on to internalizing what you’ve read. And it finally ends with taking action based on what you now know.

4. Generosity of the Soul


Most of these philosophies line up in a similar place. They all talk about solidarity and brotherliness as the supreme values. These are the values that make us into one race dealing with the same hardships, with the same destiny.


That’s why there’s one Hindu proverbs that goes: “Trees refuse no one their shade, not even the woodcutter.” It’s a poetic way of saying that this task of helping people even includes the people who’ve hurt you.

5. The Path to Happiness


There aren’t many easy pathways to happiness. But there’s no doubt that one path is to do noble things for other people. There’s a Hindu proverb that has this same message. It says: “True happiness consists of making other people happy.”


Other people’s happiness always play a part in personal happiness. It’s much easier to feel good about life and the world when the people around you are happy. No one who wants to harm other people can ever really achieve it, either.

6. Reaping and Sowing


Everything in life is linked together. Things happen because there’s something that leads them to happen. But most of us tend to see all these different parts of life as isolated incidents. There are so many times when we don’t notice that we’re just reaping what we’re sowing.


There’s also a Hindu proverb that makes a reference to this. “The good you did yesterday will bring you happiness when you wake.” This is about the idea that being good to other people will bring you personal happiness.

7. The Ocean and a Drop of Water


The personal and universal aren’t exclusive concepts. They’re always deeply linked. They have a mutual influence on each other, and you can’t pull them apart. That’s why there are always so many personal elements in universal things. Of course, personal things are also their own universe.


That’s exactly what one Hindu proverb says. “God too hides himself in the ocean within a drop of water.” You shouldn’t take the word “God” literally in this quote. What it’s really talking about is a “higher power,” not a specific god.


In the end, all these Hindu proverbs have two things in common: beauty and depth. Hindu culture also shows itself off in a ton of different ways, as you can see in these fascinating statements that can help magnify your spirit.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

10 Commandments for a Successful Married Life

Tuesday, July 28, 2015 0
10 Commandments for a Successful Married Life

 10 Commandments for a Successful Married Life

 Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a socially or ritually recognized union or legal contract between spouses that establishes rights and obligations between them, between them and their children, and between them and their in-laws. The definition of marriage varies according to different cultures, but it is principally an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually sexual, are acknowledged. In some cultures, marriage is recommended or considered to be compulsory before pursuing any sexual activity. When defined broadly, marriage is considered a cultural universal.

 10 Commandments for a Successful Married Life

1. Love Comes First: 

Physical love is good, but there has to be genuine spiritual love also in your heart. Your immediate neighbor is your own spouse. So let charity begin at home and set an example by loving your spouse first and foremost. Follow the scripture: "Love thy neighbor as thyself".

2. Narrow the Gulf: 

Whether it is a love marriage, arranged marriage or forced marriage, differences are bound to arise. Both of you come from different backgrounds, upbringings and environments. You must be ready to overlook the sharp differences, lapses or shortcomings.

3. Forgive & Forget: 

Remember, to forgive is divine, and keep doing it, even if you have to repeat this process for infinite times.

4. Begin the Day Cool: 

Early in the morning, both spouses should try to remain calm and cool. No discussions or arguments in the early morning hours.

5. Silence Can Save: 

When you leave home for work in the morning, be at your best behavior. If one of you is provoked or complains, silence is the best answer. Conversely, you can say, "We will discuss it in the evening".

6. Inquire & Appreciate: 

After you return home, inquire and take interest in one another's activity during the day: "How was your day?" You must show your genuine appreciation and sympathy. Top it with a pleasant smile.

7. Listen & Sympathize: 

Do listen to your spouse attentively and sympathetically.

8. Don't Forget to Compliment: 

Make use of "Thank you", "Well done", "You have done a good job", and "I am sorry", as frequently as is necessary. Be generous in your praise and compliments.

9. Don't Compare: 

Do not enter into comparisons. No one is 100% perfect or 100% imperfect. We all have flaws and shortcomings. Always look at the good qualities of your spouse.

10. Keep Smiling: 

Be cheerful and smile away your problems. Give a smile as often as you can. Only a human person is endowed with this blessing. Animals do not have this rare faculty. Did you know you use only 20 muscles for a smile but 70 muscles for a frown? So, keep smiling!


tips for long lasting marriage life

Saturday, July 25, 2015

About Swami Vivekananda

Saturday, July 25, 2015 0
About Swami Vivekananda

About Swami Vivekananda

About Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda was born in 1863 in Calcutta. His parents named him Narendranath Dutta, or Naren for short. As a young man, Vivekananda joined the course in philosophy at the Scottish Churches College of Calcutta (Kolkata), and also became a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a great mystic and devotee of Kali. Ramakrishna was a phenomenal enlightened being, and he saw great potential in Naren. Seeing his capability to percieve, Ramakrishna named him Vivekananda, where Viveka means perception in Sanskrit. Swami Vivekananda went out into the world to spread Ramakrishna Paramahamsa’s message. In 1893, he was invited to the World Parliament of Religions, in Chicago. As a representative of Hinduism. he gave several speeches to great acclaim within the Parliament and the world at large. He is credited with playing a big part in bringing an understanding of Hinduism to the Western mindset.

Vivekananda stressed the importance of coming together for the betterment of society and urged Indians to adopt the Indian culture and the path of Karma Yoga, or the yoga of action. According to this, the path to salvation lies through active work in this world in selfless devotion, with bothering about the fruits of one’s actions. The respect that Vivekananda gained in the western part of the world had a great impact on his Indian contemporaries. British ideas of the Hindu way of life had looked at it as a collection of superstitious nonsense and pointless ritualism. Vivekananda’s outspoken defense of the Hindu way of life and his explanation of various facets of Indian culture won him many admirers in the East and the West. He fired the imaganation of Indian youth and became a national hero. His ideals had a big influence on many Independence-era politicians. The great liberal, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and the fervent socialist, Jawaharlal Nehru, both acknowledged their debts to Vivekananda in their later years.

Though Vivekananda praised the nobler ideas of the Hindu spiritual tradition, he was also an inveterate critic of certain discriminatory practices such as untouchability, which he characterized as a social custom not justified by religion. In 1887, Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission, as an organisation for the dissemination of Ramakrishna’s spiritual path. Vivekananda’s trips to several Western countries paved the way for the global spread of the Ramakrishna Mission. The Mission has published the eight volumes of his collected works, which contain his books on Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Karma Yoga, as well as his numerous speeches.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Winning MANTRA from MAHABHARATA

Thursday, November 11, 2010 0
Winning MANTRA from MAHABHARATA

Winning MANTRA from MAHABHARATA

Winning MANTRA from MAHABHARATA

Trivia


Second Longest Epic of the World

“What’s not in Bharata, is not in Bharata”

“A Buffet of Ideologies.”

Written around 3000 BC.

“Harappan” Cultre. Urban Way of life.


Narrated thrice :


“Jaya” by Vyasa to Ganesha

“Bharata” by Vaishampayan to Janamejaya

“Mahabharata” by Suta/Sauti to the Rishis at Naimisharanya.

Has “mind boggling” revelations.

Astronomy: Existence of Uranus(Shweta) and Neptune(Ksharaka).

Geography. Lands as far as Cambodia(Kamboja), Kazakhistan and/or Scandinavia(Uttarakuru),

Mathemetics: Nos to the range of 10 raised to powers of 16 and -16.

Descriptions of Weapons which resemble modern day weaponry including Nuclear and/or Chemical Weapons.

Complex Millitary Formations and Strategies.

Philosphy, Psychology, Sociology, Spirituality, Religion, Politics.

Even Mangement Lessons.

Logistics



Kauravas :11 Akshouhini

Pandavas : 7 Akshouhini



1 Akshouhini = 21,870 chariots, 21,870 elephants, 65,610 horses and 109,350 foot-soldiers (in a ratio of 1:1:3:5).




Generals

Pandavas :

Arjuna

Bhima

Dhrshtadyumna

Abhimanyu

Ghatotkach

Shikhandi

Satyaki

Kauravas :

Bhishma

Drona

Karna

Shalya

Kripacharya

Ashwatthama

Duryodhan

Background


Pandavas :



Exiled for 13 years. Have no kingdom. Their main strength both in terms of political and financial power depends on their friends and relatives : The Pancalas, The Yadavas, The Magadhas and The Chedis.



Kauravas :



In power for 13 years. Duryodhan has been a benevolent king. Theres no guarantee that the Subjects really miss the Pandavas. Not only have they the wealth and power of Hastinapur, but also that of Indraprastha, the kingdom that the Pandvas had taken such labors to build and which had surpassed the Hastina of old in all degrees. Karna had gone on a nation-wide conquering on behalf of Duryodhana. They are the national sovereigns




Motivation



Kauravas :


“Without war, will concede not a needle-prick of earth.” - Duryodhna



Duryodhana was completely focused on the War.It was his moment of truth. He had usurped a kingdom, and he meant to keep it. He had resorted to any means, foul or fair to get the kingdom, which he believed to be rightfully his, and he was in no mood to give it up.



Pandavas :


“We fight over a Kingdom, as dogs over a piece of meat.”-Yudhisthira



The Pandavas had been humiliated, their wife insulted, their kingdom taken. But…still they wanted to avoid the War. The three elder Pandavas were against the War. They even went as far as making an offer that they will stop the War in exchange of 5 villages.




Result



War Lasted : 18 Days. 10 Days (Bhisma), 3 Days(Drona), 1½ Days (Karna) ½ Day (No General),1 Day (Shalya), 1 Night(Ashwatthama)


18th Night of the War :

Ashwatthama slaughtered the Pandava camp in sleep.



Before That :


Kauravas :

Bhishma, Drona, Karna and his sons, Shalya, Bhagadutta, Bhurisrava, Susharma, Jayadrath, Duhsasana and all of Duryodhana’s brothers, Shakuni and Ulooka.



Pandavas :


Drupad, Virat and his sons, Abhimanyu, Ghatotkach and Iravan.



SO HOW DID THE PANDAVAS WIN ?????


Preparation

Kauravas :

Karna went on a country-wide military mission, subdued the different kingdoms and acquired wealth. But it meant a loss in terms of both men and money and creation of new enemies.

Pandavas : Though in exile they turned their attention to improving over their weakness

Arjuna set out on a mission to acquires Divyastras.

Bhima met his brother Hanuman and got a blessing of enhanced strength.

Yudhisthira acquired teachings from the various wise rishis, and also learnt the Game of Dice from Gandharava Chtrasena, lest he was challenged to yet another dice game. Its said that he had become undefeatable in Dice.

Turn your weakness into your Strength.

Allies

Kauravas : Centralized power system. The greatest empire of the time. But not many powerful allies, except from old relations from far off places like Gandhara(Shakuni), Sindhu(Jayadrath) and Kambodia(Camboja - Bhagadutt)

Pandavas : No wealth. No power of their own. But powerful allies all over India.

Panchala through Marriage with Darupadi.

Dwarka through marriage with Arjuna and Subhadra.

Magadh through marriage of Shadeva and Vijaya.

Chedi through marriage of Nakula and Karenmayi.

Kasi through marriage of Bhima and Balandhara.

Kekaya through marriage of Yudhisthira and Devika.

Matsya through marriage of Abhimanyu and Uttara.

The Rakshasas through marriage of Bhima and Hidimba.

The Nagas through marriage of Arjuna and Uloopi.



Make Powerful Allies.


Leadership

Kauravas : Centralized leadership. One Head of Army at a time, who has supreme authority of 11 akshouhini of army. Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Shalya and Ashwatthama.

Pandavas : Distributed leadership. Seven commanders for the seven divisions.(1 man command 1 akshouhini each).

Virat (King of Matsya).

Drupad (King of Pancala).

Sahadeva(King of Magadha).

Dhrshtaketu (King of Chedi).

Satyaki (Only warrior from Dwarka).

Shikhandi (Prince of Pancala).

Dhrshtadymna – Commander in Chief.

Arjuna –Supreme Commander.

Krishna – Arjuna’s charioteer and counselor.

Share your responsibilities.

Team Spirit

Kauravas : No team spirit. They all fought their individual wars.

Bhishma : For his Vow to protect the throne Hastinapur.

Drona and Kripa : They owed allegiance to the throne.

Shalya : Simply cheated by Duryodhana to be there. Was originally a Pandava ally.

Karna : To prove his mantle against Arjuna. Friendship for Duryodhana.

They didn’t gel well with each other. Bhishma and Karna. Bhisma and Shakuni. Karna nd Shakuni. Karna and Shalya. Shalya and Bhishma. It was like a bees, hornets and mosquitoes put together in a jar.

Pandavas : One team. One Goal. As men, they all had huge respect for Krishna and Yudhisthira. While as warriors they were in complete awe of Bhima and Arjuna. Most of them were close relatives – cousins, brother-in-laws, father-in-laws. More than that they all were part of the decision-making process. It was their “common” war.



Teamwork succeeds where Individual effort fails.


Individual Motives

Kauravas : Except for Duryodhana nobody wanted the War. All the 4 main generals had strong ties with the Pandavas.

Bhishma(grandchildern) – Wont kill the panadavas. Will kill a thousand soldiers each day.

Drona (students) – Wont kill the Pandavas. Will capture them only.

Shalya (Nakula-Shadeva’s maternal uncle) : Loved the Pandavas and covertly helped them by humiliating Karna

Karna (brother to the Pandavas) : Promised not to kill any of the other Pandavas save Arjuna.

A Team of Traitors.

Pandavas : Common goal. But the individuals had their individual targets. Their own agenda, which just became one with the teams’ agenda.

Dhratsadyumna : Drona.

Shikhandi : Bhisma.

Satayaki – Bhurisravas.

Arjuna – Karna.

Bhima – Duryodhana and his brothers.

Sahadeva – Shakuni and his sons.

Nakula –Karna’s sons.

The Right team is made by selecting the Right Individuals. Get the right man for the right job.




Commitment



Kauravas : Already said the Big 4 had big emotional attachment with the 5 Pandavas. Looking further on their commitment.

Bhisma himself gave away the secret of killing him to the Pandavas.He prolonged the War by killing only inconsequential soldiers. He did not fight a warrior like Shikhandi because of his personal bias.

Drona too indirectly gave away his secret, by saying he was invulnerable as long as he held a weapon. Moreover he abandoned weapons as soon as he knew his son had died.

Karna did not kill Yudhisthira and BHima when he got the chance. He gave away his Kavac and Kundala prior to his War. Karna fled innumerous times from the War when he was hurt. He didn’t save Duhsasana when Bhima was killing him.

Shalya kept on insulting Karna while in Battle.

Pandavas :

Abhimanyu , a 16 year old kid. Ventured beyond enemy lines alone. This was suicide mission but he still went in and took a great part of the army down with him. It took the combined effort of 7 Maharathis to take him down.

Ghatotkach even in death, took with him almost half the army.

Yudhisthira, he knew he couldn’t face Karna in War, but still went in to set an example. Yudhitshira didn't hesitate to tell a lie or a twisted truth when faced with the decision of whether to stick to his personal integrity or welfare of the team.

Krishna took up arms twice and almost entered the War, inspite of his promise, only to be stopped by Arjuna.

The interests of the Individual should never exceed the Team interest.

The best man for a Job is not the one with the best capabilities but one with the greatest commitment.






Right Managers



Krishna : The Greatest Crisis Manager the world has seen.

Yudhisthira : Low-key strategist.

On the first day of the War, he played a Master game. Went over to the Enemy side to seek blessings from Elders. In reality he made a covert deal with them, wherein all of them agreed to help him and unfolded the secrets of defeating them.

While coming back, he took a calculated risk. He made an offer to all the assembled people to change sides if they wanted to. He knew well of the lack of cohesiveness among the Kauravas. Yuyutsu, son of Dhrtarashtra crossed over to the Pandavas. This exposed the weakness of the Kauravas for all to see.

Know your enemies weaknesses and exploit them.

Take Calculated risks.

Inspire, invigorate, counsel your own team in moments of need.

The Roots

Kauravas : Princes brought up in the comfort of the Royal Palace, matured on romanticized ideals of Power, Fame, Courage and Valor. No experience of ground reality.

Pandavas :

Spent the greater part of their lives in Poverty. Childhood in the Himalayan foothills among Rishis. One year exile among the poor people of Kuru-Panchala. 12 years of Vanvas and 1 year of Agyatvas.

Experinced with the ground reality. Contact with people from various strata of the society. Sannyasis (celibate monks), Acharyas(Householders, teachers), poor Brahmanas, lower-class Potter.

Different races of people. Rakshasas, Gandharavas, Apsaras, Nagas. People from different regions Uttarkuru, Bengal etc.

A Sense of Sharing. A sense of Brotherhood.

Know ground realities.

Know different ideologies.

Share.

Women Empowerment

Kauravas : Patriarchal structure. Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Dhratarashtra, Vidur, Shakuni, Duryodhana, Karna, Duhsasana. No women in the decision making process.

Gandhari retreated to the Inner Chambers. Nobody listened to her.

Pandavas : Matriarchal Structure.

Kunti was the authority supreme for the Pandavas.

“Whatever my mother says is Dharma to me” : Yudhisthira.

Draupadi was a companion in whatever the Pandavas did. She had a big role in all the decision making. Without her the Pandavas would have most probably reclined to the forests.

Even the younger Pandavas : Ghatotkach, Abhimnanyu and Iravan were brought up by their mothers. So the female influence was huge.

Women = Better Half. Any team which doesn't have women is unbalanced, for the Masculine traits of Aggression and Dominance should be balanced by the Feminine traits of Harmony and Sustenance.



Recap


  • Turn your weaknesses into strengths.

  • Turn enemies into allies.

  • Share your responsibilities.

  • Teamwork scores over Individual Effort.

  • Right Team = Right set of Individuals. The right man for the right job.

  • Commitment scores over Competence.

  • Team interests over Individual interests..

  • Know your enemy/challenges. Exploit its weaknesses. Take calculated risks.

  • The Right Managers : To inspire, invigorate, counsel in crisis .

  • Know Ground realities. Accept different ideologies. Cooperate.

Empower Women. The Gender Balance is required for stability and administration.


Thursday, May 29, 2008

The New 7 Wonders of the World -Taj Mahal, the Colosseum, the Chichen Itza, Machu Picchu, Christ the Redeemer, Petra, and the Great Wall of China

Thursday, May 29, 2008 0
The New 7 Wonders of the World -Taj Mahal, the Colosseum, the Chichen Itza, Machu Picchu, Christ the Redeemer, Petra, and the Great Wall of China

The Seven Wonders of the World are the Taj Mahal, the Colosseum, the Chichen Itza, Machu Picchu, Christ the Redeemer, Petra, and the Great Wall of China.
 The Seven Wonders of the World are the Taj Mahal, the Colosseum, the Chichen Itza, Machu Picchu, Christ the Redeemer, Petra, and the Great Wall of China

 New7Wonders of the World was a campaign started in 2000 to choose Wonders of the World from a selection of 200 existing monuments. The popularity poll was led by Canadian-Swiss Bernard Weber and organized by the New7Wonders Foundation based in Zurich, Switzerland, with winners announced on 7 July 2007 in Lisbon.

Following 7 candidates have been elected by more than 100 million votes to represent global heritage throughout history. The listing is in random order, as announced at the Declaration Ceremony on 07.07.07. All the New 7 Wonders are equal and are presented as a group without any ranking.

The Taj Mahal (1630 A.D.) Agra, India

The Taj Mahal (1630 A.D.) Agra, IndiaINDIA

This immense mausoleum was built on the orders of Shah Jahan, the fifth Muslim Mogul emperor, to honor the memory of his beloved late wife. Built out of white marble and standing in formally laid-out walled gardens, the Taj Mahal is regarded as the most perfect jewel of Muslim art in India. The emperor was consequently jailed and, it is said, could then only see the Taj Mahal out of his small cell window.

Petra (9 B.C. - 40 A.D.), Jordan

Petra (9 B.C. - 40 A.D.), JordanJORDAN

On the edge of the Arabian Desert, Petra was the glittering capital of the Nabataean empire of King Aretas IV (9 B.C. to 40 A.D.). Masters of water technology, the Nabataeans provided their city with great tunnel constructions and water chambers. A theater, modelled on Greek-Roman prototypes, had space for an audience of 4,000. Today, the Palace Tombs of Petra, with the 42-meter-high Hellenistic temple facade on the El-Deir Monastery, are impressive examples of Middle Eastern culture.

Machu Picchu (1460-1470), Peru

Machu Picchu (1460-1470), PeruPERU

In the 15th century, the Incan Emperor Pachacútec built a city in the clouds on the mountain known as Machu Picchu ("old mountain"). This extraordinary settlement lies halfway up the Andes Plateau, deep in the Amazon jungle and above the Urubamba River. It was probably abandoned by the Incas because of a smallpox outbreak and, after the Spanish defeated the Incan Empire, the city remained 'lost' for over three centuries. It was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911.

The Great Wall of China (220 B.C and 1368 - 1644 A.D.) China

The Great Wall of China (220 B.C and 1368 - 1644 A.D.) ChinaCHINA

The Great Wall of China was built to link existing fortifications into a united defense system and better keep invading Mongol tribes out of China. It is the largest man-made monument ever to have been built and it is disputed that it is the only one visible from space. Many thousands of people must have given their lives to build this colossal construction.

The Roman Colosseum (70 - 82 A.D.) Rome, Italy

The Roman Colosseum (70 - 82 A.D.) Rome, ItalyITALY

This great amphitheater in the centre of Rome was built to give favors to successful legionnaires and to celebrate the glory of the Roman Empire. Its design concept still stands to this very day, and virtually every modern sports stadium some 2,000 years later still bears the irresistible imprint of the Colosseum's original design. Today, through films and history books, we are even more aware of the cruel fights and games that took place in this arena, all for the joy of the spectators.

Christ Redeemer (1931) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Christ Redeemer (1931) Rio de Janeiro, BrazilBRAZIL

This statue of Jesus stands some 38 meters tall, atop the Corcovado mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro. Designed by Brazilian Heitor da Silva Costa and created by French sculptor Paul Landowski, it is one of the world’s best-known monuments. The statue took five years to construct and was inaugurated on October 12, 1931. It has become a symbol of the city and of the warmth of the Brazilian people, who receive visitors with open arms.

The Pyramid at Chichén Itzá (before 800 A.D.) Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

The Pyramid at Chichén Itzá (before 800 A.D.) Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

MEXICO

Chichén Itzá, the most famous Mayan temple city, served as the political and economic center of the Mayan civilization. Its various structures - the pyramid of Kukulkan, the Temple of Chac Mool, the Hall of the Thousand Pillars, and the Playing Field of the Prisoners – can still be seen today and are demonstrative of an extraordinary commitment to architectural space and composition. The pyramid itself was the last, and arguably the greatest, of all Mayan temples.

Voting analysis


Bernard Weber - Founder & President of New7Wonders, on the voting results

After 7 years of campaigning and 100 million votes received, the results of the world’s first-ever global vote were announced on July 7, 2007 (07.07.07), the seventh day of the seventh month of the seventh year of our third millennium, in Lisbon, Portugal and are now in the process of being validated and confirmed. The canon of New 7 Wonders of the World was announced during a spectacular gala show in the “Estadio da Luz,” the stadium of light, in the presence of 50,000 spectators and millions of television viewers throughout the world.

A little more then 2,200 years after the Ancient 7 Wonders (which represented buildings built over a period of 2,000 years) were declared in 200 B.C. by a single man, Philon of Byzantium in Athens, more than 100 million votes from people from every corner and country in the world, elected the New 7 Wonders of the World.

This truly new set of 7 Wonders covers, once again, the time span of 2,000 years—from the Arab city of Petra and the Roman Colosseum, both of which date from the 1st Century A.D., to the wide-armed statue of Christ Redeemer on Rio de Janeiro’s Corcovado mountain, built in 1931.

Following are some of my thoughts on the results of this first global vote in humankind’s history:

Allow me to start by taking something right off the top of your mind: No, not the Chinese, nor the Indian people have played the most weighty role in choosing the New7Wonders! They did not represent the largest group of voters. The children and young people of our world did.

For the first time ever, children could participate in a global election. They were the most numerous group of voters, since the Chinese have children, the Indians do too, Americans, Europeans, Africans—all of us, we all have children. Children up to a certain age do not have a strong national sense of pride, so they were our most objective voters, they voted for what they genuinely liked best.

In addition, it was not the case—as many had feared and wrongly predicted—that only the rich Western world and developed countries would dominate the list-making. Indeed, it was the rich, saturated and (as we saw time and again) more lethargic developed world that joined the proud, much more enthusiastic developing world to choose the New 7 Wonders of the World. Interestingly, at the very beginning of the campaign, in the year 2000, so seven years ago, the first wave of votes came from Turkey.

It seemed to me that people in developing societies use the Internet differently from us in the western, northern world of plenty. For them, it is the gateway to connect with the rest of the world. In our so-called privileged, developed world, the Internet is often used to surf, chat and/or consume content.

Reflecting the diversity of our world, there are three of the New 7 Wonders in Latin America, two in Asia, one in the Middle-East and one in Europe. They represent some of the most important civilizations of the past two millennia — Arab, Chinese, Inca, Indian, Mayan and Roman.

With the 7 (no more and no fewer) votes that people had to cast via our website, plus the opportunity to cast votes via text messaging or telephone, our voting system proved to be well balanced. Internet voting was the equalizing factor, while SMS and phone votes expressed the passion and strong feelings that people had for their favorite monument. As a result, some candidates received many Internet votes from all over the world without even engaging seriously in campaigning. This was the case with the Colosseum in Rome, the only wonder standing in old Europe, representing Roman civilization. Unexpectedly, the Alhambra in Spain did not enjoy public support when it came down to voting, despite a rigorous campaign supported by the King and the Prime Minister of Spain and great local activities, such as the creation of a human chain of 3,000 people embracing the ancient fortress.

The biggest surprise, however, came from Africa in the final phase of the election—a tremendous sprint in the last weeks before voting closed. Huge number of votes poured in supporting the African candidate in Mali: Timbuktu. Mali itself sent more votes in one single week than had the entire country of Germany up to then! This propelled Timbuktu from the bottom of the list to literally scratching the top 7! Had the organizers started campaigning just a month earlier, Timbuktu would have had a serious chance to be elected as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

More people from Korea and Japan voted for the Eiffel Tower than did people from France. Many children worldwide loved Neuschwanstein Castle, but the Germans didn’t. The United States, whose inhabit- ants voted very passionately and in truly huge numbers, did not vote for their Statue of Liberty.

Hundreds of thousands people send us comments and words of encouragement and often thus explained their choices. Some of these moving comments are listed after this report.

On a personal note, I am especially pleased to see that the two countries, Switzerland, where I was born, and Canada, whose citizenship I adopted as my second nationality, were amongst the most active participants without having their own candidates in the running together with some exotic countries like Yemen, Albania and Afghanistan.

This new list of 7 Wonders reflects quite accurately what economists predict as the upcoming economic and industrial regions in the world in the not-too-distant future: China, India and South America.

I have asked myself: Could there be a connection between, on the one hand, the motivation and the pride, enthusiasm and the compassion that people have for their culture and monuments that symbolically represent them, and, on the other, their motivation to make a brighter future for themselves?

My response is: Yes, this is definitely the case and ultimately also the reason that cultural identity is so important to every single human being and to all societies on our planet!

My personal experience traveling, spending time and sharing life in different parts of the world taught me that people who are deeply rooted in their culture are more secure and, as such, fear the stranger, the unknown much less. Their own strong identity allows them to open up and appreciate differences, valuing the enriching experience with a stranger. It is the respect and appreciation of that which is different that forges the strongest friendship.

The New7Wonders Foundation will honor the 14 New7Wonders Finalist Candidates, together with the New 7 Wonders of the World, forever. They all deserve the acknowledgement of being outstanding finalists, since they are all icons in their own way, representing the best that people and civilizations have left behind for future generations to respect, honor and enjoy!

The people have spoken, history was made.


Our Heritage is our Future!


Bernard Weber, Founder & President of the New7Wonders Campaign, on the voting results.


Source: http://www.new7wonders.com/

Lucky Number 7 - seven is so perfect and powerful that it represents a connection to the universe

Thursday, May 29, 2008 0
Lucky Number 7 - seven is so perfect and powerful that it represents a connection to the universe

Number seven is one of those figures. It symbolises every positive and valuable matter in existence like prosper life, happiness, renewal, and perfection. Some numerologist even believes that number seven is so perfect and powerful that it represents a connection to the universe.


seven is so perfect and powerful that it represents a connection to the universe



The image of the "Lucky 7" dice roll is usually made of 5 + 2, as on the cover of the Perry Mason mystery novel "The Case of the Lucky Legs", but it sometimes comes up 4 + 3, as on this gold-plated American "Lucky 7" money clip. The "Lucky 7" dice roll is found on quite a lot of hoodoo curio packaging, including 7-day candles; the character called Lady Luck, in her Irish-Amewrican World War Two incarnation, wears dice for earrings and they always show 7. These "Lucky 7" images all derive from the dice game of craps, where rolling 7 wins, and thus the dice that roll 7 are a symbol of gambler's luck


The image of the "Lucky 7" dice roll is usually made of 5 + 2, as on the cover of the Perry Mason mystery novel "The Case of the Lucky Legs"

But there is more to the luck of 7 than its place in games of chance. Why is 7 so fortunate? The following colloquy, begun in a Freemasonic mailing list in 1995, was continued in the alt.lucky.w newsgroup and the pre-war blues e-list from 1997 - 1999. It is currently my most complete summary of the LUCKY SEVEN concept.


From: Corrigan

Hello, all. Greetings from Fellowship Lodge #490, Flint, Michigan.

A question that has come up in lodge is the mention of the number seven. Why is the number seven important in Masonry?

I can think of the seven days of the week, the seven arts and sciences, but come to a halt there. Would very much appreciate your comments.

From: " Scotty " Mudie



  • There is on a Scottish Mason's apron seven tassels on each side and when the apron was placed around me for the very first time these same seven tassels intrigued me so much that it led me to the field of research of our Great Order.
  • In almost every system of antiquity there are frequent references to the number seven.
  • The Pythagoreans called it the perfect number, 3 and 4, the triangle and the square, the perfect figures.
  • There were for instance seven ancient planets. The sun was the greatest planet of the ancient seven and next to the sun, the moon, changing in all its splendor every seventh day.
  • The Arabians had seven Holy Temples.
  • In Persian mysteries there were seven spacious caverns through which the aspirants had to pass.
  • The Goths had seven deities, as did the Romans, from whose names are derived our days of the week.
  • In Scriptural history there is a frequent recurrence to this number. E.g. in Revelation 1:16 -- "and He had in His right hand seven stars, " alluding to the seven churches of Asia. (The seven stars are depicted on a RWM's apron in the Scottish Constitution).
  • For us as Masons, King Solomon was seven years building the Temple. It was dedicated to the glory of God in the seventh month and the festival lasted seven days.
  • There are, as you stated, Brother Chris, our seven liberal arts and sciences.
  • We require seven Brethren to make a Lodge perfect and we have our seven steps on the winding staircase.
  • Reverting back to the Masonic apron, in the course of time aprons became embellished with much ornamentation until the present form of apron was instituted. There was no deliberation on the part of our ancient Brethren to place seven tassels on each side of the apron because the number seven has and probably always will be a sacred number in Masonic symbolism.

  • I sincerely hope you enjoy the research as much as I have.

    From: Gordon Charlton,

    That reminds me of a story. Whilst on holiday in Austria we participated in the games laid on for the evening by the tour company. We were part of a team of seven, and for each round of the game (a rather silly one involving bending over and throwing bowling balls between your legs) we adopted a different set of seven names.



  • The seven dwarfs
  • The seven deadly sins
  • The Trumpton fire brigade (a UK children's cartoon: They are Pugh, Pugh, Barney, Magrew, Cuthburt, Dibble and Grub)
  • The seven orders of architecture
  • The seven seas
  • The Seven Sisters

  • and so on.



  • Maya (my wife) reminds me that the seventh son of a seventh son is supposed to be born gifted. Apparently Donny Osmond was such a son. I pass no comment on his "gifts."
  • "The Penguin Dictionary of Curious and Interesting Numbers" notes (amongst other things) "If a, b are the shorter sides of a Pythagorean triangle, the seven divides one of a, b, a-b or a+b"
  • It also reminds us that there are 7 basically different patterns of symmetry for a frieze design, which I suppose may be of interest to an operative Mason. (I actually knew this as my father was in wallpaper for a time.)
  • It claims the Greeks called 7 the "rational diagonal" of a square of side 5, apparently *because* (7^2)+1=50, which makes no sense to me.
  • Finally it postulates that the "St. Ives" problem (As I was going to St. Ives, I met a man with seven wives. Every wife had seven sacks, etc) dates back over 3500 years, and can be traced to an Egyptian scribe. (This theory can be traced back, possibly more reliably, to one R. J. Gillingham, "Mathematics in the Time of the Pharaohs," MIT Press, 1972.)

  • From: Rick Reade



  • There are seven visible planets and luminaries (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn). Each one rules a day of the week (Sun=Sunday, Saturn= Saturday, Moon=Monday, etc.) and that is where the seven day week came from. Each one is supposed to have a particular virtue or power.
  • Harold Percival believed that each one of us is an individual trinity, the "Triune Self", part of which re-exists in our mortal bodies, blah, blah, blah. It has seven minds:
    • body-mind
    • feeling-mind
    • desire-mind
    • rightness
    • reason
    • I-ness and
    • Selfness.
    When the Triune Self progresses to the next noetic level and becomes an "Intelligence", those seven minds become "faculties":
    • focus faculty
    • image faculty,
    • dark faculty
    • time faculty
    • motive faculty
    • I-Am faculty and
    • Light faculty.
    For more see "Thinking and Destiny; Adepts, Masters and Mahatmas; Masonry and Its Symbols (incorporated in the 11th ed. of T&D) by Harold W. Percival.

  • From: Kirk Crady,



  • Checking various sources for references to the number seven, I was struck by this quote from Manly P. Hall:
    "The 3 (spirit, mind, soul) descend into the 4 (the world), the sum being the 7, or the mystic nature of man, consisting of a threefold spiritual body and a fourfold material form. These are symbolized by the cube, which has six surfaces and a mysterious seventh point within..."
  • You may make of it what you will, but I would also observe, in reading the above quote, that the Masonic apron apparently illustrates his meaning quite beautifully: consisting of a triangle (3) fitted to a square (4). . . With this perspective in mind, its several permutations make for an interesting source of further thought.

  • From: Michael Sykuta,



  • From Masonic sources:
    "The 7 days of the week, the 7 sabbatical years, the 7 years of famine, the 7 years of plenty, the 7 years occupied in the building of King Solomon's Temple, and especially the 7 liberal arts and sciences."

  • From:Lucky Number 7 catherine yronwode



  • A circa 1930s bronze Lucky Coin in my possession bears images of what the designer considered to be The 7 Lucky Artifacts:
    • * wishbone
      * rabbit's foot
      * white elephant charm
      * key with heart-lock
      * four-leaf clover
      * swastika (the coin is pre-Hitlerian)
      * horseshoe
    These surround an All-Seeing Eye, a Masonic symbol. Beneath the eye are the words, "The All-Seeing Eye Guards You From Evil."
  • In the small town of Nevada City, California, there is a market called the Lucky 7 Grocery Store. The reference is to the fact that in some gambling games a score of 7 wins the turn.
  • When Inanna the Queen of Heaven (the major love, fertility, and war goddess of the Sumerians) descended into Hell, she was forced to pass through seven gates, at each of which she was required to remove one of her garments, until she stood before her sister Erishkigal the Queen of the Underworld, naked and defenseless. She was then struck dead by seven plagues. Later, upon her return from Hell, she passed though the same seven gates, at each of which she resumed one of her garments. (See Samuel Noah Kramer and Diane Wolkstein's "Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth" for the full text of what happened to her in Hell and how she got out alive.)
  • In African-American hoodoo there is are several formulas for anointing oil, soap, and floor wash that use the number seven. Among them are Seven Herb Bath, Gambler's Gold Lucky Seven Hand Wash, Seven-Eleven Holy Type Oil, and a relatively modern line of prod ucts marketed under the name Seven African Powers. These "powers" are better known in the African-Caribbean Santeria religion as the Orishas or natural forces of the African Yoruba people, who during slavery days became identified with seven Catholic saints. Images of the Seven African Powers can be found on Santeria votive candles.
  • The Seven Sisters is a term used to indicate the constellation of the Pleiades -- but The Seven Sisters of New Orleans were a family of hoodoo women who lived and practiced in the Crescent City in the 1920s - 30s. Mentioned by several of Harry Middleton Hyatt's informants, they were said to have a house "by the water" and were popular enough to became the subject of a blues song by the Texas musician J. T. "Funny Paper" Smith. Here are complete lyrics for "Seven Sisters Blues, Parts I and 2" recorded October 3rd, 1931 in Chicago and released on two sides of a 78 rpm record. Notice that the number 21 (3 times 7) also appears in this song. The transciption is by Chris Smith
  • SEVEN SISTERS BLUES - PARTS 1 and 2
    J. T. "Funny Paper" Smith

    PART 1

    They tell me Seven Sisters in New Orleans
    that can really fix a man up right
    They tell me Seven Sisters in New Orleans
    that can really fix a man up right
    And I'm headed for New Orleans, Louisiana,
    I'm travelin' both day and night.

    I hear them say the oldest Sister
    look just like she's 21
    I

    hear them say the oldest Sister
    look just like she's 21
    And said she can look right in your eyes
    and tell you just exactly what you want done.

    They tell me they've been hung,
    been bled, and been crucified
    They tell me they've been hung,
    been bled, and been crucified
    But I just want enough help
    to stand on the water and rule the tide.

    It's bound to be Seven Sisters,
    'cause I've heard it by everybody else
    It's bound to be Seven Sisters,
    I've heard it by everybody else
    Course, I'd love to take their word,

    but I'd rather go and see for myself.

    When I leave the Seven Sisters,
    I'll pile stones all around
    When I leave the Seven Sisters,
    I'll pile stones all around
    And go to my baby and tell her,
    "There's another Seven Sister man in town."

    Good morning, Seven Sisters,
    just thought I'd come down and see
    Good morning, Seven Sisters,
    I thought I'd come down to see

    Will you build me up where I'm torn down,
    and make me strong where I'm weak?

    PART 2

    I went to New Orleans, Louisiana,
    just on account of something I heard
    I went to New Orleans, Louisiana,
    just on account of something I heard
    The Seven Sisters told me everything I wanted to know,
    and they wouldn't let me speak a word.

    Now, it's Sarah, Minnie, Bertha,
    Holly, Dolly, Betty and Jane
    Sarah, Minnie, Bertha,
    Holly, Dolly, Betty and Jane

    You can't know them Sisters apart,
    because they all looks just the same.

    The Seven Sisters sent me away happy,
    'round the corner I met another little girl
    Seven Sisters sent me 'way happy,
    'round the corner I met another little girl
    She looked at me and smiled, and said,
    "Go, Devil, and destroy the world."

    [spoken] I'm gonna destroy it, too.

    [spoken] I'm all right now.

    Seven times a year
    the Seven Sisters will visit me in my sleep
    S

    even times a year
    the Seven Sisters will visit me all in my sleep
    And they said I won't have no trouble,
    and said I'll live twelve days in a week.

    Wanna go down in Louisiana,
    and get the hell right out of your bein'
    Wanna go down in Louisiana,
    and get right out of your bein'
    These Seven Sisters can do anything in Louisiana,
    but you'll have to go to New Orleans.
    As Funny Paper Smith's song indicates, the Seven Sisters demonstrated a "gift" or mark of power commonly found among hoodoo root workers: they could tell a client what was wrong before he or she spoke. This gift was also attributed to the Arkanasas conjure and spirit ualist Aunt Caroline Dye. Advertisements for such seers may make reference to their telepathic power with stock phrases such as "She tells all before you utter a word" or "Don't tell her -- let her tell you!"

    The famous Seven Sisters of New Orleans gave rise to numerous imitators, among them Ida Carter, a hoodoo women in Hogansville, Alabama, who called herself "Seven Sisters," despite being a single individual. In recent years the Seven Sisters of New Orleans name has became a brand of hoodoo products distributed by International Imports.
  • The theme of "seven lucky brothers" is a recurrent folkloric motif. I am reminded of the Ge rman folk tale (recorded by the Grimm brothers) of the "Seven Brothers Turned to Swans" and of the mid-20th century musical "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."
  • This brings us back to the "Seventh Son" concept touched on earlier -- and the special luck attributed to the seventh son of a seventh son, as seen in Willie Dixon's blues song "The Seventh Son," recorded by Willie Mabon in 1955 and also by Mose Allison. Thanks to Chris Smith the transcription:

    THE SEVENTH SON
    by Willie Dixon (Arc/BMI)

    Now everybody's crying about the Seventh Son,
    In the whole round world there is only one;
    I'm the one, I'm the one,
    I'm the one, I'm the one, the one they call the Seventh Son.

    Now I can tell your future before it comes to pass,
    I can do things for you makes your heart feel glad;
    I can look at the skies and predict the rain,
    I can tell when a woman's got another man;
    I'm the one, I'm the one,
    I'm the one, I'm the one, the one they call the Seventh Son.

    I can hold you close and squeeze you tight,
    I can make you cry for me both day and night,
    I can heal the sick and raise the dead,
    I can make you little girls talk all out of your head;
    I'm the one, I'm the one,
    I'm

    the one, I'm the one, the one they call the Seventh Son.

    Now, I can talk these words that sound so sweet,
    And make your loving heart even skip a beat.
    I can take you, baby, and hold you in my arms,
    And make the flesh quiver on your lovely bones;
    I'm the one, I'm the one,
    I'm the one, I'm the one, the one they call the Seventh Son.

  • Quoting from "A Dictionary Of Superstitions" by Iona Opie and Moira Tatem (Oxford University Press, 1992):
    1579: Lupton's "Thousand Notable Things": "It is manifest by experience that the seuenth Male Chyld by iust order (neuer a
    Gyrle or Wench borne betweene) doth heele onely with touching
    through a naturall gyft, the Kings Euyll."
    ("The King's Evil" is the skin disease scrofula.)
  • The n there's the Muddy Waters' song, "Hootchie Cootchie Man" (written by WIllie Dixon) -- with its "seven doctors" --
    Hootchie Cootchie Man
    On th
    e seventh hour
    of the seventh day
    of the seventh month
    the seven doctors say
    "He were born for good luck
    that you'll see"
    I got seven hundred dollars
    don't you mess with me
    'cause i'm the hootchie cootchie man...

  • From: Yoke Lim



  • In Chinese culture, the number 7 also features rather prominently in some aspects of life. For example, the seventh day of the first moon of the lunar year is known as Human's Day. That day is considered the birthday of all human beings universally. That is why a Chinese is deemed to be a year older on that day, regardless of what the actual date of birth is. But this is not to say that a Chinese does not celebrate a birthday on the actual day of birth. I have no idea how far back in time this idea started, but as I write this, I am struck by the coincidence of the Christian concept of creation of the world by the seventh day as related in Genesis.
  • Similarly, on a death, a special ceremony is held on the 49th day after death, that is, 7 X 7 days. It signifies the final parting.

  • From: (DHAND302)



  • I came across a reference (in Encyclopedia Britannica, actually) to the "Shichi-fuku-jin," or the Seven Gods of Luck in Japanese folklore. They're described as comical deities often depicted riding on a treasure ship with various magical implements, such as a hat of invisibility, rolls of brocade, an inexhaustible purse, keys to the divine treasure-house, cloves, scrolls or books, a lucky rain hat, or a robe of feathers. I've never heard of these whimsical little dudes before, but I instinctively like them a lot. Yet when I went to the library to research this a bit further (at least find a good picture of them) I found nary a trace.
    Anybody else know anything more?

  • From: (WeldonKees) (Paul Edson)



  • The "shichi-fukujin," translated either as the "Seven Gods of Happiness" or "Seven Gods of Luck" are personifications of earthly happiness in Japanese folk religion. They are:
  • HOTEI: the "fat" or "laughing" Buddha who personifies your garden-variety mirth and merriment.
  • BISHAMONTEN: the watchman
  • FUKUROKUJU: the god of longevity
  • JUROJIN: the god of scholarship
  • DAIKOKU: the god of nutrition
  • EBISU: the god of fishing
  • BENZAITEN: the goddess of music.
  • These seven are often portrayed together riding on a treasure ship, but may also be carved or depicted individually. Representations are often in the form of wooden or ivory amulets and most commonly are used to pin together the kimono. I don't have any further information about what objects are generally carried by or associated with each, sorry.
    These seven gods are probably an expansion of earlier Chinese deities who fulfilled the same sorts of functions. The Chinese deities were five in number, dressed in the red robes of civil servants, and each was usually accompanied by a bat. In fact, five bats depicted together often stand in for the gods as a symbol of luck.
    (Information from "The Dictionary of Symbolism" by Hans Biedermann and from my brother, who has a master's degree in Japanese culture and language.)