Read 2 Win - Second Spring by Sandhya Jane

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SECOND SPRING by Sandhya Jane








#secondspring #sandhyajane

Brahmagupta's contribution to Mathematics

Against the popular perception, I would say that none including Aryabhat has invented ‘zero’ because the concept of ‘zero’ was always part of our life in different way academically or professionally since the origin of the universe.

Brahagupata’s major contribution to modern science and technology was - how to use zero in mathematical calculations that is used as base to calculate every field. He has formed the set of rules in the mathematics for positive and negative number in addition to forming the rules for using zeros in calculations and that has become the basis of mathematics and rest of the field including economics, finance, physics, chemistry, astronomy and so on…

Brahmagupta was born in 598 CE and died in c. 670. He lived in during king Vyagrahamukha in Bhillamala (modern Bhinmal) a capital of Gurjaradesa Chapa dynasty, one of the largesst kingdoms of Western India in parts of southern Rajasthan and Northern Gujarat.

He studied 5 traditional siddhantas in Brahmapaska in one of top schools for the astronomy during those days.

He also studied his predecessors’ (Aryabhata I, Latadeva, Pradyumna, Varahamihira, Simha, Srisena, Vijayanandin and Vishnuchandra) work to continue their research work. His rules of zero is in continuation of Aryabhata I ‘s work.

Brahmagupta gave the solution of the general linear in chapter eighteen of Brahmasphutasiddhanta,

bx + c = dx + e equivalent to x =< (e−c) / (b-d)


In chapter eighteen of Brahmasphutasiddhanta, Brahmagupta describes operations on negative numbers. He first describes addition and subtraction,

18.30 (Additions)

· 3 + 4 = 7 (a positive number)

· -3 + (-4) = -7 (a negative number)

· -3 + 4 = 1 (positive number)

· 3 + (-4) = -1 (negative number)

· -3 + 3 = 0 (zero when both positive and negative numbers are same)

· -3 + 0 = -3 (negative number)

· 3 + 0 = 3 (positive number)

· 0 + 0 = 0 (no difference)

18.32 (subtractions)

· -3 – 0 = -3 (negative number)

· 3 – 0 = 3 (positive number)

· 0 - 0 = 0 (no difference)

· 3 - (-4) = -1 (negative number is added)

· -3 – 4 = - 7 (negative number is added)

18.33(Multiplication)

· 3 * - 4 = - 12 (one negative and one positive product becomes negative number)

· 3 * - 4 = 12 (two negative becomes positive)

· 3 * 0 = 0 (any number multiplied with zero is zero)

18.34 (Division)

·     3
     ----  = 1 (positive number)
      3

·    - 3
       ----  = 1 (positive number)
      -3

·    0
    ---  = 0 (zero)
     0

·     3
     --- = -1
     -3

·      -3
      ---  = -1
       3

·    √0   =  0

·    0 square   = 0

·    0
    ----
     0

·    3
    ---- = undefined
     0

Except the last definition of zero, we use all his rules in the modern mathematics.

Watch out this space for part II on his other contributions in calculating complex mathematical formulas.

References:

Brahmagupta (598–668)," Department of Mathematics, Simon Fraser University (British Columbia, Canada), http;//www.math.sfu.ca/histmath/India/7thCenturyAD/Brahmagupta.html (February 17, 2006).

"Brahmagupta (ca. 598–ca. 665)," Wolfram Research, http://www.scienceworld.wolfram.com/biography/Brahmagupta.html (February 17, 2006).

"Brahmagupta," School of Mathematics and Statistics, St. Andrews University, http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/∼history/Mathematicians/Brahmagupta.html (February 17, 2006).

"Brahmagupta," Vidyapatha, http://www.vidyapatha.com/scientists/brahmagupta.php (February 17, 2006).

http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Brahmagupta.aspx

Exotic raw banana recipe - Kanchakalar Khosha bata and Kanchakalar kofta Curry

This an exotic recipe from Bengal using raw banana. You can use banana skin and banana to make two recipes as both banana and skins are loaded with nutrition and brings health benefits. Both the recipes are easy to make and sure to satisfy your taste buds... :)

Kanchakalar Khosha bata (raw banana chutney) and Kanchakalar (raw banana) kofta curry. for 4

Basic preparations
- 2 raw banana
- 2 medium potato 

Cut both the ends of the banana and wash it well
- Boil separately these raw banana with skin and potatoes 
- Remove the skin of soft boiled banana for making Kanchakalar Khosha bata (raw banana chutney)
- Use the raw boiled banana and boiled potatoes for making Kanchakalar (raw banana) kofta curry.
- Save the water once you take and use it for cooking. It is loaded with nutrition.

Kanchakalar Khosha
Ingredients:
- 2 boiled raw banana skins as mentioned above
- Ginger as per you taste
- Green or red fresh chilies as per taste
- Salt 
For Saute'
- 1 tea spoon mustard oil 
- 1/2 tea spoon Kilonji 
- 2 red dry chili

Preparations:
- grind banana skin + ginger + salt + green chili + add little left over water after boiling the banana. Make little watery paste

- sauté the paste with mustard oil + Kilonji + red dry chili and allow it to cook for a min to let the fragrance of oil and spice get into the paste. 


Kanchakalar Khosha Bata is ready

----
Banana Kofta Curry
- 2 boiled raw banana + 2 medium boil potatoes as mentioned above
- ginger 
- 2 cloves garlic 
- green or red fresh chilies as per your taste
- 2 red dry chilies
- 1 tomato
- 1 tea spoon garam masala
- red chili powder (optional)
- 7-8 almonds
- half bowl chopped onion
- 3-4 spoon flour 
- chopped coriander leaves 
- mustard oil for cooking

Preparations:
For banana kofta or pattice
- Mash boiled banana + boiled potato in equal quantity 
- Add chopped onion + green chili + coriander leaves + salt and + 3-4 spoon all purpose flour + add left over water after boiling banana and make small pattice.
- Shallow fry these pattice in regular oil
- Soak 7-8 almonds and remove the skin. 
- Make a paste of soaked almonds.
- Make a paste of 1 tomato + small ginger + green or red fresh chili
- Heat oil and add black paper + bay leaf + 2-3 chopped garlic in the oil and fry
- Add tomatoes paste + turmeric powder + red chili (if you want really spicy or skip it) + Garam masala + salt and cook for a minute
- Add left over water after boiling banana + hot water, if require + almond paste and cook
- When all cooked, just add fried pattice and cook for a min.

Kanchakalar kofta Curry is ready.

Why Hindus visit temple?

I have been asked several times by my foreign  friends - Why Hindus visit temples?
After researching and talking to few experts, I found few reasons. Apart from spiritual need, people went to temple for social and scientific reasons.

Darshan: We visit temple for Darshana or see the 'sight' of the supreme lord. This helps the devotee to connect the god mentally and emotionally. It also help in concentrating fully with god and forgetting the rest of the universe around us. This 'Dhyana' or mediation creates vacuum in our continuous flow of thoughts that facilitate to attain peace.

Idol: God is humanized in the form of 'idol' that helps devotee to concentrate on an object. It gives a definite shape or form to our imaginary thoughts. In addition, every god or supreme power has certain characteristic to his/her personality and we ultimately wish to have them or improve in those area.

Rituals: Rituals in Hinduism are in different form. One set of rules are for temples and another for personal life. Temple rituals revolves around "pranpratishtha" or installing the idol of a deity in the temple with proper rituals of invoking god/goddess with sanskrit chanting, bathing the idol with milk, water, honey, clarified butter and yogurt (panchamrut i.e. 5 nectors or liquids), dressing up with cloth, flowers, ornaments, offering food and singing bhajan (devotional songs).

Every ritual invokes human 5 senses - touching(touching the deity), seeing(seeing the deity), tasting (panchamrut), smelling (flowers, camphor, and other things), hearing (the chanting, arti, bhanjan)...bring 'self' the present state or in temple completely.

On daily basis the worshiping is done in smaller scale to invoke and sleep the god in the form of idol. The same process is followed at home in much smaller scale.

There are other rituals in Hinduism are meant for social occasions such as marriage, and death and so on... this signifies the life and meaning we have for every part of the life and the way we accept and respect it. These rituals associated with the special occasions reminds us our duty or role or 'dharma' during that phase. Most of them are beneficial and scientifically  proven. For example, the silver toe rings are part of acupuncture  therapy that regulates uterus function in women and avoid diseases associated with. It also improve a sexual desire in women and therefore forbidden for unmarried  or widows to wear them.

Concept of Brahma: This concept remind us the value of I. I am Brahma. So do others. The temple may have one of more deities whom we worship or devote ourself with the concept of I am one part of the universe. I am also God. The devotion teaches us to let go off "I" that is main cause of stress and conflict in the personal and professional life.

Architecture: Most ancient temples have magnificent architecture that have scientific as well as spiritual significance. The scientific meaning of the temple architecture is associated with the scientific construction that includes the decor, angles, lights, the environment and the other things.

The common features of the temples are:
1. Central sanctum enshrines for the main deity
2. Secondary sanctums are for other deities such as Ganesha, Nandi and so on...
3. The space for the trained priest to perform rituals
4. The space in-front of the main deity is for devotees to stand/sit to worship or attend the Arti
5. The outside areas  either within the temple premises or outside the temple premises meant for public for attending social functions or discourse
6. There is additional space for devotees for pradkshana or parikrama or walk around the garbha graham or main section of the temple, but this is within the premises/external boundaries of the temple.

Pradaksihina or Parikrama: The reasons behind pradkshana is - we consider god is center part of our action, our thought and our world. When we go around, we keep the deity at the center of the gravity and consider it as the main focus of our existence. This concept usually helps devotees to consider to take life as it comes or consider this is devoted to the god /universe and we all are part of it. This is one of the ways to keep our mind balanced and peaceful by removing the focus from 'self' or 'I'.

The role Temples in Society: Temples, in general, played a larger role in the society that provided educational, social support in addition to providing them an emotional, and a spiritual support. Most temples in ancient India were also served as educational institutes or gurukul and the center for social gathering in the evening. The additional space within the temple is provided to people to held social rituals and ceremonies. The spiritual guru used the same space to give the discourse that taught most to stay away from materialistic, physical or emotional vices. The environment also helped to inculcate the basic virtue through friendship, forgiveness, humility, tolerance, courage, guidance and more...thus improving overall improvement.

Don't glorify suicide; just glorify heroism

Glorifying the Suicide: It is tragic loss of life when ‪#‎PratyushaBanerjee‬ made a decision (or pushed into). However, she was responsible for it when other options were also available to her. Instead of fighting, she chose to flight...This is not a decision that can be rectified once made. Life is precious, god given and expected to make it meaningful. 

Friends and family knew (who are now talking on TV) are equally responsible along with her boyfriend as they could have provided better support system for her to get out of bad relationship. I wonder if the 'false ego' or 'extreme pride' makes a person inhumane that teaches to boost only success and avoid talking about issues/failures, then it is useless. We are failing to create the support system for our close friends and family to confide their fears, failure, issues in their lives. 

Respect the Life...this message would be more appropriate than glorifying the suicide. Otherwise, nonsense 24/7 senseless coverage would do more harm to the society than good to encourage a weak person to take such route. 

Although Hema Malini said correctly, "One must come out of odds & emerge successfully, not succumb under pressure. The world admire fighter, not loser", her last part was bit harsh as none knew the reality what a person went through to take such drastic decision. But, definitely she is right on - Be A Fighter.

Every person faces 'ups and downs' in life and we learn from public figure how they face the setbacks gracefully and emerge as winner. I remember Amitabh Bacchan's interview with Simi Garewal where he was talking about transition from superhero to character role and his life before 'kaun banega crorepati' and they way he narrated was so humbling, intense and inspiring. This teaches how successful people face the downfall and rise again in their life...

When we learn how to become successful, why we forget to learn how to face setbacks...

Fight, don't Flight...

#life #suicide #love #career #fight #inspiration #success 

Second Spring by Sandhya Jane: A Reader's view

This is an extensive analysis about "Second Spring" written by Ankita Chauhan. 

INTRO 

When I took a first glance of this book, literally I thought “Second Spring” is nothing but another love story that makes you travel a bit into dreamy land and ends with some obvious happy ending. But here author surprised me this book is lot more than just a love story. Not only you enjoy every bit of it plus you learn from every twist and turns of its protagonist life.

STRUCTURE 

Basically it is a story of a single mother, Avantika who is bold and beautiful in every aspect of life. She always believed in “not to lean on others shoulder” but when she met Rohan Rana she felt a sudden urge towards him due to his innocence. She got confused first but later on the connection been made. Though the feeling was mutual yet their relation couldn’t work out and they separated. 

No matter how much you try feelings take time to overcome. Avantika was trying to get over that pain with some spiritual learning and she accomplished it… suddenly Rohan reappeared and how things changed..? 

NARRATION 

Here I want to say that I admired the way Author narrated the whole story. The way she creates scenes is stupendous. While reading the whole image was in front of my eyes.. it was like a smooth journey where I met few interesting characters which made me realize about balance in life through their experiences. 

CORE 

Sometimes you don’t want to read just to get more stories, you read because you want to enjoy their little lovely or dark moments. If you feel the same, this book is for you cause author tried to create a whole life in front of us, you feel their pain, you smile with their happy moments. So I loved the book. Must say it is a healthy one but you couldn’t stop once you get started reading it. 

Generally we can’t take interest or we don’t have that much power to perceive what is happening behind the lighted glimmering world of corporate. This book is passage for you to know about their personal life. How they face challenges when it comes to relation. 

Source:

http://soundingwords.blogspot.hk/2016/02/book-review-second-spring-by-sandhya.html

Second Spring - READER’S MOMENT

This is copied from Ankita Chauhan's Blog

• Love in Life is never a battle of 'win' or 'loss' but a journey of unconditional acceptance.” 
• Love has a tendency to go out of the window when promises go awry, reality sets in, and responsibilities take over.
• Women are emotional and proud creatures. They need to be respected and cherished in a relationship or else things don’t work out. 
• Life comes with no guarantees. Who knows whether the next day’s sun will dawn at all? Best to savor everything right now. 
• I loved the anonymity that a mega city brought to my life. Nobody cared who you were or what you did, you were just a speck in the crowd. 
• Loving someone selflessly would mean praying for his or her happiness whether you are part of that happiness or not.
• If you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt. Once we cross the deepest part of hurt, it doesn’t hurt anymore. You become part of the eternal journey of love… no hurt, no worries, and one just prays for the wellbeing of other person —that’s true love for you. Innumerable poets and philosophers throughout history have tried to figure it out— partially or incompletely. Love is a destined journey. 
• Perfect maturity is to understand why your loved one did what they did, although their actions hurt you, hurting them back is not an option. 

Overall, It’s an light hearted fiction, If you want to spend a beautiful weekend. Go For it.

http://soundingwords.blogspot.hk/2016/02/book-review-second-spring-by-sandhya.html