Muscle Building Made Easy
September 27, 2007
Most people joining gym want to resemble body builders. Bulging arms, streamlined back muscles and six packs are common goals that all want to achieve. They are afraid to use supplements, pills because they fear that it is only meant for wrestlers and professional body builders.
The truth is as many experts say that supplements aren’t necessary for building muscle, but some can give casual athletes a boost in muscle mass and energy. Most people feel that supplements will give them overnight results but that is untrue and an unrealistic expectation. Before making up your mind of taking a supplement to put on a little more muscle, it’s important to take stock of your lifestyle. If you are not eating right, getting enough sleep, cutting back on stress and exercising regularly, meaning at least a couple of times a week then supplements will not really help you out.
“You can’t just rely on these products to give you the edge, no matter what the bottle says,” explains Andrew Shao, vice president of regulatory affairs for the Council For Responsible Nutrition, a Washington-based trade association representing ingredient suppliers and manufacturers in the dietary supplement industry. “The next step is figuring out which product is right for you, can be even tougher, given the range of choices now aimed at the weekend warrior, a fitness trend that has grown over the past couple of years.”
A trainer may be able to give you some advice, though levels of expertise in this area vary widely. Shao suggests that reading through a couple of products’ labels. If there’s a laundry list of ingredients you can’t even pronounce, don’t bother with it. He also recommends going with a well-known brand, which might cost more, but should help assure you are getting a quality product.
One common option body builders have been using for years is Creatine, a substance that is manufactured in the body during protein metabolism. It is a fuel source for explosive sports movements or bursts of activity that typically last one to six seconds, says Amanda Carlson, director of performance nutrition and research at Athletes’ Performance, an intensive training facility based in Arizona. Loading muscles with creatine can help people perform better and recover faster.
For a boost during your workout, Carlson suggests sports drinks. You may not think of them as sports nutrition products, but they are fueling your body. A few varieties today contain carbohydrates and protein, a combination which has been shown to reduce muscle damage and speed muscle recovery. Another key to building muscle is protein. Derived from milk, whey protein is considered one of the best protein sources available, and can even benefit the immune system. Providing the body with branched-chain amino acids can help it repair and rebuild lean muscle tissue. Volek suggests the average person should try taking it within 30 minutes after a workout, when the body needs protein most.
A regular regime of exercising can guarantee results so one needs to keep that in mind and keep persisting to develop a fit and energetic body. Excerpt taken from Forbes.com
©Nayna, 2007. All Rights Reserved.
Navdurga-9 Glorious Forms Of Goddess Durga
September 27, 2007
“Shakti” or power of Goddess Durga is known as Dasha Mahavidya. From the time span of nine day starting from the new moon of the Hindu month of Ashwin, starts the most auspicious time where people perform any activity or event and it is known to be successful because of the blessings of the divine Mother. In these nine days the nine different Swaroop or form of the Goddess Durga is worshipped fervently.
1) Durga Shailputri: Shailputri means the daughter of the mountain, Himalaya. In this form we see the divine Mother holding a trident in her right hand and a lotus on her left. She is seen seated on an ox.
In her previous birth, she was called Sati, Bhavani and was the daughter of King Daksha. After a lot of penance, she married Lord Shiva. But her father King Daksha was not too pleased. He had arranged for a Yagya/Yagna (Ritual done around the sacrificial fire) where he invited everyone except his son-in-law, Lord Shiva. Upset and feeling humiliated, Sati decided to attend the event uninvited. There, her father insulted Lord Shiva and in fury she stood on the sacrificial fire and burnt herself alive.
Lord Shiva enraged, ordered his followers to demolish the Yagya. Sati was reborn as the daughter of the king of the mountains, Himalaya in the name of Parvati – Hemvati and got married with Lord Shiva again. Her this Swaroop is worshipped on the first day of the Navratri celebrations.
2) Brahmacharini: Brahmacharini or Tapasyacharini is Goddess’s second form. The name holds the meaning of true penance and meditation. Her form depicts her holding a rosary beads in her right hand and a Kamandalu, a pot containing holy water in her left. In her previous life, when she was reborn as the daughter of Himalaya, she performed severe penance to have Lord Shiva as her husband. Narad Muni, the divine sage advised her to take up meditation to win Him. Her intense devotion, steadfastness and strict meditation for years under extreme conditions, gave her the name of Brahmacharini.
3) Chandraghanta: Goddess Durga’s third form is known as Chandraghanta or Shakti. Chandra means moon and Ghanta is the bell. This name finds its explanation in the half-circular moon on the temple of the Goddess that resembles a bell. She is three eyed with ten hands. Each hand holds ten different weapons. She is seated on lion and is worshipped on the third day of the Navratri celebration. Her hue is golden and her appearance always spreads a calm and eternal peace all round. She is unprecedented image of bravery. The frightful sound of her bell terrifies all the evil and demon. Worship of this deity helps to eliminate the sorrow, hazards and dangers in ones life.
4) Kushmanda:Kush means happiness and she created the universe with a smile. She is radiant as the Sun and rides a lion. She is Ashtabhuja or eight handed. Her seven hands hold the holy pot, Kamandul, a bow, an arrow, a lotus, a pot containing wine, a disc and a club. The eighth hand holds a string of rosary beads that is believed to provide success and prudence.
5) Skanda Mata: Lord Kartik/Kartikeyan/Karthikeyan is also known as Skanda. As Goddess Durga is his mother, she is referred to as Skanda Mata. She is a deity of fire with four arms. She holds her son Skanda with the top right hand and lotus in her lower hand. The top left hand is positioned in a blessing gesture or Abhaya Mudra. She is fair complexioned, seated on a lotus and so also referred to as Padmasana.
6) Katyayani: Sage Katyaayan was the son of the great sage Kat. He observed rigorous penance and worship of Bhagavati Paramba with a desire to get Paramba as his daughter. His wish was granted. The daughter born was named Katyayani. She has four hands. The top right hand is positioned in a gesture of providing courage while the other hand is positioned in a gesture of rendering a boon. The top left hand holds a sword and the other a lotus. The goddess rides a lion and worshiped on the sixth day of the Durga puja.
7) Kalratri: Ratri means night so her complexion is as dark as the night. She has long, unmated hair with her three eyes that are shiny and bright. She has four arms and is seen mounted on a Shav/Shava or dead body. Her right hand holds a sword, while her lower hand is in a blessing stance. The left hand holds a burning torch and the lower left hand is in fearless position. She is known as Shubhamkari or the auspicious one. Her form encourages her devotees to be fearless.
8 ) Maha Gauri: It is said that when the body of Goddess Gauri got dirty due to dust and earth while she was observing penance to attain Lord Shiva. So he cleansed her with the holy waters of Ganges. Her body transformed into bright and luminous like lightening and so her eighth form is known as “Maha Gauri” .Her clothes and ornaments are also white. Her visage is calm and peaceful and she is three eyed. She rides on a bull. Her four hands denote different meanings, like the left hand is in the fearless gesture and the lower on holds a trident. The above right hand has tambourine and lower right hand is in blessing style.
9) Siddhidatri: The ninth form is Siddhidatri. There are eight Siddhis (Special powers which can only be attained from severe penance and meditation)-Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Iishitva & Vashitva. Maha Shakti gives all these Siddhies. It is mentioned in the Devi Puran” that Lord Shiva got all these Siddhis by worshipping Maha Shakti.
With her gratitude, Lord Shiva’s body also contains the Goddess and so he has the form and name of Ardha Narishvar. Ardha means half. The goddess rides on a lion. The Siddhidatri form is worshipped by all gods, rishis, munis (Saints and Sages), siddhas, yogis, sadhakas (Devotees) for attaining merit and boons of their severe penances.
©Nayna, 2007. All Rights Reserved.
Homage To Ancestors-Pitru Paksha Shraddh/Shradh Mahina
September 26, 2007
Shradh is a ritual performed for the people who have passed away so that their souls rest in peace and they attain Moksha or salvation. It is performed every year on the anniversary of the death of the person as per the Hindu calendar.
Mahalaya shradh is performed during a fortnight called as the “Pitru paksha” in the month of Ashwin of the Hindu Vikram Samvat. This Mahalay Shradh is very dear to the ancestors souls because the time is such that it reaches them immediately.
Shradh is performed for three generations of Pitris – the father, the grand-father and the great grand-father, or to all Pitris. There are many rules and regulations that need to be followed. These rituals take place for sixteen days. This should be done under the guidance of a priest so that all the rituals are done in accordance to the Shastras and no souls get offended or left out. Instead all should be pleased and bless the person performing this ritual. All priests or pandits do not perform shradh rituals. So finding the right person to provide guidance is important. It is common practice for the male members of the family to partake in this activity but in case there are none then women too can participate.
Performance of Shradh and Tarpan (Libations of water) relieves the hunger and thirst of the departed soul during its journey to the Pitri Loka. Repaying the debt to ancestors is as important as repaying the debt to God, sages and the society. It is the duty of descendants to respect their ancestors, make donations in their name and to undertake activities that will please them. Performing Shradh is a part of obeying Dharma (Path of Righteousness).
Shradh rituals can performed at three different occassions in a year. The date on which the person has departed, during this Pitru Paksha time or at the time of any auspicious occassions like marriage or celebration of a child’s birth. Performing such rituals before the actual marriage ceremony, indicates a sign of respect to the ancestors and to seek their blessings.
The most ausipicous ghat where people go to perform shradh is in the city of Ujjain, on the banks of the river Shipra. Here Lord Ram had performed the last rites of his father and since then, this place is known as “Ram Ghat.” If people are not able to go there, then Gaya is another significant place where this ritual is performed.
During this period, people do not invest money or purchase house, cars or get married. All auspicious activities are kept on hold as this month is only dedicated to the departed souls. Some people believe that the departed are present at different levels in the sky after their death.
At the time of shradh month, those in middle levels who haven’t received liberation hover around to derive some benefits. Some even say that during this time, the gods are asleep and they do not provide anything to these souls. In hunger and thirst these souls come down searching for their family members to provide them some nourishment.
Many families firmly believe in this and prepare food items, sweets and arrange for assorted foods that their departed family members enjoyed when they were alive. Though the departed ancestors cannot eat like normal beings as they do not have a body, they enjoy these foods with their sense of smell and vision.
The satisfaction that these souls get seeing that they are remembered and provided with their favorite delicacies, turn into blessings. Such blessings are indeed counted at the time of marriage, conception and birth of children. Their blessings provide the new generation freedom from physical and mental disabilities and abnormalities.
©Nayna, 2007-2009. All Rights Reserved.
