Process to Install Windows 7 using USB Pen Drive

Generally we make use of CDs for installing an operating system. In case one’s CD drive gets corrupted, he/she might face a lot of problems. USB pen drives can also be used for installing OS.

For installing operating systems using USB drive, we need to make the USB drive bootable. For this you need to follow some simple steps as described below:

PREPARING YOUR USB DRIVE

Insert a pen drive in any of the USB ports present in your system. Don’t forget to backup your data from the pen drive as it would get formatted in the process.

Start the DISKPART command-line utility. This can be done by pressing the WINKEY+R to open the Run Window. Type diskpart and hit Enter. For more details on the diskpart command-line utility you can refer Microsoft support on http://support.microsoft.com/kb/300415 .

Now Run the list disk command.

Then Run select disk n command where “n” is the disk number of your USB drive.

Then Run clean command.

Then Run create partition primary.

Now in the next step Run active to make the partition active.

Then Run format fs=fat32 quick to format the USB drive as FAT32.

Now Run assign to give a letter.

Now all we need is to put the installation files from a bootable windows CD onto the drive. For this, explore the Windows 7 CD or the selected operating system CD and select all the file (Ctrl+A). After this copy these files (Ctrl+C) and paste them (Ctrl+V) in the USB drive.

In case you happen to have an ISO image of the setup. Extract the contents of the ISO file to the USB drive. For the extracting files from an ISO file, you can make use of Magic ISO Maker or 7-Zip (free).

Finally you are here.

Comparison Of Android Apps And IOS

The race between developing the latest, smartest and hifi phone is full on among the manufacturers and developers of various mobile phones. New version of  smart phone and tablets are being introduced at a very fast pace with new and thrilling features and specifications to provide the users with ultimate mobile cum pc experience.

The market is now days ruled by Apple and Android phones. Both are the biggest manufacturers of smart phones and tablets which have revolutionized the world of cellular phones.

Android and IOS

Android is the operating system led by Google to power mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets. Ios on the other is the iphone operating system developed by Apple to power all kinds of Apple devices such as iPad, iPhone and iPod. Today ios and android apps dominate the application world. The battle of making newer and more different apps is on as consumers are constantly demanding of more and more apps from their mobile carriers and developers.

pps Always Come First On Ios Than On Android

A report claims that consumers around the world always want to go with the ios app first. Ios apps are more popular among the consumers. When the app gets successful on ios, only then they go for the similar version on ios.

Android Apps Take More Time and Money

App developers state that android apps take more time and consume much higher budget than developing ios apps. This is one reason that consumers insist on requesting to develop an ios app first than to go for an android app.

Android vs. IOS Apps

Both the android and ios have given rise to a number of applications to be installed and utilized on apple and android smart phones and tablets. The App store by Apple iOS has approximately 425,000 applications. Android on the other hand is said to have around 200,000 applications. Obviously the number of applications does not guarantee the quality of the apps. A number of applications made by Apple ios serve no fruitful purpose and same can be said about android apps.

Variety Of Apps

As far as variety of the apps is considered, both android and ios stand at the same place. The variation and kinds of apps developed by both the systems is nearly the same. However, apps introduced by Apple get more popularized and then an Android version is released.

The Look and Feel Of The Apps

The applications by ios appear more appealing to eyes. The look and feel of ios apps are much polished than android applications. Two similar applications introduced by both the developers seem to be quite different in that ios apps give a more pleasing and unique look.

Ios Apps Crash More 

According to recent studies and research, it is being said that ios applications crash at a much higher rate as compared to android apps. The version 5.0.1 of ios hosts applications that crash more while the applications by android seem to be quite stable.

The Most famous MAHABHARATA'S Quote

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत ।अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् ॥

(yada yada hi dharmasya
glanir bhavati bharata
abhyutthanam adharmasya
tadatmanam srjamy aham)

"Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion—at that time I descend Myself."

yada--whenever; yada--wherever; hi--certainly; dharmasya--of religion; glanih--discrepancies; bhavati--manifested, becomes; bharata--O descendant of Bharata; abhyutthanam--predominance; adharmasya--of irreligion; tada--at that time; atmanam--self; srjami--manifest; aham.

[JAB JAB DHARTI PE PAAP BARHEGA, JAB-JAB LOG ADHARM KE RASSTE PAR CHALEGA, TAB-TAB VAGAWAN SHRI KRISHNA WILL COME IN THIS WORLD (IN SOME FORM OR OTHER) or INCARNATE HIMSELF TO SAVE THIS WORLD, TO SAVE THE PRIESTS AND TO DESTROY THE EVIL]

Hey Bhaarata (Arjuna). It is Faith which teaches renunciation and is responsible for the elevation and well-being of human beings. Whenever in the passage of time,(yadaa yadaa) Faith (or dharma) is weakened or is under attack, (glaanirbhavati) - and whenever adharma spreads without control (abhyutthaanam.h) - it is then (tadaatmaanM) that I re-incarnate myself (sRRijaamyaham.h) with all my powers to restore Faith.

Whenever there is discrepancies in the discharge of natural laws of God, then God incarnates. Either He incarnates Himself, or He sends His bona fide representative, or He sends His powerful representative, like that. So whenever there is incarnation of God, it is to be understood that there is discrepancies in the matter of discharging the laws made by God. And the laws made by God is called dharma, dharma, or religion. 

So religion, you cannot manufacture; I cannot manufacture. Just like there are so many religions now, manufactured by laymen. Oh, they are not religion. Dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam: "Dharma means, religion means, which is made by God." Or His representative. Not by anyone. Not that you make a club or association, you manufacture some idea and it becomes religion. No. Dharmam tu saksad bha... Therefore God incarnates. Yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati. Glanir means when there is discrepancies. In that law, which is given by God, when there is discrepancies and people are disturbed, especially the devotees are disturbed, when there is satanic influence, there is, devotees are very much disturbed. So paritranaya sadhunam. When incarnation comes, now, paritranaya sadhunam, the first business is to give protection to the devotees. There is no necessity of God's coming here to settle up things. There is no necessity. He has got omnipotential power. He can do without His presence. But when His devotees become very much disturbed, He comes personally. He comes personally, sends His representative. Paritranaya sadhunam. Sadhunam means devotees. Paritranaya and vinasaya ca duskrtam. And, simultaneously, when He comes, all these miscreants, they are killed. They are annihilated. Vinasaya ca duskrtam. Dharma-samsthapanarthaya, and reestablishing the principle of religion. Yuge yuge sambhavami. The Lord says, "I come in different millenniums." 

It is to demonstrate this truth of the universality of God's perfection and the ideal inclusiveness of everything that this incarnation shone on earth. "Yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati Bharata; Abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srijamyaham. Paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya cha dushkritam; Dharma-samthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge." "Whenever the balance of the universe is disturbed by external interference from any of its parts, then I reveal Myself as the Power of eternal balancing. For the protection of those who are in harmony, and the rectification of everything disharmonious, I incarnate Myself at every juncture of time." 
Through these verses of the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna proclaims the meaning of his descent for the ascent of the spirit of man. God's incarnation is a perpetual act, an eternal occurrence. It is not merely a historical event that took place centuries back and is not taking place now. The words, 'Yuge yuge', imply every juncture of time. At a great juncture and critical moment and crisis, God manifests Himself to dissolve that crisis and conflict. The perpetual incarnation of God is taking place every moment of time, which is the work of Vishnu, the Sustainer, who is ever vigilant in maintaining the harmony of all creation, which gets disturbed by an excess of rajas and tamas, distracting desires in the direction of objects of sense and torpidity due to excessive fixity caused by dark natures, clouds of unknowing.

The principles of the Bhagavad-gita were spoken to Arjuna, and, for that matter, to other highly elevated persons, because he was highly advanced compared to ordinary persons in other parts of the world. Two plus two equals four is a mathematical principle that is true both in the beginner's arithmetic class and in the advanced class as well. Still, there are higher and lower mathematics. In all incarnations of the Lord, therefore, the same principles are taught, but they appear to be higher and lower in varied circumstances. The higher principles of religion begin with the acceptance of the four orders and the four statuses of social life, as will be explained later. The whole purpose of the mission of incarnations is to arouse Krisna consciousness everywhere. 

Rama and some truths of his GREAT Ramayana

Since the auspicious home-coming of Shri Raam (Deepawali) is nigh, I thought of writing a post on my favorite Lord. As recognized by the Supreme Court of India, the existence of Shri Raam can not be decided only by historical or scientific evidence, it is a matter of faith to millions of people.

Yet, it is my effort in this post to analyze the historical and literary evidence pertaining to Lord Raam just as we did in the post on Lord Krishna {Krishna - The Historical Enigma}.

The primary source of the life and journey of Shri Raam is the epic Ramayana composed by Maharishi Valmiki. The learned sage wanted to write an epic that would serve as an inspiration for generations to come, and highlight the ideals of human behavior in different roles assigned to him by the society. 

Devarishi Narad, the spiritual mendicant of the Heavens, guided Valmiki and suggested that he should write about the life and times of Shri Raam, the doyen of the Suryavanshi clan and the most beneficient ruler the land had ever seen. This acknowledgement is mentioned in the Valmiki Ramayan itself and is our first suggestion that the story was based on an actual historical figure. 

The Ramayan itself declares that it belongs to the genre of Itihasa (History) and the only other two sacred books in that genre are the Mahabharat and the Harivamsha.

Literary Evidence for Rama

Besides Valmiki Ramayan (4th century BCE), other scriptures also attest to Shri Raam's existence. The Vishnu Puraan declares Rama as Lord Vishnu's seventh incarnation, and the Bhagavat Puraan, recounts the story of Lord Rama in the 9th Skanda. 

The Millenia old Epic Battle between the Forces of God and Evil

 {Image courtesy - Grant Morrison's 18 Days}

Mahabharat mentions the story of Rama in the Aranyak Parva, Dron Parva and theRaam-opakhyan where its is narrated to the eldest Pandav, Yuddhishthir. The Rama Avatar is also mentioned in the Harivansh and the Agni Puraan.

 Not only Hindu literature, Buddhist and Jain texts also record the story of Rama and mention it in their own respective styles. 

In Buddhism, Ramayan is present in the form of Dasarath Jatak, Dasrath Kathanakand Anamak Jatak, the first of which was composed in the 2nd century BCE. This version talks of Rama and Sita as siblings (which is a common symbolic imagery in early Buddhist literature to denote purity of a dynasty). 

In Jain literature, Ramayan exists as the Padma Charita, Charitra Puran, Padmachariyam etc. where, Rama, Lakshman and Ravan represent the Baladev, Vasudev and Prati-vasudev concepts of Jain mythology respectively. Keepin with the Jain tradition of non-violence, it is Lakshman who kills Ravan and due to the use of violence, both go to hell while Rama (known as Padma) goes back to heaven.

All this literature from unrelated sources chronicling the life of Rama can not be false or fake.! There has to be some reason that all these diverse traditions decided to write about Shri Raam and share His life story! 

However, even though we have a lot of literary evidence, archaeology will not be able to help us  in our endeavor unlike the Krishna post {Krishna - The Historical Enigma}, and the reason for that will be clear soon enough!

The following excerpts from different scriptures declare the time of arrival of the 7th Avatar of Vishnu on our Planet: 

Treta yuge chaturvinshe ravane tapseh shakshyat |
Ram dashrtathi prapiye sagane shakyamiyeewan ||  

[Vayu Puraan 70.88]

  Chaturvinshe yuge chapi vishwamitra pure sare |
Loke ram iti khyate tejsah bhaskaropam ||  

[Harivansh 22.104]

Chaturvinshe yuge vats tretayaam raghuvanshaje |
Ramo naam bhavishyami chaturvhayu sanatane || 

[Brahmand Puraan 2.2.36.30]

On the basis of the given references it can be inferred that Shri Raam lived in the 24th Treta Yuga.  The Mahabharat further elaborates that Shri Raam lived during the juncture of the Treta and the Dvapar Yugs:

Sandho tu samanupraptre tretayaam dwaparisya cha |
Ramo daasrathirbhutva bhavishami jagatpati ||   

[Mahabharat 348.19]

Now this is ground-breaking information people and I will tell you why! We are currently in the Kaliyuga of the 28th YUGA CYCLE of the 51 st Day of Brahma. Hence Lord Rama was born not just Two Yugas ago but TWO YUGAS plus THREE CHATUR-YUGAS before present!!

This is why digging for archaeological data to corroborate the existence of Shri Raam would be futile. There is no way we could find any man-made artifacts after a period of millions of years! 

For the same reason, the date of 5114 BCE as the birth year of Shri Raam can not be correct. Even though the dates were arrived at through a thorough analysis of Lord Rama's birth charts and have a very sound basis but based on what the scriptures say we have to make a correction in them. 

The analysis by Pushkar Bhatnagar has shown that there did exist a certain point in time when the planetary configuration mentioned at the time of Lord Rama's birth did indeed exist and thus, has shown us that the numerous astrological references in the Ramayan are not imaginary but refer to actual points in time.

Stars at the time of Lord Rama's birth

A solution to the apparent mismatch of dates can be found if we realize that because of a phenomenon known as the 'Precession of Equinoxes', the stars regain same positions every 26,000 years! Hence, this particular permutation of stars could have belonged to 5114 BCE + 26,000 or the similar period before that or the one before etc.. and this resolves the contradiction as the scriptures put Shri Raam's period around 18 million years ago!

What is amazing is that even today the places related to Lord Rama, the stories, the Geographical co-ordinates of the cities mentioned etc. are still remembered in the Hindu tradition! Therefore, what we can still do is track and analyze this GEOGRAPHICAL evidence in the literary masterpiece of Ramayan and find out if they help us in our cause.

Ramayan - The Adi-kavya

Numerous versions of Ramayan exist throughout the length and the breadth of the country and even outside its boundaries but the oldest of these is the Valmiki Ramayan. Within the Indian sub-continent, chronologically, we have many versions but we will stick to the original as it is the most ancient and accurate one.

The Sundar Kanda [4.27.12] of Valmiki Ramayan, Hanuman sees FOUR-TUSKED elephants guarding the palaces of Ravan. Similar account is given by Trijata, the ogress guarding Sita ji in Chapter 27 when she dreams of Lord Rama coming to Sita's rescue riding an elephant high as a hill and bearing four-tusks!!

Fossil remains show that there were many steps in the evolution of modern elephant and around 20 million years ago, there existed four-tusked ancestors of elephants in various shapes and sizes such as Trilophodon, Tetralophodon, Gomphotherium etc! 

How in the world could Rishi Valmiki have known about the four-tusked ancestors of the modern elephant unless he had seen them himself???

Four-tusked elephants mentioned in Valmiki Ramayan lived millions of years ago!

This is another point that puts us in a time frame closer to what the scriptures say. Let us now see what geographical evidence we can glean out of the masterpiece of Valmiki Ramayan that forms the foundation of cultural traditions right from India to the Far East.

Geographical Evidence from Valmiki Ramayan

The title Ramayan (Travels of Rama) itself indicates a Geographical journey. The story begins in Ayodhya (The Unconquerable City), the center of power for the ruling Suryavanshi/Solar Dynasty kings.

Shri Raam's mother Kaushalya was from the kingdom called Koshala, which corresponds to Chattisgarh of today. Sumitra was from Magadh (Bihar) while Kaikeyi was from Kaikeya which is today's Waziristan. The journey of Lord Rama to recover Sita ji covers the length and breadth of the country and Valmiki Ramayan is extremely correct Geographically.

Major Kingdoms of the sub-continent in Ramayan Times

The authenticity of Geography right from Gandhar to Sri Lanka can not be the result of imagination! Before being judgmental, we should remember that this was in a time when the modern means of transport/communication/internet etc. were not available.

It has to be based on actual witnessing of these places by either the author or the one narrating the story to him, who in this case was Devarishi Narad.

Sites within India

Let us begin with Shri Raam's birthplace Ayodhya which although in dispute because of the political battle centered around it, can still yield a lot of information.  

To begin with, we have to answer the million dollar question - did an ancient temple exist at the disputed site in Ayodhya? Indeed, before the demolition of Babri Masjid, there had been excavations around the temple precinct which gave indications of not one but many older temple foundations existing there.

The Imperial Gazetteer of Faizabad (1881) confirms the construction of three Moghul mosques at Ayodhya on the site of three celebrated shrines: Janmasthan, Swargadwarand Treta-ka-Thakur. Archaeological Survey of India tells us that Mir Khan (on Babar's orders) built the mosque at Janmasthan using many of its columns. The other two mosques were built later by Aurangzeb who was one step ahead of Babar in his zealotry.  

From 1975 to 1980, the Archaeological Survey of India had under the guidance of Prof. B.B. Lal, unearthed (literally) as many as 20 black stone pillars, 16 of which formed the base of the 'Janmasthan Masjid' as it was called colloquially even then. The pillars were much bigger in size than those of the mosque and clearly belonged to a much more grand structure.

Check out the man on the left as reference for the size of the pillars

On further stratigraphic and other evidence, Prof. Lal also found a door-jamb carved with Hindu icons and decorative motifs of yakshas, yakshis, kirtimukhas, purnaghattas, double lotus flowers etc.

Excavation was resumed on July 2, 1992 by S.P. Gupta, Y.D. Sharma, K.M. Srivastava and other senior archaeologists barely six months before the demolition. Prof. Lal's southern trenches had missed a huge pit with 40 and odd sculptures just by 10 to 12 feet discovered by the team even though he DID get the pillar bases which others did not get later. 

Excavations at Ram Janmabhoomi Sthal

The team found artifacts ranging from the 1st through the 12th century CE! These findings included religious sculpture, terracotta images from the Kushan period (100-300 CE) and a statue of Lord Vishnu. They concluded that these and other fragments such as the amakalas, or the cogged-wheel crown of the spire belonged to a temple of the North Indian Nagara style of Temple architecture (900-1200 CE).

The most important finding is what is known as the Hari-Vishnu Inscription written in 12th century CE Devanagari script. Line 15 of this inscription clearly tells us that -

A beautiful temple of Vishnu-Hari, was built with heaps of stones and beautified with a golden spire unparalleled by any other temple built by earlier kings... This wonderful temple was built in the temple-city of Ayodhya situated in Saketamandala.

Line 19 describes god Vishnu as destroying king Bali and the ten headed Dashanan, i.e., Ravan.

 Hari-Vishnu Inscription from Babri Masjid excavation

Archaeology records at least two destructions: the FIRST in the 12th-13th century; the SECOND in the 16th. This agrees well with history and tradition that temple destructions followed the Ghori invasions (after 1192 AD) and again in 1528 by Babar who replaced temples at major Hindu pilgrimage sites with mosques.

Moving on, Sita ji was discovered by Janak in Mithila which now lies in Nepal. It forms a region shared by both India and Nepal and gives birth to the language known asMaithili. The place where the Goddess was found by Raja Janak in a furrow is known asSitamarhi, and is still revered along with the nearby pond called the Janaki kund. 

After their wedding, Shri Raam and Sita ji left for Ayodhya via Lumbini where we have an Ashoka Pillar from 249 BCE, with an inscription referring to the visits by both Rama and Buddha to Lumbini. 

When they were exiled, Lord Rama, Lakshman and Sita went to Shringverpur in Uttar Pradesh where they crossed the River Ganga. They lived on the Chitrakut hill where Bharat met and pleaded for their return. Thereafter, the three wandered throughDandakaranya in Central India, described as a land of Rakshasas and tribals. 

The Journey of Lord Rama

After spending some time there, they reached Nashik, near river Godavari, and the region throbs with sites related to the three Ayodhya-vasis. There is the place where they built their cottage known as Tapovan; Ramkund where Rama and Sita used to bathe, Lakshmankund, for the younger brother's bathing area, and several other caves associated with their lives in the forest.

Shri Raam, Lakshman and Sita ji inTapovan

 

The three then moved to Panchavati, from where Ravan, with the help of his uncleMareech, was successful in abducting Sita ji. On the way to Lanka from Panchvati, Ravan was attacked by Jatayu but died a martyr's death. Sita ji dropped her valuables all along the way that were gathered by the Vanars below.

Shri Raam and Lakshman then reached Kishkindha, near modern Hampi, where they first met Hanuman and then Sugriv, the exiled King of the Vanars. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site and Sugriv is described to have lived at Mount Rishyamukha on the banks of river Pampa (Tungabhadra). Anjanadri, near Hospet, is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman (Anjaneya).

Kishkindha, modern Hampi

 

The Vanar army led by Shri Raam, Sugreev, and Jambvant then reached Rameshwaram, where they built a bridge to Lanka from Dhanushkodi on the Rameshwaram Island toTalaimannar in Sri Lanka. While parts of the RAMA-SETU are still visible, NASA had in the early part of this millenium photographed an underwater man-made bridge of shoals in the Palk Straits, connecting India to Lanka. 

Shri Rama Setu connecting Shri Lanka to the Indian mainland

The existence of Rama Setu had already been confirmed by several foreign travelers including the Venetian traveller Marco Polo (1254-1324), and British cartographers who prepared maps of the area in 1747, 1788 and 1804. 

The then Manual of the Administration of Madras Presidency mentions both the namesAdam’s Bridge and Rama Setu. It also says that the Setu was used for pedestrian traffic between India and Sri Lanka right until 1480 when a major cyclone destroyed it!!

The Bridge of Rama

Let us now shift our focus to Lanka and try to find out whether there is any geographical location matching with the descriptions in Valmiki Ramayan. 

Sites in Sri Lanka

Once Ravan had captured Sita ji, he brought her to the place today known asWeragantota in Lanka close to Mahiyangana town; and surprise surprise the meaning of this name in the Sinhalese language is a 'landing place for aircrafts'!! 

According to the depiction of Pushpak Viman (which Ravan had snatched from his half-brother Kuber), it resembled a huge peacock. In Sinhala it is called the Dhandu Monara(flying peacock) and it is believed that Ravan had an aircraft repair center atGurulupotha where Sita ji was first brought and quite fittingly, the name means "parts of birds".  Right next to it is the Sita Kottuwa jungle in which once stood the city of Lankapura. 

Ramayan sites in Sri Lanka

  Ashok Vatika is the garden where Ravan is supposed to have held Sita ji captive and this is in the area of Sita Eliya, close to the popular hill station Nuwara Eliya. The Sita Pokuna is a barren area atop the Hakgala Rock Jungle where Sita ji was kept captive and the Sita Amman Kovil (Temple) is located here.

 The Sita Amman Temple near Nuwara Eliya

About 50 Km from here is the Divrumpola Temple which is thought to be the place where Sita ji performed her ‘Agni Pariksha’. the name means 'a place for making a vow'and is seen inscribed in the moonstone guarding the Temple.

The summit of the mountain next to the Frotoft Tea Estate in Pussallawa is the place where Hanuman is believed to have first set his foot on Lanka! This mountain known asPawala Malai stands between Ravan’s capital city and the Ashok Vatika.  

The Sita tear pond is found en route by the chariot route, and is believed to have been formed by the tears of Sita devi. VThe forest is also colored with the famed Sita Flowerswhich are endemic to this area. The peculiarity of these flowers is the configuration of the petal’s, stamen and pistils, which resemble a human figure carrying a bow, and is said to represent Lord Rama.

Sita flowers

Ella, a small mountain near Bandarawela, boasts of three locations linked to the Ramayan where, local legend dictates, Ravana hid Sita. First there is the Ravana Ella Cave situated in the massive Ella Rock. Then there is Ravana Ella Falls and a nearby pool bored out of the rock by the gushing waters. The tunnels in the Ravan cave believed to have served as a quick means of transport through the hills and also as secret passages. 

Ravana Falls in Lanka

  
The Kelani River is mentioned in the Valmiki Ramayan and Vibhishan’s palace was said to be on the banks of this river. Vibhishan is still considered one of the four guardian deities of Sri Lanka, and temples for Vibishan are found throughout Sri Lanka unlike that of Ravan. 

There are many more spots connected to the Legend of Shri Raam and a complete list can be found at the following link - {Ramayana_sites_in_sri_lanka}.

The Lord of Lanka, Ravan, even though a mighty warrior, a learned pandit, the master of Three Worlds, the posessor of Amrit, was ultimately defeated by the hands of Shri Raam because in his hubris, he desired what belonged to the Supreme Lord Vishnu Himself. 

He sacrificed the lives of his brother, his sons and his entire army just to pander to his ego. Despite all his knowledge and erudition, he was not able to get a grip on his desires and lust which  ultimately led to his downfall.

Lord Rama ready to unleash the final arrow on Ravan

 {Image courtesy - Ramayana 3392 A.D.}

Reference: http://decodehindumythology.blogspot.in

Home truths on career wives

Recently, I saw the recently released movie, Cocktail. The plot revolves around a philanderer hero who has to make the tough choice between two hot women. The uber-modern movie was set in London. The characters drank, danced in nightclubs and had one-night stands with aplomb. They worked in new-age aspirational jobs like glamour photography, graphic art and software design. And yet, the guy eventually chooses the girl who cooks home food, dresses conservatively, wins his mother's approval and is happy to be the ideal Indian wife. In fact, even the rejected girl, a free-spirited, independent woman agrees to change herself. To get the guy, she is happy to cook and change her lifestyle to match that of the ideal Indian wife.

While the movie was fun, such depictions disturb me a little. When successful, strong women are portrayed as finding salvation in making dal and roti for their husbands, one wonders what kind of India we are presenting to our little girls.

Really, is that what a woman's life is all about — to make hot phulkas? Of course, i shouldn't be so bothered, many would say. It is a Bollywood movie. The commercial pressure to present a palatable story is real. Above all, the makers have a right to tell the narrative they want.

Yet, when our most modern and forward cinema sinks into regressive territory, it is unfair to our women. It is also depressing because deep down we know such attitudes exist. Many Indian men, even the educated ones, have two distinct profiles of women — the girlfriend material and the wife material. One you party with, the other you take home. The prejudice against non-traditional women who assert themselves is strong.

Let us look at another part of the world. Yahoo, a leading tech firm and a Fortune 500 company, recently hired a new woman CEO, Marissa Mayer. What's more, she was six months pregnant when she was hired, a fact she did not hide in her interviews.

Marissa will take some time off after childbirth and will be back at work later. She can manage both. There is something to celebrate about that. Marissa is a role model for women and even men.

I'd like Indian men to have an open mind about choosing their life partners and revise their 'ideal woman' criteria. Having a traditional wife who cooks, cleans and is submissive might be nice. However, choosing a capable, independent and career-oriented woman can also bring enormous benefits. For instance, one, a man who marries a career woman gets a partner to discuss his own career with. A working woman may be able to relate better to organizational issues than a housewife. A spouse who understands office politics and can give you good advice can be an asset. Two, a working woman diversifies the family income streams. In the era of expensive apartments and frequent lay-offs, a working spouse can help you afford a decent house and feel more secure about finances. Three, a working woman is better exposed to the world. She brings back knowledge and information that can be useful to the family. Whether it's the latest deals or the best mutual fund to invest in, or even new holiday destinations, a working woman can add to the quality of life. Four, the children of a working woman learn to be more independent and will do better than mollycoddled children. Five, working women often find some fulfillment in their jobs, apart from home. Hence, they may have better life satisfaction, and feel less dependent on the man. This in turn can lead to more harmony. Of course, all these benefits accrue if men are able to keep their massive, fragile egos aside and see women as equals.

Sure, there are drawbacks also in being with working women. But the modern age that we are in, the phulka-making bride may come at a cost of missing out on other qualities. Please bear that in mind before you judge women based on their clothes, interest in the kitchen or the confidence in their voice.

Please choose your partner carefully. Don't just tolerate, but accept and even celebrate our successful women. They take our homes ahead and our country forward. We may have less hot phulkas, but we will have a better nation.