Sri Ram Navami

Sri Ram is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Sri Ram was born to King Dashrath and Queen Kaushalya at noon on the ninth day (Navami) in Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra. Thus, the celerations begin at noon. This day also marks the end of Chaitra Navaratra. The nine days from Gudhi Padwa to Sri Ram Navami are considered to be Ram Navaratra. A few of the masses fast on this day.

राम नाम व्रत (In the Name of Ram Vow): This vow is undertaken to purify oneself from the food related impurities. There is also a tradition to prepare two Til (Sesame) ladoos on this day as ‘Prasad’ (food offering). One of the ladoos is offered to the priests and the second one is consumed by everyone as ‘Prasad’. To begin the wow, the right ear is extended towards the Lord and the first of the Lord’s name (राम) is whispered. This name then needs to be recited thrice and recited 108 times thereafter everyday. The name is also recited before having food. It is also permissible to recite this name loudly so that it is audible to others. The others then need to reciprocate to the name; in case there is no one else around, then a metal container can be struck to create a gong. This is considered to be the reciprocation.  This ‘Vrat’ is continued for 12 years; a few who are not able to continue for 12 years, follow this ‘Vrat’ for at least 12 months. At the end of each name term, “- नाम विर्सजयामी‖” is recited and the next name is recited and taken up for the next term. At the end of the term, a married couple (ब्राह्मणसुवासिनी) is invited for a meal and a picture of Lord Ram is presented to them. This is called व्रतोद्यापन (end of the vow) and it is customary to continue to recite one of the names fr lifetime.

12 Names of the Lord:

1. राम
2. श्रीराम
3. तुलसीत्रिभुवनराम
4. अहिल्योध्दारणनाम
5. पतितपावनराम
6. जानकीजीवनराम
7. त्राटिकामर्दनराम
8. कौसल्यानंदनराम
9. सीतापतेराम
10. मारुतिदर्शनराम
11. दाशरथेराम
12. सीताशोधनराम

संक्लप (first year) is as follows:

अद्य…शुभपुण्यतिथौ सकलपरान्नदुष्टान्न निषिध्दान्नपान  जनितदोषपरिहारार्थ अद्यारभ्य व्दादशसंवत्सर (in case of 12 years) or व्दादशमास (in case of 12 months) पर्यन्तं खानपानादौ रामनामोच्चारणपूर्वकं रामनामव्रतग्रहणं करिष्ये|

From the second year onwards recite:

नूतनरामनामग्रहणपूर्वकं पूर्वोक्तरामनामविसर्जनं करिष्ये |

तदङ्गतया षोडशोपचारपूजनं करिष्ये |

आदौ निर्विघ्नतासिध्द्यर्थं महागणपतिपूजनं च करिष्ये ||

Gudhi Padwa Marathi New Year

‘Gudhi Padwa’ (गुढी पाडवा) is celebrated on Chaitra Shuddha Pratipada. Historically, on this day, along with hoisting the ‘Gudhi’ (also known as ‘Brahmadhwaja’) a number of cultural, social and traditional events were organised. This custom until recently was lost, but in recent time, it has gained popularity. ‘Gudhi Padwa’ is considered one of the most important auspicious days of the Hindu calendar. On this day, the most important ritual is the assembly and hoisting of the ‘Gudhi’ along with drawing ‘Rangoli;

How to assemble and hoist a ‘Gudhi’:
First take a ‘Velu’ stick (‘Mase’ or ‘Kalak’ sticks are also permissible) apply oil to the stick and wash it with warm water. Draw strips of ‘Kunku’ (Vermillion) and ‘Halad’ (Turmeric) on the stick. Take a ‘Saffron’ coloured cloth and tie it along with a twig of ‘Kadu limbu’ (Neem), ‘Chafa’ (Frangipani) flowers, ‘Sakhar Gathi’ (Sugar pellets on a thread) on the tapering end of the stick. Cover this end with a ‘Kalash’(small metal pot) This ‘Gudhi’ should be hoisted at the entrance of the house and should be firmly tied. A ‘Paat’ (Wooden platform) should be placed under the ‘Gudhi’.

After the ‘Gudhi’ is hoisted, recite ‘ब्रह्मध्वजाय नम:’ in the afternoon and perform the ritualistic ‘Pooja’. Pray to the ‘Gudhi’ while reciting the following verses:

“ब्रह्मध्वज नमस्तेsस्तु सर्वभीष्टफलप्रद |
प्राप्तेsस्मिन्वत्सरे नित्यं मद्रुहे मग्ङलं कुरू || ”

In the evening offer ‘Turmeric’ and ‘Kunku’ along with an offering of Milk and sugar to the ‘Gudhi’ and lower the ‘Gudhi’

Along with hoisting the ‘Gudhi’, the hindu god ‘Ganpati’ which is on the front page of ‘Panchang’ (Hindu Almanac) is worshipped. A few blessings and boons mentioned in the ‘Panchang’ should be read. On this day, a mixture of ‘Hing’ (Asafoetida), Salt, ‘Miri’ (Pepper), ‘Ova’(Caraway seeds) and Sugar along with twigs of Neem is prepared. This mixture is served along with the food to everyone in the family. Since it is the first day of the New Year, it is customary to begin it with a gathering of friends and family; having sweets along with performing good actions which make one happy. Along with social gatherings, one should be mindful of the cultural and traditional values of the day.
In some parts, it is customary to follow ‘Prapadaan’. Prapa means a water tank. After this day, the temperatures go up making one more thirsty and increasing water needs. Now a days, ‘Prapadaan’ is done on a more social level rather than individual level. It is customary to retain the water tank for the next four months of the summer. ‘Ram Navratra’ also begins on this day.

Export Tests from HP ALM to MS Excel

Well, I had an old post, where I showed, how tests (or defects) can be imported into ALM. But then some one asked me a question about exporting existing tests from ALM to say Excel.

Well, it just took a few clicks here and there to figure it out. Here is how:

1. Navigate to Testing > Test Plan

2. Select the test

3. Click on Design Steps tab (The test steps appear on the RHS)

4. Click on any of the test steps and RMC. Way at the bottom of the menu you will find the Export option.

 

5. Clicking on the Export option will bring up an Export window. Select the required path/location, enter a file name and the Save as type. Her you have a bunch of options (depending on your requirement), you can select Excel or Word or HTML or text.

 

Here is a quick view of the test I exported into Word:

Here’s how it opens up in Excel;

Work with the Word or Excel file as you normally would, but any changes you make to these will obviously not be updated in ALM 😛 so might have to import the tests into ALM.

I haven’t tried the HTML and Text option, but it should work similar. Hope this is helpful.

I have been using the RMC and export to Excel option for defects, so I was sure there would be a simple way for Tests as well. Enjoy…

Pin programs to Windows 7 Taskbar

There have been some annoying times when I have wanted to pin a ‘exe’ to the taskbar, but windows just didn’t want me to do that. I have used a few portable apps (a few of them do no start with windows, so their hotkeys won’t work) but I need to access them. There is an easy way to pin them.

To start,

1. RMC on the desktop > New > Text Document.
2. Open the ‘New Text Document.txt’
3. Click on File > Save As…
4. Type in a name e.g: ‘Test.exe’ (You will notice that a file has been created on the desktop with the same name)
5. Drag and drop the file on the taskbar (Wait, you aren’t done yet!)
6. RMC on the pinned exe and again RMC on test and Click on Properties. (well, this was the tricky part)

7. Type (or Copy Paste) the path of the Actual program in the Target textbox. e.g: D:\My Progs\Clipr.exe

8. This will update the path and clicking on the pinned program will bring up your exe.

Note: Most of the times, the actual program icon will come up, if it doesn’t again follow step 6 and Click on the Change Icon button. Click on any of the icons, or use browse to navigate to the required path and select your own icon file.

Enjoy…cheers…

How to warmup properly before you start a Work out??

Most of us who exercise, have a target in our minds, a purpose towards which we want the workout to go. That target can be losing weight, gaining muscle, just keeping fit. I have seen a few of us walk into the gym and head straight to the weights. Those are the ones who will mostly end up pulling a muscle or a hamstring and a painful expression! Depending on the nature of the injury, they end up missing days or weeks or even months of their workout! How fair is that to yourself!?

Reason?? Not enough warm up before they actually hit the weights!

Why Warm up?

Before we get into a few details for the warm up, we should understand why we need to warm up before we start a workout. Though we are active through the day, workout is a bit more than normal activity and work. It puts strain on the muscles and body; for the muscles to flex and to ensure enough blood supply. Consider, that the muscles in our body are like rubber bands, what will happen if you suddenly stretch one? Yes, it will snap or if its really a strong one, it becomes loose, starts loosing shape etc. This is what happens with the muscles, if you put sudden pressure on them by lifting weights, they will snap. So the best way is to get the blood flowing into those muscles and give full flexibility to joints as well, a good warm up is essential.

Types of Warm up

There are essentially two types of warm ups.

A. Static: This is the normal stretching. It consists of being stationary and moving arms, bending etc.

B. Dynamic: As the name suggests,  this involves moving yourself about which makes your muscles loose, warm, with sufficient blood flow and ready for some action packed workout.

Now lets see, some basic Dynamic warm up steps.

1. Spot jogging/brisk walking: Loosen up the whole body and jog at the same spot for about 5 minutes.
2. Jump Rope: Go get a jump rope and do it for 2-3 minutes.
3. Body weight Squats: Use your body weight to the advantage, do some 25X2 squats
4. Lunges: You can use your body weight or use the lightest dumbbell
5. Hip rotations and side bends.
6. Leg Swings: Take care not to swing too much forward-backward that you pull a muscle or kick someone. Repeat leg swings, sideways.
7. Chin ups
8. Push ups: Again use your body weight to your advantage and do 10-12 push ups.

If on a given day, you feel your arms are stiff or thighs are still not good to go, put in another set. Also, please consider any medical condition that you may have before you follow this. It is always good to have a medical advice before you start any exercise routine.

Now you are ready for that work out. And understand this, there is no short cut to anything. If you want that perfect body, then you should exercise, for that hitting the gym without injuries is essential, that will happen only when you warm up everyday. Another advice, don’t give any excuses for not warming up. You can reduce one or two of the above warm ups, but don’t totally skip it.

Let me know if you have any queries.