శివరాత్రి ప్రాశస్త్యం

 సకల చరాచర జగత్తుకు లయకారకుడు ఆ పరమేశ్వరుడు. భక్తుల పాలిట పెన్నిధి, భోళా శంకరుడైన ఈశ్వరుడు లింగోద్భవం చెందిన పవిత్ర దినమే మహాశివరాత్రి. యావత్‌ సృష్టిని నడిపించే ఆ శంభుడే మాఘ మాసం బహుళ చతుర్ధశి రోజు అనంత భక్త కోటి కోసం శివలింగంగా ఆవిర్భవించిన దినం కావడంతో మహాశివరాత్రిగా పరిగణిస్తారు.

‘శివ’ అన్న పదానికి మంగళకరం.. శుభప్రదం అని అర్ధం. కైలాసనాథుడైన ఆ పరమేశ్వరుడు మహాశివరాత్రి నాడు లింగంగా ఆవిర్భవించిన దినాన ఉపవాసం.. జాగరణ నిర్వహించాల్సి వుంటుంది.

లింగోద్భవం 
మహాశివరాత్రి పర్వదినాన లింగోద్భవానికి సంబంధించిన ఒక పురాణగాథను తెలుసుకుందాం. పూర్వం బ్రహ్మ, విష్ణువుల మధ్య ఎవరు గొప్ప అనే వివాదం ఏర్పడింది. అయితే ఈ వివాదం ఎప్పటికీ పరిష్కారం కాలేదు. ఈ సమయంలో ప్రళయకర్తయైన శివుడు గొప్ప జ్యోతిర్లింగంగా ఆవిర్భవించారు. ఆ మహా శివలింగానికి ఆది, అంతాలను బ్రహ్మ, విష్ణువులు కనిపెట్టలేకపోయారు. దీంతో వారికి కనువిప్పు కలిగింది. నాగభూషణధారి పరమేశ్వరుడు లింగంగా ఆవిర్భవించిన దినాన్నే శివరాత్రిగా పండితులు పేర్కొంటారు.

ప్రళయ కాళరాత్రి తరువాత జగన్మాత కోరిక మేరకు శివుడు మళ్లీ జీవకోటిని ఉద్భవింపచేసినట్టు పురాణాలు వెల్లడిస్తున్నాయి. శివరాత్రి రోజు ఉపవాసం, జాగరణ ఉండటం సనాతన సంప్రదాయం. శివరాత్రికి ముందు ఒక్క రోజు ఒక్క పూట మాత్రమే భోజనం చేయాలి. శివరాత్రి పర్వదినం నాడు ఉదయం స్నానాదులు పూర్తి చేసుకొని శివదర్శనం చేసుకొని శివనామస్మరణతో ఉపవాసం వుండాలి. రాత్రివేళలో శివలింగానికి పూజలు చేస్తూ జాగరణ చేయాల్సి వుంటుంది. పూజా విధానం, మంత్రాలు తెలియకపోయినప్పటికీ ఉపవాసం, జాగరణం, బిల్వార్చన, అభిషేకంలాంటి వాటిలో పాల్గొంటే చాలు శివానుగ్రహం లభిస్తుంది. ప్రపంచంలో అన్ని దేవతామూర్తులను వారి రూపాల్లోనే కొలుస్తాం. అయితే చంద్రశేఖరుడిని మాత్రం లింగంగా పూజించడం ఒక విశిష్టత. నిండు మనస్సుతో, భక్తితో పిలిస్తే చాలు ఆ లింగమూర్తి మనకు ప్రత్యక్షమవుతాడు. సమస్త జగత్తును దహించివేసేందుకు సిద్ధమైన హాలాహలాన్ని గొంతుకలో దాచుకున్న నీలకంఠుడు. సహధర్మచారిణికి తన శరీరంలో అర్ధ‌భాగమిచ్చిన అర్ధ‌నారీశ్వరుడు. తనను యముని బారినుంచి రక్షించమని కోరిన భక్త మార్కండేయను చిరంజీవిగా జీవించమని వరాన్ని ఒసంగిన భక్తజన బాంధవుడు.

15 simple facts that might save your life one day

We all are familiar with life’s main indispensable safety rules. However, sometimes we find ourselves facing an unexpected situation that makes us feel confused and at a loss for what to do.

Today, Bright Side wants to remind its readers of a few important facts that will be helpful in dealing with any unforeseen predicament!
Don’t use a cell phone while walking

Health and safety consultants note that combining walking and using your cell phone proves too big a challenge for our brain. This can cause you to lose track of your surroundings, becoming blind to any possible dangers (such as a speeding car that might suddenly come your way).

Eliminate blind spots when driving by correctly adjusting your car’s mirrors

Adjust the side mirrors in such a way as to be barely able to see the edges of your car. This rearrangement will help you eliminate any blind spots in the side zones. Position your rearview mirror so as to always be able to see any car that comes up behind you. To ensure the mirror readjustment’s effectiveness, do it directly from the driver’s seat.

Make sure to have the right clothes for cold weather

Remember that wet skin gives off heat much faster, so it’s important to try to keep your skin dry for as long as possible. Ensure that your body temperature does not fall too quickly by wearing woolen clothes — such clothes are very good at absorbing moisture. Cotton and other fabrics are poor moisture absorbers — wearing clothes made from such materials will cause you to freeze in no time at all.

Do not inflate your life jacket before exiting the aircraft

This is especially true in case of emergency water landings. As any air safety expert would tell you, inflating your life jacket inside a rapidly submerging airplane will cause you to float up to the cabin’s ceiling, unable to move without help. The right thing to do is to take a deep breath and swim out of the airplane with your life jacket still deflated. Only when you’re safely out of the plane should you pull the inflation cord.

Prevent the danger of choking on a piece of food by learning the Heimlich maneuver

Medics advise everyone to learn the Heimlich maneuver. It might prove vital in saving yourself or others from choking. Just follow this sequence of actions:

Place your fist, thumb side in, just above the person’s navel.Grasp the fist tightly with your other hand and move it upwards, applying strong pressure to their rib cage.Repeat such quick upward and inward thrusts until you dislodge the object blocking their airway.If none of the above-mentioned actions produce an effect, lean the person over a fixed horizontal object, such as a table edge, chair, or railing, and press their abdomen just above the navel against the edge to produce a quick upward pressure. Repeat until the object is expelled.

Always carry anti-allergy (antihistamine) pills

You never know when an allergic reaction might strike! Make sure to aways have anti-allergy drugs at hand — this could prove crucial in helping yourself or others. Even more so if you’re planning on going camping or preparing for a long trip!

Remember that your body’s endurance limits are most often determined by The Rule of Three

As numerous studies have shown, on average people can live 3 minutes without air, 3 hours without shelter in extreme weather conditions, 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food.

In case of vegetable oil catching fire on a gas stove, quickly turn off the gas and put something over the pan to smother the flames

Firefighters warn never to use water when trying to extinguish burning fat or oil. Water particles will immediately end up at the bottom of the pan and begin to evaporate, which will make the flames even stronger. The correct action is to cover the burning pan with something as this will cut off the fire’s supply of heat and oxygen.

Do not remove a knife or other sharp object from a wound

Medical experts say that under no circumstances should you remove a knife or any other sharp object from a wound. As long as the knife stays in the wound, it prevents bleeding — possibly the most dangerous consequence of any stabbing. What you should do is try to minimize the bleeding even further as you wait for medical help to arrive.

Be especially careful during the first three minutes after takeoff and the last eight minutes before landing

According to researchers, 80% of plane crashes occur during these specific time periods. The best way to behave is to remain extra vigilant and focus on memorizing your required actions during an emergency.

If caught in a fire, try to stay as close to the ground as possible

Experts note that the greatest threat during a fire comes from carbon monoxide fumes, not burns. To avoid inhaling poisonous smoke, try to stay as close to the floor as possible — right until you vacate the danger area.

If you suddenly feel unwell in a public place, make sure to only ask one person for help

You should only ask one person for help because of a well-documented psychological phenomenon, known as diffusion of responsibility. To put it simply — you’ve got much better chances of receiving assistance from one particular person than from a whole crowd of people.

Always carry a powerful flashlight

Personal safety experts recommend this simple gadget as an effective weapon in case of stalking or a sudden ambush. If you notice a suspicious-looking person who is clearly preparing to attack you, shine a powerful flashlight directly into his or her face. As a result, your adversary will be temporarily disoriented, allowing you to make an escape.

Memorize the basic rules of conduct in case of fire

All too often, when faced with a never-before-experienced crisis, we tend to freeze up and do nothing to save ourselves. That is why survival specialists advise to always check out the emergency exit map in any building you happen to frequent. Best to do it beforehand and not wait for a possible emergency to occur!

Always carry documents that can help to verify your identity and provide necessary medical information

Make sure to always carry some ID papers on your person. These documents should include medical information (such as your blood type, allergic reactions, etc). This way, if something unexpected occurs, even a complete stranger will be able to offer you quick and effective assistance. Don’t forget a list of personal contacts, as well: phone numbers of people that need to be alerted in case of an emergency.

Baby Boy Growth Chart: Track Your Baby’s Weight And Height

Congratulations on becoming parents to a healthy baby boy! Just like any parent, you also wish that the apple of your eyes always remain hale and hearty.

As a parent, you will closely monitor the growth of your baby and check for the milestones to be achieved. However, it is crucial to understand that growth pattern of each baby differs. You need not worry if your baby learns to walk later than his peers or his height is not in line when compared to other children of same age.

How Is Baby Boy Growth Measured?

When we talk about baby boy growth chart we usually gauge in the four broad categories:

     . Height

      . Weight

• Other changes like growth of hair, arrival of teeth, learning to walk, ability to speak etc.

• Attaining puberty

Initially doctors are more concerned for the baby’s height and weight. While height of a baby depends largely on his genes, it is very important to keep track of baby boy weight chart. Weight can tell whether baby is able to digest food properly and is able to extract nutrition from it.

Baby Growth Chart:

A growth chart is essential to track your baby’s progress in accordance with his age. Though there is no ideal height and weight, there is a particular growth pattern that helps you assess your baby’s milestones.

Boys and girls have different growth charts because boys are slightly taller and heavier in than girls. Also, the growth patterns vary.

Baby Boy’s Growth Chart:

The below chart provides you the measurement that ranges between 3rd and 97th percentile of WHO growth standards for baby boys. If your baby boy falls within the right range, then it is said that your boy has the right height, weight and head circumference at his age.

MONTHS	LENGTH (CM) 3RD TO 97TH PERCENTILE
0	46.3 – 53.4	2.5 – 4.3	32.1 – 36.9
1	51.1 – 58.4	3.4 – 5.7	35.1 – 39.5
2	54.7 – 62.2	4.4 – 7.0	36.9 – 41.3
3	57.6 – 65.3	5.1 – 7.9	38.3 – 42.7
4	60.0 – 67.8	5.6 – 8.6	39.4 – 43.9
5	61.9 – 69.9	6.1 – 9.2	40.3 – 44.8
6	63.6 – 71.6	6.4 – 9.7	41.0 – 45.6
7	65.1 – 73.2	6.7 – 10.2	41.7 – 46.3
8	66.5 – 74.7	7.0 – 10.5	42.2 – 46.9
9	67.7 – 76.2	7.2 – 10.9	42.6 – 47.4
10	69.0 – 77.6	7.5 – 11.2	43.0 – 47.8
11	70.2 – 78.9	7.4 – 11.5	43.4 – 48.2
12	71.3 – 80.2	7.8 – 11.8	43.6 – 48.5

Source: WHO growth standards

The best way to keep a track of your baby boy’s height and weight is to take him for regular doctor checkups. Your child’s doctor will measure his height, weight and head circumference and will then compare them with the standard growth charts. You should use the below WHO charts to know his growth curve and percentile.

Weight for age:

Source: www.who.int

Length for age:

Source: www.who.int

Weight for length:

Source: www.who.int

Which Factors Can Influence Baby’s Growth?

Your baby boy’s growth rate depends partly on his body type and metabolism, and partly on his general health, feeding habits and the environment. The factors that have an influence include:

Feeding – Feeding provides your baby with the necessary calories he usually requires to grow. Until he is six months of age, he is dependent on breast milk or formula feed for nutrition. The amount and duration of feeding affect his growth.

Your Health When You Were Pregnant – This can influence the store of nutrients your baby possesses when born. Your diet, lifestyle habits and weight can also have a significant influence on your child’s growth in his first year.

Birth Weight Of Your Baby – It indicates how well you have nourished your baby during pregnancy. But, babies born with high birth weight grow slowly, and babies born with low birth weight grow faster. It is also known as ‘catch-down’ or ‘catch-up’ growth.

Hereditary – Genes also play a significant role in baby’s growth. If both the parents are well-built, your child is likely to be in a high percentile for height and weight. Likewise, if both parents are lean, even the baby would be lighter.

Minor Ailments – Illnesses like flu and ear infections have an effect on baby’s growth, but only temporary. He may not feel like drinking milk when he is ill, and this may affect his growth for a week or more. The growth returns to normal once he starts getting better.

Your Health After Pregnancy – If you suffer from postnatal depression or are unwell for any reason, it will be difficult for you to take care of your baby. This may ultimately affect his growth. However, it is not permanent and gets resolved once you recover.

When Should You Consult Doctor?

Sometimes you may remain too preoccupied with the growth and development patterns of your children.

• Some children who are short initially might grow a lot in the later stage

• While some who grow rapidly in the beginning might slow down when they grow up.

Whenever you feel that the growth is abnormally slow or there is huge difference in him and his peers you can always consult his pediatrician and get suitable guidance.

We hope this will give you a fair idea on what to expect in terms of growth chart for baby boys. Do share with us if you know more ways on how to foster growth in babies.

13 Superb Ways to Make Old Things Look As Good As New

Have you ever felt frustrated that you can’t make old or well-loved things look and feel as good as new again? Well, the chances are there’s a way to overcome this problem — you just didn’t know the secret.

Here are 13 superb solutions tested by Bright Side.

Chopping boards

Clean the board with a sponge soaked in a mixture of lemon juice and salt.

Copper pots

Copper pots are considered to be the best kind available for cooking. To help them look brand new again, use salt and vinegar. Just sprinkle the surface with the salt, then pour a little bit of vinegar over it and rub with a hard sponge.

Plates

It’s easy to get rid of scratches on plates. Just use a polish designed specially for use on porcelain.

Baking trays

You can rid baking trays of burnt fat by applying a paste made of hydrogen peroxide and ordinary soda. Spread the paste on the baking tray and leave it for 30 minutes, then rinse.

Carpets

You will need a solution made of one part vinegar and two parts water. Mix the water and vinegar together in a spray bottle, then spray on the stain and cover with a damp cloth. Turn on the iron, set it to steam mode, and place it over the cloth for 30 seconds.

Cast-iron pans

You will need a disinfectant which you can use on your stove and some gloves, garbage bags and white vinegar. Spread a thick layer of the disinfectant on the old cast-iron pan. To make sure it doesn’t dry out, put it in a garbage bag and tie it up tightly. Leave the pan in the bag for 1-2 days, and then rinse off the disinfectant. Then apply a new layer of the same liquid and again put it in a tightly knotted bag for one day. Then wash off the dirt with hot water. Now, soak the pan in a mixture of warm water and vinegar (1: 1) for an hour and scrub the surface with a scouring pad. Let the pan dry. Preheat oven to 250°C and a place the pan in it for an hour. Then carefully remove the hot frying pan and apply a layer of olive oil all over it. The hot metal will absorb the required amount of oil, then you can wipe off the residue with a clean, dry cloth and again, put the pan in the oven — this time upside down. After 15 minutes, take it out, wipe it with a cloth and place it in the oven again for an extra 15 minutes. Repeat the process two more times.

Tiles

Clean the areas between the tiles using bleach. Mix it with water in a ratio of 1: 1. Don’t forget to ventilate the room while doing it.

White sneakers

You can make your sneakers shining white again using the following solution: one teaspoon of dishwasher cleaning liquid; three tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide; two tablespoons of baking soda.

Leather furniture

Wipe the scratches on your sofa with olive oil or baby oil using a cotton swab. Let the oil dry for an hour. If the scratch is still visible, repeat the procedure.

Furniture, with microfibre upholstery

This kind of furniture requires special care. You can use a white sponge and alcohol to get rid of any stains that appear on it over time. Dampen the stain with a sponge soaked in alcohol, let it dry, and then clean the area thoroughly with a brush.

Leather bags

You can easily clean the stains on a leather bag by simply using wet wipes.

Terry towels

To restore your towels’ "fluffiness", rinse them in salt water after washing. Moreover, your towels will stay like new for longer if you dry them in a well-ventilated room or outdoors.

Toothbrushes

If you are looking to revive your old toothbrush, it’s actually easier to do than you might think. To save your toothbrush’s bent bristles, pour some boiling hot water in a bowl and swirl around the brush.