culture codec

From msnbc.com’s article “Tiny, toothless but still...

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:07:39 +0530

From msnbc.com’s article “Tiny, toothless but still ripped, a former Mr. Universe turns 100”:

Manohar Aich, the 1952 Mr. Universe, is tiny, toothless and proudly ripped. And as of Sunday, he is 100 years old, the Indian Express reported.

Verse of the Day

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 18:47:44 +0530

गुरुं भजञ्शास्त्रमार्गान् प्रवेत्ति, तीर्थं व्रतं योगतपादिधर्मान् । आचारवर्णादिविवेकयज्ञान्, ज्ञानं परं भक्ति-विरागयुक्तम् ।। १४० ।। गुरुचरित्र (संकृत श्लोक)

[Sanskrit ślōka] By worshipping the guru, one understands the Śāstric paths, such as pilgrimage to holy sites (tīrta), the performance of vows (vrata), yoga, and tapas, the performance of devotions (yajña) and acting with discrimination in according to one’s varṇa and the rest [i.e. and other guidelines]. The highest realization comes from a union of bhakti and virāga, devotion and dispassion. Gurucaritra 2.140.

Verse of the Day

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 20:16:32 +0530

अनादि वेद असती जाण । असे सृष्टीचें लक्षण । जैसी आरसा असे खूण । सृष्टि रचावया तैसा वेद ॥ Know that the Veda is without beginning, and this is also a characteristic of the material world. Like a mark reflects itself in a mirror, the Veda shines its pattern onto the world. Gurucaritra 2.52.

Verse of the Day

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:08:55 +0530

तुझे दर्शनें निःशेष । गेले माझे दुरितदोष । तूं तारक आम्हांस । म्हणोनि आलासी स्वामिया ॥ All my sins have vanished without a trace by the mere sight of you. You have come as a savior for us, O Svāmi! Gurucaritra 2.10.

Verse of the Day

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 19:36:02 +0530

दैव असे आपुलें उणें । तरी कां भजावे श्रीगुरुचरण । परिस लागतांचि क्षण । लोह सुवर्ण होतसे ।। १.७९ ।।

If one’s destiny is one’s own fault, then why would one worship the guru’s feet? Because, iron becomes gold the instant it touches the philosopher’s stone. Gurucaritra 1.79.

Verse of the Day

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:15:53 +0530

निर्धार करोनि मानसीं । म्हणे पाहीन श्रीगुरूसी । अथवा सांडीन देहासी । जडरूपें काय कीजे ।। १.७७ ।।

Making a resolution in his mind, he said, “I will see Śrīguru, or else I will cast away this body! What is the use of this material form?” Gurucaritra 1.77.

RIP iChat, 2002-2012

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:16:42 +0530

RIP iChat, 2002-2012:

Dear iChat, This isn’t really a eulogy. It isn’t goodbye. You’ve simply gone to a better place: iMessage for Mountain Lion. I know you’ll be happy there, watching on proudly as the kids (on iPhones) jabber back and forth in the translucent bubbles you passed down to them…

The Body Odd - Heart attack? Nope, just a spin class

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:41:26 +0530

The Body Odd - Heart attack? Nope, just a spin class:

Cardiac Biomarkers. Yes! Mark me!

Verse of the Day: "Divine elixir..."

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:48:39 +0530

ब्रह्मरसाची गोडी । अनुभवितां फळे रोकडी । या बोलाची आवडी । ज्यासी संभवे अनुभव ।। १.६८ ।।

Experiencing the sweetness of divine elixir, one reaps the fruit immediately. One whose experience is adequate enjoys these words. Gurucaritra 1.68.

theatlanticvideo: The Work of Art in the Age of Digital...

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:05:48 +0530

theatlanticvideo:

The Work of Art in the Age of Digital Animation

Petros Vrellis recreated Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night in openFrameworks, so that viewers can touch and manipulate the swirls of color. Click through for a look at other ways animators have transformed iconic paintings with animation software.

electioneering

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:54:26 +0530

electioneering

my town

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:01:24 +0530

my town

The 800th urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:48:00 +0530

The 800th urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer approaches. From an excellent article in the Mint Lounge, 4 Feb 2012: “The Sufi Solution:”

“…Four months later, when Rajasthan’s desert winter has given way to the heat of June, the dargah will be filled with lamps. Its assembly hall, resounding with the sound of the qawwals’ harmoniums, will herald the 800th urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer. Smaller groups of musicians will draw their own listeners within the various courtyards and sama(a gathering listening to mystical verse) music will echo in the streets. The terraces surrounding the dargah will come alive with their own qawwali gatherings and the last melodic strains will die only when the early morning prayer is called by the muezzin…”

andytlr: The Coatwolf Model II & Bellflower Evan Glodell...

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:06:19 +0530

andytlr:

The Coatwolf Model II & Bellflower

Evan Glodell invented a camera; the Coatwolf Model II. Then made a film with it.

…Glodell wanted cinematic looks that he didn’t think he could get with standard-issue gear. Glodell knew that Bellflower’s wacko plot — which follows “two friends who spend their time building flamethrowers and other weapons in the hope that a global apocalypse will occur and clear the runway for their imaginary gang,” according to the press kit — would require highly stylized visuals, so he decided to push his camera-tinkering skills to the limit.

The trailer for Bellflower looks brilliant.

Worlds collide (Taken with instagram)

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:46:56 +0530

Worlds collide (Taken with instagram)

Art Institute of Chicago: Vivekananda Grant

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:35:25 +0530

Art Institute of Chicago: Vivekananda Grant:

“CHICAGO — The Art Institute of Chicago has won a major grant from the government of India in honor of a landmark 1893 speech there by a monk, Swami Vivekananda, who introduced Hinduism to the United States.

The $500,000 grant will be signed over Saturday at the opening of a major exhibit of the paintings and drawings of Rabindranath Tagore, an Indian poet, playwright, musician, and philosopher who was the first non-European recipient of a Nobel Prize for literature in 1913…”

My dear friend John Evans riffing out on Amazing Grace. Rock on,...

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:28:00 +0530

My dear friend John Evans riffing out on Amazing Grace. Rock on, John.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-23/edit-page/30653093_1_satanic-verses-muslim-quota-salman-rushdie

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:53:00 +0530

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-23/edit-page/30653093_1_satanic-verses-muslim-quota-salman-rushdie:

Excellent TOI article on #Rushdie, #JaipurLitFest, and Doniger. Very interesting.

Chicago Bike Angels: calling seasoned cyclists

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 09:13:07 +0530

From The ChainLink:

“Chicago Bike Angels - Let’s Get This Started! - How many of us know at least one person who wants to ride but is intimidated or scared of the city streets? Well, Bike Angels will get those folks out there! This new group wants to connect aspiring cyclists with enthusiastic volunteers to show newbies the ropes of city riding and, most importantly, give them the confidence and support they need to start. Bike Angels will meet one-on-one with these people and ride and chat with them, giving them the much needed know-how and support.”

Vitals - Another reason dogs rule: They know what you're thinking

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 13:24:04 +0530

Vitals - Another reason dogs rule: They know what you're thinking