indiheritage.com

Tag: drsanjanavb

  • Creative pursuits to boost your mental & emotional health

     Creative mindset is a gift as well as a talent which can boost your positivity as well as professional talents. However, creative pursuits can be adopted as a habit with a view to improve your physical and mental health.

     Creative pursuits encompass a wide range of activities that involve imagination, expression, and the development of original ideas. These may range from cooking and crafting to artistic performances.

    Many of you might be immensely creative in different areas of life. Creativity offers a broad horizon to explore and practice. Worldwide people are keen towards pursuing some form of creativity since time immemorial. The creative pursuit was part of every civilization, developed as a part of the social evolution of ancient tribes from hunter gatherers into a society or population.

     In the present era of advanced science and technology also creative pursuits have indispensable role.  Across the globe, people may be pursuing creativity either instinctively or as an integral part of profession as arts provide you rewards, contentment and joy, elevating the mood towards more positive outlook. Some of you may have adopted creative professions which also provide you wealth & sense of joy while stimulating your cognitive skills as well. 

    Research data about creative pursuits & health benefits

    The creative mind is more stable and intellectually keen. Of late numerous neuroscientific research studies have been published focusing on creativity and mental and cognitive health. They point out that engaging in creative pursuits is associated with numerous benefits, including improved mental health, enhanced creativity, and increased opportunities for personal growth and expression. Briefly, creativity and creative pursuits boost your physical, mental and emotional health.

    A few examples of creative pursuits you may incorporate into life:

    Artistic pursuits

    • Performing arts such as acting, singing, dancing etc.
    • Visual arts – drawing, painting, sculpture, pottery, digital arts
    • Creative writing of poems, short stories, fictions, journaling etc.
    • Crafts: Knitting, crocheting, sewing, woodworking, candle-making.

    Other types of hobbies you are pursuing may be considered as creative pursuits if it involves your mental and physical contribution such as:

    • Gardening
    • Photography & editing
    • Home decoration & renovation
    • Learning new languages
    • Cooking experiments
    • Creating video games
    • Playing musical instruments
    • Story scripting and narration
    • blogging

    Apart from the listed pursuits you can add more creative hobbies and ventures into your life and enjoy its positive effects on life. Creativity is the ability to discover innovative and original ideas. It is one of the 10 life skills advocated by the World Health Organization.

    Four-C model of creativity given by Kaufman and Beghetto

    According to this model creativity is classified as:

    • Mini-c model

    It means transformative learning, meaningful interpretations of daily experiences that can make changes in the understanding at the individual level.

    • Little-c model

    This modelincludes creative actions and thoughts that is out-of-box thinking in anything we do &          it impacts individuals and their zone of influence

    • Pro-c model

    It includes the creative acts of experts/experiences people learn within an organization, community, or domain or organization, field system of practice. It has impact on the market

    • Big-c model

    This includes eminent creativity of exceptional people that is self-taught, unconventional thinking. This can make profound impact on culture, society and the world.

    Benefits of creative pursuits

    • Psychological or mental health is improved by creativity

    Enhanced  self-efficacy, coping skills and emotional regulation or balanced emotions are achieved by creative people more easily. All creative pursuits orient the mind for positive focus. Purposeful creative involvement promotes well-being.

    • Creativity helps to reduce stress

    Creative pursuits lower stress hormone response and thus help in reducing the impact of stress on your physical and mental health.

    •  Immunity is better in creative & active  people

    Enhanced immune function is another added benefit of creative pursuits

    • Creativity improves social involvement

    Creative pursuits reduce loneliness and isolation, particularly presentation of artistic performances, digital art work etc. These kinds of pursuits are shared with audience and receive feedback also. It enhances social support, and improves social involvement.

    • Adoption of healthy Behaviors

    A focused attempt at creativity fosters healthy habits including increased exercise or physical activity, adoption of healthier behaviors & skills development.

    Creativity as an important way of enhancing and maintaining a sense of well-being. Research studies have recognized that the practice of creative pursuits can be beneficial in influencing positively psychological, physical and social components.

    For example, music as a creative pursuit is associated with numerous health benefits on the brain. A study conducted on children shows that music plays an important role in reading, language, and auditory skill development. Studies have shown structural differences in grey matter and white matter in children who engage in music (especially during early childhood) compared with those who do not.

    Another study shows that in adults with a mental illness, activities such as choir singing, art-making, expressive writing, and group drumming reduce mental distress, depression, and anxiety while simultaneously enhancing individual and social well-being.

    The benefits achieved through creative pursuits of these kinds may be attributed to the modulation of serotonin and other neurotransmitters, a decrease in cortisol and other stress hormones. The creative activities also cause a reduction in inflammatory immune responses.

    Sleep studies on music indicates that music helps to improve sleep quality, sleep efficiency, and time to sleep onset in a way much better than meditation can do.

    Written by Dr Sanjana p Souparnika [ dr sanjana vb]

    Reference

    • Hyde KL, Lerch J, Norton A, Forgeard M, Winner E, Evans AC, et al. Musical training shapes structural brain development. J Neurosci. 2009;29:3019–25. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5118-08.2009. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19279238/
    • Cordi MJ, Ackermann S, Rasch B. Effects of relaxing music on healthy sleep. Sci Rep. 2019;9:9079. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-45608-y. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-45608-y. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31235748/
    • https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10911317/

  • Capsicum to improve your cardiovascular health

    Capsicum is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. It also helps to reduce the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Capsicum has role in reducing cholesterol and hence cardiovascular diseases.

    Generally peppers belong to the genus Capsicum. Some commercially grown species of capsicum include C. annuum, C. frutescens, C. chinense, C. pubescenes, and C. baccatum . Among these C. annuum is grown most extensively worldwide.

    Capsicums  are an excellent source of phytochemicals, such as anthocyanins, vitamins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, and capsaicinoids

    Nutritional value

    Capsicum contains many valuable nutrients and phytochemicals

    It has been found that vitamin C, an effective antioxidant, is high in red peppers , while vitamin E is high in dried chili peppers.

    The capsicums contain fiber and some minerals such as:

    iron

    calcium

    copper

    manganese

    molybdenum

    amino acids such as:

    tryptophan

    phenylalanine

    lysine

    Health benefits of capsicum

    Capsicum can be found as an integral part of Mediterranean and continental foods. It is also used in Asia and middle East countries widely. However, many people are not aware of the health benefits capsicum provides.

    It is rich in nutrients and antioxidants.  Therefore, capsicum has protective effect on your heart , brain and immune system. It helps to reduce the impact of lifestyle diseases on your health including heart attack, diabetes, stroke &obesity.

    •          Anti-inflammatory properties

      Capsicum helps to reduce inflammation due the presence numerous antioxidants and phytochemicals within it.

    •          Antibacterial properties

    Capsicum is effective against microbes, particularly against bacteria. One research study show inhibitory effect of the extract of Capsicum annuum bell pepper type was evaluated against Salmonella typhimurium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The study shows that capsicum extracts kill bacteriae [2].

    • Helps to reduce blood sugar; anti-diabetic effect.

    Studies suggest capsaicin has several actions that have an anti-diabetic effect. This is achieved by reducing insulin resistance, which makes it easier for blood glucose to get inside cells from the bloodstream.

     Capsaicin also helps prevent obesity, which predisposes for diabetes.

    • Helps to reduce cholesterol

    A few studies suggest capsaicin can decrease total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins, known as “bad cholesterol.”

    It has been also found that capsicum can increase high-density lipoproteins, known as “good cholesterol.”

    • Reduces blood pressure

     Studies show capsaicin reduces high blood pressure through several benefits. These include releasing substances that dilate blood vessels, suppressing an enzyme that narrows blood vessels, and stimulating increased urination, which reduces blood pressure by helping remove excess fluid.

    References

    1. Anti-inflammatory effects of red pepper (Capsicum baccatum) on carrageenan- and antigen-induced inflammation

    Fernando Spiller 1, Márcia K Alves et al. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Volume 60, Issue 4, April 2008, Pages 473–478, https://doi.org/10.1211/jpp.60.4.0010

    • Antibacterial activity of Capsicum extract against Salmonella typhimurium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa inoculated in raw beef meat

    Mónica Careaga 1, Elizabeth Fernández, Lidia Dorantes, Lydia etal.

    PMID: 12745238 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-1605(02)00382-3

    • https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6770197/
    • https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/close-up-portrait-beautiful-woman-smiling-showing-yellow-pepper-vegetarian-girl-making-dinner_76274720.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=1&uuid=b4d91212-e03c-4aff-bf8a-e5ef074413d2&query=Capsicum+eating+woman

  • DESTINED TO BE

    Dr.Sanjana p Souparnika

    The slumbering sun and dusky sky spoke silently the story of two soulmates

    Betwixt fiery red clouds of the horizon

    Destined it is for the dusk to bid farewell to the day at twilight

    Again, to meet at dawn with the freezing wind.

    Destined is not meant to be a shadow cast by destiny and luck

    But only an unravelling of the endless powers of the universe

    In bringing together or send far away

    Making clear and vivid or fading into oblivion.

    Humans also not exempt from being destined in the hands of universe

    In making and breaking bonds in one lonely corner of the world

    Creating joy of the daylight & dismay of darkness.

    Two strangers met on the diverging roads & instantly felt a connection of hearts,

    Shared the burden of the tormenting years strolled past

    but in reticence, only in frugal words.

    Spoke more about the destination ahead,

     The awaiting hardness of dense freezing winter forests and mountain glaciers

     impediments on the road to destinations.

    About their  diverging roads in opposite directions,

    And their feet stepped slowly away from each other,

    but their eyes spoke silently something that was audible only to their hearts

    They were destined to travel in diverging roads

    Away from each other’s sight.

    They were people of extraordinary insight and wisdom.

    And a momentary glance and a few words uttered,

    Made an invisible bond of love in silence.

    In the far lands of barren rocks

    And dark dense forest streams,

    They talked in silence unaware of the transitions of seasons around

    in different landscapes & terrains ,

    They spoke silently when the way ahead was unknown;

    When conscience trembled in the ferocity of nature;

    In the torrential rains and freezing chill of nights spend alone in the dark forest.

    They spoke in silence at different terrains, far away from sight.

    They smiled alone when soul sensed some joy on both ends.

    When reached the time to return from the destinations years after,

    Reached the same juncture of diverging roads once again

    The same shades of trees, the canopy of camaraderie.

    The one who returned earlier stayed there enjoying the delicious fruits and pristine water of freshets,

    Suddenly he thought what is prompting me to stay here

     sensing the vibration of mind that locked his feet at this juncture of life.

     He started thinking

    “I should return to the land I have come from.

    My land is awaiting me”,

    Yet mind is longing to meet the stranger companion here before I return. “

    The vibrating thoughts gave a thud to the heart.

     He tried to interpret it. A scary thought that trembled his body,

    “everyone may not return always from an expedition.”

    Tears trickled down the cheeks.

    Then the mind sought its extraordinary power to sense the one far away.

    There were only gloomy vibrations

    What happened to the unknown friend?

    With that constant thought days and nights passed away

    stayed there for a long time withstanding the harsh weather,

    Made a garden of flowers there collecting from the nearby forest.

    The fragrance of frangipanies attracted birds with shining feathers in vibrant colours. 

    Brought  a forest stream to the place making a canal.

     Made  a small tree hut to withstand the freezing winters.

    Began growing crops and spending time observing and studying the nature around.

    One day he sensed the approaching footsteps of the stranger companion nearby him.

      He ran hastily with an accelerated heart beat and stood on the road where they met years ago.

    The stranger’s gloomy eyes widened in surprise seeing the flowers, birds, stream and seeing his old pal

     Quite a long time which he found difficult to count.

    The dismay of soul vanished ,heart filled with joy

    They shared the joy of communications of their soul over these years

     Reminiscing those  spells of hindered flow of thoughts

    The chitchat of minds from far lands

    It was when mind was dipped in despondency they lost themselves

    Both realized the power of the bond their minds shared in silence.

    Promised in the gentle breezy wind not to lose it ever by the tempests of life ahead..

     The bond of love keep them moving ahead in different terrains as lone travelers

     hope to meet again somewhere at another end of time ,on a different land

    The light of pure love, camaraderie and insight lasted forever imprisoned in the memory of time.

  • Sanchi Buddhist Monuments

    The stupas, temples, viharas, and stambha monuments at Sanchi in Madhyapradesh,India are among the oldest and most relevant examples of aniconic arts and free-standing architecture that comprehensively document the history of Buddhism in ancient India.

    Dr.Sanjana p Souparnika

    Sanchi Stupa is a Buddhist complex, famous for its Great Stupa, on a hilltop at Sanchi Town in Raisen District of the State of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is located 46 kilometres (29 mi) north-east of Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh.

    The stupas, temples, viharas, and stambha at Sanchi in central India are among the oldest and most mature examples of aniconic arts and free-standing architecture that comprehensively document the history of Buddhism from the 3rd century BCE to the 12th century CE. It is an important monument of Indian Architecture originally commissioned by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. The stupa at Sanchi built during the Mauryan period was made of bricks.

    The monuments at Sanchi now comprise a series of Buddhist monuments starting from the Mauryan Empire period (3rd century BCE), continuing with the Gupta Empire period (5th century CE), and ending around the 12th century CE. It is probably the best preserved group of Buddhist monuments in India.

    The oldest, and also the largest monument, the Great Stupa also called Stupa No. 1, initially built under the Mauryans, and adorned with one of the Pillars of Ashoka

       Sanchi is the center of a region with a number of stupas, all within a few miles of Sanchi. These include

    • Satdhara (9 km to the W of Sanchi]
    • The  Relics of Sariputra and Mahamoggallana
    • Bhojpur (also called Morel Khurd, a fortified hilltop with 60 stupas11km away)
    •  Andher (17 km SE of Sanchi)
    • Sonari (10 km SW of Sanchi)
    •  Saru Maru stupa [ 100 km away ]
    • Bharhut is 300 km to the northeast.

    During the reign of under the Shungas and the Satavahanas, the Great Stupa was enlarged and decorated with gates and railings, and smaller stupas were also built in the vicinity, especially Stupa No.2, and Stupa No.3

    Sanchi monuments were rediscovered by the British colonialists general Henry Taylor in 1818.The first excavation of this site was done under the supervision of Major Alexander Cunningham in 1851.

    The architecture of great stupa at Sanchi

    The “Great Stupa” at Sanchi is the oldest structure and was originally commissioned by the emperor Ashoka the Great of the Maurya Empire in the 3rd century BCE.

    Its nucleus was a hemispherical brick structure built over the sacred relics of the Buddha, with a raised terrace encompassing its base, and a railing and stone umbrella on the summit, the chatra, a parasol-like structure symbolizing high rank.

    The original Stupa only had about half the diameter of today’s stupa at Sanchi , which is further enhanced by the Sungas. It was covered in brick, unlike the stones that now cover it.

    During the later rule of the Shunga, the stupa was expanded with stone slabs to almost twice its original size. The dome was flattened near the top and crowned by three superimposed parasols within a square railing. With its many tiers it was a symbol of the dharma, the Wheel of the Law. The dome was set on a high circular drum meant for circumambulation, which could be accessed via a double staircase. A second stone pathway at ground level was enclosed by a stone balustrade.

    Myths & history associated with Sanchi stupa

      According to one version of the Mahavamsa, the Buddhist chronicle of Sri Lanka, The emperor Ashoka is closely linked with the region of Sanchi. It is believed that While he was heir-apparent and was journeying as Viceroy to Ujjain, he is said to have halted at Vidisha (10 kilometers from Sanchi), and there married the daughter of a local banker who was named as Devi. Sanchi was the venue of Devi and Ashoka’s wedding.

     The original construction work of this stupa was overseen by Ashoka. In the 1st century BCE, four elaborately carved toranas (ornamental gateways) and a balustrade encircling the entire structure were added.

    Inscriptions

    Sanchi, especially Stupa 1, has a large number of Brahmi inscriptions. Although most of them are small and mention donations, they are of great historical significance. James Prinsep in 1837, found that most of them ended with the same two Brahmi characters. Princep took them as “danam” (donation), which permitted the decipherment of the Brahmi script.

        An analysis of the deciphered scripts  denote that most of the donors were from Ujjain, Vidisha, Kurara, Nadinagar, Mahisati, Kurghara, Bhogavadhan and Kamdagigam. Three inscriptions are known from Yavana (Indo-Greek)donors at Sanchi,. The script denoting which reads “Setapathiyasa Yonasa danam” (“Gift of the Yona of Setapatha”), Setapatha being an uncertain city.

    The art of Sanchi

    The  art of Sanchi  developed considerably in the 1st century BCE/CE and is thought to predate the blooming of the Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara, which went on to flourish until around the 4th century CE.

    The art of Sanchi is considered as the ancestor of the didactic forms of Buddhist art that would follow, such as the art of Gandhara. The Buddhist monuments at Sanchi contain an appreciable concentration of early Indian artistic techniques and Buddhist art, referred to as its Anionic School or Phase. Depicting Buddha through symbols, the sculpted art shows the evolution in sculpting techniques and the elaboration of icons, especially depicting Buddha.

    Ashoka pillar

    A pillar of finely polished sandstone, one of the Pillars of Ashoka, was also erected on the side of the main Torana gateway. The bottom part of the pillar still stands. The upper parts of the pillar are at the nearby Sanchi Archaeological Museum. The capital consists in four lions, which probably supported a Wheel of Law.

    The pillar has an Ashokan inscription (Schism Edict)[13] and an inscription in the ornamental Sankha Lipi from the Gupta period.[6] The Ashokan inscription is engraved in early Brahmi characters. It is unfortunately much damaged, but the commands it contains appear to be the same as those recorded in the Sarnath and Kausambi edicts, which together form the three known instances of Ashoka’s “Schism Edict”. It relates to the penalties for schism in the Buddhist sangha:

    … the path is prescribed both for the monks and for the nuns. As long as (my) sons and great-grandsons (shall reign; and) as long as the Moon and the Sun (shall endure), the monk or nun who shall cause divisions in the Sangha, shall be compelled to put on white robes and to reside apart. For what is my desire? That the Sangha may be united and may long endure.

    Now  Sanchi group of monuments are owned by the Government of India and is conserved, prot

    ected, maintained, and managed by the Archaeological Survey of India under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act (1958

    Sanchi Monument listed by UNESCO

    Currently , around fifty monuments remain on the hill of Sanchi, including three main stupas and several temples. The monuments have been listed among other famous monuments in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1989.

    How to reach Sanchi?

    The nearest airport is Bhopal which is 55 km away from it. Trains are available from Bhopal and Rani Kamlapati to Sanchi railway station.

    References

  • The queen of the night & the star

    The starry sky and moonlight astounded

    Snowy white milky petals,

     Mystifying the world in ethereal fragrance,

    Glazed in the milky moonlight

    “The queen of the night”.

    The star on the northern sky winked at the newborn flower,

    Awakened from a deep sleep of infinite years,

    Stared at the lovely star. 

    But a pal of gloom on the Milky white petals.

    Perhaps the gloom of imminent return to eternity.

    The star on the endless sky winked again

    Asif sensed the melancholic shadows,

    The predestined return on the same day of birth

    To the world of eternity.

    The star of the northern sky whispered

    I remain here for centuries on the same sky

    For your return on someday, somewhere

    And every time you come back 

    I had never lost you

     Ever with the waning seasons,

     Although, you  fall into the deep sleep  lasting many years

    To be awakened in yet another twilight

    To bloom in yet another moonlight.

    Love is immortal   as the snowy white petals

     Taking rebirth in the wheel of time

     for blooming again and again

    till the end of the universe,

     if it ever happens or not.

    —

    copyright poem & image dr sanjana p Souparnika