What is Mythology?

Mythology refers to stories or explanations of the origin and meaning of the world and the universe and their relation to a particular culture of civilization.

Mythological stories differ from folk tales and legends. They tend to be integrated in the religious doctrine of a particular culture and are considered sacred and factual. Mythological stories also contain supernatural and divine subjects. Folk tales and legends, on the other hand are more lighthearted and entertaining. Though mythological stories are characteristic of the prescientific world, many aspects and beliefs of the modern world perpetuate the mythic tradition.

The most well-known myths in Western Civilization are those of ancient Greece. The historic sources for our knowledge of this mythology are the Theogeny by Hesiod and the Illiad and Odyssey by Homer. All the three works date from the 8th century B.C. Other significant mythologic systems are Teutonic, or Norse, mythology of Scandinavia and Germany. The sources for this mythology are the Eddas (1200B.C.). The source for the Hindu mythology of Asia and India are the Vedas (1200 to 600 B.C.). The basis of Irish Celtic mythology are three cycles of stories - the Mythological cycle, the Ulster cycle and Fenian cycle. Other significant mythological systems are those of Africa, Native America and the Pacific Islands.

Attitude Decides One's Altitude

"Work is the foundation of business, source of all prosperity and the parents of genius". With love, work makes life sweet, purposeful and fruitful. But it must be remembered that a person's interest in work comes from his 'positive' attitude towards it. The employee's 'Positive Attitude' helps an organisation to realise its goal effortlessly.

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The term 'attitude' has both positive and negative aspects. An incident that happened in the United States of America comes in handy to explain the difference between the two. A company, manufacturing slippers, wished to explore the market for the product in a little known island. The organisation deemed it fit to send a representative for the purpose. The employee proceeded to the place and found that non of the inhabitants was sporting slippers. Since he had a negative mindset, he reported that the chances of marketing the product are dim as no one wore slippers. Not pleased with the report, the management sent another representative to the island. This person reported that there was a great opportunity to market slippers since no one sported it. No wonder, the company implemented the second report and achieved creditable success. It is this positive attitude that is essential in all walks of life, to achieve any 'progress' worth the name.

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Former Indian Captain Sourav Ganguly has made a remarkable comeback after a gap of 10 months, which is by no means easy. The lefthander believed in himself and this positive attitude translated his hunger for runs into solid performances.

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Let us have the determination of a mirror which does not lose its ability to reflect even if it is broken into thousand pieces. Of course, it is positive attitude that is the driving force for grabbing opportunities, showing endurance and achieving success in any field.

Attitude along decides one's altitude.____S. Ramakrishnasayee..,,,,

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General Knowledge-1

1. Which bone supports the root of the tongue in the human body?
A. The Hyoid bone (lingual bone)
2. Of which Asian Country is Dushanbe the Capital?
A. Tajikistan
3. In which Indian State is the World Heritage Site town of Pattadakal?
A. Karnataka
4. Which Mughal Emperor's mother was the Rajput Princess Manmati?
A. Shah Jahan
5. Which city in Rajasthan is famous for its blue pottery?
A. Jaipur
6. Who gave the laws of electrolysis?
A. Faraday
7. Who discovered heavy hydrogen?
A. Urey
8. What is otherwise known as quick silver?
A. Mercury
9. Which Carbohydrate is used commercially in the silvering of mirrors?
A. Glucose
10. What is the study of vegetables known as?
A. Olericulture
11. What is the scientific name of Onion?
A. Allium Cepa
12. Which part of Asparagus is edible?
A. Stem
13. Where did the eggplant originate?
A. India
14. What are Collard greens rich in?
A. Calcium
15. What are used in blending of coffee?
A. Roots of Chicory
16. What causes the pungency in garlic?
A. Diallyl Sulphate
17. The continent of America gets its name from which Italian Merchant Explorer?
A. Amerigo Vespucci
18. Which activist of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army coined the slogan 'Inquilab Zindabad'?
A. Bhagath Singh
19. Who is credited with the rebuilding after the Great Fire of London?
A. Christopher Wren - 17th Century
20. Razm-Namah is a Persian translation of which Indian epic?
A. Mahabharata

How to Manage Your STRESS?

A lecturer was giving a lecture to his students on stress management.

He raised a glass of water and asked the audience, "How heavy do you think this glass of water is?" The students' answers ranged from 20 to 500 gm.

"It does not matter on the absolute weight. It depends on how long you hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it is Ok. if I hold it for an hour, I will have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you will have to call an ambulance. It is exactly the same weight, but eh longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

If we carry our burdens all the time, we will not be able to carry on, the burden becoming increasingly heavier. What you have to do is to put the glass down, rest for a while before holding it up again.

We have to put down the burden periodically, so that we can be refreshed and are able to carry on.

So before you return home from work tonight, pu the burden of work down.

Don't carry it back home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you are having now on your shoulders, let it down for a moment. Pick it up again later when you have rested. Rest and relax. Life is short, enjoy it!

Adversity causes most men to break and a few to break records.,,,,????

Enrich Your Vocabulary-2

Chronology: Science of computing dates; arrangement of dates or times of occurence.

Cosmogony: Theory about the origin of Universe.

Epidemiology: Study of epidemics and their control.

Escapology: Techniques of escaping from confinement or box, esp. as entertainment.

Etymology: Branch of linguistic science that deals with formation of the word and development of meaning.

Ethnology: Science of human races and their relation to one another and their characteristics.

Fidus Achates: Faithful friend, devoted follower.

Gaff: To let out plot or secret; Public place of amusement.

Haberdasher: Dealer in small articles of dress etc.

Bigot: Intolerant and obstinate believer in a religion or political theory.

Coddle: To protect attentively; treat as an invalid.