ASWAGANDHA - Indian Herb. (By Elizabeth Renter | Natural Society )

(By Elizabeth Renter | Natural Society )

December 27th

Native to North Africa, India, and the Middle East, ashwagandha is a staple of the Hindu traditional medicine called Ayurveda. This herb, also known as Withania Somnifera or Indian Ginseng (though it is not related to ginseng), is known to pack a healing punch and to have significant restorative properties. Although the benefits of ashwagandha are lesser known, that doesn’t make the plant any less powerful.

Benefits of Ashwagandha.

While this short and stout plant has a variety of benefits, the most widely recognized benefit of ashwagandha is its ability to boost the immune system. In fact, several studies have reportedly shown it to greatly boost the immune system, increasing white blood cell production, helping to ward off illness and disease. It’s these benefits that make it a go-to choice in Indian herbal medicine for people in recovery who are looking to rebuild their internal system after illness.

But, immune-system benefits are far from the only perks of this plant. In addition, it is said to impact sexual health—increasing fertility and even sperm count. It has also been traditionally used as an aphrodisiac. However, the roots may actually decreasefertility for women, so be forewarned.

For wound care, the leaves of the plant are said to provide a healing poultice. In addition, the roots have antifungal and antibacterial properties—good for warding off infection.

The benefits of ashwagandha are many; in addition to promoting fertility, aiding in wound care, and boosting the immune system, some other benefits are:

• Diuretic.
• Sleep aid
• Galactogogue
• Anti-epileptic
• Anti-tumor
• Pain relief
• Eye health
• Heart tonic
• Lowers cholesterol
• Regulates blood sugar
• Reduces depression and anxiety
• Combats stress
• Fights cognitive decline due to brain cell degeneration.

How does one plant do all this? Observing the health benefits of thyme and health benefits of ginger – two other gifts from nature – it is easy to see how natural foods offer so much. On the note of the health benefits of ashwagandha, scientists aren’t quite sure what gives the plant it’s powerful punch, but they know the benefits are there. The plant is even labeled a “adaptogen”; this means aswagandha adapts to fit certain health needs within the body—it finds what’s wrong and attempts to fix it. Other studies indicate it derives many of its benefits from antioxidant properties. But even without knowing the “how” of ashwagandha’s benefits, we know it works, and has been working for centuries.

As with any herbal treatment, do your research before beginning supplementation. Plants are powerful substances and could still have some negative effects, despite being safer than many man-made solutions.

Additional Sources:

Chopra.com

HerbWisdom

GreenMedInfo

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Aswagandha the Wonder Herb - As told by http://ashwagandhabenefits.net

Ashwagandha is known as an exotic Indian herb that has an exceptional stress-relieving component than those other powerful drugs that are used to treat anxiety and depression. Ashwagandha brings excellent protective effects on human’s nervous system, making it a promising treatment alternative for various degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. One of the many Ashwagandha benefits for women is that it has powerful antioxidant components that helps seek and destroy free radicals that can be found in numerous disease states like aging. There are many Ashwagandha benefits any studies have already proven it. However, one remarkable benefit stands out and that is the fact that Ashwagandha is an effective anti-cancer supplement. As a matter of fact, evidences about Ashwagandha benefits are continuing to emerge and many countries are being aware of the health advantages that it can bring.

Ashwagandha has actually been used for many centuries. Although this herb originated from India, Africans as well as Native Americans have also used it for forwarding off sickness and infections. The herbal medicine is already earning its popularity in Ayurvedic medicine.  That is the reason why Ashwagandha herbal medicine is now known as a powerful herbal alternative used by different health organizations. In fact, even science nowadays is starting to grasp all the Ashwagandha benefits. Different studies by professional researchers also have investigated its antioxidant, anti-stress, as well as anti-inflammatory properties. Many companies were amazed of the Ashwagandha benefits and they have taken action to include Ashwagandha in their products. Actually, 7 companies in America and 4 companies in Japan already applied for a patent and the number is still increasing.

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There are lots of Ashwagandha benefits that trigger the herb to become very popular worldwide. The herb is known for its exceptional ability to calm as well as promote sleep according to reliable research studies done by different universities worldwide. In Texas, professional researchers happen to find out the similarities of the sleep-inducing component of Ashwagandha as well as the calming effects brought by the famous amino acid GABA. Similarly, the herb has also been proven by different researchers to ease restlessness or anxiety, and even to reduce drug withdrawal symptoms. Many herbalists also value the herbal medicine’s ability to encourage adrenal recovery and stabilize moods.

If you think that Ashwagandha benefits is only limited to mood-related concerns, then this time you’re wrong. In India, Ashwagandha is used in order to help patients (usually the older ones) with cognitive ability, memory, and mental agility. The herbal medicine is also famous for its component that can fight off cough and cold symptoms. As a matter of fact, preliminary studies have given the researchers enough reason to know that the herbal medicine also has great ability to decrease cancer-triggering cells without affecting the body’s healthy cells. Ashwagandha benefits make the herbal supplement famous enough to be known by many people who love to use herbal alternatives. The herbal medicine is also considered by lots of herbalists as an effective anti-aging supplements. Also, it was traditionally known for its own ability to bring nourishment to muscles and bones.

Recent studies have also proved that orange berries from Ashwagandha can be applied as a topical treatment in order to aid skin ulcers, carbuncles, tumors, and many more. Further researches are on-going in order to collect more truthful Ashwagandha benefits and in order to determine the effectiveness of the herb even more. One of the most recent studies shown that Ashwagandha can treat diabetes, bone cancer, constipation, bipolar disorder, rheumatism, impotency, memory loss, nerve problems, arthritis as well as any other physical ailments. Also, they happen to found out that its effectiveness is very similar to the famous ginseng herb that has been widely used by Chinese.

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Environmental toxins, stress, as well as poor nutrition all can give detrimental impact to the nervous system. Regarding with that, scientific studies support the herb’s ability not only as a stress reliever, but also as a brain cell protector against the harmful and deleterious effects of the modern lifestyles. In validated models of depression and anxiety, Ashwagandha benefits have been identified to have the same effects with antidepressant drugs and tranquilizers. Specifically, oral taking of Ashwagandha for 5 days can have similar anxiety-relieving effects provided by other anxiety drugs, as well as similar antidepressant effects provided by other antidepressant drugs.

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Stress can dramatically cause increased peroxidation of lipids especially while decreasing levels of glutathione peroxidase and antioxidant enzymes catalase. Good thing is that Ashwagandha benefits include an effective anti-stress and anti-anxiety property better than other commercial drugs.

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Another study shown that Ashwagandha benefits for children help the growth of nerve cell “dendrites”, which generally allows these cells to communicate with other cells. Overall, this finding tend to suggest that one of the many Ashwagandha benefits is that it can heal the changes occurring in the brain tissue and often accompany dementia. Researchers also found out that Ashwagandha benefits help promote the growth of damaged as well as normal nerve cells. To know more about Ashwagandha benefits,visit the website url given in the heading.

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Timeless Books of Truth. - 25th Sept,2013.

When you're seeking a book on practical spiritual living,you want to know it's based on an authentic tradition of timeless. If you want to start attracting positive things into your life, Michael says there is one small thing you should do every day—show your gratitude, appreciation and love for the people and things around you. "On a daily basis, find something you are appreciative of or find something you are grateful for," Michael says. "Start a journal. You might even want to call it your appreciation journal or gratitude journal and go to it [and write] five minutes a day." By acknowledging what you are grateful for in your journal, Michael says you'll become a deliberate attractor of positive vibrations. "Did you know that appreciation, gratitude and love are the highest forms of vibration?" he asks. "You can only have one vibration at a time, and if you are noticing what you appreciate and noticing what you are grateful for, you can't be noticing what you don't like." As more of your thoughts and words become positive, you'll start attracting more positive people and circumstances, Michael says. "Decide today that you are going to reduce negativity in your life by getting rid of the 'don'ts,' 'nots' and 'no's'—the negative people, the negative thoughts," he says. "Get in the habit of appreciating things." Read more: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/The-Power-of-Gratitude#ixzz2h6Dc5Wux

First Thought:The Precoousnes of ahuman Birth--Sharada rao.-US

This human existence with all its freedoms and is extremely endowments difficult to attain. It enables one to accomplish the meaning of one's being. Having attained such a precious ex time, If one not accomplish benefit at this time, How could one achieve this perfect treasure in the future? Each human life is completely endowed with the potential for absolute enlightenment Each of our lives could be an enormous blessing to ourselves and others.At the very least,e life aach of us could achieve a harmonious and peaceful life and bring a seed of happiness into others'lives. When we talk about benefiting others,we must being by recognizing our inherent buddha nature-which could simply be called human nature,as they both refer to the fundamental ground of our being.This is a ground of goodness that is not contaminated with ignorance.Completely understanding this ground of genuine goodness that is not contaminated with ignorance.Completely understanding this ground of genuine goodness would give us irreversible confidence in it.

ANIMATED ASHWATH PERFORMS "SHRAVANA BANTHU.." A

Amma Ninna Edeyaladalli - BR Laxman Rao.

M.D.Pallavi.

B.R.Chaya-nanna haadu nannadu.

Baduku jataka bandi - Manasa A Grampurohit in Yede Thumbi Haadi.

Baduku jataka bandi - Manasa A Grampurohit in Yede Thumbi Haadi

The Little Book or Buddhist wisdom- Dishaa's house-NJ.-Sharada rao.

INTRODUCTION.
The Buddha was a man who woke up to the truth-the word ' buddha 'means'to have awoken He realized why beings suffer and how to come away from that suffering.
The Buddha's teaching was,therefore, based on each person experiencing the truth of suffering and the ending of suffering for themselves. It is simple and obvious as well as profound and mysterious.The essence of his teaching can be summed up in the following four truths:

1.The truth of suffering: To face the reality of our own suffering.A distinction is drawn here between physical pain and mental suffering.Suffering in Buddhist terms means anguish,heartache,longing,wishing,hoping for a person or an object or a condition which is not present.

2.THE TRUTH OF THE CAUSE OF SUFFERING:To acknowledge the fact that we suffer because we don't like what we have;we desire things to be different from how they actually are.Desire itself is then seen to be the root cause of suffering rather than the inability to achieve the object of our desires.

3.THE TRUTH OF THE CESSATION OF SUFFERING: To realize that,by resisting the pull to desire things,suffering ceases.To experience this as a reality is called nirvana-the cooling of the heat of wanting and anguishing.

4.THE TRUTH OF THE WAY OF LIFE THAT IS FREE OF SUFFERING: To live in a manner which values the moment as it is,is free of suffering in oneself.This is a totally harmless way of life and eightfold all beings.It is generally presented as the noble eightfold path:right view,intention,speech,action,livelihood,effort, mindfulness,concentration.

The following extracts and sayings will give the reader a taste of Buddhism.The attempt has been made to draw from all the traditions which have developed over the centuries right back to the Buddha himself,who lived two and a half thousand years ago.

It is suggested that the each page be taken one at a time,rather than read straight through as a book.Each piece can be quietly reflected upon.It will then work for you and bring spiritual happiness and nourishment.

May all beings be well and happy.

RICHARD AND DIANA ST.RUTH.

People ask me what my religion is.
I tell them,'My religion is kindness.'
TENZIN GYATSO.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

The foolish believe that their

Own interests will suffer
if they put the benefits of others first.

DOGEN.

Japanese zen Master,1200-1253.

The more we take the welfare.




of others to heart and work for their benefit,

the more benefit we derive for ourselves.

This is a fact that we can see.

And the more selfish we remain and

self-centred, the more selfish our way of life is,

the lonelier we feel and the more miserable.

This is also a fact that we can see.

TENZIN GYATSO.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

When selfishness really hurts,

then the path is easy.

In the religious life,

never take leave of good sense.

PHIROZ MEHTA.

Buddhist scholar, 1902-1994.

Act so that you have no cause to be

ashamed of yourselves;and hold fast to this rule.

JEYSUN MIAREPA.

TIBETAN BUDDHIST YOGI,1025-1135.

Let no one think lightly of evil,

thinking-"it will not touch me.

Drop by drop is a water pot filled;

Little by little the fool becomes filled with evil.

Damapada verse 121

Dishaa's house at NJ 3rd July 2013 By Sharada.

(29) Bodhicitta,like a fertile field- Unless it is cultivated, there us no way to achieve enlightenment, Not stating idle when there is a great aim to be accomplished, May i truly practice the sublime teachings.

(30) My own mind, like a monkey's nonsense- Without keeping guard, there is noway to avoid conflicting emotions. Not acting without restraint, like a lunatic, May I truly practice the sublime teachings.

(31) Ego, like a shadow one is born with- Until it's abandoned, there is no way to reach a place of real joy. When the enemy is in my clutches, why treat him as friend? May I truly practice the sublime teachings.</>

(32) The five poisons,like hot embers among ashes- Until they're destroyed, one can't remain at rest in the natural state. Not raising baby vipers in my pockets, May I truly practice the sublime teachings.</>

(33) This mindstream, Like the tough hide of a butter-bag- If it's not tamed and softened, one can't mix mind with dharma. Without spoiling the child that is born of itself, May I truly practice the sublime teachings.</>

(34) These ingrained bad habits,karmic patterns, like the strong currents of a river- If they aren't cut, one can't avoid acting contrary to the dharma. Without selling weapons to my enemies, May I truly practice the sublime teachings.</>

(35) These distractions,like never-ending waves- If they aren't given up,there is no way to become stable. When I can do as I like,why practice samsara? May I truly practice sublime teachings.</>

(36) The Lama's blessings, Like spring warming up soil and water- If they don't enter into me, there is no way to be introduced to the nature of mind. When there is a short-cut, May I truly practice the sublime teachings.</>

(37) This retreat in the wilderness, like summer in a lush place where herbs grow- If I don't remain here,there is no way for good qualities to be born. When high up in the mountains, don't wander back into towns. May I truly practice the sublime teachings.</>

(38) Desire for pleasure, like a bad-luck spirit entering the house- If I am not free of it, I'll never stop working toward suffering. Not making offerings to voracious ghosts as my personal gods, May I truly practice the sublime teachings.</>

(39) Mindfulness, like the lock on a castle gate- If it is lacking, one can't stop the movements of illusion. When the thief is surely coming, why forget to bar the door? May I truly practice the sublime teachings.</>

(40) The nature, unchanging, like the sky- Until it's realized,one can't completely resolve doubts as to the view. Not letting myself be chained by theories, May I truly practice the sublime teachings.</>

(41) Awareness, like a flawless piece of crystal- Until it's seen, Intentional meditation cannot dissolve. When there's an inseparable companion, why go off looking for another? May I truly practice the sublime teachings.</>

(42) The face of ordinary mind, like an old friend- If it's not seen, all that one does is misleading. Without grouping in the darkness of my own closed eyes, May i truly practice the sublime teachings.</>

(43) In short, without giving up This life's preoccupations,there's no way to accomplish the sacred teachings after death. Having decided to show myself great kindness, May all that I do be toward the dgarma.</>

(44) May I not have wrong views toward the guru who has given instruction in accord with the dharam. May i nit lose faith in the yidam when misfortunes occur. May I not put off practice when circumstances are hard.</>

(45) All these activities are pointless, like making a grand tour of a wasteland. All this trying just makes my mind stream more rigid. All this thinking only adds confusion onto confusion. All that passes for dharma to ordinary people only makes for further binding.</>

(46) So much activity-nothing comes of it. So much thinking-no point to it. So much wanting- no time for it. Having given this up, May I be able to practice according to instructions.</>

(47) If I must do something, may Buddha's teachings bear it witness. If I must do something,mix mindstream and dharma. If I must accomplish something, read the lifestories of past masters. What's the use of other things?Spoiled brat! Take a low seat and become rich with contentment. Try hafd to get free of the eight wordly concerns.</>

(48) May the guru's blessings enter into me' May my realization become equal to the sky. Grant your blessings so that I may reach Kuntuzangpo's throne. Written by Jigdral Yeshe Dorje for his own prayers, condensing the essential meaning from the vajra words of advice From previous great masters. This was offered withprayers for the continued blessing . of H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, Jigdral Yeshe dorje, and for the long life of his emanation,for the sake of all beings. Translated by Bhakha Tulka Rinpoche and Constance wilkinson. Sarva mangalam!

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(14( The Lama's blessings, Like spring warming up soil and water- If they don't enter into me,there is no way to be introduced to the nature of the mind. When there is a short-cut, why take the long way around? May I truly practice the sublime teachings.

(15) These distractions,like never-ending waves- If they aren't given up,there is no way to become stable. When I can do as I like, why practice samsara? May I truly practice the sublime teachings.

(16) This mindstream, Like the tough hide of a butter-bag- If it's not tamed and softened, one can't mix mind with dharama. Without spoiling the child that is born of itself, May I truly practice the sublime teachings.braces

(17) Ego, like a shadow one is born with- Until it's abandoned, there is no way to reach a place of real joy. When treat him as friend? May I truly practice the sublime teachings.braces

(18) These ingrained bad habits,karmic patterns, Like the strong currents of a river- If they aren't cut, one can avoid acting contrary to the dharma. Without selling weapons to my enemies, May I truly practice the sublime teachings.braces

(19) The five poisons,like hot embers among ashes- Until they're destroyed, one can't remain at rest in the natural state. Not raising baby vipers in my pockets, May I truly practice the sublime teachings.braces

(20) Bodhicitta,like a fertile field- Unless it is cultivated,there is no way to achieve enlightenment. Not staying idle when there is a great aim to be accomplished, May I truly practice the sublime teachings.braces

(21) The life stories of the great masters, Like the essence of amrita- If they aren't known, there is no way for confidence to arise. Not choosing self-destruction when I can tell victory from defeat, May I truly practice the sublime teachings.braces

(22>

Me at Dishhaa's Home.( New Jersey )

(11)In short,without giving up this life's preoccupations,there's no way to accomplish the sacred teachings after death. having decided to show myself great kindness, May all that I do be toward the dharma.

(12) the face of ordinary mind,like an old friend- If it's not closed eveys, May I truly practice Awareness,like a flawless piece of crystal- Until it's seen,intentional meditation cannot dissolve. When there's an inseparable companion, Why go off looking for another? May I truly parctice the sublime teachings.

(13) Desire for pleasure, LIKE A bad-luck spirit entering the house-offerings to voracious ghosts If I'm not free of it, I'LL never topworking toward suffering. Not making offerings to voracious ghosts as my personal gods, May I truly practice the sublime teachings.

<

(14) Liberation's good qualities, Like an island of jewels If they aren't know, there is no way to begin to make efforts. Having seen the advantage of permanent victory. May I truly practice the sublime teachings.

(15) Samsara,Like a stone fallen deep into water- If I don't grt out now,I won't get out later. Pulling myself out by the rope of the comassionate Three Jewels, May I truly practice the sublime teachings.
30-7-13

(16) The glorious guru, Like a lamp that lights the way to liberation- If I cannot meet him, is no way to realize the true nature. Not jumping off a cliff when I know the path to go on, May I trulypractice the sublime teachings.

Read this one at a time daily.

(1)

A GARLAND OF

ESSENCE OG THE GREAT MASTERS.

by Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche.

Root guru,precious and most kind, Lord of the mandala,sole unfailing lasting refuge, With Guru,precious and most kind, Lord of the mandala,sole unfailing lasting refuge, With your compassion,take hold of me! I only for this free, well-favored human birth.

(2)

Human life, lasting an instant,like a dream- It might be happy, it might be sad. Not wishing for joy,not avoiding sadness, May I truly practice the sublime teachings.

(3)

A life of luxury,like a bewitching apparition- away like chaffIt might come to pass or it might not. With the ways of the eight worldly dharmas cast away like chaff, May I truly practice the sublime teachings.

(4)

This humble life,

Like a butterlamp set out in the wind- It might last a long time ot it might not. Not letting ego's hold tighten further, May I truly pratice the sublime teachings.

(5)

This illusory body, Like a rotting 100-year-old house- It might last,it might fall in to the dust. Not caught up in efforts to get food,clothes,or medicines, May I truly practice the sublime teachings.

(6)

MAY THE GURU'S BLESSINGS ENTER IN TO ME, MAY MY REALIZATION BECOME EQUAL TO THE SKY. GRANT YOUR BLESSINGS SO THAT I MAY REACH KUNTUZANGPO'S THRONE.

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(8) This rank in the hierarchy, Like a tiny perched on a branch- It might be high, it might be low. Without making myself miserable Wishing for a better position, May I truly practive the sublime teachings.

(9) So much acivity-nothing comes of it. So much thinking-no point to it. So much wanting-no time for it. May I be able to practice according to instructions.

(10) All these activities are pointless, Like a grand tour of a wasteland. All this trying just makes my mindstream that passes for dharma to am more rigid. All this thinking only adds confusion onto confusion. All that passes for dharama to ordinary people only makes for further binding.

Szechuan or Sichuan is considered the spiciest of Chinese cuisines; the liberal use of chili peppers and Szechuan peppercorn brings the heat. Chengdu I gets points for authenticity; you won' find shr3dded pig'sear,double cooked pigg's tongue and jellyfish in scallion at your neighborhood Chinese restauant.

(11) May I not have wrong views towords Guru Who has given instructions in accord with the Dharma. May I not lose fait in the wide Yidam On misfortune occurs May I not put off practice when circumstances are hard. May there be no obsticals to attaining Siddhi.

If I must do something, may Buddha's teaching bear it witness. If I must do something,mix mindstream and dharma. If I must do accomplish something, read the life stories of past masters. What's the use of other things?Spoiled brat! Take a low seat and become rich with contentment. Try hard to get free of the eight wordly concerns.

Life of Pi by Yann Martal

AUTHOR NOTE. This book was born as I was hungry. Let me explain. In the spring of 1996,my second book,a novel,came out in Canada. It didn't fare well. Reviewers were puzzled,or damned it with faint praise. Then readers ignored it.Despite my best efforts at plying the clown or trapeze artiest,the media circus made no difference.The book did not move. Books lined the shelves of bookstores like kids standing in a row to play baseball or soccer,and mine was the gangly, unaesthetic kid that no one wanted on their team. It vanished quickly and quietly The fiasco did not affect me too much. I had already moved on to another story,a novel set in Portugal in 1930. Only I was I was feeling restless. And I had little money. So I flew to Bombay.This is not so illogical if realize three things: that a stint in India will beat the restlessness out of any living creature;that a little money can go along way there:and that a novel set in Portugal in 1939 may have very little to do with Portugal in 1939. Altogether too many people are defeated by the everyday problems of life.You can permit obstacles to control your mind to the point where they are uppermost and thus become the dominating factors in your thought pattern.By learning how to cast them from the mind, by refusing to become mentally subservient to them, and by channeling spiritual power through your thoughts you can rise above obstacles.You need be defeated only if you are willing to be. This book teaches you how to"will"not to be. This is simply a practical,direct-ation, personal improvement manual.

Buddha that I have read.

WE Take such pride in human life and think of ourselves as the most intelligent,sensible form of existence.Yet with all of our endowments,we still cannot find happiness or peace. Unable to realize our human potential and possibilities,we allow an entire life time to slip away-a life time that could be of such to tremendous benefit to ourselves and others. What is the obstacle to sharing,caring,and having loving-kindness for all sentient beings?Why do fabrications or facades or facades arise as barriers to honest human communication?And why do we live in constant extremes of hope and fear with put the common seance to do something about it?We really need to think about this.in the Buddhist tradition,attaining a human life is said to occur as rarely as blind turtle who, surfacing in a vast ocean.

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[ We must have a Music Hall in his Memory in Bangalore.]

Mr Shankar received the Bharat Ratna in 1999. He is survived by his wife Sukanya and daughters Anoushka and Norah Jones.

Legendary sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, who spearheaded the worldwide spread of Indian music and had a major influence on Western musicians like The Beatles, died today in San Diego at the age of 92.

Mr Shankar, whose health had been fragile for the past several years, underwent a surgery on Thursday at the Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, California where he breathed his last.

The music icon was admitted to the hospital last week when he complained of breathlessness.

"It is with heavy hearts we write to inform you that Pandit Ravi Shankar, husband, father, and musical soul, passed away today," his wife and daughter, Sukanya and Anoushka Shankar, said in a joint statement.

A recipient of Bharat Ratna in 1996, Shankar maintained residences in both India and the United States.

He is survived by his wife Sukanya; daughter Norah Jones; daughter Anoushka Shankar Wright and husband Joe Wright; three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

"As you all know, his health has been fragile for the past several years and on Thursday he underwent a surgery that could have potentially given him a new lease of life. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the surgeons and doctors taking care of him, his body was not able to withstand the strain of the surgery. We were at his side when he passed away," the joint statement said.

"We know that you all feel our loss with us, and we thank you for all of your prayers and good wishes through this difficult time. Although it is a time for sorrow and sadness, it is also a time for all of us to give thanks and to be grateful that we were able to have him as a part of our lives. His spirit and his legacy will live on forever in our hearts and in his music," they said in their joint statement.

A three-time Grammy award winner, Mr Shankar last performed in California on November 4 along with his daughter Anoushka Shankar.

Mr Shankar has also been nominated for the 2013 Grammys for his album The Living Room Sessions Part-1 and was pitted against Anoushka in the same category.

"Mr Shankar had suffered from upper-respiratory and heart issues over the past year and underwent heart-valve replacement surgery last Thursday. Though the surgery was successful, recovery proved too difficult for the 92-year-old musician," said another statement issued by the Ravi Shankar Foundation and East Meets West Music.

In recent months, performing, and especially touring, became increasingly difficult for the musician.

However, health couldn't prevent Mr Shankar from performing with Anoushka on November 4 in Long Beach, California.

"This, in what was to be his final public performance, was in fact billed as a celebration of his 10th decade of creating music," the foundation said.

It said the memorial plans will be announced later. A Bengali Brahmin, he was born Robindra Shankar on April 7, 1920 in Varanasi, the youngest of four brothers, and spent his first 10 years in relative poverty, brought up by his mother. He was almost eight before he met his absent father, a globe-trotting lawyer, philosopher, writer and former minister to the Maharajah of Jhalawar.

In 1930, his eldest brother Uday Shankar uprooted the family to Paris, and over the next eight years Shankar enjoyed the limelight in Uday's troupe, which toured the world introducing Europeans and Americans to Indian classical and folk dance.

As a performer, composer and teacher, Mr Shankar was an Indian classical artist of the highest rank, and he spearheaded the worldwide spread of Indian music and culture, said writer and editor Oliver Craske, who provided additional narrative for Mr Shankar's autobiography 'Raga Mala'.

Mr Shankar achieved his greatest fame in the 1960s when he was embraced by the Western counterculture. Through his influence on his great friend George Harrison, and appearances at the Monterey and Woodstock festivals and the Concert for Bangladesh, he became a household name in the West, the first Indian musician to do so.

Courtesy - NDTV