World Environment Day 2014

       When we own a House and live there , we take all possible measures to keep it clean and livable .Similarly Environment is the space where everyone and every thing co-exist and are inter-dependable .Every small Action we do creates a long-term effect .So choosing to live Nature-friendly should be the Natural and primary option for us.

   I have Inculcated some good habits towards my contribution to conserve Energy and make sure my childrens too learn, understand the importance and contribute towards the same .Here it goes :

1 .Switching Off the Devices when not in use -especially Laptops,TVs ,Owens,Light and Fan ,Electric Geasers will definitely save Electrical Energy , but in addition to it always i consider using less of the Refrigerator ,TV and Geaser .Its much more healthy to buy fresh and cook fresh ; Bathe in Warm water and to watch less TV .

Usually many people keep their Laptops and other devices plugged IN even after its 100% charged and rarely shutdown their Laptops /PCs . Make it a mandatory to Turn-Off Charging and shutdown PCs when not required .Switching Off TVs and all possible electric appliances at night and using Florescent power saving lamps should be mandatory .

2. Lesser Use of Mobile devices contribute a larger part in saving the environment and making surrounding Nature as bird-friendly . Also it will save electrical energy .

3. Installing and using Solar heaters in Apartments and Larger independent houses should be mandatory .Use of Solar operated devices especially Cars,Street Lights ,Fans ,Stoves should be encouraged by Government and embraced by people.

4. Converting Raw kitchen waste and other recyclable waste into HeatEnergy for heating/Cooking, using Gobar Gas as fuel should be more encouraged in Urban areas and Metro cities .

5.People should use less of paper cups and plastic bottles even when are outside and should instead carry steel utensils that can be easily washed and re-used.

6.The major cause of Pollution and global warming is the use of Plastics . I always carry Cloth/eco friendly bags while going to groceries or for any purchase. Re-use if any Plastic covers taken .Say NO to paper Bank Statements and any paper transactions should be discouraged .there are banks which already support Green transactions and are Eco-friendly.Government should encourage such banks and make it mandatory for all banks to operate Green.

7.Public transport should completely run Fuel Free and should use Solar/ rechargeable electric energy .Bangalore has already started the Trial run of one such Green bus .All metros and highly populated areas should mandatory use Public Green transports instead of private vehicles .

If Childrens are educated about conserving Energy ,using greener alternatives and being Eco-Friendly right from young Age, we will definitely have a better place to live-IN in future . Not only Schools play a vital role in this but also we as Parents should be role models to them and should make conserving energy a part of life .

LIVE SIMPLER , LIVE HEALTHIER and LIVE HAPPIER !!!

Mudra Dharane yake ?

Tapta Mudra Dharana is mentioned in Vishnu Ragasya and in Vedas as well. It is also discussed in detail in Ayurveda Shastras. All these shows that it has been in practice for a long long time. It is a fundamental requirement for a Vaishnava.
The wearing of Tapta-mudra- dharana has been explained in various spiritual scriptures like Rigveda, Padma Purana, Mahabharatha etc. The Lord reclines on ‘Sesha’. However we should not go into sleep mode forgetting Him. Thus we mark our body with His symbol – Shankha and Chakra. It is a vaideeka ritual. Vaishnava ritual. Cleansing process. It is said that during Mahabharata war ‘Tapta Mudra Dharana’ was done for the soldiers.
It is a reminder of ‘Bhakthi to Lord Vishnu’.
The mantras which are chanted while doing ‘Mudhradharana’ bless us – let the glow of ‘Sudharashana’ remove all our ignorance and the sound of ‘Paanchanjanya shankha’ destroy all our accumulated sins and lead us in the path of ‘Vishnu marga’.

The significance of this act is – The ‘jnanagni’ (light of knowledge) obtained from ‘ Shaastras’ should sever the darkness of ignorance and the ‘omkaara naada (sound) from the shankha should enlighten us bestowing ‘jnana bhakthi and vairaghya’. One should get the ‘Mudra dharana’ done with this attitute. It will give the key to open the doors of ‘Moksha’. On the contrary if a person fails to wear it then all of his meritorious deeds will go to waste. This demonstrates the great importance that is given to taptamudra.
Thus by getting ‘ Mudhradharana’ done let us obtain the grace of ‘Sesha saaye Mahavishnu’ and prepare ourselves to be soaked in the bliss of Moksha.

Ashwatha marakke yaake pradakshine ?

During the Vedic period, the wood obtained by cutting Peepal tree was used to produce fire. In the ancient Puranas, an incident has been described in which the demons defeated the deities and Lord Vishnu hid in the Peepal tree. Since, the Lord resided in the tree for some time; the tree holds great importance for people. Thus, people began worshipping the tree, considering it to be a means of offering prayers to Lord Vishnu. There are a few legends, which suggest that Lord Vishnu was born under the peepal tree. There are a couple of stories, which say that the tree is home to the trinity of Gods, the root being Brahma, the trunk is Vishnu and leaves represent Lord Shiva. Another popular belief is that Lord Krishna died under the Peepal tree.

Upanishads have also made a mention about the Peepal tree. To clearly define the difference between the body and soul, the fruit of peepal is used as a classic example. According to the Skanda purana, a person who does not have a son should consider the peepal tree as his own child. It says that the family will prosper and have a good name, till the peepal tree survives. Cutting a peepal tree is regarded as a big sin, which is almost equivalent to murdering a Brahmin. Skanda Puranas say that a person who cuts the tree surely goes to hell.

It is preferred to touch the peepal tree only on Saturdays. It is said that once upon a time, there were two demons, namely Ashvattha and Peepala, who used to torture and harass people. Ashvattha took the form of peepal and the Peepala disguised as Brahmin. The Brahmin used to recommend people to touch the peepal tree and as soon as they did so, they were killed by the demon Ashvattha. Both the demons were killed by Shani devta. It is due to the strong influence of Shani Maharaj that it is considered safe to touch the peepal tree on Saturdays. People are of the belief that even Goddess Lakshmi dwells in the tree on Saturdays. Women who are not blessed with a son tie a red thread around the trunk or on its branches asking the deities to bless her and fulfill her desire.

Panchagavya:Significance

The five basic products which we get from Cows are called Panchagavya. They are the Milk, the Curd, the Ghee, the Dung and the Urine of the Cow(Gomutra). These elements have the power to cure many diseases. It actually balances the three dosas or faults or ailments in the body i.e., bile, air, and mucus (pitta, vata, kapha). The medicines are the combination of these five basic elements and other medicinal herbs.
Vedas (scriptures) are the source of Indian culture. Vedas are eternal. Ayurveda is the branch of Vedas, which deals with holistic aspects of health. Health means physical, mental and spiritual well being too. In Ayurveda the importance of cow and its products are described in great detail.
Gavyam pavitram cha rasayanam cha
pathyam cha hrdyam bala-buddhidam syat
Ayur pradam rakta vikarahari
tridosha-hrdaroga-vishapaham syat
It means this panchagavya is supremely pure, elixir, pleasing to heart and giver of strength and intelligence. It is giver of life, remover of all blood diseases and also removes heart diseases and works against poisons.
Without panchagavya a person is not allowed to perform yajna. The glories are that just by drinking it all sins are destroyed.
Please note the Mantra below for taking the sacred Panchagavya:.
yathtvakh asthigataM pApaM dehe tiShThati (mAmake) dehinaH |
prAshanat panchagavyasya dahatyagnirivendhanam ||
Meaning: From skin to bones, whatever sins (diseases) are in my body, are destroyed by panchagavya at once just as fire destroys fuel.

Lakshmi Shobhane Significance

Once when Sri Vadiraja Swamy was touring South India, he reached Kumbhakonam in what is now Tamil Nadu. There, he was staying in the house of an Acharya for a few days. During his stay, he had defeated many scholars of other schools of philosophy and had made them accept the philosophy of Sri Madhvacharya.
The owner of the place where he was staying had a son whose marriage had got fixed after a long search for a good bride. The parents of the boy had requested Sri Vadiraja Swamy to attend the marriage and bless the couple, to which Sri Swamiji had agreed.
On the day of the marriage, when the rituals were on in full swing, the groom suddenly collapsed on the floor. Within minutes, he was frothing and shivering and ended up motionless. People realized that a small, but poisonous, snake had creeped into the head gear that the groom was wearing. The snake had bit him right on the temple causing instant poisoning.
The local doctor was called in and the groom was pronounced as dead. Some local tantriks were also put to service, but to no avail. People were getting ready to take the body away for cremation.
The father of the groom rushed to Sri Vadiraja Swamy who had not yet arrived at the marriage venue. Sri Swamiji instantly was able to relate to the chain of events. He told the people gathered there that there had been an uneasiness in him since three days and he had realized that something untoward would occur during the marriage. On the morning of that day, at Brahmi Muhurtha (around 4:30AM), he had composed a song in Kannada on Mahalakshmi and Vishnu. The song was about Lakshmi’s marriage to Vishnu during the Samudra Mathana episode (churning of the ocean for Amruta).
Sri Swamiji meditated for a while on his favorite form of Vishnu – Hayavadana – and realized that the groom had an untimely death and that there was still life in the body. He rushed to the venue immediately. There, he sprinked some “Theertha” (holy water) on the body and also some “Mantrakshate”. He sat down there and started singing the newly composed Lakshmi Shobhane song. Lo and behold! Just as the song was to complete, the groom sat up as if he had just got up from deep sleep!
The Lakshmi Shobhane song is one of the most auspicious songs in the Kannada language. Even today, nearly 500 years after its composition, it is sung in almost every wedding in Karnataka. In Tulu Nadu, ladies sing this almost daily during their evening prayers. It is an extremely melodious song with 112 verses in it.

Why do we say Shaanti thrice ? "Om Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthi he…"

Shaanti, meaning “peace”, is a natural state of being. Disturbances are created either by others or us. For example, peace already exists in a place until someone makes noise. Therefore, peace underlies all our agitations. When agitations end, peace is naturally experienced since it was already there. Where there is peace, there is happiness.
Therefore, every one without exception desires peace in his/her life. However, peace within or without seems very hard to attain because it is covered by our own agitations. A rare few manage to remain peaceful within even in the midst of external agitation and troubles. To invoke peace, we chant prayers. By chanting prayers, troubles end and peace is experienced internally, irrespective of the external disturbances.
All such prayers end by chanting shaanti thrice. It is believed that trivaram satyam – that which is said thrice comes true. For emphasizing a point we repeat a thing thrice.
In the court of law also, one who takes the witness stand says, “I shall speak the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth”. We chant shaanti thrice to emphasise our intense desire for peace. All obstacles, problems and sorrows originate from three sources.

1. Aadhidaivika: The unseen divine forces over which we have little or no control like earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions etc.
2.Aadhibhautika: The known factors around us like accidents, human contacts, pollution, crime etc.
3.Aadhyaatmika: Problems of our bodies and minds like diseases, anger, frustrations etc.

We sincerely pray to the lord that at least while we undertake special tasks or even in our daily lives, there are no problems or that, problems are minimized from the three sources written about above. May peace alone prevail. Hence shaanti is chanted thrice.

It is chanted aloud the first time, addressing the unseen forces.
It is chanted softer the second time, directed to our immediate surroundings and those around, and softest the last time as it is addressed to oneself.

All About worshipping Hanuman

As the following mantra indicates, Lord Hanuman provides his devotees with knowledge, power, courage, and health.

Budhdirbalam yasho dhairyam nirbhayatvam arogata
Ajaadtyam vakpatutvam cha hanumat smaranadbhavet

Panchamukhi refers to five faces. According to the scriptures, Lord Hanuman assumed this form to slay Mahiravana, brother of Ravana. Mahiravana was a sorcerer and an ardent devotee of Goddess Mahamaya. Instigated by Ravana, Mahiravana took Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana to Paathaala Loka  and was tempted to sacrifice them to Goddess Mahamaya.To save the divine brothers, Lord Hanuman had to stub out five lamps burning in different directions simultaneously. He therefore assumed the Panchamukha form to win this task.

The Panchamukha form of Lord Hanuman has the following five faces:

1.     Hanuman (a fervent devotee of Lord Rama) – facing the east
2.     Narasimha ( an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who slayed Hiranyakashipu) – facing the south
3.     Garuda ( the mount of Lord Krishna) – facing the west
4.     Varaha (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who slayed the demon Hiranyaksha) – facing the north
5.     Hayagriva (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, considered the God of wisdom)– facing upwards

The Panchamukha Hanuman Stuthi is a potent stotra meant to praise each of the five forms. This stotra helps to alleviate troubles and keep evil forces away. It serves as a protection to devotees who chant with utmost faith.

Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya poorva kapi mukhe
Sakala shatru samhaarnaaya swaaha

• The east facing form of Lord Hanuman protects devotees from problems caused by enemies. He provides happiness and fulfills wishes.

Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya dakshina mukhe
Karaala vadanaaya Narasimhaaya sakala bhoota praeta pramadanaaya swaaha

• The south facing form of Lord Narasimha removes all types of fear, sins, unfavorable influences of spirits and demons, and fulfills our wishes.

Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya paschima mukhe
Garudaaya sakala visha haranaaya swaaha

• The west facing form of Lord Garuda removes all types of ailments, negativities, black magic, poison, and fear.

Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya uthara mukhe
Aadivarahaaya sakala sampatkaraaya swaaha

• The north facing form of Lord Varaha provides the ashta aishwarya (eight different forms of wealth).

Om namo bhagavathe panchavadanaaya oordhwa mukhe
Hayagrivaaya sakala jana vasheekaranaaya swaaha

• The upwards facing form of Lord Hayagriva helps devotees attract the goodwill of people. The words of His devotees turn into reality. He bestows them with advancement in seeking knowledge, good company of friends, intelligence, good children, and salvation.

The Panchamukha Hanuman Gayatri can be chanted to overcome obstacles in life.

Om Anjaneyaya Vidmahe Panchavaktraaya Dheemahi
Tanno Hanumath Prachodayaath

The five forms namely Hanuman, Narasimha, Garuda, Varaha, and Hayagriva can also be invoked individually by chanting specific Gayatri mantras.

Hanuman Gayatri:
Shree aanjaneyaya vidmahe mahabalaaya dhimahi tanno Kapi prachodayat
Narasimha Gayatri:
Vajranakhaaya vidmahe tikshanadamshtraya dhimahi tanno Narasimha prachodayat
Garuda Gayatri:
Tatpurushaaya vidmahe suvarna pakshaya dhimahi tanno Garudah prachodayat
Varaha Gayatri:
Om dhanurdharaya vidmahe vakradamshyara dhimahi tanno Varaha: prachodayat
Hayagriva Gayatri:
Om vaagishwaraaya vidmahe Hayagrivaaya dhimahi tanno hangsa prachodayaat

If you are troubled by evil influences, and want to seek protection from fears, enemies, and the occult, Panchamukha Hanuman is the God for you. He protects those who seek refuge in Him.

Ram -Sita family tree

Lord Rama Gothra and Pravara – Vaasishta, Maitravaruna, Koudinya Traya Risheya pravaranvita

Vaasishta gothrodbhava --- Raghu Mahaaraja Varmana Napthree (great grandson) – Aja Mahaaraja Varmana Pouthraya (grandson) – Dasaradha Mahaaraja Varmana Puthraya (son) – Sakshat Naarayana Swarupasya Shri Ramachandra Parabrahmane varaaya....

Goddess Sita Devi Gothra and Pravara – Aangirasa, Ayaasya, Gowthama Traya Risheya

Pravaranvita Gowthamasa Gothrodbhaveem --- Swarnaroma Mahaaraja Varmana Napthreem (great granddaughter) – Hrasva Roma Mahaaraja Varmana Powthreem (granddaughter) – Janaka Mahaaraja Puthreem (daughter) – Sakshat Mahaa Lakshmi Swaroopineem Shri Seetha Devi Namneem Kanyaam.

Ram :

The sacred aim of Religion is to remind man of his divine origin and help to lead

him back to God .The Avatar descends to the level of the human to bless

and rescue those who cannot rise to the level of the Divine.The Divine

manifests His powers according to the needs, the circumstances and the conditions prevailing at

a particular time or place.

One Such Avatar is Lord Shri Rama .Rama Sacrificied the Throne and went to woods to honour his Father's words .Rama sent away Sita to the forest out of a feeling that the washer-man's comment might be an indication of the unspoken feelings of many others among his subjects.Rama stands out as an ideal ruler intensely responsive to the wishes of the people.Men of character, who are totally free from self-interest should occupy the seats of power .Rama demonstrated the deal relation that should exist between the ruler and the ruled.

The Ramayana is a work which holds out ideals for every home and every family. What should

be the relations between a father and a son, how should a husband and wife conduct themselves,

how should brothers behave towards each other, what should be the relations between the rulers

and the citizens, how should sisters-in-law conduct themselves--all these are exemplified in the

story of the Rama-Avatar .The Ramayana, thus, must be looked upon as a great work from which one can learn how each member in a family should conduct himself or herself righteously and lead an ideal life.

 The Ideal son: He always obeyed His parents; at times even advised the elders.

The Ideal brother: Rama-Lakshman's love is cited as the ideal of brotherly love.

The Ideal husband: He was devoted to His one and only wife. Kings, then, use to have many wives.

The Ideal friend : He helped Sugreev, Vibhishana and many others during their difficult times.

The Ideal King : He followed all codes of conduct for Kings as laid down in our scriptures.

The Ideal Enemy : Vibhishana refused to perform the last rites of Ravana, his brother. Lord Rama said to him, ''If you do not do it, I will. He was my brother too!''

Maryadapurushottam : He represents the Supreme extent of Righteousness.

Sri Rama Rama Rameti, Rame Rame Manorame;
Sahasrenama Tattulyam, Rama Nama Varanane

Dharbe Significance

This article is to focus on significance of one of the practices widely used by Indian Brahmins all over  : using a Holy Grass named Dharbham or Dharbai. The botonical name is Eragrostis cynosuroides and Hindi they call as Kus or Kusha. Brahmins use this Darbai grass in all functions, auspicious or inauspicious. A performing person needs to wear a ring made of this Dharbham. But many have lost the reason of why it is to be used in the first place.

 A medical practitioner,  took out a bunch of the Dharbham once, went straight to the clinic to take an x-ray of his palm, by covering his hand with the Dharbham. To his utter surprise, he found that the grass absorbed about 60% of the (x-ray) radiation!
When the so powerful X-ray radiation can be absorbed by the Holy Grass, why can it not absorb the ill-radiations spread over the atmosphere? While chanting and reciting some Vedic phrases and
versus, one needs to wear a ring made of Dharbham on his right hand ring finger. This is most essential, while performing all the rituals, such as Agni Santhanam, Thiru-Aaradhanam, all sorts of
Havans known as Homam etc.

The count of leaves depends upon the function that is held viz.: for some functions related to death only Single leaf Dharbham is used; for Auspicious and daily routine a ring made of two leaves is
used; for inauspicious but not death related functions, (i.e. Amavasya Tharppanam,Pithru Pooja etc) a three leaf Dharbham ring is used. And for the Temple Prayer and Pooja, a Four-leaf Dharbham ring is used.

Also, when a fire ritual known as Agni Santhana is performed, these Dharbham are spread all the four sides of the Agni Kundam. Also, during the Eclipse time, these Dharbham are used to cover all food items to protect them from the harmful ultra violet radiation.

Whenever any function is held, firstly they perform a site-cleansing act known as "Sudhhi Punyaahavachanam". While reciting the selective versus, they hold the Dharbham bunch in their hand and placing the tip point of it over the vessel containing water. Thus the recited vibration values are absorbed by water in the vessel through the Dharbham.

They found that the Holy Grass known as Dharbham has the highest value in conducting the phonetic vibrations through its tip. Later, they sprinkle the Holy water at every nook and corner of the place,where the function is held. A Dharbham without the tip is considered of no value, as the conductor-type value is lost in it

Cocunut Breaking : Significance

Why Hindus break Coconut in Temple?

Everyone know that its ritual to break coconut but not many of us know why? Here is the reason behind it.
Hindus believe that the coconut is the purest form of offering that one can render unto God. The fruit is unique in many respects.The sweet, nectar-like water that it holds is pure and untouched by the human hand.It is drawn by the tree from its very base to its highest level.

The coarsely-knit outer fibres of the coconut represent the jealousy, greed, lust, selfishness and other vices of man, which must be broken up and removed if one is to penetrate and reach the white inner purity and thereafter taste the sweet untouched nectar of spiritual purity and bliss.
No other fruit has the three distinct, eyes of the coconut.

These symbolise the Trinity of Evolution - Creation, Preservation and Dissolution. The eyes also represent the three eyes of man - the two physical eyes plus the third or 'inner eye' which is the mind's eye or conscience.Only this 'inner eye' can penetrate the false, outer facade and reach the ultimate truth. It alone distinguishes right from wrong.

The composition of the coconut is characteristic of the three elements of man.

1.  The hard, outer shell, with its course fibres, represent the physical composition.
2.  The inner white fruit represents man's psychological element, and
3.  The untouched water signifies his spiritual composition.

Having been offered to God, by way of prayer, the coconut is then eaten by the people as blessed food or prasadh in the belief that it has now received divine vibrations from God and will therefore give them good health and prosperity.

Laxmi -Vishnu Image Significance

Who are the Ashtalakshmi's?

Eight forces are recognized in the Hindu shastras, each one of which is called a lakshmi and all of them together are called `Astalakshmi`.

These eight forces or energies are-
Sri (Wealth),
Bhu (Earth),
Sarasvati (learning),
Priti (love),
 Kirti (Fame),
Santi (Peace),
Tushti(Pleasure) and
Pushti(Strength).
Vishnu is called Ashta Lakshmi Padhi which means he is the asylum for eight Lakshmis.

In reality Vishnu represents the preservative aspect of the universe, from whom the eight forces are radiated.Since Abstract force is beyond the comprehension of the common people these forces are personified and worshipped as Lakshmis. Worship of Lakshmi is said to bring health, wealth and prosperity.

Symbolism of Lord Vishnu

The 5 headed snake represents the five panchabhutas of nature namely air, water, fire, land and sky . Why the lord selected a snake to rest on?
The answer is that a snake has coiled structure so as the galaxies.
The name of the snake is Anantha which means infinity(brahmaloka).
In a nut shell it symbolizes that the Lord rests in between thousands of galaxies thus involved in the creation using the Panchabhuta.

The conch in Vishnu's hand stands for purity of speech,
The discus or the wheel symbolizes the knowledge of the self (I am the soul, point of light) and of the world-wheel (cycle of 5000 years).
The lotus represents purity of actions or uprightness of practical life and the spirit of detachment.
The mace denotes victory over the five vices: sex-lust, anger, greed, attachment and arrogance.
Two of the arms of Vishnu represent Shri Narayana and the rest two represent Shri Lakshmi.
The crown of light is symbolic of piety and peace and the crown of gold, bedecked with jewels, is an emblem of sovereignty or prosperity.
God Shiva exhorts mankind to adopt Vishnu as their ideal and if they do so, the    y would attain double-crowned sovereignty in Heaven

Chess SetUp = Mahabharatha Battle Formation

An Akshauhini was an ancient battle formation that consisted of 21,870 chariots (Sanskrit ratha); 21,870 elephants; 65,610 cavalry and 109,350 infantry,[1] as per the Mahabharata (Adi Parva 2.15-23). The ratio is 1 chariot : 1 elephant : 3 cavalry : 5 infantry soldiers. In each of these large number groups (65,610, etc.), the digits add up to 18.

It is said that the size of Pandavas‘ army in the Kurukshetra war was 7 akshauhinis, and those of Kauravas 11 akshauhinis. An ‘Akshauhini‘ is a combination of certain count of of elephants, chariots, horses and foot-soldiers.

The count is arrived as follows:
One elephant (Gaj), one chariot (Rath), three horses (Ashwa) and five foot soldiers (Padhat) form a Patti;
Three Pattis form a Sena-Mukha; three Sena-Mukhas make a Gulma; three Gulmas a Gana;
three Ganas a Vahini;three Vahinis a Pruthana;three Pruthanas a Chamu;three Chamus a Anikini;
ten Anikinis form a Akshauhini. Thus an Akshauhini, by calculation, contains 21,870 elephants, 21,870 chariots, 65,610 Horses, and 109,350 foot soldiers.

Kuru Army: of 11 Akshauhinis is formed by the kingdom of Hastinapura in alliance with races like the Samshaptakas, Trigartas, the Narayana army, the Sindhu army and Shalya of Madra.  

Commanders in Chief: Bhishma (10 days), Drona (5 days), Karna (2 days), Shalya (1 day), Ashwathama (after Duryodhan loses the mace match with Bhim)
Atirathi: Somadatta, Bhurishravas, Bhagadatta, Jayadratha, Kritavarma, Shakuni, 99 brothers of Duryodhana  
Maharathi: Ashwathama, Shrutyudha, Shalya, Duryodhana, Kripacharya  
Atimaharathi: Bhishma,Drona,Karna.

Kaurava Army and Duryodhana's side:   

    Bhagdatta the veteran - 1 Akshauhini  
    Salya, king of Madra - 1 Akshauhini  
    Bhoorisravas - 1 Akshauhini  
    Kritavarma (Krishna's Narayani sena of Yadavas) - 1 Akshauhini  
    Jayadratha (Saindhava) - 1 Akshauhini  
    Sudakshina, king of Kambhoja - 1 Akshauhini (has Yavanas & Sakas in his troops)  
    Vinda and Anuvinda (from Avanti) - 1 Akshauhini  
    Nila, of Mahishmati - 1 Akshauhini (from south)  
    Five Kekaya brothers - 1 Akshauhini  
    Kuru's own army and others - 2 Akshauhinis all put together (some say 3 divisions)

Pandava Army: is a coalition of 7 Akshauhinis, primarily the Panchala and Matsya forces, the Rakshasa forces of Bhima's son, and Vrishni-Yadava heroes.  

Commanders in Chief: Dhristadyumna  
    Atirathi: Ghatotkacha, Satyaki, Yuyutsu, Dhrupad, Viraat, Uttar  
    Maharathi: Bhima, Abhimanyu,Nakul,Sahadev,Yudhistra,Dristadyumna.  
    Atimaharathi: Arjuna.  
    Mahamaharathi:Krishna

Pandava Army and their Allies:  

    Satyaki of the Vrishni clan - 1 Akshauhini  
    Yuyudhana - 1 Akshauhini  
    Dhrishtaketu, king of Chedis - 1 Akshauhini  
    Jayatsena, son of Jarasandha - 1 Akshauhini (from Magadha) -- (Jarasandha, was slain by Arjuna and Bhima earlier, on Krishna's advice to neutralize Duryodhana's most powerful ally (father-in-law of Sisupal) and his son made ruler of Magadh for this assistance in the Kurukshetra War)
    Drupada with his sons - 1 Akshauhini  
    Virata the king of Matsya - 1 Akshauhini  
    Assorted allies - 1 Akshauhini (Pandya etc.)

Levels of Warrior Excellence:    

 Mahamaharathi: A chariot warrior capable of fighting 24 Atimaharathi warriors simultaneously. No warrior has attained this status, not least because there have never been 24 Atimaharathi warriors at the same time, but, warriors who can be called Mahamaharathis are the various incarnations of Vishnu, like Rama and Krishna
Atimaharathi: A chariot warrior capable of fighting 12 Maharathi warriors simultaneously. Vali, Kartavirya Arjuna, Ravana, Parashurama, Jambavan, Bhisma, Karna, Arjuna, Dronacharya and Indrajit are Atimaharathis.  
Maharathi: A chariot warrior capable of fighting 60,000 warriors simultaneously; circumspect in his mastery of all forms of weapons and combat skills. Yudhistra, Bhim, Nakul, Sahadev, Abhimanyu, Satyaki, Dhristadyumna, Shalya, Duryodhana, Kripacharya, Ashwathama,Kamsa,Jarasandha and Banasur were Maharathis.  
Atirathi: A chariot warrior capable of contending with 10,000 warriors simultaneously. Yuyutsu, Drupada, Virata, Uttar, Shikandhi, Dushashana, Vikarna, Jayadratha and Shakuni were Atirathis.

This setup is preserved in the game of chess.