HOW I DO PUJA - MONDAY

Om Namo Vishnu Om Namo Vishnu Om Namo Vishnu

Apavitrah pavitro va Sarava avastham gato pi va
Yah smaret pundarikaksm sa bahya abhyantarah suchi

Aum Vakra Thunda Mahaakaaya
Soorya Kodi Samap Prabha
Nirvignam Kurume Dheva
Sarva Kaaryeshu Sarvadhaa

Aum Shreem Gam Ganapathaye Namaha (3x)

Diya Lighting Mantra

Subham Karoti Kalyanam
Arogyam Dhana Sampadah
Su Buddhi abhivridaaya
Deepa Jyotir Namostute

After lighting the lamp, chant the below prayer

Deepajyothi Parabrahma
Deepajyothi Janardhana
Deepo me hara tu paapam
Deepa Jyothir Namostuthe

Aum Shadaananam Kungkuma Raktha Varnam
Mahaamathim Dhivya Mayoora Vaahanam
Rudhrasya Soonum Surasanya Naatham
Guham Sadhaaham Sharanam Prabathye

Om Dut Purushaya Vidhmahe
Maha Senaya Dheemahe
Tanno Shanmuga Prachodayaath.

Aum Shreem Saum Sham Sharavanabhavaaya Subramanyam (3x)

Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu
Gurur Dhevo Maheshvaraha
Guru Satshaath Para Brahma
Tasmai Sri Gurave Namaha

Aum gum gurubyo namaha (3x)

Aum Thrayambakam Yajaamahe
Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam
Uruvaarukamiva Bhandhanaan
Mrithyor Muksheeya Maamruthaath

Aum Hreem Namashivaaya (3x)

Shiva Manas Pooja

Ratnaiḥ kalpitamāsanam himajalaiḥ snānam ca divyāmbaram
nānāratnavibhūṣitam mṛgamadā modānkitam candanam|
jātichampakabilvapatraracitam puṣpam ca dhūpam tathā
dīpam deva dayānidhe paśupate hṛtkalpitam gṛhyatām||1|

Sauvarṇe navaratnakhaṇḍaracite pātre ghṛtaṁ pāyasaṁ
bhakṣyaṁ pañcavidhaṁ payodadhiyutaṁ rambhāphalaṁ pānakam|
Śākānāmayutaṁ jalaṁ rucikaraṁ karpūrakhaṇḍojjvalam
tāmbūlaṁ manasā mayā viracitam bhaktyā prabho svīkuru||2|

Chatraṁ cāmarayoryugaṁ vyajanakaṁ cādarśakaṁ nirmalaṁ
vīṇābherimṛdaṅgakāhalakalā gītaṁ ca nṛtyaṁ tathā|
Sāṣṭāṅgaṁ praṇatiḥ stutirbahuvidhā hyetatsamastaṁ mayā
saṅkalpena samarpitaṁ tava vibho pūjāṁ gṛhāṇa prabho||3||

Ātmā tvaṁ girijā matiḥ sahacarāḥ prāṇāḥ śarīraṁ gṛhaṁ
pūjā te viṣayopabhogaracanā nidrā samādhisthitiḥ|
Sañcāraḥ padayoḥ pradakṣiṇavidhiḥ stotrāṇi sarvā giro yadyatkarma karomi tattadakhilaṁ śambho tavārādhanam||4||

Karacaraṇakṛtaṁ vākkāyajaṁ karmajaṁ vā śravaṇanayanajaṁ vā mānasaṁ vāparādham| Vihitamavihitaṁ vā sarvametatkṣamasva jaya jaya karuṇābdhe śrīmahādeva śambho||5||

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Aum Vasudeva Sudham Dhevam
Kamsa Cha Noora Mardhanam
Devaki Paramaanandham
Krishnan Vanthe Jagath Gurum

Aum Namo Bhagavade Vaasudevaaya (3x)

Om Daasharthaye Vidmahe Sita Vallabhaya Dhimahi
Tanno Ramah Prachodayat

Om Sri Ramachandraya Namah (3x)

Aum Bhur Bhuva Swaha
Tat Savithur Varenyam
Bhargo Dhevasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yona Prachodayaath (3x)

Aum soorya grahaaya sathagaya swaha
Aum Chandra sathagaya swaha
Aum anggara grahaaya sathagaya swaha
Aum budha grahaaya sathagaya swaha
Aum guru grahaaya sathagaya swaha
Aum sukra grahaaya sathagaya swaha
Aum saneeswara grahaaya sathagaya swaha
Aum ragu grahaaya sathagaya swaha
Aum kethu grahaaya sathagaya swaha

candraḥ

dathiśaṅña tuṣārābhaṃ kṣīrārṇava samudbhavam
namāmi śaśinaṃ somaṃ śambhor-makuṭa bhūṣaṇam ||

Chandra gayatri (Moon)
om padmadhwajaaya vidmahae
hema rupaaya dheemahi
tanno soma: prachodayaat

Aum shree aum durga aum Hari aum mahalakshmi namaha

Thirumaal maarbil vaazhum lakshmi Sree vaikundam aalum lakshmi
Thevargal pottrum maha lakshmi Thiruvarul puriya veettauukku vaa

Aum sarva mangala maangalye Shive sarvaartha saathike
Sharanye thriyambike gowri Naraayani namosthuthe

Aum dhum dhurkaayai namaha
Aum shreem mahalakshimiyai namaha 
Aum aim sarasvathyai namaha

Namasthethu mahaa maayae sri peedae sura poojithae
Sangu chakra gadhaa hasthe mahalakshi namosthuthe
Namasthe garudaaroode kolaasura bayankari
Sarva paapa hare devi mahaalakshi namosthuthe
Sarvaknye sarva varadhe sarva dhushta bayankari
Sarva dhuka hara devi mahaalakshmi namosthuthe
Sidhi budhi prathe devi bukthi mukthi pradhaayani
Manthra moorthe sadhaa devi mahaalakshmi namosthuthe
Aathyantha rahithe devi aadhi shakthi maheswari
Yogagnye yoga sambhoothe mahalakshmi namosthuthe
Sthoola sookshma mahaa rauthre mahaa sakthi mahothare
Mahaa paapa hare devi mahaalakshmi namosthuthe
Pathmaasana sthithe devi para brahma svaroopini
Parameshi jagan mathaha mahalakshmi namosthuthe
Shvethaam barathare devi nanaa alankaara booshithe
Jagasthithe jagan mathaha mahaalakshmi namosthuthe
Mahalakshmi ashtaga sthothram yap padeth bhakthi maanaraha
Sarva siddhi mavaapnothi rajyam praapnothi sarvadha
Eka kaalam pade nithyam mahaa paapa vinaashanam
Thwi kaalam yaha pade nithyam dhana dhaanya samanvithaha
Thri kaalam yaha pade nithyam maha shathru vinaashanam
Mahaalakshmi bhave nithyam prasaana varathaa subaa

Aum shreem hreem shreem kamale kamalaalaye Praseedha praseedha
Shreem hreem shreem aum mahaalakshmiyai namaha (3x)

Aum shreem hreem kleem  Kamaladharani mahaalakshmi swaha (3x)

Aum mahaalakshmi namaha
Aum gajalakshmi namaha
Aum jayalakshmi namaha
Aum dhanalakshmi namaha
Aum santhaanalakshmi namaha
Aum seethalakshmi namaha
Aum dhairyalakshmi namaha 
Aum dhaanyalakshmi namaha
Aum vidhyaalakshmi namaha
Aum mahaavishnu mahaalakshmi namaha (3x)

ulagellam niraintha thaaye
ellaa uyirum nee,
ella selvamum nee,
ellavatraiyum nadathuvadhum neeye.
unadhu arul eppothum enggalai kaathu nitkirathu.
intha unmaiyai naangal unara arul purivaai amma.

pasikku unavaavaai. parugum neer aavaai. noiku marundhaavai.
irul pokum oliye, varumai neekum selvame,
thavamum gnanamum unadhu nal kodaigal.
anbum aramum unadhu arungkalai padaipugal.
annaiye aadhishakthiye,

unnil piranthu unnil valarum ennai unadhaaki uyya arul purivaai amma.
om tat sat!

arut perum jothi arut perum jothi
thani perum karunai arut perum jothi (3x)

Naivethyam
brahmaarparnam brahmahavir brahmaagnor brahmanaahutham
brahmaivatena gandhavyam brahma karma samaadhinaha

aum praanaaya swaaha aum apaanaaya swaaha aum vyanaaya swaaha
aum udhaaanaaya swaha aum samaanaaya swaha aum brahmane swaaha

aum tat sath brahmaarpanam asthu

Deepam
aum anthar jyothi bahir jothi prathyak jyothi kparaath paraha
aathma jyothir swayam jyothir jyothir jyothir shivosmiyaham (3x)

Om yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishvaranaya
Dhana Dhanyathi Pathayae
Dhana Dhanya Samruthime
Dehi Dapaya swaha!

aum mahaalakshmi rave
aum makaalilakshmi raave
aum dheenalakshmi rave
sarva poorani panjaaksharee
loka ratchagi sarva sambathu ratchagi  
nin paadhaara vindham sambathu ratchagi
nin paadhaara vindham sharanam
panjaatchara roopi vashyam vasyam
shiva shreeyum reeyum vang swaha

aum yakshyaaya kuberaaya
vaishravanaye dhana dhaanya athipathe
dhana dhanya samruthe dehi
dhaa abhaya swaha

Om Shreem Om Hreem Shreem Hreem,
Kleem Shreem Kleem
Vitteshwaraay Namaha

aum ashtalakshmi namaha //aum kuberaaya namaha (3x)

health (chant in water and drink)(3x)
aum shreem hreem kleem kamalatharani nithya pushtayai namaha
aum shreem danvanthriyai namaha
aum shreem aswani devathayai namaha

aum sarveshaam swastir bhavathu sarveshaam shantir bhavathu
sarveshaam poornam bhavathu sarveshaam mangalam bhavathu

Aum Saha Naavavathu Saha Nau Bhunakthu

Saha Veeryam Karavaa Vahai Thejasvi
Naava Theetha Mastu Maa Vithvishaavahai

Om Shanthi...Shanthi...Shanthi...

 

HOW I DO PUJA - SUNDAY

Om Namo Vishnu Om Namo Vishnu Om Namo Vishnu

Apavitrah pavitro va Sarava avastham gato pi va
Yah smaret pundarikaksm sa bahya abhyantarah suchi

Aum Vakra Thunda Mahaakaaya
Soorya Kodi Samap Prabha
Nirvignam Kurume Dheva
Sarva Kaaryeshu Sarvadhaa

Aum Shreem Gam Ganapathaye Namaha (3x)

Diya Lighting Mantra

Subham Karoti Kalyanam
Arogyam Dhana Sampadah
Su Buddhi abhivridaaya
Deepa Jyotir Namostute

After lighting the lamp, chant the below prayer

Deepajyothi Parabrahma
Deepajyothi Janardhana
Deepo me hara tu paapam
Deepa Jyothir Namostuthe

Aum Shadaananam Kungkuma Raktha Varnam
Mahaamathim Dhivya Mayoora Vaahanam
Rudhrasya Soonum Surasanya Naatham
Guham Sadhaaham Sharanam Prabathye

Om Dut Purushaya Vidhmahe
Maha Senaya Dheemahe
Tanno Shanmuga Prachodayaath.

Aum Shreem Saum Sham Sharavanabhavaaya Subramanyam (3x)

Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu
Gurur Dhevo Maheshvaraha
Guru Satshaath Para Brahma
Tasmai Sri Gurave Namaha

Aum gum gurubyo namaha (3x)

Aum Thrayambakam Yajaamahe
Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam
Uruvaarukamiva Bhandhanaan
Mrithyor Muksheeya Maamruthaath

Aum Hreem Namashivaaya (3x)

Aum Vasudeva Sudham Dhevam
Kamsa Cha Noora Mardhanam
Devaki Paramaanandham
Krishnan Vanthe Jagath Gurum

Aum Namo Bhagavade Vaasudevaaya (3x)

Om Daasharthaye Vidmahe Sita Vallabhaya Dhimahi
Tanno Ramah Prachodayat

Om Sri Ramachandraya Namah (3x)

Aum Bhur Bhuva Swaha
Tat Savithur Varenyam
Bhargo Dhevasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yona Prachodayaath (3x)

Aum soorya grahaaya sathagaya swaha
Aum Chandra sathagaya swaha
Aum anggara grahaaya sathagaya swaha
Aum budha grahaaya sathagaya swaha
Aum guru grahaaya sathagaya swaha
Aum sukra grahaaya sathagaya swaha
Aum saneeswara grahaaya sathagaya swaha
Aum ragu grahaaya sathagaya swaha
Aum kethu grahaaya sathagaya swaha

Surya

“Japaa Kusumasankasham Kasyapeyam Maha Dhyuthim
Thamorim Sarvapaapghnam Pranatosmi Divakaram”

Surya Gayatri

Om Bhaskaraya Vidhmahe
Diva karaya Dheemahe
Thanno Surya Prachodayath.

Aum shree aum durga aum Hari aum mahalakshmi namaha

Thirumaal maarbil vaazhum lakshmi Sree vaikundam aalum lakshmi
Thevargal pottrum maha lakshmi Thiruvarul puriya veettauukku vaa

Aum sarva mangala maangalye Shive sarvaartha saathike
Sharanye thriyambike gowri Naraayani namosthuthe

Aum dhum dhurkaayai namaha
Aum shreem mahalakshimiyai namaha 
Aum aim sarasvathyai namaha

Namasthethu mahaa maayae sri peedae sura poojithae
Sangu chakra gadhaa hasthe mahalakshi namosthuthe
Namasthe garudaaroode kolaasura bayankari
Sarva paapa hare devi mahaalakshi namosthuthe
Sarvaknye sarva varadhe sarva dhushta bayankari
Sarva dhuka hara devi mahaalakshmi namosthuthe
Sidhi budhi prathe devi bukthi mukthi pradhaayani
Manthra moorthe sadhaa devi mahaalakshmi namosthuthe
Aathyantha rahithe devi aadhi shakthi maheswari
Yogagnye yoga sambhoothe mahalakshmi namosthuthe
Sthoola sookshma mahaa rauthre mahaa sakthi mahothare
Mahaa paapa hare devi mahaalakshmi namosthuthe
Pathmaasana sthithe devi para brahma svaroopini
Parameshi jagan mathaha mahalakshmi namosthuthe
Shvethaam barathare devi nanaa alankaara booshithe
Jagasthithe jagan mathaha mahaalakshmi namosthuthe
Mahalakshmi ashtaga sthothram yap padeth bhakthi maanaraha
Sarva siddhi mavaapnothi rajyam praapnothi sarvadha
Eka kaalam pade nithyam mahaa paapa vinaashanam
Thwi kaalam yaha pade nithyam dhana dhaanya samanvithaha
Thri kaalam yaha pade nithyam maha shathru vinaashanam
Mahaalakshmi bhave nithyam prasaana varathaa subaa

Aum shreem hreem shreem kamale kamalaalaye Praseedha praseedha
Shreem hreem shreem aum mahaalakshmiyai namaha (3x)

Aum shreem hreem kleem  Kamaladharani mahaalakshmi swaha (3x)

Aum mahaalakshmi namaha
Aum gajalakshmi namaha
Aum jayalakshmi namaha
Aum dhanalakshmi namaha
Aum santhaanalakshmi namaha
Aum seethalakshmi namaha
Aum dhairyalakshmi namaha 
Aum dhaanyalakshmi namaha
Aum vidhyaalakshmi namaha
Aum mahaavishnu mahaalakshmi namaha (3x)

ulagellam niraintha thaaye
ellaa uyirum nee,
ella selvamum nee,
ellavatraiyum nadathuvadhum neeye.
unadhu arul eppothum enggalai kaathu nitkirathu.
intha unmaiyai naangal unara arul purivaai amma.

pasikku unavaavaai. parugum neer aavaai. noiku marundhaavai.
irul pokum oliye, varumai neekum selvame,
thavamum gnanamum unadhu nal kodaigal.
anbum aramum unadhu arungkalai padaipugal.
annaiye aadhishakthiye,
unnil piranthu unnil valarum ennai unadhaaki
uyya arul purivaai amma.
om tat sat!

arut perum jothi arut perum jothi
thani perum karunai arut perum jothi (3x)

Naivethyam
brahmaarparnam brahmahavir brahmaagnor brahmanaahutham
brahmaivatena gandhavyam brahma karma samaadhinaha

aum praanaaya swaaha aum apaanaaya swaaha aum vyanaaya swaaha
aum udhaaanaaya swaha aum samaanaaya swaha aum brahmane swaaha

aum tat sath brahmaarpanam asthu

Deepam
aum anthar jyothi bahir jothi prathyak jyothi kparaath paraha
aathma jyothir swayam jyothir jyothir jyothir shivosmiyaham (3x)

Om yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishvaranaya
Dhana Dhanyathi Pathayae
Dhana Dhanya Samruthime
Dehi Dapaya swaha!

aum mahaalakshmi rave
aum makaalilakshmi raave
aum dheenalakshmi rave
sarva poorani panjaaksharee
loka ratchagi sarva sambathu ratchagi  
nin paadhaara vindham sambathu ratchagi
nin paadhaara vindham sharanam
panjaatchara roopi vashyam vasyam
shiva shreeyum reeyum vang swaha

aum yakshyaaya kuberaaya
vaishravanaye dhana dhaanya athipathe
dhana dhanya samruthe dehi
dhaa abhaya swaha

Om Shreem Om Hreem Shreem Hreem,
Kleem Shreem Kleem
Vitteshwaraay Namaha

aum ashtalakshmi namaha
aum kuberaaya namaha (3x)

health (chant in water and drink)(3x)
aum shreem hreem kleem kamalatharani nithya pushtayai namaha
aum shreem danvanthriyai namaha
aum shreem aswani devathayai namaha

aum sarveshaam swastir bhavathu sarveshaam shantir bhavathu
sarveshaam poornam bhavathu sarveshaam mangalam bhavathu

Aum Saha Naavavathu Saha Nau Bhunakthu

Saha Veeryam Karavaa Vahai Thejasvi
Naava Theetha Mastu Maa Vithvishaavahai

Om Shanthi...Shanthi...Shanthi...

 

'ME' TIME

I like to sneak out some 'ME' time for myself on Sundays. That time is only for myself. It does not include cleaning time, washing, cooking, preparation for the coming week. Other days I am living for others. During this 'ME' time I do what I like to do without thinking about anyone else. I relax, eat, watch TV or cast YouTube videos on TV. I end up doing nothing related to cleaning and postpone those to weekdays. Even I use left over food cooked previous day ie. Saturday. I go for morning walk along with my husband and buy vegetables on the way back.

In the morning I prepare breakfast and two cups of coffee for myself. I take them in tray and have it in bed and watch TV or play games in mobile. I eat it with spoon and fork so that I need not get up from bed to wash hands. One coffee along with breakfast and another after that. If I could have this without any disturbance I feel I am in heaven. I keep everything back on dining table and read book. Mostly I sleep after reading some pages.

I day dream a lot. I take a role that is necessary at that point in time. Suppose I read in papers farmers are suffering because of low return on produce I dream that I hire a truck and pick up the produce and also some of the farmers and take it to city and sell them. I even bring along some trained karate persons to fight with the mafia on the way. I distribute the proceeds among them and treat them with lunch from my pocket.

I get up and finish cooking lunch and eat it around 2:30 and watch TV in bed - mostly movies in Amazon Prime or Netflix. Cable movies has lots of advertisements. Though I have recorder I have to skip advertisements which I hate. I love Bengali movies. They have substance but some end abruptly and you have to decipher the end according to your wishes. But still I like them.

Induction Programme for Daughter-in-Law

Dear All,

Definition of An induction program by Wikipedia

It is the process used within many businesses to welcome new employees to the company and prepare them for their new role. It includes development of theoretical and practical skills, but also meets interaction needs that exist among the new employee.

An employee may or may not continue with the company for long. Even then the companies conduct induction program for the benefits of the company as well as the employee.  Whereas marriage is planned between the couple for lifelong.  Hence if such a program is conducted at the home of bride and the bridegroom,  whether it is arranged or love marriage, fewer incidences of divorces and putting parents at the old age home will occur.

Following are some suggestions and the benefits:

1.     The program should be of one month using four Sundays.  First and third Sunday girl should visit boy’s home. She will meet his parents and his siblings. They will get to know each other – the likes and dislikes, the routines, their beliefs, customs and also about their extended families and friends.  The second and fourth Sunday the boy will meet the girl’s family at her place. 

2.     Benefits:  Boy’s family will be familiar with the girl and will not keep the expectations very high and accept her as she is. Girl will be happy to come to them and will not feel that she is alienated and sacrificed her place for him. When there is no feelings between the girl will see her parents in his parents and then there will be no question of old age for the boy’s parents.

Masala Powders

Masala Powders

No need to buy different variety of masala powders like tadka masala, alu dum, chana masala, chaat masala, sabji masala, sukhto, paneer butter, biryani,  jal jeera, pav bhaji, etc.. Just buy the following for all the cooking and it will save spaces in the shelf:

1)     Haldi (Turmeri) powder

2)      Jeera (Cumin) Powder

3)     Dhania (Coriander) Powder

4)     Mircha (Red Chilly) Powder

5)     Ratanjot (Not for taste but to give pinkish red colour to curry; it should be added in hot oil during tadka or seasoning)

6)     Elaichi (Cardamon) Power

7)     Jaiphal (Nutmeg) powder

8)     Kasuri Methi (Dried fenugreek leaves)

9)     Garam Masala powder

10)Amchur (Dried mango) powder

11)All spice (Oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, marjoram)

12)Bay leaf

13)Cloves

Relationship with motherinlaw

Dear Daughter,

You are lucky that you know your would be mother-in-law (MIL) very well and she is a nice lady.  Though you may not face any problem regarding dowry and other related things you might face problems may be due to your lack of knowledge, behaviour, habits, expectations, etc.  I am giving below some points which might help you:

1.                 NEVER COMPARE YOUR HOME AND YOUR INLAWS

Both are separate entity. Each one has got its own advantages and disadvantages.  You need not praise your home or belittle it.

2.                 GET UP EARLY

Get up early and also go to bed early.  The work you do in the night can be done in the morning also.  Just pick up the dress you are going to wear the next day but do the ironing in the morning.  If you have to study or do some office work do it in the morning.

3.                 PRAYER

Just thank God for everything He has given you and pray that He gives you skill, knowledge and strength for the work that awaits you.

4.                 MAKE COFFEE

First make the coffee decoction. Previous day coffee decoction does not taste as good as fresh. Then boil milk.  Make the coffee for all the members of the family and put it in the flask.  Before putting it in the flask rinse the flask with hot water.  Pick up the flask which can just hold all the coffee not less or more. Then it will be hot till the others get up.  You drink your coffee while playing game or seeing the headlines on your tab. This your own 5-10 mins of the morning time will make you happy and give energy to work for the rest of the day.

5.                 REST OF THE COOKING

Consult with MIL previous night what has to be cooked the next day.  Don’t suggest anything to her. Instead ask whether this way can also be done and which one is more suitable.  Put the ball in her court.  Let her decide.  She will decide the best one only. Just give her the options with explanations.

6.                 CONSULT WITH MIL FOR EVERYTHING

Ask what your husband like to your MIL.  She will be happy. If you want to go to a movie or eat out express your desire to MIL.  Try to make the outing with all the members of the family ie include MIL & FIL also.

Cooking - Basics

How to cook rice

1.       In Pressure Cooker

a)     Use of perforated plate

Pressure cooker cooks fast as water boils at around 115deg Celsius under pressure instead 100 deg Celsius.  If you use high raised utensils you can ignore the perforated plate.  But it is preferable to place the perforated plate at the bottom to avoid toppling of the utensils.

We can keep two or more utensils also; one for rice, another for daal; if the utensils are shallow we can keep another one for vegetables also. Also sometimes some grains and water from the daal e ingredients, mostly water and some grains to fall out of the bowl into the vessel.

Some times, more than one bowl is used for different dishes. In such occasions, they would get mixed up by the above processes. This is undesirable.

Scientific reason (if you interested):  Large steam bubbles are created at the bottom when move up through the perforated plate are broken up into smaller steam bubbles which are less powerful so do not lift the vessels.

b)     Washing of rice

Wash the rice thoroughly till you get clear water or otherwise cooked rice will be sticky.

c)     Quantity of water

Normally 1 cup rice required 2 ½ to 3 cups of water.  While cooking for first time use 2 ¾ cups of water.  If the cooked rice is mushy they add less water ie. 2 ½ if it is dry then  add 3 cups of water in the future. 

d)     No.of whistles

3 whistles are normally required.  If only less rice is used 2 whistles will suffice.

e)     Standing time

At least wait for 15 to 20 mins.  Check the whistle and if it is till releasing steam then wait further.  If you rush to open then the rice will not be fully cooked and it will be watery.

f)      Soaking time

You need not soak day to day rice.  For Basmati long grained rice rinse it thoroughly and then soak it for half an hour and use less water ie. 2 cups per 1 cup of rice for cooking.