Contact with Learned Persons

Meaning: According to the line of Rigved 7/52/1 — "Man must always be in contact with learned persons, and keep alive the discretionary ability to discern truth from the untruth. Only the man who is benevolent like the sun, the earth and 'prana' (the life breath) becomes deserving of greatness.

Message: The deeds in human life are very strange indeed. Whatever a man thinks, he says it by his speech and what he says, he carries out by the body and he gets the result for what he does by his body. If man desires good rewards, he should do good deeds. If he wishes to do good deeds, then he should utter good words. If he wishes that only good words are uttered by him, then he should reform his thinking. Purify his mental processes, and raise his mental level. Man should not worry about controlling his body. The control of the body depends on the control of speech which depends on the control by mind. Therefore the greatest spiritual endeavor is for the control of the mind. Whatever thinking is going on in the mind is reflected in the speech and carried out by the body.

Therefore, we must decide on those mental attitudes on whose basis, humanness can be recognized. Total morality comes within this word 'humanness'. The range of morality is very vast. Therefore to adopt humanness, we will have to cleanse our mental activities.

All the animals living in water, earth and air are busy only in filling their bellies and in procreation. Man is the best amongst all the animals, and yet most men are also found leading the above kind of animal-like life only. Then what is the difference between man and animals? It is not that these animal-like activities are seen in only the uneducated persons. It is in fact found that the educated and the sophisticated people are also very much addicted to bad habits. They do not care at all for truth or untruth, appropriate or inappropriate and shame and restraint. They are able to do any lowly deed merely for satisfying their senses, in their desire for children, for money and for fame. They are not afraid of sins; they have no faith in God's system of rewards (or punishment) for deeds, and have no control of any type on their thinking. Then, how can there be an atmosphere of peace and happiness in life and how can spiritual uplift be possible?

Let us wish that we always remain in contact with knowledgeable and learned persons and develop intelligent discretion. Just as the sun and the earth always work for the welfare of man and they have no selfish interest in it, similarly we too must think of what is proper and improper. We should try to involve ourselves in deeds of welfare of all creatures on this earth. In this way bad thoughts and bad culture will not be able to overwhelm us.

Man's humanness lies in this only.

Aadityqaso aditayaha syaam

poordevatra vasavo martyatra

sanem mitraavarunaa sananto

bhavem dhyavapruthivi bhavantaha. (Rigved 7/52/1)

An Ignorant Man Suffer From Disease

Meaning: An ignorant man suffers from disease and sorrow by being greedy but a religious man by spreading knowledge and wisdom liberates himself as well as others from the shackles of this mundane world.

Message: Fire is the source of light. It is also the source of energy. Fire is lighted in Yagya for the bestowal of light and the flame of knowledge. Only a wise, knowledgeable person can light this meaningful fire. It reflects the inner desire of the 'yagyakarta' that he becomes 'prabhuddaha' (wise with knowledge) and alert or awakened. The feeling of liveliness, alertness and surrender is awakened in the mind. The yagyakarta tries to make the holy-fire his friend by establishing oneness with it. By that it means that one has to imbibe the fire's qualities within himself to make the fire-God his friend. By leading an 'agnimay' and 'yagyamay' life the darkness of ignorance vanishes and awakening and light are obtained and thus the road to success in human-life gets opened up.

One meaning of 'agni' is also God the embodiment of light. God is all knowing, omnipresent and the source of knowledge. Man becomes pure, religious, mentally sharp, lustrous and influential and divine qualities enter a man in closeness to God.

If we maintain deep devotion for God by keeping Him, the Supreme Father as our ideal and make him our companion, then there is no fear afterwards. When He is with us, then nothing untoward can happen. But all sorts of difficulties march towards us if He is not with us and if we are deprived of His grace. It is a fact that He is with us, within us, but the sorry fact is that we are not within Him. The activity of a real devotee should be that only, that he should always be with Him just as He is always with us, within us.

In this manner with divine knowledge, the darkness of all round ignorance is dispelled and man becomes free form the bind of attachment, possessiveness, greed etc. An ignorant person is perpetually busy in selfish, fulfillment and immersed in greed and temptations. Greed means the with to obtain others' money without exertion. Greed is a bad affection; it is the root of all sins and wickedness. All sins are born from greed. A greedy person does not recognize the relationship of his mother; father, brother, sister, friend, or anyone. He does not hesitate even to kill them for money. In the grip of greed, a man becomes a demon and carries our despicable deeds. He forgets that material means never accompanied a man after his death, nor will they in future also. Does money accompany a dead man? It remains behind only.

Only with devotion and real knowledge can a religious man enlighten his life. Even once if we are able to hear the voice of conscience, then we will not have to waste this invaluable human life. Doubtless, there will be ups and downs in our spiritual journey but we should not be disappointed because of that. We should adopt an optimistic attitude and courageously go on striving. Only then, freeing ourselves from materialistic binds, shall we be able to attain salvation and inspire others also to go on the good path.

Where is God

The element of religion can't be found in the mirage of rituals, cults or communal doctrines and rites. If you are true seeker, want to adopt religion in the truest sense, you must first introspect and sincerely analyze your aspirations, interests, habits and behavior to whether and to what extent these might trouble or hurt others or hinder their justified rights ….. You must restrain and curtail the tendencies of selfish possession, passions for sensual pleasures and ruthlessness and insensitivity to others. Simultaneously, the altruistic tendencies and sentiments of kindness, generosity, love; amity, feeling of service, sharing and cooperation should be cultivated and enhanced consistently. The only measure of one's religiousness is - the less one's selfishness and the more his/her altruism, the greater is his/her religiousness and spirituality. It is only through this path of religiousness that the individual self realizes higher realms of divine grace and salvation.

The major cause of all misery, adversities and sufferings in the world is that - knowingly or unknowingly, people do not behave with others in a manner, which they expect and like others to behave. This disparity of - "different weight used in the same balance for being and for selling" is the root of all mistrusts, conflicts and animosity. Ego, avarice and selfishness make one blind and debauch from the pa th of religion. If you do what your conscience would not allow, or what you would not like someone else doing to you, then you are committing a sin. So be vigilant towards your ambitions, attitude and actions.

Many of us feel an inner urge to find God. We also make several attempts, but find no clues .HE is said to be Omnipresent, so HE should be everywhere? Then why despite our devoted efforts, we can't find him anywhere? Some people spend lot of wealth and all their time in religious rituals and activities aimed at HIS search but remain in the void. Some get frustrated and lose faith in HIS existence. Who is right? What is the truth?

Well, the universal fact is - God is Eternal, Omnipresent. The flaw is in your approach. You can't find him by worldly attempts or by any ascetic means either. It is only a pure heart full of love that can feel and find God. Learn to love the soul, love every one, every thing around you. You don't have to renounce the world and go to the forests or high mountaintops, or spend time and resources in any sacrament to experience HIS light. HE is everywhere, so rest assured, HE is also near you, within you. Where? Within your soul. Have you ever bothered to listen to the voice of your soul? No! This is why you are not able to experience God.

Just think, who governs your life force, who inspires auspicious sentiments or motivate you for noble deeds? Whose voice is that which warns you against doing something wrong or harming someone? You may ignore that inner voice. But that is the voice of God indwelling in your inner self. It is only in the deeper depths of your own self that you can find HIM.

You Hold the Key to Perfect Life

What could be more abominable and disdainful than a human life spend like that of bees or dogs buzzing and sticking around the rubbish of sinful tendencies or running madly in greed to lick the dirt of sensual lust. That ascent or "success" of human life is useless and scornful which grows like a tree of dates, offering no shadow or shelter to anyone. What to say of the prosperous life, which is spent like a snake in guarding the possessions, which is all the time occupied in fulfilling selfish ambitions? They are really pitiable who are ignorant and waste the precious opportunity of being born as humans - which even gods aspire to attain… Their acts are like selling invaluable pearls for mere pieces of colored glass and shining stones. The will have nothing but the sufferings of the sins and flaws and repenting in the end….

So, awaken "O" human being, and recognize the greatness of your life. Live a life worth its dignity; do something that leaves out glorious marks being you, which others could follow with grace. Do something, which could provide some light to the future generations. Truthfulness, honesty, loving and kind attitude, benevolence, tolerance, firmness, fairness, self-retrain, are the virtues of humanity which every human being could adopt irrespective of his or her intellectual level or social circumstances etc. These are the real treasure, real beauty and real honors of human life.

"We are there where destiny has brought us… What to do our fate is written badly; every one is against us, no circumstances favor us or do any good to us. It is our ill omen… etc" - the thoughts of this kind are worse than what adversities or bad luck could be. this kind of thinking reflects one's lack of faith in his own potentials, his infirmity, ignorance lethargy, or cowardice. this kind of negative thinking has ruined many lives….

You should have faith in your soul. This will help you cultivate the seeds of courage, optimism and vivacity in your inner spirit. Don't sit idle; even cleaning the house or arranging things in order is a good work to change your moods. Begin with small, short-time resolution and apply all your energy and efforts to accomplish them; this will boost your morale drastically and pave the way for greater endeavors.

It is only you who could make yourself happy. When you think and attempt for inner content and happiness, it indeed rejuvenates your mind. On the contrary, when you are anguished or frustrated, everything around, all circumstances appear depressing and unfavorable. This state of mind evaporates your vital energy and zeal and hampers your self-confidence without you noticing it.

Think positively; think of power, love goodwill and inner strength. Look at the lives of the great personalities, the intrepid worriers, capabilities to eliminate your poverty, your weakness and adversities, you only need to recognize this fact and change your attitude and routine accordingly.

Improve the State of Your Life

Getting rid of habits is almost an impossible task for most people. These seem to become stronger with time and carry tremendous force of attraction. One gets driven by his old habits. The magnetic force of one's tendencies attracts compatible thoughts, friends, circumstances and things, which further strengthen the corresponding habits. Habits thus expand their roots and eventually influence one's intrinsic character too.

The firm roots of old habit don't let the seed of new ones, of different nature, grow. … One therefore fails in adopting new, better habits and loses hopes of improvement. This is not the right approach. If you were to uproot an old habit, you must first understand that it is only you who had sown it; it is because of your inclination, interest and long term practice that it became a part of your nature. It will require at least half the time to weaken it; so have patience and continue your efforts of uprooting it by the carrot and stick approach.

Be alert! Warn and punish yourself for repeating it and at the same time divert your interest towards the new, improved creative activities. Encourage and reward your mind for every success in this attempt. Change your routine, change your company and most importantly change your attitude and thoughts. Ponder over elevated thoughts; confidence and zeal to upbeat your strive and prepare the grounds for inculcation of virtuous habits.

If you vow to refine and elevate your thinking and thereby transform the inner domains of your life, the status of your external life will also ascend. Gradually you will attain all your deserving goals successfully and gracefully.

If you are entrapped by the mental aberrations and weaknesses like anger, anxiety, jealous, greed, or depression, etc, you should forget about achieving something worth in life. You should first overcome these deficiencies of your mind and have sound health and mental and physical activity.

Always think positively. Think about making the best use of whatever you have, rather than complaining or worrying about what you don't have. the system of Nature is such that whatever you possess - be that wealth, children, resources, post, etc - that will be cease to be yours if you ignore, neglect or misuse it. Once you review and understand your strengths and weaknesses and then analyze your expectations with respect to your circumstances and ponder over them, your trenchant thoughts would themselves pave the way for your rise and progress.

Think High, Aim High

Great personalities always appeal and motivate people in their contact to give something for noble causes. They themselves sacrifice everything they had. This is what makes them great. Through pondering over this fact has taught me that there is no religious duty greater than giving or sacrificing (for others welfare), which we can do any time (provided we have the will and attitude). There is no better mode than renunciation (of selfish possessions and attachments) for elimination of evil tendencies and untoward accumulation in the mind.

If you want to acquire precious knowledge, attain people's respect, achieve something great, and then first learn to give what best you can for the society, for altruistic service. Donate your talents, intellect, time, labor, wealth, whatever potentials or resources you have for the betterment of the world …; You will bet manifold of that in return ….. Gautam Buddha had renounced the royal throne; Gandhi had left the brilliant career, wealth, comforts….. As the world has witnessed, what they were rewarded in return was indeed immeasurable, immortal….

It is worth recalling the beautiful verse of renowned poet Rabindranath Tagore her, which says - He spread his hands open an asked for something …. I took out a tiny piece of grain from my bag and kept on His palm. At the end of the day, I found a golden piece of same size in my bag. I cried - why didn't empty my bag for Him, which would have transformed me, the poor man into a King of Wealth?

You may get clay toys with ease. But it's not so easy to find gold. The tendencies of mind are often downwards and naturally drag it towards harmful actions and sins. However, it requires substantial efforts and zeal to carry out something worth, auspicious and beneficial. For example, the natural flow of water is from higher to lower levels, but the use of powerful pumps etc is required to take it upwards.

Sensual passions, ignorance-driven ambitions, untoward thoughts are hidden enemies that delude the mind of giving pleasure' but enslave it in a vicious trap. Likewise the gravitational force of the earth, they also have some kind of power of attraction, which pulls more and more tendencies and thoughts of similar kind.

But, the same is true of positive sane thoughts, aspirations and determination as well; they also attract the likes and create more powerful field of attraction. Once we awaken the will and vigilance to think wisely and practice restraining the accumulated passions, we will begin to experience the transforming effects. Unchecked accumulation of negative thoughts and vices sooner or later leads to decline, anxiety, despair and sinful sufferings. We should therefore be careful and watch and control our thoughts fro this very moment.

The only sources of inner joy

You Are standing In the Middle

You are standing in the middle of the cosmic layer of God's creation. At the higher realms are the great saints, Siddhas, angles and incarnations of divine powers. Beneath your level of existence are the animals, birds, insects and lower organisms. Those above are enjoying in the divine paradise and those below are suffering in various forms. You, the human being are the only one allowed to share both the joy and the pains. You are also the only one privileged with the freedom of action to transform your fate accordingly. It's up to you whether you want to move your fife-course downwards or upwards and destine its devolution to the lower, beastly forms or evolution to beatified, illumined states ……...

If you chose to decline then don't care for anything. Just eat rest and live for sensual joys. Earn these joys by whatever means -ethical or unethical. It's really easy to fall down. You can spend all your stock of good omen for petty pleasures or drain it out by adopting heinous actions. But then there will be nothing but repenting and darkness…..

If you want to rise high on the celestial scale of evolution of your life, you will have to distinguish between the right and the wrong, truth and false, fair and unfair, and choose the righteous path of wisdom and ideals. Climbing up on the higher mountains is harder, but then your endeavors will lead to greater achievements in the end. If you bear hardships for adoption of high ideals, you are indeed elevating your life towards brighter ends.

You are the architect of your future destiny. Life is momentary. So don't miss any instant of this precious opportunity. You are in the middle. You can see both ways upwards and downwards and select the future course of your life prudently.

God has set a marvelous interdependence within and between the conscious and the inanimate components of Nature in order to maintain the eternal beauty and harmonious functioning of His grand creation. The uncountable numbers of stars and planets revolving in the limitless Universe are mutually connected by natural forces of attraction. Any break in this connectivity would disturb the maintained equilibrium and stability and result in gigantic collision and devastation of the universal system. The same is true of the mutual affinity of the living beings. Just imagine! If a mother does not have a feeling of love or affection for her child, or there is no binding of love between husband and wife, brother and brother, and other family members, then what will be the state of family institution? Lack of the feelings of affectionate caring, amity, cooperation, etc would ruin the entire social system as the latter is founded on these sentiments and consequent unity of its members. Dry-hearts and cruelty would destroy the sense of beauty from Nature.

A sublime spring of pure love is flowing deep within every heart. If we like to be happy, and prosper in an ambience of peace, we will have to awaken the feeling of love in our heart; this should not be an emotional excitement, rather, a feeling of compassion, generosity, honesty, humility, sensitivity, care and respect for others. Those who adopted this divine attitude on every front of their life are truly religious and followers of God. The world reciprocates to them accordingly. Every moment, every circumstance is auspicious for them.