138. Knowing is Knowing and Doing is Doing!!!!!!!!!!

Dritharashtra knew that his son Duryodhana was unethical in not give the Pandavas their share of the kingdom. He expresses this to his beloved minister Vidhura. 

What made Dritharastra to go against what he thought was right? What made him support his unlawful son?? 

Dritharashtra was well versed in scriptures he knew about Shastras (Scriptures), Dharma (Righteousness), and Rajaneti (Politics) yet he failed when he was expected to perform his duties efficiently. Why was it so??? 

If we sensitively observed there is a tremendous gap between knowing and doing. All the known things are mere word without life in it. The energetic life is induced in it if we convert the known word into performing the deed. They say that one who preaches should practice. If the preacher finds it tough to practice then there is no point in preaching at the first place???? If the preacher knows what he is preaching has good message that has to be followed, then what is it which is not letting him practice????? 

The ears which has listened to the preaching has forwarded the instruction to our mind, and our mind resolves to practice. Now when it comes to performing, mind does a flip flop and turns hostile, why?????? 

It so happened that a habitual drunkard was always stumbling upon something or the other while returning home late night in inebriated state. One day before entering the bar he thought it would be sensible if he carried a lantern with him so that he does not stumble and fall while returning home. So he went home back and carried a lantern with him to the bar. After the session when it was time for him to leave the place, he took his lantern and walked out of the bar. But surprisingly for him he fell on a dog, he was confused he looked at the lantern that he carried. Why did he stumble upon the dog?????? What was the problem with him, before he could get the answer to this question he fell on the road side ditch. 

Next morning he was carried home by his friends. In the afternoon the owner of the bar came to the house of the drunkard and said, “Instead of taking your lantern you have carried away my parrot cage last night, return it to me and take your lantern!” 

The intoxication in the man had made him think the parrot cage was his lantern. In this anecdote the man doesn't want to stumble and fall when he is drunk and returning back home. He knows very well that it is not good for him to fall. So he makes up his mind to take a lantern which is like the good preaching we get from learned people or scriptures. But the intoxication of the drink has made him think that the parrot cage is the lantern. This intoxication is the substance which holds back a person from doing what he knows. For some this intoxication it is family welfare or for some personal comforts while in Dhritarashtra’s case it was his blind love for his son which held him from going by what good he knew. Many of us have many things which intoxicate us, its better if we notice them and rectify our actions...... What say???? 

137. Have an Indifferent Mind, not an Ignorant Mind!!!!!!!!

There is a subtle difference between acquiring an ignorant mind and an indifferent mind. An ignorant mind lets the person to live a life of carelessness and apathy; it encourages him not to worry about future. 

While the indifferent mind disciplines and controls the mind and helps him understand the ups and downs of life. Very often the ignorant mind fuels the fire of the desire, but the indifferent mind splashes water to subdue the fire of the desire. Ignorant mind is attached to the materialistic comforts that the body enjoys, in contrary an indifferent mind is aware of the consequences of the comforts that the material world provides and cautious the body not to fall into its whirlpool. 

To achieve an indifferent mind one should not make an effort to put pressure on the mind by trying to interfering with the thoughts it projects. The work of the mind is to project those thoughts that are embedded in it. If we apply external pressure it won't heed. It is wisdom to let the mind wander but the intellect (buddhi) has to just be an observer watch it with disinterest. It is just like a mother who is after the tiny tot which is running away from her. The moment the mother stops chasing the child and hides. The child gets frightened and rushes searching for the mother. Similarly if we are disinterested to the pranks of the mind and are indifferent to its draws and drives, then it will become obedient to the intellect. 

Watching the projections of mind is not a hard thing to do. But before that we have to learnt to be little unruffled to the events that are happening in our life. This is not becoming unconcern or irresponsible in life, but not taking the event too personal. One small story might help in understanding how the emotions are affected when one is concerned or not in an event. 

It so happened that a man who had gone out of his village comes back and finds his house on fire. His house was one of the best in the village many of them were ready to buy it for double the price. And now it was on fire and thousands had gathered to watch it burn. The fire was so fierce that even if the villagers had tried to put it out, nothing could be saved. The man was devastated and started crying. 

His second son came running and whispered, “Papa, don't worry yesterday I sold it to the rich merchant from the next village for three times the rate.... I could not resist the offer so I could not wait for your return. Beg pardon.” Hearing his son the man all of a sudden was relieved person and now he was a watcher, with other watching the house burn. 

Just a moment ago he was worried man not a watcher, he had identified with the burning house. It is the same house, the same fire, everything is the same -- but now he is not concerned. He is just watching the house burn as everybody else is. 

Now the first son comes running to the man and shouts at him, “Are you a mad man, you are just watching our house burn?” The man told him not to worry as the second son had made a deal yesterday with a rich merchant for three times the worth. The first son tells, “O Papa, the merchant has paid only ten percent of the deal amount” The man is again shattered and starts weeping again inconsolably. Now again he is identified with the house and no more a spectator. 

This is how an ignorant mind flips from the concerned and unconcerned state when the issue is personal or remote respectively. 

What is it that we have to mourn for? 
What is it that we brought into this world that we have lost? 

Whatever we gained had been from this world. Whatever we lost, we have lost it here in this world. What belongs to us today belonged to someone else yesterday and will belong to someone else tomorrow. This is the essence of Bhagavad-Gita and the indifferent mind understands this to every word. 

Ignorant Mind is attached and hence bonded; Indifferent Mind is detached and is liberated.

136. Channelize the Praises towards HIM and experience BLISS……………

Anna daaha kkinta chinna daaha teekshna Chinna daaha kkinta Hennu Gandu Valavu | Mannaneya daaha evelakum theekshnatama suduvudu atmavane, Mankuthimma || 

Remember Dumb Fellow (Mankuthimma) - Thirst for Food is quenched easily than the Thirst for Gold, Thirst for Gold has less intensity compared to Thirst for Sensual Pleasures, but even more intense is the Thirst for Fame which is unquenchable and it burns your Soul. 

This is one stanza from renowned Kannada writer and thinker D.V.Gundappa’s collection of 945 poems called “Mankuthimmana Kagga” 

Here the author cautions us about the thirst for the desire that crop up in us in every stage of our life. At the initial stage it is for food and then gold (wealth) and next sensual pleasure and finally it is recognition (praise) that matters more for an ignorant person. This praise and applause should only be a means to motivate us not to boast our EGO. If one thinks deep the appreciation for a deed we have done is because of the creative glow in us that unfolds itself when we do a deed for our satisfaction not for the recognition. Once we are after recognition we lose that creative glow and what remains in us will only be the thirst for more number of people to praise us. This is the creative downfall of a person in any field not only in spirituality. 

Also if a person likes our creative work it is because of the liking factor is in him and not in the creative work of the artist. The artist would have done the work to satisfy his Self, not keeping in mind the likings of his followers. The creative work may be liked by some while some may feel it is satisfactory and some may not like it at all. So the creative thing that an artist produces is mainly to make him feel good and then if others like it, it is a bonus. 

It does not matter if you are educated or live in a sophisticated metropolitan city, this ghost of recognition and fan following will not let anybody unless he is not after it. We have seen few great writers and authors fighting among themselves for the followers list in twitter, I wonder what has made them behave like that. It is not them it is the followers and applauds that have made them feel carried away from this earth plane. If a creative author does not show compassion to a fellow writer then what could they convey in their writings. 

Whenever we are praised and if we are not aware that our ego is puffed up it becomes a habit for us to always hear the world talk about our achievements. In this process if we have a competitor or if the world loses interest on us, our mind acts in a crazy way either it becomes depressed or it will get agitated. Either way we lose the peace and happiness. 

Now are there means to get away from all this????? Yes the one and only way is to surrender the creative intellect to the Absolute and in a way channelize the PRAISE toward the HIM.

134. According to the Perception of an Awakened Person ……….

Whatever he is hell bound to resist, is what always persists. 

By feeding the faith, skepticism will have a starving death. 

It is by the way we use, we can find the difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones. 

It is better to adjust the sails as it is impossible to change the direction of the wind. 

Misery of known is bearable compared to fear of unknown. 

Better way to get even with the opponent is to just forget his wrong doings. 

Only if we are able to create at least dirt by our efforts, we can criticizes or give advice to Absolute. 

It is better to find a remedy than to find fault. 

If we try to catch two rabbits at the same time, chances are both escape. 

If nothing is achieved after an intensive effort, not to worry experience is always there. 

Absolute is satisfied with spiritual fruits not religious nuts. 

Old bark has to be shed for new ones to grow. 

Calm water does not guarantee the absence of crocodiles. 

It is only when dark that the glowing stars appear. 

The impossible is made possible, the possible likely, and the likely definite only through Persistence. 

If sorrow looks backwards and worry looks all around, its is faith that looks up. 

If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, there must be a lot of efforts in maintaining it. 

A parachute works only when it is open, and so is our mind. 

Not getting what is asked for is sometimes a blessing in disguise. 

It is always the grass that suffers when two elephants fight. 

Kneeling before Absolute provides ability to stand before any person. 

Rainbow does not happen without either rain or sunshine. 

Waging the tail instead of tongue has earned the dog many friends. 

Smile is a curve that sets things Straight :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :).

133. Humility & Humbleness, the foundation of all Virtues!!!!!!!

Lord Krishna uses two words “Amaanitvam and Adambhitvam” (Humility and Humbleness) while explaining to Arjuna in Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 13 verse 8, which are prerequisites characteristic of a person who has acquired true knowledge.

Amaanitvam or humility is an intrinsic character that is not in-born while it is learnt through wisdom gained through knowledge and by understanding the society and people around us.

Adambhitvam or humbleness is behavioural feature that is not merely an act but that which is ingrained in our conduct. 

In this worldly life many of us think that our status, power and influence are linked to arrogance and lordliness. This attitude has made us think that with status, power and influence we can afford to be arrogant. The identification of the matter components in us results in this fake sense of authority. The comparison of our body with others makes us feel we are well built than others. Mind is better in thinking when compare to others. Intellectually we are better judge and know more than others. Even though we are well built than others or think well than others or better in understanding things than others, what has it got to do to feel superior or arrogant is the question. In fact these things can never be guaranteed to remain the same always. An unforeseen accident could damage our body or we can lose capacity to think or judge. If we think deeply we identify our self with that which is not permanent. The matter components in us which are temporary and always changing when compared with others are bound to be different and this will never let us have peace of mind. These psychological differences in our mind create the superiority and inferiority complexes.

In reality there are always people who are physically well built or less intellectual than us. These difference in the matter component in all of us does exist and if we are better than some it is merely due to little more grace of His in that particular part. Hence that should never be a yardstick to compare and say that we are better than others. At the end of the day, we are all human beings from the same source and are gifted with certain talents and abilities. Each one of us possess our bundle of gifts and a wise person is aware of this and thinks that with his best ability he does something good to the wellness of the society around him.

In Quran also many words express the meaning of humility and the very term Islam is derived from the word Salam which implies being humble to Allah in a gesture of surrenderance to Him. Christians believe humbleness comes when the Holy Spirit resides in us. It is regarded as a quality by which a person considering his own flaws has a humble view of him and willingly submits himself to Almighty.

If we don’t have the mind-set to be humble with our fellow beings, is it possible for us to be humble to Absolute???

The great American philosopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson says, “Every man I meet is in some way my superior and a great man is one who is always willing to be little”.

Humbleness also teaches us not to underestimate others ability and talent. At the same time humbleness of a person should not let him underestimate his own ability since it will amount to weakness. And amazingly humility is a strange feel that the minute we think we have it, we have lost it.

132. Darkness has no Existence and so do Wickedness, and Satan!!!

All of a sudden if there is a power-cut and we search for a candle to light up the room. In darkness we feel uncomfortable and not sure where thing are. It is not the darkness by which we are uncomfortable but the fact that our mind is unable to get the reaction from the sense of sight. The mind is uncomfortable from the unknown. When there is light our eye the organ of sight was providing the information to our mind as to where we were and what we were doing, but when there is absence of light nothing is visible and we are in the uncomfortable state. Here we have darkness and light. We generally believe they are opposites, but there is no truth in it. Darkness just does not exist; it is only the deficiency of light. If darkness had its own existence, then if I have to bring the light in the room and then the darkness had to go out of the room and should have made its presence felt somewhere. But it has no existence. The moment light is brought into a dark room, the darkness is lost. 

Light has elemental wave particles and is a part of electromagnetic spectrum that can be measured in the laboratory. The sun light can also be sensed by our skin when our skin is sun tanned. Light can be measured depending upon various degrees of absence of light and the light output is measured in lumens. 

Can we measure darkness??? No, why?? simply because physically darkness does not exist. Likewise wickedness also does not exist. If we contemplate we understand that there is only goodness. Wickedness, sin, bad, or any other synonyms are mere words to relate the non existence of goodness and are assumed theoretical opposites of the word goodness which confirm ably does exist. Only for the expediency of communication in language and to express our thoughts, do we make such notional abstractions of Dark to Light and Good to Bad in our language. We consider Absolute to be omnipresent and strongly believe in that statement. Inspite of our belief we are sometime skeptical and talk about the existence of Satan. There can never be two statements from us that are contrary. Either we have to accept that Absolute is omnipresent or recognize the fact that Satan exists. We can never support both the statement. Which one would you support??? Ultimately to live in this world and make it a better place to live, one has to LIGHT the candle in the dark and move on rather than cursing the DARK. After all Ignorance is also lack of knowledge. What Say ???

130. Bad Mouthing is a Negative Loom………….

Criticizing or condemning others is a negative practice that may unfold either intentionally or sometimes it happens without our conscious. This is because we lack the will to accept life as it is. It may even be because of our inability to digest the progress of people whom we consider are on par with us in our life. Instead of taking it as a challenge and encountering the situation with a healthy competition we start to bad mouth the success of the person. It is a strange behaviour of humans to resist the reality and try to defy it with whatever might he possesses. He is in the intention that it is easier for him to hate the success of his counterpart than to appreciate it. This hate triggers frustration that swells to criticism and bad mouthing on the personal level of that person. Mankind has imagined that discharging out negativity is the only way to vent anger and frustration. This anger makes him feel really lively so he can go on and on for hours without a break, but ultimately he fails to understand that it does no good to him at all. Since negativity breeds the same kind, it will never improve the situation or help in soothing his anger or frustration. It so happened that an old man had a young successful business man as his neighbour. The old man could not stand the prosperity of the young man hence he spread rumors that his neighbour was in counterfeit business. And soon the news spread and fell on the ears of police and the young man was arrested. After a long legal battle the young man was proven innocent. Now the young man sued the old man for wrongly accusing him and damaging his image. In court sent summons to the old man. The old man appeared in the court and told the Judge, “Your honour, they were just comments which could not have done any harm to anyone” The judge, before giving the sentence told to the old man, “Take a piece of paper and write what you feel about your neighbour and tear the paper into pieces and throw them as you go home from here. Come back tomorrow for the sentence.” Saying so, the judge adjourned the court. The next day, the judge told the old man, “Now I would want you to gather all the pieces of paper that you threw out yesterday, and after that I will pronounce the judgment.” The old man said, “Your honour how is it possible for me to get those pieces of paper I threw yesterday. Wind would have spread them and I won't not know where to find them.” The judge then replied, “Exactly, as you are unable to collect the pieces of paper you tore and threw a simple negative comment on any one may destroy the honor of the person to such an extent that it is unable to retrieve those said words and fix the damage caused. Hence if you can't appreciate the goodness of a person it would be better not to talk ill of that person. If beating hurts body, bad mouthing hurt the heart." The old man could understand his grave mistake. “Let's us all be the Lords of our Mouths, so that we need not be Slaves of our Words.”

128. Ideologies that one is suppose to have in life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Winning isn’t the priority but passion to win is. 

Finish your to-do-list before it finishes you.

We can achieve more, if we are undeterred who gets the credit.

Even if we lose everything else, our future still remains with us.

We never have to fight too much and let the enemy know our art of war.

The task we start from the top is when we dig a grave.

If little things are done well, bigger ones will be better.

The only thing that comes to us without our effort is old age.

We never get a second opportunity to make the first impression.

Mistakes are not done by those who never do anything.

If we are not failing then we’re not taking enough risks.

Never try to get rid of bad temper by losing it.

Choose battles big enough to matter, small enough to win.

Occasionally growth has resulted from unpopular decisions also.

A change in our thoughts can change our perceptions of the world.

The world that is around us is what we think it is.

Know that the journey of thousand miles starts from single step.

We have to climb the mountain to see the valley.

It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.

The right angle to approach a difficult problem is the “Try-Angle”.

There are two kinds of light one that glows and illuminates while the other glare and obscures.

There are no limits and everything is possible to one who thinks so.

Inner energy gushes where the attention of our mind goes.

Now is the moment of power and it comes from within.

126. If Speech is Silver, Silence is Gold……………..

Mounam Kalaham Nasti --- "Silence Prevents Brawls" Once a Shishya approached his Guru and asked him, “Gurudeva, Who is Absolute? Where is His abode?” Guru did not reply he remained silent. Shishya insisted and asked him again and again, but in spite of all these, the Guru did not answer at all, he was steadfast in his silence. On frequent persistence from the Shishya for an answer the Guru said, “I have already told you, over and over again, but you are unable to understand. How can I make you comprehend that Brahman, can never be explained in vocabulary! Only in a profound silence with full of aspiration and compassion one can experience Him. There is no use in searching for the means and ways to experience Him outside ourselves. He can be found in the deep silence of the Atma! This Atma is the perpetual Silence “Aham Atma Shantah.” There is insightful strength in silence. Those who have understood this secret will enjoy the result of it. In a newspaper in the job opportunity column there was an advertisement inviting applications for the post of an Inspection Engineer to a company dealing with very precision Sensitive Audio Instruments. As usual there were a lot of applicants who had applied for the job. The company selected a few applicants and asked them to attend for an interview on a particular day. As each applicant has to be interviewed one at a time all the applicants were told to wait for their turn in the lobby. While waiting for interview, some of the applicants were reading magazines, some drank coffee, some smoking, some talking & others and some were trying to make an impact on the officers of the company. The lobby was very noisy and in this environment there was a young man who was sitting calmly. He sat there doing nothing just silent & at peace with himself. All of a sudden an announcement not that easily audible was made from one of the sensitive audio instruments: “The company would like to engage a person who has a quiet nature and a keen listener. Person who is able to hear this instruction may come in and take the appointment letter.” As all of them were in their own world nobody could hear the announcement as it was a noisy atmosphere. But the young man who was sitting silently got up immediately and went in. He was appointed for that position. He came out of the room with the appointment letter in his hand and told the other aspirants: “Why are you all creating a chaos here? I'm already appointed for the job.” All other applicants were angry and accused him of bribing the officials. Then the young man replied quietly: “Before entering into the interview room I thought that there may be another person who would have heard the announcement like me, but now I realized that if you could not hear the announcement then the job of a inspection engineer in this company doing business of sensitive audio instruments is not suited for any of you present here.” Silence if practiced regularly will help us to calm our mind which is always jumbled in thoughts. With our mind clam our transient emotions are under check. Silence helps us to sink into the depths of our heart, and to fully enjoy its unstuck sound. This Silence is inexplicable and ecstatic, and it is the gate for us to enter into tranquility. Every seeker who sincerely aspires to know Absolute has to initially become quiet and still. In this way he then becomes silence itself, and realizes the Absolute HERE and NOW in him.

123. Tolerance is a Prerequisite to a Spiritual Seeker.

TOLERANCE is a quality found in a civilized person who has self-confidence. To tolerate and believe in co-existance is a great attitude which has to be developed if one is to live in a harmonious society. Intolerance has it roots in unawareness, narrow-mindedness, chauvinism and dwells in unwarranted self-esteem and pride. Intolerant people cannot accept others as their own lot; instead they set out to destroy anything which does not mirror their ideologies and dogmas.

 Tolerance is the approach to extend freedom to people of all traditions, even though we may disagree with it. The beauty in accepting the disparity and respecting with mutual understanding is tolerance. Love sprouts out of tolerance and are nurtured by compassion and concern. A person who has the talent to appreciate the goodness in the other person is more tolerant. Tolerance helps in defusing tensions that are sparked by differences and will remove the camouflage that is divisive between two individuals

 We humans have lots of emotions and feelings and that differs from each individual. By using our mind and intellect that we are blessed with enables us to feel much more than animals and other life forms, and we are able to discriminate between right and wrong. Most of us use our intellect to condemn immoral practices like stealing and being untruthful. Though it is appropriate many of us never think of our behaviour of being intolerant towards our fellow being which has to be equally condemned. We have not learnt to accept people as they are and the events as they happen. It is our selfish nature which wants things to happen as we wish and expects people to be in the same wavelength as we are. If one ponders as to why the tolerance level in us has come down???

 We find that it is due to fanaticism and racism that we behave inhuman and hate those who differ with our views. It has become unruly for us to have developed all through the ages to show intolerance of thoughts and faiths and traditions that are alien to us. We have never made an effort to understand that this earth plane has space to many like us and that they do have their own views which has to be respected it not followed. So long as we give in to envy, hatred, jealousy and greed, tolerance will never unfold in us. The day has come where every individual needs enlightenment so that he appreciates the universal values of liberalism through which he discovers to listen to others and at most agree to disagree rather than enter into war of words. When such a thing happens, the harmony of the society will be preserved. And then this earth will be a better place to live in.

119. Spend HAPPY time with your FAMILY…………….!

Happiness cannot be purchased, but we have this notion that we might be happy if we had a little more money. We very well know that people whom we consider rich are also in search of happiness. We have this feel that with money we can buy the latest gadgets or comforts that might keep us happy. We are made to belive that having a T.V which is our pride and our neighbours envy will make our life good. But that T.V will not make us happy for a long period. After some time we are in need of some other gadget to make us happy. The interest and the excitement that we had when the T.V was brought have gone. This is a sort of a curse for the mankind that we are not able to stay happy no matter how much we are paid, how much our bank balance is, how pleasant our clothing or vehicles we own, none of it will make us happier for a long period. And the most amazing thing is that it could take our life time earnings to pursue the luxury items before we realize this. So what is it that will make us happy for a long time? There is nothing that can keep us happy that is away from us. No matter how much ever it is dear to us it will not keep us happy for the long time. But we can be happy by just adopting the way of life that could give us the soothing feel and make us look eager for the next day. It is tried and proved that having good association with the fellow beings will bring us happiness to some extent. We are species which are called social animals. We are happy when we are with high-quality, compassionate, strong and loving associates, it can be in family or in the workplace or with our friends. For this all we need is to take time off our busy schedule and spend a little time to tell them what they mean to us, to listen to them, and develop our relationship with them. Unfortunately we imagine that by providing ourselves and our family with latest gadgets we can be happy and make them also happy. But neither of us is happy with those for a longer period. Yes the latest gadgets are indeed needed but that is only to entertain us for some time. If we are to be happy it is our relationship which is more important. The amount of time spent with our dear ones is the precious thing which can never be matched to any thing in this universe. This is the basic thing that if understood will keep the family happy and in so the area happy and then the locality happy and then the taluk, district, state, country and the whole world happy. What Say?????????????????????

118. Made For Each Other –The Ideal Man and His Bride……………….!

Our ancients have emphasized that for any relationship love is the key in understanding each other. It also provides warmth to the people involved in. One such relationship is the institution called marriage. The bond between the man and his bride is celebrated with much enthusiasm on the wedding day and indicates the union of not only two individuals but also two families. But in modern cultures marriages seem to be crumbling with great swift not too long after the day on which a wedding is celebrated. Logic would dictate that educated couples would be able to maintain steady familial relationships and refrain from break up of their marriage. This is not the case and divorces rates are increasing at rapid rates even more in the educated lot itself. 

The seven vows that couples take on their wedding day seem to evaporate in no time. This is because the difference in the identity between the two and the other influences. Man and his bride are no separate entities. They are like Light and Lamp illuminating jointly the path of their married life. If one make a herculean effort to identify one without the other he will fail unless they decide to get separated. 

The bond between them is described in Vishnu Purana as thus: 

If She is the Language, He is the Thought 

If She is Prudence, He is the Law 

If She is the Sense, He is the Reason 

If She is the Duty, He is the Authority 

If She is the Wish, He is the Will 

If She is the Souvenir, He is Compassion 

If She is the Note, He is the Song 

If She is the Fuel, He is the Fire 

If She is the Glory, He is the Sun 

If She is the Motion, He is the Wind 

If She is the Wealth, He is the Possessor 

If She is the Might, He is the Battle 

If She is the Light, He is the Lamp 

If She is the Night, He is the Day 

If She is the Mercy, He is the Justice 

If She is the River, He is the Channel 

If She is the Beauty, He is the Strength 

If She is the Body, He is the Soul 

As I believe it can be vice-versa also.... as
Sanathana Dharma treats the two sexes equally.


This English translation of the original Sanskrit verses does a good justice.....

117. Spirituality, Speaking Tree and Me…………………!

Once a teacher who was annoyed with a naughty student of class V wanted him to keep quite so he tore of a world map into pieces and asked the kid to put the pieces in the right place. The boy took away those pieces and in just a matter of few minutes could put the map correctly at their places. He had put them on a board and the world map was intact. The teacher was amazed at the quick work of the kid. Even he himself could have not doing in such a short time. Eager to know how the kid was able to do, he questioned the kid as to how he could do it so quickly. The child replied, “Teacher at the back of the map is the figure of a man. I put him right and the world automatically became right”. Yes if the man is right, the world is right. Every individual has to take a clue from this. In spirituality after knowing about the way of life and listening to all that is said and done, it is me which matters. I should be concerned and confined to myself. It is me to take care of myself, irrespective of what others do and think. I have to see that I am on the right path and I am the right man. Now is it not an attitude of Self-Centeredness????? No, why? Simply because in self-centeredness we would put our concern ahead of others interest. Here my understanding is that if I am right and concerned about myself, so will others also be and the whole society will automatically be harmonious. In begin concern and confine to oneself does not mean keeping away from others. Spirituality teaches each of us to love the Absolute and His creations, for in them we see Him. Love is a matter of the heart, and has to be unconditional and spontaneous without even an iota of selfish attitude in it. Lord Krishna advises us in Bhagavad-Gita, “Advesta Sarva Bhutanam” meaning be kind and friendly with all living things. If one observes the biggest hurdle to one who wishes to thread the path of love is his own EGO. Spirituality has made me understand that the tag and label on me is not eternal. It is this ego that needs to be annihilated so that when my expectations are not fulfilled anger crops up which stub out the feeling of love and compassion in me. Spirituality has also put the senses of security which is the most important factor to my health “Yogakshemam Vahamyaham” Thus declared Lord Krishna, “I shall ensure the safety and well-being” And my feeling is that He keeps his word, without fail. The word Yoga and Kshema is united which means that He is the giver and the protector also this feel creates an inner faith and my fear just fades away. These are not just my words that have cropped up out of ecstasy but that which I have experienced. Such experiences are felt by every person but unfortunately many of us have credited it to something else. In conclusion, from what I have experienced in spirituality and learnt from the thoughts of several seekers and masters in this vast university called “SPEAKING TREE” is that to excel as a right man I should always be a source of help to my fellow beings and should go a little further, for this is not enough.

116. Today’s Problem May Sometime Be Yesterdays Solution!!!!!!

We humans are not always correct in dealing with our problems. Our approach will either be a little bit flexible or sometime robust in regards to getting a solution. We always think that a solution for the time being is sufficient. Very few of us think of a solution which is eternal. The search for eternal solution may be tedious, but is worth giving a try. There is no problem without a solution. The majority of problems we encounter can never be resolved at the same plane of thinking that we had when the problem appeared. Hence the way of our thinking has to change first; it is advised to think out of the box for a solution at that time. As we are acquainted with fresh information that is available or that conditions change, even our best chosen solution has to be reverted and sometimes overlooked. In haste to find solution, we often resolve the problem today which may cause a new problem tomorrow. The difference between a problem and a solution should be that we have to be able to understand the solution. It is seen that sometimes the solution in turn does affect something else. Everything we perform is a cause and effect situation, and today's problems are purely the outcome of attempting to fix or reduce earlier problems. Once it so happened that there was a fight between a horse and a stag. The stag caused injury to the horse with its antlers. The horse wounded and hurt thought of taking revenge and went away. The next day it came across a hunter and it appealed to the hunter to help him take revenge. The hunter said “Yes, I can help you. I am armed with arrows. But I cannot run as fast as the stag so take me on your back and I will kill the stag your enemy”. The hunter rode on the horse’s back and went into the forest and killed the snag. The horse was very happy and thanked the hunter and said, “I thank you for helping me take revenge. Now I will take leave from you”. The hunter came up and said “Ah horse, where do you think you will go? I have come to know how useful you are to hunt. Will I let you go and be foolish??. You have to take me on your back daily into the forest so that I can hunt; you have to be my companion.” The horse was no doubt saved from the nuisance of a stag, but he had to loose its freedom. Same is with us in haste to resolve the problem we do not solve it but create more. Changing outside factors for our internal problem often can become creation of new problem. The horse could have left the stag alone but took the help of wicked hunter. It is knowledgeable to study the problem before finding solutions to it and find a weak spot and break the problem, and the rest will be easy. The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem. Solve it. Solve it correctly. If you solve it wrong, it will come back and slap you in the face. “Intellectuals solve problems; Geniuses prevent them.” - Albert Einstein

115. Modern Era Vikram aur Betal Kahani……….!!!!!!

King Vikramaditya brought down the corpse hanging to the tree and set out for the cemetery as usual. While Vikramaditya was walking along, Betal said, “Vikram, now I shall tell you an incident and you should answer the question that I ask. If you do not give a satisfactory answer, your head shall break into a thousand pieces.” Saying so, Betal began to tell about the incident…….

On a holiday a small group of children are playing at the nearby two railway tracks, of those two tracks one was still in use while the other abandoned. Only one little girl was playing on the abandoned track, while the rest of about five were playing on the track that was in use. Suddenly a train rushes at high speed and Vikram; you are standing beside the train track interchange. Do you make the train change its course to the abandoned track and save the five kids???  If yes, by doing so you would be sacrificing the life of the girl playing on the abandoned track. Or would you rather let the train go its way??? If yes, by doing so you would be responsible for more death rates.

After narrating the incident Betal said to Vikram, “O King, most of the people I asked choose to divert the track of the train and save the five kids by sacrificing only one girl. They all felt it was sensible to minimize the death rate by thinking laterally. What will you do in such a situation Vikram! Answer satisfactorily otherwise I shall break your head into a thousand pieces” said Betal

King Vikram replied, “Betal this kind of dilemma is faced by every person in this world at this era. If we look at the incidence you mentioned, the girl who opted to play on the abandoned track had made the right decision keeping safety in her mind while her foolish friends choose to play where the danger was. Personally I would not try to change the course of the train because the kids playing on the track that was very much operational should have known very well that track were in use, and if they had heard the siren of the train they should have run away. If those who are thinking laterally tell me that by changing the course of the train we might have reduced the death rate, I feel it is not fair and moreover if the track is abandoned that means probably it was because they were not safe. If the train was diverted to the abandoned track, was it not putting the life of every passenger on train at risk??? In an attempt to save a few kids we might end up sacrificing hundreds of people due to the condition of the track.”

“O Betal, in this modern society also how much ever perceptive and conversant the splinter group is they are scarified for the interest of the dominating section no matter how foolish and ignorant they are. This is the norm of the society, but that should not be the practice. This will cause hardship for the wise who are few in numbers” suggested Vikram.

Betal replied in astonishment, “King Vikram, I praise you for your sense of wisdom. This is what is happening in Bharatavarsha now, a few wise voters franchise their votes to an able and eminent candidate but unfortunately a larger section of voters influenced by currency notes, alcohol and freebies franchise their votes to a stupid and utterly worthless fellow. It is unfortunate that the few wise people who wanted an able and eminent leader suffer in the melee. I only wish the people of Bharatavarsha also think like you do. But you have broken your vow for silence. So, I am forced to leave you.”

Saying so, Betal flew back to the tree.

(This is an imaginary event which is attributed to Leo Velski Julian, who is purely fictional and was popularised through “Child and Train”. I felt such perplexing ideas are from Vikram Betal stories so linked it....) 

114. SAKSHI CHAITANYA, the Witness Consciousness.

This is in continuation of the previous three blogs: “BRAHMA CHAITANYA, the Absolute Consciousness” “ISWARA CHAITANYA, the Cosmic Consciousness” And “JIVA CHAITANYA, the Individual Consciousness” 

Sakshi Chaitanya (Witness Consciousness) is beyond the grasp of the Mind that is ever on flip flop, it neither suffers nor enjoys the mental and physical conditions in the individual. Once the individual realizes the Sakshi Chaitanya (Witness Consciousness) he aware with a transformed Mind. Such a realized soul sees itself and this vast universe through a mind composed of subtlety. Just as a sheet of glass allows the sunlight to pass through it unobstructed, this transformed Mind allows the luminosity of Consciousness to reach the body and its organs unhindered. 

Sakshi Chaitanya (Witness Consciousness) is known as the Antaryami, and is wonderfully explained in Katha Upanishad as the owner within a body called chariot. Charioteer of the chariot being the Intellect (Buddhi), and the reins in his hand the Manas (Mind) which is engulfed with wantons and emotions. The horses are the senses and the roads they travel are the networks of Desire. The owner of the chariot called body has to govern the entire psychophysical being of the individual then the Self is realized as Knower of the known as put in Kena Upanishad. 

Once the Jiva Chaitanya (Individual Consciousness) identifies its real nature, the Sakshi Chaitanya (Witness Consciousness), the next question is where is the abode of this Sakshi Chaitanya (Witness Consciousness) within the body???? Chandogya Upanishad gives us the precise location it says, the Sakshi Chaitanya or the Antaryami is “Within the city of Brahman, which is our body.” There is the Hryidaya (heart), and within the heart, there is a small Guha (cave). This cave is in the shape of a Kamalam (lotus), and within it dwells that which is sought after inquire about Self (Atma Vichara), and then realized. Though we attain old age, the lotus of the heart does not age. At the end when there is death to the body, it does not die. The lotus of the heart, where Brahman resides in glory is the true “Me”, not the body. Iswara Chaitanya (Cosmic Consciousness), Jiva Chaitanya (Individual Consciousness) and Sakshi Chaitanya (Witness Consciousness) are not different entities but the diversity of the one and only Brahman Chaitanya (Absolute Consciousness). Consciousness can never have plurality, if we perceive the diversity it is due to the lack of knowledge.

113. JIVA CHAITANYA, the Individual Consciousness.

This is in continuation of the previous two blogs: “BRAHMA CHAITANYA, the Absolute Consciousness” And “ISWARA CHAITANYA, the Cosmic Consciousness”. The overlay of the ego or the idea of “I”ness upon Awareness (Cit) is our first plunge into the whirlpool of Maya. The primeval lie of separation that claims that I am unique and separate from others is the preliminary act that generates the series of events of further superimposition and entanglement. Considering ourselves as “unique individuals” implies viewing everything separate from us and distancing away from them. This attitude inevitably superimposes a universe of diversity upon the one, undivided Absolute. 

At the start the ego or idea of “I”ness identifies itself with the Body and Mind, and with their attributes like senses and its actions. Impulsively we start saying first sentences like: “I am So and So”, “I am Young”, or “I am Handsome”. Then the ego or the idea of “I”ness reaches further out to claim the exterior objects and conditions as something related to it and the sentences like: “I am Indian”, “This is my House”, or “She is my Wife” projects out. As such superimpositions multiply our bizarre personal claims such as “I run a Big Business”, “Because of me all this is happening”, or “Without me nothing is possible in my organization” shoots up and make us an unwanted gigantic figure. As this becomes a routine for the ego it continues to widen its feelers to get identified with every acknowledged object in the universe, while the indwelling Sakshi Chaitanya (Witness Consciousness) remains detached just witnessing all these foolish statements of the ego. 

At the same time, the Sakshi Chaitanya (Witness Consciousness) makes all the proposed things of the Jiva Chaitanya (Individual Consciousness) possible by providing the Mind with the luminosity of Consciousness, without which Maya could not exist. In short, it is due to Maya that we become identified with a psychophysical being which is the shadow of our Sakshi Chaitanya (Witness Consciousness). Now the question arises “Who am I?” Jiva Chaitanya or Sakshi Chaitanya. Like the cosmos around, I am the amalgamation of both Brahman and Maya (Absolute and Apparent), hence both divine and human. 

 Mundaka Upanishad describes the relationship of Jiva Chaitanya (Individual Consciousness) and Sakshi Chaitanya (Witness Consciousness). By giving an anecdote of two birds seated on the same branch of a tree and inseparable companions. While one bird is Jiva Chaitanya (Individual Consciousness) the other is the Sakshi Chaitanya (Witness Consciousness). The former tastes the sweet and sour fruits of the tree and the latter calmly observes. Due to the lack of knowledge of the true nature and identity with the Brahman Chaitanya (Absolute Consciousness), the Jiva Chaitanya (Individual Consciousness) bewildered by ego, grieves and is sad. But the moment one gets to know his true nature he grieves no more. This state of awareness is the crowning glory of the purpose of life. What is this Sakshi Chaitanya (Witness Consciousness)?????? In the next Blog.

112. ISWARA CHAITANYA, the Cosmic Consciousness.

This is in continuation of the previous blog “BRAHMA CHAITANYA, the Absolute Consciousness” Brahma Chaitanya (Absolute Consciousness) unites with Maya as the Creator, Sustainer, and Slayer of this Universe. Brahman though is the vital cause of the Universe, it cannot transform into Universe that is perceived since that which is Absolute, must surpass accomplishment and change. Here the appearance of Universe is felt due to the concealing and projecting power of Maya. 

Maya along with Brahman is paired as Prakriti and Purusha respectively to explain the process of creative principle in Iswara Chaitanya (Cosmic Consciousness) to unfold the universe as perceived by us. Iswara as an emanation of Brahman arises as first step of creation of the cosmos and remain till deluge of the cosmos. Iswara is Absolute with attributes. This Iswara is the possible ultimate comprehension of the Absolute by the relative Human Mind. Brahma Chaitanya (Absolute Consciousness) cannot be comprehended by the relative Human Mind and has to be experienced by the Self. With this statement one has a doubt if there are two, Brahman and Iswara. Advaita philosophy says that there is no difference between the two except that Brahman appears as Iswara when viewed through the lens of Maya. The appearance of rope separately from the material the jute and the vision of pot discretely from clay and cloth apart from the cotton is the Iswara Chaitanya (Cosmic Consciousness). 

Is the jute different from rope or the clay from pot or cotton from cloth?????? 

The name and form are the attributes that are attached to the Brahma Chaitanya (Absolute Consciousness) which is diversified as Iswara Chaitanya with the support of the Maya. This Iswara Chaitanya (Cosmic Consciousness) is all-pervading, all-knowing, and all-powerful when compared to the Jiva Chaitanya (Individual Consciousness) that is limited and different in all aspects. If Iswara Chaitanya (Cosmic Consciousness) is the ability of the rope to conceal the material jute, due to ignorance and limited knowledge having the illusion of snake is because of Jiva Chaitanya (Individual Consciousness). The Jiva Chaitanya (Individual Consciousness) can perceive the rope not only as snake, for some, it may look like the crack in the ground or a stick or water track and so on depending on the individual conceptions. What is this Jiva Chaitanya (Individual Consciousness)?????? In the next Blog.

111. BRAHMA CHAITANYA, the Absolute Consciousness.

Iswara Chaitanya (Cosmic Consciousness), Jiva Chaitanya (Individual Consciousness) and Sakshi Chaitanya (Witness Consciousness) are not different entities but the diversity of the one and only Brahma Chaitanya (Absolute Consciousness). Consciousness can never have plurality, if we perceive diversity; it is due to the different aspects of that same thing produced due to deception. Nevertheless all these divisions are due to limiting attachments (Upadhi) which are not inherent to the true nature of Brahman Chaitanya (Absolute Consciousness) that is by itself one and the only without a second. 

According to Advaita philosophy, Brahma Chaitanya (Absolute Consciousness) is the substratum of this entire universe. The very nature of this substratum is Sat-Cit-Ananda. Existence (Sat), Awareness (Cit), and Bliss (Ananda). This means that an Individual is self aware of his Existence, Awareness and Bliss, or “Amorous Consciousnesses”. This Brahma Chaitanya (Absolute Consciousness) has emanated to become this vast universe that is perceived by us. Now one wonders how this Brahma Chaitanya (Absolute Consciousness) could have become this vast universe with multiplicity and change????? 

Sri Sri Sankara resolves this paradox with his theory of superimposition called Vivartavaad. He says that from the definitive standpoint Brahma Chaitanya (Absolute Consciousness) did not become this universe but it only appears to have become so. Sri Sri Sankara gives the classic and most appropriate example of the rope and snake: At twilight we see an object resembling a snake on the road and get scared, but as we approach it and flash a torch on it, we realize that it is actually a rope. Just as the snake is superimposed upon the rope, like wise this Universe is a superimposition upon Brahman. Hence there is no more causal relationship between this universal appearance and Brahman than there is between the snake and the rope. However, the universe has no valid existence apart from Brahman, just as the snake has no valid existence apart from the rope. 

Now what is the reason for the appearance of snake from rope?????? This superimposition of the unreal on the real is due to Maya, which literally means “which measures the immeasurable”. Maya has two interleaved powers one is to conceal the reality (Avarna Shakti) and the other to project the multiplicity (Vikshepa Shakti). Sri Sri Sankara and His philosophy of Advaita has not made any unwanted speculation or theory, but has got direct experience as its source and ultimate proof as its result. Advaita exhorts the true seeker to take the evidence of the scriptures and enlightened souls, use intellect, contemplate, and attain direct experience to lift the veil of Maya. These are the compasses, maps, and sails needed to steer successfully to the highest union with Brahman. One must transcend the effects of Maya in order to know the nature of its cause. 

What is the benefit of transcending Maya????? This helps us to recognize the Divinity in others. It gives us the ability to see the effulgent form of Absolute in an individual, where He reveals Himself in that particular individual. The divine aspect itself appears vibrant and living in the person who himself appears blurry like indistinct beings. This ability of knowing all are same at the core makes us to obeisance to them. This level of realization stems out from the truth been told in Upanishad: “From Awareness (Cit), which is of the nature of Bliss (Ananda), all beings acquire Existence (Sat), with these they are sustained, and with that they re-enter death.” 

Our materialistic mind due to ignorance identifies the universe in name and form. If an effort is made to know beyond it, we will have lived the purpose of our life. Brahma Chaitanya (Absolute Consciousness) is experiencing the truth as it is ---- just like knowing the material of the rope (Jute) not the rope. The material which is Brahman along with Maya appears as rope. Now this rope has got the Iswara Chaitanya (Cosmic Consciousness). What is this Isvara Chaitanya (Cosmic Consciousness)???????? In the next Blog.

110. Are we so elevated to differentiate a Person as Good or Bad?

It is a routine to say that even good people are needlessly harmed. Everybody criticize the act of Absolute in this regard. But one cannot really categorize as good and bad people. We are unable to observe a person all the time from his or her birth to brand him or her good or bad. Some time we ourselves are satisfied that we are good person, but the fact is that we are unaware of the wrong doings done in without our conscious. Even mental thought that might be affecting others is wrong, though not expressed in words or deeds. Thought in the mind is the source of words and deeds. Therefore the thought may not hurt others today, but tomorrow it may hurt others when it comes out in the form of words and deeds. This is the fact that intentions are given more significance in the crime according to law. The judge looks into the intentions for the cause of the crime before giving the judgment. A person walking on the road may step on an ant and unintentionally kill it. There is no punishment for such acts. But when one harms the same ant with intention, they are subjected to an inquiry, by Absolute if not by the law of the land. Therefore thoughts of the mind are the cause of the result of the actions performed. We have developed the habit of judging people by their behavior, but we have not learnt to judge our deeds by the intention behind it. There was a movie been shown and a person enters the theater a bit late and sees a scene where a group of people are thrashing a old man, at that time he sympathize old man but the person next to him tells him in the scene before this old man had tortured his daughter-in-law so he is been thrashed and it is justified. This is exactly what happens in our life we are unable to judge as we have not got the power of knowing the scenes that happen before hand to take the side of any person or object to any person’s action. Neither have we the power to punish nor to excuse anybody. The reason for this is that we are not omniscient. As far as doing wrong, if one realizes the mistake and takes a resolution not to repeat it again that is enough. This is called Prayaschit (repentance). Once a person knows that the deed is wrong he has to see that he does not repeat it. If the person does not repent, he will repeat the wrong deeds again and again. Such person cannot control himself from doing wrong acts and the society also cannot control him, hence he is kept in isolation in jail. This isolation has to make the person think of the ways to change his attitude towards life. There are no such people who are good or bad, all of us are the mixture of both good and bad attitudes. All it needs is thriving to get transformed to be a use to self and society. This transformation is possible only by love and knowledge. There can never be a person who is perfect in all senses, if he is then he is equal to Absolute. When we sit back and judge a person we feel that we are better than them. But the fact is that we have no rights to judge a person as we are having mixed attitudes. The only entity that has the capacity to judge any person is ABSOLUTE alone and no one else.