791. Are we Consuming the Pleasure or is Pleasure Consuming us???

Pleasure is all we desire for, comfort for the senses and body. To experience pleasure is the ultimate and even scriptures accept it by saying “individual is cluster of desires.” An person who has mind and memory will definitely have desire. This thesis is explained excellently in puranas. Maha Vishnu is addressed as “Chitta Vallabha” (beloved of chitta) Lakshmi is Chitta Chanchale (wandering memory). Memory (Chitta) is the field where the seeds of Desire (Kama) are sown, harvest and reaped. Hence Desire (Kama) is considered the product of the union of Maha Vishnu who is Manas and Maha Lakshmi, the memory. In Srimad Bhagavatam Praduymna, the son of Lord Krishna is Kamadeva born to Rukmani.

Amazingly we have too many desires and we are after too many pleasures we neither have time nor the resources to enjoy all of them. From the stories of Panchatantra and Hitopadesha to our modern day movies try to convey this message. We presume that if we have enough money we can pursue all desire and experience pleasure but those pleasure are always eluding our pursuit and are so innumerable that they never gets sated.  For instance, if I desire to consume “gol gappa” I can consume only limited quantity that my stomach permits but my taste buds does not have limit neither does the stall which sells them.

Now I have started to think deeply; are we after pleasure or is pleasure after us? We are in an illusion that we are consuming pleasure but when we are closing the accounts we will be shocked to know that the pleasures have consumed us. A person may be after buying properties over properties but one day the same earth is going to devour him at the end. We assume that to enjoy pleasures coming our way we need money, so take loan and to pay back loan we work hard devoting more time on work so less time for family and friends. And finally one day we realize we can't consume pleasures any more as our body is unyielding to experience that pleasure, but the pleasures are still there!

Here we come to understand that we did not consume pleasures, instead they consumed us. Where does this pleasure seeking drive come from? According to neuroscientists the cause for the expectations of pleasure in us is due to DOPAMINE, the neurotransmitter which transmits signals between nerve cells. The dopamine level has to be in a balance it should not be too high or too low. If it is on the higher side one becomes Rajasic and when it becomes too low one tend to be Tamasic.

Rajasic person leads to the life of sensual enjoyment, pleasure and pain, effort and restlessness. People in whom Rajasic qualities predominate tend to be egoistic, ambitious, aggressive, proud, and competitive and have a tendency to control others. They work hard and like status, prestige, and power and are perfectionists. They suffer from a fear of failure, tend to be angry and jealous and to have few moments of joy. Tamasic person leads a life of dominated by depression, laziness, excessive sleep, eating, drinking. They may be greedy, possessive, attached, irritable, and uncaring toward others. Too much Rajasic or Tamasic distort the natural balance of the mind and have a negative impact on life.

Food we eat has a direct impact on the dopamine level and it is important to strike a balance by taking proper food which is neither Rajasic nor Tamasic. Sattvic food might help as there is a connection between what we eat and how we behave; as our levels of violence, crime, and depression depend on the food also.

Unfortunately the pleasure is experienced in eating Rajasic and Tamasic food since we have identified the experience of pleasure in them. How should we tackle this syndrome? Simple one need to understand that he is the knower, not the known and the seer, not the seen, by just realizing the true nature of the Self one can transcend beyond the consumption identity to experience the eternal BLISS.

790. Some are Inevitable while Some are Optional to Choose from…!

MUD is Inevitable, but LOTUS is Optional

1. Setbacks are inevitable, but staying back is optional. 

2. Falling down is inevitable, but getting up is optional. 

3. Bad times are inevitable, but bad attitudes are optional. 

4. Rain is inevitable, but getting wet is optional. 

5. Taxes are inevitable, but philanthropy is optional. 

6. Hard times are inevitable, but taking it serious is optional. 

7. Death is inevitable, but creating a legacy is optional. 

8. Losing some battles is inevitable, but holding on to winning attitude is optional. 

9. Failures are inevitable, but quitting is optional. 

10. Doubt is inevitable, but confidence is optional. 

11. Ageing is inevitable, but maturity is optional. 

12. Arguments are inevitable, but harmony is optional. 

13. Temptation is inevitable, but rectitude is optional. 

14. Jealousy is inevitable, but trust is optional. 

15. Love is inevitable, but being unconditional is optional. 

16. Chaos is inevitable, but being calm is optional. 

17. Need is inevitable, but greed is optional. 

18. Weakness inevitable, but strength is optional. 

19. Choice is inevitable, but decision is optional. 

20. Confusion is inevitable, but tranquillity is optional. 

21. Pressure is inevitable, but resistance is optional. 

22. End is inevitable, but starting a new beginning is optional. 

23. Competition is inevitable, but winning it is optional. 

24. Reality is inevitable, but visualization is optional. 

25. Adversity is inevitable, but glory is optional. 

26. Triumphs are inevitable, but humility is optional. 

27. Darkness is inevitable, but getting afraid is optional. 

28. Fear is inevitable, but courage is optional. 

29. Self-doubt is inevitable, but taking charge is optional. 

30. Acceptance is inevitable, but seeking beauty is optional. 

31. Questions are inevitable, but finding answers is optional. 

32. Being adamant is inevitable, but being stubborn is optional. 

33. Ignorance is inevitable, but knowledge is optional. 

34. Taking is inevitable, but giving is optional. 

35. Association is inevitable, but making friends is optional. 

36. Inspiration is inevitable, but getting motivated is optional. 

37. Getting up morning is inevitable, but being truly awake is optional. 

38. Sleeping is inevitable, but charging up is optional. 

39. Spending is inevitable, but investing is optional. 

40. Work is inevitable, but doing it with perfection is optional. 

41. Running of Time is inevitable, but using it for purpose is optional. 

42. Ambition is inevitable, but achievement is optional. 

43. Music is inevitable, but singing is optional. 

45. Violence is inevitable, but peace is optional. 

46. Frowning is inevitable, but smiling is optional. 

47. Getting exhausted is inevitable, but enjoying it is optional. 

48. Change is inevitable, but progress is optional. 

49. Income is inevitable, but taking bribe is optional. 

50. Life is inevitable, but living meaningfully is optional.

789. Talking has to be a means of Communication not Torture!!!!

Talk is a way of expressing your feelings to other. Talk helps convey your intent and get other persons consent. Your talk has to be meaningful, truthful, pleasant and beneficial. Talking is an art it is never to be taken light. If one is not capable of talking properly it is better for him to remain silent and avoid catastrophe. 

Does talking cause harm?? No, it is not talking that cause harm it is the way of putting it which needs greater skill. You have to be conscious and alert while talking and anticipate and be aware of the consequences that may unfold. There are unwanted talks which might sometimes put you in trouble. The most common among them is talking under the influence of emotion. Intellect (Buddhi) is veiled when you are carried away by emotions (Bhava paravasha). There is no leash to control the tongue hence wrong and improper words shoot out. You may later on feel sorry for uttering those words, but they are already out and done a lot of damage. 

Another unfortunate way of using your talk is to argue. An argument pushes you from the height. Ego pours in the necessary fuel for the argument. Sometimes a casual discussion can lead to arguments, you have experienced even in spiritual forums also. You have to keep in mind that it is a silly argument that causes a dent in serious relationship. If you respect the relationship more you will never argue even if you are right. Likewise if you intend to thread spiritual path, please avoid arguments it does help a lot. 

More often out of excitement you need a person to talk and pour out all that you have in your mind and heart. So you choose a person with whom you may talk endlessly and the excitement in you make you so preoccupied that you fail to ask the person if he has time to listen to your talk or even if he is interested or not in your talks. You have to talk to a person and pause for few seconds let him respond to your talk, it is a way of getting his opinion also. 

A lot of trouble in the world would disappear if people talk to each other instead of talking “about” each other. Talking to each other is a means of communication while talking “about” each other is gossiping. Gossiping happens when in group and only if there is no important work. If you value your inner Self and perceive all as equal, you must have to avoid such groups. Gossiping about others get you nothing at all expect waste of your valuable energy and time. 

How to avoid all these unwanted talks??? 

Remain SILENT as silence is GOLD. 

By remaining silent the quantity of talking reduces and at the same time quality of talk will improve.

  

How to remain SILENT???

Remaining silent does not mean holding back what needs to be expressed.....if I do that I am a selfish hypocrite ...........what say???

788. First ever Eye Donor recorded in the History!!!!!!

Prayer to Absolute is not something that comes by preaching, or teaching, or when just some slokas or mantras uttered. It is the immense connection that one realises when he gets aligned to Him. When this alignment takes place every word that comes out of the mouth becomes a prayer. We have heard the story of Moses and the shepherd where according to Moses there are a set of procedures while praying to Absolute which are called rituals, while for the shepherd the natural way he talks to Absolute is itself prayer. Natural prayer springs out of an attentive mind. 

It so happened in a forest a hunter by name Thimma could not catch anything for few days. His wife and kids were starving as they depended on what he hunted. The third as evening was approaching and he had not been successful, out of frustration he spoke to the Shiva Linga in an old temple and made a promise that he would offer half of what he catches the next day and went home.

Miraculously the next day at noon he spotted a rabbit and he shot an arrow at it. Since he had made a promise before the Shiva Linga he had to offer half. Innocently he left half of the rabbit meat on a leaf in front of the Shiva Linga and went home. The next day morning the priest of the temple arrived and saw the meat, got frustrated and he quickly cleared it away and washed the place up.

Next day at noon time the hunter returned and found the meat had disappeared and he assumed that Shiva had consumed it. He continued to offer the half of his hunted share daily. The priest was horrified to find meat daily, one day he stayed back and hid himself behind a pillar to see who was breaking the tradition in the temple. As usual the hunter came with the offer. The priest who was hiding got angry on this hunter and was just about to pounce on him when he observed that blood was oozing out from the place where the left eye of Shiva would have been on the Linga. Priest was taken aback and was sure that Shiva was angry and would punish the hunter for breaking the tradition. He was frightened and hid behind the pillar.

On seeing the bleeding Linga the hunter thought that the Lord had hurt himself and gathered herbs and leaves to apply on the wound. This treatment did not stop the blood flow, and then he decided to replace Shiva's eyes with his. He took out the eye from the eye socket and stuck it on the Linga where it was bleeding. Amazingly the bleeding stopped.

A few minutes later, the right eye of Shiva Linga started bleeding. The hunter now thought of replacing his right eye also, but there was a problem once he had taken his right eye out, he would be totally blind and how would he find where to place the eye? He pondered for a minute, and came up with a solution. Lifting his leg, he placed it on the place where the Lord had his right eye, and with his knife, proceeded to take out his right eye from its socket! Just then priest emerged out criticising the hunter for placing his foot on the Linga. He pushed the hunter calling him a fool for placing the foot on the Linga.

Even Lord Shiva could not bear to see this great sacrifice by his devotee and the utter foolishness of the priest; He appeared in front of them! At once, Thimma regained his sight, and prostrated before the Lord. Lord praised the hunter for his devotion and declared him to be a saint. To the priest, He said though he knew all the rituals of worship he failed to have the intense Bhakti which is most important to get aligned to Him. Since he had donated his eyes (kannu is eye) for the Lord, Timma was henceforth known as Kannappa.

Kannappa is the first ever eye donor recorded.

787. Which part of your Body do you feel is more Important???

Once in a Gurukul the Guru asked the disciples, “Which is that part of your body which you think is essential to survive in this world?”

“Eye” said one of the disciples in the front row.

“Sarvendriyanam Nayanam Pradhanam, they say which means of the five sense organs eye are important. Eyes are necessary for us to look at the outer world, but there are blind who are able to manage without them.” said the Guru.

“Ears, one cannot hear but even deaf manage to live, so also those who cannot talk. Guruji you have told us that if one is deprived of one organ God has compassionately compensated with providing more subtlety to the other. ” said one from the group.

“True, when it comes to living life as one wants to we human beings have been able to manage the available resources provided by God to the extreme extent. I want to know as a human being which is the part of the body which you think is important. I will give you one day to think. Let us see if you can answer the question tomorrow.” the Guru told before ending the class for the day.

The disciples discussed among themselves the whole evening and there were different opinions and none could come to conclusion as to which part in the body due absence could make a difference in their living.

The next morning the class started and the Guru asked the disciples if they have the answer to the question asked yesterday. When there was no answer the Guru told, “The shoulders my dear disciples. It is the most important body part.”

“Is it because it holds my head firm?” asked a young lad.

“No, it is important because it can hold the head of someone in distress. A person in distress needs a shoulder to cry upon. I want all of you to have such shoulder which has enough warmth to provide for someone who is low and anguish.  This part of the body is just a symbolic reference to your good will and gesture to accommodate and comforts those who come to you with a heavy heart. You mind has to be open to welcome their grievance and if possible give them soothing words of comfort.”

“But Guruji, you said God helps those who help themselves?” interrupted a disciple.

“True, God helps those who help themselves but that is the second stage, the first one is to make them feel comfortable for which God wants your shoulder. He will be pleased if you say that you are there for those who need a shoulder to cry on. Helping hands are better than praying lips. A person may forget what you said and what you did when he was in his happy days but he will never forget how you comforted them when they were feeling low.”

“Gurudeva, will not the person whom we give shoulder to cry get de-motivated. Will it not act as a hindrance to him from raise above the difficulties? Also, is he not destined to be in such a situation by destiny?” asked a bright student.

“The true essence of our humanity is how far we allow ourselves to be useful to heal others wounds both physical and mental. We need to use our awareness and consciousness to motivate other through our actions. There is no greater gift we can give others than to offer ourselves to make other happy. As far as destiny is concern what is stopping you to be instrumental in making one happy may be that is the opportunity to make your own destiny or just simply let the Lord route His grace through you.”

786. Happiness comes from within and outside as well.......!

Richard Layard, British economist states that “Happiness comes from outside and from within. The two are not in contradiction. The true pilgrim fights the evils in the world out there and cultivates the spirit within”. Layard Sir has to be a perfect yogi to think so. There is substance in that statement, generally a spiritual seeker is told to seek Happiness from within. But in some cases happiness can be making sure that those around you are happy also. It could be someone you love also. The striking example could be a mother, she is always happy for her family. Even if she does not have enough to eat she would be happy to see that the entire family members have had enough. How could she have experienced happiness even if she had to starve? What is such happiness called? Is it not which she has obtained from outside of her? And same is so with father, he does an extra to see that his children get the best. Is it not happiness that is got from outside? I would not call it sacrifice, I can say they only want to see their children happy so that they are happy looking at the happiness of their children. Happiness lies in making others happy, in forsaking self-interest to bring joy to others. Spreading happiness doesn’t cost money; it just needs willingness to spread.

  

We are to believe that happiness benefits not only self but also the one with and around us. It would not be enough if we are happy and people around us are crying in agony. I think many will agree with me that even though happiness is said to be state of mind, it's impossible for one to be happy among people who are not happy. Even though Buddha was seeking happiness from within and preached to find one within, He wanted the dreaded Angulimala to reform himself to avoid seeing people being tortured. A Bodhisattva does not feel good to see someone around him suffering as he originated from Mahayana, referring to an enlightened soul who chooses to stay and help others. As far as I know happiness spreads happiness, it's unquestionably infectious. Happiness is like an intoxicant, it keeps the person high when his surrounding is also high.

  

Research shows that a person can be happy in a place where he is seeing everything as much about his own mental wellbeing. The more likely people are to see others as happy, kind-hearted and emotionally stable is often a reflection of how happy, kind hearted and emotionally stable they are and feel. As spiritual beings we already carry Happiness within us, but if we were to be in a society which is ailing can we enjoy that happiness. The greatest happiness comes from seeing others happy and to have a feel of being a positive part in it. Making others happy is tremendously important to our own happiness, and a most satisfying experience. It annihilates the selfish nature in us and makes us look at things in a broader perspective. I believe being of spiritual, mental, and material use to others, one can find his own needs fulfilled. As he forgets self in service to others, he finds that without seeking it, his cup of happiness will be filled automatically.

  

“Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

785. Bodiless Spirit & Soulless Body both induce FEAR. why is it....?

Sri Sri Sankara says in Bhaja Govindam thus:

  

Yavat Pavano Nivasati Dehe Taavat Prucchati Kusalo Gehe Gatavai Vaayu Dehe Paye Barya Bibyati Tasmin Kaye.

Meaning :As long as the Prana Vayu (Vital Breath) resides in the body everyone care about the welfare; when that breath leaves the body, even wife fears the non-moving body!

  

Necrophobia, fear of dead bodies is a relatively complicated phobia. Many, if not most, people are afraid of dead bodies. What is it that induces fear in us? The soulless body by itself does not harm anyone. When the spirit has left the body, the body is not more than a recycle product. There is nothing to be scary about, but when we look at a dead body we are struck suddenly by an immediate sense of our transience. For a very brief moment it awakens the dormant morality in us. This is called “Smashana Vairagya” (Dispassion got at cemetery). When at cemetery attending a funeral the whole universe appear to be an illusion nothing seem to be interesting. That is the time when the mind is very weak and it is more like Matter fearing Antimatter. If one has “Jnana Vairagya” (Dispassion got by Knowledge) he will not fear a dead body.

  

A dead body is visible and it is quite understandable if one has fear of it. Amazingly a bodiless spirit which is not visible is also feared, though not many have experienced their existence the  service of tantrics and exorcists are sought to get rid of such spirits throughout the world.

  

Pneumatiphobia, fear of spirits is not so common but a problematic phobia. They say earthbound spirits are those subtle bodies which in spite of losing the physical body don’t wish to go to the afterlife realm. The reasons could be many as to why they choose to stay back on this earth plane. Some may lose the body due to sudden accident and might have unfilled ambition which make them earth bound. While for some it might be the attachment towards near and dear ones, or even scoring of revenge with those whom they hate.   

More interesting is how some are afraid of spirits and when they find something abnormal they conclude it to be paranormal. Paranormal activity does exist but connecting every abnormal activity to paranormal activity is not necessary, it is again the weakness of the mind. A group of college boys were talking about spirits in certain graveyard. One young boy rubbishes it and challenges that he will walk in to the graveyard that night. As a proof he tells he will hit a nail to the tree which stood at the middle of the graveyard. As midnight approaches he dares himself into the cemetery with a hammer and a nail. When he reaches the tree he starts hitting the nail to the tree and after the feat was finished he tried to get up but he can’t. He experiences as if someone is pulling him. He gets scared and faints. The next morning his friends come looking for him. They find the young hero unconscious with the nail hit to the tree along with his pyjama.       

784. Transit from Materialism to Spiritual Materialism no Better!

In the pursuit to betterment in life a seeker will adopt the Jnana Marga (Path of Knowledge). The knowledge got from various sources does help him overcome many questions that were lingering in my mind. Unfortunately for some this Jnana Marga induces Aham (Ego) in the mind. In fact knowledge should have been the fuel to burn out the ego, but in most of the cases it becomes fuel to ignite it and keep it alive. This is spiritual materialism. That ego can cleverly twist a well intended higher desire of enlightenment to make a u-turn and hit the seeker where it hurts. Rather than making the seeker a humbler, that ego can turn the desire for spiritual growth to pride and vanity. Spirituality can be distorted into a means for material gains, intellectual status, or also to escape from reality. 

While an individual who would crave for worldly materialism is like a bird imprisoned in an iron cage, a spiritual materialist is one in a golden cage and for both the bondage surely exists. An individual might focus much on self and become an obsessed self-improved seeker, forgetting or least bothered about others around him. He never realizes that in the venture to excel himself he has to play the part of trying his bit to see that other also excel along with him. 

The incident in the life of King Kaushika who later on becomes Vishwamitra (friend of world) stands as an evidence. When the king decides to acquire the wish fulfilling cow Sabala, forcefully from sage Vashistha, he gets to know the unmatched powers, gained out of austerity. Desired to obtain that power he forsakes his kingdom and does tapas (austerity) and obtains it. Then with the so got spiritual powers he designs a parallel world to King Trishanku when the later wishes to ascend the heaven with the physical body, merely to show off his powers and loses them. There are numerous such occasions where he loses the spiritual powers on triviality. 

Kaushika again resort to austerity to regain the power, it takes him enormous time and effort to evolve as a Rajarishi. In the silence of his heart he forgets the material world as well as the spiritual materialism and its mesmerism. Gradually his heart gets embellished by love and compassion. It was at that time “Gayatri Mantra” the mother of all mantras blossomed in him and he presented it to the entire world. He was called VISHWAMITRA, (friend of world) from then on.  

 Srimad Ramanuja, the exponent of Vishishtadvaita was initiated with the “Ashtakshara Maha Mantra” by Guru Thirukoshtiyur Nambi. Further the guru informs that contemplating on the mantra would release him from earthly ills and take him to Vishnuloka, but warns if revealed to others he will go to Yamaloka. Ramanuja climbs up the temple tower and in the top of his voice announce the mantra to all the villagers. When his furious guru question about his action he simply says, “If this act of mine delivers thousands to heaven, I do not mind going to hell.” Thrilled, the guru hugged his disciple. 

It is important for me to realize that though I am just a speck of dust in the midst of this enormous universe, my individuality is spacious enough to inspire others. If I am a grain of sand in this universe the entire space is for my accommodation because I neither possess nor obstruct anything. I just share this universe with others and this tremendous openness comes to not by knowledge but only if I belittle the Aham (Ego) in me...................Am I Right???

783. When Life is Likened to Live Performance..........!

Sri Vidyaranya, the great exponent of the Advaita School of philosophy who lived in the fourteenth century A.D was the Guru as well as the Diwan to Harihara and Bukka, the founders of the Vijayanagara Empire. He is reputed to the greatest among post-Sankara Advaitins. He was the head of the Sringeri Sarada Peetam (Dakshinamnaya) established by Sri Sri Sankara from the period 1377 to 1386 A.D. He has scripted Panchadashi slokas which are grouped into three sections of five chapters each and named them as Viveka (Discrimination), Deepa (Light) and Ananda (Bliss). The text clears many Vedanta concepts like the relation between Jagannatha (Absolute), Jagat (Universe) and Jeevi (Individual), the inseparable Karana (Cause) and Karya (Effect) etc. In one chapter life is compared to a dance performance. Just by understanding those verses one can know what is really happening in our life.

There is a dancer performing a dace movement on the stage. She is been assisted by a group of musicians and there is a huge audience watching. There is the dance master who is also watching from behind the screen. A bright light is illuminating the whole auditorium along with the stage. Now let us see the comparison; The auditorium is the (Jagat) universe, audiences are the (Vishaya Vastu) objects of the world, stage is the (Sthula Deha) physical body, dancer is the (Manas) mind, dance movements are the (Vrittis) thoughts, musicians are the (Indriyas) sense organs, dance teacher is the (Antaratma) conscience, and light illuminating the auditorium is the (Chaitanya) consciousness. 

A bright flood light is fixed at the centre of the auditorium. It is from this light the dance master, dancer, musicians, and the audiences are able to see. Even though the dance movements or the dancer’s costumes or the role of the dancer or the tune from musical instrument may changes, the only unchanged object is the light which illumines the entire show. Without the light the whole auditorium is lifeless. Light is here likened to Atma (Consciousness).

Once the curtains are drawn up and the performance is started, the dance teacher has to just watch the performance he has no chance to correct the movements of the dancer on the stage. Likewise our conscience is just a witness to what we do it cannot correct us or reprimand our actions. The dancer cannot do the same movements over again and again as the audience will get bored, even so the mind cannot have same pattern of thoughts it will change according to the outer world.

The dancer has to feel satisfied with the performance first and automatically such a performance will always be accepted by the audience. As there is a saying “Loko Binna Ruchi” which means peoples' tastes differ, hence it is difficult to please everybody. If the dancer wants to please all and yearns for the applause of the audience the performance gets hampered. Mind also has to be satisfied with the Self if it wants to get the certificate from the world it will be chaotic.

The musicians also need to cooperate to the dancers movements with full concentration, if the musicians are carried away by applaud of the audience and try to impress them the dancer will lose the rhythm and whole performance will lose its appeal. Likewise so if the sense organs are more attracted to the whims and fancies of the outside world the rhythm of the mind gets affected.

782. Is Pomposity necessary to get Appreciation from Others.!

Sri 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.

Sri Krishna went to Hastinapura to mediate between Kauravas and Pandavas and make a last effort to stop the war. Prince Duryodhana arranged a grand welcome to Sri Krishna; he erected many pavilions full of precious gems on the either side of the road. Duryodhana welcomed Sri Krishna by presenting him the garland of precious gems and pearls, and arranged the preparation of Chhappan Bhog (56 varieties of delicacies) with the intention of having the Lord in good books. Duryodhana urged Him to have food, Sri Krishna replied, “I will have food only where I find love and belovedness.”

Duryodhana who was furious over what he heard from Sri Krishna, ordered his subordinates to capture Krishna immediately. Sri Krishna stood up and said, “You would not have ordered for my arrest if you had any love for me. This grand welcome is useless if there is no love.” Saying so He left to Vidura's house, who according to the Lord had wealthy of knowledge.

Vidura has nothing but a wooden plank to offer Him and was remorseful about it. Sri Krishna told him, “Vidura you have offered Me Hridaysimhasana (Throne of Heart).”  A person who has wealthy and no knowledge lacks Vinaya (Gentleness) also. Gentleness is the inner stuff. 

Those who lack inner stuff are the one who want to show what they have outside. When there is nothing or very little inside, there is an extreme urge to show out; it is then that all pomp and show get exhibited. It will justify the proverb “Empty vessels make more noise.” A person who thus exhibits feels that if does not do so he will be rejected and will not be given importance! Mind will be in a dilemma, to be acceptable in society as a person of knowledge or an important person. But the reality is that the need to exhibit comes because of the basic need of appreciation. Both self-pride and pomposity is manifestation of a sick mind. There is an urgent need to treat this disease. The only treatment is to be happy with ourselves. If we are happy with ourselves, then there is no needed to look for appreciation from other. If there is an urge to get appreciation from others it is clear that we are not happy with ourselves. When we are not happy with our self we take refuge of Dambhachara (Pomposity).

Pomposity means desire to show off one’s qualities or possessions and stand elite. Pomposity may sometime lead to unlawful means of amassing wealth. It is acceptable to pursue wealth through decent means, but then if money becomes the main criteria for status it is bad for society. If the youngsters get the notion that becoming wealthy is the only way to obtain status, then they tend to get the idea of reaping without sowing and looking for easy money. There is a saying in Kannada “Kai Kesaradare Bai Mosaru” (When your hands get dirty while working your mouth will be filled with yogurt.) Meaning: Hard work pays you dividends.

Am i Right???

781. Too Much of Anything is Too Bad……!!!!!

Ati daanaat Balirvadho hyati maanaat Suyodhanah

Ati loulyaat Raavano hantah Ati Sarvatra Varjayet----Subhashitam

Meaning:-

Bali met his end due to his extreme charity, Duryodhana was killed due to his excessive pride, and lust beyond control brought the end to Ravana. Hence too much is too bad.

Over indulgence in the tendencies (Vasanas) became the reason for the downfall of King Bali, Duryodhana and Ravana.  Anything that crosses the required limit line will become a problem. A person who is served his favourite dish can relish only his stomach full if he starts gulping too much it will take an adverse effect on his health. Hence anything exceeding the bounds will prove fatal and bring unwanted consequences, it is always better to know our limits.

Sentimental attitude is one of the causes of emotions crossing the boundary line. It is a condition which arises when something is loved out of proportions. Likewise if something is hated out of proportion we cross the line of emotions and develop Egoistic attitude. Everything we see is emanated from Absolute; it is obvious for us to like whatever seems to be appealing for us in this universe. This liking has also got a boundary line. Absolute do not advocate us to like anything in this universe more than He would have liked it. He expects us to get tuned to His proportion in terms of liking. But unfortunately we start liking some more than the limited proportion and become sentimental about it. Let be the house we live in or the children we have brought up or the religion we practice or the profession that we are in or the politician we have elected.

Sentimental attitude further leads to sycophancy. This is the worst thing which veils the perception and creates illusion. The politicians and religious leaders of my country have taken advantage of this to the maximum. When they know that they have the support of the sycophants they live in a fantasy world and conclude that whatever they say will be carried out by their followers. Here there are two things to be observed, the sycophants like their leader more than Absolute like him and so also the leader like his Ego more than the Absolute likes it. In a way both are sentimental.     

The leaders being sycophants of their own ego do not recognize the limit mark and out of excitement make unwanted remarks or issue superfluous ultimatums (fatwas). Because of sycophancy the followers get sentimental and at that instant they are prospective fanatic, radical, activist or protesters. They take out the orders as simple zombies without giving a thought to what would be the consequence that may fallout. Who should be blamed for a situation like that the leader or his followers or both?

Now the question that comes to my mind is how much is too much? Where is the limit for me to know that the thing I like will start to cause problem for me? I have to like my choice, perspective, religion etc only up to the point where it is not becoming the root cause for me to hate others. Absolute from whom all this has emanated does not hate anything or like more than proportion as well. If something I like is causing me to hate others because of it or is letting other hate me because of it I have to know that I have crossed the limit of liking that it and apply brakes on my liking towards it.

780. Top Secret behind Long Lasting Relationships......!

As a social being I need to have a cordial relationship with each and every person. The relationship could be with my family members, friends, clients, customers, suppliers, vendors and so.  I cannot be seasonal with relationships like I do with my sweater, raincoat and umbrella. This enthusiasm of relationships fascinates me and at the same time I wonder why at times these relationships shines and fades; raises and falls or in some rare cases will not develop at all? Amazingly in most of them there is no sturdiness but having said that there are some which lasts very long with such a stability that it does not go to the peak or get down to the gorge. I often wondered how this could be possible.

After giving a lot of thought I had concluded a long lasting relationship had something to do with destiny as we have heard the famous verse “Runanubandha Rupena Pasu Patni Suta Aalaya”- meaning wife, pet, children and house are due to karmic connections. Yes, completely agreed that it is purely due to destiny that I get connected to people but whether to sustain that or break that depends solely on me. It is possible for me to keep my relationship with other stable and harmonious. All I need to do is be stable irrespective of the circumstances and situations.

With the thought that the same consciousness (Chaitanya) is imbibed in me and in the person with whom I need to have a cordial relationship, I will have to definitely stop blaming for a fault. It is the Ego which refuses to accept this and needs to nail the person when he is at fault. If only I remove the veil of the ego my relationship with other would be perfect as I would have considered to Let Go! Unfortunately if I expect the same from my counterpart also it will never work like that. When I start to overlook whether my counterpart has choose to keep the ego or put it away and if it does not matter to my warmth for him, the relationship is never lost. I know that there are some who would take advantage if I behave so for such people I just ignore and avoid spilling more fuel on the fire. 

Is it possible to live this way in this world? Can I remove the veil of the ego? There are a few things which I need my intellect to tell my mind. My mind has to be ever aware to be there at all times. Secondly my mind should always remember that this lifespan is not all and that my connection with a person though not accidental, it is not predominant but the person is. The relationship survives due to the person not the other way round. If I lose a relationship I will be losing the person not just the designation of the relationship.     

I need to be prepared not to let any relationship to turn sour. If at all a situation of such arises I need to communicate and clarify and take that relationship soaring high. I need to let everyone within the relationship to enjoy peace, love, abundance and oneness. No matter what is said or done I have to see that I do not lose my people over trivial issues.

779. Good Company....!

Now there are wax fruits in the market which we buy and place them in the showcase. They are very attractive and visually better than the real ones. They exhibit vibrant colors and are very gorgeous for our eyes. They are “For Your Eyes Only”. There was a small toddler who was left under the care of its father. With milk teeth emerging the kid was pleased to put everything in its mouth. The kid saw the apple fruit made of wax and started licking it. Care taker was reading the newspaper and he was pleased that the child was silent and not disturbing him. After sometime the kid threw the wax fruit and started to babble, frowning at it the father gave it a fruit made of wood. The child started licking it and remained silent for a few minutes. Just imagine in a similar situation the mother of the kid would have sliced an apple, peeled it and given it to the kid instead of apple made of wood or wax. The kid would have relished and would have had the experience of tasting that fruit. Correct??? 

The same is true with our mind dear friends. Mind is always happy with the objects in the world outside. Amazingly it is not satisfied with things which it is already got; instead it looks for something new thanks for the variety of choices the outer world has to offer. Like the father of the child our senses try to keep the mind upbeat with the variety of the experiences spoon fed through Sight, Smell, Taste, Sound and Touch. Even then the chattering of mind never stops. It is the tendency of the mind to crave for anything that is of interest. It also concludes that it can obtain security, peace, pleasure or happiness from the varieties supplied by our senses. Like the child licking the wax fruit and getting satisfied for sometime and then disinterested with it and accepting the other item pushed at it, the mind also is only aware that the possible source of happiness is in the outer world. 

Just as the mother who offered a sliced piece of apple to the kid, if someone let the mind taste the joy of becoming aware of the inner world the fluttering of the mind will stop. Now, who can be like the mother of the child for us to serve what our mind needs? As far as my experience here in this forum it has been my fellow seekers who respond to the write up who are like the mother of the child to me. They have taken me to the inward journey stopping me from licking the wax fruit. Those profound and insightful responses have cleared my path and brightened it.   

I have been by far successful in taming my restless mind with the assistance of many here. Posting the blog and sending private messages to some and contemplating on the responses received have had a positive impact on this mind. Those insightful responses have tamed it to be calm. And with a calm mind it is easy for my strong will and intellect to make decisions. With the gain of tranquility of mind the inner joy is experienced and when in this state I neither depend on objects outside me to make me happy nor worry about circumstances which might make me sad. 

I need to be grateful to Sri Hari for providing me this Sat Sangha. 

Satsangatve Nissangatvam

Nissangatve Nirmohatvam

Nirmoatvam Nishchalattvam

Nishcalattvam Jiivanmuktih

778. Honour a commitment today & catch a peaceful sleep tonight!!

A commitment made has to be honoured at any cost this is one discipline which I learnt in life. In our factory we manufacture semi-finished product, which is raw material for another factory which make finished products. We have to honour the commitment made to our clients, if we fail to deliver as promised the cycle is broken. When I started the industry as soon as I was just out of college, I did not know the consequences of not honouring a commitment. I used to tell my clients that I will send them the material and by chance if it was not possible I would not worry a lot over it and would sleep peacefully. That sleep was due to ignorance. When my customer questioned about it the next day I would just say it could not be done. Later on I understood that if I do not supply in time I will be hampering the chain of events.

My personal experience since my twenty years in business is “Promise a little and produce a lot to keep your client pleased.” Such commitment does not end in professional level. When I have commitment to be made to my family and friends I have to see that I fulfil it. In the first place I need not commit to that which I cannot execute; if I am committed I have to discharge it at any cost, lame excuses won’t work and will not let me have a peaceful sleep.

In Treta Yuga there was a king named Raja Harishchandra in the lineage of Suryavamsha (solar dynasty) who was the ancestor of Lord Sri Rama. He was renowned for his truth and will to honour commitment. His Raja Guru was Sage Vashishta and in one instance at the Indra Sabha he talks about Harishchandra’s commitment. Sage Vishwamitra wants to prove Vashishta wrong about Harishchandra, so he plans to test the trustworthiness of the king. He calls on the king and asks for some charity to do Yagna. Harishchandra without hesitation tells the sage to ask whatever he wished. Seizing the opportunity Vishwamitra asks for gold mound as high as the height of a sea shell which reaches when a tall man standing on a huge elephant would toss it towards the sky.   

Without batting an eyelid Harishchandra complies with the strange demand, but Vishwamitra would not take it and wants the king to keep it safe with him and would collect when needed. Years pass by and once Harishchandra was on a hunting trip, he is thirsty and a damsel sent by Vishwamitra quenches his thirst. For the favour done the damsel wants him to marry her. But Harishchandra tells her it was against dharma for him to marry the second time. Sage Vishwamitra intervenes and urges him to marry her. Harishchandra a bit emotional tells Vishwamitra that he was ready to forsake his kingdom rather than to take someone as his second wife. Vishwamitra who was waiting for such an occasion gladly accepts the kingdom. Harishchandra cheerfully offers his kingdom to the sage.  

After acquiring the kingdom, Vishwamitra wants the king to give him the promised gold mound. Harishchandra tells it is in the treasury, but sage insists that the treasury was now his and so he has to arrange. The king sells his wife and son in Kashinagara and finally, sells himself to a caretaker of cemetery to procure gold. In the process he becomes a slave to the caretaker of the cemetery, and is given the duty to collect money from those who come to cremate their dead.

When his own son dies of snake bite, his wife, Chandramati, brings the body for cremation. Harishchandra was now put to the ultimate test. He asked his wife for payment for the cremation, without which he would not let her cremate; as it was his masters instructions. This act of commitment from Harishchandra not only wins the heart of the Gods but also that of Sage Vishwamitra and from then on the sage becomes a well-wisher to the solar dynasty. It was then that all the Gods of heaven descended and hailed Harishchandra’s moral character and will to fulfil commitment.

This was the story which impressed the father of our nation and inspired him to live the life of truth and commitment....!

“Commitment- unlocks the doors of imagination, allows vision, and gives us the "right stuff" to turn our dreams into reality.”

777. Before the Conceptualisation of the word Hindu!!!!

People known to the world as “Hindus” are the inhabitants who live on the other side of the River Sindhu. This river Sindhu (Indus River) flows in Pakistan and people living beyond this river were referred to as “Sindhus” by Persians but Mohammedans in Arabia and other Far East countries has a problem with their pronouncing the word “S” they would end up with “H” and instead of “Sindhus,” they said “Hindus.” So people living on the other side of the river Indus were called “Hindus.” Otherwise, this word “Hindu” is not seen in any of the four Vedas.

Also there is no date of the origin or the founder or a preacher who introduced this way of life. The foundation of this way of life is laid on the substratum of spiritual truths. The whole structure of this very way of life had been built on Eternal Truth which were visualised by seers. That Eternal Truth was not based on belief but on experience. Hence Agni Pooja and Sandhya Vandana were given more preference.

They followed Eternal Law which was applicable to every individual irrespective of time and place. They believed in a life which was both immanent as well as transcendental. There were no ideological differences as there was none except “Sanaatana Dharma” at that time. A sanaatani recognises the Truth and acknowledges the world as transient and illusion. He gave importance to Sva-Dharma foremost. Sanaatana Dharma indicates the vibrant summation of the whole knowledge which is not subjective but objective. This knowledge helped a sanaatani to accept the universal principle of cause and effect. Thus the eminent truth that every action good or bad returns back to us was deemed. The subtle body was the one which would be experiencing the resultant remunerations in the next birth and hence the notion of rebirth was also reckoned. A sanaatani considered Atma to be eternal never created and nor destroyed. More importantly he accepts the truth that Atma as consciousness brightens the subtle body just like the moon borrowing the light from the sun and illuminates the night.  

Sanaatana Dharna endows a healthy lifestyle with practices like bathing in the river early in the morning and indulging the body and mind in Yoga and Pranayama. The physical body was not considered luxurious but was treated as a means to attain the highest which is Moksha the ultimate liberation. This was the destination and the goal of human life. Moksha is the liberation of subtle body from the cycles of birth and death.

Under the umbrella of Sanaatana Dharma emerged contemporary Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism while significantly were the cause for many other religions to follow much later. Though at the advent of time there were many religions on this earth plane but all of them supported humility and humanity. An attitude of understanding and tolerance is taught by every religion. Even though there are small some drawbacks in every religion, no religion advocates looking down upon the other religion or to consider their ideologies to be superior and better than another.

Sarva Dharma Samanvaya, tolerance towards every religion is the need of the hour that is the exact meaning of secularism. Uni-religion is practically an impossible solution for secularism since now there are differences in ideologies.