Akhand Jyoti Magazine 2022 July-August

Boasting Sounds Raw

An inflated ego is expressed in self-praise or bragging. It makes a person unbearable and laughable before others. People might like to praise someone, but it will certainly reverse the impression if he starts praising himself. Even if one is honestly analyzing oneself in that effort, no one will respect this self-admiration. Forget about friendship or help, people do not even like to meet arrogant, self-boasting, or pompous fellows. They may not always express it on their face because of social etiquette or fear, but in reality, they would like to avoid an egoist person as much as possible.

Acamel regards himself as tallest only until it doesn’t stand near a mountain.Therefore, one should compare one’s virtues and achievements with those of the great men and women renowned in human history. This will transform a person; the day this transformation happens, his ego is shattered. Then all the superficial, material things that mattered most to him would suddenly cease to matter. Then the person would realize the noble virtue of humility.

CONTENTS

1. Amrit Chintan

Boasting Sounds Raw............................................................................................................ 3

2. From Chief Editor’s Desk

Let the EntireAtmosphere be Charged with the Superconsciousness of Gayatri ................ 5

3. What is True Faith, and How does itAffect Human Life?.................................................... 7

4. Science and Spirituality

How to Uplift the Life-Force?............................................................................................... 10

5. Health and Wellness

What to Eat, Why Eat, and How to Eat? ............................................................................... 13

6. How toAugment the Power of Concentration?..................................................................... 17

7. Natural Wonders of the World............................................................................................... 20

8. TheAppalling Consequences of Climate change.................................................................. 24

9. Youth Column

Let the Energy of Youth Join Hands with the Experience of the Elderly.............................. 26

10. Don’t Suffer from Nerves...................................................................................................... 28

11. Focus is the Crux of all Spiritual Practices............................................................................ 30

12. Odyssey of the Enlightened - 86

Disciplines and Duties after Initiation -1............................................................................... 33

13. Young Talents Presenting Indian Culture in the Modern Context......................................... 37

14. Yug Gita - 37

The Mystery of Karma inAkarma andAkarma in Karma .................................................... 39

15. Don’t Let there be a Knot in the Loving Relationship .......................................................... 42

16. Amrit Vani

Let Us Revive the Parivr³jaka1 Tradition for Social Upliftment - 4 ..................................... 44

17. Guru’s Glory is Boundless .................................................................................................... 47

18. Music is the Best Medicine.................................................................................................... 50

19. Shantikunj News.....................................................................(Inner and back cover pages)

Interestingly,

- Eraldo Banovac

From Chief Editor’s Desk

Indian history is replete with the examples of disciples (Vivekananda, Yogananda, Shivaji, etc.) who made their mark in society. The common virtue they possessed was that they refined their personalities and surrendered at the feet of their Gurus (spiritual masters), and worked for social welfare at the bidding of their Gurus. In turn, they were blessed with the noble gifts of inner joy, immense willpower, soul strength, name, and fame.

Dedicated Gayatri Pariwar parijans coming in direct contact with Pujya Gurudev, Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya, too, got such a gift of awakened prudence and refined vision. Truly, this was equivalent to Shaktipat (transfer of spiritual power), which miraculously transformed their direction and status. Pujya Gurudev and Vandanaiya Mataji chiseled the personalities of parijans who had brilliance in their thoughts and tenderness in their hearts and lived ideal lives. They called this mission of transforming people from ordinary to extraordinary Yug Nirman Yojana and Vichar KrantiAbhiyan.

Pujya Gurudev used to say – ‘This is the time when Mahakal (the Time Spirit) wants a radical change in the human consciousness. Such times don’t come in history again and again. If the human consciousness, the mental attitude, and the way of thinking change, heaven will automatically manifest on earth. Our plans and actions were always oriented in this direction. Starting from educating the masses through the religious platform to establishing GayatriTeerth, Shantikunj, awakening the dormant power of Teerthas (holy places), and the process of awakening the Kundalini of divine India were done with this sole objective.’

He said, ‘My transformation will not appear in any new human species. Rather it will manifest in the ordinarylooking Pragya Parijans. They would soon imbibe idealistic tendenciesandbeseenmovingontothepathofrighteousness. This way, the descent of divinity would be possible in human beings,andaneweraofpeace,harmony,andgoodwillwould dawn on earth. In fact, this is the only plausible solution to all the problems of humanity.’

The problems of humanity have cropped up due to the decline in the moral conduct of people. The only reason behind the increase in psychopathy and adultery in society is that people have forgotten the dignity befitting humanity. Therefore, purifying the inner-self and adopting the path of righteous wisdom are the only solutions to these problems. That is why Pujya Gurudev and Vandaniya Mataji made Gayatri Mantra the basis of uplifting moral behavior and fulfilling their resolve of the rise of divinity in humans and the descent of heaven on earth.

Let the Entire Atmosphere be Charged with the Superconsciousness of Gayatri

What is hope? Hope is wishing for a thing to come true; faith is believing it will come true. - Norman Vincent Peale

Atharvaveda eulogizes Gayatri Mantra as follows:

O® stut³ may³ varad³ vedam³t³ pracodayant³® p³vam³nº dvij³n³m | Āyu¡ pr³ña® praj³® païu®, kºrti® draviña® brahmavarcasam mahya® datv³ brajat brahmalokam ||

That is, the worship of Gayatri grants longevity, energy, power, fame, wealth, and divine brilliance.

From time immemorial, the worship of Gayatri has been imparting strength to this country. It is a Sanjivani Buti (rejuvenating herb) for this era. Unfortunately, the majority of Indians engage in idol worship of different deities, but Adyashakti (the Primordial Power) has been forgotten altogether. That is why Pujya Gurudev, empowered by the super-consciousness acquired through the intense sadhana of Mother Gayatri, encouraged the worship of Gayatri and, for that purpose, started establishing the Shaktipeeths (temples of Mother Gayatri) in different parts of the country.

All World Gayatri Pariwar, with millions of members, is the outcome of the intensive sadhana of Gayatri by Pujya Gurudev and Vandaniya Mataji. The ‘Thought Revolution’ that has reached the masses is a clear indication that soon, Pragyavatara will manifest on earth, and the entire atmosphere will be charged with the Superconsciousness of Mother Gayatri. Let everyone be a part of this movement.

With prayer-filled greetings on the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima.

(Pranav Pandya)

People who profess to have no faith do not actually have no faith. They simply do not have faith as defined by the rest of the people. Many people who do not have faith as defined by the rest — do have faith in many other good things - honesty, dedication, inner strength, and so on. And if you ask him (or her) why do they abide by these beliefs if there is no external force to damn them if they do not abide, they will answer and say that it is because it is who they are, it is what they believe in, and that to them any other way is abominable. He (or she) does have faith. It is just not expressed on one of the main paths of expression that most of the population walk on. They are just different in their faith, that is all.

Religion should be rightly termed “The love of the beautiful.” For anyone who has true love and devotion to what is beautiful does have faith. That is his faith; that is his religion.

AKHAND JYOTI

JULY-AUG. 20226

What is True Faith, and How does it Affect Human Life?

Faithisanaturalqualityandessential requirement of human life. The philosophy states – ‘We think because we believe, live because we have faith in life.’ But, what is faith in life? Is it the faith in the eternal existence of the life force or the origin, growth, and continuity of life? The very definition of faith implies its intrinsic roots and internal expansion in the deep cores of consciousness, supporting the above assumptions in affirmation. Intrinsic faith in the purity of the soul and its eternal, omnipresent source - is a sublime impulse of spirituality, a reflection of inner inspirations, and the basis of inner strength.

Faith in God means faith in divine values - expressed in truth, love, amity, unity, honesty, purity, austerity, objective creativity, enthusiastic assiduity, zeal, etc., which maintain the certainty and dignity of human life. Lack of faith in oneself would mean negligence of compassion, altruism, integrity,anddisciplineineverysphere of life.The absence of faith would give absolute freedom to selfish desires, unconsumable passions for sensual pleasures, and worldly possessions

and comforts. It would also reduce control on audacious autocracy driven by ego, lust, and avarice in people’s lives. This impact would sooner or later result in moral and social anarchy, which might eventually destroy the edifice of humanity. What would be the shape of our life and society then? Will there be any place for peace and happiness?

Greatthinkersandpropagatorsofhumanculturehavealways emphasizedtheneedtoimbibefaithinhighidealsofhumanity and moral values emanated from the conceptualization and realization of divinity. This has indeed been the basis of religion and theism. Acharya Sharma’s trenchant literature [1],eloquentdeliberations,andthoroughanalysisofdifferent aspectsofhumanlifeencompassthedecipheration,scientific elucidation, and creative implementation of the reality and psychological impact of ‘theism.’

In hisviews, ‘theism orfaithindivinity’isbest manifested in self-confidence, strong willpower, and immense strength of the inner self. Therefore, a “theist” should have unflinching faithinhisrealityinthetruestsenseoftheword.Theblowsof adversities or cyclones of hardships cannot perturb him from his ideal path. He would never be lost in the ‘eddy currents’ of untoward passions. In the same sense, one who knows his own truth and has firm and nonprejudiced confidence in himself is a theist in reality.This definition and interpretation of theism is in perfect accord with theVedanta Philosophy of ‘Ayam³tm³ Brahma’or‘Tatwamasi.’Itexplainsthemeaning of ‘theism’in the light of prudence and guides the righteous way of worshiping the deity of life.

True faith is belief in the reality of absolute values. - William Inge

The selfish attitude of people today has narrowed down the definition of divinity and practices of theism as those pertaining to some rituals of worship or religious rites as per the customs of their community. For most people, the expression of believing one’s power revolves around worshiping a deity or praying at sacred shrines. However, as Acharya Sharma’s prudent analysis shows, this kind of faith is nothing more than an illusion or a deception.

Rather than inspiring total surrender (of ego and selfish attitude), which is an essential condition for true worship, such misconceptions and blind faith virtually make one a helpless creature who begs before his imaginary God for petty things as part of his ‘prayers.’The so-called ‘atheists,’who have faith in the potentials of the human mind and who respect the morale dignity of humanity, are better worshipers or believers of divine order as compared to the ‘theist’of the above kind.

The illusions and misconceptions spread in the name of religion and theism since the medieval era have nurtured orthodoxfaithandsuperstitionsinthemajorityofthe‘theists’ and, as a consequence, created some sort of dejection in the minds of the rational thinkers and intellectuals for whom ‘faith in God’ is nothing more than a sign of ignorance, illusionoremotionalexcitement.Suchamélangeofextremes of misconceptions has given rise to a crisis of faith. This is more threatening than any other crisis ever faced by human society.

Having blind faith or no faith - both extremes are pernicious for human psychology. Morality, prudence, liberty, justice, eco-friendly mode of life, compassion, mutual trust, and cooperation are also shaken by the subtle but deep effects of these extreme states of mind. How could the trend be reversed? How could we imbibe prudent faith in the present and future generations of human society? Trenchant

thoughts of Acharya Sharma provide us invaluable guidance in this regard and enlighten our minds and hearts with the knowledge of the realities and necessities of having faith in our divine originanddisciplines.AcharyaSharma describes the eternal realization of oneself in absolute accord with the deeper depths of the human mind and core of sentiments. His deliberations havenoplaceforblindfaith,ambiguity, confusion, or melancholy. In his words – ‘If it is a must, we may define God as an absolute ensemble of righteous tendencies, ideal virtues; as the eternal source of intrinsic enlightenment and ultimate evolution of consciousness.’ Therefore,one’sworshiporfaithinHis omnipresent existence is meaningful onlyifitinspirestheadoptionofdivine virtues and consistently augments the prudence, generosity, and bliss of the heart and purity and strength of the inner-self of the devotees (theists).

In the words of Acharya Sharma, faith in God increases our confidence in His creation. To a true theist, therefore, the whole world, the entire expansion of Nature appears to reflect His Will. He, therefore, has a natural love for all living beings. The whole world seems his own, and he enjoys the blessed state of ‘raso vaisa¡.’ There is no place for fear, tension, evil tendencies, the bitterness of relations, agonies, or

Faith is more than thinking something is true. Faith is believing something is true to the extent that we act on it. - W. T. Purkiser

scarcities in the life of a true theist. The nectar of absolute bliss, which the soul strives in every life against ego, avarice, and selfish attachments, is naturally showered by the feeling of His presence in every moment of life.

In essence, faith in God and realization of His presence, divine blessings, and guidance appear to offer a source of

immense bliss, peace, and righteous progress in human life. Therefore, foresighted wisdom should endeavor to imbibe and expand true faith in the eternal disciplines and love of theAlmighty. ۞

Notes:

1. Inspiring and thought-provoking literature of Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya for the holistic development of all aspects of life may be found on the website –www.awgp.org

Shukadev, son of sage Vyasa, was keen on learning higher spiritual knowledge. One day his father, Vyasa, said, “My son, you should go meet King Janaka; he is an ocean of wisdom. It will help you.”

Shuka was keen on learning but was doubtful of the knowledge a Palace dwelling king could possess. So he went to the palace and sought the king’s appointment. King Janaka welcomed him dearly. “O Shukadeva, Son of Vyasa, my child, what can I do for you?” said the king.

‘My father sent me to you to learn higher spiritual knowledge. So please take me as your student. But, I must ask you, I don’t understand - how can a palace dwelling king indulged in the wealth of palace, in the company of queen and children be such a highly recommended Yogi?’ said the straightforward Shuka.

“We will talk about that later. If you want to be my student, you must pass a test. Take this cup of oil, keep it on your head, go around the palace, and observe every room keenly. I will need every detail from you; you shouldn’t spill even a drop of this oil if you want to be my student.”

Shuka walked into each room of the palace, observed every room in detail, and returned in the evening. “O King, I have fulfilled your task.” said the young Shuka.

King Janaka asked many questions to confirm that he had indeed completed his task without fail. Finally, the king asked Shuka, “How could you observe every room in such detail when you had a full cup of oil on your head?”

“I observed every room, but my focus was always on the cup,” said Shuka.

“Same way, though I live in this world performing my duties as a king, husband, father, I always keep my focus on the higher reality,” said king Janaka answering Shuka’s earlier question.

Satisfied with each other’s abilities, they continued their studies.

Faith is knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof. - Kahlil Gibran

Science and Spirituality

How to Uplift the Life-Force?

We have discussed multiple facets of the science of spirituality in this column. As such, the depth and expanse of this science are limitless, like the omnipresent Consciousness Force. However, we attempt to follow the scrupulous and lucid elucidations and logical approach of GurudevPanditShriramSharmaAcharya,whopioneeredthe rediscovery of scientific spirituality. His approach motivates study, adoption, and constructive applications of scientific spirituality for the awakening and holistic development of humankind and the entire world in a natural way by illumination of the inner self and ascent (refined growth, gradual evolution) of the pr³ña (vital spiritual energy). The progress is gradual for ordinary mortal beings and worldly people like us.

The First Step: Biologically, we, the human beings, are members of the animal kingdom. So, the instincts of sensory pleasure, selfidentity, attachment with the physical body, apprehension, fearofinjury/attack/death,etc.,areasnaturalinusasinother creatures. However, according to biological evolutionary theories, we are significantly more evolved, as we possess distinct faculties of the brain and the mind with a potential of control over the sense-organs, constructive use of their functions, and self-development.

Anthropologically, we are social beings with an inborn quest for better living-hood with a sense of culture. Moreover, the spectrum of our evolved intellectual and emotional potentials and qualities and their diverse expressions has no bounds.

If a human being is only an evolved animal and a ‘social being,’ then unlike other animals, why is there such a vast difference in the nature, behavior, character, aspirations, emotional reactions, feelings, inclinations, interests, intelligence, thoughts, creativity, talents, actions, achievements, etc. among people? So much so that even congenital twins, who are born and brought up jointly, and who even have their heads connected, are found to have entirely different personalities! This is because of the difference in the genre and levels of evolution of their intrinsic tendencies, their “individual selves.”

For example, tastes, interests, and inclinations vary from one person to another. What gives joy to one may be drastically opposite to that for the other. But what is common is the fact that — everyone longs for ‘happiness’ in some form. All efforts, competitions, and struggles for worldly possessions, sensual pleasures, and ego-satisfaction emanate from this deep-rooted longing for happiness.

To maintain a powerful life force, forget yourself, forget about living and dying, and bring your full attention into this moment. - H.E. Davey

Natural Force of Consciousness and Relevance of Spirituality: The path of life has two open ends: the ‘lower’ one, in the direction of quick decline and devolution, is in the domain of devilish sins, demonic vices, cruel and debouching tendencies, extreme negativity, fears, stress, or utter dullness engulfed in the darkness of ignorance, and resultant hellish sufferings; the other end — the ‘higher’ one, in the (righteous or ‘positive’) direction of gradual ascent and ultimate evolution, which leads to divine realms of peace and purity, unalloyed bliss, absolute wisdom, and soul-realization, etc.

Every living being keeps moving along this path, life after life, age after age. Most of us, the ordinary humans, are located somewhere in the middle-oscillating in either direction. We don’t even realize what a precious chance we are going to miss in this wandering.

Unique Privilege of Human-self: Humankind is the only species in the animal kingdom, a human being is the only creature in the universe, and the only entity in the infinite expanse of Nature that has been blessed with the FREEDOM to choose the direction along this path. So which direction should we, the humans, who are aware

that the present life is a precious chance for self-evolution, follow?

Irrespective of where a person stands on the path of selfdevelopment (consciousness-evolution), his/her inner-self always wants to climb the excelsior of self-evolution. This is what our conscience (the voice of the soul — the true self) keeps guiding us towards, despite our ignorance or unwillingness. Self-evolution is the soul’s natural desire and tendency indwelling into the inner-self. In fact, this is what lies behind one’s natural quest for progress, peace (of mind), and joy.

Common Problem:

Most of us are well aware of effective ways for physical fitness and intellectual development, but we hardly know about emotional development and are almost ignorant about our holistic wellbeing and truly fulfilling progress.

We want to be successful and happy, but we don’t know the true goal of our ever-changing quest for success and the real and lasting happiness that our inner-selves are searching for. This is why we often wander in search of an illusory sense of joy in sensory and instinctive pleasures, in the false sense of self-pride, temporary satisfaction of ego, etc. This keeps driving us randomly here and there in both directions along the path of life with a fickle mind. If the assimilations in our unconscious mind and (hence) our intrinsic tendencies/ instincts are inclined towards the ‘downward’ direction, we will most likely move along the slippery side (negative direction) more rapidly.

Our ignorance, illusions, confusion, and extroverted outlook accelerate this decline day by day. This results in initially invisible but gradually fast weakening of willpower, selfdetermination, intuitive intellect, and other inner potentials.

Your breath is the cheapest, easiest, most accessible power tool you have at your disposal to increase your life force.

- Catherine Carrigan

The natural independence of our psyche and, above all, our ability to discriminate between what is truly right, just, and good for us and the fellow beings around us also wanes. Sooner or later, this causes cascading decadence of our talents and mental and physical health as well.

Simple Solution – Negative to Positive: Whatisthekeytoconsistentrefinementandholisticprogress?

It is the transition of outlook, mentality, inclinations, conduct, and emotions from negativity to positivity. This is what adoption of spirituality ascertains. It also elevates life from ignorance and illusions to enlightenment and prudence/wisdom, from worries and sufferings to peace and blissfulness. How and what needs to be done for this?

An aspirant needs to sincerely attempt to follow some basic spiritual disciplines and practices in day-to-day life that ensure self-development in a positive direction. A few preliminary steps are presented here that help orient and prepare one’s mindset for this purpose.

Self-inspiration and Self-determination Hold the Key:

A seeker of spiritual ascent should know that there is no jump or shortcut to success in this endeavor! Sincere efforts in the righteous direction, howsoever small they may be, with unperturbed patience and unflinching faith are the only means to ascend along this beatifying path. Nobody can compel or pull one to walk along this path of ascent;

neither can a ‘vehicle’ or any other ‘carrier’ provide a ride. Only one’s self-inspiration and self-determination would lead to a glorifying success.

Irrespective of what our present circumstances of life are, what people around us think about us, and what the achievements of our relatives, friends, and colleagues are, we, the seekers of positivity, must pay attention to our own upliftment. One must trust the divine nature of the soul and believe that one is born in this world as a specific person for a special purpose. One should remind oneself that emancipation from sorrows, vices, negativities, prejudices, and ignorance is not only one’s birthright but also an essential duty.

In the next issue, we will discuss the simple steps an aspirant should take to prepare to tread the path of spirituality. These steps will also help personality groom and lead to positive progress and success on personal, professional, and social fronts. ۞

Health and Wellness

A ïloka in Rigveda states: Na m³ tamanna ï•amannota tatdrann, voch³ma m³ sunoteti somam | Yo me p•ò³dyo dadadyo nibodh³dyo, m³ sunvantamupgobhir³yat || (Rigveda 2/30/7)

Meaning: ‘O men! Only those food articles are fit for consumption that make the body energetic and contented, provide glow and comfort, and make the organs strong and fit for the performance of yajóa. Do not ever stock and consume those herbs/food materials that sap the body’s strength andproducelethargyandintoxication.’

It is well-known that we cannot survive without food. The entire existence of human life on the earth is possible only because of food. Without food, neither can we sustain pranic energy nor physical energy. Our food greatly influences the wellness of both the body and mind. Health is also affected by the sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic nature of our food. Considering the subtle effects of food on the mind, much importance has been given to the purity of food in Indian culture

What to Eat, Why Eat, and How to Eat?

Distorted and irregular eating habits not only make the body sick but also makes the mind fickle and anxious. Fatty, spicy, excessively fried and roasted, or canned, stale food has many ill effects, and they cause many kinds of diseases. In fact, most diseases of the human body have some connection with our food directly or indirectly. Fast foods and junk foods have become very popular these days, creating new forms of diseases in the human body.

Food is a natural requirement of our life, so a few important facts must be understood well. The main purpose of food is to fulfill the body’s energy needs and help it grow. A small baby that weighs only a few kgs at birth grows into a young person weighing tens of kgs. It happens only because of the right food intake. The body keeps doing something or the other every moment. Even in a deep sleep, the lungs and the heart keep working uninterruptedly. The energy for this continuous activity and the formation of new cells in our body is extracted only from our food.

The body becomes weak and tired if it does not get the requisite food. It loses its vitality and cannot stay alive if this continues for a long period. Therefore, nutritious food is required to fulfill the body’s needs, maintain good health, keep it disease-free, increase its immunity, and smoothly carry out all its activities.

Maharshi Charak describes the good qualities of the food in the following way:

Meaning - Good food nourishes the body and gives it energy, longevity, physical and mental brilliance, enthusiasm, memory, and inner strength.

Therefore, it is important to know the answers to the following five questions about the food: (1) What should we eat? (2) How much should we eat? (3) When should we eat? (4) Why should we eat?And (5) How should we eat?

The answers to all these important questions are discussed below.

1. What to eat? - We should only eat those items of food that give us nourishment. We must always remember that food should be eaten for good health, not to satisfy the sense of taste.

2. Howmuchtoeat?Eatless.Howeverhealthyornutritious the food may be, if it is not consumed in the right amount, it causes harm to the body. The quantity of food should not be so much that it gets refluxed, nor should it be so less that the body does not get sufficient nutrition.

3. When to eat? As agnihotra is performed at sunrise and sunset, food should be eaten only twice a day. The first meal should be eaten before noon and the second before 7 pm. Ayurveda also prescribes only two meals. When the timing for meals is fixed, and the quantity is limited, food gets digested well. So, food should be eaten only twice daily and only when one is really hungry. Eating out of schedule, munching snacks the whole day, and skipping meals is not wise.

Doctors and psychologists say that there are different types of hunger that people experience. For example, we get tempted to eat when watching someone else eat. We also feel like eating again and again when we are tense

or stressed. Both these reasons for eating are incorrect - say the specialists. The only correct time for eating is when we are really hungry as per the biological rhythm.

4. Why eat? - The main aim of eating food is to keep the body healthy, disease-free, and strong. It is our duty to keep the body free of diseases because our physical body is the means to perform all the good karmas. Therefore, food should be taken to keep the body alive and healthy, not just to satiate our taste buds. We should eat to live, not live to eat.

5. How to eat? The answer is we should eat in such a way that our digestive system has to do minimal work.Asayinggoesthatwehave32 teeth,sowemustcheweachbite32 times. Each bite should be chewed long enough until it becomes like a juice and goes in like water. There is a saying - we should drink the food and eat the water. (This ensures that saliva mixes very well in the food we eat and in the water we drink). Whatever food we get, we must eat with reverence, a calm and steady mind, remembering and thanking God and considering it an offering to Him. If food is

regarded as an offering, even simple food can provide good health. On the contrary, if food is delicious, rich, and nutritious but is eaten in a hurry with an irritated mind, it promotes diseases.

Drinking a lot of water while eating is not good for the digestion of food. At the same time, not drinking any water while eating is not good for digestion either. Water should be drunk after an hour of having meals and then consumed every hour regularly. This practice aids in digestion. Leftover food should not be given to anyone, nor should it be eaten.

ThereisaninterestingstoryinAyurveda regarding food. Maharshi Charak, after spending considerable effort and time teaching about good health to his students, decided to take a test to check if they had properly understood what he taught them. So he turned himself into a pigeon and flew to a place where many of his students, who were physicians now, had assembled. He sat upon a tree and posed a question - “ko ruk?” – meaning, who becomes ill and how does he rid himself of the disease and become healthy?

Maharshi knew that only a person who understands the main cause behind diseases could also give a proper

course of treatment. After all, holistic treatment of diseases is not possible by prescribing medicines only. This question was intended to find out who understood this well. Maharshi Charak, in the form of the pigeon, repeated the question “ko ruk? ko ruk?” in front of every student, and each one gave his opinion. The replies were different lines of treatment for various diseases, but no one explained what one should do to prevent falling ill.All the answers were correct, and as per the literature they had studied, but Maharshi realized that their understanding was not complete and not holistic. He felt very sad that his students had not reached the level of maturity he desired.

Maharshi Vagbhatt passed by then, and the pigeon repeated the same question. Vagbhatt identified Maharshi Charak in the form of the pigeon, and paying obeisance to the great Rishi, he answered in a similar tone three words - mitbhuk, hitbhuk, ritbhuk. Listening to this wise answer, Maharshi felt very happy, and he flew away elated. He had found a person who could answer his question most appropriately.

Mitbhuk means eating a limited amount of food. Eating only as much as needed is essential because one who eats more cannot perform any physical activity or spiritual practice properly. He can only run around finding digestive pills after meals. A person who eats more than required gets affected by many discomforts like heaviness in the body, indigestion, and gastric disorder. On the other hand, a person who eats much less than necessary becomes gaunt and loses physical strength. Whether eating at home or outside, we must remember not to stress our digestive system unnecessarily.

Hitbhuk means sattvic food. Only a person who eats sattvic food can stay healthy. Sattvic food is that which has all the good qualities that promote good health. Such a person eats not for his taste buds but his good health.

Let food be thy medicine; thy medicine shall be thy food. – Hippocrates

Ritbhuk means eating food gathered through just means. Rit is related to piety and purity of inner consciousness. It is related to the feelings and emotions associated with the food, like what are the feelings of the person who is cooking the food, how responsible is the person who is eating the food, and so on. Rit food can be prepared only by a person who has goodwill towards others and has compassion like a mother. Rit food is deserved by a person who earns his living through just means and does not exploit others.

Charak Samhita, which is the oldest scripture of Ayurveda, says the following:

M³tr³ïºsy³ta |

Āh³r m³tr³ punar³gni bal³pekÌiñº |

Dravy³pekÌay³ca |

Tribh³ga sauhitya® ca guruñ³mupadiïyate |

Laghun³mpica sauhitya® agneryumyartham |

Human beings must eat food in a limited quantity. The quantity should be only as much as one’s capacity to digest. One should know whether the food eaten is heavy and would take longer to digest or is light and would digest quickly.

Heavier food should not be eaten more than half or 3/4th of the capacity of the stomach to help the system digest the food well. The lighter food should also be eaten at

slightly less than the full capacity to maintain the strength of the digestive powers.

A scripture named ‘Bhavprakash’ advises that during meals, fill half the stomach with food, one-fourth with water and leave the remaining onefourth free for air circulation.

This rule of eating is very beneficial for us and increases our strength and health. However, enchanted by the taste of the food, when we fill the stomach to more than its capacity, the result is always harmful. The food eaten thus does not get digested properly. It causes gastric problems as well as constipation. Our digestive power begins to wane, and we grow weak. Therefore, food should never be consumed only to satisfy the cravings of taste buds. Instead, we should eat simple, easily digestible food, and that too in a limited quantity. ۞

When practiced to its fullest, mindful eating turns a simple meal into a spiritual experience, giving us a deep appreciation of all that went into the meal’s creation as well as a deep understanding of the relationship between the food on our table, our own health, and our planet’s health.

Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live. – Jim Rohn

2022

How to Augment the Power of Concentration?

The importance of concentration is well known. All achievements, successes, and powers in life arise from the bosom of a concentrated mind. However, most people, for lack of concentration, cannot utilize life’s full potential.Theyremaindeprivedofpossibleachievements. They fail to lead a meaningful life, and the reason behind it is the fleeting nature of the mind.

Normally the mind is highly agile. Its speed is greater than that of the wind. It is not in its nature to remain in one place for even a fraction of a second. Hence, making this highly volatile mind focus on one point requires a special endeavor. It is a type of mental sadhana in which the mind has to be diverted from the meaningless ventures to the meaningful, and by making the best possible use of one’s time, labor and dedication, the desired goal is achieved.

In the process of dhyana (meditation), the mind is brought to concentrate on one point. This process is completed in two stages; the first is to gather the fragmented thoughts in mind, and the second is to make it focus on one theme. Concentration is the combined form of these two stages, making the realization of the desired objective possible. It is to be noted that concentration does not mean stupor or inertness but deliberation on every aspect of the subject, viewing it from different angles, and adopting a balanced approach.

There are many benefits of concentration. First, it makes the goal clearer and more defined, enabling the smooth

blossoming of the mind’s inherent potential. Second, it leads to mental development. The deeper the concentrationis,thegreateritsimpact upon the mind, which sharpens the intellect and makes memory longlasting. Third, concentration also increases the mind’s receptivity, enabling us to grasp and learn any subject faster. It is no surprise that the habit of studying or doing any work soon makes a person well versed in that subject. Fourth, it is also helpful in the development of originality. New imaginations, new thoughts, and new schemes arise from the bosom of concentration. Even paranormal powers can be acquired with the help of focus.

The yogis perform all these tasks on the strength of concentration. Faculties of foreknowledge or distant listening, etc., result from attention. Yogis acquire a comprehensive knowledge of any subject or topic on which they focus their minds. The whole philosophy of Maharishi Patanjaliisbaseduponconcentration. The series of experiments from pratyahara to dharana and dhyana

What does it take to be a champion? Desire, dedication, determination, concentration, and the will to win. - Patty Berg

are, in fact, experiments in concentration that fructifies into the ultimate state of samadhi

There are many methods to develop concentration. First is the awakening of interest. The mind automatically lingers longer on a subject of interest, focuses on it, and acquires all the knowledge about it without much effort. For example, a person easily remembers all the statistics and rules connected with a sport he is interested in. In contrast, for lack of interest, the dates of history and other facts in textbook chapters are easily forgotten, and memorizing them becomes a tedious task.

The second point is a clear understanding of the usefulness of the subject. When one is aware of the utility of a thing, the mind spontaneously becomes attentive to it. For example, if there is a possibility of getting the name, fame, money, and honor in some work, the mind feels more enthusiastic and interested. The third is the objective or goal. If the goal is clear, it also helps in concentration. Clarity of the objective keeps the mind active and the person moving.

The habits of reading and writing also increase the mind’s concentration. It is no wonder that mantra writing has been considered more effective than its japa (chanting). Listening to music has a great effect on the mind. Music is extremely soothing and promotes concentration. Unpolluted natural surroundings and a clean, organized workplace help the mind concentrate.

Dhyana is a very effective tool for increasing concentration. Dhyana can be practiced on the inhalation and exhalation of breath. Thinking of one’s deity (ishta deva) also strengthens the mind and its power to concentrate.

A well-organized daily routine is importantinthisrespect.Distribution of time for different work keeps the mind engaged within a defined scheme and prevents it from wandering hither and thither.

Intermittent rest is useful in the midst of prolonged work. Short gaps of a few minutes during long periods of study are very helpful in invigorating the mind and increasing concentration. Similarly, sufficient sleep is essential in making the mind strong and focused.

A healthy body is necessary for concentration. Everyone has heard that a healthy mind resides in a healthy body. Exercises and sports are very beneficial for health. They promote both mental and physical health.

It is also apposite here to know about the factors which hinder concentration so that one may take preventive steps. In this context, the main obstacles are laziness and fleetingness of the mind. The solution is determined resolve, disciplined routine, and hard work.

Insituationsofanxietyandfear,too, the mind is unable to concentrate.

Thesecanberemovedbypositive thinking, self-confidence, and faith in God. Continued labor tires and distracts the mind. So one should close the eyes and rest for a while or occasionally go for short walks outside. Undertaking too many tasks simultaneously also hampers concentration. Its solution is to make a priority list of the tasks and do them one by one.

Gossipingandaddictiontothesmartphoneareobstacles to concentration. Hence a time should be earmarked for them. One should also avoid wrong company and wasting time on other fruitless and negative habits.

In this way, be it material progress or spiritual upliftment,theconcentrationofthemindisessentialfor both. Without this, there could be no hope of success in any field of work. Proper channelization of the energy is necessary for progress in any direction. Hence, the sadhana of concentration is an essential element in awakening one’s talent and its enrichment. ۞

A rich man took his boat to the sea for a pleasant outing. Immersed in sailing and enjoying, he progressed deep into the sea and lost his way. When he realized this, he became very anxious and began to remember God. But he could see no help coming his way for a long time. So now, he started blaming God for His unkindness.

After some time, it became dark. In the course of drifting hither and thither, the boat ultimately touched a shore. But strong winds were blowing there. The paddles started rubbing against each other, and owing to friction, they caught fire. By now, the rich man had lost all hopes of succor. He remembered God with sincere devotion and said - “O God, I have always remembered You for serving my ego and selfish ends. As long as my desires were being fulfilled, I kept worshipping You. But when it was not so, I became even foul-tongued. Now the only hope of my return, the boat, is also gone. Before my life ends, I beg your excuse for my misdeeds.”

No sooner had he said this than a boat came sailing towards his bank. A person got down from it and said - “I saw a fire burning here, so I rowed in this direction. It appears that you are in trouble.” The rich man immediately realized that God loves honesty and selflessness, not the deeds done with a selfish motive.

The degree of freedom from unwanted thoughts and the degree of concentration on a single thought are the measures to gauge spiritual progress. - Ramana Maharshi

JULY-AUG. 202219

The Planet Earth offers spectacular natural wonders that will leave its viewers spellbound. It appears as if the creator has crafted them with special artistic skills. Nature lovers and avid travelers must see and explore these seven wonderful sights.

Aurora Borealis

Aurora Borealis or The Northern Lights are naturally occurring phenomena that consist of mystifying displays of light in the sky. The northern lights that dance across the sky and emanate a diffused glow along the northern horizon are named after a Roman goddess.

This can be seen in Alaska in the Northern hemisphere, northern parts of Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Sweden, and Finland. Local people associate this phenomenon with the presence of their ancestral spirits. At the same time, the scientists say that the Northern Lights result from collisions between gaseous particles in the Earth’s atmosphere with charged particles released from the sun’s atmosphere. Color variations are due to the type of gas particles that are colliding.

The intensity of the lights increases as we move northwards towards the Arctic circle. The Aurora’s characteristic wavy patterns and ‘curtains’ of light are caused by the lines of force in the Earth’s magnetic field. Though this phenomenon occurs throughout the year, it is clearly visible when the sky is clear during the winter months. Most auroras happen about 80-640 miles above the Earth’s surface.

Natural Wonders of the World

Mount Everest Mount Everest, with an elevation of 8848 meters or 29,029 feet, is the highest mountain peak and is considered one of the world’s natural wonders. Everest lies within the Himalayan Mountain range on the border of Nepal, Tibet, and China. This mountain peak is known by the name Sagarmatha in Nepal and Chomolungma in Tibet, which means the divine motherly energy of the world. Local people consider this to be a very sacred mountain. Though the mountain extends to both Nepal and Tibet, the peak is present in Nepal

This peak is named after George Everest, the surveyor-general of Britain. The Himalayan Mountain range began to form 50 million years ago when two large landmasses, India and Eurasia, driven by tectonic plate movement, collided in the middle of the Tethys Sea. Mount Everest continues to rise at the rate of 4 mm each year. While scaling this peak is a dream for every mountaineer, others can enjoy an awe-inspiring aerial view by taking a flight around the mountain.

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. - Albert Einstein

Courageous mountaineers trek to its base camp and enjoy its view from close quarters.Tourists can also see the peak of Mt. Everest from a nearby hill station in Nepal.

Paricutin

Paricutin volcano, located in South America, is one of the natural wonders of the world because mankind witnessed its birth and rapidly growing formation. This conch-shaped volcano has a height of 2800 m and is the youngest volcano in the Northern Hemisphere.

Paricutin came into existence in 1943 when it erupted in an open corn field. Thick, sticky lava, driven by large volumes of gas, exploded from Paricutin’s vents. After this, it continuously erupted and oozed lava for nine years. Paricutin last erupted in 1952 and has been inactive since then. Nevertheless, it continues to attract tourists from all over the world. This volcano is at the height of 410 m, and its thick lava is spread across 16 sq km, while its ashes are scattered in an area of 32 sq km.

One has to travel nineteen kilometers around the volcano to reach its peak either by footoron horseback.Onecan see sandy stretches and hardened lava that had once flowed there.

Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon, situated in the state of Arizona in the USA, has a massive and colorful landscape that provides breathtaking views not found anywhere else in the world. 1.83 km deep, 29 km wide, and 443 km long natural formation is the biggest tourist attraction in the country. Over millions of years, the Grand Canyon has been carved as the Colorado River cut through the Colorado Plateau.

Grand Canyon is known for its visually overwhelming size and intricate and colorful landscape. Geologically, it is significant because of the thick sequence of ancient rocks that are well preserved and exposed in the canyon walls. These rock layers record much of the early geologic history of the planet. The canyon is surrounded by Grand Canyon National Park, one of the oldest in the country.

While some people are satisfied by looking at the Grand Canyon, physically fit people can enjoy walking on the hiking trails. Tourists can also enjoy boating on the river. However, one that tops the thrill is looking at the Grand Canyon from a helicopter. The aerial view is breathtakingly beautiful and will remain etched in one’s memory forever.

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls in South Africa is a massive waterfall and a natural wonder of the world. While it is neither the highest nor the widest waterfall globally, the Victoria Falls are classified as the largest, based on its combined width of 1,708 meters (5,604 ft) and height of 108 meters (354 ft), resulting in the world’s largest sheet of falling water. Fifty crore liters of water continue to flow per minute.

The waterfalls are so wide that they can be viewed from 50 km away. In the local language, it is known by the name Mosi-Oa-Tunya. Victoria Falls is located inAfrica along the

In nature, nothing is perfect, and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they’re still beautiful. – Alice Walker

bordersofZambiaandZimbabwe.Thisspectacularwaterfall runs off from the Zambezi River.Visitors can access the falls from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Livingston in Zambia. One can cross the border to gain different perspectives of this magnificent natural wonder. The best views are from Zimbabwe,butonecangetacloserexperiencefromZambia. Helicopter tours and microlight tours are another great way to see the falls.

Adventurous people take a boat and go all the way to the place where the water falls. This waterfall is known for its water spray that shoots up like inverted rain. The view is amazing when sun rays pass through the droplets displaying a rainbow of colors. After the monsoon, the view gets even betterbecauseofenhancedwaterflowandapleasantclimate.

Death Valley

DeathValley,situatedinEasternCalifornia,isalsoaremarkable wonder of Nature. While some call it ‘Death Valley,’others call it by the name ‘Hell’s Gate.’This valley occupying an expanse of 31 lakh acres of land, is extremely dry and hot. It is located 282 feet or 86 meters below sea level. The temperature reaches a peak of 57 degrees centigrade.

The Death Valley has an extremely hot temperature because its surface comprises red rock that gets heated. Heat radiates back from the rocks and soil, then becomes trapped in the valley’s depths. These moving masses of super-heated air blow through the valley, creating extremely high temperatures.

The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching over 2,300 kilometers over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometers. The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland,

Australia, separated from the coast by a channel 100 miles wide in places and over 200 feet deep. The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world’s biggest single structure made by living organisms. This reef structure is composed of billions of tiny organisms known as coral polyps. It supports a wide diversity of life and is one of the seven natural wonders of the world

The Great Barrier Reef supports an extraordinary diversity of life, including many vulnerable or endangered species, some of which may be endemic to the reef system. More than 1,500 fish, including the clownfish, red bass, red-throat emperor, and several snapper and coral trout species, live on the reef. Climate change, pollution, crownof-thorns starfish, and fishing are the primary threats to the health of this reef system

Harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Harbour of Rio de Janeiro is the world’s largest natural bay, containing more volume of water than any other bay in the world! Because of its size, the Harbour of Rio de Janeiro is considered one of the world’s seven natural wonders. The Harbour is surrounded by gorgeous granite monolith mountains that include the

202222

We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.

- Native American proverb

famous Sugar Loaf Mountain at 1,296 feet (395 m), Corcovado Peak at 2,310 feet (704 m), and the hills of Tijuca at 3,350 feet (1021 m).

The name was given to the city’s originalsitebyPortuguesenavigators who arrived on January 1, 1502, and mistook the entrance of the bay for the mouth of a river. They named it Rio de Janeiro, literally meaning River of January in Portuguese.

The most common means of seeing this wonder are to fly in a helicopter

or to travel to the tops of the surrounding granite peaks that overlook the Harbour. Sugar Loaf Mountain and CorcovadobothofferpanoramicviewsoftheHarbourand surrounding landscape. Sugar Loaf Mountain is actually in the Harbour and provides views back over the city and into the mountains. Additionally, visitors will have great views of the beautiful beaches that line the Harbour.

These are some of the breath-taking natural wonders that are spread worldwide. These amazing wonders compel us to think that God indeed made these sights as a work of art, and all those who see these glorious views cannot help but appreciate His masterpieces and feel fortunate to have been able to visit them. ۞

Scientists and shamans alike know that all of life is woven into a web of infinite connections, contributing to the larger whole in a system that is complex beyond our imagining. When we sit quietly at the edge of a lake, or hike through a wildflower-strewn meadow, or walk through a cool, dark forest, we quickly become aware of our unity with the natural world. We fall back into natural rhythms - rhythms we are no longer in sync with as a result of living by the clock and spending much of our time in man-made spaces lit by electricity. Nature has a way of recalibrating us and helping us gain a new perspective on our stressors so that they seem less overwhelming.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao Tzu

The Appalling Consequences of Climate change

Climate change is taking on a dangerous form. While all countries of the world are adversely affected by climate change, it is particularly proving to be a hurdle in the development of Himalayan states. In addition to climate, the prevailing geographical conditions also contribute to this problem. Farming in those states is affected by climate change,leadingtotheexodus.Forthesestatestodevelopand prosper, we must find a holistic solution to these problems. A conference was convened in Shimla recently to create an outline of the development plan, especially for the Himalayan states. The objective of the conference was to discuss methods by which climate change can be reduced and the necessary steps to be taken to mitigate the losses incurred by climate. Chief ministers of 12 Himalayan states participated in this convention. They discussed how the next generation of people in the Himalayan states could prosper through farming.After almost a decade, a convention of this magnitude was organized.

The effects of climate started becoming apparent in Himachal Pradesh. On one side, there was a huge loss of life and property because of heavy rains, while on the other, cloud bursts and untimely snowfalls were also recorded. The problems faced by people living in the mountainous regions are quite challenging. Though these places are good in terms of tourism, the situation in these regions is worrisome. The lack of potable water in Uttarakhand is becoming a serious problem for the state. According to standards, a person needs to be provided with 40 liters of water per day, but in many villages, the supply is not even 20 liters per person.

According to statistics, the Pauri district in Uttarakhand is facing maximum water scarcity. 4732 villages in the district are facing a water crisis. This is the condition of theTehri district also, where 3386 villages are suffering from water scarcity. According to meteorologists, more than 5% of water sources have dried up due to climate change, while the water table has halved in 70% of sources in the central Himalayan region.

A study reveals that since 1982, several small creeks and rivers in the central Himalayan region have had water only during the monsoons. The drying up of water sources is primarily because of changes in rainfall patterns owing to climate change, deforestation, cracking of rocks, landslides, earthquakes, etc. The main reason for the migration of people away from these hilly regions is attributed to the inability to do farming becauseofthedryingupofwatersources.

In the past seven years, as many as 700 villages have been deserted, and more than 3.83 lakh people have left their villages. 50% of these people have left their villages searching for livelihood, while the other half

migrated because of water scarcity and bad living conditions. When it comes to natural disasters, it appears that small to medium earthquakes have become a norm in these hilly regions. Earthquakes also sometimes result in the closure of water sources or change the course of the streams or reduce the flow.

Another study by scientists shows that the volume of water in the streams is gradually decreasing because of climate change. Climate change is one of the main challenges the world is battling, anditsadverseeffectsareseenonEarth's atmosphere, the health of living beings, and farming, among many other things. This is why hilly areas that harvested bountiful apples or walnuts are today able to grow only ginger, a crop grown at much lower elevations.

The farmers of Himachal Pradesh cannot grow apples and are forced to plant pomegranates and vegetables. Researchers say that to produce good quality apples, 1000-1300 hours of cold climate is necessary for those Himalayan regions that are at the height of 15002500 meters from sea level. Because of unregulated temperatures and snowfall, theseplacesaredeemedunfitforgrowing apples, and their production has moved to areas that are at much higher altitudes. This is the sad state of both Darjeeling and Sikkim too.

Inthepastdecade,theincidentsofcloudburstshavebeenonthe rise because of climate change. Even in states like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, every year during monsoons, there are cloud bursts. Who can forget the havoc created by cloud bursts in Uttarakhand? Even today, some rivers in the state are changing their course. Owing to this, the river carries sand, stones, and soil and forms new pathways.

Roads, buildings, and farms are getting washed away because the rivers have changed their course. The report of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development says –there is a higher probability of floods due to cloud bursts in the Himalayan states of our country.

Climate change is not the only reason that hinders progress in Himalayan states. Their geographical conditions are the main contributors too. Our country is rapidly developing infrastructure of road networks which is rendering the mountainous states hollow from within. As a result, the mountainsareeitherbreakinginseveralplacesorcrumbling. The other factor is that these places are missing out on medical facilities. The only industry that is flourishing is tourism.

People come from all corners of the country to visit these states, but there is a shortage of industries and employment opportunities for youth. Most of the hilly areas are lacking in amenities and comforts. Under such circumstances, people are left with no option but to migrate to other places. This migration is endangering the stability of surrounding areas. These are serious issues, and we must find a solution as quickly as possible. Everyone is to be blamed for climate change, and all the countries are coming forward to solve the challenges. This is a ray of hope, and we should all join hands in this effort to find a holistic solution to the global problem of climate change. ۞

We are the first generation to feel the effect of climate change and the last generation who can do something about it. - Barack Obama

Youth Column

Let the Energy of Youth Join Hands with the Experience of the Elderly

Guess this has always been the case that the older generation finds the younger generation to be muddleheaded and think they have gone awry, and the newer generation doesn’t care about the older generation. The result of this dissonance and contradictions is that the two generations are always in conflict.

Now, if we see the situation today, a complete older generation of people, from historians to socialists, consider today’s youth to be lost, careless, and off-the-track, whereas the youth, in this age of explosive growth in information and technology, find the older generation to be dated.

Conventional intellectuals of the older generation are trying to mold the new generation in their way, and the new generation is mocking this ridiculous effort of the older generation. Of course, the new generation is under pressure and has its problems, but it is also true that they have certain facilities too.

If the new generation is lagging behind the older generation in some cases, it is also ahead of them in many ways. But most people cannot understand this paradox, which is why there are differences between the two generations. Both the generations focus only on each other’s negative aspects. As a result, they dismiss each other.

Many elderly believe – ‘The new generation is completely

under some illusion. It is going astray and is living in a delusion. What the new generation considers to be its achievements, freedom, and a world of colorful dreams is, in reality, deception and, in fact, a process of downfall. The new generation thinks it is dancing, but the ground under their feet is slipping away in reality. Their dance is a result of the ground drifting away from under their feet.’

If we get to the bottom of this negativity, we will find it to be mere imagination. After all, why and how can the new generation be under such an illusion? Are their dreams imaginary? Are their aspirationsfilledwithsheerromanticism, and are they impractical? Do they not work hard? Do they not innovate? Are they not under pressure to prove themselves to be better? Are they not imaginative? Are they not aware of the dangers of this world?

It is surprising when one forms a onesidedopinionaboutawholegeneration and that too, a negative one. The old generation is unable to understand the new generation because they cannot match steps with the pace of changes

that the new generation is going through and the times that the new generation is born in.

This generation is born at a time when the concept of globalization is catching on.Incontrast,theoldergenerationhad only heard statements like ‘vasudhaiv kutumbakam’(the world is one family) in their social studies. The current generation relates well with realism more than emotions, whereas the older generation lives less practically and more emotionally.

If this generation is global, it doesn’t mean they are spreading only flaws and evils globally. The new generation is also extending its beautiful divine energy, imagination, capabilities, efforts, and dreams.

This era has also given Indian youth T.V. channels like Discovery and History. Information and knowledge circulated by them are more than what exists in any big library. If the global

generation knows about each other’s flaws, it has also become aware of their strengths. Today there are many kids who have accurate and factual information about any part of the world.

This is the result of the spread of information technology and the Internet. Unfortunately, the older generation feels that the new generation only learns wrong things. Bad people have good qualities, and good ones have flaws too. Had the new and the future been so bad, the world wouldn’t have progressed but regressed instead.

Facts, figures, and history show that the world has been progressingcontinuously.Peoplearebecomingmorehumane and friendly, and the world is perpetually improving. Maybe we are not better than before in a few areas, but that is not because of the wrong attempts but because efforts were not made in that direction at all.

It is required that the new generation mutually shares its new knowledge and the older generation, with their experience, gives the former new directions. When the youth’s energy, courage, and morale join hands with the expertise and prudence of the elderly, the solution to most problems may be found. This will certainly augment the peace, prosperity, and progress of society and the nation at large. ۞

A primary object should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? And what duty is more pressing than communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?

- George Washington

Worry and stress are beneficial as well as harmful. Being anxious and stressed about any task creates pressure in our minds to accomplish it, making its execution effortless.Although one can work even without worry, most people work only to bring down their anxiety and stress levels. By working, they can reduce them and hence, feel relaxed. People who get extremely worried and tensed and are unable to perform correctly due to performance pressure get into more trouble because anxiety and stress invade their minds and can become a reason for their physical and mental ailments. An interesting example shows how anxiety and stress impact our body and mind and how they should be dealt with.

A psychologist was performing a demonstration to teach the students the way to handle stress. For this, when he picked up a glass of water, all the students thought he would ask them whether the glass was half empty or half full, but he asked them another question instead. The question was – ‘According to you, how heavy is the glass of water I am holding?’ The students started answering. Some said – ‘Little heavy’; some said – ‘Maybe half a liter,’ while others thought it was one liter. On this, the demonstrator said, ‘In my perspective, the weight of this glass does not matter; what matters is that for how long can I hold this glass. If I hold it for a minute or two, it will feel light. If I carry it for an hour, my hand will pain a bit due to its weight. But, if I hold it for a day, it will numb my hands, and this glass of water, which seemed light in the beginning, will feel so heavy that it will fall from my hand. In all three instances, the weight of the glass of water is the

Don’t Suffer from Nerves

same, but the longer I hold it, the more I would feel its heaviness.’

Upon understanding this concept, all the students looked at each other in amazement. Then the psychologist further told them – ‘Worries and stresses in your life are quite similar to the weight of this glass of water. If you think about them for a short time, nothing will happen, upon feeling a little longer, it may lead to a mild headache, but if they are thought about for the whole day, your mind will turn inert. No event or outcome is in our hands, but how we handle it is our discretion. Worry and stress are like those birds, which we cannot stop from flying around us, but we can definitely stop them from building a nest in our minds.’

This example illustrates that worry and stress for a short while do not harm us but are often beneficial. They make us alert towards our actions so that we can accomplish our tasks properly. But when they grow out of proportion, they begin to adversely affect our working capacity, due to which we cannot complete our work correctly.

If the problem can be solved, why worry? If the problem cannot be solved, worrying will do you no good. – Anonymous

Furthermore, being over-anxious and over-stressed causes mental fatigue, hampers sleep, either decreases or increases the appetite, promotes negativethinking,raisesapprehensions in the mind, and decreases mental and physical immunity. As a result, diseases slowly crop up in our bodies and minds. The only solution is that we should not let anxiety and stress dwell in our minds. The cause of worry and stress may come and go, but they should not get refuge within us. For this, we should take whatever measures are possible to eliminate its cause but should not worry about the actions that could not be made.

Worryisakindofconcernthatarisesin our minds, and then we go on thinking about it. It is never constructive but overwhelms our senses with a flood of negativity. The worried person does not strive as much to eliminate it as

he is engaged in tension. When we begin to worry about something, we gradually develop the habit of taking stress, but if we have to drive it out of our minds, we have to change the direction of our thought process and engage ourselves in some significant task. This is because when a person gets involved in any work, he cannot worry simultaneously. Both worry and action cannot coexist.

Similarly, stress is pressure in the mind that arises to perform a task. If one has to complete many tasks within a stipulated period, one will experience stress until one completes them. Once the work is done, the pressure affiliated with it also subsides.

In a way, stress is like pulling the mind like a rubber. On pulling the rubber, i.e., elastic for a short while, it reverts to its original shape; if it is pulled a little longer, then it becomes bigger than before, but if it is stretched more than its capacity, it breaks and then never returns to its original shape again. In the same way, when we stress the mind more than our ability, it also breaks down in a way, and it harms both our body and mind. Therefore, only such a person is wise who does not suffer from nerves. Indeed, he can keep himself happy and healthy in all circumstances. ۞

True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he, that is so, wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.

Just when you feel you have no time to relax, know that this is the moment you most need to make time to relax. - Matt Haig

All spiritual practices attach great significance to the focus. No matter which spiritual discipline we are adhering to – whether it is Rajayoga, Hathayoga, Layayoga, Mantrayoga, Gyanyoga, or Karmayoga, the concentration of mental powers occupies an important role in all of these.

Whichever path we adopt for communion with God, attentiveness plays a significant role. Rajayoga begins with the practice of Yama, Niyama, and after that Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharna, and Dhyana help wipe out shabbiness of mind and harness its mobility and freedom.

Annihilation of the shabbiness of the mind prepares the ground for focusing the mind on a particular subject. Once the mind is tuned to synchronize for Dhyana-Samadhi (highest unification with the divine), the probable situations of communion with God or Moksha start materializing.

Hatha Yoga discipline starts with ‘Shat Karma’ (six steps to purify mind and body). We practice Hatha Yogic disciplines of Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandh, etc., but their purpose is the purification of the mind and to restrain its erraticism by cleansing our body from within. Hatha Yoga exercises dominating influence on the mind first by constraining the movement of Prana in the body, which prepares the Sadhaka to move forward in the next step of Dhyana-Samadhi.

In the practice of Laya Yoga, dissolution of the self and merging with supreme consciousness is possible only when strolling of erratic mind and its incongruous temptations are pacified. In the practice of Mantra Yoga also mind has

Focus is the Crux of all Spiritual Practices

to be engaged with the divine power associated with that Mantra.

Without engrossment of mind with the God associated with that Mantra, the endeavor in Mantra Yoga will not succeed, and Mantra would be regarded simply as mumbling of few words. Likewise, the spiritual practice of Gyana Yoga will give results only when every moment we perceive the presence of omnipresent God.

We must be aware of the illusion in worldly allurements, comprehend the eternal nature of the Almighty, believe in ephemerality and discontent in material resources or sensual pleasures, and take cognizance of intense contentment derived from such awareness. We must learn to differentiate between deep mental excitement resulting from earthly enjoyments on one side and beatitude derived from practicing Yogic disciplines on the other.

Focused awareness is also necessary for spiritual pursuits of Karma Yoga (path of action). When our actions are performed for the welfare of others,

Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it. - Greg Anderson

andbeyondanywealandwoe,good-bad, vice-virtue, only then can our efforts be regarded as altruistic. Only such selfless actions can be offered to God.

Executing these selfless actions is possible only when our sense organs are at work, and our minds are fully engrossed in God. Actions performed without dedication to God cannot be regarded as selfless actions.

Even in the practice of Bhakti Yoga (path of loving devotion to a personal God), if the mind remains unstable and engrossed in sensual pleasures, this will be presumed as a sham of faith.

While performing religious rites like Yagya, this will hold its meaning only when the mind is engrossed in the affectionofGod;otherwise,thiswillturn out as a simple ritual. The presence of attention on specific action is significant in all spiritual pursuits practiced in Hindu culture and religious practices of other faiths. While eulogizing God, if the mind ponders worldly affairs instead of involvement in God, this will lose its meaning. How can this ritual connect us with God?

In such a situation, this sacred ritual will only be regarded as changing the position of extremities and will be looked at as a self-deceiving or

hypocrisy.There is a very interesting anecdote in this regard. Once Guru Nanakji reached Sultanpur. The dedication of people towards Guru Nanakji made the Kazi of that place envious of him. He incited dissension in the mind of Subedar Daulat Khan by tale-bearing about Guruji and saying – ‘He is a hypocrite who misleads the masses.’ Subedar called upon Guru Nanak Dev. But Nanak Deviji did not pay any attention to his message. But he went with his soldiers on the second call. Then Subedar reprimanded him and asked why he did not turn up on his first call.

Guru Nanak Devji politely replied – I am a disciple of God and not yours. Subedar said – Well. Don’t you know salutation is customary while meeting with anyone? Guru NanakDevsaid–IdonotsaluteanyoneexceptGod.Subedar angrily said –You are a disciple of God, then come and offer Namaz with me. Guru Nanak Dev went to the mosque with him. Subedar and Kazi sat down for Namaz, but Guru Nanak Dev stood steadily.

He began to observe Subedar, Kazi, and others offering Namaz there. He readily noticed that their attentiveness was turned away from the original focus on Namaz, and he laughed. When Namaz was over, Subedar asked Guru Nanak – Earlier, you assured us to offer Namaz. You said you were the disciple of God, but you stood and did not offer Namaz. Guru Nanak Devji replied – With whom I would offer Namaz? Subedar said –‘With me. You could do as I was doing.’

Guru Nanak Dev said – No, absolutely not. You were not offering Namaz because your mind was not there. Your mind wandered far away in Kabul and bargained for a good herd of horses. Only your body was offering Namaz here. Knowing this truth, Subedar pacified and was ashamed. But Kazi said – ‘Nanak Dev, you could offer Namaz with me.’

Guru Nanak Dev laughed and said – Kazi ji, you were also not offering Namaz.While offering prayer, you were pleased in your heart as if you had done some remarkable work by bringing me here in this Mosque. And you were worried for thefearthatanewlybornfoal(babyhorse)atyourhomedoes notfallintothewell.Knowingthistruthabouthim,Kaziwas very surprised and ashamed also. Both of them bowed to the feet of Guru Nanak and apologized. Then, pardoning them, Guru Nanak Dev elucidated the significance of attentiveness while performing prayers and explained to them reasons to concentrate.

Merely completing any ritual without putting the mind’s attentiontoGoddoesnotfulfillanypurpose.Therefore,ifour mind is not affectionate and emotionally dedicated to God while worshipping, praying, and eulogizing, such ritual will

only be regarded as routine exercise, not worship. Likewise, while offering prayers, our emotional inclination must be towards God; otherwise, our prayers shall be nothing more than mumbling a few words.

Our prayer will gain intensity and effectiveness only when all attention is focused on God. The essence is that focus is the central point of all spiritual pursuits. Attentiveness is the access point of salvation, deliverance from all bondages, and communion with God. This is the pathway to eternal happiness, peace, and good fortune. ۞

The Kaizen Approach – Your Blueprint for Long-Term Success

Rooted in Japanese philosophy, Kaizen is a long-term approach to change based on implementing changes in small increments. Used by many different businesses, like manufacturing plants, it seeks to improve efficiency and quality by applying small, incremental process changes. By applying continuous incremental improvements, the company will grow and thrive.

The word “kaizen” is derived from “kai,”

meaning change, and “zen,” meaning good. The history of Kaizen began after World War II when Toyota applied the concept in its production process. It became very popular in Japan in the 1950s and continues today as Kaizen groups.

Although Kaizen was developed to improve business, it can also be applied to personal goal setting. In a similar fashion, if you apply short-term, incremental achievements toward your goal every day, you will eventually build better habits over the long term to accomplish the goal you’ve set for yourself.

JULY-AUG. 202232

Disciplines and Duties after Initiation - 1

The Pran Pratishtha sacraments and ceremony were over. A warm farewell was given to nearly fifteen hundred sadhakas and other participants. Everyone had returned with an unprecedented feeling of blissful rejuvenation. As the first shower of monsoon after prickly summer gives cooling relief and freshness to the body and mind, a similar kind of joy and enthusiasm was energizing the sadhakas. They were eager to fulfill the responsibilities assigned by Acharyashri. The influx of the ‘Holy Ganga’ of knowledge and practice of beatifying Gayatri Sadhana and Yagya originated in the Gayatri Tapobhumi was to be reached all over the country and abroad to quench the thirst of seekers. Over 180 sadhakas had pledged to motivate and train ten dedicated sadhakas each till the next Gayatri Jayanti.

Every parijan was returning from here with the true inspiration of diksha – to abide by the disciplines of Gayatri Sadhana for spiritual progress. They were also inspired to spread this message among other seekers of enlightened growth. They were now

more motivated to refine their conduct and became more responsible for their duties towards the family and society as a whole.

For quite some time, Acharyashri was planning to make an organization for social reformation through a religious platform, eradicate blind faith, superstitions, and insane customs, and revive the scientific basis of spiritual sadhanas and Indian Culture. Quite likely, he had determined to take this initiative way back in 1926 when he had been motivated by his divine guru to commence the preeminent sadhana of 24-Mahapurashcharanas. Now the idea had taken the shape of a plan in his mind, and he had started discussing it with parijans who had been associated with him for a long time. HehadthefirstdiscussioninthisregardwithMatajiandsome parijans at his home (which also housed the Akhand Jyoti office). That day, they were all talking about the relevance of theteachingsofIndianCultureintoday’sworld.Matajiposed an interesting point – “Why earning money is discouraged or even looked at scornfully in our (ancient cultural) system, while the fact is that today for everything, one depends on money? From sustenance of family to materialistic progress -everything requires financial resources. People worship Lakshmi (the Goddess of prosperity) and always seek Her blessings! Money seems to hold power. People respect rich ones and regard them as more successful. But at the same time, it is also said that money is the root cause of many vices, thralldoms, and decline. Those who renounce material gains are revered too!”

Acharyashri explained that it was not always the practice.

simple. - Steve Jobs

In ancient times, the Ashrams of Rishis used to be very prosperous. Their ashrams were gurukuls, which were like hometothousandsofstudentsanddisciples.Rishisneverhad to worry about how much wealth they had because they were not attached to it. For them, it was God’s grace bestowed for the welfare of the world. In the moments of crisis, even the emperors, along with their armies and countrymen, used to take refuge there, and adequate arrangements were made by the Ashrams. Therefore, we cannot say that wealth was abandoned or prosperity was regarded as the root of sins and decline. In fact, it was around the medieval times of cultural darkness and religious diversions that the act of earning money got many shades and means and created different impressions. It was also around this time that people had started making money through unfair means and were even grabbing and possessing it for selfish motives.

Continuing his analysis of socio-religious aspects of wealth, Acharyashri said – ‘People should earn money by moral means and prosper using the best of their talents and hard work. They should also take care that some part of their wealth and income is used for charitable purposes – the elevation and welfare of the society. Expansion of goodwill and altruistic movements should be given whole-hearted support. People motivated for benevolent causes should come forward to take up collective responsibilities in an organized way. Ideas and visions of great personalities can bringthedesiredchangeforthewell-beingofallonlyifthere are associations of like-minded persons of high integrity and courage. People suffer from the threats and oppression of immoral, wicked, and evil persons in society mainly because there is no strong organization of morally elevated and compassionate persons to counter it with equal force. It is the need of the hour that such organizations are formed at grass-root levels.’

His last few sentences hinted at the objective and structure of the organization that he had envisaged. In a small way, the foundation of this large-family-like organization named “Gayatri Pariwar” was already laid on the occasion of Pran Pratishtha at Tapobhumi. Acharyashri had announced its formation in front of the idol of Mother-Supreme Gayatri, saying that this is not a cult; we are not going to impose any strict discipline or ideology here. It is an organization of people keen on self-refinement and social upliftment. As the members of a family take care of each other’s requirements, similarly, the parijans (family members) of this grand familylike organization would take care of each other’s spiritual elevation.

A brief announcement was also made about the purpose and plans of this socio-spiritual organization. At that time, people could not quite visualize the would-be structure and grandeur of this organization. Mataji had also announced in this regard and hinted at its expansion beyond people’s imagination, - ‘Those who have participated in this yagya and pledged to march further on this path of sadhana and selfless service are like the foundational pillars of this unique organization.’

The architecture of the “Gayatri Pariwar”wassketchedintheheartsand minds of the sadhakas. It got instituted with Gayatri-diksha (initiation of the sadhana of Gayatri Mantra).

After Gayatri-diksha, the devout disciples were blessed by Acharyashri in the presence of akhand-agni in the yagya-shala before the Purnahuti Acharyashri had announced that the first-ever diksha of the Gayatri Mantra wouldbegivensoonaftertheinvocation and enshrinement of Adishakti. At the time of this announcement, the sadhakas present in the yagyashala were curious to see who would be initiated first and would thus become the first disciple ofAcharyashri. Mataji was standing in the temple at that time, looking after some arrangements for worshiping the deity. She also listened to this announcement and entered the yagyashala immediately. “I would like to be your first disciple. Being your ardhangini (better-half, soulmate), I also have a natural right to do so” –she humbly appealed to Acharyashri. Everyone around was stunned to hear that. Most of them, like Mr. Niranjan Bhatt of Amareli, had taken it for granted that Mataji was already initiated. Some thought that a list must have been prepared beforehand as to who would be initiated. They were unaware that diksha means total

surrender (of ego and aspirations in the feet of a noble guru).

ANewInitiative

Acharyashriexplainedthemeaningandimportanceof diksha for the initiation of soul enlightenment and transmutation of sadhaka. He described Yagya and Gayatri as the presiding deity and divine power of this initiation. He said – ‘The diksha sacrament of today is just a beginning. The process of initiation of devotees on the path of sadhana, upasana, aradhana will continue to expand hereafter.’ After the diksha- sanskar of Mataji, he said, ‘She is my wife in the worldly form, but in reality, she represents the divine quality of motherhood. Her duties as a wife are over. Now we both will be devoted to accomplishing, as per the guidance of the divine mentor, the task assigned by Mahakaal. She has taken diksha and regarded me as her guru (spiritual master). For me, she is a symbol of shraddha (devotion) and vatsalya (motherly affection). You all regard her as your mother; for me too, she is like a mother.’

After this brief address, Acharyashri stood up and called Pahadiyaji. Mr. Pahadiya was a sincere volunteer who, throughoutthe Pran Pratishtha ceremony,wasbusyfetching water from the kuinya (tiny well) in Tapobhumi for drinking and cooking purposes. It was summer, and there were over 1500 participants, so drinking water was consumed rapidly. Therefore, for the past three days, he was so engrossed in this responsibility assigned to him that he could not even participate in the yagya process, nor could he attend any discourse or cultural program. Just now, when Acharyashri called him, he was making arrangements for drinking water. Now that Acharyashri was calling him, he handed over the work to someone standing nearby and ran towards the yagyashala

Acharyshree invited him inside the yagyashala. Pointing

There is no magic wand that can resolve our problems. The solution rests with our work and discipline. – Jose Eduardo dos Santos

towardsaplaceinfrontofa yagya-kunda, hesaid,Pahadiyaji come and sit here for your diksha-sanskar. After the rituals of pavitrikaran, etc., with chants of “Om Vraten Diksham Apnoti, ….” Pahadiyaji pledged to dedicate the rest of his life, all his efforts to the duties assigned by the noble guru. Then,Acharyashri blessed him after the sacrament of diksha of Gayatri Mantra. It was a moment of great fulfillment for Pahadiyaji. His hands remained folded in a posture of pranam, and his head bent with a feeling of reverence for the noble guru even while he was circling the yagya-kunda as the last step of the sacrament.

He (named Badri Prasad Pahadiya) hailed from the Banda district of Uttar Pradesh in India. He was with Acharyashri for the past fifteen years and sincerely did whatever the latter instructed him to do. While most other volunteers had collected the sacred water and soil for the Gayatri temple from the pilgrimage sites in nearby regions, Shri Pahadiya had traveled across the country and collected it from more than five hundred pilgrimage sites. He spent nearly a year on this work before the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.

Thisvolunteerhadfreedhimselfofthefamilyresponsibilities nearly a decade ago. His wife had died in 1944. He was about thirty-five years old at that time. The couple had had no progeny till then. Relatives and friends had advised him toremarry.Hewasalsoconvinced,thinkingthatit’snoteven half of the period of youth in his life; he has hardly spent a few years of married life. A large part of his life is ahead to enjoy a happy married life and social interaction with his friends and relatives. But his mind did not fully accept such arguments and advice.

Something inside his mind, some voice from within, used to turn the clock of his thoughts in the opposite direction. The confusion continued for a month. To overcome this

indecisiveness and opt for the path most suitable for his progress, he went to Acharyashri for guidance. He was advised not to marry again and instead use the remaining years of his life for self-refinement and social welfare. For him, this advice was like an order of the Almighty, a spark of awakening. There was no confusion, no diversion of his mind after that. For some time, he got attracted to politics, considering that he could serve society better by having power through a political platform. But again, Acharyashri guided him on the path that was righteous for him. Pahadiyaji remained a devoted volunteer of Gayatri Pariwar for his entire lifetime. After the establishment of Shantikunj, Haridwar (in 1971) as the fraternity of Gayatri Pariwar, he stayed there for good. Until the last days of his life, he was a humble volunteer, looking after the arrangements of meals for the residents and visitors and doing several other grass-root activities in theAshram.

202236

[To be continued]

mind, or it will rule you.

Horace

Young Talents Presenting Indian Culture in the Modern Context

Indian youth have done an unprecedented job! It was believed that Indian writers in English promote western culture, but this scenario has changed completely in the past few years. These Indian writers in English have unfurled the flag of Indian culture, religion, and history in the whole world.

Indian writers are making the world aware of the Indian mythological and religious characters through their writings. Their distinctive style of presenting these mythological and religious stories has been appreciated andlikedworldwide,whichhasmade them the best seller everywhere.

Because of these English novels, the world is discovering illustrious Indian history. A few decades ago, the scenario was the opposite. The Indian writers then presented a very poor image of India to the world. They wrote only about poverty, illiteracy, and superstitions to establish themselves as international writers. But there has been a complete change in the scenario in the last decade.

There has been a rise of a group of Indian writers who have successfully presented the rich and illustrious history of ancient India to the global community. Most of these writers areyoungpass-outsfromtheIIMsandIITswhoappliedtheir knowledge to connect the ancient mythical context with the modern age and did a lot of research.

Several writers in the country have made these mythological and religious characters the central object of their novels. Amish Tripathi, Ashwin Sanghi, Devdutt Patnayak, and Anand Neelakantan have played a pivotal role in this pathbreaking attempt. This new era of literature began with the unfolding of the new millennium. In 2006, after completing his MBA and being in the family business, Ashwin Sanghi wrote his first novel “Rosabal Line.” The novel is a historical, fictional thriller that deals with the story of Jesus Christ having survived the crucifixion and having spent his last days in Kashmir, India. The novel attracted readers from all over the world and became a best seller. His next novels, “Chanakya’s Chant” and “The Krishna Key,” also became popular worldwide. These English novels are being translated into Hindi and many other languages worldwide.

Amish Tripathi gave new heights to the mission of presenting the Indian mythological characters in a new light to modern society. After graduating from IIM Kolkata and working for 14 years in the banking and financial sector, he took to writing. He wrote “Shiv Trilogy” with Lord Shiva as the central figure. Amish very interestingly presented the fictional journey of Lord Shiva from being an ordinary mortal to Mahadev in 3 parts.

Talent hits a target no one else can hit. Genius hits a target no one else can see.

- Arthur Schopenhauer

“Immortals of Mehua,” the first part of the trilogy, was published in 2010. An interesting plot and extraordinary presentation combined with Amish’s management and marketing skills made this novel successful and popular worldwide. It became the best seller in every bookstore in airports around the world.

It was a new experience for the English readers to know about ancient Indian history from this new perspective. Before this, they knew India only as the land of snakes, snake charmers, and magicians. Amish made the relics found in Mohanjodaro, Harappa, and Lothal as a tool to represent ancient Indian civilization. He surprised the whole world with his extraordinary and attractive presentation. The next two parts of the Shiv Trilogy, “Secrets of Nagaraj” and “Oath of Vayuputra,” were published in three years. They, too, broke all the records.ShivTrilogywentontobecomeIndia’sfastestselling series. A hundred crores of these books have been sold so far. Forbes India included Amish Tripathi in the list of the hundred most popular people for three consecutive years — 2012, 2013, and 2014.

The popularity of the Shiv Trilogy can be known by the fact that it has been translated into fourteen different languages. Amish has started another serieswithLordRamasthecentralfigure. It is called the “Scion of Ikshvaku.” The first book of this series was published in 2015 and was well received by the readers all over. Readers are now eagerly waiting for its next book.

Thus the young talent must pick any of theinnumerableaspectsofIndianculture and present it in today’s context. Our spiritualculturehasbeenandwillalways continuetoberelevant.Allthatisneeded is to interpret and present it in today’s context.Wehopethatthesecontributions of the modern Indian authors will motivate the readers, especially the youths, to also read the original Indian texts beyond mythology and fiction and get the light of true spiritual wisdom.۞

Words are life. Words are light. Words are power. Words are energy. Words are truth. Words can enliven, and words can also kill. Words can give hope or plunge us into despair. People use words to build peace and use words to make war. Words can create walls between cultures, religions, and nations. And words can also build bridges. The existence of an individual, a family, a community, a country, and our planet is being led to good or evil through the power of the words we speak. The words we speak are responsible for everything that happens in this world. We, therefore, must be responsible for the words we speak. On behalf of future generations, I hope that we will do all we can to speak only bright, light-filled words so that one day, our descendants will be born into a world filled with light.

Everyone has talent. What’s rare is the courage to follow it to the dark places where it leads. - Erica Jong

JULY-AUG. 202238

We are continuing with the commentary of ïloka (18/4). Here Lord says that a true yogi is one who knows the mystery of akarma in karma and karma in akarma. Ordinary people cannot see karma in akarma and akarma in karma. Goswami Tulsidasji says – ‘Aperson is wise if he abandons the ego of karma and sees it as akarma. He should consider that whatever good is done by him is the will of God.’

Guña tumh³ra samjhau nija do̳ | Jehi saba bh³nti tumh³ra bharos³ ||

The essence of this couplet is that every work done in the name of God is akarma. All of us try to take the credit for our deeds/actions. But if we start considering that all the good things are done by the will of God, then our desiresfornameandfamewillsubside, and karma will become akarma. If there is some mistake in doing the karma, which is natural, then it should be considered that it is due to the impurity of the inner-self; we should not blame God. Some say, ‘I do the good; if anything wrong happens, that is God’s will.’ Most people entertain this view; this is quite natural. One

The Mystery of Akarma in Karma and Karma in Akarma

Puranic anecdote will clarify the doubt in this regard.

One brahman developed a beautiful garden around his hut. He also raised a fence around it. One day, a cow broke that fence, entered the garden, and ruined some part of it.As soon as the brahman saw the cow eating the plants, he beat her with a stick. The purpose was to drive the cow away, but she died due to the beating as she was weak. Now brahman devata got worried about what would happen as he incurred the sin of killing the cow. In the meantime, the sin appeared before him and said – ‘Get ready for the punishment.’ The brahman argued – ‘I have not done anything; my hands have done it. The deity of hands is Lord Indra. So, ask him how it allhappened.’ThesinapproachedLordIndraandsaid–‘The brahman is saying that you have killed the cow as you are the deity of hands.’Indra thought - ‘What an irony! Someone committed a crime, and the other one was held guilty.’

Indra came to brahman’s hut in the guise of an ordinary visitor. He said to brahman – ‘Panditji! Your garden is beautiful. Who has developed it? It seems some animal has ruined one part of it.’ Brahman said – ‘Yes, one cruel cow destroyed it, but I killed her.’ Indra said – ‘So you have committed the sin of killing a cow.’ Brahman retaliated –‘No! I have not sinned. It is in the jurisdiction of Indra, and hence he has done it.’ Then Indra said – ‘This garden is developed by you, and you are taking the credit for it. But when it comes to killing a cow, you say Indra has done it. How can this happen?’ Then Indra appeared before him in his original form and took the brahman to mrutyuloka so that he could be punished for his sin.

It is an innate vice in most people: they try to take the credit for every good work but refuse to take responsibility for mistakes. On the other hand, if we give credit to God’s inspiration, the ego will not crop up, and there will be no attachment to karma. A person who abandons karma and praises God for his achievements sees akarma in karma. Pujya Gurudev used to say – ‘Mahakal is getting the work done by me.’ Whatever our accomplishments, they are the giftofourGurusatta.Weshouldtrytounderstandtheessence of the couplet of Goswamiji – ‘O Lord! Whatever is good or righteous in me is due to you, and the vices are mine.’Those who have faith in God work with these sentiments in their hearts.

Karma inAkarma

Even Gandhiji could not understand the akarma of Sri Aurobindo. On one occasion, he said – ‘In this period of struggle for independence, he (Sri Aurobindo) has run away to Pondicherry, whereas he should have carried forward the revolution from where he began.’ Many people reacted to this statement at that time; they took it very seriously. Pujya Gurudev could understand the akarma of Sri Aurobindo and Maharshi Ramana, their quiet tapa, and the process of energizing the subtle world for the revolution. He even went to Pondicherry to meet him. He wrote continuously in AkhandJyotimagazinethosedaysthatthetapaofseers/saints in the subtle world would certainly lead to independence. The sacrifice of Bhagat Singh and the satyagraha of Gandhiji wererightintheirplace,butonecannotdenythesignificance of the flow of spiritual energy from the subtle world that made the atmosphere for revolution. In a way, it appears to be akarma. But true karma is hidden in this akarma indeed.

Sister Nivedita continued her work even after the death of her Guru (SwamiVivekananda). She not only worked for the women’s awakening but also continuously wrote in support

of India’s freedom struggle. Some revolutionariesusedtomeether.Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy of India, who was responsible for the partition of Bengal, received a complaint that RamakrishnaMission’sBellurMatha had links with the revolutionaries. There were only a few buildings and a small land of the Mission at that time. The governing body of the Mission told Nivedita – ‘They are continuously receiving messages from Laat Sahib (a distortion of Lord Sahib, the Viceroy). They are saying that the revolutionaries have made the Matha their den, and hence it should be demolished. They are also suspecting some sannyasis.’ Then Nivedita said, ‘If so, we will go there and explain the truth as we are true disciples of a true Guru.’ Laat Sahib’s wife was an old friend of sister Nivedita (when she was in England). Nivedita explained to her friend–‘TheMathaisatempleofher Guru and her Guru’s Guru. Where are the revolutionaries?What are you saying? Here we have a system of making a man. Please don’t destroy it.’The matter was settled.

Those who have read the pages of those days of ‘Diary of Matha’ tell – ‘A stage was reached when the administration was about to kick out Sister Nivedita so that the Matha

Selfless giving does not imply superiority. Selfless giving is about love. - Frederick Lenz

JULY-AUG. 202240

did not have a bad name due to the meeting of revolutionaries with Nivedita.’ But see the devotion to Guru that she saved Ramakrishna Mission and the Matha – her Guru’s temple. Did the great karma seen in her akarma not further the cause of India in the direction of independence? From 1902 to 1911, she was visibly a sannyasin, but indirectly a warrior, lover of India, and a freedom fighter. She left her physical sheath in 1911 at the age of forty-four years but became immortal in the history of Gurudisciple tradition and created an example of surrender to her Guru.

Usually, we consider great men to be escapists. Our so-called progressive leftist ideology considers religiousspiritual activities a waste of time and playing with national wealth. But can they ever realize the secret of karma in this akarma? On the physical plane, after 1930, Pujya Gurudev was continuously engaged in writing work, doing sadhana, and getting it done by others, and also consolidating the organization. But in this karma implicit in the invisible akarma that truth is hidden, which has given a concrete shape to Yug Nirman Yojana and erected an enormous network of Gayatri Pariwar.

Pujya Gurudev used to say – ‘My subtle body works round the clock. When you sleep, it cleans your innerself. Visibly, people see my affection, my writings, and my organization, but there is a bigger and more significant aspect: my invisible energy of tapa.’ Gayatri Pariwar’s magazines, like Akhand Jyoti, Yug Nirman Yojana, etc., published in several languages, and thousands of Pragya Sansthans (Gayatri Shaktipeeths) are the outcomes of Gurudev’s visible karma. However, his Sukshmikaran sadhana, the active existence of subtle and causal bodies even after leaving his physical sheath, and the work done while being one with the Super-consciousness are his akarmas. We do not know them, we have not seen them, but they are more significant. Karmas done in the state of akarma can change history.

That is why Lord Krishna is saying that a person who sees karma in akarma and akarma in karma is the most prudent; he is a seer. However, this akarma is different from inertia/laziness. Sri Shiv Prasad Singh, in his book titled ‘Anuttar Yogi,’ writes – ‘The turning points in the history happen in the quietness of soul.’ Pujya Gurudev said, ‘I have not done anything; my God in the form of my Guru has done the work. I am only a means.’A true visionary is one who sees akarma in karma and karma in akarma.

[To be continued]

Note:

This is the translation of the Hindi version of ‘Yug Gita’ (Part 2) by Dr. Pranav Pandya, published by Shri Vedmata Gayatri Trust, Shantikunj, Haridwar (2011)

Don’t Let there be a Knot in the Loving Relationship

Afamily that is full of happiness and prosperity is akin to heaven on earth. Every person wishes to have such a family. The understanding of the household should be so good that the elders get due respect and reverence, and the younger ones get affection and lots of love and blessings. Everyone needs to be mutually cooperative in this type of family formation; otherwise, good families can be destroyed due to family feuds and ideological differences.

Therefore, for family happiness, one should understand and respect the tender feelings of others. They should also respect each other. The delicate thread of the relationship can be broken by hurting and neglecting others for selfish reasons.

There should be mutual harmony and understanding among the family members. It is the responsibility of the earning members of the family to spend their income on the welfare and needs of the whole family and not use it for undue expenses. Dependence on the hired help and servants for small tasks can lead to many issues; so, as far as possible, everyone should cooperate and do all the household chores together.

The relationship of husband and wife is the backbone of the family, and their tender relationship is of utmost importance. Therefore, where the wife’s behavior is affectionate, the husband should also fulfill her needs by respecting her feelings and wishes properly. Moreover, husband and wife should make each other aware of every aspect of their lives because secrecy isn’t good in this sacred relationship.

Similarly, the relationship between parents, brother-sister, and brother-inlaw should also be dealt with dignity. In this way, the joy of festivals and other family events increases, and there is an atmosphere of happiness in the family.

Avery famous Doha of Rahim says, Rahimana dh³g³ prema k³, mata toÃo catak³ya | Tute se phira na juÃe, juÃe g³nÚha pari j³ya ||

That is, the thread of love should never be broken because once it is broken, it does not connect again, and even if it is joined, there is a knot in it.

If we talk about the relationship of newlyweds, there is a high possibility of misunderstandings or knotting because,inthebeginning,itisabitraw. The ambush of the relationship may not be visible outside, but it remains in mind. With mutual understanding, one can make this delicate relationship stronger. To lay the foundation of a strongrelationship,onemustintrospect and abandon all bad habits from the very beginning of the marriage.

When no one is selfless in a relationship, there is war. When one is selfless, there is peace. When both are selfless, there is joy. - Royce White.

Sometimes our habits are responsible forcreatingknotsingoodrelationships. If we are conscious of our selfish habits, we can save our relationships from falling apart by keeping them in check. For example, some wives have a routine where they prepare food with great love but dwell on the day’s grievanceswhileservingit.Thisupsets thehusband’smind.Aboveall,thewife wants the husband to appreciate the food prepared by her. Ayurveda says that food benefits the body when eaten in a peaceful state. On the other hand, food eaten in an environment of stress is unhealthy and gives rise to problems like gas, acidity, and indigestion.

One should set aside separate time to share one’s thoughts with the spouse. After supper, husband and wife may go for a walk and talk to each other about the whole day’s events.Ahusband and wife are not considered as two but as one unit. Anyone who comes between

these two will be called a third party, whether it is their child, parents, or siblings.

It is inappropriate to share secrets between a couple with any third person. Doing so jeopardizes the credibility of the sacred relationship. The talk between husband and wife should be private and not meant for anyone else. But some girls are so emotionally attached to their mother, sister-inlaw, or a friend, that they share everything, including private matters. This may disrupt the mutual trust between husband and wife.

Mutual trust is the essential quality of married life. Like the thread of love, the cord of trust also cannot be reconnected when broken. A relationship called marriage is meaningful onlywhenitbecomesusinsteadofyouandme.Thenitisnot yours or mine; whatever happens is ours. A marriage where this does not occur is not a marriage but a settlement.

Understanding this, we have to decide whether we want to lay the foundation of our marriage on love, faith, and dedication or our selfish thinking. There should be an increase in the compassion, sympathy, and understanding between family members. Internal problems do not arise in the family where it is practiced, and every member lives in peace and harmony.۞

The owner of a farm asked his child to work every day at the farm.

His friend said, “You do not have to make your son work so hard. The crops would grow just as good.”

The farm owner replied: “I am not cultivating my crops, but my child.”

Moral of the story:

1. A simple way to groom a child is to let him experience some hardships.

2. If not cut, jade would not turn into useful ware.

True love blooms when we care more about another person than we care about ourselves. - Jeffrey R. Holland.

Let Us Revive the Parivr³jaka

Tradition for Social Upliftment - 4

(English version of some excerpts of a discourse continued from the previous issue)

In the previous part of this article, we had discussed that while emphasizing the importance of social meetings and interactions/association with the masses, Gurudev provides encouraging, effective, and practical guidance for those suffering from inferiority complex or any kind of deficiency in communication, or in making social contacts. Along with pointing out the necessity of self-discipline and self-refinement, he highlights the ancient practice of pilgrimage as the best way of atonement. Apart from the other opportunities for spiritual development, the sincere practice of pilgrimage is supposed to provide the chance of diminishing the p³pas and attaining puñyas via selfless service. Gurudev clearly warns the parivr³jaka-trainees against the superficial practices of ‘pilgrimages’ popular among the people in modern times. He excellently elucidates the spiritual importance of thorough selfless service. Significantly, he provides practical guidance on what is the best way of helping the needy and contributing to social upliftment. The following article continues with this discussion.

Friends,

You, as a privraj³ka, are going to be the volunteer to expand our mission’s reformative and constructive projects. This is a vital part of your duty. Therefore, I would like to discuss this in detail and give you some practical guidance.

Refrain from Ostentation and Shortcuts:

Ihavealreadytoldyouthatdistributing food or clothes as part of a pilgrimage or some religious activity does not serve the real purpose of social

service. On the contrary, it often has counter-effects like encouraging begging and lethargy. Some people, mostly the rich/resourceful, offer their charity on a more continual basis. They donate or arrange for the distribution of one free meal at some shrine or ashram on a daily or weekly basis. Or they distribute clothes, blankets, etc., once a year or so. Such activities will not wipe their sins or misdeeds, if any. Even if their initiative is driven by their kind-heartedness, it is not a constructive way of helping the needy. Apart from the abovestated counter-effects, such practices of ‘charity’ pose the risk of igniting the donor’s ego and thirst for name and fame.

Charity for pompous showoff or gaining mileage (in some business, improving public image, etc.) is wrong. You might have seen some rich person’s name inscribed on a

Alone we can do so little; together, we can do so much. - Helen Keller

stone, pillar, or gate of some religious shrines; the inscription also mentions the amount they donated. What kind of religiousnessisthis?Whydotheywant their name to be seen by everyone? Some gentler donors do not want their names to be shown explicitly, but they too get trapped in informing someone to augment self-respect.

You should be self-vigilant and refrain not only from superficial benevolence and social service but also from the risk of being driven by popularity and ego in every respect.

Guidance on Social Service: Iwouldliketoreemphasizethatservice to the society is worth its purpose only if it contributes to the lasting welfare of the needy, generates hope and confidence in them, helps them stand on their feet, and gives them positive thoughts and constructive direction to improve their living. Therefore, your social service should be reformative as wellasconstructive.Itshouldhelpmass educationandawarenesstoemancipate the masses from blind faith, insane convictions, and customs. It should offer them the light of progress and constructive support for self-reliance, social harmony, collective progress, and overall upliftment of their life.

Here, I would like to share an

interesting story with you which illustrates how one can motivate and support a poor person to become self-reliant. The short story I will narrate now is a real-life example. It will give you some practical tips on how to help a needy to stand on his own feet/earn his own living and resolve his own problem forever.

Prophet Hazrat Muhammad, the founder of the Muslim religion, was popular for his kindness and generosity. One day, a faqir2 type person came to seek his help. “I am very poor; I don’t get to eat properly; I am often empty stomach; please arrange for some food for me” — was his petty request. Hazrat assured him to provide some help, asking if he needed to arrange the food for life or if he also needed a meal right away? “I am very hungry right now, so please give me something to eat,” — the visitor almost begged.

Hazrat offered him the meal. The needy ate quickly. He expressed his gratitude and further beseeched — “It would be your great grace if you kindly arrange two meals for me every day; so that I will not have to beg for it here and there.” “I will certainly do something so you won’t have to rove around for a meal from tomorrow onwards!” These kind words of Hazrat sounded like a boon to the poor man.

Hazrat asked him what he had as personal belongings. The man had a small brass pot (to carry and drink water). Hazrat took that in hand and went to the market with this poor man. He auctioned the pot in the market. Someone purchased it in three dinars. Hazrat bought an axe in one dinar and gave it to the poor man suggesting that he should get up early the next day, walk up to the nearest forest, and cut enough wood from suitable trees/shrubs with the help of the axe3 and sell it in the market.

He also handed over the other two dinars to that man. He advised him to use one dinar for purchasing food items

The happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others. - Gordon B. Hinckley

(wheat flour/rice and some lentil grains) and the other for buying a rope (to tie the wood pieces he would pile up after a day’s hard labor), a pair of footwear and other essential things. Then, he went with that man to help him do this necessary shopping. “Now I have arranged for your living for your entire lifespan,” the Hazrat commented.

That man felt elevated with self-confidence and returned after paying respect to the Hazrat. From the next day, he started going to the forest. He used to put-in hard labor and collect lots of wood. He started earning his daily income by selling these wood pieces in the market.After about a month, he again met the Prophet (Hazrat Muhammad). He looked energetic and happy.“So,howareyou?Wasyourproblemsolved?”—Hazrat asked. “Yes, Hazrat Sahib; my life is well set now; I am eating both the time and also saving for a better future; even now, I have seven dinars in my pocket. Now I don’t have to ask for alms or seek anybody’s help,” - he replied gratefully.

I suppose the message conveyed by the story is clear to you! Those motivated to help the needy should use their wisdom and experience to do it in such a way that it does not cultivate lethargy or greed in the receivers, nor does it hurt their selfrespectinanyway.Therealandlastinghelpwouldbe,asHazrat Muhammad did, to arrange for a feasible mode through which they can make their own living. Of course, the best way to do this for a specific person will depend upon the situation, his/her potential, and the availability of resources/opportunity.

Mahatma Gandhi’s approach, real contributions, and teachings towards making our masses self-reliant provide adept practical guidance in this regard. For example, look at his farsighted Khadi Movement! He used to tell the rich/resourceful people in his contact to purchase, use and spread the use of Khadi, even though it was more expensive than other (machine-weaved) clothes. He used to tell them that instead of giving money to the

poor and unemployed, if they purchased the clothes made by their hands, it would strengthen their self-dependence with self-respect.

(To be continued in the next issue)

Notes:

1. Parivr³jaka: In the truest sense of the word, parivr³jakas are supposed to be spiritually enlightened, cultured people who woulddisseminatetheirknowledge acquired from the spiritual saints/ sages/yogis and also share their experience gained in the laboratory of life, among the masses. They are supposed to live a nomadic life like hermits and contribute to the improvement and all round development of the people they would meet and interact with at different places.

2. Faqir: Religious ascetic/Hermit who survives only on alms.

3. In those ancient days, there were many rich forests on the earth, the population was less, and dry wood was largely used as the only fuel for cooking, heating water, etc. More importantly, cutting wood from dry trees/thick shrubs in the forest did not cause any risk to the environment.

It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act. - Dalai Lama

Guru, Gayatri, Gita, Ganga, and Gau (Cow) are the five basic elements of Indian culture, and among these five, Guru’s place is on the top. Scriptures become speechless while glorifying the significance of the Guru. Even people having extensive knowledge in the spiritual field find themselves unable to glorify the dignity of the Guru. Saint Kabir has rightly said –

Saba dharati k³gaza karun, lekhanº saba banar³ya | S³ta Samudra kº masi karun, guru guña likh³ na j³ya ||

That is, if all the paper available on earth is used, pens made of the wood of all the trees in the forests are used, and all the ocean water is converted into ink, they will fall short in writing the merits of the Guru. So is the glory and dignity of Guru. The word Guru in the Hindi language is made of two letters, ‘Gu’meaning darkness and ‘Ru’which means to dissipate.

This composition defines the Guru as one who annihilates ignorance. One who urges anyone to enlighten his

Guru’s Glory is Boundless

life from gloom is Guru. Gloom is ignorance, and wisdom is enlightening. A guru is one who enlightens the life of a devotee by dissipating the gloom of ignorance. One who gives spiritual and intellectual insight to the disciple is Guru. Guru is one who carries away the disciple from the snares of worldly illusions and admonishes him – ‘How long will you sleep? How many births do you need to sleep more? Now is the time to wake up. How long will you writhe in the agony of birth and death? How long will you lament the sufferings of dejection? How long will you wander in the false delusion of worldly pleasures?’

Guru then advises him - ‘Son!You are eternal, nonperishable soul and not a physical body. This material body is simply a sheath of your soul. You, therefore, do not confine yourself to the relations, comforts, and conveniences associated with your material body. You, as a soul, are the divine heir of God. So, you adore your soul and not your body. Focus on God present in your soul. You enlighten the path of eternal happiness, beatitude, and salvation for yourself. This precious life is moving to its end very rapidly, so now wake up and set out to attain your aim.’

Taking cognizance of this stirring call by Sadguru, innumerable people came out from the dominance of worldly illusions. They could bestow intense delight not only to themselves but also to several people. Such an inspiring call from Sadguru filled with exalting emotions made myriad erudite souls descend on this earth. Mahavir, Gautam, Tulsi, Meera, Kabir, Raidas, Shanker, Nanak, and many other noble people of great wisdom came to this

There is no deity superior to the Guru, no gain better than the Guru’s grace … no state higher than a meditation on the Guru – Muktananda

world and permeated the holy message of moral excellence in the entire world. Later, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, Shri Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Swamy Vivekananda, Shri Ramana Maharshi, Sri Aurobindo, Swami Shivananda, Yug Rishi Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya, and many other Gurus and disciples incarnated who aggrandized the great GuruShishya tradition.

InIndianculture,Guruisconferredcomparativelyanelevated position than God. He is considered Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh - the creative, preservative, and transformative powers of God. Initiation by Guru revamps the disciple; his attitude is fully changed. He starts seeing the world from a different perspective. Guru produces a new personality of the disciple and gives birth to a new person in him.

Howsoever disgusting or despicable might have been his life earlier, but after initiation from Guru, the disciple finds himself completely transformed from within. He is now regarded with a difference and adored everywhere. For this reason of causing the complete transmutation of his disciple, Guru is regarded as Brahma.

Guru takes care of his disciple exactly as a mother attends to her child to protect him from any unfortunate situation. He also keeps a vigilant eye on disciple like his mother so that he does not get discouraged and depart from adhering to arduous spiritual disciplines. For this reason, Guru always promotes and spiritually nourishes his disciple. As Guru helps grow the disciple in his spiritual pursuits, he is regarded as Vishnu.

Itissometimesobservedthatsomedisciplesreadilyprogress in their pursuits due to their good fortune, while some consistently lag. Guru is paranormally capable of seeing that the repercussions of the unfortunate wicked actions

of his previous birth or this birth are deviating him from his spiritual pursuits. For this reason, his progress is halted. Then Guru helps destroy the awful effect of his misdeeds or other wrongdoings. He helps the disciple to get free from the aftermath of his previous transgressions. Therefore, due to annihilating the flaws and unfortunate outcomes of the misdeeds of his disciple, Guru is perceived as Mahesh.

Revered Gurudev Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya has conferred great benefaction to humanity by presenting Gayatri Upasna with a meditation on Sun and Yagya easily accessible to the entire world. Moreover, he has compendiouslygiventhegreatexpanse of spirituality in the trinity of UpasanaSadhana-Aradhana so that naïve people could undergo that discipline to inundate their life with pleasurable contentment and good fortune.

This is the benefaction of theAlmighty that such divine personalities descend on earth with the holy objective of extending welfare and happiness to all humankind. Thanks to such a divine Guru who has affectionate feelings for everyone, gives spiritual insight even to sinners, and can disengage his disciples and devotees from all bondages.

Guru and God both appear before me. To whom should I prostrate? I bow before Guru who introduced God to me. - Kabir

Such a Guru deserves great praise who can expand the influence of our divine culture to far-off places. Equally blessed are those disciples who are fortunate enough to find such a mentor, learn art-of-living from him, and succeed in attaining paranormal achievements.

Eventually, Guru is such liberated conscious energy that emulates Ram, Krishna, Buddha, or Mahaveer, but he appears like a normal human being, seemingly living in this world like us. But he is unconventional and distinct because he is filled with inexhaustible treasures of compassion, love, and wisdom.

Dedication and total surrender are the two elements needed to experience such a source of vital spiritual energy. Otherwise, we cannot perceive and comprehend it even when close to it. Complete faith and surrender are the benchmarks to receive blessingsfromsuchSadguru,andGuru’sblessingsareinnoway less than God’s blessings. The rise of highly moral, religious, and spiritual features in a disciple makes him perceive the image of theAlmighty in a simple and genuine person who is his Guru. He begins to comprehend and admire that sacred power in his Guru and is always ready to subscribe to his teachings.

Therefore, our holy duty is to implement our Guru’s disciplinary orders in our lives. We must not only glorify the dignity of our Guru but should also enthusiastically enjoy that glory by following the path shown by him and executing all his programs with full dedication and faith. This is true dedication to Guru and great honor and respect toAlmighty. Undoubtedly glory of the Guru is boundless. ۞

I keep remembering one of my Guru’s teachings about happiness. She says that people universally think happiness is a stroke of luck, which may descend upon you like fine weather if you’re fortunate enough. But that’s not how happiness works. Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it; you must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it. If you don’t, you will eat away your innate contentment. It’s easy enough to pray when you’re in distress but continuing to pray even when your crisis has passed is like a sealing process, helping your soul hold tight to its good attainments.

He alone teaches who has something to give, for teaching is not talking, teaching is not imparting doctrines, it is communicating. – Swami Vivekananda

Music is the Best Medicine

Many research studies conducted in recent times have confirmed that music not only soothes the mind but also cures many physical ailments. This is why many physicians have begun to include music as an important component of therapy. It may be more appropriate to call this Raga Therapy.

Raga Research Center in Chennai has conducted several research studies on the possibilities of using music as a therapy and has found that diseases like hypertension, schizophrenia and even epilepsy can be treated using music. Music soothes our minds and gives us happiness. Patients lying on beds get up to listen to good music, feel energized, and experience a renewed enthusiasm.

According to doctors, music plays a vital role in diseases related to old age, e. g. Alzheimer’s disease and brain injuries. The stress created by various problems in our lives also gets reduced by music. However, it is not possible to say whether every patient will have the same effect of music. How much and for how long will there be the effect of music varies from individual to individual.

In ancient times this was known as Naad Yoga. Sound has a deep effect on our mind and body. Even centuries ago, physicians and doctors of kings had experimented with complementing the treatment of physical ailments with Naad Yoga. The sound of the instruments and compositions in the proper raga infuses new energy in the body.

According to the old Indian scripture - Swara shastra, there are 72 special ragas that can regulate 72 very important

naadis (channels of vital energy) within our body. If a person recites theseragaswithtotalconcentrationand without errors, it profoundly affects these special channels.Specialists in Neurology at major hospitals also do not deny the significance of music’s effect on our nervous system. Therefore, it is possible to treat people suffering from amnesia with music.

According to experts, some musical ragasproducevibrationsthatpositively affect muscles, nerves, and even chakras, the body’s energy centers. Music regularises the flow of electrical signals through nerves. Some ragas used in medical treatments include Chandrakauns, Pahadi, Malkauns, Bhoopali, and Todi. Raag Pahadi is used to treat diseases related to the respiratorysystem.RaagChandrakauns helps in treating conditions associated withtheheart.Incaseofirregularblood pressure, Raag Asavari and Malkauns are beneficial. Raag Todi and Bhoopali help treat hypertension. Let us hope that the acceptance of Naad yoga and Raga therapy will increase with time, and their utilization for treating serious diseases will also increase. ۞