पतञ्जलियोग सिद्धि
(Achievement of Patanjaliyoga)
Patanjali is well known for his book oon Yoga. These are practices to follow to build up a healthy body to pursue with vigour the search for God. But the method leads one to acquire powers to perforn miracles. Man is likely to be content with a strong body and go out practising his powers and lose sight of moving towards God.
Here we discuss only the miracles aspect for appreciation of what yoga can enable you to do.
Power to perform miracles is called Siddhi. However, both RaamakRuShNa and RamaNa cared a hoot for siddhis. Many miracles are credited to them but they never took any credit for miracles. They just happen, RamaNa would say and pass over.
Now siddhis come after hard work in the yoga method. In case of saints and sages, God grants them siddhis forHis own Plan to proceed unhindered.
Sages lose their power by cursing out of anger. Similarly, egostic use of siddhis causes one to lose the power and the yogi is soon down the pit.
A parable by RamakRuShNa: A person returned home after 30 years of saadhanaa in the Himaalayas. He boased that he can now walk on water. An old man pointed out - Son, you have wasted 30 years. For three paisas, a boat can take you across the river.
A personal experience of RaamakRuShNa: When his nephew pestered him, he went to Mother and prayed for some siddhi. Look that side, Mother said. Ramakrushna looked; saw a man answering call of nature. Do you want that?, Mother asked. Embarrassed and angry, RamakRuShNa ran back and slapped his nephew. "I had to see a dirty scene because of you," he shouted.
There are eight siddhis, called AshTasiddhis:
1. Animaa - Reducing size of the body to that of an atom (Hanumaan adopted this method to get past a demoness on his flight to Lanka).
2. Mahimaa - Assuming gigantic size of body (Hanumaan assumed gigantic form to impress Seetaa, being held captive by RaavaNa. KRuShNa stood tall to ward off Duryodhana who threatened to arrest KRuShNa who had come on a peace mission to avoid war. Vishwaroopa on the battlefield is another great feat).
4. Praapti - Sitting at one place and hooking on to another's senses in a distant place. You can see Himaalaya sitting in Bangalore or enjoy wine in the White House.
5. Prakaasya - Live video show of events at a distant place (like what Vyaasa enabled Sanjaya to see the battle and describe details to the blind king). Vivekaananda has revealed, you can have a video view of past events and future events too. Evidentally this enabled RamaNa to judge a man by a mere look at him as if he was reading an open book.
6. Ishita - Control over Maayaa and making it follow your dictat instead of vice versa, which is the norm.
7. Vashita - Non-attachment to sensual pleasures.
8. Kaamyapraapti - Experiencing pleasures without the use of senses.
There are 15 derivative siddhis.
1. Immunity to hunger, thirst and pain ( LakShmaNa went without food during 14 years in the forest).
2. Hearing voices from anywhere in the universe.
3. Seeing sights even beyond the horizon.
4. Bodily travel at lightning speed (Evidentally, Shankara used this for his three circuits of the land).
5. Assuming the shape of man or animal at will.
6 Leaving One's body and entering another body (Shankara had done it once).
7. IchChaamaraNi - Choosing your time to leave the body. Yama has to wait for your order.(Prahlaada ascended to heaven in a divine chariot. Yama bent low and Prahlaada stepped on his back to get into the chariot!)
8. Participation in heavenly pleasures.
9. Attainment of any desired end.
10. Exercise unquestioned and unobstructed power over anybody.
11. Go invisible and appear anywhere else.
12. Capacity to withstand the world of duality i.e. heat and cold, pleasure and pain, etc.
13. Mind reading.
14. Capacity to control the power of sun, fire, water, wind and other natural forces.
15. Always a winner. Never a loser unless you choose it that way.
Siddhis are stumbling blocks on any path. It is better not to aim for them. Jnaanis use them to glorify God, i.e., to help a devotee in trouble imploring for God to intervene.
Monday, 9 July 2007
Yajna, Yaaga, Homa, Havis
यज्ञ, याग, होम, हविस्
(Yajna, Yaaga, Homa, Havis)
The four terms generally refer to a sacrificial act, often in a sacrificial offering in a fire, but have various connotations.
यज्ञ
(Yajna)
A Yajna may mean (appropriate to the context) a sacrifice, sacrificial rite, an act of worship, any pious or devotional act, or spiritual offering or endeavour.
A fivefold yajna is enjoined on householders, particularly brahmins, as:
1.Bhoota Yajna. For the welfare of all beings- human and animal.
2. PitRu Yajna. Obsequial offerings, daily libations to the departed elders.
3. Deva Yajna. Offerings to all gods.
4.ManuShya Yajna. Offerings to people,hospitality, hospitable reception of guests.
5. Brahma Yajna. Teaching and reciting Vedas.
Note : A man had many rituals to perform for the benefit of the family and go out for earning bread for the family. So the division of duty for woman was to to do household works. And, from the religious side was prescibed service of the man. i.e. husband.
The word Yajna may be used in an extended sense for other pious, devotional, spiritual endeavours and projects and observances, e.g. Japayajna, Naamayajna, Geetayajna and the like.
याग
(Yaaga)
This is a public Yajna, on a very large scale, generally arranged by kings. Specialist priests for different specific duties (Advaryu as supervising priest, Hotra for reciting Rugveda, Udgaata for chantings hymns from Saamaveda, and up to 16 priests). Kratu is a yaaga in which animal sacrifice is prescribed.
होम
(Homa)
A Homa is a Yajna on a smaller scale, domestic in nature, performed with oblations for deities. Part of Devayajna. Recitation of PuruShasookta and of the Geetaa, etc.
हविस्
(Havis)
A Havis is offering into the fire.
(Yajna, Yaaga, Homa, Havis)
The four terms generally refer to a sacrificial act, often in a sacrificial offering in a fire, but have various connotations.
यज्ञ
(Yajna)
A Yajna may mean (appropriate to the context) a sacrifice, sacrificial rite, an act of worship, any pious or devotional act, or spiritual offering or endeavour.
A fivefold yajna is enjoined on householders, particularly brahmins, as:
1.Bhoota Yajna. For the welfare of all beings- human and animal.
2. PitRu Yajna. Obsequial offerings, daily libations to the departed elders.
3. Deva Yajna. Offerings to all gods.
4.ManuShya Yajna. Offerings to people,hospitality, hospitable reception of guests.
5. Brahma Yajna. Teaching and reciting Vedas.
Note : A man had many rituals to perform for the benefit of the family and go out for earning bread for the family. So the division of duty for woman was to to do household works. And, from the religious side was prescibed service of the man. i.e. husband.
The word Yajna may be used in an extended sense for other pious, devotional, spiritual endeavours and projects and observances, e.g. Japayajna, Naamayajna, Geetayajna and the like.
याग
(Yaaga)
This is a public Yajna, on a very large scale, generally arranged by kings. Specialist priests for different specific duties (Advaryu as supervising priest, Hotra for reciting Rugveda, Udgaata for chantings hymns from Saamaveda, and up to 16 priests). Kratu is a yaaga in which animal sacrifice is prescribed.
होम
(Homa)
A Homa is a Yajna on a smaller scale, domestic in nature, performed with oblations for deities. Part of Devayajna. Recitation of PuruShasookta and of the Geetaa, etc.
हविस्
(Havis)
A Havis is offering into the fire.
Sunday, 8 July 2007
Navaratnamaalaa
नवरत्नमाला
(Necklace of nine gems)
This is a random selection of nine gems from the Treasure Chest of Shankaraachaarya's gift to us.
1. मनुष्वत्वं मुमुक्ष्वत्वं महापुरुषसंश्रय:
manuShyatvaM mumukShatvaM mahaapuruShasaMshrayah
The Aachaarya says these three things are difficult to be blessed with:
i. मनुष्वत्वं manuShvatvaM - birth in a human body. This world is called Karmabhoomi. Even Gods come down to atone for their sins/ommissions.
ii. मुमुक्षत्वं mumukShatvaM - desire for moksha. Born a human, one must yearn for Moksha.
iii. महापुरुषसंश्रयः mahaapuruShasaMshrayah - guidance of a Guru. For saadhanaa to move towards moksha, the guidance of a guru is essential. If one fails to encash this rare opportunity of the three blessings together, he has no destination but hell (From Shankara's VivekachoodaamaNi (approximately 500 shlokas) which is considered as the classic work on Advaita. RamaNa has written a 60 page essay on this. Aatmabodha, a shorter work, is a good companion book).
2. क्व च न समुद्रो तारङ्गः
Kva ca na samudro taarangah
In Advaita philosophy, the sea and the wave is the general relationship used to show oneness of the jeevaatmaa and paramaatma. A wave is a part of the sea and nothing but the sea itself. It rises in the sea, is sustained by the sea and finally merges into the sea. It never separates itself from the sea. The Aachaarya says - A wave is always saamudr (belonging to the sea i.e. samudra). The sea is never taaranga (belonging to the wave i.e.taranga). This is from the ViShNuShaTpadee - the six shlokas in adoration of ViShNu.. I recite this stotra at pooja time every morning. This hymn is full of alliterations.
3. भिक्षाम् देहि कृपावलंबनकरी
bhikShaam dehi kRupaavalaMbanakaree
From the hymn addressing AnnapoorNeshwaree in Kaashi. Mother holds a gold pot filled with seeds for all plants in creation. Even Shiva had once approached Her with His begging bowl seeking alms during a famine.
Every shloka ends with - Give me bhikShaa, Mother., Your Graces is support to the entire universe. In the last shloka, the Aachaarya specifies the alms he seeks - jnaana and vairaagya. Not for any material gain.
4. परब्रह्मलिङ्गं भजे पाण्डुरङ्गम्
parabrahmalingaM bhaje paaNDurangam
A majestic composition written on visiting Pandarapur. You wonder how the Aachaarya went round the country thrice in his short span of life, visiting all temples and singing in praise of the deities there. At a time, too, when most travel was by foot and occasionally by bullock carts. He was however blessed with the siddhi to disappear from one place and appear at another.
paaNDu ranga is white colour but He is no less charmimg as a black stone idol. Linga is symbolic representation. It inspires you according to your faith.
5. स्वदेशो भुवनत्रयं
swadesho bhuvanatrayaM
Universal brotherhood, conceived by the Aachaarya centuries ago. The forefathers of the forefathers of the founders of the United Nations founders were not born then. Vasudhaiva kutumbakam was talked in Vedic times.
Paarvati is my Mother. Maheshwara is my Father. They set the universe going. Being their child, I am a relative of all their children, the universe over.
6. मा कुरु धनजनयौवनगर्वं
maa kuru dhanajanayouvanagarvaM
(From Aachaarya's Bhaja GovindaM) Do not feel proud of money - LakShmee is chanchal - money is slippery. Perhaps guarding it keeps you on a hot plate always, as the fear of loss is always there. Even the son is impatient for your exit in order for him to take over the treasury.
Do not feel proud of men who surround you. Men follow money more than you and will slip away when money and power behind money leaves you.
Do not feel proud of your youth and strength. Pikkale paana paDtanaa tarne paana haastaa. One day the green leaf also will change colour and fall. All are in the same grindstone and will be crushed some day.
7. पुत्रादपि धनभाजां भीतिः
putraadapi dhanabhaajaam bheetih
(From Aachaarya's Bhaja GovindaM) Time passes at its own pace for all. It does not go faster for older people. A son would like his father to pass away early so that he inherits wealth early. Papers come with news of impatient sons who took a short cut by cutting throats of parents. So the Aachaarya warns that wealth brings in fear of loss, loss of life itself. Money may bring momentary pleasures but all pleasures do not add up to give happiness, much less towards bliss.
8. शम्भो तवाराधनं
Shambho tavaaraadhanam
In whatever I do, whenever I do, it is always in adoration of you. It truly reflects the nature of a fully dedicated man (In the Lord's words - yatkaroshi yadashnaasi yajjuhosi dadaasi yat yattpasyasi kaunteya tatkurisha madarpnam).
9. मम मतिरास्ताम् तव पदकमले
Mama matiraastaam tava padakamale
The Gangaastotra is a lilting hymn on Mother Gangaa. When you recite this, you almost hear Ganga's merry flow down the stones in the earlier course of her journey in the Himaalayas. Like sounds of ghaaggari on the ankles of a young maiden dancing.
All the shlokas in the Gangaastotra end with this line - May my mind always rest at Your lotus feet. The sacredness of the sacred river is fully described. At one place, the Aachaarya says - Better live as a crab on Your bank than in a palace.
(Necklace of nine gems)
This is a random selection of nine gems from the Treasure Chest of Shankaraachaarya's gift to us.
1. मनुष्वत्वं मुमुक्ष्वत्वं महापुरुषसंश्रय:
manuShyatvaM mumukShatvaM mahaapuruShasaMshrayah
The Aachaarya says these three things are difficult to be blessed with:
i. मनुष्वत्वं manuShvatvaM - birth in a human body. This world is called Karmabhoomi. Even Gods come down to atone for their sins/ommissions.
ii. मुमुक्षत्वं mumukShatvaM - desire for moksha. Born a human, one must yearn for Moksha.
iii. महापुरुषसंश्रयः mahaapuruShasaMshrayah - guidance of a Guru. For saadhanaa to move towards moksha, the guidance of a guru is essential. If one fails to encash this rare opportunity of the three blessings together, he has no destination but hell (From Shankara's VivekachoodaamaNi (approximately 500 shlokas) which is considered as the classic work on Advaita. RamaNa has written a 60 page essay on this. Aatmabodha, a shorter work, is a good companion book).
2. क्व च न समुद्रो तारङ्गः
Kva ca na samudro taarangah
In Advaita philosophy, the sea and the wave is the general relationship used to show oneness of the jeevaatmaa and paramaatma. A wave is a part of the sea and nothing but the sea itself. It rises in the sea, is sustained by the sea and finally merges into the sea. It never separates itself from the sea. The Aachaarya says - A wave is always saamudr (belonging to the sea i.e. samudra). The sea is never taaranga (belonging to the wave i.e.taranga). This is from the ViShNuShaTpadee - the six shlokas in adoration of ViShNu.. I recite this stotra at pooja time every morning. This hymn is full of alliterations.
3. भिक्षाम् देहि कृपावलंबनकरी
bhikShaam dehi kRupaavalaMbanakaree
From the hymn addressing AnnapoorNeshwaree in Kaashi. Mother holds a gold pot filled with seeds for all plants in creation. Even Shiva had once approached Her with His begging bowl seeking alms during a famine.
Every shloka ends with - Give me bhikShaa, Mother., Your Graces is support to the entire universe. In the last shloka, the Aachaarya specifies the alms he seeks - jnaana and vairaagya. Not for any material gain.
4. परब्रह्मलिङ्गं भजे पाण्डुरङ्गम्
parabrahmalingaM bhaje paaNDurangam
A majestic composition written on visiting Pandarapur. You wonder how the Aachaarya went round the country thrice in his short span of life, visiting all temples and singing in praise of the deities there. At a time, too, when most travel was by foot and occasionally by bullock carts. He was however blessed with the siddhi to disappear from one place and appear at another.
paaNDu ranga is white colour but He is no less charmimg as a black stone idol. Linga is symbolic representation. It inspires you according to your faith.
5. स्वदेशो भुवनत्रयं
swadesho bhuvanatrayaM
Universal brotherhood, conceived by the Aachaarya centuries ago. The forefathers of the forefathers of the founders of the United Nations founders were not born then. Vasudhaiva kutumbakam was talked in Vedic times.
Paarvati is my Mother. Maheshwara is my Father. They set the universe going. Being their child, I am a relative of all their children, the universe over.
6. मा कुरु धनजनयौवनगर्वं
maa kuru dhanajanayouvanagarvaM
(From Aachaarya's Bhaja GovindaM) Do not feel proud of money - LakShmee is chanchal - money is slippery. Perhaps guarding it keeps you on a hot plate always, as the fear of loss is always there. Even the son is impatient for your exit in order for him to take over the treasury.
Do not feel proud of men who surround you. Men follow money more than you and will slip away when money and power behind money leaves you.
Do not feel proud of your youth and strength. Pikkale paana paDtanaa tarne paana haastaa. One day the green leaf also will change colour and fall. All are in the same grindstone and will be crushed some day.
7. पुत्रादपि धनभाजां भीतिः
putraadapi dhanabhaajaam bheetih
(From Aachaarya's Bhaja GovindaM) Time passes at its own pace for all. It does not go faster for older people. A son would like his father to pass away early so that he inherits wealth early. Papers come with news of impatient sons who took a short cut by cutting throats of parents. So the Aachaarya warns that wealth brings in fear of loss, loss of life itself. Money may bring momentary pleasures but all pleasures do not add up to give happiness, much less towards bliss.
8. शम्भो तवाराधनं
Shambho tavaaraadhanam
In whatever I do, whenever I do, it is always in adoration of you. It truly reflects the nature of a fully dedicated man (In the Lord's words - yatkaroshi yadashnaasi yajjuhosi dadaasi yat yattpasyasi kaunteya tatkurisha madarpnam).
9. मम मतिरास्ताम् तव पदकमले
Mama matiraastaam tava padakamale
The Gangaastotra is a lilting hymn on Mother Gangaa. When you recite this, you almost hear Ganga's merry flow down the stones in the earlier course of her journey in the Himaalayas. Like sounds of ghaaggari on the ankles of a young maiden dancing.
All the shlokas in the Gangaastotra end with this line - May my mind always rest at Your lotus feet. The sacredness of the sacred river is fully described. At one place, the Aachaarya says - Better live as a crab on Your bank than in a palace.
Saturday, 7 July 2007
Mahaajano Yena Gatah Sa Panthaah
महाजनो येन गत: स पन्था:
(The Way Treaded by a Great Soul is The Path)
Vedas are sacred and not to be doubted or found fault or defect with. They give the very words heard from the Divine Source. But when a Sage utters something at variance with the Vedas, his words are to be accepted as more authentic. Seers wrote down what they heard. Subsequently, they practised and found they are true and correct. But when a Sage speaks it is from personal experience and not based on book-knowledge.
The way treaded by a Sage is A Path in its own right. He lives the way He preaches. Being one with God, His Path can never be doubted or looked down upon. Buddha is called Tathaagata i.e. He trod the path He preached.
In the Geetaa, the Lord says - yadyadaacharati shreShThaha lokastadanuvartate यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठ: लोकस्तदनुवर्तते. Men follow the path shown by the great souls. It is incumbent upon leaders, especially godmen, to lead on the right path and not push followers down the hill.
Have faith in your Guru and do not doubt or experiment with his teaching.
The seemingly wrong statements or words from the greats are to be seen in proper perspective. They are termed Aarsheya (Rushi as the root).
In literature also they say - mahaakaveenam saadhu. "Mistakes" done by great poets are to be viewed in proper perspective. Kalidasa has made three "mistakes." In one case he chose to use the word -trayambaka त्रयम्बक. Gramatically wrong. त्र्यैम्बक Tryaimbaka is the correct word. It is not that there was no other word to fit in to suit the maatraa (maatraa in poetry is taala in music). Trilochana would have fitted well. Perhaps the poet opted for trayambaka as it is used in the Mrutyunjaya Mantra -an Aarsheya.
(The Way Treaded by a Great Soul is The Path)
Vedas are sacred and not to be doubted or found fault or defect with. They give the very words heard from the Divine Source. But when a Sage utters something at variance with the Vedas, his words are to be accepted as more authentic. Seers wrote down what they heard. Subsequently, they practised and found they are true and correct. But when a Sage speaks it is from personal experience and not based on book-knowledge.
The way treaded by a Sage is A Path in its own right. He lives the way He preaches. Being one with God, His Path can never be doubted or looked down upon. Buddha is called Tathaagata i.e. He trod the path He preached.
In the Geetaa, the Lord says - yadyadaacharati shreShThaha lokastadanuvartate यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठ: लोकस्तदनुवर्तते. Men follow the path shown by the great souls. It is incumbent upon leaders, especially godmen, to lead on the right path and not push followers down the hill.
Have faith in your Guru and do not doubt or experiment with his teaching.
The seemingly wrong statements or words from the greats are to be seen in proper perspective. They are termed Aarsheya (Rushi as the root).
In literature also they say - mahaakaveenam saadhu. "Mistakes" done by great poets are to be viewed in proper perspective. Kalidasa has made three "mistakes." In one case he chose to use the word -trayambaka त्रयम्बक. Gramatically wrong. त्र्यैम्बक Tryaimbaka is the correct word. It is not that there was no other word to fit in to suit the maatraa (maatraa in poetry is taala in music). Trilochana would have fitted well. Perhaps the poet opted for trayambaka as it is used in the Mrutyunjaya Mantra -an Aarsheya.
Satsanga
सत्संग
(In the company of God)
Satsanga is the meeting of a group of people to talk and hear about God and scriptures and listen to discourses. tuShyanti cha ramanti cha - as the Lord says in the Geetaa. The members of the group feel elevated and enthralled. And strengthen their faith in God.
RamaNa, however, gives a new meaning - he calls it living in the company of God, living in God!
Napoleon Hill talks of the Master Mind in his book - Acres of Diamonds. The book is better than Dale Carnegie's book - How to Win Friends and Influence People. Ford and two other businessmen/industrialists, met in a retreat once a year and spent a fortnight in isolation. They hardly met except at the dining table. And talked little. But in silence, a Master Mind evolved and their brains got new bright ideas to go for more business and enterprises.
During Satsanga, a Master Mind of the like-minded people takes over. The assembled men benefit and become more devoted to God. During visit to temples, the same benefit accrues.
But at home, too, like-minded members of a family can as well enjoy Satsanga even in midst of household responsibilities and work. A man by himself can enjoy Satsanga at work in office, in the bus during travel up and back from office. God is ever available at any place, giving you company. Always keep this in mind.
RamaNa was the most active member of the Aashrama, not relaxing on a bed all day long. He was the first to leave bed, much before sunrise. He would be in the kitchen cutting vegetables, grinding chutney and all that. He was a good cook, too. Of course, he would eat minimum. saying - one iddli is enough for a man who sits idle on the bed and gives darshan.
In Sahaja Sthiti, i.e., in the natural state of being. Perfect man in Satsanga every moment of life.
Swaami Raamdaas demonstrated Satsanga in practice. When a devotee came for initiation, he gave her no directions except asking her to report to him each evening what she did that day. By and by, her wasteful acivities ceased as she would not like to tell her guru of her idling time on useless activities. One day he told her - report all talk you had during the day. She ceased talking on unnecessary matters. Finally, her talks were restricted just to meet requirements of daily life. And the next direction - Report on whatever thoughts crossed your mind. Thoughts began to disappear, and, one evening, she went with a totally blank mind. With a smile, the Guru said, "You do not need to come to me any more. You are in Satsanga."
(In the company of God)
Satsanga is the meeting of a group of people to talk and hear about God and scriptures and listen to discourses. tuShyanti cha ramanti cha - as the Lord says in the Geetaa. The members of the group feel elevated and enthralled. And strengthen their faith in God.
RamaNa, however, gives a new meaning - he calls it living in the company of God, living in God!
Napoleon Hill talks of the Master Mind in his book - Acres of Diamonds. The book is better than Dale Carnegie's book - How to Win Friends and Influence People. Ford and two other businessmen/industrialists, met in a retreat once a year and spent a fortnight in isolation. They hardly met except at the dining table. And talked little. But in silence, a Master Mind evolved and their brains got new bright ideas to go for more business and enterprises.
During Satsanga, a Master Mind of the like-minded people takes over. The assembled men benefit and become more devoted to God. During visit to temples, the same benefit accrues.
But at home, too, like-minded members of a family can as well enjoy Satsanga even in midst of household responsibilities and work. A man by himself can enjoy Satsanga at work in office, in the bus during travel up and back from office. God is ever available at any place, giving you company. Always keep this in mind.
RamaNa was the most active member of the Aashrama, not relaxing on a bed all day long. He was the first to leave bed, much before sunrise. He would be in the kitchen cutting vegetables, grinding chutney and all that. He was a good cook, too. Of course, he would eat minimum. saying - one iddli is enough for a man who sits idle on the bed and gives darshan.
In Sahaja Sthiti, i.e., in the natural state of being. Perfect man in Satsanga every moment of life.
Swaami Raamdaas demonstrated Satsanga in practice. When a devotee came for initiation, he gave her no directions except asking her to report to him each evening what she did that day. By and by, her wasteful acivities ceased as she would not like to tell her guru of her idling time on useless activities. One day he told her - report all talk you had during the day. She ceased talking on unnecessary matters. Finally, her talks were restricted just to meet requirements of daily life. And the next direction - Report on whatever thoughts crossed your mind. Thoughts began to disappear, and, one evening, she went with a totally blank mind. With a smile, the Guru said, "You do not need to come to me any more. You are in Satsanga."
Friday, 6 July 2007
Markatopaakhyaana
मर्कटोपाख्यान
(Parable of the monkeys)
A group of monkeys decided to observe Ekaadashee fasting A little later, one monkey suggested that they search for food so they could start eating early the next morning without wasting any time. They moved out, and found a plantain tree with a bunch of ripe plantains.
Good, observed one monkey. Why not bring it down now itself instead of wasting time tomorrow to climb the tree? The bunch was brought down and slowly the plantains were peeled and kept ready for putting in the mouth the next day. Then put in the mouth thinking chewing could done tomorrow. Chewed and it went down. Kal kare so aaj kar!
We are tempted by stages. We hate capitalists running after crores of rupees but do not hesitate running after thousands. The poor run after hundres. Everybody is running after money, it is just that the level of temptation differs.
A contractor son told his father of a new officer - He is honest, refused a thousand rupees. The experienced old father said - Try a lakh. Resistance fails at different points.
Diodes are static switches which allow flow of current in one direction but block reverse flow. Of course if reverse voltage is increased, it breaks down and reverse current begins flowing. This reverse voltage is called PIV-Peak Inverse Voltage. It is a question of PIV, everybody will break down at some high voltage.
We have all negative points as to why not to buy a costly item when you cannot afford. As you make money, those negative points go away one by one. Everything the other man does looks wrong. When you do the same thing one day, you come up with hundred reasons why it is right.
(Parable of the monkeys)
A group of monkeys decided to observe Ekaadashee fasting A little later, one monkey suggested that they search for food so they could start eating early the next morning without wasting any time. They moved out, and found a plantain tree with a bunch of ripe plantains.
Good, observed one monkey. Why not bring it down now itself instead of wasting time tomorrow to climb the tree? The bunch was brought down and slowly the plantains were peeled and kept ready for putting in the mouth the next day. Then put in the mouth thinking chewing could done tomorrow. Chewed and it went down. Kal kare so aaj kar!
We are tempted by stages. We hate capitalists running after crores of rupees but do not hesitate running after thousands. The poor run after hundres. Everybody is running after money, it is just that the level of temptation differs.
A contractor son told his father of a new officer - He is honest, refused a thousand rupees. The experienced old father said - Try a lakh. Resistance fails at different points.
Diodes are static switches which allow flow of current in one direction but block reverse flow. Of course if reverse voltage is increased, it breaks down and reverse current begins flowing. This reverse voltage is called PIV-Peak Inverse Voltage. It is a question of PIV, everybody will break down at some high voltage.
We have all negative points as to why not to buy a costly item when you cannot afford. As you make money, those negative points go away one by one. Everything the other man does looks wrong. When you do the same thing one day, you come up with hundred reasons why it is right.
Thursday, 5 July 2007
Vidyaa Dadaati VinayaM
विद्या ददाति विनयं
(Education gives you humility)
The shloka goes - Education gives you humility. Humility enhances your worthiness. Worthiness brings in appreciation and money. With money, you lead a virtuous life, that is, a peaceful and happy life.
That is the prescription for success and happiness in life. (Sitting and eating wealth from elders is no success in life.)
A PhD is an achievement to feel happy but not proud about. It should make you realise how vast is the field of knowledge and to realise that there is a power Who guides man in his endeavours. Humility ensues with this attitude.
Humility opens the door and you are appreciated and well-employed. Work honestly and earn money. Enjoy life with family, helping neighours whenever necessary.
In the Geetaa, a shloka begins with विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने vidyaavinayasampanne - one full of humility born of learning, not necessarily from scriptures nor book-knowledge. An illiterate man can be become wise by observing wise people. A brahmin known for his virtuousness. A cow, an elephant, a dog, a dog-flesh-eating man - all are seen with equality by the Learned Man. He respects life in all and accepts all as God's children.
This does not mean the learned man is blind to the value of each, man or animal. Each is respected for their respective virtues - for their contributions to the wellbeing of others in the society.
(Education gives you humility)
The shloka goes - Education gives you humility. Humility enhances your worthiness. Worthiness brings in appreciation and money. With money, you lead a virtuous life, that is, a peaceful and happy life.
That is the prescription for success and happiness in life. (Sitting and eating wealth from elders is no success in life.)
A PhD is an achievement to feel happy but not proud about. It should make you realise how vast is the field of knowledge and to realise that there is a power Who guides man in his endeavours. Humility ensues with this attitude.
Humility opens the door and you are appreciated and well-employed. Work honestly and earn money. Enjoy life with family, helping neighours whenever necessary.
In the Geetaa, a shloka begins with विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने vidyaavinayasampanne - one full of humility born of learning, not necessarily from scriptures nor book-knowledge. An illiterate man can be become wise by observing wise people. A brahmin known for his virtuousness. A cow, an elephant, a dog, a dog-flesh-eating man - all are seen with equality by the Learned Man. He respects life in all and accepts all as God's children.
This does not mean the learned man is blind to the value of each, man or animal. Each is respected for their respective virtues - for their contributions to the wellbeing of others in the society.
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