Learn from this Touching Farewell

This incident is not from a film but a true and real one.

It is about a certain Mr Zavere Poonawala who is a well-known industrialist in Pune. He had this driver named Gangadatta with him for the last 30 years on his Limousine, which was originally owned by Bhagwan Rajneesh which Mr Poonawala had bought from him.

Gangadatta passed away recently and at that time Mr Poonawala was in Mumbai for some important work. As soon as he heard the news he cancelled all his meetings, requested the driver's family to await him for the cremation and came back immediately by a helicopter.

On reaching Poona he asked the Limousine to be decorated with flowers as he wished Gangadatta should be taken in the same car which he himself had driven since the beginning. When Gangadatta's family agreed to his wishes, he himself drove Gangadatta from his home up to the ghat on his last journey. When asked Mr Poonawala was very sorrowful and replied that Gangadatta had served him day and night and he could at least do this being eternally grateful for him. He further added that Gangadatta rose up from poverty and educated both his children very well. His daughter is a Chartered accountant and that is so commendable.

His comment in the end is the essence of a successful life in all aspects. All earn money which is nothing unusual in that, but we should always be grateful to all those people who contribute for our success. This is the sanskara we have been brought up with which made me do what I did.

Don't you think that it is s a superb example of humanity?

If it is so, than ....................
Good regards to your feelings

Birth and Death Reason Cause

Birth and Death: Want to understand the reason for birth and death... you also need to understand the definition of God, what is atman / soul, the relationship between atman / soul and the physical bodily self and the doctrine of karma!

Definition of God:
Almighty God is the sum total of all atmans / souls in whole cosmos in their purified state at a given point of time. This simply reduces to volume... half the size of a thumb as per Bhagavad-Gita. Meaning the size of Cosmos at the time of dissolution of cosmos reduces to half the size of a thumb... Yes!

Does it mean at the time of dissolution of cosmos all atmans / souls in whatever stage of manifestation automatically jump to the last... the 84 Lakh manifestations. Yes it is so! Jainism and Mahavira (the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism) do not accept this. But Lord Krishna in Bhagavad-Gita has explicitly clarified so.

It is absolute truth of the cosmos that at the time of dissolution all atmans / souls reach their cosmic end... the stage of salvation! Unless that happens... each and every atman soul reaches its last manifest end, all atmans / souls come back to original pristine pure form... the end of cosmos cannot occur!
Only then the massive energy in half the size of a thumb unable to contain itself for long explodes with a big bang and starts a new cosmos... a new beginning altogether!

What is Atman / Soul?
God Almighty having exploded himself... all souls / atmans in the cosmos starts their cosmic travel of 84 lakh manifestations. Only then these souls / atmans can purify themselves and come back to original pristine pure form.

Similar as metal in an ore cannot separate on its own without the use of mining machinery... the impurities contained in every soul atman also requires a body to work out its karma. The need of a body for the soul atman is the real crux of life. And starts cosmic journey of an atman when it manifests the body of an amoeba (single cell formation)... the first manifest stage in the life of an atman / soul.

As time passed it further evolves into multi-cell formation, then insect life, plant life, animal life and finally atman the soul within manifests the form of a human being. Now about the relationship between our atman the soul within and the physical self of us... the body!
Relationship between Atman / Soul and the physical self... our body!
In the cosmic system of things it is our soul / atman that is governing and not the body. It is our soul / atman that has taken the body and never otherwise. This cosmic travel of 84 Lakh manifestations (Yoni) is covered in 96.4 million earthly years... a long journey indeed for an atman / soul!
Doctrine of Karma:
The travel of an atman / soul from one manifestation to another is linked by doctrine of karma. It is process of karma through which next phase of manifestation is decided. As is the residual balance of karma... so shall the next manifestation be! In the cosmic system of things physical self... the body has not been permitted to know anything of the previous or the next manifestation.

Only after death of body... atman the soul within manifests a new body. The body causes bereavement to the family but in the domains of atmans / souls nothing has died. It is only atman the soul within that is switching over to a new manifestation... a new journey altogether. On earthly plane when body dies... the family weeps but for soul / atman it is getting a new blazer when promoted to a higher class... the next phase of life!
In the world of atmans / souls... nothing ever dies! It is as simple as changing of guards at the Buckingham Palace. The life and death of a being is totally dependent upon theory of karma. As we sow so shall we reap...(Jaisa Bowogey vesa hee katogey) nothing more or less! We cannot expect mangoes to grow on a guava tree.

It is only through the process of birth and death of body... our atman the soul within reaches cosmic end of journey... stage of enlightenment and finally gains moksha salvation. A stage... when our atman / soul comes back to its original pristine pure form. No further manifestations... cycle of birth and death ceases forever

Reaching stage of enlightenment announces ceasing of birth and death forever. A stage... when our atman the soul within finally liberates forever from cycle of birth and death. The birth and death of body is that ephemeral part of cosmic life over which none has control.

On the spiritual path every human being is expected to walk the nishkama karma way of life. It is only living life king Janaka way... performing nishkama karma all the way... one reaches stage of enlightenment and finally gains salvation moksha. Why? Because the fruits of karma are always meant for the soul / atman within and never the body!

No doubt ... you are a potential source of energy ... a representative of mother Goddess ... but you fail to remember that a woman only gives birth to a child ... it can never create a child ... none on earth a man or a woman can never create anything. We cannot even create a pebble out of nothing ... what to say of creating a child.

What goes around comes around

His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog.

He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself.

Farmer Flaming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death. The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman’s sparse surroundings.

An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. ‘I want to repay you,’ said the nobleman. ‘You saved, My son’s life.

“No, I can’t accept payment for what I did,” the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer.

At that moment, the farmer’s own son came to the door of the family hovel. “Is that your son?” the nobleman asked. “Yes,” the farmer replied.

I will make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy, if the lad is anything like his father, he will no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of.

And that he did. Farmer Fleming’s son attended the very best school and in time, graduated from St, Mary’s Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir, Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.

Years afterward, the same nobleman’s son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia. What saved his life this time?

Penicillin.

The Name of the Nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill….his son’s name? Sir Winston Churchill.

SOMEONE ONCE SAID: What goes around comes around.

Death life and Death-2
Dance of Death

Hopes and desires carry no weightage when talking of life and death. As we perform so shall be the next manifestation. We cannot expect mangoes to grow on a guava tree...(Boya ped babool ka to aam kahan se khaaye) similarly no miracles ever occur in life as life is absolutely governed by doctrine of karma.

We must always put our best step forward so that the balance of karma in present life always remains positive. We must strive that the balance of positive karma enhances in present life as compared to the previous life. Only then our soul the atman within would be able to expedite its journey of reaching the stage of liberation... finally getting emancipation from the cycle of Birth and Death forever.

It is this end goal of reaching stage of enlightenment and finally the stage of Salvation Moksha in Hinduism that is the climax of cosmic life our soul the atman within is passing through. Salvation announces the end of cosmic journey for soul the atman within! One has reached the pinnacle of cosmic glory... the journey finally coming to an end.

Death is as good a part of life as the life itself. Without death... life itself could not have existed. Unless the present body decays and die... our soul the atman within can never look forward to getting a new body (a new phase of life) in next manifestation.

For the cosmic system to continue... death plays a very important role!

It is not death that is to be feared... it is our want on desires and the vices which must be feared most. It is they that shall result in our accumulating negative balance of karma. This would have disastrous results in the life of our atman the soul within.

In the present Kali Yuga phase of life (the present metal age)... we need to remember that it is the doctrine of karma that is governing! It has also been advocated by the most revered spiritual master of the present era that it is karma and only karma that shall play the most vital role in the life of every human being. And the need of the hour is performing karma which brings us a positive balance of life... to be carried onward to next life!

If we have lived a truly negative life in the present Kali Yuga phase of life... that phase of life which has totally remained hidden from the society... we cannot expect to earn merits out of it. In the cosmic hierarchy we shall again be born on a lower platform of life for nothing is hidden from the Almighty God.

We get paid for what our true actions have been and not that which were projected to the society. Dheeru Bhai Ambani might had been a nice and successful businessman for some but it is for certain that he must have had the business flourish based on some folly created during the Business. If he has erred in his decisions... he shall face the music in next manifestation.

The punishment in the system of God is automatic. As we perform so shall be our next phase of life. Performing negative karma can never yield positive results. Merely hoping for a good life ahead shall not fructify for our actions have been totally contrary to what we really desired in life.

Take the case of Bill Gates... the founding architect of the famous Windows program and the CEO of Microsoft Corporation. On his web site you shall find that he does not prefer giving donations to religious organizations. He is hundred percent right for so many religious organizations have cropped up overnight that it becomes difficult to differentiate the genuine from the frauds.

What actually Bill Gates forgets is... it is the field of pure spirituality that plays the governing role. Religion does not require funds. It is the field of pure spirituality that can bring about a quantum change in the society. If Jesus Christ were to descend today and had he desired some funds for works he may have liked to perform then as per the doctrine of Bill Gates it was a clear no to Jesus Christ. Here Bill Gates is in the wrong.

The John Templeton foundation is doing a wonderful job for it helps the spiritual masters of the day with a million-dollar prize. Probably he has more of understanding of the subject than Bill Gates. Glory is to the John Templeton foundation which may have really helped many in doing what they truly desired from the heart but were always deficient of funds.

The Melinda Gates foundation has already pledged millions of dollars for AIDS but to what purpose. AIDS is required to be eradicated from the roots... not merely treated. The eradication can only be caused by the highest spiritual master of the day. Unless the humanity realizes the gravity of the situation and stops wanton indulgences... and bids goodbye to the promiscuous behaviour... the evil of AIDS just cannot be contained.

Imagine in some of the Western countries... every second or third child is born a bastard. One who has been born out of wedlock even before the parents were married? What a shame the society is being put to! Life is supposed to be lived freely but we cannot overrule the domain of God. Even Jesus Christ never advocated such practices nor does Bible favour such incidents.

Merely donating funds and earning name and fame shall not earn merits for either Bill Gates or the Melinda Gates foundation. It is the balance of karma at the end part of life that shall decide what the next manifestation of Bill Gates is. In the system of God such charities and donations carry no meaning. Bill Gates would always be remembered for what he truly did for the society and not the quantum of donations he ever made.

On the contrary look at the life of Madame Curie... the famous lady who discovered radium for the benefit of mankind. In the process of pitching out radium from the pitchblende ore she lost her body from overdoses of radiation. She lived for the society... she cared for the humanity... she gave away her life for a very noble cause.

She was truly an embodiment of God... she bluntly refused to place any royalty on her discovery. Radium as on date has immensely helped those suffering from cancer and other ailments. Millions have benefited and all that without having to pay any royalty to the departed soul.

Why leave assets for children beyond their requirements... it will only lead them to wine and dine and while away the accumulated wealth left by the ancestors! The prime care the parents need to take in respect of their children is to make them educated as they truly desire from their heart and thereafter leave them to their destiny. This is the only way we can have absolute peace of mind and cheerful children to take care of us when in need.

Talking of death... to surmise here that death forms a part of journey of life. It is neither a beginning nor an end in itself. Every death announces the end of the physical manifested life. For our soul the atman within it is merely the change of the garment as happens when the change of guards occur at Birmingham Palace.

It is a daily routine and similarly death is also a routine in the journey of life. Why fear the unknown. Just be after earning Punya karma (the positive balance of karma) in the present phase of life and the journey ahead... and the next manifestation would definitely be more enhanced than the present one.

Death life and Death-1
Dance of Death

Death has always been the most dreaded factor of life for any living being. It is not only the humans who are afraid of death... animals and other forms of life also feel the same!

What makes death the most fearful of all attributes of God? There is none who can defy death. Only after gaining self realization and enlightenment that one becomes immortal. It is this stage when the fear of death vanishes for ever. Every God realized Master and an enlightened individual finally overcomes death.

What is to death that is feared about most? Death announces the end of the physical manifested journey on Earth. Whatever be the achievements of an individual in any phase of life... be it the form of an insect, animal or the human being himself... all seems to have gone wasted!

After death of body... none remembers what the next manifestation would be! For the present being all is lost after death of body. The entity for which it lived all through in present life seems to be lost forever the moment the death of body occurs.

The achievements in present life... do they carry no value. Why does not God Almighty show mercy on human beings and increase their life span proportionate to their achievements in the physical manifested life.

It is a remote possibility that such an arrangement may have worked. Probably God Almighty did not have able advisers. People of the level of Edison and Einstein may have continued living for thousands of years. In doing so they would have immensely benefited the mankind and for God there was nothing to lose. But so was not destined by God. Why?

Why is it so that death makes an uninteresting subject! We may have laboured for a full 30~35 years... the primetime of our life having spent in creating an enormous wealth. But when comes the time for death of body... All shall be left behind. Why?

In the system of God... nothing seems to be disordered or incomplete. Stephen Hawking in his book "a Brief History of Time" has advocated that the system of God is disordered at some stage. He is absolutely in the wrong. He is trying to place his judgments based on science. There are many factors in the field of spirituality which are purely based upon faith.

The conclusions of Stephen Hawking were wrong for the complete cosmic system is without a parallel. It has no flaws... such a phenomenon can never be! Everything in whole Cosmos is governed by laws which are a creation of the Creator himself.
If death was designed by God as it stands today... then how can it be that the achievements of an individual in a particular life remained unpaid? The balance of the whole Cosmos would get disturbed on this account. The law of karma was primarily created by God to maintain this aspect of life.

It is the doctrine of karma which makes the achievements of one life carried forward to the next manifestation. It is through the chromosomes that whatever has been achieved by one in present life shall get automatically transferred to next life.

This is very much fact, that is why an 18 years boy could do some invention. This is not the knowledge attained of his 18 years life. The knowledge and karma carried forward from his past life. That is why he got success.

Talking of death, near death experiences, sudden death and subjects like life and death... science has a very limited role to play for it is only the parameter of faith which shall lay bare the doors of wisdom for us. Never as a scientist can one enter the domain of God.

Albert Einstein in his end part of life when he was nearing death realized the importance of having faith in the system of God. It was too late by then. He regretted not having indulged into reading Bhagavad-Gita... the foremost of all sacred Scriptures existing on Earth. He realized his folly that standing on the platform of science... talking of spirituality carried no sense.

Standing on the 30th floor of Empire State building one cannot have a glimpse of the entire New York as it would appear if one was standing on the top of the building. To have a complete view from the top we have to rise to the top. And it is only riding the ladder of faith in the system of God can one reach the highest domain of life... the 84 Lakh manifestations.

Einstein was a pearl amongst the total scientific community of his age. He was wise enough to have admitted his folly.

As was destined by God Almighty... life goes on and on. The truth is... the present physical manifest form of life carries no meaning for God Almighty. What is to be understood is that it is our soul the atman within that has taken the body and not vice versa.

All the benefits of the karma performed by the body belong to our soul the atman within and this soul is on its cosmic journey of 84 Lakh manifestations on the whole. Life moves from one manifestation to another with ease. Nothing is lost midway. Whatever be the achievements in a particular manifestation... they are definitely transferred to the next manifestation.

Life runs on truly as a balance sheet compiled by an accountant. The closing balance of the earlier manifestation becomes the opening balance of the new manifestation. Weighing things from the senses point of view the two manifestations are not related but in the world of Souls / Atmans all is part of the system of God which cannot err.

If we fathom the fact that it is our soul the atman within which is the beneficiary of all the karma performed... the hard feelings against the death of a body would not only diminish but altogether vanish.

The death of a body is merely the end of a particular phase in cosmic life. It is not the end of the journey itself. The journey was undertaken not by the body but by our soul the atman within.

The theory of evolution as confounded by Charles Darwin also proves this point. Life evolves from one manifestation to another and in the normal routine the next manifestation normally is the next step higher.

What our next manifestation would be is purely dependent upon the karma performed by an individual. If we have a negative balance of karma then our next manifestation would be of a lower level than the present one. However if we have a positive balance of karma than we are definitely bound to get elevated to the next higher platform in life on the cosmic scale!

The switchover from one manifestation to another is absolutely smooth. In present life the family weeps bereaved of the death of body in the family but for the soul atman that shall be manifesting a new phase in life is like a student waiting to get a new blazer in the next semester. A bonus indeed!

Life and death are correlated in the cosmic system of God. And the balance is maintained by the law of karma. If we understand the significance attached to our soul atman taking the body then the cause for worry of the death of body would immensely reduce.

While proceeding on any journey... we always know there has to be an end! The journey would not be complete if there was no end. The death of body announces the end of the present journey. The death announces that our soul the atman within is about to manifest another body.

It is altogether a different matter that no two manifestations are ever related. It could not have ever been. If I come to know in present life that one of my best friend was the cause of my death in one of the earlier manifestations then it shall be bloodshed thereafter. No human being would be able to ever forgive one for a grave offence like causing the death of a body.

In such matters forgiveness can be preached but it is most unlikely that one is likely to practice it. The remembrances of the past manifestations would have created animosity and chaos in whole Cosmos. The whole system of God would have failed that very moment. It was not to be.

Death announces a new life... a new journey for the soul our atman within! Where is the cause of any fear! Life is supposed to be lived. Every moment is precious. We must always remember without fail that every causation in present life results in equal reaction. The balance of karma of the present life that shall be is absolutely dependent upon the karma performed by us.

Thoughts

Thought makes things possible. Action makes them real.

Thought prepares the way for achievement. Action assembles the achievements together. Thought gives action a purpose and a plan. Action gives thought substance and commitment.

Action creates raw energy. Thought harnesses and directs that energy to create meaningful results.

Thought can give birth to endless worlds filled with wonder and beauty. Action expresses that beauty right here and now. Thought and action are stunningly powerful forces.

Combine them together, directed towards a common purpose, and truly anything can happen.

Happiness

It is the art of living, the purpose of our existence. Happiness is the true index of quality of life. Without happiness, life is dry and meaningless. With happiness, life immediately becomes fulfilling and wonderful. Happiness is an infectious feeling that immediately lifts the sagging spirits of people. Happy people keep themselves happy because they know the little Ways to appreciate themselves and to see the humour and magic in each moment.

Not long ago I answered a telephone call from an old friend I'd not heard from for a long time. 'Hi,' he said. 'I just wanted to see how you're getting along.'

For whatever reason, our paths had simply not crossed for a long, long, time.It was good to talk with him. I wondered why we hadn't kept in touch better. Toward the end of the conversation, he said, 'If you need me in any way, I’ll be happy to help out.' And he meant it!

That call came at just the right time, as they so often do. I needed those words of encouragement. I hung up the phone feeling a satisfying lump of warmth in my chest. And that day I re-learned something important about life: Life is primarily about people, not plans and schedules, not to-do lists and a million tasks left undone - it's about PEOPLE!!

To love and to know that we are loved is the greatest happiness of existence. And happiness seems to be something that is in short supply for too many of us!

My friend reminded me that it is never enough just to love; we must also express it. What good are our affectionate feelings toward others if we don't find ways to let them know?

'Do not keep the alabaster box of your love and friendship sealed up until your friends are dead. Fill their lives with sweetness. Speak approving, cheering words while their ears can hear them and While their hearts can be thrilled and made happier. The kind things you mean to say when they are gone, say before they go.'

Happiness is what you are…

Being Happy doesn’t mean everything’s perfect, it means you’ve decided to see beyond the imperfections.

Mistakes matter. How you recover from them matters even more. The best way to handle a mistake is to learn from the mistake. Then you will not repeat it nor ever be paralysed by the fear of making another mistake.

Men are born with two eyes, but only one tongue, in order that they should see twice as much as they say.”

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”

Humility makes great men twice honorable.

The door we open and close each day decide the lives we live.

Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects.

Life is made of millions of moments, but we live only one of these moments at a time. As we begin to change this moment, we begin to change our lives.

Abundance is to see that there are endless possibilities before us. And at the same time, still see an incredibly rich existence right where we are. It is a feeling of gratitude for everything and everyone we have in our life.

Happiness is not s destination, it is a journey. Happiness is not tomorrow, it is now. Happiness is not a dependency, it is a decision. Happiness is what you are, not what you have.

Constitution of a human body:

The Physiological knowledge in the Garbha Upanishad is consistent with that fond in the oldest Upanishads. Like the other texts, it speaks of recursion, but it doesn’t list as many channels (vein and nerves) as the other texts do. This indicates that this Upanishad may be older than what has been assumed.

The human body consists of 107 marmas (secret spots or sensitive spots), 180 sutures or junction points, 109 nerves called as snayu, 700 channels, other nerves (vein), 500 majja (muscle/ tissue groups), 360 bones, and forty five million hairs.

The numbers 180 and 360 are obviously astronomical and related to the number of days in the year. Their occurrence is the assertion of the mirroring of the cosmos in the body.

The numbers 107 and 109 are also, but less obviously, astronomically related. The Vedic Rishies characterized the universe by the measure of 108, for it represents the distance to the sun and the moon from the earth, in multiples of their respective diameters. If the body mirrors the universe, it will have 108 parts, with 107 vulnerable joints (marmas), and 109 lashes to hold them together (snayu).

The heart weights 8 pals and tongue weights 12 palas, it has one prastha of pitta (bile), one adhaka of kapha, one kudava of sukra, and two prasthas of fat. There is no laid down measure or weight of the urinary or the other solid excretions, which are dependent on the intake. The measure of the urinary or solid excretions is dependent on the intake

[ 1 pala= 45.5 gm; 1prasthan= 728gm; 1 adhakam= 2,912 gm; 1kudavam= 182 gm]

The body also has got one ser (ser is a measure weighing around 300 grams) weighing biological fire, two ser weighing watery substance, a quarter ser weighing semen or other reproductive fluid and two-sers weighing fat.

(Having thus known the complete constitution of a human body), one should understand his composition and divert all his power and energy into the path of attaining salvation. This Moksha Sastra (the scripture leading to Salvation) was enunciated by the great sage, Pippalaada. (Second stress given in the Upanishad itself).

Fires have taken their positions in one’s face, stomach and the heart and are referred by the names, kaarhapatneeyaagni and respectively. With these fires present within, an internal homa or yagna (or the ritual sacrifice) takes place within a human body regularly and incessantly.

Why is the body so called ? It has three fires: the Kosthagni ripens all that is eaten; the Darsanagni helps one see colour etc., the Jnanagni is the mind which helps perform good and bad deeds.

The Daksinagni is in the heart; Garhapatya in the belly and Ahavaniya in the mouth; the intellect is the performer’s consort, contentment is Diksha, sense organs are the utensils, head is the jar, hair is the sacred grass, the mouth the interior of the altar etc.

The heart measures 8 Palas, tongue 12, bile is one Prastha , phlegm one Adhaka. Sukla is one Kudupa, fat two Prasthas, Urine and mala two Prasthas each, depending on what is taken in daily.

The human body is constituted of five things (the five forces of earth, sky, air, water and fire) and is of six shelters (like the physical, ethereal and so on). It is of six different characters and seven compounds, three impurities and has two points of source of birth. It is dependent on four types of food.

Out of the body which portions represent each such force of nature ? That portion which is hard is representative of the earth, the liquid one is of the water, the hot one is of the fire, the airy portion is of the air and the portion which gives space is representative of the sky or the space.

The earth force enables to sustain, water helps consolidation, fire enlightens, air makes the team work, and the space gives time and options to carry on the various duties.

Each of the sense organs are created for some specific purpose – the ear (srodhram) for hearing sounds, the skin (twak) for feeling the touch, eyes for the vision, tongue for enjoying the taste, nose to smell, the birth organ (upastham) to enjoy pleasure and the rectum (apaanam) to shed the unwanted from the body.

The jivan (or the soul) identifies through the brain, desires with the mind and speaks with the language (vaak).

The Outer Space of the Mind:

Or we can say - Exploring the Far Reaches of the Interior Universe

Spiritual practice is like a science. We start with a hypothesis: "This is where I think I'm heading." In the same way, if we were going into outer space we would know our mission and would have what we need to survive. Space flights are just another manifestation of our desire to break through previously accepted limitations. We explore outer space to find our place in the universe. But what is the outer space of the mind? To discover this unknown territory, our senses must be trained for greater perception. And only courageous people who passionately want to know will venture into this vastness. For some, the outer space of the mind is too intriguing to ignore. How can the mind extend beyond its present limitations?

The answer is through concentration. The concentrated mind can extend much further than the undirected mind. When we try to direct our thoughts and other thoughts intrude, energy is divided: "Here is what I want to think, and here is what actually comes through." If we can stop the influx of "other" thoughts, energy can be directed.

When we chant a mantra, for example, the sounds are vibrations. But unless we maintain our focus, the vibrations will not take us where they could. If our focus is on the physical-trying to make our voice sound just right-thoughts of self-criticism can slip in and steal part of the energy. If having a great voice was all it takes, every opera singer would have attained higher consciousness. So there is something else involved-the right focus and the ability to prevent intruding thoughts from diverting attention away from the goal.

What can be described is only the process the practices set out by those who have achieved their goal. When we become aware that others have attained extraordinary results, we may be inspired to try the same methods. Can we get the same results? When we want to duplicate an experiment, we need to observe all of the intricate single steps and take them. We can't skip some or change the order to suit our self. Once we have attained results, we may discover a way to speed up the process. Speeding up is only possible when there is no more resistance. When resistance is dissipated that energy becomes available to us.

What this really means, in terms of spiritual practice, is to persist. Keep a close record and we will see many repeating patterns. In time we will learn to master our states of mind, just as we can wake up from a fearful dream. Each time we move one increment closer until finally we move past our intellect's defenses. Then we will become aware that the intellect, although it has quite some power, does not have unlimited power. If it did, it wouldn't need to fight. So the next step is to decide to use the intellect for discrimination. Question the doubt itself: Why do I doubt?

When we go past resistance, doubt, pride and the emotional impact of egocentricity, we may reach a place in our own mind that was up until now a secret. We didn't know it existed. Many things in life exist, but they have yet to be discovered. We have to discover the existence of the "hidden place of the mind." And as we do, we will strip away the mystery and diminish fear and resistance, which eat up energy. We will become much more aware of how we use energy. Imagine the exhilaration of going into outer space for the first time. Wouldn't we just watch and absorb? We would be overwhelmed and in awe because we had not known exactly what to expect. We had speculated, but we didn't know for sure. We had many assumptions, based on imagination. Now we might find that some of what we imagined or thought possible has proven true, while we have to totally discard other preconceptions.

The journey to the outer space of the mind is actually the very same: we have heard about higher states of consciousness and people who had attained them, so we drew conclusions wrongly or rightly and created our own hypothesis. Now we will find out.

The mind is like space with all the stars and planets: everything exists and is waiting to be discovered, but we can only go so far in our first explorations. Just as the first major voyages in space were to the moon, our first exploration is to the hidden place in our own mind. Just as the moon is able to reflect the light of the sun, we can discover in the mind the place that reflects and absorbs the Light of Divine Wisdom. We cannot take all the Light at once. We must take it in degrees. We may have a great flash, but it is a flash, and does not stay.

The more we overcome the resistance of the intellect, the more often we can travel to the place of Light. As we make repeated visits, we may discover new laws or circumstances that we need to become aware of, like physicists who discover the laws of the physical world or biologists who understand the laws of nature. We may not have given this cosmic law a name or defined it, but it's there. Then we will experience the repercussions of our discovery, which will reshape our entire perspective.

But we can't stop there, just as astronomers can't stop at exploring the moon but want to know about the sun and other stars, and beyond the known stars into previously unseen galaxies. What are the possibilities within the outer space of the mind? We can always discover more and a little more, and a little more. But it is like the study of space: we can never discover it all. However, the journey of discovery alone will expand our perspective and change our view of our capabilities.

Not Only Self-Introspection but also Self-Refinement

Mutual sharing and caring is a common human trait. It is by this process of ‘give and take’ that the entire universe is sustained. This process is seen to be working incessantly among matter, vegetation and other sentient creatures. Contributing towards the sustenance of this process is essential.

However, it should be remembered that it is self-reliance that is the prime factor in worldly success and in self - growth of human soul. Those who are dependent on others can neither sustain their lives nor move forward on the path of self-growth.

Everyone is familiar with the gravitational force of the Earth. This force attracts everything towards the Earth. A human being too has a magnetic field of his own. This not only holds together similar people, objects and favorable circumstances but also pulls them towards itself forcibly. A person instinctively searches a like - minded friend. The water of rivers ultimately reaches the ocean. The ocean again returns this water to the source of rivers through its messengers – the clouds.

One should develop worthiness in tune with one’s aspirations. There is a natural law which rewards according to one’s worthiness. Therefore, instead of knocking at other’s door for help and succor, we should not only introspect ourselves but also try to uplift and refine ourselves according to the light given to us during introspection. This is the highway to success in all fields.

Humanity: Our Precious Heritage

No country, community or culture has made a more subtle and deep study of human life as the Rishis. It was not an easy task to study the subtle nature of man. For this, Indian sages and saints gave up material comforts and consumerist attitude and researched human life through sadhana. Keeping in view the inferences so drawn they prepared an exhaustive code of conduct and gave instructions to lead the life accordingly. A perennial Philosophy and an ideal model of Culture evolved in India, the like of which is not found in any other country. It is so extraordinary and comprehensive in every respect that even a little contemplation of its glorious aspects overwhelms our hearts with reverence for the sages.

When the whole world was following the policy of selfishness, whereby a person would accumulate in excess and deprive others, sages in India mused what was the uniqueness of man if he continues practicing this dictum? Everybody is desirous of indulging in pleasures. Everyone is willing to commit unethical deeds for earning money. The society is tormented by people’s habit of loafing around in idleness. Who does not crave to eat the best food and wear the best clothes? All these are the features of an ordinary man. Many of these tendencies are found in animals too, and if man also wallows in them, what is his specialty? Such an attitude does not make the right use of his knowledge, intellect and wisdom. In spite of being the possessor of extraordinary strength and abilities, if man leads a contemptible life, then where does lie the meaningfulness of the human existence? Superior possessions should be used for superior deeds – only Indians have apprehended this fact. For this very reason alone our authority and eminence have survived the vicissitudes of the tides of time.

The problem of bread and butter could not be more important for man than the need to understand the aim of life. Even an atheist will accept that human life is a rare gift. It would be unwise to waste it like ordinary people. Going in an opposite direction of the blind routine of the masses, the purpose of human life can be discovered. The outcome of living life casually – pain and suffering – is evident to us all. Therefore the sages asked: why not go in an opposite direction and discover some new facts? With this ideology a new philosophy emerged in India. It inspired the birth of sadhana. The achievements (siddhis) of sadhana were majestic and great. The dispersal of even a fraction of these achievements resulted in heavenly happiness in the world. The name of these achievements was "humanity", meaning practicing the dictum "I do not want it, you take it. Nothing belongs to me; everything belongs to the Almighty God" (i.e. selflessness and sacrifice). After thorough sadhanas and the resulting experiences, saints concluded that everyone is entitled to God’s gifts, so they should be distributed amongst all. By pursuing this guideline, the emergence of free happiness can take place and the world can be kept secure. Without it, there is no other way to establish peace in human life.

Worldly glories are automatically attracted to the one who can differentiate between justice and injustice and between righteousness and unrighteousness, and who perceives the same consciousness in all living beings. A person experiences happiness as a by-product resulting from voluntary sacrifice for the welfare of others. A person whose heart is filled with loving kindness becomes so powerful and capable that material pleasures seem trivial to him. What could be the value of transient pleasures compared to the effulgence of the soul?

It is beyond the intellectual capacity of the modern man to contemplate the achievements of sages like Vashishtha, Vishwamitra, Gautum, Dadhichi, Kanva, Angira, Jamadagni, Bhardwaj, etc. The whole world bowed before their spiritual and material attainments. Through their tapas they had command over the sublime energies of the universe. They could have, if they wished, accumulated material wealth in unimaginable proportions. But they never desired it. Compared to the welfare of humanity they considered the pleasures of the world worthless. They were ever ready to serve mankind. One of the most famous cases is of sage Dadhichi, who permitted Lord Indra to take his bones and construct an indestructible weapon called "Vajra" to defeat the evil forces threatening mankind. Dadhichi experienced immense happiness in self-sacrifice, which he had not experienced by attaining spiritual and material powers. Achievements are meant to aid man realise his goal. Man is born for the service of humanity.

There was an era during which ennobling feelings of helping others reigned supreme. A person used to think, "How could I be of help to others? Whom should I offer my services so as to uplift his condition?" This was considered a measure of superiority. People did not yearn as much for riches, worldly glory, etc as they did for sacrificing themselves in the interest of the society and the world at large. They considered it a blessing to give up life for noble ideals and whosoever got such an opportunity considered it as God’s grace bestowed upon them.

History contains several examples of sacrifices of the highest order. Pannadai sacrificed her son for the security of the royal throne. Sukanya had accidentally damaged the eyes of Rishi Chyavan. In repentance, she married him and shared in all his austerities. Gandhari’s husband Dhritrashtra was blind; she could not bear the difficulties he was going through due to his blindness. Hence she voluntarily chose blindness by covering her eyes with a strip of cloth. Can anyone forget this episode of history? Such glorious examples of unbelievable sacrifices have been the backbone of the Hindu culture. This is the reason why India’s fame radiates even today like a brilliant constellation in the sky.

Hindus have exhibited steadfast determination and faith in religious beliefs, gurus, family members, society and the nation in the development of humanity. The original beliefs of the Hindus have not been wiped out, though their purity has been adulterated. Owing to the conditions of the Medieval Age, blind faith, irrational faith, narrow-mindedness and sectarianism have sapped the true Hindu ethos and vitality. Who won’t lament over the dimming of the light that once guided the world? This downfall can be a cause of sorrow particularly for those who have faith and trust in the ideals of the Rishis. No one could have expected that the Hindu would demean the legacy of their ancestors, and let the glory of their culture be left to the mercy of fate and helplessly watch its demise.

Today, awareness of the rich Hindu heritage is again growing. The spirit of India is awakening from a state of stupor. Today, the hordes of evil are bent upon destroying every single noble ideal of humanity but the divine forces are determined to foil these evil designs of the devil. It is our sacred duty to welcome this change since the founder fathers of our culture lived for strengthening and stabilising humanity. If we are firmly committed to revive our ideal heritage, it will enhance our glory and self-respect.

Rishis, rightly evaluating the human life, had preached manurbhava janaya daivyam janam, meaning, and “O man! Be a human being in the real sense (i.e. practice the principles of humanity)." To accomplish this, certain things must be kept in mind. One should not think only about self-development. He should not remain contented by himself adopting humanity but should also try to spread it by precepts and practice. He should be always ready to sacrifice for the sake of ideals so that the flow of the stream of humanity is not interrupted and allowed to dry up.

The purpose of human life is contained in the above single mantra and the implementation of its meaning is the imperative need of today. Humanity is the legacy of our ancestors. The responsibility of its protection rests on our shoulders. How vigilant we are about it is being closely watched with hope by the future.

The life is filled so much with uncertainty, doubt and obstructions that it appears almost impossible to overcome these road-blocks. Every moment, a person has to wage a Mahabharata-like war within himself.

In Srimad Bhagwad-Gita, Kurukshetra (the battlefield of Mahabharata) has been called Dharmakshetra (the field of righteousness), because it is here that the battle for the victory of the divine over the devil, light over darkness and love over hate has to be accomplished. In the war of Mahabharata, the army of Yadavas – Sri Krishna’s clan lost in sensual indulgence and hence instruments of evil - was with the Kauravas (symbol of evil). Krishna (The Divine Incarnate) alone, that too weaponless, was with Pandavas (chosen instruments of the Divine). Life too is like that. All the powers of the physical world (rhetorically the mighty army of Yadavas) are allies of Adharma. A sadhak has to choose between the Divine and his mighty army.

It is not that Krishna was the charioteer of Arjun alone; He is eternally sitting in the heart of every one of us and controlling our chariots of life. However, when we as sadhaks face the legions of devilish tendencies of greed, selfishness, cunningness, and etc in our surroundings and evil traditions in the society, our nervousness is but natural. Arjun, too, was initially nervous and unsure of victory but he did win, once he unconditionally offered himself to serve as an instrument of the Divine Charioteer – in response to the Divine Teacher’s assurance – Ma ekam sharanam vrij.– Similarly, when a sadhak puts aside all ego-based self-effort and surrenders to the Divine alone and trusts His sole guidance with all his soul, mind and body, he is sure to overcome all the obstacles of the path and reach the ultimate goal. It is such sadhaks who can make possible all the impossible –looking tasks…..

…….to be continued

Apple Tree

A long time ago, there was a huge apple tree. A little boy loved to come and play around it everyday. He climbed to the tree top, ate the apples, took a nap under the shadow... He loved the tree and the tree loved to play with him.

Time went by... the little boy had grown up and he no longer played around the tree everyday. One day, the boy came back to the tree and he looked sad. "Come and play with me," the tree asked the boy. "I am no longer a kid; I don't play around trees anymore." The boy replied, "I want toys. I need money to buy them." "Sorry, but I don't have money...but you can pick all my apples and sell them. So, you will have money." The boy was so excited. He grabbed all the apples on the tree and left happily. The boy never came back after he picked the apples. The tree was sad.

One day, the boy returned and the tree was so excited. "Come and play with me" the tree said. "I don't have time to play. I have to work for family. We need a house for shelter. Can you help me?" "Sorry, but I don't have a house. But you can chop off my branches to build your house." So the boy cut all the branches of the tree and left happily. The tree was glad to see him happy but the boy never came back since then. The tree was again lonely and sad.

One hot summer day, the boy returned and the tree was delighted. "Come and play with me!" the tree said. "I am sad and getting old. I want to go sailing to relax myself. Can you give me a boat?" "Use my trunk to build your boat. You can sail far away and be happy." So the boy cut the tree trunk to make a boat. He went sailing and never showed up for a long time.

Finally, the boy returned after he left for so many years. "Sorry, my boy. But I don't have anything for you anymore. No more apples for you..." the tree said. "I don't have teeth to bite" the boy replied. "No more trunk for you to climb on" "I am too old for that now" the boy said. "I really can't give you anything ... the only thing left is my dying roots" the tree said with tears. "I don't need much now, just a place to rest. I am tired after all these years." The boy replied. "Good! Old tree roots are the best place to lean on and rest. Come, Come sit down with me and rest."

The boy sat down and the tree was glad and smiled with tears.......

This is a story of everyone. The tree is our parent. No matter what, parents will always be there and give everything they could to make you happy.

Self Management

You are responsible for everything that happens in your life. Learn to accept total responsibility for yourself. If you do not manage yourself, then you are letting other have control of your life. These tips will “help” you manage “you.”

Here is a list of things that helps you in self management and which will in turn lead you to the path of success:-

• 
  
  Look at every new opportunity as an exciting and new life experience.


• 
  
  Be a professional who exhibits self-confidence and self-assurance in your potential to complete any task.


• 
  
  Agree with yourself in advance


• 
  
  Agree with yourself in advance that you will have a good attitude towards the upcoming task.


• 
  
  Frequently ask, “Is what I am doing right now moving me toward my goals?”


• 
  
  Do it right the first time and you will not have to take time later to fix it.


• 
  
  Accept responsibility for your job successes and failures. Do not look for a scapegoat.


• 
  
  Do not view things you do as a “JOB” View all activities as a challenge.


• 
  
  Use your sub-conscious mind by telling it to do what you want to do. Instead of telling yourself, “I can’t do that very well,” say, “I can do this very well.” Give yourself for completing tasks on your “to-do” list in priority order. When you reach 10 points, reward yourself.


• 
  
  Practice your personal beliefs. It may be helpful each morning to take 15 minutes to gather your thoughts and say a prayer.


• 
  
  Make a commitment to show someone a specific accomplishment on a certain date. The added urgency will help you feel motivated to have ir done.


• 
  
  Practice self-determination, wanting to do it for yourself.


• 
  
  Believe that you can what you want to be.


• 
  
  Never criticize yourself as having a weakness. There is no such thing. You are only talking about a present undeveloped skill or part of yourself that if you so choose, you can change. You do not have any weakness, only untapped potential.


• 
  
  Be pleasant all the time-no matter what the situation.


• 
  
  Challenge yourself to do things differently than you have in the past. It provides new ideas and keeps you interested.


• 
  
  Talk to yourself. A self-talk using positive affirmation is something that is common among all great achievers. They convince themselves that they can accomplish their goals.


• 
  
  Create your own “Motivation board” by putting up notes of things you need to do on a bulletin board or special wall space. It is an easily visible way to see what you need to work on. When an item is done, remove the note. Also keep your goals listed and pictured on your board.


• 
  
  Stay interested in what you are doing. Keep looking for what is interesting in your work. Change your perspective and look at it as someone outside your job would.


• 
  
  Establish personal incentives and rewards to help maintain your own high enthusiasm and performance level.

5 Reasons, As To Why God Uses Problems

The problems that you face, will either defeat you or develop you, depending on how, you respond to them. Unfortunately, most people fail to see, as to how God wants to use problems, for good causes, in their respective lives. They react foolishly, and resent their problems, rather than pausing to consider, as to what benefits, they might bring.

Here are five ways that God wants to use the problems, in your life:-

1. God Uses Problems, To DIRECT You

Sometimes, God must light a fire under you, to get you moving. Problems often point us, in new directions, and motivate us, to change. Is God trying, to get your attention? Sometimes it takes a painful situation, to make us change, our ways.

2. God Uses Problems, To INSPECT You

People, are like tea bags. If you want to know, as to what is inside them, just drop them, into hot water! Has God tested your faith, with a problem? What do problems reveal, about you? When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy; because you know that these troubles test your faith; and this will give you, patience."

3. God Uses Problems, To CORRECT You

Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It’s likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something... health, money, a relationship. .. by losing it. "It was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws."

4. God Uses Problems to PROTECT U

A problem can be, a blessing in disguise, if it prevents you from being harmed, by something more serious. Last year, a friend of mine was fired from his job, only for having refused to do, something unethical, that his boss had asked him, to do. That friend's unemployment was a problem, but that itself saved him, from being convicted and sent to prison, a year later; when the actions of the Management of his previous office, were eventually discovered.

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…

5. God uses Problems, to perfect you…

Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character, than your comfort. Your relationship with God, and your character, is the only two things that you are going to take with you, into eternity. We can rejoice, when we run into problems. They help us learn, to be patient. Patience develops strength of character, in us; and helps us trust God more, each time that we use it, until finally our hope and faith, are strong and study.”

God is at work in your life, even when you do not recognize it, or understand it. But it is much easier and profitable, when you co-operate, with Him.

Kalyana Sundarar

Red in color (sindhura), Three eyed, shoulders like yugas (four shouldered), wearing necklace and bracelet, Colorful in divine wonderful dress, Shining in the wedding robe, ornate, with enchanting body, salutations to that murti who is in marriage posture (bhoga murti), with a hand of devi in one lotus hand, with axe and deer in hands and ganga and moon on the wound-up hair.

Purana of the murti:

Kalyana Sundarar: The beautiful (murti) in marriage Shakthi was born as Parvati, the daughter of the king of Himalayas. As a young child, she was not interested in playing like the other children. She was more inclined towards meditating on Lord Shiva in the mountains. She desired to marry Lord Shiva. For that she wanted to perform austerity in the snow covered Himalayas. Her parents hesitated, but finally had to subdue to the determination of Parvati. Parvati performed austerity from an ashram. Lord Shiva who was happy with Her worship, came as an old devotee to her place. Parvati offered Her respect to the Old bhakta of Her Beloved Lord. Now, He tried to convince Her that She shouldn't waste Her youth doing tapas, but should enjoy life getting married ! He further suggested that She could get married to Him, instead of desiring for Lord Shiva Who dances in the cemeteries and wears skulls and bones! Parvati, without knowing that He is God Himself, got very angry on hearing the Old man's words and told Him that She showed Him respect only because He seemed like a devotee and She would not want to hear any little blasphemy of God further. She asked the Old Man to leave the place immediately. The Lord, pleased with Her determination and devotion, revealed who He is. Parvati was surprised and begged the pardon of God. However God had accepted Her scolding as the most pleasant hailing. Didn't it come from a very deep love for God ! He gave Her the boon She yearned for - getting married to Her.

The Himalayan king's family was delighted to see their beloved daughter's wedding. The region was decorated and shining with prosperity. The young beautiful Parvati was decorated with chosen best ornaments for the wedding. Now came the Groom - Lord Shiva - to the wedding place - on an old bull, with skull and bone ornaments, with the skin of the tiger as the clothing, accompanied by the roar of the bhuta ganas ! The mother of Parvati mother fainted to see the groom in such a form for her sweet daughter, softer than the flowers. Now the Lord changed to the form, glittering in a beautiful wedding robe - with golden ornaments and splendid clothing! When mother woke up and saw the Groom she was thrilled to see such a beautiful form and was very pleased that He is "the suitable" groom for her daughter. The play of the Lord has no bounds! Mother saw only the external appearance of the Groom. Other than the great Parvati who knows the glory of that Groom ? The enchanting Lord in the wedding robe got married to the Daughter of the mountains and this form of God is called Kalyana Sundharar.

Kalyana vrata (phanguni uththira - Holi Festival)

Kalyana vrata is one of the eight auspicious vrata. When the Sun is shining in the Pisces sign (mIna rasi) that is in the month of phagun (mid of March to mid of April) on the uththara naxaththiram on the Moons growing face (shukla paxam), this vrata is observed. This is the day Shakthi married Lord Shiva after a great austerity in the Himaalayas, as the daughter of Himavaan. It is also observed as the auspicious day when Lord Muruga married devaseenaa. This vrata is explained in the skandha purana.

In the morning after getting up, the observer of the vrata should meditate on the charming Lord Shiva in the wedding posture with Uma. After taking bath and through with other required deeds, should worship the Lord. The golden idol of the God and Goddess (who can afford to) should be anointed devotionally with holy substances. Then decorating them should make the wedding ceremony of the Goddess with the God. Making the nice and sweet offerings to the divine Parents, should salute them. Inviting the spiritual people who think of good to all the creatures, who have learnt the Vedas and who are devotees of Lord Shiva, along with their wives, should host them a feast. Later should go to the Shiva temple, worship, circumambulate three times and prostrate in front of the Lord. In the night should dine along with the kind hearted devotees of Lord Shiva and eat the sweet dishes like fruits and Kheer. Should sleep on the dharbai grass. The next morning after regular deeds, should donate the golden idol of God and Goddess to disciplined love hearted people who are the devotees of Lord Shiva. Should eat only once that day.

Observing this vrata will get one the great boon of Shri Lord Shankara's delight. It would bring much joy and comfort in life, lead to the abode of Lord Shiva and give the liberation.

Maha Vishnu got wedded to Laxmi sincerely observing this vrata. Brahma wedded Saraswati, Indra wedded Indrani, moon wedded the 27 stars, and sage Agastiya wedded Lobha mudra observing this vrata. The two daughters of Vishhnu namely Amritavalli, Saundaryavalli were married to the six faced Lord as Devasena and Valli.

The daughter of Vedanga Rishhi called Sukesi got married to Nandi devar. The two daughters of sage satyapurnar purana, pushhkalai were wedded to Maha sastha. Kama got Rathi, Sita got Rama, Jambhavati got Krishhna, sage Saupari got many princesses and so many more benefited all in the glory of this vrata. The man who observes this vrata will get the girl he likes and the woman gets beautiful man as her husband. The couple who observe this will get good offspring. Anybody who observes with devotion will get His grace.

This auspicious vrata of wedding of ShrI ParvatI parameshvara is celebrated as the festival of colors - Holi. Just preceding this festival is kama dahanam on which day kama - the divine of desire/lust is burnt off by the Supreme, as the cupid tried to misadventure his lust inducement on the God Itself. On the request of divines and Parvati Lord brought him back to life, during this celebration.

Hindu Epics Short Stories

Stories have made children to become much respected people when they grew. The life of Shatrapati Shivaji is a very good example of this. His mother JIjabhai told him the stories of the valorous characters from the Hindu epics. That shaped the young Shivaji. How that valor protected the whole region against the oppression of the Mugal rulers and the generations thanking him for that, is history. The young ones are the ones getting moulded. What shape they would take when they grow up would very much depend on what information they are exposed to in their early stages. It is the responsibility of all parents to ensure that they spare some of their time to ensure their lovely children have access to the right information. Teach them the stories of the Divine Lord Shiva; teach them the story of its adorable devotees. There would be better chances that the child would grow up morally sound and would enjoy the life mentally peaceful and purposeful, than just a life that accumulated wealth without any eventual happiness.

Hindu scriptures have given quite prominence to stories. The Puranas and Itihasas, for example are full of the stories of the divine, devotees and the splendid others like kings. Stories have a great impact on individuals. A well written story keeps the interest of the reader grow in spite of the physical fatigue. This is a medium that is not only intended for the intellectuals like the inner core of philosophies, but can reach out to anybody and everybody. The essence of the stories can really help one navigate through the various situations of life with the light of precedents set by the great devotees and the Glory of God.

What are Veda ?

Veda is a word of Sanskrit language. It means knowledge. These and associated books contain knowledge on philosophy, mathematics, medicine, astronomy, navigation, music, dance, drama...

Since time unknown they had been only in verbal form in India. Then some-body compiled them in writing. These are the oldest books of the world (These were compiled at least 6000 BC). These are mainly on devotion and philosophy. Like all great Indian compilers the compiler did not like to mention his/her name, however people attribute it to sage Veda-Vyasa.

They are compiled in complex meters and filled with various sophisticated plays on the sounds of words. They are compiled in a language (Sanskrit) which is filled with synonyms indicating a long and rich development. Above all it has an entire mysticism of sound, mantra and the Divine Word

They have been in the hearts of Indians since then. Though is not fair to confine them under a tag, but if we have to do that then they are, what is called Hindu philosophy.

Veda are four in numbers. Every Veda has three sections namely Mantra section, Brahman section and Gyana section. The Mantra section is also called Samhita (which means collection) section. Samhita section gets its name from the fact that it is collection of Mantras.

Mantra section contains prayers of cosmic powers as Manifestation of Brahm (GOD). Brahman sections are also referred to as Karm Kaand and Gyan section is referred to as Upanishad. Brahman section deals with the use of the mantras in the performance of non-violent rituals in yagya. Upanishads (Vedanta) deal with the philosophical knowledge and worship of Un-manifest Brahm (GOD).

Who are Vedic gods ?

The Vedic gods to whom Mantra section is devoted are nothing else but the worship of "manifested characteristics" of Nirakaar Brahm and it is the first stage of devotion towards the Brahm.

But this is just the beginning. This devotion should grow and broaden and ultimately end into the devotion towards a Nirakaar Brahm. Who is the one who is in every thing or who is every seeable and un-seeable entity?

The Upanishads discuss the Nirakaar Brahm. The one who is beyond time, death and every thing. Every thing is in Him. Every seeable and un-seeable entity is in Him. Then the Veda say "Na Iti, Na Iti" meaning this is not the end of the description of Brahm. How can we describe completely the one who is beyond our senses? We can only indicate. Upanishads accept the limitation of human body as it is. But with the continuous effort and meditation upon Him one can realize Him without any illusion.

Thus though the Veda start with indirect worship of Brahm they end up with the worship of Brahm in totality.

What are Upanishads ?

Upanishads are conclusions of Veda. They are findings of the seers (spiritual scientist). As the Upanishads contain abstruse and difficult discussions of ultimate philosophical problems, they were taught to the pupils at the end that is why they are at the end of Veda. Veda start with the worship of manifest, as that is obvious and then slowly they transform to knowledge of un-manifest. Mantra Samhita and Upanishads complete the knowledge.

The word Upanishad is derived from upa (near), ni (down) and sad, i.e., that is sitting down near. Groups of pupils sit near the Guru to learn from him/her the secret doctrine.

Shankara derives the word Upanishad as a substantive from the root sad, 'to loosen', 'to reach' or 'to destroy' with the upa and ni as prefixes and kvip as termination. According to this Upanishad means Brahm-Knowledge by which ignorance is destroyed or loosened.

As per my understanding the following is the definition of Upanishad- "Upanishads are the collection of pearls of Darshan (philosophy) that are spread in the ocean of Veda."

Eesha Upnishad As It Is

The Eesha, also called the Eshavasya Upnishad derives its name from the opening word of the text Eshavasya or Eesha . It belongs to the Vajasaneyi school of Yajur Veda . The Vajasaneya Samhita consists of forty chapters of which this Upanishad is the last.

Its main purpose is to reveal the essential unity of Braham and world, being and becoming. It is interested not so much in the Absolute in itself, Parabraham as in the Absolute in relation to the World, Parameshwara. It reveals that the individual and Braham are not incompatible.

That is absolute (Braham). This is absolute (world). The absolute (world) comes out of absolute (Braham). Taking the absolute (world) from the absolute (Braham), the absolute (Braham) itself remains. Aum, peace, peace, peace

Braham is both transcendent and immanent. The birth or creation of the universe does not in any manner affect the integrity of the Braham (absolute). Please note that the world is also called absolute as this is manifested characteristics of Braham. To understand more please read Bhagavad-Gita.

All this, whatever moves and all that do not move in this moving world, is enveloped by Braham. Therefore find your enjoyment in renunciation (of ego of doer); do not covet what belongs to others.

Braham is in every manifested and un-manifested entity of the world. Or Braham is every manifested and un-manifested entity of the world. The three Guna (Satava, Rajas and Tamas) are responsible for actions. Therefore we should not have ego of a doer.

Always performing actions (karma) without desire to their fruits, here one should wish to live a hundred years. This is the only way that karma will not adhere to you and you will not be attached to Karma.

The three Guna (Satava, Rajas and Tamas) are responsible for actions. Therefore we should not have ego of a doer.

Lingodbhavar

Lingodbhavar: The Lord appearing from the symbol. (The principle behind Linga worship)

Divine, Out of the symbol (Lingam) that arose out of the quarrel of prime-ness (between Brahma and Vishnu), Matted hair crested, Keeping the hand on the hip, with the other hands holding deer and protection sign, in the right holding axe, having the Brahma and Vishnu (who sought) the Transcending feet and crown, as the swan above and boar below, that Lingodbhava I meditate.

Once before the creation started, a quarrel broke between Brahma and Vishnu as to who is great. Brahma claimed he is as he is the creator of the whole world. Vishnu rejected the claim saying the creation would not be useful without his sustenance of the world. The war of words between these two great divines worsened. At that point of time to make them realize the truth there appeared a pillar of fire. It was huge that both of them were astonished to see that. Now as a solution to their debate they wanted to decide who is the greatest by reaching the tip of that pillar. Brahma took the form of a Hamsa (Swan) and went up to reach the top of that pillar, Vishnu took the form of a wild pig and went down to reach the bottom of that pillar and it was agreed that whoever sees the either tip would be the greatest.

That pillar was not any ordinary column of fire; it was the Supreme Itself, the One that is beyond form, color and qualities! Who knows the start and end of that Supreme!! The two who set out on their strength to explore the endings of It went on and on only to become more and more tired and it was hopeless to find the end of It. Vishnu returned realizing that it should be the Parashiva which is beyond the limits that can be measured by knowledge, Which has come out of Its Grace to bless them and make them realize the Truth easily. He accepted his failure. Brahma on the other hand, though realizing it is impossible to see the top of the fire column, returned lying that he saw the tip. The lie stood exposed and hence he is not worshipped. Now both of them realizing the greatness of the Supreme worshipped the Lord Shiva, the gracious one, with lots of devotion and sincerity. The Lord out of the grace to bless all the pashus (souls) with a way they could easily understand and worship the Supreme, Which is unexplainable, unexplorable, appeared as a Lingam which is a vertical pillar resembling the flame. As it resembles the flame, it is neither a form nor a formless, but is just a symbol of the Supreme Jyoti. The Lord later appeared in a form and blessed Vishnu and Brahma. This Lord is called Lingodbhavar.

This form which came out of the formless Supreme out of Its grace to bless the sincere worship of Brahma and Vishnu and which is a from but represents the formlessness of the Supreme is considered very holy by the Shaivites. The Shiva Linga (meaning symbol of Shiva) is the foremost of all the Shaivite worships. As the ash would be closely associated with the fire, Holy Ash is associated with this Fire pillar Lord and sacred for the Shaivites.

ArdhanarIshvarar

Ardha nari Ishvarar : half female God (Bhoga Murti)

In the form of male and female, matted hair with moon, axe, smeared in red (Aruna), wearing snakes and the skin of tiger, embracing the bull and with a bent leg, this the right half, and the left black in color, hand holding a (lily) flower close to the chest, with a silk like lotus foot, wearing gold ornaments, salutations to the Half female God.

Sage Brhingi is one of the ardent devotees of Lord Shiva. He used to worship only Lord Shiva and not Shakti. Goddess Shakti, being the power as the name indicates, pulled out the energy from Brhingi Maharishi's body. Now he was even unable to stand. He pleaded to God. God Shiva provided him with a stick. On its support he stood and still worshipped Lord Shiva alone. Goddess shakti wanted to become an inseparable part of Lord Shiva's form. She observed the Kedhara maha vrata austerity, which is now known as Deepavali. Pleased with her austerity, Lord Shiva granted her the boon of being part of His form. So the Lord now appeared male on the right side and female on the left side and hence became archanarishvara.

Significance of this form

This is one of the very important forms of God, Hindus worship. This is a much-hailed form in scriptures of various languages. Hindus do not say that the God is only male. God is male - female and neuter too! Since God is conceptually beyond sex, though gets referred as He/She many times, it is more appropriate to refer as it, especially at its intrinsic condition, as do many Hindu scriptures.

Philosophically, this form is quite associated with the Grace of God. Shiva and Shakti is one and the same Supreme. The formless God is called Parashiva. On Its own free-will for the benefit of pashus (souls), which are drowned in pasha (bondage), it thinks to create the worlds. Its dynamism of creation thus springs out of it, which is called Shakti. Now Shiva and its power Shakti create everything. This is the form of their togetherness that springs out of Lord Shiva. Because of this the form is associated with the grace of God. Shiva and Shakti though the same may also act independently. They are associated like the person and the action of the person. They are one and the same like the ice and the water - one becomes the other. For this reason scriptures describe that Shakti to Shiva is a wife (they are together), mother (Shakti becomes Shiva - so Shiva comes out of Shakti) and daughter (Shiva become Shakti). Poet Kalidasa hails them as inseparable like the word and its meaning, the letter and pronunciation!!