Saturday, February 7, 2009
Thought for the day
"Chanting Krsna's sweet name purifies the heart; sanctifies andsteadies the mind; destroys the six enemies [lust, anger, greed, envy,illusion, madness]; stops birth and death; dissolves sins; scorchessamskaras; annihilates attachment; induces detachment; uprootsdesires; empowers one; makes one fearless; removes illusion; bestowssupreme peace; delivers prema; reveals the Lord and His dhama; showsone's svarupa; showers bhakti-rasa; and engages one in his nitya sevafor the pleasure of Radha-Syama. "(Mahanidhi Swami - Art of Chanting Hare Krsna, p13)
[Vedic Wisdom] Tale to Understand - God is the power behind anything in this world!
STEAMING HOT PEAS BRIYANI :-
Mouth-watering! Delicious! Mother usually made Peas Biryani on Wednesday afternoons in winter. It was her favourite dish to prepare, for it was easy to make, yet a hot favourite amongst the kids. Moreover fresh peas were in season and tasted heavenly!
She heated some oil in a pan and added a spoonful of cumin seeds. Then she added a handful of chopped onions. She proceeded to add some green peas and seasoned them with salt and turmeric powder. Having sautéed them for a couple of minutes she turned in the cleaned and washed rice and poured in a good amount of water. She covered the pan with a lid and let it cook on a slow flame.
Strangely, the ingredients in the simmering pot started a conversation. The rice was the first to say, 'I am the most important of all of us present here for I am pure white and wholesome. I am the key ingredient to making Peas Biryani. I am SATYA, this is the Truth.'
The yellow turmeric powder chuckled and said, 'No longer are you white my dear, for I have dyed you in my own colour. I am DHARMA. This is my duty.'
The peas smiled peacefully and said, 'What is Peas Biryani, without peas, eh? We are the most attractive and delicious part of this preparation. We are Shanti. We are PEACE. We are peas (peace) and our colour too is green that is the colour of peace!'
The salt mused to itself and said, 'Who would ever be able to eat Peas Biryani, without salt? I am the most important of all. If I were not there Peas Biryani would be unpalatable. My taste shall be infused in each particle. I am PREMA. I love each one of you equally.'
The onions said, 'We add the tang to this dish. We add flavour. We are the soul of all vegetarian food. We are AHIMSA. We tolerate all other flavours, yet retain our own!'
The pan spoke up and said, 'It's I who is holding all of you in here.But for me, you would all have been separate identities. I have held you together, so that jointly,you can become a delicious dish. Where would you be without me? I am DISCIPLINE and I am indispensable. '
The cumin seeds were dancing up and down in the boiling water and said,'Try making Biryani, without us! It shall be quite tasteless. We sizzle in the hot oil first of all for we are devoted to spreading our flavour, wherever we go. We are DEVOTION.'
The Biryani was almost ready and the oil glistened on every grain ofrice. It said, 'I ensure that each grain of rice, each pea and each cumin seed, retains its individual identity. I prevent stickiness. I am DISCRIMINATION! '
The water was almost completely absorbed by now. It smiled contentedly and said, 'I was determined to permeate into each particle of all of you.Without me could peas Biryani ever have been made? I am DETERMINATION and I am the most important of all !'
Mother came by and checked to see, if the Biryani was done. The gas flame smiled quietly to itself and said, 'Each one is so full of its own importance. Without the power of heat provided by me, what would they be? It is the power of God vested in me that I can give the energy to cook.
Alas, who remembers the POWER OF GOD?' God smiled to Himself as the lady turned off the gas and waited, till He was needed again.
REFLECTION
Each one of us in this world is so full of his or her importance. We conveniently forget God who gives us the power to do everything.
Whether acknowledged or not, whether remembered or not, God is the power behind doing and making everything, even that Peas Biryani!
Hari Om!
Mouth-watering! Delicious! Mother usually made Peas Biryani on Wednesday afternoons in winter. It was her favourite dish to prepare, for it was easy to make, yet a hot favourite amongst the kids. Moreover fresh peas were in season and tasted heavenly!
She heated some oil in a pan and added a spoonful of cumin seeds. Then she added a handful of chopped onions. She proceeded to add some green peas and seasoned them with salt and turmeric powder. Having sautéed them for a couple of minutes she turned in the cleaned and washed rice and poured in a good amount of water. She covered the pan with a lid and let it cook on a slow flame.
Strangely, the ingredients in the simmering pot started a conversation. The rice was the first to say, 'I am the most important of all of us present here for I am pure white and wholesome. I am the key ingredient to making Peas Biryani. I am SATYA, this is the Truth.'
The yellow turmeric powder chuckled and said, 'No longer are you white my dear, for I have dyed you in my own colour. I am DHARMA. This is my duty.'
The peas smiled peacefully and said, 'What is Peas Biryani, without peas, eh? We are the most attractive and delicious part of this preparation. We are Shanti. We are PEACE. We are peas (peace) and our colour too is green that is the colour of peace!'
The salt mused to itself and said, 'Who would ever be able to eat Peas Biryani, without salt? I am the most important of all. If I were not there Peas Biryani would be unpalatable. My taste shall be infused in each particle. I am PREMA. I love each one of you equally.'
The onions said, 'We add the tang to this dish. We add flavour. We are the soul of all vegetarian food. We are AHIMSA. We tolerate all other flavours, yet retain our own!'
The pan spoke up and said, 'It's I who is holding all of you in here.But for me, you would all have been separate identities. I have held you together, so that jointly,you can become a delicious dish. Where would you be without me? I am DISCIPLINE and I am indispensable. '
The cumin seeds were dancing up and down in the boiling water and said,'Try making Biryani, without us! It shall be quite tasteless. We sizzle in the hot oil first of all for we are devoted to spreading our flavour, wherever we go. We are DEVOTION.'
The Biryani was almost ready and the oil glistened on every grain ofrice. It said, 'I ensure that each grain of rice, each pea and each cumin seed, retains its individual identity. I prevent stickiness. I am DISCRIMINATION! '
The water was almost completely absorbed by now. It smiled contentedly and said, 'I was determined to permeate into each particle of all of you.Without me could peas Biryani ever have been made? I am DETERMINATION and I am the most important of all !'
Mother came by and checked to see, if the Biryani was done. The gas flame smiled quietly to itself and said, 'Each one is so full of its own importance. Without the power of heat provided by me, what would they be? It is the power of God vested in me that I can give the energy to cook.
Alas, who remembers the POWER OF GOD?' God smiled to Himself as the lady turned off the gas and waited, till He was needed again.
REFLECTION
Each one of us in this world is so full of his or her importance. We conveniently forget God who gives us the power to do everything.
Whether acknowledged or not, whether remembered or not, God is the power behind doing and making everything, even that Peas Biryani!
Hari Om!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Thought for the day
Life's desires should never be directed towards sense gratification.One should desire only a healthy life, or self-preservation, since ahuman being is meant for inquiry about the Absolute Truth. Nothingelse should be the goal of one's works."
(Sri Suta Gosvami – Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.10)
(Sri Suta Gosvami – Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.10)
Thought for the day
Krsna will be merciful to us and we shall be blessed with the gift ofdevotion to His divine feet the very day that we are delivered fromthe evil desire of seeking advantages and honors from others."
(Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura)
(Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura)
Tale to Understand - A polished soul is like a mirror which reflects the Divinity within us!
THE PAINTING ON THE WALL
There was a king who was a great admirer of art. He encouraged artists from all over his country and gave them valuable gifts.
One day an artist came and said to the king, "Oh King! Give me a blank wall in your palace and let me paint a picture on it. It will be more beautiful than anything you have ever seen before. I promise you shall not be disappointed. "
Now,the king happened to be constructing a big hall at the rear end of the palace. So he said, "Alright you may work on one of the walls in the new hall." So the artist was given the job and he was very pleased indeed.
Just then, another young man said, "Oh King! Please allow me to work on the opposite wall. I too am an artist." The king said, "What would you like to make?" The man said, "My Lord, I shall make exactly what that man will make on the opposite wall. Moreover, shall do so,without looking at his work. I would even request you to have a thick curtain put up between the two walls so that either
of us can not see the other."
Now, that was a tall statement. Everyone in the king's court, including the king and the first artist were intrigued. But the king loved surprise and he decided to give the young fellow a chance.
The following day a thick curtain was put into place and both the artists got to work. The first artist brought in a regular supply of paint, oil, water etc. The second one would some with a cloth and a bucket of water every day.
After a month the first artist told the king that his work was complete and he would like to show it to the king. The king sent for the second artist and asked him, "Young man, when would your work be ready? I am coming to see the first wall this evening." The man said, "My Lord, my wall is ready too!"
The king went to see the first artist's wall. He was very, very impressed with the painting and gave a hefty sum as a reward to the artist. He then asked for the curtain to be opened up.
Lo and behold! The same painting was to be seen on the opposite wall too! Amazing! But true! Each line, each minor detail was exactly as it was on the
first wall. But this man had not been seeing what was going on, on the other side of the curtain. So how had he done it?
The king wanted to know the secret. He gave a double reward to the fellow. Then he said, "Young man, I am indeed very happy with your work. But you must tell me; how did you do it?"
The lad said simply, "It's very easy! I just polished the wall every day!"
It was a wall made of white marble! The fellow polished it till it shone like a mirror. The reflection of the painting across the room, showed up in it!
REFLECTION
That is what it means to polish our self. For when we polish our hearts and souls we see God's reflection within. The soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond and must be polished, or the luster of it will never appear.
It is said that the world is a reflection of you. Whatever you are, the world will seem to be that too.
If you are happy, the world will look to be happy. If you are sad; jealous; dejected; angry; restless ... that is what the world will seem to be to you!
There was a king who was a great admirer of art. He encouraged artists from all over his country and gave them valuable gifts.
One day an artist came and said to the king, "Oh King! Give me a blank wall in your palace and let me paint a picture on it. It will be more beautiful than anything you have ever seen before. I promise you shall not be disappointed. "
Now,the king happened to be constructing a big hall at the rear end of the palace. So he said, "Alright you may work on one of the walls in the new hall." So the artist was given the job and he was very pleased indeed.
Just then, another young man said, "Oh King! Please allow me to work on the opposite wall. I too am an artist." The king said, "What would you like to make?" The man said, "My Lord, I shall make exactly what that man will make on the opposite wall. Moreover, shall do so,without looking at his work. I would even request you to have a thick curtain put up between the two walls so that either
of us can not see the other."
Now, that was a tall statement. Everyone in the king's court, including the king and the first artist were intrigued. But the king loved surprise and he decided to give the young fellow a chance.
The following day a thick curtain was put into place and both the artists got to work. The first artist brought in a regular supply of paint, oil, water etc. The second one would some with a cloth and a bucket of water every day.
After a month the first artist told the king that his work was complete and he would like to show it to the king. The king sent for the second artist and asked him, "Young man, when would your work be ready? I am coming to see the first wall this evening." The man said, "My Lord, my wall is ready too!"
The king went to see the first artist's wall. He was very, very impressed with the painting and gave a hefty sum as a reward to the artist. He then asked for the curtain to be opened up.
Lo and behold! The same painting was to be seen on the opposite wall too! Amazing! But true! Each line, each minor detail was exactly as it was on the
first wall. But this man had not been seeing what was going on, on the other side of the curtain. So how had he done it?
The king wanted to know the secret. He gave a double reward to the fellow. Then he said, "Young man, I am indeed very happy with your work. But you must tell me; how did you do it?"
The lad said simply, "It's very easy! I just polished the wall every day!"
It was a wall made of white marble! The fellow polished it till it shone like a mirror. The reflection of the painting across the room, showed up in it!
REFLECTION
That is what it means to polish our self. For when we polish our hearts and souls we see God's reflection within. The soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond and must be polished, or the luster of it will never appear.
It is said that the world is a reflection of you. Whatever you are, the world will seem to be that too.
If you are happy, the world will look to be happy. If you are sad; jealous; dejected; angry; restless ... that is what the world will seem to be to you!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Be Vigilant
THE TOUCHSTONE
The days stretched into weeks and the weeks into months. One day, however, about midafternoon, he picked up a pebble and it was warm. He threw it into the sea before he realized what he had done. He had formed such a strong habit of throwing each pebble into the sea that when the one he wanted came along, he still threw it away.!
REFLECTION
Wise men make more opportunities than they find! Like an eagle, be vigilant to make use of the opportunities around you.
Everyday is an opportunity in front of you for making new beginnings and happy endings.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Glory of SadGuru - By Sri Muralidhara Swamiji - Part -2
Radhe Krishna To all,
Glory of Sadguru By Sri Sri.Muralidhara Swamiji- Part-2
Jagadguru Adi Sankara, the teacher of Advaita philosophy, has sung on the Glory of the Guru, “One may possess a beautiful, healthy body; a charming wife; wealth as huge as a meru mountain and enjoy fame throughout the world but of what use are these if his mind is not set on the Lotus Feet of the Guru?
All great Mahatmas have sung on the glory of the Guru.
“Kutramutrum aruthennai gunamai pannithal Guru uruvãiolir, Arunachala!”,
sings Ramana Maharishi, calling upon Arunachala to be the Guru in annihilating his mind and taking him unto His fold!
“Guruvai varuvai arulvai Guhane!” sings Saint Arunagirinathar calling upon Lord Muruga to be his Guru! And what does the great Kabir say while speaking on his Guru Ramanand? “If God and Guru appear before me I will ignore God and prostrate to my Guru!” and what does Ekanath sing of his Guru Sri Janardhana Swami?
“Guru Mata! Guru Pita! Guru amuchi kuladevata!” - The Guru is my mother, Guru my father and Guru is my family Deity!
A Sadguru is like the mother and God like the father of a child. It is the mother who takes care of the child from its birth upto the time he is able to take care of himself. In babyhood and childhood she handles the child with care and affection. When the baby dirties the bed it is she who cleans up the mess even as she speaks loving words to the baby. She sits with the child day and night when he is sick and attends to his personal needs without a frown. Whereas, the father takes pride in the son only when he stands on his two feet and makes a name for himself in the world.
Likewise, God is accessible only to the pure heart but the Guru takes on the ‘jiva’ ONLY TO CLEANSE HIM OF HIS DIRTS (‘vasanas’) and liberates him. The Sadguru’s Grace is beyond the description of words! A man with his inherent nature of successfully completing a task taken up may perform japa or meditation with obstinacy. But what happens to such a one who takes to intense spiritual practice without the guidance of a Guru? The net of Maya only tightens its hold by bestowing him with supernatural faculties. He is able to learn the happenings that are beyond the reach of our mental faculties. He may be able to cure diseases. The world, too, holds and looks upon him as verily Bhagavãn.
But the truth is that he has not attained liberation but has been pulled deeper into the pit of Maya (of ego)! He himself is aware of this. By his own effort a ‘jiva’ cannot disentangle himself from the chains of Maya. It is only a Guru who can annihilate a person’s Ego, which is the only block in knowing/being his true Self.
A classic example of this is Sarngdev who had a huge following of wealthy powerful men. He was a Siddha Purusha who could even revive the dead. Thus, he was sought after by one and all and there was always a long line of the dead and their relatives at his doorstep! Once Mukta Bai, the little sister of Saint Jnanadev, enquired about this long line of dead. On learning the reason the little one said to the relatives of the dead, “I can also revive them to life!” and chanted the Nama ‘Vittala’! ‘Vittala’! in each one’s ear and the dead jumped back on ‘its’ feet and danced away singing the Nama ‘Vittala’! ‘Vittala’!
The belittled Sarngdev rode on a lion to accost Jnanadev whom he looked upon as his archenemy. Jnanadev who was poor and lived in a hut was repairing the broken wall of his hut. He saw Sarngdev ride arrogantly on a lion and only to teach him that ‘Siddhis’ were silly matters, sat on the wall and tapped it; and it moved up to Sarngdev! The astounded Sarngdev fell at the feet of Jnanadev as he realized his own folly and the emptiness of all around him. He sought knowledge from Jnanadev who blessed him with the Nama ‘Vittala’! Sarngdev gave up his wealth, relatives and followers immediately and took to incessant chanting of the Name of Vittala into which Jnanadev had initiated him. Very soon his nescience was wiped out and he became a Jnani! !!!
Glory of Sadguru By Sri Sri.Muralidhara Swamiji- Part-2
Jagadguru Adi Sankara, the teacher of Advaita philosophy, has sung on the Glory of the Guru, “One may possess a beautiful, healthy body; a charming wife; wealth as huge as a meru mountain and enjoy fame throughout the world but of what use are these if his mind is not set on the Lotus Feet of the Guru?
All great Mahatmas have sung on the glory of the Guru.
“Kutramutrum aruthennai gunamai pannithal Guru uruvãiolir, Arunachala!”,
sings Ramana Maharishi, calling upon Arunachala to be the Guru in annihilating his mind and taking him unto His fold!
“Guruvai varuvai arulvai Guhane!” sings Saint Arunagirinathar calling upon Lord Muruga to be his Guru! And what does the great Kabir say while speaking on his Guru Ramanand? “If God and Guru appear before me I will ignore God and prostrate to my Guru!” and what does Ekanath sing of his Guru Sri Janardhana Swami?
“Guru Mata! Guru Pita! Guru amuchi kuladevata!” - The Guru is my mother, Guru my father and Guru is my family Deity!
A Sadguru is like the mother and God like the father of a child. It is the mother who takes care of the child from its birth upto the time he is able to take care of himself. In babyhood and childhood she handles the child with care and affection. When the baby dirties the bed it is she who cleans up the mess even as she speaks loving words to the baby. She sits with the child day and night when he is sick and attends to his personal needs without a frown. Whereas, the father takes pride in the son only when he stands on his two feet and makes a name for himself in the world.
Likewise, God is accessible only to the pure heart but the Guru takes on the ‘jiva’ ONLY TO CLEANSE HIM OF HIS DIRTS (‘vasanas’) and liberates him. The Sadguru’s Grace is beyond the description of words! A man with his inherent nature of successfully completing a task taken up may perform japa or meditation with obstinacy. But what happens to such a one who takes to intense spiritual practice without the guidance of a Guru? The net of Maya only tightens its hold by bestowing him with supernatural faculties. He is able to learn the happenings that are beyond the reach of our mental faculties. He may be able to cure diseases. The world, too, holds and looks upon him as verily Bhagavãn.
But the truth is that he has not attained liberation but has been pulled deeper into the pit of Maya (of ego)! He himself is aware of this. By his own effort a ‘jiva’ cannot disentangle himself from the chains of Maya. It is only a Guru who can annihilate a person’s Ego, which is the only block in knowing/being his true Self.
A classic example of this is Sarngdev who had a huge following of wealthy powerful men. He was a Siddha Purusha who could even revive the dead. Thus, he was sought after by one and all and there was always a long line of the dead and their relatives at his doorstep! Once Mukta Bai, the little sister of Saint Jnanadev, enquired about this long line of dead. On learning the reason the little one said to the relatives of the dead, “I can also revive them to life!” and chanted the Nama ‘Vittala’! ‘Vittala’! in each one’s ear and the dead jumped back on ‘its’ feet and danced away singing the Nama ‘Vittala’! ‘Vittala’!
The belittled Sarngdev rode on a lion to accost Jnanadev whom he looked upon as his archenemy. Jnanadev who was poor and lived in a hut was repairing the broken wall of his hut. He saw Sarngdev ride arrogantly on a lion and only to teach him that ‘Siddhis’ were silly matters, sat on the wall and tapped it; and it moved up to Sarngdev! The astounded Sarngdev fell at the feet of Jnanadev as he realized his own folly and the emptiness of all around him. He sought knowledge from Jnanadev who blessed him with the Nama ‘Vittala’! Sarngdev gave up his wealth, relatives and followers immediately and took to incessant chanting of the Name of Vittala into which Jnanadev had initiated him. Very soon his nescience was wiped out and he became a Jnani! !!!
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