Uplifting thoughts

                            Uplifting thoughts

 If you plan for a year, plant a seed. If for ten years, plant a tree. If for one hundred years, teach the people.

Children are lamps to be lit,
not vessels to be filled.

The son's duty to his father is to make the world ask, "  By what great austerities did he merit such a son ."

What is marriage ? Falling in love anew every day- always with the same person.

All truth goes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Then, it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self- evident.

The secret for having a successful team is to lead, rather than to manage.

In the midst of great joy do not promise anyone anything. In the midst of great anger do not answer anyone.

Worry is liking a rocking chair - there is movement, but it does not take you anywhere.

Life is like a stream. One bank is the sacred scriptures and the other is science and technology. If both banks are not firm,the water will scatter away. If both banks are firm. The stream will run its smooth course.

Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle.

The hall-mark of a good judgement

 
                     The hall mark of a good judgement

No doubt, knowledge of principles of law is a must for a judge. But the knowledge of human psychology brings out the best in proper judgement. Basically human beings are good. It is the wrong habits and circumstances that lead him to wrong path. So to err is human is true. The real fact is that a man may commit a crime, hide it from others, but he cannot hide it from his ever vigilant conscience. If a judge is able to tap that source, the culprit himself will come out with the truth. This is the hall-mark of a good judge. Many a times, confession of his guilt by himself reforms the guilty also.
Once a man lost a precious article. A number of people were arrested, but no one could find out exactly who the thief was. The magistrate of that city was a wise scholar. He planned a beautiful trap for the suspects. He told them, " I have a bell who can tell a thief from an honest man. It has mystical powers. If an innocent man touched the bell it would remain silent, but if the man was guilty it would ring out."
The magistrate got a normal bell placed behind a curtain and asked his assistant to smear it with ink. After some time he took the suspects to the bell and asked each one in turn to extend his hands through the curtain and touch the bell. As each man withdrew his hands, the judge examined them. Every one's hands were stained except for those of one man, who confessed to the theft under questioning. He had not dared touch  the bell for fear it would ring.
What a nice method of judgement !

Rights and Duties of Employer-Employee , A glimpse from the Sanskrit Niti shastras

 Indian culture asserts a deep underlying fundamental unity, which is profound in all types of relationship in the society. The bed rock of this unity is based on the achievement of good ( shreyas ) through mutual co-operation. It insists that every individual must be afforded the opportunity to manifest the best and unique in him.

Economically we are a co-operative concern where we give according to our capacity and take according to our needs. Duties and Rights are the two sides of the same coin. The economic prosperity depends on the cordial relationship between the Employer and the Employee. Sanskrit Niti Shastras throw valuable insights into this.

Qualities of a good employer

 The essential quality of a good master is the faculty to discern right from wrong. Other characteristics enumerated are courtesy, liberality and goodness especially when the labourer confesses a mistake.

On the otherhand, a bad employer lacking these qualities indulges in unreasonably overworking the employee in raising hopes not to be fulfilled and withholding wages in arrears.
Exploitation of labour is generally condemned. It is not right that the worker should go without recompense for his work. He should be rewarded with heart, voice and look.




Judged by these standards , employers have been classified into three groups- kind,severe and just.
A kind employer shows indulgence to his employees. He is severe who considers the virtues of his employees as faults and he is just who deals with them judiciously.

Qualities of an employee :-

The employee should do his work properly to his capacity and should not be jealous of other employees and take off the rights of others. He should not find faults in others, instead he should help them.
The basic quality expected of an employee is the utmost loyalty.
 It becomes the bounden duty of the employer to maintain the welfare of such an employee.

Keeping in mind the effiency and human nature, the employees have been classified into three kinds. Some are very slow, some are fast and some are medium. They should be assigned work and remuneration accordingly

Labour contract: wages
  The general rule in regard to wages is that the employee shall get the promised wages. Wages are to be paid for the work done, but not for work that is not done.
In case of non-payment of wages, the employer is expected to compensate by paying one tenth more to the employee or six panas ( currency of those days ) more.
For employee not doing the work after receiving the wages, the fine is twelve panas and detention till it is done.
In case, work is more done than agreed upon , he shall not make the effort vain. Wages are not to be withheld.
 Only a bad workman asks for wages in the course of the work and it is only a bad master that does not pay the labourers their wages for the work done.

  Working hours-
 For permanent employees, three hours during the day and nine hours during night are allowed for rest(for doing domestic work). For workers on daily wages, one and half hours rest during the day are allowed.
If the employee is ill for a week, his wages should not be curtailed. If ill for a long time, six months wages should be given to the employee. If the employee is on leave for a year, he may be allowed to have a substitute of his choice. The master should give the employee fifteen days a year respite from work.

Labour efficiency-

The efficiency of labour depends on a number of social and economic considerations. The workers have been divided into three classes- slow, ordinary and quick.Judged by another standard, the employees fall into three types- the best, of medium ability and the worst. The best care only for name. The second class desire both wealth and fame. The worst want only wealth.

The master should fix wages of his employees after weighing their comparative merits and qualifications scruplously. He should not assign responsibilities indiscriminately. When some one is found to be unworthy of the work entrusted to him, he should be replaced by a competent person from the apprentces who are qualified for the task.
As an officer becomes qualified for the higher and higher functions, he should be promoted in the ascending order. Shukraniti recommends the principle of rotation to prevent abuse and misuse of powers.

One of the tests of labour-efficiency mentioned is any special aptitude or skill that the employee may possess. The special attainments which gives a man his living and which are commended by others should be preserved and improved by the owner.
Another fact that accounts for labour efficiency is the workman's capacity for work, faithfulness, cheerfulness, thoroughness in work, uprightness and general contentment.
Experience also contributes to efficiency. The service of old and experienced workers should not be dispensed with unless it be for very grave faults.

The kind treatment accorded by the employers to the employees under them may go a long way to increase their efficiency.
Lastly, the efficiency of labour depends on the amount of the reward, the wages the workers get. The amount of wages was low, average or high according to the low or average or high quality of the employees' work in general. Wages were considered high if they adequately supplied food and clothing and allowed a comfortable living or ordinary or moderate if they supplied the indispensable food and clothing i.e necessaries for the employee and his dependents. Low wages maintained only one. Low wages are condemned. It is very interesting to note ' those who are paid low wages are enemies by nature. They become tools in the hands of others, they seek new opportunities and try to plunder other people.' They should be motivated to work hard and earn more.
The master should give prizes, bonus etc apart from wages.

The prosperity of the organization depended on the proper division of labour. Efficiency is the true criterion of division. A careful employer will put the right men in the right place for the success of the enterprise depends on whether workmen like ornaments are used properly.

The striking factor to be noted is the importance given to written documents in Shukraniti. The officer or employee is not to do anything without the master's written order, nor should the master command anything, great or small without written order as the written document is the best guide, for to err is human.Both the master who commands without writing and the officer who does anything without written order are thieves.

Labour union-

 The evils and problems arising between the employer and the employed were lessened in two ways- by active governmental legislation and by organization among the employees so as to safeguard their position and to stand in union against exploitation of them by the employers.

The power of these 'guilds ' were administrative and financial. The rights of appeal lay from these unions to the king's officers. Another restriction on the administrative function of these was that they were not allowed jurisdiction in certain cases like robbery and theft.
These guilds had deposits of money invested by the members to serve in times of distress. These unions had an able leader who could be relied upon and with whom these deposits may be entrusted.
These guilds acted like trade unions of modern times.

Insurance and pension=

      The deposits of the guilds served the workmen in times of distress. The general rule appears to have been that the employer was not authorised to cut off wages in times of calamity. The master should tend them in their sickness. The efficient workmen should in addition have 1/8 of their wages as bonus every year. An institution similar to a provident fund is also in evidence in Shukraniti. The employer is advised to keep with him as deposit 1/6 or 1/4 of the employee's wages and to pay 1/2 of that amount or the whole in two or three years. When the employee dies in service, his son should be offered the job with the same salary or according to his ( son's ) qualifications. At the time of retirement after forty years of service, the employee may have half his wages as pension for life and pension in some cases may be extended to the members of his family also.

Thus laying emphasis on the rapport and harmonious relations between the king and his employees, Shukra concludes that where the servants and the king both are in good order, there wealth is permanent, extensive and always in plenty.

Man is the same in all ages. Articles 23, 24 and 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaimed by the General assembly of United Nations on tenth December, 1940 echo the same principles such as the right to work under just favourable conditions, right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limltation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay, employee's right to form and join trade unions for the protection of his interests, right to a standard living adequate for the health and well being of himself and his family, including food. clothing, housing and medical care and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, old age and lack of other livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

It is very delighting and refreshing to note that the rules quoted in the Sanskrit Niti Shastras like Kautilya's Arthashastra, Shukra's Shukraniti and Hitopadesha appear to be considerably in advance of the age in which they were laid down and show many traits of modern economic ideas on the problem of labour and capital.

Timeless wisdom

     
                       Timeless wisdom

The happiest of all lives is a busy solitude.

We should n't teach great books; we should teach a love of reading.

If any thing is sacred the human body is sacred.

No one tests the depth of a river with both feet.

A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.

Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson after.

Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease.

It is a bad plan that admits of no modification.

Practice is the best of all instructors.

If you carry with your childhood, you never become older.

Principles of Management from Manusmrti

                        Principles of Management from Manusmrti


   
                         Principles of Management from Manusmrti


Manusmrti is a famous text on Dharma shastra and an authority on the topics dealing with society and politics and judiciary.

Many principles of effective management found in it are still valid.

Universal policy frame work for good management

The king ( CEO) should seek to acquire what he has not acquired, preserve diligently what he has acquired, augment what he has preserved, and distribute what he has augmented among worthy recipients.
These he should recognize as the four means of securing the goals of man and he should execute them properly and tirelessly every day.

Knowledge about other things in the world

He ( king, CEO) should be knowledgeable about the desirable and undesirable properties of goods ( things), the good and bad aspects of regions, the probable profit and loss of merchandise, and how best to raise farm animals. He should be well informed about the wages to be paid to employees, the different languages of people, the manner of storing goods, and the procedure of buying and selling.
Thus , he should make the utmost effort at making his assets grow in accordance with the law and diligently distribute profit to all.

Learning for CEO never stops
Learning and humility--for success
After getting up in the morning, the king should pay respects to learned brahmins who are experts in the triple veda and follow their advice. Even if he is a learned and disciplined man, he should always learn the rules of discipline fro them, for a disciplined king ( CEO) never comes to ruin.
Note- morning indicates regularity of learning from the experts- a key to success.

Management requires expertise in other subjects also
From experts in the three vedas, he should learn the triple veda, the timeless science of government, logical reasoning and philosophy of self and from the common people, commercial enterprises.
Note- Philosophy for peace or for maintaining a balanced  mind, commercial enterprises means Economics and Commerce.
Note-Triple Veda refers to Rigveda, Yajurveda and Samaveda as they deal with sacrifices and moral codes to be followed here.The Vedas are authority as they are not the creations of human beings.They are called 'Apaurusheya ' not from a man. They are the words of Almighty revealed through the sages in their deep meditation for the benefit of mankind. Having created the world and men, the Almighty gave the Vedas to follow the virtuous path leading to the highest goal in life. The dharma revealed in the Vedas is of two kinds- one characterized by action ( rites and duties ), and the other by renunciation and distinguished by knowledge and detachment. That dharma, which is meant for the stability of the world and is the direct means to both secular and spiritual welfare of living beings is the guiding light and continues to be followed by all, who aspire after the highest.
The fourth Veda Atharva Veda is different in contents.It deals with incantations of magic spells and peace. So it is not included in the trayi.


Work is worship- The only way to prosperity, new endeavours should be tried.
Indead, he (CEO) must embark on his operations repeatedly, though repeatedly exhausted; for fortune devotes herself to a man who embarks on his operations.
He must not hold himself in contempt for his past failures. He should pursue prosperity till the end, never deeming it too difficult to achieve.
All activities here depend on on divine and human dispensations. Of these, however, the divine is inscrutable. Action is possible only with respect to the human.

Need of assistants as a company is too big to be managed by a single person

Even an easy task becomes difficult when undertaken by a single person especially if he has no associates. How much harder will be a kingdom ( company ) yielding great revenue.
Qualifications of assistants or counsellors
The king should appoint seven or eight counsellors. They must be individuals who are natives of the land, well-versed in the Treatises, brave, well-accomplished and coming from illustrious families, individuals who have been thoroughly investigated.

Appointment of executives
He should also appoint officials. They must be individuals who are honest, intelligent, steadfast, and able to collect revenues properly, individuals who have been thoroughly investigated.
Note- So two types of officials- one set exclusively in the advisory capacity and the other set for executing the works.
Optimal number of persons required for the completion of the work
He should appoint as many tireless, clever and wise men as are required to carry out the works.

Decision making
After ascertining their views in the matter, first from each individually and then from all of them collectively as a group, he should do what is in his country's ( company's) best interest.
From the most distinguished and sagacious learned among them, however, the king ( CEO ) should seek the most important counsel.
Trusting him completely, he should always entrust all is affairs to him and proceed with any task only after reaching a decision jointly with him.
Ultimate authority is the contentment of mind in deciding any matter or work to be executed.
He ( CEO) should diligently engage in those activities that give him inner joy and avoid those that do not.This rule is applicable to employees also.
The ultimate root of law ( right decision in undertaking ) is the contentment of one self.


Identification with company leads to success
Company is not different from CEO
Company is the body and employees are the soul. By torturing them, CEO destroys himself .
As living beings destroy their lives by oppressing their bodies, so kings ( CEO ) too destroy their lives by oppressing their realms.
He should observe this rule always in managing his realm, for when his realm is well managed, the king ( CEO ) prospers with ease.

Self- discipline expected from CEO
He should always strive vigorously to subdue his senses.For when he has subdued his own senses, he is able to bring his people under his control.
Discipline in the company
Discipline can be maintained by someone ( CEO ) who is honest and true to his word, who acts in conformity with the rules, who has good assistants and who is wise.
Behaviour towards the staff
He ( CEO ) should always act without guile and never with guile.
He should never start a senseless fued or an argument with any one.

Campus recruitment
He ( CEO ) should pay honour to learned ones who have returned from their institution after finishing their studies, for this is the inexhaustible treasure of knowledge decreed for the kings. This is the real investment for future prosperity.
Appointment in tune with scholarship and conduct and providing facilities for retainment
After ascertaining the man's learning and conduct, he should provide him with a means of subsistence consistent with the law and protect him every way, as a father his own son.
This ensures the prosperity of the company
When such a person ( recruit ) practises the Law ( righteous work ) every day under the protection of the king ( CEO ). it augments the king's life span ( it reduces the tension of CEO ), wealth and realm.

Works and wages
Even men living far away endear themselves to the world when they stick to the activity specific to each and carry out their activities.
Non-payment of wages
When an employee who is not sick fails to perform his stipulated work out of pride, he should be fined and should not be paid his wages.
If he was sick, he should perform the work stipulated at the outset after he has recovered his health and he should receive his wages even if a very long time has elapsed.
Whether he is sick or well, if he does not have the stipulated work carried out, he should not be paid his wages, even if only a small portion of the work remains undone.
Breach of contract
When a man belonging to a village, region or corporate entity enters into a contract truthfully and then breaks it out of greed, the king ( CEO ) should banish that man from his realm.

Sales representative and his qualities
He ( King or CEO ) should also appoint an envoy. The representative must be an expert in all the treatises, able to grasp a hint, gesture meaning expert in soft skills, be honest and clever and from an illustrious family ( proper or good back ground ).A man who is loyal, honest and clever. One, who has a sharp memory and knows the right time and place and who is handsome, fearless and eloquent. Such a man is recommended as a king's envoy.

Organization of the state
Governance of villages and towns
He should station well - supervised constabularies in the middle of two, three and five villages, as also in the middle of one hundred villages for the protection of his realm.
He should appoint superintendents responsible for one village, for one hundred villages, and for one thousand villages.
Note- village symbozises departments in the company.

Problem solving method-
When troubles arise in a village, if the superintendent of that village is not able to solve them, he should , in due course, report them personally to the superintendent of ten villages, and he in turn, to the superintendent of twenty villages.
The superintendent of twenty villages should report to the superintendent of a hundred villages, and he in turn, should report them personally to the superintendent of a thousand villages If unsolved, the matter should be brought to the king.

Supervision of officials-
 Their activities pertaining to the villages, as well as those undertaken by each individually should be supervised vigilantly by another loyal officer of the king.
In each city, he should appoint a general manager of all affairs, a man of high stature and endowing him with powers like a planet among the stars. the king should always supervise himself those officials personally.

The king has to follow a planned schedule from morning to night, for carrying out the works efficiently.
He should get up early in the morning and sleep on time.
He should go to bed at proper time and rise up next day morning refreshed.

Religion, a path of discipline to spirituality as seen in the daily life of Indians

         


       Religion, a path of discipline to spirituality as seen in the daily life of Indians

 The socio- cultural life of people is shaped by its basic philosophy of life. For Indians, it has always been the religion. According to our ancient wisdom, religion and philosophy melt together in a common crucible, the crucible of life itself. Religion is a practical search for the Sublime, the Supreme Principle. In the first stage, the Sublime is realized in the cosmic power and later in social values. Then it is seen identical with the spiritual qualities like non- violence, love and goodness.

 Our scriptures have structured the daily life into various activities specifying their time and method. If viewed properly, we can find all our activities imbued with spiritual meaning. In the words of Swami Vivekananda ' The Hindu is a peculiar person. He does everything in a religious manner. He eats religiously, he sleeps religiously, he gets up in the morning religiously, he does good things religiously and also does bad things religiously.

Religion has three aspects: Philosophy, mythology and rituals. Philosophy deals with ultimate questions of life like the existence of God, nature of man, creation of this world, the goal of life as well as the path that leads to it. Mythology tries to bring these ideas from the dizzy heights of metaphysics to the ordinary level of understanding of common man through stories, similes and examples from day to day life. Then comes the role of rituals. Though designed to reflect the basic philosophy of life, they also help to release the energies and emotions through constructive channels, since they are action oriented.According to our scriptures, human birth is rare and the best among creation as it is alone is the means to salvation because of its discriminating power. The division of days into various tithis making them sacred to various deities and major festivals in various seasons show an organized life for the individual. The basis of all this is the fulfillment of four purusharthas namely, dharma, artha, kama and moksha. The masters of sriptures who evolved this system conceded the existence and the need to fulfill the natural instincts of a human being towards the pleasures of ' the here and the now'. Intuiting the power of these instincts, if unbridled, to create chaos and conflict in the society, they tried to regulate them through dharma, an iron frame work of a code of righteous conduct that would regulate these instincts, and allow them to be satisfied too. Controlling these instincts through dharma and by following disciplines prescribed in the scriptures, a human being can gradually transcend them, thus rising to higher spiritual aspirations.It is at this juncture that the concept of moksha ( liberation) appeals to the heart as also the spiritual disciplines needed for the same are voluntarily undertaken.

Not only the vratas and utsavas, even an ordinary day is designed exactly for this purpose of achieving the metamorphosis of the human being from mundane to the supra mundane levels.

The scriptures advise one to get up from the bed, at least one and a half hours before Sunrise, at the time known as Brahma muhurta, conducive to learning. At this hour, the sky emits a pale bluish light  or halo in the east.These bluish rays coming from the east contain a subtle awakening magnetism inspiring the brain and the body. There is one more reason also for selecting this hour for studies and prayer as this morning time is fully charged with vital energy, ozone. This living energy is what the body cells, nerves, and skin require for giving that fresh look or glow seen in good health seen on man's face. This vital energy is what the yogi requires for charging his six yogic centers or chakras during the Sandhya prayer of Gayatri.

While getting up, one is advised to look at one's palms, reciting a verse remembering the goddesses Lakshmi, Sarawati and Parvati praying that the day may dawn bringing all prosperities. Palms or hands is symbolic of work.Man's prosperity is hidden in his work or efforts only. What a beautiful way to boost self-confidence at the stating of the day !
As soon as one puts down his feet from the bed in the morning. he is expected to pray to the earth seeking pardon.What a noble concept ! The earth is like mother and should be respected.Stepping upon her is like hurting her.Apart from this, one should pray to one's deity.
It is not that we have to follow the same form.But we can modify it accordingly to our times. We can get up with a nice, positive feeling of looking forward to spend the day fruitfully with the feelings of gratitude to the Almighty for whatever He has given to us.

After getting up,with water full in mouth one should wash his eyes with splashes of water daily. This will ensure his healthy eyesight through out his life. This is stated in Garuda Purana which gives many valuable medical tips. Tooth cleaning is a must. Then morning bath is recommended for an absolute sound health. Bathing at night except under the auspices of lunar eclipses is prohibited. Bath after meals is prohibited. A morning bath either before or after the appearance of the Sun on the horizon is recommended as wholesome. Bath in the morning has a specific purpose to serve. The famous medical text by Sushruta gives the reason:
' The human body, extremely filthy within and provided with nine apertures ( openings), day and night exudes impure and unclean secretions and morning ablution is the means of bringing about its purification, each day. Morning bath imparts a cheerfulness to the mind and health and a beautiful complexion to the body.It dissipates grief and misery, bad dreams and evil thoughts .'
Modern medical experts also recommend morning showers.
Man should wear fresh clothes after bath.
Cultivation of good habits is emphasized often. Studies should be pursued every day. We should give up contact with wicked people, resort to the assembly of the good. We should do meritorious deeds day and night, remembering the unstability of everything in the world.It is beautifully said thus in Garuda purana,
' Those who had been unmindful of studies during studentship and those who have wasted their wealth during youth in pursuit of lust fall into a miserable flight during old age slighted by others and burning within like the lotuses in the winter season.'
What a beautiful practical tip !
A little study, a little virtue, a little act of charity practised each day, may serve to make the life full and woth living.
By strictly adhering to the performance of six rites every day man obtains every thing. They are- taking bath, Morning and evening prayers, recital of mantras, homa, worship of gods and hospitality to guests.
Taking food is also a sacred act. Anna is Brahman. Food contributes to the invigoration of the principles of earth, water, fire and air in the body and the essence of food, after being properly digested and assimilated in the organism, brings about a pleasurable condition to the self. So while taking food, one should feel thankful to the Lord for getting it due to His grace and pray for the continuity of the same.
Food shall not be cooked for one's own exclusively. Of the five portions of the food prepared in a household, each day, four should be respectively allotted to the use of the departed ancestors, gods, men and birds.
Greatest importance is attached to numerous injunctions and taboos about food.Light food is recommended for night.
The nature, quantity and cooking of food depend upon appetite, relish and season. food, containing a fair amount of liquid ingredients and taken neither too slowly nor too fast, is most easily digested, while heavy and too frequent meals impair digestion and health, insufficient food also weakens the body. Rest, light walks, enjoyable occupations not requiring heavy physical exercises and light sleep are beneficial for digestion.All meals should contain many ingredients of different tastes, but incompatible foods should not be included in a single meal. There is a method of serving food. Water is offered first but drunk at the end. As water represents Narayana, it is served first as it is the supreme food. Articles of sweet flavour should be taken at the starting of a meal. Things of acid and saline tastes in the middle and those of bitter, pungent and astringent flavour at the end. This order is to maintain the equilibrium of the three doshas for keeping sound health. Cold water is drunk after the meals as it counteracts the deranged pitta and helps the food in the stomach to be in a semi-liquid and easily digestible ( Sushruta ).
Regular physical exercises is one of the best methods for creating resistance to diseases and guarding against physical decay. As a general guidance, Sushruta directs that the duration of the period of exercise should be limited to half the time that brings physical exhaustion. There should be a definite time in the day for taking such exercises. Surya namaskara is the king of exercises. Such regular, adequate and proper exercise developes muscles all over the body, removes unwanted fat, improves the general appearance and complexion, gives greater digestive power, endurance,resistance to changes of temperature and resistance to diseases. It also gives the desirable mental qualities of alertness, retentive memory and sharp intelligence.
Walking serves an aid to longevity, improves digestion and bodily strength and gives sharpness to themind and senses. Strenuous walks reduce fat and check exessive secretion of kapha ( phlegm ), but fatguing walks may cause weakness and emaciation. Walking is recommended in the morning and after nightfall. A sufficient period of rest is necessary after exercise and walking, as such rest removes mental tensions and benefits the system. But sedentary habits increase accumulation of kapha and bodily fat and ultimately make the person weaker.

Evening time is the best time for prayers. Evening is marked with lighting the lamp at home. Evening dusk denotes ignorance, diseases and enemies and the lamp, the Almighty, the ultimate destroyer of all these and abode of bliss.
Recital of the most powerful Gayatri mantra, the meditation on the mysterious monosyllable 'Om', the symbolic name of the Supreme among our daily activities are important focal point for radiating healthy thoughts.
It is also mentioned that one should go to the temple of God for acquisition and preservation of his ( man's) desired objects ( Garuda purana ). Going to temple nearby and participating in Arti ( Waving of lights before the idol ) during evening surcharges one with spiritual environment. It induces serene thoughts. Now a days with one click, all types of stotras and mantras are available on i-pad, cell phone and cassettes. Listening to these will enable a man to surcharge his atmosphere with spirituality whenever wherever he needs. It is indeed a blessing to modern man to utilize such opportunities for his evolution.
Worship of Tulasi plant ( sacred basil ), Shalagrama ( a stone symbolizing Vishnu ), Shiva linga, Ashwattha tree, cow, all these reiterate the basic philosophy that divinity is present in all.
A restful sleep increases physical vigour, digestion, keenness of the senses and helps in balancing the bodily dhatus and doshas.

One should not sleep during the day and at both twilights. one should sleep only at night. at the time of going to bed, one should review one's actions done during the day and pray to god.What a beautiful finish to the end of the day !
Sleep is considered to be a nitya pralaya ( deluge ) when the individual self merges into the Supreme, giving the sleeper a taste of bliss. That is why sedatives are prescribed to induce sleep in bodily ailments. Because the proximity of the individual self to the Supreme brings about the sound health back.
Today the main cause of our malaise is our uprootedness. We are detached from our spiritual foundations which give us poise and balance. If the world is disorderly and miserable, it reflects the state of our minds.
In fact, all books on stress management, relaxation techniques give these points only in an attractive form. It is human nature to realize its valuable possession only when it is recognized and pointed out by others. Hinduism has offered one ultimate solution to all problems of life, that is 'moksha'. Since all our problems are rooted in the body-mind complex, transcending this is the ultimate solution. This will result not only in the freedom from sorrow and suffering but in positive bliss.
Our religion is a scientific one. It teaches universal truths and laws of nature just like a science. It points out that we have to make the best use of the present. What is gone is gone for good. What is future is still remote. He who acts only in the present knows no affliction.

Our rich cultural legacy has given us the pattern of activities of daily life to follow. Each activity is a stepping stone to the Supreme only making each day a pleasant, memorable and blissful one. Thus if we realize that we are not simply objects but subjects also, every day will give us a new chance, herald a new life, even a new order of society. when there is order in the nation there is peace in the world.

Relevance of Sanskrit

   
                                       Relevance of Sanskrit

The antiquity of Sanskrit , a classical language of the Indo - European family is unquestionable. Since it is not spoken and understood by most of the people, it can  be considered at the most at present a dormant language still containing active elements of vitality seen in the structure, words and literatures of other languages and in prayers to various gods and in religious ceremonies observed even today.
With so many invasions and advent of modern science and civilization in India, English as a medium, a foreign language, Sanskrit went into disuse. This language had never been a language of the masses, but a language of the elite class, language of the priests and astrologers and it continues to be their language to this day, but only for limited purposes.
Sanskrit is connected with scriptures and religious practices. The details of ceremonial observances, punishments of crime and expiation of sin are certainly obsolete now, though in their times they did serve a useful purpose.
To an ordinary man Sanskrit is nothing more than the stories and myths and religious conduct of the past (now out dated ) depicted in Manusmrti. The stories and myths abound in Sanskrit are symbolic and can be appreciated only when given a deep thought. So they are not properly understood as people in general are not conversant with the depth of Sanskrit language and most of the stories are  or read through translations. The real significance is lost and they do not have modern appeal. Religion, abstract details, obscure language and other unintelligible things appear incoherent to modern man. So Sanskrit is discarded as useless.
Generally people do not explore Hinduism as something well beyond Brahmanism. Often religion is misunderstood. All misunderstandings about dharma, karma, religion arising out of ignorance , selfishness, narrow mindedness and superstitions are passed off as belonging to Sanskrit itself. Caste system gets no new look in. The real analysis in its historical perspective is not done and is misused for political purposes. Secular is used as against Sanskrit which has come to stand for religious.
 Such being the position, the question arises ' Is Sanskrit really outdated ? It is true today Sanskrit is not living as a spoken language. But is its impact on other languages of India, nay other countries, its rich culture, its vast spectrum comprising all compartments of  knowledge all waste, dead? There is not any field in which Sanskrit is not enriched. But how many people even Sanskrit persons know it ?
It is often said that a worthless man never knows the worth of the preciousness of the gem he possesses. Only a non-possessor knows the worth and yearns and tries to get it. Indians felt proud and took the credit for being the owners of Sanskrit when two decades before foreign scholars expressed the possibility of Sanskrit as a fitting language for computer. Its connection with artificial intelligence brought a fresh vigor even in non Sanskrit people to learn Sanskrit through a crash course in one month or ten days and came to be associated with it to claim honor for it.
With a view to teach the Japanese scholars correct pronunciation of Sanskrit, a Japanese library planned to bring out a Compact Disc (CD ) with Sanskrit grammar and verses. This was also planned to help Japanese people to study the Deva- Bhasha, the language of the gods.
Research centers were set up in Europe to identify problems where the Vedas would be relevant, arising from the application of Science and Technology- environmental pollution, bio- medical and bio-technical ethics and the unsustainability of consumption based growth. The project would also seek to identify elements within modern science that are related to Vedic ideas on consciousness, mind, matter and time.
Now scientists support positive relationship between vegetarian diets and risk reduction for several chronic degenerative diseases. Here again we have time tested use of vegetables and diet according to climate, weather and conditions of vata, pittha, kapha so scientifically arranged in Charaka and
other samhitas . Can there be a better opportunity for fusion of tradition and modernity than this?
The scope for pilgrim tourism is enormous here as India is steeped in mysticism , yoga, meditation and religious fervor. Here again, knowledge of Sanskrit and Sanskrit literature which abounds in temple-lore such as architecture, stories of gods, symbolism of religious practices can help pilgrim tourism in taking off in a big way. Thus it will give an opportunity to eradicate the wrong conceptions about religion, religious practices as understood today.

In the national seminar organized by Bar council of India on ' Law, religion and politics', it was pointed out that though it may sound a paradox, but practicing religion in its highest and noblest conception and in the acceptance of the universality of mystic experience of all religions was the only hope to peace in an unrealistic situation. Secularism under Indian constitution is neither irreligious nor anti-religion but demands equality of all religions.In our pluralist society, it is a necessity and not a luxury. Religion cannot be eliminated. The more it is suppressed the more it aggravates the situation more so because religion and law confront each other in pluralist society. So the seminar emphasized on the need for a constitutional definition of religion rather than the abolition of it. Here again Sanskrit has a vital role to play. The word religion in English smacks too much of things external such as creed, rites, an external piety. There is no one Indian equivalent. The term ' Dharma' can be a fitting one. Dharma in its true sense is ' a way of life' and spirituality as the attempt to know and live in the highest self , the divine, the all- embracing unity and to raise life in all its parts to the divinest possible values. Now it is the right time to return to the age old ideal of India in its real amplitude.
 Sanskrit's relevance to modern times can be explored in beauty schemes also. There is a trend for herbal treatment in beauty clinics. People are moving towards indigenous ingredients for various beauty aids. Here the immortal Sanskrit has a hand to lend in and give an ethnic touch.
Hair dyes ( murdhaja raga ) have been dealt with in detail in Atharvaveda, Brhatsamhita. Navanitaka, an older work of 2 CE describes as many as eleven hair dyes recipes and refers to 46 ingredients employed in their preparation.
The Gandhayukti section of Brhatsamhita offers rich material for a chapter on the historicity of ancient Indian cosmetics. For example, a formula for obtaining 84 perfumes of the fragrance of Vakula flowers is set forth there. There is an all- purpose perfume called Sarvatobhadra.there is mention of mouth- perfumes made into small tablets for chewing similar to mouth freshners of today. Scented oils ( Agni purana ), dyeing of clothes ( Brhatsamhita ), tooth -sticks ( Charaka, Sushruta ), Bath powder, Talcum powder are all enlisted in Brhatsamhita.
Sanskrit has no less contribution to Horticulture. All aspects connected with crops like preservation of seeds, grafting, manuring, diagnosis of diseases of trees and other related materials are profusely available in texts like Brhatsamhita, Krshiparashara, Abhilashitartha chintamani, Vrkshayurveda and Upavana vinoda.
To cite one example, Sesame treatment for the soil. The Sesame plants in bloom, when cut into pieces and allowed to mingle with the soil, would become an excellent green manure for the soil for further cultivation. It is also held if this Sesame crop  does not flourish in a field, nothing could be grown there with advantage. Similarly when the fruits of a tree are destroyed prematurely, it should be watered with milk that has been cooled after being boiled with horse gram, green gram, black gram, Sesame and barley. Being treated thus, it will have abundant flowers and fruits.
It is interesting to note the details on transplantation of plants from one country to another and growing three kinds of fruits on the same tree on its different branches.

A look at the Home-Science section of Sanskrit literature. Books like Pakadarpana offers varied and exciting recipes such as preparation of different dals, vegetable dishes from raw  paka Banana ( kadali ), brinjal ( vrntaka ), bittergourd ( karavalli paka ), white pumpkin ( kushmanda ), lotus stalk ( kamala kanda ) and from the leaves of Neem, Lotus, Jackfruit etc. Even non- vegetarian dishes have been mentioned. Preparation of sweet dishes ( payasa ) and setting of curd are its special features.

Nature-cure ( Naturopathy ) can enrich itself with  Hydrotherapy , Chromotherapy , Solartherapy and other types of treatment scattered in Vedic and Sanskrit literature. Herbal treatment is also dealt with.

There are both explored and unexplored texts in Sanskrit on Cookery, Agriculture, Architectecture, Astronomy, Astrology, Chemistry, Aeronautics, Philosophy, Poetics, Dharma Shastra, Epigraphy, State craft, Erotics, Grammar, Lapidary science, Equestrian lore, Elephant lore, Lexicography, Mathematics, Medicine, Music, Religion, Theft and on topics like Mining, Earthquakes, Exploration of water- springs, Comets and others scattered in different Samhitas.

In any comparative study whether language, literature, law or any field of knowledge, Sanskrit can form a rich base. Many findings arrived on the basis of Sanskrit texts can startle the modern scientist. These have only scratched the surface area of rich mine of Sanskrit which has tremendous potential for research.

Further Sanskrit has a characteristic of its own - an ennobling ethical sublime idealism. That knowledge can be a panacea for all types of ailments. The humanistic appeal of qualities like love, compassion, kindness, charity. tolerance the inculcation of which form the creamy layer of Sanskrit literature can add a touch of charm, liveliness and success in any walk of life whether in family, society, business, management or anything. A knowledge of proper study of the Bhagavad Gita and Bhakti literature can impart the Art of living by which man can discover in himself the equipoise to stand up to life's situations, meeting efficiently the ever changing world of challenges he has to meet. Let alone the modern medical research findings on music, yoga, meditation as cure for diseases like Neurosis, High blood pressure, Migraine etc. Even with chanting or listening to the chanting of Vedic mantras , soul-stirring beautiful Sanskrit songs sung, yoga and meditation, the mind can be revived from all its fatigue and it can get recharged with all its irresistible potentialities. Karma and rebirth theory understood in the right perspective can instill will power and motivation and can make life meaningful.

Apart from the universal appeal of Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad-gita ( though a part of the epic Mahabharata only), Panchatantra, Hitopadesha ,etc, there are plenty of books to be explored in classical literature in its varied genres. since Sanskrits works are found in all spheres of life such as Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha , the avenues for research are plenty, throwing light on many things relevant to modern society.
Children magazines like Amarchitrakatha, Chandamama published in Sanskrit, and other languages have popularized rich, moral stories among the masses. Now a days, a new trend is noticed. Many well-known authors are writing their novels on the themes of the Ramayana, the Mahabharata focusing on the special characters like Sita, Rama, Ravana, Draupadi etc.Many authors have admitted in their interview that they draw inspiration, and source material from these ancient texts for their writings. Another innovation is seen now. Chanakyaniti. Hitopadesha ,and similar ones are roped in to highlight the principles of management in them as relevant to modern requirement. Such being the case, can you say that the eternal reservoir of Sanskrit has been dried up ?
It falls on Sanskrit knowing people to take upon themselves to prove the richness of Sanskrit in diversified fields.They should translate Sanskrit works both published and unpublished from Sanskrit into other languages both of India and other countries and works in other languages into Sanskrit to enrich it. Hindu mythologies, stories, theories like caste system, ceremonies, Samskaras should be given a proper face lift in the correct perspective through newspapers, magazines and journals.
The real parameter to judge research is its relevance to social needs. The sublime thoughts of seers and sages put down in writing thousands of years ago are not archaic remains or fossils from the cavern of the past but the facts experienced by the seers themselves.Their statements are marked by a keen desire to promote human welfare. In a culture being bombarded by the outward forces, Sanskrit provides a continuity with our glorious rich past whose motto is, ' Let the entire world be a single family ' and it should be exploited to build a better future fusing all the nations into a single family.
Now this is the time for new image. This is the time for fusion of tradition and modern. Cut flowers are beautiful. But their freshness remain for how long ? When we have the strong healthy roots, why not nurture it and get beautiful flowers which will not only make the birth soil fragrant but will make the entire atmosphere ever fragrant.

Take care of nature and nature will take care of you

                                  Take care of nature and nature will take care of you

The striking features of nature are its richness in variety, orderliness and rhythm. The world of nature is very varied. But still there is an order. There is no clash seen anywhere regarding shelter and food. Of all the created ones, man is supposed to be the supreme because he is credited with discrimination.

The scriptures declare that the entire outside world consisting of earth, sky, the Sun, the moon and the stars, the plant kingdom, animals and birds , the rivers and oceans was created first and then the man. The entire paraphernalia is essential for man to exist and enjoy it and lead a fruitful life. Even now man finds comfort in the lap of nature when he is tired or stressed.

Nature, and the world outside is not an inanimate thing. It is a living, pulsating organism. The great  thinkers of ancient India recognized it fully- understanding it as the cosmic form of the Infinite Reality. It is to be cultured and nourished, respected and revered. If  one approaches nature with the right attitude, he can invoke its grace and blessings to benefit humanity.

The third chapter of the Bhagavad Gita explains the ideal relationship between man and nature beautifully. The whole world of cosmic powers and natural phenomena functions instinctively in the service of all. When you cherish nature with give and take spirit in the society or the community, you shall be cherished by the natural forces in turn, and thus mutually cherishing each other you will reach the highest prosperity, peace and joy.
Man has both the qualities evil and good. There is always a constant struggle between the two. With the advent of the scientific revolution and impact of materialism, the qualities like gratitude, love, kindness tend to erode and selfishness, intolerance, greed, pride, egoism, hatred all predominate. These have brought about innumerable evil results like corruption , vulgarity etc. In spite of his conquest over nature, the wild brutal aspect of nature within him has gained upper hand clouding his glorious qualities of compassion, love, forgiveness, gratitude.
He is disharmony with himself. So he exhibits evil thoughts which emit negative waves. It is a universal law that love begets love and hatred returns hatred only with multiple times. Emitting negative thoughts rebounds on him and ultimately man himself may be wiped out from the surface of the earth.
Nature reflects man. Man's behaviour to nature and other beings is the deciding factor. In his vanity, man thinks that he is successful and that he has achieved things. Really speaking, he cannot achieve anything without the help of nature and community. These are all his gifts. He should realize this. There are innumerable stories available in literatures as to nature saved good people and showed its fury in the form of floods, fire, earth quakes etc in destroying the evil. There is an interesting story that tree went as a witness for a honest man in getting him justice. It is said that the sky, earth, trees are eternal witnesses and man cannot hide anything from them. Even birds animals all help a good person. They punish a bad one.
Rama's kingship was governed by righteousness and his rule was based on the welfare of the people.
Rama-rajya, the ideal kingdom on earth, that was the time when social harmony prevailed and people lived in peace. Because the leader was upright, loving and just. It was a golden age of golden deeds.
Rama-rajya is like Milton's version of millennium, a golden age as he expresses in ' Paradise Lost '.
Milton dreams of
New heavens, new earth, ages of endless data,
Founded in righteousness, and peace and love,
To bring forth fruits, joy and eternal bliss.
During Rama's rule, nobody was tempted to do any violence to any body. Every one was healthy and free from diseases. Trees always brought forth fruits and flowers. The rains were on time. Every one

was contented, none spoke falsehood. A man's  good conduct has such purifying effect on the entire atmosphere. All these aspects of Rama-rajya are relevant in any age.
In the same way, any one of you can conquer the universe around you,because you are the center. If you change, the world will also change. We have  forgotten all the beautiful techniques of mastering the world around, improving our country, beautifying our society with human qualities.
Revolutions or changes in the constitution will not change the world or bring peace.
The world outside is ruled by, governed by, determined by us. Each one of us is responsible for the condition of the world today. Let us change the world by changing ourselves. When man realizes oneness of life, unity of consciousness, he will never engage himself in strife or quarrel. This realization is possible  by introspection and using discrimination.
When man is in harmony with himself and the world, peace and prosperity accrue on its own. The great seers of the Vedas always declared that the movement, speech and mind of the people should be harmonious. They should try to understand each other. Their common goal should be public welfare.
What a glorious vision !

Nuggets for motivation

               
                               Nuggets for motivation

Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.

Experience is not what happens to you. It is what you do with what happens to you.

If you don't crack the shell, you can't eat the nut.

Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not.

The man who never alters his opinions is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind.

The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.

Boredom is a sickness the cure for which is work. Pleasure is only a palliative.

A community whose life is not irrigated by art and science, by religion and philosophy, day upon day, is only half alive.

Society comprises two classes. Those who have more food than appetite, and the those who have more appetite than food.

Human nature is not a machine to be built after a model, and set to do exactly the work prescribed for it, but a tree, which requires to grow and develop itself on all sides, according to the tendency of the inward forces which make it a living thing.

Good governance and the game of chess

       
                                Good governance and the game of chess

It is the knowledge and implementation of the principles and rules of good politics and concern for the welfare of the people that is the basis of good governance and that contributes to the prosperity of the nation.
To inculcate the dry principles of politics through the medium of interesting stories, games and puzzles had been a trend among the wise to common men in those days. It is interesting to note that this remarkable and graceful game of chess was also used as a moral guide in those days. There is a belief that chess was used as a means to cure the cruelty of a vile king of the sixth century B.C who murdered his father also a king and then disposed of his body by chopping it into three hundred pieces and feeding the pieces to three hundred vultures. To put a end to the brutality of his new leader, a good wise minister created chess and taught him and played with him in order to instill virtues and transform him into a just and moral ruler.In those days, when a king fought with his opponents according to rules and regulations and won over them with his skill and wisdom without using any brutal force, the opponents would accede to his sovereignty in awe and admiration for his qualities, accepting the defeat gracefully. There never existed any bitterness in their relationship. This game depicts war between two parties where winning or loosing depends on the skill. In this war game, ideas were important and more powerful than luck or brute force. Morality and politics are integrated. It conveys the truth of politics such as strategy, long-range planning, concentration and extreme care not to loose things. A king takes care of his country. And various pieces in the form of loyal subjects defend their just and moral king. Different pieces may look unequal, but each has strength to be reckoned with. This shows that each member of a society is indispensable, regardless of rank. This game also represents the struggles and hopes of a society.
The game of chess is not merely an amusement tool, but a graceful game of war, discipline and purity. Admiration and fascination for this rich classic game is universal and is seen in nearly every culture throughout the history. It is a popular game. People love it because it is a challenging game of brain, thinking, intelligence. And knowledge is power and it gives a sense of accomplishment and joy.
The game inspired and fascinated many great thinkers such as Voltaire, Rousseau and others.
Benjamin Franklin, a dedicated lover of the game of chess says, " Life is a kind of Chess, in which we have often points to gain, and competitors or adversaries to contend with."
This game became a sort of intellectual and moral whetstone for Franklin. He retired on it to continually sharpen his thinking and clarify his values. In his essay " The Morals of Chess," published in 1786, he pointed out that the game improved a person's
Foresight- looking ahead to the long-term consequences of any action.
Circumspection - surveying the entire scene, observing hidden dynamics and unseen possibilities.
Caution - avoiding haste and unnecessary blunders.
Perseverance - refusing to give up in dim circumstances, continually pushing to improve one's position.
The game teaches and enhances discipline, focus, concentration, patience and persistence, self- perception, efficiency in learning. It increases the cognitive power of the brain'' and makes one feel young.
It is said,
" Play the opening like a book, the middle game like a magician, and the end game like a machine."
The entire nature has been pictured as a chessboard,
"  The chessboard is the world, the pieces are the phenomena of the universe, the rules of the game are what we call the laws of Nature. The player on the other side of the board is hidden from us. We know that his play is always fair, just, and patient. But also we know, to our cost, that he never overlooks a mistake, or makes the smallest allowance for ignorance."

Pause to ponder

                               Pause to ponder


Let early education be a sort of amusement. You will then be better able to discover the child's natural talent.

Man , preceded by the forest,
Is followed by the desert.

Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.

Nature, in giving tears to man, confessed that he had a tender heart. This is our noblest quality.

The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness.

The desire of knowledge, like the thirst of riches, increases ever with the acquisition of it.

The more I read, the more I meditate, and the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing.

Nature never did betray the heart that loved her.

The test of a vocation is the love of the drudgery it involves.

Only he who keeps his eye fixed on the horizon will find his right road.

If I don't practice music one day, I know it, two days, the critics know it, three days, the public knows it.

The decline of literature indicates the decline of a nation.

Mathematics possesses not only truth,but supreme beauty - a beauty cold and austere, like that of a sculpture, without any appeal to any part of our weaker nature, without the gorgeous trappings of painting or music, yet sublimely pure, and capable of a stern perfection such as only the greatest art can show.

The test of any government is to the extent to which it increases the good in the people.

Two men look out through the same window.
One sees the mud, and one the stars.

Heaven and Hell

                            Heaven and Hell


'The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.' So said the great poet Milton.

A devotee prayed to his Lord to enlighten him about heaven and hell. The Lord said to the devotee, " Come, I will show you hell ." They entered a room where a group of people sat around a huge pot of wonderful smelling vegetable curry. Every one looked famished, desperate and starving. Each held a spoon that reached the pot, but each spoon had a handle so much longer than their arm that it could not be used to get the stew into their own mouth. The suffering was terrible. " Come, now I will show you heaven", the Lord said after a while. They entered another room, identical to the first- the pot of delicious curry, the group of people, the same long-handled spoons. But every one was happy and well-nourished. " I don't understand," said the devotee - " why are they happy here whereas the people were miserable in the other room when everything was exactly the same ?" The Lord smiled, " it is simple," He said, " Here they have learnt to feed each other."
Heaven is symbol of happiness and hell denotes suffering and misery.
Selfishness and narrow mindedness cause hell and the spirit of sharing, togetherness and love creates heaven.
Lust, anger and greed are the three gates that lead to hell.- The Bhagavad Gita.
Heaven is large and affords space for all modes of love and fortitude.- Emerson.
In fact mind is the kingdom which by your actions, you make it a heaven or hell.
                                                                 

God helps those who help themselves

 

                                God helps those who help themselves

        You cannot expect anything to happen on its own.
    Miracle can occur when one does some labor on his won.
A merchant was driving along a muddy lane with a full load of merchandise in his wagon, when the wheels of his wagon sank so deep in the mire that no efforts of his horses could move them. As he stood there, looking helplessly on, and calling loudly at intervals upon God for assistance, the God Himself appeared, and said to him, " Put your shoulders to the wheel, man !  and goad on your horses, and then you may call on God to assist you. If you don't lift a finger to help yourself, you can't expect God or any one else to come to your aid."

The Divinity is within you

   
                                The Divinity is within you


'  The Divine spirit is inside of us. If It were not, the power to be good would be beyond our reach.'

There was once a time, when all human beings were Gods, but they abused their divinity  that the creator Brahma decided to take it away from them and hide it where it could never be found. Where to hide their divinity was the question. So Brahma called a council of the Gods to help him decide.
" Let's bury it deep in the  Earth, " suggested the Gods. But Brahma answered, " No, that will not do, because humans will dig into the Earth and find it." Then the Gods said, " Let's sink it in the deepest ocean." But Brahma responded, " No, not there, for they will learn to dive into the ocean and will find it." Then the Gods said, " Let's take it to the top of the highest mountain and hide it there." But once again Brahma replied, " No, that will not do either, because they will eventually climb every mountain and once again take up their Divinity." Then the Gods gave up and lamented, " We do not know where to hide it, because it seems that there is no place on the Earth or in the sea where the intelligent human beings will not eventually reach." Brahma thought for a long time and then said, " Here is what we will do. We will hide their divinity deep in the center of their own being, for humans will never think to look for it there. Their natural tendency is to look for things outside  and not inside." All the Gods agreed that this was the perfect hiding place, and the deed was done. And since that time humans have been going up and down the Earth, digging, diving, climbing and exploring - searching for something already within themselves.

Some one sees you

           
                               Some one sees you

The ancient wisdom teaches that  man can never hide his actions from Nature , the Supreme power. The Sun, moon, stars , the trees , are all supposed to be eternal witnesses of his deeds. Especially, an act of dishonesty is never truly hidden.Many stories depict how trees came to save an honest man from punishment by being witness in law suits filed  by dishonest people.

Once upon a time a man decided to sneak into his neighbor's fields and steal some wheat. " If I take just a little from each field, no one will notice," he told himself, and it will add up to a nice pile of wheat for me." So he waited for the darkest night, when thick clouds covered the moon, and he crept out of his house. He took his youngest daughter with him.
" Daughter, " he whispered, " you must stand guard, and call out if some one sees me."
The man stepped into the first field to begin reaping, and before long the child called out, " Father, some one sees you!" The man looked all around, but he saw no one, so he gathered his stolen wheat and moved on to a second field.
" Father, some one sees you!" The child cried again. The man stopped and looked all around, but once again he saw no one. He gathered more wheat, and moved to a third field.
A little while passed, and the daughter cried out, " Father, some one sees you!"
Once more the man stopped his work, and looked in every direction, but he saw no one at all, so he bundled his wheat and got into the last vast field.
" Father, some one sees you !, " the child called him again. The man stopped reaping, came out hurriedly, looked all around, and once again found no one. " Why in the world do you keep saying some one sees me?" , he angrily asked his daughter. " I have looked everywhere, and I don't see any one."
" Father," murmured the child, " Someone always sees you from above."
What  a great truth in the words of the little girl !

Food for thought

                              Food for thought


Find the key to yourself and every door in the world is open to you.

People fight for religion, die for religion, but rarely follow religion.

All things are good when we learn to master them, but no thing is good when it masters us.

A child outgrows your lap,but never outgrows your heart.

In one stroke one can destroy a rock but not a pillow, even so a humble man can never be destroyed, though man with ego can be.

With love enshrined in the heart, one truly lives. Without it,the body is but bones encased in skin.

Love all , trust a few, do wrong to none.

Do what you should, not what you can.

Happiness does not consist in past times and amusements but in virtuous activities.

Look and you will find it. What is unsought will go undetected.

Fear less, hope more  ; whine less, breathe more ; talk less, say more ; hate less, love more ; and all good things are yours.

The growth of a human character is as the tuning of a lute. If the strings are too slack, there is no music. If they are too tight, they break.

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong, because some day in life you will have been all of these.

All the differences in the world are of degree, and not of kind, because oneness is the secret of everything. All is God. But you cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself.

The Divine spirit is inside of us. If It were not, the power to be good would be beyond our reach.

Empty and be full

                            Empty and be full



Ancient wisdom thoughts ring true even in our age of information load. A Zen master was sharing the tea ceremony with a pupil. The teacher deliberately poured tea into his student's cup until it spilled over on to the table, the floor, and the student's robe. When the student inquired why his master had deliberately poured the hot tea over everything , there was a deep pause, and then the Zen master said, " When your mind is  so full of preconceived notions, you have no room for insights and fresh inspirations."

The greatest surprise

     
                                    The greatest surprise

A journalist dreamt that he interviewed God and asked Him what surprised Him most about people. God answered, " That they get bored being children, are in a rush to grow up, and then later long to be children again. That they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to restore their health."

Relax and enjoy for a while

                             Relax and enjoy for a while

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.

Though we travel the world to find the beauty, we must carry it with us or we find it not.

To handle yourself, use your head,
To handle others, use your heart.

Smile ! It takes only 13 muscles,
Frowning takes 64 muscles.

Parents need to fill a child's bucket of self- esteem and respect so high that the rest of the world can't poke enough holes to make it dry.

For creative things, give time. For productive things, give goals.

Temper gets us into trouble, pride keeps us there.

A single conversation with a wise man is better than ten years of study.

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.

All the wonders you seek are within yourself.

Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh , and the greatness which does not bow before children.

Matter of the mind

             
                                   Matter of the mind

Once upon a time a man whose axe was missing suspected his neighbor's son. The boy walked like a thief, looked like a thief and spoke like a thief. But the man found his axe while digging in the valley, and the next time he saw his neighbor's son, the boy walked, looked and spoke like any other child.

God is missing

 

                          God is missing

A couple had two little boys aged eight and ten years, who were very mischievous. They were always getting into trouble. Their parents knew that if any mischief occurred in their village, their sons were probably involved. The boys' mother that a saint in the outskirts of the village had been successful in disciplining children.So she requested the saint to speak to her sons. The saint smiled and asked her to send her sons to him separately. So, the mother sent her younger son first, in the morning. The saint asked the boy to sit before him and asked him sternly with his powerful voice, " Where is God ?" The boy's mouth dropped open, but he made no response. So the saint repeated the question in an even sterner tone, " Where is God !!?" Again the wide-eyed boy made no attempt to answer. The saint raised his voice and asked, " WHERE IS GOD !?" The boy screamed and ran directly home and dove into a closet, slamming the door behind him. When his older brother found him hiding, he asked, "What happened ?"  The younger brother gasping for breath, replied, " We are in big trouble this time, brother. God is missing and they think we did it!"
These words brought a dramatic change in the elder brother also.There arose no necessity for sending the older one to the saint. From that day on wards the two brothers gave up their mischief and turned into well-behaved boys.

Co-operation

     
                                Co-operation

Variety in all aspects enriches human life. Each being has some unique talent. This diversity of
human beings shows the richness and not the disparity. No work is inferior or superior. Every work contributes to community service. Thus the division of labour involving different kinds of responsibilities among the people is the base for a solid society.
It is not the complaint but justice, fairness, consideration and co-operation alone can make  healthy society of peace and prosperity.
Once a man had a dream in which his hands and feet and mouth and brain all began to rebel against his stomach.
" You good-for -nothing sluggard !", the hands said, "  We work all day long by sawing, hammering and lifting and carrying. By evening we are covered with blisters and scratches, and our joints ache, and we are covered with dirt. And meanwhile you just sit there, hogging all the food."
" We agree ! Cried the feet, " Think sore we get walking back and forth all day long. And you just stuff yourself with so many things, you greedy pig, so that you're that much heavier to carry about."
"That's right ! ", whined the mouth, " Where do you think all that food you love comes from ? I am
the one who has to chew it all up, and as soon as I am finished you suck it all down for yourself. Is that fair ?"
" And what about me ?", cried the brain. "  Do you think it's easy being up here, having to think about where your next meal is going to come from ? "  And yet I get nothing at all for my pains."
And one by one all parts of the body joined the complaint against the stomach, which did not say anything at all. " I have an idea " , the brain finally announced. " Let us all rebel against this lazy belly, and stop working for it."
" Excellent idea ! ", all the other membersand organs agreed. " We will teach you how important we are, you pig ! , then may be you'll do you a little work of your own."
So they all stopped working. The hands  refused to do any lifting or carrying. The feet refused to walk. The mouth promised not to chew or swallow a single bite. And brain swore it would not come up with any more bright ideas . At first the stomach growled a bit, as itt always did when it was hungry. But after a while it was quiet.
Then, to the dreaming man's surprise, he found he could not walk and felt very weak. He could not grasp any thing anything in his hands. He could not even open his mouth. And he suddenly began to feel rather very ill.

The dream seemed to go onfor several days. As each day passed, the man felt worse and worse.
Meanwhile, the hands and feet and mouth and brain just lay there, getting weaker and weaker. At first they roused themselves just enough to taunt the stomach every once in a while, but beforelong they did not even have the energy for that.
Finallythe man heard a faint voice coming from the direction of his feet.
"  It could be that we are wrong ",they were saying.
" We suppose the stomach might have been in his own way all along", the hands said.
" I was thinking the same thing ", murmured the brain. It is true he has been getting all the food. But it seems he's been sending most of it right back to us ."
" I think we must admit our error ", the mouth said, " The stomach has just as much work to do as the hands and feet and brain and teeth".
" Then let us all get back to work", they cried together.
And at that the man woke up. To his relief , he discoveredhis feet could walk again. His hands could grasp, his mouth could chew, and his brain could now think clearly. He began to feel much better.
" Well, there is a lesson for me to learn" , he thought as he filled his stomach at breakfast.
" Either we all work together, or nothing works at all ".