Wisdom Bytes

                            Wisdom  Bytes

•     Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.
• Don’t  worry when you are not recognized but strive to be worthy of recognition.
• It takes a moment to make a decision that can take a lifetime to deal with consequences.
• The hallmark of patriotism is when a man is proud of the place in which he lives , and a man should live in such a manner that his place will be proud of him.
• All progress in life is sacrifice. The flower must bring forth the fruit. But when the time of fruition arrives, it sheds its exquisite petals ,and gives up its sweet perfume also. For the flower to develop, the bud sacrifices itself; for the fruit, the flower; for the seed, the fruit ; for the plant, the seed.
• It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.
• Always have faith in God, and do the right things in all circumstances. When God pushes you to the edge of difficulty, trust Him fully. Two things can happen- either He will catch you when you fall, or He will teach you how to fly.
• If there is anything that links the Human to the Divine, it is the courage to stand by the principles when everybody else rejects it.

Simple living and high thinking

                          Simple living and high thinking

       Man's real joy contains in simple living, and high thinking. In fact, the world with its variegated attractions is a test ground for his charcter.

Man has been created in such a way that it is the general tendency of the sense organs is to draw the man towards outside things, and not inwards. It is only the self-controlled one can shut his eyes to outward things, and behold the ever effulgent Self within. Such a self-controlled person is called ' Dhirah ' , the courageous one. The famous Sanskrit poet Kalidasa defines that those persons whose minds are not disturbed even in the presence of causes for such agitation,excitement or distraction, only they are called Dhiraah. In his great epic poem Kumarasambhavam, the context is Shiva was doing penance. Parvat, the daughter of the Himalayas, the lord of the mountains, in order to get Shiva as her husband, gave up all her royal comforts, and came to serving him. Lord Shiva, the great ascetic  he was, was not disturbed at all.
According to the Bhagavadgita that man is really courageous ' Dhira' who regards happiness, suffering alike, gold, mud, and stone equanimously, to whom the praise and blame, honorand insult are equal things.
But the natural tendency of common man is to get attracted towards things outside. In the present age of technological advancement and consumerism, there is no limit to attractive things. Working day, and night to earn money at the cost of health, and family, greed, and pride of possessing things, and enjoying them have become the traits of modern man.

The more we consume, the more waste we produce, and spoil the equilibrium , and atmosphere of Nature leading to the ruin of all species including ourselves.

It does not mean one should be always poor, and not enjoy things. But man should earn, enjoy things within limits, and if he has more wealth, it should be donated for the welfare of the society.

Regardless of man's material progress in life, his happiness is determined chiefly by his control over the senses and ability to remain contented with detachment towards the world of objects, realizing their impermanent nature , and running after them like a mirage will lead him nowhere except into the dark pit of unrighteus acts, and endless suffering.

There is a beautiful wise saying in Sanskrit,
" He is poor who is unhappy, not one who does not possess wealth. Likewise, he who has not conquered his senses is pitable, not the poor. He is free who is unattached to objects, but one attached to things is always in bondage."

The great philosopher Socrates was unique , and a model-role for everyone. He believed that a wise person instinctively leads a frugal life. He himself would not even wear shoes. Yet he constantly would go to market place quite often to look at all things on display. One of his friends, observing this was surprised, and asked him the reason for his strange behavior. Socrates said, " I have to go there, and discover how many things I am perfectly happy without."

The famous mystic poet Kabirdas always used to pray- " O Lord, Give me that in which my family is satiated. Neither I remain hungry nor any visitor goes unfed."

Humility brings power, haughtiness is a sign of downfall.

                                         Humility brings power, haughtiness is a sign of downfall


               We should always be grateful for what we get in life. It is due to the grace of the Almighty, the entire bounty of Nature is equally shared by all, and at our service so that we live in peace and let others live in peace. So , no possession should make anyone proud of himself, and great. Infact, too much attraction, attachment to materialistic things , and possession of them with the intention of displaying one’s superiority is a sure sign of one’s downfall only. Acquisition of  wealth, and power is not bad, because all don’t have the talent and opportunity to achieve the same. But materialistic possessions without the purpose of distibution to the welfare of the community lead to downfall only.

Someone told the great mystic Rumi, “ When the Mongols came to these parts they were naked, and bare. They rode on bullocks, and their weapons were made of wood. Now they are sleek,and well-fed, they have slendid horses, and carry fine arms.”
Rumi said , “ When they were desperate, and weak, and had no strength, God helped them, and answered their prayers. Now , when they are so powerful, and mighty, puffed with arrogance to plunder, and conquer others out of greed, God is destroying them with the comforts of the fullest, so that they will realize it was through God’s bounty and support that they captured the world, and not by their own force and powers.”

Woman- From a man's view

                                Woman - From a man's view

•    A man at the age of thirty admires the young body , and beauty of his wife.
•   At the age of forty, he understands her pure, and sincere love.
•   At the age of fifty, he realizes her as his priceless possession, and indispensable partnership in his family.
• At the age od sixty, he comes to the conclusion that he can't live without her.
•  At the age of seventy, she becomes the mother, and he her child.
•  Above and over the age of eighty, wife is adored as goddess, and he becomes a devotee.

Human beings are either Lark or Owl

                              Human beings are either Lark or Owl


        Generally the morning time is for work, and night is for rest according to biological body clock. In good olden days, Sunrise was the clock for work as it was the source of light, freshness, and energy, and Sunset with warmth, and light gone, spreading darkness, and coolness created a natural atmosphere for rest from day's hard work. Thus Nature dictated, guided, and maintained work-rest balance for man to lead a healthy,and happy life, enjoying all the gifts given by her.Thus we are all diurnal mammals designed to function during the day as oppossed to the night from time immemorial irrespective of age, and place.

Now with the invention of electricity, and artificial lights, and generator supplying incessant electricity, and due to nature, and pressure of work due to globalization, availability of various electronic devices pouring news, and knowledge from all around the world, the concept of day, and night is gone. Many are prone to work at night, and rest in the morning.

Morning people are like Larks to stary early, then go to bed early too. Evening or night people are like owls who prefer to start the day later, and slower, then carrying on into the night. Though Nature advocates that the work done during the day is more efficient, quicker, and productive, what really matters is the enthusiasm, energy, concentration, and sole application of mind to the work undertaken. If these qualities are there, whether day or night, man does achieve his desired goal. But the question is - " Does this have a long-term effect on the body, and mind health of the worker?

But the well- known saying is-
" Early to bed, and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."
 Now it is for the people, and scientists to rediscover the truth behind this immortal saying.

Mines of Wisdom

                                    Mines of Wisdom

• Everywhere Fowers are the calendar of seasons.
• The law of the universe is, 'What you give is what comes back to you. 

•   Fill the brain with high thoughts, highest ideals, and place them day and night before you, and out of that will come great works.
•   The greater the obstacle, the more is the glory in overcoming it. 

•   Never regret. If it's good, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it is an experience.
•   Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, Faith looks up. 

•    When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.  

Why Kabirdas laughed?

 

   
                                      Why Kabirdas laughed?



        The saint Kabirdas was a Muslim saint, a devoted disciple of the famous Hindu preceptor Ramananda. He was a self-realized soul. For him different names denoted the same God. He fought for the unity of Hindus, and Muslims. Naturally, some groups from both the communities might not have liked this for the fear of losing their authority over the common people, as is seen today also.

Once both the groups scolded him. Kabirdas started laughing, instead of getting angry or reacting in a wild manner. The behavior of the saint irritated them.
Both Hindus, and Muslims asked, “ we are reprimanding you to make you feel bad,and warn you to remain yourself within your boundaries as you are entering on our territories . But you are laughing, ignoring us, so strange, why?”

The saint replied coolly, and with a pleasing smile, “ In scolding me atleast both of you are together, showing your unity in this atleast. That is why I laughed. This is the expression of happiness.”