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June 18th, 2011
Gandhiji: Self Restraint vs Self Indulgence
May those who have not made self-indulgence a religion, but who are struggling to regain lost self-control which should under normal conditions be our natural state, find some help from a perusal of these pages. For their guidance, the following instructions may prove needful:
1. Remember if you are married that your wife is your friend, companion and co-worker, not an instrument of sexual enjoyment.
2. Self-control is the law of your being. Therefore, the sexual act can be performed only when both desire it, and that too subject to rules which in their lucidity both may have agreed upon.
3. If you are unmarried you owe it to yourself, to society and to your future partner to keep yourself pure. If you cultivate this sense of loyalty, you will find it as an infallible protection against all temptation.
4. Think always of that Unseen Power which, though we may never see, we all feel within us as watching and noting every impure thought, and you will find that Power ever helping you.
5. Laws governing a life of self-restraint must be necessarily different from a life of self-indulgence. Therefore you will regulate your society, your reading, your haunts of recreation and your food.
You will seek the society of the good and the pure.
You will resolutely refrain from reading passion-breeding novels and magazines and read the works that sustain humanity. You will make one book your constant companion for reference and guidance.
You will avoid theatres and cinemas. Recreation is where you may not dissipate yourself but recreate yourself. You will, therefore, attend bhajan-mandalis where the word and the tune uplift the soul.
You will eat not to satisfy your palate but your hunger. A self-indulgent man lives to eat; a self-restrained man eats to live. Therefore, you will abstain from all irritating condiments, alcohol which excites the nerves, and narcotics which deaden the sense of right and wrong. You will regulate the quantity and time of your meals.
6. When your passions threaten to get the better of you, go down on your knees and cry out to God for help. Rama-Nama is my infallible help. As extraneous aid take a hip-bath, i.e., sit in a tub full of cold water with your legs out of it, and you will find your passions have immediately cooled. Sit in it for a few minutes unless you are weak and there is danger of a chill.
7. Take brisk walking exercise in the open air early in the morning and at night before going to bed.
8. ‘Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise,’ is a sound proverb. 9 o’clock to bed and 4 o’clock to rise is a good rule. Go to bed on an empty stomach. Therefore, your last meal must not be after 6 p.m.
9. Remember that man is a representative of God to serve all that lives and thus to express God’s dignity and love. Let service be your sole joy, and you will need no other enjoyment in life.
M. K. GANDHI
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Endearingly called ‘Bapu ji’ (Asaram Bapu Ji), His Holiness is a Self-Realized Saint from India. Pujya Asaram Bapu ji preaches the existence of One Supreme Conscious in every human being, be it Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh or anyone else. Pujya Bapu ji represents a confluence of Bhakti Yoga, Gyan Yoga & Karma Yoga. For more information, kindly visit –
www.ashram.org
yss.ashram.org (Yuva Seva Sangh)
sss.ashram.org (Sadhak Shikshak Sangathan)
gurukul.ashram.org (Gurukul)
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June 18th, 2011
Gandhiji on Brahmacharya
NO, I MUST DECLARE with all the power I can command that sensual attraction even between husband and wife is unnatural. Marriage is meant to cleanse the hearts of sordid passions and take them nearer to God. Lustless love between husband and wife is not impossible. Man is not a brute. He has risen to a higher state after countless births in brute creation. He is born to stand, not to walk on all fours or crawl. Bestiality is as far removed from manhood as matter from spirit. I submit that marriage is a fence that protects religion. If the fence were to be destroyed, religion would go to pieces. The foundation of religion is restraint, and marriage is nothing but restraint. The man who knows no restraint has no hope of self-realization. . . . The body may be either a playground of passion or a temple of self-realization. If it is the latter, there is no room there for libertinism. The spirit needs must curb the flesh every moment.
Human society is a ceaseless growth, an unfoldment in terms of spirituality. If so, it must be based on ever-increasing restraint upon the demands of the flesh. Thus, marriage must be considered to be a sacrament imposing discipline upon the partners, restricting them to the physical union only between themselves, and for the purpose only of procreation when both the partners desire it and are prepared for it.
If the married couple can think of each other as brother and sister, they are freed for universal service. The very thought that all the women in the world are one’s sisters, mothers or daughters will at once ennoble a man and snap his chains. The husband and wife do not lose anything here, but only add to their resources and even to their family. Their love becomes free from the impurity of lust and so grows stronger. With the disappearance of this impurity, they can serve each other better, and the occasions for quarrel become fewer. There are more occasions for quarrel, where the love is selfish and bounded.
If the foregoing argument is appreciated, a consideration of the physical benefits of chastity becomes a matter of secondary importance. How foolish it is intentionally to dissipate vital energy in sensual enjoyment! It is a grave misuse to fritter away for physical gratification that which is given to man and woman for the full development of their bodily and mental powers. Such misuse is the root cause of many a disease.
Brahmcharya, like all other observances, must be observed in thought, word and deed. We are told in the Gita, and experience will corroborate the statement, that the foolish man, who appears to control his body but is nursing evil thoughts in his mind, makes a vain effort. It may be harmful to suppress the body, if the mind is at the same time allowed to go astray. Where the mind wanders, the body must follow sooner or later.
It is necessary here to appreciate a distinction. It is one thing to allow the mind to harbor impure thoughts; it is a different thing altogether if it strays among them in spite of ourselves. Victory will be ours in the end, if we non-cooperate with the mind in its evil wanderings.
We experience every moment of our lives that often while the body is subject to our control, the mind is not. This physical control should never be relaxed, and in addition we must put forth a constant endeavor to bring the mind under control. We can do nothing more, nothing less. If we give way to the mind, the body and the mind will pull different ways, and we shall be false to ourselves. Body and mind may be said to go together, so long as we continue to resist the approach of every evil thought.
The observance of Brahmcharya has been believed to very difficult, almost impossible. In trying to find a reason for this belief, we see that the term Brahmcharya has been taken in a narrow sense. Mere control of animal passion has been thought to be tantamount to observing Brahmcharya. I feel that this conception is incomplete and wrong. Brahmcharya means control of all the organs of sense. He who attempts to control only one organ and allows all the others free play is bound to find his effort futile. To hear suggestive stories with the ears, to see suggestive sights with the eyes, to taste stimulating food with the tongue, to touch exciting things with the hands, and then at the same time expect to control the only remaining organ, is like putting one’s hands in a fire and then expecting to escape being burnt. He, therefore, who is resolved to control the one must be likewise determined to control the rest. I have always felt that much harm has been done by the narrow definition of Brahmcharya. If we practice simultaneous self-control in all directions, the attempt will be scientific and possible of success. Perhaps the palate is the chief sinner. . . .
Today our entire environment—our reading, our thinking, our social behavior-is generally calculated to sub-serve and cater for the sex-urge. To break through its coils is no easy task. But it is a task worthy of our highest endeavor. . .
Thus it is NOT proved to my satisfaction that sexual union in marriage is in itself good and beneficial to the unionists. To the contrary effect I can bear ample testimony from my own experience and that of many friends. I am not aware of any of us having derived any benefit, mental, spiritual or physical. Momentary excitement and satisfaction there certainly was. But it was invariably followed by exhaustion. And the desire for union returned immediately the effect of exhaustion had worn out. Although I have always been a conscientious worker, I can clearly recall the fact that this indulgence interfered with my work. It was the consciousness of this limitation that put me on the track of self-restraint; and I have no manner of doubt that the self-restraint is responsible for the comparative freedom from illnesses that I have enjoyed for long periods and for my output of energy and work, both physical and mental, which eye-witnesses have described as phenomenal.
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Endearingly called ‘Bapu ji’ (Asaram Bapu Ji), His Holiness is a Self-Realized Saint from India. Pujya Asaram Bapu ji preaches the existence of One Supreme Conscious in every human being, be it Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh or anyone else. Pujya Bapu ji represents a confluence of Bhakti Yoga, Gyan Yoga & Karma Yoga. For more information, kindly visit –
www.ashram.org
yss.ashram.org (Yuva Seva Sangh)
sss.ashram.org (Sadhak Shikshak Sangathan)
gurukul.ashram.org (Gurukul)
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June 17th, 2011
Facing Problems? Good…
When you tread the spiritual path that takes you closer to God, you are bound to face both favorable and unfavorable circumstances in the course of your journey. When circumstances start becoming favorable to you, it shows that you have succeeded on this path a little bit. However, if you start facing adversities, then take it as a sure sign that you will be treading the path with greater speed.
जिन्हें वो चाहता है, उन्हीं को आज़माता है,
रहमतें खजाने के, इसी बहाने लुटाता है |
“They alone, whom He loves, are by Him tried and put to test.
The treasures of His benign Grace, does He shower on them under this pretext.”
That devotee is fortunate, who finds that he has to deal with relatives who harass him. Meera may not have been as resolute as she was in her devotion to Krishna, had she not had relatives who oppressed and troubled her. Similarly, were it not for the stubborn king, Hiranyakashipu, who troubled little Prahlad, he might not have been so steadfast in his devotion to Lord Shri Hari. Had Sant Eknath not come by troublemakers, it is possible that he might not have been so firmly established in patience and divine peace.
When troubles and obstacles come our way, it is perhaps because God wants to establish us quickly in our divine nature of serenity. On the other hand, if pleasures and comfort come our way, it might mean that God knows our weakness that we are devoted to pleasure, and so He gives us these toys. Accept the toys that come to you, but don’t get carried away by them.
The point is to take care that the toys don’t gain control over you, becoming the focal point of your life. Accept them as gifts from God. Just as when we make offerings of sweets to God, we receive it as Prasad, and then do not eat it alone, but distribute it to others as well. Similarly, when you are blessed with competence or comforts, make good use of them in the service of God. Likewise, when faced with difficulties or obstacles, just tide over them and get to your serene nature. Such a devotee quickly succeeds in his spiritual endeavor.
Do not become bloated in favorable circumstances, nor lose heart in adverse conditions. Both happiness and sorrow will invariably pass away. Irrespective of the nature of the present situation, you must always reiterate in your mind that this, too, will be over. Keep telling your mind, ‘Even this shall pass away‘. This will quieten the mind and gradually eliminate your sense of attachment and hatred.
Make your vision divine, and see the world as an expression of Divinity. Your wealth, property and power will not accompany you on your final journey. It is only your intrinsic nature that will accompany you after your death. Therefore, always strive to elevate your nature; let it touch the loftiest heights of sublimity. Once the effulgent Sun of knowledge rises on the horizon of your life, the demon mind that roams in the darkness of the world’s illusions will be destroyed right away. Afflictions like lust, anger, and greed will dissipate and disappear. The path of your life will become fully illumined and filled with bliss. As a human being, you will thus find true fulfillment.
(This article has been prepared based on excerpts from the Satsang of Param Pujya Sant Shri Asaramji Bapuji. For more information about Pujya Bapuji, kindly visit – www.ashram.org)
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Endearingly called ‘Bapu ji’ (Asaram Bapu Ji), His Holiness is a Self-Realized Saint from India. Pujya Asaram Bapu ji preaches the existence of One Supreme Conscious in every human being, be it Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh or anyone else. Pujya Bapu ji represents a confluence of Bhakti Yoga, Gyan Yoga & Karma Yoga. For more information, kindly visit –
www.ashram.org
yss.ashram.org (Yuva Seva Sangh)
sss.ashram.org (Sadhak Shikshak Sangathan)
gurukul.ashram.org (Gurukul)
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May 28th, 2011
The word Guru is composed of the syllables “Gu”, denoting ignorance, and “ru”, denoting its removal. “Guru” is therefore someone who removes one’s ignorance, and opens one up to experiencing oneself and living in joy. Over the ages, seers from diverse traditions have said and written in great depth about the sacred bond between Guru and disciple. A humble sampling of these is presented in this issue of Inner Voice.
“Just as without the help of teachers and experts, one cannot become proficient in the worldly knowledge that is taught in universities, so the sublime knowledge of the Absolute does not come without the guidance of a competent Guru.”
- Anandmayi Ma
“The holy teachings that come from the mouth of godly men seem to be uttered by those men themselves, but in reality they proceed from God.”
- Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa
“The Grace of the Guru is like an ocean. If one comes with a cup he will only get a cupful. The bigger the vessel the more one will be able to carry. It is entirely up to him.”
- Ramana Maharishi
गुरु गोविन्द दोनों खड़े, काके लागूँ पाय |
बलिहारी गुरु आपने, गोविन्द दियो बताये ||
Translation: Guru and God both appear before me. To whom should I prostrate? I bow before Guru who introduced God to me.
- Sant Kabirji
“Even the Vedas will fail to sing the glory of Guru who is the torch-bearer of wisdom. Grace of Lord takes the form of a Guru. God and Guru are in truth one and the same.”
- Swami Sivananda
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May 23rd, 2011
Who is Wealthy?
A saint was praying silently. A wealthy merchant, observing the saint’s devotion and sincerity, was deeply touched by him. The merchant offered the saint a bag of gold. “I know that you will use the money for God’s sake. Please take it.”
“Just a moment.” The saint replied. “I’m not sure if it is lawful for me to take your money. Are you a wealthy man? Do you have more money at home?”
“Oh yes. I have at least one thousand gold pieces at home,” claimed the merchant proudly.
“Do you want a thousand gold pieces more? asked the saint.
“Why not, of course yes. Every day I work hard to earn more money.”
“And do you wish for yet a thousand gold pieces more beyond that?”
“Certainly. Every day I pray that I may earn more and more money.”
The saint pushed the bag of gold back to the merchant. “I am sorry, but I cannot take your gold,” he said. “A wealthy man cannot take money from a beggar.”
“How can you call yourself a wealthy man and me a beggar?” the merchant spluttered.
The saint replied, “I am a wealthy man because I am content with whatever God sends me. You are a beggar, because no matter how much you possess, you are always dissatisfied, and always begging God for more.”
Desires are never fulfilled even if they are temporarily satisfied. As fire consumes offered ghee and increases, desire also increases with consumption. By gratifying the senses, no one can ever become satisfied. We should look for the spiritual wealth within ourselves. This is the only way which will bring ultimate satisfaction.
जो आवे संतोष धन, और धन धूलि सामान…
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May 7th, 2011
How to become a darling of the Lord?
All of us love God in our own ways according to our beliefs. But if you ask God, “O Lord! What kind of a person is particularly dear to You?”, and if you start your journey of love according to His liking, you will become an embodiment of love and bliss sooner rather than later.
The Lord says (in the Bhagvad Gita) that He likes the devotee who:
1. Has malice towards none; is a friend of all; is kind towards all; is free from attachment and ego; is equanimous in pleasure and pain; is forgiving.
2. Is a yogi and is always contented; has his body, mind and senses under complete control; is firm and resolute; has surrendered his body and mind to God.
3. Has no fear nor causes fear to any living being; is same in happiness and sorrow.
4. Has no desires; is pure in body and mind; is sharp-witted; takes no sides; is free from sorrow; has no feeling of being a doer in anything he does.
5. Is equanimous and blissful within, even though looking happy or unhappy externally; does never grieve for, nor desires anything; does never expect or fear the fruit of his good or bad actions.
6. Loves friends and enemies alike; is equable in respect and disrespect, heat and cold, happiness and sorrow; has no attachment to samsara.
7. Is equanimous in criticism and praise; speaks only if necessary; is content in what fate hands him.
(This article has been prepared based on excerpts from the Satsang of Param Pujya Sant Shri Asaramji Bapuji. For more information about Pujya Bapuji, kindly visit – www.ashram.org)
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Endearingly called ‘Bapu ji’ (Asaram Bapu Ji), His Holiness is a Self-Realized Saint from India. Pujya Asaram Bapu ji preaches the existence of One Supreme Conscious in every human being, be it Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh or anyone else. Pujya Bapu ji represents a confluence of Bhakti Yoga, Gyan Yoga & Karma Yoga. For more information, kindly visit –
www.ashram.org [Official Website]
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March 16th, 2011
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Holi – The Festival of Colors
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Indian culture presents a chain of festivals based on scientific ground for the whole year. One of them, the festivals of Holi, which falls in the spring season, is the festival of fun and frolic, played with natural colors. It has a wholesome effect on health. If one plays Holi with flowers of Palash (Butea Frondosa), resistance to the heat of the coming summer season is developed, and one gains in terms of mental composure. It is also a good insurance against affliction triggered with the change of season.
Rescue Holi from its perversions
Of late, thoughtless use of chemical colors for playing Holi has led to many an affliction. Doctors have testified to the same.
“The chemicals detergents and sand that are used for making Gulal nowadays are not only harmful to the skin, they can also prove dangerous for eyes, bronchi and the hair.”
–Dr, Anil Goel (Senior Dermatologist)
“The chemicals like malachite and that are used in making artificial colors can cause damage to vital organs like the trachea, the heart and the kidneys.”
–Dr. R.N. Kalra (President, Indian Heart Foundation)
Deleterious effects of chemicals used in making artificial colors
| Paste |
Chemicals |
Deleterious Effect |
| Black Color |
Lead Oxide |
Renal Failure |
| Green Color |
Copper Sulphate |
Eye Allergy, Swelling, Temporary Blindness |
| Silver Color |
Aluminium Bromide |
Cancer |
| Blue Color |
Prussian Blue |
Contact Dermatitis – A Dreaded Skin Disease |
| Red Color |
Mercury Sulphate |
Skin Cancer |
Therefore, do play Holi, but not with chemical colours. Play Holi with natural colors which you can yourself make at home.
Simple and easy methods of making natural dry and wet colors –
Saffron colour: The flame of the forest (Butea Monosperma) known as Tesu, Palash or Dhak, is the source of the wonderful, tradition color for Holi. The flowers are soaked overnight in water. The mixture can be used as it is and can also be boiled. Palash flowers are the best to play Holi with. Our scriptures too have an account of Holi played traditionally with Palash flowers.
These flowers also have a lot of medicinal properties. According to Ayurveda, playing Holi with Tesu flowers alleviates doshas caused by Kapha and Pitta, and is beneficial in leprosy, inflammation, and blood disorders. It regulates blood circulation and strengthens the muscles. It also strengthens the mental faculties and will power.
1. Green dry colour : (1) Use mehendi /heena powder separately or mix with equal quantity of any suitable flour to attain a lovely green shade (2) Make use of mehendi mixed with amla to make brown color. It is good for the skin and the hair.
2. Dry yellow colour: Dry yellow color can be obtained by mixing turmeric powder and besan (gram pulse flour) or by grading Amaltas (Cassia Fistula) and Marigold (Gainda) flowers dried on shade.
3. Wet yellow colour : (1) Add one teaspoon of turmeric powder to two litres of water and stir well. This can be boiled to increase the concentration of color and further diluted (2) Soak Amaltas (Cassia Tistula) or Marigold (Gainda) (Tagetus erecta) flowers in water. Boil and leave overnight.
4. Red Colour: Red Sandal Wood Powder (Rakta chandan/Lal Chandan) can be used as dry red color. It is extremely beneficial for the skin and is used in face packs etc. For wet red color, put 2 teaspoons of Red Sandal wood Powder in a litre of water and boil. Dilute and use.
Health Care During Spring Season
In this season, one should not take heavy, fatty, sour and sweet foods, and should take easily digestible, dry, bitter, astringent and pungent items like parched rice, roasted grams, barley, mung beans, bitter gourd, radish, fresh turmeric, ginger, black pepper, dried ginger, etc.
The practice of taking salt-less diet for 15-20 days after Holi is extremely good for health. It purifies the blood and prevents the diseases of the heart, kidney, liver and skin. It has been observed that the people who take a salt-free diet during this period every year, do enjoy a better health than others.
(This article has been prepared based on excerpts from the Satsang of Param Pujya Sant Shri Asaramji Bapuji. For more information about Pujya Bapuji, kindly visit – www.ashram.org)
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Endearingly called ‘Bapu ji’ (Asaram Bapu Ji), His Holiness is a Self-Realized Saint from India. Pujya Asaram Bapu ji preaches the existence of One Supreme Conscious in every human being, be it Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh or anyone else. Pujya Bapu ji represents a confluence of Bhakti Yoga, Gyan Yoga & Karma Yoga. For more information, kindly visit –
www.ashram.org
yss.ashram.org (Yuva Seva Sangh)
sss.ashram.org (Sadhak Shikshak Sangathan)
gurukul.ashram.org (Gurukul)
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March 3rd, 2011
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Inspiring Anecdotes of Gandhiji
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Gandhiji’s Commitment to Serving the Needy
Mahatma Gandhi had among his aides, a doctor who had been abroad. A woman was very sick. She came to Gandhiji.
Gandhiji said to the doctor, “Give neem leaves and buttermilk to this poor woman; she will be alright.” The doctor told the treatment to the woman and forgot all about it.
After a couple of hours, Gandhiji asked the doctor, “Did you give the neem leaves to that woman?”
The doctor said, “She must have taken.”
“Did you give her buttermilk?”
“Er…yes…she would have taken.”
“What kind of a doctor are you? Have you verified or not whether she has taken neem leaves and buttermilk? The doctor’s job does not end with examining the patient and prescribing medicine. So long as the patient is not cured, it is the duty of the doctor to treat the patient and to eradicate his troubles.”
Gandhiji himself went to the woman and asked, “Good woman! Have you taken buttermilk?”
The woman said, “Bapuji! I have no money. At least one paisa is required for a glass of buttermilk. Where can I bring that one paisa from?”
Gandhiji was pained to see the pathetic condition of the woman. He scolded the doctor and said, “Couldn’t you provide her with a glass of buttermilk by requesting somebody from the village or buying it with your own money?”
Gandhiji gave neem leaves and buttermilk to the woman and she became alright.
Gandhiji’s heart was so full of love, fellow-feeling, sympathy and compassion for the poor. It is this reason why crores of people remember him as “Mahatma”.
Gandhiji’s Quick-Wittedness
Once Gandhiji was travelling by train. The scenery outside was very beautiful. He was standing at the door and looking at India’s natural beauty.
It so happened that one of his chappals slipped away and fell down from the train. Without wasting a moment, Gandhiji threw the second chappal also.
One of his companions asked, “Why did you throw the second chappal?”
Gandhiji said, “It would have been no use to me. And the fallen chappal too would have been of no use to the finder. Now at least the finder can use the full pair.”
The questioner was amazed and delighted at Gandhiji’s quick-wittedness full of beneficence.
(This article has been prepared based on excerpts from the Satsang of Param Pujya Sant Shri Asaramji Bapuji. For more information about Pujya Bapuji, kindly visit – www.ashram.org)
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Endearingly called ‘Bapu ji’ (Asaram Bapu Ji), His Holiness is a Self-Realized Saint from India. Pujya Asaram Bapu ji preaches the existence of One Supreme Conscious in every human being, be it Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh or anyone else. Pujya Bapu ji represents a confluence of Bhakti Yoga, Gyan Yoga & Karma Yoga. For more information, kindly visit –
www.ashram.org
yss.ashram.org (Yuva Seva Sangh)
sss.ashram.org (Sadhak Shikshak Sangathan)
gurukul.ashram.org (Gurukul)
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March 3rd, 2011
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Letter from Lord Ram
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Shivani went to her mailbox and there was only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but then she looked at the envelope again. There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address.
She read the letter:
“Dear Shivani: I’m going to be in your neighborhood Saturday afternoon and I’d like to stop by for a visit.
Love Always, Lord Ram”
Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table.
“Why would the Lord want to visit me? I’m nobody special. I don’t have anything to offer.”
With that thought, Shivani remembered her empty kitchen cabinets.
“Oh my goodness, I really don’t have anything to offer. I’ll have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner.”
She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. One hundred and seventy rupees.
“Well, I can get some bread and vegetables, at least.”
She threw on her coat and hurried out the door. A loaf of bread, various vegetables, and a carton of milk, leaving Shivani with grand total of thirty rupees to last her until Monday. Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her meager offerings tucked under her arm.
“Hey lady, can you help us, lady?”
Shivani had been so absorbed in her dinner plans; she hadn’t even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway. A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags.
“Look lady, I ain’t got a job, you know, and my wife and I have been living out here on the street, and, well, now it’s getting cold and we’re getting kind of hungry and, well, if you could help us. Lady, we’d really appreciate it.”
Shivani looked at them both. They were dirty, they smelled bad and frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to.
“Bhai ji, I’d like to help you, but I’m a poor woman myself. All I have is a few vegetables, some bread and milk and I’m having an important guest for dinner tonight and I was planning on serving that to Him.”
“Yeah, well, okay lady, I understand. Thanks anyway.”
The man put his arm around the woman’s shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley. As she watched them leave, Shivani felt a familiar twinge in her heart.
“Bhai ji, wait!”
The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them.
“Look, why don’t you take this food. I’ll figure out something else to serve my guest.”
She handed the man her grocery bag.
“Thank you lady. Thank you very much!” “Yes, thank you!”
It was the man’s wife, and Shivani could see now that she was shivering.
“You know, I’ve got another coat at home. Here, why don’t you take this one.”
Shivani unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman’s shoulders. Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street…without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest.
“Thank you lady! Thank you very much!”
Shivani was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit and she didn’t have anything to offer Him.
She fumbled through her purse for the door key. But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox.
“That’s odd. The mailman doesn’t usually come twice in one day.”
She took the envelope out of the box and opened it.
She read the letter:
“Dear Shivani: It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely meal. And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.
Love Always Lord Ram”
The air was still cold, but even without her coat, Shivani no longer felt the cold. A thrill ran through her entire being and her eyes were filled with tears of joy.
From Bhagavad Gita Ch.18, verse 61:
The Lord dwells in the hearts of all beings.
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Endearingly called ‘Bapu ji’ (Asaram Bapu Ji), His Holiness is a Self-Realized Saint from India. Pujya Asaram Bapu ji preaches the existence of One Supreme Conscious in every human being, be it Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh or anyone else. Pujya Bapu ji represents a confluence of Bhakti Yoga, Gyan Yoga & Karma Yoga. For more information, kindly visit –
www.ashram.org
yss.ashram.org (Yuva Seva Sangh)
sss.ashram.org (Sadhak Shikshak Sangathan)
gurukul.ashram.org (Gurukul)
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March 3rd, 2011
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Great people are always humble
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Lord Raama, the Parmaatma, was of course, the greatest warrior ever. Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita remarks “I am Raama among warriors”. He learnt all the Shastras and unparalleled Dhanur-vidya under the guidance of the great Guru Vasishtha. Vishwamithra Maharshi also taught him all the secret astras (weapons) that ever existed, which only he in this whole universe knew (he originally learnt it from Lord Shiva). In addition to these, Agastya Maha-muni gave him many additional powers. A few glimpses of Lord Raama’s valour:
1. With one arrow, Raama kills Taataki, the mighty raakshasi.
2. With two simultaneous arrows, he kills Subaahu and throws Maaricha seven seas away.
3. Effortlessly lifts the Shiva-Dhanush, which was pulled to the court by around 50,000 well built people.
4. Raama kills Khara, Dhushana, their 1000 brothers and their army in 14 minutes single handed.
Despite being such a great warrior, he never displayed his strength on his own to show others. The anger on the samudra (ocean) stands as a good example for this quality of Raama:
Raavana gives 30 days time to Sita Maata to decide if she will marry him, else he will kill her. Bharata took word from Raama saying that if he does’nt return on the next moment of 14 yrs of van-vaas (exile), then he will sacrifice himself. Raama and his army reaches the shores of ocean with barely 30 days in hand. They have to cross the ocean, defeat Ravana & his army, take Sita back to Ayodhya in around 30 days time. With such a press for time and given the strength of Lord Raama, Lakshmana suggests Raama not to spend time asking ocean God for way, but to order him.
What Raama does is unbelievable. Though he had the strength and power to control the ocean God, he did not do it. He did penance on the shores of the ocean for 3 long days to give them a way. Finally after 3 days, Raama gets angry on the ocean and to make remember his duty, aims an astra (weapon) at him. Immediately the ocean God appears and suggests a way of crossing him…
Morals in the Story:
1. We, for our small petty achievements in life, are very proud (ahankaari) and given a chance, display our strengths. The way of great people is quite different, as shown by Lord Raama.
2. One must never use the strength or powers just because they exist with him, but judiciously use them for the benefit of everyone and for the upliftment of Dharma.
Message:
1. Controlling one’s ahankaar (ego) is one of the most difficult things. If it is controlled, we will see a more peaceful world.
2. Always people who are humble and obedient are respected by others. If Lord Raama Himself is so humble, as mere normal human beings imagine how much obedient we must be to our elders and parents.
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Endearingly called ‘Bapu ji’ (Asaram Bapu Ji), His Holiness is a Self-Realized Saint from India. Pujya Asaram Bapu ji preaches the existence of One Supreme Conscious in every human being, be it Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh or anyone else. Pujya Bapu ji represents a confluence of Bhakti Yoga, Gyan Yoga & Karma Yoga. For more information, kindly visit –
www.ashram.org
yss.ashram.org (Yuva Seva Sangh)
sss.ashram.org (Sadhak Shikshak Sangathan)
gurukul.ashram.org (Gurukul)
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