Month: March 2019
“SHAREER GAYA, toh kuch gaya … CHARITRA GAYA, toh sab kuch gaya…You lose something when your health remains poor and your body starts failing you … but you lose everything once your name or character is tarnished.”
Swamiji says …
“The gross body in which the soul is robed…and with which we associate ourselves, is prone to ailments, sickness and disease. Each one of us falls prey to some illness or the other as we traverse through our journey of life. These bouts of illnesses leave us weak, drained and helpless. We are affected, undoubtedly, both physically and mentally by the suffering that the body has to endure. We fret and worry about the nature of the disease, the mounting medical bills…and lose mental peace as we start believing that we have lost and, maybe, will lose everything. The only ray of sunlight during such days is…the hope and optimism that our near and dear ones, friends and acquaintances bring alongwith them, when they come to cheer us up and offer their support in any which way.”
“We must understand clearly that, actually, this is not the case. Yes, we do lose ‘something partially … fractionally … in a small measure as our body does suffer. We think that time has been wasted in being unwell… recouping and convalescing from a dreadful disease, later on. Time, that you think could have been used in a more fruitful manner, like striking a lucrative business deal. We think that a financial loss has been incurred by us in paying for our treatment. We assume that we have lost a lot…But we are wrong when we think on such lines.”
“On the contrary, you only lose ‘everything’ when you do ‘something’ that makes you a suspect in the eyes of others… that make people question your ‘character’…
‘tumhara charitra’…and doubt your integrity…as is it your ‘character’ that is the actual jewel in your crown…your true possession. This is the truth. You must be extremely cautious before doing ‘anything’, I repeat ‘anything’.. ‘wrong, incorrect’…that is against ethics and core moral values.’ Why do you indulge in corrupt activities, mal-practices,
immoral acts like extra-marital affairs? Visualise the moment when your nefarious activities see the light of day! You will have to hang your head in shame. How will you out-run your humiliation? Your reputation will be blown to smithereens … and you will be a target of ‘character assassination’ by all and sundry. The reputation and name that you had made for yourself will bite the dust within seconds. The same people who had comforted you when you were unwell, avoid you like the plague, now, as they are wary of being associated with you and refuse to acknowledge you.”
“Remember , it is your character alone that makes you or breaks you. It is time to do some soul-searching and opt to live a simple, uncomplicated life.”
“Duaa”…A PRAYER, WISHING WELL FOR OTHERS… HAS IMMENSE POWER. PRAY FOR THE WELFARE OF ONE AND ALL.”
Swamiji says …
“The world in which we live is home to people of different races, nationalities and cultures…but the problems that besiege us are one and the same. Floods, famine, disease, conflicts, earthquakes. Life and Nature are unpredictable.
One moment you could be sleeping comfortably in your bed…and the very next moment, a devastating earthquake could reduce everything around you to rubble and you lose everything that was yours. Nothing can comfort you during those traumatic moments as the shock you have experienced makes it impossible for you to comprehend the possibility of rising from the ashes some day. Assurance and assistance are meaningless words at that point in time. The pain and suffering endured by hundreds and thousands, everyday, resulting due to the havoc of war is gut-wrenching and scarring. Peace is alien to millions of people. There is unrest and turbulence all around them.”
“It is when all hope is lost and one is on the verge of losing sanity that the ‘duaa’…words whispered in the form of a prayer… by someone unknown to you, but meant for you, come to your aid and give you emotional respite during those agonizingly painful moments.”
“…’Duaa’ has immense power… as the words said by you…is a call for help, mercy to the Supreme Master and when you voice these words, you are certain that He has heard you and will respond. The prayer gives you and others, the courage and strength needed, to wage the battles that destiny has written for you, well in advance.”
“Each one of you pray for your welfare and for the welfare of your loved ones. You must now rise above the narrow minded ‘I’…’Me’ and ‘Mine’ and start incorporating..
‘We’ ..’Us’ and ‘Them’ in your ‘duaa’…Pray for the prosperity and welfare of every single denizen of the universe. Pray for a sense of sanity and calmness to prevail in the world. Pray for the mental equilibrium of all those who lose their loved ones due to the inhuman act of some misguided elements. Take out time to identify and relate with the agony of others and share it with them. It might not be possible for you to be physically present with with them but you can surely think of them and reach out to them mentally by saying a universal prayer.”
“Try saying it. You will surely succeed.”
“APNI INDRIYON KO NIYANTRAN MEIN RAKHO … EXERCISE SELF- RESTRAINT ON YOUR SENSES.”
Swamiji says …
“You must learn to develop the habit of exercising self-restraint and self- control on yourself. Begin by taking small steps on the path that you can choose of ‘giving up’… ‘sacrificing’…
‘tyaag kar ne ka’… with implicit faith and determination.”
“Believe me when I say that there is a lot of power in the simple act of ‘giving up’ something for a certain period of time…or, maybe, for ever. It is possible for each one of you to make a beginning by ‘giving up’ something or the other for a span of time decided by you. It could be a simple thing…like not eating an egg on a particular day or not making rice an integral part of your diet on another day … not performing a ritual that you observe everyday otherwise … not combing your hair the number of times that you, maybe, comb everyday … not having ‘dal’ on a certain day or avoid using lemon in the same way that you had been doing previously. When you begin doing this you will definitely feel positive energy building up within you … a certainty, serenity and calmness make home in your mind…which, otherwise, constantly clamours for gratification of every desire of yours…and thoughts … pure, clear and clean… will start taking birth in your mind. Oppressive thoughts of depression and negativity will be a thing of the past. Tell yourself that you will be in a state of ‘maun’…silence your mind and tongue…for a fixed duration of time whenever you can. Rein in your senses,inwards, to know who you are…What is the purpose of your birth ? What is the mystery of life and death?”
“These acts of ‘tyaag’ might appear to be insignificant and meaningless but they have a wealth of significance behind them. Once you make these traits a part and parcel of your life and live a life based on such principles, you will get connected with the source of divine power within you .. discover the inner strength that you are blessed with in abundance, and will be pleasantly surprised to know that it is possible for you to control and conquer your senses and you will see that … ‘ashubh kaam bhi shubh ho jaate hain’ …”
“I am sure each one of you is capable of developing these skills of self-mastery.”
“FOOD HABITS OF AN INDIVIDUAL ARE ONE’S PERSONAL CHOICE. DO NOT BE CRITICAL OF OTHER PEOPLE’S FOOD PREFERENCES.”
Swamiji narrated .. “Two people went to their Guruji one day. One devotee complained about the other devotee to the Guruji and said, “Maharaj, he has a very bad habit. He eats a lot of non-vegetarian food and I dislike this habit of his greatly. I am a vegetarian and always have ‘saatvik bhojan’. I fail to understand as to why does he have ‘taamsik’ food.” He looked at his Guru expecting a pat on his back for his ‘wise’ words. Guruji replied, ‘What is the use of the simple vegetarian food that you eat when you nurse such vitriolic thoughts and stark hatred for him and his food habits! He on the other hand could be consuming mutton, chicken and fish etc but his thoughts are pure … ‘saatvik’…and he is at peace with himself. Look at yourself. You are all worked up and agitated as you spew venom at him. Who is the better individual between the two of you?’ The devotee at fault looked sheepish and realised his folly.
Swamiji says… “We eat our meals …our food…with great relish and a sense of enjoyment. It is possible that I might prefer to eat something that is disliked by you. You could be rigid about food preferences of people and feel that you are right and correct in your assumption that food of a certain kind only should be consumed by you and others. You become critical and start criticising other people’s penchant for food and cuisine of a different kind. Never be critical of a person’s food choice … as the end recipient of your harsh and critical words is FOOD…the intake and partake of which keeps you alive. Food is food, whether it is vegetarian or non-vegetarian food. In the process of discussing and criticising the other person’s ‘so called weakness’… with others..while speaking ill of him…you allow dark, impure, negative thoughts to take a firm grip on you. Remember it is only a pure heart .. good, positive thoughts that will enable you to cleanse your soul and… feel the presence of God within you and all around you. How can you claim to be good if you curse others, compete with them, want to out – do them …at times, wish them ‘death’…yes, death ! Are you anywhere close to being good if you behave in such a heinous and critical manner?
Dedicated to Swamiji Ajay Jain ji 