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Swami ji said…

What is our reaction on seeing a well-groomed person step out in style from a customised car, donning the most expensive accessories, leaving behind a fragrance of a limited-edition perfume – as he strides past us, oozing confidence? Most of us stop doing what we were attempting to do, and, thoroughly distracted by his commanding, attention-demanding presence – gaze at him with wonder and awe. We soak in the sight of luxury – worn with such elan, marvel at his good fortune, his luck, his ‘kismet’, and are left saying—often enviously -“ कितना किस्मत वाला है ये…”
“कितना भाग्यशाली है…”
“सब कुछ है इसके पास…और हमारे पास कुछ भी नहीं है…”

Sadness and quiet misery creep in as we think of the modest wealth and material possessions we hold. Almost instinctively, we begin to compare – ‘अपना बुरा भाग्य दूसरों के अच्छे भाग्य से…’ which only worsen matters further for us.

Man has always had the habit of believing that the grass is greener on the other side. And in doing so, we mostly see our side as barren and bare. But, this tendency should, at least once in a while, compel us to pause and ask ourselves: “How do we truly define a ‘भाग्यशाली इंसान’?” What is our own definition of good fortune and luck?

Has the pull, sway, and glamour of wealth and material success shaped our understanding so deeply that we equate fortune only with what is visible to the eye? क्या धन और दौलत की चकाचौंध ने हमें यह मानने पर मजबूर कर दिया है कि भाग्य केवल बाहरी समृद्धि का नाम है? We forget that appearances can often be deceptive. Instead of looking for that which merely shines, we must look for that which has a light within. Wealth can come at the expense of health, at the expense of love and relationships. Money can also be obtained through immoral means and by deceiving others. Those who possess great material wealth and comfort can still be burdened by fear, sleepless nights, broken relationships, or a restless mind.

Thus, the question – Who is fortunate and who is not – is a rather complex one. And for us to ponder over it— by comparing our own journey with that of others—is largely irrelevant. How can we ever be certain that what we perceive as an unfortunate event in our own life is not, in fact, a blessing? How do we know that the ‘good luck’ someone enjoys today is not a precursor to ‘worse luck’ tomorrow? Even the greatest minds have never been able to decipher the divine play unfolding before our eyes. Why, then, should we attempt to pass judgment on it?

If someone’s wealth or success inspires you, that is far better. Success in the material world often makes one aware of how little control we truly have over the outcomes of our best endeavours. Those who are genuinely successful—if honest—will admit that whatever they achieved was ultimately a result of God’s favour, and nothing else. Their hard work and sacrifice—while not irrelevant—never guaranteed certainty. And again, how can we truly know who is blessed by God and who is not?

While we often point to Ravan for his folly, his pride, and the fate he met as a consequence, can we truly say that he was unfortunate? He ultimately met his end at the hands of Shri Ram. He became the cause for Lord Vishnu to take a grand avatar, and in his final moments, Lord Ram revealed His true form to him. Was Ravan, then, not bhāgyashālī—even though his end is often viewed as tragic?

In the Ramayana, Vibhishan went to Lord Ram’s camp because he believed it to be his ‘dharma’. Eventually, he was made the King of Lanka by Lord Ram Himself. Yet he is often portrayed as one who betrayed his brother for a kingdom. Was he, then, bhāgyashālī or not?

Perhaps outcomes, outward appearances, sentiments, and opinions are not the correct measures to judge whether a person is blessed by God or not.
Perhaps it is the simpler signs—a gentle smile, a calm and wise countenance, an honest and compassionate demeanour—that reveal whom God favours.

Peace and quiet of mind, mental fortitude and inner strength, unwavering faith in God, and the blessings and guidance of a Guru—these are the true signs of a bhāgyashālī person. Such a person is blessed with contentment and gratitude. He remembers God at all times and remain unperturbed by the changing seasons of life. And while he may not shine brightly with the jewels and gems of this world, he radiates the far greater light of God from within.

Swami ji said…

“Life is a race. In today’s cut-throat competition, you must have an edge over others. You must learn to survive. You have to be the best. There is no place for mediocrity, and no room for failure or losers.” Such stern and uncompromising words are very often poured into young ears, directing and conditioning them to prepare for the challenges that await them the moment they step into the professional world. They have to be better than the rest – is what is drilled into them. And, to a certain extent, this belief appears justified — for in the jungle of competition, only the fittest seem to survive.

Yet, we must also pause and reflect on the indelible impression that these words may leave on young minds — the context in which they are interpreted, internalised, and eventually acted upon by them. For it is not merely the words themselves, but the meaning attached to them that shapes their thought, behaviour, and life choices. And, this is where they must lay down and follow a moral code of conduct – that they must promise to themselves- will never be crossed by them – while chasing ‘success’ , ‘wealth’ and ‘fame’. The smell of money can be heady and can easily compel anyone to indulge in a nefarious activity – which can ruin one’s life for ever. The fantasy of becoming rich overnight can only be realised by selling one’s ‘soul’ to the devil – but the pull of wealth can be so strong that caution is thrown to the wind and the ‘soul’ is made to witness actions that makes it feel impure and dirty.

When success is defined only in terms of wealth, status, and possessions – young minds begin to believe that life itself is nothing more than a relentless race — one where compassion is weakness, failure is shameful, and worth is measured only by external achievement. It is highly possible that their elated minds could direct them to
give up their values, their ethic, their morals – in order to chase success, gain fame, and ensure that their name is remembered forever — at any cost?

The far-reaching consequences of such conditioning – are often unseen. Mental pressure, anxiety, fear of failure, and moral compromise – quietly begin to take root. In the race to “win,” values are diluted, empathy is sidelined, and the deeper purpose of life is forgotten.

There is no doubt in the fact that
while effort and excellence are important, life was never meant to be reduced to a pursuit of ‘दौलत’, ‘शोहरत’ और ‘सम्पत्ति’ alone. Success without balance, achievement without awareness, and ambition without humility leave the soul impoverished, no matter how rich the outer life may appear. Success and ambition are not wrong. However, they are not meant to define our worth or blind our conscience. Our actions must be birthed from righteousness.

True living lies not in winning a race, but , in understanding why we are running — and whether the destination we seek is truly worth the cost. We must question ourselves- “क्या हम जीवन की दौड़ में – थोड़ा रुकना, ठहरना भूल गए हैं और सुख, शांति को अनुभव करना भूल गए हैं…”

Swami ji said…

“ ‘नेकी कर, कुएँ में डाल’ ” – are gems of wisdom that have been passed on from one generation to the next with the special, noble purpose of exhorting the younger ones to do good deeds – for whosoever it could be – without expecting anything in return from anyone. But, unfortunately,
society, is filled with individuals who keep a ledger of every good act they have ever done — whom they helped, what they did for them, and how they did it. Everything is remembered in the minutest detail. But then, is a good act really ‘good’ if it is done with the motivation to simply earn praise from the world?

“Does the well ask who drinks from it?” Then why do we have to remember every favour we have ever granted to anyone ? Why even think or utter the words — “After all I have done for you, this is how you repay me?” Such sentiments reveal that our kindness was never truly free — it was merely deferred self-interest. We refuse to let our memory erase the smallest act of kindness; of that moment when we had offered to help someone – on seeing them besieged by a problem. The good deed that should have given us happiness – starts weighing heavy on our heart – when we begin to feel that the other person is not acknowledging often enough – our grand , thoughtful, kind deed – that had saved him in the nick of time.

Spiritual seekers must be wary of searching for praise for any sacrifice or supposed good deed that they do. They must, in fact, refrain even the mind from gloating about how good they are – if they ever do a helpful deed. It is important for those on the spiritual path to remember that for our ‘karma’ to be truly good, our intention must be selfless and the heart must remain uncluttered by expectation.

It is ironical, but true, that when man serves without expectation, he is surely rewarded by God. It is better to feed an ant in secret out of the goodness of one’s heart than to feed a thousand men in public – only to garner praise. Acts of kindness, selflessness, and goodwill are not to be staged — rather, they are meant to cleanse one’s own soul. There is no greater audience to judge us than the One looking from above. He is the only One whose judgment truly matters.

Serving and helping our brethren is not an option but a duty — to be performed without expectation. That is the way life is meant to be lived. In fact, to see someone in difficulty and not be moved or driven to help them is what is wrong with society at large. Such indifference is appalling, to say the least.

Goodwill and care should be the core tenets of our behaviour — not to be displayed occasionally, but to be the foundational principles on which we act. It is necessary to act with love, not leverage; with compassion, not calculation. Does God maintain a list of all the ‘good’ that He does for each one of us, remembers it forever and expect anything from us in return? What do we do for Him? We remain so busy in our ‘personal’ lives that we find it difficult to take His name twice a day. But, even on seeing our selfish attitude does He stop loving us , helping us, coming to our rescue in our trying times? Shouldn’t we, His children – emulate Him and do as much good as we can ?

Swami ji said…

How often do we actually acknowledge those blessed moments in life—unique to each of us—when the heart overflows with gratitude and love for God? For some, they arrive quietly and infrequently; for others, they are a constant companion through life. In such moments, joy radiates naturally from within us. A soft smile graces the face, and an unmistakable lightness enters our step.

If we were to pause and reflect on where we truly stand, which category would we place ourselves in? For many of us, the answer would be uncomfortable: a face weighed down by gloom, brows knitted in constant worry, and tension written unmistakably across our features. Our body language conveys it all.

Uncertainty and anxiety—about what might happen the very next moment, about an unpredictable tomorrow, and the anticipation of a problem-filled future—have stonewalled our hearts, making them heavy and incapable of perceiving the wondrous light that a heart filled with gratitude for God’s ways can feel.

Is it even possible for us to come close to a state of true happiness when the heart is plagued by doubt, misgivings, and negativity? When worry erodes its very core, the heart refuses to see anything worth being happy or thankful for.

There is nothing to be gained by worrying about life.Worrying will not change what is to happen; it will not reduce the suffering that is to come. It will, however, reduce the joy and contentment we can experience today.

It is ironic that we all stress and concern ourselves with things over which we have absolutely no control, yet barely take the time to reflect on and analyse our own actions. We all look up at the heavens, asking for so many things—wealth, health, love, and what not. Yet, how often do we question our own efforts: the hard work needed to gain wealth, the discipline required to maintain good health, and the mental fortitude needed to be a good person in all circumstances? If we focused on these, we would gain immense satisfaction from our actions themselves – and would sleep with a light heart and a clear head.

For the spiritual seeker, gratitude is not limited to the ‘good things’ in life. With time, he learns to be grateful even for the ‘difficult times’, for he realises that these are often the moments that pivot his life for the better.

Thus, it is incorrect to be grateful only for wealth and material gains. A truly grateful person is one who looks at life more deeply. As one begins to see God’s hand behind all that happens, one realises the need to be grateful for life itself. For life, in all its happenings, is a grand play of God, and we must be grateful to be a part of it and to witness it. Life itself is an opportunity for man to realise his own divinity and his connection with God. For this alone, he must remain forever grateful.

Swami ji said…

The greatest blessing, the greatest gift that the ‘नीली छतरीवाले’ has bestowed upon us, and endowed us with, is our बुद्धि—the amazing ability with which He has equipped us to think, to reason, to distinguish, and to accept or reject before making any action, before doing karma of any kind. And when we are complimented by others on our intelligence, our wisdom, and the sharp manner in which our mind works, we do not really shy away from taking the entire credit of being bright and brilliant—forgetting, very conveniently, that “पिता परमेश्वर ने हमें उस तीव्र बुद्धि से नवाज़ा है और हमें इस लायक बनाया है कि हमारी अक्ल तेज़ गति से चल सकती है…”

We might have heard of a few cases where an individual—once lauded and referred to for his acumen and agile mind, for doing exceedingly well—at a point in time, is later spoken of in hushed tones, about the downturn his life has taken due to the debatable choices he made in the recent past. Well-wishers are left wondering, filled with sorrow: “What is wrong with him?”
“उसकी अक्ल पर पत्थर पड़ गए हैं क्या?”

It is very possible that we find ourselves at a juncture when we reach a breaking point—caused by personal or professional reasons—when all hope seems lost. The mind becomes numb, refuses to function under pressure and stress, and we feel that we are about to crack. It is at that crucial moment that we must revive the light of the mind, remove all elements of darkness from it, and, with determination, steer it to strengthen us and fortify our willpower to battle any impulsive action that we might be tempted to submit to. Directing the mind to do the right thing at the right time is our paramount duty, as it always plays an integral role in guiding every action of ours—be it right or wrong.

But then again, we come back to the moot point: “How many of us are willing to stay resolute on the ‘straight’ path and miss out on the adrenaline rush that a path with ‘twists’ and ‘turns’ can give us?”
The mind, greatly tempted by the frenzy and hysteria of the never-ending distractions around it, feels that it is meant to lose itself in the pleasures of the world and mistakes them to be the true sources of eternal happiness—not realising that these mirages only provide momentary pleasure.

The mind has to be disciplined, trained to understand that life is not meant to be only enjoyed or indulged in revelry, but to also seek answers to more significant questions, such as:
“What is the purpose of our birth?”
“Do we know who we are?”
“When will we move our awestruck gaze away from the artificial lights of the world and see the beauty of the true, radiant light that illuminates our inner being?”

How many times have we let our ego run riot within us—refusing to accept our mistakes and instead repeating them, deriving some strange satisfaction in doing so? We remain adamant and refuse to change. We see nothing wrong in our age-old habit of getting angry over trivial issues, not accepting the fact that we were wrong, and instead insisting forcefully that we can never be wrong—and therefore must always be right. A few among us may have been fortunate enough to make a fortune, but does that mean
“हमारे अंदर अहंकार भर जाए और हम दूसरों को अपने से छोटा समझने लगें? हमें सही और ग़लत में फर्क लगना बंद हो जाए?” Would not such obnoxious behaviour from our end make people say, “उसका दिमाग़ भ्रष्ट हो गया है? अब वह अपने विवेक का इस्तेमाल ही नहीं करता है?”

In spite of knowing that the mind delivers effective results when it functions calmly, we allow it to become agitated—resulting in zero efficiency. But strange is man and his behaviour, isn’t it? And what he gains by behaving in such an erratic manner is known only to him.

Amidst all the mental chaos and confusion in which we live today, what we need to remember are God’s words:
“मुझसे अगर कुछ माँगना ही है, तो सुबुद्धि माँगो…”