‘Apne bhitar ke andhere ko prakash se prajwalit karo… ‘

Swamiji says…

” The joy and happiness that we experience on lighting ‘diyas’ and lamps in our temples and places of worship, reverentially and lovingly, before God, is palpable; visible to all.The glow from the wicks – drives away the darkness that pervades the outer ‘baahri ‘ world ; illuminates and highlights the entire area with ‘prakash’ and a sight as beautiful as this is absolutely divine to behold ! So involved and immersed are we in lighting up the ‘outer’ world, that we fail to see whether our ‘inner’ being, too, the only Real thing about us – is lit up bright, bathed in divine light,or, is it still covered with dark sheaths of ignorance and impurities?”

” A minute or two without electricity, and we begin to feel uncomfortable. We immediately light a candle to dispel the surrounding darkness. So immediate is our reaction to the darkness in which we are engulfed, even if it is for a short period of time – that we hurriedly look for ways and means of lighting up that area of the external, outer world ! “Hum sab mandir mein ‘jyot’ jalate hain…Apne andar bhi toh jyot jalao ! Baahri jyot se hi kya hoga? Apne bhitar, apne hriday mein prakash, roshni, ‘parmatma’ ki jyot jalao ! Apne andar ke andhere ko bhi dur karo ! ‘Uss’ ko pehchaan ne ki koshish karo !’ I often wonder – ‘Why don’t we show the same urgency in dispelling the darkness that is within us?’ “

” The attempt made by us to kindle the flame of divinity, that is latent within us, will provide us with the required insight to discern between right and wrong ; good and bad…’ Humari soch achchi banegi ! Humare vicharon mein shudhta aur pavitrata aayegi, aur hum nek raaste par chalne ki koshish karenge! “

” The enchantment of the lights and glitter of the ephemeral material world have bewitched and blinded us so greatly that the thought …’ Hummey iss divine light ko apne andar utaarna hai aur prajwalit karna hai ! ‘ – is ,sadly, lost in its illusionary sheen and colours. ‘ Deep concentration and determination in making this divine light a part of ourselves should be our primary focus us, as, it alone, is eternal and everlasting ! When we try to do this with faith and devotion, our physical being too responds mysteriously to the call of our inner self, and assists us, by providing us with the strength to undergo this divine experience – ‘ Jab humare shareer, humari chhati mein yeh ‘ divya prakash’ andar atta hai, tab joh movement hota hai , woh hummey yeh divine ehsaas dilata hai ki paramatma humare andar utar rahe hain !’ “

” The onset of this awareness heralds the beginning of the cleansing and purification of our soul.The earlier we understand that apart from this ‘divinity’ there is nothing else that can go along with us, once we have breathed our last ; the possibility of changing our outlook towards life; the necessity of looking ‘inwards’, rather than ‘outwards’ ; takes a more definite shape.”

” We brag and boast about our friends, contacts, the who’s who we know; and do everything possible to reach out to them and vouch on our undying friendship, that we are certain, will withstand all odds. Unfortunately, many a friendship fail the test of time. But what about establishing a direct contact and connectivity with ‘Him’ …our Creator? Why don’t we make him our best friend ? ‘ Hum uparwale se direct contact kyun nahi kar rahein hain? ‘ Believe me, ‘ Woh joh taktaki lagaye hamesha humari oer dekhte rehte hain, bina mangey hi sab kuch dete rehte hain !’ – responds to every call of ours; is always ready, everwilling to be contacted by us. A genuine, small effort by us to contact Him is rewarded by Him in the form of unprecedented divine blessings.” But ‘No’ ! Most of us are not willing to do so, as it is not only pressing issues that demand our greater attention, but also, the desire to play the role of a distracted consumer ; wanting to enjoy and acquire everything that we lay our eyes on, eats into most of our time; and thus those moments to know ‘God’ and to take His name are decreasing by the day ! ‘ Insaan ko baahaar ki chamak dhamak hi dikh rahi hai… Bhed ki chaal chal rahe hain sab ! Kitna anand chahiye aaj kal ke youngsters ko? ‘ Some of us try to give a lame excuse by saying that we are too young to get involved with spiritual issues at such an early stage of our lives, and, save the ‘ aadhyatmik’ progression for a later day. Why do youngsters want to delay the most sublime and satisfying phase of their lives…’ Abhi se kyon koshish nahi karte hain apne andar paramatma ki jyot jalaane ke liye !”

” I am baffled by the attitude that is displayed by the majority of us towards God ! ‘ Iss sansaar, srishthi mein kuch ek ke alawa, baki sab cheezon ko enjoy karne mein lagey hain’ – due to which we are witnessing a sharp decline in the percentage of people who find it necessary to repose complete faith and devotion in God, and others foolishly opine that such dependency on Him is a sign of weakness. Youngsters, at times, are hesitant in acknowledging that they read scriptures and Holy Books as they are embarrassed by the strange looks that come their way for this ‘ peculiar’ habit of theirs ! And then we wonder as to why is God angry with us ? Won’t He be ; at the nonchalant, selfish attitude that we maintain towards Him and His creations?”

” There is an urgent need to understand that – ‘Parmatma ke prakash ki jyot jo hum ne apne andar utaari hai …’ is the richest resource ; the only real treasure that is worth acquiring in our lifetime ; the only valid license that will finally enable a divine merger between us and our Creator !”

‘Sampatti ke saath, sanmati bhi honi chahiye’

Swamiji says ….

“Man is a dreamer! Ambitious, pushy, progressive and enterprising. But dream, he must ! In order to excel, to achieve, and to test himself beyond the limitations of his acquired intelligence and endurance levels – to achieve the impossible – to create a name for himself; to make an indelible mark in a particular field. Often, he remains wide awake as his unfulfilled dreams and aspirations deny him sleep – like that one last missing link; that one bright spark of genius; that one elusive, innovative gem of knowledge that he is unable to recapitulate; and stands as obdurately as a brick wall between him, and the attainment of his goal, that will bring him name, fame, wealth and recognition. A heady combination, indeed where affluence, appreciation and acclaim will walk along with him and be his constant companions!”

” Everything appears to be picture perfect for him so far! ‘Things certainly couldn’t get better than this!’, he says to himself, and beams with delight as he savours the sweet taste of success, and enjoys some well-deserved respite, and leisurely hours after years of perseverance. After all, he had used his intellect to reach a point in time when he could plan a life desired by him. But what needs to be closely watched now is whether ‘sampatti’ in abundance brings along with it ‘sanmati’ ? “

” And from then onwards it is totally up to him as to how sensibly and efficiently he is able to handle the materialistic blessings that are bestowed upon him by God. The situation in which he finds himself can undoubtedly be delicate in nature, as his temperament, emotions, actions and words from thence onwards, will speak loudly, and convey silently whether …’ Uss insaan mein sampati ke saath, sanmati bhi hai, ya sampati ke saath kumati aa gayi hai !’ Will the glitter of gold, the smell of fresh currency notes and sprawling acres of property; every material possession that belongs to him – blind him; make him less sensitive to the emotional and physical needs and requirements of others or will he show magnanimity, empathy and understanding towards the less fortunate ones ?”

” Henceforth, will his purpose in life only centre around ways by which he could earn more money and make profits or will he handle his money, finances and property with wisdom, a broader vision, and an equitable temperament? Will every penny be used for his personal comfort and growth, or will he also ensure that others – those who had helped him in his progress – grow along with him? Will he sip this life-changing potion of riches and wealth with grace and dignity, sharing the joy that it brings with others; or will he gulp it down greedily, all by himself, emptying the glass – fearful of sharing a drop with anyone, lest it reduces his joy ?”

” Monetary growth and material acquisitions …’ Zyada sampatti, kabhi kuch insaano mein ahankaar ki bhawna paida kar deti hai … jo achchi cheez nahi hai! Woh apne aap ko doosron se zyaada sampann samajhne lagte hain ! ‘ and very quickly develop a superiority complex – and look down on others, with disdain and distaste, as inferior beings. Do values, ethics and scruples merit the same respect that they had once awakened in us or do we compromise on them for our selfish gains? Is it easier to lie now? Is speaking the truth getting more difficult by the day? Are we willing to resort to any unfair, illegal means to get our personal or professional work done at the earliest? Money power gives us a false sense of confidence. We fall prey to its gullible nature very easily and indulge in wrong acts. Let us not make the mistake of hating our competitors, in various fields, to such an extent, that we are willing to get rid of them at any cost. Remember to share, distribute and willingly spend a part of your ‘sampati’ on pioneering work to help the aged, homeless, sick and dying.”

” ‘Yaad rakho, ‘sanmati’ ; ‘sampatti’ se bhi bada khazana hai ! “

‘Bezuban pashu-pakshiyon ko mat satao… ‘

Swamiji says…

“Man has always taken great pride in being God’s most magnificent creation – strong, intelligent, wise and has done everything that his cunning mind could think of, to make it clear to the entire animal species, that he is the ‘real’ King of the Jungle ; the one in control. The mute, silent creatures of the wilderness – be it an ant or an elephant – in their innocence, and unaware of man’s vile designs, have always, in a subtle manner, conveyed their desire to co-exist and co – habit with him in a peaceful manner! But man, intoxicated and drunk with the power of his superiority – always, foolishly, thought otherwise!”

“He convinced himself of his irrational thoughts by reinforcing – ‘How dare these inferior creatures, bereft of clothes and shelter, always at the mercy of nature, equate themselves with me! Who has given these creatures the right to think so? It is I … ‘man’ who is a force to reckon with ! I am way different from them, superior to them. I don’t loiter around the way they do – on their fours.’ No! No! That was not man’s style at all! He not only had a classy gait, walked on his feet with grace and dignity ; but he also did not prey on animals weaker than him. He was free, independent ; with no embargo on his thoughts, like the caged animals in a zoo. There were no similarities between him and these animals…who were not sure as to where their next meal would come from and who had no shelter over their head ; and apart from this , if needed ‘man’ could most happily do anything – dangerously different, fatal and brutal – to spell out and prove his might and authority over them !”

“And, then, the debate as to who was more notoriously nefarious, wicked and ruthless – man or animal ; unfortunately, weighed heavily in favour of man ; as man’s evil ingenuity, and streak of cruelty, could make him hunt them, poach them, harm them, kill them – with a specific intent of doing so deliberately; without a trace of remorse. Man let it be known to both ‘pashu – pakshi’ that he was the master and he could do what he wanted to do with them … skin, carve, stuff or sell them. The heart – rending, agonising whimpers, cries and trumpeting of these slain animals fell on deaf ears, as man, rejoiced, gleefully at the kill.”

“What disturbs and distresses me the most is the callous, unfeeling manner in which people; young or old – bored, having nothing to do – treat cattle, dogs and birds that they see grazing, sleeping and chirping. For no reason at all – out of sheer boredom…’ Woh udte hue kisi panchi ko gulel se maar denge ! ‘ and laugh while seeing it desperately flutter its wings and instead of flying, plummet to the ground and die. They throw stones at a dog or a pup and jeer on seeing it yelp in pain and limp away from them. They beat the hump or feet of cows and buffaloes that stray into their areas, with sticks and iron rods, and cheer if they end up breaking the bones of their feet. At times, if acts like these do not provide them with happiness, they even light a fire at the end of the tail of one of these ‘ bezubaan’ animals and see it suffer happily…’ Sab ko jeene ka adhikar hai ! Apne anand ke liye humain aisa karne ka koi haque nahi hai ! Tum kaise, kisi bhi jaanwar ko langda kar dete ho; uss ke paerr todh dete ho; uss ki poonch mein aag laga dete ho ? “Remember, you go searching for these very animals…’ jab tumhe koi ‘puja’ ya ‘punya’ se sambandhit koi kaarya karna hota hai ! Kisi bhi pashu-pakshi ko bewajah mat satao !'”

“Is this the only way to show your supremacy over these helpless creatures who are not harming you and do not want to fight you? Doesn’t their helplessness, their silent appeal for mercy, strike an emotional cord within you to let them be, and spare them from your vindictiveness ! The pleading look of innocence in their eyes for being punished for having done no wrong to us can melt many a hard hearted ! But man remains unfazed and unaffected, as he watches with sadistic interest, the fear in their eyes turn to anguish and horror, as he further rains brutal body blows on them. We need to introspect and question ourselves – Why are human beings becoming inhuman and turning into heartless, cold blooded creatures?”