Blog

February 2011

The action of today becomes the destiny of tomorrow. – Chinmaya

In life, there are no miracles. When we choose our goal and work for it with all the necessary zeal, dedication and single-pointedness, we undoubtedly reach the goal.

Let us make it very clear to ourselves – there are no short cuts to success. Success gained through short cuts is always short-lived. Only short-sighted people take short cuts, but they too soon come back with cuts all over!!

A wealthy businessman was about to enrol his son in a famous University. But he was taken aback when he realized that his son has to study for four years to get his basic degree, and that with all the eight semesters packed with tests, assignments, projects and exams.

Frowning, he flipped through the catalogue containing all the course details and asked the college Principal, “Why does my son have to go through so many semesters? Can’t you make the whole thing shorter? I want him to get out of it quickly!”

“Certainly, he can take a shorter course,” replied the Principal politely. “It all depends on what he wants to make of himself. You see, it takes 20 – 30 years for an oak tree to grow, but a mushroom springs up overnight.”

We all have heard of Dr T M A Pai, the world-famous doctor, educationist, banker and philanthropist, who has been recognized as the one who has established the most number of educational institutions in his lifetime. He is well known for building the University town of Manipal in Karnataka.

He was the first to start private self-financing medical college offering MBBS in India. Kasturba Medical College in Manipal and Mangalore, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences were all established by him. Later on, he went on to establish Syndicate bank. He is also responsible for the popular Pigmy Deposit Scheme.

Initially, Manipal was nothing but a barren hillock which was considered as wasteland.

When Pai went there and shared his mighty vision of establishing schools and colleges within every 5 km in South Kanara District, all labelled him as a mad crack. Disregarding all the discouraging comments from the public, Pai, after making a small hut for himself in that barren land, persevered hard to materialize his dream vision.

Today the journey he started is passing through a destination which is called the Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG). It overlooks running of three well-established Universities, close to 20 Super speciality hospitals, more than 1.5 Lakh students and 50,000 employees.

T M A Pai was conferred the Padma Bhushan by the Govt. of India in 1972. He was awarded the degree of D. Litt by Karnataka and Andhra Universities. The Indian Govt. has also brought out a stamp commemorating Pai in 1999 for his philanthropic achievements.

There is a price tag for every achievement. Nothing comes for free. Heated gold alone becomes the ornament, beaten copper alone becomes wires and chiselled stones alone become the worshipful idol. To gain the strength of the steel, one has to go through the hottest furnace.

When it comes to hard work, very few turn up their sleeves while some turn up their noses. And the majority of us never turn up at all!!

You cannot climb the staircase with both the hands in your pocket!

There are some others who have greater faith in the omens seen all around and the prophecies they signal. But they hardly have any faith in themselves or in the effort they can put forth in achieving the goal chosen.

When William, the Conqueror landed in Hastings and stepped on the English soil, he stumbled and fell. This was regarded as an ill omen by the soldiers who let out a cry of dismay. But William was a man of tremendous optimism.

“What a wonderful thing has happened,” he exclaimed. “I have already ceased the land with both my hands.” These words of the conqueror were greeted with a loud cheer by his soldiers who then marched forward with redoubled enthusiasm. Needless to say, William went on to make history conquering the English soil. We may get discouraged many times but we are not a failure until we begin to blame somebody else for our failure and stop trying.

Let us therefore not unload our responsibilities on the stars of the Astrology or on the evil-noble omens of the superstitious. It is our past actions that have brought us here, and it is our present actions that will carry us forward into the future. Hence the future lies in our own hands and it depends on how we utilize our present moment.

It is said, God has given us two ends- one to think and the other to sit. Success depends on which we use. Head? – we win. Tail? – we lose!

There is nothing impossible in this world, provided we keep trying hard with patience. Even the ordinary water is capable of cutting the hardest of rocks, not because of its strength but because it keeps flowing on and never gives up.

Great saints were none other than sinners in the past who always kept trying. Big shots were only small shots who always kept shooting!

Albert Einstein, the world-famous scientist, says that it was not that he was very smart or extraordinarily intelligent, but it was only that he kept trying a little longer!

It is so well said, “Winners never quit. Quitters never win”!

God has totally entrusted us to ourselves. Time, energy, resources and the life principle are common to all. But what to do, what to think, what goal to choose and how to live life etc. – the choice is ours. There is no interference from the Divine whatsoever. When such total freedom is given, a terrible thing happens – there is none to blame!

Let us, therefore, be careful of every act done in the present moment, as they alone determine us and our future world.

O   M         T   A   T         S   A   T

January 2011

We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them.
– Chinmaya

Joys – all of us want; sorrows – none of us prefer. But strangely we involve ourselves in those activities which bring in nothing but sorrow and ignore those which bring in joy!

It is only when setbacks and misfortunes, failures and disappointments, tragedies and calamities occur in our lives that we start cause-hunting, and that too, with an attitude, “Why only me?”

The above quote answers it all. Let us not vainly console ourselves with meaningless terms like luck, fate, prarabdha, destiny etc. Everything here happens according to the laws of Nature. Nature’s laws, just like her Creator, are perfect and precise. Obey her laws, and we will have a life filled with joy, peace and contentment. Disobey them, and we will find those very same laws crushing us within the wheel of Time.

All great inventions in science or medical field have come up only when these laws are unquestioningly accepted and strictly obeyed. None can transgress these laws. We only break ourselves when we break the law. The one who has disciplined oneself in tune with these laws has learnt the art of right living.

“As you sow, so you reap” is the only law to be mastered here. Love and forgive, and you will be loved and forgiven. Hate and cheat, and you will receive the same. The one who digs the pit shall fall therein. Hence doing good to others is the only way of doing good to ourselves.

Swami Vivekananda used to say, “God helps those who do not help themselves”!

This is the true story of a humble night clerk named George who was very honest and sincere and worked in a small hotel. He went out of his way to help as many as he could.

One dark and rainy night, there came to the hotel an old couple asking for a room. Unfortunately, no room was vacant. Seeing their advanced age and also the poor weather outside, George said to them, “We do not have a vacant room right now, but if you could wait for a while I shall see what I can do for you.”

He called the maid and within fifteen minutes got his own room cleaned for the old couple to stay. As the clerk took the old couple to the room, he said to them, “I am taking you to a room which surely is not the best room in the hotel. But I hope you will find it cosy and comfortable, neat and clean. Please feel at home and I shall send you two cups of hot tea before retiring for the night.”

Several months passed. The clerk had completely forgotten the incident. It was just one of the many similar incidents in his life.

A big hotel was being built in New York-the famous Waldorf Astoria. It was built by a man named John Jacob Astor. When the time came to advertise for the post of a manager for the hotel, he said, “I do not need to advertise for the post, because I already have a man in view.”

The man in view was none other than George, the night clerk who, on a dark and rainy night, had obliged the couple, Mr and Mrs Astor, when they wanted a room in his hotel. At that time he had no idea as to whom he was obliging. It was natural for him to go out of his way, to bring comfort into the lives of those who needed it.

The night clerk, who worked in that small hotel, now attained instant success becoming the manager of a huge, world-famous hotel.

Our thoughts, words and deeds, whether good or bad, return to us with astonishing accuracy.

That is the reason why great ones never blamed anyone for their sufferings.

A great saint, Abu Usman was walking one day, on the street, when someone threw ashes from the balcony of his house. The ashes fell on the head of Abu. His companions, who were with him, became enraged and were about to abuse the offender when Abu said to them “Keep your peace, my friends. Let us thank the Lord that one who deserved fire was let off with ashes”!

It is said, “Before you begin the journey of revenge, dig two graves”!

Hell and heaven are our own creation. We unnecessary drag the innocent God in between. As Pujya Gurudev used to say, we are punished not for our sins, but BY our sins.

Let us therefore closely examine the nature of thoughts that run through our minds. Deep within us, if we find ourselves holding on to something base, ignoble and inauspicious, let us have the courage and wisdom to drop it, with the fear of a bitter future.

Nature’s laws help those who watch, and not those who sleep! The price of freedom is always eternal vigilance.

O   M         T   A   T         S   A   T

December 2010

The man who is not proud of his motherland and who is not true to his customary duties must be regarded as a base ungrateful fellow.
– Chinmaya

There is a saying in Sanskrit which says, “ Janani Janmabhoomishcha swargaadapi gareeyasi”, which means our mother and our motherland should be considered greater than even heaven.

A little boy, while sitting on his mother’s lap said to her, “O mother, you have the prettiest face in this world.” As he uttered these words, his eyes fell upon her hands, which were burnt and badly deformed. He exclaimed with a shock, “But mother, your hands are the ugliest one!”

His father, hearing this, took the boy on his lap, and narrated to him the story of a mother and a child. Touchingly he described how the newborn child sleeping in the burning cradle was saved by its daring mother and in the process got her hands burnt. “What a brave mother!” the little boy exclaimed. The father added, “That child was none other than you, and these disfigured hands were the ones which saved your life.”

The little boy turned towards his mother with tear-filled eyes and said, “O mother, these are the prettiest hands in the world.”

My mother may be illiterate, ugly, unhealthy, or even uncultured. But for me, despite all her shortcomings, she is very special because I am here only because of her. So also is the case with our motherland.

A true patriot is ever ready to sacrifice everything for the sake of his country without a second thought.

Once, a massive earthquake hit Japan because of which millions were rendered homeless. Famine broke out and disease followed. The Emperor was clueless regarding the efficient administration and handling of the relief measures- distribution of food, medical help, provision of shelter for the homeless etc. There was only one who could shoulder that tremendous task – Kagawa.

Ironically, this great leader was in jail. He was released by special order. The government offered him a large salary, a huge residence and other comforts – if only he would undertake the task of organizing relief. Kagawa gladly accepted the responsibility but with the condition that he would not accept anything in return. Rightly, he is called the Gandhi of Japan.

For a sincere lover of one’s country, duties towards motherland are more important than one’s rights over her.

After the successful Russian revolution over the Tsar’s empire, Lenin, the inspiring leader and the father of USSR, was offered the vast public buildings and beautiful palaces. But Lenin chose to live in a very humble cottage, far removed from the worldly glamour and pomp.

Love and sacrifice are always found to go together.

In the Indian Army, the officers are ever reminded of their motto, “The safety, honour and welfare of your country, come first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time.”

Each one of us is responsible for determining the fate of our nation. The culture of a nation is decided by the culture of each individual living there. To the extent the thoughts and actions of the citizens are noble, to that extent a country becomes glorious, prosperous and cultured. Hence national revival is possible only through individual transformation, and not by any amount of economic development or scientific progress.

Patriotism in no way means harbouring ill feelings against others, as is generally misunderstood. In fact, a true patriot appreciates the love and the noble feelings which all men everywhere have towards their motherland.

Speaking about a true patriot, Abraham Lincoln once said, “I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live, so that his place will be proud of him”!

The national leaders have a great role to play in instilling patriotic feelings in the hearts of their people. The noble and pure life led by them alone can inspire the upcoming young generation to follow their footsteps.

While Lal Bahadur Shastri was holding office as Prime Minister, his son, though unqualified, got a prestigious job in a famous company. But Shastri did not allow him to accept the job, as he refused to compromise with his principles.

Mahatma Gandhiji has said, “My life itself is my message.”

May we have that daring and courage to set such high standards of morality and ethics in our life for our younger generations to emulate in the years to come.

As has been rightly said, “He loves his country the best who strives to make it the best.”

O   M         T   A   T         S   A   T

November 2010

The impossible is achieved through the process of self-perfection called meditation. – Chinmaya

Ask anyone these questions, “Is it possible to conquer death? Is it possible for us to be present everywhere? How about becoming someone who knows everything and is All-Powerful? Can there be a state free from all kinds of disease and old age? Can we experience infinite happiness? Is it possible to become God…?”

The answer will be a clear-cut “Impossible”!!

All that has been asked above is nothing but the description of our true nature, which, in our present state of ignorance, appears to be an impossibility. Pujya Gurudev is only pointing out to us the possibility of attaining this supreme state in ourselves through a thoroughly developed technique of perfection called meditation.

At the seat of meditation, the only thing that needs to be done is to quieten the mind. Once the mind is hushed in silence all the characteristics of the Self becomes available for experience, just as we see our face clearly when the dusty mirror is wiped clean.

Just like heat in the fire, whiteness in the milk and sweetness in the sugar etc. are their natures and hence cannot be separated from them, so are Existence, Consciousness and Bliss our true nature and can never be separated from us.

But then why is it that we don’t experience these characteristics of the Self in us? It is only because of our disturbed mind. We have filled our minds with various wrong notions about ourselves. These wrong notions are nothing but consolidated thought patterns strengthened due to our repeated unconscious ways of thinking during our response to the world outside. This has been happening in all our countless past lives and hence these wrong notions, which are nothing but a bundle of thoughts, appear to be so real and insurmountable.

Just like a fireball, when rotated with high speed appear like a circle in the space, in the same way, intense and continuous flow of these thought patterns gives a false appearance to the Self which we generally call as the personality of an individual. These firmly etched strong impressions of the mind are the ones which, like a wall, prevent us from knowing our Self.

A pregnant lioness, while pouncing upon a flock of sheep, gave birth to a baby and died. The sheep flock, feeling pity for the little lion cub, took care of it with great love and affection. Very soon, the cub, being attached to the flock, started moving and playing around under their loving protection.

As the days passed by, the elderly sheep became the role model for the baby lion. The little one would imitate whatever the elders did, whether it was in bleating or eating. In this way, years passed by and the cub grew up to become a huge lion with all the characteristics of a meek sheep.

One day, as the sheep were grazing, a wild lion entered the forest and gave a loud roar. Scared, the sheepish lion also took to heels along with other sheep. The wild lion, seeing this strange scene, chased and caught hold of the sheepish lion, who, trembling with fear kept bleating, saying “Please don’t eat me…”

Astonished, the wild lion tried all ways to make him understand that he was not a sheep but a lion. When nothing worked, he took him to a nearby pond and showed his face in the water. The sheepish lion saw that his form resembled that of the wild lion. Now the wild lion gave out a loud roar and asked him to repeat. Soon, the sheepish lion too roared like any other lion. Since then, he lived like a true lion and roamed fearlessly in the forest.

Here the sheepish lion is the individual soul, the wild lion is the Satguru, the pond is the scriptures and the reflection seen in the pond is the knowledge of the Self. The roaring is the realization of the mahaavaakya “I am Brahman”!

The sheepish lion was never a sheep. It was only his wrong notion born out of constant false imagination. He was always a lion, even though he never knew it earlier. In the same way, our nature is ever Sat-Cit-Ananda, though we may not accept it in our present state of ignorance.

Meditation helps us to remove this veil of ignorance. It is by meditation alone that all ordinary persons transformed themselves into great stalwarts to become the redeemers of mankind of their times, be it Narendra (Swami Vivekananda), Mohandas (Mahatma Gandhi), Ratnakara (sage Valmiki), Seenappa (Purandaradas) or Siddhartha (Gautam Buddha).

Meditation reveals to us our true nature when the misleading mind is disciplined to silence. It is only when the silence starts speaking in the loudest voice that we come to know that there was an Ever Perfect One in us whom we ignored all through our lives, while in search of perfection outside!

O   M         T   A   T         S   A   T

October 2010

Love creates and lust destroys peace in the heart of a man.
– Chinmaya

In true love, the mind always derives inspiration from something higher. In Sanskrit, it is referred to as Bhakti. E.g. Desha bhakti, Matru bhakti, Guru bhakti, Eshwara bhakti etc. This love always expresses itself in the form of sacrifice. Here the concern of the lover is not what he will get, but what he can do for the beloved. His happiness lies in the happiness of the beloved.

Such a lover is ever selfless. Moreover, such love being unconditional remains ever permanent. Also, in this love, there is no expectation of return from the beloved. The very act of loving itself fills the heart with joy and peace. True love blesses both the giver and the receiver.

In sharp contrast is the case with lust. Here the mind is instigated and tempted by something low or mean. In Sanskrit, the term normally used is Aasakti. The love here remains so long as one gets what one needs from the beloved. Once the expectations are not met, the love attains its natural grave.

Though love and lust are characterized by a feeling of liking in the mind, there is a huge difference between the two. Lust follows the principle “I love because I am loved”, whereas in true love it is “I am loved because I love”. Lust says “I love you because I need you” but true love says “I need you because I love you”.

Lust makes a person dependent, miserable and weak as he constantly craves for love, pleasure, consolation etc. from the beloved. That may be the reason why the usage ‘falling in love’ has become so popular as fall is always the end result!

True love raises a man to the status of God making him strong, independent and fearless.

A young man fell in love with a young maiden who was very beautiful and equally cruel. Despite his earnest attempts to win her love, she remained indifferent to him. One day, seeing his ardent fervour and intense passion, she decided to tease him. “Is there no other woman in your life?” inquired the lady. “Only my mother, whom I love dearly.” replied the earnest young man. “In that case”, said the cruel lady with a bewitching smile on her lips hiding her murderous instincts, “cut your mother’s heart and bring it to me as an offering of your love. I promise you, I shall be yours!”

Blinded by passion, the young man set out to fulfil the desire of his beloved. That night, he stole into his mother’s room and killed her while asleep with a dagger. Like one possessed by the devil, he cut out her heart. In the dead of the night, he hurried to the house of his beloved, carrying his mother’s heart, still warm, in his hands. In the darkness, he stumbled on a stone and fell. The mother’s heart dropped down from his hands. Instantly, out of that heart, came the mother’s voice, “My dear child, are you hurt?”

Unmindful of that sweet voice, the young man, maddened by lust, quickened his pace, and on seeing his beloved, placed the blood-stained offering at her feet. But she rejected his offering saying that she was only testing him as one who could be so cruel to one’s own mother could never be trusted.

In true love, one wants the other person’s good whereas in lust one wants the other person!

In his early days when Tulsidasji, blinded by lust, approached his wife, she bitterly reproached him saying, “Shame on you that you crave so much for this impure body! If only you had half this longing for the Lord, you would have attained Him long back!!” These words struck him like a thunderbolt, transforming his lust to supreme love for God, and thus making him one of the greatest saints of India.

The law of love works just like any other laws of the universe. According to Mahatma Gandhi, the person who has discovered and mastered this law of love is far greater scientist than any of our modern scientist!

A famous prayer of St. Francis of Assisi goes thus, “O Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.

May our hearts, now filled with love for power, be replaced with the power of love. Then alone will the world know the blessings of peace.

O   M         T   A   T         S   A   T

September 2010

I leave all care with Him, seated in my heart, Whose love for me is endless and true. – Chinmaya

The Supreme Lord is not only a perfect Law Maker but also a strict Law Administrator. It is said that even a blade of grass doesn’t move without His permission. Kathopanishad says that He stands like a terror with a raised thunderbolt and therefore, out of fear of Him, the sun shines and the fire burns, the wind blows and the earth revolves etc.

But the sweetest thing is that the very same omnipotent Lord is all the time very very near to us as our own sweet Self, ever available for experience in our hearts. What is there to fear when He is there to take full charge of the entire cosmos. Such being the case, it is utterly foolish to become worried and anxious, thinking of what has happened or what is going to happen.

The condition of the one who worries thus is compared with the traveller who carries his luggage on his head even while travelling in the train. Just as the traveller’s carrying his luggage serves no purpose other than making him tired, our imaginary worries and anxieties drain us away unnecessarily. Lack of faith in His existence and lack of trust in His loving guidance is the cause of all our miseries.

Bhagavan says in Gita that a doubter of the Lord perishes undoubtedly.

A poor Brahmin lived on the banks of Ganga along with his wife. Every day, after his sandhyavandana and other routine ceremonial worships, he used to read one chapter of Bhagavad Gita and then go out for alms. As the days went by, his faith in the teachings was severely put to test when he had to struggle with utter poverty. His begging bowl was seldom filled and the devout couple had hardly anything to eat.

One day, overcome by grief at his misery, as he was going through his regular study of Gita, his eyes fell on the 22^nd verse of the 9th chapter where the Lord says-Yogakshemam vahaamyaham– assuring to bear the burden of all those devotees who take refuge in Him. In that mood of frustration, he took a red pen and scratched out that verse as he felt that in his case the assurance had turned out to be bogus. Somewhat relieved of his anger, he went out for his alms with his begging bowl.

Before long, two boys, brothers by appearance, the younger one of a darker hue, came to his door carrying a bag of rice and other provisions. The wife was surprised, as the boys insisted that the entire provision was for them alone. She found a bleeding cut on the back of the younger boy, and when she asked them who had inflicted the cruel wound, the child blamed her husband. The lady wondered how could her husband lose temper so much as to stab such a charming child. But the brothers disappeared in a flash.

The Brahmin, who knew nothing about this incident when questioned, pleaded innocence. He wondered as to who could have sent them help. His head was in a whirl. As always, he turned to the Gita for consolation. It was then that his eyes fell on the angry gash he had drawn on verse 22,9th chapter. That pen had gashed Sri Krishna’s back!

His want of faith had “wounded” Him so much. He ran like a mad man, to discover the Boy and to fall at His feet, crying for mercy. But He could never be found.

In the Gita, Lord claims that he is the father and mother of the entire universe. Just as a mother loves her child always, irrespective of whether the child is blind, lame, deaf, or dumb, Lord’s love for us also is endless and unconditional.

Bhagavan Sri Adi Shankaracharya says that a wicked son may be born but never a wicked mother. It was He alone who took care of us in our mother’s womb. When we came out, He fed us with mother’s milk. All the love and support we receive from our relatives and well-wishers come from Him alone. When we thus recognize His hands in all happenings, ever extended to bless and guide us, we begin to experience an unearthly peace, as we come to realize that everything that happens to us happens with a purpose, that there is some great lesson to be learnt therefrom. As we evolve through these experiences that life brings to us along with its flow, we gradually recognize His unending love. From then on even the bitterest experiences cease to be bitter, as in and through them is seen His deep concern to relieve us from this unending birth-death cycle.

May we put our trust in His hands so that He may put His peace in our hearts.

O   M         T   A   T         S   A   T

August 2010

He who believes that change is antecedent to rise will never give way to despair. – Chinmaya

One who has determined to rise will not be discouraged by the occasional falls en route. They are unavoidable in every path. How many times the child has to fall and injure itself before it learns to stand up and walk!

Whether it is an invention in the field of science and technology, a discovery of some unknown laws of Mother Nature, or a breakthrough in the field of medicine – countless are the losses and tragedies encountered before the final flag of triumph flutters over those unsuccessful attempts and renewed efforts. One always has to pass through the steps of failures before reaching the terrace of success.

Though falls and failures are most unwelcome everywhere, the fact is that the failures teach us some of the greatest lessons in life which any other means cannot. The failures make us more alert, contemplative and inspire us to further intensify our efforts. It also cultivates humility, compassion and the ability to forgive others. Failures expose us to our inborn imperfections, thus forcing us to seek the All Perfect Lord wholeheartedly.

But it is also true that many times, failures discourage us in moving further. At such times let us also remind ourselves that an expert is the one who has made all possible mistakes in one’s chosen profession. According to George Bernard Shaw, a life spent in making mistakes is not only honourable but also useful than a life spent in doing nothing!

There is not even a single instance in the history where a sincere and consistent effort for success has not been rewarded.

After getting defeated twice at the hands of Brahmarishi Vasishta, King Vishwamitra did intense tapas for one thousand years to attain the status of Brahmarishi. Pleased with the penance, Lord Brahma appeared and blessed him with the status of Rajarishi. With total discontentment, Vishwamitra intensified his tapas. But very soon, he cursed the son of Vasishta. Caught up in an ego clash with sage Vasishta, he bodily lifted a king named Trishanku to swarga. When Trishanku was thrown out from heaven, Vishwamitra went on to create another swarga in the mid-space. The end result of all these happenings was that he lost a major part of his tapas shakti.

To regain his lost power, Vishwamitra resumed his tapas for another one thousand years. This time, the distraction came in the form of a celestial beauty called Menaka. Greatly repenting on the fall, the rishi went on to perform tapas with greater intensity for another one thousand years. Lord Brahma again appeared before him but rejected his plea for the Brahmarishi post due to his lack of perfect self-control.

Undeterred, Vishwamitra intensified his tapas for another one thousand years, this time with arms raised, sustaining merely on air, and exposing himself to all extreme weather conditions. Once again, the devatas sent another apsara called Rambha to distract him but of no avail. Vishwamitra cursed her to become a rock for 10,000 years. Repenting deeply for his outburst of unchecked anger, he took a vow not to get angry or even to speak with anyone,  that he would not eat or even breathe!

Despite Indra’s unceasing attempts to tease Vishwamitra, the great rishi remained undisturbed and continued his tapas for yet another 2,000 years. In that unbearable heat of tapas, the three worlds started trembling. Immensely pleased with Vishwamitra, Lord Brahma had no other choice but to bless him with the highest status of Brahmarishi.

No effort of anyone has gone as a waste ever. Abraham Lincoln was once quoted saying,

“My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure!”

There is no failure except no longer trying. Real success is not all about winning trophies, but it is our attitude of mind to move on from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.

In this sense, may we ever remain successful in all our undertakings.

O   M         T   A   T         S   A   T

July 2010

Thought by thought and action by action, we are sculpting our future. – Chinmaya

‘Fate’, ‘destiny’, ‘luck’, ‘praarabdha’, ‘karma’,‘providence’…- these are some of the oft-repeated terms used by thousands amongst us to hide our inefficiencies, to justify the cause of our sufferings and to escape from the responsibilities of failures. The above quote from Pujya Gurudev puts to rest all our doubts and confusions in this matter in no unclear terms i.e. it is we who make our future and then we call it ‘fate’!

The above quote points out to us that we are today where our past thoughts have brought us; and we will be tomorrow where our present thoughts take us.

There was a young architect, greedy by nature, who married the only daughter of a wealthy and powerful man. Soon after the marriage, the wealthy man acquired a large plot of land atop a green hill, a dream location overlooking a magnificent view of a river. On this site he wanted his son-in-law to design and construct a beautiful bungalow for him.

The unscrupulous architect saw the assignment only as an opportunity to make money. He used substandard material and took all possible short cuts. He made a fortune out of the assignment and built the bungalow, beautiful to look at from outside, but with hundred unseen structural flaws.

The father-in-law, who had gone abroad during the construction period, returned at the end of the year. Meeting him at the airport, the son-in-law said, “Sir, your bungalow is ready for inspection.”

The next day, father, daughter and her husband drove up the hill to see the bungalow.

The car stopped outside the gates. The rich man looked at the bungalow and smiled with satisfaction. Handing over the keys of the house to his son-in-law, he said, “This is my surprise gift to your wife, my precious daughter!” The architect was stunned to silence!

Indeed, like that architect, thought by thought and action by action, with every passing moment, we are also shaping our future.

It is not the situation, as we may often misunderstand, that decides our future, but our response to it. For instance, in a certain house, two children grow up seeing their father, always drunk and misbehaving in the family. Whereas one child sees the calamity brought about by alcoholic addiction and grows up to be a complete teetotaler, the other one follows the footsteps of his dipsomaniac father. The situation being the same, one emerged better while the other remained bitter.

It is so well said – Watch your thoughts, for they become words; watch your words, for they become actions; watch your actions, for they become habits; watch your habits, for they become the character; watch your character, for they become your destiny.

In short, we choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them!

Someone has equated bad habits with a comfortable bed – easy to get in but hard to get out! Our habits are either the best of our servants or the worst of our masters. When noble thoughts are entertained, the purified mind gradually comes under our control. But the same mind, when allowed to drown in sensuality, tortures us with its unending temptations.

Happiness is then, not a chance but a choice. This choice is given to each one of us at every moment. It is in those moments of decision that our character is made and the destiny gets shaped.

The above quote hence reminds us of the preciousness of time, for, when we fail to prepare, we are only preparing to fail.

O   M         T   A   T         S   A   T

June 2010

“To dissipate our energies through the sense organs is the vulgar hobby of the thoughtless mortal.” – Chinmaya

Just as a stone effortlessly falls down the mountain, so too the mind and the senses are drawn towards the sense pleasures by their very nature.

For a thoughtless mortal, the pleasures derived from such indulgences alone are the real happiness and he or she sees no other meaning in life. But the fact remains that no lasting happiness can be gained through such sensual excesses as they only serve to drain away our vital energies, intensifying our slavery to the sense objects in the process. Hence the Lord says in Bhagawad Gita that the wise do not revel in such worldly pleasures.

When Nachiketa was offered all the luxuries of the world for countless years by Yamaraj,  the intelligent little one replied, “Sir, you may keep with yourself all these dance and music; please give me that which is Real and Eternal.”

Such earnest seekers of Truth are rare indeed. Majority of us have no such noble goal or aspiration. We are like the anchorless boat carried away by any passing wind, getting tossed up and down in the boundless ocean. If we observe how we spend every minute in a day, we will be shocked to realize that unnecessary and unimportant chores eat up most of our time. Newspapers, movies, cricket, gossips, chats, TV, internet etc. are increasingly becoming the pastimes of the masses. No one seems to be bothered about one’s own spiritual evolution. There is no time allocated for meditation, Satsang or any spiritual sadhana. The body is fed indiscriminately with tasty but junk foods and the mind is constantly fed with base, ignoble and vulgar thoughts. Thus, sick both in body and mind, the modern man drags on his life, totally unmindful of the very purpose for which he has come to this world.

It is the discipline that makes life easier, not licentiousness.

Someone put it very well- “Seek freedom and become captive of your desires; seek discipline and find your liberty.”

For us, another word for discipline is ‘pain’! But let us remember that there are no shortcuts to any place worth going and any gain worth achieving. ‘Must’ is a hard nut to crack but it has a sweet kernel!

A party of young men and women made merry in a grove near Uruvela. They were in a holiday mood, dancing, playing and making fun with each other. Tired, they lay down to sleep. When they woke up, all their items of baggage were gone!

They set out in search of the thief. They ran hither and thither but in vain. From a distance they saw a tree underneath which sat Buddha in lonely majesty, His face radiating with supreme peace. Prostrating themselves in reverence, they asked Buddha, “Sir, we are in search of the thief who has robbed us of our goods. Can you give us some clue?”

Buddha looked long into their eyes and gazed into the depths of their aspiring hearts and said, “In search of the thief have you set out my children! Were it not better that you went in search of yourselves?”

As they listened to these words, soaked in compassion, they forgot the thief, they forgot their goods, and they forgot the whole world! Buddha continued, “Subdue your passion for the pleasure of this world and the next. Conquer lust and be free from the shackles of pride. May you grow in the knowledge – the knowledge that will remove the veil and you will behold yourselves as you truly are!”

In Vivekachoodamani, Bhagawan Sri Adi Shankaracharya says that one who, even after getting a noble human birth does not strive for the realization of the Self verily commits suicide. It is said that we all must undergo either of the two pains – the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The only difference is that discipline weighs in ounces while regret weighs in tons!

May we make the best use of this precious life that God has given us and strive to be the worthy children of the Divine.

O   M         T   A   T         S   A   T

May 2010

The real men of achievement are the people who have the heroism to fuel more and more enthusiasm in their work when they face more and more difficulties. – Chinmaya

Difficulties, failures and problems etc. in a way are the greatest teachers in life. It is only during difficulties that we stretch ourselves out to the maximum our God-given talents to overcome various challenges. Difficulties strengthen the muscles of will-power, determination and perseverance. Our weaknesses and limitations are exposed only during difficulties and hence they reveal the scope for growth and improvement.

Many times, difficulties force us to turn within and tune in to God, thus helping us realize the fact that He alone is our true friend and the best guide. Difficulties enrich us with the noble values of humility and gratefulness. It also makes us aware of the bitter facts of life, thus urging us to strive for discrimination, dispassion and liberation. Difficulties are indeed the only available bitter pills unavoidable to get rid of the disease of worldliness.

When so many unseen blessings come along with difficulties, it is but natural that the truly wise welcome them with an open heart, knowing well that difficulties come only to stimulate and not to discourage.

In 1883, a creative engineer named John Roebling put forth the suggestion to build a bridge connecting New York and Long Island. Strong oppositions and criticisms poured from all over, stating how the whole plan was impossible to implement. But John knew in the depth of his heart that it could be done. He could convince only his son, Washington, an upcoming engineer, and both of them started working together to build their dream bridge.

The project started off well, but within a few months, a tragic accident took the life of John. Washington was seriously injured. With a part of his brain fully damaged, he could not walk, talk or even move.

As Roeblings were the only ones who knew how the bridge could be built, sharp criticisms again raised its hood and everyone felt that the project should be scrapped. But Washington still had the burning desire to go ahead. He tried to inspire and pass on the enthusiasm to some of his friends, but all in vain.

As he was lying on his bed, totally exhausted, something in him said not to give up. And very soon an idea struck him. All he could do was move one finger; he decided to make the best use of it. He developed a code of communication with his wife by tapping her arm; his wife would then tell the engineers what to do next! This went on for 13 long years and finally, the bridge was completed. Today the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge stands in all its glory as a tribute to the triumph of one man’s indomitable spirit and his determination not to be defeated by circumstances.

Let us not stop trying. The greatest mistake one can make is to be afraid of making one!

Swami Vivekananda says, “Never mind the struggles and the mistakes. Hold on to the ideal a thousand times and if you fail a thousand times, make the attempt once more. Be bold. Be strong. Stand up and fight! Not a step back!!”

Let us remember – the whole ocean is at the back of each wave. So too an Infinite Power is at the back of each and every one. This is the message of the Vedas and the Upanishads.

Once this knowledge is gained, one has then connected to the perennial source of strength, courage and wisdom within, thus transforming oneself from the state of a mere mortal to a real man of achievement.

O   M         T   A   T         S   A   T