Heart is the ocean of soft feelings Where all tides of emotions For a moment are like high tides While other times these are very low Low and high emotions Emanating from our heart May hurt the person concerned But never others’ sensitive emotions Since our Creator resides here And wherein our Creator lives There cannot be animosity Prejudice and Anxiety There is purity in thinking There is purity in dealing Where authority of truth prevails Liars, judgementals and people with baser ideas & jealousy Have restrictive entry For all the negative traits really.. .
We are well aware that man is made up of body, mind, soul or spirit and heart. Our soul evolves with every good experience we have in life – all the activities we are performing bestow us opportunity to learn something through those experiences we garner from activities. Our body is the medium through which we perform these activities and get experiences. These are controlled by our mind and heart based purely on our thought precepts.
FUNCTIONS OF OUR SOUL
The soul is on a journey on this earth and provides life to our body. As long as soul resides in the body, our body has life, bereft of soul in the body, the body becomes inert, lifeless thus cannot perform any function. Thus our soul is just like fuel in a vehicle. As long as there is fuel in the vehicle, it works or else it does not run at all.
MORE RELIANCE ON MIND AND SENSES
We must have experienced that we mostly are controlled by our mind; which means our senses control us. We get attracted by the outer attractions without seeing the inherent qualities. Therefore, we have more outer influences. By so doing, we live in the world of outer shows and glitters and ignore our inner potentials. By giving more credence to our mind, we tend to ignore our heart. When we have less reliance on our heart, then, sure enough, we are living in the world of our own making, a mirage which is not based on truth.
The work of our heart is reduced but our mind takes major decisions. We are controlled by our mind through our ego; based on the thinking that whatever has been happening happens due to ‘I, me’ etc. . In order to listen more to our mind, we tend to narrow the function of our heart. By narrowing the influence of our heart, we tend to narrow ourselves in knowledge and wisdom. Most of our sufferings are due to more reliance on our mind and senses resulting in physiological and psychological disorders. The overbearing influence of our senses generate stress and strain, ego-centric tendencies, greed, fear, envy, jealousy, anxieties and above all ignorance of highest order pervading. When we give more credence to our mind and senses then we may get momentary satiety but ultimately we are unsatisfied. We sleep and get some solace, eat and drink just to fulfil the need of our body, but after sometimes again we feel hungry. If it is not provided, we feel dismayed.
CONDITIONING OF OUR MIND
As we grow up, our mind gets conditioned, we become judgmental due to the influence of our parents, and other members of the society. The use of our heart starts narrowing down. This way, our egocentric tendencies start increasing. Instead of doing everything freely, we start to be restrictive or protective, we adopt clever means to get something based on our mind’s dictates, act smart to showcase ourselves to the society, rather than becoming non-judgmental, free, possess harmony, empathy or kindness toward others as per the demands of our heart.
TRAITS OF OUR HEART
The trait of heart is positive in nature, which include: understanding, forgiveness, patience, tolerance, assistance to the needy, kindness, empathy, sympathy, altruism, balance and harmony and above all spreading love and smiles amongst the fellow beings without discrimination. If we listen more to our heart, we tend to adopt all the good qualities and change our habits and behavior as such. The heart does not care for negative things which are of little value as far as sagacity or wisdom is concerned. Such a person remains balance in all the experiences – good or not so good. If we work according to our heart yearning, there would be joy of giving, joy of sharing and joy in doing everything. Then winning or losing will not matter at all. When winning or losing does not affect us in the least, we tend to act without attaching with the fruits of our action. Only the job would be to accomplish our task truthfully without too much reliance on the result of our Karma. There would not be any thought about what others would think about us. We shall be doing our job without any attachment to the fruits of our action – with joy abandon. This way, we shall not be having social anxieties; what others may be thinking about our thoughts and Karma based on those Karmic deeds. As a child, we used to do or think without any encumbrance or attachment. But as we age, influence of the peer group, formal and informal institutions and society in general changed our outlook thus orienting our habits and attitudes.
We must have seen the physical and mental suffering of the world at large. For these solutions are not far to seek. These are available within us only. If we delve inside us, a sea change can happen which will make us realize that we have ocean of opportunities to refine ourselves but for this to become reality, we have to work as our heart bids us to do. Since the messages originating from our hearts are pure, simple and based on truth, we can ensure our growth spiritually by following these messages. A pure desire comes to our mind whenever there is a need of this. We tend to be exercised whenever we see somebody in pain as per the bids of our heart. But when the ego-mind just jumps into the fray and stops us doing something which is good and subsequently uses its instruments of anger, jealousy, pride, coercion etc. Our mind will give thousands of reasons for not doing a good thing. Suppose when we see an accident victim, our heart tells us to render requisite assistance but the mind overcomes this thought and we tend not to render any help citing some reason for not doing so.
HEART DEALS WITH SOFT EMOTIONS
Essentially, we are sometimes duped by the suggestions or reasons given by the mind which takes into consideration the extraneous perspectives into consideration thus leaving our soft emotions. We’ve self motives in whatever we do and mind is the architect of these. We always behave with others in the manner so that we get maximum benefit from whatever we do or do not do. We have become selfish in everything we transact. The heart does not deal with profit or loss but with soft emotions.. It thrives on love and compassion, in sharing and caring. It tells us how best we can do good to others. Due to our policy of discarding the heart and its voice, we tend to listen more our mind.
Conclusively, if we want to be selfless with positive attitude, we have to listen more to our heart than mind. For this, we have to delve inside us. It may be difficult initially, but after some practice, it will give us joy and happiness. We have to expand our heart and contract the mind, listen more to our heart and less to our mind and its senses. Then we shall feel more relaxed, more joyful. Our body, mind and soul will work in tandem and we shall be smiling more, there would be earnest dealings with others based on give and take, forgetting and forgiving, and finally a purposeful life with the active participation of God.
How to increase literacy rate of a country with special emphasis on rural areas including girl child and minority communities?
Answer
Best Answer: We in India have more than 70% population living in rural areas. These people have to be educated about the need of education for their cohesion and adjustment with the educated people living in the urban and metropolitan cities in this highly surcharged atmosphere of competition. In order to teach more people, we have to reach more people; especially in rural areas. Although Government aided and run educational schools and colleges are fulfilling the needs of the populace, yet, there is a urgent need to enhance the educational pursuit through people oriented programmes. The following are some of the aspects which are to be taken into account for spreading literacy amongst the people.
a/ Making the people aware about the need of education through print and electronics medias.
b/ Opening more schools and colleges in the less accessible areas.
c/ Provide reading and other educational aids’ including books to the needy.
d/ Providing uniforms to the needy.
e/ Provision of scholarship to the needy.
f/ Picking up the meritorious students for higher studies from the rural areas.
g/ Give specialized type of education to the physically challenged children/children with special needs.
h/ Periodically monitor the educational standard of the people areawise and devise measures for its improvement.
i/ Provide grant-in-aid for needy for meeting needs arising out of educational pursuit.
j/ Provide computers and other modern electronic aids for the schools.
k/ Proper training and education for the teachers for making the educational pursuit a successful venture.
l/ Make the people aware about teaching women folks with a view that if we teach a girl you teach a family as a whole.
m/ As far as possible make educational pursuit possible for adults also so that they could also assimilate in the society and get benefits that are accrued.
n/ Those amongst us who could not educate themselves due to some reason or the other, starting special classes for them so that they adjust with the society as a whole. NGOs should chip in for this.*
*Literacy rate of any country depends on the facilities available in the forms of schools/educational institutions, needful infrastructure for these (study rooms, proper and clean toilet facilities – separate for boys and girls, adequate number of trained teachers proportional to the students so that individual necessary playing equipment/toys for specially needed children (for varieties of disabilities) with physiotherapist and specially trained teachers who could meet the needs of these gifted children etc.
In rural India, there is a need of girls’ education because there is wide disparity in the literacy rate of boys and girls. It is well known fact that when we educate a girl, we educate the entire family as such because the child in the initial stage of growth and development, first lesson is imparted by the mother and if she is educated she can amply do so. Illiteracy of the females negatively impacts the entire family to which she goes after marriage. If she is literate and well educated besides cultured one; well versed in value system including traditional modes of behaviour then she can conveniently transfer/impart that value system to her children which doubtlessly will help afterwards in life when a child grows up and faces life. The sluggishness in females’ education could better be removed through the joint and sincere efforts of Government and parents. Efforts should also be made to convince the parents to send the girl child for necessary schooling. An idea should be spread that both boys and girls need education for adjusting in the life. More so for girls for they have to assimilate themselves in different sort of environments after their marriage. Though in urban and metropolitan cities the literacy rate of girls has improved manifold yet in rural areas there are glitches like non-availability of more schools, teaching staff and other requisites like sanitation etc for girl students which need to be attended urgently. More funds should be provisioned by the Government for infrastructural and other provisions in the rural areas. If rural area with more population is awaken through literacy then the country as a whole will have inclusive progress.
Apart from giving fillip to education to girls, there is an urgent need of enhancing literacy rate amongst minorities along with attending to the caste related problems impacting their education. It has been experienced that children from these communities although enroll in the school in first standard but their dropout rate is too high because of factors like financial stringency due to poverty of parents, school available at far off places and available schools do not have trained and efficient staff including non-willingness on the parts of parents to send their children to school etc. Rather they would like their children, in many cases, to follow the parents’ traditional profession to meet the family financial needs. Actually absolute poverty too deters the pursuit of educational pursuits in the rural areas. Though Government is making efforts in educating the rural masses the need of education through publicity campaign and by opening new schools and bridging the gap yet still more needs to be done.
When prevalence of evil is at its worst When irreligious & immoral rule the roost When there is no respect For the principles of natural justice When voices of virtuous souls are gagged with force When human rights and values are overlooked woefully When ignorant are rewarded only When people with sagacity are ignored willfully When people are disgruntled immeasurably When people without moral conduct are respected unduly When egocentric tendencies are pampered fully When even blood relations are imprisoned by their own offspring unreasonably When divinity and spirituality lose its sheen When saintly advices are not paid any heed When arrogance is allowed to fester When commoners are put to shame by their masters And forced to submit to their whims Thus forced not to pray Omnipotent and Omniscient When seers’ Yajna are defiled By throwing rubbish and filth on the fires so sacred When sages and opposition voices are stifled arrogantly When even just-born kids are done to death mindlessly Because of fear of these children Growing and becoming a cause of their own death When general masses are uncared And left at the mercy of evil marauders Thence our Lord Vishnu descends from His Abode Vaikuntha And incarnates for destroying the evil from the world at large In order to deliver the pious and the righteous Thus He annihilates the evil which has made a residency As irreligious and unreasonable ones Thus re-establish the principles, Of morality and fair-play. At the stroke of midnight, At Ashtami Tithi with Rohini Nakshtra that night Something very mystic happened There appeared Lord Vishnu dressed in shining attire And carrying His weapons including Sudharshan Chakra, In the imprisonment of evil King Kamsa, On request from mother – Devaki & father – Vasudeva, He turned Himself as a baby to be hidden from evil Kamsa, This way, the birth of Krishna took place in Yadu dynasty, Kamsa knew in his heart of hearts, really That nobody can undo the purpose of Lord Vishu incarnation Since the will of God always prevails on all occasions. Lo and behold, the violent and vigilant guards remained in deep sleep, Oblivious what transpired in the guarded dungeon just nearby, Whilst heavy downpour made the Yamuna fully swollen, Vasudeva put the baby Krishna in a basket on his head, With Sheshnag providing a shelter from rain, Yamuna swelled still further on, Wishing to touch the feet of the Supreme Lord, Then Krishna offered His Divine Feet for Yamuna’s touch. After reaching Nandgaon Vasudeva exchanged the baby Krishna Brought back Yashoda’s daughter named Yogmaya He was back to his prison cell without being noticed by anyone. At Nandagaon, Krishna performed many of His Mystic plays of Leelas – unique ones, Showed His mystical prowess at Mathura and finally at Dwaraka, He mesmerized Gopis with His flute play– at the musical best, Attracting even the cows herds in hoards. Gayatri Mantra was initiated to the Krishna by Guru Gargamuni, And Vedic arts and sciences by Guru Sandipanimuni, At Mathura He killed many demons, To ward off the demons threats, Thus stopping threat looming large, Of many a ferocious demons. During His childhood days, And thereafter during his life time, His role as destroyer of evil is well-known to everybody Mahabharta epic provides us the testimony. . He married many queens, Rukimni being the most beautiful one, Love of Radha & Krishna is etched in folklores, Will ever remain in our memories till ages, As the pious Love of Divines. Lord Krishna acted as a Charioteer of Arjuna, The greatest archer (dhanushdhari) of all times, Was the role of His in the Kurukshtra war! Where Lord Krishna displayed His stupendous Universal Form, When Arjuna was in doubt to fight war, Against kith and kin of his own, Then the Supreme Lord delivered His famed Bhagavad Gita, “The Song of God”, Containing essence of Jnana, All encompassing knowledge – Gyana. In the war that ensued, Evil doers met their doom, Thus had the results of their wicked karmic deeds, Proving that bad Karma leads to bad end, And with them the wickedness that pervaded, Thus Kamsa met his death at the hands of Lord Krishna, A victory of good over evil was ensured, A lasting lesson for us mortals to follow indeed, May Lord Krishna’s blessings be showered on all of us By gracing us with wisdom And spread the message of goodness for us mortals.
KRISHNA JANAMASHTAMI
The birthday of Sri Krishna is celebrated every year. As per the astrological calculations and scriptural details, the date of Krishna’s birth, which is known as Janamashtami is 18 July 3228 BCE. Lord Krishna lived upto 18th February 3102 BCE. He is the 8th Avtar of Lord Vishnu. This festival is celebrated on the 8th day of Krishna Paksha (dark night) between the months of August – September every year.
Krishna belonged to the Yadu dynasty descending from Soma. He was the 8th son of Princess Devaki and Vasudeva (son of Surasena). Krishna was carried across the River Yamuna by Vasudeva after his birth in the confinement of Kamsa.
Krishna Janmashtami has been variously described as: Krishnashtami, Saatam Aatham, Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Shrikrishna Jayanti, Sri Jayanti, Krishna Janma, Gokulashtami, Sri Krishna Jayanti, etc.
Lord Krishna Himself has enunciated in Bhagwad Gita that whenever there is excessive evil/sin in the society; when there is prominence of repressive and regressive forces besides prevalence of irreligious practices, He appears on this planet to eliminate evil thus minimize the scourge of evil from the society besides protecting the pious and righteous people. His form may be different in different ages but He takes birth or incarnates and shows the right course to the people at large with His thoughts and actions.
Lord Vishnu is the cause of creation and He incarnated as Krishna to eliminate demonic forces prevalent in the society at large. It has rightly been said that God is omnipotent and omniscient besides He possesses innumerable names: Lord-Allaha-Rama-Krishna-Jehova-Budha-Akalpurakh but Truly speaking; He is the ONE. He has personal and impersonal aspects. To exemplify this; a drop of water has the same chemical and physical properties as water from huge reservoir of water. One or Many hardly makes any difference. Our body which we love the most is impermanent. Our soul and the Super Soul are permanent. It does not die with the death of the body. God incarnations and saints’ lives which have been enumerated in different scriptures have made it amply clear about the importance of God Consciousness through their discourses and other mystic actions, remain inspiring us humans. Such is the importance of incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Krishna.
THE BIRTH OF LORD KRISHNA IS LACED IN MYSTICISM
After the marriage ceremonies, while Kamsa was taking his sister Devaki and brother-in-law Vasudeva in the cheriat, he felt very happy. There is a custom of brother accompanying the married sister to her in-laws home. The procession was passing merrily while Kamsa was driving the chariot. The atmosphere was surcharged with joyous/ecstasy.
As ill luck would have it, there was a prophecy from the sky: “Kamsa, you are such a fool! You are driving the chariot of your sister and your brother-in-law, but you do not know that the 8th child of your sister will kill you.“. Kamsa was dumbfounded and could not control his anger and therefore wanted to kill Devaki (the daughter of Devaka) but Vasudeva intervened and promised that they will give all their newborn children to Kamsa after their births and agreed to stay in his jail cell. They were thus imprisoned under the supervision of guards. Vasudeva also commented that Kamsa being a greatest warrior and should not kill his own sister. He also told Kamsa that we are dying every moment that passes and death is evitable for the one who is born. Thus he pacified Kamsa through his (Vasudeva’s) flattery.
Afterwards, Kamsa imprisoned his own father (Ugrasena) and declared himself as the King besides usurping the power of King Surasena (Vasudeva’s father). He expanded his power to other parts too through his prowess.
Subsequently, first six children of Devaki and Vasudeva were killed by King Kamsa sooner they were born after the news of their birth was conveyed to him. While Kamsa’s relatives and friends tried to dissuade him from doing so but he did not listen to anyone. Then there was a news of miscarriage of seventh child but actually seventh child was transferred to Rohini as Balarama – just secretly – a Mystical potency of God.
AN ATMOSPHERE OF PEACE ON THE BIRTH OF KRISHNA
When Krishna was born, there was an atmosphere of peace, auspicious stars were visible in the sky besides there were all positive signs. The demigods were very pleased and began to shower flowers. Then Lord Vishnu appeared before Devaki and she felt very elated. Vasudeva was also very happy after seeing the shine on the face of the newborn – such opulence and effulgence. The demigods had already informed them that Supreme Personality of Godhead would be born from the womb of Devaki. He was really convinced that the newborn was the Godhead Himself. Vasudeva began to offer prayers. He was of the firm belief that now Kamsa will get justice for his sinful acts. He thus prayed and requested Him to save them from the hands of Kamsa. Devaki requested Him to take the form of an ordinary child so that no harm is done to him.
MYSTERIES OF KRISHNA’S JOURNEY FROM MATHURA TO GOKULA
Afterwards, a mystic thing happened, all the prison locks got opened, all the guards slept and there was a heavy rain. On the birth of eighth child, Lord Vishnu ordained that the child be taken to Gokula to Nanda and Yashoda. There upon, Vasudeva took infant Krishna with him, crossed the river Yamuna and reached Gokul. After leaving infant child at Gokula, he brought back Yashoda’s daughter named Yogmaya back to his prison cell. Due to the grace of Lord Vishnu, nothing went amiss. The birth of Krishna, and activities are all transcendental and one who understands it is spiritually rich person. His birth is according to His time and place besides the need of such an eventuality. Even the planetary systems were adjusted auspiciously at the time of Krishna’s birth.
Foster father Nanda Baba and mother Yashoda of Lord Krishna were very happy while they were celebrating the birth of their newborn son with great pump and show. There was an atmosphere of joy everywhere. Yashoda always thought Krishna as her dear son and not anything else – they all enjoyed the childhood pastimes of Krishna thereafter.
The news of the 8th child was given to Kamsa. While Kansa was about to kill Yogmaya, she vanished from his hands and thundered that his killer was in Gokula and warned about his looming death. Thereupon, Kamsa sent his various ferocious demons to kill Krishna who were all killed by Krishna.
KAMSA’S PERSECUTION RECKLESSNESS STARTS
Kamsa comes to know about the birth of 8th child and further information that he is taken to Gokula made him furious. He got exasperated and lamented; now the cruel death will not be far away he thought. Yet he wanted to do everything in order to eliminate the child.
IMPORTANCE OF CELEBRATION OF BIRTHDAYS
Significantly, the celebration of birthdays for everybody is a must since it reminds us not only our self-worth but also we realize the purpose of our lives. It also gives us realization how much our friends our relatives and other well-wishers love us. We reciprocate in the same measure the wishes and wellness showered on this day for us. Therefore, it is not only the birthdays of Messengers of God we should celebrate but also of ourselves, friends and relatives.
NEED OF INCARNATIONS
The demons kings were very harsh in their behavior towards their subjects. They inflicted all sorts of punishments on them including not allowing them to worship their deities and carrying out various rituals as enshrined in the scriptures. The demon kings wanted that people should obey them, pray them and remain slave to them. All this and more hardships made the world at large troubled spot. This necessitated and impelled deity of earth – Mother Earth (Bhumi) to go to the Lord Brahma in Brahmaloka with tears in her eyes to reduce the burden of evil doers and the heinous sins being perpetrated by the demons from the earth. Lord Bhrahma, Lord Shiva along with all Demi Gods accompanied Mother Earth for invoking Lord Vishnu to come to their succor. All prevailed upon Lord Vishnu to appear as the son of Vasudeva and all other Demi Gods to appear on the Mother Earth in different forms to assist Lord Vishnu in His new Avtar in one form or the other. .
Kamsa sent Putana who was known for killing small children by her sinful methods, to kill child Krishna. Krishna killed her after suckling her breast.
King Kamsa sent demon named Trnavarta with mystic powers. He was eliminated by Krishna without much difficulty.
A demon named Bakasura attacked him and his cowherd friends. Krishna killed him.
Serpent Aghasura was killed after playful acts of Krishna and his friends with him.
Dhenukasura attacked Krishna and his gops. He killed the demon.
Demon Pralambasura sent by King Kamsa was killed by Lord Krishna.
Demon Kesi in the form of a horse was killed by Krishna.
While visting Mathura, Lord Krishna killed the wrestler named Canura by hurling him to the ground while wrestling.
Finally Lord Krishna dragged the demoniac King Kamsa and threw him on the ground, struck im with His fist repeatedly and killed him. That was the end of the evil along with Demon King
WHAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC DO ON THIS PIOUS DAY
Devout keep fast on this day and remain awake till midnight at the time when Krishna was believed to have born. The image of Krishna as an infant is kept on the cradle or swing both at homes and temples and everyone wants to have a dharshan makes the swing to move. This is considered an auspicious thing.
Devotees sing songs and make merry besides exchanging gifts and flowers. In temples satsang and puja is also held.
Janamashtmi is celebrated differently In different parts of India. In Maharashtra, Dehihandi is celebrated where buttermilk is kept in a pot and kept at a convenient height. Different parties try to break this earthen pot so as to win this contest. This event is undertaken to remember the event of stealing of buttermilk by Krishna in his childhood from Gopi’s homes. The participants in this event are called Govindas.
In Mathura (the birth place of Krishana), Gokul and Vrindavan the festival is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm. People gather in large number and offer their prayers to Him. Even in Dwarka in Gujarat where Krishna established his kingdom, people visit Dwarkadish temple. Bhagavata Purana, the part dealing with the pastimes of Krishna are recited besides offerings of betel, fruits, flowers etc done by the devotees.
Gokulashtami is celebrated with great fervor in South India too. In Tamil Nadu, the people decorate the floor with kolams (decorative pattern drawn with rice batter).
Besides Lord Krishna’s mysticism and Leelas are always enjoyed by the devotees.
Lord Krishna dance upon the heads of the serpent Kaliya thereafter Kaliya realized his mistake.
Protected the people from the heavy rains on the village Vrindavan by lifting Govardhan hill on his little finger.
Rasa Lila (Dance) with gopis at Vrindavana to the tune of the flute.
It is very vividly in Bhaghwad Gita that those who know about the birth, His appearance and all activities of Lord Krishna become eligible to be transferred to spiritual world. JAI SHRI KRISHNA. For this to become reality we have to be Krishna Conscious.
Bhagwad Gita discourse which Lord krishana had with Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukshetra (A DHANUSHDHARI OF REPUTE) enlightens us with the following besides other things:
You have the right to work but never to the fruit of the work. You should never engage in action for the sake of reward, nor should you long for inaction.
Whatever happened, happened for the good, whatever is happening is happening for the good and whatever will happen will happen for the good.
Change is the law of universe, you can be millionaire in an instant or a pauper in an instant.
The soul is eternal.
You came empty handed and will leave empty handed when you die.
Lust, anger and greed are the three the gates to self-destructive hell.
Man is made by his belief, as he believes, so he becomes.
When meditation is mastered the mind is unwavering like the flame of a lamp in a windless place.
Doubts are our enemies.
We are kept from our goal not by obstacles, but by a clear path to lower goal.
We are all one since all are God’s creations.
Let go off attachment – our attachment to the worldly possessions is the cause of miseries.
Give without expecting anything in return.
Man is his own friend or enemy by his karmic deed or misdeed.
Steadiness equipped with Yoga one controls the mind.
A person can attain supreme state of freedom from the karma by self-control, and disregard for the material possessions.
It is better to do one’s own duty better, even though it may be below our merits which we actually deserve.
The five factors of our actions are: place of action, the doer, the sense organs, numerous efforts and the divine law which govern all other factors.
Essentially, when we want our self-interests to be kept in our mind and fulfilled before taking the interests of others to be taken into account. By so doing, we are following an inward looking way of living. There is no disputing the fact that everybody has the right, wherewithal besides freedom to take care of our self-interests but in this case too, our approach should be more flexible rather than inflexible.
While to fulfill our self-interests is good but to give more reliance to ourselves only, sometimes, it may boomerang on us sometimes. I am of the opinion that we should never be self-serving.
A thing is more interesting when it meets the following principles parameters:-
SOCIAL ACCEPTABILITY AND ADAPTABILITY
It should be kept in mind that a thing when accepted by all, without any reservation is interesting as it does not intrude into the privacy of others for instance obeying the social norms, obeying the laws of land including the Laws of Nature is very interesting and should be followed in letter and spirit by all without any reservation. Any transgression may entail social stigma against us and we may also face the law if we transgress any rule governing our social behavior.
WE SHOUL NOT BE BIAS IN ANY WAY
A thing is interesting if it is for everybody with any bias or discrimination on the basis of narrow biases which some of us do have for others. It should always be kept in mind that we all are creator of the same God. Our birth and deaths are the two things which are no in our hands. If somebody thinks that I am superior to other one owing to my birth in a particular family or leaning then, I am totally forgetting the fact that births and deaths are not in our hands. While we were born, we did not bring anything and while we depart we shall not take anything. Whatever we have is given to us here on this beautiful earth due to our God’s graces for which we should be thankful to Him. Then, for God’s sake which particular think you have which others do not have which makes you egocentric. When you will leave this earth you will not be taking even a strand of hair of yours leave aside anything else!! Therefore, in order to make ourselves socially acceptable, we should first of all respect all and earn respect in return. We should not compartmentalize ourselves on the basis of our religion, caste, creed, colour, language, region etc. Keep in mind that these were not in our hands when we were born, then, why we should have bloated sense of superiority complex? To be more interesting, we should obey the new norms of social behavior and live as the children of God, taking pride in earning more friends than enemies with our bias attitude.
OUR ACTIONS SHOULD BE BEREFT OF SELFISHNESS
When we become more conscious of our own interests, our own ways of living, our own style of functioning without regard to others sentiments and interest involved, then, sure enough, you will not be able to be of any interest to others since you are not earning their gratitude and respect as a member of a society. We must have seen even the animals help each other when one of them is in dire need. I witnessed a video wherein a monkey was saved by a dog (a sworn enemy of monkey otherwise) but when monkey was in need of assistance for its survival the dog helped it to come out the troubled spot. There are so many cases in the animal world wherein they come to the succor of others when in need then why, we as humans who think themselves to have special power of discrimination provided by God disregard it all and become selfish? In order to make ourselves more interesting and likeable, it is in the fitness of things to be understanding of others’ needs and aspirations because you will also need somebody’s assistance. Do not forget we require some people to carry our body while we are dead for burial or cremation??
WE ALL HAVE TO PERFORM OUR OWN KARMA
As humans, we have to perform our various Karmic deeds according to our situation and condition, the environments in which we are living besides our place we have earned for ourselves in the society. Our efforts should be to earn Karmic Credit points by being empathetic, compassionate and always spiritually oriented while performing our various tasks in the society. This will also earn for ourselves a good place in the society besides making ourselves interesting. It should be kept in mind that ‘nobody flogs a dead horse’, if you are not interesting to others, then, why others should be interesting to you??
ON CREATION OF OUR GOOD KARMA
The quality and ethical level of actions of an individual depend on the pattern of his life and his social conduct in society. There are enormous avenues of good conduct. There is no limit to do good karma. Karma is the act, work or deed that affects our future life and also, our life in the next birth. The concept of Karma puts a lot of emphasis, not just on our actions but on our intent as well. Good actions done with good intent help you create Good Karma. Newton had correctly observed that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. What you do today will impact you in some way tomorrow and only those who choose to live wisely, and with this awareness of how nature works will gain in the end. Therefore, we should create good karma. For this to be reality, we should fulfill needs of others of those who need our help, be considerate towards and all. By so doing, we can get peace inward which cannot be bartered for anything tangible.
OUR UNDERSTANDING OF A THING DEPENDS ON OUR DETACHED THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS
ON OUR UNDERSTANDING Understanding of anything Or everything Depends on us individually And collectively Wherein our sincerity Of Inner thoughts And Karmic deeds thereof Without attachment to the fruits Of our action Thoughts bereft of sincere efforts Without much attachment To the fruits of our action Understanding or otherwise Depends on our mind and intelligence Which is individualistic in nature. Then there are some things Which are mystic in nature For these things are wrapped in mystical thoughts We base our understanding On the basis of pure faith and belief – astha Then in understanding We delve in empathy for those who do need our sympathy. What we conceive with sincerity Happens Based purely On our thoughts and action Bereft of attachment to the fruits of our action. We too bstow appreciation Of others point of view Without going deeper Into result of our action we perform.
In Bhagwad Gita is has been rightly said: Such a man of understanding acts with intelligence perfectly controlled, gives up all sense of proprietorship over his possessions and acts only for the bare necessities of life. Thus working, the person concerned is not affected by unethical reactions. Therefore our understanding is dependent partly on our intelligence and party the sincerity of our karmic deeds.
Understanding the intricacies involved in our lives also involves how we should transact anything and everything without attachment to the fruits of our thoughts and actions not forgetting the sincerity involved in that actions.
It has been observed empirically that the understanding of person differs from person to person. While talking about understanding, the comprehension, the thoughtfulness, the conception etc. differs as every person differs in his/her level of knowledge, know-how and will to gain the same.
It should always be kept in mind that understanding or comprehensive capacity is individualistic in nature and depends on the level of effort an individual puts in to garner knowledge (Gyan). For gaining knowledge and enhancing our understanding, we have to burn mid-night oil. It does not come just by wishful thinking.
Then understanding has other meaning too – these too differ from person to person; depending fundamentally on our application of efforts, concentration and willpower to assimilate and gain power to attain the same.
These are:-Sympathy or empathy. One of the important things in our life is having compassion or understand about others.
Compassion brings about concern for others which is essential in day to day life.Considerate. To be considerate in essence is necessary. Those who are not considerate for others lack civility and consideration for others do not know the exact meaning of existence.
Perceptive power. Those who conceive an idea and perceive succeed. This understanding should not be understood by all.
Appreciation of some aspect. Understanding and appreciation others’ positive pursuits bring about holistic development in an individual.
Acceptance. Acceptance in any field will go a long way in understanding the inner and outer aspects in any field of activity.
Though evolution, with passage of time, has taken place and with it the growth and development in science and technology in varieties of fields yet when life originated and also its beginning is wrapped into mystery and delusion and based on conjectures.
Even the studies in science, philosophy, metaphysics etc. are not able to unravel the truth about its genesis. Everything that is known till now is based on the understanding of human brains and conjectures. The human understanding has made a huge difference in progress of the civilization and culture. We have attained awakening in spiritual plane too.All this is attained due to our sincere effort in unraveling the mysteries of Nature,
There are unresolved questions, the understanding of which is difficult to attain. For instance, the beginning of creation’s existence, its genesis, origin etc. we areee groping in dark about its SOURCE. There is lack of understanding when the life began; is it due to self-origination or there is some power who created this earth, the universe, the nature etc.
This way, there are many things in our lives and beyond which should be understood but we are not knowing but keep on delving so as to reach a happy ending suiting the time and space – till at least TIME helps in solving the mysteries in it all.
As the level of comprehension differs from person to person therefore, the understanding too differs. It differs from person to person.
A DELICATE TWINE MAKES HUGE DIFFERENCE IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SISTER AND BROTHER
RAKSHA BANDHAN – RAKHI (MAY THE BROTHER & SISTER LOVE GETS SYNERGIZED)
Rich in cultural heritage, And traditions so enriching Despite upheavals, Some known and others buried, And forgotten, As time went on, India with its varied festivals, Keeps reminding the multitudes, Of the importance of the festivals, Based sometime on change in seasons, Or some sacred religious occasions, Other times based purely on human emotions, Whilst there is a need to revive relationships, So as to render assistance, To each other when need be, To make the relationship, More accommodative and ready to lend a hand always. The RAKSHA BANDHAN is the festival, so well-known, Where sister ties the sacred thread around her brother’s wrist, Rakshn Bandhan is held in the Hindu month of Shravan, Witnessed by the auspicious full moon from the Heaven, Profuse with sisterly adoration, And awe-inspiring sentiment of brotherly affection, Indeed a close blood relation, A festival of deep bond of emotion, Wherein a brother promises fortification, Of his sister from any danger unforeseen , An ultimate ‘bond of protection’ Though unwritten in real sense, Yet this thread is not an ordinary twine, But solemn undertaking given. Rakhi is not mere a knot between blood related brothers and sisters, It is sacred knot between neighbours, And other society members, To keep the fabric of society united, To ensure communal concord, History is replete with several examples, Where Rajputs & Maratha queens sent Rankhis, To the Mughal kings, And won their support at the time most critical There is also a story of Alexander the Great’s spouse, Sending a Rakhi to King Porus, Which King Porus accepted with immense respect And the promise was so fulfilled By not harming her husband Such is the sacred Rakhi’s bond. Such is the power of this ordinary thread, That it can keep even adversaries united. O our All powerful Creator, Thee who can do anything anywhere, Knot the world community with thy Holy Thread, So that all live in peace and concord.
RAKSHA BANDHAN (An Ordinary Twine which unites the two souls)
We Indians and globally too, are fortunate to celebrate different festivals, particular to the region, which are celebrated with religious fervour and devotion. Festivals may be different but there is a commonality of warmth which is exhibited while celebrating these festivals; which is indeed amazing. That is the beauty which binds us together with a common Thread of Love and Care for each other.
MEANING OF RAKSHA BANDHAN
The word Raksha means an act of bestowing protection and bandhan means a relation/connection/tie/bond/association. Taken together it means a relation which ensures or bestows protection as and when there is a need. Raksha Bandhan, in other words, is a bond between brother and sister for provision of protection to the sister whenever contingency arises There is also a sacred pledge that he (brother) will fulfill the promise of protection come what may. In return, the sister prays for the wellbeing and prosperity of her brother. Due to this, the connection of brother-sister get synergized and there and emotional bond consolidated.
SIGNIFICANCE OF RAKHI PURNIMA
Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival which highlights the importance of brother-sister relationship. Here, brother-sister may be related biologically or may be biologically unrelated.
In some parts of India it is simply called Rakhi festival or Rakhi Purnima (falling on full moon). India being a multi-cultural society, not only Hindus, this festival is celebrated by Sikhs, Jains, etc. The sister ties a (Rakhi thread) sacred thread on the wrist of her brother and the brother in turn gives a solemn pledge or promise to the sister to come to her succor at any unforeseen eventuality or contingency. A promise which is formulized on RAKHI PURNIMA DAY. This festival falls on full moon day (Shravan Poornima) and that is why it is also called as Raksha Poornima. Falling in the month of Shravan, this festival has special significance since it is connected with fasting, on every Monday to earn the graces and blessings of Lord Shiva and on every Tuesday for pleasing Goddess Parvati.
SENSITIVITY IN THE RELATION OF BROTHER & SISTER
The brother-sister relationship is really very sensitive. When brother and sister are biologically connected then they grow up together under the same roof and the parents make them understand the importance of brother-sisterly relationship. As the sister, after she grows up, has to leave the home and hearth of her parents, Rakhi Thread becomes a link between brother and sister to remind each other that there exists somebody to care for him/her. It is, in other words, an emotional bond/link which brings forth the memories of the past days when both brother and sister had lived and brought up together. To say the least, I opine, sisterly love is next the motherly love. A simple woven thread, self made or purchased from market with great reverence cements relationship even further between brother and sister.
Some of the salient features of RAKSHA BANDHAN are given below”-
• Raksha Bandhan signifies the love and affection between brother and sister – an emotional link which solidifies the relationship between the two blood-related or otherwise.
• Brother promises to protect her sister and come to her succor whenever called for besides giving a suitable gift for his sister as a token of love.
• At the time of tying the knot of sacred thread parents, grand-parents and other members of the family ritualistically gather to shower their blessings on brother-sister at a spot where sister ties knot of Rakhi to her brother and pray for their well-being and prosperity. Tying of knot of a Rakhi is done in a ceremony by lighting a earthen wick or a candle in a shallow plate. Sister applies tilak or tikka on the forehead of her brother and then ties Rakhi. The purpose of lighting a wick is for sanctification of RAKSHA BANDHAN in presence of Fire God. Brother gives her gifts and promises to protect her whenever there is a need. Subsequently, the sister prays for the wellbeing and prosperity of her brother. Some sing religious songs in connection with Rakhi festival.
• The sister prays to God for the safety and prosperity of his brother.
• A sacred thread, in the form of Rakhi thread, cements a bond between brother and sister thus establishes goodwill and emotional bond between them two.
• Most importantly, when brother-sister love is affirmed outside the biological relationship then it will enhance inter-faith cohesion and fellow feelings between different castes, religions etc. This practice persisted in the past and is prevalent now as well. Raksha Bandhan evokes feeling of love, respect, and a sense of protection and also engenders a feeling of togetherness between different religions.
• Then there is a practice of sending Rakhi threads made by the school children to the soldiers guarding the borders who could not be with their sisters because of their emergent commitments. These soldiers will naturally feel elated and emotionally suffused by this sacred gesture.
• Self made Rakhi Threads along with the sweets and gifts are sent to the orphanages for tying to the ones who were not so fortunate to have their brother tying this sacred thread. This also brings smile on their faces.
• Brothers and sisters who are geographically separated send their Rakhis by post or any other fast means along with the gifts in the form of gift cheque etc. Now-a-days, due to the progress of communication owing to net, Rakhis could even be e-Rakhied without wastage of time. What a way to exploit the fast communication! This gesture too keeps the bond of brother-sister love ever blossoming.
• The Prohits self-make Rakhis and distribute amongst their disciples who put these on their writs with fervour. This too is considered as a SARED TWINE.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Earliest examples of a Rakhi Bandhan prayer is found in VISHNU PURAN: a prayer that Yasoda sung while tying a sacred rakhi lucky charm on Krishna’s wrist. May the lord of all beings protect you, May the one who creates, preserves and dissolves life protect thee.
Historically legend has it that Rajput queens used to send rakhi threads (a scared thread) to other neighbouring rulers in order to show their linkage or relationship and establish a bond of relationship and spread brotherly feeling amongst the neighbourhood and avoid bloodletting on small pretext or misunderstanding of any nature.
There is a legend, Lord Ganesha had two sons named Shubh and Labh. While Ganesh’s sister came to tie a Rakhi around the wrist of Ganesh, his sons became disappointed. They wanted a sister too. Then Narda Muni came and persuaded Lord Ganesha for the same and thus created a daughter by the name of Santoshi Maa by the divine flame emerging from wives named Ridhi and Sidhi who tied Rakhi on the wrists of her brothers Shubh and Labh. There is also a legend in Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana that after Lord Vishnu won the three worlds from demon king Bali, he requested Lord Vishnu along with Maa Lakshmi to stay in his palace. This was not like by Goddess Lakshmi. She had a plan. She tied a Rakhi around the wrist of King Bali and made him his brother. When asked for a gift she asked for the freedom of Lord VISHNU and freed from the promise to live at his palace. Demon king agreed.
In Manabharta, Lord Krishna considered Draupati as his sister. When there was a cut on his finger while beheading Shushupal, she pierced a piece of her sari and tied it around his injured finger which was bleeding. Krishna took it as a sacred thread (RAKSHNA BANDHAN) and bestowed her protection whenever called for the same.
There is also a legend of Yama (the lord of death) and Yamuna (river). Yama, due to pre-occupation could not visit her for 12 long years. She told Ganga for the same. Gangaji mentioned this to Lord Yama. He visited his sister thereafter. Yama was very happy to see his brother after a long time; prepared tasty food for him. On asking for a gift, she extracted a promise that he should visit her year after year. This too is connected with Rakshna Bandhan.
May true spirit Raksha Bandhan prevails and creates congenial brotherly feelings amongst the humanity in general.
Eid-Al-Adha Or Eid-Ul-Adha Eid-Ul-Zuha Or Bakr-Eid simply for us all Calling this auspicious day With any name Makes hardly any difference Factually it is a festival of sacrifice The festival of giving Anything considered most precious Which one has for giving Thereby solidifying our faith in Almighty God. The custom that started When most venerable Abraham Offered his only son named Ismail At the command of Allah Without even the slightest demur of any sort A reality check or test Which God wanted From devout Abraham And also his son Ismail Lo and behold! After actually offering Supreme sacrifice Surprise of surprises Found a slaughtered lamb! Meaning the most Bbenevolent God Tested the love and willpower of Abraham For Him – the benevolent One While Abraham was obeying The commandments of God Satan made attempts to prevent Abraham From scarifying his only son But he did not care to listen to satan The diverter of our attention from Him and His Commandments Instead obeyed the commands of Allah And left for us all A message so enduring God loves those who obey Him And are ready to sacrifice anything On His bidding May this day brings a feeling of self-sacrifice So that needs of all are met By distributing love amongst all Let’s all pray and sacrifice our ego Which divides humanity from each other FOR THE OVERALL WELLBEING OF HUMANKIND AROUND THE WORLD.
HAPPY EID-AL-ADHA
Thoughts on Eid-al-Adha / Eid-ul-Zuha / Bakr-Eid
Thoughts on Eid-al-Adha / Eid-ul-Zuha / Bakr-Eid – A Holiest Muslim Festival
There are auspicious days occasioned due to some renowned events connected either with religions occasions or any other events of importance or connected with events of international or national importance. Eid-al-Adha or Bakr-Eid is connected with event of religious prominence and has gives us message of giving without any expectations, a message which could change our destinies and lifestyle. A positive oriented existence with complete faith on Allah.
Eid means festival and Eid-al-Adha means Festival of sacrifice or it is termed as Bakr-Eid meaning celebration with the sacrifice of a goat. This festival is celebrated with great solemnity and reverence across the world as a tribute to Prophet Ibrahim’s rock-solid belief in God. He willingly agreed to sacrifice his beloved son Abraham as ordained by God.
Here, Abraham’s love and reverence are of prime importance. Legend has it that Abraham agreed without even the slightest doubt to sacrifice his only promised son named Ismail on the express command of God. God wanted to test the love of Abraham for the general masses. Subsequently, before it could be done, Allah intervened and instead provided Abraham a lamb for the sacrifice that is why this day of sacrifice is also termed as Bakr’Eid. At that time the age of Abraham was 99 years and his son only 13 years.
This was also a test of Ismail’s maturity and faith in Allah. He himself offered to be sacrificed. When his father mentioned his (son’s) impending sacrifice, without any reservation the son offered himself. All this is evidence that it was not merely father Abraham but also Ismail was having faith in Allah commandments. It was really unprecedented. Willingness on the part of both father and son to accept the will of God is dear to both besides being dear to our God.
There are high and low tides In the sea There are Tsunamis Of high intensity Generating tides of highest intensity But after taking it all Enduring it all While remaining calm within It exhibits its staying prowess The sea adjusts Becomes serene After huge disturbance As though There were no high tides Which the sea usually withstands Its waves are at the lowest ebb After every storm Of high and low intensity. A huge lesson for us humans There would be biases There would be favoritism There would be discrimination Of low And of highest order We too have to Either put up with everything Patiently Or fight it out With will power We can muster Or ignore it all But never Take this bias To the inner recesses of our heart And get disturbed And resort to some ultimate Which is neither good for us individually Nor collectively.
ON SPECTRE OG NEPOTISM
It pains me immensely when I find bias or discrimination at every step of our lives. This discrimination may be on the basis of caste, creed, colour, origin, region, language, culture, traditions; you take and think in any sphere of activity and you will find this hydra-hooded lurking in nook and corner. No society is immune to this malaise. No country can pride itself of not having this ill-conceived, morally bad, unkind, humiliating, and degrading disease. This is despite the fact that in the eyes of our All Knowing Being, we are humans first and then anything else. This malevolence or wickedness prevalent in our societies around the world divide the humans into different groups and, sorry to say, then stigmatized n- labeled as socially undesirable, persecuted and in some cases looked down upon as scum of the society to be ostracized at every step. I am sorry to use some tough words but is so.
This discrimination continues even after evolution of man from stone-age to the modern era of freedom of speech, freedom to choose our profession, freedom to choose our business, freedom to follow our faiths and belief we cherish etc. Still there are people amongst us who do not even think twice in differentiating others and tagging others the way they want. Some people just tolerate the excesses peacefully, some react with violence and fight this out besides still there are the ones who cannot take in any longer and take ultimate step of committing suicide and finish this all once and for all. The last
The subject nepotism is really on the lips of everybody owing to what happened to the budding Indian actor – Sushank Singh Rajput who started his career in television serials. He committed suicide (at the age of 34 years) due to the pulls and pressures of his profession created by nepotism or any other reason – although the case is under investigation, whether it was a suicide or murder by somebody is yet to be come to light. But one thing stands out, there is nepotism in some organizations or industries. In the instant case, the film industry with some hits to his credit. May be, he took the ultimate step because of disease called nepotism which is rampant in any society. It is there in workplaces even at our formal and informal institutions too.
There may be pulls and pressures, stresses and stra9ins or discrimination or bias in any profession or career but it is also a plain fact that, nobody has the right to take his/her life which is a gift by our Almighty God. If one finds that there is a bias or favoritism or discrimination of any sort, one can fight it out and if need be come clean out of the mess created by others. But to commit suicide is no solution to any problem rather it makes others around especially our blood relations shattered!? Those who think that suicide is the solution for solving any problem then, i am sure, it is one of the retrograde step and must not be taken in any situation or condition.
I shall touch upon my professional lifespan. After my retirement from a Central Government job, after 39+ years of unblemished service, frankly I did not face any bias or discrimination. My education and family background were not so rosy so as to command admiration. Initially, we all have to work hard in order to get on-the-job-experience and subsequently we can get adjusted in any environs in which we are placed. While in this service, I have worked at different places and with different people. My superiors were very considerate and i felt no discrimination or bias even due to fact that in our organization we had people from different family background, with excellent track record of service experience, with excellence in educational qualifications etc. I learned from each one with whom I worked.. Then after my retirement, i have got opportunity of working in two-three organizations wherein i found not even an iota of bias-feeling in any. Everybody, my superiors, my colleagues still like me and I get along with anyone and everyone with whom I work. In other words, I have not faced any nepotism in my public service of spanning around 44 years as on today. To be frank, if I was discriminated, I did not take it all seriously and took everything in my stride with the dictum: Let the sleeping dog lie, if you awake it, he will bark and may be bite you.
If experience is any guide, we get bias tag due to the following:-
EGOCENTRIC TENDENCY
In an organization, we are not always fortunate to get good superiors, colleagues and others. Sometimes, we have to work under fastidious ones too, under whom we have to make adjustments since in any organization we ourselves have to change, nobody will change for us. Our ego should not come in our adjustment in the organization we are presently working. This is also true in case of any society. In the society, we have to command respect by giving respect5 first. Nobody cares for a ‘dead horse’ should never be forgotten.
OUR REACTIVE TENDENCY
There are occasions when we are not able to cope with the situations and conditions in the organisation, especially so after our transfer from one place to another wherein we have to learn new things about the job. We have to be adaptive to change. If sometimes we get undue remark from your superiors or may be from our colleagues, we have to take these in our stride and learn from our mistakes and not resort to reaction – to pay in the same coin. If we do so, then, God knows what will follow thereafter. Reactions create more reactions and living in the surcharged atmospheric is not that easy.
RESPECT IS EARNED BY GAINING KNOWLEDGE
It should always be remembered that we have to have know-how about the organisation in which we are working and always keep in mind what we can contribute for its growth and development. We may not be in the position of POLICY MAKING yet whatever job is assigned to us should be done with optimum care and caution. Never forget even a single nut in a running vehicle can make the vehicle unfit to move. Everybody has his/her job cut out and should give his/her optimum. Then there will not be any ill-feeling for any one.
If at all you are feeling pinch, just have patience, TIME is a great healer. Everything and everybody is impermanent here on this earth. Even discrimination against us too will pass. Tolerance, patience, persistence, and perseverance make huge difference in our lives.
We should, therefore, keep in mind, bias or discrimination or favoritism persists and cannot be wished away. It ingrained in human nature, in some it may be lesser than others but it is there but we have to live with all these negative and positive forces.
OUR DESIRES SHOULD HAVE ETERNAL SHINE Photo by Oleg Magni on Pexels.com
What we desire deep-down manifests While it is desired With full dose of emotions With the active participation Of our mind and heart with these emotions But we have to be carefully in choosing our desire To be manifested Since Universe is always Observe the charged vibrations Originated from our heart And fulfils these Whence these vibrations Reach a threshold so critical Desires originating from our deepest down us With charge given continuously Then there is sure intervention Of the Universe For manifestation of desire Whether the desire is rational Or irrational Depends on our own wisdom or otherwise And the strength of the charge Which we give to its vibrations. What we want Or do not want Depends solely on our choice These choices could be exercised Either with the intervention of others Around us But if nobody comes to our succor Then we can exercise our own freewill If our freewill too fails Due to some unexplained reasons But the severity of our desire just continues To hang around us In such a case The change in vibrations goes unabated Then comes the intervention of The Universe Which anyhow manifests It fructifies our deepest desires That deepest desire May or may not have any utility With diminishing returns Due to passage of time Therefore, what we desire Or do not desire Should be in consonance With our heart and mind Within time We need that desire to be manifested Otherwise the job of the Universe Will go waste. Similar is the case with our relationships If emotions and sentiments Of both the spouses are in sync And are adaptive to change With the change of time and space Or as situation demands Then there is cohesion And complete cooperation Between the spouses But if one spouse Pulls northward And the other one southward When deep down There is no emotional link Thence Universe intervenes And the relationship just goes bust. So before desiring something Just introspect seriously Break your desire Analyze – break it down logically Its pros and cons Of your desire fulfillment But within the timeframe When you have choice To change your desire Whether you want a particular desire Or just rescind Or else it would be too late With the intervention of the Universe You have your desire fulfilled Good or bad desire That is based on your own choice And you have to suffer or enjoy \ The fruits of your choice. life brings in its wake Umpteen choices We have to be very selective And do our Karmic deeds thus With severity of our emotional vibrations So that the Universe grants our desire manifestation.
OURDESIRES SHOULD BE POSITIVE ORIENTED Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
OUR DESIRES AND THEIR MANIFESTATION
Within the timeframe we want.It has rightly been said, what we eat,, we become. In the same way, what we intensely desire, we attain. In essence, it is in the fitness of things to remember what we intensely desire and what we should desist from having should be kept in mind. We should not rely more on our sense objects while aspiring and pursuing desires. What we desire intensely, manifests when the vibration of our desire reaches a threshold after it is charged with vibrations of highest intensity. If we develop attachment to our sense objects then we give more credence to impermanent things. Attraction towards such things which has outer beauty and we develop a desire to attain them will not be of much value in the long run.
In Bible it has been rightly said: So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
WE SHOULD SELECT OUR DESIRE WITH CARE
This apart, essentially, we should always be judicious and careful in making the choice of our desires after fully analyzing the pros and cons i.e. desire chosen has to be introspected closely and then intense emotion charged with the participation of heart and mind. When threshold in emotion is reached, the function of the Universe starts. But in all these, our inner self or heart’s participation should be more than our senses.
In Holy Quran it has been said: Have you seen him who takes his low desires for his god? Are you a guardian over them? Or do you think that most of them hear or understand? They are but as the cattle; nay, they are farther astray from the path.
OUR DESIRES SHOULD BE BASED ON POSITIVE THOUGHTS
The desires which are based on the positive thoughts and actions thereof results in positive outcomes albeit with our intense surcharged emotions. Care ought to be exercised that our desires should never be delusive in nature but realistic in its standpoint. We are aware that negative desires are based on sense appeasement which generate negative thoughts and actions.
Having fixed our desire after going through all the angles and parameters including the intensity of our emotions, the function of the Universe starts for fructification of our desire so chosen.
STAGES OF OUR DESIRE CHOICE
There are certain stages in choice of our desire. First of all, it is choice of our desire wherein we have our free-will in choosing our desire after introspecting pros and cons of our desire so chosen. Subsequently, the intensity of our choice of our desire is enhanced and action too followed. With the severity of our desire along with participation of our heart and mind, the vibrations of our emotions are surcharged. At this stage, the function of the Universe starts.
While affirming or choosing our desire finally, we should never have too much reliance or attachment to worldly possessions or follow corrupt practices as a means to get our desire manifested or fructified otherwise we shall be falling into the quagmire of ku-karma.
In Guru Granth Sahib, it has been mentioned that we all should have desires based on righteousness. It is every Sikh’s duty to defeat the Five vices: Kam (Lust), Krodh (Rage), Lobh (Greed), Moh (Attachment) and Ahankar (Ego).
SONG OF GITA AND OUR DESIRES
The Song of Gita gives us a moral lesson; that we should not have too much attachment or reliance on the fruits of our Karma. We should take into consideration the dictum, we had not brought anything while we came to this earth and would not be taking anything while we depart after our death. Whatever we got is obtained from here only. Therefore, whatever choices we have during our life-time, we should exercise them judiciously. Our desires are not chosen randomly but after analyzing thoroughly with special emphasis on spiritual orientation. Living spiritually means following positive orientation in our life. This also in case of choosing our desires for manifestation.
It has rightly been said in Bhagwad Gita: While contemplating on the objects of the senses, one develops attachment to them. Attachment leads to desire, and from desire arises anger.
OUR PRAISE TO THEE LORD SHIVA, MAA PARVATI & LORD GANESHA
HARYALI TEEJ – MAY LORD SHIVA AND MAA PARVATI GRACE US WITH GOOD HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Today is being celebrated as HARYALI TEEJ. Haryali means greenery. Greenery is life-giving and health giving. When it is health-giving, It is also associated with health and wellness, productivity, well-being of an individual. When we talk of greenery, our mind is diverted to good health and prosperity and peaceful existence.
Importantly, when Haryali or Greenery is associated with Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, then, this day’s importance becomes all the more significant. The women folks observe fast for long life of their husbands besides health and prosperity of their entire family.
Today’s occasion is considered more auspicious and promising since this day is associated with the sacred meeting again or getting-together of Lord Shiva with Maa Parvati on this day. This day is celebrated in the Shrawan month in Shukala Paksha when greenery pervades everywhere and provides us a feeling of wellness.
This day is particularly very auspicious for married couples. The women folks observe fast, worship Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati for the safety, protection and long life of their husbands.
The women folks worship Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati along with Lord Ganesha (who is associated with wellness and prosperity) with utmost devotion and enthusiasm after sanctification of the place where the pictures of these deities are kept.
The devotees also visit Shiva and Parvati temples and chant Mantras in praise of the deities for earning their graces for the peace, prosperity and wellness of their families. The offerings to the Lord Shiva are bel patra, datura, berries etc. and then sing songs in praise of Lord Shiva and Parvati. This makes the environment electrifying and more propitious for the devotees.
May Lord Shiva, Mass Parvati and Lord Ganesha bestow us and the members of our family peace, prosperity, sound health and wellness. The graces of our Lord is required more now than ever because of dire situation created by Covid-19 pandemic.
I am learning to be of some value to others in any situation and condition I am learning to keep distance & put on face mask during lockdown situation I am learning to rely more on my own decisions rather than be under the mercy of others I am learning not to forget the impermanence of life I am learning to live with my limitations rather than be perfectionist I am learning to accept my mistakes and change my attitude and behavior I am learning to thank God everyday for His graces I am learning to confess my faults or guilt-related emotions whenever there are traces of it in my behavior I am learning to remain positive under all circumstances. I am learning not to fear competition with fear of losing I am learning to do my karmic deeds without fear of result of my Karma I am learning to stay calm or cool on all occasions I am learning to act tough so that nobody takes undue advantage I am learning to take one step at a time while keeping clarity at every step I am learning to be patience to face the facts of life I am learning to improve myself on day to day basis I am learning to believe in my own self while believing in God’s existence I am learning to keep balance at every moment of my life I am learning not to have any expectations from anybody I am learning to be free from rancor and lust I am learning to have do my karma without caring for result of my action I am learning to be compassionate with others I am learning to live with my what I have got I am learning to be simple and humble at all times I am learning to be self-assertive when there is a need to do so I am learning to know that I should compete with my own self than competing with others I am learning to be the master of my senses and mind I am learning to not to be fearful of anybody or anything under the sun I am learning to defend my self-esteem since it is the only thing which I have earned in my life I am learning to take a balanced diet to maintain good health I am learning to adopt an attitude of forget and forgive others I am learning to rely more on this moment than the dead past or unpredictable future I am learning to adopt the trait ‘if thy want to get respect from others then respect others’ I am learning to feel pain and others around me are feeling so I am learning to be balanced both in happy and unhappy situations I am learning to respect others’ privacy at all times I am learning to learn new things from any source available I am learning to be of use to others as and when required I am learning to keep myself and my surrounding neat and clean I am learning to stay cool at any situation and condition I am learning not to be reactive in any situation. I am learning to love myself. I am learning to always remember that I am a human therefore not infallible. I am learning to try again if I fail. I am learning to face any challenges which may come at any time.
CONFLICT AVOIDANCE IS ESSENTIAL BUT NOT AT THE COST OF SELF–ESTEEM
Nobody can dispute that we all want peaceful existence. But there is a caveat; conflict resolution should not be at any cost including our self-esteem. It should never be forgotten that when self-esteem is lost then will to live with respect evaporates. I opine, fighting conflicting situations doggedly, when it is essential, is better than living a dog-like existence. Rather dying with respect is better after fighting like a lion is suitable than living on somebody terms? If possible, we should unite to take on a conflicting situation head-on, in order to resolve it. United we stand, divided we fall should never be forgotten.
AVOIDANCE OF CONFLICT IS SYNONIMOUS WITH PURCHASING TEMPORARY PEACE
The subject chosen by me was the question ‘IS AVOIDANCE OF CONFLICT ESSENTIAL OR NOT?’ I chose this subject since while dealing with day to day, we come across several scenarios wherein conflict of interest comes to fore. My personal experience on this aspect is; if we try to avoid conflicting situations every time, means we compromise against the wrongs against us. Alternative is to face hard realities of life resolutely while agreeing to disagree on certain aspects where some meeting ground could emerge after persuasion and discussions. Importantly, we should never be rigid in any aspect, otherwise, we would have disharmony in our relationship with others. a disrespect tag which will be harmful for our further growth and development.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION AT WORKPLACE THROUGH MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING
In the workplace, there are times when we face some piquant situation wherein we cannot easily decide whether we should face the hard realities or just avoid the conflicting situation. In the former case, we may have to experience ignominy many a time since the person concerned may get encouraged to create such situations afterwards too. The best way to avoid future conflicting situations is to nip the evil in the bud. Here avoidance of conflicting tantamount to creating more conflicts in future too. These conflicting situations may be creation of our own colleagues or sometimes our superiors due to enviousness in the former case and keep somebody under his thumb in the latter case. Although it is a bit tricky, but it is an disputed fact we have to live with. We should always face realities in our lives. Keeping away from conflicting situations is not a healthy way of conducting ourselves in workplace.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION BY MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AT HOME
In our homes too sometimes we feel pinch. It may be differences between spouses. If one of the spouses just tolerates the conflicting situation or sweeps the same under the carpet to buy momentary peace will face persistent problems. But this scenario cannot be continued indefinitely. Some line has to be drawn – this far and no further. Conflict resolution with discussions on the basis of give and take or may be through the intervention of some trustworthy individual.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION BY THE POLITICAL PARTIES
It has been observed that if simmering/festering conflict goes on in the party and not resolved within timeframe permissible, then, one day such a party will lose its credibility. Such parties will face the ire of the voters. This is happening in Indian National Congress presently. Therefore, intra-party discipline is a must and this could be done with mutual discussions on the basis of give and take. Thus avoidance of conflict in political parties and sweep difference under the carpet would be counter-productive in the long run. Internal party democracy is a must and so is the freedom of expression.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION BETWEEN COUNTRIES
It is worth its while to avoid conflict between countries otherwise peace will not be there between the concerned countries. If we want peace and tranquility between the countries, it is essential that countries concerned should resolve their differences through discussions, détente, agreements etc. and sort out differences. On the other hand, if one country remains tolerating the transgressions with impunity from the other country with the intention of avoidance of conflicting situation without realizing its long term implications, then its results would be disastrous for the tolerating country. It should always be realized that a line should be drawn; this far and no further. The maxim; ‘if you want peace, remain prepared for war’ should always be kept in mind’ and ‘nobody flogs a dead horse’ – meaning nobody respects a weak; this is true of individual or a country. The present example of one of the neighbors occupying some territory of Ladakh is a case in point. If India had accepted the occupation and not taken action of bolstering its defense capabilities, the country concerned must not have retreated from the illegally occupied areas. India positioned its defense forces with necessary weaponry which made the adversary to take recourse to discussions and a sure war was averted for sometime!? This happened because India matched its adversary’s transgression.
CONFLICTING SITUATION BETWEEN THE ANIMALS
Recently, I observed a video how the wild animals take on their prey. A wild stag (with long sharp horns) was pursued by two tigers. The stag ran hard for saving its life but could not match the fast pace of tigers. One of tigers lunged at the stag with all the fury. At first the stag was very fearful and did not defend itself. This encouraged the tigers to take on their docile prey. But surprise of all surprises, suddenly, the stag started taking on tigers with its sharp horns. Seeing the encouraging and ferocious response of the stag, both the tigers just retreated. From this, we can get a lesson; if we have a meek response in a conflicting situation, then, our adversary will take it as our weakness and may prove to be counterproductive. Therefore, best course of action is to face the situation head on.
Firstly we adopt conflict avoidance in case of certain ill-tempered and fastidious persons who habitually are prone to creating piquant situation – with such persons the best way is to agree to disagree but never be argumentive with such people. Secondly, there are the people who flow with the current, they could be easily persuaded to change their mindset.
There are three scenarios in conflicting avoidance or facing the situation head on./
We want to avoid conflict so as to purchase momentary peace but this momentary peace will prove to be counter-productive in the long run since we have to live in accordance with others’ terms and biddings. An exercise replete with disrespectful existence.
Facing the conflicting situation will not be easy but it paves the way for earning self-respect albeit with some bruises, physical and mental. But living with self-esteem is better than living with somebody’s mercies with attached strings.
In a conflicting situations, when we are not able to resolve anything tangible with our adversary going hammer and tongs then agreeing to disagree is the only course of action open for us – a middle ground.
In Bhagwad Gita the performance of duty from the point of view of gain is considered essential in any situation. Inaction is suicidal. Meeting the challenge is the glory of life. Success need not be the ultimate goal. The spirit with which we act is more important. Act, act and act. Otherwise one will be benumbed by frustration and sorrow.
