CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS & SWACHCH BHARAT ABHIYAN MISSION

CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS & SWACHCH BHARAT ABHIYAN MISSION

Cleanliness means modetical or thoroughly neat and clean, properly arranged, rightly maintained and managed well thereafter. Here neat and clean means bereft of any impurity or contamination or adulteration of any sort. A cursory look on the neat and tidy place pleases us immensely which proves the dictum; cleanliness is next to godliness. It goes to show that swachchta or cleanliness is not merely which is seen to be believed but also which has innate beauty. Cleanliness has innate beauty since its end-results are simplicity and humility besides  other positive traits. Neatness and cleanness are two terms which could be used for untainted or unsullied purity.

PURITY OF BODY AND MIND ARE ESSENTIAL PRE-REQUISITES

It is essential that this purity should, first of all, start from our body. This is possible if we take proper diet, do suitable exercise to keep all the parts of our body functional besides making our body immune to any germs. If we do not keep our body clean and healthy, we shall not be able to perform various tasks in our day to day lives. If we are bodily vigorous, we shall be psychologically/emotionally; strong to face any contingencies which may arise. The emotional stability or strength is of prime importance for positive habit/attitude formation. All these functions could be performed meaningfully and steadily and surely when there is harmony between our body and mind (physiological and psychological coordination). For this to happen, we have to keep our body neat and clean besides functional for meeting the onslaughts of daily lives with utmost grace and confidence.

In the Bhagwat Gita, observance of cleanliness (of body and mind) has been given huge significance besides simplicity, celibacy and non-violence. In order to keep the body and mind clear off any smut, austerity is of prime importance lest we fall prey to egotistic tendencies. Cleanliness dwells in our mind. If our mind is cleansed off the filth then we can utilize all the five senses wisely for the benefit of body, mind and soul.

NEED OF WRITING ON CLELANLINESS

The need of writing this blog came to my mind while I was cleaning up the surroundings of my home. My neighbor threw a bagful of wastes from the household on the street thus spreading the dirty filth on the street. As I was having the broom, I cleaned up the litter. The lady in question who threw that bagful of refuse learned her lesson or not, I am not aware but I have continued cleaning the surrounding of my home. Not only this, some people are in the habit of keeping their two-wheelers on the two sides of the narrow lanes just letting the wastes thrown away from the households below these vehicles. This goes to show that till such time we are serious in keeping our surroundings clean, real swachhta or cleanliness will not be possible. It will remain a unrealized dream, staring large on our faces.  

CLEANLINESS IN CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES

We all are aware that in the metropolitan cities and towns, MCD staff work on daily basis and cleans up the lanes and by-lanes. What about the cleanliness In rural India? I can talk about rural cleanliness since I am from a rural background. The villagers dispose off their household litter along with the dung and other wastes in their fields which act as manure for their crops. As far as the cleanliness of houses and surroundings is concerned, it is done by the housewives in the morning hours itself regularly. Village Panchyat chips in to ensure that the community halls and Panchayat Ghars are cleaned up on daily basis on volunteer basis or outsourcing the cleanliness drive through voluntarily contributions from the villagers or funds provided by the state governments. In addition to this, the plants and green crops present healthy environments in our villages.

The matter of immense concern, even presently, is lack of toilet facilities in all the houses in villages, in the absence of which people are constrained to go to the fields for open defecation. But due to the Government’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, by way of  financing and also through awareness campaign through village panchayats etc, there are many villages in which toilets have been constructed and being used. Still more needs to be done in the form of general responsiveness from some of the village dwellers. In the days to come, I am sure, things will improve and our villages would be clean, green and pollution free with toilet facilities in all the homes. If the dream of having toilets in every household is guaranteed even in far flung village, it would be a big relief to the women folks in our villages.

CLEANLINESS IS SYNONYMOUS WITH AESTHETIC BEAUTY

There is a well-known saying; ‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever’. It is evidently aesthetic beauty – a thought which explores the nature of an art, sense of beauty, the liking and also related to the appreciation of the beauty. This beauty could be reflected through our thoughts and actions. This could be beauty of mind, emotions and the beauty of surroundings in which we are living. Here, the beauty is exemplified by the love of beauty and its importance in our life. The love is all encompassing which brings about compassion and understanding. This understanding makes it possible to live in God oriented existence, a beautiful existence indeed – bereft of any doubt or skepticism. Such is the exquisiteness of swachchta.

CLEANLINESS SHOULD BE INCLUSIVE IN NATURE

We also know that in our houses, the lady of the house ensures that all things are kept in orderly way and there all the litter is cleared from the house. But it should be ensured that not only the girls but the boys too are given lesson in keeping our home and our surrounding neat and tidy. Swachchta or tidiness, neatness, trimness or orderliness in keeping neat should be made a campaign and it ought to be inclusive in nature. Diligence in keeping neat and clean means meticulous or strict regime of discipline in keeping ourselves and surroundings neat and tidy. This cleanliness campaign has to be made a attractive movement which possesses its magnetism and its idea spreads from one to all without distinction. So elevating in spirit!

SWACHH BHARAT ABHIYAN OR CLEAN INDIA MISSION

Swachh Bharat Abhyiyan or Clean India Mission is the one which deals with cleaning up every nook and corner of our cities, towns and villages. In this, not merely the Government of India; which has made it a campaign to realize the dream of cleanliness in whole of the country a reality; the participation of general masses should also be ensured. This campaign got started on 2^nd October 2014 at Rajghat, New Delhi by PM Narindra Modi. More importance is being given to eliminate open-defecation; which I think should be done on a war footing, especially in rural and also semi-urban areas in India. Here not only the construction of the toilets is being prioritized but also maintenance of these too should be taken care.

In this context, the work is in progress. For this, millions of toilets are being constructed in rural areas and for this, huge monitory outlay by the Government has been made. Sure enough, results would be far more encouraging since information to the general masses by way of advertisements in the social media, even taking the services of film icons like Amitabh Bachachn and others for publicity in this direction. Real-time monitoring of this campaign is required so that wherever loopholes are found, these could be plugged by taking course correction to make cleanliness a successful exercise.

It is incumbent on all of us; be it government officials, students besides people from all walks of lives to come forward voluntarily and make the cleanliness drive a successful story.  The Government of India has assigned the task of cleanliness in rural and urban areas to two ministries (Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation including Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs) to make this campaign successful and not remain paper oriented. The Swachch Bharat mission taken up by the Government has obviously done much for ensuring that tasks undertaken for realizing its dream get fructified.

It is relevant to make the campaign of Swachch Bharat Abhiyan exercise a successful by following points:-

(a) People should dispose off the wastes from their houses either in the municipality van or put the same in the waste-bin kept for the purpose on daily basis.

(b) The municipal van should ensure that the collected wastes are kept at a central place to be transported for further disposal on daily basis. Sometimes, this waste-filth is not cleared, making the environs more unhygienic/germ-infested and polluted – a breeding place for flies and mosquitoes. This becomes a cause for mosquito related diseases like zika virus, malaria, chikungunya, dengue fever, yellow fever etc. Here the responsibility lies with the city Municipality.

(c)  Sweeping by the Safaiaramcharis (sweepers) should be ensured on daily basis.

(d) We have observed that there are not sufficient toilets/urinals due to which general masses seek any place for their natural calls. More urinals/toilets, at least for urination (separate for both for ladies and gents) should be constructed especially near the bus stops to avoid urination in the open making the place unhygienic and smelly and these urinals should be cleaned up on daily basis.

(e)  All the agencies working for cleanliness should function in tandem for ensuring its success like what happened in the capital Delhi wherein the MCD staff struck work and the piles of garbage remained at the collection centre for days on ends bringing in its wake various dangerous diseases.  In such contingencies, the Central Government should intervene to solve the pestering issues for the wellbeing of the general populace.

(f)   In rural India, the village punchayats (Sarpachs, Lambardars and other members) should play their part in educating the rural masses for a need to keep our houses (including our toilets) and its surroundings neat and clean. Construction of toilets in each home should be ensured.

(g)  Not throwing the household wastes on the streets but should be disposed off into the MCD van which commutes routinely. Or the household wastes could be put in the dustbin kept at the vintage points which are cleaned up by the MCD staff daily.

In sum, it could be concluded that if we want that our body and mind function in cohesion, it is important that we keep ourselves neat and clean and experiment the dictum: The cleanliness is next to the Godliness. This will also help us to be spiritually inclined to face all emergent unforeseen events head-on.  

 

ON DESTRUCTIVE SIN OF BACKBITING

BACKBITING

When we malign someone

in the absence

of the individual concerned

with an intention

to gain brownie points

of which we’re eligible not

Indeed perversely

on the plank of tricks

motive is to hoodwink

with utter deceit

of back-stab from the rear

at every possible stride

to take centre-stage

by default and craftiness

this is a destructive sin

which is caused

solely due to

the ego of the doer

with an attitude

come what may

which eventually

will soil the soul

and prove fruitless.

 

ON DESTRUCTIVE SIN OF BACKBITING

Backbiting is an act of slandering someone in his/her absence, not giving an opportunity to check the veracity of the insult, so inflicted. In essence, by doing so, their egocentric tendencies have taken possession of their rationality. In order to placate their ego, they resort to character assassination of those persons whom they consider as their future competitors or challengers.  Such people  are deceptive, therefore, full of arrogance as their rational thinking has been under shroud.

IDEA OF WRITING ABOUT BACKBITING

The idea of writing came to my mind when I overheard one of our colleagues backbiting against one of the fellow employees for not doing his duties with the organizational head (OH). While the OH had the bad trait of not making the reality check about the allegation so made. One of the best course of action for the OH could have been to check the accuracy of the controversial point and then proceeded against the employee but this was not done and thus an innocent was penalized for no fault. These like sordid happenings generally take place at the time of filing Appraisal Reports, formation of panel for promotion etc.

Yesterday, while some ladies were having Satsang (congregation) in the praise of Almighty God in a temple in our locality. There seemed to be presence of divine-sacredness all around the environs. After Arti (final prayer), we prayed for His bountiful blessings for all. I felt stunned when some Bhaktas amongst ladies started criticizing one of ladies in her absence. What is the futility of such Bhakti (worship) to the Bhaktas (worshipers) if after the prayers, backbiting for anyone is resorted to! I opine, the credit Karma garnered through prayers is converted into debit Karma if and when backbiting is done in the absence of a person concerned.

For instance, we know what was the consequence of backbiting by Shakuni in Mababharta. His arrogance and ill-conceived advice to Dharyodana turned him against the Pandavas. Consequently, it lead to battle between Pandavas and Kaurvas in which there was death and destruction.

Besides those people fall in the same category (backbiters) as the ones who gave false testimony against Jesus Christ but all were inconsistent.

ADVERSE AFFECTS OF BACKBITING

This sort of thinking could be rampant anywhere and everywhere – in family or in any organization one is working, This could happen in our families, neighbourhood, societies, in the formal and informal institutions etc. Backbiting is a destructive sin which adversely effects the lives of those against whom it has been directed. Backbiting amounts to character assassination and is considered as a vicious one.

By so doing, the backbiter is attacking somebody’s self-esteem, the person concerned also goes counter to the natural justice. Since backbiting is used as a secret weapon for personal gain, it is abhorrent, spiteful, unethical and a most destructive sin.  This could be resorted to in family, in neighbourhood, in the society or between the countries concerned.

In Holy Bible, backbiting has been mentioned as: Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy; No one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will I endure.

Essentially, backbiting is to malign somebody when that particular person  is absent in order to present a cogent defence. Those who backbite on any pretext are most insecure in real sense of terms. Such people resort to backbiting in order to placate their ego. They resort to character assassination against the persons they consider them as their competitors and challengers. It goes to show that backbiting could be due to envy/jealousy. Meaning when backbiting occurs, it goes to show that level-hotheadedness or rationality has been the casualty.

According to Bhagvad Geeta, If a person commits a sin as an instrument of karma then He/she has to suffer for this karma.

Backbiting could prove to be counterproductive in respect of the following:-

How best this backbiting could be obliterated:-

• Removal of egocentric tendencies. Under the influence of ego, we tend to act irrationally. Our effort should be to rein in our mind and not act in irrational manner by backbiting others in their absence.
• Adoption of balanced mentality. Thought based on reason encourages rationality based precepts makes the person concerned understanding all the contentious points. This way, such person will thereafter act positively and desist from backbiting.
•  Dissensions in the family.  We must have observed what consequences backbiting could result if any member of the family backbites against each other. As secrecy is attached with backbiting, it is paramount that all the differences should be sorted out on the basis of give and take and not allow the matters to simmer. In Holy Quran it has been mentioned: Allah Teaches Us to Speak Out Against Slander and Try to Put a Stop to It.
• Lack of goodwill in workplace. The head of an organization should conduct the reality check when somebody backbites against other staff member. If it is not done then goodwill in the family would be spoiled. In Buddhism, it has been rightly said that backbiting goes against the ideal of right speech.
• Spoils the sacredness of the soul. By belittling or defaming others, we are actually committing a sin which destroys the sacredness of our soul thus we add more karmic debt which we are constrained to suffer in this birth itself or in other birth (if there is one).
• Sometime our backbite may backfire. As backbiting is done in the absence of the person against whom it is directed, if veracity of the contentious points are checked threadbare, it may the boomerang on the backbiter.
• A righteous and self confident person will not resort to backbiting.. When we are having inferior complex and want to excel through backdoor, the backbiting is construed as the only course for the shortsighted person. As far as possible, a person brimming with confidence and knowledge will not stoop so low as to backbite for reaching the intended goal.
• We ought to form our opinion on the basis of our experience. We should form our opinion on the basis of our experience with the people concerned, even after somebody backbites against the person concerned. A firm opinion should only be formed after verifying pros and cons concerning the matter.

 

ON GOOD MANNERS

ON GOOD MANNERS

GOOD MANNERS

 

Good manners are panacea

For ensuring course correction for many of our setbacks

Which keep knocking us down

While we lose ourselves in the bargain

When need is that tranquil we remain

Instead of being irritated as a sign

Of our personal nature.

Life of ours is a huge enigma

We intend doing something

But existing state pushes us to someplace unknown

Where the only option

With us is either to fine-tune our endeavors

Or perish without even a sign of our existence.

We ought to redirect our efforts to readjust

So that proper ways are adopted

For ensuring order in our demeanor

In our routines of our behavior

Where the norms held most dear

By our society in particular

Are to be followed with sincerity

So as to earn acceptability

In the community

Thus, we live and prosper thru adaptability.

 

A person who has learned good manners

Is an architect of peace and understanding

Even in situation most daunting

And is able to deliver us from difficult position

With polished and likeable traits, imbibed in abundance

Transporting us from busting predicament

To a state of the unruffled and serene situation

Where we can stride around with head high

And a broad smile playing

Thus good manner is our master key

Which comes handy

To unlock the unpredictable jam and difficulty.

 

ON GOOD MANNERS

What are good manners? These are those norms of behavior or attitudes which we espouse for our day to day activities thus making a huge difference in our life. What are those manifested activities which impact our traits and character? Then, it is important to know what character is? The character is combined activities we transact which form our individual nature. Our character could be good or bad based purely on our imbibed attitudes and activities thereto. What is attitude? Attitude is the disposition or orientation of the mind – both in thought and action thereof. Attitudes could also be positive or negative Positive attitude brings about positive changes in us and also bring about happiness and satiety in our life whereas negative attitude could lead us astray and may harm our interests and the environments we live in the long run..

SOURCES OF LEARNNG GOOD MANNERS & ETIQUETTES

Good manners and etiquettes are learned from our parents initially and then from our peer groups, teachers, formal institutions (schools, colleges and universities) of learning besides informal institutions like temples, churches, mosques, play grounds etc. While we learn the manners and etiquettes, these are of no consequence until we use these practically. We get appropriate or inappropriate response based on our manners and etiquettes.

OUR EMOTIONS AND GOOD MANNERS

Our emotions play a predominant role in our life. It is also important to know what is emotion? It is most effective aspect of our realization or self awareness. The state of our feeling is termed as emotion. It could also be termed as the mental reaction to stimuli which may originate instantaneously/on the spur of a moment. This may be our response directed towards a specific object or cause in the form or annoyance or alarm or sometimes emotional perturbation/disturbance leading to breakdown of inner resolve. It is the test of our inner resolve or inner potential. Our weakness or solidification of character solely depends on our inner potential. What is our inner potential?

Good manners are bereft of all the negative traits like; anger (which rob us of our wisdom), unreasonable reaction to an occurrence, jealousy (Irsha) towards others, following corrupt practices or cheating others in getting things done or following an immoral or unethical path. Good manners thus are like good future investments which could stand us in good stead.

AESTHETIC BEAUTY AND IMMENSE SATISFACTION IN GOOD MANNERS

There is immense beauty and grace involved in good manners. These manners have great acceptability and are obviously respected by every age group. Such person, when comes in contact with others, others too get hugely influenced. Nobody will take him for granted for anything under the sun because he does not ill-treats others. He is the master of any situation in which he is placed. He gets precedence over others simply because nobody grudge him for anything. He generates a compassionate feeling.

It is a matter of great satisfaction that a person with well-rounded personality and traits is not only an asset for himself but also to others with whom he comes into contact. Such person never chance to others for complain against him. wheresoever he puts his foot, there is a feeling of relief, a feeling of mutual appreciation and fellow feeling. There is politeness and civility in his behavior. He expresses his gratitude for anything done by others.

A good person is well-behaved, does not fall prey to any controversy, but on the other hand, tries to remove any controversy which may creep up at any point of time. Such persons, even in adverse atmosphere, will try to bring out the best in even the brute of a person. While in adverse situation, a well behaved person never lose his composure, lives in accord with others, sharing their pain spreading the fragrance of hope and good aspiration. He has a charm of his own.

PROPER UNDERSTANDING

A well mannered person will try to keep contact with others even after he has acquired a new status due to his hard work and diligence. Tall-talk, taking out of turn, misbehaving with others, pushing aside others with arrogance, the essence of his excellence lies in making others accept his point of view with an air of understanding. Even in serious negotiations with others, he does not lose his calm in any event.

One of the important thing in any organization is how best to convey our intention. While doing so, we have to be careful that it is has equivalence/matching or may differ only slightly with those who matter. If there is slight difference, it could be explained and doubts removed. To ensure success of a link or liaison,  it is essential that differences should be ironed out amicably to avoid any pin-pricks and understanding the which may creep in future as two persons may be differently disposed towards each other. This will enhance mutual appreciation and fondness for further growth of relationship. This happens when we’ve learnt the art of adjusting or accommodating others’ points of view

GOOD MANNERS ARE GOOD BUT CARE OUGHT TO BE EXERCISED THAT  NOBODY  EXPLOITS US UNREASONABLY

Good manners and etiquettes are really gems of attitudes and behavior but care ought to be exercised that nobody exploits us unreasonably. We have to study the milieu or scenario around us and change accordingly. Then mannerism is not appropriate. We have to change according to the milieu around. Some may also say that manners and etiquettes are the outer shells, polished but these are important components in this world of ours. Our essence lies deep within, transformation there counts much. It is honey smeared when it comes to manner, speech and etiquette. This could be termed as deception in real sense of terms. If one is truthful, impartial then good manners will follow just automatically. If you believe you are impartial, honest and true to yourself and others, you don’t have to think of good manners or etiquette because it will come naturally. No coaching or play-acting required.

INNER POTENTIAL AND GOOD MANNERS

Now essentially, we as human beings, are bestowed with inner strength but it is must that we exploit it to the extent possible. How best this inner power could is individualistic in nature? The first step in this endeavor is to know our weakness and strength then do something for eradicating or reducing our weaknesses to the extent possible. In this self awareness or self consciousness effort, we tend to draw out our inner strengths to our advantage thus learn manners and unlearn those manners which are mismatching with the time and space.

BAD MANNERS COULD PUT US IN ABNORMAL SITUATION

Negative orientation in our emotions could put us and all around us in disorder. There is then intimidating attitude, the possessor of this trait could not only bully the person on whom it is directed but also could prove to be counterproductive to the person concerned, physically and emotionally. On the other hand, relaxed attitude could bestow us peace and tranquility for a thing to be accomplished, harder the goal to be accomplished, more potent would prove the relaxed attitude for its fructification.

Recent most unfortunate incident of killing of 26 persons in Texas church massacre is a sordid pointer what domestic crisis and discord in the family can entail. Mental health, if allowed to pester, leads to unpredictable consequences. We should, therefore, make concerted efforts in bringing about congenial atmosphere in our household. If dissension in the family is allowed to be spilled over, it will have disastrous consequences for the family, particularly so, for the children in the family, who instead of good manners and etiquettes imbibe the violent and intolerant traits of their parents. And if mental health problems are allowed to persist, the case will spiral out of control.

I am of the opinion that whatever our children do or do not do is the result the result of our own fault as parents. We present a negative  picture ourselves but want to see positive results. Can it be possible? The dictum: ‘As we sow so shall we reap’ should never be forgotten by the parents. 

COOPERATION BRINGS ABOUT MORE PRODUCTIVITY

Healthy liaison between the individuals brings about right feelings which impacts wellbeing in the family or in any organisation. On the other hand, if the environment is not congenial or if misunderstanding has crept in due to unhealthy environment the charm and etiquette are required to bring about most needed positive change. Here patience to tackle situation is required to neutralize the negativity that has crept about. Here a person with golden touch is required to ameliorate or remove the rampant unfairness

ABILITY ACQUIRED

Ability to perform or to come out successful in a venture comes when we have acquired first the manners and proprieties to handle the situation which may arise any time. A person with good manners find his acceptability because his social and ability to weather all storms than a person with questionable credentials. Sometimes our good manners combined with moderate capability may do more benefits than average mannerism but more capability scale.

Good manners thus prove to be one key factors in our inter-personal relationship for a successful fructification in the environment we are living; The good manners could stand us in good stead in the following ways:-

• As a person with good manners possesses among other traits, clarity of thoughts, the actions too would be in consonance with the requirement of a situation.
• When situation becomes too explosive and utter disagreeable prevails every moment, the person with good manners does not become reactive but becomes proactive in handling the situation with inner seriousness and tranquil disposition.
• Such person assists in cooling the impulsive or impulsive situation by tactfully accommodating others’ viewpoints. In other words acts as barometer of change.
• In any organization, every individual handles his/her responsibility taking into consideration public spirit or interest as a hallmark bereft of group  and personal envy or jealousy thus steering clear of these controversies which may prove counterproductive to the overall interests of the organization as a whole.  A person with good manners rises above the petty and narrow considerations, sometimes, losing his/her self esteem initially but gains much when actual realization dawns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ON OUR 40TH MARRIAGE ANNIVERSARY TODAY!

 

ON OUR 40^TH MARRIAGE ANNIVERSARY TODAY!

 

A saying very rightly uttered

Marriages are made in heaven and solemnized on this earth

The success and failure of this sacred bond

Depends solely

On the two souls

Who are united

Either through marriage

Arranged either through

Parents’ wishes – which run supreme

Or love at first sight – as they say

And thence solemnized

Without even a glimpse

Of either of the two couple

So considered eligible

Are knotted together

Not merely for this life

Whilst it lasts

But seven more lives!

Which may come

Or may not come, at all

By going around the sacred fire seven times

As sacred Vedic Mantras are chanted

By the presiding Pandit

At a time considered appropriate

Whereas place is the  place of the bride to be

Thence seven vows of marriage

Are chanted in the marriage ceremony by the priest

First in the Sanskrit

And thence translated

Into local language known

First one, as it comes forth

Promise of groom to the bride of his

Thee shall offer food to me besides bestow help in every way

in return, I shall cherish thee in every way

Besides provision of everything which gives happiness and cheer

To thee my life partner and the children

Who would be born after our marriage is finally solemnized

To which the bride agrees in affirmation

On the second promise

The groom proclaims

Together both will protect their house and their progeny

The bride promises that she shall be his potency

But extracts a promise from the groom

That in return he will love her only

The third one comes thenceforth

Prosperity and happiness may be graced by Almighty God

And their children may live long

The bride gives her solemn promise

To remain faithful to him in thick and thin

On the fourth promise

The groom asks her to bring the dawn of sacredness

And we’ll be blessed with offspring who are most obedient

To which she replies with all sincerity

She’ll strive to please you to the best of her ability

The groom says the fifth times with all honesty

That she has come to his life thus enriching it with the grace of Almighty

To which she replies with all seriousness

That his happiness would be her happiness

And she will share both his happiness and sorrow

During the sixth stride

The groom feels elated at the sixth stride

With the bride

And extracts promise that she will provide happiness to him

As life lasts

She promises that she would be at his side till the last breath of her life

Thence the seventh sacred vow and the seventh step

The groom state publicly

That they are now one for eternity

She agrees and accepts this assertion with all legitimacy

As this, all is witnessed by the God ALMIGHTY

I just remember the time and the day so vividly

When we were united 40 years ago

As though it were just a few days’ before

The sacred vows remain echoing

In my ears like sacred promises

And I keep mending my ways

In conformity with the promises made

Which are made in almost all marriages ceremonies of any religion!

These promises have guided me how to have patience

While others may be losing theirs with not so promising results

And kept the marriage as an institution – a lifelong commitment

So that our offspring may also emulate us for their successful marriages

There were, many times, trials and tribulations

We together faced these at all occasions

Shared gain and pain together

Thanked God for giving us both for an appropriate solution

For pain solidified our resolve to proceed further with full determination.

GURU NANAK DEV JI

GURU NANAK DEV JI – THE GURU WHO IS HARBINGER OF DELIVERANCE FROM DELUSIONS & BRINGS ABOUT UNITY IN DIVERSITY.

 548^th BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY (PRAKASH DIVAS) ON 4^th NOVEMBER 2017

(OUR HEARTIEST FELICITATIONS TO ALL ON GURU NANAK DEV JI’S PRAKASH DIVAS )

GURU NANAK DEV JI’S PRAKASH DIVAS – A HOLY DAY TO REMEMBER

Guru Sri Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1539 CE) – The Founder if Sikthehism & The First of the Sikh Gurus.

The Supreme Lord sends His Messengers to this earth to spread His Message so that such Messengers make difference with their preaching to the world at large and change their lives. His teachings are so relevant that there is a definitive imprint of His teachings on the psyche of people and that is why His influence remains centuries after centuries. Those sincere devotees who have attained the certain level of spirituality can see the Divine Vision.

Guru Nanak Gurpurb also called Guru Nanak Prakash Utsav or Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated with gaiety and enthusiasm by all those who know about Guru Nanak Dev’s contribution to the humanity in general with His preaching.

On this day Prabhat Pheris (early morning processions or congregations) which are taken from the Gurdwaras in the early morning itself and cover almost all the lanes and by-lanes in the vicinity. People sing hymns in His glory in this procession.

He was born on 15th April 1469 at Rai Bhoi-di-Talwandi of Shekhopura, now in Pakistan. His life spans from 1469 – 1539 A.D. History is the guide to tell us that during this period many of the spiritualistic, cultural and progressive ideas came to the fore and fructified owing to the proactive role of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. These ideas are very much relevant for all to come. These ideas are practical in nature and realistic; not based on mysticism and ritualistic. In many of His thoughts and deeds, during His sojourn in various parts of India and even in foreign lands, throws light on His unstinted and clear philosophy that  AKALPURAKH  – SAT NAAM SRI WAHE GURU – HE is the only TRUTH, a Truth which could be proved anywhere anytime.

The following observable changes which occurred which are given as under:-

• The universal message of Guru Nanak Dev Ji was to reach a common understanding through dialogue and carry all along by understanding others viewpoints.
• The old dogmas and unnecessary rituals prevailing amongst the masses gave place to progressive ideas. Service (Seva) and prayers (Simran) should be given more credence.
• Propagated the idea of goodwill and welfare of all without bias.
• Insisted that everybody should be truthful in words and deeds.
• Resulted in the intellectual and spiritual renaissance of the masses.
• Humanism was given more importance with the idea that human beings are considered good or bad according to the deeds and not on the basis of birth.
• Religion should create harmony and not hurdles in the path of masses.
• Complete surrender to the will of God for the spiritual forward march.
• He taught the philosophy of ONE GOD EK NAAM.
• Bad traits such as ego, anger, greed, attachment, and lust should be shunned from our midst in order to lead a balanced life.
• We should always be in the quest/pursuit of knowledge for our enlightenment. Knowledge helps us to attain salvation too.

The Holy Gurbani is a sacred treasure and has universal appeal, every verse (shloka) while recited suffuses and fills with fragrance in the environment it is spoken and cures the illness of our soul. Almost all the prayers are for the praise of our Akalpurakh in one form or other.

For Example: Gun Biant Kimat Nahi Pae!! Nanak Jis Bhavai! Tis Lae Malae!

Endless are His virtuous qualities; His worth cannot be appraised. O Nanak, one who pleases Him is united with Him.

This is the holiest day in the history of Sikhism. It is celebrated not only by Sikhs but also by all those who believe in His Holy Words. Akhand Path, non-stop recitation from Guru Granth Sahibji, Asa Di Var (Collection of 24 Stanzas written by the revered Guruji). Gurdwaras are specially decorated tastefully on this occasion.

 

Devout pay respectful tributes to Sri Guru Nanak Devji and remember His contributions for the spiritual upliftment of the common masses and rid them from unnecessary rituals that prevailed.

 

Equality of all the faiths and religions is a reality. His disciples were from all castes and creeds.

 

Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s premise was that those who do not know the true meaning of scriptures, cannot differentiate between good and bad; are steeped in egocentric pursuits. These people are verily the ignorant ones. There is no exaggeration in saying that main thrust of Guru Ki Bani is to remove ignorance, superstition and complex customs bedeviling the masses This also helped in spreading the message of goodwill besides engendering brotherly feelings amongst them without bias. Guru Nanak’s stellar contribution is the wellbeing of the humanity as a whole and for the spread of this message, He traveled length and breadth of our country and abroad.

All the incarnations Messengers of God suffered. They suffered so that we may learn the lesson for a peaceful co-existence between all humans:

Guru Nanak Preaching is more relevant now than ever:

While pains and sufferings are the part and parcel of our life but when it is inflicted by our own brethren than it still more painful. What has been happening around the world now is nothing but painful. Guru Nanak has himself mentioned this “Unto whom should I tie up and give the bundle of my pains? The whole world is suffering from pain and suffering. Where-ever I see loads of pain and suffering.”

 

Guru Nanak traversed lengths and breadths of India and in the foreign lands, so he mentioned about the ‘pain across the globe. This pain and suffering could be ameliorated through meditation, he mentioned. “Remembering Him in meditation, a profound peace is obtained. Oaub and suffering will not touch you at all – remain in the sanctuary of God and no pain and suffering will ever touch you at all.

All the humans are our Creator’s creations but they are born under different circumstances and different conditions and different locations. But from the same LIGHT, we are created. Then why people we interpret scriptural inscription differently. It really pains me immensely.

• Prophet Mohammad suffered immensely at the hands of his opponents in Makkah and in other places like Al-Tayf and Madina who knew His exceptional intelligence and integrity.Although he was bestowed with very good business, a happy family and helpful relatives yet he preferred the path of pains and sufferings. His opponents raised every conceivable hurdle in His path but he did not care about His sufferings but wiped off the tears of others though He was called ‘lying renegade’. Madina Although like Christ, He forgave them and followed an Allah ordained path for the welfare of mankind.
• Jesus Christ preached the importance of having compassion for our fellow beings. He taught that kindhearted feeling should be there even for our enemies, Jesus was born in 7 – 2 BC and was crucified in 30-33 AD in Jerusalem on the orders of the Roman prefect, Pontius Pilate. He was born in Nazareth, Galilee to Parents Marry & Joseph. During his lifetime too he had to suffer at the hands of opponents on one pretext or other.

Christ preached forgiveness and mercy. He even forgave those who harmed him immensely. No ill-feelings for anyone absolutely that is the message given:

Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Jesus was the one who had won victory against material consciousness. He exists in the hearts and minds of His followers. He said, ‘I do nothing of myself, but as my Father hath taught me.’ Christians including numberless others who have indomitable belief in His preaching shun delusions and follow His ideals. His presence is felt through his teachings. Those who have self-realization know that in every speck of cosmos Christ Consciousness exists but only those who have vision can experience this. Christ Consciousness is a part of Cosmic Consciousness should never be lost sight of by us humans.

His teachings are so exhaustive, yet, if we care to follow the ones mentioned below, we can make our lives sublime.

• Krishna – the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who appeared on this earth as the Avtar (incarnation of Lord Vishnu) more than 5,000 years ago had to put put up with so many pains and sufferings firstly at the hands of Demon King Kamsa (the most demonist of all Bhoja dynasty. Subsequently faced evils in the form of demons like Trnavarta, Bakasura, Aghasura, Dhenuksura, Pralambasura, Kesi in the form of the horse, besides serpent Kaliya to whom he forgave and finally besides serpent Kaliya to whom he forgave. So much so was he disturbed by the demons that for the safety of his subjects he had to establish his abode at Dwarka suffused with fortification etc. In Mahabharata, Lod Krishna played a stellar role in the annihilation of evil in the form of Dhritarashtra and his sons especially Duryodhana/ Though the battle between Kauravas and Pandavas took a heavy toll yet truth won and evil perpetrated and pampered by Kauravas was destroyed ultimately.

• Lord Rama an epitome of Dharma and peace. He was to be carbonated as King of Ayodhya but had to go for exile for 14 long years. During exile, he killed many demons who disturbed the hermits in their meditation. His consort Sita was abducted with deception by the demon king Ravana who represented evil. There was a ferocious battle between the two armies of Lord Rama and Ravana where the evil of Ravana was defeated.
  • Lord Budha who epitomized non-violence and peace throughout his life and spread his message of fair-play and tolerance through his disciples too faced many hurdles initially from his opponents while spreading the message of love and affection. Even his death is death after consuming a special delicacy offered by his generous host, the remains of which were buried.

It goes to show that our most revered ones suffered at the hands of their opponents then what we are? We should actually learn lessons out of their sufferings/sacrifices and live joyously and with empathy.

Profound lessons that we human should get from the Messengers and God incarnations.

We woefully opine that we are suffering pains at the hands of our opponents (those who do not agree with our viewpoints) just conveniently forgetting the untold sufferings undergone by the Messengers of God. Following should never be forgotten while dealing with each other.

• The world of ours is in constant struggle between good and evil. This is due to thrusting our opinions on others forcefully and consequent struggle. Then differing people resort to disproportionate violence result in loss of precious lives. No religion recommends this.

• There is a fight between the truth and falsehood. This difference may be due to the different interpretation of scriptures but the basic thrust of all religious scriptures is good of humanity as a whole without bias and feelings of compassion, empathy, cooperation, brotherhood, and goodwill to be encouraged between all humans.

• There are those who are the oppressor and those who are oppressed. The oppressor should introspect about his/her origin and should never identify himself/herself different from others.

• Bad things could happen to good ones. This is a fact, bad things have happened to the good people but when this injustice should stop and message of goodness that is codified in all the religious texts made applicable in letter and spirit? The sooner this happens the better for the humanity as a whole. No human loss, please.

• We should never forget that we have a common Creator meaning we are commonly related to our Him. Then why bloodletting for temporary gain – aagain which pains even our Creator!

• All the main scriptures exhort us for co-existing with mutual cooperation and with goodwill then why misunderstanding and killing? Where all this will lead the humanity?

• Be that as it may, let’s forget our small differences and live as creation created by our ONE Creator.

• THE MESSAGE OF COMMUNAL HARMONY THAT GURU NANAK DEV JI EXHIBITED SHOULD BE FOLLOWED BY ALL THE SOCIETIES SO AS TO REMOVE THE DISCRIMINATION IN THE SOCIETIES. HE HAD HIS DISCIPLES FROM HINDU AND MUSLIM – A CLEAR MESSAGE OF COMMUNAL HARMONY WHICH IS THE NEED OF THE HOUR.

GURU NANAK DEV JI’S PRAKASH DIVAS – A HOLY DAY TO REMEMBER

Guru Ji, through His preaching, changed our lives to perfection
Purb / Parva – a Sanskrit word meaning celebration
Actually, life is a festival (Purb) of highest order
It may be on the occasion of some festivals
Or on the anniversary of supreme sacrifices
To uphold commoners’ causes
Or Prakash Utsavs
A Day of Enlightenment considered in admiration by us.

On the most auspicious full moon day – Pooranmashi
At a village named Rai-Bhoi-Di-Talwandi
Now known as Nanakana Sahib
In the month of Kartik
15th day of April in the year 1469
When our most revered Baba Nanak Ji was born
To father Baba Kalu & Mother Tripta
No one but our beloved Akalpurakh (Lord)
His observable mission for this Special Messenger
Of spreading ‘IK NAAM’S’ pious Message
And that such a person will make huge difference
For causes most dear to the society in general
Indeed a Shining Star on the horizon!
Observance of holy days and celebration of anniversaries
Linkage of which is an important feature
Of the Sikhs & the ones who believe in (Khalas) purity
Way of living now or in future with certainty
Gurupurb lasts for three days
A pious Akhand Path in all Gurudwaras
With organization of Nagar kirtan
Procession (Kirtni Jatha) is led by Pious Fives (Panj Piyaras)
With Holiest Sri Guru Granth Sahib kept on the Palanquin
Hymns from It purifies the environs the most
Spreading Its Message – the most fragrant
Far and wide making the gentry mesmerized
Gatka Parties displaying their artistry
With their traditional weapons.

On the Gurupurb Day Diwan
Starts early in the morning hours
With Asa-di-Var
And hymns from Guru Granth Sahib are sung
Followed by discourses and prayers (Ardas)
And finally Prashad in lines (Pangat)
By the devout (Sangat)
Called Langar served to all alike
People share it with great reverence
And make this day; a day to reminisce.

O! our Babaji – the most benevolent of all
Our earnest prayer to Thee our beloved One
Let the spirit of this day
Remain echoing in our memory
Spreading Thy Universal Message
Of Uniting the Humans without bias
And ridding society of all ills and malice
Engendering brotherly feelings amongst all.