AKJ ENGLISH MAY JUNE 2017literature.awgp.org/var/node/73954/AJ_Eng_15_3_May_June...- Pujya Gurudev...

AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2017 3

|| O® bh¿rbhuva¡ sva¡ tatsaviturvareñya® bhargo devasya dhºmahi dhiyo yo na¡ prachoday³t ||

Amrit Chintan

(May Almighty illuminate our intellect and inspire us towards the righteous path)- Rigveda 3/62/10; Samveda 1462, Yajurveda 3/35, 22/9, 30/2, 36/3

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VOLUME: 15 | ISSUE: 3 | May-June 2017

Prayerful Greetings to Our Readers

On the Auspicious Festivals of Buddha Purnima (10th May, 2017)

and Gayatri Jayanti / Ganga Dussera (4th June, 2017)

From

Akhand Jyoti – The Light Divine Editorial Team

Quintessence of Religion

The perennial wisdom of a religion can’t be found in its rituals, cults or communal

doctrines. If you are a true seeker and wish to adopt religion in its true sense, you

must first sincerely introspect and analyze your aspirations, interests, habits and

behavior; unmindful of the fanatical reactions of the ritualistic religious people.

You must restrain and curtail the tendencies of selfish possessions, passion for

sensual pleasures and insensitivity to sufferings of others. Simultaneously, you

should cultivate with focused effort, the altruistic tendencies and sentiments

of kindness, generosity, love, empathy, feelings of caring and sharing towards

others. The only measure of one’s true religiousness is – the less one’s selfishness

and the more one’s altruism, the greater is his/her religiousness (spirituality). It

is only through this path of spirituality that the individual-self realizes higher

realms of divine grace and enlightenment.

- Pujya Gurudev Pandit Shriram Sharma, Acharya

“To be good and to do good that is the whole of religion.” - Swami Vivekananda

AKHAND JYOTI May-June 20174

1. Amrit Chintan

Quintessence of Religion ....................................................................................................... 3

2. From Chief Editor’s Desk

Let’s Follow the Eight-fold Path to Attain Enlightenment .................................................... 5

3. On the Sacred Nirvana Day of Pujya Gurudev

Significance of Experience .................................................................................................... 8

4. Science and Spirituality

Spirituality & Health Sciences ............................................................................................... 10

5. Sound Sleep is essential for Vibrant Health ........................................................................... 15

6. Dawn of the Golden Age — Evidential Estimates ................................................................ 17

7. Yug Gita – 6

Soul Anguish or Escapism - 2 ................................................................................................ 22

8. Peace Pilgrim’s Wisdom – 6

The Pilgrimage - 1 ................................................................................................................. 25

9. Youth Column

Protect Your Ears from Mobile Music ................................................................................... 29

10. Beware of Sitting for Long Hours ......................................................................................... 32

11. Odyssey of the Enlightened – 55

Revelation of a New Vision – 1 ............................................................................................. 35

12. Deep Faith is the Medicine to Cure the Pain of Intellect ....................................................... 39

13. How to Manage Stress? ......................................................................................................... 41

14. Amrit Vani

Two Steps to Spiritual Ascent -Yoga and Tapa (Part III) ....................................................... 43

15. The Young Crusaders of Clean India ..................................................................................... 48

16. Shantikunj News ............................................... (Inner Cover Pages & Back Cover Page)

CONTENTS

“Spirituality does not come from religion. It comes from soul.” - Anthony Douglas Williams


From Chief Editor’s Desk

Buddha Purnima is celebrated on the full-moon day in the month of Vaishakha. This year, it falls on May

10, 2017. This day is especially known for three things – birth of Gautama Buddha, the day he attained

enlightenment and also the day he attained Nirvana (left his physical body). All these three steps have

great significance in the life of every human being.

Life begins at birth, aims to attain its goal and ends with death. This cycle of birth and death acquires

meaning only when one realizes the goal of his life. That is why we take the example of The Buddha

whose personality and life are the epitome of a truly successful and noble life. Gautama was born on

full-moon day. It was on the same day that he attained self-realization and it was on that very day that

he renounced his life in entirety. But the knowledge that he disseminated is enlightening and guiding the

lives of millions of people even today.

According to Lord Buddha, there are four noble truths about life –

1. Truth of suffering

2. Truth of cause of suffering

3. Truth of end of suffering

4. Truth of the path that leads to end of suffering

Lord Buddha expounded a noble eight-fold path for being free from suffering and to attain enlightenment.

These eight practices are given below.

Right View: You have to see things as they are. The perspective should not be colored by any of your

own aspects. Your desire, understanding or knowledge should not distort the view.

Right Resolve: Many a time people mistakenly assume stubbornness to be Sankalpa or resolve. They

label a stubborn man to be a man of resolve. In reality, obstinacy or stubbornness is a form of ego. When

you take a resolve, there is no ego associated with it. This is the only difference between obstinacy and

resolve. Lord Buddha says that right resolve is when there is something worth doing, you should do it.

Right Speech: Whatever is in your mind, express it as it is! Do not have something in mind and tell

something else externally. If your thought and action are not synchronized, you cannot go in the

quest of your inner self. If you do not like something, let it be known. Do not try to project yourself

as someone else from the outside. With passage of time, this external layer becomes so strong that

Let’s Follow the Eight-fold Path

to Attain Enlightenment

“Learning is the beginning of wealth. Learning is the beginning of health. Learning is the beginning

of spirituality. Searching and learning is where the miracle process all begins.” - Jim Rohn


the person loses connection with what he really is from the inside. Right speech symbolizes that you

should let your innermost self to reflect in your views, resolutions and speech.

Right Conduct: Conduct yourselves as your inner soul asks you to. Do not do something because

someone said so. Perform only those actions which you think are worth performing. Do this with single-

minded approach.

Right Livelihood: Buddha warned that anything and everything should not be made into a livelihood. If

someone is earning his livelihood as a butcher, is it right? If he just has to earn for his survival, he could

do it by thousand other means. Why should he be a butcher? Everyone has to earn their livelihood, but

only when the right method for livelihood is chosen can he attain peace in life.

Right Effort: Always focus on exerting the right effort. Buddha said that some people are very lazy while

some others overwork. Both these categories of people stand to lose. A lazy person does not even get up,

so how can he even reach his goal? An overzealous person runs past his goal without being able to stop

there. He cannot stop because he is not habituated to stopping. Bow string needs to be pulled to launch

an arrow. If it is pulled less, then the arrow does not reach its destination. If it is pulled too much, then

the arrow goes past the target. Hence Buddha emphasized on avoiding both extremes.

Right Memory: This signifies that one should forget what is unwanted and remember only that is useful.

Man tends to do just the opposite of this. He forgets what is required and remembers the useless things.

He forgets what is precious in this life. Consciousness is the most important part of life which he forgets

while he is totally oriented towards the outside world.

Right Samadhi: Lord Buddha says that even during Samadhi, one should be mindful of doing the right

thing. When a person is lying unconscious or in deep sleep, it is not considered as right Samadhi by

Buddha. Because, the person has gone beyond mind but he has not risen above it. In fact he has gone

below the mind. Mind is closed but this closing of mind or the stillness of mind is of no use to him. He

should be aware of this stillness of mind and cessation of thought for right Samadhi.

There are three states of mind – Wakefulness, dream and sleep. Be it right Samadhi or not, there are

neither dreams nor thoughts in that state. In Jada Samadhi, a person becomes deeply unconscious and

is totally unaware of the world. But when he wakes up from this Samadhi, he definitely feels refreshed

since he would have got sufficient rest. So, this in a way feels like sleep state. Real Samadhi is when he

goes into sleep-state and comes out of it while being in total awareness. If he experiences this Samadhi,

he will not only be refreshed but also be blissful and wise.

Lord Buddha always said that whenever you go inside, you should do it with complete awareness. Take

a flaming torch of understanding with you so that all the paths inside are illuminated and you can learn

about it all. When you have to go down the path another time, you will not have to depend on anyone

“Spirituality is indeed the master key of the Indian mind; the sense of

the infinitive is native to it.” - Sri Aurobindo


(Pranav Pandya)

else; also it will be easier. So the real thing is to attain bliss while being conscious. This is what is

explained as Right Samadhi.

Thus, the noble eight-fold path given by Lord Buddha teaches us the art of living. It makes the life

of a person filled with awareness and makes him live in the present so that he may be bestowed with

everything that life has to offer. ‘Right’ means that which is correct, that which is harmonious, and that

which is noble.

Let’s assimilate these eight right aspects to our lives, and achieve the state of The Buddha (The

Enlightened).

With Prayer-filled Wishes on Buddha Purnima and Gayatri Jayanti

“Politics and religion are obsolete; the time has come for scientific spirituality.’ - Vinoba Bhave

Greek philosopher Socrates was very wise and patient. He was

revered amongst everyone except his wife. She used to keep picking

up fights with him. One day as soon as Socrates arrived home with his

disciples, his wife started shouting at him. Socrates didn’t utter any

word in her response. This aggravated her even more. She brought a

bucket full of household waste and threw it on his head. Socrates started

laughing and said, “There is an old saying – ‘barking dogs seldom bite’;

today they barked and bit too”. Socrates was quiet after that but his

disciple got angry. He said that this woman is not suitable to be your

wife. Socrates said, “No son. She is the most suitable person. She hurts

me to check if I am mature enough. When she behaves like this, it checks

my patience, tolerance and endurance.” His wife felt ashamed for her

behavior and asked for forgiveness. Patience changes the worst of the

behavior in people.


In our village there lived a patwariji whose name

was Lala Hubbalal. When I was a kid, I would

see that he owned a mare whose size was so big

as was not to be found with anyone else in the

village, not even the zamindar. Officially, he got

only thirteen or fourteen rupees by way of salary,

but had made thousands through his patwari

work. His type of luxurious living could not be

seen even at big zamindar households. And his

terror was such that whoever he frowned upon

was scared to death, while the recipient of his

benign look would consider himself beyond

the pale of harm. He was adept in litigation, in

conspiring and in creating feuds. He had good

access to government people as well as gundas

and ruffians. If he decided upon something, he

would not rest until he had accomplished it by

hook or by crook. Many well-to-do homes,

unfortunate to become his target, were razed to

penury. Conversely, many village jackals, with

his blessings, began to roar. All the women who

came in his life at different stages would wallow

in royal luxury. Such was the persona of this

patwariji—Lala Hubbalal.

I grew up, and having completed elementary

education in the village, came to Agra. Along with

studies, I also took part in social service activities.

In the winter our seva- samiti decided to distribute

blankets and quilts to the disabled poor. In this

On the Sacred Nirvana Day of Pujya Gurudev

Significance of Experience

[Pujya Gurudev Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya dedicated his whole life to actualization of

his vision of ushering in the Golden Era, the advent of the Age of Truth in the 21st Century. The method,

by which he set out to bring about a revolution in the world, is as simple as it is powerful and profound.

Making his own life a well thought-out experiment, he proved one simple fact – the very root cause,

the reason for prevalent problematic world conditions is the direction and nature of thoughts we think.

These problems cannot be solved by treating the symptoms. We need to tackle the problem at the level of

the root – “Our Thinking”. Realizing this and with an aim of providing a solution to the current world

problems, he launched the mass movement – Vichar Kranti Abhiyan (Thought Revolution Campaign).

Every plan, every action of his life, whether it was performing twenty-four Mahapurashcharans or

visiting his Master in the deep recesses of the Himalayas, or writing life-transforming literature or

establishment of Shaktipeethas or organizing grand Gayatri Yagyas or establishment of Shantikunj

Ashram or Brahmavarchas Sodh Sansthan – everything was aimed at achieving this objective. He used

to call this a divine plan and himself an instrument of the divine to achieve this objective.

On his Nirvana Day (Gayatri Jayanti / Ganga Dussera), we are presenting an editorial titled

‘Significance of Experience’ written by him for Hindi Akhand Jyoti magazine (August 1942, issue).

The contents reflect his alacrity in learning from simple day-to-day experiences. This also serves as an

example of how greatness is achieved.]

“Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and

misguided men.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.


connection I was moving from place to place

in the district. The list of the needy in different

areas was being prepared. This work brought

me to my village too. Enquiries were made

from the people about possible beneficiaries.

The first name they suggested was that of

patwariji. I was dumbfounded. Patwariji!

The man who was the uncrowned king of the

village only 6-7 years back has come to this

pass now that he be given blanket meant for

disabled destitutes! I had vaguely heard about

his service termination and general illness.

But I could never imagine him falling into

such a pitiable condition.

I got up and started

towards his place to know

the full details. Lalaji was

lying on a broken bed,

wrapped in torn clothes

and rags. Paralysis had

struck. Limbs were not

working. He could not even get up to relieve

himself. The near and dear ones, the relatives had

distanced themselves leaving him to his plight.

There was no one to assist him. He had contrived

a hole in the bed which served as commode with

no provision of cleaning and washing thereafter.

Food depended upon god’s will.

His demeanour had become so pathetic that as

soon as he saw a known face he would break

down. When I reached near him he started crying

uncontrollably, uttering only ‘Lalloo’, ‘Lalloo’.

The atmosphere inside gripped me too. I could

not control myself, and sitting on the bed by his

side, started weeping with him.

Both of us were weeping in silence. No third

person was there to see this. Neither of us

was uttering a word, but a silent conversation

was going on between us. His tears were

saying -“See the result of sins I committed”.

My tears were saying -“Power and riches are

but a few days’ wonder; it is foolish to get

drunk on them.”

Sitting there I analysed minutely every

aspect of Lalaji’s life and times. This study

was continuously hammering its lesson

into my mind -“Life is invaluable. It must

not be wasted, but be utilised for the right

purpose only”. These moments brought a

revolution in my life – then and there. All

the dreams for a future life

— money, power, fame

and glory — instantly

evaporated. Lalaji

spoke to me wordlessly-

“Lalloo, look at me”. I

looked closely again,

and decided that the

ignorance, the nonsense, the sins and the

degeneration – all of which are responsible

for this plight of Lalaji, have to be removed

from this world. We will have to wake up the

sleeping mankind and exhort them - “See the

havoc wrought by sin. Be alert. Never tread

this path”. Whatever help was possible at

that time I gave to Lalaji, paid my respects,

and came back.

This satsang of merely half an hour which saw

only copious flow of silent tears and little use

of spoken words proved more educative for me

than one thousand Gita recitals. Inspired by those

very moments, I devoted myself to propagation

of dharma, and today I am serving as an editor of

‘Akhand Jyoti’

- Pandit Shriram Sharma, Acharya

“God turns you from one feeling

to another and teaches by means of

opposites so that you will have two

wings to fly, not one” - Rumi

“I am increasingly convinced that time has come to find a way of thinking about spirituality and

ethics beyond religion.” - Dalai Lama


In the previous article concerning Spirituality

and Psychology, it was mentioned that Spiritual

Psychology is the key to wellbeing and holistic

development. Before analyzing these aspects in

depth, we should note that apart from several

other factors, good health and strength of the

mind- body system is essential for wellbeing and

development on all fronts of life. So let us discuss

the topic of Spirituality and Health (of the mind-

body system) first.

In the parlance of modern sciences, the issue of

health (physical fitness) falls under the purview

of Health Sciences — incorporating preventive

as well as therapeutic healthcare. With rising

causes and complaints of diseases and disorders

(including psychosomatic disorders), a need

has been felt in the modern system to integrate

Alternate and Complimentary Therapies along

with Psychology in the mainstream Health

Sciences. However, barring limited hospitals

and medical research centers, an integrative

system is far from the reach of the masses. The

scenario is worse on the front of preventive

healthcare. For preventive care, for treatment

of psychosomatic and psychological disorders,

and also for vigorous improvement of otherwise

normal health, and enhancement of vitality and

immunity, the principles and practices of spiritual

science are most relevant. These should be

effectively adopted to achieve holistic health.

The upcoming trends of healthcare underline the

need for holistic or multidimensional approach.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines

Science and Spirituality

Spirituality & Health Sciences

health as “a state of physical, mental and

social well-being and not necessarily the

absence of disease and infirmity”. In a

popular article [1] Dr. HS Wasir, the then

Head of Cardiology Department of All India

Institute of Medical Sciences had pointed out

the need of a fourth dimension: spiritual well-

being. He asserts that spirituality energizes

the other components of health, namely,

physical, mental and social. Similar views

are also expressed by several other medical

professionals of international repute.

By and large it is globally accepted today that

the predominant approach of ‘clinical health’ or

‘symptomatic treatment’ often suppress the cause

of the disease instead of identifying and uprooting

it. This approach cannot ascertain good health

even after ‘recovery’. A comprehensive approach

focused at removal or thorough treatment of the

root-cause of an ailment is required for viable

health. Ethno-medical systems like Ayurveda,

Chinese Medicine, and Homeopathy, that consider

a person’s physical, mental, and emotional nature

as a whole in the diagnosis and treatment of a

disease appear promising in this regard. Though

slower in initial effects as compared to modern

medicine (Allopathy), these methods if practiced

thoroughly are supposed to provide steady and

lasting healing effects.

Major challenges before the modern medical

system and health-sciences pertain to prevention

and/or treatment of tension, stresses, anxiety,

emotional complications, etc and related

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives

you courage.” - Lao Tzu


psychosomatic disorders. “Tension” and “Stress”

universally recognized causes of a wide

range of diseases are gripping larger and

larger sections of the developed, urban and

upper middle class, including the youths,

across the world. The other members of the

human society too are not free from their

clutches. Stress is no longer regarded as only

a psychological problem. It has been affirmed

as a principal cause of several health hazards

such as – heart attacks, angina, arrhythmias,

hypertension, peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis,

autoimmunity, certain kinds of skin diseases,

and even some forms of cancers. A close

cousin of “stress” is “depression” which

also causes or aggravates a wide spectrum

of psychosomatic disorders, including low

blood pressure, anxiety, suicidal tendency,

insomnia, some kinds of cancers, amentia,

epilepsy, sciatica etc. Savants predict that if

the present trends continue, it might become

third (after cardiac problems and cancer)

major cause of untimely death.

Significant efforts have been made in psychiatric

and psycho-medical sciences in recent decades,

to find feasible and effective modes of “stress

management” via several kinds of seductive

medicines, nerve-relaxing games, exercises,

amusement tools and recreation-activities for

mental diversion and rejuvenation. However,

these alone have not been able to tackle the

problems. Moreover, recent times have witnessed

continued increase in the numbers of cases and

complexities of stress, tension, depression, etc.

Consequent health issues continue to rise every

year. In fact, stress, tension, depression, etc, are

too complex and deep-rooted to be managed

like other ailments; these cannot be removed by

external means alone.

Neither modern medical science nor any alternative

medication mode has been able to ‘cure’ stress,

depression, etc, without incorporating some sort

of psycho-spiritual healing. But then a natural

question arises — how spirituality could help

combating these problems? In what respect

would it be different from and would complement

use of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology? Still

broader question is what should be the mode of

incorporating this new dimension into health care

modules? Can healthcare system ensure health

for all by focusing on this component?

Before attempting to answer these crucial questions

and addressing related issues of what one is

supposed to do at personal level to benefit from

it, we should first understand that Psychiatry and

Psychology, as experts of modern medicine also

affirm, deal mainly with mental well-being, that

too in the sense of not having any abnormality or

disorder. The diagnostic and therapeutic modules

under these disciplines mainly focus at weakness or

malfunctioning at the level of brain and endocrine

system. The entity of mind itself is recognized and

studied here with respect to behavioral aspects and

manifestation of brain functions. Whereas, mind

being a sublime faculty, requires spiritual strength

for its healthy and happy functioning.

The role of spirituality in healthcare has several

dimensions: (i) preventive impact of spiritual

outlook and spiritual practices (s³dhan³s);

(ii) overall well-being, and improvement and

enhancement of vitality, immunity and physical

and mental potentials by augmenting spiritual

strength; (iii) spiritual healing.

Preventive Impact of Spiritual Disciplines:

As we all know, the secret of sustaining healthy

and hearty life lies in keeping adequate balance

“Raise your words not your voice. It is the rain that grows flowers not the thunder.” - Rumi


between regularity of exercise, food, and rest, for the

body and maintaining the calm temper and positive,

intellectual, and joyful creative activities of the mind.

Conditioning and training [2, 3] of the body and mind

is the foremost requirement to attain and maintain

good health. Spiritual disciplines and practices are

universal modes to achieve this end on our own

via sincere efforts, with inspirational guidance of

spiritual masters and/or their enlightening books

and discourses. Could there be a more effective

way, that too free of cost?

Self-control over the passions of sense-organs

is universally advised as the foremost spiritual

discipline. Yoga-practices like Âsanas, Bandha,

Mudr³, Pr³nay³ma[4, 5] and meditation[6] together

with disciplines of healthy and austere food,

fasting for one day per week, etc are widely

experienced and affirmed as most effective and

supporting methods for natural self-restraint

over sensory passions and mental agility. Âsanas

help physical exercise of all parts of the body in

a harmonized way; Bandhas prevent drainage

of vital energy, Mudr³s activate and augment

mutually supportive effects of the five basic

elements and hence help fine-tune the vital (bio)

chemical activities and physiological functions

in the brain and rest of the body. [The type and

level of these practices should be chosen under

the guidance of an adept yoga-teacher as per

one’s age and physique.]

Spiritual Practices Generate Vigor, Vitality,

and Vibrancy:

Pr³nay³ma is of unique importance in

generating vigor and in also in controlling

and positively energizing the mind and its

inner core. Practice of pr³nay³ma requires

deep, rhythmic breathing at a consistent pace

of time; and holding it after inhalation and

exhalation in each cycle. The durations of

holding the breath out and in are increased

gradually as per one’s natural capacity, and

as guided by the yoga-teacher. This entire

exercise requires firm determination and

mental concentration. More importantly,

it’s a meditative practice with which some

imagination and feeling is also associated.

For example, it could be about extraction

of pr³ña – vital spiritual energy – from the

universe; its absorption in the one’s body and

mind, and its consequent effects.

Dhyana (Meditation) is a higher-level practice

of yoga that not only calms and rejuvenates the

mind, helps sharpen its potentials and strength,

but also gradually awakens and prepares it for

spiritual progress.

“Nature always wears the colors of spirit.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

There is no religious duty better than giving or sacrificing for others’

welfare. This is possible for everyone at any time (provided one has the will and

attitude). In this context, it is worth recalling the beautiful verse of a renowned

poet Rabindranath Tagore, which says – “He spread his hands open and asked for

something. I took out a tiny piece of grain from my bag and kept on His palm. At

the end of the day, I found a golden piece of same size in my bag. I cried – why

didn’t I empty my bag for Him, which would have transformed me from poor

man into a King of Wealth?”


The time-tested teachings, lives and works of

saints and sagacious great personalities show us

the true light of religion. Their words of wisdom,

like the eternally consistent teachings of a true

religion, though expressed in different languages

and ways, give us instant support, strength,

hope and positive directions in the moments

of adversity, hardship and tensions, and thus

alleviate the possibilities of stress, depression,

anger, and other negative traits. Reading and

contemplating over such illumined thoughts is

an essential component of spiritual endeavors

of s³dhan³; it is a simple but effective means of

mental wellbeing, illumination of thoughts and

emotions, and virtuous progress [7].

Chanting of devotional hymns and prayers with

a feeling of surrendering the ego/self-identity at

the feet of God, also calms the mind, relieves its

pains and sorrows and fills it with new energy

and joy. Prayers are a powerful means of soothing

the emotions, generating hope and optimism,

channelizing emotional energy and awakening

the goodwill indwelling in the inner self.

A spiritually fit person is therefore more focused,

alert, and free from problems of stress, tension,

depression, anger, and all kinds of mental

complexes and emotional complications. He /

She is protected from dissipation of vital energy

and thus from all infirmities/weakness. Such a

person thus becomes physically and mentally

stronger and dynamic, and also enjoys emotional

peace and bliss.

Spiritual Healing:

Spiritual Healing (or faith-healing, as it was

popularly called in the western countries until

modern scientists began to recognize the vast

domain and firm foundation of spirituality) had

been used by mankind in varieties of ways since

prehistoric times. In fact, this perhaps was the

earliest mode practiced in different forms in

different parts of the world to cure the physical

and mental suffering of the masses.

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of life and

healthcare known as the earliest science of medicine

is derived from the Vedic knowledge that treats all

life-forms as spiritual beings. Mantra therapy,

Yoga therapy, healing by blessing and transmission

of vital spiritual energy of the yogis, saints and

spiritual masters, and healing through prayers, have

been integral part of treatments recommended and

practiced in ancient India. Ayurveda’s pharmacology

too, in its original form, relied on awakening the

vital power of herbal/plant medicines by specific

spiritual s³dhan³s.

Ancient Chinese science of medicine also

incorporates similar approaches. Prayers, touch-

healing by the masters has also been common

to the ethno-therapies practiced in almost all

parts of the world. Pranic Healing, Hypnosis,

Reiki, etc also rely on use of vital spiritual

energy of the masters/expert healers. By and

large it is commonly experienced across the

globe that people often pray for fast recovery

and vigor when they themselves or their near-

and-dear ones fall sick.

Some modern medical centers and research

groups have also taken up to thoroughly

investigate the effects and scientific basis

of spiritual healing practices. This is a good

beginning and a major step towards recognition

of Spirituality in Health Sciences.

It is time we realize that devoid of spirituality,

no resource or support – be that physical vigor,

“It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.”

- Muhammad Ali


mental sharpness or prosperous social status –

can ensure positivity and righteousness in one’s

inter-personal dealings and responses to life’s

many pressures and challenges and consequent

stresses. Indeed spirituality is the core of health

in the truest sense of well-being.

References:

1. The Fourth Dimension. Article by Dr.

HS Wasir in the health column of Indian

Express, Bombay Edition, December 25,

1993. pg 9

2. Niroga Jºvan Ke Mahatvap¿rña S¿tra.

Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya Samagra

Vangmaya Vol. 39. Publ. Akhand Jyoti

Sansthan, Mathura; UP, India. 1995.

3. Health Tips from the Vedas. (Compilation

and Translation of Hindi articles published

in “Akhand Jyoti”; Edited by Dr. P. Pandya

and Shambhu Dass). Publ. Vedmata

Gayatri Trust Shantikunj, Hardwar, 2007.

ISBN: 81-8255-021-1.

4. Pragya Yoga for Healthy & Happy Life.

(English Translation of Hindi book

“Pragy³ Abhiy³na K³, Yoga Vy³y³ma”

by Brahmvarchas). Publ. Vedmata Gayatri

Trust, Shantikunj, Hardwar, 2007. ISBN:

81-8255-025-4

5. Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandh (Book

by Swami S. Saraswati). Yoga Publications

Trust, Munger, Bihar, 2002.

6. Japa, Tapa, Dhyan — The Triple Path of

Sadhana. Publ. Vedmata Gayatri Trust,

Shantikunj, Hardwar, (2nd Ed.) 2008.

7. What is Spirituality? (English Translation

of Hindi book “Adhy³tma Ky³ Th³, Ky³ Ho Gay³, Ky³ Hon³ Ch³hiye by Pt.Shriram

Sharma Acharya). Publ. Vedmata Gayatri

Trust Shantikunj, Hardwar, 2007. ISBN:

81-8255-025-4

“Respond to every call that excites your spirit.” - Rumi

All the people in kingdom of King Ranjeet Singh were very happy. He was

famous for his valor and his justice. One day, while he was taking the tour of his

land, a stone hit his forehead and he started bleeding profusely. Soldiers found

the culprit who threw the stone. The culprit was a poor widow. She was asked to

appear in the king’s court. The king asked the reason of throwing the stone. The

lady said, “King! I am a widow. I have two small children. I don’t have any income.

My children were very hungry. There was a plum tree. I threw the stone to pick

some plums but the stone accidentally hit you. If I knew you would be coming,

I would have never done that. You can kill me for my mistake but please excuse

my children and take care of them.” After listening to her, the king said, “There

are two culprits here, the lady who threw the stone and me. I am the king and as

long as I am the ruler of this kingdom, no one shall remain hungry. I have got the

punishment for my crime. In exchange for the punishment of this lady, I will take

care of providing food and shelter for her family.” The lady got overwhelmed

with joy on the decision of the king. Everyone else in the court applauded the

king.


Sleep is like a precious gift that each one of us

receives at the end of the day’s work. During

sleep, man is in a semi-conscious state. The body

sleeps but the mind is still active. Sleep is also a

process that connects us with other subtle worlds.

Sleep rejuvenates both body and mind, thus

keeping them healthy.

Sleep gives us respite and peace for a short while.

However stressed out and unhappy a person

might be, the sleep provides him mental balance,

removes his worries and stress, and gives him

physical and mental strength. Concentration

and ability to comprehend are also rejuvenated

through sleep.

Some people do not take sleep seriously.

Scientists have warned such people saying that

those who do not take adequate hours of rest are

playing with their life in a dangerous manner.

British scientists say that lack of sleep may

cause harmful effects on the internal processes

of the body. According to a research study, there

is permanent change in the genes of those who

get less than 6 hours of sleep per day. Also, such

people are more susceptible to obesity, diabetes,

cancer and heart troubles.

Inadequate sleep has adverse effect on digestion

which in turn leads to hyperacidity and other

related problems. Inadequate sleep also affects

our ability to take decisions. Sleep not only

restores mental balance, but also enhances our

memory. Hippocampus is the seat of memory in

our brain. Research studies have shown that the

Sound Sleep is Essential for

Vibrant Health

connectivity of neurons in the Hippocampus is

not done well which leads to weakened memory

in those people who sleep less.

Those who cannot sleep well or experience

difficulty in sleeping are generally found to be

restless and worried in their daily life. People

who cannot sleep and have to resort to several

methods like sleeping pills or other drugs realize

the true value of good sleep. A large population

today is suffering from insomnia. 50% of Indians

suffer from it. Researchers also say that insomnia

is the root cause of a plethora of mental ailments

of which depression is the foremost.

Insomnia is a disease in which a person does

not get sleep, or takes a long time to sleep or

cannot sleep for as long as the person wishes

to. This disease can affect people of any age

group. There are four primary symptoms of

insomnia – inability to sleep, getting suddenly

awakened in the middle of night, not feeling

refreshed after waking up, irritability and

anxiety. The probability of mental illnesses

like depression and restlessness are increased

manifold because of insomnia. The hormones

related to hunger are heightened due to lack

of sleep causing the person to increase food

intake, thus leading to obesity. The metabolism

rate decreases due to insomnia thus also

becoming a cause for obesity. This also leads

to indigestion, constipation and gastritis.

There could be several causes for insomnia,

of which emotional problems like stress,

“Knowledge is as wings to man’s life.” - Baha’u’llah


restlessness, depression etc. are the primary

ones. A person’s daily lifestyle and physical

constitution can also be reasons for insomnia.

Some medicines for hyperthyroidism,

contraception and corticosteroids can also

cause insomnia as a side effect. Excessive

consumption of caffeine and alcohol also

increase problems related to sleep. Being

addicted to television or internet till late in the

night also creates problems with the process of

sleep. Worries have the most adverse effect on

sleep. Many a time it so happens that people

begin to recollect their incomplete tasks as soon

as they lie down and start worrying about them.

This snatches away their sleep. The concept

of using the services of sleep therapists is

gaining momentum in Europe and America. In

America, sleep therapy has become a business

worth billions of dollars. This goes to show that

insomnia is widely prevalent there. The country

might be very developed and prosperous, but it

is plagued by many problems related to sleep.

Countries like India are still developing and

less prosperous in comparison, and therefore

have relatively less of these problems.

One-thirds of man’s life is spent in sleep. We

lose our perception to smell during sleep,

which is why many people do not detect a

gas leak at night. There occurs deficiency of

hormone named Leptin in those people who

stay awake late in the night. This is what

causes excessive hunger and thus obesity. If

a person sleeps for less than 7 hours in a day,

then his immune system is weakened which

makes him more susceptible to common

cold, fever, etc. There is imbalance in the

hormones of those who sleep less.

Normally, eight hours of sleep is considered ideal.

Infants can sleep for 12-13 hours, while children

can sleep for 9-10 hours and 7-8 hours of sleep

is adequate for adults. Elderly people barely get

deep sleep for 3-4 hours, after which they are

easily awakened. They also see less dreams. In

this way, you can see that we sleep less as we

grow older. Also, with increase in ability to think

and increased responsibilities and worries, our

sleep decreases.

In general, it is not good to wake up suddenly

from sleep. But at the same time, it might

not be right to sleep for long hours too. If

someone feels fatigued even after sleeping

for 10 hours, then it might indicate some other

trouble. According to a study published in

‘Public Library of Science’, excessive sleep

may not just be linked to some older illnesses

but also can be indicative of diseases related

to high BMI and other mental disorders.

Depression is also considered a cause for

insomnia. Such people prefer to lie down

on bed for long hours, though not asleep.

In addition to insomnia, if a person feels

sleepy always, it might also be a symptom

for hypersomnia.

Sleep is an essential ingredient of life. But

sleeping less or more could be a problem. Sleep

restores balance in our life. Our duration and

quality of sleep also should be such that our life

is not thrown out of balance and our day to day

activities are not affected. If we manage to remain

free from worries and stress, we will be able to

stay away from all disorders related to sleep.

Shavasan and Yoganidra are two techniques

which can make you feel rested and refreshed in

a very short duration and are best suited in this

age of busy life styles.

“Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness

there is in our lives.” - C. S. Lewis


“Superstition is the religion of feeble minds.” - Edmund Burke

Night is darkest in its last phase before the dawn.

The flame of a lamp grows brightest before it

is naturally extinguished. Similar is the case of

aggravated evils and negativities of the Kaliyuga.

As presented in the previous article (Anti-Climax

of Kali-Yuga — Scriptural Indications & Present

Scenario, Akhand Jyoti vol. 15, issue 2, page

15), the ancient texts also indicate the same —

Kaliyuga is going to end soon. How soon? Let

us look at some ancient and modern evidential

predictions and astronomical calculations to get

an answer.

While considering the estimated dates of

beginning and end of Kaliyuga presented below

(in the scale of modern/Gregorian calendar),

we should keep in mind that the deviations up

to a few hundred years in estimates by different

approaches are insignificant, as the astronomical

calculations in the ancient and medieval times

were based on movements of somewhat different

constellations of stars/planets. Moreover

the scales of times in such calculations are

significantly large as compared to the time-scale

(and the ‘concept’ of ‘year’) we use.

Beginning of the present era (Kaliyuga): The

Mahabharata war marked the end of Dw³para and beginning of Kali Yuga, as clearly indicated

in the following couplets of the epic:

Yad³ Drakïayasi Sangr³me Ïvetaïva® K•ashÌa S³rathºm| Endramastra® Vikurv³ñ³bhuva® Ch³py³gni

M³r¿te ||6||

G³nÃºvasya Cha NirghoÌa® Visphrjitibhiv³ïane¡ | Na Tad³ Bhavit³ Tret³ Na K•ata® Dw³para Na Cha ||7||

Yad³ Drakïayasi Sangr³me Kuntiputra YudhiÌÚhiram |Japa Homa Sam³yukta® Swa® Rakïanta® Mah³ Cham¿ma ||8||

Âdityamiva DurgharÌa® Tapanta® Ïatruv³hinºm |Na Tad³ Bhavit³ Tret³ Na K•ata® Dw³para Na Cha ||9||

Meaning: When Krishna will be seen in anger

(like an intrepid warrior) in the battlefield as a

charioteer of the chariot pulled by white horses,

and Arjuna (riding on that chariot) will be found

twanging the bow-string of his gigantic arch

“G³ñdºva”, then it will neither be (a time in) Tret³,

Dw³para or K•at (Sat) Yuga. When Yudhishthira,

who does japa and homa, and whose face is

radiant like the sun, will be seen protecting his

army and destroying the enemy’s forces, then it

will neither be (a time in) Tret³, Dw³para or K•at (Sat) Yuga.

Evidential Calculations: According to the

available versions of Surya Siddhanta[1], Kali-

Yuga began around 3102 BC. This estimate

was supported by globally reputed Indian

mathematician and astronomer like Aryabhatta.

Based on the information placed at the temple

in Bhalka (in Gujarat), this is also considered

the year in which Lord Krishna’s incarnation in

human form departed from the earth. Ancient

Dawn of the Golden Age:

Evidential Estimates


“Science without religion is lame; religion without science is blind.” - Albert Einstein

astronomer Vriddha Garg found this estimate

correct approximately with a deviation of

about 500 years, as his calculations were based

on incorporation of 28 Nakïtras1. Although,

since the time of Varahmihir and till now only

27 Nakïtras are considered in astronomic and

astrological calculations in Hindu tradition,

the deviation would be justified in view of the

fact that in some calculations, the first Nakïtra

(of SaptarÌi calendar), is regarded as K•attik³ whereas in some others it is Aïvini (Aïvina).

Thorough discussion presented in [2] leads

to more consistent calculations, which are

also supported by astronomical, historical and

archaeological evidences, as outlined below. The

author estimates 3676 BC as the year of onset of

Kali-Yuga (Kaliyuga) based on following historic

and astronomical evidences:

(i) The work of Greek scholars Pliny and Arrian

identifies Lord Ram — who according to Hindu

scriptures and oriental scholars lived towards the

end of Tret³-Yuga — as the Greek king Dionysus

(or Roman Bacchus) — whose reign had ended

at around 6776 BC. Considering that Dw³para

Yuga had started soon after Lord Ram’s period,

6676 BC is an estimated date for the onset of the

Dw³para Yuga.

(ii) Referring to the Brihata-Samhit³ (Brs. 13-3)

of ancient Indian astronomer Varahmihira, the

SaptarÌi2 Calendar[3] dates back to the time when

SaptarÌi were aligned in the “Magh³” Nakïtra

and considering that this is the tenth nakïatra in

a count beginning with Aïvina3, modern scholar

Dr. Subhash Kak[4] shows that the SaptarÌi Calendar, still in use in India, began from 6676

BC. Researcher Bhivu Dev Mishra [2] further

argues that —

“The SaptarÌi Calendar followed during the

Mauryan period was used for tracking the

genealogical records of the Mahabharata war

kings. Since the Mahabharata describes events

that transpired in the Dw³para-Yuga, there cannot

be any doubt that the SaptarÌi Cycle beginning

6676 BC marks the beginning of the descending

Dw³para Yuga”. Thus, using 6676 BC as the

anchor point and the SaptarÌi Calendar as the

basis for calculations of the spans of the yugas[5]

in descending phase of one Chaturyuga-cycle (in

which duration of each yuga is about 2,700 years,

and the transitional periods is about 300 years

between two successive yugas), Mishra shows

that Kaliyuga began in 3676 BC.

He also presents Archaeological evidences of

end of Dw³para and the catastrophic geological

events in the time-span that marks the transition

period between two yugas. The list of such events

[cited in [2] with authentic references and several

photographs of archaeological explorations]

during/around the transition from Dw³para

Yuga to Kali-Yuga (~ 3976 to 3676 BC). The list

includes: most intense aridification events during

the Holocene period that devastated the Neolithic

Sub-pluvial; Flandrian transgression that led to

the end of the Ubaid period in Mesopotamia; the

discovery of two well-developed cities submerged

in the Gulf of Cambay at a depth of 120 feet by

National Institute of Ocean Technology. Carbon

dating of the artefacts and other archaeological

evidences show the cities as belonging to the

period ~ 7500 BC – 6500 BC, and also indicate

their combined existence as the island city of

Lord Krisnha’s Dwarka in the Dw³para Yuga.

The Mahabharata mentions that Dw³para Yuga

was over soon after Krishna left this world; and

then the seas swelled up during a storm, and


“Your talent is God’s gift to you; what you do with it is your gift back to God.” - Anonymous

submerged the island-city of Dwarka, which

was located off the coast of western India. This

further lends support to the inference [2] that the

present Kali-Yuga began in 3676 BC.

End of Kaliyuga: In an earlier article [5] we had

presented details of the estimated total span

of Kaliyuga which sans the twilight transition

periods is about 5700 years. Hence, considering

the above-stated date of the time of onset of

Kaliyuga, we can easily see that we are currently

going through the last decade of the Kaliyuga,

which would end by 2025 CE. [According to

astronomical calculations used in SapatarÌi calendar.]

Scholarly studies of ancient texts[6] and Hindu

calendar [Vikram Samvat] show that since about

13900 years BCE till at present, we are in the

Varah Kalp (i.e., when about 5/12th of the on-

going day of Lord Brahma4 has passed), which

is about the last phase of the current “Yuga”.

In simple terms, as explained by the experts

of ancient Indian science of astronomy and

astrology, the ‘last phase’ of Kaliyuga has begun

approximately since around 1969 CE.

Rock-inscriptions found in Aihole5, and the

research conducted at the Institute of Archaeology

History, Mathura also indicate that countdown of

Kaliyuga’s exit has begun around 1970 CE.

Scriptural descriptions of different traditions also

indicate [6] approximately similar dates regarding

end of the Dark Age (Kaliyuga). According to

Japanese Buddhists, after the present Dark Age,

the period of dawn of ‘Abatiri’ (Bright Era) has

begun since ~1936 CE. According to the Bahavi

(Baha’i) cult in Iran, the period of dawn of

Golden Age has started recently. Similar are the

predictions of Lama Yogis of Tibet regarding

Golden Era (called Chamb³la in their local

language). Some Jewish scriptures on future of

the world also make similar mention sregarding

the onset of “Guergazar” (Bright Age).

Islamic religious book Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī” (The

prophetic traditions, or hadith, collected by

the Persian Muslim scholar Muhammad al-

Bukhari) kept in the holy city of Madina (Medina)

mentions that Qay³mata (end of sinners/sinful

era) will occur around the second one-third of

the 14th Century of Hijri calendar. Considering

that the holy Razab month of Hizari year 1963

coincides with the holy Shravan month of

Hindu Vikarm Samvat 2000, this prediction also

coincides with the year ~1943 CE of the modern

calendar. In the “Dasam Granth Sahib” revered

Sikh Guru Govind Singh ji has also mentioned

about the period of anti-climax of the Dark Age,

which corresponds approximately to the same

year (~1943 CE).

It is interesting to see that what several ancient

Indian scriptures describe as the time of ‘end’

(anti-climax and eventual setting off period)

of Kaliyuga in terms of specific arrangements

of planets also corresponds to the above-stated

calculations and archaeological findings. For

instance (c.f. Bh³gvat 2|31-32):

Yad³ DevarÌaya¡ Saptamadh³su Vicharanti Hi| Tad³ P•avattastu Kalirdw³daï³bda Ïat³tmaka³ ||Yad³ Magh³bhyoV³syanti Purv³Ì³Ãh³ MharÌaya¡| Tad³ Nand³t Prabh•tyeÌa Kalirv•addhi GamaÌtati ||

Meaning: When (after the historic Mahabharata

War) the SaptarÌi2 aligned in the Magh³

Nakïatra1, Kali-Yug began to enter (i.e., the pre-


“The pursuit, even of the best things, ought to be calm and tranquil.” - Marcus Tullius Cicero

transition phase of Kali-Yug commenced). After

this, the SaptarÌi would lie in the Purv³Ì³Ãha

Nakïatra and (with this) the predominance of

Kaliyug will be over.

Div³bd³n³® Sahastr³nte Chaturthetu Puna¡ K•atam | BhaviÌyati Yad³ N•añ³® Mana Âtma P•ak³ïakam ||

—Bh³gvat (12|2|34)

Meaning: After four thousands (solar) years

of predominance of Kaliyuga, there will be

emergence of the Golden Age that will illuminate

the minds and inner self of human beings.

According to studies of planetary constellations,

the SaptarÌi planets were in the Purv³Ì³Ãha

Nakïatra, on the “Krishna Amavashya” (last day

of a lunar month), of Vikram Samvat 2000 (i.e.

~1943CE). That means, by 2043CE, the world

will see the manifestation of a Golden Age.

Yad³ Chandraïcha S¿ryaïcha Tath³ TiÌya Bh•ahaspati | Eka R³ïau SameÌyanti Tad³ Bhavati Tat K•atamma ||

- Mahabharata (Van Parva|190|90)

Meaning: When the Moon, Sun and Jupiter

simultaneously enter in (the ecliptic sector) Puïya

Nakïatra and are in the same Zodiac position of

Karka, it will mark the juncture of completion of

Kali-Yug and beginning of a Golden Age.

This corresponds to the predictions of the

Bh³gvat (cited above), as the specific alignment

of the Sun, Moon and Jupiter had occurred on 1st

August 1943 AD.

Notably, Zoroastrian holy book ‘The Zend

Avesta’ also makes mention of the same planetary

alignment as indicator of the end of the Age of

Vices. The corresponding text translates as —

when Moon, Sun and Jupiter simultaneously align

in the Zodiac sign “Cancer” (Karka) then there

will be descent of the divine soul (light); then

people will leave all vices and evils and the world

will be filled with fairness and happiness.

The ancient Indian text “Brah®-vaivarta Pur³ña”

(Text 50, 59) describes a dialogue between Lord

Krishna and the Goddess Ganga. Here, Krishna

says that after 5,000 years of Kali-Yuga there

will be a dawn of a new Golden Age which will

last for ~10,000 years. This can be immediately

understood in the context of the span of Kali-Yuga

described in this article. We are now witnessing

the last decade of Kali-Yuga, nearly 5,700 years

(2700 years of its descending phase + 2700 years

of its ascending phase + ~ 300 years of transition

of its end and beginning a new era) since its

beginning in 3676 BC. And the complete end of

the Kali-Yuga will be followed by the ascending

phase of three successively brighter eras of bliss,

benevolence, peace and prosperity spanning over

9000 years.

Reference:

[1] Burgess E. (1860): Translation of the

S¿rya Siddh³nta – A Text Book of Hindu

Astronomy, New Haven: For the American

Oriental Soc. [Original article publ. In J.

Amer. Oriental Soc. Vol VI. The book also

contains detailed commentary by the author.]

[2] Bibhu Dev Misra (2003). Unraveling the

Yuga Cycle Timeline. Part-I of a Web

Article. (https://grahamhancock.com/

dmisrab6/) also see


“A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.” - Steve Maraboli

Faith is composed of the heart's intention.

Light comes through faith.

Through faith men come to prayer,

Faith in the morning, faith at noon and at the setting of the sun.

O Faith, give us faith!

- Rigveda

[3] itihasabharati.blogspot.com/2016/01/

the-saptarshi-calendar.html

[4] Subhash Kak (2000): On the Chronological

Framework for Indian Culture. Bulletin

of the Indian Council of Philosophical

Research. pp. 1-24.

[5] Pandya P. And Shambhudass (editors) (2017):

Change of Era — When? Akhand Jyoti – The

Light Divine, Vol. 15 Issue 1; Jan-Feb 2017.

[6] Sharma Shriram Acharya (1995). Yug-

Parivartana Kaise aur Kaba?” Pandit Shriram

Sharma Acharya Samagra Vangmaya Vol.

27. Akhand Jyoti Sansthan, Mathura.

Notes:

1. Nakïatra: A Nakïatra (Nakshatra)

is the term for lunar asterism (or

lunar mansion) in Hindu astrology. A

nakshatra is one of the 27 sectors along

the ecliptic. Their names are related to

the most prominent asterisms in the

respective sectors.

2. SaptarÌi: The great bear constellation of

seven planets.

3. Aïvina: By the time of the Greek system of

calendar (and hence in the modern ‘scale’

of year) came into existence, the nakïatras

were listed starting with Aïvina (Surya

Siddhanta 8.9).

4. God Brahma’s one day: The span of

the birth, existence, evolution, and

complete merger (in Brah®**) of the

SraÌÚi* is referred as one day of God

Brahma. [*S•aÌÚi: The entire Creation

— manifestation of Nature, the cosmos,

the planetary system the world, and

the living beings, etc. **Brah®: The

Omnipresent, Eternal Consciousness-

Force. It is the self-existent origin,

medium and absolute end of every

existence].

5. Aihole Inscriptions: Aihole village,

about 510 Kilo Meters from Bangalore

in Karnataka is famous as the Cradle

of Indian architecture. The Rock-

inscriptions found here are written in

Sanskrit and Kannada; these belong

to the time of King Pulakeshin-II of

Chalukya dynasty, who reigned during

610 to 642 CE.


In his writings, Param Pujya Gurudev described

Arjuna as an ideal disciple, volunteer, and a

social worker. Oftentimes, he recommended

Arjuna as a character to be emulated. Pragya

Abhiyan, which is currently published fortnightly

by Shantikunj, was published monthly in 1980-

81. In its joint issue of October-November

1981, Gurudev writes – The dialogue between

Krishna and Arjuna took place in Dwapara Yuga

The problems of Dwapara Yuga may not be

comparable to, or may even be dwarfed by, the

problems of Kali Yuga (present-day world). But,

this dialogue and the teachings derived from it

are still relevant, and must be utilized to solve

today’s problems. Lord Krishna wanted to ensure

unity and order in an Indian society threatened by

anarchy and had resolved to transform ‘Bharat’

(or, India) into a ‘Maha Bharat’ (or, a unified

or greater India). Lord Krishna’s strategic plans

were not limited to the ones that were executed

during the Mahabharata war in Dharmakshetra-

Kurukshetra. He had already planned to unify

all the post-war, fractured states by organizing a

grand Rajsuya Yagya to lay the foundation for a

greater India (‘Maha Bharat’). The Lord needed

a capable partner to accomplish His vision. The

person that He found most competent was, Arjuna.

But initially, Arjuna was able to comprehend

neither the magnitude of the Lord’s plan nor

its far-reaching benefits. His limited sphere of

thinking and his melancholy over losing his

relatives during the war were hindering him from

understanding the Lord’s vision. His arguments

Yug Gita – 6

were based on an assessment of his personal and

immediate gains and losses, and that made him

reluctant to undertake greater responsibilities

that he perceived to not yield immediate or

reliable gains. Arjuna’s personal ambitions did

not extend beyond self-preservation and living

an ordinary life. The Lord perceived Arjuna’s

mental weakness and overcame his fragile

arguments using counter-arguments rooted in

righteousness and idealism.

Arjuna’s melancholic state is one that a person

suffers through when his or her discipleship has

not been awakened. Arjuna’s state was a result of

his never having perceived Lord Krishna as his

Guru (or ‘spiritual teacher’). It is not sufficient

for anybody to just be close or dear to his or her

Guru, but one must understand and accept the

superiority of one’s Guru to be able to overcome

one’s innate inertia. Melancholy overcomes not

only mental inertia but also the evil impressions

of past lives. It is possible that Arjuna was

destined to experience this state of mind.

“Why should we work for ‘Thought

Revolution’?” – This question may have arisen in

our minds at some point in time. We are unable to

understand that we are only the resources; and if

we do anything in this direction, we will only be

fulfilling the need of our times. Like Arjuna, if our

inner inertia can also be broken by melancholy

– the inner distress - then our true discipleship

can be awakened. Medical science too advises

Soul Anguish or Escapism - 2(The latter half of the first chapter of Gita)

“Nature is my religion, Earth is my temple.” - Anonymous


that sometimes weeping is beneficial to us. It is

even better to contemplate on the limits of our

selflessness and humility. But this process should

not culminate in an emotional outburst.

From the 33rd to the 46th shlokas (or, verses) of

the first chapter of the Gita, a despondent Arjuna

voices the same thoughts over and over – “Is the

kingdom (‘Hastinapura’) worth killing his own

clan?” or, “Of what use are material comforts?”

or, “What is purpose of living such a life?”

He is so self-absorbed while providing these

justifications for his melancholy that he does

not give Lord Krishna a chance to speak. Arjuna

also says – ‘Api trailokya rajyasya hetoh kim nu

mahikrite’- that he would not kill the Kauravas,

even if he were offered the good fortune of ruling

all three worlds. Despite realizing the stature

of whom he is speaking with, Lord Krishna

Himself, he continues presenting scripturally

coherent arguments, such as, killing the Kaurvas

will end an entire clan, vulnerable women will be

exploited, he will go to Hell for his actions, and

so on. He also asserts that if he dies, even while

unarmed, at the hands of Dhritarashtra’s sons

(or, Kauravas), he would consider his own death

beneficial to himself. From where has this feeling

of ‘Vairagya’ (non-attachment, renunciation)

emerged in Arjuna’s melancholic mind that he is

ready to even beg for a living?

Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa classified Vairgya

into three categories; namely, (i) the ‘real’

Vairagya (renouncing everything for good), (ii)

Shmashan Vairagya (feeling of renunciation in the

cremation ground) and (iii) ‘Death-bed’ Vairagya

(when the death appears to be imminent). The

third type of Vairgya is transitory (or, short-

lived), whereas the second type remains limited

to the cremation ground. As soon as the pyre is

lit, people start talking about worldly matters.

Arjuna’s Vairagya is transitory. He is standing

in the battlefield talking about principles. Lord

Krishna knows that Arjuna’s Vairagya will be

over soon, and therefore He is listening to him

with a cheerful demeanour while readying

himself to counter Arjuna’s arguments (in the

second chapter). If we analyze the Arjuna’s state

of mind, we will see that seeds of revolutionary

thoughts are being planted in the midst of all the

melancholy. A famous French philosopher, Jean

Paul Sartre, who believed in existentialism, has

explained this state very well. He writes – ‘Man

is condemned to be free; because once thrown

into the world, he is responsible for everything he

does’. Existentialists didn’t have Lord Krishna’s

guidance, which is why the western world could

not make progress in the field of philosophy. To

achieve the freedom that Sartre is referring to, one

needs to have same rapport with one’s spiritual

teacher, like Arjuna’s with Lord Krishna. The

Gita conveys this relationship perfectly.

Arjuna appears incapable of differentiating

between kith-and-kin and strangers. Consequently,

at the peak of his melancholic state, he announces

his decision – ‘I will not take part in the war’.

Until a disciple surrenders totally to his or her

Guru, he or she will keep making his or her own

decisions. Arjuna defends his decision repeatedly

by professing his attachment to his own relations

and his supposed scriptural knowledge. Until

the limitations imposed by worldly attachments

and adherence to dubious assumptions are not

overcome, true discipleship will not awaken. By

putting his Gandeev (bow) aside and sitting in

the rear of the chariot, Arjuna has demonstrated

nothing but escapism. It is surprising that this

brave and sensible person is so delusional.

Thoughtlessness, delusion and indolence serve

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony.”

- Mahatma Gandhi


as obstacles in the path to discipleship. If one

really wishes to get attached, then it is better to

be attached to ideals and morality, instead of so-

called kith-and-kin who do not reciprocate the

same affection. One should adhere to ethics and

dharma (righteousness) instead of immorality

and adharma (evil). The core message of the first

chapter of the Gita is essentially this - one should

become a dedicated, industrious and learned

person. This message embraces all the three

yogas (‘Bhakti’, ‘Karma’ and ‘Gyan’ yogas).

Param Pujya Gurudev said – ‘If you wish to take

credit like Arjuna, then get busy in doing Vichar

Kranti Mission’s work. If you won’t, someone

else will.’ If we don’t work for this noble cause,

will this gigantic divine campaign not progress?

No! This campaign will certainly proceed

smoothly, but we will miss the opportunity of

emulating Arjuna. Param Pujya Gurudev writes

in April 1982 issue of Akhand Jyoti (Hindi) –

‘In spite of the heavy weight of conscience, the

bigger responsibilities, the high expectations

of the Almighty, and the unparalleled, urgent

demands of our times, what is that mediocrity

that is preventing our parijans from taking up the

leading roles? What is the reason that is turning the

capable into incapable? Is it paranoia, superstition,

or other mental cobwebs? The reason behind

this inertia is not easy to comprehend. This is

time of courage and bravery. In this hour of

dire need, why are the Gandeevs of the Arjunas

of our times slipping from their hands, why

their mouths are getting dry, and why are they

perspiring? Are discussions of principles and

morals restricted to stories or regarded merely

as a source of entertainment?’

Listening to the Arjuna’s silly arguments, Lord

Krishna lost his temper. Prior to reading the

second chapter named ‘Sankhya Yoga’ (in

which Lord Krishna got angry with Arjuna and

then his discipleship got awakened), it should

be understood that the Lord had acknowledged

that the doubts in Arjuna’s mind had originated

from his genuine anguish over losing loved ones

in the war. The pangs of conscience had fueled

his self-restraint. Therefore, the time had arrived

to awaken his discipleship. The present time too

is extraordinary. We too are expecting the same

guidance that Arjuna once received from his

Guru, Lord Krishna. In the present age, we can

acquire this knowledge by understanding the

perspective of Yug Gita.

“Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality.”

- Carl Sagan

Duryodhan was certain that Bhishma was not fighting to his full abilities due

to his bias for the Pandavas. After accusing him of this, Bhishma created five powerful

arrows and promised that he would slay the five brothers at one go the very next day.

Doubting this, Duryodhan took the five arrows to use them on the Pandavas himself.

Krishna got to know about this and advised Arjuna to go and ask Duryodhana

for those arrows, as the boon that Duryodhana had granted him once, when Arjuna

had saved his life. Duryodhana had to comply with his request and unwillingly, parted

with the arrows. When Duryodhana asked Bhishma to create five more arrows, he

refused, saying that he had used his lifelong merit to create them and thus, they could

not be recreated. Duryodhana thus lost his only chance of winning the war.


A PILGRIM IS A WANDERER WITH A

PURPOSE. A pilgrimage can be to a place —

that’s the best known kind — but it can also

be for a thing. Mine is for peace, and that is

why I am a Peace Pilgrim. My pilgrimage

covers the entire peace picture: peace among

nations, peace among groups, peace within our

environment, peace among individuals, and

the very, very important inner peace—which

I talk about most often because that is where

peace begins. The situation in the world around

us is just a reflection of the collective situation.

In the final analysis, only as we become more

peaceful people will we be finding ourselves

living in a more peaceful world.

In the Middle Ages the pilgrims went out as

the disciples were sent out — without money,

without food, without adequate clothing — and

I know that tradition. I have no money. I do not

accept any money on my pilgrimage. I belong

to no organization. There is no organization

backing me. I own only what I wear and carry.

There is nothing to tie me down. I am as free

as a bird soaring in the sky. I walk until given

shelter, fast until given food. I don’t ask—it’s

given without asking. Aren’t people good! There

is a spark of good in everybody, no matter how

deeply it may be buried, it is there. It’s waiting

to govern your life gloriously. I call it the God-

centered nature or the divine nature. Jesus called

it the Kingdom of God within.

Now, a pilgrim walks prayerfully, and a

pilgrim walks as an opportunity to come

Peace Pilgrim’s Wisdom – 6

The Pilgrimage - 1

in contact with many people and perhaps

inspire them to do something for peace in

their own way. For that purpose I wear my

short tunic with PEACE PILGRIM on the

front and 25,000 Miles On Foot for Peace on

the back. It makes my contacts for me in the

kindest way...and I like to be kind.

You’re in a much better position to talk with

people when they approach you than when

you approach them. Those individuals who are

attracted to me are either genuinely interested in

some phase of peace or just have a good lively

curiosity. Both kinds are very worthwhile people.

Then I have time to share with people my peace

message which says in one sentence:

This is the way of peace—overcome evil with good,

and falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.

The Golden Rule would do equally well. There

is nothing new about that except the practice

of it. But I consider it the lesson for today

and so it becomes the message of the peace

pilgrimage. Please don’t say lightly that these

are just religious concepts and not practical.

These are laws governing human conduct,

which apply as rigidly as the law of gravity.

When we disregard these laws in any walk of

life, chaos results. Through obedience to these

laws this world of ours will enter a period of

peace and richness of life beyond our fondest

dreams. The key word for our time is practice.

We have all the light we need; we just need to

put it into practice.

“A quiet conscience makes one strong!” - Anne Frank


What I walk on is not the energy of youth, it is

a better energy. I walk on the endless energy

of inner peace that never runs out! When you

become a channel through which God works

there are no more limitations, because God

does the work through you: you are merely the

instrument —and what God can do is unlimited.

When you are working for God you do not find

yourself striving and straining. You find yourself

calm, serene and unhurried.

My pilgrimage is not a crusade, which connotes

violence. There is no attempt to force something

on people. A pilgrimage is a gentle journey of

prayer and example. My walking is first of all a

prayer for peace. If you give your life as a prayer

you intensify the prayer beyond all measure. In

undertaking this pilgrimage I do not think of myself

as an individual but rather as an embodiment

of the heart of the world which is pleading for

peace. Humanity, with fearful, faltering steps

walks a knife-edge between abysmal chaos and a

new renaissance, while strong forces push toward

chaos. Yet there is hope. I see hope in the tireless

work of a few devoted souls. I see hope in the real

desire for peace in the heart of humanity, even

though the human family gropes toward peace

blindly, not knowing the way.

My pilgrimage is an opportunity to talk with

my fellow human beings about the way of

peace. It is also a penance for whatever I may

have contributed by commission or omission

to the tragic situation in the world today. It

is a prayer that this war-weary world of ours

will somehow find the way to peace before

a holocaust descends. My mission is to help

promote peace by helping others to find inner

peace. If I can find it, you can too. Peace is an

idea whose time has come.

I began my pilgrimage on the first of January in

1953. It is my spiritual birthday of sorts. It was

a period in which I was merged with the whole.

No longer was I a seed buried under the ground,

but I felt as a flower reaching out effortlessly

toward the sun. On that day I became a wanderer

relying upon the goodness of others. It would be

a pilgrim’s journey undertaken in the traditional

manner: on foot and on faith. I left behind all

claims to a name, personal history, possessions

and affiliations.

It would be a glorious journey. The birthplace of

the pilgrimage was at the Tournament of Roses

parade in Pasadena, California. I walked ahead

along the line of march, talking to people and

handing out peace messages, and noticing that

the holiday spirit did not lessen the genuine

interest in peace. When I had gone about half

way a policeman put his hand on my shoulder

and I thought he was going to tell me to get off

the line of march. Instead he said, “What we need

is thousands like you.”

What happened to me in the Los Angeles area

in the beginning was almost miraculous. All

channels of communication were opened to me

and my little peace message. I spent hours being

interviewed by newspaper reporters and being

photographed by newspaper photographers. The

story of the pilgrimage and even my picture went

out over all the wire services. Besides doing two

live television programs, I spent hours recording

for radio and the television newscasts. Newspapers

all along the line from Los Angeles to San Diego

were interested. In San Diego I did one television

program and four radio shows. The head of the

San Diego Council of Churches approved of my

message and my three petitions, and they were

widely circulated in the churches.

“My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in

the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind.” - Albert Einstein


When I was not on the road I was speaking

and gathering signatures for the three peace

petitions which I carried. The first was a short

plea for immediate peace in Korea. It read: “Let

the killing in Korea cease! Then deal with this

conflict situation according to the only principles

which can solve it — overcome evil with good

and falsehood with truth and hatred with

love.” The second petition was directed to the

President and congressional leaders requesting

the installation of a Peace Department. It read:

“This is the way of peace, overcome evil with

good and falsehood with truth and hatred

with love. We plead for the establishment

of a Peace Department, with a Secretary of

Peace who accepts these principles—and

with all conflicts at home and abroad to be

referred to this Peace Department.” The third

petition was a plea to the United Nations and

the world leaders for world disarmament and

reconstruction: “If you would find the way of

peace you must overcome evil with good and

falsehood with truth and hatred with love. We

plead with you to free us all from the crushing

burden of armaments, to free us from hatred

and fear, so that we may feed our hungry

ones, mend our broken cities, and experience

a richness of life which can only come in a

world that is unarmed and fed.”

I accumulated signed petitions from individuals,

peace groups, churches and organizations along

my pilgrimage route, storing them in a satchel

which was carried for the occasion. I presented

them to officials at both the White House and

the United Nations at the conclusion of my first

walk across the country. And I am thankful

that my first petition, “Let the killing in Korea

cease...” was at least partially granted before

the first year was over.

At Tijuana, Mexico, just across the border from

San Diego, I was received by the mayor, and

he gave me a message to carry to the mayor of

New York City. I also carried a message from

the California Indians to the Arizona Indians.

While passing through San Diego that first year

I was introduced into public speaking. A high

school teacher approached me on the street and

inquired if I would speak to her class. I told

her in all fairness that as Peace Pilgrim I had

never spoken to a group before. She assured

me that it would be fine and asked only that I

would answer the students’ questions. I agreed.

If you have something worthwhile to say, you

can say it. Otherwise, why in the world would

you want to be speaking?

I have no problem speaking before a group.

When you have completely surrendered to

God’s will, the way seems easy and joyous. It

is only before you have completely surrendered

that the way seems difficult. When I speak,

energy flows through me like electricity flows

through a wire. In the beginning, my speaking

engagements were often arranged on the spur

of the moment. As I was walking past a school,

the principal came out and said, “My students

are looking at you from the windows. If you

would come in and talk to them we’ll gather

them in the gymnasium.” So I did.

Then at noon, a man from one of the civic

clubs approached me and said, “My speaker

disappointed us. Will you come and speak at

our luncheon?” And of course I did. The same

afternoon a college professor on the way

to his class stopped me and asked, “Could

I take you to my students?” So I spoke to

his class. Then at night a minister and his

wife going to a church supper stopped me

“The true measure of success is how many times you can bounce back from failure.”

- Stephen Richards


and said, “Would you consider coming and

eating with us, and speaking to us?” And I

did. They also gave me a bed for the night.

And all this happened as I was walking along

one day without any prior engagements.

I now keep very busy speaking for peace at

colleges, high schools, churches, and so forth—

but always I am happily busy. My slogan of first

things first has enabled me to take care of my

speaking engagements, keep my mail up to date

and also do some walking. Once in Cincinnati I

gave seven sermons at seven different places of

worship in one day. On that particular Sunday I

gave local ministers the day off! No collections

are permitted at meetings that are held for me.

I never accept a penny for the work I do. Any

money sent to me through the mail is used to

publish my literature which is sent free of charge

to anyone who requests it.

Truth is the pearl without price. One cannot

obtain truth by buying it — all you can do is to

strive for spiritual truth and when one is ready,

it will be given freely. Nor should spiritual truth

be sold, lest the seller be injured spiritually.

You lose any spiritual contact the moment you

commercialize it. Those who have the truth would

not be packaging it and selling it, so anyone who

is selling it, really does not possess it.

[Reproduced with glad consent of the publishers – Friends of Peace Pilgrim]

“The power of human thought grows exponentially with the number of minds that

share that thought.” - Dan Brown

When Paul Brunton (a British theosophist and spiritualist) heard about

the Indian ascetics, he came to India to meet them and to find out the secret of

their siddhis (supernormal powers). He had written in his book titled "In search

of Secret India" that he met Swami Vishuddhananda Paramhansa in Banaras, who

was famous as 'Gandha Baba'. The sage asked him whether he wanted to witness

some miracle. On getting a positive answer, he asked Brunton for a handkerchief,

who gave him a silky one. When he focused the solar radiations on it through

a convex lens, the handkerchief started emitting the fragrance of jasmine, as

was desired by him. This was not a deception or a skill. Later on, when Brunton

asked him to produce the aroma of rose, he produced it as well, which persisted

on the handkerchief for months. When Paul Brunton had a detailed discussion

with his disciple Gopinath, the poet, he came to know that the sage was able

to produce grapes in the air. He could also fetch sweets out of nothing and

was able to re-bloom the withered flowers. He attributed all this to the science

of solar radiations. Swami Vivekananda had also made a mention of Swami

Vishuddhananda in his speeches. He had met him and also witnessed his siddhis.

Our Indian spiritualism is extremely abstruse and marvelous. This scientific way

of life needs further research.


Technology is creating something new every

day to make our lives easier. Enhancements are

being introduced in mobile phones, computers,

mobile apps, TVs etc. day by day leading to

largescale modifications in our lifestyles.

Our work efficiency has been enhanced

significantly due to these and what took hours

earlier can be finished in minutes now. All the

information we seek is available instantly in

this era of information revolution. A tiny cell

phone has moved on from being just a means

of communication and become a repository

of music, photos, videos and information.

From payment to online shopping and ticket

booking, everything can be done with the

mobile phone. Slowly and steadily mobile

phones are getting associated with a number

of conveniences. These are only the useful and

beneficial aspects of technology, but we must

also have knowledge of the potentially harmful

aspects of technology.

Today’s generation is rightly called

‘multimedia generation’ because everyone

yearns to get some form of gadget or the

other. People spend many-many hours with

gadgets like iPods, mobile phones, TVs,

video games and so on. Excessive time

spent on these is resulting in many negative

effects on the body like dry eyes, computer

vision syndrome, back ache, neck pain etc.

Gadgets have today become part of our

lives but slowly they are adversely affecting

Youth Column

Protect Your Ears from

Mobile Music

our health. Young generation is extremely

enamored with these devices and do not like to

be away from them even for a few moments.

At each street corner several people can be

found busy with their gadgets in their free

time talking with others on mobile, playing

games, surfing the internet, taking pictures,

shooting videos or listening to music.

Music fanatics with their head phones

or ear phones on their ears can be found

everywhere. Even auto rickshaw drivers can

be commonly spotted sporting ear phones

and listening to music. Such people are often

unaware of the health hazards these gadgets

pose to them, how their ear phones can

impair their hearing; and in addition, how

their lack of attention can increase manifold

the possibility of road accidents.

World Health Organization has, in a report,

warned the young generation to desist from

the excessive usage of Bluetooth, earphones

and head phones. According to the report,

about 1.1 billion youth are becoming deaf due

to their habit of listening to loud music. So,

it is necessary to take precaution and reduce

the usage of earphones as much as possible.

People employed at call centers or any places

where head set is a necessity must definitely

take a break of 5 minutes after every hour of

usage. Only good quality head phones and

ear phones should be used. It is preferable to

“It takes darkness to be aware of the light.” - Treasure Tatum


use head phones, which are attached to outer

ears, instead of ear buds.

According to a research, listening capacity of

people who continuously use ear phones reduces

by 40-50 decibels. Due to the reduced sensitivity

it becomes difficult to hear voices that come from

far. In fact, this can also cause complete deafness

at times. In our country too 50% of ear related

problems reported by youth are due to excessive

usage of ear phones. Excessive usage of ear

phones could result in several common problems

like pain in ears, headache, insomnia etc.

To provide attractive gadgets, manufacturers

of earphones and headphones produce

contraptions that completely cancel every

sound from outside so that the listener gets

dissociated from outside world and can enjoy

music without any disturbance. But when

these devices completely enclose the ears

and do not allow air circulation, the danger of

infection increases significantly. People who

use these devices for extended periods of time

also become susceptible to uncomfortable

conditions like tinnitus. Excessive usage

also makes the ears vulnerable to becoming

numb and insensitive.

The sound waves that are generated by earphone

or headphone directly affect our brain. The inner

portion of ear is connected to the brain and so

if the ear or the ear drum is affected, there is a

direct adverse impact on the brain as well. People

who like to hear songs or music at high volume

are found susceptible not only to brain related

problems like headache, giddiness etc., but also

could contract dangerous diseases like cancer and

others related to heart. Besides the ear drums,

loud sounds harm the inner tissues.

According to scientists, human ear can bear

sound intensity upto 65 decibels, but if a

sound of 90 decibel intensity is heard for 40

hours or more the nerves inside the ears die

completely. Researchers state that excessive

usage of earphones could result in numerous

ear problems like hearing a continuous tingling

sound, giddiness, sensitivity, sleeplessness,

headache, earache and so on. As time passes,

people begin to turn deaf to softer, lower

intensity sounds and their ability to distinguish

between sounds also gets impaired. This can

cause serious problems while walking or

driving and can lead to accidents.

Several incidents have come to light in

which earphones have been the primary

reason when people could not hear the voices

coming from behind and met with serious

accidents. Officers of Indian Railways also

say that among people dying in accidents

“When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that

when you die, you’re the one smiling and everyone around you is crying.” - Kabir

The Seven Social Sins are:

• Wealth without work,

• Pleasure without conscience,

• Knowledge without character,

• Commerce without morality,

• Science without humanity,

• Worship without sacrifice, and

• Politics without principle.

- Frederick Lewis Donaldson


on railway tracks, majority is of those who

walk on or near the tracks with earphones on.

Psychologists describe people who walk with

their Bluetooth, headphones and earphones

on their ears as victims of mental instability

and unintentional blindness. As their minds

are distracted such people often meet with

road accidents and among these, youth are

the largest in numbers.

Several people fall asleep listening to songs on

their earphones, which is even more harmful for

the ears. It impedes falling into deep sleep and

because of long exposure to radiation possibility

of developing cancer increases significantly.

Experts say we must not use these type of gadgets

for more than 30 minutes and we should keep

the volume low. Earphones should definitely be

used for less than an hour in 24 hours and if any

problem is noticed in the ear, doctor should be

quickly consulted and doctor’s advice must be

diligently followed. At the same time, we should

not talk for too long on the phone.

Our ears are the only means through which

we hear sounds, establish a communication

with others and differentiate between sounds.

If for any reason our hearing gets affected, the

suffering would last a life time. So to protect

our ears we must enforce a limit on the usage

of different devices worn on the ears and we

must use them really carefully.

“Life is really simple, but men insist on making it complicated.” - Confucius

Venkatraman, who was born on December 30, 1879 in a village

near Madurai, Tamil Nadu had realized right in the childhood that he had

come to this world for accomplishing some superior objective rather

than live and die like an ordinary man. When he heard about Arunachala

(Thiruvannamalai), he felt as if he had been familiar to this place from

previous births. He renounced his house at an early age and reached there

with great difficulty. No sooner did he reached there than he became silent

and started meditating. He settled in a cave where an ascetic had pursued

Sadhana (spiritual accomplishment) for many years and got engrossed in

solitary ascetism. Ganapati Shastri renamed him as -'Ramana Maharishi'.

He didn't believe in displaying miracles but they occurred in the normal

course. While dwelling in the forest, he used to converse with the animals

wandering there. The groups of monkeys used to approach him for solving

their conflicts. Even the deadly snakes and lions used to come and sit in

his vicinity. He left his mortal body in 1950. His abode still symbolizes his

concentration, contemplation and Samadhi (profound meditation).


Goswami Tulsidasji, the author of

Ramcharitmanas has extolled the virtue of

human body thus – ‘Bade bhag manush tan

pawa, surdurlabh sadgranthahin gawa.’

(Meaning - It is a great fortune to attain this

human body which is rare even for the gods).

The great poet Kalidas has also highlighted the

importance of human body – ‘Sharir madhyam

khalu dharmasadhanam’ (That is, physical

body is the instrument for all righteous

actions). It is needless to say that the first level

of happiness is having a healthy body. This is so

because all the pleasures of materialistic world

can be enjoyed only through a healthy body.

Whether we yearn for materialistic progress or

spiritual upliftment, both necessarily require a

healthy mind and body.

There are four objectives of human pursuit as

described in the scriptures – dharma (righteousness

and morality), arth (economic prosperity), kama

(fulfillment of desires) and moksha (salvation).

All these pursuits cannot be undertaken unless

both mind and body are healthy. We should have

no doubt that the fundamental basis of complete

development is a healthy mind and body. There

is no other living being whose body is better than

human body provided it is not suffering from any

diseases. But today, in the mechanical lifestyles

we lead and the materialistic approach we have

towards our lives, where is the time to take

sufficient care of our mind and body? This is as

if a warrior enters a battlefield without weapons

with him. Life is no less than a battle and good

health is an essential requirement to win it.

Beware of Sitting for Long Hours

Undoubtedly, a balance between body and mind

is required to attain good health. Any imbalance

causes our body to fall prey to one disease or

the other. There is nothing wrong in pursuing

the materialistic progress. But if it is attained at

the expense of our health, the progress would

remain hollow. All the comforts of the world

cannot give us happiness if our health is not

good. We should keep a balance between work

and rest. For example, lying around too long

makes the body lazy and inactive. Standing

unnecessarily for too long at work tires the body

too. Likewise sitting for too long at work also

causes many kinds of ailments. Unfortunately,

in today’s world most of the jobs at workplaces

are sedentary and this sitting for long hours

affects our health quite adversely.

A big proportion of our working population

spends the entire day in meetings, attending

phone calls, sitting in front of computers or at

their working desks. After reaching home also

people keep talking on phone or laze around in

front of TV. In our daily routine we spend eight

hours sleeping, 2 hour standing or travelling

from one place to another, about half an hour in

exercise and remaining 13 hours working while

seated. So majority of time during the day we

spend sitting. Other than playful kids, laborers,

manual workers and housewives, people who

mostly do mental work spend a large amount of

time sitting on chairs.

Journal of the American Heart Foundation has

published a report based on a study conducted

“All major religious traditions carry basically the same message that is love, compassion and

forgiveness ... the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives.” - Dalai Lama


on a sample size of 8800 people. The report

says that watching TV for more than 60

minutes not only increases significantly the

risk of heart related problems and cancer, it is

a major risk factor for untimely death. Several

research studies have shown that sitting for a

long time invites many ailments. Even people

who exercise daily and sleep 8 hours must pay

attention to the time they spend sitting.

Sitting for long hours causes cholesterol

levels to go up; and a high level of harmful

LDL cholesterol is considered a major risk

factor for stroke or paralysis. These days,

people even at a young age are falling prey

to many kinds of diseases because of their

sedentary and inactive lifestyles. The rising

number of people suffering from Type-2

diabetes is a burning example of this problem.

Offices and homes these days are constructed

with very few windows in order to make ACs

more effective in maintaining comfortable

temperatures. But children and youth living

in such closed homes suffer from deficiency

of Vitamin D due to which they feel fatigued

and develop weakness in bones. Sitting for a

long time tires the muscles of the lower waist

and gradually pain develops in the waist bone

along with light swelling. This increases the

vulnerability to slip disc. Many organs of the

body get adversely affected with a sedentary

lifestyle. For example, heart’s job is to

circulate purified blood in the body. Sitting

continuously reduces the flow of blood in the

body. Due to this, accumulated fat begins to

stick in the arteries. The same then increases

the vulnerability to heart related problems. A

research study has shown that men and women

who sit for more than 10 hours become quite

susceptible to heart diseases.

It is said that if a person has to sit for longer

hours than usual even for a day, a direct impact

is felt on his pancreas and they begin to produce

more insulin. This increased level of insulin can

increase the risk of contracting diabetes. Research

has shown that compared to people who move

around while working, those who have to

sit for long hours are more liable to develop

diabetes. In daily routine, if a person works

for more than eight hours sitting, then his risk

of developing Type 2 diabetes is 90% higher.

Other similar research studies have found

that sitting for long hours unnecessarily also

increases the risk of developing colon, breast

and endometrial cancer. There is no definite

reason for this, but it could be that increased

levels of insulin promote growth of cancer

cells. Another possibility is that when body is

continuously active it generates antioxidants

in large numbers which help suppress growth

of cancerous cells and when we sit for long

or remain inactive these antioxidants are not

produced in sufficient quantities.

Some more research studies have found that

sitting for long hours increases the risk of cancer

by 54%, and that of developing uterus cancer by

66% and intestinal cancer by 30%. According to

a WHO report, in about one-third of the cases

of breast and colon cancer, sitting for too long

has been the dominating factor. It also affects

brain’s efficiency which reduces significantly.

Sitting too long reduces blood circulation, as a

result of which the quantity of purified blood

and oxygen to the brain reduces. This has a

direct impact on a person’s state of mind and

his level of concentration.

An important fact to know here is that if asanas

of yoga are performed regularly then it is possible

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve

your love and affection.” - Buddha


to protect ourselves from all these problems with

ease. For example, sitting in vajrasan after meals

for 5-10 minutes is very beneficial and supports

digestion. It is also advised to take a stroll after

meals. If we sit down after meals, the food tends

to settle in stomach which reduces power of

digestion. This can increase chances of flatulence,

burning sensation and constipation.

Our wrong postures can also have severe effects

on the body; for example, projecting forward our

head and neck while working in the computer, or

tilting our neck towards shoulder to hold the phone

while talking can have serious repercussions on the

body. People doing so often complain of strain in

the neck and shoulders, and backache. More than

standing, sitting down has more adverse effect

on the backbone especially when we spend hours

sitting in front of computers. When we walk, the

discs inside the back bone continuously open and

close. In active state there is a continuous flow of

blood and nutrients inside the discs; and when we

sit, the discs remain closed for a long time. This

leads to a reduction in their flexibility which then

creates pain. Sitting for long weakens the digestive

system. Further, the hip muscles do not get enough

activity which hardens them and then they begin to

ache. Too much sitting reduces the blood circulation

in the feet which can create problems like swelling

in the feet, varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis

(clotting of blood). It can even lead to osteoporosis.

To make our bones become strong it is beneficial to

walk, run and lift weights.

Some specialists opine that diseases increase

in the body in the same proportion as number

of hours spent sitting. In order to overcome the

damage caused by sitting, subtle yogic exercises

(sookshma vyayam) of the hands and legs, surya

namaskar, pragya yog etc should be regularly

practiced. These exercises increase vitality in

body. Morning walk is also a nice, balanced

exercise. Additionally, practice of Pranakarshan

pranayam and nadi shodhan pranayam, can

enhance pranic energy in the body and can

ensure its proper circulation.

While working it is beneficial to take small

breaks in between, walk a few steps, perform

tadasan, and katichakrasan. If one likes dancing,

then it is a good idea to dance to keep the body

healthy. Soft, melodious music is a great stress

buster. During working hours, it is beneficial

to keep getting up and stretching in between.

Bhramari pranayam is another great exercise

that can instill freshness in the body.

“Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting.”

- Elizabeth Bibesco

The glorious Hindu ruler- Maharana Pratap had a daughter named Champa.

Maharana Pratap was wandering in the caves and forests of the Aravalli hills.

When even the stock of grasses and wild plants exhausted and all his children

were hungry he decided to surrender to Akbar. He was about to write the letter

affirming his subordination, when his eleven year old brave daughter said - "Father!

If our demise is essential for safeguarding the pride of our nation and community,

then we should go ahead. We should never surrender to Akbar." These were the

last words of Champa who was starving for three days. Later on Maharana also

lost his life in the battlefield but never surrendered. Blessed is this nation and

praiseworthy are its valiant daughters!


From Tirupati to Kanchi

The prestige and grandeur of Kanchi Matha

is highest among the Mathas established by

Adi Shankaracharya. Its tradition has remained

almost uninterrupted. The scholarship and

Tapasya of the Acharyas (Head Priests) of this

Matha had also been exemplary. The Acharyas

of other Mathas too are no less advanced in

erudition and ascetic practices. Probably the

major factor contributing to the popularity and

prosperity of Kanchi Matha is that there had been

almost no external intrusions and disturbances.

In other Mathas, from time to time, there had

been invasions of tyrants and interference from

fanatical rulers. In some cases, the invaders had

even damaged the shrines.

It is worth mentioning that some scholars do not

consider Kanchi Matha to be established by Adi

Shankaracharya. It is also well known that Adi

Shankar established only four Mathas; namely,

at Badrinath, Dwarka, Jagannath Puri and

Shringeri. He made his four prominent disciples

the first Acharyas of these four Mathas and gave

them the responsibility of dissemination of the

message of Sanatan Dharma in their respective

regions. Some scholars do not consider the

existence of the fifth Matha at all. But the fact

is that Kanchi Shankar Matha still exists and

existed over the past several centuries. The

popular belief is that Adi Shankaracharya got

four of his disciples seated in four places and he

himself started living at this place –Kanchi and

that he spent last few years of his life here only.

Odyssey of the Enlightened – 55

Revelation of a New Vision – 1

Some scholars say that Adi Shankaracharya

shed his physical sheath at this place.

When Shriram entered Kanchi, he was aware of

these facts. On his way from Tirupati to this place,

he came to know many strange facts about this

Teerth. Such discussions are not normally heard

in North India. Among these, special mention was

made about the construction of Kanchi Nagar from

spiritual point of view. Mahatma Sivanand Swami,

who was accompanying Shriram from Tirupati,

disclosed many spiritual mysteries. He was

himself a staunch devotee of Goddess Kamakshi

(the presiding deity of the Matha). He used to

reside and do his tapa-sadhana in some forest in

South India. He had resolved to have darshan of

Kamakshi Devi in Kanchi on the full moon day.

He was going to visit Kanchi in that context. He

told that the township was developed according

to the directions from Adi Shankaracharya.

The reference of this kind of Vastu Vidya is not

available in any scripture. Acharyasri had given

this shape with his inner vision. It is due to this

configuration and the spiritual ambience in the

town that the minds of the visitors / pilgrims

become elevated. The visitors are automatically

oriented towards spirituality.

Kamakshi temple: A unique religious

monument

Adi Shankaracharya made the map of Kanchi

Township such that the Kamakshi temple

remains at the center. Shriyantra is well known

for its auspicious effects in Yoga and Tantra.

“Talk to yourself in two languages - what do I need and what do I love - in order to balance the

body and the soul.” - Peter Shepherd


Therefore the entire township has been made

in the shape of Shriyantra. In order to

keep this Teerth surcharged with spiritual

vibrations, he started several traditions. In

fact Kamakshi Devi is a form of Adi Shakti

Parvati. Her worship inspires a person

to achieve self-realization, apart from

fulfilling his materialistic ambitions. Adi

Shankaracharya brought the idol of Shiva

called ‘Yogalinga’ from Kailash Mansarovar

and established it here. He also made it a

point that worship of this idol is done only

by a Brahmachari (celibate). Accordingly,

he made one of his new disciples the Head

Priest of this Matha. People thought that

Adi Shankaracharya would make his

main disciple, Sureshwaracharya, as the

Head Priest. But Sureshwaracharya was a

householder (married) before taking Sanyas.

He was not a Bal-Brahmachari (celibate

from childhood) and hence he was not

entrusted with this job.

Kanchi is one of the seven holy cities believed

to be favorable for achieving salvation. Adi

Shankaracharya got one thousand temples

constructed here. In those temples, more than

ten thousand ‘Shivalingas’ were established.

At present, hardly two hundred temples are in

good condition. The rest have been destroyed

by the blows of time and cruel rulers.

Shriram did not devote much time in these

temples. He went straight to Kailashnath

temple. It is one of the oldest temples of

India. It was constructed by a Pallava king

in the eighteenth century. Beautiful idols

of Shiva Parvati, in dancing posture, have

been established in the sanctum sanctorum.

The idols of Brahma and Vishnu are also

placed there. It seems that the two Lords

are enjoying the dance of Gouri – Shankar.

The architecture of the temple is amazingly

attractive and awe-inspiring.

Cosmic movement is due to the dance of God

After visiting Kailashnath temple, Shriram

was going towards Kamakshi temple. On the

way, he heard a devotee sing some prayer in

a melodious voice. The message of the prayer

was that this world is not an inert creation but

a live Divine Dance. The cosmic movement is

visible, when He dances; and it ceases when He

stops. The man-made sculpture and its sculptor

are two separate entities. But this creation (the

world) cannot be separated from the Ceartor as

there cannot be a dance without a dancer. The

message of the prayer was quite mysterious.

But more touching were the melodies coming

out from that voice.

In the Kamakshi temple, Shriram stood in front

of the idol of Goddess Parvati and repeated

the essence of that prayer. From there he went

to the Matha and sent a message to Swami

Chandrashekharendra Saraswati, who was the

Acharya (Head Priest) of the Matha. In a short

time, he received a call. Visitors were paying

respects to Swamiji from a distance. People used

to call him Swamigal. He never allowed anyone

to touch his feet. He also didn’t call anybody near

him. From his lean and thin but high physical

frame, the radiance of Tapa was clearly visible.

Like other visitors, Shriram too paid his respects.

Swamigal indicated him to sit down. He asked

his well-being in Sanskrit. He knew Hindi; but

could express himself better in Sanskrit. After

initial exchange of pleasantries, he watched

carefully the dress of Shriram and said – “Are

you a follower of Mohandas”?

“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.” - Rumi


By Mohandas, he meant Mahatma Gandhi.

Before starting the freedom struggle Bapu met

Sawmigal. In order to understand India properly,

Gandhiji visited each and every corner of the

country. He had disclosed his future plans to

Swamigal during his meeting. Swamigal had

advised him (Bapu) that the struggle should not

be aimed at mere transfer of power. The aim of

freedom struggle should be to restore the glory

of the nation and its perennial spiritual heritage.

Mahtama Gandhi had met him during the early

years of his return to India. At that time he was

known as Mohandas and hence Swamiji knew

him by this name. In the later years of Gandhiji’s

movement, several ennobling concepts / ideas

like – Swadeshi, Swadharma, Bhartiyata, etc got

included in the national struggle for freedom.

These concepts / ideas certainly came from his

inner being. But Swami Chandrashekharanand

Saraswati was one of the few great men who had

influenced Gandhiji greatly. Mahatma Gandhi

has himself mentioned this fact indirectly in his

autobiography. When Swamigal asked Shriram

about his being a follower of Gandhiji, he could

not say ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Apart from social and political

activities, his mind was more engrossed in Tapa

and Sadhana. That is why he kept silent.

Swamigal could understand the dilemma of

Shriram. He said – “Political activity is the first

priority for Mohandas. Dharma and Sadhana are

his personal and inner aspects. But perhaps this

is not so with you. Your destiny is to keep the

pursuit of Dharma Dharna in the forefront of

your life’s individual and social – inner and outer

– activities of life.”

Shriram felt moved by Swamigal’s seer vision

about his life’s mission. It was well-known to

him that he had support of Siddha Yogis for his

sadhana and his future endeavors. There was open

discussion with Swamigal on various topics that

included scriptures along with Vedic tradition and

present day circumstances. Those days Mahatma

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” - Lewis B. Smedes

Buddha halted in a village. A person approached him and said - "Bhante!

Till now you have illustrated about placidity, Moksha (freedom from the cycle of

birth and death) and truth. Would you be able to tell me how many people have

attained Moksha so far?" Buddha replied - "Do one thing. Go around the village

and find out who desires peace, who aspires for Moksha and who seeks truth?"

The person said - "No one but an unfortunate would be indifferent to all these.

But still, I shall make a survey." He explored each and every house of the village,

but was not able to find even a single person who had an inclination towards

any of these. Someone said - "I have a craving for wealth." In the same way, some

asked for fame, some demanded children. The person returned to Buddha and

reported - "This is a strange village, all the people have materialistic aspirations."

Buddha said - "What is so strange in this, child! People long for materialistic joy

instead of peace and hence they look for various ways to attain it. How can the

passion lead to the path of peace?"


Gandhi’s program of Harijan upliftment was a

topic of controversy. In order to know the views

of Swamigal in this context, Shriram asked him –

“Does a person become low or high on account of

taking birth in lower or upper caste?”

Traditional Opinion

Shriram also asked this question because

Swamigal was a saint and ascetic of high

order. His views had weightage on such

social issues. He replied – “Caste and creed

too are the factors by which a person is

counted as high or low.”

“By taking birth in any family, a person can

become untouchable or great. What is the mystery

behind this?” – Asked Shriram.

Swamigal replied – “It is not possible to

understand this mystery under the present

circumstances. In those days when our seers and

sages were doing different types of experiments

for the spiritual upliftment, the rigid rules of

Varnas (caste system) were made to continually

uplift the level of consciousness (from life after

life). In that period it was useful. Today it is not.”

“What can be the benefit of considering a person

low or high on the basis of Varna in any era?” –

Shriram asked again.

Swamigal said – “Honor or dishonor on the basis

of high or low caste was never useful. So long

as the social environment was healthy, it was

significant from spiritual point of view. People

of similar tendencies, habits and impressions

can live together happily. One gets protection

and favorable environment in families and

communities.” Swamigal gave a break to this topic

and said –“But these are the things of the past.

The circumstances have changed considerably

with the new education and governing system.

Those things cannot be clung to now.”

“Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There is no

greater investment.” - Stephen Covey

Few intellectuals went to meet famous woman saint Bahinabai. They asked

her, “We want to do something collectively but our life goals are different. What

shall we do so that we approach our individual goals while working together?”

Bahinabai asked them their goals. One said he wants everyone in society to be

equal. Second one wanted to make society richer. Third one wanted unity in the

society. Fourth one wanted nation to be powerful.

Saint Bahinanai said, “Based on all of your goals, you should educate

people. Education is the means to achieve all the goals. When people are

educated, they would seek employment. People’s increase in the income would

lead to an economically stronger nation. Education would unite them and nation

would be powerful too.”

Different flowers, even when irrigated in the same way, produce different

flowers. In same way, when the nation is educated, everyone’s different goals

will be accomplished together.


The world of today is the world of intellect and the

intelligent. Their impact is wide and deep. Only

those who possess intellect and are considered

intelligent are bestowed honour and viewed as

leaders. They control the strings of the society

taking it in whichever direction they want. So it

is called the age of intellect. But that is only half

the truth. The other half is that this age is also the

victim of intellect. If the heights of the graph are

gifts of intellect, so are its depths too.

The present intellect dominated age has produced

many benefits, but problems and anxieties have

also increased. Indeed, the benefits are outweighed

by many times more problems. And these

problems are purely a result of predominance of

intellect everywhere. Several types of mental,

psychological and social problems which were

never heard of earlier are visible everywhere now.

They are being felt vey widely and deeply.

Mankind is in agony. It is suffering greatly from

these pains. But it is unable to fathom how to

resolve these intellect inflicted problems which

are increasing day by day. The thinkers and the

wise are perplexed. It is common knowledge

that intellect resolves problems. But very few

are aware that it also generates problems.

This is because of logic or reason which is an

intrinsic feature of intellect. The more sharp the

intellect is, the more complicated and dense the

web of arguments it weaves. It is like boiling

of water. The longer water is boiled, the denser

the rising steam gets.

Deep Faith is the Medicine to Cure

the Pain of Intellect

For logic, what is of primary importance is

not human emotions but material benefits. For

example, intellect may argue that if someone

is rich, it would be profitable to cultivate

friendship with that person. On the basis of

such reasoning, benefits can, of course, be

derived, but the foundation of human values

and fraternity cannot be laid.

Besides, wherever there is a valid argument,

there is also its counterpart-- an invalid argument.

One leads to the other. Myriad doubts and

apprehensions begin to arise in the mind. Let us

see a common scene. Someone is sitting before

you. You may start imagining many things about

him. “Is he planning a conspiracy against me”?

“Are his sights fixed on my money”? Thus starts

a series of arguments and counter arguments.

Whenever you are alone, you are entrapped in

this kind of web; you become restless and begin

to suffer. As the intellect gets more and more

sharp, it also simultaneously spins off more and

more arguments and reasons. They are the thorns

that after a time begin to prick and hurt.

When we defeat somebody through our

arguments we feel elated. This is common

phenomenon. Victory in debate satisfies the ego

of intellect. Intellect begins to have a bloated

notion of its prowess - ‘See, how intelligent and

knowledgeable I am’, ‘Nobody can stand before

me’ and this sort of things. But what happens

when we are alone? In the absence of any visible

adversary outside, these very arguments and

“To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, but to live gratitude is to touch heaven.”

- Johannes A. Gaertner


reasoning turn inward. Undefined apprehensions

begin to arise against our own selves. We are

overwhelmed by our inner doubts. Thus the very

intellect which should have given peace to mind

now becomes a source of agony.

Such logic generated agitation and suffering can

be soothed only by emotions of heart. Only the

medicine of higher emotions -- faith and belief --

can cure the inner malaise of suffering and pain,

and soothe the mind. Humanity is touching the peak

of intellectual height. But whatever expectations

we had built up and dreams we had dreamt from

this attainment could not be fulfilled. What we

got instead is very painful, and opposite of those

expectations. In this situation the only remedy lies

in reorientation towards emotion and faith.

In faith, there is purity, spontaneity and flow;

there is elation, celebration and joy. In these

moments, the prickly pain of dry logic is gone.

But unfortunately, faith has been overshadowed

by intellect and its endless series of reasoning.

That is why, our life has become painful. All

are suffering. No one is happy. There is a Zen

anecdote which illustrates this truth.

Sage Rinzai had a disciple. He was very intelligent.

Nobody could match his great debating skills. He

could turn any discourse in his favour. He had

earned fame. People held him in high esteem. Once

some people were praising him before Rinzai -

“Your disciple is very intelligent, scholarly and

expert in logic.” At this Rinzai said - “That is the

problem. He is still stuck in intellect; god knows

when he will enter faith.”

The listeners were perplexed. They could not

understand why the teacher is so perturbed about

one who is so learned and well known. Rinzai

explained- “Intellect gives information about life,

about its details and, at best, some understanding

of it. But it does not give the feel of life. Intellect

promotes logic and reason, but not knowledge

and wisdom. Wisdom comes from faith, belief

and feeling. Only deep faith (shraddhaa) makes

one aware of the vital sources of life which

sweeps out the sorrows accumulated by intellect

and make life meaningful and joyous.

The listeners now understood that this age,

suffering from the excess of intellect, needs the

medicine of faith and belief.

“Just listen to the still voice within. This is the mind to trust. This is god consciousness

speaking, not the ego that is seeking recognition.” - Angela Walker

Once there lived a poor farmer. His children had not eaten properly for days.

One night he couldn’t bear the hunger cries of his children and stole a cow from the

neighboring farmer. Before dawn he milked the cow and fed the children. In the morning,

when the owner of the cow woke up, he found the cow missing. He started searching.

He found the cow in the poor farmer’s house and called for the guards.

Guards started interrogating the poor farmer. The poor farmer said his eyesight

low that the cow belonged to him. Upon looking around, the owner of the cow saw

the destitute condition of the poor farmer. He told the guards that this cow does not

belong to him. Everyone who witnessed this event asked him the reason for lying. The

owner said, “I would have got my cow back but the poor farmer’s children would have

remained hungry.” A lie that’s told with good intent is greater than the truth.


We all face stressful situations in our life in some

or other form; however those who know how to

manage stress, learn to live a happy and healthy

life. Excess of stress in life not only affects our

mind-body system but also results in many kinds

of ailments; and a stress-free life makes a person,

energetic, confident and victorious.

Mental state of a person is flexible like a rubber

band. However, if kept stretched for a long time,

it can break. A low level of stress can be compared

to a small hole in a curtain, which initially appears

small and invisible but if not repaired in time,

keeps expanding; and eventually either a patch

work is required to close that hole or one has to

completely change the curtain. In the same way,

when we face stress and do not use proper ways

to reduce or get rid of it, it creates havoc.

In today’s world, considering “stress” as a

synonym of “life” would not be an exaggeration.

Since morning till night, we keep rushing to

complete one thing or the other. Even twenty

four hours time does not appear to be sufficient

to complete all the assigned or necessary tasks.

In addition, we all face pressures of many other

adverse situations. Now the question is how we

can live a stress-free life. The stress may be due

to many reasons. Let us see what the experts of

stress management say to deal with them.

1. Manage your time efficiently: Experts say

that mismanagement of time is often a cause for

stress. They have suggested the following ways

to manage our time properly: (i) Do only one

How to Manage Stress?

task at a time. (ii) Do urgent tasks immediately,

do not procrastinate. Those who put off the tasks

for future end up with a lot of unfinished tasks;

this creates anxiety and sometimes results in big

losses. (iii) Do not leave your tasks for others to

finish. (iv) Do not rush through your tasks; at the

same time don’t do them too slowly. Maintain an

optimal pace of doing the tasks. (v) Use modern

gadgets like smartphones, and tablets as aids to

organize your time. (vi) Once you start a task

then relax only after the task has been done. If

you feel physically or mentally tired then take

appropriate breaks.

Time has one simple rule – it flows continuously.

We should understand this truth and utilize our

years, months, days, hours, minutes, and seconds

for a good purpose. We should plan in such a

way that we don’t end up wasting even the tiniest

second of life.

2. Eat healthy food and exercise daily: A

nutritious meal plan provides you with all

the nutrients to fulfill the basic requirement

of keeping away deficiencies and also

maintaining the basal metabolic rate. But it

also carries calories which may be a cause of

overweight. Exercise has many benefits, besides

losing body fat. It keeps your heart fit, bones

healthy, and maintains lung capacity, digestion

is kept strong and muscles density is high to

prevent joint problems. The mantra to a fit and

healthy body is eating right food and exercising

regularly. If you are physically fit, you are more

likely to be mentally strong.

“The first step toward change is acceptance. Once you accept yourself, you open the door to

change.” - Will Garcia


3. Understand your limits: The maxim ‘Do

not bite off more than you can chew’ needs to

be remembered constantly. We often tend to

take more responsibilities than we are capable

of carrying out. This is done to satisfy our ego.

Know your limitations. Why take on additional

loads that may cause more worries? You cannot

gain peace of mind by expanding your external

activities. Reduce your material engagements

and spend time in prayer, introspection and

meditation. This will reduce those thoughts in

your mind that make you restless. Uncluttered

mind will produce greater peace of mind.

4. Do not crave for recognition: This world

is full of selfish people. They seldom praise

anybody without selfish motives. They may

praise you today because you are in power;

but no sooner than you are powerless they

will forget your achievement and will start

finding faults in you. Why do you wish to kill

yourself in striving for their recognition? Their

recognition is not worth the exertion. Do your

duties ethically and sincerely.

5. Endure what cannot be cured: This is the

best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage.

Every day we face numerous inconveniences,

ailments, irritations, and accidents that are

beyond our control. If we cannot control them or

change them, we must learn to put up with these

things. We must learn to endure them cheerfully.

Believe in yourself and you will gain in terms of

patience, inner strength and will power.

6. Meditate regularly: Meditation calms the

mind and gets rid of disturbing thoughts. This

is the highest state of peace of mind. Try and

experience it yourself. If you meditate earnestly

for half an hour every day, your mind will

tend to become peaceful during the remaining

twenty-three and half-hours. Your mind will not

be easily disturbed as it was before. You would

benefit by gradually increasing the period of

daily meditation. You may think that this will

interfere with your daily work. On the contrary,

this will increase your efficiency and you will be

able to produce better results in less time, thus

lowering the stress.

“It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question.” - Decouvertes

Two farmers named Rama and Hari lived in a village. Rama had a small

piece of land that was sufficient for his family. Hari had plenty of land but he

always appeared mentally stressed. Rama asked the reason for worry. Hari said,

“I am not able to produce sufficient amount of grains with the farming. If this

continues, it will be difficult for me to feed my family.” Rama said, “Don’t worry.

I will take you to a saint. He may give you a solution.” Rama took him to his

home first. Hari saw that Rama’s house was very neat and clean. His animals

were very healthy. Rama’s wife welcomed Hari in the home. She served some

snacks to them. There was no servant in their house. After having snacks, Rama

said, “Let’s go to the saint.” Hari said, “No my friend. It’s not required anymore.

You gave me the formula to success. The road to success is through hard work.

From now on I will work hard instead of depending on servants for everything.”


Friends,

The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root

yuj, which means “to join” or “to unite”. In

spiritual context it means union of the individual

self (jºv³tm³) with the Omnipresent, Supreme,

Eternal Self — param³tm³. Yoga is a spiritual

urge, an innermost aspiration, a process, which

enables awakening of the soul and its unification

with its absolute origin (God). It is practiced

through deep engrossment of the mind, thoughts

and emotions. Morality, integrity, modesty,

virtuous character and noble deeds are immediate

expressions of cultivation of the spirit of yoga.

Why Yoga?

The foremost requirement for success along the

path of yoga is — “complete surrender (of ego

and selfish attachments) to God (param³tm³)”. It

is like immersion of self identity. To understand

it, let us take the example of the merger of a drop

of water in the ocean. When a drop of water

falls in the ocean, does it have its ‘own identity’

anymore? Can you find/locate it then? Not at

all; it is now unified with the ocean; it has thus

Amrit Vani

Two Steps to Spiritual Ascent:

Yoga and Tapa - III

become the ocean itself. What was the value of

the tiny drop? How strong it was? How long it

would have sustained its ‘individual identity’?

And what is its status now after getting merged

with the ocean? Now it is vast, nothing can beat

it; its ‘existence’ and ‘value’ have expanded

and risen like the grandeur of the ocean. Who

cares for a narrow drain of rainwater? It flows

or dries up, or gets blocked and filled with filth

without anybody’s notice. But, if the same

drain meets the currents of Ganga on the way

and is merged in the flow of the river, then!

Then its water would become holy “Ganga

Jal”; people at some distance ahead might fill

their containers with this sacred water.

Friends, the merger of one’s false identity with

its divine origin — one’s real self, also brings a

transmutation similar to that of ordinary or even

filthy water into sacred Ganga Jal. Once the

false-pride, the illusion of self-identity, the ego

vanishes, and one realizes one’s true self; once the

tiny drop of “I” is dissolved in the limitless ocean

of consciousness, the individual self becomes

the eternal, omnipresent, supreme self. But what

blocks this dissolution? Why is it so difficult?

[This is continuation of the translated version of a discourse on the vital role of Yoga and Tapa for self-development and spiritual progress. In the previous article the common misconceptions about yoga were discussed. Let us now understand the true meaning, scope, and disciplines of yoga as explained in the discourse.]

“Choose being kind over being right, and you’ll be right every time.” - Richard Carlson


What hinders our yoga?

It is the misconception of “I”, the ignorance

about true identity of the self which is the most

intractable divide between a human being and

God. It is this “I” which keeps spreading its

delusive shadow on all facets of one’s life,

one’s “existence”. It is the root of all ignorance,

attachments, cravings that give rise to numerous

vices and sinful actions. One, who is driven by

egotism and self-obsession, will do anything

(right or wrong, good or bad) to satisfy his ego

and to protect and enhance his ‘self-prestige’.

Once selfish interests get priority over all duties,

how much time and what efforts would one

devote for the welfare of the society? One who

is ‘greedy’ remains ‘needy’; his passions would

continue dragging his life in the mire of cravings,

arrogance, and pomp; he would hardly donate

anything for others sans self-interest.

I think, if there is any predominant characteristic

of most people, it is the narrow domain of “I”.

Whether a criminal or a policeman, an illiterate

or an eminent scholar, this one or that one,

almost everybody, in every walk of life, is bound

within the periphery of delusive ‘self’ and its

attachments in one way or the other. So powerful

is the influence of self-obsession / selfishness

that one’s prayers, efforts of devotion, and even

one’s deeds of social service are often influenced

by gaining some favor, fame, or worldly support,

for himself and his near and dear ones. One even

tries to link the deity of his devotional worship

with his self-interest; he expects God’s Law to

accommodate all his wishes.

Most often our realization of the “self” remains

confined to the physical body, its sensory

perceptions, experiences, passions and instinctive

tendencies of the mind. This misconception

coupled with the self-centric force of “I”, traps

and continues to push us deeper in the dark and

filthy well of ignorance, avarice, ambitions and

vices; the clutches of false-pride and attachments

further weaken the voice of conscience that is

supposed to pull us upward. These thralldoms

hold us back from coming out of the smog and

moving towards the light of true knowledge. The

only way we can hope to conquer is — to surrender

this “I”. It is this sacrifice (of selfishness) that

we are supposed to make before the Almighty.

Selfishness is like a layer of ash on the ember (of

our conscience). Once it is removed the ember

begins to glow and burn.

You must understand and keep reminding

yourself — “bigger your arrogance, the lower you

are”; “stronger your selfishness, the weaker and

meaner you are”. The greater the extent of one’s

arrogance and selfishness, the farther is one from

God. All teachings and practices of spirituality

aim at reducing this distance. The endeavors of

p¿j³-up³san³, tapa and yoga help you gradually

dissolve your ego into pure humility, and expand

your selfishness into selflessness.

How to Accomplish the Yoga of Life?

If you want to understand yoga as an ‘exercise’,

then you should note that yoga in its truest sense

begins with the exercise of the mind; it is an

exercise of controlling and reorienting the intrinsic

tendencies; it is an exercise aimed at awakening

and strengthening of the soul-power hidden in

the inner-self. Exercises or postures of the body,

any activity of the sensory organs, or the practices

of deep breathing, holding the breath, etc cannot

achieve this. The real practice of true yoga begins

with broadening of outlook, cleansing and freeing

“Insight occurs when, and to the degree that, one knows oneself.” - Andrew Schneider


the mind from its delusions, vices and prejudices.

After this purification, the practice of true yoga

commences with cultivation of the tendency of

selfless caring and sharing.

Divine powers, the gods are called “devat³” (in

our scriptures); devat³ means “one who gives”.

A devat³ always thinks and aspires to help the

needy, and keeps distributing His grace upon the

needy. We should also adopt such magnanimity

and awaken the divine light indwelling in

our soul. Once the attitude of grabbing and

possessing is transformed into that of sharing,

and giving, there would be no complaint of

scarcity or deprivation in life.

A sincere seeker of yoga dissolves his personal

ambitions and regards God’s will as his own

will. He asks God to guide him for making

best use of the precious gift of human life.

His prayers are like conversation with the

Almighty; he conveys that whatever God has

bestowed upon him is adequate for happy

sustenance of his life. He is contented with the

minimum essential means of shelter, clothing

and food. He thus has plenty of time and all

his resources – including his physical and

mental faculties, talents and potentials – ready

to dedicate for the welfare, upliftment, and

help of many others. The outcomes of such

selfless activities continue to benefit many in

the future as well and perennially stand as a

torch of inspiration.

Often people have apprehensions that genuine

self-less service or philanthropic activities cannot

be done all alone. Some people are worried that

their generosity would be exploited. Some think

unless they have adequate resources or some

organizational support they can’t do anything

worthwhile for the society. You should remember

that “Where there is Will, there is a Way”. If you

search seriously, you would find ample examples

in every part of the world where ordinary people

have made significant contributions by putting in

their heart and soul in it. Let me cite some such

extraordinary benevolent contributions of some

ordinary persons.

Distinct Tale of Thousand Mango-Gardens:

Long ago (before the British rule in India),

there was a farmer named Hazari in a village

of Kokrah forest region (later on a part of

Bihar). He planted some trees of mangoes

around the boundary of his fields. As the

trees grew and blossomed, some birds nested

there. The flowers on the trees, early-morning

chirping of the birds — especially the

melodious warbling of the Cuckoos magnified

“What is necessary to change a person is to change his awareness of himself.” - Abraham H. Maslow

“I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture,

I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one's head pointed toward the

sun, one's feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in

humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair.

That way lays defeat and death.”

- Nelson Mandela


the beauty of this land surrounded by beautiful

hills. Hazari happily used to distribute the

fruits to his neighbors; the raw mangos were

used for making chatanis, pickles, and the

ripened sweet mangoes were a great delight

for everyone in his family and neighborhood.

The happiness of everyone around motivated

him to plant more mango-trees so that more

people could freely use the fruits.

For the benefit of the entire village, Hazari

planted a garden of mango trees in his village.

He enthusiastically continued expanding

this service in the surrounding region with

hardly any support from others in ploughing

the land, etc. When his children grew up they

also helped him in this altruistic effort. Later

on, Hazari gave the responsibility of his own

farms to the children, and devoted his full

time and focused efforts on his noble mission.

He planted one thousand mango-gardens.

With so many mango-trees around, not only

the people, but also the birds and animals

there were benefitted. Thick gardens in the

mountain-rich region invited more rains.

This helped the overall farming activities

and enhancement of greenery there. Nature

too thus blessed the land with its generous

grace. What the hard work and altruistic

motivation of an illiterate, resource-less,

farmer could do is, in my views, many times

bigger and higher than the great scholarly

works of arrogant intellectuals, or the royal

monuments like “Tajmahal”.

It is because of these Haz³ra (one thousand)

B³ghas (gardens) and also as a mark of respect

to the great endeavor of Hazari that the place

became popular as “Hazaribagh” (which is now

an important district of Jharkhand). So you see,

the self-inspired extraordinary deed of selfless

service of an ordinary person thus resulted in an

immortal, monumental contribution to the society

and the motherland!

It is these kinds of people who are the real

devotees, truly religious humans who deserve

to be honored and followed by everyone and

not the self-styled ‘god men’ or the Pand³,

Puj³ris (priests). Often, the ‘god men’ or the

Pand³, Puj³ris claim to be spiritual masters,

religious heads, or guides, and keep exploiting

the religious sentiments and devotional

feelings of the innocent masses. If you go for

pilgrimage, you may meet such holy ‘guides’

and ‘mentors’ there who would arrange for

your visit to the shrine, ‘dip in the Ganga

(or other sacred rivers)’, make you do some

rituals of worship in the shrine, and then ask

for donations in the name of some religious

or charitable activity. Do you really respect

such Pand³ or ‘god men’? I think no sensible

person would be a blind follower of such

greedy ‘guides’. In fact, most of the serious

seekers of religion try to avoid such priests.

Become a Devat³, Not a Beggar:

Friends, if you are a negative person, God will

run away from you, as the true seekers of religion

run away from the greedy Pand³, Puj³ris. If you

keep begging before God, or saints, what will you

get? At the most you might get a few pennies;

that too only once! Tell me, who likes the beggars

around? So make sure that your prayers or p¿j³-up³san³ are not meant for beseeching any

worldly benefit or selfish purpose.

In our culture there is a custom of offering

something (may be some flowers or oblation, or

“Knowing others is wisdom; knowing the self is enlightenment.” - Tao Te Ching


some charity etc) to the deity, whenever we visit

a shrine or a sacred place. This symbolizes that

we should not go empty handed, or like a bagger,

before anyone, not even before the Almighty

God. The Almighty has already given you so

much! First learn to make worthy use of His

beatifying grace.

As I told you earlier, there is only one

way of true devotion — become a devat³;

make prudent use of God’s grace; devote

(dedicate) whatever you have, for the

wellbeing, improvement, and enlightenment

of the entire society. Do whatever you can to

expand the good, and to diminish the vicious

and negative tendencies. You don’t have

wealth, might, intellectual accomplishments,

status, etc? So what? Did Jesus Christ have

any of these? Did Saints Kabir, Samarth

Guru Ramdas, or Ramakrishna Paramhans,

had any of these? Did Gandhiji possess

these? (Look at the glorious pages of global

history, you will find that most of the great

personalities hailed from very humble

background, they lived a life deprived of

even minimal essential worldly comforts).

Don’t look at your scarcities or incapability.

Look at what you have already got. Being born

as a human being itself is such a great boon! You

have the body to do hard work. You have a mind

to think and spread good, constructive thoughts.

You have a heart (core of emotions) that can feel

others’ pains and also share their joys. So why

not make proper use of them? Many of you aspire

for more money thinking that once you have it,

you would spend it generously to build temples,

or donate for some philanthropic activity, etc.

This ‘substantial money’ will never come to you.

Moreover, such temples or activities would not

be of much use, unless you put in your heart

and soul to make them serve some benevolent

and constructive purposes. Begin with prudent,

philanthropic use of whatever you have.

Devat³s never keep anything with them.

They don’t wait to possess more resources, or

augment some potential, before distributing it

benevolently. By nature, they are generous and

keep donating whatever best they can for noble

causes. God Himself arranges to help success and

expansion of their noble mission.

(To be concluded in the next issue)

“Our prayers are answered not when we are given what we ask, but when we are challenged to

be what we can be.” - Morris Adler

A no bhadra¡ kratavo yantu viïvatoadabdh³so aparºt³saa udbhida¡|

Dev³ no yath³ sadmid v—dhe asannapr³yuvo rakïit³ro dive-dive|| - Yajurveda 25/14

Meaning: Let benevolent, harmless, free and fruitful ideas come to us from all

sides, so that the vigilant and protector gods continually make us prosper.


When garbage is dispersed around, it pollutes

the environment, spreads foul smell and spoils

the appearance of the surroundings. On the

other hand, cleanliness adds to the elegance

of the place. To deal with this ever increasing

problem of garbage, nation-wide cleanliness

drive has already been launched. Moreover,

numerous groups have joined this movement

and are trying to find out various unique ways

of waste management.

In this context, the management of worn-out

flowers is worth mentioning. Flowers are daily

offered in various places of worship across the

nation. These are eventually either disposed of

as waste or thrown into the rivers. So, they are

neither subjected to proper utilization nor do they

benefit anyone. They just add to the splendor

of the temple for a single day. However, they

create severe environmental hazards because

they often contain pesticides, which pollute

our rivers. To prevent this pollution and to

deal with the floral waste generated in temples,

two youths of Kanpur came forward. Ankit

Agarwal (26) and Karan Rastogi (28), launched

a company, ‘Help us Green’ in May 2014. This

company collects flowers from various temples

and mosques of Kanpur every day, which are

then sorted by about 1200 women. About 60%

of them are subjected to vermicomposting,

while the remaining 40% are processed to

manufacture incense sticks and havan samagri.

For their outstanding contribution, Agarwal

and Rastogi got the ‘Tata Social Enterprise

Challenge Award’ for 2015-16. Now, the

The Young Crusaders of Clean India

Uttar Pradesh government is in talks with

them regarding land allocation for processing

flowers in Banaras and Kannauj. In 2014, this

company had a turnover of 80 thousand bucks,

which rose to 6.3 million in 2015. There was a

substantial increase in 2016.

Vani Murthy of Bangalore has set another

adorable example. Once when she was passing

by a local landfill in 2009, she noticed that the

pile of waste had grown as big as a mountain and

was still increasing. That was the day when she

decided that she will not send the waste from

her house to swell this heap anymore. From then

onwards, she began the process of converting

her kitchen waste into manure. Moreover, she

used this manure to cultivate organic vegetables

on her terrace. Further, in order to tell people

about it, she uploaded videos of the process of

manure manufacture on YouTube. Few days

later, she founded an institution, ‘Solid Waste

Management Round Table’.

This Institute, of which Vani is the founder

member, aids the government and local bodies

in waste management. Last year, it began the

‘Swachata Abhiyan’ (cleanliness campaign),

in which people are motivated to convert their

household waste into manure and then cultivate

pesticide-free vegetables using it. This initiative

is helping to contain the size of the landfills on the

one hand, while on the other, it is also providing

an opportunity to the people to consume organic

vegetables. Through this move, the fifty- four year

old Vani wants to usher green revolution in homes

“Only in quiet waters things mirror themselves undistorted. Only in a quiet mind is adequate

perception of the world.” - Hans Margolius


and decrease the amount of kitchen waste. The

movement soon showed its effect. As a result, a

large number of people in Bangalore have begun

to sort out their household waste. Many of them

have begun to use the manure produced from

kitchen waste in cultivating organic vegetables

and augmenting soil fertility.

Millions of people live in our country and almost

everyone wear shoes. The rich have multiple

pairs of footwear, while among the economically

vulnerable sections, only a few people are

fortunate enough to have even one pair. The 23-

year old Shriyansh Bhandari of Mumbai turned

this disparity into a mission. He began the mission

of refurbishing the old shoes and giving them to

the poor. For implementing this task, Shriyansh

founded an NGO ‘Green Sole’ in the year 2014.

His work is based on his observation that the sole

of the shoes of most people remains intact, but

the footwear gets torn from the sides. This is the

reason why people have to throw about four to

five pairs of footwear in waste every year. From

here, he got the idea of launching the Green Sole.

This company has four shoe collection points in

Mumbai. At these centers, people leave their old,

used and torn footwear, which are then repaired

and renewed. For this process, the company takes

help from various shoe companies of the city.

The institute then distributes the repaired shoes

among the poor children. But, this task also helps

in combating the problem of waste management.

Every year, about 350 million pairs of shoes are

damaged and hence disposed off as waste across the

globe. This substantially swells the waste deposit.

On the other hand, about 1.5 million people of the

world are suffering from foot related problems

only because they cannot afford footwear. The

initiatives and efforts of Green Sole have helped a

lot in dealing with this challenge.

The forty six year old Sonu Kapila requested

the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram to

allocate land to set up waste management plant

in 2014. When no action was taken on his

request, he began a movement in 2015 to push

his case forward. Consequently, in July 2015,

the Municipal Corporation allocated land to him

for setting up the plant. The expenditure for

this plant was about Rs. 2-2.5 million, for which

he went out to the people and got sufficient

donation. The project was inaugurated within

one month of getting the land, i.e. on 15th

August, in the presence of high officials of the

district administration and the Commissioner

of the Municipal Corporation. This colony is

spread in an area of about 290 acres, in which

there are about 1,100 plots. They house over one

“Every human has four endowments - self-awareness, conscience, independent will and creative

imagination. These give us the power to discern, to choose, to respond, to change.” - Stephen R. Covey

Living on the verge is not

about doing more, but

about being more. It isn’t

about achieving more;

it’s about experiencing

more. It’s not about being

someone different, as

there’s no “better version

of you” on the horizon.

Everything you’re searching

for is available to you in this

moment. Everything you

need is right here on the

verge.- Cara Bradley


thousand families. It has a total population of

about 4500. About 2 tons of green waste and 1

ton of kitchen waste is generated from here on

daily basis. Since the operation of the plant about

9000 kgs of manure is produced daily. This is

used in the garden of the colony. So, now, there is

no requirement to purchase manure from outside.

Today, about 96% of its waste is being degraded

within its locality and this has proved to be an

important milestone in providing pollution-free

atmosphere to the people. In the previous year,

they have also installed solar panels to conserve

the conventional sources of energy.

Forty- six year old Sujay Jha and his companion

Amit Parasnath of Allahabad thought of

providing a commercial solution to the process

of waste disposal of their city. For this, they

began a company, ‘Hari Bhari Recyclable Private

Limited’. This enterprise, which began its

operations in October 2015, provides the service

of collecting garbage from houses. Presently,

the company is providing its services to about

1.5 lakh houses at only 32- 50 rupees monthly

charge. To ensure that waste is being collected

from every house daily the company has used the

NFC technology. In this process, NFC machines

have been installed in the houses of every

subscriber, in which the company’s employee has

to register his presence every day. Presently, this

company is collecting about 600 tons of waste,

which includes biodegradable kitchen waste and

other types of wastes, which could be safely

burnt. The organic waste is then subjected to

produce manure. The consequence is that their

city, Allahabad was found to be the cleanest city

in the Cleanliness Survey of 2016.

In all the initiatives mentioned above, the

greatest challenge was of waste segregation that

is the process of separation and classification of

waste, so that they could be recycled properly.

The techniques and procedures employed

to clean India are really worth applauding.

Implementing an idea is a real challenge and

the examples mentioned here have actually

achieved what they contemplated. Today,

the country needs such leaders of cleanliness,

who could transform the mounts of filth into

industrial raw material and make concrete

contribution in cleaning the country. This would

also inspire all our countrymen to bring about

cleanliness revolution. These examples are

not only inspirational, but they even motivate

people to think in different ways to manage the

waste scattered around them.

“If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt,

as far as possible, all things.” - Rene Descartes

“The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being

unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with

medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love.

There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are

many more dying for a little love. The poverty in the West is a different kind

of poverty -- it is not only poverty of loneliness but also of spirituality. There's

a hunger for love, as there is a hunger for God.”

- Mother Teresa

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