Ideal Family

Meaning: According the line of Athervaved 3/30/2 — in an ideal home, children are obedient to their parents. The parents are well-wishers of their children. The husband and wife's mutual relationship is sweet and happy. Only such families always thrive and are happy. Message: On the basis of the Vedas, the rishis (sages) have divided the human-life into 4 'ashrams'. The four ashrams are - brahmacharya ashram, gruhastha ashram, vanprastha ashram, and sanyas ashram. Considering a life-spam of a hundred years, these ashrams have been specified. Only in the Vedic religion, these ashrams of 25 years each have been categorized and this is the specialty of the Vedic streams of thought. The word brahmacharya is made of two words i.e. 'Brahma' or God and 'aacharan' means conduct. Thus it implies...

Identity of a Man with Character

Meaning: As expressed in the line of Rigved 10/117/8 — "In this world all are not equal in status. All are in ascending order, someone wealthier than the other, someone more learned than the other, and so on. To compare one's own self with someone with more capacity is always painful, therefore whatever we have received should be considered as a favor from God and we should go on ddoing our duty." Message: 'Gyanmay karma evam karmamay gyan' is a proclaimed truth of Nepalese philosophy which means our deeds should be backed with knowledge and our knowledge should be in action i.e. there is a need for harmony in knowledge and deeds. The goal of all our scriptures and learning is only this that the light of the ultimate knowledge within our hearts should continuously brighten up our path...

Keeping Good Company

As we go through the biographies of great souls, we find that whenever the supremely benevolent have incarnated on earth, slanderers have left no stone unturned in maligning them. The intellect becomes mean with the association of slanderers but remains stable in the association of equals and become superior with the association of those who are superior to us. You reap fruits according to the kind of company you keep. Therefore you should always be careful in selecting the company you keep. Long ago, there lived a man named Chajju Bhakta in Lahore. One day he was down the lane shouted, "Acche san…..tare, acche san… tare… (Buy good oranges)". Chajju Bhakta asked his companions. "Do you hear what that man is saying?" They said: "He is selling santaras (oranges) Bhaktaji"! Bhaktaji said,...

Many Path to Bliss

Sanatana Dharma, which means 'eternal principles of wisdom' can be approached and accessed in three ways: Through the Vedas, through the Upanishads and through the Purans like Shrimad Bhagavatam and Devi Mahatmyam. The fire rituals or havens that we perform today have come to us from the Vedic age. Despite this the pure austere lifestyle of that age is impossible for most of us to practice in this hectic, demanding modern world. The Puranic approach is generally for those of us who are more religious in the traditional sense as it establishes a culture or sanskar of rites and ritualistic worship. Though primordial, pure, cosmic consciousness is beyond time and space, it is easier for the verge individual to relate to God through divine forms with specific attributes. So, with their own...

Purity of Thinking

Meaning: The man, who robs a woman of her virtue, commits a friend's murder and does not obtain knowledge despite becoming aged, achieves downfall. Message: The Vedic religion lays great stress on good conduct and morality. Every act should be for all regions, supreme and applicable at all times. It should not be related to a particular region of time. Speaking the truth, serving others and obliging others are such deeds only. Sadachar (good moral conduct) means those deeds which satisfy man's conscience and which give him the feelings of cheer and enthusiasm. By doing such good deeds, a man will never feel ashamed and his soul will be satisfied. This virtuous and moral deeds itself is called "Sadachar" or good deeds or good conduct. The opposite of it, i.e. the deeds by which a man feels...

Secret of Success in Life

Meaning: In the line of Rigved 10/12/2 and Yajurved 25/13 we can find the secret of success in life. Which states that — "O Lord of the soul, the mind and the body! We remain alive when we follow your laws and rules i.e. carry out god deeds. We are destroyed by bad deeds; therefore may we always walk on the good path". Message: The Lord of this creation is God. After creating everything he has also fixed its limits. Every type of matter and animal fulfills God's aims by remaining within its fixed limits. It is only man who makes more bad use of his intelligence and nature and goes on the bad path. The entire structure of religion, its traditions, beliefs and faith are for the aim that man should spend his life within the limits prescribed for him. The basis of religion is faith and trust...

Successful Life

Meaning: Rigved 3/16/5 alert us that - Let us be intelligent, brave and wealthy for making our life successful. Let us not be slanderers, deceitful, back-biters and disrespectful. Let us not be deprived of intelligence, so that we can remain happy throughout life and continue worshipping God. Message: Every man wants to be happy. For that he makes various plans and develops the means for that with his intelligence and capacity. Along with that the undisputed fact remains that he is not liberated from sorrow. There are such a large number of reasons for causing sorrow that some kind of sorrow will overtake the man, howsoever much careful he may be. Even the highly knowledgeable and wealthy people cannot save themselves form it. In reality there re very many means of comfort in the world,...

The Light of the Sun

Who has time nowadays for reflection? But it is only by devoting a bit of time to this activity can we explore awareness of being, oneness with universal spirit and celebration of a healthy and happy life. We need light to show us the way that can take us towards the higher Self. What could be a better path-shower than what is referred to as the 'Living God'? The sun? The sun is perceived as the co-creator and sustainer of life on earth. The sun's rays blend with our aura to enrich receptiveness of cosmic energy and guidance. This universal light force can be used in the ongoing process of cleaning, balancing, healing and evolving. This can create conditions that can enable us to be more positive, aware and sensitive and take initiative while driving away negative emotions. What needs...

The Powerful Time

Meaning: The line of Athervaved 19/53/1 has defined that - the time that lapses today will never come back. The Time is very powerful - knowing this fact, the knowledgeable ones put is to good use Message: Time is the most valuable wealth in human life. Every type of success can be achieved in the world by the good use of time, and all comforts and luxuries can be purchased. Day, nights, months, and years are passing and time is running on and on. Howsoever much you run after it, the time that has elapsed, can never return. In the above mantra many qualities of time have been depicted. Just as the sun is bright with the seven colors of light, similarly time also shines. Just as the authority of the sun is the main one in the world. Similarly, the importance of time is also accepted....

Wicked thinking

Meaning: According to the line of Rigved 8/2/12 — men with wicked thinking drink their favorite liquors and go on fighting within themselves and move naked here and there throughout the night. Therefore, good men should never drink liquor, even by mistake. Message: One naturally doubts the intelligence of an intelligent man when he eats what should not be eaten and drinks what should not be drunk. Liquor, tobacco, and other poisonous materials when introduced in the body, always produce bad and painful side effects on the body and the person's nature. Based on the knowledge of the effect of these intoxicants, in all the countries, they are considered unnecessary and harmful. By imbibing them, the memory-power is adversely affected and laziness, neglect, impulsiveness, irritability, fear, excitement...

Work in the Peace Mood for the Welfare of the Society

Meaning: The line of Rigved 1/147/3 gives us the instruction about our work - "One must not be afraid of slander, sigma, ridicule etc in the works for others' welfare. God himself protects such people. Therefore, free from all worries, one must become involved in activity for people's welfare. Message: The word 'paropakaar' means doing good to others or obliging others. The meaningfulness of human life lies in being useful to others. He, who does not help others despite having the power, is like an animal. Everyone lives for himself, but the excellence of a man's life can be guessed by how much he has lived for others. Man goes on working for maintaining his existence, but his divinity is revealed by how much he has worked for others. Every man requires the cooperation of others. The...

Work is What You Make of It

Work and mentally renounce the fruits achieved thereafter. Don't let the shadow of personal prejudice affect how you perceive work. This is the essence of karma yoga. The wise work for common benefit whereas the ignorant work only for themselves or their near and dear ones. A farmer has control over how he works in his fields, but not over the harvest. Krishna tells Arjun: "Yoga is karmasu kausaalam doing work skillfully in the first attempt". Work is external but our attitude to it is internal. A certain attitude may make us feel work is miserable while another kind of attitude makes it pleasant. By cultivating the right attitude, we will become spiritual. That is meditation. Once in a village several people were engaged in construction of a temple. A wandering sage passing by wants...

Mind intellect and Aham (Ego)

"Supreme beyond their objects are the senses; supreme over the senses is mind; supreme over the mind is the intelligent will; that which is supreme over the intelligent will, is He (the Purusha)"                      Gita-3/42 Ancient Nepalese spiritual texts regard mind and intellect as two separate entities. Modern western philosophers, on the other hand, consider the mind itself as the highest level of intelligence. We need not enter into a fruitless discussion on this subject. The difference between the two is so subtle, that apparently they appear to be one and the same. However, both streams of thought/experience recognize two distinct mental faculties, namely mind and intellect....

Mantras - Subtle Dimensions of Sound

Mantras are pronounced in Yagya in accordance with the prescribed methods and rules. It benefits the persons concerned and stimulated useful vibrations and causes beneficial excitements in the environment. Besides, it makes possible th stimulation of causal energy of the materials used in Yagya to such an extent that the hidden potentialities underlying them are greatly enhanced. Articles made scared and pious with the help of Mantras, if offered by way of blessing act more effectively than even medicines. It is by involving the causal energy of material (Hvishya) before it is offered in the sacrificial fire, that exemplary successful results are produced to such an extent that even an ordinary substance possesses extraordinary specific powers. If the Havishya is simply dropped in the...

Majesty and Dignity of Human Brain

Dr. Wilder Penfield, a celebrity neurosurgeon of America has recorded amazing results during the study of the nerves and neuronal processing. Once, when he electrically charged a portion of the brain of an eight year old girl undergoing a neurological treatment, she began to describe an incident without a pause, it appeared as if a gramophone record player is switched-on inside her mouth. She narrated - I was playing with my brother. They were hiding in a farm to frighten and irritate me. I lost track of them. Then I saw a man whose clothes were clumsy. He took out a snake from his bag and showed it to me. I ran away with fear and reached home in a gasping state" Dr. Penfield was surprised at this flow of her thoughts/ imagination and to note that such a young child was describing an...

Lust and greed are animal traits

If a human being exclusively and wholly lives for food, sleep, fear, sex etc. his would be considered an animal-like existence, devoid of any higher purpose. The least rise in the intensity of desire or impatience makes man take recourse to unfair means and turns the individual into a reckless devil. Individuals with such devil character traits make life hellish not only for themselves but also for others. Lust and greed are the two most powerful of these evil traits, which remain ever unstated. There is no end to cravings for sex and desires for acquiring more and more things for comfort, pleasure and luxury. Life is an endless cycle of desire, temporary satisfaction and still more intense craving. The more one indulges in sex, acquires material things, the greater become agitations'...

Let The Right Side Brain Think Too

In terms of anatomy and physiology, the structure and basic functions of the brain is same in all human beings. Then what is the reason that some people become scientists, some artists, writers or otherwise talented and some do nothing, some are intelligent to the level of genius while some are dullards or booby? The intellectuals and thinkers of all ages have addressed this issue. Ms. Betty Edwards writes in her book entitled 'Drawing on the Right Side of Brain' that - the side hemisphere of the brain is found to be more active in the people who are endowed with creative talents. As such the left and the right parts together constitute the complete brain. However, the right side of the brain is found to be relatively more developed and active in the people having investigative mind with...

1    Action is in the nature of kindling, burning of which results into knowledge. When you ignite a log of wood, it turns into burning coal. How different is the fire from the log! But it is, after all, the log which has undergone this transformation. When vikaram is united with karma, karma attains a divine radiance. A mother's action of caressing her child is apparently insignificant; but who can describe the upsurge of emotions it gives rise to in the hearts of both the mother and the child? It would be utterly nonsensical if one were to say that such emotions would result if a hand of such weight and such softness is moved up and down such a back. Yes, the action is insignificant; but the mother has put her whole heart into it, and it is this vikarma that causes unprecedented...

Instruction for Healthy Life

Cleanliness, purity and sanctity produce beneficial effects on health. Sweet too is dirty and toxic like urine and hence undergarments should be daily washed and dried in sunshine. The residence should not be damp; light and air must reach there. Body, clothes and house should always be pure, neat and clean. It is also essential to keep food and water and the place where they are kept clean. Cheaper items may be used but they must be neat and clean. Costly and precious items give no benefit if they are dirty and filthy. A habit should be cultivated to keep smiling and feel happy. Howsoever big be the forthcoming agenda of work, whatever are the confronting problems, whatever is the magnitude of troubles faced, and they should not overload the mind. Sorrow, grief, worry, distress, anguish, perplexity,...

Instant Enlightenment

In these days of instant coffee, time-saving devices, and quick service restaurants, some people are impatient. They want fast results - instant Enlightenment. So they turn to psychedelic (mind expanding) drugs to chemically precipitate an instantaneous shift to higher consciousness. But more and more people are realizing that drugs are not the way to self-realization; they are only a faint reflection, a shadowy glimmer, of that blissful, all expanded state of consciousness. Many of the "Gurus" of the psychedelic movement in the West have widely spoken of their own realization of the limitations of drugs: Drugs opened the door for us into the mansion of the mind, and we saw there are so many rooms inside. But then we found that drugs could only give us a glimpse of the interior - they could...

Imitation of The Experiment And Future Plans

Imitation of The Experiment And Future Plans Keeping in view the foregoing considerations, the founder of the present Yug NiRMAN MISSION (A mission for the resurrection of perennially true ideals for the present era) took the lead in formulating the strategy for the proposed VICHAR KRANTI ABHIYAN (an uplifting ideological Revolution). Donating each and every cent of his personal and inherited property for social welfare and keeping a minimum for personal sustenance, he presented himself as a role model of an ideal social worker. In this way, he exemplified, that those desirous of making contributions of their time, labor, skill or intellectual talents to the present ideological revolution (which is the topmost priority of mankind today) can do so only by first himself being free from greed, attachments...

The Oath to fight all shortcomings and faults

The Oath to fight all shortcomings and faults On the path of sadhana of Grahastha yoga, a sadhak is faced with a number of new problems every day. Sometimes due to his errors and at other times due to others' incidents keep unfolding that are not in consonance with the tenets of Grahastha yoga. A sadhak wishes that each of his action should be perfect and according to the principles, but mistakes keeping recurring. Sadhak believes that in a few days, in a few weeks, or a few months all his faults would be rectified and his actions would become perfect. But when a long time passes by and the errors do not subside, then his mind begins to worry and feelings of disappointment and failure begin to creep in. He thinks: "I am trying so hard and yet am unable to sublimate my nature. I err daily...