Morning Prayer to God

O Lord of this world, prostrations unto Thee! Thou art my Master, real Mother, real Father, real Friend and Guide. Protect me. I am Thine. All is Thine. Thy Will be done.

O adorable Lord, salutations unto Thee! Give me a pure intellect. Give me light, strength, health and long life. Make me a good celibate.

O Almighty Lord, remove all my weaknesses and evil qualities. Make me pure and virtuous. Make me obedient, loving and courteous. May I remember Thee always.

Night Prayer to God

O sweet Lord, forgive me for my sins and wrong actions. I thank Thee for all Thy gifts. Thou art so kind and loving. Let me always repeat Thy all-powerful Divine Name.

O all-merciful Lord, make me dutiful. Give me success in my school work. Make me a good, brilliant child. Adorations unto Thee!

O Lord, give me good memory. Let me love all. Let me love the flowers, birds and animals. Let me serve all. Let me see Thee in all beings and creatures. Protect me, my parents, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends. Glory unto Thee, O Lord!

Prayer During the Day

O sweet Lord, I am your little child. You are my real Father and Mother. Guide me. Teach me to be a good, obedient child. Teach me to be kind, humble and gentle. Teach me to speak sweetly. Teach me to speak the truth always. Protect me when I am in danger or am being tempted. O Lord, when Thou art near, why should I fear?

Inspiring Sayings

TEACHER: Sohan, Mohan, Vijaya and Gopal—all of you are here this evening. Sohan, when did you arrive?

SOHAN: I came this morning, Sir.

TEACHER: What do you want this evening? Should we go on with our programme of stories, as usual?

BOYS: Yes, Sir.

TEACHER: Very good. This time I wish to listen to an interesting story from you. How many of you can tell stories?

All the boys raise their hands.

TEACHER: Wonderful! This shows that you are all fond of reading story books. Well, now take your turns.

Vijaya raises his hand to take his turn first.

TEACHER: Very well, Vijaya will come forward this time and narrate to us an interesting story.

VIJAYA: A hunter lived in a lonely cottage in a jungle. He had a faithful old hound named Tiger. One day, his wife had taken ill. So the hunter left his child to the care of his old dog and went out hunting.

During his absence, a wolf crept into the room where the baby lay asleep. It rushed towards the cradle to attack the baby. The dog at once sprang upon the wolf. There was a fierce fight between them. At last the wolf was killed and the faithful dog succeeded in saving the only child of his master. But during the struggle his mouth became covered with blood-stains.

When the hunter returned home he met the dog at the door. Noticing his mouth covered with blood, he at once thought that the dog had probably killed his child. This feeling filled him with rage. So he instantly shot the dog dead then and there.

On entering the room, he found his child quite safe and a dead wolf lying by his side. He now understood the whole situation. He felt extremely grieved at the loss of his faithful dog who had saved his child at the risk of his own life. He repented and wept, but all his grief and tears could not bring his noble dog back to life.

SOHAN: Who would not like to possess a faithful dog like Tiger? But fie on his master who suspected the dog’s fidelity and shot him dead without thinking. What a pity!

MOHAN: Yes, dear Sohan, I quite agree with you. The master’s action was truly a very rash and foolish one. He was so quickly provoked and lost his wits simply on observing the blood-stains on the dog’s mouth. He did not pause to study the situation for a few moments, nor did he enter the cottage to find out the true facts.

VIJAYA: Such impatient and rash type of people are not rare in this world.

TEACHER: Excellent! I have been calmly watching all your reactions and listening to your individual views about the hasty conduct of the hunter. I am pleased to note that none of you spoke in favour of the master. All of you condemned his merciless action and lack of faith in his dog. So, kindly bear in mind, dear ones, that doubt or suspicion is our great enemy. It causes the mind to get disturbed easily. Anger and suspicion make us lose our power of reason and deviate from right conduct.

Do you know what made the master rash and hasty, leading to the merciless death of his faithful dog?

There was silence for sometime and none of the boys could answer the question.

TEACHER: It was all due to the master’s attachment to his child. It was because of the feeling of extreme attachment and love for his only baby that he was so quickly provoked, got filled with rage, and lost his wits and power of reason in no time. During his sudden fit of anger he could not think correctly and calmly.

Do you know the three gates to hell, my boys?

MOHAN: No, Sir. What are they? Kindly tell us.

SOHAN: (In a low tone). Are there any gates to hell also, like those of a king’s palace?

All laugh.

TEACHER: Well, my dear boys, note carefully that lust, anger and greed are the three gates that lead to hell. When a man becomes angry, his mind gets confused. He loses his memory, and his ability to understand things correctly gets clouded. Due to anger he talks in any manner and does anything. He commits murder also.

A hot word results in fighting and stabbing. An angry man is under intoxication. He loses control of his senses for the time being. He does not know what he is doing when he is under the sway of anger.

Anger destroys one’s peace of mind and takes one away from God. It is the greatest enemy of peace. All vices, evil qualities and wrong actions take their origin in anger. One who has controlled anger cannot do anything wrong or evil. Resentment, fury and irritation are varieties of anger according to the degree or intensity of the emotion.

MOHAN: Sir, you have described anger in detail, but is there any remedy to get rid of this dire evil?

TEACHER: Well asked, sweet one. You are indeed an intelligent lad. I shall tell you.

Practice of silence and right thinking are of great help in controlling anger. If you find it difficult to control anger, leave the scene at once and take a brisk walk.

Drink some cold water. Repeat the Divine Name of the Lord silently.

Anger is a sign of mental weakness. All of a sudden a man gets a terrible fit of anger over a trifling matter. When you bring a lighted lamp or torch into a dark room, the darkness vanishes at once. Even so, you can and should control anger and feelings of irritation by developing the opposite qualities of patience, right thinking, forgiveness and spirit of service. Then anger will disappear by itself. Hatred ceases not by hatred but only by its opposite quality of love.

Had the hunter developed in himself even a little bit of the qualities of patience and right thinking, he would not have lost his most faithful and loyal dog.

You should not do anything in haste. Haste makes waste. Always remember this. Think twice before you act or utter a word. Now do you understand, Mohan? Is the solution clear to you now?

MOHAN: Sir, I now understand. Having heard the story of the hunter and his faithful dog I am reminded of a similar incident that happened to me a few years ago. May I relate it in brief, Sir?

TEACHER: Yes, by all means. Your friends will surely be eager to hear of your experiences in life and will benefit thereby.

MOHAN: Once, it so happened, Sir, that I bought a lovely picture of Lord Krishna playing on the flute, and placed it on my table by way of decoration. One morning it disappeared from the spot. I did not know who removed it from there. I searched and searched, but all in vain. My younger sister, who was standing in one corner of the room, was smiling all the time while I searched for the picture. I thought that perhaps she had hidden it somewhere. So in a fit of anger and suspicion, I began to beat her. There was a hue and cry and mother rushed to the spot and saved her. She scolded me severely for beating my sister, whom she thought to be quite innocent.

In the afternoon, when my father returned from his office, the whole situation was made clear. The fact was that the room was to be swept of dust and dirt that day, and my father had removed the Lord’s picture from the table, thinking that during the sweeping process dust would settle on it. So he had it placed inside a box and locked it.

Now I realised that I was unduly harsh on my sister, who was quite innocent. Had I acted with a little patience and careful thought, I would have handled the situation more tactfully and not so cruelly.

TEACHER: Very good. Well, my boys, it is getting late now. This evening we had a rewarding time together. You entertained each other with stories and personal experiences. I hope you have all benefited by the talks. So, sweet ones, develop divine virtues like patience, right thinking, universal love, forgiveness and spirit of selfless service. May God bless you all and guide you in all your daily thoughts, words and actions!

G0PAL: Thank you, Sir. We will act as you say. We have now changed our way of thinking. This is all due to your blessings.

Control Anger by Love

Anger shatters the physical nervous system and produces a deep and lasting impression on the astral body. Dark arrows shoot out from the astral body. A fit of wrath leaves a deep inflammation on the astral body. Realise now the disastrous consequences of anger.

Do not become a victim of this malady. Control it by the practice of love, mercy, sympathy, kindness, patience and consideration.

Fix your mind on the Lotus Feet of the Lord and give the hands to work. Through gradual practice you will be able to do two things at a time. The manual work will become automatic, mechanical or instinctive but your mind will be on the Lotus Feet of the Lord. You can in this manner realise God even while remaining in the world.

Renunciation of Desires

STUDENT: Sometimes the thought arises in me to renounce the world and do worship in a secluded place. At other times the thought arises that I should remain as a householder and practise Yoga. How can I know which thought is coming from God and which from the mind? I am perplexed and do not know what to do. Kindly enlighten me.

MASTER: An ordinary worldly man can hardly hear the inner voice of God. He does not have the purity to discriminate. In his case all thoughts come from the mind only. One who does selfless service and cultivates purity of mind slowly, begins to entertain thoughts of God. Only if you have seriously performed spiritual practices for several months, can you feel sure that these thoughts come from God. Generally the mind raises all sorts of curious, fantastic thoughts and deludes everyone. It will even pretend to do enquiry, but when it comes to actual practice, it will really do nothing.

STUDENT: What is the chief quality for a man to attain knowledge of God?

MASTER: Desirelessness.

STUDENT: What are the various kinds of desires?

MASTER: There are three kinds of desires: Shastra Vasana (the desire to become learned), Deha Vasana (the desire to live long and remain handsome and strong), and Loka Vasana (the desire for name and fame).

STUDENT: How can I get rid of desires?

MASTER: Develop the power of discrimination. Understand that God alone is real and that the world is unreal. There is no desire in God; desire is only in the mind. Have a strong desire to realise God, then worldly desires will be destroyed by themselves. Control the senses. Practise self-denial. Practise selfless service. Serve the poor and the sick as forms of God. The desires will melt away.

STUDENT: How to remove fear?

MASTER: Fear arises from attachment to the body. Feel that you are the deathless Soul. Then fear will slowly pass away.

STUDENT: What is Yoga?

MASTER: Yoga means “union”. It is the union of our soul with the Cosmic Soul; union of man with God. Balance of mind is Yoga. Freedom from attachment, egoism and impurities is Yoga. Yoga is freedom from all bondage.

STUDENT: Can Yoga solve all the problems of this world?

MASTER: Yes. In fact, Yoga is the only solution to the problems of the world. Think of the temporary and unreal nature of this world. Know that all the pleasures of the world are only so many wombs of pain. Know that even if you get the rulership of the three worlds, you will not enjoy unbroken and lasting peace which you can have only through Yoga.

STUDENT: What are the principles of divine life?

MASTER: Ahimsa (non-violence), Satyam (truth), Brahmacharya (celibacy), detachment, keen desire for God—these are the principles of divine life. Divine life is life in God. You can lead a divine life even while leading an active life and performing your duties. What is wanted is giving up of egoism, attachment, cravings, etc. Give the hands to work and the mind to God.

STUDENT: When should I renounce the world?

MASTER: Renounce the world the very day you get dispassion. This is the emphatic declaration of the scriptures. The dispassion must be the outcome of pure reason, otherwise you will not be able to stick to the path of renunciation.

STUDENT: Our scriptures teach us that we should not accept food from sinners whose thoughts and actions are full of evil. But you recommend that we eat from the hands of anyone. Can you explain this?

MASTER: If you think that a man is full of vicious thoughts, do not take any food from his hands, even if he happens to be a Brahmin. But if you feel that the Lord dwells even in an evil-minded man, then you can eat from the hands of anyone. Your attitude is important. The heart must expand. As you serve others and do spiritual practices, all differences will slowly disappear from your mind. Offer the food to God first and then take it as His Prasad (sanctified food). Thus you can spiritualise any kind of impure food.

STUDENT: How can I give up anxieties and worries?

MASTER: It is very easy. Destroy desires and fear. Pray deeply. Do Japa. Stop building castles in the air. Do not expect or hope. Do your duty and leave the rest to God.

STUDENT: The mistakes and sins of my life are countless. My ignorance is great. I have not learnt Sanskrit. Kindly let me know if I can tread the path of spirituality.

MASTER: Ignorance is just a creation of the mind. You are full of wisdom. When the veil drops, you will shine in your own essential divine nature. Allow desires and egoism to pass. Behind the clouds there is the bright sun. Behind the mind there is the radiant light of God.

Purify yourself. Destroy all evil thoughts. Plod on bravely on the spiritual path. You have taken this human birth for this purpose only. For attaining God-vision it is not necessary to know Sanskrit. You need to understand the theory and essence only. Many Sanskrit books have been rendered into English. Be not troubled on this score. Sanskrit may help you a bit, that is all. If you have time, learn the alphabet so that you may read some verses from the scriptures.

STUDENT: Is it absolutely necessary for a Sannyasin (Hindu monk) to wear the ochre-coloured cloth?

MASTER: The glory and freedom of a true Sannyasin can hardly be imagined. If there is a change in the mind, there will be a change outside also. Wearing the ochre coloured cloth is necessary for one who has a changed mind. The moment you look at the cloth you wear, it reminds you that you are a Sannyasin. It saves you from temptations. It has an influence on others, too. The old friends and relatives cease to trouble you when they see the cloth. The robe is of great service when one appears on the platform for preaching. In the minds of Hindus, it stands for sanctity, and they listen to the words of a Sannyasin with great faith. They give food without question to one who wears the sacred robe.

Purity & Mind Control

STUDENT: What are the three impurities of the mind?

MASTER: Mal, Vikshepa and Avarana. Mal refers to impurities such as lust, anger, greed, etc. Vikshepa is tossing of the mind. Avarana is the veil of ignorance.

Here is an illustration. There is a muddy lake covered with moss. The wind is blowing hard. Now, the lake is the mind; the muddy condition is Mal (the impurities of the mind); the agitation of the waters set up by the wind, corresponds to Vikshepa (tossing) of the mind set up by the vibration of Prana (life-force). The moss covering the surface of the water represents the veil of ignorance that envelops the soul.

STUDENT: Why can I not have a clear understanding of the concept of God?

MASTER: Your mind is very gross and full of Mal or impurities. The impurities can be removed by doing selfless service.

STUDENT: What is an easy method of purifying the mind and realising God?

MASTER: Remember Him at all times without a break, and feel His Presence everywhere.

STUDENT: How can I know whether I have a pure mind or not?

MASTER: If you have dispassion or indifference to sensual enjoyments, that is a sign of purity of mind. No sensual desires can arise in a man of pure mind.

STUDENT: It takes such a long time to remove all the impurities of the mind and its tossing. What can be done to speed up the process?

MASTER: If you want to get the M.A. degree it will take you a number of years. You will first have to get successful passes in the matriculation, intermediate and B.A. Similarly, you will have to plod on for many years to remove the impurities of the mind. How very patiently a fisherman waits just to catch a single fish! If such is the case for a trifling thing, what to speak of the spiritual path, which is like walking along the edge of a sharp blade!

STUDENT: How to stop the tossing of the mind?

MASTER: By prayer, worship, concentration, Pranayama (breathing exercises), chanting, and by deep enquiry into the nature of God, the tossing of the mind can be stopped.

STUDENT: A man always thinks of wanting something. When his wish is fulfilled, he thinks of another object. Why is this?

MASTER: This is called Maya (illusion). The mind deceives you. This is due to ignorance. It causes restlessness of the mind.

STUDENT: How can I control my mind efficiently?

MASTER: You can bring the mind under your control by enquiry of “Who am l?” The other methods are Pranayama, destruction of desires, control of the senses, Satsang (prayer services), study of religious books, development of virtues, and concentration on the internal sounds. These are all aids only. The main thing is Self-enquiry.

STUDENT: Can the practice of Pranayama give one efficient control of the mind?

MASTER: No. It may do so temporarily. Just as a bird in a cage comes out when the door is opened, so also the mind wanders about again when the Prana that has been restrained is released.

STUDENT: What are the benefits of Mouna (silence)? How should I observe it?

MASTER: Speech is a great distractor of the mind. Mouna gives you peace. It removes anxieties and quarrels. It develops the will. It conserves energy. It reduces the force of the thought current.

Observe Mouna for two hours daily. Try to speak little at other times also. Avoid all unnecessary talk. Avoid harsh words and obscene language. Speak sweetly and gently. Have control over your speech. You must speak only what is kind, true and helpful.

STUDENT: Why do I get bad dreams even though my mind is pure during the day and I do regular Sadhana?

MASTER: The power of your discrimination is not yet strongly developed. You are not doing deep, intense Sadhana. There are subtle desires lurking in the mind.

Concentrationl

STUDENT: Someone told me to look constantly at the reflection of my face in a mirror, at a point between the eyebrows. Can I do this exercise? Will it be helpful in my Sadhana?

MASTER: You can. This is a method of concentration. But stick to one method—to the picture of your chosen Deity. You can grow spiritually quickly if you concentrate on the Deity and meditate on its qualities.

STUDENT: May I know how the power of concentration can be increased?

MASTER: Concentration increases by reducing desires. Develop intense dispassion. Increase the time of practice. Sit alone. Do not mix with undesirable persons. Observe silence for three hours daily. Take milk and fruit at night. Be sincere and earnest in your spiritual practices. You will have deep concentration of mind, I assure you.

STUDENT: Can Japa (repetition of God’s Name) bring about concentration?

MASTER: Yes, do mental Japa.

STUDENT: Why does the Yogi who imparts his spiritual power to his disciple ask him to give up all other kinds of spiritual practices?

MASTER: To develop intense faith, steadiness on the spiritual path, and one-pointed or single-minded devotion to one form of Yoga.

STUDENT: What is Brahmamuhurta and why is it held so highly by the saints?

MASTER: It is the period from 4am to 6am. It is very favourable for meditation on the Lord. Hence, its name. At this particular period the mind is naturally calm and serene. It is free from worldly thoughts, worries and anxieties. It is like a blank sheet of paper. It can be easily moulded at this time, before worldly distractions enter it. Further, the atmosphere is also charged with more purity at this time. There is no bustle and noise outside at this period.

Courtesy: “Animal Citizen”

“I am terribly sorry,” Khanna said, looking down at the open letter in front of him. “But I am afraid I have got to disappoint you both.”

Anil and Asha, his son and daughter, both looked at him enquiringly.

“What is it, Dad?” Anil asked at last, as his father seemed to be in difficulties to know how to proceed.

“You were looking forward to the holidays, I know,” Khanna said, wondering how to break the news best. “Well, I have just had a letter from my firm. Mr Marwah is ill and unfortunately I shall have to go straight back.”


“Oh, Daddy!” Asha looked at him aghast. “But we arrived only yesterday!”

“Yes, yes, I know. It is not my fault. Your mother will stay on, of course, but I shall have to get back by the early morning train.”

Anil looked at him soberly. “Don’t worry, Dad,” he said, “We quite understand. How soon will you be back?”

“That is just it, son. I do not know if I shall be able to get back. You see, just before Mr Marwah became ill, he had muddled the accounts and, as I am the senior partner, I shall have to get things cleared. It may even mean that I shall have to stand the loss. That means that these holidays will have to be very quiet ones, I’m afraid. No pleasure trips or anything like that. I just dare not spend any extra money until I know that things are straight.”

Asha did her best to smile. “There are lots of other things we can do that do not cost anything,” she said as cheerfully as possible. “We can swim in the lake and have picnics and things. It is much worse for you than for us.”

Khanna put an arm around them both. “You are a couple of heroes,” he said. “Have as good a time as you can then, and take care of your mother. Perhaps, I shall be back sooner than we think.”

And so saying, he made his way to his room to pack.

“Run along and play with Manju,” said their mother, when they offered to help with the packing.

Manju was their cousin, but although they met at regular intervals, somehow the brother and sister had never found his friendship very congenial.

“I do not want to play with Manju specially, do you?” said Anil sadly, as they wandered down the hill towards the lake. He will not want us if we are not going to be able to ride or do any of the things he does.”

“I suppose we ought to try and be friendly towards him as we are cousins,” Asha said dutifully. “Come on, let us go and see if he is going to the gymkhana tomorrow.”

Manju was at home when they reached the bungalow where he was staying, but was not particularly sympathetic when he heard the bad news.

“No more riding?” he asked. “Well, what is the use of staying here then, if you are not going to ride or see any of the sights? You might just as well go back with your father tomorrow.”

“Are you going to the gymkhana?” Asha asked, hurriedly changing the subject.

“Naturally,” Manju said scornfully. “I am riding in three of the events. I suppose you two won’t be coming now.”

“Oh, yes! We will come, even if we cannot take part in it,” Anil said quickly. “We might have a picnic lunch on the way, up by the creek.”

“In that case, I shall join you,” said Manju without being asked, and the meeting was fixed for the following day.

And so it transpired that the following day, after a picnic beside the creek, Asha and Anil were packing away the things prior to their leaving for the gymkhana.

“I’ll just take these plates to wash in the stream, a little higher up,” said Asha, who had a neat and tidy mind. “You boys can finish the cherries while I am gone.”

Running up the hill with the plates in her hand, she disappeared behind some bushes. The next moment she was calling to them excitedly, “Anil! Manju! Come quickly!”

Anil was with her in a moment, Manju following in a more leisurely manner.

“Look!” said Asha, pointing.

Stuck between the rocks, almost in the middle of the stream, lay a small hill pony. It had evidently slipped while crossing the stream. The current at that point being extremely rapid, it had been carried along willy-nilly, and now lay firmly wedged between the rocks.

“Oh, the poor thing!” Anil’s voice was full of pity. “I wonder how long it has been there. We must get it out at once.”

“Don’t be a fool, man!” Manju spoke derisively. “It is only a little pack pony. It will get out by itself if it wants to.”

Anil stared at him. “If it wants to! Do you suppose it likes lying in that position with the water nearly going over its head? Come on, both of you. If we all heave together, we may be able to get it out.”

But Manju was already backing away.

“Don’t be silly,” he said. “We will all probably end up by falling in ourselves. Anyway, there is no time. If we stay here any longer we will be late for the gymkhana.”

Asha turned to him furiously. “Run along to your precious gymkhana if you want to!” she said bitingly. “Anil and I think that the life of the pony is more important.”

Turning her back on him, she clambered over the rocks towards the poor, terrified animal with Anil beside her. The pony watched them with piteous entreaty in its eyes.

It did not take them long to realise, from the position in which it was, that it would take more than their united strength to move it.

“We had better go and get help,” said Anil. “Even if Manju had stayed, I do not think we could have done much. A rope is what we need most. The police would probably help us, I think.”

“Then you go along and call them,” said Asha urgently. “I’ll stay with the pony. We cannot leave it and go now. It will think we are deserting it.”

So Asha stayed with the pony, stroking the only bit of it she could reach, and murmuring words of comfort, while Anil ran most of the two and a half miles to the police station and came back an hour later with two policemen and a strong rope. Even then, with their united efforts, it was nearly another hour before the terrified and exhausted animal was finally hauled out of the water to safety.

Tired out, soaking and filthy, the brother and sister walked back with the pony to the police station. Having seen it safely housed for the night, they made their way home, promising to visit it again in the morning. It was too late for the gymkhana now, but if either of them regretted having missed it, they did not say so, for they knew that what they had done had been far more worthwhile.

For the next three days they visited the police station regularly to see their friend, which had not yet been claimed, and which seemed to look forward to their visits.

Manju kept out of their way and did not mention anything about the gymkhana, the one reason possibly being that he had fallen from his pony in the very first event!

On the fourth day, they received a visitor—an elderly, neatly-dressed figure, who proved to be a neighbouring farmer. He did not take long to give them the reason for his visit.

“I have come to thank you,” he said. “The police tell me that you two children were responsible for saving my pony. The pony means a lot to me. You see, it belongs to my little grandson, but sometime back it was stolen. I suspect, judging from its condition, it has been used for pretty heavy work. The child has been ill since, pining for his pet. Getting the pony back will make all the difference to his recovery.”

Anil and Asha stood speechless with pride and pleasure.

“And now,” went on the old man, “I want to know what I can do for you. How long are you staying here? Are you fond of riding? If so, I have plenty of good ponies and can let you each have a mount for as long as you are here. Would that be of any interest to you?”

“Interest to us!” gasped Anil. “I should just think it would! We love riding but this year we have not been able to, because...”

And just at that very moment the door opened and in walked Khanna!

“Daddy!” Asha cried with delight, running up to him. “How have you got back so soon?”

“Mr Marwah is recovering and the muddle was not as bad as I had been led to believe. But I see you have a visitor,” he said.

The old man saluted him gravely.

“I congratulate you, sir,” he said. “You have two very fine children.”

Briefly he related the story and Anil and Asha blushed with embarrassment under their father’s proud gaze.

“So, all’s well that ends well,” he said as the farmer finished. “Naturally, my children would have done what they did, because they are both lovers of animals. In fact, they both belong to some animal welfare society.”

He turned to the children, “What is the motto of the society?”

“Compassion means action!” they replied in one voice.

Expand Your Heart

Selfless service is very necessary if you wish to expand your heart. It is very pleasant and easy to say, “I am one with God.” But what is your real worth? A real Vedantin is not one who advertises that he has realised God. Vedanta is an aroma that wafts only from one who has realised God. Such a sage will not advertise himself as a Vedantin.

Wherever there is suffering, the sage rushes to help. He shares his knowledge with others. He serves and elevates others. Do you possess such a noble heart? Is your heart confined only to the members of your own family? How much selfless service have you done? When you see a poor man who is unemployed, do you offer him any help? Do you do regular charity by giving away some of your income? Does your heart melt at the suffering of others? Do you see the Lord and the Lord alone in the suffering of the poor and the needy?

Courtesy: “Animal Citizen”

It was evening and Anil was sitting at the table, with a pile of school books in front of him and with a puzzled frown on his brow.

“Daddy, how would you explain to me the word biswas in English?”

Dr Suri, just about to leave the house for his surgery, stopped at the front door and came back.

“What’s that, son?”

“I’ve been given a lot of Hindi words to translate into English, and then make each one into a sentence to show that I know what they mean. I’ve done all the other words, but biswas is the only one left.”

Dr Suri considered.

“Well, I can’t do your sentence for you,” he said. “But I would apply the word to the sort of person I should like to have for a friend—someone in whom I know I could have complete faith and confidence.”

Anil’s face brightened. “Yes, I see,” he said. “Someone like Surinder,” he murmured quietly to himself. And added as he started to write: “Biswas means faith and confidence. I have complete faith, trust and confidence in my friend Surinder Khanna.”

For the past few months, Surinder Khanna, captain of the lower house cricket team, and one year Anil’s senior, had been the boy’s hero and idol. To Anil he represented all that was good, wonderful and to be admired. Surinder, amused and vaguely flattered by Anil’s worship, was quick to trade upon it and make him his willing slave.

Anil finished writing and pushed back his chair with a sigh of relief. If it was not too late there might still be a chance of seeing Surinder practising at the nets, and perhaps win a smile or a word of praise from his hero.

It was at this moment that the telephone rang. Turning quickly to answer it, Anil’s foot caught in the corner of the carpet, and in the struggle to save himself he grabbed at the table, which turned over upsetting all his school books, and the pot of ink with it. But by this time Anil had grasped the telephone.

“Hello,” he gasped weakly, surveying the disaster around him.

“Hello!” It was Surinder’s voice. Anil’s heart gave a bound. “Is that you, Anil? Look, cricket is cancelled this evening, so I want your help for a bit of fun. Are you game?”

Surinder—the great Surinder wanted his help! Anil’s voice was shaking with pride and emotion as he replied, “Of course, Surinder. I’ll come right away.”

“Okay. Meet me in twenty minutes at the bottom of the cricket field. Don’t be late!” There was a click on the wires and he was gone.

“Twenty minutes! That doesn’t give me much time.”

Anil was already on his knees shovelling up his inky school books. He surveyed the ink-stained carpet with dismay. Well, there was no time to do anything about it now if he had to meet Surinder in twenty minutes.

To disobey never occurred to him. Flinging the books into the cupboard in his room, he dashed down the stairs as fast as he could. Rushing out of the gate he fell over the big shaggy pye dog who habitually sat there. Anil landed on his knees scratching them both and, as he got up he aimed a vicious kick at the dog for upsetting him. The shaggy dog yelped in pain and ran a little way off, viewing Anil with a look of wounded feeling and apology in his eyes.

But Anil was in no mood for stopping to make it up with the dog. He ran off faster than ever, only limping slightly where one of his knees was hurting him, owing to his fall. As a result of his effort, he arrived at the appointed meeting place in less than twenty minutes, to find himself there before Surinder. Anil’s hero was not long in arriving.

“It’s like this,” explained the great man. “You know old Harbans Singh, the fruit-grower? Well, he outwitted my father in his last court case. My father lost it entirely on account of the lies this fellow uttered. Well, I have a wonderful idea for paying him out.

“As you know, it’s not the mango season yet, so mangoes are reaching a very high price at the moment. I’ve discovered a loose board in the fence around his biggest mango orchard. Unfortunately, it’s a bit too small for me to squeeze through the gap, but you could do it easily. All you have to do is to get through with this sack, fill it up with the fruit and then hand it over to me. I’ll see to all the rest.”

Anil looked at him in dismay.

“But Surinder, wouldn’t that be stealing?”

The older boy surveyed him scornfully. “Of course not, stupid! Did I not tell you that he had done my father out of thousands of rupees? We would only be recovering a minute portion of what is our right and due. However, if you’re afraid...”

“No, no, it’s not that!” the younger boy hastily interrupted. “It’s quite all right to me if we’re not doing anything dishonest. Come on, show me the hole in the fence,” he added eagerly.

And so it happened that an hour later, in the gathering darkness, with a heavy weight of doubt in his heart, and an even heavier weight of mangoes on his back, Anil slowly approached the gap in the fence and whispered to Surinder for him to stand ready whilst he pushed over the bundle.

“Okay,” he heard Surinder’s answering whisper. “Good lad! You must have got a nice big haul if it won’t go easily through the gap.”

And it was at this moment that Anil was dazzled by the light of a torch in his eyes, and was dragged back from the fence by a heavy hand.

“Caught you!”

It was Ram Lal Singh, Harbans’s younger brother, who stood confronting him, with a grin of triumph on his face. “Well, we’re not so far from your school, so we might as well go straight up there and find out what your principal has to say about this. By the way, was there anyone else with you?”

Anil made no reply, but his eyes travelled round to the gap in the fence. Where was Surinder? Surely he would come and stand by him, and not let him take all the blame alone? It wasn’t possible that Surinder would desert him. The words he had been writing came into his mind: “I have complete faith and confidence in my friend, Surinder Khanna.”

He comforted himself with the words the whole way up to school. No, no, he had complete biswas in Surinder, who would stand by him to the end.

But when he stood in front of the principal, Anil found himself still alone with his accusers. It was only the drawing master who, coming in to see the principal, said that there was more than one boy involved.

“I saw him with Surinder Khanna earlier this evening, sir. Wouldn’t it be as well to have that boy in to see if he knows anything about it?”

The principal agreed, and a few minutes later Surinder stood beside him, bland and smiling.

“I’m sorry I can’t help you, sir,” he protested innocently enough.

“Yes, I certainly did see Surinder creeping along the outside of the wall when I went out to post a letter,” said the drawing master, “but it didn’t occur to me to ask him where he was going. I don’t know him very well.”

And so it was that Anil got the beating and was sent home in disgrace with a letter to his father.

But there was a pain in his heart which hurt far, far more than the beating had done. Surinder—his hero and his idol—had failed him, and had allowed him to take the punishment, which, rightfully speaking, was due to him.

He was thankful that the darkness hid the tears which poured unheeded down his cheeks. How could he ever face his father? How could he explain to his mother about the ink on the carpet? Overwhelmed by his own grief, he sank down on the grass outside the hedge, and gave way to shaking sobs.

And it was at this moment that he felt a friendly body leaning up against him, a cold nose thrust enquiringly into his face, and a loving tongue licking the tears from his cheeks. Anil’s arms involuntarily went round his furry comforter.

“Poor old chap!” he said, hugging the dog lovingly to himself and burying his face in his fur. “And to think that I kicked you! You love me still. You are the sort of friend to have, not frauds like Surinder, who pretend to be very brave but let you down at the last moment.

“Biswas—someone in whom one has complete faith and confidence. I thought that he had that quality. No, old chap, you’ve got something that Surinder hasn’t. So I am going to call you Biswas, and you’re going to be my trusted friend always.”

Wiping the remaining tears from his eyes, Anil struggled to his feet, and walked bravely up the path to his front door, with the dog walking closely at his heels.

A little while later, tucked up in bed, Anil had reason to be grateful to his parents for their kind and sympathetic understanding.

“Your Daddy thinks that you have been punished enough,” his Mummy explained, as she prepared to bid him goodnight. “I’m sorry, son, that you have had such a bitter disillusionment. But something we all have to learn is not to trust other people too much, very often especially those who are most popular and successful.

“Anyway, you have found one good friend who will never let you down, and that is why your Daddy and I thought it will be a good thing to let you keep him. I’m glad you’ve called him Biswas—the name suits him!”

And from underneath the bed Biswas put up his head and licked his new master’s hand, while his tail thumped loudly on the floor.

Discipline your mind and senses properly. Cultivate noble virtues. Develop peace, tranquillity, dispassion, discrimination and intense yearning for liberation. Read the scriptures. Reflect and meditate.

Have no blind faith. Reason carefully and then accept anything. Annihilate lust, anger and greed. Share whatever you may have—whether physical, mental or moral—with others. All your egoism and arrogance will then disappear.

Introspect, look within. Try to remove your defects. Collect your scattered thoughts and apply yourself to remembering God. Be humble. Be an embodiment of good nature.

In the lamp of the heart put the oil of dispassion. Insert the wick of devotion. Now kindle the light of knowledge by constant meditation and note carefully what happens. The darkness of ignorance will be dispelled. You will be fully illumined.

Courtesy: “Animal Citizen”

The tiger king sat majestically in the circle of his admiring subjects, who had assembled before him for an important occasion.

TIGER KING: I have called you all together so that we may consider our position and the action we should take in view of the visit to India of the queen of the British Empire. She will be arriving here shortly.

There is to be a tiger hunt to satisfy the demand for pleasure and entertainment of the queen and her husband. I am given to understand that the method they are going to adopt is to entice us with food to places deemed suitable for killing and shooting. So our lives are going to be in great danger.

There is a murmur of resentment and anger.

PRIME MINISTER: Why persecute us? We kill only for food and not for pleasure.

HOME MINISTER: The queen’s husband is accompanying her to visit our country and our preserves. He kills for amusement. They do not have to work for their food. To them, life often seems to be a dreary pursuit. So they like a little genteel shedding of blood to enliven their existence. Blood is red, as you know, and these people’s minds are often a dull grey.

FOOD MINISTER: These people embark on tiger shooting projects as they have plenty to eat—goats, sheep, cows, pigs, pheasants and partridges. At home, they have large flocks of birds to shoot, maybe a thousand a day. They shoot only for pleasure. When their guns go “bang, bang” the fun is rampant and the birds fall dead or wounded.

You see, these killing trips are very carefully organised. They do not arrive here on soft and noiseless feet to get their prey. They come from high up in the air on huge helicopters driven by trained servants.

TIGER CUBS: (in chorus) Why come to India to shoot us? We don’t have the same privileges these humans have.

TIGER KING: (sternly) Wait for your elders and betters to speak.

DEFENCE MINISTER: Let us take effective decisions. Tonight we will send urgent messages to all decent tigers: “Destroy humans by all means in your power.” They would be nothing minus their guns, dynamite, bombs and poisons. Those amongst you who have seen them unadorned with clothes and boots, will agree that they are really puny and feeble creatures—no claws, no fine fur, no efficient teeth. Their taste for flesh is tainted by alcohol, tobacco, drugs, indigestion and every imaginable disease, visible or dormant.

A tigerian war on humans would, in my judgement, be very interesting and highly beneficial. Then I think cruelty in this beautiful world of ours would to a very large extent disappear.

The assembled tigers cheer the minister with loud cries of “Well said! Bravo!”

TIGER KING: We have wandered rather far in imagination. I am informed that the queen does not do the killing herself. In her own country she often goes along with a shooting party and, of course, she encourages them. Her young son shot his first bird recently.

She has also done some stalking of deer. I wonder if she does it as well as we do. And, believe it or not, there were pictures published in the British papers showing her with bruised legs, due to this pastime of hers.

YOUNGEST CUB: I wish the queen would let me have a go at leg-bruising when she comes! I could do it well.

TIGER KING: Really, this has gone far enough. We must not descend to the human level of fun. We must show consideration for the queen. I shall now nominate a few of you, my most trusted subjects, to form a committee to deal with her august visit.

With their tails swishing, the king and his bodyguard retire. The committee members depart with tigerish grace and beauty. A little distance from the assembly, roars of laughter are heard as night and darkness descend on humans and tigers. A few remaining bits of cloud seem to shape themselves into a huge question mark, which soon no one will see.

     Tiger, tiger, burning bright
     In the forests of the night,
     What immortal hand or eye
     Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

Yes, I am the Tiger King, whose regal dignity is admired so much even by Queens and Kings!

You have to learn the great virtue of humility. When you learn the alphabet you are humble, but when you graduate from the university, when you proceed to the West and acquire some book knowledge, you assume superior airs. It is because you have neglected to acquire the virtues of piety, humility and devotion.

Sri Swami Sahajananda

Once, a person had a large sum of money. He was very miserly and even his family did not know of this money. He used to keep the money in his pocket all the time. So he got the tailor to make him a special coat with a spacious concealed pocket. Here he kept his sum of notes in a huge purse.

Now he began to feel worried and anxious, feeling that anytime a robber may attack him and escape with his money, as the purse caused a noticeable bulge.

He decided to keep the purse under his pillow in his bedroom. He had a lock made for his bedroom and kept the key with him. He did not allow his wife or children to enter his bedroom as they might discover the money.

But his worry, fear and anxiety not only continued but went on increasing. What if the family questioned him about the secrecy of keeping the keys of his room and not allowing anyone to enter into it?

He then decided to keep the money in the family safe. It had a special cabinet in which he kept the purse locked. His family began wondering why he was so particular in locking that cabinet and keeping the key with him. When they questioned him, his worry increased. He thought: “What if they stealthily forced the cabinet open and discovered the secret!”

Now he decided to invest the money in an investment company. But the very next day he read in the newspaper how a well-known investment company went insolvent. This caused him great worry and fear. So he decided to deposit the money in a bank. Still no rest and peace for this professional miser! He heard how signatures were being forged and money fraudulently removed from the accounts of other people.

All the worry and anxiety about the safe keeping of his money made his blood pressure rise and he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown and heart attack. When his doctor told him that heart surgery would cost him a fortune, he feared that all his hard earned money would go to the hospital. Now he was virtually living in the abode of hell, not in another realm, but on this earth itself. His family noticed it and also began to get quite concerned.

In desperation one day, he went to a temple to seek the Grace of God. Making a full prostration to the Deity, he begged for a solution of how to safeguard his wealth. Tears flowed from his eyes as he pleaded for an answer. While lying on the ground, completely lost in prayer, he felt a strange peace entering him. It began to grow and grow in intensity, until at last he got so completely lost in it, that he forgot all about his money. When he finally stood up, only the intense peace and joy filled his heart.

Suddenly, realising the reason for his coming to the temple, he was filled with shame and remorse. At the same time intense gratitude also filled his heart. He realised how merciful and gracious the Lord was. Instead of rebuking him for his most miserly nature, the Lord blessed him with peace, a peace that no one could rob him of, a peace that he could enjoy all the twenty-four hours of the day. This peace was locked in his heart and not in a safe, bank or in an investment company. And the Lord Himself would take care of this treasure of his. Then, with intense devotion, he placed the purse at the feet of the Lord.

When the priest saw the money on the shrine, he related that for a month or more the temple authorities were praying to the Lord for funds to renovate the temple. Now the Lord answered their prayer in this most mysterious manner.

The family, seeing his joyous face, filled with a strange peace, questioned him about it. When he related the whole story they were quite startled. Now, all of a sudden, love for God also entered their hearts. Thereafter, the whole family made charity the keynote of their lives. They lived a frugal life and offered every extra cent in their possession to the temple. And lasting peace entered the hearts of all the other members of the family also. Now, no more blood pressure or pressure of the fat, bulky purse! Such is the glory of charity!

Sri Swami Sivananda

Love is the law of life. To love is to fulfil the law. And to fulfil the law means eternal peace and everlasting happiness. This world has come out of love. It exists in love and finally dissolves in love. Love is the motive-power of the universe.

Love is life. Love is joy. Love is warmth. It is the golden tie which binds heart to heart and soul to soul. Love is constructive and creative. Love binds and builds. Love is the principle of regeneration. It is an actual substance you can use with confidence. Love is a positive, concrete thing. He who applies the law of love with scientific precision can work wonders. The law of love is a far greater science than any modern science. The law of love prevails among saints and good men.

To live is to love. To love is to live. You live that you may learn to love. You love that you may learn to live in the Eternal. A life without faith, love and devotion is a dreary waste, a real death. There is no virtue higher than love; there is no treasure higher than love; there is no knowledge higher than love; there is no righteousness higher than love; there is no religion higher than love, because love is Truth and love is God. God is an embodiment of love. In every inch of His creation you can verily understand His love.

Love is the immediate way to Truth or the Kingdom of God. It is the life-principle of creation and is the highest expression of soul-force. It is the magic wand in the hand of a devotee by means of which he conquers the whole world. It was the driving force behind Mira, Radha, Tukaram, Tulsidas, Gauranga, Jesus and the God-intoxicated Sufis like Mansoor and Shams Tabriez.

Passion and Pure Love

Love of the body or skin is passion. Love of God is spiritual love or devotion. It is pure love; love for the sake of love. To love anyone for some selfish gain is selfish love and binds you to this earth. To love all beings with the attitude that the Lord pervades them all is pure love.

A husband loves his wife, not for the sake of his wife, but for the sake of his own self, and expects sensual pleasure from her. If leprosy or smallpox destroys her beauty, his love for her ceases. There is physical passion in this love. There is deep selfishness and the love is mercenary.

In mercenary love there cannot be any real happiness between the two—the lover and the beloved. If the husband is dying, the wife takes the bank book and quietly walks to her mother’s house. If he loses his job for some time, the wife makes wry faces, speaks harsh words and does not serve him properly with love. This is selfish love with no real affection from the core of the heart. There is no element of sacrifice, so there is always quarrel, fighting and disturbance in the house. Husbands and wives are not really united. There is always a tug-of-war. They drag on anyhow, leading a dreary, cheerless existence.

Even our sisters of ill-fame shower abundant love, sweet smiles and honeyed words upon their customers as long as they can expect money from them. Can you call this love and real happiness? Tell me frankly, is this not sheer cunningness, diplomacy, crookedness and hypocrisy?

Earthly love is hollow. There is a jarring note, a hidden doubt, a flaw. But true and pure love is rich, profound, full and flawless.

Pure and divine love is eternal, unchanging and infinite. Selfish passion seeks gratification through others, but pure love only seeks to make the beloved happy and derives happiness from the happiness of the latter. Love is sacrifice. To love is to share.

Service is Love in Expression

Love vibrates in the form of service, charity, generosity and benevolence. Compassion is active benevolence. It is the positive expression of love. Non-injury is the negative expression of love. Passive goodness alone is not sufficient. Active goodness or positive goodness is essential for one’s spiritual advancement. The aspirant should be ever doing good actions.

The spirit of service should be ingrained in you. It must be innate or inherent in you. It should not be a mere show. All service is empty if there is no love, affection, sincerity and feeling. If you serve with love and sympathy, God is behind you.

Shankara, Jesus, Buddha and Mohammed served. Janaka and Ramdas served. Serve, serve and serve. Serve, love and give. He who practises these instructions can live through hard times and bad days, enlightened by the heavenly ray. Make others truly happy, just as you strive to make yourself happy. Speak a helpful word. Give a cheering smile. Do a kind act. Serve a little. Wipe the tears of one who is in distress. Render smooth a rough place on another’s path. You will feel great joy.

Cosmic Love

Worship the poor, the downtrodden and the oppressed. These are your first gods. Love all. You will reap the benefit of more than a million sacrifices, austerities and religious observances. Regard your neighbour’s happiness as your own and his pain as your own pain.

Man is one, God is one, love is one, law is one. Realisation is one. We are all the fruit of one tree and the leaves of one branch. There is no stranger or alien in this world. Everyone is God in the process of evolution. Identify yourself with everything that lives. Live in peace in the world with foe and friend.

All men are limbs of one body. All creation is the family of God. Love all God’s creation. Love even the leaf, love animals, birds, plants and stones. Love everything. This is the way to knowledge of the mystery underlying everything. I follow the religion of love. I am a true Christian, a true Muslim, a true Hindu, a true Buddhist, a true Sikh and a true Parsi.

True religion does not consist of ritualistic observances, baths and pilgrimages, but in loving all. Cosmic love is all-embracing and all-inclusive. In pure love no one is shut out from its warm embrace. It is wide enough to include the humblest of us, from the tiny ant to the mighty elephant, from the condemned prisoner to the mighty emperor, from the worst scoundrel to the most revered saint on the surface of this earth. It is hatred that separates man from man, nation from nation and country from country. It is pride and egoism that divide one man from another. Hatred, pride and egoism are mental creations. They are the products of ignorance only. They cannot stand before pure love.

The Need of the Hour

Hatred breeds hatred, love begets love, fear breeds fear. This is the immutable psychological law. It is the natural right of love, the power of God, to prevail upon this earth, conquering all the forces of hate and evil.

In love lies the salvation of all beings. Love is the hope of this dark and lonesome world. This world needs leaders filled with sympathy, co-operation, love, sacrifice, compassion and tolerance. In the cultivation of this cosmic love is individual spiritual progress, the welfare of the entire community and the peace of the whole world. Set to work, therefore, and spread this gospel of cosmic love through the whole world.

Visit every locality and every house. Sing the Name of the Lord. Conduct mass prayers. Spread the message of love, unity, goodwill, service and co-operation. Let the spiritual message of oneness and divine call to unity, friendship and amicable feeling reach the hearts of all and awaken love and brotherhood in the bosom of humanity. Let the whole world be circled with a heart of love.

Love—The Goal of Life

The saints, seers and prophets of the world have spoken of love as the end and aim of life. The divine sport of Lord Krishna with the maidens of Vraja is filled with spiritual love and divine mysteries. Lord Krishna preached love through His flute. Lord Buddha was an ocean of love. He gave up his body to appease the hunger of a tiger cub in a previous birth. Raja Sibi gave, from his own breast, flesh of an equivalent weight of the pigeon to satisfy the appetite of a hawk. What a noble soul! Lord Rama lived a life of love, showing love in every inch of His activity. My dear children of love, draw inspiration from their teachings. Tread the path of love, commune with God and reach the eternal abode of love. This is your highest duty. You have taken this body to achieve love, which alone is the goal of life. Live in love, breathe in love, sing in love, eat in love, drink in love, talk in love, pray in love, work in love, think in love, move in love, meditate in love, and die in love. Purify your thoughts, speech and actions in the fire of love. Bathe and plunge in the sacred ocean of love. Take the honey of love and become an embodiment of love.

Feel that this body is a moving temple of God. Feel that all beings are images of God. Feel that this world is indwelt by the Lord. Feel that the one power of God works through all hands, sees through all eyes and hears through all ears. You will become a changed being. You will enjoy the highest peace and bliss.

May divine love ever pour out of your heart. May it bring peace, solace and comfort unto all. May you become an embodiment of love by leading a life of righteousness and selfless service.

Keep a Spiritual Diary

Develop divine qualities. Conserve energy. Keep the body strong and healthy by means of regular exercise. Keep a daily diary. Develop the power of attention. Become a spiritual hero.

Always think rightly and act rightly. Never envy your neighbours. Entertain sublime, noble and pure thoughts. Have courage and self-confidence. Whatever you do, do with a strong will to succeed. You will succeed in your attempts. This is the sovereign secret.

Remember the lives of the saints and sages. Draw inspiration from their teachings. Tread the path of love. Drink freely the honey of devotion. Commune with the Lord and reach the eternal abode of God-consciousness.

Sri Swami Sivananda

Mind & Body

In our everyday life we often speak in such terms that one would think the body and the mind are two different things altogether. We speak of “mental” and “physical”, of mind over matter, and of bodily strength and mental strength.

The body is the physical part of our being. It is that part which can be seen, felt and nursed. But it is the mind that controls the body. Without the mind and its intelligence, the body cannot function. It would become paralysed at once.

The body is merely the instrument through which the mind expresses itself. All the thoughts, emotions and feelings of a person can be read by just looking at his eyes, the expression on his face, and the way he walks, talks and conducts himself. A self-confident and strong-minded person walks upright with firm steps and head held high. A feeble-minded and weak person walks with his shoulders hunched, head lowered, and with very hesitant steps.

The body also develops into the likeness of the most prominent thought held in the mind. If we always feel that we are not well, then we will soon fall sick. If we constantly hold thoughts of good and radiant health in our minds, then our body will remain perfectly sound and healthy. If our thoughts are ever gloomy and dull, then our face also will always appear gloomy and dull. This shows how intimately the body is connected to the mind.

The above link also holds true in reverse. If the body is kept sound and healthy, then the mind also will be happy and cheerful. The mind acts on the body, and the body in turn reacts on the mind. This is the natural link between body and mind.

He who thinks he can hide his thoughts is foolish. He is like the ostrich which, when pursued by hunters, hides its head in the sand, imagining that it cannot be seen!

Our face is like a polished mirror that shows exactly what is in our mind. It is like an advertisement board that advertises what is going on in the mind. The eye, in particular, is a very sensitive recorder of what is going on in the mind. It is the window of the soul. If you have the ability to understand the expression in the eyes of people, you will have the ability to read their minds also.

The important lesson that emerges from the above facts is that we are what we make ourselves. If we have evil thoughts, we will become ill physically. Bad feelings like anger, hatred, fear and jealousy arouse a great deal of anxiety in a person. They are the main causes of diseases. They are very harmful to the proper functioning of the body and mind. This has been proved by doctors and psychologists.

Hence, we should be careful of what we think. Always show and feel love and kindness. Then you will radiate joy and cheer at all times. You will become a very popular and happy child, as you will enjoy health, beauty and harmony. All these positive feelings that arise from the mind will then be reflected in your eyes, in your face and in your body. You will have a magnetic personality.

Mind & Prana

There are two main elements in the universe. These are mind, and Prana or vital force. The two elements affect each other. The link between the Prana and the mind is like that of the supporter and the supported. They are like a flower and its fragrance, or a sesame seed and its oil. If one of them is destroyed, then the other also ceases to exist. The Prana or vital air digests the food and sends the vital elements to the various parts of the body through the circulatory system. The vital elements are also sent to the brain, which in turn feeds the mind. The mind is then able to think and enquire.

You have already learnt of the benefits of Pranayama—the art of regulating the breath. Pranayama steadies the mind. When an evil thought disturbs the mind, you can drive it away by doing a few rounds of Pranayama. This is because the Prana is superior to the mind.

There is an interesting parable given in the Chhandogya Upanishad which teaches us that Prana is indeed superior to the mind.

The story goes that the mind once departed from the body. It returned after a year’s absence and enquired of the organs: “How did you survive my separation?”

The organs replied: “In the same way in which an infant who does not have the power of reflection still manages to survive.”

The mind resumed its place and said to Prana: “The quality of containing all, which belongs to me, is all due to thee.”

This means that the mind is able to function only because of Prana. Everything proceeds from Prana or the life-force. Through this story from the Upanishads the superiority of Prana over the mind is shown.

There is a serpent like power or energy called Kundalini Shakti, which lies at the base of the spinal column. It is connected to the mind via the Prana. To arouse this power, the mind has to be absolutely free from passion and desire. Only perfected Yogis can awaken the Kundalini Shakti.

As this Kundalini Shakti rises from one spiritual centre in the body to the next, layer after layer of the mind opens up. The Yogi experiences different powers. He gets complete knowledge of the entire universe.

Thus, we see that before we can achieve divine powers, we must first learn to have purity and perfect control of the mind. The mind must be disciplined first.

Mind & Food

Food has a direct and intimate connection with the mind. It plays a vital part in the make-up of the mind. A Sattwic diet calms the mind. Rajasic foods excite the mind. You can easily mark the difference in nature between a tiger which lives on flesh and a cow which lives on grass.

The influence of food on the mind can be clearly seen daily. It is difficult to control the mind after having a heavy meal. The mind runs, wanders and jumps like a monkey all the time. Alcohol causes great agitation in the mind.

Food plays an important role in meditation. For purposes of meditation, the food must be light, pure and nutritious. In the interest of the highest morality also, it is also natural to insist upon a pure, Sattwic diet.

Coax the Mind

Let not your heart give way to trials and tribulations. Be ever intent on your spiritual practices. Learn to discriminate. Develop the quality of lasting dispassion by association with wise people.

Make the mind understand the unreal nature of objects and the defects of sensual life. Talk to your mind. Coax it. It will listen to your words. Gradually the mind will cease wandering. Then it will abide firmly in the centre of its source.

Become a Yogi. Yoga will put an end to all sorts of pains. Yoga will destroy all afflictions. Wake up. Open your eyes. Practise Yoga, my child.

On Friday, 16 September a very successful Sunlit Path Programme was held at the Forderville Primary School Hall, Estcourt from 9am to 1pm. It is pleasing to report that of the 125 learners from the five schools in the Estcourt circuit who attended, 104 learners signed the pledge form to abstain from alcohol, smoking, gambling, sex, drugs and intoxicants, and adopt a wholesome diet and healthy lifestyle and to tread the spiritual path.

In his welcome address, Superintendent of Education of the Estcourt Circuit, Mr V.C. Maharaj, said that the Sunlit Path Programme is an excellent initiative and clearly demonstrates the determination of Divine Life Society to assist and provide meaningful education. He quoted the following words of the Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, “The ultimate aim of education is to draw out the divinity lying hidden within each human being. Spiritual enlightenment is the fruit of real, inner education.”

Learners participating in the group discussion session

Dr D.C. Moodliar, Chief Education Planner, Department of Education, KwaZulu-Natal, read out Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s message inaugurating the Sunlit Path Programme, which was presented initially in 2006. Throughout the message, Pujya Swamiji reiterated that pain is only there to remind us of God. None can escape the Law of Karma, the Law of Cause & Effect, wrote Pujya Swamiji. The way to free ourselves from suffering, Pujya Swamiji emphasized, is to repeat the Divine Name continuously.

Professor K. Bhowan, the Guest of Honour elaborated on various ways in which learners could stay away from substance abuse. He highlighted the impact of positive peer pressure. Professor Bhowan said that such pressure exists in places of worship and in keeping the right company. In a humorous and lively interactive session, Professor Bhowan succeeded in getting responses from learners to “pass various laws” to prevent drug addiction and to protect learners against its use. These were then “documented” by the Programme Director, attorney, Sri Ajeesh Lalparsad. In this play-way method, learners were able to see the gravity of the situation and the dangers of substance abuse.

We were gratified to observe the keen participation of learners who presented suitable poems and songs on the theme of drug addiction. The song by Estcourt Primary School, “Heal the World”, caught the attention of all listeners: “Heal the world, make it a better place, for you and for me and the entire human race. There are people dying, if you care enough for the living. Make a better place for you and for me.”

The interactive “Buzz Session” and the report back session was perhaps the highlight of the programme. Learners spoke articulately and from the heart about some of the problems they are encountering. The confident manner in which group representatives reported at the plenary session did Estcourt proud. These are some of the comments they made:

1. “The source of your pleasure is the source of your pain. Initially drugs will give you pleasure but later they will give you pain.”
2. “We must apply the following thought to our daily lives: ‘When God is near why should I fear.’”
3. “We must use our power of discrimination to decide what is right and what is wrong.”
4. “Let us all work together to promote a drug-free environment.”
5. “The first step to prevent drug addiction is not to start.”
6. “If we pray with faith and sincerity, God will give us strength and courage to face our problems.”

Learners from one of the schools in Estcourt proudly displaying their certificates after becoming members of Sivananda Sunlit Club

In the summation, Professor Poobhalan Pillay succinctly summarized the programme and then proceeded to outline the various activities that take place at the Sivananda Sunlit Path Centre in Rose Heights Road, Arena Park in Chatsworth. He said, “Those of you who have signed the pledge form to keep away from drugs are now members of the prestigious Sunlit Club. So it means you are now ‘owners’ of the Sunlit Path Centre. Membership now stands at about 1 600. You will get a free supply of the quarterly magazine, Sunlit Path which contains articles that are designed to help you.”

We pay tribute to the Estcourt Branch of Divine Life Society for their excellent organization of the function, as well as to Forderville Primary School, Estcourt High School, Estcourt Primary School, Drakensburg Secondary School and M.L. Sultan School for their participation in this programme. May the blessings and protection of God and our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, be upon all the youth who have pledged to stay away from bad habits. May their lives be void of darkness, and may they tread the Sunlit Path, the path that leads to happiness!

Sivananda Sunlit Path Centre

We are pleased to report that Sivananda Sunlit Path Centre, in Arena Park, Chatsworth is fulfilling the lofty aims which Pujya Swami Sahajananda had in mind when the Sunlit Path Club was initiated in 2006. Since its opening in April this year, the Centre has been attracting many people from the surrounding areas.

The primary function of the Centre, namely assisting youth to cope with social evils and teaching them to turn towards God and lead a spiritual life, is being admirably achieved. One hundred and five (105) youth have been counselled to date at the Centre. Many of them come in for a few follow-up counselling sessions. Most, if not all, are now leading more meaningful and spiritual lives.

Group discussion by counsellors in the Peace Centre

Following the excursion by Sastri College and the Workshop for School Managers in July, the Centre has been visited by the following schools:

1. Astro Primary: 47 learners and 5 educators
2. Sunnyvale Primary: 38 learners and 2 educators
3. Brooklyn Heights Primary: 30 educators
4. Astra Primary: 40 learners and 10 educators
5. Tyburn Primary School: 60 students and 4 educators
6. Shri Sathya Sai School: 35 learners and 15 educators
7. Willow Park Primary: 96 learners and 4 educators

All the visitors from the above schools were highly impressed by the serenity and divinity of the Centre. School children find the Centre very educational and stress-relieving. They are taught study methods and about the power of prayer. Talks on coping skills and health & diet are also delivered. The organic garden and vegetable patches are of great interest to learners and educators. They are encouraged to start a vegetable patch at home and at the school. The indoor sports session is always thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Herewith are some comments from the visitors’ book:

1. “Gurudev has given me this golden opportunity to embrace his beautiful divine home of peace, love and absolute contentment.”
2. “Absolutely serene and a magnificent view. Very informative and delightful to see the services offered, which is quite an inspiration to the youth and elders of the community.”
3. “I felt Jesus and a heavy spiritual vibration in Ganga Rani. I have to come back again to this beautiful place.”
4. “Absolutely spiritual and peaceful place. Amazing building. Thanks for such a service to public. Much needed in Chatsworth.”
5. “Everything that I have seen is wonderful. Good atmosphere. People are very friendly. God bless you for your good work.”
6. “Swamiji has left a gem of a Resource Centre for the social injustice prevalent in society. It gives me an exhilarated feeling of hope.”

Students learning sewing skills at the Centre

The Sewing Centre is running very successfully. The centre offers a 6 week course to interested persons. At the end of the course, certificates are issued to the students. Thus far we have had 3 batches of students who have completed the course as follows:

1st Batch: 16 students
2nd Batch: 22 students
3rd Batch: 18 students
The fourth batch comprising 12 students is currently running.

The Soya Centre is proving to be a very educational and informative centre that also provides nutritional food items derived from the soya bean. Soya milk is extracted and from the milk, tofu (a kind of cheese) is also produced. The residue that is formed from the milk-making process, known as “okhara”, is used to bake health bread and muffins. Soya patties and sausages are also made from the okhara. In time to come, many other soya products will be made from the okhara. We are pleased to report that mothers are learning how to make the above items and are using the soya products at their homes.

Soya milk and tofu being produced from soya beans using specialised machinery at the Centre

The Senior Citizens programme that is held on Wednesdays is running very well. Since the start of the programme in August, 120 senior citizens have attended.

Senior citizens sharing thoughts and ideas during their programme

The Health & Wellness Centre has commenced offering treatment in alternate therapies. Reflexology treatment is offered on Wednesdays and Homoeopathic treatment is available on Fridays from 2 to 4pm.

The organic garden patches are producing a variety of vegetables. Thus far they have produced lettuce, dhania (coriander), carrots, beetroot, bhaji (herbs), thyme, shallot and tomatoes. Visitors are taught how to cultivate similar garden patches at their homes.

Ganga Arati is conducted daily at 5.30pm. Members of the local community are beginning to attend these prayer services. Sunday Satsangs have now commenced at the Centre. We encourage readers who live nearby to attend these Satsangs and programmes.
Scriptural classes on the Ramayana and computer classes will commence in the new year.

Children should not be allowed to use cellphones.We all know the dangers of it. Children might talk to those with good habits but they will also talk to those indulging in drugs, alcohol, TV and other bad habits. Boys will freely talk to girls and girls will freely talk to boys. This may lead to a lot of trouble.

Children or parents may appear in court for the crimes of the children, and if they are devotees of Divine Life Society the name of our Society and Master will be spoilt. We have given elaborate instructions in our journals on how to bring up Spiritual Darlings. If parents do not heed the instructions, they are entirely responsible for the bad habits of their children.

Henceforth, all those who allow their children to use cellphones will be banned from attending any of our Satsangs at any of our Ashrams in the country. Divine Life Society will not be held responsible for any of the problems of children using cellphones.