GOD IS MY GUIDE 3—August 2008

Sri Swami Sivananda

The Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda said that education without religion was mere husk, the dead bones of culture! He was also firmly convinced that the child-mind always learnt more from examples than from naked truth.

Bearing these points in mind, the Divine Master felt the absolute need to produce spiritual literature for children, whom he called the "Spiritual Darlings of God" and "citizens of tomorrow".

Extracts from the book God is My Guide below contain instructive dialogues on moral and ethical values, and stories illustrating various spiritual truths. The dialogues between the teacher and his young disciples are not only highly inspiring but also simple to understand and extremely practical in their application. Furthermore, as the Master's teachings are catholic and liberal in outlook, these dialogues will appeal to children of all religious faiths.

In these troubled times, God is My Guide will indeed be a sure guide to our Spiritual Darlings. Reading and practising the teachings contained in this volume will convince them that God is their real Father, Mother, Friend and Guide!

These dialogues can be acted in schools.

Always Think Carefully

Gopal, Krishna, Rama and other boys take their seats in the room. There is pin-drop silence.

KRISNNA: (whispers to Gopal). Our teacher appears to be angry this morning. Did you notice his stern looks?

GOPAL: Keep quiet, lest you should fan up his anger.

All feel nervous and anxious as to who would fall victim to his angry looks. Nobody ventures to speak.

TEACHER: Well boys, I am sorry to learn that some of you reached home unusually late last night. Here are letters of complaint from your parents.

Krishna takes courage and begins.

KRIINNA: May I tell you the facts, Sir, so that you may know the reason for our late arrival?

TEACHER: That is exactly what I expect from you. I want to know the plain and simple truth. You should always be bold, truthful and frank in whatever you do and speak. Do not be timid. When you speak the truth there is nothing to be afraid of because you will have the protection of the all-merciful Lord.

KRISHNA: Very well, Sir. Last evening, while returning from our usual stroll in the park and were passing through a narrow street, a cyclist came from behind. As he rode past, a little child ran in front of him. To avoid the child, he turned the cycle. A vendor with a basket of vegetables was coming from the opposite direction. The cyclist struck him. The vendor's basket fell down and all its contents were scattered.

The vendor caught hold of the cyclist and demanded payment for his lost vegetables. A quarrel arose between them. A big crowd of people gathered round them. Some of the friends of the cyclist spoke in his favour, while others supported the vendor. From hot words they came to blows. Their clothes got torn and they received bruises and injuries on various parts of their bodies. All of us tried to separate them but were unsuccessful.

The police arrived on the scene and finally pulled them apart after some effort. They were then arrested. The police, after threatening both of them, were willing to accept bribes, promising to decide the case in favour of the one who paid the higher amount. The final result was that the police silently pocketed the amounts given by the vendor and the cyclist, leaving them both gaping and sorrowful.

TEACHER: Did you tell all this to your parents, explaining to them how you tried to help the cyclist and the vendor?

KRISHNA: Yes, Sir, but they doubted our statements.

TEACHER: All right, I shall see to this matter. Well, Gopal, what do you learn from this incident?

GOPAL: Sir, we should always try to settle our disputes amicably.

TEACHER: Perfectly correct. That is the secret of life—to know how to handle difficult problems and quickly arrive at the right and amicable solution. Now listen to a similar incident.

Once, two cats found a loaf of bread. Both fell upon it at the same time. The loaf broke into two pieces. One piece was bigger than the other. They began to quarrel as to who should have the larger piece.

A monkey was passing that way. He enquired of the two cats, "Sisters, why are you fighting? What is the matter?"

When the cats related their problem, the clever monkey said, "Do not quarrel, I shall weigh them on a scale for you and make them equal."

Both the cats agreed to the arrangement. The monkey brought a scale and placed a piece of the loaf on each pan. As could be expected, one piece was heavier than the other. So he bit off a piece from the heavier one and ate it. Now the other piece was heavier. He bit off a piece from that also and swallowed it. He repeated this until only two small pieces were left.

Then the cats, realising their folly, requested the monkey to let them have the remaining two pieces. But the monkey said, "I am the judge. Do you think I took all this trouble for nothing? I demand my fee for acting as the judge."

Saying this, he greedily gobbled up the remaining two pieces and bolted from the place!

Therefore, my dear ones, you should use your judgement and settle all disputes amicably.

KRISHNA: Sir, in such cases should we not also be careful not to allow a third party to interfere?

TEACHER: Yes, quite correct, my sweet one. Lack of good sense and judgement always lead one into trouble. Now it is time for you to disperse—straight for home and without delays, I hope!

RAMA: Thank you very much, Sir.