Guru Tegh Bahadur - we are indebted to him

We have heard of people dying for their country, their religion, their family, etc. Have you heard of anybody who died for the freedom of others who are not his own community? Not of his own religion? That requires an extraordinary level of unselfishness, rarely seen in humans. The life of Guru Tegh Bahadur is one example where we see the remarkable courage and the ultimate limit of unselfishness.

Guru Tegh Bahadur (1 April 1621 – 11 November 1675) became the 9th Guru of Sikhism on 20 March 1665, following the footsteps of his grand-nephew, Guru Har Krishan. The details regarding his early life and the achievements during his Guruship are available at wikipedia and sikiwiki. The aim of this article is slightly different: to highlight the immense level of unselfishness displayed by the Guru as he chose for his martyrdom at the hands of moghuls ruling India at that time.

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Conscious Living – Part II

In this part, we discuss about the importance of making conscious choices.

“He has bought a mobile for 12,000, I must buy one which costs 15,000.”

“He drives a bike of 40k, I should get one costlier than that.” Or, “He owns a Honda Civic, I must get an Audi.”

“He bought a 2 bed room flat, I must buy a 3 bed room flat.”

“Did he say that he spent 2 lacs for his daughter’s marriage? I must spend at least 3 lacs.”

How many more such things we hear day in and day out? It is a never ending list.

Every day, we come across people who pride over their possessions such as car, house, etc. The funniest thing is that once they have it they feel they are on top of the world until they find one of their friends/relatives owning something better than what they have. Immediately they are filled with jealousy.

We have heard another type of statements as well: “Oh, this jewel is so simple. I expected you to give your daughter a diamond-studded one.” Comments made out of jealousy, intended to hurt others. Taking delight or rejoicing over another person’s limitations. The one who is making such a comment may not be capable of making even that simple jewel for his/her daughter.

Where will this competition end or the jealousy fade out? Will it go on until the graveyard? May be their children will carry the competition forward with “I got the best funeral service done for my dad/mom.” Or, “I spent xxx thousands for performing the last rites of my mom/dad.”

In doing all these, you are letting the needs of your lives to be dictated by others.
Friend, wake up. In doing things just to boast off before your friend or relative, you have lost your freedom.

Please resolve to stop these foolish competitions. Buy only the essentials. Start making conscious choices.

A highly educated relative of mine travels to work in a bicycle. Same I have seen with a friend of mine. They have enough confidence in themselves. They have understood that saying “No” to a car (even when you have enough money to buy 2 cars) requires more courage than driving a brand new car.

There is nothing great if a person rides a bicycle if has no money to buy a car or bike of his own. Greatness is only when you have the power to buy them and instead of displaying your wealth in buying cars and other things, you choose to remain simple and you choose to donate all the extra wealth for some noble cause.

Donate, but how? Without publicizing it. Without letting anybody know about it. What the right hand gives, the left hand should not know. You help others because you think it is your duty, and not for getting awards.

I bow my head to that rare species of men and women who have chosen to live consciously.

R. Padma

Conscious Living – Part I

Quite often we find people saying things without being aware of their implications, without being aware that their unintentional utterances may hurt some people.

Under the topic ‘Conscious Living’, we wish to draw your attention to some issues to which you may be contributing without knowing that they may make some of your friends/colleagues unhappy. Here is the first issue.

Most of you must have read sardarji jokes. Have you ever thought why they are called so, or asked “Why are you calling them ‘Sardarji’ jokes?”

Have you ever come across any Sardarji who is as foolish as depicted in those jokes?

I have not. On the contrary, I have always seen them as the finest people, gentlemen, highly civilized, and in North India, why ‘north’, all over India, they command much respect. Our Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is the best example. In spite of all that, there appears to be a carefully calculated effort to throw mud at them by propagating jokes against that community.

Here is my personal experience. Many years ago, I was travelling from Nagpur to Raipur by the Howrah Mail. Two of the passengers started talking to me, one was an elderly gentleman from Calcutta and the other was a young sardarji. Soon we were having a lively conversation and the young man suddenly observed that I have not eaten anything in the train. I was reluctant to eat the samosa or bhelpuri that were sold by hawkers as I had a sensitive stomach. Reluctant to reveal my problem, I simply said that I wasn’t hungry. The young sardarji said, “You won’t get your idli or dosa here.” However, when the train stopped at some station, he ran and brought some idlis, chutney and sambhar and handed over the parcel to me. Not only that, he refused to take any money. I was amazed by the kind gesture of the young sardarji as I was a total stranger and I had known him for only a few hours. The train reached Raipur at around 10 pm and I reached the guest house around midnight. I would have remained hungry until then but for the kindness shown by that sardarji.

Every time I remember that episode, my heart fills with pride “This is the country of such kind and good people.” But being a good and kind person is not enough, we all have to be aware of our responsibility towards others too. Hence the following request.

Jokes are good. Laughter is the best medicine, no doubt. If you can bring a smile on your friend’s face, it is really a good gesture. But please be aware of the fact that there is a very fine line between “having fun” and “making fun”. Whatever is the case, never forget this fine line. If you get sardarji jokes in your mailbox, read and enjoy. But if you want to forward it, modify the joke so that there is no mention of the word ‘sardarji’ anywhere in the joke.

For example, here is one from the internet:

A teacher asked her class for sentences using the word "beans".

"My father grows beans," said one student.

"My father cooks beans," said another.

Then a Little Sardarji spoke up: "We are all human beans."

In the above joke, why the phrase ‘Little Sardarji’? It is an unnecessary reference to a community. Modify the last sentence of the above joke as follows:

Another little boy spoke up: "We are all human beans."

Once modified, forward it to as many people as you wish. I can hear voices complaining ‘who has the time to do such modifications?’ If you don’t have time to modify, do not send such jokes.

Make a conscious effort to stop such references to “any community”. Always remember, if a similar comment were made about your community, you would not have enjoyed the joke. So, it is your responsibility to stop such demeaning of any community.

We have to be extremely careful about our words as well as our deeds and ensure that our freedom of speech should be utilized only for good purposes.

Live a good life. Live consciously. Remember “We reap what we sow.”

R. Padma

Teachings of Sri Sarada Devi - Part V: Self-effort and Divine Grace

Holy mother Sri Sarada Devi’s teachings on “Self-effort and Divine Grace” are listed below:

1. Disciple: "How does one get the vision of God?" Mother: "It is only through His grace. But one must practice meditation and Japa. These remove the impurities of the mind. One must practice spiritual disciplines such as worship and so forth. As one gets the fragrance of a flower by handling it, or as one gets the smell of sandalwood by rubbing it against a stone, in the same way one gets spiritual awakening by constantly thinking of God. But you can realize Him right now if you become desireless."

2. "The mind gets purified after hard Tapasya. Without regular practice nothing can be attained."

3. "The mind is rendered pure as the result of many austerities. 'God who is purity itself cannot be attained without austerities.' What else does one obtain by the realization of God? Does he grow two horns? No, his mind becomes pure, and through a pure mind one attains knowledge and spiritual awakening."

4. "The purpose of initiation is to try to realize God through sincere spiritual effort."

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Venkanna, the Diwan of Adoni

In a place called Adoni (near Humpi in Karnataka, India), there was a young brahmin boy who was more interested in playing with shepherd boys and gracing cattle, and refused to study the holy scriptures. This caused lot of anguish to his parents. When the holy saint Guru Raghavendra visited Adoni, the parents took the boy to him...

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A Fine Management Lesson

Here below is a nice lesson.......

Old one but still interesting to read…

One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and drove off along the route. No problems for the first few stops - a few people got on, a few got off, and things went generally well.

At the next stop, however, a big hulk like Pathan got in. Six feet four, built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to the ground. He glared at the conductor and said, "Pathan doesn't pay!" and sat down at the back.

Conductor didn't argue with Pathan, but he wasn't happy about it. The next day the same thing happened, Pathan got on again, made a show of refusing to pay, and sat down. And the next day, and the next..

This grated on the bus driver, who started losing sleep over the way Pathan was taking advantage of poor conductor. Finally he could stand it no longer. He signed up for body building courses, karate, judo, and all that good stuff.

By the end of the summer, he had become quite strong; what's more, he felt really good about himself. So, on the next Monday, when Pathan once again got on the bus and said, "Pathan doesn't pay!"

The driver stood up, glared back at Pathan, and screamed, "And why not?"

With a surprised look on his face, Pathan replied, "Pathan has a bus pass."

Management Lesson:

Be sure there is a problem in the first place before working.

Contributed by: Poonam

Contentment is a state of the mind

I had this personal experience many years ago. It happened at Bangalore, at the Raghavendra Swami Mutt on Bull Temple Road, to be precise.

One evening I went to the Mutt and before entering left my sandals at the entrance of the Mutt with the woman guarding the footwear of the visitors. As it was drizzling, I was carrying an umbrella and it was wet. I asked the woman whether she would take care of my umbrella until I return. She said, “Yes.”

When I came back, I gave the woman the fee for guarding my sandals and umbrella, i.e. I paid twice the regular amount usually given for guarding the footwear. The woman took only the fee for guarding my sandals. She said she took care of my umbrella as a gesture of help.

I was taken aback. In this world, where we meet everyday people who want to make money by any means and by all means, I was surprised to see a poor woman with such an attitude towards life. I don’t know how much money that woman earned everyday, as I had seen most of the visitors leaving their footwear away from her, to save those few coins. Her earning may not even be sufficient to take care of a day’s meal of hers. I don’t know how many children she had to feed by her earnings. In spite of all that, she offered me help, knowing very well that her act may not bring any award or reward to her.

This act of that poor woman whose name I know not, whose face I don’t remember, but whose simplicity and love I will remember forever, made me understand that contentment is a state of the mind. It may be found even among the poorest of the poor. On the other hand, it may never be found in the well off or the richest.

R. Padma

Swami Vivekananda on Love

Here is a beautiful interpretation of love by Swami Vivekananda:

"I once had a friend who grew to be very close to me. Once when we were sitting at the edge of a swimming pool, she filled the palm of her hand with some water and held it before me, and said this: 'You see this water carefully contained on my hand? It symbolizes Love.' This was how I saw it: As long as you keep your hand caringly open and allow it to remain there, it will always be there. However, if you attempt to close your fingers round it and try to possess it, it will spill through the first cracks it finds. This is the greatest mistake that people do when they meet love... they try to posses it, they demand, they expect... and just like the water spilling out of your hand, love will retrieve from you. For love is meant to be free, you cannot change its nature. If there are people you love, allow them to be free beings. Give and don't expect. Advise, but don't order. Ask, but never demand. It might sound simple, but it is a lesson that may take a lifetime to truly practice. It is the secret to true love. To truly practice it, you must sincerely feel no expectations from those whom you love, and yet an unconditional caring."

Passing thought... Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take; but by the moments that take our breath away... Life is beautiful!!!
Keep the faith !

Contributed by Poonam

Suggested reading: "On Love" by Khalil Gibran in The Prophet.

Forbear, forgive - Guru Arjan Dev

Guru Arjan Dev (born in Amritsar, Punjab, India on 15 April 1563 and martyred in 1606 at Lahore, Punjab) is the fifth of the Ten Sikh Gurus. He embraced martyrdom against mughal tyranny on 16 June 1606.

Guru Arjan Dev was head of Sikhism for a quarter of a century and accomplished a lot during his regime. He completed the construction of the temple at Amritsar and founded other cities such as Taran Taran and Kartarpur. He constructed a Baoli at Lahore. The most important work of Arjan Dev was the compilation of Adi Granth. He collected all the work of the first four Gurus and dictated it in the form of verses in 1604.

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A good story

Friends: I read the following story at www.citehr.com. There you may generate your user ID and password and get several such stories. Now the story...

Once a king called upon all of his wise men and asked them, ” Is there a mantra or suggestion which works in every situation, in every circumstances, in every place and in every time. In every joy, every sorrow, every defeat and every victory? One answer for all questions? Something which can help me when none of you is available to advise me? Tell me is there any mantra?”

All the wise men were puzzled by the King’s question. They thought and thought. After a lengthy discussion, an old man suggested something which appealed to all of them. They went to the king and gave him something written on paper, with a condition that the king was not to see it out of curiosity.

Only in extreme danger, when the King finds himself alone and there seems to be no way, only then he can see it. The King put the papers under his Diamond ring.

Some time later, the neighbors attacked the Kingdom. King and his army fought bravely but lost the battle. The King had to flee on his horse. The enemies were following him. getting closer and closer. Suddenly the King found himself standing at the end of the road - that road was not going anywhere. Underneath there was a rocky valley thousand feet deep. If he jumped into it, he would be finished…and he could not return because it was a small road…the sound of enemy’s horses was approaching fast. The King became restless. There seemed to be no way.

Then suddenly he saw the Diamond in his ring shining in the sun, and he remembered the message hidden in the ring. He opened the diamond and read the message. The message was - ” THIS TOO SHALL PASS”

The King read it . Again read it. Suddenly something struck him- Yes ! This too will pass. Only a few days ago, I was enjoying my kingdom. I was the mightiest of all the Kings. Yet today, the Kingdom and all his pleasure have gone. I am here trying to escape from enemies. Like those days of luxuries have gone, this day of danger too will pass. A calm came on his face. He kept standing there. The place where he was standing was full of natural beauty. He had never known that such a beautiful place was also a part of his Kingdom.

The revelation of the message had a great effect on him. He relaxed and forgot about those following him. After a few minutes he realized that the noise of the horses and the enemy coming was receding. They moved into some other part of the mountains and were near him.

The King was very brave. He reorganized his army and fought again. He defeated the enemy and regained his empire. When he returned to his empire after victory, he was received with much fanfare. The whole capital was rejoicing in the victory.

Everyone was in a festive mood. Flowers were being showered on King from every house, from every corner. People were dancing and singing. For a moment King said to himself,” I am one of the bravest and greatest King. It is not easy to defeat me. With all the reception and celebration he saw an ego emerging in him.

Suddenly the Diamond of his ring flashed in the sunlight and reminded him of the message. He open it and read it again: “THIS TOO SHALL PASS”.

He became silent. His face went through a total change - from the egoist he moved to a state of utter humbleness. If this too is going to pass, it is not yours. The defeat was not yours, the victory is not yours. You are just a watcher. Everything passes by. We are witnesses of all this. We are the perceivers. Life comes and goes. Happiness comes and goes. Sorrow comes and goes.

Now as you have read this story, just sit silently and evaluate your own life. This too will pass. Think of the moments of joy and victory in your life. Think of the moment of Sorrow and defeat. Are they permanent? They all come and pass away.

Life just passes away. There is nothing permanent in this world. Everything changes except the law of change. Think over it from your own perspective. You have seen all the changes. You have survived all setbacks, all defeats and all sorrows. All have passed away. The problems in the present, they too will pass away. Because nothing remains forever. Joy and sorrow are the two faces of the same coin. They both will pass away.

You are just a witness of change. Experience it, understand it, and enjoy the present moment - this too shall pass........!!!

Poonam