This part presents the sayings 300-349:
300. The new-born calf looks very lively, blithe, and merry. It jumps and runs all day long, and only stops to suck the sweet milk from its darn. But no sooner is the rope placed round its neck than it begins to pine away gradually, and, far from being merry, wears a dejected and sorry appearance, and gets almost reduced to a skeleton. So long as a boy has no concern with the affairs of the world he is as merry as the day is long. But when he once feels the weight of the responsibilities of a man of family, by binding himself in time to the world by the indissoluble tie of wedlock, then he no longer appears jolly, but wears the look of dejection, care, and anxiety, and is seen to lose the glow of health from his cheeks, while wrinkles gradually make their appearance over the forehead. Blessed is he that remains a boy throughout his life, free as the morning air, fresh as a newly-blown flower, and pure as a dewdrop.
301. A boat may stay in the water, but water should not stay in the boat. An aspirant may live in the world, but the world should not live in him.
302. He who thinks his spiritual guide a mere man, cannot derive any benefit from him.
Read the complete article: The Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna - Part VII
Friday, September 3, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
The Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna - Part VI
This part contains the Sayings 250-299.
250. As the young wife in a family shows her love and respect to her father-in-law, mother-in-law, and every other member of the family, and at the same time loves her husband more than these; similarly, be firm in your devotion to the Deity of your own choice (Ishta-Devatâ), do not despise other Deities, but honor them all.
251. A truly religious man should think that other religions also are paths leading to the truth. We should always maintain an attitude of respect towards other religions.
Read the complete article: The Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna - Part VI
250. As the young wife in a family shows her love and respect to her father-in-law, mother-in-law, and every other member of the family, and at the same time loves her husband more than these; similarly, be firm in your devotion to the Deity of your own choice (Ishta-Devatâ), do not despise other Deities, but honor them all.
251. A truly religious man should think that other religions also are paths leading to the truth. We should always maintain an attitude of respect towards other religions.
Read the complete article: The Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna - Part VI
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Invaluable Values
Truth, Honesty, Courage, Faith, Marital fidelity – values that one must cherish – the basis for all these is mental strength and not physical strength.
There is so much talk these days about nourishing food –– that a healthy diet should contain vitamins, iron, lot of protein, fiber, etc. But nobody seems to be concerned about mental strength. Physical strength alone will produce only brutes, cowards.
Read the complete article: Invaluable Values
There is so much talk these days about nourishing food –– that a healthy diet should contain vitamins, iron, lot of protein, fiber, etc. But nobody seems to be concerned about mental strength. Physical strength alone will produce only brutes, cowards.
Read the complete article: Invaluable Values
Friday, August 6, 2010
The Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna - Part V
The Sayings 200-249 are given below:
200. Creeds and sects matter nothing. Let every one perform with faith the devotions and practices of his creed. Faith is the only clue to get to God.
201. He who has faith has all, and he who wants faith wants all.
Read the complete article: The Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna - Part V
200. Creeds and sects matter nothing. Let every one perform with faith the devotions and practices of his creed. Faith is the only clue to get to God.
201. He who has faith has all, and he who wants faith wants all.
Read the complete article: The Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna - Part V
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
The Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna - Part IV
The sayings 150–199 are given below:
150. The Guru is a mediator. He brings man and God together.
151. Take the pearl and throw the oyster-shell away. Follow the mantra (advice) given to you by your Guru and throw out of consideration the human frailties of your teacher.
152. Listen not, if any one criticizes and censures your Guru. Leave his presence at once.
Read the complete article: The sayings of Sri Ramakrishna - Part IV
150. The Guru is a mediator. He brings man and God together.
151. Take the pearl and throw the oyster-shell away. Follow the mantra (advice) given to you by your Guru and throw out of consideration the human frailties of your teacher.
152. Listen not, if any one criticizes and censures your Guru. Leave his presence at once.
Read the complete article: The sayings of Sri Ramakrishna - Part IV
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Conscious Living – Part III
I was thinking of Lord Krishna – according to mythology, he lifted a hill Govardhana with his finger; he tamed a highly poisonous snake Kaalinga; he killed powerful asuras Kamsa and Chanura – all this he did when he was a small boy. Later, he saved Draupati from humiliation by providing a continuous never-ending saree as Dushasana tried to disrobe her in the assembly of Kauravas.
To Arjuna’s request for help in the battle of Mahabharata, he agreed and, keeping up his decision not to wield a weapon, he acted as Arjuna’s charioteer.
In spite of his immense power – he can lift a mountain, tame a poisonous snake, kill powerful asuras, save Draupati from shame – he chose to be a simple charioteer for His friend.
In all his actions, there is one underlying motive – the desire to help, save, protect. That little cowherd boy was kindness personified. That young man was anxious to save, protect Draupati and his friend Arjuna.
Krishna did not conquer any kingdom for himself. Instead, he conquered the minds of all those helpless men and women. Therefore he is remembered and worshiped even today.
The same is true of Lord Shiva – he drank the poison that came out while churning the ocean so that the devas and others are safe.
Why mythology? Think of Mother Teresa. What a level of unselfishness? No parallels can be drawn.
What makes a God out of a man? It is the level of unselfishness.
As Swami Vivekananda says in Karma Yoga,
“Are you unselfish? Then God is with you.”
If you are unselfish in your actions, you have nothing to fear.
When you are confronted with doubt whether to perform an action or not, ask the question “Is this going to do good to anybody other than me?” If the answer is “Yes”, go ahead. You will be the winner.
R. Padma
To Arjuna’s request for help in the battle of Mahabharata, he agreed and, keeping up his decision not to wield a weapon, he acted as Arjuna’s charioteer.
In spite of his immense power – he can lift a mountain, tame a poisonous snake, kill powerful asuras, save Draupati from shame – he chose to be a simple charioteer for His friend.
In all his actions, there is one underlying motive – the desire to help, save, protect. That little cowherd boy was kindness personified. That young man was anxious to save, protect Draupati and his friend Arjuna.
Krishna did not conquer any kingdom for himself. Instead, he conquered the minds of all those helpless men and women. Therefore he is remembered and worshiped even today.
The same is true of Lord Shiva – he drank the poison that came out while churning the ocean so that the devas and others are safe.
Why mythology? Think of Mother Teresa. What a level of unselfishness? No parallels can be drawn.
What makes a God out of a man? It is the level of unselfishness.
As Swami Vivekananda says in Karma Yoga,
“Are you unselfish? Then God is with you.”
If you are unselfish in your actions, you have nothing to fear.
When you are confronted with doubt whether to perform an action or not, ask the question “Is this going to do good to anybody other than me?” If the answer is “Yes”, go ahead. You will be the winner.
R. Padma
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)