What's Meditation?
Diverting the mind from idle and useless wanderings and concentrating on a single object i.e the "Supreme God" with sincere efforts for attainment of realisation is meditation.
In the beginning stages , one's efforts at meditation may not be generally so successful due to the wandering nature of of the mind in other words known as distraction of the mind. But with unrelenting effort, faith and regular practice at fixed times one can retain meditation for longer intervals with shorter frequencies and in the developed stage it Will become natural, easy and a routine affair in the day to day living.
The objective of the mediation is to dispense with all other thoughts and direct the mind to dwell on God or Self only and remember that when the mind is "buoyant" it will be difficult to practice meditation.
With devoted effort,unstinted faith and strong belief coupled with regular practice, meditation becomes a way of life.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Darshanas (Visions):-
The sixth and last set of scriptures are known as Darshanas, the school of Philosophy. These are meant for for the intellectuals and the scholars with six main school of philosophical thoughts to guide them. The names and its founders are as follows:-
Nyaya by.....................Gautahama Rishi
Viseshika by..................Kanada
Sankhya by....................Kapila Muni
Yoga by.......................Patanjali
Mimamsa by....................Jaimini
Vedanta by....................Badrayana(Vyasa)
The philosophy of Nyaya is guided by pure logic and reasoning. Although this system is not popular today, its emphasis on logic and debate , has influenced all thinking through the ages.
Viseshika is the is the earliest in the world to talk of the universe as consisting of countless atoms each with its own particular quality. The Nyaya and Vaiseshika doctrines merge with one another and are studied together.
The Sankhya system also emphasises on logic and inference , but its main belief is that the universe consists of two elements,purusha and prakriti(spirit and matter). It is the oldest of all and mention is made of it in Mahabaratha.
The yoga school accepts Sankhya philosophy but uses the system of mind control as the mean of attaining God.
Mimamsa places great emphasis on vedic rituals and sacrifices. Yajna the ritual of sacrifice is done by chanting of vedas, while ghee, grain and other offerings are poured into the sacred fire.
Vedanta, meaning the end of vedas bases its doctrine on the Upanishads.Of the six schools of philosophy, Vedanta is considered the most valid for the times we live in. It teaches that the Supreme God can be attained only by one's own individual spiritual experience and such a thought is more acceptable to the modern mind.
Vedanta insists on strict adherence to Truth and tireless investigation.Thousands of years ago our ancients taught what is today in conformity with the modern scientific approach.All thinking has been affected by Vedanta which even though we may not be aware of, is very root of our culture and beliefs.The Upanishads,,The Vedanta Sutras and the Bhagavad gita are called prasthana Traya(authoritative scriptures) of Hinduism and the three great commentators on the Vedanta Sutras were Adi Sankara, Ramanuja and Madhavcharya.
Vedanta has influenced many great thinkers as expounded by the ancient Rishis of the Upanishadic period. Vedanta appeals to the mind and to one's logical understanding . It gives answers to the spiritual doubts of wise men of all times in all ages. It is the school of philosophy that appeals equally to the mystical minds of the seers and the philosophers of the Western world who are conditioned by the pragmatic and scientific environment.
To be concluded.
The sixth and last set of scriptures are known as Darshanas, the school of Philosophy. These are meant for for the intellectuals and the scholars with six main school of philosophical thoughts to guide them. The names and its founders are as follows:-
Nyaya by.....................Gautahama Rishi
Viseshika by..................Kanada
Sankhya by....................Kapila Muni
Yoga by.......................Patanjali
Mimamsa by....................Jaimini
Vedanta by....................Badrayana(Vyasa)
The philosophy of Nyaya is guided by pure logic and reasoning. Although this system is not popular today, its emphasis on logic and debate , has influenced all thinking through the ages.
Viseshika is the is the earliest in the world to talk of the universe as consisting of countless atoms each with its own particular quality. The Nyaya and Vaiseshika doctrines merge with one another and are studied together.
The Sankhya system also emphasises on logic and inference , but its main belief is that the universe consists of two elements,purusha and prakriti(spirit and matter). It is the oldest of all and mention is made of it in Mahabaratha.
The yoga school accepts Sankhya philosophy but uses the system of mind control as the mean of attaining God.
Mimamsa places great emphasis on vedic rituals and sacrifices. Yajna the ritual of sacrifice is done by chanting of vedas, while ghee, grain and other offerings are poured into the sacred fire.
Vedanta, meaning the end of vedas bases its doctrine on the Upanishads.Of the six schools of philosophy, Vedanta is considered the most valid for the times we live in. It teaches that the Supreme God can be attained only by one's own individual spiritual experience and such a thought is more acceptable to the modern mind.
Vedanta insists on strict adherence to Truth and tireless investigation.Thousands of years ago our ancients taught what is today in conformity with the modern scientific approach.All thinking has been affected by Vedanta which even though we may not be aware of, is very root of our culture and beliefs.The Upanishads,,The Vedanta Sutras and the Bhagavad gita are called prasthana Traya(authoritative scriptures) of Hinduism and the three great commentators on the Vedanta Sutras were Adi Sankara, Ramanuja and Madhavcharya.
Vedanta has influenced many great thinkers as expounded by the ancient Rishis of the Upanishadic period. Vedanta appeals to the mind and to one's logical understanding . It gives answers to the spiritual doubts of wise men of all times in all ages. It is the school of philosophy that appeals equally to the mystical minds of the seers and the philosophers of the Western world who are conditioned by the pragmatic and scientific environment.
To be concluded.
Friday, October 26, 2007
The Hindu Scriptures..........Part V
Theological Discipline & Doctrines of worship (Agamas)
The fifth set of scriptures The Agamas,lays down the separate theological disciplines and doctrines for the worship of deities. From the Agamas have sprouted the three main sects amongst Hindus i.e the Shaiva,Vaishnava and Shakta.The Shaiva agama has led the school of philosophy called 'Shiva siddhantha' in the south and pratahyabhijna system of shivaism of Kashmir. In this Agama the supreme God is worshipped and adored under different names and forms of Shiva.
Similarly there are two main aspects in the Vaishnava Agama, the 'pancharatra' and 'vaikhanasa' both glorifies God Vishnu, and of these two, the former is more popular and it is believed , this Agama was revealed by the great God himself in the form of Vishnu.
The Shakta Agama glorifies Devi, the consort of Shiva as the World Mother as Shakthi,is the energy giving power behind all creation, creativity and destruction.
The Tantric cult owes its origin to the Tantra and not to the vedas, but in the later period of Hindu history, Tantric started to claim allegiance to the Shaktha Agama. Many occult and magical practices trace their origin to Tantric worship, however the Tantric cult was never fully accepted by Hinduism nor by the Hindu philosophers.
The Agamas guide the faithful who are moved by their devotion to the supreme God to worship one of his Manifestations.Each Agama has several sections. The first part consists of philosophy and spiritual knowledge of the worship of the deity. The second part consis of the yoga and the mental discipline required for each school of worship.
An important part of the third section of each Agama covers the rules governing the construction of Temples. That is why, whatever the style of outward architecture, the plan of the temples is the same in whatever the part of the country a Temple is located. Some are elaborate than others, with addition of Mandapas/Halls ,but the basic plan is same , as laid down in eacgh Agama for accommodating the rituals in that form of worship.
Equally important in the third section are the rules for sculpting or carving figures of deities and divinities. Even details such as the way Rama hold his bow, the length of his arm, the grateful stance of Seetha are written down so that,in which ever part of this vast comurty a Temple is built, these rules are followed . The only differences are in the facial features of the images which are usually patterned on the racial characteristic of the locals.
The fourth part of the Agama consists of the rules pertaining to the observations of the religious rites and rituals at home and in the community, and the observance of religious festivels. These are mentioned in greater details , which explains their being observed from one end of the country to the other with only local cultural variations.
The most beautiful aspect of the agamas is the tremendous amount of poetic compositions and devotional songs that have sprung up under the shade of these theological scriptures in all the languages of the country. They have in fact added greatly to the richness of the poetry and lieraery genius of our great country.
Theological Discipline & Doctrines of worship (Agamas)
The fifth set of scriptures The Agamas,lays down the separate theological disciplines and doctrines for the worship of deities. From the Agamas have sprouted the three main sects amongst Hindus i.e the Shaiva,Vaishnava and Shakta.The Shaiva agama has led the school of philosophy called 'Shiva siddhantha' in the south and pratahyabhijna system of shivaism of Kashmir. In this Agama the supreme God is worshipped and adored under different names and forms of Shiva.
Similarly there are two main aspects in the Vaishnava Agama, the 'pancharatra' and 'vaikhanasa' both glorifies God Vishnu, and of these two, the former is more popular and it is believed , this Agama was revealed by the great God himself in the form of Vishnu.
The Shakta Agama glorifies Devi, the consort of Shiva as the World Mother as Shakthi,is the energy giving power behind all creation, creativity and destruction.
The Tantric cult owes its origin to the Tantra and not to the vedas, but in the later period of Hindu history, Tantric started to claim allegiance to the Shaktha Agama. Many occult and magical practices trace their origin to Tantric worship, however the Tantric cult was never fully accepted by Hinduism nor by the Hindu philosophers.
The Agamas guide the faithful who are moved by their devotion to the supreme God to worship one of his Manifestations.Each Agama has several sections. The first part consists of philosophy and spiritual knowledge of the worship of the deity. The second part consis of the yoga and the mental discipline required for each school of worship.
An important part of the third section of each Agama covers the rules governing the construction of Temples. That is why, whatever the style of outward architecture, the plan of the temples is the same in whatever the part of the country a Temple is located. Some are elaborate than others, with addition of Mandapas/Halls ,but the basic plan is same , as laid down in eacgh Agama for accommodating the rituals in that form of worship.
Equally important in the third section are the rules for sculpting or carving figures of deities and divinities. Even details such as the way Rama hold his bow, the length of his arm, the grateful stance of Seetha are written down so that,in which ever part of this vast comurty a Temple is built, these rules are followed . The only differences are in the facial features of the images which are usually patterned on the racial characteristic of the locals.
The fourth part of the Agama consists of the rules pertaining to the observations of the religious rites and rituals at home and in the community, and the observance of religious festivels. These are mentioned in greater details , which explains their being observed from one end of the country to the other with only local cultural variations.
The most beautiful aspect of the agamas is the tremendous amount of poetic compositions and devotional songs that have sprung up under the shade of these theological scriptures in all the languages of the country. They have in fact added greatly to the richness of the poetry and lieraery genius of our great country.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Way to Emancipation:-
Self realisation is the birth right of everyone.Bondage and Release are only modifications of the mind and for an ego-less person neither bondage nor release applies.
The main obstacle for a person is the very thoughts, "I have not realised',and 'am in bondage". Therefore, please do not entertain such thoughts. Any one can conquer the mischievous ego and attachment and rise to the lofty heights of realisation, be it a house holder or a person with enormous wordly activity. It is not an exclusive rights of recluses or ascetics. The wise person who transcends duality never gets confused as he would not be besmirched by any other desire. For instance ,a bird having come to know and see the tree on which it has built its nest, is going to be chopped off, it hastens to abandon the tree and looks for an alternative one. Similar is the case with man and he should understand that life in the world is short, he should give up his attachment to the temporal blessings and develop dispassion for leaving this world as a free man when the call comes.
One's own true nature is abiding in absolute consciousness in which is comprised the whole universe with all its diversities.By investigating the 'I', the self is reached as the investigator himself becomes the self reached, any further investigation discontinues and the mind is destroyed in the process. It is just like this, a thief posing himself to be a policeman, running to catch a thief and being caught as the thief himself ultimately.For intense practice solitude need not be the back ground , as whenever we remain by turning our mind inward we can feel solitude in the midst of noisy surroundings, and if the mind is properly tamed, we may even remain undistracted by the worst of agitations. The ego begins to flee away from its hold on the non-self and gets merged in the Absolute consciousness.The ego-self in the act of tracing its source ends in perceiving the Self.
Self is latent in us but not manifest due to our ignorance. In other words , it could be said that the self is present in all things and by enquiry into yourself, you are churning out the Truth.By reading and enquiring into the "Ancient Wisdom", handed down to men by the God who is the source of all wisdom, the mystery of the self is revealed to the aspirants. With faith,care and reverence one should learn the scriptures and it is better, concentrate more on the Master's instructions, as it will immensely help to attain the Self-Realisation which is the climax of human attainment.
Self realisation is the birth right of everyone.Bondage and Release are only modifications of the mind and for an ego-less person neither bondage nor release applies.
The main obstacle for a person is the very thoughts, "I have not realised',and 'am in bondage". Therefore, please do not entertain such thoughts. Any one can conquer the mischievous ego and attachment and rise to the lofty heights of realisation, be it a house holder or a person with enormous wordly activity. It is not an exclusive rights of recluses or ascetics. The wise person who transcends duality never gets confused as he would not be besmirched by any other desire. For instance ,a bird having come to know and see the tree on which it has built its nest, is going to be chopped off, it hastens to abandon the tree and looks for an alternative one. Similar is the case with man and he should understand that life in the world is short, he should give up his attachment to the temporal blessings and develop dispassion for leaving this world as a free man when the call comes.
One's own true nature is abiding in absolute consciousness in which is comprised the whole universe with all its diversities.By investigating the 'I', the self is reached as the investigator himself becomes the self reached, any further investigation discontinues and the mind is destroyed in the process. It is just like this, a thief posing himself to be a policeman, running to catch a thief and being caught as the thief himself ultimately.For intense practice solitude need not be the back ground , as whenever we remain by turning our mind inward we can feel solitude in the midst of noisy surroundings, and if the mind is properly tamed, we may even remain undistracted by the worst of agitations. The ego begins to flee away from its hold on the non-self and gets merged in the Absolute consciousness.The ego-self in the act of tracing its source ends in perceiving the Self.
Self is latent in us but not manifest due to our ignorance. In other words , it could be said that the self is present in all things and by enquiry into yourself, you are churning out the Truth.By reading and enquiring into the "Ancient Wisdom", handed down to men by the God who is the source of all wisdom, the mystery of the self is revealed to the aspirants. With faith,care and reverence one should learn the scriptures and it is better, concentrate more on the Master's instructions, as it will immensely help to attain the Self-Realisation which is the climax of human attainment.
The Hindu scriptures Part IV Sacred & legendary literature (Puranas).
Puranas are 18 in numbers and of these Bhagavatha,Vishnu and Markandeya are known to be popular. These are tales convey the truths of the vedas and Dharma sastras in the form of stories. These imaginative stories have formed the very basis of the religious education for people and helps to teach them simple but fundamental truths of religion and morality of what is right and wrong in behaviour.These stories are narrated to children at home by elderly people. The puranas have been conveyed to successive generations by word of mouth ,by grand mothers,grand fathers to their grand children, by the village priest and by the minstrel. The walls of temples are also engraved , painted with carvings of puranas, a visual method of education people.
The power of good woman over Gods and demon was an oft repeated theme of the puranas. The stories of puranas are so strongly intertwined in our daily lives and have been told as bed time stories to children from time immemorial.
The puranic stories brings about strong family ties, by way of support,help and assistance, the care they lavish on their elders are evidence of the influence of such stories which deify filial ties. There are numerous stories in puranas that conveys religious values, ethics, right behaviour, righteous conduct, Truth etc.
The Hindus do believe that at the end of Kali yuga (dark age) there will be a Holocaust of fire and the last incarnation of Vishnu in the form of Kalki will ride forth to save the mankind and to re-establish righteousness.
Puranas are 18 in numbers and of these Bhagavatha,Vishnu and Markandeya are known to be popular. These are tales convey the truths of the vedas and Dharma sastras in the form of stories. These imaginative stories have formed the very basis of the religious education for people and helps to teach them simple but fundamental truths of religion and morality of what is right and wrong in behaviour.These stories are narrated to children at home by elderly people. The puranas have been conveyed to successive generations by word of mouth ,by grand mothers,grand fathers to their grand children, by the village priest and by the minstrel. The walls of temples are also engraved , painted with carvings of puranas, a visual method of education people.
The power of good woman over Gods and demon was an oft repeated theme of the puranas. The stories of puranas are so strongly intertwined in our daily lives and have been told as bed time stories to children from time immemorial.
The puranic stories brings about strong family ties, by way of support,help and assistance, the care they lavish on their elders are evidence of the influence of such stories which deify filial ties. There are numerous stories in puranas that conveys religious values, ethics, right behaviour, righteous conduct, Truth etc.
The Hindus do believe that at the end of Kali yuga (dark age) there will be a Holocaust of fire and the last incarnation of Vishnu in the form of Kalki will ride forth to save the mankind and to re-establish righteousness.
The Hindu scriptures Part III. The Epics:-
The third sets of books are'Epics'(Ithihasas).Since the Ordinary people do not have the erudition to read and understand the first and second sets the third sets known as 'Epics' which serves the purpose. The profound philosophy of the Upanishads is presented in the form of parables and stories in the 'Epics' for the guidance and understanding of the common people.
The great and important epics of Hinduism are the Ramayana,the Mahabharata,, the Yogavasishta and the Harivamsa, they are also known as friendly compositions ( Suhrit Samhitas), as they teach the greatest of the truths in easy and friendly way without taxing the the mind.. The language is simple and the contents easily understood.
Ramayana and Mahabaratha are known even to the illiterate Hindus as they have come down thorough ages by word of mouth. They teach the ideals of Hinduism in an understandable manner and it is because of these books the most illiterate our peasants are not ignorant..They carry the wisdom of Upanishads within them which has been conveyed to to them by these two main epics in story,ballad or dance forms,and the Ramayana is the most popular known as Adi Kavya(the first poetic composition), composed by the great sage, Valmiki,explaining the story of Sri Rama, believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu,born on the earth to show and guide the path of righteousness.
In Ramayana, you will find Lord Rama was banished to forest for 14 years at behest of his step mother Kaikeyi, and spent 14 years in the forest with his wife Seetha and brother Lakshmana. Seetha was abducted by the demon king Ravana and Rama with help of army of monkey and Hanauman fought and destroyed Raavana and brought back Seetha and later Rama was crowned as King of Ayodhya.Rama's period of ruling Ayodhya was a time of peace and joy and ideal era for all good people, teaching the people subtly and effectively, what ideal behaviour and conduct should be.
The third sets of books are'Epics'(Ithihasas).Since the Ordinary people do not have the erudition to read and understand the first and second sets the third sets known as 'Epics' which serves the purpose. The profound philosophy of the Upanishads is presented in the form of parables and stories in the 'Epics' for the guidance and understanding of the common people.
The great and important epics of Hinduism are the Ramayana,the Mahabharata,, the Yogavasishta and the Harivamsa, they are also known as friendly compositions ( Suhrit Samhitas), as they teach the greatest of the truths in easy and friendly way without taxing the the mind.. The language is simple and the contents easily understood.
Ramayana and Mahabaratha are known even to the illiterate Hindus as they have come down thorough ages by word of mouth. They teach the ideals of Hinduism in an understandable manner and it is because of these books the most illiterate our peasants are not ignorant..They carry the wisdom of Upanishads within them which has been conveyed to to them by these two main epics in story,ballad or dance forms,and the Ramayana is the most popular known as Adi Kavya(the first poetic composition), composed by the great sage, Valmiki,explaining the story of Sri Rama, believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu,born on the earth to show and guide the path of righteousness.
In Ramayana, you will find Lord Rama was banished to forest for 14 years at behest of his step mother Kaikeyi, and spent 14 years in the forest with his wife Seetha and brother Lakshmana. Seetha was abducted by the demon king Ravana and Rama with help of army of monkey and Hanauman fought and destroyed Raavana and brought back Seetha and later Rama was crowned as King of Ayodhya.Rama's period of ruling Ayodhya was a time of peace and joy and ideal era for all good people, teaching the people subtly and effectively, what ideal behaviour and conduct should be.
The Hindu scriptures Part II The Smritis:-
The second set of books are 'Smritis' means that which is remembered. Unlike Srutis, which are of divine origin, the smiritis are are human composition which regulate and guides people in their daily conduct, codes and rules governing the actions of people, community, society and the nation and are known as laws governing righteous conduct.
A day of Brahma(the creator) is known as a 'Kalpa' . Kalpa is divided into four yugas(ages).
1.Krita Yuga.
2.Trteta Yuga
3.Dwapara Yuga
4.Kali Yuga
The present yuga is Kali Yuga which is the yuga of degeneration of virtues. Each yuga has its own Law givers. In all there are 18 'smritis' and there have been many law givers- Manu,Yajnavalkya,Shankha,Likhita and Parashara.Manu is the earliest of them all and his laws have greatly influenced the life of people of our country.However, it is mainly on the Yajnavalkya Smriti, the Hindu law of today is based.
Hinduism is very unique that it accepts that the rules of society change with every age(yuga) , therefore the laws or righteous conduct changes from time to time.Since these laws are enunciated for the guidance of man,they are governed by the time and age he lives in.Hinduism is a living practical religion because it accepts that the laws governing the conduct of man and the society are man made laws which is flexible, dynamic and subject to change.It therefore does not give room for bigotry or intolerance and it does not say that a set of rules made hundreds or thousands of years ago should be valid today. This has made it possible for the laws relating to Hindu society to be further changed by legislation in modern times., for protecting the interests of women, of daughters and of wives.
The srutis and smritis are read and memorised by scholars and were utilised by Kings, priests,by their rulers and ministers, to implement Divine and Human laws.
The second set of books are 'Smritis' means that which is remembered. Unlike Srutis, which are of divine origin, the smiritis are are human composition which regulate and guides people in their daily conduct, codes and rules governing the actions of people, community, society and the nation and are known as laws governing righteous conduct.
A day of Brahma(the creator) is known as a 'Kalpa' . Kalpa is divided into four yugas(ages).
1.Krita Yuga.
2.Trteta Yuga
3.Dwapara Yuga
4.Kali Yuga
The present yuga is Kali Yuga which is the yuga of degeneration of virtues. Each yuga has its own Law givers. In all there are 18 'smritis' and there have been many law givers- Manu,Yajnavalkya,Shankha,Likhita and Parashara.Manu is the earliest of them all and his laws have greatly influenced the life of people of our country.However, it is mainly on the Yajnavalkya Smriti, the Hindu law of today is based.
Hinduism is very unique that it accepts that the rules of society change with every age(yuga) , therefore the laws or righteous conduct changes from time to time.Since these laws are enunciated for the guidance of man,they are governed by the time and age he lives in.Hinduism is a living practical religion because it accepts that the laws governing the conduct of man and the society are man made laws which is flexible, dynamic and subject to change.It therefore does not give room for bigotry or intolerance and it does not say that a set of rules made hundreds or thousands of years ago should be valid today. This has made it possible for the laws relating to Hindu society to be further changed by legislation in modern times., for protecting the interests of women, of daughters and of wives.
The srutis and smritis are read and memorised by scholars and were utilised by Kings, priests,by their rulers and ministers, to implement Divine and Human laws.
The Hindu scriptures- Awareness of these scriptures are essential - Part I
Since the subject is very elaborate, I shall present it in parts and will try my best to condense to the shortest possible way.
Hinduism is not based on a single book nor the words of any single teacher,on the contrary it is based on Eternal Truth.There are literally numerous scriptures and books for guidance for the beginners as well scholars, verily a cornucopia of spiritual literature.Let's now understand some of them.
Sruits:-
The first set of books , which are the primary authority or very soul of Hinduism, are known as 'Srutis', means which has been heard or revealed. These srutis are in fact known as 'Vedas'.
The word Veda is derived from the word of 'vid' means, to know ,and the Vedas are holy or spiritual knowledge of the Eternal truth. The word 'Rishi' is derived from the word'dris' means to see, .The Rishis were the seers or sages to whom the Vedas were revealed by divine intervention and in whose hearts and minds they were heard. The Vedas are of divine origin and are unchangeable and Eternal.They teach the highest truths ever known to man , and are valid for all time and all ages. It exists in subtle form in God from where each time is created a new universe and at the end of the last age, there was a great deluge which destroyed the universe.
Bahama the creator, is believed to have meditated at the dawn of this age, called the 'swehtavaraha kalpa. When the God appeared in the form of the sound 'AUM' known as pranava,AUM being the symbol of the absolute is therefore the most sacred symbol of Hindus.
Brahama then prayed to Him for knowledge to create a new universe . From the vibrations of the sound 'AUM', the lord conceived the Rig Veda, The Yajur Veda,the Sama Veda and the Athervana Veda. The God then taught these four Vedas to Brahma who created our present and existing universe with this supreme knowledge received by him. In other words the Vedas existed even before the creation of universe.
Sage Veda Vyasa codified the four vedas and taught to his disciples and the disciples in turn to their pupils. This is how the Vedas have come to us thousands of years back. Therefore they are known as 'amnaya'-that which has come to us by tradition.
Rig Veda:-
consists mostly of hymns in praise of the divine.
Yajur Veda:
Mainly consists of hymns used in religious rituals and rites.
Sama Veda:-
Consists of the verses from Rig Veda, set to music.
Atharvana Veda:-
Guides man in his material and daily living.
The Vedas have divisions like:-
mantra(hymns)
brahmana(explanatory treatises for using hymns in rituals),
Aranyaka(mystical interpretations of the hymns and rituals)
Upanishads, and of these Upanishads are the most important part of the Vedas, as it is believed that knowledge of Upanishads brings about the destruction of ignorance, one of the greatest failings of mankind.
There are 108 Upanishads and the following 12 are the most important.
1.Isa Upanishad.
2.Kena Upanishad.
3.Katha Upanishad.
4.Prasna Upanishad.
5.Mundaka Upanishad.
6.Mandukya Upanishad.
7.Aitreya Upanishad.
8.Taittreya Upanishad.
9.Chandogya Uopanishad.
10.Brihadranyka Upanishad.
11.Kaushitkai Upanishad.
12.Svetasvatara Upanishad.
Upanishads reveal some of the greatest truths ever known to mankind.They contain the essence of of the philosophy of the Vedas and profound spiritual truths contained in them guides man in his search for spiritual upliftment and enlightenment.
To be continued................
Since the subject is very elaborate, I shall present it in parts and will try my best to condense to the shortest possible way.
Hinduism is not based on a single book nor the words of any single teacher,on the contrary it is based on Eternal Truth.There are literally numerous scriptures and books for guidance for the beginners as well scholars, verily a cornucopia of spiritual literature.Let's now understand some of them.
Sruits:-
The first set of books , which are the primary authority or very soul of Hinduism, are known as 'Srutis', means which has been heard or revealed. These srutis are in fact known as 'Vedas'.
The word Veda is derived from the word of 'vid' means, to know ,and the Vedas are holy or spiritual knowledge of the Eternal truth. The word 'Rishi' is derived from the word'dris' means to see, .The Rishis were the seers or sages to whom the Vedas were revealed by divine intervention and in whose hearts and minds they were heard. The Vedas are of divine origin and are unchangeable and Eternal.They teach the highest truths ever known to man , and are valid for all time and all ages. It exists in subtle form in God from where each time is created a new universe and at the end of the last age, there was a great deluge which destroyed the universe.
Bahama the creator, is believed to have meditated at the dawn of this age, called the 'swehtavaraha kalpa. When the God appeared in the form of the sound 'AUM' known as pranava,AUM being the symbol of the absolute is therefore the most sacred symbol of Hindus.
Brahama then prayed to Him for knowledge to create a new universe . From the vibrations of the sound 'AUM', the lord conceived the Rig Veda, The Yajur Veda,the Sama Veda and the Athervana Veda. The God then taught these four Vedas to Brahma who created our present and existing universe with this supreme knowledge received by him. In other words the Vedas existed even before the creation of universe.
Sage Veda Vyasa codified the four vedas and taught to his disciples and the disciples in turn to their pupils. This is how the Vedas have come to us thousands of years back. Therefore they are known as 'amnaya'-that which has come to us by tradition.
Rig Veda:-
consists mostly of hymns in praise of the divine.
Yajur Veda:
Mainly consists of hymns used in religious rituals and rites.
Sama Veda:-
Consists of the verses from Rig Veda, set to music.
Atharvana Veda:-
Guides man in his material and daily living.
The Vedas have divisions like:-
mantra(hymns)
brahmana(explanatory treatises for using hymns in rituals),
Aranyaka(mystical interpretations of the hymns and rituals)
Upanishads, and of these Upanishads are the most important part of the Vedas, as it is believed that knowledge of Upanishads brings about the destruction of ignorance, one of the greatest failings of mankind.
There are 108 Upanishads and the following 12 are the most important.
1.Isa Upanishad.
2.Kena Upanishad.
3.Katha Upanishad.
4.Prasna Upanishad.
5.Mundaka Upanishad.
6.Mandukya Upanishad.
7.Aitreya Upanishad.
8.Taittreya Upanishad.
9.Chandogya Uopanishad.
10.Brihadranyka Upanishad.
11.Kaushitkai Upanishad.
12.Svetasvatara Upanishad.
Upanishads reveal some of the greatest truths ever known to mankind.They contain the essence of of the philosophy of the Vedas and profound spiritual truths contained in them guides man in his search for spiritual upliftment and enlightenment.
To be continued................
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
The Spiritual Master - Part II
Most of you be aware that the World's Teacher and spiritual Master Adi Sankara had made a disciple of his ,who was below average , a scholar in a flash, and that's the power of Spiritual Master, and the disciple in turn and spontaneously sang a song in praise of Adi Sankara, his Master known as "Thotakastakam". While some of the disciples of Adi Sankara had been mocking at this disciple for his dullness, The Master made him WISE IN TRICE.
Our nation (INDIA) is famous and reputed for sages and divine incarnations and these spiritual monarchs, who were born on this earth with the message for Love, Peace and Bliss and sowed the seeds of God-realisation for the sake of dissemination of spiritual knowledge to humanity immersed in misery and ignorance and move like men among men.
One should not be content with one's book knowledge, but rise above it and realise the spiritual Truth.To seek and abide in the reality that is ever attained is alone the attainment.
The acquisition of occult powers and demonstration of the same by yogis can never contribute to the perfection which culminates in Self-realisation.They can prove only to be stumbling blocks. Occult powers are wonders only to the ignorant. They do not indeed lead to the only and everlasting bliss of the Self.An aspirant of realisation should not get involved and trapped into such ignorance, instead regard them as worthless.
If a man is brought to a strange place blind-folded and left alone, he cannot return from there by himself to his original place, unless some one comes to his rescue to remove the bandage from the eyes and show him the way, to reach his place easily. Similarly the Master removes the blindness of ignorance and shows and guides in the correct way.
An aspirant who whole heatedly surrenders to his Master, will be encompassed by the Master's overpowering grace and he shall never be abandoned, as the Master is not confined to his physical form and his contact will continue with the aspirant even in the absence of the Master.
Therefore understand the importance,benevolence,love indispensability of a spiritual Master in life ,on your way to realisation of ultimate Truth and surrender to Him with total reverence and love, then see the divine progress and blissful growth.
Most of you be aware that the World's Teacher and spiritual Master Adi Sankara had made a disciple of his ,who was below average , a scholar in a flash, and that's the power of Spiritual Master, and the disciple in turn and spontaneously sang a song in praise of Adi Sankara, his Master known as "Thotakastakam". While some of the disciples of Adi Sankara had been mocking at this disciple for his dullness, The Master made him WISE IN TRICE.
Our nation (INDIA) is famous and reputed for sages and divine incarnations and these spiritual monarchs, who were born on this earth with the message for Love, Peace and Bliss and sowed the seeds of God-realisation for the sake of dissemination of spiritual knowledge to humanity immersed in misery and ignorance and move like men among men.
One should not be content with one's book knowledge, but rise above it and realise the spiritual Truth.To seek and abide in the reality that is ever attained is alone the attainment.
The acquisition of occult powers and demonstration of the same by yogis can never contribute to the perfection which culminates in Self-realisation.They can prove only to be stumbling blocks. Occult powers are wonders only to the ignorant. They do not indeed lead to the only and everlasting bliss of the Self.An aspirant of realisation should not get involved and trapped into such ignorance, instead regard them as worthless.
If a man is brought to a strange place blind-folded and left alone, he cannot return from there by himself to his original place, unless some one comes to his rescue to remove the bandage from the eyes and show him the way, to reach his place easily. Similarly the Master removes the blindness of ignorance and shows and guides in the correct way.
An aspirant who whole heatedly surrenders to his Master, will be encompassed by the Master's overpowering grace and he shall never be abandoned, as the Master is not confined to his physical form and his contact will continue with the aspirant even in the absence of the Master.
Therefore understand the importance,benevolence,love indispensability of a spiritual Master in life ,on your way to realisation of ultimate Truth and surrender to Him with total reverence and love, then see the divine progress and blissful growth.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Spiritual Discipline.
Spiritual discipline is totally different from religious life. Do not rest content with mere prayer,worship and other rituals, though these may bringpurity of mind other merits. There is something aboveall these which will take us to the ultimatereality.Being endowed with the power ofdiscrimination, we should be able to analyse the realand the unreal without mistaking the chaff forgrain.Wisdom lies in choosing the right way forobtaining the spiritual enlightenment which only willconfer eternal bliss.This will eliminate the cycle ofbirth and death. Virtuous acts done with a motive maybring heavenly pleasures like earthly ones. But whenmerits are exhausted , men are pushed down to theearth again to roll and whirl in the cycle of birthand death.Having enjoyed the vast realms of Heaven, they nearlyexhaust the stock of merit and will be obliged tocome down into the mortal world again.Those who hankerafter pleasures and follow the ritualistic path ofthe knowledge will obtain temporary results. They go up to Heaven and come down to earth and revolvelikewise as contained in Bhagvad Gita. (ref Ch.IX-21)
Spiritual discipline is totally different from religious life. Do not rest content with mere prayer,worship and other rituals, though these may bringpurity of mind other merits. There is something aboveall these which will take us to the ultimatereality.Being endowed with the power ofdiscrimination, we should be able to analyse the realand the unreal without mistaking the chaff forgrain.Wisdom lies in choosing the right way forobtaining the spiritual enlightenment which only willconfer eternal bliss.This will eliminate the cycle ofbirth and death. Virtuous acts done with a motive maybring heavenly pleasures like earthly ones. But whenmerits are exhausted , men are pushed down to theearth again to roll and whirl in the cycle of birthand death.Having enjoyed the vast realms of Heaven, they nearlyexhaust the stock of merit and will be obliged tocome down into the mortal world again.Those who hankerafter pleasures and follow the ritualistic path ofthe knowledge will obtain temporary results. They go up to Heaven and come down to earth and revolvelikewise as contained in Bhagvad Gita. (ref Ch.IX-21)
Monday, October 22, 2007
To contemplate in depth.
Deathlessness is not obtained through action of begetting offspring or wealth. Some attain that state through renunciation. The sages, who have conquered the senses attain that state which is more supreme than Heaven and shining all alone in the heart.
The adepts who by renunciation and one-pointedness are pure in the heart and have known the certainty of the Truth by the knowledge proclaimed by Vedas, get fully released to the ultimate Truth from the casual illusion at the dissolution of the body.
That alone which shine as the tiny sky, void of sorrow, in the lotus heart,the tiny seat of the spotless Supreme in the inner core of the body, is WORTHY OF WORSHIP.
He alone is the supreme Lord, who is beyond the primal word which is the beginning and end of Veda and in which merges the creative Cause.
Deathlessness is not obtained through action of begetting offspring or wealth. Some attain that state through renunciation. The sages, who have conquered the senses attain that state which is more supreme than Heaven and shining all alone in the heart.
The adepts who by renunciation and one-pointedness are pure in the heart and have known the certainty of the Truth by the knowledge proclaimed by Vedas, get fully released to the ultimate Truth from the casual illusion at the dissolution of the body.
That alone which shine as the tiny sky, void of sorrow, in the lotus heart,the tiny seat of the spotless Supreme in the inner core of the body, is WORTHY OF WORSHIP.
He alone is the supreme Lord, who is beyond the primal word which is the beginning and end of Veda and in which merges the creative Cause.
sahaj Samadhi
Meditation is not necessary if you always keep theidea before you that it is not your work. At first,effort is needed to remind yourself of it, but lateron ,it becomes natural and continuous.The work will goon, of its own accord and your peace will remainundisturbed.THE NATURAL AND UNPERCEIVED ABIDANCE (SAY LIKERESPIRATION) is "SAHAJ SAMADHI". This experience isperennial and unaided by any efforts in the least.This is the highest state as the mind gets resolvedinto Self and lost.
Liberation
"It is quite possible for a House Holder who seeks liberation to discharge his duties , assigned to himin life , perfectly without attachments, all the whileholding the innermost idea that "HE IS ONLY AN INSTRUMENT IN THE HAN DS OF GOD."
Wisdom
Just as milks is uniformly white though drawn fromcows of different colours, so also realisation isuniform for all whatever may be their denomination।Wisdom is one and the same, whatsoever be themethods,religions,castes and creeds followed byseekers.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
THE SPIRITUAL MASTER
On the auspicious occasion of Vijayadasami day ,dedicated to Goddess Sarswathi, the presiding Deity for education, knowledge, wisdom and intellect I present a brief article titled 'THE SPIRITUAL MASTER' earnestly believing, will of interesting to you all.Let me reveal a Truth before I commence writing on the subject:-
"GURU ARUL ILLENDRAL THIRU ARUL ILLAI" I.E
"WITH OUT THE GRACE OF THE MASTER, NO GRACE OF GOD."
The term 'Spiritual 'Master' refers and means one who dispels darkness i.e spiritual ignorance . The Master with his collyrium of knowledge opens the eyes of the blinded by ignorance. To achieve this a spiritual aspirant should earnestly and with dedication seek the company of an enlightened persons. Spiritual knowledge cannot generally be attained without the guidance of a Spiritual Master.
As the sun lights the earth,the Master by his radiance of wisdom, awakens a spark in the heart of of his disciple to make the spiritual light shine within, and thereby he removes the darkness born of ignorance. The disciple needs to surrender to the Master in all humility and the Master in turn reveals the hidden treasures of Self Knowledge. Devotion to the Master leads to self control and mastery over the senses. By disciples association with the Master his mind becomes pure and he acquires the capacity to learn the 'Truth'.
The best and most suited way is to remain in all simplicity like children at the at the feet of the Master, hearing him with unflinching faith , devotion and dedication and carry out all his instruction implicitly.
The Master acts according to the calibre of the aspirant and if an aspirant thinks that the Master is also a man like him with a physical body, he can never progress. The Master out of compassion for the ignorance of the aspirant, assists him to correct the errors and to follow the right path. Firm faith and unstinted reverence to the Master would undoubtedly quicken the aspirants spiritual efflorescence. Those with deficiency with spiritual practices can benefit very much from the subtle impact of the association with the Spiritual Master who possess the power to transmit the spiritual impetus to the aspirants like a flash.
The ego in a person is like a huge wild elephant and can be controlled only with an aid of an effective weapon used to control and drive the elephant Similarly to effectively deal with the situation a Master is indispensable and is the goad to remove the ego of an aspirant and by surrendering to the Master one becomes entitled to the Master's unfailing grace and guidance in abundance as the Master never forsakes those who sincerely and in reality surrender to him.
Inspired Spiritual Masters who fill the air around them with spiritual fragrance are unassuming and are also averse to publicity. Their lights shines forth beyond their mortal frame. The aspirant should, therefore be pure, faithful and receptive for Master's grace.
The real purpose and its approprite,precise and meaningful interpretationscan be understood only through a Spiritual Master as Lord Krishan declared "Know the Guru to be me" and what more is needed to realise the greatness and imporance of a Spiritual Master? There may from time to time appear some noble and great souls who belongs to calss of their own and they can transmit self-realisation like a flash by mere glance and by the effulgence radiating from them and many of you are already aware of such appearnces and I don't intend to go with examples. Keep in mind that a Spiritual Master can make even a worst sinner, saints and seers by his mere will and you to have belief in this.
On the auspicious occasion of Vijayadasami day ,dedicated to Goddess Sarswathi, the presiding Deity for education, knowledge, wisdom and intellect I present a brief article titled 'THE SPIRITUAL MASTER' earnestly believing, will of interesting to you all.Let me reveal a Truth before I commence writing on the subject:-
"GURU ARUL ILLENDRAL THIRU ARUL ILLAI" I.E
"WITH OUT THE GRACE OF THE MASTER, NO GRACE OF GOD."
The term 'Spiritual 'Master' refers and means one who dispels darkness i.e spiritual ignorance . The Master with his collyrium of knowledge opens the eyes of the blinded by ignorance. To achieve this a spiritual aspirant should earnestly and with dedication seek the company of an enlightened persons. Spiritual knowledge cannot generally be attained without the guidance of a Spiritual Master.
As the sun lights the earth,the Master by his radiance of wisdom, awakens a spark in the heart of of his disciple to make the spiritual light shine within, and thereby he removes the darkness born of ignorance. The disciple needs to surrender to the Master in all humility and the Master in turn reveals the hidden treasures of Self Knowledge. Devotion to the Master leads to self control and mastery over the senses. By disciples association with the Master his mind becomes pure and he acquires the capacity to learn the 'Truth'.
The best and most suited way is to remain in all simplicity like children at the at the feet of the Master, hearing him with unflinching faith , devotion and dedication and carry out all his instruction implicitly.
The Master acts according to the calibre of the aspirant and if an aspirant thinks that the Master is also a man like him with a physical body, he can never progress. The Master out of compassion for the ignorance of the aspirant, assists him to correct the errors and to follow the right path. Firm faith and unstinted reverence to the Master would undoubtedly quicken the aspirants spiritual efflorescence. Those with deficiency with spiritual practices can benefit very much from the subtle impact of the association with the Spiritual Master who possess the power to transmit the spiritual impetus to the aspirants like a flash.
The ego in a person is like a huge wild elephant and can be controlled only with an aid of an effective weapon used to control and drive the elephant Similarly to effectively deal with the situation a Master is indispensable and is the goad to remove the ego of an aspirant and by surrendering to the Master one becomes entitled to the Master's unfailing grace and guidance in abundance as the Master never forsakes those who sincerely and in reality surrender to him.
Inspired Spiritual Masters who fill the air around them with spiritual fragrance are unassuming and are also averse to publicity. Their lights shines forth beyond their mortal frame. The aspirant should, therefore be pure, faithful and receptive for Master's grace.
The real purpose and its approprite,precise and meaningful interpretationscan be understood only through a Spiritual Master as Lord Krishan declared "Know the Guru to be me" and what more is needed to realise the greatness and imporance of a Spiritual Master? There may from time to time appear some noble and great souls who belongs to calss of their own and they can transmit self-realisation like a flash by mere glance and by the effulgence radiating from them and many of you are already aware of such appearnces and I don't intend to go with examples. Keep in mind that a Spiritual Master can make even a worst sinner, saints and seers by his mere will and you to have belief in this.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Food for thought
In every one of us there are two guiding and rulingprinciples, which lead us whither, they will।One is the natural desire of pleasure; the other is anacquired opinion, which aspires after the best.Sometimes the one, sometimes the other conquers.When opinion by the help of reason leads us to thebest, the conquering principle is called temperance,but when, desire, which is devoid of reason, rules inus and drags us to pleasure, that power of misrule iscalled excess. Now excess has many names, and many members and manyforms, and any of these forms when very marked gives aname, neither honourable nor creditable, to the bearerof the name. The desire of eating which gets thebetter of the higher reason and the other desire iscalled gluttony and he who is possessed by it iscalled glutton.
In every one of us there are two guiding and rulingprinciples, which lead us whither, they will।One is the natural desire of pleasure; the other is anacquired opinion, which aspires after the best.Sometimes the one, sometimes the other conquers.When opinion by the help of reason leads us to thebest, the conquering principle is called temperance,but when, desire, which is devoid of reason, rules inus and drags us to pleasure, that power of misrule iscalled excess. Now excess has many names, and many members and manyforms, and any of these forms when very marked gives aname, neither honourable nor creditable, to the bearerof the name. The desire of eating which gets thebetter of the higher reason and the other desire iscalled gluttony and he who is possessed by it iscalled glutton.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
POWER OF INFLUENCE
Influencing skills:-
Is it an art or Science ? Left to me ,I would call it
an Art as well Science to practise and develop.
For instance,as a child of say about the age of 8 or 9
you could persuade your father to buy a new bi-cycle
for you. As soon as you have completed your schooling
you could convince your father let you opt for an
academic course of your choice and liking. In a job
interview, you could impress upon the interviewing
board that you are the best suited person for the job
and got the offer and later you have managed your team
to work effectively and if need be during week ends to
meet a decisive deadline. You had discussed with a
tough and difficult client into signing a high value
contract with your company- Now tell me what's the
secret behind all these achievements? The answer is
nothing but "YOUR POWER TO INFLUENCE PEOPLE"
Influence is the ability to get things done in a
desired way and is the key factor behind one's
success.
Influence plays a great role in building
relationship-It is a premise for negotiations and can
appear in many forms such as wealth,status,power,
cause or ability to communicate effectively. Of all
these ,ability to influence by virtue of one's
position, one's communication skills and work for a
cause are generally observed at work place. In the
present day conditions of lateral organisations, the
ability to lead is the decisive factor for growth and
Leadership is all about influencing others. The power
of influence is an inherent skill of human beings and
the degree of the success improves with the efforts to
develop the skill of influence.
What does it mean and take to influence people? First
of all you must be very clear about your expectations
from others and communicate this effectively to
them-this also includes influencing people to work to
achieve the common objectives.
If you are a Team leader or Manager this ability to
influence is vital for the success of the team. The
skill to effectively communicate your cause to other
persons is an important aspect of influencing.
To build rapport, to be a very good
listener,Understand and comprehend the expectations of
others,device suitable strategies to put your ideas
forward,to know to inspire,plead,convince,offer,
accommodate, demand and also threaten at times if
situation so warrant are part of factors of
influencing others.
Idea(s)-a very important aspect of influencing
people.Therefore be ready to accommodate others
idea(s)
and change your plans and ideas if it involves a
better cause.
All said and done man's progress and success
inevitably depends on the people around him, be it in
business or in relationship-who may or may not
correspond with his ideas-hence it is essential to
brighten your influencing skills in order to remain
successful and happy.
J.K
Influencing skills:-
Is it an art or Science ? Left to me ,I would call it
an Art as well Science to practise and develop.
For instance,as a child of say about the age of 8 or 9
you could persuade your father to buy a new bi-cycle
for you. As soon as you have completed your schooling
you could convince your father let you opt for an
academic course of your choice and liking. In a job
interview, you could impress upon the interviewing
board that you are the best suited person for the job
and got the offer and later you have managed your team
to work effectively and if need be during week ends to
meet a decisive deadline. You had discussed with a
tough and difficult client into signing a high value
contract with your company- Now tell me what's the
secret behind all these achievements? The answer is
nothing but "YOUR POWER TO INFLUENCE PEOPLE"
Influence is the ability to get things done in a
desired way and is the key factor behind one's
success.
Influence plays a great role in building
relationship-It is a premise for negotiations and can
appear in many forms such as wealth,status,power,
cause or ability to communicate effectively. Of all
these ,ability to influence by virtue of one's
position, one's communication skills and work for a
cause are generally observed at work place. In the
present day conditions of lateral organisations, the
ability to lead is the decisive factor for growth and
Leadership is all about influencing others. The power
of influence is an inherent skill of human beings and
the degree of the success improves with the efforts to
develop the skill of influence.
What does it mean and take to influence people? First
of all you must be very clear about your expectations
from others and communicate this effectively to
them-this also includes influencing people to work to
achieve the common objectives.
If you are a Team leader or Manager this ability to
influence is vital for the success of the team. The
skill to effectively communicate your cause to other
persons is an important aspect of influencing.
To build rapport, to be a very good
listener,Understand and comprehend the expectations of
others,device suitable strategies to put your ideas
forward,to know to inspire,plead,convince,offer,
accommodate, demand and also threaten at times if
situation so warrant are part of factors of
influencing others.
Idea(s)-a very important aspect of influencing
people.Therefore be ready to accommodate others
idea(s)
and change your plans and ideas if it involves a
better cause.
All said and done man's progress and success
inevitably depends on the people around him, be it in
business or in relationship-who may or may not
correspond with his ideas-hence it is essential to
brighten your influencing skills in order to remain
successful and happy.
J.K
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Have you ever gone through a balance sheet of a Man's
life ? Here it is for you to go through:-
Balance Sheet of Man's Life:-
Have a look at it carefully and 'am looking forward to
your views and comments on omissions (if any).
Father is our authorised, subscribed and paid up
capital.(In other words founder & promoter)
Mother is our good will.
Our Birth is our Opening Balance.
Our Death is our Closing Balance.
Our Prejudiced Views are our Liabilities.
Our Creative Ideas are our Assets.
Heart is our Current Asset.
Soul is our Fixed Asset.
Brain is our Fixed Deposit.
Thinking is our Current Account.
Achievements are our brand equity.
Character & Morals, our Stock-in-Trade.
Friends are our General Reserves.
Values & Behaviour are our brand image and recognition
Patience and perseverance are our Interest Earned.
Broad out look and smiling disposition are our
additional resources.
Love and liking are our Dividends.
Children are our premium Bonus Issues.
Education is Brands / Patents.
Knowledge is our Investment.
Experience is our Premium Account.
Good values of living,right thinking,righteous and
ethical conduct are the profits.
Jealous, ego, misconduct, unethical practises are
losses.
Notes on accounts are corrective steps to lead a good
life with simplicity and compassion.
There should not be any suspense account in the
balance sheet of life, instead there can be surprise
account.
The Aim is to Tally the Balance Sheet of life
Accurately.
The Goal is to get the Best Presented Balance sheet
Award from divine and supreme sources.
Have great life to present a nice balance sheet.
J.K
life ? Here it is for you to go through:-
Balance Sheet of Man's Life:-
Have a look at it carefully and 'am looking forward to
your views and comments on omissions (if any).
Father is our authorised, subscribed and paid up
capital.(In other words founder & promoter)
Mother is our good will.
Our Birth is our Opening Balance.
Our Death is our Closing Balance.
Our Prejudiced Views are our Liabilities.
Our Creative Ideas are our Assets.
Heart is our Current Asset.
Soul is our Fixed Asset.
Brain is our Fixed Deposit.
Thinking is our Current Account.
Achievements are our brand equity.
Character & Morals, our Stock-in-Trade.
Friends are our General Reserves.
Values & Behaviour are our brand image and recognition
Patience and perseverance are our Interest Earned.
Broad out look and smiling disposition are our
additional resources.
Love and liking are our Dividends.
Children are our premium Bonus Issues.
Education is Brands / Patents.
Knowledge is our Investment.
Experience is our Premium Account.
Good values of living,right thinking,righteous and
ethical conduct are the profits.
Jealous, ego, misconduct, unethical practises are
losses.
Notes on accounts are corrective steps to lead a good
life with simplicity and compassion.
There should not be any suspense account in the
balance sheet of life, instead there can be surprise
account.
The Aim is to Tally the Balance Sheet of life
Accurately.
The Goal is to get the Best Presented Balance sheet
Award from divine and supreme sources.
Have great life to present a nice balance sheet.
J.K
Monday, October 01, 2007
LIFE'S LIKE THAT- LEARN TO ADAPT AT ALL CIRCUMSTANCES AND LEAD YOUR LIFE TO FULFIL YOUR MISSION.
I earnestly believe, these compilation of quotes will help many ,with perseverence to read.
"Nothing is more noble, nothing more venerable than fidelity. Faithfulness and truth are the most sacred excellences and endowments of the human mind."
"There will be times in life when impossibility is felt, but then there are dreams - and dreams allow us possibility."
"Every problem has in it the seeds of its own solution. If you don't have any problems, you don't get any seeds."
"Know how to listen, and you will profit even from those who talk badly."
"The essence of life is finding something you really love and then making the daily experience worthwhile."
"No one lives long enough to learn everything they need to learn starting from scratch. To be successful, we absolutely, positively have to find people who have already paid the price to learn the things that we need to learn to achieve our goals."
"Never allow anyone to rain on your parade and thus cast a pall of gloom and defeat on the entire day. Remember that no talent, no self-denial, no brains, no character, are required to set up in the fault-finding business. Nothing external can have any power over you unless you permit it. Your time is too precious to be sacrificed in wasted days combating the menial forces of hate, jealously, and envy. Guard your fragile life carefully. Only God can shape a flower, but any foolish child can pull it to pieces."
"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good."
"What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing."
"Fear is a question: What are you afraid of, and why? Just as the seed of health is in illness, because illness contains information, your fears are a treasure house of self-knowledge if you explore them."
"A tulip doesn't strive to impress anyone. It doesn't struggle to be different than a rose. It doesn't have to. It is different. And there's room in the garden for every flower."
"Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes."
"You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover will be yourself."
"Gratitude is a duty which ought to be paid, but which none have a right to expect."
"It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it's the journey that matters in the end."
"A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body."
"If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow."
"If your sword's too short, add to its length by taking one step forward."
"The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want." -
"Success will not lower its standard to us. We must raise our standard to success."
"Success is the good fortune that comes from aspiration, desperation, perspiration and inspiration."
"Happiness is the interval between periods of unhappiness."
" Don't think of the past. The only thing that matters is the everlasting present."
"This art of resting the mind and the power of dismissing from it all care and worry is probably one of the secrets of energy in our great men."
"When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad, and that is my religion."
"The hatred you're carrying is a live coal in your heart - far more damaging to yourself than to them." -
"Confidence is the hinge on the door to success."
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
"I have become my own version of an optimist. If I can't make it through one door, I'll go through another door - or I'll make a door. Something terrific will come no matter how dark the present."
"The cure for all ills and wrongs, the cares, the sorrows and the crimes of humanity, all lie in the one word 'love.' It is the divine vitality that everywhere produces and restores life."
"An effort made for the happiness of others lifts us above ourselves."
"Pay no attention to what the critics say... Remember, a statue has never been set up in honour of a critic!"
"True happiness is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose".
"The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof".
"The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it".
"Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves - slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment. Only this moment is life".
"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies".
"A good coach will make his players see what they can be rather than what they are".
"Courage is never to let your actions be influenced by your fears".
"Waste not the smallest thing created, for grains of sand make mountains, and atomise infinity".
"The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives".
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen".
"To live in an evolutionary spirit means to engage with full ambition and without any reserve in the structure of the present, and yet to let go and flow into a new structure when the right time has come".
"Memory... is the diary that we all carry about with us".
"You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it's a little thing, do something for others - something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it".
"People may not remember what you did for them, or even what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel."
"Make not your thoughts your prisons".
"Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it".
"Your life changes the moment you make a new, congruent, and committed decision."
"The meaning of life is to find your gift, the purpose of life is to give it away".
"Every day brings a chance for you to draw in a breath, kick off your shoes, and dance."
"Believe in the impossible. We have the power to make this an amazing society ... if we work together. Be a part of it. Make waves".
"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will never be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared"
Knowledge speaks. Wisdom listens.
Be The Change: How well do you really listen? The next time you engage in conversation, watch where your mind is when the other person is talking.
"Be a good listener. Your ears will never get you in trouble."
"Many people are afraid to forgive because they feel they must remember the wrong or they will not learn from it. The opposite is true. Through forgiveness, the wrong is released from its emotional stranglehold on us so that we can learn from it".
"There's no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love doing. There is only a scarcity of resolve to make it happen."
"I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow."
"You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old. New dreams, new works in progress that's the ticket for a long and happy ride."
"Take the attitude of a student, Never be too big to ask questions, Never know to much to learn something new."
"If there were in the world today any large number of people who desired their own happiness more than they desired the unhappiness of others, we could have paradise in a few years."
"Everyone has the obligation to ponder well his own specific traits of character. He must also regulate them adequately and not wonder whether someone else's traits might suit him better. The more definitely his own a man's character is, the better it fits him."
"We would never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world."
"Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it."
"A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him."
"If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living."
"No one lives long enough to learn everything they need to learn starting from scratch. To be successful, we absolutely, positively have to find people who have already paid the price to learn the things that we need to learn to achieve our goals."
"Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought."
"Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable."
"The secret of greatness is simple: do better work than any other man in your field - and keep on doing it."
"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there."
"Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact."
"Advance confidently in the direction of your dreams to live the life that you have imagined. That's when you have success."
"People take different roads seeking fulfilment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost."
"The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity."
"Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom."
"We are so vain that we even care for the opinion of those we don't care for."
"When one door closes, another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the ones which open for us."
"Lead the life that will make you kindly and friendly to everyone about you, and you will be surprised what a happy life you will lead."
"I would never have amounted to anything were it not for adversity. I was forced to come up the hard way."
"Heroes take journeys, confront dragons, and discover the treasure of their true selves."
"I learned that it is the weak who are cruel, and that gentleness is to be expected only from the strong."
"You have not lived a perfect day, even though you have earned your money, unless you have done something for someone who will never be able to repay you."
"A real leader faces the music, even when he doesn't like the tune."
"Do not wait; the time will never be just right. Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along."
"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."
"In order for people to be happy, sometimes they have to take risks. It's true these risks can put them in danger of being hurt."
"There's no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love doing. There is only a scarcity of resolve to make it happen."
"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe."
"It's not who we are that holds us back, it's who we think we're not."
The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher."
"If you develop the absolute sense of certainty that powerful beliefs provide, then you can get yourself to accomplish virtually anything, including those things that other people are certain are impossible."
"We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience."
"Don't be afraid of showing affection. Be warm and tender, thoughtful and affectionate. Men are more helped by sympathy than by service. Love is more than money, and a kind word will give more pleasure than a present." -
"We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take us or spare us."
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm."
You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.
Compiled by J.K
I earnestly believe, these compilation of quotes will help many ,with perseverence to read.
"Nothing is more noble, nothing more venerable than fidelity. Faithfulness and truth are the most sacred excellences and endowments of the human mind."
"There will be times in life when impossibility is felt, but then there are dreams - and dreams allow us possibility."
"Every problem has in it the seeds of its own solution. If you don't have any problems, you don't get any seeds."
"Know how to listen, and you will profit even from those who talk badly."
"The essence of life is finding something you really love and then making the daily experience worthwhile."
"No one lives long enough to learn everything they need to learn starting from scratch. To be successful, we absolutely, positively have to find people who have already paid the price to learn the things that we need to learn to achieve our goals."
"Never allow anyone to rain on your parade and thus cast a pall of gloom and defeat on the entire day. Remember that no talent, no self-denial, no brains, no character, are required to set up in the fault-finding business. Nothing external can have any power over you unless you permit it. Your time is too precious to be sacrificed in wasted days combating the menial forces of hate, jealously, and envy. Guard your fragile life carefully. Only God can shape a flower, but any foolish child can pull it to pieces."
"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good."
"What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing."
"Fear is a question: What are you afraid of, and why? Just as the seed of health is in illness, because illness contains information, your fears are a treasure house of self-knowledge if you explore them."
"A tulip doesn't strive to impress anyone. It doesn't struggle to be different than a rose. It doesn't have to. It is different. And there's room in the garden for every flower."
"Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes."
"You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover will be yourself."
"Gratitude is a duty which ought to be paid, but which none have a right to expect."
"It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it's the journey that matters in the end."
"A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body."
"If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow."
"If your sword's too short, add to its length by taking one step forward."
"The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want." -
"Success will not lower its standard to us. We must raise our standard to success."
"Success is the good fortune that comes from aspiration, desperation, perspiration and inspiration."
"Happiness is the interval between periods of unhappiness."
" Don't think of the past. The only thing that matters is the everlasting present."
"This art of resting the mind and the power of dismissing from it all care and worry is probably one of the secrets of energy in our great men."
"When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad, and that is my religion."
"The hatred you're carrying is a live coal in your heart - far more damaging to yourself than to them." -
"Confidence is the hinge on the door to success."
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
"I have become my own version of an optimist. If I can't make it through one door, I'll go through another door - or I'll make a door. Something terrific will come no matter how dark the present."
"The cure for all ills and wrongs, the cares, the sorrows and the crimes of humanity, all lie in the one word 'love.' It is the divine vitality that everywhere produces and restores life."
"An effort made for the happiness of others lifts us above ourselves."
"Pay no attention to what the critics say... Remember, a statue has never been set up in honour of a critic!"
"True happiness is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose".
"The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof".
"The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it".
"Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves - slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment. Only this moment is life".
"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies".
"A good coach will make his players see what they can be rather than what they are".
"Courage is never to let your actions be influenced by your fears".
"Waste not the smallest thing created, for grains of sand make mountains, and atomise infinity".
"The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives".
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen".
"To live in an evolutionary spirit means to engage with full ambition and without any reserve in the structure of the present, and yet to let go and flow into a new structure when the right time has come".
"Memory... is the diary that we all carry about with us".
"You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it's a little thing, do something for others - something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it".
"People may not remember what you did for them, or even what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel."
"Make not your thoughts your prisons".
"Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it".
"Your life changes the moment you make a new, congruent, and committed decision."
"The meaning of life is to find your gift, the purpose of life is to give it away".
"Every day brings a chance for you to draw in a breath, kick off your shoes, and dance."
"Believe in the impossible. We have the power to make this an amazing society ... if we work together. Be a part of it. Make waves".
"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will never be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared"
Knowledge speaks. Wisdom listens.
Be The Change: How well do you really listen? The next time you engage in conversation, watch where your mind is when the other person is talking.
"Be a good listener. Your ears will never get you in trouble."
"Many people are afraid to forgive because they feel they must remember the wrong or they will not learn from it. The opposite is true. Through forgiveness, the wrong is released from its emotional stranglehold on us so that we can learn from it".
"There's no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love doing. There is only a scarcity of resolve to make it happen."
"I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow."
"You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old. New dreams, new works in progress that's the ticket for a long and happy ride."
"Take the attitude of a student, Never be too big to ask questions, Never know to much to learn something new."
"If there were in the world today any large number of people who desired their own happiness more than they desired the unhappiness of others, we could have paradise in a few years."
"Everyone has the obligation to ponder well his own specific traits of character. He must also regulate them adequately and not wonder whether someone else's traits might suit him better. The more definitely his own a man's character is, the better it fits him."
"We would never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world."
"Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it."
"A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him."
"If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living."
"No one lives long enough to learn everything they need to learn starting from scratch. To be successful, we absolutely, positively have to find people who have already paid the price to learn the things that we need to learn to achieve our goals."
"Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought."
"Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable."
"The secret of greatness is simple: do better work than any other man in your field - and keep on doing it."
"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there."
"Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact."
"Advance confidently in the direction of your dreams to live the life that you have imagined. That's when you have success."
"People take different roads seeking fulfilment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost."
"The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity."
"Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom."
"We are so vain that we even care for the opinion of those we don't care for."
"When one door closes, another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the ones which open for us."
"Lead the life that will make you kindly and friendly to everyone about you, and you will be surprised what a happy life you will lead."
"I would never have amounted to anything were it not for adversity. I was forced to come up the hard way."
"Heroes take journeys, confront dragons, and discover the treasure of their true selves."
"I learned that it is the weak who are cruel, and that gentleness is to be expected only from the strong."
"You have not lived a perfect day, even though you have earned your money, unless you have done something for someone who will never be able to repay you."
"A real leader faces the music, even when he doesn't like the tune."
"Do not wait; the time will never be just right. Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along."
"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."
"In order for people to be happy, sometimes they have to take risks. It's true these risks can put them in danger of being hurt."
"There's no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love doing. There is only a scarcity of resolve to make it happen."
"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe."
"It's not who we are that holds us back, it's who we think we're not."
The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher."
"If you develop the absolute sense of certainty that powerful beliefs provide, then you can get yourself to accomplish virtually anything, including those things that other people are certain are impossible."
"We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience."
"Don't be afraid of showing affection. Be warm and tender, thoughtful and affectionate. Men are more helped by sympathy than by service. Love is more than money, and a kind word will give more pleasure than a present." -
"We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take us or spare us."
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm."
You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.
Compiled by J.K
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