How to bind to prosper?
Only by being steady even in hardship.
Ups and downs are quite natural and common in human life and its inevitable fact. Even persons leading a very comfortable and luxurious living will at times encounter difficulties and tough times. True, Dharmaraja was an emperor; Did he not have to undergo life in forest?
However wealthy one may be, some time or other one may be constrained to loose things/possessions and will be compelled to confront the like situations. Even the most courageous person will occasionally be gripped by fear.
Only those who remain steady under such trying circumstances and take right decision, using their discretion, are intellegent.But many loose their grit under tribulations, become rude and take negative steps and this is absolutely wrong.
Did not people like Yudishtira, Nala and Lord Rama face such difficulties? Every one has to undergo the “ORDAINED FATE” and just can’t escape - that’s the Nature’s Law. Nobody can ever say that one will always encounter hardships. One must have the FAITH that the adverse period will be over and Good days and God’s days will dawn and such persons are definitely bound to prosper
Divine Source.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
It’s all about “WATER”- The sustainer of LIFE.
“Water has many dimensions and its glory is portrayed in Religion as well as Science”
Gangotri Glacier, the origin of the sacred river Ganga and highlights the existence of water in solid, liquid and vapor forms. Biologically water has many distinct properties that are vital for the proliferation of Life, which sets it apart from the other substances. All known forms of life depend on water. Water is also central in photosynthesis and respiration in plants.
The flow of water inside the human body is an indication that it is alive. The average percentage of water in a man is 60% and in a woman it is 55%. The human body is made up of five elements of which water is one.the circulatory system, the respiratory system; the gladiator system and the digestive system all are water-related. Thus water is a part and parcel of human life.
The earth’s water is a treasure house of a variety of fish and amphibious beings. Precious gems such as coral and pearl are products of ocean. The wealth under water is as precious as that above water.
Historically, civilization and cultures of nation are linked with water The Nike River civilization, The Indus-Valley civilization etc. are land marks in history, because human life is much dependent on water. One characteristic of water is that it is always flows from higher to a lower level. Our ancestors drew an analogy from this and gave the message that when wealth in the society flows from the rich to the poor, there will be a well balanced economic status.
In Varaha purana it is said that Lord Vishnu manifested as Varaha (wild boar) to bring out the earth from under water, where the demon Hiranyaksha had hidden it. One may wonder how the earth could be hidden under water when, three- fourth of the earth itself is water. The mythology highlights then existence of water in the universe as space and the earth being immersed in that universal water.
According to Vedic religion of Hinduism, Varuna is the God of sky, of rain and of the celestial waters. He is considered to be one of the 12 Adityas (a demon who become a Deva) and occupies the position of the guardian deity of the western direction. In the Tretha Yuga, the Devas approached Varuna and requested him to manifest himself in all the e waters of the universe and be the Lord of water. Varuna’s abode is the celestial ocean(water),his weapon is a noose. His vehicle is crocodile and his consort is Varuni.
As one of the Adityas, Varuna is a solar deity and always twinned with Mitra or Indra either as Mitra Varuna or Indra Varuna. Varuna ids referred to as the supreme head of law and order. Like the Trinity, he can create, protect and destroy. He has the power of purification.Before performing any puja; Varuna is moved in a pot of water and worshipped. That holy water is sprinkled on the puja materials and icons of Gods.Varauna is known by several names such as Aditya,Aditiputra,Ambapati,Deva Deva,Gopatri,Jaladvipa,Jaleswara,Lokapalaand Udampathi.
Scientifically also water occupies three fourths of the surface of earth. It also surrounds it as vapor. The earth has neither gained water n, nor lost it, is i.e. the total quantum of water on the earth same today as it was millions of years ago. Water only changes the form in a cyclical process. There is also a theory; the most of the earth’s water came from comets that hit the planet over billions of years. In all 975 of the earth’s water is in the oceans and only 3% is fresh water, of which also 69% is locked up in solid form as glaciers and ice caps of mountains, mainly in the Arctic circle and Antarctica. The remaining fresh water is also practically underground and hardly0.3% is flowing in rivers and collected in lakes.
One can now understand how precious and scarce is fresh water. Therefore:-
Waste Not
Want Not
WATER.
Source : BJ
“Water has many dimensions and its glory is portrayed in Religion as well as Science”
Gangotri Glacier, the origin of the sacred river Ganga and highlights the existence of water in solid, liquid and vapor forms. Biologically water has many distinct properties that are vital for the proliferation of Life, which sets it apart from the other substances. All known forms of life depend on water. Water is also central in photosynthesis and respiration in plants.
The flow of water inside the human body is an indication that it is alive. The average percentage of water in a man is 60% and in a woman it is 55%. The human body is made up of five elements of which water is one.the circulatory system, the respiratory system; the gladiator system and the digestive system all are water-related. Thus water is a part and parcel of human life.
The earth’s water is a treasure house of a variety of fish and amphibious beings. Precious gems such as coral and pearl are products of ocean. The wealth under water is as precious as that above water.
Historically, civilization and cultures of nation are linked with water The Nike River civilization, The Indus-Valley civilization etc. are land marks in history, because human life is much dependent on water. One characteristic of water is that it is always flows from higher to a lower level. Our ancestors drew an analogy from this and gave the message that when wealth in the society flows from the rich to the poor, there will be a well balanced economic status.
In Varaha purana it is said that Lord Vishnu manifested as Varaha (wild boar) to bring out the earth from under water, where the demon Hiranyaksha had hidden it. One may wonder how the earth could be hidden under water when, three- fourth of the earth itself is water. The mythology highlights then existence of water in the universe as space and the earth being immersed in that universal water.
According to Vedic religion of Hinduism, Varuna is the God of sky, of rain and of the celestial waters. He is considered to be one of the 12 Adityas (a demon who become a Deva) and occupies the position of the guardian deity of the western direction. In the Tretha Yuga, the Devas approached Varuna and requested him to manifest himself in all the e waters of the universe and be the Lord of water. Varuna’s abode is the celestial ocean(water),his weapon is a noose. His vehicle is crocodile and his consort is Varuni.
As one of the Adityas, Varuna is a solar deity and always twinned with Mitra or Indra either as Mitra Varuna or Indra Varuna. Varuna ids referred to as the supreme head of law and order. Like the Trinity, he can create, protect and destroy. He has the power of purification.Before performing any puja; Varuna is moved in a pot of water and worshipped. That holy water is sprinkled on the puja materials and icons of Gods.Varauna is known by several names such as Aditya,Aditiputra,Ambapati,Deva Deva,Gopatri,Jaladvipa,Jaleswara,Lokapalaand Udampathi.
Scientifically also water occupies three fourths of the surface of earth. It also surrounds it as vapor. The earth has neither gained water n, nor lost it, is i.e. the total quantum of water on the earth same today as it was millions of years ago. Water only changes the form in a cyclical process. There is also a theory; the most of the earth’s water came from comets that hit the planet over billions of years. In all 975 of the earth’s water is in the oceans and only 3% is fresh water, of which also 69% is locked up in solid form as glaciers and ice caps of mountains, mainly in the Arctic circle and Antarctica. The remaining fresh water is also practically underground and hardly0.3% is flowing in rivers and collected in lakes.
One can now understand how precious and scarce is fresh water. Therefore:-
Waste Not
Want Not
WATER.
Source : BJ
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
I bet you will ponder about after reading these quotes:
1. "Some people come into our lives and quickly go, others stay for a while, leaving foot-
Prints on our hearts and we are never quite the same"
2. We make a living by what we get,
But we make a life by what we give.
3. "You've got to stand for something or you will fall for anything"
4. Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.
5. Choice not chance determines ones destiny.
6. Time... Alas... There is no way to recover lost time, but you learn to make use of what
is left once you realize what you have
7. The best way to predict the future is to create it
8. Wise women once said: “No one can help everybody, but everybody can help
somebody."
9. To be a star, you must shine your own light, follow your own path and doesn’t worry
about the darkness for that is when stars shine the brightest.
10. Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important
11. "Silent and listen are spelled with the same letters!"
12. "People say "it will take a life time" to do a certain task ... but don’t we have life
time!"
13. Having a dream that you don't pursue,
Is like buying an ice-cream cone
And watching it melt all over your hand!
14. "Faith isn't faith until it is all you have."
15. it’s hard to lose your footing when you are on your knees
16. Learn to get in touch with the
Silence within yourself and
Know that everything in this
life has a purpose,
There are no mistakes,
No coincidences,
All events are blessings
given to us to learn from.
17. "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance."
18. The music is nothing if the audience is deaf.
19. "My will shall shape my future. Whether I fail or succeed shall be no man's doing but
my own. I am the force; I can clear any obstacle before me or I can be lost in the
maze. My choice; my responsibility; win or lose, only I hold the key to my destiny."
20. "What's right isn't always popular, and what's popular isn't always right."
21. There is never a wrong time to do the right thing
22. Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional
23. "Your thoughts become your words.
Your words become your actions.
Your actions become your habits.
Your habits become your character.
Your character becomes your destiny."
24. "The past is history
The future is a mystery
and now is a gift.
That's why we call it the present."
25. "If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life. With
confidence, you have won even before you have started."
26."They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel."
27. "When we think of failure; Failure will be ours. If we remain undecided; nothing will
ever change. All we need to do is want to achieve something great and then simply
to do it. Never think of failure for what we think, will come about."
28."Where the determination is, the way can be found."
29. It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.
J.K
1. "Some people come into our lives and quickly go, others stay for a while, leaving foot-
Prints on our hearts and we are never quite the same"
2. We make a living by what we get,
But we make a life by what we give.
3. "You've got to stand for something or you will fall for anything"
4. Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.
5. Choice not chance determines ones destiny.
6. Time... Alas... There is no way to recover lost time, but you learn to make use of what
is left once you realize what you have
7. The best way to predict the future is to create it
8. Wise women once said: “No one can help everybody, but everybody can help
somebody."
9. To be a star, you must shine your own light, follow your own path and doesn’t worry
about the darkness for that is when stars shine the brightest.
10. Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important
11. "Silent and listen are spelled with the same letters!"
12. "People say "it will take a life time" to do a certain task ... but don’t we have life
time!"
13. Having a dream that you don't pursue,
Is like buying an ice-cream cone
And watching it melt all over your hand!
14. "Faith isn't faith until it is all you have."
15. it’s hard to lose your footing when you are on your knees
16. Learn to get in touch with the
Silence within yourself and
Know that everything in this
life has a purpose,
There are no mistakes,
No coincidences,
All events are blessings
given to us to learn from.
17. "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance."
18. The music is nothing if the audience is deaf.
19. "My will shall shape my future. Whether I fail or succeed shall be no man's doing but
my own. I am the force; I can clear any obstacle before me or I can be lost in the
maze. My choice; my responsibility; win or lose, only I hold the key to my destiny."
20. "What's right isn't always popular, and what's popular isn't always right."
21. There is never a wrong time to do the right thing
22. Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional
23. "Your thoughts become your words.
Your words become your actions.
Your actions become your habits.
Your habits become your character.
Your character becomes your destiny."
24. "The past is history
The future is a mystery
and now is a gift.
That's why we call it the present."
25. "If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life. With
confidence, you have won even before you have started."
26."They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel."
27. "When we think of failure; Failure will be ours. If we remain undecided; nothing will
ever change. All we need to do is want to achieve something great and then simply
to do it. Never think of failure for what we think, will come about."
28."Where the determination is, the way can be found."
29. It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.
J.K
Monday, January 21, 2008
Fifty things I have learned from life all these years (from memory hood till now! ):-
I have learned that:-
1. People are doing the best they can with what they know, and sometimes they
just don’t know.
2. The secret to living is giving not getting.
3. Anger, fear and shame can paralyze people.
4. it’s all just a State of Mind.
5. It takes courage and integrity to look at one’s self in the mirror of one’s
mind.
6. Music and Beautiful Places can rejuvenate and inspire the soul.
7. Insincerity and charm are deceitful.
8. "You can fool some people all the time and all people some time, but you can’t
Fool all people all the time."
9. It is easier to criticize than to empathize.
10. I have seen the enemy and it is “I”.
11. People do not like people who do not like them.
12. You can soothe the savage beast with kindness.
13. Rage can turn a gentle lamb into a rabid beast.
14 There is a difference between caring about what others think and fearing what
others think.
15. Of all the noble qualities of the human heart that righteousness is the most
precious.
16. People will tolerate evil and injustice until that evil has threatened or
harmed them.
17. I have learned that happiness or unhappiness is a by-product of one’s character.
18. Life isn’t suppose to be easy; it’s just suppose to be worth it.
19. It is not just what you know but what you do with what you know.
20. Self-doubt and ignorance breeds failure and that confidence and competence
breeds success.
21. Powerful people can fall; that no-one is invincible.
22. A winner never quits and a quitter never wins.
23. To keep on keeping on.
24. To err is human and that we are human.
25. Only through failure can certain lessons be learned.
26. Mercy and forgiveness are difficult but necessary.
27. Anger and hate are sisters.
28. You will never find what you’re looking for, until you know what you’re looking
for, before you go looking for it.
29. Attitude is more important than knowledge, achievement and accomplishment.
30. The squeaky wheel gets the grease but in the end it gets replaced.
31. Fools have loose lips and wise people keep their tongues bridled.
32. The following is true of many people: "What you are speaks so loudly that I
can't hear you."
33. True friendship does not come with a list of demands and expectations.
34. Freedom is not free.
35. "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he..."
36. Others reflect back to me my own attitudes and countenance.
37. You can't make others do, be, or want the things that bring peace of mind and
happiness.
38. It is wise to dis-associate one's self from those whose company or companionship
is unceasingly unpleasant or painful.
39. Those who claim to be victims are often victimizers and that victimizers often
claim to be victims.
40. Love, Righteousness, and Wisdom can break the vicious cycles of behavior people
get trapped in.
41. Pain is a great motivator.
42. No matter what painful experience or circumstance we find ourselves trying to
struggle through and survive, that this one truth is absolute: "That even in
the darkest night a candle glows."
43. Pain can cripple. It either makes us better people or bitter people.
44. Either you control your thoughts and imagination or your thoughts and
imagination will control you.
45. There are times in a person's life that when there is no human capable of
relieving the intense anguish that comes upon men at desperate times. There is
only God...
46. In order to rise above mediocrity, it is necessary to overcome one's "Self".
47. We are all the same...only the details are different.
48. Go on….Going on.
49. God is “Rest is not”
50. Wake up your promises and keep up your words.
AND HERE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE
Lesser than my Father..... but Greater, Not
so Happy but much Happier.
Yet more things are left out to learn in life and let me see if I will be able to make it up with the divine grace of God?
I have learned that:-
1. People are doing the best they can with what they know, and sometimes they
just don’t know.
2. The secret to living is giving not getting.
3. Anger, fear and shame can paralyze people.
4. it’s all just a State of Mind.
5. It takes courage and integrity to look at one’s self in the mirror of one’s
mind.
6. Music and Beautiful Places can rejuvenate and inspire the soul.
7. Insincerity and charm are deceitful.
8. "You can fool some people all the time and all people some time, but you can’t
Fool all people all the time."
9. It is easier to criticize than to empathize.
10. I have seen the enemy and it is “I”.
11. People do not like people who do not like them.
12. You can soothe the savage beast with kindness.
13. Rage can turn a gentle lamb into a rabid beast.
14 There is a difference between caring about what others think and fearing what
others think.
15. Of all the noble qualities of the human heart that righteousness is the most
precious.
16. People will tolerate evil and injustice until that evil has threatened or
harmed them.
17. I have learned that happiness or unhappiness is a by-product of one’s character.
18. Life isn’t suppose to be easy; it’s just suppose to be worth it.
19. It is not just what you know but what you do with what you know.
20. Self-doubt and ignorance breeds failure and that confidence and competence
breeds success.
21. Powerful people can fall; that no-one is invincible.
22. A winner never quits and a quitter never wins.
23. To keep on keeping on.
24. To err is human and that we are human.
25. Only through failure can certain lessons be learned.
26. Mercy and forgiveness are difficult but necessary.
27. Anger and hate are sisters.
28. You will never find what you’re looking for, until you know what you’re looking
for, before you go looking for it.
29. Attitude is more important than knowledge, achievement and accomplishment.
30. The squeaky wheel gets the grease but in the end it gets replaced.
31. Fools have loose lips and wise people keep their tongues bridled.
32. The following is true of many people: "What you are speaks so loudly that I
can't hear you."
33. True friendship does not come with a list of demands and expectations.
34. Freedom is not free.
35. "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he..."
36. Others reflect back to me my own attitudes and countenance.
37. You can't make others do, be, or want the things that bring peace of mind and
happiness.
38. It is wise to dis-associate one's self from those whose company or companionship
is unceasingly unpleasant or painful.
39. Those who claim to be victims are often victimizers and that victimizers often
claim to be victims.
40. Love, Righteousness, and Wisdom can break the vicious cycles of behavior people
get trapped in.
41. Pain is a great motivator.
42. No matter what painful experience or circumstance we find ourselves trying to
struggle through and survive, that this one truth is absolute: "That even in
the darkest night a candle glows."
43. Pain can cripple. It either makes us better people or bitter people.
44. Either you control your thoughts and imagination or your thoughts and
imagination will control you.
45. There are times in a person's life that when there is no human capable of
relieving the intense anguish that comes upon men at desperate times. There is
only God...
46. In order to rise above mediocrity, it is necessary to overcome one's "Self".
47. We are all the same...only the details are different.
48. Go on….Going on.
49. God is “Rest is not”
50. Wake up your promises and keep up your words.
AND HERE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE
Lesser than my Father..... but Greater, Not
so Happy but much Happier.
Yet more things are left out to learn in life and let me see if I will be able to make it up with the divine grace of God?
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Muladhara, the Realm of Memory.
The chakras do not awaken. They are already awakened in everyone. It only seems as if they awaken as we become aware of flowing our energy through them, because energy, willpower and awareness are one and the same thing. To become conscious of the core of energy itself, all we have to do is detach awareness from the realms of reason, memory and aggressive, intellectual will; then turning inward, we move from one chakra to another. The physical body changes as these more refined energies flow through it and the inner nerve system, called nadis, inwardly becomes stronger and stronger. The muladhara chakra is the memory center, located at the base of the spine, and is physically associated with the sacral or pelvic nerve plexus. Mula means "root" and adhara means "support," so this is called the root chakra. Its color is red. It governs the realms of time and memory, creating a consciousness of time through the powers of memory. Whenever we go back in our memory patterns, we are using the forces of the muladhara.
This chakra is associated also with human qualities of individuality, egoism, materialism and dominance. Man lives mostly in this chakra during the first seven years of life. This center has four "petals" or aspects, one of which governs memories of past lives. The other three contain the compiled memory patterns and interrelated karmas of this life. When this chakra is developed, people are able to travel on the astral plane. It is complete within itself, but when the first two chakras are charged with gross, instinctive impulses and developed through Western education, with its values and foibles which contradict Hindu dharma, they can create together a very strong odic force which, when propelled by the worldly will of the third chakra toward outer success and power, can dominate the mind and make it nearly impossible for awareness to function in the higher force centers, so great is the material magnetism. Men living fully in these lower three chakras therefore say that God is above them, not knowing that "above" is their own head and they are living "below," near the base of the spine.
You have seen many people living totally in the past--it's their only reality. They are always reminiscing: "When I was a boy, we used toÆ’ Why, I remember whenÆ’ It wasn't like this a few years agoÆ’" On and on they go, living a recollected personal history and usually unaware that they have a present to be enjoyed and a future to be created. On and on they go, giving their life force energies to the task of perpetuating the past. The muladhara forces are not negative forces. Used and governed positively by the higher centers, the powers of time, memory and sex are transmuted into the very fuel that propels awareness along the spinal climb and into the head. Similarly, the mature lotus blossom cannot in wisdom criticize the muddy roots far below which, after all, sustain its very life.
The center of man's reasoning faculties lies in the second, or hypogastric, plexus below the navel. It is termed svadhishthana, which in Sanskrit means "one's own place." Its color is reddish orange. Once the ability to remember has been established, the natural consequence is reason, and from reason evolves the intellect. Reason and intellect work through this chakra. We open naturally into this chakra between the ages of seven and thirteen, when we want to know why the sky is blue and the "whys" of everything. If very little memory exists, very little intellect is present. In other words, reason is the manipulation of memorized information. We categorize it, edit it, rearrange it and store the results. That is the essence of the limited capacity of reason. Therefore, this center controls the muladhara, and in fact, each progressively "higher" center controls all preceding centers. That is the law. In thinking, solving problems, analyzing people or situations, we are functioning in the domain of svadhishthana.
This center has six "petals" or aspects and can therefore express itself in six distinct ways: diplomacy, sensitivity, cleverness, doubt, anxiety and procrastination. These aspects or personae would seem very real to people living predominantly in this chakra. They would research, explore and wonder, "Why? Why? Why?" They would propose theories and then formulate reasonable explanations. They would form a rigid intellectual mind based on opinionated knowledge and accumulated memory, reinforced by habit patterns of the instinctive mind.
Source K.H.M
The chakras do not awaken. They are already awakened in everyone. It only seems as if they awaken as we become aware of flowing our energy through them, because energy, willpower and awareness are one and the same thing. To become conscious of the core of energy itself, all we have to do is detach awareness from the realms of reason, memory and aggressive, intellectual will; then turning inward, we move from one chakra to another. The physical body changes as these more refined energies flow through it and the inner nerve system, called nadis, inwardly becomes stronger and stronger. The muladhara chakra is the memory center, located at the base of the spine, and is physically associated with the sacral or pelvic nerve plexus. Mula means "root" and adhara means "support," so this is called the root chakra. Its color is red. It governs the realms of time and memory, creating a consciousness of time through the powers of memory. Whenever we go back in our memory patterns, we are using the forces of the muladhara.
This chakra is associated also with human qualities of individuality, egoism, materialism and dominance. Man lives mostly in this chakra during the first seven years of life. This center has four "petals" or aspects, one of which governs memories of past lives. The other three contain the compiled memory patterns and interrelated karmas of this life. When this chakra is developed, people are able to travel on the astral plane. It is complete within itself, but when the first two chakras are charged with gross, instinctive impulses and developed through Western education, with its values and foibles which contradict Hindu dharma, they can create together a very strong odic force which, when propelled by the worldly will of the third chakra toward outer success and power, can dominate the mind and make it nearly impossible for awareness to function in the higher force centers, so great is the material magnetism. Men living fully in these lower three chakras therefore say that God is above them, not knowing that "above" is their own head and they are living "below," near the base of the spine.
You have seen many people living totally in the past--it's their only reality. They are always reminiscing: "When I was a boy, we used toÆ’ Why, I remember whenÆ’ It wasn't like this a few years agoÆ’" On and on they go, living a recollected personal history and usually unaware that they have a present to be enjoyed and a future to be created. On and on they go, giving their life force energies to the task of perpetuating the past. The muladhara forces are not negative forces. Used and governed positively by the higher centers, the powers of time, memory and sex are transmuted into the very fuel that propels awareness along the spinal climb and into the head. Similarly, the mature lotus blossom cannot in wisdom criticize the muddy roots far below which, after all, sustain its very life.
The center of man's reasoning faculties lies in the second, or hypogastric, plexus below the navel. It is termed svadhishthana, which in Sanskrit means "one's own place." Its color is reddish orange. Once the ability to remember has been established, the natural consequence is reason, and from reason evolves the intellect. Reason and intellect work through this chakra. We open naturally into this chakra between the ages of seven and thirteen, when we want to know why the sky is blue and the "whys" of everything. If very little memory exists, very little intellect is present. In other words, reason is the manipulation of memorized information. We categorize it, edit it, rearrange it and store the results. That is the essence of the limited capacity of reason. Therefore, this center controls the muladhara, and in fact, each progressively "higher" center controls all preceding centers. That is the law. In thinking, solving problems, analyzing people or situations, we are functioning in the domain of svadhishthana.
This center has six "petals" or aspects and can therefore express itself in six distinct ways: diplomacy, sensitivity, cleverness, doubt, anxiety and procrastination. These aspects or personae would seem very real to people living predominantly in this chakra. They would research, explore and wonder, "Why? Why? Why?" They would propose theories and then formulate reasonable explanations. They would form a rigid intellectual mind based on opinionated knowledge and accumulated memory, reinforced by habit patterns of the instinctive mind.
Source K.H.M
The nature of Veda Text.
The holy Vedas, man's oldest scripture, dating back 6,000 to 8,000 years, are a collection of four books: the Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva. Each has four sections: hymns, rites, interpretation and philosophical instruction. Aum.
Bhashya
The oldest and core portions of the Vedas are the four Samhitas, "hymn collections." They consist of invocations to the One Divine and the divinities of nature, such as the Sun, the Rain, the Wind, the Fire and the Dawn--as well as prayers for matrimony, progeny, prosperity, concord, domestic rites, formulas for magic, and more. They are composed in beautiful metrical verses, generally of three or four lines. The heart of the entire Veda is the 10,552-verse Rig Samhita. The Sama and Yajur Samhitas, each with about 2,000 verses, are mainly liturgical selections from the Rig; whereas most of the Atharva Samhita's nearly 6,000 verses of prayers, charms and rites are unique. The Sama is arranged for melodious chanting, the Yajur for cadenced intonation. Besides its Samhita, each Veda includes one or two Brahmanas, ceremonial handbooks, and Aranyakas, ritual interpretations, plus many inestimable Upanishads, metaphysical dialogs. In all there are over 100,000 Vedic verses, and some prose, in dozens of texts. The Tirumantiram confirms, "There is no dharma other than what the Vedas say. Dharma's central core the Vedas proclaim." Aum Namah Sivaya.
Source K.H.M
The holy Vedas, man's oldest scripture, dating back 6,000 to 8,000 years, are a collection of four books: the Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva. Each has four sections: hymns, rites, interpretation and philosophical instruction. Aum.
Bhashya
The oldest and core portions of the Vedas are the four Samhitas, "hymn collections." They consist of invocations to the One Divine and the divinities of nature, such as the Sun, the Rain, the Wind, the Fire and the Dawn--as well as prayers for matrimony, progeny, prosperity, concord, domestic rites, formulas for magic, and more. They are composed in beautiful metrical verses, generally of three or four lines. The heart of the entire Veda is the 10,552-verse Rig Samhita. The Sama and Yajur Samhitas, each with about 2,000 verses, are mainly liturgical selections from the Rig; whereas most of the Atharva Samhita's nearly 6,000 verses of prayers, charms and rites are unique. The Sama is arranged for melodious chanting, the Yajur for cadenced intonation. Besides its Samhita, each Veda includes one or two Brahmanas, ceremonial handbooks, and Aranyakas, ritual interpretations, plus many inestimable Upanishads, metaphysical dialogs. In all there are over 100,000 Vedic verses, and some prose, in dozens of texts. The Tirumantiram confirms, "There is no dharma other than what the Vedas say. Dharma's central core the Vedas proclaim." Aum Namah Sivaya.
Source K.H.M
Congested Energies.
What is resentment? Resentment is pranic force, subtle energy, that is congested. What is love? Love is pranic force that is flowing and uncongested. When someone performs an injustice toward us, he is giving us a conglomerate of congested prana. If we were able to look at it in the astral world, we would see it as a confused mass of disharmonious colors and shapes. If we are unable to remain detached, we become upset and resentful. Instinctively this prana is held by us and only released when we find it in our heart to forgive the person. At the moment of true forgiveness, the congested prana is transferred back to the person who harmed or insulted us.
Now we can see that when we resent or hold something against someone, we are actually astrally connected to him and, in fact, holding back the karma that will automatically come to him as a result of his harmful act. If we forgive the offender, we release the congested energy. Then the unfailing karmic law begins to work. In other words, his actions will cause a reaction back on him, and we won't be involved in the process at all. That is why the Tirukural, a wonderful book written 2,200 years ago, tells us, "Though unjustly aggrieved, it is best to suffer the suffering and refrain from unrighteous retaliation. Let a man conquer by forbearance those who in their arrogance have wronged him" (157-8).
However, it would not be wise to accept the transgressor back in your life until true remorse is shown and resentment on his part is dissolved through apology and reconciliation. Otherwise, wisdom indicates he might just commit the same hurtful acts again. I was asked recently what we mean in sutra 270 which says monastics forgive hurts quickly and inwardly, but not outwardly until the offender reconciles. The devotee who asked the question said he has taken a lot of physical and emotional abuse, as well as verbal abuse, from his family. He had forgiven them inwardly but wanted to know what their relationship should be, now that he had reached middle age. We forgive inwardly because we know the experience is the result of our karma that we have put into motion in the past. But we hold a friendly, firm wall between ourselves and the offenders, which means a friendly distance, because we know that it is their kukarma, too, which must be reconciled with apologies and with the assurance that the offense won't happen again.
To be affectionately detached--that is a power. That is a wisdom. But detachment does not mean running away from life or being insensitive or passively accepting harm to yourself or loved ones. When we have the ability to let go, through forgiveness, we are warmer, more friendly, more wholesome, more human and closer to our family and friends.
Just the opposite happens if we remain attached by resenting what happened in the past. Take the example of a teenager who sees a promising future ahead of him, then experiences begin to happen in his life, some of which are unpleasant. If these are not resolved, negative prana begins piling up within his subconscious mind, vasanas are made, and the future begins to diminish from view. Year after year, as he grows older, the past gets bigger and bigger and bigger, and the future gets smaller and smaller and smaller. Finally, there is so much resentment that the once joyful adolescent grows into a depressed and bitter adult. Eventually he develops cancer and dies lonely and miserable.
To have a happy future with your family and friends, don't ignore difficulties that come up between you. Sit down with them and talk things over. Stand on your own two feet, head up and spine straight and bring it all out in the open. Let them know how you feel about what they said or what they did. Especially in Asia, so many things are swept under the carpet, not talked about and left to smolder and mold there. But now, in today's world, we must clean up the mess in order to go along into a happy future. The basic foundation of Sanatana Dharma is ahimsa, nonhurtfulness, physically, mentally and emotionally. We must always remember this.
Source K.H.M
What is resentment? Resentment is pranic force, subtle energy, that is congested. What is love? Love is pranic force that is flowing and uncongested. When someone performs an injustice toward us, he is giving us a conglomerate of congested prana. If we were able to look at it in the astral world, we would see it as a confused mass of disharmonious colors and shapes. If we are unable to remain detached, we become upset and resentful. Instinctively this prana is held by us and only released when we find it in our heart to forgive the person. At the moment of true forgiveness, the congested prana is transferred back to the person who harmed or insulted us.
Now we can see that when we resent or hold something against someone, we are actually astrally connected to him and, in fact, holding back the karma that will automatically come to him as a result of his harmful act. If we forgive the offender, we release the congested energy. Then the unfailing karmic law begins to work. In other words, his actions will cause a reaction back on him, and we won't be involved in the process at all. That is why the Tirukural, a wonderful book written 2,200 years ago, tells us, "Though unjustly aggrieved, it is best to suffer the suffering and refrain from unrighteous retaliation. Let a man conquer by forbearance those who in their arrogance have wronged him" (157-8).
However, it would not be wise to accept the transgressor back in your life until true remorse is shown and resentment on his part is dissolved through apology and reconciliation. Otherwise, wisdom indicates he might just commit the same hurtful acts again. I was asked recently what we mean in sutra 270 which says monastics forgive hurts quickly and inwardly, but not outwardly until the offender reconciles. The devotee who asked the question said he has taken a lot of physical and emotional abuse, as well as verbal abuse, from his family. He had forgiven them inwardly but wanted to know what their relationship should be, now that he had reached middle age. We forgive inwardly because we know the experience is the result of our karma that we have put into motion in the past. But we hold a friendly, firm wall between ourselves and the offenders, which means a friendly distance, because we know that it is their kukarma, too, which must be reconciled with apologies and with the assurance that the offense won't happen again.
To be affectionately detached--that is a power. That is a wisdom. But detachment does not mean running away from life or being insensitive or passively accepting harm to yourself or loved ones. When we have the ability to let go, through forgiveness, we are warmer, more friendly, more wholesome, more human and closer to our family and friends.
Just the opposite happens if we remain attached by resenting what happened in the past. Take the example of a teenager who sees a promising future ahead of him, then experiences begin to happen in his life, some of which are unpleasant. If these are not resolved, negative prana begins piling up within his subconscious mind, vasanas are made, and the future begins to diminish from view. Year after year, as he grows older, the past gets bigger and bigger and bigger, and the future gets smaller and smaller and smaller. Finally, there is so much resentment that the once joyful adolescent grows into a depressed and bitter adult. Eventually he develops cancer and dies lonely and miserable.
To have a happy future with your family and friends, don't ignore difficulties that come up between you. Sit down with them and talk things over. Stand on your own two feet, head up and spine straight and bring it all out in the open. Let them know how you feel about what they said or what they did. Especially in Asia, so many things are swept under the carpet, not talked about and left to smolder and mold there. But now, in today's world, we must clean up the mess in order to go along into a happy future. The basic foundation of Sanatana Dharma is ahimsa, nonhurtfulness, physically, mentally and emotionally. We must always remember this.
Source K.H.M
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Nurturing Harmony.
A woman living in the ida current goes through her emotional cycles, too. Her moods change regularly. She laughs, cries, sulks, enjoys. He has to be wise enough to allow her to have these ups and downs and neither criticize nor correct her when she does. If conditions become strained within the home, the man of the house becomes the example by feeling the power of his spine and the spiritual force of Siva within it. He finds that he remains calm and can enjoy the bliss of his own energy. He finds ways and means to create joy and happiness and make odic forces that may have gone into a heavy condition beautiful, buoyant and lovely again.
Rather than arguing or talking about their cycles, the man who is spiritual head of his house meditates to stabilize the forces within himself. He withdraws the physical energies from the pingala and the ida currents into sushumna in his spine and head. He breathes regularly, sitting motionless until the forces adjust to his inner command. When he comes out of his meditation, if it really was a meditation, she sees him as a different being, and a new atmosphere and relationship are created in the home immediately.
The children grow up as young disciples of the mother and the father. As they mature, they learn of inner things. It is the duty of the mother and the father to give to the child at a very early age his first religious training and his education in attention, concentration, observation and meditation.
The parents must be fully knowledgeable of what their child is experiencing. During the first seven years, the child will go through the chakra of memory. He will be learning, absorbing, observing. The second seven years will be dedicated to the development of reason, as the second chakra unfolds. If theirs is a boy child, he is going through the pingala. If a girl child, she is going through the ida current and will go through emotional cycles. By both spouses' respecting the differences between them and understanding where each one is flowing in consciousness, there is a give and take in the family, a beautiful flow of the forces.
The acharyas and swamis work with the family man and woman to bring them into inner states of being so that they can bring through to the Earth a generation of great inner souls. It is a well-ordered cycle. Each one plays a part in the cycle, and if it is done through wisdom and understanding, a family home is created that has the same vibration as the temple or a contemplative monastery.
In summary, woman is in the ida current predominantly and does not think or flow through the same areas of thought strata as the man does. If he expects her to think the same way that he is thinking, he is mistaken. Once they have a balance of the forces in the home, she is not going to be analytical. She will be in thought, of course, but she will not indulge in his ramified thinking. She is naturally too wise for this. If he wants to have discussions with her or use her as a sounding board, he is inadvisedly guiding her into the pingala current. And if she is going through one of her emotional cycles at the time, she will become upset with him for apparently no reason at all. He has to realize that her intuition is keen, and that she will have from time to time profound intuitive flashes. She might explain to him spontaneously the answer to something he has been thinking about for days, without his having verbally expressed to her what was on his mind. This happens quite often in the positive, harmonious home.
Source K.H.M
A woman living in the ida current goes through her emotional cycles, too. Her moods change regularly. She laughs, cries, sulks, enjoys. He has to be wise enough to allow her to have these ups and downs and neither criticize nor correct her when she does. If conditions become strained within the home, the man of the house becomes the example by feeling the power of his spine and the spiritual force of Siva within it. He finds that he remains calm and can enjoy the bliss of his own energy. He finds ways and means to create joy and happiness and make odic forces that may have gone into a heavy condition beautiful, buoyant and lovely again.
Rather than arguing or talking about their cycles, the man who is spiritual head of his house meditates to stabilize the forces within himself. He withdraws the physical energies from the pingala and the ida currents into sushumna in his spine and head. He breathes regularly, sitting motionless until the forces adjust to his inner command. When he comes out of his meditation, if it really was a meditation, she sees him as a different being, and a new atmosphere and relationship are created in the home immediately.
The children grow up as young disciples of the mother and the father. As they mature, they learn of inner things. It is the duty of the mother and the father to give to the child at a very early age his first religious training and his education in attention, concentration, observation and meditation.
The parents must be fully knowledgeable of what their child is experiencing. During the first seven years, the child will go through the chakra of memory. He will be learning, absorbing, observing. The second seven years will be dedicated to the development of reason, as the second chakra unfolds. If theirs is a boy child, he is going through the pingala. If a girl child, she is going through the ida current and will go through emotional cycles. By both spouses' respecting the differences between them and understanding where each one is flowing in consciousness, there is a give and take in the family, a beautiful flow of the forces.
The acharyas and swamis work with the family man and woman to bring them into inner states of being so that they can bring through to the Earth a generation of great inner souls. It is a well-ordered cycle. Each one plays a part in the cycle, and if it is done through wisdom and understanding, a family home is created that has the same vibration as the temple or a contemplative monastery.
In summary, woman is in the ida current predominantly and does not think or flow through the same areas of thought strata as the man does. If he expects her to think the same way that he is thinking, he is mistaken. Once they have a balance of the forces in the home, she is not going to be analytical. She will be in thought, of course, but she will not indulge in his ramified thinking. She is naturally too wise for this. If he wants to have discussions with her or use her as a sounding board, he is inadvisedly guiding her into the pingala current. And if she is going through one of her emotional cycles at the time, she will become upset with him for apparently no reason at all. He has to realize that her intuition is keen, and that she will have from time to time profound intuitive flashes. She might explain to him spontaneously the answer to something he has been thinking about for days, without his having verbally expressed to her what was on his mind. This happens quite often in the positive, harmonious home.
Source K.H.M
Mutual Appreciation
Tremendous confusion can exist within the family if the man and the woman think that they are the same and are flowing through the same areas of the external mind. The only area that they should flow through together is the sushumna, the spiritual. And when they are both intently in the intuitive mind, they will unravel deep and profound things together. She is in the home, making things nice for him. When he returns from his mental involvements in the world, it is up to him to get out of the intellectual mind and into the spiritual currents of his superconsciousness in order to communicate with her at all, other than on a subconscious, physical or materialistic level.
For harmony to prevail between a man and a woman, he has to live fully within his own nature, and she has to live fully within her own nature. Each is king and queen of their respective realms. If each respects the uniqueness of the other, then a harmonious condition in the home exists.
A good rule to remember: the man does not discuss his intellectual business problems with his wife, and she does not work outside the home. He solves his problems within himself or discusses them with other men. When he has a problem, he should go to an expert to solve it, not bring it home to talk over. If he does, the forces in the home become congested. The children yell and scream and cry. A contemplative home where the family can meditate has to have that uplifting, temple-like vibration. In just approaching it, the sushumna current of the man should withdraw awareness from the pingala current deep within. That is what the man can do when he is the spiritual head of the home.
A woman depends on a man for physical and emotional security. She depends on herself for her inner security. He is the guide and the example. A man creates this security by setting a positive spiritual example. When she sees him in meditation, and sees light around his head and light within his spine, she feels secure. She knows that his intuition is going to direct his intellect. She knows he will be decisive, fair, clear-minded in the external world. She knows that when he is at home, he turns to inner and more spiritual things. He controls his emotional nature and he does not scold her if she has a hard time controlling her emotional nature, because he realizes that she lives more in the ida force and goes through emotional cycles. In the same way, she does not scold him if he is having a terrible time intellectually solving several business problems, because she knows he is in the intellectual force, and that is what happens in that realm of the mind. She devotes her thought and energies to making the home comfortable and pleasant for him and for the children. He devotes his thought and energies to providing sustenance and security for that home.
The man seeks understanding through observation. The woman seeks harmony through devotion. He must observe what is going on within the home, not talk too much about it, other than to make small suggestions, with much praise and virtually no criticism. He must remember that his wife is making a home for him, and he should appreciate the vibration she creates. If he is doing well in his inner life, is steady and strong, and she is devoted, she will flow along in inner life happily also. She must strive to be one with him, to back him up in his desires and his ambitions and what he wants to accomplish in the outside world. This makes him feel strong and stand straight with head up. She can create a successful man of her husband very easily by using her wonderful intuitive powers. Together they make a contemplative life by building the home into a temple-like vibration, so blissful, so uplifting.
Source K.H.M
Tremendous confusion can exist within the family if the man and the woman think that they are the same and are flowing through the same areas of the external mind. The only area that they should flow through together is the sushumna, the spiritual. And when they are both intently in the intuitive mind, they will unravel deep and profound things together. She is in the home, making things nice for him. When he returns from his mental involvements in the world, it is up to him to get out of the intellectual mind and into the spiritual currents of his superconsciousness in order to communicate with her at all, other than on a subconscious, physical or materialistic level.
For harmony to prevail between a man and a woman, he has to live fully within his own nature, and she has to live fully within her own nature. Each is king and queen of their respective realms. If each respects the uniqueness of the other, then a harmonious condition in the home exists.
A good rule to remember: the man does not discuss his intellectual business problems with his wife, and she does not work outside the home. He solves his problems within himself or discusses them with other men. When he has a problem, he should go to an expert to solve it, not bring it home to talk over. If he does, the forces in the home become congested. The children yell and scream and cry. A contemplative home where the family can meditate has to have that uplifting, temple-like vibration. In just approaching it, the sushumna current of the man should withdraw awareness from the pingala current deep within. That is what the man can do when he is the spiritual head of the home.
A woman depends on a man for physical and emotional security. She depends on herself for her inner security. He is the guide and the example. A man creates this security by setting a positive spiritual example. When she sees him in meditation, and sees light around his head and light within his spine, she feels secure. She knows that his intuition is going to direct his intellect. She knows he will be decisive, fair, clear-minded in the external world. She knows that when he is at home, he turns to inner and more spiritual things. He controls his emotional nature and he does not scold her if she has a hard time controlling her emotional nature, because he realizes that she lives more in the ida force and goes through emotional cycles. In the same way, she does not scold him if he is having a terrible time intellectually solving several business problems, because she knows he is in the intellectual force, and that is what happens in that realm of the mind. She devotes her thought and energies to making the home comfortable and pleasant for him and for the children. He devotes his thought and energies to providing sustenance and security for that home.
The man seeks understanding through observation. The woman seeks harmony through devotion. He must observe what is going on within the home, not talk too much about it, other than to make small suggestions, with much praise and virtually no criticism. He must remember that his wife is making a home for him, and he should appreciate the vibration she creates. If he is doing well in his inner life, is steady and strong, and she is devoted, she will flow along in inner life happily also. She must strive to be one with him, to back him up in his desires and his ambitions and what he wants to accomplish in the outside world. This makes him feel strong and stand straight with head up. She can create a successful man of her husband very easily by using her wonderful intuitive powers. Together they make a contemplative life by building the home into a temple-like vibration, so blissful, so uplifting.
Source K.H.M
Ahimsa in Business.
I was once asked for my insights on applying ahimsa in the business world. Ahimsa in business is taught in a reverse way on American television: Titans, The West Wing, Dynasty, Falcon Crest, Dallas, LA Law--popular shows of our time. Their scriptwriters promoted himsa, injuriousness, in business--"Save the Falcon Crest farm at any cost, save South Fork, save the corporation." Now the national news media reports attempts to save Microsoft, save the tobacco industry, save the hand gun manufacturers. The fight is on, and real-life court battles have taken the place of TV sitcoms which have long since been off the air. In both the TV and the real-life conflicts, whatever you do to your competitor is OK because it's only business. The plots weave in and out, with one scene of mental and emotional cruelty after another.
The Hindu business ethic is very clear. As the weaver Tiruvalluvar said, "Those businessmen will prosper whose business protects as their own the interests of others" (Tirukural 120). We should compete by having a better product and better methodologies of promoting and selling it, not by destroying our competitor's product and reputation. Character assassination is not part of ahimsa. It reaps bad benefits to the accusers. That is practiced by many today, even by Hindus who are off track in their perceptions of ahimsa. Hindus worldwide must know that American television is not the way business should be practiced. As some people teach you what you should do and other people teach you what you should not do, the popular television programs mentioned above clearly teach us what we should not do. The principles of ahimsa and other ethical teachings of Hinduism show us a better way.
Many corporations today are large, in fact larger than many small countries. Their management is like the deceptive, deceitful, arrogant, domineering king, or like the benevolent religious monarch, depending on whether there are people of lower consciousness or higher consciousness in charge. Cities, districts, provinces, counties, states and central governments all have many laws for ethical business practices, and none of those laws permit unfair trade, product assassination or inter-business competitive fights to the death. Each business is dharmically bound to serve the community, not take from the community like a vulture. When the stewardships of large corporations follow the law of the land and the principles of ahimsa, they put their energies into developing better products and better community service. When the leadership has a mind for corporate espionage, its energies are diverted, the products suffer and so does customer relations. The immediate profits in the short term might be gratifying, but in the long run, profits gained from wrong-doings are generally spent on wrong-doings.
Ahimsa always has the same consequences. And we know these benefits well. Himsa always has the same consequences, too. It develops enemies, creates unseemly karmas which will surely return and affect the destiny of the future of the business enterprise. The perfect timing needed for success is defeated by inner reactions to the wrong-doings. A business enterprise which bases its strategies on hurtfulness cannot in good judgment hire employees who are in higher consciousness, lest they object to these tactics. Therefore, they attract employees who are of the same caliber as themselves, and they all practice himsa among one another. Trickery, deceitfulness and deception are of the lower nature, products of the methodology of performing himsa, hurtfulness, mentally and emotionally. The profits derived from himsa policies are short-term and ill-spent. The profits derived from ahimsa policies are long-term and well spent.
Source K.H.M
I was once asked for my insights on applying ahimsa in the business world. Ahimsa in business is taught in a reverse way on American television: Titans, The West Wing, Dynasty, Falcon Crest, Dallas, LA Law--popular shows of our time. Their scriptwriters promoted himsa, injuriousness, in business--"Save the Falcon Crest farm at any cost, save South Fork, save the corporation." Now the national news media reports attempts to save Microsoft, save the tobacco industry, save the hand gun manufacturers. The fight is on, and real-life court battles have taken the place of TV sitcoms which have long since been off the air. In both the TV and the real-life conflicts, whatever you do to your competitor is OK because it's only business. The plots weave in and out, with one scene of mental and emotional cruelty after another.
The Hindu business ethic is very clear. As the weaver Tiruvalluvar said, "Those businessmen will prosper whose business protects as their own the interests of others" (Tirukural 120). We should compete by having a better product and better methodologies of promoting and selling it, not by destroying our competitor's product and reputation. Character assassination is not part of ahimsa. It reaps bad benefits to the accusers. That is practiced by many today, even by Hindus who are off track in their perceptions of ahimsa. Hindus worldwide must know that American television is not the way business should be practiced. As some people teach you what you should do and other people teach you what you should not do, the popular television programs mentioned above clearly teach us what we should not do. The principles of ahimsa and other ethical teachings of Hinduism show us a better way.
Many corporations today are large, in fact larger than many small countries. Their management is like the deceptive, deceitful, arrogant, domineering king, or like the benevolent religious monarch, depending on whether there are people of lower consciousness or higher consciousness in charge. Cities, districts, provinces, counties, states and central governments all have many laws for ethical business practices, and none of those laws permit unfair trade, product assassination or inter-business competitive fights to the death. Each business is dharmically bound to serve the community, not take from the community like a vulture. When the stewardships of large corporations follow the law of the land and the principles of ahimsa, they put their energies into developing better products and better community service. When the leadership has a mind for corporate espionage, its energies are diverted, the products suffer and so does customer relations. The immediate profits in the short term might be gratifying, but in the long run, profits gained from wrong-doings are generally spent on wrong-doings.
Ahimsa always has the same consequences. And we know these benefits well. Himsa always has the same consequences, too. It develops enemies, creates unseemly karmas which will surely return and affect the destiny of the future of the business enterprise. The perfect timing needed for success is defeated by inner reactions to the wrong-doings. A business enterprise which bases its strategies on hurtfulness cannot in good judgment hire employees who are in higher consciousness, lest they object to these tactics. Therefore, they attract employees who are of the same caliber as themselves, and they all practice himsa among one another. Trickery, deceitfulness and deception are of the lower nature, products of the methodology of performing himsa, hurtfulness, mentally and emotionally. The profits derived from himsa policies are short-term and ill-spent. The profits derived from ahimsa policies are long-term and well spent.
Source K.H.M
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
The Role of Wife and Mother.
When the wife has problems in fulfilling her womanly duties, stri dharma, it is often because the husband has not upheld his duty nor allowed her to fulfill hers. When he does not allow her to, or fails to insist that she perform her stri dharma and give her the space and time to do so, she creates kukarmas which are equally shared by him. This is because the purusha karmic duty and obligation of running a proper home naturally falls upon him, as well as upon her. So, there are great penalties to be paid by the man, husband and father for failure to uphold his purusha dharma.
Of course, when the children "go wrong" and are corrected by the society at large, both husband and wife suffer and equally share in the kukarmas created by their offspring. In summary, the husband took the wife into his home and is therefore responsible for her well-being. Together they bring the children into their home and are responsible for them spiritually, socially, culturally, economically, as well as for their education.
What does it mean to be the spiritual head of the house? He is responsible for stabilizing the pranic forces, both positive, negative and mixed. When the magnetic, materialistic forces become too strong in the home, or out of proper balance with the others, he has to work within himself in early morning sadhana and deep meditation to bring through the spiritual forces of happiness, contentment, love and trust. By going deep within himself, into his soul nature, by living with Siva, he uplifts the spiritual awareness of the entire family into one of the higher chakras. How does he accomplish this? Simply by moving his own awareness into a chakra higher than theirs. The awareness of his family follows his living example.
The family woman has to be a good mother. To achieve this, she has to learn to flow her awareness with the awareness of the children. She has been through the same series of experiences the children are going through. She intuits what to do next. As a mother, she fails only if she neglects the children, takes her awareness completely away, leaving the children to flounder. But if she stays close, attends to each child's needs, is there when he or she cries or comes home from school, everything is fine. The child is raised perfectly. This occurs if the wife stays in the home, stabilizing the domestic force field, where she is needed most, allowing the husband to be the breadwinner and stabilizer of the external force field, which is his natural domain.
Source K.H.M
When the wife has problems in fulfilling her womanly duties, stri dharma, it is often because the husband has not upheld his duty nor allowed her to fulfill hers. When he does not allow her to, or fails to insist that she perform her stri dharma and give her the space and time to do so, she creates kukarmas which are equally shared by him. This is because the purusha karmic duty and obligation of running a proper home naturally falls upon him, as well as upon her. So, there are great penalties to be paid by the man, husband and father for failure to uphold his purusha dharma.
Of course, when the children "go wrong" and are corrected by the society at large, both husband and wife suffer and equally share in the kukarmas created by their offspring. In summary, the husband took the wife into his home and is therefore responsible for her well-being. Together they bring the children into their home and are responsible for them spiritually, socially, culturally, economically, as well as for their education.
What does it mean to be the spiritual head of the house? He is responsible for stabilizing the pranic forces, both positive, negative and mixed. When the magnetic, materialistic forces become too strong in the home, or out of proper balance with the others, he has to work within himself in early morning sadhana and deep meditation to bring through the spiritual forces of happiness, contentment, love and trust. By going deep within himself, into his soul nature, by living with Siva, he uplifts the spiritual awareness of the entire family into one of the higher chakras. How does he accomplish this? Simply by moving his own awareness into a chakra higher than theirs. The awareness of his family follows his living example.
The family woman has to be a good mother. To achieve this, she has to learn to flow her awareness with the awareness of the children. She has been through the same series of experiences the children are going through. She intuits what to do next. As a mother, she fails only if she neglects the children, takes her awareness completely away, leaving the children to flounder. But if she stays close, attends to each child's needs, is there when he or she cries or comes home from school, everything is fine. The child is raised perfectly. This occurs if the wife stays in the home, stabilizing the domestic force field, where she is needed most, allowing the husband to be the breadwinner and stabilizer of the external force field, which is his natural domain.
Source K.H.M
What Is a Saint, a Sage and a Satguru?
Saints, devoid of ego, reflect the peace, humility and purity of a devout life. Sages, though perfectly liberated, may outwardly appear detached and ordinary. Satgurus, also fully enlightened, guide others on the path. Aum.
The saints, or sants, of Hinduism are honored as exemplars of our faith. Often living the householder dharma, they teach us how to act and how to serve the Gods. The purity of the saint's heart is evident in his or her words and deportment. There are others in our religion who are inwardly pure and awakened, but who do not outwardly display their attainment. These are known as sages and often live as secluded munis or wander as homeless mendicants, remaining aloof from the world. Satgurus are the masterful guides and mystical awakeners who bring us into the fullness of spiritual life. They are initiated swamis of recognized spiritual lineages. Sages and satgurus are the most honored among holy men, beings of the highest attainment. Both are unmarried renunciates. Sages are generally nirvanis, reposing within their realization; satgurus are upadeshis, actively guiding others to Truth. The Vedas offer this praise, "We celebrate with dedicated acts the greatness of the illustrious supermen amidst enlightened persons, who are pure, most wise, thought-inspirers, and who enjoy both kinds of our oblations--physical and spiritual." Aum Namah Sivaya.
Source K.H.M
Saints, devoid of ego, reflect the peace, humility and purity of a devout life. Sages, though perfectly liberated, may outwardly appear detached and ordinary. Satgurus, also fully enlightened, guide others on the path. Aum.
The saints, or sants, of Hinduism are honored as exemplars of our faith. Often living the householder dharma, they teach us how to act and how to serve the Gods. The purity of the saint's heart is evident in his or her words and deportment. There are others in our religion who are inwardly pure and awakened, but who do not outwardly display their attainment. These are known as sages and often live as secluded munis or wander as homeless mendicants, remaining aloof from the world. Satgurus are the masterful guides and mystical awakeners who bring us into the fullness of spiritual life. They are initiated swamis of recognized spiritual lineages. Sages and satgurus are the most honored among holy men, beings of the highest attainment. Both are unmarried renunciates. Sages are generally nirvanis, reposing within their realization; satgurus are upadeshis, actively guiding others to Truth. The Vedas offer this praise, "We celebrate with dedicated acts the greatness of the illustrious supermen amidst enlightened persons, who are pure, most wise, thought-inspirers, and who enjoy both kinds of our oblations--physical and spiritual." Aum Namah Sivaya.
Source K.H.M
DO NOT INDULGE INTO UNRIGHTEOUS ACTS.
In every country there is the army, the navy, air force, police, the protectors of the country, the collective force of citizens that keep a country a country. This is dharma. In protection of family and nation, in armies and police forces which give security, it is indeed dharmic for kshatriyas to do their lawful duty, to use necessary force, even lethal force. But for this collective force of protectors, of peacemakers, of peacekeepers--which includes the law courts and the central administrative authorities who oversee the courts, the armies, the navies, the air force--would the priests be able to function? Would the businessmen be able to acquire and sell their goods? Would the farmers be able to plant their crops and harvest them? Could the children play fearlessly in the streets and countryside? No. The answer is obvious.
Those who take law into their own hands in the name of dharma, citing their case upon the Mahabharata, are none but the lawbreakers, anarchists, the arsonists, the terrorists. The Mahabharata gives no permission for anarchy. The Mahabharata gives no permission for terrorism. The Mahabharata gives no permission for looting and diluting the morals of society through prostitution, running drugs and the selling and buying of illegal arms. The Pandavas, the heroes of this ancient epic, were not rabble rousers. They were not inciting riots. Nor were they participating in extortion to run their war. Nor were they participating in the sale of drugs to finance their war. Nor were they participating in prostitution to win their war. Nor were they participating in enlisting women to help them fight their war. Nor were they having children learn to snare their victims.
Yes, dharma does extend to protecting one's country. But does it extend to taking a country from another, or to stealing lands? Were the Pandavas trying to do this? No, of course not. They were only protecting the status quo to remain sovereign over their kingdom. Let us not presume to take the Mahabharata and Ramayana as permission to do whatever one wants to do, for any cause whatsoever. Simply because it is said in certain Hindu texts that Krishna lied, stole some butter and dallied with the maidens does not give permission to the ordinary person to lie anytime he wants to, steal anytime he wants to or be promiscuous anytime he wants to and perhaps make all this a way of life. This definitely is not dharma. It is lawlessness, blatant lawlessness. In the modern age, to create a nation or even a business enterprise upon the death of another, upon lands confiscated, stolen, illegally acquired, usurped from another's realm, is definitely not Hindu dharma, and this is not Mahabharata.
Source K.H.M
In every country there is the army, the navy, air force, police, the protectors of the country, the collective force of citizens that keep a country a country. This is dharma. In protection of family and nation, in armies and police forces which give security, it is indeed dharmic for kshatriyas to do their lawful duty, to use necessary force, even lethal force. But for this collective force of protectors, of peacemakers, of peacekeepers--which includes the law courts and the central administrative authorities who oversee the courts, the armies, the navies, the air force--would the priests be able to function? Would the businessmen be able to acquire and sell their goods? Would the farmers be able to plant their crops and harvest them? Could the children play fearlessly in the streets and countryside? No. The answer is obvious.
Those who take law into their own hands in the name of dharma, citing their case upon the Mahabharata, are none but the lawbreakers, anarchists, the arsonists, the terrorists. The Mahabharata gives no permission for anarchy. The Mahabharata gives no permission for terrorism. The Mahabharata gives no permission for looting and diluting the morals of society through prostitution, running drugs and the selling and buying of illegal arms. The Pandavas, the heroes of this ancient epic, were not rabble rousers. They were not inciting riots. Nor were they participating in extortion to run their war. Nor were they participating in the sale of drugs to finance their war. Nor were they participating in prostitution to win their war. Nor were they participating in enlisting women to help them fight their war. Nor were they having children learn to snare their victims.
Yes, dharma does extend to protecting one's country. But does it extend to taking a country from another, or to stealing lands? Were the Pandavas trying to do this? No, of course not. They were only protecting the status quo to remain sovereign over their kingdom. Let us not presume to take the Mahabharata and Ramayana as permission to do whatever one wants to do, for any cause whatsoever. Simply because it is said in certain Hindu texts that Krishna lied, stole some butter and dallied with the maidens does not give permission to the ordinary person to lie anytime he wants to, steal anytime he wants to or be promiscuous anytime he wants to and perhaps make all this a way of life. This definitely is not dharma. It is lawlessness, blatant lawlessness. In the modern age, to create a nation or even a business enterprise upon the death of another, upon lands confiscated, stolen, illegally acquired, usurped from another's realm, is definitely not Hindu dharma, and this is not Mahabharata.
Source K.H.M
Sunday, January 13, 2008
For Spiritual Leadership-You need a Spiritual Master undoubtedly.
Who is the spiritual leader of the house? The man or the woman? Dancing with Siva states: "The husband is, first, an equal participant in the procreation and upbringing of the future generation. Second, he is the generator of economic resources necessary for society and the immediate family. The husband must be caring, understanding, masculine, loving, affectionate, and an unselfish provider, to the best of his ability and through honest means. He is well equipped physically and mentally for the stress and demands placed upon him. When he performs his dharma well, the family is materially and emotionally secure. Still, he is not restricted from participation in household chores, remembering that the home is the wife's domain and she is its mistress."
If this happens, everything works out naturally in the home in a very harmonious way. If this does not occur, then the pranic forces do not flow as well for the family. Why? Because the stabilizing influence of the pranas, under control and well balanced, has not come to pass. As a result, there can be no effective invoking of God, Gods and guru. Arguments, rude and harsh words fly back and forth, children are maltreated, and backbiting of the husband, relatives, friends and neighbors is not uncommon. Adultery with prostitutes or casual pickups tempt, distract and burden the husband with guilt, especially during his wife's monthly retreat and during pregnancy. The life of a family going through such karmas is chaos. The children, who modern psychiatrists and ancient seers say are guided by the example of their parents, are thrown overboard, as from a ship they safely boarded with full confidence. Reality points out that there are no, never have been, nor ever will be, delinquent children. Delinquent parents are the culprits--"the parents are what is wrong with society; children are only guilty of being guided by their example."
The wise men of ancient times understood how the pranic life forces flow within man and woman. They knew that the family man's being in the sushumna current stabilizes the forces of the home. If he is meditating and going within himself, his wife will not have to meditate as much. She and the children will go within to their Divinity automatically on the power of his meditation. If he radiates peace, Divinity and confidence, they will too, without trying, without even being conscious of it.
One thing to remember: the family man is the guru of his household. If he wants to find out how to be a good guru, he just has to observe his own satguru, that is all he has to do. He will learn through observation. Often this is best accomplished by living in the guru's ashram periodically to perform sadhana and service. Being head of his home does not mean he is a dominant authority figure, arrogantly commanding unconditional obedience, such as Bollywood and Hollywood portrays. No. He must assume full responsibility for his family and guide subtly and wisely, with love always flowing. This means that he must accept the responsibility for the conditions in the home and for the spiritual training and unfoldment of his wife and children. This is his purusha dharma. To not recognize and follow it is to create much kukarma, bad actions bringing back hurtful results to him in this or another life.
Source K.H.M
Who is the spiritual leader of the house? The man or the woman? Dancing with Siva states: "The husband is, first, an equal participant in the procreation and upbringing of the future generation. Second, he is the generator of economic resources necessary for society and the immediate family. The husband must be caring, understanding, masculine, loving, affectionate, and an unselfish provider, to the best of his ability and through honest means. He is well equipped physically and mentally for the stress and demands placed upon him. When he performs his dharma well, the family is materially and emotionally secure. Still, he is not restricted from participation in household chores, remembering that the home is the wife's domain and she is its mistress."
If this happens, everything works out naturally in the home in a very harmonious way. If this does not occur, then the pranic forces do not flow as well for the family. Why? Because the stabilizing influence of the pranas, under control and well balanced, has not come to pass. As a result, there can be no effective invoking of God, Gods and guru. Arguments, rude and harsh words fly back and forth, children are maltreated, and backbiting of the husband, relatives, friends and neighbors is not uncommon. Adultery with prostitutes or casual pickups tempt, distract and burden the husband with guilt, especially during his wife's monthly retreat and during pregnancy. The life of a family going through such karmas is chaos. The children, who modern psychiatrists and ancient seers say are guided by the example of their parents, are thrown overboard, as from a ship they safely boarded with full confidence. Reality points out that there are no, never have been, nor ever will be, delinquent children. Delinquent parents are the culprits--"the parents are what is wrong with society; children are only guilty of being guided by their example."
The wise men of ancient times understood how the pranic life forces flow within man and woman. They knew that the family man's being in the sushumna current stabilizes the forces of the home. If he is meditating and going within himself, his wife will not have to meditate as much. She and the children will go within to their Divinity automatically on the power of his meditation. If he radiates peace, Divinity and confidence, they will too, without trying, without even being conscious of it.
One thing to remember: the family man is the guru of his household. If he wants to find out how to be a good guru, he just has to observe his own satguru, that is all he has to do. He will learn through observation. Often this is best accomplished by living in the guru's ashram periodically to perform sadhana and service. Being head of his home does not mean he is a dominant authority figure, arrogantly commanding unconditional obedience, such as Bollywood and Hollywood portrays. No. He must assume full responsibility for his family and guide subtly and wisely, with love always flowing. This means that he must accept the responsibility for the conditions in the home and for the spiritual training and unfoldment of his wife and children. This is his purusha dharma. To not recognize and follow it is to create much kukarma, bad actions bringing back hurtful results to him in this or another life.
Source K.H.M
Friday, January 11, 2008
Total Vegetarianism is A Must.
The Urgency of Vegetarianism
Nonviolence should be clearly defined to include not
only killing, but also causing injury physically,
mentally or emotionally--even in the most subtle ways.
We can injure ourselves, we can injure our
environment, we can injure nature's other creatures
and thus be a source of pain and sorrow. Or we can
live a harmless life and be a source of healing and
joy. My satguru instructed, "Do good to all. God is
there within you. Don't kill. Don't harbor anger."
Vegetarianism is a natural and obvious way to live
with a minimum of hurt to other beings. Hindu
scripture speaks clearly and forcefully on
vegetarianism. The Yajur Veda (36.18. ve, p. 342)
calls for kindliness toward all creatures living on
the Earth, in the air and in the water. The beautiful
Tirukural, a widely-read 2,200-year-old masterpiece of
ethics, speaks of conscience: "When a man realizes
that meat is the butchered flesh of another creature,
he will abstain from eating it" (257). The Manu
Samhita advises: "Having well considered the origin of
flesh and the cruelty of fettering and slaying
corporeal beings, let one entirely abstain from eating
flesh," and "When the diet is pure, the mind and heart
are pure." In the yoga-infused verses of the
Tirumantiram warning is given of how meat-eating holds
the mind in gross, adharmic states: "The ignoble ones
who eat flesh, death's agents bind them fast and push
them quick into the fiery jaws of the lower worlds"
(199).
Vegetarianism is very important. In my fifty years of
ministry, it has become quite evident that vegetarian
families have far fewer problems than those who are
not vegetarian. The abhorrence of killing of any kind
leads quite naturally to a vegetarian diet. If you
think about it, the meat-eater is participating
indirectly in a violent act against the animal
kingdom. His desire for meat drives another man to
kill and provide that meat. The act of the butcher
begins with the desire of the consumer. When his
consciousness lifts and expands, he will abhor
violence and not be able to even digest the meat, fish
and eggs he was formerly consuming. India's greatest
saints have confirmed that one cannot eat meat and
live a peaceful, harmonious life. Man's appetite for
meat inflicts devastating harm on the Earth itself,
stripping its precious forests to make way for
pastures. The opposite of causing injury to others is
compassion and love for all beings. The Tirukural
(251) puts it nicely: "How can he practice true
compassion who eats the flesh of an animal to fatten
his own flesh?"
If children are raised as vegetarians, every day they
are exposed to noninjury as a principle of peace and
compassion. Every day they are growing up, they are
remembering and being reminded to not kill. They won't
even kill another creature to feed themselves. And if
you won't kill another creature to feed yourself, then
when you grow up you will be much less likely to
injure people.
There are other ways that we as individuals or
institutions can responsibly promote nonviolence. Make
a list of all the things you have purchased in the
last six months that bring harm to humans, animals,
fish, fowl and other sentient beings. Read the labels
on simple things like glue or soap and scratch off the
list all the things that contribute to violent acts or
aid in the destruction of the planet. Then find the
willpower to not, for convenience sake, fall back into
purchasing these things again.
Source K.H.M
The Urgency of Vegetarianism
Nonviolence should be clearly defined to include not
only killing, but also causing injury physically,
mentally or emotionally--even in the most subtle ways.
We can injure ourselves, we can injure our
environment, we can injure nature's other creatures
and thus be a source of pain and sorrow. Or we can
live a harmless life and be a source of healing and
joy. My satguru instructed, "Do good to all. God is
there within you. Don't kill. Don't harbor anger."
Vegetarianism is a natural and obvious way to live
with a minimum of hurt to other beings. Hindu
scripture speaks clearly and forcefully on
vegetarianism. The Yajur Veda (36.18. ve, p. 342)
calls for kindliness toward all creatures living on
the Earth, in the air and in the water. The beautiful
Tirukural, a widely-read 2,200-year-old masterpiece of
ethics, speaks of conscience: "When a man realizes
that meat is the butchered flesh of another creature,
he will abstain from eating it" (257). The Manu
Samhita advises: "Having well considered the origin of
flesh and the cruelty of fettering and slaying
corporeal beings, let one entirely abstain from eating
flesh," and "When the diet is pure, the mind and heart
are pure." In the yoga-infused verses of the
Tirumantiram warning is given of how meat-eating holds
the mind in gross, adharmic states: "The ignoble ones
who eat flesh, death's agents bind them fast and push
them quick into the fiery jaws of the lower worlds"
(199).
Vegetarianism is very important. In my fifty years of
ministry, it has become quite evident that vegetarian
families have far fewer problems than those who are
not vegetarian. The abhorrence of killing of any kind
leads quite naturally to a vegetarian diet. If you
think about it, the meat-eater is participating
indirectly in a violent act against the animal
kingdom. His desire for meat drives another man to
kill and provide that meat. The act of the butcher
begins with the desire of the consumer. When his
consciousness lifts and expands, he will abhor
violence and not be able to even digest the meat, fish
and eggs he was formerly consuming. India's greatest
saints have confirmed that one cannot eat meat and
live a peaceful, harmonious life. Man's appetite for
meat inflicts devastating harm on the Earth itself,
stripping its precious forests to make way for
pastures. The opposite of causing injury to others is
compassion and love for all beings. The Tirukural
(251) puts it nicely: "How can he practice true
compassion who eats the flesh of an animal to fatten
his own flesh?"
If children are raised as vegetarians, every day they
are exposed to noninjury as a principle of peace and
compassion. Every day they are growing up, they are
remembering and being reminded to not kill. They won't
even kill another creature to feed themselves. And if
you won't kill another creature to feed yourself, then
when you grow up you will be much less likely to
injure people.
There are other ways that we as individuals or
institutions can responsibly promote nonviolence. Make
a list of all the things you have purchased in the
last six months that bring harm to humans, animals,
fish, fowl and other sentient beings. Read the labels
on simple things like glue or soap and scratch off the
list all the things that contribute to violent acts or
aid in the destruction of the planet. Then find the
willpower to not, for convenience sake, fall back into
purchasing these things again.
Source K.H.M
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Parting shot
Meaning
A final remark, usually cutting or derogatory, made just before departing.
Origin
A 'parting shot' is now a metaphorical term but it clearly alludes to the shooting of weapons. The first such literal reference that I've come across is in the writings of John McLeod, who was surgeon of His Majesty's Ship Alceste. McLeod includes this comment in A Narrative of a Voyage to The Yellow Sea, 1818:
The consort, firing a parting shot, bore up round the north end of the island, and escaped.
The figurative use of the phrase comes not much later, in the records of the Religious Society of Friends (The Quakers) - The Friend or, Advocate of Truth, 1828:
I think it would be much more becoming..., if you could separate without giving each other a parting shot. If you could but use this short sentence, "we cannot agree and therefore we separate."
That derivation of 'parting shot' appears to be very simple and straightforward. Not so fast; enter the Parthians and their 'Parthian shots'. The Partians were an ancient race who lived in north-east Persia. They were renowned archers and horsemen and were known for their practice of confusing the enemy by pretending to flee and firing arrows backwards while retreating - not the easiest thing to do on a galloping horse. The tactic must have been successful as in first century B.C. Parthia stretched from the Euphrates to the Indus rivers, covering most of what is now Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Parthians' reputation was well known to English-speaking scholars in the 16th and 17th centuries. For example, Samuel Butler makes a specific reference to their battle tactic in An Heroical Epistle of Hudibras to His Lady, 1678:
You wound, like Parthians, while you fly, And kill with a retreating eye.
The use of the actual term 'Parthian shot' comes rather later. As with 'parting shot', the literal use comes first. That is found in A Tour in India, the account of a Captain Mundy, who was Aide-de-Camp to Lord Combermere during a shooting trip to India in 1832. With all the bravery of those who now club baby seals to death, Mundy describes his heroic encounter with a tiger:
Out rushed a little cub tiger of about three months, and charged me so courageously that my elephant took to her heels. I made a successful Parthian shot with my favourite Joe Manton [shotgun], and slew my determined little pursuer.
The metaphorical use of 'Parthian shot' comes soon afterwards, in The Times, April 1842:
They have probably enough dealt a Parthian shot to British interests, by setting the Nacional once more upon its legs.
Having two almost identical terms in the language which mean the same thing has led to the belief that one derives from the other. That may be the case, but there's no real 'smoking gun' evidence to link the two. 'Parthian shot' is unlikely to have derived from 'parting shot', as the military tactic it alludes to is so ancient. The fact that the earliest known examples of 'parting shot' pre-date those of 'Parthian shot' also tends to suggest that they were coined separately. We can't be sure, but is seems that the similarity between the two expressions is just co-incidence.
Meaning
A final remark, usually cutting or derogatory, made just before departing.
Origin
A 'parting shot' is now a metaphorical term but it clearly alludes to the shooting of weapons. The first such literal reference that I've come across is in the writings of John McLeod, who was surgeon of His Majesty's Ship Alceste. McLeod includes this comment in A Narrative of a Voyage to The Yellow Sea, 1818:
The consort, firing a parting shot, bore up round the north end of the island, and escaped.
The figurative use of the phrase comes not much later, in the records of the Religious Society of Friends (The Quakers) - The Friend or, Advocate of Truth, 1828:
I think it would be much more becoming..., if you could separate without giving each other a parting shot. If you could but use this short sentence, "we cannot agree and therefore we separate."
That derivation of 'parting shot' appears to be very simple and straightforward. Not so fast; enter the Parthians and their 'Parthian shots'. The Partians were an ancient race who lived in north-east Persia. They were renowned archers and horsemen and were known for their practice of confusing the enemy by pretending to flee and firing arrows backwards while retreating - not the easiest thing to do on a galloping horse. The tactic must have been successful as in first century B.C. Parthia stretched from the Euphrates to the Indus rivers, covering most of what is now Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Parthians' reputation was well known to English-speaking scholars in the 16th and 17th centuries. For example, Samuel Butler makes a specific reference to their battle tactic in An Heroical Epistle of Hudibras to His Lady, 1678:
You wound, like Parthians, while you fly, And kill with a retreating eye.
The use of the actual term 'Parthian shot' comes rather later. As with 'parting shot', the literal use comes first. That is found in A Tour in India, the account of a Captain Mundy, who was Aide-de-Camp to Lord Combermere during a shooting trip to India in 1832. With all the bravery of those who now club baby seals to death, Mundy describes his heroic encounter with a tiger:
Out rushed a little cub tiger of about three months, and charged me so courageously that my elephant took to her heels. I made a successful Parthian shot with my favourite Joe Manton [shotgun], and slew my determined little pursuer.
The metaphorical use of 'Parthian shot' comes soon afterwards, in The Times, April 1842:
They have probably enough dealt a Parthian shot to British interests, by setting the Nacional once more upon its legs.
Having two almost identical terms in the language which mean the same thing has led to the belief that one derives from the other. That may be the case, but there's no real 'smoking gun' evidence to link the two. 'Parthian shot' is unlikely to have derived from 'parting shot', as the military tactic it alludes to is so ancient. The fact that the earliest known examples of 'parting shot' pre-date those of 'Parthian shot' also tends to suggest that they were coined separately. We can't be sure, but is seems that the similarity between the two expressions is just co-incidence.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Every proverb has an equal and an opposite proverb!:-
Please read below:-
All good things come to those who wait..
But
Time and tide wait for no man..
The pen is mightier than the sword.
But
Actions speak louder than words.
Wise men think alike
But
Fools seldom differ.
The best things in life are free.
But
There's no such thing as a free lunch.
Slow and steady wins the race.
But
Time waits for no man.
Look before you leap.
But
Strike while the iron is hot.
Do it well or not at all.
But
Half a loaf is better than none.
Birds of a feather flock together.
But
Opposites attract.
Don't cross your bridges before you come to them.
But
Forewarned is forearmed.
Doubt is the beginning of wisdom.
But
Faith will move mountains.
Great starts make great finishes.
But
It ain't over until it's over.
Practice makes perfect.
But
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Silence is golden.
But
The squeaky wheel gets the oil.
You're never too old to learn.
But
You can't teach an old dog new tricks.
What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
But
One man's meat is another man's poison.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. But
Out of sight, out of mind.
Too many cooks spoil the broth.
But
Many hands make light work.
Please read below:-
All good things come to those who wait..
But
Time and tide wait for no man..
The pen is mightier than the sword.
But
Actions speak louder than words.
Wise men think alike
But
Fools seldom differ.
The best things in life are free.
But
There's no such thing as a free lunch.
Slow and steady wins the race.
But
Time waits for no man.
Look before you leap.
But
Strike while the iron is hot.
Do it well or not at all.
But
Half a loaf is better than none.
Birds of a feather flock together.
But
Opposites attract.
Don't cross your bridges before you come to them.
But
Forewarned is forearmed.
Doubt is the beginning of wisdom.
But
Faith will move mountains.
Great starts make great finishes.
But
It ain't over until it's over.
Practice makes perfect.
But
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Silence is golden.
But
The squeaky wheel gets the oil.
You're never too old to learn.
But
You can't teach an old dog new tricks.
What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
But
One man's meat is another man's poison.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. But
Out of sight, out of mind.
Too many cooks spoil the broth.
But
Many hands make light work.
A Nice story
I knew you would come.
There were two childhood buddies who went through school and college and even joined the army together. War broke out and they were fighting in the same unit. One night they were ambushed.
Bullets were flying all over and out of the darkness came a voice, " Harry, please come and help me."
Harry immediately recognized the voice of his childhood buddy, Bill. He asked the captain if he could go.
The captain said, "No, I can't let you go, I am already short-handed and I cannot afford to lose one more person. Besides, the way Bill sounds he is not going to make it." Harry kept quiet.
Again the voice came, "Harry, please come and help me." Harry sat quietly because the captain had refused earlier.
Again and again the voice came.
Harry couldn't contain himself any longer and told the captain, "Captain, this is my childhood buddy. I have to go and help."
The captain reluctantly let him go. Harry crawled through the darkness and dragged Bill back into the trench. They found that Bill was dead.
Now the captain got angry and shouted at Harry, "Didn't I tell you he was not going to make it? He is dead, you could have been killed and I could have lost a hand. That was a mistake."
Harry replied, "Captain, I did the right thing. When I reached Bill he was still alive and his last words were 'Harry, I knew you would come ."'
I knew you would come.
There were two childhood buddies who went through school and college and even joined the army together. War broke out and they were fighting in the same unit. One night they were ambushed.
Bullets were flying all over and out of the darkness came a voice, " Harry, please come and help me."
Harry immediately recognized the voice of his childhood buddy, Bill. He asked the captain if he could go.
The captain said, "No, I can't let you go, I am already short-handed and I cannot afford to lose one more person. Besides, the way Bill sounds he is not going to make it." Harry kept quiet.
Again the voice came, "Harry, please come and help me." Harry sat quietly because the captain had refused earlier.
Again and again the voice came.
Harry couldn't contain himself any longer and told the captain, "Captain, this is my childhood buddy. I have to go and help."
The captain reluctantly let him go. Harry crawled through the darkness and dragged Bill back into the trench. They found that Bill was dead.
Now the captain got angry and shouted at Harry, "Didn't I tell you he was not going to make it? He is dead, you could have been killed and I could have lost a hand. That was a mistake."
Harry replied, "Captain, I did the right thing. When I reached Bill he was still alive and his last words were 'Harry, I knew you would come ."'
Sunday, January 06, 2008
" That is "wisdom":-
which can reconcile itself with actual life. When the
realities of practical life conflict with or stare at
the knowledge we possess, it should be remembered
that such knowledge is immature and is a mere theory.
Moreover, it is not knowledge "of life" that we need;
We require knowledge which "is life", and is
inseperable from its daily vexations. We have to view
ourselves in a universal context and then live life,
not look upon ourselves as individuals who have to be
at war with the world in our everyday life."
J.K
which can reconcile itself with actual life. When the
realities of practical life conflict with or stare at
the knowledge we possess, it should be remembered
that such knowledge is immature and is a mere theory.
Moreover, it is not knowledge "of life" that we need;
We require knowledge which "is life", and is
inseperable from its daily vexations. We have to view
ourselves in a universal context and then live life,
not look upon ourselves as individuals who have to be
at war with the world in our everyday life."
J.K
When you thought I was'nt looking................
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking saw you feed a stray
cat, and Ilearned that it was good to be kind to
animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, saw you make my
favorite cake for me and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk
to and I learned to trust in God.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each
other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of
your time and money to help people who had nothing and
I learned that those who have something should give to
those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
feel good and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come
from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all rightto cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you
cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and
wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking."
J.K
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking saw you feed a stray
cat, and Ilearned that it was good to be kind to
animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, saw you make my
favorite cake for me and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk
to and I learned to trust in God.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each
other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of
your time and money to help people who had nothing and
I learned that those who have something should give to
those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
feel good and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come
from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all rightto cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you
cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and
wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking."
J.K
Saturday, January 05, 2008
There is a ROSE in everybody.
A certain man planted a rose and watered it faithfully. Before it blossomed, he examined it. He saw a bud that would soon blossom.
He also saw the thorns, and he thought, "How can any beautiful flower come from a plant, burdened with so many sharp thorns?"Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose, and before it was ready to bloom, it died.
So it is with many people. Within every soul, there is a rose.
The "God-like" qualities planted in us at birth, growing amidstthe thorns of our faults. Many of us look at ourselves and see only the thorns, the defects. We despair, thinking nothing good can possibly come from us. We neglect to water the good withinus, and eventually it dies. We never realize our potential.
Some don't see the rose within themselves. It takes someone elseto show it to them. One of the greatest gifts a person can possess is to be able to reach past the thorns and find the rose within others. This isthe truest, most innocent, and gracious characteristic of love - to know another person, including their faults, recognize the nobility in their soul, and yet still help another to realize they can overcome their faults. If we show them the rose, they will conquer the thorns. Only then will they blossom, and most likely, blooming thirty,sixty, a hundred-fold,as it is given to them.
Our duty in this world is to help others, by showing them their roses and not their thorns. It is then that we achieve the love we should feel for each other. Only then can we bloom in our own garden.
J.K
A certain man planted a rose and watered it faithfully. Before it blossomed, he examined it. He saw a bud that would soon blossom.
He also saw the thorns, and he thought, "How can any beautiful flower come from a plant, burdened with so many sharp thorns?"Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose, and before it was ready to bloom, it died.
So it is with many people. Within every soul, there is a rose.
The "God-like" qualities planted in us at birth, growing amidstthe thorns of our faults. Many of us look at ourselves and see only the thorns, the defects. We despair, thinking nothing good can possibly come from us. We neglect to water the good withinus, and eventually it dies. We never realize our potential.
Some don't see the rose within themselves. It takes someone elseto show it to them. One of the greatest gifts a person can possess is to be able to reach past the thorns and find the rose within others. This isthe truest, most innocent, and gracious characteristic of love - to know another person, including their faults, recognize the nobility in their soul, and yet still help another to realize they can overcome their faults. If we show them the rose, they will conquer the thorns. Only then will they blossom, and most likely, blooming thirty,sixty, a hundred-fold,as it is given to them.
Our duty in this world is to help others, by showing them their roses and not their thorns. It is then that we achieve the love we should feel for each other. Only then can we bloom in our own garden.
J.K
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Balance Sheet of a Man's Life.
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
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
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