Discussion Vs Argument

Discussion is like two people finding out a solution to a problem and jointly agree each others view and come to a result. There is mutual understanding. Argument is like two people asserting their point over a problem. Each one trying to be stronger than the other. There is clash of ego, but no solution. There is no agreement. In a fit of ego people fight and argue, they may harm each other. So keep away from arguments.

Once a saint entered into a village. Two people were fighting with each other, there were heated arguments. Whole village had gathered to see and stop this foolish drama, but they could not. The saint then asked them that why are they fighting. The village people requested him to find a solution, you are the right person to put an end to this fight. They were very good friends but since last fifty years they are just arguing and fighting and not reaching up to an amicable solution.

The saint asked "what is the argument about and why are they fighting?"

They said "Argument is only about that one friend says that this universe is God's creation, the other friend says that God has not made this universe, it has been created on its own. They have become old and still their argument is on"

The saint smiled and then laughed. He called first the friend who said that God has made the universe. He said "Son, if it is true and if it is proved that this universe is God's creation, what would you do?

He replied "I will not do anything"

The saint politely said "if in these past fifty years of your life, had you concentrated on God, had you paid attention and prayed to God, God himself would have come to you to prove his existence as the creator. But you wasted your precious time in arguing and wasted these poor villagers time also.

Then he called the friend who argued that the universe is not God's creation, it has been created on its own. He asked "if it is proved that God has not created this universe, what would you do"

He also replied that he would do nothing.

The saint said that past fifty years you are arguing and fighting. If these fifty years you would do some hard work and pay attention and would have done some dhyan, you could have become God, you would be able achieve something but you wasted your talent and this precious life on this trivial matter.

Argument gives you worry, tensions, increases you Blood Pressure and you suffer from unwanted ailments. Keep away from arguments. Since when you are not sure of anything, why indulge in argument and boost your ego. It will boomerang on you and lead you nowhere. Just relax and enjoy life which is very precious.

Be kind to Animals

Once Gautam Budha entered into a state capital. The king of that state had made arrangements for a big Yagna. There were many Brahmins, they were chanting mantras and putting ahuti. A goat was also standing with tilak on his forehead. Budha asked them what are you doing?. They replied that they are going to sacrifice this goat.

Gautam Budha again said politely "You do yagna, put ahuti, chant mantra, offer bhog to Brahmins, this is all fine, but why sacrifice this poor goat? People said that the goat will get moksh, mukti, he will go to swarag(heaven).

Budha said "Did this goat request you to sent him to swarag. You are forcefully sending him to swarag. Are you sure he will get swarag? People had no answer.

Your old parents often say we want to go to heaven, we want moksh. Then send your old parents to swarag by sacrificing them. Would you do that? No. Then why this poor goat.

Do not thrust your views on others

Once swamiji was in New Delhi. Some people had organised his satsang near a temple. They had fixed huge mikes over there so that people from far off places could hear it.

Swamiji asked the organisers for what purpose they had fixed these mikes. They replied "Maharaj, there will be kirtan and satsang, people's ears will get purified on hearing it". Swamiji said "Did those people tell you that they want to get their ears purified, why are you forcing everyone to hear satsang. It is their wish if they want to get purified they can sit and hear in the pandal. There are sick people in the locality, there may be children who have their exams, they may get irritated. They can complain to the police. So do not do thing which others don't like to hear or do. You are interested you do it, but do not thrust your views or ideas on others."

Everybody is born with equal rights, but we go out of our limits to do things which can be harmful for others. It may boomerang on you.

Misuse of Power or Dhyan

In swami Ramakrishna Paramhans ashram there used to be a man named, Kalicharan. He was very innocent and simple man. In his room he had kept three hundred idols of different God. He used to pray, do aarti, put chandan on each and every idol. His whole day used to pass off in taking care of idols and praying to every God. He used to get deeply immersed in this activity and never would disturb or fight with with anybody.

Swami Vivekananda was also a disciple of Swami Ramakrishna and would stay in the same ashram. Since Vivekanand was young, highly knowledgeable and would find reason for everything, did not appreciate this habit of Kalicharan. He used to always ask Kalicharan that why did he pray to these stone idols, offer bhog to each and every idol. Vivekanand wanted an explanation from Kalicharan. He used to always tell him to pack up all the idols in a cloth and immerse them in river Ganga.

But Kalicharan was not perturbed by Vivikanand's remarks. He would just smile and not answer him back. Everyday Vivekanand used to tell Kalicharan to stop this habit but it had no impact on him.

Once Swami Vivekanand was immersed in dhyan, he felt some spiritual power within. He attained dhyan or samadhi which is very difficult to achieve. He felt that he is above all and with this power he can change Kalicharan. Through this dhyan and spiritual power he started sending messages to Kalicharan " O Kali, pick up all the thakurs and put them in Ganga river" Kalicharan could feel those vibrations or messages sent by Vivekanand. He was sweating and crying and could feel that some power within was pressurising him to immerse these idols.

One day unwillingly and with a heavy heart he packed up all the idols, put them in a bedsheet and went towards the river, crying bitterly as he was feeling very void and lost.

That time Swami Ramakrishna Paramhas was walking towards the river. He saw Kalicharan weeping and carrying some load on his shoulder. He went near and asked him "Kalu, why are you weeping and what are carrying on your shoulder?" Kalicharan started crying by saying that some inner voice, voice from within forcing me to throw these God's idols in the Ganga river. Paramhans said "go back, don't throw these idols, there is no voice from within or anything that sort. Continue with your daily rituals."

Kalicharan went back to the ashram and decorated his room as before with the idols and started doing his aarti and was busy and happy with his work. Ramakrishna pushed the door and entered into Vivekanand's room. Vivekanand got up and did namaskar to his Guru. Then Ramakrishna told him "Vivekanand, first time you have attained this spiritual power, you have achieved so much strength and first time only you have misused it. If Kalicharan throws his thakurs in the river what would you get. Why are you feeling bad. You may be brighter than him. You have more reasoning power and understanding than him. When Kalicharan is getting peace and satisfaction by doing this, why are you disturbing him. He is not troubling anybody, he is not doing harm to you or any person, then why are you forcing him to do this. From now on I take back this power from you. You will not get dhyan or samadhi. With my blessings you got this power, but now I am snatching it from you."

Narendra(Vivekanand) touched his Guru's feet, started weeping and promised that in future he will not misuse the powers. Please do not take back this strength which you have given me. I apologise for my mistake.

Very often we also do the same. We try to change others and want them to behave like us. But that is not correct. Every individual has some quality in them. So long if anybody is not hurting or troubling others, we should not force them to change.

Story of Mahatma Gautam Budha

Lord Krishna told Arjun "Do not give this knowledge of Geeta to Abhakt. It can be misused"

Gautam Budha before sleeping used to always tell his disciples that now it is night time, you be busy with your rest of the job. Night time rest of job means "Dhyan" get immersed in your dhyan(concentration) towards God and if you die in dhyan it is like Nirvan or Moksh.

Once while the satsang of Lord Budha was going on, a thief and a prostitute entered and joined in to hear the satsang. When lastly before retiring to bed Lord told his disciples "now be busy with your rest of the job". The thief when heard this murmured to himself "See, how sensible is Lord Budha, he can understand that my job at night time is to steal and now he has given me permission to do my rest of the job. He is antaryami. He can introspect. The thief felt very happy.

Same way the prostitute felt. She felt happy that Lord has given her permission to do her rest of the job at night. Both of them left to do their respective jobs.

Here the Lords words had a negative impact on thief and the prostitute. It was misused.

Lord Krishna is telling Arjun to be cautious while imparting or sharing my knowledge. Check the person, if he is really interested and keen to do something good, then only give him this knowledge. Otherwise it will go to a wrong person and he may misuse it. "Idam te naatapaskaya naabhaktaya kadachana"

Knowledge should be given to those who value it

In Bhagwat Geeta Lord Krishna told Arjun "Idam te naatapaskaya naabhaktaya kadachana"
Lord Krishna is alerting Arjun that this knowledge do not share with a person who is not my bhakt and who does not believe in me. Abhakt is like a pot that is kept in the reverse(ulta ghada) and true bhakt is like straight pot(seeda Ghada). Ulta ghada is like ahankari and seeda ghada is like nirahankari. It is like there is heavy rainfall but since the pot is kept in the reverse, it will not collect water. Same is case with abhakt, the knowledge is given through satsang books etc. but it is no use telling a person who is not interested. He may collect only moss. He may misuse it.

Like once when Jesus Christ was going somewhere and it was evening time. It was getting little dark. Christ saw on his way a young boy lying in a drunken position in one dirty nullah. He was stinking and very dirty. Christ woke him up, lifted him up washed his face and body. Christ then said "Friend, you are so young, God has given you such handsome looks and body. you have got such a beautiful life ahead and you have wasted it in drinks etc." The boy came into consciousness, opened his eyes, bowed to Christ and replied, "Sir, You may not remember, I am the same boy who was suffering from paralysis, totally bedridden. You came near me, put your loving hands on me, showered your love. I became completely normal. Now tell me what should I do with this body." Tears started dripping from Christ's eyes. He thought he tried to be good but went to a wrong person. His mercy towards that man was not worth it. My sympathy, my love brought such negative results.

Christ went on thinking how a man can be so ungrateful. He went further and saw a young boy teasing a young girl. The girl started screaming. Jesus moved forward, told the boy "friend, what are you doing? He caught hold of him. The boy when realised his mistake, he saw Christ, bowed in front of him and said "Lord! I was blind, by birth I could not see, You came, showered your mercy, you kept your hand on my eyes and I got sight to see this world. Now how to make use of this eyesight. Jesus Christ eyes became moist and said "I gave you eyes for good intention, you could do something good for the humanity. You misused my knowledge and blessings by trying to molest this innocent girl. The boy repented and promised to change.

Lord Christ walked ahead and saw a man trying to commit suicide by hanging himself from a tree. He immediately stopped him and politely said "friend, what are you doing? committing suicide. Person who commits suicide never gets peace and does not get place anywhere. God has gifted you such a nice body and you are killing it. Your soul may not rest in peace." The man came into his senses and said "leave me, let me commit suicide. I was dead, my body was being taken to graveyard, you came showered your mercy and blessed me with your hands and I came into consciousness, became alive. I don't want this life. I think it is better to die, why did you give me another lease of life."Lord Christ felt pity on that man as he tried to misuse the life given by Lord.

God has showered us with this beautiful world and a body and with sensible brain and emotional heart to feel and love the nature. He gave us life, a family, a beautiful world full of love. He has given proof of his existence in form of love. Love given by our parents, friends, relatives, husband, wife and in return same love is showered and forwarded and given to our children. He loves us but we do not value it and find an excuse to waste the most precious gift offered by God.

God's signals and Indications

Swami kutasthanandji's experience regarding the signal's which God sends us. It is Hridayasth Ishwar's voice. We must pay attention to it. He is there in our heart and everytime trying to help and indicate us or stop us from facing any untoward incidence.

Once when Swamiji was at Haridwar, some bhog ceremony was organised by a Mahatma, his good friend. It is called samashti bhandara. Swamiji was also invited. One of the disciple of the Mahatma had a big Ghee's shop. He was to arrange for pure ghee. The Mahatma requested swamiji to go with this truck driver to get ghee before the bhandara. Swamiji agreed and went to the shop to get the ghee. The shopkeeper made Swamiji sit on a chair alongwith a table and told him to wait for sometime.

While swamiji was still seated on the chair, there came heavy storm and gushy winds, it became very dark and there was thunder and lightening. Guruji closed the door of the room to avoid story winds, switched on the light and started reading some books.

Suddently he heard heavy knock on the door. He could hear that somebody was literally trying to push open the door. Swamiji said to himself that it is because of the wind the door is shaking, who will come now to bang at the door as swamiji knew that it will long time for the shopkeeper to fill the truck load. But still there was some conflict in his mine. He finally got up and opened the door to see if somebody has come to call him. He just got up from his seat, walked a few steps, he saw some brick falling from the rooftop and damaged the chair and a table where he was sitting. It was a newly built house and left over brick were kept on the terrace of the building. Due to heavy storm it must have fallen. Swamiji opened the door to see if realy somebody was there, but he could not see anybody. later on he called all the people. Everybody was surprised. But for swamiji it was a signal from the Lord to get up from the chair. He thanked the Almighty for forcefully making him get up to open the door.

One more incidence when Guruji was young. He stayed in Haridwar in one Beliram Ashram for some days. He was given a room on the ground floor to stay, but swamiji requested the head of the Ashram to give him a room on the upper floor. It was very cold winter time so the head had arranged for him a room on ground floor but as swamiji insisted he was given a room on the upper floor. At night time he went to see Ramleela in a nearby place. It became very late and Guruji was very tired also and decided to sleep. As it was very cold he put his blanket and went to sleep. But he was not getting sleep, somebody within was pressuring him to dust the bed and the blanket. But being young people feel lazy to do all that. His mind was all the time nagging him to dust the blanket atleast. Still he did not pay heed to his conscious. He thought let me sleep now,tomorrow morning he will call somebody to dust the bed for him. But there was continuous conflict going on in his mind. He could not disown that conflict and finally got up to clean the bed. As he got up to first clean the blanket, to his utter shock he saw a round snake hiding cozily in his blanket which he had worn. He literally screamed and everybody from the ashram came running. It was a poisonous snake and finally it was thrown out. But full night swamiji could not sleep. He was thinking had he slept on the ground floor room and listened tot he head, this may not have happened. People might say that this must have happened by chance. But swamiji strongly insists that it is Hridyasth Ishwar's voice which saved his life.

There are so many incidents in our life where we thank God for whatever good happens to us. So we must pay attention to conflict that goes on in our mind for any reason, whatsoever, and we will get solutions from there only. Don't ignore there warning signals, pay attention, you may overcome major disasters in your life. Hear the strong mind, do not listen your weak or lazy mind

King and the Priest : True Story

Lord Krishna in Bhagwat Geeta says"Madhbhaktva bhav" Be my true bhakt, Surrender to me I will absolve you from all sins and lead you to salvation.
Surrendering unconditionally to the Almighty is one way of expressing our confidence in the Divine. For faith works wonders. Faith is not just hoping and waiting for things to happens, rather it is working hard to make things happen and realizing that there are no failures just disappointments. When you have done your best Angels can do no better. God comes to the rescue of all those who surrender to him with full faith and belief in him. God does not differentiate between friends and foes, man and animal, caste and creed. He comes to the rescue of all those who surrender to him.

In Udaipur there is Chaturbhuj Swamiji's temple. In that temple a priest named Devaji used to stay. Everyday he used to do Aarti and prayers in the temple. He had become quite old. Once night time he cleaned the temple, completed Shayan Aarti and put God to rest and closed the temple door and went to sleep in his room.

After a few minutes he heard the sound of the King of Udaipur's carriage. The priest realized that the King of the city has come to pray in the temple. There were no malas(garland) left to put on the King as Thakurji's mala he had worn. Now he felt nervous, the priest did not know what to offer the king. He had become old and had grey hair. His hair got stuck in the mala. He could not decide what to do. Anyway he immediately removed mala from his neck as there were no other mala left and kept it aside for the king. The king knocked at the door of the temple. He opened the door for the King and offered him the mala which he had worn.

The King looked at the mala and said "why there are grey hair on the mala, has Thakurji grown old?" He replied "Yes" and did not know what to do. He was nervous.

The King gave a loud laugh and said"Oh! so now at this age you are telling lies. I will come tomorrow morning to see whether God has grey hair or black hair." Saying this king left the temple.

The priest had never faced this situation in his life. He had no intention to tell lies but since he had to offer something to King he offered him the garland which he had worn and this he did in a haste and due to nervousness.

Full night the priest prayed to God. He totally bowed and surrendered to Lord and wept bitterly in front of God's idol. He told God "I do your pooja very honestly. I do this to take care of my family as I have to feed many people in my family. I am your true bhakt. You know I have never spoken lies in my life. In the morning when the king comes what will be my condition, people will not respect me, they will make fun of me. The king will disown me and insult me. He may throw me out of the temple services. Whole Udaipur city people will collect,even people from nearby village who come to pray in this temple, will humiliate me. Please help me. Do something to save me from this humiliation." His whole body was trembling of fear of insult he would have to bear from the king in the morning.. He went on talking and begging mercy from God.

Morning when he opened the God's idol's door, he was shocked to see that idol's all the hair had turned grey. He could not believe his eyes, how can hair of a statue turn grey overnight.

The king entered the temple and said "Oh! so you have painted Thakurji hair into grey colour or brought from outside a wig or something of grey colour and put it on the God's idol. The priest was quiet. As per ritual the King washed Thakurji's feet and then tried to pull the hair from the idol to prove that the priest had spoken lie and to insult him for that and to see how the hair can turn grey. The king could not believe his eyes that when he tried to pull the hair, the face of God became little stiff and few blood stains fell on his clothes. The King became unconscious and fell on the ground.

The priest sprinkled water on the King, he got up. The king apologised to the priest and said "I came in haste and at wrong time, you had cleaned the temple and put God to rest and I disturbed you at this old age. I am extremely sorry for my mistake." The king appreciated the priest true bhakti and ordered that from now onwards anybody from king's palace would not visit the temple at night, specially when the door is closed and it is rest time for God and the priest. They have to inform in advance about their visits in the temple. Today also you will find in that temple Lord's hair is grey.

Faith and Surrender " A true story"

In Brindavan there used to be a saint of Sant Haridas's follower. He was very kind and helpful Mahatma. Once a young cowboy(Gwala) came to him. He told him that he has left his house and come to him so please accept me as your disciple. The boy said he would do anything for him. The saint replied "I will make you my disciple but you first have to take care of my cowshed. There are many cows and you have to take them to jungle to feed grass to them." He asked "what will I eat there? The Mahatma then ordered his another disciple to give him some potatoes, rice, wheat, salt and pepper etc. and told him to make chappatis and cook potatoes over there. But before eating you must first offer little food to God. The boy cooked food and offered some food to God as said by his Guruji. He waited for long but God did not come to taste his food. He was very hungry so he went on screaming and crying and calling bitterly to God to first come and have his food. But God did not come. Again he called and wept and said "God please come and have my food, I am so hungry but if you don't eat then I will have to remain hungry".

He waited and finally Lord Krishna appeared in front of him, shared food with him. Radha Rani was waiting for Krishna to have food with her but Lord said that he is not hungry as he has eaten his food with a gwala at Brindavan. She said how could you eat alone, tomorrow I will also join you to have food with him. Next day again after cooking food the boy waited for God to come. Now Lord Krishna and Radhaji came in front him and ate with him. Now the boy was running short of food because his Guruji had given him foodstuff for one person only. He went to his Swamiji and said "you told me to first offer cooked food to God and then eat. But God came with Radhaji and finished all my food. Now please give me more food grains and vegetables for me, God and Radhaji."

The saint was surprised that he had given him enough of foodstuff, more than what is required. How could he finish it so fast. He did not believe his story that God and Radha Rani have shared food with him. He thought he being an innocent boy must have dropped it somewhere.

Anyway the Mahatma gave him more stock of food. The third day when he waited for God to come, he saw Lord Krishna has come with Radhaji and so many gawal bal. They finished the entire stock of food. Nothing was left for the next day. The boy innocently approached his Guru and said "Everyday I offer food to God but he brings many people with him and they finish everything. Now tell me what to do. You have to give me more".

The Mahatma knew that boy is innocent and not making stories, there must be something happening in jungle that the food gets finished so fast. Anyway he gave him more food to cook for few more days. He then slowly followed him and hid behind the bushes to see what is happening. The saint could not believe his eyes that Lord Krishna along with Radhaji and gawal bal were enjoying his food and finished everything. He felt very amused and elated and then did namaskar to God. He then thought that so many years he has been praying and never could see God but this boy innocence and dedication impressed God so much that he sat and had food with him. This boy is great, his faith has done wonders, he is so dedicated. he touched that boy's feet and said that your true faith in God has given me opportunity to do darshan of Lord Krishna. You are true believer of God. What you did in few days, I could not have imagined in my life time. You are pure disciple of Lord. There is no cunning feeling in you, you are so pure.

The saint then told the boy that now onwards you become the priest of the temple and take care of God's idol and see that nobody steals or spoils anything from the temple. The boy agreed to sit inside the temple and take care of it. Now he was on temple duty. When it was 10 p.m. God came out of temple door. The boy asked him "where are going?". God replied "for raas leela".
He said "Go back inside the temple, I am the caretaker and nobody can go out after 10 p.m.". God answered "see I go everyday for raas leela at this time."
The boy said I don't know anything about other days, my duty is from today. Please go inside. Lord smiled and said "If you don't believe then you can also join me, but let me go. God had dressed up and it was sharad poornima. He told the boy to sit under a tree and enjoy the dance. Full night raas leela was going on with Radha Rani and so many gopis. The boy was surprised to see Lord Krishna dancing with so many gopis. Then one gunghroo fell on the ground. The boy picked it up and tied in a handkerchief. Then raas leela got over in the morning. It was time for Lord to return. The boy told the Lord "you look so tired and you are sweating, please sit on my shoulders I will carry you till the temple." God said that there is no need I go for raas leela everyday and come back on my own.

In the morning when the Mahatma entered the temple and was making preparations for Mangal Aarti, the boy stopped him. He said "wait, ten minutes back Thakurji has gone to sleep, do not disturb him with your aarti. The Mahatma lost his temper and said "you have gone mad, gone crazy. This aarti I do everyday in the morning, how can you stop me. This is just an idol of Lord. How can it sleep in the early hours of morning." The boy innocently showed him the ghungaroo and said that during night at 10 p.m. he had gone with Lord and saw raas leela. There Lord's ghungaroo fell down which he has tied and kept in a handkerchief . Mahatma was stunned to see the ghungaroo as he know they were thakurji's ghungaroo. They were not there on God's ankle. The Mahatma was deeply impressed by the boy bhakti and innocence. His unconditional dedication for the Lord. From then onwards it was decided to pray and do aarti at 8 a.m i.e in the morning at eight 'O' clock. Now also at other temples aarti is offered at 4 a.m.. but in Bihariji's mandir at Brindavan it is offered at 8 a.m..

Feeling for others

Once there was a severe drought in a village. There was no water, people were dying of hunger and ailments. There was no money, no medicines etc. A Mahatma took his bag and went to each and every house to collect whatever little he could get from them to serve the needy and poor people who were severely affected by the drought. He collected lot of donation but that was not sufficient enough to help all the people.

He knew there was a very rich man near the village but he was extremely stingy. He would hesitate to spent money for his wife's treatment also. Only money would count for him. He was least affected by the drought. He knew that people are suffering but would not come out to help the needy. Mahatma tried to approach that rich businessman. People of that village alerted him and said that this businessman will not give a penny. He is very kanjoos(stingy). But Mahatma did not pay heed to all this. He marched ahead went to him and requested him by saying "My son, will you please give me ten thousand rupees. I will return back this money to you by evening. I will show to the people of village that, see, this rich businessman has donated ten thousand rupees to help those people affected by drought. Then other rich people will also start donating. Your name will appear in newspapers and all the villagers will talk about and appreciate you. As promised I will definitely return this money or more of it, if possible, to you and will not let anybody know about it. But your name will be taken by everybody, you will become very popular. People will come to greet you and praise you forever. Man was convinced by the Mahatma and offered him ten thousand rupees.

Mahatma then showed the people that this stingy man has donated ten thousand rupees and started praising him. People were all surprised and hearing this more and more people started donating money. This way Mahatma collected a lot of money which was enough to help all the needy villagers.

In the evening Mahatma went to the rich man's house to return his entire money with interest. The man refused the money by saying that please use this money for betterment of villagers. He said " I am feeling so happy and contented that I cannot believe. I have been receiving calls and people are visiting my house to thank me. Even media people have given me so much importance. I never felt so big in my life. My heartfelt thanks to you who encouraged me donate and help people. Now I feel how satisfying it is help others. I am feeling so jubilant."

The Mahatma smiled and answered "when we do something good our inner voice always appreciates us,we feel contented but when we do bad our conscious nags us. But we have killed our conscious, we have no time to listen to the God within us who is all the time with us, guiding us from within. If you pay little attention, you will know that God, the Almighty is within us and around us in the form of this beautiful universe."

Search of God and Soul

A saint was once sitting under a tree and was deeply immersed in his prayers concentration. A young boy came near him, bowed and did namaskar to him. He said "Maharaj! I have come from very far in search of you, I have been wondering around for days asking people about you and finally I have come to you. I am very tired and desperate to know about God and Atma. I have been to many religious places, met many priest and saints, but none could satisfy my this strong desire to know about the Almighty. I could not find God anywhere and I don't know what is Atma and Paramatma. Please do not disappoint me. Please quench my this thirst. Please help me to get darshan of Paramatma."

The saint looked at him from top to bottom and was observing him deeply to know whether he has the true desire or this is just a temporary wish. The saint replied "friend, it is very cold and winter time, the sun is also about to set and it is getting dark and the fire from this dhooni has extinguished and only the ashes are left. Now take these burnt wooden logs, search for any spark left in the ashes and with the help of the spark(angaar) lit the fire again. Our conversation will last for whole night, we will take the heat from the fire and I will go on answering your questions."

There was heap of ashes lying there and the young boy took a stick and went on searching for any spark left in the ashes. Then he told the saint that there no sparks left in this heap of ashes, the fire has been totally turned into ashes. The saint said "Pay more attention, concentrate more" The boy tried again still he could not find the spark. The saint said "Pay more attention on the fire, not on ashes. From here only you can lit fire".

The boy got frustrated and said "when there is no spark, how can I search it?"

The saint politely said "give me the stick" He then went on digging the ashes. The boy said that you are wasting your time. But after one hour the saint could find a dim spark and told the boy that now you can see a spark. With this spark I will lit the fire and feel the heat to protect from this cold winter.

The saint then made the youth understand and realize that "As you were in a haste to search a spark from the heap of ashes and did not pay much attention and was in a hurry, same way to find Atma and Paramatma you have to work hard and have patience. God is within you, in your HEART, but you have no patience or least bothered to find HIM. You are in a hurry. Have patience God will come to you if you truly love and search him. Like when you dig a well, at some places the water comes out after little effort, some place it takes hours to find water, some places days and some place like deserts sometimes you cannot find water because you become restless and stop taking pains and efforts.

The saint then told the boy "Atma is definitely with us ,it is there within us and even God(Paramatma) is certainly within us. It is only the effort that counts. Some get is with little effort, some people have to struggle very hard to find him. But if you determined and strongly desire, you will definitely find HIM.

Friends and Foes

A Saint had some disciples. They used to always sit together and pray. Once the saint sat alone and was praying peacefully, the disciples followed him and quietly sat next to him. He closed his eyes, lifted his hands up and said "Oh! God, I can defend myself from my enemies but please help me from my friends, I cannot fight with them". The disciples heard this and then questioned him what are you praying to God for that "There is always fear and danger from friends, why from friends." Friends are always helpful when in need. They said "you were in dhyan while praying so may be by mistake you must have said to God to help you from friends and you can fight against your enemies instead you should have prayed to help from enemies".

The saint replied"NO, I was fully aware of what I was praying, there is no mistake.

He said "My Friend is this "I" and ME, MY EGO. My friend is this feeling of being a doer(karta ka bhav), of being myself. These friend they don't leave me, they are stuck to me. I am afraid of these friends. My enemies are anger, lust and desires, greediness, possessiveness (Kama, Krodh, lobh and Moha). I can fight with them. I can make them my slaves. They cannot dictate me. But, Oh! this I, Me ,Myself whom I love so much, they also love me so much, I cannot fight with them. Only God can help me to get rid of them. If my Ego is hurt, I feel like taking revenge, if somebody says I am egoistic, I get wild because I cannot hear anything against my friend.

You know in the last chapter of Gita i,e eighteenth chapter Lord Krishna told Arjun about Ego. If God had told him in the beginning Arjun would not be able to hear anything from Krishna.

Once a Fakir went to a state capital and was sleeping under a tree. It was dark night. When he woke up he saw some light. He looked around and saw a jugnu sitting in front of him. He had spread his wings and told the fakir "see it is because of me you can see light otherwise there is all darkness. The fakir told the jugnu insect "you are very nice, very sweet, this whole city is lit with your light, even sun and moon derive light from you." Jugnu's ego got bloated up, he jumped and sat on fakir's hand. He said "you are such a nice Maharaj, nobody has ever praised me so much." They became good friends and full night they went on talking. Slowly, slowly the fakirs love changed the jugnu's thoughts and he started behaving and talking like the Mahatma.

Same way Lord Krishna with his praises, love and affection changed Arjun, who being a warrior, had ego and Lord also with sweet words helped him to overcome depression.
Very few are lucky to have such friends who help them to get rid of ego and eradicate their depressive thoughts

Firm Behaviour and Strong Determination

Lord Krishna once told Arjun that you should have firm behaviour and strong determination. You being a warrior at one time don't want to fight against your near and dear ones, another time you look depressive and want to become a saint. You are born a prince and your nature is that of a warrior, you cannot escape that so you should have a strong behaviour and face all odds to prove you are a prince.

Do we have a firm behaviour, do we stick to one point. There are certain people who have firm belief and strong determination.

Once a saint reached the capital of a state. He was alone and did not know anybody there. It was winter season with heavy rains and almost it was getting dark. He thought of going to temple to take shelter there. But the priest of the temple did not allow him. He told him that without any acquaintance he cannot allow him spent a night in the temple as anybody can disguise as a saint and cheat us. We are sorry about it. He went to Church, then he approached mosque but he got the same reply. He asked many people but none helped him and it became very late at night. He walked further and finally saw a man standing near a big building. He requested him to tell people that you know me so that I can spent one night peacefully due to cold and rain. The man looked at him, he saw that he was some Mahatma. He said "My acquaintance will not serve your purpose as I a am famous thief. I steal from people's houses and that is my earning. Since you want to spend one night you can stay in my small house.

The saint became hesitant, got scared that how could he stay in a thief's house. Here the thief is showing his honesty and he is firm , but the saint is reluctant and worried about what would people think about him. The thief said "decide fast because this is my business time and I don't stay in my house during night". Here the thief should get scared that in the saint's company he will not be able to steal but on the contrary saint is scared of the thief. Anyway the saint agreed to stay in the thief's house. The thief told him that "In the morning I will ring the bell, you open the door for me, foodstuff and other thing are kept, you can have them".

Morning when the thief returned, the saint asked him that did he get anything. He replied and said "No, "why to worry,why get scared, so many days, so many years are left, so many night to go, some or the other day I will get it." But there was absolute peace and a feeling of contentment on the thief's face.

Mahatma said "You are great, Least bothered."

Mahatma stayed for one month with that thief but he did not get anything. There was no bitterness, no disappointment. Always smiling. The Mahatma in his mind said to himself that I appreciated his firm determination and not losing hopes, always trying, I do pranaam to his strong behaviour. He said to the thief "I will pray for you that this bad habit of your dies and with your strong will power you can make money through fair means". The saint's prayer for the thief was heard and he started small business of selling fruits, vegetables and being satisfied with whatever he earned.

How about us? If we face any problem we fight with God, stop praying and going to temples. We are never firm and satisfied, always craving for more and in the end stressed out or face depression. Be firm, never lose hope or courage, your will power will bring out fruitful results. All your negative thoughts will disappear and you will definitely find your path.

Body and Soul (Shareer aur Atma)

In our day to day life we mostly talk of satsang , knowledge about God, hear from others and discuss about soul i.e our Atma, but we truely don't know what is Atma. These are just talks. But frankly speaking we are stuck and bonded with only our body, our physical needs and looks. We want to look beautiful and attractive or impress others with our good behaviour or talk politely etc or for any matter like for eating, drinking, sleeping, we are restricted to only our body and mind. There is something far beyond where we don't want reach and understand.

Once Sant Kabir's neighbourhood somebody passed away. The relatives started crying and screaming bitterly. Kabir heard the noise and asked people around what was the matter. He was told that a man of the family has died and family members are crying. He thens went to sympathize with his neighbour. When he went there he was surprised to hear a man giving lecture to family members by saying that not to cry. He was telling that if you are crying for body than see it is lying motionless in front of you and if you are crying for Atma then Atma does not die, it is amar and ajar. Kabir was thinking that such a Knowledgeable man is residing near my house and I am not aware of it and this man knows that soul is forever, never dies. He thought he should attend his satsang and make friendship with him.

After two to three months Kabir saw that the person who was giving knowledge about soul to the family where death had occurred, was crying and weeping bitterly. The family members of the family where death had taken place before were trying to console him by repeating the same words that Atma is amar and ajar, the soul never dies. This shows that we have no knowledge about death and the feelings, we just talk, we are not interested in going deep into somebody' sorrow, we just console and talk but when the same thing happens with us we cannot take those talks easily, we cannot swallow or understand the other person's superfluous knowledge about Soul and Body.

March Ahead with your duty,Do Not look Back For Results

You must do your duty honestly and leave the rest to God. Lord Krishna told Arjun Do your Karam and Results leave it to me. If you wish to ask something from God then ask him to accept you as your are, good or bad, paapi or dharmatma, khara or khota. Just surrender to him as you are.

If you beg something from God then tell him to become yours for ever. If he is with you then there is no need to ask anything from him as HE knows everything. Whatever is good and in your favour he will definitely give you.

Once a very rich lady had faced severe depression, she had become mentally unstable.
She spent crores of rupees on her treatment. She went abroad for the treatment, but of no avail. Then she came back to her native place. Her friend suggested her to visit a small village where a vaidhya's home remedy will help her. She thought that since she has tried all means, why not try this also. She went to the vaidhya and explained to him about her problem. He gave her some Ayurvedic medicine. Within few days she became perfectly alright. She was so impressed by him that she offered him a bag full of money and some ornaments of diamonds and gold. The vaidhya was not happy with the bag, without opening he said that he does not want this bag, just give me my fees. The lady was surprised she took back the bag and asked him how much was the fees. He said only Rs.300 is my fees. She offered him Rs. 300 . She then opened the bag in front of him and showed him that there were lakhs of rupees and ornaments of gold and diamond. But still she gave one thousand rupees and left. Then his friends laughed at him and told him that you faced a major loss,the lady was giving lakhs of rupees and you did not accept it. Hearing this the vaidhya felt very bad and he went into depression.

So leave everything to God, He will give you more than you require. But don't loose heart if you happen to miss it. Just relax and be contented with whatever is rightfully yours.

Two Bhakts - Sagun sakaar & Nirgun Nirakaar

Once Arjun asked Lord Krishna that you have two type of bhakts, sagun sakaar the one who believes in idols or statues of God and Nirgun Nirakaar is the one who believes that God is everywhere and in everybody, which is your favourite? It s like asking somebody which is your favourite eye, now what answer to give for that as both the eyes are equally precious.
It is like a mother who has two children. One is small three months old child and and another is 15-20 years old. If somebody requests the mother to give him any one of her child, keep only one with her. What would the mother do if the circumstances force her to do so? Firstly the mother will flatly refuse, but if due to certain reason she has to give her child to somebody she will say my both the sons are precious, I cannot stay without them. Both the sons will remain with me. But still somebody insists then she will say "The one who is sleeping in the swing(palna) cannot stay without me nor can I stay without him because he is just three months old. If he feels hungry and thirsty he would cry and call out his mother. For him everything is his mother because he can express only through crying. He cannot stay without me and I also cannot give him to anybody as I am not sure how will others take care of him. This child is like sagun sakaar upaasak.

Now the elder son who is 15 - 20 years old is matured enough. He can at least take care of his basic needs. He is educated and has some experience. He can at least stay without his mother. Mother is confident that this child of mine can face all odds of life and can find his way out. He knows how to keep in touch with me. He is Nirgun nirakaar upaasak. So the mother with a heavy heart would forcefully part with her elder son

Lord Krishna answered Arjun "The one who has surrendered his mind,his life, his soul and believes in sagun sakaar, he is very dear to me as I cannot stay without him nor can he stay without me. He talks to me through the idols in his house or temple But equally dear to me is the one who has attained knowledge and believes that I am everywhere like a Nirgun Nirakaar and has full faith in me and I have confidence in him."

The ultimate way to reach God is through your full faith and belief in him. It is not important how you pray or what religion you believe in. Most imprtant is your FAITH and TRUST

Gyandev and Namdev - Sagun Sakar and Nirgun Nirakaar Upasak

Gyandev once told Namdev that we are all going on a pilgrimage and you must join us. If you will not come, none of us will go. Please don't refuse. Namdev became silent, he did not know what to say. Then he told Gyandev that I will let you know after consulting my God. This is sagun sakaar upasana. Whenever we plan to go out we always say I will consult my friends, husband, relatives etc but we never say I will consult God. But Namdev used to strongly believe in God and each everything he used consult with God and then act.

Gyandev was a bhakt but Namdev was believer of statue or idol of God i.e. Sagun saakaar upasana. Gyandev believed that God is everywhere, he is not only in idols or statues but each and every nook and corner of this universe. When Namdev, Gyandev, Nivritinath, the three brothers and Muktabai, their sister reached Paithan, the Brahmins of Paithan said that by having the name Gyandev is not important, prove us. Our buffalo name is also Gyandev. Gyandev said " Yes! You said it right that there is no difference between this buffalo and me. She also has same atma like me." The Brahmin then hit the buffalo with a stick, the Brahmins could see the marks of stick on Gyandev's back. He said everywhere there is God. The Brahmins were surprised as Gyandev was believer of God as Nirgun Nirakaar.

Then amongst the crowd One Brahmin said we will only believe that God is everywhere and in everybody when you make this buffalo recite the Ved Mantra.. Gyandev politely kept his hand on the buffalo and the buffalo would repeat the Mantra that Gyandev would recite. He then did namaskar and took leave of the Brahmins.

But Namdev believed that God is only in statue to whim he prays and talks everyday. Gyandev then followed Namdev to see what is he doing. In padharpur Namdev starting crying bitterly like a child in front of Lord Pandurang and said that they are forcing me to go to pilgrimage but I don't want to leave you. He could see tears dripping from Pandurang's eyes also. Then Lord Pandurang handed over Namdev's hand to Gyaneshwar and "See Gyandev this Namu is very precious to me, I cannot stay with him. If you are taking him to the pilgrimage, you have to take care of him and I will wait for Namdev."

When they all left for pilgrimage, Namdev would not sleep and middle of the night he would wake and weep for his God. Gyandev used to always appreciate and would say your love of God is unique and would keep his hand on his back with love.

They went for their pilgrimage to different places and lastly they reached Kashi. They stayed in Gora Kumbhar house. He was the seniormost amongst them. He had a wand sort of thing with him. Then Muktabai, the sister of Gyandev asked him why has he kept this wand. He replied that with this he checks the pots to see which pot is strong and which is weak. Muktabai said that we are also like pots, why not test us also. Gora kumbhar picked up the wand and hit it on everybody's back to check how strongly they believed in God. Everybody took it lightly and remained quiet. But when he hit it on Namdev's back, he got angry and said that such great bhakts have come to you house as guests and you testing them by hitting. Everyone was silent.

After sometime Muktabai asked Gora Kumbhar that you did not tell us who is strong and weak amongst us. He said there is no need to tell as all of you are strong but only Namdev is weak. Muktabai asked what is the resaon for his being weak. Gorakumbhar replied that he does not have a Guru. He should have Guru to guide him. Namdev felt very ashamed. He said to himself that when God eats and drinks with my hand, he cries for me and I strongly believe and love him then where is the need to find a Guru, why should I make a Guru.

When Namdev returned back to Pandharpur, he wept bitterly in front of the idol of Lord Pandhrang. God hugged him and made him understand that when I took avtaar as a man, I too had to learn from a Guru, I also needed shelter and hands of Guru who would guide and help me to find the right path. You have to find a Guru, otherwise deep inside your heart the EGO within you will never allow you to learn more, will never make you open your inward eyes. Then Namdev calmed down and requested God to help him to find the right Guru. God then directed him to Visova Kshetra and told him him to make him your Guru.

Namdev went towards a hillside and saw Lord Shankar's temple. There he met Guru Visowa Kshetra, who was 100 years old. He saw that his both the legs on Lord Shankar's pindi. Namdev was grumbling to himself that such an old man has no respect for God, he does not realise that he has kept his leg on God's pindi. That minute Visowa Kshetra called out to Namdev and said "God has sent you to me. I am Visow Kshetra. My leg slipped and fell or Shankar's pindi, please pick up my legs and keep it somewhere else." When Namdev lifted his legs, he would find pindi coming out wherever he would put his legs. Visowa smiled and said now feel that Lord is everywhere, he is not only in the idol you pray to, but each and every bit of universe is his. Wherever you go, just think that God is everywhere and every bit of this universe.

Lord Narayan and his disciples

In Kanchi there is a temple of Lord Narayan. The priest of the temple is appointed by the King of the city. Once the king told the priest to leave the city as he was going to appoint another priest for this temple. This priest used to take care of an old Mahatma of the temple. He used to cook food, wash clothes, vessels etc and all possible care of that old Mahatma. The priest had no choice but to obey king's command. When the priest was to leave, he came and touched the feet of the old Mahatma and told him I am leaving the city as I have been ordered by the king to quit this job. The old Mahatma immediately got up and said "since you are leaving the city, what will I do over here, nobody can take better care of me than you, I will also come with you." Both of them got ready to leave the temple and the city.

When they were going, the Mahatama told the priest that it is our duty to inform Lord Narayan also before leaving. They then joined hands prayed to God Narayan and wanted to take leave from him. Then Narayan, who was sitting on the throne of sheshnag and mouth of sheshnag is like a chatra(shelter), he said if you both are leaving then what would I do over here. I will also join you. They all carried their belongings and Lord Narayan also packed up is sheshnag throne.

When Lord Narayan was about to leave, the entire city became dark, there was no sunlight. The king immediately came running and saw Lord Narayan, the old Mahatma and priest are going together, the king begged sorry from God and apologised for his mistake. He told God not to leave the city. The Lord replied"I always go behind my true bhakt, my disciple. I can't stay without them. If you really want me to stay back in this city then you must request the Mahatma and the priest to stay back. The king begged sorry form both of them and asked the pujari to continue serving the temple rituals.

The priest and the Mahatma kept their belongings back and Lord Narayan also unpacked his Sheshnag throne. In a hurry the sheshnag's mouth i.e. the face turned backwards i.e. on the reverse side. Till today the chatra is on the revere direction . If you visit Kanchi you will find that sheshnag throne in that temple has the face of sheshnag throne is on the reverse direction.

Story of King Vikramaditya

King Vlikramaditya very often used to disguise himself into ordinary man to check and understand the problems of the people of his kingdom. He was always ready to help anybody in need and would take personal care to see that people are happy. No one should be poor or hungry.

Once early morning he was riding on his horse towards a jungle. While returning it became evening time and the sun was setting. Later it became quite dark. On the way he saw a cow was mooing, sort of crying. He diverted his horse towards that direction. He came near a pond and saw the water had dried and cow was stuck in the wet sand. She was trying to come out, but could not. Then the king tied his horse with a tree. He tried to pull the cow out from that pond but all his efforts were in vain, nothing worked. Then a lion came over there to eat the cow, he saw many other wild animals trying to gherao the cow. Near the pond there was a peepal tree, a parrot was sitting on it. The parrot said " oh! King Vikramaditya this cow is anyway going to die, today or tomorrow, why don't you runaway from this jungle as your life is also at stake. These wild animal will not spare you. Why not save your life and leave the cow alone."

The King looked at the parrot and replied "Oh, the beautiful bird, why are you teaching me inhuman lesson. For oneself and for one's own family or community everybody sacrifices their lives but for others very few do. Why? My life and family life is precious, animals also want to live. Only you have the right to live, others also equally want to live. For them life is equally precious as is for us. I will try my best to save this cow." Full night he took care of the cow. Next day early morning before sunrise, he looked around he saw there was no lion, no wild animals, no parrot. He was surprised to see Devraj Indra, on to his right was Earth and to the left human religion. Devraj Indra had disguised himself as lion, Earth was disguised cow and human rights was the parrot. Indra was so impressed by King Vikramditya that he presented him with Kamdhenu cow.

God, the Almighty is not pleased only with puja, prayers, but he is pleased with those who surrender to him with full faith and work hard for mankind and humanity.

Surrender to God in full, not in bits

Once Swami Ramakrishna Paramhans was giving lectures(satsang) to his disciples. During that time a man, who was a rich businessman, entered the hall. He had five hundred golden coins in his purse and he was trying to attract people by making noise with the coins. Later he opened and handed over the purse to Swamiji. Swami Paramhans laughed and gave a faint smile. Now all those present there became inquisitive, they wanted to know what was in the purse. The businessman said "This a small gift for you, please accept it." Swamiji then replied " I accept anything, even your abuses or if anybody insults me, criticizes me , I accept that also as a gift. If anybody throws mud or dirt on me, cow dung etc.I accept it with smile, but Oh! you have offered me so many golden coins, why should I refuse this, I accept this also with grace.

Then Swami Paramhas asked that man that since these coins were closed in a purse, why did you open and gave it to me, if you really intend to give me this gift, you could have peacefully placed in front of me, where was the need to make a show of it. You have disturbed everybody, even my satsang got disturbed. Then the man apologised and begged sorry from Swamiji. Swamiji said "You have offered me five hundred golden coins,now you should not have any possessiveness or attachment towards them, from now on they belong to me. In front of entire public the man agreed that and said "these coins are now yours, swamiji, I have no attachment or any binding on them." Then swamiji immediately ordered him to throw these coins in Ganga river.

The man's hands and legs started shivering. He was thinking how could he throw five hundred golden coins in river, has swamiji gone mad. People say that swamiji is mad, now I totally believe in what people say about swamiji. The man was in a fix as he had already agreed that these coins do not belong to him , swamiji has full right over them. Swami Vivekanand was also sitting next to Swami Paramhans.

The man finally went towards the river to throw these coins in river Ganga and sat down at the edge of the river. When it became very long and the man did not return, Swami Paramhans told Narendra(Swami Vivekanand) to check what is the man doing near the river.

When Narendra went there, he saw the man was counting each and every coin and throwing them slowly with bitter heart in the river. He was sweating, then Narendra took the purse from his hand and threw all the coins in one instance. He then pulled his hand and brought him near Swami Ramakrishna. Swamuji then explained to him that when you have surrendered anything, surrender it with full heart. Since you said they are mine, it is now my look out what should I do with it. Now you canoot stake claim over it.

When we surrender or offer anything to God, we offer in full, not in bits. We don't offer our nose, or eyes, or hands etc. No the true worshiper will surrender everything in an instance. God does not want your money, your flowers or anything. Everything is his which we enjoy today. He has given us good brains to do research, think, judge, good body to enjoy the beautiful world. But what have done in return. God is pleased with us when we surrender everything to him. He will take care, you cannot stake claim to his belongings, it is temporary amanat. Take care of it as one day you have to forcefully return it to him. So why not willingly offer him and leave the rest to him. When a person dies his entire body dies, not in parts.