Gita & Dhoom 3 ( another one from an FB post)

Below txt is written by them. Dhoom 3 catch lines, rewritten by them for their own spiritual learning and growth!
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Bande hain hum uske (we are part of supreme self),

Ham pe kiska zor (we are not in control of this worldly maya),

Ummedo ke suraj nikle charon aur (sadachar, swadhyay, sat sang, naam jaap to guide us),

Eradeye hain fauladi (we are fully committed on the path of God realization),

Himmati har kadam (we have courage and discipline in all events of life),

Apne haathon kismat likhne (we have the intellect and power to achieve our ultimate goal),

Aaj chale hain hum (we have started our journey of self realization)

Gratitude

As per Wikipedia , Gratitude is a strong emotion which flows out of you when you realize that you are lucky and blessed. We are bound to be grateful in every step of life.

Some other quotes :

Gratitude is a strong emotion which flows out of you when you realize that you are lucky and blessed. We are bound to be grateful in every step of life.

Its not happiness that brings about Gratitude. It is Gratitude that brings us happiness.

Imagine : what if you woke up tomorrow with only what you were grateful for today???
Gratitude turns what we have into enough.

Gratitude is knowing that it is all a blessing from the divine and that God's plans are always perfect.

Being grateful takes you on a journey of innerpeace. Being grateful for this life, the kind of parents you were born to, the upbringing & education, the opportunities & challenges ....the list goes on.

In Gita there are various references that once human form is attained its to test if one can understand the purpose of life and maintain the pursuit toward the goal amidst all distractions. The first step on the path is being grateful for the human life. Next gratitude for the awareness & knowledge. Gratitude for the opportunities and help that God provides along the way (teachers, friends, satsang...).

Gita in a poem ! (copy pasted from Face Book post)

This was written by Geetha Nagraj. Her son Vinay studies in the US and she keeps sending him summaries and even does Gita with him regularly. Both parents and son have realised how much Gita is needed by all, for a happy, peaceful and fulfilling life 

 (1)

Everything is in vain

Arjun cried out in pain      

How do I kill my kith and kin?

Oh my God, it is a sin

I do not want to play this game

It will only bring me shame

Let me not indulge in this war

I cannot take this any far

(2)

Pity, you are meek and weak

Who fears future is so bleak

Know your might and the grace

A great warrior of your race

I am really torn asunder

My Lord, here I surrender

You know what is best and right

Guide me through this dark night

Hear me say the Truth in brief

Abandon indeed all that grief

Differ how they Body and Soul

Know this reality as a whole

Prescribed duties you fulfill

With single focus, if you will

Mind not the results in every age

It will lead to mere bondage

With senses controlled, wise men say

It is all but a Divine Play

Pleasure and pain life may bring

Glories of Lord they always sing

Two main evils desire and anger

Enlightened know how to conquer

They lead their lives, quiet and peaceful

Filled with joy, serene and blissful

(3)

Knowledge and Action, ways are two

Which one is better, guide me through

Everyone is so bound to act

No one can deny, it is a fact

Do your job with all your might

If it is detached, it is so right

Free of ego do your best

For the benefit of the rest

Sacrifice is the way to go

To reach the Supreme as you know

Based on which the Creation rests

This is how the Universe works

Know your strength, trade and skill

Make your destiny with your will

Your own task, do it with charm

Others’ role, it will only harm

Rest not until you fulfill your duty

Seek your Self in all its very beauty

(4)

You do not know ME fully yet

I am the Real and the Light

When Right is in its very decline

I manifest in forms, all divine

I appear at MY will, time and again

To restore peace, I ascertain

Leave your desire, fear and anger

Follow your way with all the fervor

Every path is dear and pleasant

If pursued with pure intent

Action and inaction, it is a world of choice

Always listen to your inner voice

A man’s life sans oblation

Leads him away from salvation

(5)

Renunciation and Action, ways are two

            Which one is better, guide me through

Superior to renunciation

I say it is unattached action

With subdued senses and life so pure

Anyone can reach ME, this is for sure

Even wise men perform deed

To purify their souls indeed

Ever clear in their equal vision

They are ever on their mission

(6)

You and only you are your friend and enemy

Elevate the spirit on your own journey

Honor and dishonor life will throw

Treat them equal, they come and go

Eat, sleep and act in moderation

Helps to reach your final destination

He is with ME and very aware

Who knows and sees ME everywhere  

Control your mind, restless for sure

Practice and dispassion, you ensure

Faith and worship come what may

He is the most devout, I would say

(7)

Thousands of men tried their best

Very few have passed the test

I am the seed and the essence

In everything, feel my presence

Blinded by their delusion

World is in my illusion

But those who seek my divine grace

With all the love I embrace

Worshippers and seekers, men are four

Pious Savants, I adore

Any worship, men may long

I make that faith firm and strong

(8)

I am the knowledge and the source

Everything springs from my creative force

Those who know ME as the ONE

And fill their thoughts of ME alone

At their end and along the road

They make their way easily to my abode

Mind and Intellect fixed in my sublime

Therefore remember ME all the time

Noble devotees reach their aim of eternal peace

Away from this painful and transient place

(9)

Secret of Truth I will share

It is the Royal Science, I declare

Actions in this path easy to perform

Pure and pleasant in its form

Those who cavil all the while

Will return to their path of vile

I am the cause and the effect

Everything possesses my divine aspect

Nature’s various manifestations

Are born under my directions

I am the father and the mother

And the supporter and purifier

I am the origin and dissolution

And the shelter and foundation

Only ME, who think and serve,

Their need, I secure and preserve

A leaf, flower, fruit or just water

Whatsoever my devotees offer

With all the delight, I accept

It is the intent that I respect

Whatever you do, eat or give

You submit to ME, it is the way to live

On the path to your noble goal

And unite yourself with the Supreme soul

(10)

 I am the Truth and the unborn

With my power everything is born

Men who know that I am the Creator

Are in delight and enlighten one another

To such men who worship with love so dear

I provide them with intellect to come so near

                       

                        You are the Divine and all pervading

                        But how can I know thy in every being?

There is no end to my eminence

Wherever there is magnificence

Glorious, Splendor, brilliance or excellence

Know that it is my immanent presence

(11)

With your profound words for my own sake

                        My delusion is gone and I am now awake

                        I wish to see your form, infinite and divine

                        Show me if you think it is all fine

                       

You can see in ME the whole universe

Forms, colors and shapes so diverse

I grant the spiritual vision to see the wonder

Behold all that you see, it is all splendor

                        Oh My Lord, I see Thee in every side

                        And the cosmic form in which you reside

                        I see the entire creation

And the countless evolution

                        I see the good and the horror

                        And the universe in terror

                        I see the blazing fire

                        And now to know you fully, I desire

                       

I am the time, the present and past

Everyone will see their end at last

Know that I am the destroyer of all

So, stand up and attend to your call

Gifts, rituals or austerities, men may perform

To see my cosmic exalted form

But only those who render their pure devotion

Are blessed to have this wonderful vision

12)

One who worships and meditates on ME

I help to liberate, such a noble devotee

He who is ever friendly and without any ego

Always the same to a friend or foe

Equipoised in honor and dishonor, praise and censure

Cold and heat, pain and pleasure

Neither rejoices nor hates

Nor grieves nor desires

Pure, forgiving, alert, full of compassion and devotion

Content, silent and steady in meditation

Adroit in work and possessed of firm conviction

And without any agitation

Free from elation, envy, anxiety and fear

Such a devotee is near and dear

13)

Understand the concept of Matter and Spirit

The gross and subtle elements that is born with it

Knowledge will awaken the sleepy soul

Help you reach your lofty goal

Humility, non-injury, purity and unpretentiousness

Forgiveness, respect for teacher, self-control and uprightness

These are the qualities one must gain

With this knowledge, he is not born again

Those who see the Lord in every being

Reaches HIS eternal divine dwelling

14)

Purity, Passion and Inertia, constituents are three

Of the Nature, that is born from ME

Purity binds to knowledge and divineness

At all times leads to happiness

Elements of Passion are restlessness and constant action

It can only lead to pain and dejection

Inertia binds to useless activity, sleep and indolence

Result of which is ignorance

Everyone is so bound by these modes of three

One who transcends them becomes free

15)

Know this eternal truth that the individualized Self

Is nothing but an eternal part of Myself

In the body with five senses and the mind, I reside

Providing vitality for all beings, everything I preside

Those who possess the divine eye

Behold ME and contemplate so high

In the sun, moon and fire, know that light to be mine

I support all beings by my strength so prime

16)

Those who are born to attain sublime qualities

Possess all the divine properties

But those who are born for a demoniac estate

Exhibit all the traits that enslave

With hypocrisy, anger, lust and arrogance

They walk the path of only ignorance

Lust, anger and greed are three gates to pain

Renounce these and pursue the noble aim

Follow the guidelines prescribed in sacred text

They are the authority in what is best

17)

Faith of the embodied is a threefold kind

It depends on how their innate natures bind

Pure, passionate or dark

It depends on their inner mark

Know about three types of food, sacrifice and austerities

And the threefold way of giving charities

Harmless, truthful, helpful and pleasant

In austerity of speech, these are present

Discipline of the mind brings silence and calmness

And self restraint, purity and gentleness

Without any faith, one who does all these in haste

In this life and hereafter, goes only waste

18)

Know about abandonment and renunciation

Here is my ultimate declaration

Never should be abandoned, sacrifice, charity and austerity

Since it leads to purity         

Obligatory duties, all should perform

Agreeable or disagreeable, pure men always conform

Detached and not desiring of the fruit

Every prescribed duty, they execute

Action and its causes, understand all the facts

Helps you comprehend the reasons behind all acts

Kinds of knowledge, action, intellect, fortitude and pleasure

Are pure, passionate or dark, three in measure

Everyone’s duties depends on how their qualities bind

Qualities born of nature are four in kind

By engaging in their own duty, wise men attain perfection

And with Supreme they make their connection

Heart of every being is Lord’s dwelling

Seek his refuge and manifest your divine being

Secret of secrets, this wisdom I have shared so clear

It is because to me you are so dear

With all the knowledge gained, you reflect

Choice is yours and now you act

If you take refuge in me for sure

Will liberate you from all the sins, this I assure

This supreme knowledge with devotion who teach

Without any doubt my abode, they reach

                        With your grace, I am now aware

My doubts are dispelled, this I declare

                        My faith is firm and intact

                        Now as per your words, I will act.

                       

Line & line segment and rain & water cycle

During a geometry lesson revision was trying to explain to my child.
Line : No beginning & no end. Infinite
Line segment : has a start & end. Finite. Is part of a line.

Just like rain or lake has a start and end and is part of the water cycle

Soul and body was going thru my mind during this conversation. And my child related it to God & Human.

Human being / body is finite like the line segment and like a lake
Soul and God are Infinite and so is the line and the watercycle

And our being is a part of the divinity in a way .

Sun & Sunshine

• Look up at the Sun and the shadows will fall behind you ( not be seen).
• The Sun is the ultimate source of energy and life, beginning of the food chain!
• Sun helps plants grow, animals breathe. 
• Sun helps ice melt to water & then evaporate again to give rain. It is an essential part of the water cycle that one ignores
• It is said Sun first shared the Gita gyan 
• Its the core of our solar system. There would be no day & night and no seasons if there was no Sun. In fact we would not be here if there was no Sun.
• Indians, Incas and Greek ...all these cultures prayed to Sun God in different forms

God's plan are perfect!!

A King had a male servant who, in all circumstances always said to him; My king, do not be discouraged because everything God does is perfect, no mistakes. 
One day, they went hunting and a wild animal attacked the king, the servant managed to kill the animal but couldn't prevent his majesty from losing a finger. Furious and without showing gratitude, the King said; if God was good, I would not have been attacked and lost one finger. The servant replied, 'despite all these things, I can only tell you that God is good and everything He does is perfect, He is never wrong'. Outraged by the response, the king ordered the arrest of his servant. While being taken to prison, he told the king again, God is Good & Perfect. 
Another day, the king left alone for another hunt and was captured by savages who use human beings for sacrifice. On the altar, the savages found out that the king didn't have one finger in place, he was released because he was considered not "complete" to be offered to the gods. On his return to the palace, he ordered the release of his servant and said; My friend, God was really good to me. I was almost killed but for lack of a single finger, I was let go. But I have a question; If God is so good, why did He allow me to put you in prison? His servant replied; My king, if I had not been put in prison, I would have gone with you, and would have been sacrificed, because I have no missing finger. 

Everything God does is perfect, He is never wrong. Often we complain about life, and the negative things that happen to us, forgetting that everything happens for a purpose. God knows why you are reading this message today, please bless someone with it by sharing it. God is good and perfect!!!😇

Law of Karma : a simple explanation ( copy, edited & pasted)

“Karma” means “activity”, and the law of karma is the law that regulates the reactions to our activities. 

The law of karma is the natural law of action and reaction. In physics this is expressed by Newton’s law, “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”. 

Or, in Christian theology, “As ye sow so ye shall ye reap”.

From a practical point of view this means that good actions give good results and bad or destructive actions give bad or less fortunate results.

It should be noted here that all souls are essentially good. This means that just because someone gets a bad reaction it does not mean that they are a bad person. Another important point is that karma is temporary. This means that although we may be experiencing a particular set of circumstances right now those circumstances will change in the future. This could happen in this life or even future lives. Not only is karma temporary it is also possible to change one’s karma, or even get rid of it altogether by acting spiritually in the service of God.

Good reactions include things like wealth, beauty, intelligence and happiness. Bad reactions include things like poverty and disease. In order to fully understand how karma works the concept of reincarnation must also be looked into. See the page on Reincarnation for more information.

Karma (good or bad) creates a continuous cycle by which one is entangled in repeated actions and subsequent reactions. As long as one is in this cycle one will naturally experience both happiness and distress. The philosophy of the devotees of Krishna teaches how to break this cycle and achieve a state of eternal happiness known as liberation in a pure relationship with God.

From the spiritual point of view, that of eternity, it doesn’t really matter if one has “good” or “bad” karma. This is because past material karma does not impede one from making spiritual advancement.

Spiritual significance of Ramayan! ( Copy paste from an FB post)

Ramayan is an epic story about King Dasharatha, who had three wives, but no children. Along with his wife Kaushalya, he performed a yagya called Ashwamedha, after which they got four sons.

Dasharatha means one who can run ten chariots at a time; You are Dasharatha; Your body-mind complex is Dasharatha. The ten chariots are the five organs of senses and the five organs of actions. The five organs of senses are eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin. The five organs of action or Karmendriya enable us to interact with the material objects of the world; these organs are hands, feet, organs of ingestion (mouth), organs of excretion (rectum) and organs of reproduction (genitals).

Kaushalya means skill - A skill is required to be able to draw the mind away from the Maya and establish it in the Self!

Ashwa means today; that which was not yesterday, not tomorrow, but "Now....in this present moment", Ashwa also means horse. Our senses are like horses that keep running in different directions.

Medha means purification;

Ashwamedha is when one’s mind and intellect is totally in the present moment free from the anger and regret of the past and free from the anxieties and fears of the future. By being in the present moment, purification happens. When medha, your intellect is so deep in the present moment, nothing can shake it. What can shake your intellect is only the past. If you can snap yourself out of the past every moment, you are free, that is liberation. You are liberated because you have snapped out of the past. This is purification.

Rama - The words "rays, radiance" come from the Sanskrit root word Ra, which means to shine, to radiate, brilliant, light. Ma means within me; in my heart. So, Rama means the light in my heart.

So, when Dasharatha and Kaushalya came together, and performed the Ashwamedha yagya, Rama was born. When the mind-body complex uses some skill and gets into the present moment, purifying the mind and the heart, then Rama, which means, the light in our hearts is born. This is the spiritual significance of Sri Rama’s birth.

Four things come out of you when Ashwamedha is done:

Rama, which means the light in our heart shines (Born of Kaushalya)
Lakshmana, means awareness, mindfulness (Born of Sumitra)
Bharata, means all talents (Born of Kaikeyi)
Shatrughna, means one who has no enemies (Born of Sumitra)
The first wife’s name is Kaushalya, which means skill. In Hindi, you say ‘Kushalatha’, meaning skillful.

The second wife’s name is Sumitra, which means good friend. There could be many friends, but not all are good friends. Many times, friends drag you in the wrong direction; take you in the wrong way. Sumitra is one who takes you in the right direction.

The third wife’s name is Kaikeyi, one who sacrifices herself and brings benevolence. Kaikeyi is one who stands by your side, although she appears differently; but deep within, she does benevolence, with a cover. It is like a doctor who gives you a bitter medicine, or a vaccination. As soon as the children see him, they start yelling and crying, but the vaccination does good to them. Similarly, Kaikeyi who apparently, outwardly, is not pleasant, but inwardly, does that which is good for you.
So, these are the three wives of Dasharatha.

Ravana means the one who clouds or covers the "light within",hence Ravana is also called the EGO. The 10 bad qualities, which are represented by 10 heads of Ravana that cover the spirit within are:

1. Kama vasana (Lust)
2. Krodha (Anger)
3. Moha (Attachment)
4. Lobha (Greed)
5. Mada (Over Pride)
6. Matsara (Jealousy)
7. Swartha (Selfishness)
8. Anyaaya (Injustice)
9. Amanavta (Cruelty)
10. Ahankara (Ego).

Ramayana is happening in your own body. Your soul is Rama, your mind is Sita, your breath or life-force is Hanuman, your awareness is Laxmana and your ego is Ravana.
When the mind (Sita) was stolen by Ravana (the ego) then the 10 bad qualities start dominating and cause emotional pollution. This makes the soul (Rama) restless. Now the soul cannot reach the mind on its own, it has to take the help of the breath - the prana. With the help of the prana (Hanuman), the mind (Sita) got reunited with the soul (Rama), and the ego (Ravana) vanished.

(This is exactly what we do in rhythmic breathing .This is the spiritual significance of the story.)

Knowing God, a perspective

Very often we come across people trying to understand God. Not visible, not physical . So intangible.

Some examples that helps explain to kids.

When you fall and it hurts, can you see the pain? Can your mom see the pain? But you feel the pain . And thru your experience and sharing your mom feels your pain.

Someone may argue when you break a bone it comes in an xray but when its just a bruise you cannot see in xrays. And now science has many ways to see changes in body and brain waves when we are happy, sad or in pain. But do we as people see those electro magnetic waves? But we FEEL them.

God and divinity is about EXPERIENCING it.

We experience the cool breeze, that is a form of divinity. ( we surely don't see it)
We see the rainbow which is divinity too, but do we see the joy it spreads in the hearts of all those who see it???
We feel joyful when we see a rainbow or feel the breeze or warm sunshine.
This is experiencing God !

Gandhi & Gita

"The Gita is the universal mother. She turns away nobody. Her door is wide open to anyone who knocks. A true votary of the Gita does not know what disappointment is. He ever dwells in perennial joy and 'peace that passeth all understanding'. But that peace and joy comes not to the skeptic or to him who is proud of his intellect or learning. It is reserved only for the humble in spirit who brings to her worship a fullness of faith and an undivided singleness of mind. There never was a man who worshipped her in this spirit and went back disappointed.

I find a solace in the Bhagavad Gita that I miss even in the sermon on the Mount. When disappointment stares me in the face and all alone I see not a ray of light, I go back to the Bhagavad Gita. I find a verse here and a verse there, and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming tragedies - and if they have left no visible, no indelible scar on me, I owe it all to the teaching of the Bhagavad Gita."

~ Mahatma Gandhi (taken from The Holy Geeta - a CCMT publication)

Let us pay heed to his words and understand how the Gita guided him in his darkest moments. Let us all "Go through Gita... Grow through Gita..." and let Gita go through you to the next generation by example.

The black board

Have you ever thought about the black board ( or white board in a classroom).
Teachers come, write on it, children learn in different proportions and then its erased, sometimes completely and sometimes not quite, and periodically it is cleaned and made as good as new....

Does the blackboard learn or change....or is just part of the lecture and a witness to the whole process.

Its unchanging. Just like the sky does not change whether it is rain or shine??? The clouds come & go , day & night happens...but the sky just remains.

Table legs & BMI

When you want to pull a table if you cannot lift, and pull one leg , we can get the table to move.

Now when we are trying to be good / spiritual etc and one part of us ( a bad habit or a sensory organ)  is pulling is in the other direction ( telling lies/ eating wrong foods/ gossiping...) then will we move in the right direction or stay steady ??? or get pulled in wrong direction.

Point here is that our thought, words, intentions and actions are like table legs and need to be aligned and working in harmony to be steady & then move together in one direction that all agree.

So the body, mind, intellect (BMI)  all need to be working together.

UNIVERSE

Just struck me that the word could be interpreted as
U N I , so all of us
VERSE ; learn about the verse

So all Gita study groups are a representation of the universe ...

Three ways of understanding GOD

Number 3 is back. And GOD has 3 letters!!!!

Well recently heard that

1. Some people understand God as 1 God . My personal favourite deity or that there is only one God
2. Others believe God is in many forms, Ganesha, Jesus, Saraswati, Laxmi ....etc . And with in those some believe , eventually one God, but different forms. ( Like all eat carbs in different forms of wheat : roti, bread, paratha, pita bread, noodles, pizza, pasta)
3. God is in everything and is everywhere, omnipresent ....and when we see the beauty of God in everything......the breeze, the plants, the rain, the warm sunshine,  the grass, the children screaming in the playground...just everything is the glory of God....

Gita : Science of Life

Gita has been called a manual for life, rule book, guide and even "Science of Life"

The Wiki definition of Science

"Science (from Latin scientia, meaning "knowledge"^[1]) is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe.^[2][3] In an older and closely related meaning, "science" also refers to a body of knowledge itself, of the type that can be rationally explained and reliably applied."

Another simplistic definition is when some principles are tested , experimented and then the knowledge is shared.
For example gravity or Archimide's principle. Its not that things did not fall before gravity was termed so or that things floated differently before Archimide's observed the phenomena 

Well in relation to Gita one can say it has the fundamental truths & principles of of life that do not change over a period of time

Explanation of God & Religion

(A copy paste from from my friend Meenakshi's FaceBook post with her permission).




Explanation of God & Religion for my children-



Man could not decide what to name the goodness in humanity. The good occurs, many a times, without any reason and effort. This boon was named God. Good became God. It is timeless, indestructible and gives hope. No one created it, we just named the phenomenon. Exactly, for the same reason we call happy, 'happy'.
Corollary would be religion. If you assume that God is milk then religion is like the kheer made from it. Everyone makes their own way and all taste good. But if you are not careful, kheer can get spoiled but people do not accept their folly and pass on the blame to milk. Other people would say, "My brand of milk is better, try it". That is evangelization.
This is what I have learnt from my grandfather & my motherland. And, this is what I hope to inculcate in my children.

Who is a Hindu? ( A copy paste from an FB post)

A Hindu was flying from JFK New York Airport to SFO San Francisco Airport CA to attend a meeting at Monterey, CA.

An American girl was sitting on the right side, near window seat. It indeed was a long journey - it would take nearly seven hours.

He was surprised to see the young girl reading a Bible unusual of young Americans. After some time she smiled and we had few acquaintances talk.He told her that I am from India

Then suddenly the girl asked: 'What's your faith?' 'What?' He didn't understand the question.

'I mean, what's your religion? Are you a Christian? Or a Muslim?'

'No!' He replied, 'He am neither Christian nor Muslim'.

Apparently she appeared shocked to listen to that. 'Then who are you?' “I am a Hindu”, He said.

She looked at him as if she was seeing a caged animal. She could not understand what He was talking about.

A common man in Europe or US knows about Christianity and Islam, as they are the leading religions of the world today.

But a Hindu, what?

He explained to her - I am born to a Hindu father and Hindu mother. Therefore, I am a Hindu by birth.

'Who is your prophet?' she asked.

'We don't have a prophet,' He replied.

'What's your Holy Book?'

'We don't have a single Holy Book, but we have hundreds and thousands of philosophical and sacred scriptures,'
He replied.

'Oh, come on at least tell me who is your God?'

'What do you mean by that?'

'Like we have Jesus and Muslims have Allah - don't you have a God?'

He thought for a moment. Muslims and Christians believe one God (Male God) who created the world and takes an interest in the humans who inhabit it. Her mind is conditioned with that kind of belief.

According to her (or anybody who doesn't know about Hinduism), a religion needs to have one Prophet, one Holy book and one God. The mind is so conditioned and rigidly narrowed down to such a notion that anything else is not acceptable. He understood her perception and concept about faith. You can't compare Hinduism with any of the present leading religions where you have to believe in one concept of God.

He tried to explain to her: 'You can believe in one God and he can be a Hindu. You may believe in multiple deities and still you can be a Hindu. What's more - you may not believe in God at all, still you can be a Hindu. An Atheist can also be a Hindu.'

This sounded very crazy to her. She couldn't imagine a religion so unorganized, still surviving for thousands of years, even after onslaught from foreign forces.

'I don't understand but it seems very interesting. Are you religious?'

What can He tell to this American girl?

He said: 'I do not go to Temple regularly. I do not make any regular rituals. I have learned some of the rituals in my younger days. I still enjoy doing it sometimes'.

'Enjoy? Are you not afraid of God?'

'God is a friend. No- I am not afraid of God. Nobody has made any compulsions on me to perform these rituals regularly.'

She thought for a while and then asked: 'Have you ever thought of converting to any other religion?'

'Why should I? Even if I challenge some of the rituals and faith in Hinduism, nobody can convert me from Hinduism. Because, being a Hindu allows me to think independently and objectively, without conditioning. I remain as a Hindu never by force, but choice.' He told her that Hinduism is not a religion, but a set of beliefs and practices. It is not a religion like Christianity or Islam because it is not founded by any one person or does not have an organized controlling body like the Church or the Order, I added. There is no institution or authority..

'So, you don't believe in God?' she wanted everything in black and white.

'I didn't say that. I do not discard the divine reality. Our scripture, or Sruthis or Smrithis - Vedas and Upanishads or the Gita - say God might be there or he might not be there. But we pray to that supreme abstract authority (Para Brahma) that is the creator of this universe.'

'Why can't you believe in one personal God?'

'We have a concept - abstract - not a personal god. The concept or notion of a personal God, hiding behind the clouds of secrecy, telling us irrational stories through few men whom he sends as messengers, demanding us to worship him or punish us, does not make sense. I don't think that God is as silly as an autocratic emperor who wants others to respect him or fear him.' He told her that such notions are just fancies of less educated human imagination and fallacies, adding that generally ethnic religious practitioners in Hinduism believe in personal Gods. The entry level Hinduism has over-whelming superstitions too. The philosophical side of Hinduism negates all superstitions.

'Good that you agree God might exist. You told that you pray. What is your prayer then?'

'Loka Samastha Sukino Bhavantu. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti,'
लोका समस्ता सुखिनो भवन्तु !!! ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः !!!

'Funny,' she laughed, 'What does it mean?'

'May all the beings in all the worlds be happy. Let there be Peace, Peace,and Peace every where.'

'Hmm ..very interesting. I want to learn more about this religion. It is so democratic, broad-minded and free' she exclaimed.

'The fact is Hinduism is a religion of the individual, for the individual and by the individual with its roots in the Vedas and the Bhagavad-Gita. It is all about an individual approaching a personal God in an individual way according to his temperament and inner evolution - it is as simple as that.'

'How does anybody convert to Hinduism?'

'Nobody can convert you to Hinduism, because it is not a religion, but it is a Culture, a way of leaving life, a set of beliefs and practices. Everything is acceptable in Hinduism because there is no single Authority or Organization either to accept you or to reject you or to oppose you on behalf of Hinduism.'

He told her - if you look for meaning in life, don't look for it in religions; don't go from one cult to another or from one Guru to the next.

For a real seeker, He told her, the Bible itself gives guidelines when it says ' Kingdom of God is within you.' I reminded her of Christ's teaching about the love that we have for each other. That is where you can find the meaning of life.

Loving each and every creation of the God is absolute and real. 'Isavasyam idam sarvam' Isam (the God) is present (inhabits) here everywhere - nothing exists separate from the God, because God is present everywhere. Respect every living being and non-living things as God. That's what Hinduism teaches you.

Hinduism is referred to as Sanathana Dharma, the eternal faith. It is based on the practice of Dharma, the code of life. The most important aspect of Hinduism is being truthful to oneself. Hinduism has no monopoly on ideas. It is open to all. Hindus believe in one God (not a personal one) expressed in different forms. For them, God is timeless and formless entity.

Ancestors of today's Hindus believe in eternal truths and cosmic laws and these truths are opened to anyone who seeks them. But there is a section of Hindus who are either superstitious or turned fanatic to make this an organized religion like others. The British coin the word 'Hindu' and considered it as a religion.

He said: 'Religions have become an MLM (multi-level- marketing) industry that has been trying to expand the market share by conversion. The biggest business in today's world is Spirituality. Hinduism is no exception'

He said "I am a Hindu primarily because it professes Non-violence - 'Ahimsa Paramo Dharma' means - Non violence is the highest duty. I am a Hindu because it doesn't condition my mind with any faith system.

A man/woman who changes his/her birth religion to another religion is a fake and does not value his/her morals, culture and values in life.

Hinduism is the original rather a natural yet a logical and satisfying spiritual, personal and a scientific way of leaving a life..

About Mahabharat

We all know some bits of it or at least with reference to Gita.

Well as I see it each character in that has is a very strong one and they do some amazingly righteous things as well as some outrightly foolish things ...or at least that seem in appropriate.

For example Bhishma makes the vow, a sacrifice for his fathers happiness . Very good intention so the blessing to live till he wants but partly the start of the Mahabharat. And the King wanting to remarry ...carried away by the looks of a woman and ignoring her selfish character!!!!

And then a princess covering her eyes since she was marrying a blind man! Now you can be his eyes but she chooses to shut hers!!!!

Drona asks for the right thumb of a pupil who worships him??? because he was honest and eager to learn!!!

And so many other people and incidences that teach you what to be aware of and how each act leads to another and then we have to live with consequences.

Soul & Water

In chapter 2 of the BG there is elaboration about how the soul does not have a beginning. And what does not have a beginning does not have an end.

An illustration to explain.

Water!!!

We know states of water : liquid, solid & vapour. We know forms: lakes, rivers, snow, ice, clouds, steam. And most of us can relate to the water cycle as well.
Now a river has a start and end and so does the cloud or lake. And maybe one can define the begining and end of rain as well.

But can someone say where the water cycle begins? or where water started??? does it start with the ocean or ends there?

Any form or state, its still water really.

Same for the soul.

Number 3 again

3 Gunas : Rajas, Tamas & Satwa
3 Tenses : Past , Present & Future
3 chakras above & below the heart chakra
3 states of matter - solid, liquid & gas
3 worlds : akash, patal & dharti
In war they used 3 colors for flags : red to attack, white to surrender & yellow for friendship
and we say 3 dimensional!
and its the 3rd eye related to enlightenment !!
not to forget that Arjun was the 3rd Pandu putra !!!
and the Pandav's & Kauravs were the 3rd generation to Bheeshma !!!!

Teachers Day & Gita

September 5th is celebrated as Teachers Day in India and as per Gita each day is teacher & student day.

Reading the Gita everyday and practicing its principles is the best tribute we can pay to the ultimate teacher : Krishna

Sikhism & Gita

The Sikh religion is amongst the youngest and there is a school of thought that says because its young and new its refined and contemporary, just like latest technology / models are better than the previous ones.

Another school of thought is that Sikhs came from Hindus and hence are a subset of Hinduism.

My way of looking at it is that Sikhs made the Book - Granth Sahib,  greater than people, Guru's & rituals. They said the word is higher than all else.

And followers of Gita say exactly that....what is in the book , above all else!

And if someone has read both in detail am sure there will be loads in common for what is written.

Divinity in you

Everyone is bestowed with some talents. These talents are not for ourselves. A musician has a good voice, not to sing in the bathroom; his good voice is to entertain others. A writer has a good grip on the language, not to write letters to oneself and keep reading; a writer’s talent is to make others enjoy and stimulate their intellect. Similarly, if you have a good sense of humor, you can’t keep laughing at yourself; your sense of humor is of no use for yourself, it is for everybody else. Everything that you are bestowed with is to share with others, with society. If you are a good surgeon, you can’t operate on yourself. A good surgeon’s skills and knowledge are no good to him when he needs it; he has to go to some other surgeon.

We all have a bit of God in us...

Fire - a perspective

The senses are like fire. Your life is like a fire. Whatever you put into the fire of the senses burns. If you burn a tire, it creates pollution and a foul smell. But if you burn sandlewood, it creates fragrance. Some fires pollutes and others purify.

Celebration happens around the bonfire. Grief happens around the cremation fire. The same fire that supports life in winter also destroys.

You are like fire. Are you the fire that produces smoke and pollution or the flame of camphor that creates light and fragrance. A saint is a camphor flame light and the fragrance of love. He is the friend of life.

The highest quality of fire creates light and warmth. A medium quality fire creates light but also little smoke. The lowest quality fire produces only smoke and darkness. Learn to distinguish the different fires. If your senses are engaged in goodness, you will create light and fragrance. If engages in impurity, you produce smoke and darkness. It is samyama that transforms the quality of fire in you.

A beautiful Story of stolen divinity ( copy & edited from a chain email)

There was once a time when all human beings were gods, but they so abused their divinity that Brahma, the chief god, decided to take it away from them and hide it where it could never be found.

Where to hide their divinity was the question. So Brahma called a council of the gods to help him decide. “Let’s bury it deep in the earth,” said the gods. But Brahma answered, “No, that will not do because humans will dig into the earth and find it.”

Then the gods said, “Let’s sink it in the deepest ocean.” But Brahma said, “No, not there, for they will learn to dive into the ocean and will find it.”

Then the gods said, “Let’s take it to the top of the highest mountain and hide it there.” But once again Brahma replied, “No, that will not do either, because they will eventually climb every mountain and once again take up their divinity.”

Then the gods gave up and said, “We do not know where to hide it, because it seems that there is no place on earth or in the sea that human beings will not eventually reach.”

Brahma thought for a long time and then said, “Here is what we will do. We will hide their divinity deep in the center of their own being, for humans will never think to look for it there.”

All the gods agreed that this was the perfect hiding place, and the deed was done. And since that time humans have been going up and down the earth, digging, diving, climbing, and exploring–searching for something already within themselves

The Kingdom of God

Once King Akbar asked his prime minister, Birbal, “Who is greater, me or God?”
Birbal was very clever. Without hesitation, he answered, “You are, Your Majesty.”
Though the king was flattered, he asked, “How can that be?”
“Your Majesty, if you do not like someone, you can banish him from your kingdom very easily. However, how can God banish anyone from His Kingdom? Where can He send him? The whole universe is God’s Kingdom!”

Moral: This story reminds us of God’s glory and His love. There is no king as powerful and merciful as God. He has created the whole universe and accepts us as we are. He loves us, even if we forget Him. We can pay gratitude to God by remembering Him continually through chanting* His Name.

Sea Turtle & it's babies

We have heard about tortoise being the 2nd avatar.
I have also blogged about the tortoise/turtle and how it can retract into its shell signifying controlling the 5 senses inward.
Now we have heard that it lays its eggs on the beach and goes away.
Well history shows when eggs hatch they all go to the sea and none towards land! Some don't survive & also most meet their mom!!!
How come the mom turtle just leaves her eggs un attended on the beach???
A. She does not care
B. Her  faith that the divine will take care

Well spiritual lesson here is that motherhood which is the epitome of love and care, leaves her babies in divine care and moves on knowing that only what the God wills will happen to her babies.

This is the ultimate faith that the turtle/tortoise family teaches us.

The Olympic Rings and the 5 senses & the 5 elements

5 continents - 5 Senses 

Note : Black,Yellow & green are connected to 2 other rings where as Red & Blue are connected to only one other

Similarly the eyes , ears & nose are closely connected where as taste & touch are a bit on the inside.


5 circles : 5 elements 
Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Space
Earth can hide some Water & Air
Air can hide some Water as vapour
Inside Fire is some Air !!
Water can hide air temporarily and then the bubbles go up

Lessons of life ( recommended for adults)

I came across this piece written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .

"To celebrate growing older, Regina once wrote the 42 lessons life taught her.  

Here is an attempt to see the spiritual message in some of them in blue.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
Doubts are like clouds that hide the Sun. When the clouds move away we feel the Sunshine again ( even though it was there, just teh clouds came in between)


3. Life is too short – enjoy it.
Your life in the cosmic & larger picture is very small, but yet significant

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. 
Your relationship at work is commercial, and that with family is love. Whatever happens, love will prevail

5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 
When you dont settle it gets carried forward with intereste , just like bad Karma's or desires.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.
Being truthful is more important 

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
Sometimes solitude is better but for grieving & praying , when done with others the impact is exponential

8. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.
When you start earning, know its not forever, one day it will stop & for material things you will need to save part of earnings. You will retire from work not life.
We save for future, Armies prepare for wartime, students study for exams. Life is all preparing about the next stage wether certain or unknown. Spiritually knowing that we are preparing to unite with Divine is as important and we need to start the day we begin to understand that. 

9. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
In some cases our senses loose control. BE aware of them & don't force control unless it comes naturally. Senses will distract us till the mind has overpowered them. It will, if we have the intention but not by force or pretence.

10. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
We all have heard we cant change the past, but a great present may balance out.
Past is created because it was present once and future is what we want our present to be . The most important in present. By having a good present & living it well we create a good past and also remove anxiety about future

11. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
Crying could be grieving, letting go, regretting or being sorry. All are natural emotions. Children sometimes may not understand, but if shared appropriately will know.
Honesty is the best policy. Be truthful to self and your kids and they will learn the same virtue. 

12. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
Each soul has its journey of being separated & to reunite with divine. No point comparing.

13. If a relationship or act has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it...
If it needs to be hidden then you already acknowledge something is not right about it. Just do what is right.

14 Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
Breath & mind have a connection and we experience it each time we sigh

15. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

16. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

17. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.

18. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

19. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
Everyday is a gift that is why its called the present. Its special for it will never be again. Love in the NOW

20. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

21. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
Do what makes you feel good ( as long as its not hurting anyone or illegal). Doing right makes us happy. And wearing Purple seems right!!!

22. The most important organ is the brain.
Power of though can make us angry or happy. The brain works with the mind when we have thoughts 

23. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
Happiness is our true nature. Also our is not dependent on anything & anybody

24. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

25. Always choose life.

26. Forgive but don’t forget. 

27. What other people think of you is none of your business. 
People will have opinions. One should stay focussed on ones karma & dharma

28. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
Everything except GOD is transient , it will change

30. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does..

31. Believe in miracles.

32. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

33. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

34. Your children get only one childhood.

35. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

36. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

37. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

38. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need.

39. The best is yet to come...

40. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

41. Yield.

42. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."