Akhand Jyoti Magzine May June 2018 by Akhand Jyoti Swadhyay

|| O® bh¿rbhuva¡ sva¡ tatsaviturvareñya® bhargo devasya dhºmahi dhiyo yo na¡ prachoday³t || (May Almighty illuminate our intellect and inspire us towards the righteous path) - Rigveda 3/62/10; Samveda 1462, Yajurveda 3/35, 22/9, 30/2, 36/3

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Amrit Chintan

Life is A Challenge Life is a voyage. It passes through many hills and valleys of rise and fall, pleasure and pain, success and failure, profit and loss, peace and unrest, and so on. Dealing with all these aspects of life and continuing one’s journey to the destination is indeed a challenging task. Those who accept this challenge find their voyage as a blessing and those who fail to realize this fact have no other option but to regret. Albert Einstein has rightly said - “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” People, considering life as a challenge, keep a penetrating eye on the ups and downs and prepare themselves accordingly. They remain equipoised in success and failure. For such people life becomes an opportunity for self-growth and they use it positively for their upliftment. People, transforming this opportunity into a good fortune, become live examples for the future generations to emulate. On the contrary, people considering life as a dream are seen living without any planning. They don’t keep themselves ready for any eventualities. They are therefore prone to misfortunes. They leave this world dissatisfied with the memories of pains, failures and disappointments. Therefore, there is a need to live life considering it as a challenging opportunity, so that it can become an adventure. - Pujya Gurudev Pandit Shriram Sharma, Acharya

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. - Helen Keller AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

CONTENTS 1.

Amrit Chintan Life is A Challenge ....................................................................................................

From Chief Editor’s Desk Triple Way of Awakening Shakti ...............................................................................

Problems of the World – Solutions Offered by Pujya Gurudev ................................

On the Auspicious Festival of Gayatri Jayanti (June 22, 2018) The Hidden Power of Gayatri ...................................................................................

Science and Spirituality Energies of ‘Sound’ in the Human Body ................................................................... 15

Value-Based Life-style Propounded in Indian Culture .............................................. 19

Eternal Sutras for Healthy Life ..................................................................................

Some Ideas for Freedom from Stress ....................................................................... 26

Yug Gita – 12

Establish Yourself in Yoga and Perform Action as per Yugadharma -2 .................... 28 10.

Peace Pilgrim’s Wisdom – 12 Living the Simple Life............................................................................................... 31

11.

Overcome Fear by Self-conﬁdence ........................................................................... 34

12.

Odyssey of the Enlightened - 61 ‘Akhand Jyoti’ Begins Its Journey - 4 ....................................................................... 35

13.

Youth Column Think Positively......................................................................................................... 39

14.

It’s the Courageous People Who Achieve Success ....................................................

15.

Amrit Vani

Theism, Spirituality, and Religion - 3........................................................................ 41 16.

Role of Bioelectricity in Fostering Strong Bonds between Couples ......................... 46

17.

Let’s Use Indigenous Methods for Rainwater Harvesting......................................... 49

18.

Shantikunj News ................................... (Inner Cover Pages & Back Cover Page) Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional. -Roger Crawford

AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

From Chief Editor’s Desk

Triple Way of Awakening Shakti There is a popular saying - “It is the mind which wins or loses.” Shakti (the creative energy) rises from within; it does not come from outside. If a person considers himself to be weak, infirm and poor, then the doors of progress automatically close for him. In order to awaken Shakti and become powerful, it is essential first to develop a firm belief in the mind that one can become strong and by appropriate endeavors, one can achieve success in the desired direction. Sometimes, surrounded by difficult circumstances, people start thinking that their lives are going to be spent in misery and infirmity. This is nothing but illusion. The fact is that there are hidden centers of Shakti in each and every human being. By awakening these centers, it is possible to touch the heights of material as well as spiritual worlds. The moment, a person imbibes this thought, he/she finds the direction of his/her life changed. The scripture says - Pratyekmasti cicchkttirjºva ïakti swar¿pañºA – that is, each soul is potent enough to awaken its inner power. Indian culture has always believed in the principle of self-realization. The one who conserves Shakti imbibes ‘Dharma’ (righteous conduct). Only a person with righteous conduct can earn ‘Artha’ (wealth); and the one who has accomplished both becomes the master of ‘Kama’ (sacred and meaningful desires). After the fulfilment ‘Kama’, this Shakti leads him to the ultimate objective of life - ‘Moksha’ (salvation, desirelessness). In other words, people utilizing their Shakti in the tasks of social welfare become eligible for holistic progress and achieving the purpose of life. From the spiritual point of view, the human body is seen to be working at three levels. They have been termed as physical, subtle and causal bodies. In order to make physical body strong, one has to adopt physical means of performing yoga, asana, pranayama, exercises, etc. Japa (chanting of mantras), dhyana (meditation), etc make the subtle body strong; and attaining the state of Samadhi, kaivalya, nirvana, etc provide superpower to the causal body. In other words, physical body needs physical means of augmenting inner power, whereas subtle and causal bodies require subtle means of awakening and attaining superpower. Thus, there is need for working on all the three levels to materialize the abovementioned possibilities of attaining physical and spiritual powers. The control of physical senses together with the trust in one’s abilities is essential for earning such powers. Without self-control, it is not possible to conserve the earned spiritual energy and utilize it for noble purpose. In this context, there is one famous Bodhkatha (moral story). Once the disciples of an enlightened saint asked him – ‘The possibilities of rise and fall, both, exist within the human being. Some people achieve the heights of material or spiritual worlds, but there are others who live a miserable life. What is the cause of this discrepancy?’ The saint asked the disciples to bring two pots. In one of them, he made a hole. Then he asked them to fill both the pots with water. Soon the pot with a hole got emptied. The saint said – ‘O blessed ones! The rise and fall The energy of the mind is the essence of life. - Aristotle AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

of a person depends on how much control he has over himself. Self-controlled people conserve energy and utilize it for their upliftment, whereas uncontrolled people drain their energy in sensual pleasures.’ This law applies to all aspects of life. If we do not find the ways to control ourselves, then the earned energy will soon be dissipated. Param Pujya Gurudev has suggested four types of control; namely – Indriya sanyam (control over sense organs), samaya sanyam (control over how one spends time), vichar sanyam (control over one’s thoughts) and artha sanyam (control over how one earns and spends money). People imbibing these four controls are able to conserve their energy and utilize it for their material and spiritual upliftment. In order to awaken mind power, it is essential to develop self-confidence. It is observed that the losers in the battle of life have no self-confidence. It is well-known that the 16th President of USA, Abraham Lincoln, prior to becoming the President lost in the elections thirteen times. In fact, he had to lose the deposits four times. Had he sat quiet after getting defeated so many times, he would not have been such a famous personality. He possessed enormous willpower earned through self-confidence. The social power can be awakened by incessant efforts of selfless volunteers dedicated to a social cause. Some so-called social workers work for a few days and expect great results. Naturally they remain disappointed. Pujya Gurudev said – ‘A true social worker should abandon worldly ambitions and aim instead to achieve true greatness. He should make every effort to break free of lust, greed, and attachment. … He should think like a scholar (gyana yogi), make efforts wholeheartedly like an achiever (karma yogi), and be kind like a devotee (bhakti yogi).’ In this year of ‘Conservation of Shakti’, let us imbibe the teachings of Pujya Gurudev in our lives so that we can earn and protect Shakti, and utilize it to uplift all the three – physical, subtle and causal levels – of our lives.

With prayer-ﬁlled wishes to our readers

(Pranav Pandya) We have to create strength where it does not exist; we have to change our natures, and become new men with new hearts, to be born again ... We need a nucleus of men in whom the Shakti is developed to its uttermost extent, in whom it fills every corner of the personality and overflows to fertilize the earth. These, having the fire of Bhawani in their hearts and brains, will go forth and carry the flame to every nook and cranny of our land. - Sri Aurobindo Creative energy is more critical than learning. - Albert Einstein 6

AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

Problems of the World - Solutions Offered by Pujya Gurudev One of the eternal truths of creation is that no special effort is required for destruction; it may happen accidentally also. However, exceptional efforts are required for doing something creative. Decline is natural while progress has a tough road. We don’t need to exert much to pour water from the top of a mountain. If you just pour it on the slope, it ﬂows down naturally. On the other hand, if we have to take water to the mountain top, we have to employ various techniques and machinery. Meteors don’t need to do anything extra in order to enter the atmosphere of the Earth. This is made possible by the Earth’s gravitational force itself. But if we have to send out a satellite beyond the orbit of Earth, we have to use a cryogenic engine. The point being made is that it does not take long for situations to get worse; however it takes quite a long time and effort to set them right. This truth is perfectly applicable to our present society. If we take a bird’s eye view of the present circumstances, it appears as though everyone is in a state of frenzy and has made it their goal to interfere with Nature in an insane manner and wreak havoc in this orderly world. Once a man becomes crazy and loses his clear vision, he can no longer differentiate between right and wrong; righteous and unrighteous. They don’t think twice to hurl stones on the road, or be ashamed of throwing abuses at others. Some people even make this unruly behavior to be their goal in life. In that crazy and degraded mentality, they waste

away their precious life. What can we do other than feel pity for such people? We see something similar happening in the world today. If we are out to destroy the very resources that are responsible for our life and this creation, it won’t be long before we invite annihilation. We are gradually depleting all the natural resources one by one. Will we be able to defend ourselves from the punishment that we have invited for this cruel joke? This is just one part of the entire problem. In the social context, there are many such issues cropping up each day. If we do not ﬁnd solution to these while there is still time, there is a looming danger that Earth may not be ﬁt for human habitation. As an example, let’s take the case of population explosion. If we just consider India’s population, we see that in the last one century itself, the population has increased 4 times. Whatever resources were available for 1 person before, 4 of them have to share them now. Let me present some statistics. Imagine that the population of our country is more than the sum total of USA, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan and Nigeria; but our GDP is less than 1/9th of those countries put together. This goes to show that our citizens are 9 times more stressed out when it comes to resources. We also need to understand that it is more than a topic of resources. The increasing population is that of people and not of things like table or chair. So, if we just manage to arrange for more resources, the problem is not solved with

Selfishness and greed, individual or national, cause most of our troubles. - Harry Truman AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

that. There is so much more to managing the increase in population. The resources have to scale up in the same pace at which the population increases. Housing needs to be provided and for that we need to cut more trees. When we cut trees, it leads to deforestation and creates barren and infertile lands. This causes lesser rainfall. Slowly, we are using less land for farming than for building houses, apartment complexes, ofﬁces and industries. We get blindfolded and forget that this Earth is not just for us alone. There are other animals and plants that are a part of this bio-creation, and imbalance in any of these constituents can disturb the ecological balance. One other consequence of population explosion is the increase in the rate of consumption of natural gases, coal, minerals, oil etc. If all these natural resources are depleted, how will the next generations survive? It takes millions of years for minerals to be created in the core of the Earth, if we consume everything now, the lives of future generations will be in jeopardy. Deforestation due to population increase is leading to another giant problem of pollution that is poisoning the environment. This has affected the quality of water and air. On one hand we need to try to preserve the purity of the environment while being able to support the ever increasing population that in turn requires setting up more factories that emit toxic wastes into the atmosphere. Everyone is aware of what these poisonous materials do to the air we breathe and water we drink. In our endeavors to increase productivity of crops, we use chemical fertilizers that not only reduce the fertility of the soil but also have carcinogenic properties that have

given rise to cancer and many other complicated problems. A separate book could be written about just those issues. While population increase is one aspect of the problem, what can be written about all the evils that have taken deep roots in the society? Economic disparity separates the rich and poor with a deep chasm between the two. If we put together the wealth of top 100 billionaires in the world, the complete needs of the world can be met for 30 years. But is that ever possible? The poor are getting poorer while the rich are getting richer. The primary reason for this is that the desire to show off wealth is controlling the psyche and minds of people. They go to any lengths to display their opulence. Be it those fashionistas, or those who wear expensive jewelry, or those who splurge money on extravagant weddings, people want to show off their wealth – and these people are being looked upon with respect and awe. Is this what has become the deﬁnition of greatness? In a country where 35 crore people can barely eat one meal per day, if a person spends 200 crores for a wedding and this craziness is taken as a life goal by others – how can we describe this other than foolishness? Another issue that comes forth as a result of population explosion is the inequality between man and woman. 50% of the country’s population consists of women and they are unable to contribute towards the progress of the nation because the societal outlook towards them does not seem to have changed at all over the decades. Why should girls study, why should they have a career, why should they progress – this retrogressive thinking is coming in the way of our nation’s progress. If

Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime. - Old Chinese Saying 8

AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

such a significant percentage of our population were given opportunities to contribute, then we could have developed in terms of expertise, talent and output at double the pace. To be able to achieve this, the public thinking and societal norms must welcome progressive changes. One other problem that is worrisome is that of our purposeless education system. Every single person is aware of how little of what is taught in schools and colleges, translates to developing oneself or the society. Most of what is taught today serves as filling the children’s brains with garbage data. How much of algebra and geometry proves useful in daily life? Even among those who manage to get educated, how many of them are contributing to the society? The so-called educated people are out in search for employment to earn their livelihood. They might be Ph.D. degree holders, but in terms of employment the degree might not prove useful. This creates not only a problem to the individual but also to the country as such. Since times immemorial, India has always given importance to knowledge (vidya) than to education (shiksha). Vidya is considered as an elixir for human development and it accomplishes that task when what is taught shapes the character, actions and behavior of the student. The actions are purified and the behavior is chiseled with discipline, honesty and simplicity. If education cannot teach the students how to develop their thinking in accordance with the dignity of human life, then it is of little or no value. The degrees and certificates given by such institutes are like expensive but worthless paper. Education merely provides the skill required to earn a livelihood, which is just one aspect of life. The other aspects of cultivating the essential virtues

are not part of the objectives. So their emotional development is seriously lacking, which leaves them with animalistic tendencies. This is one of the widespread problems we are facing today. Misdirected perspective seems to be the common cause for all these problems. Instant gratification and considering physical body as the center of everything seems to be the root cause of majority of problems. When man forgets about the soul and focuses completely on the body, then his life becomes an illusion. If one considers the vehicle as the master and turns into a slave, isn’t that a foolish mistake? Body is not our complete personality. If we dedicate our entire life span in fulfilling the needs of the body, then life goals are really misplaced. We perceive life exactly like the perspectives we nurture. If we wear tinted glasses, then the whole world appears to be of that color. If we have a certain viewpoint, we begin to analyze everything we see in accordance with that. Since we entertain empiricism, we have strayed away from good deeds because their consequences are not instantly evident. Fulfilling selfish needs has become the only perspective that matters. We need to focus on the solutions. If we don’t look for them right now, when there is still time, we will have to repent later. Let us look at the principles laid out by Param Pujya gurudev for creating a new world and imbibe them in our daily lives. Be it today or later, humanity has to align and organize their life in accordance with these principles. The possibilities for ushering in the golden era are latent in those principles. All the problems plaguing the world today can be solved with these seed thoughts.

There’s enough on this planet for everyone’s needs but not for everyone’s greed. - Mahatma Gandhi AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

The first principle is – ‘Simple living and high thinking’. If each one of us refrains from splurging and hoarding wealth and resources; adopt honesty, courage, responsibility and common sense into our behavior and actions; we will gradually see that diligence, civility and other virtues become integral parts of our life. Problems of economic instability and depleting resources will get solved right in front of our eyes. There are enough resources to meet all our needs; we just have to use them judiciously to make it happen. It might take some time for the entire world to follow this principle, but each member of our Gayatri Pariwar should certainly implement this immediately in his/her life. The second principle is – ‘Imbibing the virtues of unity, equality, affection and purity’. The basis for all human relationships is love, trust and affection. We are all part of the society; so we should share our love and affection; not to fight, kill and oppress one another. Except for a few countries, every country in the world appears to be grappling with war or terrorism. The money and resources pumped into fanning this tumult, supplying arms and ammunition, if redirected can fulfil the basic needs of food, shelter and education for innumerable people. The third principle is – ‘Developing the villages for making the nation progressive’. Param Pujya Gurudev envisaged the ideal village to be one where people are self-reliant, healthy, educated, cultured, cooperative and free of any vice. If we

develop a system where each village has its own decentralized governing body working on these principles of harmonious co-existence, then it will not be long before the problems get solved. Well, it is not that all the efforts have to be from our side and divine consciousness will not do anything. On the contrary, the truth is that Mahakal has created all the necessary framework for these changes, we just have to put forth our honest efforts in realizing these. Gurudev has called this an era of transformation. He has assured us that man will not remain stooped in polluted thoughts and malevolent actions. In the history of time, there do come such instances where situations take a complete U-turn. We should hope that a new golden era will dawn where we will see new beginnings, new life, new blossoms and prosperity all around us. Just as we see all the ﬂowers blooming in the monsoon season spreading their joy and fragrance, the coming years will see emergence of Mahamanav (great beings), divine beings, reformers and activists who will change the face of this world. A new generation of pioneers will emerge from our midst. They will outshine the efforts of all the saints, reformers and martyrs till date. Society is waiting for the emergence of such personalities. If each and every one of us resolves to follow the principles laid out by Pujya Gurudev and live a life in accordance with them, the dawn of the new era is not far away. Come on! Let us all welcome it with open arms.

A student asked his teacher: “Who are the two angels who nurture life?” “Heart and tongue”, was the reply. The next question was: “Who are the two demons who destroy life?” “Heart and tongue”, was the reply again. The cruelty or tenderness of heart and tongue makes a person mean or great respectively. If you come only to help me, you can go back home. But if you consider my struggle as part of your struggle for survival, then maybe we can work together. - An Aboriginal woman 10

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On the auspicious festival of Gayatri Jayanti (June 22, 2018)

The Hidden Power of Gayatri The 24 letters of the Gayatri mantra represent 24 lessons of wisdom. They contain the essence of the teachings given in the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas and Shastras. By internalising these, a person can attain personal and collective peace and happiness. Gayatri, Gita, Ganga, and Gau (cow) are the four pillars of Indian culture. Of these four, Gayatri occupies the primary position. Whoever has known the mystery of Gayatri, needs to know nothing more. All scriptures attest to the importance of Gayatri in one voice. All rishis and sages profusely sing the paeans of Mother Gayatri. The copious writings on the importance of Gayatri in different scriptures, if compiled together, will form a tome by itself. Lord Krishna has himself said in the Gita “G³yatrº chandas³maha®” ( I myself am the Gayatri). There is no harm in performing other types of upasana (worship) along with Gayatri upasana. The truth is that the worship of any god or goddess is fruitful only when that particular god or goddess is ﬁrst awakened by Gayatri mantra. It has been said:“Yasya kasy³pi mantrasya puraïcarañam³rbhet | vy³h•ti traya sa®yukta g³yatrº cayuta® japet || N•sinh³rka var³h³ñ³® kaul³ t³ntrik³ tath³ | Bin³ japtv³tu g³yatrº tatsarva®niÌphala bhavet ||”

Whatever mantra be practised, that should be recited along with the Gayatri mantra. Be it upasana of Narisinha, Surya, Varah, or use of tantric or other rituals, they all remain fruitless without taking the Gayatri along. Gayatri is the supreme and the best mantra. Whatever can be achieved by any other mantra can also be achieved by the Gayatri. The remarkable thing is that even if japa of Gayatri is not ﬂawless it does not produce any ill effect. There is no other mantra simpler, less time consuming, and quicker resulting than the Gayatri. The 24 letters of Gayatri hide within them many scientiﬁc and other kinds of knowledge. The secrets of making many divine weapons, making of gold and other precious metals, invaluable medicines and chemicals, of supernatural powers, of boons and curses, cures of many kinds, of surgical methods, esoteric knowledge, prana vidya, inner vision, unconventional tantric practices, kundalini chakra, dus mahavidya, mahamatrika, roopantaran ( form changing), seeing the invisible, telepathy and the like -- the secret seeds and symbols of so many esoteric arts and sciences are present within the Gayatri. This knowledge had once made us jagatguru and chakravarti (world teacher and world leader), and the land of immense riches. Today, we have forgotten all this, and consequently have become weak and feeble in all respects. If we are able to revive all these vidyas, inherent in Gayatri, we can regain our lost glory.

If Gayatri and all the Vedas are weighed in a balance, the scale will be tilted in favor of Gayatri. – Maharshi Yagyavalkya AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

Gayatri upasana removes the dirt and filth accumulated over the soul, and the pure form of soul reappears. Just as utensils start shining again after they are rubbed and cleaned, the soul too, after Gayatri sadhana, becomes clean, pure and shining with all its divine powers and attributes. There are many spiritual methods or sadhanas for cleansing of the soul. Each has its own importance and result. Swadhyaya (study of inspiring literature) gives knowledge of sanmarg (right path). Satsang (company of virtuous people) contributes in making of character and sanskara (inherent tendencies). Pilgrimage strengthens spiritual sentiments. Kirtan (musical chanting of God’s name) gives practice of devotion. Charity strengthens theistic tendency. Thus all these means and methods have been propounded by our rishis after much consideration. But among all these, the importance of tapa is the greatest. The intense fire of tapa burns all the filth and deposits, and generates in the soul that immense power which can enable resolution of all the temporal and spiritual problems. One can acquire myriad kinds of siddhis (spiritual and divine powers) with the help of tapa. That is why, tapa sadhana has been considered as the most potent of instruments. Gayatri upasana is a visible tapascharya (penance). It immediately enhances inner strength and leads to spiritual transformation (aatmik kayakalpa). The moment Gayatri sadhana is started, the sadhaka starts feeling that a new kind of change has started within him. Enhancement of righteous values leads to decrease in negative thoughts, attributes and emotions. Noble attributes like humility, piety, sweetness, honesty, truthfulness, compassion, love, satisfaction,

peace, amiability, affection — all start increasing day by day. As a result of this, such a sadhaka endears himself to the people around him who reciprocate by praise, gratitude and respectful behaviour towards him. Besides this, sadgunas (noble attributes) are by themselves so sweet that such sadhakas always feel inner satisfaction and divine happiness. Gayatri sadhana effects a revolutionary change in the mind of sadhaka. His insight and vivek (power of discrimination) are greatly increased, and thus many ignorance born sufferings are automatically gone. On account of destiny and karmaphala, bad times necessarily keep coming in everyone’s life. An ordinary person remains always apprehensive and feels extreme pain at any kind of loss, separation, disease, hostility and other such setbacks. But a Gayatri sadhaka, fully endowed as he is with attributes of selfconfidence, detachment, forbearance, patience and faith in God easily lives through these trying times. Even in the face of most adverse situation, he is able to find a path of happiness. In ancient times, the rishis performed great tapa and yoga sadhana, and acquired miraculous powers of anima, mahima, and other siddhis. Their boons and curses were highly effective. Scriptures are full of anecdotes about the powers possessed by the rishis. The tapa and yoga sadhana of these rishis were done on the foundation of Gayatri. The 84 kinds of mahavidyas have all emerged from the Gayatri mahavidya. Gayatri upasana is a type of spiritual exercise which makes the body healthy, strong and well organised. Even if the desired result is not achieved to full extent, many other benefits accrue. It is like someone practising wrestling

Of all Suktas and Ved Mantras, Gayatri Mantra is the superior-most. Between the Vedas and Gayatri, the latter has an upper hand. – Maharshi Parashar 12

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daily with a view to defeating a big wrestler; even if he does not win that bout, his exercises and dietary disciplines do not go in vain. He might not have won, but in the process he has gained vital force, energy, strength, disease resistance, longevity, mental sharpness and other such capabilities. Thus what is pre-ordained may not be avoided fully, but upasana gives many beneﬁcial results in other ways. Our pantheon of rishis includes great names like Vashishtha, Yagyavalkya, Atri, Vishwamitra, Parashar, Bhardwaj, Gautam, Vyasa, Shukdev, Narada, Dadhichi, Valmiki, Chyawan, Shankha, Lomas, Taittareya, Jabali, Shringi, Uddalak, Vaishampayan, Durvasa, Parshuram, Pulastya, Dattatreya, Agastya, Sanatkumar, Kanva, Shaunak and many others. Whoever has read their life histories knows that the foundation stone upon which their greatness, powers and siddhis were built was none other than Gayatri. Like in the ancient period, the path is still the same. Times have changed, not the path. In the intervening long period of darkness and ignorance during foreign invasions, numerous sects and thoughts emerged which developed their own different paths of sadhana and worship. Still none of these sadhanas, except Gayatri, could prove so potent as to take the sadhaka higher and higher to a condition of complete spiritual attainment (purna siddhavastha). Whoever has attained full siddhi has compulsorily taken recourse to Gayatri. Throughout history, right since the time of Mahabharat, all the siddhas have walked this Gayatri highway. Their sects, holy books and methods might have been different, but none has forsaken the core path of Gayatri. In the modern time too, whoever has uplifted himself spiritually has been lucky to drink at the nectar of Vedmata’s blessings.

Gayatri is the female form of God. Mother is the greatest figure of love and affection in this world. If we worship God in female form, we receive Her immense blessings and affection. Mother worship also promotes feeling of respect and piousness towards women which is greatly needed by the world today. Gayatri has been called ‘Kamdhenu’ on earth, because she quenches the thirst and hunger of the soul. Gayatri has also been called ‘Sudha’ because she provides the divine elixir which liberates soul from the cycle of birth and death. Gayatri is ‘Parasmani’ whose touch transforms the ‘iron’ of impurity and wickedness into pure gold. Gayatri is ‘Kalpavriksha’ under whose benign shadow a person can fulfil all his desires which are necessary and right. Gayatri is also ‘brahmastra’ because its sadhana and application never go astray. There are hundreds of examples of persons who were living in penury, were suffering from all kinds of losses and were being crushed under debt, gradually overcame all hardships and rose to a position of envy for others by faithfully doing Gayatri upasana. There are examples of people with moderate education and working on inferior posts rising to high posts. Dimwitted people have become intelligent and even scholarly. Students whom no one expected to pass came out with flying colours. Amazing transformation in nature has been seen in many persons who were of ill temperament, were quarrelsome, or had bad habits. The miraculous benefits of Gayatri sadhana have been seen in every field of life. Couples who always quarrelled became extremely loving towards each-other, feuding brothers patched

Just as honey is the essence of flower, milkfat of milk, in the same way Gayatri is the essence of all the Vedas.

- Maharshi Veda Vyas AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

up like Bharat milap; peace reigned supreme in families where there was daily bad blood and hostility. Where there was a constant atmosphere of court cases, litigation, murder and dacoity, there was now seen peace and fearlessness. Many a sadhaka has been cured of diseases under Gayatri’s protective umbrella. They have virtually returned from death-bed fighting successfully against TB, heart problems, ovarian problems, depression, cholera, plague, pneumonia and other ailments. The minds which were once bursting with tension started breathing with rhythm and satisfaction. People suffering from continuous anxiety on account of loss of property, debt, girl’s marriage expenses, demise of loved ones, loss of livelihood, insult, incurable diseases, extreme poverty, fear of enemies, apprehension of a dark future – have received mental peace and comfort by the Mother’s blessings through various channels. Sometimes, it so happened that they got help from unexpected quarters. At other times, one or the other route of rescue suddenly flashed in their mind. On many occasions, they began to feel such self-confidence and strength within them as to easily bear the pain of bad times and come out unscathed. Like men, women too, can easily do Gayatri upasana. The widows, especially, with the help of Gayatri, are able to achieve self-control and righteousness. From home itself, they can achieve self development and gain liberation. Gayatri sadhana by the unmarried girls helps them find good life-partners, good home and infinite fortune. The married achieve cordial conjugal life, peace and prosperity in home,

and welfare of children. The pregnant women are blessed with healthy and intelligent children with long life. Ideally, Gayatri sadhana should be done with full faith and devotion without any type of specific desire. The omnipresent and omniscient Mother Gayatri is a far better judge than ordinary mortals to know who needs what and when. If, however, for some reason the destined misfortune could not be avoided, the Mother does not let the labours of sadhaka go in vain, and blesses him with many benefits in other ways. The greatest benefit is self-upliftment which is an attribute to be cherished in itself, and to be achieved even by taking upon oneself all the sufferings of the world. A cynic too may do Gayatri upasana for some time just for trial. His disbelief would most certainly turn into belief. Gayatri japa is an essential daily duty. Shirkers have been called shudra by the scripture writers. A human being is born in flesh and bone from the body of his biological mother, but he gets his spiritual life from Mother Gayatri. It is only after this second life - the spiritual life- that a person is called ‘dwija’ (the twice born). Wherever Gayatri sadhana is done regularly, there is continuous showering of peace and wellness. Let us sing a hymn (19-1-71) of Atharva Veda which is prayer to Mother Gayatri for granting longevity, strength, power, fame, wealth and divine brilliance: O® stut³ may³ vard³ vedam³t³ pracodyant³® p³vam³nº dvij³n³®| Âyu¡ pr³na® praj³® païu® kºrti® dravina® brahmavarcasa® mahyam datv³ vrajat brahmaloka®||

Persons who are dull, way-ward and fickle-minded become highly intelligent and steadfast and rise to great heights in worldly and spiritual pursuits by Gayatri Sadhana. - Maharshi Vashishtha 14

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Science and Spirituality

Energies of ‘Sound’ in the Human Body Human body is a wonderful ensemble of a large number of interacting systems – those constituting its anatomy and conducting the physiological, biological and molecular functions and those associated with the subtler processing of the brain towards regulating the hormonal functions and numerous activities of life. Harmonious functioning of these components is essential for the maintenance of healthy and active life. Role of bioelectrical and thermal energies is found significant in regulation and normal functioning of this system. However, the role of sonic energy (sound) is rarely studied beyond, for example, the characterization of certain cardiac activities via echocardiogram. Several decades ago, a group of distinguished scientists in Toronto (Canada) had initiated innovative research on the ‘sounds’ within the human body. Their sound-proof laboratory is well-equipped to perceive and make audible, the different sounds produced by the processes of respiration, heart beating, flows of liquids and gases in the digestive system, etc. The analysis of the rhythmic interplay between these sounds and the physical state of the body has offered them significant information. Similar research in modern branches of audition and acoustics should also be carried out to scientifically analyze possible relation of certain psychological factors with the sonic vibrations inside the body at subtler levels. Renowned physicists, Dr. Charles G. Van Riper and Dorothy Smith have thrown light on the

subtler aspects of the internal sounds of the human body in – ‘An Introduction to General American Phonetics’. In Riper’s views, otherwise unexpressed levels of bio-processes could be grasped only by understanding the spectrum of sonic (audible as well as subliminal) vibrations of the living system. Similar views of researchers suggest that – as light, heat, gravity and magnetism affect the physical phenomena in Nature and the states of the living bodies in it, equivalent or even higher should be the impact of the sound energy because it can generate (via ‘electromagnetic’ and subtler vibrations) the effects of optical and thermal energies as well. The presence of some minimum level of ‘sound’ (sonic energy vibrations), including that produced due to the continuum of periodic physiological functions, is as essential for maintaining bio-energy, as that of air, water and food. From their physical appearance, the muscles seem as mere bundles of ‘threads’ made up of blood and ﬂesh. However, the sounds produced by their periodic contraction and stretching are wonderful. One can sense these sounds by meditating upon the intra-body functions – without any disturbance of any kind of external sound. Perfecting such meditations enables one perceive these sounds in the happy and healthy state of the mind and body as melodious tunes produced by the divine ‘vºñ³’ (a musical instrument) of the body. This sound loses its order and becomes unclear in the negative states of tension, anger, sickness, etc.

Science and Truth are simple phenomenon of nature, but it is the known that is preventing us from mastering the unknown. - Chandrakanth Natekar AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

Some of the sounds produced by various physiological and physico-chemical functions inside the body can be ampliﬁed and heard or sensed with the help of modern instruments like the echocardiogram. With the advent of technology for perception of infra- and ultrasounds, some scientists have been able to record and analyze the sounds produced by the muscles and other parts of the body. Dr. Joshua F. Jaffe of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine had successfully recorded some of these sound waves – up to 1000 hertz frequencies – with the help of an electro-mechanical stethoscope. His recordings included the orderly echoes (sounding like “LapDap - Lap-Dap” ....) of the heart beats and the grumbling sound produced in the lungs. Prof. G. I. Taylor’s auto-correlation studies carried out at the Cambridge University have provided in-depth quantitative analysis of the waveforms of the signals recorded during the controlled experiments on intra-body sounds. Using the computational methods of Fast Fourier Transforms, Prof. James W. Cooley of the Princeton University has successfully recorded the digital waveforms of the rhythmic sound produced due to the periodic contraction and stretching of muscles. The next step of the front-line research in related biomedical sciences would focus on the prognostic and diagnostic studies using the parametric analysis of the waveforms of the sounds of different kinds of physiological tremors under the normal and the diseased conditions of the body. Experiments on other creatures have also shown major role of their bodies’ internal sounds in governing some vital functions and vice-versa. Dr. Nelson of the Zoology department, California University had investigated that – if a shark is in

a state of danger, her ‘scream’ for help is sent to her partners via the signals of her muscles’ sound; her friends at the other end also communicate via similar signals. Dr. M. A. Winsey of Britain obtained analogous results when he experimented on the eggs of Japanese Quails. He found that the sonic waves transmitted from an egg are heard by its mother about four days before the birth of the offspring. He also observed that if an embryo of this quail is kept in a transparent plastic bag near its egg, in which, an offspring is struggling hard to come out, then, the orderly sound produced inside the embryo would send ‘energy signals’ to help the offspring break the shell of its egg with greater ease. An experimental Zoologist in UK, Dr. Goldspink has inferred that – such phenomena are the ‘demonstration’ of the fact that the conscious energy in a living body is indeed a part of an omnipresent (supreme) force. Musical Instrument of the Human Body: Our body is also like a superb musical instrument gifted by Nature. In fact, its functional structure can be simulated with the vºñ³ and sit³ra. These instruments have several wires connected with the wooden components. Analogously, the brain, tongue, stomach etc together with the tactile skin, vocal cord, ears and the network of interconnected nerves constitute our body’s instrument. This musical body (termed G³tra Vºñ³ in the scriptures) is well-equipped with the sensors for receiving and transmitting enormous varieties of sonic currents. The swara (accent) of the musical notes is generated in the G³tra Vºñ³ of our body by vibrations in the speciﬁc chakras1 and energy plexus. Talented musicians produce varieties of melodious patterns and musical compositions from instruments like vºñ³ and sit³ra. Experts of the spiritual science

Many hidden truths are often unobserved, not invisible. - Matthew A. Petti 16

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of Yoga also, by their dedicated s³dhan³s of N³da Brah®, ‘play’ (stimulate) the extrasensory centers in the body and generate vibrations in the ‘fibers’ (latent linkages) of the inner body. This induces spiritual transmutation and awakening of supernatural powers of physical as well as transcendental dimensions. Perfection in listening and tuning the N³da of the living vºñ³ of our body helps understand and regulate the physical, biological, as well as subtle functions of being. This expertise could be attained rather easily by N³da Yoga, as compared to other ascetic s³dhan³ procedures of sublime yoga. In his dissertation titled ‘Phisicomathice de L’humane’ an Italian scientist, Dr. Francisco M. Grimaldy has thrown light on some yet unknown (hence ‘mysterious’!) features of the ‘music’ of the core system of human body. He considers the specific pattern of the bodysounds of a person to be correlated with his psychology and sentiments. His emphasis on the emotional and sentimental aspects brings his theory closer to the philosophy of our ancient sages. Any kind of sophisticated experiment in our body can be performed only if this wonderful laboratory is cleaned and upgraded by physical fitness and refinement of our thoughts, emotions and deeds. More important parts of this unique laboratory of life are those associated with the functions of consciousness –– the mana (conscious and subconscious mind), buddhi (intellect), chitta (unconscious mind), ah®k³ra (the sense of being) in the sublime realms of the anta¡karaña (inner-self). The extrasensory ‘nuclei, nodes and channels’ for execution and manifestation of

the consciousness energy (vital spiritual energy, called pr³ña in the yogic spiritual science) include – the Ìat chakras, twenty four upatyik³s, three granthºs, iÃ³, pingal³ and suÌum³ n³Ãºs, pancha koïas, kunÃalinº and sahasr³ra. In their quest for absolute truth, the rishis (sages of Vedic Age) used to carry out spiritual experiments and investigations in this ‘living laboratory’, which, as they found, contained the projection of the entire cosmic creation in itself. Rather than depending upon others, or using external means or consuming natural resources (to develop sophisticated devices/technologies, etc.) and upsetting the ecological harmony, they preferred a truly self-reliant approach to develop and perform the spiritual experiments of the science of life on their own body, mind and inner self. They exerted devout spiritual endeavors of up³sana, tapaïcary³, yoga, and sadhan³ for this purpose. Their dedicated efforts bestowed multiple boons in terms of knowledge of the self, knowledge of the universe, realization of the absolute truth and, most importantly, the achievement of their noble goal of creating divine ambience in this mortal world. Spiritual Effects of Sublime Sound: A remarkable result of the invaluable research of the Vedic Sages was the decipheration that — sublime energy of Ïabda1 and N³da2 is the basic source of the origin and functioning of the miraculous living laboratory existing in a human being. Manifestation of the power of Ïabda in our vocal sound (audible voice) is called baikhari v³ñº; and that expressed silently via the mental language of thoughts is called madhyam³ v³ñº.

Life is a symphony, and the action of every person in this life is the playing of his particular part in the music. - Hazrat Inayat Khan AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

The transcendent ‘voices’ of the deeper cores of consciousness and the omnipresent divine power are termed respectively as par³ v³ñº and païyanti v³ñº. The powers and effectiveness of these v³ñºs grow exponentially from baikhari to païyanti. The words spoken by someone would become absolute if his baikhari v³ñº is empowered by the païyanti. Spiritual endeavors of Ïabda Yoga and V³ka Siddhi include purification and training to accomplish this evolution of v³ñº (voice). The japa (rhythmic meditative chants) of the Vedic Mantras are perfect only if uttered through such a refined ‘voice’. The creation (compilation) of Vedic Mantras is based on a splendid combination of the science of syllables and vowels emanated from the realization of Ïabda Brah® and the science of N³da Brah® — the science of the rhythmic impact of specific patterns of phonemes and natural musical notes. The effectiveness of rhythmic vocal chants of mantras depends upon the spiritual refinement of the baikhari v³ñº. Consistent observance of truth, austerity, piety and selflessness in thoughts, deeds and conduct is essential for effective success in the practices of mantra-japa. A mantra recited in a spiritually refined voice is said to be perfect like the unfailing arrow of the G³ñÃºva – the divine bow of Arjuna. All the disciplined practices of yoga, ranging from ³sana–prañ³y³ma and dhy³na–dh³rañ³

to the higher levels of s³dhan³s, are aimed at activating the linkage between the individualself (being) and the Omnipresent Consciousness. The sound-waves of physiological tremors play a key role in increasing the levels of vital energy during the elementary exercises of spiritual yoga. Higher-level s³dhan³s of japa of mantras also become effective via the sonic vibrations in the mind and help activation of the ‘otherwise unused’ latent core of consciousness (in the hidden fold of the human brain/mind) towards creating a communication link with the cosmic layers of Ïabda. The disciplines of self-restraint, chastity and speciﬁc pr³ñ³y³mas help regulating the order of the physiological tremors in total harmony with the bio-rhythm of Nature. This also bestows the opportunity of enlightened development of personality. The internal power of our ears could be stimulated by elementary practices of N³da Yoga so that they could sense (‘perceive’) the otherwise subtle sounds inside the body. Consistency in meditation upon the internal sounds of the body accompanied by thorough practices of introvert analysis inspired by up³san³ and sw³dhy³ya eventually leads to activation and illumination of the subtle and causal bodies as well. Awakening of inner strength and virtuous talents together with intellectual radiance are immediate consequences of accomplishing these s³dhan³s. Further evolution of the individual consciousness by the N³da Yoga s³dhan³s leads to manifestation of supernormal faculties and transcendental realizations (riddhi-siddhi).

Notes: 1. Ïabda: The eternal element of omnipresent sublime sound generated by the evolutionary impulse (vibration) of Brah® (Omnipresent, Eternal Consciousness-Force). 2. N³da: The rhythmic ﬂow of (eternal) musical sound – generated by the perpetual currents of Ïabda. Rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul. - Plato 18

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Value - Based Life - style Propounded in Indian Culture The very meaning and purpose of “Culture” (sanskriti) is to refine, develop, nurture and further evolve the good, the virtuous existing in the individuals and the entire society or nation. Indian Culture begins this process of cultivation and harnessing of good by cleansing and ploughing the land of mind and inner self and sowing the right kind of seeds in it. In order to achieve this, the norms, disciplines, and methods of Indian Culture attempt to cultivate and encourage the following self-determined norms and endeavors in the sundry matters as well as major ventures of life. Self-Discipline and Self-Refinement: This essentially means — adoption of honesty, sincerity, altruistic service, mutual trust, healthy cooperation, morality and integrity of character and deeds. This requires self-restraint over passions for instinctive pleasures via vigilant control of mental tendencies. Self-determined penance, dedicated endeavors of philanthropy and service, etc, render positive support in this regard. Altruistic service motivated under the Indian cultural practice include — sincere fulfillment of responsibilities towards the family and the society; it also requires people to be duty-bound citizens and help further the progress and independence of the nation and also contribute their level best towards global peace and welfare. Self-Development: Sw³dhy³ya and Satsang1 are advocated in Indian Culture as the key to self-development. This culture also emphasizes

the expansion of self-development towards reformative and constructive endeavors with courageous attitude. Prominent among these are - endeavors to fight against injustice, immorality, exploitation, superstition, communalism, casteism and similar kinds of negative tendencies and effects in the personal and social domains; concrete efforts for healthy maintenance of the ecosystem and purification of the environment of life, etc. In the light of Vedic wisdom that - “one’s sank³ras2 shape one’s intrinsic character and mental tendencies”, the Indian Culture lays emphasis on purity on every front of life, including the nature and quality of the ambience and even the worldly means of sustenance of life. Of these, we mainly cite here some norms and practices propounded in the Indian Culture towards acquisition and use of wealth (and worldly resources), as these play most prominent role in the modern system of life. Purity of Resources: Not only the cleanliness of the body and surroundings, the purity of mind and character are emphasized here the most. According to Vedic texts subtle quality of every activity and thing in Nature is shaped by the sank³ras2 of the persons who gather/produce/ process/prepare or use them. For example, the intention, mental state and feelings with which food is processed, prepared/produced or eaten contribute to the subtle quality of food. Considering that the subtle quality has deep/ strong impact upon our mental tendencies, the Vedic texts provide significant guidelines on

Indian culture certainly gives the Indian mind, including the mind of the Indian scientist, the ability to think out of the box. - Roland Joffe AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

disciplines of acquisition, preparation, nutritional quality, quantity and timings of food and other routine activities. Most importantly they also caution us about the propriety of the means of acquiring wealth/income and other sources using which the food is obtained.

Meaning: Only honestly earned money can, if used prudently, supports real prosperity (prosperity with happiness, peace, and progress); May I be the destroyer of sinfully, wrongly earned wealth. Deva¡ V³rya Banane | (Rigveda 166|112)

As we all know, wealth (money, worldly resources) are essential in today’s world for survival, healthcare, transaction of worldly duties, and materialistic development towards prosperity of the individuals and/or society. The importance of these has been stressed in the Indian Culture. In fact, wealth/prosperity (Artha) has been regarded as one among the PuruÌ³rtha ChatuÌÚaya3 (4-fold foremost aims, endeavors and accomplishments of human life). However, with this, the following norms and practices are also marked as essential. Propriety of Wealth/Income: Pra Pateta P³pi Laïichya | (Atharvaveda 7|115|1) Meaning: Discard the income/resources acquired by sinful or unfair means. Only hard-earned money is a source of lasting joy. Ramat³® Puñy³ Lakïmºry³¡, P³pºt³ ApanºnaÌa® | (Atharvaveda 7|115|4)

Meaning: Wealth and prosperity truly stays only with them who live righteously. The wealth, (however vast it be) and joy of the evil, vicious, immoral or undisciplined people is only short-lived. Humility, Industriousness and Morality: Referring to Goddess Lakshmi (the goddess of prosperity) Indian scriptures state Vas³mi Nitya® Subhage Pragalbhe, Dakïe Nare Karm³ñi Varttam³ne | Akrodhane, Devapare, Kratagye, Jitendriye, Nityamudrirna Sattve || Meaning: I (Goddess Lakshmi) reside in the homes of those who are alert and wise, who are soft spoken, dutiful, strong, anger-less and who have an attitude of gratitude, control over the sense-organs and who are devoted to God (to noble values and disciplines). Indeed, irrespective of whether one attempts to

It is already becoming clearer that a chapter which has a western beginning will have to have an Indian ending if it is not to end in the self-destruction of human race ….At this supremely dangerous moment in history, the only way of salvation for mankind is the Indian way. - Arnold Toynbee (British Historian) Moral values, and a culture and a religion, maintaining these values are far better than laws and regulations. - Swami Sivananda 20

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generate, expand and preserve wealth via business, agriculture, professional jobs, government service, etc, all the above-speciﬁed qualities are necessary to ensure viable growth and support and cooperation of ﬁnancers, customers/clients and colleagues. Another crucial quality for the grace of Goddess Lakshmi is industriousness - diligence with perseverance and foresight. Indian sages of yore have emphasized this fact as - “Udyogina® Pur¿Ìa Sinhamupaiti Lakïmi¡”. Ancient Indian texts strictly warn that only having skills, talents and industriousness may provide sharp rise in riches, but the gains won’t last long if one adopts immoral means, as these will always load one with risks, threats and legal problems and dangerous interactions in the murky deals. A scriptural saying conveys the necessity of morality in prosperous growth as: Sthit³ Puñyavat³ Gehe, Sunºti Pathavedin³m | G•ahasth³n³m N•ap³ñam V³ Putravatp³lay³mi T³n || Meaning: I (Goddess Lakshmi) am always there only with those who attain wealth by moral means and use it in noble deeds. I protect and look after them like my children.

Austerity and Prudent Use, not Unmindful Accumulation or Consumption: Having taught the disciplines and qualities necessary for earning wealth worth its real purpose, the scriptures, including the Vedas, also prescribe the best ways to spend and expand wealth and augment the happy progress of the family and consequently, of the society. Dyumna® Vrañºta PuÌpase| (Yajurveda 4|8) Ïatahasta Sam³haar, Sahastrahasta Sa® Kira (Atharvaveda 3|24|5) The ﬁrst hymn highlights the importance of constructive use and savings for what is necessary for the well-being of the family. The second one implies charity for philanthropic projects: it says “Earn by hundred hands and donate by thousands”. The Vedic ideology of detachment and renunciation had shaped the culture of simple living in ancient Indian society. The Vedas clearly warn against accumulation of prosperity for self. For example Atharvaveda (3|20|5) says “Rayi® D³n³ya Chodava”.

Yet another hymn conveys that the Goddess of Prosperity keeps off from those who accumulate negativity and ﬁlth (blemishes) in their inner or outer personality and conduct. If somehow such people are able to accumulate wealth, it will only prove a liability for them; it will disrupt peace of their minds and pile up adversities rather than any real joy in their lives. (The eventual consequences of corruption and black-money set live example of this sort in today’s life).

Meaning: “Earn for charity (altruist service), not for self-possession or luxuries. Yajurveda (4|1) guides: Iï³v³syamida® Sarve Yatki® Cha Jagaty³® Jagat| Tena Tyaktena Bhuójith³ M³grad¡a kasya Swidhanam || Meaning: Remembering that God is present everywhere (everything here belongs to

Top 15 Things Money Can’t Buy: Time, Happiness, Inner Peace, Integrity, Love, Character, Manners, Health, Respect, Morals, Trust, Patience, Class, Common sense, and Dignity. - Roy T. Bennett AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

Him), don’t attempt to grab others’ share by accumulating riches for yourself. Possess and use only as much as is attributed to you (i.e., essential for sustenance of your life) by Nature. Interestingly, Vedic texts also warn against taking loan for comforts beyond affordability: Apamitya Dh³nya® Yajjaghas³hrami®da | (Aharvaveda 6|117|1) Meaning: Borrowing money for comforts beyond affordability is a kind of theft. We should not spend beyond our honest earnings. Grabbing anything by wrong means is a sin that leads to hell. By and large most Indians live a simple life as compared to even the economically lower strata of the western and materialistically developed societies. Many successful Indian businessmen and professionals, who despite having settled in rich countries continue to follow the Indian Culture, also live relatively very simple life as per the average standards there. Some recent economic research studies have attributed the secret of their success to their cultural roots. The other cultures, especially the occidental culture advocated and expanded the cult of “earn to possess, and consume more”; culture of more and more worldly comforts and lavish life-style. Unfortunately, this trend has engulfed most people today, including many of the well-off Indians; the so-called “corporate culture”, which has inﬂuenced many youths across the globe, is also an offshoot of this culture of glitter and glamour. This culture of lavishness and pomp not only

fuels one’s egotism and cravings further, it also stimulates passions, and jealous tendencies of others. Moreover, apart from nurturing corruption, this culture of commercialization and unchecked, undisciplined consumption has triggered excessive milking of natural resources and led to hazardous disturbance and destruction of the ecosystem and atmospheric environment. The true Indian Culture, on the contrary, advocates the benefits of disciplined and austere life in consonance with Nature. It teaches that everything in the world, even our own identity and status is perishable. It does not want us to renounce the family or worldly life, but warns against the delusive attractions of ego, selfish attachments, and sensory passions; it shows the ways of joyful life sans worldly glitter, luxury and excessive possessions. Ancient India was famous because of its enormous wealth including treasures of gold, jewels, and natural resources. Despite advanced development and power, this country never attempted attacks on other countries, nor did it aim to snatch the freedom or properties of others. The affluent and mighty kings here also used to remember the Vedic teachings; they used to remain detached and run their empires as trustees of the Almighty. This outlook of inner detachment had made them revered like great saints. To most people today, all of these would sound shear preaching with no practicality. Their doubts would be cleared when successive articles on related topics would highlight the systems and customs of Indian Culture that are quite relevant, important, and feasible to adopt, in the modern times as well.

So far, about morals, I know only that what is moral is what you feel good after and what is immoral is what you feel bad after. - Ernest Hemingway 22

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Notes: 1.

Sw³dhy³ya and Satsang: Sw³dhy³ya: self-analysis and self-improvement in the light of pure wisdom, thoughts, life and works of saints, spiritually enlightened sages, and great personalities. Satsang: Being in the inspiring company of good, morally elevated, progressive, wise people.

Sank³ras: Deep impressions and assimilations ‘inscribed’ in the unconscious mind (since earlier lives and the past phase of the current life). These are the carriers of intrinsic tendencies, nature, talents and potentials of a being in the continuous journey from one life to another.

PuruÌ³rtha ChatuÌÚaya: Dharma, Artha, K³ma and Mokïa. Dharma, Artha and K³ma are the foundational pillars of human life aimed at Mokïa - ultimate enlightenment, emancipation from all sorrows and attachments, transcendental ascent, and attainment of absolute peace with, beatitudeous bliss. Dharma refers to, inculcation of virtuous tendencies, righteous conduct and performance of altruistic duties. Artha (wealth) is the source of attainment of worldly resources and prosperous progress. K³ma means creative zeal for pleasure and fulﬁllment of desires.

Ramanujacharya was the disciple of Shathakopa Swami. Swamiji had revealed the secret of God-realization to Ramanuj and had warned him not to tell anybody about this; but Ramanuj did not obey this order. He started giving away all the knowledge given by his Guru – the path for God-realization – to the people. Swamiji got very angry when he came to know about this. He called Ramanuj and told him, “You are revealing the secret of spiritual practice by disobeying me. This is Adharma (unrighteousness). This is a sin. Do you know what will be the effect of this?” Ramanuj said politely, “Gurudev, by disobeying Guru the disciple will have to go to Hell.” Shathakopa Swami asked, “In spite of knowing this, why did you do this?” On this, Ramanuj replied, “A tree gives everything it has got to the people. Is it ever selfish? Whatever I did, I did it with the intention of betterment of the people. They should also get the bliss of Godrealization; and for this, even if I have to go to Hell, I will not regret a bit.” Swamiji was pleased seeing the intense yearning of Ramanuj of spreading the knowledge of spiritual practice for God-realization to the people. He blessed Ramanuj and sent him with great love to spread the real knowledge of spiritual practice among people. We are all born as empty vessels which can be shaped by moral values. - Jerry Springer AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

Eternal Sutras for Healthy Life The motto of Ayurveda is - Jºvem ïarada¡ ïatam – May we live for hundred years! If one follows a daily routine as advised in Ayurveda, then one is entitled to a lifespan of hundred years. But times have changed now and we have become victims of various forms of pollutions. Not just our physical bodies, our minds and inner-selves are also being poisoned by stress. As a result, lives have become uncertain and lifespans have reduced significantly. Though number of medical centers and hospitals has increased, the treatment has become so expensive that it is beyond the reach of common people. The word Ayurveda is composed of two words – ÂyuÌa and Veda. Âyurvedayati bodhayati iti ³yurveda – the scripture that gives knowledge about life is Ayurveda. Hit³hita® sukha® du¡kh³m³yustasya Hit³hitam | M³na® ca taccha yatroktam³yurveda¡ sa ucyate || (Charak Samhita 1/40) The scripture that describes what is suitable for life and what is unsuitable for it, what is a healthy life and what is a diseased one is called Ayurveda. The entire world now seems to recognize the importance and usefulness of Ayurveda. Actually Ayurveda got evolved even before Rigveda. In fact, Rigveda (10.17) states - “Knowledge of herbs exists from three eras earlier. There are hundreds of places which are birth fields of herbal plants. Some bear fruits and some flowers. Herbal medicines have a great

effect on each and every organ, each and every cell of human body.” In the modern times, mental ailments have increased tremendously. In this context, Charak Samhita says – negative emotions like jealousy, fear, anger etc. are mental distortions. When mind and intellect are in harmonious state, a human being is healthy. If they are not, diseases befall. Ayurveda has placed a lot of importance on sleep. It is said that our senses maintain a balanced state if we get good sleep and this regulates our age. If we suffer from insomnia, imbalance sets in our senses, which creates many kinds of mental disorders. Ayurveda considers mind to be as important as the physical body to maintain good health. Our physical body is said to be made up of five basic elements – earth, water, fire, air and space. According to Charak Samhita – air is the most important among these and it directly determines how long a person lives. Our age is determined by the pr³ñic force and this pr³ñic force propagates through the air we breathe in. So walking in fresh, open air increases vitality and joy. However, in today’s times due to high levels of air pollution, even morning air is not so clean, and walking, exercising and performing yoga to extract vital pr³ñic energy from air does not yield sufficiently good results. Likewise, the element of water leads to creation of various juices and blood in the body, but in India pollution level in water is also quite high. Atharvaveda which is regarded as the genesis of

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. - Joseph Addison 24

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Ayurveda also states that water is like medicine, so the water we drink must also be enriched with pr³ñic energy. The main element that builds our body is the food we eat. So, Ayurveda has emphasized a lot on purity of our food. But right from their growing to the storage, the foods are subjected today to chemical pesticides. This is leading to destruction of the stored pr³ñic energy and vitality of the grains. Likewise, the fruits are also getting poisoned. A healthy body and a body devoid of diseases - are two completely different states. Maharshi Charak says good health is a form of happiness and lack of health is a form of sorrow. Ayurveda says that our health is governed by the balance of tridoshas. These are the three fundamental energies or principles which govern the function of our bodies on the physical and emotional levels. The three energies are known vata, pitta, and kapha. The three qualities - sattva, rajas and tamas affect our mind whereas the tridoshas affect our body. Among the three attributes, sattva is the best quality, which keeps the mind calm, steady and illumined. Rajas makes the mind active and unsteady and tamas makes it inactive and inert leading to laziness. These qualities of mind are increased or decreased by the qualities of the food we take i.e. whether the food is sattwik, tamasik, or rajasik.

Ayurveda has prescribed a number of sutras adopting which a person can make a steady progress towards a healthy and long life. They can be understood with the help of an interesting and instructive story. Once it occurred to Maharishi Charak that he should test whether his pupils understood correctly his teachings. He metamorphosed into a pigeon and sat on a tree, under which many Vaidyas (ayurvedic healers) were passing by. The pigeon called out: “Ko ruk, ko ruk, ko ruk”? (Who is healthy, who is healthy, who is healthy?) . The Vaidyas paid no heed to pigeon’s words. The Maharishi thought that either they did not comprehend what the tiny bird was saying, or they were ignoring him. He flew from there and chose another tree. Incidentally, the great scholar Vagbhatta was passing that way. He heard the query of Maharishi and replied repeatedly thrice: “Hitbhuk, hitbhuk, hitbhuk”, i.e. healthy is one who eats the right type of food. Charaka-turned-pigeon asked again, “Ko ruk, Ko ruk, Ko ruk”? Vagdatta answered: “Mitbhuk, mitbhuk, mitbhuk” i.e. the one who eats in moderation. The ‘bird’ repeated the question a third time. Vagbhatta’s response this time was: “Ritbhuk, ritbhuk, ritbhuk” i.e. one who eats according to season; and what he has earned through righteous means. The bird flew away satisfied, as his question had been answered correctly. Let us imbibe these teachings of Ayurveda and start living a healthy and long life.

If you don’t think your anxiety, depression, sadness and stress impact your physical health, think again. All of these emotions trigger chemical reactions in your body, which can lead to inflammation and a weakened immune system. Learn how to cope, sweet friend! There will always be dark days. - Kris Carr Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live. - Jim Rohn AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

Some Ideas for Freedom from Stress Everyone agrees that stress has become an integral part of our lives today. We are also aware of positive and negative aspects of stress. Stress is positive as long as it helps in increasing our work efﬁciency and helps us make progress. But when it begins to affect our lives adversely, the same stress becomes negative. A person does experience stress while working towards attaining success, but this stress is positive. The stress experienced, on the other hand, due to anxiety of failure is negative. Irrespective of the nature of stress, what is important is how we react to it and it is this reaction which actually affects our lives. Surveys conﬁrm that everyone faces stress all the time, though its level may vary. How much stress one faces is not as important as how he or she faces the stress. It is estimated that about 8 to 10 percent of Indian population suffers from some kind of mental disorder like – stress, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, or addiction to intoxicating substances. In our country, the number of psychologists per lakh population is only 0.3, where as in other countries these numbers are: 1.7 in China, 9.16 in Australia, 11.06 in Russia, 12.4 in USA, 13.42 in Canada, 14.12 in France, 14.63 in UK, 18.31 in Sweden, 29.69 in Norway. Psychologists say that people suffering from stress normally go to doctors only when they realize that their condition has severely degraded due to stress. Just like a person takes his car to a mechanic not only when a major repair is needed

but also when he notices some small signs of faults. In a similar manner, a person must not wait till his mental health deteriorates completely. Instead, at the early signs of experiencing adverse effects itself he should work towards relieving the stress or visit a psychologist for consultation. Almost everyone lives in stress these days but does not realize it. A report published in British Medical Journal states that stress affects our work routine a lot and most of the diseases that affect our daily activities are caused by stress. More than 50 percent of our working hours can get wasted due to disorders created by stress. According to psychologists, following are the typical symptoms of excessive stress – disinterest in activities related to job, early tiring during work, lack of concentration, irregularity in appetite, insomnia, irritability in behavior, etc. It is not necessary that stress would create any physical problem like headache or any other form of pain. But, when stress exceeds a certain limit it begins to affect several other parts of the body; for example, blood pressure may go up which can result in heart diseases or brain stroke. Stress increases the level of acidity in stomach which can cause diseases like ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. Stress can cause harm to our immune system as well, which increases susceptibility to contagious diseases. It can increase allergic reactions and asthma, and put us in a long bout of worry and depression. To overcome stress, people begin to take drugs and alcohol. When they cannot handle

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book. – Irish Proverb 26

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stress, some even commit suicide. On the other hand, people who face their difficulties with patience and manage stress well, make progress continuously. We must always bear this in our mind that stress can show up anytime in any form during the long journey of life. But what impact will stress have on our lives, whether it will adorn it or destroy it, completely depends upon how we resolve our stress. A study was conducted by Mental Health and Behavioral Science team of Fortis Healthcare on 2463 people from 8 cities to understand the effect of stress on them. The team found that majority of the people who participated in the survey, suffered from stress to some extent at least. Almost 48% of people who participated in the survey were suffering so much that they needed consultation and treatment, 30% people suffered moderate stress, while the remaining 22% people had a milder level of stress. The most significant unexpected outcome of the survey was that the main reason for the stress experienced by 79% of the most stressed out people was their own personality and only 6% were suffering due to external causes like due to work place, work pressure, relationships and others. The outcome of the study clearly tells us that if problem solving skill is focused upon and developed, a large part of population of our country can effectively handle its stress without any medical help. How to control our behavior and how to fight stress – these are skills that are very important to learn. Several people get stressed because they have a preconceived expectation of how the world should be. When things don’t work out as per their expectation, they do not accept their error. If instead we accept the world as it is and accept the reality of the present situations, the stress would reduce significantly.

To handle stress we must adopt practices that help in calming the mind and the body, like yoga, pranayama, meditation, walking, listening to music or taking up some hobby etc. A regular practice of these gives complete relief from stress and empowers us and makes us mentally ready to take up new tasks. Pranayama and meditation help in regulating the rate of breathing, in reducing stress and help us to search for holistic solutions to our problems. It is not necessary that meditation, chanting mantras and pranayama always directly reduce stress, but definitely a process sets in through these that provide capability to fight with adversities, or finding worthy solutions for difficulties, which helps in relief from stress. Sometimes talking to others and listening with concentration is also a good way to relieve stress. According to psychologists, when stress is created due to relationships, it is good to talk with the concerned person and listen attentively. Conversation helps in relieving stress. Even if a person is an introvert, he must yet find someone who can be trusted and with whom he can speak his heart out. Just like financial independence helps in relieving stress created due to financial needs of the family, a helpful friend or a close family member plays a big role in reducing personal stress. Resorting to intoxicating substances to reduce stress is very harmful, because these can lead to several other physical and mental problems. Psychologists advise that rather than ignoring stress or simply assuming that stress would go away with time, it is better to find out the real reasons behind stress and then work out ways to solve them. Searching for the solution pro-actively is the right way to get relief from stress.

He who has health has hope and he who has hope has everything. – Arabian Proverb AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

Yug Gita – 12

Establish yourself in Yoga and perform action as per Yugadharma - 2 In 41st ïloka of chapter 2 of the Gita, Lord says Vyavas³y³tmik³ buddhirekeha kurunandanaA Bahuï³kh³ hyanant³ïca buddhayo”vyavas³yin³mAA Meaning: In this yoga O beloved son of the Kurus, the spiritual intellect is single-pointed and determined. But the intellect of those full of material desires indeed has endless diverse branches. Here Lord intends to convey that people full of material desires do not consider dharma to be their duty but consider it as a business. So long as their desires are fulfilled by the devotion to God, He exists; otherwise, there is no God for them. Such people have been called by the Lord unwise and their intellect unstable (divided in endless diverse directions). Lord says further (ïlokas 42 – 44) – ‘O Arjuna! Men of limited understanding deliver flowery speeches; they take pleasure in eulogizing the words of the Vedas, advocating that there is no goal better than attaining heaven. Full of sensual desires, they deliver speeches which promise good birth as the reward of one’s specific actions, and prescribe various specific rituals for the attainment of heavenly pleasure and power. The minds of those, who are much attached to sense enjoyments and material pleasures, are drawn away by such teachings; they do not attain spiritual intellect to focus their minds on Supreme Lord.’

Lord’s words (though spoken to Arjuna) ﬁt very well for the present-day so-called scholars of scriptures. How can a man engrossed in crass materialism but delivering ﬂowery discourses and aiming to achieve pleasure and power think of self-realization? Majority of the so-called religious people today fall in this category. Ramakrishna Paramhansa used to describe this type of intellect as ‘Patwari buddhi’ (meaning – the record-keeping intellect). ‘By renouncing so much, you get so much’ – instead of keeping such an account of good deeds and their rewards, it is better to renounce all the desires. Only such an intellect is desirable. That is why Lord says to Arjuna (45th ïloka) – ‘O Arjuna! The Vedas deal with the three attributes (of the material world). Be above these three attributes (sattwa, rajas and tamas). Free yourself from the duality and the thoughts of acquisition and preservation, and be established in the Self.’ Acquisition of the unattainable is called ‘yoga’ and preservation of the acquired things is called ‘kshema’. Lord advises Arjuna to abandon both yoga as well as kshema and be independent; that he should perform his duty and forget about its results. Now we come to the most important ïloka of the Gita, whose paeans of praises have been sung for the ages. This ïloka, representative of Karmayoga, has been inspiring the masses for thousands of years. Karmanyev³dhik³raste m³ phaleÌu kad³canaA M³ karmaphalahetur bh¿rm³ te saògo”stvakarmañiAA 47/2AA

Perform anonymous service. Whenever we do good for others anonymously, our sense of intrinsic worth and self-respect increases. -Stephen Covey 28

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Meaning: You have the right to perform the action, but not for its fruits. You should not be motivated by the fruits of actions, nor be attached to inaction.

Meaning: O Dhananjaya! Being steadfast in yoga, perform action abandoning attachment and remaining equipoised in success and failure. This equanimity of mind is called yoga.

The elucidation from 47th to 53rd ïloka is truly the essence of the Gita; it is the real interpretation of Yoga. Lord is saying – ‘you have the right to perform action only; whether you get its results or not is not your concern; that is, you have no right to claim the fruits.’ Some scholars call this sentence as a super-sentence. However, the Gita should be understood sequentially from the beginning to the end. Here the Teacher of the Gita is trying to covey that a person is not the performer of action; the Supreme power gets it done through him/her. As soon as the disciple realizes this truth, the desire for fruits of action automatically vanishes from the mind. This also makes the desire for right to action and consequent ego, disappear from the mind.

Abovementioned three instructions of Lord – Be steadfast in yoga, abandon attachment and remain equipoised in success and failure – take us to the root of sankhya yoga. If we want to solve the complexities of life, then we will have to learn to work keeping ourselves established in yoga. It is this method that can make us an excellent artist of living life, an excellent manager and an excellent householder. When Pujya Gurudev taught us yugas³dhan³ of social service, he repeatedly stressed the need for doing work keeping ourselves steadfast in yoga, abandoning attachment to the material world and remaining equipoised in all circumstances. Even if we want to live as householders, we will have to keep this ideal in our minds for successful running of our families.

Lord is trying to explain to Arjuna that the s³dhaka should free himself from the three attributes (sattva, rajas and tamas) of material world and surrender all his actions at the feet of Supreme Being. He should merge his resolve with that of His resolve; and also merge his consciousness into His Consciousness. It is this surrender that is the prescribed yoga for man. It is a grand endeavor of transforming nara (human being) into narayana (Supreme Being) and the merging of Soul into the Supreme Soul. Understanding the essence of 47th ïloka is the beginning of this endeavor. In 48th ïloka, Lord says – Yogastha¡ kuru karm³ñi saòga® tyaktv³ dhananjaya | Siddhyasiddhyo¡ samo bh¿tv³ samatva® yoga ucyate||

A unique expression has appeared in this ïloka – ‘saòga® tyaktv³ dhananjaya’ (O Dhananjaya! Perform action abandoning attachment). Dhananjaya is the famous title of Arjuna. Why has Lord addressed him by this name? Its answer is very interesting. The literal meaning of Dhananjaya is – A victorious person who has conquered the treasure of wealth. He could have called him Partha or even Arjuna, but here the talk of establishing in yoga abandoning the attachment with material resources is being done, so He preferred to address him by this name. He says – ‘O Dhananjaya! You have won the treasure of wealth; you are an accomplished man, prosperous and brave, but you should abandon the attachment to all these traits. You should imbibe equanimity. Balance is the key – remain

By becoming the answer to someone’s prayer, we often find the answer to our own. - Dieter F. Uchtdorf AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

equipoised whether the task at hand is complete or incomplete or you received its fruits or not. This is true Yoga. Instead of adopting the extreme lines, it is better to choose the middle path. This is not possible without relinquishing the attachment to sense objects.’ Lord says further – ‘O Dhananjaya! The action done with its fruits in mind is far inferior to the yoga of wisdom. Therefore, seek refuge in wisdom of equanimity; wretched are they whose motive is the fruit.’ (ïloka 49/2) In this ïloka, a speciﬁc word – ‘yoga of wisdom’ has been used. It is not a matter of play to acquire the wisdom of equanimity. One, who is able to do so, has been called Sthitpragya – the detailed explanation of which has been given in 18 ïlokas of the second half of this chapter on Sankhya Yoga. Lord says that the action done with steadfastness in yoga is not only the highest form of action but full of wisdom. In the context of materialistic matters too this kind of action is very powerful and effective. The reason is, such actions are ﬁlled with the knowledge and resolve of the Lord Himself. That is why Lord says further – Buddhi-yukto jah³tºha ubhe suk•ta duÌk•te | Tasm³d yog³ya yujyasva yoga¡ karmasu kauïalam || 50/2|| Meaning: When one performs actions with the wisdom of equanimity, one can get rid of the results of both good and evil deeds; therefore, devote yourself to this yoga; this yoga is synonymous with the skill in action.

Indeed, such actions are the means of liberating oneself from the bondage of good or bad deeds. Lord says that the wise men possessing spiritual intellect having abandoned the fruits of their actions liberate themselves from the bondage of birth and death and achieve eternal bliss (ïloka 51/2). When your enlightened intellect crosses beyond the mire of delusion, then you will become indifferent to what has been heard and what is yet to be heard (ïloka 52/2). When your intellect that has been perplexed by what you have heard, will become stable and steady in the Self, then you will attain Self-realization (ïloka 53/2). What a beautiful answer to the curiosity of Arjuna! After many ups and downs, Yogeshwar Shrikrishna brings his disciple Arjuna to a point where he seems to be not only overcoming his despondency but moving forward in the direction of becoming a yogi or achieving selfrealization. After getting awakened, Arjuna wants to know how he can become a yogi who is one with God. With this question of Arjuna and its answer by the Lord begins the ﬁnal and most important context of Sankhya Yoga – ‘O Keshava! What are the signs of Sthitpragya (the one who has attained steady wisdom and whose consciousness has merged with Superconsciousness)? How does he speak? How does he sit? How does he walk?’ We will continue with the description of Sthitpragya Yogi in the next issue of this magazine. [To be continued]

[Note: This is the translation of Hindi version of ‘Yug Gita’ (Part 1) by Dr. Pranav Pandya, published by Sri Vedmata Gayatri Trust, Shantikunj, Haridwar (2003)]

True greatness, true leadership, is achieved not by reducing men to one’s service but in giving oneself in selfless service to them. - J. Oswald Sanders 30

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Peace Pilgrim’s Wisdom – 12

Living the Simple Life The simplification of life is one of the steps to inner peace. A persistent simplification will create an inner and outer well-being that places harmony in one’s life. For me this began with a discovery of the meaninglessness of possessions beyond my actual and immediate needs. As soon as I had brought myself down to need level, I began to feel a wonderful harmony in my life between inner and outer well-being, between spiritual and material well-being. Some people seem to think that my life dedicated to simplicity and service is austere and joyless, but they do not know the freedom of simplicity. I am thankful to God every moment of my life for the great riches that have been showered upon me. My life is full and good but never overcrowded. If life is overcrowded then you are doing more than is required for you to do. My life had been bogged down; I felt greedy before I took my vow of simplicity: I shall not accept more than I need while others in the world have less than they need. You also may have come out of a life where you had too many things. When you have simplified your life, I’m sure you will feel as free as I feel. If your motive is one of giving then you will be given whatever you need. In my life, what I want and what I need are exactly the same. Anything in excess of needs is burdensome to me. You couldn’t give me

anything I don’t need. I am penniless, but have no difficulty remaining so. Several of my well-meaning, well-to-do friends have offered me large sums of money, which I, of course, refused. I talked to one person who thought I was being deprived of some of the “pleasures” of life. But none of the things I do not use or do not do were taken away from me. I just did not include them when I was choosing a harmonious life. I just had no interest whatsoever in them. I am not a slave to comfort and convenience. I wouldn’t be a pilgrim if I were. We can allow false beliefs to govern our lives and be enslaved by them. Most people do not wish to be free. They would prefer to moan and chafe about how impossible it is to give up their various enslavements to possessions, food, drink, smoking, and so forth. It is not that they can’t give them up — they don’t really want to give them up. Our physical needs depend somewhat on the climate in which we live, the state of our health, etc. In general we need a shelter to protect us from the elements; a fire, a blanket, some clothing for warmth; pure air and water and sufficient food for sustenance. There are, of course, needs beyond the physical. These often involve little or no expenditure of money, but this is not always so. For instance, there are some people whose lives are not complete unless they can listen to good music or play some musical instrument. While

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. – Confucius AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

suggestions may be made as to simple living, simplifying our lives is an individual problem for every one of us. I learned about forty years ago that money and things wouldn’t make people happy. And this has been confirmed many times. I have met many millionaires. They had one thing in common. None of them were happy. Look at Howard Hughes with his 2.5 billion dollars. They say he was the most miserable, fearridden creature one could imagine! And I knew a woman who inherited 4.5 million dollars. It ruined her life. Because she was one who had always been a giving person, she wanted to use the money meaningfully. But she discovered it was such a burden to her. She would be better off if she did not have it. I realize that if you don’t have enough you won’t be happy. Neither are you happy if you have too much. It is those who have enough but not too much who are the happiest. I remember a dear lady, who was up in years. She was working so hard and always complaining. I finally said to her, “Why in the world do you need to work so hard when you have only yourself to support?” And she said, “Oh, I have to pay rent on a five room house.” “A five room house!” I replied. “But you’re

alone in the world. Couldn’t you live happily in one room?” “Oh yes,” she said sadly, “but I have furniture for a ﬁve room house.” She was actually working her ﬁngers to the bone to provide a proper home for that furniture! And that happens all the time. All I can say is, don’t let it happen to you. Because of our preoccupation with materialism we often miss the best things in life, which are free. Unnecessary possessions are unnecessary burdens. If you have them, you have to take care of them. I’ll tell you about one more woman. She was liberated, although not in the best possible way. I saw her only occasionally, but I happened to see her about a month after her huge house, in which she and her husband had been living alone since the children were grown, had burned down while they’d been out. They lost everything except the clothes they were wearing. Remembering how attached she had been to that huge house, in spite of the fact that it was such a burden for her to take care of, I started to say a few words of sympathy. But she said, “Don’t sympathize with me! Now, you could have the morning after, but not now. Just think, I will never have to clean out that attic. I will never have to clean out those clothes closets. I will never have to clean that basement! Why, I’ve never felt so free. I just feel I’m starting life all over again!”

By simplifying our lives, we rediscover our child-like stalk of innocents that reconnects us with the central resin of our innate humanity that knows truth and goodness. To see the world through a lens of youthful rapture is to see life for what it can be and to see for ourselves what we wish to become. In this beam of newly discovered ecstasy for life, we realize the splendor of love, life, and the unbounded beauty of the natural world. - Kilroy J. Oldste It’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary. - Paulo Coelho 32

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She and her husband were living in a sensible size apartment and, indeed, I’m sure they did experience a wonderful sense of freedom. But wouldn’t it have been better if they had learned to give and had extended their surplus towards those who needed it? Then they would have been blessed by the giving, and others would have been blessed by the getting. In any case, it was a situation which liberated them. If you are free, I recommend a hiking trip on a wilderness footpath. How inspiring it is to walk all day in the sunshine and sleep all night under the stars. What a wonderful experience in simple, natural living. Since you carry your food, sleeping equipment, etc., on your back, you learn quickly that unnecessary possessions are unnecessary burdens. You soon realize what the essentials of life are — such as warmth when you are cold, a dry spot on a rainy day, the simplest food when you are hungry, pure cool water when you are thirsty. You soon put material things in their proper

place, realizing that they are there for use, but relinquishing them when they are not useful. You soon experience and learn to appreciate the great freedom of simplicity. From May to October of 1952, before the pilgrimage, I walked the 2,000 miles of the Appalachian Trail, from Georgia to Maine, with 500 additional miles for side-trips to points of special beauty. I lived out-of-doors completely, supplied with only one pair of slacks and shorts, one blouse and sweater, a lightweight blanket, and two double plastic sheets, into which I sometimes stuffed leaves. I was not always completely dry and warm, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. My menu, morning and evening, was two cups of uncooked oatmeal soaked in water and ﬂavored with brown sugar; at noon two cups of double strength dried milk, plus any berries, nuts or greens found in the woods. I had been thoroughly prepared for my pilgrimage by this toughening process. A walk along the highway seemed easy by comparison.

[Reproduced with glad consent of the publishers – Friends of Peace Pilgrim]

“To live content with small means, to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion, to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich, to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly, to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart, to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never, in a word to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common, this is to be my symphony.” - William Henry Channing Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires. - Lao Tzu AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

Overcome Fear by Self - confidence An unknown fear resides in the mind of every person as to what will happen? We often carry some of this fear with ourselves, like - fear of starting work, fear of not being able to do any work, fear of breaking relationships, fear of losing a job, fear of criticism, fear of failure etc. All these kinds of fear do not let us come out of our comfort zone. If we want to jump over these boundaries, we have to get rid of these fears. There is a beautiful acronym for FEAR - False Evidence Appearing Real. In simple words, fear means those fabrications that we perceive as accurate. In reality, most of our fears are imaginary and they make such a deep impression in our mind that they seem to be real. Therefore, if a person has control over his imagination, then he will have control over his fears too. In order to gain this control over the fear, the ﬁrst thing we have to do is to ﬁgure out things you are afraid of, and write them down on a piece of paper. For example, what gives you the most anxiety? What are you scared of? What are their origins and when do they crop up? What are you most fearful to perform? Also, write down what are the reasons for your fear? After that, analyze each one of them in a logical and objective manner. ‘What will people say?’ – Often this fear is prominent in many people’s mind, which is pointless, because others do not help you to achieve your dreams. According to the famous author Ambrose Redmoon, “Courage is not the

absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” Many people carry their fears with them, because they do not want to take risks. They do not want to deal with problems associated with taking these risks. Many people waste their time in watching TV/Internet, smoking, drinking alcohol, overeating etc. instead of facing their fears. In reality, in order to face your fears you have to fight with them, not run away from them. This can be done slowly step by step. Just as fear has become part of our habit, in the same way we should augment courage within us. Strengthening courage is like doing any exercise. People get tired very easily on the first day of starting exercise, but in ten days they can do it much more easily. In the similar way when you are trying something you are fearful, you have less courage, but that courage increases as you do it over and over. There comes a time when you are full of enthusiasm and courage to perform that task. In life, failures seep deep into our minds, which gives rise to fear in us when starting any new work, but the only way we can overcome this fear is by knowledge and practicing that skill over and over? The most common way to face your fears is through exposure, where you gradually face the thing or situation you’re afraid of. When there are less mistakes, then the self-confidence will increase and then the fear of failure will decrease. This is the key to fearlessness.

Self-confidence is an amazing force by which one can face tremendous amount of difficulties by oneself. Self-confidence is the biggest treasure, and a genuine friend a person has. - Author Unknown 34

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Odyssey of the Enlightened - 61

‘Akhand Jyoti’ Begins Its Journey – 4 Nursing and Study After coming to Mathura, Shriram’s time was consumed mostly in managing the publication of ‘Akhand Jyoti’ and meeting the visitors. There was hardly any time left for the family. There was heavy work load on wife, Saraswati Devi, too. She was a traditional housewife. She hardly went out of the house. All the time, she was busy in her household chores and in arranging water, milk, lassi, etc for the visitors. She was getting tired with increased responsibilities and the unaccustomed ambience of the new place. Realizing her need for some rest in between daily chores, Shriram started sharing her work. In order to prevent Shriram from sharing her work, Saraswati Devi would continue working even when she needed rest. In the meantime she got infected with the recurring bouts of cough. The cough was very severe. Shriram, realizing the need for her treatment, stopped everything and focused on her illness; he also kept a servant for house-hold chores. When the physician was consulted, it was diagnosed that her lungs were infected with tuberculosis. It was advised that she be admitted to hospital for treatment. At that time, there was no facility in Mathura for treatment of TB. But soon it was found that there was one good medical center in the nearby town of ‘Hathras’. There were some relatives there, from whom some help could be expected. So in three-four days, Shriram made an arrangement to go to Hathras. Children were

left with Taiji in Mathura. He himself took his wife to Hathras for treatment. The treatment continued for nearly two months. They had to stay in the hospital for fifteen days. For the rest of the time, they had to visit the hospital in Hathras frequently. For whatever period, she was admitted in the hospital, Shriram was with her for almost all the time. He would go early in the morning and would remain by the bedside of his wife till late night. There was no space for a second person to stay there at night. So, at night, he used to stay with one of his relatives. The daily routine was fixed right on the first day. The bedridden wife, even in the hospital, was hesitant to take the services of Shriram. Shriram dispelled her hesitation by saying that the patient should follow the regimen prescribed by the doctor and the person who was attending to her. Ultimately she agreed. After that, Shriram would administer medicines himself, give her proper meals, change her clothes daily and get them washed. If some day washerman was not available, he would himself wash her clothes. In spite of devoting himself fully to the nursing of his wife, Shriram was left with plenty of time. What to do in the spare time? After inquiring, it was found that there were two good libraries in the Tehsil. As soon as he got free time, he went to the Panchayat’s library, became its member and got issued some books. He would sit by the bedside of his wife. She would sleep and he would read books. He would stop reading when she was awake or

Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage and confidence in doing. – Theodore Roosevelt AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

After ﬁfteen days, Saraswati Devi was relieved from the hospital. She was given sufﬁcient medicines and was told about the precautions to be taken. They went back home. Shriram took great care of her health till she was fully recovered. It took about one year when she again took over the charge of her house-hold work.

with other dispensaries.” This was also a fact. Indeed, neither Shriram had done any course / training in Ayurveda nor was there any one in the family who knew about health sciences. The idea was to heal minor ailments using herbs. When the neighbors resisted Shriram’s plan, he tried to convince every one but they remained adamant. A message came from the families of Vaidyas that they would cooperate with Shriram, if he did some other business; but he must not open a dispensary. Every time it was made clear that he only wanted to help the poor in curing minor ailments and did not want anything in return; and that he would not treat any serious diseases; and that such patients would obviously go to reputed hospitals. This clariﬁcation was also not readily acceptable to any one.

Strange Objection

Vaidyaji met Taiji

After sometime, Shriram hired another room in the same lane called ‘Ballabhram ki gali’. This room was like a shop. There were big doors opening towards the roadside. He was planning to start an Ayurvedic dispensary in that room. Long back he had done practice of herbal medicines in Aanwalkheda too. When the neighbors came to know about his plan, they started opposing him. The reason was that on the way from Holy Gate to Dwarkadhish temple, there were three Ayurvedic dispensaries. Out of them two Vaidyas (Ayurvedic experts / physicians) were staying in the nearby lanes. In fact the opposition to Shriram’s resolve started from these families. Later on, other people of the area also started opposing.

One day Vaidya Bhagwandas came early in the morning to Shriram’s residence. At that time he was engaged in Upasana (worship). He waited in the sitting room till the Upasana was complete. Taiji asked about his wellbeing. He told the aim of his visit and said that she should prevent his son from opening up a dispensary. Otherwise he (Vaidyaji) would be in great trouble.

when there was time for giving her the dose of medicines. When she was awake, he would talk to her. When she would get tired, he would again start reading. He also used to take notes while studying those books. In ﬁfteen days, he read almost all important books of both the libraries. There were more than two thousand books in both the libraries.

Shriram told those people, “I am starting this dispensary for the service of the ailing people. This is not for earning money or for competing

Taiji said – “Vaidyaji why are you worrying? Shriram doesn’t know even how to feel the pulse of a patient. He gives medicines only for simple ailments like cold-cough, boils-sores, stomach ache, etc. In fact, he tries to cure the patients through home remedies. Therefore, your business will not be affected.” Bhagwandas said - “Behanji (sister)! You don’t know. I know that Shriram’s hands are

If you really put a small value upon yourself, rest assured that the world will not raise your price. - Author unknown 36

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miraculous. By virtue of the punya that he has earned by chanting mantras, even if he gives soil to the patient, he will be cured.” Taiji said – “Then what do you want? Should the patient not be cured?” Bhagwandas said – “Certainly, they should Behanji! Your son should give blessings to the people but should not attempt any medical treatment.” When this talk was going on Shriram also came in that room after completing his Upasana. He had heard a few sentences of Vaidyaji. As a reply to him, Shriram said –“Vaidyaji! There is no miracle in my hands. Even if they have a miraculous healing power, I will not use it to cure patients. Please don’t worry. Another thing; come what may, I am not going to change my decision. When I have resolved to serve the patients, I will abide by it. However, I promise that if I see the symptoms of some serious disease in any patient, I will send him to your dispensary. I will not allow him to sit idle without any medication.” Even this promise could not satisfy Bhagwandas; so looking at Taiji, Shriram said – “OK, we will change this place, but allow me to serve for three months. After that, due to the change of place your words will be kept and the people will also not get the opportunity to say that you didn’t allow a poor Brahman to stay here.” Saying this Shriram laughed. Bhagwandas too started

laughing. It appeared as if in that laughter, the knots of his mind opened. After three months, as he promised to Vaidya Bhagwandas, Shriram left that house. He hired another house near Chauk. This house was about 500 meters from Ghiya Mandi (where these days the ofﬁce of Akhand Jyoti is located). The house was near the bank of Yamuna. One could easily see the ﬂow of the river from its rooftop. Taiji liked it. Yamunaji and the temple of her favorite deity Dwarkadhish were very near. But soon this house appeared to be small as the readers of Akhand Jyoti started visiting very often. ‘Gayatri Arogya Kendra’ was also expanded. Eight to ten patients suffering from cold, cough, fever, etc started coming daily. Saraswati Devi Passes Away In May 1942, the family was struck with a heavy blow. Saraswati Devi suddenly fell sick. After the treatment in Hathras, she was quite healthy. There was no complaint of any pain, etc. She used to share all the tasks, from crushing the herbs for yagya and medicines to making the packets of Akhand Jyoti and labeling them. That day also she did everything. In the afternoon, there was slight pain in the abdomen, but the condition was not serious. By nature, she believed in natural healing; so she didn’t discuss with anyone. After two days the pain increased. Even then she didn’t tell.

A lady once offered me a mat; but as I had no room to spare within the house, nor time to spare within or without to shake it, I declined it, preferring to wipe my feet on the sod before my door. It is best to avoid the beginnings of evil. - Henry David Thoreau You are the only person on earth who can use your ability. – Zig Zagler AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

But Shriram noticed it from the expression of her face and behaviour. At that time also she refused to take any medicines. In the afternoon her condition deteriorated. The children were silently observing their mother moaning with pain. When the condition didn’t improve, Shriram called Vaidya Dhaniram. He was expert in diagnosing the disease simply by feeling the pulse of the patient. People used to say that he could tell the condition of the patient even by feeling the pulse of a person who brought the message. Anyway, Dhaniramji came. He observed the pulse of Saraswati Devi and said – “There is ulcer in her stomach and it may burst any time. Now there is no remedy except praying to God. Start preparing for the ﬁnal rites.” As soon as Shriram heard these words, he was almost paralyzed. He became speechless. Taiji too was numbed and the condition of the children could be easily guessed. Observing

the silence of grief before death in the family, Dhaniramji too got depressed. Shriam held him. He came out of the ﬂood of grief and started taking care of Vaidyaji. Shriram said – “Kavirajji! Please don’t get depressed like this. What will happen to us, if you grieve like this; and look at these children. It will tear their hearts. Please console them.” Saraswatiji got up in the night and said she wants to do pranam to Taiji. Immediately Taiji came in that room. She tried to get up to touch the feet of Taiji, but could not do so. Taiji came nearer. Saraswatiji timidly looked at Taiji and Shriram and said in low voice – “What can I advise you? But I wish to request humbly; please forgive me if there has been any unwitting misconduct on my part.” Saying this she was silent for a moment, as if she was trying to gather courage to say something. After a pause, she said – “The children should not be deprived of motherly love and care. They need it direly.” These were her last words.

One day, Swami Vivekananda was returning from temple of Ma Kali. On the path, Swamiji saw a number of monkeys who were not allowing him to pass through it. Whenever Swamiji would take a step forward, those monkeys would make a lot of noise and make angry face, showing their anger by shrieking near his feet. As Swami Vivekananda took a step forward, monkeys got close to him. Swamiji began to run and the monkeys started chasing him. Faster Swamiji ran, bolder monkey got and tried to catch him and bite him. Just then an old Sanyasi shouted from a distance, “Face them..!” Those words brought Swamiji to senses and he stopped running. He turned back to boldly face them. As soon as Swamiji did that, the monkeys ran away and left. Moral: We should not run away from challenges; instead we should face them boldly. Trust in dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity. - Kahlil Gibran 38

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Youth Column

Think positively It does not take much time for a person’s mood to change. In an instant, the mood could either get better or worse. Many a times, tiny little things end up spoiling the joy of an otherwise wonderful day. More often than not, we even fail to figure out why our mood got spoilt. Whatever be the reason for these mood swings, all of us are definitely bothered by this and are looking for a way of dealing with them. Our mood depends on our thoughts. If we are experiencing a bad mood, our mind gets crowded with unpleasant thoughts. So, in those instances we either feel or do things that we shouldn’t do. We end up saying words which we don’t mean or behaving in a manner that we repent later. We don’t mean to say that those who think positively will always be in good mood. Anyone can get into a spell of bad mood. And there could be any number of reasons for that. Sometimes, the day itself starts at a bad note because you did not sleep well the previous night and hence feeling tired, or that we are feeling fatigued and unwell. This also can be cause for bad mood. If there is something bothering our mind and we busy ourselves in doing something else to take the mind off from that, it can very well spoil the mood too. Psychologists say that – ‘first and foremost, we should try to figure out reasons because of which we are in a bad mood. More

often than not, we don’t want to accept our mistakes. Sometimes, our fears about others have such a sway on us, but we are determined not to accept those. We keep worrying about them.’ There are many instances when in bad mood, we begin to have a train of thoughts that further deteriorate our mood. Interestingly, we even consider that line of thought to be correct. What is required then is to divert our mind to something else. Sometimes, the mood becomes better with passing time, all by itself. Psychologists say – ‘Never trust your bad moods because we fail to see the situations accurately or react appropriately. To ensure that you don’t cause much damage to the situation, it is better to talk as less as possible; refrain from taking any decisions; and keep reassuring yourselves that all will be well.’ When in bad mood, even if you don’t feel like it, try to smile. Try to remain smiling for some time. Use encouraging words for yourself. Breathe deeply – inhale and exhale deeply. Read good books, stay among people who radiate good thoughts, watch inspirational videos and try to ﬁll your mind with positive energy. It is also beneﬁcial to change your place or take a walk in fresh air to improve your spirits. It also helps to talk to your loved ones. In a nutshell, whenever you experience bad mood, try your best to come out of the negative mindset and rejuvenate your mind.

A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug. - Patricia Neal AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

It’s the Courageous People Who Achieve Success Life is not a bed of roses; it has thorns too. Whoever has come to this world has to face the bitter realities of life at some point or the other. They hurt us like the piercing of the thorns. In such thorny situations, one should develop courage. Instead of getting scared of difficulties of the rough road, one should resolve to boldly face them; and overcome life’s challenges. There are two ways to avoid these thorns or obstacles in life. The first one is to remove all these thorns from the path, and the second one is to put shoes on our feet so that the thorns can’t reach us. Courage is like these strong shoes, which help us move forward. Therefore, courage is such a strong virtue of our personality. People who do not possess courage and persistence cannot achieve anything worthwhile in life. People do not achieve success in just one try. One has to persevere despite many unsuccessful attempts. This very diligent hard work often takes us to our goals. According to the CEO of Amazon, the world’s largest online shopping retailer and the richest man, Jeff Bezos, “If you’re not stubborn, you’ll give up on experiments too soon. And if you’re not flexible, you’ll pound your head against the wall and you won’t see a different solution to a problem you’re trying to solve.” According to Helen Keller, who was the first deafblind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree,

“Life is either a great adventure or nothing.” This means that if efforts are made with persistence and courage then a challenging task can be accomplished easily, but if there is no effort, even a simple task may seem extremely tough. So if we make a firm resolve to change our present situation, then the difficulties of the path will stop frightening us and give us a way. When we move forward by overcoming these challenges one by one, a firm conviction gets established within us, that we can overcome any obstacles by working hard in the right direction. Nelson Mandela has rightly said - “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” Oprah Winfrey, a humanitarian, believes that the greatest risk in life is never daring to risk. She believes that there is big role of courage in our lives because by having courage to undertake risk, people fulfill their wishes. If a person shuns away from the risks then he will never achieve desired success. Gurudev Pandit Shriram Sharma has said - Failure just proves that the wholehearted effort to succeed was not put forth. Those who try to do any task with complete onepointedness and indomitable courage do not have to accept failure in life. Those who have the courage, succeed in life. We must also become courageous.

There can be no failure to a man who has not lost his courage, his character, his self-respect, or his self-confidence. - Orison Swett Marden 40

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Amrit Vani

Theism, Spirituality, and Religion - 3 (Continued from the previous issue) Friends, The prevailing misconceptions about theism, spirituality and religion, and the associated superficial and insane customs and practices are so deep-rooted and rigid that anybody can get carried away by them. It is more pathetic to see that the so-called theists, self-styled ‘spiritual leaders’ and religious people themselves are most responsible for this messy state of ignorance and decline. Therefore, many of the rational thinkers, scientific-minded people these days feel somewhat skeptical about spirituality and religion. There also are some spiritually enlightened people, who regard that these are traits of the innermost self that can only be experienced through heart and adopted in thoughts and deeds, therefore there is nothing to be discussed about these. It is absolutely correct that theism, spirituality and religion are innermost traits inculcated in the human conscience; these are to be adopted as integral part of one’s being and should be reflected naturally in one’s thoughts, emotions (feelings), behavior, and deeds. However, discourses and discussions on related topics are important to awaken the ignorant, to help clarify the confusions, uproot ignorance, rectify the wrong concepts and trends, and prevent emotional exploitation of the innocents. So let us continue with our discussion. Before attempting to explain the natural relevance and importance of these inner traits in human

life, we should pay attention to the fact that most people get dejected, or, get deluded about theism, as they only see its outer layer, consider only some dogmatic teachings prevalent in the name of their customary ‘religion’ as theism. For them, spirituality is conﬁned to the rituals of some devotional practices and chanting of some hymns from ancient texts. But as we have discussed earlier, all this is wrong. First of all, you should understand the meaning of theism through depth and thoroughly adopt its values, teachings, in your character and deeds, as theism in the truest sense is the root of spiritual progress and genuine religiousness. Theism is a Way of Thinking: As I had explained earlier, rituals or customs of worshiping or remembering God by prescribed devotional chants, or prayers, are only like outer-shells. These practices may at the most remind you of the Almighty, or may nurture your emotional proximity with the symbol of your faith in God. Theism or faith in God in the truest sense means faith in the limitless power and grace of divine virtues, it must nurture your faith in your own self — your conscience, and encourage you to fearlessly follow the illumined path that leads to divinity — the righteous path, the path trodden by enlightened saints and sages and the guidelines given by them.

My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind. - Albert Einstein AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

Âsth³ SankaÚa — Crisis of Faith (in God, in divinity) is the severest crisis of the present times. Lack of faith in the impartial, absolute justice of God, misconceptions and distortions of faith in God, linking theism with dogmatic religions, fundamentalism and communal ideologies, etc, are all varied manifestations of this crisis. Âsth³ SankaÚa is the root of moral decline, negligence of duties and responsibilities, and hence also the cause of — all-round corruption, diminishing sense of duty and responsibility in personal, professional and social life, social disharmony, cultural devolution, and disgraceful ‘adulteration’ of human values, etc. Religious fundamentalism, rejection of the absolute law of karma, and consequent problems of beastly conduct, terrorism, inhuman, and even demonic crimes, also are offshoots of the crisis of faith. If this straying in darkness, and decline of human values, continues for long, it may turn humans into humanoids or even into devilish beings in human form. Our mission is to end this ³sth³ sankaÚa and spread the light of divine values and strength of humanity.

or ‘book’ Ramayana (in digital or printed form) or listening to its text read by someone, is only like getting information from a source.

The essence of all religious texts is only one and simple — Âstikat³ (Faith in God1, Trust in His Absolute Law of Karma). This is the core of all religious philosophies. So, irrespective of whether or not you study a religious text, or which religious text you read and follow, what matters is whether it inspires the light of divinity in your mind and heart, whether it strengthens your faith and devotion (for the deity of human life). For example, if someone tells you to read the holy epic “Ramayana” as part of your religion, you may consider it. However, you must understand (and also tell others in your contact) that reading the scripture

You might have heard of or even seen that some parrots are very good in cramming whatever is repeatedly spoken near them; they even repeat it clearly. During my visit to East Africa I met several Indian-Africans. One girl named Vidya had also come to meet me with her parrot named “Poly”. This parrot is found in Congo. It was quite big in size as compared to the parrots we ﬁnd here in India. Instead of the usual ‘parrot green’ color, it was blackish like pigeons. When the girl asked, it clearly uttered the Gayatri Mantra in sweet voice. It was amazing to hear it! Parrot Poly could repeat the mantra several times at a stretch. So do you think it would one day

The “Ramayana” will show you the ‘soul’ (real self) of religion, only if, inspired by its teachings, your heart and mind get motivated by the divine qualities and nature of Sri Rama, and with full determination you begin to follow the righteous path of devotion and duty like Sri Hanumana, Bharat, and Angada. This motivation, this ﬁrm determination, and willpower, is what amounts to “Faith in Lord Rama” or faith in the (religious philosophy of) Ramayana. This is the life-force of the Holy Scriptures. This is what eventually leads to your true welfare. This is what eventually showers beatifying grace, and great attainments (siddhis). There is no ‘magic’ in simply chanting the name of God, or reading or singing the verses of Ramayana (or any holy text), unless you grasp the light of divinity conveyed in it and transform your character and deeds accordingly. Cramming and Repeating Leads Nowhere:

More smiling, less worrying. More compassion, less judgment. More blessed, less stressed. More love, less hate. - Roy T. Bennett 42

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become a Pandit or Acharya? Would its chanting of the Gayatri Mantra lead to its spiritual enlightenment, as this is what the Vedic texts describe as one of the many prominent beneﬁts of japa2 of the Gayatri Mantra? Well, then why do you expect that your ‘mechanical’ activity of repeated chanting this great mantra every day would result in such majestic effects? The bottom line of what I have been explaining is that — whether you chant the Gayatri Mantra or some verses of the Holy Quran, or sacred hymns of any other religious text, it does not make much difference. What is important is that you do this chanting with deep mental and emotional engrossment. It is your inner purity and intrinsic faith (in divine virtues and noble deeds) that activate the power of the mantra. The real power of spirituality lies in your inner self. It will awaken and manifest only if the light of deep faith in divine values and devotion illumines your mind and heart, and you cultivate saintly qualities and follow the righteous path of duties assigned by Him. The generosity of your heart, purity of your mind (and thoughts),

integrity of your character, selflessness and efficiency of your deeds are obvious touchstones of this awakening. These are the most rational measures of your theism. Mission of the Gayatri Pariwar: Cultivation of ³stikat³1 in scientific light is the principal mission of our Gayatri Pariwar (a large family-like socio-spiritual organization). Indeed, ³stikat³ lays the foundation of evolution and expansion of humanity; it is the source of blissful global peace and sustainable progress with human dignity. Right from the Vedas to Puranas, from Bhagavat to Bhagvad Gita all our religious texts were created for this main purpose. All the teachings, inspiring narrations, and descriptions and guidance of devotional practices, disciplines, etc, are there in our ancient scriptures to plant and nurture the seed of ³stikat³ in the masses. You can find ample examples and anecdotes to understand and explain the meaning and vital importance of ³stikat³ in human society. I will narrate one such short story here.

“He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; Who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; Who has never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty or failed to express it; Who has left the world better than he found it, Whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; Who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; Whose life was an inspiration; Whose memory a benediction.”

- Bessie Anderson Stanley We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience. - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

Once, a thief went to steal fruits and vegetables in a field near his village. He took his adolescent son along. Before entering the fields, he asked his son to stand at boundary of the field as a guard and warn him as soon as he notices the owner of the field. After sometime, the son shouted “father run away, the owner of the fields is right here”. The father (thief) hurriedly ran away with his son and tried to hide behind the trees nearby. As he did not notice anybody going towards the fields, he asked his son — “why did you shout, where is the owner?” The boy replied — “I experienced it was God watching over there; HE is the Lord of everything, every field belongs to Him; HE is present everywhere, His eyes see in every direction, everything, all the time! Though the man who owns this particular field did not come and so did not notice you, but the Almighty Supreme Landlord was watching you.” Indeed, “God is watching us, all the time” — if this belief gets firmly instilled in somebody’s mind, if this fact is thoroughly grasped by his intellect, will he be able to commit a sin; will he do anything wrong? His awakened conscience would loudly remind him that even if his neighbors, friends, his community, no one in the society, knows about all his deeds, God knows everything. If you are a theist, how would you cheat or harm someone? How would you use foul language for anyone? How would you be cruel or cunning? How would you commit a misdeed or do anything immoral? If you do so, this would mean that either you are not a devotee, or you are cheating your God, you are using abusive language in front of Him, hurting Him, cheating Him. A true believer in God not only accepts but also

feels the sublime presence of God everywhere. He knows that the Almighty is the Supreme Ruler and Regulator; HE is the ultimate authority to penalize for sinful actions and reward for noble deeds at an appropriate time. His justice is ﬁnal and absolute. Realization of this perennial fact is indeed the only and precise meaning of ³stikat³. A true believer in God would therefore refrain from committing anything wrong. Ethical conduct and benevolence would be as natural and integral component of his life as “breathing”. How could he be harsh to anyone? How could he insult anyone or behave indecently in any way? Because this would mean that he is ignoring the

“Are you looking for me? I am in the next seat. My shoulder is against yours. you will not find me in the stupas, nor in Indian shrines, nor in synagogues, nor in cathedrals: nor in masses, nor kirtans, nor in legs winding around your own neck, nor in eating nothing but vegetables. When you really look for me, you will see me instantly — you will find me in the tiniest house of time. Kabir says: Student, tell me, what is God? He is the breath inside the breath.” - Kabir

The power of human thought grows exponentially with the number of minds that share that thought. - Dan Brown 44

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omnipresence of God or indirectly behaving wrongly with God present in the form of a human (or any other being) in front of him? So, friends, I hope now it is clear to you what it means to truly believe in God. Your ³stikat³ is superficial, incomplete, or nothing more than an emotional act unless it is reflected in every dimension of your conduct. Let us now try to understand another inherent/ vital aspect of human life which also is largely misinterpreted and confused. This pertains to “Âdhy³tmikat³” (Spirituality). As I had briefly mentioned earlier in this discourse, most often people confuse the word “Spirituality” with “Spiritualism” and thus regard it as some kind of occult topic dealing with spirits, ghosts and other esoteric forms/entities and experiences of life after death. Many others, including some

scholars, have superﬁcial knowledge of the meaning, depth, and expanse of this rather sublime science of intrinsic tendencies, inner thoughts and emotions, and complete realization of the inner-self and the eternal roots of consciousness. The ﬁeld of spirituality is perhaps worst (mis) used by self-styled experts and fake spiritual leaders and ‘Gurus’. Therefore, even the genuine seekers often get misguided or confused; and the innocent masses are emotionally exploited in the name of spirituality. It is time that the true meaning and importance of spirituality and the disciplines and methods of spiritual development are explained clearly to let everyone experience and progress along this path of humandignity, and enlightened, blissful life. This is another principal focus of our mission.

(To be continued in next issue) Notes: God: Supreme expression of divine virtues and absolute power of Omnipresent, Eternal ConsciousnessForce.

“The undiscovered is not far away. It’s not something to be found eventually. It is contained within what is right in front of us. The essence of reality is being born right now. It has never existed before. Reality is constant creation and destruction, and in this constant change is something unborn and undying, something that cannot be approached through the known or the past. It is not seen through striving to become something based on ideals stemming from former experiences. It comes to that which is being, not striving. In this state of being in the moment, without the known, without knowing at all, with neither past nor future, is a space that is not filled with time. And in this space, the undiscovered and ever-changing moment exists—a moment containing all possibilities, the totality of existence, absolute reality. Reality is now, and in the now, we can experience the true nature of the universe and the universal mind .” - H.E. Davey The Way is not in the sky; the Way is in the heart. - Gautama Buddha AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

Role of Bioelectricity in Fostering Strong Bonds between Couples The bioelectricity flowing through man and woman creates biomagnetic fields having opposite polarity in their bodies. This opposite polarity between male and female bodies is manifested as the natural attraction between the two sexes. During youth, this biomagnetic field is stronger because of increased biological activity of the body. Unilaterally, these fields are inconsequential for either sex, but a physical contact benefits both in the development of their physical and mental potentialities. All over the world, single men and women face more health problems and generally have lesser longevity than married couples. The bodies of widows and widowers appear lusterless and unhealthy. They are found complaining about some personal ailment or the other. Let this statement of fact not startle the believers in virtues of sex-restraint. It is not the intention of this writer to contradict the advantages of abstention from sex for long periods or throughout life. Neither are the above facts contradictory to the advantages of celibacy advocated by the science of body chemistry. Abstaining from sex for long periods builds up tremendous creative energy in the body. Persons having exceptional power of will, courage and perseverance may undertake special exercises of yoga for harnessing the incredible power inherent in sex element for creativity and use it for achieving excellence in athletics, erudition or spirituality. They have the

option of following celibacy for long periods. However, for the sake of such rare exceptions the laws of body chemistry applicable to a common man cannot be overlooked. For an average, common man it is necessary to live a natural married life for supplementing the physical and emotional requirements of either sex. Ayurveda and other traditional disciplines of medicine tell that suppression of sexual urge by a common man for a long time makes the person prone to many diseases. It is clearly seen in the deteriorating health of widows and widowers. Experience shows that a normal happy conjugal relationship is advantageous for both sexes. There is nothing wrong in having sex. The harm is only in the abnormality of extra-marital sexual relationships. One, who does not know how to bake a cake, has to eat a tasteless cake. One bitter cake does not mean that all cakes are bitter. Sexual intercourse involves an exchange of vitality between the two bodies. In course of sex man absorbs the same amount of vitality as his female partner. Hence matrimonial alliance between a man and woman of more or less same age are commendable. With advancement in age, the capacity of absorption of vitality increases. As a large tree draws in nutrients from around a large area beneath it on the ground and does not let the small plants grow beneath it; in course of the act of sex, the older person draws out the vitality of the younger partner. According to Ayurveda, coitus with a younger woman increases the

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched; they must be felt with the heart. - Helen Keller 46

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vitality of man. On the other hand, an older woman is beneﬁted on having sex with a younger person. Coitus between persons of same age protects vitality of both. Through experience, human beings have known this fact since ancient times and have been usurping it to mutual advantage. Men had cleverly kept it as a guarded secret from women. Many societies do not approve of marriage of a boy with an older girl though a difference of a year or two in age of husband and wife is immaterial from the above point of view. Marrying a younger woman increases the chances of greater longevity for her husband and his health too shows improvement, whereas, the wife loses vitality and ages prematurely. (In polygamous societies, men take advantage of this factor for their health and longevity.) In certain primitive societies parents give their young daughters in marriage to much older men for monetary considerations. It is a very cruel and despicable practice. Throughout her life, the hapless woman is sucked out of her vitality, bit by bit, by her parasitic husband. It is seen that young wives of old men frequently fall sick. The poor women even do not know the actual reason for their failing health. For an old man marrying a young girl is like forcibly depriving a poor woman of her hardearned vitality and health. Unfortunately, many males amongst the humankind are sacriﬁcing natural justice at the alter of their base self-interest. In course of coitus, excitement enhances the bioelectric energy level of the participants

and an inter-transmission of energy takes place between the two bodies. The most powerful and vital energy of human body is that related to reproduction. At the moment of orgasm, this internal energy is released and mutually absorbed through the private parts of the participants. Consequently, reciprocal transformation of personalities, qualities, traits and temperaments (Guna-Karma-Swabhava) takes place. The bioelectric particles mutually absorbed by man and woman, incessantly seek a reunion with their parent source. (Like a large magnet tending to attract the small

We are two eagles Flying together Under the heavens, Over the mountains, Stretched on the wind. Sunlight heartens us, Blind snow baffles us, Clouds wheel after us Raveled and thinned. We are like eagles But when Death harries us, Human and humbled When one of us goes, Let the other follow, Let the flight be ended, Let the fire blacken, Let the book close.” -Sara Teasdale

Words are a pretext. It is the inner bond that draws one person to another, not words. - Rumi AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

magnet.) The process is like a traveler to an alien land frequently longing to return to his native place. This inner biomagnetic activity itself ﬁnds an expression as the conjugal love. Sexual intercourse makes this attraction stronger. On account of the presence of each other’s` bioelectrical particles in their bodies, the emotional attachment between a lover and a beloved is much stronger than that between individuals having other relationships. (Some recent studies have shown that after long periods of association, husband and wife, personality-wise, begin to look alike.) This phenomenon is also illustrated in the love of parents for their offspring. Since a part of the bioelectric ﬁelds of bodies of parents goes into building the ideosphere of the child, attraction between the two produces emotions of mutual love. Mother’s contribution being more than that of father, maternal love is very strong in all species. Free, healthy interaction between male and female members of the society gives pleasure and promotes mutual understanding. Certain primitive societies do not approve of interaction between married couples in public places.

Nothing is more ridiculous than permitting a woman to talk freely with strangers, but asking her to cover her face with a veil while speaking to her own husband. It should be understood that the practice of using a veil is harmful for the psychological development of a woman. In many parts of the world, men and women traditionally work in separate groups. Notwithstanding cultural constraints, they should at least have a freedom of conversation with their family members in the conﬁnes of their home. For a healthy, ethical cohabitation, maximum freedom and convenience of interaction between man and woman is necessary. However, sex should never cross ethical limits. Since human bodies are full of biomagnetic charges, even sharing a bed may incite opposite sexes to make love. Repeated, excessive excitement of organs of sex by coitus and lack of sleep, both have a harmful effect on health. Hence, while going to sleep, it is advisable to rest on separate beds.

[This article is taken from Manviya Vidyut Ke Chamatkar (Hindi) By Pt. Shriram Sharma, Acharya, Publisher – Yug Nirman Yojana Vistar Trust, Gayatri Tapobhumi, Mathura (2011)]

Dr. Morris soon recognized that the difference between successful and unsuccessful marriages can often be traced to how well couples are able to “bond” during the courtship period. By bonding he referred to the process by which a man and woman become cemented together emotionally. It describes the chemistry that permits two previous strangers to become intensely valuable to one another. It helps them weather the storms of life and remain committed in sickness and health, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, forsaking all others until they are parted in death. It is a phenomenal experience that almost defies description. - James C. Dobson Integrity is the bond of trust. - Richie Norton 48

AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

Let’s Use Indigenous Methods for Rainwater Harvesting Water shortage has been a major issue for the past 4 -5 years in India. Either there is very less rainfall in some areas causing a droughtlike situation, or there is heavy rainfall causing ﬂoods in some other areas. Both these situations have affected India’s farming. This has also caused scarcity of water in cities as well as villages. The Government survey has revealed that majority of districts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab, Orissa, Maharashtra, and some southern states are facing major water scarcity for day-to day use as well as for farming. There are several factors responsible for this situation. Population explosion and consequent rise in the consumption of resources and the use of land for industrial plants, high-rise buildings, apartments, and national highways and the consequent deforestation leading to less rainfall, are the major causes of water scarcity. This situation has been aggravated by our irrational habits of using water, negligence on the part of us citizens about conservation of water and maintenance of water sources. Let us get motivated by our fellow citizens who have done exemplary work in this direction and start using indigenous methods for rainwater harvesting and tackle water scarcity problem at our own levels. Last year, Bundelkhand people gave a good example of solving water crisis. There was a small river named Kumheri in that area. Long back, it used to ﬂow from Bilhari to Bhandar. It was full of garbage and leaves

and had almost lost its identity. Local people contributed money and cleaned this small river and built a dam there to get clean water. In the same way, residents of Panna worked hard during summer to save Madansagar Pond, which is spread in 75 acres and was built in 1745. About 56 different small canals are fed by this pond in different parts of the area, and provide water to the residents. In fact cleaning of ponds is not very expensive nor does it require very heavy machines. Usually all the dirt in the pond comes from the leaves falling from the nearby trees, which eventually becomes a good quality fertilizer. Farmers happily agree to collect this mud-like fertilizer. In Jhalawar district of Rajasthan, this practice is very popular and known as “Kheton Mein Polish –shine in the farms”. On similar lines, in Karnataka, about 50 ponds were revived with the help of local people. The cleaning of ponds helped them earn some money by selling good quality of fertilizer, which was lying as dirt at the bottom of the ponds for years. In Gujarat, people from more than 100 villages of Junagadh, Bhavnagar and Amreli areas, worked hard on conserving water for their survival. In the village of Bichiyawara, local residents collected about Rs. 12 lakhs, and created 12 dams with their hard work. They harvested enough rainwater to irrigate their crops spread over 300 acres of area, just after one rain. Whereas with such amount of money, it was not even possible to install water taps in

A drop harvested is a crop harvested. – Author Unknown AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018

those areas. Similar kind of many successful efforts were carried out by some other people. There is a traditional way of watering plants and trees. It is a very efficient way of growing flowers, trees and crops where no other means of irrigation are available. This special technique is known as “Pitcher system”. A pitcher made of clay is buried inside the earth along with some compost manure or dry neem leaves around it. Its mouth is kept open and water is filled inside it. The water inside the pitcher can keep the soil moist for nearly a month and at the same time feed five different trees. The manure and neem leaves work as fertilizers. The same task would require more than 100 liters of water if used from river canal or tube-well. In recent years, people struggling with water crisis in India are putting efforts to connect rivers with ponds, filling ponds from the water of deep wells, cleaning unattended fountains and collecting water from fountains to fill ponds,

etc. It is not difﬁcult to survive with less water and make a good society but it’s important to be aware and ready for upcoming situation. Thus, in order to solve our water scarcity problem, we should use local methods of harvesting rainwater. For this purpose, small dams may be created at a distance from where rivers and ponds can be linked to them. In the hilly areas or where unused empty space is available ponds can be made with indigenous techniques to harvest rainwater in problem areas. With little modiﬁcation, rainwater harvesting can be done in each and every house in cities as well as villages. Let us also plant and nurture a few trees around our homes and agricultural lands. This will in the long run lead to afforestation and help in attracting normal rains. Where there is will, there is way. Instead cursing the Government agencies for inaction or cursing the fate, let us resolve to contribute our mite at our level best to solve this problem and save the land from parching.

The glory of king Nripendra of Mahismati had spread far and wide like the scattered luminescence of the full moon. The treasury, army, power and beauty - everything was in plentiful abundance. King Nripendra was just and benevolent towards his subjects who, in turn, held him in great adoration. Time passed. Strengths declined. Old age began to creep over and with this gradually increased the king’s inner disquiet and dissatisfaction. He withdrew into a shell of silence and stopped seeing anybody. Restless and sad, the king was always seen immersed in brooding. One day, very early in the morning, the king strolled over the palace garden. Sitting on a quartz rock, and facing east, he was engrossed for long in an inward search for something. Slowly the sun rose over the horizon. Its vibrant rays fell upon the pond and stirred the ‘thousand petalled’ lotus. The flower was soon in full bloom and began spreading its beauty and fragrance all over. The divine inner voice spoke: “Can you still not grasp the mystery of the sun’s splendour? From where does its brilliance come? Is not the radiating light the sun’s own inner pulsation? The fragrance of the lotus comes from within. This whole flux of life you see everywhere has sprouted forth from within the cosmic spirit. The source of delight is hidden inside you. You will have to awaken it. For this, you have to orient yourself inward and pursue asceticism. Use your brain to save water even from the rain. – Author Unknown 50

AKHAND JYOTI May-June 2018