Akram Youth
September 2014 | English
Miracles
Definition Science of miracles What is a miracle What is not a miracle?
Dada Bhagwan Parivar
12
Editorial Jsca Dear Friends, We all must have observed that when a tree bears fruits, the branches tend to lean downwards. We can always argue that it happens so due to the weight of the fruit, but there is a lot to be learnt from this simple process likewise we get to learn a lot from two towering personalities of the last century who even on reaching the pinnacle of their careers always remained rooted to the ground and through their thoughts and deeds set unique examples for future generations. Read about ‘Ignacy Jan Paderewski’ and ‘Mahatma Gandhi’ on pages 10 and 23 respectively. Learning is everywhere. An incident in a restaurant of Germany sets a classic example for the rest of the world to think about. Explore it to the fullest on page 20. Time to exercise your mind, isn’t it? Jai Satchitanand. Dimple Mehta.
Publisher & Editor: Dimple Mehta Year : 2, Issue : 5 Conti. Issue : 17 September 2014 Contact : Gnani Ni Chhayama (GNC), Trimandir Sankul, Simandhar City, Ahmedabad-Kalol Highway, Adalaj, Dist. Gandhinagar, Gujarat-382421 Phone: (079) 39830100 email: akramyouth@dadabhagwan.org website: youth.dadabhagwan.org store.dadabhagwan.org/akram-youth
02 | September 2014
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Contents
04 Gnani with Youth
14 Dada’s Book Excerpt | Miracles
06 Story | Miracles
16 Gnani... An Idol of
08 Gnani’s Scientific Solution
18 Happy Onam
09 Science And Invention | Velcro
20 Moral Story | Money is yours,
Astonishment!!
but resources belong to the society
10 Glimpses of Great Souls |
22 Solutions to our Problems
Ignacy Jan Paderewski
12 Cause & Effect | Story of
23 Gandhi Jayanti
Shri Sambhavnath Bhagwan
Akram Youth | 03
Gnani with Youth
Paisa nou Vyavahar (Monitary Dealings)
Questioner: Why Laxmi (Goddess of Wealth) and Sarasvati (Goddess of Knowledge & Speech) are not found to coexist in an individual? Pujyashri: Really speaking, it is not so. There is no rule as such that both can’t exist together. If one has a good voice and sings well, he tends to become egoistic. When approached for a small favor in a function, he often refuses. He may look upon you as if you are inferior to him. That’s how he will obstruct ‘Laxmi’ and chances of getting money in future. When one avoids an opportunity, the Goddess of Wealth stays aloof. You will find that simple and easy going people have both, knowledge and wealth. Questioner: People have lots of money nowadays. But even then, there is no peace in their life. Why is it so? Pujyashri: That is because money nowadays is not hard earned money but manipulated wealth. That’s why it does not bring peace. If the money is accumulated through fraudulent and unfair means, it will cause pain and rob you of your peace of mind. Whereas, it will bring peace and satisfaction only if it is earned through hard work, coupled with resultant punya (merit) karmas. In Dada’s terminology it is called ‘punyanu-bandhi-punya’ karma meaning it is the result of past good karmas and will again be spent in such a way that it will cause (bind) punya karmas for future life, a win-win situation both ways. But if the same is attained through cheating and fraudulent ways, it will result in binding paap (demerit) karmas called ‘paapanu-bandhi-punya’. It means one is getting money because of merit karmas of past 04 | September 2014
life but today he is charging paap karmas for the future life. Dishonesty, cheating, arson, theft all result in receiving pain in the end. Satsangs, donations, charity, honesty that imparts happiness to all, results in getting happiness in return. These result in elevation to higher lifeforms in the process of evolution. The one who inflicts pain on others is subjected to animal life in the next birth, where one is bound to toil and suffer pain. Questioner: I am not able to save money! What do I do? Pujyashri: Do you earn money? Questioner: Not yet. I am still studying in college! Pujyashri: Then how do you get money? Questioner: Mom gives me, not dad. Pujyashri: So, dad knows that you are wasting money. Does mom give it willingly or you manage to convince her somehow? Questioner: No. She gives willingly. Pujyashri, it so happens that when I’m with friends, I end up paying most of the time in the canteen. Pujyashri: Well. Tell your friends that you will pay for tea and snacks today. But then they will have to pay for the rest of the week. Will they agree? Questioner: No. Pujyashri: Why is it so? Why don’t you’ll start going ‘dutch’. Everyone will have to pay for himself. You will find most of your friends will vanish. There are people who make friendship only for gains. Questioner: It is not so. They are friends. They are not only after food!
Pujyashri: How can you be so sure? Try to find out. How many friends do you have? Questioner: 7 to 8. Pujyashri: Fine. Just don’t pay for 8 days. Say that you will pay on the ninth day only. You will find how many of them stay back. It is wiser to spend for mahatmas who are a better company and the discussions will be about satsangs & personal development. In case of college friends, there are needless talks on cinemas and girl friends and the money spent will be a waste. Questioner: We do talk about education also. Pujyashri: But that should be on a regular basis. Otherwise, it will affect our education and spoil our life. Questioner: Expenses are more on Sundays! Pujyashri: Then try this method. Spend only on the 8th Sunday. Wait for your turn. Let others spend first. This way you will save money as well as identify who are your true friends. Bad company will fall by itself. Try to save something from your pocket money & return it to your mom. Tell her you will demand only when needed. You may even draw a lesser amount than what she gives. This self constraint will help you to save your father’s money. It would have been a different matter had you been earning. But father must be working and toiling hard to earn money to pay for your education and upbringing. How much load would you like to put on him? Questioner: I have developed this habit of
spending from childhood! Pujyashri: No. you must be alert now. Do you know your weakness? Your friends praise you, “Look, Ganesh is hearty and broad minded. He always spends unselfishly and takes care of his friends”. This ‘buttering’ boosts your ego and you fall into their trap. Aren’t your friends doing so? Questioner: May be somewhat. Not everyone. Pujyashri: It’s all the same. They boost your ego with praise and you end up spending. This act may lower the ‘greed’ element in you but will enhance ‘pride’. What’s the gain? There has to be some normality. How much do you spend in a month? Rs.1000/- or so? Questioner: More. About Rs. 1500 plus. Pujyashri: Well that comes to Rs. 9,ooo in 6 months and Rs. 18,000 in a year. That amount of money can cover someone’s education for the whole year, whereas we spend it in hotels and fun where it all ends up as waste. In future we will always be short of money. Do you know the golden rule? What we spend today is the result of our punya-karma. You are encashing your punya. So be careful and economical. Spend only when necessary so that you have sufficient balance in times of dire need. So, next time, when you go to a hotel and suppose the bill is of Rs.100/-, you pay only Rs.20/-, being your proportionate share. Don’t be liberal, otherwise you may end up with negative feelings that ‘Everytime, I end up paying for all’ and that will spoil your friendship. Do you understand? Akram Youth | 05
Story Biswas Dubey was studying in T.Y.B.Com at Chanakya National University in Jakkanpur town near Patna. He had failed twice. This was his third attempt. He was the lone family member who had reached up to this level. In fact, the Bihar Government had announced a prize money of Rs. 51,000/- to all students who would complete their graduation. This prompted many students to continue learning beyond class XII, since past few years. Biswas, as such, was not good enough in studies. It was the greed for prize money that drove him to attempt the degree course. He relied upon superstitions rather than working hard for achieving success. All day he would keep busy to please Yogi Babas and Sadhus, the so called miracle-men.
06 | September 2014
Is there anything in this world known as
Miracle?
One day he visited Ramprasad Chaurasiya, known for miracles. That day he displayed an empty handkerchief and managed to bring out a pigeon from it. He repeated this many a times and within minutes, 5 or more pigeons appeared from nowhere. Biswas was fully mesmerized by this act and he developed full faith in this person’s abilities. Ramprasad Chaurasiya asked Biswas to work for him for 71 days unselfishly. If he did his work sincerely, he would reward Biswas with a miraculous coin that would help him to remember whatever he studied, so that he could pass his exams this time around. Today was the 17th day. He worked all day in the farm as directed by Ramprasad Chaurasiya. He met his friend Kailash while he was returning home from work in the evening. Kailash used to live in the neighborhood. He had studied up to 10th standard in Patna and then had gone to Mumbai for further studies in Computer Engineering. He was in the last year of his degree course. He had come to town to spend his vacation. “How are you?” – asked Biswas. “I am fine. Tell me where are you heading?” – asked Kailash. Biswas told him the story of his failure in T.Y. for 2 years and how he had developed faith in the miracle-man Ramprasad Chaurasiya so that he could pass in his exams this time. Listening to this, Kailash got furious. “What kind of madness are you into?” – shouted Kailash. Biswas argued, “It’s not madness. It is my belief.” Kailash clarified, “You need to work hard and have a strong determination in order to pass exams. Nobody can rely on miracles to get through” Biswas replied firmly, “A person who can inject life into a lifeless thing can virtually do anything. At least he will be able to get me passing marks.” Kailash was equally unrelenting – “Listen, drop this madness. That was not a miracle, but only some kind of a gimmick. An eye-wash through some smart hand play! Look, I am studying engineering and getting through with sheer hard work, not through miracles.” Biswas suggested, “Had you met Ramprasadji, you would have scored still better marks”. “If he is so powerful, ask him to bring Hari’s son back to life” – Kailash demanded. “He can do anything” – Biswas was still defending. “How can he do that? Even God can’t do so and he is a mere human being” – exclaimed Kailash. “Just wonder, if he can perform such miracles, he wouldn’t be short of anything that is required by him! Why would he take money from you? Think patiently, and rid yourself of this madness!” Biswas was jolted with this final blow from Kailash. He was almost convinced with Kailash’s arguments. He immediately started for Ramprasad’s house. He distinctly remembered a conversation wherein a saint suffering from cancer had requested Ramprasad to cure him. To this Ramprasad had replied he that was unable to do so. “I am a human being, not God” were his remarks. By the time he reached the porch of Ramprasad’s house it was 9.30 p.m. He found a group of people there and Ramprasad was visibly upset. He was shouting – “I am robbed. There has been a burglary in my house”. “Then bring the money back” - remarked someone from the crowd. “You perform lots of miracles. You can do anything”. Ramprasad could only say, “I am a human being, not God” Akram Youth | 07
LE B O
Gnani’s Scientific Solution
Questioner: Dada, I have seen a Yogi performing miracles using a leaf from a mango tree. Dadashri: Yes. But what kind of leaf was that? It was from a Mango tree. Now if you give him a leaf from some other tree, say for example those used for making wine and ask him to perform, he will simply object. He will insist for this particular leaf from mango tree only. The quality of the leaf is an evidence in the act. We know that steel is so hard that it can’t be bent, irrespective of miracles you would like to perform. It is the properties of the items used that are defining results. Questioner: They perform magic and produce watches, rice, beans, ashes, etc. from nowhere. How are they able to do that? Dadashri: That’s all an eye-wash. They play tricks with swift play of hands that we 08 | September
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Miracle means an acceptance through blind faith. - Dadashri
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cannot notice. We think it’s a miracle since our mind cannot perceive it. Questioner: How does our belief in miracles, affect our normal life? Does it drift us towards blind faith? Dadashri: All such blind faith without any understanding in itself is a sort of miracle. The person performing such an act is merely fooling himself more than the others. You take my advice. Ask one of these yogis, “Do you have to answer your call of nature?” He will obviously say, “Yes”. Then ask him to stop that by performing a miracle! Ask him, does he have any control or authority over this act of defecating? If he says, “No”, you are through. Just ask him why do you fool around with innocent people? There is nothing as such called miracle. These people manage to spring watches or
ashes by playing tricks. If that is really so, why don’t they produce food grains so that we don’t need to import the same? Even the factories manufacturing watches will not be needed, as these people would manage its supply! Questioner: What do they want to prove actually by doing such acts? Dadashri: To create an image of superiority & take advantage of the people’s ignorance. It is to get material gains, either financial or social. So, ‘We’ always warn people, “Look, don’t follow such things blindly. There is nothing that can be called a miracle”. Presently, the times are such that people are deceived easily. All because of greed! An intelligent person is one who is not greedy. He will not fall for such acts.
Science And Invention
VELCRO
Velcro is a company that produces the first commercially marketed fabric – hook and loop fastener also known “blurr” and “touch”. Invented in 1948 by George de Mestral, a Swiss Electrical Engineer. Patented as Velcro in 1955 and Commercially introduced in late 1950s. Velcro company headquarters: Manchester, New Hampshire, USA. Meaning of Velcro – Two French words Velorus (velvet) and crochet (hook) Hook and loop fastener consists of two lineal fabric strips (a) tiny hooks (b) hairier loops which are attached to the opposing surfaces to be fastened. Working: When the two components are pressed together, the hooks catch in the
loops and two pieces fasten or bind temporarily. When separated by pulling the two surfaces apart, they make the distinctive “ripping” sound. First Velcro sample was made of cotton, but proved impractical and hence was replaced by nylon and polyester. Variations: hooks on both faces, buttons, zippers, laces and buckles. Velcro brand is an example of a genericized trademark, its brand name having become the generic term in many languages.
Legend: Georges de Mestral who lived in Commugny, once on his way back from a hunting trip with his dog in Alps, took a close look at the burrs (seeds) of burdock that kept sticking to his clothes and his dog’s fur. He examined them under a microscope, and noted their hundreds of “hooks” that caught anything with a loop, such as clothing, animal fur, or hair. He saw….hooks and loops. Uses: apparel, shoes, leashes, nuclear power plants, battle tanks, in the space shuttle (Velcro made of Teflon loops, polyester hooks and glass backing are used.) Akram Youth | 09
Glimpses of Great Souls Continuing the journey on the life and times of Paderewski, from where we left of in the previous issue. This small gesture on his part gives us a glimpse of one of the many virtues of this great soul. Once during one of his concerts, it so happened that a small boy sitting in the auditorium, climbed onto the stage and began playing ‘Chopsticks’ and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" on the piano. This upset the audience and they wanted the child to be taken away from stage, as they had come for Paderewski’s performance. When Paderewski realized what was going on, he went to the piano and began playing along with the boy, whispering to him, "Keep going. Don't quit, son". This goes to show how humble and low profile Paderewski was.
Ignacy Jan Paderewski
Former Prime Minister Poland
10 | September
Paderewski once recalled, "I had set certain norms for the audience attending my concerts that there should be complete silence and none should be talking when I play. Incase someone would talk, I would stop playing & would say, “I am sorry to interrupt your conversation. I deeply regret to disturb you. So I am going to stop for a while to allow you to continue talking! You can imagine the effect it had..." Trainloads of people would come in from nearby towns to hear him play piano. Once when a train from Montana was delayed by a snowstorm, he waited till the arrival of his fans before beginning his concert. His fans would do likewise, whenever he was delayed. When they could not get enough of his playing, they would refuse to go home even hours past the end of his program. He gladly continued to play till his fans were satisfied. Life struggles made Paderewski tougher: Paderewski`s personal life was difficult and marked by much suffering. He grew up without a mother; his father was arrested because of his involvement in the January Uprising; his first wife died at 20 and left him with an incurably ill son Alfred Paderewski. He also faced rejections and harsh criticism from the critics during his early career as virtuoso and composer. It seems, all this sufferings played a crucial role in developing his extraordinary personality and sensitivity. Qualities as a human being: His statesmanship, his devotion to the cause of world peace, and above all, his untiring and constant labour for the liberty and security of his beloved homeland, Poland, have given him a rare place, not only in the hearts of his countrymen, but to all intellectual people in the world. This world will long remember and honour him for these attainments. In his life, he went through almost every variety of human experience; from the glamorous excitement of the greatest possible personal triumph on the concert platform, to the most severe depths of personal and private sorrow. He faced them all with dignity and nobility; the successes could not turn him from the simplicity and purpose of his life, nor could the sorrows destroy his faith and his love for mankind. If ever there lived a man who had that faith in abundance, it was Paderewski. Every move in his life personally, socially and economically was for the benefit and improvement of his fellow men. Yes, here was a personality that was not one in a million, but perhaps one in a century. “An artist of such a distinctly pronounced individuality as to be an exceedingly rare occurrence , indeed phenomenal." Paderewski was a genius, an intellectual, a "statesman par excellence;" a beautiful orator in a language that was not his; a linguist who spoke no less than seven languages fluently; a great musician; a patriot; and most of all, a humanitarian who was so generous that every act of kindness was always returned manifold to him. Akram Youth | 11
Story of
Shri Sambhavnath Bhagwan 3rd Tirthankara
in current life cycle
Shri Sambhavnath Bhagwan was the search for grains dispersed all around. 3rd amongst the 24 Tirthankaras as per the Businesses collapsed and there were ugly Jain time cycle. His previous birth was that of a scenes of loot and arson all around and there king named Vipulvahan. was a complete breakdown of law and order. A very kind person, King Vipulvahan The whole kingdom turned into a graveyard. It was famous for his noble virtues. He believed was impossible to expect people to remain in maintaining law and order in his kingdom. religious and orderly at this hour! As he was highly judicious, the punishment King Vipulvahan was deeply aggrieved meted out to a criminal was equally matched by this event. He realized it was his duty and to the nature of his crime. Similarly, he praised responsibility to protect people of his people possessing good qualities. He had no kingdom, especially those who had firm belief lust for power. He was religious minded and in religion and God. regularly worshipped Lord Tirthankaras of He gathered a team of cooks and earlier times as a true seeker. He was large ordered them to make enough food till the hearted and generous to the extent that [ 12 ] last of grain was utilized. The food was to be nobody returned empty handed from his served to sages and monks first and to the palace. general public thereafter. It was his order that Once it so happened that his kingdom he would eat only after all his subjects had faced a severe drought. There was shortage been taken care of. Money was spent heavily of food and water. People considered to procure help in achieving this goal, and the themselves lucky to find even a handful of treasury got emptied in the process. grains. They were left to eat tree leaves and This way, King Vipulvahan went through bushes to satisfy hunger. Animals started to very tough times staying hungry by feeding perish. There were crowds at every market to sages and his subjects. This was a classic 12 | September
Cause & Effect
example of ‘ahardaan’, charity of food in religious terms, which he did unselflishly without expecting anything in return. As a result of his compassion, he was destined to become a Tirthankara in his future life. After overcoming this drought, once while King Vipulvahan was relaxing on his terrace, he saw clouds in the sky. He expected it would rain in a while. Instead, a strong breeze swept across and the clouds got dispersed. Instantly a thought appeared in his mind, ‘How temporary are situations? Expectation of rain got destroyed in matter of seconds! Isn’t this applicable to our worldly life? Our health, money, property and belongings are just as temporary as this cloud. How can these be trusted? Is there anything that may be termed permanent or can be trusted?’ The King found himself in deep distress. Till then he was thinking that all his possessions and happiness were permanent. But an untimely death can put an end to all this any moment, just like the cloud! What will be
his state of mind at that point of time? Will he be performing religious deeds? What will be the fate of his next birth? He felt unsure of himself. This incident sparked off the spirit of renunciation in the life of King Vipulvahan. He felt a strong desire to achieve self- realization and began his journey to find Pure Soul within. He passed on the reigns of his kingdom to his son. He sought ‘diksha’ (sanyas - one who seeks renunciation from worldly life) from Acharya Swayamprabh and started living the life of a sage. During that period he repented for all his deeds and attained purity of mind. After his death, he was born as a deity named Anant in the ninth ‘devlok’ (heaven). He enjoyed all the happiness that was due to him for his good deeds in the past life. After completing the life as a deity, he was reborn in human form as the 3rd Tirthankara whom we know as SAMBHAVNATH Bhagwan.
Akram Youth | 13
Dada’s Book Ex cerpt
Miracles
Definition Science of mir acles What is a mira cle What is not a miracle?
How to define miracle? Questioner: People who are on spiritual journey often see miracles happen. Isn’t it so? Dadashri: No. Please understand the definition of miracle. Miracle should be such that no other person can repeat the act. Miracles can’t be duplicated Dadashri: Supernatural power is such that it can be passed on to the next person. It is an accomplishment. But miracle is something that cannot be repeated; it is a marvel or a wonder. Similarity of “Super Natural Power” in relative world Dadashri: Let me explain the meaning of “Supernatural Power” in your relative language, by citing an example. What business are you in? Questioner: Iron & steel. Dadashri: There is a person named Noor Mohamad in your market. He is a very reputed trader. People are all praise for him for his good conduct and commitments. If you have lent Rs. Ten Lakhs to him and demand it back on due date, he will return it promptly. When he asks for loan again, will the people in the market lend him again? Everyone knows how risky it is to lend nowadays and people often back out from their commitments. But despite that Noor Mohamad gets the loan. How come? He could have defaulted from earlier obligation by not paying the money back. But he did not choose to do so. That’s how he secured goodwill by his previous conduct and gained confidence of the people. Since he is not misusing the trust imposed on him, he enjoys the ‘power’ to draw money from the market. If he breaches the trust even once by defaulting, he will lose all his power. People will not lend anymore and would want to stay away 14 | September
from him. This is how I explain to you how the ‘power’ works. ‘Power’ or capacity to perform is directly related to your intent and quality attributes. Once proven, won’t you possess it all along? This is how you attain power There may be instances when someone wants to keep money for safety at others’ place but nobody is willing to accept it. How come? It is because the man is very quarrelsome. People would not like to deal with him even though he wants to put in money with them. In another instance, you may not have cheated anybody or defaulted in life. Still people would not keep their capital with you. Let me explain: All your inner feelings, intent, faith and behavior may be such that the other person feels insecure. If your intent and determination is positive, your nature is to pay at first instance, possess firm belief to maintain honesty and integrity, then in that case you will find people will establish their confidence in you. This is how you gain ‘power’. If one misuses this trust, does not deliver on time or defaults, he will be drained of power to attract people’s faith again. The way it works for money, the same way it works here in “real” terms. Normally speaking, you obtain power by keeping a positive track record on regular basis. We have seen saints in this country who used to eat less and part their food to others so that they can also survive. This is how one attains lots of divine power. A person who never speaks abusive language, never thrashes anyone and does not inflict any pain to others tends to develop chastity and morality of high stature that people get attracted towards him. That is known as attaining ‘power’. That’s not a miracle How can there be anything called miracle? It may so happen that you seek advice or blessing from someone or even start work projecting him in your ‘chit’. The result may turn out to be fruitful. You will give credit to that gentleman as you have sought his blessings. But the fact is he has done nothing. He has simply wished you good and thing happens. He possessed merit-karmas for getting fame and will continue to get the credit of any work where he is just an evidence. All this happens at the behest of ‘purity of his heart’. Nowhere in the world is miracle seen People misinterpret use of ‘power’ for miracle. You have done it today, someone will follow you tomorrow. That’s not miracle. Miracle means something that can be seen only once and no one can repeat it. If someone can repeat a performance, it means you could also use your power to perform if you attain that degree. If you apply your power it is termed as miracle, and if you don’t then will it not be so? Miracle means an act which cannot be repeated by anyone else. This is my definition of miracle. Accept it if you like. I am not following any book or write-up. This is my own perception. So did you understand the meaning of miracle? If someone claims to have performed one, you can always say,” What’s the big deal? Anyone can do it if he attains your state of development. Something that can be taught and can be repeated in action cannot be termed as miracle. Miracle, in fact, cannot be done or copied or duplicated. So don’t ever accept any such thing as miracle. Not a single miracle has man ever produced in this world so far! Akram Youth | 15
16 | September
Gnani
An Idol of Astonishment
This incident dates back to the days when Dadashri used to organize everything. We, 50+ mahatmas went on a jatra (a pilgrimage) to Uttar Pradesh with Pujya Dadashri. We reached the village of Bareily at midnight. The road ahead of Bareily was very dangerous. The road spread across Ghats (way through mountains/valleys) in a complicated manner. That place is known as ‘Chambal Ghati’, a famous hiding place for dacoits and thieves. When we were about to leave Bareily for onward journey, our bus was stopped by the police patrolling that area. They advised us not to travel at night as the place was full of dacoits and there was a risk to life and belongings. In fact, there was a report of dacoits having looted two passenger buses just a day earlier. They denied us a pass despite many requests by our coordinators. Dadashri was sleeping inside the bus. Being stalled by the police, one of the mahatmas went inside and informed the matter to Dadashri. Dadashri came out from the bus and talked to the policeman. He informed him not to worry as we were on a religious pilgrimage and there was nothing to fear. Allow us to travel at our risk. The Policeman calmed down after talking with Dadashri. He finally decided to allow us to pass, but on condition that he would send two policemen with rifles for our protection. Dadashri promptly agreed. All other mahatmas resting in the bus had no clue as to what was happening. Dadashri instantly clarified to them that ‘this is all vyavasthit’ ( scientific circumstantial evidence) so that mahatmas don’t panic seeing the policemen in the bus. Dadashri further elaborated, “We will pass smoothly. It may so happen that the thieves may have gone to address nature’s call when we will pass by!” Dadashri made a rule: Never have doubts. Doubts invite negativity and things may get spoilt. It may lead to panic as to what would happen? So Dadashri instructed “Please chant charanvidhi loudly.” Mahatmas followed the instructions and Dadashri told the driver to speed up as much as he could so that we could pass the ‘danger area’. The journey was completed without any difficulty. Just look how smartly Dadashri handled the police, the mahatmas and the driver, in a tight situation involving fear and safety. He did it with ease, humor and the very uncommon ‘common sense’.
Gnani is our strength – friend, philosopher and guide. Akram Youth | 17
18 | September
Happy Onam 7th September 2014 Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of Kerala. It is a harvest festival celebrated with joy and enthusiasm by people of all communities. Onam is celebrated in the beginning of the month of Chingam, the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kollavarsham). The Carnival of Onam lasts from four to ten days. First day, Atham and tenth day Thiruonam, are most important of all. Elaborate feasts, folk songs, elegant dances, energetic games, elephants, boats and flowers all are a part of the dynamic festival called Onam. Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists visit Kerala to be a part of Onam. It is also celebrated as the “Tourist Week�. The Legend Story goes that during the reign of mighty asura (demon) King Mahabali, Kerala witnessed its golden era. Everybody in the state was happy and prosperous and the king was highly regarded by his subjects. Apart from all his virtues, Mahabali had one shortcoming: He was egoistic. This weakness in Mahabali's character was utilized by devas to bring an end to his reign as they felt challenged by Mahabali's growing popularity. However, for all the good deeds done by Mahabali, devas granted him a boon that he could annually visit his people, with whom he was so attached. It is this visit of Mahabali that is celebrated as Onam every year. People make all efforts to celebrate the festival in a grand way and impress upon their dear King that they are happy and wish him well.
Onam Celebrations The most impressive part of Onam celebration is the grand feast, which is a nine-course meal, consisting of 11 to 13 essential dishes’. Another enchanting feature of Onam is Vallamkali, the Snake Boat Race, held on the river Pampa. It is a colourful sight to watch the decorated boat oared by hundreds of boatmen, amidst chanting of songs and cheering by spectators. There is also a tradition to play games called Onakalikal on Onam. Men go in for rigorous sports like Talappanthukali (played with ball) & Ambeyyal (Archery). Women indulge in cultural activities. They make intricately designed flower mats called Pookalam, in the front courtyard of the house to welcome King Mahabali. Akram Youth | 19
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Germany is the major economic and political power of the European continent and a historic leader in many cultural, theoretical and technical fields. Germany is one of the leading countries in developing and using green technologies. Germany is also a highly industrialized country. The country is an example for the fighting spirit of germans.. They evolved hard after the tragic trauma at the hands of the Nazis, united again after partition (east & west), resurrected themselves with industrial progress, making big global brands like Benz, BMW, Siemens, Bayer, Bosch, Adidas, Audi and are praised all over the world for their ‘never say die’ spirit. The nuclear reactor pump is made in a small town in this country. As for sports, be it football, tennis or hockey, you will see their fans throng from all over the world to support their teams. I carried the impression that the Germans adopted high living standard’s, as I prepared for my study trip to that country. When I arrived at Hamburg, my colleagues who 20 | September
Moral Story Money Is Yours But Resources Belong To The Society
work in Hamburg arranged a welcome party for me in a restaurant. We noticed that a lot of tables were empty. A young couple was having their meal. There were only two dishes and two cans of beer on the table. I wondered if such a simple meal could be romantic, and whether the girl will leave this stingy guy! There were a few old ladies on another table. Whenever a dish was served, the waiter would distribute the food for them, and they would finish every bit of the food on their plates. We ordered our meal and we talked about our studies and conditions back home. The service was very fast. We did not spend much time dining as we had other activities lined up for the day. We finished fast and were ready to check out. There was still about one third of unconsumed food on our table. When we were leaving the restaurant, we heard someone calling us from behind. We noticed that the old ladies in the restaurant
were talking about us to the restaurant owner. When they spoke to us in English, we understood that they were unhappy about us wasting so much food. We immediately felt that they were really being too interfering. "We paid for our food; it is none of your business how much food we left behind," my colleague Gui told the old ladies. The old ladies were furious. One of them immediately made a call to someone. Within minutes, a man in uniform claiming to be an officer from the Social Security Organization arrived. Upon knowing what the dispute
was, he issued us a 50 Mark(German currency) fine. We all kept quiet. The local colleague took out a 50 Mark note and repeatedly apologized to the officer. The officer told us in a stern voice, "order What You Can Consume, Money Is Yours But Resources Belong To The Society. There Are Many Others In The World Who Are Facing Shortage Of Resources. You Have No Reason To Waste Resources.´” Though our face turned red, We all agreed with him in our hearts.
The mindset of people of this rich country put all of us to shame. WE REALLY NEED TO REFLECT ON THIS. We order large quantities of food just to show around and satisfy our pride. But in the process we also waste food which could have been used otherwise. This is a great lesson for all of us to come out of our habits. My colleague made Xerox copies of the penalty receipt, gave a copy to each of us as a souvenir! All of us kept it and pasted it on our wall to remind us that we shall never be wasteful. Friends, doesn’t this incident teach us to be more careful and compassionate towards Nature? If we save all necessary resources like water, electricity, food etc, we can definitely enhance the life of our planet Earth. Akram Youth | 21
Solutions to our Problems Question: Sometimes I think negative of a person. So I do pratikraman, but even then it continue to see negative. What should I do? Answer: When it happens again, introspect! Why is it that we remain negatively biased? We are not negative when someone is all praise for us. So try to find out, has anything happened that is not as per our liking? In fact, things happen according to our karmic account. In case of ‘punya (merit) karmas’, all happens as per our liking whereas in case of ‘paap (demerit) karmas’ , all happens against our liking. In that case, what’s the point of feeling negative for the persons who are basically just a part of the whole situation as one of the evidence only(nimit)? Our negative approach will only bind new ‘paap karmas’ because the other person is actually a Shuddhatma. Moreover, if we retrospect any event, we will realize why we are not given due credit in certain matters! It is because we don’t have sufficient credit of ‘punya’. In spiritual terminology, ‘yashnaam-karma’ means one gets credit for work completed, irrespective of whether he has actually done anything significant or not. Despite all your best efforts, when you don’t get the praise, understand that you lack in merit karmas. So the best way to move out of this situation is to understand that things happen as per our karmic account and not as per our free will. See ‘Pure Soul’ in all beings and don’t feel negative for them. In case any bad thoughts arise, do pratikaman instantly. That will help erase your negativity. Let’s adopt the policy of “Live and let live”. We should not expect others to follow our way of thinking. Give freedom to everybody. That’s the best way to attain peace.
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2nd October
Gandhi Jayanti Friends, let us all remember the ‘Father of our Nation’ and pay our respects to this humble being. Back in those days, the majority of our population was from economically weaker section and lived in poverty. Bapu too preferred to lead a life of simplicity, just as the masses. In those days, there was also a ‘third’ class in the trains. Most people travelled by the third class. Bapu also always travelled by the same class. Once while Bapu was travelling, two persons boarded the train. Bapu’s companions made place for them. After some time, one of them began to cough. He cleared his throat and spat in the compartment itself. Bapu saw this. The man coughed and spat for a second time. The third time when he started coughing, Bapu drew closer to him and the moment he spat, Bapu caught the spit in his hands and threw it out of the window. Everyone in the compartment was shocked. The man froze with a sense of guilt. He had recognized the great man. He was too shocked and ashamed of himself. He cleaned Bapu’s hands. He bowed down and asked for forgiveness. Bapu said “Is this not our own train? So many people travel by trains. If the trains are not clean, people will fall ill.”
Mahatma Gandhi
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Date of Publication: 22nd of Every Month RNI No. GUJENG/2013/53112 Reg. No. G-GNR-311/2014-2016 Valid up to 31-12-2016 LPWP Licence No. CPMG/GJ/121/2014 Valid up to 31-12-2016 Posted at Adalaj Post Office on 22th of every month
September 2014 Year -2, Issues - 5 Cont Issue - 17
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