East and West Series - November 2020 Issue by East and West Series

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Sadhu Vaswani*: Healer, Mystic and Selfless Servant Of Humanity!** DADA J.P. VASWANI Born on November 25 1879, Sadhu Vaswani has spent the best years of his life in awakening the youth of India whom he has loved to call as “greatest guarantee of the future.” “An eternal shakti lies locked up within you, young men!” His words ring clear and sharp. “Call it up, use it for the service of India, and She, who led civilisations in the morning of history, will march on again to Her great mission. She will be a teacher of the nations, and a healer of humanity.” He was principal of The Dayal Singh College, Lahore; he was still in his thirties, when the call came to him, to give up his all at the altar of service and sacrifice. “Why do you give up such a lucrative job?” they said to him. “You are still young: you have a bright future before you: you

can make money, heaps of money.” “Life is not given to make money,” he replied. And they asked him, “What is the purpose of life?” He replied: “To dedicate it to the Lord Divine, and to serve!” Over forty-three years ago, Vaswani – then senior professor of philosophy in the D. J. Sindh College, Karachi – went to Berlin as one of India’s representatives to the World Congress of Religions. His speech before that august assembly and his subsequent lectures in different parts of Europe on India’s message to the nations aroused a good deal of interest in Indian thought and religion and linked up many with him in India’s mission of help and healing to humanity, so much so, that his name came to be coupled with those of Mahatma Gandhi and

*November 25 is Gurudev Sadhu Vaswani's birthday and is observed as International Meatless Day. **This article is from the archives of Dada J. P. Vaswani’s early writings.

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Rabindranath Tagore as one of the three leaders of India. This great one, whom the Irish poet, Dr. Cousins, greeted, many years ago, as “India’s modern mystic” believes profoundly that India has a message to give to the modern nations. But he is not blind to the realities of the situation around him. A great and mighty future awaits this ancient land, it is true: but what is the situation in India today? In a recent letter to a friend he summed up the situation thus: “I confess my heart becomes sad, sometimes, as it surveys the situation. The tragedy of today is that chaotic elements are rising: the structure of a society and morality reared up by poets and prophets, whose vision embraced the Hindu and the Muslim, the believer and the agnostic is being engulfed in a rising sea of accumulated rage and atheistic secularism. The peasant and the village-folk are starving: the industrialists, enslaving the workers, accumulate and exchange, while the sense of beauty and worship decays in the cities where money becomes Lord, and there is no soul.” How can such an India find its place in the counsels of the nations? How can such an India make her message heard in the modern world? India must become herself before she can be

honoured by the nations of the earth. And to be herself, India must be truly free. Today politics has become the passion and pursuit of the nation. According to Vaswaniji, the political is merely one of the four aspects of freedom, the other three being civil, social and religious. Politics is only one channel of a nation’s life. Home, workshop, school, profession – all are to him symbols of the National spirit. When in our enthusiasm for the political, we neglect the other spheres and they cease to be organs of the spirit of Freedom, then indeed, politics gets easily corrupted and the country wanders from distraction to distraction. His message is so simple. He preaches no abstruse philosophy, advocates no unintelligible theology. His teaching, in brief, is that in the love of God and the service of man is the secret of true life. The modern man, he knows, fights shy of God and religion. To Vaswaniji, God is the supreme reality of life. The modern world, he says, has divorced God and forgotten the golden rule of Love, and so is unhappy, restless. In his outlook upon life, he is profoundly religious. But religion to him is not a creed, not a dogma, not submission to an external authority of a priest, a dictator, a temple or

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scripture. Religion is a way of life, a way of Understanding. The dream is in his eyes – of a new religion, a religion cleansed of creeds, dogmas, a new religion essentially practical, a religion building on this earth and not merely promising in heaven, a kingdom of happiness.

discipline of eating very little because he knows that millions of his countrymen do not get even that little. It is enough, he says, if our clothes protect us from cold and our food gives us sufficient strength to be able to serve the distressed and the needy.

To build this kingdom of happiness on earth, men must work, toil, labour in the “vineyard of the Lord,” helping each other along the difficult pathways of life. So, the second point emphasised in his teaching is service of man. “If there is one religion,” he says, “which India and the nation needs today, it is the worship of the poor. Young men! There is the great work for you. It will sanctify your lives. In the cottage of the poor dwells great God. In their tears and groans, in their prayers and aspirations is his call to you, young men!”

He is fond of scratching his back with a small wooden stick. A rich admirer in a well-known firm of Calcutta jewellers, got a pretty ‘scratcher’ made of silver for him. “I cannot accept such a useless gift” he said, “give me things which I can give away to the poor and the needy.”

His own feeling of unity with the poor is intense. With childlike, wonder-filled eyes he moves among them, serving them with singular devotion. In his dress and food, he is always simple and as the greatest only are, he is in his simplicity sublime. He eats very little; and his clothes are of handspun, handwoven khadar. For years together he has not known what it is to have his stomach full. This prince among men has subjected himself to the

He always feels happy when he gives to the needy. He gives them his money, his time, his energy. A beggar whose body was bare, asked for his shirt: he parted with the shirt on the spot. The beggar demanded his cap: he gave away the cap also, and on his face played a beautiful smile such as is visible only on the faces of those who have realised joy of renunciation. He shuns meeting many people: he is happy in the company of a few simple souls. He speaks to them of the simple life, of how to walk the little way, avoiding the world’s gilded vanities, and of how to greet God’s simplicities that wander in the world asking for home in the hearts of the poor in the spirit. Is it a wonder that those

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who come in contact with him get lined up with him in spirit of tender devotion? They obey him immediately and spontaneously: they call him their “Dada”. We read in one of Hans Andersn’s Tales about a man who had the mysterious powers of opening people’s hearts and seeing what was inside them. Such a man is Sadhu Vaswaniji: and many of those who meet him say that he can read the hearts of men like the pages of an open book. He teaches by precept and example that life is larger than livelihood. He urges that character, not money, should rule the world: and character must grow out of courage. He is careful to point out that courage must be distinguished from the will to power which makes men and nations aggressive and selfish. He is a born orator. He addresses large crowds of men and women. They hear him: they marvel at his words. He awakens new aspirations in the hearts of those who listen to him when he speaks, he fills the hall with the rich music of his words and the richer music of his heart. He works on day after day, wanting nothing for himself, seeking only opportunities to serve the poor and the lowly, the distressed and oppressed. His body is frail but he feels he has the strength of ten because in his heart is love and every

fiber of his being thrills with faith in the living Lord. “In His love,” he says, “the Lord has broken and is breaking my life into innumerable fragments and scattering them in different directions. May every fragment serve Him, singing His Name – the name of the Beloved!” He heals many sorrowing hearts: and in wisdom and love he helps many of those who struggle through the dark forest of this life. His face radiates the love which fills his heart; and on his countenance is the calm born of deep faith in God. “Happy is my heart,” reads an entry in his jail diary, “which rejoices in doing simple daily tasks and leaves the rest to God, the Builder of destiny.” With this conviction, in this faith, he has gone to many climes in East and West, carrying everywhere the message of Ancient wisdom, voicing everywhere the greatness and glory of Aryavarta, comforting men and women with words of hope, cheering them on life’s pilgrim way, encouraging them in the good path, restraining them from the path of evil, imploring all to believe in the brotherhood of religions, the unity of all races, the fellowship of all nations. Homage to Him! 

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Call of Vegetarianism Experiences & More Heena Jha,

MA Literature

For me, it began very gradually. I was never a “hardcore” non-vegetarian. So, giving it up was not an arduous decision. But in terms of awareness, a couple of things changed my perspective. One that came first was the plight and lack of quality measures of the poultry industry in India and how we are basically sitting on a ticking time bomb of a super bacteria outbreak, due to the drugs regularly administered to poultry and farm animals. The second factor was the humanitarian aspect, the sheer cruelty that allows the meat and poultry industry to use animals and birds like a money making machine with forced insemination, forced separation from their chicks and babies in general and the way they are dumped in slaughterhouses when they are past their prime. And I in no way wanted to contribute to that. The more I read the more my psychological decision became a physical one. Now I physically can’t stand it. That doesn’t mean I don’t respect people’s choices. I just hope people make an informed decision about what is on their plate. Because after all, you are what you eat.

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Tarun Abhichandani, Software Engineer

Since childhood, I was never fond of eating non-vegetarian food but I had no choice for all my family members would eat it regularly. I ate the same until the age of 16 when I saw the gory sight of a chicken being chopped by a butcher. It hit my conscience and I began cutting myself off flesh food gradually. It has been 10 years now that I am a vegetarian.

Krishna Jethani, Software Engineer

I was born into a meat-eating family and consumed Nonvegetarian food for over 9 years and it seemed normal to me. Honestly, I was even fond of certain non-vegetarian dishes. But then one day, we visited the ISCKON temple during Janmashtami and were handed over a Bhagvad Gita by one of their preachers who also told us the meaning of ‘life’. I was too young to understand but my father was moved and we began chanting at home. Gradually, as our mind was getting cleansed, the craving began to reduce and before we knew we were all vegetarians. If you were to ask me how I feel after quitting non-vegetarian food, I would say, “The negative part of my soul has left me and the positive alone remains.” It’s 15 years now and I am healthy, happy and positive! 

No nation is truly free until the animal, man’s younger brother is free and happy. — Sadhu Vaswani

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

A Tribute To Sadhu Vaswani

A great Saint of modern India who made Maharashtra his home, Sadhu Vaswani – a mystic, poet, philosopher, apostle of India’s culture, educationist, humanitarian – was born in Hyderabad, Sindh in November, 1879. His life was one of unceasing service and sacrifice. He worked on, day after day – wanting nothing for himself, seeking only opportunities to serve the poor, the lowly and the lost. He kept away from all earthly honours and always rejoiced in wisdom as his wealth and the service of the distressed as the treasure of his quest. In the words of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, then President, Indian Republic: “The life of Vaswaniji has been a saga of unassuming service, spiritual illumination and a source of inspiration to us all.” As a schoolboy, he was brilliant at his studies and rarely missed the first rank. He became an “Ellis Scholar” of the University of Bombay and a fellow of the D. J. Sindh College, Karachi. His classmates in the College often wondered at the unsullied purity of his life and respected him as one belonging to a world remote from his own. When Rabindranath Tagore started the “Shantiniketan”, he invited Vaswaniji to be in charge of the newly started institution. Vaswaniji, then, could not leave Sindh. But soon

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after passing the M. A. Examination, he worked as professor in a Calcutta College. At the age of 30, he went to Berlin (Germany), as one of India’s representative to the Welt Congress, the World Congress of Religions. His speech there and his subsequent lectures in different parts of Europe aroused deep interest in Indian thought and religion and linked up many with him in India’s mission of help and healing. He worked as Principal of three Colleges in Northern India. At the age of 40, he resigned his lucrative job, and utterly dedicated himself to the service of God and Man. He was one of the earliest supporters of Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha Movement and a close associate of the Mahatma. He (Vaswaniji) wrote a number of inspiring books – including India Arisen, India in Chains, Awake Young India! My Motherland – exhorting the youths to dedicate their lives to the service of India and Humanity. He started the “Bharat Yuvak Sangha” (Youth Movement) and opened the “Shakti Ashram” at Rajpur, inspired by faith in the youth of India. In 1933, he founded the “Mira Movement in Education”, which has, today, its headquarters at Pune. A number of educational and social welfare institutions started by him – including Schools, a College for Girls, Charitable dispensaries, Bhandara (daily feeding of the poor), and a training centre for girls and women, birds’ sanctuary, daily satsang – are working at Pune and other places. Their inspiration is in Vaswaniji’s teaching that “service of the poor is worship of God.” Through his life and teachings, he renewed the inner life of India and inspired by the truth of renunciation, brotherhood and love, this simple, humble man of God transformed the social life of countless men and women. He was a gifted orator and a prolific writer – the author of over five hundred books and booklets. His teaching, in brief, is that in the love of God and the service of man is the secret of true life. His heart rose in reverence to all saints and prophets of East and West. He believed in the unity of all races and religions, in the One Spirit. He awakened many with his clarion call: “Build ye a Bridge of Brotherhood between East and West.” His earth-pilgrimage ended on 16th January, 1966 at Pune, where, at his place of work and final rest, has been built a beautiful shrine (Samadhi) which is visited by hundreds of pilgrims from East and West. The Shrine is vibrant with his everlasting presence. — The Times of India, 25/11/1976

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hen I think of Guru Nanak, there rises before me the picture of St. Francis. Francis passed away in the thirteenth century: in the fifteenth century appeared Guru Nanak. Both were deeply aware of the poor around them, and both saw that the people were in suffering. Both accepted the challenge of poverty and pain: both accepted voluntary poverty and ascetic self-denial. St. Francis wore beggar’s clothes: and Guru Nanak lived the life of a fakir. Both dressed in the roughest clothes, served lepers and beggars. Both Francis and Nanak valued heart knowledge more than book learning. Both bore witness to the simple life, and both gave to the people the great message: “Sing His Name!” If Europe needs today a new St. Francis to awaken the nations to a new sense of responsibility to the poor, does not India need, today, Nanak’s teaching to awaken us to a new sense of unity with the poor and broken ones? Guru Nanak renounced “caste” and “creed”, and went forth to meet all in a spirit of love. St. Francis freed himself of every “privilege” and, in utter poverty, went forth to serve and bless and heal the needy and suffering ones.

NEW SYNTHESIS OF

Guru Nanak SADHU VASWANI

*November 30 is sacred as Guru Nanak Jayanti.

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“Caste and birth,” said Nanak, “are of no avail! Ask those who know the Truth.” Nanak asked all to “cast out caste and look at the Light within!” When the high priest of Baghdad asked Nanak to what sect he belonged, Nanak said: Of no sect am I. I adore but One God! Him alone I see in the earth below, And the heaven above, And in all directions!

In a beautiful song of Guru Nanak we read: I have turned my heart into a boat: I have searched in every sea: I have dwelt by rivers and streams: I have bathed at places of pilgrimage: I have lived in forests and glades: I have eaten bitter and sweet: I have seen the remotest regions: And this have I learnt, That he is the true man, Who loveth God and loveth man And, serving all, abideth in Eternal Love!

In Lahore, the Guru met Duni Chand, a wealthy merchant. The Guru gave Duni Chand a needle and said to him, “Keep it with thee and give it back to me in the next world!” And Duni Chand said: “Master! This needle I cannot carry after death: how can I return it?” “What use, then, Duni Chand, are thy millions to thee?” And Duni Chand was changed.

He spent much of what he had in the service of the poor, and became a devoted disciple of the Guru. In his four rounds, Guru Nanak covered India, Tibet, Ceylon and Eastern countries dominated by Islam. Some would have us believe that he, also, visited Egypt and Sudan. Wherever he went, he gave to men and women, of diverse countries and faiths, the message of the One FatherMother of all, and of the one brotherhood radiant with the light of simplicity of living and adoration and love of the Divine. To all Guru Nanak gave the love of his heart. His love converted robbers like Sheikh Sajjan. In love he spoke to the mullahs of Mecca and his words went into their hearts. Nanak’s love riveted to Mardana who accompanied the Master to Afghanistan and Lanka, to Mecca and Medina, to Baghdad and Multan. Nanak’s love flowed out to Lehna, and this worshipper of Durga became “Angad”, a “limb” of the Master’s body, an integral part of Nanak’s radiant soul. In this night of civilisation let India meditate on the Guru’s great message of the life of love. And in his pure, sacrificial life and song, let India find a new alphabet of that true freedom which reflects the Inner Light of the heart. 

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O, Let them Live! DADA J. P. VASWANI

I saw him from afar. He was crossing a farm on the outskirts of our little town. There was a lonely majesty about his tall, slender figure which drew me to him as irresistibly as a lotus flower draws a bumblebee. The dust of the road was upon him. He was clothed in a single garment, a shirt which touched his knees: it was soiled in many places. He looked poor: and yet he walked as though he were the king of all the earth. I quickened my pace and drew near to him. And as I gazed into his radiant face — beautiful as candles burning in the night — my heart quivered within me. “Who are you?” I asked him. “I am a pilgrim,” he said, “a wayfarer to the city of Truth and Love!” “What is your name?” I asked, bewitched and bewildered. “I have no name!” he answered. “But in the country

beyond yon hills, they call this body masta, mad. You, too, may call me by that name, if you will!” I recalled the words I had read long ago: “It is the ‘mad’ men who are the true ‘supermen’, the true makers of history!” And I said: “You are not masta but Sar-masta, Love-mad, God-intoxicated. In your eyes is the Light of God and your words are vibrant with the music of the Eternal. I shall call you not masta but Master!’ He smiled: in his smile was the loveliness and fragrance of roses which do not grow in our earthly gardens. “May I walk with you?” I ventured. “The earth belongs to Allah — the Eternal!” he said. “And whosoever likes may walk on it!” I walked near him full of admiration and wonder. I found how from time to time he bent low to pick up small worms out

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of the way, lest they be trodden under the feet of men. A young man passed by. In one of his hands was a basket in which were imprisoned a number of tiny birds. The Master called out to him: “Brother beloved! where dost thou go carrying these little creatures of God?” The young man answered: “They are the birds I have been able to capture after a whole day’s weary waiting. I take them to the market in the hope that I shall get a good buyer!” The Master said: “Brother of my heart! Wilt thou wait a while and let me have a look at the little ones in the basket?” The young man held out the basket before the Master. He looked long and tenderly at the little birds, already half-dead in fear of approaching death. His eyes were flooded with unbidden tears as he said: “Little children of God! Your day is not over yet! In their ignorance — and in their cruelty which is a child of ignorance — men catch you and kill you! Alas! they kill you and eat you! Ah, but I can see that a Tomorrow is coming when men will regard you as their younger brothers and sisters in the one family of Him whose Name is Love!” There was a note of plaintiveness in his words and the heart of the young man was moved. And he said: “I know not who you are, O strange man of God! But this I know, that I shall not feel happy until I have

surrendered all the birds to you. Take them and do with them what you will — and bless me!” The Master received the basket as though he had received the crown of a king. One by one, he took the birds out of the basket, gently stroked them, spoke to them a few loving words and set them free, saying to them: Sing with me, O sing with me the Name of Him Whose mercies e’er endure! And as the birds flew away, they sang in joy. The Master felt happy as a wave dancing on the sea. And I said to him: “They who know tell us that Life can never be killed. It is the forms which perish. Why then must we feel sad if birds and animals are slaughtered?” And he said: “Life, it is true, is eternal. It is also, true that the law of life is compassion and love. Out of love cometh joy and every other blessing. He who hath not experienced love hath not known what it is to live. “All killing is a denial of Love. For to kill or to eat what another has killed is to rejoice in cruelty. And cruelty hardens our heart and blinds our vision and we see not that they whom we kill are our brothers and sisters in the one Brotherhood of Life!” The Master continued: “He who kills another, kills himself. He who feeds on death himself becomes food for death. He who inflicts suffering upon another

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brings suffering to himself. Such is the law!” “Every bit of flesh you tear, you will, one day, be called upon to repair with your own flesh! Every limb you mutilate, you will be compelled to replace with your own limb! And every bone you break, you will be asked to mend with your own bone!” And I said: “Master! What of those who eat corn and vegetables and fruits? There is life in them, too!” And picking up a smooth, round pebble from the ground, the Master said: “There is life in this pebble, also! Nothing, nothing is without life. The One Life is in all — in sand and stone, in stream and star, in sun and moon, in fruit and flower, in man and mineral, in bird and animal. In some, however, life is asleep: in others life doth dream: in yet others life hath begun to stir: in a few, only few, life is fully awake! “In minerals and in plants, in vegetables and in fruits, life doth slumber still. Different is the case with birds and animals. So it is that they feel the joy of living and the agony of dying. The bird singing on yon tree, the faithful dog following his master, the horse drawing the carriage — they have reached the stage of ‘duality’. They are sensitive to pleasure and pain. Like us, they too, are moving on towards the goal: the goal is ‘unity’. Their way is long and laborious. And we must help them in their onward march. Help them, and you will be helped! Hinder them,

and you but raise obstacles in your own path!” And I said: “Master! What of those who work in research laboratories, seeking new knowledge concerning disease and its cure? Their experiments bring untold torture to innocent animals. Monkeys and guinea pigs and other mute creatures are grotesquely distorted and mutilated: they are made to suffer indescribable agony!” The Master’s face was filled with wrath as he said: “Knowledge is not knowledge which is acquired in cruel ways. Such ill-gotten knowledge is a curse: it unleashes the very forces of hell and will hurl humanity into a dark abyss of disease and death. Knowledge, if it is to be a source of blessing to humanity, must never be sought through the torturing of helpless creatures. True knowledge springs from compassion and love!” Just then we passed by a wood-cutter who was chopping down a tree. And to him the Master said: “Brother woodcutter, must you chop off the whole tree? Will you not leave a portion of the trunk and give it a chance to grow up again?” These and several other things the Master spake to me. And though this happened many years ago, I have been visited by the memory of that night a thousand times. Many of his words are graven as with chisels on the tablet of my heart. 

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A Being OF Light KRISHNA KUMARI

Dada brought light into our lives! He was indeed a being of light! His life and person reflected the Light Divine. Dadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very presence was so calm, joyous and peaceful; there were no airs about him; he was so simple and humble, so straightforward and guileless. Whether he was giving a talk or involved in a conversation, he would be totally immersed, focused and patient. Whether the activity was trivial or profound, he gave it his all. He never differentiated between important or not-so-important. He listened to everyone, to VIPs visiting the

Mission as well as the child who brought him a single rose; every one and every situation was of equal value, deserving of his total attention. His One-pointedness was remarkable! Age never seemed to touch him, for he was always youthful and vibrant. His enthusiasm was contagious. His sense of wonder was childlike. He was thrilled by every marvel of nature, no matter how small. He was always bubbling with joy. An ever-flowing fount of happiness existed within him. His attitude was never jaded. He never took the beauties of the universe for

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granted. He would see the hand of God behind every minute detail, and like a connoisseur of art, he would appreciate every minute detail. He was comfortable with himself, at peace with life and himself. This made him equally at home, whether with children or with dignitaries, whether with the wealthy or the destitute. With each one his demeanour was kind and caring, understanding and considerate. In all conditions he remained cheerful and uplifted spirits with his wit and humour. His interactions were never dry and dull, his teachings never didactic and heavy, his conversations never judgmental and critical. He was warm and open in all his dealings, putting everyone at ease. Dada’s voice reverberated with spiritual resonance. This made his talks thrilling and uplifting. Its vibrations could soothe and encourage. They could pacify and energise. When invoking the Lord, his voice would touch and melt our hearts. Once, recovering from a severe fall, and the multiple surgeries that followed, Dada was still in the hospital, surrounded by anxious, concerned and worry-filled faces. Suddenly he broke out into a beautiful song filled with love and longing for

the Lord. Everyone around him was dumbstruck. They could not fathom how a broken body, filled with pain, could set off such a divine, inspired musical flow, which brought tears to the eyes of the listeners. When Dada was done, one of them, in awe, asked, “Dada, despite your frail condition, how is it that you are able to sing?” In a firm voice Dada replied, “At the present moment I may have lost my ability to walk. But, I have not lost my voice, so why should I not sing the glories of God with it?” His constant connect with God kept him ever happy and full of joy, no matter how dire the circumstance. It also filled him with a power that was evident in his resonant voice. No wonder then that his voice could move hearts, touch souls and even tickle the funny bone. Dada had this tremendous ability to maintain his equanimity, irrespective of the situation. He had developed this quality from a young age. One day, his Master, Sadhu Vaswani, was resting and Dada had been told that no one should disturb him. After a short while, a visitor who had travelled a long distance, came to meet Sadhu Vaswani. Very politely Dada informed him that the Master was resting and was not to be disturbed. The man flew into a rage and said, “Do you know

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who I am! No one dares to refuse me. Who are you to prevent me from meeting Sadhu Vaswani?” But Dada was adamant and held his ground. Once again he politely informed the visitor, “Once he opens the door of his room, you can go and meet him.” In sheer rage, the man slapped Dada on his face and took a seat, his scowl enough to frighten all the visitors. Dada did not utter a word, nor did he assume a sour expression. He just stoically stood his ground, outside the Master’s door as he always did. After about 15-20 minutes the door opened. Dada checked with Sadhu Vaswani and sent the man in to see him. Sadhu Vaswani was unaware of this incident as Dada had not complained to him about it. Another devotee had witnessed it and later informed Sadhu Vaswani. Sadhu Vaswani called Dada to him and lovingly patting him on the back, said that he was proud of his equanimity. One day, Dada had come down with a severe back pain. The doctors were aware of its intensity, yet it was difficult to gauge the level of his discomfort because there was a constant smile playing upon his lips. When he was asked, how could he smile in the midst of so much agony, Dada said, “I have enjoyed years of a pain free life.

What is the pain of a few days in comparison to it?” He never allowed himself to get bothered or upset by anything. Nothing ever seemed to disturb him. His serenity was most awe-inspiring. His was a giving heart. He would say, “Most people enjoy receiving things. You must give and revel and enjoy the act of giving. While giving, give the best.” Once, during his college days, Dada was invited by a friend to his village. They then set out for the nearby river. The friend suggested that they go for a swim. He had come prepared, but Dada had not. He went to a nearby house and knocked at the door. He introduced himself to the lady who opened the door and told her he was a guest at so-andso’s house, and that he needed to borrow a towel which he would return to her later. With a warm smile she exclaimed, “You are a guest of our village.” She rushed in, went to her cupboard and pulled out the best, brand new towel she had and gave to Dada. He thanked her profusely, and later returned it to her. He had found her gesture very touching. Usually when people give something to others to use, they give the most used or the least expensive thing. Contd. on page 30

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Significance of Gita in the 21st Century DADA J. P. VASWANI

Dharmakshetre Kurukshetre Samaveta Yuyutsavaha… Let us note – the very first word of the Gita is the word ‘dharma’. On the holy plain, the field of righteousness, the field of the Kurus, the Kurus have gathered together, eager for battle. The opening word of this magnificent scripture is dharma – the great word of ancient India. Just as beauty was dear to Greece and power was dear to Rome, dharma was close

to the soul of India. Our ancient rishis exhorted us to ‘build our life in dharma.’ Dharma is derived from dhru which means ‘hold’. Dharma is the power, the force, the jivan shakti which holds life. Kshetra means field. Let us therefore, ask ourselves: “What am I sowing in the field of life – dharma or adharma?” If you are one of the blessed souls who are sowing the seeds of dharma, your life becomes a song, a Gita of the Lord!

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In this Kaliyuga, which is characterised by the degeneration of dharma, it becomes imperative for each of us, as individuals, to adhere to dharma in the measure that is possible to us. And, it is my firm conviction that the Gita can be our leading light, our beacon of hope in this endeavour. I believe too, that it is necessary and desirable for all Indians, especially the youth, professionals and young parents to cultivate familiarity with this precious scripture which is our great heritage. Knowing the essence of its teachings and putting into practise its practical precepts is the best way of escaping the dominant dark forces of this age... The Gita is the core strength of every Hindu – indeed, the universal guide to every thinking, sensitive human being who realises that life does not stop at the physical and material level. Arjuna too, was swayed by the claims of the material world; he was deceived by his worldly attachments; he failed to perform

his duty. He was overwhelmed by the choices before him. He could not take a decision knowing that it would be just and right and ethical. All he wanted was to give up, quit, turn away from action and sink into the lethargy of inaction. Sounds very familiar, doesn’t it? It has happened to all of us at one time or another. We too, are faced with multiple problems; we too, face suffering and pain; we too, are impelled to give it all up and escape into inaction and oblivion. The Gita can help us face life’s challenges bravely, positively. It can help us to come to terms with ourselves and the meaning of our life. It can help us stand up and face life’s complexities and emerge victorious in the internal conflict that rages permanently within us. The message of the Gita is affirmative; the message of the Gita is dynamic. It is a message that we all need to affirm and internalise in our daily lives. 

Fix thy mind on Me; be devoted to Me; sacrifice to Me; prostrate thyself before Me. So shalt thou come to Me. I pledge thee My troth; thou art dear to Me! Abandoning all duties, come unto Me alone for shelter. Grieve not! I shall liberate thee from all sins. [Gita, XVIII:65-66]

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Children’s Corner FROM THE PAGES OF SADHU VASWANI’S LIFE: THE VOICE OF THE VOICELESS Once, Sadhu Vaswani had to preside over a conference in Agra. Punctual as always, he had his tickets in place and the train was on schedule. With his bags packed and speech ready, he stepped out of his home and called out a tonga. In earlier times, when there were no automobiles, there were horse-run tongas that would ferry passengers. Sadhu Vaswani got into one such tonga and said, “Brother, take me to the railway station.” “Ji Saheb,” said the tongawala. In his eagerness to help Sadhu Vaswani on time to the railway station, he whipped the horse and it neighed aloud! Sadhu Vaswani closed his eyes in agony! Before he could stop, there came another whip! And the horse neighed again! Sadhu Vaswani could not bear it any longer; with a choke in his throat and a pained voice he said, “Why do you whip the horse! It must be in terrible pain!” “Saheb, if you must reach on time, I have to whip the horse. If I do not, you will miss the train,” he replied. “So be it,” said Sadhu Vaswani and asked the tongawala to stop. With his bags and speech in his hand, he got down from the tonga and thought to himself, “Let me miss the train but let me save the dumb defenseless creature from this cruelty.” Next, he proceeded to the Post Office and sent a telegram asking to be excused from speaking at the conference. What a great lesson in compassion has the Saint, Sadhu Vaswani, left for all of us!

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HEALTHY BREAKFAST WORD SEARCH BREAKFAST

EGGS

FIBER

FRUIT

BROWN RICE

VEGGIES

CEREAL

PROTEIN

SKIPPING

MILK

WHOLE GRAIN

OATMEAL

OMELET

HEALTHY

TOAST

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RECIPES FOR THE MONTH WATERMELON AND STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE

Ingredients: Fresh strawberries........................................... 100g Honey.............................................................1 tbsp Low-fat yoghurt............................................... 150g Chopped watermelon........................................ 50g

Cinnamon...................................................... 1 stick Honey...............................................................4 tsp Kesar..........................................................8 strands Method: 1. Boil 5 cups of water. Add cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and kesar to the boiling water. 2. Gently simmer it for 3 minutes. Add honey and green tea bags. 3. Remove it from the flame and allow it to infuse for 2-3 minutes. 4. Immediately remove the tea bags and the spices. 5. Add almond slivers and pour this hot refreshing tea in the cups.

BANANA TARTS

For the topping: Chia seeds.......................................................Âź cup Method: 1. Blend all the ingredients in a blender. 2. Pour the blended smoothie in a tall glass. 3. Top it with chia seeds. Mix the chia seeds with the smoothie before consuming.

BADAM KAHWA

Ingredients: For the Crust: Flour................................................................ 230g Butter............................................................... 120g Cold Water......................................................2 tbsp Sugar................................................................1 tsp For the Filling: Banana.................................................................. 3 Sugar................................................................2 tsp Lemon Yellow food colour.....................a few drops

Ingredients: Green tea bags...................................................... 2 Almond slivers................................................3 tbsp Cardamom............................................................. 2

Method: 1. Mash banana and sugar. 2. Heat it. Add food colour. When the mixture starts leaving sides, switch off the stove and allow it to cool.

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3. Take flour and sugar. 4. Add the cold butter and rub it to resemble bread crumbs. 5. Add cold water to form a crumbly dough. 6. Reserve 1/3rd dough for the latticework on top of the tart. 7. Divide the 2/3rd dough into 15 equal portions and line greased tart moulds and prick with a fork. 8. Fill each lined mould with the banana filling. 9. Roll out the remaining dough into a thin circle between two cling wraps. 10. Cut into strips with a pastry cutter. 11. Preheat oven to 180°C. 12. Bake the tarts for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden. 13. Cool on a wire rack before removing from the mould. 14. When cool, remove from the mould and serve.

BASIL CRACKERS

Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour/ Maida.......................... 1 ½ cups Instant Yeast.....................................................2 tsp Baking Powder.................................................1 tsp Sugar ...............................................................1 tsp Salt................................................................. ½ tsp Water..............................................................7 tbsp Butter..............................................................2 tbsp Oil...................................................................2 tbsp Basil................................................................1 tbsp Method: 1. Mix flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and instant yeast in a bowl. 2. Add water, butter and oil in a saucepan and heat it until the butter melts. 3. Bring down the temperature to warm. 4. Add the dry ingredients and mix well.

5. Knead for 2 minutes. Cover with a damp cloth and set it aside for 3-4 hours. 6. Preheat the oven to 200°C. 7. Divide the dough into two equal portions. 8. Roll out a portion into a thin square. Trim sides with a pastry cutter. 9. Cut squares or rectangles out of the rolled out square. 10. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. 11. Place the squares on the tray without leaving any gap to avoid the shrinking of the crackers. 12. Prick the crackers with a fork. 13. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Watch the crackers carefully as they tend to brown fast. 14. Remove crackers from the oven and place on a wire rack for cooling. 15. Store in an airtight jar. Serve along with evening tea.

BREAD MOZZARELLA MINI BITES

Ingredients: Bread Slices........................................................... 2 Mozzarella Cheese...............................a small piece Oil.....................................................for deep frying Method: 1. Trim the crust. 2. Dip the bread slice in water and remove it immediately. 3. Press it between your palms to remove excess water. 4. Place it on a board and slice it into four. 5. Place a small piece of mozzarella in the centre. 6. Bring the sides together and shape into a tight ball. 7. Deep fry in hot oil until golden brown. 8. Serve it immediately with a sauce of your choice. 

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SIMPLE RULES OF HEALTH KNOW YOUR VEGÂ NUTRIENTS! Vegetarianism is gaining momentum the world over for a variety of reasons; from reducing the risk of heart diseases and deadly cancers, a well-planned vegetarian diet is now considered a healthy and ethical way to meet your nutritional needs. To get the most out of a vegetarian diet, choose a variety of healthy plant-based foods, such as whole fruits and vegetables, legumes and nuts, and whole grains. To be sure that your diet includes everything your body needs, pay special attention to the following nutrients: 1. Calcium and Vitamin D Calcium helps build and maintain strong teeth and bones. Milk and dairy foods are highest in calcium. However, dark green vegetables, such as turnip greens and broccoli, are good plant sources when eaten in sufficient quantities. Calcium-enriched and fortified products, including juices, cereals, soy milk and tofu, are other options. Vitamin D also plays an important role in bone health. Vitamin D is added to cowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s milk, some brands of soy and rice milk and some cereals.

2. Vitamin B-12 Vitamin B-12 is necessary to produce red blood cells and prevent anaemia. Vitamin B-12 deficiency may go undetected in people who eat a vegan diet. This is because the vegan diet is rich in a vitamin called folate, which may mask a deficiency in vitamin B-12 until severe problems occur. Hence, vegans need to consider vitamin supplements, vitaminenriched cereals and fortified soy products. 3. Protein Protein helps maintain healthy skin, bones, muscles and organs. You can get sufficient protein from plant-based foods if you eat a variety of them throughout the day. Plant sources include soy products, legumes, lentils, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. 4. Omega-3 fatty acids Omega-3 fatty acids are important for the health of your heart. Canola oil, soy oil, walnuts, ground flaxseed and soybeans are good sources of essential fatty acids. 5. Iron and zinc Iron is a crucial component of

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red blood cells. Dried beans and peas, lentils, enriched cereals, wholegrain products, dark leafy green vegetables and dried fruit are good sources of iron. To help your body absorb iron, eat foods rich in vitamin C, such as strawberries, citrus fruits, tomatoes and cabbage, at the same time as youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re eating ironcontaining foods. Zinc is not as easily absorbed from plant sources as it is from animal products. Cheese is a good option if you eat dairy products. Plant sources of zinc include whole grains, soy products, legumes, nuts and wheat germ. Zinc is an essential component of many enzymes and plays a role in the formation of proteins. 6. Iodine Iodine is a component in thyroid hormones, which help regulate metabolism, growth and function of key organs. Foods such as soybeans and sweet potatoes may promote goitre. However, just Âź teaspoon of iodized salt a day provides a significant amount of iodine. 7. Magnesium Magnesium is an essential nutrient, important to our bone health and energy production. However, magnesium may have more benefits than that. This mineral can also calm our nervous system and reduce stress; ease sleep problems; regulate muscle and nerve function; balance blood sugar levels; make protein and bones. Try eating more pumpkin, spinach, soybeans, beans, tofu

or brown rice, or nuts, to get your regular magnesium intake. 8. Vitamin K Phylloquinone, also known as vitamin K1, is found in plants. When people eat it, bacteria in the large intestine convert it to its storage form, vitamin K2. It is absorbed in the small intestine and stored in fatty tissue and the liver. Without vitamin K, the body cannot produce prothrombin, a clotting factor that is necessary for blood clotting and bone metabolism. Vitamin K also supports the maintenance of strong bones, improves bone density and decreases the risk of fractures. Vitamin K may help keep blood pressure lower by preventing mineralization, where minerals build up in the arteries. This enables the heart to pump blood freely through the body. Fruits like kiwis, blackberries, pomegranate, dried figs, tomatoes and grapes are rich in Vitamin K. 9. Carbohydrates Carbohydrates provide fuel for the central nervous system and energy for working muscles. They also prevent protein from being used as an energy source and enable fat metabolism. Foods high in carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy diet. Carbohydrates provide the body with glucose, which is converted to energy used to support bodily functions and physical activity. High content of carbohydrates can be found in bread, pasta, beans, potatoes, rice and cereals. ď Ź

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LAUGH YOUR WAY TO HEALTH One of my wife’s third graders was wearing a Fitbit watch, which prompted my wife to ask, “Are you tracking your steps?” “No,” said the little girl. “I wear this for Mommy so she can show Daddy when he gets home.” *** The first thing I did when I heard our great-granddaughter was born was to text my son: “You are a great uncle!” He texted me back immediately: “Thank you. What did I do?” *** I was admiring my aunt’s necklace when she surprised me by announcing, “I’m leaving it to you in my will”. I was overjoyed, perhaps too much. “Oh!” I shouted. “I’m looking forward to that!” *** My husband and I were daydreaming about what we would do if we won the lottery. I started: “I’d hire a cook so that I could just say, ‘Hey, make me a sandwich!’” Thomas shook his head. “Not me. I already have one of those.” *** As my two sons were climbing into the back seat of our car, Eric, five, yelled, “I call the left side!” That didn’t sit well with Ron, four. “No, I want the left side!” “I want the left

side!” “No, I want the left side!” Intervening, I said, “Since Eric is older, he can have the left side.” “Thanks, Dad!” said Eric. “Which side is left?” *** Me: What’s the Wi-Fi password? Bartender: You need to buy a drink first. Me: OK, I’ll have a Coke. Bartender: Three dollars. Me: There you go. So, what’s the Wi‑Fi password? Bartender: ‘You need to buy a drink first’. No spaces, all lowercase. *** One of the shortest wills ever written: “Being of sound mind, I spent all the money”. ***

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At an event famous for giving out awards in bizarre categories, the emcee enthusiastically announces, “The next prize will go to the laziest person in the audience. If you think you qualify, raise your hand.” Everyone raises their hands except a middle-aged man who seems to show little interest. “Congratulations! You are the winner,” says the emcee to the man. “Your prize is this $100 bill!” Still showing no emotion, the man replies, “Would you mind coming over here and putting it in my pocket?” *** Bouncer: “Sorry, I need to see an ID.” Girl: “I told you I’m 30. Why would anyone lie about that?” *** Q: What happened to the guy who sued over his missing luggage? A: He lost his case. *** Hari: How did you get hit on the head with a book? Sai: I only have my shelf to blame. *** A guy gets pulled over by a cop. The cop asks, “You’re speeding! Didn’t you see the speed limit sign?” The man replied, “Yeah I saw the speed limit sign, but I didn’t see you.” *** I was trapped in an elevator for 30 minutes before the doors finally opened. Relieved, I

said to a fellow standing next to me, “There’s a first time for everything.” He grumbled back, “There’s a last time for everything too.” *** On a Facebook page for beginning artists, one asked, “Any suggestions for painting dogs?” Another responded, “Wait till they’re asleep”. *** Two regulars are sitting at a bar when one of them casually points to a couple of drinks across from them. “That’s us in ten years,” he says. His friend takes a sip from his beer, sets it down on the bar, turns to his friend, and slurs, “That’s a mirror”. *** Why did the Powerpoint Presentation cross the road? To get to the other slide. *** What kind of chocolate do they sell at the airport? Plane Chocolate. *** Why was the librarian thrown out of the plane? Because it was overbooked. *** What five-letter word becomes shorter if you add two letters to it? Short (add ‘er’). *** What is the size of an elephant but weighs nothing? An elephant’s shadow. ***