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Date: Thursday, September 30, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The root cause of all anxieties and calamities of man is envy. We can find
from the Bhagavad Gita that Krishna warns Arjuna repeatedly to be free from
envy. Envy is invariably accompanied by hatred. These two are twin villains.
They are poisonous pests. They attack the very roots of one’s personality. A
tree may be resplendent with flowers and fruits. But when the inimical worms
set to work on the roots, imagine what happens to the splendour! Even as we
look on admiringly at its beauty, the flowers fade, the fruits fall off and
the leaves turn yellow and are scattered by the wind. At last, the tree
itself dries up, it dies and falls. So too, when envy and hatred infect the
heart and set to work, however intelligent and however highly educated the
individual is, he falls. He is turned into an enemy of society. He becomes
the target of ridicule because he is no longer human!
Date: Wednesday, September 29, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Withdraw your mind from worldly thoughts and fix it on the Name of the Lord,
Hari, who charms all hearts. Listen to the wisdom of the Divine, the
Bhagavatha Thathwa with all your heart. There is no activity holier than
that. There can be no greater spiritual exercise, or discipline or vow. The
human body is a worthy boat. The story of Lord Hari is the rudder in this
world of constant change. Lord Hari is the boatman who will safely ferry you
across Samsara, the sea of birth and death.
Date: Tuesday, September 28, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
We may not always be able to know the reasons for our faith. It originates
and is shaped by our personal likes and dislikes, our dominant feelings. But
we must not become the target for anger, hatred, jealousy and the evil deeds
they lead us into. We must cultivate broad, inclusive feelings. Only then
are you entitled to acquire Vidya (higher learning), and you will earn
respect in society. You must keep far away from narrow selfish thoughts,
feelings and plans
Date: Monday, September 27, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The scriptures are as affectionate to us as a mother is. They teach lessons
as a mother does to her children, in conformity with the level of
intelligence and according to the needs of time and circumstance. A mother
with two children gives the strong and healthy one every item of food for
which it clamours, but she takes great care not to overfeed the ailing child
and gives it only items that can restore it soon to health. Can we, on that
account, accuse her of being partial to one and prejudiced against the other
in conferring love? The scriptures draw the attention to the secret and
value of work (Karma). Work can improve life and set its ideals aright.
Everyone must be instructed on how to transform work into beneficial
activity. Yet, Karma is not all; it is only the means to the end. Advocacy
of Karma is not the chief goal of the scriptures.
Date: Sunday, September 26, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The ideas and pronouncements of others may often be personal, or they may
induce feelings of hatred between people. Why should we accept them as ours
and mould our feelings accordingly? We should not try to shape our feelings
and patterns of behaviour to conform to those of others. We should not
relinquish our faith, our experience and our innate holiness. Born as human
beings, moving about as educated persons, yet stupidly following others as
sheep do and polluting the minds with ideas borrowed from others, are things
to be avoided.
Date: Saturday, September 25, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
During the war, the palms of Lord Sri Krishna, soft and tender like lotus
petals, developed boils all over, since the steeds strained their hardest,
when they were restrained or controlled as He had to hold the reins tight.
The Lord devoid of food and sleep, performed services both high and low, and
kept ready both horses and chariot in perfect trim. He also went on various
other sundry errands, which were fundamental to achieving victory. He bathed
the horses in the river, attended to their wounds and applied balm to cure
them. Why go on with the entire list? He acted as a servant in the household
of Pandavas! He never assumed the role of the Universal Sovereign that is
His real nature and status. That was the measure of His affection for those
devoted to Him!
Date: Friday, September 24, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
It is an arduous process for people to become aware of the One that is their
core. People are of the essence of food (Annam). The gross body is the
product of the food consumed. But within everyone there is a subtler force,
an inner vibration named Vital Air (Prana). The mind (Manas) within is
subtler still, and deeper and subtler than the mind is the intellect (Vijnana).
Beyond the intellect, people have in them the subtlest sheath of spiritual
bliss (Ananda). When people delve into this region of spiritual bliss, they
can experience the reality, the Brahman (Divinity). That Divine awareness is
indeed the most desirable.
Date: Thursday, September 23, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Keep the mind and the intellect serene, sacred and free from dirt. When
thoughts and feelings are impure and agitated, you cannot be calm and happy.
When the mind is polluted, reactions are polluted. To keep the mind clean,
you must analyse sympathetically situations involving others and their
activities, and then decide on how to react to them. You should not rush to
draw conclusions. Adopting the reactions of others is certainly not
desirable. You must resolve on any action only after intelligent
discrimination and inquiry. “Some course of action is being followed by some
of our acquaintances; so, we shall follow that course ourselves.” This
attitude is mean and demeaning; it is a sign of weakness. It is the
consequence of basic ignorance. Only sheep behave in that manner.
Date: Wednesday, September 22, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The Shastras (scriptural directives) direct and counsel everyone. People
yield to delusion and become one with the darkness caused by false values
and attachment to the unreal, the “me” and “mine”. But scripture is the
mother; she does not give up. She persists and pursues; she reminds people
of their goal in order to ensure that they will be saved. One need not drink
the entire ocean to know its taste; placing just one drop on the tongue is
enough. Similarly, it is impossible to understand all the contents of the
scriptures. It is enough if one grasps the important lesson that is
elaborated therein and puts that lesson into practice. The lesson is:
Constant thought of God.
Date: Tuesday, September 21, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Engage yourselves in selfless service. The reward for it will come of its
own accord. Do not have any doubts on this score. Whatever you undertake, do
it with all your heart and to your full satisfaction. That satisfaction is
all the reward and recompense that you will need. It will confer great
strength on you. This is the virtue that you have to cultivate. Acquire this
true wealth. Without goodness, all other riches are of no avail.
BABA
Date: Monday, September 20, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Everyone is endowed with a Hridaya (spiritual heart). When you fill your
heart with love and compassion, peace will reign supreme in the world. There
will be love everywhere. There will be no jealousy, hatred or anger in the
world. Restlessness will disappear from the face of the earth. One who has
filled his heart with compassion will always remain in peace. It is most
essential to know this truth. People mistake Hridaya for the physical heart.
Hridaya is nothing but the all-pervasive Atmic principle, in other words,
the ‘Aham’. So you should keep your heart absolutely pure and sacred.
BABA
Date: Sunday, September 19, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
What is spirituality? It is the resolute pursuit of cosmic consciousness.
Spirituality aims at enabling a person to manifest in all its fullness the
Chaitanya (Divine Cosmic Consciousness) that is present both within and
outside oneself. It means getting rid of one’s animal nature and developing
the divine tendencies within one. It means breaking down the barriers
between God and Nature and establishing their essential oneness. Today,
people think that spirituality has no relation to mundane life, and vice
versa. This is a big mistake. True divinity is a combination of spirituality
and social obligations. National unity and social harmony are founded upon
spirituality. It is the Divine that links spirituality and social existence.
BABA
Date: Saturday, September 18, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Many feel that it is human to err and that Bhagawan should forgive their
lapses. In fact, if they were truly human, they should not commit mistakes
at all. Even if sometimes a mistake is committed, willingly or unwillingly,
it should not be repeated. It is a grievous error to think that it is
natural for a human being to err. To follow the directives of the senses is
the mark of an animal. To be guided by the Atma is the sign of a human
being. None should attempt to justify his or her weaknesses and lapses as
natural to a human being. They should be regarded as signs of mental
debility. When you have truly acquired sense-control, you will experience
the power of the Divine in you.
BABA
Date: Friday, September 17, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
When the ruler becomes cognizant of the activities of evil times, ‘Kali’, he
must investigate into the conditions favourable for its spread. Emperor
Parikshit analyzed the situation and declared that Kali or wickedness can
have sway only through the incompetence of the ruler, the loss of
self-reliance among the people and the decline in the earning of Grace.
These three are the factors that promote the plans of Kali. Without them,
man cannot fall a prey to its wiles. Hence, Parikshit promoted alertness and
leadership through personal example to his people. “Yatha raja, thatha praja”
(As the ruler, so the ruled) is the proverb, he said. As their king, he
attempted to give no room to injustice, force, evil character, untruth and
violence; he formulated preventive plans to effectively check the influence
of Kali.
BABA
Date: Thursday, September 16, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Students have to pay great attention to an important quality—cleanliness,
both outer and inner. When either of these is absent, that person becomes
useless for any task. The clothes you wear, the books you read and the
environment around you must be clean. This is the outer cleanliness. That is
to say, every material object you deal with for living has to be kept clean.
The body has to be scrubbed and washed every day, or else, it may cause
infection to you and others. The teeth and eyes, the food and drink, all
should be free from dirt. You can then lead a healthy life.
BABA
Date: Wednesday, September 15, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Brahman (Divinity) is the source of the scriptures and is therefore
all-knowing. Brahman is the very source of illumination. Only the Omniscient
One can be the source of the Vedas. Only the scriptures can liberate people
through that illumination, named knowledge. They regulate one's life and
foster it, guarding it from grief. The Vedas offer comforting counsel; they
deal with people affectionately and lead them forward, for they are received
through venerable personages who attained the highest knowledge, Brahman.
BABA
Date: Tuesday, September 14, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The hearts of the great will be so full of divine content and equanimity,
that they will not be affected by the ups and downs of fortune. A fragrant
flower will please one with its captivating scent, whether it is held in the
left hand or in the right. So too, whether in the sky or in the forest,
village or city, on the heights or the valley, the great will be equally
happy. They know no change, as demonstrated by the Pandavas in the epic
Mahabharatha. Even though they were in the jungle, they were able to spend
their days happily by the grace of Lord Krishna.
BABA
Date: Monday, September 13, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The Gita warns that any insult or injury or even neglect directed against
any living being is an act that insults, injures or neglects the Divine.
“Sarva Jeeva Thiraskaaram Keshavam Prathigachchathi.” The Gita clearly says,
“Sunee chaiva svapaakecha, pandithaah sama darshinah.” That is to say, the
learned man who has acquired humility through Vidya (knowledge) must deal
with equal compassion and consideration all living beings alike. Uniform
compassion shown in this manner transforms itself into uniform welfare for
the recipients. Wishing well for all is the sign of one who has earned Vidya.
The narrow vision that is limited to one community must be given up.
Bhaarathiya culture thus emphasises the highest truth, the broadest vision.
BABA
Date: Sunday, September 12, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The genuine characteristics, the Swaroopa Lakshana, never undergoes change.
It abides in all. The form, name, time or space may suffer change; but the
core of truth, the Swaroopa Lakshana, will not change. That core is denoted
as Asthi (existence), Bhathi (luminescence) and Priyam (attractiveness) in
Vedanta texts. Existence is the unchanging truth. It may change its form and
name, in time and space, but the ‘is-ness’ is genuine. It makes itself known
as existing, through the native characteristic of Prakasha (luminosity) or
capacity to attract our awareness and confer knowledge. We can know it
because it has luminescence; all things we know have this innate
characteristic. Each thing also has the characteristic of likeability, the
capacity to invoke attachment and love as a result of usability. The above
three together are the nature of God.
BABA
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Ganapathi is the embodiment of Buddhi (intellect) and Jnana (wisdom). Truth
emerges out of wisdom and ultimately leads to Ananda (bliss). This is the
teaching of Ganapathi. You are under the false impression that today is the
birthday of Vinayaka, but He has neither birth nor death. He has neither
beginning nor end. He is the eternal witness. All the festivals of Bhaarath
are suffused with deep inner meaning. They are highly sacred. Festivals are
not just meant for preparing delicious items and consuming them. They are
meant to remind us of Divinity. On festival days, you decorate your houses
with buntings of green leaves and you also wear new clothes, discarding the
old ones. Likewise, you should give up your old bad habits and cultivate new
and sacred ideas.
BABA
Date: Friday, September 10, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
If you seek Vidya (knowledge), you must possess kindness, compassion and
love towards all living beings. Kindness to all beings should be your very
nature. If it is absent, you become a boor. Vidya means, more than anything
else, the quality of compassion towards all living beings. If you bear
ill-will against any being, your education has no meaning. The advice given
in the Gita, “Adweshta Sarva Bhoothanam,” (with no ill-will towards any
being), conveys the same message. Love and compassion must not be limited to
mankind only. They must embrace every living being.
BABA
Date: Thursday, September 09, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Every being has its own Dharma or innate specialty or individuality or
special characteristics. This rule applies equally to blades of grass
and the stars. The cosmos is not one continuous flux. It progresses
persistently towards achieving a totality in the qualities and
circumstances. But if you are too immersed in the all-pervasive
delusion, you cannot elevate yourself. When in delusion, you are not
aware of the path of peace and harmony in the world. You will also not
be able to hold on to the good and avoid the bad, and establish yourself
in the righteous path. However, you can transform yourself from the
present status through self effort and discrimination. The moral forces
permeating the cosmos will certainly promote your achievement!
BABA
Date: Wednesday, September 08, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Every educated person and student must cultivate simplicity and must discard
ostentation. If they are addicted to ostentation, they lose their genuine
nature or individuality. Even if a person is a master of all sciences or
famous as a great intellectual, he is certain to be counted out of scholars
and pundits if he has no humility and discipline in his dealings with
others. They may win respect for some time but that attitude will decline
pretty soon. Alertness to serve and simplicity alone will earn honour. When
one gives up ostentation, one can get permanent respect from people. Real
education imparts a spirit of renunciation, a dislike for ostentation, and
the yearning for serving others.
BABA
Date: Tuesday, September 07, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
One may be subjected to calumny, insult and dishonour; one may be plunged
into poverty or pain; but the person who has surrendered to the Will of God
will welcome each of these gladly and bear it with equanimity. The Lord will
never give up His children. Those devoted to God have to be patient and
calm, under the most poignant provocation. The fact is, the pious and the
God-fearing are those who are most visited by travails and troubles: in
order to teach mankind these great truths, Krishna enacted the drama in
Mahabharatha, with the Pandavas as the cast. Every incident in their lives
is but a scene in His Play.
BABA [ Mensaje de la Pizarra de Prashanti Nilayam - En Español ]
Date: Monday, September 06, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The bubble born of water floats in it and bursts to become one with it. All
the visible objective worlds are like the bubbles emanating from the vast
ocean of Divinity, Brahman. They are on the water and are sustained by
water. How else can they arise and exist? Finally, they merge and disappear
in water itself. For their origination, subsistence, and mergence, they
depend only on water. Water is one; bubbles are plentiful. Water is real;
bubbles are appearances. Water is the basis; bubbles are delusive forms of
the same imposed on it.
Date: Sunday, September 05, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Teachers reveal the direction and the goal to their students. The skill and
the strength, the status and stature of humankind are shaped and furthered
in proportion to the quality and character of its teachers. Teachers must
dedicate their learning and wisdom to the great task of uplifting pupils to
higher levels of knowledge and action. The virtues which they help to
inculcate in their pupils are essential for the uplift of the society.
Character is the hallmark of every person. When virtues are deep-rooted in
the heart, everyone in the society can shine with full glory.
Date: Saturday, September 04, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
While dealing with uncultured folks, you must exercise caution. So too, you
must be careful with ungrateful fellows, who forget the good done to them.
The law is the instrument that Government will use to punish those who do
wrong. As educated persons and students, you should not condemn difficult
people outright. You must manifest your natural virtue of detachment and
practise your characteristic attitude of helpfulness.
BABA
Date: Friday, September 03, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The Divine is the base, and is also the superstructure. The beads are many,
but the interconnecting, integrating string of the rosary is one. So also,
for the entire world of living beings, God, the permanent, omnipresent
Parabrahman, the Supreme Divine Consciousness, is the base. “Soham”, “I am
God", “He is I”, “I am that”, all these axioms indicate that even those who
differentiate themselves under various names and forms are in fact God
Himself. This is why the scriptures proclaim, “Brahmavith Brahmaiva Bhavathi”
(He who realises Brahman becomes verily Brahman). This awareness of the
Divine in oneself is the awareness of the Reality.
BABA
Date: Thursday, September 02, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Even the smallest acts of Lord Sri Krishna were saturated with
supreme sweetness. Krishna was everyone's dearest kinsman and
fastest comrade. The Leelas (Divine Sport) of Krishna were sweet and
meaningful. All activities of Krishna were for the wellbeing of the
world. His advent was for the uplift of the world from wickedness
and unrighteousness. It was also for fulfilling the needs of those
who were devoted to Him, for the establishment of righteousness and
the revival of the Vedas. Though people caught in the coils of
ignorance perceived the Leelas as self-centred and even motivated by
delusion, genuine devotees cherished each one of these as
significant and sustaining examples of His Divine Grace. The Lord
showers grace on each and every one in such a way that suits the
time, the person and their aspirations.
BABA
Date: Wednesday, September 01, 2010
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
You must not forget the fact that God is in perceptible form in all
beings. Service rendered to any being is service offered to God. This
has to be the chief goal of all educated. Nara is Narayana (Man is God).
Every single act of yours has to be elevated as an act of service to
God. You must not only serve those who help you but also those who harm
you. This attitude makes the service doubly holy. Serving those who do
service to us is but a natural reaction. Serving those who harm us is
the greater virtue. For, this latter course of action involves deeper
understanding of your best interest and an alert sense of time, place
and circumstance. Education must confer and cultivate these qualities.
BABA
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TFTD: Archive 2003 - 2009
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