PRAVRITTI-NIVRITTI ( Inclination-declination

‘Jaanaami dharman na cha me pravrittih. Jaanaamyadharman na cha me nivrittih.’ All creatures are bound to act according to their past life deeds. After death the soul is free to choose the womb and it chooses according to its unfulfilled desires. The above shloka (Sanskrit poem) has been told by Duryodhan. Someone asked him about his all actions against dharma (social rules). He replied that he knew dharma but had not inclination towards it and he also knew adharma but had not declination against it.
Duryodhan is symbolic. Previously his name was Suyodhan but according to his action, people started to tell him Duryodhan. Every person is Duryodhan and Dhritrashtra. Everyone knows dharma and adharma but likes and dislikes are according to past deeds. All are blind towards their children’s fault like Dritrashtra.
All know what is good and what is bad. But we are under God’s maayaa (illusion). Due to delusion, we are like blinds. We are like the monkey whose feast (full of corn) is in the jar. Due to greed, it does not open its feast and his feast is captured in the jar. The moment, the monkey opens its feast, it is free. Similarly, the moment we know the truth and get rid of maayaa (delusion), we are free from all sorrows and bondages. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ohm Ramanayaswaha.

SUKHEE BHAI

His full name was Sukhnandan Paathak. We called him Sukhee Bhai. He dealt in so many trades; such as, making cream from milk by centrifugal machine, mango business, selling of daily usage materials in his shop. But, the main business was preparation of raw sugar from sugarcane. Though he was dealing in raw sugar, I never found sugariness in his voice. He was straight forward and that is why he was not successful businessman. ‘Aadau namrah tatasteebrah kaaryakaale tu tatprah, kaaryan kritwaa punarnamrah sa eb safalam banik.’ He is successful businessman who is initially very polite, then fast, at the time of dealing very prompt and after finishing work again very polite. Sukhee had none of these characteristics. He was always in reluctant mood. If you purchased or not, his behavior never changed. He was always busy in his own thoughts. Perhaps he was remembering The Almighty or cursing his poverty or thinking about his new business.
Sukhee bhai had three sons and two daughters. The first daughter Urmee is the eldest. She is my sister’s friend and both are married in the same village. Whenever I go to meet my sister, I go to see her also. In my childhood, I always visited my sister’s house. Specially in Durgaa-pooja, I stayed there for all the ten days. Once, Chandoo bhai and Nandoo were also with me. Their mother’s sister (mausee) was there. We three went to see Urmee. She is very gentle and loves me like her own brother. Ladies have natural weakness towards their mother’s-side persons. Seeing us, Urmee became very pleased and spoke loudly, ‘Hey Chandoo-Nandoo! You too have come? Hearing her voice, her sister-in-law commented, ‘Chand baabaa Nand baabaa tesar ke bhaujee jaldee sa kahoo, taruaa tarkaaree tilkoro taroo’. Sukhee’s eldest son is four classes senior to me. Rest two sons are junior to me. The youngest daughter is very small.
Sukhee bhai was economically poor and was maintaining his family by the business and by farming other’s fields on half yield. In my childhood I never knew this and always thought him rich, due to his raw-sugar business and daily usage shop. We purchased a few material and raw-sugar according to our purchasing capacity and requirement, but there was huge quantity there for which we children were always greedy. I am remembering Vimaljee. He was six year old and liked cold drink too much. He always wanted to purchase the cold drink shop.
Down trodden children always surrounded his raw sugar machine to steal sugarcane and raw-sugar. He took a stick and chased the children. Again they gathered and he chased. This gathering and chasing were continued from morning to evening.
One day, I was passing through the way beside Sukhee’s shop at about 4 PM. He was sitting on the ground keeping his right hand on his head. He was alone and thinking something in a very sad mood. I greeted him good afternoon and asked about his sadness. He uttered, ‘All children have gone to school. A very tough and cruel head-master has joined in the school. He sends senior boys to catch these children and keeps them in the school from morning to evening. He gives Villanyatee (imported) milk in the morning and midday-meal in the school. New school dresses are being given. Bigger children get bicycles. No child comes here now . I have become very alone and charmless. I will not remain alive for long.’
To-day, early in the morning, one very sad news spread in the whole village. Sukhee-bhai died in the night. He was sleeping in the outside verandah of the shop alone. No one knew about his health in the night. In the morning, family members saw him dead and started to cry. I have come to see his dead body. I am standing in his courtyard. Seeing his dead body, I have gone in the past. I remember the meeting with him a few months earlier when he was very sad and abusing the headmaster. People thought him very cruel towards the poor children, seeing his action chasing them. But, he had inner love for them. Remembering his internal affection towards the down trodden children, my eyes are wet. I salute his inner love. May God bless eternal peace to his soul! -------Ohm Namo Bhagvate Shree Ramanaay.

EXTERNAL APPEARANCE

Gyaanees (realized soul) may appear in so many forms and moods- angry, pleased or romantic, but internally they are always in bliss and they have nothing to do with these external matters. They do all acts like ordinary persons. They eat, walk, play, laugh and sing. But, they are not affected by these things. They know that they are only acting their roles like actors on the stage. They enjoy their roles by doing so natural that ordinary person is trapped in illusion. He begins to doubt about them and their  realization. Some gyaanees have adopted such things which have been prohibited for gentle persons. I have seen realized souls taking cigarettes, tobaco and other prohibitted things. Parasuraam and Durvaasaa are gyaanees but, they have adopted anger which is strictly forbidden. Although anger is bad, but if it is done for the betterment of a person, it is good. Parents never think evil for their children. When they see that their children are going on wrong path, they show anger. The anger is for the improvement of the children. Both Parasuraam and Durbaasaa have adopted anger for the benefit of the world. When, Kshatriyas kings forgot to rule with justice, started doing unjust and became terrors, Parasuraam vowed to kill them. According to his promise, he made the world free from unjusts. Chandramaa (the god moon) has adopted kaam, but it is only external. He is gyaanee and away from this worldly evil. People may say so many things about lord Krishna's activities, but he is embodiment of God himself and the world is his playground. His all acts are for show. He is always away from these worldly affairs. -------Namo Bhagvate Shree Ramanaay.

FAST AND STURDY

Up till now, we are hearing about slow and steady. The present era is of fast and sturdy. The competition has become global. By the tortoise speed we cannot come in the race. It is impossible to tour the world on bullock cart. Can the plow with oxen compete with the modern ploughing instrument which can plough several acres of land in a few hours and in better way. I have seen students of dull brain doing well due to hard labour. But, they cannot be genius who can compete in global competition. Slow and steady was winner in bullock cart era. Charkha (hand spinning wheel) cannot come in the race with hi-tech mills where everything is automatic. To top in the world one will have to be fast and sturdy.
There was a tortoise and a rabbit. The rabbit laughed at the speed of the tortoise. The tortoise challenged for a race. The rabbit thought to rest in the midway and slept. The tortoise continued its walking until it reached the goal. When the rabbit awoke, it ran to the goal where the tortoise was already present. The rabbit became too much ashamed. This story is symbolic but it happens daily. So many important lessons are hidden in the story. One should not laugh on others; rather see one’s own fault. When I resolve to do a job with full heart, I surely become successful in it. The ego will surely be defeated. All egoistic are defeated, though they seem most powerful and undefeatable. One should not take rest until he reaches the goal. And the main lesson is, ‘Slow and steady wins the race’.
Now one question arises, ’if slow and steady wins the race, what the result of fast and sturdy would be’. The answer is obvious, ‘It will break all records’. ---Ohm Namo Bhagvate Shree Ramanaay.

CHHAHARIYAA LAPPAA.

The title refers to the plant which develops in the shade. It looks more beautiful than the plant in the open but it is unable to produce crops. It can be used as a good cattle fodder. The animals can eat it with good taste because it is very soft.
One-day, I read news about the sterilization of so many animals in the zoo. I was very surprised to read it. The animals are purchased on high cost for zoos. I thought what disadvantage of increasing the number is. If the numbers increase, they can be sold to other zoos on higher prices and a big economic advantage can be gained. One of my relatives is working in a famous zoo. Once, he came to me. I asked him the question. He told about the difference between animals in the zoo and wildlife in the forest. In the forest creatures live on hunting. ‘Jeevo jeevasya bhojanam’. The stronger animals kill the weaker. During hunting, the weaker runs away with full speed and strength to save its life and the stronger follows it with higher speed. Thus, both have to exercise too much and their muscles become stronger. Contrary to it, animals in the zoo are kept in the barrier and are fed their favorite food. They do not exercise and their physique becomes weak. Naturally, their issues are short-lived. So, sterilization is being done to limit the number of weaker race. The stronger race is again brought from the forest.
Similar is the case with human race also. The child, who is tamed with all comfort and lavishness, does not do well in the future life. He becomes nervous seeing simple problem. His result is always poor in exams. Contrarily, the poor background child does better than luxurious background child. But, the best result is of the child who has been cared properly, neither poorly nor lavishly.
Never impose your thought on your child. Allow him to take his own decision. If your child is struggling, don’t disturb him by providing him a ladder (helping him by money or any other way). Allow him to feel scorching sun and freezing coldness. But, always watch and guide him properly. If your son is getting less salary, don’t bother. He will adjust and will try to make more income. You have to see only that the means must be proper. Thus, his all-round development is sure. If you don’t allow to maintain him in the salary he gets and help him with your resources, you are his greatest enemy.
However, you always come to help when you see him desperate and hopeless of his life. Always guide him and suggest him the right path.---------------Ohm namo bhagvate Shree Rsamanaay.

kacharaa (garbage).

I am Rameshanand. My wife is Ramolaa. I have a peculiar habit to store wastes and see every paper in the leisure. Some letters take me to my past. When I start to read, I begin wandering in the event and forget myself. I never become free until I read all old papers and it makes me busy at least for two hours. You will be surprised to know that the books and copies studied by me since class one to the last class of education are still safely kept in the almirah. I have kept letters written by my father, friends and others, safely. There are so many old photos of my forefathers, old friends and relatives in my album. Old toys, books, nails and spikes, shallow tape, fevicol, pens and pencils, erasers are in another case. Old TV, radio, camera, table fan, emergency light and torch, refrigerator, washing machine, old furniture etc. beautify my house. You will find old axe, spade, chisel, mallet, file, spanner, hammer, plough, plough-share, drum, harmonium, guitar, and violin also. You can say me orthodox or traditionalist like general Indians. Majority of us are conservatives. I like the TV serials Ramayana, Mahabharata, ShreeKrishna etc. Sampoorn Ramayana, Ham sath sath hain, Nadiyaa ke paar, Pratighaat etc. are my favorite movies. I am in favour of joint family. Whenever, I hear about joint family, I become too much pleased. I worship gods and goddesses and also my fore-fathers. I respect my seniors and love juniors. I am a religious man and frequently visit sacred places to worship gods. I see Sanskaar and Aasthaa channels on TV. I often visit pravachan kaaryakram (preaching) of saints. I like to meditate and recite spiritual songs (bhajans). I perform japas (silent recitations of Mantras) and penance. I perform 1000 Gaayatree japas daily. I frequently go on fasting to purify myself. I sometimes take only fruits for so many days. During Durgaa-poojaa (Navraatraa) I remain nine days, only on fruits. I am complete vegetarian and never think to harm any creature.
Contrary to my nature, my wife dislikes all above things. In brief, she dislikes everything which I like and vice-versa. She has more faith on her mother side than on herself or on God. She cannot hear an ill word against her mother side. She can trust even on a new born baby of her parent side but cannot trust on anybody of in-laws side. She can leave even her husband for her father, mother, brothers and sisters. She hates waste. Whenever she finds time, she throws it. Sometimes she throws old TV, sometimes old radio and sometimes my clothes, important papers and books. When I enquire about an important paper, she never accepts that she has seen it.
I had gone on a tour and have returned back after so many days. I have seen special glazing on her face. Previously, I had seen such type of happiness only on two occasions; the first, at the time of the death of her mother-in-law and the second time, when her father-in-law died. I didn’t dare to enquire about her happiness. I took bath, ate and slept. When I awoke, I went near my glazed almirah. It was complete empty. I went near another wardrobe and found it also empty. All the old photos from the album were disappeared. The old letters, books and cards were thrown away from the house. The rooms are now very neat and clean. My house now looks high-tech.
I go to my study room. I want to read the book ‘Dashrath-Nandan-Shree-Raam’ written by Chakravartee Raajgopaalaachaaree, but I didn’t find it. Likewise, I found none book of my choice. Being hopeless, I thought to read some letters written by my father, but could not find a single letter. In another room my wife is extremely pleased and busy in talking with her mother and sisters on cellular phone. I am very sad and gloomy in my study room as if I have forgotten my civilization, culture and my roots. I have become complete vacant. I bore the first jerk at the time of my mother’s death. I also tolerated the 2nd jerk of my father’s death. This third jerk is the heaviest which has uprooted me. Now, I am like a pulled up tree blowing in the storm. ------------Namobhagvate Ramanaay.

Vinamrata (gentleness)

‘ Sheelan param bhooshanam’ (gentleness is the greatest ornament). Gentleness is the Brahmastra (sure shot weapon) by which one can win the universe. You cannot always win by body (physical force) strength. ‘Shathe shathyam samaacharet’ (tit for tat) is not always successful. Suppose opposition is stronger than you, what will happen? He will defeat you. If the opponent is weaker, you will defeat him. But the victory will not be permanent. The enmity will increase more and he will always be thinking to take revenge. Your peace will also be disturbed and you will always have to keep yourself alert. Moreover, you have to face the police and court. If found guilty (the probability is more for winner), you will be punished and will be sent to jail. Sometimes, capital punishment may also be given. The person whom you killed became free from the thorny world. You (the killer, victorious) remained alive to die every moment. Is this called victory? No, this victory is worse than the defeat.
Gentleness is the seed of the tree ‘Ajaatshatru (whose enemy has not taken birth). ‘Asaadhunaamapi saadhunaa (politeness even with stupid, to love even to abuser).’ This is not easy. Only Gyaanees (realized soul) can do this. Can an ordinary person love to his enemy? To conquer the heart is real victory. Some may say you coy or coward. But this is not so. The person who has no enemy is the bravest of all. Was Gandhijee a coward? He was the bravest in the world at the time. His weapons satya (truth) and ahinsaa (non-violence) are still the most powerful. Anna Hajare implemented them and forced the government to bow down.
Never condemn anybody. Always see the qualities of others and praise them. The wave of admirers or decriers reaches immediately to the person or persons for whom these acts have been performed, even though done secretly. Human babies, animals and plants also feel the love and hate.
Suppose, you praise the qualities of your condemner. This message reaches to him through any source. He will repent and remain no more your enemy. Maharshi (the great saint) Vishwaamitra always criticized the great sage Vashishtha [brahmarshi- the sage who has won kaam (will), krodh (anger), lobh (greed) & moh (attachment)]. But, Vashishtha never said a single word against him. Vashishtha was called Brahmarshi and was honoured more everywhere. Vishwaamitra also wanted to be called by the same name. But, everyone called Vishwaamitra Maharshi. Vashistha also called him by the same name. This aggravated Vishwaamitra’s anger more. One day, he went with his sword to Vashishtha’s cottage in the mid night, to kill him. He silently stood behind the cottage and started to watch the internal activities. He heard the whispering sound of husband and wife (Arundhatee). Arundhatee:- ‘Why don’t you call Vishwaamitra Brahmarshi?’ Vashishtha:- ‘At present, Vishwaamitra is the greatest saint and penance performer in the universe. He is my dearest and I always wish and pray for his long life, name and fame. The only thing to be achieved by him is to conquer the anger. The moment he wins the anger he will be Brahmarshi.’ Hearing the whispering words, tears of repent began to flow. He knocked the door. Vashishth opened the door and saw Vishwaamitra with surprise. Vishwaamitra fell down and started to wash his feet with tears. Vashishtha hugged him calling Brahmarshi.
When I leave my ego and bow down, I win the world. The small plants beside the river bow down before the devastating flood and always survive. The big trees stand erected their chest are uprooted and destroyed in the deluge. Raam became successful to defeat world's most powerful Raavan due to his politeness and latter's ego.Kauravs were defeated due to their ego and Pandav's politeness. Krishna's weapon was gentleness and Kans was most egoistic and so he was killed. Now , say which is more powerful, politeness or ego?
Though, Raam had capacity to dry the sea but he first worshipped it. When it didn’t give way, he showed a bit anger. --------------------------------------------------------Namo Bhagvate Shree Ramanay.

NIRBHAYTAA (fearlessness)

“Sarvatra bhayvarjanah”. Gandhijee never feared from anything and gave this slogan, which is the main thought of our religious-epics. Due to this very fearlessness, he was able to fight boldly with the world’s most powerful kingdom, defeated it and forced it to fly to its country, crossing the seven seas.
Fearing from antisocial elements, so many persons bow down. But, gyanees never surrender and prefer to sacrifice their lives than to compromise with their principle. Gyanees are few and bad elements become successful in spreading their activities by horrifying the society. They dance blatantly on the main chowk-chauraahaa and people don’t dare to speak against them. Rather, they are silent spectators. In the main crowded market, terrorists perform crime but in the court we find no witness. Getting the advantage, the criminals manage to escape and do another crime.
Always remember The Almighty. No one can harm you if He is pleased. And He is always pleased on them who eagerly call Him. Remember the story of Prahlaad, Dhruv, Gaj-Grah (the elephant and the crocodile) and Draupadee. How many persons are there who call Him like Draupadee. When one realizes the fact that only He can save him and totally surrenders to Him, he is saved. None can harm him. The only thing is to have full faith and piety.
“Nainan chhindanti shastraani nainan dahati paawakah. Nachainan kledyantyapo na shoshayati maarutah.” Aatmaa (soul) is immortal. This cannot be cut by weapons, the fire cannot burn it, the water cannot sink and the wind cannot blow it. When we are always in the light of the knowledge of immortality of the soul, we don’t fear from anything.
There is no question of fear at all. If, I am afraid, I have no faith on my deity. It means I have neither devotion nor the knowledge of immortality of the soul.-----------------------NAMO BHAGVATE SHREE RAMANAAY.

TEACHER’S DAY,5 September, 2011.

The tutor prepares the child to deal with the society and the world. Thus, he not only gives the knowledge of books but also teaches the formulae to be successful in the world. “Vin guru gyaan na hohin.” Ram, Krishna, Buddha, Mahavir all had guru. Sometimes, we she a gyanee without guru. This is his past life’s guru’s teaching and grace. Atmaa (the soul) is the ultimate guru of all. Although, gyaanees may not have physical guru, he is always with his permanent guru (atmaa). “Gururbrahmaa gururvishnu gururdevo maheshwarah. Guruh saakshaat parambrahma tasmai shree guruve namah.” Guru (tutor, teacher) is Brahmaa (the creator), Vishnu (the tamer, the domesticator), Mahesh (the protector, the god of knowledge). He is Almighty Himself and therefore I bow before him. Parents gave birth. But, I was like a blind person wandering in the darkness. I went to my guru. He gave me a lamp and divine eye. Now, I can move freely and unafraid in the world. One question arises whether parents are great who gave birth to me or the tutor who gave knowledge-eye to me and made me man from a two footed animal. The comparison should not be done and it is not proper. But, if only one option is given I would prefer the tutor. However, we should always remember that parents are called the first guru of a child.
“Guru Govind dou khare kaake lagoon paay, Balihaaree guru aapkee Govind diyo bataay.” The poet has put the guru above God. That is, guru is above all. And it is his uncontroversial position due to his work. The child is the father of the man. The society is formed by the individual. If individual is good, society will be good. If individual is bad society will be bad. Thus he not only reforms individual but the society also. The child becomes father and he makes his children according to his education and culture. Hence, the tutor reforms the generations.
Like sadshishya, sadguru is rare. Like the sadshishya,sadguru also searches the sadshishya more eagerly. Raamkrishna Paramhans used to go to the top of the building and called loudly to his hidden disciples. Lastly they were bound to come to him. Vivekanand became the rarest disciple who not only spread his own name and fame but also his guru and our country. A citizen of a dependency, established the gurudom in the whole world and made them his followers. The society should give full regard to all tutors. The poise of the gurus cannot be lessened seeing some teachers below standard. Our old gurukul system was ideal and that should be again established. The professionalism of education has reduced the dignity of teachers but it should not be taken as general. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ohm guruve namah.

SEE TOWARDS YOURSELF

‘Buraa jo dekhan mai chalaa, buraa na miliyaa koy. Jab aapan dish dekhiyaa, mujh saa buraa na koy.’ Kabeeer searches bad persons but finds none. When, he looks towards himself, observes that he is the worst in the world. I waste my whole life looking towards the evils of others. But, don’t find time to see towards myself. Instead of seeing merits of others, I only see their evils and invite them to come to me. And after sometime, all evils come in me.
One of my friends criticizes even yogeeshwar Krishna. He says that Krishna had infinite girls’ friends, 16 thousands wives and the Rasleelaa is nothing but open corruption. But, he should know that Krishna was yogeeshwar. The Raasleelaa is symbolic. It is nothing but the dance between Atmaa (jeevaatmaa) and Permaatmaa (God). We people, who are all the time indulged in worldly affairs, cannot know this Parmatma-gyaan (spiritual knowledge). We are unable to think about sacrifice (sacrifice one’s all for the service of the people), love (unselfish love with all creatures), service to all creatures thinking Lord Shiva in all and speaking truth in all circumstances (I am habituated to speak lie in simple behavior and talking and think myself clever in cheating others). I have seen families planning, practicing and doing rehearsal of speaking lie. Krishna was present with all Gopies in the same time. His 16 thousand wives were enjoying with him at the same time. In the present context, how this is possible. Even the greatest wizard cannot do this. This is only the play of Brahma and His Mayaa (illusion).
You are in the dogma that you are the best in the world and your thought is super most. But you are the worst. You see your food habits always searching tasteful things as if you have come on the earth to eat only. I have seen people busy in planning and managing to drink and to eat non-vegetarian items, from morning to evening. See your betel and tobacco chewing habits. See your thinking, which is always busy to harm others. See your working, which is involved in digging ditches for others to fall in it. See your tongue, which always ejects fire. See your selfishness, which all the time wants to cut other’s head and add to your children. See your ears, which like other’s abuses. Look towards your eyes, which want to see other’s decay. At last, see your mind, which never thinks to serve the society and always likes evils. --------OHM NAMO BHAGVATE SRI RAMANAY.

LAALACH (GREED) BUREE BALAAY.

Greed is sure to lead us to ruin. ‘Makkhee baithee doodh par, pankh gayo laptay. Haath male aur sir dhune, Laalach buree balaay.’ The bird flying in the sky is trapped in the net by offering corn. The tiger is hunted by giving the greed of goat. The fish is caught by giving fodder. And, every creature is trapped in the worldly affairs with the greed of gaining some advantage. ‘Swaarath laagi karahin sab preetee.’
‘Lovah paapasya kaaranam’. Greed is the root cause of sin. The robbers commit dacoitee in the greed to have enough money to enjoy. Greedy person leaks the foot of the sinner. Crimes and corruption are due to greed. ‘Bin maange motee mile maange mile na bheekh.’ Sometimes, I want to offer something to a person. In the meantime, this person shows much greediness. I begin to hate with him and don’t give even the thing which I had wished to offer. Suppose a person is highly qualified and has enough reaches but, he is greedy. You can say him the poorest, the most foolish and a dead body. ‘Rahiman we nar mar chuke je kanhu maangan jaanhi. Unke pahale we mue jin mukh niksat naanhi.’ The great poet Raheem says that the person who begs is like a dead man and the person who says no has died prior to the panhandler.
‘Kaamah krodhah tathaa lovah hridi tishthanti taskaraah. Gyaan ratnaaphaaraay tasmat jaagrat jaagrat.’ In the heart three thieves reside to steal the jewel, knowledge. Hence, awake! Awake!
Sometimes we see that the bum is not needy but he begs due to laziness or old-habit or to get profit by earning more. He is worse than the actual beggar. We, the sons of Ayaachee Mishraa should prefer to die than begging.-------NAMO BHAGVATE SRI RAMANAAY.