Mind according to Vedanta

Quote from true charm and power of Vedanta

Mind according to Vedanta 

During the dream-state, the mind becomes free from the body idea; it becomes associated with any impression that may be prevalent in the mind. When it is dominated by that impression, the mind has a particular ego idea. A dreamer can have any kind of ego. A queen may think she is a beggar-woman. Any kin d of ego can exist there because you do not know which impression will be prevalent in a person while dreaming. The will and power of judgement that are associated with the ego idea based upon the physical body, does not exist anymore. therefore, we do not have any kind of self –determination or definite will in the dream state . We do not have even any definite judgement of consistency or property in dream. In dream state a person does not have a definite ego idea, one does not have nay definite standard of judgment so nothing seems incoherent inn a dream. One also lacks in will power and one cannot resist when resistance is necessary. Any tendency, desire or idea may be prevalent of that time. We are actually at the mercy of the tendency or desire that prevails at that time. Being influenced by the desire or will, or wish, the mind creates an image or picture out of those impressions. The impressions become concretized. Just as we can see a picture painted on a canvas in al three dimensions, similarly , this mind is like a piece of canvas painted by al these imprison gathered during waking hours. 

How to fulfil your genuine desire for bliss

We all are striving hard to attain full satisfaction in a persistent manner. In the material world, nothing can give us such ecstasy. Consumption of a normal good is characterised by diminishing marginal utility; meaning that the additional consumption of the same good renders less and less satisfaction. Thus, we get fed up with it and look for another good to give us a feeling of complete satisfaction. But that also follows the same rule. There is no peace.
In the midst of this chaos, the truth is that complete bliss is possible to attain only through this life. Thus, unknowingly at the subconscious level, there is a constant struggle to seek the state of satiety, though we look for it materialistically. This happens because we get guided by our natural tendencies and the craze for an easy solution. The desire to attain bliss is genuine but the mechanisms we adopt to reach it can be faulty.

It is in this context that rationalisation and the role of conscience become important. The Buddha showed the path of withdrawal from indulgence in the material world and the perusal of the ultimate state through a disciplined life. The attainment of nirvana leaves a feeling of complete satisfaction and bliss. And interestingly, all this is possible only by accepting life. As Ramakrishna pointed out, what appears to be an illusion can actually manifest itself later as a part of truth. Thus, Ramakrishna’s Vedanta is unique and unravels a realistic approach. First attain it, spending time in silence and isolation, later look at the material world and realise the oneness. A combination of detachment and persuasion unfolds the mystic presence.

Introspection in silence establishes a unique connection between the vast and the individual. Even while one is in the midst of the duties and responsibilities in the material world, a sweeping breeze blows over to touch the mind and takes it away to an unknown state of joy. It is as if you have mingled with ecstasy itself and your every part of existence bears the ultimate happiness. Tagore tried to define it as an embodiment of an unembodied existence in your whole presence. The Vaishnavite simplify it in terms of the music flowing from the flute of Krishn, engulfing the existence of Radha and imparting ethereal joy. For, he stays nowhere but in the company of his devotees.

To an ignorant person, of course, a liberated soul may appear to be wandering aimlessly. But within that wandering, he has actually achieved what cannot be explained in words. His joy is too enormous to be defined materialistically.
The unique aspect of spiritualism is that it takes the individual to such heights that all desires get washed away with the glow of composedness that one is able to acquire. The Buddha suggested that we make repeated attempts to attain nirvana. Using an altered expression, Ramakrishna said that he would like to enjoy the enormity in different forms and in different ways. Thus, one can completely empty oneself forever. Once the lamp is lit in this world, its radiance will be evident in the path of eternity. The writer is professor of economics at the Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi

IF HE EXIST
 I drive joy There was a doctor in Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting ten precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting ten minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste ten minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 10 minutes joy that I derive 4m.-

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7th heaven moment of the week India won by 7 wk, and in formula one no Botas no 77 won a podium

HOW TO CONSERVE ENERGY

 

Quote from the True Charm and power of Vedanta

HOW TO CONSERVE ENERGY

According to ancient Indian philosophy this universe is composed of two principal elements. One is called Akash an all pervading primordial substance  , imperceptible to the sense, but manifested in the basic elements-earth, water, air fire, and ether-out of which all bodies come into existence . the other which holds together these material forms is known as Parana or vital force, the force by which man lives and without which he can do nothing. The sense which appear to be such important factors in our life would be of little use without this vital force, so also the mind and every part of the physical organism. We should therefore try to understand what the nature of this life force is and how it may be controlled for the great Indian teachers have taught us that by proper control of this force a man can be not only physically healthy , but intellectually brilliant; he can also rise spiritually and become illumined.

At present there are very few who know the use or even the existence of this Prana, for we cannot see it. Most of us live here unconsciously , doing eve3ryhting automatically through habit. We utilities our energies without thinking what they are or what they should bring us; still less does it occur to us that is our duty to conserve and direct them to definite ends. Yet we shall not know what true health or happiness or illumination is until we have learned how to gather up these vital forces of our organism and command them at our will. Just as light when dissipated scarcely suffices to read by, but when we put a shade over it and concentrate its rays we are able to see the finest print. Similarly when all the forces manifested though our body, mind and sense are stored up, regulated and focused, we discover possibilities of wisdom and happiness within us of which we are wholly unconscious at present.

The spirit of self-sacrifice for a better world

By AK Merchant

 

Countless stories can be told of sacrifices and innocent deaths that bring to fore the real humanity. Of corona warriors risking their lives to save people and provide solace to those who lost their dear ones. Can this spirit of altruism, fortitude and self-sacrifice pave the way for a new eco-friendly lifestyle?

 

Religious texts are filled with narratives of tremendous sacrifice and resilience. The power of faith in a divine being binds disparate elements of society to rise to great heights. The obedience of Ram to give up his kingdom and go into exile; the deeply insightful decision of the Buddha to sacrifice his kingship to venture into the forest in search for answers to our existential reality; the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for the absolution of the sinning multitudes; the martyrdom of Imam Hussain to uphold the standard of Truth when confronted by a heartless tyrannical ruler; the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur for protecting religious freedom, are just a few examples. To this must be added, the imprisonment and public execution of the Bab, Prophet-Herald of the Baha’i Faith, whose 171st martyrdom anniversary falls on July 9, 2021. Some 20,000 of the Bab’s followers were put to death with barbarous cruelty.

“O peoples of the earth!” the Bab declared in May 1844 of the imminent appearance of the Promised One of all religions, Baha’u’llah. “Verily the resplendent Light of God hath appeared in your midst … that ye may be guided aright to the ways of peace and … step out of the darkness into the light and onto this far-extended Path of Truth.” The Bab was publicly executed by a firing squad of 750 soldiers in Tabriz, Iran. The smoke of the firing was such as to turn daylight into darkness.

 

As soon as the cloud of smoke cleared away, the Bab had vanished. Though the cords with which he had been suspended were rent in pieces by the bullets. Cries of astonishment, confusion and fear rang out: “The Bab has vanished!” “He is freed!” they shrieked. “It is a miracle! He was a man of God!” “They are slaying a man of God!” There was bedlam in the public square as a frantic search for the Bab began. He was found in his prison cell completing the conversation with his attendant that he had not been allowed earlier. Another regiment of soldiers was assigned and the Bab was martyred. Fortunately, some of the Bab’s followers secretly retrieved the mangled remains of his bullet-ridden body. It was kept hidden and successfully transported to Haifa city, where it is entombed in a beautiful shrine on Mount Carmel.

 

To build a new world is no easy task. The Baha’i believe that far from signalising the end of civilisation, today’s convulsive changes will release the spiritual potentialities and reveal the full measure of our destiny on earth. This new consciousness is possible and can emerge through embracing revolutionary love, the emergence of a caring society; a new bottom line in all our economic, political, legal, educational and cultural institutions. This should be our greatest takeaway from the Covid-19 pandemic.

IF HE EXIST

 

I drive joy There was a doctor in Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting ten precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting ten minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste ten minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 10 minutes joy that I derive 4m.-

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7th heaven moment in Wimbledon Djokovic won semi 777, in euro Ronaldo no 7 got GOLDEN BOOT

 

Spiritual Initiation

 

Quote from the True Charm and power of Vedanta

Spiritual Initiation.

If there is intense yarning for the object we are meditating upon and a deep and strong desire to get Him, then shall we be careless? As Sri Ramakrishna said, pearls and jewelry  are hidden in the next rom. Knowing this can the thief sleep quietly in the adjoining room? No , he cannot. Until he enters the next room by breaking the wall and gets possession of the wealth he will not be at peace . Similarly , if we know that He is in our hearts and we must get Him, then can we be careless ? Can we sleep? We got lukewarm only due to want of yearning . Therefore one should always try to be alert and wide awake . by repeated endeavor it becomes a habit and impressions(samskara) are formed.

We to used to sit for mediation again after a short stroll when we used to feel sleepy . many ask. If we feel sleepy can we do japa while strolling?” That may be done. By that sleep may be driven away, but mediation is not achieved. Mediation means all the senses are withdrawn from their respective subjects and activities. The mind alone will then stick to the object of mediation . mediation is not achieved by walking.

The real thing is , whatever time we meditate , we should try to do it with proper feeling and mental attitude  . whatsoever time we devote to it will be really beneficial if we do it with right mental attitude . it is not possible to examine one’s own self until the mind is calm and quite . mind cannot be analyzed otherwise.

 

Living in sync with immortality in the world

Speaking Tree

By Valson Thampu

 

We, in India, are not unfamiliar with the craving for immortality. We have been praying, from time immemorial, to be led from death to immortality. Due to Covid-19, we have been overwhelmed by the everywhere-ness of death. What does it mean, in such a context, to pray to be led to immortality?

 

Death and immortality are two distinct orientations of human life. Whatever exists in time will perish in time. Immortality is not a natural reward of time. Even so, immortality can be sought in temporal life. The need to do so arises from the fact that temporal resources cannot meet all our needs as human beings. The longing for immortality pertains to that aspect of our being which cannot be met by such resources.

Immortality is often confused with eternity. Eternity is beyond time. We have to die out of the temporal to attain the eternal, if at all. But immortality as interminable continuity can be sought in time. The alternative to the immortality-oriented life, is the animal way of life, which is limited to, and satisfied with, material and natural resources. Human beings thirst and hunger for something more, and beyond. We are inwardly driven by a need to survive, or assert ourselves over death; to say, as Donne does, ‘Death, thou shalt die!’ That given, human beings, to the extent that they are tinged with the thirst for immortality, cannot, should not, live and die like animals.

This explains the existence of religions. But religions, as they get organised and established, turn their faces away from the discipline of immortality. Worldliness takes over. Religion becomes an adjunct to mere existence. ‘Otherworldliness’, presumably akin to immortality, becomes, at best, a pious assumption. In theory, liberation from the worldly predicament is sought. But this is done in a worldly fashion, such as all rites and rituals are. Religion and worldly gains imply each other. Immortality is alien to this orientation.

 

Even so, the craving for immortality clings to humanity. It is hard for human beings to accept that their life, unlike life in nature, or the life of the gods, will end with their deaths. Human beings have a need to leave a memory, a legacy of words, deeds and achievements that will survive them. This motivation is at work even in parenthood. But, given the uniqueness of individuals and the decisive importance of personal consciousness, this falls short of attaining immortality for oneself.

 

In light of the above, what is tragic is not that one dies. It is that one dies no better than animals. Death is inevitable. As Shakespeare’s Hamlet says, if it is not today, it will be tomorrow. If it is not due to Covid-19, it will be due to something else. All deaths are premature in the sense that no one is ever ready for his death. Not many die having lived to the full. The life we live is partial and perishable. The spiritual mandate is to reorient ourselves to immortality. Mere avoidance of death has no spiritual merit. Temporal life flows inexorably towards death. The challenge is to live in sync with immortality even amidst this flow. The great thing, the empowering truth, is that this is possible.

IF HE EXIST

 

I drive joy There was a doctor in Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting ten precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting ten minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste ten minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 10 minutes joy that I derive 4m.-

 

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7th heaven moment in f1 no 77 Botas won a podium   

 

The Harvest field of Life.

 

Quote from the True Charm and power of Vedanta

The Harvest field of Life.

It is the motive which counts. We can do a thing either with the thought of hat it may bring immediately to us for our own selfish gratification; or we can do it thinking of the soul and our eternal life . as a man thinks so is he. A sour motive is , so is our action . we must reflect. We must think , and think such thought as will enable us to express the deeper nature of the soul . we must no longer be content to think those things which have been thought and followed by the masses. What I mean by this is that often we love the habit in our life of merely travelling along the paths which have been trodden by others. and we believe that to be the best way. It may be from the worldly standpoint , but it does not always prove true in the higher problems of life. It is very seldom we can copy the ideals of others . if we try to copy , we misrepresent. We must unfold our own ideals. What our forefathers have done or what the sages have taught may inspire us; they may start our mind to thinking , but we must work out our own salvation. This means

contemplation; it also means freeing our inner nature; now our spiritual nature is held down by our physical habits and unconditional emotions. In order to control our lower instincts and express our higher self , we must take the problem in our won hands. When we do this, at the same time we must ask God’s blessing because it is very dangerous for ours to attempt anything without the sense of concentration, that we are doing it for the sake of God

Seductive extravaganza from a Divine kitchen

 India, Spirituality, TOI

Speaking Tree

By Narayani Ganesh

 

To make an apple pie, you will have to start from the very beginning. From the Big Bang, that is, when the universe started coming into being. Yes, said Carl Sagan, you need wheat, apples, herbs and spices and an oven’s heat to bake the pie. Ingredients, like sugar and water, for example, are all made up of molecules, which in turn are made of atoms – carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and others. All these are made in stars, except for hydrogen, which is not only the lightest element in the periodic table, but also the most abundant chemical substance in the universe. Hydrogen is the raw fuel that stars burn to produce energy.

 

Says Sagan, “A star is a kind of cosmic kitchen inside which atoms of hydrogen are cooked into heavier atoms. Stars condense from interstellar gas and dust, which are composed mostly of hydrogen. But the hydrogen was made in the Big Bang, the explosion that created the cosmos. If you wish to make an apple pie, you must first invent the universe.”

When you make a cup of coffee, and gently start stirring the cream layered on top of the coffee, you are in fact mimicking the pinwheel spin of galaxies that spiral away as the universe continues to expand infinitely. It’s a case of a ‘drone’ view of the top of a galaxy that the current powerful telescopes are yet unable to capture. We only get the view sideways.

 

Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh who promotes ‘tangerine meditation’ says, when you peel a tangerine and hold it in the palm of your hand and visualise all that went into its making, you will find that the entire universe is contained in that little orange orb. When he asked children to meditate on the tangerine, he says, “They saw not only their tangerine, but also its mother, the tangerine tree. With some guidance, they began to visualise the blossoms in the sunshine and in the rain. They saw petals falling down and the tiny fruit appear. The sunshine and the rain continued, and the tiny tangerine grew. Now someone has picked it, and the tangerine is here. After seeing this, each child was invited to peel the tangerine slowly, noticing the mist and the fragrance of the tangerine, and then bring it up to her mouth and have a mindful bite, in full awareness of the texture and taste of the fruit and the juice coming out. We ate slowly like that.”

 

So it seems that everything in the universe is hitched to everything else in the universe – the cosmos being this infinitely creative kitchen where atoms, molecules, chemicals and other ingredients are constantly being reconstituted into new avatars, enriching the process of being and becoming. The birth-sustenance-death cycle continues unabated, with every death dispersing the ingredients to create new life, new partnerships, experiences and new possibilities.

 

Is it a self-perpetuating, pre-programmed, automated kitchen or is there really a Divine Chef at work, creating a diverse and evolving menu with something that can seduce each one of us and also connect every one of us to every bit of creation in the universe? Be that as it may, get seduced anyway – we’re hitched for life.

IF HE EXIST

 

I drive joy There was a doctor in Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting ten precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting ten minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste ten minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 10 minutes joy that I derive 4m.-

 

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7th heaven moment in f1 no 77 Botas won a podium  in euro chez republic no 9,10 scored a goal each

 

Reincarnation and immortality Good fortune or Bad fortune

 

Quote from the True Charm and Power of Vedanta

Reincarnation and immortality Good fortune or Bad fortune

The great Aryan law giver of ancient times, Manu, tells us that we cannot gather what we do not sow; as we plant the tree, so it will grow. The kind of seeds we sow, according to that we must reap . there is no such thing as chance in Nature. Nothing happens accidently . good fortune or misfortune pleasing conditions or trials come to us because consciously or unconsciously we attracts them . we draw their late our life. They come as the reaction of our own action .whenever we do something ignoble , at some time we must suffer from it; not because there is a relentless  Providence whose task it is to punish us; but because our own better

Self has a sense of justice and until we make amends for our unworthy action, it will not allow us to be free. A man may murder another in secret; no one may know anything about it; yet but his own thought of it will haunt him until he can no longer beat it and he find relief in confessing it. Does this not show that we cannot evade the greater force of life; we create a moral obligation by our deeds; and however we may try to avoid it sooner or later we are force to pay every debt we incur. Until that is done, we cannot make the best use of our opportunities. But it is not only the fruit of our mistakes that we gather. We reap blessings also as we deserve them; and they become permanently our because we earned them.

Free Will Vs Destiny

Editorial by VIJAY SRINATH KANCHI

  Our freedom to choose is curtailed by the choices we made in the past, writes VIJAY SRINATH KANCHI

 
Do humans have free will and choice or does determinism prevail in this world? When we look at this problem, we feel we have the freedom to choose what we like or deem suitable in our lives. But many instances and situations in our lives force us to realise how subdued are we by the circumstances. Naturally, we begin to wonder if we truly have the freedom to make choices in our lives.

Suppose, we want to open our locker protected by a password. There are two options. Either we receive an OTP sent by the controlling agency and enter the same to get access or enter a number of our choice previously set by us as the password. Lower level organisms are like those of us who opt for an OTP. They have to simply accept and key in the OTP received by them from the controlling agency to proceed further. The lives of lower level sentient beings are controlled by Nature. Their choice is limited to accepting what is given to them by the unseen power.

On the other hand, humans are like those who have the choice to enter the password set by themselves. This number, which could have been any number, was chosen by them in the past. At the time of choosing the password, the person has the freedom to choose any number. But once it is set, he is restricted by the choice he previously made. Similarly, when we begin a new chain of karma, the choices are unlimited. But owing to our propensities, which were the results of our past actions, we tend to make a particular choice.

This choice we make restricts our possible future options and we are forced to work in a particular way only, owing to our tendencies. Thus, our choices narrow down as we continue with our propensities and tendencies and indulge in karma. Theoretically speaking, the password is purely our choice. It could be any random set of numbers and characters. But because it was set by us in a particular way in the past, even though on the face of it, the password is our own choice, since it was our own creation our choices now are restricted. Because it is our creation that our choices are now capped.

Our freedom to choose is curtailed by the choices we made in the past. Only a yogi has the real freedom to choose as he is free of the shackles of past propensities. Every action he does is a new action with limitless choices. He is sarvatantra svatantra. The choices are not only unlimited on the face of it, but are limitless to the core. For us ordinary humans, it is useful to realise that past karmic propensities and the consequent circumstances can also be circumvented by present effort, just as the password can be reset by a new effort. However, it requires greater efforts.

But where do lower beings receive their OTP from? Who controls those OTPs? It is prakriti, the eternal potentiality of nature, the unity of three gunas — sattva, rajas and tamas. All things and circumstances are composed of these three gunas and their differences are due to the different combinations of these gunas. The nature of a context is determined by the preponderance of a particular guna.

Sattva is white and is like nectar and gives joy; rajas is red and is like intoxication and gives pain; tamas is dark and is like poison and produces unconsciousness. ‘We bow to prakriti,’ says Krishna in his Samkhya Karika, ‘the red-whitedark, the unborn mother and nurse and receptacle of all generations’.

Viewed from Advaita Vedanta, this very prakriti is called maya, the creator of all experiences. Sentient beings below the rank of humans are Mayaadheena, that is, they are under the control of maya. But as the sentient being ascends the ladder of evolution by the yogic practice and reaches the pinnacle, he becomes Mayaadheesha, the controller of maya. He becomes completely free and independent. ■

IF HE EXIST

 

I drive joy There was a doctor in Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting ten precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting ten minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste ten minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 10 minutes joy that I derive 4m.-

 

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7th heaven moment in euro cup Grieazman no 7 scored a goal, Ronaldo 7, k.habitz7, ukriane 7,

 

Spiritual healing , Healing of body and mind

Quote from the True charm and power of Vedanta

Spiritual healing , Healing of body and mind

 

We must lose all self –consciousness in the great thought that we are instrument of God, we must feel that our body must be kept clean and holy as a shrine for the dwelling place of Divinity if we keep uppermost in our mind these higher concepts of life, we shall refrain from doing what is ignoble . do we wish to be strong do we wish to be happy? If we do then we must plant the seeds of constructive thought in our hearts ., we must remember constantly that no matter what happens on the physical plane , there is a dominant ruler within, the spirit, and that Spirit can never be vanquished . when we are able to take this stand we can overcome every obstacle.

Why do people become selfish? Why are they guilty of unworthy acts which harm others ? it is because they have lost this lofty point of view. Their whole life is centered in their flesh, in sensation , in immediate bodily concerns. But let them extend their vision, let them project their thought beyond more physical boundary lines, and a new inner consciousness will dawn in them  . their body may still have its limitations , their material surroundings may continue to be disturbing , in spite of all this they will not be moved from the state of tranquility they have found, . this is only possible when we bring spiritual consciousness into our life . when we feel that we are direct descendants of the Infinite, when this convictions is firmly established in our hearts then are we made whole. It is the life which brings healing , it is entering into the inner realm of consciousness where we are restored naturally. When our thought is filled with Spirit, all must be well with us, because where Spirit shines unobstructed , there is life there can be no sickness or suffering.

 

‘The name is Bharat’

 

Editorial by Surakshit Goswami

 

What is the meaning of the word ‘Hindu’? When did Hinduism originate and who is the founder of this religion? I would also like to know when did we start referring to our motherland as India and not Bharat?

 

 

V P Dhananjayan, Chennai, 81 years

 

■ Hinduism is one of the world’s oldest religions dating back to somewhere around 5,000 BC. There is reference to the word ‘Hindu’ by the Aryans. The term ‘Hindu’ in Vedic records did not refer to a religion but is mentioned as the nationality of the people who lived in the region. At that time, the ancient name of Hindu religion was Sanatan Dharma, an eternal or universal tradition referring to learning the right way of living life

.

It is believed that the word ‘Hindu’ comes from the first letter ‘H’ of the Himalayas and the last words ‘indu’ from the Sindhu River. According to the Nadistuti Sukta, a hymn in the Rig Veda, Sindhu River, also known as the Indus River, is addressed as the mightiest of rivers. The river is also one of the longest in Asia, originating from the Manasarovar Lake and running through Ladakh all the way through the entire length of Pakistan. There are many beliefs behind the origin of the term ‘Hindu’.It is believed that in the Zoroastrian holy book, the Avesta, the word ‘Hindu’ was used for the first time as a geographical term for people who lived beyond the Indus River. The Persians could not pronounce the letter ‘S’correctly and mispronounced it as ‘H’. Thus, for the ancient Persians, the word ‘Sindhu’ became Hindu. Even today, people from the Sindh province in Pakistan are called Sindhis or Sindhus.

 

Hiuen Tsang, a Chinese Buddhist monk, who travelled to India from China in the seventh century, agreed that Hinduism was widely popular in India at that time. The Indus or Sindhu Valley civilisation is named after the Indus River and the river gave its name to the country, India. It is also believed that when Alexander came to India, he referred to its people as Indu, instead of Bharat. Thereafter, the east of the Indus was referred to as India,but initially the Vedic name for the area was Bharat.

IF HE EXIST

 

I drive joy There was a doctor in Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting ten precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting ten minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste ten minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 10 minutes joy that I derive 4m.-

 

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7th heaven moment found 7 colour invitational rainbow for French open here

 

Healing of Body and Mind

 

Quote from the True Charm and Power of Vedanta

Healing of Body and Mind

One can be cured by the laying on of hands, by prayer, by transmission of spiritual force, provided the healer is pure, exalted and free from every selfish motive. Other those who are the most powerful healers are not conscious that they are healing . nor do they wish their power to be known or recognized . Why? Because they are not willing to mix their spirit of concentration to God, with the cheaper materials of self-glorification , egotism and vanity. If you are interested in healing do it; do it; but keep yourself out of it. Bring in God’s power and all things will be make whole for you. Do not resort to trivial methods; that is, when you have a little bodily ache or pain, do not focus your thought on it in the hope of escaping form it; or when you think you need a new dress or a new hat, do not expand your precious mental energies in trying to obtain them.

Concentrating your mind to satisfy trifling desires prove always a great determent to your higher unfoldment, and you should do your utmost by the practice of determination to avoid this mis-step. There are people who by concentrating realize their material ambitions and they imagine that they possess superior spiritual power but this is merely a snare which cheats them of true attainment.

How to you know that what you obtain is god o you ? oftentimes we find that it is not beneficial for us to have a great deal of material prosperity . we may like he soft conditions of life; but they are not always wholesome for our higher nature. What we need is a mind which can stand firm in all circumstances; a mind which is brave and heroic . True heroism is born of Spirit, never of material conditions. Real strength does not come form the flesh, it comes only when flesh is connected with spirit; then we can go through the greatest ordeal unmoved. All that we crave we shall receive in unbounded supply, when we know how to use it for our own good and for the good of our fellow men. We would all like to possess happiness and power, but these do not come to us because we are not big enough to take them . we must cultivate bigness and inwardness. Curtsey spiritual healing

 

Making a calibrated move towards moksha

Speaking Tree in TOI  India, Spirituality, TOI

By SK Sullerey

 

Moksha is an important aspect of human life, according to Indic philosophy. It refers to freedom from the samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth, when the Atman merges with Parmatman, just like rivers merge in the sea.

 

According to ancient scriptures such as the ‘Srisukta’, we are expected to have shatayu, a life span of hundred years. And this hundred-year span, as per the Dharma-shastras, is divided into four parts called Ashrams.

The first ashram is called Brahmacharya. It covers the period of 25 years, from childhood to the completion of one’s education as a student. At this stage of life, man fulfils four purusharthas, aims of human life. The first is called dharma. During the student life one learns about the concept of dharma, meaning duties of a person. Everyone has his own dharma and karma, like a student’s dharma is to study; a teacher’s dharma is teaching; and a king’s dharma is to fulfil raj dharma – duty of the ruler.

 

The concept of Nishkaam Karma Yog is one of the main teachings of the Bhagwad Gita. A verse in the Gita, Chapter 2, says: ‘Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana,’ meaning one should do his karma and not care about results. In this way, during the brahmacharya ashram, purushartha dharma plays a significant role. Brahmacharya Ashram is the first stage of life to achieve the moksha.

 

The next is the Grahastha Ashram, the second stage in life, which one enters after completing education. At this stage one pursues artha, wealth, the second purushartha, and kama, legitimate desires, the third purushartha. This is a significant stage where man earns his livelihood and completes his social responsibilities. The main samskara here is Vivaha Samskara. Marital life, occupation and social liabilities are discharged here. This is the only ashram on which other ashrams depend, as at no other stage are people connected with the kama and artha purusharthas.

 

After completing 50 years of age, one starts the third stage of life – the Vanaprastha Ashram. At this stage one retires from his family and other worldly responsibilities. In this period dharma again plays an important role and man starts living in a natural environment. This is the first stage of Atmasadhana which trains a person to achieve the final goal of moksha. The Bhagwad Gita, Chapter 2, talks about two main things, the shareer and atman, body and soul. While the shareer is nashwar, mortal, Atman is shashwat, eternal.

 

The fourth ashram is known as Sannyas Ashram, and the main purushartha here is moksha. This is the last stage of human life, spanning from the age of 75 to 100. The entire 18th chapter of the Bhagwad Gita is devoted to the moksha sannyas. In this period, one feels totally free from worldly affairs and tries to achieve the goal of moksha.

 

Contemporary religions such as Jainism and Buddhism do not believe in the Vedas and Atman, but they too believe in moksha. In Jainism, they call it the state of Kaivalya and in Buddhism, moksha is referred to as Nirvana. Thus, most of the prominent religions and philosophies considered moksha as the goal of life.

IF HE EXIST

 

I drive joy There was a doctor in Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting ten precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting ten minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste ten minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 10 minutes joy that I derive 4m.-

 

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