[Story - Imported]
A man just got married and was returning home with his wife. They were crossing a lake in a boat when suddenly a great storm arose. The man was a warrior, but the woman became very much afraid because it seemed almost hopeless -- The boat was small and the storm was really huge, and any moment they were going to be drowned. But the man sat silently, calm and quiet, as if nothing was happening.
The woman was trembling and she said, "Are you not afraid? This may be our last moment of life! It doesn't seem that we will be able to reach the other shore. Only some miracle can save us, otherwise death is certain. Are you not afraid? Are you mad or something? Are you a stone or something?"
The man laughed and took the sword out of its sheath. The woman was even more puzzled -- what he is doing? Then he brought the naked sword close to the woman's neck -- so close that just a small gap was there, it was almost touching her neck.
He said, "Are you afraid?"
She started to giggle and laugh and said, "Why should I be afraid? If the sword is in your hands, why should I be afraid? I know you love me."
He put the sword back and said, "This is my answer. God is my Father. I know God loves me, and the sword is in His hands, and the storm is in His hands -- so whatsoever is going to happen is going to be good. If we survive, good; if we don't survive, good -- because everything is in His hands, and he cannot do anything wrong."
This is the trust one needs to imbibe. Such tremendous trust is capable of transforming your whole life! And ONLY such tremendous trust is capable of transforming your life -- less than that won't do.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
The Plan of The Lord
(Source : one of lok kathas at Dwarkadish Mandir, Dwarka )
Once there was a sweeper in Dwarkadish temple at Dwarka and he was very sincere and devoted. Every time he saw thousands of devotees coming to take darshan of the Lord, he thought that the Lord is standing all the time and giving darshan and He must be feeling very tired.
So one day very innocently he asked the Lord whether he can take the place of the Lord for a day so that the Lord can have some relief and rest. The Deity of the Temple replied, "I do not mind taking a break. I will transform you like Myself, but you must do one thing. You must just stand here like Me, smile at everyone and just give benedictions. Do not interfere with anything and do not say anything. Remember you are the deity and you just have faith that I have a master plan for everything." The sweeper agreed to this.
The next day the sweeper took the position of the deity and a rich man came and prayed to the Lord. He offered a nice donation and prayed that his business should be prosperous. While going, the rich man inadvertently left his wallet full of money right there. Now the sweeper in the form of deity could not call him and so he decided to control himself and keep quiet.
Just then a poor man came and he put one coin in the Hundi and said that it was all he could afford and he prayed to the Lord that he should continue to be engaged in the Lord's service. He also said that his family was in dire need of some basic needs but he left it to the good hands of the Lord to give some solution. When he opened his eyes, he saw the wallet left by the rich man. The poor man thanked the Lord for His kindness and took the wallet very innocently. The sweeper in the form of the Deity could not say anything and he had to just keep smiling.
At that point a sailor walked in. He prayed for his safe journey as he was going on a long trip. Just then the rich man came with the police and said that somebody has stolen his wallet and seeing the sailor there, he asked the police to arrest him thinking that he might have taken it. Now the sweeper in the form of Deity wanted to say that the sailor is not the thief but he could not say so and he became greatly frustrated. The sailor looked at the Lord and asked why he, an innocent person, is being punished. The rich man looked at the Lord and thanked Him for finding the thief. The sweeper in the deity form could no more tolerate and he thought that even if the real Lord had been here, he would have definitely interfered and hence he started speaking and said that the sailor is not the thief but it was the poor man who took away the wallet. The rich man was very thankful as also the sailor.
In the night, the real Lord came and He asked the sweeper how the day was.
The sweeper said, "I thought it would be easy, but now I know that Your days are not easy, but I did one good thing." Then he explained the whole episode to the Lord. The Lord became very upset on hearing this whereas the sweeper thought the Lord would appreciate him for the good deed done.
The Lord asked, "Why did you not just stick to the plan? You had no faith in Me. Do you think that I do not understand the hearts of all those who come here? All the donation which the rich man gave was all stolen money and it is only a fraction of what he really has and he wants Me to reciprocate unlimitedly. The single coin offered by the poor man was the last coin he was having and he gave it to Me out of faith. The sailor might not have done anything wrong, but if the sailor were to go in the ship that night he was about to die because of bad weather and instead if he is arrested he would be in the jail and he would have been saved form a greater calamity. The wallet should go to the poor man because he will use it in My service. I was going to reduce the rich man's karma also by doing this and save the sailor also. But you cancelled everything because you thought you know My plan and you made your own plans."
God has plans and justice for everyone.... We just have to have patience!!!!!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Do You Hate Someone???
[Story - Imported]
A kindergarten teacher decided to let her class play a game.
The teacher told each child in the class to bring along a plastic bag containing a few potatoes.
Each potato will be given a name of a person that the child hates.
So the number of potatoes that a child will put in his/her plastic bag will depend on the number of people he/she hates.
So when the day came, each child brought some potatoes with the name of the people he/she hated. Some had 2 potatoes; some 3 while some up to 5 potatoes. The teacher then told the children to carry with them the potatoes in the plastic bag wherever they go (even to the toilet) for 1 week.
Days after days passed by, and the children started to complain due to the unpleasant smell let out by the rotten potatoes. Besides, those having 5 potatoes also had to carry heavier bags. After 1 week, the children were relieved because the game had finally ended....
The teacher asked: "How did you feel while carrying the potatoes with you for 1 week?". The children let out their frustrations and started complaining of the trouble that they had to go through having to carry the heavy and smelly potatoes wherever they go.
Then the teacher told them the hidden meaning behind the game. The teacher said: "This is exactly the situation when you carry your hatred for somebody inside your heart. The stench of hatred will contaminate your heart and you will carry it with you wherever you go. If you cannot tolerate the smell of rotten potatoes for just 1 week, can you imagine what is it like to have the stench of hatred in your heart for your lifetime???"
Moral of the story:
Forgiving others is the best attitude to take!
A kindergarten teacher decided to let her class play a game.
The teacher told each child in the class to bring along a plastic bag containing a few potatoes.
Each potato will be given a name of a person that the child hates.
So the number of potatoes that a child will put in his/her plastic bag will depend on the number of people he/she hates.
So when the day came, each child brought some potatoes with the name of the people he/she hated. Some had 2 potatoes; some 3 while some up to 5 potatoes. The teacher then told the children to carry with them the potatoes in the plastic bag wherever they go (even to the toilet) for 1 week.
Days after days passed by, and the children started to complain due to the unpleasant smell let out by the rotten potatoes. Besides, those having 5 potatoes also had to carry heavier bags. After 1 week, the children were relieved because the game had finally ended....
The teacher asked: "How did you feel while carrying the potatoes with you for 1 week?". The children let out their frustrations and started complaining of the trouble that they had to go through having to carry the heavy and smelly potatoes wherever they go.
Then the teacher told them the hidden meaning behind the game. The teacher said: "This is exactly the situation when you carry your hatred for somebody inside your heart. The stench of hatred will contaminate your heart and you will carry it with you wherever you go. If you cannot tolerate the smell of rotten potatoes for just 1 week, can you imagine what is it like to have the stench of hatred in your heart for your lifetime???"
Moral of the story:
Forgiving others is the best attitude to take!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
A Basket of Water
[Story - Imported]
An old Farmer lived on a farm in the mountains with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Bhagavad Geeta. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.
One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa! I try to read the Bhagawad Geeta just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bhagawad Geeta do?"
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water." The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.
This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went
to get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of
water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!"
"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket."
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.
"Son, that's what happens when you read the Bhagavad Geeta. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Krishna in our lives."
An old Farmer lived on a farm in the mountains with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Bhagavad Geeta. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.
One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa! I try to read the Bhagawad Geeta just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bhagawad Geeta do?"
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water." The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.
This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went
to get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of
water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!"
"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket."
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.
"Son, that's what happens when you read the Bhagavad Geeta. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Krishna in our lives."
Monday, October 18, 2010
Paid in full
[Lesson - Imported]
A young man was getting ready to graduate college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box.
Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible. Angrily, he raised his voice at his father and said, “With all your money you give me a Bible ?” and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy book.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and a wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought, perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that Graduation Day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things. When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart.
He began to search his father’s important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope taped behind the Bible.
It had a tag with the dealer’s name -- the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words ..”Paid in full”.
What is the moral of the story ?
How many times do we miss God’s blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?
Think!!!
A young man was getting ready to graduate college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box.
Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible. Angrily, he raised his voice at his father and said, “With all your money you give me a Bible ?” and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy book.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and a wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought, perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that Graduation Day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things. When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart.
He began to search his father’s important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope taped behind the Bible.
It had a tag with the dealer’s name -- the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words ..”Paid in full”.
What is the moral of the story ?
How many times do we miss God’s blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?
Think!!!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Triple Filter Test
[Story - Imported]
In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.
One day an acquaintance ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about Diogenes?"
"Wait a moment," Socrates replied, "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test."
'Triple filter?" asked the acquaintance.
"That's right," Socrates continued, "Before you talk to me about Diogenes let's take a moment to filter what you're going to say. The first filter is Truth.
Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"
"No," the man said, "Actually I just heard about it."
"All right," said Socrates, "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about Diogenes something good?"
"No, on the contrary..."
"So," Socrates continued, "You want to tell me something about Diogenes that may be bad, even though you're not certain it's true?"
The man shrugged, a little embarrassed. Socrates continued, "You may still pass the test though, because there is a third filter, the filter of Usefulness.
Is what you want to tell me about Diogenes going to be useful to me?"
"No, not really."
"Well," concluded Socrates, "If what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even useful, why tell it to me or anyone at all?"
The man was bewildered and ashamed.
This is an example of why Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.
In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.
One day an acquaintance ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about Diogenes?"
"Wait a moment," Socrates replied, "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test."
'Triple filter?" asked the acquaintance.
"That's right," Socrates continued, "Before you talk to me about Diogenes let's take a moment to filter what you're going to say. The first filter is Truth.
Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"
"No," the man said, "Actually I just heard about it."
"All right," said Socrates, "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about Diogenes something good?"
"No, on the contrary..."
"So," Socrates continued, "You want to tell me something about Diogenes that may be bad, even though you're not certain it's true?"
The man shrugged, a little embarrassed. Socrates continued, "You may still pass the test though, because there is a third filter, the filter of Usefulness.
Is what you want to tell me about Diogenes going to be useful to me?"
"No, not really."
"Well," concluded Socrates, "If what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even useful, why tell it to me or anyone at all?"
The man was bewildered and ashamed.
This is an example of why Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
It is easier to criticize
[Lesson - Imported]
Once upon a time there was a painter who had just completed his course under disciple hood of a great painter. This young artist decided to assess his skills. He decided to give his best strokes on the canvass. He took 3 days and painted beautiful scenery.
He wanted people's opinion about his caliber and painting skills.
He put his creation at a busy street-crossing. And just down below a board which read - "Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. Please put a cross wherever you see a mistake."
While he came back in the evening to collect his painting he was completely shattered to see that whole canvass was filled with Xs (crosses) and some people had even written their comments on the painting.
Disheartened and broken completely he ran to his master's place and burst into tears. Sobbing and crying he told his master about what happened and showed the pathetic state of his creation which was filled with crosses and correction remarks.
This young artist was breathing heavily and master heard him saying "I'm useless and if this is what I have learnt to paint I'm not worth becoming a painter. People have rejected me completely. I feel like dying"
Master smiled and suggested "My Son, I will prove that you are a great artist and have learnt a flawless painting." Young disciple couldn't believe it and said "I have lost faith in me and I don't think I am good enough. Don't make false hopes.. "
"Do as I say without questioning it. It WILL work." Master interrupted him.
Young artist reluctantly agreed and two days later early morning he presented a replica of his earlier painting to his master. Master took that gracefully and smiled.
"Come with me." master said.
They reached the same street-square early morning and displayed the same painting exactly at the same place. Now master took out another board which read -"Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. I have put a box with colors and brushes just below. Please do a favor. If you see a mistake, kindly pick up the brush and correct it." Master and disciple walked back home.
They both visited the place same evening. Young painter was surprised to see that actually there was not a single correction done so far. Next day again they visited and found painting remained untouched. They say the painting was kept there for a month for no correction came in!
It is easier to criticize, but difficult to improve. If you want to help people improve their behavior it is worth investing your effort in learning how to help people change their behaviors, attitudes and skills. Also, always remember not to get carried away or judge yourself by someone else’s criticism and feel depressed. Take criticism in your stride; consider that which are genuine and implement those which you think is the best to improve you as a person!!
Once upon a time there was a painter who had just completed his course under disciple hood of a great painter. This young artist decided to assess his skills. He decided to give his best strokes on the canvass. He took 3 days and painted beautiful scenery.
He wanted people's opinion about his caliber and painting skills.
He put his creation at a busy street-crossing. And just down below a board which read - "Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. Please put a cross wherever you see a mistake."
While he came back in the evening to collect his painting he was completely shattered to see that whole canvass was filled with Xs (crosses) and some people had even written their comments on the painting.
Disheartened and broken completely he ran to his master's place and burst into tears. Sobbing and crying he told his master about what happened and showed the pathetic state of his creation which was filled with crosses and correction remarks.
This young artist was breathing heavily and master heard him saying "I'm useless and if this is what I have learnt to paint I'm not worth becoming a painter. People have rejected me completely. I feel like dying"
Master smiled and suggested "My Son, I will prove that you are a great artist and have learnt a flawless painting." Young disciple couldn't believe it and said "I have lost faith in me and I don't think I am good enough. Don't make false hopes.. "
"Do as I say without questioning it. It WILL work." Master interrupted him.
Young artist reluctantly agreed and two days later early morning he presented a replica of his earlier painting to his master. Master took that gracefully and smiled.
"Come with me." master said.
They reached the same street-square early morning and displayed the same painting exactly at the same place. Now master took out another board which read -"Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. I have put a box with colors and brushes just below. Please do a favor. If you see a mistake, kindly pick up the brush and correct it." Master and disciple walked back home.
They both visited the place same evening. Young painter was surprised to see that actually there was not a single correction done so far. Next day again they visited and found painting remained untouched. They say the painting was kept there for a month for no correction came in!
It is easier to criticize, but difficult to improve. If you want to help people improve their behavior it is worth investing your effort in learning how to help people change their behaviors, attitudes and skills. Also, always remember not to get carried away or judge yourself by someone else’s criticism and feel depressed. Take criticism in your stride; consider that which are genuine and implement those which you think is the best to improve you as a person!!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Embroidery of our life
[Lesson - Imported]
There was a little boy, whose mother used to embroider a great deal. He would sit at her knee and look up from the floor and ask what she was doing. She informed him that she was embroidering. As from the underside he watched her work within the boundaries of the little round hoop that she held in her hand, he complained to her that it sure looked messy from where he sat.
She would smile at him, look down and gently say, "Son, you go about your playing for a while, and when I am finished with my embroidering, I will put you on my knee and let you see it from my side."
He would wonder why she was using some dark threads along with the bright ones and why they seemed so jumbled from his view. A few minutes would pass and then he would hear mother's voice say, "Son, come and sit on my knee." This he did, only to be surprised and thrilled to see a beautiful flower or a sunset. He could not believe it, because from underneath it looked so messy.
Then mother would say to him, "My son, from underneath it did look messy and jumbled, but you did not realize that there was a pre-drawn plan on the top. It was a design. I was only following it. Now look at it from my side and you will see what I was doing."
Many times through the years whenever he looked up to his Heavenly Father and said, "Father, what are You doing?" it seemed that the Lord answered, "I am embroidering your life." He would think, "It looks like a mess to me. It seems so jumbled. The threads seem so dark. Why can't they all be bright?" The Lord seemed to reply , "My child, you go about your business of doing My business, and one day I will bring you back to me and put you on My knee and you will see the plan from My side."
Srila Prabhupada instructs:
"The whole world is moving according to the plan of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There is a specific plan being carried out in this material world. What is this plan? This cosmic manifestation is a chance for the conditioned souls to go back to Godhead, back to home. As long as they have the domineering mentality which makes them try to lord it over material nature, they are conditioned. But anyone who can understand the plan of the Supreme Lord and cultivate Krishna consciousness is most intelligent."
"One who is experienced and is favored by the Lord can understand that everything is being done according to the Lord's supreme plan. There is no harm in having different propensities in life because every human being is proportionately independent to chalk out the plan of his life by different occupations, but one should make it a point in his life to know perfectly well that he is not independent absolutely. One is certainly under the control of the Supreme Lord and under different agencies. Knowing this, one should make it a point that by his work and the result of his labor he serves the Supreme Lord."
"The plans of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are understood by His mercy. One should follow such plans and be victorious in the struggle for existence. Although sometimes plans appear contradictory, there is a definite plan behind all action. The best course is to surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead wholeheartedly, and, being protected by Him, remain peaceful."
"We should follow the path of devotional service and not be dissatisfied with the happiness and distress He has given. People in the material modes of passion and ignorance generally cannot understand the plan of the Supreme Personality of Godhead with its 8,400,000 forms of life, but the human form affords one the special privilege to understand this plan, engage in devotional service and elevate oneself to the highest position of perfection by following the Lord's instructions."
There was a little boy, whose mother used to embroider a great deal. He would sit at her knee and look up from the floor and ask what she was doing. She informed him that she was embroidering. As from the underside he watched her work within the boundaries of the little round hoop that she held in her hand, he complained to her that it sure looked messy from where he sat.
She would smile at him, look down and gently say, "Son, you go about your playing for a while, and when I am finished with my embroidering, I will put you on my knee and let you see it from my side."
He would wonder why she was using some dark threads along with the bright ones and why they seemed so jumbled from his view. A few minutes would pass and then he would hear mother's voice say, "Son, come and sit on my knee." This he did, only to be surprised and thrilled to see a beautiful flower or a sunset. He could not believe it, because from underneath it looked so messy.
Then mother would say to him, "My son, from underneath it did look messy and jumbled, but you did not realize that there was a pre-drawn plan on the top. It was a design. I was only following it. Now look at it from my side and you will see what I was doing."
Many times through the years whenever he looked up to his Heavenly Father and said, "Father, what are You doing?" it seemed that the Lord answered, "I am embroidering your life." He would think, "It looks like a mess to me. It seems so jumbled. The threads seem so dark. Why can't they all be bright?" The Lord seemed to reply , "My child, you go about your business of doing My business, and one day I will bring you back to me and put you on My knee and you will see the plan from My side."
Srila Prabhupada instructs:
"The whole world is moving according to the plan of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There is a specific plan being carried out in this material world. What is this plan? This cosmic manifestation is a chance for the conditioned souls to go back to Godhead, back to home. As long as they have the domineering mentality which makes them try to lord it over material nature, they are conditioned. But anyone who can understand the plan of the Supreme Lord and cultivate Krishna consciousness is most intelligent."
"One who is experienced and is favored by the Lord can understand that everything is being done according to the Lord's supreme plan. There is no harm in having different propensities in life because every human being is proportionately independent to chalk out the plan of his life by different occupations, but one should make it a point in his life to know perfectly well that he is not independent absolutely. One is certainly under the control of the Supreme Lord and under different agencies. Knowing this, one should make it a point that by his work and the result of his labor he serves the Supreme Lord."
"The plans of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are understood by His mercy. One should follow such plans and be victorious in the struggle for existence. Although sometimes plans appear contradictory, there is a definite plan behind all action. The best course is to surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead wholeheartedly, and, being protected by Him, remain peaceful."
"We should follow the path of devotional service and not be dissatisfied with the happiness and distress He has given. People in the material modes of passion and ignorance generally cannot understand the plan of the Supreme Personality of Godhead with its 8,400,000 forms of life, but the human form affords one the special privilege to understand this plan, engage in devotional service and elevate oneself to the highest position of perfection by following the Lord's instructions."
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Spend Half Day in a Graveyard
[Lesson - Imported]
A physician gave some rather whimsical advice to a patient, an aggressive, go-getter type of businessman. Excitedly the businessman told the doctor what an enormous amount of work he had to do and that he had to get it done right away or else things will fall apart.
“I take my brief case home every night and it’s packed with work,” he said with nervous inflection.
“Why do you take work home with you at night?” the doctor asked quietly.
“I have to get it done,” he fumed.
“Can’t someone else do it, or help you with it?” asked the doctor.
“No,” the man snapped. “I am the only one who can do it. It must be done just right, and I alone can do it as it must be done, and it has to be done quickly. Everything depends upon me.”
“If I write a prescription, will you follow it?” asked the doctor.
This, believe it or not was the prescription. His patient was to take off half-day a week and spend that half-day in cemetery.
In astonishment the patient demanded, “Why should I spend a half-day in a cemetery?”
“Because,” answered the doctor, “I want you to wander around and look at the gravestones of men who are there permanently. I want you to meditate on the fact that many of them are there because they thought even as you do, that the whole world rested on their shoulders. Meditate on the fact that when you get there permanently the world will go on just the same &, as important as you are, others will be able to do the work you are now doing.”
The patient got the idea. He stopped fuming & fretting. He got peaceful and developed a more competent organization & his business is in better condition.
A physician gave some rather whimsical advice to a patient, an aggressive, go-getter type of businessman. Excitedly the businessman told the doctor what an enormous amount of work he had to do and that he had to get it done right away or else things will fall apart.
“I take my brief case home every night and it’s packed with work,” he said with nervous inflection.
“Why do you take work home with you at night?” the doctor asked quietly.
“I have to get it done,” he fumed.
“Can’t someone else do it, or help you with it?” asked the doctor.
“No,” the man snapped. “I am the only one who can do it. It must be done just right, and I alone can do it as it must be done, and it has to be done quickly. Everything depends upon me.”
“If I write a prescription, will you follow it?” asked the doctor.
This, believe it or not was the prescription. His patient was to take off half-day a week and spend that half-day in cemetery.
In astonishment the patient demanded, “Why should I spend a half-day in a cemetery?”
“Because,” answered the doctor, “I want you to wander around and look at the gravestones of men who are there permanently. I want you to meditate on the fact that many of them are there because they thought even as you do, that the whole world rested on their shoulders. Meditate on the fact that when you get there permanently the world will go on just the same &, as important as you are, others will be able to do the work you are now doing.”
The patient got the idea. He stopped fuming & fretting. He got peaceful and developed a more competent organization & his business is in better condition.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
The Kingdom of the Blind
[Lesson - Imported]
Once upon a time there flourished a civilization, cut-off from the rest of the world by mountains. But as providence would have it, an epidemic diseasepurged the entire population in to hereditary blindness. Generations passed, and a new way of life evolved to cope with this challenge posed by material nature. Life went on without an event until a traveler lost his way in to this 'Kingdom of the blind'.
From amusement to amazement to sympathy - the traveler and the residents were swept by the same sequence of emotions. The traveler was amused at the sight of a completely blind civilization, then amazed at the evolved lifestyle before being submerged in sympathy- these people were missing so much of the variety of life! The residents were equally amused at the
arrival of an alien who 'felt' exactly like them. They were amazed when he spoke of the world beyond the valley. But when he spoke of things like 'seeing', they were sympathetic and considered the man crazy. 'Vision' had become a concept of the fairy tales, a mythological phenomenon!
Just as 'vision' was a mythology in the valley, many scriptural concepts seem to be mythological to the people of this world- beings with supernatural features and powers, ages wherein people had extraordinarily long durations of life, lands of talking animals etc. They find these subject matters difficult to understand. The Mahäbhärata therefore says,
acintyäù khalu ye bhävä na täàs tarkeëa yojayet. (Mahäbhärata, Bhéñma-parva 5.22) 'How can that which is beyond the imagination or sensory speculation of mundane creatures be approached simply by logic?'
Our logic often fails when we apply it to areas we have no experience in. For example, when a student of Newtonian mechanics tries to solve a problem in the sub-atomic domain, which consists of very small particles, he will find his logic failing repeatedly. Newtonian mechanics can deal only with big objects, whereas one needs Quantum mechanics to deal with subatomic
particles. But he gains faith in the validity of the latter when formulae of quantum mechanics are applied to big objects; the results match with that obtained using Newtonian mechanics.
Similarly we can gain faith in the scriptures when they deal with subject matters within our experience and then on the basis of that faith, we can 'see the invisible'. The Vedas, which were compiled five thousand years ago, provide us with information's which are relatively recent scientific discoveries- Description of the development of the human embryo within the womb, Earth consists of seven continents, Earth is round in shape, fire bacteria etc.
Besides, the Vedas even deals with the dynamics of our life within this world- eating habits, working habits, living habits, work environment etc. One can practically experience a more peaceful and happier life when these principles are taken in to consideration. Therefore unless one takes steps to understand the subject matter of the scriptures by practical application,
one misses so much of the 'variety of life' due to spiritual blindness.
Once upon a time there flourished a civilization, cut-off from the rest of the world by mountains. But as providence would have it, an epidemic diseasepurged the entire population in to hereditary blindness. Generations passed, and a new way of life evolved to cope with this challenge posed by material nature. Life went on without an event until a traveler lost his way in to this 'Kingdom of the blind'.
From amusement to amazement to sympathy - the traveler and the residents were swept by the same sequence of emotions. The traveler was amused at the sight of a completely blind civilization, then amazed at the evolved lifestyle before being submerged in sympathy- these people were missing so much of the variety of life! The residents were equally amused at the
arrival of an alien who 'felt' exactly like them. They were amazed when he spoke of the world beyond the valley. But when he spoke of things like 'seeing', they were sympathetic and considered the man crazy. 'Vision' had become a concept of the fairy tales, a mythological phenomenon!
Just as 'vision' was a mythology in the valley, many scriptural concepts seem to be mythological to the people of this world- beings with supernatural features and powers, ages wherein people had extraordinarily long durations of life, lands of talking animals etc. They find these subject matters difficult to understand. The Mahäbhärata therefore says,
acintyäù khalu ye bhävä na täàs tarkeëa yojayet. (Mahäbhärata, Bhéñma-parva 5.22) 'How can that which is beyond the imagination or sensory speculation of mundane creatures be approached simply by logic?'
Our logic often fails when we apply it to areas we have no experience in. For example, when a student of Newtonian mechanics tries to solve a problem in the sub-atomic domain, which consists of very small particles, he will find his logic failing repeatedly. Newtonian mechanics can deal only with big objects, whereas one needs Quantum mechanics to deal with subatomic
particles. But he gains faith in the validity of the latter when formulae of quantum mechanics are applied to big objects; the results match with that obtained using Newtonian mechanics.
Similarly we can gain faith in the scriptures when they deal with subject matters within our experience and then on the basis of that faith, we can 'see the invisible'. The Vedas, which were compiled five thousand years ago, provide us with information's which are relatively recent scientific discoveries- Description of the development of the human embryo within the womb, Earth consists of seven continents, Earth is round in shape, fire bacteria etc.
Besides, the Vedas even deals with the dynamics of our life within this world- eating habits, working habits, living habits, work environment etc. One can practically experience a more peaceful and happier life when these principles are taken in to consideration. Therefore unless one takes steps to understand the subject matter of the scriptures by practical application,
one misses so much of the 'variety of life' due to spiritual blindness.
Management Lesson
[Lesson - Imported]
One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and drove off along the route. No problems for the first few stops - a few people got on, a few got off, and things went generally well.
At the next stop, however, a big hulk of a guy got on. Six feet eight, built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to the ground. He glared at the driver and said, "Big John doesn't pay!" and sat down at the back.
Did I mention that the driver was five feet three, thin, and basically weak?
Well, he was.
Naturally, he didn't argue with Big John, but he wasn't happy about it. The next day the same thing happened - Big John got on again, made a show of refusing to pay, and sat down. And the next day, and the next.
This grated on the bus driver, who started losing sleep over the way Big John was taking advantage of him. Finally he could stand it no longer. He signed up for body building courses, karate, judo, and all that good stuff.
By the end of the summer, he had become quite strong; what's more, he felt really good about himself. So on the next Monday, when Big John once again got on the bus and said, "Big John doesn't pay!"
The driver stood up, glared back at the passenger, and screamed, "And why not?"
With a surprised look on his face, Big John replied, "Big John has a bus pass."
Management Lesson:
"Be sure there is a problem in the first place before working hard to solve one."
One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and drove off along the route. No problems for the first few stops - a few people got on, a few got off, and things went generally well.
At the next stop, however, a big hulk of a guy got on. Six feet eight, built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to the ground. He glared at the driver and said, "Big John doesn't pay!" and sat down at the back.
Did I mention that the driver was five feet three, thin, and basically weak?
Well, he was.
Naturally, he didn't argue with Big John, but he wasn't happy about it. The next day the same thing happened - Big John got on again, made a show of refusing to pay, and sat down. And the next day, and the next.
This grated on the bus driver, who started losing sleep over the way Big John was taking advantage of him. Finally he could stand it no longer. He signed up for body building courses, karate, judo, and all that good stuff.
By the end of the summer, he had become quite strong; what's more, he felt really good about himself. So on the next Monday, when Big John once again got on the bus and said, "Big John doesn't pay!"
The driver stood up, glared back at the passenger, and screamed, "And why not?"
With a surprised look on his face, Big John replied, "Big John has a bus pass."
Management Lesson:
"Be sure there is a problem in the first place before working hard to solve one."
Monday, June 14, 2010
Join 99 club
[Story-Imported]
Once upon a time, there lived a King who, despite his luxurious lifestyle, was neither happy nor content.
One day, the King came upon a servant who was singing happily while he worked. This fascinated the King; why was he, the Supreme Ruler of the Land, unhappy and gloomy, while a lowly servant had so much joy. The King asked the servant, "Why are you so happy?"
The man replied, "Your Majesty, I am nothing but a servant, but my family and I don't need too much - just a roof over our heads and warm food to fill our tummies."
The king was not satisfied with that reply. Later in the day, he sought the advice of his most trusted advisor. After hearing the King's woes and the servant's story, the advisor said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the servant has not been made part of The 99 Club."
"The 99 Club? And what exactly is that?" the King inquired.
The advisor replied, "Your Majesty, to truly know what The 99 Club is, place 99 Gold coins in a bag and leave it at this servant's doorstep."
When the servant saw the bag, he took it into his house. When he opened the bag, he let out a great shout of joy...so many gold coins!
He began to count them. After several counts, he was at last convinced that there were 99 coins. He wondered, "What could've happened to that last gold
coin? Surely, no one would leave 99 coins!" He looked everywhere he could, but that final coin was elusive. Finally, exhausted, he decided that he was going to have to work harder than ever to earn that gold coin and complete
his collection.
From that day, the servant's life was changed. He was overworked, horribly grumpy, and castigated his family for not helping him make that 100th goldcoin. He stopped singing while he worked.
Witnessing this drastic transformation, the King was puzzled. When he sought his advisor's help, the advisor said, "Your Majesty, the servant has now officially joined The 99 Club."
He continued, "The 99 Club is a name given to those people who have enough to be happy but are never content, because they're always yearning and striving for that extra 1 telling to themselves: "Let me get that one final thing and then I will be happy for life."
We can be happy, even with very little in our lives, but the minute we're given something bigger and better, we want even more! We lose our sleep, our happiness, we hurt the people around us; all these as a price for our growing needs and desires.
That's what joining The 99 Club is all about!!
Once upon a time, there lived a King who, despite his luxurious lifestyle, was neither happy nor content.
One day, the King came upon a servant who was singing happily while he worked. This fascinated the King; why was he, the Supreme Ruler of the Land, unhappy and gloomy, while a lowly servant had so much joy. The King asked the servant, "Why are you so happy?"
The man replied, "Your Majesty, I am nothing but a servant, but my family and I don't need too much - just a roof over our heads and warm food to fill our tummies."
The king was not satisfied with that reply. Later in the day, he sought the advice of his most trusted advisor. After hearing the King's woes and the servant's story, the advisor said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the servant has not been made part of The 99 Club."
"The 99 Club? And what exactly is that?" the King inquired.
The advisor replied, "Your Majesty, to truly know what The 99 Club is, place 99 Gold coins in a bag and leave it at this servant's doorstep."
When the servant saw the bag, he took it into his house. When he opened the bag, he let out a great shout of joy...so many gold coins!
He began to count them. After several counts, he was at last convinced that there were 99 coins. He wondered, "What could've happened to that last gold
coin? Surely, no one would leave 99 coins!" He looked everywhere he could, but that final coin was elusive. Finally, exhausted, he decided that he was going to have to work harder than ever to earn that gold coin and complete
his collection.
From that day, the servant's life was changed. He was overworked, horribly grumpy, and castigated his family for not helping him make that 100th goldcoin. He stopped singing while he worked.
Witnessing this drastic transformation, the King was puzzled. When he sought his advisor's help, the advisor said, "Your Majesty, the servant has now officially joined The 99 Club."
He continued, "The 99 Club is a name given to those people who have enough to be happy but are never content, because they're always yearning and striving for that extra 1 telling to themselves: "Let me get that one final thing and then I will be happy for life."
We can be happy, even with very little in our lives, but the minute we're given something bigger and better, we want even more! We lose our sleep, our happiness, we hurt the people around us; all these as a price for our growing needs and desires.
That's what joining The 99 Club is all about!!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
3500 stairs... and the Army Tank
A historical monument, the abode of the Lord of Love. And there I was with around 3500 fellow friends who came for the trip to accomplish the backbreaking feat of charging ahead for the 3500 stairs.
We all were advised to start early, as it would take time to accomplish the feat.. and there we were before the dawn ready to meet our Lord of Love. But it was shivering cold, it being the December winter, and different people had different opinions regarding our defense against this mighty enemy.
I chose to be well-equipped with armor to fight this deadly enemy of cold. A jacket with a woolen neckwear, I felt to be sufficient. Happy with my possessions of armor and reluctantly leaving the other available armors ( hand-gloves and socks were also alluring me to take them on), I went ahead to join the army of my 3500 friends.
1 step.. 2 step.. 50 steps.. 100 steps.. 500 steps.. 1000 steps..
And then the fight began. Believe me, this fight was different than I perceived before. Earlier the fight was with 'cold'. But now it was with extreme 'heat' being felt due to the arduous labor to climb up the stairs. And adding to it, the jacket and the neckwear were now appearing to me as if I had to carry the entire 'army tank' over my shoulders.
1500 steps..
I reflected, isn't it true with the many possessions we try to accumulate in our own lives. Initially, the possessions seem to be our necessity and the only way to survive in the war, but later the same possessions begin possessing us.. and then it appears as the 'army tank' over us.
We try to possess wealth, beauty, intellect, status.. the list goes on... and beyond that we try to possess people who may have those with them. But, unfortunately none of them quenches the thirst of the heart, because the basis itself was 'possession'. It was not the innate feelings of the soul which formed the basis.
Going further steps ahead in our journey for the 3500th stair, we went ahead. After a few steps the leader of our army came like a swift wind, and he went ahead like a charming breeze touching all my fellow friends to become zealous about their individual journey to meet our Lord of Love.
2000 steps..
Surcharged we went ahead...
2500 steps.. 3000 steps.. 3500 steps
And there I was, getting an opportunity to meet for a moment with the Lord of Love, who is there calling upon all of us to reciprocate with Him with our inner feelings from time immemorial.
The sun was already spreading its heat now, and in the light I felt that my 'army tank' over my shoulder has not been worth carrying those 3500 stairs!!
But, it took me the journey to get that feeling.
PS: 'The Lord of Love' is Lord Balaji, at the Tirupati Tirumala Hills.
The leader of our army is His Holiness Radhanath Swami.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Let's Define A Leader
Let's refer to the lexicon, and a leader is generally defined as "a person who rules or guides or inspires others".
A person who rules:
Or in other words one who exercises authority over his subjects. The moment the word 'authority' comes before us, we straightaway link it to our loss of freedom, an expression which marks our free thoughts. And that is what we have been finding in the environment around us, and many a times we might have had a negative experience of getting subject to someone's dominion. And thus, without doubt we have to reject anyone or anybody who obstructs our own genuine thought process.
A person who guides:
Guide will surely take us to the nostalgic feelings of various picnic excursions which we had taken in the past. Be it Goa, Shimla or Agra OR be it New York, Rome or London we find that without getting a guide it becomes difficult to explore the beauty of the horizons which the place has to offer. But believe me, this is also restricting our freedom to explore the places taking the help of our feet. So, why do we need a guide? After all time is a great teacher and our endeavor clubbed with it is surely going to give miraculous results.
A person who inspires:
Come on, guys! We very well know the old saying "Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration". After all, I am not trying to negate the deriving of inspiration but what I mean is we need to be really open to taking inspiration from so many sources. That's what makes our ideologies, our beliefs, our character and after all we. So, that inspiration has the place as much as putting the icing on the cake, which looks good only if the cake is below.
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So, where is the problem in the thought process?
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There is. All the time we tried to look what we are subject to, that is "rules, guidance and inspiration". But we missed the very important part of the understanding :
"A person who...."
The first and foremost aspect of defining a leader is "a person". Until and unless we define the person whom we are talking about the various other aspects doesn't hold any meaning. And believe me, a change in the person can make a huge difference on what role we can accept in relation to the person. When the person who rules is Lord Ram then that place is lovingly called 'Ram-Rajya' wherein every citizen is loved by the king as His own child. When the person is Lord Krishna the 'guidance' takes the form of the eternal message of the song of God 'Bhagavad Gita'. And when person is the great bowman Arjuna the 'inspiration' takes the form of 'Bhakti-Yoga', the unalloyed devotion to the Lord even at the cost of severing one's own material affection for the spiritual upliftment.
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So, believe me dear ladies and gentlemen, we individually and very silently define the leader for own lives. But many a times, due to lack of transparent intelligence we miss choosing our true leader, our true hero!!
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