Thought of The Day

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RE: Thought for the Day

24th March 2013
The system of education, which promotes an attitude of contempt towards learning that does not yield monetary benefits, is largely responsible for the neglect of great scriptures and saints. Another cause is the general decline in the moral standards of living. When all are sliding down the easy path of flippancy, those who advise against it and warn about the inevitable disaster are ignored and laughed at. Sunk in the search of pleasures and cheap recreation, people become deaf to the counsels of the ancient and calls of the sublime. Scriptures are like traffic signals in a busy junction. If the signals are removed, the journey is rendered slow and difficult, filled with accidents and chaos. We cannot afford to destroy them. We have to restore them for the well-being of humanity.

 

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RE: Thought for the Day

25th March 2013
There is no use arguing and quarrelling amongst you. Examine, experience and then you will know the truth. Be silent when you are still undecided or engaged in evaluating. Do not proclaim before you are convinced. Of course, you must discard all evil in you before you can attempt to evaluate the mystery. When faith dawns, it is very important to fence it with discipline and self-control. Just as the tender sapling is guarded with a fence to protect against the goats and cattle; you too should stay away from the motley crowd of cynics and unbelievers. When your faith grows into a big tree, those very cattle which wanted to eat the young plant now lay and rest in the shade of the tree which has spread with lots of branches and leaves.

 

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RE: Thought for the Day

26th March 2013
The Kauravas had all the instruments for victory – wealth, tonnes of arms, allies and fanatic hatred for their enemies. However they were destroyed, for they never paid heed to the nobler values of Righteousness. They did not equip themselves with the Grace of God, which is reserved in abundance for those who walk the path of humility and peace. Nor did they accept the Divine as their charioteer – they put their faith in lesser things! What is truly required for victory is not mere collection of resources but faith and steadiness. The gale helps to toughen the trunk of the tree. So too calamities must deepen your courage, enlarge your faith and intensify your spiritual practices. In fair weather, a care-free attitude is pardonable. But in inclement weather, every precaution is of great value.

 

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RE: Thought for the Day

27th March 2013
While studying other things, you should learn the secret of shanti (peace) also. This opportunity should not be missed, for that is the wisdom which will save you. For without Peace, life is a nightmare. The present system of education aims at making you breadwinners and citizens, but it does not give you the secret of a happy life; namely discrimination between the unreal and the real, which is the genuine training you need. The cultivation of viveka (discrimination) is the chief aim of education; the promotion of virtuous habits and the strengthening of Dharma (righteousness) - these are to be attended to; not the acquisition of polish or gentlemanliness, or collection of general information and the practice of common skills.

 

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RE: Thought for the Day

28th March 2013
When plans are laid by the rulers for the uplift of the people and for training the children of the land, I want that the ancient wisdom of Bharath, still preserved and practised by scholars, be consulted. That will keep the keel of the ship straight. I want that the knowledge embodied in the Upanishads should be handed down to everyone. Bhakthi or devotion-directed education must take precedence over the Bhukthi or enjoyment-directed learning that prevails today in most countries of the world. Bhakthi is the yearning which goads you onto the spiritual discipline which will endow you with the Supreme Wisdom. Have both - faith and steadiness - in this pursuit, and you will win.

 

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RE: Thought for the Day

29th March 2013
‘Speak the Truth and Practice Righteousness, Sathyam Vada Dharmam Chara,’ says the scriptures. They also declare Sathyam Naasthi Paro Dharmaha - there is no dharma or law greater than Truth. Note that the Vedic injunction is “Dharmam Chara” - Practice Right Conduct. It is not enough if you learn about it, you must practice it, fill every moment with thoughts, words and deeds that reflect your awareness of this Dharma. Such a life is the hallmark of one who possesses true good character. And it is this character which the scriptures refer to as one’s best ornament.

 

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RE: Thought for the Day

30th March 2013
Be fixed in the consciousness that you are the immortal Atma - holy, pure and Divine. This will give you unshakable courage and strength. Then you will develop mutual love and respect. Tolerate all kinds of persons and opinions, all attitudes and peculiarities. The school, your home, your workplace and the society - all of these are training grounds for tolerance. Each one must be aware of their duties and rights. All relationships must be based on love, and not fear. Only the atmosphere of love can guarantee happy co-operation and concord. Above all, be good, honest and well-behaved. That will make your degrees and achievements more desirable and valuable.

 

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RE: Thought for the Day

31st March 2013
The temptation to ignore Dharma grows from egoism and the acceptance of false values. The wish to satisfy the lower desire is the root of adharma (unrighteousness). This wish takes hold of you slyly, pretending to be a comrade come to save you, or like a servant come to attend on you, or like a counsellor come to warn you. Wickedness has a thousand tricks to capture your heart. You must be ever alert against the temptation; you often remind others of Dharma when you desire to squeeze some advantage from them. You must remember not only the rights that Dharma confers but also the duties it imposes.

 

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RE: Thought for the Day

1st April 2013
Narada, the celestial sage, was once so shocked at the ignorance of the Gopikas, that he volunteered to put them through some spiritual lessons. After coming to Brindavan, he noticed that these cowherd girls who were selling milk or curds were calling, "Govinda, Narayana," instead of the wares they were selling; so immersed were they in God-consciousness. They did not know that they had sold off all the milk; they still wandered on, calling out the names of the Lord. They had no vishayavasana, that is, no wish for sensual objects; and so they had no ajnana (ignorance). Narada concluded that they had no need for his lessons instead he prayed to them to teach him the means of getting that yearning and that vision of the all-pervading Krishna. To conquer egoism, no rigorous system of exercise, breath control or complicated scholarship is necessary! The simple Gopikas, have demonstrated this truth.

 

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RE: Thought for the Day

2nd April 2013
Learn when you are young how to succeed in the turmoil of life, how to live without causing pain to others and suffering pain yourself. Everyone should cooperate and work with love and devotion. Tolerate all kinds of persons and opinions, all attitudes and peculiarities. Difference of opinion amongst people must be perceived and resolved like the two eyes, each giving a different picture of the same object; both of which when co-ordinated, gives a complete rounded picture. Examine everything you hear, and believe only what appeals to you as correct.