DALAI LAMA QUOTES

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion

As human beings we all want to be happy and free from misery.
We have learned that the key to happiness is inner peace.
The greatest obstacles to inner peace are disturbing emotions such as
anger and attachment, fear and suspicion,
while love and compassion, a sense of universal responsibility
are the sources of peace and happiness

The whole purpose of religion
is to facilitate love and compassion, patience,
tolerance, humility, forgiveness

Whether one believes in a religion or not,
and whether one believes in rebirth or not,
there isn't anyone who doesn't appreciate kindness and compassion.

1. Spend 5 minutes at the beginning of each day remembering
we all want the same things (to be happy and be loved)
and we are all connected to one another.

2. Spend 5 minutes breathing in, cherishing yourself; and, breathing out
cherishing others. If you think about people you have difficulty cherishing,
extend your cherishing to them anyway.

3. During the day extend that attitude to everyone you meet.
Practice cherishing the "simplest" person (clerks, attendants, etc)
or people you dislike.

4. Continue this practice no matter what happens or what anyone does to you.

These thoughts are very simple, inspiring and helpful.
The practice of cherishing can be taken very deeply if done wordlessly,
allowing yourself to feel the love and appreciation that
already exists in your heart.

Secrets Of Prosperity by J Donald Walters

Contentment; not a bank account.

Happiness; for a determination simply to be happy attracts prosperity. Happiness is, at the same time, the best definition of prosperity.

Generosity; for by sharing with others the good that life gives us we can open up the well-springs of abundance.

Including the good of all in your own quest for abundance.

Recognition of the part you play in the great Symphony of Life. For Life will sustain you, if you attune yourself to its harmonics.

Working with, not against, life's changing rhythms.

Looking behind the obstacles you face in life, to the opportunities they represent.

Seeing failure as a corrective, not as a misfortune.

To diversify, not your financial investments merely, as monetary counsellors recommend, but more importantly - your investments of energy. Cultivate fresh ideas, fresh interests, fresh relationships, fresh reasons for enjoying your life.

Faith; in yourself, in others, in Life's abundance.

To break the hypnosis of self-limitation. The heights that any person has attained can be attained again by others - by anyone, each in his or her own way - given enough time, dedication and focused energy.

Not to fritter energy away with trivial desires. A leaking tap, drop by drop, wastes many litres.

Finding pleasure in simplicity.

Holding positive expectations, supported by a dynamic will.

Recognising that people can be your best investment. Be a true friend to all.

Realising that what you own is held by you in trust. Treat it responsibly. If you squander it, the trust will pass to another.

Finding strength in yourself. Don't wait for passing waves to propel you forward.

Realising that one cannot truly prosper by the diminshment of others. Bless everyone. An expansion of self-identity is a mark of prosperity, and also a condition for its attainment.

Extending a willing hand to the needy, helping them, above all, to help themselves.

Common sense; don't depend on luck, but on a realistic assessment of whatever situation you face. Only in practical stages can you transform 'improbables' into realities.

To remember - the higher the mountain, the harder the effort needed to conquer it. Success is not for the weak-hearted, It is for those who never rest until they attain their ideals.

The willingness to sacrifice non-essentials for essentials.

To live in the present - not in past attainment, nor in future victories.

The patience to adjust action to reality. In every setback, try to understand what life is trying to teach you.

Envying no-one. View others' successes and failures empathically, as your own.

Inventiveness; success in any field demands the creative outlook of an artist.

To feed it daily with fresh, new ideas - lest, like a still pond, it stagnates.

BEING HAPPY LIES WITH IN YOU

On a certain occasion, during an elegant welcoming reception for the new Director of Marketing of an important London company, some of the wives of the other Directors, who wanted to get acquainted with the new spouse, asked her with some hesitation; Does your spouse make you happy, truly happy?

The husband ,who at the moment was not at her side, but was sufficiently near to hear the question, paid attention to the conversation , sitting up slightly feeling secure, even filling his chest lightly in pride, knowing that his spouse would answer affirmatively, since she had always been there for him during their marriage.

Nevertheless , both to his and their surprise she replied simply; No, no he doesnt make happy.The room became uncomfortably silent as if everyone were listening to the spouses response. The husband was petrified. He couldnt believe what his wife was saying, especially at such an important occasion for him.

To the amazement of her husband and of everyone, she simply placed enigmatically on her head an elegant black scarf and continued. No , he doesnt make me happy.I am HappyThe fact that I am happy or not doesnt depend on him, but on me. I am the only person upon which my happiness depends.

I make the choice to be happy in each situation and in each moment of my life. If my Happiness were to depend on others people, on other things on circumstances on the face of the earth, I would be in serious trouble!!!

Everything that exists in this life changes continually: humans, wealth, my body, climate, pleasures..etc. I could enumerate an infinite listOver my life , I have learned a couple of things: I decide to be happy and the rest is a matter of experiences or circumstances like helping, and understanding, accepting, listening, consoling and with my spouse I have lived and practiced this many times.

Happiness will always be found in forgiveness and in loving yourself and others.Its is not the responsibility of my spouse to make me happy. He also has his experiences or circumstances. I love him and he loves me , often in spite of his circumstances and of mine.

He changes , I change, the environment changes, everything changes. Having forgiveness and true love , and observing these changes that can be, big or little, but always happen, we must face them with love that exists in each one of us.

If the two of us love and forgive each other, the changes will only be experiences or circumstances that enrich us and give us strength. Otherwise we would only be Living together .

FOR SOME DIVORCE is the only solution( .in reality it is the easiest..) To truly love is difficult. It is to forgive unconditionally , to live to take experiences or circumstances as they are, facing them together and being happy with conviction.

There are those who say; I cannot be happy because I am sick, Because I have no money, Because its too cold, Because they have insulted me, Because someone stopped loving me, Because someone didnt appreciate me But what you dont know is that you can be happy even though you are sick, whether its too hot, whether you have money, or not, whether some one insulted you, or someone didnt love you or hasnt valued you.

BEING HAPPY .IS AN ATTITUDE ABOUT LIFE AND
EACH ONE OF US MUST DECIDE !!!

Being happy depends upon you

BE THERE WHERE IT MATTERS THE MOST

Most of us are there for our family and friends; some would help an acquaintance or even a stranger. However, are we present for ourselves? Often we let people hurt us or allow situations to dictate terms to us. In doing so, we let ourselves shrink within, even though we may pretend to be happy and successful on the outside.

An ordinary person has the capacity to make his own choices and try to lead a life based on his principles. Unfortunately, though, most people give undue priority to the opinions of others in matters of their own! Many amongst us let others use their words or actions to make us retreat; in the process, only we become losers. If only a person shows the courage to stand up for what he honestly thinks to be right, he becomes his own best friend and can deal with whatever negativity he is being assaulted with.

If you try to express your views, you might be called ‘ignorant’ by an uneducated degree-holder. When you have the courage to choose a path for yourself, you might be called a ‘hypocrite’ by a perverse whose sole aim in life is to try to hurt or humiliate others. We should not let such experiences stop us from being ourselves, for there will always be pretenders who will envy you for your courage and integrity, trying their level-best to destroy your self-esteem. If we can still dare to lead our lives based on our choices and express our values and thoughts without being unfair to anyone, our assaulters (leading pseudo-lives) will automatically be defeated.

By being a genuine person, you will make a positive difference to people who will emulate you. If you are present for yourself, a day will come when kindred souls will say you have the healing touch and a deep affinity with humanity. Let us be there for ourselves, for our core-values, our dreams, our hopes. In the long run, that matters the most.

COURTESY:AYESHA PARVEEN

BUDDHA QUOTES

On life's journey
Faith is nourishment,
Virtuous deeds are a shelter,
Wisdom is the light by day and
Right mindfulness is the protection by night.
If a man lives a pure life nothing can destroy him;
If he has conquered greed nothing can limit his freedom

Believe nothing on the faith of traditions,
even though they have been held in honor
for many generations and in diverse places.
Do not believe a thing because many people speak of it.
Do not believe on the faith of the sages of the past.
Do not believe what you yourself have imagined,
persuading yourself that a God inspires you.
Believe nothing on the sole authority of your masters and priests.
After examination, believe what you yourself have tested
and found to be reasonable, and conform your conduct thereto

One of his students asked Buddha, "Are you the messiah?"
"No", answered Buddha.
"Then are you a healer?"
"No", Buddha replied.
"Then are you a teacher?" the student persisted.
"No, I am not a teacher."
"Then what are you?" asked the student, exasperated.
"I am awake", Buddha replied.


Live in Joy, In love,
Even among those who hate.

Live in joy, In health,
Even among the afflicted.

Live in joy, In peace,
Even among the troubled.

Look within. Be still.
Free from fear and attachment,
Know the sweet joy of living in the way.

There is no fire like greed,
No crime like hatred,
No sorrow like separation,
No sickness like hunger of heart,
And no joy like the joy of freedom.

Health, contentment and trust
Are your greatest possessions,
And freedom your greatest joy.

Look within. Be still.
Free from fear and attachment,
Know the sweet joy of living in the way.

from the Dhammapada, Words of the Buddha

We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts, we make our world.

First, rely on the spirit and meaning of the teachings,
not on the words;

Second, rely on the teachings,
not on the personality of the teacher;

Third, rely on real wisdom,
not superficial interpretation;

And fourth, rely on the essence of your pure Wisdom Mind,
not on judgmental perceptions.

Traditional Buddhist teaching

Pray
Meditate
Be aware/Stay awake
Bow
Practise yoga
Feel
Chant and sing
Breathe and smile
Relax/Enjoy/Laugh/Play
Create/Envision
Let Go/Forgive/Accept
Walk/Exercise/Move
Work/Serve/Contribute
Listen/Learn/Enquire
Consider/Reflect
Cultivate oneself/Enhance competencies
Cultivate contentment
Cultivate flexibility
Cultivate friendship and collaboration
Lighten up
Celebrate and appreciate
Dream
Give thanks
Evolve
Love
Share/Give/Receive
Walk softly/Live gently
Expand/Radiate/Dissolve
Simplify

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle,
and the life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness never decreases by being shared.

Believe nothing merely because you have been told it.
Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher.
But whatever, after due examination and analysis,
you find to be kind, conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings -
that doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide.

PRINCIPLES FOR HAPPINESS

Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your
peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and expect only the best.

To be enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature
you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticise others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

Christian D Larson
"Your Forces and How to Use Them" 1912

Let me add something further

In the Bhagavad-gita (18.65) we find this verse:

man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaisyasi satyam te pratijane priyo ‘si me

“Absorb your mind and heart in Me, become My devotee, worship Me, offer your obeisances to Me, and certainly you will come to Me. I make this promise to you because you are very dear to Me.“

This is the best of all verses in the Bhagavad-gita It is even better than the verse after it (18.66), in which Krishna’s says,

sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam
saranam vraja aham tvam sarva-papebhyo:

“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.

A REMINDER OF THE PRINCIPLES OF LIFE

Life does not work through indecision.
Indecision promotes blocks, confusion and stress.
Make a decision and allow life to find
movement through you.

The 3 C's of life are
Courage, Capacity and Commitment.
It takes Courage and a commitment to
make many of life's decisions,
and capacity to follow them through.

The 3 C's of a successful relationship are
Caring, Consideration and Communication.
Communication opens the door between us,
consideration allows us to pass through it
and our ability to care for each other unites us.

Truth is not truth out of timing- yet it remains truth.
We are the timing to recognize truth.

The mind recoils from the unknown,
so we seek to make everything known,
and, thus sage. Imagination is the key to the
unknown- positive, uplifting imagination.

For as long as we search for Our God Self,
we deny that we are it.
Loving your self reveals your truth.

Becoming free is not changing yourself
into someone you think you should be.
Becoming free is falling in love with
who you are- right now.

Imagine a room of pitch dark and
a room of bright light connected by a door.
When you open the door what happens?
Light floods into the dark room,
illuminating it.Live accordingly, think thoughts of light.

F.E.A.R- False Evidence Appearing Real

Anything of the past that is unresolved is unresolved now.
Living NOW resolves the past.

Life flows from the inside out, never the reverse.
Understand this and you cease to be a victim.

Love responds- fear reacts.
Love connects- fear separates.
Love uplifts- fear deflates.
Love creates- fear destroys.

There is no such thing as a mistake-
only experience.
There is no such thing as failure-
only people's condemnation.
There is no such thing as success-
only people's approval.
Let life live through you.

Do not get caught up in modifying your life,
allow life to change YOU.
Modification is a superficial exterior veneer;
change is an inner shift in consciousness.

Pain is a measure of your resistance to change.

Decide whether you want to be an onlooker
of life or a participant.
This is the birthplace of choice.

You hear with your ears- but you listen with your mind.
You look with your eyes- but you see from the heart.

Consciousness is not contained in your body-
you are the consciousness that contains the body.
Consciousness draws to itself form through which to express

your mind cannot exist in the moment.
You cannot think your way into the moment,
you can only think your way out of it.
This indicates that your mind/intellect cannot set you free.
Only your consciousness is aware of NOW.
True freedom is a state of consciousness.

We each live in our own universe, a universe of our making.
It is designed to support our beliefs and our focus.
Our thoughts are our focus, so observe your thoughts,
focus on your blessings, and trust.
This is how you become a participant.

Practice seeing all life around you as an aspect of yourself.
In this way you shatter the illusion of separation.

Your mind does now know the difference
between what you do want or
what you don't want, it only knows what you focus on.
Many people focus on what they don't have,
what they are incapable of doing and their sicknesses.

If you focus on what you do have, it increases.
If you focus on what you don't have,
you will have even less.
If you focus on your capabilities,
they grow, if you focus on your health, it improves.

Your mind does not know the difference
between a powerfully imagined
reality and a physical happening reality.
Why? Because there is no difference.

You only have a problem if you
believe you have a problem.

Live these principles and you
will be practicing reality.
Practice reality until you overcome the illusion.
It is only an illusion that you are not free, now!

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

Sir Alexander Fleming

His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the boy. There mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death. The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman’s sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.

‘I want to repay you,’ said the nobleman… ‘You saved my son’s life.’


Lord Randolph Churchill

‘No, I can’t accept payment for what I did,’ the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer’s own son came to the door of the family hovel.

‘Is that your son?’ the nobleman asked.
‘Yes,’ the farmer replied proudly.

‘I’ll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy If the lad is anything like his father, he’ll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of.’ And that he did.

Farmer Fleming’s son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.

Years afterward, the same nobleman’s son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia.

What saved his life this time? Penicillin.

The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill .. His son’s name?
Sir Winston Churchill.


Sir Winston Churchill.

Someone once said:
What goes around comes around.
Work like you don’t need the money.
Money earning is just for living
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody’s watching.
Sing like nobody’s listening.
Live like it’s Heaven on Earth.

EVERY DAY IS A GIFT

A man of 92 years, short, very well-presented, who takes great care
in his appearance, is moving into an old people’s home today.
His wife of 70 has recently died, and he is obliged to donate
his home for orphan house.

After waiting several hours in the retirement home lobby,
he gently smiles as he is told that his room is ready.

As he slowly walks to the elevator, using his cane,
I described his small room to him, including the sheet hung
at the window which serves as a curtain. -
"I like it very much",he said, with the enthusiasm of an
8 year old boy who has just been given a new puppy.

"Sir, you haven’t even seen the room yet.” I wonderedly asked.
" That has nothing to do with it ", he replied.
"Happiness is something I choose in advance.
Whether or not I like the room does not depend on the furniture,
or the decor – rather it depends on how I decide to see it & how
I look at it."

" It is already decided in my mind that I like my room.
It is a decision I take every morning when I wake up.”
“I can choose. I can spend my day in bed enumerating
all the difficulties that I have with the parts of my body that
no longer work very well, or I can get up and give thanks
to heaven for those parts that are still in working order. " "
Every day is a gift, and as long as I can open my eyes,
I will focus on the new day, and all the happy memories that
I have built up during my life. "

BURDEN OR BLESSING

Many things that seem to us to be curses are in fact gifts from God, oddly packaged. The story is told of a woman who loved Jesus very much and wanted nothing more than to please Him. “I’ll gladly do whatever you ask,” she promised, hoping secretly for some noble and noticed place of service. To her dismay He handed her a heavy, rough burlap sack and asked her to carry it as they walked through life together. She was curious about the contents of the sack, but it was tied closed with a strong cord and so many intricate knots that clearly it was not meant to be opened just yet.
As they started on their way, the woman sank down under the weight of her burden. “It’s too heavy!” she protested. “My strength is made perfect in your weakness, and I will always be at your side,” Jesus reassured her. “When the way gets steep or you feel faint, lean on me.”

So they walked on together, and it was just as Jesus had said. Sometimes the woman stopped and told Him that the weight was too much for her to bear, and so they bore it together. By and by they arrived at their destination. The woman set her bundle down at Jesus’ feet and heaved a sigh of relief. Her burden-bearing days were over. “Let’s see what’s inside,” Jesus said with a twinkle in His eye. With one stroke of His hand the knots were undone, the sack fell open, and the contents spilled out. “The riches of heaven!” the woman exclaimed as her eyes feasted on treasures of unearthly beauty. “This is your eternal reward—my gift in appreciation for all you has been through,” Jesus explained.

Astonishment turned to tears of joy. The woman fell at Jesus’ feet and said, “Oh Lord, forgive me! I misunderstood all these years. If I had only trusted you and not doubted and questioned! If only I had understood what was inside the sack, it would have been a joy to carry. I never should have grumbled or complained!”

You may look around and see others whose burdens appear to be much lighter than your own, and you may wish you could trade places. But if God were to grant you your wish, you would find that their burden would be even heavier and harder for you to carry than your own, for it was not meant for you. Each burden is tailor-made for its bearer, and is fashioned with the greatest of love and care. God knows exactly what’s best for you. Trust Him.

God Bless You

SHAKESPEAR QUOTE

Shakespeare said:

I always feel happy, You know why?
Because I don't expect anything from anyone,
Expectations always hurt..
Life is short.. So love your life.. Be happy..
And Keep smiling.. Just Live for yourself and

Before you speak »Listen
Before you write »Think
Before you spend »Earn
Before you pray »Forgive
Before you hurt »Feel
Before you hate »Love
Before you quit »Try
Before you die »Live

That's Life...Feel it, Live it &
Enjoy it.

THE NEED FOR VALUE EDUCATION

Seeing the acts of violence committed by young people (often in their teens or early twenties) all around us, we are left to wonder if most parents and teachers have forgotten their responsibility towards the younger generation. Both parents and teachers are expected to teach youngsters the art of dealing with the various situations of life, and going by the behaviour of some young people, it is clear they have not learnt anything worth knowing.

No person having anything close to good values can become a cold-blooded murderer or throw acid on another person’s face, whatever the excuse. But these inhuman things are being done, and that too, by young people. This brings up the topic of the moral responsibility of parents and teachers to impart value education to children.


Parents need to make time for their children and use that time constructively. In ways that children can relate to, parents need to impart ethical values like honesty, compassion, positive courage and consideration for those who are disadvantaged. Moreover, they need to make the young ones understand that these values are non-negotiable and should not change under circumstantial pressure. Parents should also explain to children the universally-applicable law of karma. The best illustration of this would be, of course, the good manners exhibited by the parents and their ethically-correct conduct. This is so because children learn best by examples.

If this value education starts at home and is again imparted in school as moral education (I remember attending Moral Science classes in my Alma Mater), chances are that children and adolescents will happily learn good values. It is even better if the value-education incorporates some spiritual-education as well. This will help them understand that there is a Creator who has given each one of us life and so, only He has the right to give death to a person and we have no right to kill or unfairly hurt anyone. However, care needs to be taken to ensure that such spiritual-education is non-denominational in nature or it can lead to religious bigotry.

Not all are teachers and not every home has children. For the ones who are neither parents nor are in the teaching profession, there is still ample scope of doing your bit. All come across young people sometime or the other. If you can talk to them, maybe you can make a lot of difference to many young minds who are hungering for guidance and love.



COURTESY:AYESHA PARVEEN
Teacher at Chittagong Grammar School.

GRATITUDE IS RARE IN THE WORLD

How many times do we regret not expressing love or gratitude? Perhaps, a number of times. This is rather unfortunate but true. Most people are very quick when it comes to criticizing others but keep quiet when a few positive words from them can help people. Death is one reality no one can deny and sooner or later, in a person’s life the day comes when his earthly existence ends. It would be a shame if we die without expressing positive feelings for people who are important to us. Worse is, if the people we love die before us without knowing how much they mattered to us.

Gratitude is the best attitude and it is the memory of the heart. A person is really hurt when a beneficiary says the routine “thanks” that comes without warmth. On the other hand it is very comforting to feel that some people keep fresh always the memory of favours they receive and continue to show their gratitude for long. In life one comes across many thankless persons who are a disgrace to the society. An honest taxi driver who roamed the whole day searching to return a money bag containing currency notes and gold to its owner received not a word of thanks. On the other hand the owner asked him why he not pointed it out to him at the time when he had got down from the taxi.

The best example of gratitude is of a person who goes to blood bank every year to donate his blood because someone had once given him a pint of blood through blood transfusion when he was sick. We may also recall the example of the learned administrator Mr.V.P.Menon, the man behind the integration of the princely states, who took the help of Rs.20/- from an unknown Sikh at Delhi railway station. At that time Mr.Menon was struggling in life.Mr.Menon asked the Sikh to whom he should return the amount, for that the Sikh replied that he could give it to someone in need. A little before his death Mr.Menon asked his daughter to bring the money bag from his room. He then took out two ten rupees notes, gave them to the beggar who was crying at the door.

What if you gave someone a gift, and they neglected to thank you for it-would you be likely to give them another? Life is the same way. In order to attract more of the blessings that life has to offer, you must truly appreciate what you already have. “Thank you” and “please” are the little words with which we make our way smooth in life. We should thank the milkman who brings us milk, the hawker who brings us newspaper, the liftman who carries us up and down, a taxi driver or auto driver who drops us and so on. Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone. Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

Let us express love and gratitude to people who deserve it and tell them how much they mean to us. Let us motivate those who need encouragement. Our feelings in terms of affection add up as blessings for both us and the ones we harbour such feelings for.

Last but not least “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them”.

THE POWER OF GIVING(RALPH MARSTON)

Giving is powerful. Many people will attempt to prevent you
From taking, yet no one can stop you from giving as much as You wish.

Give, and you increase the value that flows through your
Life. Give of yourself, and you make yourself stronger.

Every time you interact with someone else, you have the
Opportunity to give that person some kind of value. Whether
It is a thing, or a thought, a gesture or a kind word, the
Most powerful gifts are those that come straight from the Heart.

Many will appreciate your gifts and some will not, but that
Is not the point. For it is the sincere act of giving, not
How the gift is received, that brings value and goodness to Your world.

As you give more and more, you have more to give. As the joy
Of giving flows out from you, new richness fills your life.

Each moment is an opportunity to engage the beautiful,
Loving power of giving. Give your best and you'll get even Better.

Ralph Marston

HAPPINESS COMES FROM GIVING

This story is about a beautiful, expensively dressed lady who complained to her psychiatrist that she felt that her whole life was empty, it had no meaning. So, the lady went to visit a counselor to seek out happiness. The counselor called over the old lady who cleaned the office floors.0 The counselor then said to the rich lady “I’m going to ask Mary here to tell you how she found happiness. All I want you to do is listen to her.”


So the old lady put down her broom and sat on a chair and told her story: “Well, my husband died of malaria and three months later my only son was killed by a car. I had nobody… I had nothing left. I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t eat, I never smiled at anyone, I even thought of taking my own life.

Then one evening a little kitten followed me home from work. Somehow I felt sorry for that kitten. It was cold outside, so I decided to let the kitten in. I got it some milk, and the kitten licked the plate clean. Then it purred and rubbed against my leg and for the first time in months, I smiled. Then I stopped to think, if helping a little kitten could make me smile, maybe doing something for people could make me happy. So the next day I baked some biscuits and took them to a neighbor who was sick in bed.

Every day I tried to do something nice for someone. It made me so happy to see them happy. Today, I don’t know of anybody who sleeps and eats better than I do. I’ve found happiness, by giving it to others.” When she heard that the rich lady cried. She had everything that money could buy, but she had lost the things which money cannot buy.

God Bless You

THE SANDPIPER BRINGS JOY

The was six years old when I first met her on the beach near where I live. I drive to this beach, a distance of three or four miles, whenever the world begins to close in on me. She was building a sand castle or something and looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea.

“Hello,” she said. I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small child. “I’m building,” she said. “I see that. What is it?” I asked, not really caring. “Oh, I don’t know, I just like the feel of sand.”
That sounds good, I thought, and slipped off my shoes. A sandpiper glided by. “That’s a joy,” the child said. “It’s a what?” “It’s a joy. My mama says sandpipers come to bring us joy.” The bird went gliding down the beach. Good-bye joy, I muttered to myself, hello pain, and turned to walk on. I was depressed, my life seemed completely out of balance.

“What’s your name?” She wouldn’t give up. “Robert,” I answered. “I’m Robert Peterson.” “Mine’s Wendy… I’m six.” “Hi, Wendy.”
She giggled. “You’re funny,” she said. In spite of my gloom, I laughed too and walked on. Her musical giggle followed me. “Come again, Mr. P,” she called. “We’ll have another happy day.”

The next few days consisted of a group of unruly Boy Scouts, PTA meetings, and an ailing mother. The sun was shining one morning as I took my hands out of the dishwater. I need a sandpiper, I said to myself, gathering up my coat. The ever-changing balm of the seashore awaited me. The breeze was chilly but I strode along, trying to recapture the serenity I needed. “Hello, Mr.. P,” she said. “Do you want to play?” “What did you have in mind?” I asked, with a twinge of annoyance. “I don’t know. You say.”

“How about charades?” I asked sarcastically. The tinkling laughter burst forth again. “I don’t know what that is.” “Then let’s just walk.”
Looking at her, I noticed the delicate fairness of her face. “Where do you live?” I asked. “Over there.” She pointed toward a row of summer cottages. Strange, I thought, in winter.

“Where do you go to school?” “I don’t go to school.. Mommy says we’re on vacation” She chattered little girl talk as we strolled up the beach, but my mind was on other things. When I left for home, Wendy said it had been a happy day. Feeling surprisingly better, I smiled at her and agreed.
Three weeks later, I rushed to my beach in a state of near panic. I was in no mood to even greet Wendy. I thought I saw her mother on the porch and felt like demanding she keep her child at home. “Look, if you don’t mind,” I said crossly when Wendy caught up with me, “I’d rather be alone today.” She seemed unusually pale and out of breath.

“Why?” she asked. I turned to her and shouted, “Because my mother died!” and thought, My God, why was I saying this to a little child?
“Oh,” she said quietly, “then this is a bad day.”


“Yes,” I said, “and yesterday and the day before and — oh, go away!”
“Did it hurt?” she inquired. “Did what hurt?” I was exasperated with her, with myself. “When she died?” “Of course it hurt!” I snapped, misunderstanding, wrapped up in myself. I strode off.

A month or so after that, when I next went to the beach, she wasn’t there. Feeling guilty, ashamed, and admitting to myself I missed her, I went up to the cottage after my walk and knocked at the door. A drawn looking young woman with honey-colored hair opened the door. “Hello,” I said, “I’m Robert Peterson. I missed your little girl today and wondered where she was.” “Oh yes, Mr. Peterson, please come in. Wendy spoke of you so much. I’m afraid I allowed her to bother you. If she was a nuisance, please, accept my apologies.” “Not at all –! she’s a delightful child.” I said, suddenly realizing that I meant what I had just said.

“Wendy died last week, Mr. Peterson. She had leukemia. Maybe she didn’t tell you.” Struck dumb, I groped for a chair. I had to catch my breath. “She loved this beach, so when she asked to come, we couldn’t say no. She seemed so much better here and had a lot of what she called happy days. But the last few weeks, she declined rapidly…” Her voice faltered, “She left something for you, if only I can find it. Could you wait a moment while I look?”


I nodded stupidly, my mind racing for something to say to this lovely young woman. She handed me a smeared envelope with “MR. P” printed in bold childish letters. Inside was a drawing in bright crayon hues — a yellow beach, a blue sea, and a brown bird. Underneath was carefully printed:


A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and a heart that had almost forgotten to love opened wide.. I took Wendy’s mother in my arms. “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry,” I uttered over and over, and we wept together. The precious little picture is framed now and hangs in my study.

Six words — one for each year of her life — that speak to me of harmony, courage, and undemanding love. A gift from a child with sea blue eyes and hair the color of sand — who taught me the gift of love.

A TOUCHING FAREWELL

This incident is not from a film but a true and real one.

It is about a certain Mr Zavere Poonawala who is a well-known industrialist in Pune. He had this driver named Gangadatta with him for the last 30 years on his limousine, which was originally owned by Bhagwan Rajneesh which Mr Poonawala had bought from him.

Gangadatta passed away recently and at that time Mr Poonawala was in Mumbai for some important work.As soon as he heard the news he canceled all his meetings, requested the driver's family to await him for the cremation and came back immediately by a helicopter.

On reaching Poona he asked the limo to be decorated with flowers as he wished Gangadatta should be taken in the same car which he himself had driven since the beginning. When Gangadatta's family agreed to his wishes, he himself drove Gangadatta from his home up to the ghat on his last journey.

When asked Mr Poonawala was very sorrowful and replied that Gangadatta had served him day and night and he could at least do this being eternally grateful for him. He further added that Gangadatta rose up from poverty and educated both his children very well. His daughter is a Chartered accountant and that is so commendable.

His comment in the end is the essence of a successful life in all aspects. All earn money which is nothing unusual in that, but we should always be grateful to all those people who contribute for our success. This is the sanskara we have been brought up with which made me do what I did.

Don't you think that it is s a superb example of humanity?

If it is so, then ....................

good regards to your feelings....

THE GREAT HEARTED MONKEY

In a forest glade, by the side of River Ganges, high on the mountains there lived about eighty thousand monkeys along with their giant monkey king. And by the side of the clear gushing water stood a tall shady tree bearing big beautiful juicy golden fruits commonly called mangoes.

All the monkeys just loved these mangoes and ate them off almost as soon as they had ripened. Which was a very good thing as their wise giant king had warned them not to let a single juicy fruit fall into the river. Because if the current carried even one of these fruits down the river to the land where the men lived, they would surely come in search of this delicious fruit and destroy the peace in the land of the monkeys.

It so happened that a branch of this tree hung low over the river and a mango that was hidden behind an ant’s nest ripened and fell off without anyone’s knowledge. It was taken down south by the rapid flow of the river and reached the city of Benaras.

One fine morning when King Brahmadutta of Benaras was bathing in the river between two nets, a couple of fishermen found a bright golden fruit caught in the mesh of the net. Very excited they took it to show the King. The King examined the fruit carefully and asked where it had come from and what it was called. The fishermen did not know much about it but guessed that it must have flowed down the river from the valleys of the far-flung Himalayas.

He then asked them to cut the mango and tasted a slice. It was simply delicious. He shared the rest of it with his ministers and Queen who loved its divine flavour.

A few days passed, but the King could not get this exotic fruit out of his mind. He could not work; rest or sleep for want of some more. Finally he could bear it no longer and set sail in search of it. He organised a fleet of rafts and sailed up the river accompanied by his men and a few fishermen.

Many days and many nights went by and they passed many valleys until they finally came to the one where the mango tree stood. Mission accomplished, the King was delighted and began enjoying the mangoes to his heart’s content. Finally, that night, the King lay down to sleep under the mango tree while his faithful soldiers stood guard. Fires were lit on either side for protection against wild animals.

In the middle of the night when the guards had dozed off to sleep, the monkeys came and finished off all the mangoes that were left on the tree. The King awoke with all the noise and ordered his guards to shoot at the monkeys so that they could feast on monkey flesh along with the mangoes.

On hearing this, the monkeys trembled with fear and escaped to inform their King. They told him what had happened and he promised to save them. But for that he had to come up with a plan.

So he climbed up the tree and swung across the river with the help of a branch. He found a bamboo shoot which he measured and cut carefully, and then tied one end of it around his waist. The other end he tied around a tree trunk. He had decided to leap back to the mango tree and help the rest of the monkeys across over the bridge that he had made with the help of the bamboo shoot.

But alas… he had not taken into account the portion that he had tied around his waist. So when the monkey king sprang back into the mango grove he was just able to cling to a branch of the mango tree. He quickly summoned his monkeys to climb over his back and onto the reed in order to escape to the other side. In this way, eighty thousand monkeys climbed over his back one by one and made it to safety.

But unfortunately there was one evil monkey who hated his leader and wanted to destroy him. His name was Devadutta. This mean monkey purposely jumped hard over his poor king’s back and broke it, while he himself escaped to the other bank.

King Brahmadutta, who had been awake for awhile, had observed this whole episode. He felt extremely sorry for the monkey king and asked his men to help lower him to the ground. He then had him gently bathed and wrapped in a soft yellow cloth and asked him why he had sacrificed himself for his tribe. The great monkey answered that as he was their guide and chief, they were his children and it was his sacred duty to protect them. He had absolutely no regrets as he had ensured their safety. He also went on to say that the King should always be mindful of his subjects’ welfare even at the cost of his own. Saying this the monkey king died at peace with himself.

King Brahmadutta had learnt a great deal that day. He ordered his men to organise a funeral fit for a King. He then built a shrine in the monkey king’s memory where he offered flowers and lit candles and incense.

On returning to Benaras, he built another shrine there and asked his people to pay homage to this great soul. He always remembered the last words of the monkey king and ruled his subjects with wisdom and compassion. The people in his kingdom were eternally grateful to the great-hearted monkey.

THE WHITE ELEPHANT

Once upon a time, there lived a herd of eighty thousand elephants at the bottom of the majestic Himalayas. Their leader was a magnificent and rare white elephant who was an extremely kind-hearted soul. He greatly loved his mother who had grown blind and feeble and could not look out for herself.

Each day this white elephant would go deep into the forest in search of food. He would look for the best of wild fruit to send to his mother. But alas… his mother never received any. This was because his messengers would always eat them up themselves. Each night, when he returned home he would be surprised to hear that his mother had been starving all day. He was absolutely disgusted with his herd.

Then one day, he decided to leave them all behind and disappeared in the middle of the night along with his dear mother. He took her to Mount Candorana to live in a cave beside a beautiful lake that was covered by gorgeous pink lotuses.

It so happened that one day, when the white elephant was feeding he heard loud cries. A forester from Benaras had lost his way in the forest and was absolutely terrified. He had come to the area to visit relatives and could not find his way out.

On seeing this big white elephant he was even more terrified and ran as fast as he could. The elephant followed him and told him not to be afraid, as all he wanted to do was to help him. He asked the forester why he was crying so bitterly. The forester replied that he was crying because he had been roaming the forest for the past seven days and could not find his way out.

The elephant told him not to worry as he knew every inch of this forest and could take him to safety. He then lifted him on to his back and carried him to the edge of the forest from where the forester went on his merry way back to Benaras.

On reaching the city, he heard that King Brahmadutta’s personal elephant had just died and the King was looking for a new elephant. His heralds were roaming the city, announcing that any man who had seen or heard of an elephant fit for a King should come forward with the information.

The forester was very excited and immediately went up to the King and told him about the white elephant that he had seen on Mount Candorana. He told him that he had marked the way and would require the help of the elephant trainers in order to catch this fantastic elephant.

The King was quite pleased with the information and immediately despatched a number of soldiers and elephant trainers along with the forester. After travelling for many days, the group reached the lake besides which the elephants resided. They slowly creeped down to the edge of the lake and hid behind the bushes. The white elephant was collecting lotus shoots for his mother’s meal and could sense the presence of humans. When he looked up, he spotted the forester and realised that it was he who had led the King’s men to him. He was very upset at the ingratitude but decided that if he put up a struggle many of the men would be killed. And he was just too kind to hurt anyone. So he decided to go along with them to Benaras and then request the benevolent King to be set free.

That night when the white elephant did not return home, his mother was very worried. She had heard all the commotion outside and had guessed that the King’s men had taken away her son. She was scared that the King would ride him in to battle and her son would definitely be killed. She was also worried that there would be no one to look after her or even feed her, as she could not see. She just lay down and cried bitterly.

Meanwhile her son was led in to the beautiful city of Benaras where he was given a grand reception. The whole city was decorated and his own stable was gaily painted and covered with garlands of fragrant flowers. The trainers laid out a feast for their new state elephant who refused to touch a morsel. He did not respond to any kind of stimuli, be it the fragrant flowers or the beautiful and comfortable stable. He just sat there looking completely despondent.

The worried trainers went straight to report the situation to their King, as they were scared that the elephant would just waste away without any food or water. The King was extremely concerned when he heard what they had to say and went to the stable himself. He offered the elephant food from the royal table and asked him why he grieved in this manner. He thought that the elephant should be proud and honoured that he was chosen as the state elephant and would get the opportunity to serve his King.

But the white elephant replied that he would not eat a thing until he met his mother. So the King asked him where his mother was. The elephant replied that she was back home on Mount Candorana and must be worried and hungry as she was blind and had no one to feed her and take care of her. He was afraid that she would die.

The compassionate King was touched by the elephant’s story and asked him to return to his blind, old mother and take care of her as he had been doing all along. He set him free in love and kindness.

The happy elephant went running home as fast as he could. And he was relieved to find that his mother was still alive. He filled his trunk with water and poured it over his sick mother who thought that it was raining. Then she cried out as she thought that some evil spirit had come to harm her and wished and prayed that her son was there to save her.

The white elephant gently bent over his blind mother and stroked her lovingly. She immediately recognised his touch and was overjoyed. Her son lifted her up and told her that the kind and compassionate King of Benaras had set him free and he was here to love and look after his mother forever.

His mother was absolutely thrilled and blessed the kind King with peace, prosperity and joy till the end of his days. She was so thankful to him for sending her son back home.

The white elephant was able to take good care of his mother till the day she died. And when he died himself, the King erected a statue of him by the side of the lake and held an annual elephant festival there in memory of such a caring and noble soul.

BIRBAL'S KHICHRI

Akbar Birbal stories are an integral part of rich Indian heritage. These are the most popular stories among all age groups that inculcate moral values and virtues.

On a cold winter day Akbar and Birbal took a walk along the lake. A thought came to Birbal that a man would do anything for money. He expressed his feelings to Akbar. Akbar then put his finger into the lake and immediately removed it because he shivered with cold.

Akbar said “I don’t think a man would spend an entire night in the cold water of this lake for money.”

Birbal replied “I am sure I can find such a person.”

Akbar then challenged Birbal into finding such a person and said that he would reward the person with a thousand gold coins.

Birbal searched far and wide until he found a poor man who was desperate enough to accept the challenge. The poor man entered the lake and Akbar had guards posted near him to make sure that he really did as promised.

The next morning the guards took the poor man to Akbar. Akbar asked the poor man if he had indeed spent the night in the lake. The poor man replied that he had. Akbar then asked the poor man how he managed to spend the night in the lake. The poor man replied that there was a street lamp near by and he kept his attention affixed on the lamp and away from the cold. Akbar then said that there would be no reward as the poor man had survived the night in the lake by the warmth of the street lamp. The poor man went to Birbal for help.

The next day, Birbal did not go to court. The king wondering where he was sent a messenger to his home. The messenger came back saying that Birbal would come once his Khichri was cooked. The king waited hours but Birbal did not come. Finally the king decided to go to Birbal’s house and see what he was upto.

He found Birbal sitting on the floor near some burning twigs and a bowl filled with Khichri hanging five feet above the fire. The king and his attendants couldn’t help but laugh.

Akbar then said to Birbal “How can the Khichri be cooked if it so far away from the fire?”

Birbal answered “The same way the poor man received heat from a street lamp that was more than a furlong away.”

The King understood his mistake and gave the poor man his reward.

GOD IS ONE AN AKBAR BIRBAL STORY

Akbar said to Birbal, “We Muslim’s have Allah, Christians have Christ, Buddhists have Buddha. But you Hindus worship so many Gods. Why is it so?
Birbal said : ” God is one but His names are many.”
Akbar: “How is it possible? How can God assume so many forms and yet only be one?”
Birbal summoned a servant who was wearing a turban. He pointed to it and said: “What is that?”
Servant said: “A turban”
Birbal: “Untie it, roll it and. tie it to your waist”
When he had done so, Birbal asked, “What is that”
Servant answered: “A kamarbhand”
Birbal, turning to Akbar. “You have seen how the same cloth acquires different names when performing different functions. So also water can be a cloud when in sky; it is rain when it falls to earth; it is river when it flows, ice when it freezes.
Similarly God is one but is called by different names by different people
Moral
We name things according to our own perceptions. It is important to bear in mind that the name is not the thing named. Just as map is not the territory it refers to. Sometime it is useful to think and view a thing in entirely apart from its name or utility.

As far as the God is concerned we give forms to Him according to our perception.
god is god, whether called by one name or the other there is one common supreme being who cannot be understood of by us unless it is thru intercession



Aano bhadra krtavo yantu vishwatah.(- RIG VEDA)
"Let noble thoughts come to me from all directions"

FEB 10TH RATHA SAPTHAMI OR SURYA JAYANTHI

Sun is considered as the visible God, the Pratyaksha Devatha and is also known as Karma Saakshi. Surya is the only visible God whom we can see, perceive and pray. If we want to see God in this world, we have to see God in the sun, as no glory can equal the sun. The Sun God is considered as the life-giver (Prannadata) of the entire universe. Surya is essential for life. All Vedas regard Surya as the witness (Saakshi) of all actions. The Sun or Surya is also known as ''Atmakaraka''. Being a Sanskrit word, ''Atma'' means ''soul'' and ''Karaka'' means ''indicator''. The Sun is the ''indicator of the soul''. The Surya is the indicator of our ego, honor, status, fame, the heart, the eyes, general vitality, respect and power.

Ratha sapthami is a Hindu festival that falls on the seventh day (Saptami) in the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month Maagha Maas. It marks the seventh day following the Sun’s northerly movement (Uttarayana) of vernal equinox starting from Capricorn (Makara). It is symbolically represented in the form of the Sun God Surya turning his Ratha (Chariot) drawn by seven horses (representing seven colours) towards the northern hemisphere, in a north-easterly direction. It also marks the birth of Surya and hence celebrated as Surya Jayanti (the Sun-god’s birthday).
Ratha Saptami is symbolic of the change of season to spring and the start of the harvesting season. For most Indian farmers, it is an auspicious beginning of the New Year. The festival is observed by all Hindus in their houses and in innumerable temples dedicated to Surya, across India

Story:-

Once a King called Yashovarma was ruling the Kamboj Empire. He was extremely religious and his people were living happily and were praising his ruling. But he had no children to look the country after him. He had become old. He worshipped God to give him a son. Hearing his prayers, God given him a son, who was very sick. The king was unhappy due to his son’s sickness.

A Saint, Vinit came to the king and told him that his sickness is because of his sins he had done in his previous birth. As the remedy to the king’s sickness he advised the king to make his son to observe vow of Ratha Saptami. Kings son performed the puja on Ratha Saptami and became healthy to rule his people without any sufferings.

Surya Puja or Sun Worship is dedicated to Lord Surya. Grah Shanti Surya Puja or Sun worship is recommended to those, having malefic surya or wrongly placed sun as per the horoscope. Surya Puja is a divine boon for those who face problems, hurdles and misfortune in their lives. Worship of Sun is beneficial when people get stuck, no matter how hard working, honest and intelligent they are good luck seems to ignore them. People who aspire for sound health, prosperity, good eyesight, strength and courage, success, cure of chronic diseases like leprosy, heart ailment, nervous weakness, asthma etc. should worship the Sun. This planet is known for his Power, strength and glory.

People worship the sun in the early morning and recite the Surya Sahasranama. Good actions done on this day give manifold results. If women fast on this day, they attain knowledge and derive virtues. If widows fast on this day, they get rid of widowhood from the next birth onwards. Even the sin of slaying a Brahmin is expiated by the power of fasting on this day. He who takes a bath at the time of sunrise is purified like Mother Ganges. He can never become a poor man.

Some people show their respect to the sun by bowing twelve times every day to the sun, repeating every time one of the twelve names of the sun. These twelve names are: Mitra, Ravi, Surya, Ahanu, Khag, Pushan, Hirnyagarbha, Marichi, Aditya, Savita, Arka, and Bhaskar.

Fast on this day. Observe the vow of silence. Remain in a solitary place. Do Japa. Practice intense meditation with faith and devotion. You are sure to attain God-realization on this very day and always!

Japakusuma Sankasam Kasyapeyam mahadyutim. Tamorim Sarva papaghnam. Pranatosmi Divakaram.

Translation:- I pray to the Sun, the day-maker, destroyer of all sins, the enemy of darkness, of great brilliance, the descendent of Kaashyapa, the one who shines like the japaa flower.


Aano bhadra krtavo yantu vishwatah.(- RIG VEDA)
"Let noble thoughts come to me from all directions"

SARASWATHI DEVI'S BIRTHDAY FEB 8TH 2011

VASANT PANCHAMI SARASWATHI DEVI BIRTHDAY.

The festival of Vasant Panchami is celebrated on fifth day of Shukla Paksha of Magh Mas.In this year, the festival will be celebrated on 08th February 2011. It is considered as the birthday of saraswathi Devi.

Goddess Saraswati is the mother of wisdom and music. She is a magnificent, light skinned woman who wears a pure white dress. Saraswati rides on a swan. She is often seated on the white lotus. A lotus represents her experienced of complete truth. Her white dress signifies the transparency of real knowledge. She also related with yellow color.

This festival is the festival of king of seasons. This festival is especially significant for lovers of art and education. She is the goddess of wisdom, art and music and gave human beings the powers of speech, wisdom and learning. She is represented pictorially with four hands (representing four aspects of human personality in learning: mind power, intellect, attentiveness and self worth).

She holds sacred scriptures in one hand and a lotus (symbol of true knowledge) in the second. With her other two hands she plays the music of love and life on a stringed instrument called the veena. She usually wears white, symbolising purity, and rides a white swan that symbolises purity and discrimination.Her swan signifies that people should have the ability to discern the good from the bad. The goddess Sarasvati, sitting on a lotus, symbolizes her wisdom. She is also well-versed in the experience of truth. When the goddess is seen sitting on a peacock, it is a reminder that a strong ego can be held back by wisdom.

Out of all six seasons, spring season is the most adorable. On this day, apart from Goddess Saraswati, Lord Vishnu Kamdev and God Krishna-Radha are also worshiped. Saraswati is the group of Lord Brahma and is the Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge. She is the personification of knowledge - science, arts, and crafts. She represents Shakti, inspiration and presents herself when the weather is complacent and Nature is in its full grandeur. It is a season of inspiration and passion.

On this day Goddess of education Mata Saraswati is worshiped with yellow flowers, water offerings, incense, lamp etc. In the Puja, as per the tradition, yellow and sweet rice and yellow colored Halwa is offered to God and then eaten as Prasadam. Children are taught their first words on this day (as an auspicious beginning to learning). Schools, colleges etc., (places of learning) organise special worship of Saraswathi. With Her grace, the mute, it is believed, have been able to speak and people have been blessed with the ability to write or compose poems. On this day apart from the Musicians Instrumentalists also will perform puja, as this is a special day for them. Apart from art and culture, Goddess Saraswathi also showers her blessings for the education of children.

Sarasvathi Namastubhyam, Varade Kaamaroopini
Vidyaarambham Karishyaami, Siddhir Bhavatu Mey Sada
Translation: Saraswathi is the provider of boons and the she is the one that grants all our desires. As I begin my studies, I bow to the goddess to help me in making it fruitful and make me successful in all my efforts.

This prayer is chanted before beginning a class or at the beginning of one’s studies so that all learning may resolve in knowledge alone. It is addresses to Goddess Saraswathi, who symbolizes all forms of knowledge, including the knowledge of the performing arts. Knowledge is a fundamental pursuit of human life, and a life of study and learning provides nourishment and discipline to the human intellect.

THE NOBLEST OF THE THREE

Jealousy is a powerful emotion which spares very few people. And the only antidote for that green-eyed monster, the one which can kill it without a trace is, love. Of the purest and the noblest variety.

The period is 13th century. Place: Srirengam. Nampillai was one of the most popular teachers of the period. His commentary on Nammazhwar’s Thiruvaimozhi called the Eedu Vyaakyanam is considered to be the best available treatise on the subject.

There were a few commentaries earlier; but nothing was as good as Nampillai’s. And he had inserted a number of anecdotal references making the commentary interesting and quite authentic.

There were several teachers in Srirengam at that time. Yet no one was as popular as Nampillai. This naturally led to other teachers being jealous of him. One such teacher was Kanthaadai Thozhappar.

This man was the grand son of Mudaliyaandan, a direct disciple of Saint Ramanujacharya. Whereas Nampillai’s ancestors were virtually nobody in the spiritual scene in that period

Nampillai’s Thiruvaimozhi classes were crowded while Thozhappar did not have many students for him. Even Thozhappar’s wife was Nampillai’s student.

Thozhappar was burning in jealousy and was looking for an opportunity to put Nampillai down before his students and the public.

Nampillai, because he represented a particular tradition of teachers, had to be present every day for the morning pooja at the Srirengam temple.

The pooja could not be performed without his presence. Thozhappar was the person in-charge of the Pooja

One day Nampillai was late for the Pooja. Thozhappar and several disciples had to wait for Nampillai. He came after ten minutes and profusely apologized for the delay.

But Thozhappar would not hear anything of it. For him the opportunity to disgrace Nampillai was handed over on a platter. He was not a fool to miss that golden chance.

In the presence of so many people, in the presence of Nampillai’s students, Thozhappar shouted at him and used choicest words of abuse.

The five-minute harangue was so degrading that there were tears in Nampillai’s eyes.

Seeing their Master in tears almost all his disciples were crying.

But Thozhappar would not stop.

Finally somebody pacified him and the pooja was performed.

Thozhappar was now happy. He had done what he had been wanting to do for long. He returned to his house in the night.

He was shocked to see his wife in a fit of fury. He had never seen that soft-spoken, well-mannered woman exhibiting so much of rage.

“How dare you abuse that great man? What business you have to do so? After all he was late for ten minutes. So what?

"Even the Sleeping Lord would not have minded the delay. And you, Sinner, you made him cry. And you made us, his disciples, cry. You have wronged a noble soul. You have wronged your Lord.

“Remember our Lord would even tolerate blasphemy. But won’t bear to see his devotee being hurt.”

Thozhappar tried to pacify his wife. He touched her shoulder.
The lady pushed his hand with brutal force. She then went on to explain the noble qualities of her teacher.

She told about his erudition, about the way he explained the hidden nuances of Nammazhwar’s work.

About his good nature. About his love for God and for his students.

Thozhappar realised his mistake.

“I am sorry, dear. I apologize for what I have done. Please forgive me.”

The lady’s laugh was hysterical.

“You are like that idiot who lost his purse in darkness and searched for it in some other place where there was light. You have sinned against him and are apologizing to me.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Simple, my dear husband. Go to Nampillai. Fall at his feet and seek his pardon. And if you don’t do it I will leave you. Let people call me names.

"Let me be called a woman who failed in her marital life. But I won’t live with a sinner.”

“I am ready, dear. But will he even let me into his house?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll come with you. For your sake I will fall at his feet first and ask him to let you in. You may come thereafter and fall at his feet.”

Finally Thozhappar relented. The couple decided to visit Nampillai’s house though it was late in the night.

As they opened the door they were surprised to see somebody lying in the porch.

Thozhappar ran to the man. Yes, it was Nampillai himself.

Thozhappar was shocked.

Nampillai got up and folded his hands towards Thozhappar. Nampillai was several years younger to Thozhappar.

“Sir, I have committed a great sin. You are a noble teacher. You are the descendant of Mudaliyaandan, the direct disciple of our Saint Ramanujacharya.

"If you lowered your stature to shout so much at this worthless worm, then I am sure , I should have hurt you a lot.

How can I hope for redemption in this life sir, when I have hurt somebody like you? When by my laziness I made you wait for me? Please have mercy on me, Sir. And please forgive me for the delay. I will never be late again for the pooja.”

Nampillai was getting ready to fall at his feet. Thozhappar prevented him and fell at his feet like an uprooted tree not trying to muffle his sobs.

Who’s the noblest of the three?

What Thozhappar did was wrong; but he realised his mistake and apologized.

Nampillai, on the other hand, though he was not at wrong was ready to fall at the feet of the person who hurt him. That was surely an act of Nobility.

But the noblest of the three was certainly Thozhappar’s wife.

Remember the period was 13th century. If a woman did not live with her husband she was considered as a disgrace and an ill-women in the society.

She would be shunned by everybody. And she had to depend on her husband for food and shelter.

Even then she stood her ground, boldly opposed her husband and made him realise his sin and prepared him for an act of retribution.

Not only was she full of love but had the moral courage to support it.

Many of us have love in our hearts; but when this kind of injustice happen we only cry in silence.

We do not have the moral courage to stand against it. We do not want to risk our lives or lose our comforts.

We need to learn something from Mrs. Thozhappar.

As we start the week today let’s fall at her feet and ask her to bless us with that kind of love and courage.

love makes distant objects come near like a telescope while envy magnifies a small mistake like a microscope


COURTESY: V RENGASWAMY

THE THREE DOLLS

A sage presented a prince with a set of three small dolls. The prince was not amused.

"Am I a girl that you give me dolls?" he asked.

"This is a gift for a future king," said the man. "If you look carefully, you'll see a hole in the ear of each doll."

"So?"

The sage handed him a piece of string. "Pass it through each doll," he said. Intrigued, the prince picked up the first doll and put the string into the ear. It came out from the other ear.

"This is one type of person," said the man. "Whatever you tell him, comes out from the other ear. He doesn't retain anything."

The prince put the string into the second doll. It came out from the mouth.

This is the second type of person," said the man. "Whatever you tell him, he tells everybody else."

The prince picked up the third doll and repeated the process. The string did not reappear from anywhere else.

"This is the third type of person," said the man. "Whatever you tell him is locked up within him. It never comes out."

"What is the best type of person?" asked the prince. The man handed him a fourth doll, in answer.

When the prince put the string into the doll, it came out from the other ear.

"Do it again," said the sage. The prince repeated the process. This time the string came out from the mouth. When he put the string in a third time, it did not come out at all.


"This is the best type of person," said the sage. "To be trustworthy, a man/woman must know when not to listen, when to remain silent and when to speak out."

Lead your lives with compassion, kindness and love. Suffuse your life with love. Love is nectarine. It has unmatched sweetness. Therefore use always polite words. Even if you come across an enemy, offer your salutations to him. Do not turn your back upon even your enemy. Be friendly with everybody.God has given you a soft tongue. You should not speak harsh words with your tongue. The soft tongue should always speak soft and sweet words.

BEING CONSTRUCTIVE NOT DESTRUCTIVE

A scientist who studied monkeys on an island in Indonesia was able to teach a certain one to wash bananas' before eating them.

Cleansed of sand and dirt, the food was more flavorful. The scientist - who did this only because he was studying the learning capacity of monkeys - did not imagine what would eventually happen. So he was surprised to see that the other monkeys on the island began to imitate the first one.
And then, one day, when a certain number of monkeys had learned to wash their bananas, the monkeys on all of the other islands in the archipelago began to do the same thing. What was most surprising, though, was that the other monkeys learned to do so without having had any contact with the island where the experiment had been conducted.

There are several similar scientific studies. The most common explanation is that when a certain number of people evolve, the entire human race begins to evolve. We don't know how many people are needed - but we know that's how it works.

In your chemistry class, this number is called a "critical mass." You know what that is. It is the minimum amount of the materials you must have in order for a chemical change to take place. As long as you have less than the critical mass of material, nothing happens. As soon as you have the critical mass or more of the material, all of it changes. It works in the chemistry lab. We all know that.

What is the critical mass of humanity that it will take for all of the human race to evolve to its next level? No one yet knows the answer to that question, it’s probably 51%. We all know there is a new age coming. We all know that we will need new leaders to help us get there, and to teach us how to live once we do. Those of us who are your parents' age or older also know that when these new leaders emerge, they will be younger than we are. Our spirits are hungry for them now. One person can, and does, and will make a difference. Perhaps, it's you.

It’s the minimum amount of material required for the reaction to happen. We need to add the goodness until and unless the bad gets converted to good or the percentage of goodness is more than that of bad. We have to respect and appreciate the good till the reaction takes place. Good quality people with good moral values and character are to be embraced for this reaction to happen. We need to add goodness to the societies, so much of goodness that the bad is converted to good. This can be only done with love, care, forgiveness, compassion and gratitude. Being constructive and not destructive is the key to this issue.

A PRAYER

There are so many who have made a difference to me,
Have added joy to my stay on earth,
Or from who I have learnt invaluable lessons on
Compassion, honesty and courage.
Some of them are gone from this place;
Yet others have moved on from my life.
A great many names forgotten or not even known to me,
Some faces have faded in my mind as well.
A heartfelt prayer today I am sending

To my Good God:
Bless and forgive each of those whose loving touch
Has made my life beautiful;
For with all their earthly imperfections
Just like I have,
They have dared to love and tried to heal.
Oh my dear good god, their sincere efforts,
accept with love.

courtesy: Ayesha

A BEAUTIFUL PRAYER

First post of the month asusual about my very best friend GOD.

Today I remove all boundaries and walls,
Once used as a means of defense,
I forgive those things from the darkened past,
That in love's divine realm make no spiritual sense.

Releasing all worries, all burdens and doubt,
I bring light to the shadows of fear.
By centering myself with a loving thought,
Harsh judgements I no longer hear.

The greatest experience that life has to give,
Is love from an open heart,
For it moves me to appreciate all there is,
And I am one with it all, not apart.

It's love that brings me closer to God,
And leads me according to God's way,
Love's light warms my spirit, it nurtures my soul,
And assures me that everything is okay.

I am one with God and never apart,
As I live this day with an open heart

GOD help me to be patient
and make those who love me patient.
Forgive & help them to forgive me
if i am unreasonable & demanding...

Or when I lose my temper over little things....
When i am wrong
Give me the grace to admit it wholly
Neither offering excuses nor trying to shift the blame.
Make me more honest in my thinking...
More charitable in my opinions....

So Bless me.... My Lord!

Aano bhadra krtavo yantu vishwatah.(- RIG VEDA)
"Let noble thoughts come to me from all directions"