Gratitude & Hope

 GRATITUDE & HOPE

The storm had taken the birds by surprise. They flew helter skelter, feeling devastated to leave their cosy habitats. How could they survive? How could they deal with the unexpected hardships of life? Their minds reeled with confusion. All they understood at that moment was that they had to learn to endure and overcome the adversities in life. There was no other choice. Consequently, amidst the thunder, lightning and rain, they quietly embraced the darkness that engulfed them and tried to deal with their unenviable situation as best as they could.

The rain stopped after many days of non-stop downpour. The storm subsided and the sun shone brightly again, heralding a new day. The birds emerged from their hideouts and felt disheartened at the sight of devastation that greeted them, especially when they saw their broken homes. Their hearts sunk in sorrow but they did not allow grief to weigh them down. Instead, each one of them bowed in gratitude before Mother Nature, thanking her for keeping them alive.

Soon all the birds gathered and vowed to begin life afresh. They worked hard day and night to build their nests and secure a safe home for their young ones. They were happy to turn a new page in the book of life and look ahead.

The most magical thing about them was their positive attitude and perspective towards life. They chose to count their blessings, instead of dwelling upon their sorrows. They preferred to march ahead, instead of lamenting over the past. They opened their hearts to love instead of sinking into bitterness.

Soon the entire forest was brimming with vibrant life once again. The beautiful rays of the sun kissed the emerald leaves. Flowers bloomed, glorifying the beauty and bounty of Nature. The chirping of birds filled the air with music and melody. It was gratitude and hope that helped them overcome the difficulties that Nature’s wrath had hurled at them.

LIFE LESSON

Life is an interesting journey of highs and lows. It is our perspective that helps us traverse through this maze. The difficult situations are actually blessings in disguise. They are meant to help us evolve and become a better version of ourselves. To become bitter or better, the choice is always ours!

Whenever life throws challenges at us, instead of becoming resentful, we need to fill our hearts with gratitude and hope, for they are  the superpowers that enable us to receive grace from the divine at the most needed moments.

“Gratitude and Hope are like the two wings of a bird that propels one to achieve success and happiness in life”- Prof. Shalini R. Pujari

Written by: Saraswathithi M. V

Mentor: Prof Shalini R. Pujari

Understanding The Bhagwad Gita

 Understanding The Bhagwad Gita

A group of literature enthusiasts were totally engrossed in a conversation at a cafe. The topic of hot discussion revolved around the necessity of studying our scriptures. Although our country has a vast treasure trove of sacred scriptures and erudite books on philosophy, very few have either the inclination or curiosity to explore these magnificent texts. Naturally the question that arises in the mind is - how can one relate to ancient scriptures like the Bhagwad Gita to modern times? Can one live by the time tested values imparted in the Gita in a highly competitive world, where only material possessions are given utmost importance? Is the Gita relevant only for elderly people nearing the end of their lives so that they can leave this world peacefully? The literature enthusiasts were determined to find answers to these questions so that they could arrive at the truth.

All of them consequently decided to enroll for a Bhagwad Gita course, each having different motives for taking up the course. One wanted to study the scripture purely out of curiosity while others either hoped to find solutions to their problems or were in search of peace. The expectations were many. However as the course progressed, to their utter surprise, they discovered that the Bhagwad Gita guided them to a path which made them explore and understand their true selves. Some of them who were keen to carve out their own identity in the world were excited to discover the meaning and purpose of life and what they genuinely wanted to be to find fulfillment and true happiness.

The most valuable lessons they learned were - the importance of controlling desires through self discipline, exercising patience at all times , mastering the fickle wayward mind and steering their thoughts in the right direction to calm the mind and above all doing their duty with diligence and non attachment. In the process, their minds were enlightened and their hearts were cleansed, making room for displaying compassion towards their fellow beings. They learnt the art of forgiveness which helped them find peace by letting go of toxic hatred towards those who had wronged them. 

The Gita also helped them inculcate a healthy lifestyle by improving their understanding of people around them. They adopted a holistic approach towards life, developed healthy relationships and become better versions of themselves. Their journey from ignorance to enlightenment was indeed endearing.

When they all met again at the cafe to exchange notes of the new journey they had embarked on together, on their voyage of discovering the truth, it was an enlivening encounter.  All had acquired a newer perspective on life and everybody agreed and nodded their heads in unison, when one of them remarked - “The Gita is truly meant for every individual, irrespective of their age. We can truly understand the Gita, when we humbly accept the transcendental knowledge with utmost faith and  love towards the opulent Bhagwan. Only then will we be able to awaken the divine Paramatma residing within each of us and firmly reestablish our eternal relationship with Him.”

Bhagwan Shri Krishna says the following to Arjuna :

Bg. 4.3

स एवायं मया तेऽद्य योगः प्रोक्तः पुरातनः । भक्तोऽसि मे सखा चेति रहस्यं ह्येतदुत्तमम् ॥ ३ ॥

sa evāyaṁ mayā te ’dya yogaḥ proktaḥ purātanaḥ bhakto ’si me sakhā ceti rahasyaṁ  etad uttamam

Translation

That very ancient science of the relationship with the Supreme is today told by Me to you because you are My devotee as well as My friend and can therefore understand the transcendental mystery of this science.

Written by : Sarawathi M V

Mentor : Prof. Shalini R Pujari

Nirmama - rising above 'me and mine'

 Nirmama

(Rising above 'me and mine')

Man is the master of his destiny! His karma or actions decide the course of his life. His conscience is the guide that steers him on the  journey of life. He strives to attain name,  fame, wealth and secure a good life for himself and his family.  Above all he desires to have a  sense of belonging. Hence he constantly seeks validation from others in the form of recognition and appreciation to feed his ego and gain satisfaction. A satisfied Ego makes him feel worthy,  loved and happy. However this happiness is purely temporary because the Ego is in continuous need of satisfaction which is not always possible . There are times when the Ego is hurt and with experience man gradually learns that he always cannot  receive appreciation and acknowledgement that he desires. Disappointment sets in, hence to keep himself happy he builds an  illusionary Ego. This illusionary Ego is a false self , merely created to make himself happy by feeling superior to others. 

The false Ego makes him feel proud , arrogant and delusional. He starts believing that the world revolves around him and  thrives because of his presence and contributions. He starts assuming that the world around him would crush without his presence and actions. These fanciful  thoughts give him a sense of doership as well as an exaggerated sense of self- importance. . He starts putting down others and makes them feel inferior so that in comparison he can feel superior. In fact, the false Ego compels him to  build a wall around himself which eventually secludes and isolates him from others and makes him emotionally unavailable to them.  

The foolish man forgets that he is not just the perishable body but an eternal soul, a spiritual spark, which is just a speck in this vast universe. This false identification with the  body keeps him limited to the “ me and mine” mentality.. 

Man under the influence of the modes of material nature- goodness, passion and ignorance ; thinks of himself as the doer. Unaware! of the fact that although we all have a conscience there is a Grandmaster who controls our senses – HRISHIKESHA. It is sheer ignorance which keeps him away from the Absolute Truth that  it is the opulent Bhagwan who actually controls everything, including the universe and everything in it.

He is the actual doer who controls us through Prana or the life force, which gives us the ability or capacity to do all that we desire.

Bhagwan Shri krishna clearly explains this to Arjuna in verse  :

Bg. 3.27

प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः ।

अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताहमिति मन्यते ॥ २७ ॥

prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni

guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ

ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā

kartāham iti manyate

Translation

The spirit soul bewildered by the influence of false ego thinks himself the doer of activities that are in actuality carried out by the three modes of material nature

LIFE LESSON

As long as we think we are the doers, we become the sufferers. The moment the soul aligns itself to the will of the universe and surrenders to the cosmic force, it receives abundant grace. The biggest realisation being that all of us have to do our duty unmindful of appreciation, acknowledgement or criticism. Remember: The Bhagwan is Opulent; He has strength, fame,  beauty, riches, knowledge and renunciation. He chooses to be detached and rules this universe with a 'Nirmama' bhaava ( nothing is mine).It is this ‘Nirmama’ bhaava we need to cultivate to lead a happy and peaceful life. Nothing belongs to us not even our karma, everything is given by him and we should acknowledge  him for all that he has given us. It’s time we rise above the petty limited concept of “ me and mine!”

Written by: Saraswathi M V

Mentor: Prof. Shalini R Pujari

LIVING WITH MINDFULNESS

 LIVING with MINDFULNESS

The new age phobia is FOMO - Fear of Missing Out.  In life everyone has the desire to fit in, live up to peer pressure and meet the expectations of society. Hence they feel the compulsion to follow the ongoing trends. People are willing to even live beyond their means to fulfil their desires, unmindful of the repercussions. 

No doubt desire is necessary for survival but it is also like the ever burning fire that is difficult to extinguish. It overpowers the senses and when unfulfilled leads to anxiety, restlessness, envy, resentment and many such vices. The quality of life is diminished and one fails to find peace and happiness in life.

When people are blindly driven by desires, they lose control of their thought processes. Their mind becomes troubled and lacks clarity of thinking. The need to fulfil their desires overpowers logical reasoning and hence they are unable to make the right decisions in any given situation. Constant comparison with others makes them feel dissatisfied and unhappy, which in turn adversely affects their relationships with others, creating disharmony in life.

Life lesson

Each one of us is unique and so is our journey on this planet. The need to belong comes naturally to every human being. However, it is important to understand that what is right for one person may not necessarily be right for another. Hence anything that is wrong must be firmly condemned, even if the majority are in favour of it.

 In a world that is full of distractions, one can easily get carried away; therefore it is important to pause, think and ask yourself - Is this right for me? What is it that I genuinely need at this moment?   It is wise to de-clutter the mind and focus on what is really needed at the moment to lead a happy and meaningful life.  So make sure that you are always in control of your desires and conscious of your thoughts and actions. This is the right path to true contentment and happiness in life.

 In the Bhagwad Gita, Shri Krishna shares the secret to wise and mindful living in the following shloka-

Bg. 2.58

यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः ।

इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥ ५८ ॥

yadā saṁharate cāyaṁ

kūrmo ’ṅgānīva sarvaśaḥ

indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyas

tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā

Translation

One who is able to withdraw his senses from sense objects, as the tortoise draws its limbs within the shell, is established firmly established in Divine wisdom.

Written by Saraswathi M V

Mentor credits: Prof. Shalini Pujari

YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW

 

“You reap what you sow” – After this moral lesson was taught to her in the value education class, Rhea returned home from school, her mind confused, full of questions that demanded answers. Curious and eager to know more about the meaning of the proverb, she went to her mother and asked, “Mamma, today the topic discussed in the value education class was, ‘you reap what you sow’. The teacher told us that what we give comes back to us; so does that mean should we should always do good?” 

“Yes Rhea,” her mother replied. “Your teacher is right. We all have to bear the consequences of whatever we do, so it is important to do good and be good.”

This moral saying had a huge impact on Rhea and from then onwards she ensured that she was always conscious about the consequences of her actions. As a child she obeyed her teachers and parents and was good to her friends and family. As time passed, she started perceiving the world as black and white and gradually developed fear of committing bad karma which made her not only overcautious but also very anxious. She became increasingly judgemental and feared associating with people whom she considered to be bad. As a result, she started avoiding people with negative behaviour patterns and strived to be good to all. 

However, as she grew up she began to realise that every person she met had some imperfection or other. Every person she had personally found to be good had behaved badly with others while people she had presumed to be bad had surprised her with their innate kindness. This made her ponder over the moral principle she had learnt at school. Everyone has shades of grey in them, she mused and so is it possible to be good all the time? This question haunted her.

Eventually she learnt to see people as they are and understood that a person’s behaviour is to a large extent influenced by circumstances. Consequently, it is unjust to be judgemental and label someone as bad. She also realised that being good often meant living up to the expectations of others. When one does not live up to the expectation of others, one immediately ceases to be good for them. Thus it is unrealistic to expect to be in the good books of anyone all the time. 

One day when Rhea was filled with anxious thoughts about the right way to deal with people without entangling herself in what she considered to be ‘bad karma’, Rhea found her mother reading the Bhagwad Gita. She asked her, “Ma!  I am finding it very difficult to please everyone by being good all the time. Although I have tried my best, many people are angry or disappointed with me. Will I have to pay a price for the bad karma I have accumulated unintentionally?”  Her tone was anxious and her mother noticing it, tried to calm her by reading aloud out a verse from the Bhagwad Gita:

Bg. 2.47

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन ।

मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥ ४७ ॥

karmaṇy evādhikāras te

mā phaleṣu kadācana

mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr

mā te saṅgo ’stv akarmaṇi

Translation

You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.

LIFE LESSON

We all have obligations towards our family, friends and society. It is important to do our best in the interest of others but not advisable to become attached to the consequences of our actions. People make themselves miserable when they do not get credit for their contribution which causes anxiety.  Work that is done with attachment to results, whether positive or negative, is cause for bondage. So whatever you do, do it – UNCONDITIONALLY. 

Written by : Saraswsthi M V

Mentor credits: Prof Mrs Shalini Pujari

FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS ( coping with the loss of a loved one)

FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS

( coping with the loss of a loved one)

"A heart overwhelmed with grief

Mourning over the loss of a loved one

Lamenting day and night

Wishing things could be undone

How can one find solace?

How can one endure the pain?

Knowing well that life without the beloved 

Will never be the same again!"

Life is the journey of a soul on a brief solo trip to this material world. We are here because we desire to experience, enjoy and learn from this world and above all understand that the most important aim of life is self realisation. 

To help us survive on this wonderful planet, God has bestowed on all of us a family to nurture and prepare us for this amazing but unpredictable journey. It is the bonding of our family relationships that gives sustenance and strength by providing us with security, confidence, love and affection.  Gradually this filial love grows into attachment and soon we cannot imagine life without our loved ones.

The greatest fear of mankind is death, especially the fear of losing someone near and dear to us. The irreplaceable loss of a loved one leaves a huge void in one’s life, a vacuum that can never be filled. A part of us is gone forever and we can never be the same again.  Our world turns upside down and the future seems bleak and insecure. How does one overcome the grief and lamentation? 

 At the battlefield of Kurukshetra Bhagwan Shri  Krishna says the following words to a grief stricken Arjuna: 

Bg. 2.13

देहिनोऽस्मिन्यथा देहे कौमारं यौवनं जरा ।

तथा देहान्तरप्राप्तिर्धीरस्तत्र न मुह्यति ॥ १३ ॥

dehino ’smin yathā dehe

kaumāraṁ yauvanaṁ jarā

tathā dehāntara-prāptir

dhīras tatra na muhyati

Translation

As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change.

The individual soul is the fragment of the supreme soul. The body is perishable but the soul is eternal. One who has perfect knowledge of the constitution of the individual soul, the Supersoul, and nature – both material and spiritual – is called a dhīra, or a most sober person. 

Bhagwan Shri Krishna further explains about the nature of the individual soul:

Bg. 2.20

न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचि-

न्नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः ।

अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो

न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे ॥ २० ॥

na jāyate mriyate vā kadācin

nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ

ajo nityaḥ śāśvato ’yaṁ purāṇo

na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre

Translation

For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.

LIFE LESSON

Life is a journey from birth to death.  Every second, every breath, every step we take is taking us to our inevitable destination. We should realise that we are the insignificant fragments that belong to the super soul and our purpose of life is to find and know Him for He is our true permanent companion for not just this life but forever. 

An individual soul suffers due to being forgetful of it’s TRUE identity and nature. The end of a life should be understood as the beginning of a new journey. Only then can one overcome the grief. 

“With A heart full of love

And a mind full of sweet memories

Wish them well, as they begin their new journey

Let go! Set them free.....”

 Written by- Sarawathi M V

Mentor : Prof. Mrs Shalini Pujari

 

The Guiding Light

 

THE GUIDING LIGHT

The uncertainties of life often leave us feeling bewildered. During such times, we lose clarity of mind and find it difficult to do what is right in the given situation. Considering ourselves to be the masters of our destiny we take our own decisions and seldom rely on people. It is only in a state of either moral dilemma or indecisiveness, that we seek advice from our near and dear ones. 

In this context, it is wise to recall the famous proverb in Hindi, “ सबकी सुनो अपनी करो” – Take advice from everyone but  listen to your inner voice. People give advice based on their experiences and perspective of life. Their opinions may be correct for them but not right for us. Hence it is best that we listen to our own conscience. However, the complexities of life are such that they hinder our ability to think clearly. The question then arises, what should one do in such a situation? The perfect solution is Prayer and unwavering Faith in the Divine.

 LIFE LESSON 

When life seems out of control and we are unable to decide what is best for us, then we must surrender completely to divine cosmic power. GOD-The supreme spiritual master knows what is right for us and will provide clarity of thought, so that we do what is needed and get what we deserve at the right time. 

At the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna could not understand the reason for his mental confusion, although he knew that his duty to fight was awaiting him. He offers himself to the Supreme Spiritual Master- Bhagwan Shri Krishna as a disciple and requests him to give a definite solution. 

 

Bg. 2.7

कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः

पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसम्मूढचेताः ।

यच्छ्रेयः स्यान्निश्‍चितं ब्रूहि तन्मे

शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम् ॥ ७ ॥

kārpaṇya-doṣopahata-svabhāvaḥ

pṛcchāmi tvāṁ dharma-sammūḍha-cetāḥ

yac chreyaḥ syān niścitaṁ brūhi tan me

śiṣyas te ’haṁ śādhi māṁ tvāṁ prapannam

Translation

Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure because of miserly weakness. In this condition I am asking You to tell me for certain what is best for me. Now I am Your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me.

Written by _ Saraswathi M V

Mentor credits: Mrs Shalini Pujari 

Ref: The Bhagwad Gita

Overcoming Failures

 

OVERCOMING FAILURES

A magnificent tree at the park succumbed to the wrath of Nature – heavy rains! Despite having strong roots , it could not sustain its boughs. The severed branches had to be chopped off and what survived was the huge trunk of the tree standing tall despite - the destruction. Walkers, joggers and other passers by looked at the tree with compassion. They felt sorry for the state it had been. “How beautiful! it was and look at its state  now! “ they exclaimed. 

A few days had passed by and soon new life began to grow on the tree . Tiny branches emerged on the trunk. It was heartening to see new life, a new beginning! Everybody watched in astonishment, as they had assumed that the tree would just remain an artefact in the Park. They also admired the new beauty and applauded nature for its ability to re-bounce from destruction. 

LIFE LESSON

Many times in life, no matter how strong we are and how sincerely we adopt the values we have been raised with: we all go through dark moments. Moments which will crush us, break us, those which question our existence and beliefs. One may feel helpless, may not find solutions to emerge from the situation, receive backlash or judgment that the mess we are in is our responsibility or a consequence of our actions. But one forgets that the difficulties in life occur to help us evolve as individuals, to strengthen our belief in ourselves, to redirect us to the right path. Tough times also show us the true nature of people around us. Who wishes well and who is happy to see us in hell -True faces unmasked!

Adversities are part of life and humankind needs to rise and shine like the phoenix, come what may! Learning to survive amidst difficulties and difficult people is the biggest challenge of life- tolerance and patience being the key! The purpose of life is to live it well and not be bogged down by circumstances. Tough times do not last but tough people do! The simplest way to remain calm amidst crisis is being thankful for all that life has given us- the Good as well as the Bad. Every experience is meant to mould us into the person we are meant to be.

Bhagwan Shri Krishna says  the following to Arjuna :-

Bg. 2.14

मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदुःखदाः ।

आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत ॥ १४ ॥

mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya

śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ

āgamāpāyino ’nityās

tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata

Translation

O son of Kuntī, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.

_Written by Saraswathi M V