Akhand Jyoti Magazine (Jan-Feb, 2019)

(May Almighty illuminate our intellect and inspire us towards the righteous path) - Rigveda 3/62/10; Samveda 13/4/3 , Yajurveda 3/35, 22/9, 30/2, 36/3 Annual Subscription: India: ` 140.00 Abroad: ` 1200.00 VOLUME: 17 | ISSUE:1 Jan.-Feb. 2019 Amrit Chintan Self-Refinement is the Noblest Service to the Society Scriptures have described various types of altruistic activities and religious rituals that can be undertaken to achieve the ultimate goal of life. They have also given, at length, the material and spiritual benefits of such activities and rituals. Selfless service of others is also considered a noble task. This gives a person name and fame as well as inner-satisfaction. But, there is one task that is superior to all these; and that is – self-refinement. Burning one’s evil thoughts, tendencies, jealousy, greed, anger, worry, fear, and sensuality into the fire of self-knowledge is such a grand yagya that cannot be compared with thousands of Ashwamedha Yagyas. Removing the darkness of ignorance and lighting the lamp of knowledge in the temple of mind is true worship of God. Removing the sense of insignificance and inferiority from the mind and augmenting the virtues of courage, truthfulness, piety, and joy is more significant than donating millions of tons of gold. If every human being does his own refinement, then this very Earth can become a Heaven. Then people will not wish to attain Heaven; rather, gods in Heaven will be eager to descend on Earth. Helping others is considered a noble task, but improving the self is more auspicious. Augmenting one’s own physical, mental, spiritual, economic, and moral levels and making oneself an ideal citizen is such a magnanimous righteous task that no other altruistic activity can be compared with it. Self-refinement is the noblest service to the society. - Param Pujya Gurudev Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya ‘AKHAND JYOTI – THE LIGHT DIVINE’ EDITORIAL TEAM WISHES ITS READERS A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND HARMONIOUS NEW YEAR 2019 Successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do. Don’t wish it were easier; 3 wish you were better. - Jim Rohn AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

CONTENTS 1. Amrit Chintan Self-Refinement is the Noblest Service to the Society. ............................................. 3 2. From Chief Editor’s Desk Let’s Learn to Live in the Present This New Year..................................................... 5 3. Love is the Creative Energy of Nature ..................................................................... 7 4. Simple Steps to Boost Your Immunity ...................................................................... 9 5. Science and Spirituality Matter &Life: Unification of Physics and Vedic Theories ........................................ 11 6. The Six Darïnas of Vedic Knowledge ....................................................................... 15 7. Regular Walking – A Basis for Healthy Life ............................................................. 19 8. How will the Scarcity End While the Misuse Exists? .............................................. 21 9. Yug Gita – 12 True Identity of a Person of Steadfast Wisdom ......................................................... 23 10. Peace Pilgrim’s Wisdom – 12 Solving Life’s Problems – 3 ...................................................................................... 27 11. Let’s Move towards a Meaningful Republic ............................................................ 29 12. Odyssey of the Enlightened - 65 Future Calling - 1....................................................................................................... 32 13. Youth Column Utilize Your Powers Properly .................................................................................... 35 14. Why Majority of Women is Suffering from Mental Depression? ............................. 37 15. Amrit Vani Remember Death and Respect Life ........................................................................... 39 16. Pretention of Being Rich by the Poor........................................................................ 43 17. Simple Techniques of Pranayama to Stay Healthy -1 ............................................... 45 18. Tree Communicates in Their Own Way! ................................................................... 47 19. A Guide to Sanskrit-English Transliteration.............................................................. 50 20. Shantikunj News ................................... (Inner Cover Pages & Back Cover Page) The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary. - Vidal Sassoon 4 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

From Chief Editor’s Desk Let’s Learn to Live in the Present This New Year Life flows incessantly in the tide of time. New buds blossom into flowers spreading their fragrance and beauty from time to time and disappear. This is exactly how life moves in tandem with time, developing and enhancing abilities until the journey ends eventually. Many years come and go between the start and end of life. New Year, in true perspective, is the celebration of invigorating our life with new resolutions, dreams, hopes and enthusiasm. There is always a joy associated with new beginnings and that is propelled by a renewed enthusiasm. This gives an opportunity to forget unfulfilled dreams and failures and motivates us towards positivity and accomplishments. New Year brings the treasure of learning from the past, plan of action for the present and a hope for future. This puts us on the path for doing something great; becoming someone we have always aspired to be and to achieve something of true substance. So, in the happy and invigorating ambiance of New Year, we should do something that provides a chance for our life to bloom in the right direction and to bring forth our latent capabilities so that we can move on the path for fulfilment. This requires us to understand the value of time and refine our personalities by grooming our innate talents. Nature has given two precious boons to everyone – time and capabilities. There has been no discrimination of any kind. Time is provided equally to everyone, though the capabilities might differ from person to person. All of us have them in one form or the other. It is totally dependent on each individual how he utilizes his capabilities, strives to enhance them and channelizes them in the right path. The first condition to optimal utilization of time and talent is – to live in the present. Man does not want to live in the present, he does not want to mold himself to the circumstances because of which he is unable to make use of his abilities and hone them further. All the intoxicating drugs that have been discovered till now have been designed to escape from the present. Using them will only be a futile attempt to close one’s eyes to the challenge in front of oneself. When we work with complete dedication and are ready for the entire struggle it takes to face the challenge, at that time we remain most alert and conscious. In this state of readiness, even our capabilities will be doubly efficient. It is unfortunate that our natural response is to turn away from problems. It is indeed easy to live being unconscious. Being unconscious can be of two types – internal and external. When one falls unconscious under the effect of drugs, the body is inert outside and the consciousness becomes inert inside. Externally, activities are impeded and internally, one’s capabilities get weakened. Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great. - John D. Rockefeller 5 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

Doctors and physicians can bring one’s body back into conscious state. But the inner consciousness can be awakened only when one lives in the present. A large chunk of our energies are focused in reminiscing the memories of the past and planning for the future. Slowly our present slips away from our hands and becomes past that comes back to haunt us. We are left with disappointment and restlessness at the end of the year. On the other hand, the virtues required to be developed, if we want to live in the present, are – creativity, focus, utilization of abilities and constant awareness. Our inner-self falls silent in the presence of the noise of our incessant thoughts. The melody of life is disrupted. When the brain is continuously contemplating about past or future, the energies are not only getting scattered, but diminished. If we learn to live in the present, our mental energies are prevented from depleting. When an individual learns to live in the present, consciously and with total awareness, then this improves his ability to focus. Even an ordinary work done with elevated levels of focus is extraordinary and beautiful. Excellence is perceived in every bit of that work. Expertise and talent go hand in hand, inspiring and enhancing each other. Creativity surges forth in the presence of these qualities. In addition to all these, when one practices to live in the present, his extrasensory perceptions also begin to develop. The emotional and mental psyche of the individual gets so refined that he begins to perceive the events of the future. This ability makes him realize the truths of life and helps plan his life goals in a realistic manner. It is true that eternity is hidden in a single moment and universe is present in an atom. When we presume that the atom is insignificant and ignore it, we run the risk of losing the universe. Similarly, anyone who ignores the moment will end up losing his lifetime. Hence, it is not wise to misuse time. New Year is a time for inspiration – to live each and every moment fully and meaningfully; to enhance talents and improve the quality of life. This is one such possibility which gets activated when we realize its importance and is accomplished when we work for it. If we can successfully convert this possibility into a reality, trust me that this New Year will open new doors of opportunities and accomplishments. The first Sunrise of the New Year will not only fill light outside but also within you. I urge our readers and parijans to invoke this light with their resolution for sustained efforts to use their time and abilities to carve a great future. With Best Wishes for Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year, 2019 (Pranav Pandya) Though no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new ending. - Carl Bard 6 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

Love is the Creative Energy of Nature This beautiful creation of God would be Humans too express this love in numerous ways. incomplete without love. Love is inherent in Sometime this love takes the form of infatuation, every atom of the Nature. It is the binding force sometimes it turns into worship. On some which has made life possible on the earth. The occasions, love resonates through the words of a moment love diminishes, destructive events prayer, on others it sprouts forth through poetry begin to take place. It is the call of love which or songs. Love binds a person to the family and embellishes nature with its rich, beautiful and society. It is love again which inspires him to charming look. When nature is imbued with love, take the path of self-upliftment and to strive for it gives nourishment and protection; when there realisation of God. is no love, the same nature shows its terrifying force and wreaks havoc. During his existence in this world, man often has this feeling that even though he is physically living What is love? Love is the name of the immense amidst the people and is present right before their energy inherent in this cosmos. All the humans eyes; still he is lonesome in an undefined sense. and animals, plants and trees, and other living He, therefore, endeavours to relate to others. The beings possess this love in some measure, in one family and the society fulfil this very need. Man form or the other. Love is an essential element takes something from them; and, considers it his in nature. Without it, neither life nor procreation duty to give something in return. In this process is possible. Animals and birds love one another, of give and take, his development takes place at and express this love through myriad forms - many levels. Although man is a part of nature, yet they play and eat together, touch, smell and lick, to rise above the nature and to express himself, he communicate among themselves through voice, keeps creating new dimensions. live in community, recognise one another, and upon death of a member become mournful. It During the process of any creative work, man is love which motivates them to care for their establishes a rapport with it, and through this offspring, feed them and protect them. Cows and he connects himself with the outside world. All buffaloes suckle their young ones; birds bring these inter-connections or linkages are made food grains from afar and feed these grains into possible only by love. the beaks of their new-borns. The little creatures become happy and express their joy through Love is, in a way, an extension of the ‘I’. In love, chirping and frolicking around. It is again the this ‘I’ first becomes ‘she’ or ‘he’ and then ‘all’. emotion of love which makes cuckoo dissolve Love is giving, not taking. ‘Giving’ is supreme sweetness in nature through her melodious voice, joy. Love is creating; to create something, first a love bitten skylark waits for the rains, and within oneself and then within others. When the drinks only the raindrops of swati nakshatra. gardener nurtures his flowers, or when the mother nurses her child and tends to him every waking moment - this is love. Both do not demand Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. - Ralph Waldo Emerson 7 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

anything in return. The blossoming and growth Only when we are in true love, we are able to of the tended ones is the blossoming and growth know what life is. If someone is asked about of the tenders themselves. This is the reward. the best moments of life, probability is that the person will recount those moments when he had The mother does not think of the child as another received love, affection and respect in ample being, or as distinct from her. Similarly, there is no measure. These are the moments when a person ‘other’ element between two lovers; no feeling of forgets his ego and merges himself with someone ‘otherness’. Each thinks of the other as his or her alter else. There remains no consciousness of time for ego. Thus in love, separateness vanishes, and only him and he feels buoyed with joy. Whenever a one entity expands. When the feeling of love grows person starts remembering the best moments in a family or society, this family or society becomes of life he, in fact, pauses in time, his eyes stare the place to enjoy bliss. That is why, Yugrishi Param into vacuum and he transports himself to those Pujya Gurudev used to say that the family which is bygone times. full of love and caring is the heaven on earth. The joy which a creator experiences while To be in love with God is, of course, good but looking at his creation, or which the mother feels better still is to begin it at home. How can one who in gazing at her baby is incomparable; it is sheer does not have love for another human being love delight. In love, a person is not simply creating God? It is God himself who is present in every another person, but is crafting his own self too. part and parcel of the nature. Humans, animals, In other words, there is no ‘another’ element birds and plants - all are, in essence, abodes of in love. In true love, you are the clay, you are God. In the name of religion, people kill others the clay worker, and the pot is also you. In this cruelly, burn habitats, indulge in rioting and process, you have to make the pot only; you do spread terrorism. This shows that they have no not have to create the rains. The rain shower of love for the Divine, because how is it possible for love spontaneously descends upon you. In this those who love God to behave like this towards way, love is the most creative energy in the other elements of the same Divine? Cosmos. I have a different theory. It goes like this: Maybe we should all just love one another, even if we don’t completely understand the things that people bear in their dark, strange hearts, even if the stars that other men and women are following seem invisible to us. If we make ourselves open to the humanity of others first, maybe understanding will follow. An incomprehensible theory of the universe isn’t necessary if your only ambition is to embrace another soul. What you need, maybe all you need, in fact, is the willingness to love. - Jennifer Finney Boylan Keep your face to the sunshine and you can never see the shadow. - Helen Keller 8 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

Simple Steps to Boost Your Immunity Cleanliness and hygiene are essential in our lives According to a research study, people who live to maintain good health. Instead of depending in excessively clean surroundings become highly upon on medicines, it is much better to adopt susceptible to autoimmune disorders like asthma, basic rules of hygiene in our lifestyle to remain eczema etc. healthy. At the same time, there is a limit to how much hygiene is necessary. Living in a place It has been found through research that in homes which has very low count of bacteria poses with pets like dog, cat, etc. children are found to its own challenges. It has a bad effect on our have fewer allergies. Due to pet animals, right immune system and we could end up falling sick from an early age children come in contact with very often. It is more sensible to pay attention a number of different species of bacteria and to increasing our immunity in addition to this strengthens their immune system. Also, to maintaining basic hygiene. protect ourselves from viral infections like cold, cough etc. it is a good practice to walk regularly. According to a report by Global Hygiene Council, Walking enhances the level of leucocytes in the 62 percent Indian kitchens have very high bacteria body which helps in enhancing the capability of count. Almost 100 percent of cloths used in these the body to fight infections. kitchens are found to be full of e-coli bacteria, which are the prime causes for diseases of the Immunity also increases with sound and adequate digestive system. Kitchen counters and taps are sleep. It is necessary to sleep for 7 to 8 hours in found to have staphylococcus aureus bacteria the night, because during sleep our body repairs which cause the diseases of respiratory and our immune system and prepares it to fight urinary systems. Dr. Charles, a microbiologist infections. Sleep also recreates a balance between with University of Arizona says that like at home, the body and the mind. on the office desks also the bacterial count is found to be quite high, as many as 20,961 bacteria per Balanced food boosts immunity. What we eat is square inch area. This is mainly due to food stuff very important because after digestion, the same eaten on the office desk. So, cleanliness of office food provides nutrition to each and every organ table tops is also essential to prevent infections. of our body. If the food lacks sufficient nutrition content, then our immunity reduces. There are some people who go overboard in maintaining hygiene, which is not essential. Excessive worries and stress reduce our immunity Experts say that by living in excessively clean and thereby extend invitation to diseases. places with very low bacteria count, our body Everyday stresses result in excess production loses the capability to fight microbes. Excessive of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol which hygiene destroys the balance between the body and weaken our immune system. Whatever may be naturally found bacteria in soil and environment. the profession, we must learn to complete our tasks with a stress-free mindset. Work carried The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yourself. - Mark Caine AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019 9

out with a stress-free mind is always of much In order that our infection does not spread to better quality than that done with a stressed mind. others, we must cover our mouth and nose while Enthusiastic, stress-free completion of tasks is coughing or sneezing, use handkerchief and not beneficial to mind as well as body. spit in public places. Fungus, dampness, and cracks help in growth of bacteria and this is why If some disease has spread in the surroundings, diseases are more common in rainy season as we must drink boiled or filtered water. All the there is more humidity in atmosphere. Food also basic rules of hygiene must be followed. Along gets spoiled earlier in rainy season. Cracks in the with cleanliness of body, cleanliness of teeth walls offer perfect places for bacteria to grow in must be paid a lot of attention too. After eating, wet season. All such places where bacteria can food grains get stuck in teeth and if they are not hide and grow should be cleaned. Cleanliness removed they cause decay of teeth as well as is very important to stay healthy. However, it other forms of infections. Hands must be cleaned is not possible to make our homes completely before and after meals, and after usage of toilets. free from bacteria. This is not desirable either Children must be specially trained, because they because this ends up reducing our immunity. don’t pay attention to these basic facts and so Microbes actually help in increasing our keep falling prey to diseases. immunity. Also, all microorganisms are not harmful for us. There are in fact several bacteria Bathrooms, toilets, toilet seats, wash basins and that are good for health. For example, bacteria all other items at home that come in contact with found in curd are good for our body. The virus our body should be carefully kept clean so that that is found in waters of Ganga ensures that harmful bacteria do not develop on them. Fruits this water does not get spoiled and remains and vegetables should be thoroughly washed and beneficial for us for a long time. So, in place cleaned before consuming because they go through of being obsessive about extreme cleanliness several hands and places before reaching us. if simple rules of hygiene are followed, we can Sometimes chemicals are also sprayed to protect maintain good health and develop immunity to them. This makes it necessary that we wash them diseases. properly before eating or cooking them. The gut is the seat of all feeling. Polluting the gut not only cripples your immune system, but also destroys your sense of empathy, the ability to identify with other humans. Bad bacteria in the gut create neurological issues. Autism can be cured by detoxifying the bellies of young children. People who think that feelings come from the heart are wrong. The gut is where you feel the loss of a loved one first. It’s where you feel pain and a heavy bulk of your emotions. It’s the central base of your entire immune system. If your gut is loaded with negative bacteria, it affects your mind. Your heart is the seat of your conscience. If your mind is corrupted, it affects your conscience. The heart is the Sun. The gut is the Moon. The pineal gland is Neptune, and your brain and nervous system (5 senses) are Mercury. What affects the moon or sun affects the entire universe within. So, if you poison the gut, it affects your entire nervous system, your sense of reasoning, and your senses. - Suzy Kassem The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus. - Bruce Lee 10 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

Science and Spirituality Matter & Life: Unification of Physics and Vedic Theories The study of consciousness and deeper aspects research to decipher structure and function of of life is often regarded as a field pertaining to bio-molecules, the self-optimized dynamics of philosophy, deep psychology, spirituality, and the their functional networks, the diversity of neuro- so-called metaphysical sciences. Interestingly, chemicals, self-regulated neural information there is convergence of knowledge of these processing in the brain, intelligent mechanism aspects and some farsighted ideas of the founders of the immune system, etc in the evolved species of modern science (i.e. science of material like humans, it is becoming clearer that the living existence and perception of Nature). system exists in an unimaginably subliminal form that could ultimately be perceived, in the physical Albert Einstein, the preeminent scientist of all world (and manifested domains of Nature), only times, had presented the hypothesis of grand as an energy-form of Consciousness-Force. unification of universal forces. This reflects his visualization of the subtle existence of higher Research in the atomic and subtler structure of dimensions that were realized by the Rishis matter has paved the way towards searching (Vedic sages and scientists of spirituality). the commonality between matter and energy; This article presents an extract of some of the may be, one day the research will be motivated comparable aspects of this scientific idea and the towards deciphering that between energy and Vedic scientific theories. consciousness. The Journey So Far: Latest research on different components of the ‘atom family’ has shown that the orbital In the nascent years of modern science, some motion of the tiny particles in an atom (or its rational thinkers and over-enthusiastic scientists subtlest division) is governed by an energy that thought that they would conquer the Nature is generated by vibrations in the self-existent and its Creator within a century. However, energy field of the Higgs Boson. The source of with progressive research in Physico-Chemical this energy-field has still not been deciphered sciences, especially in particle physics and by modern science so it is till now regarded as unfolding of the subtler forms of matter (from ‘self-existent’ and perhaps for this reason the atom to quark, subtler particles and gradually to Higgs Bosons are also popularly referred as ‘God Higgs Bosons), it has become clear that the secrets Particles’. The eternal source of this energy of Nature are much deeper than they appear and hence of the entire creation is, according physically. Conceptualization and theories of to the ancient Indian texts, is called some kind anti-matter and anti-gravity have further shown of transcendent ‘sound’. This sonic energy is the challenges in understanding the Nature. omnipresent in the sublime cores of Nature and is the fundamental cause of all energies, vibrations, More complex and deep are the domains of and movements. Eminent scholars of the deeper animated Nature. With advancement of scientific Keep on going, and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I never heard of anyone ever stumbling on something sitting down. - Charles F. Kettering AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019 11

science of Nature describe it as the sublime sound Aikya® Tayorlakïitayo¡, Na V³cyaya | of O®k³ra, which is the self-educed expression Nigadyatenyonya Vir¿ddha Dharmiño¡ | of the evolutionary impulse of Brah® – the omnipresent, eternal Consciousness-Force. Khadyota Bhanyoriv Rajbh—atyayau¡ | K¿pamburaïyo¡ Parm³ñumevo¡ || Albert Einstein, through his concept of ‘Pure Thought’, was able to see the perfect order that Meaning: The divine source of the (existence of exists in the universe. He therefore accepted the the) cosmos and every creature or particle in the inability of contemporary research in particle universe are subliminally linked together and are physics and other areas of modern sciences in similar in the sense of the similarity between ‘the comprehending even a fraction of the orderly sun and a glowworm’, ‘an ocean and a well’, ‘a creation of the great, unknown, absolute power. king and a laborer’, or ‘a mountain and an atom.’ This is also reflected in his popular quote — “It is enough for me to contemplate the mystery of Grand Unification of Forces: conscious life perpetuating itself through all eternity, to reflect upon the marvelous structure of Several decades ago, Einstein had defined the the universe which we can dimly perceive, and to space as the grand unification of gravitational try humbly to comprehend even an infinitesimal and electromagnetic forces. Later on, two more part of the intelligence manifested in Nature”. forces, namely, the ‘Weak Force’ and the ‘Strong Force’ were also considered in the definition of Revered sage Adi Shankaracharya, who Space as a “Unified Field”. pioneered rediscovery of Vedic wisdom of the Upanishads in post-Vedic times, had analyzed Einstein’s investigations into the ‘Four sublime aspects of the physical world to deeper Dimensional Curved Space’ (fourth dimension depths. For example, in his magnum opus titled being Time), have given pioneering directions to “Vivek Chudamani”, he explains: future scientists for deeper elucidation of various aspects of universal subtle forces and their grand source in the eternal Consciousness Force. In This life of yours which you are living is not merely a piece of this entire existence, but in a certain sense the whole; only this whole is not so constituted that it can be surveyed in one single glance. This, as we know, is what the Brahmins [wise men or priests in the Vedic tradition] express in that sacred, mystic formula which is yet really so simple and so clear; tat tvam asi, this is you. Or, again, in such words as “I am in the east and the west, I am above and below, I am this entire world”. – Schrödinger Everything you can imagine is real. - Pablo Picasso 12 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

this respect Einstein deserves a place in modern later findings of theoretical and experimental sciences equivalent to the revered positions of the physicists (including Dr. Yogesh Pati, Dr. Abdus sages like Vishwamitra, Patanjali and Vyas in the Salam, Dr. Howard George and Dr. Sheldon spiritual science of vital energy and consciousness Glashow) on quarks, leptons, anti-matter and the force as described in the Vedic treatises. grand unification of forces, and the latest research on Higgs particles (the Bosons) can all be seen The discovery of anti-matter in physics has implied in the quotes of the Upanishads — the given interesting clues for studying the concepts core knowledge of which conveys that “every of ‘Anti-World’ and ‘Meta-space’ cited in the material, as well as sublime existence, and every Vedas and Upanishads. Noted thinker Robert sensory, intellectual, as well as transcending Ernest Hume has mentioned in “The Thirteen experience is arising out of Brah®”. Principal Upanishads”[1] that the main objective of the Upanishads is –– the search for absolute Interestingly, as pointed out in the scholarly truth, ultimate knowledge, and its enlightened article of Upanand Brahmachari[3], the huge statue use for the welfare and progress of all creatures. of Nataraja (Lord Shiva in dancing posture of Renowned scholar F. Max Müller in his “Lectures tandava) placed in front of CERN the European on the Vedanta Philosophy”[2] has expressed Center for Research in Particle Physics in similar views. According to him, the citations Geneva, Switzerland, symbolizes the profound of the Vedas and Upanishads have inspired and significance of the metaphor of Shiva’s dance guided the pioneers and independent researchers for the cosmic dance of subatomic particles of “matter and life” in all ages. The ancient (originated from BOSONs), which is observed Indian texts will continue to further enlighten and analyzed by CERN’s physicists. the scientific investigations of the modern times as well, if studied thoroughly in the right The author also cites that – “The parallel between perspective. Shiva’s dance and the dance of subatomic particles was first discussed by Fritjof Capra in an article The Isha Upanishad begins with the phrase – titled The Dance of Shiva: The Hindu View of “P¿rñamada¡ P¿rñamida®”, which implies Matter in the Light of Modern Physics, published that the Supreme Cosmic Power – Brah® (the in Main Currents in Modern Thought in 1972. Omnipresent Consciousness Force) is one and Shiva’s cosmic dance then became a central absolutely complete. There are many ‘formulae’ metaphor in Capra’s international bestseller The cited in the Upanishads, which explain the Tao of Physics[4], first published in 1975 and still sublime principles of the physical manifestation in print in over 40 editions around the world”. of Nature and existence of matter (referred as “This” in the corresponding Vedic hymns) and its Possible Road Ahead: eternal relation with the unique universal force, the infinite ‘whole’ (referred as “That”). Researchers engaged in investigating the secrets of matter and life, may view the Vedic knowledge The uncertainty principle of the Quantum as a science that deals with the subtler facets of Mechanical approach, the postulations of particle what has been discovered by the modern sciences physics, the ‘Pure Thought’ of Einstein and so far. Sir James Jeans[5] has noted that everything in this world happens in a logical and reasonable If you want to make a permanent change, stop focusing on the size of your problems and 13 start focusing on the size of you! - T. Harv Eker AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

manner like a mathematical principle. In his Six blind men once went to views, the creator and controller of this limitless find out what an elephant is. The absolute system could be none other than the first blind man touched the legs Unique, Infinite, Supernatural Power, named as of the elephant and came to the God. conclusion that the elephant is like a big pillar or a tree; straight, Modern scientists may attempt deciphering the round, long and strong with thick mysterious universe completely by considering skin. The second man touched the the existence of the subliminal forms of tail of the elephant and came to subatomic particles and perceivable energies in the conclusion that an elephant is the infinite currents of the ultimate ‘energy’ of like a rope with a brush at the end the Omnipresent Consciousness Force, which so and it can move right and left very far, is left behind for metaphysical research in easily in air. The third man touched philosophy. An open minded integrated research the ear of the elephant and said, in focused areas of physical, biological and “Elephant is a flat animal, like a cognitive sciences and spirituality would prove hand fan” The fourth man who to be fruitful towards unfolding of the hidden had touched only the trunk of the linkages of matter and life and the super-unifying elephant said “No, the elephant is principle of “Sarva Khalvida® Brah®”. like a snake or a tree branch, rough on the surface and is hollow inside. References: The fifth man who had touched its belly said “An elephant is like [1] Robert Ernest Hume (2010): The Thirteen a big wall, but with curves here Principal Upanishads. Forgotten Books. and there”. The sixth man who (Reprint of 1st edn. publ. by Oxford Univ. Press, had touched only the tusk said 1921). ISBN-13: 978-1440071232 “An elephant is like a pipe or spear and it is very strong”. After they [2] Friedrich Max Müller (2009): Three Lectures found out they had disagreement, on the Vedanta Philosophy. Biblio Life. (Reprint they went to a man who had eyes of 1st edn. publ. by Longmans, Green & Co., and had seen the elephant. Each 1904). ISBN-13: 978-1116579031. explained his side of the story and asked him who was right among [3] Brahmachari U. Dance of Shiva in CERN. them. The man who had seen the (https://hinduexistence.org/2012/07/14/god- elephant said: “You are all partially particle-cern-lord-shiva-nataraj/) correct. Elephant has features that you explained but it is much more [4] Capra F. (2010): The Tao of Physics: An than that”. Similarly, different faiths Exploration of the Parallels Between Modern present their own perspective to Physics and Eastern Mysticism. Penguin view the Truth which is Eternal Random House. 35th Anniversary Edition. God. [5] Sir James Jeans. (1950): The Mysterious Universe. Cambridge Univ. Press. (2nd rev. edn.). ISBN-13: 978-0521054171 It is never too late to be what you might have been. - George Eliot 14 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

The Six Darïnas of Vedic Knowledge Literally, the meaning of Darïana in Sanskrit is also regarded by savants as source of core (and Hindi) is — vision, or, the ability to see knowledge of Hindu psychology. (things clearly, in the right form or perspective). Its English equivalent “Philosophy” also implies The Yoga Sutras formulated by Maharshi Patanjali the same. Thus the sagacious texts Darïana constituted the Yoga Darïana. It is regarded as Ïastras serve as the source of light/ knowledge a more practical and scientific complement to which eliminates the darkness of ignorance and the dualism theory of S³®khya Darïana. Its enlightens the mind. principal focus and characteristic is spiritual ascent by (spiritual) practices – ranging from Vedic culture and (Hindu) religion are unique self-discipline to higher level yoga s³dhan³. It as they emanate from the eternal Darïana of provides a complete science of physical, mental, pure knowledge and absolute realisation of and emotional well-being and a perfect guidance the Omnipresent Consciousness-Force and for the journey to the inner-self and divine all creation and manifestation of Nature and realms of consciousness. Its universality and life-forms. The Vedic sages (—Ìis) were true eternal utility is evident from the ever-increasing scientists of Nature and life. Their spiritual popularity and practices of yoga across the globe acumen presented the nectar of divine knowledge in the present times as well. hidden in the Vedas for the benefit of the world in different ways. They guided triple-fold path of Maharshi Gautama formulated the Ny³ya karma, bhakti, and jóana for righteous progress Darïana. It is revered as the origin of the on worldly and spiritual fronts and holistic well- theory and practices of logic. This Darïana is being with divine illumination of the inner- considered as a prerequisite for all philosophical self of humanity. The deliberations of their inquiry. Realism, logic, and analytical philosophy mystic research, deep thoughts, and unflinching characterise this Darïana. endeavours towards elimination of ignorance and sufferings of the world, resulted in the form of A supplement to the Ny³ya Darïana was six Darïanas (schools of thoughts or systems of presented in the VaiïeÌika Sutras of Maharshi philosophy) of the Vedic knowledge. Kanada. The treatise of these sutras (formulae/ research findings and consequent teachings The S³®khya Darïana or the system of S³®khya composed in hymns or couplets) founded the principles postulated by Maharshi Kapila is VaiïeÌika Darïana. Naturalism and Atomism are regarded as most ancient among the six Darïanas. distinct features of this Darïana. Rationalism, dualism, and atheism are its core characteristics. Through the study of S³®khya, The Ny³ya and the VaiïeÌika Darïanas give one can understand the course of evolution of analysis of the world of experience. By the study Nature and the beings. The S³®khya Darïana of Ny³ya and VaiïeÌika, one learns to utilize their intellect to find out fallacies and know about the If you love what you do and are willing to do what it takes, it’s within your reach. - Steve Wozniak AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019 15

material constitution of the world. They arrange is, in essence, identical with the Brah®. It all things of the world into certain kinds or provides guidance to remove Avidy³ or the veil categories or padarthas. They explain how God of ignorance and to attain absolute knowledge, has made all this material world out of atoms and ultimate freedom (from all sorrows, stress, and molecules, and show the way to attain Supreme sufferings) and experience unalloyed, beatifying Knowledge – that of God[1]. bliss by realisation of Brah®. By the practice of Ved³nta, one can reach the pinnacle of spirituality, Maharishi Jaimini, a disciple of the angelic ultimate realms of divinity and oneness with the sage Maharshi Vyasa, formulated the Sutras Almighty, Omnipresent, Supreme Soul (Sat, of the Mºm³ns³ Darïana, which is based on Cita, Ânanda 2 Param³tm³). the ritualistic parts of the Vedas. Exegeses, Philology, Ritualistic theism are characteristic of Vedic System of Scholarly Studies: this Darïana. Ancient Indian Scholarship was immensely The Ved³nta is an amplification and fulfilment enriched by thorough research, and contemplative of the S³®khya and also a complete Darïana and analytical study of the Vedas, UpaniÌads, for reaching out to ultimate truth, absolute and the six Darïanas. Contrary to the knowledge. Its Sage Badarayana (Maharshi modern-time’s popular belief that the disciples Vyasa – the great Vedic sage who composed the simply used to mug-up/cram and repeatedly 18 Pur³ñas and also the great epic Mahabharata) chant whatever was chanted by their Guru, the composed the Ved³nta-Sutras or Brah®a- method of learning (even in the Age of ‘no- Sutras based on the mystic knowledge part of script’) essentially incorporated — (i) analytical the Vedas. Ved³nta Darïana expounds the observation of the events and activities of Nature teachings of the UpaniÌadas. Non-dualism around their Âranyakas1 and different creatures (regarding Consciousness Force as the one, in it; and (ii) contemplation on what was taught eternal, omnipresent, and only reality) is the by the Guru and its explanation according to characteristic of this Darïana. self-experience and self-interpretations (based Most scholars regard that Mºm³ns³ Darïana on earlier and related studies). Often the style comprises of two parts: P¿rva and Uttara. The ‘P¿rva-Mºm³ns³’ (referred as Mºm³ns³ above) of presentation used to be similar (e.g. poetic focuses at Karma-K³nda part of the Vedas which deals with rituals and righteous worldly – composed in specific rhythmic pattern, or actions. The ‘Uttara- Mºm³ns³’ corresponds to the discussions and sagacious explanation of the narrative, etc) as that of the Guru, however the jóana (pure knowledge) part of the Vedas. meritorious disciples were free to compose their own treatises in their own style after successfully passing all examinations at the Gurukula. The Uttara-Mºm³ns³ is known as the Ved³nta- Intra-school as well as inter-school ϳstrartha Darïana and forms the foundation of Hinduism. (conclusive scholarly debates of high quality) The Ved³nta philosophy explains in detail the used to be an integral component, along with nature of Brah®2 that the individual soul and rigorous examination (including practical test all manifested as well as transcendent existence of adoption of the teachings in real life) towards judging the success (in adept grasping of what they In my experience, there is only one motivation, and that is desire. No reasons or principle contain it or stand against it. - Jane Smiley 16 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

were taught and trained in), merit, and original mystic knowledge and absolute science was talent of the disciples. The Gurus as well as their projected as creations of hallucinated, illusory disciples also used to participate in ϳstr³rtha in minds and emotional mythologists. Vedic Culture invited competitions and conferences (e.g. the and Religion too were presented as propagators Br³hmaña Sabh³, congregations like Kumbha of superstitions and blind faith, insane customs Melas, etc). and occultism. No Scope for Blind Faith, Myths, Orthodox Any sensible person with a thoughtful mind should Maxims and Occultism: note that there is no scope for any blind faith, superstition, myth, occultism, or preposterous Like the other Ârïa Granthas (Ancient scriptures), ‘theories’, or any doctrines in the treatises of many of the original treatises on analytic sagacious thoughts that originated from deep commentaries and essays on the Darïanas too quest for reality of Nature and Life, and search were phased distortions in the post-Mahabharata of absolute knowledge. Moreover the intellectual dark phase of humanity. The invaluable treasure rigor of the Vedic methods (esp. ϳstr³rtha) of of knowledge and divine culture of India that was learning and examining (outlined above) make it a torchbearer of righteous progress and welfare clear that any Darïana or theory was not accepted of the entire world[2] was largely destroyed and sans erudite scholarly discussion and testing in distorted by the foreign invaders in the later open. Also, everyone was free to challenge an periods. Except for sporadic collections in the existing or earlier accepted theory by evidentially personal libraries of some devoted scholars and (in terms of epistemological analysis or evidence traditional Vedic families in the interior regions of in real life) proving his/her point. India, all the original treatises and ancient scholarly works were almost lost in the medieval times. Even a quick reading of authentic texts/ commentaries of the Darïanas would show that Deliberately misinterpreted versions and —Ìis and scholarly researchers of their sutras misconception were spread by the foreign had presented and re-analyzed their thoughts emperors and scholars and some of their Indian with due consideration of necessary pram³ñas counterparts in order to please the invaders (epistemological argument/evidence/logic) (Mughals, and the Europeans – esp. the British) who ruled over this country for several centuries. Vedic texts broadly identify six pram³ñas as Thus the guiding light of human-values and correct means of accurate knowledge and truths: A young man came to visit Gorakhnath. He asked- Why are you here? The youth replied – “What I wanted I found it. Now I don’t want to ask anything, nor do I want to say anything.” The people who were present there asked the youth curiously, as to what he found. The youth replied – “By looking at Guru Gorakhnath, I realized that if he can achieve spiritual powers by sadhana (spiritual practices), I can also achieve the same.” I don’t want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well. - Diane Ackerman AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019 17

pratyakṣa (perception), anumāna (inference), excerpts of his works for the benefit of the readers upamāna (comparison and analogy), arthāpatti of this magazine. We will begin with discussion (postulation, derivation from circumstances), on important aspects of the S³®khya Darïana in anupalabdhi (non-perception, negative/cognitive the next issue. proof) and śabda (word, testimony of past or present reliable experts) Each of these are Notes: further categorized in terms of conditionality, completeness, confidence and possibility of error, 1. Ârañyaka: Vedic School - Gurukula or Guru’s by the different schools. The schools vary on how Asharm, which used to be residential and many of these six are valid paths of knowledge. located in some forest. For example, the S³®khya school holds that three (perception, inference and testimony) are 2. Brah®: Omnipresent, Eternal Consciousness- enough; while the Mīmāṃsā and Ved³nta schools Force. The absolute source, eternal hold that all six are authentic and universally cause, expression and ultimate end of all applicable means of knowledge. (the manifested, the subliminal, and the transcendent) existence. Eternal origin Epochal Revival: and experience of Sat (absolute truth), Cita (absolute knowledge and enlightenment), and The lost treasure of Vedic Knowledge was Ânanda (ultimate bliss). brought back to light in the post medieval times by epochal endeavour of Adi Shankarcharya. References: During the time of Shankaracharya, all the six schools of Vedic philosophy (the Darïanas) 1. Das Shubhmay: https://www.thoughtco.com flourished. The trends of Vedic scholarship › ... › Religion & Spirituality › Hinduism › were revived by him to a great extent by Important Texts Aug, 2018. establishment of maÚhas (centres of study and dissemination of Vedic knowledge) in different 2. Vedmurti Taponishtha Pandit Shriram Sharma: parts of India. The six Darïanas have also Samasta Vishwa Ko Bharat Ke Ajasra been reinvestigated and analysed by erudite Anudana. Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya scholars of different schools of thoughts since Samagra Vangamaya Vol. 25. Akhand Jyoti then. However, their commentaries are not Sansthan (1st Ed.) Mathura. 1995. so easy to be understood by non-scholarly, ordinary people. 3. Pandya P. (editor): Contributions of India to Global Cultural Evolution. (English version Therefore for the benefit of wider class of the of selected sections of [2] above). Sri Vedmata society, seer-sage, preeminent saintly scholar Gayatri Trust, Shantikunj, Haridwar. 2016. of the 20th Century, Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya had translated these invaluable texts 4. Vedmurti Taponishtha Pandit Shriram Sharma of enlightenment in Hindi with adept and lucid Acharya and Smt. Bhagavati Devi Sharma explanations in scientific and logical approach. (author and editors): Sankhya evam Yoga We will present an English summary of the Darshana (2nd Ed.). Yug Nirman Yojana Vistar Trust, Mathura. 2011. As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others. - Bill Gates 18 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

Regular Walking – A Basis for Healthy Life Walking is very beneficial to attain good health. by 50%. Walking for 90 minutes per week has Our body and mind attain succour by walking. been found to increase life expectancy among Walking regularly in the morning and evening prostate cancer patients by up to 50%. The risk keeps our body active. The mind can be happy of colon cancer is found to be 31% less in women only in a healthy and active body; and we know who walk regularly. Walking for one hour and that a happy mind and a healthy body does not eating 1500 calories in a day can help women fall prey to diseases easily. There can be no bigger control their weight. fortune than having a healthy body and clean mind. Health experts highly recommend regular Studies indicate that people who walk for 6 walking to maintain good health for a long time. to 9 miles a week significantly reduce their Morning walk specially is no less than a blessing susceptibility to the problems of old age like for physical and mental health. In addition to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Dementia is a being a good exercise, it helps increase the level disease of the nervous system in which a person of calcium and Vitamin D in the body. slowly begins to lose memory; and his cognitive abilities tend to deteriorate. Affected persons Experts say that to stay healthy we should walk begin to need more and more support of others at least 6000 steps/day, and to reduce weight, at even for their daily activities. Daily walking has least 10000 steps/day. According to an authentic been found to improve memory among such report, regular walking can bring down the people as well. expenses on health by 330 dollars a year, which is close to Rs 20,000 a year. In earlier times Scientists say that regular walking helps in sufficient walking was a part of everyone’s daily increasing the size of hippocampus inside the routine, but today even small children do not brain, whereas inactive lifestyles reduce its walk as much as in earlier times. According to size which affects the memory. Walking in the statistical data, in 1970s 66 percent of kids used mornings and evenings releases a neuropeptide to go to school walking, while today this has called endorphin which gives relaxation to the shrunk down to only 13 percent. This also is a body and cures mental conditions like anxiety reason why children tend to fall sick more often and irritation. now than earlier. 30 minutes of walking everyday reduces the It is unfortunate that walking is not so popular susceptibility to heart diseases. It relieves stress these days. People regard walking as undignified and helps control cholesterol and blood pressure. and instead prefer to flaunt their affluence by According to Irish scientists walking is a good moving around on two wheelers and cars. Some exercise to reduce the risk of heart diseases, research studies say that walking for 3 to 5 hours a especially in adults. In a study published in week increases life expectancy of cancer patients American Journal of Geriatrics Society it has been concluded that among men and women who Our greatest fear should not be of failure... but of succeeding at things in life that 19 don’t really matter. - Francis Chan AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

are 65 years or older, the risk of heart diseases in arteries and so walking reduces the risk of was lower for those who walked regularly for at heart strokes. So, walking helps in maintaining least 4 hours every week. the efficiency of the blood circulation system and improves the functioning of the neuronal system As we age, the bones of our body begin to of the brain. weaken. Habit of walking regularly can help in strengthening the bones. It has been shown that More than a million people die in our country due walking helps maintain bone density, as a result to cancer every year. Scientists say that inactive of which the risk of osteoporosis, fractures and lifestyle is one of the main causes for cancer. injuries reduces. Walking is also beneficial to Walking helps in reducing weight which also get relief from the aches of bones and muscles. reduces the risk of cancer. Even the side effects Walking regulates metabolism and keeps the body of chemotherapy have been found to reduce by active. The walking habit, of course, strengthens walking. our muscles as well. Walking is beneficial to strengthen our immune Diabetes is the most common disease that is system. Walking for minimum 30 minutes a day caused due to inactive and stressful lifestyles. improves the functioning of B-lymphocytes and Diet control keeps blood sugar under control. In T-lymphocytes (types of white blood cells) and Type-2 diabetes doctors also advise patients to this helps the body fight diseases and regain good walk at least 3000-7500 steps every day. Regular health quickly. walking can help control blood sugar levels, which, in turn, helps in reducing the susceptibility Thus, the habit of walking, especially during the to Type-2 diabetes. morning and evening hours is very beneficial to keep the body as well as the mind healthy or to The habit of morning walks can also help regain health. Pujya Gurudev Pt. Shriram Sharma in increasing intelligence. Walking helps in Acharya used to walk regularly. Other great maintaining adequate supply of glucose and saints like Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekanand, oxygen to the brain and this helps in better Lokmanya Tilak, Vinoba Bhave etc. also had the functioning of brain. It reduces the level of LDL same habit. We also must adopt walking as an cholesterol which is a major cause for obstruction essential activity in our daily schedule. None of your knowledge, your reading, and your connections will be of any use here: two legs suffice, and big eyes to see with. Walk alone, across mountains or through forests. You are nobody to the hills or the thick boughs heavy with greenery. You are no longer a role, or a status, not even an individual, but a body, a body that feels sharp stones on the paths, the caress of long grass and the freshness of the wind. When you walk, the world has neither present nor future: nothing but the cycle of mornings and evenings. Always the same thing to do all day: walk. But the walker who marvels while walking (the blue of the rocks in a July evening light, the silvery green of olive leaves at noon and the violet morning hills) has no past, no plans, no experience. He has within him the eternal child. While walking I am but a simple gaze. - Frédéric Gros If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much. - Jim Rohn 20 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

How will the Scarcity End While the Misuse Exists? One can gain wealth and distinction by fair or Caught in the obscurity of their own problems, foul means but making proper use of them is they can be of no use to others. They do not have another matter. There are many people who have a vision for help and service. But it is gratifying amassed wealth, but those who have made proper to note that unlike the so-called capable people, use of that wealth are rare. It is an irony that they do not create a fire which would later get those who are prosperous are not able to use their transformed into a wildfire and engulf vast areas. wealth for noble causes and those who could use the wealth appropriately are not attaining higher All the illiterate and uneducated people of the level of self-effort. Alas, if the prosperity and world put together did not misguide humanity noble intentions could co-exist, how happy and as much as the handful of literary people, artists, flourishing this world would be! and religious leaders who were used as puppets by wealthy people. At one time scientists were Money not being used properly may be acceptable working to discover the objects of human but when it is wasted in senseless activities, welfare but now even they have surrendered to then it is painful to realize that what could have the rich and work only to discover what suits been used for the welfare of the individual and their providers. The so-called wealthy people are the society has been used for just the opposite boasting of buying not only the brains, but even purposes, and this could have been avoided. the honesty of the intellectuals. By virtue of their wealth they claim the power to make even gods We often see capable people traversing the path and goddesses work for them. of defiance and committing misdeeds; prosperous people themselves using their wealth towards It can be understood that a scarcity of resources wrong purposes which bring an environment of may cause difficulties, but their misuse can cause torture, downfall, and affliction. The majority even more severe repercussions. If you don’t of the culprits spreading treachery, deception have a knife you can use some other instrument and betrayal are those who are supposed to be for cutting vegetables; but if a shiny, sharp, and intelligent. We see people in power igniting the expensive knife is stuck into your stomach, then rage of war and causing hardships to countless you will realize that not having a knife was a people. It would have been better if such people better option. would not be victorious. What can be said about success which creeps in the guise of glory and In the past, before the chain of scientific makes people insane? In that insanity people lose discoveries had begun, resources were certainly their discrimination and do all kinds of monkey less abundant, but there was so much cooperation business. and happiness that it seemed almost like a satyug. Sharing was the norm of the day and hence people Hopeless people cannot do any good for others. lived happily with whatever they had without For them, leading their own life is tiresome. crisis or struggle. How can one feel a scarcity of To be successful, you must accept all challenges that come your way. You can’t 21 just accept the ones you like. - Mike Gafka AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

resources in such a situation? In fact, the needs Conditions for curing a disease arise only after of a human are very modest, and can be easily a proper diagnosis. In the present scenario the acquired with a few hours of simple effort. Desire problems may appear multifold but the root that fuels an urge for misuse is the troubling factor. cause is one — the appetite for accumulation and If we can overcome this mental aberration, then wasteful spending of wealth. People who adopt there will be no problem earning a livelihood. In this lifestyle will toil constantly but can never fact, one can earn enough to help others. get an opportunity to do good to them or to the society, or to ever gain fame and respect from The one and only reason for this increase in society. immoral practices is the appetite for accumulating wealth and superfluous items of luxury and A spendthrift eventually becomes a victim of ornamentation. Fire is not extinguished by giving bad habits. If he can meet his personal needs it more fuel; desire is not satisfied by fulfilling with minimal resources, then what happens to all it. The ego swells in the glitter of luxury, so that his extra earnings? In the absence of generosity whatever is earned falls short, and the tendency the money is not used for the welfare of the to grab other’s share by hook or by crook builds downtrodden, and thus the only option available up. This leads to amassing a lot of wealth which is senseless, wasteful expenditure. When the can never be used properly. In the absence of influential classes of society adopt the lifestyle empathetic approach and the noble virtues, an of narrow selfishness, other segments of the uncontrolled and purposeless spending remains society naturally imitate them, and thus it the only possibility, for which even the wealth of becomes a trend. Lack of ability, lack of effort, Kuber and power of Indra will not be sufficient. and aspiring for enormous extravagance — all In such a state of mind, where is contentment? these combine to make an ideal environment for Where is peace? Joy and bliss become a mirage building an army of vices to plunder the beauty in the oasis of life. of the world. Our entire system, in an economic sense, is based on restriction. Scarcity and inefficiency are the movers of money; the more there is of any resource the less you can charge for it. The more problems there are, the more opportunities there are to make money. This reality is a social disease, for people can actually gain off the misery of others and the destruction of the environment. Efficiency, abundance and sustainability are enemies of our economic structure, for they are inverse to the mechanics required to perpetuate consumption. - Peter Joseph The only way to do great work is to love what you do. – Steve Jobs 22 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

Yug Gita – 16 True Identity of a Person of Steadfast ‘Yug Gita’ - the interpretation of Srimad Wisdom Bhagwadgita in the modern context is being presented in this magazine in the light of into indiscretion and leads to a disaster. On the revolutionary thoughts of Param Pujya Gurudev contrary, if the mind follows intellect and the Pandit Shriram Sharma, Acharya for the past senses follow the controlled mind, then the body fifteen issues. In the previous issue, it was behaves according to the soul’s desire. Saint explained how one can achieve the highest state Vinoba in ‘Sthitaprajna Darshana’says – ‘Intellect of steadfastness of wisdom by relinquishing the is a deliverer like a boat. But, if get trapped by the worldly attachments. The present issue further mind, the same becomes a destroyer.’ When the elucidates this key lesson of Lord Krishna to his reins are in the hands of a person riding the horse disciple Arjuna. and he is able to control it, then there is no doubt about the person reaching the destination. On the In 67th ïloka of chapter 2, of the Gita, Lord says – contrary, if the horse is holding the reins, there is no hope that the person riding the horse will Indriy³ñ³® hi carat³® yanmano´nuvidhºyate A reach the destination. The same thing has been Tadasya harati prajó³® v³yurn³vam iv³mbhasiAA enunciated by the seer of Kathopanishad. Yogiraj Shrikrishna has explained the same thing giving Meaning: The mind that follows the wandering the example of boat. If the deliverer intellect is senses carries away the person’s discrimination carried away by the mind (this is akin to the boat as the wind carries away a boat on the waters. flown by the wind), then its deliverer’s power is destroyed and ultimately it leads to drowning of The above ïloka conveys a profound thought and a person. an irrefutable one. Lord says that the boat in water, without a sailor, may go anywhere depending on This ïloka is special in many ways. Saint the direction of wind. Lord is comparing the boat Gyaneshwar says – this ïloka rings a danger bell. with the uncontrolled mind which is influenced He says that a person might have achieved the by the attachment of senses and starts behaving steadfast wisdom; even then he should remain arbitrarily. A single uncontrolled sense alone is alert. He writes – enough to bring about a downfall of even a wise person. The force of lust, for example, is so Pr³pte hi puruÌen, indriye l³lilº jarº kavatike A strong that it can ruin the reputation of even a Tarº ³kramil³ jañ du¡kho, s³ns³rike H respectable person; the uncontrolled speech and The essence of this saying in Marathi is - ‘Even the sense of taste may land a person in serious if a realized man out of curiosity or carelessness trouble. Uncontrolled senses force the mind to caresses his senses, it should be understood that follow them. The joint effect of senses and mind the attack of sorrows / pains is imminent.’ It becomes so strong that the faculty of reasoning simply means that one should not leave the mind doesn’t work properly. Discretion transforms free / uncontrolled in any condition. Samarth Ramdas too has said the same thing in this way – Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve. – Napoleon Hill 23 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

‘Man³ g¿jare t¿ja hen r³pta jh³len - tarº antarº be attained only when the control of senses is p³hije yatana keleA’ It means – O Mind! You got mastered. Similar to the statement ‘thus proved’ whatever you wished; you have almost reached at the end of a geometrical theorem, the point the destination. However, don’t be careless; even that was expressed in 58th ïloka ‘Yad³ sa®harate after realizing the self, keep controlling yourself c³ya® k¿rmo´òg³nºva sarvaïa¡’ by comparing it (Sthitaprajna Darshana: Sri Vinobaji). What a with a tortoise, exactly the same thing has been strong support to the author of the Gita, in very said by the Lord again. This is the specialty of simple words! the Gita. The author of the Gita has cautioned specifically Whenever there is a talk of social service, a knowledgeable person because even a minor upright character is considered supreme. slip or negligence may lead to his downfall. If Param Pujya Gurudev writes in Akhand Jyoti a person, who has achieved steadfast wisdom (Hindi) of December 1988 – ‘Whenever there on the basis of control of senses, starts behaving is shortage of true social workers, the level of arbitrarily – flows with strong current of ego, growth diminishes in those times. The emotional lust or greediness, then there is no way for him refinement of the masses and their humble to reach the goal of life. The control should get attitude is extremely essential. This work cannot imbibed in the behavior and conduct of a person be done by the debauchee, selfish and inferior of steadfast wisdom – this is the expectation of people, even though they might technically be the author of the Gita. In order to establish this experts in the said field or holding high positions. point, Lord Shrikrishna says in the next (68th) Social worker should not only have the superior ïloka - service-oriented attitude but must also possess an ideal character.’ Tasm³dyasya mah³b³ho nig—hºt³ni sarvaïa¡ A Indriy³ñºndriy³rthebhyastasya prajó³ pratiÌÚhit³ The author of the Gita is teaching us how to H become a true sthitaprajóa social worker by depicting Arjuna as an ideal character. Let us Meaning – Therefore, O mighty-armed Arjuna! further continue our discussion. Lord says - ‘Why The one, whose senses are completely restrained should the routine of sthitaprajóa be different from sense-objects, is established in steady from others; what should be his outlook?’ Lord knowledge. answers these questions in 69th ïloka as follows: A very clear direction has been given by the Y³ niï³ sarvabh¿t³n³® tasy³® j³garti sa®yamºA teacher of Arjuna that there can be no relaxation Yasy³® j³grati bh¿t³n³® s³ niï³ païyato mune¡ regarding the control of senses. The meaning H of Tasm³t is – therefore. This means that whatever has been taught about the subject of Meaning: That which is night to all beings, then relinquishment of attachment for the sthitaprajóa the self-controlled man is awake; when all beings yogi, is being repeated here again. Under the are awake, that is night for the introspective sage. deductive principle of Tarka Shastra (a science of dialectics, logic and reasoning), it is being In fact, ordinary people, living a life of repeated here that the stability of intellect will excitement, anger and disturbance, cannot even Strive not to be a man of success, but rather to be the man of value. – Albert Einstein 24 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

imagine the bliss and peace of a self-controlled In the words of Adya Shankaracharya, the latter person. The word mune¡ has been used for an consumes food as a medicine; he does not introspective person, the one who has risen much indulge in it. Similarly, the common man does above the noisy world of sensual agitations. go to sleep, but his sleep is tamoguni as his This ïloka gives a befitting definition of a yogi intrinsic tendencies openly work in the dreams as a sthitaprajóa. Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and it becomes a cause of agitations. The sleep used to say that three kinds of people are awake of sthitaprajóa is sound and dreamless. The in the night – Rogi (sick), bhogi (hedonistic) behavior of sthitaprajóa is selfless, simple and and yogi. Everyone knows why rogi and bhogi transparent whereas that of common man is filled are awake in the night. Now we have to know with ego and artificiality. In fact, the essence of about the yogi. One who remains in the state of this ïloka is that the common man is always alert sthitaprajóa, is awake even when he is sleeping. about the results but ignores the duties (sleeps One who sleeps meditating on ‘mahanisha – the regarding duties). A sthitaprajóa is well aware state of pralaya (holocaust)’ always remains of his duties but never expects the results (sleeps established in Supreme Consciousness. That is regarding results). Yogi. Pujya Gurudev used to advise that every ‘loksevi’ (social worker) should meditate for Towards the end of this very important chapter, some time daily on mahanisha. This meditation the next ïloka is still more meaningful. The 70th is done in the first quarter of the night. Those, ïloka says – who sleep early, may do it in the early morning. This meditation helps in achieving the state of Âp¿ryam³ñamacalapratiÌÚha® sthitaprajóa quickly. samudram³pa¡ praviïanti yadvat A Tadvatk³m³ ya® praviïanti sarve There is a vast difference between sthitaprajóa Sa ï³ntim³pnoti na k³mak³mº H (2/70) and a hedonist regarding the view of life. Shri Vinobaji says – ‘As there is no meeting point Meaning: That sage attains peace into whom all between two parallel lines, the same is the position desires of sense enjoyment enter as river waters of their outlooks on life.’ Meera says - ‘palat bhai enter the ocean, which, although filled from all more nainan ki’ (that is, my outlook on life has sides, remains unmoved; but not the man who is changed). The outlook of the world is opposite; desirous of sensual pleasures. but, ironically, the majority of people consider that to be right. If this state can be changed, then It is well-known that all the rivers get merged spirituality will get imbibed in true sense. This into the ocean. The river waters entering the has been called ‘Zindagi ka shirshasan’ (upside ocean are turbulent, yet the latter remains calm down of outlook on life). This is the state of and stable. In the same way, the carnal pleasures sthitaprajóa. enter the sthitaprajóa, but he is not disturbed by them. Only such a person attains true peace. Is it The words of 69th ïloka should not be taken possible to develop such a personality? Yes, we literally; rather one should consider their subtle can see this in the life of Pujya Gurudev. In this meaning. A common man takes food for filling context, Gurudev used to narrate an anecdote. It his stomach; the food of sthitaprajóa is yagya. is befitting to cite it here. Arundhati had to go to Rishi Durvasa to serve Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by; and, that has made all the difference. – Robert Frost AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019 25

him food. So, she came to her husband, Rishi of myself to be a brahmachari and Durvasa Rishi Vashishtha and said – ‘The way is flooded with himself to be fasting. Durvasa Rishi didn’t take the surging river waters; how can I go?’ Rishi food for satiating the senses. The seers and saints, said – ‘Go to river and say – if Rishi Vashishtha who are always engaged in divine thoughts, is brahmachari (celibate), then give me the way.’ do not get affected by the sensual pleasures. Arudhanti was in a dilemma – ‘We have children. Where there is gratification of senses, it creates How can my husband be a brahmachari?’ Even turbulence in the soul. If the soul remains calm, then, thinking that the words of Rishi cannot be then such a person, though appearing to enjoy false, she went ahead; and repeated the same senses, will not be doing so. words as suggested by the Rishi near the river. The river gave her the way. She served the food There are two words in this ïloka - na k³mak³mº to Rishi Durvasa. She asked him – ‘There is still - that is, one who runs after the mirage of sensual flood in the river. How can I go back?’ Rishi pleasures, never remains at peace; he always said – ‘Go and tell the river – if Rishi Durvasa remains tense, stressed and sick. The essence is fasting, then give me the way.’ Arundhati was of word k³ma here is - objects of senses giving again in dilemma – ‘He has just now consumed pleasures. It is a kind of mental disorder which so much food, how can he be said to be fasting?’ becomes a cause for one’s downfall. Sthitaprajóa Even then she went ahead and as she approached too comes in contact with numerous objects of the river, she repeated the words suggested by the senses but he assimilates them like the ocean Rishi; the river gave her the way. On her return to does for rivers. home, Rishi Vashishtha asked her – ‘Could you please understand the mystery of events today?’ [To be continued] Then he explained – ‘We do not get indulged in sense enjoyment; our inner-selves are pure but the [Note: This is the translation of Hindi version routine of body continues. That is why I talked of ‘Yug Gita’ (Part 1) by Dr. Pranav Pandya, published by Sri Vedmata Gayatri Trust, Shantikunj, Haridwar (2003)] On the auspicious festival of Shivratri, saint Namdev went to the temple called Aundha Nagnath in Maharashtra to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva. He was so overwhelmed by devotion that he walked straight inside the temple. He belonged to a lower caste; and, when the temple managers saw him they shouted, “Who allowed this untouchable inside?” Namdev was deeply hurt and went to the back side of the temple; and started singing devotional songs in praise of Lord Shiva. Lord was so happy that the temple turned around to face the Lord’s humble devotee and He appeared before Namdev. Even today in this temple, Lord’s associate Nandi is not located in front of Lord but behind him. The managers of the temple realized the greatness of Namdev and opened the doors of the temple for him. I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse. – Florence Nightingale 26 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

Peace Pilgrim’s Wisdom – 12 Solving Life’s Problems – 3 On Divine Protection drive, so I asked him to let me off at the junction. Then I was picked up in a little truck, and we Recently, while I was leading a group of people hadn’t gone even five miles before we saw the on an educational and inspirational tour of four of other car. It had gone down into an arroyo and the Hawaiian Islands, a policeman warned us not sideswiped a cottonwood tree. On the side where to sleep on the beach. It seems there had been a I had been, the glass was broken and the roof was murder on that beach. I was very concerned about bashed in. So at once I saw why I felt the need all the fear being perpetuated on those beautiful to get out. The driver wasn’t badly hurt. He was islands. I had no fear. One member of the group injured slightly but not really hurt. tried to tell me about the dangers of the beach. I said to her, “All of us are under the protection Another time I did not see any result, but I felt the of my guardian angel.” And we didn’t have the need to get out. This man was driving recklessly. slightest incident on any beach. He would cross over the double center line and pass cars when he couldn’t see at all. So I got out. We were on the beach one night where I think I then got in with a man who was going east at the we were the only Anglos. The others were so junction and therefore I never saw what happened nice. Several people came up and one said, “A to the other car. I don’t know. I hope nothing. few years back I saw you on television.” It must have been five years before, on my first visit to So a certain amount of being sensible is good, the islands. They even asked for autographs! So such as looking up and down a street before you I think we should not be apprehensive. I don’t cross, but certainly not the kind of foolish fears think that apprehension can do anything except many human beings have. You see, if you’re attract. “That which I feared came upon me.” going to be fearful — let’s say, about sleeping on I felt perfectly safe on the beach and I felt my a beach—you must be terrified every time you whole crowd was protected, and they were. sleep in your own home. Look how many people are killed in their own homes. Or you must be I have a sense of definite protection. Twice I have felt terrified every time you sleep in a hotel room. the need to get out of cars I was riding in, and once I Look how many people are killed in hotel rooms. saw why. Now, I didn’t get out of the car when I was This can lead to ridiculous behavior. coming down over the “grapevine” into Los Angeles with two high school students. They were seeing how I do have a sense of complete protection. If I fast they could get the old Chevy to go downhill. I had felt in any way like I felt in those two cars, I was in the back seat and I felt perfectly all right. would have taken the whole crowd off the beach. However, I felt absolute protection; I hadn’t the But one time I was with a man who was drinking slightest apprehension. I knew we were perfectly whisky, and I offered to drive for him. I showed safe when we stayed on the beach. him my driver’s license, but he wouldn’t let me The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. – Amelia Earhart AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019 27

There are many things we do not fully understand. “Take to the ditch and sideswipe the rock wall. It’ll We just know they happen. For instance, I have stop the car. It’ll tear it up, but it will stop it.” I was been kept from some things that could have hurt not able to do that. This was the only time in my me. I was walking down a lane which I knew to be life when a car was taken out of my control. The a small lane. The trees met overhead. I could not car turned to the left, went between two cars, and really see where I was going, but I knew this lane went up a little dirt road on an incline, which of through prior experience, and I could see light at course stopped the car. I didn’t know the dirt road the end of the tunnel. Now I was walking very was there. I couldn’t possibly see it. fast when something, that I can only call a force, stopped me. I mean it was powerful enough to So you see, I’ve had such amazing things happen stop me. Then I started ahead very gingerly to see to me. You can understand why I feel full of what in the world had happened— and there was absolute protection. That protection extends even a barbed wire stretched across the lane. They were to any group that I am with. repairing the cattle guard at the end of the lane, which I did not know, and had stretched this wire A Helpful Meditation across to keep the cattle from straying. I would have run into the wire if I had not been stopped. I’d like to share this little meditation with you. We have much more protection than we realize. First, could we agree that God’s protection surrounds us? Know that you are God’s beautiful The most significant thing of this kind happened child, always in God’s hands.Accept God ...accept when I was driving a car. I’ve given up my driver’s God’s protection ...there is really no problem to license now, but all through my driving days I was fear. Know that you are not the clay garment. a good, stable driver, and the car was always under Know that you are not the self-centered nature my control. This time I was driving somebody which governs your life needlessly. Know that else’s car over a road that was not finished yet. you are the God-centered nature. The Kingdom Coming down an incline, there was a traffic light at of God within. The Indwelling Christ. Eternal the end of the road where you had to turn either one and indestructible. Identify with the real you. way or the other. Cars were turning both ways and turning up on to the road past me. I naturally put Peace...be still...and know...that I am God. my foot on the brake when I saw the light was red, Peace...be still...and know...that I am. but I had no brakes! I grabbed for the emergency. I Peace...be still...and Know. had no emergency. I thought if I could put the car Peace...be still. into reverse it would stop, although this would tear Peace...be. it to pieces. I attempted to get it into reverse but it Peace...Peace...Peace. wouldn’t go. Ahead of me I saw a station wagon with two little children looking out of the back And now, with the knowledge that we are God’s window. I had to stop the car! I couldn’t turn to the perfect children, eternal and indestructible, let us left—there was a rock wall there — and cars were go our separate ways in love, but always remain coming up thick and fast. There was a rock wall to together in spirit. the right with a ditch, and my little finite mind said, God bless you and peace to you all. [Reproduced with glad consent of the publishers – Friends of Peace Pilgrim] Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement. – W. Clement Stone 28 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

Let’s Move towards a Meaningful Republic It is 69 years since our Nation became a full- mind – is GDP a true index of growth or do we fledged Republic. After a prolonged freedom need to consider some more data into account? struggle and sacrifices, our chains of slavery were broken and we got a priceless freedom. When In fact, GDP of a country is calculated in two India was declared independent in the midnight ways. One method is to calculate the money of 14-15th August 1947, the joy of Indian people spent by the different groups that participate was at its peak. There was an atmosphere of in the economy; and the second one involves nation-wide festival, the heads of freedom calculating the total national income. But the fighters rose high with pride, and every Indian irony is that GDP, calculated either way, does started dreaming of a new golden era. not truly reflect the country’s economic strength. Economic development is decided by the factors Unfortunately, after so many years of like poverty, unemployment, literacy, health independence, we find that the sentiments of amenities, agricultural production, and so on. hope and enthusiasm of yesteryears among Therefore, we need to measure the growth of a the people have been replaced by the feelings country by considering these factors. of despair and disappointment. Corruption has hollowed the inner core of national If we talk of poverty, then the present index character. A common man doesn’t seem to of measuring poverty is based on Tendulkar have faith in Government organizations. In Committee report submitted in November, general, people are suffering from poverty, 2009. As per this report, the percentage of the unemployment, and disease. Inflation is population below the poverty line in 2004-05 rising and the sources of earning livelihood was 37.2 per cent. The percentage of poor in rural are decreasing. Education has become costlier areas was estimated at 41.8 per cent and 25.7 per and the students passing out from colleges / cent in urban areas. Revising the suggestions universities are not getting jobs. It appears made by this committee, the then Planning that the hope with which we attained freedom Commission decided that the poverty line be has been lost somewhere. set at Rs.4,824 per month for a family of five in urban areas and Rs.3,905 per month in rural On paper, the growth rate seems to be increasing. areas. Based on this statistics, it can be said that Economists and financial experts are encouraged in one decade the poverty has been decreased by to see the rising GDP (Gross Domestic Product); 0.74%. But the question is - can any family really and it is but natural. All over the world, GDP is manage with such a meagre amount? If not, then considered a measure of growth; then why should what measures have we taken to uplift this poor we lag behind in patting our backs on the basis population of nearly 30 crores? of this parameter. But considering the state of common people, a simple question arises in the The next question arises on unemployment. The data given by NSSO in 2010 shows the rate of Life isn’t about getting and having, it’s about giving and being. – Kevin Kruse 29 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

unemployment to be 20%, but it hardly displays the interests of farmers in order to provide cheap the truth. If we analyze this data minutely, edibles to the urban population. Countrywide then it will be found that 93% of the so-called suicide of farmers is the unfortunate outcome of employed are working in the unorganized sector; the same policy. that is, they are working in jobs different from their educational qualifications so that they don’t Common people think that economic prosperity have to sit idle. The correct rate of employment is not possible through agricultural trade. But this is measured from the people working in the is nothing more than a delusion. The examples organized sector because they are holding of Israel, Germany and Japan are in front of different posts according to their qualifications. us. In the past 25 years, Israel has increased its Unfortunately, this number is hardly 3 crores economic prosperity five times by increasing its and that too is decreasing continuously. Apart agricultural production 17 times, despite more from this, the rate of employment in India is than half of its area being a desert land. On the measured every five years whereas the same is other hand, nature has gifted our country with all measured every month in other countries. This the favorable aspects regarding agriculture. makes it difficult to arrive at the appropriate solutions in time. If we take the case of industrial development, we get disappointed there also. In India, the rate of The third worrisome issue relates to agriculture. industrial growth is only 14% of the total growth At the time when we achieved independence, 50% rate; whereas this rate is quite high in developed labor capacity of India was engaged in agriculture, countries. For example, it is 31% in South Korea, whereas today the same has gone down to 15%. 30% in Thailand and 32% in China. About 50 The ‘Harit Kranti’ (Green Revolution) launched lakhs workforce is employed in the industrial by the late Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri, sector in India, whereas this number is quite high certainly showed its miraculous results, but the in other countries. Then there is a lack of holistic political uncertainty in the decade of 90s crippled thinking. In the entire world, small and medium the farmers totally. Where the GDP of our size enterprises (SMES) are considered the basis country remains around 6.2%, the development of development, but in India they are a neglected in the agricultural sector hardly maintains itself at lot. SMES constitute 50% of the total industries 2-3%. On one side, the prices of domestic seeds in USA, 60% in France and 67% in Spain, but and fertilizers are increasing; and on the other, they represent less than 40% in India. the sale prices of farm products in the market are very low. Though the literacy rate in India has gone up (about 80% according to recent reports), but It is not that this dual behavior is the problem the number of literates who can meaningfully of Indian farmers only; rather the farmers in the contribute to the progress of India is very low. whole world are struggling with this problem. After the implementation of RTE Act, students Famous Nobel Laureate and economist, Theodore upto the 8th standard cannot be failed. How can W. Schultz, writes that this dual behavior towards forcibly pushing the unqualified students to the rural people and farmers is indicative of political upper classes improve the quality of education? thinking which does not hesitate in sacrificing Then there is lack of curricula related to I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions. – Stephen Cove 30 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

development of self-sufficiency in students. In our stressed that Gandhi himself believed that the country, medical, engineering and management model could be employed on an international scale institutions have mushroomed so much that as well. In order to solve the problems, he talked the students passing out from there are only of self-control. In this regard, let us contemplate increasing the rate of unemployment, because the on his famous quote, “Nature produces enough to production without the need goes waste. meet the needs of all the people, but not enough to satisfy the greed of any man.” He suggested two On the basis of international health standards, measures to fulfill everybody’s basic needs, “First, health services in India seem to be at the everybody should get sufficient work to enable bottom. Even Bangla Desh is better than us in him to make two ends meet. Second, the means of this regard. On one side, we are lagging behind production of elementary necessities of life should in basic facilities and on the other, the demon remain under the control of the masses.” of population is increasing at an alarming rate. The South Indian states seem to be controlling This Gandhian model is not a paper model. the increase in their population, but just five The success of Grameen Bank, started by Prof. states - Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Mohammed Yunus in Bangla Desh illustrates Rajasthan and Orissa - alone constitute 40% of the social utility of Gandhian model of village the total population. And, unfortunately, these are economy. The concept of ‘Sada Jeevan uchcha the states where health services are very poor. vichar, samay daan and anshadaan’ (simple living and high thinking, donation of time and Problems are endless. However, if we resources for social upliftment) proposed by contemplate on finding the solution to these Pujya Gurudev is also a successful model of a problems, then naturally the philosophy of holistic society and is good for individual as well Mahatma Gandhi seems to provide the platform. as social prosperity. By imbibing this philosophy Gandhiji’s economic model is based on ethical alone, we can achieve true independence. On this and moral considerations and his understanding 69th Republic Day, let us give due consideration of the Indian situation. However, it should be to this thought. Unique example of devotion and sacrifice Guru Teg Bahadur was the ninth guru of Sikhs. Aurangzeb summoned him to Delhi and later executed him in public. He announced that if anybody tried to cremate the body of Guru Teg Bahadur, they will be killed too. When his son, Guru Gobind Singh came to know of his father’s death, he came to Delhi to recover the remains. He was just 9 years old at that time. When he was about to reach Delhi, he met Guru Teg Bahadur’s follower, a poor person who used to lift loads in the bullock cart for his living. The poor person said, “Aurangzeb would execute you too. You stay here; we will bring the body here”. Then he went with his son to Delhi. Long time had passed since execution and the body had started rotting. Foul smell was emanating from it, which forced the guards to move little farther from the body. The father said, “Before we remove the body of the Guru, we need to place another body there, otherwise soldiers will immediately come looking for the remains. You are young and healthy. You will be able to lift the body and go. Hence my death is justified.” Even before the son could say anything, father killed himself. Son removed Guru’s remains and placed his father’s body in that place and covered it with a cloth. He took Guru Teg Bahadur’s remains without any hassle and gave them to Guru Gobind Singh. You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to 31 lose sight of the shore. – Christopher Columbus AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

Odyssey of the Enlightened - 65 Future Calling – 1 An office of ‘Akhand Jyoti’ was opened in At that time, Shriram was chief of the Mathura a separate room. A wooden chair and table branch of Arya Samaj. A few months back, were kept in it. An old freedom fighter, named there was an argument over idol-worship in Bhudev Sharma, used to keep the accounts as Chauk. The volunteers of Arya Samaj wanted well as take care of the correspondence. The to make Shriram Pradhan (Head) of their list of subscribers of Akhand Jyoti magazine branch at Mathura, but they were insisting that was maintained in one register. The number he should give up the idol worship of Gayatri. of subscribers exceeded one thousand. The Shriram refused to accept their demand. Then accounts were maintained in another register. they withdrew their objection and made Shriram Bhudev Sharma also had a seat in that room. ‘Pradhan’ of Arya Samaj. When the popularity of Normally Shriram would sit on a mat on the Akhand Jyoti started spreading and the devotees ground in a room adjacent to Puja-room. He started gathering around Shriram, the same would keep a chauki (a low rectangular stool) volunteers again raised their objection. In the in front of him. On the right side, there would Sunday – Yagyas, first they started murmuring be some books for study. The visitors used to in subdued tones, but later they talked openly. meet him in the same room. He would keep These discussions reached the ears of Shriram himself busy in writing and study. When the too. He preferred to wait rather than confronting number of visitors started increasing, he fixed them. Ultimately, one day a team of volunteers of the time for meeting people to be after 2 PM. Arya Samaj reached the office of Akhand Jyoti. Before that he would be busy in reading-writing or correspondence. If he had to go out for some A team of four-five volunteers of Arya Samaj urgent work, he would do that before 2 PM. He under the leadership of Dwarka Prasad approached was normally available in his chamber after 2 Shriram and without any introduction said – PM. This chamber later on came to be known as ‘Either you abandon the propagation of Gayatri Paramarsh Kaksha (counseling room). Puja or vacate the post of Pradhan of Arya Samaj.’ Shriram humbly replied– “I don’t know by what By the year 1946, the printing and publication authority you have come here to discuss all this. of Akhand Jyoti became a matter of regular Had Arya Samaj been your local organization, I routine. In the meantime some special issues would have taken the decision right now; but it were also published. The loan that was taken is not so. This organization is a familial-spiritual for this purpose had also been repaid. The gathering of thousands of people. I will not deviate activities that were started for distributing from any responsibility of the Samaj without literature and making public contacts were making clear my point of view.” giving satisfactory results after some initial hurdles. In the meantime, a sudden controversy “The thoughts of Swami Dayanand are very arose. clear regarding idol-worship. There is no need I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. – Maya Angelou 32 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

of giving any clarification in that regard.’ – Said am proposing a defamation motion against him.” Dwarka Babu. Shriram replied – “I consider that had I put forth my viewpoint in front of Swami Some volunteers started hooting. Veersingh, Dayanand, perhaps he would have also modified Mantri (secretary) of the Samaj, said – “Let us his stand in this respect.” allow Shriram to put forward his viewpoint. Please keep quiet.” Mantri and other senior Dwarka Babu and other volunteers who volunteers had to strive hard to pacify the accompanied him started laughing. In fact, they agitated members. When a semblance of calm were trying to make fun of Shriram. One fellow was restored, Veersingh asked – “Shriramji! Is even told – “Are you a scholar and saint superior the matter on which the members are agitated, to Swami Dayanand?” true? Did you talk something indecent about Swami Dayanand?” ‘No’, said Shriram – “I am a small child in front of him, but I am sitting on his shoulders. I am “If a child sitting on the shoulders of the guardian telling you most humbly that by virtue of being and due to this, talks of being able to see distant on his shoulders I am able to see a more distant things, is considered indecent; then I am guilty.” future than him” – Shriram said in a high-pitched voice – ‘What I said was that had Swami Dayanand listened Meeting of the Samaj to my views, perhaps he too would have agreed with me.” After that Shriram narrated the whole The same volunteer said – “What are you story of the last week. Now the members who foreseeing?” Instead of replying, Shriram said were noisy started stealing their eyes. Dwarka – “I will elaborate my thoughts in front of the Babu got up and said – “Please clarify your views members of Samaj and also let you know my regarding idol-worship and let us know your decision.” The team of representatives went decision about the headship.” back. At one week’s notice, a meeting was called in the Chauk office of Arya Smaj. Probably, the Expounded his viewpoint date was 16th March 1946. About sixty volunteers attended the meeting. The agenda of meeting was The essence of whatever Shriram said is as already known, so the volunteers came prepared. follows: “Ninety to ninety five percent Hindus Some people were against Shriram, while others believe in idol worship. If you denounce their were with him. They were realizing that Shriam faith, you will be hurting them. You will also was able to reach a wider cross-section of society be expelling them from the Vedic tradition. No through idol-worship, but they had no argument forum can survive by disrespecting its followers. in their favor. They were almost forced to keep If we remain very rigid against idol-worship, we their mouths shut due to being followers of will not be able to progress. Whosoever wants to Swami Dayanand. believe in idol-worship, let them do it; those who don’t want, let them not.” The beginning of the meeting was uproarious. One of the volunteers who had met Shriram last week “Swami Dayanand established a principle. Why said – “This gentleman considers himself to be should we go against it?” – Asked one volunteer. superior to Swami Dayananad; to be sitting on his Shriram said – “We should also think what the shoulders. He should be severely reprimanded. I reasons for establishing that principle were. The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why. – Mark Twain AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019 33

Swami Dayanand has been such a saint - great my post. The feelings of the friends will be man who has given more importance to logic known. I request that this paper, in which I have and discernment than faith-devotion. I personally written my feelings, be opened only after voting.” consider that Swamiji opposed hypocrisy, deceit and fraud in the name of idol worship and in the The voting was done. Out of the sixty members, shadow of temples. His opposition was so strong thirty eight raised their hands in favor of Shriram that people doing business of Puja and temples and twenty two against him. Veersingh declared got enraged. They started indulging in false Shriram the winner. After this declaration, he also reasoning. The result was that it left no space for advised that as far as possible one should avoid discernment. Our elite society got lost in the dark raising disputable points regarding the basic dungeon.” principles of Arya Samaj. End of unpleasant controversy Shriram repeated his request to read his paper and make his decision known to the members. Shriram was trying to convey – “For general Shriram had written in that paper – “I consider believing public, idol is a helpful medium. myself an humble student and a sadhak of Through this medium, people can imbibe Sanatan Dharma, which has neither beginning spiritual virtues. If it is removed, the possibility nor end. There was possibility of my profiting of self-refinement will vanish for 90-95% people. from the clear-sighted and discerning approach In fact, the expansion of Arya Samaj has been to spirituality inherent in Arya Samaj. I thought, I halted because the feelings of normal people do would thus be better able to serve our culture and not get nourished by it. This has happened due to tradition. During the short duration of my formal the rigid attitude of the Arya Samaj leaders and association with you, I realize that it is difficult. volunteers.” Therefore, I have decided to tread my separate path. By sticking to the headship, I do not want to Shriram was continuously speaking. The create inconvenience to my friends. I request you members of the Samaj were listening to him to kindly relieve me.” attentively. Their opposition to idol-worship seemed to be softening. At the end, Shriram said This was the declaration of resignation from the – “So far as my decision (regarding headship) post of Pradhan. After that Shriram concluded is concerned, let those friends decide who made –“We will remain together in sadhana and samar me Pradhan. I have written my decision on this (freedom struggle). In the programs, where paper; but I would like the matter to be put to a we can work together, all my friends and well- vote on whether I should continue or relinquish wishers are cordially invited.” True dedication Sage Vyasa wanted someone to write Mahabharata as he dictated without interrupting him and without stopping until he completed full epic. Lord Ganesha agreed to do it, and started writing it as the sage started dictating. The writing of the epic continued for several days and Lord Ganesha was continuously writing it without stopping. While writing, the stylus or pen used by Ganesha broke in between. In order not to disturb the sage, he broke one of his tusks and continued writing the epic without stopping. This symbolically explains that any amount of sacrifice is not too much to gain knowledge. The best revenge is massive success. – Frank Sinatra 34 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

Youth Column Utilize Your Powers Properly Man is the most powerful and resourceful penury and privation. So it would be wrong among the living beings on earth. In the to say that the Almighty has shown favour sense of purely physical strength, he might to them. The truth is that the root cause of be lesser than elephants, lions, horses or their success has been the right utilisation of oxen, but in other senses – intellectual, social the strengths and resources granted to them. and spiritual powers - no other living being in These powers are available to us too, but the this earthly creation can equal man. Besides majority of us are unable to derive any benefit qualities, man has developed for himself from these on account of various reasons. so many other fields like sciences, arts, technology, industry, construction etc. that An important reason is that most of us he has made himself almost unbeatable and invest our powers in trying to achieve invincible. worthless aims. Wastage of energy on such misadventures begets neither material benefit But in spite of having at command such nor inner fulfilment. Thus the outer and infinite sources of power, we find that most of the inner, both dimensions of life remain the persons are unhappy, weak, and helpless impoverished. If the resources are limited but in their personal lives. Why is it so? Man, are utilized in essential and worthwhile tasks who by virtue of his intellectual prowess can additional resources could be generated. But control the pace of the world and can give if these very limited resources are spent on a new direction to the human civilization is fruitless endeavours not only are the available often found crying and complaining when he resources gone, but the result gained is zero is faced with small routine problems of life. too. This naturally creates a doubt in the mind about the possible cause of this irony. For example, if the whole capital is invested in business without a proper planning, what Some people go to the extent of wondering would be the result? Will a student pass if he whether God has really been impartial. Have studies one subject and sits in examination some persons been favoured and given more for another? Can we run the whole marathon while others left with less? But this is not distance without regular practice? There are true. These doubts are wrong because nature limits to the powers of our body, mind, skill has given enough opportunity to all to take and talent. We should fix our objectives and benefit of these resources. Everyone has been exert ourselves accordingly. Misdirected given latent potency to utilize these powers striving gives no result; it merely exhausts for the progress of self as well as for social our strength, and we are forced to start afresh benefit. Resources and circumstances are to regain this strength. often found lesser or lacking even in the lives of great personalities when compared with One important reason why we are unable to other supposedly ordinary persons. utilise our strengths properly is that we fail to determine a right aim in life. If vapour Many great persons have achieved success in pressure gradually develops in a utensil, life in the midst of extreme circumstances, in and we do not use it, the pot could burst any People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing. 35 That’s why we recommend it daily. – Zig Ziglar AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

time. Similarly, we acquire many capabilities the root lies in our mind and in our thoughts. over time, and if we fail to give them a right Actually the desires to enjoy material things direction, our ability and strength begin and the lust for indulgence generate in our to decline. The energy which could have mind and direct our sensory organs onto produced meaningful results gets diverted in this wasteful path. In spite of stomach ache, wasteful pursuits. we jump to eat because our mind is longing for the dishes. In spite of diabetes, the The nature of water is to flow. If we obstruct mind craves for sweets. Despite suffering this flow, one day this water mass would from physical ailments, the mind starts to break the barrier and rush out bringing flood. undertake those activities which could better Similar is the nature of our accumulated be avoided. Thus propelled by the desires energy. To prevent wasteful outflow of this arising in the mind, we begin to indulge energy and channelize it into fruitful work is in such actions which lead to decay of our called sanyam (self-discipline). energy through the innumerable pores of our body. That is why this sanyam or self-discipline has been given so much importance in our It is keeping this vulnerability of the human scriptures. When the river-flow is properly mind that Param Pujya Gurudev Pt. Shriram channelized, multiple kinds of beneficial Sharma Acharya considered indriya-sanyam work can be done, such as electricity (self-control of organs) as a very important production, irrigation and the like, otherwise means for energy conversation. We possess this water can bring devastating floods. So five sensory organs and five organs of action, the flow of our inner energy also needs to totalling ten, but most of this energy decays be properly directed; else, it too begins to through work, taste and touch. So proper produce harmful results. utilization of energy and strength at their levels would increase our assets manifold. It is not that we are not aware of this simple The energy which is trapped and wasted in fact. But unconsciously we begin to commit the labyrinth of haphazard thinking, emotions mistakes and by the time we get wiser, it is and anxieties, if guided in a disciplined and too late. These mistakes become part of our regular manner, embarks on the path of habits, and to break out of this mould becomes creativity. Thus self-restraint should be almost impossible. Hence, wisdom lies in considered as the most important method developing a system for proper management for preservation of energy, and in this New of this energy well in time. Year we should make these methods gifted by Pujya Gurudev as the central point of our It is not that only our sensory organs are aim in life. responsible for this abuse of our strengths. These organs are merely visible from outside; This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to control your own life. No one else can do it for you. Take the power to make your life happy. - Susan Polis Schutz The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. – Ralph Waldo Emerso 36 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

Why Majority of Women is Suffering from Mental Depression? In the present times, due to an increase in The biggest reason for this is - lack of information population, there are economic challenges and support from family. as well as social discrepancies, which have tremendous negative impact on mental health. Even today, many husbands are very abusive World Health Organization defines health as - towards their wives. This kind of behavior towards “State of complete physical, mental and social women within the four walls of the home makes well-being, and not merely the absence of disease all the national level social empowerment efforts or infirmity.” If we consider this definition as our useless. Often times, women struggle inwardly basis, then women’s physical and mental health is with all their physical challenges and problems. a grave area of concern, in comparison to men’s Due to this reason, along with physical health, health in our society. their mental health also starts deteriorating. It is ironic that mental stress and depression are Presently, women are not only suffering from becoming deep rooted in both homemakers and many physical ailments, but also emotional and working women, which in turn affects the overall mental problems. Women who are taking on the social and family structure. dual responsibility of the home and the workplace are becoming weaker physically, emotionally According to the results of a research study, and mentally. A woman often takes care of the approximately 57% of women are suffering from health of every member of the family, but usually mental disorders. A report from the World Health ignores taking care of herself. Surprisingly, the Organization (2018), reveals that India is facing family members do not give her importance, nor a serious mental health crisis, because at present do they pay attention to her health. In this way, there are approximately 5 crore 60 lakh people there are pervasive double standards in women’s who are suffering from depression, while 3 crore health as compared to men’s health. Additionally, 80 lakh people suffer from anxiety disorders women are often unable to openly discuss their and all other diseases related to stress. These own physical and mental problems. This results figures of mental disorders in women are highly in not getting the correct advice and treatment at concerning. the right time. In 1982, the National Mental Health program The situation of women in rural areas is even was started in India, with the goal of bringing worse than those in cities. In the villages, due to awareness about mental health. The Mental lack of awareness, women often get entangled in Health Act was passed in 1987, which called for a charlatan’s web of misinformation. Adding to treatment and care of mentally ill persons; the act the problem, there are many cases (both rural and was recently updated in 2017 to expand healthcare urban) where, by the time these women go to the and services, and protect the rights of the mentally doctor, the disease gets worsened a great deal. ill. Despite these types of programs and laws, there is shortage of mental health professionals Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. – Henry David Thoreau AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019 37

and facilities in the country. There are more Many times, it is seen that rather than treating than 45 crore people world-wide suffering from mental disorders through proper psychiatrists, mental disorders, and 5 crore Indians are fighting women get stuck in the clutches of sorcerous and this terrible mental illness. This is not necessarily superstitious remedies. As part of such remedies, a grave concern at the moment, but can take a they are subjected to physical harassment too. serious form in the coming years. The rising Most of the time, these remedies harm the mental cases of mental disorders are a cause of great and physical health of women and make them worry not only for India, but also for the world even worse. Such headlines can also be found at large. in the newspapers, where women are treated inhumanly, and are portrayed as possessed or World Health Organization predicts that by 2020, crazy, so that their property and homes can be depression will be the second most common taken away from them. disease in women in India, because of the existing inequality between men and women in At present, a large percentage of women our society, domestic violence, and rape. Women are employed, i.e., their role is crucial who have been victims of abuse, rape, or other in contributing financially towards their sexual harassment are at high risk for depression families, as well as taking care of their at any age. According to one of the reports from household duties. In such a situation stress the United Nations two-thirds of the housewives and depression in women is impacting not in India have been victims of domestic violence. only their home and family, but also the society at large. In fact, the bad impact of this According to a report of National Family is falling on the new upcoming generation Health Survey – ‘Many women in our country too. Therefore, it is important to think about get victimized by their husbands every day, the mental health of women, otherwise all the for any excuse’. Research data shows that effort geared towards women’s empowerment inhumane and abusive behaviors from loved will be unsuccessful. ones cause the greatest harm to mental health. Not only housewives, but working and self- The responsibility for women’s health should reliant women, also suffer through these be shared by the other family members in the inhumane and acrimonious behaviors that household; otherwise the base of their family ruin their mental health. It is not true that such will become weak. It is important that there kind of abuse is observed only in uneducated should be proper treatment of women, and that women and in lower classes; in reality, a safe and respectful environment is created for working women are more susceptible to mental them in both family and society. Apart from pressure from their husbands, compared to this, creating an atmosphere of mutual dialogue, non-working women. That is the reason why service, cooperation, sympathy, and love can in the metropolitan cities many working play an important role in grooming and taking women are suffering through depression and care of women’s mental health. This is the only mental strains. The pressure of meeting the proper solution for this widespread problem of expectations at the office and at home makes depression in women. them a victim of depression and stress. Certain things catch your eye, but pursue only those that capture the heart. – Ancient Indian Proverb 38 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

Amrit Vani Remember Death and Respect Life (Translation of excerpts of some discourses given by Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya) Let us begin with collective chanting of Gayatri one thing is certain that nowhere in His system Mantra: there is any ‘meter’ or record book that would register a count of your rosaries or chants and “Om Bh¿r Bhuva¡ Swa¡, Tatsaviturvareñya® religious customs. Bhargo Devasya Dhºmahi, Dhiyo Yo Na¡ Pracoday³t ||” As I have told you several times, your rituals of worship and your endeavors of up³san³ Sisters and Brothers, (devotional practices) do not matter to Him. These acts, if done with due sincerity and mental You tend to ignore or forget the importance of and emotional engrossment, would help cleanse life, because you don’t remember that this golden your inner self and initiate illumination of your opportunity may be snatched away any moment. intrinsic personality. Indeed the automatic Death can reach any moment and end the show. system of Nature created by Him is such that This is a blunder, which most people do. If the balance-sheet of your life will be definitely they had remembered the other end of lifespan, reviewed. But what will be seen in it? It’s the their conscience would have remained alert. accounts of your worthiness that will matter It would have saved the draining and ruining here. of the invaluable treasure gifted to them by the Almighty in the form of human-life. Show the Balance-Sheet of Life You should know that death is a kind of long There is an anecdote in Mahabharata that King sleep of the jºva (soul manifested in a life-form). Parikshit engaged himself in noble deeds when The latter’s waking up after this ‘sleep’ marks the he learnt that he was going to die in a few days. beginning of a new life. History has also witnessed drastic change in the attitude of Alexander - The Great as death Many of you might have read and listened from reached near him. He had realized the futility of the sages that death is a great opportunity for the his victories in wars and the wealth and power jºva to get a new, fresh life and should therefore snatched thereby. But you don’t even want to be welcomed as happily as a child would greet the hear about death! Nobody can deny that death is offer of having new clothes or toys. But you still the only certainty in one’s life. You should also have some varieties of illusions of what exactly accept this fact and recall every night that you will happen when the envoy of death will take are to die one day and have to present the balance ‘you’ (the jºva) to heavenly abode. You think the sheet of your life before the Supreme Ruler of all ‘accountant’ in God’s kingdom will check as to creation. how many times you visited a shrine, how many rosaries you rotated (with chanting of God’s God had conferred upon you the crown of name) every day. Whatever be your imagination becoming a human. He had endowed you with of the office of the death-god and His functioning, Believe you can and you’re halfway there. – Theodore Roosevelt AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019 39

most splendid resources in the form of human life. Now there should be no ignorance, no confusion, How did you use it? Bought tea, chocolates and no looking back. Every night should remind you kites (spent in fulfilling childish desires)? What a of death and every morning should be a new life pity, you spent in the void or lost all the traveler’s that brings you more strength and brighter light cheques that God had loaned you for the journey for further illumination and ascent along the of life! Now it’s the termination of the offer, end beatifying path of s³dhan³. of the period for which you were granted the loan. By no means you can escape giving the details Taking stock of your day’s activities – including of every single ‘penny’ bestowed by him – every those at mental and emotional levels – before sleep deed of yours, every single moment of your life and regarding sleep as death of this (one day’s) will be scrutinized and examined in His system. life, will gradually make you more conscious of your conduct. It will also diminish your excessive Embrace Every Day as New Opportunity of attachments and your tensions and worries before Ascent sleep. Eventually this practice will eliminate your stress, depression, apprehensions and other mental Still there is time. My dear children, you complications. It will help you see the eternity of should wake up now and set the account the soul and this lifespan as only a transitive phase books of your thoughts, aspirations, and in its endless journey. In other words, this nighttime deeds as per His ‘terms and conditions’ (bedtime) pondering over the day’s activities will to avoid the penalties. Make yourself lead to tatvabodha. worthy of rewards from Him. Use your precious resources of time, mental and Thus, just recalling death every day will give physical faculties and other possessions you the knowledge, which most eminent of in constructive, thoughtful, benevolent the spiritual masters alone would be able to activities. The simple practices of analyzing earn. In this sense, (the thought of) death is a your day’s activities in the night and starting supreme master, a guide. All your fears and the next day with determined efforts of misconceptions about death will disappear if you rectifying the mistakes and augmenting the start a special s³dhan³ (spiritual experiment) of good would give you the necessary training contemplation before going to sleep. This will and guidance. gradually lead to your spiritual enlightenment and ultimate self-realization. This is why, it is No matter who you are and which part of the called as a s³dhan³ of tatvabodha. But equally world you live in, after going back from here, important and complementary to this is the you all must follow what I have taught you today. necessity of making best use of the precious life Make your acts of up³san³-s³dhan³ enlivened by available every-day. For this purpose, I advise inducing your pr³ña (vital spiritual energy, source you to do the ³tmabodha s³dhan³. of will-power, courage and self-determination), that is, by inculcating these with your devout Easy Practice of Âtmabodha-Tatvabodha feelings, enlightened thoughts and unperturbed S³dhan³ zeal. Do the pr³ña-pratiÌÚh³ of the deity of your life. Soon after getting up in the morning (or at whatever time you may get up!), take a deep Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. – Arthur Ashe 40 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

breath to feel your existence. Think of the new breathing) will also gain support through these day ahead as the beginning of new life. Ponder crucial exercises that motivate self-transcendence over the origin and nature of life and its purpose. and self-expansion. If you could achieve this, Give a thought to your existence as a living being; nothing more will be required. This path itself ponder over the fact that you are a manifestation will take you to the high realms of divine bliss of the soul. Make a small, practicable resolution and ultimate realization. for the day ahead which will make you a better person, will help weeding out some of your Japa – A universal mode of devotional prayer: shortcomings. Leave the bed with a feeling of being filled with new joy and energy. Japa means repeated rhythmic chanting of mantras (Hymns) or prayers that were initially After going to bed in the night (or whatever is realized or uttered by great saints. It is integral your sleeping time!), think as though you are in to religious practices and devotional support in the last phase of your life. Sleep will end the one- almost every religion. You can find the devout day’s life span you had got since you got up. So Hindus, Muslims, Christians holding the rosary it is time to ponder over the good and the bad you and doing japa as preached in their scriptures. did during the day. Do thorough introspection. The Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Jews, Zoroastrians Try to find out where you could have avoided the (Parsees), Arya Samajis, etc also practice japa in mistakes or where you could have done better one form or the other. Thus japa is a universal with respect to the circumstances at that time. mode of up³san³. As recommended by our rishis, Plan for eliminating the evil, the wrong; and for spiritual enlightenment, you should sincerely enhancing the good, the right, for the next phase do the japa of the great Gayatri Mantra. of life after sleep. Keep aside all your tensions and worries and sleep well, as if you were no Only thing you must remember is that it should more. (Thought of death allays your ego and the not be a mechanical action of moving the tongue complexities and problems associated with it). and lips. Your pr³ña (life-force, vital spiritual energy) should flow with its rhythm. This will These simple exercises (of ³tmabodha and happen if you do the japa with mental and tatvabodha) render great support in alleviating emotional engrossment, and with the spirit of your stresses, your hidden infirmities and intrinsic joy and unperturbed faith. The other four rejuvenate you with new strength and hope. modes of up³san³-s³dhan³ 2, which I am going Regular practice of these will elevate your to discuss now, will lend the necessary support enthusiasm, interest and determination in self- in your spiritual ascent and thus augment your improvement. Gradually all your sincere efforts, worthiness for higher-level s³dhan³s. Similar including your up³san³-s³dhan³ will become to japa, these methods do not emanate from any more lively and intense. particular doctrine and therefore do not belong only to a particular cult, religion, or school of The three universal modes of spiritual ascent, faith. namely, japa (rhythmic chanting of a mantra with mental and emotional engrossment), dhy³na Dhy³na is also universal (meditation) and swara s³dhan³ (deep meditative Your mind should be deeply focused on the thoughts of divinity by way of dhy³na When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us. – Helen Keller AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019 41

(meditation). Meditation is indeed a powerful focus upon its soothing glow at the location of the and universally acclaimed method of soothing ³gy³ chakra3. the mind and enhancing mental concentration. Most people need an object for imagination on Swara Yoga – Soha® Pr³ñ³y³ma which to focus the mind. As part of up³san³, the devotees meditate upon an image of their prime Another practice that you should link with the deity – such as manifestations of goddess Durga, daily up³sana is soha® s³dhan³. As you all know, Saraswati, gods Shiva, Krishna, etc. ‘Brilliance pr³ñ³y³ma is a wonderful yoga exercise. Soha® of natural light’ is regarded as a universal symbol s³dhan³ is a special kind of pr³ñ³y³ma in which, of divine glow and spiritual eminence. This is along with deep and consistent breathing, you referred as “Khud³ K³ N¿ra” in Islam, as “Light also do an emotional meditation of selflessness. It of God” in Christianity and as “Âtma Jyoti” in is a part of praty³h³ra — a deeper level s³dhan³ Hindu Philosophy. All religions, all schools of in yoga — that accelerates spiritual progress. As philosophy affirm its importance. part of this practice, you should concentrate upon the inhalation sound (“so…”) and exhalation Meditation on the rising sun and its inspiring glow sound (“ha®…”) respectively with a feeling that is recommended with the japa of Gayatri Mantra. the Omniscient, universal self is entering deep Glow of the rising sun is regarded as a universal within, and the “I” (egotism, selfishness), is being symbol of Gayatri – the Eternal, Omnipotent expelled out forever. Origin and Ultimate Fulfilment of all knowledge, preeminent divine virtues and powers. Those, This being a s³dhan³ of swaras (the breathing who think that “Gayatri”, because of being currents) is independent of any faith or religion. referred by a Sanskrit name, or because of being It can be practiced by anybody at any time. worshiped in the deity form of divine mother in Vedic Culture, belongs to Hindu Dharma, are You might have read in spiritual texts that God ignorant. The Gayatri Mantra is universal; it is is sat (eternal, ultimate truth), cit (absolute not confined to any religion or cult or any specific knowledge) and ³nanda (supreme bliss). You will manifestation of God. It is universal in its essence attain this ultimate realization if you sincerely and so is the meditation upon rising sun. As also follow these simple, spiritual practices. taught in the yoga practice of tr³taka, you should || OM SHANTI || One evening one old grandpa told his grandson about a battle between two wolves which goes on inside all people - “My son, The battle is between two wolves inside us all - One is evil - it is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, false pride, and ego. And the other is good - joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.” The grandson thought for a moment and then asked his grandfather - “Which wolf wins, Grandpa?” “The one you feed.” Grandpa replied. Everything has beauty, but not everyone can see. – Confucius 42 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

Pretention of Being Rich by the Poor A Roman philosopher was interested in seeing slavery, superstitions, and evil tendencies. If the greatness of India. After spending some time these are not arrested then the whole community in India he returned to his country feeling very will become hollow. Uninterrupted growth of sad. When his friends enquired about the reason these tendencies will ruin any community. for his sadness, he remarked that “most of the Indians are poor but they pretend to be rich.” The poverty of our country is well-known. There The same opinion was expressed by a Japanese is no secrecy about the illiteracy, filth, and evil delegation who said that “in India there is an practices of the land. Then, why does one resort environment of richness but many downtrodden to this pretension of richness? This has to be people live in its shade.” analyzed carefully. Here we have to examine the dark side of the rich in particular. Despite some Why does this paradox exist? Because the follies exceptions, it is not true that wealth is always found in the rich are present in everyone. On the associated with undesirable tendencies. Those other hand, the virtues which should be seen in who can use resources properly can reap the progressive people are sadly missing. In such benefits for themselves and for others too. But in a scenario not only poverty but illiteracy, filth, general, this is not seen. lethargy, and many other vices are also prevalent. They cannot be eradicated by any external effort. In our country it is seen that richness breeds If there is no fertility in the soil, sowing seeds and lethargy and extravagance. Many bad habits cultivating even with the greatest care will yield crop up here. The need to work hard is labeled no crop. a misfortune. The rich class considers hard work an insult to their status. They depend on others The true richness of a man lies in his personality. for their personal work. People want to marry If the personality is full of vitality, then it will their daughters into families where they can rule have the capacity to influence others and yield over others. People engaged in hard work are not ample riches. But how can you expect good respected. Even virtuous people are considered returns from cultivation on rocks? Personality underprivileged if they are found engaged in hard cannot be enriched in a casual manner. We have work. Those who need not work are considered to attract life force from the surroundings for this rich and prosperous. When the habit of being purpose. In an environment filled with toxins lethargic and living on easy money gets rooted it where you cannot even breathe, how long can cannot be removed easily. you expect to survive? The other evil associated with riches is A person who remains weak for a long time extravagance. This alone gives a false impression invariably becomes a victim of many diseases. of being rich. Fashion, jewelry, luxury, and Contagious diseases do not spare even the healthy addictions such as alcoholism have become the people. This is particularly true of prolonged symbols of affluence. This extravagance gets Happiness is not something readymade. It comes from your own actions. – Dalai Lama 43 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

amplified on the occasions of marriages, when to hope that future will be resplendent with more the poorest of the poor also become lavish at all prosperous, educated, civilized and talented people. costs. The bride and bride-groom are decorated to look like a princess and prince. Looking at the Preventing misuse of time and money is like pomp of marriage, one cannot even guess that stopping the leakage from a pot so that it can these people cannot even make both ends meet hold water to the brim. But alas, what can be in daily life. The extravagance shown by the poor said about the misfortune which does not allow is as though they have got hold of some treasure. us to work hard and stop the ugly exhibition of riches? Nothing worthwhile grows under the On an average, an Indian works for a few hours in shadow of these evils. As long as this prevails a day and spends the rest in wasteful activities. If we can neither get rid of poverty nor illiteracy. one can utilize those extra hours for well-planned There are many opportunities for progress, work, then he can earn the means for a richer life. but how can we achieve anything great when For example, one who is engaged in agriculture backwardness has become an integral part of can use his leisure time in cottage industries to our nature? make extra money. It would be better if we could live in a stimulating, Those who do not need that extra money can use progressive environment where we could imbibe their time in spreading literacy or in other social some noble inspirations. If such inspirations are work to build clean surroundings. They can work not available around us then we have to look for together along with their family and use this as them elsewhere, or look back into our glorious a tool to create civilized atmosphere. There are past, which is full of great personalities who many social activities like conservation of health, could be our role models. developing means of livelihood, encouraging arts and other talents and spreading literacy that can If we want to progress on the path of prosperity we be taken up. If these activities are taken up with should get rid of these psychological constraints full zeal and enthusiasm, it is not an exaggeration which force us to lead a miserable life clothed in the guise of prosperity. Maharaja Ranjit Singh was a magnificent leader of Punjab region. His caravan was going somewhere when a stone hit him suddenly and he got badly hurt. The soldiers caught hold of an old woman and brought her in front of Maharaja. The woman pleaded that her son was hungry for last three days. She threw the stone to pick the mangoes from the tree for her child but unfortunately the stone hit the king. After listening to the old woman, king ordered his men to give the woman Rs. 1000 and some food. The people around him were astonished at his decision. They said, “This woman has hit you and you are giving her money and food. Why are you being so generous?” Maharaja Ranjit Singh said, “If a tree can give something in return of getting hit, am I so poor that I would punish her instead of giving something?” You can’t fall if you don’t climb. But there’s no joy in living your whole life on the ground. – Unknown 44 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

Simple Techniques of Pranayama Pranayama has two main aims: One is the control to Stay Healthy - 1 of breathing rate and the other is to attract cosmic vital force so that the physical, subtle and causal In Hatha Yoga, many specific Pranayamas are well bodies get energized. Pranayama also helps a known and many miracles after mastering them lot in psyche control. An otherwise unruly and are seen. A few decades back Sir Edmund Hillary scattered mind can be focused at one point. It is conducted the ‘Ocean to Sky’ expedition. During also important from the point of view of accruing that time an aged Hatha Yogi of Allahabad tied good mental and physical health. a silken thread to the 60 horse power machined boat of Hillary and saw to it that the boat did not When we breathe very fast the storehouse of move even one inch ahead. This was the energy power that sustains life dries up speedily and earned through special techniques of Pranayama thus a long lifespan is not possible. The more the (normally learnt under direct guidance of adept breathing is slow, the more we attain longevity. yogis). However, there are simple Pranayama This becomes clear when the respiration rates of exercises which can be performed by anyone. various creatures are compared. Here we shall discuss the easiest technique of Pranayama. If practiced daily it will start showing The respiration rate or breaths per minute (bpm) its benefits, e.g. signs of vitality, vigor and zest, and lifespan of various creatures are as follows: just in few months. Hare - bpm 38 - age 8 years; Pigeon - bpm 37- age 8 years; Dog - bpm 28 - age 13 years; Pranakarshan Pranayama: Goat- bpm 24 - age 14 years; Horse - bpm 18 - age 50 years; Man - bpm 14 - age 100 years; 1. In the early pre-dawn hours after performing Elephant- bpm 11- age 100 years; Snake - bpm daily ablutions sit cross-legged facing the 7- age 120 years; Tortoise - bpm 4 - age 150 East. Place both hands on the knees. Keep years. the spine erect and close your eyes. Meditate on the fact that the entire sky is full of Prana Ordinarily our lungs contract and relax 18 (Vital force akin to light and energy). This times per minute. In 24 hours the total number Prana, shining like Sun, is flowing towards is 25920. For a body of sound health, 1200 cc of you from all directions. And, within this air should be inhaled. However, people generally Prana you are seated contentedly, peacefully inhale less than half of this amount. It makes and joyfully. the body weak just as one eats half a portion of lunch or drinks only half the amount of water. 2. From both nostrils start inhaling and meditate Irregular breathing leads to weakening of lungs; on the fact that you are absorbing this vital and hence there is a chance of catching diseases force within the body. Prana-flow around you like tuberculosis, cough, asthma etc. is entering your body via the nose. It is now entering your brain, chest, heart, stomach and all other organs. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, 45 must be attained. – Marie Curie AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

3. After inhaling try to retain this Prana and feel 5. After exhaling fully let the air remain outside mentally: The Prana I have inhaled is now for some time. This means remain without air pervading every pore of my body. Think that for some time and think: ‘Since all the taints your bodily parts are like dry mud and Prana of my mind have been exhaled I will shut all is like water. As the mud soaks water, so does doors on them. Now these distortions have your body soak the Prana. Further your body run away miles from me.’ is also fully imbibing divine consciousness that is conjoined to Prana. Initially perform 5 rounds of this Pranayama. After this, every month increase the number by 4. Try to stop exhalation as much as you are 1 more round of Pranayama. Continue increasing comfortable with and then slowly exhale the number till it takes about 15 minutes/day. this air. At that time think: After absorbing Two points should be kept in mind: the essence of Prana in every pore of your body, dirty air is being expelled out of your (1) Practice Pranayama on an empty stomach; and body. All mental taints and distortions are (2) Practice it in a pollution-free environment. being removed via exhalation of this air and like black smoke it is throwing out all In the next issue, we shall take up two more unwholesome imprints of the psyche. techniques, viz. Lom-Vilom Suryavedhan Pranayama and Naadi Shodhan Pranayama. Once Ganesha and Kartikeya sons of Lord Shiva and Parvati, get into a fight about who is intelligent and who has proficient vehicle (Mushaka/Mouse of Ganesha or Peacock of Kartikeya). They are unable to solve it, so they go to their parents for help. Lord Shiva and Parvati discuss on how to resolve this issue and seek Narada’s help for a fair assessment. Narada asks both Ganesha and Kartikeya to take a round of Brahmanda (Universe) and whoever completes the trip and comes back first will be awarded as winner. By listening to this Kartikeya takes his vehicle peacock and rushes to take the trip of Brahmanda; whereas Ganesha is a bit sad as he knows his mushaka (mouse) is slow and will not be able to finish the trip before Kartikeya would do. Then he makes his parents sit in the middle together, takes their blessings before starting for the trip. And then after thinking for a while, he sits on his vehicle and asks Mushaka to take a round of his parents. Narada, astonished by Ganesha’s brilliance, declares him the winner. After a long time Kartikeya comes happily completing his trip believing Ganesha wouldn’t have come back so early. He is surprised to see Ganesha is back and has been declared as winner. Kartikeya gets angry and asks how come he was declared winner when he didn’t go for the trip. Then Ganesha answers, “For me my Parents only are the Brahmanda and I had taken the trip around them.” After listening to this, Kartikeya feels ashamed of himself, as well as proud of his small brother and his thinking. Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears. – Les Brown 46 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

Trees Communicate It may appear strange to know that trees in Their Own Way! communicate with one another similar to human beings, birds and animals. However, use of different mediums to communicate. they have their own system of communication. However, the West did not accept Peter’s The existence of such a system has been theory regarding trees and blamed him for studied extensively by Peter Wohlleben. In ‘Anthropomorphism of trees’ and considered his book titled ‘The Hidden Life of Trees: his attempt of looking at vegetation from What They Feel, How They Communicate— humane perspective as emotional idiocy. Discoveries from A Secret World’, he writes - “The most astonishing thing about trees is In India, trees have been given the status of how social they are. The trees in a forest care gods. In Shrimad Bhagwad Gita (10/26), Lord for each other, sometimes even going so far Krishna says Ashwatthah sarvavrikshaanaam as to nourish the stump of a felled tree for [meaning: Among the trees, I am the Peepal centuries after it was cut down by feeding it (Ficus religiosa)]. Even Lord Buddha has sugars and other nutrients, and so keeping it called himself as the ‘Tree God ‘ in his Jataka alive. Only some stumps are thus nourished. stories. Perhaps they are the parents of the trees that make up the forest of today. A tree’s According to the basic facts and findings of most important means of staying connected Peter Wohlleben - ‘Trees have a very strong to other trees is a “wood wide web” of soil sense of communal co-existence. They also fungi that connects vegetation in an intimate have their families and communities.’ This network that allows the sharing of an fact is accepted by Pradip Krishna, the enormous amount of information and goods. environmentalist who concluded authentic Scientific research aimed at understanding research on the forest resources of Delhi, the astonishing abilities of this partnership the findings of which were very popular. between fungi and plant has only just begun. To elaborate his point, he illustrated the The reason trees share food and communicate case of Sal (Shorea robusta) trees. He says is that they need each other. It takes a forest that the timber obtained from these trees to create a microclimate suitable for tree is extensively used on a commercial scale. growth and sustenance. So it’s not surprising These trees are widely found from the that isolated trees have far shorter lives than foothills of the Himalayas to western Uttar those living connected together in forests.” Pradesh and from West Bengal to Odisha and north-eastern Madhya Pradesh. It is also a fact that trees want to interact with us. But unlike human beings, they do not In the second half of the nineteenth century, have a voice to do so. Therefore, they make when the rail tracks were being laid by the British Government in India, there arose a great demand of Sal wood for making railway sleepers. At that time, the Indian Forest A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new. – Albert Einstein AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019 47

Department tried hard to cultivate these trees as inert as we have believed them to be. If beyond their natural belt. But they could we could understand the life system of trees, not succeed in it. Neither were they able to then for us every forest would turn into a understand the reason for non-cultivation of unique wonderland’. these trees outside their native belt. After all, the question is - how do trees interact The fact is that Sal trees are community with each other? In this context, Tim Flannery based type of vegetation and this is the reason says that trees have the ability to experience odor. why they do not grow alone at any place. In order to substantiate his theory, he gives the Indians know from time immemorial that it example of Africa. In this continent, if a giraffe is impossible to develop a Sal tree alone. So, begins to feed upon a single species of tree every they are always cultivated in a group in the time, then all the trees of that species begin to form of a small forest. If a well-developed release a special chemical in the air, which is Sal tree is taken away from its community interpreted as a warning of danger by other and planted somewhere else, then it dies of trees of that species. But, as the trees could not solitude on not being able to communicate run away even on sensing danger, they begin with its community. to release a toxic substance in response, which eventually makes the giraffe dislike it. According to another environmentalist, Tim Flannery – ‘All of us have heard such tales We are unaware of the extent to which trees in which trees have eyes, they could speak believe in mutual coexistence. Whenever and they could even walk. No doubt, these they are cut, they share their pain with their are our imaginations, but trees are not even neighbors. If a tree is cut off in a jungle, then Study Reveals Plants Communicate Through Root Secretions Forestry professor Suzanne Simard at the University of British Columbia first found evidence in 1997 that Douglas fir and paper birch trees transfer carbon between them via mycelia. This led her to theorize – ‘Trees communicate with each other using a mycelia network that connects their roots allowing them to transfer information, in other words: a fungal internet’. Simard then postulated that large trees help out smaller younger ones by using this fungal network. In the 2011 documentary ‘Do Trees Communicate?’, Simard said these trees “are interacting with each other, trying to help each other survive.” Reported by - Loukia Papadopoulos in ‘Interesting Engineering’ (May 07, 2018) I would rather die of passion than of boredom. – Vincent van Gogh 48 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019

the surrounding trees collectively try to make Let Us Celebrate Vasant Parva every possible effort to nurture the chopped with Vigor and Vibrancy trunk. Vasant Parva marks the The concept of ‘Wood Wide Web’ advent of spring – surging forth envisaged by Peter Wohlleben is actually of vibrant life in nature; which a unique system of communication typical was lying dormant during the of the trees, the medium for which is the chilly, cold and constrictive winter. fungi and bacteria present in the soil. The whole of nature is filled with No matter how different the trees may exuberant life and laughter. In the be in their external appearance, but they cycles of nature’s moods, the joy maintain a connection with each other and warmth of spring follow the through their roots and the network of soil bone breaking shivering cold of the microorganisms. On digging a forest we winter. Nature expresses this joy in would find a densely developed network the form of multihued flowers. This of roots and microbes thriving beneath the year, the period of Vasant will span substratum. This is the network which has about 40 days, from Vasant Parva been referred to as the ‘Wood Wide Web’ (February 10, 2019) to Holika Parva by Peter. (March 20, 2019). It is the season of joy, festivity, enthusiasm and According to Peter, forest is the laboratory youthfulness – an auspicious period of biodiversity. A single tree is deaf and for a renewed vigor and vibrancy. dumb in many ways. It could never sustain as long a life as the forest trees because Vasant Parva is of special the former has dissociated from other significance to Gayatri Pariwar. This similar members of its community. This is the holy day of Self-realization proves that trees interact with each other. (on Vasant Parva of 1926) by our In ancient India, Sage Charak was famous Pujya Guru Satta Pandit Shriram for interacting with plants/trees. Sharma Acharya; and we have been celebrating it as the Foundation It is said that when he approached the trees Day of the Mission for the past and plants they used to reveal their utility 92 years. On this auspicious day, to him. On the basis of this conversation, let us rededicate ourselves to he composed the ‘Charak Samhita’, which work towards accomplishing our is one of the most authentic texts on Mission’s aim of ushering in the Ayurveda. Today, we may not be able to new Era of Truth, Love and Peace. converse with the trees, but they interact with each other in various forms and discharge their obligation of constantly contributing their share to our nature. If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough. – Oprah Winfrey AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019 49

A Guide to Sanskrit-English Transliteration Devan³gari Script “AHD Symbol” †æ óa Å Úa 1. Vocalic Sounds ÆU Úha ¥a ÇU Ãa ¥æ ³ ɸU Ãha §i ‡æ ña §ü º Ì ta ©U u Í tha ª¤ ¿ Î da «¤ • Ï dha °e Ù na °ð ai  pa ¥æð o Ȥ pha ¥æñ au Õ ba ¢® Ö bha Ñ¡ × ma Ø ya 2. The Consonants ÚU ra k Ü la ß va ·¤ ka àæ ïa kh cæ Ìa kha â sa ãU ha ‚g ÿæ kÌa » ga ˜æ tra ƒ gh ™æ jóa ƒæ gha ÇU. òa ¿ ca ÀU cha Á ja Ûæ jha Remember no one can make you feel inferior without your consent. – Eleanor Roosevelt 50 AKHAND JYOTI Jan.-Feb. 2019