Have Faith In God

For an individual being God exists just because of that person's "Faith". If you have "Faith" in God then God has some meaning in your life, otherwise not. If you have Faith in God, then only you can know more of Him, otherwise your journey towards God just stops there. Faith in God elevates an individual's thinking process & it purifies the heart, emotions & soul and leads one to the vision of God.

Faith is the soul of every religion. It creates new hopes and awakens in one the presence of God. Faith is the eye that sees the Lord and the hand that clings to Him. Faith is power. Faith is strength. Faith is abundant energy. He who has faith in God is strong. He who doubts about God is weak. Strong faith in God precedes great actions. Faith illumines the spiritual path, builds a bridge across the gulf of death, and takes one to the other shore of fearlessness and deathlessness.

Below is an Upnishdic story regarding the Faith:

In ancient times, a severe draught occurred in one region of India. One of the village in in that region was severely affected with this draught. Without rains, the villagers faced a bleak future, as their all livelihood depended on agricultural produce only. All of the rivers and the lakes got dried up due to the extreme heat of the sun. Not even a single drop of water was left in the wells. Whole of village people were really desperate for the water.

Villagers approached the village priest (pundit) and asked him to organize a prayer to the rain God & asked him to organize a meeting for the same in the temple. All of the villagers came to attend this prayer meeting. In the last one man arrived at the temple and all of the villagers started looking at this one man with curiosity. Among all the villagers this man was the only one who was carrying an umbrella to this prayer meeting. No villager was ever seen carrying an umbrella outside of the rainy seasons. To the villagers it seemed unconventional to carry an umbrella when there was not one rain cloud in the sky.

The prayer meeting commenced and at the end of all the rituals and ceremonies, when people were about to leave the temple, they could not hold back their curiosity about the man and his umbrella.

‘Why was he carrying the umbrella?’ villagers asked him.

The man with the umbrella replied: "I have "Faith" in God & the God will provide. He only gives and He only takes away. God will surely answer our prayers for the rain and I will need the umbrella for the rains".

The villagers laughed at him. Not one of the villagers could appreciate the absolute and sincere "Faith" of the man with the umbrella. The scorching heat of the sun outside the temple was still fresh in their minds.

Lo……..Behold, a miracle took place. As the people were going out of the temple door and putting on their shoes, rain clouds appeared in the sky, the gentle breeze gave way to stormy winds, suddenly the sky darkened and thunder and lightning heralded the coming of the rains. A sudden rainfall opened the eyes of the villagers. Their ridicule of the man with the umbrella changed to their amazement, disbelief, and they now understood the intense "Faith" of this man. Now the villagers got convinced that it was the sincere "Faith" & prayer of this man and devotion to the God that He has answered to his prayers.

Below are few verses of Bhagwat Gita on Faith:

asraddadhanah purusha
dharmasyasya parantapa
aprapya mam nivartante
mrityu-samsara-vartmani (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Nine verse 3)

"Sri Krishna said to Arjuna: Those who are not Faithful in this devotional service, cannot attain Me, O Arjuna. Therefore they return to the path of birth and death in this material world."

"shraddhaval labhate jnanam
tat-parah samyatendriyah
jnanam labdhva param shantim
acirenadhigacchati" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Four verse 39)

"Sri Krishna said to Arjuna: A faithful man who is dedicated to transcendental knowledge and who subdues his senses is eligible to achieve such knowledge, and having achieved it he quickly attains the God & spiritual peace."

"yoginam api sarvesam
mad-gatenantar-atmana
shraddhavan bhajate yo mam
sa me yuktatamo matah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Six verse 47)

"Sri Krishna said to Arjuna: And of all yogis, the one with great Faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within himself, and renders transcendental loving service to Me—he is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. That is My opinion."

"ye tu dharmamritam idam
yathoktam paryupasate
sraddadhana mat-parama
bhaktas te ’tiva me priyah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Twelve verse 20)

"Sri Krishna said to Arjuna: O Arjuna, Those who follow this imperishable path of devotional service and who completely engage themselves with faith, making Me the supreme goal, are very, very dear to Me."

So just have Faith in the words of the God. It's the Faith in God which makes our perceptions & beliefs. If you have Faith in God & words of the Lord Krishna, then you shall be able to turn toward the God. It's Faith in God only which determines how you can mould your life. So just have Faith in the words of Lord Krishna & His teaching in Bhagwat Gita.

Jai Sri Krishna

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Devotion to Lord Krishna removes all Sins

In our life, we knowingly or unknowingly, sometimes commit the sin. In scriptures there are many ways such as penance, charity etc. are told, through which atonement to such sins can be attained. But there is no way more swift, fast for atonement to sins than Devotional service to Lord Krishna. In this regard Bhagwat Puran & Bhagwat Gita, both explain about this assurance in detail that Devotion to Lord Krishna is the supreme purifier for all the sins that a person commits in life time. Below are few verses from Bhagwat Puran regarding this:

"Some manage, in relying on nothing but an unalloyed devotion towards Lord Krishna, to destroy all their badness beyond revival, like the sun does with fog."

"A man full of sin, o King is for certain not as much purified by penance, as the devotee who has surrendered his life to Lord Krishna in dedicated service unto the original person of God."

"In this world there is this path that is really appropriate & the one that is followed by the well-behaved, fearless and auspicious, saintly people; that is in surrendering oneself to Lord Krishna.

"Most of the atonement, well performed by a nondevotee will not purify, o King, like all the rivers can't purify a liquor jar with their regular washing of it."

"Once the mind is of full of surrender to the two lotus feet of Lord Krishna & the mind is full of hankering after Lord's qualities, then that person shall never encounter Yamarâja (Lord of death) and his superintendents, or even in one's dreams meet his servants carrying the ropes to bind, because doing such devotional service to Lord Krishna is the right atonement for all sins."

In Bhagwat Gita also God himself is giving that assurance:

"sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
mokshayisyami ma suchah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 66)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear."

So let's always pray to Lord Krishna & let's always engage our mind in devotional service of Him. Let's read religious texts, scriptures & literature regarding the Lord Krishna. Let's always sing His glories so that He can always be merciful on us. If we shall do such devotional service to God then we shall get special mercy of Lord Krishna & we shall be purified of all the sins in our life.

Jai Sri Krishna.

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Hide and Seek game of God

Have you played "Hide and Seek" game in your childhood? I think there shall be very few people who have not played this game in their childhood. Here below is a "parable" named "Hide and Seek" of Sri Ramakrishna, saint of Bengal, which illustrates about the true nature of God. Through this we can understand how God is present near us while He is hiding from us & how we are not able to see Him.

"Hide and Seek" game has many versions & people of different countries play it in many different ways. In one form which is played in some countries, the one who hides is called "Granny" & all others are seeker of her. This "Granny" blindfolds the eyes of other persons and then hides herself. These blindfolded persons are to seek that hidden "Granny" one by one. Whosoever can find and touch the "Granny" has the blindfold removed from his/her eyes and is "free". So the game goes like that. In the philosophical sense same is the case with us. God is similarly nearby us (like Granny) & has covered our eyes with ignorance and hidden Himself here. If you are able to find Him, touch Him, then you are freed of Maya (the blindfold, the illusion, the duality).

Actually "Maya" is the energy of God which creates illusion about God & blindfolds our inner eyes (our knowledge) of God. When we are under the influence of "Maya" energy then we are not able to see God or know our true Soul nature. Here below are verses from "Bhagwat Gita" which describe about the nature of this "Maya", how this illusive energy of God deludes the human beings & puts a veil of ignorance on human mind. This veil of ignorance just disappears from the human mind once he/she starts having faith in God & have devotion in that Almighty. God himself in below verses is declaring that one who is engaged in pure devotional service goes beyond this illusion of "Maya" easily & attains to the God in no time.

Below verses explain the nature of "Maya" & how it binds the free Soul to it's qualities:

"sattvam rajas tama iti
gunah prakriti-sambhavah
nibadhnanti maha-baho
dehe dehinam avyayam" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Fourteen verse 5)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, The three Material nature born qualities (goodness, passion and ignorance born of Maya) bind the imperishable Soul to this body, when this Soul comes in contact with these three modes (qualities) of nature."

"dhumenavriyate vahnir
yathadarso malena cha
yatholbenavrto garbhas
tatha tenedam avrtam" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Three verse 38)

"Sri Krishna said: As fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, or as the embryo is covered by the womb, so is the living entity (Individual Soul) is covered by different degrees of this Ignorance."

"daivi hy esa guna-mayi
mama maya duratyaya
mam eva ye prapadyante
mayam etam taranti te" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seven verse 14)

"Sri Krishna said: This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature (Maya), is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross over it."

Below verses explain how one can be free of the influence of "Maya" by having devotion towards the God:

"man-mana bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaishyasi satyam te
pratijane priyo ’si me" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 65)

"Sri Krishna says to Arjuna: Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend."

"sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
mokshayisyami ma suchah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 66)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions (shall be freed of Maya). Do not fear."

So let's devote our heart, mind & Soul to God as by doing so we shall be free of the power & influence of the illusory nature of Maya. Once we are able to find God, touch Him with our heart then we shall be a Free Soul & shall be eligible to live in His Divine Abode ultimately. So let's be the ultimate winner in "Hide and Seek" game of the God.

Jai Sri Krishna

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4 Types of Devotees

Do you believe in God? If yes, then what type of devotee are you? Bhagwat Gita describes about 4 types of devotees of God.

1) First one are those people who are in distress. In our bad times when we are in distress or when we are going through physical or mental agony, at that time we generally remember & pray to God. Such people devote themselves to God because they wish to be liberated from grief.

2) Second one are those people who want to know about the God. Such people have faith in God & want to know more about Him. Such people due to their inquisitiveness, debate about the God, read books etc. to know more about the God.

3) Third one are those people who want to gain wealth in life. There is no end to such people in this world. You can find such people generally in temples etc. asking God to give them wealth, money etc. Such people are those one's who do their appointed task for money because doing it will bring good fortune to them. So such people are the doers of selfish action in life.

4) Fourth one are those people who are people of True knowledge. Such people are really the wise men.They have true knowledge to God. They are the realized sages, who have attained to the stage of reaching the supreme goal.

Below are the verses of Bhagwat Gita which explain about the above said 4 types of devotees.

"chatur-vidha bhajante mam
janah sukritino ’rjuna
arto jijnasur artharthi
jnani cha bharatarsabha" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seven verse 16)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, four kinds of pious men begin to render devotional service unto Me—the distressed, the inquisitive, the desirer of wealth, and the one who is searching for knowledge of the Absolute."

"udarah sarva evaite
jnani tv atmaiva me matam
asthitah sa hi yuktatma
mam evanuttamam gatim" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seven verse 18)

"Sri Krishna said: All these devotees are undoubtedly magnanimous souls, but he who is situated in knowledge of Me, I consider to be just like My own self. Being engaged in My transcendental service, he/she is sure to attain Me, the highest and most perfect goal."

So just check, which type of devotee of God are you? If you are not the fourth one i.e. a person of True knowledge, a really wise person, then just strive to be the one. Just devote yourself to God, read religious literature, join the company of saintly people, give charities, alms to the people. Doing all such good works & having a yearning for God, you shall certainly become a wise person, a true devotee of God & shall ultimately attain to Him.

Jai Sri Krishna.

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O My Lord

Lord Krishna is the Supreme God. One who listens with care and attention, in respect of Lord Krishna, will always find affinity with God and shall be purified from all vices. A devotee always works for Lord Krishna. Therefore all devotees always get delighted in the service of Lord Krishna as it enlivens the soul. So let's always do everything in this world with our full devotion to please the Lord Krishna only. By doing so we shall get the special and causeless mercy of Lord Krishna.

Below is a small prayer to the Lord Krishna:

"O Lord Krishna, You are My Supreme God. You are the Giver of everything in my Life. Each and every moment, You cherish and nurture me; I am Your child, and I rely upon You alone. Your greatness cannot be described by the tongue as you are Unlimited, Infinite Lord and Master of everything in this world & no one knows Your limits.

O My Lord, as I am ignorant one, so You destroy all of my sins and teach me in different ways. O Lord, be always merciful on me & always save me. I seek Your Sanctuary as You are my only hope. You are my companion and my best friend. Save me, O Merciful Savior Lord."

Below are verses of Bhagwat Gita in which Lord Krishna is telling about His devotees & how He always protects them:

"sri-bhagavan uvacha
mayy avesya mano ye mam
nitya-yukta upasate
shraddhaya parayopetas
te me yuktatama matah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Twelve verse 2)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Those who fix their minds on My personal form and are always engaged in worshiping Me with great and transcendental faith are considered by Me to be most superior & perfect of all the Yogis."

"ye tu sarvani karmani
mayi sannyasya mat-parah
ananyenaiva yogena
mam dhyayanta upasate"

"tesam aham samuddharta
mrityu-samsara-sagarat
bhavami na cirat partha
mayy avesita-cetasam" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Twelve verse 6-7)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, But those who worship Me, giving up all their activities unto Me and being devoted to Me without deviation, engaged in devotional service and always meditating upon Me, having fixed their minds upon Me, O son of Pritha—for them I am the swift deliverer from the ocean of birth and death."

"mayy eva mana adhatsva
mayi buddhim nivesaya
nivasisyasi mayy eva
ata urdhvam na samsayah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Twelve verse 8)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Just fix your mind upon Me and engage all your intelligence in Me. Thus you will live in Me always, without a doubt."

"ye tu dharmamritam idam
yathoktam paryupasate
sraddadhana mat-parama
bhaktas te ’tiva me priyah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Twelve verse 20)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Those who follow this imperishable path of devotional service and who completely engage themselves with faith, making Me the supreme goal, are very, very dear to Me."

So let's always engage in devotional service of Lord Krishna. Let's read His literature, always sing His glories so that He can always be merciful on us. If we shall do such devotional service to God then we shall get special mercy of Lord Krishna & we shall attain to the Bhakti of the Lord.

Jai Sri Krishna.

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Love Him Adore Him

We all love our near & dear one's, whether it is your mother, father, wife, children, friend etc, your heart automatically goes toward them. But do you love God even a fraction of what you love your dear ones? Though God is the perfect one & can give you perfect love but still our mind does not turn toward Him. It's only in our bad times that our mind turns toward the God & not in our good times. If we are able to love God in our good times then bad times shall not come in our lives.

Lord Krishna is also the Lord of Love. He is love infinite. If you shall love Him then He too shall shower His unconditional love upon you. "Gopis of Vrindavan" fell in deep love with Lord Krishna. Though Lord Krishna is almighty, all powerful God & everyone prays to Him but "Gopis of Vrindavan", including "Radha Rani" fell in deep Love with the God & in their case there was a burning desire in their mind to meet the God.

So let's also love the God like "Gopis of Vrindavan" loved Him. If you shall love God a little bit then He shall love you ten folds, as God is hungry of love & devotion only.

In "Bhagwat Gita" also Lord Krishna is saying to Arjuna:

"man-mana bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaishyasi satyam te
pratijane priyo ’si me" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 65)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, "Be aware of me always, adore me, make every act an offering to me, and you shall come to me; this I (Krishna) promise, for you are dear to me."

"sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
mokshayisyami ma suchah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 66)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, "Abandon all supports and look to me for protection. I shall purify you from the sins of the past; you do not grieve."

Lord Krishna is assuring Arjuna in Bhagwat Gita that He shall always be with him i n all circumstances if he is always in devotion to Him. Same thing applies to every human being also. If a person remains devoted to Lord Krishna then Lord promises that He shall deliver that person of all the sins of the past & purify that person. By doing such loving service to the Lord, certainly that person shall be in the eyes of God always & God shall always protect that person.

So let's always be devoted to Lord Krishna. Let's sing His Glories, read literature regarding Him & also do loving service to humanity (charity etc.) in His name. If we are able to get devoted to God with one-pointed mind & constantly hear about His glories, remember Him and worship the Supreme Lord, then He too shall always protect His devotees. So Let's always "Love Krishna, Adore Krishna".

Jai Sri Krishna.

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Austerity of Speech

In our life, many times it happens with us that we say something and then realize that the person, or people, on the receiving end have not understood what you meant or have completely misunderstood you. Sometimes they get hurt with your speech & such thing mostly happens when you are speaking in anger. So what you say can make or mar your impression on other persons. As is said, "Your words can take you places or can come back to haunt you when you least expected." So we should be very thoughtful while speaking anything, that's why it is said that, "You should think before you speak". Bhagwat Gita also says that we should have control over our speech & below verse explains about the "Austerity of speech" & how we can practice that:

"anudvega-karam vakyam
satyam priya-hitam cha yat
svadhyayabhyasanam chaiva
van-mayam tapa ucyate" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seventeen verse 15)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature."

So before you speak anything, just think twice -Is it necessary? Is it true? Is it kind? Will it hurt someone? After examining all these aspects, speak such words which shall be beneficial to others & shall not hurt anyone in anyway. Otherwise, as is said that, "Speech is Silver & Silence is Gold", practice this, as there are times when silence has the loudest voice.

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One Who Knows Past, Present & Future

In our day to day life if we just try to remember what we ate during lunch 3 days back, it becomes little difficult for us to remember. If we try to recollect the same one month back on the same day as of today, certainly we are not able to recollect what we ate on that day. Simple answer to it is that human memory is like that it recollects & remember routine day to day life things easily & find it difficult to see the exact day to day details of past times. Though details of our past lives are there in our unconscious mind but we are not able to know anything about our past lives at all as we do not have powers to delve deep into our unconscious mind & see the past lives. Yes, in some cases, a few people are able to remember a little of their past life but such cases are very rare. But certainly no one is able to know the future, what is yet to come.

All such happens in case of humans due to their limited mind power & limited spiritual power. But God who is having unlimited or infinite mind power, spiritual power & is able to know all that has happened in the past, all that is happening in the present, and all that shall happen in future. God is almighty, supreme & is having all such powers. In fact He Himself is Time & all aspects of Time i.e. Past, Present & Future, all happens in Himself only. In this aspect God is called TriKalagya or TriKaldarshi or one who knows everything about past, present & future. So, as no human being is having any such power that he can know all about what has happened in the past (in their past lives) & what shall be happening in the future but all such is possible with God's case. In Bhagwat Gita Lord Krishna is saying this with full Authority in below verse.

"vedaham samatitani
vartamanani charjuna
bhavisyani cha bhutani
mam tu veda na kaschana" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seven verse 26)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, as the Lord of the universe, I know everything that has happened in the past, all that is happening in the present, and all things that are yet to come. I also know all living entities; but Me no one knows."

So let's pray to such a God so that He can take care of our Present & Future as He has all the powers to play with Time & do all the changes in it at His will. Once we are able to pray to God in such a way, then He shall always protect us, which is told in below verses of Bhagwat Gita.

"ananyas cintayanto mam
ye janah paryupasate
tesham nityabhiyuktanam
yoga-ksemam vahamy aham" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Nine verse 22)

"Sri Krishna said: But those who always worship Me with exclusive devotion, meditating on My transcendental form—to them I carry what they lack, and I preserve what they have."

"sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
mokshayisyami ma suchah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 66)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Abandon all varieties of religion or Setting aside all meritorious deeds, just surrender unto Me. I shall liberate you from all sins. Do not fear."

"Jai Sri Krishna"

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Different Forms of God

People in this world follow different religions & have different faiths in regard to God. Different religions of the world depict God in different forms. In Hinduism God is depicted as Rama, Krishna, Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma etc. while in some sects of Hinduism, God is depicted as formless God too. In Christianity God is depicted as Jesus Christ who is said to be the Son of God. Sikhism & Muslim sects mostly believe in a formless God. So different minded people of the world see God in different forms or formless God too.

God is basically formless as Soul or Super Soul is formless & cannot be seen with the eyes due to it's very subtle nature. As God is almighty, He is free to take any form. That's why there are so many different forms of God in Hinduism & God appears in different forms from time to time as per the Hindu mythology. As any Form is a representation of Maya as per the Hinduism, so even the different forms of God are representation of Maya only, while in fact God is formless. Formless only creates the Forms & not otherwise. Below is a story which exemplify this fact beautifully:

"In a rural village of India there was a little park where people used to come in their spare time. Villagers used to spend their idle time over there & used to sit and chat with each other. The path to this park lay alongside the forest. On the edge of the path there was a large, well-known Kadamba tree. One day a city-dweller came to the village, passed by the tree, and saw a peculiar lizard climbing on the trunk of that tree. When he reached the park he told the others sitting there, "I just saw a Green lizard on that old Kadamba tree!"

"Oh," said one man, "I know that lizard. I've seen it there several times -- but it's not Green-colored, it's Yellow."

"No, no, not Yellow," said another, "it is Cream coloured." Then others chimed in: "We have seen it -- it is lavender (gray, etc.). Each person had a different picture of the lizard.

They decided to go to the tree to find the animal and settle the argument. What they found was a Sadhu (Saint) from the forest, sitting in meditation under that Kadamba tree. The villagers questioned him about the animal. The saint answered, "I know all about that creature, who lives on this tree," he answered. "It is a Chameleon" (a creature who is able to change his body colour at will). "It is sometimes lavender, sometimes gray, sometimes green, yellow, cream, and sometimes it has really no color at all."

Saint further said, "God, too is like that Chameleon, taking on different qualities and appearances, and then again He has none."

In Hinduism many God's are worshipped but all these Gods are manifestation of one Supreme God only which is explained in Bhagwat Gita Chapter Ten in detail.

In Bhagwat Gita Chapter Ten, Lord Krishna is saying that he is the source of all beings & gods. Not even that as per Lord Krishna, all these universes & creations spring from but a spark of His splendor only. As per Him, He is seated in hearts of all living entities. He Himself is Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva & Lord Brahma. He Himself is Sun, Moon, Wind & Fire. He Himself is Rama God too. He Himself is Lord of wealth - Kubera. He Himself is Spiritual word Om. He Himself is river Ganges. Among women He Himself is manifested as Goddess of fortune (Lakshmi), Goddess of wisdom (Saraswati) & other Goddesses of fame, memory, intelligence, steadfastness and patience. As per Lord Krishna His opulence is limitless.

Hindus likewise believe in only one God. They glorify and praise His thousands of qualities. For example when God is love, He is symbolically represented by Lord Krishna, God as virtue is represented by lord Rama, God as power is represented by Lord Hanuman, God as wisdom is represented by Goddess Saraswati etc. etc. So these different aspects of Gods represent spirituality, purity, power etc. of the Ultimate One who is endless truth and bliss.

Below are some verses from Bhagwat Gita which explain about various manifestations of One Supreme God.

"aham atma gudakesha
sarva-bhutasaya-sthitah
aham adis cha madhyam cha
bhutanam anta eva cha" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Ten verse 20)

"Sri Krishna said: I am the Super Soul, O Arjuna, seated in the hearts of all living entities. I am the beginning, the middle and the end of all beings."

"adityanam aham vishnur
jyotisam ravir amsuman
maricir marutam asmi
nakshatranam aham sasi" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Ten verse 21)

"Sri Krishna said: Of the Adityas I am Vishnu, of lights I am the radiant Sun, of the Maruts I am Marici, and among the stars I am the Moon."

"rudranam sankaras chasmi
vitteso yaksha-rakshasam
vasunam pavakas chasmi
meruh sikharinam aham" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Ten verse 23)

"Sri Krishna said: Of all the Rudras I am Lord Shiva, of the Yakshas and Rakshasas I am the Lord of wealth [Kubera], of the Vasus I am fire [Agni], and of mountains I am Meru."

"pavanah pavatam asmi
ramah shastra-bhrtam aham
jhasanam makaras chasmi
srotasam asmi jahnavi" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Ten verse 31)

"Sri Krishna said: Of purifiers I am the Wind, of the wielders of weapons I am Rama, of fishes I am the shark, and of flowing rivers I am the Ganges."

"aksharanam a-karo ’smi
dvandvah samasikasya cha
aham evakshayah kalo
dhataham vishvato-mukhah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Ten verse 33)

"Sri Krishna said: Of letters I am the letter A, and among compound words I am the dual compound. I am also inexhaustible time, and of creators I am Brahma."

"mrityuh sarva-haras chaham
udbhavas cha bhavisyatam
kirtih srir vak cha narinam
smritir medha dhrtih ksama" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Ten verse 34)

"Sri Krishna said: I am all-devouring death, and I am the generating principle of all that is yet to be. Among women I am fame, fortune, fine speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness and patience."

"yac chapi sarva-bhutanam
bijam tad aham arjuna
na tad asti vina yat syan
maya bhutam characharam" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Ten verse 39)

"Sri Krishna said: Furthermore, O Arjuna, I am the generating seed of all existences. There is no being—moving or nonmoving—that can exist without Me."

"yad yad vibhutimat sattvam
srimad urjitam eva va
tat tad evavagaccha tvam
mama tejo-’msa-sambhavam" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Ten verse 41)

"Sri Krishna said: Know that all opulent, beautiful and glorious creations spring from but a spark of My splendor."

"atha va bahunaitena
kim jnatena tavarjuna
vistabhyaham idam krtsnam
ekamsena sthito jagat" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Ten verse 42)

"Sri Krishna said: But what need is there, Arjuna, for all this detailed knowledge? With a single fragment of Myself I pervade and support this entire universe."

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Action or Meditation

We all have heard of Himalayan Yogis who do meditation for years together in search of God in the caves of Himalaya. The stories of such Yogis are true & they do such meditation to achieve God all through their lives. Now just tell me whether in your busy life schedule, can you do such vigorous mediation in isolation for years together? Certainly not, as we all are worldly people who are doing our duty towards our family, society & nation. We do not have the luxury of such time that we can do meditation for years together.

Now, can't we then attain to God if we are not able to do the meditation? Don't worry, Bhagwat Gita gives a solution for this.

"Once there was a Master who was having a big hermitage in which he was having many disciples. Strangely, Master was never seen sitting in meditation. However, he was ceaselessly engaged in housework and fieldwork, in meeting people and writing books. He even took up the book keeping chores of the monastery. So in that way he was continuously engaged in action. Once a disciple asked the Master," You are always engaged in action, doing some work or the other, You never sit in meditation, then how come you are able to see the God?"

Master replied, "I do all my work always remembering the God & offer all my work to God. In this way I am sustaining my life, taking a part in God's world & doing good to the society. God is happy with me as I devote all my work to God. So in this way as I remember God always so therefore I don't need to sit in meditation."

Below are verses of Bhagwat Gita which also say that only:

"niyatam kuru karma tvam
karma jyayo hy akarmanah
satire-satrapy cha tee
an prasiddhyed akarmanah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Three verse 8)

"Sri Krishna said: Do You perform your prescribed duty; for doing action is better than not working. One cannot even maintain one’s physical body without work."

"brahmany adhaya karmani
sangam tyaktva karoti yah
lipyate an sa papena
padma-patram ivambhasa" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Five verse 10)

"Sri Krishna said: One who performs his duty offering all actions & surrendering the results unto the God, remains unaffected by sin; same as the lotus leaf is untouched by water."

"ye tu sarvani karmani
mayi sannyasya mat-parah
ananyenaiva yogena
mam dhyayanta upasate"

"tesam aham samuddharta
mrityu-samsara-sagarat
bhavami an cirat partha
mayy avesita-cetasam" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Twelve verse 6-7)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, But those depending exclusively on me & those who worship Me, giving up all their activities unto Me and engaged in devotional service and always meditating upon Me, having fixed their minds upon Me, O son of Pritha (Arjuna) — for them I am the swift deliverer from the ocean of birth and death."

"sreyo hi jnanam abhyasaj
jnanad dhyanam visisyate
dhyanat karma-phala-tyagas
tyagac chantir anantaram" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Twelve verse 12)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, If you cannot take to this practice, then engage yourself in the cultivation of knowledge. Better than knowledge, however, is meditation, and better than meditation is renunciation of the fruits of action, for by such renunciation one can attain peace of mind."

So let's do all our work always remembering the God & offer all our work to God. In this way you shall be sustaining your family life & shall be doing good to the society also. God shall be happy with you as you shall devote all of your work & life to God only.

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Delhi Metro uses Bhagwat Gita as management-text

Nevada (US): Hindus have applauded Delhi Metro for reportedly giving copy of Bhagavad-Gita to its senior managers as a management-text and urged other international and domestic corporations in India to do the same. Read more...............Hindus laud Delhi Metro for using Gita as management-text & urge all corporations to follow

Read also at.... The New York Times.......In India, Hitching Hopes on a Subway

Read also.........Hindus want Bhagavad-Gita as required text in prestigious Indian Institutes of Management

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Your Existence in Sleep State

In the waking state we identify ourselves with this body of ours. If someone asks you, who you are, then we generally refer our physical body as our real Self. So as per you, your body is your true self who has a unique name of yours. You always identify yourself with this body of yours.

But what happens to you when you are asleep. During sleep, you are not conscious about this gross body of yours. If you dream during the sleep state then you identify yourself with a dream body of yours & not this gross body which is asleep. Now during waking state you identify yourself with this gross body of yourself ,while in dream state you identify yourself with the dream body of yourself. Now who you are, Gross body or Dream body?

Now sometimes it also happens that you have a deep sleep & in such a state you do not dream also. After such a deep sleep when you wake up, you say, 'I have slept well,' or 'I have slept badly.' So when there is no consciousness of Gross body or Dream body in deep sleep then also you say that you slept well. Now who is this I or you who was there in such a deep sleep state, watching this deep sleep state. Otherwise, who is there in dream state who watches these dreams & on waking up describes that I had very bad dreams or sweet dreams. In fact this is your true Self, your Soul, which is beyond this Gross body or Dream body.

The physical body cannot be considered as your real Self, because even when you are fast asleep and are not conscious of this gross body, still you are existing. So, if you can exist even without the consciousness of a body, it follows from that experience that you can exist without the body. That means you are not the body. One who is the experiencer, the witness, in all the three states of waking, dreaming and sleeping, this is pure consciousness your true Self, your Soul.

Now here below is described how your true Self or Soul remains there in three states of waking, dreaming and deep sleep.

1) Wakeful state. In the wakeful state, a person sees its own gross body and the gross world outside. It enjoys the world through its mind and senses. It does various types of actions & after hard work when he/she is tired of actions and enjoyments, one goes to sleep and enters into dreaming state.

2) Dreaming state. In this state, Self or Soul remains in a subtle body which is different from the gross body. In the subtle body through imagination, it creates its own illuminated worldly beings and objects. Dreaming world is an imagination of your own being, your mind only. With one's mind and senses, a being enjoys its own dreaming world.

3) Deep sleep state. During waking and dream states, one remains in a state of active mode, i.e. one's Mind and senses remain always active. But as soon as Self or Soul enters into deep sleep, body (both gross and subtle), mind and senses remain in complete rest. Self or Soul remains in its pure state--it remains alone. There is no dualism. There is none other than the Self or Soul. For this, one sees nothing and hears nothing. In such a state of complete rest one enjoys bliss as one's mind is not disturbed by anything. In deep sleep one finds complete happiness & bliss.

So we have seen that this dream body of ours is not true as it dissolves when we wake up & dream state is over. Similarly this gross physical body of ours is also not permanent & true as it dissolves at the time of death. But your Self, your Soul which is beyond any type of body, is real & true as it remains even when dream or gross physical body is dissolved. Below verses of Bhagwat Gita says about this truth only.

"na-asato vidyate bhavo
nabhavo vidyate satah
ubhayor api drsto ’ntas
tv anayos tattva-darshibhih" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 16)

"Sri Krishna said: The unreal has no existence, and the real (Soul) never ceases to be; the reality of both has thus been perceived by the seers of the truth."

"avyakto ’yam acintyo ’yam
avikaryo ’yam ucyate
tasmad evam viditvainam
nanusocitum arhasi" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 25)

"Sri Krishna said: It is said that the soul is invisible, unmanifest, inconceivable and immutable. Knowing this, you should not grieve for the body."

"tamas tv ajnana-jam viddhi
mohanam sarva-dehinam
pramadalasya-nidrabhis
tan nibadhnati bharata" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Fourteen verse 8)

"Sri Krishna said: Know Tamo-gun or Tamas, the deluder of all those, who look upon body as their own Self, as born of ignorance. It binds the Soul through error, sloth & sleep.

So let's always see ourself to be that Soul only as it is eternally present. It always remains in a body, be it gross or subtle. When the gross body is destroyed at death, it still remains in a subtle body. So let's not identify ourselves with this gross body but with the eternal Soul. Let's think ourself to be part & parcel of that Universal Soul (God) than identifying ourself with this body. Once we do that we shall always be with that Universal Soul (God) & shall always enjoy happiness & bliss in life.

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Bhaav (भाव or Spiritual Emotion)

In our routine day to day life, we express emotions toward our children, family members & friends very frequently. But for how many minutes in your daily life, any emotions arouse in your mind for the God? For how much time do we remember Him? Basically we all are worldly people & our emotions, our feelings are all related to our worldly life. For most of us, our worldly life, family life comes first & God comes later. Now, it would be little better if we give little more priority to God who has created us & is maintaining our life & this whole world. Let's have little emotion towards God also in our life. Let's understand Him. If we are able to generate little feeling or emotion towards the God then such "Spiritual Emotion" is called "Bhaav or भाव".

"Bhaav or भाव" is basically a Sanskrit word for "Feeling", "Emotion", "Mood" or "Devotional state of mind". English translation of "Bhaav" is "Spiritual Emotion". When such "Spiritual Emotion" is aroused in one's mind, it replaces the ego or ‘I'-ness in one’s life by the awareness of the existence of God. When one is in a state of Spiritual Emotion, one’s sub-conscious mind merges with the God for the time being & experiences communion with God. Spiritual Emotion is a state experienced in the Path of Devotion (Bhaktiyoga). During the state of "Bhaav" or "Spiritual Emotion" there is an intense awareness about the existence of God while carrying out day-to-day life activities. Spiritual Emotion is also a state of experiencing God’s presence everywhere.

Devotees of God generally live in the thought of God & live in a mood of ecstasy and self-surrender. Such devotees channel their emotional energies toward the God. Gopis of Vrindavan, including Radha Rani were of that devotional cult, who fell in Love with the God, Lord Krishna. Meerabai in recent times also considered Lord Krishna with such devotion only. Gopis & Radha's love for Lord Krishna was so strong that in His absence their mind always yearned for Him. Below are described the "Bhaav" or "Spiritual Emotions" of one Gopi who is yearning to meet God - Lord Krishna :

"O Krishna! You are Lord of my life. You always remain so in my life. O Lord, don't keep me out of your mind. O Lord, pl. don't forget me."

"O Krishna! My heart is crying for you, pl. do come. My soul is crying for you, pl. do come. O God, there is burning desire in my heart to meet you, pl. do come. Now pangs of separation are unbearable. Now even if I die Krishna, but see, even after death, my desire to meet you shall not die, as all my such desires are indestructible like You only. It shall live on forever till You meet me."

Sri Radha Rani is the greatest devotee of Lord Shri Krishna. It is said that Sri Radha is herself the "Devotional energy" of Lord Shri Krishna who is the Lord of the universe. Her name always comes before the name of Lord Krishna that is why God's one name is "Radha Krishna" also. As Sri Radha Rani is always in the thought of Lord Shri Krishna the Supreme God, so her state of "Spiritual Emotion" is called "Maha Bhaav or महाभाव" i.e. the highest state of Spiritual Emotion or Spiritual Ecstasy.

As per the Bhagwat Gita, devotion is the easiest method to develop "Bhaav" & get close to the God. God himself declares about the glory of devotion in Bhagwat Gita:

"man-mana bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaishyasi satyam te
pratijane priyo ’si me" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 65)

"Sri Krishna says to Arjuna: Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend."

"sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
mokshayisyami ma suchah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 66)

"Sri Krishna says to Arjuna: Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear."

"ye tu dharmamritam idam
yathoktam paryupasate
sraddadhana mat-parama
bhaktas te ’tiva me priyah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Twelve verse 20)

"Sri Krishna said to Arjuna: O Arjuna, Those who follow this imperishable path of devotional service and who completely engage themselves with faith, making Me the supreme goal, are very, very dear to Me."

"mayy eva mana adhatsva
mayi buddhim nivesaya
nivasisyasi mayy eva
ata urdhvam na samsayah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Twelve verse 8)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Just fix your mind upon Me and engage all your intelligence in Me. Thus you will live in Me always, without a doubt."

So let's have devotion in God. Let's remember God for some time in our daily life so that we too can generate some "Bhaav" or "Spiritual Emotion" towards the God. Once that is developed, we shall always find God near us & our life shall be filled with joy, love & ecstasy.

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Divine Chants

Chant is basically the rhythmic singing or speaking of words or sounds. It often includes a great deal of repetition of musical sounds. Chanting is a commonly used spiritual practice. Just like Prayer to God, Chanting is also used to invoke the God. Chanting can be done individually or as a group practice. Diverse spiritual traditions consider Chant as a route to spiritual development. The concept of Chanting mantras is of particular significance in many Hindu traditions and other closely related Dharmic Religions. For example, the Hare Krishna movement is based especially on the chanting of Sanskrit Names of God.

"Divine Chants" are chanting the names of God which give peace of mind. It is one form of the Divine Satsang and Kirtan that happens generally in Indian society. Listening to these chants regularly gives lot of peace of mind. These Divine Chants can make people dancing to it's tune to ecstasy.

Some of the beautiful chants are here below. Just click on the link to see the video of the said chant:

1) MahaMantra - "Hare Rama Hare Krishna" - It's a chant of the Mantra:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna,Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama,Rama Rama Hare Hare

2) "Hare Krishna Hare Krishna" - It is a beautiful chant sung in the praise of Lord Krishna & Lord Rama.

3) Gayatri Mantra - It is a sacred Hindu chant. It is widely used in meditation & listening to this chant brings peace of mind. As per Bhagwat Gita God is present in the form of WORD as "Gayatri Mantra".

4) "Hey Govind Hey Gopal, Radha Vallabh Madan Gopal" - It is a beautiful chant sung in the praise of Lord Krishna.

5) "Mahamrityunjaya Mantra"- Sacred Chant of Lord Shiva - It is a Sacred Mantra / Japa / recitation of Lord Shiva. Repeated recitation of this Mantra bestows special blessings of Lord Shiva.

6) "Gopal Muraliya Wale, Nandlal Muraliya Wale" - It is a beautiful chant sung in the praise of Lord Krishna.

7) "Krishna Govind Govind, Gopal Nandlal" - It is a beautiful chant sung in the praise of Lord Krishna.

8) "Radhe Radhe Japo Chale Aayenge Bihari" - It is a beautiful chant sung in the praise of Lord Radhe Krishna.

9) "Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram" - Lord Rama Chant - It is a Devotional Chant / prayer sung in the praise of Hindus God Rama. A beautiful Chant pleasing to the ears.

Below are few verses from Bhagwat Gita which suggests for the chanting of Mantras:

"maharsinam bhrgur aham
giram asmy ekam aksharam
yajnanam japa-yajno ’smi
sthavaranam himalayah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Ten verse 25)

"Sri Krishna said: Of the great sages I am Bhrgu; of vibrations I am the transcendental Om. Of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names / japa, and of immovable things I am the Himalayas."

"om tat sat iti nirdeso
brahmanas tri-vidhah smrtah
brahmanas tena vedas cha
yajnas cha vihitah pura" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Seventeen verse 23)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, From the beginning of creation, the three words "Om Tat Sat" were used to indicate the Absolute Truth. These three symbolic representations were used by Brahmins while chanting the hymns of the Vedas and during sacrifices for the satisfaction of the God."

"satatam kirtayanto mam
yatantas cha drdha-vratah
namasyantas cha mam bhaktya
nitya-yukta upasate" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Nine verse 14)

"Sri Krishna said: Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion."

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One Who Has Hands & Feet Everywhere

Why do we go to a temple, church, gurudwara, mosque or all other religious places of our faith? Simple answer to it is that we go to Pray to God & get His blessings. Quite right, but is it so that God shall bless you in a temple, church, gurudwara, mosque etc. only? God is all merciful & His Divine grace or Blessing or 'Kripa' (कृपा) can happen on all of us anywhere & everywhere. God is present everywhere i.e. He is omnipresent & is present at all places, all the times. He is there within your house, your living room & your place of worship. So it is not necessary to go to some outside place of worship only to find God but you can worship & get His Blessings within your home only. Below verse of Bhagwat Gita explains His omnipresent nature.

sarvatah pani-padam tat
sarvato ’ksi-siro-mukham
sarvatah shrutimal loke
sarvam avrtya tishthati (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Thirteen verse 14)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Everywhere are His (God's) hands and feet, His eyes, heads and faces, and He has ears everywhere. In this way the Super Soul exists, pervading everything in this world."

So just have faith in God & get the mercy of God within your home only. God's merciful hand shall extend to your house if you show devotion in Him. When His grace shall happen then God shall give you, whatever, you are lacking in life & also shall protect your life & belongings. Then you shall always be protected in life by God. Such type of Special mercy of God shall only happen on you when you shall engage your mind in thinking of God, become God's devotee, offer obeisance's to God and shall always worship Him. Being completely absorbed in God, surely you shall become eligible for God's Special mercy.

Below verses of Bhagwat Gita ensure that only:

"ananyas cintayanto mam
ye janah paryupasate
tesham nityabhiyuktanam
yoga-ksemam vahamy aham" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Nine verse 22)

"Sri Krishna said to Arjuna: But those who always worship Me with exclusive devotion, meditating on My transcendental form—to them I carry what they lack, and I preserve what they have."

"sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
mokshayisyami ma suchah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 66)

"Sri Krishna said to Arjuna : Abandon all varieties of religion or Setting aside all meritorious deeds, just surrender unto Me. I shall liberate you from all sins. Do not fear."

So just think that God is forever in your heart & shall never give you up or never depart. He is always with you. So always trust in your life that God is near you.

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Man who has not eaten for several decades - lives without food or water

Prahlad Jani grew in Charod village in Mehsana district in India. He claims to have been blessed by a goddess at the age of 8. He says he has survived several decades without food or water because of a hole in his palate. Drops of water filter through this hole, he says, sustaining him. He wears a red garment, nose ring, and gold bracelets. He also sports a ‘tikka’ on his forehead. His followers call him ‘mataji’or goddess.

Prahlad Jani, who has not eaten food or drunk water for 74 years of his 82-year-old life, will be kept under observation by the a wing of the defence ministry for 15 days. The members of Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Science (DIPAS) want to understand if this process can be replicated in others’ bodies. The observation is being undertaken at the Sterling hospital.

Jani says he was blessed by the mother goddess when he was eight and began living in a cave in Gabbar hills at Ambaji, to be called 'Mataji'. He has willingly accepted to be a subject of this exhaustive project where he will undergo a battery of advance tests, including MRIs, scans and blood studies. Jani, dressed in a red sari, nose ring and sindoor, spends his time in hospital meditating, offering prayers, keeping silence and giving blessings.

Mention of such ‘miracle men/women’ are there in the "Autobiography Of A Yogi” by Sri Paramahansa Yogananda in which he describes about such persons who have not eaten for years together. It is all possible for persons who are blessed by God. In their case they get divine energy from subtle space in their spine. Read More................Man who lives on air undergoes defence tests

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Don't be Angry

We all know that getting angry is not good in life but all of us get angry at some point of time in life. Why at times our mind gets violent & anger is expressed in our nature? In a state of anger we hurt our near & dear one's by speaking angry words. When anger gets out of control and turns destructive, it can lead to problems for oneself, as well as, for others also. In the state of anger we are at the mercy of an unpredictable and powerful emotion which if not controlled by us does harm only to our life. If anger is not controlled, it can lead to physiological , as well as, psychological problems in our life.

Now how can we control this anger? Basically, to control anger is to first control & calm your mind. If your mind remains in a state of calm then no negative emotions can arouse in it. To be peaceful at mind, the easiest way is that we let our mind delve inside our own inner nature rather than hankering after outside the worldly objects i.e. we should daily do some meditation, as in meditation mind becomes peaceful. If mind continuously runs after worldly things outside then it gets disturbed when the thing of desire is not attained. When the mind gets disturbed in this way then anger arouses in the mind & it leads to negative consequences only. When you close your eyes in meditation, you start delving inside your inner nature. What is your inner nature? It's nothing but your Soul inside, where you delve in times of meditation & attain peace. In Soul, there is peace only. Now your Soul is nothing but part & parcel of Universal Soul only. Universal Soul is nothing but God only, who is ultimate peace.

Here below is a beautiful story about Anger Management:

"There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down.

He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there." A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one."

Below are few verses from Bhagwat Gita which explain why we should avoid anger:

"tri-vidham narakasyedam
dvaram nasanam atmanah
kamah krodhas tatha lobhas
tasmad etat trayam tyajet" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Sixteen verse 21)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, There are three gates leading to the hell — Lust, Anger and Greed. Every sane man should give these up, for they lead to the degradation of the Soul."

"dhyayato visayan pumsah
sangas tesupajayate
sangat sanjayate kamah
kamat krodho ’bhijayate" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 62)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, One develops attachment for the sense objects by thinking about the sense objects. Desire for sense objects comes from attachment to them, and anger comes from unfulfilled desires."

"krodhad bhavati sammohah
sammohat smriti-vibhramah
smriti-bhramsad buddhi-naso
buddhi-nasat pranasyati" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 63)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Delusion or wild idea arises from anger. The mind is bewildered by delusion. Reasoning is destroyed when the mind is bewildered. One falls down from the right path when reasoning is destroyed."

"kama-krodha-vimuktanam
yatinam yata-cetasam
abhito brahma-nirvanam
vartate viditatmanam" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Five verse 26)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Those who are free from anger and all material desires, who are self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection, are assured of liberation in the God in the very near future."

"dambho darpo ’bhimanas cha
krodhah parusyam eva cha
ajnanam chabhijatasya
partha sampadam asurim" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Sixteen verse 4)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Pride, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness and ignorance—these qualities belong to those people who are of demoniac nature."

So. let's not be angry in our nature & let's not hurt our near & dear one's by our angry nature.

Read also: Why we Shout when we are angry?

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Hidden God

Let's see few things which are not present directly in Nature but can be produced by little effort & logic. Butter & Clarified butter (Ghee) are not directly present in Nature but can be made by churning the milk. So butter is already present in milk in the hidden form which can be produced by little effort. Similarly Mustard oil is not directly present in Nature but can be made by crushing the Mustard oil seeds. So Mustard oil is already present in it's seeds in the hidden form. Similarly, the Divine God is present in subtle omnipresent form in this universe & is hiding here in everything, just like Butter is hidden in milk & Mustard oil is hidden in it's seeds. Only thing is that we need to churn our mind & should have faith in God, then we shall be able to know Him, just the way we are able to dig & discover the water under dry riverbeds.

Now let's see few things in our day to day life, which though are hidden or invisible from our eyes but are still present there. All of you might be using the mobile phone, getting internet through Wi-Fi technology, listening to radio, seeing the television through dish technology etc. All these are using a wireless technology in which subtle, radio or micro waves are transmitted by the Transmitter (broadcaster) through the INVISIBLE space & we receive these waves in our Mobile phone, Laptop, Radio, Television etc. Have anyone of you seen these waves travelling through the space with your eyes, but it is a reality that these invisible rays travel always through an invisible medium called Space & do wonders.

Isn't it amazing? Yes, it's amazing & proves the existence of invisible space & invisible rays. If this invisible medium called SPACE is doing wonders practically in our lives then can't you think of another Invisible medium called GOD which is also creating wonders in our lives. Yes, its true that "Invisible GOD" which is present within this invisible space, is always looking at our lives & controlling our lives but we don't see & realize that. Here below is a Verse from Bhagwat Gita which exemplify this very loudly.

Yathakasa-sthito nityam
vayuh sarvatra-go mahan
tatha sarvani bhutani
mat-sthanity upadharaya (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Nine verse 6)

"Sri Krishna says in Gita: Just like the mighty wind, blowing everywhere, rests always in the sky, so do all created beings rest in Me i.e. in God, who in its unmanifest aspect always rests within this all pervasive space."

From the above verse it is very clear that God gets seated himself always within this all pervasive Space & sees all our activities & controls this whole universe. So Let's start wondering about this Space & the God who is seated within this space in the invisible form. Once we realize this, then it shall be very easy to see GOD all around us & shall be able to feel the omnipresent nature of God. That Supreme God is only called Brahmn.

Here below is a "Hymn to that Universal, Omnipresent Lord". It is from "Svetasvatara Upanishad":

"O Lord, You are the Ancient One & the Lord of Shining Light,
O Lord, You dwell beyond all darkness and the night;
O Lord, knowing You alone can a man cross over death,
O Lord, There is no other path for him to take."

"O Lord, All heads are Your heads, all faces Your faces,
O Lord, You dwell inside the heart & also in all hidden places.
O Lord, Through the whole universe, You have extended Yourself.
O Lord, You are Shiva, the auspicious, the ever-present Lord."

"O Lord, With hands and feet everywhere, eyes and ears
Everywhere, heads and mouths everywhere,
O Lord, You have filled up every corner of the space.
O Lord, Smaller than smallest and larger than largest."

"O Lord, Present are You in the depths of our heart.
O Lord, When free of desires and unshaken by sorrow, we
Seek for You only, then by Your grace,
O Lord, Your Form and Your glory stand clearly before us.

"O Lord, You are the woman and You are the man,
O Lord, You are the youth and the maiden, too;
O Lord, The old one tottering there with his cane
Is You, who are born here again and again.

"O Lord, You are the bird of dark-blue hue and the parrot green
With bright red eyes; You are the thunder-cloud's black sheen,
O Lord, You are the seasons and the seas. Beginning less and
Endless, You are He from whom all worlds are born.

"O Lord, Can men ever roll up space like a skin?
Then, unless they have known You without and within,
O Lord, How can they cross over sorrow and death?
O Lord, whose light needs no other light.

"O Lord, Creator of even Brahma, the creator,
Revealer to him of the knowledge called Veda,
O Lord, To You, I come in my longing for freedom;
O Lord, To You, for refuge, with reverence, I come!"

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Cosmic Mother

Generally God is referred to as the Father, creator of the universe. In Christianity, Father aspect of God is prime but in Hinduism Mother aspect of God is also equally prevalent & God as Mother is worshipped very frequently. Mothers create too, don't they? -- even more than fathers, because we draw our very life and nourishment from them. In India, Goddess Durga, Kali, Lakshmi, Sarasvati etc. are many Goddesses who are worshipped as God Mother. During the Durga festival in India, people celebrate it by gathering around the images of "the Mother" -- which are beautifully painted and decorated forms depicting the Divine Mother, looking just as they have imagined (or perhaps seen) Her, for centuries. They praise Her and sing hymns and dance in honor of Her who has given them everything. In short, everything has come from the hand of the Mother, who is Creator, Sustainer and Dissolver of it all.

She is One Mother, who is present everywhere. Divine Mother is also called the Cosmic Mother as she is present everywhere in this cosmos. She is maintaining & sustaining all this creation just like a mother takes care of her children. In general we call it Nature also. In our present day life, we are regularly facing Natural calamities of floods, storms, tsunamis, earthquakes etc. Then there is problem of global warming which is a great Natural problem of these days. Now all these calamities are a result of our ignorant acts due to which our Cosmic Mother is annoyed with us. We need to understand her true divine Cosmic Nature & pray to her so that natural calamities can be avoided.

Here below is a Puranic story, about how one little boy, son of the Divine Mother Durga, discovered Her true nature. His name is Ganesha. He is considered very wise, which is one reason he's shown in pictures with the head of an elephant!

"Ganesha went outdoors one day to play and found a stray cat. Too small to know better, he began to pull her ears and tail. He roughed up that poor cat and even began to beat her with a stick, making marks on her head till, yowling, she ran for her life. Some hours later Ganesha went into the house. His mother, to his astonishment and dismay, was looking terrible. Her hair was a mess, she had scratches on her face and she limped from the bruises on her body.

"Mother!" cried Ganesha. "Who beat you up?"

Sadly Sri Durga replied, "It was you, I'm afraid."

"No way! What do you mean? I never did it!"

"Do you remember, his mother asked, "a while ago, how you treated a certain cat?"

Now Ganesha thought that the cat's owner must have come and beat Mother Durga on account of him, and he burst into tears.

"Where is that man?" he sobbed.

"No, not that. You see, my boy, I am not just your physical mother. I have filled the Whole Universe with My Being. As a matter of fact, whatever you do to any least part of it, you do that to Me."

So from above story it is very clear that ,whatever, wrong we do to any creature in this world, we are doing it to the Cosmic Mother. With our bad & wrong actions towards other people & creatures of this world, Cosmic Mother becomes disturbed & gets annoyed with us. Due to Divine Cosmic Mother's annoyance only, Natural calamities occur & it's one way of Divine Mother to punish people for their wrongdoings.

In Bhagwat Gita also Lord Krishna says that He is there in this universe in many woman forms which are detailed below. This woman form of God is only called Cosmic Mother.

"mayadhyaksena prakritih
suyate sa-characharam
hetunanena kaunteya
jagad viparivartate" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Nine verse 10)

"Lord Sri Krishna said: This Material Nature, which is one of My energies, is working under My direction, O Arjuna, producing all moving and nonmoving beings. Under its rule this manifestation is created and annihilated again and again."

"kirtih srir vak cha narinam
smritir medha dhrtih ksama" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Ten verse 34)

"Lord Sri Krishna said: Among women I am fame, fortune, fine speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness and patience."

Great Indian saint Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa used to worship the Divine Cosmic Mother at the temple of Dakshineshwar near Kolkata. It is said that stone statue of goddess in that temple used to take a live form & goddess in person used to talk to the great saint. So let's all pray to that Divine Cosmic Mother.

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The Fear of GOD

Should we love God or should we fear God? As per me there is no need to have fear of God in our mind as God is not someone to be feared but loved. Loving God let's you come closer to Him. God is called the "Ocean of Love". If you love Him a little bit then He shall love you ten folds, as God is hungry of love & devotion only. In "Bhagwat Gita" also Lord Krishna says to Arjuna to adore Him as then He shall be pleased with him. I wonder many times, why sometimes fear of God is put in people's mind so that they can mend their ways. As per me there is no need to have fear of God in one's mind but should have love of God in our mind. Below is a funny story when a mother tried to mend the ways of her young children by putting the "Fear of God" in them. Enjoy the story:

"There were two brothers who were always up to some mischief. If somebody had been locked up in his house it was surely the mischief of the two brothers. If somebody's dog had been painted green, one always knew who the culprits were, similarly if someone's vehicle's tyres were found flat it was surely to be the mischief of two brothers.

One day the boys mother asked a priest to talk to her sons and put THE FEAR OF GOD in them so that they would mend their ways. The priest asked her to send her sons to him one at a time.

When the younger boy, a lad of ten, came, he made him sit and asked him : " WHERE IS GOD ?" The boy did not answer. The priest asked again, in a louder voice: " WHERE IS GOD?" The boy remained silent. But when the priest asked the same question third time, the boy jumped up and ran away. He went straight to his brother. " We are in big trouble!" he gasped. "What's wrong? asked the older brother, warily,wondering which of their sins had caught up with them.

"GOD IS MISSING," said the youngster, " and they think we have something to do with it !!!!"

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