Akhand Jyoti Magazine 2022 May-June by Akhand Jyoti Swadhyay

VOLUME: 20

ISSUE: 3

May-June 2022

Amrit Chintan

Change is a Sign of Progress Stagnancy is a sign of inertia, and change is a sign of progress. Inactivity is tasteless, whereas change guides new thinking and new experience. Life is progressive, and hence change is essential. Progressive people don’t fear the change; rather, they welcome it. All the planets/stars are always moving. This keeps their gravitational forces stable, which, in turn, keeps them together. Had they been inactive, they would have lost their energy. One who does not move forward cannot keep him steady. The instability leads to destruction. Therefore, life must be kept active; inactive ones are lifeless. When the era changes, we encounter the ups and downs of hope and despair. Though day and night, dream and wakefulness, life and death, summer and winter, proﬁt and loss, union and separation appear to be contrary, they are intimately related to each other; without one, the other is meaningless and cannot give joy. Electricity can be generated only when the positive and negative terminals are connected. Suffering makes a person powerful, alert, and courageous. The perfection in life requires such circumstances, which may augment enthusiasm to move forward and generate the courage to ﬁght the obstacles. - Pujya Gurudev Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya

Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. - George Bernard Shaw AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

CONTENTS 1.

Amrit Chintan Change is a Sign of Progress .................................................................................................

2. 3. 4.

From Chief Editor’s Desk The Path to a Golden Future for Humanity ...........................................................................

How to Prepare for Vigorous and Joyful Old Age? ...............................................................

Science and Spirituality Is the Journey of Science Heading from Matter to Consciousness? ......................................

Health and Wellness Happiness Hormones. ............................................................................................................

Easy Methods to Augment the Shine of Face ........................................................................

7. 8.

Environmental Conservation and Indian Culture ..................................................................

Compassion: The Basis of Human Life .................................................................................

Youth Column Awakened Youth Power .........................................................................................................

10.

Don’t Forget to Express Gratitude .........................................................................................

11. 12.

It is the Mind that Wins or Loses ...........................................................................................

26 28

Odyssey of the Enlightened - 85 Invocation and Enshrinement - 5 ..........................................................................................

13.

One’s Duty in the Cycle of Change .......................................................................................

14.

Yug Gita - 36 Karma, Akarma and Vikarma-2 .............................................................................................

15.

Concentration – The Origin of Siddhis ..................................................................................

16.

Amrit Vani Let Us Revive the Parivr³jaka Tradition for Social Upliftment - 3 .......................................

17.

Only Courageous People Get Success ..................................................................................

18.

Let us Augment our Energies.................................................................................................

19.

The Divine Abode of the Himalayas .....................................................................................

20.

How to Achieve Your Goal? ..................................................................................................

21.

Shantikunj News ..................................................................... (Inner and back cover pages)

Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself. - Jalaluddin Rumi AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

From Chief Editor’s Desk

The Path to a Golden Future for Humanity

he Vedas, Puranas, Shruti-Smritis, Upanishads, and the scriptures of almost all religions declare that a human being is a superior-most representative of God. The words may be different, the way it is expressed may be different, but the fact essentially is the same, and it is that the position, power, and capabilities inherited by a human being are not at all available to other creatures in this universe. From the scientiﬁc point of view, it can be proved that a human being has a superior body and an excellent cranial cavity capable of making a person rich in thoughts, emotions, and intelligence, leading to innovation and discoveries. From the point of view of faith, a human being possesses the assets of devotion and knowledge that may lead to yoga, tapa, samadhi, and nirvana. The essence of writing these lines is that whatever opportunities are available to a human being, they are not accessible to other creatures. In this context, a question arises – when the life of a senior-most prince of God should have been ﬁlled with peace, power, and prosperity, why is he seen engulfed by

so many problems that he is always worried and restless. The diseases have made the body so inﬁrm that a person eats only two chapatis but has to gulp twenty pills a day. In the present times, it cannot be predicted when a simple cold and cough may turn deadly, and a suffering person may have to leave for a heavenly abode. Moreover, those who are not sick bodily are suffering from mental ailments. Today, people have so much tension and worry that they cannot even sleep properly without taking the pill. The smile on their faces has disappeared. The discord within the families is increasing. Society is heading towards disintegration. As a result, the life of the commoner has become a burden. Even small incidents are leading to suicides. Now the question arises - is this chaos the essence of life? Why are the scriptures singing the paeons of praises for human life, and why are seers, sages, and gods are keen to take birth as human beings? Whether they have done the mistake or we are committing it somewhere. In order to know why our lives have become the abode of disorder and disturbance instead of peace and orderliness – we need to ask ourselves whether we are running after peace and prosperity or discord and poverty. Let us analyze it. Today people evaluate happiness by the success they get in some venture. Success is evaluated by the competition. For example, one wants to build a house. But the race does not end here; it should be bigger and more beautiful than others. In such a case, what else will come other than restlessness? Even if one gets it, one should

Each of us must work for our improvement and, at the same time, share a general responsibility for all humanity. - Marie Curie AKHAND JYOTI

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consider whether it is real wealth. Our true wealth is Godgifted virtues/assets. People consider TV, mobile phone, etc., to be valuable, but if the eyesight is lost, what will happen then? Even if one is not able to see for a short time, one will know the true value of eyes. Unfortunately, we use this body so recklessly that we forget the consequences. The prime reason for our deteriorating health is that we eat and live arbitrarily. We realize the implications when the condition of the body is beyond repair. At that time, we repent and pray to God to help us; we are ready to spend lakhs of rupees on medication, but nothing works. Alas! We could realize the value of vital energy and put our best efforts into augmenting it. A strong, radiant, and intelligent person possesses an inner power by which he can accomplish tough tasks. Such people have the power to change the course of storms. Only such people can do justice to the good fortune of getting human life. On the other hand, if there is no control over eating habits and no control over thoughts and emotions, the result is obvious – a weak body and a perverted mind. Fortunately, Pujya Gurudev and Vandaniya Mataji sensed this quagmire of confusion long back and gave a very appropriate solution. They suggested a simple Sutra

(doctrine) – ‘Healthy body, clean mind, and a civilized society.’ If we observe the disciplines of eating right, properly scheduling the daily routine - keeping a balance between job, rest, and exercise, the physical body would certainly be healthy. Moreover, if we include Upasana, Sadhana, and Aradhana in this routine, our thoughts will be reﬁned, and the mind will be calm. Along with these two, if we also spare some time daily or weekly for the welfare of society, the latter will also remain civilized. Thus, when implemented by all of us honestly and earnestly, this simple Sutra can pave the path to a golden future for humanity. Let us resolve to implement this formula sincerely in our lives. With prayer-ﬁlled wishes on Ganga Dussera / Gayatri Jayanti,

(Pranav Pandya)

While you desire lasting change with positive results, it will take commitment from you to transform your dreams into a reality. Be aware that there can be tough moments when you’re ready to throw in the towel, frustrating times when you may want to quit. When it gets rough, or you hit a roadblock, you must forge ahead and keep going. Despite blood, sweat, and tears, do not give up on yourself. You are worth the fight for a brighter future! - Dana Arcuri Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. - Leo Tolstoy AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

How to Prepare for Vigorous and Joyful Old Age?

ld age is a stage of life that everyone has to come to terms with sooner or later. It is a different matter that in the exuberance of youth, no one thinks or cares about it. But at some stage, when its symptoms begin to show up, and the pain and difﬁculties of old age begin to confront them, most people feel dejected. People hesitate to step forward when it is time to reap the crops whose seeds were sown in youth. However, if one gets alert in time and prepares well, it is possible to have a vigorous and joyful old age. In all the regions of the world where life expectancy is high and where people have lived a healthy old age, several studies have been conducted to understand what factors aid longevity. The results found are quite inspiring and worth embracing. The ﬁrst important factor aiding longevity is - regular indulgence in some creative activity, keeping busy, and always being ready to face different life situations with equanimity. When a person remains busy, he does not have unnecessary thoughts or worries about unreal adversities that can get into the head and cause

unneeded stress and diseases over time. Being active is good, but if the work is also creative, life’s joy increases manifold because the pleasure of creating something new furthers the quality of life significantly. Creativity infuses fun into life. The second basis of longevity is - living a regular and natural lifestyle. A regular lifestyle makes life easy and frees it from the curse of irregularity and disorder. In addition, adopting a natural lifestyle helps us connect ourselves with the underlying rhythm of life, which is very important for maintaining good health. The third basis of longevity is the intake of only balanced and sattvic food. Our food has a direct relation with our health. Sattvic food keeps our body and mind light. Controlled eating prevents unnecessary wastage of the body’s energy and strengthens the life force, which is the source of good health. A balanced diet nurtures life at all levels and keeps a person healthy and free from diseases. It was also found that longevity and happy old age can be attained if special attention is paid to three more aspects. The first is doing some physical exercises daily, the second is being economically independent, and the third is keeping good mental and spiritual health. There is no doubt that a dependent and financially insecure life leads to deep mental stress and anxiety at each step, and with this state of mind, it is impossible to imagine a happy and contented old age. So, economic independence in old

Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional! - Walt Disney AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

age cannot be sidelined, and sufﬁcient efforts should be put in that direction while there is time. Mental and spiritual health is also as important as physical health. Balanced lifestyles, nature-oriented living, keeping the mind occupied all the time, carrying out some physically laborious work, etc., lead to good mental health. Therefore, mindful efforts in that direction are necessary. These are the bases that many older people in all parts of the world have adopted and are now leading a happy old age. There are also many examples of senior people in the annals of history who have done great work and have lived active lives right to their last moments. Let us look at some people from the past who have presented exemplary pictures of purposeful old age. Lord Buddha attained nirvana at the age of 82. He used to walk long distances all over the country to spread the message of dharma. Dronacharya was more than 100 years old when he played a lead role in guiding armies during battles. Gandhiji played a lead role in the Indian freedom struggle from 51 to 77 years of age and also wrote great pieces of literature. Likewise, Vinoba Bhave traveled across almost the whole country on foot as a part of his Bhoodan Movement in his old age for 13 years. Sir Francis

Chichester, who was born in England in 1901, circumnavigated the whole globe solo in his sailboat in 1966-67. There have also been many philosophers, scientists, poets, writers, and politicians who remained very active in creative endeavors to their last breaths and gave their service to humanity. Socrates, Plato, Pythagoras, Homer, Galileo, Nicholas Copernicus, William Wordsworth, and Thomas Edison are inspiring examples of such great human beings. Socrates worked on eliciting complex philosophical concepts right till the age of 70. Plato put in intense efforts right to the last breath and died at the age of 81 with a pen in his hand. Tennyson wrote ‘Crossing the Bar’ at the age of 80. Robert Browning also penned some great poems at 70, just before his death. H. G. Wells wrote more than a dozen books after his 70th birthday, and all his books on Utopia were also written in the later half of his life. Cicero wrote

Let us cherish and love old age, for it is full of pleasure if one knows how to use it. Fruits are most welcome when almost over; youth is most charming at its close; the last drink delights the toper, the glass which souses him and puts the finishing touch on his drunkenness. Each pleasure reserves to the end the greatest delights which it contains. Life is most delightful when it is on the downward slope but has not yet reached the abrupt decline. - Seneca Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old. - Franz Kafka AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

a treatise on the Old Age in his 63rd year. Keiro learned Greek when he was 80 years old. Greek literateur Plutarch began to learn a new language at 75 years of age. Vocatio, the famous novelist of Italy, wrote novels only in his senior years and earned fame as a great writer. Then, at 60, Socrates realized that music could be a good means to overcome the tiredness and sadness of old age, and he learned to sing and play instruments. Vinoba Bhave was a scholar of several languages and learned Chinese near the end of his life. Damodar Satvalekar started translating and writing

commentaries on Vedas and other scriptures after turning 75 and continued writing till the age of 100. William Gladstone remained active in politics till he was quite old. He became prime minister four times until 76 and translated ‘Odes of Horace’ at 85. Similarly, in politics, people like Churchill, Benjamin Franklin, and Disraeli have challenged their old age, remained active, and served the society for many long years. American tycoon Rockefeller led an active life till the age of 100. Henry Ford was active till 82 years of age. These people are examples of how to lead a very active old age. The lives of Pujya Gurudev and Mataji are also illustrations of how to lead purposeful and active lives in old age. These inspiring lives give us one message: if we can learn to live our lives the right way, we can continue carrying out many important activities using our creative instincts and remain happy, energetic, enthusiastic, and joyful even in our old age. ۞

The prefrontal cortex is what we use to set goals, make plans, divide a large project up into smaller pieces, exercise impulse control, and decide what we’re going to pay attention to. The prefrontal cortex is the last region to develop in childhood and doesn’t fully mature until well after puberty - into the late twenties. Because of its involvement in impulse control, there have been several cases in which defense attorneys argued that eighteen-to-twenty-year-olds shouldn’t be held responsible for law-breaking acts because they lack an adult-like, mature prefrontal cortex that would allow them to exercise adult-like impulse control. The prefrontal cortex is also the first cortical region to show wear and tear as we get older. “That is why one of the most significant problems in older adults is the ability to keep track of thoughts and prevent stray ones from interfering,” says A. Shimamura. “Brain fitness as we age depends significantly on maintaining a healthy and active prefrontal cortex. The more we engage this brain region during daily activities, the better we will be able to control our thoughts and think flexibly.” - Daniel J. Levitin Those who think they have no time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness. - Edward Stanley AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

Science and Spirituality

Is the Journey of Science Heading from Matter to Consciousness?

ommencing its journey around the 18th Century, research in the Natural Sciences has continued to excel in deciphering the mystery of the universe. The latest of its great milestones is the experimental verification of the existence of the Higgs Boson particles. For a long time, the theory of Physics considered the four fundamental forces and twelve fundamental particles as the key factors in creating the universe. In 1964, three physicists, Robert Brout, François Englert, and Peter Higgs, theoretically showed the possibility of another fundamental particle. Further investigations in particle physics and allied branches of science have eventually led to a breakthrough after nearly six decades of research on the cause or root of mass (the substance of material existence) in any particle (or any kind) of matter. The grand research experiment conducted successfully at the European Nuclear Research Centre (Centre European de la Recherche Nucleaire — CERN) with global participation has shown the presence of a subatomic particle that resembles the Higgs Boson particles (named after the physicists, Peter Higgs and Satyendra Nath Bose, who had identified this new and supposedly the most ‘primary’ of the fundamental particle in terms of advanced theory of quantum mechanics). The Hard work of several scientists for over five years in the specially designed laboratory at CERN has succeeded in this epochal finding. At present, the experimental testing on the size of the particle is found accurate up to 4.9-sigma level accuracy, which is only 0.1-sigma below the minimum accuracy limit essential for confirmed acceptance. So, except for some technical limitations, the discovery is almost assured. It is indeed a majestic milestone in the journey

of modern physics, as the particle is found to be the source of the existence of every other particle in the universe. The main research project was aimed at recreation (in the laboratory) of the big-bang phenomenon of Nature, which is supposed to have resulted in the creation of the universe. According to the big-bang theory, the immense sound (big-bang) of a gigantic explosion in the limitless void (space) nearly 14 billion years ago gave rise to immeasurably powerful energy and inﬁnite ‘dust’ of subtle particles and giant-size bodies of matter. Gradually, the clusters of the giant size bodies constituted the uncountably many planets, stars, and other cosmic structures. And the subtle particles constituted the diverse forms of matter spread on the surface and around the planets/stars, etc. In order to verify this theory (and thus to decipher the yet unknown ‘process’ of the origin of the universe and cosmic creation), it was planned to recreate the big-bang-like phenomenon in a specially designed laboratory. For this purpose, a large hydron collider (LHC) was installed deep under the

Spirituality as a science, as a study, is the greatest and healthiest exercise that the human mind can have. - Swami Vivekananda AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

ground in the CERN laboratory. A temperature of about 10 trillion degrees Celsius was created inside the LHC by ultra-rapid release and collision of ions inside it. (This temperature is hundreds of thousand times higher than that in the core of the Sun). The total cost of planning, preparing, and conducting the unprecedented experiment in the special underground laboratory and scrupulously analyzing its outcome was approximately 10 billion American dollars. The researchers justified this as they wanted to simulate the conditions that might have caused the big-bang phenomenon in Nature without any risk of hazardous effects on the environment. Although the puzzle of the origin and gradual steps of cosmic creation still remains unresolved; nevertheless, the results have led to many important findings and potential applications. Promising applications envisaged by the researchers include wider and advanced use of nanotechnology, and generation of huge amounts of energy, etc. The most significant outcome of this ultra-expensive epochal research is the experimental verification of the Higgs-Boson particle. Theoretically, this particle was hypothesized as the most fundamental of the particles that constituted the

material existence of the universe. As the existence of this particle is discovered in the experiment on recreation of the conditions at the primordial time of material creation of the universal, this is often termed the “God Particle.” This particle is said to have a self-existent energy field sans any sub-atomic particles or interactive force(s). This fact, in a way, approves its popular-science nomenclature as the “God Particle.” An article in “Washington Post” has highlighted the significance of the energy field of the Higgs-Boson particle by calling it a ‘super water’ on which the entire creation is floating. Indeed, it is this particle that gives the mass and energy to all the atomic (neutron, proton, electron, etc.), subatomic and subtler particles to enable them to do what they need to, for the existence and activities of different kinds of matter. It is said that nothing can exist without this particle in the universe and the manifested domains of Nature. It is this particle that gives mass to every particle (and hence, to everything) existing in this cosmic creation, but this particle itself remains invisible and unmanifested. So, it is certainly not an exaggeration to call it a “God Particle.” It appears from this epochal research finding that modern science is proceeding closer in the direction of the ancient Indian Sciences derived from the Vedanta Philosophy. According to the non-duality theory of Vedanta, the sublime existence, Nature, all manifested existence of energy and matter, and the entire creation has originated from the evolutionary vibration of a self-existent, omnipresent, eternal (consciousness) force (referred to as “Brah®”). Interestingly, the CERN project also has a close connection with Indian science, art, and culture. Noted quantum physicist Prof. Satyendra Nath Bose, whose name appears (jointly with Prof. Peter Higgs) in “Higgs-Boson,” was an

Feeling and longing are the motive force behind all human endeavor and human creation, in however exalted a guise the latter may present themselves to us. - Albert Einstein AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

Indian. Several Indian physicists and other scientists from about ten prominent Indian Institutes/Research Centers have contributed to the CERN project. Several hundred thousand chips used in this research project were manufactured in India. The impressive artistic idol of Shiva in the Nataraj form established right at the entrance of the CERN research lab is also a remarkable sign of Indian connection. It becomes more significant in the light of the fact that the “Nataraj” represents the prominent posture of God Shiva during the t³ñÃava dance1. It would be more important if further research on the origin of Nature, the manifestation of the universe, cosmic creation, etc., progresses from the finding of the self-existent energy field (in the God Particles) toward deeper roots of this energy field. The discovery of Higgs-Boson has given rise to a new kind of debate among some groups of intellectuals. A blog published in one noted daily comments — whether a new religious thought (or a new religion) will be built around the popular debates on ‘God Particle’! Well, one does need a new religion or any religious debate around this unprecedented and extraordinarily popular research finding. Our (Indian) science and philosophy of spirituality is so advanced that it can elucidate all unresolved queries/doubts around the root and role of this particle. The core thought of spirituality realized and disseminated by our rishis (Vedic sages) declares that — God is omnipresent. God is present everywhere, His formless power is working in the entire creation, in every form of existence (be that manifested, hidden, or transcendent). God is indwelling in the inner-self of every being. We are all a part of God Himself. That is why we all have immense potential and power within. The immeasurable diversities and similarities spread in the

universe are also present in a sublime seed form within everyone. The discovery of the God Particle (Higgs Boson) affirms that the Vedantic principle/theory of spirituality is not different from science. In fact, it is the ultimate expansion of scientific progress. This is why it is said that (the domain of) spirituality begins where the limit of science ends. Spirituality can explain even what exists beyond material perception, what appears as a ‘miracle’ or a ‘mere coincidence,’ or what is attributed as an intuitive or sublime experience. Noble founders of modern science, like Albert Einstein, Max Planck, and Marie Curie, realized and accepted the advanced wisdom and unbounded expansion of spirituality over material-based science [1]. The discovery of the “God Particle” (Higgs-Boson particle) affirms that (material-based) modern science and spirituality are not mutually contradictory. They are like two sides of the same coin. Science emanates from logical thought and expands with evidential reasoning and a rational approach. Spirituality is a science of the evolution of consciousness; it pertains to benevolent nature and ideal values of humanity. If science teaches us to make machines, spirituality teaches us to make sensible use of

Great men are they who see that spiritual is stronger than any material force — that thoughts rule the world. - Ralph Waldo Emerson AKHAND JYOTI

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those machines for global welfare. The materialist nature of science (as progressed and practiced in modern times) may strengthen “selfishness” — the interests of “I, me, and myself” first. Spirituality transforms the “I, me, and myself” into the altruistic notion of “we, all of us…, all beings…”; it evolves and transmutes our “selfishness” into “selflessness.” Modern science has offered enormous comforts on different fronts of life. However, the risks and side-effects in terms of disturbance in the ecosystem of Nature, hazardous environmental pollution, and disasters like the atomic bomb blasts at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, poisonous gas leakage from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal, the nuclear accident in Chernobyl (Russia), the chances of dreaded pandemics due to biological weapons, etc., illustrate that its

development needs to be controlled and closely guided. Only spirituality can do that. Spirituality nurtures sensitivity; it teaches us to love Nature, to care for all beings; it expands our vision and objectives. We would be able to easily cultivate it in our outlook, thoughts, and emotions and naturally adopt it in our everyday life, our actions, and our objectives if we recognize/accept/realize that God is everywhere, every expression of Nature, in every particle of the cosmos, and every being. Perhaps the discovery of the “God Particle” is made at the most appropriate time to remind us of this fact. It has shown the light to modern science (and the world driven by its glittering progress) to now proceed from matter to consciousness with the support of spirituality. Indeed, science and spirituality together can help each other reach the noble goal of nature-friendly holistic progress with global peace and happiness. ۞ Notes: 1. T³ñÃava Dance: In Indian Mythology, this dance symbolizes the absolute end of the old (not capable of improving) and ﬁlthy (sinful) universe to pave the way for the origin of a new and evolving creation.

I have just discovered that what science calls heat, magnetism, electricity, and so forth are all convertible into one unit force, and as such, it expresses all these by one name, whatever you may choose to call it. But this has been done even in the Samhita [Vedas]; old and ancient as it is, in it, we meet with this very idea of force I was referring to. All the forces, whether you call them gravitation, attraction, or repulsion, whether expressing themselves as heat, electricity, or magnetism, are nothing but the variations of that unit energy. Whether they express themselves as thought, reflected from Antahkarana, the inner organs of man, or action from an external organ, the unit from which they spring is what is called Prana. Again, what is Prana? Prana is Spandana or vibration. - Swami Vivekananda I believe that whenever we substitute something man-made and artificial for a natural feature of the earth, we have retarded some part of man’s spiritual growth. - Rachel Carson AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

Health and Wellness

Happiness Hormones

t has been established scientifically that biochemicals and hormones play an important role in keeping us happy during ups and downs in life. Their release is related to the environment around us, our lifestyle, and our state of mind. By disciplining our thought processes and lifestyle, making small corrections in them can activate the release of happiness hormones, thereby allowing us to live a happy and contented life. Some of the happiness hormones that have come to light are dopamine, oxytocin, endorphin, serotonin, etc. Let us look at the effects of these hormones on us. Dopamine is called the reward biochemical. It keeps us lively and alert. It is released when we feel satisfaction in accomplishing goals at our workplace. Whenever we complete our assigned tasks, fulfill our responsibilities, and attain the set goals, dopamine gets secreted, and due to this, a happy feeling floats into our minds. Dopamine is also directly connected with pursuits like self-refinement and self-development. The more we progress towards our life goals, the better we feel. So, to gain happiness, we must set practical goals for ourselves and put our best efforts into achieving them. We must make a definite daily routine to make ourselves better every day and attain our set targets one by one. The positive effects of this will begin to be experienced very quickly. It has been found through studies that 50% of dopamine in the body is released from our intestines, and so, to maintain good mental health, it is necessary to

pay attention to our food. Eating delicious and nutritious food leads to the secretion of dopamine. However, we must also ensure that our food is natural, does not harm our body, and has not been obtained by violence or exploitation of other living beings. Listening to favorite music also releases dopamine, so we must listen to and enjoy good music. Oxytocin is the second happiness hormone, also called an emotional hormone. This biochemical is connected with our harmonious interrelationships and mutual trust. Good relationships greatly increase joy. Numerous research studies outlining the effect of oxytocin on women have been conducted at Claremont University in California. It has been found that the release of this hormone is closely related to the level of contentment and fulﬁllment attained in life. Oxytocin has a larger effect on the physiology and happiness levels of women compared to men. It is released while spending time with dear ones and when feelings like love

The four keys to good health: A working digestive system, an alkaline body, low stress, and a joyful state of being. - Anonymous AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

and empathy arise towards others. This hormone leads to an overall sense of wellness and increases longevity. Oxytocin is also related to expanding the feeling of kinship with everyone else. The more we rise above our narrow confines, the more we connect with others and help the needy, the greater is the secretion of oxytocin, and as a result, more bliss infuses into our lives. Congenial relationship with our kith and kin increases the level of oxytocin. Intimate moments spent with our pets also cause the release of this hormone. So, the time spent with our pets is also very important to enhance joy. Meeting, socializing, and developing companionship with others increases its level, whereas helping those in need increases the level even more. The importance of sustaining good relationships by inculcating qualities like faith in others, a sense of responsibility, benevolence, gratefulness, etc., can be easily understood in this regard. Moving away from the thoughts of selfishness to selflessness, from I to we, and from my growth to everyone’s growth leads to the release of oxytocin and infusion of

happiness into our lives. As a result, it is also essential that in this era of social media, children are encouraged to spend longer time with pets and family members instead of mobiles. This would be a wise step toward giving them lifelong happiness and joy. Endorphin is a pain reliever or an anti-pain hormone. It greatly increases the power of resistance and, in difﬁcult situations of life, gives us a basis for creating a balance and thus increases happiness. The endorphin hormone gets released when we regularly exercise, listen to pleasing music, participate in healthy entertainment, and live a light, joyful life full of laughter. It strengthens immunity and makes the body healthy and strong. Serotonin is a hormone that balances our state of mind. It earned eminence due to SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) medicine used to treat depression. This medicine increases the level of serotonin in the brain. A natural way to increase serotonin in the body is regular exercise. This is the reason why fast walking brings a wonderful change of mood. Research studies have found that gut bacteria play a vital role in creating serotonin. Fibrous foods without much fat content are very good for this. Fibrous thick grains and carbohydrates increase serotonin levels. This is why when our mood is off, we like to eat sugary and starchy food items. From sunbathing in the sunlight to the companionship with all ﬁve vital elements in the lap of nature causes the release of serotonin. Meditation and keeping the mind calm, balanced, and focused aid in increasing its level. Serotonin forms a strong basis that makes life more regulated, happy, and full of inner contentment.

I have chosen to be happy because it is good for my health. - Voltaire AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

Estrogen helps in increasing serotonin and prevents irritability and anxiety in mind. However, its levels are depleted due to lifestyle disorders like smoking, excessive exercising, and aging. An imbalance in levels of estrogen causes mental illnesses. Proper management of stress is very important because stress hormones like cortisol inhibit the release of both estrogen and serotonin. Activities like yoga and meditation free us from stress and increase estrogen levels. According to our body’s tendencies and outside weather, taking cold or warm water baths can increase its level. Progesterone suppresses irritability, anxiety, and mood swings and helps get good sleep. Normally, progesterone levels reduce in women after 35-40 years. Further,

hormone levels deplete even more due to an imbalanced diet and excessive stress. Experts say that good food and a balanced lifestyle is the most appropriate way to regulate this hormone’s levels. Therefore, let us understand the nature of happiness hormones and improve the quality of our life by regulating their secretion levels by creating a good environment around ourselves, living a healthy and natural lifestyle, and balancing our food intake and energy for ourselves. ۞

The Most Beautiful Rose The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree. Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown, for the world was intent on dragging me down. And if that weren’t enough to ruin my day, a young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play. He stood right before me with his head tilted down and said with great excitement, “Look at what I found.” In his hand was a flower with its petals all worn out. Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play, I faked a small smile and then shifted away. But instead of retreating, he sat by my side, placed the flower to his nose, and declared with overacted surprise, “It sure smells pretty, and it’s beautiful, too. That’s why I picked it; here, it’s for you.” The weed before me was dying or dead. Not vibrant of colors, orange, yellow or red. But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave. So I reached for the flower and replied, “Just what I need.” But instead of him placing the flower in my hand, he held it mid-air without reason or plan. It was then that I noticed that the weed-toting boy could not see; he was blind. I heard my voice quiver; tears shone like the sun as I thanked him for picking the very best one. ‘You’re welcome’ - he smiled and then ran off to play, unaware of the impact he’d had on my day. I wondered how he managed to see a self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree. How did he know of my self-indulged plight? Perhaps from his heart, he’d been blessed with true sight. Through the eyes of a blind child, at last, I could see the problem was not with the world; the problem was with me. And for all of those times I myself had been blind, I vowed to see the beauty in life and appreciate every second that’s mine. And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose and breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose. - Anonymous

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book. – Irish proverb AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

Easy Methods

to Augment the Shine of Face

ost people habitually do not pay any attention to their facial features in everyday life. They never observe how they look in the mirror and rarely analyze the reason for wrinkles and signs of despondency shading on their faces. People do not carefully think about this. Excessive strain on facial muscles, i.e., making a wry face to look displeased or cheat someone or guising all the time to inﬂuence others with their serious look, etc., develop permanent creases on the face. Such people look older earlier than expected. The face is like a spotless mirror reﬂecting human sensitivity. The magnitude of sympathetic insight of a person into others’ feelings can be judged by analyzing that person’s face. Psychologists worldwide believe that character and the intense mental state of the person contribute to manifest expressions of the face.

As silk cloth develops creases due to stacking it in folds, and such creases cannot be removed even after repeated attempts, the same basic truth applies to wrinkles on the face. Habitual repetition of abnormally twisting or bending facial nerves to express specific expressions cannot be easily restored to normalcy afterward. Eventually, man finds himself helpless against this habit; he cannot get rid of it even after considerable efforts. No sign of exultant happiness appears on his face, which ought to appear when he is jubilant or pleasing. Forcibly preventing feelings or thoughts from being known and deformity in countenance due to continuously exposing a wry face cause to diminish its natural beauty. People, who get angered quickly, look ugly. Likewise, invariably worrying also causes damage to facial features. One should adopt natural means to make a face influential and beautiful by meticulously observing in

mirror his changing countenance with the development of varying emotions. What part or outline of your face is not in harmony or is disproportionate? Which strong feelings get exposed on your face? - Try to find out the reason for this by analyzing your facial expressions in the mirror. Practicing little acting can be helpful in this task. Initially, try to portray brief emotions on your face, and after succeeding in this effort, gradually step up to depict grave thoughts. Remember that provoking thoughts spoil the beauty of your face, so never be vulnerable to mental agitations of grief, anger, jealousy, hatred, etc. Accommodate peaceful, pleasing, and encouraging thoughts into your mind. Brooding on virtuous thoughts makes your face impressive. One who has controlled his psychological disorders can easily influence and attract others. The devotional exercise of meditation can help overpower mental agitations. External means used as treatment can be helpful to promote facial beauty only if aforesaid natural remedies are proficiently utilized for making a face beautiful and impressive. It will be

A healthy attitude is contagious but don’t wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier. – Tom Stoppard AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

better to go for natural therapy instead of falling prey to patent cosmetics available on the market. For example, lime is very useful to treat pimples, wrinkles, and small boils on the skin. Applying curd and buttermilk highlights the natural glow of the face and softens, cleanses, and glows the skin of the face.

Many other natural treatments are also available, which can be successfully utilized to increase a feeling of warmth on the face. ۞

You are Your Best Judge! Once upon a time, there was a painter who had just completed his course. He took three days and painted beautiful scenery. He wanted people’s opinions about his caliber and painting skills. He put his creation at a busy street-crossing. And wrote down below a board which read - “I have painted this piece. Since I’m new to this profession, I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes. Please put a cross wherever you see a mistake.” When he came back in the evening to collect his painting, he was completely shattered to see that the whole canvass was filled with Xs (crosses), and some people had even written their comments on the painting. Disheartened and broken, he ran to his master’s place and burst into tears. This young artist was breathing heavily, and the master heard him saying, “I’m useless, and if this is what I have learned to paint, I’m not worth becoming a painter. People have rejected me completely. I feel like dying." Master smiled and suggested, “My Son, I will prove that you are a great artist and have learned flawless painting. Do as I say without questioning it. It WILL work.” The young artist reluctantly agreed, and two days later, early morning, he presented a replica of his earlier painting to his master. Master took that gracefully and smiled. “Come with me,” - the master said. They reached the same street square early morning and displayed the same painting exactly at the same place. Now master took out another board which read - “Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I’m new to this profession, I might have committed some mistakes in my stroke set. I have put a box with colors and brushes just below. Please do a favor. If you see a mistake, kindly pick up the brush and correct it.” Master and disciple walked back home. They both visited the place the same evening. The young painter was surprised to see that actually, there was not a single correction done so far. The next day again, they visited and found the painting remained untouched. They say the painting was kept there for a month, but no correction came in! Moral of the story: It is easier to criticize but difﬁcult to improve! So don’t get carried away or judge yourself by someone else’s criticism and feel depressed. You are your best judge! The face is the mirror of the mind and eyes; they confess the heart’s secrets without speaking. - St. Jerome AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

Environmental Conservation and Indian Culture

he principle of ‘live and let live’ has been held in high esteem in Indian culture. It is not limited to only human beings. It includes every component of Nature, whether animals or plants, living or non-living objects. Its purpose has been to establish a harmonious relationship between humans and Nature. This sentiment has been nurtured so that we consider ourselves to be the part of Nature and take only what we need from it. Since the entire universe is made of air, water, earth, ﬁre, and ether as its vital elements, Indian philosophy has paid signiﬁcant attention to their purity and their sustenance in an unpolluted state. Our culture cautions us that environmental conservation is possible only by maintaining a balance with Nature. This balance alone can save us from all the ill effects of pollution in the present and future. We have always maintained a motherly affection towards Nature. Our sages of yore accomplished the highest truths of life in ancient times while living in forests. We never fought with Nature, nor has our culture ever harbored the thoughts of conquering it. Where

sentiments like winning and losing or controlling and being controlled abound, there are bound to be tussles. Gandhiji had correctly proclaimed that Nature has sufficient resources for everyone’s needs but not for anyone’s greed. Indian culture discourages greed so that exploitation of Nature can stop. In Indian culture, sentiments towards environmental conservation have always been emphasized. For example, Atharva Veda says – ‘O Mother Earth! All big and small living beings that roam on your land, including us humans, are born as constituents of the Supreme Soul. May they receive fulfillment and nourishment from your resources and the energy of the Sun. Likewise, the sentiment of the importance of the environment is inherent in the Shantipath mantras, which also mention ways to protect ourselves from the terrible effects of its anger. The mantra of Shantipath says - may the flowing air give us happiness, may the Sun provide us with the warmth that we can bear, may the thunderous rain clouds give us pleasant and copious rains. May the worlds of the heavens and the earth provide us with happiness, may the water, plants and medicines give us peace, and may all the deities, the omnipresent Brahm, and everything else gives us peace. May peace spread to the whole world, may everyone attain peace, and may everyone experience soothing calmness. Our Vedic culture ascribes divinity to every component of this creation. It has named all the fundamental objects that

The entire universe is to be looked upon as the Lord. – Isha Upanishad AKHAND JYOTI

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have created this environment, including earth, air, water, sky, moon, sun, etc., as deities. We have been guided to devote ourselves fully to conserving and protecting all those elements that nourish our bodies and life. Sustaining their purity and cleanliness has been strongly emphasized, and instructions have been given to conduct yagya for this purpose. Recognizing the importance of the environment, the practice of paying respect to the five elements in the morning has also been prescribed in our culture. In Vaman Puran, the five elements have been worshiped this way May earth bless us with the sense of smell, water with its quality of affluence, fire with its brilliance, sky with its power of sound, and air with its quality of touch and bless our morning. One of the verses in Yajurveda expounds on the importance of the environment in this manner - May air and water streams bestow happiness on those who wish to live their lives respecting ethical bonds. May the entire vegetation give joy to all of us who lead a moral life. May the nights provide us with joy and may the days too. O, Creator! May the earth and the heavens bestow happiness. May the forest god grant happiness, and Sun god and the cows give us pleasure. Reading the Vedic hymns clarifies how much our rishis gave importance to the environment and Nature. They knew very well that Nature nourishes life, and a clean environment is the basis of our existence. So they used to call Nature Parameshwari - the highest among all the gods and used to pray and worship her as a mother.

Environmental protection is one of the prominent campaigns among the seven undertaken by Shantikunj under the Yug Nirman Movement. In its overt form, it includes increasing the green cover through tree plantations, cleansing of water bodies, etc., while in its subtle form, it propagates the novel initiative of conducting different forms of yagya for creating a balance in the environment. All these initiatives reﬂect the subtle voice of ancient rishis only. Pujya Gurudev Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya has said that we must learn to experience the Supreme Soul’s subtle consciousness within all the components of Nature. Only then will we be able to develop sensitivity towards plants and animals. We may utilize the resources offered by Nature for our beneﬁt, but conservation of these resources is also an important responsibility of ours. We must forgo our utilitarian approach towards groundwater, forests, land, rivers, etc. and pay attention to their development and imbibe a friendly attitude towards them. In these alone lie sutras of the solution to environmental conservation, which our culture has been propounding from ancient times. ۞

Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.

- George Bernard Shaw Ether, air, fire, water, earth, planets, all creatures, directions, trees and plants, rivers, and seas are all organs of God’s body. Remembering this, a devotee respects all species. - Srimad-Bhagavatam AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

Compassion: The Basis of Human Life ompassion is the basis of human life. A life devoid of empathy is equivalent to that of a feral existence. Empathy nurtures divinity within man. A person becomes divine based on his noble virtues, appears like an animal due to lowly thoughts, and becomes devilish by embracing abominable and sinful behavior.

people decided to ﬁght for Indian Independence, faced immense travails, and even walked bravely to be hung on the gallows while clutching Bhagawad Gita to their bosom. Animals like monkeys and bears joined Lord Shriram’s army, ready to sacriﬁce their lives. Even a tiny squirrel tried to help build the bridge across the vast ocean by repeatedly rolling its body in the sand and depositing it into the sea. All these are examples of what happens when righteous wisdom is awakened.

A person can remain good so long as good sense prevails in him. If he cannot pull himself off the wrath of wisdom, he falls into the dungeon of darkness. Rishi Vishwamitra succumbed to temptation and was trapped by Apsara Menaka. Rishi Parashar could not resist the attraction to a ﬁsherwoman. Lord Moon carried the burden of seeing his guru’s wife with impropriety while a god like Indra stooped to disgrace the piety of Sati Ahilya. Wise men like Bhishma and Dronacharya supported the immoral actions of Duryodhana.

Prudence infuses the strength of thousand elephants in a weakling, while selfishness makes an army commander go weak on his knees. When Draupadi was disgraced in the royal court, Bhishma and Drona sat like impotent beings. Not a word of reproach escaped their lips. Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi sought help from several capable rulers, but none of them came to her rescue due to fear of the British. Unfortunately, so many Indians helped the British and Mughals because of their selfish interests and continued to witness their motherland trapped in the shackles of slavery. While warriors like Rana Pratap and Shivaji led a life of self-respect, fighting for the freedom of their motherland throughout their lives, there were innumerable others who chose to trade their kingdoms in return for favors and leniency. Rana Sanga continued to fight in the war despite 84 injuries while others conspired with the enemy to fulfill their selfish needs.

On the other hand, when prudence or righteous intellect prevails, young children of Guru Gobind Singh named Jorawar Singh and Fateh Singh happily chose to be walled in alive rather than abandon their religion. Innumerable

Whatever happiness, peace, prosperity, and progress are present in the world are due to noble intentions and noble behavior. On the other hand, whatever troubles, pain, and

Empathy is understanding the sorrow or loss of another person. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes and imagine how you would feel. - Byron Pulsifer AKHAND JYOTI

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conﬂicts are seen are the poisonous consequences of evil nature. So many historical monuments built thousands of years ago are standing tall, while the bridges, dams, and schools constructed by us are crumbling within no time. The quality of material and knowledge we have today is better than what was present centuries ago, but sincerity is lacking. In ancient times, even with lesser resources, they were able to build long-lasting structures. Qutub Minar, Taj Mahal, Jain Temples of Abu, Meenakshi Temple, Caves of Ajantha, Pyramids of Egypt, Wall of China, etc., are not mere testimonials of intellectual knowledge but also depict the zeal to create something exquisite. Our peace and happiness cannot be increased based on industries, machines, dams, bridges, and highways. They can only contribute to a little increase in income, and that extra money can only invite troubles. It is seen that industrial workers and other laborers spend their wages on alcohol, tobacco, and movies.

People who earn handsomely look at ways and means of spending that money on unnecessary and frivolous things, and eventually, what they earn is never sufficient. The personal, familial and social life of rich people is filled with suffering and malice. Increased earning comes with an increased variety of bad habits, which become the cause for the deterioration of life force. It is very important that financial growth is accompanied by increased prudence and noble virtues. If the latter part is ignored, then whatever efforts have gone into increasing your income will not be capable of solving your problems in life. Until and unless the workers are honest, no factory will thrive. Unless there is quality

In ancient times, there was a man named Hatim who roamed from one country to another, serving people on his way. Once in his dream, he saw a man crying. He asked the man the reason for his sorrows, and the man replied – “I used to be the richest merchant in China. Once I was returning through a jungle after completing my business. On the way, some thieves looted all my money and killed me. Now, after my death, I am very restless; I get no food to eat because I never donated any money in the name of God. If you could go to my home in China, dig up the money I have hidden underground, and donate it to the poor and needy, I will attain freedom from this wretched state.” He told Hatim the address to his house in China. Hatim woke up from his sleep and thought a while about his dream. He decided to go to China. When he reached the merchant’s house, he told his sons about his dream. The sons dug up the place described by Hatim and located a pot full of money. They donated all the money to the poor as per their father’s wish. A month later, Hatim saw the merchant in his dream again, who told him that he was happy and contented now since his money had been put to good use. Sometimes, all a person wants is an empathetic ear; all he or she needs is to talk it out. Just offering a listening ear and an understanding heart for his or her suffering can be a big comfort. - Roy T. Bennett.

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in the products, consumers will not benefit from buying them. Until the sellers refrain from adulteration and profiteering, the state of any business will remain pathetic and beyond repair. Until government employees let go of their ego, tendency to take bribes and create scams, the government’s objectives will not be fulfilled. The extent of noble tendencies that should be present in people is not there presently. This is the main reason for hurdles in the path of our progress. There is no dearth of resources. Peace and prosperity will prevail everywhere if the amount of knowledge, wealth, workforce and resources that we have today is utilized properly. Progress of the self is only possible by nurturing good tendencies.

Communion with God, attaining heaven, and liberation are possible only for those whose thoughts and actions are of the highest stature and centered around noble ideals. No religious rituals and worship can lead a person engaged in evil acts and thoughts to attain proximity to God. God Almighty is aware of every atom of the creation, and hence he knows not only our actions but also our intentions and behavior. We cannot bribe him by our ritualistic worship while being rotten inside. He shall shower his grace only when we hold ourselves to the highest ideals. He gives more importance to our emotions than the bhajans. A person endowed with noble sentiments will attain God even without doing bhajan, while a person devoid of humanity will not attain God even after the greatest of worships. For worldly and otherworldly progress, for mundane and spiritual upliftment, it is essential to develop noble virtues. Since times immemorial, whenever disastrous conditions prevailed, it was primarily because of man’s selﬁshness and sinfulness; peace and prosperity prevailed when goodness was abundant in people. Compassion is the only basis for this. ۞

A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. - Albert Einstein

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. – Dalai Lama AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

Youth Column

Awakened Youth Power

outh power is the foundation for the progress of every nation. By awakening this power, we can open innumerable dimensions of development. India has the beneﬁt of a large pool of productive population in the form of our youth. It can transform India drastically. During the Second World War in 1945, Japan was defeated when its two cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, were bombarded with atom bombs. Japan was crippled and became powerless, but it bounced back due to its national resolve and the power of its youth. Due to tremendous courage and determination, this nation made great progress with its small population and astonished the world by becoming its second-largest economy. Within ten years of its defeat, Japan made its ﬁrst bullet train, and after 19 years, it hosted the Olympic Games. Japan neither had the human resources nor the abundance of natural resources like us. Whatever it achieved was due to its hard work, determination, and talent. We are much more blessed than them and have ample time in our hands. Prosperous, glorious history and ideals, inspirational personalities are our strengths. Youth need to make Swami Vivekanand’s words their motto and dedicate themselves to uplifting our nation. Swamiji said – ‘Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached. All the power is within you. Believe in yourself; you can do anything and everything.’ Our youth certainly seems to have a realization of their strength. In a survey, The Times of India had asked - what

is India’s biggest strength? To this, 61% of the youth replied - Youth Power. This shows their selfconfidence. The young blood of India has considered its upcoming economy and democracy its biggest strength. Young Indians have deep faith in their power, but the nation needs to open sufficient avenues for them if it wants to use its resources intelligently and with foresight. There are many reasons why our youth cannot achieve what they truly deserve. Our education system, whose central aim is restricted only to making the students mere job seekers, is not doing enough justice to our country’s modern aspirations and strengths. Substantial changes should be made so that every student not only gets the opportunity to study according to his interest and talent but also gains business and skill-oriented practical education. Otherwise, we will have many degree holders but no skilled professionals. Countries that are industrially and scientifically developed laid stress not on degrees but on knowledge and specialization. We, too, need to change our perspective soon regarding this.

The power of youth is the common wealth of the entire world. No segment in the society can match the power, idealism, enthusiasm, and courage of the young people. - Kailash Satyarthi

AKHAND JYOTI

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Even after decades of freedom, the literacy rate in India is only 63%. In China, which we consider our competitor, the ﬁgure for the same is 93%. According to the National Knowledge Commission, research scholars in China have increased by 85%, whereas in India, only 20%. More than six lakh students obtain a bachelor’s degree in engineering in China, whereas it is around 4.65 lakhs in India. Also, the standard of education in India is not of the desired level. Many countries require Indian students aspiring for a master’s degree or higher education to go through another exam. Along with the standard of education, there should be an improvement in basic facilities from primary school to postgraduate universities and professional education institutions. Any changes in education must be made keeping in mind the new age requirements. There should be enough number of good institutions so that no brilliant and deserving student is deprived of admission into engineering, management, medical, accounts, or professional courses. After making our students capable enough, they will chart their own course, and instead of looking for jobs, they should be encouraged to innovate

and start their own business. Unfortunately, there is deeprooted corruption in higher education and employment and also getting loans from banks for business is not easy. Infrastructural development is slowly catching up in the country, but political uncertainty and stagnation are huge obstacles to economic progress. This is the right time to focus on infrastructural development. Infrastructural development and economy are directly related to each other. If one grows, the other will grow automatically. It is time to speed up the process of economic development and ignite progress in the areas of roads, transportation systems, electricity, educational institutions, harbors, airports, markets, and business centers. Money spent on these will not go waste. On the contrary, it will strengthen the foundation, and if there is an all-round development of the infrastructural foundation, it will open up new avenues for the youth. Making farsighted economic policies and implementing them will help fulﬁll the youth’s aspirations. It is high time that our ruling authorities take some decisive measures for our future. It is required to change the existing stagnant status quo and corrupt working practices; this will open up doors for many opportunities. It would be good to adopt positive elements from modernism, western civilization, foreign countries, and life values for the change, but one should not blindly surrender to them. Our identity is our civilization, culture, nation, religion, and language. They should ﬂow in our blood and beat in our hearts. Our youth should not get uprooted and drift away from our values. The righteous transformation of the country should be the combined effort of our government, society, and the citizens. Youth should play an important role in the nation’s progress. ۞

Youth is the season of receptivity and should be devoted to acquirement and manhood of power - that demands an earnest application. Old age is for revision. - Christian Nestell Bovee AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

Don’t Forget to Express Gratitude

aying ‘Thanks’ has become a habit for us. But gratitude, thankfulness, and being indebted are beautiful words with a deep meaning. All of us experience these emotions in our daily life. When we use these words along with the deep emotions they represent, we not only elevate our personality but also give happiness to others. Thankfulness is a feeling that is felt between two people when one of them helps another during times of need. Gratitude is felt, especially when the receiver ﬁnds the help valuable. Polite behavior elicits the emotion of benevolence. The emotion we feel is expressed through our perspective of others and our behavior towards them. Thankfulness is not just about being transactional and paying back for a favor. Similarly, the feeling of benevolence nudges us to cooperate with one another and teaches the art of understanding others. We should always be honest when we express our gratitude. The emotion can be expressed by simply saying ‘Thanks.’ Very often, people fail to acknowledge and express gratitude to their near and dear ones, like a spouse, family members, friends, etc. Gratitude plays a vital role in determining the character and personality of an individual. But many people miss out on developing this trait because of their ego.

Once we begin to experience gratitude, our entire perspective toward life gets transformed. If we cultivate these qualities of gratitude and humility, our behavior automatically stands corrected. One of the main hurdles in the path of self-progress is that an individual wants to take credit for all the good things in life

and blame others for all that goes wrong. This happens because a person does not want to be unsuccessful or a failure. He always blames the circumstances and runs away from his objectives. We should ask ourselves – ‘If I take responsibility for my success, then why am I not responsible for my failure?’ In fact, we should give credit to others for our successes and take responsibility for their weaknesses ourselves. Acknowledging others’ roles in our success is a sign of graciousness. This is possible only when we feel secure about ourselves. We begin to think that we don’t need anyone’s help and take pride in feeling like this because it depicts our strength. It is our negative attitude that hinders the path of positive things that could come our way. Some people experience more attitude of gratitude than others. The connection between spirituality and gratitude was revealed in a recent study. The study shows that spirituality enhances a person’s ability to feel thankful. People who contribute their time and effort to serving people are observed to be more capable of expressing gratitude in all walks of life.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them. – John. F. Kennedy AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

Gratitude is looked upon with similar importance in all religions. It is well known that in all religions, devotees express their gratitude towards God through worship. That is why gratitude is recognized as a noble trait in scriptures of all faiths and traditions. This is the reason gratitude is considered a universally accepted virtue. Several studies have shown that those who have an attitude of gratitude exhibit higher levels of spiritual bliss. People who are thankful are typically happy, energetic, and satisﬁed in their personal and social relationships. In addition, their ability to control their surroundings, achieve personal progress, attain life goals, and accept themselves is known to be quite high. Grateful people have many positive methods of handling various challenges in life. They are more likely to get support and cooperation from others. They do not shirk responsibility and have a positive strategy to solve the problems without blaming others or losing focus on their goals. Grateful people enjoy sound sleep because they do not think of negative thoughts and focus on positive

thoughts before sleeping. Many studies have shown that grateful people are generally happy and do not succumb to depression and stress. Emotions play an important role in the well-being of a person. Gratitude and well-being are tightly coupled with each other. Let us once remember all those people who have positively influenced our lives. It could include parents, teachers, and others who have spent significant time shaping our lives. It might appear that it was their duty to do what they did. But it is not so; they willingly spent their time, money, and resources purely out of their love and not for any gain. At any point in life, if a person realizes the huge number of people who have strived to make him the person he has become, it may not be too late to express his gratitude to them. Gratitude is not like being indebted, whereas both seem to be expressed after receiving help. Indebtedness comes into the picture when the receiver knows that he must payback for what he has received. On the other hand, gratitude propels you to find your benefactor and improve your relationship with him. Expressing gratitude is a way of strengthening your relationships. In an experiment, it was observed that when the jewelry store called their customers and thanked them, there was a 30% increase in sales. Another study showed that those waiters who wrote thanks on the bill received better tips in the restaurant. Expressing gratitude symbolizes our decency, humility, and absence of egoism. So, whoever has done something, whenever in our life in whatever small or big way – go ahead and thank them. ۞

“It’s a funny thing about life; once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things you lack.” - Germany Kent When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out, and the wave of love rushes in. - Kristin Armstrong AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

It is the Mind that Wins or Loses

Gurudev has rightly said in this regard - it is the mind that wins or loses.

According to psychologists, the first thing which comes to the human mind is thought, then it starts deliberation and contemplation, and in the end, starts the implementation process. The thoughts form the foundation of a person’s progress or decline. The mind gets influenced by the circumstances and establishes its control over the five sense organs and the five organs of action. That is why wise saints consider the mind as the eleventh organ.

The Vedic seers and lawmakers have prescribed many methods for controlling and refining the mind. It has been said in the Yajurveda - “Let my mind be devoted to Lord Shiva and be the holder of noble thoughts.” If we have to achieve big successes through the power of the mind, we must bear lofty and noble thoughts and firm resolve in our inner being. Wise saints consider it essential to protect these attributes from the five vices of the body, viz. lust, anger, arrogance, greed, and attachment and then imbibe the former permanently. For refinement of the mind, control over the organs, company of saints and pious souls, and prudence are necessary, but all this is not possible without the grace of God.

Mind is the power through which a human being can uplift himself to the level of a Supreme being. In other words, if the thoughts arising in the mind are noble, man can reach the pinnacle of progress, but ignoble thoughts can also take him to the abyss of depravity. This is because the mind’s natural tendency is to inﬂuence and stimulate the concerned organ toward the desired objective. Control over the mind establishes control over all other organs. Param Pujya

The mind is a formless dimension of the body that is always agile and in motion. With the power of imagination, the mind is beyond all bodily limitations and other boundaries and can transcend time and space. It can access the king and the pauper and the high and the low effortlessly; it can

mong all the creatures of the world, man is considered to be of the highest form, and among all the endowments with which nature has blessed him, the human mind is undisputedly the most valuable and the best. In a general sense, ‘mind’ means the faculty or capability of animals through which different emotions and feelings, pleasures and pains, etc., are experienced and friend and foe recognized. Scholars have analyzed the term mind in various ways. For example, playfulness and spontaneity are the natural attributes of the mind. The philosophers, therefore, believe that the human mind is like a pond whose placid water immediately turns into moving waves under the impact of blowing air.

Focused mind power is one of the strongest forces on earth. - Mark Victor Hansen AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

ﬂeet across thousands of years in the past and the future in the blinking of an eye.

established themselves in the unconscious mind, the latter would keep doing undesirable work without further direction or prompting.

The human mind has two aspects — the conscious mind and the unconscious mind. The conscious mind is dependent on intellectual progress. Whatever work we do after careful deliberation is done in our waking state. These are done by our consciousness force, controlled and guided by the conscious mind. But the unconscious mind is not subject to consciousness force; it is always free.

The thoughts of the person form the basic contour of the unconscious mind. Emotions, imaginations, and resolves that a person keeps bearing and contemplating for a long time get embedded in his unconscious mind and become permanent.

According to psychologists, the unconscious mind is so potent that it keeps on doing its work even without any signal from the conscious mind. It is, in a way, so much beyond the range of human control that sometimes its work goes even against our wishes. The conscious mind is always active whether we are sleeping or waking. In fact, it is the bearer and conductor of our innate attributes and tendencies. It never tires; it never stops. It is the conscious mind that is the storehouse of a person’s energy and abilities. The noble tendencies and sanskaras (subtle impressions) in the unconscious mind make permanent niches there. They become habituated to doing good with enthusiasm routinely. On the contrary, if ignoble and negative tendencies have

At the prompting of the soul, we should discard the fake and ignoble thoughts from our minds and establish there what is true and righteous. Shraddha (deep faith) is the only fundamental element that can make firm the virtuous emotions in the unconscious mind. Shraddha is the reservoir of our energy. In the absence of shraddha, knowledge becomes futile, the action becomes powerless, and man’s life is reduced to a mere biological existence of a lowly creature. People do prayer and bhajan (devotional singing), but many do it only superficially; beneath the surface, they remain more interested in material gratification. Indeed, the need is to search out these hidden lusts. As long as these desires and longings remain hidden, no progress towards spiritual upliftment can be hoped for. So observing and examining the mind and its tendencies daily is a necessary and fruitful method. It is the inner being that takes the form of lust, anger, and greed and overwhelms the knowledge. The realization - “I am the soul” is needed to keep the mind under control. With the flame of this realization, we can burn the hidden desires in our minds to ashes. If the mind is not brought under control, even the holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh cannot be of much benefit. Only when a mind yearning for sensory pleasures develops a deep love for God does the good of the living being

A man is but the product of his thoughts; what he thinks, he becomes. - Mahatma Gandhi AKHAND JYOTI

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occur. The only way to awaken this love is to place such irrefutable courses and strategies before the mind to make it disinterested in pleasures and attracted to God. Let us think for a moment about what cures a patient medicine or diagnosis? Indeed, both are important. But medicine works only when the diagnosis is correct. If the diagnosis is wrong, medicine remains ineffective, or it may even harm. It is the diagnosis that takes time, not the administration of the drug. Medicine is already existing — prepared and ready. Only its prescription is required. In the same way, when the ills of the mind are diagnosed correctly, the cure will not take much time. In the company of saints and virtuous surroundings, the mind’s weaknesses become noticeable. Hence one should sit in such an atmosphere and calmly introspect. One should ask oneself - “Countless rosary beads have worn out in the past years; still, so many ills and demerits remain hidden inside me. Why is it so? The effect of bhajans should have destroyed them by now, but they are still lurking beneath, ready to strike!” Make a ﬁrm resolve that you have to ferret out these hidden enemies. The ﬁrmness of determination facilitates the path to the goal. But such noble resolutions are only possible in

the right environment. A person spends money like water to cure himself of bodily diseases and even takes huge loans or sells the property. But he hardly pays any attention to ridding himself of mental ailments. He does not realize that when the end of this body comes near, no relatives or dear ones will be of any help. The problem is that even the introspection of the mind cannot be done by a person with normal attachment to the myriad charms of the world. This examination is possible only with a pure mind. There are millions of microorganisms in one drop of blood, but we cannot see them with naked eyes. The seed of a banyan tree is of the size of a minuscule mustard grain, but it hides within itself a huge tree. Similarly, polluted sanskaras dwell in the mind unnoticed. It is, therefore, essential that we develop such probing and observant eyes that we keep reﬁning ourselves all the time.۞

A man’s mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth. If no useful seeds are put into it, many useless weed seeds will fall therein and continue to produce their kind. - James Allen, As a Man Thinketh

Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes. - Carl Jung AKHAND JYOTI

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Odyssey of the Enlightened – 85

Invocation and Enshrinement - 5 The Morning Shower of June! ataji also sang a bhajan (devotional song) during the evening cultural program. However, she did not give any discourse or speech. Swami Divyanand, Pandit Lakshmikant Pandya, Prabhudayal, and Brajesh Narayan presented their thoughts. The essence of their addresses was that after political freedom, the country also needs to regain social, cultural, and spiritual independence. These goals can be achieved only by constructive endeavors with people’s participation. Acharyashri did not give any speech on any of these days. Only his message was read.

The next day was the auspicious day of Gayatri Jayanti. It was the ﬁnal day of the 3-day long yagya, sadhana, and other programs. The invocation and enshrinement of Gayatri were to take place early morning. The cluster of clouds gathered in the sky over the past couple of days had become denser. According to the Hindu calendar, this was the night at the juncture of navami and dashmi of the month of Jyeshtha. Usually, the

soothing moonlight would spread everywhere in this period. However, that night, the moon was hidden behind dark clouds. The pleasant cold breeze seemed to have substituted for it. The weather had changed drastically! Usually, it’s quite hot and humid in the month Jyeshtha-Ashadha (JuneJuly) before the onset of monsoon in Mathura. But that night, the breeze was so cool! It appeared as though it had rained somewhere in the nearby areas. The parijans working for the program for the past several months recalled Acharyashri telling that it would rain on the purnahuti (completion of yagya) day. The sacraments of enshrinement began in the temple at 4 am on Gayatri Jayanti day. Twelve kanyas (girls before puberty age) sat in front of the idol of Gayatri that was still behind a curtain. These girls in the age group of 8 to 12 years were mostly the daughters of some parijans. They used to do the japa of Gayatri at home too. They had been fasting for the past two days and had taken only Ganga Jala (water of the holy river Ganga) and cow’s milk. They had been given special training for today’s program under the motherly guidance of Mataji. Other sadhakas were sitting right in front of the temple. Everybody performed the rituals of shatkarma (that are supposed to be done before any worship). Then the girls went near the idol to help with its bathing ritual and decoration. After that, the dasha-vidha-snana of the idol (the main sacrament before the invocation of the divine power) took place inside amidst loud chants of speciﬁc Vedic mantras by all sadhakas. In this sacrament of ten baths, the ﬁrst four are

Everyone has talent. What’s rare is the courage to follow it to the dark places where it leads. - Erica Jong AKHAND JYOTI

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done using the ash of yagya, the soil of pilgrimage sites, cow dung, and cow urine. In the next six phases idol is bathed with cow’s milk, curd, ghee, specific herbal preparation, kushodak, honey, and finally, with the water of sacred rivers. After the essential sacraments of invocation and enshrinement of prana (spiritual power of the deity, the divine power) in the idol, the sthirikarna (firm establishment) process began. Two hundred forty sadhakas meditated for a few minutes and then chanted some prayer mantras with their palms in front of the idol. Inside the sanctum sanctorum Acharyashri, Mataji, and the twelve kanyas were doing the sacraments with rhythmic chanting of mantras. Moments after completing these rituals and decoration of the idol, there was a roar of thunder in the sky with immense lightening as though the divine powers in the heavens were also celebrating the event. Thick drops of rain also showered; it appeared as though it would pour heavily. But the sadhakas were told not to panic or move. Surprisingly the rain stopped within a few minutes though lightning continued for some time. The curtain in front of the idol was now removed. The panchmukhi deepaka lighted since the first day of the enshrinement ceremony was kept in front of the idol. Two groups of six kanyas were standing on both sides of the idol. They were holding the arati-thal (plates on which lighted deepakas, flowers, and other substances used for worship are kept). Acharyashri was standing on the right and Mataji on the left side of the deity. All the sadhakas also stood in front of the temple. They all

had the ﬁrst darshan of the deity. The beatifying radiance and divine glow of the idol were beyond description. Its brilliance was such that even thousands of diamonds and pearls, the lightening of the sky, all would appear dimmed in front of it. Absolute expression of beauty, prosperity, and blissfulness seemed to have become alive in it, as though the Mother-Supreme Gayatri had manifested in reality! The aarati (devotional prayer after worship) began with Vedic hymns. The kanyas were rotating the aarati-thal in front of the deity in the clockwise direction. The circles thus generated by the ﬂames of deepakas in the rotating thals added to the majestic view of the entire event. After the aarati, the kanyas did pranam with folded hands and bowing their heads at the feet of the idol. This was indeed a blessed moment in the lives of everyone around. Everyone was just immersed in the elixir of devotion. After this, there was a purnahuti of yagya. As soon as the three-day long yagya was completed, the clouds gathered since the beginning of the

True strength lies in submission, which permits one to dedicate his life, through devotion, to something beyond himself. - Henry Miller Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine. - Roy T. Bennett AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

ceremony started pouring. With some gap in between, it rained almost throughout the day. Everyone was cheerful, as rain after the yagya is regarded as an auspicious sign of the success of the spiritual experiment associated with yagya. Someone asked Acharyashri the reason/implication of this belief. He explained that rains constitute a signiﬁcant component of Nature’s cycle and are crucial in the sustenance of life on the earth. In Vedic times, special yagya was performed to worship and pray to Lord Indra — regarded as the controller of rains. So, the showering of rains after the yagya was considered a sign of Lord Indra’s pleasure. But this is an allegoric description of the Puranas. Yagyas serve the purpose of purifying and balancing the atmospheric and subtle environment. So, the actual meaning of the word ‘vrashti’ (literal meaning rain) as a sign of the success of yagya is the showering of prosperity (of Natural resources and healthy and hearty life). He paused for a few seconds and said — “The showers you experienced today are only like external symbols. The real consequences of this event will be visible in the world in the next twenty, twenty-ﬁve years”. ۞

A right perspective is the charioteer of a happy life Our external life is organized based on two metrics. The first is the number of resources available to us, and the second is our immediate social community. When conducive to our wishes, these two aspects lead to our happiness. When they are not, they make us unhappy. Available resources consist of our monetary wealth and material objects that can be purchased with the help of money. Food, clothes, house, vehicles, entertainment, and other items that increase our comfort level belong to this category. Our social network consists of our spouse, children, brothers, sisters, parents, other family members, friends, extended friends, and acquaintances. If there is no shortage of resources and our community supports us, we feel happy. Similarly, our internal life also has two wheels – our body and our mind. These two wheels need to be in good shape for individual well-being. Physical illnesses and mental afflictions lead to a confused and unhealthy internal state. On the other hand, a healthy body and a balanced mind lead to inner contentment and happiness. Resources, community, body, and mind constitute the four wheels of the chariot of our life. To keep them healthy and conducive and therefore well functioning, a healthy and balanced perspective is indispensable. In this sense, we may see our perspective as the all-important charioteer. Thus, an evolved perspective and dedication to our ideals will lead to individual, familial, and social happiness. - Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya

[To be continued]

Life is the art of drawing sufficient conclusions from insufficient premises. - Samuel Butler AKHAND JYOTI

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One’s Duty in the Cycle of Change

he flow of life is constant and eternal. In this flow, every living being performs its assigned role and progresses towards completing its given life. At the same time, the eternal cycle of change is also active. As night follows day and summer comes after winter, the cycle of pain and pleasure, rise and fall, life and death continue and are certain. This cycle and the frequency of its phases coming at fixed, regular intervals is the eternal truth of life. From this perspective, excessive attachment to any one phase of life is an invitation to a contrary disposition. To give disproportionate importance to one truth is an unwise attempt to negate the other truth. When a person is placed at the height of pleasure and comfort, he simultaneously and ironically also feels terrified of its possible loss and deprivation. The deeper the attachment to any person, post, or object, the greater the fear of its failure and greater the waves of envy and anxiety rising in mind. Keeping in view this eternal cycle of change in life, it is wise to neither become ecstatic and haughty on happy days nor so sad on bad days as to slide into the darkness of depression. One can see that summer will follow winter and dawn after night. Similarly, happy times will certainly come after days of misery and sorrow. This is the divine scheme. Its realization and unwavering faith in a bright future help a person maintain his equanimity and balance between the ups and downs of life and confidently face the moments of crises with patience and composure. Do not expect too much from anybody. Everyone has his

problems, compulsions, and limits. If your work is not being done satisfactorily or somebody is not coming up to your expectation, it could be possible that he is not doing it deliberately. Maybe his internal and external circumstances and familial or social conditions are hampering him. Therefore, it is not wise to form a fixed opinion about anybody in haste. Everyone is treading the path of life according to his swadharma (assigned duty). Ultimately all of us are instruments of this divine play of the Almighty and puppets in His hands. In this way, this fleeting life is an opportunity to pacify the longings and thirsts of the inner being. It is a ground to fulfill incomplete dreams and live out the emotions and passions. Serving for the public good while treading the path prescribed by the guru is the door to freedom from internal bonds and ties, and every moment is a festival to live a life of fulfillment. Other persons’ negative thoughts, beliefs, and decisions cannot be allowed to interfere in this scheme. If you are doing your duty honestly and to the satisfaction of your conscience, you should rest assured that you are on the right path. ۞

You can’t make positive choices for the rest of your life without an environment that makes those choices easy, natural, and enjoyable. – Deepak Chopra AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

Yug Gita - 36

Karma, Akarma and Vikarma - 2 The core of karma Lord Shri Krishna, in ïlokas 16 and 17 of the fourth chapter of the Gita, says to Arjuna: Ki® karma ki®akarmetikavayo´pyatra mohit³¡ | Tatte karma pravakÌy³mi yajjó³tv³ mokÌyase´ïubh³t || (16/4) Karmaño hyapi bodhavya® bodhavya® ca vikarmaña¡ | Akarmañaïca bodhavya® gahan³ karmaño gati¡ || (17/4) Meaning: Even the wise are confused regarding what is karma (action) and what is akarma (inaction). Therefore, I will teach you such action by knowing that you will be liberated from the inauspiciousness of this world (shackles of birth and death). (Oh, Arjuna!) You should know the true nature of action (as prescribed by the scriptures) and that of forbidden (or unlawful) action and inaction because the intricacies of actions are very mysterious. In fact, the Gita is written keeping in view the intricacies of human life. In these ïlokas, Lord is trying to convey that it is not easy for everyone to distinguish

between action and inaction; even the wise are confused regarding this matter. Hence, He wants to explain it to Arjuna. If we know about inauspicious action, we can save ourselves from going on the path of inauspiciousness. The classification of karmas According to Yogeshwar Shri Krishna, life may be divided into two parts – activity (karma) and inactivity (akarma). Lord subdivides karma into two: first, the action prescribed by the scriptures (swadharma, a selfless activity), and second, the action prohibited by the moral code of conduct (vikarma). Indulging in the second kind leads to sin. Hence, all acts against human dignity have been termed nishiddha karma or vikarma (prohibited action). Let us first understand vikarma; then, it would be easier to distinguish between karma and akarma. In order to understand vikarma or nishiddha karma (prohibited action), we will have to take recourse to Neetishastra (Ethics). Ethical codes of conduct depend on four factors; namely, geographical conditions, one’s age, qualification, and prevailing social circumstances. There are certain religious rules to be followed by Hindus, like doing Sandhya vandan twice (morning and evening) after taking a bath. This rule can be implemented easily in central and south India, but it may sound difficult to implement in Himachal, Uttarakhand, and cold countries. It is possible that people may not be able to take a bath both times or even daily. In such cases, it would be enough to engross in mental purity and do Sandhya vandan. Therefore, one has to act according to geographical and climatic conditions.

Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world. - Joel A. Barker AKHAND JYOTI

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There is a rule that one should not talk to women in lonely places. But it depends on one’s age. A little child would cling to his mother or some other woman; they would love him. However, if an adult does the same thing in public, it would be a prohibited action. The third factor is the qualiﬁcation and social status. For example, in an emergency, a doctor may have to go attend to the patient in a car or some other fast vehicle. On the other hand, a social volunteer may use a bike or some other mode of conveyance depending on the need of the hour so that the time can be saved and more work can be done. But a student or a person who does not have an important task at hand uses a car; it would be considered a luxury. The fourth factor is social circumstances. It is prohibited for the Jain Munis to change position while sleeping. They observe this rule so that any tiny creature like an ant, etc., does not get crushed under the body. This is the extreme of non-violence. The followers of Jainism walk on foot and tie a strip of cloth on the mouth. Teerthankar Mahavira attained siddhi in this matter, and hence he made the rule. But the common person cannot observe such rules. Which action should be performed, and which one is prohibited? It can be decided based on ethics, i. e. taking into consideration the four factors. The action that violates the code of ethical conduct is called vikarma. Karma and akarma The second term is karma. Every action is not karma. For example, eating, moving body parts, simple tasks performed by animals, etc., are not karma. However, when one’s resolve and will get added to the activity to achieve a speciﬁc goal, then it becomes karma. Without resolve, karma does not get strength. Therefore, it is the resolved karmas that become our destiny.

That is why Lord says to Arjuna that he should know what karma is. If one does not know it, the fear is that he may indulge in prohibited karma or consider simple activities to be karma. There are some superior actions that are approved by scriptures, and they must be done considering them one’s duty. On the other hand, some actions originate from one’s lower tendencies or are inspired by ego or lust; they are prohibited by scriptures. Such activities are called vikarma. So one should save oneself from that. What is akarma? The state of laziness is not called akarma. The actions without resolve are akarmas. When God’s will becomes one’s will, it becomes akarma. Then one’s actions are controlled by God’s will. When God’s resolves get actualized through one’s persona, such a higher state of action is called akarma. Hence, it is essential to understand it. Lord Shri Krishna says, ‘Even the wise get confused about what karma and akarma are. One who knows this mystery gets liberated from the shackles of birth and death (ïloka 16).’ He says further, ‘One should know the true forms of karmas and akarmas as well as vikarmas, because the complexity of karmas is mysterious (ïloka 17).’ To understand these two ïlokas more seriously, we will have to comprehend the meaning of the 18th ïloka. Herein Lord says –

There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long-range risks of comfortable inaction. - John F. Kennedy AKHAND JYOTI

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Karmañyakarma ya¡ païyedakarmañi ca karma ya¡ | Sa buddhim³nmanuÌyeÌu sa yukta¡ k•tnakarmak•t || (18/4) Meaning: One, who realizes renunciation of action in one’s activities and action in the renunciation of activities, is spiritually intelligent among humankind. He is a yogi and a perfect performer of all the actions. Who is intelligent? An intelligent person is one who can understand the hidden import of these three ïlokas (16, 17, and 18) - the one who can realize karma in akarma and akarma in karma. Lord says that karma is like a jungle in this world, where a man/woman is somehow pulling his/her cart of life depending on his/ her ideology, personal values, and circumstances. Shri Aurobindo says – “The thoughts and values of man are not only due to his present personality and the circumstances, but carry impressions of the past several lives. The imprints of several social setups, thought processes, ethical values, etc., of past lives get entangled. A knowledgeable person searches for the basic truth in this jungle and reaches a point where he asks himself whether all this karma and life is an illusion!’ That is why Lord Shri Krishna says, even knowledgeable people get confused.” Now, what is this riddle of realizing

karma in akarma and akarma in karma? To understand this, let us focus on what Lord is saying in ïloka 18 – it is not necessary to save oneself from mundane tasks. What is needed must be done but by establishing one’s inner self with the supreme self (yukta¡ k•tnakarmak•t). It is not karma if the action is not done with this feeling. A person whose prudence and insight are developed can realize that akarma itself is a continuous action; it is a state being accomplished within nature’s activities and its qualities. The one who knows what inaction is, what a resolved action is, and how to remain in a state of akarma while engaging oneself in karma is an intelligent person – so says Lord (Sa buddhim³nmanuÌyeÌu). This is the highest knowledge, and a person who has attained it is a liberated man, the one who has achieved a Brahmi sthiti (Supreme State). In Sri Aurobindo’s book titled “Thoughts and Aphorisms,” a quote appears – ‘Do not consider only that person to be active who is struggling with life’s challenges and is always busy with his work. The one sitting in a cave and making his soul functional and doing the sadhana for the welfare of the whole universe is also doing karma. This is akarma, and there is great power in this akarma.’ If we flip the pages of history, we will find that there were only two saints, great men – Sri Aurobindo and Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya – who had played a significant role, directly as well as indirectly, in the freedom struggle of the Indian Independence movement. In the initial phase of their lives, they were active as revolutionaries, while the later part was utilized in doing tapa sadhana and generating energy in the environment for social upliftment. In the last phase of his life, Sri Aurobindo kept himself busy in lonely and introverted sadhana. Pujya Gurudev, too undertook a Sukshmikaran sadhana, isolating himself from the public for nearly six years (1984-1990). He was also engaged in the tapa-sadhana in the inaccessible Himalayas thrice for one year each. ۞ [To be continued]

Iron rusts from disuse; water loses its purity from stagnation... even so, does inaction sap the vigor of the mind. - Leonardo da Vinci AKHAND JYOTI

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Concentration : The Origin of Siddhis Karmayoga, bhaktiyoga, layayoga, nadayoga, dhyanadharna, japayoga, etc., whatever sadhanas exist, they are all meant to achieve refinement and purity of the inner self and the concentration of the mind. Any Sadhana done with a fickle mind cannot be yoga. Rasasya manascaiva cancalatva® svabh³vta¡ | Rasobaddho manobaddha® ki® na siddhyati bh¿tale || Var³hopaniÌad (78/2) Meaning: Mercury and the mind are habitually unstable. If mercury is bound (or consolidated) or the mind is bound (or controlled), what then cannot be accomplished on this earth? The image cannot be seen properly in unstable water. In the same way, so long as the mind is unstable, the inner self cannot be felt. Therefore, with the help of sadhana, one should try to concentrate the mind. Sadhana will purify the inner self, and with an increase in purity, concentration will also increase. Doing and undoing is the religion of mind. Therefore, patiently, one should engage the mind in sadhana and try to win it gradually. Without controlling the mind, a sadhaka does not succeed in sadhana. Psychologists say that the control of the mind produces great subtle power. It is very difficult for ordinary people to get acquainted with this power. A disciplined mind helps in physical, mental, and spiritual progress. Among various types of yogas, such as, karmayoga, bhaktiyoga, layayoga, hathayoga, ragayoga, tapayoga, etc., only japayoga is simple and practical. Japa (recitation) of a mantra helps in achieving concentration.

The goal of sadhaka is to make himself introversive. Therefore, closing the eyes, the mind should be fixed on the syllables of a mantra and do recitation along with meditation. A japa done in this way faithfully and without fail helps control the tendencies of the mind and make the thoughts introversive. The scattered sun rays cannot burn a thread, but when the same rays are focused with the help of a convex lens, fire is produced, which is sufficient for burning anything. Similarly, when five karmendriyas and five gyanendriyas are not attracted to their objects of desire, the mind becomes stable. In meditation, when the external world and the self are forgotten, it should be considered that the mind is getting concentrated. In this way, a daily sadhana of concentration will make the sadhaka achieve siddhi. With this achievement, the inner self becomes fully enthusiastic, and the happiness goes on augmenting day by day, and one also goes on succeeding in the set goals. There are several unique mystical powers of the mind. But they remain in the dormant state, and a person is deprived of its benefits. If

Don’t dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer. - Denis Waitley AKHAND JYOTI

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the gun powder is spread on the ground and lit, it will burn like ordinary things, and nothing special happens. But if the same gun powder is properly used through the gun’s barrel, it can even pierce through the distant object upon firing. In the same way, if the mental powers remain scattered, it will not be possible to take any specific benefit from them. Several times we come to know about the siddhis of saints and great men. They can often do some such things that ordinary people cannot do. These siddhis depend on their inner concentration. There are infinite centers of power hidden within the human body. These are made to appear with the help of the sadhana of concentration. Extroverts engage themselves in many useless talks and in the process, get deprived of the invaluable storehouse of power. But the people who become introversive and achieve concentration with the help of japa, dhyana, etc., can realize those spiritual powers and achieve the realization of self. The acrobats of a circus demonstrate unique acts with their concentration and practice. In the same way, siddha purushas, after concentrating their spiritual and mental powers, become the master of several siddhis. Most important among these is achieving self-realization. ۞

Haste Makes Waste The famous Victorian English author Bulwer Lytton started writing novels just as a hobby. However, his writing was so brilliant that he became widely recognized as one of the leading English authors. Someone asked Lytton about the secret of his success. Lytton said, “I never do anything in haste to get a lot of things done in one go. I rather prefer to do it meticulously, in the best possible way. If you push yourself too hard beyond your natural ability, you will become too tired the following day to do anything properly, even a simple task! I never learned any writing skills until I left college and had family responsibilities. Then I started learning, and I believe that I didn’t strive any less than other people learning new skills. I traveled across many countries, entered politics, and gained first-hand experience in many trades and industries. Despite that, I managed to author more than sixty books. Believe it or not, I never spent more than three hours a day studying and writing! Nonetheless, whatever I studied or wrote in those three hours was always done with total concentration, keen interest, and great determination.

If you focus on results, you will never change. If you focus on change, you will get results. - Jack Dixon AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

Amrit Vani

Let Us Revive the Parivr³jaka Tradition for Social Upliftment-3 (English version of some excerpts of a discourse continued from the previous issue) The previous part of the discourse explained the importance of social interactions. The reader may note that meeting/interacting with people does not mean that one simply wastes his/her time in aimless socializing and chit-chatting. We all know that every task at hand or chosen/ assigned project, including physical activity, should be done with a focused mind without any disturbance or discussion/meeting with anyone outside the purview of the work. The key message conveyed in emphasizing the importance of social interaction was that one can’t always remain aloof or isolated from society. If one does so, (s)he would not have anyone to advise or support her/him in moments of need. Most important and relevant to the point of discussion here is that such a person would not have any practical experience and chance of learning from others’ experiences. As an adult, one should carefully identify what kind of people one should meet, interact/collaborate with, discuss, share experiences/thoughts, and why? Let us now ponder over Gurudev’s advice that a parivr³jaka should overcome his/her weaknesses before making social contacts and interactions. Friends, If you have volunteered to contribute your social services as a parivr³jaka of our mission, it is expected that you are not a selfish, arrogant, or reserved person and that you have the earnest desire to do something for social uplift. Some of you satisfy this prerequisite but seem to have difficulties meeting and interacting with people outside your close relations/ friends. You feel extremely shy, lack self-confidence, or have some inferiority complex. Get Rid of Your Inferiority Complex: Forget about social contacts, some of you hesitate even in buying a travel ticket, as you feel shy even in talking to the clerk at the ticket window, you get scared of the strangers in the queue; what is more, you can’t even visit several shops

to compare the prices of something important that you need to purchase! This is not normal human nature. Why are you so scared and shy of new people, new circumstances? This negative trait is a weakness of your mind. It hampers the healthy development of your most precious property — your personality. It blocks your progress in many respects. It is pitiable, as you can’t even express yourself, can’t share your feelings with anyone openly. Some girls/women suffer from such psychological complexes because of

Alone we can do so little; together, we can do so much. - Helen Keller AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

severe restrictions imposed on their movements, conversations, and other activities. Their children may also inherit such complexes. Sometimes, speciﬁc incidents in childhood (e.g., scornful treatment or acute punishment by a teacher in the school), or critical comparison with classmates/siblings having better qualities/achievements, etc., also carve such negative impacts on the delicate minds at a tender age that hamper the victim’s psychology badly. If not treated properly, in some cases, this leads to psychiatric problems at later ages. Some people are so sensitive and selfobsessed that they are always worried about — what people would think about them, what will happen if they do something wrong, what if they fail in their attempt, what if they are not able to convey their viewpoint properly, or if the other person ignores them, does not listen to them..., etc. Such people themselves hinder their normal growth and invite varieties of complexes. Their social behavior and interactions also are hampered because of this negative attitude. If you cannot communicate properly with any new person, if you are not able to express yourself, you cannot really be happy. You cannot have a normal relationship with anybody. Leave aside

social contacts, your personal life will also be unfulfilled and void. You need to remove such weaknesses of your nature/ personality as soon as possible. You will be surprised that the fastest and most effective way is to start meeting people; have the courage to speak. You may rehearse for this in front of a mirror and practice with your near and dear ones. If you sincerely participate in the training here, it will greatly help you overcome your inability to communicate normally. One very important point that I would like to tell you is that if you are motivated for social service, you will certainly get inner courage and light (which will eliminate your mental complexes and weaknesses) when you start meeting people as part of your duty as a parivr³jaka. Self-Refinement is Necessary for a Parivr³jaka: Before venturing into social welfare, you should be aware that your character and conduct should be refined. The integrity of character and kind-heartedness, discipline, and modesty of behavior with social etiquette are essential for a worthwhile social service. Spiritual refinement and development of your life should continue without a break. It is vital for your holistic development and cultivation of unperturbed dedication to selfless service. Spiritual refinement requires the removal of the p³pas1 and augmentation of the puñyas2. Pr³yïcita (atonement) is essential to diminish the p³pa. Honest confession (before the victim or before a noble Guru) and sincere observance of strict penance are often advised and practiced as part of pr³yïcita. Your pr³yïcita would be incomplete if you don’t compensate for the wrongdoings; this can only be done by benevolent conduct and actions. A feasible and constructive way of doing this is to sincerely offer your selfless services to help the needy, support the welfare of the downtrodden, and uplift society towards righteous progress. Doing so without any desire or

The happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others. - Gordon B. Hinckley AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

expectation (of diminishing the p³pas) augments the doer’s puñyas as well. Pilgrimage: A Constructive Way of Atonement: Pilgrimage (in the truest sense of the word) is recommended in our religion/culture as the best way of pr³yïcita. Pilgrimage, in ancient times, used to be a long and arduous journey full of hardships of climbing the mountains, crossing the rivers, passing through the forests, sleeping without comforts, etc. Meals, too, were uncertain subject to food availability during a sojourn on the way or a suitable place to cook the grains carried in the baggage. However, inspired by their inner devotion, faith, and firm belief in divine grace, the purehearted pilgrims used to face these hardships happily. Thus pilgrimage in those days was indeed like a penance. On their way forward, the pilgrims used to meet the masses, understand their problems/difficulties share their worries, and try their best to help the needy. In ancient times, the holy shrines/places of pilgrimage in our country were usually the aranyakas or tapasthalis of devout saints and sages. The pilgrims used to get beatifying enlightenment and practical guidance from them for righteous progress in life. On their way back, they used to share their experiences and distribute the light of precious advice they had received. Unfortunately, pilgrimage, as practiced by most ‘pilgrims’ today, is like the worst mockery of the original. Growing (transport and hospitality) facilities have largely turned this religious tradition into a tourism activity. For many people, it is nothing more than a vacation trip. As part of their ‘sacred duty,’ the supposed devotees among the pilgrims often distribute some alms (usually food and clothes) or donate some money to the people they find in the guise of ‘poor and needy’ or ‘hermits’ during the pilgrimage trip. What kind of help to the needy or tribute to the saints/sages is this?

Fine, you have given delicious fresh food to the needy. His hunger is fulfilled. But, the next day, he is again hungry and begs for food, then? Similar is true of other materialistic alms. Sooner or later, these things will get consumed, and the needy will remain needy. How long are you going to offer him food, clothes or money? Why should you feed the supposed hermits? What kind of s³dhan³ are they doing? What have they done to enlighten the masses? In fact, this kind of charity or superficial social service by the ‘modern pilgrims’ serves no good purpose. On the contrary, it encourages the begging business, a curse on our society. I don’t expect you to do this kind of social service as a parivr³jaka. Neither should your social service and sacrifices become ostentation and trap you in egotism/self-pride. A Parivr³jaka should be a True Pilgrim: I have already told you about the requirements and benefits of traveling on foot as a parivr³jaka. If you sincerely follow the guidance, you receive here, your journey for the noble purpose of mass awakening, enlightenment, and social welfare will be a true pilgrimage. Your benevolent deeds of selfless

Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love. - Mother Teresa AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

social service (as part of our mission’s reformative and constructive projects) as a parivr³jaka would add to your puñyas that would compensate for your bad deeds or sinful conduct in the past. The hardship, labor, and sacriﬁce (of your comfort, your time and resources, etc.) that you make for sincere altruistic services serve as penance for your possible wrongdoings, which might have hurt someone in some ways. Therefore, a continuation of your good deeds to help disseminate righteous knowledge among the masses, and participation in the constructive projects of their welfare and social uplift will be an excellent way to atonement and augmentation of your puñyas. So, you see, your sincere and voluntary services as a parivr³jaka would also

be a real pilgrimage. It would also be part of your spiritual growth. But remember that this beneﬁt will be effective only if you have adopted spiritual disciplines. You should also inspire and teach the masses the need for and importance of not doing anything wrong. You should guide them to follow the path of righteous progress. How will you do that? What would be the focus and approach of your services for the welfare of the local people living at the places you may visit as a parivr³jaka? ۞ (To be continued in the next issue) Notes: 1. P³pa: Sin, sinful thoughts and actions, wrongdoings in an awakened state of mind that harm or hurt someone. 2.Puñya:The consequence of benevolence, altruist service, and equivalent actions of human dignity is called a puñya – the source of happiness, peace, divine grace, and liberation. Puñyas account, in God’s system, for good destiny in the future (life) of the doer.

Knowledge and Action We are all aware of the significance of knowledge in our lives. But the fact is that knowledge is valuable only when it is put into practice. Ignorant people feel satisfied in wasting their lives on selfish tasks; however, the inner self of a knowledgeable person is awakened, and it desires to act selflessly. If it is unable to act accordingly, it feels dissatisfied and suffocated. It is true that the accumulated wealth of knowledge, if not transformed into action, becomes a cause of stress for the person. That is why a scripturist has said – Yastu m¿Ãhatama® loke yastu buddhi parangat³¡ | Ubhau tau Surana maïnute m³nyaivamitarojan³¡|| Meaning: There are only two types of people who are seen as happy in this world – first, fools, and second, who have mastered wisdom, i.e., who incorporate knowledge in their actions.

As we lose ourselves in the service of others, we discover our own lives and our own happiness. - Dieter F. Uchtdorf AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

Only Courageous People Get Success

ife is not a bed of roses; there are many thorns also. Anyone who has come into this world has to face this bitter truth, which is sharp as thorns, and when pricked, it hurts us. Therefore, it is necessary to make yourself courageous so that the difficulties of life can be fought boldly; and at the same time, walk carefully so that the thorns in the road do not pierce us. There are two ways to safeguard ourselves from being pricked by the thorns on the road of life. The first is to move forward by picking up thorns and removing them from the path, and the second is to wear shoes on our feet so that no thorn can reach us. Strong courage is as sturdy as shoes and helps us to move forward. Therefore, courage is an essential virtue of our personalities. Those who do not have courage do not move ahead and cannot do anything worthwhile in their lives. A person never achieves success in his life in one attempt. He has to persist even after many failed attempts. There are many examples of how a tenacious spirit will help us reach our destinations. Jeff Bezos, a famous entrepreneur, founder of a company called Amazon, and the world’s richest person, says, ‘If you are not combative, you will give up immediately. If you are not flexible, you will start banging your head against the wall. As a result, you will not be able to find any solution to the problem you are working on.’ The first deaf and blind woman to graduate in arts, Helen Keller, said, ‘Life is either a dangerous game or nothing.’ This means that if efforts are made with courage, then even difficult tasks can be done easily, and if there is no effort,

then all the easy work also seems very difficult. Therefore, once we are determined to change our current situation, the obstacles in our way also start giving way, rather than threatening us. Thus, one by one, as we move forward overcoming risks, the belief that deepens that even the biggest of difficulties can be overcome by striving in the right direction. American scholar Eugene Fitch Ware says that it is the courage to start something creative that is the first step towards achieving fame. At such a moment, when a person thinks of doing something out of the ordinary, then it is essential to have courage in his mind. Social worker Oprah Winfrey says, ‘Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity. Don’t fight them. Just find a new way to stand.’ Param Pujya Gurudev said, ‘Failure only proves that something was wanting in the effort for achieving success.’ Those who try to do all work with full dedication and indomitable courage never have to face failure in life. Only courageous people succeed in life. ۞

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage. - Lao Tzu AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

Let us Augment our Energies

very being on the planet wishes to be strong because there is no place in this world for a weakling. Even God turns his back on such people. Disease, grief, ghosts, and evil spirits harass him. On the other hand, wherever a strong person glances through, he inﬂuences them. Gods even serve him. We need to be strong so that we can protect ourselves and realize our innate potential and lead a fulﬁlling life. The miraculous accomplishments of great people are remembered for ages. In the history of time, any person who has done something worthwhile for society has given importance to developing his innate energies. All of us experience the need for strength in our day-today life. Without power, life ceases to be worth living. Life is useless when there is no zeal, enthusiasm, courage, or conviction. There are various types of energies: physical, vocal/speech, intellectual, mental, and spiritual. They are in the ascending order of their power. All of them are closely related to one another. 1. Spiritual Energy: The rishis of yore gave utmost importance to Spiritual energy.

Without this energy, all the others are useless and, in some cases, dangerous too. If we ponder on it, we will realize that all the other four types of energies are possible because of the existence of the soul. Without the soul, the body is inert, and a motionless body will not have vocal, intellectual, or mental energies. These are active only so long as the energizing current of the soul is present. All the electrical appliances will surely be off when the powerhouse is closed. Therefore, spiritual stalwarts of our country gave utmost importance to spiritual energy and emphasized on sadhanas to develop it. 2. Mental Energy: All the beings of the world do not develop in the same way. Their temperaments, abilities, and natures are quite varied. So, those who do not ﬁnd themselves suited for the higher sadhanas of developing spiritual energy or if they do not have a yearning for the same, then as the second-best alternative, they can focus on developing physical or mental power. Various methods to augment these energies are given in our scriptures. For example, meditation is considered good for concentrating the mind. By this method, we become mentally strong and capable of ﬁrm resolve. This enables us to pursue the desired task with determination. 3. Intellectual Energy: There is a well-organized educational system that helps in intellectual development. Studying books on various topics boosts our intellect, enhances productivity, and makes us smart. This allows us easily understand the reality of things and solve problems that we face every day.

Energy, like the Biblical grain of mustard seed, will move mountains. – Hosea Ballou AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

4. Physical Energy: Exercise and a hard-working life are important for developing the physical body. In addition, regularity can work wonders in increasing physical strength. Ayurveda discusses several methods that can enhance physical and intellectual strength. 5. Vocal Energy/ Power of Speech Words are extremely powerful. We must learn the art of using words with utmost care. Let us try to develop our personalities, shed our doubts and inhibitions, and share our thoughts and experiences in front of others. But whatever

is uttered, make sure that we have thought long and hard about it and that it is beneﬁcial to everyone. Depending on our aptitude and priorities, we should continue to develop these different energies within us. We, Indians, have always been strong and energetic since time immemorial. But today, we are found lacking in all domains. So, to reclaim our glory, let us all focus on enhancing our strengths. ۞

How to Safeguard Self-Respect? It is possible to utilize the soul’s potential in daily life to safeguard self-respect (i. e. the respect for the real self) while meeting others. A few simple tips will help the reader in achieving this objective. Meet a person respectfully but never consider one’s own self inferior. Be humble while talking, but do not adopt a niggling attitude. While meeting a person, take a seat commensurate with your status. Taking a back seat or sitting at a lower level should be avoided. Do not address a person with highly adulatory words. Instead, use a normal, respectful expression. Talking cheerfully with a mild smile on the face creates a good impression. The smile on the face enables the facial muscles to draw biomagnetic energy to the face making it more attractive and influential. Besides biomagnetizing the lips and cheeks, a large part of this energy enters the eyes, making them sparkle. Scientists have yet to fully comprehend the factors responsible for the extraordinary attraction of a smiling or laughing face. Nevertheless, it has been established that while smiling or (laughing), the facial muscles accumulate much more energy, creating a miraculous impression on the onlooker than in regular expression. Moreover, the appearance of this extraordinary energy on the face also has a beneficial effect on blood circulation and the body’s nervous system. Hence while meeting a person for some purpose, one should not appear sad but be cheerful and relaxed. For equality of terms, one should not interact timidly. Instead, look softly into the eyes of the other person. Staring arrogantly into someone’s eyes creates a wrong impression. On the other hand, one can sufficiently influence others by talking easily and dispassionately.

A man doesn’t need brilliance or genius; all he needs is energy. – Albert M. Greenfield AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

The Divine Abode of The Himalayas

he majestic Himalayas standing like a shield in the North of India is her life and breath; it is the crown of her great ambitions. The history of Indian culture cannot be conceptualized without the Himalayas. It sprawls over 13 provinces from J& K, Himachal, and Uttarakhand to the eastern line of Assam, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. Outside India, parts of the countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar are situated in its lap. Stretching out like an arch of 2400 km in length, the Himalayas ﬂaunts the beauty of this piece of land in Asia and is seen embracing the world’s highest mountains. The evolution of Indian divine culture took place in the Himalayan region. Extinct River Saraswati, on whose banks Vedas were written, is most frequently described in these scriptures. Vedic culture blossomed on its banks and is quoted more than 50 times in Rigveda. Apart from Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas also glorify the Himalayas.

Lord Krishna said – ‘Among the mountains, I am the Himalayas.’ Various pieces of evidence have been unearthed, proving that the Himalayan region has been the cradle of the evolutionary process of Indian culture. The first man Manu was born in this region. The ‘Kailash Parvat’ in the Himalayas is regarded as the abode of Lord Shiva. The Himalayas has been considered the parental house of his consort Goddess Parwati – the daughter of King Himvant. It is not strange that historians admit the Himalayas as the cradle of Indian culture; that is, this is the place where divine culture originated. Today various holy sites in the Himalayas, including Kailash Mansarovar, are worshipped by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs as the origin of their faiths. The Himalayan region has some unparalleled attributes that establish it as a remarkable heritage of this universe. Many mysteries associated with it are still unresolved and challenge human skills in the present scientifically advanced world. The Himalayas is the repository of divine herbs we are still unaware of. During the Ramayana era, Lord Hanumanji had rejuvenated Laxmanji by bringing Sanjeevani herb from this region. Sushain Vaidya, an ayurvedic practitioner, directed Lord Hanumanji to pick up the herb from here. As he could not identify this herb, he uprooted the entire mountain. Braham Kamal is another rare and divine flower in the Himalayas. It has been described in Mahabharata that Bhim had explored this ‘Valley of flowers’ to find this flower to gratify the desire of Draupadi.

Nothing teaches us about the preciousness of the Creator as much as when we learn the emptiness of everything else. - Charles Spurgeon AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

On his way, the invincible Bhim met Hanumanji. Their dialogue is narrated touchingly in Mahabharata as how Hanumanji shattered the unduly high ego of Bhim about his strength and sent him off with lots of blessings. In archives, Hanumanji, who belonged to Treta Yug (the second age of four ages according to Indian mythology), has given his appearance in the Himalayas even in Dwaper Yug (the third of four ages). It is not surprising that the Himalayas is an abode of such divine and immortal souls who still appear as supernatural beings; they are engrossed in devout austerity there and invoke divine favor and guidance upon worthy people. We often encounter various instances of such mysterious narrations of occurrences by domestic and foreign tourists, pilgrims, and devout religious persons who have been to this region. There are many places in the remote region of the Himalayas where celestial souls have been engrossed in devout austerity from immemorial times. Ordinary people cannot see them. However, worthy people can see them and are allowed to enter these divine places. Erudite persons say that such holy places as Gyanganj, Shambhala, and Shangrila still exist in the Himalayas, though these places exist in the other dimensions. Revered Gurudev had himself visited such holy places beyond Tapovan during his Himalayan sojourns. He met incorporeal souls there and resolved to rejuvenate Rishi traditions as per their directives under the program of Yug Nirman Yojna. A touching description of his meeting with such ascetic souls in the subtle bodies can be found in his books ‘My Life: Its Legacy and Message’ and ‘Companions in Solitude.’ That’s why Pujya Gurudev has described the Himalayas as a pinnacle of spirituality. Dada Guru Swami Vishweshwaranandji has been carrying out devout endeavors in the heart of the Himalayas for hundreds of years.

The Himalayas is also known as ‘Devbhoomi’ (land of gods), ‘Rishibhoomi’ (land of saints), and ‘Tapobhoomi’ (land dedicated to austerity), where every village worships its own God. One can see various pilgrimage centers, temples, and holy places associated with saints, rishis, gods, and incarnated personalities which reﬂect the rich heritage of Hindu culture. However, most of them today are in dilapidated condition. Many have become vulnerable to deformations, but the legacy of cultural heritage entailed by these cannot be sidelined, and many mysteries associated with them are still to be resolved. Way to Heaven is reported to exist in the Himalayas. Various saintly persons and yogis come here to achieve salvation in the later years of their lives. Great Pandavas came here to proceed towards Heaven, whose remains can still be seen on the way to Satopanth across Mana village. Visible traces associated with Rishi Vyas, the author of Mahabharata, still exist in the divine land of the Himalayas. It is believed that he is immortal and physically appears only to worthy people. It is also believed that Lord Ram, along with his brothers Laxman, Bharat, and Shatrughna and

To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal. - A. P. J. Abdul Kalam AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

their Guru Vashishtha, had gone to the Himalayas via Haridwar. Holy places associated with their journey can be seen from Rishikesh to Devprayag. Adi Shankaracharya had taken up eternal samadhi in Kedarnath in the later years of his life after accomplishing his campaign of cultural resurrection. Swami Ramteertha had also followed a similar path. Swami Vivekananda’s love for the Himalayas is well known; he had experienced glimpses of Cosmos in his physical body while in the Himalayas. There are many instances of Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh carrying crusades and practicing devout austerity in impenetrable places of the Himalayas. Several Jain Teerthankars and austere Buddhas are reported to achieve the highest perfection of their life in the Himalayan region. All this clariﬁes that name of the Himalayas as Devatma Himalaya is not

by chance. Various mysteries assigned to the Himalayas are still unanswered. For example, Snowman Yeti is a big mystery that was first reported by climbers who came to this region. However, shreds of evidence of his existence have been found in religious parables since the prehistoric period. Foremost Everest climbers Edmond Hillary and Tensing Norgay had also given descriptions of Yeti. Tenzin’s father himself was a witness to it. Different stories are scripted about this creature based on his huge footprints on snowfields. Many devout people relate Yeti with the existence of immortal souls and Hanumanji. Be that as it may, due to the absence of any perceivable evidence about its existence this is still a mystery who he is and how he looks. Likewise, descriptions of Aliens and their Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) in the Himalayas are sporadically reported in newspapers, and this too is still a mystery. So, something in the inaccessible valleys of the Himalayas still exists, which is mysterious, not known, and is a challenge for human intelligence. However, it is our pious duty to safeguard and protect what we possess because not only ours but also the future of our coming generations and this planet is associated with it. ۞

Don’t aim at success. The more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you will miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue. It only does so as the unintended side effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one’s surrender to another person than oneself. Happiness must happen, and the same holds for success: you have to let it happen by not caring about it. I want you to listen to what your conscience commands you to do and go on to carry it out to the best of your knowledge. Then you will live to see that in the long run—in the long run, I say! - success will follow you precisely because you have forgotten to think about it. - Viktor E. Frankl In the foothills of the Himalayas, one hears the prayer: “Oh Lord, we know not what is good for us. You know what it is. For it, we pray.” - Harry Emerson Fosdick AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022

How to Achieve Your Goal?

n order to begin a meaningful life, it is essential to decide on a goal. In this context, our efforts should be SMART: S – specific, M – measurable, A – achievable, R – Realistic, and T – time-bound. It means that goal should be very specific or clear. Measurable means that efforts could be measured or analyzed. Achievable stands for the plan that can be achieved; Realistic means the task has verifiable existence, and Time-bound means it can be attained in a specific time frame. Our goal has to be stable and justifiable with physical, mental, behavioral, and spiritual aspects of personality. In addition, personal and social facets should also reflect in it. In other words, the goal should have a balance between essential and distinctive elements of internal and external aspects of life. On this basis, a person can experience the significance of a meaningful life being exhibited in physical health, mental stability, intellectual development, well-being, emotional maturity, family health, peace, and spiritual growth. One element that holds up progress towards the goal is ‘what people would say.’ If your desire for achievement emanates from within, do not pay any attention to others and stay on the nobility of thoughts and steadfast adherence to your goal. Keep away from thwarting ideas; instead of being fearful of obstacles, think over achievements attained hitherto, concentrate on what lies ahead and keep yourself busy in concerted efforts towards your goal. Be punctual in your daily chores and stay away from the habit of putting off your duty. Never cast yourself inferior to anyone, and always keep your goal high. A proverb says, ‘you will touch Moon at least if

you target to touch Sun.’ So aim at giving your best in your field of action. Always move ahead, establishing new records undermining your past achievements. One major factor in failing to achieve the target is the lack of enthusiasm. So keep on doing everything to intensify it. Avoid taking huge steps initially because unwanted situations of not reaching the desired end will disappoint you. Someone has rightly said it may be difficult to take a big step in life, but it is easier to proceed inch by inch. So initially, take small steps, keep your temperament high and move towards your goal enjoying every moment of life. With all this, perceive and comprehend the nature and significance of your goal and concentrate on pleasant changes waiting for you on every level in your life after accomplishing your goal. Generate craving within you to achieve your goal, visualizing how innovative changes in your family, economic and social life will take you to new horizons of ecstasy. Focus on a healthy, happy, and contented life before you and consistently proceed ahead.۞

When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals; adjust the action steps. - Confucius AKHAND JYOTI

MAY-JUNE 2022