- Damanaka rests his caseRead the previous part here… “And that is why”, concluded Damanaka, “If one starts a fight, without knowing the strength of his enemy, he will surely be defeated. like the mighty ocean was insulted by a small Tittibha bird. “ Hearing his arguments, Sanjeevaka replied “Damanaka, how can I know for sure that Pingalaka has evil …
- The bird and the ocean – part 3Read the previous part here… “And that is why I say that if you really want to fight the ocean, then call the other birds and your close friends as well – let them join you in battle, like the sparrow joined the woodpecker; the bee joined the frog; and they all got together and killed …
- The sparrows and the elephantRead the previous part here… The sparrow joined the woodpecker; the bee joined the frog; and they all got together and killed the elephant.” “And how did that happen?” asked her husband. His wife replied… चटककुञ्जर कथा The story of the sparrow and the elephant In a forest not so far away from here, lived a …
- गुरु पूर्णिमा – Guru Purnimaगुरुरेव परा काष्ठा गुरुरेव परं धनं । यस्मात्तदुपदेष्टाऽसौ तस्माद्गुरुतरो गुरुरिति ॥ १८॥ gurureva parā kāṣṭhā gurureva paraṁ dhanaṁ | yasmāttadupadeṣṭā’sau tasmādgurutaro gururiti || 18|| Advaya Taraka Upanishad, Śukla-Yajuveda, Ślok 18 A Guru is the culmination, the zenith, a Guru is the greatest wealth you can possess. A Guru teaches you the ultimate truth, and that …
- The bird and the ocean – Part 2Read the previous part here… Her husband, who patiently listened to her speak, said “My dear! Do you think I am Yad Bhavishyahah? You will now see how intelligent I am. I will dry this wicked ocean, with my beak. His wife replied ” Do you really want to fight the ocean? It is not …
- The three fishes…Read the previous part here… “Far-sighted” and “Quick-witted” both survived and lived happily, while “Whatever happens is inevitable” died. Her husband asked “How did that happen?” The female replied… मत्स्यत्रयकथा The story of the three fish In a lake not so far away from here, lived three fish – Anāgata Vidhātā (The Far-Sighted One), Pratyutpanna …
- The foolish turtle…Read the previous part here… The Tittibha flies with it’s feet spread out, thinking that it will hold back the falling sky with its feet! And like this, who does not feel proud of his own imagined superiority? “I am also curious to know what he would do to save his eggs and prove himself, …
- The bird and the ocean…Read the previous part here… If the king is like a vulture, but is surrounded by swan-like courtiers, he should be served well. But, if a swan-like king is surrounded by people who act like vultures, then he should be discarded. Sanjeevaka continued ” It seems like some wicked-hearted person has poisoned Pingalaka’s mind, and …
- The camel and the crow – Part 2Read the previous part here… Madotkata thought for a moment, and then said “If this is so, then you have my permission. Go ahead.” The jackal bowed, and quickly rushed back to the others. The jackal reached his three friends, who were waiting nearby. Catching his breath, he said “Listen to me. Master is serious …
- The camel and the crowRead the previous part here… When those who scheme, who are mean, and who cheat, all get together, they are capable of anything, however proper or improper it may be. Much like the crow and the others who cheated the camel. Damanaka said “How did that happen?” Sanjeevaka replied… उष्ट्रकाकादिकथा The story of the camel …
- The lament of SanjeevakaRead the previous part here… Damanaka lowered his voice. “Sanjeevaka…Pingalaka is conspiring against you. He spoke to me privately today, and said “I will kill Sanjeevaka early tomorrow morning, and feed him to all the animals who have been hungry for so long”. “I was shocked!”, continued Damanaka, but I quickly gathered my wits and …
- The conspiracy continues!Read the previous part here… “And as far as proof goes, know this- in the morning when he comes to see you, his face and eyes will be red; his lips will be trembling; he will look restlessly in all directions; he will sit in a place that is not normally allotted to him; and …
- The blue jackal…Read the previous part here… He who rejects his own people, and makes friends with outsiders, definitely perishes like the foolish Chandarava.” Pingalaka said “How did that happen?” Damanaka replied… चण्डरवशृगालकथा The story of the jackal named Chandarava In a forest, not too far away from here, lived a fox named Chandarava (the one with …
- The louse and the bug…Read the previous part here… One should not offer shelter to a person,whose character is not known. It was due to the Matkuna’s fault, that Manda-Visarpinee got killed.” Pingalaka said “How did that happen?” Damanaka replied… मन्दविसर्पिणीमत्कुणकथा The Story of the slow-moving louse and the bug In a palace not so far away from here, …
- The conspiracy…Read the previous part here… “If you give your permission, I will go and break their friendship.” said Damanaka as he rested his case. Karataka replied-“Damanaka, if this is so, then you may proceed. May you have an auspicious journey.” Damanaka waited for his chance, and got it soon enough. One day, when Pingalaka was …
- The lion and the hare – Part 2Read the previous part here… Hearing this, Bhāsuraka said “Nonsense! Show me that fraud of a lion. I was furious at all of you; now I will take it all out on that other lion.” It is said… भूमिर् मित्रं हिरण्यं च विग्रहस्य फल-त्रयम् ।नास्त्य् एकम् अपि यद्य् एषां न तं कुर्यात् कथञ्चन ॥ २४९ …
- The lion and the hareRead the previous part here… Only he who has intelligence is strong; a foolish person can never be strong. Because, the arrogant lion, king of the forest, was killed by a mere rabbit.” “How did that happen?”, asked Karataka. Damanaka replied… सिंहशशककथा The story of the Lion and the Hare In a forest not too …
- Of crows, serpents, cranes and crabs – part 2Read the previous part here… The small creatures believed the crane, and agreed immediately. They all lined up, jostling for space and trying to be the first to climb onto the crane’s back. The wicked crane started to carry them one-by-one. He would fly to a nearby rock, throw them on it and then eat …
- Of crows, serpents, cranes and crabs…Read the previous part here… The secret of a well-thought-of conspiracy is not even known to the Gods. It is due to his well-hatched plan that the weaver enjoyed the company of the princess, in the form of Vishnu. Hearing this, Karataka said… “What you have said makes sense, but I still feel apprehensive. Sanjeevaka …
- The weaver and the princess..Part 2Read the previous part here… In a few days, the king’s armies crumbled under the combined might of his enemies -they drove him back and entered the kingdom as well. The king and his guards were now locked in the fort, and unable to step out. Unaware of his true identity, the king kept sending …
- The weaver and the princess..Read the previous part here… The secret of a well-thought-of conspiracy is not even known to the Gods. It is due to his well-hatched plan that the weaver enjoyed the company of the princess, in the form of Vishnu. Karataka was curious. “How did that happen?” Damanaka replied… विष्णुरूपधृक्कौलिककथा The story of the weaver who …
- Gunākshara NyāyaRead the previous part here… “And that is why I said”, concluded Damanaka, “that sometimes we have ourselves to blame for our misfortunes, much like in the case of the jackal, the monk and the messenger-girl. Karataka nodded his head. “So what should we do now, in this situation?” Damanaka replied -“Even in this difficult …
- of judgements…Read the previous part here… Some soldiers, who were close by, saw this, and rushed to her side. They beat the barber and tied him up, and then dragged him to court, with the barber’s wife closely following them. In the presence of the judge, the soldiers said ” Lord! This barber has disfigured this …
- Of broken noses…Read the previous part here… The weaver’s wife gladly agreed, and her friend untied her. After tying the barber’s wife in her place, the weaver’s wife went to meet Devadutta. Everything went as planned…but suddenly, after a few minutes, the weaver woke up… He was a bit sober now, and his anger had also cooled …
- Of illicit affairs…Read the previous part here… The wife started walking towards her house along with Devaśharman. She was very pleased, and as she walked, her thoughts turned to her lover Devadutta… It is rightly said… दुर्दिवसे घन-तिमिरे दुःसञ्चारासु नगर-वीथीषु ।पत्युर् विदेश-गमने परम-सुखं जघन-चपलायाः ॥ १८४ ॥ durdivase ghana-timire duḥsañcārāsu nagara-vīthīṣu |patyur videśa-gamane parama-sukhaṃ jaghana-capalāyāḥ || 184 || On …
- The lament of DevaśharmanRead the previous part here… Hearing this, Āshādabhooti held Devaśharman’s feet tightly and begged him” Oh great saint! Please accept me as your humble disciple!” Devaśharman said… “I will gladly accept you as my disciple; however, it is late in the evening, and you should not enter the monastery at this time, since ascetics are …
- Āshādabhooti and DevaśharmanRead the previous part here… The difficulties encountered by the fox which went in between the fighting rams, and by Āshādabhooti, and by the messenger girl, were all self-made. Karataka said-“How is that?” Damanaka replied… दूतीजंबुकाषाढभूतिकथा The story of the messenger-girl, the fox and Ashaadabhooti There existed a monastery a little far away from a …
- Who is to blame?Read the previous part here… In time, since Pingalaka had stopped hunting, the other animals, Karataka and Damanaka included, started to starve, and fall sick as a result. They all huddled together, with hardly any energy left to do anything else…. Karataka and Damanaka, hungry and thirsty and at present also out of favor of …
- A budding friendship…Read the previous part here… Due to his arrogance, he who disrespects persons who occupy the highest, the lowest and mid-level positions in the employment of the king, loses his respect and high position much like Dantila. Sanjeevaka, on hearing this story, said… “O Good man! You are correct. I will always act as per your …
- Dantila and Gorambha – Part 2Read the previous part here… Gorambha, who was sweeping the floor next to the bed of the king, muttered casually. “How insolent is Dantila, he now even dares to embrace the queen!” This got the king thinking… And also… अन्तः-सारैर् अकुटिलैर्नाग्निस् तृप्यति काष्ठानां नापगानां महोदधिः ।नान्तकः सर्व-भूतानां न पुंसां वाम-लोचना ॥ १४८ ॥ nāgnis tṛpyati …
- Dantila and GorambhaRead the previous part here… Due to his arrogance, he who disrespects persons who occupy the highest, the lowest and mid-level positions in the employment of the king, loses his respect and high position much like Dantila. Sanjeevaka said – “How is that so?” Damanaka replied… दन्तिलगोरंभयोर्कथा (The Story of Dantila and Gorambha) “There is a …
- of negotiations…Read the previous part here… “And so, you remain here for now; let me go back and wait for the right moment to take you there.” Sanjeevaka agreed and waited there, while Damanaka strutted back to the king… Pingalaka saw Damanaka rushing back to him, taking hurried strides and looking excited. “Master!” he exclaimed as …
- Step one…complete!Read the previous part here… Damanaka took a deep breath, and said – “Yes, I saw it by the grace of your highness.” Pingalaka wasn’t’t convinced, he asked again – “Did you really see that creature??” Damanaka was patient. “Can a lie be uttered in the presence of your highness? It is said…” अपि स्वल्पम् …
- Of dilemmas and confidence…Read the previous part here… Damanaka saluted him and started towards the place where Sanjeevaka, the bull was making the sounds that had startled Pingalaka. When Damanaka went away, Pingalaka stuck by fear started to think… “Maybe I did not do the right thing by trusting Damanaka. I should not have confided in him. Damanaka …
- The fox and the drum…Read the previous part here… I thought so in the beginning that this was filled with flesh, but after entering it I understood it to be just leather and wood.” Pingalaka looked astonished- “How did that happen?” Damanaka explained… शृगालदुन्धुभिकथा THE STORY OF THE FOX AND THE DRUM “Once, a fox named Gomāyu was wandering …
- Damanaka makes Pingalaka confident…Read the previous part here… And with these words, Damanaka rested his case. Pingalaka looked thoughtful…after a few minutes of silence, he said… “Let it be so then. Whether you are talented or not, you are the son of my ex-minister and I have known you for long. So whatever you want to say, say …
- Of good servants…Read the previous part here… Just as the sun, despite being lustrous, cannot shine without its rays, similarly, a king, even though he may be full of majesty, cannot be appreciated without capable servants. राजा तुष्टो हि भृत्यानाम् अर्थ-मात्रं प्रयच्छति ।ते तु संमान-मात्रेण प्राणैर् अप्य् उपकुर्वते ॥ ९१ ॥ rājā tuṣṭo hi bhṛtyānām artha-mātraṃ prayacchati |te …
- Damanaka presents his case…Read the previous part here… Karataka seemed convinced. “If that is your intention, then let auspiciousness accompany you. You can go ahead. But remember – you have to be very careful, because my fortunes are linked with yours! Damanaka saluted him, and went to meet Pingalaka. Seeing Damanaka coming towards him, Pingalaka spoke to his …
- The science of conversation…Read the previous part here… If a person does not get rest or even manage to satisfy his hunger by being in service of a prosperous master, he should discard such service and such a master, just as one would discard a Madar (sodom apple) tree, which is filled with flowers and fruits, but is …
- The debate continues…Read the previous part here… Karataka said- “Then, what do you want to do now?” Damanaka said- “At present, our king Pingalaka is very scared, and so are his advisers. So, first let’s approach him and find out the cause of his fear and choose one among the six ways of diplomacy (alliance, war, escape, …
- The debate…Read the previous part here… “Sounds interesting. Why don’t you tell me what happened to the monkey,” pleaded Damanaka. “Now, listen,” said Karataka and began narrating the story of the monkey… कीलोत्पाटीवानरकथा The story of the monkey who removed the wedge A merchant once started building a temple in the middle of his garden. Many …
- Introducing…Karataka and Damanaka!वर्धमानो महान् स्नेहः सिंह-गो-वृषयोर् वने ।पिशुनेनातिलुब्धेन जम्बुकेन विनाशितः ॥ १ ॥ vardhamāno mahān snehaḥ siṃha-go-vṛṣayor vane |piśunenātilubdhena jambukena vināśitaḥ || 1 || The increasing true friendship between the lion and the bull in the forestwas destroyed by a deceitful greedy fox. Long, long ago, a merchant named Vardhamānaka (he who is prosperous) lived in a town in …
- The road aheadIt’s been a long series – I don’t know when I started and how many posts I made since then. I don’t like to count. All I know is that I have been writing everyday, practising everyday and learning everyday. Yesterday, was the last post on the series of the 21 exercises that followed the …
- Preparing for rebirthExercise 21 Discovering your swara Difficulty level – 1 (easy) Time commitment : As indicated throughout the day We spoke about knowing the breath, through a preliminary exercise, and we practiced Chandra-bhedana prānāyāma as well. We spoke about preparing for death, and today, the last day of the sadhana exercise series, we will speak about …
- Preparing for deathExercise 20 शवासन – Śavāsana Difficulty level -3 (very difficult) Time commitment : 10-15 minutes, after every yogic practice The standing joke in yoga classes, is that everyone’s favourite pose is śavāsana. Most people think of this āsana to be easy, but nothing could be further from the truth. Yoga Guru Shri B.K.S. Iyengar has …
- Udyana AvagāhanExercise 19 उद्यान अवगाहन – Forest bathing Difficulty level – 1 (easy) Time commitment : One hour every week We spoke about connecting with nature in an earlier post. This exercise is an extension of the “walk in the park” aspect of that exercise. A few points to note: No devices – Not even a …
- The masculine and the feminineExercise 18 Chandra-bhedana pranayama Difficulty level – 2 (moderately difficult) Time commitment – 10 minutes, thrice a week in Week 3 This is the first cross-nostril prānāyāma that we will practice. While the prānāyāma has many levels, our attempt here is to get familiar with the process of breathing through one nostril, and observing the …
- Two fishes and a frogWe had some good exercises this week. We deserve a story! As the frog said, “the one with thousand tricks sat on the head of the fisherman, the one with hundred tricks is hanging by the fisherman’s arm and I with only one trick am happily swimming in the water.” Two fish named Sahasrabuddhi and …
- Freeing up your timeExercise 17 Freeing up your time – Part 2 Difficulty level – 3 (difficult) Time commitment : (-45) minutes everyday A few days back, I had spoken about freeing up your time. This is the second part of that exercise. The first thing we need to do is to be aware of how we spend …
- You are what you eatExercise 16 Rediscovering food Difficulty level – 3 (difficult) Time commitment : At every meal and throughout the day We have spoken about perspectives, basic breathing exercises, āsanā practice, meditation and mantra japa. All these steps are beneficial, but they don’t amount to much if you don’t take care of what you eat. We are …
- Melt with the universeExercise 15 Jñāna Mudra and Chin Mudra Difficulty level – 1 (easy) Time commitment : 5 minutes everyday Today, we will practice our second mudra – the jñāna Mudra. I have made a lot of references to this mudra in my earlier articles, and a lot of you requested for a more detailed look into …
- Seeking peaceExercise 14 Sukhāsana Difficulty level – 1 (easy) Time commitment : 10 minutes thrice a week This is a meditative āsanā, and among the easiest sitting āsanās. It can be performed without any strain, and by anybody, regardless of their level of flexibility. We had practiced Tāḍāsana earlier, which is the simplest of the standing …
- The wedding of the mouseToday, let me tell you another story. There was a beautiful hermitage on the bank of river Gangā, where a group of hermits lived in peace. The hermits were disciples of a Guru Yadnyavalkya, who was always absorbed in meditation, and followed rigorous self-discipline. One day, while he was bathing in the river, a hawk flew …
- Divinity through conscious repetitionExercise 13 Mantra Japa Difficulty level – 2 (moderately difficult) Time commitment : 10 minutes thrice a week We have, so far, practiced an āsana, a form of prānāyāma, a mudra and basic meditation. Bringing this all together is mantra japa, or meditative repetition of a mantra. The mantra that I have chosen is Aum, …
- I respect the divinity in youExercise 12 Anjali Mudra Difficulty level – 1 (easy) Time commitment : 5 minutes everyday Today, we will practice an introductory mudra – the Anjali Mudra. I have made a lot of references to this mudra in my earlier articles, and a lot of you requested for a more detailed look into the mudra. While …
- I am HeExercise 11 Soham Meditation Difficulty level – 1 (easy) Time commitment : 10 minutes thrice a week As we enter the second phase of our sādhanā, it’s time to introduce to you our first meditation exercise. A few points to note: Time to practice – Ideally before sunrise or during sunset. However, for beginners, early …
- A story a day, keeps worries away…Today, let me tell you a story. The great emperor Kṛṣṇadevarāya (Krishnadevaraya) had a lot of wise ministers in his court. The wisest of them was Tenali Ramakrishna. One day, a merchant came to the king’s court from a foreign kingdom. He saluted the king and then said, “Your Majesty, I have heard from many …
- Cultivating steadfastnessExercise 10 Tāḍāsana Difficulty level – 1 (easy) Time commitment : 10 minutes thrice a week We are nearly halfway through the course, and it’s time to introduce you to our first āsanā. A few points to note: Time to practice – Ideally before sunrise or during sunset. However, for beginners, early morning or late …
- Celebrate small achievementsExercise 9 Tracking accomplishments Difficulty level – 1 (easy) Time commitment : 10 minutes everyday This exercise will help you reflect upon your daily tasks, and take the first steps to move from being busy, to being productive. A few points to note: Consistency – It will take a bit of effort to get into …
- Rediscovering eatingExercise 8 Rediscovering Eating Difficulty level – 2 (moderately difficult) Time commitment : 15 minutes per day – week 1, 30 minutes per day – week 2, 45 minutes per day – week 3 You know that things are bad, when someone has to remind us how to eat. When we were kids, we were …
- Saptarishi – seven areas of your lifeExercise 7 Saptarishi Difficulty level – 1 (easy) Time commitment : 45 minutes every week Those who are familiar with financial planning know the importance of diversification of assets – allocating monies to different asset classes (property, mutual funds, stocks, gold etc.) in different proportions and monitoring the overall performance of your portfolio. You also …
- Freeing up your timeExercise 6 Freeing up your time – Part 1 Difficulty level – 3 (difficult) Time commitment : (-45) minutes everyday Till now, we discussed 5 exercises that can take up anywhere between 30-45 minutes cumulatively each day. Exercise 6 helps you provision for that time. Hence the time commitment of (-45) minutes each day. An …
- Amani-bhava – the bliss of no-mindExercise 5 No-Mind Difficulty level – 3 (difficult) Time commitment – 10 minutes every alternate day From observing, to observation. From total involvement, to no involvement. The no-mind exercise has a simple procedure – DON’T DO ANYTHING FOR 10 MINUTES. You may think that this is the easiest exercise of the lot. It isn’t. On …
- Know your breath, know your selfExercise 4 Breathing Difficulty level – 1 (easy) Time commitment – 10 minutes everyday Breathing is a fundamental life process. Our life is a collection of breaths – and we live between our first inhalation, and our last exhalation. The objective of this exercise is to help you connect with your breath, and introduce you …
- Connect with NatureExercise 3 Connect with nature Difficulty level – 1 (easy) Time commitment – 10 minutes everyday – ideal. Else every alternate day. Chances are that you already practice this exercise. If yes, then you can try to add a bit more to it. If no, well, it’s a good time to start! The exercise involves …
- A small step towards tapasyaExercise 2 Wake and sleep Difficulty level – 2 (moderately difficult) Time commitment – 10 minutes everyday This exercise is simple – after all, we do this everyday. The catch is that you have to do this AT THE SAME TIME EVERYDAY, FOR 21 DAYS. Choose a waking time and a sleeping time. I wake …
- Aparigraha through writingExercise 1 Write for 3-5 minutes everyday Difficulty level – 1 (easy to execute) Time commitment – 10 minutes everyday This exercise is simple. All you need to do, is write something that no one else will see. Just you. But, you have to follow a short process, and a few house rules. Write at …
- Who am I?मनोबुद्ध्यहङ्कार चित्तानि नाहं न च श्रोत्रजिह्वे न च घ्राणनेत्रे । न च व्योम भूमिर्न तेजो न वायुः चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ।। manOBuddhyahankAra cittAni nAham, na ca SrOtrajihvE na ca ghrANanEtrE | na ca vyOma bhoomirna tEjO na vAyu:, cidAnandaroopa: ShivOham ShivOham || Nirvana Śhatakam by Ādi Śańkara I am not the mind, the intellect, the ego or the memory,I am not the ears, the skin, the nose or the eyes,I am …
- On Satisfactionभोगा न भुक्ता वयमेव भुक्ताः, तपो न तप्तं वयमेव तप्ताः । कालो न यातो वयमेव याताः तृष्णा न जीर्णा वयमेव जीर्णाः ॥ bhogā na bhuktā vayameva bhuktāḥ, tapo na taptaṃ vayameva taptāḥ ।kālo na yāto vayameva yātāḥ, tṛṣṇā na jīrṇā vayameva jīrṇāḥ ॥ Vairagya Shatakam by Bhartṛhari Pleasures aren’t satisfied, only we are consumed by our …
- Knowledge and contentmentविद्या ददाति विनयं विनयाद्याति पात्रताम् । पात्रत्वाद्धनमाप्नोति धनाद्धर्मं ततः सुखम् ॥ vidyā dadāti vinayam, vinayādyāti pātratām | pātratvāddhanamāpnoti, dhanāddharmam tatah sukham || Hitopadeśa Knowledge makes one humble, humility leads to worthiness,worthiness creates wealth and enrichment,enrichment leads to right conduct, right conduct brings joy and contentment. If you studied Sanskrit in school, you would have surely …
- Life isn’t about just being seriousनिद्रा–प्रियो य: खलु कुम्भकर्णो हतस् समीके स रघूत्तमेन | वैधव्यम् आपद्यत तस्य कान्ता श्रोतुं समायाति कथां पुराणम् || Nidra priyo yah khalu Kumbhakarno hatas samike sa raghuttamen | Vaidhavyam aapadhyat tasya kanta shrotum samaayaati kathaam puraanam Kumbhakarna loved Sleep. When he was killed by Rāma, Sleep was widowed. Now, she spends her time visiting discourses …
- The discipline involved in learningआदौ नित्यानित्यवस्तुविवेकः परिगम्यते । इहामुत्रफलभोगविरागस्तदनन्तरम्शमादिषट्कसम्पत्तिर्मुमुक्षुत्वमिति स्फुटम् ॥ १९ ॥ ādau nityānityavastuvivekaḥ parigamyate | ihāmutraphalabhogavirāgastadanantaramśamādiṣaṭkasampattirmumukṣutvamiti sphuṭam from Vivekacūḍāmaṇi, written by Jagadguru Adi Śaṅkarācārya First is enumerated discrimination between the Real and the unreal; next comes aversion to the enjoyment of fruits (of one’s actions) here and hereafter; (next is) the group of six attributes; and (last) is clearly the …
- The importance of good companyसत्संगत्वे निस्संगत्वं, निस्संगत्वे निर्मोहत्वं। निर्मोहत्वे निश्चलतत्त्वं, निश्चलतत्त्वे जीवन्मुक्तिः ॥९॥ Satsaṅgatve nissaṅgatvaṃ, niḥsaṅgatve nīrmohatvam nirmohatve niścalitatvam, niścalitatve jīvanmuktiḥ from Bhaja Gōvindam, written by Jagadguru Adi Śaṅkarācārya Through good company arises non-attachment; from non-attachment comes freedom from delusion; when there is freedom from delusion, the mind becomes steady and unwavering, from a steady mind comes liberation. This śloka is …
- We are all worthyअमन्त्रमक्षरं नास्ति नास्ति मूलमनौषधम् ।अयोग्यः पुरुषो नास्ति योजकस्तत्र दुर्लभः ॥ amantramakṣaraṃ nāsti nāsti mūlamanauṣadham ।ayogyaḥ puruṣo nāsti yojakastatra durlabhaḥ ॥ Samayocitapadyamālikā There is not a syllable which is not a mantra; there is not a root that is not a medicine. There is no person who is not able, but rare is the person who knows how to …
- We are in everything, and everything is in usआत्मौपम्येन सर्वत्र समं पश्यति योऽर्जुन | सुखं वा यदि वा दु:खं स योगी परमो मत: || ātmaupamyena sarvatra samaṁ paśhyati yo ’rjuna sukhaṁ vā yadi vā duḥkhaṁ sa yogī paramo mataḥ Bhagavad Gīta 6.32 I regard them to be perfect yogis who see the true equality of all living beings and respond to the joys …
- In good times and badउदेति सविता ताम्रस्ताम्र एवास्तमेतिच। सम्पतौ च विपत्तौ च महतामेकरूपता॥ udeti savitā tāmras tāmra evāstameti ca | saṃpattau ca vipattau ca mahatāmekarūpatā || Kavya Prakash 7.245 The Sun is red at the time of rising, and red at the time of setting too. Likewise, great men remain alike in both good times and bad times. In …
- Action and meditationद्विविधो हि वेदोक्तो धर्म: प्रवृत्ति लक्षणो निवृत्ति च | जगत: स्तिथि कारणम् प्राणिनाम् साक्षादभ्युदयनिश्रेयशहेतुः || dvividho hi vedokto dharmah; pravíttilaksano nivritti-laksanah ca| jagatah sthiti karanam praninam sākshāt abhyudaya nishryasa hetuh|| Gita Bhaśya – by Ādi Śankara The dharma (धर्म) taught in Vedas is of a two-fold nature, characterized by pravrtti (प्रवृत्ति), which is outward action …
- Let’s celebrate the planetईशावास्यमिदं सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्यां जगत् । तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथा मा गृधः कस्यस्विद्धनम् ॥ īśāvāsyamidaṃ sarvaṃ yatkiñca jagatyāṃ jagat | tena tyaktena bhuñjīthā mā gṛdhaḥ kasyasviddhanam || Īśopaniṣad Verse 1 Whatever exists in this Universe, is pervaded by the eternal Truth of the Self. Protect your Self through detachment. Or – Do not covet, for whose is wealth? …
- The best time to do anythingयदपि स्यादसमये यातो वनमसाविति ।अकालो नास्ति धर्मस्य जीविते चञ्चले सति ॥ yadapi syādasamaye yāto vanamasāviti |akālo nāsti dharmasya jīvite cañcale sati|| Buddhacarita 6.21, by Aśvaghoṣa Though he might be said to have gone at a bad time to the forest, in dharma, in truth, no bad time exists – life being as fickle as it is. The Buddhacarita …
- The importance of time and effortक्षणशः कणशश्चैव विद्यामर्थं च साधयेत् |क्षणत्यागे कुतो विद्या कणत्यागे कुतो धनम् || kṣaṇaśaḥ kaṇaśaḥ ca eva vidyām arthaṃ ca sādhayet । kṣaṇa-tyāge kutaḥ vidyā kaṇa-tyāge kutaḥ dhanam ॥ Subhashita Knowledge and wealth are procured with every moment and grain (respectively). If a moment is wasted, how can knowledge be accrued? If a grain is wasted, how …
- What makes us happy?सर्वं परवशं दुःखं सर्वमात्मवशं सुखम् ।एतद् विद्यात् समासेन लक्षणं सुखदुःखयोः ॥ sarvaṃ paravaśaṃ duḥkhaṃ sarvamātmavaśaṃ sukham |etad vidyāt samāsena lakṣaṇaṃ sukhaduḥkhayoḥ || Manusmriti 4.160 All that is dependent on others is painful; all that is dependent on oneself is pleasing; he shall know this to be, in short, the definition of pleasure and pain. A very simple, …
- What is the recipe for success?यशोधिगन्तुं सुखलिप्सया वा मनुष्यसंख्यामतिवर्तितुं वा | निरुत्सकानामभियोगभाजां समुत्सुके वाङ्कमुपैति सिद्धिः || yashodhigantum sukhalipsayā vā manuśyasamkhyāmativartitum vā nirutsakānāmabhiyogabhājām samutsuke vānkmupaiti siddhih Kavya Prakasha Success itself is keen to fall in the lap of and embrace a person who is not very keen to be famous, or who is not desirous of attaining pleasure or happiness, or who …
- Possessions and contentmentयश्चेमां वसुधां कृत्स्नां प्रशासेदखिलां नृपः ।तुल्याश्मकाञ्चनो यश्च स कृतार्थो न पार्थिवः ॥ yaścemāṃ vasudhāṃ kṛtsnāṃ praśāsedakhilāṃ nṛpaḥ ।tulyāśmakāñcano yaśca sa kṛtārtho na pārthivaḥ ॥ Mahabharata Shanti Parva 17.11 A king who rules over the whole earth is not satisfied. But a sage for whom a piece of stone and gold are equal, is always content. …
- Gaining true knowledgeतद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया |उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिन: || tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśhnena sevayāupadekṣhyanti te jñānaṁ jñāninas tattva-darśhinaḥ Srimad Bhagavad Gīta 4.34 Learn the Truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him with reverence and render service unto him. Such an enlightened Saint can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the Truth. …
- What is my duty in life?श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुण: परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् |स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेय: परधर्मो भयावह: || śhreyān swa-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣhṭhitātswa-dharme nidhanaṁ śhreyaḥ para-dharmo bhayāvahaḥ Srimad Bhagavad Gīta 3.35 It is far better to perform one’s natural prescribed duty, though tinged with faults, than to perform another’s prescribed duty, though perfectly. Destruction in the course of performing one’s own duty is better …
- What do we truly believe in?सत्त्वानुरूपा सर्वस्य श्रद्धा भवति भारत |श्रद्धामयोऽयं पुरुषो यो यच्छ्रद्ध: स एव स: || sattvānurūpā sarvasya śhraddhā bhavati bhārataśhraddhā-mayo ‘yaṁ puruṣho yo yach-chhraddhaḥ sa eva saḥ Bhagavad Gīta – 17.3 The faith of all humans conforms to the nature of their mind. All people possess faith, and whatever the nature of their faith, that is truly …