Inspiring Quotes, Short Stories, Tales and Fables from "Akhand Jyoti" magazine (1).

The below mentioned Inspirational Tales and short stories make for a great read for both adults and children. The tales carry a fabulous message of living life purposefully and righteously.
These Inspirational Tales and Quotes  are  from the September 2003 issue, of Akhand Jyoti magazine. Akhand Jyoti or "Light Divine" is a magazine that captures the writings and thoughts of the Divine Sage and follower of Vedanta -Yugrishi Shriram Sharma Acharya. The magazine was started in 1936 and has millions of readers worldwide. A web link to read Akhand Jyoti online is available at the end of this article.

                         Inspirational  and Motivational Stories, Quotes,Tales and Fables:

STORY #1:

A king was in search of a spiritual guide. He made the following announcement to search out a GUIDE for himself and set a contest for this purpose: “The king will give land free to all participating saints . One who is able to construct the grandest mansion at the earliest time will be declared as the Raj guru. Many persons known as spiritual masters offered themselves to compete for the coveted position. They took land, collected contributions and started constructing the mansions matching the king’s expectations. The king used to supervise their progress every day. 

Construction work was going on rapidly. One saint who was also a contestant was found sitting on the same place every day on the land given to him. The King asked him “Why don’t you start constructing the mansion?” He replied “This vast open and grandiose world is my mansion. What grander mansion than this can I build? Any man made construction needs to be constantly looked after and maintained and one develops a false sense of ownership towards it. Hence I always keep on looking after and maintaining this vast world without any sense of ownership. Why should I build a new one?” The king came to know the essence of real knowledge and he humbly requested the saint to be his Guru.

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STORY #2:

King Bindujat once planned to offer royal financial support to the shelter-less Sadhus ( shelter less hermits) in his state. He gave this responsibility to his able minister named Gratsaman. The minister roved around the entire state with a bag of gold coins but could not distribute a single coin. Finally he returned unsuccessful and gave the 'treasure' back to the King.

The King could not believe that there was no shelter-less Sadhu in his country. He asked the minister – “Why was the money not distributed? 

The minister humbly replied – "His Majesty, the money was meant for the true hermits who chose to live a nomadic life for the noble purpose of helping more and more people from their saintly knowledge and goodwill. 
There are many such deserving Sadhus in our nation; but they don't accept any money for themselves". He continued – "there is no dearth of fake sadhus who evade their duties and want to enjoy life on others' expense, by exploiting their religious faith…; the royal money is certainly not for them". 

What should be done then? There was a debate in the royal house of ministers. Only Gratsaman came out with a constructive suggestion – “I think, instead of giving money for personal use we should lend support to the altruistic activities initiated and guided by the saintly hermits. This way we shall be making good contribution to their noble cause and offering true service to the nation as well.”

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Source and Credits: 

Akhand Jyoti Magazine, started by  Shriram Sharma Acharya, is published by Gayatri Parivaar, Shantikunj , Hardwar.

Read Akhand Jyoti online :http://literature.awgp.org/magazine

                     

Quotes by Swami Vivekananda and Ramkrishna Paramhansa on: Education, God, How To Reform People?, Krishna and The Bhagvad Gita !

The following are exceptional lines/ quotes  from the lectures and writings of Swami Vivekananda. The quotes are on a range of subjects, covering  - The greatness of The Bhagvad Gita, Lord Buddha, The purpose of Education, Jesus and Krishna, Good and Evil. 

SWAMI  VIVEKANANDA ON EDUCATION:

"The less you read, the better. Read the Gita and other good works on Vedanta. That is all you need. The present system of education is all wrong. The mind is crammed with facts before it knows how to think. Control of the mind should be taught first. If I had my education to get over again and had any voice in the matter, I would learn to master my mind first, and then gather facts if I wanted them. It takes people a long time to learn things because they can't concentrate their minds at will."

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA ON THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATION:

"We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded, and by which one can stand on one's own feet."

RAMKRISHNA PARAMHANSA ON MEN & GOD:

My Master used to say, "This world is a huge lunatic asylum where all men are mad, some after money, some after women, some after name or fame, and a few after God. I prefer to be mad after God. God is the philosophers' stone that turns us to gold in an instant; the form remains, but the nature is changed — the human form remains, but no more can we hurt or sin."

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA ON PROPHETS ACCROSS THE AGES:

Prophets preach, but the Incarnations like Jesus, Buddha, Ramakrishna, can give religion; one glance, one touch is enough. That is the power of the Holy Ghost, the "laying on of hands"; the power was actually transmitted to the disciples by the Master — the "chain of Guru-power". That, the real baptism, has been handed down for untold ages.

TAMAS, RAJAS and SATTVIKA:

The world is our fish basket, we must not depend upon it for enjoyment. Those who do are the Tâmasas or the bound. Then there are the Râjasas or the egotistical, who talk always about "I", "I". They do good work sometimes and may become spiritual. But the highest are the Sâttvikas, the introspective, those who live only in the Self. These three qualities, Tamas, Rajas, and Sattva (idleness, activity, and illumination), are in everyone, and different ones predominate at different times.

IS GOD A MERE MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY:

Today God is being abandoned by the world because He does not seem to be doing enough for the world. So they say, "Of what good is He?" Shall we look upon God as a mere municipal authority?

HOW TO REFORM:

Violent attempts at reform always end by retarding reform. Do not say, "You are bad"; say only, "You are good, but be better."

IS THERE ANYTHING CALLED 'RIGHTEOUS ANGER or JUSTIFIABLE KILLING?''

Priests are an evil in every country, because they denounce and criticise, pulling at one string to mend it until two or three others are out of place. Love never denounces, only ambition does that. There is no such thing as "righteous" anger or justifiable killing.

WOMEN- THE LION OR THE FOX?

If you do not allow one to become a lion, he will become a fox. Women are a power, only now it is more for evil because man oppresses woman; she is the fox, but when she is not longer oppressed, she will become the lion.

SPIRITUAL ASPIRATIONS BALANCED THROUGH INTELLECT:

Ordinarily speaking, spiritual aspiration ought to be balanced through the intellect; otherwise it may degenerate into mere sentimentality. . . .

KRISHNA AND THE GREATNESS OF THE BHAGVAD GITA:

All theists agree that behind the changeable there is an Unchangeable, though they vary in their conception of the Ultimate. Buddha denied this in toto. "There is no Brahman, no Atman, no soul," he said. As a character Buddha was the greatest the world has ever seen; next to him Christ. But the teachings of Krishna as taught by the Gita are the grandest the world has ever known. He who wrote that wonderful poem was one of those rare souls whose lives sent a wave of regeneration through the world. The human race will never again see such a brain as his who wrote the Gita.

GOOD and EVIL:

There is only one Power, whether manifesting as evil or good. God and the devil are the same river with the water flowing in opposite directions.

CREDITS and REFRENCES:

The above quotes are from the complete works of Swami Vivekananda: http://cwsv.belurmath.org/volume_7/vol_7_frame.htm

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The significance of the eternally burning Akhand Deepak at Shantikunj - as explained by Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya

Enlightened Gurus like Shriram Sharma Acharya, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, and Swami Vivekanada have packed into a single life the work that would have ordinarily taken 500-600 man years to accomplish. 

To generate this great energy that is an enabler for works of extraordinary magnitude- they have have in their lifetimes undertaken intense Tap and Sadhna, begining in their early youth. Nearly all such intense sadhna is accompanied by extraordinary austerity, where they each individually cease to identify themselves with their bodies and their only identification lies with their eternal self. 

Vedmurti Shriram Sharma Acharya, started his Tap Sadhna in front of the Akhand Deepak. This Deepak has been  burning incessantly for close to eighty years and still continues to burn at Shantikunj, Hardwar.
Acharya ji's Life can be symbolised by this  Deepak - Just as a Deepak burns itself to give light and direction to the lives of others , so was the purpose of Acharya ji's life. Seated in front of the Akhand Deepak, he performed intense Sadhna of the Gayatri Mantra. This Sadhna helped  generate tremendous spiritual energy through a process of self sacrifice and self transformation , thereby  enabling  the writing  of a Quantum of Literature that will inspire and guide generations to come. It also enabled the establishment of Shantikunj, The Brahmavarchasya Research Institute  and a follower base of Gayatri Sadhaks that is in the millions and spread worldwide today.
At the time of his Samadhi, Acharya Shriram Sharma   merged a part of his eternal spirit in this Akhand  Deepak .Even today his divine presence can be experienced  at Shantikunj .

Shantikunj : is  the 'Gayatri Tapobhoomi Ashram' established by Shriram Sharma Acharya for the spread of Vedic Literature in times to come. The ashram rests on the same location where the Sapt Rishis did their intense Sadhna in the past. 
The atmosphere at Shantikunj is therefore charged with intense spiritual energy and vibrations. Today the ashram is housed with  fully equipped and advanced laboratories conducting research on the sound effects of Mantras, the healing effects of Yagna on the body and the environment, a fully equipped centre for the study of astronomy, Avyurveda, and much more.

To read further about how a young Shriram Sharma Acharya was instructed by his own Guru, to light the  Akhand Deepak and and dedicate the early years of his life to intense Sadhna , read the below mentioned text. ( Minor language edits have been made to the below mentioned text for ease of reading).

Quoted Text ( Excerpt from Akhand Jyoti magazine):
"The two major phases of my spiritual life have been completed in the  24 years of my Life, between the ages of 15 and 40. Deviations from the precepts of "Matrivat Paradareu" and "Louhavat Paradravyeu" normally occur during this phase of life. Meaning, that this is the period when normally the pull of bodily cravings, lust, greed and ambitions usually proves  irresistible. In my case, this portion of my life  was spent in studying, thinking, introspecting, exercising self-restraint, and in intense and austere meditation and Sadhana. 

Generally speaking, only persons who are past  adulthood are selected for intense spiritual Sadhana. People of young age can, and should, shoulder the responsibilities ranging from financial management to military service. There is enough scope in these fields for fulfilling ambitions of the youth of the country. These youth can also contributions and service in other fields. Therefore ,  generally speaking the time of "youth" for most people is not the appropriate phase of life for spiritual leadership. Few exceptions exist,  like that of Adi-Shankaracharya, Swami Dayanand, Vivekanand, Guru Ramdas, Meera, Nivedita etc. These exceptional people  successfully shouldered the responsibility of spiritual leadership while they were in their early youth.

In most cases  raw youth is devoid of mature wisdom. Those who enter the public field while still gripped by greed for power and fame, are prone to temptations and sensual attractions, thus they create problems for themselves and  society. Downfall of even the best institutions is caused by such people. Though evil is not restricted to any particular age, the normal perception is that the youth phase is for pursuing individual personal  ambitions. With receding age, a person grows physically weak and so do his material desires. With the lurking fear of death entering the mind, an interest in inner life, and religious activities develops. Hence scholarly seers have considered the post-adulthood phase of life appropriate for Vanaprastha (transition from material pursuits to spiritual aspirations) and for Sanyas (renunciation of all worldly pursuits). 

I do not know as to why my master engaged me in my tapascharya (life of devout austerity) at a very young age, and ensured  its total accomplishment by the age of 40. Maybe, he apprehended that I may  be influenced by selfish desire  and may get carried away  by temptations of name, fame,  and power. He must have visualized that without inner strength and maturity, accomplishment of a great missionary task would not be possible; and that it was essential to inculcate in me the qualities of firmness, patience, courage and equanimity as pre-requisites for success, before entrusting me with the great task. Thus for me, my youth and adulthood were spent in austere Sadhana. Everything went on as always during that period. The only uncommon feature was the "Akhand Deepak" burning day and night with ghee(clarified butter) of cow's milk.

The Akhand Deepak  was required to be kept  burning incessantly  in the prayer room. Its spiritual or scientific secret was not exactly known to me. To me my Guru was everything; his instructions were gospel truth for me; discipline was everything; my submission to his will was total. To a soldier discipline is dearer than life. Call it blind faith, or love for discipline, whatever duty was assigned to me or whatever life routine I was asked to follow, has been carried out with utmost devotion and dedication. The installation of Akhand Deepak in the prayer room is part of this process. After relying on the Guide and fully submitting to him, there was no question of doubt or debate. On being told that Akhand Deepak had a role in the Sadhana prescribed to me, I simply complied with it and kept it burning throughout the duration of 24 Purascharanas.

Later on, it became dearer than life. It could be put out after 24 years, but such a thought was tantamount to extinguishing my own lamp of life. Hence it was decided to keep it lighted. When I was away in unknown parts of Himalayas, my dedicated soulmate (my wife) would take care to keep it burning always. Had I been alone without a soulmate, I would not have been able to go away to the Himalayas and do my austere  Sadhana's and yet maintain the continued burning of the Akhand Deepak. It was very difficult to keep the Akhand Deepak always lit. House help , or disciples or people of weak spiritual conviction would not have been able to maintain its incessant burning. This is also because it would not have been possible by mere external alertness alone ; it needed total inner dedication, which only a true soulmate could provide.

Maybe, this Akhand Deepak is symbolic of an Akhand Yagya. The joss sticks may be playing the role of material for oblation, japa playing the part of recitation of mantras, and the Deepak (Lamp) playing the part of offering of ghee in the sacrificial fire. In this way an automatic process of sacrificial offering may have been  getting accomplished. The pitcher of water and the lamp kept together could be instrumental in producing vaporization in a subtle way and therefore could be generating some subtle power, like steam in an engine. Or it may be that this external light is helpful in kindling the light within. Whatever it may be, I have been getting spiritual light and inner bliss from this Akhand Deepak in ample measure.

This lamp placed on the pedestal was burning externally in the beginning. Later I experienced that the lamp was burning within me in the same form and was illuminating my entire inner being, in the same way as  the outer  lamp  illuminated the room. The illumination I was feeling within my body, mind and soul - in the gross, astral and causal bodies - might have been its repercussion. Throughout the duration of its burning, this light was glowing in the senses, just like the room was illuminated by the ever–alight lamp. Everything about me became illuminated, the veil of darkness was removed, desires and cravings vanished. My mind and body were radiating illumined feelings, thoughts and actions.

The ocean of light was undulating everywhere and I was merrily swimming in it, like a fish in the lake. The role played by these sensations in the development of the power of the self, my divine outlook, and divine joy is beyond description. Maybe it is my imagination, but had not the Akhand Deepak been kindled my insides too would have perhaps remained as dimly lit as the prayer room. Now my insides  seem as  glittering like the festive lights of Diwali. It is in this emotional flow that the magazine I started years back in 1937 was christened "Akhand Jyoti ", the name that I liked the most in the world. Maybe it is because of  this devotional start that the small sapling has now grown so large that its present circulation is estimated to be over 10 lakh copies  and the magazine is spreading its enlightened message all over the world.

On entering the third phase of Sadhana, the rays of "Âtmavat Sarvabhuteu" began to illuminate my soul. The first two phases i.e. "Matrivat Paradareu" and "Louhavat Paradravyeu" were concerned with my own body only. Whenever  thoughts of  sin entered the senses , the third eye of discernment made it beat a hasty retreat. The body was subjected to austere discipline and snapped the roots out of which the sinful thoughts may have  originated. So the evil tendencies had no soil to take roots.

The "Sadhana of Matrivat Paradareu" was mastered without any difficulty. The mind created a little trouble in the beginning, but the body was always at my command and control. The mind ultimately accepted defeat and began to cooperate like a good friend. By voluntary adopting a life  of poverty and minimization of needs to the barest, along with  giving up and conquering the tendency to hoard, there was no question of coveting "paradravya" (others wealth). When ones own earning was adequate to feed the stomach and cover the body, why to covet others things? Whatever could be saved after meeting the minimal needs was distributed among the needy.

Those who are by nature prone to giving and distributing and deriving joy out of giving  can never hoard. A life style based on minimum needs, simplicity and a non-hoarding Brahmana (One who is devoted to spiritual pursuits and leads a simple altruistic life) has filled my inner-self with unexplainable happiness and contentment. Had this happiness and contentment been the way of life of masses, there would have been hardly anyone wanting to earn sin, by coveting others wealth. Merely boasting to be an Aparigrahi (non-coveter) would not do. How many can feel in themselves the unique joy that comes out of giving? In my case, I got the treasure of these divine gifts effortlessly."

Credits and references:
An excerpt from Akhand Jyoti Magazine published by Shantikunj, Hardwar.

The mystery of the Immortal Beings (Yogis with super natural powers) : Living in the Himalayas !

Over the years there has been  great interest and mystery associated with sages (Yogis with super natural powers) that live in the Himalayan region. 

These advanced Yogis  by virtue of their penance and Sadhna and mastery over Yogic practices, can choose to live for ever. They are therefore immortal and usually  live in seclusion in the inaccessible portions of the Himalayas .They are known to be perpetually engaged in Sadhna and worship for the betterment of mankind. 
The enclosed  article is an amalgation of  fascinating incidents related to encounters of ordinary people with such immortal sages and Yogis. These are accounts of ordinary  people that have chanced upon these immortal sages  in the Himalayan region, or have been helped  by them in times of extreme distress and have chosen to write or talk about their magical experiences

The enclosed article is a direct quote from Akhand Jyoti Magazine, and is an article published in the March-April issue of the magazine in  2004.(Certain language modifications have been made to the quoted text for ease of reading).

Quoted Text from Akhand Jyoti magazine: 

The mystery of Immortal Beings(Yogis) Living  in the Himalayan region:

There was  an incident of 1942 when the King of Kumaon invited an army officer of Western Command, Mr. LP. Farrel for a picnic trip to the hills. There was a special reason for inviting Mr. Farrel. In spite of his being a Britisher, Mr. Farrel was very much interested in Indian religion, philosophy and culture.

He had a few opportunities of witnessing demonstration of miraculous feats of some Indian yogis. Under the influence of such events Mr. Farrel  had become a pure vegetarian. That is why he always welcomed any opportunity to go towards the Himalayan wilderness, with the hope of meeting some saint or Yogi who could initiate him into spiritual Sadhana(worship).

Mr. Farrel, the King and the Queen of Kumaon and their entourage reached a place near Nainital( a place  full of natural beauty in the region) .The place  so enchanted them that they decided to camp there overnight . So, dozens of tents were pitched and the lonely place got filled with the hustle and bustle of people . Gossip, merriment, eating and drinking went on till midnight. Everyone went to bed exhausted with  the whole day’s exertions, and immediately slipped into deep sleep. 

The first phase of  sleep was hardly over when Mr. Farrel felt that there was someone near his cot. He woke up to  listen and heard a voice say clearly-"We need the place where your tents have been pitched. You vacate this place. If you are unable to understand this message  then you should come to that Northwestern Hill in front of you. I will explain everything to you ." 
"But who are you?" – saying this Mr. Farrel got up from the bed and lit his torch. But there was no one. He came out of the tent but there too no one could be seen nor could he hear anyone’s footsteps. After experiencing  momentary fear he became normal and then went back to his bed again for sleeping. It was 3.30 a.m by his watch.

Despite his best efforts Mr.farrell could not find  sleep again. Somehow he was managing to keep his eyes shut. Once again he felt someone’s presence. Still lying on the bed he opened his eyes and  saw the shadow of a person standing in front of him. This time again he uttered the same words- "Who are you"?.  As soon as Mr. Farrel lit the torch,  the shadow vanished again . Mr Farrel's  body started shaking and perspiring. This army officer who did not get frightened by watching horrible bloodshed in a war, momentarily got un-nerved and dumbfounded by the mere imagination of a supernatural being. He lay awake in his bed with his eyes closed till the morning but heard nothing more . A strange attraction was arousing within him to see the hill mentioned by the shadowy presence. He put on his clothes and shoes and silently came out of the tent and walked towards that hill.

Describing this incident Mr. Farrel has himself written: "The way to the place where I was directed to reach was very difficult, narrow and dangerous. I was not at all able to climb up by myself but I was constantly feeling that somebody was showing me the way and was providing me the energy to climb up. After a hard effort of three and a half hours I could climb up. It seemed difficult to go ahead due to heavy breathing and perspiration. So I sat down on a square stone, lying down on it to take some rest. 

Hardly two minutes had passed and the same voice awakened me. ‘Mr. Farrel! Now you put off your shoes and slowly climb down the stone and come to me. With these words in the ears, I looked around and saw that a saint, with very weak constitution but brilliant splendor on the forehead, was standing in front of me.I thought.... I had never met or seen him earlier. "Then how could he know my name"? He was here, then how did his shadow reach in my tent in the night? There was no communication link like a radio or a microphone etc between us. Then how could his voice reach me? 
Several such questions arose in my mind. Putting a stop to the unending trail of questions the sadhu said-"Whatever you have heard and seen cannot be understood by ordinary human mind!". To gain understanding ,  one has to do long sadhana and the practice of yoga, abandoning the worldly pleasures and attraction of the senses. There is a specific purpose for which you have been called here."

Farrel could not make out whether the saintly person was a human being or a godlike person . The thoughts arising in his mind were being constantly read by that person like an open book. Mr. Farrel climbed down the rock and in a short time reached the place where the Sadhu was sitting. The place was so small that only one person could take rest there. There was nothing else there except the fire burning in the Dhooni (firepit).

Farrel further writes- "The Sadhu patted me on the back with his weak hand and I was stunned how could this electricity like power be there in that old body. My body that was almost breaking with pain due to exhaustion - now seemed light like a flower. As an humble gesture of respect for him I knelt down and touched his feet. I had seen many sadhus; but I have always felt that sahdus and saints who had influenced Indian philosophy and increased its dignity were not those who were roaming around on the roads but they were truly devoted persons who lived in total seclusion. Their physical bodies might weigh 80-90 pounds but the intensity of their energy and power was more than that of thousand bombs going off together and they were the storehouses of knowledge."

The Sadhu continued to tell  me-"I have inspired a youth to reach the place where your tents have been pitched. He was my disciple in his previous birth. His sadhana is half-completed. Now I want to guide him again to undertake his sadhana and penance for the universal welfare of mankind . But the memories of his previous birth are dormant. The impressions and circumstances of this current birth are attracting him and keeping him away from his incomplete task. Therefore he is unable to take up his  sadhana again. I have called him to me through subtle inspiration. If he comes here and is unable to locate the directed place, then he will get confused and will go back to his home again . If that happens , whatever I want will not become possible, Therefore, please vacate that place immediately."

Mr. Farrel said – "Lord! Please tell me also a few things about my previous birth "? The Sadhu replied-"My son- These siddhis (accomplishments) are not for demonstration. They are meant for some special purposes and it is better that they are utilized for that purpose only. Of course, if you wish you can be present at the time when I show this young man who i have invited  the events of his  previous birth. Now you go. People are searching for you in the camp. I too am in a hurry."

Mr. Farrel returned to the camp. Indeed, people had been searching for him. Mr. Farrel narrated the incident to the King. They then left that place and pitched the camp some 200 yards away.

By the evening of that day, a young man did indeed come searching for that place. After satisfying himself in all respects, he sat down where the tents had been pitched earlier. In the meantime, Mr. Farrel also reached there. His curiosity was getting more and more intense as the time passed. In a short while the Sadhu also  reached there. Mr. Farel and the young man touched his feet and stood waiting for his instructions. The place was in the centre of a grove of trees.. After lighting a fire, the  Sadhu did some puja, recited some mantras and told us to sit down in a meditating posture. A ray of light emanated from his forehead and a circular spot of light appeared on the trunk of a thick tree. Then whatever was seen in the spot was just like a cinema where they saw the characters actually walking and talking. Like a movie, they saw the events of the previous birth of that youth with their own naked eyes. In between the pictures, the  youth used to get excited and would say – ‘Yes-yes I had done that’.

At the end, that youth touched the feet of that sadhu and said "Lord! Now my attachment with the mundane world is broken. I am ready to take up the unfinished sadhana of my previous life. Please guide me so that I can complete the unfinished task."

The Sadhu said – "My son! Today you take rest here. In the morning, you return to your home. At an appropriate time, I will call you." After that Mr Farrel did not know when that youth was called again? What became of him  later and with what name did he became popular? But with this Mr Farrel  became a staunch devotee of Indian religion and spirituality. This incident has been narrated by Mr. Farrel himself in an article in the May 17, 1959 issue of Saptahik Hindustan (a weekly Hindi magazine).

A similar incident is said to  have happened in the life of a famous Indian yogi Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri, popularly known as Lahiri Mahashay, in the book "An autobiography of a Yogi", authored by Swami Yogananda. Lahiri Mahashay happened to be Yoganand’s Dada Guru. Lahiri Mahasay was also  called  Babaji, and was an immortal siddha purusha of the Himalayas, who taught  Yoganada,  the science of Kriya Yoga so that the knowledge continued and did  not become extinct.

Indian scriptures are filled with descriptions of immortal souls like Shiva, Bhairav, Hanuman, Ashwatthama and many such Siddha Purushas. There is a story in Kalki Purana, which goes like this. When Lord Kalki saw that the entire world had sunk neck-deep in perversities (like sexual indulgence, anger, greed, attachment, ego, laziness, etc.) and the light of their souls had been extinguished, he decided to guide the masses groping in the darkness of ignorance. The darkness was dense. The entire world was badly trapped in the materialistic pursuits and the pleasures of the senses. 
Lord Kalki felt that he lacked the power required for this awakening of the masses. Then his spiritual mentor Parashuram called him to the Himalayas and made him undertake a penance at a place where he (Parashuram)  himself had undertaken penance. This penance awakened in Kalki an  enormous power, which was needed for the transformation of the era. Lord Parshuram was born in Vedic Yuga, which came much earlier than the Kaliyuga. His presence in Kaliyuga too is an indication of his immortality and a testimony of the fact that immortal souls like him are still present in the Himalayas. 

Dr. Hari Dutta Bhatta, has given an interesting description of his mountaineering experience of Janwali (Garhwal) hill, which is located 22000 feet above sea level. This narrative was published  in Dharmayuga (Hindi weekly, 23 rd August 1964 issue). He was convinced that some supernormal power saved him and his group from getting buried under a landslide. All these incidents prove the fact that immortal souls possessing fierce supernatural power are still present in the Himalayas and they will remain there for an infinite time.

Can the  Immortal existence Yogis of the Himalayas be  scientifically validated ??

To further validate the existence of the Siddha Purushas, or immortal beings in the Himalayas, modern scientists are also actively engaged in the research for finding the elixir of life. Zoologists of Russia, France, Britain, Germany, USA, etc. have been investigating for a long time the process of aging and death. On the basis of the results obtained so far, they have concluded that death is not an inevitable phenomenon. Aging is a kind of disease. If it be possible to find a cure for it, a person could live for a thousand years. The modes and methods of Kayakalpa (rejuvenation) mentioned in Ayurveda also prove this fact.

In fact death is the result of collapse of life sustaining mechanism in the body. The gradual reduction in the efficiency of the body organs is the cause  leading to death. If the life sustaining mechanisms are kept healthy and if the process of cell renewal is kept intact, a human being could be kept alive for an infinite time. Genes are immortal so there is no inevitability of bodily death.

After studying Ayurveda, one can easily conclude that ancient seers and scholars had identified several herbs, fruits and chemicals, which help in the rejuvenation of the body. There is a popular phrase that explains this :  "A person does not eat food; it is the food that eats a person." 

Our physical body is nourished by blood. The latter provides oxygen to the entire body. Oxygen and other nerve fluids sustain consciousness in the body. All this is accomplished and sustained by  emotions. It is the thoughts and emotions that give rise to secretions of hormones. These hormones control the metabolic processes within the body. Therefore, it appears that the responsibility of keeping the body healthy rests with our emotions and thoughts which are the real essence of life. There is a bird called ‘Salyon’, which gets sick after laying eggs. After investigation it has been found that after laying the eggs, her pituitary gland (which is centre of thoughts and emotions), gets excited and it starts secreting a hormone called A.C.T.H in huge quantities, which leads to her sickness. This has been found in the case of some other creatures as well. This shows that, if a person makes his thought process robustly positive and keeps his food light, he can keep himself alive and active for a long time.

Modern science has no knowledge of the thought control mechanism. Is there  power in the sentiments and emotions of a human being such that they  can catch in its purest form the life (genes/ prana ) floating in the sky? This vidya (knowledge) is known only to accomplished Indian Yogis. Modern day  scientists are now  agreeing with the existence of such a process . For example in 1975 some zoologists of Strasberg carried out an experiment for changing the genes of a duck. Two ducks, one of Campbell variety and the other of Pekish variety, were chosen. The DNA of the first were injected in the second and that of the second one were injected in the first. This gave rise to change in the color of both. Within a few days the dust colour of Campbell started appearing in the Pekish variety and the neck of Campbell variety started getting white.

Science can perform only a few experiments of this type. Changing one or two chromosomes is the first step towards success. The reproductive cells of a human being contain about 10 billions pairs of nucleotides and every pair has 46 chromosomes. It is difficult to change the behavior of a person without changing them. Then there are several cells in the body, which after being formed never change. The question of keeping them healthy is even more of a daunting task. It will take a long time for modern scienctists  to search the solution for this. To study the ageing process further,  scientists have suggested that atmospheric temperature should be subzero. Mr Clark in his book ‘Space Odyssey’ has written that in order to undertake a space voyage lasting for 200 to 400 yrs, it will be essential to keep the space voyager in the sleeping state at sub zero temperatures. 

The science and  knowledge already exists in the science of yoga and the ancient Indian Vedic  methods. Looked at from this angle  the existence of immortal beings in the perennially frozen regions of the Himalayas cannot be considered as a myth.

In fact, the Himalayan region has been a special haven of true Yogis and Mahatmas from times immemorial. The likes of great yogis who have lived in this sacred region cannot be found elsewhere. It is said that there is "Gyangaj Yogashram" in Tibet, which is a training institute for Yogis. . This Siddhashram isolated in the subtle-physical realm and is therefore  not accessible or visible to ordinary persons. Only  awakened and gifted Sadhaks have the privilege of entry into this Siddhashram.

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Source and credits:
Akhand Jyoti Magazine published by Gayatri Pariwar. The magazine is based on the writings of Acharya Shriram Sharma.

http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2004/Mar-Apr/ImmortalBeingsHimalayas/

You may also like to read two excellent and  related books that have fantastic descriptions of the Himalayan regions as well as  descriptions of the sages living in secret regions of the Himalayas in their astral formats. The books also describe the purpose and mission of these saints .

1. My Life its Legacy and Message.
2. Companions in Solitude.

Inspiring Quotes, Short Stories,Tales and Fables from "Akhand Jyoti" Magazine (2).

Enclosed here is a collection of  inspiring quotes, short stories  tales and fables  with a great message. These tales are from the magazine "Akhand Jyoti" or the "Light Divine". The magazine publication  was initiated  by Acharya Shriram Sharma  in 1936. 
The magazine completes 75 years of publication and circulation this year and has millions of readers worldwide.  (Note: certain grammatical amendments to the quoted text have been made for ease of reading.)

                                Inspiring Quotes, Tales and Fables

The Sage and the naughty youth: 

A sage once lived in a hut outside a village. Almost every evening, the villagers gathered at the sage's hut to hear his discourses. When the time would come for evening prayers and discourses some naughty youngsters from the village would descend upon the hut and begin to chat noisily. From time to time they would tease the sage and interrupt him. This routine continued for some months, but not once did the sage show anger or irritation towards the youth. Sometimes he would actually participate in their noisy chatter and laugh with them.

After prolonged efforts when the sage showed no signs of anger at the boy's behavior the boys began to feel remorseful of their conduct. They begged forgiveness of the sage, and asked: " O Great Soul - We deliberately tried to tease you, vex you ,but not once have you got annoyed or lost your temper. Why is that?". The sage replied: " Son, if I had got angry, how could I have taught you anything?

(Akhand Jyoti magazine- September-October 2011)

The Importance of dietary discipline, hard work and a disciplined life:

A king once lost his way in a jungle and in the course of his wandering's , reached a village. The villagers did not know of the King , did not recognize him to be a King and yet they welcomed him warmly and attended to his comforts. The innate goodness of the villagers greatl impressed the King deeply, and he in turn wanted to return their kindness. He noticed that the village had no medical facility, so he proceeded to build one for the village and appointed a well qualified doctor there.

One year passed. The doctor visited the King to give an update and told him : " O king- I remain without work in that village. In the last one year , not a single patient has turned up. All the medicine stock is also remaining un-utilized". The King became really curious about this situation , so he went to the village himself to enquire as to why the villagers were not using this medical facility? The villagers explained- "We observe dietary discipline in our daily routines and engage in hard labor.  Our food items constitute natural products and are fresh and pure. Our daily routine is also well regulated with hard physical exertion as its main constituent. All this helps us ward off disease, and if per chance , an illness does occur, it soon gets expelled from the system through the mechanism of sweating!". The King realized the importance of teaching all his citizens the importance of natural , fresh food and hard disciplined labour. The Doctor was shifted out of the village to a more appropriate location.

(Akhand Jyoti Magazine- May-June 2011)

Anger:

Anyone can become angry -That is easy. But to be angry with the right person- To the right degree,at the right time, for the right purpose and in the right way - That is not easy.   ( By Aristotle)

(Akhand Jyoti Magazine- May-June 2011)

Lord Buddha and Bhikshu Kashyap ( Bhikshu, means a sage that lives on alms):

Bhikshu Kashyap, through the power of his "Yoga" started to display miracles of "yoga" in the city of Sravasti. This spread his fame far and wide. After the spread of this news, he remained surrounded by a crowd of people day and night and he could find no time for his own self purification and his own Sadhana. Lord Buddha was saddened to hear of this state of events and he sent him a message- "If you had used your powers of Yoga in the service of the needy and not misused them for getting fame and praise , many people would have benefited including yourself".

(Akhand Jyoti Magazine- May-June 2011)

The greatness of Mahatma Gandhi ( His simplicity and an even temperament):

A peasant was once greatly inspired by the message of Mahatma Gandhi and wished desperately to see him and have his darshan. Gandhiji, was scheduled to visit a nearby village, so the villager boarded a train from his village and set about to see Gandhiji. On the way he kept visualizing  what Gandhiji would look like? He presumed Gandhiji would be a person of great splendour!

At the village station , he bought a train ticket and boarded the train. The train compartment was really crowded. The peasant tried to make space for himself. He saw a gentleman reclining on a berth, and he seemed to be quite exhausted. The peasant approached him, shook his arm to wake him up and said -" Can you get up and sit up, you are reclining as this was your own train?". The gentleman got up and vacated his seat for the peasant  The peasant sat down in the vacated seat and started talking to the people around him. He said "I am going to see Gandhiji. I believe he alleviates the sufferings of the common man  and the distressed". The people around him simply smiled at his words.

When the train finally reached the next station, a crowd of people rushed in looking to welcome Gandhiji. The peasant was astonished and anguished to know that the person he had admonished to "sit up" was none other than Gandhiji.

(Akhand Jyoti Magazine- May-June 2011)

We hope that you enjoyed reading these inspiring and  motivational quotes, tales and short stories. For more of the same we invite you to read Akhand Jyoti magazine online.

 Read Akhand Jyoti Online:http://literature.awgp.org/magazine

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Source and Credits :

Akhand Jyoti magazine was started by Shriram Sharma Acharya  to transmit the Acharya's writings and Literature. The spirit of the Divine purpose of  Acharya Shriram Sharma's Life lies in Acharyaji's  extensive writings (translation of all Vedas , Puranas, Upanishads, learnings from Puranas, Mahabharata, Ramayana etc) and forms the essence and substance of this magazine.

How to maintain mental balance in tough situations(3): Lose Not Your Heart Series

Enclosed below are inspiring motivational quotes  on how to maintain your mental balance while dealing  with stressful and difficult situations from the  pocket book "Lose Not Your Heart", authored by Acharya Shriram Sharma.

Readers , can print out this  page and put it on the school bulletin board, the  refrigerator, the school library, a local temple etc. This is an easy way to    build  these inspiring and motivational quotes in  everyday life. These short Motivational  Quotes have helped so many people deal with ordinary everyday problems and prevented these problems from becoming larger issues that can overtake our lives.

Do not Depend on Others:

The day you develop faith in the strength of your own hands, feet and heart, your soul will tell you to go forth alone. Keeping high expectations of others is like building castles in the air, unreal and worthless. 

Pinning your hopes on others cripples your own originality and courage. The person who centers his life around another person becomes alone very quickly. Putting your life in another person's hands is like setting sail without knowing where you are going.

Love , is a Great Power:

Love is a kind of power that can further any aspect of life. It is impossible to bring about a change in any one's thinking without love.Healthy mindsets are rarely ever formed through reasoning and arguments. Healthy mindsets as well as trust are developed through prolonged good company. The result of this prolonged good company is love. Therefore, a healthy mindset and trust are both results of love.

We must use love to change others outlook and way of thinking. Logic and intelligent arguments are not sufficient. If what you have to say is full of love and sympathy, the world will be willing to follow you.

The cause of Failure:

We are constantly trying to force others to think and act according to our own beliefs. These attempts to correct other's behaviour neither changes their minds or satisfies us. 

We justify controlling others in several ways. We believe that if we control them we may acquire some immediate gain , or that the person is a hindrance to our progress, or that the person is constantly criticising us , spreading rumours about us etc. Using such reasoning to blame others for your own failure will not benefit you.

Forget Painful Memories:

When you find yourself recalling painful memories, the best thing to do is forget and ignore them. The way to preserve your emotional stability is to replace your unpleasant memories with pleasant ones. If you wish to keep your physical, mental, and emotional health, then learn to remove unhealthy memories in  this way.

Even if someone close to you has caused you grief, will you keep obsessing over your pain? Lose yourself in purposeful work and forget these painful experiences. The best way to free yourself from worry is to forget our misery.

Control over Happiness and Unhappiness:

Instead of being controlled by happiness and unhappiness, establish your mastery over them. This will render your life more interesting and meaningful. It is every persons responsibility to uplift himself and better his life, and you should full involve yourself in this task. 

You can achieve a great deal if you take full advantage of favorable circumstances and are not afraid of adverse ones. Learn from every circumstance and move forward. As you progress, whatever seemed adverse will seem favorable, and then when that time comes you will be free from your sadness.


Find Happiness in all situations:
It is only wise to be prepared for changing times. You should never feel conceited about your successes, happiness, luxuries, or progress, because you do not know how long these will last. If they do not, there is no point in spending your energy, complaining, despairing or becoming angry. Use your  time to think through the situation and devise a solution , or otherwise reconcile yourself to it. In the end this will be more beneficial for you.
Real intelligence comes form finding happiness in whatever is available,and in this way in keeping your mental balance.

Dear readers- if you liked the above  inspiring and motivational quotes  on how to maintain our mental balance while dealing with stressful and difficult situations in Life - we also invite you to read other articles in the "Lose not your Heart" series. 

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Source credits and  References:
If you would like to read the book "Lose Not Your Heart" please click the link below.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/56434985/Lose-Not-Your-Heart-motivational-book-by-Shriram-Sharma-Acharya-Shantikunj

How to be Spiritual - The Connection between Chastity, Spirituality and Incredible memory!

Illustrious sages, like those that are of the Paramhansas level, like Swami Vivekananda, Ramkrishna Paramhansa and Vedmurti Shriram Sharma Acharya have all left us a legacy of great literature that is simply invaluable. Their Lives are living examples of how to be Spiritual? Therefore it is pertinent to ask what defined their Spirituality? How did they live such exemplary lives and accomplish tasks of such extraordinary magnitude?

Each of them individually in their own lifetimes were voracious readers of great books. Those who lived in close proximity with Pt.Shriram Sharma Acharya know that he would read through multiple large texts in a short span of time and remember it all. 

Pt.Shriram Sharma Acharya wrote Literature greater than his own body weight. All his texts are scientific in content and research validated. How was this possible in a time when then internet was absent ? Similar was the prowess of Swami Vivekananda. He could read through volumes the size of Encyclopedia Britannica and remember it all !

In the words of these great sages themselves - sexual continence is a great enabler of energy, vitality and also of memory and concentration in people. Sexual continence helps retain and enhance the vital "Prana" or energy in the individual and that enables the accomplishment of a large body of work of extra ordinary magnitude !

The enclosed passage emphasising this point is captured in a conversation between Swami Vivekananda and his fellow disciple....

Quote of a  Conversation between Swamiji and a Disciple:

"Despite his spare food and scanty sleep, Swamiji is very active. A few days ago, a new set of the Encyclopaedia Britannica had been bought for the Math. Seeing the new shining volumes, the disciple said to Swamiji, "It is almost impossible to read all these books in a single lifetime." He was unaware that Swamiji had already finished ten volumes and had begun the eleventh.

Swamiji: What do you say? Ask me anything you like from these ten volumes, and I will answer you all.

The disciple asked in wonder, "Have you read all these books?"

Swamiji: Why should I ask you to question me otherwise?
Being examined, Swamiji not only reproduced the sense, but at places the very language of the difficult topics selected from each volume. The disciple, astonished, put aside the books, saying, "This is not within human power!"

Swamiji: Do you see, simply by the observance of strict Brahmacharya (continence) all learning can be mastered in a very short time — one has an unfailing memory of what one hears or knows but once. It is owing to this want of continence that everything is on the brink of ruin in our country.

Disciple: Whatever you may say, sir, the manifestation of such superhuman power cannot be the result of mere Brahmacharya, something else there must be.

Swamiji did not say anything in reply."

The subject of Chastity occurs frequently in Swami Vivekananda's Lectures and Speeches. Enclosed below is a  seperate excerpt from a letter written in 1894 -once again emphasizing the connexion between chastity and spirituality. 

"I come back to the one, fundamental, vital point: 'Find God. Nothing else matters.' He emphasized morality as the basis of the spiritual life. Without truth, noninjury, continence, non-stealing, cleanliness, and austerity, he repeated, there could be no spirituality.

The subject of continence always stirred him deeply.Walking up and down the room, getting more and more excited, he would stop before someone as if there were no one else present. 'Don't you see,' he would say eagerly, 'there is a reason why chastity is insisted on in all monastic orders?

Spiritual giants are produced only where the vow of chastity is observed. Don't you see there must be a reason? There is a connexion between chastity and spirituality. The explanation is that through prayer and meditation the saints have transmuted the most vital force in the body into spiritual energy. In India this is well understood and yogis do it consciously. The force so transmuted is called Ojas, and it is stored up in the brain. It has been lifted from the lowest centre to the highest. "And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me."'

He would plead with the students as if to beg them to act upon this teaching as something most precious. Further, they could not be the disciples he required if they were not established in chastity. He demanded a conscious transmutation.'The man who has no temper has nothing to control."

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Source credits and references to the above article:

http://cwsv.belurmath.org/volume_7/conversations_and_dialogues/from_the_diary_of_a_disciple/scc_i_frame.htm

Swami Vivekananda Quotes on : Worshipping The Mother Form, Upanishads, Buddhism, Vegetarianism, The difference between a Prophet and a Scientist !

Enclosed here are short excerpts from the words and writings  of Ramakrishna Paramhansa, and Swami Vivekananda. These  short excerpts are explanations on subjects as diverse as : How were the Upanishads written? Should we limit ourselves to the scriptural texts or go beyond? Why do we worship the Mother form or the female form of energy? When do societies move towards vegetarianism, what prompts them to make this move? What distinguishes a prophet from a scientist?The greatness of Buddhism!

The exact same thoughts and message on the same subjects is echoed in the extensive Literature penned by Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya. 

Quoted text:

Ramakrishna Paramhansa on the short shortsightedness of placing a premium on wealth and social position: 

"Some people are proud of their wealth, their fame and social position,but these pride things are transitory. None can take them away with them after death.It is not good to be proud of wealth.You may say "I am wealthy",but then there are millionaires, multi-millionaires, and so on.

In the evening fireflies think that they are lighting the world; but when the stars begin to shine, their pride is subdued.The stars in turn think they are lighting the world,but when the moon shines the stars are put to shame. The moon too believes that her light illumines everything;but lo! the dawn appears and the rising sun effaces the light of the moon; If wealthy people thought of these things, the would no longer be proud of their wealth."

(Source and Credits :" The Gospel Of Ramakrishna" by Swami Abhedananda (a direct disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa).

Swami Vivekananda on the Limited Value of chanting Gods name without a corresponding internal change in the self:

There is a vast difference between saying "food, food" and eating it, between saying "water, water" and drinking it. So by merely repeating the words "God, God" we cannot hope to attain realisation. We must strive and practise.

(Source and Credits : http://cwsv.belurmath.org/volume_7/vol_7_frame.htm)

Swami Vivekananda on why many religions of the world worship the "Divine Mother" or the Female form of energy:

Mother is the first manifestation of power and is considered a higher idea than father. With the name of Mother comes the idea of Shakti, Divine Energy and Omnipotence, just as the baby believes its mother to be all-powerful, able to do anything. The Divine Mother is the Kundalini ("coiled up" power) sleeping in us; without worshipping Her we can never know ourselves. All-merciful, all-powerful, omnipresent are attributes of Divine Mother. She is the sum total of the energy in the universe. Every manifestation of power in the universe is "Mother". She is life, She is intelligence, She is Love. She is in the universe yet separate from it. She is a person and can be seen and known (as Shri Ramakrishna saw and knew Her). Established in the idea of Mother, we can do anything. She quickly answers prayer.

She can show; Herself to us in any form at any moment. Divine Mother can have form (Rupa) and name (Nâma) or name without form; and as we worship Her in these various aspects we can rise to pure Being, having neither form nor name.

The sum total of all the cells in an organism is one person; so each soul is like one cell and the sum of them is God, and beyond that is the Absolute. The sea calm is the Absolute; the same sea in waves is Divine Mother. She is time, space, and causation. God is Mother and has two natures, the conditioned and the unconditioned. As the former, She is God, nature, and soul (man). As the latter, She is unknown and unknowable. Out of the Unconditioned came the trinity — God, nature, and soul, the triangle of existence. This is the Vishishtâdvaitist idea.

A bit of Mother, a drop, was Krishna, another was Buddha, another was Christ. The worship of even one spark of Mother in our earthly mother leads to greatness. Worship Her if you want love and wisdom.

(Source and credits : http://cwsv.belurmath.org/volume_7/vol_7_frame.htm )

Swami Vivekananda explaining that as Societies progress( move away from military power to intellectual power, they move towards vegetarianism) 

The meat-eating animal, like the lion, gives one blow and subsides, but the patient bullock goes on all day, eating and sleeping as it walks. The "live Yankee" cannot compete with the rice-eating Chinese coolie. While military power dominates, meat-eating still prevails; but with the advance of science, fighting will grow less, and then the vegetarians will come in.

(Source and credits : http://cwsv.belurmath.org/volume_7/vol_7_frame.htm)

Swami Vivekananda explaining The Upanishads and how they were written ?( As algebraical symbols):

Vyasa's philosophy is par excellence that of the Upanishads. He wrote in Sutra form, that is, in brief algebraical symbols without nominative or verb. This caused so much ambiguity that out of the Sutras came dualism, mono-dualism, and monism or "roaring Vedanta"; and all the great commentators in these different schools were at times "conscious liars" in order to make the texts suit their philosophy.

The Upanishads contain very little history of the doings of any man, but nearly all other scriptures are largely personal histories. The Vedas deal almost entirely with philosophy. Religion without philosophy runs into superstition; philosophy without religion becomes dry atheism.

Vishishta-advaita is qualified Advaita (monism). Its expounder was Râmânuja. He says, "Out of the ocean of milk of the Vedas, Vyasa has churned this butter of philosophy, the better to help mankind." He says again, "All virtues and all qualities belong to Brahman, Lord of the universe. He is the greatest Purusha. Madhva is a through-going dualist or Dvaitist. He claims that even women might study the Vedas. He quotes chiefly from the Purânas. He says that Brahman means Vishnu, not Shiva at all, because there is no salvation except through Vishnu.

(Source and credits : http://cwsv.belurmath.org/volume_7/vol_7_frame.htm)

Swami Vivekananda on what distinguishes The Prophet from  The Scientist:

Knowledge can never be created, it can only be discovered; and every man who makes a great discovery is inspired. Only, when it is a spiritual truth he brings, we call him a prophet; and when it is on the physical plane, we call him a scientific man, and we attribute more importance to the former, although the source of all truth is one.

(Source and credits: http://cwsv.belurmath.org/volume_7/vol_7_frame.htm)

Swami Vivekananda on Vedanta Philosphy: How it asks you not to be limited by  whats written in the books. It prompts you to self experience and self realise.

"The ancient Hindus were wonderful scholars, veritable living encyclopaedias. They said, "Knowledge in books and money in other people's hands is like no knowledge and no money at all."

(Source and credits: http://cwsv.belurmath.org/volume_7/vol_7_frame.htm)

Swami Vivekananda on the greatness of Buddha and Buddhism:

Buddhism, one of the most philosophical religions in the world, spread all through the populace, the common people of India. What a wonderful culture there must have been among the Aryans twenty-five hundred years ago, to be able to grasp ideas!

Buddha was the only great Indian philosopher who would not recognise caste, and not one of his followers remains in India. All the other philosophers pandered more or less to social prejudices; no matter how high they soared, still a bit of the vulture remained in them. As my Master used to say, "The vulture soars high out of sight in the sky, but his eye is ever on a bit of carrion on the earth."

(Source and credits: http://cwsv.belurmath.org/volume_7/vol_7_frame.htm)

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