Friday, December 27, 2013

Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya Quotes in Hindi !

Dear Readers -

Enclosed here are some fabulous Quotes in Hindi from Acharya Shriram Sharma's books. These quotes are on a variety of subjects and are excerpts from the books penned by Acharya Shriram Sharma. 
If you would like to read Acharya Shriram Sharma's Literature , please visit our ONLINE BOOK STORE for a free read of these Books. 
Additionally our Life Transforming Books section combines Literature from Acharya Shriram Sharma as well as Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda and other prolific Vedantists.




The importance of reading "good books" and why we should engage in the pursuit of Knowledge:

बुद्धि की देवी गायत्री के प्रत्येक उपासक के लिए स्वाध्याय भी उतना ही आवश्यक धर्मं कृत्य है , जितना की जप , ध्यान , पाठ आदि. । 
 बिना स्वाध्याय के , बिना ज्ञान की उपासना के बुद्धि पवित्र नहीं हो सकती , मानसिक मलिनता दूर नहीं हो सकती, और बिना इस सफाई के बिना माता का सच्चा प्रकाश कोई उपासक अपने अन्तः करण में अनुभव नहीं कर सकता । 
जिसे स्वाध्याय से प्रेम नहीं हैं उसे गायत्री उपासना से प्रेम है यह माना नहीं जा सकता । 
बुद्धि की देवी गायत्री का सच्चा भोजन स्वधयाय ही है । ज्ञान के बिना मुक्ति संभव नहीं । इसलिए गायत्री उपासना के साथ ज्ञान की उपासना भी अविछिन्न रूप से जुडी हुई हैं ।
                                                                                                                                                        -पंडित श्रीराम शर्मा आचार्य




The secret of success - Combining  bodily ability  with mental strength :

आधे अधूरे मन से कभी काम नहीं करना चाहिए । शारीर और मन की जब शक्ति जुड़ जाती है , तब आदमी बडे से बडे कार्य भी आसानी से कर सकता है । जितने  भी महापुरुष हुए   है , उन्होने मन लगाकर कार्य किया है , तभी सफलता मिली है । जो भी काम आपको सौपा  गया है , उसे मन लगाकर करो ।


                               -पंडित श्रीराम शर्मा आचार्य  ( Book-पेज १०८ - पूज्य गुरुदेव के कुछ मार्मिक संस्मरण )


How to have illustrious children ?

आप पहले अपने परिवार में इस तरह का त्यागमय वातावरण बनाइये जैसे कि दशरथ के यहाँ था , और जैसा कि राम सीता , लक्ष्मण -उर्मिला आदि का त्यागमय जीवन था । वैसा वातावरण आपके घर परिवार का होगा तभी यह हो सकता है । उर्मिला का त्याग सीता जी से भी ज़यादा है । जिस घर में ऐसा वातावरण होगा वहाँ संस्कारवान बच्चे पैदा होंगे ।

रामचंद्र जी और भरत जी गेंद खेल रहे थे । भारत जी खेलने में कमज़ोर थे , परन्तु रामचंद्र जी उन्हे बार बार जिता देते थे । अपने से छोटों कि हिम्मत औए इज़ज़त बढ़ाने देने में ही महानता है - हारा  आदमी जीत जाता है । रामचन्द्र जी ने भरत को गुलाम बना लिया । सारी  ज़िन्दगी वे रामचन्द्र जी के गुलाम रहे ।


यह है भगवान का स्वाभाव जो कि हमारे लिए प्रेरणा लेने एवं देने लायक है ।


                                       -पंडित श्रीराम शर्मा आचार्य (Book - भगवान राम के चरित्र प्रेरणा स्रोत्र )


Thoughts have great power and strength. Acharya Shriram Sharma dedicated his literature to clarifying the thoughts of people and, therefore provided people with valuable solutions to their problems. An excerpt in his own words:

विचारों के अन्दर बहुत बड़ी शक्ति होती है ।  विचार आदमी को गिरा सकतें है और विचार ही आदमी को उठा सकतें है । आदमी कुछ नहीं हैं विचारों का बना हुआ है । विचारों से आदमी देवता ऋषि महात्मा ही नहीं परमात्मा बन जाता है, और विचारों से ही आदमी डाकू लूटेरा बन जाता है ।

छोटी छोटी बातों को लोग इतना बड़ा कर देतें है की वह समस्या हो जाती है ।  विचारों की सफाई के लिए ही हमने सारा साहित्य लिखा  है।  जो भी साहित्य हमने लिखा है , इससे प्रत्येक व्यक्ति की समस्याओं का हल हो सकता है ।


जो व्यक्ति हमारे विचारों को पढ़ेगा उसके घर मैं स्वर्ग बना रहेगा । मेरे विचारों को घर घर पहुँचाना ही मेरी सच्ची सेवा है ।


अगर समस्याओं का हल करना है तो हमारे विचारों से समस्याओं का हल होग। चाहे आज कर लो , चाहे सौ वर्ष के बाद । गायत्री माने ऊँचें विचार , यज्ञ माने परोपकार ।  जब तक व्यक्ति निकृष्ट विचार वाला और स्वार्थी रहेगा तब तक समस्याओं का हल हो ही नहीं सकता ।

शंकराचार्य अगर अपनी माँ का कहना मानते तो एक पंडित या प्रतिष्टित कथा वाचक ही बनकर रह जाते, वे शंकराचार्य नहीं बन  सकते थे ।  उनके विचारों ने उन्हे शंकराचार्य ही नहीं बल्कि शिव का अवतार बना दिया ।


विवेकानंद  नौकरी करते तो वे केवल बडे बाबु बन सकते थे , वे धर्मं गुरु नहीं बन सकते थे , जिन्होने भारतीय संस्कृति का प्रचार विदेशों में जाकर किया ।


गुरु नानकदेव अगर व्यापार करते तो , दो चार दुकानों के मालिक बन सकते थे , सिखों के गुरु नहीं बन सकते थे ।


गाँधी वकालत करते तब दो चार लाख रुपैय्या ही कम सकते थे , परन्तु महात्मा गाँधी नहीं बन सकते थे ।


बेटा विचारों में बड़ी शक्ति है , जो भी मेरे विचारों को पढ़ेगा उसको लाभ अवश्य होगा ।  जो कोर पूजा पाठ , भोग , फूल, माला, आदि तक ही सिमित रह जाता है , वह हमेशा खाली हाथ ही रहेगा । जो थोडा भी समय मेरे विचारों को फेलाने में लगाएगा उसे मेरा आशीर्वाद अवश्य मिलेगा ।


                  -पंडित श्रीराम शर्मा आचार्य  (Book: पेज ५५-५६- पूज्य गुरुदेव के कुछ मार्मिक संस्मरण )

                                                                       *******
Source and credits : 
If you would like to know more about Acharya Shriram Sharma and his Divine mission - please click enclosed the wikipedia link .
If you would like to read Acharya Shriram Sharma's Literature online , please click the enclosed link. 
Acharya Shriram Sharma and Ramakrishna Paramhansa are one and the same. Please visit our Life Transforming Books sections to read a cross section of Great Books.



Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Swami Vivekananda achieved Mahasamadhi at age 39? The reason behind Swami Vivekananda's early passing.....

Enclosed here is a guest post by Spiritualbee.com explaining the reasons for the early passing and Mahasamadhi of Swami Vivekananda at age 39yrs. The reasoning for his early and voluntary passing away was provided by Swami Vivekananda himself, in his conversations with his Gurubhai Swami Abhedananda.

The reasoning for his early passing away is explained excellently using a descriptive and short video made by Spiritualbee.com. It makes for an excellent viewing and the guest post is enclosed here below......


GUEST POST by SPIRITUALBEE.COM:

"Swami Vivekananda, one of India’s greatest teachers of Vedanta Philosophy, left his physical body on July 4th, 1902. He was just 39 years of age.
Many people have wondered – what caused an evolved soul like Swami Vivekananda to die at such a young age? Aren’t yogi’s able to extend their own life-span and live for very long periods of time?
Actually, behind the passing of every realized soul such as Swami Vivekananda, there is an immense spiritual reality hidden, which we ordinarily do not grasp. Luckily for us, Swamiji (as he was called), himself revealed the truth in great detail. His amazing answer in the video below!
To read this full post and watch the video , follow the link below:

Thursday, October 3, 2013

The importance of Navratri and Gayatri Sadhana during Navratri ( Nav Durga)

Please enlarge the presentation prior to viewing for a better  reading experience.




Source and credits : The Super Science of Gayatri by Vedmurti Acharya Shriram Sharma. To read the book Super Science of Gayatri and other books on Gayatri worship, please visit our Life Transforming Books section. 

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Swami Vivekanada Quotes in Hindi and English !

Swami Vivekanada Quotes on various subjects in both Hindi and English 

Death a certainty :






On imperfections and shortcomings of others:




Those that are ahead of their times:




Be strong, build inner strength - that is the essence of  all religions:



Educated people have a duty towards the weak in society:




The key to success :




In difficult times we can  rely only on our CHARACTER:



Love for all and One-ness of the soul- the basis of all his teachings:




The only definition of morality:





The definition of religion:





Power of Concentration:




Work is worship:




Do not fear failure:



Willpower:




The cure for weakness:



Believe in yourself:




The reason for sorrow and unhappiness:


How to achieve success:



For more Quotes in Hindi please the enclosed link  :

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Source and credits : The last few quotes in Hindi are from the book - Shaktidaayi Vichaar, published by Ramakrishna Mission.
The source of quotes in the beginning is unknown.

Friday, September 6, 2013

In the Gayatri Mantra-What exactly is the meaning of the word GAYATRI ?



In the GAYATRI MANTRA- What exactly is the MEANING of the word -GAYATRI ?? 

(To further read upon the Gayatri Mantra, its origin, meaning, scientific impact and material and spiritual benefits , please scroll down below to the additional reading section at the end of the article).


" The Vedic Scripture -Aitareya Brahamana, describes this as "Gayan Trayate Sa Gayatri". 

Meaning - " That which PROTECTS the "Gaya" ( PRANA) is Gayatri.

The scholarly text "Shankracharya Bhashya"- further explains the meaning of GAYATRI as " Giyate Tatva Manaya Gayatriti". 

Meaning : " The DISCERNING PURE INTELLECT (Ritambhara Pragya), which unfolds the ultimate TRUTH and ABSOLUTE KNOWLEDGE is GAYATRI". 

The divine light of GAYATRI generates SADBUDDHI.  

How does an increase in Sadbuddhi help?

"Sadbuddhi helps strengthen an individuals virtuous tendencies , enlightens the PRANA and propels the individual towards an ideal way of success and glory"....... 


ADDITIONAL READING ON THE GAYATRI MANTRA AND IT's MATERIAL AND SPIRITUAL BENEFITS:






Source and credits : An excerpt from the marvellous Book " GAYATRI SADHANA - WHY and HOW !- By Vedmurthi Acharya Shriram Sharma 
READ THIS BOOK ONLINE by following the LINK below : 

                                        ******

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Inspirational Quotes and Short Stories from - The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa!

Dear Readers -

Enclosed here are short inspirational quotes, quotes and informative excerpts from the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa. Sri Ramakrishna explains difficult to understand concepts to lay people through the use of short illustrations and parables. 


Quoted Text:

"I ask people to live in the world after the awakening of their spiritual consciousness. After extracting gold through hard labour, a man may keep it under earth or in a box or under water. The gold is not affected.

"I ask people to live in the world in a spirit of detachment. If you break the jack-fruit after rubbing oil on your hands, its sticky juice will not smear them.

"If the 'unripe' mind dwells in the world, the mind gets soiled. One should first attain knowledge and then live in the world.

"If you put milk in water the milk is spoiled. But this will not happen if butter, churned from the milk, is put in water."

DWIJA'S FATHER: "That is true, sir."

                                                                      *******                                     

(To the doctor) "Look here. If a man truly believes that God alone does everything, that He is the Operator and man the machine, then such a man is verily liberated in life. 'Thou workest Thine own work; men only call it theirs.' Do you know what it is like? Vedānta philosophy gives an illustration. Suppose you are cooking rice in a pot, with potato, egg-plant, and other vegetables. After a while the potatoes, eggplant, rice, and the rest begin to jump about in the pot. They seem to say with pride: 'We are moving! We are jumping!' The children see it and think the potatoes, egg-plant, and rice are alive and so they jump that way. But the elders, who know, explain to the children that the vegetables and the rice are not alive; they jump not of themselves, but because of the fire under the pot; if you remove the burning wood from the hearth, then they will move no more. Likewise the pride of man, that he is the doer, springs from ignorance. Men are powerful because of the power of God. All becomes quiet when that burning wood is taken away. The puppets dance well on the stage when pulled by a wire, but they cannot move when the wire snaps.

"A man will cherish the illusion that he is the doer as long as he has not seen God, as long as he has not touched the Philosopher's Stone. So long will he know the distinction between his good and bad actions. This awareness of distinction is due to God's māyā; and it is necessary for the purpose of running His illusory world. But a man can realize God if he takes shelter under His Vidyā-māyā and follows the path of righteousness. He who knows God and realizes Him is able to go beyond māyā. He who firmly believes that God alone is the Doer and he himself a mere instrument is a jivanmukta, a free soul though living in a body. I said this to Keshab Chandra Sen."

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(To M.) "When God assumes a human body for the sake of His devotees, many of His devotees accompany Him to this earth. Some of them belong to the inner circle, some to the outer circle, and some become the suppliers of His physical needs.

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MASTER (to Narendra) : "An outcaste was carrying a load of meat. Sankaracharya, after bathing in the Ganges, was passing by. Suddenly the outcaste touched him. Sankara said sharply: 'What! You touched me!' 'Revered sir,' he replied, 'I have not touched you nor have you touched me. Reason with me: Are you the body, the mind, or the buddhi? Analyse what you are. You are the Pure Ātman, unattached and free, unaffected by the three Gunās-sattva, rajas, and tamas.'

"Do you know what Brahman is like? It is like air. Good and bad smells are carried by the air, but the air itself is unaffected."

NARENDRA: "Yes, sir."

MASTER: "He is beyond the Gunās and māyā-beyond both the 'māyā of knowledge' and the 'māyā of ignorance'. 'Woman and gold' is the 'māyā of ignorance'. Knowledge, renunciation, devotion, and other spiritual qualities are the splendours of the 'māyā of knowledge'.

Master teaches Narendra Brahmajnana

MASTER (to Narendra) : "An outcaste was carrying a load of meat. Sankaracharya, after bathing in the Ganges, was passing by. Suddenly the outcaste touched him. Sankara said sharply: 'What! You touched me!' 'Revered sir,' he replied, 'I have not touched you nor have you touched me. Reason with me: Are you the body, the mind, or the buddhi? Analyse what you are. You are the Pure Ātman, unattached and free, unaffected by the three Gunās-sattva, rajas, and tamas.'

"Do you know what Brahman is like? It is like air. Good and bad smells are carried by the air, but the air itself is unaffected."

NARENDRA: "Yes, sir."

MASTER: "He is beyond the Gunās and māyā-beyond both the 'māyā of knowledge' and the 'māyā of ignorance'. 'Woman and gold' is the 'māyā of ignorance'. Knowledge, renunciation, devotion, and other spiritual qualities are the splendours of the 'māyā of knowledge'.
                                        
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About his parents Sri Ramakrishna once said: "My mother was the personification of rectitude and gentleness. She did not know much about the ways of the world; innocent of the art of concealment, she would say what was in her mind. People loved her for open-heartedness. My father, an orthodox brāhmin, never accepted gifts from the Śudrās. He spent much of his time in worship and meditation, and in repeating God's name and chanting His glories. Whenever in his daily prayers he invoked the Goddess Gāyatri, his chest flushed and tears rolled down his cheeks. He spent his leisure hours making garlands for the Family Deity, Raghuvir."

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M. (humbly):"How ought we to live in the world?"

MASTER: "Do all your duties, but keep your mind on God. Live with all - with wife and children, father and mother - and serve them. Treat them as if they were very dear to you, but know in your heart of hearts that they do not belong to you. 

"A maidservant in the house of a rich man performs all the household duties, but her thoughts are fixed on her own home in her native village. She brings up her Master's children as if they were her own. She even speaks of them as 'my Rāma' or 'my Hari'. But in her own mind she knows very well that they do not belong to her at all. 

"The tortoise moves about in the water. But can you guess where her thoughts are? There on the bank, where her eggs are lying. Do all your duties in the world, but keep your mind on God. 

"If you enter the world without first cultivating love for God, you will be entangled more and more. You will be overwhelmed with its danger, its grief, its sorrows. And the more you think of worldly things, the more you will be attached to them. 

"First rub your hands with oil and then break open the jack-fruit; otherwise they will be smeared with its sticky milk. First secure the oil of divine love, and then set your hands to the duties of the world. 

"But one must go into solitude to attain this divine love. To get butter from milk you must let it set into curd in a secluded spot; if it is too much disturbed, milk won't turn into curd. Next, you must put aside all other duties, sit in a quiet spot, and churn the curd. Only then do you get butter.

"Further, by meditating on God in solitude the mind acquires knowledge, dispassion, and devotion. But the very same mind goes downward if it dwells in the world. In the world there is only one thought: 'woman and gold'.2

"The world is water and the mind milk. If you pour milk into water they become one; you cannot find the pure milk any more. But turn the milk into curd and churn it into butter. Then, when that butter is placed in water, it will float. So, practise spiritual discipline in solitude and obtain the butter of knowledge and love. Even if you keep that butter in the water of the world the two will not mix. The butter will float. 

                                               *******
Source and credits :
To read the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa - please visit our Life Transforming Books section and scroll down to the Gospel.

For those that are yet unaware - Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Acharya Shriram Sharma are one and the same. 


Tuesday, August 27, 2013

The Meaning of - असतो माँ सद्गम्य ! तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ! मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय !

The meaning of : 

असतो माँ सद्गम्य ।   तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ।   मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय । । 

From untruth lead me to the Truth . From darkness (of ignorance) lead me to Light (of Knowledge). From death lead me to immortality.
                                             - BRIHADARANYAKA UPANISHAD


Gayatri Mantra - Video lecture and explanation in English on how to recite and meditate on the Gayatri Mantra .

Dear Readers :

Enclosed here is a video lecture and explanation of the meaning and scientific benefits of Gayatri Mantra . This video is in English and was delivered in 2007. The lecture explanation gives details on how we should  recite the Gayatri  Mantra and how we should  meditate upon it.

As we open the windows of a dark room and allow the Suns rays to filter into the room ...darkness is dispelled and replaced by light. The Gayatri Mantra has the same influence upon our lives. 

Gayatri recitation and meditation should be done daily . The process of Gayatri Mantra recitation and meditation is explained in detail in the enclosed video. The video also explains in detail the pictorial representation of the Gayatri Mantra as Gayatri Mata ( The five heads of Gayatri Mata, the significance of the book in her hand, the relevance of the Swan and other details of the Gayatri Mata picture are touched upon ,in this lecture). 


This lecture is delivered by Dr Pranav Pandya, the current chairperson of the "All World Gayatri Pariwar". Dr Pandya is a doctor by formal education and an eminent Gayatri Sadhak and spiritual disciple of Acharya Shriram Sharma. He has written several books and  is a prolific speaker on The Bhagvad Gita .

Source and credits : awgp.org


Gayatri Mantra- its meaning and its application as a solution to modern day stresses and problems.( Video lecture and explanation by Dr Pranav Pandya)

Dear Readers - 

Enclosed here is a video in Hindi that explains the meaning , impact and benefits of the Gayatri Mantra in  our individual lives. The lecture explains in detail the meaning of the Gayatri Mantra itself and also explains -how we can solve our daily lives problems by incorporating the meaning of this Mantra into our lives.

This powerful  lecture is delivered by Dr Pranav Pandya , the current chairperson of  the All World Gayatri Pariwar. Dr Pranav Pandya is a doctor by profession and an eminent  spiritual disciple of Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya. 

The enclosed video is in Hindi. The video starts with a Bhajan and the lecture starts at 7:42.





Video Title : Gayatri Mantra- its meaning and its application as a solution to modern day stresses and problems.

Source and credits : All World Gayatri Pariwar.


Thursday, July 11, 2013

INDIA's contributions to the World ( "Samast Vishwa Ko Bharat Key Ajasra Anudaan" ) - a book by Acharya Shriram Sharma.

Dear Readers -
Enclosed here is a fabulous presentation made by the Youth Cell of "Gayatri Pariwar-Bangalore". This presentation is based on the iconic book by Acharya Shriram Sharma titled " Samast Vishwa Ko Bharat Key Ajasra Anudaan".

The enclosed  presentation lists the historical contributions of India in the field of Mathematics, Physics, Geography, Economics, Medicine, Astronomy, and above all its contributions to Humanity  and Spirituality
The presentation also details  the thoughts of various leading European and Western Thinkers on India's immeasurable contributions to world history and progress.
Its a wonderful presentation that tells us of our Glorious past and inspires us to attain greater GLORY in the future !






Source and credits : Youth Cell - All World Gayatri Pariwar, Bangalore.
Visit our Life Transforming Books section to explore Books by Acharya Shriram Sharma.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa Sayings and Quotations

Enclosed below are very powerful and motivational sayings and Quotes of Sri  Ramakrishna Paramhansa . These sayings are as  listed on the Ramakrishna Mission Belurmath website. They are worth bookmarking and incorporating as part our daily reads. 

Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa 

Quotations and Sayings
You see many stars in the sky at night, but not when the sun rises. Can you therefore say that there are no stars in the heavens during the day? O man, because you cannot find God in the days of your ignorance, say not that there is no God.

One cannot have the vision of God as long as one has these three – shame, hatred, and fear.

Be not a traitor in your thoughts. Be sincere; act according to your thoughts; and you shall surely succeed. Pray with a sincere and simple heart, and your prayers will be heard.

Do not let worldly thoughts and anxieties disturb your mind. Do everything that is necessary in the proper time, and let your mind be always fixed on God.

You should remember that the heart of the devotee is the abode of God. He dwells, no doubt, in all beings, but He especially manifests Himself in the heart of the devotee. The heart of the devotee is the drawing room of God.

Pure knowledge and pure love are one and the same thing. Both lead the aspirants to the same goal. The path of love is much easier.

Who is the best devotee of God? It is he who sees, after the realization of Brahman that God alone has become all living beings, the universe, and the twenty-four cosmic principles. One must discriminate at first, saying 'Not this, not this', and reach the roof. After that one realizes that the steps are made of the same materials as the roof, namely, brick, lime, and brick-dust. The devotee realizes that it is Brahman alone that has become all these — the living beings, the universe, and so on.


I tell you the truth: there is nothing wrong in your being in the world. But you must direct your mind toward God; otherwise you will not succeed. Do your duty with one hand and with the other hold to God. After the duty is over you will hold to God with both hands.

The breeze of His grace is blowing day and night over your head. Unfurl the sails of your boat (mind), if you want to make rapid progress through the ocean of life.

One should constantly repeat the name of God. The name of God is highly effective in the Kaliyuga. The practice of yoga is not possible in this age, for the life of a man depends on food. Clap your hands while repeating God's name, and the birds of your sins will fly away.

He is born in vain who, having attained the human birth, so difficult to get, does not attempt to realize God in this very life.
                                                           ******



Source and credits : 

Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna as published on the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission (Belurmath)Website .The Belurmath website also has some great wallpapers of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa that you can download for free .
Additional Note : For those that are yet unaware Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Shri Ram Sharma Acharya are one and the same.


Thursday, June 13, 2013

How to attain individual happiness and the path to greatness for societies and individuals!

Many of us reading this post may have already achieved a fair degree of material, educational and career success. Yet happiness and 'peace of mind' remain elusive. If we have a million dollars , we need another five to make us feel secure and happy. If we have a house , we still need a larger one ....and we are never quite satisfied and happy with what we have !

The following excerpts are from the writings of Acharya Shriram Sharma (who was  Ramkrishna Paramhansa , Kabir and Samarth Guru RamDass in his former lives) that nudge us to PAUSE and THINK! They tell us that apart from securing a basic living for ourselves and our family, real happiness does not lie with career or material success. Then where does real happiness lie? How do we reduce stress and achieve peace of mind? The following excerpts from the short, simple and succinct book "Pause and Think" help us find some pointers towards this direction .



Quoted Text -How to achieve individual happiness and ensure collective progress of society :

Thirst for wealth and leaving a monetary  inheritance for children:
"The thirst for wealth, like lust and anger, produces insensitivity and  makes us hard -hearted. Humanity, therefore  does not lie in looting the goods of others, stealing from others and insufficient payment for work done by others. Man be-gets  severe downfall through such acts. 
Do you wish to make your children lazy and useless by leaving such sinful earnings as  their inheritance? Why do you wish to collect that wealth which is not going to accompany you to your next life? Why do you come within its grip? If you forget your soul and the goal of life by becoming a victim of greed, how will such wealth benefit you ? Just leave it. Joy lies only in the income earned through  hard and honest work.

Feelings of jealousy while witnessing others progress:
The feeling of jealousy is another reason for a man's downfall. One progresses according to his capacity and circumstances. When one's capacity is developed with humaneness, nobody's interest is hurt. However, when one develops jealousy and-malice on seeing the prosperity of others, that ensures the person's  personal downfall and there starts the collective downfall of society..

Man's life is not for burning away in malice and jealousy. God has given us this human body for developing within us the attitudes of service, warmth, love,compassion, justice etc. We should imbibe these for developing excellence of character-to make for a purposeful life, to make people happy and contribute towards spreading-happiness in society.


The aim of spirituality:
The aim of spiritualism is to save men from the damage of sins and bad thoughts and lead them to peace and happiness through truth and religion. It is wrong to assume that we will be at a loss by adopting a religious life. That "religion" which causes loss and harm to society cannot be called religion, because the practice of a religious life teaches good behaviour should bring peace. 
The hypocrisy practised by certain Gurus or Baba's or other self proclaimed prophets is not religion and joining such sects always causes harm. Real religion gives correct guidelines of moral conduct and leads to progress both  in this as well as outer worlds. In ancient India when religious atmosphere prevailed in every household, there was wealth, strength, knowledge, love, warmth and  joy. Today when most of us have adopted immoral, irreligious thinking and behaviour, we find hell dominating the households.

Today we find ourselves surrounded by demoniacal tendencies. Our individual lives are also seen to be filled with them. As a result, despite getting the gift of human life, we are living a despicable life. Similarly the social system  is also dominated by corruption and greed , because of which, troubles have taken hold of our health, economy, society, political life, mutual relations, morality, ability, industrial production etc. Thus there is turmoil in every section of the society.
There is only one solution for individual happiness and peace in the society -the development of good tendencies and defeat of demoniacal tendencies. Unless and until the demoniacal tendencies are defeated, the restless atmosphere cannot be ruled out.

Lord Buddha on self interest and selfishness :
Who is the smallest one in the world?” asked a child. Lord Buddha became serious and said, “One who thinks of himself alone and thinks only his self interest as most important”. In these few and simple words he drew the outlines of practical spiritualism. The aim of soul's uplift or development is that man should come out of his narrow mindedness for personal pleasures and become broad -minded and generous towards society. 
Joy  does not lie in taking from others, but in giving to others. As long as man has the ambition and keen desire of only collecting and storing away for himself , he remains  small, lowly, helpless, and useless. But the moment he uses his mind, body, intelligence and his capacities for the greater good of humanity, his greatness also starts spreading its fragrance all round.

Source and credits :
The above are excerpts from the writings of Acharya Shriram Sharma aggregated in a book titled "Pause and Think". Acharya Shriram Sharma wrote in Hindi and the English translations have been done by his readers and followers.
Visit our Life Transforming Books section to explore books on a variety of subjects. Visit our ONLINE BOOK STORE to read these fabulous books online.


Thursday, May 23, 2013

Free Book Download from Spiritualbee.com : The Master as I saw HIM - by Sister Nivedita


Thumbnail image for 5 Amazing Photos and Anecdotes from the Life of Swami Vivekananda

“The Master as I Saw Him” is a wonderful book, famous for its chronicling of intense spiritual experiences from the life of Swami Vivekananda, as noted by his disciple Sister Nivedita. Among the many gripping anecdotes that occur in this book are:
  • Lord Buddha manifesting before Vivekananda, as he sat meditating in his room, as a youth;
  • The bestowing of the boon of “death at will” by Lord Shiva, when Vivekananda visited the Himalayan shrine of Amarnath;
  • His actual hearing of the divine voice of ‘the Mother’ at Kshir Bhowani temple;
  • His experience of the Nirvikalpa Samadhi or complete mergence with God;
  • The Swami’s vision of an ancient Rishi (sage) belonging to the Vedic period (at least 4000-3000 BC), chanting Sanskrit mantras from the Vedas, in an ancient rhythm long forgotten;
  • His encounter with distressed spirits who had committed suicide.
Click here to read the FULL SUMMARY AND TO DOWNLOAD THIS BOOK >>

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

What is the meaning of Sadhana ?

When we read on the subject of worship and spirituality - we  often come across the word Sadhana and are encouraged by all illumined spiritual Masters to engage in Sadhana. But what exactly is Sadhana? and how do we apply it practically in our lives ?

Enclosed here is a simple definition of Sadhana in Hindi , followed by a translation in  English. These two definitions are by two spiritual giants of the modern era - Acharya Shriram Sharma and his Life consort - Vandaniya Mataji Bhagwati Devi Sharma .

Acharya Shriram Sharma on Sadhana  :


Translation :

"However bad a person maybe, one ray of Righteous Knowledge is sufficient  enough to get the person  back onto the right path. The only thing required from the person is the resolve to do so . Unlike glass and stone which when once shaped cannot be changed, our mind however can be changed, reshaped  and reformed.
Repeated efforts made by us to reshape our minds by reducing  our weakness's and increasing  our strengths and virtues is called Sadhana.

 Vandaniya Mataji on Sadhana :


English Translation :
"Sadhana means - Making truthful efforts at self improvement while fighting relentlessly with difficulties ".
                                                         ******

Additional reading on the subject of Upasana, Sadhana and Aradhana:
How Do You Pray (2) -The Three Requirements and Benefits of Meaningful Worship