ब्राह्मी (Gotu Kola) herb

Recently horticulture has occupied my mind and I hope to cultivate some great natural herbs in my garden. One of them that captured my mind is Gotu Kola. In Hindi, it's called Brahmi. I remember from my childhood that we used to buy Brahmi Amla Oil for our hair.

Seen in the picture on the left, Brahmi is a great herb for the brain. It can calm and soothe our nerves. It's scientific name is Centella Asiatica. It has been traditionally used in Ayurved as a medicinal herb to treat mental fatigue, skin diseases and stomach ailments etc. It can be used and taken as powder, tea, paste or in supplements. My grandfather was an expert in herbal medicines and I hope I can bring those experiences alive through my efforts.

More on other herbs later...

Honest advisors

Marichi says to King Ravan in Ramayan:

सुलभः पुरुषः राजन् सततं प्रियवादिनः।
अप्रियस्य तु पथ्यस्य श्रोता वक्ता च दुर्लभः॥

Which means, O' gracious King, you will easily find people who always speak sweetly. But, rare are...the speakers and listeners........of bitter but honest advice that shows the right path.

These words are said many times, such as Maarichi saying it to Ravan and Vidur saying it to Dhritrashtra. Maarichi later transformed into the deceitful golden deer that took Ram away from Panchvati, in Ramayan. Vidur was an advisor to King Dhritrashtra, the father of Kauravas in Mahabharat.

सिय स्वयम्वर

MUST SEE:
१. स्वयंवर सभा १ तथा स्वयम्वर सभा २
२. धनुष भंग
३. परशुराम संवाद १ तथा संवाद २

TEXT FROM VIDEOS ABOVE AND MORE FROM RAMCHARITMANAS:

When everyone seated in Janak sabha, both brother came along with Brahmarishi Vishwamitr...
राजकुंवर तेहि अवसर आए। मनहुं मनोहरता तन छाये॥
गुन सागर नागर बर बीरा। सुंदर स्यामल गौर सरीरा॥
Then, came forth the two princes, the very abodes of beauty as it were.
Oceans of goodness refined in culture gallant heroes of exceeding grace, one charmingly dark-hued, the other brightly fair.

राज समाज बिराजत रूरे। उडगन महुं जनु जुग बिधु पूरे॥
जिन्ह कें रही भावना जैसी। प्रभु मूरति तिन्ह देखी तैसी॥
Resplendent amidst the galaxy of kings, they shone like two full moons amid a circle of stars. The reflection of his own inner disposition, each one there saw in the form of Lord.

After welcoming the Rishi and two brothers, Janak invited Sita to the Swayamvar...
चली संग लै सखीं सयानी। गावत गीत मनोहर बानी॥
सोह नवल तनु सुंदर सारी। जगत जननि अतुलित छवि भारी॥
Sita stepped forth, amid her charming, clever companions. As they sang in lovely melodious voices. A beautiful sari adorned her youthful body, Mother of the world was she incomparable in her beauty.

रंगभूमि जब सिय पगु धारी। देखि रूप मोहे नर नारी॥
When Sita stepped into the arena, all beholders, gazed enraptured, men and women alike.

सिय चकित चित रामहि चाहा। भए मोहबस सब नरनाहा॥
मुनि समीप देखे दोउ भाई। लगे ललकि लोचन निधि पाई॥
While Sita shyly looked for Ram with an anxious heart in that sabha, Gripped in infatuation were all kings gathered there. Soon Sita discovered the brothers beside the Rishi, On them were fastened her lovingly greedy eyes, as on the long-lost treasure.

गुरुजन लाज समाजु बड़ देखि सीय सकुचानि।
लागि बिलोकन सखिन्ह तन रघुबीरहि उर आनि॥
As she saw the sages and the large assembly, A modest Sita retreated, shrinking into herself. She turned her eyes towards her companions, Yet having drawn Ram into her heart.
(Beautiful scene....must see in the video #1)

तब बंदीजन जनक बोलाए। बिरिदावली कहत चलि आए॥
कह नृपु जाइ कहहु पन मोरा। चले भाट हियँ हरषु न थोरा॥
Then King Janak summoned the bards, And they came singing the praises of royalty. King then ordered them to announce his promise to everyone, Even bards were immersed in great happiness.

नृपु भुजबलु बिधु सिवधनु राहू। गरुअ कठोर बिदित सब काहू॥
रावनु बानु महाभट भारे। देखि सरासन गवँहिं सिधारे॥
To the moon your valour this bow is the eclipse, Massive and unyielding it is all know. Even the mighty warriors Ravan and Baanasur slipped quietly away when the bow beheld.

सोइ पुरारि कोदंडु कठोरा। राज समाज आजु जोइ तोरा॥
त्रिभुवन जय समेत बैदेही। बिनहिं बिचार बरइ हठि तेहि॥
This day, whoever in this royal assembly breaks this yonder unbending bow. He who thus becomes the victor of three worlds, Him, the daughter of Janak (Vaidehi) shall marry, Forthwith and knowing no hesitation.

तमकि ताकि तकि सिवधनु धरहीं। उठइ न कोटि भाँति बलु करहीं॥
जिन्ह के कछु बिचारु मन माहीं॥ चाप समीप महीप न जाहीं॥
With angry looks and steady aim, they grasped the bow, The bow refused to be lifted for all their exertions. They that had some sense in them, Refrained from even going near the bow.

तमकि धरहिं धनु मूढ़ नृप उठइ न चलहिं लजाइ।
मनहुँ पाइ भट बाहुबलु अधिकु अधिकु गरुआइ॥
The fools among princes indignantly strained at it, But retreated in shame when the bow stirred not. As if by absorbing the strength of each, it grew heavier and heavier.

डगइ न संभु सरासनु कैसें। कामी बचन सती मनु जैसें॥
Shiva's bow stirred no more than a chaste lady's heart at the allurements of a gallant. (जैसे किसी सती का मन किसी कामी पुरुष के वचनों से कभी चलायमान नहीं होता। Great adjectives from Tulsidas...a rare sight in Kaliyug)
Then, King Janak got upset with all present and insulted their bravery. When Lakshaman heard his words, he got angry too and told Janak that when Raghukul prince Ram is present, Janak shouldn't speak such words. Ram then calms Lakshan down. At that moment,

बिस्वामित्र समय सुभ जानी। बोले अति सनेहमय बानी॥
उठहु राम भंजहु भवचापा। मेटहु तात जनक परितापा॥
Rishi Vishwamitr perceiving that the right moment had arrived, spoke in tones most endearing and soft. Arise, O'Ram and break the mighty bow of Shiva, And relieve father Janak of his deep distress.

सुनि गुरु बचन चरन सिरु नावा। हरषु बिषादु न कछु उर आवा॥
On hearing the Guru's words, Ram bowed in reverence, neither joy nor sorrow was in his tranquil heart.

सहजहिं चले सकल जग स्वामी। मत्त मंजु बर कुंजर गामी॥
He rose in all his natural innate grace, So imperious his carriage, just like an excited elephant.

उदित उदय गिरि मंच पर रघुबर बालपतंग।
बिकसे संत सरोज सब हरषे लोचन भृंग॥
Like the morning sun climbing the eastern peaks, So did Ram rise to ascend the dais. Rejoiced all the saints like so many lotus blooms, Their eyes filled with joy like awakening bees at dawn.

तब रामहि बिलोकि बैदेही। सभय हृदयँ बिनवति जेहि तेही॥
Then Sita daughter of Janak cast a glance towards Ram, Her Heart awash with anxiety Sita implored this god and that.

मनहीं मन मनाव अकुलानी। होहु प्रसन्न महेस भवानी॥
करहु सफल आपनि सेवकाई। करि हितु हरहु चाप गरुआई॥
Distraught, she prayed to them in her heart, "Be gracious to me O'Mahesh and Bhavani". "Reward my devoted service to you", "And favor me by lightening the weight of your bow".

गननायक बर दायक देवा। आजु लगें कीन्हिउँ तुअ सेवा॥
बार बार बिनती सुनि मोरी। करहु चाप गुरुता अति थोरी॥
"O'Ganesh, Chief of Shiva's attendents And bestower of boons, It is for this day that I served you with devotion". "Hear the supplications I make again and yet again and, Reduce the weight of the bow to a mere trifle".

तन मन बचन मोर पनु साचा। रघुपति पद सरोज चितु राचा॥
"If I am true to my vow in thought, word and deed", "And if my heart be true to the lotus feet of Ram".

तौ भगवानु सकल उर बासी। करिहि मोहि रघुबर कै दासी॥
जेहि कें जेहि पर सत्य सनेहू। सो तेहि मिलइ न कछु संदेहू॥
"Then God, who dwells in the hearts of all will make me the handmaiden of Ram. For wherever souls are bound in true affection, their union is sure to follow, with never a doubt."

राम बिलोके लोग सब चित्र लिखे से देखि।
चितई सीय कृपायतन जानी बिकल बिसेषि॥
Then, Ram first looked at the crowd of spectators, And found them motionless like still, painted pictures. As he turned his eyes towards Sita, the most gracious lord perceived that Sita was deeply distressed.

देखी बिपुल बिकल बैदेही। निमिष बिहात कलप सम तेही।
तृषित बारि बिनु जो तनु त्यागा। मुएँ करइ का सुधा तड़ागा॥
Seeing Sita in such distress, every passing moment felt like eternity to Ram. When a thirsty man dies for want of water, Of what avail is a lake of nectar to him once he's dead.

का बरषा सब कृषी सुखानें। समय चुकें पुनि का पछितानें॥
अस जियँ जानि जानकी देखी। प्रभु पुलके लखि प्रीति बिसेषी॥
What use the rain when the whole crop has withered, What gains repentence when opportunity is lost. (This is one of Tulsidas' famous doha).
Reflecting inwardly thus, Ram looked at Sita, And thrilled all over, at her singular steadfast love.

गुरहि प्रनामु मनहिं मन कीन्हा। अति लाघवँ उठाइ धनु लीन्हा॥
Inwardly, he bowed to his wise preceptor, Vishwamitr, And, took up the bow with utmost ease and agility.

लेत चढ़ावत खैंचत गाढ़े। काहुँ न लखा देख सबु ठाढ़ें॥
तेहि छ्न राम मध्य धनु तोरा। भरे भुवन धुनि घोर कठोरा॥
No one could estimate how quickly Ram lifted the bow, stretched the string and put it on the bow. And, then he broke the bow from the middle that filled the universe with its strong sound.

That's how Sita swayamvar ends with the marriage of Sita and Ram.

Ramayan's pearls of wisdom

There is no other inspirational source better than Ramayan for the best virtues of human life. Everytime I recite Ramcharitmanas or play the Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan DVD, I can't stop getting overwhelmed by the words and characters of the sacred text. In fact, the words that I never understood became more clear after watching the DVD and rekindling the memories of my childhood. Each and every word of Ramayan is filled with knowledge that should be adopted and kept in mind always. Here are a few instances:

When Ram and Lakshaman accompany guru Vishwamitr to the swayamvar of Sita upon receiving king Janak's invitation, the kings and princes present in Janak's sabha ridiculed both brothers, saying guru has brought two kids to tie the string on the bow. At that time, Tulsidas says, जाकी रही भावना जैसी, प्रभु मूरत देखि तिन तैसी। Fools were busy making fun of Ram when he got up and proceeded towards the bow. Tulsidas says, the bow became heavier and heavier for the kings with their ego and arrogance.

When Ram tied the bow string and then broke the Shiv Dhanush with little power, the strong vibrations from the bow reached lord Parashuram who arrived angrily at the scene. After he got ready to fight a war on Lakshman's arguments, Ram came forward to apologize and accept his punishment. Parashuram even ridiculed Ram and called him a manipulator and trying to protect their faults. But, Ram gave him an answer that hypnotized lord Parashuram and he saw lord Vishnu in Ram. Ram offered himself for the punishment and said... जोऊ लरिका कछु अचगरि करहीं। गुर पितु मात मोद मन भरहीं ॥ Thus he saved Lakshman from Parashuram's anger. Ram called himself a sevak and Parashuram a brahmin (विप्र). Ram said, as a Chhatriya, he only had one quality in his bow but as a brahim, Parashuram had nine qualities (शम, दम, तप, शौच, क्षमा, सरलता, ज्ञान, विज्ञान और आस्तिकता). And, he said, बिप्रबंस कै असि प्रभुताई। अभय होई जो तुम्हहि डराई॥ Meaning that the greatness of his vipravansh was such that invincibles also were frightened by him. श्री रघुनाथ जी के ऐसे कोमल और रहस्यपूर्ण वचन सुनते ही परशुराम जी ने उनमें नारायण भगवान् का रूप देखा और उनकी बुद्धि के पट खुल गए। Then, lord Parashuram asked, hey ramapati (or Lakshmipati), I have a lord Vishnu's bow that you should pull to remove all my doubts. Tulsidas recites it, राम रमापति कर धन लेहू। खैंचहु चाप मिटे संदेहू॥ And, Ram does the same and Parashuram bows to Ram with a heart filled with love and joy.

[To be continued...]

१. समाधि पाद (पतंजलि योग का प्रथम अध्याय)

In the past, I wrote about the 7 parts of Patanjali's Yog that include different states of body and mind. In this edition, you would see the different tendencies of the mind that Rishi Patanjali says you should control. Yog scriptures are very focused on mind (mentioned as Chitt or चित्त). In fact, they start by saying:

"योगः चित्तवृत्ति निरोधः । तदा द्र्ष्टु: स्वरूपे अवस्थानम् ॥ वृत्तिसारूप्यमित्ररत्र॥ "

That means, Yog limits the oscillations or tendencies of the mind. When that happens, the soul gets into its "own" form. At other times or until then, the soul acts under these tendencies and does not realize its own form.

Now, there are unlimited types of such tendencies of the mind, but Yog has classified them in 5 categories and each of these tendencies may have two faces (Good or Bad):

1. प्रमाण (Knowledge) - Yog mentions 3 sources of right knowledge: प्रत्यक्ष (Direct Cognition), अनुमान (Inference) and आगम (Revelation). Either you experience it, infer it or receive it by preachings of saints and texts such as Geeta, this knowledge forms a tendency that controls the mind. प्रत्यक्षानुमानागमा: प्रमाणानि।

Of the two faces, if this knowledge is twisted, the individual gets lost in the materialistic world, desires and comforts. But, if the knowledge is pure and without doubts, the soul can realize the blemishes of worldly substances such as their short-life, misery etc.

2. विपर्यय (Illusion) - False or illusory knowledge can also create beliefs or tendencies in our minds. For example, constantly transforming nature of worldly substances can be mistaken for their short-life and thus, lead a person to renounce them. This would constitute a good face of this tendency. विपर्ययो मिथ्याज्ञानमतद्रूपप्रतिष्ठम।

3. विकल्प (Imagination) - Fantasy or imagination of an object in its absence also captivates the mind. Thus, it affects the mind. A good face of this tendency would be to believe in god without ever having seen or perceived. A bad face would be immersing oneself in the worldly forms away from achievement of Yog. शब्दज्ञानानुपाती वस्तुशून्यो विकल्प:।

4. निद्रा (Sleep) - This is the state of total lack of awareness, ego and desires. Just as you wake up with soundness and purity from this state, it presents the good face of this tendency. The bad face would bring laziness and happiness in wasteful resting. Patanjali says sleep is also a state of conscious mind because we remember this state once we wake up. अभावप्रत्ययालम्बना वृत्तिर्निद्रा।

5. स्मृति (Memory) - The impressions of the subjects or situations that are experienced by above 4 tendencies are awakened under this tendency, known as memory. अनुभूतविषयासम्प्रमोष: स्मृति:।

In the end, Patanjali says that the control over these tendencies can only be obtained through practice and renunciation. अभ्यासवैराग्याभ्याम तन्निरोध:।

Individuals behave according to these tendencies in life, irrespective of the "own" self of the soul. These tendencies are conditioned according to many factors in biological and social environment for that individual. A level of understanding that can make the individual realize such placement of soul can only be acquired through dhyan or meditation, as we awaken the Kundalini powers in ourselves. Such powers are targeted by adopting Yog sutras such as Pranayam.

Bertrand Russell:

Three passions have governed my life: The longings for love, the search for knowledge, And unbearable pity for the suffering of [humankind].

Love brings ecstasy and relieves loneliness. In the union of love I have seen In a mystic miniature the prefiguring vision Of the heavens that saints and poets have imagined.

With equal passion I have sought knowledge. I have wished to understand the hearts of [people]. I have wished to know why the stars shine.

Love and knowledge led upwards to the heavens, But always pity brought me back to earth; Cries of pain reverberated in my heart Of children in famine, of victims tortured And of old people left helpless. I long to alleviate the evil, but I cannot, And I too suffer.

This has been my life; I found it worth living.

adapted

Recently Heard...

परिंदों को मंजिलें मिलेंगी यकीनन, यह फैले हुए उनके पर बोलते हैं...
वोह लोग रहते है खामोश अक्सर, ज़माने में जिनके हुनर बोलते हैं ॥

Love

Love...A lot has been written on it...is deeply the essence of life. When understood properly and given unconditionally, love can heal the deepest wounds. There is no other power or material possession in this world that can fill the absence of love. It could be the love between a parent and a kid, a devotee and a god, a husband and a wife, a young and an elder, a student and a teacher and so on. Love begets love. A genuine devotion shows when offered. Omnipresent god can feel it in your heart, so can mortal beings. Love can take many forms and is so pure and simple and ego-free that many would find it hard to understand. They inspect every action, every word of the other to find shortcomings, fear, misbeliefs etc that they waste time and energy to even fathom the virtues of plain simple love. Our great books such as Ramcharitmanas explain love in not so specific words, but in actions.

प्रेम एक वह अमृत है जो जीवन का सार है और जो जीवन को सही दिशा दिखाता है ।

History has many examples...

Tulsidas ji says in Ramcharitmanas about the brotherly love between Ram and Bharat,

अयोध्या काण्ड दोहा २३९ चौपाई ४
कहत सप्रेम नाई महि माथा । भरत प्रनाम करत रघुनाथा ॥
उठे रामु सुनि पेम अधीरा । कहुं पट कहुं निषंग धनु तीरा ॥

जब भाई भरत प्रभु श्रीराम से मिलने के लिए आते हैं और सप्रेम भैया राम को सर नवा कर प्रणाम करते हैं। तो तुलसीदास जी दोनों भाइयों के प्रेम का वर्णन करके कहते हैं...कि दोनों में इतना प्रेम था कि भरत को देखकर राम इतने अधीर हो जाते हैं और मिलने के लिए ऐसे भागते हैं कि पट (कपड़ा) कहीं गिरता है, तरकश कहीं गिरता है और धनुष और तीर कहीं गिरते हैं ।

यही प्रेम सुदामा और कृष्ण भगवान के बीच में दिखता है। वो द्वारपाल के मुख से सुदामा का नाम सुनते ही अपने सिंघासन से दौड़ कर द्वार पर आते हैं और सुदामा को गले से लगा लेते हैं।

More Later......

नवरात्रि आज से...

सभी को नवरात्रि की शुभकामनाएं !!!
आशा करता हूँ की यह पर्व आपके जीवन में उत्साह और उमंग लाये ।

आज के दैनिक जागरण से कुछ पंक्तियाँ...
नवरात्र को ईश्वर की उपासना का पर्व माना गया है। इन दिनों भक्त रामायण व गीता का पाठ करते हैं। ऐसी मान्यता है कि इस पर्व के दौरान तपस्वियों द्वारा व्रत-उपवास रखने से उन्हे आध्यात्मिक शांति और सुख प्राप्त होता है। नवरात्र के साथ देवी दुर्गा के अवतार की कथा भी जुड़ी हुई है। असुरों से पीड़ित देवता प्रजापति ब्रह्मा के पास जाते हैं और पूछते हैं कि हम सद्गुणों से सम्पन्न होते हुए भी दुष्ट असुरों से हारते क्यों हैं? ब्रह्माजी ने उत्तर दिया, 'संगठन और पराक्रम के अभाव में अन्य गुण निष्प्राण बने रहते हैं। संकट से मुक्ति पाने और वर्चस्व के लिए संगठित और पराक्रमी बनने के अतिरिक्त और दूसरा कोई मार्ग नहीं है।' देवताओं ने इसी उक्ति का पालन किया और तब जाकर दानवों का पराभव संभव हुआ।

आइए, नवरात्र के अवसर पर हम जगत माता देवी दुर्गा से यह प्रार्थना करे :

सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिन:, सर्वे सन्तु निरामया:।
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु, मा कश्चिद् दु:ख भाग्यवेत्।

साथ ही, हम यह कामना भी करें कि नवरात्र पर्व सभी साधकों के लिए उज्ज्वल संभावनाएं लेकर आए। ईश्वर गलत मार्ग पर चलने वाले व्यक्तियों को सद्बुद्धि प्रदान करे, ताकि वे कुमार्ग का त्याग कर सन्मार्ग पर चलें।

Service

The greatest pleasure I get is by serving my parents and other elders. A person, however big he/she may become, these things always hold the premium value. Those who know me understand that I can give away every fiber of my being to serve, protect and love them. It's very disheartening to see others in pain who don't have anyone to take care of them. Lately through experiences and contemplation, I have realized that my personal pain is very insignificant to those whose life has been a struggle...those innocent people who can't find solace anywhere or who cannot understand the "cruelty" from heavens bestowed upon them. Lots of them end up asking...why me? Probably there has never been an answer to that. But, there are ways to meditate upon all struggles of life and come to a reasoning for such outcome. Some might say, it was their past life's karmas, or some understand that it's for their good in some other way. Since no one has actually "seen" god, there is tremendous faith in believing in god's existence. If you reason his existence, you probably don't want to believe. That does not make it true or false. The fact is, the god is within you. So, you must wake up and let the pain pass away from you so that you can serve the others who are in pain.

If you press yourself for the selfless service, you will realize that it opens up many venues you never imagined. There are things in life that require quite a bit of practice. But, it's been said in one of the Indian sayings that the following can gradually increase and also decrease; It all depends on which direction it takes:

ससि संकोच, साहस, सलिल, मान, सनेह 'रहीम' ।
बढ़त-बढ़त बढ़ि जात है, घटत-घटत घटि सोम ॥

Moon, Shyness, Courage, Water, Respect and Love - These things naturally take one course or the other. If you want to love someone, it may take upto a quarter of a century before you realize the meaning of true love. On the other hand, a patient on the bed may lie there for months, or he can, through his strength of will and little courage, get up from bed and challenge the disease. He starts walking slowly and his courage goes up day by day. They also say, the victory lies in your determination (मन के जीते जीत है, मन के हारे हार). If the patient develops such strong desire, the body comes along. Same goes for other things in the above saying...Be it the size of moon, water level in floods or a waterwell. Respect is another one and this combines with the selfless service. You serve people because you love them, you respect them and you feel gratified that you have given them something without wanting anything at all in return. That belongs in a very few people. People bring minor problems or obstacles to turn such opportunities away when asked to serve. But, the gist of the whole dicsussion is that it requires PRACTICE to adopt such virtues. You must give up the pride and all so-called comforts and then only, you will start to enjoy serving others. And, you would not have to worry about the future, as with your determination, this good virtue will only go up day by day, as in the saying above.

Religion

People ask, what is the religion? Lots of descriptions, traditions and motivating stories. It all defines a system that people should follow to remain away from evil deeds and do good. Goswami Tulsidas ji says...

पर हित सरसि धरम नहिं भाई।
पर पीड़ा सम नहिं अधमाई॥

He says...my fellow brother, no great religion can match your doing good to others and there is no sin bigger than to give suffering to others.

It is true that no one can truly feel other's suffering, but you must put it in your heart to always do good to others. Even if one doesn't return the favor or does you bad, you should leave it up to the god. Bible also says, "Turn the other cheek, vengeance is mine, sayeth the lord". Once you start trusting the god completely, he will be there everywhere with you, even if you see him or not. So, never forget what the true religion is.

आपने बहुत से लोगों को देखा होगा, जो देखने में सादगी से भरे हुए पर चेहरे पर चमक और विचारों में ताजगी होती है। इस बारे में गायत्री महाविज्ञान में पंडित श्रीराम शर्मा आचार्य जी कहते हैं... कि साधना करने वाले लोग अपने तप, श्रद्धा और विश्वास से सिद्धि की प्राप्ति कर लेते हैं। हनुमान चालीसा में कहा गया है कि हनुमान जी को अष्ट सिद्धियाँ प्राप्त थीं, जो कठोर साधना के बाद मिलती हैं। गायत्री महाविज्ञान कहता है...जिन लोगों को यह सिद्धि प्राप्त हो जाती है, उनमे यह लक्षण आ जाते हैं:

* शरीर में हल्कापन और मन में उत्साह होता है। उनका व्यक्तित्व आकर्षक, नेत्रों में चमक, वाणी में बल, चेहरे पर प्रतिभा, गंभीरता तथा स्थिरता होती है, जिससे दूसरों पर अच्छा प्रभाव पड़ता है।
* शरीर में से एक विशेष प्रकार की सुगंध और दैवी तेज की उपस्थिति प्रतीत होती है।
* त्वचा पर चिकनाई और कोमलता का अंश बढ़ जाता है।
* तामसिक आहार-विहार से घृणा बढ़ जाती है और सात्विक दिशा में मन लगता है। सुख के समय वैभव में अधिक आनंद न होना और दुःख, कठिनाई और आपत्ति में धैर्य खोकर किम्कर्तव्यविमूढ न होना उनकी विशेषता होती है।
* स्वार्थ का कम और परमार्थ का अधिक ध्यान रहता है।
* नेत्रों से तेज झलकने लगता है। वह अपनी तपस्या, आयु या शक्ति का एक भाग किसी को देकर लाभान्वित कर सकता है। ऐसे व्यक्ति दूसरों पर 'शक्तिपात' कर सकते हैं।
* किसी व्यक्ति या कार्य के विषय में वह जरा भी विचार करता है तो उसके सम्बन्ध में बहुत सी ऐसी बातें स्वयमेव प्रतिभाषित होती हैं जो परीक्षा करने पर ठीक निकलती हैं।
* दूसरों के मन के भाव जान लेने में देर नहीं लगती।
* भविष्य में घटित होने वाली बातों का पूर्वाभास होने लगता है।
* उसके द्वारा दिए हुए शाप या आशीर्वाद सही होने लगते हैं। अपनी गुप्त शक्तियों से वह दूसरों का बहुत लाभ या अंतरात्मा से दुखी होने पर शाप देकर विपत्तियाँ ला सकता है।

पापों का नाश आत्मतेज की प्रचंडता से होता है। यह तेजी जितनी अधिक होती है उतना ही संस्कार का कार्य शीघ्र और अधिक परिमाण में होता है।

सुंदरकाण्ड दोहा ४
तात स्वर्ग अपबर्ग सुख धरिय तुला एक अंग।
तूल न ताहि सकल मिलि जो सुख लव सतसंग॥
हे तात ! स्वर्ग और मोक्ष के सब सुखों को तराजू के एक पलड़े में रखा जाय तो भी वे सब मिलकर उस सुख के बराबर नहीं हो सकते जो लव (क्षण) मात्र के सत्संग से होता है।

सुंदरकाण्ड दोहा १४ चौपाई ३ (सीता जी को हनुमान जी भगवान राम का संदेश सुनाते हैं...)
कहेहुं तें कछु दुःख घटि होई। काहि कहौं यह जान न कोई॥
तत्व प्रेम कर मम अरु तोरा। जानत प्रिया एकु मनु मोरा॥
मन का दुःख कह डालने से कुछ घट जाता है। पर कहूँ किससे ? यह दुःख कोई जानता नहीं। हे प्रिये! मेरे और तेरे प्रेम का तत्व (रहस्य) एक मेरा मन ही जानता है॥

सुंदरकाण्ड दोहा १४ चौपाई ५ (हनुमान जी सीता जी को समझाते हैं...)
कह कपि हृदय धीर धरु माता। सुमिरु राम सेवक सुखदाता॥
उर आनहु रघुपति प्रभुताई। सुनी मम बचन तजहु कदराई॥
हनुमान जी ने कहा - हे माता! हृदय में धैर्य धारण करो और सेवकों को सुख देने वाले श्रीराम जी का स्मरण करो। श्रीरघुनाथ जी की प्रभुता को हृदय में लाओ और मेरे वचन सुनकर कायरता छोड़ दो॥

सुंदरकाण्ड दोहा १५ चौपाई ४ (सीता जी के मन में छोटे वानरों की सेना देखकर संदेह आ जाता है...)
मोरे ह्रदय परम संदेहा॥ सुनि कपि प्रगट कीन्हि निज देहा॥
कनक भूधराकार सरीरा। समर भयंकर अतिबल बीरा॥
सीता जी कहती हैं - अतः मेरे ह्रदय में भारी संदेह होता है कि तुम जैसे बन्दर राक्षसों को कैसे जीतेंगे! यह सुनकर हनुमान जी ने अपना शरीर प्रकट किया। सोने के पर्वत (सुमेरु) के आकार का अत्यन्त विशाल शरीर था, जो युद्ध में शत्रुओं के ह्रदय में भय उत्पन्न करने वाला, अत्यन्त बलवान और वीर था॥

सुंदरकाण्ड दोहा १९ चौपाई २
जासु नाम जपि सुनहु भवानी। भव बन्धन काटहिं नर ग्यानी॥
तासु दूत कि बंध तरु आवा। प्रभु कारज लगि कपिहिं बँधावा॥
शिव जी पार्वती जी को यह कथा सुना रहे हैं कि जब अशोक वाटिका में हनुमान जी ने उत्पात मचा दिया था, तब रावन से मेघनाथ को भेजा जिसने ब्रह्मास्त्र चला दिया उन पर । हनुमान जी ने उस अस्त्र की गरिमा के लिए उसको अपने ऊपर स्वीकार किया और मेघनाथ उनको बाँध कर ले गया। तो शिव जी कहते हैं... हे भवानी! सुनो, जिनका नाम जपकर ज्ञानी (विवेकी) मनुष्य संसार (जन्म-मरण) के बंधन को काट डालते हैं, उनका दूत कहीं बंधन में आ सकता है? किंतु प्रभु के कार्य के लिए हनुमानजी ने स्वयं अपने को बंधवा लिया॥

सुंदरकाण्ड दोहा २२ चौपाई ३ (हनुमान जी रावन को समझाते हैं...)
राम बिमुख सम्पति प्रभुताई। जाई रही पाई बिनु पाई॥
सजल मूल जिन्ह सरितन्ह नाहीं। बरषि गएँ पुनि तबहिं सुखाहीं॥
रामविमुख पुरूष की संपत्ति और प्रभुता रही हुई भी चली जाती है और उसका पाना ना पाने के बराबर है। जिन नदियों के मूल में कोई जलस्रोत नहीं है (अर्थात जिन्हें केवल बरसात का आसरा है) वे वर्षा बीत जाने पर फिर तुंरत ही सूख जातीं हैं॥

Quotes

Only one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master. For this reason mastery demands all of a person."
- Albert Einstein

I have only one counsel for you - be master.
- Napoleon Bonaparte

Click the image to enlarge

Art of forecasting

Even if the demand for all arts and sciences vanishes in future, never will be so the importance of forecasting as long as humans brains don't mutate. I started thinking about list of places this skill is sought after:

• Astrology - future telling
• Astronomy - forecasting what's going to hit what
• Stock Markets - my account is up or down
• Weather forecasting - rain or snow
• Demand forecasting - who is going to eat what and when
• List goes on...

Forecasting never bores people. They even find charm in the little strip of paper in the fortune cookie. Now that we see its importance in human lives, all we need to understand is how to develop a keen intuition that not only make you look more intelligent but make you handle human relationships properly. Intuition comes from practice, experience and control of internal energies. More later...

Vidhi

This is a story with narration by Bhagwan Ram to Laxman's wife, Urmila...

When Queen Kaikeyi asked King Dashrath to fulfill his old granted promise, the queen asked that his eldest son, Ram, be sent to spend 14 years in the jungle so that her son, Bharat, can become the king of Ayodhya. Laxman, the second elder son, along with Sita, Ram's wife, also accompanied Bhagwan Ram to jungle.

Laxman left her wife Urmila behind in the palace and went to fulfill his father's promise under the harshest conditions of the jungle. One day just after they left, Urmila became anxious and resentful of Bhagwan Ram thinking that he conspired against her and took his wife Sita with him while they left her behind alone in Ayodhya. She went to bhagwan Ram and told him how betrayed and resentful she felt over this treatment. Ram, looking at her obvious pain, told her what no one knew and what was planned by the destiny (Vidhi ka Vidhaan, in Hindi) for all of them.

He said, he took Sita with him because she was to become the ultimate reason for the demise of cruel devils of King Ravan from this earth. However, this was not possible until Meghnath, Ravan's son, was alive, as he was a brave worrior and blessed with godly boons. Then, Ram explained to her how great her character has been placed in this plot of destiny that nothing will be greater than the sacrifice of Urmila and Laxman in this world. It takes a great soul to make that kind of sacrifice and Ram told her that her sacrifice will bless Laxman with immense powers who has been destined to kill Meghnath. And, that's why Laxman and Sita were accompanying him, as has been designed by the destiny. It was only bhagwan Ram, not even Laxman or Sita, who knew of such future events. After he told this to Urmila, she was very consoled and apologetic and prayed to bhagwan Ram, saying she will never worry again when he is with all of them.

The story above is full of highest moral lessons and teaches that no one is exempt from the plot of destiny. Not even bhagwan Ram could shorten the destiny's plan, as explained in Rahim in a doha below:

राम न जाते हरिन संग, सीय न रावन साथ ।
जो 'रहीम' भावी कतहुँ, होत आपने हाथ ॥

Meaning: (If destiny was in our hands, Ram would not have gone after that golden deer and Ravan would not have kidnapped Sita.)

Goes into next slideshow...

• "The hardest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and hence be loved in return." - Gallows

• “We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly” - Sam Keen

• "Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.” - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

• “Love me when I least deserve it, because that's when I really need it.” - Swedish Proverb

• "You know that when I hate you, it is because I love you to a point of passion that unhinges my soul.” - Julie de Lespinasse

• "Love is as much of an object as an obsession, everybody wants it everybody seeks it, but few ever achieve it, those who do, will cherish it, be lost in it, and among all, will never...never forget it.” - Curtis Judalet

• "Love is like seaweed; even if you have pushed it away, you will not prevent it from coming back.” - Nigerian Proverb

• “Falling in love with someone isn't always going to be easy... Anger... tears... laughter.. It's when you want to be together despite it all. That's when you truly love another. I'm sure of it.” - Unknown

• "Love seems the swiftest, but it is the slowest of all growths. No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century." - Mark Twain

• "Hatred ever kills, love never dies. Such is the vast difference between the two. What is obtained by love is retained for all time. What is obtained by hatred proves a burden in reality for it increases hatred." - M. K. Gandhi

• "Absence is to love as wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small and kindles the great." - Roger de Bussy-Rabutin
  

Archery Contest

Once upon a time there was an archery contest, organized by a king at his palace. Santa Singh was also invited along with two others to demonstrate their mastery. King announces the start of the contest in the presence of audience.

The first archer, wearing a long cape covering his face, lines up in position...He takes a deep breath and fires an arrow, which hits right at the center of the target. Then he takes off his cape and screams: I AM...... ROBIN HOOD!!! The crowd cheers!

The second archer with a cape lines up in position. He fires his arrow, which hits the center and cuts Robin Hood's arrow into two!!! He also takes off his cape and screams: I AM...... WILLIAM TELL!!!!!! The crowd cheers!!

Finally our Santa in cape lines up in position...He fires his arrow but it goes all wrong! It flies past the crowd and kills the king!!! Then, Santa Singh takes off his cape and screams: I AM...... SORRY!!!

- contributed by santabanta.com

गीता सार (Bhagwadgeeta Summary)

Whatever happened, happened for good. Whatever is happening, is happening for good. Whatever will happen, will be for good.

"Change is the law of the universe"

What have you lost for which you cry? What did you bring with you, which you have lost? What did you produce, which has destroyed? You did not bring anything when you were born. Whatever you have, you have received from Him. Whatever you will give, you will give to Him. You came empty handed and you will go the same way. Whatever is yours today was somebody else’s yesterday and will be somebody else’s tomorrow.

A million dollar question

A quick note from an article in a recent column. It goes like this:

Always try your best to make peace. In fact, it should be your obligation. Think for a moment about the reason why you would not even try to make things right. You might look foolish, waste your time, be embarrassed, you've already given so much and so on. All of these expressions are tied into the ego. If someone offered you a million dollars, you'd do it. So, why not do it now.

When I read this column today, I really liked the point it made. What it says is that many times it's hard to identify when the ego is involved. Because ego itself is so strongly attached with our thoughts that it is very difficult to discern for most people on when they are not acting out of ego. Ego always acts to satisfy itself. That is why not having it is considered an invaluable virtue, possessed only by a few.

A north indian recipe called फरा

In my ancestral home in father's village in Rae Bareli, there is a recipe that brings water in our mouth. Interestingly, it is not a well-known recipe in that area. I sometimes wonder who brought it there. But, starting from my grandfather to my father and the generation after him still salivate to hear about it. It's called faraa in hindi. It's just like the sweet gujhiya in shape that you eat on Holi, but contains coursely grinded urad daal and some mixture. After being shaped, these faraas are boiled in hot water to cook the outside flour skin and daal filling inside.

Servings: 4
Fara Filling:
Urad and Chana daal - 1/2 cup each
Green chillies (Hari Mirch) - 2
Asafoetida (Heeng) - 1 pinch
Cumin (Jeera) - 1-2 teaspoonfuls
Chilli powder (Lal Mirch) - 1 teaspoonful
Garam Masala - 1 teaspoonful
Cooking Oil - 2 teaspoonfuls
Salt to taste

Outer Skin:
Wheat flour - 2 cups

Cooking Steps:
1. Soak Urad and Chana daals for 3-5 hours. Then, grind and mix the two daals making a paste.
2. Mix water and make dough with the wheat flour. Let it sit for half an hour.
3. Heat oil and add Jeera, Heeng, Hari and Lal Mirch, Garam Masala and fry the masala till it becomes light brown. Keep stirring and mix the daal paste and fry it till it dries a little.
4. Now, make (and roll) the flour dough into chapatis and fill the cooked daal paste. Fold this chapati and filling into half circles. Seal the edges of this half circle filled chapati roll with a little bit of water while rolling one edge over the other. This seals the contents and prevents ruptures. Now, the fara is ready to be cooked.
5. Boil the water in a pan and put it on low flame.
6. When these half-circle rolls are sealed, drop them into the boiling water and put the lid on.
7. After the fara cooks, it is taken out of the water and served hot. To eat, pour a little ghee or dip into a ghee bowl before taking a bite. You can also use a chutney, depending on the taste.

That completes the recipe. Now don't forget to serve it with love. Enjoy!!!

कबीरा यह घर प्रेम का, खाला का घर नाहिं ।
सीस उतारे हाथि करि, सो पैसे घर मांहि ।।

kabir says, this is the abode of love and not the house of your aunt. Only one can enter here who has relinquished all pride.

This translation is contributed by Mr. Rajender Krishan (I chose to pick this one and not write one myself, as this one is written very beautifully.)

Kabir in this doha attempts to explain valor and fearlessness in love and devotion. A person who is able to defeat the passions of Anger, Carnality, Attachment, Greed and Enmity – the enemies within – is the valiant one. To be a lover or a true devotee is the job of a warrior and not of a coward. For love demands complete surrender of one's ego and a spirit full of compassion and poise.

The abode of love is not like a visit to an aunt's house where the social rules of entertaining guests may be available. Instead in this abode of love one enters with the spirit of giving or complete surrender.

Is a genuine offering to the Lord possible without surrendering oneself? Similarly, is love possible between two people when it is based on conditions?

The grind of life

Wish you a big leap on this leap year!!!!!

Here is one dedicated to you...

चलती चक्की देख कर, दिया कबीरा रोये ।
दुई पाटन के बीच में, साबुत बचा न कोए ॥

One of Kabir's dohas points to the realities of life on this earth. It says, just like the two stone grinding plates in a hand-operated grinding machine, earth and sky are the two grinding plates for all existing life. And, all life goes through a similar fate as does anything in the grinding machine. Nothing remains intact in between the two.

Story of Little Dhruv

When people recall someone for their kathor tapasya, Maharishi Dhruv's (ध्रुव) name comes first in the memory. This story was long lost in my mind until tonight when our temple pandit ji told this during the satsang between hanuman chalisa, hanumashtak and arti recitations. The story of Dhruv appears in Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana and it inspires one to overcome the misfortunes, become devoted and thus turn sorrows into eternal joy. In fact, Dhruv name became a synonym of his strong morals and devotion.

Dhruv was a five year old boy and son of King Uttanpad and Suneeti (meaning good morals). Before his birth, the couple were unhappy because she could not conceive and the kingdom needed a heir. So, king married again to Suruchi (meaning good desires). Later, Dhruv was born to Suneeti after the king's second marriage. Among the two wives, the King had a special liking for Suruchi who also gave birth to a son named Uttam. Suruchi was unhappy that her son was younger and secondary to the king's throne in presence of Dhruv. While playing one day, Dhruv saw Uttam sitting on his father's lap and he also wanted to sit on king's lap. When Dhruv went to sit, his step mother Suruchi became angry and lashed out at him saying "you have no right to sit on the throne because you are not my son. You should pray lord Narayan so that you take birth through me to sit on this throne".

Dhruv felt humiliated by her amid father's silence and told her mother Suneeti of the incident. The mother being of high morals consoled Dhruv and said, "My son, don't wish ill for the others. Those who cause sorrow for others, have to face the outcome themselves one day. Your stepmother is right. If you wish to sit on your father’s lap, then start worshipping Vishnu". Upon hearing this, Dhruv set out with firm determination to please lord Vishnu with his tapasya in the forest. On this way, he met Narad muni who asked the little boy to go back.

The deserving do not need to search for a guru. The latter is found at the right time, in the right spot; and a true disciple recognizes him instantly. Narad ji dissuaded Dhruv from undertaking such a difficult task. Narad ji told Dhruv: "You are young, you should be spending your time playing…even great sages have not achieved the Almighty…". But Dhruv was adamant. Narad ji taught Dhruv the technique of prayer and asked him to chant the following mantra: ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaaya’.

Dhruv sat under a Kadamb tree in Madhuban on the banks of river Yamuna and began his recitations taught by Narad ji. During the first month he ate roots and tubers. In the second month he ate dried leaves. During the third month he managed with Yamuna's water. During the fourth month he sustained himself only on the air. Then Dhruv even stopped breathing. Now, standing on one leg only, he was fully concentrating on lord Vishnu. At the moment when Dhruv stopped breathing all the three worlds shook with fear. The demi-Gods ran to Vishnu wailing that the balance of the universe was being disturbed.

Impressed Lord Vishnu arrived in Madhuban to see His beloved devotee Dhruv. As the Lord stood in front of Dhruv, the latter did not open his eyes as he was already seeing the Almighty within his own heart. The Lord made the form that Dhruv was witnessing within himself, disappear! Dhruv became restless and opened his eyes…and Lo and behold, God was standing outside! Dhruv recognized not only the physical aspect of the Lord but also all his hidden attributes of the Almighty! He exclaimed: "You are also within me! You are the one that makes my senses come alive! You are responsible for inspiring my intellect! You have the power of saving man from the cycle of Life and Death! You are capable of fulfilling all desires…and yet men ask of you that which will be the cause of their destruction! One can achieve You only by Your Grace! My desire is that I have the good fortune of listening to the Katha (Devotional narrative) rendered by Your true devotees!" (Note that Dhruv did not express the desire of hearing the Katha from scholars or intellectuals). When the Lord insisted that Dhruv ask for a boon, Dhruv asked for that which the Lord wished to give him. The Lord’s wish was that Dhruv should return to the kingdom. God wanted to establish the fact that God also gives material wealth to his devotees. When Dhruv expressed his fear that he might get ensnared by the grip of the power that material wealth bestows, the Lord promised to protect him always. The Lord knew that Dhruv had started his penance because he had wanted to sit in his father’s lap. Dhruv was transported to the highest point of heaven, where he sits on his Divine father’s lap as the Pole Star,also known as the North Star..The moral of the story is that at one point or another of our life we all encounter situations that are unfair. Instead of focusing on our misfortunes, we should turn to our Divine Father who will give us what we deserve, and turn us into a bright star which will guide misguided spiritual pilgrims to their final divine destination.

Then Dhruv returned to his father's palace. There he was given a grand welcome by everyone, including Suruchi. His father satisfied that Dhruv was in every way capable of running the kingdom crowned Dhruv king and left for the forest in the tradition of Vanaprastha ashram.

The moral of the story is that...at one point or another in our life, we all encounter situations that are unfair. Instead of focusing on our misfortunes, we should turn to our Divine Father who will give us what we deserve, and turn us into a bright star which will guide misguided spiritual pilgrims to their final divine destination.

Life as continuation of karmas

This week during the regular pravachan on Sunday, our temple pandit ji talked about the life as the continuation of our karmas. This means that we have come to this earth to repay the debt incurred by us due to our accumulated karmas over multiple lifetimes. When we would have repaid this debt of karmas, we will not have to take rebirth and bear the pains on this earth. He also told the attendees that a saint (or Sant) is the one who has controlled his desires and learned his wisdom through his tapasya. People should carefully pay attention to such words of the sant vani. In the same context, he mentioned that Sant Kabir has told the essence of life in very simple words:

देह धरे का दंड है, सब काहू को होए,
ज्ञानी भुगते ज्ञान से, मूरख भुगते रोये।

Then, he explained that it means that just being born is a punishment because one has come to this earth for his repayment of the karmic debts, not because of someone else's or parent's wish. Only can he pass this test of repayment by opening up the doors of his mind and learning through the divine wisdom. Vidya or knowledge is said to be an incarnation of Mata Saraswati because it is pure and it lightens up the soul. On the other hand, a fool, as Kabir said in this doha, spends his life in his ego and material attachments and spends time crying his whole life. Therefore, the best way to live this life is by learning through our internal divinity and through the pure wisdom of others.

More on this topic in subsequent blogs...

Rahim on Love

'रहिमन' पैड़ा प्रेम को, निपट सिलसिली गैल।
बिलछत पांव पिपीलिको, लोग लदावत बैल॥

प्रेम की गली में कितनी ज्यादा फिसलन है! चींटी के भी पैर फिसल जाते हैं इस पर। और, हम लोगों को तो देखो, जो बैल लादकर चलने की सोचते है! (दुनिया भर का अहंकार सिर पर लादकर कोई कैसे प्रेम के विकट मार्ग पर चल सकता है? वह तो फिसलेगा ही।)

'रहिमन' प्रीति सराहिये, मिले होत रंग दून।
ज्यों जरदी हरदी तजै, तजै सफेदी चून॥

सराहना ऐसे ही प्रेम की की जाय जिसमें अन्तर न रह जाय। चूना और हल्दी मिलकर अपना-अपना रंग छोड़ देते है। (न दृष्टा रहता है और न दृश्य, दोनों एकाकार हो जाते हैं।)

कहा करौं वैकुण्ठ लै, कल्पबृच्छ की छांह।
'रहिमन' ढाक सुहावनो, जो गल पीतम-बाँह॥

वैकुण्ठ जाकर कल्पवृक्ष की छांहतले बैठने में रक्खा क्या है, यदि वहां प्रियतम पास न हो! उससे तो ढाक का पेड़ ही सुखदायक है, यदि उसकी छांह में प्रियतम के साथ गलबाँह देकर बैठने को मिले।

जे सुलगे ते बुझ गए, बुझे ते सुलगे नाहिं।
'रहिमन' दाहे प्रेम के, बुझि-बुझिकैं सुलगाहिं॥

आग में पड़कर लकड़ी सुलग-सुलगकर बुझ जाती है, बुझकर वह फिर सुलगती नहीं। लेकिन प्रेम की आग में दग्ध हो जाने वाले प्रेमीजन बुझकर भी सुलगते रहते है। (ऐसे प्रेमी ही असल में 'मरजीवा' हैं।)

यह न 'रहीम' सराहिये, देन-लेन की प्रीति।
प्रानन बाजी राखिये, हार होय कै जीत॥

ऐसे प्रेम को कौन सराहेगा, जिसमें लेन-देन का नाता जुड़ा हो! प्रेम क्या कोई खरीद-फरोख्त की चीज है? उसमें तो लगा दिया जाय प्राणों का दांव, परवा नहीं कि हार हो या जीत!

'रहिमन' मैन-तुरंग चढ़ि, चलिबो पावक माहिं।
प्रेम-पंथ ऐसो कठिन, सब कोउ निबहत नाहिं॥

प्रेम का मार्ग हर कोई नहीं तय कर सकता। बड़ा कठिन है उस पर चलना, जैसे मोम के बने घोड़े पर सवार हो आग (पावक) पर चलना।

- Dohas provided by unknown friend

Rahim on life lessons

जैसी जाकी बुद्धि है, तैसी कहै बनाय।
ताको बुरो न मानिये, लेन कहां सूँ जाय॥

जिसकी जैसी जितनी बुद्धि होती है, वह वैसा ही बन जाता है, या बना-बना कर वैसी ही बात करता है। उसकी बात का इसलिए बुरा नहीं मानना चाहिए। कहां से वह सम्यक बुद्धि लेने जाय?

खरच बढ्यो उद्यम घट्यो, नृपति निठुर मन कीन।
कहु 'रहीम' कैसे जिए, थोरे जल की मीन॥

राजा भी निठुर बन गया, जबकि खर्च बेहद बढ़ गया और उद्यम मे कमी आ गयी। ऐसी दशा में जीना दूभर हो जाता है, जैसे जरा से जल में मछली का जीना।

खीरा को सिर काटिकै, मलियत लौन लगाय।
'रहिमन' करुवे मुखन की, चहिए यही सजाय॥

चलन है कि खीरे का ऊपरी सिरा काट कर उस पर नमक मल दिया जाता है। कड़ुवे वचन बोलनेवाले की यही सजा है।

सब कोऊ सबसों करें, राम जुहार सलाम।
हित अनहित तब जानिये, जा दिन अटके काम॥

आपस में मिलते हैं तो सभी सबसे राम-राम, सलाम और जुहार करते हैं। पर कौन मित्र है और कौन शत्रु, इसका पता तो काम पड़ने पर ही चलता है। तभी, जबकि किसीका कोई काम अटक जाता है।

'रहिमन' जिव्हा बावरी, कहिगी सरग पताल।
आपु तो कहि भीतर रही, जूती खात कपाल॥

क्या किया जाय इस पगली जीभ का, जो न जाने क्या-क्या उल्टी-सीधी बातें स्वर्ग और पाताल तक की बक जाती है! खुद तो कहकर मुहँ के अन्दर हो जाती है, और बेचारे सिर को जूतियाँ खानी पड़ती है!

'रहिमन' तब लगि ठहरिए, दान, मान, सनमान।
घटत मान देखिय जबहिं, तुरतहि करिय पयान॥

तभी तक वहां रहा जाय, जब तक दान, मान और सम्मान मिले। जब देखने में आये कि मान-सम्मान घट रहा है, तो तत्काल वहां से चल देना चाहिए।

धन थोरो, इज्जत बड़ी, कहि 'रहीम' का बात।
जैसे कुल की कुलबधू, चिथड़न माहिं समात ॥

पैसा अगर थोडा है, पर इज्जत बड़ी है, तो यह कोइ निन्दनीय बात नहीं । खानदानी घर की स्त्री चिथड़े पहनकर भी अपने मान की रक्षा कर लेती हैं ।

अन्तर दावा लगि रहै, धुआं न प्रगटै सोय।
के जिय जाने आपनो, जा सिर बीती होय॥

आग अन्तर में सुलग रही है, पर उसका धुआं प्रकट नहीं हो रहा है। जिसके सिर पर बीतती है, उसीका जी उस आग को जानता है। कोई दूसरे उस आग का यानी दु:ख का मर्म समझ नहीं सकते।

कदली,सीप,भुजंग मुख, स्वाति एक गुन तीन।
जैसी संगति बैठिए, तैसोई फल दीन॥

स्वाती नक्षत्र की वर्षा की बूँद तो एक ही हैं, पर उसके गुण अलग-अलग तीन तरह के देखे जाते है ! कदली में पड़ने से, कहते है कि, उस बूंद का कपूर बन जाता है ! ओर,अगर सीप में वह पड़ी तो उसका मोती हो जाता है ! साप के मुहँ के में गिरने से उसी बूँद का विष बन जाता है ! जैसी संगत में बैठोगे, वेसा ही परिणाम उसका होगा ! (यह कवियों की मान्यता है, ओर इसे 'कवि समय' कहते है! )

काह कामरी पामड़ी, जाड़ गए से काज ।
'रहिमन' भूख बुताइए, कैस्यो मिले अनाज ॥

क्या तो कम्बल और क्या मखमल का कपड़ा ! असल में काम का तो वही है, जिससे कि जाड़ा चला जाय । खाने को चाहे जैसा अनाज मिल जाय, उससे भूख बुझनी चाहिए । (तुलसीदासजी ने भी यही बात कही है कि ;-
का भाषा, का संस्कृत, प्रेम चाहिए साँच ।
काम जो आवै कामरी, का लै करै कमाच ॥)

ससि संकोच, साहस, सलिल, मान, सनेह 'रहीम' ।
बढ़त-बढ़त बढ़ि जात है, घटत-घटत घटि सोम ॥

चन्द्रमा, संकोच, साहस, जल, सम्मान और स्नेह, ये सब ऐसे है, जो बढ़ते-बढ़ते बढ़ जाते हैं, और घटते-घटते घटने की सीमा को छू लेते हैं ।

जैसी परै सो सहि रहे , कहि 'रहीम' यह देह ।
धरती ही पर परग है , सीत, घाम औ' मेह ॥

जो कुछ भी इस देह पर आ बीते, वह सब सहन कर लेना चाहिए । जैसे, जाड़ा, धूप और वर्षा पड़ने पर धरती सहज ही सब सह लेती है । सहिष्णुता धरती का स्वाभाविक गुण है ।

जो बड़ेन को लघु कहै, नहिं 'रहीम' घटि जाहिं ।
गिरिधर मुरलीधर कहे, कछु दुख मानत नाहिं ॥

बड़े को यदि कोई छोटा कह दे, तो उसका बड़प्पन कम नहीं हो जाता । गिरिधर श्रीकृष्ण को मुरलीधर कहने पर कहाँ बुरा मानते हैं ?

जो 'रहीम' मन हाथ है, तो तन कहुँ किन जाहि ।
जल में जो छाया परे ,काया भीजति नाहिं ॥

मन यदि अपने हाथ में है, अपने काबू में है, तो तन कहीं भी चला जाय, कुछ बिगड़ने का नहीं । जैसे काया भीगती नहीं है, जल में उसकी छाया पड़ने पर । [जीत और हार का कारण मन ही है, तन नहीं : 'मन के जीते जीत है, मन के हारे हार '।]

बड़े बड़ाई ना करैं , बड़ो न बोले बोल ।
'रहिमन' हीरा कब कहै, लाख टका मम मोल ॥

जो सचमुच बड़े होते हैं, वे अपनी बड़ाई नहीं किया करते, बड़े-बड़े बोल नहीं बोला करते । हीरा कब कहता है कि मेरा मोल लाख टके का है । [छोटे छिछोरे आदमी ही बातें बना-बनाकर अपनी तारीफ के पुल बाँधा करते हैं ।]

भार झोंकि कै भार में, 'रहिमन' उतरे पार ।
पै बूड़े मँझधार में , जिनके सिर पर भार ॥

अहम् को यानी खुदी के भार को भाड़ में झोंककर हम तो पार उतर गये । बीच धार में तो वे ही डूबे, जिनके सिर पर अहंकार का भार रखा हुआ था, या जिन्होंने स्वयं भार रख लिया था ।

यह 'रहीम' निज संग लै, जनमत जगत न कोय ।
बैर, प्रीति, अभ्यास, जस होत होत ही होय ॥

बैर, प्रीति, अभ्यास और यश इनके साथ संसार में कोई भी जन्म नहीं लेता । ये सारी चीजें तो धीरे-धीरे ही आती हैं ।

यों 'रहीम' सुख दुख सहत , बड़े लोग सह सांति ।
उवत चंद जेहिं भाँति सों , अथवत ताही भाँति ॥

बड़े आदमी शान्तिपूर्वक सुख और दुःख को सह लेते हैं । वे न सुख पाकर फूल जाते हैं और न दुःख में घबराते हैं । चन्द्रमा जिस प्रकार उदित होता है, उसी प्रकार डूब भी जाता है ।

'रहिमन' चुप ह्वै बैठिए, देखि दिनन को फेर ।
जब नीके दिन आइहैं, बनत न लगिहैं देर ॥

यह देखकर कि बुरे दिन आगये, चुप बैठ जाना चाहिए । दुर्भाग्य की शिकायत क्यों और किस से की जाय ? जब अच्छे दिन फिरेंगे, तो बनने में देर नहीं लगेगी । इस विश्वास का सहारा लेकर तुम चुपचाप बैठे रहो ।

'रहिमन' तीन प्रकार ते, हित अनहित पहिचानि ।
पर-बस परे, परोस-बस, परे मामिला जानि ॥

क्या तो हित है और क्या अनहित, इसकी पहचान तीन प्रकार से होती है: दूसरे के बस में होने से, पड़ोस में रहने से और मामला मुकदमा पड़ने पर ।

'रहिमन' निज मन की बिथा, मनही राखो गोय ।
सुनि अठिलैहैं लोग सब , बाँटि न लैहैं कोय ॥

अन्दर के दुःख को अन्दर ही छिपाकर रख लेना चाहिए, उसे सुनकर लोग उल्टे हँसी करेंगे कोई भी दुःख को बाँट नहीं लेगा ।

'रहिमन' मनहिं लगाईके, देखि लेहु किन कोय ।
नर को बस करिबो कहा, नारायन बस होय ॥

मन को स्थिर करके कोई क्यों नहीं देख लेता, इस परम सत्य को कि, मनुष्य को वश में कर लेना तो बात ही क्या, नारायण भी वश में हो जाते हैं ।

'रहिमन' मारग प्रेम को, मत मतिहीन मझाव ।
जो डिगहै तो फिर कहूँ, नहिं धरने को पाँव ॥

हाँ, यह मार्ग प्रेम का मार्ग है । कोई नासमझ इस पर पैर न रखे । यदि डगमगा गये तो, फिर कहीं पैर धरने की जगह नहीं । मतलब यह कि बहुत समझ-बूझकर और धीरज और दृढ़ता के साथ प्रेम के मार्ग पर पैर रखना चाहिए ।

'रहिमन' रिस को छाँड़ि के, करौ गरीबी भेस ।
मीठो बोलो, नै चलो, सबै तुम्हारी देस ॥

क्रोध को छोड़ दो और गरीबों की रहनी रहो । मीठे वचन बोलो और नम्रता से चलो, अकड़कर नहीं । फिर तो सारा ही देश तुम्हारा है ।

राम न जाते हरिन संग, सीय न रावन-साथ ।
जो 'रहीम' भावी कतहुँ, होत आपने हाथ ॥

होनहार (या 'होनी') यदि अपने हाथ में होती, उस पर अपना वश चलता, तो माया-मृग के पीछे राम क्यों दौड़ते, और रावण क्यों सीता को हर ले जाता !

स्वासह तुरिय जो उच्चरे, तिय है निहचल चित्त ।
पूरा परा घर जानिए, 'रहिमन' तीन पवित्त ॥

ये तीनों परम पवित्र हैं :- वह स्वास, जिसे खींचकर योगी त्वरीया अवस्था का अनुभव करता है, वह स्त्री, जिसका चित्त पतिव्रत में निश्चल हो गया है, पर पुरुष को देखकर जिसका मन चंचल नहीं होता । और सुपुत्र,[जो अपने चरित्र से कुल का दीपक बन जाता है।]

- provided and contributed by an unknown friend

A real guru is invaluable...

...who opens up the doors of your mind and soul.

Sant Kabir has mentioned it in many dohas...

ये तन विष की बेल री , गुरु अमृत की खान ।
शीष दियो जो गुरु मिले, तो भी सस्ता जान ।।

This body is a vine of poison and guru is a mine of life-giving nectar, Kabir says. Even if you find such guru by sacrificing your head, you should consider it cheaply received.

Rahim on compatibility

A famous quote from Rahim on compatibility:

कह रहीम कैसे निभे, बेर केर को संग ।
वे डोलत रस आपने, उनके फाटत अंग ।।

It means that there is no way a berry tree (with juicy berries and thorns) can be planted next to a banana tree (soft stem) even though both trees are beautiful creations of this nature and both give tasteful fruits for everyone. Because, when berry tree swings in its own celebrations, it becomes hard to survive for the banana tree, as berry's thorns pierce the banana stems and tear up its trunk.

Melodies

1. Ramaiya Vasta Waiya - Shree 420
Listen to the song by clicking here.

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2. Bhula denge - Humko Deewana Kar Gaye
Lyrics are:
Abhi naaz hai toote dil ko wafa pe,
Ke tootenge saare bharam dheere dheere

Listen to the song by clicking here.
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3. Kabir Bhajans
ज्यों तिल माही तेल है, ज्यों चकमक में आग ।
तेरा साईं तुझमे है, तू जाग सके तो जाग ।।

जहाँ दया तहां धर्मं है, जहाँ लोभ वहाँ पाप ।
जहाँ क्रोध तहां काल है, जहाँ क्षमा वहाँ आप ।।

Listen to more bhajans by clicking at CD 1, CD 2, CD 3, CD 4, CD 5 and CD 6 here. Also, interesting is Kabir's life story at this link.
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A Land of Love, Purity and Sacrifice

A land so old that it has seen it all. A land where great gods have taken birth. A land where love is in everything and everyone. A land where the guest is considered a god. A land where yogis have scribed the vedas that liberate you from suffering. A land whose glory spans beyond the lifetime of most modern nations. A land where a kid doesn't talk back and remains silent even when a parent hits him. A land where people remain happy and satisfied despite poverty. A land where the real joy is found by many. A land that gave the number zero to this world. A land that is an example of Love, Purity and Sacrifice in its traditions, people and elements. A land that shows decency, morals and principles of life to the world. A land that makes its people proud for being their birthplace. A land where humans are seen as incarnations of god and goddess. This land brings examples so great that it gives:

* A river so proud that it sings...कि मेरे तट पर वो लोग आये, जिन्होंने ऐसे नियम बनाए । कि प्राण जाये...........पर वचन न जाये।
* A brother so loving that he ruled the kingdom by keeping his brother's खडाऊ (sandals) on the throne in his absence when his brother was sent to jungle for fulfilling their father's promise.
* A friend so affectionate that he gave away two worlds to his very poor friend in exchange for two handfuls of puffed rice that his friend brought for him to the palace.
* A wife so proud of her husband's dignity that she jumped into हवनकुंड (worship fireplace) when her father insulted her husband and did not invite him for the हवन (worship).
* A husband (shiv) considered so powerless that he exists in one inert form without his wife (shakti).
* A wife so daring that she brought her husband's soul (life) back from the hands of death (Yamraj).
* A king so truthful that he even sold himself and sat on the pyre to fulfill his words.
* A city so pure and intellectual that great pundits made its bank their karmbhumi and wrote vedas.
* A sister so caring that she tore her saree to make the band-aid for her brother's injured hand, thus starting the festival of Rakshabandhan.
* A mother with love so tender and such a provider that we name all objects that give, a mother.
* A student so devoted that he cut his thumb for his guru in exchange for the knowledge of supreme archery.
* A donor so great and brave that he gave away his divine body armour on demand from a brahmin even though that meant his death in the battleground.
* A devar so devoted that his drawn line on ground becomes a firewall for the safety of his bhabhi.
* A prince lord so loving that he ate the half-eaten berries saved by a lowly woman for his guest welcome.
* A singer so expert in the art that he brings the rain and fire with his perfect voice and acumen.
* A mother so protective that she comes in different forms to save the humanity and kill the demons.
* A father god so caring that he drinks the हलाहल विष (poison) to save the humanity and retains it in his throat.

Such is the history of this land of Bharat. This feat is just incomparable to any material achievements because it takes centuries when a culture becomes so refined with knowledge so deep that it becomes the basis of our life. In today's times, ignorance takes the form of so dark the clouds that a mind without an illumination from inside cannot understand the value of such non-materialistic virtues. Evolution brings the eternal change that better suits the plans of the nature and so will be demonstrated by these ages old virtues that have provided the light to this world again and again.

On Passing Moments of Life...

(आप की कसम) by Kishore Kumar

This beautiful hindi song from Kishore cuts through emotional turmoils and teaches the importance of genuine understanding of moments of life, love and four days of moonlight. The voice with its sentimentality adds magic to this song portrayed by no other than the master and my favorite, Rajesh Khanna.

जिंदगी के सफर में, गुज़र जाते हैं जो मुकाम,
वह फिर नहीं आते, वह फिर नहीं आते।

फूल खिलते हैं, लोग मिलते हैं।
फूल खिलते हैं, लोग मिलते हैं मगर
पतझड़ में जो फूल मुरझा जाते हैं
वो बहारों के आने से खिलते नहीं
कुछ लोग इक रोज़ जो बिछड़ जाते हैं
वो हज़ारों के आने से मिलते नहीं
उम्र भर चाहे कोई पुकारा करे उनका नाम
वह फिर नहीं आते, वह फिर नहीं आते।
ज़िंदगी के सफर में...

आँख धोखा है, क्या भरोसा है
आँख धोखा है, क्या भरोसा है सुनो
दोस्तों शक दोस्ती का दुश्मन है
अपने दिल में इसे घर बनाने ना दो
कल तड़पना पडे याद में जिनकी
रोक लो रूठ कर उनको जाने ना दो
बाद में प्यार के चाहे भेजो हज़ारों सलाम
वह फिर नहीं आते, वह फिर नहीं आते।
ज़िंदगी के सफर में...

सुबह आती है, रात जाती है
सुबह आती है, रात जाती है यूँही
वक़्त चलता ही रहता है रुकता नहीं
इक पल में ये आगे निकल जाता है
आदमी ठीक से देख पाता नहीं
और पर्दे पे मंज़र बदल जाता है
इक बार चले जाते हैं जो दिन-रात सुबह-ओ-शाम
वह फिर नहीं आते, वह फिर नहीं आते।
ज़िंदगी के सफर में...

To hear and watch this song, click here.
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(गोलमाल) by Kishore Kumar

Kishore sings on the eternal truth of nature that brings the cycles of laughs and cries and how one must not waste its moments in the false senses of mind. It says the time is here for you to spend in memorable ways that bring cheers to all.

आने वाला पल जाने वाला है - २
हो सके तो इसमे जिंदगी बिता दो पल जो ये जाने वाला है
आने वाला पल...

इक बार यूं मिली मासूम सी कली - २
खिलते हुए कहा पुषपाश मैं चली
देखा तो यहीं है, ढूँढा तो नहीं है
पल जो ये जाने वाला है
आने वाला पल...

इक बार वक़्त से लम्हा गिरा कहीं - २
वहाँ दास्ताँ मिली लम्हा कहीं नहीं
थोडा सा हंसा के थोडा सा रुला के
पल ये भी जाने वाला है
आने वाला पल... - २

To hear and watch this song, click here.
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(आ गले लग जा) by Kishore Kumar & Shushma Shreshtha

Shushma & Kishore in the roles of son and his dad talk about love as being a relationship that is generations old and repeated over and over in many lives among the two. (Some say, I look and smile like Shashi Kapoor. :-) )

तेरा मुझसे है पहले का नाता कोई, यूँही नहीं दिल लुभाता कोई - २
जाने तू या जाने ना
माने तू या माने ना

देखो अभी खोना नहीं, कभी जुदा होना नहीं - २
अबकी यूँही मिले रहने दो ना
वादा रहा ये इस शाम का
जाने तू या जाने ना
माने तू या माने ना
तेरा मुझसे है पहले का नाता कोई, यूँही नहीं दिल लुभाता कोई - २

वादे गए बातें गईं
जागी जागी रातें गयीं
चाहा जिसे मिला नहीं
तो भी हमे गिला नहीं
अपना है क्या जियें मरें चाहे कुछ हो
तुझको तो जीना रास आ गया
जाने तू या जाने ना
माने तू या माने ना
तेरा मुझसे है पहले का नाता कोई, यूँही नहीं दिल लुभाता कोई - २

To hear and watch this song, click here. There is another version of this song with different lyrics, if you want the romantic version.
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The Depths of Our Comprehension...

Every thing has a limit in one way or the other. So, does your comprehension. Whatever is unknown, never heard of, may become hard to fathom. After all, brain is an organ enclosed in a bone skull with imagination that goes very far. But, how far depends on this organ's past experience, exposures and quality of its matter. As we grow old, we get exposed to different objects, technologies, incidents and stories that shape up the comprehending power. When people use the word incomprehensible, they usually mean a surprise or a shock. This use of the word is in reaction state where the incident or exposure occurs before the reaction. The other side of this is the meditative state where one can imagine the incident or the exposure before it actually happens. This second state would mean a deep imagination out of the ordinary that has not been experienced before.

All people come with a conditioned state of mind from the past and they move forward with time and gradually shape their comprehending power accordingly. Just like a Mogul emperor from fourteenth century would surprise himself at the look of a machine as complex as a refrigerator, even though he had other ways of cooling at his time. Or, just turn it completely upside down and think, could it be your comprehension that thought of the emperor as being backward in technology to what we have today. You may be right or wrong here. But, there is definitely only one answer in your mind between right or wrong.

Let's see how we reach at this conclusion of right vs wrong. When we judge any thing or situation, we use anchors. There is such an importance of anchors in our life that these anchors keep our comprehension tied to a reference point. Let's imagine the technologies of the past. It's very hard to make people believe that something like a pushpak vimaan ever existed in Ramayan. But, why would many people try to dispel such thoughts? This story is believed to be at least five thousand years old. Now, this period is nothing when compared to the existence of life on the earth. Evolution science says that humans have been on this earth as late as the last hour on the 24-hour clock. If humans have existed on earth for thousands of years, how is that we think of the current generation as its brightest ever? Can you figure out an anchor that makes you feel this way and deny the existence of such superior technology in the past? Yes, one of it could be as simple as the calendar system. Anything dated BC seems old and unsophisticated. We usually relate the use of sophisticated technology to only a few hundred years back. That is a general perception because that has been taught, shown and repeated in history books over and over. Such repetition conditions the brain and chisels your depths of thinking. The repetition is what makes the practice of learning. When the exposures repeat, you develop your thinking accordingly. Now, let's take an example of someone who did extensive study into anything ancient such as pyramids, ancient mechanics, human evolution and even the evolution of today's mindset and technology. There have been great inventors, scientists and thinkers who have created wonders of this world. Unfortunately, written record of evidence is only what we want to believe in today because we cannot logically accept the facts that are quite incomprehensible.

Talk about intellectual curiosity. People have even analyzed the religious books and claimed some of their incidents as false. It's not their fault, but their ignorance which prevents them to comprehend that something like that could happen at all. Anything out of the ordinary surprises them. They attribute most of the sophistication to only the recent inventions. They may be wrong even with their own beliefs of them as being otherwise. Come to say about Leonardo's lion, Egypt's pyramids or the Pushpak vimaan. By the way, Leonardo's lion was a non-power operated woodden lion that came out of the castle to greet people with flowers centuries back. Such was the excellence of mechanics back then. These today's minds find them hard to figure out, especially since their blueprints now belong to history. Theories develop accordingly about history with individual and collective comprehensions and are later believed widely. It would be very difficult to make an ordinary mind even believe that ancient technology was far superior than what it is believed to be. At least a person watching Ancient Discoveries on history channel might be somewhat willing to believe. The civilizations of the east were far more sophisticated at times way before thousands of years ago. Such discoveries have been made in ancient Mesopotamia and at the lost treasures found in the ocean bottoms that change our perceptions completely in awe. The point of discussion is to understand that our thinking has its own limits, regardless of our admittance. That's one of the main reasons why most of the people are consumers of idea rather than inventors.

On the other hand, sometimes reason stands opposite of faith. A curious mind always finds ways to go beyond the limits of comprehension. But, there are always limits on the reason. Guru Nanak ji once said...One cannot comprehend Him through reason, even if one reasoned for ages. Of course, word Him refers here to God. We can never understand god by reasoning our daily lives or god's actions or existence. In today's world, even people who pray to god assume that it's a business deal. Once they pray, they must receive the fruit of their prayers. However, the fruit belongs to the one who really deserves it. The one who can show his patience. The one who can really devote himself. The one who doesn't ask for it. In his lectures, shree Kripaluji Maharaj says...There are two kinds of absolute: Material Absolute (Maya) and Divine Absolute. And, that human mind, being substantially conditioned to the laws of cosmic manifestation, co-relates only to material creations and existences. Practically it cannot understand the Divine matters, because unperceived things cannot be imagined and unimagined things cannot be understood. So, the Divine love matters should be taken with faith. Even though Material or cosmic power 'maya' has many inherent qualities such as in 'self-euphoric' feeling attained through sensual gratification. But, such happiness is far from spiritual, as said in bhagwad geeta. Every material existence is related to 'time' and 'space' that have physical limitations whereas faith in divine realm is not limited to such factors. When you cannot find logic to go further than your reasoning, have faith and expand your horizons to be able to accomodate the unknown.

Taking into account such limitations, you must not haste into your preconditioned perception of each situation that you encounter everyday because the decisions that you will make may not teach you anything. Sometimes people say that they didn't know that they had a particular quality until they faced a circumstance that opened up hidden dimensions of their personality. That new feeling is one window into a different kind of world that you should not miss. You can always see this situation positively to learn and get exposed to a new universe. Therefore, it should be considered that there are always dimensions that either you have not visualized or you are afraid to experience. Now, if you accept the depths of your comprehension, you should develop the faculties of your mind accordingly. That requires tremendous effort as it is not easy when you are fighting your own inertia (inclination for status quo). A great way to prepare towards that path is to focus your energies and open up your channels of thought because unless you make yourself vulnerable and try these 'new' ways of thinking, you would not succeed. Just like lord Buddha said...In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true. Therefore, it's only when you limit your ways of thinking and create your dimensions that the dimensions do actually appear. Otherwise the world of wisdom is unlimited and omnipresent. All we need to do is realize that we can be ignorant and choose a path while many other paths were waiting to be picked. One of the ways to bring such vision is through the meditation as quoted by the lord Buddha...Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance [inside you]. Know well what leads you forward and what hold you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom. Only then would you comprehend the realities that are unseen, unwritten or only told over the generations. And, that will make you realize what was incomprehensible till this day.