PATH TO PERFECTION

SWAMI SIVANANDA

(Collections from Sivananda Literature)

Published by

Sivananda Literature Research Institute

(The Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy)

P.O. Sivanandanagar,

Rishikesh, Himalayas.

Price ] 1959 [Rs. 2

Published by

Sri Swami Chidananda

for

The Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy

First Edition: 1959

The Divine Life Society

Printed by

General Printing Works Private Ltd.

83, Old Chinabazar Street,

CALCUTTA-1

Contents 
PUBLISHERS’ NOTE ........................................................................................................................................ 7 
UNIVERSAL PRAYER ....................................................................................................................................... 8 
FOREWORD ................................................................................................................................................. 10 
SWAMI SIVANANDA AND DIVINE LIFE ........................................................................................................ 11 
CHAPTER I. .................................................................................................................................................. 16 
WHAT IS LIFE ? ............................................................................................................................................ 16 
CHAPTER II. ................................................................................................................................................. 19 
LIFE AND ITS PURPOSE ................................................................................................................................ 19 
CHAPTER III. ................................................................................................................................................ 21 
HAPPINESS IS WITHIN. ................................................................................................................................ 21 
CHAPTER IV ................................................................................................................................................. 23 
IMPORTANCE OF SADACHARA .................................................................................................................... 23 
CHAPTER V. ................................................................................................................................................. 25 
CULTIVATION OF VIRTUES .......................................................................................................................... 25 
Character-Building .................................................................................................................................. 25 
Adaptability ............................................................................................................................................. 26 
Ahimsa .................................................................................................................................................... 27 
Truthfulness ............................................................................................................................................ 27 
Self-Reliance ............................................................................................................................................ 28 
Patience and Perseverance ..................................................................................................................... 28 
Sincerity and Honesty ............................................................................................................................. 29 
Contentment ........................................................................................................................................... 29 
Regularity and Punctuality ...................................................................................................................... 30 
Pushing Nature ........................................................................................................................................ 31 
Pluck or Knack ......................................................................................................................................... 31 
CHAPTER VI ................................................................................................................................................. 32 
ERADICATION OF NEGATIVE QUALITIES ..................................................................................................... 32 
Shyness.................................................................................................................................................... 32 
Timidity ................................................................................................................................................... 32 
Pessimism................................................................................................................................................ 32 
Over-Credulousness ................................................................................................................................ 32 
Suspicion ................................................................................................................................................. 33 

Intolerance .............................................................................................................................................. 33 
Sense of Inferiority .................................................................................................................................. 33 
Depression .............................................................................................................................................. 33 
Indecision ................................................................................................................................................ 34 
Carelessness and Forgetfulness .............................................................................................................. 34 
Diffidence ................................................................................................................................................ 34 
Dishonesty............................................................................................................................................... 34 
The Curse of Bribery ............................................................................................................................... 35 
Hatred ..................................................................................................................................................... 35 
Jealousy, Pride and Hypocrisy ................................................................................................................. 35 
Conquest of Anger .................................................................................................................................. 36 
Cares, Worries and Anxieties .................................................................................................................. 36 
Conquest of Fear ..................................................................................................................................... 38 
Control of Evil Habits .............................................................................................................................. 38 
Conquest of Passion ................................................................................................................................ 40 
Attachment ............................................................................................................................................. 41 
Mean-Mindedness .................................................................................................................................. 41 
Crooked-Mindedness .............................................................................................................................. 42 
CHAPTER VII ................................................................................................................................................ 43 
HEALTH AND LONG LIFE .............................................................................................................................. 43 
HEALTH AND LONG LIFE .......................................................................................................................... 43 
Vital Facts About Health ......................................................................................................................... 43 
Fasting-Its Benefits .................................................................................................................................. 45 
Yoga Asans for Health ............................................................................................................................. 46 
1.  PADMASAN ..................................................................................................................................... 47 
2.  SIDDHASAN ..................................................................................................................................... 47 
3.  SIRSHASAN ...................................................................................................................................... 48 
4.  SARVANGASAN................................................................................................................................ 48 
5.  MATSYASAN .................................................................................................................................... 49 
6.  BHUJANGASAN ................................................................................................................................ 49 
7.  SALABHASAN ................................................................................................................................... 50 
8.  HALASAN ......................................................................................................................................... 50 
9.  DHANURASAN ................................................................................................................................. 51 

10.  PASCHIMOTTANASAN ................................................................................................................. 51 
11.  MAYURASAN ............................................................................................................................... 52 
12.  ARDHMATSYENDRASAN ............................................................................................................. 52 
13.  PADHASTASAN ............................................................................................................................ 53 
14. SAVASAN- .................................................................................................................................... 53 
Pranayama .............................................................................................................................................. 54 
CHAPTER VIII ............................................................................................................................................... 55 
AID TO GOD REALISATION .......................................................................................................................... 55 
GOD EXISTS ............................................................................................................................................. 55 
The Life Divine ......................................................................................................................................... 55 
Mind and Its Control ............................................................................................................................... 57 
Concentration ......................................................................................................................................... 58 
Twenty Hints On Meditation................................................................................................................... 59 
The Essence of Bhakti ............................................................................................................................. 61 
Bhakti Commandments .......................................................................................................................... 61 
JAPA YOGA .............................................................................................................................................. 62 
Gayatri Mantra ........................................................................................................................................ 63 
Mantra for Getting a Child ...................................................................................................................... 64 
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra ...................................................................................................................... 64 
The efficacy of prayer. ............................................................................................................................ 65 
Secret of Karma Yoga. ............................................................................................................................. 65 
Twenty Important Spiritual Instructions ................................................................................................. 66 
Resolves Form and Spiritual Diary .......................................................................................................... 68 
SANKIRTAN DHWANIS AND SONGS ........................................................................................................ 71 
PEACE CHANTS ........................................................................................................................................ 77 
ARATI ....................................................................................................................................................... 78 
 
 
 
 

PUBLISHERS’ NOTE

There is a significant story behind this publication. When they bid farewell to him, the officers of the

Burmah Shell presented a purse to Sri Sivananda-Nilakantan, the saintly disciple of Sri Gurudev, who

was retiring from 30 -year-long faithful and fruitful service to the Company. The noble and saintly

Nilakantan has converted that purpose into wonderful spiritual treasure and handing it back to the donors

themselves!

This is the greatest characteristic of a saint. This is the inevitable course that charity takes. This is the

glory of service of saintly and divine beings. As Gurudev has often said: “Look after the body of the saint;

he will look after your soul.” Lord Jesus, too, assures us that what we give will be given back to us, a

thousand fold.

A word about this marvellous book. It reveals the most remarkable trait in Gurudev’s writings: one book,

one chapter, one article, nay even one page from any of his books is quite sufficient to lead a sincere

spiritual aspirant to the Goal of life, viz, God-realisation. This small book is quite sufficient to inspire you

and keep you ever inspired till you reach the goal. Sri Nilakantan, in his supreme love and compassion for

you, has kept in view, in compiling this work, to provide you with all that you need. He has placed you

under a deep debt of gratitude to him. You can repay it only by translating every word written in this book

in your daily life, by treading the Path to Perfection, and by reaching Perfection here and now. May God

bless you !

P. O. Shivananda Nagar }Publishers

22nd August, 1959.

UNIVERSAL PRAYER

Adorable Lord of Mercy and Love,

Salutations and Prostrations unto Thee

Thou art Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient.

Thou art Satchidananda

Thou art the Indweller of all beings.

Grant us an understanding heart,

Equal vision, balanced mind,

Faith, devotion and wisdom.

Grant us inner spiritual strength

To resist temptations and to control the mind.

Free us from egoism, lust, greed and hatred,

Fill our hearts with divine virtues,

Let us behold Thee in all these names and forms.

Let us serve Thee in all these names and forms,

Let us ever remember Thee.

Let us ever sing Thy glories,

Let Thy name be ever on our lips,

Let us abide in Thee for ever and ever.”

Swami Shivananda

FOREWORD

God is perfect. Towards that perfection every being in the universe is marching. Very few are doing so

consciously; the rest are carried slowly towards the goal by Nature’s own relentless endeavour to get back

to that Perfection.

Man alone, among the innumerable species of creation, has the privilege of striving to reach Perfection or

God. To Him has the creator given the faculty of discrimination and the free will, to discriminate good

and evil, and to choose the good, in preference to the evil.

Even among men, it is only the sincere seeker after Truth, the ardent aspirant for Perfection, that utilises

this faculty and exercises the free will, in order to march rapidly forward on the Path to Perfection. The

rest of humanity forfeit the rare privileges granted to them, lead lives no better than the quadrupeds, and,

in the words of the Kathopanishad: “commit suicide”. The same Upanishad describes such a life as a great

loss.

One of the first casualties of modern civilisation, is man’s inclination to pause and think. The Battle for

the Daily Bread absorbs all his attention. It is only the spiritual hero who, even in the midst of his battle,

directs his attention to this great endeavour to reach Perfection. He knows that, with all that everyone has

been able to do, the world has remained what it was, and that his first concern is to perfect himself, to

reform himself and to transform himself into God.

The moment this conviction strikes root in your heart, you will get the correct scale of values. You will

know that you have to live in the world and engage yourself in its activities, but that your main concern

always is the achievement of Perfection Your thought, word and deed from that moment will be directed

to the attainment of this Goal.

Sri Sivananda-Nilakantan’s life is one that illustrates this. He served the Burmah-Shell with this ideal

always in view. Result: selflessness, honesty, sincerity, truthfulness in all his dealings, absence of

jealousy, hatred, ill-will towards anybody. His domestic life, too, was permeated with the above spirit.

Result: the entire family is divine and the children grow into saints; there is peace and harmony,

happiness and prosperity.

The publication of this valuable book is the crowning feature of Sri Nilakantan’s association with the

Burmah- Shell. It is a token of the deep affection and love he has to the officers and staff of the company

(the Shrine of Selfless Service) and of his devout wish that they, too, should walk the Path to Perfection

and achieve the life’s goal-God-realisation.

Through the Burmah-Shell officials, the whole world gets the benefit of this priceless treasure gathered

together by Sri Sivananda-Nilakantan.

May God bless you all! May you all attain the Goal of Life here and now! May you all shine as saints and

Yogis

22nd August, 1959 (Swami Sivananda)

SWAMI SIVANANDA AND DIVINE LIFE

“To raise the fallen, to lead the blind,

To share what I have with others,

To cheer up the suffering, are my ideals.”

These are the words of H. H. Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj who has come to be acclaimed by thousands

of seekers and sincere aspirants throughout this land as well as abroad as their spiritual awakener,

enlightener, and reliable guide in all their vexing problems of this mundane life and the higher ones upon

the spiritual path. Countless grateful souls struggling through life’s rugged path rightly regard and look

upon him as their guide, friend and philosopher and well-wisher. This noble saint has dedicated himself to

the great task of awakening everyone to the real purpose of human life and guiding all to true happiness,

peace and well-being here and hereafter.

The Divine Life Society, of which he is the Founder- President has inspired a large number of people in

every town and city to lead a pure life and transformed them into men of sterling character and exemplary

servants of humanity. The Divine Life Movement is the quintessence of all Religions and of all Saints and

Prophets of the world. It has set for its purpose the raising of man above sorrows and miseries of this

mundane life by learning to see the Blissful Divinity that is behind all outward forms. He who leads the

Divine Life is free from cares, worries, anxieties, sufferings and tribulations.

Sri Swamiji presents in a most impressive and simple form the philosophy of life as follows:-

“Serve, Love, Purify, Meditate, Realise,

Be good, Do good, Be kind, Be compassionate,

Be bold. Be pure, Be truthful,

Be patient, Be tolerant, Be obedient,

Be simple, Be humble, Be noble, Be gentle,

Adapt, Adjust, Accommodate,

Bear insult, Bear injury, is the highest Sadhana,

Enquire ‘Who Am I?’, Know the Self and be free,

Be still, Be quiet, Know Thy Self,

Find the Hearer, find the Seer, find the Knower,

You are not this body, not this mind,

Immortal Self you are.”

Sri Swamiji’s gift to the whole mankind is his literature, sweet and sublime, vast and luminous-the Divine

Literature in commemoration of which the Sivananda Literature Festival is now being celebrated

throughout the whole world. Spiritual books show the path of Light. They guide us along the way of

righteousness and lead us to happiness, peace, true prosperity and success in life.

Of over three hundred books that have been written by this great Saint, this publication entitled ‘PΑΤΗ

ΤΟ PERFECTION’ a collection from his writings which it is hoped will be mostly widely read,

constantly studied and adopted as a universal scripture. For into it the great Sage has poured his very heart

for the spiritual uplift of one and all of us. Every word that he has written in this collection contains

various aspects of Yoga Sadhana and perfect life as applicable to every spiritual aspirant.

While the gift of food etc nourish only the physical body which is perishable, the dessimination of

spiritual knowledge is rightly considered as the highest Yajna as it the food for the soul which is eternal.

Funds for bringing out this valuable publication have been found from the gift lovingly offered to the

undersig- ned by his colleagues in Burmah-Shell, Calcutta Branch, on the occasion of his retirement on

31st July 1959. This work is therefore dedicated to those magnanimous souls to whom also is due the

gratitude of the reader.

Should this book inspire and uplift even a very small number among the many readers, the undersigned

will have the satisfaction that the noble mission of his blessed Master whose auspicious and glorious 73rd

Birthday is celebrated in India and abroad on the 8th Sept. 1959 has been fulfilled in that measure.

Wishing the staff of Burmah-Shell, Calcutta, with health, peace, prosperity, long life and divine wisdom,

the undersigned begs to remain a loving and willing servant of all earnest aspirants.

8th September 1959. H. Sivananda Nilakantan.

28A, Sardar Sankar Road,

Calcutta-29

20th July ’59.

J. Chopra Esqr,

Branch Manager,

Burmah-shell,

Calcutta.

Dear Mr. Chopra,

The time has now arrived when I should take leave of the staff and those associated with Burmah-Shell

which I had the proud privilege to serve for thirty years. At this somewhat touching moment I offer my

prayers to the merciful Lord and gratitude to the authorities of the Company for having given me an

opportunity to work In an organisation which is not only functioning in inter- national spheres, but has

also won international distinction for efficient service. I have watched with interest and have also closely

associated myself with the steady growth of our organization, under propitious circumstances in all these

years.

It has been my honest endeavour throughout to carry on my duties to the best of my ability with the

maxim learn as you work’ and this has immensely benefited me. While I acknowledge with gratitude the

profound contri- bution of the company in making me what I am, I also wish to convey through you to my

colleagues and others my desire that this may serve to inspire and enthuse them in the discharge of their

duties.

Although it is a matter of private and personal interest I wish to disclose on this occasion that the reason

of my earnest endeavour is to be found in the golden precepts “Be Good, Do Good” and “look upon work

as the best form of prayer” which are the essence of the teachings of the great saint and sage of the

modern times, His Holiness Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, the Founder-President of the Divine life

society. This has stood me in good stead in many a trying moment for which I am deeply grateful to the

Lord.

Farewell 10 Mr. H. NILAKANTAN By Officers of Burmah-Shell, Calcutta.

I am, of course, moved by the feelings of pleasure mingled with regrets as I recall the glorious years that I

had spent in the association of my colleagues and others during my long service and I wish them all and

you every- thing best in life and the blessings of Providence. A merciful

This may also be taken as my farewell to all those concerned in our organization in the Calcutta Branch

whose valued cooperation has indeed helped me in my long career.

As my parting gift to your good-self and my colleagues I shall be passing one of the inspiring books of

‘Sivananda Literature’ besides a number of books of the same author for the benefit of the members of

Burmah-Shell Library.

Wishing you all with health, peace, prosperity, wisdom, truth, love and purity,

Goodbye with sincere regards and best wishes,

Yours sincerely,

H. NILAKANTAN

CHAPTER I.

WHAT IS LIFE ?

WHAT is life, my dear brothers? Is it merely the act of breathing or respiration or digestion or excretion

or the acts of metabolism, anabolism or katabolism, the constructive or destructive changes that ever go

on in the physical organism or human body or economy of nature? Is it mere thinking or planning or

scheming to earn money, name and fame? Is it the act of procreation to keep up the line? Is it the sum

total of all these processes? Or is it the movement of the protoplasm in the unicellular organism, amoeba,

with its single nucleus? Scientists and biologists have a very different conception of life. Philosophers

like Sankara have quite a different conception of life.

Life is of two kinds, viz., life in matter and life in Atma or spirit or pure consciousness. Biologists and

physiologists hold that life consists of thinking, feeling, knowing, willing, digestion, excretion,

circulation, respiration, etc. This kind of life is not everlasting. This is attended with dangers, pain, fear,

cares and anxieties, worries, exertion, sin, birth and death with their concomitant evils, viz., old age,

disease, etc. Therefore, sages, seers, Rishis, prophets and saints who have realised their inner Self by

discipline of the mind and the organs, by Tyaga and Tapas, by Vairagya and Abhyasa, by leading a life of

self-denial, self-sacrifice and self-abnegation have emphatically, without a shadow of doubt-like Amalaka

fruit in the hands-declared that a life in the Atma or Pure Spirit alone can bring everlasting peace, infinite

bliss, supreme joy, eternal satisfaction and immortality. They have prescribed various definite methods

for Self-realisation according to diverse temperaments, capacities and tastes of indivi. Duals. Those who

have implicit faith in their teachings, in the Vedas and in the words of the Guru (spiritual preceptor),

march fearlessly on the field of spirituality or Truth, and obtain freedom or perfection or salvation. They

do not come back to this Mrityu Loka, They rest in Sat-Chit-Ananda Brahman or their own Swaroopa.

This is the goal of human life. This is the highest aim or purpose of life. This is the final destination

which bears various names as Nirvana, Parama Gati, Param Dhama, Brahmi-Sthiti. Self-realisation is

your highest duty.

This does not mean, however, that we should ignore the life in the physical plane of matter. Matter is

expression of God (Brahman) for His own Leela. Matter and spirit are inseparable like heat and fire, cold

and ice, flower and fragrance Shakti and Shakta (power and he who possesses power) are one. Brahman

and Maya are inseparable and one. A life in the physical plane is a definite preparation for the eternal life

in Brahman. World is your best teacher; the five elements are your Gurus. Nature is your mother and

director. Prakriti is your silent Master. World is the best training ground for the development of various

divine virtues, such as, mercy, forgiveness, tolerance, universal love, generosity, nobility, courage,

magnanimity, patience, strong will, etc. World is an arena for fighting with the diabolical nature and for

expressing divinity from within. The central teaching of the Gita and Yoga Fasishtha is that one should

realise his Self by remaining in the world. “Be in the world, but be out of the world. Behave like the water

on the lotus-leaf. Give up the lower Asuric nature which consists of selfisliness, lust, anger, greed, hatred,

and jealousy: assert the divine nature-a life of mental renunciation and self-sacrifice?

Science and religion, politics and religion, are inseparable. They obviously go hand in hand. Politics

prepare the ground for the reception of the spiritual seeds. If there is no economical independence, if there

is no freedom and peace in the country, how can the spiritual seed be thrown in the land? How can the

spiritual teachers disseminate their spiritual knowledge to the children of the soil? How can the prophets

bring home the subtle philosophical truths and facts to the minds of the people when there is chaos in the

country, when their minds are perturbed and when they have not got sufficient food, clothing and other

auxiliaries of life? The mind can only receive the teachings of the sages when it is beyond cares and

anxieties and when everything for spiritual Sadhana is already fixed up.

Scientists are also Adwaita-Vadins or non-dualists. They say: “There is only one substance in this world.

That is electron. The whole world is a mass of energy.” Energy is the god of scientists. Energy is the god

of Shaktas also. Scientists have explored the phy. Sical world. They have found out methods to control

the physical forces of nature. Psychologists are experimenting on the mental plane. They are trying to

control the mental forces. Psychology is a branch of Raja Yoga which deals with the control of mind. A

close study of the observations and revelations of science brings a man nearer to God, Who gave power to

electrons? What is at the bottom of these electrons? What is that power that has combined four parts of

nitrogen and one part of oxygen? Who has framed the laws of nature? Nature is blind. What is that moves

nature? Who is the intelligence which primum mobile ? A study of the physical forces and physical laws,

an understanding of the mental forces and the mental laws are not sufficient to make us perfect. We

should have a thorough knowledge and realisation of the substratum that lies hidden behind these names

and forms and all physical and mental phenomena. Then only we will become perfect masters or fully-

blown adepts or Arhatas or Buddhas. Can scientific inventions make us really happy? That is the question

of questions now. What has science done to us? No doubt, it has added a fund of knowledge on the

physical plane. But this knowledge is mere husk when compared with the knowledge of the Self, Brahma-

Vidya or Para-Vidya. All sciences are founded on the knowledge of Alma. Are you really happy now?

Can the electric fan or the aeroplane or the radio talkie give us real peace which the mind is thirsting for?

Thanks to science and scientists who work whole-heartedly for years together in closed rooms for

inventions and discoveries. They are giving comforts. Electricity does all sorts of work. It pumps water. It

lifts us to the top storey. It cooks food. It carries us to London and Paris. Science has made our travel and

communication easy and quick. These are some advantages. But the disadvantages outweigh the advan-

tages. It has made living very costly and luxurious. Man is more restless now. A luxury of today becomes

a want of tomorrow. Every man and woman wants a pocket radio, torch, a wrist watch, a car, a household

cinema, etc. The standard of living has become very high. Clerks and officers do not hesitate to tell lies

and take bribes to make both ends meet. The cinema and fashion are devouring all their earnings. People

have lost their senses and walk self-deluded in this sense-universe. Sense-gratification has become the

goal of life. Even the so-called English-educated people are not exceptions. They are the most ignorant

people. Intelligent people devise intelligent methods to take bribes and earn money by various dishonest

means. There is corruption everywhere. Honesty and candidness have taken to their heels. Double

dealing, crookedness, cheating and chicanery have taken possession of all All these are the products of

luxurious living consequent upon scientific inventions and Western civilisation. It has brought

restlessness everywhere. Physical degeneration has set in. A man cannot walk even a furlong now. He

wants a push-push or a car. A doctor or pleader, even maintain a car. If he is starving, must Otherwise he

cannot get patients or clients. His wife wants silk Saris, face powder, rouge, lip-stick and scents. Seats

have to be reserved for picture houses. Where to go for money? He has to tap the poor people. He fills up

a bottle with water and coloured tinctures and charges heavily. He extorts money by charging too much

for injections and visits. He has to do it. Mercy, sympathy and honesty have fled away from his heart.

When the mind is filled with greed, passion and dishonesty, conscience is destroyed. The doctor will say:

“What is to be done, sir? These days are hard. Living has become costly. Education of children is costly. I

have to do it. I know I am in the wrong path. I have to tell lies and earn money by dishonest means.”

Now then, is there any remedy for improving these present deplorable state of affairs? Yes, there is. What

is that? We will have to get back to nature and natural living. We will have to adopt simple living and

high thinking of our forefathers. Lead a simple, natural life. Wear simple clothing. Walk daily. Give up

cinemas and novel-reading. Eat simple food. Lead a hard, laborious life. Be self-reliant. Do not engage

servants. Reduce your wants. Be honest in your dealings. Earn by the sweat of your brow. Control the

Indriyas and the mind. Develop noble qualities. Take recourse to the company of wise men. Remember

God. Sing His Name. Feel His presence. Think aright. Speak truth and act righteously. Learn to

discriminate Learn how to lead a divine life while remaining in the world. Serve society with Atma-

Bhava. Then the whole question is solved. You have regained your God-head. You have regained your

lost paradise. All miseries will come to an end. You will have success in every walk of life and

undertaking. Keep this master-key with you and open the chambers of Elysian Bliss.

This is not a digression, my dear friends. I want to place before you solid truths and facts. I want you to

understand things aright. Truth cannot give pain to any one. Truth alone can triumph. Truth alone can

bring real happiness. God is Truth. We will have to realise Truth by speaking truth and doing Satya-

Vyavahara. We should live in Truth. Thou art an embodiment of Truth. Truth is your real name. You have

come from Truth. You live and have your very being in Truth. You dissolve this body and mind in Truth.

Therefore realise Truth, O dear brothers, nector’s sons, children of Light!

What is success? Is it material prosperity and thriving on well in this world with plenty of money and

children, or something else? Success is of two kinds, viz., worldly success and spiritual success. If you

are in good, affluent circumstances, if you have everything that this world can give you, this is worldly

success. This alone will not suffice. Because this world is imperfect. You must have success in the

spiritual world also, You must have success in the path of realisation as well. Then only you will have

complete or perfect success.

I shall describe now in a nutshell the ways to achieve success in both worlds, material and spiritual. Hear

them with rapt attention and follow them. Put them in actual practice. Then alone you can achieve

greatness and everlasting peace. It is easier to preach twenty than to become one of the twenty in

following the dictates. An ounce of practice is thousand times better than tons of theories. You have had

enough of theories, Now come to the solid field of practice. Become a prac tical Yogi of this world and

the world beyond. Let success attend on thee !

In conclusion, I will suggest in these pages of this book definite lines or ways for attaining success in this

life here for obtaining worldly prosperity, for getting healthy and spiritually inclined progeny, for rolling

in Rolls Royce, for getting money in abundance, for getting success in every undertaking, før influencing

others in various ways, for leading a happy and contented life, for wielding power, name and fame, for

having unique health, strength, vigour and vitality, for having a smooth, unruffled daily life and for

eventually attaining that eternal life of undecaying joy and unfading divine splendour and glory. My

earnest and fervent prayer with folded hands is that, you must sincerely attempt with care, diligence,

patience and perseverance in the realisation of the truths that are inculcated here by regular daily practice.

Time is most precious, Time is fleeting. You are growing old every second. When the bell rings, one hour

is cut off from your life. The moment you are born death exists side by side with birth, Cells grow and

cells decay. You cannot get once again this human birth. Become a successful man in your life’s career

and become a God-man, right now, this very second. This is the fervent prayer of your intimate brother

Siva. Glory, splendour and joy be unto thee! Rest in thine own Sat-Chit-Ananda Swaroopa.

CHAPTER II.

LIFE AND ITS PURPOSE

Have you understood the significance and glory of human life? Have you realised what a precious gift

and veritable divine power this human birth is? Do you not feel that life is meant for the fulfilment of a

most sublime purpose? Truly it is meant for the attainment of a lofty goal, namely divine perfection and

perennial peace and bliss. You all know quite well that life is not merely the act of breathing, digesting,

eliminating, thinking, feeling, kowing, willing etc. Life is not meant for eating, seeing, sleeping and dying

miserably in the end.

You truly live your life when you strive manfully for working out and driving the mind to spiritual

realisation and service of humanity. A little toast, butter and jam, a little stylish clothing, a bungalow and

a motor car and a round of cinemas, attendance at parties-these do not really constitute life. This is not the

end of the real man who has been ‘made in the image of God’. Mere sensual life is after all only the life of

an animal. Every day you must polish it and make it look divine and be divine. Egoism, desire and

sensuality-all this is ignorance: it is deep delusion. Can material comforts elevate the souls of the people?

Can gross physical prosperity alone confer upon you solace, courage, peace, joy, immortality and eternal

perfection in the spirit? Certainly not.

O blessed children of immortality: Reflect yourself over what I say. Think deeply. Discriminate. You will

realise the truth about this most transitory painfilled life on earth. In the dizzy whirlpool of fleeting

sensual pleasures and ceaseless seething desires, do not forget the true purpose of life and its real goal. No

greater blunder than to think, to feel, to mistake the unreal for the real, the transitory for the permanent

and to forget the most important duty in life. What greater folly, what greater tragedy is there than when a

man neglects to reach the goal of life ?

You are helpless when you are a baby, you are helpless when disease overtakes you and when you are

seriously ill and you are helpless when powerful calamities like fire, flood, earthquake, cyclone etc., strike

down mankind. You are helpless and you are abject and miserable when you become old and senile. Why

then are you so proud and eccentric? Rise above this delusion and attain your goal through discrimination

and dispassion, analysis and enquiry of your real spiritual nature. Enquire ‘Who am I’ and try to realise

your essential natural self. Then alone you will transcend your body and mind and realise the self. Then

alone you will be really free and ever blissful.

Virtue is the way to peace and light. Righteousness is the real secret of self-realistion. Purity is the path to

perfection. Goodness leads you to godliness. Strive for ethical perfection. Live a strictly ethical life.

Adhere to truth and righteousness, even at the cost of your life. Base your life upon absolute

righteousness. Cultivate noble qualities with dilgence and care. Be sincere friend! Actively practise all

virtues in right earnest and with real zeal. Become an embodiment of goodne Think no evil. Speak no

evil. See no evil. Do no evil Be good in thought, speech and action.

Remember the Lord daily and every moment of your life time. Pray to Him fervently with humility and

devotion for purifying your nature and helping to attain the glorious goal of life. Live for God. Boldly

face all the difficulties and tribulations of this petty earthly life. Be a man. With courage, struggle for the

great attainment. Climbing a mountain, crossing a channel, bombing a city or blasting a fort, these are not

the true acts of heroism and real courage. Controlling your mind and senses and overcoming anger,

passion and egoism, by attaining self-mastery; these constitute the real heroism in man. How long will

you be a slave of passion and the senses? Assert your real divine nature and your mastery over your lower

nature and lower self. This is your most important duty.

Do not identify yourself with this perishable body. Do not run after fashion and passion. Do not cultivate

the habit of clinging to the glittering names and forms. Do not be ignorant, O man; and think of no

delusion. Do not feel: I am an Indian,’ ‘I am an American I am an Italian’ etc., “I am black, I am white, I

am yellow”; I am superior, I am inferior; I know every thing, he konws nothing; I have done this, I have

done that I am a Hindu, I am a Christian, I am a Mohammedan and I am so and so, I am a Parsi, I am a

Jain’ etc.

All this is the worst type of ignorance. Hear the great truths declared boldly by the prophets and godmen,

saints and men of real deep wisdom. Thou art neither this perishable body nor this impure mind. Thou art

in truth eternal, ever free and ever perfect and ever blissful spirit Immortal Thou art in essence Sat-Chit-

Ananda Atman. Thou art imperishable. This is thy real glorious nature.

Feel this, meditate over this and assert this. Realise this and attain the Wisdom of the Self. Be for ever in

bliss. Life is meant for the practice of yoga. Strive ever to attain this great goal. Practise the yoga of

saintliness. Do selfless service in a spirit of pure worship. Cultivate devotion to the Lord and worship

Him daily. Purify the heart through charity and generosity, Meditate daily upon the Lord.

Through ceaseless discrimination, reflection and enquiry, attain the Wisdom of the Self. Love, give,

purify, meditate, Realise. Be good. Do Good. Be Kind. Be compassionate. Enquire Who am I’? Know the

self and be free. The one Lord dwells in all beings. Feel his presence every- where. See Him alone in all

men and things. Give up all distinctions and differences. Feel oneness with all beings. Embrace all. Love

all. Feel the bliss with all in a spirit of brotherhood and live to kindle the light of life in your heart. Be all-

inclusive. Radiate pure love throughout your life. Start the good life right from today and fight from now.

Cast aside all doubts, fears and misgivings. Do not hesitate, be bold. Life is short. Time is fleeting. You

have to be practical, O man: Do not be weak in thy faith. You must have faith that can move mountains.

Never forget your Immortal nature. Never forget your true purpose in life, Wake up from your long sleep

of ignorance. Realise thy hidden real nature. Stop not till the goal is reached. Stop not till you attain the

wisdom of the Self. O: wanderer in this quagmire of Samsara! Overcome all evil. Annihilate all lust,

greed and egoism and come back to your sweet original home, the abode of eternal peace, eternal bliss

and eternal sunshine. Through sincere struggle with the lower nature and lower self and through a life of

practical goodness and yoga, attain perfection in thought, word and deed in this very life. To whatever

nation you belong, to whatever race you belong, to whatever society you belong, your real duty and the

most important work is this, the attainment of the highest spiritual perfection and bliss. May the Lord, the

one God who is known variously bestow upon you all the highest bliss and perfection in this very life.

May love alone prevail everywhere. May peace and prosperity be unto all living beings.

CHAPTER III.

HAPPINESS IS WITHIN.

It is a truism that it is in the nature of every human being to strive for happiness but the happiness he

gains by his actions, he finds, to his utter dissatisfaction and sorrow, is only of limited duration. The

enjoyments of senses are transcient and senses themselves are worn out by excessive enjoyments. Further,

sin generally accom- panies the enjoyments and makes him unhappy beyond comparison. Even if the

pleasures of the world are enjoyed as much as their nature would permit, even if they are as intense, as

various, uninterrupted, as possible, yet old age, in all its hideous shape, threatens him with death and

destruction. It should be remembered that the enjoyments of heaven itself are not in reality more unmixed

and durable. Moreover, they also come to an end as they are gained by actions; and as actions are finite,

the effect must also be finite. In a world, there is necessarily an end to all these enjoyments.

O little man of little faith! Why do you vainly strive for pleasures which you know cannot satisfy you

beyond the moment of enjoyment? Look out for an unchangeable, infinite and supreme happiness which

must come from a Being in Whom there is no change. Search and find out such a being, and if you could

only succeed in your quest, happiness from Him. Then you can get that unalterable All the great religions

of the world proclaim in one unanimous voice that there i one Being as mentioned above. This Being,

believe me, is not very far from you. He is quite close to you, He resides in the body-temple of yours, in

the innermost recesses of your heart. He is the silent witness of your mind, the watcher of all the activities

of your intellect. He is the supreme being of the scriptures 80 highly eulogised by Saints, Sages, Yogis,

Philosophers and Prophets. This Being can be realised by all through the practice of Yoga.

Man wants happiness. He tries to get it from money, power, women, son, position, etc. He rushes from

one thing to another to grasp it. He slips. He gets knocks and blows, failures and disappointments. He

laughs, dances, weeps and mourns. His senses get exhausted. He gets disguest for objects. Eventually he

experiences that sense objects are illusory and that real lasting happiness cannot be found in them.

Man feels miserable when he is not able to obtain his wants. He feels the need of a particular object and

tries to get it. If he succeeds he gets delight for a moment; if he fails he is sunk in despair and sorrow, he

is gloomy and disappointed. If he loses the object he becomes very miserable. As soon as one want is

gratified another want crops up immediately. He creates new wants daily. There is no end to his wants.

Cares, worries, anxieties and fear coexist with wants and desires. Want is a product or offspring of

ignorance. Brahman is All-full. All wants are satisfied here. The restlessness of the mind is kept up by

wants. He who wants nothing is a mighty emperor of the whole world. Sri Sankaracharya says, That

careless saint who moves about with Kowpeen or a loin cloth only, without any possession, without idea

of ownership, without any want is the most happy man in the world.” Wants and desires can be eradicated

by Self-realisation alone.

Friends! Tell me what do you really find in this illusory world? Happiness or pain? Joy or sorrow? Have

you understood the illusory nature of a Mayaic creation? This world is a mere appearance. Mind and the

senses are deceiving you every moment. You have mistaken pain for pleasure on account of clouded

understanding. There is not an iota of happiness in this sense-universe. Abandon these selfish struggles

for amassing wealth. March directly to that Wire-puller who is keeping up this big show. In Him only you

will find lasting happiness and perennial joy. Marge in Him by practising daily meditation.

O Children of Light! In the whirlpool of fleeting sensual pleasures you have forgotten the purpose of life

and its goal. You live more for the body than for soul. You have never asked yourself why you have taken

this body? What you are born for? What is the mission of your life? Are you here simply to eat, drink and

be merry and to look after the maintenance of yonr wife and children only? Is there no nobler mission

than this? O ye immortal souls! Nectar’s Sons! Wake up and behold. There is a place of eternal peace and

infinite bliss, where there is neither death nor delusion. Don’t you aspire to reach this immortal abode of

perennial joy and happiness? Discipline the mind and the senses practise regular meditation on this Self.

Then alone you will attain immortality and deep-abiding joy. Then alone you will reach the immortal

abode.

What is the highest end of man? All are agreed that the one aim that the man has in all his actions is to

attain happiness. This can be had in the Self only. The pleasure that is derived from contact of objects is

illusory and momentary. It is mixed with anxieties, pain fear and sins.

The question of self-realisation or God-realisation is a question of demand and supply. If you are a true

seeker of God, if rou really want Him, if you cannot live even for a second without Him, you will

undoubtedly meet Him, this very second. Remember Him always. Sing His Names. Sing his praises.

Search him in your own heart Learn from the real and genuine devotees the way to love and serve Him,

the Indweller of your heart, the Inner. Ruler (Antaryamin ).

God realisation alone can put an end to the Samsaric wheel of birth and death with its concomitant evils

such as birth, growth, disease, death, sorrow. Pain etc. Eternal happiness can be had only in God. That is

the reason why sages and saints, scriptures and srutis make a very emphatic statement and lay great stress

on the importance and necessity of God-realisation.

Spiritual life is not mere idle talk. It is not a mere sensation. It is actual living in the Atma. It is a

transcendental experience of unalloyed bliss. It is a life of fullness and perfection. He who leads a

spiritual life is a centre of great spiritual force. He is a dynamic persona- lity. He radiates joy, peace and

bliss towards all. Those who come in contact with Him will be highly inspired and elevated.

CHAPTER IV

IMPORTANCE OF SADACHARA

In India of today, the great emphasis has to be put on Sadachara. That aspect of ethical science which

treats of the modes of right conduct, moral living and performance of duty, is Sadachara, Deportment,

carriage, demeanour, conduct and behaviour are synonymous terms. The way in which rational beings

should behave towards other creatures is dealt with in the science of morals or ethics.

That act or exertion which does not do good to others, or that act for which one has to feel shame, should

never be done. That act on the other hand, should be done, for which one may be lauded in society. This

is a brief description of what right conduct is. To speak the truth, to practise ahimsa, not to hurt the

feelings of others in thought, word and deed; not to speak harsh words to anyone; not to show any anger

towards anybody; not to abuse others or speak ill of others and to see God in all beings is Sadachara.

It is by conduct that one acquires a long life, and it is by conduct that one acquires riches and prosperity.

It is a means to attain the goal of life. Without good conduct no one can achieve the goal. Good conduct

brings in fame, longevity, wealth and happiness. It eventually leads to Moksha. It is conduct that begets

virtue, and it is virtue that prolongs life. Conduct gives fame, long life and heaven. Conduct is the most

efficacious rite of propitiating the celestials. One should show mercy to all orders of men. Virtue is

singled out by conduct.

The good and virtuous are so on account of the conduct they follow. The marks again of good conduct are

afforded by the deeds of those that are good or righteous. Indeed, it is by conduct that one acquires fame

that depends upon great deeds both in this world and next. Forsooth, one may, by his conduct alone,

conquer the three worlds. There is nothing which virtuous persons cannot obtain. A person of good deeds

and good and pleasant and sweet speeches has no peer. People respect that man who acts, righteously and

who does good acts, even if they only hear of him without actually seeing him.

The man whose conduct is improper or wicked never acquires a long life. All creatures fear such a man

and are oppressed by him. If, therefore, one wishes his own advancement and prosperity, one should in

this world follow the path of righteousness and conduct himself righteously. Good conduct suceeds in

removing the inauspiciousness and misery of even one who is sinful. The man of conduct has ideals,

principles and mottoes. He strictly follows them, removes his weaknesses and defects, develops good

conduct and becomes a Sattwic man. He is very careful in behaving with his elders, parents, teachers,

sisters, brothers, friends, relatives, strangers and other creatures. He attempts to know what is right and

wrong by approaching Sadhus and Mahatmas and studying scriptures very carefully and then treads with

joy the path of righteousness or Dharma.

The man of right conduct always cares for the welfare of all beings. He lives in harmony with his

neighbours and all people. He never hurts the feelings of others, and never speaks lies. He practises

Brahmacharya. He checks the evil tendencies of the mind and prepares himself through the practice of

right conduct to attain the bliss of union with Paramatma or Self.

“Do as you would be done by. Do unto others as you wish others do unto you.” This is the whole of

Dharma. Attend to this carefully. You will be saved from all troubles; practise this in your daily life.

Righteousness, Truth, good works, power and prosperity all originate from conduct. Dharma is extremely

subtle, intricate and complex. Even sages are perplexed. Dharma gives wealth, satisfaction and liberation

in the end. Dharma tops the list of the four Purusharthas, Viz., Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.

Dharma is generally termed as duty, righteousness, etc. Any action that is best calculated to bring Sreyas

(Moksha) is Dharma. All that is free from any motive of injury to any beings is surely morality. For,

indeed the moral precepts have been made to free the creatures from all injuries. Dhasma is so called

because it protects all. Indeed, morality saves all creatures. Sadachara is the basis of the realisation of

Atmic unity or oneness of life or Adwaitic feeling of oneness everywhere. Sadachara prepares you for the

Vedantic realisation of “Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma”-All indeed is Brahman. There is no such thing as

diversity.

CHAPTER V.

CULTIVATION OF VIRTUES

Character-Building

A MAN may die but his character remains. His thoughts remain. It is the character that gives real force

and power to man. Character is power. They say “knowledge is power” but I say, with all the emphasis at

my command, that “character is power.” Without character the attainment of knowledge is impossible.

That man who has no character is practically a dead man in this world. He is ignored and despised by the

community. If you want success in life, if you want to influence others, if you want to progress well in the

spiritual path and if you wish to have God-realisation, you must possess an unblemished spotless

character. The quintessence of man is his character. The character of a man survives or outlives him.

Sankara, Buddha, Jesus and other Rishis of yore are remembered even now because they had wonderful

character. They influenced people and converted others through their force of character.

Money is nothing before character. Character is a mighty soul-force. It is like a sweet flower that wafts its

fragrance far and wide. A man of noble traits and good character possesses a tremendous personality.

Personality is character only, A man may be a skilful artist. He may be a clever musician. He may be an

able poet or a great scientist. But if he has no character, he has no real position in society. People will

despise him.

Character is a broad term. In a restricted sense, it means moral character. In a broad sense, a man of

character is expected to be kind, merciful, truthful, generous, forgiving and tolerant. He is expected to

posse all the Sattwic virtues or qualities. He may be strictly moral. This is one great qualification. But if

he speakı deliberate untruth, if he is selfish and greedy, if he hurts the feelings of others he is called a man

of bad character. A man who wants to develop his character must be an all-round man. He should possess

all the qualities that are mentioned in the thirteenth and sixteenth chapters of the Gita. Then he is a perfect

man. Then he is a man of perfect and spotless character. A man of perfect character should possess the

following virtues:-humility, unpretentiousness, harmlessness, forgiveness, service of the teacher, purity,

steadfastness, self-control, indifference to the objects of the senses, absence of egoism, insight into the

pain and evil of birth, death, old age and sickness, fearlessness, cleanliness, alms-giving, study of

scriptures, austerity, straightforwardness, absence of wrath, renunciation, peacefulness, absence of

crookedness, compassion to living beings, uncovetousness, mildness, modesty, absence of fickleness,

vigour, fortitude and also absence of envy or pride.

You sow an action and reap a habit. You sow a habit and reap a character. You sow a character and reap a

destiny, The impressions of thoughts, feelings and actions are impressed indelibly on the sub-conscious

mind. You may die, but the impressions are always there. It is these impressions that bring you back to

this universe. The impressions of thoughts and actions. Coalesce together and develop into a habit. The

habits coalesce together and form a character. You are the author of these thoughts and habits. What you

are to-day is the result of your past. It is all habit. You can make and unmake it through thoughts and

deeds.

If good thoughts and good ideals are supplanted in place of vicious thoughts and wrong feelings, the man

will grow in the path of virtue. A liar will become a truthful man. A scoundrel will become a saint.

The character is the outcome of your thoughts, ideals and mental aspirations. If you change your thoughts

and mental aspirations, your character will also change.

Building up of character is building up of habits. The changing of character is the changing of habits.

Habit is second nature. Character is first nature. Perhaps it is all nature. But it can be changed at any

moment throngh will, interest, attention and faith. New healthy strong, virtuous habits will replace old,

morbid, abnormal vicious habits. Yoga aims at changing the old habits. Self-less ser- vice with the spirit

of renunciation, devotion, prayer and Vichara, can change old habits of worldly nature into new habits of

divine nature. The practice oi Yama and Niyama Tapas and Sadachara, friendship, mercy and the three

kinds of Tapas that are mentioned in the seventeenth chapter of the Gita all pave a long way for the

moulding up of character.

Build up your character. This will give you success in life. Character is the garb of saintliness, Practise

daily to remove old evil habits. Establish daily virtuous healthy habits. Character will help you to attain

the goal of life, Character is your very being. May that character take you to the Atmic Bliss and Self-

realisation! Peace be with you all!

Adaptability

ADAPTABILITY is a virtue or noble quality by which one adapts or fits himself with others, whatever

their nature may be. A man of adaptability accommodates himself with others, whatever their

temperaments may be. This is a most desirable habit or quality for success in life. This has to be

developed slowly. The vast majority of persons do not know how to adjust themselves with others. Adap-

tability is a peculiar knack or pluck to win the hearts of others and ultimately the battle of life by a little

bit of bending.

The man must be pliable if he wants to adapt himself. It does need much wisdom and ingenuity for

developing adaptability. If the clerk understands well the ways, habits and temperament of his superior

and accordingly adjusts himself nicely to suit his ways, his superior becomes a slave of the clerk. You

will have to use some kind words and lubricants. A little lubricant to soften the superior’s heart is all that

is needed. That is all. Speak gently and sweetly. Carry out his orders to the very letter. Never retort him.

Remember the maxim: “Obedience is greater than service.” The superior wants a little respect. Say:

“Hanji. Hanji; Ji Huzur; very well, Sir” It costs you nothing. Then your superior becomes your slave, He

has a soft corner for you in his heart. You become his pet. He will do whatever you want. He will,

overlook your mistakes. Humility and obedience are necessary for developing adaptability. That egoistic

proud man finds it very diffi- cult to adapt himself. He is always in trouble. He always fails in his

attempts. Egoism and pride are two important and insurmoutable obstacles in the way of developing

adaptability.

A man of adaptability has to make some sacrifice. Adaptability develops the spirit of sacrifice. It kills

selfish- ness A man of adaptability has to share what he has with others. He has to bear insult and harsh

words. A man of adaptability develops the feeling of unity or one- ness of life. He has to embrace all.

Adaptability develops universal love and kills the feeling of hatred.

He has to develop patience and endurance. These virtues develop by themselves when he tries to adapt

himself with others. He develops balance of mind. He can bear extreme heat and cold. Adaptability brings

eventually Atma Jnana. He who has this noble virtue is a great man in all the three worlds. He is always

happy and successful.

Ahimsa

AHIMSA is non-injuring in thought, word and deed. This is a most important item in the Yogic Yama of

Patanjali Maharshi. That is the reason why it is placed in the beginning. If one is well established in

Ahimsa; the other four items, viz., Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya and Aparigraha will come by

themselves. One egoism if he wants to practise this virtue. Has to kill his He has to kill himself. He must

become a block of stone. He must control his emotions and impulses. Man is worse than a cobra or a

scorpion. There is a sword in his tongue. He hurts the feelings of others. He takes delight in injuring

others.

He who practises Ahimsa is a man of strong will. He develops strong will-power. In his presence enmity

ceases.

There is a hidden power in Ahimsa which protects its votaries. The invisible hand of God gives

protection. There is no fear. What can pistols and swords do? First control your physical body. When a

man beats you, keep quiet. Suppress your feelings. Follow the instructions of Jesus Christ and his

‘Sermon on the Mount.’ Says Jesus: “If a man beats you on one check, turn to him the other cheek also. If

a man takes your coat, give him your shirt also.” This is very difficult in the beginning. The old

Samskaras of revenge, “tooth for tooth.” “tit for tat,” “eye for an eye” and “paying in the same coin” will

all force you to retaliate the man. But you will have to wait coolly. Reflect and meditate. Do Vichara. The

opponent who is very furious will also become calm, because he does not get any opposition from your

side. He gets astonished and terrified also, because you stand like a sage. By and by, you will gain

immense strength. Keep the ideal before you.

After controlling the body, control your speech. Make a strong determination; “I will not speak any harsh

word to anybody from to-day.” You may fail a hundred times. What does it matter? But if you will slowly

gain strength from the hundred and odd time, you have already achieved your end. Check the impulses of

speech. Observe Mouna, practise Kshama (forgiveness). Say within yourself: “He is a baby-soul. He is

ignorant. So he has done it. Let me excuse him this time. What do I gain by abusing him. To err is human

but to forgive is divine.” Give up slowly Abhimana. That is the root- cause. Finally go to the thoughts and

check the thought of injuring. Never think also of injuring any one. Lord Buddha was the only Mahatma

who was well-established in Ahimsa. He gave up his body even to the tiger voluntarily when it was

hungry.

Truthfulness

SRUTIS emphatically declare “Satyam vada-Speak truth: Satymeva jayati naanritam-Truth alone

triumphs but not falsehood.” God is Truth and Truth must be realised by speaking the truth. A truthful

man is absolutely free from worries and anxieties. He has a calm mind. He is respected by society. If you

strictly observe speaking truth for twelve years, you wiil gel Vak Siddhi. Then what-ever you speak will

come to pass. There will be power in your speech. You can then influence thousands.

Your thoughts should agree with your words and the words should agree with your actions. In this world

people think of one thing, say another thing and do something else. This is horrible. This is nothing but

crookedness. You must carefully watch your thoughts speeches and actions. The little gain that you get by

telling lies is no gain at all. You pollute your conscience and infect your sub-conscious mind. The habit of

telling lies is carried to your next birth also and you undergo sufferings from birth to birth. Have you ever

thought over this matter? Be very serious and stop the evil habit of telling lies from this very second.

Write in bold types the words “SPEAK TRUTH” on card-boards and hang them in prominent places in

your house. This will remind you when you speak any lie. You will check yourself at once. A time will

come when you will be established in the habit of speaking truth. Punish yourself by fasting if you tell a

lie and record the lies in the diary. Gradually the number of lies will descrease and you will become a

truthful man.

Self-Reliance

SELF-RELIANCE is a very important virtue, Self- reliance gives immense internal strength. This is an

important qualification for material and spiritual success, The vast majority of persons have got a leaning

mentality. They have lost their power of self-reliance, Luxurious habits have rendered people very weak.

A doctor and a lawyer want servants to put on their shoes and stockings. They cannot draw a pail of water

from the well. They cannot walk even a furlong.

In olden days our forefathers washed their owa clothing and did all sorts of work for the house. They

could even split fuel. They could draw water from the well for hours together. They could walk 40 miles

daily. They had wonderful physique and vitality. They had longevity of life. They were absolutely free

from any kind of disease. Pyorrhoea, appendicitis and blood-pressure were Latin and Greek to them in

those days.

Now-a-days man depends on others for every thing. He has lost this virtue of self-reliance. He has

forgotten all about Almic Shakti. He has no idea of the vast magazine of power and knowledge within, in

the Alma. His mind goes outwards. He has no inner life.

You must know how to cook your own food. You must give up servants. You must wash your own

clothes. You must walk daily to your office. Give up the false idea of prestige and position.

Every one of you should place yourself each step in the spirtual ladder. You are your own redeemer. You

are your own saviour. Remember this point well. No one can save another. You will have to depend on

yourself alone. Stand upon your own legs and get success in the world and in the spiritual path. Tap the

source and draw power by closing the eyes.

Patience and Perseverance

PATIENCE and perseverance are noble qualities that are born of Sattwa. No success, either in the

material world or in the spiritual path, is possible without these qualities. These qualities develop the will-

power. Difficulties do crop in at every stage and these are to be overcome by patient efforts and

perseverance. The success of Mahatma Gandhi is due to these qualities. He never g discouraged by

failures. All great persons of the world achieved greatness, success and eminence through patience and

perseverance. You will have to develop these virtues slowly.

A patient man always keeps his head cool. He keeps a balanced mind. He is not afraid of failures and

difficulties. He finds out methods to streagthen himself For the practice of concentration of mind, one

should have assinine patience. Many people get discouraged when they encounter some difficulties and

give up the work as hopeless. This is very wrong. Aspirants should not give up their Sadhana when they

come across some obstacles.

Patience helps a man in the conquest of temper. Patience gives immense strength. Do all your routine in

the day patiently. Slowly develop virtues. Be eager to develop them. Have a mental image of “OM

PATIENCE” in your mind. The habit will slowly develop. Meditate on this virtue in the morning. Try to

do all the work of the day patiently. Never grumble or murmur. Think of the advantages of patience and I

assure you that you will become an embodiment of patience ultimately.

Sincerity and Honesty

A SINCERE man and one who is honest gets success always in his work. He is very much liked by his

superiors. These are Sattwic virtues. Honesty is the best ‘policy’ in the West but it is a sacred ‘virtue’ in

the East. That man who is endowed with these two noble quali- fications can penetrate into any rigion of

the world. People will receive him with outstretched hands. Sincere and honest people are very rare.

A sincere man feels for the troubles and tribulations of others and tries his level best to alleviate their

sufferings. He is very sympathetic. He is very very soft-hearted. A sincere man is also generous. He is

free from any crookedness, cheating, diplomacy and double- dealing. People place implicit faith in his

words. A sincere man is always reliable. He is quite unassuming. There is not a bit of hypocrisy in him.

He is quite frank, honest and true. He will not find any difficulty in getting a job anywhere. People are

quite eager to take a sincere man in their service, A sincere man has always the well-being of his master

in his mind. He works very hard.

A sincere friend, a sincere devotee, a sincere husband, a sincere wife, a sincere son, and a sincere servant,

are gods on earth. There is no virtue greater than sincerity. It should be developed at all costs by one and

all.

Contentment

You all know the maxim: “A contented mind is a continual feast.” The mind is always restless on account

of greed. Greed is a kind of internal fire that consumes a man slowly. Contentment is a powerful antidote

for the poison of greed. Just as a man who comes from a long walk in the sun is quite refreshed by taking

a plunge in the Ganges, so also, that greedy man who is burnt by the fire of Lobha finds immediate joy

and relief by a dip in the ambrosial waters of contentment. There are four sentinels who guard the domain

of Moksha. They are Shanti, Santosha, Satsanga and Vichara. If you can approach any one of these

sentinels, you can get hold of the other three. If you can get hold of Santosha (contentment); you can

easily see the other sentinels following you.

There is no greater gain than contentment. A man who is fully endowed with this important virtue is the

richest man in all the three worlds. The peace that he enjoys cannot be adequately described in words. He

is a mighty emperor on this earth.

Although people know that contentment is a virtue that gives peace of mind, yet, they do not try to

develop this virtue. Why? Because they have lost the power of discrimination and the power of Atmic

enquiry (Vichara Shakti) on account of passion and greed. Greed is the chief officer of passion. Wherever

there is greed, there is passion, and wherever there is passion there is greed almost invariably. The

understanding gets clouded, the intellect gets perverted and the memory gets confused by passion and

greed. Therefore people find it difficult to develop this virtue-contentment.

It is on the strength of contentment that the sage and Rishis of yore, the Fakirs and Bhikshus, move about

it the world in a care-free manner by living on Bhiksha. It s contentment that gives strength to an aspirant

to walk in the path of Self-Realisation and emboldens him to march fearlessly in the rugged and thorny

path of spirituality. It is contentment that makes an aspirant look upon the worthless perishable things of

this world as dung, poison, straw or dust. Contentment develops Viveka, Vairagya, and Vichara.

Contentment opens the doors of Moksha and the realms of eternal bliss and sunshine. Contentment is a

divine virtue, He who has perfect contentment gets balance of mind and perfect poise.

Contentment is bliss. Contentment is necter. Conte- ntment gives immortality and infinite peace.

Therefore develop this virtue. Lead a happy life. Rest in ever- lasting peace. Have a mental image of this

virtue. Repeat mentally “OM CONTENTMENT”. The mental habit of contentment will develop.

Regularity and Punctuality

NO MAN can reasonably expect success in life and God- realisation if he dose not possess these two

qualifications. “Perfect discipline can only be maintained by regularity and punctuality. There cannot be

any success without discipline. Discipline is an enemy of mind. The mind is very terribly afraid when it

hears the terms ‘discipline, ‘regularity, Tapas, Vairagya,’ ‘renunciation, Sadhana, etc. These practices

bring death of the mind (Manonasha).

Man evolves quickly by regular practices. He who meditates regularly gets Samadhi quickly. He gets the

meditative mood easily without any exertion. He who does physical exercises regularly, gets repid

developmen of body. That man who is irregular and does his action by fits and starts cannot reap the fruits

of his efforts.

Learn your lessons from nature. Mark how the season rotates regularly! Mark how the sun rises and sets,

how the monsoon comes, how the flowers blossom, how the fruitu and vegetables crop up, how the

revolution of the moon and the earth takes place, and how the days and nights, weeks and months and

years roll on! Nature is your Guru and guide. The five elements are your preceptor and teacher. Open

your eyes, assimilate the instructions and follow.

Regularity, punctuality and discipline, go hand in hand, They are inseparable. College and school students

in India imitate the West, in fashion, style, cropping the hair etc. These are all vile imitations. Have you

imbibed from them the important virtues, such as, punctuality and regularity? See how an Englishman

adjusts his time to the very second! How very punctual he is! The num ber of specialists and research

scholars is larger in the West then in India. There may be a few geniuses in India like Gandhi, Raman,

Aurobindo, and a few sages and Yogins. But there are innumerable specialists and scholars in the West.

They are more studious, regular and punctual than the Indians. They are reputed for this one qualification,

viz, punctuality. A European manager does not like his clerks if they are unpunctual. He will issue

immediate notice of dismissal to that man who is not punctual. That man who is regular and punctual will

get sure success in all walks of life. There is no doubt of this.

The one qualification that gave success in my life is this one important virtue, punctuality. Even

Europeans used to admire my punctuality. I used to be very punctual whenever and wherever there was an

appoint- ment. It produced a greater impression. I never missed trains. I was always punctual at the

station. An unpunctual man always misses his trains. He fails in his business. He loses all his customers.

The professor dislikes his students who are unpunctual. If a lawyer fails to attend the courts punctually, of

course, he has to lose his case.

Have regular habits in all walks of life. Be regular in going to bed and in rising up early in the morning.

“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” Be very regular in your meals

always Be regular in your studies, in your physical exercises, in your meditation, etc., and you will have a

very successful life and a happy one too. Regularity should be your watch-word.

Pushing Nature

PUSHING nature is also called ‘gushing nature.’ This is the opposite of shyness. The man is aggressive.

He tries to penetrate into all places like ether. Some doctors and advocates are starving. Why? Because

they have not got this pushing nature. They are very intelligent and clever, but u afortunately they are so

incorrigibly shy. They cannot influence other people. The man of gushing nature can talk sweetly and is

very adventurous. He is very courageous. He is very very bold.

A man of pushing nature is very active. He knows how to please other people and win others’ hearts. He

knows how to serve people and to get into their confidence. He creates work for himself. He cannot

remain idle. He always plans, schemes and speculates, He wants to rise up in the ladder of fortune and in

the estimation of the world. He is of a very joyous nature, very jovial and can mix with all. He knows

how to adjust himself with other people of different temperaments. Pushing nature is necessary for

success in life and God- realisation. You will have to cultivate it to the maximum degree. Desire fervently

to develop this habit and try your best to make it your intimate friend. Then your other intimate friends,

the sub-conscious mind and the will, will do the work for you. Have a clear mental image of the thing you

want. This is all that is needed.

Pluck or Knack

THIS quality is most essential for a businessman as for any other man. Knack is dexterity or adroitness.

When a man flourishes in business, people say: “Mr. Banerjee has got good business knack. He has got

the pluck.” Aptitude is another term which is synonymous with pluck or knack. Politeness, courtesy, good

behaviour, are all hidden in this quality ‘pluck. When any man enters a shop for some purchase the

salesman has to approach him with great gentleness and address him politely: “Well, Sir, could I do

anything for you? Kindly take your seat here, Sir. Will you have some tea or a cold drink?” A rough and

rude man cannot prosper in business. Gushing nature is also hidden in business knack.

A man of businss knack is very careful in his accounts. He has a good memory. He knows the current

market prices of all goods. He knows economy with efficiency. He knows the places where-from he can

get things at very cheap rates. He knows how to advertise. He has presence of mind. He is not afraid of

failure or loss. He will make it up very quickly by starting some other side-line. The mind of a

businessman who has pluck is always very inventive. A man of pluck is very intelligent.

CHAPTER VI

ERADICATION OF NEGATIVE QUALITIES

Shyness

SHYNESS is a great hindrance in the path of success in life. This is a form of timidity or low fear.

Almost all boys have got this weakness. This is a feminine quality which is the Swabhave of women.

Shyness manifes’s when one is in the wrong path. Every woman, knows that the goal of life is God-

realisation and yet she indulges in sexual pleasures. This wrong action makes her shy when she appears

before any man. A shy boy or a man cannot express his thoughts boldly before any person. He cannot

look directly at the eyes of another man. He will talk something and look at the ground. He cannot

approach freely any stranger. A shy man cannot get on well in any kind of business or office. Modesty is

not shyness. Modesty is decency or chastity. This comes out of politeness and polish of character.

Those who are shy should try to talk with others boldly. They should look directly at the eyes of others.

Shyness is a great weakness. It should be eradicated quickly by cultivating courage.

Timidity

TIMIDITY is another weakness. This is faintheartedness. This is a form of fear. This is also akin to

shyness. A timid man has a chicken-heart. He is unfit for public activities and any kind of adventurous

work. He is a toad that lives in a small well. He cannot turn out to be a successful man in life. He cannot

talk boldly to his superiour. He cannot deal boldly with his customers. How then can he expect

prosperity? He is also afraid of losing his life. He is much attached to his wife, children and property. He

is afraid of public opinion. A timid man is more or less like a woman. Timidity must be eradicated by

developing courage. Timidity is a curse. It weakens man. Success in life, It checks his growth. It hinders

his

Pessimism

PESSIMISM is another undesirable negative quality. This is a temper of mind that looks too much on the

darker side of things. It is the doctrine that the whole world is bad rather than good. It is a depressing

view of life.

The opposite of pessimism is optimism. It always looks on the bright side of the picture. A pessimist is

ever gloomy and depressed, lazy and lethargic. Cheerfulness is unknown to him. He infects others.

Pessimism is an epidemic and infectious desease. A pessimist cannot succeed in this world. Become a

powerful optimist and rejoice in the all-prevading Atma. Try to be very cheerful under any condition of

life. You will have to practise this.

Over-Credulousness

SOME people are over-credulous. This is also bad. They are very easily cheated by others, You must

fully understand the man. You must know his nature, qualities, his antecedents and his behaviour. You

must try and test him on several occasions. When you are fully satisfied, then you can place your entire

confidence in him. He may be a deep man He may put on a false appearance and turn out to be quite the

reverse after some time. You will have to watch him very closely and move with him shoulder to shoulder

and hear all about him from several other persons with whom he has moved. Man cannot hide his nature

for a very long time. His face is the advertisement-board that registers all his inner thoughts and, in short,

all that take place in the inner mental factory. After close examination and test only, one should place his

confidence and trust in another man.

Suspicion

Too much suspicious nature is also very bad. This is the opposite to over-credulousness. Mind always

moves in extremes The husband suspects his wife always. The wife also suspects the husband. There is

always a tug-of war and trouble in the house. The proprietor of a shop suspects his servants always. How

can business go on smoothly? The world runs on faith.

Intolerance

THEN comes another undesirable negative quality, intolerance. There is religious intolerance. There is

communal intolerance. There is intolerance of all sorts. Intolerance is nothing short of pettymindedness. It

is unreasonable dislike for little things.

This is due to perfect ignorance. How can a man who sees the one Alma in all beings be intolerant All

these small petty differences are pure mental creations Expand! Expand !! Expand !!! Embrace all.

Include all. Love all. Serve all. Behold the Lord in all. Unite with all. See God in everything. See the Lord

in every face. Feel the Indwelling Presence everywhere. Change the angle of vision. Be liberal and

catholic in your views. Destroy all barriers that separate man from man. Drink the eternal Atmic Bliss.

Become perfectly tolerant. Excuse the baby souls who are struggling in the path of life’s journey and who

are committing mistakes. Forget and forgive their mistakes. You will succeed in life. You will realise God

quickly. There is no other way.

Sense of Inferiority

MANY a man worries himself too much that he is inferior to others. The idea of superiority and

inferiority is purely a mental creation. The inferior man can become a superior man if he exerts, struggles

and develops virtues. The superior man may become inferior if he loses his property and falls into evil

ways. Never think that you are inferior or superior to anybody. If you think you are superior to others, you

will begin to treat them with down-right contempt. The idea of superiority and inferiority is the product of

ignorance. Develop equal vision, Live in the true spirit of the Gita. Where is superiority or inferiority

when you behold the one Self in all and everywhere? Says William Hazelit, the reputed essayist: The

sense of inferiority in others without an indirect appeal to self-love is a painful feeling and not an exalting

one.” Change your angle of vision or mental attitude and rest in peace.

Depression

ANOTHER evil quality is depression. People have plenty of mony and yet they are always depressed.

They put on a morose and peevish appearance. They are always gloomy. Depression is an epidemic and

infectious disease. A gloomy man spreads gloom and depression everywhere. He cannot apply himself to

any kind of work. He is lazy and idle. Depression depletes all energy. Think of the opposite, cheerfulness.

Have a mental image of joy and the habit of cheerfulness will develop around this mental picture. Smile

awhile and laugh to your heart’s content. That man who laughs always and keeps a cheerful countenance

radiates joy towards others.

Indecision

SOME people are not able to decide anything definitely in certain important matters. They have not got

an independent power of judgment. They will simply prolong the matter. They will not come to a definite

positive decision. The opportunity will slip away. It will be too late to gather honey in winter. You must

think deeply over a matter for some time and should be able to come to a definite decision. At once you

must apply your will. You must immediately try to put the matter into execution. Then only you will

succeed. Too much thinking will upset the matter. In important matters you can consult some of your

elders who have got plenty of experience in the line and who are your real well-wishers. Remember the

wise saying: “Cut the gordian knot.”

Carelessness and Forgetfulness

CARELESSNESS and forgetfulness are other two evil qualities that stand in the way of success of man.

A careless man cannot do any work in a neat and proper manner. These are qualities born of Tamas.

Application and tenacity are unknown to a careless man. The superiors get displeased with a careless and

forgetful man. There is lack of attention in him. He loses his key, shoes, umbrella and fountain pen daily.

He cannot produce papers and records to the officer at the proper moment. He blinks. Follow the lessons

in memory-culture and you can have a good memory within a short time. You will have to develop a

strong desire to remove these qualities and develop their opposites. This is important. Then alone the will

and the sub-conscious mind will do the work for you.

Diffidence

Many people are always diffident. They have no self-confidence. They have energy, capacity and faculty.

But they have no confidence in their own powers and facu- Ities and in getting success. This is a kind of

weakness that brings failures in all attempts. A man appears on the pulpit to deliver a lecture. He is a

capable man. He is well-read. But he is diffident. He thinks foolishly that he would not be able to produce

an impressive speech. The moment this kind of negative thought comes to his mind, he becomes nervous,

he staggers and gets down the plat. Form. This failure is due to lack of self-confidence. Yo may have little

capacity and yet you must have full conf. Dence that you will succeed in your venture. There are people

who have very little substance and capacity and yet they can thrill the audience. This is due to their self.

Confidence. Confflence is a kind of power. It develops will. Always think: “I will succeed. I am fully

confi- dent of my success.” Never give room for negative quality -diffidence to enter your mind.

Confidence is half success. You must fully know your real worth. A man of confidence is always

successful in all his attempts and ventures.

Dishonesty

DISHONESTY is another evil quality. Almost all have got some form of dishonesty or another. Honest

people are very rare. Dishonesty is the hand-maid of greed or avarice. Wherever there is dishonesty, there

are double-dealing, diplomacy, cheating, fraud, chicanery, etc. These are the retinues of dishonesty. Greed

is the chief officer of passion. For the gratification of lust, all dishonest practices are indu- Iged in. If lust

and greed are eradicated, the man becomes honest. A dishonest man cannot thrive in any kind of business,

Sooner or later, his dishonesty will be found out. He will be hated by all men in society. He will fail in all

his ventures. He will not hesitate a bit to take bribes and to tell lies. To cover up an untruth, he will tell ten

lies. To establish the ten lies, he will tell fifty lies. He will not be able to speak even truth with force. He

has a rotten Antahkarana. Develop honesty by eradicating dishonesty. Be content with your lot. Never

crave for more. Lead a simple life. Let your thoughts be lofty. Fear God. Speak the truth. Love all. See

your own self in all. Then you will not be dishonest in your dealings with others. You will be prepared to

sacrifice even the very little that you possess. You will develop a large heart and a magnanimous nature.

That is what is exactly wanted of you if you want to succeed in life and in God realisation.

The Curse of Bribery

The habit of taking bribes is very common. If you ask any body working in any office; What is your

salary, Mr. Jayadev?,’ He will say: “Well, my salary is only Rs. 50/- but my income is about Rs. 75/-.”

This income is nothing but bribe. People are ignorant. Even the so-called educated people have no idea of

the law of action and reaction, Samskaras and their force. If you take bribe, you will be punished for this

wrong action and the Samskara of taking bribes will force you to take bribes even in the next birth. You

will be a dishonest man even in the next birth. Your thoughts and actions are registered in the sub-

conscious mind.

You carry your dishonesty from birth to birth and undergo enormous sufferings. Reduce your wants and

live honestly within your means. You will have a clean conscience. You will be ever free from anxieties

and worries. You will have a peaceful death. I suppose you now understand the gravity of the law.

Become an honest man and be true from this very second you read these lines. Never, never join those

offices which are amen. Able to corruption and temptations. You will be corrupted,

Hatred

HATRED is another evil quality. This world is full of hatred. There is no real love. The son dislikes his

father and tries to poison him to take possession of the legacy soon. The wife poisons the husband to

marry another young man of wealth and position. Brothers fight in courts.

How can a man who beholds the same Self in all, hate or dislike another man? The principles of Vedanta

should be taught in all schools and collages. This is an impera- tive necessity. The sonner this is done, the

better. From the very early boyhood healthy Samskaras should be sown in the minds of young boys. All

boys should be trained in the service of humanity. The necessity of universal love should be very clearly

emphasised. Then alone there can be a possibility of developing pure love and eradicating hatred. You all

should try from now onwards to remove hatred sincerely and earnestly. Conquer hatred by love, jealousy

by love and intolerance by love and you will succeed in life.

Jealousy, Pride and Hypocrisy

JEALOUSY is another canker that consumes man. It is nothing but petty-mindedness. Even educated

people are not free from this terrible scourge. All restlessness and fighting between one community and

another, one man and another, one nation and another, are due to this evil quality. The heart of a jealous

man bures actually when he sees his neighbour in a more prosperous condition. The same is the case with

nations and communities. Jealousy can be eradicated by developing the opposite quality, viz., nobility or

magnanimity. Pride should be removed by developing humility. Hepocrisy should be removed by

developing frankness and simplicity. Anger should be overcome by developing Kshama, love and the

spirit of service,

Conquest of Anger

IT will be admitted on all hands that every one of us, without any exception whatsoever, is a victim of this

horrible malady. Indeed, control of anger will bring in its train supreme peace and immeasurable joy.

Anger begets eight kinds of vices. All evil qualities and actions proceed from anger. If you can eradicate

anger, all bad qualities will die by themselves. The eight vices are: injustice, rashness, persecution,

jealousy, taking. Possession of others’ property, killing, harsh words and cruelty.

When a man’s desire is not gratified and when one stands in the way of its fulfilment, the man becomes

angry, The desire gets transumuted into anger. When one is under the sway of anger, he will commit all

sorts of sinful deeds. He loses his memory, his understanding becomes clouded and his intellect gets

perverted.

If a man becomes irritable for trifling things very often, it is a definite sign of mental weakness. When a

man abuses you, and when a man takes away your cloth or coat, if you keep quiet, that is a positive sign

of inner strength. Self-restraint or self-control is a sign of great mental strength. An easily irritable man is

always unjust, He is swayed by impulses and emotions.

Anger gains strength by repetition. If it is checked then and there man gains immense strength of will.

When anger is controlled, it becomes transmuted into spiritual energy that can move the three worlds Just

as heat or light is changed into electricity, so also, anger becomes changed into Ojas. Energy takes

another form. Energy is wasted enormously when one gets angry. The whole nervous system is shattered

by an outburst of anger. The eyes become red, the body quivers, the legs and hands tremble. No one can

check an angry man. He gets enormous strength for the time being and gets a collapse after sometime on

account of reaction.

Control of anger means control of lust also, Control of anger is really control of mind. He who has

controlled anger cannot do any wrong or evil action. He is always just. It is very difficult to say when a

man will be thrown into a fit of fury. All of a sudden he gets an irresistible fit of anger for trifling matters.

When anger assumes a grave form, it becomes difficult to control. It should, therefore, be controlled even

when it is in the form of a small ripple in the sub-conscious mind (Chitta). One should watch his mind

very very cautiously. Whenever there is the least symptom or indication of slight irritability, then and

there alone it must be nipped. Then it becomes very easy to control anger. Be careful and vigilant and

watch the ripple. Then only you are safe.

Glory upto those who have rooted out their anger and attained knowledge of the Self!

Cares, Worries and Anxieties

CARES, worries and anxieties are the products of Avidya or nescience. When the mind rests in Brahman

during sleep, when the mind is disconnected from the body by chlorofrom anesthesia, there is no pain,

there are no cares, worries and anxieties. From this it follows that cares, worries and anxieties are all pure

mental creation. They do not at all exist in the blissful Self. If nescience, which is the root-cause, is

annihilated, these cares and worries die of themselves. Therfore you will have to treat the cause and

remove the original cause by getting knowledge of the Self or Atma.

Looking at the face in the mirror fifty times daily, application of soap, powder and scented oils, wearing

ties, collars and fashionable apparel, intensifies Deha-Abhimana and augments cares. The identification

of the Self with this body is extended with those who are connected with this body, such as, wife, son,

house, father, mother, sister, etc., and cares increase a hundred-fold. You will have to take care of all

these people. You will have to take care of the toys of your son also, because the toys are connected with

your son. There is absolutely no end for these cares and worries. Man creates for himself all these cares.

No one is to blame. Just as the silk-worm and the spider create a web for their own destruction, out of

their own saliva, so also, man creates these cares and worries for his own destruction out of his own

ignorance, The clouds arise from the ocean by evaporation of the heat of the sun and then obstruct the sun

itself which gives heat for the rising of the clouds. So also, cares and worries are created by man for his

own annihilation. How can these cares and worries have a real existence in the Atma which is an

embodiment of bliss and peace? Destroy Abhimana of the body. All connections and cares will die by

themselves this very second. Do this now and feel the bliss. There is no use of hearing the method for

preparing a custard pudding. Eat the pudding and rejoice. This is what I expect from you without any

delay.

The hairs of a man turn grey within a couple of hours if he worries himself much. Worries have got a

corroding effect on the brain, tissues, nerves and cells. Worries impair digestion, bring exhaustion and sap

the vitality and vigour of man. Worries make a man anaemic and bloodless. The mental energy is

dissipated by cares and worries Worries, when combined with fear and anger, kill a man in a second. In

fact worries shorten the life of man. Many diseases take their orgin in worries Worries weaken the will. A

man of worries cannot turn out any good work with attention. He is careless and listless. He cannot apply

himself steadily to any work He is a living dead man, He is a burden to his family and to mother earth.

Some people have developed a worrying habit. You cannot find even a bit of cheerfulness on their faces.

They always have “castor-oil faces” or “quinine faces.” Have you carefully noticed the face of a man

when he takes a dose of quinine or castor oil? They are gloomy and depressed. Such people should not

come out of their rooms. They pollute the world atmosphere and the thought-world and affcet other

people, Gloom is -epidemic disease. All those whe come in contact with gloomy people are immediately

affected. A gloomy man should cover his face when he comes out.

Never worry yourself over any matter. Be always cheerful. Think of the opposite which is cheerfulness.

Use your reason and commonsense always. Be sagacious and prudent. Develop farsightedness, You can

avert dangers and failures. You can overcome any shortcoming. If you are careful and also vigilant, if you

are honest and straightforward, if you discharge your daily Sandhhya, meditation, prayer. And other

duties of Varnashrama, and if you speak truth and practise celibacy, nothing can harm you. Even Brahma,

the Creator, will be afraid of you. Everything will go on smoothly. You will have an unru- ffled life. Even

difficulties will roll on smoothly without affecting you a bit. Why then should there be room for cares and

worries? Have always a balanced mind. Always smile and laugh. Develop this habit. Even if any diffi-

culty manifest., keep a cool mind. Remember the formula: “EVEN THIS WILL PASS AWAY.” Reflect

and assert “Why should I unnecessarily worry myself? I have gained Power now. I know the ways to pull

on in this world now. I am not afraid of anything. I have a strong will now, I meditate on Alma, Nothing

can upset me now. I am invincible. I can move the world, I am a dynamic personality. I know how to

adjust myself to my environments and surroundings. I can influence people, I know the art of suggestion

and auto-suggestion. I will never worry myself about anything. I am always peaceful and strong. I derive

bliss from within. I always say now: ‘Mr. Worry, good-bye now unto you. I am a different man now. I am

made of sterner stuff. Worries are now afraid to show their faces to me. Remove the worries of millions

of other people.” I can also

Conquest of Fear

Fear is a negative quality or modification of the mind. It is the result or product of ignorance.

Fear assumes various froms. The Ghurkha soldier is not afraid of knife or bullet but he is afraid of

scorpions. A hunter is not afraid of tigers in the forest but is afraid of the surgeon’s knife. The man of the

frontier is not afraid of knife; he can even allow the surgeon to open his intestines without chloroform but

he is terribly afraid of snakes. Some are afraid of ghosts. The vast majority of persons are afraid of public

criticism. Some are afraid of diseases. The most healthy and strong man has got some imaginary fear of

some obscure disease.

There are various degrees in fear. They are simple fright, timidity’ shyness alarm, terror and terrible fear.

When there is terrible fear, the whole body perspires, urine and fecal matter are ejected involuntarily. The

mind becomes like a log of wood, Sometimes shock and immediate collapse take place and the man dies

of sudden terrific cardiac failure. The face becomes pale and the eyes express a peculiar ghastly listless

look.

Parents and teachers should infuse the spirit of courage in their sons and students from the very boyhood.

They should ask them to read stories in the Mahabharata’ which deal with the chivalrous acts of Bhishma

and other persons. Boys have got pliable and elastic minds. They can be manipulated well at this period of

life. The Samskaras can be indelibly impressed at this age. Brahmacharya gives tremendous strength and

infuses courage.

Control of Evil Habits

THIS is Kali Yuga. This is the age of scientific inventions and discoveries. This is the age of fashion and

false notions. This is modern civilisation. This is the age of aeroplane, cinema, radio and novel-reading.

Dharma has become a decrepit He is somewhere in a decrepit hospital. People are acting according to

their own whims and fancies. There is no check. Every man is a Guru. He does not care for any religious

instructions. Passion is swaying everyone. Discrimination, right thinking, and Vichara, have taken to their

heels. Eating, drinking and procreation are the goal of life. Moksha has become a non-entity and a

visionary dream. Evil habits of all sorts have cropped up in all.

A friend greets another friend not with the names of God: “Jai Sri Krishna”; “Jai Ramjiki”; but with a

packet of cigarettes and a peg of whisky. He says: “Come along, Mr. Naidu, Have a smoke. Have a drink

of gin-squash.” Alcohol is such a strong devil that, if once it enters the system of man, it never leaves him

till he becomes a confirmed drunkard who can consume bottles after bottles and till he rolls down in the

gutters. Even our Hindu ladies hailing from respectable and renowned families have taken to smoking and

drinking liquor. In the beginning they start with small doses to excite their passion and develop the habit

soon. Alcohol is a deadly poison that destroys the brain cells and nerves. Many nervous diseases are due

to this only. It becomes very difficult to correct and reform a drunkard. The habit becomes very strong.

No amount of hypnotic suggestion can do any good. A drunkard is a wreck and a menace to society. One

should be very careful in the beginning. He should avoid the company of drunkards.

Then comes another evil habit which is so vary common all the world over and that is smoking. Smokers

bring a little bit of philosophy and medical opinion in support of their habit. They say: “Smoking keeps

the bowels clean. I get a good motion in the morning. It is very exhilarating to the lungs, brain and the

heart. When I sit for meditation after a smoke I get nice concentration.” Very sound philosophy indeed!

They bring very ingenious arguments to support their case. They cannot leave this inveterate habit. There

are such heavy smokers who can without the least ado finish off a tin of cigarettes in a few hours. This

habit starts from the early boyhood. A little boy gets a curiosity for smoking. He stealthily removes a

cigarette from his elder brother’s pocket and tries the first smoke. He gets a little tickling of nerves and

hence continues the theft daily. After sometime he cannot manage witha few cigarettes. He begins to steal

money to get a tin for Rimself independently. Parents and relations are all heavy mokers. They are the

real Gurus for these little boys. What a nasty state of affairs! Horrible indeed is their lot! These parents

are entirely responsible for the bad conduct of their sons and daughters. Any intoxicant becomes a

necessity after some time and the man finds it extremely difficult to give up the habit. He becomes a slave

to smoking. Maya havocs through habits. This is the secret of her workings. You will not get an iota of

benefit from smoking Give up this wrong foolish imagination. Smoking brings irritable heart, “tobacco

heart,” amblyopia and other diseases of the eyes and nicotine poisoning of the whole system. Various

other nervous diseases and impotence also develop.

Now comes another evil habit which is still more common and that is betel-chewing. Votaries of this evil

habit bring in wonderful philosophical argument in support of their principles like their brother-smokers.

People who drink strong tea and coffee very many times in the day develop a bad habit. They also

become slaves to these drinks. In happy moderation they help hard workers. But the thing is that man

loses his will- power and finds it hard to resist his falling into immoderation. There comes the trouble. He

becomes a slave. If he can remain as a master and if he can give it up at any time there is no harm.

Sleeping in the day time is another evil habit. It shortens life. Time is wasted considerably. It brings in

laziness and lethargy. It develops gastritis, dyspepsia, and a host of other ailmentes. It should be entirely

given up if you want to grow quickly Snatch every second and utilise it properly. Life is short and time is

fleeting. Death is waiting. How happy is the man who is horoughly destitute of a single evil habit! He can

attain great success in life and apply himself diligently in Yogic Sadhana.

The vast majority of persons have got the evil habit of using slang terms and vulgar words always during

their conversation. When they become excited and angry, they pour forth a continuous shower of all sorts

of foul epithets. It cannot be described. There are people who use the word: “Sala” every second. It has

become like the habit of saying: “of course” in the case of some people. Sala means brother-in-law in

Hindi. If you call any boy by the term “Sala” he will become very furious. People have got vulgar habits

and use these slang terms A man of refined taste, culture and polish can never utter any such words.

The correction of any evil habits is very simple. An advocate was a terrible smoker for a period of fifteen

years. With a strong will he left it off entirely. Feel strongly first that you have got an evil habit and feel

strongly also that you should give up the evil habit immediately. Then your success has already come.

Will strongly: “I will give up this bad habit from this very second.” You will surely succeed. Giving up

any bad habit at once is better. The habit of slowly giving up by gradual reduction generally turns out to

be unsuccessful. Beware of recurrences. Resten turn your face when a little temptation tries to reappear,

Keep the mind fully occupied in your work. Be busy. Entertain a strong desire: “I must become a great

man presently.” All these habits will fly away in a moment. Feel strongly: “I must become a spiritual

man.” All these bad habits will take to their heels at once.

Use your sub-conscious mind for the eradication of your habits. It is your intimate friend and thick chum.

Keep companionship with him. He will make matters all right Establish new and healthy habits. Develop

your ‘will’ also. Give up bad company and always have Satsanga. Live amidst Mahatmas. Their strong

currents will overhaul your evil habits. There is nothing impossible under the sun. Where there is a will

there is a way.

Conquest of Passion

IN a broad sense, passion means any strong desire. There is passion for service of country in patriots.

There is passion in first-class aspirants for God-realisation. In some people there is a strong passion for

novel reading. There is passion for reading religious books. But generally, in common parlance, passion

means lust or strong sexual appetite. This is a physical craving for sexual or carnal gratification. When

any sexual act is repeated very often, the desire becomes very keen and strong. The sexual instinct or the

reproductive instinct in man involuntarily prompts him for sexual acts for the preservation of his species.

Passion is in a seed-state in young boys and girls. It dose not give them any trouble. Just as the tree is

latent in the seed, so also, passion is in a seed-state in the minds of children. In old men and women

passion gets suppressed. It cannot do any havoc. It is only in young men and women who have reached

adolescence that this passion becomes troublesome. Men and women become slaves to passion They

become helpless.

Some ignorant people say: “It is not right to check passion. We must not go against nature. Why God has

created young beautiful women? There must be some sense in His creation. We should enjoy them and

procreate as many as possible. We should keep up the progeny of the line. If all people become

Sannyasins and go to forests, what will become of this world? It will come to an end. If we check passion

we will get disease. We must get plenty of children. There is happi- ness in the house when we have

abundant children. The happiness of married life cannot be described in words. It is the be-all and end-all

of life. I do not like Vairagya, Tyaga (renunciation), Sannyasa and Nivritti.” This is their crude

philosophy. They are the direct descendants of Charvaka and Virochana. They are life-members of

Epicurean school of thought. Gluttonism is their goal of life. They have a very large following. They are

friends of Satan. Admirable is their philosophy!

When they lose their property, wife and children, when they suffer form an incurable disease, they will

say: “O God, relieve me from this horrible disease. Forgive me of my sins, I am a great sinner,”

Passion should be checked at all costs. Not a single disease comes by checking passion. On the contrary,

you will get immense power, joy and peace. Thentrary, also effective methods to control passion. One

should reach Atma which is beyond nature by going against nature. Just as a fish swims against the up-

stream in a river, so also, you will have to move against the worldly currents of evil forces. Then alone

you can have Self- realisation. Passion is an evil force and it should be checked if you want to enjoy

undecaying Atmic bliss. Sexual pleasure is no pleasure at all. It is a mental delusion. It is attended with

dangers, pain, fear, exertion and disgust. If you know the science of Atma or Yoga, you can very easily

control the dire malady which is passion. God wants you to enjoy the bliss of Atma which can be had by

renouncing all these pleasures of this world.

Throughout the Gita the one ringing note that arrests the imagination and mind of the readers is that the

man who has calmed his passion-nature is the most happy man in this world. It is also very very easy to

control passion which is your deadliest enemy if only you take this subject very seriously and apply

yourself to spiritual Sadhana wholeheartedly with a single minded devotion and concentration. Nothing is

impossible under the sun. Dietetic adjustment is of paramount importance. Take Saltwic food, such as,

milk, fruits, green dal, barley bread, etc. Give up pungent foods such as curries, chutneys, chillies, etc.

Take a simple diet. Do Vichara, Chant ‘OM’ Meditate on Atma. Enquire “Who am I?” Remember that

there is no Vasana in Atma. Passion belongs to the mind only. Sleep separately. Get up at 4 A. M., and do

the Japa of Maha Mantra or Om Namassivaya’ or ‘Om Namo Narayanaya’ according to your taste,

temperament and capacity. Do meditation on the divine form and divine attributes such as Omnipotence,

Omniscience, Omnipresence, etc. Study one chapter of the Gita daily. Make it a point not to tell lies even

at the cost of death itself. Fast on Ekadasi days or whenever your passion troubles you. Give up novel-

reading and cinema-going. Spend every minute profitably. Practise Pranayama also. Study the book

“SCIENCE OF PRANA- YAMA.” Do not look at women with passionate intents. Look at your toes

when you walk along the streets and meditate on the form of your deity. Repeat always your Guru Mantra

even while walking, eating and working in the office. Try to see God in everything. Keep a daily diary.

Refer to the appendix of this book. I have shown the form of a diary there. Keep the diary regularly and

send it on to me for review at the end of every month. Write down your Guru Mantra daily in a clean

note-book for an hour and send the note-book every month to me.

You will be able to control passion if only you strictly adhere to the above instructions to the very letter.

You can laugh at me if you do not succeed Blessed is the man who has controlled his passion for he will

soon have God-realisation. Glory unto such a soul!

Practise Seershasana, Sarvangasana and Siddhasana simultaneously with Pranayama. These are all highly

useful in the conquest of passion. Do not overload your stomach at night. Night-meals should be very

light. Half a seer of milk or some fruits will constitute a obt regimen or menu at night. Have the motto:

“PLAIN LIVING AND HIGH THINKING” engraved in letters of gold in the forefront of your

conscience.

Attachment

Attachment is the root-cause for all human ills and sufferings. It is the product of ignorance or Avidya. It

is modification of nescience or ignorance. The husband weeps at the death of his wife, because he is

attached to the physical body of his wife. The wife also weeps at the time of her husband’s death not

because of pure love for him but simply because she could not get now any sexual pleasure and other

comforts which she had enjoyed when he was alive. Wherever there is attachmant, there are Moha and

fear. Moha or infatuated love or delusion and fear are the old-standing associates of attachment. The

cause of fear is attachment for this body and property. Attachment and fear are inseparable. They are like

fire and heat.

Attachment is real death. Non-attachment is eternal life. Attachment brings manifold miseries. Non-

attach- ment brings manifold bliss. Attachment contracts the heart. Non-attachment expands the heart and

infinitum. Attachment makes a man a little being. Non- attachment brings freedom independence and

perfection. Attachment brings discord, rupture and quarrel. Non- attachment brings concord and harmony.

Attachment is poison. Non-attachment is nectar. Attachment is your deadly enemy. Non-attachment is

your intimate friend.

Attachment hurls you down into this miserable Samsara. Non-attachment lifts you up to the lofty heights

of Brahmanhood.

Mean-Mindedness

THIS world abounds in mean-minded people of every sort, Ninety-nine per cent of people are mean-

minded in some way or other. This is due to TamoGuna. The heart of a mear-minded man burns when he

sees others in pros- perous condition. It burns when he hears of the success and attainments or virtuous

qualities of others. He vilifies them and aims at their downfall. He does scandal- mongering and back-

biting. He is extremely jealous and envious. Mean-mindedness is a form of jealousy. One may be an

intellectual giant, He may be a very great poet. His books might have been prescribed as texts for the

students of M. A.,, in the University. But he may be a very mean-minded man without any scruples or

principles. The whole society may admire his talents as a poet or as a scholar and at the same time may

hate him as he is very mean. As a real man he is nothing.

A mean-minded man will not hesitate to poison his brother to usurp his property. He will not hesitate to

put false signatures, utter deliberate lies, defraud a man, commit adultery and rob a man of his wealth. He

is ready to do any kind of mean act to amass wealth. He has not got a clean conscience. He is very

calculative. Miserliness goes hand in hand with mean-mindedness. He will be pained to part even with a

pie. Charity is unknown to him. He may be a great man in society but he will be fighting in the railway

platform shamelessly with a porter for two pies. He may spend kerosene oil worth about two annas to find

out a missing pie in his daily account. He will eat sweetmeats, fruits, etc, but his heart will burn if his

servant also eats the same articles. He will ask his servant to eat gram and black sugar. He will make great

differences in serving tea or anything to others. He will keep the best thing for himself and distri- bute the

rotten stuff to others. He will not give even a single morsel of food to save a dying man. Heart as hard as

flint. He has a

The remedy for this dire disease is the cultivation of the opposite virtue which is nobility or magnanimity.

Charitable nature, cosmic love and the spirit of service should be developed. Satsanga is highly beneficial.

Regular meditation on the virtue of nobility is necessary. Sit very quietly in a solitary room at night and

close your eyes. Introspect and find out what sort of mean actions you did during the course of the day.

Record these in your daily spiritual dairy. Watch also the mean Vrillis that arise from the mind-lake and

nip them in their very bud.

Crooked-Mindedness

CROOKED-MINDED people also are to be found in abundance in this world. Crooked-mindedness is a

Tamo- Guna Vritti. Such people are always crooked in talking and arguing. They indulge in qubbling and

wrangling They are always fond of vain talks. They will assert emphatically that only their statement is

correct and the statement of others are false and absurd. They cannot keep quiet even for a single minute.

Their arguments are very peculiar. They will not argue with any person in a respectable manner. They

will take to vituperation and fall out in the end. Cultivation of nobility, politeness and

straightforwardness, will eradicate this evil quality.

CHAPTER VII

HEALTH AND LONG LIFE

Good physical health can be achieved and maintained by observing rigidly the laws of health and the

rules of hygiene, by taking wholesome, light, substantial, easily digestible, nutritious, bland food or

Sattwic diet, by inhaling pure air, by regular physical exercise, by daily cold bath, by observing

moderation in eating, drinking etc. Good mental health can be attained and maintained by Japa,

meditation, Brahmacharya, practice of Yama, Niyama and right action, Atmavichara, change of thought,

relaxation of mind by dwelling the mind on pleasant thoughts, mental recreation and the practice of

cheerfulness.

The whole universe from the mighty sun to the tiniest atom is controlled by law. There is perfect order

every- where. The sun performs its duties quite regularly. It rises at the proper time and sets at the proper

time. The stars and planets revolve in an orderly manner They are governed by laws. There are laws in the

mental plane. There are laws of physics, of astronomy, of mathematics. There are laws of hygiene and

health which govern our own being. In the vast universe man alone is the breaker of laws and the violator

of rules. He is the single example of health, leads a life of disspation and then wonders why he

lawlessness and discord. He wilfully disregards the laws of suffers from diseases and disharmony. He

deliberately ignores the rules of hygiene and right living and then weeps when he is ailing from an

incurable malady.

How wonderful is this magical machine-the human body, the moving temple of God or the chariot of the

soul, Mother Prakriti has exhibited her marvellous skill and maximum dexterity in constructing this

marvellous machine. If you seriously ponder over for a while over the structure and working of this

wonderful machine that is our body, you will be struck with awe and wonder.

Study of anatomy and physiology, hygiene and the science of dietetics which will help you to keep the

body in a healthy and strong condition so that all its machinery may work harmoniously, must be your

first study. You have ignored the laws of health and the rules of hygiene. Hence you have poor health,

poor physique and a dilapidated frame.

Regular practice of Yogic exercises or Yoga Asanas even for fifteen minutes a day will keep you quite fit

and soon make you hale and hearty. You will have abundant energy, muscular strength and nerve power,

a charming personality and you will live long.

Vital Facts About Health

Though we boast ourselves to be civilised men, yet when the question of food comes, we make many

imper- ceptible blunders.

The English system of taking food and breakfasts often is not compatible with the tropical climes of our

country.

By taking cooked and concentrated foods, with spices and condiments, we fill our belly with denatured

food and hence this degeneration in the physique of the youths of the 20th century.

We cannot change our age-long habits all of a sudden, and so we must have some compromise.

First, we should take some sort of exercise such as a morning walk or some abdominal gymnastics or

Suryanamaskar or Asanas, at least two of the last i. E., Paschimottasan and Sarvangasan.

Secondly, we should take a morning bath either in hot or cold water.

Thirdly, we should have no breakfast-only a cup of milk or juice of lemon, orange or tomato in a cup of

hot or cold water, after bath. Instead of milk, buttermilk also can be taken. If nothing is available, a cup of

hot or cold water will suffice.

Fourthly, we should not discard our usual meal in the morning, but avoid fried and spiced food and

sweets as far as practicable.

Fifthly, in the afternoon, instead of tea or coffee, we can take one or two fruits, available in the season.

Sixthly, our evening meal should consist mainly of fruits and vegetables and milk.

Seventhly, the evening meal should be finished before 7 or 8 P. M.

Eighthly, we should go to bed between 10 and 11 P.M.

Ninthly, once in a week we should have two meala of fruits, milk and vegetable only.

And, tenthly, we should not entertain pessimistic thoughts, God is always good. The apparent difficulties

which we have to face in life are for our progress, and we must pray to God to find out means and

measures to overcome them. Before going to bed, we must bring the image of our favourite deity before

our mind’s eye and pray to God fervently to give us health, wealth and power to fight the battle of life

successfully.

Occasional fasts are as essential as occasional feasts, to correct our errors against natural life, which are

often inevitable. An occasional use of enema or castor oil, or any vegetable laxative is necessary to clean

the bowels, when we feel constipated.

Lastly, when we begin to take our usual meals of cereals, we should observe the following rules as far as

practicable.

Starches, fats, green vegetables and sugar can be taken together as they require either an alkaline or

neutral medium for their digestion.

Proteins, fats, green vegetables and acid fruits may be taken together.

It is golden rule to take fruits in the morning and silver rule to take in the afternoon. Fruits may be taken

alone.

Only a little lemon juice may be added to give relish to our food. Buttermilk can be taken after meals or

an hour or two after meals.

All these rules are for persons whose digestion is not good and the number of such persons is numerous.

Only very few persons of robust health can digest any kind of food and can overcome any irregularity in

food by their streneous work.

Physical ill-health, weakness and nervous debility often provide the best soil in which the weeds of moral

lapses and spiritual ignorance grow rapidly. Maintenance of sound physical health is an effective

preparation to build up inner moral and spiritual strength.

Fasting-Its Benefits

Fast is a subject that is commended by all religions and all creeds of thought. It is the first step in the

ladder of Divine Life.

Fast is the first suggestion that your doctor, of whatever practice he may be, prescribes to you as soon as

you go to him for diagnosis, because it gives him a correct view of your entire physical system. This

explains that the nervous system places itself clearly before the medical men more easily when you are

not fed than when your stomach is full. Both fast and feast give blessing to the human being. The feast

gives you immediate blessing which vanishes in a few seconds craving for more, whereas fast gives a

different kind of happiness more lasting than that of a feast.

Just imagine for yourself the life of a man who has steadily taken upon himself a course of fast at regular

intervals of, say, once a week. He shines with the divine splendour which he has unconsciously got about

himself. He feels the calm and peace which he has cultivated by devotion to the Almighty when he is

spending his hours of silence by concentrated prayer to the Lord. A complete fast of 24 hours gives you a

chance of keeping your bowels at rest; the brain is free to think of the Lord for more hours than you can

otherwise do; it gives a rejuvenation to your limbs and a concentration of vision to your eyes and all your

energies get a thourough overhaul, which you cannot otherwise have. It is a continuous flow of bliss

which stays in your system. The more it flows the more it develops. It is part of your self, always

developing and never receding. It is only a course of evolution. It gives you a different personality

altogether. You are definitely nearer to God Almighty. This kind of bliss sheds its rays on all personalities

that it comes in touch with. It is out of experience that the old sages practised and preached fast as an

important routine of life. Take it now, in case you are not used to it.

The Exadashi, the Sabbath Day, or Saturday, which ever suits you best, can be oberved as a fasting day.

Keep at definite and regular intervals as it suits you. It gives the worldy-minded man more and more

happiness just as the sage, who has nothing to ask for. It gives him altogether a different kind of health. It

is absurd to imagine that you are growing weak for want of food.

Indirectly you grow stronger day by day both physically and mentally through fasting.

Physically your system has had an overhaul more than what an intelligent doctor can do for you. Mentally

you have more concentration, and more resisting capacity. You improve in firmness; there is more

capacity to with- stand the physical disturbances of any kind, illness, fatigue and any disease.

Just imagine a man who has eaten fully and drunk to the brim. He is suffering more than a sickly man, till

his stomach gets bloated with poisonous gas. But fasting bestows in you a divine happiness which can be

enjoyed with such delight that when once you take to it, you are not inclined to leave the habit. A man

who spends his few hours of leisure in absolute calmness after his first meal succeeding a period of fast is

having a feeling of enjoyment which can never be expressed. His joy knows bounds. It is heavenly and

bears no no comparison to anything on earth.

Fasting gives clearness of insight into subject, a mirror for the vision; it bestows in the human machine an

activity all anew. You just hear a course of discourses by a man who has practised fast. You somehow

develop an awe, you have an inexplicable liking for him, for no reason you are proud of having him in

your presence, all for Divinity that has unconsciously crept into him without his knowledge. All on a

sudden, you are forced to think for awhile as to why you should not fast in the immediate future. A man

with genuine practice of fast at regular intervals has clear cut thoughts, an expression all his own, an

imagination which others cannot excel. His ideal can only be Divinity. His aim in life can only be

Immortality, The ego stands nowhere before him. His thoughts are sublime and firm. His actions are

diligent. There is a transcendental glow in him. He has the kindgom of God on earth in his own

personality. He never wounds the feelings of others. His ideas are rays of light in the darkness of human

life in everyday world.

Yoga Asans for Health

Yoga Asans are intended for the thorough exercise of the internal organs, viz, liver, spleen, pancreas,

intestines, heart, lungs, brain and the important ductless glands of the body. Regular practice of Yogic

exercises even for fifteen minutes a day will give you abundant energy, muscular strength and nerve

power, a charming persona- lity and long life. Yoga Asans will root out all chronic diseases and bestow

upon the practitioner physical, intellectual and spiritual strength and power.

Sirashsan is a penacea, a cure-all, a sovereign specific for all diseases. It is a powerful blood purifier and a

nervine tonic. Sarvangasan keeps a healthy thyroid. It removes dyspepsia, constipation and other gastro

intestinal disorders of a chronic nature. It is useful in venereal and other diseases of the bladder and

ovaries. Paschimottanasan is a specific for corpulance or obesity and for the enlargement of the bowels

and removes sluggishness of liver, dyspepsia, belching and gastritis, Jumbago or stiff back and all sorts of

myalgia and other diseases of the back-muscles are cured. It cures piles and diabetes also. For the

technique and benefits of these and various other Asans consult my book Yoga Asans.

Asans should be practised in the early morning hours in empty stomach. There should be no heavy dress

on the body. Regularity and punctuality are of paramount importance. Regular practise will give you

perfection. Asans should be practised in a well ventilated room or open space. Asans must be practised

with common- sense. There should be no strain. Relaxation at every interval is advisable. Asans can be

practised by any class of people. Even the ladies and aged people can very well practice them with

benefits for all-round development of the body. At the end of the practice some warm milk may be taken;

then ample relaxation and rest should follow. Asans should be practised on a four-fold blanket over a

smooth surface.

In the following pages the technique of each of the most important Asans with suitable illustrations is

presented for the benefit of the readers,

1. PADMASAN-Sit and stretch the legs forward. Take hold of the right foot with the two hands

and folding the leg at the knee, place the foot on the left thigh. Simi- larly fold the left leg and

place it on the right thigh. Keep the body errct and place the hands between the heels, one over

the other or on the knees with Chinmudra.

2. SIDDHASAN-Sit and stretch your legs forward

Bend the left leg at the knees and place the heel at the space between the anus and the scrotum.

Then fold the right leg and place the heel against the pubic bone or just above the genitals. Keep

the body erect and place the hands as in Padmasan.

3. SIRSHASAN-Sit on your knees on a soft seat. Make a finger-lock by interweaving the fingers

and place it on seat, with the lock as the vertex and the forearm resting on the ground as the base.

Now place the top of your head on the blanket between the hands and close to the finger lock.

Raise the body and bring the knees to your chest, the toes still touching the ground. From this

position slowly try to remove the toes a little up from the ground. Then slowly raise the legs,

higher and higher up till the body becomes erect. Keep this posture for a few seconds and then

bring down the legs very lowly. Slowly increase the time from 2 to 15 Mts.

4. SARVANGASAN-Lie on the back quite flat. Slowly raise the legs. Lift the trunk hips and legs

quite vertically. Rest the elbows on the ground firmly and support the back with the two hands.

Raise the legs till they become quite vertical. Press the chin against the chest. Stand from two

minutes and increase the period up to 30 minutes.

5. MATSYASAN—Sit in padmasan lying on the back. Now lift the trunk and head. Rest the top of

the head on the ground by bending the back well. Then catch hold of the toes. This must be

performed immediately after Sarvangasan. Remain in the Asan for 2 or 3 minutes or for half the

time you devote to Sarvangasan.

6. BHUJANGASAN-Lie face downward, with all muscles completely relaxed. Place the palms

below the corresponding shoulders and raise the head and upper portion of the body slowly and

without jerk, just as the cobra raises its hood. Bend the spine well. Let the body, from navel

downwards to the toes, touch the ground. Repeat it for half a dozen times.

7. SALABHASAN-Lie prone (on the face) and keep the hands along with the body, palms facing

above. Rest the chin on the ground by raising the head little up. Now inhale. Stiffen the whole

body and raise the legs up one Cubit from the ground. The knees should be kept straight. The

sacrum to is raised a little along with the legs. Now the chest and the hands will feel the burden of

the legs. Keep the thighs, legs and toes in a straight line. Remain in the pose for 50 seconds.

Repeat 4 times.

8. HALASAN-Lie flat on your back. Keep the two hands near the thigh, plams facing the ground.

Without bending the legs, slowly raise them higher up. Keeping the hands quite stiff on the

ground, raise the hip and the lumbar part of the back also and bring down the legs to the ground

beyond the head. Keep knees quite straight and close together. Press the chin against the chest.

Breathe slowly through the nose. Remain in the Asan for two minutes or repeat the Asana for 5 or

6 times.

9. DHANURASAN-Lie prone. Relax the muscles. Bend the knees and fold the legs over the things.

Raise the head and chest. Firmly catch hold of the ankles with the hands. Raise the head, body

and knees by tugging the hands and legs so that the whole burden of the body rests on the

abdomen. The spine is nicely arched backwards like a bow. Keep the arm and forearm straight

and stiff. Keep the knees close. Repeat for half a dozen times.

10. PASCHIMOTTANASAN-Lie flat on the back, Keep the legs and thighs fixed straight on the

ground, stiffen your body. Slowly raise the head and chest and slowly and gradually bend the

trunk forward till you are able to catch hold of your toes. You can even bury your face between

the knees. Remain in the Asan for 5 seconds and slowly raise the head and body and come to the

starting position. Now you can inhale. Repeat the Asana for 6 times.

11. MAYURASAN-kneel down. Join the two arms together and rest them on the ground on the

palms, fingers pointing to the feet. You can make a slight curve of the finger to facilitate

balancing. With steady and firm forearms for supporting the whole body, bring down the

abdomen slowly against the conjoined elbows. Then stretch your legs and rest the toes on the

ground. Inhale and raise the legs together straight on a level with the head, parallel to the ground.

Keep the posture steady for five seconds. You may stand for minute after few days’ practice.

12. ARDHMATSYENDRASAN-Sit with legs stretched out. Bend the right leg at the knee and set

the heel firmly against the perineum. Bend the left leg at the knee and with the help of the hands

arrange the foot to rest on the ground by the external side of the right thigh. Then passing the

right hand over the left knee, catch hand of the left foot by the hand firmly. The left knee is

placed on the right exilla. In order to have more mechanical advantage or twisting the spine, the

left hand now swung back and the right thigh is caught. Now steadily give a pull and twist the

spine and turn towards the right. To help the spine twist evenly all through, the neck also is turned

towards the left shoulder. Keep the chest erect and forward. Remain in the pose for 5 seconds.

Repeat 4 to 5 times.

13. PADHASTASAN-Stand erect. Raise your hands over your head and inhale fully. Then exhale

slowly and while exhale slowly and while exhaling slowly bend the body down till the hands

reach the toes and the nose touches the knees. Keep the knees stiff and erect. Do not bend the

legs. The raised hands should be in touch with the ears all through even while bending the body.

You can catch hold of the toes. In course of practice you can bury the face between the knees and

keep the palms firmly on the ground. Remain in the pose for 6 seconds. Repeat 4 to 5 times.

14. SAVASAN-Lie supine (on the back). Keep the hands on the ground by the sides. Let the legs be

straight Keep the heels together and toes separated. Close your eyes. Now relax all the muscles of

the body. Start the eelaxation process from the toes. You may do this Asan whenever you feel

strained. At the end of all Asans one should do 10 to 15 minutes of Relaxation.

Pranayama

Pranayama is the perfect control of the life-currents through control of breath. A correct habit of breathing

must be established by the regular practice of pranayama.

By controlling the motion of the lungs or respiratory organs we can control the prana that is vibrating

inside. He who disciplines and controls breath will have good appetite, cheerfulness, handsome figure,

great strength, courage, enthusiasm, a high standard of health, vigour, vitality, intelle- ctual capacity,

memory power and concentration of mind.

Sit in any pose or in the chair. Slowly draw the air through the left nostril. Retain the air as long as it is

comfortable. Slowly exhale through the right nostril. Again, draw the air through the right, retain and

exhale slowly through the left nostril. Repeat this six or seven times according to your strength and

capacity.

CHAPTER VIII

AID TO GOD REALISATION

GOD EXISTS

To define God is to deny God. God is the breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes. The search for God is

a question of supply and demand. If you really want God. If there is a demand for God, then the supply

will come at once.

The denier of God exists. The existence is God. The doubter always exists. The existence of the doubter is

God.

There are beauty, intelligent beings, luminosity, law, order and harmony in spite of apparent disorder and

disharmony. There must be an Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Omnipotent Being who governs and

controls this vast universe.

There is display of intelligence in every inch of creation. The Divine Hand is operating everywhere. Can

my brother, the psychologist, manufacture a mind? Can the scientist explain whence the laws of Nature

are? It is obvious that ever since the beginning of creation some miraculous and mysterious power has

been at work. You can call this “Mysterious Power” or “Father in Heaven,” “Jehovah,” “Allah,”

“Substance,” “Essence,” “Brahman” “Ahur-Mazda.” Know him. All Power and all Know- ledge shall be

added unto you! Meditate, Realise.

The Life Divine

Religion produces a living influence on the heart and life of a person. It affords spiritual food for the

mind. It transforms man into divinity. It is Life Divine. It melts, purifies, and changes the heart. The

foundation of religion is faith. Its superstructure is Self-realisation. Its walls are holiness, truthfulness,

purity and non-injury. Discrimination, dispassion, serinity, self-restraint, one- pointedness of mind and

aspiration are the bricks. Love is the cement. Ory bo

Social customs and conventions have been given the status of religion by ignorant people. These social

customs and conventions cannot, however, be called religion. They are changing from time to time

according to the needs of the society or the exigencies of the occasion for the preservation of the society

and the spiritual well-being of the individuals.

You cannot call social customs and conventions as religion. Religion is eternal and unchanging. If you

strictly follow it, it will lead you to eternal bliss and freedom from the trammels of birth and death.

All religions point out the path to God-realisation or perfection or freedom. All religions are essentially

the same. Real religion is one. It is the realisation of the oneness or unity of the Self. It is the religion of

love and heart. All the religions are the different versions of the one religion of Oneness and Love.

Man forgets all about his religion on account of ignorance or lust for power and greed. He has become

irreligious. So he has come down to the level of the brute. He has lost all sense of morality. He does

havoc. He creates mischief. He stabs, loots and burns houses. The law of the jungle prevails. What a

disgraceful, deplorable state!

If man always remembers the essential unity of all selves, if he is religious, if he has really understood

that all beings are one, that all are children of one God, if he has know- ledge of the law of Karma, the

teachings of saints, prophets and seers, if he has understood the illusory nature of this world, he will never

think of doing any harm to others in thought, word and deed. He will never manufacture bombs. He will

never think of Self-aggrand- izement. He will ever be leading the Life Divine and be happy for ever. He

will ever be serving others. He will contribute all in his power towards the happiness of others.

Irreligious life is the cause of war and riots. Irreligious life is the cause for restlessness, power-politics,

division, separation, murder, arson and all sorts of disgraceful, abominable, heaven-closing brutal acts.

A really religious man is a veritable God on this earth. He is a cementing synthetic force. He is all love.

His heart is filled with mercy, kindness and affection. He is a blessed peace-maker. He is a superman.

Quoting scriptures will not make one religious. Taking one meal a day, the bending of the knees, standing

upon the head for three hours or on one leg till sun-set, practising Vajroli or Nauli, doing Tratak on the

sun, will make one religious. Religious life is a life of rigorous. Discipline. It is the annihilation of the

lower of self and a rich life of bliss and fullness in the Eternal,

Take away religion. Then man lives to no purpose. He is far away from the purpose of his creation. Life is

a dreary waste here. There is no living without religion, It is only religion that makes existence valuable

and fills the mind with love, devotion, serenity and cheerfulness. True religion shows its influence in

every part of your conduct and makes your life sublime and divine. Religion is the tie that links man with

his creator.

Religion is the foundation of society, the source for all good and happiness, and the basis of all virtue and

prosperity of the Individual and the nation. Civilization. Aw, order, morality and all that elevates man and

gives peace to the nation are all the fruits of the practice of religion.

Religion teaches men their near relation to God and produces in them the spiritual awakening of divine

consciousness; it generates in them vigorous, sublime thoughts. Religion is mixed up with your very

being and daily life. It gives you security of perennial joy, enternal life and everlasting bliss and new

hopes when all mundane hopes disappear.

Religious life is the greatest of all blessings. It lifts a man from the mire of worldliness, impurity and

infidelity. Intellect is vain if it is not illumined by religion. Religion does what philosophy can never do,

If you live in accordance with the rules of religion you will attain wisdom, immortality, ever-lasting peace

and enternal bliss. You will become the wisest, the happiest among men of this world.

Religion is the final centre of repose and undying peace. It is the goal to which all things tend. It is the

impregnable citadel of virtue and purity and everlasting bliss. It is an invinsible fortress which cannot be

destroyed by any number of atomic bombs.

Religion is not a dogma. It is not mere prayer which one offers when one suffers from severe intestinal

colic or chronic dysentry. It is pre-eminently life in the Eternal or the Everlasting-Silence. It explains to

the ignorant the nature of the Unseen or the Unknowable and shows the way to realise Him.

May you all lead a true religions life and thus attain the final beautitude or Immortal Bliss!

Mind and Its Control

Mind is the cause for bondage and freedom of man. A mind that is filled with impure Vasanas tends to

bondage; whereas a mind that is destitude of Vasanas tends to freedom. Mind is no mind when the

Vasanas are destroyed. You become mindless When you become mindless, intution dawns and you are

endowed with the eye of wisdom. You enjoy indescribable peace.

Mind clings to sensual objects through Vasnnas and constantly thinks of objects. One of the most

common habits of mind is the wandering habit. It can not stick to one point as it is of the nature of air.

Destruction of of desires and control of Indriyas are the essential steps for the control of mind. It is the

desire that makes the mind restless. Therefore if you want to check this wandering mind, you will have to

renounce all sorts of desires and control the Indriyas first. Then alone you will be successful in the

practice of concentration, meditation, will-culture and thought culture.

Mind is Atma-Sakti. It is through mind only that Brahman or the Supreme Self manifests as the

differential universe with heterogeneous objects. Mind is nothing but a collection of samskaras or

impressions. Nothing but a bundle of habits. It is The true nature of the mind consists in the vasanas or

subtle desires; the idea of “I” or egoism is the seed of the tree of mind. The sprout which springs up from

this seed egoism is Buddhi or intellect. From this sprouts the ramifying branches called Sankalpas take

their origin. Mind is made of subtle Satwic matter. According to Chandogya Upanishad, mind is formed

out of the subtlest portions of food.

Mind is of two kinds, viz; the Ashudda or impure mind and the Shudda or the pure mind. The former

leads to bondage while the latter helps the aspirant attain liberation. Have no longing for objects. Reduce

your wants. Cultivate Vairagya or dispassion. Do not mix much. Do not talk much. Do not walk much.

Do not eat much. Do not sleep much. Control your emotions. Abandon desires and vasanas, Control

irritability and lust. Slay the impure mind through the pure mind and trans. Cend the pure mind through

meditation. Practice perfect Brahmacharya. There is no half measure in the spiritual path.

Never wrestle with the mind. Do not use any violent efforts in concentration. When the mind is jumping

and wandering much, make no violent effort to control the mind, but rather allow it to run for awhile and

exhausts its efforts. It will take advantage of the opportunity and will jump around like an unchained

monkey at first. Then it will gradually become quiet and look to you for orders.

If evil thoughts enter your mind, do not use your will. Force in driving them. You only lose your energy

in doing so. You will tax your will. You will fatigue your- self. The greater the efforts made, the more the

evil thoughts will return with redoubled force. They will return more quickly also. The thoughts will

become more powerful. Be indifferent. Keep quiet. Become a silent witness of those thoughts. Do not

identify with them. They will vanish zery soon. Substitute good thoughts. Pray and sing the Lord’s name.

Never miss for a day your meditation. Regularity is of paramount importance. When the mind is tired out,

do not concentrate. Give a little rest. Do not take heavy food at night. This will interfere with your

morning meditation. Japa, kirtan, pranayam, satsang (association with sages), practice of sama (serenity),

Dama (self-rest- raint), Yama (right conduct), Satwic food or pure food study of scriptures, meditation,

vichara or Atmic enquiry- all these will help you to control the mind and attain eternal bliss and

Immortality.

Watch all your feelings carefully. Suppose you get a gloomy feeling. Take a small cup of milk or tea. Sit

calmly. Close your eyes. Find out the cause for the depression and try to remove the cause. The best

method to overcome this feeling is thinking of the opposite. Positive overcomes the negative. This is a

grand effective law of nature. Now think strongly of the opposite of gloom. Think of cheerfulness.

Imagine the advantages of cheer- fulness. Feel that you are in the actual possession of this quality. Again

and again repeat the formula: OM CHEERFULNESS mentally, Feel’ I am very cheerful’. Begin to smile

and laugh several times. Sing some tunes that can elevate you quickly. Singing is very beneficial to drive

off gloom, Chant OM loudly several times. Run in the open air. The depression will vanish soon. The

method of displacing or dislocating the negative feeling by substituting the opposite positive feeling is

very easy. Within a short time, the undesirable feeling vanishes. Practice this and feel. You will be

successful after some sittings and some practice.

You can treat in the same manner other negative feelings as well. If there is the feeling of anger, think of

love. If there is harshness of heart, think of mercy. If there is lust, think of the advantages of celibacy. If

there is dishonesty, think of honesty, integrity. If there is misserliness, think of generosity and generous

persons. If there is pride, think of humility. If there is hypocrisy, think of frankness and its valuable

advantages. If there is jealousy, think of nobility and magnanimity. If there is timidity, think of courage

and so on. You will drive off the negative feelings and will be established in positive state. Practice of a

continued type is essential. He care. Ful in the selection of your companions. Talk very little and that too

on useful matters.

Concentration

FIX the mind on some object either within the body or without. Keep it there steadily for sometime. This

is concentration. You will have to practise this daily.

Purify the mind first through the practice of right conduct and then take to the practice of concentration,

Concentration without purity of mind is of no avail. There are some occultists who have concentration;

but they have no good character. That is the reason why they do not make any progress in the spiritual

line. He who has a steady posture and has purified his nerves and the vital sheath by the constant practice

of control of breath will be able to concentrate easily. Concentration will be intense if you remove all

distractions. A true celibate who has preserved his energy will have wonderful concentration.

Some foolish impatient students take to concentration at once without undergoing, in any manner any

prelimi- nary training in ethics. This is a serious blunder. Ethical perfection is a matter of paramount

inportance.

You can concentrate internally on any of the seven centres of spiritual energy. Attention plays a very

prominent part in concentration. He who has developed his powers of attention will have good

concentration. A man who is filled with passion and all sorts of fantastic desires can hardly concentrate on

any subject or object even for a second. His mind will be jumping like an old monkey.

He who has gained abstraction (withdrawing the senses from the objects) will have good concentration.

You will have to march on in the spiritual path step by step and stage by stage. Lay the foundation of

right conduct, postures, regulation of breath and abstraction, to start with. The superstructure of

concentration and meditation will be successful then only.

You should be able to visualise the object of concen- tration very clearly even in its absence. You will

have to call up the mental picture at a moment’s notice. If you have good concentration you can do this

without much difficulty. In the beginning stage of practice, you can concentrate on the tick tick sound of a

watch or on the flame of a candle or any other object that is pleasing to the mind. This is concrete

concentration. There is no concentration without something to rest the mind upon. The mind can be fixed

on any object in the beginning which is pleasant. It is very very difficult to fix the mind in the beginning

on an object which the mind dislikes.

Sit in lotus-pose (Padmasana) with crossed legs. Fix the gaze on the tip of the nose. This is called the

nasal gaze. Do not make any violent effort. Gently look at the tip of the nose. Practise for one minute in

the beginning. Gradually increase the time to half an hour or more. This practice steadies the mind. It

develops the power of concentration. Even when you walk, you can keep up this practice.

Sit in lotus-pose and practise fixing the mind between the two eye-brows. Do this gently for half a

minute. Then gradually increase the time to half an hour or more. There must not be the least violence in

the practice. This removes tossing of mind and develops concentration. This is known as frontal gaze The

eyes are directed towards the frontal bone of the forehead. You can select either the nasal gaze or the

frontal gaze according to your taste, temperament and capacity.

If you want to increase your power of concentration you will have to reduce your worldly activities. You

will have to observe the vow of silence every day for two hours or more.

Practise concentration till the mind is well established on the object of concentration. When the mind runs

away from the object bring it back again.

When concentration is deep and intense all other senses cannot operate. He who practises concentration

for three hours daily will have tremendous psychic power-he will have a strong will-power.

Even if the mind runs outside during your practice of meditation do not bother much. Allow it to run.

Slowly try to bring it to your object of concentration. By repeated practice the mind will be finally

focussed in your heart, in the Self, the Indweller of your heart, the final goal of life. In the beginning, the

mind may run 80 times. Within six months, it may run 70 times, Within a year, it may run 50 times;

within two years, it may run 30 times; within five years, it will be completely fixed in the divine

consciousness, Then it will not run out at all even if you try your level best to bring it out, like the

wandering bull which was in the habit of running to the gardens of different landlords for eating grass but

which now cats fresh gram and extract of cotton seeds in its own resting place.

Twenty Hints On Meditation

1. Have separate meditation-room under lock and key. Never allow anybody to enter the room. Burn

incense there. Wash your feet and then enter the room.

2. Retire to a quiet place or room where you do not fear interruption, so that your mind may feel

secure and at rest. Of course, the ideal condition cannot always be obtained, in which case you

should do the best you can. You should be alone, yourself in communion with God or Brahman.

3. Get up at 4 a. M. (Brahmamuhurta) and Meditate from 4 a. M. To 6 a. M. Have another sitting at

night from 7 p. M. To 8 p. M.

4. Keep a picture of your Ishta Devata in the room, and also some religious books the Gita, the

Upanishads, the Yoga-Vasishtha, the Bhagavata, etc, Spread your Asana in front of the picture of

your Ishta Devata.

5. Sit in Padma, Siddha, Sukha or Swastika Asana. Keep the head, neck and trunk in a straight line.

Do not bend either forward or backward.

6. Close your eyes and concentrate gently in the Trikuti, the space between the two eye-brows. Lock

the fingers.

7. Never wrestle with the mind. Do not use any violent effort in concentration. Relax all the muscles

and the nerves. Relax the brain. Gently think of your Ishta Devata. Slowly repeat your Guru-

Mantra with Bhava and meaning. Still the bubbling mind. Silence the thoughts.

8. Make no violent effort to control the mind, but rather allow it to run along for a while, and

exhaust its efforts. It will take advantage of the opportunity and will jump around like an

unchained monkey at first, until it gradually slows down and looks to you for orders. It may take

some time to tame the mind but each time you try it will come around to you in a shorter time.

9. SAGUNA AND NIRGUNA DHYANA: To meditate on a Name and a Form of the Lord is

Saguna- Dhyana. This is concrete meditation. Meditate on any from of God you like, and repeat

His Name mentally. This is Saguna Dhyana. Or, repeat OM mentally and meditate on abstract

ideas like Infinity, Eternity, Purity, Consciousness, Truth, Bliss, etc., identifying these with your

Self. This is Nirguna-Dhyana. Stick to one method. In the initial stages, Saguna-Dhyana alone is

suitable for the vast majority of persons.

10. Again and again withdraw the mind from worldly objects when it runs away from the Lakshya,

and fix it there. This sort of combat will go on for some months.

11. When you meditate on the Lord Krishna in the beginning, keep His Picture in front of you. Look

at it with steady gazing without winking the eyelids. See His feet first, then the yellow silken

robe, then the ornaments around His neck, then His face, ear-rings, crown on the head, set with

diamonds, then His armlets, bracelets, then His conch, disc, mace and lotus. Then come again to

the fect. Now start again the same process. Do this again and again for half an hour. When you

feel tired look steadily on the face only. Do this practice for three months.

12. Then close your eyes and meantally visualise the picture and rotate the mind in the different parts,

as you did before.

13. You can associate the attributes of God, as omni- potence, omniscience, purity, perfection, etc.,

during the course of your meditation.

14. If evil thoughts enter your mind, do not use your will force in driving them. You will only lose

your energy. You will only tax your will. You will fatigue yourself. The greater the efforts you

make, the more the evil thoughts will return with redoubled force. They will return more quickly,

also. The thoughts will become more powerful. Be indifferent. Keep quiet. They will pass away

soon. Or, substitute good counter-thoughts (Pratipaksha-Bhavana method) Or, think of the picture

of God and the Mantra, again and again, forcibly Or pray.

15. Never let a day pass without meditation. Be regular and systematic. Take Sattwic food. Fruits and

milk will help mental focusing. Give up meat, fish, eggs, smoking, liquors, etc.

16. Dash cold water on the face to drive off drowsiness. Stand up for 15 minutes. Tie the tuft of hair

on the head, with a piece of string, to a nail above. As soon as you begin to doze, the string will

pull you up, will wake you up. It will serve the part of a mother. Or, lean upon an improvised

swing for 10 minutes, and move yourself to and fro. Do 10 or 20 mild Kumbhakas (Pranayama).

Do Seershasana and Mayurasana. Take only milk and fruits at night. By these methods you can

combat sleep.

17. Be careful in the selection of your companions. Give up going to talkies. Talk a little. Observe

Mowna for two hours daily. Do not mix with undesirable persons. Read good, inspiring, religious

books. (This is substitutive good company, if you do not get positive good company). Have

Satsanga. These are all auxiliaries to meditation.

18. Do not shake the body. Keep it as firm as a rock. Breathe slowly. Do not scratch the body every

now and then. Havethe right mental attitude as taught by your Guru.

19. When the mind is tired, do not cocentrate. Give it a little rest.

20. When an idea exclusively occupies the mind it is transformed into an actual physical or mental

state.

Therefore, if you keep the mind fully occupied with the thought of God alone, you will get into

Nirvikalpa Samadhi very quickly. Therefore exert in right earnest.

The Essence of Bhakti

Everything happens by His will. To submit to His Will in all matters is to enjoy enternal bliss and peace.

True and sincere surrender unto the Lord is the essence of Bhakti. Take everything as His will. Surrender

yourself unto His protecting hands. You will enjoy perennial bliss and peace. Do perfect self-surrender to

the will of the Lord. You can ever be at perfect ease. The best mantra or prayer is “I am Thine. All is

Thine. Thy will be done, my Lord” when you surrender to the Lord, there is no need for you to look after

yourself. Dedicate your life to the Lord. He will surely look after you in every respect, and you will have

no more worries.

The Divine grace is life’s greatest invaluable treasure. The grace of the Lord is the ultimate factor in your

life. Divine grace comes only when the mind is purified by selfless work, Japa, Kirtan and service of

Saints. If there is self-surrender, there is inflow of grace. Lord’s grace will descend in proportion to the

degree of self-surrender. The more the surrender, the more the grace.

If you are untruthful, insincere, hypocritical, you are unfit for the Lord’s grace. God is your ever watchful

guardian. The real grace of God makes you stick to the spiritual path. Spiritual and divine grace should

back up personal efforts. Then alone is God-Realisation possible, Supreme love comes only from the

grace of God. If there is self-surrender to the Lord you will be free from desire, fear and anger. You will

be well-balanced, you will enjoy peace and supreme bliss.

Surrender unto God. You will attain Fullness. May the Lord bless you.

Bhakti Commandments

1. Develop devotion through Japa, Kirtan, Sattvic food, worship (Pooja), etc. Yearn for God-vision.

Love Him with all your heart. Remember Him constantly.

2. Keep the company of Saints, the righteous and the wise. Study devotional books like the Gita, the

Bhagavata, the Ramayana, the lives of Saints.

3. The name of the Lord is Divine Nectar. Name is your sole Refuge, Prop and Treasure. Name and

Nami (God) are one. Always chant His Names with devotion. Do Kirtan. This is the principal

Sadhana in Kali Yuga. Via

4. Pray to the Lord from the core of your heart: “I am Thine. All is Thine. Thy will be done. I am an

instrument in Thy Hands. You do everything. You are just. Grant me faith and devotion.”

5. Feel the presence of God with you. See God in every face. Behold the whole world as the Lord,

6. Practise Sadachara (right conduct). Cultivate virtues and eradicate vices. Be good. Be kind to all.

Be humble. Be pure. Speak the truth. Control anger. Have a large heart. Develop compassion.

7. Teach the eye to behold the Form of the Lord. Teach the ear to hear the Lord’s Leelas and Glory.

Teach the hands to serve the Saints and the poor.

8. Take refuge in the Lord. Do total, ungrudging self-surrender. Live for him. Offer your actions to

Him. His Grace will descend on you.

9. Have perfect trust in God. Faith is necessary to attain God. Faith can take you to the inner

chambers of the Lord.

10. Constantly repeat some inspiring verses (praises of God’s glory) or some Mantras, or the Names

of God, This will be your Divine background of thought.

JAPA YOGA

1. In this Iron Age, Japa is an easy way for attaining God-realisation.

2. Japa is the repetition of any Mantra or name of the Lord with Bhav and feeling.

3. Japa removes the impurities of the mind, destroys sins and brings the devotee face to face with

the Lord,

4. Every name is filled with countless powers: just as fire has the natural property of burning things,

so also the name of God has the power of burning the sins and desires.

5. Sweeter than all sweet things, more auspicious than all good things, purer than all pure things, is

the name of the Lord.

6. Name of Lord is a boat to cross this Samsara. It is a weapon to destroy the mind.

7. The repetition of the Mantra again and again generates spiritual force and momentum and intensi-

fies the spiritual Samskaras or impressions.

8. Mananaat Trayate iti Mantrah By the Manana, constant thinking or recollection, one is released

from the round of births and deaths; so it is called Mantra.

9. Repetition of Mantra raises vibrations. Vibrations give rise to definite forms. Repetition of OM

NAMASHIVAYA gives rise to the form of Lord Siva in the mind; repetition of OM NAMO

NARAYANA gives rise to the form of Lord Hari. A devotee of Lord Krishna should repeat “OM

NAMO BHAGAVATE VASUDEVAYA”; a devotee of Lord Rama “OM SRI RAMAYA

NAMAH” or “OM SRI RAM JAYA RAM JAYA JAYA RAM”, a devotee of Devi, Gayatri

Mantra or Durga Mantra.

10. The glory of the name of God cannot be established through reasoning and intellect. It can

certainly be experienced or realised, only through devotion, faith and constant repetition.

11. Manasic Japa, is more powerful than loud Japa.

12. Get up at 4. A. M. And do the Japa for two hours. Brahmamuhurtha is most favourable for Japa

and Meditation.

13. If you cannot take a bath, wash your hands, feet, face and body, and sit for Japa.

14. Face North or East when sitting. This enhances the efficacy of the Japa.

15. Sit on a Kusha-grass seat or dear-skin or rug. Spread a white cloth over it. This conserves body

electricity.

16. Do some prayer before starting the Japa.

17. Have a steady pose. Have Asana Jaya or conquest over Asana. You must be able to sit on Padma,

Siddha or Sukha Asana for three hours at a stretch.

18. When you repeat the Mantra have the feeling or mental attitude that the Lord is seated in your

heart, that Sattwa or purity is flowing from the Lord to your mind, that the Mantra purifies your

heart, destorys desires and cravings and evil thoughts.

19. Do not do the Japa in a hurried manner, just as a contractor tries to finish his work in a hurried

way, eo it slowly with Bhav, one pointedness of mind and single minded devotion.

20. Pronounce the Mantra distinctly and without mistakes. Do not repeat it too fast or too slow.

21. Use not the index finger while rolling the beads. Use the thumb, the middle and the ring fingers.

When counting of one Mala is over, revert it and come back again. Cross not the Meru. Cover

your hand with a towel.

22. Be vigilant. Keep an alert attention during Japa. Stand up and do the japa when sleep tries to

overpower you.

23. Resolve to finish a certain minimum number of Malas before leaving the seat.

24. Mala or rosary is a whip to goad the mind towards God.

25. Sometimes do the Japa without a mala. Go by the watch.

26. Practise meditation also along with Japa. This is Japa-Sahita-Dhyana. Gradually Japa will drop

and meditation alone will continue. This is Japa-Rahita Dhyana.

27. Have four sittings for Japa daily early morning, noon, evening and night.

28. It is better to stick to one Mantra alone. See Lord Krishna in Rama, Siva, Durga, Gayatri.

29. Regular Japa Sadhana is most essential. Sit in the same place and at the same time. Japa must

become habitual. Even in dream you must be doing Japa.

30. Japa Yoga is the easiest, quickest, safest, surest and cheapest way for attaining God-realisation.

Glory to the Lord! Glory, glory to His Name! O man! Take refuge in the Name. Name and Nami

are inseparable.

Gayatri Mantra

               

We meditate on that Ishwara’s Glory who has created the Universe, who is fit to be worshipped, who is

the embodiment of Knowledge and Light, who is the remover of all sins and ignorance. May He enlighten

our intellect.’

Mantra for getting married    !  !   !      

Kaatyaaani Mahaomaaye Mahaayoginyadheeswari Nandagopasutam Devi Patim Me Kuru Te Namah.

Let the girl who wishes to find a suitable, and good husband repeat this Mantra She can do the japa during

two sittings-morning and evening-after bath. A mini- mum of three Malas of japa of the Mantra should be

done per sitting.

An account should be maintained of the number of Malas done per day. When 1,00,000 Japa is

completed, the Divine Mother Gauri should be worshipped on a Friday, Brahmins and the poor should be

sumptuously fed, and nine Kanyas should be offered clothes and orna- ments and worshipped as visible

manifestation of Devi.

Mantra for Getting a Child

 !  |  !  !      !   *

Devakeesuta Gobinda Vaasudeva Jagatpate Dehi Me Tanayam Krishna Twaamaham Saraanam Gatah*

*If the wife is to recite this poem the last word should be recited as 

Both the husband and the wife can repeat this Mantra. Two special sittings can be devoted to the japa-

morning and evening-after bath. A minimum of three Malas of japa of the Mantra should be done per

sitting.

An account should be maintained of the number of Malas done per day. When 1,00,000 japa is

completed, Brahmins and poor people should be given a grand feast. Plenty of charity should be done.

Clothes and sweets should be distributed to children. A Havan should be performed on the concluding

day of the japa.

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

             

Om Trayambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim pushtse Vardhanam Urvaarukamiva bandhanaat

mrityormuksheeya maamritat

MEANING. We worship three-eyed one (Lord Siva) who is fragrant and who nourishes well all being;

may He liberate us from death for the sake of Immortality even as the cucumber is severed from its

bondage (to the creeper)

BENEFITS:-1. This Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is a life giving Mantra. In these days, when life is very

complex and accidents are an everyday affair, this Mantra wards off deaths by snake-bite, lightning,

motor-accidents, fire-accidents, cycle accidents, water-accidents, air-accidents and accidents of all

descriptions. Besides it has a great curative effect. Again, diseases pronounced incurable by doctors are

cured by this Mantra, when chanted with sincerity, faith and devotion. It is a weapon against diseases. It is

a Mantra to conquer death.

2. It is also a Moksha Mantra. It is Lord Siva’s Mantra. It bestows long life (Deergha Ayush), peace

(shanti) wealth (Aishwarya), prosperity (pushti) satisfaction (Tushti) and immortality (Moksha).

3. On your brithday, repeat one lakh of this Mantra or at least 50,000; perfrom Havan and feed Sadhus,

the poor and the sick. This will bestow on you long life, peace and prosperity.

4, Kindly consecrate one Mala or more daily to Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj !

Hari Om Tat Sat

The efficacy of prayer.

Prayer is the effort of man to commune with the lord. Prayer is a mighty spiritual force. Force of gravity

or It is as real as the attraction. Prayer elevates the mind. It fills the mind with purity. It is associated with

the praise of God. It keeps the mind in tune with God. Prayer can reach a realm where reason dares not

enter, it can take you to the spiritual realm or kingdom of God.

Prayer frees the devotees from the fear of death. It brings him nearer to God and makes him feel his

essential immortal and blissful nature. The power of prayer is indescribable. Its glory is ineffable. Sincere

devotees only realise its usefulness and splendour. It should be done with reverence and faith and with a

heart full of devotion.

Do not argue about the efficacy of prayer. You will be deluded. Prayer dose not demand high intelligence

or eloquence. God wants your heart when you pray. Even a few words from a humble, pure soul, though

illeteriate, will appeal to the Lord more than the eloquent, flowing words of an orator or a Pandit. Even

when the medical board has pronounced a case to be hopeless, prayer comes to rescue and the patient is

miraculously cured. There have been many instances of this description. He who prays regu- larly has

already started the spiritual journey towards the domain of everlasting peace and perennial joy. That man

who dose not pray lives in vain.

Do not pray for attainment of any selfish ends or mundane gifts. Pray for His mercy. Pray for divine light,

parity and spiritual guidance. Pray constantly. Prayer generates good spiritual currents and produces

tranquility of the mind. If you pray regularly your life will be gradually changed and moulded. Prayer

must become habitual. If prayer becomes a habit with you, you will feel as if you can not live without it.

Prayer can move mountains. Prayer can work mira- cles. Pray even once from the bottom of your heart.

Have a meak receptive attitude of mind. Cultivate intense feeling in your heart. The prayer is atonce heard

and responded. Do this in the daily battle of life and realise for yourself the high efficacy of prayer. You

must have strong conviction in the existence of God. Pray fervently right now from this very second. You

will attain eternal Bliss.

Secret of Karma Yoga.

A raw untrained aspirant feels “My preceptor is training me like a servant or peon. He is using me for

petty jobs.” He who has understood the right significance of Karma Yoga will take every work as Yogic

activity or worship of the Lord. There is no menial work in his vision. Every work is puja of Narayan. In

the light of Karma Yoga all actions are sacred. That aspirant who always takes immense delight in doing

works which are considered by worldly man as menial services, and who always does willingly such acts

only will become a dynamic Yogi. He will be absolutely free from conceit and egoism. He will have no

downfall. The canker of pride connot touch him.

Study the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi. He never made any difference between menial service and

dignified work. Scavengering and cleaning of the latrine is the highest Yoga for him. This is highest

prooa for him. In the west cobblers and peasants have risen to a very great position in society. Every work

is a respectable work for them. A boy applies polish to the boots in the streets of London for a penny. He

carries newspapers and journals in the afternoon for sale and works as an appren- tice under a journalist

during his leisure hours at night, He studies books, works hard, never wastes a minute and in a few years

becomes a Journalist of great repute and international fame.

A real Yogi does not make any difference between menial and respectable work. It is only an ignorant

man who makes such a difference. Some aspirants are humble in the beginning of their spiritual career.

When they get some name and fame, some followers, admirers, devotees and disciples, they become

victims to pride. They cannot do any service. They cannot carry anything on their heads or hands That

Yogi who carries the trunk on his head without the slightest feeling in the railway platform amidst a

multitude of his admirers, disciples and devotees, without making any outward show of humility must be

admired. If you really want to grow in the spiritual path, you must do all sorts of service till the end of

life. Then only you are safe. The spirit of service must enter every nerve cell, tissue and bone of your

body. It must become ingrained in you. You must accept whatever comes, applause and criticism, praise

and condemnation, love and hatred, gain and loss,-as God’s kindly gifts. Take everyone who comes into

contact with you as a manifestation of God Himself. Bow to every one. Prostrate even before asses.

Develop humility to the maximum extent. Is there any greater Vadantin or Karma Yogin than Lord

Buddha? He still lives in our hearts, because that spirit of service was ingrained in him and he spent his

whole life in serving others in a variety of ways. A magnanimous soul, one without a second! You can

also become a Buddha if you apply yourself diligently to selfless service with the right mental attitude.

Pride of service, arrogance of position, conceit of achievement, attachment to accomplishments, desire for

comforts, greed for power, anger at those who obstruct your seizure of power and an innate craving to

override, oppress and misbehave towards others on account of an inborn superiority-complex-these are

some of the heavenly. Damsels that always surround you to tempt you from your high goal! Beware!

Twenty Important Spiritual Instructions

1. Get up at 4 a. M. Daily. This is Brahmamuhurta which is extremely favourable for meditation on

God.

2. ASANA-Sit on Padma, Siddha or Sukha Asana for Japa and meditate for half an hour, facing East

or North. Increase the period gradually to three hours. Do Sirshasan, Sarvangasan for

Brahmacharya and health. Take light physical exercise or walking, etc., regularly. Do twenty

Pranayams.

3. JAPA:-Repeat any Mantra, as pure Om or Om Namo Narayanaya, Om Namah Sivaya, Om Namo

Bhagavate Vasudevaya, Om Saravanabhavaya Namah, Sita Ram, Sri Ram, Om or Gayatri

according to your taste or inclination from 108 to 21,600 times daily, (200 malas x 108-21,600).

4. DIET DISCIPLINE:-Take sattwic food (Suddha Ahara). Give up chillies, tamarind, garlic, onion,

sour articles, oil, mustard, asafoetida. Observe moderation in diet (Mithara). Do not overload the

stomach. Give up those things which the mind likes best for a fortnight in a year. Eat simple food.

Milk and fruits help concentration. Take food as medicine to keep the life going. Eating for

enjoyment is sin. Give up salt and sugar for a month. You must be able to live on rice, dhal and

bread without any chutnie. Do not ask for extra salt for dhal and sugar for tea, coffee or milk.

5. Have separate meditation room under lock and key.

6. CHARITY:-Do charity regularly every month or even daily according to your means or one anna

per rupee.

7. SWADHYAYA :-Study systematically Gita, Ramayana, Bhagavatam, Vishnu Sahasranama,

Lalita Sahasranama, Aditya Hridaya, Upanishads or Yoga Vashistha from half an hour to one

hour daily and have Shuda Vichara.

8. Preserve the vital force (Veerya) very, very carefully. Veerya is all powerful. Veerya is money.

Veerya is the essence of life, thought and intelligence.

9. Get by heart some prayer, Slokas, Stotras and repeat them as soon as you sit on the asana before

starting Japa or meditation. This will elevate the mind quickly.

10. Have constant Sat Sangha (company of the wise). Give up bad company, smoking, meat and

alcoholic liqueurs entirely. Do not develop any evil habits.

11. Fast on Ekadasi or live on milk and fruits only.

12. Have a Japa Mala (rosary) in your neck or pocket or underneath your pillow at night.

13. Observe Mowna (vow of silence) for a couple of hours daily.

14. DISCIPLINE OF SPEECH: -Speak truth at any cost Speak little. Speak sweetly (Mitha Bhashan).

15. Reduce your wants. If you have four shirts, reduce the number to three or two. Lead a happy,

contented life. Avoid unnecessary worry. Have simple living and high thinking.

16. Never hurt anybody (Ahimsa Paramo Dharma). Control anger by love, Kshama (forgiveness) and

Daya (compassion).

17. Do not depend upon servants. Self-reliance is the highest of all virtues.

18. Think of the mistakes you have committed during the course of the day just before retirng to bed

(self-analysia). Keep daily diary and self-correction register as Benjamin Franklin did. Do not

brood over the past mistakes.

19. Remember that death is awaiting you at every moment. Never fail to fulfil your duties. Have pure

conduct (Sadachara).

20. Think of God as soon as you wake up and just before you go to sleep. Surrender yourself

completely to God (Saranagathi).

This is the essence of all spiritual Sadhanas. This will lead you to Moksha. All these Niyamas or spiritual

cannons must be rigidly observed. You must not give leniency to the mind

OM SHANTI! SHANTI !! SHANTI !!!

Resolves Form and Spiritual Diary

Many people want to lead a spiritual life. They many times think of making a change in their daily routine

in order to include in it some items of spiritual practices, but days and months somehow slip away

without their being able to make the desired change in their way of life. To such people, the Resolves

Form and Spiritual Diary lend a helping hand. It is due to lack of mental resolution that people are not

able to make desirable changes in their routine, and in order to make good this deficiency, these two

expedients are admirably suited.

Resolves Form is meant to record the aspirant’s spiritual resolves, which he intends to carry out during a

particular year, or period. Filling up the Resolves Form is a sort of pledge to do Sadhana, and the person

who has filled up the Resolves Form feels a moral urge to redeem his pledge by doing Sadhana as

recorded by him in the Resolves Form. Mind is very diplomatic and great cheat. It can easily make us

forget our resolves; but the mind will be defeated in the attempt if one’s resolves are put in black and

white. It is not cumpulsory that one should make use of all the items in the Resolves Form. One may fill

up as many items as one may be interested in or as his present Sadhana may permit

Left to itself alone, the Resolves Form may often fail to bring the desired result. It should be

supplemented and supported by another device known as the Spiritual Diary. The Diary closely follows

the Resolves Form, with slight changes. It is meant to record one’s daily Sadhana. The advantages of

keeping this diary are many. If due to forgetfulness or negligence one has not done any item of Sadhana,

the fact will come to his notice at the time of recording the diary, and if time permits he may do the

missed Sadhana on the same day itself, or he may at least avoid the same failure next day.

The Resolves Form is the blue-print of our spiritual edifice, and the Diary the daily progress report. These

are therefore very essential for the spiritual aspirant’s progress. May all keep these and expedite their

evolution.

Essence of Sadhana

Analyse your thoughts,

Scrutinise your motives,

Remove selfishness. Calm the passions,

Control the Indriyas,

Destroy egoism.

Serve and love all.

Purify your heart.

Cleanse the dross of mind.

Hear and reflect.

Concentrate and meditate.

Attain God-realisation.

This has been the one burden of the preachings of the prophets, seers and sages of all times. Read the

teachings of Lord Krishna, Buddha, Jesus, Chaitanya, Mohamad, Confucius, Shinto and others.

Bear insult. Bear injury. Introspect. Look within. Try to remove your defects. This is the real Sadhana.

DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY, RISHIKESH

My Resolves for the Year 195

1. I will perform Asans and Pranayams for.. minutes daily,

2. Once a week/fortnight/month, I will take only milk and fruits in lieu of the regular night meal.

3. I will observe fast on Ekadasi days or once a month.

4. I will give up............ (a cherished indulgence) once in every.........days/month or

for.........days/months.

5. I will not indulge in any of the following more than once in every. Days/months or

for.............Months.

(A) Smoking, (B) Playing cards, (C) Cinemas, (D) Novels.

6. I will observe Mouna (complete silence) for minutes/hours daily and............minutes hours on

Sundays/holidays and utilise the time in concentration, meditation, Japa, introspection,

7. I will observe Brahmacharya (celibacy) for.......... weeks/months at a time.

8. I will not utter angry, harsh or vulgar words towards any one during this year.

9. I will speak the truth at any cost during this year.

10. I will not entertain hatred or evil thoughts towards any one.

11. I will give away in charity...............pies per rupee of my income.

12. I will perform selfless service (Nishkamya Karma Yoga) for...... Hours, daily/weekly.

13. I will do........... Malas of Japa daily (Mala of 108 beads).

14. I will write my Ishta Mantra/Guru Mantra in a Note-book daily for........ minutes or ..........pages

15. I will study. Meaning. Slokas of Gita daily with meaning.

16. I will maintain a daily spiritual diary and send a copy of it every month to my Guruji for getting

further instruction.

17. I will get up at ....a.m. daily and spend ..........hours in Japa, concentration, meditation, prayers etc.

18. I will conduct Sankirtan with family members and friends daily for. ....Minutes/hours at night.

Signature

Name and Address,

Date.............185

THE SPIRITUAL DIARY

A Spiritual Diary is a Whip for goading the mind towards righteousness and God. If you regularly

maintain a diary, you will get solace, peace of mind and quick progress in the spiritual path. Maintain a

diary and realise the marvellous

Questions.

Month

Total

How many hours did you sleep? When did you get up

from bed?

How many Malas of Japa?

How long in Nama Smaran or Kirtan?

How many Pranayamas?

How long did you perform Asanas?

How long did yon meditate in one Asana ?

Were you regular in your meditation ?

How many Gita Slokas did you read or get by heart?

How long in company of the wise (Satsang) ?

How many hours did you observe Mauna?

How long in disinterested selfless Service ?

How much did you give in charity?

How many Mantras did you write ?

How long did you practise physical exercise

How many lies did you tell and with what Self-

punishment?

How many times and how long of anger and with what

self-punishment ?

How many hours did you spend in useless company?

How many times did you fail in Brahma- charya?

How long in study of religious books?

How many times did you fail in the control of evil

habits and with what self-punishment?

How long did you concentrate on your Istha Devata

(Saguna or Nirguna Dhyana)?

What Virtues are you developing?

What evil quality are you trying to eradicate ?

Which Indriya is troubling you much?

How many days did you observe fast and vigil?

When did you go to bed?

Name_______________

Address_______________ Signature_______________

SANKIRTAN DHWANIS AND SONGS

Prayer

Jaya Ganesha jaya Ganesha jaya Ganesha Pahimam,

Sri Ganesha Sri Ganesha Sri Ganesha Rakshamam,

Saravanabhava, Saravanabhava Saravanabhava, Namah Om

Karthikeya, Karthkikeya, Karthikeya Saranam Om

Ganga Rani’ Ganga Rani Ganga Rani Pahimam

Bhageerathi, Bhageerathi, Bhageerathi, Rakshamam,

Anjaneya, Anjaneya, Anjaneya, Pahimam,

Hanumantha, Hanumantha, Hanumantha Rakshamam

Sri Rama Rama Rameti Rame Rame Manorame,

Sahasranama Tattulyam, Sri Rama Nama Varanane,

Sri Rama Saranam Mama, Sri Rama Saranam Mama,

Sri Rama Saranam Mama,

Sri Krishna Saranam Mama, Sri Krishna Saranam Mama

Sri Krishna Saranam Mama,

Ponnambalam Tiruchitrambalam, Arunachalam,

Mahadeva Mahalinga, Madhyarjunesa,

Om Om Om Om Om Avichar,

Om Om Om Om Bhaja Omkar,

Sivoham, Sivoham, Sivoham, Soham,

Sat Chit Anandam Swarupoham,

Jaya Guru, Siva Guru, Hari Guru Ram,

Jagad Guru, Param Guru Sat Guru Shyam,

Adi Guru, Adwaita Guru, Ananta Guru Om,

Chit Guru, Chidghana Guru, Chinmaya Guru Om,

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare,

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare (3 times)

Om Tat Sat, Om Tat Sat, Om Tat Sat Om,

Om Shanti Om Shanti Om Shanti Om.

Maha Mantra

       

           

Song of Constant Rememberance

Jis halne Jis balne Jis 1 alme Ral o

Radha Raman Radha Raman Radha Raman Kaho

Jis Kam Me Jis Dham Me Jis Gavme Raho

Radha Raman Radha Raman Radha Raman Kaho

Jis Sungme Jis Rangme Jis Dangme Raho Radha

Raman Radha Raman Radha Raman Kaho

Jis Yogme Jis Rogme Jis Bhogme Raho

Radha Raman Radha Raman Radha Raman Kaho,

Song of Eat a Little

Eat a little, drink a little, talk a little, sleep a little,

Mix a little, move a little, think a little, do Vichar a little

Do Japa a little, do Kirtan a little, write Mantra a little.

Do Asan a little, do Pranayam a little, work a little, meditate a little.

Song of Eighteen Ities

Serenity, Regularity, Absence of Vanity,

Sincerity, Simplicity, Varacity,

Equanimity, Fixity, Non-Irritability

Adptability, Humility, Tenacity,

Integrity, Nobility, Magnanimity

Charity, Generosity, Purity

Practise daily these eighteen ities,

You will soon attajn Immortality.

Brahman is the only real entity,

Mr. So and so is a false non-entity

You will abide in enternity and infinity,

You will behold unity in diversity,

You cannot attain this in the university. (Serenity...)

Song of Kanniah

Come here, my dear, Krishna Kanahai

Me tere Khatir, hridaya Andar building banayi. Antarai

For you my dear kaga (kanga) udaya

Sugar candy butter sadileri tere rijaya

(curd butter, sadileri tere rijaya)

So much delay, so much delay, tum kyom lagaya

Me tere khatir hridaya andar building banayi

Remembering everyday asu bahaya

Come to house my dear Arati phiraya

Why far, why far, rahe kanahai

Me tere khatir hridaya andar building banayi.

(Come here my dear...........).

Song of Instructions

Mohana Bansiwala tumko lakhou pranam tumko lakhou pranam

Sanker bolewale tumko lakhou pranam

Tumko lakhou pranam pyare kroro pranam

Bhajo Radhe Govind

Radhe Govinda Bhajo Radhe Govind

Radhe Govinda Bhajo Sita Govind

Hare Krishna, Hare Ram Radhe Govind

Get up at 4.a.m. Brahmamuhurth

Get up at 4 a.m. Japo Ram Ram

Get up at 4.a.m, do Brahma Vichar

Get up at 4.a.m. enquire who am I?

Get up at 4.a.m. practise Yogabhyas

Observe mouna daily for two hours

Fast on Ekadasi, take milk and fruits,

Study daily one chapter of Gita

Do regular charity one-tenth income

Rely on your own Self, give up servants,

Do Kirtan at night, have Satsang.

Speak the truth at all costs, preserve Veerya,

Satyam Vada, Dharmam chara, observe Brahmacharya

Ahimsa Paramo Dharma, love one all.

Never hurt others’ feelings, be kind to all.

Control anger by Kshama, develop Viswa Prem

Keep daily spiritual diary, you will evolve quickly. (Hare Krishna Hare Ram......)

SONG OF UPADESAMRITAM

(Thars: Sunaja)

1-Yoga of Synthesis

Serve, love, give, purify, meditate, realise.

Be good, do good, be kind, be compassionate.

II-Ethics

Be bold, be pure, be wise, be virtuous,

Be honest, be sincere, be truthful.

Be patient, be tolerant, be obedient.

Be simple, be humble, be noble, be gentle.

Adapt, adjust, accommodate.

Bear insult, bear injury, highest Sadhana,

III-Essence of Vedanta

Enquire Who am I’ know the Self, and be free.

Be still, be quiet, know thy Self.

Find the Hearer, find the Seer, find the Knower.

You are not this body, not this mind; Immortal Self you are.

Ram Jap.

Repeat harmoniously in one tune for five minutes

Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram.

DEVI KIRTANS

1. Om Shakti Om Shakti Om Shakti Om

Brahma Shakti Vishnu Shakti Siva Shakti Om

Adi Shakti Maha Shakti Para Shakti Om

Ichcha Shakti Kriya Shakti Jnana Shakti Om

2. Gauri Gauri Gange Rajeswari

Gauri Gauri Gange Bhuvaneswari

Gauri Gauri Gange Maheswari

Gauri Gauri Gange Mateswari.

Gauri Gauri Gange Maha Kali

Gauri Gauri Gange Maha Lakshmi

Gauri Gauri Gange Parvati

Gauri Gauri Gange Saraswati

3. Jaya Radhe Jaya Radhe Radhe

Jaya Radhe Jaya Radhe Sri Radhe

Jaya Site Jaya Site Site

Jaya Site Jaya Sri Site

4. Jaya Saraswati Jaya Saraswati Jaya Saraswati Pahi Mam

Jaya Saraswati Jaya Saraswati Jaya Saraswati Raksha Mam

Jaya Sri Lakshmi Jaya Sri Lakshmi Jaya Sri Lakshmi Pahi Mam Jaya Sri Lakshmi Jaya Sri

Lakshmi Jaya Sri Lakshmi Raksha Mam

Jaya Sri Durge Jaya Sri Durge Jaya Sri Durge Sarana Om

Jaya Sri Durge Jaya Sri Durge Jaya Sri Durge Namah Om

5. Bhavani Sankari Gauri Sankari

Sivakami Sankari Uma Sankari

Akhilandeswari Mateswari

Maheswari Tripura Sundari

Akhilandeswari Mateswari

Maheswari, Parameswari (Sarveshwari)

6. Ganga Rani Ganga Rani Ganga Rani Pahi Mam

Bhagirathi Bhagirathi Bhagirathi Raksha Mam

7. Deenoddharani Durita-harini Satwa-Rajas-Tama Triguna dharini

Sandhya-Savitri-Saraswati-Gayatri Rukmini Janaki Pankaja-Lakshini

8. Adi Divya Jyoti Maha Kali Ma Namah

Madhu-Shumbha-Mahisha-Mardini Maha Shktaye Namah

Brahma-Vishnu-Siva-Swaroopa Twam na Anyatha

Chara-Charasya Palika Namo-Namassada.

9. Devi Bhajo Durga, Bhavani

Jagat-Janani Mahishasura-mardini

10. Jagat-Janani Sankata-Harani

Tribhuvana Tarini Matheswari (Maheswari)

11. Avidya-Nashini; Bhranti-Nashini, Jagat- Janani

Ananda-Dayini, Vidya-Dayini Moksha-Dayini

Ananda-Karani, Kalyana-Karani, Moksha-Karani

PEACE CHANTS

 

 

  

  

  

     

     

  

  

  

   

   

   

OM Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu: Sarvesham Shantir Bhavatu

Sarvesham Purnam Bhavatu: Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu

Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah Sarve Santu Niramayah: Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu Ma Kaschit

Duhkabhagbhavet.

OM Asato Ma Sat Gamaya: Tamaso Ma Jyotir

Gamaya: Mrityor Ma Amirtham Gamaya.

OM Purnamadah Purnamidam Pornat Purnamuda chyate: Purnasya Purnamadaya Purnamevavasiahate

OM Shantih | Shantih || Shantih !!!

ARATI

1. Jaya Jaya Arati Vighnavinayaka:

Vighnavinayaka Sri Ganesha.

2. Jaya Jaya Arati Subramanya:

Subramanya Kartikeya

3. Jaya Jaya Arati Venugopala

Venugopala Venulola: Papavidura Navanitha Chora

4. Jaya Jaya Arati Venkataramana:

Venkataramana Sankataharana:

Sitharama Radheshyama

5. Jaya Jaya Arati Gourimanohara

Gourtmanohara Bhavanisankara:

Sambasadasiva Umamaheshwara

6. Jaya Jaya Arti Rajarajeswari:

Rajarajeswari Tripurasundari

Maha Lakshmi Maha Saraswati:

Maha Kali Maha Shakti

7. Jaya Jaya Arati Anjaneya: Anjaneya Hanumanta

8. Jaya Jaya Arati Dattatreya:

Dattatreya Trimurthi-avatara

9. Jaya Jaya Arati Sanaischaraya:

Sanaischaraya Bhaskaraya

10. Jaya Jaya Arati Satgurunatha

Satgurunatha Sivananda

Jaya Jaya Arati Venugopala,

SHRI SWAMI SIVANANDA

Bern on the Bth September, 1887, in the shatrions Family of Sage Appayya Dikshitar and several other

resowned saints and savants, Sri Swami Sivananda lund a natural flair for a life devoted to the study and

practice of Vedanta. Added to this was an inborn cagerness to serve all and innate feeling of unity with all

mankind. Though born in an orthodox family; Swamiji was broad. Minded and catholic, pious and

devout.

His passion for service drew him to the medical career; and soon he gravitated to those parts of the world

which most needed his service. Malaya claimed him. He had also commenced editing a Health journal

and wrote extensively on health problems. He discovered that people needed right knowledge most of all,

dissemination of that knowledge he espoused as his own mission

It was divine dispensation and the blessing of God upon mankind that this doctor of body and mind,

renounced his career and took to a life of renunciation to qualify himself for ministering to the soul of

man. He settled down at Rishikesh in 1924, practised intense austerities and shone as a great Yogi, Saint,

Sage and Jeevanmukta.

In 1932 he started the Sivanandashram. In 1936 was born the Divine Life Society. In 1943 the Yoge-

Vedanta Forest Academy was organised. Dissemination of spiritual knowledge and training of people in

Yoga and Vedauta were their sim and object. In 1950 he undertook a lightsing sour of India. In 1953 he

convened the World Parliament of Religions. He is the author of over 200 volumes and has duciples all

over the world, belonging to all nationali ties, religions and creeds. To read his works is to drink at the

Fountain of Wisdom Supreme and grow spiritually to be immortal and eternally peaceful and blissful.

General Prætog Wirkstofa, Ohi China Bazar Street, Calcutta