Self-Study (Sw adhyay), a Necessity in Daily Life

For individual excellence, the biggest requirement is of that thinking which besides being fully soaked with idealism is also inter-woven with our liking and faith. This purpose can be fulfilled in two ways. One is long-term close contact of great men of great integrity and character, and the second one is daily study and reflection on their thoughts. The first way is very difficult in present day conditions. As it is, philosophical great men are fast disappearing. Crooked, fraudulent, deluded and fallen men have taken hold of religion. A person in their contact, instead of receiving guidance, goes astray. Those who are proper, are so very busy in trying to reform the current situation in the society that it is not possible for them to allow their time and contact for satsang (religious discourse). Therefore those lucky ones who can get the contact of honest great men, they have to be content with whatever little time available. In to-day's conditions the possibilities of long-term contact with good, honest, great men are few and far between.

That atmosphere which can give us the proper light for leading a profound and excellent life can be kept around us through Swadhyaya (regular daily study of scriptures). Much more than our efforts for food and clothing, we will have to be more eagerly involved in Swadhyaya for satisfying the mental and spiritual requirements. The moral principles gleaned from daily study of scriptures should be applied in our daily deeds, because from our conclusion regarding the conditions all around us, we are tempted to adopt base beliefs in our activities. If this bad influence is not cut away, then a person with ordinary morale will see benefit only in wickedness, intelligence and using it in applying to bad deeds.

Good literature has given the opportunity to innumerable persons to be elevated spiritually and to become spiritually strong. Inspiring literature always helps in the development of personality, character, and morale and in spiritual development. Thus inspired, innumerable persons have been able to break away from the bonds of inferiority and become great. Well, Swadhyaya (regular study of scriptures) too has been given a status equal to worship, rituals, keeping fasts and charity etc.) People accept story-books of irrelevant and absurd ancient stories as religious books and with the background of "old is gold", repeat them regularly by rote. But for proper Swadhyaya only that selected literature will be proper which provides practical guidance for cleansing a person's qualities, deeds and nature. The conditions of to-day's society and the individual are different from those in the ancient times; therefore their solutions too should be in accordance with them. In every era, thinkers, philosophers, visionaries and angles in human form are born to guide the people according to the prevailing conditions.

Meaning of the Colors2

Number 22 - Gold

Master builder, mastermind, very capable, wise, creative, spiritual, luminary. A person with gold as their primary color possesses the ability to handle large-scale projects with ease, and may achieve anything they have in mind as a goal. If they live rightly to the purpose, they are sure to be crowned with success and be known as VIPs in their field of interest.

Negative effect: It is difficult for them to get over the conflict between inner feelings and practicality, or, in other words, to express spirituality in a practical way. It can be seen that they take more on more work than they can handle, and being unable to complete the project, they cut a sorry figure in the end. Jealousy, malevolence and attraction for bleack magic are some of the negative aspects.

remarks:

7(violet color) and 22 (gold color) are both spiritual in nature. In mathematics they are related through the Greek letter 'pi' which equals 22/7, giving the ratio of the circumference of the circle to its diameter. The Hebrew language contains 22 alphabets and was said to be the language of God.

The colors discussed above are basic colors, and they have a relation to numbers as shown above. There are some other colors, which have the following meanings:

White

White is the composite of all colors. When white sunlight passes through a prism, it breaks up into the seven colors of the rainbow. And on passing through another prism, the seven colors get combined as white. It is rare to see white as a primary color. But when it appears, it represents purity, saintly virtues, concern for others, wisdom and intuitive knowledge from beyond. The person appears to be more than his/her years and seems like he has graduated from the school of earth.

Gray

The appearance of silvery gray as the primary color indicates the awakening of the intuitive faculties leading to illumination. The person should be adept in creative imagination. Dark gray in variations denotes ill health related to specific areas of the body. According to Ted Andrews, gray color in the aura can indicate a person who is secretive and who is the lone wolf type.

Brown

One should not be hasty in interpreting the brown, which appears quite often in the aura. If close to body it may mean physical imbalances, around the head it may mean lack of discrimination, and around the chakras it may mean blocked energy and a need for cleansing. However, brown is also the color of earth and thus it represents new growth and desire for accomplishment, if it appears above the region of the head or below the feet.

Black

Black and dark areas around the physical body may mean a physical imbalance. Black areas around the edge may mean leakage of energy and consciousness from the aura, which may be due to various abuses that one may be accustomed to. Continued abuse that may result in well-formed black holes in the outer skirts, which may not be easy to heal. Only in rare cases, black may imply serious illness or death. It may also mean increasing responsibility for what one does.

Meaning of the Colors1 (Aura)

Number 7 - Violet

Analytical, understanding, intellectual, observant, inventive, loving solitude, philosophy, meditation, mysticism and the occult. They are perfectionists with dignifies, charming personality. When violet is the primary color, people are seen developing spiritually all the way, and may end up teaching Higher Laws.

Negative effect: Too much reserved-ness, inadaptability and lack of trust in others can make them aloof, confused and depressed. Pride, hidden motives and over-positive-ness can lead them into wrong situations.

Number 8 - Pink

Materialistic, tough, tenacious, authoritative, efficient, organized, judgmental, capable of working for a cause, competent in management and administration, ambitious, dependable. When pink is the primary color, people are found to be stubborn and they are likely to achieve power and positions of authority and acquire material possessions.

Negative effect: Over ambitiousness and too much materialism can lead to strain and tension and sometimes a breakdown. Jealousy can mar their personal lives. Love of recognition, display of powers, lack of humanitarianism and consideration for others are other negative qualities. They are obstinate and impatient.

Number 9 - Bronze

Selfless, humanitarian, forgiving, compassionate, tolerant, generous, broadminded, charitable, philanthropic, religious, artistic and dramatic, impulsive, unorthodox, spiritual and capable of living divine standards of life. When bronze is the primary color, people are seen working for philanthropic and humanitarian projects for the welfare of others. They are capable of achieving spiritual heights, if they are true to their purpose.

Negative effect: Moody, impulsive, changeable in love affairs, careless in money matters. High living can bring health and other problems.

Number 11 - Silver

Humanitarian, intuitive, prophetic. People with silver as their primary color are full of great ideas but more often than not, impractical. However, if they live to the purpose rightly, they will end up being enlightened, possessing cosmic consciousness. Sometimes there are soft twinkling lights, which are important indicators of significant creativity and fertility. In many cases they indicate pregnancy for women, but in general they may signify the opening of a new door in the person's life. They mean that you are involved in useful creative activities.

Negative effect: Hypersensitive, nervous, impractical and selfish. There can be seen many of them suffering from broken relationships, perhaps due to karmic destiny, carrying the debris from a past life.

Meaning of the Colors (Aura)

The aura contains the seven colors that make up white light or sunlight or the rainbow -VIBGYOR (violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red), and also colors outside the rainbow. The meanings of colors are related numbers are given below in brief;

Number 1 - Red

Independent, courageous, individualized, original, creative and inventive, possessing leadership qualities and executive ability, strong willed, determined, action-oriented. The color may appear dull and weak in childhood, but it improves with age. If red is the primary color, the person is likely to acquire leadership qualities and prominent position in life.

Negative effect: Aggressive, boastful, self-centered, dominating, egotistic.

Number 2 - Orange

Cooperative, peaceful, diplomatic, adaptable, modest, friendly, gracious, meditative, spiritual. When orange is the primary color, the person is likely to be diplomatic, tactful and intuitive. He/she might end up being a missionary or peacemaker.

Negative effect: Shy, timid, effeminate, unhappy, lonely.

Number 3 - Yellow

Self-expressive, joyous, artistic and creative, imaginative, inspirational, possessing the gift of words, versatile, optimistic, happy, brilliant, prophetic, cheerful and merry. When yellow is the primary color, people are likely to be crowned with success in creative ventures, provided they are true to their purpose.

Negative effect: Scattered forces, extravagant, prone to loose talk and exaggeration, self-centered.

Number 4 - Green

Constructive, systematic, orderly, practical, down-to-earth, steady, calm, efficient, serious, responsible, industrious, honest, faithful, determined. When green is the primary color, people tend to care for others with a motherly attitude, and can end up being healers in any form.

Negative effect: fixed ideas, argumentative, extremely serious and dominating.

Number 5 - Blue

Versatile, resourceful, active, loving freedom and change, entertaining and amusing, sensuous, quick in thinking, clever. When blue is the primary color, it makes the person feel young a t heart, and successful in public relations work.

Negative effect: Having many irons in the fire, they may remain 'jack of all trades and master of none' - restless, nervous, discontented, loving change and variety and lustful.

Number 6 - Indigo

Balanced, responsible, artistic, creative, loyal, dependable, unselfish, harmonious, just, righteous, domesticated, and generous. When indigo is the primary color, people tend to have a worthwhile humanitarians type of occupation.

Negative effect: They find it difficult to say 'no' to others and are taken advantage of by people. Too much love of duty, involvement in troubles of others, self-sacrifice and family ties can make their life barren and lonely.

Determining the colors of aura

Our subconscious knows all about the energies, colors and answers to all questions. We only have to bring the information from the subconscious to the conscious by some method, until we are able to see the auras and colors directly. This can be done in the following two ways:

Numerology

Colors of the aura can be easily found through numbers, which have already been introduced in the previous article. We now know the method of calculating the numbers in the life of a person, so that we can find the corresponding colors and their meanings. For greater details one can refer from the book "Secrets of Numerology1992".

The most important number in the life of a person is his/her talent number which denotes the purpose of life and lessons to be learnt in life. It is calculated by reducing to a single digit the number of the month, the number of the day and the number of the year of birth, adding them up and again reducing the total to a single digit. For example, a person born on July 22, 1941 will have

Month … July……….. = 7

Day …… 22 ………… = 2+2 = 4

Year ….. 1941 ………. = 1+9+4+1 = 15 =1+5 = 6

Total …………………. = 7+4+6 =17 = 1+7 = 8

Talent Number is 8 = Pink color.

This means that material satisfaction is the main purpose of life. This person will have pink as the primary color of the aura, when you see it, and will be tough, tenacious, with love of power, position and materials possessions.

As another example, take a person born on August 15, 1967. = 1, Red color

This means that individuation, independence and attainment are the tools the person is born with. He/she is likely to do some original work and attain a position of authority, if he/she lives truly to the purpose. The total should not be reduced to a single digit only when it is either 11 or 22 as these numbers have their own identity.

The other equally important number is the destiny number, which is calculated through the name of the person. Destiny number represents the circumstances and opportunities in the life of the person. It has unlimited possibilities, unlike the talent number which has only eleven colors for the eleven numbers in numerology. Following the Pythagorean system, each alphabet is given a number according to the following chart:

1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9

A  B  C  D  E  F  G   H  I  

J   K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R 

S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

Let us take the name Ram Prakash, as an example. Giving numerical value to each alphabet in his name, we get,

RAM

914

914 = 9+1+4 = 14, = 1+4 = 5

Prakash

7912118 =7+9+1+2+1+1+8 = 29, = 2+9 ==11, =1+1 = 2

Total = 5+2 = 7

Determining the colors of aura

This is his destiny number which corresponds to the color violet. It he was born on August 15, 1967, and then his talent number '1' represents the color red. His aura therefore will have red color as the primary background and violet color will be predominant around the red.

The next important number is the heart number which represents the heart's desire of the person. It is calculated as the sum total of the vowels in his name. in this case we have A+A+A = 1+1+1 = 3, as his heart number, represented by the color yellow, which should also be found around his primary color violet.

The life reading of Ram P rakish will thus be as follows: His primary background 'violet' has 'red' and 'yellow' radiating around its outskirts. He is therefore born with a philosophical, philanthropic and spiritual bent of mind and talents. He will find the outlet for his talents through 'red color', that is, individuation, independence and attainment. Synchronizing red with violet now would mean that he will grow spiritually in an independent and individualized manner and will finally attain recognition as a 'spiritual person'. In the later years of his life he is certain to live a saintly life, teaching others about the higher truth as understood by him. His heart's desire is 'yellow' that is, self-expression and joy of living. This means that Ram Prakash will attain recognition as a spiritual person and he will be able to express his knowledge successfully to others', and he will have the 'joy of living as a spiritual person'.

Sometimes the position of colors represented by talent, destiny and heart numbers may be interchanged among themselves, according to the way the person is living. It would happen when one is not living true to one's purpose of life, for one reason or the other. Yet, the synchronized result of the colors would be more or less the same. You can advise such people that they are not making right use of their talents and are missing a grand opportunity, which could crown them with success.

There is another important number called ultimate number, which represents the ultimate goal of life. This is the total of talent and destiny numbers reduced to a single digit. Thus we have four important numbers - talent, destiny, heart and ultimate - called major numbers. Then there are several minor numbers, which relate to the different aspects of life. Reading the past, present and future can be done very effectively through numerology, which is a complete science in itself. Interested readers are referred to read the book "Secrets of Numerology (1992).

Color of the Aura - Life Reading

Color of the Aura - Life Reading

Very often we hear statements such as, "He was red with anger", "It was a golden opportunity for you", "She was green with envy", "You are in a black mood" or "She was feeling blue". These statements must have appeared long after people observed a relation between moods or sentiments and colors.

You must have observed that in places of entertainment and fairs, etc, the yellow color is dominant, since it is the color of 'self-expression' and 'joy of life', represented by the number '3' in numerology. You might have noticed that the hats of kings, queens, priests, etc, are predominantly violet in color since it is the color of peace, tranquility, aloofness and spirituality, represented by the number '7' in numerology. Scientists have discovered that prisoners get excited and become aggressive when they are exposed to red light, and they calm down under a blue light or a pink light. Red relates to the number '1' and represents leadership and aggression. Blue relates to the number '5' and represents knowledge and constructive freedom. P ink relates to administration and materialism.

Green corresponds to the heart chakra and represents compassion and healing. Restaurateurs are beginning to use orange and red colors, since orange stimulates appetite and red makes the time move faster, so that more customers can be served in the same time. Orange is the color of sacral chakra and red is the color of rood chakra.

The preceding paragraphs are enough to show the importance of colors in our life, whether we take advantage of this knowledge or not. Moreover, colors are related to chakras and numbers, which will be elaborated in the later articles.

Colors closest to the physical body represent physical energy and health. Colors in the outer regions represent mental, emotional and spiritual energies. Clear and bright colors represent good conditions and a fulfilled person. Dull, muddy and thick colors represent over-activity, imbalances and problems. Colors in auras change frequently according to changes in physical, mental, emotional and spiritual conditions. However, the aura has a certain color or colors which are permanent and primary, while others are secondary. The primary/permanent color represents the purpose of life in this incarnation; it corresponds to the 'talent number' calculated through the 'death of birth' of the person in numerology. Secondary colors represent prevailing conditions at the moment. Hence, caution should be exercised in interpreting colors.

Colors in Chakras

Chakras and Nadis form a complete subject, which has been dealt with in detain separately in a mini book of this kind. In this article we wish to talk mainly about the colors the chakras have and their effect on human beings.

The seven chakras are situated in the etheric/causal body along the spinal column of the physical body. They are the vortices of energy, each connected with a specific gland and they can be seen by clairvoyants. The chakras are responsible for nourishing and sustaining the whole body through their regular functioning.

Is it not a pleasant surprise to see the well known seven colors VIBGYOR, which combine to make white light, also representing the seven chakras when seven clairvoyantly?

7    Sahasrara             Crown chakra          Violet.

6   Ajna                      Eyebrow chakra       Indigo.

5   Vishuddhi             Throat chakra           Blue

4    Anahata               Heart chakra            Green

3    Manipur               Solar chakra             Yellow

2    Swadhishthan      Sacral chakra           Orange

1    Mooladhar           Root chakra              Red

A clear and bright primary color in the aura would indicate a well-developed chakra, while a dull and muddy primary color would mean an undeveloped chakra. Undeveloped chakras mean negative traits in the personality and an unbalanced aura. The aura can be balanced to a good extent with the aid of the pendulum. It is like taking the negative karma out and throwing it away, unlike the 'guru' taking the negative karma of his disciples on himself. Let us first describe in brief the attributes of chakras.

 

Mooladhara or Root Chakra: It is situated slightly inside the perineum, near the midpoint between the anus and the scrotum in the males. it lies on the posterior side of the cervix in the female. The vestigial gland called brahma granthi lies at the root chakra and blocks the energy. Lord Ganesha (who is known as the remover of obstacles and the source of absolute wisdom) is its presiding deity.

When properly developed, mooladhara represents innocence, chastity, and wisdom. It also governs sex and excretion. If undeveloped it represents adultery, perverted sex, pornography lustful attention, materialism, constipation and no interest in spirituality. Chakra balancing can take care of these negative aspects to a large extent.

Swadhishthan or Sacral Chakra: It lies at the base of the spine. It can be felt as a bony bulb just above the anus at the level of the tailbone or coccyx. The Sanskrit word swadhishthan means 'one's own abode'. It relates to the reproductive and urinary systems and corresponds to the prostate gland in men and uteri-vaginal plexus in women. Its presiding deity is Lord Brahma and power is Goddess Saraswati.

When developed, it represents intellectuality, creativity, inspiration, knowledge of beyond and aesthetics. Negatively it means excessive thinking and excessive involvement in artistic things, ego-oriented life, overindulgence in alcohol and drugs, bad eating habits, artificial and crude behavior.

continue in  next article; Colors in Chakras1

Color of Aura according to the Chakras

The chakras can be easily located through feeling, and their intensity can be measured approximately through the pendulum. The seven chakras lie on the spine at the following positions in the body:

1.  Root:       Mid-point between the anus and the genitals

2.  Sacral:     One inch inside at the level of the end of the tailbone

3.  Solar:      Behind the navel

4.  Heart:      Centre of the chest at the level of the heart

5.  Throat:     Behind the throat pit

6.  Eyebrow: At the intersection of the horizontal (eyebrow) and the vertical (centre of the head).

You can feel the high order of energy emanated by the chakras when compared to any other part of the body, except of course, the fingers and toes. It would be a surprisingly pleasant experience. You can place one (or both) hands in front of the root centre at a distance of about one foot. Bring it slowly towards the root centre till you feel some resistance. Pull it away a little and then move it forward again. Finally you reach a point, which is the definite boundary of the aura. If the same experiment is performed at a point near the root chakra (not exactly at the chakra), you can bring your hand closer to the body without resistance, than in the former case. This explains the higher energy at the chakras. After locating the root chakra, locate all the higher chakras one by one in the same manner.

To increase your awareness of the chakras, you can ask your friend to lie down and you can locate all his/her chakras. Your friend can do the same for you. Each one of you should pay attention to the point when the other person touches the boundary of the aura. You can feel the intrusion of your auric field by the other person consciously. You can experiment in a similar manner by facing the corner of a room, and asking your friend to move towards you slowly from the other corner. The moment he/she enters your auric field, such an auric field is called 'personal space' or 'psychological aura'.

Now you can use a pendulum and program it to oscillate clockwise if a chakra is open. Also instruct your subconscious and the pendulum to oscillate with a speed proportional to the opening of the chakra. Thus, if a chakra is closed, the pendulum will not move at all. In the other extreme, if it is fully open, the pendulum will oscillate very rapidly, making large circle. Now ask your friend to lie down or his/her back so that you can hang the pendulum on each chakra one by one. Note the movement of the pendulum at each chakra, which tells you the degree to which each chakra is open.

Achieving the Goal of Life

Meaning: One of the most powerful matters is kept in our four Vedas. Among them the goal of human life is expressed in the stanza of the Yajur-Veda's 40/2 that -"There is only one way for man to achieve his life's goal, and that is 'sad aacharan' (i.e. proper moral conduct). We should desire to live a hundred years on the religious path.

Message: The birth and rebirth of man depends on his deeds and their results. From his birth to death as long as the body is active, man goes on doing some physical (bodily) or mental work. It is impossible for anyone to remain even for a moment without doing any work. We have been granted this human life only for doing work. It is an altogether different matter whether the deed is a good or bad one.

We all know the principle of science that 'every action has an equal and opposite reaction' and therefore for every deeds there is a 'karmaphal' (resulting reward or punishment also). The entire world is moving or running on specific rules and principles. There is no place for anarchy in this world of God. There is only the empire of discipline and justice in His creation. God has ordered man to live a hundred years while doing work of public-welfare. But unfortunately man narrows down his sphere of work to only selfish interests for the fulfillment of his false pride and selfishness and forgets his duty to work for public welfare. As a result, he gets trapped in perversities and suffers terrible hardships and sorrow because of his sins.

Sometimes the question may arise in our minds, "what type of deeds should I perform? What is the meaning of public welfare? Ultimately what is the use of working for the benefit of the world?" In reality, the fact is that when we work for the welfare of the society, we are actually serving ourselves also. We must remember that in the benefit of others we will certainly benefit. In the progress of the world, lies our own progress. We should have this lofty aim when doing any type of world. If we always think that it is our good fortune to serve others, then the wish for helping others will certainly be in our tremendous inspiration.

Such deeds, because they are carried out without any selfish desire, are called 'nishkam karma' (nishkam means without desire and karma means deeds). The success or failure of such deeds never makes a man arrogant or sorrowful. Such a man only thinks that he has not succeeded because he has not made as much effort with determination as required. After that he starts working again with double energy and involvement. Such'nishkam karma' (performed without selfish motive) never disturbs the person nor does the man have any attachment for that deeds. The feeling of 'atmaval sarvabhooteshu' (all the beings on the earth have the same type of soul as I have) becomes profound when man has no personal or selfish interest and he finds his own benefit in the benefit of others only. Instead of making use of the worldly comforts and facilities for himself only, such a person experiences the greatest joy when sharing with others. If one acts thus in the spirit of share-and-share-alike and joins all types of his deeds for God's work (i.e. in a spirit of working for God and his creatures), then such deeds never put man in future bondage. Only such men carrying out their deeds without any desire for personal benefit become distinguished in this world. Therefore, man always saving himself from attachment, should dedicate his life for performing good deeds without any selfish motive or desire for personal benefits.

This is the one and only method for achieving the best objective in life.

Beliefs on God

Meaning: Various people have the various concepts about the worship of God. In reality, God is the attitude of a man, if the person is sinless hearted, he can find God every where for this statement our ancient Grantha Rigveda has expressed it in its 8/61/11 stanza that - "If the heart is impure and malicious, then God's worship will also be unfruitful. Therefore God's worship must be carried our with a 'nispaap (sinless) heart.

Message: Different types of beliefs are seen in the people of this world regarding God. Some people do not believe in God's existence. They ask that if God exists, they why is he not seen? Well, are we able to see the electricity passing through the wire and lighting the electric bulb? Then, are we able to deny the existence of electricity flowing through the wire. Only God is the creator, controller and sustainer of this creation. Our welfare lies only in the devotion and worship of God.

Even so, most men suffer sorrow and hardships despite worshipping God. The only reason for it is that their hearts are still full of faults and bad tendencies and involved in sinful acts. Therefore worship in such situations is not real worship, but mere hypocrisy. How can one receive benefit of a false show? The one and only one condition for obtaining God's grace is purity of heart. After all, God is our best friend and brother, but we have not made an attempt to meet God with pure, sinless, generous and open heart. How can He then shower His grace on us?

The people of this era have become ego-centric and are trapped in the endless pursuit for satisfying their own senses. We are running only after illusory pictures or mere shadows. We are caught in a terrible vice. The disease of running after money and women has assumed a dreadful form and is spreading everywhere. People are not willing to get out of its bind. They are always remaining unstated despite continuous indulgence of senses. What a misfortune it is that indulgence of senses is crying out from rooftops and is saying that it does not have any power or strength to provide satiation (i.e. full satisfaction). Even then man is so foolish that despite knowing this fact, he rushes with redoubled and vain efforts to get full satisfaction from these very illusory indulgences of senses. Ultimately the situation arises, 'bhoga na bhukta, vyameva bhukta' i.e. we are not able to enjoy the material pleasures of the senses, but sacrifice ourselves in the worry for obtaining such pleasures. The Vedas have never told us to discard materialism, but have told us to accept the creation as a mere means and to use it for good purpose. In the absence of the body or material means, our sustenance is impossible, but to believe that only sustenance is everything, amounts to self-deception.

Good deeds for helping others and moral conduct are mere steps towards spiritual life. For purity of the 'chitta' (one of the four parts of the mind, chitta is where concentration on a subject or image takes place) we have to climb through these steps. Without purifying the chitta, the highest knowledge can never be achieved. To remove the dirt which has firmly lodged in the mid, firm moral conduct, deeds for helping others without any self interest, regular study of scriptures and religious endeavor (or religious discipline) are extremely necessary. On taking to this path, the flow of divine spiritual knowledge starts within the heart and with the profound brightness of this divine glow our faults and bad tendencies are, as if, burnt away. The space vacated by them gets filled with 'sadgun' (good qualities).

All this is possible only by firm 'atmabal' (strength of the soul) or firm resolve or will-power.

Action This Religion

Meaning: According to the Athervaved 5/30/7 - Man, rouse thyself always. That is your duty. Just as ants and other small forms of life always try to climb upwards, similarly, you too should find out the means of uplift and progress constantly.

Message: Tremendous progress has been achieved in the world by knowledge and science. But this science does not confer peace and happiness. Peace and happiness are always available through good persons and it is outside the power of science to 'create' good men. Men become good only through spiritualism.

What is this spiritualism which makes a good and uplifted man? This is the trinity of worship, spiritual-endeavor (or spiritual discipline) and adoration. Once a person takes a plunge in the river of this trinity, his life becomes successful. By worshipping (Upasana) we are trying to imbibe within us the divine qualities of God. Keeping in mind the divine principles, one should decide one's tasks and be firm in them and to remain rock-stable in the face of the biggest attractions, temptations and hardships. Spiritual-endeavor or spiritual-discipline (Sadhana) is for one's own self through control of the body and mind with austerity, celibacy and restraint. Adoration (Aaradhana), translated into action, means service to others and always to pay attention to others' welfare. Not to be busy in achieving self-interest, but to think of societal-uplift, and to think that one's progress lies in contributing to the society's progress. A man, who conducts himself according to these religious precepts, always forges ahead, craves out a path for peace and happiness for all and thus creates a blissful atmosphere for all.

Strange is the life of a man, because he can fall downwards or raise his level very high. Man's downfall can be so low that even animals will be considered at a higher level in comparison, or he can achieve levels higher than deities. Decide by yourself where you wish to go. In this human species, do you want to behave as an animal or as a diving being? It is very easy to fall down, but tremendous diligence is required to rise upwards. Like the fish swimming against the current, you have to exert courageously. Man has to go constantly ahead in the direction of progress. The Vedas instruct thus, "Udyanum te pruusha naavyanum" i.e. "O human being! You have to raise high in life and not to fall".

God's shelter is required for forging ahead in the direction of progress in life. The only route to God is to put God's divine qualities into one's conduct. For that one has to strive to become humane by purifying one's sentiments and attitudes and developing a habit of introspection. After that alertness and cautiousness are necessary for strict adherence to rules. Man's humanity is expressed by the high quality of his thoughts or mental attitudes.

By putting into action this religion of humaneness, man becomes a human being and fulfills God's prupose.

Capacity of Individuals

One of the oldest Grantha of our Hindu Mythology is the Atharvaved. The lines 19/51/1 of this Vedas explain that the capacity of individual is ten thousand times more than the person is utilizing his capacity. One who wants to improve his power he is able to do this. Because our soul is one of the greatest thing and it helps to the individual to improve it. It also stated that —I myself am equal to ten thousand people. The strength of my soul, of my praan (life breath in the body), my eyesight and hearing are also equal to that of 10000 men. My 'apaan and vyaan' are also equivalent to that of 10000 men. In every respect I am equal in strength to that of ten thousand men. (Apaan and Vyaan - The life's vital force or prana or life sustaining breath is sub-divided into 5 and exists as such in the body. The five sub-divisions of the vital breath-force called panch pran. They are — pran, apaan, vyan, udaan and samaan.

Message: Joy and cheerfulness are extremely necessary for the development of atmabal (strength of the soul) and pranbal (strength of life's vital breath force). But all this is possible only when eyesight, hearing, respiration and all the organs and limbs of the body are happy.

What does this happiness and joy mean? We get real joy and inner cheer by working for the welfare of others while observing personal restraint. By moral discipline, when the body becomes strong, there is mental stability; there is spiritual sublimation of one's wishes and a definite mental-level achieved by surrender to God. Then there will be joy and only joy all-round and the same will ultimately prove useful for achieving pranm anand (or bliss).

A man full of joy and cheer is like the Sun whose rays dispel the sorrowful darkness from a number of hearts. A man should always remain cheerful. Cheerfulness is also very good for health and it also fills the soul with extraordinary strength. All sorrows of a man who always remains cheerful disappear.

All can smile in their happy days, but that man is ideal, who can remain cheerful and enthusiastic even in sorrow. A man who is not afraid of sorrows and troubles, but remains smiling and cheerful, is not a man but like a deity. All the great men of the world had humorous natures. The atmikbal (strength of the soul) increases manifold by remaining cheerful, and it gives rise to tremendous inner power and energy to fight adverse situations. With it, a man becomes divine, excellent, valorous and with a bright countenance.

Look at the lives of Bhagwan Shri Ram and Yogeshwar Shri Krishna. They smilingly faced all the troubles during innumerable adverse situations and hardships and came out shining like gold in their test by fire. Maharshi Dayanand, swami Vivekananda, Balganadhar, Tilak, Madanmohan Malaviya, etc have also performed such tasks with the energy obtained through inner cheer, which were not possible even for millions of men.

Today's man is covered up by selfishness and his sense of divinity has disappeared. If a man keeps his life always full of cheer and joy, then the soul-strength will increase manifold and such a single man will be powerful as ten thousand men.

There is tremendous power in atmabal or strength of the soul.

Do Not Think Negative

Meaning:  As stated in the Atharvaved 6/45/1 that we have to keep our mind always busy. In order that your mind does not wander away in bad thoughts, keep it busy in some work or the other, that is do not allow it to remain idle.

Message: In His message to Arjun, Lord Shri Krishna has said that some people in the world possess divine wealth (daivee sampada), while others have aaswri sampada i.e. demoniac tendencies. The people with divine thoughts and tendencies are free from fear because of their pure hearts and are capable of knowing the philosophy because of dhyaanyog (i.e. paying careful attention). They are always doing 'saatvik' works i.e. good works with morality and honesty. They keep their senses under control and study scriptures regularly. Their speech is pleasant and they do not trouble anyone through their minds, bodies and speech. Pride is not able to sway them and despite carrying out their deeds in the world, they remain unattached and fulfill the aim of human life. There is no need to say anything about people with demoniac nature. Such people are seen everywhere undergoing unbearable sorrow of various types from all sides.

Divine or demoniac wealth is the name for emotions or tendencies only. Demoniac tendencies are produced in such men who constantly think of perishable things of the world by mistakenly thinking them as permanent. \the main reason for divine or demoniac tendencies is our heart. Usually the man is swayed away by the demoniac tendencies of the heart and gets deeply trapped in them without intention.

Today's men look physically healthy, but they do not have anything except restlessness in their minds. The only reason is that bad thoughts are continuously hovering in their minds. Mental pollution is increasing so much that wicked and obscene thoughts arise while in sleep or when awake, while getting up or sitting down, day and night, constantly. There is only one solution for saving ourselves from this sorrowful situation and that is, to keep the mind continuously engaged in clean and pure thoughts. It should never be allowed to be idle. It is said that 'an idle mind is the devil's workshop', therefore we should never keep the mind idle. \by keeping the mind constantly engaged in works which are constructive and for the benefit of people, bad thoughts are not able to enter in ite.

It is extremely necessary to develop the habit to keep the mind busy in this way right from the childhood. \the impression of the thoughts during childhood remains permanent. Therefore, children must always be kept in such atmosphere whereby they constantly receive good thoughts. It is essential that they see only good thins, hear good things and read best books filed with good thoughts which increase knowledge. We should save ourselves and especially our children from the blows which the foreign media are making on our culture and make constant efforts to develop the wealth of divine tendencies.

'Be busy, be happy and be healthy'. However a man is busy in some work or the other, he is immersed in joy. With that his mental and physical health also improves and there is an increase in the strength of his soul also.

God's Authority is everywhere

Meaning: The information about the God's authority is expressed in our Yajurved 40/1 is that — one who does not snate away others wealth by believing that God's authority is everywhere, such a 'dharmaatmaa' (religiously great man) obtains happiness in this world, achieves salvation and reaches God's world.

Message: This whole world is richly resplendent with God, who is present in every particle. Every life on earth including insects is active because of Him. All useful matter including grains and wealth are produced only by his benevolence. But it is our misfortune that man is not able to recognize this reality. Believing that whatever exists in the world, all belongs to Him, he (i.e. man) only has the right on it, he is immersed in only utilizing it, enjoying it. It is true that God has produced all these materials for man, but hs also indicated that all the material be utilized with the sentiment of abnegation. Keep only the minimum for your requirements; give up the remaining for others. Only in this lies the salvation.

Kasya swid dhanam? We forget this fundamental question, viz, "To whom does this wealth belong? The owner of all this luxury, buildings, bungalows, lands, fields, orchards and gardens is only ONE, the ONE who feeds and nurtures the population. All this belongs only to the society, the nation and the GOD and GOD only will be its owner for ever. It has been God's from time-immemorial and only God will be its owner for ever. We have come here in the human species only for some time, and after enjoying material happiness, will go on the further journey according to our deeds. All this did not come with us (when we were born) and will not go with us in future also (i.e. after death). Then why this tendency for greed and temptation? Why are plans made for snatching away others' wealth? Why is there the temptation to stake our claim on all the wealth of the world? There can be only one answer to all these questions - it is that we falsely believe that all this wealth is ours and get treapped in false illusions. We are forgetting the fact that its owner is our supreme Father, the God. In fact we have been granted the right for its limited use only.

It does not mean that man should not make any attempt to earn money. Actually, the Vedas assert that man should earn money by the hardest austerity, labor and diligence. But at the same time man should also remember that all the wealth belongs to God, the Supreme Father and He only has given it to us. Out of that the requirements as suits a Brahman (that is simple necessities) only should be taken and the remaining should be surrendered for societal welfare. Think first of self-denial, think of the welfare of others and only after that think of utilizing for self. But we usually think completely reverse. We go on making plans for utilizing, enjoying everything alone by ourselves. We never get the time to think of others and that only is the reason for all the troubles of this world. The person who understands this fact, for him all the binds of personal and worldly attachments get automatically broken. He starts observing the reflection of his own soul in others with the broad outlook of 'aatmavat sarvabhooteshu' (i.e. all the living beings have the atma soul similar to mine). Such people pay attention first to the happiness and welfare of others.

Human-life can be happy and peaceful only by very properly recognizing the wealth in this form.

Save from Laziness

Meaning: As stated on the Rigved 8/48/14 - "To be saved from laziness and useless talk, one should always be busy. Let us keep away from bad tendencies, give birth to excellent children and let our knowledge be discussed everywhere.

Message: Every man wants to spend his life on the basis of "less work and more talk". This makes the man lazy and leads to false self-praise. This is a manifestation of tamogun and rajogun. (In short tamogun refers to faults, all under one term "mental darkness" and rajogun refers in short to materialistic tendencies). This bad tendency becomes a part of his nature. A lazy man leads an unnatural life and harms himself. With ignorance and laziness he wanders in darkness and makes vain boasts and blames others for this failure. A knowledgeable person understands his moves, and nothing is hidden from God's observation. Again and again he alerts such persons, warns them, but their eyes and ears remain closed because of 'tamasik' and 'rajasik' activities (activities of tamogun and rajogun). They do not care to see anything or hear anything. They are full of ignorance and laziness and immersed in self-praise.

We should restrain ourselves properly by control on our diet, sleep and rest and should not allow them to hold sway over us. That way we shall become excellent, and be able to make creative around us an atmosphere of, pleasantness, cleanliness, simplicity and goodwill or gentlemanliness. If we are able to control our time wisely, then after finishing our tasks, we shall have more extra time which we can use for eradicating the bad customs in the society.

We should educate our children, dependents and co-workers about keeping away from laziness. By our conduct, we should set before them an example of a hard-working and restrained person. We should go on sowing the seeds of good qualities in their minds right from childhood. This is not a one-day job but a continuous process. A child's mind is very easily trapped in temptations and bad tendencies. We should pay attention with full alertness that bad tendencies do not enter into them. Like a careful farmer we should constantly clean the field by carrying out the weeding. Bad tendencies must be crushed in the beginning only, so that they do not increase. Children should always be employed in creative works by inspiring them to good deeds, so that they become successful citizens. The parents must sacrifice their children cultured and strong in character. One has to present an ideal through personal conduct by removing faults and bad tendencies. This is the message of Vedas.

Always save yourselves from laziness sand meaningless talk. This is the  real duty, real religion of a Brahman.

Senses Goes on a Various Directions

Meaning: Man's senses are never steady in a single direction. As soon as they get an opportunity, they are attracted towards their own lust. For that reason, man should always be alert to save himself from the lust of his senses.

Message: Restraint of the mind is necessary for all. It is deeply related with every person wishing for the uplift of his soul. For success in the practice of religion and upliftment in spiritual life one has to fight these types of problems of the mind. Without the control of the mind, neither man's not society's qualitative development work can ever be completed.

It is especially very difficult to keep the mind engrossed in the religious sphere. When we sit for recitation or meditation, at that time as if all the senses rebel together. Eyes, ears, nose, with the slightest indication, get swayed and start wandering here and there, and the mind? Well it goes on producing thoughts from far and near from its treasury and it becomes extremely difficult to concentrate on reciting the name of God. In our practical life also, a similar situation arises. We are not able to do any work properly. the mind starts moving in all four directions and in the end, because of failure, there is a lot of unhappiness and repentance.

The wavering condition of the mind occurs because of fear, desires and impurity. Because of that the flame of concentration and absorption of any subject starts swaying and ultimately gets extinguished. By allowing the minds to wander after gratification of desires and indulgence and by becoming slavers of our senses we create an unhappy situation by which the soul's independence gets destroyed. We get liberation only by a control over our senses struggle and labor. We get liberation only by a control over our senses and by a life of purity. A spiritual life is a harsh life full of struggle and labor. We aspire for liberation and freedom from fear, wish to be freed from the limitations of the body and mind, but this is not possible as long as we are addicted to our wish and desires.

This wavering of the mind can be considerably reduced by a regular daily routine. For this we must cultivate the habit of thinking in an organized manner and working accordingly. There should ba a unity in all the aspects of our character. For this, the most important mater is 'chittasuddhi' or cleaning the mind and purifying it. First of all, restraint must be given the topmost priority thus preventing any further dirty thinking from entering the mind. Along with it, by using discretion, we must throw out blind and foolish beliefs and also throw out our faults and wicked tendencies. The process of 'chittasuddhi' is certainly slow but it is possible with constant practice.

To keep the mind under proper control is a very interesting mental game. Although there is a possibility of being defeated, one should keep an attitude of sportsmanship and fully enjoy this Endeavour. For playing this game we have to develop qualities like full alertness, skill, a sense of humor, sincerity, knowledge of strategy, patience and velour. These qualities rescue us from disappointment despite hundreds of failures.

This is the wonder of 'atmabal' (strength of the soul).

Soul is Bright

One of the strongest and powerful elements is our soul. For this our ancient Athervaved 13/2/29 explain about our soul that — O man! Your soul is bright, luscious and great just like the Sun. At least try to know your strength and know how vast your glory is.

Message: There is a very close relationship between the soul (atma) and God (the supreme soul- paramatma). The soul residing in the body is a part of the Supreme Father, the God. His authority is present within all the living beings. We can also say that God has put this soul in our body as his representative, which through the medium of this body, constantly moves forward towards divinity. It is our greatest misfortune that due to ignorance we have forgotten our own soul and have suppressed it under the garbage of faults and wicked tendencies.

Just like the Sun giving brightness, light, heat, energy, and life to the whole world our soul is also equally powerful Atma is also called Indra. 'Ahamindro na parajigye' means 'I am Indra who never gets defeated'. Endless is the power of the soul. The man who possesses the strength of the soul is never defeated. Victory lies in the strength of the soul and defeat lies in its absence. When man accepts with faith and trust the relationship of his soul with God, then he starts experiencing that he is also all powerful and becomes free form the feeling of wretched lowliness. After that he never gets defeated in any task. With the strength of the soul, man achieves victory over death also, that means he is not afraid of death.

'Atmabal (the strength of the soul) is an inner flame. The power of the soul burns away disease, sorrow and similar affections. The affections of the soul are removed by doing good deeds, the burnished soul's divine light shines forth as 'atmic-shakti' (or the power of the soul) and through it the affections gets destroyed. As a result, the entry of wicked tendencies into the heart stops altogether. This is a great power which brings freshness and luminosity, sharpening of faculties and creates the capacity of carrying out the biggest tasks. It makes the impossible possible by removing even the unimaginably big and difficult obstacles.

Atmabal is called 'ashmavarma mayasi' meaning this is my armor of stone. The Vedas have given to this unbreakable, un-diminishable inner power the simile of stone because it can face each and every disaster. The power of the soul is unconquerable and free from the effect of conflict. This power destroys both - the sins as well as the sinners.

A man with the soul-power never lives a life of helplessness and dependence. Such a man becomes successful and a leader in the society.

It is our duty to recognize the profound power of our soul. We should, by constant introspection, go on removing the faults and wicked tendencies covering the soul so that our life shines brilliantly with atmaprakash (the brightness of the soul) and becomes bright and powerful or authoritative. this power of the soul makes possible even the impossible tasks of this world. If there is any power after the power of God, it is of our own soul only. To know one's own power is actually the worship of God.

Life's objective is achieved by atmadarshan (seeing one's soul i.e. by self-realization