Listen to Heart: August 2014

Saturday 16 August 2014

Listen to Heart: 26. Listen to Heart – Don’t be fused by being conf...

Listen to Heart: 26. Listen to Heart – Don’t be fused by being conf...: Hari Bol..... 26. Listen to Heart – Don’t be fused by being confused….. Confusion is a frame of mind in which a human being is con...

26. Listen to Heart – Don’t be fused by being confused…..

Hari Bol.....

26. Listen to Heart – Don’t be fused by being confused…..

Confusion is a frame of mind in which a human being is confused when he has more than one choice. It means he has choice of doing an activity in two or different ways. It is good till the time he can take a right decision. If he cannot take the right decision it is bad as he is not capable of handling more than one option. This brings him to confusion state. Some confused people may have strange or unusual behavior or may act aggressively. It may be termed as Disorientation; Thinking - unclear; Thoughts – cloudy Confusion (from Latin confusĭo, -ōnis, noun of action from confounder "to pour together", or "to mingle together" also "to confuse") is the state of being bewildered or unclear in one’s mind about something. It is a situation in which people are uncertain about what to do or are unable to understand something clearly. It is the feeling that you have when you do not understand what is happening, what is expected, etc. It is a state or situation in which many things are happening in a way that is not controlled or orderly.

It is considered as a medical disease, in which it usually refers to loss of orientation (ability to place oneself correctly in the world by time, location; and/or personal identity) and sometimes accompanied by disordered consciousness (loss of linear thinking) and loss of memory (the ability to correctly recall previous events or learn new material). Confusion can be defined as disturbance of consciousness characterized by inability to engage in orderly thought or by lack of power to distinguish, choose, or act decisively. Confusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as you normally do. You may feel disoriented and having difficulty paying attention, remembering, and making decisions. Confusion may come on quickly or slowly over time, depending on the cause. Many times, confusion is temporary. Other times it is permanent and not curable. I was going through an article which would help us to take care of our health if we can avoid confusion. Confusion may result from drug side effects. Confusion may result from a relatively sudden brain dysfunction. Acute confusion is often called delirium (also called acute confusion state), although delirium also includes a much broader array of disorders than confusion (e.g. inability to focus attention; and various impairments in awareness, or temporal and spatial orientation). Confusion may also result from chronic organic brain pathologies such as dementia. Confusion is more common in the elderly, and often occurs during a hospital stay.

The causes of confusion could be;

· Alcohol intoxication

· Brain tumor

· Concussion

· Fever

· Fluid and electrolyte imbalance

· Head trauma or head injury

· Illness in an elderly person

· Illness in a person with existing neurological disease such as a stroke

· Infections

· Lack of sleep (sleep deprivation)

· Low blood sugar

· Low levels of oxygen (for example, from chronic lung disorders)

· Medications

· Nutritional deficiencies, especially niacin, thiamine, vitamin C, or vitamin B12

· Seizures

· Sudden drop in body temperature (hypothermia)

· A confused person should not be left alone. For safety, the person may need physical restraints. To help a confused person:

· Always introduce yourself, no matter how well the person once knew you.

· Often remind the person of his or her location.

· Place a calendar and clock near the person.

· Talk about current events and plans for the day.

· Try to keep the surroundings calm, quiet, and peaceful.

· It could be due to;

· Confusion has come on suddenly or there are other symptoms such as:

· Cold or clammy skin

· Dizziness or feeling faint

· Fast pulse

· Fever

· Headache

· Slow or rapid breathing

· Uncontrolled shivering

· Confusion has come on suddenly in someone with diabetes.

· Confusion came on after a head injury.

· The person becomes unconscious at any time.

· It could be prevented by;

· Don't drink too much alcohol

· Eat a balanced diet with plenty of vitamins and minerals

· Get enough sleep

· Keep careful control of your blood sugar if you have diabetes

· Quit smoking, which puts you at greater risk for lung diseases

· Take your medications as prescribed

Clear thinking depends on the point of view, on one's knowledge, desires and ability and understanding those desires and motivations. Get started planning, developing and using your faith in your future. Start now to have good strategies for success in your personal development in your studies, work, even play or relaxation.

· Have an "Ah Ha" moment. Make two columns with a list in each column. In column one write your interests and abilities (What are you good at?) In column two make a list of your difficulties and weaknesses. This can help to clarify your thinking in both areas by comparison and contrast. Hopefully you'll feel good about your strengths and prospects and you will not be confused.

· Decide some areas of your abilities and things that are interesting to learn. Define your questions. Ask questions of your teachers, mother, father and other elders, as well as your peers. Read and do research to seek answers at the local library or on the internet

· Keep up your stamina and enthusiasm in the areas of your strengths and interests to find your best abilities and greatest opportunities that will fit your personality. If you are not sure about what you want to learn and develop, then just take a guess and start on something that seems right.

· Focus mainly on one thing - one at one time, and not much else, and let almost every ounce of effort go into that so that it will become a real area of strength – not confusion: You may need to get over some bad habits/weaknesses, and so work on lessening your weaknesses that seem to matter the most. For example, if you are good in improving your attitudes, being positive and thoughtful, then consider working in an area requiring contact skills in work that requires communicating with people.

· Keep on doing what you decided to do. Persistence is about half of being successful. That takes mental discipline and keeping on doing positive habit-forming while breaking bad habits. This could be in school, in a career, a hobby or all of the above.

· Improve yourself and your chances and you will not be confused. Keep working and studying. Working itself is far more satisfying and important than reaching a temporary solution. Few things in life are permanent.

· Do not stop and start or quit halfway through because if you do not accept or reject theories or ideas blindly, then you can be clear about your purposes and keep going. Don't worry if your concepts are not clear at first or seem to come and go. Just step up and take a breath, keep going and be sure that you are doing it in a good manner.

· Continue to build your strength of faith and your ability to learn and to earn with faith in your ability to improve abilities and skills by being persistent and reliable believing that you're blessed. Be thankful for your opportunities and go for it, instead of complaining! If you find that your skills limit your earning potential consider staying in or going back to school or college. If your interest lies in the computer industry, many community colleges offer computer certification tests. Check with counselors at school or college.

· Follow through: Stopping halfway is confusing and shows a pattern of mixed up thinking. After all many employers just want to see that you can finish your program of study and be self-motivated to improve yourself, not just because of "the paper" for graduating from school and college.

In this western style of living and life style we all are forgetting and disrespecting the religious practices which are our traditions and cultures. We need to gain knowledge and remove all doubts if exist in our mind. If doubts are cleared then confusion will not prevail. All religious practices are scientific in nature. Our fore-fathers linked so that the practices are followed sincerely and with respect. In today’s life we all say that all those are useless and baseless. If someone follows, he / she are badly looked upon. He / she is supposed to be not updated and rather of with backward thoughts and outdated. These are false thoughts one todays’ world, because our soul has been perverted due to materialistic desires. A simple man who does not have the courage to face the world lives in confusion state of mind. He is not able to take a decision whether to follow the religious practice or not. His mind has fused. When the electricity or the power is cut we say,” Check the fuse. Has it burnt? “. If the fuse is burnt then there is no power. It leads to darkness. Similarly if we are not clear about a thought or action or practice we are confused thus our mind is in fused condition. Due to which there is darkness in our mind. If we listen to heart this situation will never occur as the Lord abodes in the Heart and heart is always pure which always gives positive vibration with positive energy. I would like share few of myth which will help us to eliminate our confusion and we would follow the practices with clarity, honesty, respectfully and gracefully. We should be proud of our traditions and cultures. This will help us to keep our heads high.

1. Throwing coins into a river: The general reasoning given for this act is that it brings Good Luck. However, scientifically speaking, in the ancient times, most of the currency used was made of copper unlike the stainless steel coins of today. Copper is a vital metal very useful to the human body. Throwing coins in the river was one way our fore-fathers ensured we intake sufficient copper as part of... the water as rivers were the only source of drinking water. Making it a custom ensured that all of us follow the practice.

2. Joining both palms together to greet: In Hindu culture, people greet each other by joining their palms - termed as “Namaskar.” The general reason behind this tradition is that greeting by joining both the palms means respect. However, scientifically speaking, joining both hands ensures joining the tips of all the fingers together; which are denoted to the pressure points of eyes, ears, and mind. Pressing them together is said to activate the pressure points which helps us remember that person for a long time. And, no germs since we don’t make any physical contact!

3. Why do Indian women wear toe rings: Wearing toe rings is not just the significance of married women but there is science behind it. Normally toe rings are worn on the second toe. A particular nerve from the second toe connects the uterus and passes to heart. Wearing toe ring on this finger strengthens the uterus. It will keep it healthy by regulating the blood flow to it and menstrual cycle will be regularized. As Silver is a good conductor, it also absorbs polar energies from the earth and passes it to the body.

4. Applying Tilak on the forehead: On the forehead, between the two eyebrows, is a spot that is considered as a major nerve point in human body since ancient times. The Tilak is believed to prevent the loss of "energy", the red 'kumkum' between the eyebrows is said to retain energy in the human body and control the various levels of concentration. While applying kumkum the points on the mid-brow region and Adnya-chakra are automatically pressed. This also facilitates the blood supply to the face muscles.

5. Why do temples have bells: People who are visiting the temple should and will Ring the bell before entering the inner sanctum (Garbhagudi or Garbha Gruha or womb-chamber) where the main idol is placed. According to Agama Sastra, the bell is used to give sound for keeping evil forces away and the ring of the bell is pleasant to God. However, the scientific reason behind bells is that their ring clears our mind and helps us stay sharp and keep our full concentration on devotional purpose. These bells are made in such a way that when they produce a sound it creates a unity in the Left and Right parts of our brains. The moment we ring the bell, it produces a sharp and enduring sound which lasts for minimum of 7 seconds in echo mode. The duration of echo is good enough to activate all the seven healing centers in our body. This results in emptying our brain from all negative thoughts.

6. Why do we worship ‘Tulsi’ plant: Hindu religion has bestowed ‘Tulsi’, with the status of mother? Also known as ‘Sacred or Holy Basil’, Tulsi, has been recognized as a religious and spiritual devout in many parts of the world. The vedic sages knew the benefits of Tulsi and that is why they personified it as a Goddess and gave a clear message to the entire community that it needs to be taken care of by the people, literate or illiterate. We try to protect it because it is like Sanjeevani for the mankind. Tulsi has great medicinal properties. It is a remarkable antibiotic. Taking Tulsi every day in tea or otherwise increases immunity and help the drinker prevent diseases, stabilize his or her health condition, balance his or her body system and most important of all, prolong his or her life. Keeping Tulsi plant at home prevents insects and mosquitoes from entering the house. It is said that snakes do not dare to go near a Tulsi plant. Maybe that is why ancient people would grow lots of Tulsi near their houses.

7. Why do we worship 'Peepal Tree': ‘Peepal’ tree is almost useless for an ordinary person, except for its shadow? ‘Peepal’ does not a have a delicious fruit, its wood is not strong enough for any purpose then why should a common villager or person worship it or even care for it? Our ancestors knew that ‘Peepal’ is one of the very few trees (or probably the only tree) which produces oxygen even at night. So in order to save this tree because of its unique property they related it to God/religion.

8. Start with spice, end with sweet: Our ancestors have stressed on the fact that our meals should be started off with something spicy and sweet dishes should be taken towards the end. The significance of this eating practice is that while spicy things activate the digestive juices and acids and ensure that the digestion process goes on smoothly and efficiently, sweets or carbohydrates pulls down the digestive process. Hence, sweets were always recommended to be taken as a last item.

9. Applying Mehndi / henna on hands: Besides lending color to the hands, mehndi is a very powerful medicinal herb. Weddings are stressful, and often, the stress causes headaches and fevers. As the wedding day approaches, the excitement mixed with nervous anticipation can take its toll on the bride and groom. Application of mehndi can prevent too much stress because it cools the body and keeps the nerves from becoming tense. This is the reason why mehndi is applied on the hands and feet, which house nerve endings in the body.

10. Celebration and cleaning during Diwali: Diwali usually falls in October or November which marks the start of winter season and end of rainy season. Rainy season wasn't a good time for everyone back then; many homes needed repair and renovation after a heavy fall. That is why time before Diwali was considered the period during which everyone can indulge in cleaning and beautification of their home. And also take out their winter clothes and pack the summer ones.

11. Sitting on a floor and eating: This tradition is not just about sitting on floor and eating, it is regarding sitting in the “Sukhasan” position and then eating. Sukhasan is the position we normally use for Yoga Asanas. Sitting in this position while eating helps in improving digestion as the circulatory system can focus solely upon digestion and not on our legs dangling from a chair or supporting us while we are standing.

12. Why not to sleep with your head towards North: Myth is that it invites ghost or death but since says that it is because human body has its own magnetic field (Also known as hearts magnetic field, because the flow of blood) and Earth is a giant magnet. When we sleep with head towards north, our body's magnetic field become completely asymmetrical to the Earth's Magnetic field. That cause problems related to blood pressure and our heart needs to work harder in order to overcome this asymmetry of Magnetic fields. Apart from this another reason is that Our body have significant amount of iron in our blood. When we sleep in this position, iron from the whole body starts to congregate in brain. This can cause headache, Alzheimer’s disease, Cognitive Decline, Parkinson disease and brain degeneration.

13. Surya Namaskar: Hindus have a tradition of paying regards to Sun God early in the morning by their water offering ritual. It was mainly because looking at Sun rays through water or directly at that time of the day is good for eyes and also by waking up to follow this routine, we become prone to a morning lifestyle and mornings are proven to be the most effective part of the day.

14. Ear Piercing: Piercing the ears has a great importance in Indian ethos. Indian physicians and philosophers believe that piercing the ears helps in the development of intellect, power of thinking and decision making faculties. Talkativeness fritters away life energy. Ear piercing helps in speech-restraint. It helps to reduce impertinent behavior and the ear-channels become free from disorders. This idea appeals to the Western world as well, and so they are getting their ears pierced to wear fancy earrings as a mark of fashion.

15. Application of Sindoor or Vermillion: It is interesting to note that that the application of sindoor by married women carries a physiological significance. This is so because Sindoor is prepared by mixing turmeric-lime and the metal mercury. Due to its intrinsic properties, mercury, besides controlling blood pressure also activates sexual drive. This also explains why Sindoor is prohibited for the widows. For best results, Sindoor should be applied right up to the pituitary gland where all our feelings are centered. Mercury is also known for removing stress and strain.

16. The Scientific explanation of touching feet (Charan-Sparsh): Usually, the person of whose feet you are touching is either old or pious. When they accept your respect which came from your reduced ego (and is called your Shraddha) their hearts emit positive thoughts and energy (which is called their Karuna) which reaches you through their hands and toes. In essence, the completed circuit enables flow of energy and increases cosmic energy, switching on a quick connect between two minds and hearts. To an extent, the same is achieved through handshakes and hugs. The nerves that start from our brain spread across all your body. These nerves or wires end in the fingertips of your hand and feet. When you join the fingertips of your hand to those of their opposite feet, a circuit is immediately formed and the energies of two bodies are connected. Your fingers and palms become the ‘receptor’ of energy and the feet of other person become the ‘giver’ of energy.

17. Why Tulsi should not be chewed with teeth: It is a popular belief that Tulsi is the wife of Lord Vishnu; therefore, chewing it will be a mark of disrespect. However, botanists, in the course of their research, found that Tulsi plant has the maximum of mercury. If raw mercury is applied to teeth, they fall immediately. That’s why in Hindu religion, Tulsi leaves are not chewed but swallowed.

18. Why Tilgul: Tilgul is a very colorful and excellent sesame candy made of sesame seeds and jaggery. Til means sesame seeds whereas gul means jaggery in Marathi/ Hindi. Since Makar Sankranti is celebrated in mid-winter ideally Tilgul recipe is a combination that helps keep the body warm due to these heat generating ingredients making it a healthy sweet to enjoy. In Ayurveda, Sesame is considered to be an extremely beneficial and strong medicine. Sesame laddu's are beneficial for those children who normally have the problem of bed-wetting in winters.

19. Why do Indian women wear Bangles: Normally the wrist portion is in constant activation on any human? Also the pulse beat in this portion is mostly checked for all sorts of ailments. The Bangles used by women are normally in the wrist part of one’s hand and its constant friction increases the blood circulation level. Furthermore the electricity passing out through outer skin is again reverted to one's own body because of the ring shaped bangles, which has no ends to pass the energy outside but to send it back to the body.

Arjuna is in confused state of mind. Arjuna says, “My nature is overpowered by the taint of pity. Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure because of miserly weakness. In this condition I am asking you to tell me for certain what is best for me. Now I am your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto you. With my mind confused as to duty I ask thee: Tell me decisively which is good for me. I am thy disciple. Please instruct me who has taken refuge in thee.”

Arjuna found himself caught in an ethical dilemma that stemmed from the intoxication of the bodily conception of life. In the Gita’s first chapter, he gave several strands of reasoning to rationalize abandoning his duty. But no matter what self-justifying alley his frenzied mind drove along, he found him at the same dead-end of confusion and dejection, as he acknowledges in the Gita. Arjuna begins to recover from his confused state of mind. He got mentally prepared that he can handle this complex situation as he coming out of his confusion. Now he starts doubting his thoughts. He realized his ignorance. He allowed himself to get out of this darkness. He was trying to find out what has gone wrong within him. His nature has been soiled by weak pity. He agreed to himself that his mind is confused with regard to his obligatory duty. Should he fight as a Khashtriya or respect his sentiments and emotions for his elders, teachers, friends and relatives opposing him and retire from Kurukshtra.

By nature’s own way the complete system of material activities is a source of perplexity for everyone. In every step there is perplexity, and therefore it behooves one to approach a bona fide spiritual master who can give a proper guidance for executing the purpose of life. All Vedic literatures advise us to approach a bona fide spiritual master to get free from the perplexities of life, which happen without our desire. They are like a forest fire that somehow blazes without being set by anyone. Similarly, the world situation is such’ that perplexities of life automatically appear, without our wanting such confusion. No one wants fire, and yet it takes place, and we become perplexed. The Vedic wisdom therefore advises that in order to solve the perplexities of life and to understand the science of the solution, one must approach a spiritual master who is in the disciple succession. A person with a bona fide spiritual master is supposed to know everything. One should not, therefore, remain in material perplexities but should approach a spiritual master. This is the purport of this verse.

Even though we may declare ourselves independent, we are not. Rather, we are servants falsely declaring that we are independent. Self-realization understands that we are dependent on the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

All Glories to Lord Krishna & All His Loving Devotees….. Hari Bol……

Courtesy : Bhagavad-Gita As It Is (by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ) , Srimad Bhagavad-Gita ( by A. Parthasarathy & www.gitadaily.com ) Chapter 2 : Text 7

Thursday 14 August 2014

Listen to Heart: 25. Listen to Heart – Living for Betterment will A...

Listen to Heart: 25. Listen to Heart – Living for Betterment will A...: Hari Bol...... 25. Listen to Heart – Living for Betterment will Avoid Bitterness… A question has been wondering me for quiet some...

25. Listen to Heart – Living for Betterment will Avoid Bitterness…

Hari Bol......

25. Listen to Heart – Living for Betterment will Avoid Bitterness…

A question has been wondering me for quiet sometime and forcing me to give a thought “What is better? How do I do better? When it is better? Why is it better? If I do not do better! And so on…” Sometime what is better for me may not be better for others. First let us understand the word better before diving deep. It is a comparative word. It has to be compared for good. It has to be more suitable. It has to be more useful. It has to be more desirable. It has to be more advantageous and favorable. Can I say, “Better is for superior quality?” We generally say, “I am feeling better. This time my exams went better. I had better results. I am doing better & so on”.

“The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better.”
― Robert F. Kennedy

Let’s plant more trees and make this world a better place to live.

Better is used where you have two or more than two options to work for. You find debates going on continuously in schools and colleges. In fact you open any news channels and you will observe debate is on, on some or the other topics may be sports, health, politics, etc. During this recent Election campaigning times in India every party and every individual as candidate was trying to prove himself and herself better than the opponent. They were requesting the citizen of the country to elect them in the Parliamentary elections. The citizen of our country gave majority vote to BJP as compared to the other parties, as the mass wanted Mr. Narender Damodardas Modi to lead our country who as a result is our 16^th Prime Minister of India who took the oath on 26^th May 2014. We all hope for a better India under his leadership.

I was going through an article in FITDAY regarding - Sports Drinks vs. Water: Which Is Better for Exercise? I would like to share with all because we all avoid bitterness. To understand better the best way is to taste for health. We all like to taste good and better and not bitter not only restricted to our tongue but also for our health.

The debate concerning sports drinks vs. water as the better exercise drink concerns a number of factors, the most important of which is proper hydration. When exercising, the human body loses more water than during normal activity through sweat; this water must be replaced to maintain the body's health.

The Importance of Fluid Replacement: Before examining the benefits of sports drinks vs. water, the exerciser should understand the importance of fluid replacement. While elevating the heart rate and working out, the muscles can be beneficial to the body's health (the body loses water at a much higher rate than normal). The hotter the temperature and the more intense the exercise, the more water is lost. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, on average, people lost 2% to 6% of their body weight during exercise sessions.

The human body uses water to regulate body temperature, transport oxygen and nutrients and dispose of waste. The majority of blood - and thus the majority of the human body - is comprised of water. If the body becomes dehydrated, the exerciser can feel cramps, fatigue and dizziness, or experience even more serious problems such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Water: When debating sports drinks vs. water, no one will argue that water is a poor choice. On the contrary, clean, filtrated water is the best drink with which to hydrate the body before, during and after exercise, as it is easily absorbed by the body without filtration.

Sports Drinks: It does offer some benefits when comparing sports drinks vs. water. While water actually works better at fluid replacement, sports drinks are often more appealing to the palate. In other words, people who enjoy the taste of sports drinks may drink more of a sports drink than they would water; this will lead to better hydration.

Sports drinks also contain electrolytes and carbohydrates. While exercising for short periods of time, it is not necessary to replace electrolytes; however, athletes and marathon participants exercising for period of an hour or more can benefit from electrolyte replacement in particular. Carbohydrates offer the body energy. When the body burns calories, it needs carbohydrates to replace energy lost. The longer the workout, the more carbohydrates are needed.

Drinks to Avoid: Avoid carbohydrate sports drinks and energy drinks, as the sugar in these drinks will offer empty calories and the carbohydrates offer only short bursts of energy without good long-term effects.

Maintaining Proper Hydration: Keep water or sports drink within easy reach at all times during athletic activity and workouts. Drink frequently during activity, but be sure to drink before and after activity as well. When people feel thirsty, the body is telling them that are already dehydrated. Drinking even before the body feels thirsty is the best way to prevent dehydration damage. Drink an average of 4-6 ounces of liquid every 15 minutes during intense periods of activity.

Sports drinks vs. water come down to the length and intensity of an athlete or exerciser's workout; water is never a poor choice, but there are benefits to supplementing a workout with some varieties of sports drinks as well. More important than selecting between the two is maintaining proper hydration before, during and after exercise.

I was studying – which is better tea or coffee? Popular belief labels tea as a health drink and coffee as bad. Not so! Mounting evidence suggests that both are good for you because they're brimming with antioxidants. Science can't really say one is superior to the other, so fill your mug with whichever brew you like. To benefit from both sets of antioxidants, try this: drink one or two cups of coffee in the morning, then enjoy tea throughout the day. The next time you warm your hands around a steaming cup, thank God for His gift of antioxidants. Bottoms up!

I would like to share the way to lead a Better Life by being disciplined;

· Take a 10-30 minutes’ walk every day. And while you walk, smile.

· Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day

· Sleep well for 7-9 hours.

· Live with the 3 E's : Energy, Enthusiasm, & Empathy

· Play more games

· Read more books than you did previously

· Drink plenty of water.

· Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

· Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

· Make time to practice meditation, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

· Dream more while you are awake.

· Smile and laugh more

· Try to make at least three people smile each day.

· Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

· Don't have negative thoughts about things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

· Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.

· Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

· Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does

· Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. This will ruin your present happiness.

· Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

· You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

· Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

· Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

· Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

· Forgive everyone for everything

· What other people think of you is none of your business. You think positive about others and yourself.

· However good or bad a situation is, it will change. Change is the only constant.

· Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

· Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need provided by the Lord

· The best is yet to come.

· No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

· Don't overdo. Keep your limits.

· Your inner most is always happy. So be happy.

· Do the right thing!

· Call your family often.

· Each day give something good to others

We have seen in the previous article: “Listen to Heart – Practice Living for Alms giving rather Living on Alms Living…..” that all the religion teaches us good things. It is better for us not to break our head for debating which religion is better but it is better to practice all the teachings of all religion and respect all religions. It helps us to be a better person. It guides us to have a better relation and not bitter relation. You will find that a man generally introduces her wife as Better half.

I was follower of Krishna right from my childhood. My elders sowed the seed of being religious. They taught me to go to temple and taking blessings of Radhe – Krishna and having Prasad before having my meals, which I still follow. I happened to become a member of ISKCON at Patna. I left Patna the next day for joining my office for my Karma. After sometime I happened to meet Prabhuji of ISKCON, Patna at ISKCON, Patna. Prabhuji asked me if I am practicing chanting. I answered in positive. He said do you chant while travelling in train, in buses, in flights, etc. (i.e. at public places). I honestly answered in negative. He suggested me to take a chanting counter. He said, “I know you all are professionals and live with false egos with different tags which are called designations in a firm. The best way to chant is by using chanting bead and chanting bag but to start with you can also chant with chanting counter to improve Krishna consciousness. It is better to remember Krishna anywhere anytime anyhow so chant using beads but if not chant by chanting counter. It is better to chant and remember the Lord rather not chant and not remember the Supreme.” I accepted his advice and started chanting using beads if not I always carry chanting counter and practice chanting thus try to improve Krishna consciousness.

One should practice humanity. One should focus on giving positive vibration and maintain positive atmosphere. This can be practiced if one listens to heart as Krishna abodes in everyone’s heart. This would help us to live for betterment for ourselves and for others and helps to avoid bitterness for ourselves and for others.

Arjuna was not aware that for him which was better. Arjuna said, “Nor do we know which is better - conquering them or being conquered by them. If we killed the sons of Dhritrashtra, we should not care to live. Yet they are now standing before us on the battlefield.” Considering your speciﬁc duty as a khashtriya, you should know that there is no better engagement for you than ﬁghting on religious principles; and so there is no need for hesitation.

Out of the four orders of social administration, the second order, for the matter of good administration, is called kṣatriya. Kṣat means hurt. One who gives protection from harm is called kṣatriya (trāyate – to give protection). The kṣatriyas are trained for killing in the forest. A kṣatriya would go into the forest and challenge a tiger face to face and ﬁght with the tiger with his sword. When the tiger was killed, it would be offered the royal order of cremation. This system has been followed even up to the present day by the kṣatriya kings of Jaipur state. The kṣatriyas are specially trained for challenging and killing because religious violence is sometimes a necessary factor. Therefore, kṣatriyas are never meant for accepting directly the order of sannyāsa, or renunciation. Nonviolence in politics may be a diplomacy, but it is never a factor or principle. In the religious law books it is stated:Out of the four orders of social administration, the second order, for the matter of good administration, is called kṣatriya. Kṣat means hurt. One who gives protection from harm is called kṣatriya (trāyate – to give protection). The kṣatriyas are trained for killing in the forest. A kṣatriya would go into the forest and challenge a tiger face to face and ﬁght with the tiger with his sword. When the tiger was killed, it would be offered the royal order of cremation. This system has been followed even up to the present day by the kṣatriya kings of Jaipur state. The kṣatriyas are specially trained for challenging and killing because religious violence is sometimes a necessary factor. Therefore, kṣatriyas are never meant for accepting directly the order of sannyāsa, or renunciation. Nonviolence in politics may be diplomacy, but it is never a factor or principle.

“In the battleﬁeld, a king or kṣatriya, while ﬁghting another king envious of him, is eligible for achieving the heavenly planets after death, as the brāhmaṇas also attain the heavenly planets by sacriﬁcing animals in the sacriﬁcial ﬁre.” Therefore, killing on the battleﬁeld on religious principles and killing animals in the sacriﬁcial ﬁre are not at all considered to be acts of violence, because everyone is beneﬁted by the religious principles involved. The animal sacriﬁced gets a human life immediately without undergoing the gradual evolutionary process from one form to another, and the kṣatriyas killed on the battleﬁeld also attain the heavenly planets, as do the brāhmaṇas who attain them by offering sacriﬁce.Out of the four orders of social administration, the second order, for the matter of good administration, is called kṣatriya. Kṣat means hurt. One who gives protection from harm is called kṣatriya (trāyate – to give protection). The kṣatriyas are trained for killing in the forest. A kṣatriya would go into the forest and challenge a tiger face to face and ﬁght with the tiger with his sword. When the tiger was killed, it would be offered the royal order of cremation. This system has been followed even up to the present day by the kṣatriya kings of Jaipur state. The kṣatriyas are specially trained for challenging and killing because religious violence is sometimes a necessary factor. Therefore, kṣatriyas are never meant for accepting directly the order of sannyāsa, or renunciation. Nonviolence in politics may be diplomacy, but it is never a factor or principle. Considering your speciﬁc duty as a kṣatriya, you should know that there is no better engagement for you than ﬁghting on religious principles; and so there is no need for hesitation.

There are two kinds of sva-dharmas, speciﬁc duties. As long as one is not liberated, one has to perform the duties of his particular body in accordance with religious principles in order to achieve liberation. When one is liberated, one’s sva-dharma – speciﬁc duty – becomes spiritual and is not in the material bodily concept. In the bodily conception of life there are speciﬁc duties for the brāhmaṇas and kṣatriyas respectively, and such duties are unavoidable. Sva-dharma is ordained by the Lord, and this will be clariﬁed in the Fourth Chapter. On the bodily plane sva-dharma is called varṇāśrama-dharma, or man’s steppingstone for spiritual understanding. Human civilization begins from the stage of varṇāśrama-dharma, or speciﬁc duties in terms of the speciﬁc modes of nature of the body obtained. Discharging one’s speciﬁc duty in any ﬁeld of action in accordance with the orders of higher authorities serves to elevate one to a higher status of life.

In the previous articles we have seen that Arjuna maintained his stance that it was wrong on his part to fight the battle. Now in this verse he shows the sign of doubt. Man’s shortcoming is not ignorance but his thought and belief that he knows something whereas he actually does not know. Arjuna was speaking whereas Krishan allowed him to burst out his emotions. He was waiting patiently till the time Arjuna admitted his ignorance by doubting his course of action.

Human intellect falls under 3 categories:

· Sattvika – Pure: It is the highest amongst all. He knows his paths of action and renunciation. He knows what to be done and what not to be done.

· Rajasika – Passionate: He understands wrongly path of action and renunciation. He concludes what ought to be done and what ought not to be done.

· Tamasika – Dull: It is lowest amongst all the three. According to him everything is perverted. He thinks unrighteous to be righteous.

Arjuna was in the category of Rajasika. He was wrongly concluded that he ought not to fight. Being a Khashtriya i.e. a warrior he did not know if he should conquer or should be conquered.

Krishna is Sattivka. He clearly explains Arjuna that right course of action after Arjuna surrenders himself to his friend and master i.e. Krishna.

We often lead life without pondering life’s deeper questions, most importantly, who am I? We don’t ponder this question because we are satisfied with the stereotyped answer that society provides, with different tags of name, religion, sex, caste, qualification, designations, etc. Problems forcefully show this answer to be unsatisfactory. They remind us of our limitations and our imperfections. Over time, problems smash our inflated self-conceptions of who we think we are at the bodily level. They introduce us to the reality that we are finite, fallible, flawed beings. When such problems threaten us, we may seek strength from material sources – relatives, friends, self-help books and the like. With these, we may even manage to deal with the problems temporarily. But our introduction to ourselves will remain incomplete.

Arjuna forgot that Krishna is the supreme. Rather listening to Krishna and following Krishna, Arjuna was trying to advice and convinces Krishna that battle should take place. Arjuna rather than taking advice from Krishna he was trying to be advisor of Krishna. Arjuna did not know whether he should fight and risk unnecessary violence, although fighting is the duty of the Khashtriya, or whether he should refrain and live by begging. If he did not conquer the enemy, begging would be his only means of subsistence. Nor was there certainty of victory, because either side might emerge victorious. Even if victory awaited them (and their cause was justified), still, if the sons of Dhritrashtra died in battle, it would be very difficult to live in their absence. Under the circumstances, that would be another kind of defeat for them. All these considerations by Arjuna definitely proved that not only was, he a great devotee of the Lord but he was also highly enlightened and had complete control over his mind and senses. His desire to live by begging, although he was born in the royal household, is another sign of detachment. He was truly virtuous, as these qualities, combined with his faith in the words of instruction of Sri Krishna (his spiritual master), indicate. It is concluded that Arjuna was quite fit for liberation. Unless the senses are controlled, there is no chance of elevation to the platform of knowledge, and without knowledge and devotion there is no chance of liberation. Arjuna was competent in all these attributes, over and above his enormous attributes in his material relationships.

All Glories to Lord Krishna & All His Loving Devotees….. Hari Bol……

Courtesy : Bhagavad-Gita As It Is (by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ) , Srimad Bhagavad-Gita ( by A. Parthasarathy & www.gitadaily.com ) Chapter 2 : Text 6