Tag Archives: faith

SHORT STORY: HALF KNOWLEDGE

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gurukul half knowledge knowledge

HALF KNOWLEDGE

    Long time ago there lived a Maharishi by the name of Shandilya. He had many pupils, who regularly attended his gurukul (Vedic residential school) to acquire knowledge. But somehow. They were not satisfied with just the routine things they were learning out there. So, one day they humbly requested him to bless them with Brahma-Gyan (divine knowledge).

    But Maharishi as of now, was reluctant to accept their humble request, to teach them Brahma-Gyan. The situation drifted for sometime when the the discontented pupils got impatient. One day they asked him the reason for his not enlightening them with Brahma-Gyan

    Maharishi in a soft tone said, ‘Dear students, I know all of you are very eager to learn ‘Brahma-Gyan.’  But I feel this is not the right time to teach you this.

    ‘How is that possible?’ Said one pupil in a stern tone and then added. ‘Guruji, you only told us that knowledge will take us to divine knowledge. You have given us enough knowledge, so then what stops you now from giving us this divine knowledge too?’

    ‘Is it, have you gained a lot of knowledge?’ Questioned Maharishi in a sarcastic tone and then said, ‘arrogance and impatience have blurred your vision, and also in your expression there is dearth of love, even when I love you all so much. Nevertheless, I will give you all, whatever you are worth giving. So, please close your eyes and witness a glimpse of your wishes being fulfilled.’

    And when everyone had closed their eyes. They saw, they were flying in the space-galaxy. Soon, their flight ended in front of a splendid gate, and when they reached there. The gate opened slowly and they heard a voice inviting them, ‘you are welcome, and from here you can start your onward journey.’

    After entering the gate they reached the golden space-galaxy about which they had not heard anything before. The way further, took them to another golden gate which was close by. And after reaching there, this gate also opened. They entered but found it to be pitch-dark, all over. Finally, they forgot their way and started stumbling all over the place, because of which they started losing their courage.

    In the end, they were unable to withstand the pain of uncertainty, and they all started groaning, ‘Gurudev have mercy on us, please save us. We don’t know where we are, and where we have to go to, and it is pitch-dark here.’ And at that very moment, their illusion broke and their eyes opened, and they saw the smiling and pleasant face of the Maharishi. Scared they ask, ‘What had happened to us Gurudev, why couldn’t we go ahead and why all of a sudden everything around us became so abnormal?’

    Gurudev in a sombre tone said, ‘it happened, because, you all, only had the potential to go up to the halfway. You did not have the potential to go any further than that. The first door was the knowledge door, which took you to the second door. The second door was the door of love that was getting you to the ocean of love. But your arrogance and impatience stopped your progress to the ocean of love.

    You all need to remember. Half-knowledge will only take you half-way to ultimate-happiness. And, the balance you need to cover with love. For knowledge and love together, will take you to the high echelons of Brahma-Gyan.

    That’s why you should stay in the domain of knowledge and you should shun arrogance and impatience. Look up to God with immense devotion, and serve his universe with extreme reverence. Supreme knowledge and love are two sides of the same coin that alone takes us to the extreme bliss, so go and serve the world with love and humility. And, after that, come to me for divine knowledge.’

    The story tells us, while we must stay in the domain of knowledge, we must also shun arrogance. Along with knowledge, sense of serving the community is equally important. And humility and love are signs of holiness.

    On hindsight, the story also tells us, that love is an essential link in the chain of human relations, be it physical or human psyche. And Guru plays an important role in unifying the unique relation between love and knowledge.

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Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

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Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

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POETRY: THERE IS A STORM IN EACH LIFE

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Copyright: ‘From the Prism of God’

god4STORM1STORM

THERE IS A STORM IN EACH LIFE

 

 

There is a raging storm in each life,

That creates ripples in every life,

But without it there isn’t a life,

And so, be that as it may,

Storm touches the chord of every life.

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While there is a tormenting storm in a failure,

There is a fizzy storm in a victory,

A heart-sinking storm in defeat,

And a sweet storm in success,

Well tailored a storm for each occasion.

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While I face the storm of illness,

In the merry-go-rounds of my emotions,

Someone else faces the storm of healthiness,

In his own upbeatishness,

But yes there is a storm in each life,

Until he’s alive.

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For there is an icy storm in isolation,

A competitive storm in company,

A celestial storm in recognition,

A soft storm in a priest,

And a nasty storm in a devil,

Nevertheless, there is a storm in each life and situation.

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It has no face,

No voice of discord,

Offers no pleasantries nor badinage,

As it makes no sound,

And often enters through the back door,

As a vortex of a lifetime.

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It often comes as a friend disguised as an enemy, 

When it throws you off gear,

 And shocks you to despair,

It hurts you proper yet it keeps you alive,

To learn the lessons of life,

And what more, for there is a storm in each life.

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It doesn’t favour,

Doesn’t pick and choose,

Treats all equally,

And gives no one a breather,

And spares no one, not even a freshner.

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Bigger the smile bigger the storm,

And behind every smile there is a storm,

Before every storm there is a smile,

And beyond the storm there is a wider smile.

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And in my canvas of life, there wasn’t a moment,

When I never faced a storm,

But storms come and go,

Leaving behind the storm of life.

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For you can disown your life,

But not the storm in your life,

And now when the storm stays away,

I wonder what next,

For there has to be a storm at every behest.

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Share if you like it

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

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Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

(Archived in 7 prestigious libraries of the US, including, Harvard University and Library of Congress. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in Libraries and archives of Canada and Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai)  

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

(Launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2014)

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(Co-published by Cankids–Kidscan, a pan India NGO and Shravan Charity Mission, that works for Child cancer in India. The book is endorsed by Ms Preetha Reddy, MD Apollo Hospitals Group. Book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2016)

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

Story of an Indian salesman who is lowly qualified but fights his ways through uncertainities to reach the top. A good read for all salesmen. Now available in Amazon.com

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

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SHORT STORY: GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES

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    In primitive times there was a Mahatma who lived in a village located on the banks of a river. Where, many villagers, from in and around and even far off places used to come to him for help and advice.

    One day a moorkh (simpleton) from the nearby village came to the Mahatma and started weeping. And, upon Mahatma’s enquiring about the cause he replied, ‘Guruvar, people in my village are very bad, they always misbehave with me. So what should I do to protect myself from such rogues. Please advice to help me out.’

    Mahatma consoled him and politely said, ‘don’t you worry and have confidence in God, for he will set everything right.’ And upon hearing this, the moorkh was happy and soon he left for his home.

    After a few months there were severe floods in the village when everyone started running helter-skelter to save themselves, but the moorkh was cool. He just climbed the roof of his house and started praying to God. And when the flood water started touching the roof a kind person spotted him and extended his hand to help him. But he refused to hold his hand and said, ‘I don’t trust you but I’m confident God will help me.’

    In the meanwhile the flood waters had climbed further and reached up to his neck and seeing this, some people perched in a passing boat offered to help, by asking him to jump but he again refused and said, ‘I only trust God.’

    After sometime he started drowning, when some kind people finally rescued him. They helped him back to consciousness. But the moorkh instead of thanking them, went up to the Mahatma and started complaining, ‘you had asked me to have faith in God, but this tip of yours nearly killed me, for he never came forward to help me.’

    Mahatama smiled at him and sweetly said, ‘Hey you simple soul, in response to your prayers only these people and the boat were sent to you, to save you. But you refused to take any help. Even then God almighty who wishes and desires everyones welfare, to save you, sent some kind people, otherwise by now you would have been dead.’ But Mahatma was not finished as yet when he further sermonized, ‘always remember in response to your earnest prayers God will not come and do your “karma” for you. He has given you brains and you need use it.’

    This story is from Puran (Hindu holy script) and conveys a simple message–“God helps those who help themselves.”

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

*****

 

HOW WE DE-STRESSED OURSELVES– IN A REAL LIFE SITUATION: The ultimate stress buster lies in your mind

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s1s2

    I was once faced with an ominous situation that looked like a lifetime disaster, where my younger child was diagnosed of ‘Brain Cancer’ when he was just about two-an-a-half-years old. What followed thereafter was a long battle of nerves, emotions, brawn and brain through the thick and thin of my fast corporate life. Even though, at the end of it we lost the battle, because we couldn’t save him, but not before fighting up to the last straw.

    I then had a very demanding corporate job. And during that phase of my life we were located in various metros such as Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi –NCR. Where, we did not have any day-to-day support from our extended family nor even old buddies. Nevertheless, we had to survive, by fighting the menacing circumstances, where, caring colleagues and friendly neighbours were the only ones who came forward to help us.

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    The prevailing situation fatigued me no end. I was working for some big banners those days who took good care of me. They were considerate under the circumstances. But I still had to continuously perform to keep my stalk and career ambitions alive. My wife, who too was qualified, had to abandon her career because she had to stay put at home to take care of the child. And beyond that, there were immense financial and emotional insecurities to deal with, in terms of expensive treatment, physical stress and the mystery behind the ultimate cure. 

    When he fell sick, we were in our late thirties. A tricky age, when we were not quite clear, whether we should adventure for a third child when the second was in peril to maintain the count of two. And God! it was a horrendous situation, when even the Indian economy every now and then was not doing well and lot of companies were issuing pink slips. This led to severe job insecurity, when every month our medical bills were spiraling above seventy five thousand in the final years of his life.

    But even with all these humongous issues we needed to work and survive. So, we charted out an omnipotent methodology to de-stress ourselves. It was a seamless combination of ideas, thoughts, mythology and even some physical exercises, that took us through the ordeal. And, as we were approaching the end, the intensity of stress increased exponentially, and under those circumstances this was how we eased our tension:

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  1. CHAIN OF STRONG THOUGHTS:

    Everything, in one’s life starts from the mind. Mind is your biggest problem. Your biggest enemy. But also your biggest friend. Your solution provider and leveler. So, we decided to control it by conditioning ourselves, in the following  manner: By …..

  • Deciding to do away, with all the negative emotions.
  • Nothing is permanent so why worry. Just keep doing what you are supposed to do under the circumstances.
  • PUSH (Pray Until Something Happens) Pray and pray.
  • Don’t plan excessively. Take life one day at a time.
  • No matter how bad things are, they could be worse.
  • At any given time in your life. There is something going right and something wrong. This balances life. For in life not everything will go wrong, nor everything will go right in one go. That is the law of the nature.
  • Life is a very sturdy boat. So, just keep moving and don’t stop. For movement is life and stillness is death.
  • Whatever, you can do for the child do within your means. Don’t get intimidated by what others tell you to do. Especially, if it is beyond your means.
  • Our child may have to leave the world soon. But even I have to go some day. For that’s destiny. At the end of it we all have to go. No one can fight the law of nature. So why worry.
  • Don’t try to run the universe yourself. Leave few things to God. Your child could be one of them.
  • Human beings are blind. They can’t even see the next moment of life. So how can they predict the time of anyone’s death.
  • There is something called the destiny. Try and believe in it.
  • When the child was very critical towards the end days. I started believing in miracles all the more. Even when it did not happen with us. But it kept me charged under the circumstances.
  • I started taking my work more passionately. Remember your daily routine could be one of your biggest stress busters.
  • Just dress up and show up for work. Never sulk around in those negative surroundings and emotions.
  • After a bad day there is always a good day. But one really doesn’t know which is that bad day and which is a good day.
  • Only get dismayed by situations you have created for yourself and not situations that God has created for you. For he only will correct it. ‘Brain Cancer’ was God’s creation.
  • Try and be watchful whenever, there is a change of surroundings, locations, friends and colleagues around you. For, every change of situation, will have something new to offer. And, with that. There is also a possibility of some new energies coming close to you to influence you. Remember, life is all about positive and negative energies.
  • Life is an esoteric journey. For every new situation you’ll have some new company who would leave you when that part of the journey is over. So nothing is permanent.
  • To console ourselves we even started thinking. This child has a short life.  He is here to spread a message. So, don’t just feel morose about it and help the cause.
  • In those firefighting days we had created our own little Gods. Anything, that helped our circumstances was like a God to us. And, how clearly, we felt. There are two worlds. One is the world of cancer and the other is without it for the lucky ones. Where, we belonged to the former.
  • We never initiated a discussion around our child’s health to look for sympathies. As we believed in God and in ourselves.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

  • I took up to regular walking and weekend Golf. It was a great stress buster.
  • Deep breathing became a regular activity that helped us in restoring freshness and rejuvenated our lives, even in those scary nights when we couldn’t sleep.
  • I got hooked up to one of the soap operas that suited my timing for deflecting my tired mind.
  • We kept our home ambience alive for we didn’t want to give advance invitation to death. And, in that, we looked for micro positivity in life.
  • Whatever the child wanted we provided. We were proud of him and never negative.
  • I got into a hobby that still continues. To divert my mind.

MYTHOLOGY A GREAT LEVELER

  • What to talk of human beings, when, even Gods had to leave their mortal bodies.
  • The biggest unknown boon of life is a painless exit and a dignified death. Mythology, combined with our circumstances taught us that.

    These are pointers from the book: “GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE” now catalogued in many libraries of the US including Harvard and Library of Congress. It is also catalogued in libraries of Canada and even India.

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

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Share if you like it

*

    Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

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