Health Tips : Pujya Gurudev

Your Health: Guidelines from Ayurved

=Pt.ShriRam Sharma Acharya

In case of Jaundice: Use of oil, ghee and other fatty substances and yellow colored eatables is prohibited for those suffering from this liver ailment. Even milk is restricted, so are rice, chilly and other spices. Chapatis of barley, wheat, fresh butter-milk, curd, boiled vegetables like green gourd, ridged gourd, boiled lentil of green gram with substantial water and similar light, oil-free food-items constitute healthy food in this case. 

In case of Hypothyroidism: It is caused due to deficiency of thyroxin hormone. The foods suitable for generally good health are also recommended here. Sour substances including raw mango (dried or fresh), curd, lemon, tomato, pickles, tart or acidic fruits etc should not be eaten. Cauliflower and artificially ripened fruits should be avoided. Naturally ripened (on the tree) sweet fruits like mango, papaya may be eaten. Iodine-rich fruits, vegetables are beneficial. Chapati prepared from mixed flour of wheat, gram and soya-bean is good. Kachanara (mountain ebony) is considered as most effective natural remedy against this hormonal disorder. Those suffering from hypothyroidism should keep a small, cleaned piece of the bark-skin of the kachanar tree in the mouth and suck it as long as possible every day. 

In case of Obesity: Overweight of the body is the root cause of many other diseases and disorders. Strict diet restraints should be followed in general. In particular, use of sweet, fried and fatty substances should be stopped. Light, but nutritious food (as described under generally good category) devoid of sweets and fats should be taken with large proportions of green leafy vegetables, fibers, etc; balanced amounts of cream-free cow-milk may also be taken. Drinking lukewarm water in the morning, physical exercises (especially morning and evening walk) and taking medicines as per the doctors advice help in getting rid of obesity in general. 

What should be always avoided by everyone desirous of a naturally healthy life?Tea, coffee, cold-drinks, ice-creams, tobacco, gutaka, paanmasala, wine (liquor/alcohol), synthetic food and confectionery, fruits that are ripened artificially (e.g. using carbide). Ayurveda also warns against eating food-items preserved under cold storage and eggs, meat, breads prepared from maida (fine white wheat flour), etc. 

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Health Tips : Pujya Gurudev

Your Health: Guidelines from Ayurved

=Pt.ShriRam Sharma Acharya

In case of Diabetes: Eating thin chapatis of wheat flour mixed with soya bean and gram flours along with vegetables like bitter gourd, soya bean and blackberry seeds are supposed to be beneficial for the patients having this disease in acute state. They should also eat few leafs of margosa (neem) or drink its juice. Blackberry is also the best fruit for them. If the blood sugar level is not so high, they may also eat guava, apple, sweet lime, pomegranate and Indian papaya. The diabetic patients should refrain from eating sweet substances (including fruits like ripened banana, mango etc), rice, potato and other carbohydrates. 

In case of Piles: The items listed as edible for generally good health would suit the patients of piles. Extra care should be taken not to have chilly or spicy and deep- fried eatables. Raw mangos, brinjal etc should also be avoided. They should also pay attention to eat well before sleep and have substantial water throughout the day. This would minimize the chances of constipation as well. 
In case of Cardiac Diseases: In this case also, the easily digestible, light food as listed under the generally good category is suitable; the proportion of fresh green vegetables, fibers and sprouts should be more. Intake of salt and fatty substances should be minimized. Apple, papaya and juices of orange, sweet lime and other fruits are also supposed to be good for those suffering from heart related problems. Cows milk without cream is very good; small quantity of Isapgol (an Ayruvedic medicine) may be taken mixed in milk occasionally. Drinking the powder of the herb Arjun chhala (bark skin of the Arjun tree; Terminalia arjuna Bedd) boiled in milk is a useful remedy as well as a preventive medicine against blood pressure related problems. (Countinue)

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Health Tips : Pujya Gurudev

Health Tips :

Your Health: Guidelines from Ayurved

=Pt.ShriRam Sharma Acharya

Prevention and Cure by Diet Restraints : Ayurvedic treatment emphasizes more on fasting and diet restraint rather than on consuming medicines to fight out the diseases. Ayurveda asserts that half the disease is cured simply by appropriate diet control. As the principles of diagnostics and therapeutics under Ayurveda are based on the identification of the level of tridoshas vata, pitta and kapha, so are the disciplines of fasting and diet. Let us first look at the recommended diet for the maintenance of generally good health. Followed by this are some common guidelines for major classes of diseases and disorders due to the three doshas. 

What is generally recommended as good or edible? Wheat among the cereals, green kidney-bean pulse (green-gram) among the pulses, and vegetables like green gourd, raw papaya, pointed gourd, round gourd, ridged gourd, bitter gourd, cabbage, spinach, carrot, green fenugreek, sprouted beans, etc cooked with some ginger and / or a little quantity of green chilly, etc are most commonly recommended for people of all age groups. Except for variations in the mode of preparations, these are also suitable as food ingredients for patients as well. Cow-milk and ghee of cow-milks butter, are regarded the best for maintenance of vigorous health.

In case of non-availability of cows milk, it could be replaced by buffalos milk. The generally recommended fruits are naturally ripened apples, papaya, chikku, pomegranate, guava, sweet lime, blackberry, pears, etc. Those in the category of dry fruits are cashew nut, chestnut, dates, figs, small and big resins, chilgoza (pine-tree fruit), dry dates, and fox-nut. 

The lists of edibles and non-edibles in different classes of diseases are as follows. 

The diseases caused by excess of vata dosha: The diseases under this category include gastro problems, arthritis, rheumatism, joint-pains, spondylitis, etc. Vegetables like flower of silk cotton or kidney-bean, flowers and fresh beans of drumsticks, green fenugreeks, cabbage and pointed gourd, prepared in steam with a little amount of ginger, garlic and aniseed are supposed to be excellent in reducing the vata dosha. Avoid taking black gram (horse bean), red gram (masura), dry grams and beans such as chana (black gram), rajama (red kidney bean), rice, cauliflower, potato, green peas, cucumber, tomato, lemon, orange, grapes, and carbide ripened fruits which are usually mango, banana, papaya, etc.

Sour substances like curd, butter-milk, pickles should also be avoided. The patients having bone related ailments due to vata, should not bathe with cold water. Fomentation of the swollen parts of the body (e.g. near the joints), using salt in hot water, helps allaying the pains. 

The diseases caused by excess of pitta dosha: Acidity and related ailments of the digestive system, some kinds of blood related diseases, chronic fever etc, are common manifestation of the disorders due to pitta dosha. Light diets of the eatables listed for generally good health are also beneficial here. Thin chapatis of whole wheat, daliya (meal prepared from coarse wheat-flour), easily digestible boiled vegetables, and oil-free watery pulses prepared from green gram, etc are supposed to be good in reducing the pitta dosha. Coconut water, cold diluted milk, big resin or figs soaked in milk are excellent supplements. While coconut water is good, its cream (core) is harmful in the pitta diseases; so are vegetables like brinjal, green and red chilies and deep fried, oily and spicy eatables. These should be strictly avoided. Use of green chilly, garlic and ginger should also be stopped or kept to a minimum as per the Ayurvedic doctors advice. 

The diseases caused by excess of kapha dosha: Cough, cold, asthma, and other ailments of the respiratory, chest and throat-nose-ear system, etc fall under this category of diseases and disorders. Warm and fresh food prepared using the items listed in common category of edibles is suitable here. Drinking warm milk, which is boiled with small quantities of turmeric and dry-ginger (sauntha) or dates, big resins, dry dates, etc is good antidote for the kapha dosha. Black pepper is also a good remedy; if possible one may just keep one or two of its seeds in the mouth or some pieces of harada (chabulic myrobalans). However, care should be taken that these two things are not suitable in case the patient also has problems of piles or acidity. Chapati prepared from mixed flour of wheat and roasted gram (chana) with bathua saga (vegetable prepared from leafs of white goose - foot plant) is also beneficial. The non-edibles listed for vata problems are usually harmful in case of kapha dosha as well. Butter, oil, ghee and other fatty substances should also be avoided. Mustard or sesamum oil in small quantities could be used for preparing the vegetables. 

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Environment- II, Pujya Gurudev

The Need of Refined Environment

=Pt. ShriRam Sharma Acharya

Lord Krishna choose this very place for the war, because he had a doubt that Arjun, being very sentimental, might refuse to fight with his own kith and kin. Similar incident is narrated about Shravan Kumar. When he was taking his parents in a Kanwar on a holy pilgrimage, he came to a place where he not only threw down the Kanwar but also abused his parents. After crossing that region, he felt deeply remorseful for his unbecoming behaviour. His father consoled him and told him that it was none of his fault. 

That place once belonged to a demon - Maya, who imprisoned his parents and then killed them there. It is a fact that the land too has its subtle vibrations and they can be felt by visiting sacred tanks, temples or graveyards. The soil of Kullu is famous for apples. Such apples cannot be grown elsewhere even by providing best manure, water and conditioning. The oranges of Nagpur and the bananas of Bhusaval are not available elsewhere. Whereas Muzaffarpur is famous for lychees, Lucknow is famous for muskmelon.

The tasty mangoes that are grown in Malihabad and Banaras, are rarely found elsewhere. Sandalwood trees grown in the forests of Mysore have their own special fragrance. A vast difference in the quality of grains is observed due to the variation of environment. The wheat of Punjab is much better as compared to the wheat grown in other parts of India. Cows, giving milk, can be found in the entire country; but there is no match for the cows of Haryana. It is the Azerbaijan region of Russia that is famous for centenarians. Death before 100 years there is considered untimely. 

These are all the effects and qualities of environment. One cannot remain unaffected by them. The same principle applies to the vegetation. The herbs are the same, but when they are grown in different regions, their qualities vary. A significant difference is observed in the properties of Brahmi (a medicinal herb) grown on the bank of the Ganga in the Himalayan region and that grown on the banks of rivers in the plains. The same rule applies to other herbs too. According to the regional peculiarites, the difference is found not only in the human configuration but also in the behaviour. Although, a human being is free and, in principle, he is fully capable of transforming all the traditional pressures with his own will power; but on the practical plain, it has been observed that the regional environment goes on moulding the residents. In spite of giving recognition to originality of a person, it has to be accepted that the majority of the people in society does not live thoughtfully but it lives under the influence of environment.

 The castes and families too have their own peculiarties. The religiousness in Brahmans, bravery in Kshatriyas, economic shrewdness in Vaishyas, artistic skills in sculptors, etc. are more pronounced as compared to others. Some tribes have the habit of theft and pilferage as their inherent traits. Some classes are notorious for cowardice and foolishness. When we search for the causes of these behavioural differences, only one prominent cause that is encountered is that when a person lives in a particular societal environment, he develops the virtues or the vices accordingly.

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Environment = Pujya Gurudev

The Need of Refined Environment

=Pt. ShriRam Sharma Acharya

A sadhak (devotee) should be considered fortunate, if he gets an opportunity to do sadhana under the shade of Himalayas, in the lap of Ganga, in a devotion-filled environment and under powerful protection and guidance. The paramount importance of Sadhana & Upasana is repeatedly stressed in the Indian Philosophy and the scriptures of Yoga. In spite of this, it has been observed that sometimes people following all the prescribed rules and rituals do not get the benefits of Sadhana & Upasana, which have been mentioned in the scriptures. This is due to the negative effects of the environment.

It is true that some Siddha ascetics change the environment with their will power and Tapa Sadhana (penance). But it is also true that the effect of environment is quite significant in the development of human beings. 

As Sadhana & Upasana is related to one's traits and each environment has its own good or bad aspects, the quality of place and environment becomes all the more important for higher level Sadhanas. Many positive and negative examples illustrating the forceful effects of environment may be found in history as well as in daily life.

There is a famous story of Mahabharat. In order to select the place for the great war between Kaurvas and Pandavas, Lord Krishna appointed a special adept in the subject. He searched for a suitable battle-field around Hastinapur which had strong vibrations of fratricidal conflict. Upon returning he narrated one incident in which he saw two real brothers fighting in Kurukshetra.

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Longevity = Pujya Gurudev

The Secret of Longevity

=Pt.ShriRam Sharma Acharya

Normally, only a few people are blessed with long healthy life. But at some places, it has been found that the average life span of the residents is 85-100 years! This is one such mystery of Nature. Let us see the facts and figures regarding this riddle. The Secret of Longevity In Italy, on top of the mountain range between Sienna and Naples, there is a village named Campodimele. The natural beauty of this village is scenic, heavenly and marvelous. In Europe, this village is also known as "Forever Young" village. All the inhabitants of this village have seen minimum of 85 spring seasons. To unveil the mystery behind the long life of these villagers, a group of European psychologists went to Campodimele and did research on them. They found that the villagers live a peaceful and tension free life. Their eating habits are vegetarian and controlled. 

Their diet is mandated by fresh fruits, green vegetables, milk, sprouts and boiled cereals. They take rest for a while after lunch. Traditionally, they sleep by the dusk and wake up quite early in the morning. They spend their life in the proximity of Mother Nature. Natures similar gift has been given to the people of Symi island of Greece. The average age of the people here is 90 years. All inhabitants use tomato, vegetables and salad in good quantity. Normally they eat raw or less cooked vegetables. Either due to the diet or natures unique gift, these people are found working very hard even at the age of 80-90. Hard work, honesty and goodwill are the foundations of this society. Their family life is bonded with strong threads of mutual love and caring with cooperative and generous nature.

Their way of celebrating festivals is remarkable. They celebrate them with full gusto and enthusiasm. Inhabitants of this island live tension-free and happy life with their families. In the East China Sea, there is a group of 161 islands. 

This island group is known as Okinawa Archipelago. This island is also blessed with people who live long. It has been found that the vegetables like sweet potato, leafy vegetables, and cereals are part of their daily diet. Soya bean also forms an essential part of their diet. According to the physiologists, all these elements contain antioxidants, which stop the harmful effects of aging and growth of cancerous free radical cells. 

The topmost specialty of their food is that it contains minimal salt. It is a known fact that salt increases blood pressure. Hence these people don't have blood pressure and heart related diseases. Even at the age of 80, they can easily do farming. They are very fond of exercises. These include gardening, walking, folk dance and ancient marshal arts. Inhabitants of Okinawa give much importance to meditation. They successfully try to resolve all their problems through meditation.

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Self-Expression = Pujya Gurudev

Self-Expression Should Be Effective

=Pt. ShriRam Sharma Acharya

“Ashvina saraghena ma madhunankta subhaspati Yatha varchasvatim vacham avadani janan anu”. - Atharvaveda 9/1/19 O

the gods of light, Ashvini Devas! Endow me with the honey made by honeybees, so that I may speak to the people in a sweet and illuminating tongue. Speech is the chief medium of expression. It reveals the inherent qualities of the personality. Behavioural skill, talent, and inner strengths - all find expression through it. But on the obverse side, the blemishes and weaknesses are also mirrored. For the wise, even a short conversation is sufficient to assess the general qualitative level of a person.

It does not take long for the pettiness of the petty and the goodness of the good to come out through this medium. But although the chief medium, speech is not the only one; there are other agencies too, namely, facial expressions, eye expressions, modes of sitting and standing, gestures, and so on. They are all voices of the personality which many times are able to communicate it fully even if the tongue is silent. 

The buoyancy of self-esteem, the gleam of self-confidence, the listlessness of self-contempt and the hesitations of latent complexes - all these feelings and emotions reveal themselves this way. This expression of self is not an entirely unconscious or involuntary action. It can be improved and refined by the use of will power and by proper training. But for this, we will have to understand and evaluate ourselves afresh, watch our conduct, and resolve to root out the bad habits, which have crept into our characters. Are we ready for this? Ask this question of yourself repeatedly. If the answer is in the affirmative, you can definitely express yourself so effectively as to impress and even overwhelm those whom you meet.

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

you are-II, Pujya Gurudev

Wherever you Go, There you are

=Pt. ShriRam Sharma Acharya

The casualties of this way of looking at things are all over the place. Look virtually anywhere and you will find broken relationships, broken families, broken people  wanderers with no roots, lost, going from this place to that, this job to that, this relationship to that, this idea of salvation to that, in the desperate hope that the right person, the right job, the right place, the right book will make it all better. Or feeling isolated, unlovable, and in despair, having given up looking and even making any attempt, however misguided, to find peace of mind. By itself, meditation does not confer immunity from this pattern of looking elsewhere for answers and solutions to ones problems. 

Sometimes people chronically go from one technique to another, or from one teacher to another teacher, or one tradition to another tradition, looking for that special something, that special teaching, that special relationship, that momentary "high" which will open the door to self-understanding and liberation.

But this can turn into serious delusion, an unending quest to escape looking at what is closest to home and perhaps most painful. Out of fear and yearning for someone special to help them to see clearly, people sometimes fall into unhealthy dependency relationships with meditation teachers, forgetting that no matter how good the teacher, ultimately you have to live the inner work yourself and that work always comes from the cloth of your own life.

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

you are = Pujya Gurudev

Wherever you Go, There you are

=Pt. ShriRam Sharma Acharya

Have you ever noticed that there is no running away from anything? That, sooner or later, the things that you don't want to deal with and try to escape from, or paper over and pretend aren't there, catch up with you  especially if they have to do with old patterns and fears? The romantic notion is that if its no good over here, you have only to go over there and things will be different. If this job is no good, change jobs. If this wife is no good, change wives. If this town is no good, change towns. If these children are a problem, leave them for other people to look after. 

The underlying thinking is that the reason for your trouble is outside of you  in the location, in others, in the circumstances. Change the location, change the circumstances, and everything will fall into place; you can start over, have a new beginning. The trouble with this way of seeing is that it conveniently ignores the fact that you carry your head and your heart, and what some would call your "karma," around with you. You cannot escape yourself try as you might. And what reason, other than pure wishful thinking, would you have to suspect that things would be different or better somewhere else anyway? Sooner or later, the same problems would arise if in fact they stem in large part from your patterns of seeing, thinking, and behaving. 

Too often, our lives cease working because we cease working at life, because we are unwilling to take responsibility for things as they are, and to work with our difficulties. We don't understand that it is actually possible to attain clarity, understanding, and transformation right in the middle of what is here and now, however problematic it may be. But it is easier and less threatening to our sense of self to project our involvement in our problems onto other people and environment. It is so much easier to find fault, to blame, to believe that what is needed is a change on the outside, an escape from the forces that are holding you back, preventing you from growing, from finding happiness. You can even blame yourself for it all and, in the ultimate escape from responsibility, run away feeling that you have made a hopeless mess of things, or that you are damaged beyond repair. In either case, you believe that you are incapable of true change or growth, and that you need to spare others any more pain by removing yourself from the scene. 

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Self-Respect = Pujya Gurudev

Develop Self-Respect

=Pt. ShriRam Sharma Acharya

“Sam chedhyasvagne pra cha vardhayemam uchcha tistha mahate saubhagaya Mate risannupasattaro agne brahmanaste yashasah santu manye” - Atharvaveda 2/6/2

O Fire-God Agni! You are resplendent. Make this sacrificer (me) prosperous. Rise for bestowing great fortune. O Agni! May your worshippers never perish. May the singers of your glory be honoured. The meaning of self-respect is inherent in self-dignity. It is experienced only by those who are conscious of their virtue-based dignity and never deviate from it. Those who care a fig for their dignity and readily stoop low for the slightest gain are always deprived of it. Self-respect is never given by others; it is self-earned. It is not the name of some civic honour, or columns of praise in newspapers. It is a very private experience which takes place in our inner consciousness. 

The experiencers of this feeling remain happy and contented irrespective of whether or not they are getting worldly laurels. Those bereft of this feeling always suffer from an undefined emptiness and dissatisfaction within inspite of getting all the worldly honours and praises. To emerge out of this dissatisfaction, the only way is to re-invent self-dignity and redefine self-respect, because the outer identity, of which people are normally aware, is in no way conducive to the process of jivana sadhana. Normally, respect for the ego or I-sense is taken to be self-respect. Even the smallest slight to the ego is deemed a blow to self-respect. This being so, it is but natural for a ’self-respecting’ person to avoid any such activity as will hurt his ego. This erroneous identification has made the society’s elite shun physical labour, because this is supposed to be a domain of the downtrodden and the lowly placed; how can the so-called ’respectable’ people do it! From the overlap of ego and self-respect have sprung many evil practices in the realms of individual and social lives. 

Man is so deeply immersed in false sense of ego regarding caste, clan and lineage that he has detached himself from normal human values and behaviour. In trifling matters his ego gets hurt, and he is bent upon punishing the offender. Of late, new lows have been reached and even killings are being done in the name of protecting the honour of caste and family. To reverse this perverse trend, it is necessary to redefine a noble emotion like self-respect. Self-respect is the ineffaceable line of normative bounds which must not be violated in any condition. Right conduct and righteous qualities define our self-respect. Noble sentiments and sublime values of life are its symbols. Their correct awareness, unshakable faith in them, and full alertness about the inviolability of their norms exemplify our self-respect. If we act accordingly, we feel honoured in ourselves and experience an exhilarating pride within, while a converse behaviour drags us into the gloom of self-pity and remorse.

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Who are you? = Pujya Gurudev

Think! Who are you? 

=Pt.ShriRam Sharma Acharya

1. SOHUM (I am That): Indeed potentially I am That Absolute Truth - Consciousness incarnated in human form. Attaining higher spiritual levels are easy for me. I am a Sadhak (devotee) whom Yug Rishi has given an opportunity to do Sadhana towards Self-Realization.

2. SHIVOHUM (I am akin to Lord Shiva): Shiva means auspicious. Essentially I am a blessed person; so how can there be any place for evil in my thoughts, feelings or actions? If any inappropriate trait has stuck to me due to bad company/surroundings, it is foreign to my essential nature and I resolve to rid myself of this dross.

3. SACHCHIDANANDOHUM (My intrinsic Nature is " Truth " Consciousness - Bliss): Why should I be affected by falsehood? Why should I chase a mirage? I am innate bliss; why should I vainly seek happiness in the transient world?

4. AYMATMA BRAHMA (Thy soul is a Spark of Brahma (Divine)): As the ocean is water so also is a drop. Every ray of the Sun has the qualities of its Radiator. Howsoever small the Soul confined by the ego may seem it has the capacity of uniting with its origin - Brahma. Both tap and tank are capable of giving water. So why should I remain caged in the false sense of identity with the ego and feel miserable; why not become Omnipresent?

5. TATVAMASI (You are That): You inherit the attributes of the Supreme Soul and the whole creation is your embodiment. We are sparks of the Eternal and Imperishable spirit and our souls are here on their upward path to immortality. The essence of our Being is the Supreme Spirit (Parmatma - Brahma)  the source of the creative cosmic play; and we are here to awaken to the Reality of true identity.

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Stress-II, Pujya Gurudev

Stress is Boon, Welcome It

=Pt.ShriRam Sharma Acharya

Powers of imagination and analysis, quickness of decision making and other such mental capacities multiply thousand times by the right utilization of stress. The body, too, develops better adaptability to new situations and its overall workrefficiency increases greatly. But the one condition for deriving all these gains is that, in times of stress, our conduct should not be guided by cowardly panic and the tendency to run away. The need of the time is a problemrtackling mentality. If we orient ourselves in this direction, the boon of multiple new gains is certain to accrue. Unfortunately, the modern man is failing in this regard. For the gallant, stress comes as the sound of the battlerbugle; and they gird up their loins and get into the battle mode. They view the developing situation as a challenge and an opportunity for snatching some benefit. 

Contrariwise, the timid get scared for life and lose even their normal abilities. But possession of the right mental cast notwithstanding, we all should consciously learn the right technique of stress management. Just as the warrweary soldiers, triumphantly return to the barracks for the much needed rest, we too should know the art of rejuvenation by resting after having invested the moments of stress into profitable channels. Regular practice of pranayama (yogic breath control), dhyan (meditation) and Gayatri Mantra Jap in daily life fulfill this need. Only a few minutes of pranayama augments our body’s immune system and "keeps the doctor away".

Similarly, dhyan is a unique method to achieve physical and mental equipoise. Practitioners of dhyan are already fully cognizant of its benefits; others too, must partake of its gifts. A daily recitation of Gayatri Mahamantra inculcates a vision of life which empowers us to break the stranglehold of stress and make it subservient to our will. Thus, if the potent triad of pranayama, dhyan and Gayatri Mantra Jap could become an integral part of our dailyrschedule, stress will be transformed from a bane into a boon.

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Stress = Pujya Gurudev

Stress is Boon, Welcome It

=Pt.ShriRam Sharma Acharya

“Udyanam te purusa navayanam jivatum te daksatatim krnomi A hi rohemamamrtam sukham rathamatha jirvirvidathama vadasi”. Atharvaveda 8/1/6 "O Purusa (mankind)!

May you prosper, not decline. I give you vital breath and purusartha (endeavour). Ride this pleasurable chariot (body) which is the seeker of immortality, and till old age, disseminate spiritual and scientific knowledge." If the moments of stress are utilized properly, life would continue to grow and mature smoothly; although, of late, stress has emerged as the main stumbling block in human progress and growth. It is true that at present stress is generally considered a curse and it is devouring human abilities at an alarming speed. The top echelon of the society is badly in its grip, and the situation has worsened so much that even school going children are falling prey to stressrrelated ailments. But what exactly is this much talked about stress? Stress is the name of the challenges that are being continually thrown at our body and mind by the circumstances and situations. 

Haphazard liferstyle, declining culture of cooperation and camaraderie, cutrthroat competitiveness and unbridled ambition r all these have combined to aggravate the intensity of stress. Incidentally, stress in itself is not a disease, but if left unmanaged, it becomes the source of all psychosomatic maladies. Continuous and prolonged stress shatters the immune system of the body which, in turn, falls an easy prey to an unending series of diseases of the heart, stomach, respiratory system, skin and what not. And the poor mind? The less said about its plight, the better. It is the mind which is its first victim. Passing through the stages of fear complex, anxiety and depression the condition occasionally deteriorates to the extreme of mental breakdown. But such an eventuality occurs only when stress is not wisely handled and utilized. With proper utilization, malevolence of stress can be turned into the benevolence of gains. For this, we need to adopt the right attitude towards life, positive thinking and a healthy liferstyle. The first point to note in this connection is that stress is a messenger, not the message; a warning, not the worry. But for this timely warning, we would be deprived of many precious opportunities and gifts which nature and life wish to bestow on us. 

To create wakefulness is the first and an invaluable boon of stress. It is another matter that in our pessimistic mindset we mistake this wakerup call for a threat and get panicked. Stress is also a great activator of body and mind. In this phase the activity level of mind reaches such a feverish pitch as cannot be achieved or even imagined in normal sedate circumstances. Ditto for the body; through stimulated nervous system and the endocrinal glands, the body primes itself and becomes fully organized, alert and geared. The whole energy of life peaks for the big fight ahead. The next stage in this frenetic preparation is the singlerpointed convergence of all concentration on solving the stressrgenerating problem. Perhaps this scenario is never possible without coming under stress. Solutions to the problems which otherwise would have troubled us for eternity are seriously sought and found in the stressrborn state of high alertness. The usefulness of the stressful moments can also be gleaned from the augmentation in inner strengths. 

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

The Trees-II = Pujya Gurudev

The Trees Who Pray and Bathe

=Pt.ShriRam Sharma Acharya

Unlike other praying trees, it prayed only occasionally. Then it would lie completely flat on the ground, and after completion of the prayer, raise itself erect. It prayed only in the morning and during this time, remained completely still, with no trace of any activity. In this community of peculiar trees, the case of the worshipping palm trees of South Africa is well known. These palm trees standing in a farmer's field once happened to bend under the impact of a hurricane. From then onwards, a strange change occurred in their behavior; every evening, they would routinely bend or bow in worshipping posture. It is quite possible, and as their owners believed, that these trees might be praying to Mother Nature to protect them from the onslaught of any future calamity. In any case, their new routine of evening prayers continued uninterrupted. In the coastal region of Florida, USA, there is a Rhizophora tree, which had also earned some renown for its display of peculiar traits. 

It is said that in times of tide, when the seawater advanced towards the tree, its branches and leaves begin to exhibit unusual commotion. The branches would repeatedly bend and straighten as if trying to touch the water below. This laborious effort continues until the branches are able to touch the water. What else could it be, if not a kind of desire to bathe? All these instances of mysterious behavior make it sufficiently clear that not only the subtle impulses of life are felt by the trees and plants too, but sometimes they even overtly try to make these impulses manifest. 

It is another matter that their flora-specific limitations do not allow full expression of the flow of life current within. Scientists are engaged in further researches, and some success, too, has come their way. If this mystery is explained scientifically, we may be able to find the missing link between the flora and the fauna, between the humans and the trees. The discovery of this link would enable us to better comprehend the path of evolutionary progress of consciousness in human beings.

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

The Trees = Pujya Gurudev

The Trees Who Pray and Bathe

=Pt.ShriRam Sharma Acharya

It is now a scientifically established fact that plants and trees too have life. They feel and breathe like other animals and also feel pleasure and pain. Long back, the pioneering experiments of the Indian scientist Prof. J.C. Basu had conclusively proved as much. But although living entities, the life cycles of plants have certain inherent limitations. They cannot move from one place to another, and have to carry out all their vital activities standing at one place during their life-cycle. 

Occasionally, however, some trees do defy these limitations and indulge in activities, which are extremely unusual and are still beyond the ambit of scientific comprehension. Such phenomena go to reassert that nature hides within its bosom umpteen layers of mystery. Sir J.C. Basu has enumerated many instances of highly extraordinary and awe-inspiring behavior of trees in his book & Plant autographs and their revelation's. One such tree mentioned is a palm tree in Faridpur in West Bengal (India). 

The tree, like all others of its ilk, remained erect throughout the day time, its leaves swaying and rustling with every breeze - all very normal activities. But when the evening set in and the temples resounded with the uplifting sound of gongs and bells, this tree prostrated itself on the ground in the manner of offering prayer to God-knows-whom. A huge crowd would gather there every evening to witness this spectacular sport of nature. 

It was commonly believed that this tree fulfilled one's wishes and cured physical and mental ailments. But how? This still remains a mystery. Apart from offering prayers, trees have been known to take bath too! This sounds incredible, but Sir J.C. Basu has recorded many such phenomena of bathing trees. There was one such tree in Faridpur. It stood on the bank of a pond. It remained calm and straight for the whole day, but with the onset of evening, it used to exhibit signs of growing restlessness as if to take a dip in the pond. 

Ultimately, after many visible attempts, it would gather the leaves and branches around, bend, and submerge itself in the water of the pond. After remaining in that underwater position for a while, it would again gradually raise itself and revert to its normal posture, calm and cool. People had nicknamed it "the bathing palm tree". No one knew the reason behind this mysterious propensity of the tree to bathe. Such strange occurrences of tree-behavior, which pose a challenge to human knowledge and understanding, have been found outside India too. In many countries, there are reports of the existence of "praying" and "religious" trees, which draw people from far and wide to witness their unusual behavior patterns. About one particular tree in Liverpool, England, J.C. Basu writes that it offered prayer in a distinctive manner. It was a thick willow tree by the side of a small stream. (Countinue)

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Positive Thought = Pujya Gurudev

Creativity is Developed by Noble and Positive Thought

=Pt. ShriRam Sharma Acharya

A no bhadrah kratavo yantu visvatoadabdhaso aparitasaa udbhidah Deva no yatha sadmid vrdhe asannaprayuvo raksitaro dive-dive.

- Yajurveda 25/14

"Let benevolent, harmless, free and fruitful ideas come to us from all sides, so that the vigilant and protector gods continually make us prosper." Creative thinking is always oriented towards the good of all. Creative thinking means developing such a cast of mind which remains untouched by envy, anger, greed and other such destructive dispositions. Only a mind pulsating with positive emotions of joy, good will, equality, peace and forgiveness is the creative mind, because only in such a mind the creative impulses are at their peak. Not only this, even the physical health does not remain unaffected by its beneficial effects. The mind casts a direct impact upon our nervous system and the various organs of the body. Even the surroundings are affected by ones mental state. 

The emanating thought currents are potent enough to influence them. If the mind is pure, refined and energic creative thinking reaches such an exalted level that its effect may endure for centuries. Great personages have been able to inspire and induce great changes in the world on the strength of their powerful cast of mind. Remember, thoughts are shot from the mind like boomerangs. After piercing the target they come back to the person generating those thoughts. So, if we are sending out good, positive and creative thought signals, they travel through the world of ideas and reach the intended persons. 

These thought signals return to us carrying with them the blessings, goodwill and greetings of the people and make us feel inspired, elated and encouraged. Conversely, when destructive and negative thoughts fly towards the target, they bring negative reactions. If the target happens to be more powerful, the negative thoughts fail to penetrate them and boomerang on us with double speed. Even if they succeed in denting the target, they still return and hit us with negative vibes. Projection of noble thoughts gradually elevates the mind whereas negative thoughts put it on a downward slide. Consequently, many reactions ensue which ultimately give birth to mental/psychological disorders. Experts of Ayurveda see a direct link between the nadi system and the mind. If our thoughts are pure, the nadis (nerve channels) open up and there is free flow of vital energy through them, whereas their functioning becomes unbalanced under the impact of impure thoughts. 

This inharmony in the flow of vital airs disrupts and destabilizes even normal physiological functions and the body falls prey to many diseases. In short, be it the body or mind, it is continually inspired and influenced by thought currents. 

This is self-evident in literal sense, too, and can be observed on peoples faces. Whenever the feelings of joy and hope arise in the mind, the face reciprocates by radiating a perceptible glow. A malicious thought, on the other hand, makes the face dull and twisted. That is why, those whose minds always carry the burden of negative thoughts have their facial features giving a permanently contorted and crooked look.

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Power = Pujya Gurudev

The Secret of Shakti Power

=Pt.ShriRam Sharma Acharya

Divine Shakti represents the executive dynamism of the Supreme Spirit and is synonymous with power, energy, strength, knowledge, plenitude, etc. The grace of Shakti showers boons of strength, peace, wisdom and prosperity whereas its absence leads to destitution, hopelessness, pain and misery. Those aspiring to become devotees of Shakti will have to single-mindedly devote themselves to panchopchar pujan (five-fold worship) of Mahashakti, which manifest as :-

(1) physical power, 

(2) mental power, 

(3) emotional power, 

(4) financial power and 

(5) spiritual power.

The lack or extravagant use of these powers compels a person to live a miserable life. On the other hand, earning and righteous use of these powers leads to happy and healthy life. How can we access the grace of Shakti? This mystery is hidden in the nine words of Gayatri-Mahamantra: 
(1) Tat  It is the symbol of God, the Supreme Transcendent Being; sadhak can realize It through faith and devotion. 

(2) Savituh - Savita is the fountainhead of Shakti; we can acquire Its grace through single-pointed sadhana 
(3) Varenyam  The Most Exalted. 

(4) Bhargo  Effulgent like Sun, the destroyer of sins; we should resolve not to commit sins.

(5) Devasya  This is a symbol of Divinity; we should cultivate divine virtues within ourselves.

(6) Dhimahi  The capability of overpowering vices and imbibing virtues. 

(7) Dhiyo  Illumined intelligence; augments wisdom, thoughtfulness, decision-making ability, etc. 

(8) Yonah - This is a symbol of divine blessings; we should learn to properly use them. 

(9) Prachodayat  Prayer for Divine Grace; may Mother Gayatri inspire us to adopt righteous living.

On the auspicious occasion of Ashvin Navaratri let us try to understand this mystery behind the worship of Shakti.

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Pujya Gurudev

Energy = Pujya Gurudev

Yantras The Vedic Symbols of Energy

=Pt. ShriRam Sharma Acharya

Like the Vastu Shastra, the use of "Yantras", especially the Shri Yantra, Ganesha Yantra, etc has become quite popular these days. Exploiting the trends of mob psychology, several models of these Yantras have surfaced in the market and, in tune with the culture of commercialization, some have also become logos of advertisements. It is pathetic to see that a super-science painstakingly discovered by the dedicated efforts of the Vedic Rishis for spiritual, intellectual and worldly well-being of mankind is being wantonly distorted and used so callously and often wrongly through the Internet in the present so called scientific and technological age. "Akhand Jyoti"  

The Light Divine  is devoted to bring you the righteous knowledge extracted from authentic studies of researchers of this occult science. This article attempts to introduce the readers to the subject matter explaining the rationale behind the mystic designs of Yantras and their significance. Among the sacred symbols compiled / designed by the Vedic Rishis, Yantras are predominantly regarded as devices for devotional sadhanas. These are used as tools for mental concentration and meditation. Keeping specific Yantra in specific direction in the home and worshiping it and concentrating upon it is said to have distinct auspicious effects. A Mantra is the generator of specific currents of sublime sound and its perceivable manifestation, a Yantra is a monogram  a spectrograph, of this sonic energy. In terms of their spiritual effects, Yantras are like schematic sketches of the contours or structures of divine energy fields. Use of Yantras as the object of sadhana enables focused use of specific currents of cosmic energy. Incidentally, the Sanskrit word for machines, instruments or technological devices is also "yantra". As we all know, advanced machines produce large-scale outcomes rapidly. 

The Vedic Yantras are also attributed in the scriptures, e.g. in the following shloka, as source of beneficial results in short time. These are like super machines having components as syllables, symbols and geometric figures that encode cosmic energy currents. Sarvasameva Siddhinam Yantrasadhanmuttamam | Dwaram Shastreshu Samproktam Tasmat Tat Parishilyataam || According to Sanskrit Grammar, the word "Yantra" is derived from the conjugation of the verb "yam" with suffix "tra" or with the verb "trana". Both ways its implied meaning is similar to that of Mantra and Tantra; viz, the protector and liberator (from sorrows and thralldoms) of the sincere devotee.

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma