Amrit Chintan : Pujya Gurudev

Pujya Gurudev Pt. Sriram Sharma Acharya’s Kripa

Don’t run away from problems: Face them

(Akhand Jyoti July-Aug.2008)

Very often it is observed that people try to avoid or run away from pressing problems, instead of finding solutions to them. The amount of time that we waste in searching the modes and methods of escaping from a problem is much more than what is required in finding a solution to it. In fact, we should cultivate foresight in anticipating problems, big or small, relating to our home or job and should also search for and keep handy possible solutions. When a problem does crop up, we should develop courage to face it. If your inner-self says ‘I can overcome this problem’, you have already won half the battle.

Every person feels that his / her problem is far more severe than that of others whereas this may not be true. People are often seized by the negative thought ‘What sins have I committed that I am not getting rid of my problems?’ Thus they waste all their time in blaming circumstances or fate for their problems. Have you ever calmly thought: what could be the real cause of these problems? Accept it or not, all your problems have been generated by your own unorganized actions, lack of farsightedness in planning, dearth of practicality and wrong assessment of your own strengths.

Always remember that once you firmly resolve to find a solution to the impending problem, the whole scenario and the concerned people would change. The circumstances or God do not help a person who runs away from the problems instead of facing them boldly and wisely. Therefore, don’t run away from problems; face them.

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Gurudev!’ – 3-V

Pujya Gurudev Pt. ShriRam Sharma’s Kripa 

                            ‘I surrender myself to you, Gurudev!’ – 3

                                       (Akhand Jyoti July-Aug.2010)

The curtain falls (Leela Samvaran) The real reason behind not undergoing treatment was the cruelty involved in the preparation of medicines. Devotees suggested that he use medicines in the preparations of which the cruelty to animals was not involved. Thus Homeopathy and Ayurvedic treatment was started. There was no improvement even then. His condition began to deteriorate further. One day, Thakur said, ‘If the disease cannot be cured, then what is the need to take all this trouble? Why should I trouble the Mother?’ That day, Thakur did not even eat his meals. He returned the plate sent by Mother Sharadamani.

She asked the disciples to have courage and said that Thakur had decided to leave his mortal sheath. It was the day of 16th August 1886. Ramakrishna appeared normal all day. He ate a sumptuous meal in the evening. After it was past midnight, around 1 AM, in the night, he decided to pull the curtain of the divine play. His disciples took a vow to shoulder the responsibilities given to each of them and then the mortal remains were buried with great love and devotion. 

Shriram seated in the puja room was witnessing and traveling through these scenes in silence. When he regained normal consciousness, he saw his angelic guide in front of him. He felt fatigued as he came out of his memories. The Master extended his right hand and placed his thumb in between Shriram’s eyebrows and the other four fingers on the top of his head, which in spiritual parlance, is known as the seat of Sahasrar Chakra or Brahma Randhra. This touch of his master removed all disturbances from the mind of Shriram. His being was filled with renewed enthusiasm. A new world presented itself before him. In that world, apart from Gurudev and himself, he experienced the divine light enveloping the puja room, and a divine fragrance spreading in the room. 

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Gurudev!’ – 3- IV

Pujya Gurudev Pt. ShriRam Sharma’s Kripa 

                            ‘I surrender myself to you, Gurudev!’ – 3

                                       (Akhand Jyoti July-Aug.2010)

Narendra had asked the same question to Maharishi Debendranath Tagore, the father of poet Rabindranath Tagore. Maharishi Debendranath was relaxing in a round-bottomed boat afloat in the river. Narendranath jumped into the river and swam to the boat. He asked the Maharishi about God the moment he climbed on to the boat. Maharishi was taken aback by Narendra’s question. He felt as though someone was holding his collar and demanding an answer. Narendra had just expressed his desire eagerly and had no intention of scaring anyone, but his eagerness had startled a Yogi. Maharishi said, ‘Why don’t you take a seat first. Sit peacefully and I will reply to your question.’ This behaviour itself made Narendra feel that his answer could not be found here. So, Narendra returned from there saying – ‘You need not reply; I have got the answer’. 

Narendra’s quest for God ended at the doorstep of Ramakrishna Paramahansa. He said to Narendra, ‘Whatever you have to ask, go and ask the Mother. Don’t tell me anything.’ When Ramakrishna made this offer, Narendra’s mind was filled with the worries of his familial responsibities. However, he did go and stood in front of the Mother’s idol at the behest of his Guru, but could not ask for any worldly boon from Her. He was so engrossed in looking at the charming form of Mother Kali that he forgot about asking for anything. He went back without expressing any desire. Ramakrishna sent him to the temple two more times. Narendra came back in the same manner both the times. The Guru said, ‘Do the work of Mother and she will herself take care of you. Your family will never feel lack of their essential needs.’ 

Thakur left his mortal body five years after meeting Narendra. Leaving his body was also like a part of the Divine play. One day, he told a disciple, ‘Listen to me. I will not be able to talk to people anymore. Hence, I have requested Mother to give power to Narendra, Raja (Rakhal Maharaj), Tarak, Babu (Baburam), Yogin, Shashi and other disciples. From now onwards, these people will impart spiritual instructions to devotees’. Ramakrishna experienced throat pain a few days after making this announcement. The pain increased so much that he could hardly swallow anything. The disease became more severe. When devotees suggested treatment, Ramakrishna replied, ‘This is Mother’s desire. If She wants, the disease will be cured. Otherwise, no amount of treatment will restore my health.’ 

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Gurudev!’ – 3-III

Pujya Gurudev Pt. ShriRam Sharma’s Kripa 
                            ‘I surrender myself to you, Gurudev!’ – 3

                                       (Akhand Jyoti July-Aug.2010)

Thakur! You are far ahead The disciples said, ‘But Gurudev, there are no signs of deterioration on Ramakrishna’s body; the breathing pattern is normal; the pulse is beating at the normal rate; there is no indication of decomposition of the body.’ Totapuri was not worried. He was however astounded. He did not know what to do. He tried to do everything a Guru could to get his disciple out of samadhi, but in vain. He sat back tired and defeated. Instantly something occurred to him and he went close to Ramakrishna’s ear and said, ‘He for whom you have waited is here.’ Ramakrishna sat up instantly as though someone had pulled him up.

He became restless and eager and asked, ‘Where is he? Where is he?’ Totapuri replied, ‘He will be reaching here.’ He said again, ‘Thakur, you are far ahead of me. You are a great being. What I have not been able to attain after 40 years of intense penance, you have attained that state within a day. You are great.’ Totapuri was a staunch believer of Vedantic Path. He did not believe in idol worship. After witnessing the miraculous spiritual attainment of his disciple, be bowed to the idol of Mother Kali in Dakshineshwar temple. 

         The message through which Totapuri got Ramakrishna out of samadhi was related to Narendra (Narendranath Dutta who later became famous as Swami Vivekananda). The day Narendra came in contact with Ramakrishna, he hugged him close to his chest. Ramakrishna cried piteously like a parent who had found his long lost son. Narendra was then looking out for employment. At the same time he had an intense aspiration for liberation. This was more intense than his hunger and hence he kept wandering amongst sadhus. When he reached Ramakrishna, the Master recognized the disciple and took him into his fold, thus ending his search. 

Have you seen God? Narendra asked, ‘Have you seen God? The reply came instantly, ‘Do you want to see?’ Narendra had posed this question to innumerable saints and sadhus. Nobody had replied with this kind of assurance and confidence. There were people who said, ‘Yes, I have seen’, but there was no conviction in their words. There were others who said that if they admit that they have seen God, then it would be like advertising their status, and if they did not reply in the affirmative, then the reply would be wrong. Hence they preferred to keep mum. They merely asked Narendra to express his doubts and that they would try to remove them. 

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Gurudev!’ – 3-II

Pujya Gurudev Pt. ShriRam Sharma’s Kripa 

                            ‘I surrender myself to you, Gurudev!’ – 3

                                       (Akhand Jyoti July-Aug.2010)

The Sadhana learnt from Totapuri Sri Ramakrishna continued exploring the various paths of sadhana. These scenes were visible to Shriram seated in his puja chamber like live transmission. He could see sadhaks, sanyasis, fakirs, Christian missionaries, etc arriving at the temple of Dakshineshwar. One day, a leader of seven hundred naga sadhus, a sanyasi named Totapuri arrived at the temple premises. His fame had spread far and wide. In the lunar month of Paush, he stayed at Dakshineshwar after completing his holy dip in the Gangasagar. He looked at Sri Ramakrishna and asked – ‘Will you do some sadhana?’ 

‘If Mother says so, I will do’ replied Ramakrishna with child-like innocence. Totapuri thought that he might have to seek the permission of his biological mother, and hence asked him to go to her. Ramakrishna sat in front of Mother Kali and sought her permission. He received an affirmative reply from Her. He again asked Her, ‘Who will teach me the sadhana?’ Mother replied, ‘The person who has come to teach you Vedanta will teach you sadhana also.’ Ramakrishna went and reported the conversation verbatim to Totapuri.

He smiled and said, ‘If you have to receive teaching from me, then you have to become a Sannyasi.’ Ramakrishna asked with the same simplicity, ‘What has to be done to become a Sannyasi?’ Shriram seated in the presence of his guiding power, was experiencing all this conversation as though he himself was talking to Totapuri, in the form of Ramakrishna. Totapuri explained to him about sannyas and said that he had to perform shraddha, homa, tarpan, etc. He would have to wear saffron clothes and be a wandering monk. Ramakrishna replied, ‘I accept everything; but can you do something such that I can become a sannyasi without wearing saffron clothes. I cannot go to any other place. My mother is alive and she has no other son to take care of her. Hence I cannot leave her alone.’ 

Totapuri agreed to this. Preparations were made for initiating him into sannyas. Shikha, sacred thread, rosary etc were given up. Climbing the funeral pyre, shraaddha, tarpan etc were also performed. He took the vow to renunciate everything. After the initiation, Totapuri imparted spiritual instruction and tried to induce him into the state of samadhi. He removed a bead from the rosary and asked Ramakrishna to sit in the lotus pose. Totapuri touched Ramakrishna’s forehead, in the middle of the eyebrows, with a crystal.

He pressed the crystal a little harder and Ramakrishna entered into the state of Samadhi. He became unconscious. The pulse and heart beat were as usual but he was unconscious.  Totapuri was slightly worried at this situation. He was afraid lest Ramakrishna leave his body. He looked after the sadhak with utmost care. Two days passed and it was the dawn of the third day, but there was no change in Ramakrishna’s condition. Totapuri told his senior disciples that if a sadhak does not come back to normal condition within three days, it becomes difficult for the body to receive the soul – consciousness back into itself. 

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Gurudev!’ – 3

Pujya Gurudev Pt. ShriRam Sharma’s Kripa 

                            ‘I surrender myself to you, Gurudev!’ – 3

                                       (Akhand Jyoti July-Aug.2010)

Practicing different kinds of Sadhanas of various spiritual traditions and mastering them - was an unprecedented experiment of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. When he started the worship of Shri Rama, he began to behave like Hanuman, and uttering the sacred name of Rama- Raghuveer, he would climb onto trees, pluck fruits, bite into them and throw them away. He stopped the sadhana only after reaching a state in which he could see Rama in every creature and in every atom of the universe.

Once he started the worship of Shri Krishna through Sakhi-bhav. Those who worship Shri Krishna with this feeling begin to see themselves as Gopis and dress like women. Ramakrishna also began to do sadhana in a similar manner. To blend into the form of Krishna’s ‘Sakhi’, he grew his hair and plaited it. He also began to wear a nose ring, applied lampblack to his eyes, applied vermillion and decorated himself with lipstick. In deep states of trance, he would begin to call out loudly- ‘Where is Lalita? Where is Vishakha? I am in a pitiable state. Without your grace, I cannot see Radhika and without her, I cannot reach Sri Krishna’. 

While doing this sadhana as per ‘Sakhi Sampradaya’, Sri Ramakrishna began to develop feminine changes in his physical body. His voice began to turn sweet and soft. Nobody could recognize him on hearing his voice. After a few days, even his gait changed. There developed breast-like swellings on his chest and his footsteps were laid softly and carefully like a woman. This state of sadhana is evidence that when someone performs worship with complete involvement and passion, the entire personality including the physical features undergoes transformation. After stopping the sadhana, with ‘Sakhi bhav’, it took months for Thakurji to regain his normalcy. 

After having tried the path of devotion, he began the sadhana of Vedanta. The pinnacle of this sadhana is to reach the state of ‘Soham’ and ‘Aham Brahmasmi’. He also tried the sadhanas related to various traditions like –Tantric, Bangala, Baul, Vaishnav, Shakta etc. After having done sadhanas belonging to several traditions, he had the concrete realization that even though the paths look different, there is no difference at the fundamental level of the goals. He took initiation into the Khalsa Panth and understood its underlying principles. One day, a thought arose in him to understand what the difference between a Hindu and Muslim was and decided to find out.

He took permission of his favorite deity Mother Bhavani to do the experiment on himself. There lived a Sufi saint in the village of Tamtama. He went to the Sufi saint and took initiation into the Sufi way of sadhana for himself. After doing the sadhana for 3 days, his entire demeanor changed. He ceased to identify himself as a Hindu. He stopped going to the temple and even refrained from partaking the prasad of Mother Kali. During those days of sadhana, somebody said that according to Islam, if one kills a non-Muslim, then he would attain heaven. He asked Ramakrishna if he would kill a non-Muslim. 

Ramakrishna replied, ‘Kafir (non-Muslim) does not reside outside, but is within us. Anger, lust, greed, pride etc are the foreign elements within our being. Only when you destroy them can you obtain the grace of Allah. Only knowledge and power give peace to man. There can be no other beauty or apsara who can give him continuous pleasure and peace.’ He also tried the path of Christian form of worship and sadhana. After having learnt and understood the secrets of various paths of worship, he got rooted firmly in his own nature. The liberated souls do not have an independent nature of their own. They are so entirely submerged in the consciousness of the Supreme Soul that their ego-based identity becomes acutely sensitive and transparent. Based on the temperament and level of the sadhak who approaches them, they appear to the sadhak at the same level. They become like a mirror, a crystal idol that merely reflects the form and color of what is present in front of them. 

Thanks GOD,Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Worship Power

Pujya Gurudev Pt. ShriRam Sharma;s Kripa Balamupaswa – Worship Power  (Akhand Jyoti July-Aug.2013) Amrit Chintan ‘Balamupaswa’ – Worship Power If there is any misery in your life, it is due to some weakness within you. Physical infirmity causes diseases, mental weakness gives rise to worries and if the intellectual abilities are poor, then it is certain that you are tied up in the bonds of slavery – you are searching for help of others for your progress. The communities, which are not united culturally, socially or nationally, are tortured by external attacks. Whatever it is, it is our own weakness of some kind or the other that is responsible for our misery. Therefore weakness is a sin. The Nature does not permit the weak and sinful to live with dignity and honour. There is no dearth of resources in this world. Wealth and prosperity are available in plenty. One does not have to wander here and there to acquire material pleasures.  But there is only one condition – Do you possess the requisite power to acquire and use them? If you are weak, then whatever wealth-resources you possess are also going to be snatched away. That is why Shruti says – ‘Balamupaswa’ – meaning ‘Worship Power’. Sins flourish in the absence of protective power. Therefore, if you are not powerful, then you are also responsible for the increase of sins even if you are a devotee of the Lord. Whether you wish to benefit yourself or the society, power (Shakti – Balam) is essential. Therefore, first of all, acquire power. Then only will you be able to augment and protect your peace and prosperity and also help the needy. - Samarth Guru Ramadas Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru, Shiv Sharma

Science-V ; Pujya Gurudev

Pujya Gurudev Pt. ShriRam Sharma Acharya’s Kripa

The Incompleteness of Science

(Akhand Jyoti July-Aug.2010)

           The rules that are really time-tested and perennial, are in fact that of the religion which nurtures human values and aims at awakening divine qualities hidden in the inner self. Who would lose anything in consenting to the belief that there is only one Law-Maker of the whole world? That our conduct should be based on mutual love, justice and honesty and that we are all like children of that Almighty? Who could ever get harmed in adopting these principles? Religion is the undeniable principle to attain peace and happiness; any principle that goes against these is not religion. On the other hand, any truth discovered by the material-based science cannot be termed as the ultimate truth. 

If Copernicus had not expressed disagreement with Almagest, the present improved form of astronomical calculations could not have been created. Copernicus for the first time ever stated that scientific beliefs should never be regarded as the ultimate truth. He called the sun to be the centre of universe. This concept also was accepted as the truth for many years. Now in the 20th century, cosmos has become such a puzzle that it is impossible to tell where the nucleus of this grand universe is. The sun is the centre of solar planetary system but not of the universe. In our single galaxy itself there are innumerable suns emitting light, and their respective solar planetary systems. Then there are millions and millions of such galaxies; within these how many billions of solar systems exist is beyond anyone’s imagination! Today’s scientists, who have estimated the existence of 100 million galaxies and at least 500 million light years of expanse of the cosmos, still consider this information as part truth and not the absolute truth. Can such a science be relied upon as ultimate truth? 

The theory of gravitation Just like concepts mentioned above about the universe, the principle of gravitation evolved by Isaac Newton, which has worked for hundreds of years, is now hanging in the air. The apocryphal or anecdotic incidence (of an apple falling down from a tree…) associated with his discovery is quite well known.  After this incident Newton propounded the principle of gravitation. He concluded – all particles attract other particles in the proportion of their masses and this force of attraction diminishes as the distance between the particles increases.

Many machines have been built on Newton’s principles of gravity and they are working very well too. However, in 1916 Einstein proclaimed that all particles of the universe travel in a straight line in space and time, and the same is true about planets and stars too. They also travel straight, but due to the presence of mass, the shape of space and time gets modified and it is felt that particles or planets and stars are traveling along a curved path. Einstein called this new principle ‘Theory of Relativity’ and said that instead of being a quality of mass, gravity is a quality of space and time. 

Einstein is one of those scientists whose principles are so difficult and complex that it is not possible for an ordinary man to comprehend them. No one could imagine that one day even his principle could be proved wrong, but it happened. In 1964 renowned Indian scientist Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar and Professor Fred Hoyle gave another principle of gravity and stated that gravity is neither the property of space and time, nor of particles; it is a property of the universe. To proclaim this stand, Hoyle published ‘The Principle of Balanced State’ and said that old stars in the sky die and the new ones continue to get created. Universe is continuously expanding and as a result energy keeps getting converted into mass. The location where such activities occur was termed as ‘Creation Field’ by Hoyle. 

With these facts the present beliefs and understanding of universe and the principles of gravity get completely negated; then were the stands taken by Isaac Newton, Thomas Gold, Albert Einstein and Hermann Bondi true? If we think about it, it seems that all the corresponding theories of these intelligent scientists were like flashes of limited wisdom in search of truth! 

The same is true of other ‘trend-setting’ discoveries and theories and related technological developments ranging from Atomic Theory to Quantum Computing, from Theory of Evolution to Human Clones, from Space-colonies to Time-Machine.       

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

             

Science-IV : Pujya Gurudev

Pujya Gurudev Pt. ShriRam Sharma Acharya’s Kripa

The Incompleteness of Science

(Akhand Jyoti July-Aug.2010)

The theory of universe : In the year 200 BC, Hipparchus, a Greek astronomer of Nicaea, Bithynia stated that the earth is the centre of universe, and other planets and satellites move around it in eccentric and epicycle orbits. Polemics (short name Ptolemy), the famous scientist of Greece by accepting this very principle, explored the solar system in detail and positioned 1028 planets and stars starting from Earth in such a way that Earth became the centre, Moon revolved in the second orbit, Mercury in the third, Venus in the fourth, Sun in fifth, Mars in sixth, Jupiter in seventh, Saturn in eighth, conglomerate of shiny bodies and stars in ninth, and finally primum- mavens in the tenth orbit. On this basis the famous treatise of astronomy – 
Almagest was prepared. 

For 1400 years this principle was regarded as the absolute truth. Not only this, most of the forecasts based on this principle would turn out to be true. People worshipped Almagest and regarded it as a well-established scientific treatise. In this very book Ptolemy on dividing a circle in 360 graduations fixed 3.1428 as the value of p (pie, a Roman letter which denotes the ratio of circumference to radius of a circle). The present value of pie is 3.1415926… Though the difference of 0.0012 between the two numbers seems almost negligible, when this difference is applied to distances in millions of miles, then the predicted position of an object that is 1000 million miles away could be incorrect by millions of miles! 

                 At that time also if people believed in science with the same confidence as they would do today then they must be questioned why did their science turn out to be untrue? Though forecasts of bodies in orbits close to the earth turned out to be correct, but the overall principles in many cases turned out to be incorrect. These are the limitations of science. Whatever we had regarded as the absolute truth till yesterday turned out to be false today. Who will call such a science to be complete? How can we claim that science is true and not religion? Science is nothing but limited conclusions derived from limited knowledge of man; regarding them as absolute truth cannot be beneficial to man. 

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Pujya Gurudev Pt. ShriRam Sharma Acharya’s Kripa-III; Pujya Gurudev

The Incompleteness of Science

(Akhand Jyoti July-Aug.2010)

Science must know that it is still in its infancy and should express its opinions on profound issues like religion only after a very careful consideration. The progress made by science during the past few centuries deserves praise, but it should not be presumed that it is the ultimate repository of truth. There is no justified reason or scientific theory on the basis of which the existence of consciousness and religion – which infuses excellence in thoughts and actions of human beings – could be branded imaginary and unnecessary. 

While admiring the contributions of modern science, the damages that have occurred in the name of progress should also be kept in mind. Creation of equipments for machineries is one thing, but a lot more care needs to be taken in regard to the experiments which initially appear to be of great benefit but prove harmful after detailed testing. Excessive impatience in such experiments does not yield desired benefits; instead, it results in untold damages. It would have been better if science had exhibited patience before commenting upon religion also. Experiments could have been conducted on a small scale and after carefully examining the benefits and costs, large-scale experiments could have been taken up.

The harm that has been caused in several fields like nuclear explosions and radioactive waste treatment, antibiotics, biological warfare, etc, as a result of excessive enthusiasm should always be kept in mind. Offending attacks by science on religion on the basis of incomplete information and overlooking its own immature state even in dealing with the material component of Nature can only be termed improper. 

Indefiniteness of science in its own field : Science is still in its nascent stage in several respects. Several of its fundamental concepts, laws and principles have undergone a lot of change as it has evolved. There still is a lot of indefiniteness about several of its theories pertaining to physical domain of Nature itself. It is worthwhile to look at some of the concepts about which science has still not claimed absolute conclusion. 

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Pujya Gurudev Pt. ShriRam Sharma Acharya’s Kripa-III; Pujya Gurudev

The Incompleteness of Science

(Akhand Jyoti July-Aug.2010)

Science must know that it is still in its infancy and should express its opinions on profound issues like religion only after a very careful consideration. The progress made by science during the past few centuries deserves praise, but it should not be presumed that it is the ultimate repository of truth. There is no justified reason or scientific theory on the basis of which the existence of consciousness and religion – which infuses excellence in thoughts and actions of human beings – could be branded imaginary and unnecessary. 

While admiring the contributions of modern science, the damages that have occurred in the name of progress should also be kept in mind. Creation of equipments for machineries is one thing, but a lot more care needs to be taken in regard to the experiments which initially appear to be of great benefit but prove harmful after detailed testing. Excessive impatience in such experiments does not yield desired benefits; instead, it results in untold damages. It would have been better if science had exhibited patience before commenting upon religion also. Experiments could have been conducted on a small scale and after carefully examining the benefits and costs, large-scale experiments could have been taken up.

The harm that has been caused in several fields like nuclear explosions and radioactive waste treatment, antibiotics, biological warfare, etc, as a result of excessive enthusiasm should always be kept in mind. Offending attacks by science on religion on the basis of incomplete information and overlooking its own immature state even in dealing with the material component of Nature can only be termed improper. 

Indefiniteness of science in its own field : Science is still in its nascent stage in several respects. Several of its fundamental concepts, laws and principles have undergone a lot of change as it has evolved. There still is a lot of indefiniteness about several of its theories pertaining to physical domain of Nature itself. It is worthwhile to look at some of the concepts about which science has still not claimed absolute conclusion. 

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Science-II; Pujya Gurudev

Pujya Gurudev Pt. ShriRam Sharma Acharya’s Kripa

The Incompleteness of Science

(Akhand Jyoti July-Aug.2010)

If science denies religion, then even if this victory is accepted from a logical point of view, a new difficulty will arise in which we shall have to completely lose all the great human qualities which have contributed so much to the creation and enhancement of human dignity. Then there shall be no place for social norms, friendship, harmony, and mutual trust, among human begins.  That means regression would overtake progress and human civilization would relapse to the primitive stage from where it might have actually begun. In the process of ascent and civilization man has had to grapple with other living beings and reign over them. During regress towards deterioration and destruction, we will have to assault our own species. 

According to the modern scientific theory of evolution, viz., survival of the fittest, the strong ones will oppress the weak. All other living beings own nothing but flesh, and may be milk and physical might, but man’s possession today surpasses all this. So man would destroy the other species. And, then, in the society devoid of all ethics, the weak one among the human species will fall prey to the strong ones, the strong ones will become food for the stronger. Then in the end even the strongest, adopting the same Darwin’s law of evolution, shall fight each other till all die and perish.

This situation shall be worse than the primeval era. Primeval man, as portrayed by modern scholars, was foolish. Even his wickedness could cause limited harm in a limited domain. But today’s intelligent and resourceful man on the path of retreat shall definitely destroy not only all civilization and development, but also the very existence of life on this beautiful planet. Several such tragedies can be clearly visualized as aftereffects of the proposition initiated by some pseudo scientists and philosophers like Descartes and Nitsche in the form of negation of the existence of religion. 

By encroaching beyond its limits, science shall lose all the praise and respect it has earned in providing human society with the unlimited means of conveniences and comforts. Inappropriate transgressions have always played havoc. Science has established its credibility in its efforts to search for the truth. This unwarranted transgression would not only damage its fame and reputation, but would also place a question mark on its utility. 

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Science : Pujya Gurudev

Pujya Gurudev Pt. ShriRam Sharma Acharya’s Kripa

The Incompleteness of Science

(Akhand Jyoti July-Aug.2010)

Science was born long ago. The period of the extra-ordinary progress in the past few centuries is quite small compared to the ancient world history. Achievements of the recent past can be compared to the development of a child. Children make mistakes and get corrected almost every day. The same has been going on in the fields of modern scientific research also. A principle is propounded today and gets accepted. Tomorrow a doubt crops up. The day after dissections of the principle begins; and in the end, it gets rejected as unacceptable in view of a more advanced theory or experimental finding.

There is no surety that what has earned ‘universal’ acceptance today shall continue to be accepted in the very same form tomorrow also. No doubt, in the search for truth, dedicated efforts should be made, but at the same time it is necessary to have humility and patience. There is a need to be especially careful before making statements that can make a profound impact on human values, morality, faith and social setups. Ethical teachings or religion is one such subject. It has a direct relation with man’s trust in good character and in his responsibilities as a civilized member of the human-society. If these ideals have to be kept alive, then those foundational pillars should not be shaken on which the edifice of stability, peace and progress is standing today.

Inappropriate trespasses made by science : Modern science has not been able to establish a separate and independent existence of consciousness in its laboratories.  Just because of that it was improper on its part to state that consciousness does not exist, or that inner-self is imaginary and hence the notion of religion attached with it has no rational basis.  The pseudo-scientific proclamations like “Soul, God and religion are imaginary creations of crazy minds” made by some so-called rationalists in the past had resulted in the spread of negation of faith in human values and higher consciousness. This damaged the ideals that laid the foundation on which ascent of human civilization and culture was initiated and has progressed so far. 

God, soul, religion, law of karma (Nature’s law that destiny is shaped by one’s own deeds), selflessness, self-restraint and all such beliefs are integral with theism. With the negation of God and hence of spirituality, ethics and the associated principles of religion how can there be any control on the blind selfishness and beastly tendencies in the society? In absence of such control human beings would neither be able to have and transact mutual love and cooperation, nor would they be able to think or act in any way for self-development. 

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Pujya Gurudev Pt. ShriRam Sharma Acharya’s Kripa-III

Yoga can cure Asthma

(Akhand Jyoti,July-Aug.2010)

Asan-   Persons whose joints are stiff can start practicing pavan muktasan series of asans in the beginning. Then they must practice the following asans under the expert guidance of a yoga teacher up to their capacity – Hastottanasan, Dwi-konasan, Marjari asan, Makarasan. Gomukhasan, Sarvangasan, Matsyasan, Simhasan, Baddha Padmasan, Lolasan, Tolangulasan, Parivrutta Janushirshasan. These asans bring into order the arrangement of lungs, breathing tracks and other related organs. They strengthen the spinal cord and muscles. Their practice opens the blocked flow of electric current through the nerves of the nervous system and the entire body becomes vibrant. These are extremely helpful in successful treatment of asthma. 

Surya Namaskar – Practice these slowly and with conscious attention to breathing. Increase the practice to seven rounds at sunrise. Pragya Yog can also be performed along with. 
Pranayam-  Nadi-shodhan Pranayam helps in increasing awareness of and control on acts of inhalation and exhalation. Performing Bhastrika Pranayam with Kumbhak and Jalandhar Bandh enhances the strength of lungs and increases the breathing capacity. 
Shat-Kriya –  Practice Kunjal and Neti using salted and warm water early in the morning. It is possible to cure asthma with these Kriyas because they help in liquefying and egesting the viscous and thick phlegm stuck on the mucous membranes. Vastra Dhauti is another good practice for this, but do that only under expert supervision. Shankh Prakshalan helps in re-vitalizing the power of digestion of the asthma patient and relieves constipation. 
Shithalikaran–  Yog nidra provides immense benefit to asthma patient. Practice it daily. If sufficient time is not available for its practice then lie down in Shavasan and try to practice awareness of breathing right down to the stomach. 

Dhyan –  Ajapa Jap Practice revolving the movement of breath up and down from throat to navel along the outer extra-sensory path of breath while chanting Soham mantra. This practice helps in removing the root causes of disease hidden in the unconscious mind. 

Upvas – Fast for at least one whole day in a week. If that is not possible, skip at least one evening meal. Drink a lot of water. In one glass of warm water, mix the juice of half a piece of lemon and two spoons of honey, and drink. Along with that, boiled and cooled solution (kadha) of lemon juice, agya-ghas, tulsi, ginger and black pepper can be taken. 

Food – Take simple and Sattwic food, mostly consisting of sufficient quantity of fresh fruits, lightly boiled and green leafy vegetables. Substances that enhance phlegm like rice, sweets, milk products, maida, dry fruits, heavy and oily foods, packaged fast-foods etc. should be strictly avoided. Heavy food can be taken at lunch but dinners should be very light. Take fruits and fruit juices at breakfast. 

Other Useful Suggestions 
1.    When asthma attacks stop taking all food. Take recourse to Kunjal and Neti Kriyas and lie down in Shavasan. 
2.    Practice swimming. It is the most beneficial exercise for asthma patients. Limited amount of running and jogging are also helpful. 
3.    Take daily morning bath with cold water. Pour cold water especially on neck and shoulders. 
Thus a continuous practice of these yogic activities, along with a balanced lifestyle and eating habits, can help in completely curing asthma. All patients of asthma must start practicing these activities with a firm resolve. They would definitely benefit immensely from them. In the next article we shall explain in detail the yogic treatment of sinusitis.

Pujya Gurudev Pt. ShriRam Sharma Acharya’s Kripa

Yoga can cure Asthma

(Akhand Jyoti,July-Aug.2010)

Causes of Asthma : There can be many causes of asthma, the most prominent being hereditary, psychological, allergic reaction etc. Among physical causes the significant ones are pollution, medicines, dust, smoke, animal fur, wings of birds etc. When elders in the family like parents or ancestors have this disease, it is commonly found to also occur in children or young adults due to heredity. The psychological cause of asthma is also very important. Suppression or inhibition of negative emotions like jealousy, anger, hatred etc also causes asthma. Fear of loneliness, need for love, excessive emotional or sensitive nature, fear of disrespect or disregard, hesitancy etc. are also reasons that can enhance susceptibility to asthma. 

Asthma can also arise during change of seasons.  Increased sneezing, hay fever, wheezy bronchitis and eosinophilia are found to transform into asthma with passage of time. Eosinophilia is even called ‘initial asthma’. Unhealthy food and undisciplined life style also produce asthma. Bread, cake, ghee, oily foods, milk and milk products can lead to asthmatic attack. In addition, less intake of fruits, vegetables, and natural grains is also considered as a cause. 

Modern Medical Treatment: In modern medical science, many strong and effective medicines have been invented which can control asthma and reduce the recurrence of its attacks. For this, steroids are generally used, but it is not possible to completely cure one from asthma using these medicines.  In fact, sometimes after taking these medicines the patient feels more sick and weak. The person becomes psychologically and sometimes also physically dependent upon these medicines. Most affected persons fear to face adverse circumstances without taking support of medicines. These have strong side effects also. So for permanent solution of asthma we must take recourse to its yogic treatment. 

Yogic treatment of asthma :Yogic therapy frees the weakened and blocked pranic energy and gives a new lease of life to energy channels (nadis). The blocked flow of pranic energy is released using yogic therapy. The main cause of all the diseases is the discrepancy in the flow of prana in a specific body system. Asans and Pranayams reestablish the flow. When a particular pranic flow is blocked which disease would occur and what must be the proper yogic treatment in that process are the topics of intense, deep and great research. Students interested in carrying out this research may contact the Department of Yoga in Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya. Here we are only presenting the directions to yogic treatment of asthma. The process is the following. 

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Pujya Gurudev Pt. ShriRam Sharma Acharya’s Kripa

Yoga can cure Asthma

(Akhand Jyoti,July-Aug.2010)

Asthma is a disease that causes immense discomfort and suffering. The patient suffers from difficulty in breathing, suffocation, coughing etc. because the respiratory tracks inside the lungs contract due to asthma. As the inhaled air passes through contracted tubes with increased velocity, sounds like whistle can be heard while breathing. This is called ‘wheezing’. The respiratory tubes get narrowed and obstructed because of excessive secretion of thick phlegm. A highly aggravated condition of asthma is called Statuts Asthmaticus. This can prove to be very severe and may even lead to death. 

Asthmatic attacks and Symptoms An asthmatic attack is a very traumatic and terrifying experience. Early symptoms of impending attack can be felt a few hours before the actual attack. In children, a slight whistle-like wheezing sound can be heard before the attack and indicative symptoms through a pattern of behavioral changes can be recognized. Some of these are – increased irritability, unexplained crying, withdrawal and quietness, introspective mood etc. Appearance of spots over the skin and swelling on face and lips are also some common symptoms. Most patients also develop signs of sudden attack of common cold and cough, like nose blockage, irritation, sneezing etc. 

During asthmatic attack the reduction in total airflow into lungs is felt by the patient and breathing becomes labored. This causes a lot of unease and discomfort. Phlegm begins to thicken and gets attached in large quantity, which causes severe coughing. Due to difficulty in breathing, the patient begins to exhale at a slower pace along with a whistling sound. As the severity of attack increases, the colour of mucous membranes begins to turn bluish due to lack of oxygen. The longer the time the patient struggles while breathing, that much more the attack appears to be prolonged, intense and painful. The escalation of this discomfort peaks up and then automatically weakens. This is an amazing psychological nature of this disease. 
Problems due to long-term (chronic) Asthma 

When the disease gets prolonged, several other complications also arise. The body becomes weak and thin. In children suffering from asthma physical deformities like permanent expansion of rib cage, drooped shoulders, hunch in the back etc. also begin to show up. Asthma can also lead to psychological problems. The patient becomes so completely dependent upon family members that he prefers to remain ill, because in that period he gets increased attention of all members. This makes him get entangled in the endless trap of disease and his capability to fight disease diminishes. (Countinue)

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Amrit Chintan ‘Balamupaswa’

Pujya Gurudev Pt. ShriRam Sharma Acharya’s Kripa

Balamupaswa – Worship Power

(Akhand Jyoti;July-Aug.2009)

Amrit Chintan ‘Balamupaswa’ – Worship Power If there is any misery in your life, it is due to some weakness within you. Physical infirmity causes diseases, mental weakness gives rise to worries and if the intellectual abilities are poor, then it is certain that you are tied up in the bonds of slavery – you are searching for help of others for your progress. The communities, which are not united culturally, socially or nationally, are tortured by external attacks. Whatever it is, it is our own weakness of some kind or the other that is responsible for our misery. Therefore weakness is a sin. The Nature does not permit the weak and sinful to live with dignity and honour. There is no dearth of resources in this world. Wealth and prosperity are available in plenty. One does not have to wander here and there to acquire material pleasures. 

But there is only one condition – Do you possess the requisite power to acquire and use them? If you are weak, then whatever wealth-resources you possess are also going to be snatched away. That is why Shruti says – ‘Balamupaswa’ – meaning ‘Worship Power’. Sins flourish in the absence of protective power. Therefore, if you are not powerful, then you are also responsible for the increase of sins even if you are a devotee of the Lord. Whether you wish to benefit yourself or the society, power (Shakti – Balam) is essential. Therefore, first of all, acquire power. Then only will you be able to augment and protect your peace and prosperity and also help the needy. - Samarth Guru Ramadas

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma

Humanity -IV; Pujya Gurudev

A Universal Religion for Humanity 

=Pt.ShriRam Sharma Acharya

People with inferior mindset enjoy consuming more and more resources for personal comforts and pleasures. Kind-hearted and benevolent ones, on the contrary, apply their belongings and potentials for the good of others and feel happy and contended when they see that their resources are being used for universal good rather than for personal gratification. What is dignified for a human being is only that his/her thoughts and actions get dedicated towards enhancing the well-being of larger and larger sections of the society. 

What is best for a society is that most of its people find honour in being engaged in collective welfare activities. The greatness of a country, religion, society or culture can be measured only based upon the extent to which the noble quality of altruistic attitude or selflessness is present in its people and the enthusiasm its people have in performing benevolent deeds. 

In the principles of socialism and communism there is a harsh criticism of individual selfishness, and provisions are made for imposing strict or harsh checks on the same. The principles of spirituality are very similar as far as materialistic usage is concerned. Hoarding is treated as a crime in socialism, and ego and selfishness and the tendency of accumulating wealth for selfish means have been termed as sins in spirituality. 

We may surely earn with hundred hands, but we must also have the benvolent urge to distribute the same with thousand hands. As strong is one’s tendency to share the sufferings of others and to distribute personal happiness and gains among others, to that extent the individual can be termed spiritual. If the sentiment of divine devotion and worship evolves and develops into magnanimity and altruism, then it should be understood that the little sapling (of spirituality) that was planted has grown well and borne fruits, and has been successful in establishing its meaningful existence. 

Patriotism and nationalism are taught as high ideals. People are encouraged to display their valour and courage for the security of the nation by joining defence services. According to the principles of socialism an individual is asked to work hard for the benefit of society, and also to maintain his standard of living at par with that of the common man. Simple living and high thinking define nobility. Government by imposing taxes compels one to return the excess earned for public welfare. People are inspired in religious sacraments to donate for good causes and earn virtues by serving others. All this is meant to control self-centeredness and to awaken kindness and altruism. Humane sentiments, compassion, an intuitive interconnectedness and selflessness are the foundational elements of true religion. Dignity of man and society, and peace and happiness are also nurtured by these virtues. Herein the basic teachings of all religions coalesce. This will be the basis of a universal religion for humanity.

Thanks GOD, Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma