Food for progeny

दीपो भक्षयते द्वान्तं कज्जलञ्च प्रसूयते |
यदन्नं भक्षयेन्नित्यं जायते तादृशी प्रजा  ||

Deepo bhakShayate dvaantam kajjalaincha prasooyate
yadannam bhakShayennityam jaayate taaddashee prajaa

Meaning: The lamp devours darkness and emits (dark) smoke. (Similarly), whatever food is consumed regularly, such progeny is born.

This shloka brings out the importance of giving sanskar to our children right when they are in the womb. Sanskar is different from education. Sanskars are the imprints on the mind that define our character. Education caters to the intellect while sanskars build character. Therefore, Indian culture focuses very strongly on Garbha Sanskar. In fact, the first 3 of the 16 sanskars are done before the child is born.
 
In Mahabharat, not only did Abhimanyu learn the Chakra Vyuha in the womb, but more importantly, valor and courage were instilled into him which led him to fearlessly take the decision of fighting out all the Kauravas all alone. The Chakra Vyuha was just the technique but it was his mother's sanskars that made him fight valiantly till the end.

What we consume has a very strong effect on our psyche. Our mind takes the shape of the food we eat. Thus, what we eat, when we eat, with what thoughts do we eat- all these factors have a very strong say in defining our character. Food can be sattvik, taamasik or raajasik. We become what we eat.
 
An other aspect to this idea, is that food is not limited to the physical food that we eat. Food is whatever we consume through all our senses.

• What we read, what we see on TV, what we see when we see other humans, is all food.
• The kind of music we hear, the gossip that we hear, and all other sounds, is also food.
• What we speak - to ourselves, to God, to people, about people, is all food for our mind.
• The kind of thoughts we get when we touch others, is also food.
• The different odours we smell, also contribute in building the environment of our mind.

So it's very important to make sure that we are giving the right kind of food to our mind through our 5 senses. The nature of our food will determine our character, and that will have very strong, intrinsic imprints on our children. And these imprints are much more emphatic than all the education given later on in life. The later education may color the outside of the child to some extent, but the basic character has already been defined to quite a large extent by the intrinsic values that the child inherits from his/her parents.

That is probably why in our Indian culture, when we look for a prospective bride or bridegroom, we have the convention of first checking on how the parents are, how the family is. We can get a very fair idea about the boy or girl by knowing the nature and character of the parents. That custom makes so much more sense now. We also apply the same convention while choosing or evaluating friends of our children.

Our rishis rock ! Cheers !

Acquiring knowledge

अनेकशास्त्रं बहुवेदितव्यम् अल्पश्च कालो बहवश्च विघ्नाः |
यत् सारभूतं तदुपासितव्यं हंसो यथा क्षिरमिवाम्भुमध्यात् || 

Aneka-shaastram bahuveditavyam alpashcha kaalo bahavashcha vighnaa-haayat saarbhootam tadupaasitavyam hanso yathaa kshiramivaambhu-madhyaat

Meaning: There are many shastras (bodies of knowledge/doctrines) and abundance of knowledge. But we have limited time (alpa kaala) and a lot of obstacles (bahu vighna).
As a swan (hansa) extracts milk (kshira) from a mixture of milk and water, one should study the essence (saarabhuta) of the shastras (rather than studying each and every shastra to great details).

There is a lot of knowledge scattered all across the world in various forms. But we do not have the time and luxury of studying everything in detail, due to our day to day responsibilities. And, its not even important to know each detail of everything. More important is to extract the cream which is going to be useful to us in life. More important is to understand the fundamental principles being propounded by any body of knowledge, rather than its intricate details. If we understand the fundamentals, then we would easily be able to intelligently deduce its details, if necessary.

For example, if a computer programmer tries to learn & use each and every programming language existent in the world, he would have to give so much time that he won't have any other life. But instead, if he knows the basic programming principles, then he can easily write programs in any current or new language by simple deduction. Same with doctors, or engineers or any other profession. We should definitely have detailed knowledge of our field, but if we try to go in details of everything, then we would be nowhere.

The swan has the capability to distinguish and extract milk from a mixture of milk and water. We also should have such a discriminatory power of determining what is important for us  and what is not; and then concentrating only on the significant aspects of anything. This applies equally to students, pundits, researchers, seekers of knowledge as well as common mortals like me or you. The essence of any knowledge is the real reason why we study that body of knowledge. Knowledge or gnyaan is supposed to improve our quality of life, enhance our meaning of life; that would happen only when we go beyond the written word and grab the substance beneath.

Today there are so many villages in India where illiterate villagers (men & women) nonchalantly speak of Shankaracharya or Socrates or Karl Marx. Neither have they read, nor do they know each and every concept in the Advaita Vedanta Darshan of Shankaracharya. But they know the basic principle of 'universality of one God' propounded by Shankara, and the efforts he undertook to establish that in the very blood of India. They do not know the detailed philosophy of Socrates, but they know Socrates' fight for truth. They have not read books of Marx or Lenin, but they know communism, and have created a much more egalitarian society than was envisioned by communism. Not just egalitarian, but a harmonious and progressive society ! They know the essence and are leading joyous, blissful lives by implementing the core philosophical principles in their own lives & of others.

This is a live example of this subhaashit. Cheers!

Praise

उष्ट्राणं च विवाहेषु गीतं गायन्ति गर्दभाः |
परस्परं प्रशंसन्ति अहो रूपम् अहो ध्वनिः ||

UShtraaNai cha vivaaheShu geetang gaayanti gardabhaa-haa
parasparam prashaun-santi aho roopam aho dhvani-hi

Meaning: In the wedding (vivaha) of camels (uShtra), donkeys (gardabha) sing songs (geet). They praise (prashansaa) each other (paraspara), 'what a (beautiful) form!', 'what a (sweet) voice!'

I really enjoyed this one. Camels are not particularly known for their beauty; similarly, donkeys are not known to have a melodious voice. It sounds quite funny when they would praise each other for such qualities. You must have surely laughed upon reading this subhaashit. But ironically, the situation is not very different in the human world. Amongst ourselves also, we usually praise others for qualities or assets that they do not possess, generally with a selfish motive. If we genuinely believe a non-existent quality to be present, then we are fools, and if we knowingly praise that which is not, then we are hypocrites. Either way, it's not a very desirable trait.

Most of the time, when our tongues are uttering sweet words of appreciation & praise, our minds are spitting the venom of jealousy and hate. Very rarely do we genuinely appreciate. And it is the lack of this genuine-ness and transparency that makes us tired. We do not get tired of hard work, but of remembering what to say when, where, and to whom... of keeping & maintaining our false identities. Instead of trying to look good on the outside, it would be a lot more easier just to be really good from the inside. We would be much more energetic and lively that way.

So we should be avoiding any kind of false praise, and also beware of people who try to fool us with false praise. When we are praised, we should check who is praising. Praise is significant only if it coming from someone worthy, or someone who doesn't want anything from you, or someone who genuinely values you. So next time when someone praises you, do check whether it's a donkey, or a camel, or a true well-wisher.

But at the same time, praise can be false yet genuine. If the praise is filled with a genuine sense of hope and good wishes, then even false praise becomes true. When you praise a person for qualities he or she doesn't possess, but has the potential to possess, then your intent is noble and virtuous. That praise is filled with positive hope and genuine love for that person... just as mothers always say that their child is not naughty even though he or she is the biggest problem-kid in the whole neighbourhood. Such praise pushes a person to become! But the intent should be pure, genuine and developmental.

Vidyaa - an amazing treasure

अपूर्वः कोपी कोशोयं विद्यते तव भारति |
व्ययतो वृद्धिम् आयाति क्षयम् आयाति संचयात् ||

Apoorva-ha kopee koshoyam vidyate tava bhaarati
vyayato vruddhim aayaati kShayam aayaati sanchayaat

Meaning: O Goddess Saraswati (Bhaarati), your treasure (kosh) is indeed amazing. If spent (vyay), it grows (vruddhi); and if hoarded (sanchay), it deprecates/reduces (kshay).

Most of us try to conceal knowledge with ourselves with a sense of creating & preserving our superiority over others; we take pride in possessing what others don't. Another reason why we do not share our knowledge is because we feel that it might be insignificant to the people around; or that we might lose esteem in society if our knowledge is less than the people around. And some of us are just happy with whatever knowledge we have.

Either way, that is exactly what makes us have less knowledge than what we could have. Whether it be our professional life or personal life, not sharing knowledge makes us have only that which we have already have, but sharing it with others increases our own, not only by way of getting inputs from others, but also by strengthening our own knowledge.

Even in Bhakti-Yoga, while the 1st step of Bhakti is Shravanam, the very next is Kirtanam. Kirtanam means to speak out what we have learnt. That's the best way to understand it more. When we speak out or write, we spend a lot more attentive time on it, and we also churn our minds.

Knowledge is really useful only if it can be applied in our life to enhance it. When we share our knowledge, we reinforce it on our own mind, making the print stronger, more firmer. Secondly, only that knowledge is true knowledge which brings about a positive change in our life, broadens our personality and fills our life with joy. The thought or attitude of hoarding knowledge itself is a sign of a constrictive, miserly mentality.

Let's go out in the world, and share the knowledge we have gained—the Vidyaa... let's share what has brought about a difference in our lives. Let's share the joy that we are experiencing; the bliss we are living in, and the reason for that bliss in our lives. 
What are we afraid of? Why are our voices so meek? Let's go out radiant, shining... proclaim to the world the knowledge of life, the true meaning of life!

Lions

न अभिषेको न संस्कारः सिंहस्य क्रियते वने |
विक्रमार्जित सत्त्वस्य स्वयमेव मृगेंद्रता ||

Na abhisheko na sanskaara-ha sinhasya kriyate vane
vikramaarjita sattvasya svayameva mrugendrataa
 
Meaning: No coronation (abhisheka) or ritual (sanskara) is done for a lion (sinha) in the forest (vana). His self-attained heroism naturally make him, the king of the jungle.

Positions do not create leaders; it is leaders themselves who create positions for themselves... naturally! People automatically give respect to those with the desired qualities. A lion doesn't need to be appointed as King. Innate qualities make a leader, not appointment. Only those leaders succeed in leading who earn the respect and love of their people.

Leaders are those who go beyond their own lives and make a difference in the lives of others. A majority of the population follows the few lions found in society. So it's very important that the virtuous lions outnumber the villains, and more importantly, stay united—united in principle, and united by emotion!

If we are to be those who make a positive difference in the lives of others, we have to develop our internal qualities. We ourselves have to become lions. By associating ourselves with powerful positive thoughts and with virtuous people, we can become such lions. Be it our career, our family, our society or any other aspect of life, we will be able to make a change only if we are internally pure and powerful. It's not our words or looks but our character that makes all the difference.

Lets be the lions of today, and make a difference!

Books

तैलात् रक्षेत् जलात् रक्षेत् रक्षेत् शिथिलबंधनात्  |
मूर्खहस्ते न दातव्यं एवं वदति पूस्तकम्       ||

Tailaat rakShet jalaat rakShet rakShet shithila-bandhanaat
Murkha-haste na daatavyam evam vadati pustakam

Meaning: Protect me (rakShet) from oil (taila), protect me from water (jala), protect me from loose-binding (shithila-bandhan); do not (na) give me (daatavyam) in the hands (haste) of a fool (murkha) - so says the book (pustaka).

Personifying a book, this shloka tells us various things to take care of a book from. Take care of books from oil, since they leave permanent marks on the pages. We usually have the habit of eating stuff with bare hands whilst reading. It's good to avoid that practice.
Protect books from water, since the pages get torn easily when wet. Also the pages become brittle and flimsy after they dry.
Make sure we handle books in a delicate manner so as not to loosen the binding. If the binding is already weak then we should repair it to make it strong again, or at least treat the book with enough care so as not to further loosen the pages.

Murkha over here means anyone who doesn't understand the value of the book. So we should avoid giving our books to anyone and everyone. This is really very important. Most of us lose our books by lending them to people who not only never read them, but also put them away in places that they themselves don't remember. Our books will stay protected only in the hands of those who value it. We have to be very careful about whom we lend our books and we should also ensure that we get them back.

Books are a symbol of literature, and also a symbol of knowledge. In essence, the poet is also telling us to value and protect knowledge since it's invaluable to our sustainance as well as progress.

VrukSha (tree)

छायाम् अन्यस्य कुर्वन्ति तिष्ठन्ति स्वयम् आतपे |
फलन्त्यपि परार्थाय वृक्षा: सत्पुरुषा इव ||
 
Chhaayaam anyasya kurvanti tiShThanti svayam aatape
phalantyapi paraarthaaya vrukshaa-haa sat-puruShaa iva

Meaning: (They) give shade (chhaayaa) to others (anya), while standing (tiShThanti) in the heat (sun) themselves. They bear fruits (phala) for the benefit of others (paraarthaaya),—trees are like (iva) the virtuous (sat-puruSha).

There are very, very few in this world who work like this. They work hard, day and night, every second of their life, just for the benefit of others. They take all the brunt on to their bodies, their minds, their hearts, but make sure that others around them are happy. Unmindful of any pains or troubles they have to bear, they work hard to make sure that we grow & we develop.

They provide shade & fruits even to those who throw stones at them. This is their greatness.

And all this time when they are taking all the heat and providing us shade, they are almost invisible. They make themselves unnoticeable. Even if noticed, they do not let themselves be acknowledged or thanked... passing on all the gratitude, fame and  attention to their higher authority.

Trees take nothing from men... only a little water from the ground and sunlight from the sun. Similarly, the virtuous (sat-purusha) take nothing from society, but derive their strength from the higher powers. And they grow strong, very strong... strong enough to bear the weight of fruits to provide for the people around them. They live only to give, and they strengthen themselves only to provide for others. Their only object in life is the growth and nourishment of others—others whom they know or do not know, others who behave well or otherwise, others who worship them or throw stones. They personify pure, unexpectational & unconditional love towards every creation of God. That is true virtue.

Some of us may have been fortunate to have heard about or seen such a vruksha in their lifetime, some even more fortunate may have met such a vruKsha, and some of us might have the good fortune of having such vrukShas around us even now. 

Let their untiring efforts, their unshakable strength and their loving shade, be an inspiration to us to become such a sat-purusha ourselves.