Art of Living

There are many good points and a few bad points in both the western as well as the Indian culture. If one utilizes one’s discretionary powers wisely he can combine the good points of both cultures e.g. the principle of professional excellence, commitment to one’s work and the attitude of treating one’s work as worship.…

Make the environment of your home such that sanskaars (values) are easily sown in your children.  Start when the children are young.  Don’t force anything upon them.  Set an example by practising yourself what you want your children to do.  Children are great imitators.  While you are performing aarati, ask your children to join you.…

First of all you have to improve your company of friends.  Protect yourself from bad company because that takes you towards devastation.  Read good books and make sure you stay in good company.  How should your company be and in what?  The answer is satsang, the company of truth.  Our scriptures say: ‘Karahu sadā satsang’,…

A car has an accelerator and brakes.  If the accelerator does not work you can still do without it but can you drive a car without brakes?  Similarly, the instructions that parents give you are your brakes.  The do’s and don’ts of Dharma (religion) and what is written in our scriptures are truly your brakes.…

Sincere repenting in one’s own heart, by itself is true penance for sins and wrong doings committed knowingly or unknowingly.  Ritual itself is not important in penance.  Heartfelt repentance purifies the soul. Singing in hymns in praise of God eliminates sins committed unknowingly. Nām sankīrtanam yasyā, sarvapāpapranāśanam – Shrimad Bhagwat, 10th canto, Chapter 13 Ajaamil…

Accept failures as the gift of God. The Lord has said – ‘Karmanyevādhikāraste mā phaleṣu kadāchana Mā karmaphalheturbhuha Mā te sangostvakarmani’ – Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, 2:47 Do your duties with complete commitment; perform actions with an attitude to performing a yagya. To do this, three things are required – ‘Tadarthama karma kaunteya muktasanga samāchar’ –…

It is good that a person or society lives fearlessly.  It is praiseworthy if a person becomes fearless in all areas.  However, when a person does not fear God or Religion and does as one prefers, speaks anything anyhow as well as acts on anything that comes to mind without thinking wisely, this is a…

Life is an eternal journey.  You will not be successful if you do not have self-confidence. Not only self-confidence, but also trust in God is necessary for a spiritual aspirant.  Sometimes, self-confidence gives rise to ego, which is a hindrance in achieving success.  But if one takes refuge in God, keeps faith in God and…

A culture diminishes when the language is lost but we have to accept the international importance of the English language.  Therefore, it is extremely important to learn the language but we must not kill our mother due to this reason.  In my opinion, if primary school and spiritual talks are taught in the mother tongue…

A mother and father should trust their children.  They should not be extremely strict in disciplining or pressurise them.  At any cost they must maintain the right balance between them and their children.  Our scriptures say that we should regard our son as our friend once he turns sixteen.  We must have given all the…