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Date of Publication : CHIEF EDITOR
01.01.2004 Dr. Pranav Pandya

What Holds us Back from Fully Manifesting our Potentialities?

A human being as an embodied soul is not as insignificant as he thinks himself
to be. He is the highly evolved creation on earth of the Supreme Creator. Not only
does he stand at the head of all other creatures, his achievements are also amazingly
extraordinary. Nature’s wealth lies at his feet. The animal kingdom is under his control.
His bodily configuration is not only unique but his senses are also richly endowed
with qualities of spreading joy and bliss all around. There is no other creature who
has got such a unique body.
His mental faculty is marvelously creative. Where other creatures can think of
only self-preservation, a human mind is capable of making the best use of the present
by learning from the events of the past and planning the future. He is endowed with
two invaluable gifts of spirituality and science, which make him capable of accessing
anything in the mundane and the divine worlds.
With these unique gifts of the Creator, considering oneself to be insignificant
is ridiculous. The cause of this sense of inadequacy and insignificance is lack of
willpower. Due to lack of self-confidence, a person tries to seek the help of others in
order to solve his problems, to get rid of his difficulties and to avail of favorable
opportunities. But who has the time to rush for his help? One gets success in one’s
aim only when one stands on one’s own feet and, believing in one’s own capabilities,
tries to move forward resolutely with the available resources and intelligence. It must
be clearly understood that the willpower is the greatest force in this world. It is a
superbly powerful magnet, which attracts every desired object towards itself.

Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004 3

 CONTENTS

1. Amrit Chintan:
What Holds us Back from Fully Manifesting our Potentialities? .............. 3

2. From Chief Editor’s Desk :

Vasant Parva - An Occasion for Rejoicing and Renewed Committment 5

3. Vastu Shastra – An Established Science ................................................. 7

4. Matter and Consciousness:Unification of Physics and Vedic Theories .. 11

5. Health Tips:
Your Health: Guidelines from Ayurveda – IV .......................................... 13

6. The Amazing Potentials of Human Mind ............................................... 18

7. Mutual Communication between Extraterrestrial Intelligent Beings

Inhabiting the Vastness of the Cosmic Space ......................................... 22

8. Human Brain – A Marvelously Rich Storehouse of Memory ................ 26

9. Integration of Science and Spirituality ................................................... 32

10. Fundamental Tenets of Vedic Culture .................................................... 36

11. Know Thyself ........................................................................................ 40

12. A True S³dhak of G³yatrº .............................................................. 42

13. My Life: Its Legacy and Message – 5

Wholehearted Execution of the Prescribed Principles-II ....................... 43

14. Amrit V³ñº

Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life ......................... 47

4 Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004

From Chief Editor’s Desk :

Vasant Parva
An Occasion for Rejoicing and Renewed Commitment
Vasant Parva marks the advent of spring – surging forth of vibrant life in nature; which
was lying dormant during the chilly, cold and constrictive winter. With the coming of spring the
fields turn yellow with the blossoming mustard crop. The whole of nature is filled with exuberant
life and laughter. In the cycles of nature’s moods the joy and warmth of spring follow the bone
breaking shivering cold of the winter. Nature expresses this joy in the form of multihued flowers.
Advent of Vasant is a significant milestone in the cyclic journey of nature emerging from the
drabness and darkness of winter to the dawn of spring. This year, the period of Vasant will span
about 40 days, from Vasant Parva (January, 26, 2004) to Holika Parva (March 6, 2004). It is the
season of joy festivity, enthusiasm and youthfulness – an auspicious period for a renewed vigor
and vibrancy.
Vasant Parva is of special significance to Gayatri Pariwar. This is the holy day of
Self-realization by our Guru Satta Poojya Pandit Sriram Sharma Acharya on Vasant Parva
of 1926 and we have been celebrating it as the Foundation Day of the Mission for the last 78
years. Hardwar, being located at the doorsteps of Himalayas, remains relatively cold even
at this time, but the warmth of the arrival of new season is felt by one and all. Entire Shantikunj
(Head Quarters of Gayatri Mission), Dev Sanskriti Vishwa Vidyalaya and Brahma Varchas
Shodh Sansthan, along with lakhs of parijans who congregate at Hardwar on this holy day,
celebrate this festival with zeal and devotion. During this spiritually surcharged period,
innumerable divine blessings have been received by Param Poojya Gurudev and Vandmiya
Mataji and through them by all of us parijans. Akhand Deepak was lit on this very auspicious
day in the year 1926. Since then it has been kept lighted uninterruptedly. In June 1971 it was
brought to Shantikunj, Haridwar by Vandniya Mataji. All the plans and decisions of our Mission
are made in the light of this Symbolic Lamp of Enlightenment. This Akhand Deepak, which is
now kept in the main building of Shantikunj, is source of inspiration to millions of Pragya –
Parijans.
With this issue the English edition of Akhand Jyoti magazine is entering its second
year of publication and its Hindi counterpart is stepping into its 68th year. During this period
All-World Gayatri Pariwar has taken giant strides towards the accomplishments of its aims
and objectives. Notable among these are the foundation of three prominent Teerthas at
Shantikunj-Hardwar, Mathura and Anwalkheda; incorporation of Dev Sanskriti Vishwa
Vidyalaya at Hardwar and setting up of more than three thousand Shakti Peethas in India
and abroad, which are serving as the nerve centers for dissemination of Mission’s message
of moral and spiritual upliftment of humanity. The legion of parijans is campaigning with
full vigor, against the ‘crisis of faith’, which has overpowered the human psyche at present.
Today the number of parijans, who are directly or indirectly linked to and are following the
ideals set forth by the Mission, is more than ten crore. We can be legitimately proud of these
achievements, but these are only milestones of the ongoing journey; the destination is still
far away. Our Gurudev has given us the responsibility of Yug Nirman (ushering in the global
new Era of Truth, Love and Understanding), which has yet to be accomplished.
Yug Nirman Yojana is not a mere wishful dream. It is decreed to manifest in human
consciousness soon. We still have to spread this message amongst more than ninety crore Indians
and five hundred crore people of other countries. This means that we have to spread this message
in all the languages (spoken or read) in the world. This target has to be achieved during the next
15-16 years. Its accomplishment demands from us unalloyed wisdom, honesty, dedication and
rock-like faith. We must be charged with an unshakable faith that our Guru Satta, who has
bequeathed to us, parijans, this responsibility, is working incessantly and unerringly from the
higher invisible realms towards this accomplishment and we are only his pliant instruments.
Whosoever has imbibed the essence of Vasant in his life has become great indeed. To
name a few: Samarth Guru Ramdas, Vivekanand, Bhagat Singh, Banda Vairagi have been such
great personalities. On this auspicious occasion of Vasant Parva (January 26) let us resolve to be
able to strive hard to still further refine ourselves so that superconsciousness- force of our Aaradhya
Satta flows freely and unhindered through us as clear channels for the establishment of the
Golden Era on Earth.
This year our main target is to effectively implement the seven-point programme of
integrated development of society launched earlier by the Mission. The “Youth Cell” has resolved
to awaken and positively energize the youth of India and “Brahma Vadini” sisters have made a
plan to morally and economically uplift half the populace (the women) of our country. India has
one of the highest numbers of youth in the world and, fortunately, majority of them are free from
any addictions or vices. If they are given the right direction to get connected to the dormant
spiritual vibrations of nobility within them, they can do wonders for themselves as well as for
society.
The all-pervasive, perverse western culture of “eat, drink and be merry” has adversely
affected humanity at large. But its days are numbered. Its destructive effects in the western
countries have worked havoc with social order and harmony and inner individual and collective
peace. People around the world are turning to spirituality for genuine peace and joy. In fact
Dhyan (meditation) is going to be the therapy of the future because there is no other authentic
way of achieving inner peace in the midst of the present day tensions and tribulations.
From the next issue (March-April, 2004) onward, we propose to introduce our readers to
various simple and effective methods of Dhyan. In fact, it is the introspection and refinement of
our inner selves that can give true peace to the individual and the society at large. Keeping this
in mind the next issue has been planned to be a special issue on Sadhana. We hope that our
perceptive readers will be benefited by the contents of this issue and will pass it on to others. Let
us resolve to enroll as many new readers/subscribers as possible in this two-month period of
January-February 2004 so that many more people get the benefit of the contents of our next
Special issue on the art of Sadhana.
With love-filled prayers and best wishes for a purposefully happy New Year,
Shantikunj, Dr. Pranav Pandya
Haridwar Chief Editor
Uttaranchal (India) Head- All World Gayatri Pariwar &
249411 Chancellor-Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya

6 Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004

 Vastu Shastra – An Established Science

Nature has potentially endowed man with the faculty of delving deep into its secrets to be
able to ensure good health, happiness and soul progression. The cultivation is a never-ending
process, though the momentum, depending upon several factors, keeps on changing. Vastu (v³stu)
is one such field of occult knowledge that was recognized by the Indian sages (rishis) as the vibratory
force of Nature hidden in one’s residence and its surroundings. With the increasing curiosity and
fascination of people, past few years have witnessed a mushrooming of popular lectures, books and
web sites on this holistic discipline of architectural principles. However, because of a commercial
approach to exploit mass psychology, there seems to be proliferation of misconceptions or half-
knowledge about this important subject. We are, therefore, starting a new series of articles to bring
the authentic knowledge of the Vedic scriptures on “Vastu Shastra” through the medium of “Akhand
Jyoti”. We hope this series will acquaint the readers with the underlying principles of ‘Vastu Shastra’
with practical guidance for its application.

Our life is sensitive to not only the Strºputr³dikabho Ârañya, Janana®

environment and the ambience around, but
also to the structure and designs of the
residence we live in and the type and
topography of the plot of earth on which it
is built. The rishis were well aware of this
fact and had therefore linked the knowledge
of architecture and interior and exterior
design of residence with the science of v³stu
and had developed it as one of the sub-vedas
entitled “Sthapatya Veda”. This vedic
discipline of knowledge is collectively
known as the “Vastu Shastra”. Many of the
ancient temples stand as living monuments
of the awe-inspiring majesty and inspiration
emanating from these magnificent houses
of worship built according to the Vastu
Shastra.
A house provides shelter to someone
or the other and hence it is given the
importance of a sacred activity in the Indian
Culture and is counted as a part of dharma.
“Vrahad Vastumala” – a scripture of the
Vastu Shatra, highlights the purpose of
house construction as ––
Dharm³rthak³ma Puram |
Jant¿n³mayana® Sukh³syadamida®,
Ïit³mbu Dharm³ha® ||
Meaning: House (Home) is that which offers
the worldly joys of having a family, keeping
pets, cattle, etc; which protects from cold,
heat, storms and other external hazards, and
which facilitates the proper performance of
dharma (righteous duties), artha (attainment
of wealth/material power and progress) and
k³ma (fulfillment of desires).
The savants of Vastu Shastra affirm
that a house constructed according to the
norms and guidelines of this vedic science,
helps allay the tensions and minimize the
chances of familial conflicts and stresses
arising out of economic problems, social
pressures, sickness, etc. “Vishwakarma
Prakash” states that –– “The divine power
of V³stu is pervading everywhere on the
earth, on which Lord Vastu is (subliminally)
lying with his face towards North-East
direction (P¿rvottaramukho V³stu Pur¿Ìa¡
Parikalpita¡). A house built as per the vedic

Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004 7

instructions of “Vastu Shastra” is blessed by
the grace of Lord Vastu and thus lends
enormous support in the progress and
happiness of the people residing therein.
The worship of Lord Vastu, along
with other manifestations of God, is an
integral part of Deva Puj³na in the major
sacraments and religious ceremonies of the
Hindu Dharma. This signifies the subliminal
presence of divine powers and energies
inherent in the five basic elements (the
panca tatvas1) and hence in the visible and
invisible forces of Nature and stresses the
maintenance of a harmonious balance
between them in all activities of life.
Vastu Shastra is believed to be the
oldest science of Architecture. It is literally
defined as –– the Shastra (a branch of Vedic
Literature), which deals with the knowledge
of the topography and the design of any
construction to be built for residence,
worship or any other purpose. The word
“v³stu” in Sanskrit language is derived from
the verb “vasa”, which means living,
residing, lodging, etc. The word ‘v³stu’ is
defined in “Amara Kosha” as ––
G—aharacan³vacchinnabh¿me¡ |
Meaning: the plot of land suitable for the
construction of a house for living is (the base
of ) v³stu. According to the “Halayudha
Kosha” ––
V³stu Sa®kïepato Vakïye G—ah³dau
Vighnan³ïanam |
Iï³nakoñ³d³rabhya Hyek³ïºtipade Tyajet ||
Meaning: In short, v³stukal³ (the art of
vastu) is the art of house construction, which
teaches perfect (science and techniques of)
designs starting from the ºï³ña (east-north)
angle so as to protect the house from all
natural calamities and other adversities.
The scriptures further describe the
‘v³stu pur¿Ìa’ or ‘v³stu devat³’ as the
8 Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
presiding deity, the divine source of this
hidden realm of Nature working in the
properties of land and building-architecture.
This v³stu pur¿Ìa, is said to be ‘enshrined’
in its global form, facing the ºï³ña (east-
north) direction. This is why the
construction of houses according to the
Vastu Shastra should be started from the
ºï³ña (east-north) angle.
The ancient science of Vastu
stipulates that the basic purpose of building
a house is that it should be auspicious and
beneficial to the people living in it; it should
bring them peace, happiness, success and
progress. Therefore, according to Vastu
Shastra, the topography and properties of the
plot should be analyzed first to examine,
apart from its location, solidity, vibration,
etc of the land to determine whether or not
it would be beneficent to the owner and his
family. Then, before laying the foundation
stone, the architectural design of the house
should be drawn so as to maximize the
positive effects (of Nature’s salutary
vibrations or grace of v³stu devat³) from
different directions. For example, what
should be the direction, location, design, etc
of the worship chamber, study room, living
room, kitchen, bedroom, storeroom,
entrance, water storage, toilet, bathrooms,
etc? How many doors and windows should
be there and in which directions? What
should be the interior makeup and exterior
surroundings of the house? The latter
includes, the types and positions of trees
near the house, etc.
Apart from their individual locations
and designs with respect to the position and
properties of the plot, all components or
units inside and around the house should
also be mutually compatible and with
respect to the distance and directions of the
 nearby roads, highways etc. Similar
constraints are considered for the
construction of shops, offices, hospitals, etc.
Wherever necessary, the different aspects of
the house (or any other building)
architecture are also reviewed in Vastu
Shastra with respect to the zodiac sign of
the owner.
It is amazing to note that the Vastu
Shastra indeed gives detailed guidance in
regard to architectural designs and layouts
– keeping in view also the constraints of
cost, area limitations, appearance of the
building, etc. Most remarkably, it also
incorporates all the factors like stability
and durability, safety, optimal availability
of fresh air, sunlight along with the
climatic nature of a particular area, which,
we in the modern world, regard as the only
‘scientific factors’ relevant for house
construction.
The properties of the plot or the
piece of land (called g—ahapiñÃa) –– on
which a particular building is to be erected
–– that are considered important for detailed
vastu-analysis include the colour, brittleness
and smell of the soil; the geometrical shape,
size, slope and height of the plot from the
sea-level; the types of trees, plants,
mountains, spring, river, lake, pond, etc, if
any, in the surrounding area and the relative
position of these from the plot. For example,
square shaped or rectangular plots are
regarded most beneficial. Triangular,
hexagonal, circular, elliptical plots or land
pieces in the shape of the musical
instruments like mridang or dholak, or in
the zigzag shapes of cactus or like the face
of a lion are considered maleficent in terms
of the Vastu-effects. The downward slope
of the land towards the East is regarded
auspicious for prosperity. Lands with slopes
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
inclined downwards in the West or South
are given least preference. The land in the
shape of the back of a tortoise (i.e. protruded
in the center and descended on the
boundaries is also considered good. The
plots in the shape of the back of an elephant,
with upward portions in the Southwest and
Northwest directions are regarded lucky for
the owner. Deserts, barren or swampy lands
are supposed to hinder the house-owner’s
progress; people are therefore advised not
to choose such plots for construction of their
houses.
Having selected the most suitable
plot, the next important step in the
construction of a house, according to the
Vastu Shastra, is the selection of the
positioning of different rooms according to
the directions. Eight directions are regarded
significant here – namely, the four principle
directions: North (Uttara), South (Dakïina),
East (P¿rva) and West (Païcima) and the
four diagonal directions in between, namely,
East-North (Þï³na), North-West (V³yavya),
West-South (Nai—atya) and South-East
(Âgneya).
While deciding the location and size
of the rooms as per the guidelines of the
Vastu Shastra, ideally, the architectural plan
should also take into account the provision
for leaving some place free for the concerned
Lord(s) in a given direction. The Lords of
eight directions are as follows: East- Indra
(Vedic Sun has also been called Indra);
South-east- Agni; South- Yama; South-west-
Niruti; West- Varun; North- west- Vayu;
North- Kuber; and North-east- Esana (God).
The free space should be left as per the
properties (e.g. the magnetic and other
effects) of the gross manifestations of these
powers. For example, as per the scriptures
on Vastu, substantial open space should be
9
 left in the East direction; much lesser space
in the North direction and very little in the
West-South direction. Negligible or no space
is to be left free or open in the other
directions.
“Samarangana Sutradhar” by Bhoj,
focuses on the scientific aspects of why
directions are given so much importance in
Vastu Shastra. It is described here that the
invisible flow of infinite energy waves
pervading the space together with the
sublime currents of cosmic powers
continuously affects every being, everything
in the perceivable expression of Nature. In
particular, our minds, our residence (and
hence our activities in it), are influenced by
these with varying momentum. The
principles of Vastu Shastra have been
discovered so as to enable people gain
maximum benefits from these energy
currents and from sublime connection (of
the inner mind) with the cosmic forces, and
thus get support and help of these divine
energies for living a happy, peaceful,
progressive and enlightened life. If we
follow the guidelines of Vastu Shastra and
modify the get up or arrangement of our
houses and living-style accordingly, to the
best extent possible, we can experience these
positive effects and lead a better and more
purposeful life.
In the modern times, the
architectural studies and practices across the
globe have mostly been dominated by the
trends of ‘world class’ or gorgeous looks,
modern gadgets of comforts, maximum
grabbing of surrounding land, etc. Not only
the mega cities, the developing towns are
also being flooded with concrete jungle of
small and big multi-storeyed buildings.
Growing populations and greed of real-
estate market have further blocked the
10
chances of consideration of any of the
important factors of the ancient architectural
sciences like that of Vastu. As a result, even
if people are able to get plush houses in the
well-developed localities, they get no peace
of mind there; most families are living under
acute stressful conditions.
Although some rising trends of
general interest and awareness about Vastu
are seen among people across the globe
since the past few years, the ground reality
hardly shows any improvement. On the
contrary, many fake experts or those having
half-cooked knowledge or stolen
information of “Vastu Shastra” have made
it a business to dupe the gullible masses,
who want to spend their hard earned money
in building a house which will bring them
good fortune and ward off evil. The added
negative effect is that in their blind craze
for ‘Vastu’ benefits or prevention of ill-
effects of a house not fitting into the scheme
of so-called ‘laws’ of Vastu Shastra, many
people have even demolished their houses
or sold them off abruptly. Deep study of the
teachings of Vastu Shastra has therefore
become very important and relevant today.
This series of articles in “Akhand Jyoti” will
bring us useful excerpts from the original
scriptures with necessary explanations on
what to do if we are going to construct or
purchase a house or what to do by way of
modifications if we already have a house of
our own?
Having acquainted ourselves with
the origin, general principles and elements
of this Vedic science, we shall look into the
specific details about the construction and
designs of different components of our
houses in the successive issues.
(To be continued in the next issue)
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
 Matter and Consciousness:
Unification of Physics and Vedic Theories
The study of consciousness and life
is often regarded as a field pertaining to
philosophy, psychology and the so-called
metaphysical sciences. However, as we shall
see here, the hardcore physical sciences
dealing with the studies of matter also seem
to share something common in this ensemble
of vertical convergence of knowledge.
About seven decades ago the great
scientist Albert Einstein had presented the
hypothesis of grand unification of cosmic
forces. This reflects his visualization of the
subtle existence of higher and deeper
dimensions of existence that were realized
by the Vedic Rishis. This article presents an
extract of some of the comparable aspects of
both the modern and the vedic scientific
insights.
Ever since the research in particle
physics has been focused on the subtler forms
of matter (from atom to quark, and gradually
to anti-matter…) and the decipheration of the
complexities of the biomolecules, it is
becoming more and more evident that the
living system exists in an unimaginably
subliminal form that could ultimately be
perceived, in the gross world, only as an
energy-packet of consciousness. Albert
Einstein, through his concept of ‘Pure
Thought’, was able to see the perfect order
that exists in the universe. He therefore
accepted the inability of contemporary
research in particle physics and other areas
of modern sciences in comprehending even
a fraction of the orderly creation of the great,
unknown, absolute Spirit.
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
Adi Shankaracharya has mentioned
about the subtle aspects of the physical world
in his magnum opus “Vivek Chudamani” as
––
Aikya® Tayorlakïitayo¡, Na V³cyaya |
Nigadyatenyonya Vir¿ddha Dharmiño¡ |
Khadyota Bhanyoriv Rajbh—atyayau¡ |
K¿pamburaïyo¡ Parm³ñumevo¡ ||
Meaning: The divine source of the (existence
of the) cosmos and every creature or particle
in the universe are subliminally linked
together and are similar in the sense of the
similarity between ‘the sun and a
glowworm’, ‘an ocean and a well’, ‘a king
and a laborer’, or ‘a mountain and an atom’.
Research into the atomic and subtler
structures of matter has paved the way
towards searching the commonality between
matter and energy. May be, one day the
research will be motivated towards
deciphering the commonality between
energy and consciousness. About seven
decades ago, Einstein had defined the space
as the grand unification of gravitational and
electromagnetic forces. Later on, two more
forces, namely, the ‘Weak Force’ and the
‘Strong Force’ were also considered in the
definition of Space as a ‘Unified Field’.
Einstein’s investigations into the
‘Four Dimensional Curved Space’ –– Time,
have given pioneering directions to future
scientists for deeper elucidation of various
aspects of universal subtle forces and their
grand source in the eternal Consciousness
Force. In this respect Einstein deserves a
place in modern sciences equivalent to the
11
 revered positions of the sages like
Vishwamitra, Patanjali and Vyas in the
spiritual science of vital energy and
consciousness force as described in the vedic
treatises.
The discovery of anti-matter in
physics has given interesting clues for
studying the concepts of ‘Anti-World’ and
‘Meta-Space’ mentioned in the Vedas and
Upanishads. Noted thinker Robert Ernest
Humes has mentioned in “The Thirteen
Principal Upanishads” that the main
objective of the Upanishads is –– the search
for absolute truth, ultimate knowledge, and
its enlightened use for the welfare and
progress of all creatures. Renowned scholar
Maxmueller in his “Lectures on the Vedanta
Philosophy” has expressed similar views.
According to them, the insights of the Vedas
and Upanishads have inspired and guided the
pioneers and independent researchers of
‘matter and life’ in all ages. The ancient
scriptures will continue to further enlighten
the scientific investigations of the modern
times as well, if studied attentively in the
right perspective.
The Ishopanishad begins with the
phrase – “P¿rñamada¡ P¿rñamida®”, which
implies that the Supreme Cosmic Power –
Brah® (the Omnipresent Consciousness
Force) is one and absolutely complete. There
are many ‘formulae’ given in the Upanishads,
which explain the sublime principles of the
physical manifestation of Nature and
existence of matter (referred as ‘This’ in the
corresponding vedic hymns) and its eternal
relation with the unique universal force, the
infinite ‘whole’ (referred as ‘That’). The
uncertainty principles of the Quantum
Mechanical approach, the postulations of
particle physics, the ‘Pure Thought’ of
Einstein and later findings of theoretical and
12
experimental physicists (including Dr.
Yogesh Pati, Dr. Abdus Salam, Dr. Howard
George and Dr. Sheldon Glashaw) on quark,
leptons, anti-matter and the grand unification
of forces, can all be seen implied in the
mantras of the Upanishads.
Prof. N. Hugen used to be a great
critic of the Indian Mythology. However,
after investigating more into the concepts of
‘Super Gravity’ and “Anti Gravity’, he had
also accepted that these together with the
hypothesis of the Black Holes could be better
understood in light of the insights of Vedic
Philosophy.
Researchers desirous of revealing the
secrets of matter and life, may view the vedic
knowledge as a science that deals with the
subtler realms and layers of what has been
discovered by the modern sciences so far. Sir
James Jeans has noted that everything in this
world happens in a logical and reasonable
manner like a mathematical principle. In his
views, the creator and controller of this
limitless absolute system could be none other
than the Unique, Infinite, and Supernatural
Power, named as God.
Modern scientists may attempt
deciphering the mysterious universe more
deeply by considering the existence of the
subliminal forms of subatomic particles and
perceivable energies in the infinite currents
of the ultimate ‘energy’ of the Omnipresent
Consciousness Force, which, so far, has been
left for metaphysical research in philosophy.
An open minded integrated research in
focussed areas of physical, biological and
cognitive sciences and spirituality would
prove to be very fruitful towards unfolding
of the hidden linkages of matter and life and
the super-unifying principle of “Sarva
Khalvida® Brah®”- All this is Brah®.
*****
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
 Health Tips
Your Health: Guidelines from Ayurveda – IV
What should be our food?
Healthy food is compared with
nectar in the vedic scriptures. At the same
time, the scriptures also alert us to be careful
about the quality of food, which apart from
the gross and subtle properties of the
ingredients, also depends upon the way it is
earned, prepared and eaten.
Ann³h³r³rtha® Karma Kury³danindya®,
Kury³d³h³ra® Pr³ña Sandh³rñ³rtham |
Pr³ñ³h³ Sandh³ry³statva Jijó³san³rtham,
Tatva® Jijó³sya Yena Bh¿ryo Na
Du¡kham ||
–– Yoga Vashishtha
Meaning: Earn your food by proper (just
and honest) means. Eat it with purity to
sustain your vital energy (and body-force).
Elevate your vital energy to be able to gain
knowledge and attain vigorous potentials to
get rid of all infirmities and sorrows.
We have discussed several aspects
of eating habits as recommended by
Ayurvedic scriptures in the last issue. Here
we throw further light on healthy
constituents of food. According to
Ayurveda, the food we eat is used in the
production/strengthening of seven major
components/elements (dh³tus) in the body;
at a gross level, these dh³tus are –
physiological fluids, blood, serum, flesh,
bones, muscles and sperm/ovum. Food is
given prime importance here in prevention
as well as in cure of diseases. It mentions a
great deal on what kind of food should be
taken for sustenance of a healthy body. As
the levels of the three functional energies
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
(v³ta, pitta and kaph or the tridoÌas) are
regarded here to characterize one’s natural
constituent, the triplet of proper food, sound
sleep and chastity are considered as the
predominant factors in regulating the health
of the mind-body system. Of these three,
diet (food) is given maximum importance
as it plays a direct role in the maintenance
of the seven dh³tus and in affecting the
balance of the tridoÌas.
There is no constraint of diet
imposed in the Allopathic methods of
treatment, where medicines are given
principal importance. But it is not so in the
case of Ayurveda where, on the contrary,
appropriately selected and controlled diet is
an integral part of treatment so as to enhance
vitality and regulate the medicinal effects
in natural harmony with the entire system
of the body and mind.
Maharshi Charak, one of the founder
experts of Ayurveda has elucidated six
aspects, which should be considered in
deciding what is worth eating and what is
not in a given condition.
M³tr³k³lakriy³ Bh¿midehadoÌa
Guñ³ntaram |
Pr³pya Tattaddhi D—aïyante Tato
Bh³vastath³ That³ |
Tasm³tsvabh³vo NirdiÌÚastath³
M³tr³dir³ïraya¡ |
Tadapekïyobhaya® Karm Prayojya®
Siddhimicchat³ |
Tadeva Hyapathya® Deïak³la
Sanyogavºryapram³ñ³ti
Yog³dbh¿yastarampathya® Sampadyate |
13
 Tatra Khalvim³ni
AÌÚ³v³h³rvidhiviïe̳yatan³ni Bhavanti |
Tadyath³prak—atikaraña
Sanyogar³ïideïak³lopayoga
Sansthopayokt³ÌÚem³ni Bhavanti||
– Charak Sutra
Meaning: Quantity (of food), time (at what
time it is prepared or is being eaten), process
(of its preparation), place (including soil,
climate and surrounding conditions, etc) at
which its raw constituents have grown,
constitution (chemical, botanical,
properties, etc), defects (subtle and gross
defects, unnatural effects or impurities, if
any) –– are the principal factors responsible
for the making a food pathya (worth eating,
healthy) or apathya (not worth eating,
harmful). The unhealthy nature or flaw in
any one or more of these could convert a
generally edible food into non-edible or
apathya. Charak further enjoins that some
substances are naturally non-edible; they
should never be used in food. Even the
medicinal plants, vegetables and grains
should be taken only in proper mode while
taking into account the above aspects.
Eating Process:
The “Charak Sanhita” describes eight
principal factors associated with the process
of eating. These are collectively termed as –
aÌÚavidh ³h³ra vidhi viïe̳yatan. These are
supplementary to each other and
comprehensively represent the process of
eating. Each of them contributes to healthy
or negative effects of the food being eaten.
These are: (i) natural quality of food; (ii)
method of preparation of food (who prepares
the food, how and where – all are part of this
important factor; whereas, for most of us only
the ‘taste’ matters), (iii) combination (of
various components or constituents of the
food); (iv) amount or quantity of food; (v)
14
place (at which the food-ingredients are
grown; where it is prepared and being eaten)
– the seasonal effects are also included here;
(vi) time (of preparation and consumption of
food); (vii) the mode of eating; (viii) the
physical and mental state of the person who
is eating it.
The importance of above factors is
justified scientifically. For example, it is well
known that which food will be digestible in
which season and in what quantity etc,
depends upon the basic properties of the raw
substances in it, the method of preparation
(e.g., mixing some other substances increases
or negates some of its qualities; or steam-
cooking would be healthier than frying, etc)
and upon the metabolic fitness of the person
who eats it. That metabolic system is highly
sensitive to mental condition is also
confirmed in many clinical trials the world
over. Apart from these, the “Charak Sanhita”
also takes into account the subtler aspects –
e.g. the sansk³ras of the food (this includes
the manner in which it is obtained/purchased,
the way the money/resources used in getting
or preparing it are earned, etc) and the
sansk³ras (intrinsic tendencies) of the person
who prepares the food, etc.
Types of Food:
Acharya Sushrut has described the
major categories (from medical point of
view) of food under the heading
“dw³daïaïan vic³ra” in the following
shloka:
Ata ¿rdhwa® Dw³daï³ïan, Pratic³r³n
Vakïay³ma¡ |
Tatra ϺtoÌña Snigdha Rukïa,
DravïuÌkaika K³lika
Dwik³lika AuÌadhiyukta Matr³hºna
DoÌa Praïamana V—atyarth³¡ ||
This shloka implies twelve different
types of food in terms of their gross basic
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
 properties and also conveys what type is good
under what natural conditions. Let us look at
these properties and the conditions – in terms
of the prominent natural constitution or
tridoÌa-level and/or diseases caused by the
imbalance in the tridoÌa – under which they
are prescribed.
1. Ϻta (Cold): This type of food (which has
a cooling tendency) is advised for those
suffering from acidity, heat or plethora.
It is also advised for those weakened by
excessive sexual indulgence, or due to
some toxic effect.
2. UÌña (Warm): It is recommended for
those suffering from the diseases or
problems of excess of v³ta or kaph doÌas.
The food intake (in small quantity) after
total stomach cleansing, fasting, etc,
should also be of this category.
3. Snigdha (Smooth or Naturally Oily):
This type of food is suitable (in
appropriate quantity) to suppress the
doÌa of v³ta. Those used to physical
labor or substantial physical exercises
also benefit from such food. It is also
remedial against dry-skin, bony, thin or
weak body.
4. RukÌa (Rugged & Arid): It helps
controlling the doÌa of kaph. Those
having fatty body or oily skin should also
use this type of food.
5. Drava (Liquid or Watery): The diet of
those suffering from dryness inside the
body (which may lead to boils, peptic
ulcer, or ligament problems, etc) should
consist of this type in substantial
proportions. .
6. ÏuÌka (Dry): Those suffering from
leprosy, prameha (excretion of sperm and
several vital hormones with the urine),
erysipelas or wounds should be given dry
food.
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
7. Eka-K³lika (One-timely): Those
suffering from loss of appetite or weak
digestive system should take food only
once a day to help normalization of the
appetite and metabolic disorders.
8. Dwik³lika (Two-timely): In normal
course, healthy people should take proper
meals only twice a day.
9. AuÌadhi-Yukta (Medicinal): Those who
cannot take medicines orally may be
given these mixed in appropriate food.
Sometimes, specific medicinal plants or
herbs are also advised as essential
ingredient of the regimen in specific
diseases.
10. M³tr³hºna (Light): Those having liver
problem, suffering from fever or having
loss of appetite due to some other
disease(s), should take light and easily
digestible food. (This may be dry or
liquid, warm or cold type, as per the
nature of the ailment and natural
tendency in terms of the level of tridoÌa).
11. Praïamanak³raka (TridoÌa-
Controller): For healthy as well as
diseased persons, the choice of food
should be according to the season and the
level of doÌas. For example, warm and
sour and sweet food helps suppressing
the v³ta doÌa in rainy season.
12. V—atti Prayojaka (Naturally Soothing):
For healthy persons, nourishing food is
that which helps maintaining and
strengthening the vital elements and
stamina and which increases resistance
against diseases.
Apathya (unsuitable) Food:
This category of food corresponds
to what either causes some ailment or
disorder of some kind or aggravates or
prolongs an existing disease or weakness.
The founders of Ayurveda had affirmed
15
 food as the essential source of sustenance
and strengthening of health. However, they
had also alerted that “what one eats and
how?” – could be the major factor for or
cause of illness; it could even prove to be
toxic. In fact, the same type of food could
have contrary effects, though invisible,
under different circumstance or for
different persons; most important is ––
what kinds of guidelines one follows in the
selection and preparation of food and in
his eating habits.
According to the following shloka
appearing at “Sutra Sthan” in Chark
Sanhita, the food or medicine, which might
suppress an ailment or temporarily control
the imbalance of the doÌas but does not
uproot or eliminate them completely – is
also apathya (unsuitable and harmful).
YatkiócitaddoÌam³s³dya, Na Nirharati
K³yata¡ |
Âh³raj³ta® Tatsarvamahit³yopapadyate ||
We give below excerpts of what the
Charak Sanhita describes as unsuitability of
different types of foods or medicines under
different circumstances:
Non-compatibility w. r. t. Place:
Rugged or arid food and herbs are harmful
or unsuitable in a wild land or in a desert,
while cold and greasy-smooth, oily or fatty
substances or preparations (including
medicines) are bad for health (or have
negative effects) in a wet (highly humid) or
swampy area.
Non-compatibility w. r. t. Season:
Cold eatables and drinks and foods having
chilling tendency are avoidable in winter;
whereas the use of hot and spicy foods and
substances having tendency to increase
body-heat should be avoided during
summer and spring.
16
Non-compatibility w. r. t. Appetite:
Eating without having proper appetite is
harmful. Similarly, not eating nourishing
food in appropriate quantity even while
feeling hungry is also harmful to health and
has negative effect on appetite and
metabolism.
Non-compatibility w. r. t. Combination:
Eating a combination of ghee (clarified
butter) and honey in equal proportion causes
severe toxic effect (while individually each
has important nourishing and medicinal
effects if taken in appropriate quantity with
respect to other factors). Similar is the case
with several other ‘non-compatible’
combinations.
Non-compatibility w. r. t. Body’s
Adaptability:
If one’s body has got accustomed to acrid,
spicy and hot (in tendency) foods then sweet
and cold (in tendency) foods would be
generally unsuitable to his body’s
adaptability.
Non-compatibility w. r. t. TridoÌas:
The food or medicine, that might have
properties similar to those inducing the
tendencies of any of the three doÌas (v³ta,
pitta and kaph) but, that causes contrary
effects because of disharmony (with one’s
natural constitution, habits and physical or
mental work pattern) in practice is said to be
non-compatible w.r.t. the tridoÌas.
Non-compatibility w. r. t. Utensils:
Boiling milk in pure copper pot makes it
poisonous in its effects. These or some other
types of metallic utensils are highly
unsuitable for cooking meals; while several
types of substances are unsuitable for
preparation of chilled drinks, desserts, etc.
Non-compatibility w. r. t. Eating Habits:
Eating hot (in tendency) food with cold (in
tendency) substances or vice-versa,
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
 simultaneously or without substantial time
gap causes harmful effects.
Non-compatibility w. r. t. Digestive
System:
Giving laxatives or strong medicines or foods
to someone having a delicate digestive
system or intra-body structure is harmful.
Non-compatibility w. r. t. Sleeping Habits:
Food or medicine which intensifies kaph
tendency is not suitable for people who are
generally slow and sluggard in their routine
or who sleep heavily; it further induces
lethargy or drowsiness.
Non-compatibility w. r. t. Routine:
Eating without proper excretion of urine and
stools is harmful. Those desirous of good
natural health should never eat food without
really feeling hungry.
Non-compatibility w. r. t. Sequence of
Eatables:
Having water, cooling food or any medicines
after drinking or eating smooth oily stuff
causes negative effects. (One might even
vomit instantly or have sour throat in such
cases.)
Non-compatibility w. r. t. Cooking:
Eating half-cooked or overcooked or over-
fried food is unhealthy. Similar is the case
with food cooked using polluting fuel.
Non-compatibility w. r. t. Composition:
Drinking any preparation of mixing acidic
substances (including fruits) with milk is
harmful for health. Curd (unless well set and
fresh) and desserts prepared with fruits kept
in milk for some time –– are also prohibited
in Ayurveda.
The Twelve Categories of Nourishing
Eatables:
Charak Sanhita (likewise some other
Ayurvedic scriptures) discusses a great deal
about the impact of food on physical, mental
and spiritual health. It broadly classifies the
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
nourishing substances into twelve categories
as highlighted in the following shloka. This
description is based on the common crops
and vegetation available in ancient times.
What other cereals, plants etc are available
today could also be added into the
corresponding categories.
Ï¿kadh³nya® Ïamºdh³nya® Sam³tºta®
Praïasyate |
Pur³ña® Pr³yaïo R¿kïa®
Pr³yeñ³bhinava® Gur¿ ||
Yadyad³gacchati Kïipra® Tattallaghutara®
Sm—atam|
Pur³ñam³® SankliÌÚa®
Krimivy³lahim³tapai¡||
Adeï³k³laja® Klinna®
Yatsy³tphalamas³dhu Tat ||
As per this shloka, the twelve
categories of nourishing eatables are
identified as –– ï¿ka: grains (cereals, e.g.
barley, maze, wheat, rice, etc); ïamº: grains
(all kinds of pulses and grams); ï³kas: (all
fresh vegetables; fruits; greens - fresh,
naturally green substances that contain
chlorophyll), Ambu: (watery substances);
Goras: (cow-milk and its pure, fresh
products); Ikïu: (sugar cane and its fresh
products); Krattana: (food cooked – on fire
– from cereals, pulses and vegetables);
Yaugika: (all kinds of nourishing minerals
and compounds). Alcoholic substances (wine
etc) and animal-based foods (including meat,
fish, etc) are prohibited in Ayurveda
primarily on the grounds of their negative
impact on spiritual health and subtle mental
tendencies.
We shall discuss each of the twelve
categories in detail in the next issue so as to
provide useful guidance to the readers on –
“what to eat and how to eat?” in today’s
circumstances.
(To be continued)
17
 The Amazing Potentials of Human Mind
Parapsychology does not regard the
supernatural powers of human mind as
miracles. Rather, it affirms such potentials
as natural outcomes of the stimulation of
otherwise dormant centers in the brain.
Extrovert attitude appears to be a
normal tendency of an agile mind. As we all
might have experienced, the inquisitiveness
and interest of our mind mostly revolve
around the external world. If we could divert
our mind inward to some extent and think a
little deep about our inner self, we would find
immense troves of power and unalloyed
happiness within us. The hidden potentials
of our mind are more startling than the
wonders of Nature and the marvelous
achievements of human talents and the
intellectual and physical powers found in the
world outside.
The world around us has its own
importance in our life. It offers us
opportunities of progress and prosperity in a
number of ways. But that does not mean that
we are ‘nothing’ without it. The progress of
the external world and our ascent in the
extrovert dimensions are only like ornaments
that help outwardly adorn our life. Indeed,
the nectar of ultimate evolution,
enlightenment, peace and beatitude lies in the
depths of our inner self. However, it requires
persistent single pointed effort to cultivate a
self-contemplative nature and realize the
miraculous dimensions of our inner selves.
As practiced, experienced and taught
by the sages of yore and the enlightened ones
18
of the later ages, gradual training (with firm
determination and will) of self-restraint and
self-observation help in controlling and
transforming the extrovert tendencies of the
mind. Sw³dhy³ya and Satsang1 are found to
be most effective methods of disciplining and
refinement of the mental tendencies.
School education and training for
higher learning and development of talents
is no doubt necessary in civilized growth of
human society. Its contribution towards the
evolution of consciousness is however
minimal –– like that of the leaves in
circulating carbon dioxide in the plants.
Nurturing the roots of the mind is essential
for spiritual growth. Activation of the hidden
centers of subliminal power of pr³ña (life
energy) is essential in this endeavor. The
yoga-s³dhan³s devised by the Indian rishis
enable gradual awakening and activation of
the extrasensory centers in the brain and in
rest of the body.
In the modern age, dedicated
investigations in the fields of neurology,
psychology, parapsychology, and
metaphysics have brought forth a partial
understanding of the neuro-physiological,
biochemical, and hormonal functions
associated with manifestation of some hidden
faculties of the human mind.
Prof. Delgado of France had
speculated that as the flow of blood in the
arteries could be controlled by specific
treatment of the heart, it should also be
possible to vary the orientation of mental
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
 tendencies by operating certain regions and
locations of the brain. He believed that such
a method, if devised, would be useful in
inducing ethical values in place of wild play
of passions. Although his hypothesis has yet
to be tested, the neurologists of the 20th
century have succeeded in finding the
location of memory centers in human brain.
Dr. W. G. Penfield of Canada has also
developed special electrodes, which, while
connected with specific neuronal regions of
a person help awakening his remote memory
– including that of the earlier lives. This
activation retrieves the memory of distant
past so effectively as if the subject were
experiencing the sequence of corresponding
events in the present moment. This type of
experimental research has guided advanced
investigations on the human brain.
According to noted neuro-chemist
Dr. Cameron, the nucleic acid of the neurons
governs the neuro-electrical momentum. The
stimulation regulated by this acid activates
neuro-hormonal secretions of the important
hormones like encephaline, endorphins,
cystinine, and gaba. Electrical stimulation
regulated by the synaptic activity helps in
controlling several kinds of mental disorders.
Scientists believe that deeper understanding
of the reticular formations that connect the
spinal chord to the brain would some day help
in creating artificial emotions. This could
offer effective remedies against
psychological disorders including those of
split or dual personality. The experiments
conducted by Dr. Hedger Hoyden in Sweden
on some animals have shown that variation
in the concentration of neural RNA affects
the clinical consciousness and some mental
activities.
During the first half of the 20 th
century, biologist, Dr. James Oldschue, had
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
successfully shown the change in natural
mental characteristics of some mice by brain
stimulation techniques. After stimulation, the
mice were found playing fearlessly on the
back of a cat. Dr. D. Albert had also
demonstrated significant difference between
the behaviors of the mice that underwent
brain-stimulation and those from the same
biological family and age group, who did not.
Dr. Robert Thompson had shown that the
activities of cockroaches could be controlled
via radio-signals. According to him, human
mind could also be controlled externally by
some ‘powerful’ (though yet unknown) radio
waves.
It may be noted that the mental
functions that are controlled by external
signals or drug-injections pertain to
behavioral responses only. The deeper
sentiments or subliminal impulses of inner
mind that constitute what was deeply
understood and experimented under the
ancient science of spirituality have not yet
become the focus of neuroscience. The
scientific study of the more subtle aspects
of mind in the modern times still lies in
the field of Metaphysics. Research on the
metaphysical character of human mind
encompasses deep psychology and
parapsychology.
Modern psychologists classify the
manifestations of the supernatural
potentials of human mind in four
categories: (i) Clairvoyance – clear vision
of hidden objects or things and events lying
far beyond the perceivable limits of our
sense organs; (ii) Precognition – knowledge
of the future; (iii) Retrocognition –
knowledge of the past; (iv) Telepathy –
distant communication through mental
signals. All could be possible without any
external help or device.
19
 This classification is further
expanded into eleven subgroups reflecting
extrasensory experiences – without any
medium or source of information, beyond the
barriers of time and space: – (i) firsthand
knowledge of the events taking place at
remote places; (ii) reading others’ mind
without having any interaction, not even an
acquaintance with them; (iii) premonition
of future events well in advance; (iv)
communication with the souls or subtle
bodies of the dead or receiving timely
guidance and help from them; (v) live
memory of previous births; (vi) sudden
outburst of knowledge, talents, or behavior
in a person that does not correspond to his
personality or mental training so far; (vii)
arousal of exceptional powers in the body
that could affect the surroundings, too; (viii)
outburst of extraordinary courage that
enables adventurous accomplishments; (ix)
knowledge of the subtle worlds; (x) curses
and boons uttered vocally that come true in
due course of time; (xi) transmogrification
of the souls, transfer of one’s subtle self into
other living body, and co-existence of two
souls in one body.
Many live examples of these
supernatural experiences have been reported
in the related proceedings of professional
seminars and other publications since the
mid-nineteenth century. The following are
among the historical examples of this kind.
Once upon a time Edgar Keisei, an
inhabitant of a village near Kentucky (USA)
was suffering from severe rheumatic pain and
spasm. No doctor could diagnose the disease
because of lack of knowledge about it during
those days. While some doctors were
observing this patient, they found that
clinically unconscious Edgar was suddenly
awake. He also started uttering the name and
20
details of the disease and the names of some
medicines, ointments, etc in fluent Latin.
Being in that exceptional trance-like state,
he also suggested the methods of preparation
of these medicines and the availability of the
constituents. Well, those preparations were
attempted on him.
To everyone’s surprise Edgar ’s
condition improved and he was cured by
these ‘strange’ medicines within a week.
Most amazing part of this incident was that
this villager did not know a single world of
Latin! How could he then speak so well in
this classical language in his exceptional state
of comatose? This activation of the hidden
layers of the unconscious had also resulted
in arousal of some extrasensory powers,
which enabled him to diagnose and cure
dreaded diseases and ailments of people from
different parts of the world.
Dr. Eirigo of Brazil is also known to
have been endowed with some marvelous
spiritual healing gifts in treatment of patients.
Inscriptions on rocks found in Egypt also
depict ‘doctors’ with one hand kept on the
patient’s stomach and the other on his back.
Egyptian scriptures also make mention of
psychic healing. It is also known about Saint
Patrick that he had blessed vision upon a
blind man just by touching the latter’s eyes
with his palms. Saint Bernard is said to have
miraculously cured ten blind persons and a
dozen physically handicapped persons in a
single day with the application of his elevated
spiritual power. A London based gardener
named Lambert was reported to have had
such extrasensory powers in the seventeenth
century. A nineteenth century Sicilian
watchman named Keritcher is also known
among blessed spiritual healers.
Although it sounds amazing but it is
true that the source of supernormal potentials
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
 of the above kinds lies dormant within each
of us because of our ignorance and extrovert
engrossment.
Ancient sages and eminent spiritual
scientists of India seemed to have had
perfected the art and technique of arousing
the hidden powers of the inner realms of the
mind, soul and spirit. They used their spiritual
endowments in elimination of the ailments
of the flesh as well as for improvement of
the physical and mental health of people
across the globe. Other creatures on the earth
were also blessed by their compassion.
Inducing spiritual transmutation, positive
thinking and youthful longevity in any one
was as easy for these rishis of yore as writing
a prescription is for the doctors of today. The
philosophy and science of spirituality and
yoga, devised by them, led to the descent of
a divine era in the Vedic Age.
The devoted seekers of true
knowledge have been coming to India since
thousands of years to get some pearls of the
limitless treasure of ancient Indian wisdom
and to get an opportunity to meet the
enlightened yogis and adepts in the
Himalayas. It is ironical that most of the
modern day Indians either scorn their ancient
culture without caring to know its roots (and
the original form) or they blindly accept
anything, any trick of magical games, or any
superstition in the name of yoga and
spirituality. In this age of explosion of
information and advertisement in some areas
of human life and utter confusion,
controversies and ignorance in some others
– including those of importance to global
survival and growth, it has become all the
more necessary to set an open-minded,
enlightened and balanced approach to this
matter of utmost import.
It is now the responsibility of the
scientifically enlightened researchers – who
also feel concerned about the ailing state of
the world today, to accelerate the pace of deep
and unbiased investigation into the ancient
sciences and find feasible and effective
means of ensuring vibrant physical,
psychological and spiritual well being of
humanity.
*****
Notes:
1
Self education in the light of the inspiring thoughts
of great personalities and natural conditioning of the
mind in the company of morally elevated people,
whose characters and deeds could guide us on the
path of soul-growth and motivate us towards creative
use of our talents.

There was a devotee of Shri Hanuman. Once upon a time he was

driving a bullock cart. Suddenly the cart got stuck in a marshy land. He
stood over there and started chanting Hanuman Chalisa and prayed for
the bullock cart to come out. A scholar was passing by. He said that
due to non-recognition of the sanjivani herb Sri Hanuman brought the
Mountain itself. At least you should try a little pulling out your cart. The
man gave a little push, exhorted the bullocks and they were successful
in pulling the cart out of the marsh.
Even the mightiest of gods does not respond to mere verbal prayers
unless man does what lies in his power to do.

Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004 21

 Mutual Communication between Extraterrestrial Intelligent Beings
Inhabiting the Vastness of the Cosmic Space
The idea of man journeying to
unknown worlds in outer space and
intelligent extra-terrestrial beings regularly
visiting the earth appears weird but it is not
entirely inconceivable.
More than three decades ago man set
foot on the moon. Today countless artificial
satellites are permanently orbiting the earth.
Manned missions to near earth orbits have
become a regular feature. Scientists take off,
conduct experiments and come back. Many
unmanned spacecrafts have reached and even
landed on our sister planets. Some have
crossed the solar system and are hurtling
away in deep space to destinations unknown.
Plans are about to land man on the
neighbouring Mars in coming years.
International Space station is being built
which may some day act as a launching pad
for missions.
Even the moon is under speculation
as a possible future space station. It is,
therefore no fantasy that all these efforts may
culminate some day in the construction of
such space-ships as would be capable of
carrying researchers to the very distant world
of stars and their planets for exploration of
the universe.
Before the time of large ships, it was
not possible to cross the oceans. Those days,
22
the different continents, living in isolation,
were sort of unknown worlds for each other.
Intrepid sea-voyagers like Columbus,
Magellan and Vasco de Gama crossed the
oceans and discovered new continents.
Aeroplanes have now bridged the distances
between the far-flung landmasses on the
earth. Similarly, space ships of the future
might make regular inter-planetary or even
inter-galactic travel possible.
The mythological literature abounds
with references to travel between different
‘loks’1 and the earth. Devarishi Narada kept
shuttling between Vishnulok and this world.
There are stories of Arjuna and Dasharatha
reaching the svarga (heaven) in person,
achieving their objectives and coming back
from there. At times, gods have descended
to the terra firma, sojourned here and even
assumed finite bodily forms (avatars) to
pull earthlings out of the dungeon of
darkness. If we view the ongoing scientific
endeavours against the backdrop of these
literary references, the impression emerges
that in today’s context the feasibility of
such journeys may be very dim, but it is
not altogether impossible. In theory, at
least, it cannot be ruled out.
A related aspect of this theme is the
phenomena of U.F.Os (Unidentified Flying
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
 Objects) mainly comprising of flying
saucers and fireballs. They have been
reportedly sighted at so many places and
by so many persons of undoubted
credibility that they cannot be dismissed
off hand. Scientists have so far been unable
to arrive at a definite conclusion about
them either way. Under the circumstances,
one should not deride if such phenomena
are speculated upon as communicatory
forays of extra-terrestrial origin.
The flying saucers may be likened to
space ships. The fire of electric balls could
be intelligent beings from some distant
celestial body. If, however, both are some
sorts of special phenomena of nature, there
must still be some causative factors involved.
What are those factors, those forces and
principles, which are working behind their
mysterious appearance and disappearances?
In either case, it is a fit case for
comprehensive enquiry and deliberation.
Miglay Byena and Manuel Cruz were
two young Brazilian engineers engaged in
researching the mystery of flying saucers.
They had even built a laboratory for the
purpose. It was August, 1966. Very early in
the morning, the two engineers left for
Vintem hill. This hill is covered with dense
woods and for the last many decades, flying
saucers had regularly been sighted there.
Almost everyday, some mysterious object
from the sky was reported to land there,
remain there for some time and then take
off. It was the general impression that the
E.Ts (Extra-Terestrials) had chosen this
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
Brazilaian hillock as their base station for
exploration of the earth. As the engineers
were climbing the hill, some saucer-like
object was seen descending over the hilltop.
Many distinguished local citizens confirmed
this event. The next day, some local boys,
out on a hunting expedition, found the two
researchers lying dead atop the hill. Police
investigation and autopsy failed to find any
clue into the possible cause of death.
Another character in the UFO saga
is the ‘fire-ball’. Like its saucer counterpart,
this, too, has been doing the appear-and-
vanish acts at many places. Eyewitnesses
include persons of unimpeachable integrity
who just cannot be put in the category of
rumourmongers.
15 March, 1963; 5.00 AM. Eastern
Airline’s Flight No. 539 was on its way from
New York to Washington. A fireball entered
the plane at one end, travelled to the other
and vanished near toilet. Many passengers
saw this spectacle but none suffered any harm
of injury. Only the air slightly smelt of
sulphur or nitrogen oxide.
This incident was reported in the
world famous science magazine ‘Nature’.
Experts proffered many possible theories and
explanations but nothing definite could be
said. If it was really of the nature of fire or
electric charge it ought to have left some
effect on the things or persons there.
NASA of the USA has compiled
more than 600 reported sightings of these
fireballs. Their sizes range from 1 cm. to 1
meter. Altogether about 4000 witnessing
23
 are available. But still no one knows why
and how they suddenly appear and then
vanish, all the time moving, running and
prancing about and still leaving everything
completely unaffected by their visible
energy outflow. Like flying-saucers, these
fire-balls, too, caused no harm to the
persons whom they passed at close range
or in whose body contact they momentarily
came even as the latter could feel the reality
of their energy substance.
There is a distinct probability that this
phenomenon reflects attempts by intelligent
beings from some highly advanced extra-
terrestrial civilization to make contact with
inhabitants of the earth and understand the
local conditions. This friendly outreach
should be reciprocated with a matching
gesture on our side.
Different constituents of the Supreme
Consciousness, which indwells this whole
wide universe, should work together towards
attainment of some grand and lofty goal
ordained for them.
In this context, the concept of ‘black-
holes’ has some bearing. Black holes are big
mysteries in the space. They are extremely
dense with such an unimaginably strong
gravitational pull that even light cannot
escape them. Hence, no information can
come out of there. The core and the
surrounding region thus become one massive
dark area of the dimension of billions of
kilometres. Conceptually, it is possible for
matter or ‘passengers’ in this area to travel
smoothly from one point to another riding
24
on the extremely strong pull operating there.
The movement on this path will be
completely effortless. Scientists think that in
the black-hole zone the velocity of matter
may exceed that of light.
Then there are white holes too. These
are vast expanses or gaps in the space devoid
of any stars or galaxies. The white holes are
different from black holes in characteristics.
They have neither the gravitational pull of
the latter nor its other weird features. In
dimension, of course, they are much larger.
More than 10 such while-holes have so far
been identified by scientists. The biggest one
stretches across the space for 30 crore lakh
light years from one end to the other.
For all we know, such peculiar
holes, in their miniature version, might be
existing on the earth too. Through these
presumed holes, ships and aeroplanes have
been vanishing in the Bermuda Triangle
area of the Atlantic for a long time. Such
sudden and mysterious disappearance of
man or material are occasionally reported
from other places, too. These vanishing
tricks remind one of the UFOs. All these
mysterious happenings suggest that some
sort of contact exists and is being forged
between our earth and other invisible
worlds.
The following incident is of July,
1968., A 70 year old tailor Parfit lived with
his sister in an English village, Sifton Mallet.
He had been crippled in war and was so weak
that he could hardly leave his bed. One day,
he wished to sit near the door. His sister, with
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
 the help of a neighbourhood girl, put him on
a chair there and went upstairs.
The door opened on the main road
outside. When the sister returned after 15
minutes Parfit was not there. Extensive
search inside and outside, far and wide, failed
to find him. Parfit had simply vanished as if
in thin air. No clue has since been found that
could shed light on the cause of his
mysterious disappearance.
Another example is of Rudolf
Diesel, the inventor of diesel engine. On
19 September, 1913 Diesel boarded a ship
(Dresden) for America. After dinner, he
strolled a while with his engineer friend
Luckman and then both retired to their
respective cabins. Next morning, Diesel
was traceless. Close scrutiny of the cabin
revealed that he had indeed made
preparations for sleeping but the bed itself
had not been slept in. Something happened
before he could lie down. All searches
came to nought. No trace of Diesel could
be found.
October, 1920 British Labour M.P
Victor Gresson was going from Liverpool
to address a meeting. Many persons had
reached the station to receive him. But
Gresson was not on the train. Police
enquiry traced his bag to a London hotel.
The manager told that a man had deposited
the bag there, but did not turn up again to
collect it. But the manager’s description of
the man did not fit Gresson at all. Gresson
could never be found.
What causes people to suddenly
vanish like this? Conjectures could be made.
Are such phenomena linked with the
experimental efforts of some invisible
researchers who are engaged in making inter-
stellar journeys possible? Or could it be that
small black holes are roaming about hither
and thither in the manner of fireballs and are
pulling, snatching and plucking people out
of their earthy existence?
*****
Notes
1. Loks are celestial abodes of different gods and
lie beyond the vault of the sky.

Seated on Lotus Flower jutting out of the navel of Lord Vishnu,

Brahmaji was in deep contemplation as to how to go about his assign-
ment of Creation? While thus entranced he heard an oracle, which was,
saying “Do penance! Do penance!” Treating the oracle as Divine com-
mand Brahmaji engaged himself in Tapasya. He did penance of un-
imaginable magnitude for a long time, which empowered Him to under-
take the Herculean task of Creation. Thus Brahmaji our primordial Cre-
ator teaches us by example that everything worthwhile can be accom-
plished only through persistent, single-pointed industriousness and ef-
fort – Tapasya.

Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004 25

 Human Brain –A Marvelously Rich Storehouse of Memory
Indefinable source of distinct
talents and uncountable potentials is
embedded in the human brain. It is often
referred to as “Pandora’s Magical Box”,
“Amazing Wizard”, or a “Celestial
Computer” in view of the enormous mental
functions, immeasurable hidden
complexities and undeciphered impulses of
consciousness processed through it. The
role of their sagacious brain and mental
eminence is most significant in what the
great personalities of the world have
accomplished rather than the support of
circumstances, resources or anything else.
Mental faculties are most precious
bequests of the Almighty bestowed upon
us. However, the belief that we can’t
expand or elevate the God-gifted mental
potentials we are born with – is not correct.
The difference in people’s intellectual and
other mental abilities is only that of the
degree of arousal and activation of the
grand powers indwelling in the human self.
This difference is not due to the structure
of the brain, inheritance or destiny, etc.
Rather; it is a reflection of the extent of
dormancy or activation of its unlimited
potentials.
Trenchant memory is seen to have
a predominant impact upon the intellectual
capabilities of the brain. Forgetful persons
are, in general, not only deprived of deep
knowledge in general, but they also suffer
because of the negligence of necessary
tasks in day-to-day life due to their short
26
memory. The acquisition and future
application of knowledge and past
experiences becomes possible only with
the help of memory. This is what affects
the course of decision-making, resolution
of problems in hand and further expansion
of perspicacious attainments.
The power of memory was given
preeminent importance in the learning
system of the Vedic Age. Specific methods
and practices were also devised for greater
sharpening and augmentation of this
faculty. The Veda-Mantras are called–
“ïruties” (meaning: perceived through
hearing). The slokas of the Shastras are
called “sm—aties” (meaning: retained in and
retrieved from the memory). Thus memory
was the only basis of generation and
expansion of knowledge in those days.
Despite the collection of “ïruties and sm—
aties” in book form in the later ages, the
tradition of Vedic Schools has been to
memorize the hymns and slokas and
contemplate upon them analytical
discussions. Memorizing Gita and
Ramayana by heart is quite common
among the Indian masses even today.
It is true that some people are born
with supernatural memory but that does not
mean that others lack the capability of
awakening this natural potential of mind.
Like any other field of life, success or
failure in this regard would largely depend
upon one’s focused efforts and enthusiasm.
The depth of mental domains can be
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
 traversed and explored most effectively by
spiritual methods. Development of sharp
memory and sane intelligence, too, is
achievable through these modes of yoga-
s³dhan³s. Adept psychological
conditioning and positive attitude towards
whatever we attempt in this direction is the
first prerequisite for desired progress.
Inspiration from the living wonders of
memory also boosts this psychological
transformation. Let us look at some historic
expressions of exceptionally sharp memory
in different walks of life.
In his articles on mysteries of
human mind, noted psychological scientist
Professor Ferdinand Von Nue Triter has
cited the case of a Lithuanian boy, who
could recite any paragraph or stanza of any
prose or verse in any language as it is just
after hearing it once. In his concluding
remarks the professor has mentioned that
such live examples prove that what we used
to regard as mythological or imaginary a
hundred years ago (about the supernormal
faculties of human mind) may come as real
before our eyes today.
It was before the French Revolution
that an innocent person was proved as
guilty in a court. Renowned attorney Louis
Bernard came forward to defend his case
as per the request of some well-wishers.
Although the court had ordered death
sentence to the accused, Bernard appealed
for a stay of five days on the grounds that
the King, the ultimate appellate authority
was out of town. However the court
showed inability in staying the hearing any
more. Then Bernard continued his
defensive arguments for 5 days and 5
nights marshaling and citing his
stupendous knowledge of law and justice
across the world. His rigorous defense
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
would have continued even longer, had the
King not arrived by then! The latter too
heard the case and granted mercy to
Bernard’s client on the basis of his
Bernard’s excellent defense.
Lord Macaulay had an
exceptionally sharp memory. This erudite
scholar of the 19th century had written the
history of Britain in eighty volumes
without opening any reference book for
this purpose. He used to remember all the
references, dates and venues of the events
and the names of the people associated with
those events since the day he met them or
heard or read about them. Map of any place
ever visited by him, names and addresses
of the people whom he had interacted with
at least once, information or knowledge of
any kind ever required by him, were so
easily recalled by him as if he had crammed
them by heart a short while ago. People
used to call him a ‘moving library’.
Richard Porson was a nineteenth
century classical scholar of Greek. He
knew by heart all the books written in this
language till his times and all the plays of
Shakespeare. Mr. Richard Garnet, a one
time assistant superintendent of the British
museum had become the chairman of the
publication section of another museum for
about twelve years. The catalogue and
locations of the books were so perfectly
stored in his memory that without lifting
himself up from the chair, he used to tell
the exact location of the book asked for
from the library’s stock. Moreover, he was
even able to give an oral report on the
contents of the text inside the books.
The ‘Guinness Book of World
Record –1981’ had published the records
of exceptional memory in arithmetic. The
record of recalling a number of 28013
27
 digits in 9 hours 14 minutes was broken
that year by Mahadevan, a Banglore based
student, who could recall and write the
numbers up to 31811 digits in 3 hours and
40 minutes only. Shankuntala Devi of
South India had also gained global
recognition in the 1970s and early ’80s for
her amazing ease with arithmetic
operations that could beat even the fastest
computers of that time.
Alaibda Baghdad was a great
writer. Despite losing his eyesight, he had
completed the thirty-two volumes of his
treatise on Arabic just with the help of his
exceptional memory.
Renowned French philosopher
August Comte (b1790-d1857) used to
thoroughly assimilate his thoughts in his
memory before expressing them orally or
in writing. So marvelous was his memory
that he did not have to refer to any books,
notes or other sources, in order to complete
his 6 volumes (running into 4,712 pages)
of “Positive Philosophy” during 1830 to
1842. So fluent was his writing as though
a prerecorded cassette was fixed in his
brain.
Distinguished psychologist Prof.
Bartlett suggests that deep interest in the
subject matter of importance, its thorough
study and pondering over the benefits of
retaining it in the memory help its vivid
storage in the long-term memory. The
above examples seem to affirm such
possibilities.
Savants like Galesburg find oral or
written repetition also as a supportive tool
in this regard. They consider the ancient
system of cramming by heart as quite
efficient. Prof. Eveguards adds that it will
be easier and faster to memorize and recall
something if its key points are also
28
attempted to be visualized or imagined and
its meaning or implications are also
considered while reading, listening or
studying it. Some people seem to have
naturally built-in mechanism of such
optimal links to memory.
A courtier named “Shrutidhar” of
King Bhoj of Medieval India had made
place in history because he was able to
recall and reproduce, without any error, any
subject matter or verbal discussion in any
language heard by him for 24 minutes or
lesser duration at a single stretch of time.
Swami Ramtirath was revered for
his exceptional mathematical skills and
memory. In one peculiar incident, when he
was going to America, two British men
travelling in the same ship fought with each
other one day. Swamiji was also siting
nearby. The dispute led to a court case
where Swamiji was also asked to despose
as an eyewitness. He said –– “I do not
know who is guilty but I can narrate the
entire discussion exchange of words
between the two fellows”. He indeed did
that in the same language in which the duo
had quarreled and thus helped in arriving
at a fair judgment.
General Stumptas, former Field
Marshal of South Africa had also
developed extraordinarily sharp memory.
He used to remember the location of every
book kept in his town library. Contents ––
page by page, word by word of each of the
books ever read by him were known to him
by heart.
About a century ago, a major
market in a city of Denmark was caught in
devastating fire; all the records and cash
of a bank’s branch were charred into ashes.
By the next day the anxious depositors
began to crowd around the bank premises
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
 in panic. The supramental memory of a
clerk in that bank saved them from the
unprecedented crisis. This man could
recall the names, account numbers and the
latest bank balance in the accounts of
thousand odd customers of his bank. His
information was found correct by
appropriate inquiry with the customers and
police investigations. He was soon honored
by the post of chairman of the corporate
group of that bank.
Renowned Scottish historian
Thomas Carlyle (b1795-d1881) had given
the first handwritten manuscript of his
book on the French Revolution to noted
scholar John Stuart Mill for editing. By
mistake, the latter’s servant burnt many
pages of this manuscript in the cooking
fireplace. When Mill apologized before the
author, this shocking news did not perturb
him at all. Because of his extraordinary
memory and dedication to the work,
Carlyle could reproduce the revised
version of the manuscript with new
enthusiasm.
It is said that our interest and attention
in the subject and the importance and
influence of an event or assimilated
knowledge plays a predominant role in
registering of the associated matters into
deeper folds of our memory which can be
retrieved by sincere practice. According to
Carl Emil Seashore, a noted American
psychologist of the 1890’s, an average man
uses only about 10% of his natural memory.
Remaining 90% is left unused in a haphazard
or dormant state. This is why one generally
remains intellectually deprived or dull. If one
is alert and systematically attempts to awaken
and adeptly use the natural memory, the latter
would be activated creatively and offer
intellectual benefits of higher order.
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
Some people are endowed with
exceptionally sharp memory since the time
of birth. Their extraordinary mental
potentials often startle others. John
Fielding was one such gifted person. He
lived in Gloucestershire, England during
1901 to 1960. This man was born blind.
His memory was so vivid that he could
easily remember the names and addresses
of over ten thousands persons whom he had
ever met or interacted with. He was able
to recollect this information without any
mistake just by hearing the voice of any of
these people.
Another Englishman, Montugunes
also had similar memory. Incidentally, he
too was blind since birth. The British
Government had selected him for the job
of a postman because of his exceptional
memory. He used to sort out and arrange
the deliverable letters with the help of an
assistant. The latter used to read the
addresses loudly - this was sufficient for
Montugunes to store the entire sequence
of corresponding addresses in his mind.
This is how he was able to distribute, on
his own, hundreds of postal articles every
day. There was never any mistake on his
part or any complaint against him during
his tenure as a postman.
The example of Mr. Nebur of
Germany is rarest of its kind. Exceptional
memory of this man had made him known
across the world only in a single day. Once
the office where he used to work as a clerk
caught fire. Many important papers and
files were burnt. Nebur’s supernormal
memory came into light when he
successfully reproduced the lost records in
a short span of time. Many of these records,
reference numbers etc, were verified
against the copies available with the clients
29
 and no mistake or slip of memory (on
Nebur’s part) was detected. His hidden
talents were also recognized on many other
occasions after this amazing incident.
Mr. Joseph Burnheart Duncan had
nine secretaries for different languages
when he was the director of the national
library of Munich. He had such a control
of mind and command over several
languages that he used to dictate official
letters and other deliberations in nine
different languages to all his secretaries
simultaneously. He had also memorized the
Bible by heart and was able to reproduce
the corresponding sections completely
whenever asked from any page of the Holy
Scripture. Recalling the location of the
millions of books in the library was so easy
for him as if the catalogue was kept open
before his eyes. It was popularly said that
his brain (intelligence) would ‘weigh’ more
than any amount of linguistic knowledge
and stock of information existing on the
earth.
Rebi Elisa of Lithuania was popular
for her exceptional mental power.
However, for want of proper direction and
control her talents could not be used for
anything significant. In her lifetime she
memorized about two thousands books just
after one reading. You open any page from
any of these books and ask her, she was
able to repeat every line, every word of it
without any mistake.
In the days of emperorship in
Germany, the royal library was located in
Prasa. Its Librarian Mathurin Bessire had
unique hearing memory. In one of the
planned tests of his exceptional memory,
twelve ambassadors of different countries
visited him at the same time. One after the
other, they spoke twelve different
30
sentences in their languages before him.
After a few moments, Bessire repeated the
same sentences without flaw although he
did not know any of those languages.
Benjamin Schultz had translated the
Holy Bible in three Indian languages. He
was able to speak and read about hundred
languages of the world. He remembered
and used to sing devotedly the Christian
prayer hymns and their translations
available in as many as 215 languages and
dialects.
A French Minister of yesteryears
Monsieur Leon Meijere was also endowed
with outstanding memory. Just after
hearing them once, he remembered the
speeches of even the leaders of the opposite
parties. He was also able to narrate the data
of the national budgets of the past ten years
like those retrieved from a computer-
memory.
A former teacher of the Harrow School of
England remembered the Latin works of
the Roman poet Lucan by heart. The
printed version of this work would add up
to about 2600 pages. During one of the
excursion trips of about sixteen miles, he
entertained his colleagues by singing
around eight thousand hymns of the
historic epic “Pharsalia” (written approx.
in AD61-65), which appeared to have been
registered like a recorded tape in his
memory…
The annual report of the French Army
used to be published since the 12th century.
It contained the name, date of birth and rank
of each officer and soldier. Interestingly, a
waiter of a military canteen remembered the
whole of this annual report of the year 1856.
This man, named Felix Martini could tell the
details of each of the 26208 records in this
report whenever asked for.
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
 Piere Moschutz of Geneva had
successfully memorized the eighteen lacs
words printed in the seventeen volumes of
the French Encyclopedia. Hedian, the
celebrity emperor of Rome had a
multitalented personality. He could write
and converse simultaneously. Not only
that, at times he even used to dictate letters
along with these two simultaneous jobs.
Equally amazing was the fact that he
remembered the names and permanent
addresses of all the pensioners of his
empire.
Meglia Vinnie of Italy was the chief
librarian in the city library of Florence in
late nineteenth Century. The information
referring the title, price, publisher, of each
of the thirty thousands books in his library
was always ready on his lips. Not only that,
he even remembered the location of each
book correctly.
Justice Hardayal Singh of former
Delhi Court seemed to have multiple layers
of memory. It is said that once he
simultaneously read four books of four
different languages written by different
authors on separate topics. The reading was
carried out in a peculiar manner – some
portion of one book was read for some time
followed by some other in continuation,
and so on in the respective sequence. At
the end of this session, he had orally
reproduced the text of each of these books
correctly without opening a single page of
any book.
The advanced models of electronic
brains (computers) are far ahead of the
normal memory of humans. But the above
wonders of astonishing memory do
illustrate the superiority of Nature and
make us realise that what we know about
our brains is only a small fraction of its
marvelous potentialities.
The potentials of human brain are
indeed limitless. It is a pity that only a
few of us make adequate use of this
invaluable gift of God. Its immense
powers remain dormant or ignored in
most of us and we usually employ its
faculties only in earning and eating and
in the routine chores of expanding and
r a i s i n g o u r f a m i l i e s . We o u g h t t o
awaken, activate and illuminate our
dormant mental faculties of memory and
other talents and enrich the quality of our
lives.
*****

Mahatma Gandhi was on a fourteen-day fast without water

in Sough Africa. After fasting for four days he received a telegram
from a German friend, Kellen Bake, offering his nursing services
during the period of fast.
On the fifth day of fasting Gandhiji, along with his associates,
walked three miles to the railway station to receive his friend. He
said that Kellen’s nobility of character gave him the energy to walk
to the station.

Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004 31

 Integration of Science and Spirituality
Imbalance or disharmony in any
system, any action, generates problems of
one kind or the other. Narrow-minded
approach or lack of comprehensive
considerations eventually leads to inadequate
and problematic consequences, even though
it might seem to offer some immediate
success. This is because of the incomplete
comprehension or negligence of some of the
crucial aspects of a situation. In order to
achieve an orderly, well-organized, balanced
and fulfilling human life, we need to pay due
attention and give proper importance to the
necessities of its interwoven physical,
intellectual, mental and spiritual realms in
the individual and social domains.
A human being consists of a
marvelous amalgam of matter and
consciousness force. The physical or the
gross body is made up of the basic elements
and their evolved reactions and results, so
its healthy sustenance and vigorous
functioning largely depend upon the
balanced concentrations and activities of
these vital constituents. The subtle or the
conscious body – mind and the inner self,
which also lies at the base of the living
existence of the physical body, receives the
transmitting energy from enlightened
thinking and virtuous sentiments. The vedic
philosophy emphasizes the harmonious
growth of both – the gross and the subtle
realms. This comprehensive and integral
approach lays the foundation of personal,
familial, social and global development in
32
an ideal way. Discrepancies, imbalances or
disorder in any sphere of life causes different
kinds of complications and difficulties of
varied nature, which directly or indirectly
hinder, retard and even reverse the graph of
healthy soul growth and ascent.
A thorough understanding of human
life becomes feasible by a comprehensive
study of the interrelationship between the
human mind, Nature and the Omnipresent
Consciousness Force. The major schools of
thought and branches of knowledge that have
emanated from the quest for fathoming this
relationship have had entirely different
approaches.
While the material based modern
science has designed sophisticated tools and
technologies to shape the gross materialistic
facets and external structure of progress, the
inner foundation of this outer structure is
embedded in the indwelling spirit in the
individual and the collectivity. Science
contributes to the civilization and
advancement of materialistic resources and
spirituality holds the key to the harmonious
and virtuous development of personality.
Science reveals the mysteries of Nature in
the manifested world, while spirituality
unfolds the secrets and objectives of its subtle
existence. Analysis of the structure and
perceivable properties of things is the subject
matter of the different branches of material
science. Decipheration and study of the
origin and deepest purpose of life pertains to
the fields of spirituality. Thus, broadly
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
 speaking, the former deals with answering
“What and How?” and the latter with “Why
and What for?” Both search for truth in their
own fields of inquiry. Like the two banks of
a river or two invisible edges of the horizon,
both are perennially connected with each
other but seem to stand far apart. Mutual
cooperation and integration of the two is most
desired for their relevance and necessity in
human life.
Unfortunately, these two gigantic
streams of search for truth have, because of
the way they have been followed and
practiced, largely remained
compartmentalized and mutually exclusive.
Modern science has exhaustively excavated,
extracted and exploited the natural resources
and gained enormous mastery in the physical
world. However, for want of the guiding light
of spirituality, it couldn’t really make a
positively constructive, viable and righteous
use of its mammoth wealth of knowledge of
the principles underlying the physical
phenomena. Matter and the visible world
became the prominent foci of its
advancement and so the objectives of life and
its prime purpose got sidetracked and almost
lost from sight. What was really needed was,
to also search for solutions to the riddles of
human psychology and the complexities that
entangle the basic aims of life.
Scientific research of the physical
world enabled man to understand laws of the
material world. But the infinite power of the
inner self, the consciousness-force of pure
sentiments of love and compassion, noble
thoughts, etc remained unknown and ignored.
As a result, materialistic civilization overtook
the charge of life and the key role of sublime
consciousness and associated faculties got
neglected in the mist of illusions and
ignorance. It was bound to happen. When
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
extrovert hunt for prosperity in terms of
materialistic resources and comforts and their
possession became the sole objective of life,
why would one bother to understand the
importance and utility of noble thinking,
virtuous character, and altruistic sentiments?
The generous attitude of benevolence,
selfless cooperation and adoption of ethical
conduct emanate from and expand with the
support of spiritually evolved emotions. If
one is not even aware of the importance of
emotions and intrinsic tendencies in human
life, why would he care for their refinement?
The mad rush of self-obsession, rat-race for
possessions, power and blind progress driven
by the ego and selfishness seen everywhere
within and around us today reflect the
bankruptcy of the human heart (emotional
core) and sheer disregard of the inner self.
This is the major cause of the ever- increasing
agonies, fears and problems the world is
facing despite the dazzling scientific
advancement, technological development
and enormous materialistic strength and
wealth today.
The grains of scientific research will
serve the real purpose and will be beneficial
in the true sense only if it opens its barriers
and goes beyond “What and How?” to see
“Why and What for?” –– to encompass the
search for the dignity of humanity and
ultimate aim of human life. Revered thinkers
and philosophers from different parts of the
world have been expressing these views on
scientific progress ever since its advent.
Eminent talents like Leo Tolstoy and
Theodore Roosevelt have commented that
scientific quest revolves around “what is it?”
of every thing, or “why something happens
like the way it does in the physical world”.
But it does not quite try to find “for what
purpose the thing is existing?”, or “for what
33
 objective is something happening the way it
is?”, etc. Tolstoy further writes at one place
that the childhood of modern science has
begun with the quest for “what and how?”;
the stage of its maturity will be reached when
it also begins answering “why and for what
purpose?”. The hidden depths of Nature and
life can be plumbed by appropriate and
meaningful research on “why and for what
purpose?” This type of scientific research in
the inner fields of consciousness force will
mark the meeting point of science and
spirituality. Plato has also observed that the
completeness and ultimate progress of
science lies in its entry into the spheres of
spirituality.
Why was this world created? Why the
gamut of species of different creatures
including human beings produced? Why is
the perpetual cycle of Nature running the way
it is? For what purpose is every component
of the cosmos moving in its specific sphere
and order? Who is governing this universal
order? Where is the original cause of the
manifestation of Nature and the genesis of
this ever-expanding cosmic existence? This
basic quest of the existentialists is beyond
the scope of the modern material sciences.
Leaving aside these rather abstract puzzles,
there still remains a plethora of questions
concerning the origin, purpose and limitless
expressions of human life and evolution of
consciousness and the undeciphered layers
of mental and emotional cores that are
fundamental to the understanding of human
life; but are not considered by the modern
sciences.
Tolstoy expresses his heartiest
appreciation for the constructive
contributions of scientific developments to
human civilization but he also deplores the
near total neglect of moral aspects, value
34
systems and deeper emotional effects, etc in
the pursuit of scientific research.
In his thorough review-essays in
“Science is Not Enough”, the author scientist
Vannevar Bush (1890-1974) writes that “the
focus and scope of science has largely been
confined to the analysis and synthesis of
material substances and entities. It cannot
claim absolute knowledge of anything with
certainty. Its discovery of atom is an
evidential example in this regard. It has still
not been certain of the structure and functions
of the subatomic units and their (further) sub-
particulate constituents. Its continual
research keeps annulling or deviating its own
convictions and thus disapproving the
sufficiency of its findings so far”. In the views
of the thinkers like Theodore Roosevelt
(1933+) – “Science will be no better than a
pool of artificial tools and techniques unless
its search begins from metaphysical basis and
incorporates the fields of consciousness”.
Distinguished scientists like Warsen
Beaver also opine that science will have to leave
out its prejudices and adopt a broadened attitude
for comprehensive research towards revealing
the mysteries of Nature and resolving the
problems of life. At present its approach is
prejudiced in the sense that its search for truth
is confined only to the perceivable realities of
the world.
Dr. Beaver expresses his views on the
reality of sublime consciousness as –“ In the
moments of deep sorrow, fear or helplessness,
we do experience some inner inspiration that
induces inexplicable hope and courage. It also
gives us strength and light to counter the
adversities or find discerning solutions to the
acute hardships. This sublime power of inner
consciousness is an expression of the Almighty.
Each one of us does experience His presence
in some form, some time in the course of life”.
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
 Science and spirituality have destruction and global devastation. Its
somehow been mutually contradicting in unchallenged might and reckless
their approaches and have always regarded advancement appear to threaten the very
each other’s principles and objectives as existence of life on earth. It is high time the
superficial. This negative competition has tyranny of this unbridled blind power is
deprived both of their complementary roles controlled and made accountable to
towards holistic human growth. The humanity. The role of spirituality is self-
convictions and practices of spirituality evident in this regard.
weaken their authenticity in absence of Science and technology can generate
scientific spirit and openness. The philosophy means of progress but not the means of
and teachings of spirituality without having peaceful co-existence and happiness; neither
scientific approach lose their relevance and can these nurture moral values and inner
originality in the smog of blind faith and strength. Science and technology may
superstitions. Science also remains narrow produce material wealth and prosperity but
and incomplete without incorporating not the nectar of soothing emotions, spring
spirituality, which is the base of enlightened of love and compassion or light of courage,
evolution of the mental and emotional wisdom and sagacity. Unless science is
domains. Science without spirituality has no integrated with spirituality to fill-in this gap
bonds of values and so there is an obvious and both the complementary powers are
danger of its becoming amoral and apathetic. encouraged to flourish within mutual
This is what we are witnessing today. Science cooperation, the present trends of progress
has undoubtedly made grand constructive would be inexorably hurtling towards the
contributions to the external development of suicidal edge of global extinction.
human civilization, but it has unscrupulously
invented dreaded products of mass *****
Once a dacoit came to listen to a scholar- preacher’s sermon.
The scholar was very eloquent about the virtues of forgiveness and
non-violence. The sermon ended. The preacher took the offerings
and walked towards his village. There was forest in-between. The
dacoit bounced upon the preacher and asked for all the money he was
carrying. The preacher was a brave person and had a bamboo stick in
his hands with which he threatened to hit the dacoit. The dacoit got
scared and politely asked him that only a shot while ago he was
preaching about the virtues of forgiveness and non-violence which he
himself was not practicing. The scholar said that the sermon was for
law abiding gentle people but for criminals like the dacoit the stick
serves the sermon. Looking at the resolutely strong-willed scholar the
dacoit took to his heels.

Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004 35

 Fundamental Tenets of 8A@E?Culture
The paramount distinction of the
Vedic culture is its spiritual attitude towards
life and the world. Deciphering the sublime
root-element of the material existence rather
than analyzing just its gross structure and
properties; realization of the higher and
deeper realms of eternity, continuity and
incessant purity of life far above its mortal,
momentary, physical manifestation;
experience of the cosmic, the collective,
rather than the individual consciousness;
have been the basis of this Vedic culture. It
was only on this land that research on the
Sublime Transcendent and Cosmic Force
governing all the powers and activities of
Nature was initiated and pursued to the
ultimate depths. This Cosmic Force is
regarded absolute, preeminent and supreme
in our Darïan ïastras (philosophical
literature). Although there could be
differences in its interpretations,
explanations, and styles of expression, all our
ancient literature, philosophies, science, arts
and s³dhan³ procedures, etc, revolve around
this Eternal Truth. This is what has been the
focus and ultimate aim of the genesis and
expansion of the grand knowledge and
unparalleled developments of the Vedic Age.
Our talents of yore were not so well off
materialistically because they had not given
prime importance to it over the infinite wealth
of the inner world. The penny-less sages and
sadhu-sanyasis were given more importance
and honor than the mighty kings. A rishi, an
ascetic yogi is considered far more dignified
36
and prestigious in our culture than the
worldly resourceful, affluent dignitaries. This
is why our country has gifted such a rich
galaxy of great sages, seers, saints and
savants to the world. It has produced great
men and women, who saved the world from
malice and division and sowed the seeds of
love and integration for mankind; they taught
and propagated the message of peace and co-
existence against conflict, violence, cutthroat
competition and savagery. Therefore, the
world still regards India as the torchbearer
of light of truth. The global prestige and
respect of India is mainly because of its
spiritual foundations and deeply insightful
philosophy and science of spirituality.
That spirituality was the core of the
Vedic way of life does not mean that we had
neglected or looked down upon healthy
progress in the worldly pursuits. Our history
bears witness to the fact that our religion, our
science, our archeology, our sculpture, our
architecture, our astronomy, our
mathematics, our arts, our commerce, trade,
economy, etc were all at the top of the world
and this had made fundamental contributions
to the growth and enrichment of human
civilization and culture.
Celebrity Greek scholar Arian has
mentioned thus about ancient Indians – “The
Indians who had traveled up to Greece and
had inhabited and ruled over (influenced) the
people here were very prosperous. They
appeared to be the descendants of cherubic
powers. They possessed lots of gold and
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
 jewels. They used to wear gorgeous silky
shawls and precious pearl-necklaces…”.
Many of the Greek historians have also
recorded similar observations – “The Indians
who migrated to this land (ancient Greece)
were very intelligent and talented. They
propagated knowledge and taught medicine;
they helped civilizing the natives here and
won their confidence and respect….”.
The Indian Culture has given an ideal
philosophy and mode of life to mankind
where there is no place for hatred, malice,
mutual struggle, exploitation or oppression.
The social system of Varña1 and Âïarma22
Âïarma: Four phases of one’s life for ideal
combinations of duty-bond, cheerful,
prosperous and progressive life; each of
about 25 year for an average span of 100
years of life. The first, Brahmcarya Asrama
was supposed to be the age of education and
personality development in the Gurukuls; the
second, the Grahasth Asrama was meant to
be for worldly growth, marriage, and
contribution to the healthy progress of the
family and society. TheVanprastha and
Sanyasa, Asrams of the later phases of the
life were set for dedication to social welfare
after completing the familial responsibilities
and for spiritual enlightenment and evolution
of one’s life.established here is an excellent
model of ideal development of one’s
personality and harmonious collective
progress.
Our family system still remains a
peerless example of cultivating love, peace
and cooperation in every domain of human
life. The democratic, federal and republic
systems of governance in ancient India added
to its glorious expansion and stability. The
so-called liberal philosophy and socialist
system was successfully adopted in our way
of life since the time of yore. The divine
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
majestic mottos of “Sarve Bhavantu
Sukhina¡” (may all beings be happy),
“Sarveï³ma Avirodhena, Brahmkarma
Sam³rabhe” (performing noble duties
without any conflict with anyone),
“Vasudhaiva Kutumbaka®” (treating the
entire world as a family), etc, had originated
here and continue echoing in people’s life
here.
Injustice, selfishness, discrimination
and cruelty were not allowed in the Indian
life in any respect. Those disturbing the social
harmony and collective cooperative life were
penalized as criminals. The concept and
design of a system for safe, terror-free, tussle-
free, and stress-free, peaceful and happy
progress of personal and social life was
founded and first implemented under the
auspices of the Vedic Indian Culture.
The Indian Culture does not approve
of a dry, isolated, dull life or escapism in the
name of spirituality, s³dhan³, etc. Those who
regard it thus are under a wrong impression
or have not been introduced to it correctly.
There are so many religious and social
festivals in our system, which involve
collective cultural activities and celebrations
in varieties of forms quite frequently
throughout the year and induce joy and
energy in the personal and social life. Not
only that, the rituals and customs originally
associated with these parvas and tyoh³ras
are based on healthy psychological
conditioning and uplifting and serve as
effective measures for the treatment and
positive orientation of people’s psychology.
The scientifically devised education
system for ideal development of a civilized
and cultured personality and virtuous talents
is another significant component of the
Indian Culture. Spending the most important
developmental phase of life in the gurukuls
37
 of the wise, sagacious Rishis since childhood,
learning the shastric knowledge from them
and intense practical training from their noble
life, following the disciplines of brahmcarya3
and altruist service, living and playing in the
lap of Nature, and staying in a family like
ambience of the gurukul with the other
students of different socio-economic
backgrounds –– all these used to work
wonderfully in the integral growth and
education of the young student - inmates.
The system of Ìodas samsk³ras similarly was
an excellent mode of psychological and
emotional elevation and prior training of a
person at different transitional phases of his
lifespan. As the purification, subtlization and
fine processing of the raw herbs convert them
into a lifesaving, nectar - like medicine, Ìodas
samsk³ras work as effective remedies
towards initiating the internal and external
refinement of one’s personality.
It was this bequest of the Indian
culture that had nurtured multi-talented
development of the people from all walks of
the society. This is why India was a pioneer
and leader in the diverse fields of commerce
and trade, archaeology, agriculture, artillery,
astronomy, medicine, music, dance and other
forms of creative arts. The first ever-scientific
instruments and methods of experiments
were also devised on this land of the Vedic
Rishis. The ethics of humanity, orderly and
disciplined mode of progressive life –
ranging from healthy eating habits, nature–
friendly life-style, to scientific attitude and
orderly social system, were all devised and
adopted first in this country.
The supremacy of the Indian culture,
which also is the core of its global
benevolence and respect, is its openness and
accommodating and adaptive attitude
towards all faiths. It can embrace all cultures
38
in its liberal folds. It is founded on such
universal principles and values that it can’t
clash with any other culture. As the diverse
currents of different rivers commingle in the
ocean, similarly, all the cultures of the world
are merged and absorbed in the Vedic Indian
Culture. Another reason for this natural
confluence is the fact that the Vedic Culture
has been the origin of all ancient cultures of
the world. The world history has witnessed
that the Roman, Egyptian, Greek, Sindhu,
and other cultures have mostly remained the
topics of research or archaeological
museums, but despite hundreds of years of
foreign invasion, occupation, political
slavery and adversities, the Indian culture has
gloriously maintained its vivid existence and
global reputation.
Indeed, the Indian culture has
convincingly proved its liberal and
accommodating nature and the eternity of its
foundational elements. While the mutual
conflicts between other cultures of the world
have often been the cause of persistent
malice, wars and disastrous bloodshed, the
Indian culture has always been an exponent
of nonviolence, love, affection, amity,
cooperation and compassion. As the learned
Poet Mahadevi Verma puts it –– “This grand
nation has a gigantic culture that
encompasses a superb conjunction and
confluence of science and philosophy and
diverse currents of thoughts, experiences and
ethical principles. Our culture is truly a
unique expression of universality”.
Another inspiration of this culture is
the attitude of sacrifice for altruist purposes.
While the occidental and other cultures have
advocated materialistic comfort and
possession-based notion of joy and success,
our culture has taught austerity and
asceticism for noble goals. Distribution for
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
 welfare and social service rather than self- on associated with family-profession. The
obsession and possession of resources is a misconceptions of medieval times
great basic value of our culture. “Yajóa” the misinterpreted it with caste and creed.
eternal symbol of altruism, dedication, 2. Âïrama: Four phases of one’s life for ideal
sacrifice and noble deeds is regarded as the combinations of duty-bound, cheerful,
father of this divine culture. prosperous and progressive life; each of
The best way to understand and about 25 year for an optimum span of 100
measure the depth of our invaluable culture years of life. The first, Brahmcarya Âïrama
is to adopt its great values in our conduct, in was supposed to be the age of education and
every act of our life, and set a living example personality development in the Gurukuls; the
of its preeminence today. The dreaded second, the Grahasth Âïrama was meant to
threats to the very existence of humanity, the be for worldly growth, marriage, and
ever - rising world crisis and calamitous contribution to the healthy progress of the
adversities of the present times have made it family and society. The Vanprastha and
all the more important and relevant today to Sanyasa, Âïramas of the later phases of the
adopt this culture of loving kindness, life were set for dedication to social service
compassion and universality. It holds after completing the familial responsibilities
practical universal solutions to the gigantic and for spiritual enlightenment and evolution
problems of this critical phase of human of one’s own life.
history. It also holds the ‘magical key’ to a 3. Brahmcarya – the discipline of physical
bright future of global peace and happiness. and mental chastity. It incorporates piety of
Notes: character, stability of mind and body for
1. Varñas: The system of four varñas was a natural avoidance or continence of erotic
social classification according to one’s thinking, carnal desire and sexual indulgence.
attitude, character and deeds and was later *****
A devotee used to offer water to Lord Shiva after bathing
in The Ganga. One day he met a sick man, on his way to the
temple who was burning with high fever. The sick man
entreated the devotee to give him water to quench his thirst
but the devotee refused saying that it was for the Lord. At
night the devotee dreamed of the Lord being ill. He asked for
the reason. The Lord said that you did not help the sick, a
living form of divinity, and bathed my symbolic idol with it
instead. That was a sin for me, and as a result I am sick.
From the next day the devotee started selflessly and lovingly
serving the poor and the needy as living idols of his Lord.
This he considered as true worship thenceforth

Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004 39

 Know Thyself
It is but natural to enquire about the
name, village, address, etc. of a person with
whom one has to travel or whom one has to
accompany for some time. This acquaintance
gives freedom from worry and at the same time
paves the way for depending on mutual help in
emergencies. A total stranger looks suspicious.
One’s own entity always remains
with oneself. Its physical and mental aspects
are so close that they remain with the self
round the clock whether one is awake or
asleep. Wife is called by many epithets like
life partner, better half of the husband, two
bodies-one consciousness, etc. but, she too
remains with the husband for a few hours that
too at some distance from him. Children
come near once in a while for specific
purposes but they are considered one’s very
own and one has to share their pleasures and
pains. A person is always worried about the
future of his children and, as far as possible,
plans ahead for it. It is strange that our
inseparable instruments of expression like the
body and the mind, which are always there
with us, are neglected by us. Seldom one
enquires about their purpose.
The soul has embodied itself in the
material plane with some purpose. Do we
understand the purpose and consciously and
resolutely pursue it? Whenever a bungalow
or a vehicle is given to an officer, he is told
that these are to be used for official purposes
and not for personal work. If any officer
defaults and rents out a portion of his
bungalow or uses his vehicle for private
40
purposes, it would be considered immoral and
willful infringement of the rules for personal
gain and will attract suitable punishment.
Human life is precious. It is a unique,
artistic creation of the Creator. Such a boon
is not available to any other creature on the
earth. No other creature is endowed with the
faculty like the human intellect, or with two
hands with ten fingers that can be creatively
and dexterously used? Which other creatures
have the ability to stand erect and walk on
two feet? Who is capable of earning their
livelihood and accumulating the surplus for
later use? Which other creature uses clothes
and houses? Who else other than man
possesses the wisdom to develop an
organized family and social order? Whose
senses possess such sensitivity? Who
possesses the intricately fashioned living
garment like the human body? The fact that
a human being has been blessed with special
faculties sets him apart from other creatures.
Thus it becomes evident that human life has
been given to us for some specific purpose
willed by God. We must concentrate on
clearly understanding this purpose and then
live life in the light of our true identity as a
spark of Divinity. If appropriate efforts are
not made to know our true selves through
the special faculties and instruments gifted
to us for this search by our Creator and we
squander away these divine gifts in sense-
gratification, it would be a betrayal of our
spiritual inheritance leading to endless
suffering and pain.
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
 In order to get started on this
pilgrimage of self-discovery, we will have
to wake up out of the stupor of self-
forgetfulness – Maya. Here is what Mahayogi
Sri Aurobindo has said about self-effort in
the path of self-discovery in his marvelously
inspiring words:
“In all that is done in the universe,
the Divine through his Shakti is behind all
action but he is veiled by his Yoga Maya and
works through the ego of the jiva in the lower
nature.
In yoga also it is the Divine who is
the sadhak and the sadhana; It is his Shakti
with her light, power, knowledge,
consciousness, Anand, acting upon the
adhara and, when it is opened to her, pouring
into it with these divine forces that makes
the sadhana possible. But, so long as the
lower nature is active the personal effort of
the sadhak remains necessary.
The personal effort required is a triple
labor of aspiration, rejection and surrender-
an aspiration, vigilant, constant, unceasing-
the mind’s will, the heart’s seeking, the assent
of the vital being, the will to open and make
plastic the physical consciousness and nature;
rejection of the movements of the lower
nature- rejection of the mind’s idea’s,
opinions, preferences, habits, constructions,
so that the true knowledge may find free
room in a silent mind,- rejection of the vital
nature’s desires, demands, cravings,
sensations, passions, selfishness, pride,
arrogance, lust, greed, jealousy, envy,
hostility to the Truth, so that the true power
and joy may pour from above into a calm,
large, strong and consecrated vital being, -
rejection of the physical nature’s stupidity,
doubt , disbelief, obscurity, obstinacy,
pettiness, laziness, unwillingness to change,
tamas, so that the true stability of Light,
Power, Anand may establish itself in a body
growing always more divine; surrender of
oneself and all one is and has and every plane
of the consciousness and every movement
of the Divine and the Shakti.
In proportion as the surrender and self
consecration progress the sadhak becomes
conscious of the divine shakti doing the
sadhana, pouring into him more and more
of herself, founding in him the freedom and
perfection of the divine nature. The more this
conscious process replaces his own effort the
more rapid and true becomes his progress but
it cannot completely replace the necessity of
personal effort until the surrender and
consecration are pure and complete from top
to bottom.
Note that a tamasic surrender
refusing to fulfill the condition and calling
on God to do everything and save one all the
trouble and struggle is a deception and does
not lead to freedom and perfection.”
(From: The Mother p.8-11)
*****

When American philosopher Thoreau was on his deathbed, his aunt

came to meet him. She asked whether he had apologized to God for his sins
and whether he had prayed for peace.
Thoreau smiled and said that he had never in his life diverted from the
path of righteousness, as far as he remembered and that he had never infringed
the Divine principles, hence there was no reason for him to tender an apology
to God.

Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004 41

 A True S³dhak of G³yatrº
Decades ago, there lived a great siddha
in the holy town of Vrindavan. His name was
Ramdas but he was popularly known as
“Kathiya Baba” because the only apparel on
his body used to be a loincloth made of mat
like woven wooden sticks; (wood is called
k³Úha in Hindi). People often wanted to know
about how he attained such supernormal
powers (siddhis). He narrated his story as
under.
When I returned home after
completing my education at the Guru’s place,
I had an intense aspiration to achieve
perfection in the s³dhan³ of the G³yatrº
Mantra. I commenced japa anuÌÚh³na of this
great mantra beneath a huge Banyan tree near
our garden. On completion of 75000 japas, I
heard an etheric voice guiding me to go to the
Jwalamukhy shrine hill where I would be able
to accomplish my s³dhan³. I was naturally
thrilled after this transforming vision.
Jwalamukhy shrine hill was about 35-
40 miles from my erstwhile home village. I
started my journey with unprecedented
enthusiasm. My nephew, who was almost of
my age, also accompanied me. We met a saint
on the way; he carried an angelic aura around
his personality. I took dºkï³ of vair³gya
(initiation of sacred life of a sanyasi) from him.
My nephew tried to prevent me from taking
this step but couldn’t succeed. So he went back
to our village and brought my father along.
My father was shocked to see me in a sanyasi’s
robes and insisted that I returned to the normal
worldly life. He tried by all means – with
affection, with anger, emotional brain
washing, etc. But I remained firm. Then he
requested my guru to allow me to live as a
sanyasi near my village. With the kind
permission of the guru, I returned and started
my single-pointed s³dhan³ beneath a Banyan
42
tree in a nearby forest. Day and night I
remained deeply engrossed in the japa of the
G³yatrº Mantra. One night I had the divine
vision of the Goddess in Her sublime
Radiance. The Divine Mother offered to
bestow upon me Her boons. Surrendering
myself with absolute faith at Her feet, I told
Her that I had adopted vairagya and I had no
desires left and that I only prayed for Her grace.
The Divine Apparition disappeared with the
blessings of “So It Be…”.
Kathiya Baba had no desires, no
worries, no problems left after this ultimate
realization of G³yatrº. He was free from all
bondage. Nothing was unknown to him.
Supramental powers like clairvoyance,
precognition, etc. were naturally aroused in
him as siddhis of this great Mantra. He was
able to remove all difficulties and adversities
of his disciples, devotees or any one who had
ever come to him with any problem. His voice
was also endowed with the siddhi of absolute
truth; whatever he said came to be true. As a
true saint, he lived a perfectly austere and
humble life despite having the power to
generate any amount of resources. Some
ignorant, greedy people used to think that he
had preserved some magical kits or golden
coins underneath his wooden loincloth. In their
blind avarice to gain his hidden treasure, they
even entered in the service group of his
disciples and attempted to kill the Baba.
However, despite being given a dose of over
ten grams of poison on three different
occasions, no toxic effects were seen on the
Baba. This opened everyone’s eyes that this
simple saint was indeed a great siddha yogi.
Getting a glimpse of the aura of this great
devotee of G³yatrº was considered a boon by
the masses.
*****
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
 MY LIFE: ITS LEGACY AND MESSAGE - 6
Wholehearted Execution of the Prescribed Principles-II
(Autobiography of Poojya Gurudev Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya)
There was a primary school in the
village of my birthplace. From the point of
view of formal education, I studied only in
that school. Sanskrit is part and parcel of our
family traditions. My father and brothers
were eminent scholars of Sanskrit. Giving
discourses on ancient scriptures and
priesthood were our ancestral profession. I
thus acquired adequate knowledge of
Sanskrit at home. I have taught Sanskrit to
students up to the standard of Acharya,
though I do not possess any formal degree.
The story of studying other
languages is interesting. I started writing
English words on a shallow iron pan (tasla)
by using pebbles as pencil. I could lay my
hands on English newspaper ‘Leader’ in jail
and started reading English. I used to consult
my colleagues and in about a year’s time,
when I was released from jail, I had acquired
fairly good knowledge of English. Every
time during my journey to jail, my
vocabulary of English increased due to
mutual discussions and gradually I learnt
grammar also. In return, I taught my
jailmates Sanskrit and idiomatic Hindustani.
Magazines, journals, dictionaries etc. of
other languages have always remained my
basic sources of learning other languages.
Gayatri has been called Goddess of wisdom.
I cannot say about others, but I myself have
been miraculously benefited by Her worship.
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
Even professors of Hindi have received
considerable guidance from my articles in
Akhand Jyoti, in which Sanskrit words have
been used profusely. I have a feeling of inner
upliftment and people are amazed to find that
despite my remaining extremely busy in
Sadhana etc. so much knowledge could be
acquired. The credit for all this goes to
Mahapragya (the Supreme Divine
Intelligence).
Although I participated in satyagraha,
launched by the Indian National congress,
in compliance with the directions from
Gurudev, in the beginning I did not
understand its significance. When I was
given one ‘sankalp’ of doing Sadhana for
twenty four years, why was it split into two
portions of five and nineteen years? When
thousands of persons were engaged in
satyagraha, participation or non-
participation of one more person should not
have mattered much?
Gurudev had guessed my dilemma at
the time of my meeting with him and his
divine voice had given the guideline. “Yug
Dharma has its own importance. It should
be considered as the need of the times and
one should rush to fulfill it leaving aside all
other work, just as water has to be rushed to
the site of fire. In days to come you have to
undertake several works of public contact and
you will not get better opportunity than this
43
 to establish contacts with different strata of
the society. You will also get an opportunity
for rehearsal of the experience gained in
previous births and of the lessons learnt in
your early age. They are not important from
the viewpoint of personal gain but they
answer a need of the times. In practical life
you are to be taught four lessons of (1)
wisdom (2) honesty (3) responsibility and (4)
courage. These help in the inner growth of
the soul and develop brilliance of intellect.
With a view to developing the talents
required for execution of your future plans
of action and also to hone up the instruments
needed for the purpose, your participation in
India’s freedom struggle is essential.”
It is not pertinent to discuss what I
did for the country, how much I suffered and
how I discharged duties and responsibilities
which were entrusted to me. Anybody
interested to know about it may read the book
‘ Freedom Fighters of Agra Division’
published by the information department of
Uttar Pradesh government. In those days I
was known by the name “Shriram Matta”.
The important thing that needs to be
understood is the purpose underlying this
particular direction of Gurudev.
During those ten years of my active
participation in the freedom struggle, I
interacted with people of different nature in
and outside of jail. In those days mass
awakening was at the highest peak. I came
in contact with several brave, courageous
persons with firm determination and I learnt
many useful lessons from them. It took me
less than a couple of years to learn the art of
winning over supporters, co-workers and

Once upon a time an old emaciated man and woman (husband and wife)
were begging for their sustenance and for nurturing their child. When Goddess
Parvati saw them she was moved with compassion. She asked Lord Shiva how
in His world people were so helpless and why can’t the Lord remove their sufferings.
Lord Shiva tried to explain His consort that their situation and sufferings were of
their own making – of karmik law of sowing and reaping. But Parvati was
unconvinced. Shiva had to appear before the old couple. He asked them to ask
for any boon they wished. The old woman wished to be a young damsel of twenty
years of age, and Lord Shiva granted the wish. The old man got infuriated with
hate looking at her and said that she wanted to enjoy life all over again, deserting
him in old age. His hatred arose. Lord Shiva asked the old man not to worry and
offered to confer on him any boon of his liking. The old man asked for the woman
to be converted into a she-pig. Lord Shiva granted the wish and she became a
pig. At this the child started crying and beseeched the Lord to give him back his
mother. Again the Lord granted the child’s wish and the she-pig became the original
old emaciated woman. Thus all the three – man, wife and child – remained their
old wretched selves in spite of Lord’s boons. Thus, the Lord demonstrated to
Parvati that even God does not help those who do not help themselves through
noble, purposeful thoughts and deeds.

44 Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004

 appreciators for the stupendous task of
revolutionary moral reawakening that was
the primary aim and mission of my life. It
would not have been possible for me to learn
these lessons even by touring the country
extensively on my own. Family attachments,
feelings of ‘mine’ and ‘thine’ were got rid of
and I lived a happy life even in adverse
circumstances. This created self-confidence.
The most important gain was that I developed
the attitude of a volunteer, which has helped
me to remain humble even at this late stage
of my life. The suspense as to why I was
directed to perform mahapurushcharanas in
two phases was thus removed by my
experience of the freedom struggle.
The Indian National Congress was
established about a century back but the
congress in which we worked was altogether
different from what it is now and I had
peculiar experiences while working in it.
Effortlessly, I got an opportunity to establish
contacts with several eminent persons. I
always conducted myself as a disciplined
volunteer. So, whenever any volunteer was
needed to serve eminent leaders, I used to be
pushed forward in view of my young age.
From these contacts I imbibed many virtues
and also got an opportunity of living with
GandhiJi in his Sabarmati Asram and
VinobaJi in Pavnar Asram. Others went to
these great personages for their Darsan but
to me the insights provided by these contacts
proved to be celestial boons.
In 1933 the annual session of Indian
National Congress was held in Calcutta. In
those days Congress was considered an anti-
government organization. People were
arrested and police firing was resorted to on
flimsy pretexts. Delegates who were
considered important enough were arrested
at Bardwan station and sent to jail in Asansol,
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
which was originally made by the East India
Company for Europeans. I was also arrested
along with my three colleagues of Agra
district. Eminent persons like Madan Mohan
MalviyaJi, Devdas Gandhi, Swarooprani
Nehru (mother of Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru),
Rafi Ahmad Kidwai, Chandrabhanu Gupta,
Kanhaiyyalal Khadiwala and Jagan Prasad
Rawat were with us in the jail. Malviyaji used
to address us daily in the evening throughout
our stay there. Malviyaji and Mata
Swarooprani used to treat us like their
children. Malviyaji used to emphasize in his
speeches that we should beg a paisa from
every man and a handful of food grains from
every woman to spread the message of our
movement so that they may realize that the
Congress was their organization and the
freedom struggle was their own struggle,
being run with their cooperation and
contributions. The thing might not have been
important for others but I took serious note
of it. The Risis of yore maintained
themselves, gurukuls and aranyaks on public
alms (bhiksa). It had been pointed out to me
by Gurudev that I was to take up an
assignment in hand. I had been wondering
where from the money would come for this
purpose. In jail, I got the clue. After my
release, I applied this formula, while
launching important projects of moral and
social upliftment and transformation.
Amounts running in crores have been spent
on these projects through willing and
volunteer contributions (minimum of ten
paisa or a handful of grains per person per
day) from lakhs and lakhs of well wishers
and friends of the mission.
Like Gayatri and Gangotri, Congress
had been the fount of my life’s course.
However, after independence I concentrated
only on those tasks that would contribute to
45
 the fulfillment of the aims of political alive, would testify that when the time for
freedom. Politicians look after the political rewards came, I withdrew behind the curtain.
and economic affairs of the country. But far All the aforesaid three assignments
more important and crucial is the moral, were accomplished with utmost dedication
intellectual and social transformation of the and concentration. In between I also visited
society to usher in an era of truth, equality, the Himalayas only for six months each time.
fraternity, freedom and harmony. This can be I was told that the work of the Congress was
accomplished by persons and organizations important from the point of view of
committed to deeper values of life. This is attainment of freedom and so my sojourn for
the task dearest to my soul. Except for six months each time would be enough. It is
wearing khadi, I withdrew myself from active not necessary to mention here what I was told
participation in all other programmes of the and what I was required to do during these
congress from the day of independence. This sojourns. There are events and happenings
had the blessings of Bapu and the sanction even of my work-a-day visible surface life,
of my divine guide. My friends sent me a which I consider miraculous, acts of divine
form for accepting pension for having grace; and my heart is filled with deep
worked as a freedom fighter for about twenty gratitude and humility when I recall them.
years, I plainly declined to avail of this offer. (To be continued in the next issue)
Eminent persons of that age, who are still *****
A Priest used go to a particular sacred place to devoutly
perform his daily prayers at a fixed time. But as soon as he went
back home he behaved very rudely with everyone. One day his
young son also went with him for prayers at the temple. The priest
started praying “Oh Lord! You love everybody and you shower
your blessings on each one of us!”
As soon as the priest finished the prayer, the child turned to
him and said – “Father! In spite of your having repeated this prayer
over a long time you have not yet learnt the lesson of love and
affection. Your prayers are hollow and mechanical without any
positive effect on your attitude and behavior.” The priest instantly
realized what was amiss in his prayers and from that day onwards
he started praying with fervent aspiration for conscious inner
transformation.

46 Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004

 Amrit V³ñº
Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life
Translation of Excerpts from the Discourse on Vasanti Panchami Day February 1981:
“V³santi H¿ka, Umang, Aur Ull³s Yadi  J³ye Jºvan Me”
Let us begin with the collective chanting
of the Gayatri Mantra:
“Om Bhur Buva¡ Swa¡, Tatsaviturvareñya® Bhargo
Devasya Dhºmahi, Dhiyo Yona¡ Pracoday³t ||”
Sisters and Brothers,
“Vasant Panchami” (auspicious fifth
day of the month “Magha” of the Indian
lunar Calendar) marks the emergence of
Spring. It is the day of enthusiasm,
inspiration, inner illumination. The advent
of spring sparks an awakening and exultation
in Nature, in all living beings. Such a spring
had brought about a sea-change in the life of
Samarth Guru Ramdas (the noble Guru of
Chhatrapati Shivaji) in his early youth ––
“can’t I make a better use of my life?” was
what he was pondering over at that time…
There, his family was busy in preparations
of his marriage, and here in some corner of
the house he began to see the consequences
–wife, then children, then children of the
children, their marriages and so on. His
awakened soul instantly warned – Is this
what you are born for? Look at the dignity
of your life; there could be another path, the
path worthy of greatness! With this he began
to realize the majestic value, the purpose of
his life. This was the moment of great
transformation, quantum leap, in his life.
Such was the force of this exaltation that he
did not look back, continued to rise higher
and higher in his life. Nothing could stop
him; he cast away the bridegroom’s costumes
from his body and ran away in search of the
path of ultimate light. So, what did this
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
emotional splash of spring do? It transformed
an ordinary boy, a teenager, into a great
spiritual master, a saint, an immortal Guru.
Spring induces some kind of umang
(inspiring enthusiasm and enchanting,
enlightening emotional thrust) in every heart.
Its nature and extent depends upon what we
deserve. Adi Shankaracharya’s awakening
umang was also born around Vasant
Panchami. His mother had lots of
expectations from this bright child, that ––
“he would be a big officer, a prosperous,
successful man; he will get married and bring
a nice daughter-in-law for me, I will enjoy
the company of my grandchildren”. Sensing
Shankar’s inclination towards ascetic life, she
even used to warn him that he will have to
suffer the pangs of hell for the sin of not
obeying his mother. The umang awakened
in this child gave him the courage to face all
hurdles; he was prepared to go to any hell
during or beyond this life if it were a must
for pursuing the goal of ultimate realization.
One day he entered the deep waters
in the village-river and screamed for his
mother’s help. He told her –– “I am about to
be drowned and die this very moment, but I
am seeing God standing to save me only
under one condition. HE (God) is asking you
to offer my life to Him (for His work) then
HE would save and protect me forever”. Now
his mother had no choice. She agreed and
said “Okay! I am ready to make this sacrifice
for saving your life”. Shankar jumped out of
the swirling waters that very moment and
47
 touched her feet on the banks of the river.
He said to his mother—” look God has saved
me, but now I am His”.
You will find many such examples
of the umang of Vasant in the history. Fifty-
five years ago (in Feb. 1926), the day of
Vasant Panchami had blessed me with
enormous bliss and fortune. It brought my
divine Guru to me. The angelic light of his
aura appeared before me; it induced the
divine impulse of self-realization and
enlightenment in me. It was on this
auspicious day that I had met my eternal
guide and was blessed by his ïaktip³ta upon
me. Today we are gathered here on this sacred
day of Vasant Panchmi. I wish that it could
bring the same good fortune for you all, bless
you with the same inspiration….
What did my divine mentor do? What
is ïaktip³ta? Often people have
misconceptions about ïaktip³ta; that some
electrical current like brilliance is transmitted
from the eyes or hands of the spiritual master
which enters the body of the disciple and
gives a shock like treatment. No, this is not
ïaktip³ta. It does not work at the level of the
gross body. It is in fact a sublime process of
awakening, empowering and exalting the
inner consciousness-force of the deserving
disciple by the spiritual will of the Guru. The
elevated power of consciousness is reflected
in the enlightenment, sublime transmutation
of the intrinsic tendencies, thoughts,
convictions and inner sentiments; and not as
any current of light experienced in the body.
The force of evolved consciousness
is that which induces immense courage and
foresight of adopting and firmly standing for
higher values and ideals. A tiny fish traverses
the great depths and lengths of the oceans
against the direction of the flow of water.
Similar is the case of awakened
48
consciousness. No resistance, no obstacle,
howsoever mighty, can ever hinder or deflect
its chosen path. In ordinary case, one can’t
even imagine how difficult it is to follow an
ideal against the worldly trends of selfish
pursuits. One has to face uncountable
obstructions, challenges, dangers and
immeasurable resistance from multiple
directions –– the pressures and attractions of
attachment with family, friends, the fears of
society, and what not; above all one’s own
weaknesses, ingrained habits and intrinsic
tendencies make it almost impossible for one
to proceed along the path of noble ideals. One
who can do that is indeed spiritually
empowered in my view. This is the spiritual
force that my angelic master had bequeathed
to me with by his ïaktip³ta.
The ïaktip³ta gave me the courage
to come out of the house against all odds and
work for the freedom movement under the
leadership of Mahatma Gandhi at the young
age of barely twenty years. I even had to go
to jail and face tortures at the hands of the
British government; but the inner power
enabled me to continue my march on the path
of self-unfoldment, along with honest
transaction of all the duties – including
familial and social responsibilities – assigned
by my Guru. There never was a looking back,
no agony for the sufferings that came on the
way. This is what is called the marvelous
power of determination inspired by ïaktip³ta.
What happened in Meerabai’s life is
another example of ïaktip³ta. This ardent
devotee of Lord Krishna was under
tremendous pressure from the in-laws family;
they were against her going out of the palace
or calling satsang inside the palace; even her
saintly life-style and engrossment in her
devotion of Krishna was unbearable to many
of them. Helpless Meera wrote to her
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
 contemporary saintly poet Goswami
Tulasidas to advise her about what she should
do; what should be her duty in those
circumstances? Tulsidas explained to her
that; such was the law of the world;
circumstances don’t change according to
one’s ideals or resolutions. One has to change
one’s attitude, mental conditioning for the
desired results. In fact, he sent her a couplet
of poetry that said ––
J³ke Priya Na R³ma Vaidehi, Tajiye
T³hi Koti Bairi Sama Yadyapi Param Sanehº |
(Word Meaning: You should leave those who
do not love Lord Ram and Sita (Father-
Mother God) even if they happen to be your
nearest ones). These words worked like a
ïaktip³ta on Meerabai’s mind and gave it the
light of the spirit and soul-courage to pursue
what eventually made her a true saint, an
immortal example of supreme devotion. I
keep recalling these lines of Goswami
Tulsidas they generate an inexplicable joy
and power in me.
The power of spirit awakened by such
ïaktip³tas is indeed immense. I have
experienced it myself. It is with this
enlightened force that I have stood
successfully for the divine ideals and
principles against even the great
Mahamandaleshwaras,the Shankaracharyas,
the so-called religious leaders of our times. I
have collided against heavy golden shields
and broken them (routed all the adversities
and avarice that tried hindering my ethical,
altruistic path). Be that social reformation,
revival of our Rishi Culture in scientific light,
upliftment of women, mass awareness
against blind ‘religious’ traditions, I have
marched alone on every front; my inner
courage, the light of my awakened soul have
enabled me to surmount all obstacles. This
is how I could launch the grand missions of
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004
Vichar Kranti and Yug Nirman Yojna, to
destroy the smog of evils and ignorance
prevailing in the minds of people and lay the
foundation of an era of bright future for all.
It looks as if every pore of my being filled
by immense vigor, valor and courage like that
of Rishi Parshuram. If people see any sign
of a social reformer or a great personality in
me it is all an expression of the ïaktip³ta
beatified by my Guru on that Vasant
Panchami day in 1926.
The awakening of kuñÃalinº is said
to bestow siddhis and riddhis (spiritual
attainment of supernormal talents and angelic
potentials). With the help of these, an
accomplished s³dhaka or siddha yogi can
miraculously help others and also reach
higher realms in his own spiritual ascent. My
Guru came, activated my inner
consciousness and awakened my kuñÃalinº.
This resulted in the flow of viveka (spiritually
illumined wisdom) and karuñ³ (saintly love
and compassion) within me and eventually
beatified me with enduring contentment,
peace and bliss. This is what we are blessed
with as we dedicate all that we have in the
performance of our duties as per the
enlightened guidance of viveka and saintly
impulse of karuñ³.
People come here with full of varied
sufferings and tensions of worldly life; with
tears in their eyes they come to me for help.
My heart pulsates to absorb all their pains. I
experience limitless inner peace and blissful
repose in allaying their agonies, resolving
their problems, eradicating the adversities of
their lives. I cannot describe in words the
dreaded physical and mental ailments that I
have seen people suffering from. Many come
here to get rid of their beastly tendencies, the
sinful life they have been living so far. How
to tell you, how contented (glad) I feel by
49
 helping them out, by liberating and uplifting
their lives, by giving them happiness. You
see! All this is the astonishing power of
awakened kuñÃalinºi.
On the Vasant Panchami day every
year I keep thinking that all of you present
here should also share in my precious fortune
and lead your lives to glorious heights; may
your noble deeds and names become
immortal on the golden pages of the annals
of humanity. Your life should rise above its
present states of suffering and perversion.
You should be able to resolve all your
problems your self and also have the potential
to help others getting rid of their problems.
Then you will not have to come to me and
beg –– “Guruji! Kindly save me; remove my
sufferings, etc”. Your life should be such that
I, the Guru himself will come to you and ask
for assistance, your active collaboration in
his altruistic world-uplifting efforts. Sri
Ramakrishna Paramhamsa himself used to
go to Narendra (Vivekananda), seeking his
help in dissemination of devotion and
knowledge, in transforming the society. A
tongue cannot work like a mike and a mike
alone is of no use without a tongue (voice),
combination of both serves the purpose. The
voice (message) of the Guru is spread
through the mike (efforts) of the disciples.
My Guru is the voice and I am his mike. I
want you also to be able to do the same in
turn. I would like you to be worthy of
spreading divine message. If you could
cultivate this ability, there would be no delay
in the working of His grace in your lives.
God keeps the boons of ïaktip³ta and
kuñÃalinºi ready in His hands to bestow them
upon deserving souls. You could also receive
them provided you have the desired level of
ïraddh³ (inner faith and dedication) and
p³trat³ (worthiness).
50
We have taken up the mission of revival
of the vedic knowledge and rishi traditions of
Yagya along with Gayatri Vidya. We have now
introduced the medium of “Gyan Rathas” to
spread this knowledge through mission’s
publications. You may devote two valuable
hours per day (or equivalent time per week)
for this noble task. This would indeed be more
virtuous than singing devotional songs or
worshiping divine idols for the same time. My
Guru had asked for my time and efforts. I
dedicated every moment of my life for His
work. Well, in return, he bestowed on me so
many boons, endowed me with gifts that could
not have been attainable by tapa and up³san³
for several lives. This is what I am entreating
you to do. Please give me a fraction of your
time and effort to disseminate the knowledge
and ideals of spirituality. If you expect to gain
something, you will also have to give
something. Higher attainments demand greater
sacrifices.
The Shastric Scriptures describe of
“Ekad³ Naimi̳rañye” –– referring to the
conversation of rishis Shaunak and Suta that
focuses on the sagacious discussions of the
saints, the thinkers, the Brahmins of that time
in the lush forest-fields of Namisharnya. I had
also wanted to develop a Naimisharnya for the
present Age, where people would live for pure
selfless love, enlightenment and high ideals;
where they would amicably share each others’
joy and sorrows; where they would happily
sacrifice their selfish desires and comforts for
the welfare of the world. This is what I expect
to happen in Shantikunj and its newer
expansion Gayatri Nagar. I inaugurate the
Gayatri Nagar with this expectation and with
full confidence in my Guru’s assurance that all
my aims devoted to attainment of divine goals
would be accomplished gloriously.
|| OM SHANTI ||
Akhand Jyoti Jan-Feb 2004