Here is the blog of a brave and determined devotee named Lakshmichand Sheth.

Supreme Godhead Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan had given the Five Spiritual Disciplines for a householder devotee commonly known as Panch Vartman.

Among the five spiritual disciplines let’s go ahead with the second vartaman which is 02. Not to Eat Meat.

Bhagwan Swaminarayan has strictly commanded in Shikshapatri describing the shloka below:

कस्यापि प्राणीनो हिंसा नैव कार्यात्र मामकैः

सुक्ष्मयुकामत्कुणादेरपि बुध्या कदाचन (15)

My followers shall never kill any living being,
Not even small insects knowingly.

Let’s dive into the history and know how a devotee stood with this second vartman of Not to Eat Meat even in the difficult times and this blog is to inspire all who face difficulties in life.

Once Vrajanand swami, Raghvanand swami along with a group of twelve saints arrived at the outskirts of Ghoghla village near Deev Bandar port. Saints had a bath in the nearby stream, & sat doing Mansi pooja(Mental worship) under a tree.

At that moment, a person named Lakshmichand Seth saw this peaceful scene.

He was attracted by the fragrance of flowers, scents..in the surroundings. As he got closer, the fragrance became stronger, yet he saw no evidence of such a pleasant & powerful fragrance.  He got confused & a bit shocked that these saints are not applying Chandan,offering garland, eating fruits but still the source of the smell is coming from them?

The saints were all involved in doing Mansi-pooja, yet there was an intensely attractive scent comming from them.

Lakshmichand Seth sat before the saints & waited.  Then Vrajanand Swami opened his eyes from Mansi-pooja. He saw Lakshmichand Seth & greeted him,saying “Jay Swaminarayan”

Lakshmichand Seth replied  “Pranam, Maharaj,”

Unable to hold his curiosity any further, Lakshmichand Seth asked, “Where is this wonderful fragrance coming from?” Smiling, Vrajanand Swami answered, whatever is dedicated with love & affection to God in Mansi pooja, God accepts it as physically present, as these saints were completely engrossed in mansi-pooja offering sandal paste & scent to Bhagwan Swaminarayan. That is why you experienced the wonderful fragrance of sandal paste & scent.

This was quite new to Lakshmichand Seth, he was highly impressed  & still wished to know more.  So, he further asked, Who is that God? Vrajanand swami replied He is Bhagwan Swaminarayan. For the ultimate salvation of innumerable souls, He has gracefully incarnated on the earth & presently resides at Gadhpur.

Vrajanand Swami then said the glorious charitra of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Listening to this Lakshmichand Seth was spiritually enlightened & he requested Vrajanand swami to accept him as a devotee of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Swami initiated him with Panch Vartman Diksha & instructed him to follow Panch Vartman, the Five Spiritual Disciplines.

A short while later, Lakshmichand Seth got an opportunity to go Africa to earn money. Before leaving he taught let me approach to Vrajanand swami & have his blessings. He approached Swami & said Swamiji for my better earning I am wishing to go to Africa. Kindly bless me!

The way Lakshmichand seth approached Vrajanand swami Similarly before taking any major step in our life we must take blessings from the true saints. That makes our path happy & safe. Then Vrajanand Swami blessed him & said

Do five mala with chanting Swaminarayan Mahamantra everyday & remember Bhagwan Swaminarayan in all activities & never compromise with Panch vartman and Once you earn enough money, don’t be greedy and return back to India. We pray to Bhagwan Swaminarayan to protect you & bless you with a better future.

Lakshmichand Seth promised  to swamiji & a few days later he boarded the ship set for Africa. Everything went smoothly, until mid-ocean, suddenly they caught in a violent storm.  Everyone panicked and lost hope of survival.

The captain declared everyone that we have lost our control over the ship.  Now everything is up to God, better start praying to your beloved God. Lakshmichand Seth started chanting Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan… & prayed for the safe passage of the ship & the passengers.  Everyone went deep into devotion because in sorrowful situations God is easily remembered isn’t it?

Soon, by the grace of  Bhagwan Swaminarayan, the giant waves stopped & the winds calmed down.  Everyone breathed a sense of relief. The captain navigated the ship & soon they reached  Africa around a month later. In Africa, Lakshmichand Seth secured a job in the company as a manager.

He worked sincerely  & honestly. The reputation of Lakshmichand Seth grew gradually. Amid all this, he never forgot the words of Vrajanand Swami. He was feeling grateful that due to the blessing of Vrajanand Swami my life is well settled here So, instead of Five mala every day he used to rotate fifty mala everyday. In this way, almost one year passed.

Lakshmichand Seth had earned sufficient money. But, now he forgot the words of Vrajanand swami to return back to India.

“Money is such a thing that no one gets satisfied with it. Money will always look lesser & lesser whether you are earning 10,000 , 10-lakh , 10-crore, 100-crores or more than that it always seems lesser and lesser.”

Here Lakshmichand Seth also wished to earn more and more money..

Well once Lakshmichand Seth fell ill being still ill, he used to go to the shop & continue his work & he didn’t let his boss come to know about his illness.

But soon, he became so weak that he was unable to stand and walk anymore and had to stay away from his office. Boss came to know about the illness of Lakshmichand Seth he was worried a lot because Lakshmichand Seth was such a loyal & honest manager in his company. So, he purchased the medicines & reached Lakshmichand’s house & said lakshmichand why didn’t you tell me about your serious condition?

Have you taken the medicine? lakshmichand replied no! Boss said don’t worry, I have already brought medicines for you. “It will make you stronger”. It contains high-quality alcohol and animal bones. This is why this medicine gives instant power to the body. Please take it, you will be fine soon!

Lakshmichand Seth replied with politeness,  “I will not consume this medicine because it contains alcohol & animal bones &  I am a devotee of Bhgawan Swaminarayan so at any cost I don’t disobey  the commands of my God.”

Many ways his boss tried to convince Lakshmichand Seth & also warned him That if you do not take this medicine you will lose your health & become weak & it will be difficult to return India & meet your family. But Lakshmichand did not agree to accept the medicines. Finally the boss left his house. With pain laying on the bed Lakshmichand Seth thought That I got this illness because I neglected the words of Vrajanand swami & didn’t return India even after earning enough money.

“No matter how good the medicine is, I will not consume it. Even if this body falls it’s okay, but I will not displease Maharaj by breaking his commands.”

Lakshmichand Seth started praying to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, O Maharaj Now everything is in your hand & started remembering Bhagwan Swaminarayan with chanting Swaminarayan,Swaminarayan.. Likewise he prayed to Bhagwan Swaminarayan the whole night. In the early morning around 4’o’ clock, he was still chanting Swaminarayan.. & all of a sudden the divine light spread over the entire room & there appeared  Supreme Godhead Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

Lakshmichand Seth surprised & got up from the bed & asked “Who are you?”

“I am the one to whom you have been praying for all these moths I am Bhagwan Swaminarayan.”

Immediately Lakshminchand seth stood up from the bed & fell at the feet of Bhagwan Swaminarayan & did dandvat pranam. Maharaj said I have come here  because I am pleased with your faith on my commands.  In this troublesome illness also you didn’t disobey my commands. But now you don’t worry, take this medicine It will make you well.

Saying so, Maharaj gave Tulsi & salt as a medicine to Lakshmichand seth & Showering his blessings & grace on Lakshmichand seth Bhagwan Swaminarayan disappeared.

Lakshmichand Seth had the divine medicine given by Bhagwan Swaminarayan & in no time  he was completely fresh as before & started preparation returning to India. His boss tried a lot to make Lakshminchand Seth  stay in Africa.  He offered him a share of the business, double the salary, also offered a free rent house, & many other benefits, but Lakshmichand Seth was not at all tempted by these materialistic offers.

One who realizes God never gets tempted to worldly pleasures.

Finally, Lakshmichand Seth returned to India. Before going to his home he directly went to Gadhpur (Gujarat) & had darshan of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and his guru Vrajanand swami and he further asked for forgiveness from Vrajanand swami where tears of joy overflowed from the eyes of Lakshmichand’s Seth at this first glimpse of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

After taking the blessings from Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Vrajanand swami Lakshmichand Seth went back to his home.

What do we learn from this charitra of Lakshmichand Seth?

There are three major learnings from this charitra:-

1. We should be attached with the true saints of God & in our life before taking any big decision we must take their blessings & guidance of the saints.
   
2. After all, being a devotee of Bhagwan Swaminarayan if we still face some  miseries in our life, then we must remember that somewhere we have disobeyed the command of Bhagwan Swaminarayan & his true saints.
   
3. If we are committed to follow panch vartman in any situation then Bhawan Swaminarayan is also committed to protect you in any situation.

In this charitra you know that even in the worst situation Lakshmichand Seth did not consume meatful medicines, so Bhawan Swaminarayan had to give darshan & give him a Devine medicine.

“If we are committed to Bhagwan Swaminarayan then Bhagwan Swaminarayan is also committed”.

Commitment is not just a word, but it’s an act.

One of the top most university of the world Oxford University has interviewed & counselled ann number of students And as a conclusion they found 7 common PROBLEMS of Students which were related to education & study

They are…

1. How to develop motivation for study ?
2. How to overcome distractions ?
3. How to develop concentration ?
4. How to increase memory power & retention capacity
5. How to develop interest in study ?
6. How to manage time ?
7. How to get the right counselling at the right time ?

These are the common questions asked by students, these are the common concerns & problems during the student life You also are a student, so you may also be facing such kinds of problems ? Do you want to overcome these problems & become an Ideal Student ?

If your answer is YES, then this Blog will absolutely help you Read this Blog till the end & share this Blog with your friends, classmates so that they can also be benefited. What is the SOLUTION to these common problems of students ?

Our Scripture gives us SOLUTION to all these problems within single Sloka, which is…

काकचेष्टा बकध्यानं श्वाननिद्रा तथैव च ।

अल्पाहारं ब्रह्मचर्यं विद्यार्थीपंचलक्षणम् ॥

These are the 5 virtues of a Vidyarthi

Vidyarthi :

Vidya = Knowledge / Skill

Arthi = Who desires & seeks

Therefore Vidyarthi is the seeker of knowledge/skills, a learner, a student.

If you want to gain the knowledge of any subject like math, science, english, social studies or any spiritual scriptures or if you want to develop any skill in sports, in arts & craft, in Music, in leadership etc.

The Education world is crumbling today and yet the time was never been so right and apt as it is today for affirming our belief in our passion, i.e Teaching…. for we are Teachers and it is our foremost job and most important work to teach our students and testify them turn into good human beings! Trust me, this is our time and we shape future world leaders, solution seekers and society makers of tomorrow!

Welcome to the world of pandemic stricken learning which gave opportunities for every human being to transform into a teacher or an educator, with lots of inputs and support from the internet and web-based tools to operate and leverage from. The entire Educational Structure of the world had to undergo an immediate shift from the chalkboard to the screen-based learning and not many families and societies were ready to accept this immediate unexpected jump. This was so unprecedented and sudden that it left us with no time to fasten our seat belts.

The reality check of what happened in the Corona Times…..

The world order came to a standstill. Schools got shut as it raked a fear among the masses that school will be the breeding ground for this pandemic to spread like wildfire. Education was restricted to the four walls of the home. Enter the so-called Edu- Companies into the Education Market. Those who had little knowledge about education and other pedagogical aspects started advocating and preaching the merits of tech-driven education, forgetting the gorge differing difference between tech-driven and tech-enabled education. Not only did they start endorsing and marketing their products like any other FMCG products, but started tailoring and delivering cutting end to end solutions for teaching-learning, replacing and taking the authority of the chair of a teacher. The Educator who had given years of hard work, in molding and shaping the child somewhere got lost in this shift from real-time classroom teaching professional to an instructor or just a facilitator on a smart screen, being vulnerable to the prying and judgmental eyes of the parents who had otherwise never entered the child’s classroom but started comparing everything under the sky from teacher’s accent to the conduct, to the dress worn for the session to the background of the wall. Absolutely everything got exposed and the fear of being recorded and used as evidence later was another woe to add on…

Education was never ever limited to all these trivial things and certainly needed to be seen differently from a consumerism approach as it is seen today to be a more perseverant and austere profession.

Education is a building up process and needs the contribution of expert able hands. Hands that know how to nurture human emotions to achieve the highest potential of a child. Hands that know how to lift a fallen child up and give a push to run in a wide world of competition and cooperation. Hands that know how to pat the shoulders of a child for the success achieved and also know to pull the curtains of failure to new rays of customized learning and skill built up.

Just harping on the knowledge from the digital repository of a giant web structure doesn’t make particular software, a teacher. A teacher is much more than flesh and blood and years of sacrifice cannot be seen as just another means of earning a humble livelihood, often giving a feeling that it is sheer wastage and life could have been carved as some errand running high earning professional.

Teachers become Educators by their own choice and not by force or fall into any circumstantial grid. As famously someone has enumerated the 7 C’s of resilience in a teacher’s profile… It is confidence, competence, connection, contribution, character, coping and control.

A well aware and updated teacher knows how to merge and blend his acquired skills to contribute towards the greater good of the student learning curve.

Technology is the new chalk, Dear Educators!

It is how the world sees the learning now, so it is time to adopt and adapt to the new wave of technology in pedagogy, the art of teaching and learning. It’s more to just auditory, visual, kinesthetic, musical… it’s a blend of all these together in a virtual platform. The kick of doing it all virtually is the new game. For, eg- the new augmented reality and intelligence gives powerful tools in the hands of teachers to manipulate reality in virtual space thus impacting classroom teaching, making it more fun-oriented and interactive. Use your tools wisely, else time will come when a smarter virtual version of you will be placed in classrooms and you might be worrying where it came from…

It’s high time to clasp your open fists to a new tool which has toyed you enough, now needs to be harnessed and put to smart use. Being updated with the latest technology will never leave you redundant, it will only empower you with more power and smartness. And who doesn’t want to learn from a smart teacher? Tell me!

Happy Teacher’s Day to all my colleagues in this profession! Corona just opened doors and windows to a new style of teaching-learning in front of a computer screen, but core values remain the same. We are nation builders and society will always be indebted to our huge sacrifices and efforts in this path of formulation of new ideas, when we raise the next generation of individuals who are ideologically and technologically smart, to forge ahead into the next century quite capable and competent.

Trust your hands and intentions, My Friends!

But while shooting, Ben Kingsley was unable to bring the exact expressions of Gandhiji on his face in the beginning.As Gandhiji is the man of truth & non-violence, Ben kingsley is unable to express that compassion, kindness & selfless love on his face.They stopped the shooting. Whole team began to find out the reason. Some Indians suggested that Ben Kingsley is unable to express the emotion of compassion & kindness because he is from the non-vegetarian background

How can he express the emotion of compassion & kindness with eating Non-veg food ? Finally Ben Kingsley stopped eating non-veg food & again he prepared himself for the role of Gandhiji. After a week they took few shots but now everybody surprised to see the real expressions & emotions of Gandhiji on the face of Ben Kingsley. All congratulated Ben Kingsley & said YES, this is what we wanted to see on your face

Dear Friends,
Could you understand anything from this real incident ? Why was Ben Kingsley not able to express the emotion of compassion & kindness on his face ?What was the REASON ?Reason was the FOOD he used to eat, the reason was the NON-VEG food he used to eat

Whatever food we eat has great IMPACT on our Mind, on our thoughts, on our emotion, in our expressions. What kind of food we eat reflects on our face also. In this world, we see different kinds of people around us like. Good people, bad people. violent, kindful. selfish, selfless. lustful, loveful. greedy, generous. corrupt,honest. Spiritual, materialistic. Devotional, dramebaaz. ikewise many kinds of people….

Did you ever think, what are the factors which make them good or bad, violent or kindful, selfish or selfless, corrupt or honest, devotional or dramebaaz ? There are 2 life changing FACTORS which are potential enough to MAKE our life & also BREAK our life These 2 factors play major role to develop a great life & they also play a major role to destroy a great life. What they are ? Do you want to know that ? Yes or No

If your reply is YES, then first of all take Take note & pen & keep writing the points form this video session. FOOD & FRIENDSHIP
In Shrimad Bhagwad Gita, it is said as Ahar & Vihar – युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु – Gita.Today we will talk about Food & for friendship we will talk in our next video session

It’s said in छांदोग्य उपनिषद that…

अन्नमशितं त्रेधा विधीयते – Eaten food gets converted in 3 things in a body
तस्य यः स्थविष्ठो धातुस्तत्पुरीषं भवति – External part of the food gets converted in excreta
यो मध्यमस्तन्मांसं योऽणिष्ठस्तन्मनः – Middle part of food gets converted in flesh & sutle part of the food gets converted in Mind

Conclusion is…As is the FOOD so is the MIND – जैसा अन्न वैसा मन. What we eat & drink affects our Mind, our thoughts & emotions. Same thing proven by Harvard University also Whatever we eat & drink directly affects the structure and function of our brain and, ultimately, our mood.Our Food affects our Mood. If a person drinks alcohol then he will lose control of his mind, his body, his behavior will change completely, he will lose his balance, why ? Because of that DRINK, it affects our mood. When we eat so much at the time of lunch then we feel sleepy, we get dozing, our mind becomes idle & lazy, Why? Because food affects our Mood. What kind of food we eat will determine our happy mood or sad mood, fresh mood or tired mood If you want to MAKE your MOOD GOOD then make your FOOD GOOD

Let me tell you the Eye-opening incident from Mahabharat

In Mahabharat war, Arjun has pierced the body of Bhishm Pitamah with number of arrows & Bhishm fell down on the bed of arrows. He was having the boon of DESIRED DEATH, so he didn’t die. After 18 days of Mahabharat war Pandava got the victory later all Pandavas, Lord Krishna & Draupadiji came to meet Bhishma Pitamah who was sleeping on the painful bed of arrows. Bhishm Pitamah started giving sermon of Dharm to Yudhisthir & other pandavas. While Bhishm Pitamah was giving the great sermons of Dharm, Draupadiji got smile on her face

Bhishm Pitamah noticed this & asked, dear daughter, why did you smile ? Any resson ? Draupadiji said, No, I am sorry, Again Bhishm Pitamah asked, please tell me why did you smile now ?Then Draupadiji said, oh grandsire, what a great sermon of Dharm you are giving now but when Dushasan was pulling my sarees in front of the whole Kuru Assembly, at that time where was this knowledge of Dharm ? Why didn’t you stop Duryodhan & Dushasan from insulting me ?

Then what Bhishm Pitamah replied to Draupadiji, you must listen very very carefully
Bhishm Pitamah said, dear daughter, YOU ARE RIGHT, I COULDN’T STOP DURYODHAN & DUSHASHAN. Because I was eating the food of Duryodhan so, I had lost my MORAL COURAGE to go against Duryodhan & favor the Dharm, I was helpless !

But in war, Arjun has pierced my whole body with the arrows, now the blood made of the food of Duryodhan lost from my body. So now I regained that pure knowledge of Dharm

Dear Friends,
This is the EFFECT of FOOD on our MIND, on our Knowledge, on our Moral Courage, on our Sanskar. Wrong Food, wrong people’s food can corrupt your Sanskar, it can destroy your Moral Courage. What kind of food you eat, whose food you eat will determine the stability or instability of Sanskar & Morality in your life

Sometime you also go to eat the food in Hotel or restaurant

But you don’t know how they prepare the food, who prepare the food in the restaurant & hotel. Before you eat the food of the hotel & restaurant….Are you sure that cooks have taken baths before preparing food ?Are you sure that cooks have washed their hands after using the toilet ?

Are you sure that cooks are not having any addiction to smoking, tobacco or alcohol ? Are you sure that cooks have not sprinkled his sweat in the food ? Now you just think, if you will eat such food prepared by such disgusting cooks, disgusting materials, in a disgusting way what kinds of thoughts would you get in your mind after eating such food? I can’t say everything on YouTube video sessions but there are many such invisible realities about the hotel & restaurant which affect our life badly !They don’t wash the vegetables properly & sometimes they use spoiled vegetables also

They don’t wash vessels for the second round of cooking – Everyday they will use the same unwashed vessels.They cook the veg food in non-veg food vessels.They offer you veg food in a nice dish but it has been prepared in non-veg vessels

Unknowingly you become a non-veg eater, unknowingly you become a SINNER ! One more fact I will tell you, mostly the owners of the hotel will never eat in a hotel, why ? Because they know how they are preparing food in hotel & restaurant Hotel food is not a healthy food. But people get attracted by the TV Ads of such food restaurant & they go to hotel & restaurant

But remember one thing that they are not running hotel & restaurant not to improve your HEALTH, they are running the hotel & restaurant for their PROFIT. They don’t care your health, your life they just care their Benefits & their PROFIT. They just serve you the delight food but not the right food

Instead if you always eat the food prepared by your Mother or Sister, they prepare it with love & affection for you, Such food will enhance your good thoughts & good health also So my
dear Students, EAT the RIGHT Food don’t eat the DELIGHT Food. Eat the HOME-MADE food, don’t eat the HOTEL-MADE Food

छांदोग्य उपनिषद –
आहारशुद्धौ सत्वशुद्धि सत्वशुद्धौ ध्रुवा स्मृति :।
(Purified Food leads to Purified Mind, Purified Mind leads to Constant Memory of God)
You can’t realize God without the RIGHT food

What is called RIGHT Food ?
Right food includes 2 things,
RIGHT QUALITY & RIGHT QUANTITY
Both Quality of food & quantity of food affect our Mind, our Mood

What comes under the RIGHT QUALITY of Food ?
Before you Eat anything, Ensure these 3 criterias

What comes under RIGHT QUANTITY ?

Remember this Fitness Mantra :Eat less than your hunger & drink more than your thirst Bad Habit : Eating So Much. Many students have habit of eating so much they graze like a goat whole day any time anywhere, anything. They eat in the classroom also. They are like a Goat, they will always be hungry !I know many of you eat snacks secretly in the classroom while sir is teaching on board !But this habit is very bad for mental fitness as well as for physical fitness. Because excessive food breaks the concentration of Mind,it makes our mind lazy & idle. After eating so much if you sit for reading, your mind won’t be able to remember what you read. Excessive Eating increases obesity, sleep, Laziness & idleness

Dear Friend,
Saints live very healthy lives. Do you know why ? Because Saints have prasad just once in a day (Swami Photo)So they remain so FIT mentally & physically So EAT at the time of EATING, in morning as breakfast, afternoon as lunch & in evening as dinner but not at the time of READING & STUDY. Don’t graze like a Goat

So, My dear Friends

Do you want to live a long life ? Do you want to live a Happy life. Do you want to live a Sanskari Life. Do you want to live a Spiritual Life? If your answer is YES, then always EAT RIGHT FOOD with RIGHT Quality & RIGHT Quantity. So, let’s develop a habit of EATING RIGHT FOOD & let’s live long & live happy
Thank you, Jay Swaminarayan

તિલક કરવામાં ક્ષોભ શાનો ?

આજની પેઢીના વિદ્યાર્થીઓ કયારેક શુભ પ્રસંગે ચાંદલો કરવાના સમયે મોઢું બગાડતા હોય છે. કેટલીક શાળા કોલેજોમાં અધ્યાપકો દ્વારા છોકરા-છોકરીઓને ચાંદલા કરવાની મનાઈ ફરમાવવામાં આવે છે. મોટા ભાગના પુરુષો પોતાને ફેશનેબલ ગણાવવા તિલકને તિલાંજલિ આપી દે છે. સાથે સ્ત્રીઓ પણ કુદરતી દ્રવ્યોનો અનાદર કરી વેલ્વેટ અને પ્લાસ્ટિકના ચાંદલા લગાવે છે. આના દ્વારા સમયની બચત થતી હશે અથવા ચહેરાની શોભા વધતી હશે પરંતુ કુદરતી દ્રવ્યોથી મળતી સુંદરતા, શક્તિ અને સાત્વિક લાભોથી વંચિત રહી જવાય છે. કેટલાક લોકો ધાર્મિક હોવા છતાં તિલક કરવામાં સંકોચ અને શરમ અનુભવે છે. તે યોગ્ય નથી. અરે ભાઈ ! કપાળમાં કોઢ નીકળે તો કયાં છુપાવવા જઈએ છીએ ? અણઈચ્છાએ આવતી વિકૃતિ સહન કરી લેતા હોઈએ તો આતો આપણી સંસ્કૃતિ છે, સન્માનથી સ્વીકારવી જોઈએ. સારા કામમાં શરમ ન રખાય. કાળાં કામો કરવાં હોય તેને તકલીફ પડે એ ખરું ! પરંતુ સજ્જનો અને સુજ્ઞજનો નુકશાન કે ખર્ચ વિના થતાં, ઓછામાં ઓછા પ્રયાસથી વધુ ને વધુ ફળ મળતાં કાર્યને કદી જતું કરતા નથી.

તિલક કરવાથી થતા ફાયદા…

તિલક કરવાથી ધર્મભાવના દૃઢ થાય છે. તિલકધારી જો જાગૃત હોય તો હું ભગવાનનો દાસ છું, એવું અનાયાસે અનુસંધાન રહે છે. ઈશની નાની મોટી આજ્ઞા પાળવાનું બળ મળે છે, જીવનમાં સદાચાર અને નમ્રતા આવે છે. ખોટું કામ કરતા સહેજે અટકીએ છીએ, દુજર્નો આપણને ભક્ત જાણી જાતે જ દૂર રહે. લોકલાજ તૂટે છે. ધીરે ધીરે આત્મબળ અને ઈશ્વરીય આશરાનું બળ પ્રગટે છે. તિલક આપણું અંગરક્ષક બનીને બગડતાં બચાવે છે. કદાચ અવળે માર્ગે દોરાયા તો અન્ય વ્યક્તિઓ આપણા તિલકને કારણે આપણને પાછા વાળે છે. તિલકમાં ભાવનાત્મક શ્રદ્ધા હોવાને કારણે વ્યક્તિનું ધ્યાન શરીરનાં અન્ય અંગોને છોડી મસ્તક પર વિશેષ રહે છે, જે ‘સ્વ’ બોધ તરફ દોરી થાય છે. પોતે પવિત્ર જીવન જીવ્યાનો દિવ્યાનંદ માણી શકે છે. તિલક આપણને સભાન અને સાવધાન બનાવે છે. દા.ત. પોલીસને ખાખી કપડાથી શક્તિ વધતી નથી, નર્સને સફેદ વસ્ત્રોથી સેવા ભાવના વધી જતી નથી, જજને કાળા કોટથી ન્યાયબુદ્ધિ વધતી નથી, પણ એમને પોતાની જવાબદારીનું ભાન રહે તે માટે બાહ્યોપચાર લાભદાયક છે. ઉપરોક્ત પ્રાપ્તિ અને તૃપ્તિ સર્ચ કે રિસર્ચ કરવાથી નહીં પરસર્ચ કરવાથી મળે છે. ખરેખર જાણેલી વાતો કરતાંય માણેલા આનંદને કદી પૂર્ણ વિરામ નથી હોતું.

ઊર્ધ્વપુંડ્ર તિલકનું અદ્વિતીય સ્થાન…

યુ આકારનું ઊર્ધ્વપુંડ્ર તિલક એ ભગવાનના ચરણાર્વિંદનું પ્રતીક છે. શ્રીમદ્‌ ભાગવતમાં દશમસ્કંધ કથા મુજબ શ્રીકૃષ્ણ પ્રભુ ગ્વાલ બાલ સંગાથે જમુના કિનારે ગેડી દડે રમતા હતા. દડો કાલીન્દ્રીના ધરામાં ગયો. જ્યાં યુગોથી કાલીયાનાગનો નિવાસ હતો. તેના ઝેરથી ધરાનું પાણી ઝેરી બની ગયેલું. અજાણતા કોઈ પશુ પંખી કે માનવ પાણી પી જાય તો તરફડીને મરી જાય. કાલીના ઉદ્ધાર માટે લીલા પુરુષોત્તમ સ્વયં ધરામાં પ્રવેશ્યા. બન્ને વચ્ચે થોડો સંવાદ સધાયો પરંતુ કોઈ સમાધાન ન આવતા ઘમસાણ યુદ્ધ શરૂ થયું. કાલીનાગ પણ દેવતાઈ અંશ હોવાથી બળવાન હતો. પ્રભુએ થોડી જ ક્ષણોમાં કાલીને નાથી લીધો. તેની ફેણ ઉપર નૃત્ય કરવા લાગ્યા. તેના મસ્તકે પ્રભુનાં પાવન પગલાં પડતાં યુ ચિહ્ન અંકિત થયું. કાલીનાગ નિર્વિષ બન્યો. પ્રભુએ કહ્યું તું અહિંથી રમણક દ્વિપમાં જતો રહે. કાલી કહે, જો હું બહાર નિકળું તો ગરુડ મને મારી નાખે. અહીં એને શાપ હોવાથી હું સલામત છું. પ્રભુ કહે, તું નિશ્ચિંત બનીજા. અમારા ચરણ સ્પર્શથી તને અભયપદ પ્રાપ્ત થયું છે. અમારા શરણાગતને માથે કદી કાળ, કર્મ, માયાનો ભય રહેતો નથી. આમ, તિલક એ શરણાગત ભક્તના પ્રતીકરૂપ, સમર્થ ભગવાનની પ્રસાદીભૂત છે.

સામાન્ય રીતે આ તિલકના બે તાર વચ્ચેનું અંતર અરધાથી પોણો ઈંચ હોય છે. અને ત્રણ-સાડાત્રણ ઈંચ લંબાઈ હોય છે. તે ચીપિયા આકારનું હોય છે. તેના પર કંકુ લગાવી કરવાથી વૈષ્ણવી તિલક બની જાય. સ્વામિનારાયણ સંપ્રદાયમાં તિલક પર ચંદન લગાવી વચ્ચે કુંમકુમનો ચાંદલો કરાય છે. સ્મૃતિ ગ્રંથોમાં દીપ, વાંસળી, કમળ, મત્સ્ય, કૂર્મ, શંખ, સ્વસ્તિક વગેરે પ્રકારની આકૃતિઓનું વર્ણન જોવા મળે છે. તેમાં ભગવદ્‌ ચરણાકૃતિ ઊર્ધ્વપુંડ્ર તિલકને ઉત્તમ ગણાવતા સ્મૃતિગ્રંથો કહે છે કે,

– હરેઃ પદાકૃતિમાત્માનો હિતાય …

– સાન્તરાલં પ્રકૃર્વિશ્ન્‌ ઉર્ધ્વપુંડ્ર પાદકૃતિમ્‌ …

– ઊર્ધ્વપુંડ્ર મુદ્રા કુર્યાન્‌ ભસ્મનાતુ ત્રિપુંડ્રિકમ …(ભવિષ્ય પુરાણ)

ચંદન, કુંમકુમ આદિ પૂજા દ્રવ્યો ભગવદ્‌ પૂજનમાં વપરાયું હોય તે ઉત્તમ ગણાય. તીર્થમાટી સ્વયં પવિત્ર ગણાય. આ અનુભૂતિનો વિષય છે. ખાલી પાણી અને અભિષેકના જળમાં ભૌતિકદૃષ્ટિએ કોઈ ભેદ જણાતો નથી પરંતુ આત્મિકદૃષ્ટિએ મોટો તફાવત પડે છે. પ્રાસાદિક પદાર્થોથી મલિન તત્ત્વો સો ગાઉ દૂર રહે છે. નડતર, ભૂત-પ્રેતાદિકના ઉપદ્રવ વગેરેમાં શાંતિ થાય છે. તેથી કેસર, ચંદન, કુમકુમાદિ દ્રવ્યો વાપરતાં પહેલાં પ્રસાદીનું કરાવવું હિતાવહ છે.

Painting of GOD in MAN & DEVIL in MAN

Many Years ago, there was a great painter, He was so ambitious to make UNIQUE PAINTINGS in the world. People used to buy his paintings in millions of rupees. One day he thought to paint such picture which can reflect the glimpse of God, He decided to make a picture of “GOD IN MAN”. He started to find out such person who can be a reference for this painting, GOD IN MAN

He travelled through many villages, cities, He saw so many people, youngsters, but he couldn’t see that divinity, innocence, merciful glow like God on his face. One day he saw a Young boy around 16 years old, who was such beautiful & charming like God, his nature, his face was reflecting that divinity & merci on his face. This painter met to him & requested him to help him make this painting. That Young boy was so innocent & lovely, he said YES Sure why not what I have to do ? Painter said, Nothing please come with me & just sit for an hour in front of me so that I can paint the picture, God In man.

Finally that boy sat before the painter & painter drew a great sketch of that Boy & prepared a his dream painting, GOD IN MAN. That picture was sold in millions of rupee.This painting made people to see the GLIMPSE of GOD in this picture, everybody were amazed by seeing this picture.After 10 years again he thought that I have sketched the painting of GOD IN MAN but now I want to present the painting of DEVIL IN MAN

So once again he started to search for the right REFERENCE PERSON for this painting, DEVIL IN MAN.He saw many people who are cruel & violent but also saw the humanity somewhere on their face so he was noit finding the perfect match for the DEVIL LOOK Person. One day he saw a person worse than the devil, such cruel, merciless, violent, addicted & will all sort of immorality. he met that person & said, can you help me to prepare a painting ? Anyway he agreed

That devil-like person set before a painter & painter began to sketch the picture of DEVIL IN MAN. While he was painting a picture on canvas, he saw different expressions on the face of that devil-like person. He saw the feeling of REGRET on his face & soon that Devil-like person began to cry. Painter shocked, he came near and he asked I am sorry, what happened ? Did I make any mistake ? I am sorry ! Anyway he consoled & made him fine

Then that devil-like person said, I am the same person, same person whom you selected for GOD IN MAN & today you selected me for DEVIL IN MAN. Oh my God ! painter surprised like anything. But how did it happen ? Then he said, due to bad friends, I slipped in addiction of smoking, drugs & alcohol & then adultery & then everything that’s BAD. I lost study & then career so became a thief & then murderer. Today I am here at this miserable life because of BAD FRIENDSHIP

Dear Friends,
Can you tell me Why a DIVINE PERSON turned into a DEVIL Person ?What was the reason ? Isn’t this incident relative to our lives ? Many Times we see children, they are good & positive in their childhood, but when they grow up they turn bad in Youth, they turn negative, get addicted to alcohol, drugs, smoking etc.

Did you ever think why it happens so ?

The ROOT CAUSE is their BAD FRIENDSHIP, BAD COMPANY

Dear Friend,
Let me remind you that in this world there are many kinds of people, but do you know what makes them so ? There are 2 life-changing factors which influences our life positively & negatively.They are FOOD & FRIENDSHIP. FOR RIGHT FOOD we discussed in our last blog.Today we will discuss on RIGHT FRIENDSHIP, RIGHT COMPANY in our life

Arjun & Karn

Dear Friends,
In Mahabharat there were 2 GREAT WARRIORS. Arjun & Karn, Both were the START WARRIORS, STAR ARCHERS. But one became Winner & another became Loser. One utilized his skills to protect dharm & another utilized his skill to protect Adharm. One fought for Lord Krishna, another fought against Lord Krishna. Can you tell me what made them so ?

They were having the similar skills.What directed their SKILLS ?