A SAINT ENTERTAINS ONLY AS MUCH JOY AND SORROW AS NEEDS TO BE EXPRESSED BY CUSTOM

A SAINT ENTERTAINS ONLY AS MUCH JOY AND SORROW AS NEEDS TO BE EXPRESSED BY CUSTOM

                      

A doctor, of whom ShriMaharaj was very fond, died. Along with all the others, ShriMaharaj also expressed grief. A seeker of knowledge asked, "We suffered sorrow on the passing away of the doctor. Did you also suffer in the same way T ShriMaharaj said, "The parents of your wife have their house in Pune. When your wife is visiting her parents in Pune, you do not grieve for her absence. You know that she is in Pune and keeping well. Likewise, because I know where the soul has migrated, there is no occasion for me to grieve. But my difficulty is a little dif­ferent. Because I have to stay amongst you, by conven­tion, I have to make a show of grief. Care needs to be taken that the show is well done. Exercising of this care is what causes a strain. By the grace of Rama, my show has never Hopped; on the contrary, it has been coming off very well."

ONE SHOULD NOT PIT MATERIAL WISDOM AGAINST A SAINT'S ADVICE.

ONE SHOULD NOT PIT MATERIAL WISDOM AGAINST A SAINT'S ADVICE.

  Ganpatrao Damle was in Gondavale. It was necessary for him to go to Pune to attend the court on a particular date. On the day before he asked for ShriMaharaj's per­mission to go to Pune. It was about eight o'clock in the morning. 'Let us see' was all that ShriMaharaj said. Even at noon, Maharaj would not tell him to go. Ganpatrao thought that the task of attending the court was a mun­dane matter, there was nothing spiritual about it; so why should he be hindered by want of permission from ShriMaharaj? He might as well be on the way. Taking courage, he said to ShriMaharaj, "It is very urgent for me to go to Pune. I will therefore leave today." ShriMaharaj merely said, "All right". As was his practice, ShriMaharaj put him on a bullock cart in the evening. The cart - driver and Ganpatrao were the only two passengers in the cart. They reached Pusegaon at nine o'clock in the night. Both of them dined there, and had a nap. At about three o'clock in the morning, the cart - driver got the cart ready, and

put it on its way to Koregaon. In about ten or fifteen minutes, both he and Ganpatrao fell fast asleep. After a short distance, a hyena appeared in front of the bullocks. The bullocks were startled, shied, and turned round and began walking in exactly the opposite direction (that is, in the direction of Gondavale). The bullocks walked fast because of a natural longing for their home. At about half - past six in the morning Ganpatrao and the cart - driver both woke up. Expecting to have reached Koregaon, both of them rubbed their eyes and looked. What they saw was the boundary of Gondavale ! What the mix - up was they could not fathom. In about an hour the cart was standing in front of the Rama temple. As it was not possible to catch the train at Koregaon even if they were to start back immediately, Ganpatrao was in despair. In the af­ternoon, plates were set in the temple for serving Prasad. Ganpatrao had to walk past ShriMaharaj to take his usual place. ShriMaharaj said, in his hearing, "What can be done? Ganpatrao did not realize what even the bullocks did." Ganpatrao was greatly embarrassed. Later it be­came known that that night the carts which went from Pusegaon to Koregaon were looted by highwaymen, and the passengers had been beaten up. Besides, the Presid­ing officer of the court having taken ill, the date for Ganpatrao to attend the court had automatically been postponed.

ONE SHOULD NOT USE WORDS THAT OFFEND SOMEONE'S FEELINGS

ONE SHOULD NOT USE WORDS THAT OFFEND SOMEONE'S FEELINGS

A schoolteacher was a disciple of ShriMaharaj, He of­ten addressed those of his students who were dull, by such offensive names as "dolt", "dimwit", and "dullard". ShriMaharaj said to him, "Teacher, the minds of the chil­dren and their parents are hurt by such harsh words. So please use mild words." The teacher angrily retorted, "The reality has to be stated in plain words. No laxness can be tolerated in it." ShriMaharaj said, "Although this is so, in some respects a convention needs to be scrupulously ob­served. Imagine that you have gone out for a walk. Your wife is in the kitchen, cooking. Presently your son comes home and asks his mother, 'Where is your husband gone?' Will you find it acceptable ? Asking thus, or asking *Where is father gone?' both have the same meaning; actually the former accords more with the reality." The teacher drew an appropriate conclusion.

IN EVERYDAY LIFE, A VIRTUE ALSO HAS TO BE PRACTISED WITH DISCRIMINATION.

IN EVERYDAY LIFE, A VIRTUE ALSO HAS TO BE PRACTISED WITH DISCRIMINATION.

There was with one gentleman a clever, faithful and hardworking servant of long standing. He did not have to be told to perform any task, and he had a knack of per­forming several tasks bunched together. He was liked by

everyone and he used to look after all the household trans­actions including those relating to money matters. His employer had become old. One day his condition wors­ened, and he was on the point of death. The eldest son called the faithful servant and said to him, 'Go and fetch the doctor immediately.¹ The servant went to the doctor. He gave him the message. He even saw that the doctor was on his way. But he himself returned quite late. When the son asked him the reason for being late, he showed him the material with him which was meant for a fu­neral, and said, "At the very time of going to the doctor I had become aware of the situation. So, to kill two birds with one stone, I brought along this material in the same trip." The son did not know whether to laugh or to cry. After telling this story, ShriMaharaj said, "In everyday affairs, there are restrictions of time and place on the practice of every virtue. If these restrictions are not ob­served, the virtue becomes a vice.
 For attainment of God, however, an excess that may take place in the practice of any means is beneficial, and also necessary."

In Everyday life Excess of even a Virtue is Bad

In Everyday life Excess of even a Virtue is Bad

A young man was very fond of doing athletic exercises. He used to go very regularly to the gymnasium from seven to eight o¹ clock in the morning. In course of time his marriage was fixed, and the auspicious time was de­termined to be at half - past seven in the morning. On the day of the marriage the groom went to the gymnasium as usual. All preparations for the marriage were completed and he was sent for a number of times; but he would not come. He said, This is the time fixed by me for exercise. I will not come until that is past.' "This is how a virtue may be practised to immoderation in everyday life", is what ShriMaharaj said.

To Attain Total Surrender to God is the Goal of life as a Human Being.

To Attain Total Surrender to God is the Goal of life as a Human Being.

Having been born as a human being, what is it that one should aim to attain ? While answering this question ShriMaharaj said, "At present you are a slave of your mind. By your practice of worship of God, the mind should become your slave, and complete mastery over the mind is attained. But even this is not enough. One needs to attain the state of the mind's total subjugation, annihila­tion, utter surrender to God or to the Sadguru."

How to go to Shri Brahmachaithanya Shri Rama Mandir, Chintamani

Chintamani is about 75 kms from Bangalore. There are a lot of Buses from K.S.R.T.C. Bus-stand,Bangalore, to Chintamani. from 5-00 a.m to 10-00 p.m.every day. The devotees coming in private vehicles have to take old Madras Road, upto Hosakote and then have to take a left turn to Chintamani. When in Chintamani it is very easy to locate the Mandir. For those who come by plane, it is only 1 hour 10 mins journey from Airport to Chinthamani. Pre-paid taxis are available from the Air-port.
Address: Sri Brahma Chaitanya Sri Rama Mandir, Sri Rama Mandir Road, N.R. Extension, Chintamani -563125.

Devotees desirous of visiting the Chintamani Mandir, may contact : Shri G.H. Venkatesh Murthy- Ph.09880060440. or  08154-252203.( 2) G.H. Raghunath Ph.09880218777.