Everyday Geeta

March 25, 2014 Pujya Swami Swatmanandaji is a dynamic teacher of the Chinmaya Mission, based in Mumbai. His post on verse 6-5 is a wonderful elaboration of a pivotal verse in the Geeta. Śrī Kṛṣṇa says, "Let a man lift himself by his own Self alone, and let him not lower himself" . Among the gems in this post: Toys to Truth Vanity to Vairagya Doership to Divinity Dreamer to waker Theory to Practice Hari Om and Namaskaar until the next post

I, YADAVENDRA KRISHNA PARAMATMA,   do hereby unconditionally guarantee that: If you should study, understand and apply even a little teaching of the Bhagavad Geeta, I SHALL PROTECT YOU FROM GREAT FEAR. 2.40 I SHALL CARRY YOU ACROSS this endless cycle of birth and death, on the “boat” of aatmavidya, otherwise known as self-knowledge, even if you consider yourself to be a sinner of the worst kind.  4-36 The gains of your SPRITUAL PRACTICE SHALL NEVER EVER GO TO WASTE in this world or any world. 6-40 I SHALL FOREVER ENSURE THE GROWTH & PROTECTION THE YOUR WEALTH should you ceaselessly chant and reflect on my name to the exclusion of all other worldly distractions. 9-26 Despite being a sinner, if you unwaveringly & constantly worship me, YOU SHALL BECOME RIGHTEOUS AND AS MY DEVOTEE, YOU SHALL NEVER PERISH. 9-30, 31 When you renounce all that is dear to you, physical, emotional and intellectual, and you finally surrender unto Me as your only refuge, I SHALL FREE FROM ALL SIN

March 15, 2014 From our facebook friends in The Bhagavad Gita - Your Companion for Life Learn in childhood, the verses of the Gita; in teenage years, its word meaning; in youth, its meaning and in adulthood abide in its knowledge - through satsang, study, reflection and practice. We need to learn, practice and perfect the art of right living from an early age, not just as we are about to die For a systematic study of the Gita at home, click here. For my previous posts and todbits on the Gita course, click here. . Hari Om and Namaskaar until the next post

March 11, 2014 From our facebook friends in Chinmaya Mission, Delhi comes this gem. The Gita is a unique dialogue between man and God. The Gita provides us with the knowledge, attitude, vision and values needed to build a successful and fulfilled life even as we face situations gracefully and joyfully. For a systematic study of the Gita at home, click here. For my previous posts and todbits on the Gita course, click here. . Hari Om and Namaskaar until the next post

March 12, 2014 Today, March 12th marks the 83rd anniversary of the start of the Salt Satyagraha or Dandi March . What better occasion to recall the apostle of non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi . I was thrilled to discover original film footage of the Dandi march on Youtube. On March 12th, 1930 Gandhiji set out with 78 volunteers to achieve the greatest feat of non-violent protest the world has known. In his speech on the eve of the Dandi March, Mahatma Gandhi said: "I have faith in the righteousness of our cause and the purity of our weapons. And where the means are clean, there God is undoubtedly present with His blessings. And where these three combine, there defeat is an impossibility. A Satyagrahi, whether free or incarcerated, is ever victorious. He is vanquished only, when he forsakes truth and nonviolence and turns a deaf ear to the inner voice." The 60-year Gandhiji led a group of 78 dedicated volunteers on a 388 km (241 mile) walk from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi where he p

March 1, 2014 Nelson Mandela passed away a few months ago. I had written this up but never got round to posting it. I came across a wonderful story that reveals Nelson Mandela's character in the Wikipedia entry for Chris Hani. : In April 1993, ANC leader Chris Hani was murdered by a white man. There were fears that the country would erupt in violence. Nelson Mandela spoke to the nation that day: “Tonight I am reaching out to every single South African, black and white, from the very depths of my being. A white man, full of prejudice and hate, came to our country and committed a deed so foul that our whole nation now teeters on the brink of disaster. A white woman, of Afrikaner origin, risked her life so that we may know, and bring to justice, this assassin. The cold-blooded murder of Chris Hani has sent shock waves throughout the country and the world. ...Now is the time for all South Africans to stand together against those who, from any quarter, wish to destroy what Chris Hani