Gayatri Sadhana for house-wives

God has not discriminated between a son and a daughter. Only persons of crude mentality do so. Women should refuse to listen to the biased views of any person who says that women have no right to do Gayatri Sadhana. They can worship it and also perform Yagya. Keeping in view the fact that they remain busy throughout the day, a brief routine of Gayatri Sadhana, including Yagya, convenient to all women is being presented here.

Most of the housewives are extremely busy in the morning in cleaning work, preparing breakfast and doing other daily household chores. In the morning the children go to school and male members have to go out for work and everybody is in a hurry. Most of the household work in the morning has to be done by the house-wife in the morning, although daughters, elderly ladies also give a helping hand. Morning time, therefore, does not suit most of the women-folk for Sadhana. In the evening also other is a similar pressure of work on them. Keeping all these factors in view, the time between 12 noon to 3 pm appears to be most convenient to them for performing Anusthan-Sadhana etc. Of course, they can perform Jap of one mala (rosary) in the morning after taking bath.

If they happen to do mental Jap while cooking meals there will be good effect on all the persons who will take that food. Regular Jap should be suspended during the period of menses. Mental Jap can, however, be performed in all circumstances. Women who put on Yagyopaveed should replace it by a new one after the period of menstruation.

If women are enthusiastic about maintaining holy atmosphere in the house, it will have salutary impact on other members of the family, who will feel automatically inclined to lead virtuous lives. For this, by way of daily routine, members of the family should not only greet and salute the elders daily in the morning but they should also bow in front of the picture of Gayatri Mata placed in the family worship place and chant Gayatri Mantra few times.

In the evening, after the members of the family are free from their meals etc. the children should be entertained by reading over them inspiring stories published by the Gayatri Mission, folders etc, which they can easily understand, so that mind and emotions are oriented towards virtuous life. To inspire the elderly members, Pragyapuran, published in four volumes should be read over the whole family daily Geeta and Ramayana. This program can be continued for months. After finishing one reading the process can be repeated again and again.

Keeping in view the fact that people are extremely busy these days and there is general lack of faith and devotion, religious routines which are interesting to all can be adopted. Being masters of the kitchen, women can easily accomplish this sacred task. At the time of preparation of food, the first chapati should be divided into five morsels and chanting Gayatri Mantra each morsel should be offered in the fire along with some ghee and sugar. The tradition of Yagya is an integral part of Nepalese culture. This process of offering bread-pieces in the fire is symbolic worship and keeps the sentiments of sacrifice, (yagya) alive in us.

While feeding a suckling child, mothers should do mental Jap of Gayatri Mantra. It will be good if they meditate upon the luminous God, Savita. 

Gayatri Sadhana as Eulogized in the Ancient Scriptures

Adverse circumstances were transformed into favorable ones. Dangers which hovered like dark clouds disappeared. Whosoever tried to verify the veracity of those narrations found them to be entirely true?

A period of about thirty years has passed since those miraculous events occurred. Since then, the number of such unusual events has gone up to lakhs. Narration of even a fraction of these miraculous happenings will constitute a voluminous book. It has, therefore, been considered prudent not to publish them because it will raise shallow curiosities. Such an undertaking will be a waste of time and energy, which can be better utilized for tasks that really matter.

Therefore, not a single event of worldly achievements has been narrated in this article and readers are advised to consider this article alone as their guide and get engaged in Sadhana with faith and devotion. Some extracts from the ancient scriptures are, however, being given here about advantages and importance of Gayatri Sadhana.

Advantage of Gayatri Jap

One can get a glimpse of the advantages which accrue as a result of Gayatri jap from the following spiritual quotations. It has specifically been enjoined to be essential for Brahmans whose main preoccupation is search and cultivation of spiritual wisdom. A person gets such wisdom on following the path indicated by Gayatri.

"Gayatri jap should be performed daily as it is the essence of all Vedas and sacred Upanishads".

Sadhana of Gayatri Mantra is the essence of all Vedas. Even Gods like Brahma mediate on and perform Jap of Gayatri at the time of twilights.

A Brahman who has mastered Gayatri alone attains salvation.

One, who steadfastly performs Gayatri Jap daily with wakefulness for three years realize Brahma and, like air, acquires the power of free and unhindered movement.

Manu himself has stated that although a dwij may or may not perform worship of any other deity, he will attain absolute salvation by performing Gayatri Jap alone.

A person, who exercises self-restraint, controls his senses and performs Gayatri Jap along with "Omkar" and vyahrities is known as 'shroutriya'

Merely by offering water to the sun and performing Jap of three thousand Gayatri Mantras at the time of twi-lights, a person becomes beloved of God.

Gayatri Prayer

Gayatri Prayer

ü  Oh, mother, Gayatri! You are manifested in the  Eternal sound of Om. You are Tripada (hymn comprising of three steps: Tatsaviturvenyam, bhargo devasya dhimahi, dhiyo yonah prachodyat;  vedtriyi (source of three Vedas); revered by three gods - Brahma, Vishni, Mahesh; Creator anf protector of the three worlds (the heavens, earth and nether regions); knower of all the three times (past, present and future); and the ordainer of all the opportunities

ü  You possess all the three gunas (rraits): Satwa, Rajas, and Tamas. You are bestower of the three types of boons: Natural (materialistic), supernatural and spiritual. It is only you who provides salvation. You always see your devotees with compassionate eyes.

ü  You are Goddess of knowledge. You are an embodiment of compassion. In spite of being omnipresent you are holding the entire world in your heart. You are the invincible ultimate authority and more difficult to realize as compared to the realizable Supreme Spirit. You are the pupil of the eye of Lord Shankar, who is the Savior of this world

ü  You are the soul of this world and also a giver of supreme bliss. You are the shelter of the entire world and the ultimate being for its (world's) birth and growth. You are the controller of all the superhuman qualities and powers and also the giver of the same. I humbly salute you.

ü  You are the creator of all the materialistic resources and pleasures. You cannot be described by the grammatical components of Sanskrit. You cannot also be known by (studying) Vedas and Purans or their derivatives. You can only be realized by righteous wisdom attained through dhyan-dharma (meditation), etc,

ü  In spite of being Eternal and knowable by all, you are unattainable (unknowable). You transcend the three Lords Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. You are omnipotent and the energy of the entire world. It is not possible to perceive you by physical senses.

ü  An unfortunate person abandoned by you is deprived of power and prosperity. Even if such a person (in materialistic sense) is higher than Himalayas, he is not respected even by the common people.

ü  Oh, Mother Gayatri! Your divine radiance is present everywhere; in Lords Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Sun and Moon, movable - unmovable, visible-invisible, subtler than subtle and greater than great.

ü  Oh mother! I pray that my intellect should hold your lotus feet in my mind (that is , my mind should always remain engrossed in your divine effulgence). Oh Goddess! I am not desirous of any boon other than this.

ü  Naturally, you are always kind to the needy and humble persons. Therefore, I have come to seek your shelter. Kindly accept my offering of love and affection.

Gayatri Mantra is the Divine Culture

Every human being can refine his character, thoughts, talents and actions and transform himself into a great personality, become a world leader like George Washington, an intrepid warrior like Napoleon, a sage like Vivekananda and reach still higher realms of self-evolution. God has bestowed divine potentials in everybody, one only needs to realize, recognize and raise these by spiritual enlightenment. Gayatri sadhana can make it possible in this very life. I have researched and experimented myself on the philosophy and science of this mantra and found that all that is stated in the scriptures about its supreme spiritual force and cosmic radiance and divine power of evolution of consciousness is absolutely true. This is why I can tell you so confidently about it. I want you all, the whole world, to benefit by the divine grace of Gayatri. It will accelerate both your worldly progress as well as spiritual ascent. It is important for us. We need neither renounce the worldly life nor should we neglect our spiritual growth and wellbeing. The support of Gayatri Mantra guides our intellect and orients our capabilities for righteous progress on both the fronts.

I have been explaining and guiding you in different kinds of upasana-sadhana of Gayatri Mantra. Regular sessions for practice in this spiritually vibrant ambience of Shantikunj are also run here throughout the year. Everybody is welcome here. Now, let me tell you something about the siddhis (supramental achievements) bestowed by Gayatri. When and what does the Mother Gayatri bestow upon us?

Well, a mother loves every child but she gives only small toys and toffees and things like that to the tiny kids. She does not give precious gift or valuables to them unless they mature and she is convinced that they can take proper care of those things. What if a five-year old Ramesh asks his mother to give him the key of the lockers! Will she give it to him? No, instead, she would hide it carefully so that the kid won't see it. Yes, but once Ramesh is grown up and starts sharing the responsibilities of the household and is wise and capable enough to transact his duties, the mother would one day herself hand over the keys to him and his wife. When Ramesh was a child he would cry for sweet and expensive toys, and break them in no time. As a teenager he was wayward and would like to imitate whatever good or bad his friends were doing. Show-off, mischief making, quarreling were his interests then, but now things are different. He has matured not only in age but also in wisdom. Earlier he would compel his parents to purchase milk-care of 20 Rupees and eat half and throw away the remaining. But now he himself earns. He knows the value of hard earned money. He would even drink tea without milk if there is some scarcity at him, as he understands that the little children and the elderly need it more. He earns respect in the society because of his good nature and dutiful conduct. What if he were a drunkard, a hoodlum, or a lethargic chap who would do nothing except watching cinema and day dreaming? Then? Even his near and dear ones would not have believed him. No one would like to lend money or extend support to him. One earns his status in worldly life in the society as per his qualities and deeds.

Spiritual attainments are more precious than anything else in this universe. They can't be bestowed upon just anyone. Gods bless only the deserving devotees. What you achieve depends upon your purity, sincerity, and devotion in the sadhana. Siddhis will gradually emerge from within as you progress in the sadhana. A guru (spiritual master) helps you march along the path of spirituality only if you deserve it and only if you are dedicated towards this noble cause. He certainly guides you on how to become a deserving disciple and also initiates you in the sadhana and commences the journey on the path of knowledge. But your success will depend upon your own endeavors. He shows the path but it is you who has to step ahead. There is nothing like a magic wand in spiritual practices, as many of you might think. You may wish that the guru, or a great yogi, will put his hand on your head and you will attain some siddhis. But this is all your delusion.

Gayatri Sadhana is never harmful

There are specific rules and procedures for Mantra Sadhana in general by which Anusthans, Puruscharans are performed. Ordinarily, any Anusthan performed in violation of the prescribed procedure may result in harm instead of doing well.

There are innumerable instances wherein the Sadhak had to suffer on account of certain omissions in the Sadhana. People have sometimes become insane. There are also instances narrated in the scriptures and history about people suffering from illness, death or loss of property due to such aberrations. As the story goes, Vrattra and Indra had to suffer great calamity on account of wrong pronunciation of VedMantras.

It is appropriate that like other Veda-mantra, Gayatri Mantra should also be pronounced correctly in a rhythm and its Sadhana should be performed in the prescribed manner, so that it may bestow the desired results. Yet, there is one specialty in vedmata Gayatri that an aberration in Gayatri Sadhana done through ignorance does not cause harm. Just as a compassionate, generous, wise mother always think of her child's welfare, so also Gayatri always promotes the wellbeing of the Sadhak. Children often commit mistakes and behave disrespectfully and rudely towards their mother. Even then, the mother does not entertain any malice nor does she harm them. When worldly mothers are so kind and forgiving, far more so is vedmata-Gayatri who is Mother of the entire Universe and is divine Ganga of righteousness. She is moved by faith and devotion of her devotees. Sadhak's aberrations in performance of rituals of Sadhana due to ignorance are washed away in the divine stream of Mother's love and affection

Lord Krishna has assured in the Gita that no good action ever reacts adversely. A work done, bona-fide, with good intention is bound to have good results, Righteous action, howsoever small it may be, safe guards a person against perils, fears and apprehensions.

Once Gayatri Sadhana has been started, the mind is slowly and steadily attracted towards it and if, for some reason, it is given up by the Sadhak, a keen desire to resume Sadhana again repeatedly surges up in his mind. After tasting some delicious dish once, a person desires to savor it again and again. In the same way spiritual food is as sweet as nectar and is so tasteful that the soul insists in, craves for and cries repeatedly to get it. It never results in any distress, calamity or hardship. It may be that due to certain omissions or mistakes one may no get the expected benefits but there is not the least doubt that even little of Sadhana does not go in vain.

Karma Yoga in Gita

1    Action is in the nature of kindling, burning of which results into knowledge. When you ignite a log of wood, it turns into burning coal. How different is the fire from the log! But it is, after all, the log which has undergone this transformation. When vikaram is united with karma, karma attains a divine radiance. A mother's action of caressing her child is apparently insignificant; but who can describe the upsurge of emotions it gives rise to in the hearts of both the mother and the child? It would be utterly nonsensical if one were to say that such emotions would result if a hand of such weight and such softness is moved up and down such a back. Yes, the action is insignificant; but the mother has put her whole heart into it, and it is this vikarma that causes unprecedented joy. There is an incident described in the Ramcharitmanas (the Ramayana written by saint Tulsidas). The vanaras [3] had come wounded and bleeding after a battle with the demons. They were in great pains. Lord Rama just looked at them with love, and all their pain vanished. It would be ridiculous if someone else were to try to bring about such a result by looking at them in an outwardly similar way.

2    Vikarma, combined with karma, results in a powerful explosion of energy, and then akarma is produced. A big log of wood, when burnt, turns into just a handful of harmless ash. In the same way karma, ignited by vikarma, ends up in producing akarma. Is there any relation between the properties of wood and that of the ash? Absolutely there is nothing. You can collect the ash in your hands and merrily smear it all over your body without harm. But there is no doubt that the ash has come out of the burning of that log of wood.

3    When vikarma is united with karma, akarma results. What does it mean? It means that one does not then have the feeling of having done anything. Action does not weigh on the mind of the actor. We act, but still we are not the doers. As the Gita says, you are not the slayer even if you slay somebody. A mother may give a thrashing to her child, but the child will still turn to her for solace. It would not do so if you thrash it. It is so because the mother's heart is pure. Her action is totally devoid of any self-interest. Vikarma, or the purity of mind, erases the action-ness of the action. Infused with the inner vikarma, Lord Rama's action of looking at the vanaras became a sheer outpouring of love that acted as a balm on their wounds. But it did not tire Rama a bit. Action performed with pure heart is free from any attachment. There is, therefore, no question of any sin or merit remaining as a residue after that action is over.

      Otherwise, an action puts great burden and pressure on the mind and the heart. Suppose, a news breaks our now that all the political prisoners are going to be released tomorrow. Imagine the resulting commotion! We are always agitated and strained with anxiety by the thought of the goodness or badness of our actions. Action engulfs us from all sides. It catches us by the scruff of our neck.  Just as the sea-waves dash against the shore and make inroads, the forceful waves of karma enter the mind and agitate it. Dualities of pleasure and pain are created. Peace of the mind is lost. Even after the action is over, its momentum remains. It takes hold of the mind and makes it restless.

      But if karma is coupled with vikarma, any amount of action does not tire. The mind remains calm, peaceful and radiant. When vikarma is poured into karma, it becomes akarma. It is as if karma is erased after it is over.

Karmayoga is Essential

Union of Karma and Vikarma explodes into akarma

1    The mind should be fully in tune with and involved in work. Vikarma is the word that the Gita uses for this involvement and application of the mind in work. Vikarma means the special karma which varies with the needs of each individual mind. Many kinds of vikarma have been illustratively mentioned in the Forth Chapter. They have been further elaborated from the sixth chapter onwards. Only when we perform this special karma, only when the mind is in tune with the outward action, will the flame of desirelessens by lighted. Desire lessens is gradually developed when karma and vikarma come together. The body and the mind are distinct entities; so the means to be employed for them are bound to be different. The goal is reached when they are in tune with each other. To achieve harmony between them, the authors of the scriptures have prescribed a two-fold path. In Bhaktiyoga (the yoga of devotion) they have prescribed penance and austerities without and japa within. If the japa within does not accompany outer forms of penance like fasting, the latter world be in vain. One should always reflect on why one is doing penance, the motive, the spiritu should always be alive in the mind like a burning flame. The word upavas (fasting) etymologically means to dwell close to God. In order that our mind and heart may dwell close to God, sensual pleasures are to be abjured. But if we give up such pleasures and do not think of God, of what value is the physical act of fasting? If, instead of the concentration on God, our mind is concentrated on the thought of food while fasting, that fast would be worse than a feast! In fact, there is nothing more dangerous than thinking about sensual pleasures. Tantra (technique, means) must be accompanied by mantra (pondering over, meditation). Tantra in itself is not important; and mantra without action too has no value. Only when the hands are engaged in service and there is spirit of service in the heart can true service be rendered.

2.   Performance of swadharma will be a dreary affair without the warmth of feelings in the heart. It would not then blossom forth and bear in fruit of desire less ness. Suppose we undertake the work of nursing the sick. If there is no compassion in the heart, it would be a burdensome drudgery for us. The patients too will find the service to be a burdensome obligation. If the mind is not absorbed in it, such service will boost the ego. Expectations will then arise in the mind: "I am helping them today; tomorrow they should help me. They should praise me. People should admire me." Or else, we may complain that the patient is peevish and irritable even though we are taking so much care of him. Sick men are usually and naturally in a depressed and irritable mood. If the spirit of service is lacking in us, we would get tired of nursing them.

3    If the mind is in tune with the work, the work is transformed into something unique. When vikarma joins karma, desireless ness follows. When a spark ignites the gunpowder, it works wonders when the flame of vikarma ignites it. Karma in itself is inert and lifeless; it is the spark of vikarma that makes it indescribably powerful. We may keep a packet of gunpowder in our pockets or handle it with impunity; but when ignited, it world blow up the body into pieces. The infinite power in swadharma is like-wise dormant. Combine it with vikarma, and then see what transformation it can bring about! The resultant explosion would reduce to ashes ego, desires, passions and anger and then supreme wisdom will be attained.

Honest

Meaning: According to the stanza of Rigved 2/13/13, we can explain as - only the income earned justly and with labor gives happiness to man, it goes on increasing and always keeps the mind cheerful. With it the soul remains clean and pure, a person's manliness increases and he is inspired for good acts. The money earned through theft, deceit and treachery also causes sorrow.

Message: The importance of money in life can never be ignored. It is necessary for man's and society's development for a limited sphere, but if that limit is broken, that money causes unwanted trouble and destruction instead of development and becomes the reason for exploitation and conflicts. As long as money remains confined within religious limits, it is called 'arth' (i.e. meaningful) but when it enters the field of 'adharma' (i.e. on-religion or immorality) it becomes 'anartha' (i.e. meaningless because it causes harm and destruction).

It is true that the material progress achieved by mankind today is incomparable and its main reason and basis is money only. Never before had money the importance that it has today. In the ancient times, spiritualism had the topmost priority and money came second. Today, the reverse is the matter. People are running like mad persons after earning money and have completely forgotten spiritualism. Today when they do not have the time even for a superficial show of worship, then what to speak about real worship and real spiritual Endeavour (or spiritual discipline). The only philosophy today is that of materialism in the entire society.

Both spiritualism and materialism are necessary for ht society and it is also necessary to maintain a balance between the two. In the ancient times, people believed in spiritualism as the be-all and end all. The society has never suffered by only one sided progress of spiritualism; the only difference was that man was not able to get the benefit of several material facilities. But today with the one sided progress of materialism, instead of benefit the people, more and more harm is caused to them. The prevalent anarchy throughout the society is because of the root cause of materialistic outlook. The wealth earned by stealing, looting, dishonesty, lie, treachery etc destroys man in every way. First of all peace of mind gets destroyed. The money earned through immorality and unjust means sucks away the juice of life and makes man hollow.

The current economic system is not able to find out the difference between morality and immorality and gives importance to accumulation of money by fair means or foul. The root cause of all types of material troubles is this only. We cannot be indifferent to material progress but at the same time we cannot ever oppose spiritualism also. We will have to create a balanced viewpoint by harmonizing both. We will have to understand very clearly the difference of earning the money morally and immorally. We will also have to condemn as well as despise immorally earned money and gibe maximum praise to the money earned by just means.

Money earned by proper means and earned through labor gives happiness, peace and satisfaction, increase the strength of the soul, makes the soul clean, pure and free from blemish, and with it creates a divine atmosphere in the society.

Methods of Earning Wealth

Meaning: Our ancient Grantha Rigved has stated in the line of the Mantra 1/1/3 that - we should earn wealth only according to the rules made by the God. The wealth earned by dishonesty should be away from us. Let us not keep the money earned by improper means. Earn money according to religious rules and use them in religious work.

Message: The Vedas have preached to man to be free from greed. But the question is, ultimately what greed is? Greed is that mentality whereby man is not satisfied even after earning the maximum wealth. There are many forms of greed. To be busy in earning money even by destroying one's own health is also a type of greed. The money earned by deceit, stealing, by trespassing or by not paying taxes or through corruption is also a type of greed. All these schemes of making money are teeming with dishonesty and they stain our soul also. The wealth earned by sinful acts under the temptation of greed is condemnable in every way.

Money has received so much importance that only money counts in this world. Money had become necessary for every work in this world. Whether the task is big or small, religion or politics, spiritual endeavor or religious vow or recitations to be performed, for all these money becomes necessary. Therefore the Vedas have called it an essential task or duty to accumulate money also and have also lauded the human tendency for earning more and more money through the maximum possible diligence. With that the man receives the blessings of supremacy and increase in wealth also. For the increase in wealth and its good fortune, knowledge and skill are required. Through knowledge, one receives guidance and inspiration and through skill, there is increase in wealth. Competence based on experience for some special task is known as skill. This skill itself cleaners the road for obtaining prosperity. The place of God is first in man's life, then character and then comes the place for money.

But man is never satisfied with money. This thirst of his is also known as greed. This is a big distortions or perversity of nature. Greed covers man's moral intelligence with darkness in the form of ignorance. When this happens man sarts committing inhuman acts and does not feel any sense of shame when doing such acts. Acting shamelessly he neglects his own moral, religious duties and thus hurts his own interests. In this way, such a man destroys all three that is his own wealth, religion and happiness. The money earned immorally through greed and undesirable acts like bribes, makes the mind very restless and upset. Such a home or family gets destroyed by involving in bad acts and man's moral downfall also occurs.

Therefore the Vedas have directed that man should try to earn more and more money only within the framework of religious conduct by tremendous hard work. Only such money is pure. Man gets happiness, peace and satisfaction with that. Man does not spend such hard earned money for wrong work or without reason and enjoys the bliss by spending such money for the welfare of the society. By seeing others' welfare through his money, he becomes mentally very cheerful. Such pure money develops moral qualities in people and inspires all for doing righteous deeds.

Only the money earned honestly gives beneficent results.

Prayer The Nourishment Of Soul

Prayer The Nourishment Of Soul

In the view of Mahatma Gandhi, if I do not get food I am least worried but it makes me mad if I miss my prayer. Prayer is million times more beneficial than food. One may forego his food by not his prayer. Prayer is the very nourishment of soul. It world be too good, if we could contemplate on God whole day long but since it is not possible for us all, it is desirable that we should sit at least for a few hours every day in contemplation of God.

Eulogy, worship and prayer are not blind faiths, but they are real and true acts like eating, drinking, walking and sitting; nay, if we say that it is the only truth and all the rest are false and unreal, it would be no exaggeration. Offering of prayer does not mean begging, but in fact it is the natural voice of soul. When we fully come to realize our in capabilities and leaving all other worldly recourses aside, confide our faith in God, the very outburst of our emotions in such a state is called prayer. The offering of prayer and singing song, in praise of God are not mere utterances of one's tongue but are actually the outpourings of one's heart. This is the reason that even the dumb, the stammer, and the stupid persons can also offer prayer.

The main purpose of offering prayer is, to seek discourse with God and to gain light for the purification of the soul, so that we could win over our weaknesses. Prayer devoid of emotion is of no use.

What to talk of the other world, even in this world prayer is a source of peace and happiness. So if we rally wish to become human, we must make our lives interesting and fruitful through prayer. It is therefore advisable for everyone to remain engrossed in prayer with heart and soul. All complicated riddles arising out of national, social and political problems find their easy and quick solutions through prayer that through intellect.

Faith

Story told by a man which is most frightening yet thought-provoking experiences of his life. He had been on a long flight. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign pm the airplane flashed on: "Fasten your seat belts". Then after a while a calm voice said. "we shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little troublous. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened".

As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice of the announcer said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us."

And then the storm broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightening lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.

The man confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying.

And then, I suddenly saw a girl to whom the storm meant nothing. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat and was reading a book.

Everything within her small world was calm and orderly. Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world.

The man could hardly believe his eyes. It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, he lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time.

Having commented about the storm and behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid. The sweet child replied, "sir, my dad is the pilot, and he is taking me home."