Statements

Statements

·         The first lesson of spirituality is to ask; who I am and what am I?

·         Only the pure of heart can enjoy the happiness of wealth.

·         An organized lifestyle and a purified heart are the foundations of spiritual seeking.

·         Noble qualities are acclaimed even by the enemies.

·         There was a small state named Billari in South India. Once , the troops of Shivaji attacked it. The soldiers of Billari fought with all their might, but were defeated, being lesser in number. The surviving defenders were arrested. Among them was also Malbai, the queen of the state. Shivaji ordered to bring her in a dignified manner, but being a prisoner Malbai felt this honor to be displeasing and said to Shivaji "I consider this honor as a disgrace. Give me capital punishment like a defeated enemy."

Shivaji stepped down from the throne, greeted her and said, "I cannot insult a brave, valiant and honorable lady like you. My mother Jeeja Bai has expired recently. I am visualizing her valiant character in you and henceforth I will always consider you as my mother. Malbai's eyes were filled with tears of joy and affection, she said, "You are actually Chhattrapati, Religion and nation would surely be safe under your protection."

·         A guilty person always feels restless even with the greatest of comforts and wealth

·         Both falling deeper into darkness or uplifting the soul to angelic level is within the reach of a human being. The choice is his.

·         If you plant a seed and dig it up daily to see if it is growing, it will never take roots.

·         God chooses those who choose Him.

·         Rains of God's mercy cannot gather on mountaintop of pride; but they flow easily into the valley of humility.

·         Sin is what separates man from God.

·         Swami Vivekananda saw that Sadhu - sanyasis in INdia were leading a parasitic and indolent type of life which neither helped them nor the nation. After His guru shed the physical body, Vivekananda established Ramkrishna Mission with the sole objective of serving the common man. His associates asked - "This is the work of social reformers, if we get involved in this work what will happen to our Sadhana and our goal of spiritual progress?" To which Vivekananda replied - "This is the real Sadhana. If we can successfully accomplish the three tasks of serving the diseased, elimination of ignorance and satisfying the poor them Ishwar will be as happy with us as He would be by the years of penance in the Himalayas."

·         put material things in their proper place, realizing that they are there for use, but relinquishing them when they are not useful