TEACHER’S DAY

Today is Teachers Day. (5-09-2010). Let us appreciate a Teacher's contribution to the society.

Teachers make a great contribution to the Society by not just helping students achieve success in life, but also in terms of inculcating rational thought and good human values in the impressionable young minds.

A life of Joy and happiness is possible only on the basis of knowledge and science. This knowledge comes from the teacher to the student. Great teachers don't just teach, they are mentors, advisors, role models, guides, and above all, shapers of great human beings. To sum it up I wish to add a few words as under:-

"A Good Teacher Explains
A Great Teacher Inspires"

A Teacher is the third most important person to be worshipped after Mother and Father. The order of worship goes like this: Mother – Father – Teacher – God. Matha Pitha Guru Deva is the saying that goes. It is the Teacher who inculcates Good habits right from Childhood, imparts knowledge to the Child and fulfils the curiosity of the Child by Play way method of Teaching. This will be carried on by the Child from his formative years to adulthood. A teacher should be an Icon and an Idol for the child as he undergoes the learning process by listening and playing with the teacher in his formative years.

There is a saying that what you cannot inculcate by the age of Five will not be cultivated even when you turn Fifty. This is true and should be remembered by all. The passion for teaching helps the teacher contribute more and more for the students and create future leaders in our society. For this to happen we should respect all the teachers and give them credit for their services. This will be a Win-Win situation where the teacher and the taught will benefit mutually. Thus the Teaching fraternity should be regarded and not discarded.

A teacher imparts Knowledge to the child. As you may be aware, Knowledge is Power, Knowledge is Strength and Knowledge is Wealth. We should have great regard towards our teachers and keep them in high esteem which in turn makes the teacher give more and more and stretch himself that extra mile by way of passing the knowledge to the student. Come on all teachers. Lets us be an Inspiration to others.

Wishing every teacher A Very Happy Teacher’s Day.

S.SEKAR
Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

UNEASY STATE OF MIND

“Delusion arises from anger. The mind is bewildered by delusion. Reasoning is destroyed when the mind is bewildered. One falls down when reasoning is destroyed.”
“One who has control over the mind is tranquil in heat and cold, in pleasure and pain, and in honor and dishonor; and is ever steadfast with the Supreme Self.”
……………………… BHAGAVAD GITA

In the Udoya Parva of Mahabharata, Vidhura tries to comfort an anxious and disturbed Dhritarashtra with words of Wisdom that encapsulate the code of ethics – applicable to rulers and individuals alike. Dhritarashtra had sent Sanjaya to Yudhistra to seek peace without giving back Indraprastha to the Pandavas.

Destiny is difficult to cross. It is said that when destiny wishes to protect, there will dawn good sense on the person who will then choose to adhere to the path of Dharma. Conversely, when an individual is destined to suffer, the good sense abdicates and he chooses to tread the unrighteous path. This was the situation of Dhritarashtra who was now a victim of a greater handicap, inner blindness that deprived him of the sense of Dharma.

When Sanjaya returned, he did not mince words to convey his disapproval of the unrighteous and selfish attitude of the king. He said he would convey Yudhishtra’s message the next day as he was exhausted after the mission. Dhritarashtra’s uneasy state of mind at that juncture typifies that of any individual who is still reactive though not responsive to the instinct for righteousness.

Vidhura points out to Dhritarashtra that Yudhishtra has always regarded the king as his own father and respected him. But the king’s attachment to Duryodhana and the kingdom was stronger and deluded him to abandon the path of Dharma. Dhritarashtra cannot hope to get Success if he did not have the heart to view the Pandavas also as his progeny and stopped discriminating. Dhritarashtra is an escapist. If he had adhered to Dharma he would have been able to avert the war. His sleeplessness was caused because he covets another’s wealth or kingdom. If he gave back the Pandavas their due, he could sleep well.

The wise always pray for the ability to use the intellect/ good sense at all times, and especially when crucial decisions have to be taken. Arjuna, who was confused about the war, pleaded with Lord Krishna (Bagavad Gita, Chapter 2) to advise him and lead him through the right path that would be beneficial. Lord Krishna, during the course of his most interesting and instructive talk with Arjuna, revealed the profound, sublime and soul-stirring spiritual truths, and expounded to him the rare secrets of Yoga, Vedanta, Bhakti and Karma. All the teachings of Lord Krishna were subsequently recorded as Bhagavad Gita by Bhagavan Vyasa for the benefit of Humanity at large.

It should be borne in mind that only those who are self-controlled and are endowed with faith can reap the full benefit of the Gita, which is the Science of the Soul.

S.SEKAR
Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

COMPASSION AS BHAKTI

Today we will see how a person should be compassionate to others. This act itself becomes Bhakti. Please see the following information which I am pleased to share with you all.

To imbibe the essence of scriptures is a great challenge and demands a similar ability as that of a Swan that can sift only the milk even when it is mixed with water.

Depending on the three Gunas – Satva, Rajas and Tamas – each individual’s actions assume value. For instance, a person may offer worship to the Lord with love, but may be also filled with pride or envy because of ignorance (Tamas). Another might worship God with the hope of material benefits, fame or wealth, and such a person is motivated by Rajas. Those who worship Him with the sole desire to get liberated will automatically be devoid of the sense of I and Mine and aim to be detached from worldly attractions. This type of devotion is of the Satvic type.

The highest type is when the three modes are transcended and there are no ulterior motives. Overcoming the influence of the senses and practicing an austere way of life with no attachment to the worldly pulls, a person becomes an exponent of Bhakti Yoga. The Lord says that such a person instantly approaches Him just as the sense of smell catches the aroma when it is carried by air from its source.

The Lord focuses on easy ways that teach one to perceive God realistically based on One’s attitude of mind rather than on practice of austerities or rituals. One has to develop a sense of compassion and this happens when one is able to see the presence of God in the entire range of creation. Then all actions automatically become an offering to God. Even watering a plant with a thought for it to grow well is an act of kindness. When there is drought and we scramble for water, if one seeks to also share the water with a withering plant, then it is an act of compassion.

S.SEKAR
Contact: sekarajc@yahoo.com

CHILDHOOD

The joy of childhood is immeasurable. We should feel lucky that we had experienced something called childhood.

The joy of getting into the right college. The thrill of bringing home your first pay cheque. The warm glow of a picture-perfect wedding day. The fulfillment of building a better life for your family is a thing which stands in your mind eternally. The transformation that goes on from being a child and becoming an adult from passing out of the portals of an institution and getting a life partner after marriage and building a bond in the family.

There is a saying that we can see god in every child as god can be seen in the smile of a child. Though I say that childhood is an important factor in everyone’s life, I didn’t have the opportunity of a memorable childhood. That shows up in your life when you grow old and you don’t tend to show any pleasure when you see a child unless under compelling situations. I am doubly convinced that it is the solemn duty of every parent to show affection and give their children all the happiness even during the formative years and continue the same eternally. This creates an indelible impression on the child about their parents and grows into a bond which will last for ever.

Childhood is a stage like “ignorance is bliss” and where you aren’t exposed enough to the harsh realities. The world appears to be a very good place. When we reach adulthood, like it was said, all this innocence gets lost and we get to face a harsh and a stern test with reality. Then you reach a stage of saturation where you get to feel that you can get the good things out of life and ignore the bad. So this feeling can again drive us back to childhood days, the difference is that we have attained an understanding. So we would start to cherish those lighter moments and ignore the bad ones. The one who attains this faster will have a chance to see the world yet again full of unimaginable kind of magnificence.

A memory is a photograph taken by the heart to make a special moment that will last for ever. Childhood memories are such beautiful feelings, which can excite anyone. It’s something, which puts smile on your face and you crave to go back to those lovely days. I know it’s not possible to go back into your sweet childhood days again, but you can definitely cheer your life with those lovely memories. Childhood memories are some of our most precious memories we possess. Certain people like our parents and grand parents played a pivotal role in the creation of those memories.

Lastly, what is it about our childhood that as adults we tend to look back at so many fond memories? I don’t think that it has anything to do with being born rich or poor, but rather just being a child exploring everything new. When we reflect on our childhood, we tend to forget the bad, and only think of all the good times. We think of the close bond we had with our parents, our brothers and sisters as may be the case. Festivals, Functions and birthdays are especially the fond memories that you may recall. We always say things just aren’t the same anymore. That is true. They are not. We are not children anymore, and to say that things are not the same, it is only to us that it feels that way.

As parents we should give our children happiness and see joy in their faces under all circumstances. Remember it is not only the child but you also can have fond memories in your old age. Let all of us remember the proverb “As you sow, so you reap” and create harmony at home and make our children happy for only in happiness we attain bliss.

S.SEKAR
Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com