1.We may not always be able to know the reasons for our faith. It originates and is shaped by our personal likes and dislikes, our dominant feelings. But we must not become the target for anger, hatred, jealousy and the evil deeds they lead us into. We must cultivate broad, inclusive feelings. Only then are you entitled to acquire Vidya (higher learning), and you will earn respect in society. You must keep far away from narrow selfish thoughts, feelings and plans.
2.Withdraw your mind from worldly thoughts and fix it on the Name of the Lord, Hari, who charms all hearts. Listen to the wisdom of the Divine, the Bhagavatha Thathwa with all your heart. There is no activity holier than that. There can be no greater spiritual exercise or discipline or vow. The human body is a worthy boat. The story of Lord Hari is the rudder in this world of constant change. Lord Hari is the boatman who will safely ferry you across Samsara, the sea of birth and death.
3.The root cause of all anxieties and calamities of man is envy. We can find from the Bhagavad Gita that Krishna warns Arjuna repeatedly to be free from this negative trait. Envy is invariably accompanied by hatred. These two are twin villains. They are poisonous pests. They attack the very roots of one’s personality. A tree may be resplendent with flowers and fruits. But when the inimical worms set to work on the roots, imagine what happens to the splendour! Even as we look on admiringly at its beauty, the flowers fade, the fruits fall off and the leaves turn yellow and are scattered by the wind. At last, the tree itself dries up, it dies and falls. So too, when envy and hatred infect the heart and set to work, h owever intelligent and highly educated the individual may be, he falls. He is turned into an enemy of society. He becomes the target of ridicule because he is no longer human!
4.Today, the experience and wisdom of great seers who have unveiled the mystery of the cosmos and their feelings of universal love are not appreciated, accepted, and respected. All religious dogmas, except a few, can easily be harmonized and reconciled. The same God is extolled and adored under various names through varied ceremonial rituals in many religions. In every age, for every race, God has sent prophets to establish peace and goodwill. Presently, many religions have spread far and wide across the world and have lost fraternal feelings over time. There is an urgent need for harmony. All great people are images of God. There is only one single caste in the realm of God and all belong to one nation, the Divine Fellowship. You must interest yourself in understanding the practices and beliefs of the others. Only then you can, with cleansed mind and loving heart, attain the Divine Presence.
5.No enemy can be as insidious as jealousy. When one sees a person more powerful or knowledgeable, or with greater reputation, wealth or beauty, or even wearing better clothing, one is afflicted with jealousy. You may find it difficult to acknowledge and accept the situation. Your mind may seek means to demean and lower them in the estimation of people. Such propensities and evil tendencies should never strike root in your minds. You must be careful such that your character is not polluted.
6.The story of the Lord is an enchanting treasure. Store His story in your memory and save yourself from delusion and grief. You may have listened to the recitals of all shastras (scriptures) and mastered all sadhanas (spiritual practices). But the greatest of them all is the sacred Name of the Lord and the sweetness that it oozes. When His Name falls on the ear, your heart will be filled with joy. When you recall His Name, a stream of Love will spring forth from your heart.
7.Love for the Divine Self is primary; while for other worldly objects or persons is secondary. Worldly love for another person cannot be termed as genuine love. The Jagath (cosmos) or the Prapancha (five-element composite) emanated from the Brahman (God). There is no spot in the Universe where the Divine is not manifest. The cosmos is ever in movement and the Lord of the Cosmos (Jagadiswara) is the mover. Love for the Divine Self is the source of all worldly love. The Upanishads clearly proclaim that when you love the Divine Self, it brings everyone nearer and dearer to you (Atmanastu Kaamaaya Sarvam Priyam Bhavati).
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