God is the only Truth

As soon as her body was lifted to take it to the cremation ground, people around started chanting “Ram Naam Satya Hai! Ram Naam Satya Hai!”. There was nothing unusual about the sight, this is the most common way in how “Hindu” families carry the bodies of those departed to the crematorium.
 “Ram Naam Satya Hai! Ram Naam Satya Hai!” People kept on reciting the mantra but my thoughts went back to the context in which Upashak ji had once shared the meaning of this mantra. He explained that the mantra carries the message that ‘God is only Truth’, and this we also can study from searching on Google. However only on bit pondering we realize that this call has no use to the departed, rather this is the “gist” being shared with those alive (i.e. those in the body). One who has left this body has anyways now come face to face with the fact that body and material world is temporal, but people who are alive will continue to consider this material world as the Truth. So the purpose of chanting “Ram Naam Satya Hai” is to remind people who are walking, sitting, standing, eating, drinking, working, slumbering etc that you still have the body, there is still time left so arise and fulfill purpose of your existence.
 “Bhai Prapat Manukh Dehuria, Gobind Milan Ki Eh Teri Baria !!”
 The Holy scriptures provide guidance to man that this human form that you have received is a means to reach God and if this opportunity is lost, then nothing else will matter. So be wise, do not waste life in acts that are temporal rather value what is to be valued.
 And if you make use of this opportunity and realize ‘Truth’ in its essence then you will be free, you will be ‘Mukt’, you will be redeemed as is promised in commandment below
 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”.
 The message “Ram Naam Satya Hai” is so profound and important that this is to be remembered every moment, in every situation, be it someone’s death or someone’s birthday, be it good day or be it not so good day. This is how we can make our living meaningful and death beautiful.

(July 2015)

(Unasked)

Whenever news of any relative visiting from US flashed, I used to get really excited. To be honest excitement was not as much for seeing them as it was for getting a chance to visit Airport. That four walled building in Delhi with white lights and sounds of planes always fascinated me in childhood days. Be it exams or holidays, I wanted to be part of the team that went to receive or send off the visitors.

This was in 80s 90s. And then years changed to 21st century.

For job reasons had to travel to UK in Year 2007. The place of work was far off from the nearest mission quarters. To attend Sangat would travel every weekend to Hayes. And most of the times it was road transport - the national express bus service to Central Bus Station. On one such travel, I was caught up in various thoughts when it clicked where I was traveling. The destination was no different from every weekend's travel but perhaps I had given a thought for the first time. London Heathrow Airport !!!

I couldn't resist being astonished on what time had unfolded - that (unasked) wish of visiting Airport was transformed into a fulfilled wish of every week visit to one of the world's busiest Airports. More than astonishment, feelings are of gratitude that I hadn't even asked of something like this but was given. Something that I had actually forgotten with time but He hadn't.

Other day on occassion of Ram Navmi, I had posted a message from Babaji's discourse that "Ram Nav Mei"  which perhaps was read by one mp as "Ram Knows Me". We shared smiles after he mentioned his reading to me. However to be honest there can be so many examples in life such as mentioned above that this seems more true that Ram Knows Me....!!!

Not only I Know Ram, but Ram Knows me ... arre wah!

(Although He knows us all :) )

I have knowledge b.. ...

While having breakfast other day, I switched telly on. Scrolling through channels I stopped at some Indian channel which was airing epic Mahabharata. Recently have enjoyed seeing the conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjun in the Gita Gyan episodes, so didn't mind seeing the episode where all Pandavas, Lord Krishna go and meet Taatshree. Amidst the emotional conversation, Krishna asks Bhisham Pitaamah to share some words of wisdom with the pandavas. Amazingly Bhisham Pitaamah says that if you are here Krishna, who else is worthy to speak? Knowledge comes from you etc etc, this was but obvious statement. However, my thoughts come to a stand still when I recall Krishna's reply

I have Knowledge but you have experience.

I dont remember this dialogue from childhood days of my audience to this same epic. How remarkably Krishna accepts to be all-knower but still gives importance to His elders' experiences. There on I am trying to forgive myself for being intolerant of elders' seemingly un-knowledgable but possibly experienced acts. How many times I have been intolerant when I have seen elders doing something which never fitted my understanding of lawful living, but here was an example of how the role model Himself silently gave message of spiritual living. Perhaps the learning could also be talked in generic sense; why only elders, actually one has to be tolerant and respectful to every individual's experiences.

Having said this, nothing much has been achieved. There's still remaining another part: to experiment this tolerance and add to my own experience:-)

How to loose one's Ego?

Other day I was talking to Lakshmi about the "Most wanted person by virtue of need" award which I had received for work in my previous project. Since I was the only contractor working in that project, I myself informed my Line Manager in parent company about it. Although I don't like doing this but somehow wanted it to be recorded with my parent company, that I had received some award for my work. However, after sending that email I had no replies or congrats from my Line Manager. I was surprised as generally what I have observed is, any email appreciation from client is followed by appreciation emails from all managers in parent company. Nothing happened basically after my sending that email to Line Manager. I kept quiet.

Days followed, and then other team mates received some appreciation from client. Surprisingly, this time same Line Manager sent that email to higher management which resulted in number of emails floating for appreciation. Luckily, I wasnt able to digest that, it was just an email for other team mates but an award for me. An email was heavily acknowledged but an award went unnoticed ? Perhaps I wouldnt have bothered but because it was "I" who had received the award, I was disturbed. I couldnt sit properly for some time, as this was disturbing me. I wasnt sure how I should react, but nevertheless I thought of discussing this with Lakshmi.

As I shared with her my problem, the usual happened. As predictable she is, "Sunil Ji, isko dekha hai aapne. Yeh to creator hai fir bhi kabhi nahin jataata". Lol...that was the simple tonic for the huge problem I was facing. Often I have noticed how easily she relates to the Almighty than I can do. A simple thought but with great depth, that look at the Almighty, despite being creator He never boosts about His deeds, why winning an award is making you disturbed...just because others failed to acknowledge it. It was a matter of seconds, that I was back to normal state..laughing at my ownself.

Quite truely, I still havent learnt how to be humble. Something I desire to learn, because its so soothing. I remember Babaji citing example of Lord Rama, and how humble He was when Parshuram Ji was shouting at Him. Definately, Looking at Rama's life there is so much to be learnt, the simplicity, divinity, kindness,...a whole lot of chapters in syllabus of spirituality. But again the first step as mentioned, "Pratham Bhakti Santan Kar Sanga.." Thankyou Babaji that you have sent Lakshmi in life who has guided and reminded me of your teachings where ever I was going aside.

No surprises why I always answer in same way to this question," how to loose one's ego?".."By seeing someone who is greater than you"...You'll stop worrying about not getting credit, if you understand how this Creator is silent even if His deeds are not acknowledged :)