The Second Skandha
177. Those people, who deserve to be accepted as disciples will definitely get the opportunity to meet a good spiritual master.
178. Only a Mahatma can distinguish another Mahatma.
179. Spiritual practices should start from early childhood. Singing songs in praise of God is powerful equipment for spiritual progress.
180. Be happy, every moment. Then you can meet death with a smile.
181. What you think constantly, that will be in your mind at the time of death also.
182. Man spends most of his time for sleeping, earning wealth and talking. Some people spend time for study. The more you study the more you acquire bookish knowledge. And bookish knowledge enhances the ego of man.
183. Nothing is gained by thinking of the past. Better concentrate your thoughts on the present.
184. Death gives previous notices before its arrival. But nobody pays any heed to these notices. When the hairs become gray, take notice that death is about to grasp you shortly. When teeth fall, eye-sight diminishes and backbone bends, it should be understood that death is fast approaching.
185. If the star Arundhathi is not visible to our eyes, it means our death comes within one year. If, in a dream, we see ourselves falling in a mud pond, death is due within nine months. Seeing ourselves riding on a donkey in the dream signifies death within six months. If, after inserting the fingers in our ears, we can’t hear the hissing noise inside, death will occur within eight days.
186. Frequently advise your mind in this way:-“Oh! Mind! You have no relations except God. You belong to none and none belongs to you. Do not forget this fact.
187. Enjoyment of material pleasures does not give contentment. Only renunciation gives contentment.
188. Consider every one as equal, in order to realize the concept of equality. Totally avoid personal possessiveness.
189. Human body is not for enjoying material pleasures. It is for reaching God through His service.
190. In order to remember God at the time of death, we should have good practice during life time.
191. Turn your back to sinful acts; but righteous acts should be performed as quickly as possible.(Subhasya seeghram)
192. The urge for sinful acts come from the Vasanas (tendencies) acquired during the past several births.
193. Concentrate your mind, remain in solitude, and make service of God a regular habit. 194. When death is imminent, one should renounce the world with strong determination. 195. Practice of any Yoga without Bhakti (devotion) will lead only to diseases, both physically and mentally.
196. Without steadfastness in Bhagavatha Dharma( life devoted to God) vices like greed and anger cannot be rooted out..
197. Happiness is impossible, if mind is not purified through service of God.
198. Greed and anger cannot be destroyed without the strong faith that this world itself is another form of God.
199. Devotion to God is nothing but loving all creatures in the world.
200. Devotion in the form of servitude will quickly develop humility in our mind, which is most essential for Bhakti. First, think of the holy feet of the Lord with all humility. Then think of the Lord’s beautiful face and all other parts of the body.
201. Don’t worry if you are not able to think of God; but avoid thinking too much of the world.
202. Vision of God is not possible without service of the Lord.
203. If at first darkness is seen while meditating on God, steadily go ahead, thinking of the favorite form of God. Also recite the favorite Names of God. Mind will come under control soon. Establish the form of the Lord in Budhi. (Memory).When it is well established, mind will become steady. At that time, the form of God will also appear clearly in the mind. This is Bhakti yoga( union with God through devotion)
204. Engage yourself in all activities, keeping the mind fixed on Lord Sri Krishna.
205. Give up the desires in worldly objects totally, step by step.
206. Those who revel in worldly pleasures cannot understand the happiness derived from Supreme Bliss.
207. Renunciation of worldly pleasures is necessary even from the beginning of Sadhana(spiritual practices) in order to attain Supreme Bliss.
208. Pleasure-mongers will not feel hearty with Bhakti yoga.
209. Worldliness is the greatest enemy of devotion.
210.Happiness derived from the enjoyment of worldly pleasures is momentary. But renunciation gives lasting peace and happiness.
211. Renunciation generates immense power. Practice self-control step by step and finally attain total renunciation.
212. Surrender our senses to the Lord, treating them as flowers to be offered to God.
213. Life in mother’s womb is equal to life in the hell.
214. Devoid of austerities, down fall is certain.
215. Man should harness all his strength for the service of Sree Hari. Sravanam(listening to the stories of God)) keerthanam(praising the glories of God) and smaranam( reflecting on God) , these comprise man’s real wealth.
Third Skandha
216. Keep the mind always engaged in spiritual activities. If the mind is allowed to rest even for short while, it is likely to slip into sinful thoughts.
217. Eating food is not a sin. But self-identification with food and forgetting God for the sake of food are sins.
218. Followers of Saranagathi Dharma (the principle of surrender to God) become more and more humble. So they receive God’s grace.
219. One who defeats his tongue is the real winner. The life those who cannot master their tongue will be a failure.
220. If food is pure, simple and limited, it will develop good qualities. Consequently, power of endurance increases and power of endurance makes the intellect steady.
221. Lead a very simple life. Simple life makes you a Sadhu. (Godly man)
222. Intellect will get polluted by taking food from the house of sinners.
223. When a man’s life becomes pure, the Lord visits his house uninvited and stays there always.
224. Chant the Lord’s names with intense devotion so that He will come and knock at our doors.
225. God will respect him who has given up ego.
226. Our mind reflects what we are closely attached to.
227. Man’s mind is pure at the time of birth. Later, it changes in accordance with its associations in the world. While good associations give fulfillment of life, bad associations bring down-fall. Association with people leading luxurious life makes a man greedy of material pleasures. On the other hand, association with spiritually evolved men makes him spiritually inclined. Bad habits, once acquired cannot be changed easily. So come what may, let the mind and intellect be never allowed to go astray from God. Always remember the following words of Sri Bhagavan:- Mayyeva mana aadhtswa, mayi budhim nivesaya Nivasishyasi mayyeva atha urdhwam na samsaya: (Geeta 12-8) (Repose your mind in me, let your intellect enter into me, then you shall, without doubt live in me here and hereafter) 228. Follow the teachings of great men in your life.
229. By thinking of the great Rishis early in the morning, their good qualities will enter into our mind.
230. Robbery and immoral life are great sins. Those committing these sins should be discarded, even if they are your parents or brothers.
231. No one should be rejected. But their sins should be rejected.
232. Bhakti is not accessible to those who wander in pursuit of the senses.
233. It is God’s grace that gives us the chance for company with Godly men. But it is our own responsibility, to avoid bad company.
234. God’s grace will not be available, until worldly pleasures are given up.
235. Penance destroys all sins and makes the life pure. It is the duty of house-holders to look after the house-hold during eleven months of the year and to do penance in solitude at a holy place during the remaining one month.
236. The first step towards penance is control of tongue.
237. Where there is love, there even the life of a beggar would be enjoyable without hesitation.
238. Those who rob the wealth of others are ‘ Dhritharashtras’
239. A son who follows the path of virtue can open the gates to the heavenly abode for his parents.
240. One who does no work and lives on the food provided by others, is robber. One who captures the wealth of others and lives on that is also robber. A man having means, but failing to entertain guests properly is robber. One who cooks food for himself (without sharing it with others) is robber. One who eats food without offering it to the God of fire is also robber.
241. Greed is the father of sin and selfishness is its mother.
242. One who insults his invited guests will fall into hell.
243. Those who endure everything, despite having the strength to resist are Mahatmas.
244. They are Rakshasas(Devilish)who misuse their power. They are Devas (Godly) who make use of their power, wealth and time intelligently.
245. Satwik food gives the power of endurance. Those who can control hunger are bound to be happy.
246. Do not get angry with those who insult you. Take insult as blessing of God or as a good omen.
247. If needs are reduced, sins will also reduce.
248. The good results of pilgrimage will be available in full, if it is performed in conformity with scriptural requirements. Before starting a pilgrimage the following vows are to be taken:- i) From today I will observe strict celibacy; ii) From today I will not get angry with any one. and iii) From today I will avoid idle talk.
249. If Brahmins or holy men are not respected, pilgrimage will not yield any result.
250. If you suffer insult without protest, your sins will be passed on to the person who insulted you and simultaneously, his punya (merits of past good actions)) will come to you. 251. Observe fasting on the day you reach any holy place. Never insult Brahmins(Those who have realized the Supreme Truth) and other Mahatmas (great souls). By fasting at holy places and refraining from insulting others, you are freed from all sins and your body also gets purified. Satwik Bhava will dawn in you.
252. Holy waters become holy because of touch of Holy men.
253. Excessive wealth brings danger.
254. Think of cremation ground at least three or four times a day. That will bring out change in your understanding.
255. Discussion of worldly matters on the banks of Yamuna is sin.
256. When you see a herd of cows, mentally visualize Lord Sri Krishna standing in their midst.
257. Get your senses wedded to God and not to worldly pleasures.
258. When the pain of separation becomes unbearable, you will get God
259. If a man can imagine that he is always in the presence of God, he will not be affected by grief, fear or delusion.
260. On seeing Mahatmas do not speak to them about worldly subjects.
261. He who has been accepted by God as His own, will never come back to the world of miseries.
262. So long as a man belongs to some one in this world, he cannot belong to God.
263. Perform only such acts as would please God.
264. The very sight of a sinner will frighten us.
265. Sins will not leave us without suffering their results.
266. Surrender your Punya (results of good actions) always to God.
267. Best thing should necessarily be offered to God.
268. A man who commits sins will take rebirth as animal.
269. On whom God showers His mercy, that man’s mind becomes pure.
270. Women should avoid walking outside their houses after sun set.
271. At sun set, worship Tulasi, by lighting a lamp at its bed, and performing Arathi with Deepa (light) and Dhoopa(fragrant smoke)
272. Sun set is the time when Lakshmi( Goddess of wealth) visits the house. At that time,if the front door is closed , Lakshmi will go back after saying “Jaya Sree Krishna”.
273. Perform Japa (recital of God’s Names) at every evening without fail.
274. Do not pamper the body too much.
275. If the husband and wife do not have self-control, their children will become sinful.
276. It is essential to observe Brahmachrya (celibacy) on sacred days like Dwitheeya, Panchami, Ashtami, Ekadasi,Chathurthi,Pournami, Amavasya, and on other days of special significance like birthday etc.
277. Your Bhakti (devotion) will not develop if your associates are devoid of Bhakti.
278. Today, because of ‘fashion’ and other weaknesses of man, his time and wealth are being wasted. Those who are under the grip of such weaknesses do not find time to serve God. Therefore, those who wish to serve God should not get entangled in such ‘fashion and weaknesses.
279. Avoid discrimination in the matter of giving food.
280. Down fall of great men occurs not due to
281. Error in the path of service will also lead to one’s down fall.
282. Spiritual practices should be continued till the last breath, even after reaching the stage of Sidha (achiever).
283. Do not bother about what the world speaks about us. But we must always try to ascertain the opinion of the Lord of the world about us.
284. Give the names of God not only to your children but also to your house.
285. Bhakti will not arise so long as the delusions about names and forms remain in our mind. 286. Pride of Knowledge is the cause of down fall for the followers of Jnana Marga (the path of knowledge)
287. Lobha(greed) is what stands in the way of Bhakti Marga.(the path of devotion)
288.
289. The enemy of Jnana Marga (the path of knowledge) is Krodha(anger)
290. By discrimination it may be possible to control desires, but not anger.
291. It is extremely difficult to overcome anger.
293. If you commit a sin, however small it may be, within the premises of a temple, its impact will be tremendous.
294. If you do not repent from the bottom of your heart about sins, if any, you have committed, you cannot get the vision of God even after many births and deaths.
295. Seeing one’s own faults will give as much good results as a vision of God does.
296. If there is greed in you, it will go on increasing every moment. Increasing is the nature of greed.
297. Increase of greed gives rise to excessive passion for worldly pleasures. Enjoyment of worldly pleasures results in the increase of sins.
298. Greed should be destroyed with the weapon called ‘contentment’. Contentment is a great wealth.
299. All actions done for common good are Yagnas(sacrifices). Such actions will purify your mind.
300. Speaking the truth is a great Yagna.
301. The root cause of all sins is the misuse of the tongue. words)
302. He whose life is free from sins will definitely enjoy peace and happiness.
303. Intelligence is not to be used merely for earning wealth .It should be used for the worship of God.
304. Human body has nine openings in it. The soul leaves the body through them. If the senses are used for the service of God, the soul will merge in God.
305. To control oneself, without causing grief to anyone by thought, word or deed is a great Yagna. Unnecessary tormenting of the soul will cause a break to this Yagna. Always remaining peaceful is another Yagna.
306. Without purity of heart knowledge will not sustain in the mind. Bookish knowledge is not real knowledge.
307. God’s presence cannot be experienced in an impure mind.
308. Sustained knowledge is absent in man because of his life immersed in luxuries.
309. Those who rely merely on bookish knowledge are the ‘so called pundits’, while those who constantly serve God with pure love are ‘real pundits’.
310. When the mind becomes pure, knowledge dawns in the heart.
311. Frequently ask your conscience whether you are eligible for the wealth and comforts given by God.
312. When Sattwa Guna increases in the body, a flow of knowledge automatically takes place. 313. Sattwa Guna increases by the association with holy men and performance of righteous acts.
314. Don’t be ever a slave to the tongue.
315. Sleeping on a mattress is not a fault, if you get sleep within five minutes after lying on it. If you don’t sleep within that time, it means you are thinking of carnal pleasures.
316. Those who do Sadhanas(spiritual practices) will know the value of time.
317. Don’t look at the mirror to enjoy the beauty of your own body. What should be enjoyed is the beauty of your heart. God alone is eternally beautiful.
318. Sasthras (scriptures) describe the wife not as
319. Association with a wife having good qualities does not become a lustful association. It will be a righteous association. A man who gets such a wife is the most fortunate person. He should thank god for this great fortune.
320. Man or woman alone cannot progress in the path of righteousness.
321. Where the husband and wife lead a pure life, God comes to them as their son.
322. Desires make women narrow-minded. The purpose of marriage between man and woman is to eliminate desires or to defeat Manmatha(one who churns the mind).The family life of our ancestors, the great Rishis was like that.
323. Too much of carnal pleasures will reduce life span.
324. Without total self control, Bhakti and vision of God are impossible.
325. Duty of a woman includes the daily worship of Goddess Sri Parvati and Tulasi plant. 326. Reckless enjoyment of physical pleasures causes diseases.
327. Though man and woman are having different bodies, the process of marriage is to unite their minds.
328. A real Sannyasin (mendicant) is one who lives exclusively for God.
329. The mind of the man who watches pictures or films which arouse carnal desires will get polluted by such desires. When desires subdue a man, it is his downfall.
330. Sight of bodies and allied objects gives a virtual feeling of pleasure. But the fact that it will soon turn into poison is forgotten. Senses can never be satisfied by such pleasures.
331. Pleasure is not from the contact of two bodies; but pleasure emanates when two souls unite and become one. This being the case, how can we describe the pleasure experienced when our souls become united with God, the commander of all creatures?
332.
333. Constant Japa (recital of God’s Names) easily brings peace of mind.
334. By Japa the mind gets cleared of all impurities and wavering. Therefore, place strong reliance on the holy Names of God.
335. Keep the mind under control using discrimination. Contentment of the soul is not derived from the enjoyment of pleasures. Renunciation is what gives contentment. If the mind goes astray give it a thrashing with the stick of discrimination. Mind disciplined by discrimination can be controlled easily.
336. Uplift of the soul is possible only through Vairagya (dispassion), that is to say, withdrawal from the enjoyment of worldly pleasures.
337. Try to be in the company of holy men always. By keeping the company of holy men one can become a holy man and can have the company of more holy men.
338. Brahmacharya (celibacy) coupled with the immense power of God’s holy Names makes it easy to cross the
339. Your view of the world depends upon your innate culture.
340. Forbearance will give happiness. All good men possess forbearance.
341. Give up everything for the sake of God. God will keep you embraced in His bosom.
342. God puts a Sadhakas(spiritual seekers) to acid test before they are accepted as His own. 343. Listening to the stories in Bhgavatha will generate Sradha(faith )and Bhakti (devotion) in you.
344. Do not remain separate from God even for a moment; you will become the monarch of the empire of Bhakti.
345. Fascination for worldly pleasures is a symptom of your downfall.
346. Before meditation on God, first cleanse your body, then your mind and finally, your vision.
347. Meditation should be done at a sacred and solitary place.
348. If stomach is always full, it will be difficult to observe celibacy. Celibacy is essential for the service of God. Some one may observe bodily celibacy, but mental celibacy is what leads one to God. If celibacy is broken for a single day, mind cannot be fixed on God for another forty days.
349. Experience of God is not possible without serving God.
350. Meditate on that form of God which appeals to you most. While meditating on God, you should not have the awareness of worldly objects including your own body.
351. The soul which meditates on God, by itself, becomes God. The power of that form of God on which you meditate will enter in you.
352. Love is mutually dependant. If you keep thinking of God constantly, God will also think of you constantly.
353. A true devotee of God is more powerful than God Himself.
354. Parents, guru, guest, sun etc. are visible Gods. They should therefore be served properly.
355. Body becomes weak in old age. You can control the body only when it is strong and healthy.
356. If you serve your parents properly, your children will care you in your old age. The old age of sinners will become miserable.
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