Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Yoga Tailored For All – Asanas for Housewives The science of Yoga offers asanas and techniques that can be practiced at different times during the day by people from different walks of life. Let us acquaint ourselves with a few such asanas and techniques that can be practiced in our daily routine Housewives play an important role in proper functioning of a family. Their role may require spending most of the time at home, either in the kitchen or doing household tasks. Spending hours at a stretch in a particular position or being constantly on feet results in physical strain, stiff muscles and mental fatigue. It may get strenuous at times. Yogasanas provide an easy way to freshen housewives from the tedious tasks on hand. Try out these asanas to build stamina, feel energised and uplift your mood. What Kapotasana (Variation) Why this Name The name is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘kapota’ which means ‘pigeon’ and ‘asana’ which means ‘pose’. It is usually known as the ‘Pigeon Pose’. We will perform a variation of this asana with the use of a chair or sofa. How to do it Stand 3 to 4 feet away from a chair. Grab both the sides of the chair with your hands. Grip tight. Inhale and lift your right leg forming a ‘V’ between your calf and thigh while placing the thigh on the chair. Let the left foot stay firmly grounded on the floor. Exhale and adjust wherever required. Hold this position for 8 breaths. To release, inhale and exhale bringing the right leg back. Repeat the pose on the other side. Which Benefits Strengthens knees and legs. Opens up inner thighs. Improves posture. Relieves tension in the body. Calms the mind. What Gomukhasana (Variation) Why this Name The name is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘go’ which means ‘cow’, ‘mukh’ – ‘face’ and ‘asana’ – ‘pose’. We will be performing a variation of this ‘Cow Face Pose’. How to do it Stand in Tadasana. Grab a rolling pin (velan) or scarf (dupatta). Inhale, gently fold your left arm and place it behind your back. Exhale, take your right arm over your right shoulder, and stretch it as much as you can until it reaches your left hand. Make use of the rolling pin or scarf to bring both hands closer to each other. Keep the trunk erect and expand your chest. Hold this pose for 6 to 8 breaths or for as long as you are comfortable. Breathe slowly and deeply. Concentrate on your breathing. Exhale and carefully release the arms. Repeat the pose on the other side. Which Benefits Improves posture. Stretches upper arms and armpits. Increases shoulder flexibility. Relieves shoulder pain. Strengthens spine and abdominal muscles. Helps decompress lower spine. What Purvottanasana (Variation) Why this Name The name is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘purva’ which means ‘East’, ‘uttana’ – ‘intense stretch’ and ‘asana’ – ‘pose’. We will be performing a variation of this posture using the fridge. How to do it Place your back and legs against the fridge. Spread the arms out across the width of the fridge. Inhale and bring the arms behind, grabbing the sides of the fridge. Exhale and lean forward keeping the feet close to the fridge, feeling an intense stretch in the shoulders and the back. Inhale and bring the body back against the fridge. Exhale to release the arms. Repeat this movement 5 to 7 times. Which Benefits Relieves shoulder stiffness. Expands and releases back. Strengthens the arms. Improves posture. Take small breaks amidst daily chores to practice these yogasanas, which will release the excess tension built up due to extensive use of hands and legs. Not only will this help you work more efficiently, but will also make you feel revitalised and motivated to keep going throughout the day! Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Life Lessons from Dabbawallas The Dabbawallas deliver food to over 2,00,000 people daily in Mumbai. Through a symbol based system they have achieved nearly 100% customer satisfaction since 1890. Here is a overview of the treasure trove of life management lessons we can pick up from them. A tiffin box carries within it a complete meal. With the motto of “taking care of the health of our customers by providing home cooked food prepared by their loved ones” and “100% customer satisfaction with no errors,” as their goal, the dabbawallas are essentially delivery people – but exist in a professional class all of their own. Recognised by Forbes magazine for achieving Six Sigma quality certification in their business structure, commended by Prince Charles, lauded by world-class business leaders such as Sir Richard Branson (owner of the Virgin Group of companies), their leaders are often guest speakers at MBA institutes and universities. So, what is it about the dabbawallas that is so important for us to learn? Everything. Define a Higher Purpose The dabbawallas were founded in the late 19th century by Mahadev Bache, because the workforce of Mumbai was in dire need of proper means of having lunch. These workers would leave their homes early and no canteens and few restaurants made proper nourishment a difficulty. With so many diverse people moving into the area, a home cooked meal would suffice to meet their unique needs. Enter, the innovative delivery people who did not offer to cook a hundred varieties of food, but to provide them exactly what they needed; the warmth of a home cooked meal. In our daily lives, our actions are based upon impulse, moods or duties. Instead of pursuing a steady goal, our wavering mind decides which direction to pursue or which fire to put out. In the professional world, many are just waiting for the day to end while begrudgingly completing tasks. We rarely have goals more elaborate than ‘to make more money’ or simply to finish what we started. Without a greater goal our activities can have, at best, temporary results. But, if we take a seemingly ordinary activity and attach a greater purpose to it then it becomes the rocket fuel that can boost our lives into a superior plane of existence. The dabbawallas take goal setting to a new level; their focus is not just on food delivery, but primarily on maintaining the happiness and health of their customer. They ascertain this to a level, which most delivery people may not have thought of in their entire careers. And that is one of the biggest secrets to their level of customer satisfaction. Their recipients are able to tell, through the dedication and consistency of the service, that they do their job with pride and love. Culture of Success Do the clothes make the man? To a certain degree the answer is a resounding yes. We wear heavy coats in the winter, loose and comfortable clothes in the summer. But beyond that, even activities such as cooking require the donning of an apron, etc. The external preparations do not just assist in physical activity, they play a greater role to suit us up mentally, as well. The dabbawallas are required to wear a Gandhi cap and refrain from drinking alcohol during work hours. Not only that, absenteeism is also frowned upon and fined, if the reasons are not justified. If a rule is broken, the worker may be fined upwards of ₹1000. All workers earn around ₹5000 to 6000 a month, so such a hefty fine is a surefire guarantee to prevent any wayward indulgences. By setting a code of ethics and culture of work, we’re aligning our conduct with right over wrong. If there were no penalties for laziness, ignorance and mood swings, then we would not have an incentive to behave properly. Initially culture setting can take a long time, but once we firm ourselves up, it helps in creating good habits. Start with What You Know So, we have a goal, our work culture and now we get to the “how” of the equation. One of the leaders of the dabbawallas, Gangaram Talekar said, “error is horror,” and having that type of an attitude has led them to achieve a shocking error rate of only 1 in 16 million transactions. Perfection is not a goal, it is their daily achievement. Using a variety of symbols, colours and numbers on top of their aluminium tiffin boxes, it takes 3 to 4 people to transport a lunchbox from the customer’s home to their office. This would be possible for modern day e-commerce sites using easy to manage barcode systems, computerised databases and online communication tools. But about 50% of the dabbawallas are illiterate and so their entire system is dependent upon non-verbal cues. By train, foot and bicycles, they reach their destination. In the case of an emergency where a worker is absent or has fallen sick, there are always five replacements ready to complete the job. Many times we complain about the lack of resources in our inability to complete work. The clear lesson from the supply chain management perspective is that you use what you have to get you to your goal. And through interdependency and teamwork, it is always possible to come out on top. The dabbawallas are a classic example of the “start with what you know” principle. A systemic way to accomplish work is by utilising each person’s strengths and ensuring that there is a culture of mutual support. Purpose, teamwork, discipline and common culture unite the dabbawallas and make them excel like no other. We too can utilise the same principles and techniques to ascend to greater efficiency and a more satisfying life. Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Pragat Guruhari Prabodhjivan Swamiji Visits the Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pragat Guruhari Prabodhjivan Swamiji, current head of Hari Prabodham Parivar. During His visit, Swamiji embarked on a tour of the Ashram and also graced Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Shrimad Rajchandra Jivmaitridham with His presence. On this auspicious occasion, Pujya Gurudevshri and Swamiji addressed the gathering, filling the hearts of seekers with devotion. A meeting between two saints is truly a sight to behold, as compassion and harmony shine through every gesture of the great ones. Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Bapaji – My Support System Sarvarpit Shreyance Shah, a member of the Steering Committee of the Mission and a part of the Sadguru Prerna Core Team inks how Pujya Gurudevshri’s ceaseless compassion and constant support have paved the path of his spiritual journey. That morning in 1985, 39 years ago, is as clear in memory as if it was yesterday. I was seeing Bapaji after many years. I was around 11 years old then and I had last seen Him in Hampi in 1980, 5 years before that day, where I had gone with my parents. There was an orphanage on the ground floor of our school and He had come there to meet someone. I approached Him thinking He might not recognise me, but I still went ahead and bowed to Him. To my surprise He said, “You are Rameshbhai’s son!” This was my first face-to-face meeting with Him. Connecting the dots today, I am sure He wasn’t there to meet someone; He was there to reconnect from where we left in the past. Through almost my entire teen years, I had been fortunate to be around Him a lot! Those are my most memorable days yet. We used to talk a lot – the topic would range from what I did during the day to current affairs. The topic wasn’t important at all. The important part was spending time with Him. It would really seem like time had stopped and I was in a different world. Since I would spend most of my time with Him, my friend circle from school and college was very small. As I see it today, His main intention of keeping me with Him, was to keep me away from the vices of college life. My whole world was revolving around Him. And, it was such a great feeling. Days passed and I enjoyed every minute of it. There wasn’t a single day when I hadn’t met Him, not a single day when I hadn’t spoken with Him over the phone. Rising in Devotion In 1989, He had to go to Antwerp for His father’s heart surgery. He was going for almost a month and a half and He had promised that He would write a letter from there. Days were passing and I was waiting for His letter. He wrote a letter on 6th April, 1989. In the last paragraph, He wrote a small quote, which meant a lot to me: Pray without ceasing, God hears what you say; From the moment you rise, to the close of the day, Don’t think for a moment, that He turns a deaf ear Trust and have faith and you’ll never know fear. He ended the letter with the words “your constant companion” followed by French words, “Je t’aime”, which means I love you. One Sunday during the mid-nineties, we had gone for an outing. I had told Him during the day that I had brought my treasure with me to show Him. All my memories with Him, His letters, His handwritten chits, wrappers of chocolates received as His Prasad and so many other things. There was a box full of all these things. On our way back, He asked me to stop the car and give Him the treasure box. He took the box and acted as if He had thrown all its contents in a stream nearby. I was virtually in tears as I had tremendous attachment for those things. After some time, He returned everything back to me and told me that it was a test of my devotion. He wanted to know, whether I accepted His every wish or not. It taught me two lessons – His ajna is much more important than His prasadi and to not cling on to the past, but stay in the present. Holding me Through Joys and Sorrows An extremely joyous moment of my life came in January 2001, my daughter Rhea’s birth. At 11.48 p.m. in the night, Bapaji visited the hospital and we got the news of Rhea’s birth. Bapaji took her in His arms and touched her forehead. He said that she was the first baby He had touched at zero hours. We all can see how blessed she is! The year 2004 brought two news at opposite ends of the spectrum. First, I heard the good news that Bapaji wanted me to become the Sarvarpit Group Leader. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to learn various skills and apply all that Bapaji had taught me all these years. I was very happy on hearing this. At around the same time; my mom was diagnosed with cancer. It was something totally out of the blue. I was completely broken when I heard this. We met Bapaji and He became the pillar of strength for all of us. At one point, I even thought that I should ask Bapaji to make someone else the leader, since I would be busy with mom’s treatment, doctors, hospitals, etc. and so wouldn’t be able to give justice to this seva. However, He asserted that I become the leader. I couldn’t understand why. But it gave me the indication that there was another dimension to this. It slowly dawned upon me that with this responsibility He kept me busy and the negative thoughts stayed out of my mind. If He had not made me the leader, I would have passed through a very low phase. It would have been a disaster. On the night of Diwali, 13th November, 2004, everyone was celebrating Diwali in Dharampur and at 2.30 a.m., mom breathed her last amidst constant japa. I called Bapaji and told Him how it had happened. From that moment, He took care that we got over this grief. In doing this, He made me realise, how much He cares for me and each one of us. Shaping me Through Seva It is Bapaji’s hallmark that He polishes every facet of our existence. He worked on me by grooming me for seva, inculcating the importance of perfection and yet teaching me to be detached and free from pride. I realised that the important thing was not to get the work done, but the attitude with which the work was done. During the construction of Yajnasthal at the Ashram, we would make weekly visits to Dharampur to supervise the progress of the construction. At the fag-end of the construction, when barely two weeks were left for the deadline, we decided to stay back in Dharampur, so we could expedite the pending work and ensure that we were ready by the deadline. During this time, Rhea had to be hospitalised and I spoke to my wife Amee over the phone and asked if she needed me. But my family told me to take care of the construction seva and they will take care of Rhea in Mumbai, so we decided that I would stay back in Dharampur. When Bapaji heard about this, He visited Rhea regularly at the hospital and ensured that she didn’t miss her father and made her feel fine. What better example of YogakshemamVahamyaham – He ensures the safety and well-being of His devotees. As a Steering Committee member, I have seen how He nurtures the seed of spirituality through seva. Our usual Steering Committee meetings are scheduled in such a way that the committee meets for two hours to deliberate on the various points on agenda, followed by half an hour of meeting with Him, when the committee apprises Him about the various points discussed and subsequently He gives guidance on the points. But before taking up the points, He starts with a few minutes of satsang. In this manner, He ensures that not just the head, but the heart is also used while taking decisions. We have also experienced that He comes up with a point that we may have thought as being not so important and not deliberated enough or something which we may have completely overlooked. It is the Master’s way of guiding us subtly but surely. All these years, Bapaji has taught me so many things, how to think, how to talk, how to get things done and much more. To sum it all up, He taught me how to live life. It’s up to me now to live it in the way He wants me to. Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Compassionate Action through Karuna Abhiyan Karuna Abhiyan is an initiative by the Government of Gujarat, aimed at rescuing and treating animals and birds injured during festivals like Uttarayan, where kite-flying often leads to injuries. Since its inception in 2015, the campaign has mobilised veterinary professionals and volunteers across the state to provide timely medical assistance to affected animals and birds. Under the Karuna Abhiyan 2025, Shrimad Rajchandra Animal Nursing Home, in collaboration with the Forest Department of Dharampur, extended its compassionate wings to care for injured birds. From January 10 to 20, dedicated teams of doctors and assistants worked tirelessly from various locations to provide life-saving treatment to various species, including pigeons, owls, and flamingos. This noble endeavour embodied the true spirit of empathy. The initiative served as a reminder that compassion knows no bounds, offering hope and care where it is needed most. Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 A Conference on Innovation and Inclusion in Education Shrimad Rajchandra Gurukul hosted the Educational Conference 2024-25, organised by the Valsad Jilla Acharya Sangh in association with Navneet Education Limited. This landmark event gathered 90 principals from various schools across the Valsad district, alongside dignitaries like Shri Bhanubhai Panchal, Chief, Gujarat Rajya Acharya Sangh; Dr Rajeshri Tandel, District Education Officer, Valsad and Shri Dipak Thakkar from Navneet Education Limited. Samir Ajmeri, Principal, Shrimad Rajchandra Gurukul, emphasised the importance of this conference in addressing the challenges and opportunities in education. The keynote address by the Chief Guest, Shri Bhanubhai Panchal, focused on topics like the future of education, innovation, the role of principals, administrative policies, and fostering inclusiveness in schools. The conference was a resounding success, offering a platform for meaningful dialogue on education’s future and reinforcing the role of students, educators, and institutions in shaping society. Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 A National Workshop on Plant Microscopy Shrimad Rajchandra Vidyapeeth successfully hosted its inaugural national-level three-day workshop on The Art of Plant Microscopy. The workshop brought together participants from across India, representing diverse regions such as Delhi, Maharashtra, Kerala, West Bengal, and Gujarat. It served as a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange, featuring esteemed speakers from Maharashtra and Gujarat. Participants enthusiastically engaged in hands-on training sessions focused on various micro-techniques and microscopy, including slide preparation and advanced staining methods. All participants were awarded certificates upon successfully completing the workshop. This milestone event underscores Shrimad Rajchandra Vidyapeeth’s unwavering commitment to fostering academic excellence and advancing scientific knowledge. Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Nov 2024 Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Nov 2024 Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Love that Liberates Love is such an energy that if it falls, it is hell and if it rises, it is liberation. Pujya Gurudevshri explains the nature of love so that we can employ it to experience communion with the divine. All feelings, ridiculous to sublime, are linked with love. It is love only that brings sorrow, anxiety, anguish, friction, fear, jealousy, animosity, aversion, restlessness. It is love only that brings joy, freedom, peace, fearlessness, stability, purity. Because these contradictory feelings are connected with love, it is necessary to understand the nature of love. Two Forms of Love One form of love is lust, the other is devotion. The former is like muck, the latter transforms into lotus. When a worldly person speaks of love, it means lust. When a seeker speaks of love, it means devotion. From lust to devotion, all feelings are connected to love. Every disease in the world is due to love. Yet the Wise Ones say that do not run away from love, try to understand it. If the love energy gets transformed, it will become a pathway to liberation. Love makes you fall and love raises you too. Like a ladder, it can bring you down or take you up. The difference is in the direction. Coming down is lust, rising high is devotion. Therefore, understand the energy, the greatness of love. Unfamiliar with the True Meaning of Love You think you have loved, and are familiar with love. But the saints say, that you have only loved your ego. Wife, children etc. are only an excuse. You got the children educated, raised them, went through difficulties, sacrificed to fulfil their desires… all this is fake. If you were informed that they weren’t your children, would you still have the same love for them? Then you will realise that your love was for ‘your’ children and not children per se. You are interested in fattening your ego. You wanted some hook to hang this fat ‘I’ and you got the children. If they are not yours, the ego does not benefit and so your love also fades away. What kind of love is it that changes into dislike within moments? One day you say, ‘I can’t live without you’ and next day, to the same person, you say, ‘I can’t live with you’. Can this even be called love? The smoke of your expectations is so thick that it is difficult to find the flame of love in it. Have you really loved anyone? You take care of the near and dear ones only so that you don’t lose the joy that comes from them. You keep them under you by destroying their independence, dignity and say that I love them immensely! Love According to the Saints The love saints speak of is nectar that sets you free, while yours is poison that binds you to the world, that can turn into hatred and is filled with fear, jealousy, possessiveness, ownership, ego. They sing the song of love that has no possessiveness; that does not differentiate between me, my, you, yours; love that does not stink of jealousy, ego etc.; love that doesn’t throw you into suffering. This love is not lust, it is devotion, prayer. This alone will open the gates of the divine. Until the value of the divine is realised, until the divine love arises, all your religious practices are mere formalities. Does your ego bend when you bow down in the temple? Is there a song in your heart and joy in your eyes while worshiping the divine? Or are the rituals done mechanically to finish the duty, or out of fear of being labelled an atheist? Once true love blossoms in you, the divine does not remain an object of curiosity, an intellectual itch but turns into a dire need of life. On experiencing the drop of love, the quest for the divine, the ocean, comes alive and you are ready to give up anything. Feeling the touch of the ray of love, you want to search for the sun, its source. When you smell the fragrance of love, you are pulled towards the garden from where it spreads. Only then the true quest begins. When the energy of love turns towards the divine, thoughts quieten and there arises contentment, peace, relaxation, silence and bliss. Is Divine Love Easy or Difficult? At some places, it is said that divine love is very easy and attained effortlessly, and at some places, it is said to be very difficult. Both are correct. It is easy because divine love is your inherent nature. It is not possible for anyone to separate from one’s nature. It is difficult because you are so much identified with the ego that you have become blind to the divine. How can you separate from the divine that enlivens your life? You may forget but you can never be separated from it. Moreover, the divine does not get altered or destroyed just because you have forgotten its presence. Like a fish in the ocean, you are in the divine. How can attainment of the sea be difficult for the fish? The fish never leaves the water. In the same way, by nature, you have never separated from the divine. Therefore, to say ‘search for the divine’ is inappropriate because the divine is never lost. You don’t need to chase the divine. When the body and the mind stop running, when there arises no desire, passion or thought, you will attain that which has always been with you. Just as a carpenter searching for the pencil he had kept behind his ear and forgotten; the moment he remembers, he stops, puts his hand there and finds it. In the same way, by remembering the divine, you shall realise it. It is that simple. The saints also say that to love the divine is difficult because of ego. Your ego is the hindrance. It makes you hard-hearted. You don’t even feel the need for the divine. You speak of spirituality and the divine, but very superficially. You only talk but you have no faith that by attaining the divine, you shall become fulfilled. You are not ready to give up anything for it. Intellect nourishes ego and ego hinders communion with the divine. Ego can dissolve only if you move from the intellect to the heart. Heart means love. The divine is attained through love. Love is the gateway. Love is not math. Calculations are needed to attain worldly things. The intellect wants to win and love wishes to lose. Love wins by losing. By surrendering, you become the king of kings. What Should Love be Like? Love should be such that only the beloved is seen. Everywhere, he can see only the divine’s face, wisdom and state. Whatever is seen, whether a blossoming flower, the rising sun or the flowing river, everything is superseded by the divine alone. Some are mad after money, some after status, some after logic but rare few are mad after the divine. All are mad but their madness is different. Whilst others are mad after the material world, the devotee is mad after the divine. Whatever may happen, he is not harassed by any worldly desire. He has just one desire – the divine. And so, he remains steadfast, and does not get shattered like worldly people. Desire breaks you down but love makes you one, one with the divine. Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Life Lessons from Dabbawallas The Dabbawallas deliver food to over 2,00,000 people daily in Mumbai. Through a symbol based system they have achieved nearly 100% customer satisfaction since 1890. Here is a overview of the treasure trove of life management lessons we can pick up from them. A tiffin box carries within it a complete meal. With the motto of “taking care of the health of our customers by providing home cooked food prepared by their loved ones” and “100% customer satisfaction with no errors,” as their goal, the dabbawallas are essentially delivery people – but exist in a professional class all of their own. Recognised by Forbes magazine for achieving Six Sigma quality certification in their business structure, commended by Prince Charles, lauded by world-class business leaders such as Sir Richard Branson (owner of the Virgin Group of companies), their leaders are often guest speakers at MBA institutes and universities. So, what is it about the dabbawallas that is so important for us to learn? Everything. Define a Higher Purpose The dabbawallas were founded in the late 19th century by Mahadev Bache, because the workforce of Mumbai was in dire need of proper means of having lunch. These workers would leave their homes early and no canteens and few restaurants made proper nourishment a difficulty. With so many diverse people moving into the area, a home cooked meal would suffice to meet their unique needs. Enter, the innovative delivery people who did not offer to cook a hundred varieties of food, but to provide them exactly what they needed; the warmth of a home cooked meal. In our daily lives, our actions are based upon impulse, moods or duties. Instead of pursuing a steady goal, our wavering mind decides which direction to pursue or which fire to put out. In the professional world, many are just waiting for the day to end while begrudgingly completing tasks. We rarely have goals more elaborate than ‘to make more money’ or simply to finish what we started. Without a greater goal our activities can have, at best, temporary results. But, if we take a seemingly ordinary activity and attach a greater purpose to it then it becomes the rocket fuel that can boost our lives into a superior plane of existence. The dabbawallas take goal setting to a new level; their focus is not just on food delivery, but primarily on maintaining the happiness and health of their customer. They ascertain this to a level, which most delivery people may not have thought of in their entire careers. And that is one of the biggest secrets to their level of customer satisfaction. Their recipients are able to tell, through the dedication and consistency of the service, that they do their job with pride and love. Culture of Success Do the clothes make the man? To a certain degree the answer is a resounding yes. We wear heavy coats in the winter, loose and comfortable clothes in the summer. But beyond that, even activities such as cooking require the donning of an apron, etc. The external preparations do not just assist in physical activity, they play a greater role to suit us up mentally, as well. The dabbawallas are required to wear a Gandhi cap and refrain from drinking alcohol during work hours. Not only that, absenteeism is also frowned upon and fined, if the reasons are not justified. If a rule is broken, the worker may be fined upwards of ₹1000. All workers earn around ₹5000 to 6000 a month, so such a hefty fine is a surefire guarantee to prevent any wayward indulgences. By setting a code of ethics and culture of work, we’re aligning our conduct with right over wrong. If there were no penalties for laziness, ignorance and mood swings, then we would not have an incentive to behave properly. Initially culture setting can take a long time, but once we firm ourselves up, it helps in creating good habits. Start with What You Know So, we have a goal, our work culture and now we get to the “how” of the equation. One of the leaders of the dabbawallas, Gangaram Talekar said, “error is horror,” and having that type of an attitude has led them to achieve a shocking error rate of only 1 in 16 million transactions. Perfection is not a goal, it is their daily achievement. Using a variety of symbols, colours and numbers on top of their aluminium tiffin boxes, it takes 3 to 4 people to transport a lunchbox from the customer’s home to their office. This would be possible for modern day e-commerce sites using easy to manage barcode systems, computerised databases and online communication tools. But about 50% of the dabbawallas are illiterate and so their entire system is dependent upon non-verbal cues. By train, foot and bicycles, they reach their destination. In the case of an emergency where a worker is absent or has fallen sick, there are always five replacements ready to complete the job. Many times we complain about the lack of resources in our inability to complete work. The clear lesson from the supply chain management perspective is that you use what you have to get you to your goal. And through interdependency and teamwork, it is always possible to come out on top. The dabbawallas are a classic example of the “start with what you know” principle. A systemic way to accomplish work is by utilising each person’s strengths and ensuring that there is a culture of mutual support. Purpose, teamwork, discipline and common culture unite the dabbawallas and make them excel like no other. We too can utilise the same principles and techniques to ascend to greater efficiency and a more satisfying life. Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Pragat Guruhari Prabodhjivan Swamiji Visits the Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pragat Guruhari Prabodhjivan Swamiji, current head of Hari Prabodham Parivar. During His visit, Swamiji embarked on a tour of the Ashram and also graced Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Shrimad Rajchandra Jivmaitridham with His presence. On this auspicious occasion, Pujya Gurudevshri and Swamiji addressed the gathering, filling the hearts of seekers with devotion. A meeting between two saints is truly a sight to behold, as compassion and harmony shine through every gesture of the great ones. Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Bapaji – My Support System Sarvarpit Shreyance Shah, a member of the Steering Committee of the Mission and a part of the Sadguru Prerna Core Team inks how Pujya Gurudevshri’s ceaseless compassion and constant support have paved the path of his spiritual journey. That morning in 1985, 39 years ago, is as clear in memory as if it was yesterday. I was seeing Bapaji after many years. I was around 11 years old then and I had last seen Him in Hampi in 1980, 5 years before that day, where I had gone with my parents. There was an orphanage on the ground floor of our school and He had come there to meet someone. I approached Him thinking He might not recognise me, but I still went ahead and bowed to Him. To my surprise He said, “You are Rameshbhai’s son!” This was my first face-to-face meeting with Him. Connecting the dots today, I am sure He wasn’t there to meet someone; He was there to reconnect from where we left in the past. Through almost my entire teen years, I had been fortunate to be around Him a lot! Those are my most memorable days yet. We used to talk a lot – the topic would range from what I did during the day to current affairs. The topic wasn’t important at all. The important part was spending time with Him. It would really seem like time had stopped and I was in a different world. Since I would spend most of my time with Him, my friend circle from school and college was very small. As I see it today, His main intention of keeping me with Him, was to keep me away from the vices of college life. My whole world was revolving around Him. And, it was such a great feeling. Days passed and I enjoyed every minute of it. There wasn’t a single day when I hadn’t met Him, not a single day when I hadn’t spoken with Him over the phone. Rising in Devotion In 1989, He had to go to Antwerp for His father’s heart surgery. He was going for almost a month and a half and He had promised that He would write a letter from there. Days were passing and I was waiting for His letter. He wrote a letter on 6th April, 1989. In the last paragraph, He wrote a small quote, which meant a lot to me: Pray without ceasing, God hears what you say; From the moment you rise, to the close of the day, Don’t think for a moment, that He turns a deaf ear Trust and have faith and you’ll never know fear. He ended the letter with the words “your constant companion” followed by French words, “Je t’aime”, which means I love you. One Sunday during the mid-nineties, we had gone for an outing. I had told Him during the day that I had brought my treasure with me to show Him. All my memories with Him, His letters, His handwritten chits, wrappers of chocolates received as His Prasad and so many other things. There was a box full of all these things. On our way back, He asked me to stop the car and give Him the treasure box. He took the box and acted as if He had thrown all its contents in a stream nearby. I was virtually in tears as I had tremendous attachment for those things. After some time, He returned everything back to me and told me that it was a test of my devotion. He wanted to know, whether I accepted His every wish or not. It taught me two lessons – His ajna is much more important than His prasadi and to not cling on to the past, but stay in the present. Holding me Through Joys and Sorrows An extremely joyous moment of my life came in January 2001, my daughter Rhea’s birth. At 11.48 p.m. in the night, Bapaji visited the hospital and we got the news of Rhea’s birth. Bapaji took her in His arms and touched her forehead. He said that she was the first baby He had touched at zero hours. We all can see how blessed she is! The year 2004 brought two news at opposite ends of the spectrum. First, I heard the good news that Bapaji wanted me to become the Sarvarpit Group Leader. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to learn various skills and apply all that Bapaji had taught me all these years. I was very happy on hearing this. At around the same time; my mom was diagnosed with cancer. It was something totally out of the blue. I was completely broken when I heard this. We met Bapaji and He became the pillar of strength for all of us. At one point, I even thought that I should ask Bapaji to make someone else the leader, since I would be busy with mom’s treatment, doctors, hospitals, etc. and so wouldn’t be able to give justice to this seva. However, He asserted that I become the leader. I couldn’t understand why. But it gave me the indication that there was another dimension to this. It slowly dawned upon me that with this responsibility He kept me busy and the negative thoughts stayed out of my mind. If He had not made me the leader, I would have passed through a very low phase. It would have been a disaster. On the night of Diwali, 13th November, 2004, everyone was celebrating Diwali in Dharampur and at 2.30 a.m., mom breathed her last amidst constant japa. I called Bapaji and told Him how it had happened. From that moment, He took care that we got over this grief. In doing this, He made me realise, how much He cares for me and each one of us. Shaping me Through Seva It is Bapaji’s hallmark that He polishes every facet of our existence. He worked on me by grooming me for seva, inculcating the importance of perfection and yet teaching me to be detached and free from pride. I realised that the important thing was not to get the work done, but the attitude with which the work was done. During the construction of Yajnasthal at the Ashram, we would make weekly visits to Dharampur to supervise the progress of the construction. At the fag-end of the construction, when barely two weeks were left for the deadline, we decided to stay back in Dharampur, so we could expedite the pending work and ensure that we were ready by the deadline. During this time, Rhea had to be hospitalised and I spoke to my wife Amee over the phone and asked if she needed me. But my family told me to take care of the construction seva and they will take care of Rhea in Mumbai, so we decided that I would stay back in Dharampur. When Bapaji heard about this, He visited Rhea regularly at the hospital and ensured that she didn’t miss her father and made her feel fine. What better example of YogakshemamVahamyaham – He ensures the safety and well-being of His devotees. As a Steering Committee member, I have seen how He nurtures the seed of spirituality through seva. Our usual Steering Committee meetings are scheduled in such a way that the committee meets for two hours to deliberate on the various points on agenda, followed by half an hour of meeting with Him, when the committee apprises Him about the various points discussed and subsequently He gives guidance on the points. But before taking up the points, He starts with a few minutes of satsang. In this manner, He ensures that not just the head, but the heart is also used while taking decisions. We have also experienced that He comes up with a point that we may have thought as being not so important and not deliberated enough or something which we may have completely overlooked. It is the Master’s way of guiding us subtly but surely. All these years, Bapaji has taught me so many things, how to think, how to talk, how to get things done and much more. To sum it all up, He taught me how to live life. It’s up to me now to live it in the way He wants me to. Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Compassionate Action through Karuna Abhiyan Karuna Abhiyan is an initiative by the Government of Gujarat, aimed at rescuing and treating animals and birds injured during festivals like Uttarayan, where kite-flying often leads to injuries. Since its inception in 2015, the campaign has mobilised veterinary professionals and volunteers across the state to provide timely medical assistance to affected animals and birds. Under the Karuna Abhiyan 2025, Shrimad Rajchandra Animal Nursing Home, in collaboration with the Forest Department of Dharampur, extended its compassionate wings to care for injured birds. From January 10 to 20, dedicated teams of doctors and assistants worked tirelessly from various locations to provide life-saving treatment to various species, including pigeons, owls, and flamingos. This noble endeavour embodied the true spirit of empathy. The initiative served as a reminder that compassion knows no bounds, offering hope and care where it is needed most. Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 A Conference on Innovation and Inclusion in Education Shrimad Rajchandra Gurukul hosted the Educational Conference 2024-25, organised by the Valsad Jilla Acharya Sangh in association with Navneet Education Limited. This landmark event gathered 90 principals from various schools across the Valsad district, alongside dignitaries like Shri Bhanubhai Panchal, Chief, Gujarat Rajya Acharya Sangh; Dr Rajeshri Tandel, District Education Officer, Valsad and Shri Dipak Thakkar from Navneet Education Limited. Samir Ajmeri, Principal, Shrimad Rajchandra Gurukul, emphasised the importance of this conference in addressing the challenges and opportunities in education. The keynote address by the Chief Guest, Shri Bhanubhai Panchal, focused on topics like the future of education, innovation, the role of principals, administrative policies, and fostering inclusiveness in schools. The conference was a resounding success, offering a platform for meaningful dialogue on education’s future and reinforcing the role of students, educators, and institutions in shaping society. Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 A National Workshop on Plant Microscopy Shrimad Rajchandra Vidyapeeth successfully hosted its inaugural national-level three-day workshop on The Art of Plant Microscopy. The workshop brought together participants from across India, representing diverse regions such as Delhi, Maharashtra, Kerala, West Bengal, and Gujarat. It served as a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange, featuring esteemed speakers from Maharashtra and Gujarat. Participants enthusiastically engaged in hands-on training sessions focused on various micro-techniques and microscopy, including slide preparation and advanced staining methods. All participants were awarded certificates upon successfully completing the workshop. This milestone event underscores Shrimad Rajchandra Vidyapeeth’s unwavering commitment to fostering academic excellence and advancing scientific knowledge. Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Nov 2024 Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Nov 2024 Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Love that Liberates Love is such an energy that if it falls, it is hell and if it rises, it is liberation. Pujya Gurudevshri explains the nature of love so that we can employ it to experience communion with the divine. All feelings, ridiculous to sublime, are linked with love. It is love only that brings sorrow, anxiety, anguish, friction, fear, jealousy, animosity, aversion, restlessness. It is love only that brings joy, freedom, peace, fearlessness, stability, purity. Because these contradictory feelings are connected with love, it is necessary to understand the nature of love. Two Forms of Love One form of love is lust, the other is devotion. The former is like muck, the latter transforms into lotus. When a worldly person speaks of love, it means lust. When a seeker speaks of love, it means devotion. From lust to devotion, all feelings are connected to love. Every disease in the world is due to love. Yet the Wise Ones say that do not run away from love, try to understand it. If the love energy gets transformed, it will become a pathway to liberation. Love makes you fall and love raises you too. Like a ladder, it can bring you down or take you up. The difference is in the direction. Coming down is lust, rising high is devotion. Therefore, understand the energy, the greatness of love. Unfamiliar with the True Meaning of Love You think you have loved, and are familiar with love. But the saints say, that you have only loved your ego. Wife, children etc. are only an excuse. You got the children educated, raised them, went through difficulties, sacrificed to fulfil their desires… all this is fake. If you were informed that they weren’t your children, would you still have the same love for them? Then you will realise that your love was for ‘your’ children and not children per se. You are interested in fattening your ego. You wanted some hook to hang this fat ‘I’ and you got the children. If they are not yours, the ego does not benefit and so your love also fades away. What kind of love is it that changes into dislike within moments? One day you say, ‘I can’t live without you’ and next day, to the same person, you say, ‘I can’t live with you’. Can this even be called love? The smoke of your expectations is so thick that it is difficult to find the flame of love in it. Have you really loved anyone? You take care of the near and dear ones only so that you don’t lose the joy that comes from them. You keep them under you by destroying their independence, dignity and say that I love them immensely! Love According to the Saints The love saints speak of is nectar that sets you free, while yours is poison that binds you to the world, that can turn into hatred and is filled with fear, jealousy, possessiveness, ownership, ego. They sing the song of love that has no possessiveness; that does not differentiate between me, my, you, yours; love that does not stink of jealousy, ego etc.; love that doesn’t throw you into suffering. This love is not lust, it is devotion, prayer. This alone will open the gates of the divine. Until the value of the divine is realised, until the divine love arises, all your religious practices are mere formalities. Does your ego bend when you bow down in the temple? Is there a song in your heart and joy in your eyes while worshiping the divine? Or are the rituals done mechanically to finish the duty, or out of fear of being labelled an atheist? Once true love blossoms in you, the divine does not remain an object of curiosity, an intellectual itch but turns into a dire need of life. On experiencing the drop of love, the quest for the divine, the ocean, comes alive and you are ready to give up anything. Feeling the touch of the ray of love, you want to search for the sun, its source. When you smell the fragrance of love, you are pulled towards the garden from where it spreads. Only then the true quest begins. When the energy of love turns towards the divine, thoughts quieten and there arises contentment, peace, relaxation, silence and bliss. Is Divine Love Easy or Difficult? At some places, it is said that divine love is very easy and attained effortlessly, and at some places, it is said to be very difficult. Both are correct. It is easy because divine love is your inherent nature. It is not possible for anyone to separate from one’s nature. It is difficult because you are so much identified with the ego that you have become blind to the divine. How can you separate from the divine that enlivens your life? You may forget but you can never be separated from it. Moreover, the divine does not get altered or destroyed just because you have forgotten its presence. Like a fish in the ocean, you are in the divine. How can attainment of the sea be difficult for the fish? The fish never leaves the water. In the same way, by nature, you have never separated from the divine. Therefore, to say ‘search for the divine’ is inappropriate because the divine is never lost. You don’t need to chase the divine. When the body and the mind stop running, when there arises no desire, passion or thought, you will attain that which has always been with you. Just as a carpenter searching for the pencil he had kept behind his ear and forgotten; the moment he remembers, he stops, puts his hand there and finds it. In the same way, by remembering the divine, you shall realise it. It is that simple. The saints also say that to love the divine is difficult because of ego. Your ego is the hindrance. It makes you hard-hearted. You don’t even feel the need for the divine. You speak of spirituality and the divine, but very superficially. You only talk but you have no faith that by attaining the divine, you shall become fulfilled. You are not ready to give up anything for it. Intellect nourishes ego and ego hinders communion with the divine. Ego can dissolve only if you move from the intellect to the heart. Heart means love. The divine is attained through love. Love is the gateway. Love is not math. Calculations are needed to attain worldly things. The intellect wants to win and love wishes to lose. Love wins by losing. By surrendering, you become the king of kings. What Should Love be Like? Love should be such that only the beloved is seen. Everywhere, he can see only the divine’s face, wisdom and state. Whatever is seen, whether a blossoming flower, the rising sun or the flowing river, everything is superseded by the divine alone. Some are mad after money, some after status, some after logic but rare few are mad after the divine. All are mad but their madness is different. Whilst others are mad after the material world, the devotee is mad after the divine. Whatever may happen, he is not harassed by any worldly desire. He has just one desire – the divine. And so, he remains steadfast, and does not get shattered like worldly people. Desire breaks you down but love makes you one, one with the divine. Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Pragat Guruhari Prabodhjivan Swamiji Visits the Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pragat Guruhari Prabodhjivan Swamiji, current head of Hari Prabodham Parivar. During His visit, Swamiji embarked on a tour of the Ashram and also graced Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Shrimad Rajchandra Jivmaitridham with His presence. On this auspicious occasion, Pujya Gurudevshri and Swamiji addressed the gathering, filling the hearts of seekers with devotion. A meeting between two saints is truly a sight to behold, as compassion and harmony shine through every gesture of the great ones.
Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Bapaji – My Support System Sarvarpit Shreyance Shah, a member of the Steering Committee of the Mission and a part of the Sadguru Prerna Core Team inks how Pujya Gurudevshri’s ceaseless compassion and constant support have paved the path of his spiritual journey. That morning in 1985, 39 years ago, is as clear in memory as if it was yesterday. I was seeing Bapaji after many years. I was around 11 years old then and I had last seen Him in Hampi in 1980, 5 years before that day, where I had gone with my parents. There was an orphanage on the ground floor of our school and He had come there to meet someone. I approached Him thinking He might not recognise me, but I still went ahead and bowed to Him. To my surprise He said, “You are Rameshbhai’s son!” This was my first face-to-face meeting with Him. Connecting the dots today, I am sure He wasn’t there to meet someone; He was there to reconnect from where we left in the past. Through almost my entire teen years, I had been fortunate to be around Him a lot! Those are my most memorable days yet. We used to talk a lot – the topic would range from what I did during the day to current affairs. The topic wasn’t important at all. The important part was spending time with Him. It would really seem like time had stopped and I was in a different world. Since I would spend most of my time with Him, my friend circle from school and college was very small. As I see it today, His main intention of keeping me with Him, was to keep me away from the vices of college life. My whole world was revolving around Him. And, it was such a great feeling. Days passed and I enjoyed every minute of it. There wasn’t a single day when I hadn’t met Him, not a single day when I hadn’t spoken with Him over the phone. Rising in Devotion In 1989, He had to go to Antwerp for His father’s heart surgery. He was going for almost a month and a half and He had promised that He would write a letter from there. Days were passing and I was waiting for His letter. He wrote a letter on 6th April, 1989. In the last paragraph, He wrote a small quote, which meant a lot to me: Pray without ceasing, God hears what you say; From the moment you rise, to the close of the day, Don’t think for a moment, that He turns a deaf ear Trust and have faith and you’ll never know fear. He ended the letter with the words “your constant companion” followed by French words, “Je t’aime”, which means I love you. One Sunday during the mid-nineties, we had gone for an outing. I had told Him during the day that I had brought my treasure with me to show Him. All my memories with Him, His letters, His handwritten chits, wrappers of chocolates received as His Prasad and so many other things. There was a box full of all these things. On our way back, He asked me to stop the car and give Him the treasure box. He took the box and acted as if He had thrown all its contents in a stream nearby. I was virtually in tears as I had tremendous attachment for those things. After some time, He returned everything back to me and told me that it was a test of my devotion. He wanted to know, whether I accepted His every wish or not. It taught me two lessons – His ajna is much more important than His prasadi and to not cling on to the past, but stay in the present. Holding me Through Joys and Sorrows An extremely joyous moment of my life came in January 2001, my daughter Rhea’s birth. At 11.48 p.m. in the night, Bapaji visited the hospital and we got the news of Rhea’s birth. Bapaji took her in His arms and touched her forehead. He said that she was the first baby He had touched at zero hours. We all can see how blessed she is! The year 2004 brought two news at opposite ends of the spectrum. First, I heard the good news that Bapaji wanted me to become the Sarvarpit Group Leader. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to learn various skills and apply all that Bapaji had taught me all these years. I was very happy on hearing this. At around the same time; my mom was diagnosed with cancer. It was something totally out of the blue. I was completely broken when I heard this. We met Bapaji and He became the pillar of strength for all of us. At one point, I even thought that I should ask Bapaji to make someone else the leader, since I would be busy with mom’s treatment, doctors, hospitals, etc. and so wouldn’t be able to give justice to this seva. However, He asserted that I become the leader. I couldn’t understand why. But it gave me the indication that there was another dimension to this. It slowly dawned upon me that with this responsibility He kept me busy and the negative thoughts stayed out of my mind. If He had not made me the leader, I would have passed through a very low phase. It would have been a disaster. On the night of Diwali, 13th November, 2004, everyone was celebrating Diwali in Dharampur and at 2.30 a.m., mom breathed her last amidst constant japa. I called Bapaji and told Him how it had happened. From that moment, He took care that we got over this grief. In doing this, He made me realise, how much He cares for me and each one of us. Shaping me Through Seva It is Bapaji’s hallmark that He polishes every facet of our existence. He worked on me by grooming me for seva, inculcating the importance of perfection and yet teaching me to be detached and free from pride. I realised that the important thing was not to get the work done, but the attitude with which the work was done. During the construction of Yajnasthal at the Ashram, we would make weekly visits to Dharampur to supervise the progress of the construction. At the fag-end of the construction, when barely two weeks were left for the deadline, we decided to stay back in Dharampur, so we could expedite the pending work and ensure that we were ready by the deadline. During this time, Rhea had to be hospitalised and I spoke to my wife Amee over the phone and asked if she needed me. But my family told me to take care of the construction seva and they will take care of Rhea in Mumbai, so we decided that I would stay back in Dharampur. When Bapaji heard about this, He visited Rhea regularly at the hospital and ensured that she didn’t miss her father and made her feel fine. What better example of YogakshemamVahamyaham – He ensures the safety and well-being of His devotees. As a Steering Committee member, I have seen how He nurtures the seed of spirituality through seva. Our usual Steering Committee meetings are scheduled in such a way that the committee meets for two hours to deliberate on the various points on agenda, followed by half an hour of meeting with Him, when the committee apprises Him about the various points discussed and subsequently He gives guidance on the points. But before taking up the points, He starts with a few minutes of satsang. In this manner, He ensures that not just the head, but the heart is also used while taking decisions. We have also experienced that He comes up with a point that we may have thought as being not so important and not deliberated enough or something which we may have completely overlooked. It is the Master’s way of guiding us subtly but surely. All these years, Bapaji has taught me so many things, how to think, how to talk, how to get things done and much more. To sum it all up, He taught me how to live life. It’s up to me now to live it in the way He wants me to. Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Compassionate Action through Karuna Abhiyan Karuna Abhiyan is an initiative by the Government of Gujarat, aimed at rescuing and treating animals and birds injured during festivals like Uttarayan, where kite-flying often leads to injuries. Since its inception in 2015, the campaign has mobilised veterinary professionals and volunteers across the state to provide timely medical assistance to affected animals and birds. Under the Karuna Abhiyan 2025, Shrimad Rajchandra Animal Nursing Home, in collaboration with the Forest Department of Dharampur, extended its compassionate wings to care for injured birds. From January 10 to 20, dedicated teams of doctors and assistants worked tirelessly from various locations to provide life-saving treatment to various species, including pigeons, owls, and flamingos. This noble endeavour embodied the true spirit of empathy. The initiative served as a reminder that compassion knows no bounds, offering hope and care where it is needed most. Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 A Conference on Innovation and Inclusion in Education Shrimad Rajchandra Gurukul hosted the Educational Conference 2024-25, organised by the Valsad Jilla Acharya Sangh in association with Navneet Education Limited. This landmark event gathered 90 principals from various schools across the Valsad district, alongside dignitaries like Shri Bhanubhai Panchal, Chief, Gujarat Rajya Acharya Sangh; Dr Rajeshri Tandel, District Education Officer, Valsad and Shri Dipak Thakkar from Navneet Education Limited. Samir Ajmeri, Principal, Shrimad Rajchandra Gurukul, emphasised the importance of this conference in addressing the challenges and opportunities in education. The keynote address by the Chief Guest, Shri Bhanubhai Panchal, focused on topics like the future of education, innovation, the role of principals, administrative policies, and fostering inclusiveness in schools. The conference was a resounding success, offering a platform for meaningful dialogue on education’s future and reinforcing the role of students, educators, and institutions in shaping society. Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 A National Workshop on Plant Microscopy Shrimad Rajchandra Vidyapeeth successfully hosted its inaugural national-level three-day workshop on The Art of Plant Microscopy. The workshop brought together participants from across India, representing diverse regions such as Delhi, Maharashtra, Kerala, West Bengal, and Gujarat. It served as a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange, featuring esteemed speakers from Maharashtra and Gujarat. Participants enthusiastically engaged in hands-on training sessions focused on various micro-techniques and microscopy, including slide preparation and advanced staining methods. All participants were awarded certificates upon successfully completing the workshop. This milestone event underscores Shrimad Rajchandra Vidyapeeth’s unwavering commitment to fostering academic excellence and advancing scientific knowledge. Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Nov 2024 Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Nov 2024 Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Love that Liberates Love is such an energy that if it falls, it is hell and if it rises, it is liberation. Pujya Gurudevshri explains the nature of love so that we can employ it to experience communion with the divine. All feelings, ridiculous to sublime, are linked with love. It is love only that brings sorrow, anxiety, anguish, friction, fear, jealousy, animosity, aversion, restlessness. It is love only that brings joy, freedom, peace, fearlessness, stability, purity. Because these contradictory feelings are connected with love, it is necessary to understand the nature of love. Two Forms of Love One form of love is lust, the other is devotion. The former is like muck, the latter transforms into lotus. When a worldly person speaks of love, it means lust. When a seeker speaks of love, it means devotion. From lust to devotion, all feelings are connected to love. Every disease in the world is due to love. Yet the Wise Ones say that do not run away from love, try to understand it. If the love energy gets transformed, it will become a pathway to liberation. Love makes you fall and love raises you too. Like a ladder, it can bring you down or take you up. The difference is in the direction. Coming down is lust, rising high is devotion. Therefore, understand the energy, the greatness of love. Unfamiliar with the True Meaning of Love You think you have loved, and are familiar with love. But the saints say, that you have only loved your ego. Wife, children etc. are only an excuse. You got the children educated, raised them, went through difficulties, sacrificed to fulfil their desires… all this is fake. If you were informed that they weren’t your children, would you still have the same love for them? Then you will realise that your love was for ‘your’ children and not children per se. You are interested in fattening your ego. You wanted some hook to hang this fat ‘I’ and you got the children. If they are not yours, the ego does not benefit and so your love also fades away. What kind of love is it that changes into dislike within moments? One day you say, ‘I can’t live without you’ and next day, to the same person, you say, ‘I can’t live with you’. Can this even be called love? The smoke of your expectations is so thick that it is difficult to find the flame of love in it. Have you really loved anyone? You take care of the near and dear ones only so that you don’t lose the joy that comes from them. You keep them under you by destroying their independence, dignity and say that I love them immensely! Love According to the Saints The love saints speak of is nectar that sets you free, while yours is poison that binds you to the world, that can turn into hatred and is filled with fear, jealousy, possessiveness, ownership, ego. They sing the song of love that has no possessiveness; that does not differentiate between me, my, you, yours; love that does not stink of jealousy, ego etc.; love that doesn’t throw you into suffering. This love is not lust, it is devotion, prayer. This alone will open the gates of the divine. Until the value of the divine is realised, until the divine love arises, all your religious practices are mere formalities. Does your ego bend when you bow down in the temple? Is there a song in your heart and joy in your eyes while worshiping the divine? Or are the rituals done mechanically to finish the duty, or out of fear of being labelled an atheist? Once true love blossoms in you, the divine does not remain an object of curiosity, an intellectual itch but turns into a dire need of life. On experiencing the drop of love, the quest for the divine, the ocean, comes alive and you are ready to give up anything. Feeling the touch of the ray of love, you want to search for the sun, its source. When you smell the fragrance of love, you are pulled towards the garden from where it spreads. Only then the true quest begins. When the energy of love turns towards the divine, thoughts quieten and there arises contentment, peace, relaxation, silence and bliss. Is Divine Love Easy or Difficult? At some places, it is said that divine love is very easy and attained effortlessly, and at some places, it is said to be very difficult. Both are correct. It is easy because divine love is your inherent nature. It is not possible for anyone to separate from one’s nature. It is difficult because you are so much identified with the ego that you have become blind to the divine. How can you separate from the divine that enlivens your life? You may forget but you can never be separated from it. Moreover, the divine does not get altered or destroyed just because you have forgotten its presence. Like a fish in the ocean, you are in the divine. How can attainment of the sea be difficult for the fish? The fish never leaves the water. In the same way, by nature, you have never separated from the divine. Therefore, to say ‘search for the divine’ is inappropriate because the divine is never lost. You don’t need to chase the divine. When the body and the mind stop running, when there arises no desire, passion or thought, you will attain that which has always been with you. Just as a carpenter searching for the pencil he had kept behind his ear and forgotten; the moment he remembers, he stops, puts his hand there and finds it. In the same way, by remembering the divine, you shall realise it. It is that simple. The saints also say that to love the divine is difficult because of ego. Your ego is the hindrance. It makes you hard-hearted. You don’t even feel the need for the divine. You speak of spirituality and the divine, but very superficially. You only talk but you have no faith that by attaining the divine, you shall become fulfilled. You are not ready to give up anything for it. Intellect nourishes ego and ego hinders communion with the divine. Ego can dissolve only if you move from the intellect to the heart. Heart means love. The divine is attained through love. Love is the gateway. Love is not math. Calculations are needed to attain worldly things. The intellect wants to win and love wishes to lose. Love wins by losing. By surrendering, you become the king of kings. What Should Love be Like? Love should be such that only the beloved is seen. Everywhere, he can see only the divine’s face, wisdom and state. Whatever is seen, whether a blossoming flower, the rising sun or the flowing river, everything is superseded by the divine alone. Some are mad after money, some after status, some after logic but rare few are mad after the divine. All are mad but their madness is different. Whilst others are mad after the material world, the devotee is mad after the divine. Whatever may happen, he is not harassed by any worldly desire. He has just one desire – the divine. And so, he remains steadfast, and does not get shattered like worldly people. Desire breaks you down but love makes you one, one with the divine. Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Compassionate Action through Karuna Abhiyan Karuna Abhiyan is an initiative by the Government of Gujarat, aimed at rescuing and treating animals and birds injured during festivals like Uttarayan, where kite-flying often leads to injuries. Since its inception in 2015, the campaign has mobilised veterinary professionals and volunteers across the state to provide timely medical assistance to affected animals and birds. Under the Karuna Abhiyan 2025, Shrimad Rajchandra Animal Nursing Home, in collaboration with the Forest Department of Dharampur, extended its compassionate wings to care for injured birds. From January 10 to 20, dedicated teams of doctors and assistants worked tirelessly from various locations to provide life-saving treatment to various species, including pigeons, owls, and flamingos. This noble endeavour embodied the true spirit of empathy. The initiative served as a reminder that compassion knows no bounds, offering hope and care where it is needed most.
Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 A Conference on Innovation and Inclusion in Education Shrimad Rajchandra Gurukul hosted the Educational Conference 2024-25, organised by the Valsad Jilla Acharya Sangh in association with Navneet Education Limited. This landmark event gathered 90 principals from various schools across the Valsad district, alongside dignitaries like Shri Bhanubhai Panchal, Chief, Gujarat Rajya Acharya Sangh; Dr Rajeshri Tandel, District Education Officer, Valsad and Shri Dipak Thakkar from Navneet Education Limited. Samir Ajmeri, Principal, Shrimad Rajchandra Gurukul, emphasised the importance of this conference in addressing the challenges and opportunities in education. The keynote address by the Chief Guest, Shri Bhanubhai Panchal, focused on topics like the future of education, innovation, the role of principals, administrative policies, and fostering inclusiveness in schools. The conference was a resounding success, offering a platform for meaningful dialogue on education’s future and reinforcing the role of students, educators, and institutions in shaping society.
Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 A National Workshop on Plant Microscopy Shrimad Rajchandra Vidyapeeth successfully hosted its inaugural national-level three-day workshop on The Art of Plant Microscopy. The workshop brought together participants from across India, representing diverse regions such as Delhi, Maharashtra, Kerala, West Bengal, and Gujarat. It served as a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange, featuring esteemed speakers from Maharashtra and Gujarat. Participants enthusiastically engaged in hands-on training sessions focused on various micro-techniques and microscopy, including slide preparation and advanced staining methods. All participants were awarded certificates upon successfully completing the workshop. This milestone event underscores Shrimad Rajchandra Vidyapeeth’s unwavering commitment to fostering academic excellence and advancing scientific knowledge.
Home Archives for 2025 Page 22 Love that Liberates Love is such an energy that if it falls, it is hell and if it rises, it is liberation. Pujya Gurudevshri explains the nature of love so that we can employ it to experience communion with the divine. All feelings, ridiculous to sublime, are linked with love. It is love only that brings sorrow, anxiety, anguish, friction, fear, jealousy, animosity, aversion, restlessness. It is love only that brings joy, freedom, peace, fearlessness, stability, purity. Because these contradictory feelings are connected with love, it is necessary to understand the nature of love. Two Forms of Love One form of love is lust, the other is devotion. The former is like muck, the latter transforms into lotus. When a worldly person speaks of love, it means lust. When a seeker speaks of love, it means devotion. From lust to devotion, all feelings are connected to love. Every disease in the world is due to love. Yet the Wise Ones say that do not run away from love, try to understand it. If the love energy gets transformed, it will become a pathway to liberation. Love makes you fall and love raises you too. Like a ladder, it can bring you down or take you up. The difference is in the direction. Coming down is lust, rising high is devotion. Therefore, understand the energy, the greatness of love. Unfamiliar with the True Meaning of Love You think you have loved, and are familiar with love. But the saints say, that you have only loved your ego. Wife, children etc. are only an excuse. You got the children educated, raised them, went through difficulties, sacrificed to fulfil their desires… all this is fake. If you were informed that they weren’t your children, would you still have the same love for them? Then you will realise that your love was for ‘your’ children and not children per se. You are interested in fattening your ego. You wanted some hook to hang this fat ‘I’ and you got the children. If they are not yours, the ego does not benefit and so your love also fades away. What kind of love is it that changes into dislike within moments? One day you say, ‘I can’t live without you’ and next day, to the same person, you say, ‘I can’t live with you’. Can this even be called love? The smoke of your expectations is so thick that it is difficult to find the flame of love in it. Have you really loved anyone? You take care of the near and dear ones only so that you don’t lose the joy that comes from them. You keep them under you by destroying their independence, dignity and say that I love them immensely! Love According to the Saints The love saints speak of is nectar that sets you free, while yours is poison that binds you to the world, that can turn into hatred and is filled with fear, jealousy, possessiveness, ownership, ego. They sing the song of love that has no possessiveness; that does not differentiate between me, my, you, yours; love that does not stink of jealousy, ego etc.; love that doesn’t throw you into suffering. This love is not lust, it is devotion, prayer. This alone will open the gates of the divine. Until the value of the divine is realised, until the divine love arises, all your religious practices are mere formalities. Does your ego bend when you bow down in the temple? Is there a song in your heart and joy in your eyes while worshiping the divine? Or are the rituals done mechanically to finish the duty, or out of fear of being labelled an atheist? Once true love blossoms in you, the divine does not remain an object of curiosity, an intellectual itch but turns into a dire need of life. On experiencing the drop of love, the quest for the divine, the ocean, comes alive and you are ready to give up anything. Feeling the touch of the ray of love, you want to search for the sun, its source. When you smell the fragrance of love, you are pulled towards the garden from where it spreads. Only then the true quest begins. When the energy of love turns towards the divine, thoughts quieten and there arises contentment, peace, relaxation, silence and bliss. Is Divine Love Easy or Difficult? At some places, it is said that divine love is very easy and attained effortlessly, and at some places, it is said to be very difficult. Both are correct. It is easy because divine love is your inherent nature. It is not possible for anyone to separate from one’s nature. It is difficult because you are so much identified with the ego that you have become blind to the divine. How can you separate from the divine that enlivens your life? You may forget but you can never be separated from it. Moreover, the divine does not get altered or destroyed just because you have forgotten its presence. Like a fish in the ocean, you are in the divine. How can attainment of the sea be difficult for the fish? The fish never leaves the water. In the same way, by nature, you have never separated from the divine. Therefore, to say ‘search for the divine’ is inappropriate because the divine is never lost. You don’t need to chase the divine. When the body and the mind stop running, when there arises no desire, passion or thought, you will attain that which has always been with you. Just as a carpenter searching for the pencil he had kept behind his ear and forgotten; the moment he remembers, he stops, puts his hand there and finds it. In the same way, by remembering the divine, you shall realise it. It is that simple. The saints also say that to love the divine is difficult because of ego. Your ego is the hindrance. It makes you hard-hearted. You don’t even feel the need for the divine. You speak of spirituality and the divine, but very superficially. You only talk but you have no faith that by attaining the divine, you shall become fulfilled. You are not ready to give up anything for it. Intellect nourishes ego and ego hinders communion with the divine. Ego can dissolve only if you move from the intellect to the heart. Heart means love. The divine is attained through love. Love is the gateway. Love is not math. Calculations are needed to attain worldly things. The intellect wants to win and love wishes to lose. Love wins by losing. By surrendering, you become the king of kings. What Should Love be Like? Love should be such that only the beloved is seen. Everywhere, he can see only the divine’s face, wisdom and state. Whatever is seen, whether a blossoming flower, the rising sun or the flowing river, everything is superseded by the divine alone. Some are mad after money, some after status, some after logic but rare few are mad after the divine. All are mad but their madness is different. Whilst others are mad after the material world, the devotee is mad after the divine. Whatever may happen, he is not harassed by any worldly desire. He has just one desire – the divine. And so, he remains steadfast, and does not get shattered like worldly people. Desire breaks you down but love makes you one, one with the divine. Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
