SATSANKALP (Divine resolve 17):
There are 18 satsankalp. As per Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya they correspond to 18 chapters of GEETA. We learnt about the sixteenth in the last edition. Given below is the seventeenth of eighteen.

“Manushya Apne Bhagya Ka Nirmata Aap Hai, Is Vishwas Ke Aadhar Par Humaari Manyata Hai Ki Hum Utkrisht Banenge Aur Doosron Ko Shresth Banaayenge To Yug Awashya Badlega ”

Meaning: We firmly believe in the dictum that ‘Man is the maker of his own destiny’. With this conviction, we will uplift and transform ourselves and help others in doing so. We believe the world will then automatically change for the better.
 

UPAKHYAN (Anecdote):

The great philosopher-saint Ramanujacharya was physically weak. He would walk to the river for bath taking support of other persons. Interestingly, for the riverward journey his helping shoulder would be that of a brahmin and that of a lower caste shudra on return.

People would be surprised and ask, “Bhagwan, a shudra’s touch makes you impure once again. What is the sense in bathing then?”

The saint would smile and say, “A bath cleanses my body only. The impurity of mind is this egoistic feeling that distinguishes men into upper and lower castes. As long as this egoistic feeling remains, a person remains impure. External bathing is useless. By touching a shudra, I cleanse my heart of this impurity. I am superior to none, all are superior to me. A shudra too, is superior to me. It is to firmly reinforce these feelings within me I take the help of a shudra while returning."

Conclusion: One should endeavor to cleanse not only the body but also the mind and heart.

Study of Good Literature: An Essential Daily Need (Part I of II)

Man by nature is neither intelligent nor naďve, neither good nor bad. Actually he is a very sensitive being. He keeps imbibing the influences around him and gets cast in the form of the mental environment in which he lives. This special attribute of his sometimes leads him to a complete downfall and sometimes to divinity. The following example illustrates this point very well. Once near Khandoli village in Agra district some hunters killed a few wolves and to their surprise found a six year boy living in their pack. This boy was picked up by the wolves when he was very young and was not killed but reared by them. He used to walk on four feet, bark like them and eat raw flesh. He had got molded into his environment completely. This same principle applies everywhere. Rarely anyone is born with innate talent; usually the environment around shapes one’s way of thinking and desires, which in turn mould one’s personality. This is why young princes in earlier times were sent to gurus’ hermitages in jungles to enable the refined environment of such places mould their personalities too.

The most important need for the development of a personality is that purified way of thinking which is woven with idealism and becomes integral with one’s faith and liking. This can be achieved in two ways, first by being in the company of great men of high character for a long time and second, by studying and assimilating their thoughts through the study of their teachings and writings. In present times, the first method is not the most appropriate. It is difficult to locate truly wise and knowing intellectual men these days. Most of the so-called wise men of today are in reality, mislead, evil and confused beings. Then there is also the problem of time. Who can spend long periods in good company these days?

(To be Continued ...)

SADVAKYA (Thought of the week):

It is through self-purification and self-introspection that a soul attains godhood.

SAMPARK (Contacts):
Yug Shakti Gayatri Kendra

16/2, 1st Floor, 3rd cross, 3rd Main Road,
Prakash Nagar, Bangalore 560021
Phone: 91-80-23526694
Mobile: 9844503818 / 9880679755

Please visit the All World Gayatri Pariwar site at http://www.awgp.org