Marmik Katha (Story that touches our hearts):

                                   The True Brahmin Life

George F W Thivo, Principal of Government Sanskrit College, Varanasi while addressing Pandit Gangadhar Shastri said, "Shastri Ji! I have great regard for your merit and talent. Kindly grace the post of Professor of Philosophy at our college. This would greatly please me." Pt. Gangadhar Shastri accept the offer on a monthly pay of Rs. forty. After some time another offer for the post of Professor of Sanskrit came to him from the Government Sanskrit College, Calcutta . He was assured a monthly salary of Rs. five hundred for that post. Shastri Ji however, refused the offer. When Mr  Thivo came to know about this he was wonder-struck, and questioned Gangadhar Shastri, "Pandit Ji ! When you were offered Rs. five hundred, why did you refuse?"

Gangadhar Shastri gave two reasons, "First, out of greed I couldn’t break my promise, this was against my prestige as the offer was received after my appointment here. Second, what is the need of Rs. five hundred when I can mange my living smoothly in Rs. forty? You know, unnecessary income is the root of all bad habits."

The principal asked him, "That is all right, but your wife and children may have certain desires and aspirations, why do you want to impose your wishes on them? They too have right to take decision. Is it not imposition on their individual freedom?"

"No!", was the straight forward reply, "We both are cast in the same mint. My wife too like me is a staunch supporter of economical living. We also believe that whatever remains as a part of saving should be utilized in social service and earning fruits of righteousness. The society, in fact, has a claim on the savings. Our scriptures say collect with hundred hands and distribute with thousand hands. As for children, God has given them two hands and feet. When they grow, they will be able somehow to earn their living. Man rises empty stomach no doubt, but never goes to bed hungry."

"Your views are magnanimous, Shastri Ji, but when I look around I find one like you in lakhs of people in the society. Mostly people run after money as if chasing mirage and take pride in running, and spending money like water. Simplicity is rare. And one thing I would like to tell you, Pandit Ji that only persons like you who live simple lives are great, have been great and will be so in future. An imitable example of your simplicity has to be followed, only then, once again this country will, by regaining its past glory, be esteemed in the whole world."

The statement of that foreigner was so apt that even today it holds good.. 

Upakhyan (Anecdote):

The publication of Sri Aurbindo’s renowned work “The Foundations of Indian Culture” had sparked a new wave of interest in the multiple aspects of Indian culture. His disciples and other residents of his Ashram also used to have prolonged discussions on the elements of this great legacy of the Vedic Age.

Once a disciple raised a query as to why Indian culture is also referred to as the “Divine Culture” while the cultures of all other nations are known by their names only. He put this question to Nalin da, who was the senior most sadhaka in the Ashram and was considered very close to the master. Nalin da could not find a satisfactory answer to the query and said that he would approach Sri Aurobindo himself for a reply.

One day, while discussing some related topic, Nalin da put the same query before Sri Aurobindo. He replied – “The principal objective of the Indian culture is awakening and expression of divinity in human life. Vedic Rishis, the founders of the Indian culture, had developed the grand structure of this culture around this very central search. Because of the incorporation of divine values and elements in its genesis and expansion, the Indian culture is also synonymous with Divine Culture”.”

SADVICHAR (Thought of the week):

The man's real wealth is his thinking and not his money.

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

GATIVIDHIYAN (Activities)

Gayatri Pariwar is celebrating 8th April 2007, Sunday as Blood Donation day. Blood donation camps are being organized all over the country this day. In Bangalore also a camp is being organized at Lalitha Mahal Convention Hall, 3rd Main, Prakash Nagar (opp Ayappa Temple), Bangalore-21 in association with Rotary TTK blood bank. Please participate in this noble cause.

Please help us spread Pragya Sandesh as far wide as possible. Kindly encourage your friends to become members of http://groups.google.com/group/awgp_bangalore.

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