Bathe In The Ganges Of Knowledge

By Author: Sikha Dawan
Total Articles: 7
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We know from history that the culture of India is both ancient and eternal. The meaning of eternal is that which has no end. All our religious festivals give the same message: “Understand the value of your life!” Ganga Dassehra is one such festival. Besides bathing in the Ganges, saints have said that at this time we should have the auspicious opportunity to bathe in the continuous current of the Ganges of Knowledge coming from the mouth of saints and the Master.
Our mind is very unsteady and restless, it never allows us to attend satsang or to listen to the glory of God. To restrain this unsteady and restless mind, everyone should receive the Spiritual Knowledge of the Holy Name of God and Divine Light.
Lord Shri Krishna imparted the practical techniques of the Spiritual Knowledge to Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukshetra in the midst of two armies and said, “The Spiritual Knowledge and divine vision which you are receiving now cannot be acquired either by counting beads on a rosary or by doing penance, or by giving charity or by going on pilgrimage.” satpal maharaj
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... Today we are celebrating the sacred festival of Ganga Dussehra. Since morning devout people have been bathing in the Ganges and they think themselves very fortunuate. On this occasion people offer cold water and give charity. But think about the origins of this festival. What was the penance and sacrifice done by Bhagirath that enabled him to bring the sacred Ganges, which used to flow in heaven, down to earth? We are benefitting from his indefatigable efforts in two ways. Besides taking a holy bath, we are getting a good opportunity to take a dip in the continuous current of the Ganges of Knowledge coming from the mouth of mahatmas and the Master.
The historic battle of Mahabharata was going to take place in the battlefield of Kurukshetra and many great warriors had gathered there. Arjuna became despondent and said to Lord Krishna, “I do not want to fight.” Lord Krishna replied, “Where were these cousins, relatives and elders, whom you think of as your own, when Duryodhan and Dushashan were bent upon disrobing the helpless Draupadi, in front of the full Court of King Dhritrashtra? So, all of them are wicked and in my opinion fighting them is justified.
‘I am imparting the practical technique of the Holy Name which is inexpressible and eternal, remembering which continuously, you will fight the battle. Thus you will be freed from bondage to the fruits of your actions and you will get salvation.”
When the time came to choose a husband for Draupadi, her father invited many great warriors to compete for her hand. A shallow wide-mouthed metal pan, full of oil, was set up. It had a pillar, on the top of which a fish was moving in a circle in such a way that its shadow was visible in the oil. The king told the assembled warriors that Draupadi would be married to the warrior who succeeded in hitting the eye of the moving fish, merely by seeing its shadow in the oil of the metal pan. Just imagine how difficult that would be! All the warriors tried but none succeeded. But when Arjuna’s turn came, he hit the eye of the fish by the sheer power of his concentration and he married Draupadi.
Science has manufactured many missiles which travel using wind direction. But, one very unique missile has been developed which reaches the target even if the wind is blowing in the opposite direction. You would have read about many great battles and would have seen where the concentration of our armed forces, like that of Arjuna, has worked successfully. Likewise, in our devotion, we must not move away from our purpose, we must not waiver; we have to hit our goal with the arrow of concentration; meaning that the purpose of our life is to acquire the supreme goal by following the spiritual path as instructed by the Master.
If people had the character and feelings of Laxman, then who would dare to play with the prestige of others’ mothers and sisters? Who then would oppress whom? When Rama and Laxman were in exile in the forest, the despotic Ravana kidnapped Sita. As she was being taken away, she dropped her jewellery from place to place along the way. Lord Rama was wandering with his brother Laxman in the forest. First of all Rama found her earring, then her necklace and bracelets. He showed those to Laxman, saying, “Laxman, tell me whether these ornaments belong to Sita.” Laxman replied, “Lord, I can’t comment because all I ever saw of Mother Sita were her feet.”
Further ahead, Lord Rama found an anklet with bells belonging to Sita. Then he asked, “Tell me if this anklet belongs to Sita.” Then Laxman says, “Lord, I can definitely confirm that it belongs to mother Sita, only because I have always meditated on her feet.”
Today, if our mindset could be like that of Laxman, then who would kidnap whom and who would insult whom? Basically, for eradicating corruption, we have to work unitedly with good conscience. We have to take that first step ourselves; only then can corruption be eradicated. Good thoughts, harmony and goodwill have to be inculcated in our family, in our societies and in our country through the medium of satsang. Everyone has to co-operate in this. Today, many countries are busy using technology to manufacture missiles and neglecting developmental works. Due to this, even though their economic conditions are weak and unstable, they are investing all their currency, which should have been invested in development works, in purchasing various weapons and arms. Due to this, I have to say that further disturbance will spread in society.
The River Ganges used to flow in heaven. It came to earth due to the untiring efforts of King Bhagirath. Likewise, when our penance and efforts are like that of Bhagirath, our country will also become like heaven.