Faith

Here's a beautiful quote from Guruji I read recently:

"The farmer sows his seeds with faith in existence. He loses what he has in his hand - but he gains much more."

The highest form of service

A lot of us are drawn towards doing some kind of seva (service). And in choosing what service to do: normally one would choose the "highest" i.e. most impactful level of service. The question then becomes, what is the highest level of service that I can do?

Many times, we have heard that the highest level of service is to spread this knowledge. Thinking over why that is so, the following came up. Any other form of service is inherently limited to a given situation. For instance, say you have a scheme to feed the poor. But once their stomach is full, the scheme doesn't help them any more. Or you run a school for underprivileged children. This has a slightly longer term impact: but it doesn't help if they fall sick, or have emotional problems, or are old and past earning age. The only form of service that is not limited by situations is giving someone spiritual knowledge: in fact, spiritual knowledge is all about becoming independent of the situation. No matter what the situation, it helps me keep my smile intact.

Further, any other form of service must lose its relevance at least when the person dies. But, as Guruji says, the seed of spiritual knowledge that has been planted is going to help them for lifetimes to come.

So spreading this divine knowledge is the only form of service that is unlimited, either by situation or by time. Perhaps this is why it is considered the highest form of service!

Bhaja Govindam

You would probably have heard the famous verses by Adi Sankaracharya:
"Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam Mudha Mati"
The story goes that Adi Sankara once saw an old Sanskrit teacher in Kashi teaching his students the rules of Sanskrit grammar by rote. On seeing this, he composed the above verse:
"Worship God, Praise God, Adore God, you fool!
These rules of Sanskrit grammar are not going to help you in tough times"
The verse then goes on to amplify on this - turn the mind away from lust, from wealth, or from other worldly pleasures, towards the Lord.

The word "Bhaja" is normally translated in this context as "Praise" - or "Adore" or "Worship". However, Guruji mentioned in a knowledge tape that one of the meanings of this word in Sanskrit is to "share". Hence, I wonder if there's another layer of meaning in the first line: "Share God!" In other words: Spread this knowledge. Do God's work. Spread the light of the Divine around you. And that is what would help us in tough times - and indeed, when the time to depart comes.

Not sure if this interpretation is correct :) but works for me!

Hello!

Here goes...finally got around to starting a blog! Will be using this space to share any interesting thoughts that come up. Mostly related to experiences on the spiritual path, and perhaps some other fun stuff as well. Have fun!