God kindles your quest
This Brahma Gnanam of realisation of the Lord is hidden inside the human mind. Great souls attain this knowledge of Brahman by focusing their minds on God, and distancing themselves from the clutter of a material world.
In Vivekachudamani, Adi Sankara emphasises this, saying, 'Jantu nam nara janmam dhurlabam..'. To be born as a human being is a rare gift and one should utilise it for spiritual progress and not misspend it in chasing impermanent goals that gratify only the senses and do nothing to uplift the soul. Ramana Maharshi had attained that inner peace and detachment, when very young. The Maharshi famously said, 'Pazhiyil vizhadha Ezhaiai Kaathu un padhathil niruthiveithanaye, azhiyaam karunai vallale Arunachaleswara.' (You saved me from falling into the pit, and kept me close to you, Arunachaleswara, Oh ocean of kindness). Such was the enlightenment achieved by this great soul who knew that the only purpose of human life is self-realisation. When one turns one's mind towards higher things, God Himself steps up to help such a person. As Krishna says in the Gita, 'I will kindle the quest for Brahma Gnanam in those who repose faith in me.'
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The Hindu
11 hours ago
- The Hindu
Ramana Maharishi
It is universally acknowledged that one is blessed to view the sight of devotees streaming into Pandharpur on Ashada Ekadasi. It is a clear, crystalline display of deep devotion. Sage Narada, widely held to be the guru of bhakti, was once asked what is bhakti and he said, 'The nature of bhakti is indefinable, one that cannot be described.' It is that love of God, that premam, which one cannot understand, unless it is manifested through a devotee, said Ramanacharana Tirtha Swami (Nochur). In his Saundarya Lahiri, Adi Sankara, speaking on how to see Siva through the heart of a devotee, says He is seen as the fruit of all the spiritual practices in, of and by a devotee. One cannot see the electricity that powers a bulb to burn, but can experience the light; similarly, one cannot see, but none can miss the devotee whose heart is in inundation (Lahiri); this ecstasy can only be experienced, something that countless devotees felt when in the presence of Ramana Maharishi. One can read tomes of articles on the life and teachings of Ramana Maharishi, but that would only be like the tip of the proverbial iceberg. His devotees maintain to this day that the saint who made Tiruvannamalai his home was not something you experienced with mere eyes. It is something that comes from the heart. People who saw him, simply absorbed him. Those who came to question him fell silent in his presence, doubts forgotten, experiencing a never before calmness. Seeing him seated in his abode, like burnished gold, he seemed like Arunchaleswara to his devotees. Unlike Buddha, Ramana Maharishi's life did not have a riveting arc, making it one for the greatest renunciation stories; on the contrary, Ramana Maharishi, sitting in a small room in Madurai, thought he was going to die. That led to the question, Who is going to die, what happens when my body is burnt. He felt the full force of consciousness (I am atma); it happened in a few minutes: this is gnana made very simple. He let go of desire and with the alignment of bhakti, vairagya and gnanam, he experienced God. He was not a scholar, but the call of Arunachala drew him to Tiruvannamalai, where he experienced a tsunami of love: the deity kept him on his lap, so to speak.
Indian Express
19 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘God answered my prayers…': 28-day wait later, businessman gets back his tanker stuck on broken Vadodara bridge
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a day ago
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Aries (Six of Cups): A childhood friend may reconnect with you after a long time, and both of you will want to make the most of this moment—possibly even going on a trip together. During this time, a bitter truth of life, tied to an old incident, may unexpectedly come to light—something you never imagined. This revelation could be quite troubling for you. You may feel the need to share your concerns with your mother, grandmother, or maternal grandmother. Always remember that life should maintain a balance between happiness and sorrow. Be careful not to become arrogant in moments of joy or lose courage during times of distress. You are now reflecting on future situations by drawing lessons from past experiences. Your faith and devotion to God are growing stronger than ever. A previous disagreement with a friend may have strained your bond, but the time is now favorable to mend that relationship. A new acquaintance could soon turn into a family connection. You might also consider distancing yourself from people whose relationships with you are (The Moon): Patience has never been your strong suit while working, which has often led you to use harsh words with your colleagues. As a result, you may face reprimands from senior officials. You might also receive news of a promotion accompanied by a job transfer, which could be difficult for you to accept. You are beginning to make efforts to change your nature, trying to control your speech and temper. You are starting to realize that patience and composure are essential for success in the workplace. Due to your short temper, family members often prefer to talk less with you, and this has started to bother you. Influenced by the advice of a respected elder, you may work on changing your behavior, and soon you'll notice that your family begins to interact with you more normally. Meanwhile, your child's poor company and changing behavior may worry other family members. Gemini (Nine of Swords): A wrong action done toward someone can lead you to serious consequences. The other person may not even respond to your bad behavior, but you will still have to face the results of your good or bad deeds. You've allowed a particular worry to grow so much in your mind that you may have stopped trying to find a solution. You've trapped yourself in your own thoughts. It's time to break free from this negative mindset. Try to find a way out of the situations that are deeply rooted in your heart. Let go of past memories and focus on understanding the problem so you can work your way out of it. Discussing it with too many people might worsen things instead of helping. The less others know about your personal matters, the better it is for you. No matter how tough the situation gets, don't allow yourself to become weak. Always maintain a positive outlook in your (Knight of Pentacles): There seems to be little hope of recovering the money currently stuck in the stock market. A wrong decision may have caused a significant amount to get trapped. At this time, it's important to approach the situation with patience and self-control while you look for a practical solution. Avoid making any hasty moves. With the help of a colleague, you may be able to complete a work-related plan successfully. Some people who have long been envious of you might soon take actions that could harm your reputation, so stay alert and cautious. Blind trust in anyone could backfire—no matter how close or well-wishing they appear to be. Refrain from sharing personal matters with others and keep your thoughts more private. A friendship with an elderly person could bring valuable experiences and their support will continue to energize you. You may feel some emotional distance from your beloved, possibly because they are currently living in a different (Six of Wands): You are currently facing several difficulties in completing a particular task, but its eventual success can help resolve the situation. The victory that comes after struggle will bring you a deep sense of satisfaction. Nothing in life comes easily. So far, you may not have achieved anything significant in your professional life, which might be causing a sense of emptiness in your relationships as well. However, upcoming changes are likely to bring you success in all aspects. You will soon receive the well-deserved rewards of your hard work. Your search for a new job may finally come to an end. An old dispute might also get resolved, bringing peace of mind. There may be opportunities for a promotion as well. The time ahead will be favorable for you, but in this positive phase, be careful not to fall into arrogance or pride. Avoid the illusion of thinking yourself superior to others, as it could diminish the value of your own (Nine of Pentacles): Even after achieving so much, you may still feel that something is missing—like the comfort and success in your life are somehow incomplete. This sense of lack likely stems from an unfulfilled ambition that continues to weigh on your mind. You may have started a major business venture some time ago with close friends, and it is now progressing well. The collective effort is opening up new avenues of success, and you may finally begin to see the results of your past hard work. A recent meeting with a highly skilled and influential person could lead to a promising job opportunity. However, an ongoing conflict with someone has been causing major obstacles in your work. This person seems to be actively preventing your efforts from reaching success. On the personal front, none of the marriage proposals you're receiving seem to appeal to you, and your overly critical attitude is beginning to trouble your family. advertisementLibra (Justice): You've been dealing with a long-standing dispute over ancestral land, and you're currently awaiting a court decision. There is a possibility that the verdict may not be in your favor. Some situations are beyond your control, and during such times, it's important to carry out your responsibilities with patience and composure. When the time is right, circumstances will begin to shift in your favor. At work, a colleague may be behaving poorly toward you, which could trigger your anger. Try to address the issue calmly and explain things in a respectful manner. You might currently be facing complications in completing a task, which is causing delays. Because of this, others may start doubting your capability. Focus on completing your work successfully and prove them wrong through your actions. Avoid using harsh or offensive language in any (Death): Sometimes, being separated from someone dear teaches you profound lessons in life. The memories of that person often stop you from straying down the wrong path. Something similar has already happened to you, and now you are trying to bring balance back into your life. You may finally find relief from long-standing financial difficulties, with new sources of income emerging. You might also distance yourself from certain people and places that are no longer good for you—over time, they may naturally fade from your life. There are some relationships that have consistently brought you pain and betrayal, leaving your heart wounded. Gradually, these bonds may also start to dissolve. Your patience and self-restraint will soon be rewarded by God. New opportunities appear to be coming your way in your professional life, guiding you toward growth and success. However, before these positive changes arrive, you may have to go through an unpleasant (Page of Swords): Be firm in your decisions. Try to ensure that no one interferes with your choices or persuades you to change them. Make well-considered decisions after evaluating all circumstances. It's possible that a decision made earlier may not seem effective at the moment—but have patience and allow things to progress. Trust that, in time, your decision will prove to be the right one. Don't let negativity creep into your thoughts. If you haven't achieved success in a particular task, don't abandon it—instead, consider changing your approach. You'll soon notice progress. If you're feeling uncertain about something, take time to understand it clearly. Before sharing anything with others, be sure they won't compromise the confidentiality of your words. You may also be feeling quite concerned about your child's education and are putting in consistent efforts to secure their admission into a good (Seven of Cups): The success of any task often depends on the circumstances surrounding it. Right now, your heart and mind seem to be caught in a state of confusion, making it difficult to decide whether pursuing a particular task would be the right move or not. You're unsure whether upcoming opportunities are truly beneficial or simply tempting on the surface. Consulting with an experienced individual may help clear this confusion and guide you toward the right path. In your business, rivals have created a highly competitive and tense environment—where even a small mistake could lead to major financial troubles. Meanwhile, a new person in the family has brought certain changes. However, the way they present themselves may not reflect their true intentions. It's important to see beyond appearances and recognize their real motives. Don't let their sweetness fool you into ignoring the potential harm they might bring to your (Three of Swords): Despite being repeatedly neglected by your spouse, your continued emotional attachment could lead you into deeper trouble. The other person has already made their resentment toward you clear, and a sudden betrayal has opened your eyes to the harsh reality. You're feeling isolated and alone. For quite some time, you've sensed the displeasure of your colleagues at work, but ignoring these issues has now turned into a major obstacle. Friends have repeatedly warned you about this, but brushing off their concerns may result in significant financial losses. Your hopes for a promotion now seem to be fading, leaving you mentally distressed. Your inability to present your side clearly in front of senior officials could cost you that advancement. It's important to try and communicate your perspective confidently. Meanwhile, the favoritism shown by a colleague has made you consider quitting your job. However, finding a new position won't be easy, which is adding to your mental (The Star): You may soon start a small business—an idea you've been contemplating for a while. The growing favoritism at your current workplace could further motivate you to pursue this venture. At the same time, there are signs of receiving a new job offer soon, possibly accompanied by a promotion and a transfer. Both small and significant opportunities may come your way shortly, so choose wisely with clarity and insight. In the process of seizing these opportunities, you may find yourself in conflict with certain colleagues, and there's a chance this issue could escalate to higher authorities. Try to present your side clearly and respectfully. A meeting with a new person could soon blossom into a romantic relationship, and in the near future, you both may start planning marriage. On the family front, the news of a new baby arriving after a long time could fill the atmosphere with joy and warmth.- EndsMust Watch
