Swami Sivananda Vani

[Guest guest]

By the command of the Indestructible Being, minutes, hours, days and

nights, stand apart. By the command of the Immortal Brahman, months,

years, seasons and solstices stand apart. He who knows this

Indestructible Being is a liberated sage or Jivanmukta.

 

Time rolls on. New becomes old and old becomes new again. Today is

the most auspicious New Year's day. God has given you another chance

this year to enable you to strive for your salvation. Today man is.

Tomorrow he is not. Therefore avail yourself of this golden

opportunity, struggle hard and reach the goal of life. Make the best

use of every moment of this New Year. Unfold all latent faculties.

Here is a chance to begin life anew, to grow and evolve and become a

superhuman or a great dynamic Yogi.

 

On this glorious New Year's day make a strong resolve to wipe away

all the old worldly Vasanas or tendencies and bad impressions and to

control the senses and the mind.

 

Know the value of time. Time is most precious. Utilise every second

profitably. Live every moment of your life for the realisation of

your ideal and goal. Do not procrastinate. That " tomorrow " will never

come. Now or never. Abandon idle gossiping. Kill egoism, laziness and

inertia. Forget the past. A glorious and brilliant future is awaiting

you.

 

Equal vision is the touchstone of knowledge. Unselfishness is the

touchstone of virtue. Brahmacharya is the touchstone of ethics.

Oneness is the touchstone of Self-realisation. Humility is the

touchstone of devotion. Therefore, be unselfish, humble and pure.

Develop equal vision. Be in tune with the Infinite.

 

Satyam (truth) is the seed. Ahimsa is the root. Meditation is the

shower. Santi (peace) is the flower. Moksha (salvation) is the fruit.

Therefore, speak the truth, practise Ahimsa and meditation. Cultivate

Santi. You will attain the final emancipation or freedom from the

trammels of births and deaths, and enjoy Eternal bliss.

 

Be thou a spiritual warrior of Truth. Put on the armour of

discrimination. Wear the shield of dispassion. Hold the flag of

Dharma. Sing the song of Soham or Sivoham. March boldly with the band

of Pranava—Om Om Om. Blow the conch of courage. Kill the enemies of

doubt, ignorance, passion and egoism and enter the illimitable

kingdom of blissful Brahman. Possess the imperishable wealth of Atma.

Taste the divine immortal essence. Drink the nectar of Immortality.

 

May this bright New Year's day and all the succeeding days of this

year and all the future years also bring you all success, peace,

prosperity and happiness. May you all tread the path of Truth and

righteousness! May you enjoy the eternal bliss of the Absolute,

leading a divine life, singing Lord's name, sharing what you have

with others, serving the poor and the sick with Atma Bhava and

melting the mind in silent meditation in the Supreme Self.