Brahmacharya

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Sunder. I'm not surprised the Three Wise Monkeys came from China -- I would hazard the statement that most, if not all the great and noble contributions of mankind originated in either India or China (though, the Greeks should also be added to that list). From the wisdom of China, I would add one more brahmacharya, as ancient Chinese recognized the mind as a sense organ: "Think no evil." Brad

[Guest guest]

Dear Brad

 

With respect to the mouth and taste, I have heard that one should eat

anything after sincerely offering it to God. By doing so, the doshas

(the malefic effects) in the food go away, and it becomes 'prasadam'

and by eating such food one's saatvic (pure) qualities are stirred.

 

There are many stories that illustrare this fact. But in general,

whatever we do, we should think if God will be pleased by that act,

and offer it to God (Naarayanethi Samarpayaami) and then proceed.

That is the highest Brahmacharya.

 

After most of the rituals, and prayers, one usually recites a " sloka "

at the end, which goes:

" Kaaye na vaacha, manasendriyaiva, budhyathmanaava, prakruthe

svabhaava, karomi yat yat, sakalam parasmai, Naarayanaethi

samarpyaami "

 

It means that, whatever I go by speech, by my mind and sense organs,

by thought, and in general whatever I do, I offer it to Narayana. By

this prayer, we cover all possible acts we do, whether by mind, or by

speech, or our hands and feet etc.

 

Finally about the monkeys etc., one should know that the Upanishads

are replete with adages and virtues.

 

Swami Vivekananda used to say, " awake, arise, & stop not till the

goal is reached " . It is also a saying from the Upanishads, " Jagrutah,

Tishtah ... " . The awakening here, is the spiritual awakening, and the

goal is not something materialistic, but the highest truth.

 

-- Pradeep