Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Holy Mother Tithi Puja

You have not yet understood the wonderful significance of Mother's life — none of you. But gradually you will know. 
Without Shakti (Power) there is no regeneration for the world. Why is it that our country is the weakest and the most backward of all countries? — Because Shakti is held in dishonour there. Mother has been born to revive that wonderful Shakti in India; and making her the nucleus, once more will Gârgis and Maitreyis be born into the world. 

Dear brother, you understand little now, but by degrees you will come to know it all. Hence it is her Math that I want first. 
. . . Without the grace of Shakti nothing is to be accomplished... ...

... First Mother and Mother's daughters, then Father and Father's sons — can you understand this? . . . 
To me, Mother's grace is a hundred thousand times more valuable than Father's. Mother's grace, Mother's blessings are all paramount to me. . . . 
Please pardon me. I am a little bigoted there, as regards Mother.

   - Swami Vivekananda to Swami Shivananda in a letter




Monday, December 12, 2016

World is Gymnasium!

Let there be action without reaction; action is pleasant, all misery is reaction. The child puts its hand in the flame, that is pleasure; but when its system reacts, then comes the pain of burning. When we can stop that reaction, then we have nothing to fear. Control the brain and do not let it read the record; be the witness and do not react, only thus can you be happy. The happiest moments we ever know are when we entirely forget ourselves. Work of your own free will, not from duty. We have no duty. This world is just a gymnasium in which we play; our life is an eternal holiday.

                               - Swami Vivekananda