pril 23
One day, Nitti Mudaliar was crying at his doorstep. A man came up and asked why he was crying. Nitti replied, "My grandfather has died leaving behind a wealth of fortune for me." The man was puzzled and asked why he should cry so much for that. Nitti continued, "My uncle passed away a few weeks back leaving all his wealth to me. My paternal grandmother died a month back and she too left all her wealth to me." The man was very confused by now and asked, "Why are you crying if they all left their wealth to you and departed in their old age?" Nitti replied, "I have no more relatives who will die leaving their wealth to me!"
Blissful
If you were to make a list of the things that you possess, the list would never end and it will take you by surprise. But you keep asking, 'What next.. what next ... ' All you need to do is count your blessings and feel grateful.
- THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM
a Blissful
Bhilai Mansoor lived in the middle of a desert in a small hut. One day, a young boy came by his hut and requested to allow him one night's sleep and food. He agreed and the boy stayed. The next day morning, he found out from the boy that he was a burglar by profession. He cried out loud for having given food and accommodation to a burglar after all. He suddenly heard an even louder cry from the heavens. Allah was saying, "You are crying for giving him all this for one day! Imagine me who has been giving him all this for his life time!"
We all need to understand that whether we accept it or not, whether we like it or not, it is the Cosmic Energy that is actually taking care of us every minute.
tpril 25
Blissful
In a South Hindu temple, the deity's idol was customarily brought out of the temple on the back of a donkey in a big procession around the town for people to see. On one such occasion, as the procession moved, the donkey was amazed to find people bowing low before it, performing arathi and offering sweetmeats. It was convinced that it had become a celebrity overnight. It started to swagger and looked contemptuously upon the other animals on the streets. It decided that it no more needs to carry the heavy burden on its back; It shook the idol off its back. You don't need help to imagine what happened to it after that!
Every moment, be aware that you are an instrument of the Divine. Don't let your ego get in the way. Surrender your ego and Existence will take care of you!
, Blissful
Sagar Pillai entered a restaurant and began ordering vast quantities of food. Platefuls of steaming idlis, dosas and jalebis made their way to his table. He ate with relish. After a heavy meal, he signaled to the waiter for the bill. The waiter duly returned with a lengthy bill. "What is this?" cried Sagar, baffled at the bill, "I hadn't ordered anything like this!"
We are all like Sagar - inviting pain and disease upon ourselves with our excessive life styles - only to forget about it and complain later when they actually come!
> THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM
One evening, Chanda Basu was found searching for a lost gold coin in his courtyard. His wife and practically the entire neighborhood soon joined him in his search. One young man finally asked him, "Where exactly did you drop the coin?" to which he replied, "inside the house." "Then why are you searching here?" cried the young man. Chanda explained, "Well, there are no lights inside my house and hence I thought I would search here where there are the street lights."
We are all experts at searching for the answers in the wrong places! We seek to find ourselves everywhere - in money, power and relationships, forgetting that all we need to do is to seek inwards in ourselves to find out.
Blissful
In a certain kingdom, the King came to know that everybody was depressed, because they found themselves burdened with more than their fair share of worries, while the others seemed to have no major worries. The King announced a 'Mega Worry Exchange Offer', where people could trade their worries. A giant Worry Pot was placed in the center of a vast space wherein people could happily dump their own worries and pick up the worries of anyone else. The entire kingdom gathered for the event. The event was declared open and strangers met and started talking to each other about their worries. Time passed on ... and not one worry was exchanged!
After all, who wants to drop their small familiar worries and take on unknown worries of another! Worry itself is a mere familiar dwelling pattern for the mind.
Blissful bril 29
Bhilai Mansoor went with his family to watch a movie. Suddenly inside the cinema hall, he started groping about on the floor. His grand daughter got annoyed and asked him what he was doing. He replied, "Dear, my chewing gum has fallen down." The grand daughter snapped, "So what? Just leave it Grandpa." Bhilai replied, "Dear, my teeth are in it."
We all continue to search for material things thinking that they will bring us fulfillment; but what we are really searching for unknowingly is the Ananda or True Bliss that is the highest and only form of fulfillment.
Latur Singh was on his customary walk with his blind friend. Latur would describe to his friend the scenery and people that they passed. On that day, a very beautiful girl passed them and Latur described her physical attributes meticulously to his friend. As they passed her, his head turned to complete his description and in the event he bumped into a pole. The friend said, "You walked into a pole." Embarrassed, Latur replied, "You're right." The friend said, "You'd better hold my hand to prevent further accidents."
Life is most often a story of 'the blind leading the blind'. Just being eye-blind is no real handicap; having the intelligence blinded is the real handicap.
Blissful
May
Nithya Kanthi was on the cross-country rail and spent all her time in the observation car. An elderly lady was seated next to her and Kanthi told her that the best part of the journey was the breathtaking scenery outside. The lady sat for a while and left. A little later, she came back and sat for a while before getting up to go. The third time, she came and sat behind Kanthi. Barely a few minutes went by when she tapped her on the back and asked, "Excuse me, but do you see something that I don't?
We are surrounded by beauty. But we see only what we want to see. That is why they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Nithya Twinkle had her sister over for a few days. The two were enjoying themselves when their parents called up to say that they were driving over to spend time with them. Nithya spun into focus and thrust a duster cloth into her sister's hand to start dusting. The latter protested saying that the house was already clean. Nithya replied sharply, "This is sister clean, we will have to make it mother clean."
Man spends all his life on putting to rest others' anxiety; he gets himself anxious in the whole process! This is a phenomenon which can be broken only if intelligence blossoms in every man independently.
May 3
Durg Chander was jogging early one morning. As he passed by a man seated on the road, he asked him breathlessly, "What is the time?", but got no reply before he jogged on. The next day, during his jog, he passed by the same man. As he passed him, the man shouted, "Sorry, but it's 7am!"
Timely help when failed to be offered loses its purpose when offered later.
· Blissful
Ananda was known for his wisdom. He always told people that they should strive not to be attracted by material things. But very often, Ananda was seen in the fancy store doing window shopping. Puzzled, his friend asked him what the great idea was. Ananda replied, "It never fails to amaze me when I see the number of things in this world that I don't need!"
Enjoy the worldly things by renouncing them! This state cannot be achieved as a goal; it simply has to happen to you, somewhere in the path of inner growth.
> - THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM
o, Blissful
Ananda Pathi decided to surprise his wife with a gift one day. He ordered the gift to be door-delivered with a poem of love attached to it. He told them not to put his name saying that she will know once she sees it. The gift was delivered and the agency promptly got a call from his wife. She asked them who the sender was. They said that the sender preferred not to disclose his name. She pleaded, "Please, I need to know this before my husband gets back home."
Only a radical change in our nature can convince the world that we have changed. Superficial moves will not suffice!
Blissful
May 6
The entire city was flooded and the rescue group was evacuating people from their homes. A flexible staircase was suspended from the first floor of a building to evacuate the inmates on to a waiting lorry. An elderly lady appeared and cautiously made her way down while everyone watched with bated breath. She landed safely and everyone sighed relief. She called out upwards, "It's nothing mamma, you can do it!"
Life is a great drama with no dearth of action. It is up to us whether we are going to enjoy it objectively or get involved subjectively.
o Blissful
Boss Ananda was very efficient in getting work done. He however had no idea what it was to bend his own back. He would see only the results and never tolerated shortcomings in them. One day, his secretary didn't turn up and he went without coffee for the day. His friend asked him why he didn't make coffee for himself. He replied, "Well, I had no idea how I took my coffee."
It is not enough if you master the technique of 'instructing' alone. You should also be able to get down to do the job perfectly if need be!
o Blissful
May 8
Latur Singh opened his lunch box at work and sighed, "Oh! the same old fried rice yet again." His colleague asked him, "Why don't you tell your wife to make something different?" Latur replied, "What wife? I make my own food!"
Where man is, his mind is not and that's why he suffers. When he zigs, his mind zags and in the event he gets hurt. Live in the present and much of your problems will dissolve!
> - THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM
Churu Kiran took up a part-time job with a supermarket to promote a particular product. It required him to dress up as a duck. When he was on the job, a man walked up to him and asked him, "Don't you feel silly dressed up as a duck?" Churu snapped back, "You ought to feel silly talking to a duck."
Strangely, the eye that misses our own follies, never misses others'!
, Blissful
May 10
Ananda Pappaiah was called to make a reforming speech at a prison's criminal offence section. He stood up and to the horror of everyone present started by saying, "I am happy to see you all here today ... "
hur mind is always following past patterns; it is seldom in the present and this why we make mistakes.
Blissful
May 11
Nithya Ameeta came dressed in a two-piece outfit to a party. The host looked at her rather sternly and said, "I'm sorry, but my wife and I would rather not have people dressed in two-piece clothes." "Sorry sir," replied Ameeta, "which one should I remove?"
When a certain moral conduct settles down in a person, he turns dangerously blind to its shortcomings.
> THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM
May 12
Barsi Rajan taught a group of physically handicapped children how to do various things like handling electronic gadgets, repairing them etc. His greatest lesson to them was that they should have faith in their capabilities. He was thrilled when one day a boy came in with a broken toaster in one hand and a loaf of bread in the other!
The most essential thing is to have trust in our own capabilities. Most often, we trust others' capabilities more than our's!
> THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM
Blissfur
May 13
Nithya Pathni and Ananda Pathi were returning from a party one night. Nithya said she would drive as Ananda had taken a little liquor at the party. She struggled to take the car out of the crowded parking area. A policeman who was watching, came over and knocked at Ananda's window. He requested him to blow into an instant alcohol test kit. Ananda protested, "I'm not driving anyway." The policeman said, "Please Sir, do as I say." Ananda did so and the test came out negative. The policeman said, "Now Sir, could you please take the wheel and help this woman get out of this area."
We sometimes feel shy to try and therefore live life the harder way. If the results will not be upsetting, it is worthwhile to try better ways in life.
> THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM
Blissful
Nithya Kanthi had a heated argument with her husband and stormed out of the house. Her husband wasn't too concerned until twilight set in and she did not return. He made calls to a few of his friends but to no avail; there was no trace of his wife. As he was seated in despair, the door opened and Kanthi walked in. She announced: "The night's too cold out there. I will leave tomorrow morning."
All of us fight very bravely from inside four walls. Only when we are made to fight in the cold outside will we realize the security we've been enjoying thanklessly all along.
> THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM
Nithya Kanthi was seated in the doctor's waiting room inflicted with depression. The lady next to her started a conversation and came to know that she was mother to 12 children. The lady exclaimed, "Twelve children and you look so young and beautiful!" Kanthi got her prescription and felt instantly better.
Most often, we fall sick because we don't hear what we wish to hear. It's amazing how we allow the outside world to influence our physical and mental health!
> - THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM
Blissful
Sikar Shareef decided to take judo lessons for self-defense. Strenuous training for a month gave him tremendous confidence to tackle any surprise attack. One day, he was walking to his house in the middle of the night and he was suddenly assaulted near a bush. His judo lessons had prepared him with magnificent foot sweeps to handle such situations, to smash the assailant to the pavement. He astounded his assaulter with a knock on the head with his umbrella.
What comes naturally to a man comes with near perfection! We should therefore nurture our nature with all great virtues.
Blissful
Nithya Ameeta was busy with her house accounts when her baby was persistently grabbing her papers. She put him inside the playpen and resumed her work but the little one screamed until he was brought out of it. Ameeta thought for a moment and struck upon an idea. She gathered all her papers and got inside the playpen. The little one happily played around outside.
A little bit of lateral thinking can turn a situation around. A one-track mind will only dwell deeper into the familiar side of a situation.
> THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM
Ram Gopal was by himself in the house when his grandfather passed away. He called the doctor next door. The doctor's son answered and he told him that his grandfather was dead and that he wanted his father to come over. The son spoke slowly, "Well, Dad's good, but I don't know if he's that good."
Anything put forward should be done so with no ambiguity what so ever. Only then can we look for appropriate responses.
> - THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM
Blissful
Little Ananda had a problem with remembering the words 'yesterday', 'today' and 'tomorrow'. During the evening homework session, his mother was trying to get him through with the words yet another time. She managed to get him to say 'yesterday' and 'today'. She continued, "Mamma often says, wait until . . . ?" Little's face lit up and he said, "Payday!"
A child's mind is so creative. We make a great mistake in trying to impose our patterns on it.
"Blissful
Worry Ananda and his friend went for a stage show. It was most enjoyable but the friend noticed that Worry kept looking at his watch periodically. He whispered into his ear, "Aren't you enjoying it?" Worry replied, "That's just the problem; I'm wondering how much more time is left to enjoy."
The human mind is so much in tune with worrying that it feels insecure when there is nothing to worry about!
> THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM
Gritty Gauri was in the market doing her monthly shopping. The vendors were weary of her complaining nature. She queued up to buy oranges. The lady in front of her was getting 13 oranges to a dozen. When it was her turn, the vendor carefully picked 12 large oranges and handed them over. She looked sharply and asked, "How come you gave her 13?" The vendor replied, "Ma'am, one of them was a little decayed and so I made up by giving an extra one." Gritty said, "Well, then I too want a half-decayed one." The vendor took a decayed one and put in her bag.
Comparing with others on material things takes us one step backwards in life. Every man needs to compare himself with his own barometer and forge forwards.
Blissful
Ram Gopal went to an art exhibition. After seeing all the paintings, he went to one of the painters and said, "Your's was the only ones I could admire." "Oh, thankyou!" said the painter. Gopal continued, "There were always people crowded in front of the others".
Sometimes we don't plan to be rude in what we say although we sound that way; we are lucky if people take it in the right spirit!
, Blissful
Nithya Madhu was going through the filled out application forms for the new academic year. She paused at one particular form. Against the line 'Language spoken at home' was written: Decent.
When we answer questions, we are in effect exposing our own mind-set with our own words!
> THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM
Chanda Basu was visiting the psychiatrist. After finishing his turn, he was asked to call in the next patient before he left. He called out, "Mrs.Angela, please" and walked out. After about 5 minutes of walking, a meek voice enquired from behind him, "Where are we going?"
In life, when we misconstrue the message intended for us, we easily slip into the wrong path. Intelligence alone can prevent this from happening.
Blissful
Nithya Pathni and Ananda Pathi were sending their son out on his first job to a car service center. Pathi advised, "Be careful to use goggles while welding; God gave you only two eyes." Pathni said, "And be careful about your hands while working inside the bonnet; God gave you only two hands." Pathi stepped in, "Careful about your feet sticking out when under the car; God gave you only two feet." The son nodded for everything and finally said, "Yes, and thank God, He gave me only two parents."
We just have to believe that the Life Force or Cosmos that conducts this Universe will take care of us also. Then, all our worries will dissolve and no more will surface.
Ananda walked in as a guest lecturer for a week into a particularly teasing crowd of youngsters. Before the start of the lecture, he announced, "I want each of you to write down a list of all the shortcomings in my speech as you listen. You may do so mercilessly, not sparing any observation that you might make." The crowd bustled with pens and papers. Ananda continued, "And, whoever makes the longest list will handle the session tomorrow."
Only when put under the pressure of performing will people realize their own shortcomings!
Ram Gopal was a painter by profession. He was recalling to his friend, "You know, this girl walked in with a blue-black chip and wanted me to paint a model house with the same colour. I thought I would give up my profession in trying to match it. Nothing seemed to satisfy her." The friend asked, "Did you match it?" Gopal continued, "Well, lucky for me, she got a call on her mobile and I quickly painted the chip while she was talking!"
In Life, we are constantly trying to match the images inside us with reality outside. We will never find a perfect match. If we drop these images inside us, we will find endless possibilities opening up!
Blissful
Sagar Pillai gave the first film roll to be washed from his newly bought hi-tech camera. He went to collect the prints and found the lady at the counter looking at him with an awed expression. While collecting the money from him, she ventured, "This sure is a unique technique." Puzzled, Sagar collected the prints and went home. He pulled them out and found 36 prints of his eye.
Total ignorance can be misconstrued for profound intelligence when seen from outside because extremes always look alike!
Blissful
Nithya Manu had five children. He would always reduce their ages by a couple of years when it came to purchasing tickets. His last two children were aged two and one. He stood along with his friend in the queue for procuring railway season passes, and procured only three. The friend asked him why he was purchasing only for three children. Manu replied, "Well, my last two are not officially born yet."
When we hide facts, we will need to remember what we hid in order to maintain them! Facts are best spoken as they are.
> THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM
Sheikh Govinda went to his boss and said, "Sir, can you give me permission to take off half a day from work? My wife wants me to take her out shopping." The boss replied emphatically, "Sorry Sheikh, but most definitely not." Sheikh replied, "Thank you Sir, I knew I could depend on you for it."
A well seasoned relationship will not require outside intervention at any time or on any issue.
> - THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM
May 31
Blissful
Boss Ananda owned a car workshop. He sent out his new recruit with instructions written on a card to attend to a house call. Hours passed and the boy did not return although the job required only an hour's time. He called up the client and asked to talk to the boy. The boy explained, "Sir, I have only now finished removing the engine with great difficulty." "What on earth are you removing it for!" cried Boss. The boy said, "Sir, let me read: 'Remove the engine ... ' that's exactly what is written on the card here." Boss screamed, "Turn the card over and read the rest! it says to remove the engine filter and replace!"
Messages received in one's life should be captured in its entirety and its implication understood, in order to see the desired transformation happening.
Blissful
June 1
A beggar stopped Ananda on the road and asked him, "Two years back, you used to give me 20 rupees; last year fully, you gave me only 10 rupees; for the past few months, you are giving me only 2 rupees, why?" Ananda replied, "First I was a bachelor, then I got married and now I have a baby, that's why." The beggar cried, "What! You are using my money to run your family!"
When we take things for granted, we lose some basic principles in life. The danger in this is that we are not even aware of this plight of ours.
Little Ananda went up to his grandfather and asked him, "Grandpa, are you happy with your hearing aid?" The old man replied, "Absolutely! I have already changed my will twice."
All our fears are actually nothing but the ultimate fear of death in disguise. Sometimes we are aware of this relation and sometimes not.
Blissful
Gritty Gauri was taking the last class of the academic year in Literature. She prepared a few questions to learn the feedback on her teaching and gave them to the students to answer. One of the questions was, "Have I influenced your attitude towards the subject?" One girl wrote: "No. I still like it."
The quality of education can inspire a 'liking' to become a 'passion' and make great differences between man and man.
Boss Ananda was being taken through the military posts stationed at three strategic points within a particular radius of the enemy camp. His guide whispered to him that they had reached the first post. They went a little further and the guide whispered that they had reached the second one. Boss whispered back, "Are we close to the enemy camp?" The guide whispered, "No, we have a long way to go." Boss: "Then why are we whispering?" The guide whispered, "I don't know about yourself, but I have laryngitis."
Most often, we do things with no rhyme or reason, blindly following what we hear; little do we realize the extent of our folly!
Latur Singh and his wife were teaching their 2-year-old son what to do if he accidentally locked himself inside the bathroom and didn't know how to open the door. Latur said it might be better if he removed the key and chucked it outside the window and called out to one of them to pick it up and open the door. His wife disagreed and instead taught her son that he should remove the key and push it under the door outside for someone to pick it up and open. She did it and showed it to him. Latur pointed out to her that they were all three actually locked inside the bathroom with the key pushed outside.
We are so deeply engrossed in bracing ourselves for the future that the present eludes us completely!
Blissful
Churu Kiran was called by a complaining lady in the middle of a storm. She showed him a crack in the wall through which the entire wall had dampened. Churu took one look and explained, "Ma'am, I don't see how this is going to get repaired. During rain, I anyway can't repair it and during sunshine, there won't be the need to repair it!"
Our perception of things is a reflection of our own self. We see the world as we are, not as it is.
Blissful
Sikar Shareef was hosting a party. His guests loved the food at his house although they were sick of his boasting stories. At the party, Sikar pointed to a bear skin rug and said, "You know, that was during the Hindu Safari in 1992. It was either the bear or me!" "Wise choice," sighed one of the guests, "You would've made a lousy rug."
When man operates with poor intelligence, he makes mistakes and flaunts them.
- THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM
Gritty Gauri got a call from her bank saying that she was overdrawn by rupees 1000. She promptly asked the man, "What was the balance last month?" The man replied, "1000 rupees." She continued, "and the month before that?" "Two thousand five hundred rupees," came the reply. Gritty shot back, "During those months when there was so much money in my account, did I ever call you?"
There are situations when reverse logic cannot be applied. We need to have the intelligence to understand this.
· Blissful
Nithya Pathni sent her twelve kids to school, cleaned the house and was washing the vessels with sweat on her brow when the door bell rang. She opened the door and found two men dressed in pious clothes. "Ma'am", they said, "we can show you how to live eternally." Pathni replied, "I don't think I can withstand it."
Life is almost always experienced as hardship and misery. People don't know about the Supreme Bliss that can be experienced in their Being continuously. Mere curiosity and an open mind is enough for anyone to attain this blissful state.
> - THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM
Blissful
Nithya Madhu was telling her friend how disgustingly egoistic her husband was. The friend asked, "What did he say this time?" Madhu replied, "Instead of saying 'When I die', he said, 'If I die'."
Death is the only thing that man can be absolutely sure of; Everything else is fluid and changing.
> THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM
Barsi Rajan was spending time with his daughter. He was an expert at drawing and maintained a board at home to encourage his kids to draw as well. His daughter asked him how babies are born. He immediately took up a chalk and drew the female reproductive organs and explained the entire process. The little girl then said, "Now draw a horse."
Wisdom in its profundity can be successfully imparted only when the receiving end is ready for it.
> THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM
Blissful
Little Ananda went from London to the United States on a holiday. He stepped on a weighing machine in a store and exclaimed, "Ma! I weigh 30 dollars." His mother corrected him saying, "30 pounds, dear". Little replied firmly, "That was in London. Now we are in America."
The simplicity in a child can show us the complexity in our system! The pity is that man loves complexity although he doesn't realize it.
> - THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM