The Bliss of Silence

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Be simple and humble, Volume: 1
Issue :18
N a c h i k e t a n j a l i 25th September,Friday 2009

while showing them the divine path...

Be sincere and dedicated,

while making them stand on their own feet...

That is the way to serve...

That is the way to get blessed...

That is the way to express divinity...

-Swami Nachiketananda

Ayi girinandini nanditamedini

vishvavinodini nandanute
For Private Circulation only Girivara vindhya shirodhinivaasini
vishhnuvilaasini jishhnunute
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Jaya jaya he mahishhaasuramardini
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NACHIKETA TAPOVAN ASHRAM
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Gairan Tanda, Kodgal Village, Jadcherla Mandal, Mahaboobnagar Dist-509301
Ph: +91-40-23113887 • Mobile: 98491 68937• www.nachiketatapovan.org
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The God of the Jnani is full of brilliance and the God of There is a sign of perfect knowledge. Man becomes 1
16
Bhakta full of sweetness. silent when it is attained.
 EDITORIAL
One of my favourite stories, which
is often quoted by a great Spiritual
Soul is that of a King and his
Court- jester, who used to ask such
stupid questions that the king dons
him a dunce cap which he has to
wear whenever in court. The king
becomes old and then a sickness
brings him to his death bed. The
jester arrives on the scene and asks
the king, “Oh king! Where is the
place you are going to?" The king
has no reply. The jester was
surprised and says, "Even though
you know that you had to leave one
day you never tried to find out
EDITORIAL BOARD
where you would be going? You
Editor
Subhadra K. are a bigger fool than I am’’. So
saying he puts his dunce cap on the
Editorial Consultants:
Annapurna R. king’s head.
Sowja A.
Probably we are all like the king,
CONTENTS Page No. if we do not know our Soul or our
Message by Swamiji 3 Goal. We all believe in the Law of
Mataji's Message 4 Karma and the Doctrine of Rebirth.
Holier than thou! 5 We have been here many times
Spiritual Quest 6 before. We have messed up all our
Reader's Article 7 previous births, that is why we are
Friends of Snakes 8 here again. Let us live this life
Upanishad Story 10 gloriously to the end as though this
Thanks to Bibo 11 were our last life, making God or
Publications & Events 12
Guru the centre of our lives, and
Suryanamaskar Event 13
seize the opportunity of being part
Sponsor Options 14
An Appeal 15 of His Mission.
Quotes by
Sri Ramakrishna Subhadra K.
2 All trouble and botheration come to an end when the ‘I’ dies.
SWAMIJI'S MESSAGE
The Soul is eternal,
undying and everlasting.
There is no birth or death
for the Soul. The Soul
does not undergo
changes like the body
which is subject to six
kinds of transformation- Birth, Existence,
Growth, Decay, Disease and Death. Anything
which has birth also has death and because
the Soul has no birth, it does not have a death.
It is eternal! The changes of the body does
not affect the Soul.
Sometimes we do not find the sun in the sky
because of the clouds, but the light of the sun
is always experienced. Similarly, self also can
be experienced in the body if we perceive the
light of consciousness. The essence of the
self is consciousness and can be experienced
through any object.
Just like the screen depicts or represents a
certain film for a fixed duration, the Atman
enters a body, gives it life and when the time
comes, leaves the body and enters into
another body. Our life is like a picture on the
screen. We are born, we exist, we grow, we
play different roles ,that of a father, mother,
sister, brother, son, daughter, grandchild and
so on, and once our role is over we leave this
world. The cycle of birth and death continues
until and unless we realize our True-Self or
Atma and once we realize,we are liberated
from this cycle.
SWAMI NACHIKETANANDA
To realize God one must follow one path
3
with all his strength.

Why Sadhana?
The world that we see today exists
because of the ego. Without ego no one
can function in the world. Everyone has
ego even realized souls too. But in
realized souls it is purified ego. We do
react to the situation because of ego.
Ego is the janani of Shadaripus : Kama,
Krodha , Lobha, Moha, Mada and
Matsarya. This is the package which we
carry along with the birth and even after
death. Though we are all made up of
Panchabuthas we are unique in nature.
You cannot find identical natures even
in twins. Then why that difference? It is
because of our samskaras. My Master
Swami Nachiketananda always says that
we got a package from God because of
the samskaras that we carry. This
package cannot be denied. We have to
carry this package while living in the
world. But what is the connection
between Sadhana and samskaras?
Sadhana is a process of purification. Why
do we need to purify ourselves? Are we
impure personalities?
We all are pure souls but since we have
taken birth, we were taught the way of
living. According to that we all live
without understanding. Some times we
It is Hari alone who dwells in all beings.
4 God alone is real. All else is illusory.
Nothing exists without Him.
don’t feel like making any change, HOLIER THAN THOU!
example: eating habits. North Indian I was going through the Gospel of Sri others nurtures hostility against them
people may not like south Indian food Ramakrishna and this statement caught and inhibits our own expansion.
and vice versa. Without knowing we my attention- “Don’t find fault with Sometimes we criticize someone and
create strong habits and the bundles anyone. Not even an insect.” I couldn’t later we get to know them from a closer
of habits are called samskaras. help myself from pondering on this angle and we might realize that it was
Human being = Bundle of samskaras quotation. As hasty and
and shadripus. Gandhiji also said, thoughtless of us
The ordinary and extra-ordinary “When you point to have
entertained those
human beings find some kind of one finger at
thoughts of
problems in the world. But the realized others you are
animosity. As
soul doesn’t find any problem in the pointing the
Mother Sarada
world. That’s why he is called Master. other four at
said, an aspirant
We all are directed by shadaripus, yourself ”. We
should first
whereas the realized master directs all tend to do this due
examine his own
the shadaripus. Difference between to lack of Self-
faults in order to
realized master and ordinary soul is introspection,
that both have ego but one has purified Cynicism and ‘Holier than thou’ make Spiritual progress.
ego and ordinary person has impure attitude. At one time or the other we
ego. all surrender our self control to this cruel I wouldn’t think it is easy but we can
beast. It gives us immediate satisfaction help ourselves from this tendency by
So Sadhana helps you to purify ego,
or in some cases consolation by finding reminding ourselves and praying God
which makes you a perfect human
fault with others. The negative every morning not to fall into the trap
being. As long as you are away from
comments could be about someone’s of fault finding. Identifying the need for
Sadhana, you are animal in the form of
looks, color, efficiency, dress, etiquette reform in ourselves by itself indicates
human being. Therefore start doing
etc. Whether we do this to fill a some victory over the devil. Before we
Sadhana with the help of a Master.
conversation, to be in agreement with say something negative about
What Sadhana is? others or to cover your own someone, we should ask ourselves how
Living with nature. Enjoying work as a shortcomings this tendency is a hurdle it is going to benefit us other than giving
the instant gratification of feeling
divine work. Having Sat-sanga within. in the path of Spiritual progress.
superior over others. Persistent
Enjoying blissfulness even in utter
crisis…for all this we need a qualified It is not our true nature to find fault practice, regular Satsangas, reading
soul who can guide us on our spiritual with others. When we think in these spiritual books can definitely keep us in
path by transmitting spiritual energies lines we are encouraging negative check. Our aim is to reach that stage of
through different Sadhanas. So let us thoughts and deviating from our original spiritual fulfillment when we go beyond
find out what Sadhana is and how to pure Self. As an old adage goes “para- the differences of pretty and ugly, right
encompass that divinity in our next carccakera gati nahi kona kale — a man and wrong, good and bad, I and you.
issue of Nachiketanjali. who is habituated to criticize others
conduct will never prosper!” Criticizing R. ANNAPURNA
5
 SPIRITUAL QUEST
Swamiji answers questions from the seekers. Questions are
welcome from everyone. They can be
e-mailed to us at nachiketanjali.newsletter@gmail.com
Can we live in this world without lying
and speaking absolute truth?
Ans: Everything changes as per situation
in this relative world. What is untruth,
is truth tomorrow and what is truth
today is false tomorrow. There was a
Brahmin family living in the forest taking
care of a small temple. Once a pious
King to whom the entire village was
dedicated had to run away from the
battlefield and hide in a temple.
Meantime the Cruel King who was
chasing pious King came to know that
the pious King passed through this
village. When he came to the Brahmin,
he asked him to tell the truth, otherwise
he threatened to kill his family. This
poor Brahmin knew if this King tortures
his wife, she may reveal the truth. So
immediately he took a sharp knife and
pulled out his wife’s tongue and cut it
and then he cut his tongue too.
Therefore we can say that truth varies,
person to person and situation to
situation. Nothing wrong to tell a lie if
it is accepted spiritually and helps
mankind at large. Even if you have to
take the lowest birth by telling a lie but
if it supports the highest cause, you
should not hesitate to lie. That shows
the greatest understanding towards
life. Make sure that you are leading a
spiritual life not mundane. You can add
spirituality into mundane life but never
mundane life into spirituality.
A man attains everything when he
6 this world is a ‘mansion of mirth’.
discovers his true Self within himself.
What constitutes sin in today’s
world?
Ans: That which never supports your
conscience…or degrades yourself or
cheats yourself is the highest sin in this
world. Now take a look into your own
life and find out what are those areas,
which make your life more miserable
than anything else. It is due to lack of
proper understanding towards life itself
or not able to find out Self in life. The
'Self' which brings light into life and life
into action has been forgotten. But
when that 'Self' is found, then your
every action gets purified and takes
utmost care of everything - within and
without. Then there is no sin.
Otherwise even though you do the
best, as per guidelines set by the sages,
without the self itis a sin. I am not
talking about moral or immoral life but
talking about that life which is already
brightened by the 'Self' itself. We want
that type of conduct…spiritual conduct.
Therefore that which is without
spiritual background is sin. So make
sure that your life is full of spirituality.
For that you need not do any special
exercise, just be what you are and
accept yourself as it is. Life will flow on
its own without effort without any
distinction, without any sin...
Therefore follow your heart and live
life to the fullest with total awareness.
READER'S ARTICLE
Mirror mirror on the wall…
Who is the biggest liar of all?
- An addict
A story should have a beginning, the
middle and an end, but not necessarily
in that order.
THE END: The birds are singing, the bees
are buzzing and the flowers are
blossoming. We are all in love and
surrounded by it. So let’s congratulate
ourselves. Making that a habit helps us
recognize our own divinity instead of our
sense of purpose. A seeker who found
sorrow.
a path to tread, that once led to new
THE MIDDLE: That out of sight is out of
beginnings but now leads to nowhere.
mind is true of most we leave
An ego-driven, structurally unsound
behind…Breath , our most natural
fortress who can crumble at the
function(the word ‘spiritual’ comes from
slightest provocation, because he
the Latin for breathing) dispels the very
refused to be immersed in that feeling
idea that a spiritual experience is
of feeling afraid and instead tried to
outlandish, when in fact it is what makes
fix it instantly, not giving it a chance
us human. The paradox of human
to lose its potency. A warrior who need
development is that taken to its logical
not be more aggressive, but one who
end, takes beyond the “self”. When
ought to courageously open himself
material success, emotional security or
up and embrace the emotional triad
the highest form of intellectual cannot
of fear, uncertainty and pain, the very
satisfy us, we are prone to seek for larger
teachers that he is running away
answers.
from. A would –be ‘Buddha’ unaware
THE BEGINNING-THE ANSWER: An
that he can get more relief from “fully
Addict- A seeker of truth though a
experiencing ” an uncomfortable
misguided one. A seeker to whom
thought or a feeling of discomfort than
normal is boring. A seeker craving for
by trying to eliminate it. A to-be
greater richness because of an absence
‘Prophet’ who goes looking for God
of sacred worship or mystery in life. A
and is about to end up with himself,
seeker after having achieved a
may be enlightened.
moderate level of mortal success found
it dissatisfying and is looking for a deeper A. SURENDRA
To him who is beyond knowledge and ignorance
7
 FRIENDS OF SNAKES Tejaswi: You have tied the snake in a
On 25 th August 2009, Smt Aruna a
cloth. How can it breathe?
volunteer of Tapovan organized a visit
Kamalesh: Don’t worry, since it is a
by Friends of Snakes Club. The team led
cotton cloth it can breathe.
by Aparna and her group of volunteers-
Shiva: Do snakes have mind?
Kamalesh Sagar, Avinash, Vishwesh and
Kamalesh: Yes, they have mind but no
Nani arrived at Tapovan with a variety
memory.
of snakes which live on trees, earth and
Tejaswi: Snakes dance to the tune of
water. They befriended our Vidyamandir
Snake-charmers. Do they have ears?
children and removed their fear for
Kamalesh: No, they do not have ears.
snakes by enlightening them on various
They dance according to the movement
aspects of their habits and attitude. Every child was made to
of the instrument played by the Snake -charmers.
touch and feel the snakes. Some of our bright children posed
The team enlightened them further by revealing that snakes do
questions to the team which further helped in clearing all their
not take revenge because they do not have memory. They
doubts. Following are some of the doubts expressed by them.
harm people when they sense danger and are not loyal like
Basavaraju: Villagers make the snake bitten person chew neem
dogs. They harm even their owners when angered. When the
leaves to identify if it is a poisonous snake, assuming neem leaves
team left, they ensured they left behind a whole group of new
will not taste bitter if bitten by a poisonous snake. Is it true?
friends of snakes.
Kamalesh: Yes, it is scientifically proven. The venom of the
Nachiketa Tapovan is thankful to Friends of Snakes club and to
poisonous snake destroys the taste buds of that person, so the
Smt Aruna for spending their valuable time in imparting great
taste of neem leaves is not experienced by him. In India there
knowledge about the friends of earth.
are only four venomous snakes like COBRA, KRAIT, RUSSELS
"Be kind towards animal kingdom, as they are more eco
VIPER and SAW SCALED VIPER. The rest are harmless.
friendly than human beings". - Swami Nachiketananda

8 Attain God and everything will be attained. If He is pleased the world is pleased. 9
 STORY OF UDDALAKA & SVETAKETU OUR THANKS TO BIBO
There once lived an illumined sage liberation and ignorance of It creates
named Uddalaka who had a son named bondage. It is the root of the Universe;
Svetaketu. When Svetaketu turned in it all the creatures reside and find
twelve, Uddalaka advised him to seek their ultimate rest. That pure being,
vedic knowledge from a suitable who is the Self of all is unborn,
teacher since it serves no good to be a immortal, fearless, all good and one
Brahmin only by birth. As per his without a second and that thou art! “I am dying of thirst” is what people say 100 litres of purified water every day.
father’s recommendations Svetaketu quite soon after they start feeling thirsty. We have been refreshed by the sweet
Svetaketu after being instructed Well that is how Ganga of Bibo
studied with a teacher for 12 years and by his father realized his identity with
returned home with the knowledge of indispensable for the last
Pure being which is the Self of all and water is to our 9 months.
Vedas. Uddalaka noticed that his son has neither cause nor effect. Prior to
though earned the honors of being an body. About 95%
the instruction he cherished the Sri Srinivas garu
unrivalled scholar was all conceited and of brain, 82% of
notion that he is the doer of actions has done his
showed no signs of wisdom which dawns blood and 90% of
and the enjoyer of the results. The schooling at
with Self-realization and decided to lungs to name a
notion that he is one entity and work Rama Krishna
complement Svetaketu’s Vedic learning. few of the vital
is something else ceased. After the Math and Mission
organs of the
Uddalaka asked his son to fetch a instruction all ideas of diversity, that School. He is a
body is made up of
fruit of banyan tree, pick a seed from it, the human soul is a modification g r e a t
water. Just a
break the seed open and find what is vanish for Svetaketu. He realized his philanthropist,
2%drop in the
inside it. The son followed the directions oneness with the universe. sharing the fruit of
water content of
and found nothing inside the seed and his hard work
body triggers signs
reported the same to his father. with more
of dehydration!
Uddalaka used the illustration to reason organizations like
Needless to say no
that “the nothing” that we did not Nachiketa
water no life! And
perceive contains the very essence that Tapovan. The
it is equally
can give rise to a large special spiritual
important to
Nyagrodha(banyan) tree, its trunks, aspect of Bibo
drink purified water in order to stay
branches, twigs, leaves and fruits. waters is that the same group has
healthy or we know the consequences
been working together since the
Just like the subtle essence of banyan too well. Hence we wish to thank
company’s inception. They are all like
produces a great banyan tree, the gross Mr Srinivas, the proprietor of Bibo
one family working with total
universe with all its names and forms waters for gifting us with a free daily
dedication towards the development
proceeds from the subtle essence, or supply of this fountainhead of life.
of Bibo. Our sincere thanks to Sri
Pure being. That pure being like salt in Sri Srinivas garu was introduced by Sri Srinivas garu and the entire staff of Bibo
salt water cannot be seen by eyes but Purna Chandra Rao. After meeting for their thoughtfulness and generosity
can be realized only by experiencing It. Swamiji and learning about the and we wish them great success in the
The knowledge of Self brings about organization Sri Srinivas garu willingly growth of Bibo to its highest.
agreed to provide a generous supply of
God has made different religions to suit different The purpose of assuming human body is to realize 11
10
aspirants, times and countries. your true Self.
 Simple Awareness of Yoga ( SAY) takes
OUR PUBLICATIONS
you on a journey of ‘Total Awareness’.
NACHIKETA TAPOVAN'S
The programme comprises
instructions on 15 Yogic Asanas and SAMUHIK SURYA NAMASKAR
Pranayama techniques which help in
developing deeper Awareness and
curing various ailments.
This is brought to you in the form of a
CD and is available at Nachiketa
Tapovan, Kavuri Hills and other leading
Cost of CD - Rs. 35/- book stores.
UPCOMING EVENTS
We are elated to announce the major debut event of Yuvanjali
CELEBRATIONS Of The Samuhik Suryanamaskar
GANDHI JAYANTI The programme is planned to take place
on
On nd
2nd October November 22 2009
at the Lal Bahadur Stadium and is expected to draw an attendance of
Friday
5000 students from the twin cities.
at
Samuhik Suryanamaskar is an effort to create awareness of the power of
Nachiketa Tapovan yoga in the youth, so that they enjoy a long, healthy, focused and
worthwhile life.
We request you to attend the event and make this a grand success.
We need your help in accomplishing this task. If interested please
You are invited to the
contact:Yuvanjali1@gmail.com
Diwali celebrations nachiketananda@gmail.com, mataji19@gmail.com
on n_tapovan@rediffmail.com, admin@nachiketatapovan.org
17th October Ph: 9849168937, 9030059678, 04023113887
Saturday
at
Nachiketa Tapovan

When God is realized, He himself provides

12 One must love all. No one is a stranger. 13
everything for his devotees.
 AN APPEAL
SPONSOR OPTIONS
Anna daanam maha daanam; vidya daanam mahattaram.

Annena kshanika trupthihi yaavajjeevanthu vidyaya.

Vidya Mandir at Nachiketa Tapovan is currently able to accommodate a family

of about 150 children who receive all-round nourishment from man-making
education to milk-n- meals and basic health- aid in an atmosphere of genuine Dear
love. Kind-hearted Well wishers have been the unseen force behind this offering Atman
to God. We thank you for your continued support. No man is an island. To fight the good classes ranging from LKG through 6th
fight we need help. This has been the grade.
Vidya Daanam (Education ) Rs. 3500/ year/student
basis for the Nachiketa Tapovan’s
It requires additional resources, both
Anna Daanam (Mid-day Meals) Rs. 2800/day inception and ensuing growth over the
monetary as well as human to fund this
last 10 years from a hut into a 3 storied-
progressive step. We hereby make a
Ksheera Daanam (Morning Milk) Rs. 600/day building onto a 40 acre spiritual
fervent appeal for generous donations.
complex. Imparting literacy to children
Please participate in this ‘Vidya Daana
Vastra Daanam (Uniforms) Rs. 600/ 2 pairs from impoverished families was the idea
Yaga’ being performed to benefit the
with which the divine project started
most deserving children and help pass
Dinnerware (Steel Plates & Glasses) Rs. 5000/ 50 sets before it grew into a multifarious
on the legacy of our Cultural heritage,
movement. All along Tapovan’s efforts
Social values and Religious traditions.
Stationery Supplies (Copier Paper) Rs. 5000/ term received great support from you all in
every way bringing fruition to the noble It may kindly be noted that donations
Festivals Celebration Rs. 1500/festival intent.. to Nachiketa Tapovan are exempted
from Income Tax U/S 80 G of IT Act,
The main focus has never shifted from
Oushadhi (Medical Supplies) Rs. 5000/month 1961 of Govt. of India. Donations in
Vidya Mandir. Nachiketa Tapovan has
the form of Cheques/Demand Drafts
become the haven for the
Celebrate your Special Days with the Children may please be drawn in favour of
underprivileged children who have
Nachiketa Tapovan. We acknowledge
at Nachiketa Tapovan! been nourished with not only milk and
the generous contributions made by
food but also good academics
donors.
supplemented by the traditional values
Yours in the service of Motherland
of India. Vidya Mandir will be taking a
big stride this June from offering
Primary Education extending onto
Secondary Education. That is, this
academic year, Vidya Mandir will offer
Swami Nachiketananda
14 Dive deep in the sweetness of God’s bliss. It is easier to attain God by following the path of devotion. 15