How to handle work pressure and practice devotion?

Question by a Sadhak :  I am working with a finance firm. My dilemma is my job asks for too much of sales pressure and by the time I go home, my head is filled with the hardships of my work. I am not able to do sadhana because of that. I had read in one of your message that enthusiasm is very necessary for sadhana. Because of my work, I am not able to do anything and nirasha, or disappointment, is covering me completely. I am feeling very helpless. Not able to remember Maharajji, not able to go and meet him.

Answer by Swami Mukundanandaji : There are two ways of remembering God and Guru. The first way is to sit down and meditate on Them. The second way is to work with this consciousness, “I am doing this work for their pleasure.” The second may be more difficult, but it takes us to a higher level of Divine love. This is because it develops the spirit of service, or seva.

Even though your present job may be burdensome, you can easily do the second kind of remembrance. Whatever you earn from your job, use a portion of it to serve the mission of your Gurudev. In this way, by offering the fruits of your work to God, after having met your basic needs, you will develop the consciousness that you are working for His pleasure. You will then not look at your work as separate from your devotion, but as an integral part of it.

This is the Karmyog of the Bhagavad Geeta:

yatkaroṣhi yadaśhnāsi yajjuhoṣhi dadāsi yat |

yattpasyasi kaunteya tatkuruṣhva madarpaṇaṁ ||

“Arjun! Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever austerities you perform, and whatever you give away, do it as an offering to Me.”

Along with working in this spirit, whenever you find the time, you should also practice the first kind of remembrance. Whenever you can spare the time, simply sit and think of Them. This will help you block out worldly consciousness from your mind and strengthen your devotional sentiment. So, do go and spend some days a year with your Gurudev as well, whenever your yearly schedule permits.

You may be thinking that if you did not have to work at all, then you could have spent all your time in devotion. However, there are two kinds of vairagya, or detachment. The first kind is when you find the world as painful and burdensome, and want to run away from it. Shree Krishna calls it rajasic detachment (detachment in the mode of passion):

duḥkhamityeva yatkarma kāyakleśhabhayātyajet |

sa kṛitvā rājasaṁ tyāgaṁ naiva tyāgaphalaṁ labhet ||

“Giving up one’s work, thinking it to burdensome and painful, is to be considered rajasic detachment, which it does not lead to divine fruits.”

The second kind of detachment is where you continue working, while giving up attachment to the results. In other words, you practice to become equanimous in pain and pleasure, success and failure, hardship and luxury, favourable and unfavourable situations. Shree Krishna calls this sattvic detachment (detachment in the mode of goodness):

kāryamityeva yatkarma niyataṁ kṛiyaterjuna |

saṅg tyaktvā phalaṁ chaiva sa tyāgaḥ sātviko mataḥ ||

“Performing one’s work, simply because it is to be performed, while giving up attachment to the fruits, is sattvic detachment.”

Hence, the proper path for spiritual progress is to practice devotion along with our prescribed work, even though it may be painful and burdensome. When our detachment develops to such an extent that we no longer find our work burdensome, no matter how difficult it may be, on then should we consider giving up work, and performing devotion full time. However, this step of karma sanyas is taken only under the guidance of the Guru. The vast majority of the people will have to do karmyog, where they continue doing their work, but make their consciousness divine.

While doing karmyog, you can remember God and Guru in other ways as well. Practice to feel Their presence with you. Think that They are with you and are watching you. Make Them your witness in every activity that you perform. This will help you keep your mind in the Divine realm, while you do your worldly duties with your body.

How to decide which God to worship?

Question by a Sadhak to H.H.Swami Mukundanandaji : There was a Ram temple in our house; I was in the habit of hearing the Tulsi Ramayan, and meditating on the form of Lord Ram.  But after marriage, in my in-laws’ house, I began reading the Durga Saptaśhati and observing Navrātras.  When I heard the Bhāgavat saptāha, I liked the leelas of Shree Krishna.  How should I decide which God to worship?

Answer by H.H.Swami Mukundanandaji :  Although Ram, Durga, Krishna are all different forms of the one Supreme Lord, yet it is advisable to focus your devotion on a single form.  There is a Hindi saying:

eka sādhe saba sadhe, saba sādhe saba jāya

 “If you focus all your attention on a single activity, you will succeed in it.  But if you try to succeed in multifarious things at the same time, you will fail in all of them.”  With the same logic, if you try to love all the forms of God, you will end up loving none.  But if you devote your mind to one form, you will develop love for all of them.  So you must choose one form to worship, which is called “Iṣhṭa Dev”, or the devotee’s chosen form of God for devotion.

Now the question you have asked is about how to choose your Iṣhṭa Dev.  In deciding this, you must consider which form of God is attractive to the mind.  If your Iṣhṭa Dev has a beautiful form, you will find it much easier to meditate on Him.  Also, if your Iṣhṭa Dev has wonderful pastimes, it will be very helpful in your devotion.  To turn your mind towards God, leelas also play an important role.  By hearing and chanting those leelas, devotees increase their love for God.  From both these view points, devotion to Shree Ram and Shree Krishna is both sweet and easy.  Hence, They are also the most popular Iṣhṭa Devs in India.  Their sweet pastimes are lovingly sung and remembered in temples and houses in every part of the country.

Amongst Them, Shree Krishna manifests four special nectars, above and beyond any other Avatar of God:

Exceptionally attractive form (His famous three-fold bending form with a flute on His lips).

1. Amazing sweetness of His flute that attracts even Lord Shankar.
2. The sweetest childhood pastimes that enchant the minds of devotees.
3. Leelas displaying the greatness of love, which reveal how God forgets His Almightiness because of the love of His devotees.
4. For all these reasons, I would highly recommend that you make Shree Krishna and His Divine Consort, Shree Radha Rani, as your Iṣhṭa Dev.  However, if you decide to choose any other forms of God, that is also fine.

How can I insulate my mood from fluctuations based on the behavior of others?

Question by a Sadhak

When anyone criticizes me or gets annoyed with me, it disturbs me to no end; so much so, that sometimes the whole day is spent in brooding. How can I insulate my mood from fluctuations based on the behavior of others?

Answer by H.H.Swami Mukundanandaji

The solution is to develop a better understanding of the world, based on scriptural knowledge. The Vedas say that this material energy, Maya, consists of three guṇas: sattva guṇa, or the mode of goodness, rajo guṇa, or the mode of passion, and tamo guṇa, or the mode of ignorance.

Everyone’s mind too is made from Maya, and so the three modes of Maya exist in the mind as well. Depending upon the environment and where we focus our thoughts, one of the guṇas becomes prominent and our mind takes on that quality. If sattva guṇa dominates, one becomes peaceful, contented, generous, kind, helpful and serene. When rajo guṇa gains prominence, one becomes passionate, agitated, ambitious, envious of others success, and desirous for sense pleasures. When tamo guṇa becomes prominent, one is overcome by sleep, laziness, hatred, anger, resentment, violence, and doubt.

For example, let us suppose you are sitting in your library, engaged in study. There is no worldly disturbance, and your mind has become sāttvic. After finishing your study, you sit in your drawing room and switch on the television. Seeing all the imagery makes your mind rājasic, and increases your hankering for sense pleasures. While you are watching your favorite channel, your family member comes and changes the channel to her liking. This disturbance causes tamo guṇa to develop in your mind, and you are filled with anger. In this way, the mind sways between the three guṇas, and takes on the corresponding qualities.

This fluctuation takes place constantly in everyone’s minds, altering their thoughts amongst the three modes. When two people’s guṇas are divergent, their ideas, interests, desires and tastes also become divergent, and that causes strife. This strife exists everywhere, between husband-wife, father-son, brother-sister, friend-companion, and so on. Congruence can happen only when two people have the same guṇas. However, since everyone’s guṇas are fluctuating, it is unreasonable to expect that the other person’s guṇas will constantly match ours.

The reason for our anxiety is that we have unreasonable expectations. We want others to always think in the same manner as we do. And when this does not happen, we get disturbed. Instead if we could realize that invariably people will have views differing from ours, and this is very natural due to the three modes of material nature, we will not be disturbed when they oppose us or criticize us.

So by increasing our understanding of the world, we can insulate ourselves from the fluctuating moods of others.

ATTACH YOUR MIND TO GOD

Whenever you practice devotion to God, you should first understand that the mind must be attached to God. Worldly work can be performed even without the attachment of the mind, and people of the world will accept that work as genuine work.  However, God cannot be fooled, He does not accept the external formalities if the mind is not involved. Resolve to yourself that from today onwards, you will involve the mind in devotional practice. Then you will see how far you will reach within even one week’s time.

GOD RESIDES IN ALL CREATURES

Once, Saint Eknath was traveling from Kashi to Rameshwaram. He was carrying his kamandal which he had filled up with the water of river Ganga. It was summer, and it was difficult to get water for miles. Suddenly he saw a donkey, which was dying of thirst. He poured the water from his kamandal into its mouth. When His disciples saw this, were astonished, and asked him, “What have you done? Now, how will the consecration of Lord Shiv be done?” Saint Eknath replied in a voice of absolute contentment, “Oh! Did you not see that it was Lord Shiv (Rameshwaram) Himself, Who came here in the form of a donkey! He is so graceful! He did not want us to take the trouble to go there, so He came here Himself." 

BODY OF SAINTS ARE LIKE PILGRIMS

साधूनां दर्शनं तिर्थभूता ही साधवः
कालेन फलते तीर्थं सद्य साधुसमागमः

साधुओं का शरीर ही तीर्थ स्वरुप है, उनके दर्शन से ही पुण्य होता है. साधुओ में और तीर्थो में एक बड़ा भारी अंतर है,तीर्थो में जाने का फल तो कालांतर से मिलता है,किन्तु साधुओ के समागम का फल तत्काल ही मिल जाता है. अतः सच्चे साधुओ का सत्संग तो बहुत दूर की बात है , उनका दर्शन ही कोटि तीर्थो से अधिक होता है.

The body of the saints are just like a pilgrim. The only darshan of a true saint equalizes Punya(Good Deeds) of that obtained from going to a pilgrims. The most important difference between the saint and pilgrims is that the fruit of going to pilgrims will be obtained after long long time but the benefit or fruit of saints company will be obtained immediately. Therefore only the darshan of true saints have more fruit or good deeds than that of going to the pilgrims.

- JAGADGURU SHREE KRIPALUJI MAHARAJ

SURRENDER MEANS TO DO NOTHING

What is Surrender? Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj  explains - We have to surrender to God. Sharanagati or Surrender means to do nothing. But since eternity we are used to doing everything so to come the state of doing nothing, we have to do a lot - and the name of this is Sadhana.We have to ultimately reach a stage where God does everything and surrender completely to Him.The mind has to be forcibly removed from the wrong place. You have to remove it from the place it is attached and this will not happen unless you attach it to God.

SHREE KRISHNA IS THE FOREMOST OF ALL DIVINE FORMS OF GOD

ब्रह्म के अनेक रूप, गोविन्द राधे,

सर्वरूप आश्रय कृष्ण बता दे.

brahm ke anek roop govind radhe

sarvaswaroop ashray krishna bata de

Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj says that God has uncountable forms, but three are main: Brahma, Paramatma, and Bhagawan. Bhagawan Shri Krishna is foremost of all the divine forms of God because all the divine powers are revealed in His personality; they are only partially revealed in the other forms. There are not multiple Gods, rather one God has different forms related to the powers that are manifested. For this reason, the form of Shri Krishna has special importance.

DIVINE BIRTHDAY OF H.H.SWAMI MUKUNDANANDAJI

Wishing You Happy Happy Birthday to Swami Mukundanandaji, a senior Disciple Of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. Auspicious was the day, Blessed were the Souls, Grace Saw no limits when you came here for all. Thank You Swamiji for coming in our life and making it worth living. Radhe Radhe.

Swami Mukundananda: An Introduction

 Swami Mukundananda is a renowned spiritual teacher from India, and is the senior disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. Swamiji is a unique sanyasi,who has a distinguished technical and management  educational background as well.

Academic and Professional Accomplishments

Swami Mukundananda completed B.Tech. from the world-renowned Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi.  He then did MBA from the equally distinguished Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kolkata.  After that, he worked for some time with one of India's topmost industrial houses. However, distinguished material education and a promising corporate career did not quench his thirst for knowing the Absolute Truth. The longing for God was so strong that he renounced his career and travelled throughout India as a sanyasi.

Inspiring Discourses

Swamiji’s lectures cover the teachings of the Vedas, Upanishads, Shreemad Bhagavatam, Puranas, Bhagavad Geeta, Ramayan, and other Eastern scriptures and Western philosophies. Like the true Disciple of a true Master, Swamiji masterfully quotes from the scriptures of all the great religions, to satisfy even the most discerning of knowledge-seekers.  He also reveals the simple and straightforward path to God-realization that can be practiced by anyone. Hearing the profound secrets of the Vedas from him is a rare privilege, for he is able to explain the ancient esoteric knowledge with rigourous scientific logic, in the modern context.           Using perfect logic, and a simple-yet-scientific approach, Swamiji offers new ways of understanding and applying the knowledge of the scriptures in our daily lives.

For the last quarter of a century, Shree Swamiji has been traveling far and wide, awakening hundreds of thousands of seekers.  Wherever Swamji goes, he attracts huge audiences.  Although Swamiji started preaching in India two decades ago, he now preaches both in India and abroad.  He has inspired innumerable devotees in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, where his visit is always anxiously awaited.  Since 2008, on the instruction of Shree Maharajji, Swamiji has increasingly begun spending more time in USA, where his educational background and command over the English language make his programs particularly charming to the intelligentsia, professionals, and academicians.

          

Hearing the profound secrets of the Vedas from Swamiji  is a rare privilege, for he is able to explain the ancient esoteric knowledge with rigourous scientific logic, in the modern context.

APPRECIATION - REASON FOR SPIRITUAL DOWNFALL

We like to be appreciated by others. This is a major reason for a person's downfall spiritually. We should try to become a good person, rather than expecting others to appreciate us even though we might have ill-feelings for others. When someone criticizes or scolds us, we start feeling bad. We get angry and annoyed with that person and we sometimes turn hostile towards that person. We harbor hatred and negative feelings for others. This kind of feeling is very harmful for us.

If we continuously remember people or incidents that increase negative feelings inside us, then we are causing harm to ourselves by dirtying our mind. Our aim should be practice the art of continuously remembering God and Guru, who are pure and Divine personalities. This alone will cleanse our heart and mind. In our lives, we have developed a one-sided attitude where we only like to be appreciated and not criticized.

NEVER THINK YOU ARE ALONE

We assume that we are all alone and that nobody knows what we are thinking. A man thinks against his wife while sitting next to her, because he is confident that she cannot read his thoughts. However , we forget a very important point. Our thoughts are never completely private . 

Sitting in our heart, God takes note of each and every thought , and gives us the fruit of that thought .In our false confidence of privacy , we commit many offences and throw away the benefits of devotional practice. On one hand we cry and on the other hand , we commit many wrongful actions.

It will take some amount of practice to remember that God is living inside us. Make it a point to realize Him in your heart. First try to do this every hour.

SURRENDER TO A GOD REALIZED SAINT

We should first faithfully surrender to a Guru (a God-realized Saint whom we have chosen to be our Spiritual Master). We should wholeheartedly follow His every instruction and teaching. This is the true beginning of Sadhana or spiritual practice. By surrendering ourselves to a Guru, we begin our spiritual journey.

In the material world, we gain knowledge by trusting the words of people with a higher intellect. Let us suppose that a person without any knowledge of law visits an advocate. The advocate teaches him how to tackle questions in a court to escape penalties. If the person does exactly as told by his advocate, he might win the case. We see that by having faith in the advocate's words, the person overcomes his challenges.

Similarly, when we are sick, we completely trust a doctor for our treatment without having any knowledge of medicine. We follow his instructions with full faith to get well. If we take medicine according to our wish, then it could be harmful to us. Even at school, we follow the words of people with a higher intellect (teachers), and complete our education.

We have to apply the same principle in the spiritual realm also. First, we have to search for a true Saint. Till we find a true Saint (God-realized Saint) we have to keep searching for Him. Once we find and accept such a Guru, we must stop searching and visiting other Saints. We have to surrender our mind to that Guru and do exactly as He instructs, without any questions or arguments. This is true or complete surrender - surrender of the mind.

POPULARITY AND PRESTIGE- HURDLES IN DEVOTION

The goal of popularity and prestige is also extreme kusang. Often what happens is that a devotee, upon gaining some knowledge and experience, goes around bragging amongst people and gradually assumes a form of self-pride and self-superiority, and as a result of that he loses the greatest treasure, 'humility' as a devotee. In addition to that, such casual behavior only strengthens and further deepens the desire for greatness and glory.

BAL-MUKUND PRESENTS – “CHHOTE PHILOSOPHER CONTEST 2012″

Bal-Mukund is proud to announce the launching of the “Chhote Philosopher Contest 2012” designed for children residing in US between the ages of 5 and 15 years.

Chhote Philosopher Contest is designed to:

-Inspire youth to develop their creativity, writing skills and analytical abilities.

-Encourage study of Vedic culture and instill pride in it.

-Locate talent amongst youth and help build their confidence.

Description and Topics

The contestants will be categorized with the following age groups.

Group 1: 5 to 7 years

Pick a topic from the following:

[Max word limit: 500]

1. Describe about any one playful act of Krishna as a child.

2. Tell us about your favorite personal form of God (ishta devata) and describe why you like that form the most. 

Group 2: 8 to 11 years

Pick a topic from the following:

[Max word limit: 800]

1. Explain about the significance of any one avatar of Vishnu and outline the lessons you’ve learned from that avatar, which you can adopt in your life.

2. Describe how temples and holy places, play a vital role in helping us to reach the omnipresent God.

Group 3: 12 to 15 years

Pick a topic from the following:

[Max word limit: 1200]

1. Pick two characters from Ramayan and explain what you can learn from them.

2. What morals we can learn from Ramayan and how it can be applied today ?

There will be three winners in each group.  First Place holders will be awarded the “Chhote Philosopher 2012″. All the winners will receive a certificate and a special prize.

FREE REGISTRATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Register Now ! Registration Closes on: January 31st, 2012 || Last date for Submission:  February 15th, 2012

For More Information Visit http://www.jkyog.org/bal-mukund/chhote-pholosopher-contest-2012

BAL-MUKUND - PLAYGROUND FOR VEDIC WISDOM

Bal-Mukund is a specially designed personality development program for children, envisioned by Swami Mukundananda.

“Time spent in inculcating eternal values in children is an investment into the future.  It is the finest gift of love from parents to their children.  The Bal-Mukund Personality Development Program contains invaluable instructions, famous verses, bhajans, stories, life histories and information about festivals, for building values in children.  These sets of values will teach children to be heroic from within, and instill nobleness in their thought, word and deed.”

-Swami Mukundananda

Bal-Mukund endeavors to:

- Educate young minds in the knowledge of Vedic wisdom, to lead a virtuous  life

- Enthuse the spirit of giving with a service attitude

- Encourage problem solving with courage, confidence and faith

- Entertain creativity, expand power of concentration and focus

- Elevate young minds to higher levels of consciousness, and fill their hearts  with love and reverence for God

Weekly personality development sessions for children include:

- Character Building Values, imparted through fun-filled inspiring                stories from Vedic scriptures and the rich literary heritage of India

- Yoga and Pranayam especially packaged for children, to develop  healthy minds in healthy bodies

- Meditation designed for children, to enhance their concentration, creativity and strengthen their love for God.

- Shlokas and Prayers to recite, learn and treasure throughout life

- Kirtans and Bhajans that instill love for God in young hearts

- Festivals related to the rich spirituality and culture of India

- Inspiring stories from the lives of great Saints of India

Bal-Mukund provides:

- Spiritual time for the whole family

- Separate concurrent schedules for children and adults.

- Opportunities for parents to volunteer and learn while teaching.

- Positive vibrations and fun time for everyone to connect and develop spiritually.

- Vedic playground and collaborative internet forums.

- Chote Philosopher and Chote Kavi contests, painting and quiz competitions.

For More Information Visit http://bal-mukund.org.

ONLY GOD AND GURU ARE OUR OWN

None of your worldly relatives will inspire you to move towards God. They all have their own selfish motives. It is only your Guru, who will show you the right path and guide you. He will make you realize that you are someone beyond this body. You are a soul, and you had innumerable mothers, fathers, sons and spouses, in your past endless lifetimes. You were born in all the 8.4 million species of life countless times and you surrendered to everyone for getting happiness. But all deceived you. How could have they given you happiness? They were all beggars themselves! 

MIND IS THE SOUL OF MEDITATION

Although one learns the skill of meditation by actually practising it, one must try to follow the basic instructions given by Jagadguru Kripalu Ji Maharaj.

Mind is the life and soul of the meditation . While meditating, the mind should be focused on the Naam, Roop, Guna, Leela, Dham or the Saints of God.

While meditating, one must bring a feeling of extreme powerlessness or deenata. The feeling should be stronger than a helpless grass blade which is crushed all the time and can do nothing.

The devotee should practise extreme tolerance like the stem of a tree. Whatever happens in the world, the effort should be to keep the mind in God and Guru only.

The devotee should feel that God and Guru are sitting right in front of him and that the form he is visualizing is Real and Divine.

The devotee should get the feeling that the seperation from God is the reason for his sorrow and grief. The devotee should shed tears and long for God to appear.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE A RASIK SAINT

Vaag Gadgada Dravat Yasya Chitah Rudtyabhikshanah Kvachicha|

Vilaja Udgaayati Nrutyate Cha Muhrvatichyutto Bhuvanaha Punaati |

- (Bhagavatam. 11/14/24)

It has been stated in the Bhagavatam that a True Rasik Saint who has already attained Divine Love and Divine Vision of His Beloved Shri Krishn, whose heart is always filled in Krishn Love, when he chants the name or sings the songs of Krishn leelas and virtues, his voice changes due to Divine excitement. The Rasik saint experiences the intensity of God's love and also the warmth of his own emotions.

Many times a Rasik Saint enters into Bhao. (Bhao is the ecstatic state where the Loving Devotee experiences mixed feelings of meeting and seperation). In Bhao, he yearns and cries to get God's vision and laughs in happiness when he receives it." These expressions are called sattvic bhao or the Divine expressions.

The feelings of love of the Rasik Saint deepens and he feels the close personal association of God and in this excitement, he sings and dances, but his physical consciousness remains fully absorbed in Bhao. Shri Krishn says that such a Rasik Saint, who is ever absorbed in My love, purifies the world with His Divine Love Consciousness and gratifies the surroundings with His presence."

It is such a Rasik Saint, who has already attained God's Love and Divine Vision and who has even scriptural knowledge, if we accept Him as our Guru and surrender to His Lotus feet, we can attain Krishn Love with His Grace.

ACTIONS OF GOD AND SAINTS ARE FOR WELFARE OF OTHERS

Hari Harijan Ke Karya Ko, Karan Kachu Na Lakhai |

Par Upkar Svabhav Vash, Karat Karya Jag Aai ||

There is only one reason behind the actions of God and Saints, Welfare of others.

The Vedas state that –

Purnmadah Purnmidam Purnata Purnmudyachata |

Purnsya Purnmadaaya Purnmevayavashishyate |

                                                                    (Ishaa.)

Meaning God is infinitesimally complete. So, if you remove complete from complete even then you are left with complete. There is no question of any self interest in any action of God. 


In a similar way, Vedas state for the God realized Saints that –

Gunaatitah Stithatapragyo Vishnubhaktashacha Kathyate |

Etasya Krutkrutyatrachaastrama smanivartate ||

                                                              (Ved Vyas)

Meaning once a soul is God realized, he becomes fully satisfied. There remains nothing for him to do anymore. And even if anything remains then that is selfless service for Shri Krishn and this state remains for eternity.

So, the Vedas state –

Sada Pasyayanti Suryamah Tadishnoh Param Padam |

                                                             (Suvaalop. Chatavaa Mantra Muktopanishad)

Soyashanute Sarvaan Kaaman Sah Bramano Vipashrichateti |

                                                                                     (Tetriyo. 2-1)

So, it has been proved by Vedic quotations that the actions of God and His Saints are only for the welfare of others. If their nature was not to wish the welfare of others then no mayic soul would ever meet the goal of God realization.

THANKS TO GURU AND GOD

We, the Sadhaks (devotees) should always keep in mind that whatever good we are doing is all due to the grace of the Guru and God. Otherwise, we have been bound by maya, awfully attached to the wordly possessions, absolutely worthless, having hideous ideas, full of dirt and filth from time immemorial.

If we are able to do something good, if a tear trickles from our eyes for God, if we have some good word and noble feeling for the Guru, we must conclude that it is all due to the Guru's grace.

If he had not given us the spiritual knowledge, if he had not bestowed his love upon us, how could we be inclined to go good things in life? So, do not ever give credit to yourself. It will only give rise to egoism. Egoism takes away humility. Once humility is gone the castle of bhakti or devotion will come crashing down. Life will be filled with vices in no time. So, if you have done some noble deeds, YOU MUST BE THANKFUL TO THE GURU with whose grace alone you are able to do such things. This will save you from the vice of egoism.

We must always keep in mind that if we had not met the Guru, if he had not shown us the way, and had not given us his love and affection, we would not have inclined towards God.

On the other hand, if we have done something wrong, have been negligent in doing the right thing, or have committed some crime, we should hold ourselves responsible for that, so that we could realize our mistakes and we would not repeat them.

We should attribute our good deeds to the God's grace and the grace of the Guru and for all the wrongs that we may have done, we should hold ourselves responsible.