Silversmith

A woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest. It was just a curiosity about the process of refining silver, she said.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest in order to burn away all the impurities.The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot. She pondered that “He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.” She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the entire time the silver was being heated and refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire, until it is completely refined. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed, he said. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s easy. When I see my image in it.”
What a significant lesson the silversmith had imparted! The woman wondered.

MORAL.....
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire all around you, remember that God has His eyes on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. And whatever you are going through, be sure, you will be a better person for it in the end.

Contributed By
Mr Rajat ji

Final Whistle

I watched a local football match in a school playing ground.

As I sat down, I asked one of the boys what the score was???

With a proud smile, he
replied : "They are leading us 3-0" !!!

"REALLY !!!
I have to say you don't look discouraged."

"Discouraged?" the boy asked with a puzzled look.

"Why should I be discouraged when the referee has not blown the final whistle???"

Truly, I didn't have an answer to this question!!!

As I got back home that night, his question became a course in my stay in life indeed.

Life is like a game.
Why should you be discouraged when game is still on... the final whistle is yet to be blown on your life???
Give to try again.

The Truth is that, as long as there is life, nothing is impossible & it is never too late for you.

Don't blow the whistle on yourself.

Contributed by
Mrs Sujata ji

The Value

A man went to God and asked, "What's the value of life?"

God gave him one stone and said, "Find out the value of this stone, but don't sell it."

The man took the stone to an Orange Seller and asked him what it's cost would be.

The Orange Seller saw the shiny stone and said, "You can take 12 oranges and give me the stone."

The man apologized and said that the God has asked him not to sell it.

He went ahead and found a vegetable seller. "What could be the value of this stone?" he asked the vegetable seller. The seller saw the shiny stone and said, "Take one sack of potatoes and give me the stone."

The man again apologized and said he can't sell it.

Further ahead, he went into a jewellery shop and asked the value of the stone.

The jeweler saw the stone under a lens and said, "I'll give you 50 Lakhs for this stone." When the man shook his head, the jeweler said, "Alright, alright, take 2 crores, but give me the stone."

The man explained that he can't sell the stone. Further ahead, the man saw a precious stone's shop and asked the seller the value of this stone.

When the precious stone's seller saw the big ruby, he lay down a red cloth and put the ruby on it. Then he walked in circles around the ruby and bent down and touched his head in front of the ruby.

"From where did you bring this priceless ruby from?" he asked. "Even if I sell the whole world, and my life, I won't be able to purchase this priceless stone.

Stunned and confused, the man returned to the God and told him what had happened. "Now tell me what is the value of life, God?

God said, "The answers you got from the Orange Seller, the Vegetable Seller, the Jeweler & the Precious Stone's Seller explain the value of our life...

You may be a precious stone, even priceless, but people may value you based on their level of information, their belief in you, their motive behind entertaining you, their ambition, and their risk taking ability. But don't fear, you will surely find someone who will discern your true value. I surely do."

In the eyes of God You are very very precious

Contributed by
Mrs Shruti Chaabra ji

The bamboo

ONE DAY I DECIDED TO QUIT
I quit my job,
my relationship,
my spirituality…
I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with god

“God”, I asked,
“Can you give me one good reason not to quit?”.His answer surprised me. “Look around”, He said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo ? “Yes”, I replied. “When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water.The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor.Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.  He said, “In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit.” He said. “Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.

I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.”

He asked me. “Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots”.

“I would not quit on the bamboo.I will never quit on you.”

“Don’t compare yourself to others.” He said.

”The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern.
Yet they both make the forest beautiful.”

"Your time will come”, God said to me.
“You will rise high”.

“How high should I rise?” I asked.

“How high will the bamboo rise?” He asked in return.

“As high as it can?” I questioned.

”Yes.” He said, “Give Me glory by rising as high as you can.”

I left the forest and brought back this story.

Never, Never, Never, Give up!!
"In life, each  relationship will have feelings and differences. ....it's Always better to be melted in feelings than to be frozen with differences"

Contributed by
Sh Vineet ji

The Bamboo

ONE DAY I DECIDED TO QUIT
I quit my job,
my relationship,
my spirituality…
I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with god

“God”, I asked, “Can you give me one good reason not to quit?”.

His answer surprised me… “Look around”, He said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo ?

“Yes”, I replied.

“When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

He said, “In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.

In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit.” He said.

“Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant…But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.

I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.”

He asked me. “Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots”.

“I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you.”

“Don’t compare yourself to others.” He said.

”The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful.”

"Your time will come”, God said to me. “You will rise high”.

“How high should I rise?” I asked.

“How high will the bamboo rise?” He asked in return.

“As high as it can?” I questioned.

”Yes.” He said, “Give Me glory by rising as high as you can.”

I left the forest and brought back this story.

Never, Never, Never, Give up!! "In life, each  relationship will have feelings and differences. ....it's Always better to be melted in feelings than to be frozen with differences"

Just enjoy Life & Believe in God, For his Plan never fails.

Contributed by
Sh Sanjeev ji

Belief

One day, a very poor woman prayed for food.A devil saw her & orderd his slave to deliver some food to the poor woman & tell her it comes from the devil.The slave gave the food to the woman.The poor woman gave thanks & ate the food.

Slave: Do you know where that food came from & who gave it to u?

Poor woman: I don't care where it came from, because I believe...
when God works in His way,
even the Devil has to obey!

compiled and edited by
Mrs Shruti Chabra

The suitcase

A man died..When he realized it, he saw God coming closer with a suitcase in his hand.
Dialog between God and Dead Man:

God: Alright son, it’s time to go

Man: So soon? I had a lot of plans...

God: I am sorry but, it’s time to go

Man: What do you have in that suitcase?

God: Your belongings

Man: My belongings? You mean my things... Clothes... money...

God: Those things were never yours, they belong to the Earth

Man: Is it my memories?

God: No. They belong to Time

Man: Is it my talent?

God: No. They belong to Circumstance

Man: Is it my friends and family?

God: No son. They belong to the Path you travelled

Man: Is it my wife and children?

God: No. they belong to your Heart

Man: Then it must be my body

God: No No... It belongs to Dust

Man: Then surely it must be my Soul!

God: You are sadly mistaken son. Your Soul belongs to me.

Man with tears in his eyes and full of fear took the suitcase from the God's hand and opened it...

Empty...

With heartbroken and tears down his cheek he asks God...

Man: I never owned anything?

God: That’s Right. You never owned anything.

Man: Then? What was mine?

God: your MOMENTS.
Every moment you lived was yours.

Do Good in every moment.Think Good in every moment.Thank God for every moment

Compiled and edited by
Mrs Preeti ji

God is near

A group of 15 solders led by a Major were on their way to the post in Himalayans where they would be deployed for the next 3 months. The batch who would  be relieved waiting anxiously.

It was cold winter & intermittent snowfall made the treacherous climb more difficult.

If someone could offer a cup of tea. . the major thought, knowing it was a futile wish..

They continued for an hour before they came across a dilapidated structure, which looked like a tea shop but locked. It was late in the night.

"No tea boys, bad luck", said the major. But he suggested all take some rest there as they have been walking for 3 hours.
"Sir, this is a tea shop and we can make tea... We will have to break the lock", suggested one solder.

The officer was in great dilemma to the unethical suggestion but the thought of a steaming cup of tea for the tired solders made him to give the permission.

They were in luck, the place had everything needed to make tea and also packets of biscuits.
The solders had tea & biscuits and  were ready for the remaining journey.

The major thought, they had broken open lock and had tea & biscuits without the permission of the owner. But they're not a band of thieves but disciplined soldiers.
He took out a Rs 1000/- note from his wallet, placed it on the  counter, pressed under sugar container, so that the owner can see.

The officer was now relieved of his guilt. He ordered to put the shutter down and proceed.

Three months passed, they continued to  do gallantly in their works and were lucky not to loose anyone from the group in the intense insurgency situation.
It was time for another team to replace them.

 Soon they were on their way back and stopped at the same tea shop which was open and owner was present in the shop.
The owner an old man will meager resources was very happy to greet 15 customers.

All of them had tea and biscuits. They talked to the old man about his life and  experience specially selling tea at such a remote place.

The old man had many stories to tell, replete with his faith in God.
"Oh, Baba, if God is there, why should He keep you in such poverty?", commented one of them.

"Do not say  like that Sahib! God actually is there, I got a proof 3 months ago."
"I was going through very tough times because my only son had been severely beaten by terrorist who wanted some information from him which he did not have. I had closed my shop to take my son to hospital. Some medicines were to be purchased and I had no money. No one would give
me loan for fear of the terrorists. There was no hope, Sahib".

"And that day Sahib, I prayed to God for help. And Sahib, God walked into my shop that day."
"When I returned to my shop, I found lock broken, I felt I was finished, I lost whatever little I had. But then I saw that God had left Rs 1000/ under the sugar pot. I can't tell you Sahib what that money was worth that day. God exists Sahib. He does."

The faith in his eyes were unflinching.
Fifteen pairs of eyes met the eyes of the officer and read the order in his eyes clear and unambiguous, "Keep quiet".

The officer got up and paid the bill. He hugged the old man and said, "Yes Baba, I know God does exist. And yes, the tea was wonderful."

The the 15 pairs of eyes did not miss to notice the moisture building up in the eyes of their officer, a rare sight.

The truth is YOU can be God to anyone.





Edited and compiled by
Mrs Ojasvita Saxena
(Senior Member -Yaatra watsapp group)

गुरु और भगवान्

एक आदमी के घर गुरु और भगवान् दोनों ही पहुँच गए। वे बाहर आया और भ्र्म में पड़ गया की पहले किस के चरणों में गिरे। वो पहले भगवान् के चरणों में गिरा  तो भगवान् बोले"रुको रुको पहले गुरु के चरणों में जाओ "। वो दौड़ कर गुरु के चरणों में गया। परंतु गुरु ने उसे रोक दिया और कहा की " मैं तो केवल माध्यम हूँ । और केवल भगवान् को लाया हूँ इस लिए तुम भगवान् के चरणों में जाओ।" अब वो भगवान् के चरणों की और दौड़ा।  भगवान् ने पुनः उसे रोक और कहा " मुझे लाने वाले तुम्हारे गुरु ही थे। इसलिए तुम्हे गुरु के पास जाना चाहिए। " अब वो व्यक्ति गुरु के चरणों में गया। पर फिर गुरु ने रोक और कहा "तुम्हे भगवान् ने ही बनाया है इस लिए तुम भगवान् के पास ही जाओ "। वो व्यक्ति पूरी तरह भरमा गया। अब वो गुरु का आदेश मान कर भगवान् के पास गया । भगवान् बोले " रोको ।मैंने तुम्हे अवश्य बनाया है।लेकिन मेरे यहाँ न्याय पद्दति है। अगर तुम ने अच्छा किया है तो तुम उत्तम फल के अधिकारी होते हो और  यदि बुरा किया है तो यहाँ दंड का कड़ा प्रावधान है जिस से तुम जीवन मरण के चक्करो से कभी मुक्त नहीं हो सकते।चौरासी लाख योनियो में भटको गे और इस  सिलसिले को तोड़ पाना असंभव है .  लेकि न जो तुम्हारा गुरु है न वो बहुत ही भोला है। वो तुम्हे अपने से कभी जुदा नहीं करता और गले से लगा कर अपने स्नेह द्वारा तुम्हारा सिंचन करता है। और तुम्हे शुद्ध करके मेरे पास भेजता हैं। इसलिए गुरु चरण ही वंदनीय है"








Edited and compiled by Smt Kanchan ji

God is everwhere

Once a  man had the strong desire to have glimpse of God. He heard to the celestial announcement of God at night that "I am here and i shall come to you". The man got up in the morning & sat near the door & kept waiting for a long time, at that moment a poor man appeared before him & asked for something to eat but he didnt left that place giving the plea that he was waiting for God. After some time a blind man approached him & asked him for help to cross the road but again he gave the plea that he was waiting for God. After some time a thirsty man came & asked for water but he did not move from his place saying that he was waiting for God. In this way the whole day passed and God did'nt appear before him.At night he again heard celestial announcement that " I came to your place thrice, once I asked for water, the other time for food and in the  last to help me cross the road but you couldn't recognize me". God resides in every heart so we can feel his presence in all his creations by helping them in the hour of need.

The King and his 3 ministers

One day a king called his three ministers to his court and ordered each of them to carry a bag to the garden and collect fresh fruits. Three  of them went to the garden separately. The first minister tried to collect the best of the best   fruits of the king's choice. After a lot of efforts, he filled his bag  .The second minister thought that the king would not taste all the fruits at one time, therefore he collected very quickly. Some were and  some were unripen and rest were  rootten .The third minister thought the king would only see that the bag was full and he was not going to check what did it contain so to save his time he filled it with grass and leaves. The second day the king called his three minister's with their bags to his court and he did'not open bags to see what is there in them. And ordered to imprison. three of them for three months.Now, they didn't have any thing else to eat other than those bags.The minister who had collected fresh fruits   enjoyed eating them and three months passed away.The second minister who had collected the mixer of fresh, unripen, and rotten fruits., enjoyed fresh fruits for a few days and then he had eaten rotten fruits because of it he fell sick and had to face a great trouble. And third minister who had grass & leaves in his bag he died of hunger after a few days.Now, the question to be asked is what are you collecting ? This life is like a garden where you can perform good deeds or the bad one's , but remember whatever you save will help you in the time to come because god is watching you........

Bell in Hinduism

It is customary for the follower of Hindu religion to ring a bell in the temple. Symbolically it is done to invoke the divinity. The ringing of the bell produces what is regarded as an auspicious sound. It produces the sound Om, the universal name of the Lord. The “Om” itself means welcome to God. This sound is so auspicious that it trigger the positive thought process for that moment. In any remedy it is the feeling of the doer which holds the key position. In Hinduism at the time of birth it is the sound of “Om” which is made to echo in the ears of the new born. Ringing of bell blocks outside disturbances and sounds to enter the arena making it full of saatwik(pure) energies. The sound of bell includes all music. If devotee don’t have any instrument, then ringing a bell is sufficient. It is a respect to God and telling him that we are there to pray him and asking him to listen our pray. Some classics even states that one who rings the bell with a symbol of Garuda or the Lord's chakra on it attains liberation from birth and death.Next time when you visit a temple,never hesitate to ring a bell!!

Vrat-Ek Sankalp

In Hinduism, the devotees observe fast frequently. Literal meaning of Fasting in Sanskrit is “upavaasa”. This word is a combination of “upa” and “vaasa”.The word “Upa” means "near" and the word “vaasa” means "to stay". Thus Upavaasa signify staying near the God. During fasting people do not eat at all or eat saatwik food. In kaliyuga people indulge in eating “Taamsik” food. The kind of food which we eat has a direct effect on our thought process. Even in yoga it is believe that the body is like a machine which needs overhauling at regular interval. The more one indulge the senses, the more they make their demands. Fasting helps us to control over our senses. If the fasting is done without any motive then it could make a person weak or can create a desire to indulge later. Discipline is required in every sphere of life. Vrat is a special undertaking, keeping some goal in mind, and making a resolution about it. For example scattered rays of sun can not burn a paper, whereas if they are concentrated then they are very powerful. From astrological point of view the vrat for the malefic planet should be done. for example for a person of Pisces ascendant, he should avoid the vrat of Monday. Similarly for a person of virgo ascendant , it is advisable to keep fast on Tuesday during the dasha of Mangal.So next time, do not keep the fast blindly