(continued) I have heard a story about a girl who was recently married.  The girl was from a very poor family, and the groom's family had asked for a large some of money.  She had became weary and disheartened.   She had also become somewhat older in age.  She said to her father,  Pitaji!    You borrow the money and get me married to him,  don't be too concerned about it at this time,  I will straighten things out later on.   Do not give this money as if it were a charity (as part of kanya daan),  rather give is as if it were a loan.  She was then married, and her family gave a large sum of money to the groom.  After she went to her husband's house she commanded him -  "Bring my shoes."  The astonished husband,  said -"Your shoes!!!  And I should bring them?!"  She  said - " my father has paid a very large sum of money.  He has purchased you, don't you remember?"  "How much money did it take? Said the groom. The bride said,  "lacs of rupees."  Now the groom lost his appetite.  The groom's mother said, "what is the matter son, why do you not eat?"  The groom replied "the woman that I married, she goes to the extent of asking me to bring her shoes."  "Why is this new bride saying so?"  the mother asked.    The bride is saying "My father has incurred enormous expenses for the wedding.  He has taken a loan to spend for the wedding and to give to the groom.  The groom is therefore my servant, he will have to bring my shoes."  The groom said -  "I will not lift your shoes,  and if this is the case, I will not eat."  She said "You are my father's servant.  My father has given you money.  Don't you know it?   You have not come for free, and at no cost!  He made all sorts of arrangements,  by taking a loan of a large sum of money"  After hearing all of this the groom's family returned the money and the bride began to behave properly thereafter.  Girls are an embodiment of humility and modesty.  By scorning them in this manner,  is a great dishonor in the society. It is a very sad thing!  You spend extravagantly, but when the money is not adequate you resort to dishonest means.  It is much deceit.  The outcome will be very bad.  Those who are dishonest their "atma"  (soul, self) will not be at peace.  The wealth that is accumulated from giving suffering and pain to other, that wealth will come and burn like fire.   (to be continued)

From book in english "Art of Living" by Swami Ramsukhdasji

Art of living in this world

(continued) Some people say why should they not continue earning by improper means when their reputation has already been tarnished.  But is this wise?  No !  Give up this practice as soon as possible.  Suppose a person is having his meal and another person informs him that there is poison in it.  Will he continue eating it?   No.  He will spit out the morsel immediately.  Secondly, they argue that it is difficult to earn one's living by fair means because in the world of today the people and the law force them to adopt unethical practices.  Without it they cannot survive.  But I want to ask how long you will remain alive?  You cannot be immortal.   You will have to die one day or the other. So why do you want to die a sinful death?   Has this human body been bestowed upon you to commit sins?  The people who were determined not to commit sins and injustice and worshipped God, achieved emancipation by pleasing God.  Borthers, utilize your time in the best of pursuits.  Every brother and sister should purify the inner sense by giving up sins.  It will make the life pious for which the human body has been bestowed on youl.  Therefore, do you duty in a just and honest manner.    Boys are getting sold these days as their parents demand a dowry for thousands of rupees.  It is such a pitiable condition.  The girls are humiliated and abused.  It is improper, a great pain and injustice to the women.  I sincerely request that you marry your sons to daughters from poor family.  They will do all the domestic work efficiently then a girl from a wealthy family.       Whatever things you have must be utilized properly.Children must be taken care of properly, they must be taught good lessons and things. They must develop good inner feelings and sentiments. They must have good characteristics and qualities and have good behavior. You have time to earn money, but what are the children doing? How are they being raised? What are they learning? On these things you are totally oblivious and not paying any attention. Oh Brothers!They are the real treasures. They can become great souls and that will be such a great thing. As many great souls that existed, their mothers were very divine and such divine mother's children turn out great. They have become saints and great souls. Mother's nature comes in the children.Therefore mothers must want their children to learn good lessons and things in life. But on the contrary, the lessons she gives are just the opposite. She teaches the girls to keep their money in their own possession, so that when there is a separation that money comes to you, and with such teachings she sends her daughter to the in-law's home. She teaches things like why do you do all the work, let the sister-in-law and others do the work. Don't do so much work. Now there is confrontation with the husband's family. Now just think, with such teachings by all mothers, one day you too will have a daughter-in-law and she too will behave the same way. She too will not work and you will complaint that my daughter-in-law does no work. If you do good than things will be good for you. Brothers! If you do evil, then things will be bad for you. "Kaliyug hai is haath de, us haath le, kyaa khoob saudaa nagad hai." Have great respect for your mother and father, your in-laws and elders, serve them, give them respect, then these impressions will be imprinted on the children. In old age they too will serve you. But if you do not do this, if you do not serve the elders, then the children too have the same impressions in their mind and their nature too will become the same. We cannot remain the same at all times and there will be a time when this body too will become old and incapable of doing a lot. At that time, your children will not come to help out. Then you will complaint that they do not help, they do not listen. Well! How much have you served your elders?Now why must you expect anything from your children?Therefore make your conduct and behavior good.  (to be continued)

From book in english "Art of Living" by Swami Ramsukhdasji

Art of living in this world

So what is that knowledge ? Whatever relation one has accepted with another individual, then accordingly fulfill your duties towards them efficiently. Have no expectation from them in return. Want nothing from them, and have no attachment towards them. There is nothing to gain and nothing to give. Understand that this is a body, and it has not been given to us for taking pleasures from the world. Point number three in the Art of Living in this world is to spend less money for your self. Do more charity and good deeds, care for the elderly, care of the poor. Serve others, but make do with simple clothes, food, place to live for your self. Brothers and sisters, for each and every one of you, this is a very useful point. He that is extravagant in his spending, becomes dependent on others. Reducing your spending is entirely up to you, but earning more is not. Nowadays, people are spending more, and for earning more they are depending on lying and cheating, abusing trust, being dishonest and more. By doing all of these things how much more is one able to earn? Earning more is not up to us, and that which is entirely in our control, that we are not doing. We continue to be unhappy our entire life. Understand this my brothers that one can make do with little for their own essential needs. Whether you eat a seven-course meal or you eat roti (bread) and daal (lentils), your body's needs are met. If the body is sick, then take the medicine. If you are doing something for the maintenance of the body, it is OK, but when you do it for taste or from the perspective of pleasure in shopping, then it is not OK. It is a big mistake. To be saved from this trap, to be able to live an independent life, spend less money.   (to be continued)

Art of living in this world

(continued) It is said in the Ramacharitramanas - "There is no duty like the welfare of others and there is no evilness like giving trouble to others."  "Par hit saris dharma nahi bhaayi. Par peeda sam nahi adhamaayi." (VII.40.1) How pitiable it is to give trouble to others and to disturb their freedom by devoting your time to such useless activity as smoking and drinking alcohol! Is this precious time to be wasted in useless pursuits such as playing cards etc.?  No, if one had spent the time in studies, service and doing good to others, that would have been the right use of their time. But instead precious time is wasted for no reason. By devoting time properly, one can attain God. To a devotee of God, God declares - "I am a servant of my devotees and they are the jewels on my crown." "Mein hu bhagatan ko daas, bhagata nere mukutamani." Thus people who devote their time to devotion become the jewels of His crown. Let me share with you a very important point, please listen very carefully. This human birth has been given to us for God Realization. There is a way to successfully live this life. If we adopt the techniques for living in this world God realization will come very quickly and easily. For doing any work, there is a certain know how. If we work according to that know how, the work will be successfully completed. Similarly to live in this world, also there is certain know how. So we must understand that know how. If we put to use that knowledge than very easily we will be able to live in this world and get beyond this worldly existence.  (to be continued)

From book in english "Art of Living" by Swami Ramsukhdasji

Art of living in this world

(continued)  A human being whether a male or a female, a saint or a householder should prove his or her usefulness. If he does so, he will lead a very happy life in the world. Now the question arises how to prove this usefulness? The answer is that you should make proper use of your time in the best pursuit. There is nothing as precious as time because if you have time, you can become learned, rich, famous and a good householder. Time can get you all these things, but you can't get time by giving all these things. Time is very precious so don't waste it on trifles. People keep money in safe deposit boxes, but time cannot be saved in this manner. Time can be saved and utilized only by remaining alert. Otherwise it will be wasted away. Those that utilize their time effectively, by having a disinclination for worldly pleasures and an inclination to know the Supreme Essence, become saints and exalted souls. Time that is devoted to good company, the company of saints and devotion of God is the most precious time. Therefore devote your time to the best pursuits such as the study of sacred books, constant remembrance of God, chanting of God's names and service to others. Avoid wasting time on worldly pleasures, joking, smoking, tobacco chewing, movies, theater, playing cards etc. By smoking you set fire on your time, money, freedom, and health along with polluting the environment. Someone asked a saint whether he smoked. The saint replied that he didn't smoke but the people made him smoke by puffing and blowing the smoke at his face. Thus smokers give trouble to others who don't smoke. (to be continued)

From book in english "Art of Living" by Swami Ramsukhdasji

Art of living in this world

If Mothers want, they can lead the world to blessedness. The children are initially placed on their laps, fed by them etc. Therefore the mother's nature affects her children. By giving the children good training in childhood, mothers can make them very responsible individuals and good citizens of the world, and in turn improve the country and world at large. The influence and training provided in childhood, lasts forever. Unlike men, women have selfless maternal power bestowed by God. If they make the right use of this power, they can very easily be freed of all attachment. Also, let us be generous and benevolent in the use of things. Let us serve the poor, the sick and the distressed that suffer from shortages, as their heart is the abode of God. Therefore, by serving them, we are serving God. Let us not have the feeling of hatred, malice and jealousy for them. Let individual excellence, not become the reason for pride and feeling of superiority. We have become excellent, due to people inferior to us. Therefore the rich should make the best possible use of their money, by helping the poor. It is only because of the poor, that the rich have received the privilege of being called rich. It is the poor that have given this honor and happy feeling to the rich. Therefore it is the duty of the rich to serve them. Similarly, respect and obey the elders and respectable people, as they have brought us up, protected us from harm, given us education, knowledge and wisdom. Doing this one will become free from their debt, free from conceit and learn the art of living in the world. Those who serve are liked by all.

From book in english "Art of Living" by Swami Ramsukhdasji