Krishnamrutha Maharnava is one of the thirty seven works (Sarvamoola) of Madhvacharya. It opens with a prayer to Achyuta (Lord Vishnu) and consists of quotations from various Puranas which highlight the worship of Narayana. Krishnamrutha Maharnava deals with the merit of chanting the names of Vishnu, remembering Vishnu, meditating on Him, singing His glory, and listening to His glory. All these are well depicted in the book. Brahma, Shiva, Yama Narada, Pulastya, Markandeya, Atri and other gods, goddesses and saints appear in the text. They all have hailed Narayana as supreme, the one who gives liberation. His worship is easy and the rewards are many. Mere contemplation of his name can destroy the sins accrued over many births. The reward of worshipping him with devotion is liberation itself. Some of the topics in Krishnamrita Maharnava Shaligram puja has its own efficacy, it is not necessary to invoke God in the salagrama. He is already there. Flowers, sandal paste, t...

The story of Bibi Nachiyar is associated with Sri Ramanujacharya and it is about the unique presence of the murti of a Muslim princess in a Hindu tempel. Bibi Nachiyar is the murti (idol) at the lotus feet of Thirunarayana, the archa murti consecrated by Ramanuja at Thirunarayanapuram temple at Melkote, in Mandya District of Karnataka, India. The Utsava murti of Thirunarayana, known as Selva Pillai, was with the then Muslim ruler in the last decade of 11 th century at Delhi. The daughter of the emperor in Delhi used to play with the murti and was very attached to it. Ramanujacharya was in search of this murti. Through his intuitive power he discovered that the murti was with the emperor’s daughter. He came to Delhi and requested the emperor to give him the murti for consecration at the Utsava Murti of Thirunarayana. Unaware of the fact that his daughter possessed the murti, the emperor refused to accept the idea of the presence of murti in his palace. Ramanuja clear...

Story of Chhath Puja is mainly associated with Mahabharata and Ramayana. Here are some of the popular Chhath Kathas: Chhath Story Associated with Bhagavan Sri Ram and Mata Sita There is a belief that Bhagavan Sri Ram and Mata Sita observed Chhath puja on returning to Ayodhya after their exile period in the Ramayana. This is the reason why it is observed on the sixth day after Diwali. The popular legend is that Bhagavan Sri Ram returned to Ayodhya from Lanka on the Diwali day. Bhagavan Sri Ram belongs to the Suryavanshi dynasty (Sun dynasty). Therefore, it is natural for him to have invoked Surya (the sun god). Observed by Karna There is a popular belief that Chhath worship was started by the great warrior Karna of the Mahabharata. Karna is the son of Lord Surya and Kunti. Draupadi Observed Chhath to Get Back the Lost Kingdom Chhath Vrat and Puja find mention in the Mahabharata. It is believed that Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, had performed the Chh...

Osho answers the importance, meaning, symbolism and significance ringing bells in Hindu Temples. When you ring the bell of a temple – not half asleep but with alertness – that creates a discontinuity in your thoughts, a sort of break in the chain of your thoughts, and you become aware of a changed atmosphere. There is a similarity between the sound of the bell and the sound of OM; in fact there is some inner relationship. The sound of the bell continues charging the temple all the day long and the sound of OM also charges the temple with its vibrations. No one should enter the temple through that door of doors without ringing the bell, for only through the sound itself can you enter. The uniqueness of a bell is that it keeps resounding long after you ring it, so the resonance keeps sounding as you enter the main entrance. In that sound alone is the key to your entry into the temple. Through the sound, as it were, you enter into God's abode. The temple is a symbol of God...

Swami Adbhutananda shares his thoughts on peace. Control lust. Don’t permit it to increase. Always pay attention so that lust does not crop up. It is an enemy that places obstacles on the path of one’s sadhana. He who has conquered lust has reached the goal. See what base understanding! People spend their lives in all sorts of worldly garbage, yet will not control their senses even a bit to move towards God. Exercising a little control, they should call upon God. Still they will not do so. If one moves towards God, one attains happiness and peace in this life and the next. But having such filthy minds, they will by no means move towards God. This is truly maya’s delusion. One should try to spend the few days of one’s life with an honest bent of mind, striving to live in peace, without fighting and quarrelling with others. For a small piece of land and a few coins you are beating your brothers with sticks and filing lawsuits. My dear, you do not consider how few days you...

Generally, Brahmins do not eat fish or other non-vegetarian food. However, Saraswat Brahmins settled in many regions of India consume fish. So why this exception? It is believed that Saraswat Brahmins are descendants of Sage Saraswat, son of Sage Dadhichi and Saraswati River. Legend has it that once there was a terrible drought for several years. Living beings found it difficult to survive. People abandoned the study of Vedas. But Saraswat was nourished by his mother Saraswati River. She fed him fish daily. He thus kept studying Vedas. When the drought ended, people returned and flocked to him to learn the Vedas. It is said that 60,000 people learned Vedas from him. They were the ancestors of present day Saraswat Brahmin community. As their ancestor, Sage Saraswat, had survived on fish during drought, the community eat fish. Please note that some sub communities of Saraswat Brahmins do not consume fish.

Aravana Payasam is an important sweet offering in many Hindu temples in South India . The most famous and popular Aravana Payasam is the one that is offered at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple . To prepare this sweet offering the main ingredients are dry rice (unakkalari), ghee and jaggery. The main difference between other rice payasams and Aravana is that excess ghee and jaggery is used in Aravana. Ingredients Dry Rice (unakkalari) Jaggery Milk Ghee Kalkandam – Rock Sugar Dry grapes – unakka munthiri The quantity of rice decides the amount jaggery, ghee etc. Take dry rice in a vessel (hard bottom) and fill water. The amount of water should be just above the rice level. Cook the rice. When the rice is cooked start adding jaggery. Keep stirring. This is important otherwise it will get stuck to the bottom. The quality of Aravana payasam depends on how well the rice and jaggery are mixed together. When the water starts to dry add ghee, roc...

Sweet is an indispensable part of Hinduism. It is offered during every puja, all auspicious events and when someone departs from home for an important event in life. So, why is sweet offered in Hinduism during auspicious event. The main belief is that sweet helps in achieving success. All puja and rituals will be successful when sweet is offered. Similarly, eat curd and sugar before leaving home will help in achieving success. There is also a belief that our mind achieves peace and composure when sweet is eaten and shared. Yet another belief is that our thoughts become sweet and there will be self-belief with the positive thoughts. Speech will also be sweet. As result of this we will not be hurting others. This helps us in achieving our goal. We only make friends and there will be enemies. It is also believed that we will be able to find solution to even the toughest task after eating sweet. Eating sweet before leaving home will help in keeping out all forms negati...

Panch Bhikam is observed is observed during the last five days of the Kartik month as per the traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India . Kartik is the eighth month in the traditional lunar calendar. Panch Bhikam 2025 begins on November 2 and ends on November 5. Those who could not take part in the month-long Kartik Snan compensate by participating in the Panch Bhikam – which involves holy dip or bath in a river. It is said that those participate in the Panch Bhikam bathing ritual will earn the same merit as of performing the bathing ritual for the entire Kartik month. Hindu women sing songs in praise of Radha and Krishna during the Panch Bhikam. Women light earthen lamps to Goddess Pathwari – the Goddess who blesses travelers. People also recite the Panch Bhikam Kahani during the five-day period.

In Hinduism, Bhuta Chikitsa is the driving away of evil spirits from a person or a place. The term is used to refer to special rituals or incantations used for driving out evil spirits that are believed to possess a person or a place. Belief in the existence of beings of a different order that haunt human beings prevails in a large section of society, irrespective of religious faith. In Hindu religion, such beings are referred to as bhutas, pretas, pisachas, brahmarakshas, vetalas, yakshas and grahas. Such spirits are sought to be exorcised by rituals and incantations by way of propitiating higher divinities controlling them, such as Bhadrakali, Vetala, Ganesha, Hanuman, Shani, Narasimha, Manjunatheshwara, Virabhadra and Mother Goddesses of a particular locality like Yellamma, Annamma, Durga, etc. The means used for exorcising the evil spirits vary from place to place depending upon the background of the exorcists. The performing of rituals, the tying of a talisman, t...

According to a spiritual tradition among the Sikhs, ego is like a bamboo plant which has five defects – It thinks itself higher than everyone else, from all trees and shrubs. It has knots all through—robbing it of all smoothness. It has thorns, even if someone caresses it with love, it pricks them. It looks very strong from outside but is empty inside When one bamboo rubs against another bamboo, it erupts into fire. Forests after forests are reduced to ashes. Likewise, an egotist person also has five defects that keep him away from the grace of the Lord; He thinks all others are lesser than him—no one is greater than him. He has knots in his hearts; he says something but has something else in his heart. He may use good, noble words, but is full of poison within. Even if someone comes to him with genuine love, he pricks them. He displays strength outside but is full of insecurities and weaknesses within. When he encounters another ego, he rubs against it...

Shri Renukaji Fair dedicated to the mother of Lord Parashuram (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) is held during the last five days of Kartik Month as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in Himachal Pradesh. Shri Renuka Fair 2025 is from November 2 to November 5. On the Ekadasi day during the fair (November 2), Lord Parashuram visits his mother Goddess Renuka who is worshipped in the form of lake – Renuka Lake – here. Shri Renukaji Fair Legend In one of the most famous stories in Hindu Puranas, Renuka the wife of Rishi Jamdagni and mother of Lord Parshuram was suspected for infidelity. Obeying his father’s orders, Lord Parashuram beheaded his mother. But later Rishi Jamdagni regretted his anger and asked Lord Parshuram to bring her back to life and he brought her back to life immediately. ( There are several versions of this story ). After the incident Lord Parshuram left to live a life of solitude in Mahendra Mountain and promised to visit his mother on the Kartik S...

Kshana is accepted as a reality in which everything has its existence, persistence and finally dissolution. As per Yoga Sutra, “Therefore, the present indeed, the singleness of the moment, is Kshana.” (Yogasutra III. 52.) In order to clarify the concept Vyasa, the commentator of Yoga Sutra further states that a small portion of material can be divided into half and further sub-divided continuously until there remains only the atom. That indivisible, extremely minute unit of a substance is known as Paramanu. So Kshana is the minutest available indivisible unit of time (Pramapakrsha paryantah kalah kshanah) (Yogasutra III. 52.) To the Vaisesika thinkers, the atom or paramanu is the basis of the superstructure of matter; but yet according to the doctrine, parimandalya (term used by Raghunatha Siromani – a logician of the 16 th century, i.e. paramanu) is not accepted as the cause of matter; the triad trasarenu is the cause. In the same way, Kshana should not be thought of as...

Bhumi Pujan is worshipping the Mother Earth. In Hindu religion, it is based on the concept of panchamahabhutas (the five elements – fire, water, air, earth and ether.) These form the base of the creation structure in the universe. In Hinduism, earth is worshipped as Mother. All our karmas (acts) including karmas of the daily routine such as sandhyavandanam (worshipping the twilight) will only be fruitful after the purification of earth or salutation of earth. Therefore prayers are offered to Earth. O Goddess, you are borne by Vishnu. You bear all the sphere. Therefore, you give us shelter. Make my seat situated on you pure. Bhumi pujan among Hindus is today more popular during the construction of any new building especially homes. Worship of the Earth before the construction of buildings of all varieties is prescribed in the scriptures. Bhumi puja is performed for peace and prosperity in the newly constructed house. It is performed to remove all kinds of negative ...

Skanda Shasti festival like most other Hindu festivals celebrates the victory of good over evil. Skanda is also known as Lord Muruga, Subramanya, Kartikeya and Kartik. Skanda Puranam narrates the origin of Kanda Sashti fasting. According to Skanda Puranam, the longest of the 18 Mahapuranas, the demons under the leadership of Surapadman, Simhamukha and Tarakasura defeated the Devas and took over the earth. They found immense pleasure in torturing the Devas and humans. They went on a massive rampage and destroyed anything that belonged to Devas. Surapadman had got the boon that only a son of Shiva will kill him. The demon had thought that Shiva who had gone into deep meditation after death of Goddess Sati will never return to earthly life. Devas took refuge at the feet of Lord Shiva but Shiva was in deep meditation. On the advice of Lord Brahma, Devas took the help of Kamdev or Manmatha to incite sexual desire in Shiva. Kamdev succeeded in his mission but an angry Shiv...

Yoga Taravali of Adi Shankaracharya is one of the best dissertation on the message of yoga. There are 29 verses in Yoga Taravali that discuss yogic practices   such as bandhas   and advanced spiritual experiences like Samadhi. The English translation of Yoga Taravali is by Swami Narasimhananda. Yoga Taravali of Adi Shankaracharya I salute the lotus-feet of my guru that have experienced the knowledge and bliss of Atman, and that serve as a doctor for removing the delusion of people caused by the poison of samsara. (1) In this world, there are 125,000 laya-yoga — the yoga of absorption in nature – meditations told by Lord Shiva. Of these, I consider the samadhi brought about by the meditation on the anahata sound to be the best. (2) When by the rechaka, exhalation; puraka, inhalation; and kumbhaka, retention of air, all the nadis, channels for prana’s flow, are purified, then knowledge rises of its own from the lotus of anahata chakra; this knowledge can only be...

Lord Venkateswara or Balaji worshipped in the Tirumala Tirupati Temple is referred to with the name ‘Govinda’ mostly. When pilgrims climb up the Seven Hills, they chant, ‘Govinda! Govinda!’. We can find the tag line, ‘Follow Dharma, Think of Govinda’ all over in Tirumala and Tirupati. The three vertical pious lines are popular as ‘Govinda Namalu’ (Govinda Lines). When Swami is taken out in a procession in the circumambulation streets of the temple, His name Govinda, Govinda, Gokula Nandana (one who is born in Gokul) Govinda will be renting the air. Govinda Because He Saved Vedas In the sound “Go” we can find two meanings – (Gochara [visible] Agocharam [invisible] ). It also means something that is describable with words and one which is beyond words. When Somasura [a demon] threw the Vedas into the sea, Lord Vishnu in the avatar of a fish got them back. Therefore, he became Govinda. Here, sound means ‘Veda Sound’. Sri Venkateswara is Veda Murti [form], Veda Samrakshaka [pr...

Bhai Phonta is a festival dedicated to the brother-sister relationship and is similar to the Bhai Dooj festival observed in North India . Bhai Phota 2025 date is October 23. Fota, or Phonta, refers to the sandalwood paste that is applied on the forehead of brothers by sisters on the day. Sisters pray for the wellbeing and safety of brothers and this is the main reason. It is an important festival in many regions in eastern parts of India. Where and When Bhai Phota is observed in the Kartik month in Bengali calendar and the day coincides with the Bhai Dooj festival in other parts of the country. How is it Observed? The sisters fast from the morning of Bhai Phonta and the fasting ends when she applies the sandalwood paste tika on the forehead of brothers. She also ties a holy thread on the wrist of the brothers. Brothers in return promise to protect her and present her with gifts. Favorite dishes of brothers are prepared on the day by sisters. A small puja and ritual...

Sri Ramakrishna sums up with a simple illustration the truth of the unified ultimate Reality and the multiplicity of the manifest universe: ‘…he who has attained God knows that it is God who has become all this. Then he sees that God, Maya, living beings and the universe form one whole. God includes the universe and its living beings.’ Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa goes on to give the illustration of a bel fruit: Suppose you have separated the shell, flesh, and a seed of a bel-fruit and someone asks you the weight of the fruit. Will you leave aside the shell and the seeds, and weigh only the flesh? Not at all. To know the real weight of the fruit, you must weigh the whole of it—the shell, the flesh and the seeds. Only then can you tell its real weight. Sri Ramakrishna explains this metaphor: The shell may be likened to the universe, and the seeds to living beings. While one is engaged in discrimination one says to oneself that the universe and living beings are non-Self and...

A collection of teachings on inner peace in Hinduism. Dispassion and renunciation comprise the key to inner peace. Such peace alone makes happiness possible. – Swami Chidananda Build your inner environment. Practice silence! I remember the wonderful discipline of the Great Ones. When we used to talk and chatter, they would say “Go back into your inner castle.” It was very hard to comprehend then, but no I understand the way of peace. – Paramahansa Yogananda. People are born for different tasks, but in order to survive everyone requires the same nourishment; inner peace. – Sathya Sai Baba I have never questioned anything that has happened in my life ever. In fact I have always accepted it as the will of some great cosmic plan that has been written for me. As a result of this I don’t end up arguing with my inner self, as most people tend to do. That is why I find my inner peace easily. And I think it is the easiest way to attain inner happiness. – Dada J P Vaswani Mate...

Fasting in Hinduism is of great importance as it is one of the oldest and most sacred spiritual practices for controlling the mind and taming the senses. In Hindu religion, fasting (Vrat or Upvaas) has been used from time immemorial by rishis, saints, kings and people in order to purify their bodies, minds and souls, and to bring every cell of the body in communion with the divine. Meaning of Vrat – Upvas in Hindu Religion And Different Types of Fasting The words used to describe fasting in Hinduism are upavasa and vrata. The word ‘vrata’ is derived from the root ‘vr’ meaning to choose and the person observes this voluntarily. Vrata means either accepting a prescribed food or refraining from taking food. In Sanskrit, the word for fast is upavasa. This literally means, ‘sitting near to …’ which implies being in the presence of God. Therefore, it is a time in which one is supposed to not merely refrain from eating, but more importantly to sit in meditation, prayer and contempla...

Here are few quotes on Diwali from scriptures and by Swamijis Fill the Heart with the oil of love. Place in it the wick of single-pointed mind. Light it with the Knowledge of Truth and remove the darkness of ignorance around you. Just as one lamp can light many lamps; let each youth kindle this Light in many hearts.’ Swami Swaroopananda May the lamps of love and devotion burn brightly in your hearts May the light of understanding shine in your minds, May the light of harmony glow in your home May the bright rays of service shine forth ceaselessly from your hands. May your smile, your words, and your actions be as sweet as the sweets of this festive season. May Maha Lakshmi bring you the true wealth of peace, health, happiness, and love Swami Chidanand Saraswati "Give. Give with faith. Do not give without faith. Give with sensitivity. Give with a feeling of abundance. Give with right understanding." Taittiriya Upanishad

Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi are worshipped together in all important pujas. One of the popular images of Goddess Lakshmi is that of Ganesha along her side. Some of these images also include Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of learning. There is a symbolism associated in worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesha together. It is with the blessing of Goddess Saraswati that we realize Goddess Lakshmi. She helps in attaining wealth through dharmic ways and maintaining it. Goddess Lakshmi is the goddess of prosperity and wealth. But when one is blessed with prosperity and wealth one needs a sound judgment and discernment to enjoy the prosperity and this is provided by Sri Ganesha. Ancient saints term this as ‘viveka’ – without viveka the blessing of Goddess Lakshmi will go in vain. And to keep us composed and calm we take the blessings of Ganesha. Ganesha also pulls us up by creating blockades on our path when we use the wealth in Adharmic ways. It must be also noted that during D...

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the most widely recognized Hindu festival and in 2025 it will be celebrated globally on October 20. In Tamil Nadu and South India, it will be on October 20. Diwali is a shortened version of the Sanskrit term ‘Deepavali’, which means ‘a row of lamps’. Diwali is known as the ‘Festival of Lights’ - it refers to the rows of earthen lamps celebrants place around their homes. Diwali light symbolizes the victory of knowledge over ignorance, and goodness over evil. It further represents an awareness of God in our lives. The popular legend in Hinduism associated with Diwali marks the day when Lord Rama returned from a forced exile after defeating Ravana, the ultimate force of evil, in His time.  In South India , Diwali is also believed to be the day when Lord Krishna annihilated Demon Narakasura and restored Dharma. In addition to Hindus, Sikhs celebrate Diwali in commemoration of the release of the Sixth Guru, Hargob...

Swami Chidananda Saraswati shares his thoughts on the importance of Lakshmi Puja on Diwali. One of the important aspects of Diwali is the worship of Maha Lakshmi. Goddess Mahalakshmi is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, bestowing these abundantly upon her devotees – pujas and rituals dedicated to her are performed in many Hindu and in business establishments on the day. On Diwali we pray to her for prosperity; we ask her to lavish us with her blessings. However, what sort of prosperity are we praying for? All too often, we infer wealth to mean money, possessions, material pleasures. This is NOT the true wealth in life; this is not what makes us prosperous. There is almost no correlation between the amount of money we earn, the number of possessions we buy and our sense of inner bliss and prosperity. It is only God's presence in our lives which makes us rich. On Diwali, we must pray to Goddess Lakshmi to bestow real prosperity upon us, the prosperity that brings li...

The three-eyed Lord we worship, sweet augmenter of prosperity. As a (ripe) cucumber from its stem, so may we be freed from the bonds of death; (may we) never be reft from immortality. (Rig Veda, 7.59.12) Having well ascertained the Self, the goal of the Vedantic knowledge, and having purified their minds through the yoga of sannyasa, the seers, never relaxing their efforts, en joy (here) supreme Immortality and at the time of the great end attain complete freedom in Brahman. (Mundaka Upanishad, 3.2.6) As pure water poured into pure water becomes one with it, so, O Gautama, does the Self of the contemplative sage who knows (Brahman). (Katha Upanishad, 2.1.15) Few only know the truth. The rest will hate and laugh at thee, great one; But pay no heed. O thou, the free, from place to place, and help Them out of darkness, Maya’s veil. Without the fear of pain or search for pleasure, go be yond them both, Sannyasin bold Say Om Tat Sat, Om! (The Song of the Sannyasin...

Here is a simple method to perform Skanda Shasti Puja at home. You can do this Puja on all six days of the Skanda Shasti Vratam or on the Soorasamharam day. Before beginning any Hindu puja try to create a calm and pleasant atmosphere. Try to keep all the puja items near you. Puja Items Needed Small murti (idol) or picture of Ganesha A vel or picture of Lord Subrahmanya Sandal Paste, water, turmeric, kumkum, flowers and usual puja items After bath, clean the puja area. First pray to Lord Ganesha for removing all obstacles. Now the main Puja begins First meditate on Lord Muruga – You can do this silently or by chanting Om vali devasena samedha Shri Subrahmanya Swaamine namaha dhyaayaamii Now invoke Lord Muruga – Take the idol or picture or Vel and keep it near you or hold it in your hands. You can silently pray to Muruga or chant Om Vali devasena… swaamine namaha aavaahayaamii Now you can place the idol in the appropriate place chosen by yo...

Revati Nakshatra is the 27th Nakshatra or birth star among the 27 Nakshatras. Below is Revathi Nakshatra date and timing 2020. The astrological prediction of the birth star Revati as per Moon Sign is that of Meena Rasi or Pisces Zodiac. Guru or Jupiter is the Lord of Pisces. The color of Revati is brown. Revati Nakshatra Date and Time - North - East - South of India This time is applicable in Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Pondicherry, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Andaman and Nicobar. January 3 and January 4, 2020, Friday and Saturday Time is from 5:45 AM on January 3 to 8:15 AM on January 4, 2020 January 31, 2020, Friday Time is from 12:51 PM on January 30 to 3:23 PM on January 31, 2020 February 27, 2020, Thursday Time is ...

A motivational story on happiness - quite often we do not realize that we are unhappy because we chose to be unhappy. It is a story of a Sufi mystic, who was never seen unhappy his whole life — he was always playful and laughing. He gave this message to everybody who came to him — not through words, but by example. His happiness and laughter was infectious. In his last days, when he was about to die, he was laughing the same way he laughed always. This was a matter of surprise to all his disciples, and one of them finally asked him: “Beloved Master, we cannot believe that you can be happy and laughing even now when you are on your death bed. We are feeling sad and miserable. We always wanted to ask you many times in your life why you are never sad. How did you manage to be happy in life? How are you managing it now as well, at the time of your death?” The Sufi master replied: “It is simple. If you know how to remain happy in life, you will not have to worry when you die. ...

Swami Premananda (1861–1918), whose original name was Baburam Ghosh, was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna When the idea of bondage comes in the mind, then there is bondage; otherwise, who can bind you? You are always free. Reduce the external paraphernalia and serve men as God with all love and utmost sincerity. This will certainly bring you devotion and liberation. I can assure you that you will attain liberation and peace if you but free yourself from lust and greed. There is no doubt about it. Confusion will arise and bondage results if you keep your eye on name, fame, or some other worldly objective. All the wealth in the world can never give you true happiness but it can give you unbearable pressures, difficulties, confusions pain and disease. We are all searching for happiness, in one way or another, but do not realize that it lies within ourselves. Whether you are working, giving service or practising sadhana – whenever you meet with some difficul...