The story on legacy is based on King Indradyumna and turtle and is from the Vana Parva of Mahabharata. Due to his good karma, King Indradyumna had gone to heaven. After many centuries in heaven, he was cast out and told that he could return only if people on earth still recalled his good deeds. The king first went to Sage Markandeya who had lived longer than most humans. Sage Markandeya did not remember him and asked him to meet an owl who had lived longer than him. The owl did not remember the king but asked him to meet a stork who might be able to recollect him. The stork was not able to remember him but informed him about a turtle named Akupara, who had outlived almost all living beings on earth. Akupara, the turtle, remembered King Indradyumna as the king who had built the lake in which he lived. But the King did not remember about ever digging the lake. The turtle explained that though he had not had the lake dug, it existed as a result of his gener

The story of Arjuna typing up Yama, the Hindu god of death, is found in the Sarala Mahabharata. The incident happened during the final journey of the Pandavas and it involves Yudhisthira marrying Suhani. Pandavas had given up their kingdom and were on their final journey to the Himalayas. During the journey they reached Dharmapuri near Jajpur on the banks of Baitarani River. Hari Sahu, a trader in the region, came along with his daughter, Suhani, to meet Pandavas. The trader was disturbed and sad as he could not get his daughter married. Suhani was born in an inauspicious moment and she was destined to die at the time of her wedding. So no man was ready to marry her. Hari Sahu knew that Yudhisthira was the son of Yama. Therefore he wanted Yudhisthira to marry Suhani. At first, Yudhisthira was not ready to marry the girl and return to the life of a householder. He then told about his old age and his arduous journey in future. But Hari Sahu was insistent. Rejecti

Give three parts of your mind to God and apply the rest to your work. If you can do this, your work will indeed be worship and your heart will be filled with joy. (The Eternal Companion: Life and Teachings of Swami Brahmananda) Humility is a great aid to self-improvement. The master used to say, “Water accumulates in a low place, whereas it flows down from a high mound.” All virtues come to a humble person. (Spiritual Treasures: Letters of Swami Turiyananda) Never be discouraged. In spirituality there is always the time element. Every day is a new birth; a new opportunity. (Swami Trigunatita: His Life and Work) Feel others’ sufferings as you feel your own. Take every opportunity to serve people, and do not injure anybody. (How a Shepherd Boy Became a Saint: Life and Teachings of Swami Adbhutananda) My ideal indeed can be put into a few words and that is: to preach unto mankind their divinity, and how to make it manifest in every movement of life. — The Complete Works of S