(From Sri Swamiji's discourse on 26-3-1990
in the Hindu Temple of Cape de Ville, Trinidad)
****************
Half of our life is lost in sleeping, relaxing and doing unwanted things.
Early years of life are spent in playing (childhood), adolescence is spent
in going to school and college and learning about material objects, and
later falling in love, middleage is spent in marrying, making children,
raising children, earning and sometimes amassing wealth, striving for name
and fame and status. A lot of time is also lost in planning the future of
children (but most people forget that what they have become is not exactly
what was planned by their parents). Therefore usually one does not have
time for spiritual practice till retirement. Old age has its own disadvantages.
The body may not be in perfect health. The mind is restless. Because of
physical inabilities, the person is irritable and therefore not receptive
to others, words. They may even face indifference from their children. Finally
death is somewhere in near vicinity. Thus one more precious birth is wasted
in mundane living. So, if you want to do sadhana (which everyone should
do), do it here and now. Don't postpone. To delay is to deny. Not many people
seem to be aware of this simple truth.
Try to understand the real meaning and purpose of life. When you can see
from your real eye (devoid of obstacles created by the senses and mind),
you can easily appreciate the tatva in everything. Not only the tatva of
epics like Ramayana becomes clear, but you can also see how and why great
people are great. Then you will understand who Swamiji is, and why do people
come to him. Of course, there are some people who come to me for material
objects. I can not and will not guarantee that. It is not my mission. I
don't deny that there are some devotees who have prospered even materialistically
by associating with me. But that is not an end in itself. (I often remind
them that their earnings should be used for noble causes). You must approach
Swamiji for what is not easily available everywhere . You must ask for a
panacea which can cure you of the disease of Samsara. Don't ask Swamiji
to cure minor physical ailment (which any doctor can relieve). Instead,
ask for power of endurance. Ask for strength to face the hardship of karma.
After all, body, it is said, is a playground for diseases. By nature it
is vulnerable to diseases. Swamiji may help you here. But Swamiji wants
to kindle another part of human nature, i.e. the inherent spirit. That Spirit
which takes one to soaring heights. That which enlightens and enlivens.
That which makes the life meaningful and this birth successful. Ask for
it . Does mere asking help? No, certainly not. You must strive for it. Our
ancient culture is abundant with ways and means designed for this purpose.
Adopt these and forge ahead and you will emerge a winner.
C
Scientific background of Homa
H.V.Krishna Swamy.
(In the science of articles titled vedanta and Modern Science, we had discussed
as to how the view of the Modern Science merge with those of Vedanta, from
April, we have started a new series to enlighten the readers about the scientific
background of our ancient traditions and practices. There are certain aspects
in our tradition, which are beyond the realm of modern science. The author,
Sri H.V.Krishna Swamy has kept in mind this fact in his essay)- Ed
(continued from last issue)
The combustion of wood is essentially the oxidation of carbon and hydrogen
constituents to carbondioxide and water. Cellulose and ligno-cellulose of
wood have the general composition of n(C6H10O5). It is mainly the oxidation
of carbon which generates heat, and CO and CO2 are formed according to the
following equations:
n(C6H10O5) = 6 n C+5nH2O
n(C6H10O5) + 3nO2 = 6nCO+5nH2O
n(C6H10O5) + 6nO2 = nCo +5nH2O
The average calorific value of cellulose amounting to 4150 calories is also
used up by other reactions which occur simultaneously. It is also utilised
for volatilisation of volatile constituents or it is used up for combination
of carbon monoxide with water to form formaldehyde as follows.
2co+2H2o = 2HCHO+O2
9.0 DISTILLATION OF WOOD:
Besides complete combustion of cellulose material of wood, it is also subjected
to distillation. This happens due to the way 'Samidhas' are arranged and
conditions of temperature and air supply which prevail. In this distillation
process cellulose breaks down into more complex substances. Cellulose may
be considered as a Hexahydric alcohol C12H14O4 (OH)6
C12 H20 O10 = 8 C + C4 H20 O10
(100) (29.6) (70.4)
The C4 H20 O10 scan be considered to have arranged itself in various ways
as follows. The products are acetic acid, methyl alcohol, methane and acetaldehyde.
(1) C4 H20 O10 = 2CH3 COOH + 6 H2 O
(Acetic Acid)
(2) CH3 COOH = CH3 OH + CO
(Methyl alcohol)
(3) CH3 COOH = CH4 + CO2
(Methane)
(4) 2CH3 COOH = CH3 CHO + CO
(Acetaldehyde)
(5) 2 CH4 = C2 H 2 + 3 H2
(Acetylene)
The above decompositions are difficult to determine. However the process
can be speculated from the products which are formed
(to be continued)
Sri Swamiji:
"Earnest seekers may some times wonder why they are unable to realise
Atman or the self, which, according to the scriptures and the declarations
of the saiints and sadhus, resides in their (seekers') won heart.
Among the many causes for the apparent inability of the seekers to realise
their self, the foremost is their extravertedness. The tendency of the sense
organs is to go towards their respective objects in the world outside. While
doing so, they drag as it were, the mind also with them. Under the delusion
that the pleasure produced by the contact of the senses with the objects
is permanent, the mind too willingly follows the senses without any protest.
Therefore a seeker bent on realising the Self should first control the senses
and the mind. This can be done through intellect endowed with discrimination.
While doing so, the seeker whould ever bear in mind that failures are stepping
stones to success and never lose heart. He should try again and again till
the goal is reached."