Wednesday, August 8, 2012

WELCOME TO THE JANMASHTAMI ISSUE OF E-SANAI





By Sri Sandip Dasgupta


Dear fellow devotees,
Welcome to the Janmashtami edition of our magazine. Let me begin by pointing readers to the redesigned website of Saccidananda Society (www.saccidanandasociety.org), where you will find a fantastic collection of Sri Sri Babathakur’s teachings, photos et. al.  My personal kudos to all the individual I-Realitys who volunteered for this initiative.
 As I read the last issue of our magazine, I was delighted to come across the article by Mr. Sumit Duttagupta in which he related his personal experiences with Sri Sri Babathakur.  This is exactly what Sri Sri Babathakur had in mind when he had asked us to set up an informal medium through which devotees around the world could share their spiritual experiences and have a virtual discussion amongst ourselves. Moving forward, I pray to the Master that more and more devotees like Mr. Duttagupta will come forward with articles relating to their spiritual experiences, in fulfillment of the Master’s vision.
Janmashtami is a very special occasion, when Lord Krishna was born to destroy the evils that had overcome our planet and illumine us with the Knowledge of Bhagavad Gita.  I consider Sri Sri Babathakur as Lord Krishna personified, one who gave us the same “Knowledge of Oneness” in a modern language that is easier to digest and appropriate for today’s complexities.  Sri Sri Babathakur emphatically stated that there are 51 Gitas – not just the most recent Gita that we read/hear about.  He also firmly stated that Lord Krishna Himself (as well as Arjuna) had taken birth multiple times before, and that Lord Krishna had tried to present the Gita to Arjuna in each of these previous births. Our Master constantly urged us to imbibe the teachings of the Gita and live in the Gita – not just listen to it.
Beginning with the last issue, I have been sharing my reflections on select teachings of Sri Sri Babathakur.  The Master has said ‘Enlighten yourself with the light of Oneness and gradually you will be illuminated’.  Let me attempt to pen down some thoughts on this “Light of Oneness”.
I’ll begin by asking you to imagine yourself, all alone in a completely dark room which has a white colored chair in the room.  Since the room is completely dark, you will not be able to see the chair. By touching the chair and feeling for its shape, you may be able to guess that there is an object that feels like a chair (because you have the knowledge about the shape of the chair).  When the light in the room is turned on, we are able to see the object. Then we are able to recognize the object as a chair, because somebody has taught us – “C for chair”. If the color of the light is blue, the white chair will appear blue to the seer, and if the light is green, the chair will appear green. Through our life’s experiences, we have realized that a chair is to be used primarily for sitting – although there maybe some other secondary purposes.  So, when the light in the room is turned on, we recognize the chair, its uses etc. – because we are conscious about it.  This is the definition of Consciousness and how it is used by us unknowingly in everyday life.
In our daily life, we see numerous objects and actions, have numerous experiences, have multiple relationships with various people, etc.  In our deep sleep state, we do not see any of these things, but as soon as we wake up, the world drama begins all over again.  We, as jivas, begin to think of this everyday world as real – because we perceive these objects/events with the light of duality.  Sri Sri Babathakur has told us that living in this world of duality means that we are living in darkness.  The “Light of Oneness” tells us that the substratum behind all of these names and forms is the “Absolute One”, the “I-Reality”.  Sri Sri Babathakur is therefore asking us to live life, being fully conscious of the one and only “I-Reality” at all times.  Just like somebody taught us “C for Chair” and we have believed it for all of our lives, He is asking us to accept “All as One” and “One as All”. He is asking to consider all our actions as His actions and surrender all the results of our actions to the Absolute.   This will therefore keep the individual I-Realitys peaceful as they will not seek or demand the results of their action. According to him, this “Knowledge of Oneness” or ‘Light of Oneness” is the panacea for all the worldly problems and the basis of everlasting peace.  So, whenever we are in trouble, or angry at somebody, or unhappy with our personal situation etc. – Could we begin thinking that all this is His will and His Divine game?


Joy Babathakur! Joy Babathakur! Joy Babathakur!

Lustre lost to Lust




by Sri P.C. Lahiri


A young orphan boy from Kolkata, an important city in the eastern part of India, made it to the status of an icon - amongst the sharpest, brightest, wealthiest and most successful individuals in the entire world. He reached such heights that on one hand he moved at par with the Chairmen and CEOs of elite world organizations, advising them in various capacities.  On the other hand his eminence amongst the people who matter ensured that Presidents and Prime Ministers of various countries held no reservations in engaging him to understand financial matters related to their country as well as to the rest of the world.  His friends, contacts and acquaintances were the who’s who of the world.  He led a life which is a dream of billions of people.  Needless to mention, he had worked extremely hard with unwavering focus and total dedication for many years to reach such dizzying heights.  It seemed like there were no gaps in his repertoire of talent, intelligence, all round capability and luck.  All of a sudden one fine day, his accumulated misdeeds to acquire more wealth at the cost of others got exposed.  Judicial process took over leading to conviction, as a jury unanimously found him guilty of insider trading.


The story of this orphan boy is a living proof of the coinage ‘The Great American Dream’.  Most Americans very proudly talk about this coinage to show that their country provides equal opportunity to all irrespective of background, and that there are great growth/business opportunities awaiting the ‘right’ person.  In the material world, this is a great dream to live and realize.  Some members of the jury wept before pronouncing their guilty verdict, for they fully believed in the concept of the great American dream and were proud to be Americans.  A large chunk of people who have followed this case sympathize with the guilty because of his rags to riches story built around his brilliance, hard work and luck. They feel that the greatness of this person is genuine, and not just based on fraud.  This case assumes a special significance when compared with other high-profile fraud cases in the USA such as Madoff, Khashoggi, Rajaratnam etc., because the person in question here was regarded as a brilliant financial wizard who lived the great American dream.  The dreams of all who believed in this dream got shattered along with the exposure of this fraud.  More than money, he held an exalted status of awe and inspiration for millions which other fraudsters like Madoff etc. could not create for themselves.  This icon, currently out on bail (but facing the prospects of life imprisonment following sentencing in October, 2012), is of course Mr. Rajat Gupta, ex-Chief Executive of the consulting firm, McKinsey and Co. and a former director at the Goldman Sachs Group Inc. 


Where did it go wrong?  What went wrong?  How did it go wrong?  Why did it go wrong?  Copious notes have already been written on it, many are in the pipeline including books and films.  Most of these writings are to simply cash in on an event.  The higher the profile of the calamity, the greater the scope for making money.  To exaggeratedly publicize and utilize the pain and agony of a fellow human being is quite an accepted behavior all over the present day world.


Material scientists and investigators will at most investigate the where, what, how and why (as mentioned before in the first line of the preceding paragraph) of this incident and come to a conclusion that includes convicting the guilty.  A spiritual scientist and investigator on the other hand will go beyond the above questions and ask--- ‘To whom has this calamity befallen?’  Whose respect has gone down the drain?’ Finally the last question shall be---‘Who is he?’ Answers to these questions shall reveal all that needs to be revealed to eradicate the menace of greed from its roots, once and for all.  Answers to the earlier four questions shall give us the ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ of this case which will at best lead to conviction, but not to any sort  of reform or a comprehensive, sustainable solution.  Recurrence of such a behavior from another equally talented and competent person cannot be ruled out even after we have found the answers to the first four questions.  A conviction and subsequent life in jail is only a deterrent, not an educator in the true sense of the term.  It does not help such brilliant individuals attain a level of refinement that would ensure they not only shun all greed, hunger for wealth, name and fame, but also become true role models and icons who inspire millions of people.  The Vivekanandas of the business and political world have not emerged till date simply because of the absence of a true guide who can perfectly blend the outer material world with the inner spiritual world to prove to one and all the Oneness of these two worlds.   Without the spiritual world, the material world is blind, and without the material gross world, the spiritual innermost world cannot manifest.   In essence they are but that Supreme One, without any distinction whatsoever.


The materialistic world lays a lot of emphasis on cherishing a material dream (whatever may be the nature of that dream), and then go full steam ahead to achieve it. The training and guidance imparted by the modern system to achieve goals and fulfill dreams is scientific, but only materially and superficially - not inherently and comprehensively.  It provides a lot of information to any person who strives for it, but cannot provide the road to inner formation.  Information is power in the modern day world, but the collection of a lot of ‘information without inner formation’ leads to disaster more often than not, as is evident in the case of Rajat Gupta.  ‘Information without inner formation’ is the original coinage of Prajnanpurush Sri Sri Babathakur, hereinafter referred to as the Master.  I and many like me, regard Him as our true Guru (although He never had a personified Guru, nor laid claim to being the Guru of another).  Why does it (i.e. ‘information without inner formation’) lead to disaster?  The more the collection of information in an individual, the more are his chances of earning money, acquiring name, fame, power and status.  Wealth and public adulation is highly sought after, and when received is cherished as well - however very few are trained to handle it appropriately.  Gross mishandling has ruined many a lives. It is great to dream the American dream - and the country does provide a lot of opportunities for the able and lucky ones - but it is dangerous to live it without proper mental training.  We have many examples of such downfalls.  Rajat Gupta like cases shall keep recurring, many may be in the pipeline waiting to be exposed, till a total and complete solution is adopted within the world order.


In the light of the understanding gathered while sitting at the lotus feet of the Master for some years, a few things have emerged which have clarified the whole picture without reasonable doubt.  Rajat Gupta’s conviction took place only after the prosecution was able to prove the guilt without reasonable doubt.  Ironically, this guilt was proven by a prosecutor of Indian origin, again with a very humble beginning.  The prosecutor Mr. Preet Bharara has become world famous.  Doors are open for him to become very wealthy and be the cynosure of public eyes each time he handles a high profile case.  He will now be getting many more of such cases. The vish (poison) of vishaya (material matters) shall ruin, unless surrendered at the feet of Vishnu (the Lord of the universe).  All that is missing from the concept of the American dream is the second part of the above statement which is a coinage of the Master. There isn’t enough of correct training or scope available in the Western world to learn the art of surrender to the Supreme Divine.  The required emphasis is also not laid on this matter.


The Master has many times said that the world phenomenon is the ‘becoming of the Being’.  The Being is the Eternal Substratum (Satta), of the nature of Saccidananda [Sat (Existence Absolute) + Cit (Pure Consciousness/Knowledge) + Ananda (Bliss)]. Our true nature is the Being Itself which is ever inactive.  If the Being is inactive then how did the ever active world phenomenon come into existence? It is because the Saccidananda Shakti, i.e. the inherent eternal Power/Energy which is one with the Saccidananda Satta, reveals first as the Universal/Cosmic One (God), and then gradually by more and more admixture of gunas (qualities) through a perfectly scientific process, as the Mother Nature (Prakriti), the individual ones and the material universe (jiva-jagat).  Despite all this revelation of the Saccidananda Shakti, the Saccidananda Satta remains as It is without undergoing any change whatsoever.  In other words, our true nature never undergoes any change. It is ever fulfilled and complete in Itself; hence, It has no needs. So, It is ever inactive, and is only a Witness (Sakshi).


We, the individual ones, have forgotten our true Saccidananda nature by coming under the influence of our mind (antahkarana), which is only a product of the process of the admixture of gunas mentioned hereinbefore.  So is the case with our physical body, outer and inner senses, and the entire outer world. They are continuously undergoing a change; nothing is permanent in this universe including our own body and the rest.  How to deal with this ever changing all round scenario with our needs, desires, compulsions, goals and dreams, is unknown to us.  There are no subjects in our standard schools or colleges which deal with this education.  We do not get to hear or learn about it from peers, seniors and teachers.  What is generally taught in the religious world is an incomplete science.  So how do we rightly deal with the outer world which is for the use of the individual ones - especially given how rarely we get to know, learn or even hear about the science of its right use?  Dwelling in the outer world and using it indiscriminately, we suffer for not knowing this science.  The more indiscriminate the use, the more the suffering.


To hear and learn the science of right use, we need a true Master who is established in the ‘science of right use’.  Merely going through scriptures and books or even listening to a preceptor who is not one with this science, howsoever good an orator or charismatic guru he/she may be, is not enough.   There will always be gaps in one’s understanding, which shall remain unanswered till the seeker comes in contact with a perfect Master.  How do we get such a perfect Master---by simply longing for Him/Her to the best of our ability, if such a great One is not already present and available due to His Supreme Grace. We long/desire for so many things in a lifetime.  Depending on the strength of our longing/desire, we get them sooner or later.  We can’t get a perfect Master, unless we very strongly long for Him/Her.  We do not long for such a person as we do not feel the need of it.  We do not feel this need because the contact of such a person is not an immediate facilitator of our regular mundane needs.  We are not trained to look beyond the mundane. We set short/long term goals at work, in family life or even in social/friend circles.  All those goal settings and subsequent achievements are related to worldly affairs. By dint of solid hard work and focus, we do achieve those goals often.  Having achieved the desired, many a times we are unable to hold on to it.  Then starts the blame game of laying the culpability for the loss of status, wealth, or other mundane acquisitions, on others.  Many sympathizers come forward who are equally ignorant about the real reason of that loss, but nonetheless give lip service, blame others and provide baseless reassurances to make the person complacent and temporarily satisfied, or else make him pursue his so-called enemy who is supposed to be the cause of the loss. This complacency and/or animosity towards his perceived enemy draws him away from the search of the real cause. He lands up learning nothing, instead creating unpleasantness in his life as well as in the life of many others around him. A chain reaction starts, leading him towards a greater fall.


What we really need to sail through this ever changing world is something which is everlasting and never-changing.  In normal course, we do not come across anything which is truly permanent.  This is where the Master comes in and scientifically explains the ‘Science of the Absolute’ to one and all without any distinction whatsoever.  The Science of the Absolute, being all- comprehensive, is inclusive of all other sciences including the science of right use mentioned hereinbefore.  His teaching starts by pointing out to us the ever permanent eternal nature of our true Self.  So, right from the beginning he provides us a permanent, omnipotent and omniscient support that is verily our own real Self.  It is a support which never leaves us even if we are not really aware of It, or even if we choose to ignore It.  It is a friend who does not expect anything in return; a truly disinterested friend. Many of us are fortunate to have come in contact with the personification of such a truly disinterested friend, Prajnanpurush Sri Sri Babathakur (the Master).


The unlimited and infinite wealth we all have within us is revealed by such a Master day-in and day-out, relentlessly and selflessly through all His actions, discourses, behavior and most importantly through His silence.  There remains no urge and need to unduly run after material wealth available in the outside world.  The key is to hold on to the Supreme and Absolute wealth of the True Nature within us steadfastly, as per the guidelines and clear directions of the Master.  The strong grip of our ego through which we run our daily lives will not only get automatically loosened, but shall disappear altogether.


How is that possible?  What link has all this got with the ‘where’, ‘what’, ‘how’, ‘who’ questions with which this article started off? Why was the science of right use mentioned earlier in this piece?  All these and more related points shall be shared with my fellow seekers and readers in the coming issues.  I reiterate that the above is simply my understanding of what I heard from the Master.  It will always be limited by the limitations of my mind and intellect.  There is no alternative to the revelations of a Self-Realized soul.  The above is only my effort to recapitulate the lessons I've learnt and share them with fellow seekers to get better understanding. We all are seekers seeking the total and complete realization of our True Nature to get fully established in the same.


Submitted at the lotus feet of the Master.




Tuesday, August 7, 2012

The Concept of Role Models in Hinduism



by Sri Ajit Halder 

 

Through the ages, Hindu religious characters endowed with life-ennobling virtues have been adored as Role Models. Hindus admire these virtues so much that they feel inspired to incorporate these attributes into their daily lives. So, the term ‘Hindu role models’ generally refer to holy figures who possess intrinsic values and behaviors that are considered worthy of emulation and fit to imbibe as part of the Hindu life style.

 

Hindu scriptures are full of Gods and Goddesses who are held in high esteem as Role Models.  Their divine virtues offer guidance on how to lead a righteous life.  By embracing those noble qualities in life, a Hindu genuinely hopes to be elevated to a higher and nobler h level. Additionally, emulation of the attributes of these Role Models by an individual in his/her life establishes a link between the Divine and the human, and the person feels that a godly figure is always with him/her.  Thus, Hindu devis and devatas do not remain as distant heavenly figures, but become a living presence in the lives of the Hindus.

 

Each one of us has the capacity to transform our life style, and this potential (laying hidden inside us) needs to be awakened.  By copying the attributes of the role models, our inner qualities will be brought into action.  With the activation of our latent capabilities, we will be empowered to improve the quality of our lives and also help others lead a better spiritual life.

 

This article investigates the ways in which Hindu Gods, Goddesses and mythological characters have influenced, and continue serving as epic role models in matters of authority and power.  The article will also look into the lives of a selection of contemporary saintly figures and social leaders who are idolized for their spiritual message and social roles.

 

It should be mentioned right at the outset that this paper’s main aim is of course, to understand the contribution and influence of the major Hindu God-like mythological characters regarded as role models that mark the moral landscapes navigated by the Hindus.   Hindu mythology narrates the appearance of religious figures in our world in human forms providing example of ideal human behavior. Hence Hindus can easily identify themselves with those humanized characters. Since mythological figures appear close to human perception, it is thus possible for the Hindus to inculcate their holy message in life and feel elevated to a higher spiritual level. Before I elaborate further on the theme of this article, it will be of advantage to know of the sources wherefrom the moral teachings of Role Models reach us.  These sources are:

 

1)   Hindu Scriptures; 2) Mythology – The Ramayana and the Krishna story from the Mahabharata; 3) Folk tales e.g. the Manasa Mangal Kavya; 4) Jatra Plays  e.g. Ram Lila and enactment of stories from the Puranas conveying moral lessons;  5)  TV serials  - Ramananda Sagar’s TV episodes on the Ramayana and the Krishna story from the Mahabharata televised in recent times; 6)  Kathakathaa - oral narratives on Puranic stories given by the Kathak Thakur (a story teller) to an audience of believers.

 

Often a role model depicts not just one, but many diverse performing roles.  Take for example Rama, who exemplifies the dignity of an ideal son, a noble and benevolent king caring for the welfare of his subject, an ideal brother, and a dutiful husband.

 

Female Role Models

 

Of all the organized religions of the world, women have perhaps the         most important presence in Hindu scriptural literature, and many of them behaved as genuinely inspiring role models. In Indian mythology, five women – Sita, Savitri, Draupadi, Ahalya and Arundhati, the Pancha Satis or the five ideal women – are held up as role models to the Indian women and men alike.  Indian girls are taught at home by their mothers that their main purpose in life is to be a good wife and caring mother and they are groomed for those roles from an early age holding before them the exemplary characters of the five ideal women.   Our discussion starts with the account of Sita.

 

Devi Sita of Ramayana is regarded as a woman of virtue.  She is a perfect example of loyalty, obedience and morality, and has all the values that people believe a woman must have in her character.  Her entire life constitutes an example of idealism – ideal daughter, ideal wife and ideal mother.  She leaves the palace charms and amenities in order to stay in exile in a forest with her husband, Rama.  While in exile, the demon-king Ravana abducted her and imprisoned her in Lanka.  When Sita got freed from the clutches of Ravana, she proved her sanctity to Rama by giving Agni Pariksha (Fire Ordeal).   Sita has captured the hearts of millions of people and is regarded as the role model of wifely love and adherence to duty.

 

Savitri brings back her dead husband Satyaban to life through intense prayer, and by outwitting the God of death, Yama.  Behula in Manasa Mangal revives her dead husband Lakhindar ( killed by snake-bite) by her devotion to Devi Manasa and both act as role models and inspiration to be ideal wives to the women of India because they exemplify a wife’s devotion to her husband, the virtue of a Patibrataa (i.e. fidelity to a husband) Wife.  Many other feminine figures worthy to be accepted as role models will be found in the religious literature, and the reader may look them up only to find out that as role models they have made unique contributions to the Hindu family as well as community life.

 

Male Role Models

 

Traditionally, Lord Rama and Shri Krishna are considered as the most positive male role models for all Hindus.

 

Lord Rama is revered as Purushottama, i.e. the noblest of men, thereby acknowledging the fact that Rama – the hero of the epic Ramayana - upholds the dignity of the diverse social roles he is expected to perform.  He is an ideal son and as an elder brother, his actions command love and devotion.  As a king, the wishes and interests of His subjects are far more important to Him than His own.

 

Shri Krishna is a Purna Avatar meaning he is the incarnation complete with all holy attributes and the most exalted godhead. He is the perfect role model whose valor, wisdom and heroism are fit to be emulated by humans to vanquish the external evil forces and also the evil instincts of the human mind.

 

Two aspects of Shri Krishna as a role model are: 1) Shri Krishna engaged in his divine sport (Lila) with Radha and the Gopis as described in the Srimad Bhagavatam and 2) Avatar Shri Krishna, extensively described in the Mahabharata.

 

The tenth chapter of Srimad Bhagavatam narrates the birth of Krishna in Mathura and his activities in Vrindaban and Dwarka.  The fascinating stories of Krishna’s childhood and youth tell of his mischievous pranks as Nani Chore, his killing of the female demon Putana, taming of the serpent Kaliya, and the lifting of the Govardhana Hill to protect the native people of Vrindavan.

 

In His youth, Krishna becomes the model lover.  The intense love of Radha and the Gopis (milkmaids) for Krishna is well-known. The story of the culmination of this love taking place in the Ras Lila dance, an ecstatic celebration of love set at midnight in the forest, is very popular and spiritually significant. It is a metaphor for the union of human soul with the divine spirit and has been romanticized in Jaideva’s Gita Gobinda and other poems. These became important in the development of the Krishna Bhakti traditions worshipping the dual Radha-Krishna.

 

The Gita section of the Mahabharata depicts Shri Krishna as the charioteer of Arjuna, his instructor and as a divine companion advising Arjuna and through him the entire humankind on how to tackle life’s problems and be engaged in doing one’s duties.  Shri Krishna is a model teacher and benefactor of humanity, and it is in this role that He shines supreme.

 

Ramanand Sagar’s TV serials

 

Sagar’s TV episodes on the Ramayana (telecast on Doordarshan from January 1987 until July 1988), and ‘Shri Krishna’ (telecast during 1991-93) were immensely popular with the TV audiences that found these shows both religiously rewarding and entertaining.

 

The viewers witnessed their role models in action, appearing in human form and performing their roles with grace and dignity.  Although the characters were enacting scenes from the epics, to the TV audiences (with their eyes glued to the color screens), they appeared to be real persons portraying real life situations.  This screening thus made an enduring impact on the viewers leaving a lasting impression on their minds of the triumph of Truth, goodness and piety over evil doings.  As a medium of religious instruction on morality and righteous living, Sagar’s telecast of the epic stories was a grand success as the episodes brought hundreds of thousands to a fresh understanding and enthusiasm for the Hindu scriptures.

 

Sagar’s reconstruction of Radha and the Gopis (unmarried girl friends of Radha) for a contemporary audience shows the Gopis performing a brata (puja to a Goddess), so behaving with conventional morality and performing a traditional woman’s duty.  As a result of their devotional efforts, the Gopis earn the boon of partaking with Krishna in the Ras Lila dance not as adulterous lovers but as devotees meeting with their beloved God.

 

The popularity of the televised versions of the epic role models and the many allusions to them in everyday life in India emphasize their noble virtues and references made about their lives and activities.  This shows that role models are just as relevant today as they have been in the past. 

 

Contemporary role models

 

Many saintly figures and social stalwarts of recent times displaying noble virtues often themselves become role models to their followers.  Sri Ramakrishna and Sri Sri Babathakur may be mentioned here in that context.  We benefit from the enlightening messages of Sri Sri Babathakur available in his books.  His sermons delivered during His life time at many Satsanga gatherings inspired the devotees, and still continue to inspire them after His ascent to the heavenly abode.

 

We should also mention Swami Vivekananda who through his speeches and writings and his personal aesthetic qualities has inspired the youths of India to dedicate their lives for the welfare of the masses.  The poet Rabindranath Tagore has served as a role model to a host of budding Bengali writers who have been inspired by the poet’s humanity and theme of universalism, and the poet’s influence is clearly felt in many areas of modern Bengali literature.

 

Conclusions

 

Hindus admire the noble ideals of Role Models as found described in the scriptures.  By following those virtues in life, Hindus add a spiritual dimension to their worldly existence.

 

It is popular with the family elders to use the name of a Hindu Role Model in naming a new born baby.  Also in recognition of a good act or pleasant behavior of a junior, the family elders often address that member by using an appropriate holy name.  It is very common for a dutiful son to be praised as Rama incarnate, or a talented daughter commended as a virtual Saraswati.  A satisfied mother-in-law will refer to her son’s wife as the coming of Lakshmi, Goddess of fortune and prosperity, into her home.  All this shows how deep rooted are the influences of Role Models in the life of a Hindu.

 

In this article mention has been made of role models who possess the qualities that Hindus would like to have.  It is hoped that the Hindu role models gleaned from the scriptures will encourage and guide the reader to make the right choices in life, reach the goals of human life, be a better person today and enjoy a much nobler life tomorrow.