Talk Less And Work More

Today, man's eloquence in speech has increased greatly, but his dexterity in action cannot be seen. Human life has become mere exhibition and aggrandizement. This is the plight of the student today.

The modern student's life is full of confusion. Those who always talk do no study and those who study keep silent. So 'talk less and study more.' Human values are deteriorating daily as man doesn't behave like a man. Through excessive talk, man is losing the Divine power and sanctity within. As one talks more, one loses memory power and concentration. He loses energy, eats more and so becomes lazy. The laziness inhibits him from being sincere in any task and he shirks seva. So to 'serve more, eat less'. "Eating too much harms your mind. Eating less food confer happiness".

Sardar Vallabhai Patel said, "Talk less and work more!" Vidura said that silence increases one's power. Hence our ancients observed silence to increase their power. Excess talk reduces our sense of discrimination. By talking less, we can serve more. Through service we develop friendship. True friendship is working together at all times and in all places. Thus God is the only true friend as all others have traces of selfishness. God gives and gives but never takes.

To attain this Divinity, we need good character. To do so, man must realize that his real address or residence is his heart. The heart is full of love and its routine is to love. Character is developed by shaping our thoughts, words and deeds.

Das Ganu came to Shirdi as a police officer, while Baba simultaneously celebrated Sri Ram Navami and Moharam. Das was a good singer so Baba asked him to sing. Das asked Baba if we would allow him to stay there permanently. Baba said he could as the shrine was not His. Das said that before settling in Shirdi, he wanted a promotion. Baba agreed. Das returned home, was promoted to circle inspector and consequently forgot his promise to Baba. After two years, duty brought him to Shirdi. Baba reminded him of the promise, but Das said he had to be promoted as Superintendent of Police. Baba said OK. When Das returned, the superintendent of police accused Das of stealing jewelry. Das resigned and went to Shirdi as he realized that this was due to breaking the word given to Baba.

Arjuna asked Krishna to go as an ambassador to meet the Kauravas and ask them whether they wanted peace or war. Dharmaraja and Bheema agreed but Sahadeva was reluctant. He was so scared the Kauravas would harm Krishna that he didn't even touch a drop of water till Krishna returned safely. Dharmaraja was sad that the Kauravas opted for war. Sahadeva was happy that Krishna returned safe and said Subha or auspiciousness should be bestowed on Krishna for going to the Kauravas. Though Arjuna loved Krishna, his love to fight dominated. When Krishna wanted to go to Hastinapura again to avert the war, Arjuna said that trying to pacify the Kauravas was like throwing jasmine flowers in the fire. When it was time to fight, the same valorous Arjuna was not ready to fight his relatives and turned to Krishna for counsel.

Youth is like a passing cloud. Krishna was seventy six and Arjuna seventy four at the time of Mahabharata. Bheeshma was commander-in-chief at the age of one hundred and twelve years. In those days, childhood was till the age of fifty. Youth started after seventy five years not at today's eighteen or twenty! The ahara and vihara of ancient days kept them healthy and strong.

Modern man has unnecessary thoughts in his mind. Students should be a Vidyarthi and not a Vishayaarthi. Vid means illumination, so Vidya means that which gives illumination. The power given to last a man a full lifetime is being expended in twenty years. Even children wear spectacles. This is the effect of their own weakness. Man spends time in unnecessary thing. Worry is nothing but mentally created fear. One needs purity, patience and perseverance. One should follow the master called conscience.

Once upon a time, the deer community held a conference. The leader addressed the gathering, "My dears! In all respects, dogs are weaker than deer". So they should not fear dogs. After they all agreed unanimously, they heard the bark of one dog. Immediately they all fled and not one deer remained. So one should be action oriented and not just talk.

Students get good ranks, while their character is blank. As the foundation of character is full of cracks, the house risks collapse. Make your parents happy. They should not be happy when a son is born but when the son earns a good name and others praise him.

Life is a four storied mansion: Brahmacharya, Grihasta, Vanaprasta and Sanyasa. If the student life is good, the remaining three floors will be good. There can be wicked sons but never wicked parents.

In the ancient days, sadhus would freeze the senses (hearing, speaking, reading) and experience Brahman in silence, i.e. Pranava is Brahman. If your outside sound is too loud, you cannot hear the sound of God within. For one hour a day, maintain silence. During sleep, our senses get some rest so that we awake refreshed and full of vigour. Amanaska means withdrawal of the mind. In deep sleep or Sushupti or Gaada Nidra, there is no mind and Divinity manifests itself. During the dream state, the mind creates many things. The four states are Jaagrata - waking state, Swapna - dream state, Sushupti - deep sleep and Turya - the mighty power.

Some study twenty pages late at night. In the morning, they can remember hardly one page. This is because they were not fulfilling the basic, natural requirement for sleep. One can live without food but not sleep. If you want to study more, get up at 3 a.m. If we talk too much during the day, we won't get proper sleep at night.

Do not have unnecessary relations. Don't hate or be an enemy to anyone. When you are here for only three years, what is the use of all these relations? Do not be afraid of the world. Develop intense love for God!