The Value Of Words

The word should not excite any passions and should be truthful; there can be slips in walking but if there is a slip of the tongue, words uttered wrongly cannot be taken back. Can these people who break their word (of promise) ever take up any austerities on this earth.

Even a note does not have the value of a word (given by a person). In this world there are two types of notes : 1) Currency note 2) Promissory note. If each of them does not have its own characteristics, it loses its own value. Truth is the life breath for word, the soldiers for the fort and the signature for the (promissory) note. Thus one should never go back on the word given. When one speaks one should know the circumstances around him and speak accordingly. The manner of speech should be sweet and endearing. The words must be humble, truthful and should not hurt others or raise passions or emotions in others. That does not mean one should speak untruth to please others. One should not worry about others' conveniences but should follow one's own conscience. Only then can one earn the respect of the society. It is truth that gives life to the respect of an individual, family, society or a nation.

Do you know why the hands have been given? Is it just to feed the mouth? No! It is to do good and perform sacrifices. Do you know why the tongue has been given? It is to speak the Truth. Do you know why the ears are given ? To hear and follow Dharma.

One who speaks untruth loses his individual respect. Veda has declared "Sathyam Bhruyath..". Truth is the true ornament for a person. Follow the culture of Bharath and become refined. It is Bharath's culture which had identified charity for the hand, Truth for the throat, and right hearing for the ear as the true ornaments. There is no need for other type of ornaments. For the truly great ones, it is peaceful demeanor that is the ornament. For a man, word is an ornament. For God, Ananda (bliss) is the ornament. This bliss is not ordinary. It is Nityanandam (eternal).

Worldly happiness is all momentary and fleeting. Sankara knew this and sang "Maakuru Dhana Jana Yavvana garvam; harathi Nimesha kaala sarvam" meaning that all wealth, youth and relations are of fleeting nature. All strengths in the world are transient and ephemeral. What fate befell the mighty Karna, who was skilled in archery, had a sharp intellect and was unparalleled in charity. He did not have the grace of God and had to meet his end in the war. If you compare Arjuna with Karna, the former did not possess the kind of charity that Karna practiced. Because of his word of friendship, given to Duryodhana, Karna sided with him and had to ultimately be known as one of the wicked quartet. That is why one should choose good company. In the presence of fire even a piece of coal becomes fire. If you put mud in fire the same fire becomes extinct.

Everyone should speak with full faith in one's own words. It does not matter if you slip and fall down but if you slip in your words, you are sure to face hell. One should know how to speak in front of elders. Hanuman took the permission of Sugriva and approached the brothers Rama and Lakshmana and inquired about their antecedents. Seeing the manners of Hanuman, Rama remarked to Lakshmana about the nobility and culture of Hanuman. He said that Hanuman is peaceful, virtuous and strong (Hanuman had come down from the top of the Matanga mountain in a second). Our words are the reflection of our inner being. We have to face the reaction, reflection and resound of the words we speak.

Today if man develops the three P's, Purity, Patience and Perseverance there will be peace all over. This is true practice of human values. He, who speaks truth, practices Dharma and has love in heart, will never resort to violence.

Today there is such ignorance that people are not afraid of sin. Nor do have love for God. As a result humanity has died. This is the reason for unrest in place of world peace.

Students should enter, serve and purify the society. You should go do your best to solve problems in the society. You have taken so much from the society and it is your duty to give something back to society.

"You can fill in only so much water as is the capacity of the pitcher you carry".

Students, broaden your heart and fill it with love. There are so many thoughts that come in your mind. Discriminate. Take your time and only after careful analysis perform the action.

In this society, it is a mistake even if you do good. One should also discriminate in this aspect. How many times can you forgive a person who repeatedly tries to harm you? May be once or twice. But Prithviraj forgave the invader Mohammed Ghori a total of seventeen times. The eighteenth time Ghori took the help of Prithviraj's brother-in-law and defeated him in the war. Not considering the fact that he was pardoned by Prithviraj seventeen times, Ghori ordered that Prithviraj's eyes be gouged out. Thus he did the despicable act of harming someone who did good to him. It is the sad state of affairs in Bharath that we have never been united. We have achieved independence but not unity.

One should have discrimination while talking. One should also curb the anger in oneself. This anger destroys your equanimity. Almost always it is a temporary feeling . There are so many ways to overcome this feeling of anger. If you are angry, immediately go away from the place. Otherwise take a short stroll. Take a glass of cool water. Or else you can go to bathroom and open the water tap. Join your voice in the rhythm of the water and sing God's name.