Sushrut A. Badhe's Blog, page 2

85) The Mandoukya Upanishad in rhyme- Sri Aurobindo's Action-Feb 2024

ABOUT: The Mandoukya Upanishad, considered to be the first ofthe principal Upanishads is the shortest Upanishad and is from the Atharvaveda.Among the gnostic texts, this particular Upanishad holds much significance forit is considered to be a point confluence of the modern Buddhist and Hinduphilosophies and contains the metaphysical and spiritual explanation of theroot sound Om and the Self.  It ismentioned in the Muktika Upanishad that a complete understanding of the MandoukyaUpanishad enables the knower to attain Mukti- the final liberation. TheMandoukya Upanishad has been rendered in rhymes in light of Sri Aurobindo’stranslation of the same as found in “Kenaand Other Upanishads”, The Complete Works of Sri Aurobindo, Vol 18.

The Mandoukya Upanishad opens with this verse which is also repeated after theUpanishad ends

Om.  O Gods,

Mayonly the auspicious by our ears be heard
By our eyes, may only the auspicious be observed

OSacrficial Lords.

Enjoyingsound bodies, your tributes may we give
In our full life-span, A life divine may we live.
May Lord  Indra- the swiftest ensure our well being
May we be nourished by Pusha the allknowing.
May the eager Tarskhya’s grace augur us well
May the same, Brihaspati accord aswell.

Ompeace, Om peace, Om peace.

Omis the indivisible immutable

Thatverily holds the entire universe conceivable

Thepast, the present and the future of all--

All is only Om andOm is only all
All else that beyond the three times persists
Is also the Omniscient Om for Om is all that exists|1|

TheUniverse is the Bramhan Self’s extension
And this Self is four fold in division|2|

Theconscious being awakened and outwardly located

Experiencing,knowing and enjoying, in the material, He is situated

Possessingseven limbs and doorways nineteen

ThisVishwanara- the universal male is thefirst Self seen |3|

Nextis the state that dwells in the dreams

Whosesphere portends to the inner realms
Possessing seven limbs and doorways nineteen
Enjoyer of all that is subtle-theradiant Taijasa is seen|4|

Wherewhen asleep no dreams one does see

Whereinno remnant of desire or yearning can be

Inthat deep sleep, when the being awakened can remain-
In the highest state – Sushupti he issaid to reign.

Situatedin this state of oneness perfect,
Experiencing the bliss complete in every respect
Consuming bliss, He is wisdom’s lord incarnate

Andto his mind consciousness is the opening gate

 This state of joy unparalleled or unheard

Iscalled Pragnya- the Self’s stagethird|5|  

Heis the lord of every single being
The indwelling seer all knowing and all seeing
Who is the womb of everything

Andthe birth and death of every living thing|6|

Heis not the gnosis of the external
Nor is he that which is solely internal,
Nor just the wisdom of both the outside and inside

Heis beyond the limits of the inside and outside

Neitheris he the gnosis, inherent or gained
Nor the void that in its absence is contained.

Theinvisible and the unreachable

Heis attributeless and uncontainable
He cannot be named and is indiscernible

Heis incomprehensible and inexplicable

Theepitome of oneness, he is the One

Andother than him there is none
He is the fourth, thus they mention

TheSelf’s ultimate gnosis and final dimension.|7|  

Andthis Self as per the fourfold description

Isbut identical to the first sonic conception
The Self is Om, the first word and sound

Andin its syllables A U M it can beverily found.|8|

TheVishwanara-the Self of the first awakening

Isthe first letter A, by virtue of its vastnessall -pervading,

Hewho has thus realized and overcome desire’s thirst

Pervadingall desires, he knows all thus becoming the first|9|  

Taijasathe dreamer awakened is the stage second

ThisSelf in the letter U does verilyextend

Denotingexcellence and central progression

Knowingthis propels the knower with an upward ascension

Withthis gnosis a sameness in all he can envisage

Bereftof Bramhic gnosis, none descend inhis lineage|10|

Nextis Pragnya – the innermost state ofsleep
Where dwells the being awakened in a slumber deep

Inthe letter third M, this Self iscontained-
The measure by which the final entry is gained

Hewho knows this attains a measure of everything

Anddeparts into the eternal by knowing every thing|11|

Thefourth Self, the final one is sylablleless

Unspeakable,it is the final silence that is endless

Itis in Om -The non-dual bliss of ShaivicOneness-

Completeand final, the peace eternally boundless

 He who knows this by his own Self, merges intothe Self

ThusHe becomes the knower, Yes He knows the Self!|12|

The Mandoukya Upanishad in rhyme- Sri Aurobindo's Action-Feb 2024

ABOUT: The Mandoukya Upanishad, considered to be the first ofthe principal Upanishads is the shortest Upanishad and is from the Atharvaveda.Among the gnostic texts, this particular Upanishad holds much significance forit is considered to be a point confluence of the modern Buddhist and Hinduphilosophies and contains the metaphysical and spiritual explanation of theroot sound Om and the Self.  It ismentioned in the Muktika Upanishad that a complete understanding of the MandoukyaUpanishad enables the knower to attain Mukti- the final liberation. TheMandoukya Upanishad has been rendered in rhymes in light of Sri Aurobindo’stranslation of the same as found in “Kenaand Other Upanishads”, The Complete Works of Sri Aurobindo, Vol 18.

The Mandoukya Upanishad opens with this verse which is also repeated after theUpanishad ends

Om.  O Gods,

Mayonly the auspicious by our ears be heard
By our eyes, may only the auspicious be observed

OSacrficial Lords.

Enjoyingsound bodies, your tributes may we give
In our full life-span, A life divine may we live.
May Lord  Indra- the swiftest ensure our well being
May we be nourished by Pusha the allknowing.
May the eager Tarskhya’s grace augur us well
May the same, Brihaspati accord aswell.

Ompeace, Om peace, Om peace.

Omis the indivisible immutable

Thatverily holds the entire universe conceivable

Thepast, the present and the future of all--

All is only Om andOm is only all
All else that beyond the three times persists
Is also the Omniscient Om for Om is all that exists|1|

TheUniverse is the Bramhan Self’s extension
And this Self is four fold in division|2|

Theconscious being awakened and outwardly located

Experiencing,knowing and enjoying, in the material, He is situated

Possessingseven limbs and doorways nineteen

ThisVishwanara- the universal male is thefirst Self seen |3|

Nextis the state that dwells in the dreams

Whosesphere portends to the inner realms
Possessing seven limbs and doorways nineteen
Enjoyer of all that is subtle-theradiant Taijasa is seen|4|

Wherewhen asleep no dreams one does see

Whereinno remnant of desire or yearning can be

Inthat deep sleep, when the being awakened can remain-
In the highest state – Sushupti he issaid to reign.

Situatedin this state of oneness perfect,
Experiencing the bliss complete in every respect
Consuming bliss, He is wisdom’s lord incarnate

Andto his mind consciousness is the opening gate

 This state of joy unparalleled or unheard

Iscalled Pragnya- the Self’s stagethird|5|  

Heis the lord of every single being
The indwelling seer all knowing and all seeing
Who is the womb of everything

Andthe birth and death of every living thing|6|

Heis not the gnosis of the external
Nor is he that which is solely internal,
Nor just the wisdom of both the outside and inside

Heis beyond the limits of the inside and outside

Neitheris he the gnosis, inherent or gained
Nor the void that in its absence is contained.

Theinvisible and the unreachable

Heis attributeless and uncontainable
He cannot be named and is indiscernible

Heis incomprehensible and inexplicable

Theepitome of oneness, he is the One

Andother than him there is none
He is the fourth, thus they mention

TheSelf’s ultimate gnosis and final dimension.|7|  

Andthis Self as per the fourfold description

Isbut identical to the first sonic conception
The Self is Om, the first word and sound

Andin its syllables A U M it can beverily found.|8|

TheVishwanara-the Self of the first awakening

Isthe first letter A, by virtue of its vastnessall -pervading,

Hewho has thus realized and overcome desire’s thirst

Pervadingall desires, he knows all thus becoming the first|9|  

Taijasathe dreamer awakened is the stage second

ThisSelf in the letter U does verilyextend

Denotingexcellence and central progression

Knowingthis propels the knower with an upward ascension

Withthis gnosis a sameness in all he can envisage

Bereftof Bramhic gnosis, none descend inhis lineage|10|

Nextis Pragnya – the innermost state ofsleep
Where dwells the being awakened in a slumber deep

Inthe letter third M, this Self iscontained-
The measure by which the final entry is gained

Hewho knows this attains a measure of everything

Anddeparts into the eternal by knowing every thing|11|

Thefourth Self, the final one is sylablleless

Unspeakable,it is the final silence that is endless

Itis in Om -The non-dual bliss of ShaivicOneness-

Completeand final, the peace eternally boundless

 He who knows this by his own Self, merges intothe Self

ThusHe becomes the knower, Yes He knows the Self!|12|

84) The Sanatan Guardian- Sri Aurobindo's Action - Editorial, Jan 2024

Enter 2024 and the words “Sanatan Dharma” have become the talk of India, that is Bharat. That our journal’s editors considered this topic as the theme for 2024, several months before it became so mainstream is indeed an act of serendipity and divine providence. Recently an inadvertent and bizarre clarion call for the eradication of Sanatan Dharma raised by a political faction which has a large connect with the masses raked up a political slugfest that only stirred up the rajasic sentiments across all corners of the nation. Their claim that Sanatan Dharma was but a disease that needed to be eradicated; a vestige of a past that holds no value for the present and the future, drew sharp responses from the opposite faction which wasted no opportunity in garnering support to save the Sanatan Dharma which was now in peril. Somewhere in the cacophony, the gen Z unfortunately disconnected with his/her roots; thanks to the digital revolution which incessantly feeds them with reels, viral videos and memes day in and day out, is left wondering if ‘Sanatan Dharma’ is naught but another tool of wily politicians to divide the people for their personal gains. It bodes us well to understand the true meaning of Sanatan dharma. Sri Aurobindo recognized Sanatan Dharma to be a core value that was the foundation of India’s freedom and in his letter to Parthasarathy Iyengar, he had emphasized that care must be taken not to indulge in the old kid of politics.
Be very careful to follow my instructions in avoiding the old kind of politics. Spirituality is India’s only politics, the fulfilment of the Sanatan Dharma its only Swaraj (CWSA 36:170)

Even a cursory look at the rich history of our motherland will reveal that a war against Sanatan Dharma is not really a very novel concept. Wave after wave of invasions took place with the aim of not just looting her wealth but also for destroying the cultural heritage and wisdom; for that was truly the bedrock of the strength and brilliance of our civilization. But these demonic attempts failed and it is a fact that all future attempts too shall fail; for we have a guardian who is Himself Sanatan or eternal. In the great battle of Kurukshetra, between the Pandavas and Kauravas; a symbolic battle for justice between the forces of good and evil, we see the hero Arjuna confused and confounded right in the middle of the battle field. Initially he cries us to Sri Krishna to let him escape the battle and in a fit of emotions, claims that Sanatan dharma would get destroyed if he participated in the battle. kulakshaye pranashyanti kuladharmaaha sanatanaaha. But a terse Sri Krishna simply does not yield to Arjuna’s fervent appeals, which included his quoting various shastras and texts to justify his not partaking in the battle of justice. Instead, Sri Krishna slowly and lovingly starts transferring the wisdom of the Vedas and Vedanta through the form of a divine song, that we call the Bhagavad Gita. It is only later on; after Arjuna’s consciousness has risen after learning about the truths of the Atman and the Brahman, the metaphysical soul journey of life and death, and finally when he is granted the divya drishti, he realizes while watching the primal and almighty Vishwaroopa Darshana, which is both beautiful and terrible at the same time, remarking in submission –
tvam aksharam paramam veditavyam tvam asya vishvasya param nidhanam
tvam avyayah sasvata-dharma-gopta sanatanas tvam purusho mato me

(Bhagavad Gita 11.18)

The highest immaculate truth that by man
can be known,
The foundation upon which our universe has grown
The indestructible guardian of righteousness eternal
I believe, Thou art the one- celestial and supernal 11.18

In this light, we can definitely take solace and be at peace by not falling into a rajasic trap of impulsive reactions; fully confident that the wisdom of the Vedas, the Upanishads and all the shastras will remain until the fire burns in the eye of the sun. However, we certainly cannot afford to once more slip into the dark and tamasic slumber of ignorance. The call to serve the Divine can neither be forgotten nor dare neglected. Sri Aurobindo, in the dark prison of Alipore, received the instruction to uphold Sanatan Dharma from the Purusha himself; as he declared to the world in his Uttarpara speech.
We speak often of the Hindu religion, of the Sanatana Dharma, but few of us really know what that religion is. Other religions are preponderatingly religions of faith and profession, but the Sanatana Dharma is life itself; it is a thing that has not so much to be believed as lived. This is the dharma that for the salvation of humanity was cherished in the seclusion of this peninsula from of old. It is to give this religion that India is rising. She does not rise as other countries do, for self or when she is strong, to trample on the weak. She is rising to shed the eternal light entrusted to her over the world. India has always existed for humanity and not for herself and it is for humanity and not for herself that she must be great…
.When you go forth, speak to your nation always this word that it is for the Sanatana Dharma that they arise, it is for the world and not for themselves that they arise. I am giving them freedom for the service of the world. When therefore it is said that India shall rise, it is the Sanatana Dharma that shall rise. When it is said that India shall be great, it is the Sanatana Dharma that shall be great. When it is said that India shall expand and extend herself, it is the Sanatana Dharma that shall expand and extend itself over the world. It is for the dharma and by the dharma that India exists (CWSA 8:6)

As we meditate upon the words of Sri Aurobindo, each of us must resolve to become conscious, of our existence that is essentially divine and vast so that we can truly play our roles as instruments of the divine manifestation that is underway. This and this alone is the way we can pay our tributes to the master and the centuries of sacrifices that have taken place to uphold the nitya jyoti or eternal flame of Bharat.
For Nine days, the inferno at Nalanda burnt,

Hoping to erase all the sacred texts that were learnt.

Other sanctums of learning too were then raided;

Knowledge suffered distortions and struggled unaided!

Over generations this loss compounded and spread,

The hidden wisdom was lost- unheard and never read.

The devilish ploy was that the light be forever buried —

And down the ages nothing was passed or carried.

But little was really known or understood by man,

That all of this too was part of the grand plan.

The Vedic treasures were destroyed in time's course,

But no force on earth could touch the divine source.

From the same planes where the truth was heard,

Would reverberate once more the first word.

The newer texts too would once more come-

From this churning the world too will immortal become.

Across the oceans shall burst the volcanoes of light,

Flooding and cleansing the plagued lands of blight,

Descendants of Angiras, Atri and the other rishis shall rise;

And one hotar shall perform Vishwajit Yagnya- the final sacrifice!


May we firstly, ourselves become conscious of the mission and the vision of the master Sri Aurobindo and our bhagya vidhaata, Sri Krishna who is charioteering our Bharata to a new Dawn.Echoing Krishna’s words from the Gita and also the Isha Upanishadic phrase – “Uttishta Bharata! Krato smara. kṛtaṁ smara “
Awake, Bharata. May we remember the great deeds of our ancestors, May we rise again to their consciousness!

This issue will focus on the Veda, which has very rightly been called ‘the foundation of Sanatan Dharma’.

Sushrut Badhe is a disciple of Sri.M.R.Damle and is a manufacturer of ayurvedic medicines at his guru’s factory—KVM Research Labs. His prose journey began with writing articles for Sri Aurobindo’s action in 2015 and he has a habit of writing poetry in rhymes.

The Sanatan Guardian- Sri Aurobindo's Action - Editorial, Jan 2024

Enter 2024 and the words “SanatanDharma” have become the talk of India, that is Bharat. That our journal’seditors considered this topic as the theme for 2024, several months before itbecame so mainstream is indeed an act of serendipity and divine providence.Recently an inadvertent and bizarre clarion call for the eradication of SanatanDharma raised by a political faction which has a large connect with the masses rakedup a political slugfest that only stirred up the rajasic sentiments acrossall corners of the nation. Their claim that Sanatan Dharma was but a diseasethat needed to be eradicated; a vestige of a past that holds no value for the presentand the future, drew sharp responses from the opposite faction which wasted noopportunity in garnering support to save the Sanatan Dharma which was now in peril.Somewhere in the cacophony, the gen Z unfortunately disconnected with his/herroots; thanks to the digital revolution which incessantly feeds them withreels, viral videos and memes day in and day out, is left wondering if ‘SanatanDharma’ is naught but another tool of wily politicians to divide the people fortheir personal gains. It bodes us well to understand the true meaning ofSanatan dharma. Sri Aurobindo recognized Sanatan Dharma to be a core value thatwas the foundation of India’s freedom and in his letter to ParthasarathyIyengar, he had emphasized that care must be taken not to indulge in the oldkid of politics.

Be verycareful to follow my instructions in avoiding the old kind of politics.Spirituality is India’s only politics, the fulfilment of the Sanatan Dharma itsonly Swaraj  (CWSA  36:170)

Even acursory look at the rich history of our motherland will reveal that a waragainst Sanatan Dharma is not really a very novel concept. Wave after wave ofinvasions took place with the aim of not just looting her wealth but also fordestroying the cultural heritage and wisdom; for that was truly the bedrock ofthe strength and brilliance of our civilization.  But these demonic attempts failed and it is afact that all future attempts too shall fail; for we have a guardian who isHimself Sanatan or eternal. In the great battle of Kurukshetra, between thePandavas and Kauravas; a symbolic battle for justice between the forces of goodand evil, we see the hero Arjuna confused and confounded right in the middle ofthe battle field. Initially he cries us to Sri Krishna to let him escape the battleand in a fit of emotions, claims that Sanatan dharma would get destroyed if heparticipated in the battle. kulakshaye pranashyanti kuladharmaahasanatanaaha. But a terse Sri Krishna simply does not yield to Arjuna’sfervent appeals, which included his quoting various shastras and texts tojustify his not partaking in the battle of justice. Instead, Sri Krishna slowlyand lovingly starts transferring the wisdom of the Vedas and Vedanta throughthe form of a divine song, that we call the Bhagavad Gita. It is only later on;after Arjuna’s consciousness has risen after learning about the truths of theAtman and the Brahman, the metaphysical soul journey of life and death, andfinally when he is granted the divya drishti, he realizes while watchingthe primal and almighty Vishwaroopa Darshana, which is both beautiful andterrible at the same time, remarking in submission –

tvam aksharam paramam veditavyam

tvam asya vishvasya param nidhanam

tvam avyayah sasvata-dharma-gopta

sanatanas tvam purusho mato me           

                                                                                                (Bhagavad Gita 11.18)

 

The highest immaculate truth that by man
can be known,

The foundation upon which our universe has grown
The indestructible guardian of righteousness eternal
I believe, Thou art the one- celestial and supernal 11.18

 

In this light, we can definitely takesolace and be at peace by not falling into a rajasic trap of impulsivereactions; fully confident that the wisdom of the Vedas, the Upanishads and allthe shastras will remain until the fire burns in the eye of the sun. However, wecertainly cannot afford to once more slip into the dark and tamasic slumber ofignorance.  The call to serve the Divinecan neither be forgotten nor dare neglected. Sri Aurobindo, in the dark prisonof Alipore, received the instruction to uphold Sanatan Dharma from the Purushahimself; as he declared to the world in his Uttarpara speech.

       We speak often of theHindu religion, of the Sanatana Dharma, but few of us really know what thatreligion is. Other religions are preponderatingly religions of faith andprofession, but the Sanatana Dharma is life itself; it is a thing that has notso much to be believed as lived. This is the dharma that for the salvation ofhumanity was cherished in the seclusion of this peninsula from of old. It is togive this religion that India is rising. She does not rise as other countriesdo, for self or when she is strong, to trample on the weak. She is rising toshed the eternal light entrusted to her over the world. India has alwaysexisted for humanity and not for herself and it is for humanity and not forherself that she must be great…

. When you go forth, speak to your nation alwaysthis word that it is for the Sanatana Dharma that they arise, it is for theworld and not for themselves that they arise. I am giving them freedom for theservice of the world. When therefore it is said that India shall rise, it isthe Sanatana Dharma that shall rise. When it is said that India shall be great,it is the Sanatana Dharma that shall be great. When it is said that India shallexpand and extend herself, it is the Sanatana Dharma that shall expand andextend itself over the world. It is for the dharma and by the dharma that Indiaexists (CWSA 8:6)

Aswe meditate upon the words of Sri Aurobindo, each of us must resolve to becomeconscious, of our existence that is essentially divine and vast so that we cantruly play our roles as instruments of the divine manifestation that isunderway.  This and this alone is the waywe can pay our tributes to the master and the centuries of sacrifices that havetaken place to uphold the nitya jyoti or eternal flame of Bharat.

For Nine days, the inferno at Nalanda burnt,

Hoping to erase all the sacred texts that werelearnt.

Other sanctums of learning too were thenraided;

Knowledge suffered distortions and struggledunaided!

 

Over generations this loss compounded andspread,

The hidden wisdom was lost- unheard and neverread.

The devilish ploy was that the light be foreverburied —

And down the ages nothing was passed orcarried.

 

But little was really known or understood byman,

That all of this too was part of the grandplan.

The Vedic treasures were destroyed in time'scourse,

But no force on earth could touch the divinesource.

 

From the same planes where the truth was heard,

Would reverberate once more the first word.

The newer texts too would once more come-

From this churning the world too will immortalbecome.

Across the oceans shall burst the volcanoes oflight,

Flooding and cleansing the plagued lands ofblight,

Descendants of Angiras, Atri and the otherrishis shall rise;

And one hotar shall perform Vishwajit Yagnya-the final sacrifice!

 

May we firstly, ourselves becomeconscious of the mission and the vision of the master Sri Aurobindo and our bhagyavidhaata, Sri Krishna who is charioteering our Bharata to a new Dawn.

[image error]

 

Echoing Krishna’s words from the Gitaand also the Isha Upanishadic phrase – “Uttishta Bharata!  Krato smara.  kṛtaṁ smara “

Awake, Bharata. May we remember thegreat deeds of our ancestors, May we rise again to their consciousness!

This issue will focus on the Veda,which has very rightly been called ‘the foundation of Sanatan Dharma’.

SushrutBadhe is a disciple of Sri.M.R.Damle and is a manufacturer of ayurvedicmedicines at his guru’s factory—KVMResearch Labs. His prose journey began with writing articles for SriAurobindo’s action in 2015 and he has a habit of writing poetry in rhymes.

 

83) Everyday Heroes 3- Creation of Sristi - Sri Aurobindos Action Journal

The creation of “Sristi” Growing up in an orphanage for disabled and non disabled children for over fifteen summers, Karthikeyan G. learnt one important principle of life- All humans are equal.  He grew up sharing all moments of togetherness, joy and responsibility with his big family at the orphanage.  Growing up he had to reconcile with the harsh truth that the world outside was not as adaptive or co-operative to the intellectually and physically disabled as was his home. Overcoming all odds he went on to successfully complete his academic education and became a psychologist.  One would easily assume that this was the pivotal achievement in the life of a child growing up in an orphanage. Well, Kartikeyan or Sristi Karthik as he is now often called, was not the one who would sit idle for he had a great mission on his hands.He had realized that there was a stubborn wall of discrimination in the society that separated the so called ‘normal’ individuals from those with special needs. His siblings from the orphanage had to face excessive hurdles in their attempts towards leading a self-reliant life of dignity.  And so he returned and he decided to do something about it. He set up the Sristi foundation to enable and empower the disabled individuals to stand firmly in the society. The Sristi foundation has three wings: The Sristi Village, Sristi Special School and Sristi Vocational Training Centre. In 2013 The Sristi Foundation generated funds from friends, supporters and volunteers to purchase 8.39 acres of cultivable land just outside Kunamangalam Village. The Members of Sristi village participate actively in the various agricultural projects that have stemmed up and adhere to the traditional South Indian as well as the modern organic farming practices. The Sristi special school aims at providing holistic education to the children with special needs and the aim of the vocational training centre is to empower the disabled to lead a holistic life with self-respect.The main purpose of the Sristi is to provide an opportunity for intellectually disabled persons and equip them with some basic skills so that they can be in a position to generate their own income or at least become partially independent.  The residents of Sristi Village live in a hut made of bamboo and mud. A solar water pump provides water to this 100% eco friendly village.  Corn and millets are the main crops growing at the moment and new projects such as mushroom farming and an apiary are in the pipeline for want of funds. You will be happy to note that the first step towards setting up of a dairy at Sristi village was made when generous donors donated a cow Nisha and her beautiful daughter Lakshmi! This was really exciting news at Sristi as the produced milk (after feeding Lakshmi of course), would further the foundation’s aims of attaining self-sufficiency.At 32, the young hero and founding director of Sristi Village has got just the right blend of energy and experience to materialize his altruistic dream. His work has already begun to get recognized nationally and internationally. For those who may be interested to know or support this wonderful project, Do visit the place! I am sure you will see Karthik welcoming you with a  brilliant smile wider than the skies:
SRISTI FOUNDATION
Pondy-Mailam Road, Thazhuthali Village Tindivanam T.k.,
Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu – 604 304,India
E-mail: sristivillage@gmail.com

82) Dora's Article -Everyday Heroes: Article 2 from Sri Aurobindo's Action

“Love alone can put an end to the sufferings of the world” – The MotherAction can begin anywhere and the story of Dora Vandana is a remarkable inspiration that can even stir a stone into action. Surrounded by tubes in the cancer ward of JIPMER hospital she fought death and won and came up with a novel idea of setting up an organization – Quilling Cancer.org ! What was just an idea soon became a reality with the help of friends and family who sourced quilling paper, glue and the other things necessary into her ward.From the diary of Dora Vandana: Her Cancer Soul“She was a happy and beautiful soul until that day. Her blood results showed possible blastswhich meant she had to undergo bone marrow tests to confirm if she had the dreadful BloodCancer or not. Her perfect little world shattered into a million pieces the moment she heard thenews. She thought this was the end. Giving up seemed more easier than fighting back. Thedoctors explained about the treatment process i.e. chemotherapy. None of what they said seemedto make sense. Why me? Why now? Am I being punished for something I did?  She had allstrange questions in her mind. She couldn't stop crying. She didn’t know if crying actually helpedbut that was all she could do for the next couple of days.She was surrounded by loved ones as soon as they heard the news. She could not utter a word toany of them. All she did was hugging them and cry. Slowly she started seeing the loved ones -family and friends around her and realized she had so much to live for. She was neither ready toleave them nor ready to let go of everything. She wanted to be a part of all her loved ones livesfor many years to come. It was then she realized she had a reason to live, a purpose to strive.She saw a little girl. That little one did not look different from any other 5 year old, but this onewas different. They were both stuck in the same oncology ward. She was drawn to the little one’senergy and zest for life. She also met doctors who strive 24/7. All they ever wanted was that theirpatients should get well. They not only treated her disease but helped her to stay happy andremain positive throughout this ordeal. Neither the little one nor the doctors may know that inher most crucial time, they were her true heroes.She had to go through 4 intense cycles of chemotherapy. She had excruciating pain which madeher want to scream, which she in fact did most of the time. It was 5 long months of being lockedup inside a hospital room. She was in hospital for her most favorite holidays of the year -Christmas, New Year and Easter. She just wished these holidays to be better next year.She spent more time with family. She didn’t have a choice. She learnt to pray again. The dayswere painful. She wished to be dead than undergoing all this. But she survived each day and thisgave her faith. She believed in the existence of God. She considered herself blessed because shedidn't have to go through any of this alone. She had a loving and supporting family and friends.Without them she was not sure what the outcome would have been.After 5 long months in hospital she was home again. It felt good to be home. But when shelooked at herself in mirror she saw an ugly bald and fat shapeless figure. She was no longerpretty. She couldn’t recognize the image in front of her. She was too shy to go out or meet new
people. But only she knew what her body went through. She realized it didn’t matter how shelooked because her loved ones continued to love her. Although she was happy to be home andhappy to be in remission she couldn’t sleep at nights. She was too scared to close her eyes andsleep. She thought she would wake up with Cancer again. She couldn’t bear the thought ofhaving to go through all this again. With each passing day she said to herself even if she had togo through all of this again she wouldn’t be alone. She would still have her family and friendsaround.Cancer changed her whole outlook of life. She didn’t realize how much she took life and healthfor granted until she knew hers was in jeopardy. Everyone said she was courageous throughoutbut she thought it was survival and anyone would have done the same.But looking back at it today, she realized it did take courage and strength to face Cancer the wayshe did. Until then Cancer meant death but now she had a whole new definition for it. Cancermade her realize it didn’t matter how she looked or what odds she had to face- she was everready to face them all. She now considers each day as a blessing.She not only survived but evolved as a warrior...!!!!”Today Quilling Cancer.org’s facebook page has, in a short time received over 500 likes and over200 orders for her designer beads and fusion jhumkas which she designed at the hospital. And onthe eve of August she donated her first 100 sets of coloring books and crayons for the childrenwho were admitted in the cancer ward.About the immortal Self it is said in the Bhagavad Gita in the verses 23 and 24 of the SecondAdhyaya:
That which no weapon can decapitateThat which no inferno can incinerateThat which even the waters can wet notAnd which the mighty winds can dry not |23|This ‘Self’ indestructible and incombustibleIs immutable, imperishable and insolubleIn its inertial stillness it is omnipresentAgeless and timeless, everywhere it is present |24|
Her page information reads: “We Quill to Kill the psychosis that comes with Cancer. Theproceeds of the sales amounts that come from our quilling go to help the cancer victims.”
Whosoever may be interested can visit https://www.facebook.com/quillingcancer

81) Everyday Heroes: From driving Auto-rickshaws to driving change - Sri Aurobindo's Action- July 2015 Issue

A little upset at being over-charged, I ranted to a friend that all auto rickshaw drivers in Pondicherry are the same. He very politely cut me off and told me that all are not the same. He then went on further to tell me of the story of one man- that not only left me misty eyed but also taught me a very valuable life lesson- to never make stereotypical generalizations. And it is this wonderful man’s life’s story that I wish to proudly share with the readers.I am thankful to the editors of Sri Aurobindo’s Action for the opportunity to write about him as I feel that even though he himself doesn’t seek any name or recognition, his work demands to be recognized by the society.
Mr.Mohan, an ordinary auto rickshaw driver who being true to his profession-regularly ferried all his customers with the love and respect that they deserved. His customers came from all walks of life and ranged from little school children and youngsters to adults and senior citizens. Every customer who boarded his auto rickshaw, boarded in with a mini-world of his own. To put in his own words he learnt a thousand different things about life from his interactions with the customers.It was during his observations that he understood that the most neglected section of the society was that of the aged, especially in the lower income households. He used to come across a lot of destitute lying on the streets badly in need for medical assistance and it was then that he firmly resolved to look after at least one elderly person in his life.
In 2002, despite his financial limitations, he founded the Sharon Society of Pondicherry to further his cause and in 2008 – with ten inmates he started the Pushapagandhi home for the aged and the destitute by acquiring a rented home for addressing their food, accommodation, clothing and medical needs free of cost. He did not receive any government aid for his service and later on was forced to leave his profession as an auto driver so that he may be able to focus towards his social calling.Apart from these ventures, he also organizes blood camps, de-addiction counseling for druggists and smokers, reconciliation of families through counseling, tailoring and embroidery training for women etc. and also has recently started a centre for special children. He has also received many awards for his work but he likes to work silently.
Today despite being 55 and suffering a heart-attack in 2011 owing to an unexpected demise of a beloved friend, Mr.Mohan, along with his wife and their lovely three year old daughter- dedicates his time performing service- life’s greatest purpose and continues to work towards his dream of setting up a self-sufficient home for Sharon Society. A generous benefactor recently gave Sharon Society a land of 4250 sq.ft to realize the dream!
Will you not visit him sometime to see and support the wonderful work he is doing?For those in Pondicherry who wish to visit him, PushpaGandhi Home for the Aged. No. 41, 3rd Cross, Kurinji Nagar, Lawspet, Puducherry – 605008. E-mail : sharonmohan.org@gmail.com“Love has no need to destroy in order to transform. It has the direct power of transformation”-          The Mother

80) Story- The Spirit of the game- Sri Aurobindo's Action- April 2015 Issue (?)

Story: The Spirit of the game
The young boy was in tears. He had been practicing for many months for his school’s badminton tournament but he had lost in the very first round.His opponent had beaten him so comfortably that the boy felt completely demoralized when he returned home.His father who was a former champion of the game saw him entering and putting on a long face. So He asked him-“How did the match go? Did you have fun?”The boy replied-“I lost and I have had enough. I am not going to play the game anymore. I will always lose!”The father said: “But playing a sport is not about winning or losing.”The boy quipped: “It is easy for you to say that. You always won! How can you say that the game is not about winning?”The father replied: “Aah! I use to think the same way in the beginning. But everything changed after I saw the perfect match. ”Anxiously, the boy asked: “The perfect match, really? What happened then? Please tell me”The father smiled and gestured to the chair next to him: “Of course. I would love to. Have a seat and listen closely-
Many years ago when I was your age, I had got an opportunity to see the women’s finals of a national tournament. I was very excited as my coach had told me that both the players were amongst the best in the world and one amongst them was someone who had learnt the game at my home court.
I had gone there just to see her play and learn from her. So, I found a seat for myself that gave me a complete view of all her movements and I had even brought a scribbling pad to jot down my observations. And finally, the announcements were made-the referee and line umpires had taken their respective positions and the final game of the tournament began:-
“The player descended unto her court. She then closed her eyes for a moment. And when she opened them, her entire world - with all its chaos, anxiety and excitement had vanished.
She walked to the center and with a silent nod acknowledging the presence of her opponent (who would soon witness the spectacle). She then took her stance. She did not feel the aggressive fire within her that normally accompanied the adrenaline rush. Instead she felt an altogether new emotion, as she said a small prayer to the mother, - A slow cool fire arose within, cloaking her entire being. Every cell in her body spoke of only one word - Love. And the game began -with a love for all.
Everyone watched stunned, for never before had they witnessed such a performance. It was not a match.It was a dance - A dance of force and love in consecration to the lord. Every stroke was beautiful in itself - deliberate and complete. The fastest of smashes and the most delicate of drops both conveyed the underlying fluid grace.
And her rhythmic movement - had a music of its own. She was nobody's nemesis, even her opponent felt no despair. For they were both very much a part of the duet of forces- which brought joy to every eye that could see and every ear that could hear. Everybody was a part of this - this glorious moment that would remain frozen in time. There was no Loser.
There was only one winner - The manifesting spirit of the game and that winner was the one in all. In the eye of the player who won the final point. In the eye of the other player who felt grateful to be a part of the event. And in the eyes of the spectators who witnessed the joy of being a part of it.
And that son, was the perfect game. It was neither about winning nor losing. It was about the blossoming of the inner spirit, about progressing physically and mentally towards perfection. And that is how any game must be played!
Now, I believe I won’t see you crying again just because you lost a match, will I?”
The boy said with a bright smile: “ Of course not. Okay then, I think I have to go now. I will be back soon.”
The father asked: “Where are you going now?”
“I have to go watch the rest of the tournament and cheer the other friends of mine who are playing. Bye now” – grinning cheekily, the boy ran back to the court.

79) To Know the Divine- Feb 2015, Sri Aurobindo's Action

Every evening, the boy would sit next to his master’s chair andlisten to his master’s discourses with rapt attention.Discussions with the Master had revealed to him a whole new world full of new dimensions and many wondrous possibilities.The boy could only grasp what his tiny brain would allow him to. But his life was very simple.He had no worries as his surrender was pure and his mind crystal clear. His faith had taught him that the Master would always un-complicate any problem in a jiffy.And so the boy enjoyed a carefree and happy existence.
The ways of the world occasionally brought some questions that would cause confusion tofervently knock at his door.But his master always ensured that the doubts never remained indoors.
This time, A new doubt had arisen in the lad’s mind. The boy approached his master and asked with an air of utmost seriousness: "What should my goal be Master - to know the Divine?         (or) - to become an instrument of the Divine?"
The master just replied in a line with a smile:"To know the Divine by becoming an instrument of the Divine".
The boy laughed with glee as the answer to his burning question was found. The best way to know the divine was by becoming an instrument of the Divine- how simple indeed!The boy’s mind was once more free to resume his joyous everyday routine- to strive towards establishing a better tomorrow for the sake of the new world that would soon be.

78) Sri Aurobindo's Call For Action - First Editorial-March 2015 Issue-Sri Aurobindo's Action Journal

Sri Aurobindo’s Call for Action“When I come back I wish to see some of you becoming rich, rich not for yourselves but that you may enrich the Mother with your riches. I wish to see some of you becoming great, great not for your own sakes, not that you may satisfy your own vanity, but great for her, to make India great, to enable her to stand up with head erect among the nations of the earth, as she did in the days of the yore when the world looked up to her for light. Even those who will remain poor and obscure, I want to see their very poverty and obscurity devoted to the Motherland.” – Sri AurobindoThis was Sri Aurobindo’s final advice to the youth as the principal of the Bengal National College in 1907 before he receded from all social activities to begin his task of summoning the great supramental manifestation. He had stressed the need for a band of devoted servants who were willing to serve the motherland selflessly with naught but a bare maintenance and a roof over their heads.This message resonates even more strongly today and Sri Aurobindo’s force echoes ever more loudly in every heart that hearkens to His call. Though India today has risen to become a formidable player in the world front, her challenges too have become manifold. With the largest youth population in the world, we as a nation areheading by default towards our promised destiny of becoming a world leader. But there is a dire need to introspect as to how firmly we have answered this call of duty. In retrospect, one may as well ask oneself the very same question.“What is needed now is a band of spiritual workers whose tapasya will be devoted to the libeLet all of us unite and play our own role, either individually or collectively,so that our nation shall soon fulfill its destiny of becoming the Jagadguru (Guru of the World)!
Indeed, it will be a beautiful day when we shall hear our children of tomorrow sing-
“Where on every branch, you find birds of gold nestled- that nation- that Bharath- is my motherland. Glory be to the light of the world.”