Enlightening Essays

Essays Archives

Adhyãy 5 - Experiencing Liberation Whilst Alive (Part 1)

Written By: Sadhu Bhadreshdas, Ph.D., D.Litt.Translated By: Sadhu Paramvivekdas

Published On: 15 Nov 2018

Shri Krishna says, ‘योगयुक्तो विशुद्धात्मा विजितात्मा जितेन्द्रियः। सर्वभूतात्मभूतात्मा कुर्वन्नपि न लिप्यते॥’ – ‘Yogayukto vishuddhãtmã vijitãtmã jitendriyaha; Sarvabhootãtmabhootãtmã kurvannapi na lipyate.’ – Meaning: ‘A brahmarup devotee who has control over his body and mind, has a pure atman and is endowed with yoga does karmas without being smeared/stained by them’ (Gitã 5.4).

The Science and Spirituality of Fasting (Part 2)

Written By: Sadhu Mukundcharandas

Published On: 22 Oct 2018

Bharatvarsha is famed for its rishis and mystics, who are equally famed for fasting as a form of sadhana.

The Science and Spirituality of Fasting (Part 1)

Written By: Sadhu Mukundcharandas

Published On: 8 Oct 2018

Fasting has been a survival mechanism for organisms since the advent of life on earth.

The Purpose and Benefits of Fasting

Translated By: Sadhu Vivekjivandas

Published On: 22 Sep 2018

By fasting one’s body may become physically weak, but there are other good energies that are created.

Chaturmas - The Four Sacred Months

Written By: Sadhu Mukundcharandas

Published On: 8 Sep 2018

“No country upon earth rejoices in a longer list of holidays [utsavs] and seasons of rejoicing, qualified by fasts [upvas, vrats], vigils [jagran] and seasons of mortification than India.”

Yogi Yuvak Upvas College

Translated By: Sadhu Amrutvijaydas

Published On: 22 Aug 2018

Yogiji Maharaj had a special fervour for inspiring youths to observe fasts. On many occasions Yogiji Maharaj instructed youths to fast. In particular, if youths lapsed in the observance of niyams and dharma, he would direct them to observe a nirjala (waterless) fast as atonement.

Adhyãy 4 - Faith, Enthusiasm and Self-Control (Part 2)

Written By: Sadhu Bhadreshdas, Ph.D., D.Litt.Translated By: Sadhu Paramvivekdas

Published On: 8 Aug 2018

Enthusiasm is the second step to attaining knowledge. Enthusiasm is needed alongside trust. Enthusiasm is the confluence of intense desire, eagerness and engrossment.

Adhyãy 4 - Faith, Enthusiasm and Self-Control (Part 1)

Written By: Sadhu Bhadreshdas, Ph.D., D.Litt.Translated By: Sadhu Paramvivekdas

Published On: 30 Jul 2018

The Gitã tells us that the faithful attain knowledge. Here, knowledge and faith are both presented together, where knowledge is the ultimate goal and faith is the means to attain it. Realization is the fruit of faith, and peace is the fruit of realization. This is the gist of the shloka.

Burnout: Causes, Consequences and Coping (Part 2)

Written By: Dr Ajay K. Makan (Johannesburg, South Africa)

Published On: 9 Jul 2018

Work engagement is defined as “a positive, fulfilling state of mind characterized by vigour, dedication, energy, involvement, efficacy in opposition to exhaustion, cynicism, and lack of efficacy – the three constituting elements of burnout.”

Burnout: Causes, Consequences and Coping (Part 1)

Written By: Dr Ajay K. Makan (Johannesburg, South Africa)

Published On: 22 Jun 2018

Burnout can manifest in any person in any profession and the number of individuals suffering burnout is continuously on the rise given the demands of the modern work environment.

Adhyãy 4 - Bowing, Enquiring and Serving (Part 2)

Written By: Sadhu Bhadreshdas, Ph.D., D.Litt.Translated By: Sadhu Paramvivekdas

Published On: 8 Jun 2018

Thus, the word sevan tells us a lot. By sevan of the guru, a disciple is able to closely observe the most subtle actions of the guru. By this, the disciple is able to understand the purpose behind those actions and is able to see the guru’s skilful manner of working.

Adhyãy 4 - Bowing, Enquiring and Serving (Part 1)

Written By: Sadhu Bhadreshdas, Ph.D., D.Litt.Translated By: Sadhu Paramvivekdas

Published On: 29 May 2018

Explaining that anyone who wants to attain such knowledge must go to a guru, Shri Krishna says, ‘उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदíशनः’ – ‘Upadekshyanti te gnãnam gnãninastattvadarshinaha’ – ‘Wise and realized men will teach you that knowledge’ (Gitã 4.34).

Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj: Propagator of Akshar-Purushottam Darshan (Part 3)

Published On: 8 May 2018

Shastriji Maharaj never tired in teaching the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan. Until his last breath, he endeavoured to develop this true understanding in all.

Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj: Propagator of Akshar-Purushottam Darshan (Part 2)

Published On: 23 Apr 2018

Shastriji Maharaj used Sarangpur as a base and toured the surrounding villages to teach the message of Akshar and Purushottam.

Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj: Propagator of Akshar-Purushottam Darshan (Part 1)

Published On: 9 Apr 2018

Shastriji Maharaj was a spiritual dynamo, constantly energizing his devotees with the qualities of optimism, enthusiasm, duty and dedication.

The Transforming Company of Gunatitanand Swami (Part 3)

Translated By: Sadhu Mangalnidhidas

Published On: 22 Mar 2018

While Swamishri’s discourses had removed the darkness of ignorance from countless hearts, even his mere darshan and casual actions were enough to dissolve the obstinate perversities of one’s ingrained nature.

The Transforming Company of Gunatitanand Swami (Part 2)

Translated By: Sadhu Mangalnidhidas

Published On: 8 Mar 2018

Due to Swamishri’s blessings, Valera Varu’s village, Nanu Mansa, soon prospered. Due to the abundance of groundwater, the farmers reaped excellent harvests.

The Transforming Company of Gunatitanand Swami (Part 1)

Translated By: Sadhu Mangalnidhidas

Published On: 23 Feb 2018

Gunatitanand Swami inspired transformation in the lives of countless people of varying backgrounds. His life and teachings were such that the illiterate, the wayward and the devout advanced in their spiritual quest, no matter what their starting point.

Inspirer of Spiritual Knowledge

Written By: Sadhu Amrutvijaydas

Published On: 8 Feb 2018

“If you want to learn worldly wisdom then go to Puja Sheth (of Sundariyana). But if you want to attain both worldly wisdom and moksha, then go to Gunatitanand Swami in Junagadh.” This was the final advice given by Gopalanand Swami.

Gunatitanand Swami- A Brief Introduction (Part 2)

Written By: Sadhu Vivekjivandas

Published On: 21 Jan 2018

Gunatitanand Swami’s entire life was centered on reforming the lives of people he met and moved with. He clothed them with the fabric of moral and human values, thus transforming them into respectable citizens of society.

Gunatitanand Swami- A Brief Introduction (Part 1)

Written By: Sadhu Vivekjivandas

Published On: 8 Jan 2018

Once, Mulji, his childhood name, asked a mahant of a group of wandering sadhus, “What is ‘cause’ and what is ‘effect’?” The mahant and the rest of the audience were dumbfounded by his question. Seeing that no one could answer him, Mulji replied, “God is the ultimate cause and this world is God’s creation – an effect.”

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