OA yp ine” Guidelines to Householders & Youth COSY H.H. Shrimad Sudhindra Thirtha Swami of Shri Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi (CRY) RULEA Happy Life Guidelines to Householders & Youth Exposition by H. H. Shrimad Sudhindra Thirtha Swami of Shree Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi 1998 G.S.B. Sabha, Mumbai 4-5 “Heera House”, 76 Bhaudaji Road Matunga, Mumbai 400 019This publication may be published in full or part in newspapers and magazines with an acknowledgement to G.S.B. Sabha (Mumbai) First Published : July 1998 5,000 copies Cover photo : Mohan Wagh Cover design : Raja Marathe Price : Rs. 10/- Rupees 12/- by ordinary post. Send amount by D.D. No cheques, No M.O. No VPP. Copies available at G.S.B. Sabha office at “Heera House”, Bhaudaji Road, Matunga, Mumbai 400 019. (Office timings :; 5.00 to 7.00 P.M. on weekdays. Closed on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays). This booklet is published for the benefit of general public, particularly the youth, by placing before them guiding principles for a happy life based on eternal values. The publication has been nominally priced to cover the cost of printing and distribution. Surplus, if any, will be donated to Sri Madhavendra Hospital run by Sri Vedavyasa Charitable Trust at Sri Vyasashram, of Shree Kashi Math Samsthan, Haripur Marg, P.O. Sadhubela, Haridwar 249 410. This Hospital is providing medical care, particularly free treatment and medicines for tuberculosis, to poor patients irrespective of caste, creed and community. Printed and published by C. V. Gole at Chintanakshar Grafics, 16, Hanuman Industrial Estate, G. D.Ambekar Marg, Wadala, Mumbai — 400 031, O Phones : 411 4932 © 412 2376.Introduction Every individual seeks happiness in life It is being increasingly realised that mere wealth, material comforts or formal education and attainments do not confer happiness on individuals. Our great sages had expounded through various holy books and epics everlasting wisdom which enabled individuals to lead a happy life. These basic tenets need to be reinterpreted every now and then to make them relevant to the changing times. This little publication is one such effort. It contains guidelines for householders and youth on how to lead a happy life. This exposition in simple terms is from one of the great sages of modern times, His Holiness Shrimad Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji of Shree Kashi Math Samsthan of Varanasi. Shree Kashi Math has headquarters in Varanasi, with Maths in various parts of India. Most of them are in Western India where the devotees and followers of the Samsthan, the Gowd Saraswat Brahmins, are living The Maths include a 200-year old one at Prayag or Allahabad. One was recently opened in New Delhi. The ten-year-old Sri Vyasashram at Haridwar is a beautiful monument to Lord Vedavyas, the presiding deity of the Samsthan. The recorded history of Shree Kashi Math Samsthan goes back to 16th century. A succession of holy and saintly Swamijis of Shree Kashi Math Samsthan have guided their followers in leading a life of Dharma. One of them, His Holiness Shrimad Madhavendra Thirtha Swamiji, attained “jeevant samadhi” in 1775. That shrine at Shree Kashi Math on the banks of Banaganga in Walkeshwar,Introduction Every individual seeks happiness in life It is being increasingly realised that mere wealth, material comforts or formal education and attainments do not confer happiness on individuals. Our great sages had expounded through various holy books and epics everlasting wisdom which enabled individuals to lead a happy life. These basic tenets need to be reinterpreted every now and then to make them relevant to the changing times. This little publication is one such effort. It contains guidelines for householders and youth on how to lead a happy life. This exposition in simple terms is from one of the great sages of modern times, His Holiness Shrimad Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji of Shree Kashi Math Samsthan of Varanasi. Shree Kashi Math has headquarters in Varanasi, with Maths in various parts of India, Most of them are in Western India where the devotees and followers of the Samsthan, the Gowd Saraswat Brahmins, are living. The Maths include a 200-year old one at Prayag or Allahabad. One was recently opened in New Delhi. The ten-year-old Sri Vyasashram at Haridwar is a beautiful monument to Lord Vedavyas, the presiding deity of the Samsthan The recorded history of Shree Kashi Math Samsthan goes back to 16th century. A succession of holy and saintly Swamijis of Shree Kashi Math Samsthan have guided their followers in leading a life of Dharma. One of them, His Holiness Shrimad Madhavendra Thirtha Swamiji, attained “jeevant samadhi” in 1775, That shrine at Shree Kashi Math on the banks of Banaganga in Walkeshwar,Mumbai, attracts hundreds of devotees who firmly believe on the basis of their personal experience that prayers in front of the shrine are always answered. It is of interest to note that Lord Willingdon became the Viceroy and Governor-General of India on being blessed by His Holiness Shrimad Varadendra Thirtha Swamiji who was known for his spiritual powers, mastery of holy books, Ayurveda, various languages as also engineering skills, particularly the dismantling and repair of watches. The story goes that towards the end of his term as the Governor of the then Bombay Presidency, Lord Willingdon sought and got an interview with Shrimad Varadendra Thirtha Swamiji. After a discussion lasting over an hour, when taking leave, he was asked what his plans were after retirement. Lord Willingdon is said to have smiled and replied that though as a Governor he was a very important person in India, after going back to England, he would be an ordinary person, perhaps leading the life of a country gentleman. Asked whether there was a higher post for promotion, Willingdon replied that the only post was that of the Viceroy, but that was beyond his reach as it was reserved for more important persons than himself. Shrimad Vara- dendra Thirtha Swamiji blessed him saying that he would return to India on a higher post. Political circum- stances in U.K. led to selection of Lord Willingdon, an “Qld India hand”, as the Viceroy. HLH. Sukrateendra Thirtha Swamiji initiated H.H. Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji as the twentieth Pontiff of the Samsthan in 1944. Trained by his Guru who attained Samadhi in 1949, thereafter H.H. Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji guided the destiny of the Samsthan. During this period, all the Maths were renovated. By constant travel to different parts of India, followers of the Samsthan were given guidance in religious matters and a new awakening was created among them. The Swamiji iihas inspired his followers to engage themselves in philanthropic activities such as medical care of the poor. At the end of 50 years of sanyas deeksha, H.H. Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji handed over charge of the Samsthan to disciple H.H. Shrimad Raghavendra Thirtha Swamiji. The Swamiji retired to Sri Vyasashram at Haridwar, which was built in 1988 as a mcnument to Lord Vedavyas, the presiding deity of the Samsthan, to propagate the basic tenets of Dharma not only to GSB followers of the Samsthan but to humanity at large to whom they are applicable. Swamiji is now engaged in a major project at Kalpi (near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh) which is the birthplace of Lord Vedavyas. The project is meant to symbolise and propagate the universal philos- ophy of Vedavyas. The Swamiji has been leading an ascetic life of unremitting discipline for over 50 years. For instance, there has not been a single day’s omission of various Pujas. The Swamiji is revered as a great Saint. According to Rashtrakavi Govind Pai, a great scholar of spiritual lore, historian and Kannada Poet Laureate, H.H. Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji is a great “Yati” (sage). Well-versed in several languages, a great scholar of Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayan, Mahabharata, Srimad Bhagwata, Bhagawad Gita and ancient scriptures, Shrimad Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji is averse to publicity and avoids it. Entreaties to visit western countries have been turned down by His Holiness on the ground that His Holiness considers his guidance to followers in India as primary duty and that should be attended to. Though well-versed in current happenings, His Holiness confines himself only to guidance of followers and whoever comes to him with regard to religious matters. The simple message of Swamiji to his followers and others is to lead a pure and simple life of humility, iiirighteousness and contentment, and to do as much good as possible by serving humanity. Thousands of his followers have found solace and peace of mind in Swamiji’s teachings and blessings, and they adore him In order to record some of the essential teachings of Swamiji for the benefit of a wider audience, Swamiji was good enough to agree to give a series of sessions expounding the basic teachings. They have been published in this booklet. If there are any shortcomings, they are due to my inability to record these views better. If the publication guides and inspires a large number of people, especially the youth, it is only due to the blessing of His Holiness Srimad Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji. The G.S.B. Sabha was started in 1934 with the blessings of H. H. Shrimad Sukrateendra Thirtha Swamiji and has had the blessings of H. H. Srimad Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji at its silver, golden and diamond jubilees. The premises were also blessed by Swamiji’s “Chaturmas” stay in 1997. It is a privilege for the Sabha to publish this booklet. —M.R. Pai Trustee G.S.B. Sabha 25th June, 1998 MumbaiA Happy Life Guidelines to Householders & Youth Exposition by H. H. Shrimad Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji of Shree Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi. An ideal household An ideal household is one in which all members love each other. They cooperate with each other. They mutually share joys and sorrows. It is essential to help other members of the family when they need help. There should be no feeling that “This is my work, this is not mine.” All work of the household is everyone’s work and it has to be done in a spirit of love and cooperation. In such a household, there is harmony and peace of mind for all members. An ideal household should be run systematically. Everything should be arranged neatly and kept in its place. All people do not have large houses. However, even a small house can be arranged neatly and kept clean. In an ideal household, there should be respect for elderly people on the part of youngsters, and elderly people should love the youngsters, and give them guidance. There should be a place, even a small corner in a small house, for prayer and worship. All members should pray at such a corner set apart for prayer and worship. Joint worship and prayers such as bhajans are also important in keeping a household as a harmonious unitA Tulasi plant, which is worshipped with faith, should be maintained in every household. It has a purifying effect on environment and is good for health. The hallmarks of an ideal household are regular Prayers to God and cooperation among family members. Guidelines to Youth Youth is the most precious period in a person’s life. It should not be wasted in any way. On the contrary, it should be put to the fullest use, to make one’s life happy and successful. In youth, one has great energy and enthusiasm and good health. When old age creeps in, although a person may have intelligence, money and all other resources, declining health, lack of energy and lack of the same degree of enthusiasm as in youth come in the way of great accomplishments. Young people should cultivate good habits which will last them for a lifetime. For instance, getting up early in the morning, cleanliness of the body, regular prayers and worship of God are good habits to be cultivated in young age. These habits lay a solid foundation for a happy and successful life. For good health, regular physical exercise is necessary. In youth, one should cultivate such a habit of regular exercise. The body functions properly only when it goes through the routine of daily exercise. Such daily exercise helps digestion of food, keeps the limbs in good shape for an active life, and contributes to a healthy life. The benefits of regular exercise and a healthy life become all the more evident as old age slowly replaces youth. The biggest enemy of youth is idleness. It should be shunned as poison. Idleness in youth does not mean merely lack of any purposeful work. Idleness in young age turns the mind of youth to evil and destructive 2activities. Every moment of life should be engaged in doing one’s duty and useful work. Apart from doing one’s duty well, young age is the proper time to learn to serve others. Service of one’s fellow human beings is an integral part of a happy life. There are innumerable opportunities to serve society. It is a way in which one helps the less fortunate or those who need help. Service teaches one many virtues such as humility and love. These virtues help one to lead a happy life, particularly in old age. Service to one’s fellow-human. beings is one of the best ways of pleasing God. Young people should learn to distinguish between good and bad, and avoid all evil in life. Bad qualities like gossip should be avoided with determination. One of the worst things which should be fought in early life is anger. Anger leads one to do things without any reasoning or forethought, and this surely results in repentence. Therefore, anger should be controlled and avoided right from one’s youth. One good quality every young person should cultivate is reading. It is a habit. From young age religious books should be read. One should also read books on philosophy, various useful subjects, and good story books or novels which are considered to be classics. One advantage of reading is accumulation of a great deal of useful knowledge. It also helps one to be busy even when there is no company. A good book is a good companion. The habit of reading is specially useful in old age when people find that they become increasingly lonely. There is a belief that one turns to religion and God only in old age. Just as one should learn to serve humanity in young age, one should also take keen interest in religion early in life. Daily and incessant 3prayers to God for grace should form an integral part of the life of every human being right [rom childhood. God listens to every prayer from a sincere soul. The est form of prayer is only for God's grace, and nothing else. A prayer for welfare and happiness of others is always pleasing to God. A purposeful life of duty, prayer to God and service to one’s fellow human beings develops in one the great quality of love. This is the surest way to lead a happy life. Dharma and Work Ethic God has assigned a specific role to everyone in life. One should find out what it is and fulfil it to the best of one’s ability. There is a code of conduct for everyone. Whatever is done, should be according to that code of conduct, i.e., dharma, if one is to lead a happy life. “Dharmagrantas” have outlined these basic principles of righteous living. Our great seers and rishis have found these basic tenets of life by their meditation and spiritual exercises. A person should guard himself or herself against six enemies, called “Shadvairies”. They are, “Kama”, “Krodha”, “Lobha”, Moha”, Mada” and “Matsara”. Of these “Kama” or insatiable desire for sensuous pleasure and “Krodha” or anger are very difficult to control. A person should be extremely careful to see that they do not take control of one’s life.. They never lead to happy life. Sensuous desires can never be satisfied. They lead one to crave for more and more desires. Ultimately, a person degrades himself by submitting to this endless chain of desires, and becomes unhappy. The other four enemies, “Lobha” (greed), “Mada” (pride), “Moha’ (delusion), and “Matsarya” (jealously) are 4also always present. Of these “Matsarya” or jealousy is the worst. A person under its influence will stoop to the worst of deeds to harm others. One should be careful not to come under its influence, and also careful of persons who are possessed of it. If it is possible, one should totally avoid or minimise contacts with such people. Some o* these persons, possessed of the spirit of jealousy, cannot bear the prosperity or good name or achievements of others. Their external behaviour does not betray their real thinking. Once the mask is penetrated, such persons should be avoided. In every person, evil tendencies are always present, and ever eager to manifest themselves. Good qualities are to be cultivated and coaxed to manifest themselves. Truth is the great principle which should guide one in all activities, if one seeks permanent happiness and peace in life. Happy is that person whose thoughts, words and deeds are based on truth, and are well- coordinated. Even greater than truth is “Ahimsa” or non-violence. Ahimsa more correctly means compassion towards all and not hurting anyone by thought, word and deed. Even, a truth should not be told to hurt anyone deliberately. The saying “Ahimsa paramo dharma’, i.e. non-violence or compassion is the greatest of righteous principles, sums up the ultimate basis of living. If a person can implement that principle in life, that person’s life can be said to be truly successful. Lessons from Epics & Holy Books In the reading of good books, naturally study of epics and holy books gets the place of pride. Such reading is beneficial not only from viewpoint of one’s personality development, but also spiritual advancement of the individual. a1) “Ramayana” This epic has been described as “Adikavya”, the first great poem. Its beauty can be savoured well by those who have studied Samskrit. In some passages Valmiki brings out the ultimate in description of human emotions. Even those who.cannot read the original in Samskrit have a lot to learn from this great epic. “Ramaycna” portrays the ideal of “Manushya Dharma” or righteous living of a human being in society. The Lord assuming the human form as Rama demonstrates how an individual has to conduct himself according to precepts of dharma in various and even difficult circumstances. The most important virtue portrayed is that of “Vinaya” or utmost humility. Lord Rama himself is humility personified under all circumstances, whether he willingly accepts his step-mother Kaikeyi’s cruel fiat of going to the forest for 14 years, or deals with Vali and Sugriva. His greatest devotee Hanuman is also humility personified. For instance, though he himself was known for his limitless power and strength, he tells Mother Sita in Ravana’s Ashok Vana that there are warriors far more mightier than him in the monkey brigade which came to Lord Rama’s help. Bharata presents another picture of humility personified. Imbibing the virtue of humility befits every individual. Another great quality highlighted by various events and personalities in “Ramayana” is selfless love for others. Such an attitude of selfless love enables one to sail through many storms in life. “Ramayana” has warned mankind that self-praise and self-aggrandisement are to be avoided. Under no circumstances should one boast of one’s own powers and 6achievements. They are to be recognised by others, not advertised by oneself. The importance of bhakti or devotion is brought out in several episodes. There is an assurance that God always takes care of His devotees. The way Lord Rama tended to Jatayu on his deathbed and performed last rites as if he were performing last rites of His own father shows the unbounded love which the Lord has for His devotees. Likewise, there is the touching episode of Shabari, a simple and poor woman of great devotion, giving Lord Rama a few fruits after biting each one of them to see that they are sweet enough to be offered to her God. Lord Rama once again brings to the fore God’s unbounded love for His devotees. If a person leads a righteous life and surrenders himself or herself to the Lord, He takes care of His devotees in every way. “Ramayana” also indicates the power of Destiny and how its effects can be mitigated by surrender to the Lord. Lord Rama is committed to protect His devotees under all circumstances. Lord Rama’s virtue of obedience to His father, affection for his brother, love for his subjects, and above all uncompromising commitment to DHARMA or Righteous- ness set an inspiring example to all. 2) “Mahabharata” This is another great epic. It brings out all possible situations a person has to face in this world, and the possible solutions ranging from the brashly unethical and dishonest ones to most ethical and honest ones. The heart of “Mahabharata” is the “Bhagavad Gita” which is rightly described as the essence of the Upanishads. 3) Bhagavad Gita The best description of this classic is Yoga Shastra, i.e., athe science of Yoga in daily life. It has explained the secrets of right action, the spirit in which it is to be performed, and dedicated to the Lord. It is a guidebook to righteous action in the day-to-day world for the benefit of laymen. 4) Shrimad Bhagavata For peace of mind, reading of “Shrimad Bhagavata” is a must. It shows the path of Bhakti or devotion. Reading and assimilating this great book one cannot but imbibe the value of selfless love as the best quality to be cultivated and practised in life. 5) Vedas The Vedas dealt with different aspects of knowledge. They are profound, and repeated reading and years of study are required to appreciate their meaning. They emphasise the importance of cooperation and harmony in all human endeavours. Temples, Maths & Guru Visit to temples and daily worship of God help one to lead a happy life. Worship when done collectively, for instance, through bhajans, has a purifying effect. It leads to general welfare as also personal welfare or “Atmoddara” of the individual. . Worship of God at festivals and on other occasions by many devotees coming together also leads to happiness in life. Visit to sacred places is a great help to cultivate inner purity. Guru parampara has an important place in the life of householders. Lord Brahma was the first Guru of humanity. That tradition has been handed down from guru to shishya from time immemorial Lord Vedavyas expounded the principles of dharmic 8life, “Dharmacharan’”, and the Maths or gurupeeth today foster those principles of dharma. Householders should enrich their life by drinking deep from that fount of wisdom in gurupeeth. The company of the holy and good people, “Satsang”, is another way of finding happiness in life. The Secret of a Happy Life Everyone is in search of happiness. Pursuit of unending desires is the cause of unhappiness. The secret of a happy life is to follow the basic tenets of Dharma like Ahimsa, truth, humility and compassion, and lead a pure and simple life of righteousness.