Louis Brandeis
18 Nov 2009 1 Comment
in Quotations Tags: BAPS, India
“No one can really pull you up very high — you lose your grip on the rope. But on your own two feet you can climb mountains.”
– Louis Brandeis
About Louis Brandeis
American judge Louis Brandeis was the first Jewish Supreme Court Justice, and one of the most influential Justices in the history of the Court. He was born in Kentucky in 1856 to Czech-born parents. He graduated from high school at age 14 and later became head of his class at Harvard Law School. As a Justice, many of his decisions created greater protections for individual rights of privacy and free speech. He died in 1941. Brandeis University was named in his honor.
BAPS Annakut
19 Oct 2009 Leave a Comment
in Art and Crafts Tags: Art, BAPS
BAPS Annakut October 2009
‘Nutan Varsh’ literally means ‘dawn of the New Year’, also called ‘Bestu Varsh’.
The Hindu New Year’s day, of the Vikram era is Kartik sud 1.
Pictures from Our Miami Mandir, located in Boynton Beach, Florida
Mystic India
20 Aug 2009 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: BAPS, India
Mystic India rediscovers India, a land of many mysteries and fascinations, the one land that all desire to see. Home of the Himalayas, the tallest mountains, India is our world’s largest and oldest democracy, and contains an amazing wealth of wisdom, culture and spirituality. And within this earliest civilization known to mankind, lie hidden mystical secrets. It lies hidden in India’s silent spirituality, making her a mystic land of meditation, contemplation and enlightenment.
This entertaining, educating and enlightening giant screen film (15perf/70mm) rediscovers India, a land of many mysteries and fascinations. It is the world’s first large format epic on India. A period film set 200 years back in time, it retraces the incredible journey of an 11-year old child yogi, Neelkanth. In 1792 AD, he walked for 12,000 km continuously for 7 years, barefoot and barebody, through the length and breadth of India, from the Himalayas to the southern sea-shores. Based on this inspiring true-life story and journey all over India, the film explores unique elements of India.
The essence and message of “Mystic India” that there can be Unity in Diversity, that we are a single human family, capable of living together, loving one another.
http://www.mysticindia.com/
True Friendship
20 Aug 2009 Leave a Comment
in Books Tags: BAPS, Friendship
101 Tales of Wisdom – As Told By Yogiji Maharaj
A Prince and the Minister’s son were out hunting in the forests. Both were hungry and exhausted after a long day’s wandering. They found the cool shade of a tree and sat down to rest. Soon, the prince fell asleep, while the minister’s son stayed awake and kept guard.
A while later a snake slithered towards the prince. Hissing furiously, it prepared to bite him. However, the minister’s son was quick. He raised his sword. But before he could kill it, the snake spoke up, “This prince was my enemy in my past life. I cannot rest until I drink blood from his neck.”
The minister’s son wanted to save his friend’s life and he was also intelligent. “Then, what if I give you some of his blood to drink. Will that quench you hate?” Saying this, he knew he was saving the life of the price because if the snake bit him, to draw blood, it would at the same time spit poison that was sure to kill his friend.
The snake agreed. He was only after the prince‘s blood, not his life.
The minister’s son made a cup out of dry leaves. He climbed upon the chest of the prince who was still fast asleep. He pulled out his dagger and made a small slit on the side of his neck. The sharp cut suddenly shocked the prince awake. But on seeing that his friend, the minister’s son, was holding the dagger, he closed his eyes again.
The minister’s son filled the cup with enough blood and offered it to the snake, which drank the blood and went its way. Meanwhile, he collected some medicinal herbs and bandaged the wound. A few hours later, the prince awoke and made preparations to proceed further. He said nothing and walked happily as it nothing had happened. Two whole days passed in the forest, yet the prince never reminded him of the event. It was the minister’s son who began to grow impatient, as to why he was not questioned.
He finally said, “Friend and master, you know that I climbed upon you and slit your throat, drew blood and then bandaged you. You even saw me do it. Still why haven’t you yet questioned me or asked me for an explanation?”
“You are a friend of mine,” the prince answered. “I believe that whatever you may have done must have been for my good. This is why I desire no explanation.” He continued, “If someone else had attempted this, I would have been suspicious. Does he want to kill me or rob me? But with you, I know you’re a very close friend and I have boundless trust in you – that my friend shall never ever do any harm to me.”
This is the mark of true friendship. A friend is he who is harsh to you if it brings greater good. And in return, he who does not sulk or feel hurt by the actions of his friend is a true friend.
