Vedanta-The Eternities

Recently I had an opportunity to read a book on Vedanta by A. Parthasarthy. His book is called 'The Eternities', Vedanta treatise. This book is about living life on the Vedic principles. Independent of any religion. There is a part in the book which I really liked very much. Very apt because I identify with the writers thoughts. Sharing the same for my friends.

"Few realise that the greatest contributions of humanity can never compensate for the largesse of nature. All the material work you can offer is immaterial. Yet every body hurries and worries about his work. Your approach to life should be to just do what your ought to do. This is the begining and end of your obligations. You are not to brood over or become excited about your duty and responsibility. Your real duty in life is to remain self-poised and self-pleased. Your primary service to the world, your religious duty is to keep yourself peaceful and cheerful. To be sorrowful and miserable is a social, moral and religious crime. You ought not to spread the disease of melancholy to your fellow beings. Instead rejuvenate their health with joy and happiness. This attitude must blend with work.

The moment you are born the good world provides you with everything you need. Oxygen to breath, mother's milk, the right temperature outside and inside and countless other things. You become totally indebted to the world. You must therefore maintain a sense of gratitude through your life.

The German scholar Arthur Schopenhauer has said: It is difficult to find happiness in onself but it is impossible to find it anywhere else.

Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr has described it more exiquistely:

For him in vain the envious seasons roll
Who bears eternal summer in his soul."

Be cheerful and have a great day.

A Poem by Theodre Tilton - This too shall pass away

I am overwhelmed with the response received to this poem. I was reading through a book and found this poem in the book. The fine words of this poem touched a deep cord in my heart and I decided to put it up on the net i.e my blog for others to read it and enjoy too.

Just sharing some statistics with the visitors to my blog- there is an average of 2 hits per day on my blog because someone somewhere is searching for this poem!!!! Also this poem, complete in all respects is only available on my blog, nowhere else on the net (I think so). I have tried searching it myself but was unable to find it.

My only request to all those who visit my blog for this poem, please take time and read through the write-ups I have on blog. It is a promise you will not be disappointed.

This Too Shall Pass Away

Once in Persia reigned a King,
Who upon his signet ring
Graved a maxim true and wise,
Which, if held before his eyes,
Gave him counsel at a glance,
Fit for every change and chance.
Solemn words, and these are they;
"Even this shall pass away."

Trains of camels through the sand
Brought him gems from Samarcand;
Fleets of galleys through the seas
Brought him pearls to match with these;
But he counted not his gain,
Treasures of mine or main;
"What is wealth?" the king would say;
"Even this shall pass away."

Mid the revels of his court,
At the zenith of his sport,
When the palms of all his guests,
Burned with clapping at his jests,
He, amid his figs and wine;
Cried, 'O loving friends of mine;
Pleasures come, but not to stay;
"Even this shall pass away"

Lady, fairest ever seen,
Was the bride he crowned his queen.
Pillowed on his marriage bed,
Softly to his soul he said:
Though no bridegroom ever passed;
Fairer bosom to his breast,
Mortal flesh must come to clay-
"Even this shall pass away"

Fighting on a furious field,
Once a javelin pierced his shield;
Soldiers, with a loud lament,
Bore him bleeding to his tent.
Groaning from his tortured side,
"Pain is hard to bear," he cried;
"But with patience, day by day,
Even this shall pass away.

Towering in the public square,
Twenty cubits in the air,
Rose his statue carved in stone.
Then the king, disguised, unknown,
Stood before his sculptured name,
Musing meekly: "What is fame?"
Fame is but a slow decay;

Even this shall pass away.

Struck with palsy, sore and old,
Waiting at the Gates of Gold,
Said he with his dying breath,
"Life is done, but what is death?"
Then, in answer to the king,
Fell a sun beam on his ring,
"Even this shall pass away."