Drops of Nectar
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1 Drops of Nectar Q A Collection of Teachings By H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji DROPS OF NECTAR 2 Swami Chidanand Saraswati, 2004 Drops of Nectar ISBN: 978-0-9831490-4-0 Copyright © 1999 Swami Chidanand Saraswati These teachings are for everyone, applicable for everyone. In the ancient Indian tradition, wisdom was meant to be shared. Thereby, the reproduction and utilization of this work in any form and by any means is hereby allowed, permitted and encouraged wherever it can be used to benefit people and bring them closer to peace, under the following conditions: 1) That the reproduction is not being used for commercial purposes; and 2) That the reference of this book and the author is properly credited and noted. Please contact us at: Parmarth Niketan P.O. Swargashram; Rishikesh (Himalayas); Uttarakhand - 249 304, India Ph: (0135) 2440077, 2434301; Fax: (0135) 2440066 [email protected] www.parmarth.org & www.ihrf.com Note: from abroad, dial + 91-135 instead of (0135) for phone and fax Cover design by: Divine Soul Dawn Baillie, Los Angeles, California Typset by sevaks at Parmarth Niketan Ashram DROPS OF NECTAR 3 G Dear Divine Soul, May this book fill your life with drops of inspiration, drops of guidance, drops of wisdom, drops of comfort and drops of divinity. May you be uplifted and inspired to follow the Divine Path every minute and every moment of every day. With love and blessings, In the service of God and humanity, Swami Chidanand Saraswati DROPS OF NECTAR 4 DROPS OF NECTAR 5 Table of Contents Blessings from Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji....................3 Preface to the Latest Edition..............................................................8 Preface to the Third Edition..............................................................10 Introduction..................................................................................14 Articles: Vegetarianism.............................................................................20 Overcoming Fear................................................................................33 Desires & Desirelessness.................................................................36 What is True Love?.........................................................................39 The Essence of Spirituality: Service of Others...............................42 Peace – Internal and External..........................................................46 How to Be A Yogi 24 Hours A Day..................................................52 The Eight Limbs of Yoga....................................................................62 Pearls of Wisdom...............................................................................78 Fasting............................................................................................83 Worship of the Mother......................................................................92 The Yagna of Mahatma Gandhi......................................................95 Biodiversity and Nature: Our Responsibility............................100 Pariksha, Samiksha & Pratiksha...................................................103 Corporal Punishment: Is it OK to Hit Our Children?.................106 Significance of Temples....................................................................110 Significance of the Prana Pratishtha Ceremony........................113 A Prayer to God: Mein To Kab Se Teri Sharan Mein Hun.......115 Question & Answer: Rebirth & Reincarnation.............................117 Question & Answer: Prayer............................................................128 Question & Answer: Purity.............................................................136 Question & Answer: Caste System.................................................142 DROPS OF NECTAR 6 Question & Answer: Karma.............................................................146 Question & Answer: Bhagavad Gita...............................................155 Question & Answer: Politics & Religion.....................................162 Stories to Teach Your Mind, Touch Your Heart & Uplift Your Spirit: The Time for A Spiritual Life is Now..............................................167 The Lasting Danger of Anger........................................................173 Judgment: Who is the Saint & Who is the Sinner?....................175 Searching for the Key......................................................................177 Sacred Drops of Blood....................................................................180 Our Endless, Insatiable Desires.....................................................185 Have Faith in the Divine GPS........................................................187 How to Walk the Path of Life........................................................190 The Importance of the Bhagavad Gita in Our Lives...................193 The Saint & the Scorpion – What is Our Dharma?............................196 The Pain of a Broken Connection...................................................199 The Power of Love...........................................................................202 Shake It Off & Step Up................................................................205 Service of Others is the Best Medicine...........................................207 Who is Handicapped?.....................................................................210 Raise Yourself, Don’t Erase Others..............................................212 Footprints....................................................................................215 Love, Success & Wealth..............................................................217 Breaking Through Our Own Shell...............................................219 God’s Helping Hand........................................................................221 Heaven & Hell – Life is What You Make It...................................224 Real Education................................................................................227 Just Do Your Duty & The Rest Will Follow.................................230 The Leaky Bucket............................................................................233 God, You’re My Number 1.............................................................235 It’s the Little Things in Life...........................................................239 We Are Only His Tools................................................................241 Teachings of the Buddha................................................................243 God’s Wife..........................................................................................245 DROPS OF NECTAR 7 Gold Under Boulders......................................................................247 Needle to Heaven.............................................................................250 Every Outstretched Hand is God’s.................................................253 Loyalty of the Birds........................................................................255 Buried Treasure..............................................................................258 Pieces Sent by Others: “Give” by Khalil Gibran....................................................................263 Reasons to Give Thanks.................................................................265 Get A Life..........................................................................................266 “Without the Master” by Kabir........................................................269 Watch & Listen Carefully............................................................270 How to Survive a Heart Attack............................................271 I Am Grateful...................................................................................272 The Tragic Paradox of Our Times...............................................273 God’s Perfection.........................................................................274 More Information: About the Author...........................................................................278 Parmarth Niketan Ashram.............................................................282 International Yoga Festival..............................................................284 Global Interfaith WASH Alliance..................................................286 Encyclopedia of Hinduism..............................................................290 Divine Shakti Foundation...............................................................292 Ganga Action Parivar........................................................................296 Mount Kailash/Mansarovar Tibet Ashrams................................300 Interfaith Humanitarian Network.................................................303 Gurukuls & Orphanages.................................................................308 Rural Development for Green & Serene Lives............................310 Project Give Back.............................................................................312 Interfaith Harmony..........................................................................314 The National Ganga Rights Movement.......................................315 The Green Kumbh Initiative.........................................................316 Green Kathas for a Clean, Green & Serene World......................317 DROPS OF NECTAR 8 Preface to the Latest Edition It has been a great blessing to watch the transformation of this book from a small booklet published during Kumbha Mela, 1998