True education extends far beyond the pages of a book. A pile of degrees doesn't guarantee wisdom. It's the curious mind that seeks knowledge from all corners, from the vast expanse of nature to the seemingly insignificant details of everyday life. In that spirit, here's a lesson gleaned from an unexpected source. This past Sunday, I had the good fortune to attend the morning Sringar Aarti Darshan at ISKCON. As fate would have it, there was also a Bhagavad Gita class taking place, and I felt privileged to be a part of it. The session began, and as expected, the preacher, Shri Gaura Gopala Prabhu, started imparting the wisdom that the Bhagavad Gita teaches. He elaborated on human expectations and desires, and how they can disrupt a normal life. To illustrate this point, he shared the following story: There was once a poor barber who would come to the palace every week to cut the King's hair. Each time he came for his duty, he seemed filled with happiness, leading ...
16 th April 1994 , Saturday evening 5:00, Carrying me within her she went inside Pooja room a bit earlier than usual to read some extra pages of “Bhagvat Puran” and the holy “Bhagvat Geeta”. This has been her practice ever since she married and started taking responsibilities of Lord Jagannath in our house. Every evening she completes all household works early, never waits a minute more to rest. It is not her Love for God that makes her soul divine, I would rather say it is her thirsty to know God better that makes her soul supremely pious. She says, “ I don’t feel like I’m serving an Idol, I feel like he is sitting here alive and listening to me with his eyes open .” Time was about to hit 6:30 on the clock and she was rushing to arrange everything for evening Pooja before the Brahmin priest arrives. As a part of the ritual, a Brahmin Priest comes to our house every morning and evening to worship Lord Jagannath. Ancestors say, “ Brahmins are reflections of God, they stu...