Page 9 - Balvihar january 2024

of life and death – breathing! It is not possible to only
breathe in or to only breathe out! Both have to happen.
We inhale oxygen and exhale carbon-di-oxide.

We need to learn what to take and what to give.
Take the name of the Lord. And what to give? Only
that which is your can be given! Is it possible to
give away the Taj Mahal to anyone? No! Only that
which one has can be given!
What does one have? The most common understanding
is that one can give money. If one has money and can
spare some of it, then it can be given for a noble purpose. It
should not be squandered. This is “dhana-daana”.
If someone has no money to give but he is healthy and strong, the strength can be put to use.
This is 'shrama-daana'. Some have time to spare. Such persons should spend time with the old,
the ill, and read out valuable literature to them.

Similarly, one can donate spare land (bhoomi-daana). Cows can be donated as "go-daana".
Knowledge can be given as 'vidya-daana'. If one cannot teach, one can assist those who are
teaching.
If none of the above is possible, we can be polite and sweet in our speech! This costs no money!
Both, the speaker and listener, become happy! And what if even the art of talking is absent?
One can think, isn’t it? That is why we should pray — "Sarve bhavantu sukhinah, sarve santu
niramayah". We can wish well for all. May they be happy and healthy!
Just see in how many ways, one is capable of giving!
Take, the Lord’s name. Give, seva in any form! But
some are worried about what will be left for them
if they give! Arre! Keep on giving what you have, it
won't lessen because Bhagwan keeps filling!
Mukh mein ho Ram naam, Ram seva haat mein —
mouth is for uttering Lord's name and hand is for
serving. This will make you happy and the receiver
too! This is Moksha Nagari!
How many Moksha Nagaris are there? Seven? No!
Just one! Your heart! Any number might be told to you but in the end what matters is what is
in your hruday-mandir, hruday-puri!

So easily, so sweetly, and effortlessly, Guruji explained the means and way to get moksha or
ananda — bliss or joy!

– Swami Tejomayananda
(Transcribed by: Biswajit Gupta)

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Balvihar - January 2024