‘Purity’ magazine of Brahma Kumaris is like a fresh breather in the fast paced stressful life of 21st century. The articles cover spirituality with practical tips, the short snippets allow you to reflect upon the dilemma of life from a spiritual perspective. These inputs are like a fresh oxygenated environment which energizes the mind and spirit.

1. NGO OF UNITED NATIONS IN CONSULTATIVE STATUS WITH ECOSOC & UNICEF. OVER 8500 CENTRES IN 137 COUNTRIES.
Nosedive of moral values
Whom to blame?
In recent times, many individuals
occupying high positions, and others
held in esteem by the public for their
achievements and seemingly spotless
lives, have fallen into disgrace after
it was revealed that they had serious
character flaws.
The downfall of these men
shocked the public, which used to
respect and admire them.
Such incidents fuel cynicism,
convincing people that no one today
can remain untouched by greed, lust,
ego or other vices.
Such cynicism turns into despair
all too frequently when we are
confronted with news reports of
wanton brutality committed against
defenceless individuals by their fellow
human beings.
All this has prompted a search
for the reasons for the moral decay
that we witness everywhere.
Why are more and more people
becoming slaves to their desires and
lower instincts? Why is it that the moral
restraints that have served mankind
for ages are being abandoned by so
many?
Eachscandaloratrocityisfollowed
by hypotheses about the possible
causes, and fingers are pointed at
many things, from liquor consumption
to the corrupting influence of the fare
dished out in movies, video games
and on television. The guardians of
law are themselves accused of being
corrupt,and some even attribute it
to economic compulsions and the
influence of the times we are living in.
Each of these factors indeed
plays a role.
Over the past year, a string of
highly publicised cases of crime
against women have shakened the
conscience of Indians. In many of
the cases, the perpetrators were
under the influence of alcohol.Given
the depraved nature of some of the
crimes, that is hardly surprising. No
one in their right mind can act the
way the accused in these cases did.
There were countless discussions
and recommendations about what
could or should be done to prevent
such crimes. But there was no serious
consideration of limiting the sale and
consumption of alcohol by creating
awareness about its evil effects and
` 9.00
Vol. XXXIII No. 4 January 2014
Monthly Journal of the Brahma Kumaris (Hqs. Mount Abu)
by other means.
Alcohol, after all, is a big source
of revenue for governments. That they
are unwilling to forego the money
even when they know fully well the
harm alcohol is doing to society is an
example of our misplaced priorities.
Then there is the media in all
its forms. We are now bombarded
with words and images that seek to
promote a totally materialistic way of
life defined by endless consumption
and quick gratification of selfish
desires.
Advertising seeks to make people
want what they don’t need, creating
new desires throughout a person’s life.
The consumption-driven economic
model that is behind this is leading
to unsustainable exploitation of
Earth’s resources, playing havoc with
the environment and threatening to
make this planet unfit for human life.
Even though climate change
caused by man’s unsustainable
activities is one of the biggest issues
facing humanity, there is little change
visible in the way governments,
big business and ordinary humans
operate. The grasping for more and
more only seems to be increasing
with each passing year.
In this greed-based paradigm,
not only are all the earth’s resources
commodified but so are human
beings. Man is an economic resource
to be utilised to increase nations’
GDP figures and to fill the coffers of
those high up in the socio-economic
hierarchy.This commodification does
not even hesitate to rob humans
of their dignity in its unscrupulous
pursuit of profit.
In such a world, where every
immoral activity can be justified if it is
made to look lucrative or fashionable
enough,crime,corruption,exploitation
and injustice are the norm.
If we ask why we have reached
such a state of affairs, it would be
difficult to identify a single cause, as
the reasons are many and intertwined.
Many of the factors are beyond human
control and so must be accepted as
fate.
The present condition of the
world is, in fact, entirely in keeping
with the times. We are now in the final
stages of the Iron Age (Kaliyuga), at
the end of the cycle of time. Human
souls, who are the principal actors on
the stage of this planet, have been
playing their different parts in the
drama of life from the Golden Age
(Satyuga) onwards, when the cycle
of time begins. Passing through the
Silver (Tretayuga), Copper (Dwapur
yuga) and Iron ages, they have
gradually lost their powers and virtues
and increasingly become slaves
to matter. It is because of the loss
of their powers to discern, judge,
decide, tolerate and accommodate,
that humans are now unable to take
the right decisions even when they
know that the consequences of their
actions may not be good.
This is a necessary part of the
drama to precipitate the end, which
will bring with it a renewal whereby
all souls will settle the debts of
their karma and get cleansed and
unburdened so that they can again
play their designated parts when the
drama begins anew in the next cycle
of time.V
(Purity Features)
Chennai : Lighting lamps to inaugurate National Convention on ‘Ahimsa Parmodharma and Shrimad Bhagavad Gita’ are
Hon’ble Dr. K.Rosaiah, Governor of Tamil Nadu (R), Justice V.Eshwariah, Chairman, National Commission for Backward
Classes, Padmashree D.R. Kaarthikeyan, former Director, CBI, BK Brij Mohan, BK Asha and BK Beena. (Also see pg.5)
‘Purity’
wishes its
readers
Happy
New Year 2014

2. January 20142purity
Let every word be filled with humility.
Indonesia : Group photo of Brahma Kumaris and Kumars who attended the talk on Indonesian Heroes Day.
News in Photos
New Delhi (Lodhi Road) : In a public programme titled “Happiness Forever”
lighting candles (L-R) GD Agrawal, Vice President, ITAT, BK Pius, Dr. PK Anand,
IAS, Addl. Secretary, GOI, Dr. Savita Anand, IFS, JK Dadoo, IAS, Jt. Secretary,
GOI, BK Mruthyunjaya, Justice Sunil Gaur, Judge, Delhi High Court,
Justice V. Eshwariah, Chairman, National Commission for Backward classes,
BK Pushpa and BK Girija.
Kurukshetra : Hon’ble Jagannath Pahadia, Governor of Haryana being
presented a frame of Shri Krishna by BK Saroj, BK Madhu and BK Lakshman
during Gita Jayanti celebrations.
Itanagar : Hon. Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Mr. Nabam Tuki,
Hon’ble Minister Newlai Tingkhatra (standing), Brahma Kumari Junu, Centre
incharge, BK Prof. Dr. Jayadeba Sahoo, Rajiv Gandhi University,
BK Rimar Tasso, Supdt. Engineer, PWD and others.
Dahod (Gujarat) : Inaugurating Akhil Gujarat Adivasi Jagruti Abhiyaan are Hon’ble Minister
B.Chudasama, Dadi Ratan Mohini, Jt. Chief of Brahma Kumaris, Dr. Prabhaben Taviad, Member of
Parliament, BK Sarla Didi, BK Dr. Niranjana, BK Sarla, BK Raju, Mt. Abu, BK Surekha, BK Kapila and
MM Sevanand, Kachla Ashram, Limkheda.
Chennai : Dr. S.S. Badrinath, Founder and Chairman,
Sankara Nethralaya being presented Godly gift
by BK Beena.
Hyderabad (Shanti Sarovar) : Cutting cake during Christmas celebration are
BK GBK Rao of Pragati Herbal Resorts, Mr. Govardhan Bose, Industrialist,
Mr. Alexander, Miami, BK Kuldeep and Justice V. Eshwariah, Chairman,
National Commission for Backward classes.

3. January 20143purity
Mind Your Intellect
Intellect is the judgment
faculty of the soul. People
think that since they have
their own intellect to use
then there is no need to be
relying on other support.
Those, considering
themselves to be intellectual
develop a sense of ego. They
feel that the decision taken
by them is the best. So much
so, that no questions or
criticism are entertained by
them nor are they open to
any suggestions.
Ideas like spiritual
awakening become all
the more difficult for the
intellectuals to understand
and accept. This is not
limited to the so-called
intellectuals. Each one feels
that their intellect is the
best. A person feels that his
intellect and other people’s
wealth is always more.
If this is the case then all
the decisions and judgments
taken by the intellect
should be accurate and
should minimize suffering
and maximize happiness.
However, when we look
around, we find that this is
not happening practically.
On the contrary grief and
suffering are growing.
Somewhere something
has gone wrong. This calls
for a check on the state of
our intellect. We need to
challenge our own decisions.
We know that the intellect
is the judging faculty of the
soul, and therefore the state
of the intellect would depend
upon the state of the soul.
In the original state when all
souls are pure and perfect,
their intellects are also
pure and give 100% correct
judgment.
But slowly and steadily
with the passage of time and
while interacting with other
souls as actors in the world
drama, impurity enters in the
form of weaknesses like lust,
anger, greed, attachment
and ego. To the extent the
soul becomes impure by the
vices, its ‘thinking faculty the
mind’ and ‘judging faculty the
intellect’, also get influenced.
Thereafter, intellect does
not give neutral and right
judgment. Instead it decides
according to the likes and
dislikes, inclinations and
intentions of the soul. For
instance, the intellect would
not stop a thief from stealing
but would guide him how to
steal without getting caught.
Functioning of the
intellect can be compared
with functioning of an eye
with cataract. Although the
affected portion reduces
its capacity to see normally
yet the unaffected portion
still enables it to see. This
sometimesmakestheperson
believe that he still has
proper vision. He now would
probably see by positioning
the eye at a particular angle
and slowly get habituated to
the partial vision. Unless the
cataract is in an advance
stage, he might not consider
it damaged at all.
Reflection on the
functioning of intellect will
reveal that it stops giving
correct judgment after the
decisions are not complied
with or violated several
times. For example, when a
person attempts to steal for
the first time, his intellect will
warn him that it is not the
right thing to do. But if he
still steals and wants to steal
again then intellect would
strongly warn him 3-4 times.
After he has violated its
decisions several times, the
intellect would stop warning
him and then would start
guiding him how to steal.
In essence intellect is
a fair weather friend. Still
if the thief is caught, but
could escape if he kills the
person who caught him, the
intellect would strongly warn
him not to kill. He may opt to
get caught rather than kill.
However, if he kills to escape
and does so on several
occasions, the intellect
would stop warning him to
kill as well.
Extending the same
example, if a person has
become a robber and kills
indiscriminately without his
intellect stopping him, still
his intellect will guide him
not to kill his own relative
who may happen to be in
the crowd. However we do
come across cases where
individuals who have killed
their own relatives without
any remorse.
Let us consider a strict
vegetarian whose intellect
will strongly stop him when
he eats meat for the first
time. But after he becomes
habituated the intellect will
not stop him. His intellect
would stop him the first
time and a few times more
if he tries to kill for meat.
Thereafter it would not. He
may even become a butcher
eventually.
This shows that as
the soul becomes impure
its intellect, being its own
faculty also becomes
impure to the same extent.
Intellect would give correct
judgment to stop the soul
from becoming more impure
but would not warn about the
impurity already acquired.
Consequently, we cannot
fully rely on the judgment
of our own intellect. The
intellect doesnot function
Om Shanti Retreat Centre (ORC, Gurgaon) : Cutting the cake during ‘Vijay Utsav’ of 1500 couples of Delhi zone who completed
more than 15 years of pure lotus-like family life are Dadi Janki, Dadi Rukmani, Dadi Kamalmani, BK Brij Mohan, BK Asha,
BK Shukla, BK Sundari, BK Rani, BK Pushpa, BK Hansa, BK Praveena and others.
As the soul
becomes impure,
intellect being its
own faculty, also
becomes impure to
the same extent.
(Purity Bureau)
A happy life springs from a tranquil mind.
properly to the extent the
soul has become impure.
If there is worry, fear and
suffering then obviously the
decisions of the intellect
would be defective.
Intellects of virtuous
and vicious souls i.e.
of devatma, punyatma,
mahatma, paap atma, dusht
atma, would decide or judge
according to their respective
characteristics. This shows
that we cannot rely on our
own intellect for regaining
our original state of purity
which was the foundation of
peace and happiness.
Hence the need to
purify the intellect arises. In
Rajyoga the soul connects
with the Supreme Soul,
the pure perfect being of
light to regain purity. The
regular practice of Rajyoga
transforms the impure soul
to its original pure form
which in turn makes the
intellect divine. V
• He who laughs last, thinks lowest.
• It’s not hard to meet expenses...they are
everywhere.
• My dreams are not dead, they are only sleeping.
In Lighter Vein
Wah Politicians!
Bill for electricity
is 50% less...
if not that way,
this way.

4. January 20144purity
Attention Please!
The entire world is conspiring
against you to steal your
attention in some way or the other.
The commander orders the soldiers
to attention. The Judge hammers
his table-top to get attention. In the
mountain curves there are sign-
boards cautioning ‘Savdhani hati,
durghatana ghati’ (Lack of attention
could result in accident).
The power of thought is such
that can transcend all limits of time
and space. The mind can travel in
the past or the future. A person could
be physically present but mentally
absent. This does not allow one to
utilise the potential of the present
moment.
For example, if you are sitting in a
gathering, people are enjoying a joke
shared by the speaker, but you can’t
smile because you are disturbed, as
your attention frequently goes to the
car which perhaps was not properly
parked on the roadside. Lack of
attention leads to tension.
It is said - “Wherever attention
goes energy flows, wherever energy
goes life grows.”
Wherever our attention goes,
in effect our energy goes and that
energy gives life to that thing which
pulled our attention and makes it
grow. For example when faced with
a difficult situation our attention is
pulled towards the problem again
and again. The mind is filled with
waste thoughts and questions like
why? how? Who is to be blamed?
Over thinking about a problem and
creating a molehill out of nothing.
This drains the energy with none left
to find the solution.
Samasya swarup nahi bano,
samadhan swarup bano! Karanmurt
nahi bano, nivaranmurt bano!
Translated it means, never
become embodiment of problem,
become an embodiment of solution!
A simple approach is to first
accept a difficult situation as a
challenge and focus on finding the
solution. Many times the seed of the
solution lies within the problem itself.
Let’s look at the following stories.
Once an old person wanted to
plant potatoes at the backyard of
his home. Every year he was doing
it. This year also he wanted to do the
same. He wrote a letter to his son.
Dear John,
I am feeling pretty bad because
it looks like I won’t be able to plant
my potato garden this year. I hate to
miss doing the garden, but, I am just
getting too old to dig up the garden
plot. If you were here, all my troubles
would be over.
Love,
Dad
On reading this mail the son
felt very bad. The situation and
circumstances he were in, made it
nearly impossible for him to solve
this problem. What can a person do
when he is imprisoned to solve an
impossible problem?
He accepted his situation as
a challenge and diverted all his
attention to the solution of the
problem. Shortly, the old man
received a telegram:
“For heaven’s sake, Dad, do not
dig up the garden. That is where I
have buried my guns!!”
-- John
At around 3.30-4.00 a.m. next
day morning, a dozen of secret
Practise silence to find
solutions. Develop a
habit to enjoy silence,
communicate with
self and the divine.
service agents and 10-12 local police
officers entered the old man’s house
and went straight to the backyard
and started digging up the garden.
They finished the entire plot without
any luck and returned.
The confused father wrote to his
son, telling him what happened and
asked him what should he do?
The son replied – ‘Go ahead and
plant your potatoes, Dad. It is the
best I could do from here.”
In another case, a multinational
healthcare company received a
complaint from the customer that
the soapbox he purchased amongst
all other things from a grocery shop
was found to be empty. Immediately
the authorities isolated the problem
to one defective machine. It was
observed that for some reason, one
soapbox went through the assembly
line at a random order goes
empty periodically. Management
now started a post mortem - who
ordered this plant? Who is the
manufacturer? Was there any
corrupt practice involved? And so
on. They employed the entire team
of research technologist, software
engineers and other technicians
to solve the problem. After working
for days together finally the team
developed a software programme
which could notice the empty box,
the management also posted two
operators to pick up the empty packs
manually.
When the same problem was
faced in a small unit in small scale
industry, what did they do? The
machine operator did not get into the
complications of software, X-ray unit,
research etc. but instead became
solution-conscious (Nivaran murt)
and came up with a very simple and
a practical solution. He brought a
strong industrial electric fan and
focussed it to the assembly line. He
switched the fan on so that each
soap-box passed the strong air blow
from the fan. When an empty soap-
box passed the delivery line it simply
blew it away.
Focussed attention results into
concentration. In concentration all
the energy converges into one point.
Like Arjuna who saw nothing but
the eye of the fish, you also need to
focus your attention and have full
determination to solve a difficult
situation.
Think out of the box. Never
limit your mind. Don’t assume.
Challenge your mind to look out
for other options. Take time out, to
question yourself, check your habits
and sanskars and work towards
transformation. Practice silence to
find solutions.
To use these points of wisdom
in a practical way develop a habit to
enjoy silence, communicate with the
self and the Divine. A guiding inner
voice will caution you, protect you.V
New english words and
phrases are coined in
every land, and India is no
exception. Consider these
useful Indianisms (and their
variants, if any):
• White money
• Denting and painting
• Convent-educated
• Pin-drop silence
• Airdash
• Eve-teaser
• Joint family
• Out of station
• Permit room
• Cousin sister
• Postpaid (SIM card)
• Co-brother
• Rice plate
• Tutorial college
• Fooding & lodging
• Hawai slippers
• Dhobi itch
• Issueless couple
• Love marriage
• Till date
We are all prisoners of our experience.
Top 20 useful
Indian terms
Guwahati (Assam) - Inaugurating 3-day campaign ‘Holistic Approach to Diabetes Management’ are Dr. Ramen Talukdar,
Supdt. Guwahati Medical College, Dr. Santosh Adhikari, Jt. Secretary, North-East Diabetic Society, Dr. Shrimant Sahu,
Mt. Abu, Mr. Ashok Verma, Director, AAI, Guwahati, BK Sheela didi and BK Jonali.
BK Prakash Talhati, Lagos, Nigeria
Pause-n-Ponder
• Trust. It takes years to
build and a second to
break.
• Usefulness is not impaired
by imperfection. You can
drink from a chipped cup.
• Never grow a wishbone,
where your backbone
ought to be.
• People always call it luck
when you’ve acted more
sensibly than they have.

5. January 20145purity
Is Violence Justified?
We live in an age where
multimedia and
information technology have
made a powerful influence
on local cultures and created
a kind of global culture that
is identical in many ways
across the planet.
We have the pop music
culture, the fast food culture,
the tech savvy culture and
many other fusion cultures
that define the way people
live in various places. But
one culture that has spread
worldwide through media
in gross or subtle ways and
impacted us gravely is the
culture of violence. Whether
through cartoons, comic
books, video games, music
videos, sports, movies,
serials, websites, story books
or news channels, people
of all ages – even minors –
are now constantly exposed
to images and sounds of
violence.
The subtle attack on our
senses and sensibilities by
thisbarrageofviolentcontent
has made us increasingly
insensitive and aggressive.
We have become immune to
common acts of violence. We
only raise our voice or take
notice of something when it
crosses the limits of brutality
and inhumanity. Or, violence
rankles us only when it
affects our lives or whatever
we identify with. The public
outrage and debates that
ensue a shocking act of
violence usually consist
of loud rhetoric against
violence and a call for legal
and penal measures to deter
such future occurrences.
Hardly ever, anybody
thinks about the root cause
of violence and whether
violence is a result of only
criminal elements and
inadequate law-enforcement
How about
violence for self
defence, against
dacoits or
terrorists or by
soldiers or as
a last resort when
all other efforts
fail?
Chennai : Participants in panel discussion on ‘Its time for Repetition of Gita Episode’ at the National Convention on ‘Ahimsa Parmo Dharma and Bhagavad Gita’
(L-R) BK Asha, anchor, Dr. Pushpa Pandey, Thiru La Ganesan, Hon’ble Justice Mr. Rama Subramanian, Srimath Swami Buddhiadananda Maharaj,
Padmashree D.R. Kaarthikeyan and BK Neelima.
The less you speak, the more you are listened to.
This article is Brahma Kumaris response to some of the questions raised at the
National Convention on Non-violence and Bhagavad Gita held in Chennai last month.
or is it the combined
responsibility of each and
every person living on this
planet. Is violence justified
at all? Why do we need big
armies? Why do we need
guns to protect us?
There are many who
point out that violence is
required particularly for self
defense. In order to save
ourselves from harm we
have to use violence as the
last resort. However, nobody
can know in advance what
kind or level of security is
needed for self defense if
and when we are attacked.
We have seen scores of
incidents in which heavy
security measures failed to
defend the lives of leaders
and common people.
The best security that
any person can have is the
stock of good karma. It is our
karma that protects or harms
us. What we sow, we reap.
The energy of our thoughts,
feelings and actions return
to us in the same intensity
and measure in which we
create and share them.
Some others contend
that violence is the best
means to weed out the
criminals and antisocial
elements in a society. Killing
a dacoit, murderer or robber
is a necessity for larger
public interest. Similarly,
they say, killing terrorists
to save the lives of people
is also essential for public
security. We know that killing
criminals has never reduced
the rate of crime at any place.
It may have temporary effect
but in the long run we have to
take measures to transform
the root cause of violence
and aim to create a society
where no human being has
to resort to violence either
lawfully or unlawfully. We
have seen how terrorism has
grown over the years despite
many of them being killed in
armed operations.
Many believe that
violence is justified when
used as the last resort for
safety. In many countries
possession of arms like guns
by common people is legal.
It works on the premise that
an armed person will be
able to defend himself more
easily than others. If the
intention itself is coloured
with fear and violence then
it is surely not going to
make it easy for non-violent
measures to take root.
Besides upholding violence
for safety and security we
have also glorified it in many
ways. We invest lot of time
and energy in research and
development of weapons
and arms. We reward the
soldiers and other men who
kill our ‘enemies’.
Violence in any form is a
bad choice. History and our
current realities are witness
to the fact that violence
begets more violence. No
weapons can ever bring
peace or harmony in the
world. Fear will bring more
fear and hatred will bring
more hatred. One act of
violence whether in defense
or retribution will trigger
many more acts of violence.
An eye for an eye will turn
the whole world blind, said
Mahatma Gandhi who
led a non-violent freedom
movement in India.
The greatest enemies
that we have to save
ourselves from are lurking
within us. Lust, anger, greed,
attachment and ego are the
biggest threat to our peace
and happiness. When we
act under the influence
of negative traits such as
greed, ego, selfishness,
jealousy and attachment we
harm ourselves, our destiny
and our true wellbeing.
Blinded by these vices we
chase temporary gains (Purity Bureau)
When I stopped the bus to pick up Sonu for preschool, I
noticed an older woman hugging him as he left the house.
“Is that your grandmother?” I asked.
“Yes,” Sonu said. “She’s come to visit us for New Year.”
“How nice,” I said. “Where does she live?”
“At the airport,” Sonu replied. “Whenever we want her, we
just go out there and get her.”
vvv
Mr. Sharma calls up the doc at 2 AM. “Doc, my wife is
having severe abdomen pain. I think it’s her appendix.”
“Not possible!” says the doc sleepily.
“I took out your wife’s appendix two years ago. Go back to
sleep.”
Five minutes later, the phone rings and it’s Sharma again.
“Doc, I’m sure it’s her appendix.”
“Oh God!” the doctor groaned.
“Did you ever hear of anyone having a second appendix?”
“No...,” says Sharma. “But I’m sure you must have heard of
someone having a second wife..!”
vvv
Sanjay, an eager young man entered his prospective boss’s
office for an interview.
“One thing our company is very particular about is
cleanliness. I hope you wiped your shoe on the door mat
while coming in?” said the boss.
“Yes sir,” Sanjay replied promptly.
The boss continued, “One more thing we’re very particular
about is honesty. There is no door mat outside!”
Please Don’t Smile
forgetting that whenever we
violate our true values we
are automatically creating
conditions that are going to
bring us suffering. All acts of
crime and wrong doing stem
from these vices.
All human souls are pure
in their original nature. They
had no traces of vices. Purity
is the harbinger of lasting
peace and happiness. A pure
soul cannot be harmed. The
best way to secure and save
ourselves from all kinds of
harm or loss is: be good and
do good and stay connected
to one’s original pure self
and God. Good intentions,
good actions and living as
God’s instrument will free
the soul from all suffering.V

6. January 20146purity
Any society stands on two basic pillars – dharam satta and rajya satta. Dharam here refers to dhaarna or principles that one practises in life. Dharam
satta, or the power of religion, comprises religious leaders and reformative groups that work to uplift the state of individual consciousness. They
set an example and lead people to the path of righteousness, and discourage them against wrong actions.
Rajya satta, or political power, goes from the individual to the social level and establishes the law and order machinery in the state. It works
to make and execute laws that ensure harmony among people of variety. It draws individuals from within society who work together towards social
development and public welfare.
It is said as the ruler, so the subjects. This means that the principles and ideals which shape the political class determine the morality of the public,
and the direction in which the society heads into. And since the political class today consists of individuals who are directly drawn from the public, the
quality of the people in turn determines the quality of the political class.
It is thus an indisputable fact that the individual is the building block of society. But today, due to changing lifestyle and value system, it is rare
to find people with high integrity and unblemished character. Most are willing to compromise with their values in the face of external pressures or
internal temptations from the senses. The dharam satta is unable to influence them as its strength is going down day by day. A weak dharam satta
also means a weak rajya satta.
Both these pillars are barely able to support the superstructure as they themselves have been corroded by moral corruption. We hear of shameful
news about religious leaders, godmen and heads of state being involved in violence and cheating scandals. They are guilty of crimes that they are
supposed to guard the society against.
The dharam satta has collapsed because religion has been disconnected from the source of power, the Almighty. When there are too many belief
systems about who and where God is, and there is confusion about our own identity as well, we are unable to connect to Him and draw strength. As a
result, religious leaders are finding it a great personal challenge to practise what they preach. In the end we have a society where politics runs without
principles and business without ethics.
Though we try to amend our situation, we are unable to gain concrete and consistent results because we are indulging in symptomatic treatment
of issues. If there is growing crime against women, we are focussing on a strong legal action and greater policing. If it is the case of corruption, we are
stressing on a free and fair institution that can check public servants. However, simultaneously, we are not putting in place any preventive mechanism.
We are not tackling the root cause, which is to raise the spiritual stamina of individuals. Our new measures make a little difference because their
success is also dependant on the integrity of the individuals involved.
The key is to motivate individuals to explore and express their inner goodness and rise above their weaknesses, the rest will fall in place. This would
need planned and structured self study and great environmental support. The government, reformatory and spiritual groups, and media organisations
should collaborate to take this cause forward in a big way. All individuals, young and old, educated and illiterate, belonging to all nationalities, religions,
castes or classes must benefit from such training as this is the need of the hour.
The Brahma Kumaris have been involved in the process of character building for the past 77 years. Taking spiritual classes and meditation sessions
conducted at the organisation’s centres spread all over the globe, lakhs of people have directed themselves to the cause of self transformation. Its
recently-introduced, certified value education course is running in various schools and colleges and igniting hope in many lives. Anyone who joins this
journey, truly believes that only when we change, does the world around us change.V
Gleanings from the Press
Greenhouse gas emissions will dry up water
resources
A leaked draft of the UN scientific panel on climate change report has
warned of freshwater availability being hit with increasing emissions of
greenhouse gases.“Each degree of warming is projected to decrease
renewable water resources by at least 20% for an additional 7% of the
global population,” it adds. (The Hindu)
Bhoola Bhai
And our friend Bhoola Bhai on the Temple Street believes that if you
are beset with adversities try and took back to see where you have
gone wrong. You may feel that others are responsible but they too
appear in your life when you attract them by the subtle force of your
karma. You are the nucleus which attracts good or bad.
Constantly earn the blessings of all.
Dharam Satta and Rajya SattaEditorial
Older people less tired than teenagers
Senior citizens reported feeling less tired than younger people, including
teenagers, in a new US study. To the researchers’ surprise, 15 to
24-year-olds — the youngest people in their study — said they felt the
most fatigued of all during daily activities. (Reuters)
50% of Bharat walks 5km a day for water
Shwoing the dark side of emerging India, a new government surveys
shows that half of the women in rural India have to walk up to 5km every
day to fetch potable water. The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO)
survey of as many as 95,000 households also found that the average
Obesity makes kids stressed
Obesity may make children more stressed-out as compared to their
normal-weight peers, a new study has found. Overweight children
naturally produce higher levels of cortisol, a key stress hormone, than
other youngsters, researchers said. (PTI)
One-eighth of population live in slums
Just under nine million households, or roughly one-eighth of India’s
urban population lives in slums, according to data from the latest round
of the National Sample Survey organisation released. Nearly 45 per
cent of slums are located on private land, and 60 per cent of them have
pucca structures. 71 per cent have tap water and over 90 per cent have
electricity. (The Hindu)
time to fetch
drinking water
in rural India
was 35 minutes
while it was 31
minutes in the
urban areas.
Half of this time
gets lost in
queue waiting
for one’s turns.
The survey said
in 2012, 85.8%
of households
in the rural India
and 89.6% of
household in the
urban India got
sufficient water
as compared
to 86.2%
and 91.1%
households
respectively in
2009-09.
(News Item)
The heights
of corruption touched
by you are receiving
salutes even from
Everest climbers.
Drinking from plastic bottles gives migraine
Drinking water directly from plastic cups or bottles could be giving
millions of people around the world a serious headache. A new research
has confirmed that a chemical in synthetic packaging triggers migraines.
Bisphenol A (BPA), which has been linked to obesity, infertility and heart
attacks, has now been confirmed to be a serious trigger for a prolonged
bout of migraine. (Times of India)

7. January 20147purity
Forgiveness and Mercy
The earth’s atmosphere, over the
years, is increasingly becoming
toxic not just due to the release of
poisonous gases, but also due to the
growing burden of negative vibrations
emanating from human minds.
Clinging on to each other’s mistakes
for life, we have become efficient
garbage collectors who vitiate the
air wherever we go. In offices, social
gatherings and even homes, the air
stinks of criticism, cynicism, ridicule
and malice. So we often long to run
away to gain some quiet.
It is interesting how we find
it easier to snap our friendly
bonds nurtured over years for a
few moments, sometimes just
one instance, of unpleasantness.
We think it is simpler to cease a
relationship than sort it out – so we
‘leave them’ and ‘move on’ in life
with other people.
But very few of us truly ‘move on’
for we hoard the bitterness inside
forever. These negative emotions
keep rewinding our life, reminding us
how wronged and abandoned we are,
thus draining us endlessly. Our head
stays heavy and our heart wounded;
our disposition becomes irritable
and moody, it even takes a toll on our
sleeping pattern and eating habits.
Our power to discern is blurred and
faith in life hit drastically. Constantly
looking behind, we lose sight of the
opportunities on our way forward.
We want to, but we are unable to
break free from the past as we’re not
ready to forgive. Forgiveness is a pre-
requisite to forgetting and moving
on. But the question is if someone
injures us and betrays our trust,
why should we forgive him? Does he
deserve it?
The first thing that we must know
about forgiveness is that it is an act
of great self service than anything
else. When we forgive someone, we
are letting go of the sad and acidic
emotions which had accumulated
inside us, thus releasing us of their
damage. We untangle ourselves from
unhappy impressions stored in our
memory so that we can begin with
a clean slate. Our life is propelled
into a zone of greater creativity and
productivity.
On the other hand, harbouring
feelings of animosity and hatred is
an act of inflicting injury on the self.
When we shut the door at another
person, our moist and tender feelings
get locked under a hardened attitude
and our life moves a step away from
inner sweetness. We have to ask
ourselves: how long do we want to
suffocate ourselves for someone
else’s wrong behaviour? Should we
continue the blame game, or should
we instead heal ourselves?
In some heartfelt moments,
we do long to send across an olive
branch to the other side, but our ego
raises its head and keeps us from
it. It addicts us to the idea of ‘us
being right’ so much that we do not
mind committing endless wrongs to
sustain it. It tells us that we are too
big to submit to others, and cheats
us into doing the smallest, most
undignified things.
While the job of ego is to keep us
away from our true self, forgiveness is
our ticket back home, a gate-pass to
our pure core. It acts as a coolant in
relationships and heals both parties
– the aggrieved and the guilty. When
we pardon someone despite having
the choice to retaliate, it increases
our humility, patience and tolerance
power. In fact, to respond to a bad
behaviour with goodness is the
highest form of kindness.
Contrary to what is perceived
today, forgiveness and mercy are
acts of the brave. Those who take
the blows and yet remain unaffected
by it are the ones who will have the
power to let go. These are deeds of
the large hearted and far sighted who
are able to see beyond ‘how I feel’.
A weak, self-centred soul cannot
fare well in this battle, and is misled
into believing that his victory lies in
getting revenge. Forgiveness is the
act of the wise who choose the self
over others; it is an act of visionaries
who think they have dreams to
pursue and little time to waste over
others’ responses. It is a way of life
Forgiveness and mercy
are acts of the wise and
brave. They increase
the powers of humility,
patience and tolerance.
for people with a golden heart, who
consider love far important than
anything else.
Howeverdifficultwemayconsider
forgiveness to be, we do apply it in our
day to day lives unconsciously. It is
common experience that if someone
accidentally strikes us and expresses
sincere apology, we decide to let
him go. We overlook the negativities
of our family members for we love
them, or don’t mind what children
say. As employees, we have little
choice so we accept our employer’s
behaviour. We do forgive, but are
partial while choosing the party that
must receive our goodness. It means
that it is not so much the art that we
need to learn, but the will to do it that
we must develop.
There is a spiritual remedy for
making forgiveness very easy and
natural – it is understanding the Law
of Karma, which ensures that every
guilty person is punished and every
good one rewarded. This universal
law operates with impartiality on
the principle of justice, not on
mercy, and is inviolable. When we
understand that the wrongdoer will
be punished anyway, we refrain from
taking law into our hands. In fact,
if we understand the law deeply, a
feeling of mercy naturally emerges in
us, for we know that the wrongdoer
is heaping karmic debt on himself. It
also cautions us against wishing bad
for others, for it will taint our karma
and invite suffering.
When we err, we go to God to
seek mercy as we need the strength
to survive the fruit of our own karma.
He provides us with His unconditional
love and support to face it, when
our realisation is genuine. So He (Purity Features)
• Laughter has no foreign
accent.
• Listen within, there is a
friend inside.
• Well done is better than
well said.
• Each day is little life.
• Some people are wise,
some are otherwise.
• Pride comes before fall.
Think it Over
Sonepat (Haryana) : Unveiling the Plaque to inaugurate the newly built Sonepat Retreat Centre are Dadi Janki, Chief of
Brahma Kumaris, BK Amirchand, BK Asha, BK Lakshman, Mr. A.K.Cheema and others.
Fortune favours the bold.
is known as the most benevolent
and all merciful Father. And as His
children belonging to one family, He
expects us to follow the same path.
Another easy formula for
forgiveness is developing an easy
nature. In fact, many things in life
don’t need to be taken to the stage
of forgiveness. We can simply ignore
or bypass the not-so-pleasant things
over which we have little control.
If we are not too sentimental,
hypersensitive or judgmental,it saves
us a lot of work. We must understand
that just like us, everyone comes in
mixed packages and are bound to
err. In a not-so-perfect world, we don’t
need to take things too seriously. It is
good to lighten up.
So, if there is a burden of the
past that’s jeopardising your present,
choose now to let go. Remember that
by ‘forgiving’, you are ‘giving’ yourself
the gift of love and life and the power
to forget that which is best forgotten.
So be sincere with yourself, and
remember to delete the trash even
from your recycle bin. V

8. January 20148purity
Talking Mirror
Magic Feather
Born into a circus, a baby elephant is rejected by others because
of his unusually big ears. Jeered at by children, rejected by the
other performers, poor Dumbo is demoted to appearing as a clumsy,
bumbling creature in an act with the clowns.
Only little Timothy Mouse befriends him, and devises a way to make
lonely little Dumbo a star. He gets a crafty crow to inform Dumbo that
magic flying feathers are what really make crows able to fly, and if
Dumbo had just one such magic feather, then he would be able to fly
too.
Plucking a feather out of a friend’s tail and giving it to Dumbo,
he says, “This is a magic flying feather for you”. And wonder of
wonders — Dumbo flies on his first try, and because of this, is made
part of a more daring performance, where he has to leap from a high
platform as part of the clown’s fire rescue act.
All goes well till one day, about to dive off the high platform in the
middle of the act, Dumbo somehow loses the magic feather. Timothy
Mouse, terrified, immediately yells and convinces him, “It isn’t really
magic. You can fly on your own”. And Dumbo, flapping his enormous
ears madly, discovers in that moment that it was not the feather at all
which had the power of flight, but Dumbo himself.
The feather was only a bridge to put him in touch with a gift that was
his all along. In our lives, we are in need of magic feathers in the
form of talismans or beliefs that can help us reach new heights. Our
lesson is to utilise them for as long as we need them, but recognising
them for the temporary gift they are, we are challenged to transcend
the need for an outer reminder of what has been ours all along. V
Face is the index of the soul.
Palam Vihar (Delhi) : Inaugurating 16th Annual Day of the BK Centre are
Mr. Niyam Pal, ACP, BK Sunderlal, BK Virender, BK Sudesh, BK Urmil,
Mr. Darshan Kumar, MD, T-Series, Dr.M.D.Gupta, Dr. Avdesh Sharma,
Dr. Manju and others.
Indore (Om Shanti Bhawan) : BK Pandiamani speaking on “Human Values &
Spirituality” at UGC Academic Staff college of Devi Ahilya University. On stage
are Dr. Namrata Sharma, College Director, BK Sisters Shashi and Sonali.
Vashi (Mah.) : Group photo of participants in a Talk by Brahma Kumaris at Rotary Club including
Mr. Amar Nair, President, Mr. Naresh
Gupta, Trustee, Manglam Foundation
BK Sisters Sheela & Preeti.
Ooty : BK Ramnath from Mt. Abu (5th
R) at Interfaith Conference organised
by Ramakrishna Math to commemorate
150th Birth Anniversary of Swami
Vivekanand. Others in pic include
Swami Raghveshanand, head of Math,
Bishop Dr. A.Amalraj,
Dr. P.A. Sidheeque, Dy. Imam of
Zakaria Masjid, Mr. A.K. Behrouz from
Bahai’s and others.
Mumbai (Gamdevi) : At “The Future of Bharat” seminar (L-R) B.K. Aaspi
(speaking), Mr. Prabodh Thakkar, Vice Chairman, Indian Merchants Chamber,
Mr. Eruch Sabawalla, businessman, BK sisters Neha and Asha.
4
Ahmednagar (Mah.) : Hon’ble Srinivas Patil, Governor of Sikkim being
presented Godly gift by BKs Suprabha, Deepak and Rajeshwari.
Kathmandu (Nepal) : Inaugurating Seminar on ‘A New Dimension in Civil
Aviation’ are Mr. Ratish Chandralal Suman, Director General, BK Raj didi and
BK Kamlesh from Mumbai.6

9. January 20149purity
Sweetness of speech brings the love of all.
Adidev Brahma - Unique Role in World Drama
Brahma stands out in the
pantheon of Hindu deities by
virtue of his depiction as a white-
bearded elderly figure, in contrast to
the other deities, who are shown as
eternally youthful.
According to the scriptures,
Brahma, the Hindu deity of creation
and one of the trinity that also
includes Vishnu and Shankar, is the
father of Manu, from whom all human
beings are said to have descended.
According to the Puraņas,
Brahma is self-born on the lotus
flower. One legend says that Brahma
was born in water, or from a seed
that later became the golden egg.
From this golden egg, Brahma was
born, while the remaining materials
of this golden egg expanded into the
universe.
Unlike most Hindu deities,
Brahma holds no weapons. One of
his hands holds a Lotus, another
holds the Vedas, a third hand holds a
This task of
transforming the world
is now in progress.
The Supreme Father
is calling His children,
through Brahma, to
come to Him and get
liberated.
Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.
Do the common thing in an uncommon way.
Honesty is something you can’t wear out.
You cannot buy back yesterday.
It is not only kind but relaxing to help others.
We do not conquer mountains; we conquer ourselves.
Never fear to negotiate but never negotiate out of fear.
Live in the present for the future guided by the past
Do not live in the past - thre is no future in it.
45th ascension anniversary of Prajapita Brahma is being
celebrated on 18th January as World Peace Day
Here Brahma Baba lovingly writing a letter. (File Photo)
of the Iron Age, which is the last of
the four stages in the cycle of time,
all souls are depleted of energy after
having played different roles through
successive births during the entire
cycle.
When the souls come to this
planet in the beginning, they are
full of virtues and powers. As they
begin to play their roles, they slowly
start losing these. At first, they are
fully aware, knowing their spiritual
identity and acting on the basis of
their original qualities of peace, love,
joy, truth and purity.
As the souls come in contact
with matter -- their bodies and
the things around them – and the
elements of nature, the influence
of these begins to affect them. This
reaches the point where they begin
to see themselves in terms of their
bodies and possessions, forgetting
that they are souls, and as a result
losing touch with their innate virtues.
Identification with the body gives
rise to vices – lust, anger, greed, ego,
attachment, jealousy etc. When the
souls start acting under the influence
of these, discomfort, sorrow and
conflicts begin.
Their actions influence the
elements of nature, causing
upheaval and disorder. Nature also
becomes a direct victim of humans,
suffering exploitation and abuse.
As the souls keep losing their
powers, they are less able to resist
the vices. In consequence, they
experience more sorrow. Trapped
in a cycle of doing wrong actions
and experiencing sorrow, they begin
to search for liberation, and for an
experience of true and lasting love,
happiness and peace.
By the end of the cycle of time,
(Purity Bureau)
there is so much sorrow and pain
that souls become desperate for
salvation.
This is the time when
transformation takes place. Only the
one who is not trapped in this world
can free the souls from their bondage
to vices. The Father of all souls, the
Supreme Soul, comes to release His
children from sorrow and pain. The
incorporeal Father uses a human
medium to speak to His children and
remind them of who they are and to
whom they belong.
He tells them how, by
remembering Him, they can draw
power and virtues and become free
of the influence of vices.
This medium, the first among
humans to receive spiritual
knowledge from God and the
instrument for giving that knowledge
to humanity, comes to be known as
Brahma.
Those who receive this
knowledge through Brahma and live
by it are the true Brahmins -- the
spiritual progeny of Brahma. They are
also known as the ‘praja’ or subjects
of Brahma, who is, in turn, called
Prajapita or father of the ‘praja’.
This task of transforming the
world is now in progress, with the
world passing through the final
stages of the current cycle of time.
After leaving mortal coil on 18
January 1969, Adidev Brahma
continues his task in angelic form.
The Father is calling His children,
through Brahma, to come to Him and
get liberated. A better world is about
to dawn, he tells them, and they only
have to give up all that has given
them sorrow so that they can go to a
world without sorrow.
Not all children, however, heed
the call. Many are attached to the
attractions of this world and unable
to distinguish between the short-
lived joys it offers and the experience
of lasting peace and happiness.
All children, however, receive
liberation, with those who recognise
the Father and accept His guidance
getting transformed, through His
powers, into divine beings who
spread the light of God’s love to their
fellow humans. These souls become
deities in the Golden Age when the
next cycle of time begins. They are
remembered to this day as angels
who come to the aid of humans, and
as deities who are worshipped for all
kinds of salvation and blessings.
Brahma, God’s most obedient
child and His incognito medium,
keeps his low profile even in this,
with very few temples dedicated to
his worship even though almost all
Hindu religious rites involve praying
to him.V
string of prayer beads and the fourth
holds the Kamandal.
One of the names of Brahma is
Adi Dev, meaning the first deity or
the deity who has existed from the
beginning.
This name has a story behind it.
Brahma is the progenitor of
humanity because he plays a key role
in establishing a new world order. He
is the medium through whom human
souls receive knowledge of their true
identity, knowledge about God, their
relationship with Him, and about the
cycle of time.
By this knowledge human souls
become free of their bondages,
attain a divine status and then take
birth as deities when a new cycle of
time begins. They, the creation of
Brahma, are the ancestors of the
entire human race.
Apart from being the instrument
through whom God performs His
task of turning humans into deities,
Brahma also becomes the first
among the deities.
This task of transforming
humans into deities takes place at
the end of each cycle of time, when
the world transitions from the Iron
Age to the Golden Age. At the end
Words of Wisdom

10. January 201410purity
Everyone you meet is your mirror.
Nothing New, History Repeats!
We understand and often find
ourselves saying – ‘nothing
new, history repeats’. If anything is
to repeat over a period of time, then
time should be cyclic in nature.
The mere thought that ‘nothing
is new’ is empowering in itself.
Whatever occurred in the past,
passed and would come to pass
again. Therefore there is nothing
to worry. Knowledge is power. The
knowledge of cyclical nature of time
gives us the power to handle and
face any situation effectively, without
fear or worry.
We have witnessed the cycle of
day and night many times. Morning,
afternoon, evening, night and then
morning occur repeatedly in a cyclical
manner. There is knowledge that
evening would definitely come during
the course of a 24 hour period. This
enables us to make future plans. A
man could call his wife if he knows
that he would come home late in
the evening. It could happen that he
may leave the body before evening
comes, but so long as he is alive, he
can make plans of the evening.
Similarly the seasons are also
cyclical - winter, spring, summer
and autumn. Before winter comes
we prepare our woollens and check
our room-heaters to prepare for the
upcoming cold. We do this because
we know the history. We understand
that it would be cold this winter
season too as it has happened in the
past. Knowing the cyclical nature of
time we can predict the future and
prepare accordingly.
In the same way while looking
at a child we can predict that in due
course he would grow into an adult,
cross the middle age and finally
would become old. Even a big tree
grows from a small sapling, bears
flowers, fruits, grows bigger, and one
day dries up and decays. We know
the cycle.
Similarly it is said that every
saint has a past and every sinner
has a future. Whatever is now would
not be there. If there is day it would
go and night would come. Night also
is not permanent but soon slips
into the morning with the first rays
of the rising sun. Change is the law
of nature. We have gone through it
numerous times. We have surpassed
it time and again.
Cyclical pattern of world drama
could take away all the fear and worry.
The scene which occurs in the world
drama would eventually go and pave
way for the next one. Often a small
problem could get a person to panic.
Even if there is an insurmountable
The war described
in the Bhagavad
Gita was a
non-violent
spiritual war for
victory over the
vices.
Mumbai (Malad) : Lighting candles
to inaugurate the Medical Camp
are Dr. Alpa Bhanushali, Film Actor
Rahul Roy, BK Kunti, Dr. Kaushal
Bhanushali, TV & Film Actor Kunikalal
and BK Chand Mishra.
Non-violence and Shrimad Bhagavad Gita
V
iolence is an accepted norm
in today’s society. Today a
nation’s power is determined by
the destructive potential of its
weapons. Today an individual
is deemed powerful as per his
capacity to dominate. And yet,
today’s society feels gravely
concerned about the alarming
growth in violence at all levels.
What a paradox!
Life is becoming unsafe with
each passing day, if we look at
the growing number of killings
and murders. Recent spurt in
violence against women has put
a frightening scare in the minds
of our entire womenfolk.
It is unfortunate that all
this is happening in our great
country Bharat, which is perhaps
the only country in the world
that subscribes to the concept
of “Ahimsa Parmo Dharma” –
complete non-violence. It is not a
utopia. Bharat of the glorious past
is sung of as the golden sparrow,
land of the deities, where lion and
cow drank water together at the
same stream.
Violence is a negative power
described in Bhagwad Gita as
the prime indicator of “Aasuri
Sampada” (Devilish society). It
instantly takes away one’s peace
and tranquility. It has robbed
the entire human race of peace
and harmony. As per Bhagwad
Gita, violence manifests itself in
the form of kama, krodh, lobh,
moh and ahankar (lust, anger,
greed,attachment and ego).
These vices or different forms
of violence are at the root of all
sex-crimes, killings, exploitation,
injustice and indignity that we find
in our society today. All litigation
is caused by these vices, so also
all the suffering.
Non-violence is a great
power. It was effectively used by
Mahatma Gandhi to free India
from the mighty British empire.
Non-violence is more powerful
than violence, in the same
way as, light is more powerful
than darkness, truth is more
powerful than falsehood. To think
otherwise is fallacious.
Religious beliefs greatly
influence our perceptions and
attitudes. The commonly held
belief that violence is justified to
obtain your rightful due, or for
victory of good over evil and its
corollary that good has to be more
violent than evil so as to defeat it,
needs to be re-considered.
It is not without reason that
Gita is considered the Supreme
Scripture. It is “Bhagwanuvach”
God’s own versions. It contains
God’s own wisdom or ‘Shrimat’ for
totally finishing violence,adharma
or Aasuri Sampada and re-
establishing a completely non-
violent world order described
as “Daivi Sampada”. The war
described in the Gita was
a non-violent spiritual war
for victory over the vices of
lust,anger,greed,attachment and
ego. This is the most significant
feature of Bhagwad Gita which
holds the key to re-stablishing a
non-violent society. V
(Speech by BK Brij Mohan,
Addl. Secretary General, Brahma
Kumaris, at the National Convention
held in Chennai last month.)
(Purity Bureau)
problem or even a catastrophe,
understand that ‘nothing is new’. We
have seen this over and over again.
All you need to remember —
“Nothing new, history repeats”. V
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Manager, Purity, 25 New Rohtak Road, New Delhi-110005
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They drank for joy and
became miserable.
They drank for friendship
and became enemies.
They drank to help them
sleep and awakened
exhausted.
They drank to gain strength,
and it made them weaker.
They drank for exhilaration
and ended up depressed.
They drank for “medical
reasons” and acquired health
problems.
They drank to get more
confidence and became
afraid.
They drank to feel heavenly
and ended up feeling like
hell.
Drinking

11. January 201411purity
Solutions come easily from your calm mind.
On Time
Animals by instinct do the same
thing each day at the same time
of day without the need of a clock. I
remember a cat that used to come
by our house every evening at 7pm
– I don’t ever remember seeing her
wearing a Cartier or a Rolex! So why
is it that human beings need clocks?
In times long gone we told the
time by the sun, and it didn’t matter
too much if we were an hour or so
late, or a tad early. But now in the age
of split second precision, even one-
hundredth of a second can make the
difference between win and lose.
We need to remember that
clocks are our invention. Some may
even say that time is our invention.
Yet we run around like slaves under
the command of the master on
the wall. Because ‘time is money’
and there is ‘no time to lose’, we
constantly have to jump to attention.
A clock is merely a tool that helps
keep our life and daily timetable on
track. It’s very interesting how this
otherwise insignificant piece of metal
or the little numbers in the corner of
your PC can create so much stress.
And speaking of designer
watches that can chew up your
whole savings, it will tell the same
time as will a one-dollar Casio watch,
will it not? But that is a discussion for
another time!
We need clocks and watches
to be our policemen when we try
to cram too much into the day and
like a machine push our body (and
soul) to fulfill every contract and
appointment. We keep ‘oiling’ the
machine with caffeine in the hope
that the clock will tick slower and the
body will tick faster!
Without realizing it we have
replaced our internal body clock
and intuition with the clocks on the
walls, and watches on our wrists.
Do we really need to make the clock
our constant companion if we are
Panipat : Hon’ble Chief Minister of Haryana Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda inaugurating Vishwa Shanti Sabhagar at
Gyan Maansarovar alongwith BK Asha, BK Bharat Bhushan and BK Sarla.
BK Aruna Ladva, Kuwait
Wealth that Grows
with Spending
Imagine yourself being blessed with a
lot of wealth that keeps growing. The
more you spend it, the more it grows.
What a heavenly way of being that
would be!
Wealth is important to all but
in our present materialistic age
wealth is almost entirely equated
with money. Today money does
seem to make the world go round.
Globalisation, liberalization, consumer-
ism, modernization, education,
entertainment, research—most of
these are connected to the underlying
goal to create more wealth and
prosperity.
While there are hundreds of
methods to make money grow, the
fundamentals are quite simple and few.
There are people who use ingenious,
smart, crooked and wicked ways to
make money grow but if we understand
true wealth we will also come to know
that true growth of wealth happens
only through noble means.
The relationship that humans have
with wealth reveals interesting aspects
about their character traits. The way
people think about growing their
wealth depends a lot on their value
systems. Some people think that they
can have more money by being thrifty
or even stingy. Some of them invest
in banks, stocks etc. Some others try
to make quick bucks through lottery,
betting, gaming etc. There are lots
of people who make money through
illegal and unrighteous methods.
There are also many religious minded
and kind-hearted people who believe
that money grows by donating it in
charity.
Money has this addictive effect, so
much so that even those who have a lot
of it live in a state of wanting more and
more of it. So once someone becomes
a millionaire he wants to be billionaire
and once he becomes a billionaire he
wants to be a multibillionaire and the
game never ends.
Wealth in a deeper sense means
an asset or a quality that gives a sense
of fulfillment and the power to share
it with others and fulfil their needs as
well. While material wealth diminishes
with spending spiritual wealth grows
with spending. What goes around
(from you) comes back. This is an
adage that we all have heard many
times. This is also true for all types
of wealth—money, emotions, wisdom,
etc. As per the law of karma material
wealth grows if you invest it in a good
cause but the fruits manifest much
later.
With spiritual wealth the growth
happens immediately and on a larger
scale. When you share wisdom, love,
joy and peace, you feel more wise,
loved, happy and peaceful. Because
when you share love you first feel love
in your heart and when you make
others feel loved they reflect it back
to you and thus it grows instantly.
Moreover, by sharing these treasures
you experience instant happiness and
inner power.
To share and grow spiritual wealth,
first we need to be rich ourselves.
When we live a spiritually fulfilled life,
we feel abundance and prosperity
flowing from inside. Inner happiness
and contentment are the greatest
wealth that we can possess. It is said
that a contented beggar is a king while
a discontented king is a beggar.
So wealth is a feeling of living in
a state of inner joy, bliss, contentment
and love. The more we are aware
of our innate treasures and the
opportunities we have to share them,
the wealthier we become. Such wealth
is also free from tension, worries, fear,
possessiveness, and conceit. It grows
from the core values of the soul and
is continually replenished when we
connect to God—who is the unlimited
source of spiritual treasures. God has
created each soul in His image i.e.
perfect and full.
Time, energy and thoughts are
life’s greatest treasures. The ones
who value these treasures are able
to use them for the benefit of all and
they never waste them. When these
treasures are put to full and proper use,
they attract the best material treasures
too. By getting in touch with our inner
self we are able to develop these inner
treasures. These treasures keep us
rich i.e. contented at all times, even
when external circumstances are not
so favourable. When we further share
them it makes us richer and richer.
Material wealth is only a means
for temporary physical comfort but
spiritual wealth is the source of lasting
happiness. When we tap into the
abundant resources that we have
within ourselves we will be forever
free from the feelings of want, lack
and limitation. Good deeds, spiritual
values and love for God are the keys to
true prosperity. So let us explore the
abundance that lies within each of us
and share it to make this world truly
prosperous and happy. V
(Purity Features)
totally in tune and on pulse with our
instinctual inner clock?
In the noise of our busy-ness,
we cannot sense our eating and
sleeping needs. We skip meals and
do not eat on time, or we burn the
midnight oil thereby disturbing our
equilibrium. All these habits keep us
away from hearing the inner call of
time.
We often proclaim that time is
speeding up, but are the hands of the
clock really turning faster, or could it
just be our minds that are racing?
We may say that we are ‘running
out of time’, or that we have ‘lost
time’. Occasionally we have to ‘find
time’ or ‘make time’ but in truth, time
is the constant, it will continue to tick
away minute by minute, hour by hour.
It is how we perceive time and what
we do with it that is important.
By practicing meditation we do
not slow down, rather it slows down
our thoughts – we have fewer yet
more powerful thoughts, which are
able to manifest success as and
when needed.
We may just find that as we
become more relaxed, we also
become less ‘busy’ and probably a
lot more efficient! We no longer have
to live our life by clockwork, but we
use time in the right way with the
feeling of being a master.
With peace and calm as our
companions, we are able to make
clear and immediate choices. When
the mind is still like a lake, then it can
also give serenity to those around it.
So too when I am at peace, I am able
to make those around me peaceful
and focused.
It’sTime…tolivebyourinstinctual
inner clock. Living life by clockwork is
neither healthy for our body, mind or
spirit. We can’t lose time or find it or
make it, but by becoming a master,
we will make time our best friend
and not our Rolex! V

12. 12
ISSN 0970-8294 RNI NO. 39232-/81 DELHI POSTAL REGD. NO. DL (C)-01/1049/12-14
PURITY January 2014
Licensed to post without prepayment under No. U(C)-133/2012-14
Posted at ND PSO on 2-3 of the monthDate of Publication 30 December 2013
Printed and Published by B.K.Brij Mohan Anand for Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya, (H.Q. Mt. Abu, Rajasthan) 25, New Rohtak Road, New Delhi-110005.
Ph.: 23680496, 23670463 Fax:011-23680496 E-mail:purity@bkivv.org Printed at Rakesh Press, A-22, Sector-68, Noida-201301, UP. Associate Editor:BK Asha, Editor: BK Brij Mohan Anand.
Mr. Wise
Tailpiece
Mr. Wise?
Yes.
Bhagavad Gita is considered to be the ‘Sarva
Shastra Maei Shiromani’ Supreme
Scripture?
Yes, because it contains God’s wisdom
directly spoken in 1st person as
‘Bhagwanuvach’.
Where then is the need to read any other
scripture than Bhagavad Gita?
I cannot say.
vvv
And Mr. Wise?
Yes.
Every human being longs to become immortal?
Of course, we all wish to gain immortality.
Doesn’t God of Gita instantly grant us immortality by revealing we
are not perishable body but an immortal soul?
I cannot say.
vvv
Lastly…
Yes.
God of Gita takes ‘avtar’ (incarnates) to re-establish a righteous
order every time it becomes unrighteous?
Of course. This is the divine task of renewal which God alone
can and does perform at the end of each world cycle.
Then isn’t it wrong to believe that God of Gita is always present,
everywhere in the world?
Perhaps you are right.
vvv
An elderly man took his little grandson
for a walk around the local cemetery.
Pausing before one gravestone, he said, “
“There lies a very honest man. He died
owing me 15000 rupees, but he struggled to the end to pay
off his debts and if anyone has gone to Heaven, he has.”
They walked on a bit farther and then came to another
grave.
The old man pointed to the gravestone and said, “Now,
there’s a different type of man altogether. He owed me
18000 rupees and he died without ever trying to pay me
back. If anyone has gone to Hell, he has.”
The little boy thought for awhile and then said, “You know,
Granddad, you are very lucky.”
“Why”? asked the old man in surprise.
“Well, whichever place you go to, you’ll have some money
waiting when you get there!”
vvv
Patna (Bihar) : Group photo of ‘the future of power’ programme held at Patliputra Exotica Hotel.
Visit. www.futureofpower.com for more information.
Mumbai (Borivali): Former Union Minister Mr. Ram Naik and former MLA
Mr. Hemendra Mehta, felicitating BK Bindu for outstanding service to the society.
It takes two to tango