In English
Qualities that provide charm to life
Once upon time, Socrates was asked by a pupil, "Master! God has allotted a hundred years for man. But, he seldom lives so long. 25 of them are spent in childhood, boyhood and ' youth playing silly games, 25 more in family and social entanglements and another 25 in allotting and apportioning properties among children. If he survives 75, he is ridden by disease or grief at the loss of son or daughter. He has no free time to think of God. It would be good if God grants 25 years more for him to dwell wholly in Him." Socrates responded with another equally sad statement. "Son! God has given us this vast house called Earth. But, three quarters of it is sea; the other quarter is mostly mountain, desert, lake and forest. I have no place to live," he wept. The pupil consoled him: "Why? When billions can live on earth you surely can secure a place." Socrates said, "When so many billion thoughts are framed in your mind, my son, you can certainly find room easily for thoughts on God." Only idlers complain of want of time for meditating on God. "Yearn, you will find a way; pray, you will receive Grace." The value that has to be inculcated is discrimination between the fleeting and the fundamental, the trivial and the precious. Do not tell students that the world is an 'illusion' (). It is real, intensely real so long as we are present here. Let people live lives with deep interest in the process. For a meal that takes up a few minutes, we take trouble to make it a tasty, delightful experience. Then for a life that covers long decades should we not take the trouble to make it tasty? What imparts taste to living? Good thoughts, clean habits, virtues, good deeds - these provide charm and delight to life. Do not go home and loll in an easy chair, with your head swollen with pride that you are a 'teacher' or a 'student'. Share joyfully in the work that your mother or father does. That makes living delicious.