16 September 2026
Wednesday
The sages of India gave up the paths of superficial pomp and temporary security; they sought to gain inner peace and lasting joy. They discovered that these can be gained only by drawing the sap of life through the roots of one’s own inner reality called Atma (soul). Though this lesson, which was revealed to them by God, is repeated, elaborated and propagated all these centuries by countless scholars, poets and speakers, very few accept it as the basis of life. The insect on the wing is snapped up by the frog’s leaping tongue; the frog is caught unawares by the jaws of the snake; the snake is killed by the peacock; the peacock is killed by the hunter. One living thing is food for another; death lies in wait at every turn of day and night. Man is stalked ceaselessly by death; it may pounce any moment on its prey. He is not conscious of this companion; he has not learned how to meet him and rob him of the fruits of his exploit. The Atma does not die; only the body dies. When man knows this, death loses his sting; death is not feared; death is but a welcome voyage into the known harbour.
The sages of India gave up the paths of superficial pomp and temporary security; they sought to gain inner peace and lasting joy. They discovered that these can be gained only by drawing the sap of life through the roots of one’s own inner reality called Atma (soul). Though this lesson, which was revealed to them by God, is repeated, elaborated and propagated all these centuries by countless scholars, poets and speakers, very few accept it as the basis of life. The insect on the wing is snapped up by the frog’s leaping tongue; the frog is caught unawares by the jaws of the snake; the snake is killed by the peacock; the peacock is killed by the hunter. One living thing is food for another; death lies in wait at every turn of day and night. Man is stalked ceaselessly by death; it may pounce any moment on its prey. He is not conscious of this companion; he has not learned how to meet him and rob him of the fruits of his exploit. The Atma does not die; only the body dies. When man knows this, death loses his sting; death is not feared; death is but a welcome voyage into the known harbour.