PUNISHMENT

 

PUNISHMENT

“Punishment” is defined as the act of inflicting pain, suffering, or loss on a person as retribution for a misdeed, such as breaking a law or command.

It can take many forms including: forced labour, fine, forfeiture of property, dismissal from job, simple or rigorous imprisonment, life imprisonment, death penalty, etc.

            Punishment is for crime, not for sin for which there is suffering. According to some religions all suffering in life, such as sickness, poverty, pain and sorrow is a result of sin.

            A criminal is at the mercy of judiciary; a sinner,  at the mercy of God. Crime is a physical or mental misconduct ; sin is a spiritual aberration.

            Repentance, penance, torment, self-condemnation and suicide are forms of self-punishment.

            Forgiveness is a virtue. It brings a change in  the passion for revenge and retaliation.  

            Crime and sin do not remain unpunished forever. The laws of Karma , cause and effect, action and reaction, do show their results sooner or later.

            According to the American clergy J. B. Walker (1814-82) the existence of future punishment and everlasting destruction is an evidence of the goodness, the justice, and the wisdom of God: of goodness, in that it is a motive to prevent sin and turn men from evil; of justice, in that it is the righteous doom of irreclaimable sinners; and of wisdom, in that God can thus make the penalty of sin a motive to deter from sin.

            Finally, this psychological quote: Punishment can breed resentment and lead to increased aggression. In many cases,  it’s better to provide positive reinforcement for good behaviour rather than punishing misbehaviour.

                                                            *******

G. R. Kanwal

31^st October 2024

 

  

           

REPENTANCE

 

          REPENTANCE

A repentant person is one who is sorrowful, apologetic, regretful, remorseful, guilt-ridden or ashamed for any wrong he has done.

To repent is to feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin. It may also mean to feel sorrow for your  sin and make up your mind to do what is right.

In repentance there is a feeling of dissatisfaction with what one has done unlawfully or immorally.

  To remain innocent all through one’s life is unimaginable.  The world is a slippery place both legally and morally.   There is hardly a grown-up person who has not committed some sort of guilt and consequently has not been pricked by his conscience to realize his guilt and become repentant. 

Hardened sinners who refuse to repent throughout their life are devilish.

According to the Scottish essayist Thomas Carlyle (1795-18881 “Of all acts of man repentance is the most divine and the greatest of all faults is to be conscious of none.

The American playwright Thornton Wilder (1897-1975) said that true repentance consists in the heart being broken for sin and broken from sin. Some often repent, yet never reform; they resemble a man travelling in a dangerous path, who frequently starts and stops, but never turns back.

The English philosopher and physician John Locke (1632-1704) believes that repentance is a hearty sorrow for our past misdeeds, and a sincere resolution and endeavour, to the utmost of our power, to conform all our actions to the law of God. It does not consist in one single act of sorrow, but in doing works meet for repentance; in a sincere obedience to the law of God  for the remainder of our lives.

Personally speaking, no sinner can revive his innocence and be pardoned by God without whole-hearted repentance.

Finally, this quote: Repentance is about humbly acknowledging sins, turning away from them, and surrendering to God’s mercy and grace.

                                                *******

G.R.Kanwal

30 October 2024

 

SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT SIN

 

          SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT SIN

To sin is to do wrong, commit a crime,  and indulge in acts of evil, wickedness, immorality, transgression, unrighteousness, ungodliness, irreligiousness, blasphemy, impiety and sacrilege.  

            Religiously there are seven deadly sins. They are: anger, pride, lust, envy, covetousness, gluttony and inertia.

           

            It is not easy to commit a sin. Conscience pricks the sinner and compels him to repent. Sinners pray to God to pardon them and promise to become pious and virtuous beings.

 

            Look at the following thoughts about sin.

1 (a).Sin is, essentially, a departure from God. 1(b). The recognition of sin is the beginning of salvation.----German religious reformer Martin Luther (1488-1546).

 

2. Sin is first pleasing, then it grows easy, then delightful, then frequent, then habitual, then confirmed; then the man is impenitent, then he is obstinate, then he is resolved never to repent, and then he is ruined.---Scottish Archbishop Robert Leighton (1611-1684).

 

3. Use sin as it will use you; spare it not. For it will not spare you; it is your murderer, and the murderer of the world; use it, therefore, as a murderer should be used. Kill it before it kills you. You love not death; love not the cause of death.---English divine Richard Baxter (1618-1697).

 

4. Bad men hate sin through fear of punishment; good men hate sin through their love of virtue. -----Roman poet Juvenal (55 Ad--?).

 

5. He that hath slight thought of sin never had great thoughts of God.---English poet and soldier Wilfred Owen(1893-1918)

 

            It is imperative for sinners to reform themselves both physically and mentally to deserve God’s mercy. This reformative action can be initiated at any time, for In God’s divine court , it is never too late to apologise.

            Finally, this anonymous quote: The greatest sin is to call yourself a sinner. You are a child of God. Though gold be covered with mud for centuries, it remains gold.

                                                                        *********

G.R.Kanwal

29 October 2024.

 

             

 

  

 

LIGHT AS A METAPHOR

 

                   LIGHT AS A METAPHOR

          “Light” is defined as the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible.  Examples of this definition are sunlight, moonlight, starlight, lamplight, firelight, electric light and gaslight.  

           Metaphorical meaning a word is non-literal, figurative, allegorical, symbolic and emblematical.

Light has several metaphorical meanings. Some of them are:  truth, knowledge, wisdom. Goodness, virtue, life, vitality, love, understanding and enlightenment.

 Look at these lines from the the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore’s Gitanjali:

 

“Light, Oh where is the light ! Kindle it with the burning fire of desire! It thunders and the wind rushes screaming through the void. The night is black as a black stone. Let not the hours pass by in the dark. Kindle the lamp of love with thy life.”

 

          What follows are a few quotes from the writings of English and other writers.   

 

1. Hail ! holy light , offspring of heaven, first born.--- English poet, John Milton (1608-1674).

 

2. The first creation of God, in the works of the days, was the light of sense; the last was the light of reason; and his Sabbath work, ever since. is the illumination of the spirit. -----English writer and philosopher Francis Bacon (1561-1626).

 

3. Light is the symbol of truth. -----American Romantic poet J.R.Lowell (1819-!891). 

 

4. The light of nature, the light of reason, are but as darkness, compared with the divine light which shines only from the word of God.----American historian J.K.Lord 1810-94.

 

5. Light is the shadow of God.---Greek philosopher Plato.  

 

Finally, this short but meaningful quote: Every moment of light and dark is a miracle.

                                      ******

G.R.Kanwal

28 October 2024

 

SUFFERING

 

          SUFFERING

Life is suffering. Religions call it the overall result of actions in previous births. To stop this situation you have to become a Buddha, an elightened one by following the path of right thinking, right intending, right acting, right living, right speaking, right acting, right planning and right meditating. To be brief, your means as well as ends should be noble. They should be un-punishable by physical, mental, emotional and spiritual suffering.

            Suffering is pain, agony, torment, torture, anguish, discomfort, hardship, distress, affliction, misery, misfortune, and all those physical, mental and spiritual situations which make people uneasy and unhappy and lead them to medical treatments, religious aids, prayers, atonement, abandonment of desires and pleasures and  resort to begging for pardon.

            The best way to deal with suffering is change in life style. Adopt physical simplicity , mental uprightness and spiritual purity.

            Those who have suffered and in a way understood the causes of suffering become humble, sympathetic, helpful, kind-hearted, law-abiding, God-fearing and as much virtuous as they can wherever they work or spend their life time.

            A man of God undergoes suffering silently. He does not complain or grumble. What he prays for is his regeneration and inability to repeat the causes of his present suffering.

            Let suffering make you noble ----- a loveable child of God.

             Finally, this famous and quite relevant quote : “We must learn to suffer what we cannot evade; our life, like the harmony of the world, is composed of contrary things, and one part is no less necessary than the other.”

                                                            *******

G.R.Kanwal

27 October 2024          

 

POVERTY

 

          POVERTY

“Poverty” is defined not only as shortage of money but also dearth, shortage, scarcity, paucity, insufficiency, lack and meagerness of other resources. Thinkers have both liked and disliked it.  Some have blamed God for its existence and many others have held human rulers responsible for it.

The English novelist and playwright  John Galsworthy (1867-1933) said: “Nations like men, can be healthy and be happy, though comparatively poor. Wealth is a means to an end, not the end itself. As a synonym for health and happiness, it has had a fair trial and dismay.”

The Canadian poet Bliss Carman (161-1929) praises God for poverty. He says: “Praise God for poverty that makes and keeps us free, and lets us go our un-obstructive way, glad of the sun and rain, upright, serene, humane, contented with the fortunes of the day.

Poverty should not make people beggars. For this governments must be held responsible. Most of the poor people are God-fearing, law-abiding, contented and spiritually sound and in this respect they are better than a large number of rich people who do not believe in simple living and high thinking.

Present day rulers are promoting materialism and trying to surpass their rivals using all sorts of fair and foul means. In this context, here is a great thought of the American industrialist and business magnate Henry Ford (1863-1947) :

“The cure for materialism is to have enough for everybody and to spare. When people are sure of having what they need they cease to think about it.  

Finally, the following terrific words of Greek philosopher Aristotle (384 BC-322BC):

“Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime.”

                                                *******

G.R.Kanwal

25 October 2024

 

 

IGNORANCE

 

          IGNORANCE

“Ignorance” is defined as lack of knowledge or information. Some of its synonyms are unawareness, unfamiliarity, inexperience and illiteracy.  

 Ignorance cannot be equated with innocence because  it is no excuse for escaping its consequence. There is a famous quotation says: “ignorance of law is no excuse.”

Some famous thoughts on ignorance are: 1.  Better be unborn than untaught, for ignorance is the root of misfortune. 2. To be proud of learning is the greatest ignorance. 3. Where ignorance is bliss, it is folly to be wise. 4. So long as thou art ignorant be not ashamed to learn. Ignorance is the greatest of all infirmities , and, when justified, the chiefest of all follies. 5. He that is not aware of his ignorance will be only misled by his knowledge.

Nobody can have inexhaustible knowledge because knowledge is always widening in our evolutionary world. Also, keep it in mind that educational institutions are not the only and the best sources of gaining knowledge,  Experience is the greatest teacher. Unschooled people are also learned. They have educated themselves in the practical school of life.

Books, too, are not fully satisfactory sources of gaining knowledge.

Knowledge about God, the creation of the world, the purpose of life, the mortality of all sorts of existence is inaccessible from any available source. No sage, saint or seer can answer all our questions about life and death. A lot of ignorance is bound to be there for ages to come.  Both religion and science are also not perfect sources of comprehensive knowledge . Even so,it is desirable to acquire as much knowledge as we can at any given time.

The English poet-playwright William Shakespeare (1564-1616) said: “Ignorance is the curse of God; knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.”

Finally, this short but very  impressive quote: “Ignorance is an enemy, even to its owner.”

                                                *********

G.R.Kanwal

24 October 2024    

 

         

SOME THOUGHTS ON FEAR

 

          SOME  THOUGHTS ON FEAR

“Fear” is defined as the bad feeling that we have when we are in danger, when something bad might happen, or when a particular thing frightens.

Some synonyms of fear are: fright, terror, panic, horror, dread , worry, uneasiness, anxiety and worry.  

So long as there are dangers of some sort fear will continue to assail our minds and make us terrified.

Are we not afraid of dangerous creatures, natural calamities and possibility of wars?  

The Indian poet-philosopher Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) prays to God to make India an independent country “where the mind is without fear and the head is held high”.

It is unfortunate that most of the countries in the world are afraid of others  and spend a lot of money on arms and weapons to make themselves strong.

The French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) said: He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat.

Some famous thoughts on fear are: (1). It is only the fear of God that can deliver us from the fear of man. (2). Fear is more painful to cowardice than death to true courage. (3). In time we hate that which we often fear.----English poet-dramatist William Shakespeare ---1564-1616.  (4). Fear is the mother of foresight. (5). God planted fear in the soul as truly as he planted hope or courage.  It is a kind of bell or gong which rings the mind into quick life and avoidance on the approach of danger.  It is the soul’s signal for rallying.---- H.W.Beecher, American clergyman (1813-1887).

Finally, this quote: The original of all great and lasting societies consisted not in the mutual good will men had toward each other, but in the mutual fear they had of each other.

 

                                      *******

G.R.Kanwal

23 October 2024

 

King Porus Fought For Freedom: A Poetic View

 

King Porus Fought For Freedom: A Poetic View

 

Indian poet Michael Madhusudan Dutt looks at Maharaja Porus as a legendary freedom fighter of Inida.  A great scholar who was as good 

a writer in English and Persian as in his mother tongue Bengali.  He was born on 25^th January 1824 in Jessore District of Bangladesh and passed on June 29, 1873 in Kolkata.  He served as a teacher of English in Madras.  His nickname was Timothy Penpoem.

          Dutt was a revolutionary poet.  He had modernistic mindset, interested in throwing away some of the old social baggage which kept people superstitious and cowardly.  He was a patriot and it is because of this quality of his own that he admires Maharaja Porus and calls him ---- A Legendary Hero --- in his poem on King Porus.

          Dutt believes that Maharaja Porus fought for Freedom: “Loudly the midnight tempest sang. /Ah! It was thy dirge, fair Liberty!”

          The hero of Dutt’s poem is a true valorous king.  Describing the invasion of Alexander and the readiness of Maharaja Porus to defend himself and his soldiers, Dutt says:

          Then lion-king, each warrior brave

          Rushed on the coming foe,

          To strike for freedom – or the grave.

Thousands of soldiers of soldiers lost their lives in this battle.  But, says Dutt, before the Macedonians driven’ fell India’s hardy sons.’ Proud mountain oaks by thunders driven, that for their country’s freedom bled – and made on gore their florious bed!

How did Maharaja Porus in this terribly destructive batter? According to Dutt: King Porus stood their dauntlessly, towering ‘midst the fore’, like a Himala-peak, with its eternal crown of snow, and on his brow did shine the jewell’d regal diadem.  His mil-white elephant t was deck’d with many a brilliant gem.

Unfortunately Maharaja Porus got wounded and started bleeding. Alexander noticed it and quite generously ordered his men to “Desist-desist!” and wonderfully exclaimed: “Such noble blood should not be shed!”

The words that follow hint at peace and patriotism. “Stood, ‘midst the dying’ and the dead, King Porus, boldly, undismayed: ‘Hail, brave and warlike prince!’, thy generous rival bids thee cease – behold! there flies the flag that lulls dread war, and wakens peace!”

Maharaja Porus is chained but boldly goes to the place where ‘midst the gay and flittering crowd, sat god-like Alexander. Michael Dutt

uses this scene to highlight the indomitable spirit of Porus to shun slavery and make the strongest possible plea for freedom.  In Michael’s words: “While ‘round’ Earth’s mightiest monarchs bow’d, King Porus was no slave; he stooped not – bent not there his knee , but stood, as stands an oak in Himalayan majesty and when asked by Alexander how he should be tread, Porus replied: “As a King”.

          India should be grateful to Michael Maduhusudan Dutt for interpreting the war between Porus and Alexander as an Indian’s war  for freedom against a foreign invader.

       

 

 

FATE AND CHARACTER

 

          FATE AND CHARACTER

Fate is defined as destiny, providence, God’s will, outcome of character, result of one’s deeds, inevitable event, etc. Also all that happened, is happening, and is bound to happen hereafter.

Is fate like reward of one’s present good or bad deeds or it is pre-determined, even before our birth, and God has decided it according to His divine law? 

Both the above-mentioned views are prevalent in societal laws and religions.  

William Shakespeare, the English poet- dramatist (1564-1616) says “There is a divinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew as we will.”

The English writer John Dryden (1631-1700)   believed that “all things are by fate, but poor blind man sees but a part of the chain, the nearest link, his eyes not reaching to that equal beam which poises all above.” 

The American writer-philosopher  Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) advises “if you believe in fate, believe in it , at least, for your good.”

 The English novelist Edward George  Bulwer-Lytton exclaims: “Fate! There is no fate, ---Between the thought and the success God is the only agent.”

It is also not wrong to say that man is the architect of his fate. H e reaps what he sows. His character is the basis of his fate. The Karma theory in Hindu religion also confirms this view. You are bound to reap the  appropriate fruit of your actions. Mercy and forgiveness are at the will of God, otherwise evil cannot have the same reward as good.

In a conflicting situation good prevails and evil is defeated.

            Finally, here are two relevant quotes:

*Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart.

  ** Remember upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all.  

                                                ********

G.R.Kanwal

21^st October 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kingship In Ancient India

 

Kingship In Ancient India

There is no authentic account about the origin of kingship in ancient India.  There are several, nearly similar, theories but none of them can be taken as the final word. According to one theory there was no king and no government in the initial years of Krita Yuga.

          An interesting story goes like this: During the recurrent armed confrontations between the gods and demons, it was demons who unexceptionally turned out to be victorious.  To overcome this humiliating situation, they assembled and held long discussions after which they resolved that their defeats would not turn into victories until they had a king.  So they resolved to give this sovereign position to Indra in preference to Varuna who was also one of the aspirants.

          The upshot of this interesting story is that kingship originated as a military necessity, a presence during wars which were not infrequent in those days.

          The reading of Kautilya”s Arthashastra gives a different theory.  It6 says that during persistent anarchy, the people agreed to elect Manu Vaivasata as their king who by way of compensation could claim one-sixth of the produce of the soil and one-tenth of merchandise. 

          We find quite a few more stories about the origin of kingship or something like supreme authority in legal, social, moral, and administrative affairs.  There are also hints about the divine origin of kingship and thus their divine rights.  Jainism and Buddhism have their own views which cannot be contradicted in toto. What is undeniable is that kingship did originate in ancient India and kingdoms were ruled over by a succession of sovereigns.  One also finds the evidence of dynastic kingship in ancient times.

          Some historians have mentioned the coronation of kings, an occasion when the king took an oath to protect his people and work for their welfare with unquestionable integrity.  In case of violation of this oath, he could be dethroned.  Kingship was thus a dharma, a sacred trust, which must be honoured and fulfilled at all costs by the words and actions of the king.

          Though there are many concepts about the qualities of kings even in ancient times, one which is most appealing is the one which we find in Kautilya’s Arthashastra.

          According to this author whose theories and perceptions are still relevant to a considerable extent, a king must be a man of great merit.  First of all, he should be able to stick to his Dharma even in most trying times. Furthermore, he should be a man of vast knowledge, keen observation, sharp Intellect, strong memory, and able to do the right action at the right time , govern efficiently in critical times, lead the army and fight only when it is perfectly wise to fight and strive for peace when it is desirable to do so.  He should also keep his ears open for right advice of his ministers in any critical situation.    He must also be well-versed in religious texts, which are a storehouse of ethical values, and should know full well how to control his Kama, Krodha and avarice. Haughtiness after victory or at any other time is forbidden for an ideal king. 

          One of the difficult but essential duties of a king was to play the role of not only a protector of his people but also as an expansionist of his territory.  Unlike today, there was no idea of aggression in those times and the conquered territory had not to be returned.  Kings, therefore, loved to enter the territories of other rulers and occupy their kingdoms with pride. Kautilya goes to the extent of saying that an ideal king should always remain engaged in expanding the boundaries of his kingdom.   

          As we shall see in coming chapters Maharaja Porus possessed all those qualities which Kautilya, like some of his contemporaries, enumerates in his immortal political textbook called Arthashastra.

                                                --------------

 

         

   

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

 

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

It is easier to tell some attributes of God than write His biography. A simple definition about Him is that He is the being or spirit that is worshipped and is believed to have created the universe.

Attributes of God are communicable qualities like : supreme, holy, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, just, fair,  good, loving, affectionate, kind, gracious, merciful, patient, truthful, wise, eternal, helpful, etc.

The American clergyman  H. W. Beecher (1813-1887)  says : “The very word “God” suggests care, kindness, goodness; and the idea of God in his infinity, is infinite care, infinite kindness. We give God the name of good: it is only by shortening it that it becomes God.”

The French writer Voltaire (1694-1778) rightly  said : “If God did not exist it would be necessary to invent him. “

According to the Greek philosopher Plato , student of Socrates , “Escape from evil we must be made, as far as possible, like God; and this resemblance consists in becoming just, and holy, and wise.”

Russian thinker Panin Nikita Ivanovitch (1718-1883) says:” Two men please God --- who serves Him with all his heart because he knows Him; who seeks Him with all his heart because he knows Him not.”

Finally, this anonymous quotation: The world we inhabit must have had an origin; that origin must have consisted in a cause; that cause must have been intelligent ; that intelligence must have been supreme; and that supreme, which always was and is supreme, we know by the name of God.

 

                                                            ********

G. R. Kanwal

18 October 2024

 

 

 

  

         

ABOUT GOD’S MERCIES

 

                   ABOUT GOD’S MERCIES

God’s origin is un-knowable. He is eternally mysterious. No saint, sage, scholar, philosopher, scientist can answer our queries about God, the creator of the world. That the whole creation is His gift is undeniable. So are the innumerable mercies which He showers upon humanity right from childhood till the last stage of life.

            What follows is a hymn-like poem  by the English poet, essayist and journalist Joseph Addison (1672-1719). The title of the poem  is : When all Thy Mercies, O My God. To put it briefly this poem praises God for all the physical, mental and  material mercies which He showers upon  us right from infancy to old age.

            The poems language is simple.  Its rhyming scheme creates a sense of sincerity and accessibility. Compared to Addison’s other poems like “Ode on St. Cecilia’s Day” this poem is less political and more religious.

            The poem reads as follows:

When all Thy mer­cies, O my God,
My ris­ing soul sur­veys,
Transported with the view, I’m lost
In won­der, love and praise.

O, how shall words with eq­ual warmth
The gra­ti­tude de­clare,
That glows with­in my ra­vished heart!
But Thou canst read it there.

Thy pro­vi­dence my life sus­tained,
And all my wants re­dressed,
While in the si­lent womb I lay,
And hung up­on the breast.

To all my weak comp­laints and cries
Thy mer­cy lent an ear,
Ere yet my fee­ble thoughts had learned
To form them­selves in pray­er.

Unnumbered com­forts to my soul
Thy ten­der care be­stowed,
Before my in­fant heart con­ceived
From whom those com­forts flowed.

When in the slip­pery paths of youth
With heed­less steps I ran,
Thine arm un­seen con­veyed me safe,
And led me up to man.

Through hid­den dan­gers, toils, and death,
It gent­ly cleared my way;
And through the pleas­ing snares of vice,
More to be feared than they.

When worn with sick­ness, oft hast Thou
With health re­newed my face;
And when in sins and sor­rows sunk,
Revived my soul with grace.

Thy boun­te­ous hand with world­ly bliss
Hath made my cup run o’er;
And, in a kind and faith­ful friend,
Hath dou­bled all my store.

Ten thou­sand, thou­sand pre­cious gifts
My dai­ly thanks em­ploy;
Nor is the least a cheer­ful heart
That tastes those gifts with joy.

Through ev­ery pe­ri­od of my life
Thy good­ness I’ll pur­sue
And af­ter death, in dist­ant worlds,
The glo­ri­ous theme renew.

When na­ture fails, and day and night
Divide Thy works no more,
My ever grate­ful heart, O Lord,
Thy mer­cy shall adore.

Through all eter­ni­ty to Thee
A joy­ful song I’ll raise;
For, oh, eter­ni­ty’s too short
To ut­ter all Thy praise!

         

 

                                                *********

G.R.Kanwal

17^th October 2024

 

 

EVERYBODY NEEDS HELP

 

EVERYBODY NEEDS HELP

Help is a blessing. It divides your physical and mental labour. Sometimes it doubles your strength. There are cases where help is totally indispensible as in the upbringing of a child. This world runs with the help of all its inhabitants.  

Help is defined as : aid, assistance, guidance, support, contribution, benefit, advantage, co-operation, encouragement, ratification, confirmation, etc.  

Where human help is in accessible, it is divine help which comes through prayer to God. God helps everybody. His nature is to strengthen, invigorate and uplift you. However, it is also true that God helps those who help themselves.

The devotees of God are never helpless. God is an eternal friend and companion.

I have heard people say that nothing happens without the will of God.

Here are some thoughts on the theme of help:

*Help thyself and God will help thee. -----English divine and Poet George Herbert  (1593-1633).

**When a person is down in the world, an ounce of help is better than a pound of preaching. ---- Lytton Bulwar, English novelist, (1803-73).  

***Light is the task where many share the toil. (Homer, ancient Greek poet , born 8^th century BCE).

****God be praised, who, to believing souls, gives light in darkness, comfort in despair. “William Shakespeare, English poet-dramatist (1564-1616).

*****God has so ordered that men, being in need of each other, should learn to love each other, and bear each other’s burden. (George Augustus Sala, English journalist (1828-95).

            Finally, this famous quote: We are not put on this earth for ourselves, but are placed here for each other, if you are there always for others,  then in time of need, someone will be there for you.

                                                                        ******

G.R.KANWAL

16 October 2024

 

 

 

DON’T NEGLECT YOUR

 

          DON’T NEGLECT YOUR

Health is defined as the state of being physically and mentally healthy. It means fitness, well-being, good condition, sufficient strength and ability to perform all the activities which nature has prescribed for humans as well as non-humans.  

Maintenance of good health is a duty. One has to protect oneself from all those personal and environmental factors which cause illness. Besides taking preventive measures, proper nourishment is also essential. Enough amount of suitable food and pure water is an aid to maintaining good health.

Don’t depend upon medicines to recover from any physical and mental disorder. Spiritual health, too, needs continuous care. An un-healthy soul causes distress, anxiety, and physical torture.

It is better to remember this old saying: Prevention is better than cure.

Lack of appropriate activities, physical exercise, and mental work also create disease and disability.

Those who indulge in vicious activities like smoking and drinking, taking drugs and other intoxicants cannot maintain good health. They fall a prey to the diseases of the liver, lungs, kidney, heart and knees.

An Arabian proverb says: He who has health. Has hope; and he who has hope, has everything.

  A very simple proverb is: Health is wealth.

According to the French writer and philosopher M.D.Voltaire  (1694-1778) :”Regimen is better than physic. Everyone should be his own physician. We ought to assist, and not to force nature. Eat with moderation what agrees with our constitution. Nothing is good for the body but what we can digest. What medicine can procure digestion? Exercise. What will recruit strength? Sleep. What will alleviate incurable evils? Paience. “

Finally this short but relevant quote: Good health is not something we can buy.

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G. R.Kanwal

15 October 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIVE A GLORIOUS LIFE

 

          LIVE A GLORIOUS LIFE

Life is defined as “the ability to breathe, grow, reproduce, etc. which people, animals and plants have before they die and which objects do not have.”

We are concerned with human life and the best way it should be lived.

To eat, drink and be merry is not enough to make life glorious.

Speaking briefly, glorious life should be illustrious, noble, celebrated, famous, renowned, distinguished, honoured, magnificent, majestic, sublime, triumphant, victorious, etc. It should be full of great, useful and laudable deeds  which win admiration from all and sundry. These should be the product of our own personal efforts and activities.

 Such a life adds to the beauty and usefulness of worldly thoughts and objects.  It has no intervals. It is continuously active and creative. Its achievements are admirable both in the present and in the future.

The wonders of the world whether seven, eight, nine or more are glorious. In the sky above, the sun, the moon, and the stars are glorious. On the earth the Taj Mahal in India and several monuments in other parts of  the world are glorious. They are things of beauty and joy forever. Their loveliness increases with the passage of time.

Kashmir is called a paradise on earth because of its natural glory.

Finally, this quote: To be doing good deeds is man’s most glorious task.

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G.R.Kanwal

14 October 2024

 

  

           

REVENGE

 

          REVENGE

            Revenge is defined as something we do in order to make somebody suffer because he has made us suffer.

It is a policy of tit for tat, an eye for an eye. It is also known as wild justice. Law permits it through a fixed procedure but morality does not. Religion, too, is not in favour of retaliation.

One of the cardinal virtues in religion is forgiveness. A gentleman abstains from punishing his offender. He controls his anger and decides to return good for evil, kindness for cruelty.  

It is a simple piece of wisdom that fire does not extinguish fire. For this you need water. To return good for evil is to give evil a chance to become good. The evil-doer becomes conscious of his evil deed when he is tolerated generously. He realizes his folly and decides to get back the love and affection which he lost by causing suffering to any person whosoever.

Some of the great thoughts on avoiding revenge are :

“The best manner of avenging ourselves is by not resembling him who has injured us. ----Jane Porter, English novelist (1776-1850).

“He that studieth revenge keepeth his own wounds green, which otherwise would heal and do well. ----Francis Bacon, English essayist, scientist and philosopher (1561-1626).

According to the American theologian J. M. Mason ( 1770-1829) “A spirit of revenge is the very spirit of the devil; than which nothing makes a man more like him, and nothing can be more opposite to the temper Christianity was designed to promote. If your revenge be not satisfied, it will give you torment now; if it be, it will give you greater hereafter. None is a greater self-tormentor than a malicious and revengeful man, who turns the poison of his own temper in upon himself. “

Finally, this quote: The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.

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G.R.Kanwal

13^th October 2024                          

 

FRIENDSHIP

 

FRIENDSHIP

Friendship is a necessity. Its absence means intolerable loneliness. It is mostly defined as companionship , close relationship, mutual love, affection, attachment, harmony, understanding, fellowship, alliance, comradeship and cordial relationships.

You don’t hesitate to share with friends all your weaknesses and strengths. You rely on them more than any other person in your personal and social circle.

A friend is your second self. He doubles your strength and all other assets that you have. In illness, he is your private physician who accelerates your recovery.

Greek philosopher Aristotle (384 BC-322 BC) said: “In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge.---The young they keep out of mischief; to the old they are a comfort and aid in their weakness, and those in the prime of life they incite to noble deeds. “

According to Joseph Addison, the English essayist and poet (1672-1719) : Friendship improves happiness, and abates misery, by doubling our joy, and dividing our grief.

Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667) who was a cleric in the Church of England and received fame as an author during the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell had this to say: By friendship you mean the greatest love, the greatest usefulness, the most open communication, the noblest sufferings, the severest truth, the heartiest counsel, and the greatest union of minds of which brave men and women are capable.

There is also one warning about choosing friends: “Purchase not friends by gifts; when thou ceasest to give, such will cease to love.----Thomas Fuller , English divine (1608-61).

Finally, this short but most relevant quote: A fiend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.

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G.R.Kanwal

!2th October 2024