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The 53rd shloka of the Gita’s chapter 18 is an ultra powerful one.
It says, “Having given up, egotism, violence, arrogance, lust, anger and possessions, devoid of feeling of I and mine, peaceful, becomes qualified for Brahmic bliss.“
If followed, it can provide the spiritual seeker with anything!
But the contra query would be – if a seeker is truly spiritual and follows this, s/he would want nothing anymore!
So how can this shloka help us?
Continued tomorrow!
Leave a CommentIn our usual yoga class, the final few daily routine sequences involve a flow from pawanmuktasana to bridge pose and then to suptakapotasana (inverted pigeon).
But today, the yoga teacher went from pawanmuktasana to anandabalasana, which is better known as Happy Baby.
And what he said next was super.
Years ago, Bell Labs noticed some researchers outshining others, producing far more patents. What set them apart?
Executives explored everything—education, roles, experience—but found no answers. Then, they uncovered a pattern. The most productive ones often shared meals with Harry Nyquist, an electrical engineer.
Nyquist wasn’t just a brilliant contributor to communications theory. He listened deeply, asked insightful questions, and inspired solutions.
His true genius lay in being an “Illuminator,” someone who brings out the best in others – as described in the book How to Know a Person by David Brooks.
Proof that impact goes beyond individual brilliance.
Leave a CommentIn our careers, we chase titles—analyst, VP, director, MD—each promising progress and recognition. But what do these roles truly signify?
They reflect effort, skill, and growth over time. Yet, when it comes to spirituality, do we invest the same focus on progress?
Are we moving from seeker to practitioner, from mindfulness to self-realization? Or are we stagnant, content with labels alone?
True spiritual advancement, like career growth, demands consistent effort, introspection, and dedication to our inner path.
And most likely, the greatest spiritual growth will happen unbeknownst to the outside world.
Leave a CommentCame across one post on LinkedIn by a CA Nitesh Buddhadev on resolutions via an intriguing formula:
KC² + FaFI²
KC²: Karma, Consistency, Compounding
FaFI²: Family, Finance, Fitness
Interesting, isn’t it?!
Leave a CommentWhat if lasting joy is shaped by the thoughts we choose?
Both ancient wisdom and science agree: the mind is our ally or enemy, as the Gita says. A single negative thought can disrupt our body and peace.
The Gita also teaches that bliss is our natural state. With ~60,000 thoughts occurring daily, we must focus on the positive to retrain the mind.
Even death, life’s greatest fear, can be seen with grace. It’s not ignoring challenges but embracing new perspectives.
Leave a CommentWhat if we can offer every action to the Lord—an act of surrender, not control?
Our efforts contribute to outcomes, but never entirely decide them. Unknown factors, beyond our grasp, play a role.
Consider this: one avoids smoking yet faces illness, while another indulges and remains unaffected. Ishwara oversees karma’s intricate web.
What are we asked to do? Give your 100% to the action, but detach from the result. Accept it as His will. We are contributors, not controllers. True freedom lies in embracing this with grace.
Leave a CommentHappiness is simpler than we think—it’s just freedom from pain.
We complicate life with endless wants, forgetting that health itself is a blessing. Only when illness strikes do we realize its value.
A day without discomfort is extraordinary, yet we take it for granted. The absence of pain is itself a quiet, profound joy. But are we truly conscious of it?
While disease may have explanations, health remains a gift. Every pain-free moment is a chance to appreciate life’s greatest treasure.
Leave a CommentA lovely piece by famed Russian author Leo Tolstoy:
One of the commonest and most generally accepted delusions is that every man can be qualified in some particular way — said to be kind, wicked, stupid, energetic, apathetic and so on. People are not like that. We may say of a man that he is more often kind than cruel, more often wise than stupid, more often energetic than apathetic or vice versa; but it could never be true to say of one man that he is kind or wise, and of another that he is wicked or stupid. Yet we are always classifying mankind in this way. And it is wrong. Human beings are like rivers; the water is one and the same in all of them but every river is narrow in some places, flows swifter in others; here it is broad, there still, or clear, or cold, or muddy or warm. It is the same with men. Every man bears within him the germs of every human quality, and now manifests one, now another, and frequently he is quite unlike himself, while still remaining the same man.
Worth remembering, before quickly bucketing someone into one or the other type.
Leave a CommentHere is Elon Musk’s mantra for consistency and discipline, and therefore success.
How?
By simply turning a “have to” into “get to”. And that changes everything.
When we say “have to,” it feels like a burden. But “get to” reframes it as an opportunity.
For instance, “We have to work” becomes “We get to build the future.” “We have to solve problems” transforms into “We get to innovate.”
This simple shift helps us see challenges differently, making them privileges that inspire growth and purpose.
Leave a CommentHere’s a lovely definition of swadharma that I came across today.
Swadharma = doing dharma as per one’s swabhaava.
So simplistic, isn’t it?
It’s not about comparing ourselves to others but embracing what aligns with our nature. A teacher’s dharma is to educate, a farmer’s to nurture the land, and a parent’s to guide their child.
When we follow our swadharma, life flows effortlessly, like a river finding its course.
True fulfillment, it is said, by Lord Krishna no less, comes not from chasing another’s path, but from honoring our own, with sincerity and gratitude.
“Krishnarpanam”—offering all to Krishna—is deeper than it seems.
We’re quick to surrender our mistakes, thinking it frees us from guilt. But Krishna asks for more—our good deeds too, to truly surrender it all.
Why? The ego clings to the good, fueling pride. “I helped, I achieved, I deserve.” This binds us as much as sin.
By offering both, we free ourselves entirely. No guilt, no pride, just surrender. True liberation comes when even the good isn’t ours to claim.
Leave a CommentArrow Maker: Focus and Precision (Guru 23)
An arrow maker, engrossed in his craft, ignores everything around him, even a king passing by.
Dattatreya learned from him the power of focus and single-minded dedication.
Wasp: Transformation through Focus (Guru 24)
A wasp transforms a caterpillar into its likeness through constant presence.
From it, Dattatreya learned that focused contemplation leads to profound transformation.
Conclusion: The 25th (bonus!) Guru
The body itself, though perishable, is a valuable teacher. Dattatreya realized its importance as a vehicle for liberation.
Swami Tejomayananda beautifully concludes: “Dattatreya’s 24 gurus are none other than his own mind’s openness to learning.”
When we are ready to learn, life becomes a teacher. The Avadhuta inspires us to find wisdom everywhere and live a liberated, joyful life.
Thank you for joining me on this amazing 24-guru journey over the past few days!
Leave a CommentSnake: Simplicity and Detachment (Guru 21)
The snake lives alone, shedding attachments and leaving no permanent home.
Dattatreya learned to live simply, unattached to possessions or permanence.
Spider: Creation and Dissolution (Guru 22)
The spider weaves its web and absorbs it back, symbolizing life’s cycles.
In the final post tomorrow, we’ll conclude with the last two gurus and a reflection on Dattatreya’s ultimate teaching.
Child: Innocence and Presence (Guru 19)
A child lives free of past worries or future anxieties.
From children, Dattatreya learned the joy of living fully in the present moment.
Maiden: The Value of Silence (Guru 20)
A maiden removes her noisy bangles, leaving only one to work quietly, choosing silence.
Dattatreya learned that solitude and silence enhance clarity and peace.
In the final part, we’ll conclude with lessons from the snake, spider, and wasp.
Pingala: Freedom through Detachment (Guru 17)
A courtesan, Pingala, finds peace when she lets go of expectations.
From her, Dattatreya learned that surrendering desires brings liberation.
Osprey: Letting Go (Guru 18)
An osprey (smaller bird compared to larger eagles) drops its prey to escape attackers, finding peace.
Dattatreya learned the importance of renouncing attachments for tranquility.
Next, we’ll meet the child, the maiden, and their profound simplicity.
Leave a CommentDeer: Distraction’s Cost (Guru 15)
A deer, captivated by music, is trapped by hunters.
From the deer, Dattatreya learned to avoid distractions that lead to suffering.
Fish: Craving’s Peril (Guru 16)
A fish, tempted by bait, gets caught. Cravings often lead to harm.
Dattatreya learned to control appetites, steering clear of self-destructive desires.
Next, we’ll learn from Pingala and the osprey about freedom and renunciation.
Elephant: The Trap of Lust (Guru 13)
An elephant, lured by desire, falls into hunters’ traps.
Dattatreya learned the importance of mastering desires to avoid life’s snares.
Honey Gatherer: Futility of Hoarding (Guru 14)
Honeybees collect honey laboriously, but others (honey gatherer) enjoy their spoils.
Dattatreya learned the futility of hoarding, focusing instead on generosity.
Next, we’ll explore the deer, the fish, and their cautionary tales.
Leave a CommentMoth: The Danger of Desire (Guru 11)
The moth is drawn to a flame and destroys itself, teaching the peril of unchecked desires.
Dattatreya learned to control his senses and avoid temptations that could lead to harm.
Honeybee: Gathering Wisdom (Guru 12)
The honeybee collects nectar without harming flowers, symbolizing balance and selectivity.
Dattatreya learned to gather the best from everyone while remaining unattached.
Next, we’ll learn from the elephant’s folly and the honey gatherer’s lesson.
Python: Contentment (Guru 9)
The python eats whatever comes its way and rests peacefully, teaching contentment and trust in life.
Dattatreya learned to avoid unnecessary striving, accepting life’s offerings with gratitude.
Ocean: Equanimity (Guru 10)
The ocean receives countless rivers yet remains calm, symbolizing emotional balance.
From the ocean, Dattatreya learned to stay undisturbed by life’s highs and lows, and to stay focused on the inner depths.
Next, we’ll meet the moth, the honeybee, and their surprising lessons.
Sun: Selfless Giving (Guru 7)
The Sun provides light and warmth to all, expecting nothing in return.
From the Sun, Dattatreya learned the joy of selfless giving and impartiality.
Pigeon: Attachment’s Trap (Guru 8)
A pigeon, overly attached to its family, gets caught in a hunter’s net. Excessive attachment leads to suffering.
Dattatreya learned to love without clinging, freeing himself from bondage.
Next, we’ll learn from the python’s contentment and the ocean’s calm.
Fire: Purification and Clarity (Guru 5)
Fire burns impurities, remaining untainted by them. It rises upwards, symbolizing nobility.
From fire, Dattatreya learned to use challenges as opportunities for growth and refinement.
Moon: Constancy Amid Change (Guru 6)
The Moon wanes and waxes, yet its essence remains unchanged. It symbolizes steadiness amid life’s fluctuations.
Dattatreya learned to remain anchored, unaffected by life’s inevitable changes.
In the next part, we’ll see how the Sun and a pigeon inspired Dattatreya’s wisdom.
Space: Vastness and Detachment (Guru 3)
Space accommodates everything—stars, storms, and galaxies—yet stays untouched. Its vastness teaches magnanimity.
From space, Dattatreya learned to let go of grudges and make room for others in his heart.
Water: Purity and Service (Guru 4)
Water refreshes, cleanses, and flows freely, nurturing all it meets.
From water, Dattatreya learned humility, fluidity, and generosity, serving all without discrimination.
Next, we’ll explore fire and the Moon, each with their unique teachings.
Leave a CommentThe First Guru: Earth
Earth patiently bears all burdens—storms, footsteps, even wars—without complaint.
From Earth, Dattatreya learned patience, forgiveness, and selfless service.
Mountains and trees, extensions of Earth, live solely for others’ benefit. They inspired Dattatreya to serve selflessly too.
Air: The Second Guru
Air flows everywhere, touching all but remaining unattached. Its purity refreshes everything it meets.
Dattatreya learned from air to bring joy to others while staying detached from outcomes.
Next, we’ll meet gurus like space and water, with profound lessons.
In the Srimad Bhagavadam, chapter 11.17, there’s an outstanding Avadhuta Gita.
An Avadhuta is a realized saint, free from worldly concerns. Such a person will embody pure consciousness and transcend norms, living joyfully in detachment.
Dattatreya, a revered Avadhuta, roamed carefree and blissful. King Yadu, amazed by his happiness despite having nothing, asks him for the secret.
Dattatreya replies, “I learned from 24 gurus around me.” These teachers ranged from Mother Earth and water to a spider and a wasp.
Over the next few posts, we’ll explore these 24 gurus, their lessons, and how they apply to modern life.
A fascinating journey lies ahead!
Leave a CommentDoes wealth solve all problems?
An article by one Joshua Brown, the CEO of Ritholtz Wealth Management had some thought-provoking insights about wealth, that I’m paraphrasing below:
Money magnifies small problems into big ones.
Wealth reveals your true nature—anxiety, generosity, or arrogance.
Relationships can strain as wealth changes your social dynamics.
Even your closest circle may envy you, despite your good intentions.
True joy often comes from simple, mundane activities, not material indulgences.
Wealth isn’t a magic cure—it brings challenges and clarity. So the suggestion would be to strive for balance and awareness, not just riches.
Leave a CommentEvery science digs deeper:
Medicine stems from biology—how life functions.
Biology itself arises from chemistry—molecular interactions.
Chemistry in turn relies on physics—the forces shaping matter.
But beneath physics, ancient wisdom suggests, is consciousness itself. Spirituality explores this consciousness—not just the “how” of existence, but the “what” and “why.”
Why does life exist? What connects all beings? Spirituality doesn’t replace science; it complements it, addressing questions science leaves unanswered.
Leave a CommentIn a world drowning in distractions, true attention is rare. A therapist once said, “Paying attention is the purest form of love.”
Solutions aren’t always what people need, even from therapists! Often, the solution, is simply undivided attention—listening without judgment.
But attention is fading. Social media, notifications, endless multitasking—they steal our focus and relationships suffer.
Let’s reclaim this gift.
Giving someone our full attention isn’t just love; it’s healing for both.
Leave a CommentApparently this happened with one very humble politician (yes, they do exist, apparently!). Note the two apparentlys in the same sentence!
So said politician was invited to an important function.
Instead of sitting in the first row, which he could have, he and his family went and sat in the last row instead.
The event organizer realized this in some time, and came huffing and puffing to said politician.
“Sir! How can someone as distinguished as yourself, be sitting so far behind, that too on the last row?! Please come with me, and I’ll put you on the first row.”
The down-to-earth politician replied, “Not needed at all, I’m perfectly fine here. At the very least, being in the last row already means you won’t need me to move further behind to make space for more important people!”
Humility + humor is a deadly combo!
Leave a CommentWent to a food court at a mall this past weekend.
It was so incredibly crowded that it wasn’t funny.
Every single food joint was packed – whether burgers, Mexican, pizza, ice creams, milk shakes, street food – you name it.
But one specific counter was empty as it could be.
Which one, you ask?
“Natural fruit juices”
Sincerely hope we all live to be healthy and well in the coming decades!
Leave a CommentWith the new year at hand, what is it that we should be wishing for? What should we pray for the most? What should we be focused on working towards?
Perhaps for once, let us not waste spiritual energy and prayers on fleeting desires like $100m, a dream job, or a Paris getaway. Human life is meant for a higher purpose, beyond ordinary wish fulfillment.
Instead, let us manifest what truly matters: good health, mental peace, and unshakable confidence. These timeless treasures remain valuable in any era or place.
And with these treasures, we can not just navigate life’s challenges and triumph gracefully but also achieve whatever mundane pleasures we may seek.
Let’s use 2025 to rise above the superficial and focus on what truly matters.
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