Rich and Poor

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, 'How was the trip?' 'Did you see how poor people live?' the father asked.'Oh yeah,' said the son .So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?' asked the father.

The son answered: 'I saw that we have one dog and they had four.We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.

Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.

' The boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, 'Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are'.

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends!

'Life is too short and friends are too few.'

Divine discourse - Sri Aurobindo

I have not come here
to accomplish miracles,
but to show, lead the way,
help, on the road
to a great inner change
of our human nature,--
the outer change in the world
is only possible if and when
that inner transmutation
is effected and extends itself.

SRI AUROBINDO

Shri SwamiNarayan Mandir _ Atlanta

A new temple has been built in Atlanta , Georgia , USA . Name of the temple is " Shri Swami Narayan temple "

Here are some interesting detalis of this temple .

* It is one among the top ten largest traditional Hindu Vedic stone temples outside India.

* The temple is located on 30 acres of land.

* The total area of the mandir is 22442 sq. ft

* The exterior of the Mandir is made of Turkish Limra limestone.

* The main floor is made of Italian Carrara marble.

* The ground floor and basement is made of Indian sandstone.

* The Mandir has tapered ceiling.

* 75 ceilings with 39 different designs

* Apart from this the Mandir has numerous windows and pillars, which are intricately carved, and also marble steps.

* Central heating and cooling.

* Under floor heating with Gel tubing.

* Fiber optic lighting.

* Estimated cost of the Swaminarayan temple is $19 million.

Other Interesting Facts

* The pillars of the temple are intricately hand-carved and each pillar depicts a famous incident from Hindu scriptures.

* The construction of the Mandir is based on 'Shila Shastras' ancient Hindu text dealing in building and sculpture techniques.

* Some stones like marble and limestone were imported from the respective countries to India.

* The stones were hand-carved in India and later imported to United States.

* Intricate geometric patterns, rosettes, feathers, leaves and other designs which number to more than 500 were hand-carved in India.

* Each section of the temple weighing from 50 grams to five tons after carving in India had a bar code.

* Each section thus imported was then assembled in Lilburn just like playing the jigsaw puzzle.

DIVINE DISCOURSE - SRI SAI BABA

Riches melt away only when you spend them. But the span of years you can live on earth is shortened every moment, whether you like it or not.

Therefore, you must feel an urgency in accomplishing great tasks in life. The intellect is a special gift that has been offered to you, so you may know yourself.

Like the mirror is used to look at your face and set right your blemishes, use the intellect to discharge your duties in life perfectly.

STRONG MAN

The strong man is not the good wrestler

The strong man is only the one

Who CONTROLS himself

When he is ANGRY

divine discourse - sri mother

O MOTHER , GIVE ME PEACE

PEACE OF MIND ,

PEACE OF FEELINGS

PEACE IN THE SENSATIONAL

THE PEACE OF PERFECT FAITH

PEACE , PEACE , PEACE

SRI ANNAI

divine discourse - sri sai baba

Though axed and maimed by man, trees selflessly serve him by providing him fruits and shade. Rivers carry water to quench man's thirst and to cleanse his body. The cow also selflessly serves man by providing milk. Man should, in the first place, realize the truth that he has been endowed with the human body not for seeking his selfish ends but for serving others. Since man has gained his wealth, knowledge and skills from society, he has to discharge his debt to society by doing some good in return. A man without this supreme virtue of gratitude is worse than a cruel animal; his education and skills are a sheer waste. It is indeed by serving society that these acquire splendour and significance .