Diwali 2017

During the Diwali celebrations this year Param Pujya Bhaishree took the text: 'Maniratna Mala' by Shree Tulsidasji. Param Krupaludev Shrimad Rajchandra had instructed in Letters 435, 789, 796 and updesh chaya 11 that this text was important to read. It contains many outstanding examples and understandings of 'Moh' which is worth contemplating on. The text is made up of 32 Shloks or stanzas. The expanded explanation of these 32 shloks is in the form of 100 questions and answers.

We share the swadhyays with you here below. 

Ashirvad Banaskantha Mobility Camp

Distribution of Mobility Appliances to Flood Victims in Banaskantha & Patan Districts

29th August 2017

The late monsoon rainfalls in India have been very heavy and have taken their toll in several states of India. North Gujarat and particularly, Banas Kantha has suffered from severe flooding.

Blind People’s Association along with with Shree Raj Saubhag Satsang Mandal and support from the social workers from Palanpur had surveyed 127 villages from the Patan and Banaskantha districts’ (talukas of Kankrej, Radhanpur, Haarij and Disa). They examined the appliances distributed previously by Raj Saubhag to about 400 disabled persons, 315 of them were deemed to require replacement appliances which included tricycles, wheel chairs, crutches callipers, mobility sticks etc.

The mobility appliance distribution took place at Thara, in Kankrej Taluka of Banaskantha District on Tuesday 29th August.  Param Pujya Bhaishree and Pujya Vikrambhai had graced the occasion. Smt Nandiniben Raval, Executive Director BPA, had hosted the distribution program.   

The total cost of the 315 appliances and 7 education kits was almost Rs 14 lacs. Raj Saubhag India had contributed Rs 5 lacs and Raj Saubhag UK Rs 2 lacs towards the total cost.

Shree Raj Saubhag is planning another mobility appliance distribution camp in Banakantha district in January 2018.

IVY Swadhyay - Making Paryushan easy and part of our daily life

IVY Swadhyay - July 2017

Making Paryushan Easy and part of our daily life.

With the holy festival of Paryushan not even a month from now, all the believers in Jainism would have plans to increase their level of spirituality by fasting, meditating and praying.
While fasting is not always easy, there are other options that everybody (regardless of age, intelligence, profession or class) can undertake easily like the four principles of Jainism. Practicing them daily helps them integrate effortlessly into our lives.

Non-Violence (Ahimsa) - Ensuring that we do not harm to any soul in any way. That is, being extremely careful when you walk, talk, move, eat, use water, electricity etc.

Truth (Satya) - Always speak the truth. Pujya Bapuji would often say: ‘In difficult situations keep mum rather than speak a lie’. Either do not engage into things that you cannot tell others about or have the courage to confess when you have committed any wrong deed.

Non-cheating/Stealing (Achaurya) - Never let even the thought of stealing or cheating enter your mind. In case it does, be vigilant enough to not entertain such a thought.

Non-Possession/Non-attachment (Aparigrah) - Often our stress comes from trying to handle more than necessary – same goes for possessions or material things – allocate the quantity of things you need and give away excess possessions to those in need.

At the end of the day, we may have saved some lives and stopped ourselves from hurting others and mustered courage to own our mistakes, confess and ask for forgiveness.
For spiritual enrichment, Brahmnisht Minalben suggested to follow 6 simple things everyday. These 6 tasks have as much potential as meditation to uplift one’s spirits, make one happy and lead a disciplined life filled with gratitude.
    •    Wake up with a smile, look at life with enthusiasm and bow 3 times before the enlightened souls to say ‘Thank you’.
    •    Fold your hands in namaskar mudra to the universe and establish connection with everyone who is a part of it – celestial bodies, nature, family & friends. All souls are alike; the only difference is in the bodily form they take.
    •    Resolve to see things in positive light. Replace the negative thoughts with positive ones.
    •    Aspire something for the day. It can be anything as simple as spending time with an elderly person, teaching something to someone, helping a friend, politely talking to a person you dislike, to anything personal as beginning to learn a new skill. One must remember that desire is not the same as aspiration. Desire has latent selfishness whereas aspiration is about the joy of learning and giving.
    •    Never let yourself feel lonely. At any point you feel that you are alone, remind yourself that our Sadguru and our mother are always with you.
    •    Lastly, before going to bed, pray the Almighty to organize your life, while giving you the strength to take care of your day-to-day activities and the courage to live life judiciously.
Minalben ended with a beautiful and empowering couplet-

Alone I can say, together we can talk
Alone I can enjoy, together we can celebrate
Alone I can smile, together we can laugh
 
Giving his discourse in the same vein, Brahmnisht Vikrambhai sang a spiritually elevating song from the movie ‘Hamraaz, 1967’ that inspires about living life to the fullest and not letting anything influence you negatively, let alone harm you.

“If life is a song - sing it.
If life is an opportunity – grab it.
If life is a game - play it.
If life is a challenge - meet it.
If life is a dream - realize it.
If life is a sacrifice - offer it.
If life is love - enjoy it.”
Sai Baba”
 
Vikrambhai said: “Come what may, I choose to be Happy from within. I will not shy away from my duties, be righteous in my conduct, respond and not react in any circumstances. I will not let any force shake my determination, weaken my will or steal away my joy, even if that force is the thought of death. We often associate sadness and sorrow with death; but once you have befriended death, every moment of one’s life will be absolutely exciting. Think of life like a restaurant where everyone is served what they deserve. Thus, there is no place for complaints or regrets. There is going to be acceptance, love and happiness.”
Lyrics: Words so profound that they fill us with courage; a stirring power is transpired in us:

ના મૂંહ છૂપા કે જિયો ઔર ના સર ઝુકે કે જિયો
ગમોં કા દૌર ભી આયે તો મુસ્કુરા કે જિયો
ના મૂંહ છૂપા કે જિયો ઔર ના સર ઝુકે કે જિયો

Click here to her a poem

IVY Swadhyay - June 2017

IVY Swadhyay - June 2017

“Knowledge is our destination and love is our path to it.”
To celebrate Father’s Day in June, Minalben asked the young mumukshus to remember to their father and the spiritual father.

As we are walking on the path of spirituality Bhagwan Mahavir is also our father, as he is the one who showed the moksh marg. Param Krupalu Dev translated the holy scriptures into Gujarati and made the Lord’s teachings understandable, thus even he is our father. Then Param Pujya Bhaishree, our sadguru, further simplified the teachings and guided us on the path making him our father too. So as we celebrate Fathers day, we thank not just our biological fathers but also Lord Mahavir, Param Krupalu Dev and Pujya Bhaishree.

Who is a Father?

When God was making fathers he added the following ingredients - the strength of a mountain, the majesty of the trees, the warmth of the summer sun, the calm of a quiet sea, the generosity of nature, the comfort of the night, the wisdom of the ages, the power of the eagle’s flight, the joy of a lovely spring morning and the patience of eternity. After all this, when there was nothing left to add God knew his masterpiece was complete.

Narrating a short story, Minalben said there was once a young boy who was keen to own a car.  His father said that if his son got 93% in his exams, he would gift the young man a car.  Motivated by this the boy poured his heart and soul into studying, waking up early in the mornings and staying awake late in the nights. However, on the day of his results, when the boy did not arrivehome; his concerned father looking for him, saw him sitting forlorn in the garden.  He was sad that he was able to get 90% in his exams, short of the target.  Hearing this his father immediately drew out of his pocket, the keys of a brand new car – his son’s gift.
 
He said, “Your teacher gave you 90% but I will give you the additional 3% for your hard work and diligence.” This is how fathers are, they may be tough from the outside but they are soft and warm on the inside.

Mother’s are said to be the bank where you deposit all your sorrows and worries; but the father is the credit card that keeps giving without any balance. Our fathers struggle and work hard throughout their lives so that we, his children, can get what they haven't got in their lives.

Minalben went on to narrate 2 stories.

The king of Bhuj, Bhimdev, had a secretary called Vimal who was a good archer. Vimal lived happily with his wife but they had no children. One day the couple was strolling in the garden when his wife said, “Please pray to Goddess Ambika to give us a child.”

The temple of Ambika was on Mount Abu. Vimal worshipped the Goddess.  Pleased with his sincerity, the Goddess offered Vimal two options: either he could have a son or he could build a temple on the mountain. He said he would decide after discussing his wife.

Goddess Ambika accompanied Vimal as he climbed down the mountain on his way home.  Midway he felt thirsty, and on seeing a lake they stopped for a drink. Here they met a young boy who asked for money before they could have any water. They asked him why was he collecting money? The boy replied that his father had spent all his wealth building the pond and now they had nothing left. So whoever comes to drink water at this lake must pay him first. Hearing this, Vimal decided to build a temple so that his child would  not end up like the boy they met. Thus, the Dilwara temples in Abu were made by a boon granted by Goddess Ambika.
The other story was of Seth Moti Shah who would travel by a horse-cart, driven by four horses. Once while going to Fort from Pydhoonie (in Mumbai), he happened to see a butcher going towards the slaughter house with a cow.

Moti Shah sent his assistant to have the cow released but the butcher refused. In the ensuing fight, the butcher was injured and died of his injuries. The case was taken to court and Moti Shah’s attendant was given the death penalty. Moti Shah told the judge that it was actually his fault, and the death penalty was given to Moti Shah and he was taken to mumbadevi for a public execution.

On being asked for his last wish, Moti Shah requested to go to Byculla derasar (temple) for pooja. When he was got back after doing pooja; the platform from where his public execution would have taken place broke in three places.  This matter was then taken to Queen Victoria, who ordered the judge to release him thinking that he could not have been an ordinary person. The Queen offered him one more wish. Moti Shah took this opportunity and said that since he was a Jain and believed in non-violence, he wished that whenever he was passing that road, anyone being given the death penalty be released. As per his request, once Moti Shah saved the life of a 24-year old boy and many times such a sentence was cancelled and as a result the place of strangulation had to be changed by the English.
 
In the course of his discourse, Brahmnisht Vikrambhai sang the below poem and explained its meaning.
 
વસુધૈવ કુટુંભકામ, વસુધૈવ કુટુંભકામ
એક હી સાથ જીયેંગે હમ,
વસુધૈવ કુટુંભકામ, વસુધૈવ કુટુંભકામ
પ્યારા પ્યાર કા માર્ગ હમારા, જ્ઞાન હમારા લક્ષ્ય હૈ,
ચાલો એક સાથ ચલેંગે હમ,
વસુધૈવ કુટુંભકામ, વસુધૈવ કુટુંભકામ
ઇસ દુનિયા મેં પાર જતાયેંગે, ખુશીયો કે ઉત્સવ મનાયેંગે
એક હી ઈશ્વર, એક હી જ્ઞાન,
વસુધૈવ કુટુંભકામ, વસુધૈવ કુટુંભકામ
ઇસ પલ મેં હમેં જીના હૈ, હસ્ના ઔર મુસ્કુરાના હૈ,
સબકો ગાલે લાગના હૈ,
વસુધૈવ કુટુંભકામ, વસુધૈવ કુટુંભકામ.

Vasudhaiva refers to this entire universe. Vasudhaiva kutumbhakam means that every living being, whether humans, animals, birds, insects - everyone is part of my family. Our destination should be knowledge and love is the path to it. We must all embark on this journey together with Pujya Bhaishree with immense joy in our hearts. When we are with our family or friends, we must always spread happiness. There is one Earth and similarly there is one Truth and only one God. It is the human mind that has created divides. Every religion professes love. We must live in this moment of now.

Concluding, he shared three basic principles that have exemplary spiritual values. If we imbibe them into our daily lives, it will change us drastically. They are:
    •    I have come into the world empty handed and that is how I will leave
    •    Glad acceptance of everything: whatever happens, happens for the best
    •    When there is no way out, enhance your tolerance

IVY Swadhyay - Mothers Day Special

If the only Prayer you said in your life was “Thank you” that would suffice!

The one person in everybody’s life, who deserves a special ‘Thank You’, more than anybody else, is our mother. Mother is special and precious, not just because she goes through pain and gives us life, but also because she knows how to give selflessly and ask for nothing in return.  She practices and teaches compassion and kindness; she is the first one to rejoice in our happiness and feel our pain, and she comforts us when we are scared or fearful.  She spreads sweet fragrance in our lives.

For a spiritually inclined person, there is twice the cause of celebration on Mother’s Day – since he celebrates the presence of his mother and the Guru in his life.

A guru like Pujya Bhaishree plays a dual role – that of a caring mother and a motivating father. He is a friend as well, who lends his ear without judging, happy in our happiness and supportive during the lean phases of our life.

Brahmnisht Minalben shared a beautiful poem describing the sacrifices made by a mother and the efforts taken by her to mould her children.

માં  કેવી  તું
કયા  શબ્દો  માં   કહું  કે  માં , કેવી  તું
પીડા  ની  પુકાર  માં , મારી  પેહલી  છીઝ  તું
મારો  પેહલો  પ્રગાઢ  વિશ્વાસ  તું
મારા  હૃદય  ના  દરેક  ધબકાર  માં  તું
કયા  શબ્દો  માં  કહું , માં  કેવી  તું
મારા  જીવન  ના  સુખનો  બાગ  તું
ક્યારેક  ગુસ્સા  માં  સૂર્ય  ની  આગ  તું

માં , કયા  શબ્દો  માં  કહું  કે  કેવી  તું
અંધકાર  ને  દૂર   કરનારો  પ્રકાશ  તું
મારી    અપેક્ષાઓ  ની  ધરતી  તું
મારી  આકાંશા  નું  આકાશ  તું
માં , કાયા  શબ્દો  માં  કહું  કે  કેવી  તું
ધાકધકતા  જીવન  પ્રવાસ  માં  શીતળતા  તું
જીવન  ને  છેલ્લી   શ્વાસ  નો  વિસામો  તું …

Br. Minalben also shared another beautiful poem by Kathleen J. Shields:

‘There are Angels God puts on this Earth
Who care for us and guide us.
You can feel their love and gentleness
as they walk through life beside us.

They do great things for us every day
they whisper in our ears,
they even hold us in their hearts
when we are filled with all our fears.

They are always there to give a hug
and try to make us smile.
They treat us with respect and love;
they treat us like their child.

God blessed me with an Angel,
I’m proud to call my own.
She’s been with me throughout my
life, been with me as I’ve grown.

She guided me the best she can,
she taught me like no other,
and I’m thankful I’m the lucky one
who gets to call her... MOTHER’

To show our appreciation and gratitude to our Mother, we must help them as much as possible and support them when they feel low.  Likewise, we must also be grateful to our Guru for leading us to eternal happiness.  There is no way we can repay our Guru for lifting us from the cycle of births and deaths.  The Guru’s efforts as well as virtues should be applauded wholeheartedly.

Voltaire said, “Appreciation is a wonderful thing, it makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well’.

Minalben also shared a powerful analogy of a monkey, who mistakenly thinks the rosemary seeds to be the fire-stone, and tries to ignite a fire but naturally fails in his endeavours.  Likewise, an ignorant person seeks happiness in places where there is none.

As much as appreciation is important, being ethical is equally important and it’s the very first goal of inner transformation. Stressing on some really important questions, Brahmnisht Vikrambhai asked the young mumukshus to reflect on:

• How ethical am I?
• How long does it take me to admit to something unethical that I have done?
• How do I feel when I compromise on my values? Justified? Guilty? or Sad?
• What are the things for which I compromise my values? Does my want for something cloud my understanding of the ethics of that situation or can I remain clear minded and objective?
   

Without being ethical, there is no uplifting.

It is the power of discrimination (vivek-vichar) that guides our actions. The pure mind will filter and safeguard our soul from many negative influences. Along with the pure mind, it's our inner conscience, the voice of the soul that will lead us to act appropriately.

When a person is able to applaud goodness, be kind and humble, honest and uncompromising where integrity is concerned, only then can the Guru’s teaching bear fruit.

We must take example from the life of Pujya Bhaishree.  His every action is the epitome of virtue, patience and mindfulness.  Let us cultivate these qualities and walk on the path shown by the Master.

75th Ladies Swadhyay

The 75th ladies swadhyay was held on 30th April, at Brahmnisht Minalben’s residence in Mumbai.

Pujya Bhaishree graced the occasion and gave a discourse on a poem written by Ganga Sati.  He likened Minalben to Ganga Sati and the lady mumukshus to Paanbai.

Briefing the mumukshus about the life of Ganga Sati, Pujya Bhaishree said that she was an elevated, enlightened Vedanti Saint, who composed many divine, meaningful bhajans.   Her life reflected her writing and many bhajans were composed to guide Paanbai on the spiritual path.  (There are 2 version of Ganga Sati’s relationship with Paanbai – one version says that Paanbai was her daughter-in-law and another version says that Paanbai was her maid who was part of her dowry) Ganga Sati’s husband Kahalchand, was also deeply spiritual. 

According to traditional account, he utilized his spiritual powers to prove himself in the presence of the villagers.  Later, regretting this misuse of powers (since people would now be attracted to him due to these powers rather than his spirituality), Kahalchand decided to take samadhi and end his life. Gangasati urged him to let her take samadhi too but he refused and instructed her to wait until she had perfected Paanbai, her daughter-in-law/maid on path of devotion.  Obeying the instructions of her husband, Ganga Sati through her bhajans and devotional songs, laid out the path for Paanbai and then accepted Samadhi. 

પરિપૂર્ણ સતસંગ હવે તમને કરાવું,
ને આપું જોને નિર્મળ જ્ઞાન રે,
જનમવા મરવાનું તમારું મટાડીને
ધરાવું અવિનાશીનું ધ્યાન રે ... પરિપૂર્ણ.

નામરૂપને મિથ્યા જાણો ને
મેલી દેજો મનની તાણાવાણ રે,
આવો બેસો એકાંતમાં ને તમને,
પદ આપું નિર્વાણ રે ... પરિપૂર્ણ.

સદા રહો સતસંગમાં ને
કરો અગમની ઓળખાણ રે,
નુરત સુરતથી નિજ નામ પકડીને
જેથી થાય હરિની જાણ રે ... પરિપૂર્ણ.

મેલ ટળે ને વાસના ગળે,
ન કરો પુરણનો અભિયાસ રે,
ગંગા રે સતી એમ બોલિયાં,
થાય મૂળ પ્રકૃતિનો નાશ રે ... પરિપૂર્ણ.

Ganga Sati says: “I will bequeath to you true knowledge herewith.  Let go of our beliefs in births and deaths, and strive to attain the Absolute Truth – that which is beyond life and death.  Do not associate yourself with this body, your name and the thought processes of the mind. Seek solitude and immerse yourself in satsang.  Strive to know your Atma – which is the absolute truth.  Know your Atma –which is timeless.  This striving will help you rid yourself of negative qualities."

Pujya Bhaishree elaborated further.  He highlighted the immense benefits that will accrue from consistent satsang. This was a fail proof way overcoming one’s attachment to this transient, material world and walk on the path of spirituality. 

• Until he reaches his goal (the Atma), the mumukshu should seek refuge of an enlightened Master and immerse himself in satsang.
• This satsang will help him overcome his bad qualities and inculcate purity
• Every mumukshu should aim to be consistent and single-minded in his pursuit of purity.
• Sansaar-bhaav has ensured that we are constantly taking new births and dying new deaths.
• Pujya Bhaishree added that only the followers of a true Guru can understand the underlying, deep meaning of the last part of the above composition.  

Swadhyay was followed by skits and dance performances, by the mumukshus, highlighting all that they hadlearned; a cake-cutting ceremony and dinner.

IVY Swadhyay - Ayambil Oli

The auspicious ‘Ayambil Oli’ also called ‘Navpad oli’ had just ended on 11th April; so, in this IVY swadhaya, Pujya Minalben shed light on the history and importance of this festival and its value in a true seeker’s life.

Observed twice a year, Aymbil Oli involves special fasting in which a person eats one meal a day consisting of boiled grains with no spices, seasoning, oil or greens.  Eating fruits, vegetables, milk or yogurt is also forbidden for 9 days.  Special prayers are offered to the 9 auspicious pillars of Jainism - Arihant, Siddh, Acharya, Upadhya and Sadhu along with Gnaan, Darshan, Charitra, Tap.

Minalben highlighted the importance of Ayambil Oli through the inspiring story of King Shripal and his wife Mayna Sundri.

During the time of 20th Tirthankara Munisuvarat Swami, who lived approximately 1.1 million years ago, King Singhrath ruled over Champa-nagar.  A son was borne to him by queen, Kamalprabha.  The young prince was named Shripal.

King Singhrath’s brother Ajitsen was an ambitious man who was waiting for an opportunity to usurp the throne. On the death of King Singhrath,  Ajitsen conspired to get rid of the 5-year old crown prince, Shripal.  Anticipating his evil intent, Queen Kamalprabha fled into the jungle with her infant son.  Fearing for their lives, the queen hid her son among a group of 700 lepers and escaped from that place to save her life.

Unaware about his true identity and growing up with the lepers, the young prince (now named Umar Rana) contracted leprosy, but since he grew up to be an intelligent young man with exceptional leadership qualities, he was named leader of this group.  Under his leadership the troupe travelled place to place and one day arrived in Ujjayini city, which was the capital of Malwa region.

The king of Ujjayini was Prajapal and his queen Roopsundri. They had two beautiful, intelligent and skillful daughters – Sur Sundri and Mayna Sundri, whom they loved equally.

Deciding to test his daughters, the King asked them: “By whose favor, do you enjoy all these amenities, skills and luxuries?”

The elder daughter, Sur Sundari replied, “Father, it is because of your generosity and care, that I have acquired all these amenities, skills and luxuries.” Extremely pleased by her answer, King rewarded her appropriately.

Expecting a similar response from his younger daughter Mayna Sundari, King eagerly waited for her to answer. Mayna replied: “With all due respect and gratitude to you father, everything that I have acquired today, is the merit of my own past karma”.

While Sur Sundri’s reply was not a lie, but Mayna Sundri’s perspective was indeed the Truth; a truth that germinated from her spiritual inclinations and reflected her philosophical beliefs.

Exasperated by this unexpected reply, King decided to teach Mayna Sundri a lesson. He ordered his men to find the ugliest man in the city so he could get his daughter married to him. The soldiers spotted Umar Rana (infected by leprosy), who was in the city at that time and presented him to the king.

To spite the supposed insolence of his younger daughter, the King instantly got Mayna married to leper Umar Rana, and immediately sent them away. On the other hand, the king looked for a suitable match for Sur Sundari and got her married to Prince Aridaman of Shankhapuri.

Mayna was a deeply religious and elevated soul. She accepted her fate and the leper as her husband and took good care of him. Being a devout lady, she would visit temples and participate in sermons and discourses given by monks.

One day Mayna Sundari and her husband went to see Jain Acharya Munichandra who was a well-known scholar.  On learning about his leprosy, the monk advised both of them to do penance through fasting and worshipping of the sacred Siddhchakra for four and half years.

At the end of four and half years, Umar Rana (Shripal) was miraculously cured of his disease and now resembled his real, handsome self. Feeling happy and blessed both Mayna Sundari and Umar Rana continued fasting during Ayambil (twice every year).

Shripal now embarked on a mission to reclaim what rightfully belonged to him, which was the throne of Champa Nagar.  On achieving hisgoals, Shripal happily passed the rest of his life as King of Champa-nagar.

Siddhchakra, Navpad is a popular yantra or mandala (mystical diagram) used for worship in Jainism. Navapad, includes 5 supreme beings, having 108 virtues in all, and 4 right virtues/Gunas.

Panch Parmesthi:

Arihant: Ari means Enemy and Hant means destroyer. Thus, prayingto the Arihants means praying to the one who has conquered his inner enemies such as anger, greed, ego, and deceit and lives in perfect equilibrium. Out of 108 virtues, Arihant pad has 12 attributes.

Siddh, the liberated soul, without a physical form, also called the Vitraga, has 8 attributes.

Acharya, the spiritual master, first among all the saints, teaches the Holy Scripture through self-practice and has 36 attributes.

Upadhya, spiritual teacher, second among the Guru Tatva, is one with knowledge and teaches in absence of Acharya. Upadhya pad has 25 attributes.

Sadhu, the monk, is third among the Guru Tatva, who has left their worldly belongings and observes 5 Mahavrat and has 27 attributes.

Pillars of Jainism:

Gnaan – Darshan – Charitra – Tap: Right Knowledge – Right Faith - Right Conduct – Right Penance

Right Faith: It is to cultivate right and utmost faith in the Trinity -SatDev, SatDharma and SatGuru.  Our goal is to be happy in all given circumstances. The right approach is to have faith in the Trinity and adopt one of the following ways to be happy – Be content, Become a witness, Rise above the situation, Make amends in the thinking – Adjust oneself instead of trying to change the situation.
Right Knowledge: I am not the body; but the soul inside the body is my true self.
Right Conduct: Being truthful, adopting non-violence, no stealing and being content
Right Penance: There are different types of penance. One done for the right reason to gain right knowledge, get rid of Karmas is the right penance. Observing chauvihar, doing ekashna, upvaas etc are modes of penance. The ultimate penance is ‘iccha nirodh’ – getting rid of all desires.

Thus, we bow down to 5 supreme spiritual souls and resolve to win over our inner enemies and scale spiritual heights.