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SPECIAL FEATURE JUNE 02, 2023 | The Indian Eye 16

TOWARDS BETTER LIVING

Wisdom from the divine discourses of Pramukh Swami Maharaj

Mandir - For A Better Tomorrow....

n man’s search for eternal hap-
piness, the progress of science
Iand technology has endowed him
with innumerable amenities, making
life easier, more comfortable, and
enjoyable. Man has developed such
power and precision in the last forty
years as was not accomplished in the
previous 4000!
Man has produced an astonish-
ing array of discoveries and inven-
tions: from automobiles to airliners,
luxury ships to space shuttles, bullets
to missiles, the internet to mobile
phones, remote surgery to genet-
ic engineering - the list is endless.
However, in reality, man has merely
transformed his lifestyle but has not
changed his attitude. He has bridged
his journeys but has not decided his
destiny. He has prolonged life but
has forgotten death. By nature, man
has not changed - cavemen fought
with their hands, sticks and stones;
modern man fights with sophisticated
weapons and bombs. Thus, the mind
of man remains unchanged. He has
increased his means of enjoyment but
is still chasing the elusive eternal hap-
piness. Having experienced the futil-
ity of materialism, man is desperately
searching for a solution. And the an-
swer, already well known to man, is as BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi, India
eternal as the happiness he craves.
Swami Vivekanand has said, “The study of God and prayer, the world experienced their spiritually elevating Hindu mandirs make all-en-
greatest source of strength for any so- will see more advancement in one effects. Even today, mandirs remain compassing contributions towards
ciety is its faith in God. The day it re- generation than it has in the last four.” Vedic India’s most priceless gift to personal and social harmony and
nounces such faith will be the day that This was a fundamental truth re- mankind. They are an effective rem- happiness. Pramukh Swami Maharaj
society begins to die.” Indeed, faith in vealed thousands of years ago by the edy against the rising tide of materi- once said, “A mandir stabilizes the
God is man’s greatest strength. Thus, ancient, spiritually enlightened sages alism. As Pramukh Swami Maharaj mind; a mandir inspires nobler living;
it is not that man does not know the of India. They taught the necessity says, “Mandirs preserve the cleanli- a mandir teaches mutual respect; a
solution to his problems, but that he of devotion, prayer, and meditation. ness of the soul and keep it from be- mandir preserves and protects culture
has failed to sincerely apply it. Charles They realized the need for a suit- coming diseased. Some diseases can- and tradition; a mandir strengthens
Steinmetz, one of the world’s fore- able place of worship - laboratories not be seen, only experienced. Our belief in our true identity; a mandir
most electrical engineers, stated, “I in modern terms - to divert man’s scriptures have shown the medicine gives ultimate peace; and a mandir
think the greatest discoveries will be mind from materialism to spirituali- to be mandirs.” takes us to God.” In future articles,
made along spiritual lines. Someday, ty. And it was they who inspired the India is home to 3.5 million we will delve deeper into the pro-
people will learn that material things construction of vibrant mandirs, with mandirs - big and small, ancient and re- found significance of mandirs as re-
do not bring happiness and are of lit- the sanctified murtis therein, which cent - which have helped generations vealed by Pramukh Swami Maharaj.”
tle value in making men and women have till today remained an integral of Hindus to successfully absorb and
creative and powerful. When scien- part of society. Those who have faith- adapt to the shocks and turbulence Amrutvijaydas Swami
tists turn their laboratories over to the fully and sincerely used mandirs have of daily life and progress spiritually. BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha

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