Vision of J.N.Tata

Jamshedji Nusserwanji Tata was once, travelling to Germany.
As he stood there, at the door of his First Class Cabin in the Steam-liner,
 he noticed a lot of activity on the lower decks of the Ship. On inquiring,
he learnt that a great Indian Saint Shri Swami Vivekananda was on board the same ship.

Out of genuine respect and curiosity J.N. Tata decided to pay a visit to the great saint.
Swami Vivekananda had of-course heard about the respected industrialist.
As the conversation grew J.N. Tata explained that he was on his way to Germany.

 "I have with me sacks of soil : From various parts of India. I am taking these samples of soil to Germany.

I wish to know if Iron can be extracted profitably from any of these districts." said J.N. Tata to the Saint.

 To which Swami Vivekananda replied, "Well, Sir, Even if these sacks contain Iron-rich soil,do you honestly believe that the Germans will tell you the TRUTH???

You must understand that No / NONE of the European Nations wish to see a Strong / Steel-Rich / Economically Independent India.The soil is probably rich in Iron-ore but the sad truth is all you will get from your inquiries across Europe is
Disbelief and Pessimistic reactions." Needless to say, having interacted with several Europeans J.N. Tata knew this to be true. Swami Vivekananda continued,

"Why don't you start an excellent / up-to-date Research Facility and College here in India???

 Why don't you train some good Indian Youngsters to identify soil and conduct these tests and find ways of profitably extracting metals???

It may seem like a wasteful ; burdensome expenditure right now,

But in the long run- It will save you many trips to Europe and you can have the assurance of knowing the Truth quickly- rather than taking multiple opinions due to Doubt".

As he could clearly sense J.N. Tata's mood was in acquiescence he further elaborated,

 "Seek an audience with the Maharajah of Mysore H.R.H. Wodeyar. Though a subordinate of the British,he will definitely help you in every way he can. H.R.H. Wodeyar has been generous enough
to sponsor my own trip to Chicago to attend the Parliament of Religions".

As soon as he returned to India, J.N. Tata headed straight for Mysore.

And indeed H.R.H. Chamraja Wodeyar did Not disappoint him.

The King granted 370 acres of land for the setting up of the Research Facility and College
that J.N. Tata had envisioned and it was named,

THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE.

Bitter Gourd

One day,all the disciples went to their master' and said, "Master, Master, we all are going on a pilgrimage.

Master: Why you want to go on a pilgrimage trip?

Disciples: So that we can improve our devotion.

Master: OK. Then do me a favor. Please take this Karela (bitter gourd) along with you and wherever you go and whichever temple you visit, place it in the alter of the Deity, take the blessings and bring it back.

So, not only the disciples but the Karela also went on pilgrimage, temple to temple.

And finally when they came back, the Master said, "cook that Karela and serve it to me."

The disciples cooked it and served it to the master. After having the first bite, the master said,

"Surprising"!!!!!

Disciples: What's so surprising?

Master: Even after the pilgrimage the karela is still bitter.
How come???'

Disciples: But that's the very nature of the Karela, Master.

Master: That's what I am saying. Unless you change your nature, pilgrimage will not make any difference.

So, you & I, if we do not change ourselves no teacher or guru can make a difference in our lives.

Live a brighter life.💐
Always be helpful....

Service to Lord

The wicked demon king Ravana had carried away Sita, the wife of Rama, the great prince who was in exile. Along with his brother Lakshmana, Rama went in search of his wife, and enlisted the help of the Vanara king, Sugreeva. Learning that Sita was kept at Lanka, the kingdom of Ravana, which lay across the ocean, Rama, along with the Vanara army, arrived at the seashore.

To reach Lanka, they had to cross the vast ocean, and after much discussion, it was decided that a bridge would be built across the ocean. The multitudes of monkeys and bears which formed the Vanara army were asked to bring stones and boulders to the seashore, so that a bridge could be built.

Shouting with excitement, and happy at the prospect of helping Rama, who was a form of Lord Vishnu, the monkeys and bears ran around, looking for the biggest stones they could find. The Vanaras were a strong race, and they carried huge boulders, and even hills, on their shoulders easily, and dropped them in the ocean to help build the bridge.

The other animals at the seashore too wished to help Rama, and each of them helped him in his own way – the fishes and the other sea creatures did their bit by helping the boulders rest at the right place, while the birds flying overhead brought small stones to fill the gaps.

A small squirrel was seeing this huge effort, and he too wished to help. He thought for a moment, and then started collecting small pebbles lying on the shore, and dropped them in the ocean. After a while, he was too tired to even carry those pebbles, but still wanted to participate. He ran to the edge of the water, and, after rolling in the sand, ran to the water and washed himself. He ran back to the shore and rolled again, and more sand got stuck to him, since he was now wet. Again he ran to the water to wash himself. The small grains of sand which stuck to his body were all he could contribute to the massive task of building a bridge across the ocean!!

However, the small squirrel rushing to and fro on the shore was now getting in the way of the monkeys who were carrying huge boulders, and they started shouting at him, asking him to get out of the way.

“Brothers, I too want to help you. These small grains of sand are all I can throw into the ocean as my contribution to the bridge. Please do not shout at me”, said the little squirrel.

The monkeys laughed out aloud, and shouted, “Of what use are these tiny grains of sand, which can scarcely be seen among the huge boulders and hills we are bringing. Get out of the way and let us do our work!”

  

The squirrel was unperturbed, and continued its work calmly. Finally one of the monkeys, in his anger, picked up the squirrel and flung him far away from the shore.

Rama, who was watching this, caught the squirrel before it fell, and set it down carefully. He then addressed the Vanara army, “O Vanaras, you are brave and strong, and are doing a wonderful job bringing all these huge boulders and stones from far and dropping them in the ocean. But did you notice that it is the tiny pebbles and stones brought by this small squirrel and some of the other smaller creatures which are filling the small gaps left between the huge stones? Further, do you not realize that the tiny grains of sand brought by this squirrel are the ones which bind the whole structure and make it strong? Yet you scold this small creature and fling him away in anger!”

Hearing this, the Vanaras were ashamed, and bowed down their heads. Rama continued, “Always remember, however small, every task is equally important. A project can never be completed by the main people alone. They need the support of all, and however small, an effort should always be appreciated!”

Rama then turned to the squirrel and said softly, “My dear squirrel, I am sorry for the hurt caused to you by my army, and thank you for the help you have rendered to me. Please go and continue your work happily.” Saying this, he gently stroked the back of the squirrel with his fingers, and three lines appeared where the Lord’s fingers had touched it.

Thus did the squirrels get the 3 stripes on their backs, as a blessing from Lord Rama, to remind us that no task, however small, is unimportant! Every task should be looked upon as service to the lord, and his blessings will always be with us.

Happy Ramnavmi to all...