Swami Krishnanandaji has been my guide since the time of my birth. That way I feel myself a blessed child of God. Since the year 1973, when I was only two months old, I have been continually going to the holy Ashram to have his Darshan every year with my parents. To me, he is knowledge and divinity incarnate. When he speaks, the words seem to be getting anchored in one's heart and soul. Inspired by his teaching, this petty self is trying to say something.

Our Indian Heritage is very rich. The intuitive knowledge of the Rishis of yore which was imparted orally from preceptor to pupil traditionally, has come to us in the form of scriptures known as the Vedas and the Upanishads. The highest knowledge of the 'Self' is given in these scriptures, having known which, nothing remains unknown in the universe. While on one hand, the Rishi conveys the Eternal Message that the whole universe is pervaded by that Omnipresent God, on the other hand, he directs the individual that by doing good deeds alone, he should wish to live a hundred years of healthy life. This universe is the shadow cast by the desires of each individual. By nature no individual can sit without any 'action' even for a moment. By 'action' we mean the expression of a desire, but the movement towards Truth is not the effect of a desire because it is a desire to destroy desire and such an action is not an action. It is the flaming march of the soul towards its extension into infinity, so says Swamiji in his book, 'Essays on the Upanishads'.

But where are we? Do we ever sincerely practise Yoga to know our own selves? Our consciousness is covered with the illusion of ignorance. Everything in this world is transitory. Nothing is everlasting except the Atman. Forgetting the Divine Messages of the scriptures we are running after the ever-going attractions of this ephemeral world. How beautifully an Upanishadic Sage prays to the Sun-God:

"The face of Truth is covered by a golden vessel. O Sun! Remove that for me who am a seeker after Truth."

The philosophical and mystical teachings of the Upanishads are to be studied and followed in their entirety. Arise, O Atman! Awake! For how long will you sleep? Get up from slumber. Go and sit at the holy feet of the men of wisdom and strive for Self-realisation following their admonitions. That is the only path to happiness and attainment of Eternal Peace.

It is the duty of a man to think about the problems of his society and his nation. Even if a single person does some good to humanity, the whole of humanity will follow him and worship him. This way, improves the society. Come forward, youngsters! Do selfless service. Strengthen the feeling of renunciation. Do not fret yourselves for fulfilling petty desires. They will ruin you ultimately. Do not try to imitate Western culture. It has already brought a great fall in our moral values. Gird up your loins to bring back the lost values of the golden heritage of India. Always keep in mind:

"You are not this body, not this mind,
Immortal Self you are!
Serve, Love, Give, Purify,
Meditate, Realise,
Be Good, Do Good,
Be Kind, Be Compassionate."
(So says Sivananda)

On this holy occasion of H.H. Swami Krishnananda's 75th Birth anniversary, I pray to God for his healthy and long life so that he may keep on illumining spiritual seekers after Truth.