The Secret of Success - Sri Bhola Nathji Maharaj

Each one of us has a soul. The soul is distinct from the body. When I go into deep sleep I lose consciousness of the body. Upon awakening, I say “I slept soundly.” There is something which is ‘I’ apart from the body. ‘I’ am not the body alone. Soul is distinct from matter. Modern science has not been able to see the soul. Some other instrument is required for seeing the soul and that instrument must be very delicate. How to know the ‘Knower’? All Mahatmas and founders of religions have said that the soul exists. The most that atheists have said is: “We do not know any such thing as the ‘soul’; but it may be, we do not know it.” There are many things that we do not know. Do we deny their existence altogether? Have we attempted to find out the ‘Soul’? If not, then ask those who have made the attempt.

The goal of every drop of water is the ocean. Observe the dew-drops. We see drops of water on the grass in the morning. By 10 O’ clock, when the sun is shining, the drops have evaporated into the air. Wind takes them into higher regions or near mountains. The drops come down in the form of rain, through canals and rivers, and they seek to go back into the ocean unless they are taken up for some use again. Their goal is the ocean. Again, a flame rises skywards. Its goal is the sun. There must be a goal for the human soul. That goal is the Almighty. Each one of us has to reach that goal. Every visible object of this world is trembling, shaking or restless. We expect to find peace and rest in one pursuit now and in another later on. But everyone of these pursuits gives one lesson. ‘Peace’ is elsewhere. A moth is longing for a lamp. The moment the lamp is lighted, it knows its goal. How does it know? Its ‘heart’ guides the moth. Similarly, the heart of man is his true guide. This is faith. The next step is realization. The moth seeks union with the flame. For obtaining union it has to make a struggle, to be up and doing, towards its goal. Have we made the effort? There will be no lasting peace until we have reached our goals. Ask the saints or Mahatmas, who have reached the destination themselves, to help you with the ‘Secret of Success’ and of success for all time.

© "Inspiring Stories' by Swami Sivananda, published (1997) by The Divine Life Society, Shivanandanagar 249 192. Reprinted with permission.

<< Back