You should be careful about TIME which is the yardstick of life. Seconds
become hours, hours become years, years make yugas (ages) and so on. You should
not waste this most valuable TIME. Time lost in wasteful pursuits can' t be got
back by any means.. All our activities should be planned for utilising the
available time to maximum advantage. So, we should not waste food, money, time
and energy.
Even in purchase of garlands for Swami , you need not waste money. What
God wants is the flower of your heart that is filled with humility and
devotion. Eight types of flowers can be offered to God, viz, (1) Ahimsa
(Non-violence), (2) Indhriya Nigraha (Control of senses), (3) Sarvabhootha
Dhaya (Compassion towards all beings), (4) Sathyam (Truth), (5) Dhyaanam
(Meditation), (6) Shaanthi (Peace), (7) Vinaya (Humility), (8) Bhakthi
(Devotion).
In the Bhagavathgeetha, Krishna has referred to "Pathram, Phalam,
Pushpam, Thoyam" (that is, leaf, fruit, flower or water) that can be offered to
God. I am pleased with any of these provided it is offered with sincere
devotion. What is 'pathram'? It is not the ' leaf' that you see around you. The
inner meaning is that your body itself is the leaf. Flower is not the one in
the plants but it is the flower of your heart, "Hridhaya Pushpam". 'Phalam' is
not the ordinary fruit but 'Manophalam' (the fruit of your mind). 'Thoyam'
means water but what is referred to here is not the water from the river or
tap. It refers to the tears of joy welling up within you from a sincere and
prayerful heart.
