Yagna it is when we serve our
fellow human beings in whatever capacity we can afford to serve them.
Food to the body and knowledge to the mind are not only nutritious but
medicinal as well. No knowledge or education can be imparted to the hungry
and the sick. Therefore all of us are required to render physical service
to all the needy people and animals as well. And the service includes
food, shelter, clothing and medical aid.
Sri Ramakrishna, when he was on a pilgrimage to Kasi, found on the way
some hungry people. He chose to serve them in preference to pilgrimage.
He saw a hungry Siva in them and therefore gave them food. In his name,
today, we find an excellent hospital in Benaras working for the well being
of the people. Schools and colleges are to provide food to the mind. Don't
preach philosophy to a hungry stomach. Give it food.
Unless people are generous enough to contribute to the welfare of all,
society will not develop on healthy lines. Sri Krishna exhorts us to perform
yagna. If we do not give food to others and if we live for our well being
alone, without any thought or concern for others, we are no better than
criminals and cheats. We are but thieves, if we cook for ourselves only.
Sister Nivedita came to India and as a disciple of Swami Vivekananda.
She without any hesitation and with a loving heart served the victims
of plague. Health services are indeed an excellent form ofyajna.
Schools and Colleges offer knowledge and right education. The more the
right education is imparted, the better it is for the development of our
nation. And it is also a yajna.
Above all is the Jnana yajna through which Truth is preached, explained
and shown to all. And that is Adhyatma Vidya, the best form ofyajna. It
paves the way for the peace and liberation of all.
Let us know the Truth and spread the light of Truth.
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