The seedling wants water and manure to grow and yield rich harvest...

The seedling wants water and manure, 
to grow and yield rich harvest. 
The tiny sapling of spiritual yearning 
for liberation from bondage also needs these two. 


That is the real cultivation you must undertake. 
That is the mark of the wise farmer.

More than all, set right your habits, 
purify your conduct, cleanse your behavior,


One bad habit that has taken 
deep root in this area is the smoking
of tobacco, an evil that is fast becoming universal. 
It destroys health, happiness, energy and even charm.

Smoke will not quench your thirst
or fill the hungry stomach.
It disfigures your face and
denigrates your lungs.
It debilitates you and makes you diseased.

Control yourself and do not yield
to the snares of friends or society or,
what is miscalled social convention,
and become a prey to this and other bad habits.

The body is the temple of the Lord; 
keep it in good and strong condition. 
It is damaged by food and drink of 
the behaviour and also by anger, hatred, 
greed, etc., and behaviour like sloth, 
sleep and inactivity. 


When you get violent and angry 
with any one, quietly repeat the 
name of the Lord to overcome it 
or drink a glass of cold water or 
spread your bed and lie down until 
the fit of fury passes. 


While angry, you abuse another 
and he does the same; and tempers rise, 
heat is generated and lasting injury is done. 
Five minutes of anger damages the relationship 
for five generations, remember.

Remember always that it is easy 
to do what is pleasant; but it is 
difficult to be engaged in what 
is beneficial. 


Not all that is pleasant is profitable. 
Success comes to those who give up 
the path strewn with roses, and 
brave the hammer-blows and sword-thrusts 
of the path fraught with danger.

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