40 Stress Busters for Executives

by Atul Sharma

  I want to know more about this subject,” said Raghav.

  “Knowledge is a vast ocean. Every time you dive into it, you come out with something better. I am happy that I’ll have a regular partner during my morning walks,” Bauji said as they reached back home.

  “Dadaji, your mantra of waking up early has impacted my life positively,” Raghav said embarking on the path of wisdom during a morning walk.

  “We can tap our potential by following what our ancestors have preached,” said Bauji.

  “I am eager to know the basic principles of astrology,” asked Raghav.

  “The word Jyotish means God’s light. Astrology is based on a horoscope which has twelve houses and nine planets. Although modern day thinkers also includes three more planets, namely Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. All the twelve houses signify different aspects of a person’s life. First house represents the personality of the person; second tells about family and wealth; third denotes siblings and confidence; fourth mother, home and vehicle; fifth education and children; sixth diseases, loans and enemy; seventh marriage partner; eighth longevity; ninth destiny; tenth father and work; eleventh shows gains and twelfth denotes expenditure and salvation.”

  “How do you make predictions?”

  “It is to be studied that which planet is placed where. A person gets the result according to the dasha of the planet and if that planet is strong or debilitated. The lagna chart shows it all while navamsa and dashmansh are also important.

  “Which planet is the supreme?”

  Sun is the king of the planets and Jupiter is the head priest. In fact, Shukra (Venus) was as intelligent as Jupiter but when Jupiter was made the head priest, Venus became the priest of the demons. Shani is the judge,” Bauji explained the power structure of the planets.

  “Why Shani is feared the most?”

  “Shani denotes your past life’s deeds. It’s a hard taskmaster but also possesses the qualities of spirituality and mysticism.”

  On reaching back home, Bauji showed Raghav a complete horoscope and the ephemeris.

  “It is very complicated,” Raghav said on seeing the ephemeris which is also called Panchang.

  “Any aspiring astrologer should make his own horoscope the study paper,” said Bauji.

  “Is destiny fixed?” asked Raghav.

  “Your horoscope shows your Prarabdha i.e. what you have earned from your previous birth. Destiny can provide you food but you have to make effort to put it in your mouth. Astrology indicates what the universe can expect from you. It is up to you to deliver more or less, according to your efforts.”

  “Why do you then advice people after studying their horoscopes? Why don’t you tell one and all to just do their duty?” asked Raghav.

  “Horoscope indicates about your strengths, weaknesses and the possible fields where you can excel. It is up to you to choose the field of work accordingly.”

  “Can a person excel in the field which is not indicated in the horoscope?”

  “Only if one has the rock solid determination and constant faith in God as a small child has in his mother.”

  “At times I have seen you giving some tips and mantras to people to improve their luck. What’s hidden in it?” asked Raghav.

  “I guide people according to their planetary position. The mantras yield effect only if chanted with devotion.”

  “What happiness do you get by giving free astrological consultations?” asked Raghav.

  “I feel very blessed when a person who comes to me in a dejected mood goes back with a new hope in his heart. The world does not respect a person for what he knows but it respects for what a person does with what he knows.”

  “Dadaji, you are a psychologist then and not an astrologer.”

  “Label me anything but in the end I am a medium of service,” replied a contented Karamyogi.

  

  Raghav got a call from his friend Ritesh some days later.

  “Hi champ! How are you?” asked Ritesh.

  “I am fine. It’s nice to hear from you after a long time,” said Raghav.

  “I have good news for you,” said Ritesh.

  “There must be some news about the result.” Raghav guessed.

  “Yeah. Congrats buddy! You have secured 73.5% marks in the final year of Psychology (Hons.) and your total score for Graduation is 76%.”

  “What about your result?” asked Raghav.

  “I secured 72%,” said Ritesh who was a commerce student.

  “I’ll meet you in Shimla during admissions,” said Raghav.

  “Dadaji, I have got first class distinction,” Raghav informed Bauji when he was reading a book in the library room of the villa.

  Raghav informed Neha and received her blessings. He then went to the orchard to crack this news to Vijay.

  “ When’ll you go to get admission in the Himachal University?” Bauji asked Raghav during the morning walk.

  “I’ll go on Monday.”

  “When’ll the session start?”

  “Probably within three weeks.”

  “Don’t break this routine even then,” Bauji said about the morning walks.

  “No way. I’ll continue with this routine so that I can learn good things from you,” said Raghav.

  “Your education and talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God. I hope you’ll endeavour to excel in life,” said Bauji.

  “I’ll try to live up to your expectations,” assured Raghav.

  “Let’s sit here. I am feeling tired,” Bauji said in between the route as he struggled with breathing problem due to asthma.

  “Dadaji, now don’t refuse to get yourself thoroughly checked up in a hospital.”

  “They’ll just give medicine. They can’t change the body,” said the old man as he knew that life was fast catching him up.

  “Bauji, cut down your morning walks as you are constantly hit by asthma,” suggested a worried Neha when they reached the villa.

  The family doctor, Vishal Soni, was called to examine Bauji.

  “There is no particular problem. It happens in old age. I’ll give some medicine and use the asthmatic pump whenever you feel loss of breath,” advised Dr. Vishal.

  “These are the indications that my end time is near,” said Bauji.

  “Why are you talking like this? You’ll get well soon,” Neha said as she got emotional by his words.

  “Dadaji, are you all right now?” Raghav asked him on the morning of the day when he was going to Shimla to get admission in the University.

  “I am fine but I am missing our walking-cum-chatting sessions. I can’t recall when I last missed my fitness regime,” said Bauji.

  “Don’t worry. We’ll be back on track soon.”

  Raghav went to Jagdeep’s office in Shimla before going to the University.

  “How’s Bauji? Vijay told me that he’s not keeping well for last few days,” enquired Jagdeep.

  “He is down with the same breathing problem. He has shown some improvement though,” informed Raghav.

  “Are you going to the University?” asked Jagdeep.

  “Yes, I am joining the Post Graduation course in Psychology.”

  “It’s your choice but I am not happy with your decision,” said Jagdeep.

  “What’s wrong in it?” asked Raghav.

  “You should have gone for MBA instead. It would have paid you in the long run. My son Sahil will get a package of above ten lakh rupees once he completes his degree from the IIM,” said Jagdeep boisterously.

  “Uncle, job satisfaction matters more than the packages.”

  “But money determines your success,” argued Jagdeep.

  Raghav thought it wise not to argue with him and left the place soon.

  “Excuse me! Can you please tell me the way t
o the Psychology Department?” someone said from behind when Raghav was going through the notice board at the entrance of the University.

  Raghav turned back and could only watch the girl as he was dumbstruck not by the question of the girl but by her beauty.

  “Do you know the way to the Psychology Department?” asked the girl again.

  “In fact I am also going there,” Raghav replied after taking his eyes away from the face of the girl who was really worthy of calling ‘The Beautiful’.

  “I have come to get admission in first year Psychology course,” said the fair complexioned lotus-eyed beauty as both of them moved towards the office.

  “We’ll no longer remain strangers then as I am also joining the same course,” said Raghav. The thought of having such a beautiful classmate stirred his soul.

  “O really!” the girl said while shaking hands with him. Raghav was lost.

  “Where have you graduated from?” asked Raghav.

  “Lady Shriram College, Delhi.”

  “Why have you chosen Shimla over Delhi for doing Post Graduation?”

  “My father is an archaeologist, working with Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). A month back he has been posted as the Regional Head at the Shimla office. Our family has relocated here for three years,” replied the black-eyed beauty whose silky hair moved up and down with her every step.

  Both of them got their documents cleared and received their registration numbers.

  “You got 82% marks in Graduation. Too good!” Raghav said when he saw her marks sheet in the office.

  “Your marks aren’t bad either,” reciprocated the sweet talking girl.

  “We’ll meet in the class now and I hope that you are not a class bunker,” said the gal smilingly.

  “I never was and not any question of bunking from the classes now. Anyways I am Raghav Anand and I live in Devpur.”

  “I am Nandini Mehra,” said the smiling assassin while shaking hands with him again.

  “You are looking very happy today,” Neha asked when Raghav came back home.

  “Just like that,” Raghav said still thinking about Nandini.

  “Raghav, its Tuesday tomorrow. I want to go to Hanuman Ghat. Will you accompany me?” asked Bauji.

  “Yeah but is some special occasion tomorrow?” asked Raghav.

  “I haven’t been there for a long time. So I want to spend a day there,” replied Bauji.

  “I’ll drop you by car,” said Vijay. I won’t allow Bauji to go there walking.

  “As you wish,” said Bauji.

  

  “Raghav, I have packed food for both of you. Give the medicine to Bauji in time,” Neha said when they were leaving for Hanuman Ghat the next morning.

  “Call me when you want to come back. I’ll pick you from here,” said Vijay while dropping them at the Hanuman Ghat.

  “There is some aura in this place which holds you,” Raghav said about the sanctity of the Hanuman Ghat.

  “The blessings of the presiding deity make a place worthwhile. Moreover, the location of this place makes it picturesque and elegant,” said Bauji.

  They went inside the temple first. They came out and sat inside a wooden shed nearby from where the view all around was comprehensible.

  “Dadaji, tell me something about Hanumanji,” asked Raghav.

  “What do you want to know?”

  “I want to know something new which I may not be knowing.”

  “Do you know that Hanumanji is still living?” asked Bauji.

  “I know that God is omnipotent and omnipresent,” replied Raghav.

  “I am not talking in that sense. I mean to say that He is still living on earth in blood and flesh.”

  “Do you mean to say that He lives on earth in His original form?”

  “Yes, I mean that,” Bauji said and recited a shloka (verse) in the Sanskrit language.

  Ashvathaama Bali Vyas Hanuman cha Vibhishana

  Krupacharya cha Parashuramam Saptaita Chiranjeevanam

  Hanumanji is among those seven ever living souls who live on earth in their original form. The other six are Lord Parashurama, King Bali, Ravana’s brother Vibhishana, Dronacharya’s son Ashwathama, Sage Vyasa and Priest of the Kauravas, Kripacharya. They are called ‘Sapta Chiranjeevi’.

  “Why are they immortal?” asked Raghav.

  “All of them have been assigned the duty of spreading God’s name on earth. Only one of them, Ashwathama is wandering because of a curse.”

  “Who cursed him and why?”

  “Ashwathama used the Brahmastra to destroy the foetus of Uttara to finish the lineage of the Pandavas. Lord Krishna saved the child and cursed Ashwathama to live in pain till eternity. He wanders from place to place with unendurable pain in his head.”

  “Has anyone seen him?”

  “There are stories that some people have seen him in Himachal and Uttarakhand. It is said that he often visits a temple in Datiya, Uttar Pradesh.”

  “What about Hanumanji?”

  “When Lord Ram left the earth, He asked Hanumanji to live on earth forever to spread the name of God and help the people in distress.

  “Where does He live?”

  “No one knows that but may be He lives in a cave chanting His favourite name ‘Ram’.”

  “Dadaji, what’s so special about Hanumanji which makes him so dear to Shri Ram.”

  “It’s His pure undivided love towards Ramji. In the Kaliyug, He is a Pratyaksh God who comes to help those who call Him sincerely.”

  “Wow! Has anyone tried?” asked Raghav.

  “I don’t know”, Bauji smiled. “But I know that He definitely comes there where the Ramayan Paath is organised.

  “You have also organised it many a times. Have you seen Him?” asked Raghav.

  “My dear, He doesn’t come in His original form. A glimpse of God is possible only if one loves Him desperately.”

  “If Hanumanji is still living on earth, why doesn’t He destroy the evil forces of today?” asked Raghav.

  “Maybe because it is the fate of the people living in this Kaliyug. God doesn’t interfere in your Karmas (Actions). You reap what you have sown before. But God definitely comes for help, directly or indirectly, if your cry for God is passionate and need is genuine.”

  “Dadaji, Lord Ram was powerful enough to crush the evil at that time. Why did then Hanumanji come for his help?”

  “I’ll tell you the reason of His incarnation. Lord Shiva is very innocent and generous. He grants whatever one asks for if one pleases Him. Once a demon worshipped Him and attained the wish that whosoever is touched by him will turn to ashes. That demon called Bhasmasura tried to finish Lord Shiva first. Lord Vishnu saved Him from the clutches of that demon. Shivji then promised to serve Vishnuji for one complete lifetime. So when Vishnuji incarnated as Ram, Shivji too came in the form of Hanuman to serve Him.”

  “Dadaji, let’s have lunch now as you have to take the medicine thereafter,” Raghav said opening the tiffin box.

  “What power resides in Hanuman Chalisa?” asked Raghav.

  “Wherever the name of Hanumanji is taken or Hanuman Chalisa recited, the evil forces run away from there because He finishes them totally,” replied Bauji. “Even the most feared planet Shani also fears from Hanumanji. Hanumanji rescued Shani Dev from Ravana. Since then Shani Dev declared that whosoever will take Hanumanji’s name will be spared by him.”

  “What’s the greatest quality in Hanumanji?” asked Raghav.

  “‘Humility.’ He was very powerful and intelligent but He never blew His own trumpet. Instead, He always showcased Himself as a servant of Shri Ram,” Bauji replied while conveying a message that humbleness is the passport needed if you want to enter the airport of God. “I’ll tell you one thing which shows how much Shri Ram loved Hanumanji. Whenever
Ramji got happy with someone, He used to greet the person by saying that you are as dear to me as Bharat, Lakshman or Dashrath etc. But He never told anyone that you are as dear to me as Hanuman.”

  “It means that one has to please Hanumanji first in order to please Ramji,” said Raghav.

  “Where’ll the need to please anyone else remain if you have pleased Hanumanji!” said Bauji.

  “Dadaji, tell me a way by which I can please Hanumanji,” asked Raghav.

  “It’s simple. Just love Him and chant His name.”

  “Please tell me some powerful way by which I can see a glimpse of Him,” insisted Raghav adamantly.

  “On seeing your desperation, I’ll suggest you one way. On any Tuesday get yourself aloof in any room or open place. After taking bath and without taking food, recite Hanuman Chalisa for 108 times continuously. Start it either early in the morning or in the evening. Keep a photo of Hanumanji in front and your mind should be completely focussed. It may take many hours to complete it. You can have food after completing it.”

  “What will happen then?” asked Raghav.

  “See the effect yourself. He may give you His glimpse or He may come to meet you in human form. But do it only when you can really concentrate on it, otherwise you won’t get the desired results,” said Bauji.

  “How’ll I judge myself if I am ready for it or not?” asked Raghav.

  “Do it when your eyes want a glimpse of Him and your heart cries to meet Him.”

  “Dadaji, I can’t thank you enough for what you have given to me.”

  “God is very benevolent. He loves you more than you love Him. Hanumanji loved that Raghav, why won’t He love this Raghav,” Bauji said pointing towards Raghav’s name which is another name of Lord Ram.

  “Who chose this name for me?” asked Raghav.

  “Who else but me!” replied Bauji. “I believe that if we keep the name of our child on God then we’ll always be remembering the God indirectly,” said Bauji.

  By then Vijay had come to take them home.

  “You had a very lengthy session today!” said Vijay.

  “It happens in Satsang,” replied Bauji.

  “Satsang! But it was between you and me only,” Raghav wondered.