Saturday, January 24, 2009

Salutation Denotes Humility

‘One should constantly examine one’s conduct.’

Swami Akhandananda Saraswati used to make obeisance to renowned and perfected saints of India like Shri Uria Baba, Shri Shashtrananda, Shri Hari Baba, Shri anandmayi Ma etc.

At the time he took the life of an anchorite, he was told, ‘One should not make obeisance to all and sundry.’ This raised a doubt in Shri Akhandananda Saraswati’s mind. He expressed his doubt to Shri Uria Baba, Shri Uria Baba explained to him, “When one is seeking spiritual instructions or Mantra-Diksha, one should be careful to approach only a Brahmajnani (One reveling in Brahman) but obeisance one should make to all. And the obeisance should be made to the divine within, not to outer covering in the form of human body. Obeisance is a mark of humility; it is a grand virtue. You should without any second thought, continue to make obeisance to the saints and great souls you have been making obeisance to earlier.”

Shri Akhandananda Saraswati accepted this advice given by Shri Uria Baba and thereafter he had no hesitation in making obeisance to anybody.

‘The vital airs of a young man mount upwards to leave his body when an elder approaches; but by rising to meet him and saluting he recovers them. He who habitually aged obtains an increase of four things, viz. long life, knowledge, fame, and strength.’

Therefore, our deeds and conduct should be such that invoke blessings from the elders’ hearts. None of our actions should be such as to hurt them. In this lies our supreme good. If one is benefited even by making obeisance to an idol, then why should the ego pose a hurdle in making obeisance to the living gods on earth? Sant Tulsidasji too supports this fact:

‘Realizing the whole world to be pervaded by Sita and Rama,

I make obeisance to it with folded hands.’

‘That head is not worth its name, which bows at every door.

That door is not worth its name, at which the good do never bow.’


You are verily in possession of the key to potence. Once you make your mind strong, you are full of strength. There is no goal which cannot be attained by courage, willpower and vigorous efforts. Obstacles are things to be trampled upon. Love and bliss are things that should be allowed to overflow. O man! You are yourself Love, Bliss and Happiness! Still you are wandering in search of love, bliss and happiness and making yourself miserable? Wait… stop it. Peep into yourself and se how sweet you are… how pious you are… how lovely you are!

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