If you face criticism without having committed any condemnable act, then why should you bother at all? If you do good and get praises, pass them on to Him, who made you do good. In case you happen to be involved in some sinful act, just atone for it and refrain from such act,
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The Real God
Perfection is achieved through our scriptures, Guru-mantra and the Knowledge imparted by Gurus by way of disciplic succession. If one acts according to the whims and fancies of his mind, he will get puffed up in success and fall into the pit of despair in the face of a failure. How to know whether one’s sadhana is on the right track? You need somebody to tell you whether your experience is really that of Self-realization or is just a fancy of your mind. ‘I get visions of this goddess, that god and the Lord Himself. Your imaginary God will be with you now and split with you the next moment. Who knows when you will be separated from such a god? Even jay and Vijay, the gatekeepers of Lord Vishnu, had to suffer fall from the lord’s abode.
There was a highly educated man possessing a number of degrees – B.A. B.ED., M.A. M.Ed., Ph.D,, D. Litt., etc. He had a god job too job and became a sadhu. He came to Virndavan and devoted himself to the worship of Lord
There was a highly educated man possessing a number of degrees – B.A. B.ED., M.A. M.Ed., Ph.D,, D. Litt., etc. He had a god job too job and became a sadhu. He came to Virndavan and devoted himself to the worship of Lord
Monday, July 27, 2009
Mine and Others’
When a Sadhaka is given a mantra, he becomes silent in the course of doing japa of the mantra. And she had become silent. She didn’t feel like. Who had given the mantra to her? No, it was Manthara, the embodiment of rajasic and tamasic tendencies, who had given the mantra to her. It was not a mantra; it was rather an evil mantra, a devious design. When Manthara came to know of Lord Rama’s due coronation, she met Kaikeyi. Kaikeyi was very happy. She said, “MY eldest son will become the king tomorrow.” Kaikeyi and Ramaji used to get along very well.
Kaikeyi said to Manthara, “Take this necklace. My worthy son will be crowned tomorrow.”
“What did you say? Your son?”
“Yes, is Rama not my son?”
“Well, in a way yes but blood is thinker than water.”
Manthara gave the evil-mantra to Kaikeyi. What gives rise to attachment and hatred is an evil-mantra and what frees us from attachment and hatred and takes us nearer to knowledge of the Ultimate Truth is a propitious mantra. Manthara gave an evil-mantra to Kaikeyi which poisoned the queen’s mind and consequently she forced Kind Dasharatha to make Bharata the king and send Lord Rama into exile. This was the effect of that evil-mantra. Sumitra gave another kind of mantra to her son lakshmana. “Go and serve Ramaji and conduct yourself in the world for the sake of Ramaji. As a devoted wife serves her in-laws and there guests for the sake of her husband, i.e. because of their being related to her husband, you too should deal with people for the sake of Rama. See one in all and don’t distinguish between people on the basis of their being your own or others” This was the sattvic or propitious mantra given by Sumitra, while manthara gave the evil mantra, “This is ‘Mine’ and that is ‘others”
In fact if we examine closely, who is after all our all our own? Even our body doesn’t obey us, nor does our mind do so. A son doesn’t conduct himself according to his parents’ wishes. Nowadays friends too betray us. Nobody knows whether or not those we call our won will help us in times of need. Sometimes, our own people turn indifferent towards us and at times, strangers come to take our side. The basic truth is that the Supreme Self alone is truly ours. It doesn’t part with us even after d3eath. It alone is our won. The rest is all but a dream.
Kaikeyi said to Manthara, “Take this necklace. My worthy son will be crowned tomorrow.”
“What did you say? Your son?”
“Yes, is Rama not my son?”
“Well, in a way yes but blood is thinker than water.”
Manthara gave the evil-mantra to Kaikeyi. What gives rise to attachment and hatred is an evil-mantra and what frees us from attachment and hatred and takes us nearer to knowledge of the Ultimate Truth is a propitious mantra. Manthara gave an evil-mantra to Kaikeyi which poisoned the queen’s mind and consequently she forced Kind Dasharatha to make Bharata the king and send Lord Rama into exile. This was the effect of that evil-mantra. Sumitra gave another kind of mantra to her son lakshmana. “Go and serve Ramaji and conduct yourself in the world for the sake of Ramaji. As a devoted wife serves her in-laws and there guests for the sake of her husband, i.e. because of their being related to her husband, you too should deal with people for the sake of Rama. See one in all and don’t distinguish between people on the basis of their being your own or others” This was the sattvic or propitious mantra given by Sumitra, while manthara gave the evil mantra, “This is ‘Mine’ and that is ‘others”
In fact if we examine closely, who is after all our all our own? Even our body doesn’t obey us, nor does our mind do so. A son doesn’t conduct himself according to his parents’ wishes. Nowadays friends too betray us. Nobody knows whether or not those we call our won will help us in times of need. Sometimes, our own people turn indifferent towards us and at times, strangers come to take our side. The basic truth is that the Supreme Self alone is truly ours. It doesn’t part with us even after d3eath. It alone is our won. The rest is all but a dream.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Ignorant Though Omniscient
One of the names of God, which appears in the 64th verse of ‘Vishnusahasranama’ is ‘Avijnata’, which means ‘Ignorant’. God dwells in all as their Real Self and is hence omniscient, However, He ignorant as well. How is it possible?”
While explaining this point the devotees say, ‘God is ignorant, that is He is blind towards the faults of devotees.’
I am not against this interpretation by the devotees; I appreciate it, but I would like a to add my elaboration as well – ‘God is ignorant, that is He doesn’t’ know how to harm His devotees, humans or any other living being. Just as a mother cannot harm her child , so also God cannot harm us.’
If God remains blind towards the faults of devotees, how will they get rid of their vices? How will they become faultless? God doesn’t know how to harm anybody. So, even if He punishes someone, it will be for one’s good only. Just as it is in the case of a mother, whether she slaps or feeds sweets to her child it is always for the good of the child alone.
Tease God at times saying, “Oh God! We may be ignorant but You too are ignorant in that You don’t know how to harm us. Say, do you have the power to harm us?” –In this way you can challenge God as well. God will have no answer to this challenge.
For example, a child challenges his mother, “Mother! You can never harm me. Try if you have the courage.” The Mother says ‘come here and I shall do it.” The child says, “Mother! Neverthless, you cannot harm me ever.” Mother says, “You naughty child! Just come here and I will show you.” She hold him by the ear and gives him a light slap and says, “Now, haven’t I taught you a lesson?” the child replies, “Yes Mother! I had become egoistic and your slap has only reformed me. You did no harm to me. Mother O Mother… God O God. Ha Ha Ha…!”
Similarly, God will do only that which is good for us. God cannot do anything inauspicious to anybody. Just as one cannot do harm to any organ of his body. Even if we amputate an organ through surgery that will not be with the intention of doing any harm. The Lord says;
‘He who knows Me as the Good Friend of al beings attains to peace.’
Once, Narayana Bapu (a fellow saint of Pujya Bapuji) was annoyed over a particular matter and I laughed at him heartily. He chided me while I continued to laugh. He asked me, “Why are you laughing?” I replied, “You are helpless.” He was a highly accomplished saint, with powers to become invisible and materialize his resolves. I was well aware of this. He lived with me in the Nala caves in Mount Abu. He was a Siddha but I challenged him and said, “You are helpless.” He stared at me. He knew that I was aware of his yogic powers. I said “You can never harm anybody.” Then he too started laughing. So at times, you too started laughing. So at times, you too challenge God and say, “oh God! You are simply ignorant and powerless when it comes to doing any harm to us.
‘No harm can ever be
Done to anyone by the holy men.’ (Sri Ramacharitamanasa, Sundera Kanda, 5.2)
‘When even your holy saints are incapable of inflicting any harm on us, how would it be possible for you to do so? You are the saint of saints. So O God! How can you do harm to us?’
While explaining this point the devotees say, ‘God is ignorant, that is He is blind towards the faults of devotees.’
I am not against this interpretation by the devotees; I appreciate it, but I would like a to add my elaboration as well – ‘God is ignorant, that is He doesn’t’ know how to harm His devotees, humans or any other living being. Just as a mother cannot harm her child , so also God cannot harm us.’
If God remains blind towards the faults of devotees, how will they get rid of their vices? How will they become faultless? God doesn’t know how to harm anybody. So, even if He punishes someone, it will be for one’s good only. Just as it is in the case of a mother, whether she slaps or feeds sweets to her child it is always for the good of the child alone.
Tease God at times saying, “Oh God! We may be ignorant but You too are ignorant in that You don’t know how to harm us. Say, do you have the power to harm us?” –In this way you can challenge God as well. God will have no answer to this challenge.
For example, a child challenges his mother, “Mother! You can never harm me. Try if you have the courage.” The Mother says ‘come here and I shall do it.” The child says, “Mother! Neverthless, you cannot harm me ever.” Mother says, “You naughty child! Just come here and I will show you.” She hold him by the ear and gives him a light slap and says, “Now, haven’t I taught you a lesson?” the child replies, “Yes Mother! I had become egoistic and your slap has only reformed me. You did no harm to me. Mother O Mother… God O God. Ha Ha Ha…!”
Similarly, God will do only that which is good for us. God cannot do anything inauspicious to anybody. Just as one cannot do harm to any organ of his body. Even if we amputate an organ through surgery that will not be with the intention of doing any harm. The Lord says;
‘He who knows Me as the Good Friend of al beings attains to peace.’
Once, Narayana Bapu (a fellow saint of Pujya Bapuji) was annoyed over a particular matter and I laughed at him heartily. He chided me while I continued to laugh. He asked me, “Why are you laughing?” I replied, “You are helpless.” He was a highly accomplished saint, with powers to become invisible and materialize his resolves. I was well aware of this. He lived with me in the Nala caves in Mount Abu. He was a Siddha but I challenged him and said, “You are helpless.” He stared at me. He knew that I was aware of his yogic powers. I said “You can never harm anybody.” Then he too started laughing. So at times, you too started laughing. So at times, you too challenge God and say, “oh God! You are simply ignorant and powerless when it comes to doing any harm to us.
‘No harm can ever be
Done to anyone by the holy men.’ (Sri Ramacharitamanasa, Sundera Kanda, 5.2)
‘When even your holy saints are incapable of inflicting any harm on us, how would it be possible for you to do so? You are the saint of saints. So O God! How can you do harm to us?’
Friday, July 24, 2009
Be Steadfast in Your Faith
One with a steadfast faith can accomplish even the most difficult tasks. If one firmly resolves to realize the Supreme Self in His absolute being and loves Him to the exclusion of all else, he can realize God in this very life. Just a firm faith is enough in itself for one to eradicate sorrow, attain peace and become successful in life.
Sakhubai, a devotee, lived in the Karad village of Maharashtra. She was very chaste, polite and sincere but her parents-in –law were diagonally opposite to her in nature wicked, harsh and hard-hearted. They inflicted a lot of torture on Sakhubai.
One’s firm resolve can change even the most trying circumstances. Howsoever harshly the people may treat you in the world, if you do not mistreat yourself, their oppression cannot destroy you. You should but be firm in your faith and conviction. A wife has faith in her husband and has resolved to depend on him alone. But if her Sari is torn and she goes to beg for it at the neighbour’s house, this amounts to a breach of devotion to her husband. If a devotee happens to kill an insect, he should remember the Lord Achyuta. This is in tune with his faith that by remembering the Lord all sins are destroyed. But if he takes recourse to rituals and goes to bathe in the holy Ganga and observe fasts in order to get absolved of his sin, his faith is thereby distorted. If a yogi happens to kill an insect, it will suffice for him to do pranayama and think that the insect has only changed its body, while its soul is anyway immortal and also that he has not killed the insect intentionally. But if the yogi goes to take a bath in the holy Gange or observes fasts for redemption, his such faith in yoga can’t bring him success. If a Knower of the Ultimate Truth happens to kill an insect, for Him even resorting to pranayama and Self inquiry would mean that he doesn’t really have faith in the philosophy of Knowledge of the Ultimate Truth. He should have the firm conviction, ‘The Absolute Being is ever unchanged; only the form of he insect is subject to change OM.OM that’s all.
One’s own faith is sufficient for one’s deliverance. All kinds of torture were inflicted on Sakhubai but it could not shake her faith; for her conviction was, ‘The Lord is my very own and He fashions all these favourable and adverse circumstances for my progress. All these pleasures and pains are gifts from the Lord.’
Prahlad’s faith was unwavering too. His father inflicted all kinds of atrocities on him; but he was firm in his conviction, ‘My Lord is everywhere. He is there to save me from all harm.’ Fire didn’t burn Prahlad but all harm.’ Fire didn’t burn Prahlad but Holika, who had been endowed with a boon not to be burnt by fire, was reduced to ashes.
‘I have faith in Gandhiji; I am a follower of Gandhiji. He is the tower of inspiration for me.’ There is a difference between just saying these and actually acting accordingly. If one has real faith in Gandhiji, one should practice at least a single Gandhian principle in one’s own life. How wedded to truth Gandhiji was!
The Exemplary was the faith of Shabari, the Bhila woman. Her Guru told her, “You won’t have to go searching for Lord Rama. Just keep serving at the ashram and Lord Rama will Himself come to you.” Shavbari was sixteen years old when she come to the Guru’s ashram. She grew up to become an old woman of eighty years. People called her mad and said other derogatory things, but Shabari’s unwavering faith brought Lord Rama to her door; and also made Him eat plums first tasted by her. This is the miracle of faith. The real faith is defined in the following by Tulsidasji:
‘I rely only on the One; I am strong by the strength of that one; I am strong by the strength of that one; all may hopes are centered on that one and I trust the one alone.’
Prahlad’s faith made Lord Narasimha appear from the iron pillar. Again it was faith that brought the Lord before Dhruva when he was just five years old. Once Samantha Ramdas’ mother told her younger child Rami Ramdas, “Dear son! Look at Hanumanji with a fixed gaze and faithfully do japa of his name; then Hanumanji will appear before you.” Rami Ramadas placed faith in his mother’s words and at the age of just eight years, he made Hanumanji appear before him. Shivaji had a great faith in his dharma, in his Guru. He was also highly faithful towards his subjects.
When I go for a walk in the morning, I find poor people lying on the road for they can’t afford even small bamboo huts. The sight of mothers of India lying on the roadside with their young ones gives me great pain. The unscrupulous people at the helm of affairs have sucked the blood out of people and have amassed billions of rupees in the Swiss bank. What a great achievement it would be if the Government shows courage and brings this money back to the country. Not only will it make India debt free, the money can be used also for housing and other necessities of the poor.
Pandharpur is a famous centre of pilgrimage. Each year millions of people go there, chanting devotional songs on the way, for the darshan of Lrod Vitthala. Some people were going from Karad to participate in the fair at Pandharpur. As she saw the pilgrims, a desire arose in Sakhubai’s heart to go to Pandharpur for Lord Vitthala’s darshan. She knew her parents-in-law would never agree go such a proposal and it was futile to seek their permission. Therefore, she left the pitcher she was carrying there itself and joined the pilgrims. Her neighbour, who had come to fetch water with her, went home and reported the incident to her mother-in-law who incited her sons anger and sent him after her. He dragged her home beating her severely on the way and locked her up in a room. The trio of father, mother and son decided to keep Sakhubai locked up without food till the fair at Pandharpur ended. Did Sakhubai complain to the Lord, ‘O Lord! What have you done to me, a staunch devotee of Yours?’ her faith in the Lord remained unbroken. Even when she was lying locked up in a cell, she said, ‘Vitthala, my Lord! What should I do now? O the saviour of the poor! I don’t know the method of worship, nor do I know how to pursue devotion. I only know that now there is nobody to call my own other than you. O Lord! I am Yours and only Yours!
When one becomes calm after praying, the Antaryamin Lord comes into play. The Lord is omnipotent. He came there assuming the form of a lady and asked her, “Won’t you go to Pandharpur?” Sakhubai said, “I am very keen to go but here I am tied with ropes.” The Lord untied the knots and told her to rush to Pandharpur forthwith.
Thus the Lord sent sakhubai to Pandharpur and Himself remained tied and locked up assuming sakhubai’s form. Sakhubai arrived at Pandharpur while the Lord remained locked up in that room. This is the miracle of true faith!
When the Lord had kept Himself locked up in Sakhubai’s form, Sakhubai’s parents’in-law and her husband would come three-four times everyday and rebuke her. But the regular darshan of the Lord soon aroused the positive traits of their hearts. They felt repentant and by releasing Sakhubai (the Lord) apologized to her. A tyrant inflicts atrocities on others but experiences a change of heart when he comes in contact with man of faith.
The Lord started doing all the chores Sakhubai used to do – cooking food, offering it to the deity and serving her in-laws. Sakhubai’s husband and in-laws were very pleased. They thought, ‘We have done a great wrong by inflicting so much torture on Sakhubai.’
When the fair came to an end at Pandharpur, Sakhubai thought, ‘If I go home now, my family people will beat the hell out of me.’ She never knew that the Lord had bound Himself for her sake. She thought it was better to die at Pandharpur than to bear the torture of her in-laws. She took a vow, ‘I will not go home in this body.’ With these thoughts, Sakhubai got engrossed in meditation and departed this life. Incidentally, a Brahmin who hailed from Kiwal, a village near Karad, was passing thought that place. He recognized Sakhubai and performed her last rites.
So Sakhubai was dead but the Lord had been acting Sakhubai at her home. When a long time passed this way, Goddess Rukmini the consort of the lord was worried. She went to the cremation ground, collected Sakhubai’s ashes and using Her power infused life into Sakhubai. It was no big thing for the Supreme Creative Primordial power of the universe.
Rukminiji said to Sakhubai, “You had taken a vow not to go home in that body. That body has already been consumed by the fire. I have given you this new body you must proceed for your home now.”
Obeying the unknown goddess sakhubai arrived at Karad. There, the Lord come to the river to fetch water and seeing Sakhubai said, “Sister! You have come after a long time. Now take this pitcher and take care of your duties; I am going”, and the Lord disappeared instantly. You cannot gauge the miraculous power of faith-will become accomplished in devotion; those strengthening their faith in Knowledge. Those, engaged in rendering service with a faith, will become successful in their respective fields. This story is blessed. Whatever be gets objects of faith of different please, it invariably leads one to the supreme benediction.
This Atman has the power to manifest itself in various forms. It manifests itself variously in dreams anyway. Even in the waking state it does so by virtue of faith. This Divine Self of yours can become Sakhu, Narasimha or even Rama or Krishna. O man! You are simply ignorant about the power of your Real Self, the Supreme Soul. Our Truth-consciousness-Bliss Absolute Self is a reservoir of power, prowess, beauty and bliss. By nurturing love for that and remembering That time and again just find repose Therein to be free from the bondages of ego, attachments and misery.
Sakhubai, a devotee, lived in the Karad village of Maharashtra. She was very chaste, polite and sincere but her parents-in –law were diagonally opposite to her in nature wicked, harsh and hard-hearted. They inflicted a lot of torture on Sakhubai.
One’s firm resolve can change even the most trying circumstances. Howsoever harshly the people may treat you in the world, if you do not mistreat yourself, their oppression cannot destroy you. You should but be firm in your faith and conviction. A wife has faith in her husband and has resolved to depend on him alone. But if her Sari is torn and she goes to beg for it at the neighbour’s house, this amounts to a breach of devotion to her husband. If a devotee happens to kill an insect, he should remember the Lord Achyuta. This is in tune with his faith that by remembering the Lord all sins are destroyed. But if he takes recourse to rituals and goes to bathe in the holy Ganga and observe fasts in order to get absolved of his sin, his faith is thereby distorted. If a yogi happens to kill an insect, it will suffice for him to do pranayama and think that the insect has only changed its body, while its soul is anyway immortal and also that he has not killed the insect intentionally. But if the yogi goes to take a bath in the holy Gange or observes fasts for redemption, his such faith in yoga can’t bring him success. If a Knower of the Ultimate Truth happens to kill an insect, for Him even resorting to pranayama and Self inquiry would mean that he doesn’t really have faith in the philosophy of Knowledge of the Ultimate Truth. He should have the firm conviction, ‘The Absolute Being is ever unchanged; only the form of he insect is subject to change OM.OM that’s all.
One’s own faith is sufficient for one’s deliverance. All kinds of torture were inflicted on Sakhubai but it could not shake her faith; for her conviction was, ‘The Lord is my very own and He fashions all these favourable and adverse circumstances for my progress. All these pleasures and pains are gifts from the Lord.’
Prahlad’s faith was unwavering too. His father inflicted all kinds of atrocities on him; but he was firm in his conviction, ‘My Lord is everywhere. He is there to save me from all harm.’ Fire didn’t burn Prahlad but all harm.’ Fire didn’t burn Prahlad but Holika, who had been endowed with a boon not to be burnt by fire, was reduced to ashes.
‘I have faith in Gandhiji; I am a follower of Gandhiji. He is the tower of inspiration for me.’ There is a difference between just saying these and actually acting accordingly. If one has real faith in Gandhiji, one should practice at least a single Gandhian principle in one’s own life. How wedded to truth Gandhiji was!
The Exemplary was the faith of Shabari, the Bhila woman. Her Guru told her, “You won’t have to go searching for Lord Rama. Just keep serving at the ashram and Lord Rama will Himself come to you.” Shavbari was sixteen years old when she come to the Guru’s ashram. She grew up to become an old woman of eighty years. People called her mad and said other derogatory things, but Shabari’s unwavering faith brought Lord Rama to her door; and also made Him eat plums first tasted by her. This is the miracle of faith. The real faith is defined in the following by Tulsidasji:
‘I rely only on the One; I am strong by the strength of that one; I am strong by the strength of that one; all may hopes are centered on that one and I trust the one alone.’
Prahlad’s faith made Lord Narasimha appear from the iron pillar. Again it was faith that brought the Lord before Dhruva when he was just five years old. Once Samantha Ramdas’ mother told her younger child Rami Ramdas, “Dear son! Look at Hanumanji with a fixed gaze and faithfully do japa of his name; then Hanumanji will appear before you.” Rami Ramadas placed faith in his mother’s words and at the age of just eight years, he made Hanumanji appear before him. Shivaji had a great faith in his dharma, in his Guru. He was also highly faithful towards his subjects.
When I go for a walk in the morning, I find poor people lying on the road for they can’t afford even small bamboo huts. The sight of mothers of India lying on the roadside with their young ones gives me great pain. The unscrupulous people at the helm of affairs have sucked the blood out of people and have amassed billions of rupees in the Swiss bank. What a great achievement it would be if the Government shows courage and brings this money back to the country. Not only will it make India debt free, the money can be used also for housing and other necessities of the poor.
Pandharpur is a famous centre of pilgrimage. Each year millions of people go there, chanting devotional songs on the way, for the darshan of Lrod Vitthala. Some people were going from Karad to participate in the fair at Pandharpur. As she saw the pilgrims, a desire arose in Sakhubai’s heart to go to Pandharpur for Lord Vitthala’s darshan. She knew her parents-in-law would never agree go such a proposal and it was futile to seek their permission. Therefore, she left the pitcher she was carrying there itself and joined the pilgrims. Her neighbour, who had come to fetch water with her, went home and reported the incident to her mother-in-law who incited her sons anger and sent him after her. He dragged her home beating her severely on the way and locked her up in a room. The trio of father, mother and son decided to keep Sakhubai locked up without food till the fair at Pandharpur ended. Did Sakhubai complain to the Lord, ‘O Lord! What have you done to me, a staunch devotee of Yours?’ her faith in the Lord remained unbroken. Even when she was lying locked up in a cell, she said, ‘Vitthala, my Lord! What should I do now? O the saviour of the poor! I don’t know the method of worship, nor do I know how to pursue devotion. I only know that now there is nobody to call my own other than you. O Lord! I am Yours and only Yours!
When one becomes calm after praying, the Antaryamin Lord comes into play. The Lord is omnipotent. He came there assuming the form of a lady and asked her, “Won’t you go to Pandharpur?” Sakhubai said, “I am very keen to go but here I am tied with ropes.” The Lord untied the knots and told her to rush to Pandharpur forthwith.
Thus the Lord sent sakhubai to Pandharpur and Himself remained tied and locked up assuming sakhubai’s form. Sakhubai arrived at Pandharpur while the Lord remained locked up in that room. This is the miracle of true faith!
When the Lord had kept Himself locked up in Sakhubai’s form, Sakhubai’s parents’in-law and her husband would come three-four times everyday and rebuke her. But the regular darshan of the Lord soon aroused the positive traits of their hearts. They felt repentant and by releasing Sakhubai (the Lord) apologized to her. A tyrant inflicts atrocities on others but experiences a change of heart when he comes in contact with man of faith.
The Lord started doing all the chores Sakhubai used to do – cooking food, offering it to the deity and serving her in-laws. Sakhubai’s husband and in-laws were very pleased. They thought, ‘We have done a great wrong by inflicting so much torture on Sakhubai.’
When the fair came to an end at Pandharpur, Sakhubai thought, ‘If I go home now, my family people will beat the hell out of me.’ She never knew that the Lord had bound Himself for her sake. She thought it was better to die at Pandharpur than to bear the torture of her in-laws. She took a vow, ‘I will not go home in this body.’ With these thoughts, Sakhubai got engrossed in meditation and departed this life. Incidentally, a Brahmin who hailed from Kiwal, a village near Karad, was passing thought that place. He recognized Sakhubai and performed her last rites.
So Sakhubai was dead but the Lord had been acting Sakhubai at her home. When a long time passed this way, Goddess Rukmini the consort of the lord was worried. She went to the cremation ground, collected Sakhubai’s ashes and using Her power infused life into Sakhubai. It was no big thing for the Supreme Creative Primordial power of the universe.
Rukminiji said to Sakhubai, “You had taken a vow not to go home in that body. That body has already been consumed by the fire. I have given you this new body you must proceed for your home now.”
Obeying the unknown goddess sakhubai arrived at Karad. There, the Lord come to the river to fetch water and seeing Sakhubai said, “Sister! You have come after a long time. Now take this pitcher and take care of your duties; I am going”, and the Lord disappeared instantly. You cannot gauge the miraculous power of faith-will become accomplished in devotion; those strengthening their faith in Knowledge. Those, engaged in rendering service with a faith, will become successful in their respective fields. This story is blessed. Whatever be gets objects of faith of different please, it invariably leads one to the supreme benediction.
This Atman has the power to manifest itself in various forms. It manifests itself variously in dreams anyway. Even in the waking state it does so by virtue of faith. This Divine Self of yours can become Sakhu, Narasimha or even Rama or Krishna. O man! You are simply ignorant about the power of your Real Self, the Supreme Soul. Our Truth-consciousness-Bliss Absolute Self is a reservoir of power, prowess, beauty and bliss. By nurturing love for that and remembering That time and again just find repose Therein to be free from the bondages of ego, attachments and misery.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Be Steadfast in Your Faith
One with a steadfast faith can accomplish even the most difficult tasks. If one firmly resolves to realize the Supreme Self in His absolute being and loves Him to the exclusion of all else, he can realize God in this very life. Just a firm faith is enough in itself for one to eradicate sorrow, attain peace and become successful in life.
Sakhubai, a devotee, lived in the Karad village of Maharashtra. She was very chaste, polite and sincere but her parents-in –law were diagonally opposite to her in nature wicked, harsh and hard-hearted. They inflicted a lot of torture on Sakhubai.
One’s firm resolve can change even the most trying circumstances. Howsoever harshly the people may treat you in the world, if you do not mistreat yourself, their oppression cannot destroy you. You should but be firm in your faith and conviction. A wife has faith in her husband and has resolved to depend on him alone. But if her Sari is torn and she goes to beg for it at the neighbour’s house, this amounts to a breach of devotion to her husband. If a devotee happens to kill an insect, he should remember the Lord Achyuta. This is in tune with his faith that by remembering the Lord all sins are destroyed. But if he takes recourse to rituals and goes to bathe in the holy Ganga and observe fasts in order to get absolved of his sin, his faith is thereby distorted. If a yogi happens to kill an insect, it will suffice for him to do pranayama and think that the insect has only changed its body, while its soul is anyway immortal and also that he has not killed the insect intentionally. But if the yogi goes to take a bath in the holy Gange or observes fasts for redemption, his such faith in yoga can’t bring him success. If a Knower of the Ultimate Truth happens to kill an insect, for Him even resorting to pranayama and Self inquiry would mean that he doesn’t really have faith in the philosophy of Knowledge of the Ultimate Truth. He should have the firm conviction, ‘The Absolute Being is ever unchanged; only the form of he insect is subject to change OM.OM that’s all.
One’s own faith is sufficient for one’s deliverance. All kinds of torture were inflicted on Sakhubai but it could not shake her faith; for her conviction was, ‘The Lord is my very own and He fashions all these favourable and adverse circumstances for my progress. All these pleasures and pains are gifts from the Lord.’
Prahlad’s faith was unwavering too. His father inflicted all kinds of atrocities on him; but he was firm in his conviction, ‘My Lord is everywhere. He is there to save me from all harm.’ Fire didn’t burn Prahlad but all harm.’ Fire didn’t burn Prahlad but Holika, who had been endowed with a boon not to be burnt by fire, was reduced to ashes.
‘I have faith in Gandhiji; I am a follower of Gandhiji. He is the tower of inspiration for me.’ There is a difference between just saying these and actually acting accordingly. If one has real faith in Gandhiji, one should practice at least a single Gandhian principle in one’s own life. How wedded to truth Gandhiji was!
The Exemplary was the faith of Shabari, the Bhila woman. Her Guru told her, “You won’t have to go searching for Lord Rama. Just keep serving at the ashram and Lord Rama will Himself come to you.” Shavbari was sixteen years old when she come to the Guru’s ashram. She grew up to become an old woman of eighty years. People called her mad and said other derogatory things, but Shabari’s unwavering faith brought Lord Rama to her door; and also made Him eat plums first tasted by her. This is the miracle of faith. The real faith is defined in the following by Tulsidasji:
‘I rely only on the One; I am strong by the strength of that one; I am strong by the strength of that one; all may hopes are centered on that one and I trust the one alone.’
Prahlad’s faith made Lord Narasimha appear from the iron pillar. Again it was faith that brought the Lord before Dhruva when he was just five years old. Once samartha Ramdas’ mother told her younger child Rami Ramdas, “Dear son! Look at Hanumanji with a fixed gaze and faithfully do japa of his name; then Hanumanji wil appear before you.” Rami Ramadas placed faith in his mother’s words and at the age of just eight years, he made Hanumanji appear before him. Shivaji had a great faith in his dharma, in his Guru. He was also highly faithful towards his subjects.
When I go for a walk in the morning, I find poor people lying on the road for they can’t afford even small bamboo huts. The sight of mothers of India lying on the roadside with their young ones gives me great pain. The unscrupulous people at the helm of affairs have sucked the blood out of people and have amassed billions of rupees in the Swiss bank. What a great achievement it would be if the Government shows courage and brings this money back to the country. Not only will it make India debt free, the money can be used also for housing and other necessities of the poor.
Pandharpur is a famous centre of pilgrimage. Each year millions of people go there, chanting devotional songs on the way, for the darshan of Lrod Vitthala. Some people were going from Karad to participate in the fair at Pandharpur. As she saw the pilgraims, a desire arose in Sakhubai’s heart to go to Pandharpur for Lord Vitthala’s darshan. She knew her parents-in-law would never agree go such a proposal and it was futile to seek their permission. Therefore, she left the pitcher she was carrying there itself and joined the pilgrims. Her neighbour, who had come to fetch water with her, went home and reported the incident to her mother-in-law who incited her sons anger and sent him after her. He dragged her home beating her severely on the way and locked her up in a room. The trio of father, mother and son decided to keep Sakhubai locked up without food till the fair at Pandharpur ended. Did Sakhubai complain to the Lord, ‘O Lord! What have you done to me, a staunch devotee of Yours?’ her faith in the Lord remained unbroken. Even when she was lying locked up in a cell, she said, ‘Vitthala, my Lord! What should I do now? O the saviour of the poor! I don’t know the method of worship, nor do I know how to pursue devotion. I only know that now there is nobody to call my own other than you. O Lord! I am Yours and only Yours!
When one becomes calm after praying, the Antaryamin Lord comes into play. The Lord is omnipotent. He came there assuming the form of a lady and asked her, “Won’t you go to Pandharpur?” Sakhubai said, “I am very keen to go but here I am tied with ropes.” The Lord untied the knots and told her to rush to Pandharpur forthwith.
Sakhubai, a devotee, lived in the Karad village of Maharashtra. She was very chaste, polite and sincere but her parents-in –law were diagonally opposite to her in nature wicked, harsh and hard-hearted. They inflicted a lot of torture on Sakhubai.
One’s firm resolve can change even the most trying circumstances. Howsoever harshly the people may treat you in the world, if you do not mistreat yourself, their oppression cannot destroy you. You should but be firm in your faith and conviction. A wife has faith in her husband and has resolved to depend on him alone. But if her Sari is torn and she goes to beg for it at the neighbour’s house, this amounts to a breach of devotion to her husband. If a devotee happens to kill an insect, he should remember the Lord Achyuta. This is in tune with his faith that by remembering the Lord all sins are destroyed. But if he takes recourse to rituals and goes to bathe in the holy Ganga and observe fasts in order to get absolved of his sin, his faith is thereby distorted. If a yogi happens to kill an insect, it will suffice for him to do pranayama and think that the insect has only changed its body, while its soul is anyway immortal and also that he has not killed the insect intentionally. But if the yogi goes to take a bath in the holy Gange or observes fasts for redemption, his such faith in yoga can’t bring him success. If a Knower of the Ultimate Truth happens to kill an insect, for Him even resorting to pranayama and Self inquiry would mean that he doesn’t really have faith in the philosophy of Knowledge of the Ultimate Truth. He should have the firm conviction, ‘The Absolute Being is ever unchanged; only the form of he insect is subject to change OM.OM that’s all.
One’s own faith is sufficient for one’s deliverance. All kinds of torture were inflicted on Sakhubai but it could not shake her faith; for her conviction was, ‘The Lord is my very own and He fashions all these favourable and adverse circumstances for my progress. All these pleasures and pains are gifts from the Lord.’
Prahlad’s faith was unwavering too. His father inflicted all kinds of atrocities on him; but he was firm in his conviction, ‘My Lord is everywhere. He is there to save me from all harm.’ Fire didn’t burn Prahlad but all harm.’ Fire didn’t burn Prahlad but Holika, who had been endowed with a boon not to be burnt by fire, was reduced to ashes.
‘I have faith in Gandhiji; I am a follower of Gandhiji. He is the tower of inspiration for me.’ There is a difference between just saying these and actually acting accordingly. If one has real faith in Gandhiji, one should practice at least a single Gandhian principle in one’s own life. How wedded to truth Gandhiji was!
The Exemplary was the faith of Shabari, the Bhila woman. Her Guru told her, “You won’t have to go searching for Lord Rama. Just keep serving at the ashram and Lord Rama will Himself come to you.” Shavbari was sixteen years old when she come to the Guru’s ashram. She grew up to become an old woman of eighty years. People called her mad and said other derogatory things, but Shabari’s unwavering faith brought Lord Rama to her door; and also made Him eat plums first tasted by her. This is the miracle of faith. The real faith is defined in the following by Tulsidasji:
‘I rely only on the One; I am strong by the strength of that one; I am strong by the strength of that one; all may hopes are centered on that one and I trust the one alone.’
Prahlad’s faith made Lord Narasimha appear from the iron pillar. Again it was faith that brought the Lord before Dhruva when he was just five years old. Once samartha Ramdas’ mother told her younger child Rami Ramdas, “Dear son! Look at Hanumanji with a fixed gaze and faithfully do japa of his name; then Hanumanji wil appear before you.” Rami Ramadas placed faith in his mother’s words and at the age of just eight years, he made Hanumanji appear before him. Shivaji had a great faith in his dharma, in his Guru. He was also highly faithful towards his subjects.
When I go for a walk in the morning, I find poor people lying on the road for they can’t afford even small bamboo huts. The sight of mothers of India lying on the roadside with their young ones gives me great pain. The unscrupulous people at the helm of affairs have sucked the blood out of people and have amassed billions of rupees in the Swiss bank. What a great achievement it would be if the Government shows courage and brings this money back to the country. Not only will it make India debt free, the money can be used also for housing and other necessities of the poor.
Pandharpur is a famous centre of pilgrimage. Each year millions of people go there, chanting devotional songs on the way, for the darshan of Lrod Vitthala. Some people were going from Karad to participate in the fair at Pandharpur. As she saw the pilgraims, a desire arose in Sakhubai’s heart to go to Pandharpur for Lord Vitthala’s darshan. She knew her parents-in-law would never agree go such a proposal and it was futile to seek their permission. Therefore, she left the pitcher she was carrying there itself and joined the pilgrims. Her neighbour, who had come to fetch water with her, went home and reported the incident to her mother-in-law who incited her sons anger and sent him after her. He dragged her home beating her severely on the way and locked her up in a room. The trio of father, mother and son decided to keep Sakhubai locked up without food till the fair at Pandharpur ended. Did Sakhubai complain to the Lord, ‘O Lord! What have you done to me, a staunch devotee of Yours?’ her faith in the Lord remained unbroken. Even when she was lying locked up in a cell, she said, ‘Vitthala, my Lord! What should I do now? O the saviour of the poor! I don’t know the method of worship, nor do I know how to pursue devotion. I only know that now there is nobody to call my own other than you. O Lord! I am Yours and only Yours!
When one becomes calm after praying, the Antaryamin Lord comes into play. The Lord is omnipotent. He came there assuming the form of a lady and asked her, “Won’t you go to Pandharpur?” Sakhubai said, “I am very keen to go but here I am tied with ropes.” The Lord untied the knots and told her to rush to Pandharpur forthwith.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Chaturmasa: The Nectarine Period for Sadhana
During the four months period of Chaturmasa, Lord Vishnu reposes in ‘Yoganidra’. Therefore this is considered to be a golden period for sadhakas, devotees and worshippers. Adherence to some vow or austerity during this auspicious period brings imperishable merits. Hence a sagacious person should most essentially and deliberately take some vow during Chaturmasa. This time is considered to be auspicious for worshipping Lord Sri Hari.
Lord Vishnu reposes in water during this pious period. So the water is charged with the divine effulgence of the Lord. So taking bath, while reverentially remembering the Lord and chanting His pious name, before the dawn is far more meritorious than the collective merits of taking bath in all the pilgrim centers. Taking a bath by adding a mixture of sesame seeds and amla or bilva-patras (leaves of the wood apple tree) in a bucket of water eliminates all the demerits of the person. Putting a few bilva-patras in a bucket of water and taking bath therewith while reverentially chanting the mantra ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ 4-5 times, is especially beneficial during Chaturmasa. This practice eradicates the adverse effects of the aggravated vata and protects health. However, taking bath for the love of the Lord makes it into a devotional practice.
One, who abstains from intake of salt during these four months, is endowed with success in all his meritorious and altruistic activities.
Being compassionate towards all living beings during these auspicious months is considered to be a essential part of dharma. Donation of food-grains, water and cows, recitation of pious verses from the Vedas, and daily performance of fire sacrifices – all these virtuous deeds are immensely beneficial too. The most meritorious of all these donations is that of food-grains. Faithful abstinence from any thing dear to one brings infinite merits, and one is endowed with infinite happiness. However, infiniteness is best characterized by the Lord Himself.
Meticulous adherence to righteousness, sacred darshana and service of the great men, listening to sacred discourses, penchant for charity, worship of Lord Vishnu, etc. are all considered to be highly salubrious during this period. Donation of milk, curds, ghee and butter-milk bestows immense merits. One, who carry’s out the charitable acts of imparting knowledge, donating land and cows in noble pursuance of attaining divine love, has all his manes emancipated. Pious practices like sleeping on the ground, observing celibacy, fasts, silence, japa, meditation, charity, etc. are especially beneficial during this part of the year.
Taking food in a copper vessel is particularly prohibited in Chaturmasa. It is better to abandon metal utensils. Instead taking food in Palash leaves is considered meritorious. It is harmful to wear black and blue apparels in Chaturmasa.
One should make it a point to refrain from slandering others during these four months. Even lending one’s ears to slander is a sin. Slander is verily a great sin, a great horror and a great misery. There is no other sin greater than slandering others.
A wise man, who observes moderation in diet during the Chaturmasa, has all his sins destroyed, and attains to the abode of Lord Vishnu (Vaikuntha). He, who subsists on only type of cereal during Chaturmasa becomes fortified against diseases. And one, who takes food only once a day, attains the merits of ‘Dwadashah Yajna.’ He who subsists only on milk once a day, attains the merits of ‘Dh\wadashah Yajna.’ He who subsists only on milk or fruits during this period, thousands of his sins are annihilated within no time.
Observance of fast once in a fortnight burns all the toxins accumulated in the body and transmutes the chyle of food consumed during the fourteen days into ‘Ojas’. This adds glory and special significance to the ‘Ekadashi Vrata’. One should observe fast on all Ekadashis during this pious period.
If due to some reason one is unable to abide by these austerities during these four months, then one should observe them at least during the Kartik month (From 5th Oct to 2nd Nov).
Marriage ceremonies and wishful sacrifices are prohibited during these four months, which are meant only for the observance of austerities.
He who whiles away this precious time of Chaturmasa without doing japa, observing vows and spiritual practices is a real fool. On the other hand, he who makes an optimum use of this priceless duration through above pious practices, does as if attain the very pot of nectar. What a wonderful system is provided by the Indian culture! By ordaining the practice of various auspicious and salubrious activities for different seasons and months it gives us a golden opportunity not only for material welfare but also for spiritual. Evolution!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Serve the Boundless …
There is a parable in the scriptures of Vedanta. A gentleman borrowed some money and started a business. He was duped in business and went bankrupt. When his creditors asked him for repayment, he assured them that by doing some job or business he would clear all his debts. He did join a job or business he would clear all his debts. He did join a job nut could hardly earn enough to meet his own bare needs. So how could he ever repay his debts? Therefore he was always pestered by his creditors.
Someone advised him, “How can you clear your debts by doing this petty job? For that you will have to go to a rich man. Work for him without a salary, with the spirit of selfless service. By the power for him without a salary, with the spirit of selfless service. By the power of selfless service you will become his own man. When you become his own, your reputation will become his own reputation, your debts will become his debts, your happiness will become his happiness.”
This seemed to be a sound advice to him. He joined the service of a reputed rich man. He worked sincerely and would just have his food and receive some basic necessities from his master. He did not accept money for any other thing. This went on for six months. The rich man was greatly impressed by his honesty. He was gradually promoted to the post of the accountant. Seeing that he now held a high post, his creditors were assured that he would clear his debts and hence kept cool. One day when the gentleman went to the market, his old creditors surrounded him and scolded him and scolded him left and right for not repaying their loans even after being promoted to a good post. Disturbed by their scolding, he came to the rich man with a forlorn look on his face. The rich man asked him, “Why are you said?” The gentleman related his whole story to him. The rich man said, “Brother! You are crazy. Why should you be troubled when you are living with me? Had you told me about this earlier I would have cleared all your debts. Now tell me, will you agree with whatever decision I take in this regard?”
“I agree.”
The rich man called his creditors and told them, “Will you agree with whatever decision I take regarding your demands?”
“Yes”.
The accumulated interest was deducted and the principal amount paid. This story is narrated in the scriptures of Vedanta. It is a parable intended to illustrate a lesson. Now, whom do the rich man, the creditors and the gentleman actually stand for?
The jiva , the individual soul is the gentleman. He comes to this samsara and loses all his spiritual wealth by joining forces with the robbers in the form of lust, anger etc. he becomes a bankrupt having lost all his spiritual prowess.
Now a pauper, he goes to a temple priest and says, “Have mercy on me, Maharaj! Give me this, give me that..” the priest says, “Take this bell, ring it and please this God, that goddess, those gods..”
Whatever merit he earns by that, is just enough for leading a hand to mouth life. He fails to clear his debts. Someone advises him, “Go to a generous rich man. The generous rich man is the Self-realized saint. Go to him; worship and serve him, but do not ask for any returns. You just willingly surrender yourself to him. And then when he comes to know about you being asked by Nature and Time to clear your debts accumulated on account of having been looted by robbers in the form of lust, anger, etc. he will mediate between you and Nature and Time for Several lives; and by thus clearing your debts owed to them, he will finally awaken you into the Truth that is beyond the touch of Time and Nature.”
You will get nothing being a slave to petty people or by taking up pitty jobs.
‘The slave (imperfect master) meets the slave;
how can they then be freed?
But serve the boundless Master,
Who is slave to none, And in a moment He will set thee wholly free.”
Someone advised him, “How can you clear your debts by doing this petty job? For that you will have to go to a rich man. Work for him without a salary, with the spirit of selfless service. By the power for him without a salary, with the spirit of selfless service. By the power of selfless service you will become his own man. When you become his own, your reputation will become his own reputation, your debts will become his debts, your happiness will become his happiness.”
This seemed to be a sound advice to him. He joined the service of a reputed rich man. He worked sincerely and would just have his food and receive some basic necessities from his master. He did not accept money for any other thing. This went on for six months. The rich man was greatly impressed by his honesty. He was gradually promoted to the post of the accountant. Seeing that he now held a high post, his creditors were assured that he would clear his debts and hence kept cool. One day when the gentleman went to the market, his old creditors surrounded him and scolded him and scolded him left and right for not repaying their loans even after being promoted to a good post. Disturbed by their scolding, he came to the rich man with a forlorn look on his face. The rich man asked him, “Why are you said?” The gentleman related his whole story to him. The rich man said, “Brother! You are crazy. Why should you be troubled when you are living with me? Had you told me about this earlier I would have cleared all your debts. Now tell me, will you agree with whatever decision I take in this regard?”
“I agree.”
The rich man called his creditors and told them, “Will you agree with whatever decision I take regarding your demands?”
“Yes”.
The accumulated interest was deducted and the principal amount paid. This story is narrated in the scriptures of Vedanta. It is a parable intended to illustrate a lesson. Now, whom do the rich man, the creditors and the gentleman actually stand for?
The jiva , the individual soul is the gentleman. He comes to this samsara and loses all his spiritual wealth by joining forces with the robbers in the form of lust, anger etc. he becomes a bankrupt having lost all his spiritual prowess.
Now a pauper, he goes to a temple priest and says, “Have mercy on me, Maharaj! Give me this, give me that..” the priest says, “Take this bell, ring it and please this God, that goddess, those gods..”
Whatever merit he earns by that, is just enough for leading a hand to mouth life. He fails to clear his debts. Someone advises him, “Go to a generous rich man. The generous rich man is the Self-realized saint. Go to him; worship and serve him, but do not ask for any returns. You just willingly surrender yourself to him. And then when he comes to know about you being asked by Nature and Time to clear your debts accumulated on account of having been looted by robbers in the form of lust, anger, etc. he will mediate between you and Nature and Time for Several lives; and by thus clearing your debts owed to them, he will finally awaken you into the Truth that is beyond the touch of Time and Nature.”
You will get nothing being a slave to petty people or by taking up pitty jobs.
‘The slave (imperfect master) meets the slave;
how can they then be freed?
But serve the boundless Master,
Who is slave to none, And in a moment He will set thee wholly free.”
Monday, July 20, 2009
The Real Pilgrim Centers
‘But those men of virtuous deeds whose sins have come to an end, and who are freed from the delusion of the pairs of opposites, worship Me, steadfast in their vows.’
ee
The Lord says: ‘Those men, whose sins have come to an end, and whose virtuous deeds are ready to fructify, they, freed from the delusion of the pairs of opposites, and steadfast in their vows, worship Me.’ That is they get engaged in satsang and sadhana to attain god-realization.
The petty-minded people other than the ones described above-the Lord equates them to insects. The animals and insects eat, sleep, procreate and die. Those who don’t know how to utilize this precious human life, the Lord has deprecated them and called them insects. They are ‘insects being deluded by Maya’.
In Srimad Bhagwat, the Lord has said, ‘They are dim-witted, unfortunate and are troublemakers. They slander and speak ill of others and are in the habit of creating problems for others. The Lord describes the typically corrupted Kaliyuga man:
‘They are dim-witted, unfortunate and are troublemakers.’ They not only create trouble for themselves, but also machinate and spread rumours against others, thereby pushing them into the inferno of troubles galore. When the aaints are living, such people vilify them. Like, they ran a smear campaign against Guru Nanak saying, ‘Nanak’s teachings are perverse.’ Wretched people go to the extent of even incarcerating Guru Nanak. And they trumpet it as their greatness claiming to be superior to Guru Nanak. Babar put Guru Nanak behind bars. Such disgraceful treatment was methed out to the great Guru Nanak; these are men of wretched intellects. Empty-headed people fail to benefit from saints in their lifetime; and find faults with them instead.
When the Gurus are alive, such people insults them, which deprives the society of the real benefits that can be had from the physical presence of the God-realized saints. If you go to the temple and bow before God’s idol, it doesn’t speak or point out your shortcomings. It does not scold you either. You get benefited only in terms of the religious merits earned on account of the faith in your heart. Kabirji opened the eyes of the society to this fact by saying,
The Real Pilgrim Centers
‘While a dip in the holy waters endows one with a single merit, the fruits of associating with a saint are four fold; but the fruits of meeting the Satguru are simply infinite, so says Kabir.’
If you take a dip in holy waters, you get one benefits – that of a little religious merit. If you meet a saint, you get four-fold benefits- righteousness (dharma), wealth (artha), positive desire (dama), and liberation (modsha). But if you have faith in and devotion towards the saint, and if the saint is your Satguru, you will develop affinity for Him. If you have affinity for the Guru, the Guru too has affinity for his disciples. It is the same as it is in the case of a mother. The mother has affinity for her child; therefore she feeds the child on (milk) the very essence of all she eats in the course of the day. A cow has affinity for her calf. She bears the heat, cold, wind, storm and mistreatments in the course of her day’s wandering. But the milk that is produced in her body, she readily give it to the calf, who simply has to drink it with relish. The disciples are even better placed than the calf. The calf, in any case, has to get to the cow’s udder and suck the milk; while the cow keeps standing. But the disciples don’t even stand up; they make no efforts; they just keep sitting and the cow, the satguru, instills into their ears and thereby fills their hearts with the nectar of His divine experience attained through tremendous efforts made over a number of births and strengthened constantly by continued sadhana, Samadhi and meditation.
‘While a dip in the holy waters endows one with a single merit, the fruits of associating with a saint are four fold; but the fruits of meeting the Satguru are simply infinite, so says Kabir.’
That which has no end is called infinite. All the benefits in the world come to an end and cause sufferings. But the benefits a true disciple gets from the Satguru is infinite. It can never come to an end. Even death cannot finish it.
Love means experiencing the intrinsic oneness with your neighbors and all those who come in contact with you
Single Minded Faith
Once there was a highly accomplished saint. When someone approached him for diksha, he would take the visitor to his field and draw his attention to a number of shallow dry wells dug up in the adjacent field belonging to a peasant. The peasant had excavated not just one or two wells but seven in all and was engaged in digging yet another.
He would then explain, “See, if you want to go like him, make him your Guru and follow him. He has dug up seven wells of about ten feet depth each. He digs the well upto that level and on finding no water he would move on to another place to dig yet another well of more or less that very depth. In this manner he has practically filled his entire field with wells all around, but without having been able to strike water anywhere. If you aspire to pursue your sadhana under my tutelage, you will have to bore deep at a single place only. Had that peasant exerted all his strength to bore a well at a single place, he might have struck water. But he dug up as many as seven wells and yet failed to get water. Then he will dig up the eighth as well, but would never find water if he continues in the same manner. Similarly, if you keep trying different paths of sadhana in only limited measures, it will only lead to dissipation of your energy.
ee
The Lord says: ‘Those men, whose sins have come to an end, and whose virtuous deeds are ready to fructify, they, freed from the delusion of the pairs of opposites, and steadfast in their vows, worship Me.’ That is they get engaged in satsang and sadhana to attain god-realization.
The petty-minded people other than the ones described above-the Lord equates them to insects. The animals and insects eat, sleep, procreate and die. Those who don’t know how to utilize this precious human life, the Lord has deprecated them and called them insects. They are ‘insects being deluded by Maya’.
In Srimad Bhagwat, the Lord has said, ‘They are dim-witted, unfortunate and are troublemakers. They slander and speak ill of others and are in the habit of creating problems for others. The Lord describes the typically corrupted Kaliyuga man:
‘They are dim-witted, unfortunate and are troublemakers.’ They not only create trouble for themselves, but also machinate and spread rumours against others, thereby pushing them into the inferno of troubles galore. When the aaints are living, such people vilify them. Like, they ran a smear campaign against Guru Nanak saying, ‘Nanak’s teachings are perverse.’ Wretched people go to the extent of even incarcerating Guru Nanak. And they trumpet it as their greatness claiming to be superior to Guru Nanak. Babar put Guru Nanak behind bars. Such disgraceful treatment was methed out to the great Guru Nanak; these are men of wretched intellects. Empty-headed people fail to benefit from saints in their lifetime; and find faults with them instead.
When the Gurus are alive, such people insults them, which deprives the society of the real benefits that can be had from the physical presence of the God-realized saints. If you go to the temple and bow before God’s idol, it doesn’t speak or point out your shortcomings. It does not scold you either. You get benefited only in terms of the religious merits earned on account of the faith in your heart. Kabirji opened the eyes of the society to this fact by saying,
The Real Pilgrim Centers
‘While a dip in the holy waters endows one with a single merit, the fruits of associating with a saint are four fold; but the fruits of meeting the Satguru are simply infinite, so says Kabir.’
If you take a dip in holy waters, you get one benefits – that of a little religious merit. If you meet a saint, you get four-fold benefits- righteousness (dharma), wealth (artha), positive desire (dama), and liberation (modsha). But if you have faith in and devotion towards the saint, and if the saint is your Satguru, you will develop affinity for Him. If you have affinity for the Guru, the Guru too has affinity for his disciples. It is the same as it is in the case of a mother. The mother has affinity for her child; therefore she feeds the child on (milk) the very essence of all she eats in the course of the day. A cow has affinity for her calf. She bears the heat, cold, wind, storm and mistreatments in the course of her day’s wandering. But the milk that is produced in her body, she readily give it to the calf, who simply has to drink it with relish. The disciples are even better placed than the calf. The calf, in any case, has to get to the cow’s udder and suck the milk; while the cow keeps standing. But the disciples don’t even stand up; they make no efforts; they just keep sitting and the cow, the satguru, instills into their ears and thereby fills their hearts with the nectar of His divine experience attained through tremendous efforts made over a number of births and strengthened constantly by continued sadhana, Samadhi and meditation.
‘While a dip in the holy waters endows one with a single merit, the fruits of associating with a saint are four fold; but the fruits of meeting the Satguru are simply infinite, so says Kabir.’
That which has no end is called infinite. All the benefits in the world come to an end and cause sufferings. But the benefits a true disciple gets from the Satguru is infinite. It can never come to an end. Even death cannot finish it.
Love means experiencing the intrinsic oneness with your neighbors and all those who come in contact with you
Single Minded Faith
Once there was a highly accomplished saint. When someone approached him for diksha, he would take the visitor to his field and draw his attention to a number of shallow dry wells dug up in the adjacent field belonging to a peasant. The peasant had excavated not just one or two wells but seven in all and was engaged in digging yet another.
He would then explain, “See, if you want to go like him, make him your Guru and follow him. He has dug up seven wells of about ten feet depth each. He digs the well upto that level and on finding no water he would move on to another place to dig yet another well of more or less that very depth. In this manner he has practically filled his entire field with wells all around, but without having been able to strike water anywhere. If you aspire to pursue your sadhana under my tutelage, you will have to bore deep at a single place only. Had that peasant exerted all his strength to bore a well at a single place, he might have struck water. But he dug up as many as seven wells and yet failed to get water. Then he will dig up the eighth as well, but would never find water if he continues in the same manner. Similarly, if you keep trying different paths of sadhana in only limited measures, it will only lead to dissipation of your energy.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Education and Spiritual Initiation
Education lends beauty to human life, because society is ever in need of educated people. From this point of view, education is a kind of power though everyone naturally likes to have power, its misuse, however, is not salubrious. Therefore, it is extremely essential that education goes hand in hand with spiritual initiation. Such initiation alone can ensure the good use of education. An initiated man does whatever he does, only for the attainment of his goal. In order to guard against the misuse of education, i.e. the power attained through knowledge, science and arts, the educated should most essentially be initiated.
Human life is an aggregate of desires and demands. Desires lead man to dependence, inertness and want; while demand paves the way for the attainment of independence, oneness with the conscious self and absolute completeness. The completeness of human life lies in the fulfillment of demands and renunciation of desires. The goal of every human being is one, and hence initiation too is one initiation has two primary parts responsibility and demand. Fulfilling one’s responsibility in compliance with the laws of nature does ensure the automatic fulfillment of demands. The unwavering conviction of fulfilling one’s responsibility and an unflinching faith in the theory of demand and supply do constitute initiation. This initiation is equally essential for the people of every class, society, nation, doctrine, sect, religion, etc. in the absence of this initiation, no man can become a true man, and without becoming a true man one’s life cannot become useful for oneself, for the world or even for Him, who is the fundamental source and illuminator of all.
Education is power and initiation is illumination. Using power in the darkness is like digging one’s won grave. Education has its influence on the body, senses, mind and intellect. The agents work under the supervision of the doer. Therefore education should be utilized under the supervision of initiation. No human does spire to be destroyed by the powerful, hence the oath of refraining from the misuse of power constitutes the initiation for the path of duty.
Although the importance of education can hardly be overemphasized, it is a great folly not to be initiated. Education, in the absence of initiation, can even lead to great calamities. An uneducated man can never cause so much havoc as an uninitiated educated man can do. The educated people have a high place of important in society, which is always in need of their active cooperation. As such, the educated are most essentially required to be initiated.
Without initiation one can’t develop a flawless conviction about what is the demand i.e. the goal and also about what is the responsibility towards the attainment thereof. And in the absence of these, an all round development is not possible. Initiation may vary in its external mode but internally it always stands for dutifulness, maintenance of aloofness and surrender to the Lord. And that is not all; the perfect discharge of one’s duty automatically leads to aloofness, which in turn paves the way for surrender. The total annihilation of selfishness, sloth, and the limited ego is not possible without a good sense of duty, aloofness and surrender respectively. Selfishness, sloth and the limited ego alone have deterred man from seva, spiritual life and love respectively. Destruction of selfishness, sloth and the limited ego are all inherent in initiation.
Education makes a man useful, while initiation redeems one from the indebtedness to all. Without redemption from indebtedness one cannot make foray into the realm of peace, independence and love, which alone constitute true life.
Human life is an aggregate of desires and demands. Desires lead man to dependence, inertness and want; while demand paves the way for the attainment of independence, oneness with the conscious self and absolute completeness. The completeness of human life lies in the fulfillment of demands and renunciation of desires. The goal of every human being is one, and hence initiation too is one initiation has two primary parts responsibility and demand. Fulfilling one’s responsibility in compliance with the laws of nature does ensure the automatic fulfillment of demands. The unwavering conviction of fulfilling one’s responsibility and an unflinching faith in the theory of demand and supply do constitute initiation. This initiation is equally essential for the people of every class, society, nation, doctrine, sect, religion, etc. in the absence of this initiation, no man can become a true man, and without becoming a true man one’s life cannot become useful for oneself, for the world or even for Him, who is the fundamental source and illuminator of all.
Education is power and initiation is illumination. Using power in the darkness is like digging one’s won grave. Education has its influence on the body, senses, mind and intellect. The agents work under the supervision of the doer. Therefore education should be utilized under the supervision of initiation. No human does spire to be destroyed by the powerful, hence the oath of refraining from the misuse of power constitutes the initiation for the path of duty.
Although the importance of education can hardly be overemphasized, it is a great folly not to be initiated. Education, in the absence of initiation, can even lead to great calamities. An uneducated man can never cause so much havoc as an uninitiated educated man can do. The educated people have a high place of important in society, which is always in need of their active cooperation. As such, the educated are most essentially required to be initiated.
Without initiation one can’t develop a flawless conviction about what is the demand i.e. the goal and also about what is the responsibility towards the attainment thereof. And in the absence of these, an all round development is not possible. Initiation may vary in its external mode but internally it always stands for dutifulness, maintenance of aloofness and surrender to the Lord. And that is not all; the perfect discharge of one’s duty automatically leads to aloofness, which in turn paves the way for surrender. The total annihilation of selfishness, sloth, and the limited ego is not possible without a good sense of duty, aloofness and surrender respectively. Selfishness, sloth and the limited ego alone have deterred man from seva, spiritual life and love respectively. Destruction of selfishness, sloth and the limited ego are all inherent in initiation.
Education makes a man useful, while initiation redeems one from the indebtedness to all. Without redemption from indebtedness one cannot make foray into the realm of peace, independence and love, which alone constitute true life.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Bad is the Wicked’s Compassion
Sri Vasishthaji says: “O Rama! If a sadhu associates himself with the asadhu, he too becomes an asadhu and if an asadhu associates himself with the sadhu he too gradually turns into a sadhu.”
Those striving for the supreme goal are sadhus and those devotion their time to this transitory world, are asadhus. When we stay in the company of he asadhus for an extend period of time we too begin to feel, ‘We should also do at least this much, we should also build our house here we should not miss this chance. By working 2-5 hours daily if I get Rs. 100, I should go for it’. O Brother! Even a daily earning of one million rupees is of no use to you.
We happen to commit self-deception because we live in the company of the vile. If you ponder you will realize that you have wasted so much time of your life. After Self – relazation you will be astonished at the way you have spent your life that far. You will feel disgusted thinking, ‘Oh! What a great treasure I had and how I wasted my life in just counting and keeping pennies. Oh! I did what even a blind person would not do.’ A person like King Janaka was astonished and exclaimed – ‘Oh! This is simply amazing. Supremely amazing!’ He was an emperor and not an ordinary person who would get amazed at ordinary things. King Janaka says – ‘Alas! I have been spending so much time in sheer delusion!’ when you achieve the wealth of the Self, you happen to be greatly amazed. This amazement itself is called ‘samadhi’ (the state of super consciousness).
‘Being steadfastly established in the Knowledge of the self, He did not come to senses
for two days and a half.’
How could have I come to senses? What was I before? A wholesale trader of sugar this and that and what I am now! How have I been wasting time all these days? O how I great! Just as on coming from pitch darkness into light, one instantly closes his eyes, so also on attaining the realization of the supreme Light, the supreme atman, one realizes – ‘Alas! What had I been doing till now! And I was considering my self smart.’ When I was running my shop, I never considered myself silly. Now, you may be a businessman, doctor, lawyer political leader or anything. Do you ever think that you are doing anything foolish? No, you rather consider yourself to be doing the very right thing. You might be patting your back thinking that you are using your hard and honestly earned money in the service of others though in a small way. Ion realizing the Supreme Atman, you will come to know that this was a benighted outlook. The mahapurushas, who know their true glory and have realized the real grandeur of God, are our supreme benefactors. Hence, when we do something silly they even get a little angry with us. In their anger they do appear to be taunting us. However, these taunts are not inspired by any sense of enmity, but sheer compassion and kindness. Thank the great should that they shower their blessings on you even in this way. Naradji also used to scold and taunt the general people and even the kings and emperors for their own good. My Guruji too would make used of reprimand. Kabirji too used to taunt the people and they would get irked. This might have prompted Kabirji too compose this couplet:
‘Bad is the wicked’s compassion, better the Master’s wrath.’
Even if I torment you, scold you or exercise my veto power of being your Guru, do not leave me because.
‘Bad is the wicked’s compassion,
better the Master’s wrath.
The scorching sun is the sign of the impending rain.’
Those striving for the supreme goal are sadhus and those devotion their time to this transitory world, are asadhus. When we stay in the company of he asadhus for an extend period of time we too begin to feel, ‘We should also do at least this much, we should also build our house here we should not miss this chance. By working 2-5 hours daily if I get Rs. 100, I should go for it’. O Brother! Even a daily earning of one million rupees is of no use to you.
We happen to commit self-deception because we live in the company of the vile. If you ponder you will realize that you have wasted so much time of your life. After Self – relazation you will be astonished at the way you have spent your life that far. You will feel disgusted thinking, ‘Oh! What a great treasure I had and how I wasted my life in just counting and keeping pennies. Oh! I did what even a blind person would not do.’ A person like King Janaka was astonished and exclaimed – ‘Oh! This is simply amazing. Supremely amazing!’ He was an emperor and not an ordinary person who would get amazed at ordinary things. King Janaka says – ‘Alas! I have been spending so much time in sheer delusion!’ when you achieve the wealth of the Self, you happen to be greatly amazed. This amazement itself is called ‘samadhi’ (the state of super consciousness).
‘Being steadfastly established in the Knowledge of the self, He did not come to senses
for two days and a half.’
How could have I come to senses? What was I before? A wholesale trader of sugar this and that and what I am now! How have I been wasting time all these days? O how I great! Just as on coming from pitch darkness into light, one instantly closes his eyes, so also on attaining the realization of the supreme Light, the supreme atman, one realizes – ‘Alas! What had I been doing till now! And I was considering my self smart.’ When I was running my shop, I never considered myself silly. Now, you may be a businessman, doctor, lawyer political leader or anything. Do you ever think that you are doing anything foolish? No, you rather consider yourself to be doing the very right thing. You might be patting your back thinking that you are using your hard and honestly earned money in the service of others though in a small way. Ion realizing the Supreme Atman, you will come to know that this was a benighted outlook. The mahapurushas, who know their true glory and have realized the real grandeur of God, are our supreme benefactors. Hence, when we do something silly they even get a little angry with us. In their anger they do appear to be taunting us. However, these taunts are not inspired by any sense of enmity, but sheer compassion and kindness. Thank the great should that they shower their blessings on you even in this way. Naradji also used to scold and taunt the general people and even the kings and emperors for their own good. My Guruji too would make used of reprimand. Kabirji too used to taunt the people and they would get irked. This might have prompted Kabirji too compose this couplet:
‘Bad is the wicked’s compassion, better the Master’s wrath.’
Even if I torment you, scold you or exercise my veto power of being your Guru, do not leave me because.
‘Bad is the wicked’s compassion,
better the Master’s wrath.
The scorching sun is the sign of the impending rain.’
Thursday, July 16, 2009
‘Divya Prerna Prakash’ Knowledge Contest – 2009
During the 1st contest, 4,45,390 students and 5066 schools gained divine knowledge from the holy book namely ‘Divya Prena Prakash.’ Once again, on regional as well as national level this contest is being organized.
On regional level, the contest meant for grade 5 to 7, will be held only from the book ‘Bal Sanskar’. For grades 8 to 12, it will be from the books, ‘Divya Prerna Prakash’ (70 marks), General knowledge relating to scriptures ‘Bhagavad-Gita, ‘Ramayana’ and ‘Mahabharata’ (10 marks each).
At regional level, prizes will be given to 5 winners from each category.
At regional level, students of grades 8-12, scoring more than 60% marks will be eligible for appearing in the national level contest.
First 13 winners of the national level contest will be awarded certain special awards such as gold and silver medals etc. by revered Gurudev.
410 students will be given an award of total 8600 books of ‘divya Prerna Prakash.’
The last date for the contest is 31st Oct. 2009.
Contest and Prize Distribution will be organized and held at various ‘Bal Sanskar’ centers as well.
A clarion call for the regional ashrams, committees and aspirants! All should join hands to organize this contest and co-operate in this divine task of the spiritual acclivity of young students.
Contact: “Bal Shankar deptt.” ‘Akhil Bharatiya Sri Yog Vedant seva samiti’, Sant Sri Asaramji Ashram, Ahmedabad-5. Ph. (079) 39877749, 66115749.
Millions of lives are becoming refulgent through ‘Divya Prerna Prakash’!
On regional level, the contest meant for grade 5 to 7, will be held only from the book ‘Bal Sanskar’. For grades 8 to 12, it will be from the books, ‘Divya Prerna Prakash’ (70 marks), General knowledge relating to scriptures ‘Bhagavad-Gita, ‘Ramayana’ and ‘Mahabharata’ (10 marks each).
At regional level, prizes will be given to 5 winners from each category.
At regional level, students of grades 8-12, scoring more than 60% marks will be eligible for appearing in the national level contest.
First 13 winners of the national level contest will be awarded certain special awards such as gold and silver medals etc. by revered Gurudev.
410 students will be given an award of total 8600 books of ‘divya Prerna Prakash.’
The last date for the contest is 31st Oct. 2009.
Contest and Prize Distribution will be organized and held at various ‘Bal Sanskar’ centers as well.
A clarion call for the regional ashrams, committees and aspirants! All should join hands to organize this contest and co-operate in this divine task of the spiritual acclivity of young students.
Contact: “Bal Shankar deptt.” ‘Akhil Bharatiya Sri Yog Vedant seva samiti’, Sant Sri Asaramji Ashram, Ahmedabad-5. Ph. (079) 39877749, 66115749.
Millions of lives are becoming refulgent through ‘Divya Prerna Prakash’!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Satsang News
On 23 April, Pujya Bapuji arrived at Solan ashram (H.P). Though He had visited the place for the bliss of the solitude yet as an army of bees swarms to gather nectar from flowers, similarly the lovers of satsang had thronged the ashram in the far-fetched terrain of inaccessible mountains. Seeing the amount of endurance and penance the seekers had exercised, the Compassionate Guru gratified them with his blissful ‘Darshan and Discourse.’
On 26th April, during the satsang discourse at Simla which is known for its cool by the inner tranquility. Solving the perplexities of minds entangled in wealth, power and knowledge, Pujya Bapuji said, “Attaining wealth or power etc. is not considered vicious but definitely its ego is a known evil. The avarice of wealth, power or worldly knowledge makes the being miserable. These material pursuits are ephemeral whereas the true Self is everlasting and perennial. So considering oneself either miserable or conceited on account of these is nothing else but sheer ignorance.”
On 27th April, seeking the benediction of ambrosial satsang, Bilaspur and its suburb considered itself blessed one.
At last the devotion of the aspirants could succeed in pleasing Puya Bapuji who had come to seek the bliss of solitude at Nadaun ashram. Consequently the blissful evening of 28th April come to the lot of Nndaunians. Not only the satsang venue remained packed to the brim throughout, the ground also wore a majestic look.
30th April and 1st May, the ambrosial shower of satsang doused Hamirpur (H.P.). In Pujya Bapuji’s discourse, along with the elixir of satsang, the devotees attained the key to multifarious developments and the scintillating splendor of true self-knowledge also. Thousands of devotees received initiation from Bapuji and hailed the commencement of spiritual practice under the patronage of the adorable Guru.
Elucidating the significance of self control and noble thinking, Guruji said, “The countries that are bereft of self –control, pious satsang, and noble thoughts where the blissful rays of ‘Sat-Chit-anand, the immortal soul do not penetrate; virtually such places are the haunted ones that beget the coming generation with the traits of lewdness greed anger, exploitation and terrorism. For the first time, experiencing inner peace and tranquility in the blessed vicinity of affable Gurudev, the natives of Hamirpur took pious dive in the inner realm of mediation.
On 3rd May, dehradun (Uttarakhand) was blessed with Bapuji’s sacred discourse. About nurturing culture and impressions on the young minds Bapuji espoused, “The first university in a child’s life is his mother. If the mother inculcates good traits in the child, the child’s mind remains inclined towards goodness only. On the other hand, those who regularly visit theatres or lavishly bedeck themselves to dance in the clubs can never beget a promising progeny like Gandhiji. Such mothers can only give birth to children with the traits of monkeys. So it is advisable for mothers to refrain from cheap literature, films or useless chatters. Rather they should instill divinity in their lives by seeking tutelage in the Lord’s pious name and discourse so that the divine souls that are waiting to descend on this sacred land can get an opportunity to do so”.
From 8th to 10th May, The sacred ocean of deep faith and devotion manifested itself during the Poonam-darshan and the satsang programme that was organized on the holy land of Haridwar. The mammoth gathering of devotees dwarfed the huge pavilion erected for the satsang. The infinite ocean of devotees surged its waves in gusto reminding the occasion of ‘Mahakumbha.’ The presence of millions of devotees from the far-ends of the country was perceived with an all pervasive reign of unusual tranquility! It seemed as if the ever coquettish air had suddenly grown steady and imparted its somber stillness to the Pacific Ocean. Bestowing the key for awakening the True self, revered Gurudevji said, “When we abide by the wishes of a drunkard, gambler or drug-addict, we retain their peculiar traits and habits respectively. Similarly by conforming ourselves to the sweet will of the Supreme Lord, we’ll attain ‘His’ supreme traits which are verily our inherent ones.
“The authenticated fact is that either praise or criticism, nothing it true. Your virtues or vices are also untrue. But the supreme fact that the indweller is in you and you dwell in His Supreme self, is very much true and an authenticate one.” After the culmination of satsang, adorable Gurudev enjoyed the bliss of solitude for in Haridwar some time. The seekers were blessed by the ambrosial satsang that was overflowing with divine bliss. This discourse is truly a benediction for the proclivity of spiritual aspirants on the eternal path. This discourse is readily available on VCD ‘Kya Karoon?’ and MP3. the ardent aspirants must benefit from it.
On 26th April, during the satsang discourse at Simla which is known for its cool by the inner tranquility. Solving the perplexities of minds entangled in wealth, power and knowledge, Pujya Bapuji said, “Attaining wealth or power etc. is not considered vicious but definitely its ego is a known evil. The avarice of wealth, power or worldly knowledge makes the being miserable. These material pursuits are ephemeral whereas the true Self is everlasting and perennial. So considering oneself either miserable or conceited on account of these is nothing else but sheer ignorance.”
On 27th April, seeking the benediction of ambrosial satsang, Bilaspur and its suburb considered itself blessed one.
At last the devotion of the aspirants could succeed in pleasing Puya Bapuji who had come to seek the bliss of solitude at Nadaun ashram. Consequently the blissful evening of 28th April come to the lot of Nndaunians. Not only the satsang venue remained packed to the brim throughout, the ground also wore a majestic look.
30th April and 1st May, the ambrosial shower of satsang doused Hamirpur (H.P.). In Pujya Bapuji’s discourse, along with the elixir of satsang, the devotees attained the key to multifarious developments and the scintillating splendor of true self-knowledge also. Thousands of devotees received initiation from Bapuji and hailed the commencement of spiritual practice under the patronage of the adorable Guru.
Elucidating the significance of self control and noble thinking, Guruji said, “The countries that are bereft of self –control, pious satsang, and noble thoughts where the blissful rays of ‘Sat-Chit-anand, the immortal soul do not penetrate; virtually such places are the haunted ones that beget the coming generation with the traits of lewdness greed anger, exploitation and terrorism. For the first time, experiencing inner peace and tranquility in the blessed vicinity of affable Gurudev, the natives of Hamirpur took pious dive in the inner realm of mediation.
On 3rd May, dehradun (Uttarakhand) was blessed with Bapuji’s sacred discourse. About nurturing culture and impressions on the young minds Bapuji espoused, “The first university in a child’s life is his mother. If the mother inculcates good traits in the child, the child’s mind remains inclined towards goodness only. On the other hand, those who regularly visit theatres or lavishly bedeck themselves to dance in the clubs can never beget a promising progeny like Gandhiji. Such mothers can only give birth to children with the traits of monkeys. So it is advisable for mothers to refrain from cheap literature, films or useless chatters. Rather they should instill divinity in their lives by seeking tutelage in the Lord’s pious name and discourse so that the divine souls that are waiting to descend on this sacred land can get an opportunity to do so”.
From 8th to 10th May, The sacred ocean of deep faith and devotion manifested itself during the Poonam-darshan and the satsang programme that was organized on the holy land of Haridwar. The mammoth gathering of devotees dwarfed the huge pavilion erected for the satsang. The infinite ocean of devotees surged its waves in gusto reminding the occasion of ‘Mahakumbha.’ The presence of millions of devotees from the far-ends of the country was perceived with an all pervasive reign of unusual tranquility! It seemed as if the ever coquettish air had suddenly grown steady and imparted its somber stillness to the Pacific Ocean. Bestowing the key for awakening the True self, revered Gurudevji said, “When we abide by the wishes of a drunkard, gambler or drug-addict, we retain their peculiar traits and habits respectively. Similarly by conforming ourselves to the sweet will of the Supreme Lord, we’ll attain ‘His’ supreme traits which are verily our inherent ones.
“The authenticated fact is that either praise or criticism, nothing it true. Your virtues or vices are also untrue. But the supreme fact that the indweller is in you and you dwell in His Supreme self, is very much true and an authenticate one.” After the culmination of satsang, adorable Gurudev enjoyed the bliss of solitude for in Haridwar some time. The seekers were blessed by the ambrosial satsang that was overflowing with divine bliss. This discourse is truly a benediction for the proclivity of spiritual aspirants on the eternal path. This discourse is readily available on VCD ‘Kya Karoon?’ and MP3. the ardent aspirants must benefit from it.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The Sacred Words of Guru are Vedic Hymns…
My sixteen year old son Divyesh Kumar suffered from congenital deafness. We tried allopathic treatment but he was not cured. I came to know from some sadhakas of the ashram that at the time of shaktipat one the sacred Banyan tree at Onjal ashram, revered Gurudev had said, “The extract of the aerial roots of this tree will cure deafness.”
I’ve practically experienced the fact that if one trusts the words of saints with devotional faith, Nature serves him willingly. “Mantramulam Gurorvakyam…’ means the sacred words that beget from revered Gurudevji’s holy mouth are equivalent to Vedic mantras. This verse of shastras is absolutely true. The only requirement is that you should have staunch faith in the sayings of the Guru.
I instilled the extract of aerial roots of ‘Badh Badshah’ (the sacred banyan tree) in my son Divyesh’s ears. When my son, a congenitally deaf boy, heard the first sound; his joy knew no bounds. Our entire family is overwhelmed with gratitude at the lotus feet of revered Guru devji. My innumerable salutations to Adorable satgurudev, whose kind and selfless benevolence relieve the people of their miseries and vexations.
This Banyan tree is Kalpavriksha
My three year old daughter suffered from congenital dumbness. She was treated at many places, we consulted many quacks and exorcists as but to no avail at last, I took recourse to revered to revered Bapuji’s lotus feet. In my family, everybody except me had been fortunate enough to seek initiation from revered Gurudev. I prayed to adorable Bapuji from the core of my heart and made a pledge at ‘Badh-Dada’ (The wish fulfilling banyan tree of the ashram) , saying I’ll bring my daughter for darshan at Ahmedabad ashram if she starts speaking.
In the due course of time, my prayers were duly answered. About six months back, my daughter started speaking. I took her to the ashram and made her circum-ambulate the sacred Banyan tree. I find to words to describe the boundless grace of revered Gurudev. In this Kaliyuga, Pujya Bapuji is an avatar and the Banyan trees charged with his spiritual power are no less than the ‘Kalpavriksha’ (the wish fulfilling tree).
A disciple lies prostrate in front of his sadguru and offering the choicest flowers at His holy feet prays, “O supremely sacred and most venerable Gurudev! I have attained the supreme Bliss. I am liberated from the cycle of birth and death by attaining unity with the Brahman. I bathe in the pure joy of nirvikalpa Samadhi. I can freely move to any corner of the world. Now I am equanimous towards one and all.
I have renounced the untamed mind. I have abandoned all desires, attachments and aversions. Now I am resting in the Eternal Peace and enjoying complete bliss! I am unable to fully describe this absolute state.
I’ve practically experienced the fact that if one trusts the words of saints with devotional faith, Nature serves him willingly. “Mantramulam Gurorvakyam…’ means the sacred words that beget from revered Gurudevji’s holy mouth are equivalent to Vedic mantras. This verse of shastras is absolutely true. The only requirement is that you should have staunch faith in the sayings of the Guru.
I instilled the extract of aerial roots of ‘Badh Badshah’ (the sacred banyan tree) in my son Divyesh’s ears. When my son, a congenitally deaf boy, heard the first sound; his joy knew no bounds. Our entire family is overwhelmed with gratitude at the lotus feet of revered Guru devji. My innumerable salutations to Adorable satgurudev, whose kind and selfless benevolence relieve the people of their miseries and vexations.
This Banyan tree is Kalpavriksha
My three year old daughter suffered from congenital dumbness. She was treated at many places, we consulted many quacks and exorcists as but to no avail at last, I took recourse to revered to revered Bapuji’s lotus feet. In my family, everybody except me had been fortunate enough to seek initiation from revered Gurudev. I prayed to adorable Bapuji from the core of my heart and made a pledge at ‘Badh-Dada’ (The wish fulfilling banyan tree of the ashram) , saying I’ll bring my daughter for darshan at Ahmedabad ashram if she starts speaking.
In the due course of time, my prayers were duly answered. About six months back, my daughter started speaking. I took her to the ashram and made her circum-ambulate the sacred Banyan tree. I find to words to describe the boundless grace of revered Gurudev. In this Kaliyuga, Pujya Bapuji is an avatar and the Banyan trees charged with his spiritual power are no less than the ‘Kalpavriksha’ (the wish fulfilling tree).
A disciple lies prostrate in front of his sadguru and offering the choicest flowers at His holy feet prays, “O supremely sacred and most venerable Gurudev! I have attained the supreme Bliss. I am liberated from the cycle of birth and death by attaining unity with the Brahman. I bathe in the pure joy of nirvikalpa Samadhi. I can freely move to any corner of the world. Now I am equanimous towards one and all.
I have renounced the untamed mind. I have abandoned all desires, attachments and aversions. Now I am resting in the Eternal Peace and enjoying complete bliss! I am unable to fully describe this absolute state.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Purification of the Body
As much importance we give to the nourishment of the body that much importance we should give to the purification of the body as well. If the excretory system does not work efficiently to remove the excreta the functions of digestive system will get impaired and it may stop completely.
There are mainly four organs responsible for excretion. Intestines, kidneys, lungs and the skin. These organs excrete about 2.5 gms. Nitrogen, 250 gms. carbon and 2 kilos of other elements from the body of a healthy person.
1. Intestines: Everyday, undigested and residual food matter, bacteria, carbon dioxide, hydrogen etc., wind, water and other elements are excreted in the form of fecal matter.
The following bad habits destroy the efficiency of the intestines:
· Checking the urge to defecate
· Consuming food without chewing, Eating hastily, over eating, eating at wrong times, consuming unwholesome foods
· Lack of manual tasks and physical exercise
· Keeping vigils, sleeping till late in the morning
· Constant agitation, anxiety and grief. The following practices keep the intestines clean and strong:
· Fasting (once a week or once a fortnight remaining completely without food)
· Drinking six measures (each measure is equivalent to that obtained by cupping both hands together with palms facing upwards) of water that has been kept overnight in the morning before sunrise. Going for a brisk walk in the morning and evening
· Performing yogasanas, uddiyanbandha and mulbandha
· Consumption of wholesome food
2. Kidneys: The kidneys daily filter 170 to 200 litres of blood to produce 1.5 to 2 litres urine. Excess water, nitrogen, salt, uric acid etc. is excreted with urine.
The following conditions reduce the efficiency of the kidneys and the urinary blander: repeatedly checking the urge to pass urine.
Drinking water, eating food or having sex while checking the urge to pass urine.
Consumption of heavy and very dry food, eating excessively hot and spicy foods, excess salt, eating non-vegetarian food
Having intoxicants
Some allopathic Medicines
Emaciation of the body
The following habits keep the kidneys and the blander fit and healthy:
Consumption of adequate quantity of pure water.
Drinking six measures (as mentioned earlier) of water that has been kept overnight in the morning before sunrise
Passing urine before going to bed at night, on waking up in the morning, after physical exercise and after taking food
Performing katipindamardanasana and padapashchimottanasana
3) Lungs: The respiratory system (lungs excretes approximately 250 ml. water, 200 gms carbon, heat and 50 gms of other elements every day.
The following conditions cause pulmonary dysfunction:
Checking the urge to defecate, to pass urine, to sneeze, to belch etc.
Taking exercise on empty stomach
Overexertion
Excessive consumption of dry and cold foods
Air pollution
Loss of dhatus
The following make the lungs clean and active:
Performing pranayama, (nadishodhan, bhastrika, kapalbhati, ujjayipranayama) etc.
Roaming in the open air in areas where there is an abundance of life force a river
4) Skin: The skin excretes about 600 ml. water, 5 gms carbon, 3-4 gms nitrogen, salts, ammonia other elements every day through sweating.
The following conditions vitiate the skin:
Consumption of incompatible foods like milk with fruit, sour or salty foods.
Eating sour, hot, fried foods
The following means make the skin clean and firm:
3. Massage
Having a bath with ubtan (a mixture made fo certain ingredients and water
Sub bath: One should take sunbath everyday early in the morning covering head with a piece of cloth. It cures various diseases and gives life sunbath improves the efficiency of all the excretory organs. Take 5-7 basil leaves and 10-15 neem leaves in the morning. It increases immunity and purifies the body. Accumulation of impurities in the body gives an open invitation to serious ailments and their complete elimination from the body brings freshness, alertness and complete health.
There are mainly four organs responsible for excretion. Intestines, kidneys, lungs and the skin. These organs excrete about 2.5 gms. Nitrogen, 250 gms. carbon and 2 kilos of other elements from the body of a healthy person.
1. Intestines: Everyday, undigested and residual food matter, bacteria, carbon dioxide, hydrogen etc., wind, water and other elements are excreted in the form of fecal matter.
The following bad habits destroy the efficiency of the intestines:
· Checking the urge to defecate
· Consuming food without chewing, Eating hastily, over eating, eating at wrong times, consuming unwholesome foods
· Lack of manual tasks and physical exercise
· Keeping vigils, sleeping till late in the morning
· Constant agitation, anxiety and grief. The following practices keep the intestines clean and strong:
· Fasting (once a week or once a fortnight remaining completely without food)
· Drinking six measures (each measure is equivalent to that obtained by cupping both hands together with palms facing upwards) of water that has been kept overnight in the morning before sunrise. Going for a brisk walk in the morning and evening
· Performing yogasanas, uddiyanbandha and mulbandha
· Consumption of wholesome food
2. Kidneys: The kidneys daily filter 170 to 200 litres of blood to produce 1.5 to 2 litres urine. Excess water, nitrogen, salt, uric acid etc. is excreted with urine.
The following conditions reduce the efficiency of the kidneys and the urinary blander: repeatedly checking the urge to pass urine.
Drinking water, eating food or having sex while checking the urge to pass urine.
Consumption of heavy and very dry food, eating excessively hot and spicy foods, excess salt, eating non-vegetarian food
Having intoxicants
Some allopathic Medicines
Emaciation of the body
The following habits keep the kidneys and the blander fit and healthy:
Consumption of adequate quantity of pure water.
Drinking six measures (as mentioned earlier) of water that has been kept overnight in the morning before sunrise
Passing urine before going to bed at night, on waking up in the morning, after physical exercise and after taking food
Performing katipindamardanasana and padapashchimottanasana
3) Lungs: The respiratory system (lungs excretes approximately 250 ml. water, 200 gms carbon, heat and 50 gms of other elements every day.
The following conditions cause pulmonary dysfunction:
Checking the urge to defecate, to pass urine, to sneeze, to belch etc.
Taking exercise on empty stomach
Overexertion
Excessive consumption of dry and cold foods
Air pollution
Loss of dhatus
The following make the lungs clean and active:
Performing pranayama, (nadishodhan, bhastrika, kapalbhati, ujjayipranayama) etc.
Roaming in the open air in areas where there is an abundance of life force a river
4) Skin: The skin excretes about 600 ml. water, 5 gms carbon, 3-4 gms nitrogen, salts, ammonia other elements every day through sweating.
The following conditions vitiate the skin:
Consumption of incompatible foods like milk with fruit, sour or salty foods.
Eating sour, hot, fried foods
The following means make the skin clean and firm:
3. Massage
Having a bath with ubtan (a mixture made fo certain ingredients and water
Sub bath: One should take sunbath everyday early in the morning covering head with a piece of cloth. It cures various diseases and gives life sunbath improves the efficiency of all the excretory organs. Take 5-7 basil leaves and 10-15 neem leaves in the morning. It increases immunity and purifies the body. Accumulation of impurities in the body gives an open invitation to serious ailments and their complete elimination from the body brings freshness, alertness and complete health.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Somvati Amavasya and Amritsiddhiyog
Somvati Amavasya or no moon day falling on Monday creates such an auspicious moment that Ganga, Pushkar and the divine cosmos along with all the revered pilgrimages on this earth shower their exceptional spiritual benediction on the being who performs worship, jape, meditation on this auspicious day.
The significance of this day is considered equivalent to the auspiciousness of ‘the solar Eclipse.’ Taking a holy dip, performance of charitable acts and Shraddha (giving oblations in the name of manes) on this day is considered to be perennial and everlasting. Observance of vow of silence followed by a holy dip in the sacred waters bestows the being with the meritorious effect equivalent to that of giving a thousand cows in donation. It is ordained to worship and circumambulate Lord Vishnu and the sacred Pipal tree. Prior to the sacred ambulation, he following prayer is done:
Multo brahmarupay madhyato visnurupine.
Agratah sivrupay vrksrajaye ten amah
Yam drstva mucyate rogaih sprstva
Papaih pramucyate
Yadsryacciranjivi tamasvatham
Namamyaham.
O Sacred Tree! From the root, you’re the symbol of Lord Brahma, from the truck, you’re the epitome of Lord Vishnu and the forehead is veritable representation of Lord Siva. My salutations to you! I humbly pray for the acceptance of the reverential worship and eradication of my sins. My offer my deferential salutations to the pious tree whose mere gaze eradicates the being’s physical ailments, a simple touch extirpates the sins and the blissful patronage provides long life to the doer!
Out of the said number of one hundred and eight, eight circumambulations are done by enwrapping the Pipal tree with raw thread. One hundred and eight pieces of fruits are kept aside; later on these are distributed to the Brahmins. Such a practice helps in the longevity of progeny.
P.S. When the ‘Mriga Nakshtra’ falls on Monday, it is acclaimed as ‘Amritsiddhiyog.’ Luckily, this time on Somvati amavasya, this auspicious confluence is occurring. On 22nd June, from dawn till 11.45 P.M, it is the pious confluence of ‘Amritsiddhiyog.’
Gurupushyamrit Yog
Shiv Puran explains ‘Pushya Nakshtra’ as the majestic personage of Lord Shiva. The effect of ‘Pushya Nakshtra’ is so virtuous that even the most calamitous disorders become futile or reach near eradication. Rather these become comfortable to the ‘Pushya Nakshtra’ and favour us positively. The scriptures ordain the Pushya Nakshatra as favorable to ‘All accomplishments. ‘The oblations performed in this auspicious period bestow utmost contentment on the manes. The doer too is endowed with progeny and prosperity.
The planet Lord Brishspati (Jupiter), who is the preceptor of gods, originated in Pushya Nakshatra only.
So the Pushya as well as Lord Brihaspati enjoy an integral combination. Pushya Nakshtra, the most nurturing one, when falls on Thursday which again is considered as the supreme day; it is one of the rarest and unique combinations known as ‘Gurupushyamrit Yoga.’
The significance of this day is considered equivalent to the auspiciousness of ‘the solar Eclipse.’ Taking a holy dip, performance of charitable acts and Shraddha (giving oblations in the name of manes) on this day is considered to be perennial and everlasting. Observance of vow of silence followed by a holy dip in the sacred waters bestows the being with the meritorious effect equivalent to that of giving a thousand cows in donation. It is ordained to worship and circumambulate Lord Vishnu and the sacred Pipal tree. Prior to the sacred ambulation, he following prayer is done:
Multo brahmarupay madhyato visnurupine.
Agratah sivrupay vrksrajaye ten amah
Yam drstva mucyate rogaih sprstva
Papaih pramucyate
Yadsryacciranjivi tamasvatham
Namamyaham.
O Sacred Tree! From the root, you’re the symbol of Lord Brahma, from the truck, you’re the epitome of Lord Vishnu and the forehead is veritable representation of Lord Siva. My salutations to you! I humbly pray for the acceptance of the reverential worship and eradication of my sins. My offer my deferential salutations to the pious tree whose mere gaze eradicates the being’s physical ailments, a simple touch extirpates the sins and the blissful patronage provides long life to the doer!
Out of the said number of one hundred and eight, eight circumambulations are done by enwrapping the Pipal tree with raw thread. One hundred and eight pieces of fruits are kept aside; later on these are distributed to the Brahmins. Such a practice helps in the longevity of progeny.
P.S. When the ‘Mriga Nakshtra’ falls on Monday, it is acclaimed as ‘Amritsiddhiyog.’ Luckily, this time on Somvati amavasya, this auspicious confluence is occurring. On 22nd June, from dawn till 11.45 P.M, it is the pious confluence of ‘Amritsiddhiyog.’
Gurupushyamrit Yog
Shiv Puran explains ‘Pushya Nakshtra’ as the majestic personage of Lord Shiva. The effect of ‘Pushya Nakshtra’ is so virtuous that even the most calamitous disorders become futile or reach near eradication. Rather these become comfortable to the ‘Pushya Nakshtra’ and favour us positively. The scriptures ordain the Pushya Nakshatra as favorable to ‘All accomplishments. ‘The oblations performed in this auspicious period bestow utmost contentment on the manes. The doer too is endowed with progeny and prosperity.
The planet Lord Brishspati (Jupiter), who is the preceptor of gods, originated in Pushya Nakshatra only.
So the Pushya as well as Lord Brihaspati enjoy an integral combination. Pushya Nakshtra, the most nurturing one, when falls on Thursday which again is considered as the supreme day; it is one of the rarest and unique combinations known as ‘Gurupushyamrit Yoga.’
Friday, July 10, 2009
Let such be your faith in the guru
All disciples do have love for their Guru but if the devotion of a Guru Bhakta reaches such a height that whatever the Guru says becomes proof for him, he will never says becomes proof for him, he will never find a single fault in his Guru. A patient of jaundice sees everything yellow around him. Similarly, that disciple sees God in everything.
One day Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa was trying to teach a particular subject to one of his disciples, who though being simple, had an arguing nature and hence was unable to accept his views. His logical arguments went on even after Paramhnsji tried to make him understand three to four times. Ramakrishna then told him in a slightly angry but sweet tone, “What kind of a person are you? Why aren’t you convinced when it is a who am saying that?” the disciple’s love for the Guru was awakened and he said with a bit of shame, “Your Holines! Forgive me. I should have been convinced when you were saying so. I was arguing uselessly for so long by the power of my intellectual strength.”
Ramakrishna laughed as he said, “I will tell you how one’s devotion to the Guru should be. Whatever the guru says, the disciple should start seeing it immediately in exactly the same way. Arjuna was accompanying Sri Krishna, when suddenly, the Lord said pointing towards the sky, ‘Arjuna! Look, what a beautiful dove is flying over there!’ Arujuna immediately replied looking towards the sky, “Yes sir! What a beautiful dove!’ But again Sri Krishna said, “No no Arjuna! That is not a dove.’ Arjuna again replied, True lord! It doesn’t look like a dove.”’
“Now you should note that Arjuna was very truthful. He didn’t say this just to flatter Srikrishna but he had so much faith and devotion for Krishna that he started seeing exactly what the Lord had told him.”
Every human being possesses this divine power to a greater or lesser degree. Therefore, a sadhaka engaged in devotion to the Guru, ultimately attains to such a state that the divine power itself gets revealed in him to dispel al the doubts of his mind and helps him realize the esoteric secrets of the spiritual truth. Thereafter, he doesn’t have to seek any other place for clearing his doubts.
In the course of his conversation with a person, Hanuman Prasad Poddar said to him, “If there is a worthy recipient I can make him behold god right now by a resolve.”
There person asked, “How sir? What is the mark of a worthy recipient?
“He should have implicit faith and must be leading a life of self control.”
“What is a meaning of implicit faith?”
“If say pointing towards a goat that it is a cow, he should see a cow. Such should be this faith. If he believes from the bottom of his heart, if his thoughts immediately become one with those of mine, if his heart becomes one with that of mine, my experience will become his experience.”
One day Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa was trying to teach a particular subject to one of his disciples, who though being simple, had an arguing nature and hence was unable to accept his views. His logical arguments went on even after Paramhnsji tried to make him understand three to four times. Ramakrishna then told him in a slightly angry but sweet tone, “What kind of a person are you? Why aren’t you convinced when it is a who am saying that?” the disciple’s love for the Guru was awakened and he said with a bit of shame, “Your Holines! Forgive me. I should have been convinced when you were saying so. I was arguing uselessly for so long by the power of my intellectual strength.”
Ramakrishna laughed as he said, “I will tell you how one’s devotion to the Guru should be. Whatever the guru says, the disciple should start seeing it immediately in exactly the same way. Arjuna was accompanying Sri Krishna, when suddenly, the Lord said pointing towards the sky, ‘Arjuna! Look, what a beautiful dove is flying over there!’ Arujuna immediately replied looking towards the sky, “Yes sir! What a beautiful dove!’ But again Sri Krishna said, “No no Arjuna! That is not a dove.’ Arjuna again replied, True lord! It doesn’t look like a dove.”’
“Now you should note that Arjuna was very truthful. He didn’t say this just to flatter Srikrishna but he had so much faith and devotion for Krishna that he started seeing exactly what the Lord had told him.”
Every human being possesses this divine power to a greater or lesser degree. Therefore, a sadhaka engaged in devotion to the Guru, ultimately attains to such a state that the divine power itself gets revealed in him to dispel al the doubts of his mind and helps him realize the esoteric secrets of the spiritual truth. Thereafter, he doesn’t have to seek any other place for clearing his doubts.
In the course of his conversation with a person, Hanuman Prasad Poddar said to him, “If there is a worthy recipient I can make him behold god right now by a resolve.”
There person asked, “How sir? What is the mark of a worthy recipient?
“He should have implicit faith and must be leading a life of self control.”
“What is a meaning of implicit faith?”
“If say pointing towards a goat that it is a cow, he should see a cow. Such should be this faith. If he believes from the bottom of his heart, if his thoughts immediately become one with those of mine, if his heart becomes one with that of mine, my experience will become his experience.”
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