Mahamritunjay Mantra ( महामृत्युंजय-मंत्र )
For Long Life
Showing posts with label Asaramji Bapuji. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Asaramji Bapuji. Show all posts
Traits Of A Self-Knowing Man
In the epic Shri Yoga Vashishtha Maharamayana, Shri Rama asks Shri Vashishta, "Oh Lord! Please oblige me by explaining how the Self-Knowing people behave and what they become." Shri Vashishta says:
*The Self-Knowing people are both kind and indifferent towards all.
*They appear to be making efforts like a materialistic person, but in reality they are in a state of supreme mediatation.
*They take the world to be an illusion and know the Lord to be omni-present.
"Rama! they are friendly to all, even to a rock. They do not see any difference between friends of human world and the trees of the forests. They live with their wives and children as does the wild deer i.e., as the life of the wild deer is not centered around its children, similarly they do not selfishly dedicate their lives to their children. They are both kind and indifferent towards all. They are the symbol of ultimate bliss and satisfaction. They neither love anybody nor hate anything. They appear to be living in this world but actually they are always in a state of perfect bliss. They appear to be doing their daily routines but they do it in such a way that they are worshipped for their activities. They keep balance of mind at times of happiness and sadness. They do the natural activities as recommended in the holy books, but are never dithered from their original self. Instances of happiness and sadness is visible in the life of such people, but they are not ever moved from the state of true self. They appear to be making efforts like a materialistic person, but in reality they are in a state of supreme mediatation. No one gets irritated with them, also they do not feel anger for anyone. They are kind to all and they carry the happiness and sadness of day to day life willingly. They behave like an ignorant person but they take the world to be an illusion and know the Lord to be omni-present.
The Self-Knowing persons know of the inaction inherent in an action. They work diligently and still live like dead persons with no attachment to the fruits of the action. Day to day behaviour is evident in such persons, but the complete world comes to a rest in their pledge. They are always seated in the highest position and they are the source of kindness.They are the hearts and minds of all. Whoever is able to understand the silence of such persons feels internal happiness. The company of such persons generates a pleasent soothing effect. They experience the supreme bliss after realising the self, and they are never far away from this bliss because they know that all the materialistic pleasures have no value as compared to this bliss.
Oh Rama! Some of such persons sit in solitude, some stay in auspicious places, some live as house-holders, some sit in supreme meditation, some do not wear clothes, some become kings, some become learned and give discourses, some stay in supreme silence, some meditate in forests and caves, some renounce the world, some roam like ignorant persons, some appear to be behaving in mean ways, some fly in the sky and can do surprising magics, but all of them are always stationed in the form of the Real Self. The happiness and sadness of the world cannot affect the free persons because they have acquired the pure indiscriminate strength."
*The Self-Knowing persons know of the inaction inherent in an action.
*The company of such persons generates a pleasent soothing effect.
*No matter what they do, but all of them are always stationed in the form of the Real Self.
There after with the blessings and discourse of Shri Vashishtha, Shri Rama realized the true self and then he said:
"Oh Lord!" Now by your grace my mind is not disturbed. The world which is extending from Brahma, Vishnu & Rudra to a small twig appears to me like a limitless sky. In all ways and always I'm stationed in my real self and have realized my indiscriminate and indestructable form. There is no material disturbance in my mind. Due to the sensitivity of the mind, my real self appears to be present in this world of forms, but I don't feel distracted from this true self. I'm the unthinkable limitless form. I cannot see anything other than me."
-Shri Yoga Vashishtha Ramayana
*They appear to be making efforts like a materialistic person, but in reality they are in a state of supreme mediatation.
*They take the world to be an illusion and know the Lord to be omni-present.
"Rama! they are friendly to all, even to a rock. They do not see any difference between friends of human world and the trees of the forests. They live with their wives and children as does the wild deer i.e., as the life of the wild deer is not centered around its children, similarly they do not selfishly dedicate their lives to their children. They are both kind and indifferent towards all. They are the symbol of ultimate bliss and satisfaction. They neither love anybody nor hate anything. They appear to be living in this world but actually they are always in a state of perfect bliss. They appear to be doing their daily routines but they do it in such a way that they are worshipped for their activities. They keep balance of mind at times of happiness and sadness. They do the natural activities as recommended in the holy books, but are never dithered from their original self. Instances of happiness and sadness is visible in the life of such people, but they are not ever moved from the state of true self. They appear to be making efforts like a materialistic person, but in reality they are in a state of supreme mediatation. No one gets irritated with them, also they do not feel anger for anyone. They are kind to all and they carry the happiness and sadness of day to day life willingly. They behave like an ignorant person but they take the world to be an illusion and know the Lord to be omni-present.
The Self-Knowing persons know of the inaction inherent in an action. They work diligently and still live like dead persons with no attachment to the fruits of the action. Day to day behaviour is evident in such persons, but the complete world comes to a rest in their pledge. They are always seated in the highest position and they are the source of kindness.They are the hearts and minds of all. Whoever is able to understand the silence of such persons feels internal happiness. The company of such persons generates a pleasent soothing effect. They experience the supreme bliss after realising the self, and they are never far away from this bliss because they know that all the materialistic pleasures have no value as compared to this bliss.
Oh Rama! Some of such persons sit in solitude, some stay in auspicious places, some live as house-holders, some sit in supreme meditation, some do not wear clothes, some become kings, some become learned and give discourses, some stay in supreme silence, some meditate in forests and caves, some renounce the world, some roam like ignorant persons, some appear to be behaving in mean ways, some fly in the sky and can do surprising magics, but all of them are always stationed in the form of the Real Self. The happiness and sadness of the world cannot affect the free persons because they have acquired the pure indiscriminate strength."
*The Self-Knowing persons know of the inaction inherent in an action.
*The company of such persons generates a pleasent soothing effect.
*No matter what they do, but all of them are always stationed in the form of the Real Self.
There after with the blessings and discourse of Shri Vashishtha, Shri Rama realized the true self and then he said:
"Oh Lord!" Now by your grace my mind is not disturbed. The world which is extending from Brahma, Vishnu & Rudra to a small twig appears to me like a limitless sky. In all ways and always I'm stationed in my real self and have realized my indiscriminate and indestructable form. There is no material disturbance in my mind. Due to the sensitivity of the mind, my real self appears to be present in this world of forms, but I don't feel distracted from this true self. I'm the unthinkable limitless form. I cannot see anything other than me."
-Shri Yoga Vashishtha Ramayana
Question and Answer Session with Pujya Asaramji Bapuji
Question: Bapuji! How can we get rid of worldly desires?
Pujya Bapuji: To get rid of desires, constantly be a witness to your thoughts. Do not let the mind hanker after petty sense-pleasures. For example, suppose a fan is rotating. If you turn off the switch and cut off the electric supply how long will it continue to rotate? Similarly, if you disconnect or disassociate yourself from the mind then desires will no longer hold sway over you.
When you lend importance to your mind, allowing it to seek gratification, desires take control of you. By giving credence to your mind you allow transient pleasures of this material world to overwhelm you. But if you become a witness to the mind, victory is bound to be yours.
Question: What are the virtues that enable an aspirant to progress fast on the spiritual path?
Pujya Bapuji: An aspirant, who possesses the four pious attributes of having a penchant for sadhana, never feeling tired of pursuing the same, having faith in Enlightened Saints and having an unswerving trust in God, will advance rapidly on the spiritual path.
Question: What should an aspirant do to make a quick progress in sadhana?
Pujya Bapuji: An aspirant should not waste time in futile pursuits. He should rather set his goal high and do his work carefully and completely without any sense of egotism for having accomplished the same, which in no case should be spoiled for want of due care. He should value only God and nothing else. He should maintain purity of conduct. The aspirant who assimilates these features into his life, can definitely attain his goal. There is no higher achievement than this in all the three worlds. He will attain that blissful state of the Lord ‘Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, against which even god Indra’s royal grandeur looks insignificant.
Question: What should we do to increase our love for the Lord?
Pujya Bapuji: Always listen to the stories of the Lord’s divine play. Listen to or read the life-stories of great Saints, and their enlightening stories. This will help increase your devotion, detachment and knowledge about God. Listen to or sing bhajans praising the Lord. Hum a bhajan while sitting alone. Otherwise vices like desire, anger, avarice, delusion, pride and jealousy will enter the idle mind; as it has rightly been said, ‘An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.’
Whenever you meet one another, talk about God and God-realized Saints. Make it a habit to remain engrossed in bliss by remembering the Lord at all times.
Question: What should be done to lead a healthy, happy and dignified life?
Pujya Bapuji: For good health, learn and practise yogic techniques under the guidance of holy Saints. For a happy life, realize Self-bliss through meditation. For a respectable life, give respect to others and work for the well-being of all.
Question: Who is a ‘Mahashaya’?
Pujya Bapuji: One who has a ‘Maha’ (great) ‘ashaya’ (purport, aim) is ‘Mahashaya’. And the great aim is to know the tattva of one’s life. One who does not allow desires to enter the chitta and erases the samskaras already present therein, is a ‘Mahashaya’. Such a ‘Mahashaya’ is established in Brahman, knowing this world to be illusory.
Question: How is satsang superior to even virtuous actions?
Pujya Bapuji: It is good to provide material resources to alleviate the suffering of others, but it is much better to help attend satsang of Self-realized Saints. Swami Vivekananda said, ‘Giving food to a hungry man, giving water to a thirsty man, showing somebody the righteous path or encouraging one in despair ‘all these are works of charity, all these are good deeds, but better than all these things is giving satsang to somebody, arranging satsang for others, or participating in the endeavour of arranging satsang for others. One who does so is the supreme well-wisher of mankind, for it is through satsang alone that one gets keys like the enlightening knowledge of the Supreme Self and the technique of meditation on the Almighty, that lead to the complete eradication of one’s all troubles forever.’
Not only should you listen to divine satsang yourself, but you should also involve others so that more and more people may attain freedom from sorrows by listening and reflecting upon satsang thus finally succeed in realizing their own inherent divinity. This is the highest Dharma and the most virtuous of all works.
Question: What is the difference between a Guru and a Sadguru?
Pujya Bapuji: Guru is one who teaches us something new, something we didn’t know. Anyone can be a Guru. Dattatreya Avadhutaji, a great Saint, had 24 Gurus as he learnt something from each one of them.
Sadguru, as such, is an altogether unique person. The Sadguru knows the path to the Truth-personified Supreme Self. It is for this reason that intelligent people surrender all at the holy feet of such a Supreme Guru. For the Sadguru blesses one with That which is infinitely superior to all things, status and positions on earth.
The Sadguru alone can unify one with the Lord. The Sadguru alone can relieve a disciple from all sufferings forever. Therefore, for a disciple a Sadguru is greater than the Lord Himself. That is why, the scriptures and Saints have extolled Sadgurus and declared that God-realization is impossible without an absolute surrender to the Sadguru.
Question: What is the import of satsang in human life?
Pujya Bapuji: Etymologically, satsang = sat+sang. Sat means Truth Absolute (Supreme Self) and sang means being in association. Therefore, satsang means being benefited in the association of the Supreme Self, and experience the same.
One who does not avail oneself of satsang, does kusang by default. Ku means bad. Therefore one who does not associate oneself with good company invariably associates with bad company. One who does not do virtuous deeds, automatically engages in evil ones. A life, not dedicated to God, becomes dedicated to the devil. One who values his life knows the importance of satsang. At the same time one who is unaware of the preciousness of this human life does not appreciate the value of satsang.
Satsang provides the keys to bring reformation in life. Those who attend satsang lose interest in the transient world and learn how to intensify their love for the Lord. They are not affected by the anguish and distress of worldly life. One who listens to satsang, finds his understanding, discrimination and prudence increased. His worries are reduced. His mind becomes egoless and free from illusion (of the world). He is endowed with virtuous qualities and experiences spiritual bliss, making his life full of happiness.
Question: What role does satsang have in stemming the tide of corruption, sinfulness and politics of self-aggrandisement currently rising in the country?
Pujya Bapuji: Satsang brings about a widespread awakening among the people. The increasing number of masses coming into contact with Enlightened Saints is set to usher in a new era very soon. This spiritual renaissance in society will have its desired influence also on the minds of the politicians and the corrupt people. The growing tendency among politicians and bureaucrats to listen to satsang and reflect upon it is a sign of this welcome development.
Soon enough there will be the dawn of a new era of peace and happiness not only in India but all over the globe. After a brief spell of rivers all over the nation, the concerted efforts of Saints will bring about a new spiritual revolution which in turn will root out corruption, depravity and selfishness prevailing in the country.
Question: Pujya Bapuji! What are the benefits of regular listening to satsang?
Pujya Bapuji: Regular listening to satsang is immensely beneficial. If you regularly listen to satsang, your mind will neither go astray nor engage in futile thoughts. It will be saved from Manoraj. And the biggest benefit of all is that the mind will be ever engaged in the thoughts that are inculcated by satsang. Constant reflection on satsang will naturally kindle dispassion and discrimination in your mind, and protect it from petty desires and attractions.
Regular contemplation on the thoughts imbibed in satsang not only protects the mind and intellect from a possible downfall, but also helps them become established in the Supreme Consciousness. The more you assimilate the teachings of satsang, the more you will be elevated from this earthly existence towards divinity.
Even a person who is not a sadhaka, but regularly listens to satsang and reflects thereon, can become an excellent sadhaka and even realize God, the Supreme Being. The bliss and peace that blossom in the heart as a result of listening to satsang are infinitely superior to even the pleasures of the heavens.
Question: What is the importance of faith in life?
Pujya Bapuji: Faith is such a virtue as delights the heart it resides in and relieves it from despair, hopelessness and escapism. Faith in God, God-realized Saints, the scriptures, Guru Mantra and one's own self is an unfailing key to Supreme Bliss. Righteous actions and those actions ordained by the scriptures, when carried out with complete faith, lead to the attainment of desired results. Even a small virtuous work done with faith bestows great merit; whereas the greatest of sacrifices, austerities and charities performed without faith become fruitless.
Lord Sri Krishna says in the ‘Narada Purana’:
‘All virtuous deeds produce desired results only when accompanied with complete faith. Faith accomplishes everything. Faith alone pleases Lord Sri Hari.’
Question: Your Divine Holiness! What is the best pilgrimage?
Pujya Bapuji: Adi Shankaracharyaji has said: ‘A pure heart is the best place of pilgrimage.’ It is fruitless to visit places of pilgrimage with an impure heart.
‘Truth, forgiveness, self-restraint, compassion towards all beings, straightforwardness, charity, absence of vices, contentment, celibacy, sweetness of speech, knowledge, patience and Tapa are all places of pilgrimage, but the greatest holy place is definitely one’s own pious heart.’
(Skanda Purana, Kashi Khanda: 6.30-6.32)
Question: There are many scriptures in the world. But why is the Srimad Bhagwad Gita regarded as the foremost amongst them?
Pujya Bapuji: The Gita is a combination of all the scriptures. The Gita contains the quintessence of all the scriptures of the world. It is a confluence of the three Yogas -Karma yoga, Jnana yoga and Bhakti yoga. It has spread the light of divine knowledge not only in India but also all over the world. Its only objective is to bring about the supreme good of mankind and to help people attain God-realization. The Prime Minister of Canada Mr. Pierre Trudeau had come to India during 1985-86. On his visit to Vrindavan, the playground of the exalted author of the Gita, he had opined, ‘I have read the Bible, the Angelus and many other scriptures. All scriptures are good in their respective spheres, but the Srimad Bhagwad Gita of the Hindus is simply wonderful. It does not contain praise or condemnation of any religion, sect or faith. It talks truly of the elevation of mankind. It is not the bible of only the Hindus; but is the bible of the entire humanity.’
This small and compact volume contains philosophies and ideas that touch upon the deepest truths of human life. Hopelessness, despair and worries wither away merely by regular reading and reflecting on its precepts. Divine virtues like courage, equanimity, straight-forwardness, affection, peace, firm faith in dharma, etc. are easily developed. By imbibing the precepts of the Gita one attains the strength to fight against unrighteousness, injustice and exploitation. That is why this scripture which helps one attain both worldly riches and salvation, and also inculcates fearlessness and other divine virtues is unique in the world.
Question: Pujya Bapuji! How does one become an excellent sadhaka?
Pujya Bapuji: To become a good sadhaka one must first set a goal for the life. Then one has to fix a daily routine that is conducive to the attainment of that goal. Make a resolve to do a specific number of jap of your Guru-mantra and observe Mauna for a fixed number of days in a month, listen to satsang, read the scriptures and reflect on the precepts so imbibed for a certain period on a regular basis, render selfless seva for a fixed length of time, chant God’s name for a definite period and think of God in every day-to-day activity of your life. Once the resolve is made, you should fulfil it using all the means at your disposal.
In this manner, while doing a fixed practice of spiritual routines, let the virtues like selflessness, piety, love, purity, fearlessness, carefreeness, blissfulness and unflinching faith in God develop in your life. The sadhaka should also be very careful about his mode of living, his mode of eating and drinking as well as about his conduct.
Question: What is the importance of the Lord’s name in Kaliyuga?
Pujya Bapuji: All the four Vedas hold the pious Name of the Lord to be highly influential in each of the four Yugas, but especially so in Kaliyuga, wherein there is no other alternative available.
The Lord’s name is supremely pious. It eradicates the three taapas -adhibhoutik, adhidaivik and adhyatmik, and ensures one’s supreme good. Jap of the Lord’s name is not only a means to achieve worldly comforts and heavenly pleasures, but is also immensely helpful in attaining extremely rare virtues like Divine love, ever new bliss, and even in the final attainment of God-realization.
The most wonderful characteristic of the Lord’s name is that it attracts God towards us and takes us towards God. It is the most effective means to unite the jiva with the Lord. It is a divine remedy for the various afflictions of the mind. Even the most depraved and wretched sinner can reform himself through jap of the Lord’s name.
Question: O Revered Gurudev! Why is spiritual development necessary along with material progress?
Pujya Bapuji: Spiritual development is absolutely essential along with material progress. In fact, material progress is graceful only when it is accompanied by spiritual development. If mankind forgets the bliss of spiritual development and remains preoccupied with material development alone, it only invites its own doom. This situation is well-reflected in the scenario prevailing in para countries today.
If a man is divested of the bliss of spirituality and God, the fundamental basis of his life and mainstay of all existence, he will be worse off than an animal and may even become devilish. Demonic tendencies will come to dominate his life. It is only those deprived of the bliss of spirituality who, like dogs and goats, indulge in sexual perversions in clubs. They become so restless and depressed that some are even driven to commit suicide.
He who takes refuge in the one and only One Supreme Being is privileged to experience the Bliss of the same Supreme Lord. And he who forgoes the benign shelter of the Supreme One has to rely on many sense pleasures and thus ends up becoming agitated and tense.
Material comforts can provide only external happiness. They cannot provide inner peace and bliss. Only he who cares for his spiritual development along with his material progress is easily elevated.
Question: Pujya Bapuji! We know we are the Consciousness-personified, Bliss-personified, Knowledge-personified Eternal Atman. Yet we fear death. Why?
Pujya Bapuji: ‘I am Atman’ -you have heard it and believed it superficially. You have yet to realize it i.e. you have not experienced That. You are afraid of death because in your heart of hearts, you still consider yourself to be the transient mortal body and are oblivious of your eternal, pure Consciousness, your real 'I'. If one comes to realize one's Atman, the abode of eternal peace and absolute bliss, one will be delivered in no time and transcend the three Gunas viz., Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. He will then repose in the true nature of the Self that is free from all afflictions, fears, grief and even death. In fact, death itself is afraid of such a Self-realized One.
Question: Pujya Bapuji! What should be the common goal of all people -householders, businessmen, soldiers, the sick, disabled or the wealthy?
Pujya Bapuji: Self-realization is the true goal of human life. All men -householders or sanyasins or soldiers, the sick or healthy, rich or poor -should engage themselves in sadhana. And even a businessman’s business activities, a soldier’s fighting with the enemy and safeguarding the borders, a sick person’s suffering, and a rich person’s receiving praise or insult all can be veritable modes of sadhana. If we do each of our actions for the sake of God alone, it is transformed into sadhana. Make all your activities of life sadhana-oriented, and this will certainly lead you to the attainment of the Supreme goal for which you are granted a human birth after having wandered in 84 lakhs of different births.
Question: How can we elevate our lives?
Pujya Bapuji: Whatever you do, do it with an altruistic motive. One should raise one’s children and serve one’s husband, wife or neighbour selflessly, without any expectation and should have unflinching faith in God. This will transform your actions into karma yoga. You will experience Self-bliss, self-satisfaction and also have your capabilities developed. This in turn will earn you the pleasure and co-operation of society. Engage the body in rendering service to others and acts of sacrifice; and yourself in thoughts and contemplation of God.
Question: Pujya Bapuji! What is the cause of diseases?
Pujya Bapuji: Diseases in general are caused by the intake of an unrestrained and incompatible diet, the effect of one’s past deeds or changing seasons. A disease is sometimes the effect of bad food habits, then at times the consequence of a sin, and at other times a warning signal.
Question: What should we do when afflicted with diseases?
Pujya Bapuji: Take advantage of the disease. Contemplate on the Truth ‘this body is made of flesh and bones; by its very nature it is prone to diseases. Disease has afflicted the body; the body alone is suffering the pain. I am the non-attached witness to both disease and pain. I make efforts to keep it healthy but ‘I’ am not sick.’ this is making good use of disease. If you uncomplainingly bear the pain and suffering brought by the disease while making suitable efforts to cure it then it becomes a penance. If you remain a dispassionate witness to the disease, it will become a mode of sadhana. In this way you will not only be cured of the disease, but also be doing worship, penance and sadhana at the same time. And above all, the cardinal error of identifying the body with the Self, an error that has accompanied you through your numerous previous births, will also be destroyed.
Question: Pujya Bapuji! How can one forget physical pain?
Pujya Bapuji: Don’t try to forget physical pain. Don’t take painkillers. Painkillers don’t cure the disease, they merely desensitize the neurons that convey the sensation of pain with some of them even meeting an untimely death. As and when the effect of the painkiller is over you again begin to feel that pain. To be sensible one should, to the extent possible, remain a dispassionate witness to the pain and make it a mode of sadhana experiencing the Self as separate from the body and thus transform it into an excellent opportunity to establish oneself in the Supreme Self.
Question: Param Pujya Gurudev! Why does the mind not remain peaceful? What is the easy way to peace?
Pujya Bapuji: The mind always hankers after the objects of desire. This makes it restless. It does attain peace for a while when it gets what it wants, or finds itself in favourable circumstances; but even so this peace is short-lived, as the mind soon starts to hanker after some other object. Therefore practise the following sadhana everyday: Do mental jap of ‘OM’ while inhaling and count the breath while exhaling... Do similar jap of ‘Shantih’ while inhaling and count the breath while exhaling. Complete a count of 108 such breaths and pray to God, ‘O Lord! Please help me repose in my True Blissful Self. Please relieve me from the shackles of desire, egotism and ostentation and lead me towards Your Bliss and Love-personified Self!’ Such prayers will bring you wonderful results.
Question: How much time will it take to realize God?
Pujya Bapuji: The more one yearns for God-realization, the earlier one will attain results, and an urge of lesser intensity will proportionately prolong the time of God-realization. Honesty and spontaneity will take you to your goal sooner while cleverness and guile will only keep you away from it.
Question: Pujya Bapuji! Should Self-knowledge be forced down the throat of even those people disinclined to attain it?
Pujya Bapuji: Yes, Self-knowledge is such a sublime gift that it should be imparted to all, irrespective of their inclination or disinclination for it. It is such a divine nectar as should be bestowed on its aspirants and even on others after awakening the due thirst for self-knowledge in their hearts, with a view to doing Supreme good to them.
Any person, society or nation that ignored Self-knowledge and trod the path contrary to it has suffered degeneration and come to ruin. They have been rife with the evils of corruption, escapism, terrorism and cowardice. The scriptures state, ‘There is no greater acquisition than the realization of one’s True Self.’
Self-knowledge bridges the gulf between people and blesses society, tormented by fear, sorrow, envy, agitation, etc., with happiness, peace, love, sympathy and divine virtues of self-restraint, righteousness, courage, enthusiasm, valour and forgiveness. It dispels the darkness of ignorance and thus transforms the jiva into Brahman.
Self-Knowledge alone can bring lustre, selflessness and vibrancy to the lack-lustre, selfish and dejected man.
Question: O beloved Sadguru! What is real Purushartha?
Pujya Bapuji: Efforts directed to realize the Param Purusha, the Supreme Self, is the only real purushartha. Purushartha, as such, is not limited to having children, raising them and making them self reliant. Even the petty creatures like the mouse, cat, etc. are doing the same thing. In fact, to lead one’s children on the path of Self-realization by imbuing them with the noble traits of self-restraint, equanimity, magnanimity, cheerfulness and the divine ideals that would bestow on them spiritual bliss, is the real Purushartha (Purusha = Supreme Being; artha = towards); that is, to bring true fulfilment in our individual life as well as in that of our entire family by making determined efforts towards realizing the Supreme Being. Once one accomplishes this Purushartha, nothing else remains to be accomplished, because real Purushartha takes one to that Supreme state of Being, from where all worldly designations look trivial and insignificant.
Question: Kindly enlighten us regarding Brahman-Jnana, Brahman and Brahman-Vidya
Pujya Bapuji: The Knowledge (Jnana) of the Supreme Spiritual Effulgence that provides insight to all scientists, all sages, all erudite and ingenious people is Brahman-Jnana. Brahman, the Supreme Self, is the fountainhead of knowledge that has been eternally supplying and will forever continue to supply to the world the virtuous attributes of love, bliss, courage, fearlessness, strength, success, the ability to realize and unravel the mysteries of the universe, cleverness, the art of learning and retaining what is learnt; and yet it remains absolutely undiminished inspite of all these supplies.
That Truth Absolute, Consciousness Absolute and Bliss Absolute Supreme Self is ever Complete in itself in everyway and manner. This phenomenal world is completely filled with That Supreme Self only, for this complete has emanated from That Complete Supreme Self; And even after imparting Completeness to this world, That Supreme Self retains its Absolute Completeness. What remains on the Complete being created out of That Complete is Complete in itself.
The art of realizing Brahman, the Atman, is Brahman-Vidya.
Question: What is the distinguishing mark of a true Saint?
Pujya Bapuji: What is the distinguishing mark of a true alcoholic, drug-addict or a gambler? The company of a true alcoholic turns another person into an alcoholic. A drug-addict or alcoholic will make another person addicted to drugs and alcohol respectively. Likewise, in the company of Saints, who are veritable oceans of real bliss, people get their doubts and misgivings dispelled; their restless mind becomes calmer and they begin to repose in the Supreme Self.
Question: The mind has been termed both as our friend and enemy; please elucidate.
Pujya Bapuji: If the mind remains engaged in pursuit of degenerate sense-enjoyments, it becomes the most dangerous enemy, because it then makes us wander from one womb to another through 84 lakhs of species, for ages together. And if the same mind is directed towards the observance of austerities and meditation on the Supreme Self, it becomes such a great friend as burns the billions of samskaras, collected over millions of births, in the fire of Self-knowledge and leads one to experience Absolute Liberation.
Question: Gurudev! What is it that one should endeavour to realize in life?
Pujya Bapuji: That, which knows all, is alone worth realizing in life. Our religion, codes of conduct, our culture, our hierarchical social system, our history ‘all inspire us to seek Him alone. Our festivals also inspire us towards the same goal of realizing the Eternal Being That permeates every particle of the universe and imparts consciousness to all.
Question: How does one please God?
Pujya Bapuji: Selfless and appropriate actions carried out in service of the jivas with the only motive of realizing the immortality of one’s True Self before the demise of the body is the right way to please God.
If we delve a little deeper into the concept of service, restraining the eyes from seeing obscene things is service to the eyes. Service to the tongue is to remain circumspect while speaking and not allowing the tongue to be ensnared by taste. To avoid hearing obscene words is service to the ears. To check impure thoughts is service to the mind. Service to the intellect is to avoid making improper decisions. To restrain the body from engaging in improper actions is service to the body. Just as abstaining from falling prey to evil ways and engaging oneself in worthwhile deeds is service to one’s own self, restraining others, as far as possible, from evil acts through love and acumen and leading them towards good endeavours is service to them.
Question: What is Bhajan?
Pujya Bapuji: Works done with the mind engrossed in the Lord, or those actions that cause divine modification of the mind, are called Bhajan.
Shabari, a Bhil (tribal) woman, simply swept the ground but she did it with the spirit of participating in the divine work of God and the Sadguru. The woman sweeping the public road is merely doing her occupational job. The mother sweeps the floor of the house, or even other members of the family do work in the house, these activities constitute service. But when even a menial job like sweeping the floor is done for the sake of God, it constitutes Bhajan. Thus sweeping of the floor at the Guru’s ashram by Shabari is Bhajan.
‘That which infuses divine delecation is Bhajan.’
The action that exudes devotional memory and love, together with Divine delectation, is Bhajan.
Question: What is the difference between crying for God and crying for the world?
Pujya Bapuji: When tears flow out of devotional love for Lord, one’s sins are destroyed and one’s capabilities develop. Whereas if a person cries for the world his capabilities are diminished. Tears shed for the mundane world are warm and they trickle from the corners of the eyes. But when one’s eyes become wet out of devotional love, the tears are cool, pious and fall from the centre of the eyes.
Question: Why do we find desire and anger even in those who are engaged in Bhajan?
Pujya Bapuji: If one engaged in Bhajan is swayed by desire and anger it is because of improper food habits. Impure diet gives rise to desire and anger but a pure diet keeps them in check, while Bhajan eliminates them gradually.
Question: What is meant by Sumiran? Should it be done with eyes closed or open?
Pujya Bapuji: Sumiran is done with neither closed nor open eyes. Sumiran is done by remembering. Remembrance with the Knowledge of Truth is called Sumiran.
You see an electric lamp, an amplifier, a refrigerator, an electric iron, a motor pump ‘ all these instruments are different, but they all function on the supply of the same electric power. There may be different makes of fans, but the power running them is one and same. A heater heats the water, a refrigerator cools it; but both are operated by the same electricity. Similarly, some people spread the soothing coolness of virtue, while the sinners exude the heat of atrocity; but the Truth remains that both have the source of their strength in the very same Lord, the beloved friend of all beings. To constantly keep this fact in one’s mind is called Sumiran.
Question: What are the duties of a sadhaka?
Pujya Bapuji: The primary duty of a sadhaka is to engage in such acts, thoughts and associations as are conducive to the attainment of the Supreme goal of life, i.e., the Lord Almighty. The sadhaka should consider this as his sadhana. He should read the biographies of great devotees and Saints and spend time in the pious company of holy men. These pursuits reinforce his sadhana.
‘The Chataka, the Fish and the moth cannot live without their dear ones;
Then how can the sadhaka live without attaining his Supreme goal?’
Question: What is the difference between delectation derived through senses and that attained in devotion to the Lord?
Pujya Bapuji: Delectation derived through senses gives rise to desires leading to depravity and the jiva becomes dependent. On the other hand, delectation of devotion to the Lord bestows one with the Bliss of the Supreme Being thereby liberating one by making him realize his True Self.
Question: What is the difference between true moments of good fortune and those of misfortune?
Pujya Bapuji: ‘Hanumanji says, ‘O Lord! Those are indeed the moments of misfortune when one is not engaged in your Bhajan and Sumiran.’ ‘ (Sriramacharitamanasa, Sundara Kanda: 31.2)
Infact when one turns away from the Lord’s Bhajan and Sumiran, it is misfortune, and when one is engaged in the Lord’s Bhajan and Sumiran, those are the moments of good fortune; the true golden moments.
Question: How much time should one devote to dharma?
Pujya Bapuji: In fact, a devout life is a true life. If dharma is removed from the daily life, the human life will become barbaric. Therefore, whatever one does, should be in tune with the following verse:
When I eat, I in fact make an offering to the Lord. When I move about in the world, I circumambulate the Lord (for He is everywhere). I don’t see anybody or anything other than the Lord.
The Lord existed before the beginning of creation; He exists at present and will remain in the future. Whatever we do in agreement with Him is dharma.
How much time should we devote to dharma? Dharma is not a bathroom, which we use for cleansing our body and then come out only to become dirty, go for a bath again. Dharma should regulate every activity of our day to day life. If we become religious in the temple or the worship room of our house and engage in exploitation, sense-enjoyments and amassing wealth outside, we give limited time to dharma, like we give to the bathroom. It shouldn’t be like this. From getting up in the morning to sleeping at night, from birth to death, when engaged in all activities from eating to working to taking rest, dharma should be observed at each and every step. This will elevate not only you, but also those who come into contact with you.
Question: How do the three gunas influence the rise and fall of jivas?
Pujya Bapuji : Ignorance embellishes the ego. The greater is this ego, the more one develops attachment to the world; and the more the worldly burden the lower does one go. There are three gunas, with Tamoguna being the densest marked by the characteristic of inertia, sloth, apathy etc. It is therefore that a person dominated by Tamoguna is relegated to lower births and hells. Rajoguna is a bit lighter, and one dominated by Rajoguna stays in the middle, i.e. in the human world. Sattvaguna is the lightest. Thus, one dominated by Sattvaguna rises up towards the Lord and attains higher realms of existence.
Those established in the Sattvaguna evolve to higher goals, those abiding in Rajoguna remain in the mid-course, while the Tamoguna-dominated ones suffer degeneration.
(The Gita: 14.18)
A light object floats on the surface of water, while a heavy one sinks. Aasuri sampada (Demonic nature) is characterised by Tamoguna and hence takes one down towards degeneration, while Daivi sampada (Divine nature) is characterised by Sattvaguna, leading one up towards higher goals. Verily the Daivi Sampada is the Lord's Sampada (Nature). The more of this nature one develops, the higher he moves on the spiritual plane, i.e. he gets closer to the Supreme Self.
Question: How is God Antaryamin (inner guide or inner knower)?
Pujya Bapuji : God should be considered all pervading both in the subtle and gross forms of existence. By virtue of His omnipresence, the Supreme Self perceives and knows everything.
Question: How is that Supreme Brahman Which has to be known by the knowledge?
Pujya Bapuji : With hands and feet everywhere, with eyes, heads and mouths everywhere, with ears everywhere, He exists in the world, enveloping all.? (The Gita: 13.13)
There is no place where He exists not, no words that He hears not, no scene that He sees not, nothing that He possesses not and no place where He doesn't exist.
When we offer Him pious food as bhoga, He accepts it. When we sing His praises, He hears them. He is cognizant of each and every action of ours, but we can?t ever see Him. Here a paraion may arise as to how can One have all His senses present everywhere? How can the eyes and ears occupy the same place? In answer to this paraion, all one can say is that the Lord is absolutely unique. He is the Transcendental Life energy. Everything, simply everything is possible for Him. Suppose there is a lump of gold. It has all varieties of jewellery hidden in every part of it. Any kind of jewellery can be obtained from just any part of this lump of gold at will. Likewise, God is such an entity as has everything present in every part of His being and from Him everything can be brought into manifestation. That is why He can listen to the utterances of all people and see all things at all places simultaneously. (For the Life is the same in all beings)
In the dream state, where no senses, eyes, ears, nose, etc. are functioning; the internal organ performs all actions itself while also being the perceiver thereof. It itself becomes the seer, the seen and the action of seeing at the same time. Similarly, the Divine Power is extraordinary. He is in every respect capable of doing just anything anywhere. This verily is the essential characteristic that entitles Him to be called the Supreme Lord; this alone denotes His Cosmic Form.
Question: What Constitutes True Service to the Lord?
Pujya Bapuji :One should willingly surrender to the Supreme Being That is realized through meditation, whether done on any form of God or the formless God, and engage oneself in listening to His glories, chanting His pious names, serving Him through the senses and the body, remembering Him in the mind, making a firm resolve through the intellect to attain Him, and lead one's life according to His will; this verily is true service to the Lord. This itself is true form of devotion and through this alone the Atman can attain beatitude fairly quickly.
Pujya Bapuji: To get rid of desires, constantly be a witness to your thoughts. Do not let the mind hanker after petty sense-pleasures. For example, suppose a fan is rotating. If you turn off the switch and cut off the electric supply how long will it continue to rotate? Similarly, if you disconnect or disassociate yourself from the mind then desires will no longer hold sway over you.
When you lend importance to your mind, allowing it to seek gratification, desires take control of you. By giving credence to your mind you allow transient pleasures of this material world to overwhelm you. But if you become a witness to the mind, victory is bound to be yours.
Question: What are the virtues that enable an aspirant to progress fast on the spiritual path?
Pujya Bapuji: An aspirant, who possesses the four pious attributes of having a penchant for sadhana, never feeling tired of pursuing the same, having faith in Enlightened Saints and having an unswerving trust in God, will advance rapidly on the spiritual path.
Question: What should an aspirant do to make a quick progress in sadhana?
Pujya Bapuji: An aspirant should not waste time in futile pursuits. He should rather set his goal high and do his work carefully and completely without any sense of egotism for having accomplished the same, which in no case should be spoiled for want of due care. He should value only God and nothing else. He should maintain purity of conduct. The aspirant who assimilates these features into his life, can definitely attain his goal. There is no higher achievement than this in all the three worlds. He will attain that blissful state of the Lord ‘Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, against which even god Indra’s royal grandeur looks insignificant.
Question: What should we do to increase our love for the Lord?
Pujya Bapuji: Always listen to the stories of the Lord’s divine play. Listen to or read the life-stories of great Saints, and their enlightening stories. This will help increase your devotion, detachment and knowledge about God. Listen to or sing bhajans praising the Lord. Hum a bhajan while sitting alone. Otherwise vices like desire, anger, avarice, delusion, pride and jealousy will enter the idle mind; as it has rightly been said, ‘An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.’
Whenever you meet one another, talk about God and God-realized Saints. Make it a habit to remain engrossed in bliss by remembering the Lord at all times.
Question: What should be done to lead a healthy, happy and dignified life?
Pujya Bapuji: For good health, learn and practise yogic techniques under the guidance of holy Saints. For a happy life, realize Self-bliss through meditation. For a respectable life, give respect to others and work for the well-being of all.
Question: Who is a ‘Mahashaya’?
Pujya Bapuji: One who has a ‘Maha’ (great) ‘ashaya’ (purport, aim) is ‘Mahashaya’. And the great aim is to know the tattva of one’s life. One who does not allow desires to enter the chitta and erases the samskaras already present therein, is a ‘Mahashaya’. Such a ‘Mahashaya’ is established in Brahman, knowing this world to be illusory.
Question: How is satsang superior to even virtuous actions?
Pujya Bapuji: It is good to provide material resources to alleviate the suffering of others, but it is much better to help attend satsang of Self-realized Saints. Swami Vivekananda said, ‘Giving food to a hungry man, giving water to a thirsty man, showing somebody the righteous path or encouraging one in despair ‘all these are works of charity, all these are good deeds, but better than all these things is giving satsang to somebody, arranging satsang for others, or participating in the endeavour of arranging satsang for others. One who does so is the supreme well-wisher of mankind, for it is through satsang alone that one gets keys like the enlightening knowledge of the Supreme Self and the technique of meditation on the Almighty, that lead to the complete eradication of one’s all troubles forever.’
Not only should you listen to divine satsang yourself, but you should also involve others so that more and more people may attain freedom from sorrows by listening and reflecting upon satsang thus finally succeed in realizing their own inherent divinity. This is the highest Dharma and the most virtuous of all works.
Question: What is the difference between a Guru and a Sadguru?
Pujya Bapuji: Guru is one who teaches us something new, something we didn’t know. Anyone can be a Guru. Dattatreya Avadhutaji, a great Saint, had 24 Gurus as he learnt something from each one of them.
Sadguru, as such, is an altogether unique person. The Sadguru knows the path to the Truth-personified Supreme Self. It is for this reason that intelligent people surrender all at the holy feet of such a Supreme Guru. For the Sadguru blesses one with That which is infinitely superior to all things, status and positions on earth.
The Sadguru alone can unify one with the Lord. The Sadguru alone can relieve a disciple from all sufferings forever. Therefore, for a disciple a Sadguru is greater than the Lord Himself. That is why, the scriptures and Saints have extolled Sadgurus and declared that God-realization is impossible without an absolute surrender to the Sadguru.
Question: What is the import of satsang in human life?
Pujya Bapuji: Etymologically, satsang = sat+sang. Sat means Truth Absolute (Supreme Self) and sang means being in association. Therefore, satsang means being benefited in the association of the Supreme Self, and experience the same.
One who does not avail oneself of satsang, does kusang by default. Ku means bad. Therefore one who does not associate oneself with good company invariably associates with bad company. One who does not do virtuous deeds, automatically engages in evil ones. A life, not dedicated to God, becomes dedicated to the devil. One who values his life knows the importance of satsang. At the same time one who is unaware of the preciousness of this human life does not appreciate the value of satsang.
Satsang provides the keys to bring reformation in life. Those who attend satsang lose interest in the transient world and learn how to intensify their love for the Lord. They are not affected by the anguish and distress of worldly life. One who listens to satsang, finds his understanding, discrimination and prudence increased. His worries are reduced. His mind becomes egoless and free from illusion (of the world). He is endowed with virtuous qualities and experiences spiritual bliss, making his life full of happiness.
Question: What role does satsang have in stemming the tide of corruption, sinfulness and politics of self-aggrandisement currently rising in the country?
Pujya Bapuji: Satsang brings about a widespread awakening among the people. The increasing number of masses coming into contact with Enlightened Saints is set to usher in a new era very soon. This spiritual renaissance in society will have its desired influence also on the minds of the politicians and the corrupt people. The growing tendency among politicians and bureaucrats to listen to satsang and reflect upon it is a sign of this welcome development.
Soon enough there will be the dawn of a new era of peace and happiness not only in India but all over the globe. After a brief spell of rivers all over the nation, the concerted efforts of Saints will bring about a new spiritual revolution which in turn will root out corruption, depravity and selfishness prevailing in the country.
Question: Pujya Bapuji! What are the benefits of regular listening to satsang?
Pujya Bapuji: Regular listening to satsang is immensely beneficial. If you regularly listen to satsang, your mind will neither go astray nor engage in futile thoughts. It will be saved from Manoraj. And the biggest benefit of all is that the mind will be ever engaged in the thoughts that are inculcated by satsang. Constant reflection on satsang will naturally kindle dispassion and discrimination in your mind, and protect it from petty desires and attractions.
Regular contemplation on the thoughts imbibed in satsang not only protects the mind and intellect from a possible downfall, but also helps them become established in the Supreme Consciousness. The more you assimilate the teachings of satsang, the more you will be elevated from this earthly existence towards divinity.
Even a person who is not a sadhaka, but regularly listens to satsang and reflects thereon, can become an excellent sadhaka and even realize God, the Supreme Being. The bliss and peace that blossom in the heart as a result of listening to satsang are infinitely superior to even the pleasures of the heavens.
Question: What is the importance of faith in life?
Pujya Bapuji: Faith is such a virtue as delights the heart it resides in and relieves it from despair, hopelessness and escapism. Faith in God, God-realized Saints, the scriptures, Guru Mantra and one's own self is an unfailing key to Supreme Bliss. Righteous actions and those actions ordained by the scriptures, when carried out with complete faith, lead to the attainment of desired results. Even a small virtuous work done with faith bestows great merit; whereas the greatest of sacrifices, austerities and charities performed without faith become fruitless.
Lord Sri Krishna says in the ‘Narada Purana’:
‘All virtuous deeds produce desired results only when accompanied with complete faith. Faith accomplishes everything. Faith alone pleases Lord Sri Hari.’
Question: Your Divine Holiness! What is the best pilgrimage?
Pujya Bapuji: Adi Shankaracharyaji has said: ‘A pure heart is the best place of pilgrimage.’ It is fruitless to visit places of pilgrimage with an impure heart.
‘Truth, forgiveness, self-restraint, compassion towards all beings, straightforwardness, charity, absence of vices, contentment, celibacy, sweetness of speech, knowledge, patience and Tapa are all places of pilgrimage, but the greatest holy place is definitely one’s own pious heart.’
(Skanda Purana, Kashi Khanda: 6.30-6.32)
Question: There are many scriptures in the world. But why is the Srimad Bhagwad Gita regarded as the foremost amongst them?
Pujya Bapuji: The Gita is a combination of all the scriptures. The Gita contains the quintessence of all the scriptures of the world. It is a confluence of the three Yogas -Karma yoga, Jnana yoga and Bhakti yoga. It has spread the light of divine knowledge not only in India but also all over the world. Its only objective is to bring about the supreme good of mankind and to help people attain God-realization. The Prime Minister of Canada Mr. Pierre Trudeau had come to India during 1985-86. On his visit to Vrindavan, the playground of the exalted author of the Gita, he had opined, ‘I have read the Bible, the Angelus and many other scriptures. All scriptures are good in their respective spheres, but the Srimad Bhagwad Gita of the Hindus is simply wonderful. It does not contain praise or condemnation of any religion, sect or faith. It talks truly of the elevation of mankind. It is not the bible of only the Hindus; but is the bible of the entire humanity.’
This small and compact volume contains philosophies and ideas that touch upon the deepest truths of human life. Hopelessness, despair and worries wither away merely by regular reading and reflecting on its precepts. Divine virtues like courage, equanimity, straight-forwardness, affection, peace, firm faith in dharma, etc. are easily developed. By imbibing the precepts of the Gita one attains the strength to fight against unrighteousness, injustice and exploitation. That is why this scripture which helps one attain both worldly riches and salvation, and also inculcates fearlessness and other divine virtues is unique in the world.
Question: Pujya Bapuji! How does one become an excellent sadhaka?
Pujya Bapuji: To become a good sadhaka one must first set a goal for the life. Then one has to fix a daily routine that is conducive to the attainment of that goal. Make a resolve to do a specific number of jap of your Guru-mantra and observe Mauna for a fixed number of days in a month, listen to satsang, read the scriptures and reflect on the precepts so imbibed for a certain period on a regular basis, render selfless seva for a fixed length of time, chant God’s name for a definite period and think of God in every day-to-day activity of your life. Once the resolve is made, you should fulfil it using all the means at your disposal.
In this manner, while doing a fixed practice of spiritual routines, let the virtues like selflessness, piety, love, purity, fearlessness, carefreeness, blissfulness and unflinching faith in God develop in your life. The sadhaka should also be very careful about his mode of living, his mode of eating and drinking as well as about his conduct.
Question: What is the importance of the Lord’s name in Kaliyuga?
Pujya Bapuji: All the four Vedas hold the pious Name of the Lord to be highly influential in each of the four Yugas, but especially so in Kaliyuga, wherein there is no other alternative available.
The Lord’s name is supremely pious. It eradicates the three taapas -adhibhoutik, adhidaivik and adhyatmik, and ensures one’s supreme good. Jap of the Lord’s name is not only a means to achieve worldly comforts and heavenly pleasures, but is also immensely helpful in attaining extremely rare virtues like Divine love, ever new bliss, and even in the final attainment of God-realization.
The most wonderful characteristic of the Lord’s name is that it attracts God towards us and takes us towards God. It is the most effective means to unite the jiva with the Lord. It is a divine remedy for the various afflictions of the mind. Even the most depraved and wretched sinner can reform himself through jap of the Lord’s name.
Question: O Revered Gurudev! Why is spiritual development necessary along with material progress?
Pujya Bapuji: Spiritual development is absolutely essential along with material progress. In fact, material progress is graceful only when it is accompanied by spiritual development. If mankind forgets the bliss of spiritual development and remains preoccupied with material development alone, it only invites its own doom. This situation is well-reflected in the scenario prevailing in para countries today.
If a man is divested of the bliss of spirituality and God, the fundamental basis of his life and mainstay of all existence, he will be worse off than an animal and may even become devilish. Demonic tendencies will come to dominate his life. It is only those deprived of the bliss of spirituality who, like dogs and goats, indulge in sexual perversions in clubs. They become so restless and depressed that some are even driven to commit suicide.
He who takes refuge in the one and only One Supreme Being is privileged to experience the Bliss of the same Supreme Lord. And he who forgoes the benign shelter of the Supreme One has to rely on many sense pleasures and thus ends up becoming agitated and tense.
Material comforts can provide only external happiness. They cannot provide inner peace and bliss. Only he who cares for his spiritual development along with his material progress is easily elevated.
Question: Pujya Bapuji! We know we are the Consciousness-personified, Bliss-personified, Knowledge-personified Eternal Atman. Yet we fear death. Why?
Pujya Bapuji: ‘I am Atman’ -you have heard it and believed it superficially. You have yet to realize it i.e. you have not experienced That. You are afraid of death because in your heart of hearts, you still consider yourself to be the transient mortal body and are oblivious of your eternal, pure Consciousness, your real 'I'. If one comes to realize one's Atman, the abode of eternal peace and absolute bliss, one will be delivered in no time and transcend the three Gunas viz., Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. He will then repose in the true nature of the Self that is free from all afflictions, fears, grief and even death. In fact, death itself is afraid of such a Self-realized One.
Question: Pujya Bapuji! What should be the common goal of all people -householders, businessmen, soldiers, the sick, disabled or the wealthy?
Pujya Bapuji: Self-realization is the true goal of human life. All men -householders or sanyasins or soldiers, the sick or healthy, rich or poor -should engage themselves in sadhana. And even a businessman’s business activities, a soldier’s fighting with the enemy and safeguarding the borders, a sick person’s suffering, and a rich person’s receiving praise or insult all can be veritable modes of sadhana. If we do each of our actions for the sake of God alone, it is transformed into sadhana. Make all your activities of life sadhana-oriented, and this will certainly lead you to the attainment of the Supreme goal for which you are granted a human birth after having wandered in 84 lakhs of different births.
Question: How can we elevate our lives?
Pujya Bapuji: Whatever you do, do it with an altruistic motive. One should raise one’s children and serve one’s husband, wife or neighbour selflessly, without any expectation and should have unflinching faith in God. This will transform your actions into karma yoga. You will experience Self-bliss, self-satisfaction and also have your capabilities developed. This in turn will earn you the pleasure and co-operation of society. Engage the body in rendering service to others and acts of sacrifice; and yourself in thoughts and contemplation of God.
Question: Pujya Bapuji! What is the cause of diseases?
Pujya Bapuji: Diseases in general are caused by the intake of an unrestrained and incompatible diet, the effect of one’s past deeds or changing seasons. A disease is sometimes the effect of bad food habits, then at times the consequence of a sin, and at other times a warning signal.
Question: What should we do when afflicted with diseases?
Pujya Bapuji: Take advantage of the disease. Contemplate on the Truth ‘this body is made of flesh and bones; by its very nature it is prone to diseases. Disease has afflicted the body; the body alone is suffering the pain. I am the non-attached witness to both disease and pain. I make efforts to keep it healthy but ‘I’ am not sick.’ this is making good use of disease. If you uncomplainingly bear the pain and suffering brought by the disease while making suitable efforts to cure it then it becomes a penance. If you remain a dispassionate witness to the disease, it will become a mode of sadhana. In this way you will not only be cured of the disease, but also be doing worship, penance and sadhana at the same time. And above all, the cardinal error of identifying the body with the Self, an error that has accompanied you through your numerous previous births, will also be destroyed.
Question: Pujya Bapuji! How can one forget physical pain?
Pujya Bapuji: Don’t try to forget physical pain. Don’t take painkillers. Painkillers don’t cure the disease, they merely desensitize the neurons that convey the sensation of pain with some of them even meeting an untimely death. As and when the effect of the painkiller is over you again begin to feel that pain. To be sensible one should, to the extent possible, remain a dispassionate witness to the pain and make it a mode of sadhana experiencing the Self as separate from the body and thus transform it into an excellent opportunity to establish oneself in the Supreme Self.
Question: Param Pujya Gurudev! Why does the mind not remain peaceful? What is the easy way to peace?
Pujya Bapuji: The mind always hankers after the objects of desire. This makes it restless. It does attain peace for a while when it gets what it wants, or finds itself in favourable circumstances; but even so this peace is short-lived, as the mind soon starts to hanker after some other object. Therefore practise the following sadhana everyday: Do mental jap of ‘OM’ while inhaling and count the breath while exhaling... Do similar jap of ‘Shantih’ while inhaling and count the breath while exhaling. Complete a count of 108 such breaths and pray to God, ‘O Lord! Please help me repose in my True Blissful Self. Please relieve me from the shackles of desire, egotism and ostentation and lead me towards Your Bliss and Love-personified Self!’ Such prayers will bring you wonderful results.
Question: How much time will it take to realize God?
Pujya Bapuji: The more one yearns for God-realization, the earlier one will attain results, and an urge of lesser intensity will proportionately prolong the time of God-realization. Honesty and spontaneity will take you to your goal sooner while cleverness and guile will only keep you away from it.
Question: Pujya Bapuji! Should Self-knowledge be forced down the throat of even those people disinclined to attain it?
Pujya Bapuji: Yes, Self-knowledge is such a sublime gift that it should be imparted to all, irrespective of their inclination or disinclination for it. It is such a divine nectar as should be bestowed on its aspirants and even on others after awakening the due thirst for self-knowledge in their hearts, with a view to doing Supreme good to them.
Any person, society or nation that ignored Self-knowledge and trod the path contrary to it has suffered degeneration and come to ruin. They have been rife with the evils of corruption, escapism, terrorism and cowardice. The scriptures state, ‘There is no greater acquisition than the realization of one’s True Self.’
Self-knowledge bridges the gulf between people and blesses society, tormented by fear, sorrow, envy, agitation, etc., with happiness, peace, love, sympathy and divine virtues of self-restraint, righteousness, courage, enthusiasm, valour and forgiveness. It dispels the darkness of ignorance and thus transforms the jiva into Brahman.
Self-Knowledge alone can bring lustre, selflessness and vibrancy to the lack-lustre, selfish and dejected man.
Question: O beloved Sadguru! What is real Purushartha?
Pujya Bapuji: Efforts directed to realize the Param Purusha, the Supreme Self, is the only real purushartha. Purushartha, as such, is not limited to having children, raising them and making them self reliant. Even the petty creatures like the mouse, cat, etc. are doing the same thing. In fact, to lead one’s children on the path of Self-realization by imbuing them with the noble traits of self-restraint, equanimity, magnanimity, cheerfulness and the divine ideals that would bestow on them spiritual bliss, is the real Purushartha (Purusha = Supreme Being; artha = towards); that is, to bring true fulfilment in our individual life as well as in that of our entire family by making determined efforts towards realizing the Supreme Being. Once one accomplishes this Purushartha, nothing else remains to be accomplished, because real Purushartha takes one to that Supreme state of Being, from where all worldly designations look trivial and insignificant.
Question: Kindly enlighten us regarding Brahman-Jnana, Brahman and Brahman-Vidya
Pujya Bapuji: The Knowledge (Jnana) of the Supreme Spiritual Effulgence that provides insight to all scientists, all sages, all erudite and ingenious people is Brahman-Jnana. Brahman, the Supreme Self, is the fountainhead of knowledge that has been eternally supplying and will forever continue to supply to the world the virtuous attributes of love, bliss, courage, fearlessness, strength, success, the ability to realize and unravel the mysteries of the universe, cleverness, the art of learning and retaining what is learnt; and yet it remains absolutely undiminished inspite of all these supplies.
That Truth Absolute, Consciousness Absolute and Bliss Absolute Supreme Self is ever Complete in itself in everyway and manner. This phenomenal world is completely filled with That Supreme Self only, for this complete has emanated from That Complete Supreme Self; And even after imparting Completeness to this world, That Supreme Self retains its Absolute Completeness. What remains on the Complete being created out of That Complete is Complete in itself.
The art of realizing Brahman, the Atman, is Brahman-Vidya.
Question: What is the distinguishing mark of a true Saint?
Pujya Bapuji: What is the distinguishing mark of a true alcoholic, drug-addict or a gambler? The company of a true alcoholic turns another person into an alcoholic. A drug-addict or alcoholic will make another person addicted to drugs and alcohol respectively. Likewise, in the company of Saints, who are veritable oceans of real bliss, people get their doubts and misgivings dispelled; their restless mind becomes calmer and they begin to repose in the Supreme Self.
Question: The mind has been termed both as our friend and enemy; please elucidate.
Pujya Bapuji: If the mind remains engaged in pursuit of degenerate sense-enjoyments, it becomes the most dangerous enemy, because it then makes us wander from one womb to another through 84 lakhs of species, for ages together. And if the same mind is directed towards the observance of austerities and meditation on the Supreme Self, it becomes such a great friend as burns the billions of samskaras, collected over millions of births, in the fire of Self-knowledge and leads one to experience Absolute Liberation.
Question: Gurudev! What is it that one should endeavour to realize in life?
Pujya Bapuji: That, which knows all, is alone worth realizing in life. Our religion, codes of conduct, our culture, our hierarchical social system, our history ‘all inspire us to seek Him alone. Our festivals also inspire us towards the same goal of realizing the Eternal Being That permeates every particle of the universe and imparts consciousness to all.
Question: How does one please God?
Pujya Bapuji: Selfless and appropriate actions carried out in service of the jivas with the only motive of realizing the immortality of one’s True Self before the demise of the body is the right way to please God.
If we delve a little deeper into the concept of service, restraining the eyes from seeing obscene things is service to the eyes. Service to the tongue is to remain circumspect while speaking and not allowing the tongue to be ensnared by taste. To avoid hearing obscene words is service to the ears. To check impure thoughts is service to the mind. Service to the intellect is to avoid making improper decisions. To restrain the body from engaging in improper actions is service to the body. Just as abstaining from falling prey to evil ways and engaging oneself in worthwhile deeds is service to one’s own self, restraining others, as far as possible, from evil acts through love and acumen and leading them towards good endeavours is service to them.
Question: What is Bhajan?
Pujya Bapuji: Works done with the mind engrossed in the Lord, or those actions that cause divine modification of the mind, are called Bhajan.
Shabari, a Bhil (tribal) woman, simply swept the ground but she did it with the spirit of participating in the divine work of God and the Sadguru. The woman sweeping the public road is merely doing her occupational job. The mother sweeps the floor of the house, or even other members of the family do work in the house, these activities constitute service. But when even a menial job like sweeping the floor is done for the sake of God, it constitutes Bhajan. Thus sweeping of the floor at the Guru’s ashram by Shabari is Bhajan.
‘That which infuses divine delecation is Bhajan.’
The action that exudes devotional memory and love, together with Divine delectation, is Bhajan.
Question: What is the difference between crying for God and crying for the world?
Pujya Bapuji: When tears flow out of devotional love for Lord, one’s sins are destroyed and one’s capabilities develop. Whereas if a person cries for the world his capabilities are diminished. Tears shed for the mundane world are warm and they trickle from the corners of the eyes. But when one’s eyes become wet out of devotional love, the tears are cool, pious and fall from the centre of the eyes.
Question: Why do we find desire and anger even in those who are engaged in Bhajan?
Pujya Bapuji: If one engaged in Bhajan is swayed by desire and anger it is because of improper food habits. Impure diet gives rise to desire and anger but a pure diet keeps them in check, while Bhajan eliminates them gradually.
Question: What is meant by Sumiran? Should it be done with eyes closed or open?
Pujya Bapuji: Sumiran is done with neither closed nor open eyes. Sumiran is done by remembering. Remembrance with the Knowledge of Truth is called Sumiran.
You see an electric lamp, an amplifier, a refrigerator, an electric iron, a motor pump ‘ all these instruments are different, but they all function on the supply of the same electric power. There may be different makes of fans, but the power running them is one and same. A heater heats the water, a refrigerator cools it; but both are operated by the same electricity. Similarly, some people spread the soothing coolness of virtue, while the sinners exude the heat of atrocity; but the Truth remains that both have the source of their strength in the very same Lord, the beloved friend of all beings. To constantly keep this fact in one’s mind is called Sumiran.
Question: What are the duties of a sadhaka?
Pujya Bapuji: The primary duty of a sadhaka is to engage in such acts, thoughts and associations as are conducive to the attainment of the Supreme goal of life, i.e., the Lord Almighty. The sadhaka should consider this as his sadhana. He should read the biographies of great devotees and Saints and spend time in the pious company of holy men. These pursuits reinforce his sadhana.
‘The Chataka, the Fish and the moth cannot live without their dear ones;
Then how can the sadhaka live without attaining his Supreme goal?’
Question: What is the difference between delectation derived through senses and that attained in devotion to the Lord?
Pujya Bapuji: Delectation derived through senses gives rise to desires leading to depravity and the jiva becomes dependent. On the other hand, delectation of devotion to the Lord bestows one with the Bliss of the Supreme Being thereby liberating one by making him realize his True Self.
Question: What is the difference between true moments of good fortune and those of misfortune?
Pujya Bapuji: ‘Hanumanji says, ‘O Lord! Those are indeed the moments of misfortune when one is not engaged in your Bhajan and Sumiran.’ ‘ (Sriramacharitamanasa, Sundara Kanda: 31.2)
Infact when one turns away from the Lord’s Bhajan and Sumiran, it is misfortune, and when one is engaged in the Lord’s Bhajan and Sumiran, those are the moments of good fortune; the true golden moments.
Question: How much time should one devote to dharma?
Pujya Bapuji: In fact, a devout life is a true life. If dharma is removed from the daily life, the human life will become barbaric. Therefore, whatever one does, should be in tune with the following verse:
When I eat, I in fact make an offering to the Lord. When I move about in the world, I circumambulate the Lord (for He is everywhere). I don’t see anybody or anything other than the Lord.
The Lord existed before the beginning of creation; He exists at present and will remain in the future. Whatever we do in agreement with Him is dharma.
How much time should we devote to dharma? Dharma is not a bathroom, which we use for cleansing our body and then come out only to become dirty, go for a bath again. Dharma should regulate every activity of our day to day life. If we become religious in the temple or the worship room of our house and engage in exploitation, sense-enjoyments and amassing wealth outside, we give limited time to dharma, like we give to the bathroom. It shouldn’t be like this. From getting up in the morning to sleeping at night, from birth to death, when engaged in all activities from eating to working to taking rest, dharma should be observed at each and every step. This will elevate not only you, but also those who come into contact with you.
Question: How do the three gunas influence the rise and fall of jivas?
Pujya Bapuji : Ignorance embellishes the ego. The greater is this ego, the more one develops attachment to the world; and the more the worldly burden the lower does one go. There are three gunas, with Tamoguna being the densest marked by the characteristic of inertia, sloth, apathy etc. It is therefore that a person dominated by Tamoguna is relegated to lower births and hells. Rajoguna is a bit lighter, and one dominated by Rajoguna stays in the middle, i.e. in the human world. Sattvaguna is the lightest. Thus, one dominated by Sattvaguna rises up towards the Lord and attains higher realms of existence.
Those established in the Sattvaguna evolve to higher goals, those abiding in Rajoguna remain in the mid-course, while the Tamoguna-dominated ones suffer degeneration.
(The Gita: 14.18)
A light object floats on the surface of water, while a heavy one sinks. Aasuri sampada (Demonic nature) is characterised by Tamoguna and hence takes one down towards degeneration, while Daivi sampada (Divine nature) is characterised by Sattvaguna, leading one up towards higher goals. Verily the Daivi Sampada is the Lord's Sampada (Nature). The more of this nature one develops, the higher he moves on the spiritual plane, i.e. he gets closer to the Supreme Self.
Question: How is God Antaryamin (inner guide or inner knower)?
Pujya Bapuji : God should be considered all pervading both in the subtle and gross forms of existence. By virtue of His omnipresence, the Supreme Self perceives and knows everything.
Question: How is that Supreme Brahman Which has to be known by the knowledge?
Pujya Bapuji : With hands and feet everywhere, with eyes, heads and mouths everywhere, with ears everywhere, He exists in the world, enveloping all.? (The Gita: 13.13)
There is no place where He exists not, no words that He hears not, no scene that He sees not, nothing that He possesses not and no place where He doesn't exist.
When we offer Him pious food as bhoga, He accepts it. When we sing His praises, He hears them. He is cognizant of each and every action of ours, but we can?t ever see Him. Here a paraion may arise as to how can One have all His senses present everywhere? How can the eyes and ears occupy the same place? In answer to this paraion, all one can say is that the Lord is absolutely unique. He is the Transcendental Life energy. Everything, simply everything is possible for Him. Suppose there is a lump of gold. It has all varieties of jewellery hidden in every part of it. Any kind of jewellery can be obtained from just any part of this lump of gold at will. Likewise, God is such an entity as has everything present in every part of His being and from Him everything can be brought into manifestation. That is why He can listen to the utterances of all people and see all things at all places simultaneously. (For the Life is the same in all beings)
In the dream state, where no senses, eyes, ears, nose, etc. are functioning; the internal organ performs all actions itself while also being the perceiver thereof. It itself becomes the seer, the seen and the action of seeing at the same time. Similarly, the Divine Power is extraordinary. He is in every respect capable of doing just anything anywhere. This verily is the essential characteristic that entitles Him to be called the Supreme Lord; this alone denotes His Cosmic Form.
Question: What Constitutes True Service to the Lord?
Pujya Bapuji :One should willingly surrender to the Supreme Being That is realized through meditation, whether done on any form of God or the formless God, and engage oneself in listening to His glories, chanting His pious names, serving Him through the senses and the body, remembering Him in the mind, making a firm resolve through the intellect to attain Him, and lead one's life according to His will; this verily is true service to the Lord. This itself is true form of devotion and through this alone the Atman can attain beatitude fairly quickly.
Trikaal Sandhya
In order to make life brighter, successful and progressive, one must do Trikaal Sandhya. Ten minutes before & ten minutes after the sunrise, ten minutes before & after noon, and ten minutes before & after sunset are considered to be very auspicious. Meditation, japa (repition of the Holy Name), Pranayama done at this time is very helpful in opening doors of the Sushumna. The dormant energies and strength of a human being is awakened as soon as the doors of the Sushumna is opened.
The Rishis & Munis of ancient times used to do Trikaal Sandhya. Lord Vashishtha and Lord Rama used to do Trikaal Sandhya. Lord Rama used to take his lunch after his meditation in the afternoon.
It is very good if one washes hands & feet, drinks three sips of water and then sits for meditations and does Pranayama, Japa & concentration during these three times. If one is in office, then one can do these activities mentally. But one should do these definitely.
As one does not remain poor if one puts in efforts & works hard similarly pranayama destroys all sins. As one becomes rich with efforts similarly pranayama enhances the internal capapilities & strength. Chandogya Upnishada says that he who has become pure by doing pranayama can understand the final discourse of his master and then can become one with the Supreme Soul.
There are three thousand small pores in the lungs of man. By breathing normally only 300-500 pores are utilised and therefore the immunity of the body decreases. Man becomes old and sick soon. Harmful addictions & bad habbits also make the body weak & decrease immunity and thereby bacterial growth develops in the closed pores and increase the chances of deseases like tuberculosis & asthma.
But the closed pores of those who take deep breath get opened. As a result their efficiencey increases, blood gets pure and they feel happier. Therefore there is the law of doing pranayama during these three times in the day. The mind becomes pure and more concentrated with pranayama and therefore the efficiency increases.
If a person does ten pranayama each at these three times in a day, stays away from alcohol, non-vegetarian food, tobacco & other addictions, and also does not get involved in fashion for forty days, then he/she will have many wondeful experiences. Just experiment for forty days, you'll find many positive changes in your health, mind & attitude towards life. You will be more happy and your memory will increase miraculously.
Pranayama increases the strength of all the cells of the body. The sins done unknowingly at night get destroyed with the pranayama done at sunrise. The faults from morning till noon get destroyed with pranayama at noon and the unknown sins from afternoon till evening get destroyed with evening pranayama. Thus the heart becomes more pure and happy.
These days people have forgotten about Trikaal Sandhya and that is why there is increase in negative attitude. Many people therefore are trying to find happiness in collection of material objects and in sleep & laziness. They are ruining the strength of their beautiful life in this way.
Pranayama develops physical strength, mental strength and memory. Swami Rama Teerth used to do pranayama early in the morning and then used to go for walk in the fresh air. Pramahansa Yogananda also used to do in the same way.
Swami Ram Teerth was a very intelligent student. Mathematics was his favourite subject. His name was Teerth Ram when he was a student. In an exam once the students were supposed to answer 9 out of 13 questions. He answered all of them and wrote a note for the teacher saying that, "All the 13 questions are answered correctly, check any 9 of them." Such was his self confidence!
During these three times the door of the Sushumna is open therefore it helps in awakening the strength of the Kundalani. Meditation, japa & pranayama are useful at any time of the day but they are specially helpful if done at these three times. Trikaal Sandhya is very helpful for students also.
Therfore for overall progress the whole humanity should take the support of Trikaal Sandhya and awaken the moral, social & spiritual self.
It is very good if one washes hands & feet, drinks three sips of water and then sits for meditations and does Pranayama, Japa & concentration during these three times. If one is in office, then one can do these activities mentally. But one should do these definitely.
As one does not remain poor if one puts in efforts & works hard similarly pranayama destroys all sins. As one becomes rich with efforts similarly pranayama enhances the internal capapilities & strength. Chandogya Upnishada says that he who has become pure by doing pranayama can understand the final discourse of his master and then can become one with the Supreme Soul.
There are three thousand small pores in the lungs of man. By breathing normally only 300-500 pores are utilised and therefore the immunity of the body decreases. Man becomes old and sick soon. Harmful addictions & bad habbits also make the body weak & decrease immunity and thereby bacterial growth develops in the closed pores and increase the chances of deseases like tuberculosis & asthma.
But the closed pores of those who take deep breath get opened. As a result their efficiencey increases, blood gets pure and they feel happier. Therefore there is the law of doing pranayama during these three times in the day. The mind becomes pure and more concentrated with pranayama and therefore the efficiency increases.
If a person does ten pranayama each at these three times in a day, stays away from alcohol, non-vegetarian food, tobacco & other addictions, and also does not get involved in fashion for forty days, then he/she will have many wondeful experiences. Just experiment for forty days, you'll find many positive changes in your health, mind & attitude towards life. You will be more happy and your memory will increase miraculously.
Pranayama increases the strength of all the cells of the body. The sins done unknowingly at night get destroyed with the pranayama done at sunrise. The faults from morning till noon get destroyed with pranayama at noon and the unknown sins from afternoon till evening get destroyed with evening pranayama. Thus the heart becomes more pure and happy.
These days people have forgotten about Trikaal Sandhya and that is why there is increase in negative attitude. Many people therefore are trying to find happiness in collection of material objects and in sleep & laziness. They are ruining the strength of their beautiful life in this way.
Pranayama develops physical strength, mental strength and memory. Swami Rama Teerth used to do pranayama early in the morning and then used to go for walk in the fresh air. Pramahansa Yogananda also used to do in the same way.
Swami Ram Teerth was a very intelligent student. Mathematics was his favourite subject. His name was Teerth Ram when he was a student. In an exam once the students were supposed to answer 9 out of 13 questions. He answered all of them and wrote a note for the teacher saying that, "All the 13 questions are answered correctly, check any 9 of them." Such was his self confidence!
During these three times the door of the Sushumna is open therefore it helps in awakening the strength of the Kundalani. Meditation, japa & pranayama are useful at any time of the day but they are specially helpful if done at these three times. Trikaal Sandhya is very helpful for students also.
Therfore for overall progress the whole humanity should take the support of Trikaal Sandhya and awaken the moral, social & spiritual self.
Anusthana of Saraswatya Mantra
Regular and sincere jap of Saraswatya mantra leads to the development of the intellect and memory power beyond our imagination. The elevated lives of great many students initiated by Pujya Bapuji in the Saraswatya mantra bear a testimony to this.
If a student wants to make his life brilliant, vibrant and divine and to emerge out victorious in all fronts of life, he must observe an Anushthana of Saraswatya mantra. The procedure for the Anushthana is as follows:
* The Anushthana of Saraswatya mantra is to be completed in seven days.
* 170 rounds of mala are to be done each day.
* One should wear only white clothes during these seven days.
* One should take a saltless diet during the Anushthana. Khir prepared from milk and rice is recommended.
* One should worship goddess Saraswati with white flowers before beginning the jap of the mantra. The Bhog offered to Goddess Saraswati should also be Khir.
* One should pray to Maa Saraswati for a pure and sharp intellect.
* One should sleep on the ground on a mat or a blanket and observe Mauna as much as possible.
* Jap done on a mala of crystal (sfhatik) beads is all the more beneficial.
Other rules regarding place, sleeping, purity, etc. are common to an Anushthana of other mantras. A detailed account of the guidelines and precautions for an Anushthana of mantras is given in the Hindi books "Mantra-Jap Mahima evam Anushthana Vidhi" and "Ishtasiddhi published by the Ashram.
If a student wants to make his life brilliant, vibrant and divine and to emerge out victorious in all fronts of life, he must observe an Anushthana of Saraswatya mantra. The procedure for the Anushthana is as follows:
* The Anushthana of Saraswatya mantra is to be completed in seven days.
* 170 rounds of mala are to be done each day.
* One should wear only white clothes during these seven days.
* One should take a saltless diet during the Anushthana. Khir prepared from milk and rice is recommended.
* One should worship goddess Saraswati with white flowers before beginning the jap of the mantra. The Bhog offered to Goddess Saraswati should also be Khir.
* One should pray to Maa Saraswati for a pure and sharp intellect.
* One should sleep on the ground on a mat or a blanket and observe Mauna as much as possible.
* Jap done on a mala of crystal (sfhatik) beads is all the more beneficial.
Other rules regarding place, sleeping, purity, etc. are common to an Anushthana of other mantras. A detailed account of the guidelines and precautions for an Anushthana of mantras is given in the Hindi books "Mantra-Jap Mahima evam Anushthana Vidhi" and "Ishtasiddhi published by the Ashram.
Realization Of God Made Easy With Introspection
To analyze our spiritual growth, we need to find what value and importance has spiritualism in our life. An aspirant should do self-analysis himself/herself. Only we can analyze ourselves honestly as nobody else knows our strengths and weaknesses better than we know them. Aspirants interested in spiritual progress should try and answer the following questions honestly:
*Is the interest in spiritual practise increasing or decreasing day by day or an indifferent attitude is being developed?
*After listening to or reading spiritual discourse, is there any interest in practising them in day to day life?
*Is the aim of meditation-devotion-spiritual discourse to realize the self or to seek materialistic successes?
*Does one have faith in discourses given by saints and the words of holy books?
*How much has benefited from the spiritual practises told at the time of "Mantra Diksha" or initiation by the master or is it that one does not remember them?
*The attraction towards the world has decreased or is it the same?
*Is it that by means of spiritual service one is trying to earn praise?
*Has the mind become indifferent to worldly pleasures or is it still assuming happiness in them?
*How many days in a month does one complete the routine of Trikaal Sandhya i.e., meditation at the time of sunrise, noon and sunset? How much time does one devote to mediation & prayers and spiritual service in one day?
*Does one ever feel desperate to become one with God?
*Is it that you get lost in chain of thoughts while doing mantra japa i.e., repeating the holy name?
*Is the restlessnes of mind and influence of desires vanishing, and thereby inner peace evolving?
*Is one progressing from the nature of becoming happy at times of happiness & sad at times of sadness to a state of not being influenced by circumstances?
*After listening to or reading spiritual discourse, is the importance of spiritual discourse and human life understandable, or is life still being wasted just in earning money?
*Are the supreme qualities like not worrying, fearlessness and happiness evolving in life?
*How much interest is there towards silence, solitude and meditational practises?
*How much stability of mind and self-control can one keep at the time of stress and anxiety?
If you find weaknesses of any kind in your life, then 10-12 pranayam and meditation on supreme qualities should be done every day to remove them. Thus by constantly thinking of good qualities one can gradually remove all the bad qualities and the heart will be filled with truth. Development of supreme qualities will enable us see the True Supreme Lord.
*After listening to or reading spiritual discourse, is there any interest in practising them in day to day life?
*Is the aim of meditation-devotion-spiritual discourse to realize the self or to seek materialistic successes?
*Does one have faith in discourses given by saints and the words of holy books?
*How much has benefited from the spiritual practises told at the time of "Mantra Diksha" or initiation by the master or is it that one does not remember them?
*The attraction towards the world has decreased or is it the same?
*Is it that by means of spiritual service one is trying to earn praise?
*Has the mind become indifferent to worldly pleasures or is it still assuming happiness in them?
*How many days in a month does one complete the routine of Trikaal Sandhya i.e., meditation at the time of sunrise, noon and sunset? How much time does one devote to mediation & prayers and spiritual service in one day?
*Does one ever feel desperate to become one with God?
*Is it that you get lost in chain of thoughts while doing mantra japa i.e., repeating the holy name?
*Is the restlessnes of mind and influence of desires vanishing, and thereby inner peace evolving?
*Is one progressing from the nature of becoming happy at times of happiness & sad at times of sadness to a state of not being influenced by circumstances?
*After listening to or reading spiritual discourse, is the importance of spiritual discourse and human life understandable, or is life still being wasted just in earning money?
*Are the supreme qualities like not worrying, fearlessness and happiness evolving in life?
*How much interest is there towards silence, solitude and meditational practises?
*How much stability of mind and self-control can one keep at the time of stress and anxiety?
If you find weaknesses of any kind in your life, then 10-12 pranayam and meditation on supreme qualities should be done every day to remove them. Thus by constantly thinking of good qualities one can gradually remove all the bad qualities and the heart will be filled with truth. Development of supreme qualities will enable us see the True Supreme Lord.
As is Your Food So is Your Mind
A Basmati rice merchant made an illegal deal with a stationmaster. The merchant was thus able to get Basmati rice at half the market price. He thought of doing some charity work to balance the ill-effects of his unrighteous actions.
One day he prepared some Kheer from that Basmati rice and requested a Saint to bless him by taking food at his residence. The Saint ate the Kheer. As it was afternoon, the merchant suggested, “Your Holiness! Take some rest now, as the sun is too hot to go outside right now.”
The Saint accepted the proposal. The merchant had placed some ten lac rupees in hundred rupee note bundles under the cover of a cloth in the same room. As the Saint rested, the Kheer prepared from the stolen rice began to exercise its effect on his mind. The Saint thought, 'There are so many bundles of notes, no one would know if I take one or two out of them.' He sneaked one bundle into his bag. In the evening fell, the Saint duly blessed the merchant and went his way.
The next day when the merchant counted the bundles, he found one bundle (i.e. ten thousand rupees) missing. The merchant was positive that the Saint was a man of God and would not stoop to such acts. So the usual process of questioning and beating the servants began. This went on till afternoon.
In the meanwhile the Saint arrived. He took out the bundle from his bag and handing it over to the merchant said, “Do not beat the servants. It was I who had taken the bundle.”
The merchant protested, “O Holy One! Why would you take the bundle? When I started interrogating my servants, the scared culprit must have taken refuge under you. Being compassionate, as Saints by nature are, you have come to return the money and save the servant.”
The Saint replied, “This has nothing to do with my being compassionate. I really did steal the money from here. Please tell me the truth. Why did you prepare the Kheer yesterday and what was used in its preparation?”
The Merchant explained that he had been stealing rice with the help of the station master and had prepared the Kheer using that rice. The Saint then explained, “Since the Kheer had been prepared using stolen rice, it generated an urge to steal in my mind as well. When my stomach was cleared of your impure kheer early in the morning, my conscience was purified once again and I thought, ‘Oh Rama! What have I done? The poor servants must be suffering on account of my lapse.’ That is why I came to return your money.”
Therefore it is rightly said,
Jaisa khao anna vaisa hove man,
Jaisa pio pani vaisi hove vani.
‘The food you eat determines the disposition of your mind.
The water you drink decides the tone of your speech.’
One day he prepared some Kheer from that Basmati rice and requested a Saint to bless him by taking food at his residence. The Saint ate the Kheer. As it was afternoon, the merchant suggested, “Your Holiness! Take some rest now, as the sun is too hot to go outside right now.”
The Saint accepted the proposal. The merchant had placed some ten lac rupees in hundred rupee note bundles under the cover of a cloth in the same room. As the Saint rested, the Kheer prepared from the stolen rice began to exercise its effect on his mind. The Saint thought, 'There are so many bundles of notes, no one would know if I take one or two out of them.' He sneaked one bundle into his bag. In the evening fell, the Saint duly blessed the merchant and went his way.
The next day when the merchant counted the bundles, he found one bundle (i.e. ten thousand rupees) missing. The merchant was positive that the Saint was a man of God and would not stoop to such acts. So the usual process of questioning and beating the servants began. This went on till afternoon.
In the meanwhile the Saint arrived. He took out the bundle from his bag and handing it over to the merchant said, “Do not beat the servants. It was I who had taken the bundle.”
The merchant protested, “O Holy One! Why would you take the bundle? When I started interrogating my servants, the scared culprit must have taken refuge under you. Being compassionate, as Saints by nature are, you have come to return the money and save the servant.”
The Saint replied, “This has nothing to do with my being compassionate. I really did steal the money from here. Please tell me the truth. Why did you prepare the Kheer yesterday and what was used in its preparation?”
The Merchant explained that he had been stealing rice with the help of the station master and had prepared the Kheer using that rice. The Saint then explained, “Since the Kheer had been prepared using stolen rice, it generated an urge to steal in my mind as well. When my stomach was cleared of your impure kheer early in the morning, my conscience was purified once again and I thought, ‘Oh Rama! What have I done? The poor servants must be suffering on account of my lapse.’ That is why I came to return your money.”
Therefore it is rightly said,
Jaisa khao anna vaisa hove man,
Jaisa pio pani vaisi hove vani.
‘The food you eat determines the disposition of your mind.
The water you drink decides the tone of your speech.’
Convert Your Actions into Yoga
How can we realize God while being engaged in karma (doing action)?
In this context, Lord Sri Krishna says in the 16th shloka of the 4th chapter of the Srimad Bhagwad Gita:
"What is action and what is inaction? As to this even the wise are deluded. Therefore, O Arjuna! I shall explain unto thee what action is, by knowing which thou shall be liberated from the evil of sansara ?the wheel of birth and death."
It is verily karma that earns one religious merit or sin. Religious merit binds one to heavens, makes him indulge in sense pleasures and thus creates bondage. Sin also creates bondage and takes one to hells or lower life forms, thus causing misery. We cannot remain without action. We may abandon all activity and sit idle; still we will be doing something or the other through our body or the mind. We can renounce action neither by shirking from action nor by being engaged in action. One only has to be careful while engaging in action.
Have you ever heard of a horse or an elephant having a heart attack? Why do only humans have heart attacks? The reason is that human beings have taken upon themselves the sense of responsibility and doership of action. Actions create bondage only because of the desire for the fruits thereof, the sense of ?mine? and attachment. Actions devoid of the desire for the fruits of actions, the sense of ?mine? and attachment take one to Naishkarmya Siddhi, uniting one with God. ?Uniting one with God? is also a misstatement, because every living being is ever united with God. We never were, nor are, nor can ever be separated from God. Even so, desire for fruits of actions has deprived us of divine bliss. A sure and simple way to divine bliss is to abandon the desire for the fruits of actions, the sense of ? mine? and attachment.
In this context, Lord Sri Krishna says in the 16th shloka of the 4th chapter of the Srimad Bhagwad Gita:
"What is action and what is inaction? As to this even the wise are deluded. Therefore, O Arjuna! I shall explain unto thee what action is, by knowing which thou shall be liberated from the evil of sansara ?the wheel of birth and death."
It is verily karma that earns one religious merit or sin. Religious merit binds one to heavens, makes him indulge in sense pleasures and thus creates bondage. Sin also creates bondage and takes one to hells or lower life forms, thus causing misery. We cannot remain without action. We may abandon all activity and sit idle; still we will be doing something or the other through our body or the mind. We can renounce action neither by shirking from action nor by being engaged in action. One only has to be careful while engaging in action.
Have you ever heard of a horse or an elephant having a heart attack? Why do only humans have heart attacks? The reason is that human beings have taken upon themselves the sense of responsibility and doership of action. Actions create bondage only because of the desire for the fruits thereof, the sense of ?mine? and attachment. Actions devoid of the desire for the fruits of actions, the sense of ?mine? and attachment take one to Naishkarmya Siddhi, uniting one with God. ?Uniting one with God? is also a misstatement, because every living being is ever united with God. We never were, nor are, nor can ever be separated from God. Even so, desire for fruits of actions has deprived us of divine bliss. A sure and simple way to divine bliss is to abandon the desire for the fruits of actions, the sense of ? mine? and attachment.
Be Your Own True Friend
No grandeur can match the glory of your True Self. Nobody can gauge your true glory. Just realize your True Self and you will become so great as is beyond description. Then, even if somebody offers you the status of Indra, the king of the gods, you will not feel interested. Even the opulence of Indra will appear trifle to you. Externally, you would appear like the same person, but in reality, you will encompass the heavens, including the abode of Lord Brahma, the creator.
There is no joy greater than Self-Bliss.
All the joys of the universe put together dont measure up to anything comparable to Self-Bliss.
The Brahma Vaivarta Purana contains a dictum that one should develop ones intellect. The mind should not hold the reins of the intellect and the intellect should not be subservient to the desires of the mind, which itself is governed by the senses. One should elevate oneself. Once you decide to help others, you should devote yourself whole-heartedly to altruistic pursuits. Altruism is not limited to giving somebody bread or other necessities, or money; rather it includes giving right direction to your senses, mind and intellect. And how can you help others when you are unable to help those close to you i.e. your senses? It is but an axiomatic truth that one who cannot do good to oneself, can hardly succeed in his altruistic endeavours. Therefore as long as you dont elevate your mind and intellect, steer them towards excellence, you cannot practise true altruism. As you evolve and elevate yourself, your mind and intellect follow suit as well and you become great. Then altruism becomes your very nature.
Inertia and laziness also give a kind of pleasure, but it is of a very trivial nature. It takes you to lower births those of trees, stones, insects, butterflies, etc. Sense pleasures are bound to make one wander within the confines of heaven, hell and human birth. They only make one hang in the wombs, or else lead one literally down the drain, in case the conception doesn't take place. Divine Bliss or Divine Knowledge is no doubt the Absolute Supreme. As and when the mind merges into God, the Divine peace and Divine love will automatically come to prevail.
...So exert yourself to the task of self-development. Now be your own true friend. There are four means of self-development: (1) good health (2) sublime thoughts (3) cultivating a sagacious intellect and (4) firmly establishing oneself in the Atman.
1) Good health: Everybody wants to be in the pink of health. It is equally true of the virtuous, the pleasure-seeker and the idler. But good health will belong to the one who follows the wise counsel of the Sadguru and the scriptures, and conducts himself with self-restraint and wisdom. The body becomes unwell due to lack of self-restraint, the effect of past Karma or seasonal changes.
One should adapt to the changing environment. The diet should be appropriate and in tune with the laws of Mother Nature. Keep your body and your mind fit through proper intake of milk, buttermilk, fruits, etc. together with a regimen of fasting, exercise, pranayam, etc. If the body is ill as a result of change in the season, then along with the above measures take recourse to appropriate sattvic foods and home medicines. If lack of self-restraint has led to your ill-health, carefully follow the rules and principles of Brahmacharya. Regularly read The Glory of Eternal Youth published by the Ashram, which will stand you in good stead in maintaining Brahmacharya. If the ill-health is because of the effect of past Karma, take recourse to yajnas, austerities, jap, chanting of Lords name, charities, etc.
2) Sublime thoughts: Determinedly resolve to master your thoughts and emotions. Another way to elevate oneself is to conquer your lust, anger, avarice, delusion and ego.
A boy and a girl meet and get attracted towards each other. It is time to check oneself and divert ones mind attentively. If you are plagued by lust, visualize a corpse or a sick body. In that visualisation, remove the coating of skin that covers the body. Exercise restraint even in the matters of copulation with your own wife and adopt certain rules in this regard. If your mind is beset with avarice, practise charity. This will control your avarice and you will be saved from the sin.
Divine Bliss is the supreme experience, but to achieve that one must devote the mind to the Lord. If the mind is not inclined towards God, then in order to save yourself from vices and depravities, engage yourself in sadhana.
Lord Sri Krishna says, O Arjuna! If you are not capable of firmly establishing your mind in Me, then persevere to attain Me through the yoga of constant practice. - (The Srimad Bhagwadgita : 12.9)
Slowly but surely, as the mind engages itself in the practice of contemplation of the Lord, it will refrain from sensual attractions. If the mind is not engaged in such practice, engage it forcibly. It is sure to give you immense benefits in the future.
One cannot become a graduate in a single day or even a month. A dull student will take much more time to complete a given course of study in comparison to a bright one. Similarly a person with less affinity for sense-enjoyments needs less practice to realize God. And a person prone to falling prey to sense-enjoyments needs to engage in spiritual practices for a longer duration.
In the beginning, spiritual practices may have to be practised by force. By and by as one enters the intermediate stage, one begins to relish spiritual and devotional efforts. But the peace and bliss of samadhi is still elusive. When the practice reaches the supreme stage, samadhi and bliss are achieved effortlessly.
One day, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansas wife Sharada Devi was massaging his feet at bedtime. She asked Him, What is our relationship in your eyes? We are married. Do you consider me to be your wife? Sri Ramakrishna said, I do. Ma Sharada Devi asked, If I am your wife, how do you see me? Sri Ramakrishnas reply was amazing; Goddess Kali has come in the form of my wife and is serving me.
How wonderfully sublime Sri Ramakrishnas perspective is! How unflinchingly firm his belief is in the omnipresence of God! How supremely pious his mind is! Sri Ramakrishna himself said, One day I told my mind, Here is your wife. You should do what other husbands do. At least have a taste of it. Then as I went near my wife. I cried out involuntarily, Maa! Maa! Maa! and my eyes closed. I remained in samadhi till morning.
This is the fruit of the highest stage of practice. You have to be your own Guru. You have to be your own master. Never be lenient towards yourself. And never think twice to forgive someone. You will surely attain greatness. Even your shadow will inspire others to become great.
3) Spiritualization of the intellect: Spiritualization of the intellect means to divinise the intellect. One should set oneself the goal to attain the bliss of the Lord, the bestower of the intellect. One should constantly remind oneself of this goal. This will be a great help in self-elevation. Self-elevation is achieved through making oneself capable of imbibing Divine Bliss, of attaining God-realization.
What is spiritual development of the intellect? In the face of happiness or sorrow, contemplate, These are but transitory, whereas I am eternal. Or I belong to God and He is mine. God is Eternal. Therefore, I am eternal as well. These circumstances of sorrow and happiness are transient. Why then should I indulge in sins for the sake of transient pleasures and sorrows? Why should I be swayed by them? I belong to the eternal Supreme Self and will attain the Eternal alone. I will not be carried away by the ephemeral anymore. Such contemplation on God and your True Self will make you great. You will become a Buddhiyogi. He is infinitely superior to the best of all intellectuals. Once this state is achieved nothing else remains to be done.
One, who has established his mind in thoughts of the Supreme Brahman even for a moment, has taken a holy dip in all the places of pilgrimage, given all charity, performed all sacrifices.
4) Firmly establishing oneself in the Atman: Attain the knowledge of the True Self, the only essential Being that truly exists. The Self alone is the absolute entity and everything else, Prakriti, is non-essential. The ever changing samsara has no sara, while the True Self that brings about and experiences the changes is the real essence. And this essence, the Self, is attained in the company of Saints and by reflecting on the teachings of the scriptures. Money is not reality nor is youth. The Self that can never be separated from you is the essential Being.
I am so and so this is Maya. But the Source from where the I arises is the absolute Reality. Lord Narayana is ever established in that Reality. That is why He is the Lord. Lord Shiva and Enlightened Saints are also established in that reality. This is why they are great. The more you are enmeshed in the transient trivialities of the world, the more insignificant you become. The more desires a man has, the smaller he is; the fewer the desires, the greater the man. If there are no desires then you are already established in the absolute Reality. It is desires that make one lustful, angry, treacherous, dishonest and worried. If you are free from desires, it is easy to attain Self-Bliss.
It is definitely possible to attain the essential reality and absolutely impossible to hold on to the pleasure derived from sense-objects. Those who strive hard to attain non-essential objects neglecting the real essence, remain discontented even after obtaining those objects of the world. Complete contentment, total satisfaction, absolute bliss lie only in that essential Being, the Atman.
The essential Being, is always blissful. Why should one neglect it and contemplate on the non-essential, I should do this... I must do that... This should be like this... I shall do it that way... Hey! The whole world is engaged in just doing and dying. This is of no avail. You need not do anything. Just establish your mind firmly in the essence, I am That. That is all you need do; nothing else.
Whatever you do, do it with great care. If you serve diligently, your mind will become elevated. But if you do things carelessly, even if it is selfless service, your mind will not become elevated. If the mind is elevated, one becomes established in the essential Being and leads a Divine life like Lord Narayana. If the mind is distracted, it will hanker after the transient worldly objects and consequently one will be relegated to lower births of insects, butterflies, etc. It is up to us whether we pursue the real essence, the Atman, or bend towards the non-essential Prakriti, manifested in this transient world.
Bliss is the very nature of Atman. Everything exists in the essential Being. All treasures, all capabilities are an integral part of that Being. Wherever you find joy, happiness or auspiciousness, it is emanating from that essential Being. On the other hand, wherever you find misery, grief, pain and unrest, it is due to giving preference to the unreal world. The real essence is nothing but bliss...........
There is no joy greater than Self-Bliss.
All the joys of the universe put together dont measure up to anything comparable to Self-Bliss.
The Brahma Vaivarta Purana contains a dictum that one should develop ones intellect. The mind should not hold the reins of the intellect and the intellect should not be subservient to the desires of the mind, which itself is governed by the senses. One should elevate oneself. Once you decide to help others, you should devote yourself whole-heartedly to altruistic pursuits. Altruism is not limited to giving somebody bread or other necessities, or money; rather it includes giving right direction to your senses, mind and intellect. And how can you help others when you are unable to help those close to you i.e. your senses? It is but an axiomatic truth that one who cannot do good to oneself, can hardly succeed in his altruistic endeavours. Therefore as long as you dont elevate your mind and intellect, steer them towards excellence, you cannot practise true altruism. As you evolve and elevate yourself, your mind and intellect follow suit as well and you become great. Then altruism becomes your very nature.
Inertia and laziness also give a kind of pleasure, but it is of a very trivial nature. It takes you to lower births those of trees, stones, insects, butterflies, etc. Sense pleasures are bound to make one wander within the confines of heaven, hell and human birth. They only make one hang in the wombs, or else lead one literally down the drain, in case the conception doesn't take place. Divine Bliss or Divine Knowledge is no doubt the Absolute Supreme. As and when the mind merges into God, the Divine peace and Divine love will automatically come to prevail.
...So exert yourself to the task of self-development. Now be your own true friend. There are four means of self-development: (1) good health (2) sublime thoughts (3) cultivating a sagacious intellect and (4) firmly establishing oneself in the Atman.
1) Good health: Everybody wants to be in the pink of health. It is equally true of the virtuous, the pleasure-seeker and the idler. But good health will belong to the one who follows the wise counsel of the Sadguru and the scriptures, and conducts himself with self-restraint and wisdom. The body becomes unwell due to lack of self-restraint, the effect of past Karma or seasonal changes.
One should adapt to the changing environment. The diet should be appropriate and in tune with the laws of Mother Nature. Keep your body and your mind fit through proper intake of milk, buttermilk, fruits, etc. together with a regimen of fasting, exercise, pranayam, etc. If the body is ill as a result of change in the season, then along with the above measures take recourse to appropriate sattvic foods and home medicines. If lack of self-restraint has led to your ill-health, carefully follow the rules and principles of Brahmacharya. Regularly read The Glory of Eternal Youth published by the Ashram, which will stand you in good stead in maintaining Brahmacharya. If the ill-health is because of the effect of past Karma, take recourse to yajnas, austerities, jap, chanting of Lords name, charities, etc.
2) Sublime thoughts: Determinedly resolve to master your thoughts and emotions. Another way to elevate oneself is to conquer your lust, anger, avarice, delusion and ego.
A boy and a girl meet and get attracted towards each other. It is time to check oneself and divert ones mind attentively. If you are plagued by lust, visualize a corpse or a sick body. In that visualisation, remove the coating of skin that covers the body. Exercise restraint even in the matters of copulation with your own wife and adopt certain rules in this regard. If your mind is beset with avarice, practise charity. This will control your avarice and you will be saved from the sin.
Divine Bliss is the supreme experience, but to achieve that one must devote the mind to the Lord. If the mind is not inclined towards God, then in order to save yourself from vices and depravities, engage yourself in sadhana.
Lord Sri Krishna says, O Arjuna! If you are not capable of firmly establishing your mind in Me, then persevere to attain Me through the yoga of constant practice. - (The Srimad Bhagwadgita : 12.9)
Slowly but surely, as the mind engages itself in the practice of contemplation of the Lord, it will refrain from sensual attractions. If the mind is not engaged in such practice, engage it forcibly. It is sure to give you immense benefits in the future.
One cannot become a graduate in a single day or even a month. A dull student will take much more time to complete a given course of study in comparison to a bright one. Similarly a person with less affinity for sense-enjoyments needs less practice to realize God. And a person prone to falling prey to sense-enjoyments needs to engage in spiritual practices for a longer duration.
In the beginning, spiritual practices may have to be practised by force. By and by as one enters the intermediate stage, one begins to relish spiritual and devotional efforts. But the peace and bliss of samadhi is still elusive. When the practice reaches the supreme stage, samadhi and bliss are achieved effortlessly.
One day, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansas wife Sharada Devi was massaging his feet at bedtime. She asked Him, What is our relationship in your eyes? We are married. Do you consider me to be your wife? Sri Ramakrishna said, I do. Ma Sharada Devi asked, If I am your wife, how do you see me? Sri Ramakrishnas reply was amazing; Goddess Kali has come in the form of my wife and is serving me.
How wonderfully sublime Sri Ramakrishnas perspective is! How unflinchingly firm his belief is in the omnipresence of God! How supremely pious his mind is! Sri Ramakrishna himself said, One day I told my mind, Here is your wife. You should do what other husbands do. At least have a taste of it. Then as I went near my wife. I cried out involuntarily, Maa! Maa! Maa! and my eyes closed. I remained in samadhi till morning.
This is the fruit of the highest stage of practice. You have to be your own Guru. You have to be your own master. Never be lenient towards yourself. And never think twice to forgive someone. You will surely attain greatness. Even your shadow will inspire others to become great.
3) Spiritualization of the intellect: Spiritualization of the intellect means to divinise the intellect. One should set oneself the goal to attain the bliss of the Lord, the bestower of the intellect. One should constantly remind oneself of this goal. This will be a great help in self-elevation. Self-elevation is achieved through making oneself capable of imbibing Divine Bliss, of attaining God-realization.
What is spiritual development of the intellect? In the face of happiness or sorrow, contemplate, These are but transitory, whereas I am eternal. Or I belong to God and He is mine. God is Eternal. Therefore, I am eternal as well. These circumstances of sorrow and happiness are transient. Why then should I indulge in sins for the sake of transient pleasures and sorrows? Why should I be swayed by them? I belong to the eternal Supreme Self and will attain the Eternal alone. I will not be carried away by the ephemeral anymore. Such contemplation on God and your True Self will make you great. You will become a Buddhiyogi. He is infinitely superior to the best of all intellectuals. Once this state is achieved nothing else remains to be done.
One, who has established his mind in thoughts of the Supreme Brahman even for a moment, has taken a holy dip in all the places of pilgrimage, given all charity, performed all sacrifices.
4) Firmly establishing oneself in the Atman: Attain the knowledge of the True Self, the only essential Being that truly exists. The Self alone is the absolute entity and everything else, Prakriti, is non-essential. The ever changing samsara has no sara, while the True Self that brings about and experiences the changes is the real essence. And this essence, the Self, is attained in the company of Saints and by reflecting on the teachings of the scriptures. Money is not reality nor is youth. The Self that can never be separated from you is the essential Being.
I am so and so this is Maya. But the Source from where the I arises is the absolute Reality. Lord Narayana is ever established in that Reality. That is why He is the Lord. Lord Shiva and Enlightened Saints are also established in that reality. This is why they are great. The more you are enmeshed in the transient trivialities of the world, the more insignificant you become. The more desires a man has, the smaller he is; the fewer the desires, the greater the man. If there are no desires then you are already established in the absolute Reality. It is desires that make one lustful, angry, treacherous, dishonest and worried. If you are free from desires, it is easy to attain Self-Bliss.
It is definitely possible to attain the essential reality and absolutely impossible to hold on to the pleasure derived from sense-objects. Those who strive hard to attain non-essential objects neglecting the real essence, remain discontented even after obtaining those objects of the world. Complete contentment, total satisfaction, absolute bliss lie only in that essential Being, the Atman.
The essential Being, is always blissful. Why should one neglect it and contemplate on the non-essential, I should do this... I must do that... This should be like this... I shall do it that way... Hey! The whole world is engaged in just doing and dying. This is of no avail. You need not do anything. Just establish your mind firmly in the essence, I am That. That is all you need do; nothing else.
Whatever you do, do it with great care. If you serve diligently, your mind will become elevated. But if you do things carelessly, even if it is selfless service, your mind will not become elevated. If the mind is elevated, one becomes established in the essential Being and leads a Divine life like Lord Narayana. If the mind is distracted, it will hanker after the transient worldly objects and consequently one will be relegated to lower births of insects, butterflies, etc. It is up to us whether we pursue the real essence, the Atman, or bend towards the non-essential Prakriti, manifested in this transient world.
Bliss is the very nature of Atman. Everything exists in the essential Being. All treasures, all capabilities are an integral part of that Being. Wherever you find joy, happiness or auspiciousness, it is emanating from that essential Being. On the other hand, wherever you find misery, grief, pain and unrest, it is due to giving preference to the unreal world. The real essence is nothing but bliss...........
Pleasing Behaviour
God is the source of supreme bliss & supreme peace. As the bond between you & God becomes stronger, so will the inner bliss & peace. Then wherever you go, bliss & happiness will be there with you. Others will also feel peaceful in your company.
At some places in India the great saints are called 'Dada', which means who gives... who keeps giving forever. The one who gives knowledge, affection, kindness, happiness, peace etc. everyday is called 'Dada'. We also learn the art of living, the art of talking and the right way of dealing with people from such great men. They are the ideals for everybody.
Echo is of the same nature as the sound that generates it & also echo follows the sound. Similarly others behave in the same way as we behave with them wherever we go. If you want happiness, give others the same. If you want respect, then give others the same. If you want to get hurt, then you may hurt others. What you sow, so shall you reap.
Sweet language spoken for the benefit of others gives them happiness, peace & love; also, it gets back happiness, peace & love for oneself. Such language nourishes ones good qualities and provides mind with pure & positive energy. It is a blessing from God and it is beneficial for us & everybody around us. It protects & beautifies The Truth.
Never speak any word which hurts & harms anybody. Harsh & hurting language cannot hide the truth, and the partial truth present in the harshly spoken statement also gets deformed because it is not appreciated by anybody. The one who has foul tongue has an evil heart.
Some scholar told Pandit Madanmohan Malviya: "You can abuse me with hundred harsh words but I'll not get annoyed."
The reply that Malviyaji gave reflects his greatness. He said: "I'll test your anger later, before that my tongue will become dirty."
Neither should you make your tongue dirty nor should you accept such language from others. If the bad language of others influences your mind, it means that you are accepting their foul language. Rajjab has said:
Rajjab do not get angry when somebody asks, "Why that for?"
Smilingly reply, "Yes Sir! Just like that."
The words spoken politely & properly is pleasing to all. If one calls "Uncle" to the brother of ones mother then it sounds good, but if one calls him the "brother-in-law of father" then it becomes harsh.
Secondly, words spoken in inappropriate circumstances do not generate welcoming reaction. Some people talk about constipation etc. on the dinning table. This has a bad effect on the mind & body. Therefore, at the time of meals one should talk about things which have pure, peaceful & pleasing after-effects. Eating fried & over-cooked food and too many varieties of food is bad for health, also it disturbs peace of mind.
A true & righteous statement given at the wrong time is also not pleasing. Lord Rama used to be very careful about not speaking words at inappropriate occasions. In his conversations He was never an opponent. That is why He never hurt anybody. He used to present appropriate statements also very logically with the intention of benefit of all.
Give respect to the person with whom you are talking. The key to success is being humble. The one whose words provoke anger in the other person time and again goes to hell. If one imagines the outcome of any statement before it comes out of mouth, then there is no need to feel guilty later.
If somebody comes to office late on a particular day, then instead of asking the reason for being late directly if one says : "You reach office on time everyday. Why couldn't you make it on time today?" ...Then that person will reply honestly.
Even when talking to members of family one must remember that he/she is not talking to machines or robots, but is talking to human beings who have feelings. Every individual needs affection, sympathy, repect & caring gestures. If one behaves respectfully with elders, affectionately with persons of same age-group and kindly & sympathetically with the younger generation, then it has a magical influence on them.
Stealing somebody's property, money etc is not as big a crime as hurting other's feelings. Do not break anybody's heart because God Himself lives in his/her heart. If suggestions are given with an attitude of love & respect for the other, then there can never be any conflict in the family.
A husband told his wife that the food wasn't cooked well. The wife got irritated & said: "Eat somewhere else, either go a restaurant or get some other woman to cook." The husband got hurt and did not eat that day. If the wife would have thought about their mutual affection then she would have said: "I'll cook more carefully tomorrow... You'll not get a reason to complain..." Then this situation would not have arrived and then no friction would have developed between the two. Also there would not have been disrespect for the food.
Similarly, if the father says to the son: "You didn't get good marks in your exams, you are stupid..." This will have a negative impact on the child. Instead if the father says: "Son! You should work harder. You should meditate regularly to increase your concentration." Such a statement would generate enthusiasm in the child, also the child would have more respect for the father. The child will then work harder & try to get good marks.
If a customer says to the shopkeeper: "I'd bought this thing from your shop. It is not good. Take that back." The shopkeeper should not behave rudely with him. He should say: "Its alright if you do not like this. I have more varieties of this thing. May be you'll like them." The shopkeeper should behave affectionately & sympathetically with the customer. This welcoming behaviour will make that customer, a life-long customer.
"You'll have to do this work," instead of saying this to the servant if one says: "Will you do this for me?", then the servant will work more enthusiastically & efficiently. Otherwise work will be a burdenfor him. He will not be happy doing the work and therefore his productivity will be poor.
A little difference in the style of speaking affects quality of work a lot. If one has to get work done from somebody then one must politely ask that person if it is possible for him/her to do the work.
One must give importance to the person to whom he/she is talking and not to oneself. Words spoken properly have a positive impact and words spoken foolishly have negative consequences.
One who does not impose his/her ego on the other only can work as a good team leader. Such a team-leader takes the responsibility of mistakes made by a member of team on himself and gives credit for the good work to the responsible member. Having sympathetic attitude for the personal problems of team-members & trying to help them in the best way is the sign of expert leadership. Praising the members for the good work & guiding them through their mistakes is also the sign of expert leadership.
The quality of work improves if one has a friendly & family-like attitude towards colleaques. The team-leader who feels disconnected to the team will not be able to provide a thorough leadership which would lead to lack of coordination and thus the productivity of the team would get affected.
The sports teams that play with the feeling of togetherness produces good quality of game & usually wins the game. A sports team may have good players but if it lacks coordination & brotherhood then it is more likely that the team would lose. If the captain of the team does not have the feeling of equality & respect for the individual player, then the team gets divided and loses the game.
Only cheerful people know the art of getting work done. Those who meditate regularly & listen carefully to the words of Saints only can experience ever-lasting happiness. Whoever comes in contact with such people willingly works in accordance to them.
Some people always have revolting attitude towards others. They get a negative reaction from the person to whom they ask for doing some work. In such cases the person works half heartedly without taking responsiblitlites for what he/she has done. Negative reaction makes the person who is trying to get work done feel irritated and the work also gets spoiled. On the contrary a happy & peaceful person gets a good quality work done.
Do not assume that your friends-relatives, kids-wife, servants etc. would get out of control if you do not scold them, shout at them or be wicked with them. The fact is that such a behaviour makes them distant from you.
Everybody can become yours with the qualities of love, sympathy, respect, sweet words, feeling of benefit for others, sacrifice etc. People will get ready to make big scarifices for you if you have such behaviour. People will have a sweet & affectionate place for you in their hearts. Not only will you be happy but all those who come in contact with you will also experience happiness & peace.
Our style of speaking determines the way in which somebody reacts to what we tell him/her. The style that generates positive reaction in the listener is the most appropriate style. Words spoken in a sarcastic tone hurts others and consequently we also suffer.
Sensible people express their feelings in a few words. They do not speak anything which might hurt others. One should be humble, friendly & sympathetic towards all. Most of the people that one may come across everyday will have problems & grief beyond imagination. One should understand this fact & therefore one must not be envious & disrespectful to anyone, instead be specially gentle towards all.
Behave nicely to even those who have a rude behaviour, and thereafter do not feel proud of your good behaviour. The more you forget your self pride while helping others, the more beneficial it will be for you. Spread the message of love & benfit of all by having a gentle behaviour & selfless love for all. Such a behaviour alone is the real help & real solace. Whatever you give to this world, the same shall you get.
See everybody with eyes filled with love & sympathy. Selfless love is the real food for a happy life. The world is dying of this hunger, therefore give this love to everybody. Do not hide the spiritual love in your heart. Distribute this love generously, most of the pain of this world will vanish.
The person who does not have an affectionate & sympathetic behaviour is a burden to this hummanity, and the person whose heart is filled with selfishness & jealousy is a curse.
Awaken the pure love of heart. Keep enriching that. Let the river of this divine love make its way everywhere. You will experience supernatural peace & happiness and by your means the river of peace & happiness will start flowing in this world.
He is not blind who has lost his eyes, but he who overlooks his bad qualities is actually blind. One cannot hide his bad qualities but can make them insignificant by developing corresponding good qualities. Developing bad qualities is easy and developing good qualities is also equally easy. Our inclination toward bad qualities can be easily changed to good qualities by slightly controlling our thoughts.
Foul language is so dangerous that it can pierce the heart of the man. Cautiously spoken language helps creating a righteous environment. Harsh words of any kinds have hazardous impact, therefore such words should not be used at all. A language which is righteous, sweet, likeable & truthful creates the environment for an efficient life. In the words of Goswami Tulsidas:
Tulsi, sweet language makes happiness blossom everywhere...
The Mantra to rule the hearts of all: Get rid of harsh words
Make efforts to make yourself supreme and truthful. In this world you are getting mad about richness-glory, position-power, fame-reputation and respect-praise, none of these can ever satisfy you. These desires will never be completely fulfilled & therefore you shall never feel satisfied with these desires around you.
Do not waste your energy in building huge mansions & beautiful gardens. Do not waste your thoughts in such petty things. There are plenty of buildings which are tall but the people leaving in them are short & mean. Do not waste energy in building big houses & decorating them with sparkling items, do not unnecessarily make efforts to prove the status of your wife & friends in the society. If you agree to this divine thought, accept it, know it and understand that the one and only ideal & aim of life is not to misuse your mind & strength in saving money or making buildings, but to develop inner strength, arise spiritual strength and progress spiritually to attain God & salvation, then the bonds of the family, society and world can never become barriers for you.
Oh loved ones! Always remember that you live for yourself and not for others. Do not leave any room for others to interfere with your life. Do you eat your food or is it someone else eating for you? Do you digest your food or someone else does that for you? Do you see with your eyes or with the eyes of someone else? Why are you unnecessarily getting influenced by others?
You must become your own center of gravity. Depend on yourself. Realize the eternal self which is the basis & controller of all. Do not worry for the attitude & criticism of your guests. Do not use spicy & rich food, furniture and cushions as means to make your guests comfortable. This attitude of serving the guests is petty & incomplete. You should give such an environment to your guest that when he leaves your place he feels more pure at heart and happier than before. He should leave your home with the inspiration to lead a life more thoughtful, happy, simple, humble & natural than before. Understand this to be your duty towards loved ones. This is the correct path to make your family happier. A householder can use this technique to create room for progress in place of obstacles-problems in his home.
If the guest becomes more self-dependent, happy and thoughtful after staying at your place, then you have offered the righteous service to him. If you try to influence him with the lavishness of your house and with smart & clever behaviour, then you are disturbing both his & your peace of mind. If your richness & extravagence makes your guest jealous & more ambitious, then both of you will bear the consequences of these unrighteous feelings. Therefore a simple, humble, truthful & affectionate behaviour is beneficial for both of you. Give him a greater gift, the gift of true knowledge and true love. Help him experience the supreme happiness generated out of innocent love.
If I do not give you even a single penny and do not offer any physical help, but if I smile at you with innocent love and true heart, then you are bound to feel very happy and spiritually uplifted. Such a smile will be a better social service than any material help. Giving an honest & innocent smile is more valuable than giving the treasury of pearls. What is the use of monetary help when you have an unrighteous behaviour towards that person? You make the other person forget the love of God, bliss & true knowledge by betraying him. Let the heart of others become more pure and let them grow spiritually! This a great service to the mankind.
Lying, criticizing, back-biting and being rude are the bad qualities of language.
There are four shortcomings of a conversation:
1)Speaking as if giving commands to others
2)Speaking as if shouting at others
3)Using abusive language
4)Using sarcastic language
There are five good qualities of language: benefit of others, friendly with others, peaceful, sweet & affectionate
You should remain ego-less and give respect to others. Those who have a righteous behaviour & are sincerely involved with social service, they are truely loved by even those people who have just heard their name & not yet seen them.
A conversation must not reflect cruelty. One should not speak any words to degrade the other person. Rude words keep haunting in the mind of the listener therefore do not use any words which can disturb peace of mind of others. A person pierced with an arrow may be healed but a person pierced with harsh words will never be healed.
After invoking the subtle internal spiritual enrgy by doing spiritual practices, self-control, speaking truth and constant supervision of the mind, one will not feel happiness-sadness at times of desired and undesired circumstances.
An intelligent person remains calm even when an indecent person speaks foul language. The one who stays cheerful, even when the person in front of him gets angry, gets the good karmas of the angry person. Anger is disliked by all because it excites people with negative energy and is unrighteous. The person who gets control over this anger, does not let any ill-feeling arise in his heart, who remains cheerful always, and overlooks weaknesses of others, that person gets the good karmas of all those who develop enmity for him. Even the Devtas (Divine souls in Indian mythology) look forward to meet and see the person who does not speak either ill or good about the person who had spoken harsh language, keeps a balance of mind always, and never wants anything bad to happen to others.
The essence of all Vedas is speaking truth always. The essence of truthful language is self-control. The essence of self-control is salvation. The one who can control the emotional waves of mind, language, anger, jealousy, hunger & reproductive organs can attain the "True Knowledge" - the knowledge of one Brahma.
The person whose mind & words are devoted to God completely, he gets the fruits of studying Vedas, performing spiritual austerities & sacrifice without actually studying them.
An intelligent person should stay contented even after getting insulted because he who has been insulted sleeps happily but he who has insulted the other suffers the consequences of bad karma. An angry person is deprived of his good karmas by nature.
The person who has self-control over food & sensuality, pays attention to cleanliness and keeps smiling & speaks sweet words while helping others is a religious person indeed.
It is better to stay silent than speaking useless words. This is the first quality of language. Speaking truth is the second quality of language. Speaking sweet words is the third quality. Speaking about topics which are approved by religion is the fourth quality.
Indra asked Brahaspati: "Oh Great Soul! What is the thing that makes a person well-known & loved by all beings?"
Brahaspati said; "Oh Indra! That thing is sympathy, sweet words & sweet behaviour. Those who have such a behaviour become well-known & are loved by all beings. This one thing makes the whole world happy."
The person who is always irritated & does not speak sweet language, such a person who is never peaceful becomes enemy of all. The person who initiates conversation himself when he meets people and speaks smilingly makes everybody happy.
As badly cooked food cannot make one satisfied, in the same way a donation given without sweet words cannot make anybody happy.
One should always take care that he is not exploiting anybody. The sweet language of only that person is appropriate who thinks of benefit of others. The person who exploits the ignorance of poor, illiterate & innocent people may appear to be flourishing but in the end he has to suffer. The person having truthful, affectionate & sweet behaviour may appear to be at loss in the beginning but he sees the wonderful ending -Realization of God. Khudiram was determined to be on the path of truth & sweetness. People thought of him as dumb & ignorant. This Khudiram who used to live in the Dere village of Hooglie district and used to lead a life filled with love & truth became the father of the great saint of India: Shri Ramakrishna. One may not see the fruits of truthfulness & sweet behaviour in the beginning but it definitely leads to eternal growth.
Echo is of the same nature as the sound that generates it & also echo follows the sound. Similarly others behave in the same way as we behave with them wherever we go. If you want happiness, give others the same. If you want respect, then give others the same. If you want to get hurt, then you may hurt others. What you sow, so shall you reap.
Sweet language spoken for the benefit of others gives them happiness, peace & love; also, it gets back happiness, peace & love for oneself. Such language nourishes ones good qualities and provides mind with pure & positive energy. It is a blessing from God and it is beneficial for us & everybody around us. It protects & beautifies The Truth.
Never speak any word which hurts & harms anybody. Harsh & hurting language cannot hide the truth, and the partial truth present in the harshly spoken statement also gets deformed because it is not appreciated by anybody. The one who has foul tongue has an evil heart.
Some scholar told Pandit Madanmohan Malviya: "You can abuse me with hundred harsh words but I'll not get annoyed."
The reply that Malviyaji gave reflects his greatness. He said: "I'll test your anger later, before that my tongue will become dirty."
Neither should you make your tongue dirty nor should you accept such language from others. If the bad language of others influences your mind, it means that you are accepting their foul language. Rajjab has said:
Rajjab do not get angry when somebody asks, "Why that for?"
Smilingly reply, "Yes Sir! Just like that."
The words spoken politely & properly is pleasing to all. If one calls "Uncle" to the brother of ones mother then it sounds good, but if one calls him the "brother-in-law of father" then it becomes harsh.
Secondly, words spoken in inappropriate circumstances do not generate welcoming reaction. Some people talk about constipation etc. on the dinning table. This has a bad effect on the mind & body. Therefore, at the time of meals one should talk about things which have pure, peaceful & pleasing after-effects. Eating fried & over-cooked food and too many varieties of food is bad for health, also it disturbs peace of mind.
A true & righteous statement given at the wrong time is also not pleasing. Lord Rama used to be very careful about not speaking words at inappropriate occasions. In his conversations He was never an opponent. That is why He never hurt anybody. He used to present appropriate statements also very logically with the intention of benefit of all.
Give respect to the person with whom you are talking. The key to success is being humble. The one whose words provoke anger in the other person time and again goes to hell. If one imagines the outcome of any statement before it comes out of mouth, then there is no need to feel guilty later.
If somebody comes to office late on a particular day, then instead of asking the reason for being late directly if one says : "You reach office on time everyday. Why couldn't you make it on time today?" ...Then that person will reply honestly.
Even when talking to members of family one must remember that he/she is not talking to machines or robots, but is talking to human beings who have feelings. Every individual needs affection, sympathy, repect & caring gestures. If one behaves respectfully with elders, affectionately with persons of same age-group and kindly & sympathetically with the younger generation, then it has a magical influence on them.
Stealing somebody's property, money etc is not as big a crime as hurting other's feelings. Do not break anybody's heart because God Himself lives in his/her heart. If suggestions are given with an attitude of love & respect for the other, then there can never be any conflict in the family.
A husband told his wife that the food wasn't cooked well. The wife got irritated & said: "Eat somewhere else, either go a restaurant or get some other woman to cook." The husband got hurt and did not eat that day. If the wife would have thought about their mutual affection then she would have said: "I'll cook more carefully tomorrow... You'll not get a reason to complain..." Then this situation would not have arrived and then no friction would have developed between the two. Also there would not have been disrespect for the food.
Similarly, if the father says to the son: "You didn't get good marks in your exams, you are stupid..." This will have a negative impact on the child. Instead if the father says: "Son! You should work harder. You should meditate regularly to increase your concentration." Such a statement would generate enthusiasm in the child, also the child would have more respect for the father. The child will then work harder & try to get good marks.
If a customer says to the shopkeeper: "I'd bought this thing from your shop. It is not good. Take that back." The shopkeeper should not behave rudely with him. He should say: "Its alright if you do not like this. I have more varieties of this thing. May be you'll like them." The shopkeeper should behave affectionately & sympathetically with the customer. This welcoming behaviour will make that customer, a life-long customer.
"You'll have to do this work," instead of saying this to the servant if one says: "Will you do this for me?", then the servant will work more enthusiastically & efficiently. Otherwise work will be a burdenfor him. He will not be happy doing the work and therefore his productivity will be poor.
A little difference in the style of speaking affects quality of work a lot. If one has to get work done from somebody then one must politely ask that person if it is possible for him/her to do the work.
One must give importance to the person to whom he/she is talking and not to oneself. Words spoken properly have a positive impact and words spoken foolishly have negative consequences.
One who does not impose his/her ego on the other only can work as a good team leader. Such a team-leader takes the responsibility of mistakes made by a member of team on himself and gives credit for the good work to the responsible member. Having sympathetic attitude for the personal problems of team-members & trying to help them in the best way is the sign of expert leadership. Praising the members for the good work & guiding them through their mistakes is also the sign of expert leadership.
The quality of work improves if one has a friendly & family-like attitude towards colleaques. The team-leader who feels disconnected to the team will not be able to provide a thorough leadership which would lead to lack of coordination and thus the productivity of the team would get affected.
The sports teams that play with the feeling of togetherness produces good quality of game & usually wins the game. A sports team may have good players but if it lacks coordination & brotherhood then it is more likely that the team would lose. If the captain of the team does not have the feeling of equality & respect for the individual player, then the team gets divided and loses the game.
Only cheerful people know the art of getting work done. Those who meditate regularly & listen carefully to the words of Saints only can experience ever-lasting happiness. Whoever comes in contact with such people willingly works in accordance to them.
Some people always have revolting attitude towards others. They get a negative reaction from the person to whom they ask for doing some work. In such cases the person works half heartedly without taking responsiblitlites for what he/she has done. Negative reaction makes the person who is trying to get work done feel irritated and the work also gets spoiled. On the contrary a happy & peaceful person gets a good quality work done.
Do not assume that your friends-relatives, kids-wife, servants etc. would get out of control if you do not scold them, shout at them or be wicked with them. The fact is that such a behaviour makes them distant from you.
Everybody can become yours with the qualities of love, sympathy, respect, sweet words, feeling of benefit for others, sacrifice etc. People will get ready to make big scarifices for you if you have such behaviour. People will have a sweet & affectionate place for you in their hearts. Not only will you be happy but all those who come in contact with you will also experience happiness & peace.
Our style of speaking determines the way in which somebody reacts to what we tell him/her. The style that generates positive reaction in the listener is the most appropriate style. Words spoken in a sarcastic tone hurts others and consequently we also suffer.
Sensible people express their feelings in a few words. They do not speak anything which might hurt others. One should be humble, friendly & sympathetic towards all. Most of the people that one may come across everyday will have problems & grief beyond imagination. One should understand this fact & therefore one must not be envious & disrespectful to anyone, instead be specially gentle towards all.
Behave nicely to even those who have a rude behaviour, and thereafter do not feel proud of your good behaviour. The more you forget your self pride while helping others, the more beneficial it will be for you. Spread the message of love & benfit of all by having a gentle behaviour & selfless love for all. Such a behaviour alone is the real help & real solace. Whatever you give to this world, the same shall you get.
See everybody with eyes filled with love & sympathy. Selfless love is the real food for a happy life. The world is dying of this hunger, therefore give this love to everybody. Do not hide the spiritual love in your heart. Distribute this love generously, most of the pain of this world will vanish.
The person who does not have an affectionate & sympathetic behaviour is a burden to this hummanity, and the person whose heart is filled with selfishness & jealousy is a curse.
Awaken the pure love of heart. Keep enriching that. Let the river of this divine love make its way everywhere. You will experience supernatural peace & happiness and by your means the river of peace & happiness will start flowing in this world.
He is not blind who has lost his eyes, but he who overlooks his bad qualities is actually blind. One cannot hide his bad qualities but can make them insignificant by developing corresponding good qualities. Developing bad qualities is easy and developing good qualities is also equally easy. Our inclination toward bad qualities can be easily changed to good qualities by slightly controlling our thoughts.
Foul language is so dangerous that it can pierce the heart of the man. Cautiously spoken language helps creating a righteous environment. Harsh words of any kinds have hazardous impact, therefore such words should not be used at all. A language which is righteous, sweet, likeable & truthful creates the environment for an efficient life. In the words of Goswami Tulsidas:
Tulsi, sweet language makes happiness blossom everywhere...
The Mantra to rule the hearts of all: Get rid of harsh words
Make efforts to make yourself supreme and truthful. In this world you are getting mad about richness-glory, position-power, fame-reputation and respect-praise, none of these can ever satisfy you. These desires will never be completely fulfilled & therefore you shall never feel satisfied with these desires around you.
Do not waste your energy in building huge mansions & beautiful gardens. Do not waste your thoughts in such petty things. There are plenty of buildings which are tall but the people leaving in them are short & mean. Do not waste energy in building big houses & decorating them with sparkling items, do not unnecessarily make efforts to prove the status of your wife & friends in the society. If you agree to this divine thought, accept it, know it and understand that the one and only ideal & aim of life is not to misuse your mind & strength in saving money or making buildings, but to develop inner strength, arise spiritual strength and progress spiritually to attain God & salvation, then the bonds of the family, society and world can never become barriers for you.
Oh loved ones! Always remember that you live for yourself and not for others. Do not leave any room for others to interfere with your life. Do you eat your food or is it someone else eating for you? Do you digest your food or someone else does that for you? Do you see with your eyes or with the eyes of someone else? Why are you unnecessarily getting influenced by others?
You must become your own center of gravity. Depend on yourself. Realize the eternal self which is the basis & controller of all. Do not worry for the attitude & criticism of your guests. Do not use spicy & rich food, furniture and cushions as means to make your guests comfortable. This attitude of serving the guests is petty & incomplete. You should give such an environment to your guest that when he leaves your place he feels more pure at heart and happier than before. He should leave your home with the inspiration to lead a life more thoughtful, happy, simple, humble & natural than before. Understand this to be your duty towards loved ones. This is the correct path to make your family happier. A householder can use this technique to create room for progress in place of obstacles-problems in his home.
If the guest becomes more self-dependent, happy and thoughtful after staying at your place, then you have offered the righteous service to him. If you try to influence him with the lavishness of your house and with smart & clever behaviour, then you are disturbing both his & your peace of mind. If your richness & extravagence makes your guest jealous & more ambitious, then both of you will bear the consequences of these unrighteous feelings. Therefore a simple, humble, truthful & affectionate behaviour is beneficial for both of you. Give him a greater gift, the gift of true knowledge and true love. Help him experience the supreme happiness generated out of innocent love.
If I do not give you even a single penny and do not offer any physical help, but if I smile at you with innocent love and true heart, then you are bound to feel very happy and spiritually uplifted. Such a smile will be a better social service than any material help. Giving an honest & innocent smile is more valuable than giving the treasury of pearls. What is the use of monetary help when you have an unrighteous behaviour towards that person? You make the other person forget the love of God, bliss & true knowledge by betraying him. Let the heart of others become more pure and let them grow spiritually! This a great service to the mankind.
Lying, criticizing, back-biting and being rude are the bad qualities of language.
There are four shortcomings of a conversation:
1)Speaking as if giving commands to others
2)Speaking as if shouting at others
3)Using abusive language
4)Using sarcastic language
There are five good qualities of language: benefit of others, friendly with others, peaceful, sweet & affectionate
You should remain ego-less and give respect to others. Those who have a righteous behaviour & are sincerely involved with social service, they are truely loved by even those people who have just heard their name & not yet seen them.
A conversation must not reflect cruelty. One should not speak any words to degrade the other person. Rude words keep haunting in the mind of the listener therefore do not use any words which can disturb peace of mind of others. A person pierced with an arrow may be healed but a person pierced with harsh words will never be healed.
After invoking the subtle internal spiritual enrgy by doing spiritual practices, self-control, speaking truth and constant supervision of the mind, one will not feel happiness-sadness at times of desired and undesired circumstances.
An intelligent person remains calm even when an indecent person speaks foul language. The one who stays cheerful, even when the person in front of him gets angry, gets the good karmas of the angry person. Anger is disliked by all because it excites people with negative energy and is unrighteous. The person who gets control over this anger, does not let any ill-feeling arise in his heart, who remains cheerful always, and overlooks weaknesses of others, that person gets the good karmas of all those who develop enmity for him. Even the Devtas (Divine souls in Indian mythology) look forward to meet and see the person who does not speak either ill or good about the person who had spoken harsh language, keeps a balance of mind always, and never wants anything bad to happen to others.
The essence of all Vedas is speaking truth always. The essence of truthful language is self-control. The essence of self-control is salvation. The one who can control the emotional waves of mind, language, anger, jealousy, hunger & reproductive organs can attain the "True Knowledge" - the knowledge of one Brahma.
The person whose mind & words are devoted to God completely, he gets the fruits of studying Vedas, performing spiritual austerities & sacrifice without actually studying them.
An intelligent person should stay contented even after getting insulted because he who has been insulted sleeps happily but he who has insulted the other suffers the consequences of bad karma. An angry person is deprived of his good karmas by nature.
The person who has self-control over food & sensuality, pays attention to cleanliness and keeps smiling & speaks sweet words while helping others is a religious person indeed.
It is better to stay silent than speaking useless words. This is the first quality of language. Speaking truth is the second quality of language. Speaking sweet words is the third quality. Speaking about topics which are approved by religion is the fourth quality.
Indra asked Brahaspati: "Oh Great Soul! What is the thing that makes a person well-known & loved by all beings?"
Brahaspati said; "Oh Indra! That thing is sympathy, sweet words & sweet behaviour. Those who have such a behaviour become well-known & are loved by all beings. This one thing makes the whole world happy."
The person who is always irritated & does not speak sweet language, such a person who is never peaceful becomes enemy of all. The person who initiates conversation himself when he meets people and speaks smilingly makes everybody happy.
As badly cooked food cannot make one satisfied, in the same way a donation given without sweet words cannot make anybody happy.
One should always take care that he is not exploiting anybody. The sweet language of only that person is appropriate who thinks of benefit of others. The person who exploits the ignorance of poor, illiterate & innocent people may appear to be flourishing but in the end he has to suffer. The person having truthful, affectionate & sweet behaviour may appear to be at loss in the beginning but he sees the wonderful ending -Realization of God. Khudiram was determined to be on the path of truth & sweetness. People thought of him as dumb & ignorant. This Khudiram who used to live in the Dere village of Hooglie district and used to lead a life filled with love & truth became the father of the great saint of India: Shri Ramakrishna. One may not see the fruits of truthfulness & sweet behaviour in the beginning but it definitely leads to eternal growth.
Om Peace.......... Om Peace........... Om Peace............
Shri Guru Gita In Hindi Chapter-1 (With Sanskrit Shloks)
श्री गुरुगीता
अनुक्रम
पहला अध्याय.. 2
दूसरा अध्याय.. 12
तीसरा अध्याय.. 30
|| अथ प्रथमोऽध्यायः||
अचिन्त्याव्यक्तरूपाय निर्गुणाय गुणात्मने |
समस्त जगदाधारमूर्तये ब्रह्मणे नमः ||
पहला अध्याय
जो ब्रह्म अचिन्त्य, अव्यक्त, तीनों गुणों से रहित (फिर भी देखनेवालों के अज्ञान की उपाधि से) त्रिगुणात्मक और समस्त जगत का अधिष्ठान रूप है ऐसे ब्रह्म को नमस्कार हो | (1)
ऋषयः ऊचुः
सूत सूत महाप्राज्ञ निगमागमपारग |
गुरुस्वरूपमस्माकं ब्रूहि सर्वमलापहम् ||
ऋषियों ने कहा : हे महाज्ञानी, हे वेद-वेदांगों के निष्णात ! प्यारे सूत जी ! सर्व पापों का नाश करनेवाले गुरु का स्वरूप हमें सुनाओ | (2)
यस्य श्रवणमात्रेण देही दुःखाद्विमुच्यते |
येन मार्गेण मुनयः सर्वज्ञत्वं प्रपेदिरे ||
यत्प्राप्य न पुनर्याति नरः संसारबन्धनम् |
तथाविधं परं तत्वं वक्तव्यमधुना त्वया ||
जिसको सुनने मात्र से मनुष्य दुःख से विमुक्त हो जाता है | जिस उपाय से मुनियों ने सर्वज्ञता प्राप्त की है, जिसको प्राप्त करके मनुष्य फ़िर से संसार बन्धन में बँधता नहीं है ऐसे परम तत्व का कथन आप करें | (3, 4)
गुह्यादगुह्यतमं सारं गुरुगीता विशेषतः |
त्वत्प्रसादाच्च श्रोतव्या तत्सर्वं ब्रूहि सूत नः ||
जो तत्व परम रहस्यमय एवं श्रेष्ठ सारभूत है और विशेष कर जो गुरुगीता है वह आपकी कृपा से हम सुनना चाहते हैं | प्यारे सूतजी ! वे सब हमें सुनाइये | (5)
इति संप्राथितः सूतो मुनिसंघैर्मुहुर्मुहुः |
कुतूहलेन महता प्रोवाच मधुरं वचः ||
इस प्रकार बार-बार प्रर्थना किये जाने पर सूतजी बहुत प्रसन्न होकर मुनियों के समूह से मधुर वचन बोले | (6)
सूत उवाच
श्रृणुध्वं मुनयः सर्वे श्रद्धया परया मुदा |
वदामि भवरोगघ्नीं गीता मातृस्वरूपिणीम् ||
सूतजी ने कहा : हे सर्व मुनियों ! संसाररूपी रोग का नाश करनेवाली, मातृस्वरूपिणी (माता के समान ध्यान रखने वाली) गुरुगीता कहता हूँ | उसको आप अत्यंत श्रद्धा और प्रसन्नता से सुनिये | (7)
पुरा कैलासशिखरे सिद्धगन्धर्वसेविते|
तत्र कल्पलतापुष्पमन्दिरेऽत्यन्तसुन्दरे ||
व्याघ्राजिने समासिनं शुकादिमुनिवन्दितम् |
बोधयन्तं परं तत्वं मध्येमुनिगणंक्वचित् ||
प्रणम्रवदना शश्वन्नमस्कुर्वन्तमादरात् |
दृष्ट्वा विस्मयमापन्ना पार्वती परिपृच्छति ||
प्राचीन काल में सिद्धों और गन्धर्वों के आवास रूप कैलास पर्वत के शिखर पर कल्पवृक्ष के फूलों से बने हुए अत्यंत सुन्दर मंदिर में, मुनियों के बीच व्याघ्रचर्म पर बैठे हुए, शुक आदि मुनियों द्वारा वन्दन किये जानेवाले और परम तत्व का बोध देते हुए भगवान शंकर को बार-बार नमस्कार करते देखकर, अतिशय नम्र मुखवाली पार्वति ने आश्चर्यचकित होकर पूछा |
पार्वत्युवाच
ॐ नमो देव देवेश परात्पर जगदगुरो |
त्वां नमस्कुर्वते भक्त्या सुरासुरनराः सदा ||
पार्वती ने कहा: हे ॐकार के अर्थस्वरूप, देवों के देव, श्रेष्ठों के श्रेष्ठ, हे जगदगुरो! आपको प्रणाम हो | देव दानव और मानव सब आपको सदा भक्तिपूर्वक प्रणाम करते हैं | (11)
विधिविष्णुमहेन्द्राद्यैर्वन्द्यः खलु सदा भवान् |
नमस्करोषि कस्मै त्वं नमस्काराश्रयः किलः ||
आप ब्रह्मा, विष्णु, इन्द्र आदि के नमस्कार के योग्य हैं | ऐसे नमस्कार के आश्रयरूप होने पर भी आप किसको नमस्कार करते हैं | (12)
भगवन् सर्वधर्मज्ञ व्रतानां व्रतनायकम् |
ब्रूहि मे कृपया शम्भो गुरुमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम् ||
हे भगवान् ! हे सर्व धर्मों के ज्ञाता ! हे शम्भो ! जो व्रत सब व्रतों में श्रेष्ठ है ऐसा उत्तम गुरु-माहात्म्य कृपा करके मुझे कहें | (13)
इति संप्रार्थितः शश्वन्महादेवो महेश्वरः |
आनंदभरितः स्वान्ते पार्वतीमिदमब्रवीत् ||
इस प्रकार (पार्वती देवी द्वारा) बार-बार प्रार्थना किये जाने पर महादेव ने अंतर से खूब प्रसन्न होते हुए पार्वती से इस प्रकार कहा | (14)
महादेव उवाच
न वक्तव्यमिदं देवि रहस्यातिरहस्यकम् |
न कस्यापि पुरा प्रोक्तं त्वद्भक्त्यर्थं वदामि तत् ||
श्री महादेव जी ने कहा: हे देवी ! यह तत्व रहस्यों का भी रहस्य है इसलिए कहना उचित नहीं | पहले किसी से भी नहीं कहा | फिर भी तुम्हारी भक्ति देखकर वह रहस्य कहता हूँ |
मम् रूपासि देवि त्वमतस्तत्कथयामि ते |
लोकोपकारकः प्रश्नो न केनापि कृतः पुरा ||
हे देवी ! तुम मेरा ही स्वरूप हो इसलिए (यह रहस्य) तुमको कहता हूँ | तुम्हारा यह प्रश्न लोक का कल्याणकारक है | ऐसा प्रश्न पहले कभी किसीने नहीं किया |
यस्य देवे परा भक्ति, यथा देवे तथा गुरौ |
त्स्यैते कथिता ह्यर्थाः प्रकाशन्ते महात्मनः ||
जिसको ईश्वर में उत्तम भक्ति होती है, जैसी ईश्वर में वैसी ही भक्ति जिसको गुरु में होती है ऐसे महात्माओं को ही यहाँ कही हुई बात समझ में आयेगी |
यो गुरु स शिवः प्रोक्तो, यः शिवः स गुरुस्मृतः |
विकल्पं यस्तु कुर्वीत स नरो गुरुतल्पगः ||
जो गुरु हैं वे ही शिव हैं, जो शिव हैं वे ही गुरु हैं | दोनों में जो अन्तर मानता है वह गुरुपत्नीगमन करनेवाले के समान पापी है |
वेद्शास्त्रपुराणानि चेतिहासादिकानि च |
मंत्रयंत्रविद्यादिनिमोहनोच्चाटनादिकम् ||
शैवशाक्तागमादिनि ह्यन्ये च बहवो मताः |
अपभ्रंशाः समस्तानां जीवानां भ्रांतचेतसाम् ||
जपस्तपोव्रतं तीर्थं यज्ञो दानं तथैव च |
गुरु तत्वं अविज्ञाय सर्वं व्यर्थं भवेत् प्रिये ||
हे प्रिये ! वेद, शास्त्र, पुराण, इतिहास आदि मंत्र, यंत्र, मोहन, उच्चाट्न आदि विद्या शैव, शाक्त आगम और अन्य सर्व मत मतान्तर, ये सब बातें गुरुतत्व को जाने बिना भ्रान्त चित्तवाले जीवों को पथभ्रष्ट करनेवाली हैं और जप, तप व्रत तीर्थ, यज्ञ, दान, ये सब व्यर्थ हो जाते हैं | (19, 20, 21)
गुरुबुध्यात्मनो नान्यत् सत्यं सत्यं वरानने |
तल्लभार्थं प्रयत्नस्तु कर्त्तवयशच मनीषिभिः ||
हे सुमुखी ! आत्मा में गुरु बुद्धि के सिवा अन्य कुछ भी सत्य नहीं है सत्य नहीं है | इसलिये इस आत्मज्ञान को प्राप्त करने के लिये बुद्धिमानों को प्रयत्न करना चाहिये | (22)
गूढाविद्या जगन्माया देहशचाज्ञानसम्भवः |
विज्ञानं यत्प्रसादेन गुरुशब्देन कथयते ||
जगत गूढ़ अविद्यात्मक मायारूप है और शरीर अज्ञान से उत्पन्न हुआ है | इनका विश्लेषणात्मक ज्ञान जिनकी कृपा से होता है उस ज्ञान को गुरु कहते हैं |
देही ब्रह्म भवेद्यस्मात् त्वत्कृपार्थंवदामि तत् |
सर्वपापविशुद्धात्मा श्रीगुरोः पादसेवनात् ||
जिस गुरुदेव के पादसेवन से मनुष्य सर्व पापों से विशुद्धात्मा होकर ब्रह्मरूप हो जाता है वह तुम पर कृपा करने के लिये कहता हूँ | (24)
शोषणं पापपंकस्य दीपनं ज्ञानतेजसः |
गुरोः पादोदकं सम्यक् संसारार्णवतारकम् ||
श्री गुरुदेव का चरणामृत पापरूपी कीचड़ का सम्यक् शोषक है, ज्ञानतेज का सम्यक् उद्यीपक है और संसारसागर का सम्यक तारक है | (25)
अज्ञानमूलहरणं जन्मकर्मनिवारकम् |
ज्ञानवैराग्यसिद्ध्यर्थं गुरुपादोदकं पिबेत् ||
अज्ञान की जड़ को उखाड़नेवाले, अनेक जन्मों के कर्मों को निवारनेवाले, ज्ञान और वैराग्य को सिद्ध करनेवाले श्रीगुरुदेव के चरणामृत का पान करना चाहिये | (26)
स्वदेशिकस्यैव च नामकीर्तनम्
भवेदनन्तस्यशिवस्य कीर्तनम् |
स्वदेशिकस्यैव च नामचिन्तनम्
भवेदनन्तस्यशिवस्य नामचिन्तनम् ||
अपने गुरुदेव के नाम का कीर्तन अनंत स्वरूप भगवान शिव का ही कीर्तन है | अपने गुरुदेव के नाम का चिंतन अनंत स्वरूप भगवान शिव का ही चिंतन है | (27)
काशीक्षेत्रं निवासश्च जाह्नवी चरणोदकम् |
गुरुर्विश्वेश्वरः साक्षात् तारकं ब्रह्मनिश्चयः ||
गुरुदेव का निवासस्थान काशी क्षेत्र है | श्री गुरुदेव का पादोदक गंगाजी है | गुरुदेव भगवान विश्वनाथ और निश्चय ही साक्षात् तारक ब्रह्म हैं | (28)
गुरुसेवा गया प्रोक्ता देहः स्यादक्षयो वटः |
तत्पादं विष्णुपादं स्यात् तत्रदत्तमनस्ततम् ||
गुरुदेव की सेवा ही तीर्थराज गया है | गुरुदेव का शरीर अक्षय वटवृक्ष है | गुरुदेव के श्रीचरण भगवान विष्णु के श्रीचरण हैं | वहाँ लगाया हुआ मन तदाकार हो जाता है | (29)
गुरुवक्त्रे स्थितं ब्रह्म प्राप्यते तत्प्रसादतः |
गुरोर्ध्यानं सदा कुर्यात् पुरूषं स्वैरिणी यथा ||
ब्रह्म श्रीगुरुदेव के मुखारविन्द (वचनामृत) में स्थित है | वह ब्रह्म उनकी कृपा से प्राप्त हो जाता है | इसलिये जिस प्रकार स्वेच्छाचारी स्त्री अपने प्रेमी पुरुष का सदा चिंतन करती है उसी प्रकार सदा गुरुदेव का ध्यान करना चाहिये | (30)
स्वाश्रमं च स्वजातिं च स्वकीर्ति पुष्टिवर्धनम् |
एतत्सर्वं परित्यज्य गुरुमेव समाश्रयेत् ||
अपने आश्रम (ब्रह्मचर्याश्रमादि) जाति, कीर्ति (पदप्रतिष्ठा), पालन-पोषण, ये सब छोड़ कर गुरुदेव का ही सम्यक् आश्रय लेना चाहिये | (31)
गुरुवक्त्रे स्थिता विद्या गुरुभक्त्या च लभ्यते |
त्रैलोक्ये स्फ़ुटवक्तारो देवर्षिपितृमानवाः ||
विद्या गुरुदेव के मुख में रहती है और वह गुरुदेव की भक्ति से ही प्राप्त होती है | यह बात तीनों लोकों में देव, ॠषि, पितृ और मानवों द्वारा स्पष्ट रूप से कही गई है | (32)
गुकारश्चान्धकारो हि रुकारस्तेज उच्यते |
अज्ञानग्रासकं ब्रह्म गुरुरेव न संशयः ||
‘गु’ शब्द का अर्थ है अंधकार (अज्ञान) और ‘रु’ शब्द का अर्थ है प्रकाश (ज्ञान) | अज्ञान को नष्ट करनेवाल जो ब्रह्मरूप प्रकाश है वह गुरु है | इसमें कोई संशय नहीं है | (33)
गुकारश्चान्धकारस्तु रुकारस्तन्निरोधकृत् |
अन्धकारविनाशित्वात् गुरुरित्यभिधीयते ||
‘गु’ कार अंधकार है और उसको दूर करनेवाल ‘रु’ कार है | अज्ञानरूपी अन्धकार को नष्ट करने के कारण ही गुरु कहलाते हैं | (34)
गुकारश्च गुणातीतो रूपातीतो रुकारकः |
गुणरूपविहीनत्वात् गुरुरित्यभिधीयते ||
‘गु’ कार से गुणातीत कहा जता है, ‘रु’ कार से रूपातीत कहा जता है | गुण और रूप से पर होने के कारण ही गुरु कहलाते हैं | (35)
गुकारः प्रथमो वर्णो मायादि गुणभासकः |
रुकारोऽस्ति परं ब्रह्म मायाभ्रान्तिविमोचकम् ||
गुरु शब्द का प्रथम अक्षर गु माया आदि गुणों का प्रकाशक है और दूसरा अक्षर रु कार माया की भ्रान्ति से मुक्ति देनेवाला परब्रह्म है | (36)
सर्वश्रुतिशिरोरत्नविराजितपदांबुजम् |
वेदान्तार्थप्रवक्तारं तस्मात्संपूजयेद् गुरुम् ||
गुरु सर्व श्रुतिरूप श्रेष्ठ रत्नों से सुशोभित चरणकमलवाले हैं और वेदान्त के अर्थ के प्रवक्ता हैं | इसलिये श्री गुरुदेव की पूजा करनी चाहिये | (37)
यस्यस्मरणमात्रेण ज्ञानमुत्पद्यते स्वयम् |
सः एव सर्वसम्पत्तिः तस्मात्संपूजयेद् गुरुम् ||
जिनके स्मरण मात्र से ज्ञान अपने आप प्रकट होने लगता है और वे ही सर्व (शमदमदि) सम्पदारूप हैं | अतः श्री गुरुदेव की पूजा करनी चाहिये | (38)
संसारवृक्षमारूढ़ाः पतन्ति नरकार्णवे |
यस्तानुद्धरते सर्वान् तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ||
संसाररूपी वृक्ष पर चढ़े हुए लोग नरकरूपी सागर में गिरते हैं | उन सबका उद्धार करनेवाले श्री गुरुदेव को नमस्कार हो | (39)
एक एव परो बन्धुर्विषमे समुपस्थिते |
गुरुः सकलधर्मात्मा तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ||
जब विकट परिस्थिति उपस्थित होती है तब वे ही एकमात्र परम बांधव हैं और सब धर्मों के आत्मस्वरूप हैं | ऐसे श्रीगुरुदेव को नमस्कार हो | (40)
भवारण्यप्रविष्टस्य दिड्मोहभ्रान्तचेतसः |
येन सन्दर्शितः पन्थाः तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ||
संसार रूपी अरण्य में प्रवेश करने के बाद दिग्मूढ़ की स्थिति में (जब कोई मार्ग नहीं दिखाई देता है), चित्त भ्रमित हो जाता है , उस समय जिसने मार्ग दिखाया उन श्री गुरुदेव को नमस्कार हो | (41)
तापत्रयाग्नितप्तानां अशान्तप्राणीनां भुवि |
गुरुरेव परा गंगा तस्मै श्रीगुरुवे नमः ||
इस पृथ्वी पर त्रिविध ताप (आधि-व्याधि-उपाधि) रूपी अग्नी से जलने के कारण अशांत हुए प्राणियों के लिए गुरुदेव ही एकमात्र उत्तम गंगाजी हैं | ऐसे श्री गुरुदेवजी को नमस्कार हो | (42)
सप्तसागरपर्यन्तं तीर्थस्नानफलं तु यत् |
गुरुपादपयोबिन्दोः सहस्रांशेन तत्फलम् ||
सात समुद्र पर्यन्त के सर्व तीर्थों में स्नान करने से जितना फल मिलता है वह फल श्रीगुरुदेव के चरणामृत के एक बिन्दु के फल का हजारवाँ हिस्सा है | (43)
शिवे रुष्टे गुरुस्त्राता गुरौ रुष्टे न कश्चन |
लब्ध्वा कुलगुरुं सम्यग्गुरुमेव समाश्रयेत् ||
यदि शिवजी नारज़ हो जायें तो गुरुदेव बचानेवाले हैं, किन्तु यदि गुरुदेव नाराज़ हो जायें तो बचानेवाला कोई नहीं | अतः गुरुदेव को संप्राप्त करके सदा उनकी शरण में रेहना चाहिए | (44)
गुकारं च गुणातीतं रुकारं रुपवर्जितम् |
गुणातीतमरूपं च यो दद्यात् स गुरुः स्मृतः ||
गुरु शब्द का गु अक्षर गुणातीत अर्थ का बोधक है और रु अक्षर रूपरहित स्थिति का बोधक है | ये दोनों (गुणातीत और रूपातीत) स्थितियाँ जो देते हैं उनको गुरु कहते हैं | (45)
अत्रिनेत्रः शिवः साक्षात् द्विबाहुश्च हरिः स्मृतः |
योऽचतुर्वदनो ब्रह्मा श्रीगुरुः कथितः प्रिये ||
हे प्रिये ! गुरु ही त्रिनेत्ररहित (दो नेत्र वाले) साक्षात् शिव हैं, दो हाथ वाले भगवान विष्णु हैं और एक मुखवाले ब्रह्माजी हैं | (46)
देवकिन्नरगन्धर्वाः पितृयक्षास्तु तुम्बुरुः |
मुनयोऽपि न जानन्ति गुरुशुश्रूषणे विधिम् ||
देव, किन्नर, गंधर्व, पितृ, यक्ष, तुम्बुरु (गंधर्व का एक प्रकार) और मुनि लोग भी गुरुसेवा की विधि नहीं जानते | (47)
तार्किकाश्छान्दसाश्चैव देवज्ञाः कर्मठः प्रिये |
लौकिकास्ते न जानन्ति गुरुतत्वं निराकुलम् ||
हे प्रिये ! तार्किक, वैदिक, ज्योतिषि, कर्मकांडी तथा लोकिकजन निर्मल गुरुतत्व को नहीं जानते | (48)
यज्ञिनोऽपि न मुक्ताः स्युः न मुक्ताः योगिनस्तथा |
तापसा अपि नो मुक्त गुरुतत्वात्पराड्मुखाः ||
यदि गुरुतत्व से प्राड्मुख हो जाये तो याज्ञिक मुक्ति नहीं पा सकते, योगी मुक्त नहीं हो सकते और तपस्वी भी मुक्त नहीं हो सकते | (49)
न मुक्तास्तु गन्धर्वः पितृयक्षास्तु चारणाः |
ॠष्यः सिद्धदेवाद्याः गुरुसेवापराड्मुखाः ||
गुरुसेवा से विमुख गंधर्व, पितृ, यक्ष, चारण, ॠषि, सिद्ध और देवता आदि भी मुक्त नहीं होंगे |
|| इति श्री स्कान्दोत्तरखण्डे उमामहेश्वरसंवादे श्री गुरुगीतायां प्रथमोऽध्यायः ||
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