People undertake
various spiritual practices to attain Divinity. One may be evil-minded,
yet with the blessings of elders and in the company of noble souls, one
can easily get rid of evil tendencies and develop virtues. The life of
Ratnakara, the highway robber, bears ample testimony to this. His life
was transformed as he came into contact with the Saptharishis (seven sages).
He gave up his evil ways and unwaveringly followed their teachings and
ultimately became the Sage Valmiki. He set an ideal to mankind and composed
the great epic, Ramayana. Prahlada, the son of demon king Hiranyakasipu,
constantly contemplated on Lord Narayana and chanted His Name. As a result,
he had the same divine effulgence of Lord Narayana Himself. Likewise,
Charles Darwin resembled his master Henslow in all respects as he continuously
thought of him and followed his teachings. Similarly our ancient sages
and seers always contemplated on God constantly and adhered to His dictates.
As a consequence their faces radiated divine brilliance. Lord Krishna
has said the same in the Bhagavadgita, Mamaivamso Jeevaloke Jeevabhuta
Sanathanah (the eternal Atma in all beings is a part of My Being).
He said, "Arjuna, it is My Divine effulgence that shines forth in
all." God is all-pervasive. He is present in all elements and in
all beings in the form of radiance. When God is ever present within, why
does man suffer? Some people say that they are facing hardships and are
leading a miserable life. It is foolish on their part to say so. God,
the indweller, has absolutely no sorrow and worries. He is the embodiment
of supreme bliss. Is it not a sign of foolishness to think that you are
haunted by misery when God is installed on the altar of your heart? God
says, "I am present in you. You are but a spark of My Divinity."
Such being the case, how can one be affected by difficulties and sorrows?
When you enquire on these lines, you will realise that the demonic and
bestial tendencies in you are responsible for this. You will not be able
to experience the truth Mamaivamsho
unless and until you
give up evil qualities.
Though God is present within, man behaves as if he is under the influence
of a demon. First of all, he should realise that he is a spark of divinity
and that no evil spirits can control him. God says that He resides in
your heart. Heart is a single seat. There is room for one only. So, God
only should be seated in your heart and none else.
Today man is failing
to comprehend that he is an aspect of divinity. He is unaware of the fact
that God is within and deludes himself that there is none to care for
him. Everyone is endowed with a heart which is divine and by nature full
of compassion. God dwells in such a heart. But today man has become hard-hearted
as he has lost this natural compassion. Such a person cannot be called
a spark of the Divine; he is verily a demon. The assertion Mamaivamsho
does not apply in such case. There is a spark of divinity in the
heart of everyone. It is because of bhrama (delusion) that man is unable
to realise his divine nature. In the first instance, man should make efforts
to overcome this delusion and realise that God is always with him, in
him, around him, above him and below him. Delusion causes evil feelings
to arise in your heart and mind. They are sheer imagination and have nothing
to do with divinity.
God is present in the heart of one and all. He does not have a particular
form and is not confined to a particular place. He is present in your
heart and is all-pervasive. Sarvatah Panipadam Tat Sarvathokshi Siromukham,
Sarvata Sruthimalloke Sarvamavruthya Thishthati (With hands, feet,
eyes, heads, mouth and ears pervading everything, He permeates the entire
universe). Such effulgent divine principle of the Self is termed as Atma.
Krishna has asserted, this Atma is a part of His own aspects. There cannot
be any defects or imperfections in such divine principle. Whatever defects
you think you see are purely the result of your imagination. God is the
embodiment of virtues. Hence, man too should lead a life of virtues. Evil
propensities are impediments to the spiritual path. For a start, man should
distance himself from all evil actions and undertake good deeds. Only
then will he have the right to call himself a human being. Human life
is highly sacred. The Upanishads consider human life to be verily divine.
Man considers himself to be a weakling because he has forgotten the principle
of The Self which is beyond all attributes. His evil qualities, wicked
deeds and misconduct have brought him down to this sorry state. As is
the company, so are the thoughts. Hence, it is said, "Tell me your
company, I shall tell you what you are." Your friendship influences
your nature. Ratnakara became Sage Valmiki because of his association
with the Saptharishis. Prahlada was the son of a demon, yet he was always
in the company of noble souls.
Sathsangatwe Nissangatwam, Nissangatwe Nirmohatwam, Nirmohatwe Nischalatattwam,
Nischalatattwe Jivanmukti (Sanskrit Sloka)
(Good company leads to detachment, detachment makes one free from delusion,
freedom from delusion leads to steadiness of mind and steadiness of mind
confers liberation.)
What is the inner significance of Devi Navaratri? People worship the Triune
Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi during these nine days. Who is
Durga? She is the embodiment of all powers. Saraswati is the presiding
deity of speech and wisdom.
The Gayatri Mantra begins with "Om Bhur Bhuvah Suvah."
'Bhuh' means materialisation. It represents matter which is subject to
change. Bhuvah represents life principle, i.e., vibration. Savitri is
the presiding deity of life principle. You must have heard the story of
Savitri, who restored her dead husband back to life with the power of
her devotion and surrender. Saraswati is worshipped as 'Jnana Devata'
as she confers good intellect and wisdom. This is described in the Vedas
as Prajnanam Brahma. Prajnana does not mean worldly knowledge.
It is Constant Integrated Awareness, which is changeless and eternal.
The divine mother has three names: Gayatri, Savitri and Saraswati. Gayantham
Trayathe Iti Gayathri (Gayatri protects those who sing her glory).
Gayatri, being the presiding deity of our senses, helps us to master the
senses. Savitri, being the presiding deity of the life principle, protects
our life. Saraswati bestows on us the changeless and eternal wisdom. Gayatri,
Savitri and Saraswati are present in every man, but he is not able to
understand and experience their presence. Consequently, he is giving room
to wicked qualities and indulging in evil deeds, thereby ruining his life.
His bad habits are responsible for his downfall. First of all, man has
to develop good habits and transform himself. How could Savitri revive
her dead husband back to life? She transformed the vibration in her into
divine vibration by contemplating on God incessantly. That led to the
resurrection of her husband. When you develop divine feelings, nothing
is impossible for you. Any mighty task can be accomplished through pure
and selfless love.
Love develops divine power in you. There is nothing that love cannot conquer
in this world. Sages perform penance in dense forests infested with wild
animals. They do not possess any weapon for self-protection. The weapon
that protects them is their intense love and yearning for God. They tame
the wild beasts with their power of love and transform them into docile
beings. Man's character gets transformed into good or bad depending his
company. Noble company bestows noble feelings and bad company gives rise
to evil traits. Your speech and conduct are based on your feelings. You
deserve to be called a human being only when you develop good feelings.
Form alone does not constitute a human being. A true human being is one
who embodies good habits, helps ever and hurts never. You should not merely
be an Aakara Manava (human in form); you should become an Aachara
Manava (human in practice). Speak good, see good, do good and be good.
Divinity will manifest in you only when your conduct is good. God is not
somewhere in a distant land; He is very much in you, with you and around
you, guiding you and guarding you. Develop divine feelings and listen
to the divine voice from within. Human body can be compared to the musical
instrument Veena. You can enjoy the divine melody only when it is tuned
to divine feelings. The divine melody will bestow bliss on you and make
you forget yourself in ecstasy. On the other hand, Profane feelings will
give rise to discordant notes. Hence, let your thoughts, words and deeds
be suffused with sacred feelings.
Do not hurt others. Paropakaraya Punyaya, Papaya Parapeedanam (one
attains merit by serving others and commits sin by hurting them). Hence,
the Vedas teach, Help ever, hurt never. The Vedas emphasise on
the need to cultivate sacred feelings. In fact, the sacred feelings are
within, but man has forgotten them. Human being is the repository of divine
energy. Durga (goddess of energy), Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) and Saraswati
(goddess of wisdom) are present in the human. Man is not poor in any sense.
He is not weak or forlorn. He has all the capacity to experience divine
bliss. In spite of being endowed with all powers, man is weak. This is
the effect of evil company. You should not take it amiss, but the fact
is that the modern system of education is ruining the lives of many. Modern
education is leading to agitation instead of elevation. It is giving rise
to evil qualities like anger, greed, desire, jealousy, etc. In fact, people
who are unlettered have the virtues of humility, obedience, love and peace.
Humility is the hallmark of education. One may acquire high qualification,
but all his knowledge becomes useless if he lacks humility.
"In
spite of his education and intelligence, a foolish man will not know
his true Self and a mean-minded person will not give up his wicked
qualities. Modern education leads only to argumentation, not to total
wisdom. What is the use of acquiring worldly education if it cannot
lead you to immortality? Acquire the knowledge that will confer on
you immortality." |
(Telugu
Poem) |
True education is
that which fosters truth, morality, integrity and culture. Education should
develop human values in you. You should respect elders and serve your
parents. People talk of friendship but we do not find true friends anywhere.
Today friendship is tainted with wickedness and self-interest.
Tyaja
Durjana Samsargam; Bhaja Sadhu Samagamam; Kuru Punyam Ahorathram;
Smara Nityam Anityatham |
(shun bad company;
seek good company and perform righteous deeds the whole day; discriminate
between permanent and ephemeral).
This is what you are supposed to do. Some people appear to be good and
talk sweetly, but their minds are filled with wicked feelings. Beware
of such people and keep them at a distance. It is because of such people
abound that present-day society is in turmoil.
Prahlada was the son of a demon king, yet his thoughts were always centred
on Lord Narayana. He repeated His Name always. His father and his teachers
tried their best to divert him from spiritual path and infuse demonic
traits in him. Once Hiranyakasipu asked Prahlada what he had learnt from
his preceptors. Prahlada replied, "The teachers have taught me many
things. I have learnt the principles of Dharma and Artha (righteousness
and wealth) and studied sacred scriptures. In fact, I have learnt the
very essence of all knowledge." Hiranyakasipu was overjoyed to hear
all this. He said, "Oh son! Let me have the pleasure of listening
to that great knowledge." Prahlada said, "Oh father, the Name
of Hari will destroy all our sins. Of what use is one's education if one
does not contemplate on Lord Hari and attain liberation?" Hiranyakasipu
became furious on hearing this. He pushed him from his lap. But Prahlada
was least perturbed. He continued to chant the name of Lord Narayana.
Hiranyakasipu subjected him to various ordeals. He made elephants trample
upon him and set poisonous snakes to bite him. Prahlada's unflinching
faith in Lord Narayana protected him from all these dangers. Prahlada
felt the mighty elephant to be as light as feather and the poison turned
into nectar by the power of his devotion. Such things can be understood
only by experience and not by mere description. Though he was young, Prahlada
was firm in his resolve. Hiranyakasipu was overcome fury. He roared, "Oh
madcap, you talk very high of your God, where is He?" Prahlada very
calmly replied, "Father, never doubt that God is here and not
there. In fact, He is present wherever you look for Him." (Telugu
Poem) "If God is all-pervasive, can you show Him in this pillar?",
he challenged Prahlada. "Yes, I can", pat came the answer. Such
was Prahlada's faith and devotion. One can attain divinity only with confidence.
Where
there is confidence, there is love;
Where there is love, there is truth;
Where there is truth, there is peace;
Where there is peace, there is bliss;
Where there is bliss, there is God.
|
Hiranyakasipu at
once hit the pillar with a mace. Lo and behold! Lord Narasimha emerged
from it. What is the inner meaning of this? The body is like a pillar.
One can have the vision of Atma only when one breaks the manacles of body
attachment. You can develop Atmabhimana (love for the Atma) once you give
up Dehabhimana (body attachment). It is only Atmabhimana that will protect
you always. Learn the language of the heart. It can be taught only by
divinity and not by teachers.
Students!
What you need today is unwavering faith in God. Faith alone can protect
you. Under all circumstances, at all times, consider God as the basis
of your life. Give up evil qualities like anger, greed, jealousy, etc.
Anger can be compared to Ravana's pyre. It keeps burning always. Desire
is the cause of man's downfall. Hence, eradicate desire and anger.
You should manifest love and be embodiments of love. Love is God, live
in love. If you have love, you can achieve anything.
Start
the day with love,
Fill the day with love,
Spend the day with love,
End the day with love,
This is the way to God.
|
Hence, develop the
spirit of love. Love is the most potent weapon that can win over anyone.
What was the weapon that protected our ancients who lived in forests?
It was not hydrogen bomb or atom bomb. It was love and love alone. So,
one need not acquire atom bomb or hydrogen bomb, it is enough if one has
the weapon of love. You can conquer the entire world with the power of
love.
People worship Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati during these nine days. Durga
destroyed the demons. As the weapons are no longer needed, people perform
Ayudha Puja. When you pray to Durga wholeheartedly, she will protect you
in all your endeavours.
You are not able
to understand the principle of divinity. Nobody in this world can help
you the way God helps you. Hence, surrender yourself to God and pray for
His help. Also devotion to God safeguards our ancient culture. People
are haunted by misery and grief as they have forgotten God.
Control your emotions. Develop love. Do not entertain evil thoughts. Nothing
can confer the experience of bliss that the proximity of God gives. Love
all and all will love you. Share your love with even dogs, monkeys and
cats. You can see how they reciprocate your love. Man lacks the sense
of gratitude that even dogs have. We see many foreigners having dogs and
cats as their pets. When you love them, they too will love you in turn.
Yad Bhavam Tad Bhavathi (as you think so you become). You are bound
to experience the reflection, reaction and resound of your feelings, be
they good or bad. If you see bad in others, it is only a reflection of
your bad feelings. It is a mistake to blame others ignoring your own faults.
Purify your feelings in the first instance. Love even those whom you consider
as wicked. In fact, nobody is wicked in this world. It is because of bhrama
(delusion) that you consider some as good and some wicked. Develop Sathya
Sankalpas (noble feelings) and follow the path of truth. Do not indulge
in vain gossip. Instead, sanctify your time by chanting the Divine name.
There is nothing sweeter than Divine name.
(Bhagawan sang the bhajan, "Hare Rama, Hare Rama
"
and continued His Discourse.)
Remember what Shivaji
taught his minister. This body will be respected so long as there is life
in it. Once the life ebbs away, it will not have any value. The same was
stated by Duryodhana during his last moments. He said, "I was respected
so long as I was alive. Tomorrow crows and dogs are going to feast on
me." Whatever has to happen will happen. Lead a respectable life
while you are alive. Develop divine feelings in you. Only then you would
have led a true human life. Today man is leading a purely materialistic
life. This is also necessary to a certain extent. Remember that there
is the transcendental principle even in this secular life.
Embodiment of Love!
The divine vibrations that result from the Bhajan you have just sung is
spreading to all parts of the world. The divine name that you chant purifies
the hearts of many. Hence, do not entertain bad feelings. Do not use bad
words. Use only sacred words. Sing the glory of God. By doing so, you
would have rendered a great help to the whole world. Do not hurt others.
Help everybody. When you help others, you will certainly achieve positive
results. Make proper use of your time. Chant God's Name and make your
heart sacred.
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